The Lost Tribes Of Israel Doctrine
British Israelism, also known as Anglo-Israelism, suggests that the “lost ten tribes” of Israel found their way to Europe, specifically England, shaping the ancestry of the British people and, consequently, the United States. However, upon closer examination, this false teaching begins to unravel when we compare it with the truth of the scripture.
In exploring British Israelism, the theological endeavor is to assert that England and the United States inherit the covenant promises made to Israel. However, this perspective overlooks a crucial element — the promises to Israel were inherently tied to the specific land of Israel. The blessings and covenants were intricately connected to a geographical location, rendering a direct transfer to England and the U.S. theologically untenable.
Know The Origins of Teachings So You Can Know The Spirit Behind It
What raises genuine concern, however, is the incorporation of this perspective into the teachings of two entities that clearly deviate from the fundamental principles of biblical Christianity. The first among these is the Worldwide Church of God, established by the late Herbert W. Armstrong. Armstrong integrated British Israelism into his doctrinal framework, a system that not only rejects the deity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit but also denies the bodily resurrection of Christ and the concept of eternal punishment. Moreover, Armstrong’s theology imposes Old Testament laws on believers as a pathway to salvation.
Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 john 2 :22-23.
A contemporary group aligning with British Israelism is the “Identity” movement associated with white supremacy. Various factions alleged a global Jewish conspiracy, have embraced British Israelism to substantiate claims of white racial superiority over Jews, Asians, and Africans. Let us remember that the definition of Gentile is ” A person who is NOT Jewish”.
The Greek word most often translated to gentile is ἔθνος. This word means nations or people. In the Bible, when this word is used, it is not describing one nation or ethnic group, rather the term gentile refers to anyone who is not of Jewish descent. Gentile would also broadly describe those who do not believe in God. Biblestudytools.com
Dispelling the notion of the perpetual “lost” tribes requires a nuanced examination. God’s meticulous awareness of each tribe’s whereabouts challenges this perception. The Bible itself bears witness to the presence of all twelve tribes. Just because we as people may not know the intricate whereabouts of each and every tribe does not mean they are lost. Looking towards the future, particularly during the end times, God’s summoning of witnesses from each of the twelve tribes Revelation 7:4–8 resounds, emphatically proving that none have escaped His watchful eye.
And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6 of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7 of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8 of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
- Many Jews who endured in the land after the Assyrian conquest eventually reunited with Judah in the south, as we read in 2 Chronicles 11:14-17 and 2 Chronicles 34:6–9.
For the Levites left their common-lands and their possessions and came to Judah and Jerusalem, for Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the Lord. 15 Then he appointed for himself priests for the a]”>[a]”>aa]”>]high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made. 16 And b]”>[b]”>bb]”>]after the Levites left, those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the Lord God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers. 17 So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years. 2 Chronicles 11:14-17
And so he did in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali and all around, with a]”>[a]”>aa]”>]axes. 7 When he had broken down the altars and the wooden images, had beaten the carved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.8 In the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the b]”>[b]”>bb]”>]temple, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God. 9 When they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites who kept the doors had gathered from the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all the remnant of Israel, from all Judah and Benjamin, and which they had brought back to Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 34:6–9.
The Bible points to the fact that not all Israelites were captive but many Israelites from the tribes traveled to the Southern Kingdom of Judah prior to the Assyrian captivity allowing them to evade being held captive.
- Then the runners went throughout all Israel and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders, and spoke according to the command of the king: “Children of Israel, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then He will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. (2 Chronicles 30:6)
- Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!” So Israel departed to their tents. 17 But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah. (1 Kings 12:16-17)
- In the New Testament, all throughout we see reference to the Tribes of Israel, the prophetess Anna in (Luke 2:36) was from the tribe of Asher. Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;
- “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; 22 and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again. (Ezekiel 37:21-22)
- Jesus promises the disciples that they will “sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:28-30).
- So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)
- Paul, who knows he is from the tribe of Benjamin. I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. (Romans 11:1-2)
- And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, (Acts 4:36)
- To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. (Acts 26:7).
- James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. (James 1:1).
- And of course Revelation 7:4–8 which was mentioned above.
There is ample evidence in Scripture that all twelve tribes of Israel are still in existence, none of them are lost. If you encounter anyone who is teaching a doctrine that promotes anything that is contrary to scripture, especially when it fosters pride and hatred of others, you can be assured that it is not of the Holy Spirit. Remember, we as followers of Christ are to be aligned with the word of God as our standard of truth, and we can look to the teachings of Jesus as an outline of the things we should be concerned about. There is nowhere in scripture where Jesus focuses on or addresses “the Lost Tribes”, nor does Jesus even mention anything of the matter. Please remember the warnings of 1 Timothy 1:4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
Here is the last thing I will say on this topic, it doesn’t matter what bloodline you are, whether you are Jew or Gentile because neither will save you. Jesus is the only way to Salvation, and nothing that is of the flesh will benefit you over another. If you have found yourself wrapped up in this heretical false teaching, there are a few things you need to ask yourself.
- Why is it that the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ alone, offered to all people, isn’t enough for you to rejoice and have peace?
- Is this teaching and doctrine teaching you to love your neighbor, or is it bearing the fruit of division, hatred, and pride?
- Could it be that you’re being drawn to this doctrine because you are starving spiritually to draw closer to God, but you are not putting in the work of drawing near to God so that He will draw near to you? Are you being led by your flesh to obtain something that can only be birthed by The Holy Spirit of God?
- Are you too busy looking up endless genealogies and fables because a part of you doesn’t want to look inwardly because of what you know you will find?
- Have you allowed the enemy to distract you and keep you from the priceless gift of regeneration that comes through the Holy Spirit when one is willing to look inwardly, confess their fallen nature, and surrender to the Lord?
Beloved, lay aside all of these foolish teachings and surrender yourself fully to Christ, there is nothing in you that Christ cannot transform, there is no need to add anything to the gift of Salvation found in Jesus. Recognize that once you are one in Christ, and as you build an intimate relationship with Him, you will be fulfilled in your identity as a follower of Christ and you won’t be led astray by teachings that are based on mere assumptions and that go against the Word of God.
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