2008

America and Britain in Prophecy

BY DAVID C. PACK

All nations are rushing toward the grand smash conclusion to occur in the “last days.” Humanity plunges ahead—blind, pleasure-crazed and detached from important world events occurring daily. American, British, Canadian and other Western leaders would take action, if they only knew what lies ahead. Great prophetic truths, revealing amazing—indeed astonishing—climactic changes soon to stagger all civilization, go unrecognized. But Western leaders, with the rest of the world, remain in ignorance—WHY? Now you can learn what others have not understood!

Video Introduction from the Author (1:53)

Introduction

Awe-inspiring prophecies recorded long ago have been fulfilled. Others are now coming to pass. Still others are yet to occur. These all involve the greatest nations in the history of the world—and they are part of a divine purpose far beyond the imagination of the world’s most brilliant minds!

Approximately one-third of the Bible is prophecy—history written in advance. Over three-quarters of this future history is yet to be fulfilled. Tragically, most Bible readers are completely unaware of awesome, impending world events, soon to stagger all nations—focusing first on the greatest nations. Vast sections of Scripture are hidden from them, and remain lost to their understanding. The result is that most simply have no idea what the future holds. Even those who are interested in learning remain tangled in a Gordian knot of disjointed, confusing, competing—and plain wrong!—popular ideas and opinions. They remain ignorant of fascinating, incredible—and truly vital!—knowledge, life-changing knowledge.

This need not be you!

God intended these “great nations prophecies” be understood, or He would not have recorded them. His Word declares, “We [God’s servants] have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place…knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation [all related verses must be placed together]. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Pet. 1:19-21).

Prophecy is something that God brings to pass. These involve events no man could carry out, and their fulfillment does not hinge on the thinking or agreement of human beings. God’s Word is “sure” and all would “do well” to “take heed”—pay attention!—to what God makes known.

The most educated, prosperous and influential civilizations have all come and gone, with no exceptions. The pattern of history is that Rome, Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Persia, and other powerful, developed empires, rose to dizzying heights before crumbling and final collapse.

Will America’s and Britain’s future be the same?

Everything is at stake for the Anglo-Saxon peoples—literally. Cataclysmic prophecies must yet be fulfilled—and these will soon begin to crash upon unsuspecting populations. You can, indeed you must, understand all that lies ahead for hundreds of millions.

The ultimate future of the American and British peoples is astounding, with their greatest period of prosperity and world influence yet ahead. But this time will not come as their leaders, planners and thinkers might hope.

What is coming is totally unexpected.

When related Bible passages are placed together in clear and concise form—the Bible is a jigsaw puzzle, and it must be permitted to interpret itself—the prophecies about America and Britain (and certain other Western countries) are not difficult to understand. In fact, you will find yourself wondering why so few have been able to comprehend them.

God has left a plain message in His Word—a clear path—for those willing to read and understand, and willing to accept blunt warnings, impossible to misunderstand. If this is you, it is necessary to read the whole book, through the final chapter.

May God help you comprehend all you are about to learn!

Chapter One –

Great Prophecies Unlocked!

Suppose you could know the direction and conclusion of world events—world history—in advance of the outcome. What if you could know the courses of nations before they happen? What if the future of great nations—indeed the greatest nations—could be known? In other words, imagine knowing tomorrow’s biggest headlines before they come to pass, and how events will affect you, and every human being, personally.

Now imagine knowing in detail exactly what is in store for the United States and Britain—the greatest nations in all history. The governments and leaders of the West do not know the shocking, world-shattering changes just over the horizon for the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and certain Western European nations—with the Middle East at the center of the coming explosion of events.

But you can know—and, if you read carefully, you soon will!

Ominous Signs Abound

Turmoil, fear and confusion now grip the nations of the West. Terrorism, resultant economic upheaval and widespread uncertainty have left people confused, not knowing where to turn for answers to the great questions about the future, now on the minds of millions!

Many sense that the differences both between and within nations are intensifying, threatening to spin out of control. New and different power blocs are forming, with traditional alliances wavering, waning or disappearing.

Ominous signs of grave difficulty in resolving humanity’s most fundamental problems are everywhere. Many sense that the world is hurtling toward terrible trouble, even absolute calamity. Disease, famine and war sweep the planet as never before. New diseases are continually appearing and old ones are reappearing worse than ever. This and famine, which always follows in the wake of war, are decimating entire segments of local populations. Weapons of mass destruction, so incomprehensibly destructive that they boggle the mind, now threaten humanity as never before. Many nations are learning to live “on alert” to terrorist “cells,” which can strike anywhere without notice.

World conditions, events and trends speak daily in frightening terms about how things could quickly turn in the wrong direction. The courses of nations, including the greatest nations, hang in the balance. History shows that all the great civilizations eventually crashed, having become decadent, awash in material prosperity, greed—and educated in wrong knowledge. This can happen again!

Of course, many are unmoved—unfazed—not concerned about the tumultuous events surrounding them, trusting that things will work out in the end “because they always do.” Many, believing things will eventually “turn out alright,” close their eyes, choosing to pursue pleasure and the accumulation of material goods at an even more frantic pace. But for the short term, things will not turn out alright. World conditions are and will become far more serious—even catastrophic—than most realize.

At the same time, regarding just the physical location of nations, the recent “generation X,” and now the much worse “generation millennium,” reflect an appalling ignorance of the most basic geography, and a nearly total lack of knowledge about even the most rudimentary understanding of relationships between countries—with studies now revealing that most people ages 18 to 24 cannot even locate them on a map.

Why can the very best minds not find peace? Why do even these remain in almost complete ignorance of the staggering events soon to strike all humanity? Both Isaiah, in the Old Testament (Isa. 59:8), and Paul, in the New Testament (Rom. 3:17), flatly state that men do “not know the way to peace.” This vital knowledge has been missing for millennia. The institutions of men are woefully uninformed—and ultimately toothless—concerning the causes of peace, leading to the right effects all peoples long for—world peace. In the end, neither diplomacy nor war has worked, while knowledge of the right causes that lead to peace remains unseen, eliminating any hope of success.

While men may talk about, call for and pretend to seek peace, world leaders always seem to fall back on the tool of war to achieve it—and suffering, misery and unhappiness increase in its wake. Even Napoleon warned, “You have got to be very careful with war, because, with all the excitement, you may grow to love it.” Nations have grown to love war—indeed, they are addicted to it. For 6,000 years, man has proven himself unable to break the cycle of war.

As a result, history’s greatest wars lie dead ahead!

What About the Greatest Nations?

Against the backdrop of growing fear, mixed with ignorance, many wonder—and are openly asking—about America and Britain’s role in the great prophecies foretold in the Bible to occur in the “last days.” Recognizing their rise to extraordinary prominence, having become so big and dominant, that their impact on the world at large is enormous, people naturally wonder, “What about the United States and Britain?” Surely, among the Bible’s great prophecies, God would not ignore them. Are they mentioned in prophecy? If so, where? And will these nations be exceptions to the collapse of all the great civilizations that preceded them?

Not knowing who or what to believe, some ask their ministers—and find that they do not know! Others turn to so-called prophecy experts—psychics, seers, crystal ball gazers and self-described prophets, and other “experts”—but find that none of these know either. Truly, the educated of this world—but uneducated in basic, right spiritual knowledge—commentators, columnists, generals, scientists and educators—have absolutely no idea how to answer this question. Deceived, and having closed their minds, many at least do recognize this is beyond their field.

It was only about 200 years ago that America and the British Commonwealth of nations suddenly shot to great prominence and power. Not so long ago, the combined wealth of these nations was over 70 percent of the total wealth and physical resources of the world. All the rest of the nations combined possessed less than 30 percent—considerably less than half of just these two nations. Of Britain, it was often said, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” Yet, right on schedule, Britain has declined to an almost third-rate power.

Now consider. About one-third of the Bible is prophecy, and nearly 90 percent of this remains unfulfilled. Virtually all of it has to do with world events, trends and happenings for our time. How then could the mightiest nations of all time be left unmentioned?

But, invariably, religious leaders explain that America, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are merely Gentile nations, thus believing that end-time prophecy totally disregards these great nations, with America and Britain the greatest of all time. Deceived, they usually focus on the prophecies describing the Jews, while remaining completely ignorant of the enormous understanding available to those who know where and how to find pivotal knowledge, missing in today’s world, about the identity of the Anglo-Saxon peoples of the West. These “leaders” simply do not know where, how—or what—to look for. Therefore, the answers remain elusive.

Explosion of Interest in Prophecy

Knowing that something is terribly wrong, many sense that the world has reached what the Bible calls the “end time”—or “last days.” This has caused a mushrooming of interest in biblical prophecy.

Literally, millions of people now routinely discuss terms such as “Anti-Christ, Great Tribulation, Millennium, Armageddon, Beast, False Prophet, God’s Wrath, Abomination of Desolation” and others, without proper meaning or comprehension. Again, they simply do not know where or how to look within God’s Word to get correct understanding of what these and other terms mean, and how they will play out, sequentially, within God’s incredible Master Plan for the end of the age. Like a kind of prophetic “Rubik’s Cube,” the many critical pieces of the puzzle never come together. This is because, instead of directly examining the hundreds of clear scriptures on these and other aspects of prophecy—for proof (I Thes. 5:21)!—many seem content to trust in human “experts.”

As a result, confusion and disagreement about how to solve this great Rubik’s Cube are also mushrooming, indeed have never been greater.

The Bible is approximately 750,000 words. Since about one-third is prophecy, this means that 250,000 words are devoted to many, many prophecies. Now ask: What possible purpose would God have for devoting a full third of His Words to a subject—any subject—and then leave mankind in the dark about it? God gives prophecy for two clear purposes: (1) As a warning for those who will take heed and (2) proof of the existence of the true God of the Bible—and, therefore, the authority of the Bible.

This book brings the plain truth of the Bible to the final events prophesied to soon strike an unsuspecting world in general—and the United States and Britain in particular!

What is Prophecy?

Any study of prophecy has to begin with the proper definition of what it is. Most lack an understanding of even this most basic knowledge.

Bible prophecy is “the inspired, divine revelation or foretelling of historical events, written in advance of those events, pertaining to the unfolding of God’s Plan for mankind.” A shorter definition is simply “foretelling the future.”

The apostle Peter wrote this about how God intends that prophecy illuminate the understanding of those who study it: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place…” (II Pet. 1:19). This verse reveals God’s purpose regarding His “sure word of prophecy,” designed to bring “light” to “dark places”—so that people will “take heed.” You must be willing to take heed to what is written.

Now continue: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (vs. 20). This verse is most crucial to understand. No single verse—or even any two or three passages—is sufficient to bring full, correct prophetic understanding. God says that His Word is recorded “precept upon precept; line upon line…here a little, and there a little” (Isa. 28:10, 13). One must know how to put many related verses together to get the full picture.

Continue again in II Peter 1: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (vs. 21). In short, prophecy comes from God, through His servants, as He inspires them to record His words.

No Person Can Do This!

God alone can fulfill prophecy. No human being has even the knowledge of what are world-shattering future events, let alone the power to bring them to pass centuries or even millennia beyond his lifetime. In Isaiah 41:21-23, God challenges all would-be “prophets” of this world to try to do what only He can do.

In Isaiah 48, God says, “I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of My mouth, and I showed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass…I have even from the beginning declared it to you; before it came to pass I showed it you” (vs. 3, 5).

The Moffatt translation renders verse 3 this way: “What has occurred I foretold long ago; it fell from My lips, I predicted it, then suddenly I acted—it was done.” What God purposes will happen! If He tells us something—anything—is to occur, it will occur!

Isaiah 46:9-10 states, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

Strong words—and all skeptics ought heed them well!

But God goes further. Not only are men powerless to foretell and fulfill prophecy, God is also capable of thwarting and overthrowing the purposes of governments and nations: “The Eternal wrecks the purposes of pagans, He brings to nothing what the nations plan; but the Eternal’s purpose stands for ever, and what He plans will last from age to age…The Eternal looks from heaven, beholding all mankind; from where He sits, He scans all who inhabit the world; He who alone made their minds, He notes all they do” (Psa. 33:10-15, Moffatt translation).

Yes, men may have their plans about how to solve the big, complex problems facing civilization, but God “wrecks”—smashes—them, “bringing them to nothing.” God has plainly told us how He plans to do this at the conclusion of 6,000 years of human affairs.

God Reveals His Purpose in Advance

God gives us this sure promise of what will happen in advance of events He intends to fulfill: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He reveals His secret unto His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7).

God keeps His promises. He always reveals major events before they happen.

Everyone wants to know what the future holds. Many have opinions, but few recognize where to find the answers. Others think they understand the prophecies of the Bible—and this is probably most true of the book of Revelation. Yet, when understood, all popular human interpretations of this book are ridiculous—a complete jumble of ideas where a little truth is mixed with much error. They are almost painful to read—yet large numbers now do believe such dangerous, counterfeit scenarios.

What is the truth about prophecy? What does the Bible really say about events preceding Christ’s Return? Sobering world conditions make this question loom larger than ever. Nothing that has occurred over the past 6,000 years even remotely compares to what is yet to come upon this world!

Understand! Almighty God will soon have to intervene and save humanity from itself. But before this occurs, world trouble will greatly increase—intensifying to staggering proportions. This will be followed by unexpected and cataclysmic events that will shake the whole world! Civilization, as we know it, will change forever.

Many have come to believe that it has always been God’s intention to leave all prophecy sealed, closed from understanding. Yet, you will be intrigued—even fascinated—by the ringing clarity of what can be known about the future. Events are building to a final culmination—a tremendous climax! Again, you can understand them.

The introduction to the book of Revelation shows God’s intent is to reveal to “His servants” what lies ahead for all nations. The Revelation comes from Christ, not John, who is merely the scribe recording what Christ reveals to all who will heed His words: “The Revelation [a revealing] of Jesus Christ [not John]…to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass…signified…unto His servant John: who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ…Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (1:1-3).

Obviously, none can “keep” the great prophecies of Revelation, or any others, unless they understand them. Therefore, God must provide the necessary keys to understanding all that lies ahead. We will examine these keys.

Prophecy Only Understood by Christ’s Servants

Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are parallel accounts of what is called The Olivet Prophecy. This all-important prophecy works in combination with the books of Revelation and Daniel, referenced momentarily. It puts in sequence events that transcend the entire period from Christ’s First Coming until His Return, almost 2,000 years later.

Most have not understood the events of this prophecy because they do not understand the keys to unlocking it—and they do not understand that Christ spoke it “privately” to only His disciples—“His servants.” This must be understood because it identifies who are and are not able to understand what lies ahead for the world!

Matthew uses the most detail, so we will look there, where the prophecy picks up in verse 3. Notice: “And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world [age]?”

Verses 4-15 follow with Christ’s list of a whole series of events, which occur sequentially until just prior to His Return. Verse 15 concludes with a reference to “Daniel the prophet” and “whoso reads, let him understand.”

Of course, most today do not—and will not—understand the shocking crush of events soon to smash into civilization. Here is why. God’s servants obey Him (Acts 5:32). Understanding flows directly from obedience to God: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments” (Psa. 111:10).

All who yield themselves in obedience to God, wishing to be His disciples—His servants—will be able to understand all the great prophecies to be fulfilled in the last days! Almost everyone in professing Christianity refuses to obey God, rejecting His authority over them—and remains blind as a result. No amount of trying to understand will unlock God’s purpose to those who will not keep His Law.

This is the great first key to grasping the meaning of major biblical prophecies for America and Britain. They are intended for, and will only be understood by, God’s true people. All others will remain in confusion, mangling and misunderstanding the horrific, world-shattering events that will soon directly impact every human being on this planet!

All Prophecy Sealed Until “the End”

There is a crucial second key that must be identified, and understood by all seeking to grasp God’s end-time purpose. Without it, nations have remained in total blindness regarding even the question of human survival on planet earth. Scales cover their eyes. Of course, cynics and skeptics have dismissed all the prophecies of the Old Testament as dusty, antiquated, old Hebrew literature and poetry, of no use to us today.

They will soon learn how terribly wrong they have been!

Now note this second key well, for almost none have understood it: All of the major prophecies of the Bible have been sealed until the “time of the end”—the “last days.”

You do not need to take my word for it. Daniel, under the direct inspiration of God, makes this point plain—for all who will believe it. Recognize that God is speaking through Daniel, rather than Daniel giving some personal opinion about future events. Like John recording, as merely a human scribe, Christ’s words in the book of Revelation, Daniel similarly recorded what he was shown.

Daniel foretells a time—now here—when “knowledge shall increase” and the incredibly compelling, even electrifying, story of what God plans to do in our time. Daniel’s message had no application for his own time!

The book of Daniel spans a period of over 2,500 years of events then all yet to be fulfilled. Again, Daniel works in combination with The Olivet Prophecy and the book of Revelation (with many other smaller passages included). Generations of Bible students, unwilling to believe God, have attempted to interpret Daniel’s prophecy. All have failed, resulting in endless disagreement and confusion.

Here is what a mighty angel instructs Daniel, in chapter 12, near the last verses of his prophecy: “But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (12:4). (Seven times, in just this one chapter, it speaks of the “end, time of the end,” or when all things would be “finished.”)

Unsatisfied, and not grasping what was being told him, once again, Daniel sought to understand. Notice: “I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” (vs. 8).

The angel repeated himself: “Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (vs. 9-10). Recall that Christ was citing Daniel when He said that “the wise shall understand” events described for the end of the age. Let me reiterate that God says that obedience brings understanding. No wonder Daniel says, “none of the wicked shall understand.” Any who rebel against God’s Law, regardless of how they see themselves, fall into this category.

No one with eyes to see could possibly doubt that we are in the end time. God’s promise was always to unseal the prophecy when this time arrived. Also, in the very same passage describing God’s purpose to seal the prophecy until the end, He foretold, “knowledge shall be increased.” Of course, we now live in what is called the “Information Age.” No one doubts that knowledge has been increased in a general way—and this has been extraordinary. But the primary meaning here must be understood in context with the plain knowledge of the prophecy’s true meaning being revealed at the end.

So, the second vital key to properly understand Bible prophecy is that all previous generations—of even God’s true servants—had no chance to understand events described in this book, or in other biblical passages.

Will you be determined to do everything necessary to understand them?—and to act upon them?

Unrecognized Master Key Now Understood

A great master lock has padlocked the source revealing where civilization is going. Until the twentieth century, the key to this lock had been lost.

The world had not known where to look. But this master key has been found. Have you ever lost your keys? The world, like you, is literally “lost without them.”

This greatest key to correctly recognize major end-time events has only recently been identified. After all, for God to fulfill His Purpose, and keep “shut up”—“closed up”—and “sealed”—Daniel’s great prophecies, applying to the last days, He had to withhold the biggest key from all of His servants, living prior to the immediate period before Christ’s Return.

Not until the mid-1930s did God begin to reveal the enormous understanding contained in this book. The time to warn the world of impending, climactic, cataclysmic events had come. Therefore, of necessity, the time for unsealing the awesome end-time prophecies had also arrived!

This book does that. You will learn that the identity of America and Britain—and what is foretold to happen to these countries just prior to Christ’s Return—is the most important single key, unlocking the 90 percent of prophecy, yet to be fulfilled.

Now for some basic understanding completely unknown to most: The original nation of Israel split into two separate nations. Literally hundreds of prophecies talk about ancient Israel, often using the terms “House of Israel” and “House of Judah.” Each of these was taken into captivity, Israel being taken approximately 120 years before Judah.

Over a space of three years, 721-718 B.C., the House of Israel was invaded, defeated and taken captive by Assyria to the headquarters of their empire located in the Caucasus region (II Kgs. 17:18, 23-24). By the time Daniel recorded his prophecy, he was a Jewish slave with the conquered House of Judah in Babylon—and about 125 years had passed. Judah (with the tribe of Benjamin) had been attacked, conquered over the period from 604-585 B.C., and then also transported as slaves from their homeland. Therefore, Daniel’s prophecies could not have had anything to do with what had already happened to Israel and Judah well before he wrote his book.

The ancient Assyrians—modern Germany—eventually migrated to northwestern Europe, taking with them many of their Israelite captives. The world has lost sight of these people—the “Lost Ten Tribes”—because they were taken captive and transported, in two stages—far from their homeland. These tribes themselves lost track of certain basic revealed knowledge, which would have kept them in remembrance of their identity. Instead, because the Jews have ostensibly retained certain knowledge that Israel lost, the world correctly identifies the Jews (and they identify themselves). As a result, the world has generally believed that the Jews are Israel, instead of merely one of twelve tribes, which descended from Israel.

The world does not know how to identify America, Britain, Germany, Russia and other great nations—by their Bible names. Again, they have not known how or where to look—or they would know exactly what lies ahead, for themselves and the other prominent, indeed most dominant, nations of the world!

Deceived by wrong education, consisting of false knowledge and values, the best minds and “thinkers” are biased against the revealed word of God’s Instruction Manual to mankind. Thus, incredible truths remain locked away from access to the world’s leaders and other “intellectuals” who disdain the Source that reveals them.

Why National Decline?

Longstanding but now open outright hatred for America and Britain is at unprecedented intensity. It will grow worse. The truth of the Bible is that the American and British peoples will eventually lose all national wealth, power, influence and greatness. They are going to sink into such complete ignominy that the whole world will hold them in utter contempt.

We are watching this decline grow worse—and it will continue. Britain has been reduced in world stature faster than America, which is rapidly following on the heels of her decline. This is happening faster than any could imagine—but it is only the beginning of what God has in store for our peoples. They will be stripped naked before the world, left in wonderment at how they could not see what led up to their monumental collapse. Leaders are groping in the dark for answers they cannot find to the colossal problems confronting them.

But God shall finally reveal to them the cause of untold suffering and punishment, lying just beyond view. They will be forced to learn that “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).

Our nations are choking and drowning in sin!

Sir Winston Churchill, the famous Prime Minister of formerly Great Britain, proclaimed, “Some great purpose and design is being worked out here below.” He knew that in some fashion, a Supreme Being was working out a little-understood (and virtually unseen) plan on earth.

But what is it? Churchill never explained because he did not know.

God has not left mankind without a SOURCE of answers that reveals in detail what lies ahead—and what is His purpose. He understands human nature and where it always leads when left to its own devices. This allows Him to know, and to guide, the awesome future events to occur from now on!

The hour is late. God’s time to plainly reveal His purpose has come. The stage is set and He has lifted the curtain on the future. This world—and you—must be warned, while there is still time! Prophecy is now literally pulsating with building intensity. Horrific, world-shaking events will come, and soon!

If you take heed, you can escape them (Luke 21:36).

Chapter Two –

Why Israel’s Prophesied Greatness Never Came to Judah

The Bible is God’s recorded revelation of His purpose for mankind. It is the written record of how He intends to work with all humanity—all people who have ever lived. This Master Plan directly collides with the plans of modern America, Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and certain other Western countries.

But some brief history is necessary to introduce the prophecies about these nations.

Like every human project, God’s Plan—His project—to save mankind, has a starting point. God had to select one nation with which He would initially work. In essence, the entire Bible, Genesis to Revelation, is primarily the history of one single people—the nation of Israel!

Virtually all prophecy revolves around God’s purpose with this lone nation. Other nations are generally mentioned only as they come in contact with Israel. Think of it this way: The central theme of the entire Bible is the story of the Israelite nation and their relationship with the true God.

The story is not complicated, unless men choose to make it so. Once properly addressed, the ancestry of our modern peoples becomes plain. Our national origin becomes clear.

Many have mistakenly thought, “The Jews are God’s chosen people.” This is only partially true, and it denies the tremendous truth about why the United States and Britain rose to such unprecedented prominence and power.

God’s Holy Word clearly reveals that His entire plan of salvation is inseparable from, and relates to, the nation of Israel. Notice: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises…” (Rom. 9:4).

The Jews never fulfilled the national greatness prophesied—and promised—to come on the modern descendants of ancient Israel. Have you wondered why?

Now ask yourself: Why is it then that the English-speaking peoples most profess to believe in the Bible and the God it describes? Why is it that all peoples of the world professing worship of the God of the Bible, were at one time taught by these English-speaking, Anglo-Saxon people? Why is it that these same people have done more to preserve the Bible than any other? Is it not also strange that these nations, and not the Jews, have proliferated the Bible around the world far more than all other nations put together?

The Jews were prophesied to become scattered, and were never foretold to achieve national greatness. It is a far different story for the United States and British Commonwealth! It has been said that “Never in history has any country or commonwealth been so blessed” and that because of this blessing, “Never have so few produced so much to feed so many for so little.” How true of these nations—but this has never been true of the Jews!

Yet, this book in no way espouses the racist concept of British Israelism, which teaches that Britain is the kingdom of God on earth. This is impossible, because Britain is declining not increasing. The Bible teaches no such silliness, but rather that the kingdom of God is vastly greater than the British Empire ever was. God’s promises of eternal salvation were never, and never will be, achieved through the horribly decadent and now shattered British Empire.

Before Israel Appeared

Prior to Moses leading the emerging nation of Israel from Egypt, God did not work with any single nation or people. Also, before this time, there was no Bible—no recorded Scriptures. This spans the first 2,500 years of human history. Yet, again, this period of early history reflects no dealings by God with any specific nation. Even the Bible records very little—just eleven chapters of Genesis—of the first two millennia, taking us to about 400 years after the Noachian Flood.

The Creation account shows how God began His work with humans on the smallest possible scale—one man and one woman. God introduced Himself to this first couple, explaining the basics of His Plan, offering revealed knowledge to life’s great purpose. He showed the way to peace, happiness, abundance and health—through the building of holy, righteous character, chosen by free moral agency. God explained how mankind, through eating of the Tree of Life, could achieve eternal life in the kingdom of God. This included revealing His binding, eternal, spiritual law.

Of course, Adam rejected God’s revealed way and rebelled. His sons followed the way of greed and vanity, trusting in themselves to solve problems through human reason apart from God. Humanity multiplied, and followed—and has reaped uncounted misery, troubles, evils and woes.

Throughout early history, only a very few individuals chose to obey God. Abel was referred to as “righteous”—and a few generations later, “Enoch walked with God,” as did Noah. These men were called “preachers of righteousness,” which means obedience to God’s Commandments (Psa. 119:172). Shem, Noah’s son, may have been the only other person to serve God in the period up to and immediately following the Flood.

God Calls Abraham

After Shem, came Abraham, about four centuries after the Noachian Flood. By this time, all knowledge of the true God and His revealed purpose had disappeared. Once again, as in the period just prior to the Flood, men had completely turned from God’s way. It was in this circumstance that God began His Work with one man, Abraham, the one through whom He would build the nation of Israel.

As with the one man Adam, God purposed to initially reveal Himself to just one man—Abraham. This single extraordinary, determined, obedient man was all God needed to start His nation. Notice God’s simple command to him, and what was at stake if he obeyed it: “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house, unto a land that I will show you: and I will make of you a great nation…I will bless you, and make your name great” (Gen. 12:1-2).

Faced with a clear decision, what then did Abraham do? Did he drag his feet, make excuses or complain? It says, “…So Abram departed” (vs. 4). Abraham accepted the condition and obeyed without excuse, question or human reasoning. He did not rebel, following Adam’s way, and the world’s course for 6,000 years. Abraham obeyed God without question, setting an example for every person—ever after—who will serve God. Obedience qualified him to inherit the promises—and it can qualify you, too.

Do not lose sight of what really happened in this remarkable account. How many today would react as Abraham did? Most would argue with God’s logic by suggesting a variety of ways God could fulfill His promise to Abraham where he was. Other scriptures show that Abraham was a very prominent, successful man. This meant he had much more to leave behind than would the average person.

He still obeyed without delay!

Much more is contained in this account than meets the eye—or than meets the shallow understanding of almost every Bible student who, at best, only partially understands what was at stake here. We shall see that incredible consequences flowed from this decision.

“A Great Nation”—But Far More!

Recognize that Abraham’s obedience was attached to—“I will make of you a great nation.” Virtually no one grasps the significance of this huge statement, carrying implications almost beyond comprehension. Fascinating knowledge and understanding will soon open before your eyes.

Sometime later, God changed Abraham’s name (originally Abram) because Abraham was to be the father of God’s nation, Israel, established for a great purpose. Notice: “This people [Israel] have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise” (Isa. 43:21).

Isaiah’s prophecy is still future, not yet fulfilled. God never forgets His purpose—and it will be fulfilled just beyond events of the next few years.

Most Bible students do not recognize that God’s Plan carries duality throughout. The first Adam was made physical and material. The second Adam, Christ, was made divine and spiritual. The Old Covenant is material and temporal, the New Covenant is spiritual and eternal. Man was made physical, from the dust—mortal and of the human kingdom. Yet, through Christ, man may receive God’s Spirit, become spiritual—and then immortal and of the kingdom of God.

This sets up what almost everyone has missed: The promises to Abraham, in like manner, carry two separate phases. Most who know anything of the Bible are aware that salvation, through the promised Messiah, was promised through Abraham—that God gave the promise that Christ would appear as Abraham’s descendant. In other words, we receive salvation through Christ, who was born of Abraham generations later.

I must at least add that most have no idea what salvation really is. They simply have never heard the truth of exactly what is the Christian’s inheritance. But this extraordinary understanding is covered in detail in my other books. The focus of this book is on the second promise to Abraham, not just misunderstood, but entirely overlooked by Christianity and the world at large.

Let’s return to Genesis 12 for a moment and notice the great dual promise to Abraham, with the first part having to do entirely with promised physical, material greatness: “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father’s house, unto a land that I will show you: and I will make of you a great nation…I will bless you, and make your name great…and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed” (vs. 1-3).

The last part of verse 3, pointing to salvation, though largely misunderstood, has been the world’s focus. But, plainly, there is duality here. This promise has two separate aspects: (1) An unrecognized promise with physical, material, national implications—“I will make of you a great nation”—which is a reference to the race prophesied to descend from Abraham, and (2) the generally recognized spiritual promise of grace through Christ, Abraham’s “seed.”

Next notice Genesis 22:18, which is nearly identical to this promise of Gen. 12:3, stating, “And in your seed shall all the nations [“families”] of the earth be blessed.” Galatians 3:8, 16 confirms that this particular “one Seed” is a specific reference to Christ.

Some have tried to say that both promises are fulfilled in the New Testament Church, asserting that the Bible calls the Church a nation. It is true that God describes His New Testament Church as a nation: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you” (I Pet. 2:9).

Certainly, the New Testament Church is spiritual Israel today. But we will see that it is impossible for the Church to fulfill God’s reference to become “a great nation,” promised to Abraham.

Salvation Through Christ

It is at this point that most Bible students and professing Christians go astray. We must briefly examine how Abraham is tied to spiritual salvation for all human beings. It is critical to understand that salvation and material promises of national greatness to Abraham’s physical descendants are part of what God promised him.

While some wish to “spiritualize away” the physical promise to the physical race descending from Abraham, you will find this impossible to do when certain verses are clearly understood. As these verses are examined here, it will also become clear that they point directly to the United States, Britain and other Western countries. More of that later.

First, you may not have understood that every Christian is a child of Abraham. Yet this is what Paul told the Gentile Galatians: “Know you therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham” (3:7).

The book of Galatians calls Abraham “the father of the faithful.” This is because those “of faith” are his “children.” Understanding the phrase “children of Abraham” is key to understanding what Christians will inherit.

The New Testament also speaks of this promise to Abraham. Notice: “Now to Abraham and his seed [children] were the promises made…” (Gal. 3:16). This speaks of specific promises made to Abraham and “his seed”—his children. Here is how this is tied to Christians: “And if you be Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (vs. 29). While millions sing “Standing on the Promises,” they do not know what the promises are!

This verse is a fascinating statement. All faithful Christians are heirs—not yet inheritors—to whatever was promised to Abraham.

Grasp this. Your salvation is tied to this promise!

Therefore, you need to know what was promised to Abraham. The answer is all-important since it explains how you will spend eternity!

Surely God would not expect anyone to blindly accept what was promised without investigation. (No agreement, contract or covenant works this way.) The Bible does reveal the nature of this promise. Once you discover what God said, His entire purpose for mankind can be understood. It is revealed in a series of verses, because it is an unfolding promise, not all revealed in any one passage. God’s extraordinary promise slowly expands to enormous proportions.

Prepare to be astonished! You are about to read things no one understands—or even can—without God revealing them. Paul wrote, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared [His promises] for them that love Him. But God has revealed them unto us by His Spirit” (I Cor. 2:9-10).

May God’s Spirit open your mind to understand. What He promised Israel—and has promised you—is beyond the wildest dreams of your imagination!

Confirming the Promise

Christ’s role, at His First Coming, had a direct bearing on the promises to Abraham: “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers” (Rom. 15:8).

We will see how Christ’s sacrifice did this. But first we must identify who the “fathers” are. Acts 3:13 holds the answer: “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Son Jesus.”

So, the fathers referred to are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Christians will inherit whatever was promised to them!

The Land of Promise

We saw that Abraham was obedient—faithful. Whatever God told him to do, he did! Because true Christians also faithfully obey God (Acts 5:32), this is another way in which Abraham is a father, in type, to them. He obeyed God without question, setting an example for every Christian. Obedience qualified Abraham to inherit the promises—and it can qualify you.

The promises become more specific in the next verses of Genesis 12 as Abraham begins his journey: “And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto your seed [children] will I give this land” (vs. 6-7).

The land that he went to is the modern-day nation known as Israel. This is the first indication of what God promised him. It is now evident that the promise involves land with unspecified boundaries—“this land.”

But how much land?

The answer to this question develops in stages. We will examine each. Notice: “And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed forever” (Gen. 13:14-15).

At this point, what Abraham could “see,” looking in four directions, was the immediate region around where he stood. Yet, it was to go to his children forever. Notice that. Forever means eternally!

Verse 16 adds this about his descendants: “And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered.”

This means that a staggering number of people would eventually descend from Abraham. It also introduces two related points: (1) A number of this magnitude—“as the [grains of] dust of the earth”—has to be far more than just the Jews, and (2) a passage suggesting other nations must be included.

Genesis 15 adds further to the promise, and begins to show the magnitude of what “to your seed” means. Let’s read what God showed Abraham in a vision: “And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if you be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall your seed be” (vs. 5).

But the scope of the promise, and the land involved, is about to increase beyond the boundaries of Canaan. As with a deed, when one inherits land, specific boundaries must spell out exactly how much land is involved. Obviously, God understands this. Notice: “In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt [the Nile] unto the great river, the river Euphrates [present-day Iraq]” (Gen. 15:18).

This is specific! The Nile River bisects Egypt—and the Euphrates River divides present-day Iraq almost directly down the middle, from northwest to southeast. So this is land on earth, not heaven, as some suggest. And any map will show you that it is much land. It is also much more than Abraham could see. But the final amount God described is actually far greater than this.

Several scriptures explain that, ultimately, the entire earth was the land to be given to Abraham. Here is one: “Our father Abraham…for the promise, that he [Abraham] should be the heir of the world…” (Rom. 4:12-13).

Christ taught, “The meek shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). Christians will be “heirs” of the whole world because God keeps His promises!

But let’s return to the immediate development of what the promise to Abraham encompassed.

“Father of Many Nations”

The following expansion of the promise shows that blessings were promised regarding more than just the “one seed,” Christ of Galatians 3:16. This is crucial to understand because many miss this point entirely.

Remember again, the promises to Abraham of both race and grace were revealed to him in stages. Let’s read the next stage, expanding God’s intent: “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be you perfect. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. Neither shall your name any more be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made you” (Gen. 17:1-5).

If Abraham obeyed God—so the promises were still conditional at this point—this passage reveals that Abraham would father more than one nation—“many”—and his descendants would be multiplied.

Understand what this verse is saying. It cannot be solely referring to the Jews, because they have never been more than one nation. (They have always been scattered into many nations.)

In addition, there is no possible way that this could refer solely to Christ. Verse 6 makes this even plainer: “And I will make you exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations [plural] of you, and kings [plural] shall come out of you.” This last phrase adds something new—and extremely important!

Consider. How could a reference to “nations” and “kings” possibly refer to Abraham’s spiritual children (Gal. 3:29) and scattered individuals in the Church, forming one “holy nation” (I Pet. 2:9)? The answer is, it cannot—and it must be referring to ethnic descendants of Abraham, the promise of race.

Now notice the next verse in chapter 17: “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your seed after you in their generations for an everlasting [forever] covenant…” (vs. 7). The reference here to “their generations” confirms that this is more than one seed—more than Christ alone.

Verse 8 strengthens the promise: “And I will give unto you, and to your seed after you, the land wherein you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God,” with verse 9 repeating this for emphasis: “You shall keep My covenant therefore, you, and your seed after you in their generations.”

These are astonishing words! The very course of history is reflected in them. For many “generations,” God promised to bless Abraham’s physical descendants. Of course, the fact that salvation comes by following Abraham’s pattern of obedience and belief in God’s instructions, is of enormous importance spiritually, because it defines the path to salvation for every human being (Rom. 15:8)!

Abraham Qualified Through Obedience

Remember, God’s original promise to Abraham was conditional. Abraham had to prove that he was obedient to whatever he was instructed to do. In chapter 22, God took the test to a new level, commanding him to sacrifice his only son according to promise, Isaac (Rom. 9:7-8). Without hesitation, he did exactly what God said.

Notice: “And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, and said, By Myself have I sworn, says the Lord, for because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son: that in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed my voice” (Gen. 22:15-18).

At this point, the promise became unconditional. How many people would be willing to sacrifice their only child, if God required it? Abraham was willing, and obeyed God in every point, no matter the personal cost. This is how God described his obedience: “Because that Abraham obeyed [past tense] My voice, and kept [past tense] My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Gen. 26:5).

The Bible plainly says, “Sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4). Abraham kept this law, and so must you to inherit what was promised to him.

One other crucial point must be understood here. God told Abraham that his descendants would “possess the gate of his enemies.” This has to be a reference to real nations on earth, not salvation through Christ. You must grasp this!

Genesis 24:60 makes even plainer the material, physical aspect of this promise concerning number of descendants occupying actual nations and strategic positions on earth. Notice: “Be you [Sarah] the mother of thousands of millions [billions], and let your seed possess the gate of those which hate them.”

The Jews have never held such strategic “gates.” They have always lived among or been surrounded by their enemies. Do not let deluded people, ignorant in the Bible, assert that this means the Jews, or convince you to “spiritualize” away or ignore such plain texts. For the Bible to be true, we must look for, and be able to find, in history, one people who occupy more than one nation. Remember, they must be one people and they must possess the gates of their enemies—or the Bible stands disproved!

Isaac and Jacob Included

In the next account, God included Abraham’s son, Isaac, in the promise. Notice that God repeated much of what He had said to Abraham: “And the Lord appeared unto him [Isaac], and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell you of: sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for unto you, and unto your seed [Isaac’s], I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham your father; and I will make your seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto your seed all these countries; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 26:2-4). Isaac’s son, Jacob, also similarly qualified to receive God’s promise (Gen. 35:9-12).

The obedience of one man, Abraham, was sufficient to pass on astonishing blessings that would eventually encompass “all the nations of the earth.” This then must include Gentile nations as well.

Abraham Has Not Yet Inherited

An important inset is added here, explaining the eternal implications of the promise to Abraham. It involves all who obey God: When do Christians become inheritors, no longer remaining merely heirs? Abraham is also a key to properly understanding this. Where is he now? Is he in heaven? Has he already inherited the promises made to him? When put together, three verses answer these questions, forming a complete picture.

Recall that God told Abraham to depart and he obeyed. Here is what Paul said about this: “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:8-10).

There are several important elements here. Abraham was to “after receive” his inheritance. In faith, he “looked for” what God was building, but understood that he was in a “strange country.” He and his son (Isaac) and grandson (Jacob) remained “heirs” all during their lifetimes—and they still are!

Next comes a remarkable statement. Every Christian must grasp and live by it: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (vs. 13).

The land that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob sojourned in never became theirs during their lifetimes. They died “in faith,” but they did see God’s promises “afar off.”

Many do not want the truth of God’s words explained to them. They prefer the empty traditions of men to the awesome truth of God—and this is awesome understanding!

Some have even paid with their lives for telling others what I have just told you.

The deacon Stephen was stoned to death—martyred—just moments after telling his listeners the following:

“And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, and said unto him, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I shall show you. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from there, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein you now dwell. And He gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet He promised that He would give it to him for a possession…” (Acts 7:2-5).

This scripture confirms Hebrews 11. Abraham received “none inheritance” during his lifetime. It says, “not so much as to set his foot on [the land].”

How much plainer can God be?

So then, where is Abraham? The Bible answers, “Abraham is dead” and “the prophets are dead” (John 8:52-53). This means that Christians are merely heirs in this lifetime. Like Abraham, they see God’s promises “afar off.” Also like Abraham, when they die, they are dead. They wait in the grave to become inheritors upon Christ’s Return. Scripture after scripture confirms this. But this is a subject for other booklets.

A Nation and a Company of Nations

Isaac’s son Jacob was also included in the promise, with the following verses adding that Gentile, heathen nations were also to be ruled by the nations of Israel who received the birthright: “Therefore God give you of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you: cursed be every one that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you” (Gen. 27:28-29).

This verse is plain! It is a direct statement that physical peoples on earth will serve certain Israelite countries. This prophecy expands the promise to include the types of blessings that flow out of or from under the ground.

The next passage in the unfolding and amplifying of the promises made to Abraham demonstrates that Israelitish nations would eventually spread around the world. Their geographic distribution would literally circle the globe.

God is speaking to Jacob: “And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed; and your seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in you and in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 28:13-14).

Notice the phrase “spread abroad.” The Hebrew means literally “to break forth,” implying there would come a point when this spreading would happen suddenly. Recall from Romans 4:13 that Abraham was to become “heir of the world.” But Genesis 28 does not state that physical Israelite nations would control the entire world prior to the time when Abraham, in the resurrection to occur at Christ’s Return, would inherit the promises made to him. Also recall that all true Christians—Jew or Gentile—are Abraham’s children.

Yet, physical descendants of Abraham have spread to the four directions of the compass, to locations around the world. After their captivity of 721-718 B.C., their captors allowed them to migrate with and eventually beyond them to their own lands. This sets up verse 15: “And, behold, I am with you, and will keep you in all places where you go, and will bring you again into this land; for I will not leave you, until I have done that which I have spoken to you of.”

This is a truly astonishing prophecy. God promised to remain with Israel “in all places” where their migrations took them. But it will not be fulfilled in the greatest sense until the Return of Christ. Take time to read Jeremiah 23:7-8; 50:4-6, 19-20. These and other passages clarify when and how this will happen.

We now come to the all-important passage where God repeats His promise to Jacob. In this account, Jacob’s name was changed: “And God said unto him, Your name is Jacob: your name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel…And God said…I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of you, and kings shall come out of your loins; and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to you I will give it, and to your seed after you will I give the land” (Gen. 35:10-12).

This is translated by Ferrar Fenton as “A Nation and an Assembly of Nations.” Moffatt’s translation states, “a nation, [and] a group of nations.” Thus, the earlier reference to “many nations” is now revealed to mean, when put with Genesis 27:28-29, one powerful, wealthy nation—and another wealthy group, assembly or company of nations—or commonwealth of nations.

How plain can God be? You do not need to believe some private interpretation by me or anyone else. Believe God’s Word!

The Jews Have Not Fulfilled This

Many scholars have studied this promise. Any grade-schooler can recognize what the terminology means. Yet, where and how it was fulfilled has perplexed, indeed baffled, these same scholars, theologians and Bible students. Such men as Robert Ingersoll and Thomas Paine completely lost faith in the God of the Bible, rejecting Him and it, because they could not prove the fulfillment of these explicit promises.

Make no mistake! If these promises were not fulfilled, you cannot have confidence in a single promise or passage in the Bible. The very authority of the Bible stands at stake on the fulfillment of these ancient promises.

No reasonable mind can think that the Jews fulfilled them. Nor has the true Church of God fulfilled it—because it has always been described as the “few,” a “little flock,” never prophesied to grow great in this age—let alone into a nation and company of nations! The people of God are scattered throughout the nations of the world (Matt. 28:19-20, and other verses). Certainly it cannot be explained away as having occurred through Christ.

Ask any minister for the literal explanation of what these crucial passages mean, and—if he is honest—he will tell you that they remain a mystery, that he does not know the answer.

But God does know the answer and you will read it for yourself. Though unrecognized by even the greatest historians, this enormous promise has been fulfilled!

Chapter Three –

Birthright and Scepter—Different Promises

There were two separate promises made to Abraham. Most have not understood that God makes a distinction between the promises of prosperity, power and great material and national wealth, relating to “many nations,” which He calls the “birthright”—and the promise of salvation through Christ, which the Bible identifies as the “scepter.”

The Bible is absolutely clear on this two-fold distinction.

Let’s read: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah…” (Gen. 49:10)—“…but the birthright was Joseph’s” (I Chron. 5:2).

Before discussing these terms, we must define them.

“Scepter: A rod or staff held by a sovereign (king or monarch) as a sign of authority.”—Webster’s II Dictionary; “kingly office; royal power; badge of command or sovereignty.”—Standard Dictionary.

“Birthright: A privilege granted to someone by virtue of birth.”—Webster’s II Dictionary; “Native right or privilege.”—Standard Dictionary.

A kingly line was prophesied to descend from Judah through David (to be explained in Chapter Four). Christ was born of Judah and was to eventually become a King bringing salvation—grace—to all people. On the other hand, a birthright has nothing to do with grace—unmerited pardon of sin—but rather comes as one’s right by birth. Fathers generally pass birthright possessions to the firstborn son.

Vital Distinction

Most scholars have recognized that the scepter did indeed go to Judah, where it was passed down from Jewish king to king. King David was of the tribe of Judah, with David’s dynasty having all succeeding kings also born to the House of David and tribe of Judah. Of course, Christ was born of both Judah and the House of David.

However, almost none have understood that the Jews were only a fraction of the nation of Israel. Of the twelve tribes of Israel, only Benjamin and Levi remained with the Jews. Almost everyone has erroneously associated all Israel with the Jews. This error totally blocks understanding of the birthright—and this separation of tribes will be clearly explained in Chapters 4 and 5.

This absolutely vital distinction must be made clear. Both promises made to Abraham—the gift of grace and right of birth—were made unconditional by God, and were repromised to Isaac and to Jacob.

The promise of grace—the scepter promise of David’s kingly line culminating in Christ—was foretold to be exclusively of Judah, one of Jacob’s sons. But the independent, separate, distinct promises of birthright never pertained to the Jews. The promise of grace through Christ is summarized in John 4:22, where Christ said, “Salvation is of the Jews.” Paul reiterated, “For it [the gospel of Christ] is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

I repeat: This promise, fulfilled in Christ, has nothing whatsoever to do with the birthright.

How sad that so few understand this crucial knowledge, made so clear by God to those who will just believe His plain words. It is sadder still that so few are even willing to explore God’s Word for the facts!

The Bible states that the “birthright was Joseph’s.” Joseph was Jacob’s (Israel’s) second youngest son. While Joseph was Judah’s younger brother—he was not Judah, or of Judah. He was the father of two sons, whose role must be understood to unlock both the fulfillment of the birthright—and the entirety of crucial end-time prophetic events.

All rights of birth are separate from the gift of eternal life, which God, through Christ, freely offers to all who yield to and obey Him. If salvation came by birth, it would not be of grace—God would owe it to people. Christ’s sacrifice, death and resurrection become unnecessary if salvation is by race, by birthright. However, material blessings—possessions of wealth, prosperity and national abundance—can be passed through any number of generations by right of one’s birth. But this much has to be understood: The birthright has nothing to do with spiritual blessings. It is entirely physical and material in nature, of race not grace. The reader must get this straight before proceeding.

Unlike salvation, requiring the believer to meet certain conditions in order to receive it, there are no preconditions to receiving blessings of birthright. Sons do nothing other than pass from the womb to receive this. Of course, a son could certainly disqualify himself from either receiving or keeping his birthright.

The gift of salvation means eternal life in the very Family of God. But God would never give such awesome power to one who has not developed righteous character, and is hostile, rebellious, and defiant to God’s Law. Imagine if God owed, by right, immortality in the kingdom of God (salvation), to an atheist or criminal. Such would bring division and misery—for all eternity—to God’s entire Family.

Qualifying to Receive Grace—and Salvation

When a young rich man approached Christ, inquiring how he might receive eternal life, Christ said, “If you will enter into [eternal] life, keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:17). While this would not earn the young man salvation, it was a qualifier—a precondition—to receiving it. Millions today ignore this requirement, set forth so plainly by Christ. They listen to twisted arguments from law-hating, rebellious ministers and theologians falsely telling them that obedience to God earns salvation, making it no longer of grace, God’s gift.

But if there are no preconditions to salvation, all could demand it of God! The rich young ruler might have told God, “I demand you give me salvation—it is my right!” God only gives His Spirit to those who obey Him. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Peter said, “God has given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). Indeed, the Holy Spirit is a gift (“God has given”), but only those who obey Him can receive it. Only Christ’s sacrifice makes this gift possible!

Make no mistake. Salvation cannot be earned—it is a free gift!

Now get this point straight! We must remove all doubt about what brings salvation. It is a free gift from God. There is absolutely nothing that a Christian can do to merit or earn it. The only wage that human beings can earn is death (Rom. 6:23). Recognize that no one can earn eternal life through works.

Salvation is by God’s grace. But what is grace? It is completely unmerited pardon of one’s sin. Salvation means that one is saved from death. Unless God intervenes to apply the blood of Jesus Christ to cover the repentant sinner’s past, there can be no salvation.

What scriptures directly state this? Ephesians 1:5, 7 says, “Jesus Christ…In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14 states the same thing, verbatim. God gives grace—forgiveness—through Christ’s blood.

But also think of salvation in the following way: A wealthy father approaches his 18-year-old son, heading off to college, with this offer. He states, “Son, upon graduation in four years, I will give you one million dollars if you (1) maintain a B average, (2) abstain from drunkenness, (3) impregnate no girls, and (4) never cut classes.”

Ask these questions: If the young man meets these conditions, will he receive the million dollars? Yes! Has his conduct earned him the million dollars? No! Of course not. He merely did what all young men should do when they go to college. Yet, he would not receive the million dollars if he did not meet the preconditions—the qualifiers!

It is the same with salvation. Of course, God offers far more than a million dollars, but only those who obey Him may receive what He offers. Why cannot millions of Christians understand such basic logic, applicable in every contract and agreement entered into by men?

The Bible says Satan has deceived the whole world (Rev. 12:9), and this matter of how salvation is achieved may be his greatest deception. Do not fall for it!

Salvation is through Christ’s free gift of grace. Yes, it is a gift—but it is one God only gives to those who meet His biblically-prescribed standards. In this way, God insures that no future member of His Family will misuse and abuse such enormous power, conferred on him at the time of salvation.

Take a moment to reflect on this basic knowledge of how the scepter promise of salvation is achieved “of the Jews” (John 4:22) through Christ. While the world has understood that the promises to Abraham involve salvation through Christ, almost complete ignorance reigns within modern, orthodox Christianity regarding when, where and how this happens. These are also subjects for other books.

How the Birthright is Separate—and Different

Let’s now return to what is known by so few today, the matter of the birthright promised to Abraham. Grasp this. The sheer enormous size of this incredible physical inheritance, passed through the generations of Joseph, staggers the imagination. Material wealth of a size never before seen in history was foretold to occur.

This part of God’s two-fold promise to Abraham actually represents the first phase of what God would do through him. Remember also, that vast material wealth and prosperity, unlike anything the world has ever seen, including a huge population explosion, was conferred unconditionally! Just the involving of many nations and the possession of critical enemy sea gates, insured a position of world prominence—and dominance—unlike any combine of nations the world has ever seen.

Let’s better understand what this birthright blessing entails. A series of scriptures paints the full picture—and you will not misunderstand what God reveals about this mind-boggling promise!

Birthright Goes to Isaac

Recall that right of birth inheritance, generation by generation, almost always goes automatically to a father’s eldest son. Only divine intervention, having occurred three times, brings exception to this rule.

Now also recall that both the scepter and birthright were promised by God to come to Isaac. Even though Ishmael was older, Isaac was Abraham’s lawful firstborn son because Ishmael was born of Sarah’s Egyptian handmaid, Hagar. God had selected Isaac: “Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac” (Gen. 25:5).

But Ishmael was Abraham’s son, and, like any father, Abraham loved him—and wanted him to receive the birthright: “And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before you!” (Gen. 17:18). This was said because Sarah was still childless at this point, with Isaac not yet in sight.

Notice this prophecy explaining God’s purpose for both Isaac and Ishmael: “And God said, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed; and you shall call his name Isaac: and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto you at this set time in the next year” (vs. 19-21).

The modern descendants of Ishmael (the Arabic peoples) have, indeed, grown into a great people. But here is how God described them: “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence [Hebrew: to the east] of all his brethren” (Gen. 16:12). Who would doubt that this is the national proclivity of the modern Arabs?

While Ishmael’s descendants were to become a great nation, the birthright descendants—of Joseph, Isaac’s grandson—were to become much greater. But, for prophecy to be fulfilled, the Arabs must be found living to the east of the greater “nation and company of nations” to derive from Joseph, and the rest of his Israelite brethren.

Briefly consider some points about Abraham and Isaac, and how they parallel God the Father and Christ. Recall that Galatians 3:29 shows that if we are Christ’s, we are Abraham’s children—and Abraham is called the father of the faithful (vs. 7). Next, Abraham, in a clear type of the Father, was required to be willing to sacrifice his only legitimate son, Isaac (Gen. 22:2), in the same manner as the Father was willing to give His only Son, Christ, for the world.

Here is another interesting parallel between Rebekah and the New Testament Church: Just as the Church must be willing to love and marry Jesus Christ before actually seeing Him, Rebekah was required to do this with Isaac. Finally, Christ’s and Isaac’s births are an obvious parallel. Christ was born miraculously of a virgin, and Isaac was born by promise, and also as a miracle from God.

Why Esau Lost His Birthright

Rebekah bore twin sons, Esau and Jacob, to Isaac. The firstborn, Esau, legally held the birthright—but sold it to Jacob because he could not see its true worth. In advance of their birth, God had revealed to Rebekah that Esau and Jacob would father two nations: “And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Gen. 25:23).

God revealed that Esau and Jacob would father two very different kinds of people—two manner of people. It was His purpose that the descendants of the older, Esau, serve those of the younger, Jacob. However, because Rebekah favored Jacob, she convinced him to use deception to take from Esau what God had promised he was to receive anyway.

Here is the story: “And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray you, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day your birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he swore unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:27-34).

Verse 30 shows that Esau became known as Edom, meaning “red soup.” Many Bible prophecies reference “Edom,” and they cannot be understood unless one understands that they refer to Esau, those peoples generally inhabiting modern-day Turkey.

How Esau Also Lost His Blessing

Before God converted Jacob, he had glaring character weaknesses, with the use of deception probably the worst. Genesis 27 records how he also deceived Esau, and stole the blessing Isaac still intended for him.

Some background: As Isaac grew old, his eyesight began to fail. Realizing he would not live much longer, he determined to formally confirm the birthright to Esau. He asked Esau to hunt for and prepare venison for him. Rebekah heard the request and intervened, sending Jacob to secure two goat kids, which he prepared in the fashion Isaac loved his venison to be served. Next, she dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes and, because Jacob was smooth-skinned and Esau was very hairy, she wrapped the skins of the two goat kids around Jacob’s neck, hands and arms.

The deception now complete, Jacob feigned that he was Esau and entered Isaac’s presence. The account reveals Isaac was suspicious, wondering how the venison could be obtained and prepared so quickly. But his suspicion was not sufficient to withhold his blessing: “And Jacob said…I am Esau your firstborn; I have done according as you bid me: arise…eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me. And Isaac said…How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord your God brought it to me. And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray you, that I may feel you, my son, whether you be my very son Esau or not. And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him” (Gen. 27:19-23).

The Scope of the Birthright

Examine carefully what was at stake in the all-important account you have just read: “And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed: therefore God give you of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: let people serve you, and nations bow down to you: be lord over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you: cursed be everyone that curses you, and blessed be he that blesses you” (vs. 26-29).

These promises do not have to do with salvation—they are not in any way spiritual in nature. They are all physical, material and national. There is nothing salvation-like or spiritual about rainfall, abundant corn and wine or fatness of the earth (the Hebrew means the “fat places of the earth”).

This is talking about people and nations—“Let people serve you” and “Nations shall bow down to you.” It cannot be “spiritualized” away as applying to Christ.

The next several verses record what happened when Esau returned with venison to Isaac, and both learned of Jacob’s deception. The implications of Jacob having received the birthright are magnified when you consider this prophecy Isaac foretold to Esau: “And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, your dwelling shall be [Hebrew: away from] the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; and by your sword shall you live, and shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass when you shall have the dominion, that you shall break his yoke from off your neck. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob” (vs. 39-41).

Considering what he lost, no wonder Esau was bitter (vs. 34). Moffatt translates verse 39 this way: “Far from rich soil on earth shall you live, far from the dew of heaven on high.” The Revised Standard Version translates it similarly: “Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven on high.” Obviously, this prophecy was more a cursing than a blessing.

We must remember most of the descendants of Esau—Edom—are of the Turkish people. Several proofs, coupled with the scant facts of history, demonstrate this. Perhaps the greatest proof of this prophecy describing Turkey pertains to Isaac foretelling that they “should have dominion,” later breaking the Israelite yoke from off their neck.

History records that the tribes of Israel rebelled against the true God and were all taken captive and driven from the Holy Land, promised to them. Esau’s descendants have always sought control of the land denied them by Jacob’s deception. Millennia later, fulfilling Isaac’s prophecy, the Turks did come to power (Ottoman Dynasty) and seize the Holy Land in about 1517, occupying it for 400 years until Britain captured it in 1917. Another aspect of God’s remarkable prophecy of Esau has certainly been fulfilled in that the Turks, long known as a brutal, war-like people, have spent their existence living by the sword.

What We Can Learn

A number of lessons come from the story of Jacob’s wrenching the birthright from Esau. Speaking of the Old Testament, Paul writes, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [types]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (I Cor. 10:11).

God intends that His servants learn from Old Testament stories and examples. Whether the example is bad, showing how not to conduct ourselves, or good, demonstrating what our behavior ought to be, much can be learned through study of the Old Testament books of the Bible. Tragically, most ignore what is recorded—and this New Testament admonition—believing the Old Testament was “done away&r