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The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy
The distinction between Scythian and Celtic cultures is probably best explained by two factors. First, the geography supporting each culture was generally different. But, equally important, 10 Israelite tribes were exiled from the Middle East. Each of these had its own culture within the larger culture of Israel’s northern kingdom. Also, each tribe was further subdivided into clans (1 Samuel 10:19; compare Exodus 6:14-25, NIV). Therefore, one would expect these exiled Israelite tribes to continue exhibiting some cultural differences in the lands of their exile. Such distinctions would also explain the clans and subclans existing among the Scythians and Celts. Israeli Talmudic scholar Yair Davidy, in his book The Tribes: The Israelite Origins of Western Peoples, presents convincing evidence that the displaced Israelites retained their sub-tribal clan names during and after their captivity. “Proofs adduced,” he writes, “are derived from Biblical, Talmudic, Historical, Archaeological, and Linguistic sources as well as Folklore, Mythology, National Symbols, and National Characteristics” (1993, p. xiv). As a resident of Jerusalem, Mr. Davidy had access to the historical and biblical sources on the shelves of Jerusalem’s National Library. Tribal and subtribal names, he points out, are a key to tracing the Israelites’ wanderings. In his introduction he summarizes his conclusion: “‘The Tribes’ produces evidence that most of the ancient Israelites assimilated to foreign cultures and forgot their origins. In the course of time they reached the British Isles and north-west Europe whence related nations (such as the U.S.A.) were founded” (ibid.). For thorough coverage of this aspect of Israel’s migratory history, we refer you directly to his books The Tribes: The Israelite Origins of Western Peoples (1993), Joseph: The Israelite Destiny of America (2001) and Ephraim: The Gentile Children of Israel (2001). Between 200 B.C. and A.D. 500 enemy tribes and drastic climatic changes drove the Scythian clans from the Eurasian steppes to the northern and western regions of Europe. For another 1,000 years the former Scythians were alternately allies and enemies in feudal Europe under a variety of clan names. This lasted until modern nations as we know them began to take shape in Europe. In the next chapter we pick up the amazing story of the scattered descendants of ancient Israel rising to the international prominence that God had long ago promised to the offspring of Joseph.
Britain and the United States Inherit Joseph’s Birthright
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Britain and the United States Inherit Joseph’s Birthright “And the Lord has declared … that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations … as he promised” (Deuteronomy 26:18-19, NIV).
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fter about five centuries of existence on the Eurasian steppes following the destruction of the northern kingdom, Israel’s nomadic descendants, now called Scythians, began another forced migration. This time their enemies—from Asia and the Near East—and a dramatic change of climate on the Eurasian steppes began moving them westward, just as the biblical prophets had said would happen (1 Kings 14:15; Isaiah 49:12; Hosea 12:1). This major westward migration began about 200 B.C. and continued into the fifth century A.D. Yet during this time, in the first century, when Christianity was
Joseph’s modern descendants are the easiest to identify of all the lost tribes of Israel because the specific blessings they were to receive stand out so distinctly from those of the other tribes. in its infancy, the Jewish historian Josephus confirmed that many deported Israelites were still living beyond the Euphrates River. Josephus wrote that, in his day, “the ten tribes are beyond the Euphrates till now [the first century], and are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers” (Antiquities of the Jews, Book XI, Chapter V, Section 2). The apostle James also plainly confirms that the missing tribes hadn’t been reunited with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in Palestine. He addresses his epistle “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (James 1:1). Though God had promised that all of the lost 10 tribes of Israel would continue to exist, He also promised to sift them among the nations (Amos 9:9). This He did until He brought them to the land that was north and west of ancient Israel, where He had promised to resettle them. It was as though a powerful, unseen hand inexorably herded them—