There are a variety of ways to divest the people of Israel of the place that God has given Israel in His plan of redemption. One of the ways is Replacement Theology, sometimes called “Inclusion Theology” or “Fulfilment Theology,” by supporters of Replacement Theology who want to give their views a more palatable name.
And then there is the “Lost Tribes Theory.” Various groups of people, ranging from the British to Native Americans and many other widely scattered groups, have been viewed as being the true [Hebrew] descendants of the so-called ten lost tribes. According to this view, the real Jews are not in Israel. Some other groups of people are the real Jews.
On the basis of this view the present land of Israel has no future in the plan of God, and the people who are there have no rights to live in what is now known as the modern state of Israel. Giving support to modern Israel—military, medical, food—is wrong. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6) is wrong. In fact, there is nothing significant about May 14, 1948 when Israel became a modern, independent state—it is a lie coming full term.
The most popular and far-reaching view is known as British Israelism. Its basic premise is that the ten tribes captured by the Assyrians are, in reality, the Scythians who surged westward through northern Europe and eventually became the ancestors of the Saxons who invaded England. Hence, the Anglo-Saxons are the “Israel” of the Bible, the elect of God. According to this theory, the present day Jews in Israel are from the tribe of Judah. They are under a Divine curse because they are the murderers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As “proof” of their views, British Israelism maintains that the “lost tribes” left place names on their trek across Europe. The Dan and Danube rivers, as well as the city of Danzig, and the country of Denmark, allegedly provide clear markers supporting their theory.
One group who has adopted British Israelism is the white supremacy group often labelled as “The Christian Identity Movement.” It is a white supremacist movement that has been accused of violence against dark-skinned people. Another group supportive of this theory is the world-wide anti-Zionist Movement which claims Zionism has Satanic roots. The anti-Zionist movement has also used British Israelism to prove the supremacy of whites over dark-skinned people. Anglo Saxons are “the master race” and destined to rule the world.
There are several consequences of British Israelism
First, it brings people under the yoke of bondage. If America and Anglo-Saxon people are the true Israel, then “American” Israelites must observe all Mosaic legislation.
Second, it elevates Anglo-Saxons above all other groups of people. Hence whites are viewed as superior to dark-skinned people. This alone will, unfortunately, provide an apologetic for those who claim that the Bible is “racist.”
Thirdly, British Israelism robs Israel of God’s promises. The words of Romans 11:26 now come to mean, “There shall come out of England the Redeemer, and shall turn away ungodliness from the United States.”
Fourthly, British Israelism sees Premillennial Dispensationalism as Satanic. Allegedly, prophetic ministries like Southwest Radio Church have no legitimacy.
The best refutation of British Israelism is the New Testament. In James 1:1 the author identifies himself and the recipients of his letter with these words: “James a servant of…Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad.” The 12 tribes were scattered but there is no indication that there are fewer than twelve tribes or that any are “lost.”
In New Testament times the “twelve tribes” were considered both a present group and a future people. In Matthew 19:28 Jesus said, “Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
In his defense, the apostle Paul said, “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews” (Acts 26:6-7).
We must carefully note that the blindness that the apostle attributes to Israel during this present times of the Gentiles is not a blindness that has only come upon Judah. “For I would not, brethren,” Paul writes in Romans 11:25-26, “that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved.” No one is missing and no one is lost.
The Bible recognizes only three classes of people. “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” (1 Cor. 10:32). British Israelism, quite contrary to Scripture, recognizes a fourth—the descendants of the so-called “lost tribes.”
There is a rising tide of hostility against Israel in many circles. Some, who had been champions for conservative causes, are now seeming to have become anti-Semitic, such as Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson.
However, God still has not changed His mind about the Israel of the Bible. Jeremiah 32:40 voices God’s attitude towards His covenant people: “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; But I will put my fear in their hearts, and they shall not depart from me” (Jer. 32:40).
Read more about British Israelism and the “Lost Tribes Theory” in Marginal Mysteries.
