The most successful proponent of British-Israelism in the 1930's to 1970's was Herbert W. Armstrong. He claimed that identify of the American and British people in Biblical prophecies was possible through the "now discovered Master Key."¹

This article is helpful for any who have been taught the theory of BI and who may have questions.

Also see in depth ESN article: Where Are the Tribes of Israel Located? (A Critique of Herman Hoeh's Article) (shows Hoeh didn't have his facts straight)
 

The Theory of British-Israelism

The theory of British-Israelism was once a main doctrine of the Worldwide Church of God (founded by Herbert W. Armstrong). The current leadership has since discarded this teaching as biblically incorrect. However, many offshoot groups of the WCG have clung to all the doctrines held by the late Herbert W. Armstrong, and so still accept this teaching. Some Christians are also influenced by this teaching, and need to take a closer look at it.

The book, The United States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy outlines the teaching that Britain and the United States are the lost ten tribes of Israel. In this teaching of "British-Israelism," the tribe of Ephraim becomes Great Britain, Manasseh is the United States, and the throne of David is the throne of England.

Herbert W. Armstrong published this theory as his own special revelation from God. Recent evidence has surfaced that shows plagiarism from J. H. Allen's book, "Judah's Scepter and Joseph's Birthright," a 375-page book published in 1902 and copyrighted in 1917.

This book was written a full thirty years before Armstrong claimed to have made an "exhaustive" study of the British-Israelism issue.

Only a Theory

The theory teaches that when God's people returned to Palestine after the captivity, only the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi really returned. The "House of Israel," meaning the ten lost tribes,² scattered. By Jesus' day, supposedly only three tribes were represented. According to the theory, the "House of Israel" was missing.

The Bible Speaks

The Apostle Peter was, however, unaware of British-Israelism teaching, since he uttered these words in Acts 2: 36:

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

In the BI theory, the judgments against Israel naturally become directed towards the United States. We thus find the belief that America will cease to be a nation, and her citizens will be removed, finding themselves in captivity. (Plain Truth, July 1959, p. 16).

The Bible teaches that a prophet is false when his words fail to come to pass. (See Deut.18:20-22). Time has already run out for this prophecy, since it was foretold for 1972 in the publications of Herbert W. Armstrong. The theory of British-Israelism falls with the prophecy, and the prophet.

Are "Israel" and "Jew" Always Different?

Armstrong taught that "Israel" and "Jew" were two separate nations. "Jew" always meant "The House of Judah," and "Israel" meant "the lost ten tribes." 2 Kings 17:18-23 is a favorite passage of British-Israelism devotees, so let's consider it.

"So the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. Also Judah keep not the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.

And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 

For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat  king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin..

For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam, which he did; they departed not from them; until the Lord removed Israel out of  his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day."

Notice the last phrase of this Scripture. Israel went as far as Assyria until this day! They relocated, but not far away, certainly not across oceans! Certainly not scattered far afield!

The Rebuilding Of Jerusalem in Nehemiah's Day

According to the British-Israelism theory only Jews should have been participating in rebuilding Jerusalem since the house of Israel was "long gone." Yet Ezra uses the words "all Israel" several times in the account. (Ezra 2:70; 6:17; 8:25,35; 10:5; Nehemiah 7:73; 12:47). Evidently the terms "Jew" and "Israel" were used interchangeably, thus spoiling the unsupported theory of British-Israelism.

The Ten Tribes in Christ's Day

If the ten tribes were gone by Christ's day, how does the BI theory explain that Anna the Prophetess was of the tribe of Asher? (Luke 2:36). Paul mentioned all twelve tribes. (Acts 26:6,7). James mentioned all twelve tribes. (James 1:1).

The book of Revelation tells of 12,000 people from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Revelation 7:4-8). All Israel shall be saved, eventually. (Romans 11:26).

Upon consulting a Jewish rabbi, he assured me the list in Revelation was a literal one, as are the other lists in the Bible, although they differ from one another for various reasons. The Revelation list is not "figurative" or "spiritual" allowing for interpretation to apply to some other nation, but applies to literal Israel.

Consider the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul was addressed in three ways:

1. As a Hebrew (Phil. 3:5).
2. As an Israelite (2 Cor. 11:22).
3. As a Jew (Acts 21:39; 22:3).

Obviously, Paul recognized no such distinctions as invented by this theory. All terms interchange.

Christ the King

Since Christ had a sign over his head on the crucifixion reading "King of the Jews³," are we to assume that He was King for Judah only? No, for the Scriptures are plain that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah for all Israel. The disciples understood this when they questioned Him in Acts 16, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the Kingdom to Israel?"

Obviously, "Jew" and "Israel" were used interchangeably in Christ's day.

After putting up the sign, "King of the Jews," His mockers then said, "...if He be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him" (Matthew 27:42). Again, the terms interchange.

Problems With the Stone

British-Israelism claims that the stone under the Queen of England's coronation chair is the very "pillar stone of Jacob" which was first transported by Jacob, and finally by Jeremiah to the British Isles, via Egypt.

The Scriptures know nothing of this invented event! We would expect, if the
theory is correct, that the English coronation stone could be analyzed and found to be of the type found in Israel. The stone has been analyzed and "The Marson Report " [by Richard A. Marson] page 128, records:

"The stone in Westminster Abbey has been analyzed and shown to be a calcareous type of red sandstone of Scottish origin."

Conclusions on British-Israelism

British-Israelism is not a revelation from God as some teach. Rather it is a theory that cannot stand up to Biblical or scientific examination. It should be rejected by those professing Christianity.

--Article submitted by former member of Worldwide Church of God

NOTE: The Lia Fail (Stone of Destiny) is of Irish myth. According to the legend it was supposed to "roar" if a true king touched it. David Williams, in an article on BI, noted that “Professor A.C. Ramsey of the Geology Department of London University inspected the "coronation" stone and identified it as red sandstone, probably of Scottish origin. "The nearest red sandstone to Bethel, where Jacob found his stone is in Petra, nearly one hundred miles to the south; the stone around Bethel where Jacob slept is white limestone.” In 1996, British Prime Minister John Major said, “The stone of destiny holds a special place in the hearts of the Scots. I believe that on this, the 700th anniversary of its removal from Scotland, it’s appropriate to return it to it’s historic homeland.”

The key verses used by BI proponents are identical to the ones HWA used--and distorted. Their premise is that the ten tribes of Israel were "lost" and today are found in the Anglo-Saxons. The theory fosters racial and national pride. No matter who we are, if we are in Christ Jesus, our future is not linked to a particular land or race, but to an incorruptible inheritance. (I Peter 1:4) The Davidic Covenant was fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of God, and the Word of God is clear that we are to seek Him.

Notice to former members: Believing that the United States and Britain were modern Israel may have been what started getting many heavily involved in the WCG or one of its offshoots or splinter groups. It can become a part of one's self-worth (thinking we are special, chosen, the elite, etc.) Learning the truth about these things can be a huge letdown, but we must come see our special position in Christ. 

For further study, see offsite links at the end of this page.

Recommended books:

The Delusion of British Israelism by Anton Darms. Available through Barnes & Noble out of print, used & rare books

The History of the Ten "Lost" Tribes by David Baron (This is a classic work on the subject). Rare; check your library or used book stores.

Armstrongism: The "Worldwide Church of God" Examined in the Searching Light of Scripture by Dr. Robert L. Sumner. (Chapter 8: "The Armstrong Teaching About Israel" covers Herbert Armstrong's Anglo-Israel theory.)

The Armstrong Empire by Joseph Hopkins (See Chapter 5: "The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy.")

Footnotes by ESN:

¹ Herbert W. Armstrong, The United States and British Commonwealth, 1967, p. 4.

² HWA referred often to the "ten lost tribes," but these words are not found in the Bible. See our article, Where Are the Tribes of Israel Located?

³ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance states that the word for "Jew" in these verses means "Judah" in the sense of a country: Jew: Greek word #2453 loudaios (ee-oo-dah`-yos); from #2448 (in the sense of #2455 as a country); Judaean, i.e., belonging to Jehudah ["Judah"]: KJV--Jew (-ess), of Judaea.

Did Herbert W. Armstrong Say God Revealed the "Key to Unlocking Prophecy" to Him Alone?

Armstrong Charged With Plagiarizing "U.S. And Britain in Prophecy" (offsite link)

How is the Term Israel Used in the New Testament? (Shows how the church is not "spiritual Israel") (also covers Gal 6:16) [offsite link]

A Comparison and Contrast Between Israel and the Church [offsite link]

The Origin of British Israelism (Examines BI in much detail) [offsite link]

Article showing British-Israelism has documented pagan druidic roots (scroll about 2/3 of the way down the page to where the sentence starts with "Brothers supposedly...") [offsite link]

Where are Tribes of Israel Located? (A Critique of Herman Hoeh's Article) [shows Hoeh didn't have his facts straight)

The Conspiracy Was Strong - The Discernment Ministries (Herbert W. Armstrong is mentioned in Parts 1-3 of this in-depth report--search for the words "Worldwide Church of God; covers the British-Israelism movement.) [offsite link]

Back to Questioning Herbert W. Armstrong (was he who he said he was?)

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