Stewarton Bible School FAQ

SBS:FAQ

British Israel

Stewarton Bible School does not subscribe to the view that the British, American and several other European nations are the lost 10 Tribes of Israel. Our reasons are as follows:

1. Population Increase

In Jacob's day, the patriarch was, at a very, very conservative estimate, one man in a world population of at least 6,000,000. The world's population in Jacob's day was probably a lot greater than that, but for the purpose of this discussion we'll say Jacob was one in six million people on earth. The present combined populations of the alleged British-Israel nations: Britain (Ephraim), the USA (Manasseh), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and western Europe (France (Reuben) Denmark (Dan) Saxony (Isaac's sons) etc.) is about 1,000,000,000 (one UK billion): which is approximately one sixth of the world's present population of about 6,000,000,000 (six UK billion).

Now consider for a moment this astonishing fact. If the British Israel theory were true, it would mean that Jacob's descendants somehow grew from being one in six million to one in six! Statistically that is impossible. History provides no evidence whatsoever that the birth rate of other nations (China, India, Africa etc.) virtually stood still whilst Jacob's descendants (Britain, USA and western Europe) out-stripped them to such an extent. If anything, history tells us the very opposite was true: the population explosion occurred elsewhere (China, India and Africa); not amongst the white races. In other words, statistically the theory about Britain, the USA and western Europe being the Lost 10 Tribes of Israel is a non-starter. It cannot be true.

2. Language Loss

The second reason concerns language loss. When Israel was scattered around the world, the language its people spoke was basically Hebrew (or Aramaic). How is it that the peoples of Britain, the USA and western Europe now speak so many different languages (English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Flemish, German etc.) and not Hebrew? Shouldn't they all be speaking the same language if they are all descendants of the same nation - Israel? Here we have a twin phenomena: Is that likely? Can any nation, numbering millions, just forget its language and each of its 12 tribes invent a new language? To suggest that the lost 10 tribes invented so many new languages (English, French, Dutch, Flemish, German and Danish) and also all forgot Hebrew is stretching credulity to its limits.

3. Regathering of Israel

The third reason for rejecting the British Israel theory is based on Bible prophecies concerning Israel in the last days. Bible prophecy tells us that the people of Israel (who were scattered to the far corners of the earth after the fall of Jerusalem) would be re-gathered at the end of this age. The scattering (Diaspora) began about two thousand years ago. The re-gathering began in this century.

In the past few decades, millions of Israelites have returned to the new-born state of Israel. The population is now heading for the 6,000,000 mark. But, strangely enough, we do not see millions of British, Americans, Canadians, Australians, Danes, French or Saxons going to live in the land of Israel. Why not? If they are the descendants of the Lost 10 Tribes why are these people not going back to Israel as Bible prophecy said they would? The answer is obvious. These people are, in the main, not the descendants of the Lost 10 Tribes. Some of them may be: but certainly not the vast majority.

Instead we see Israelites from Russia, Yemen, Hungary, Poland, Ethiopia and the eastern European countries returning in plane, ship and bus loads to the land of Israel. Tens of thousands have literally walked into Israel. This cannot be said of the British, the Americans and the western Europeans: simply because they are not the blood born descendants of Jacob.

4. The Chosen Race

Israel is the chosen race, Yahweh's People, chosen because of Yahweh's promise to Abraham and his "seed" - Yeshua (Jesus). Throughout scripture Israel is called "my people" by the Most High (Exodus 5:1, 7:4, 7:16, 8:1, 8:8, 8:20-21). There is absolutely no doubt about this fact. The Bible also says that:
Galations 3:7 & 29 "If you are Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed."

This statement includes Gentile believers: they too are reckoned as real Israelites, spiritual Jews, true descendants of Abraham. In Romans chapter 11 Paul further explains how unbelieving Israelites are pruned off and newly converted Gentiles (wild branches) grafted onto the Olive of Israel. True believers in Israel's Messiah (Yeshua) are, in other words, reckoned as true Israelites, whatever their race. This fact is also made plain in this passage:
Romans 2:28-29 "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."

This means that there is no Master Race of whites, blacks, browns or yellows. The only Master Race on earth at the moment is made up of those who believe in the Master. This verse describes the Master Race, or shall we say the Royal Family of God.
1 John:3:1-2 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

5. Conclusion

In view of these facts, let all lay aside the false notion of being superior to other peoples or races: be they black, brown (as the Saviour was) yellow or white. The British Israel theory collapses on several other scores; but enough proof is given here to discard it as a dangerous fallacy. Having to fall back on appearance, colour, race, education, accent, wealth or social standing is at best - a poor substitute for faith and holiness.

SBS:FAQ


Author: DBL
Last Updated: November 1996
URL: http://www.rmplc.co.uk/eduweb/sites/sbs777/faq/britisra.html