Modern Israel: A Forgotten Promise Remembered
One of the more unique beliefs we hold—one grounded in both Scripture and history—is the idea that modern nations can be identified with the ancient tribes of Israel. While many today hear “Israel” and think only of the Jewish people, the Bible reveals a far broader story. The name Israel originally referred to all twelve tribes—descendants of Jacob’s sons—not just the southern kingdom of Judah, from which the term Jew is derived.
The Bible often traces modern peoples back to ancient patriarchs. The descendants of Noah’s sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—became the ancestors of today’s Semitic, African, and Indo-European peoples. Likewise, Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, is recognized as the forefather of many Arab nations. These genealogical connections are woven throughout Scripture, showing how God has shaped the destiny of many peoples over time. In that light, tracing the modern descendants of Israel is not a strange or novel idea—it’s consistent with the way the Bible helps us understand the movement of nations through history.
After the kingdom of Israel split following Solomon’s reign, the ten northern tribes retained the name Israel, while Judah (along with Benjamin and much of Levi) formed the southern kingdom of Judah. When the northern kingdom was taken into captivity by the Assyrians around 721 BC, the tribes were scattered and seemingly lost to history. Yet many of the promises God made to the descendants of Israel were specific, enduring, and never fully fulfilled in ancient times. We believe those promises still matter—and they help us trace the identity of Israel in the modern world.
Tribal Identities Today (A General Overview)
- Manasseh – United States
- Ephraim – Britain and Commonwealth nations
- Reuben – France
- Simeon – Possibly scattered; no clear modern nation
- Levi – Dispersed; traditionally associated with priesthood
- Issachar – Sometimes linked to Finland or Switzerland
- Zebulun – Often associated with the Netherlands (maritime focus)
- Gad – Possibly Sweden or another Nordic country
- Asher – Sometimes tied to Belgium or resource-rich European nations
- Dan – Often linked to Ireland & Denmark
- Benjamin – Norway
- Naphtali – Also commonly linked with Norway and Sweden
What About Modern Diversity?
Understandably, some may wonder how a nation as diverse as the United States could be identified with a single biblical tribe. That’s a fair question. But it’s worth noting that ancient Israel was never entirely ethnically uniform either. From the “mixed multitude” that left Egypt with them (Exodus 12:38) to the inclusion of outsiders like Ruth the Moabite, the identity of Israel has always involved a blending of peoples.
Likewise, those who identify as Jewish are not necessarily without mixed ancestry. The idea of “pure blood,” as we see it today, does not seem to be how God views things. Look at Jesus’ genealogy, which includes those not of Israel. (See Matthew 1:1–16 for a record of Jesus’ genealogy, which includes Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—women of non-Israelite origin.) What mattered most was God’s covenant—and the lineage through those whom He identified as His, through whom the promises would unfold.
While the U.S. today includes people from many backgrounds, we believe the prophetic identity of Manasseh applies primarily through the dominant founding lineage—descendants of the lost tribes who migrated westward and helped shape the culture, values, and institutions of the nation. As with ancient Israel, this identity is not about genetic exclusivity, but about responsibility in God’s unfolding plan.
A Promise That Needed Time
God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were immense and generational. For example, in Genesis 48:19, Jacob prophesied over Joseph’s sons, saying that Ephraim would become “a multitude of nations,” while Manasseh would become “a great nation.” That description doesn’t align with the ancient kingdom of Israel’s limited reach—but it does resemble the historical dominance of the British Empire and the rise of the United States as a superpower.
Similarly, in Genesis 35:11, God promises Jacob: “A nation and a company of nations shall be of thee.” These words were not fully realized in the ancient kingdom period but are consistent with the rise of the U.S. and British Commonwealth.
Deuteronomy 33 outlines the prophetic blessings for each tribe. Many of the descriptions contain specific characteristics, such as Zebulun dwelling “by the haven of the sea” (v. 19), or Joseph being blessed “with the precious things of heaven… and the deep that coucheth beneath” (vv. 13–17)—imagery that fits with resource-rich lands and maritime prominence.
These prophecies are not generic spiritual metaphors. They involve precise geographical, economic, and political markers. While this article can only highlight a few examples, the amount of specificity in Scripture—linked to observable historical outcomes—is extensive and compelling. The inexplicable rise to global power by Britain and the U.S.—acknowledged even by historians at the time—points to divine involvement and the fulfillment of long-standing promises.
Why Don’t People See the U.S. in Prophecy?
Many ask, “Why can’t we find the United States in Bible prophecy?” From our perspective, the question may be asking in the wrong way—not because the U.S. isn’t mentioned, but because it appears under a different name: Manasseh. If one doesn’t recognize the biblical identity of modern nations, it’s easy to miss where they appear in prophetic texts.
When prophecy speaks of Israel, especially in end-time contexts, it often refers not to the Jewish people alone, but to the northern tribes—descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh—who retained the name Israel after the kingdom divided. Passages like Hosea 5:5 and 6:10 distinguish clearly between Judah and Israel. This distinction is crucial for understanding many prophetic warnings and promises.
Believing that the United States and British-descended nations are the modern descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim is not about asserting national superiority—far from it. If this identification is correct, then it places these nations under the spotlight of prophetic responsibility. The blessings they have received—abundant resources, global influence, security, and prosperity—are not the result of their own greatness, but the fulfillment of ancient promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Deuteronomy 9:4–6 reminds us that Israel was not chosen because of righteousness, but because of God’s covenant and purpose. That remains true today. These blessings are not a badge of honor, but a call to accountability. Genesis 48–49 outlines the birthright promises passed to Joseph’s sons—blessings that carried both opportunity and obligation. The role of these nations, if our understanding is right, was to reflect God’s ways and serve as an example to the world.
Instead, Bible prophecy warns of a future time of national distress—what Jeremiah 30 calls “the time of Jacob’s trouble.” The prophets often speak of calamity and correction coming upon both Israel and Judah, suggesting that both houses will face consequences for turning away from God. If the U.S. and its allies are among those nations, then these warnings may apply more directly than most people realize.
Far from feeding pride, this belief should foster humility and reflection. If we are inheritors of Israel’s blessings, we are also subject to Israel’s responsibilities—and to the consequences when those responsibilities are ignored.
Rejection and the Weight of Implications
Many Christians are hesitant to entertain this teaching—not necessarily because it lacks biblical support, but because of what it implies. A common response—flawed though it may be—is, “Those laws were for Israel only.” Yet if modern nations like the U.S. and U.K. are descended from Israel, then that reasoning unintentionally places them under the same expectations, even if they reject the premise.
This isn’t about nationalism or racial identity—it’s about God’s faithfulness. We believe that even if the descendants of Israel lost sight of who they are, God never forgot His promises. Isaiah 49:6 describes Israel as a “light to the Gentiles,” and Romans 11:29 reminds us that “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”
Historical Evidence and Church of God Research
Various Church of God organizations have published studies—such as the well-known booklet The United States and Britain in Prophecy—that explore historical migrations, royal lineage traditions, and cultural connections tracing the tribes of Israel through Europe and into the West. These sources offer extensive evidence drawn from both Scripture and historical records.
One example is the promise made to David: that his descendants would continue to rule on a throne perpetually (2 Samuel 7:13–16; Jeremiah 33:17). While many Christians view this as fulfilled solely in Christ—who indeed will ultimately sit on David’s throne forever—we believe this promise also points to a physical continuation of that royal line up to His return. Between the fall of Judah and Christ’s first coming, there appears to be a historical gap—yet the promise is framed as unbroken.
Traditions and some historical accounts suggest that the Davidic line was preserved through the British monarchy, which traces its lineage to ancient Israelite kings. We understand this not as a mark of superiority, but as a sign of God’s faithfulness to His covenant. Just as God preserved Israel’s identity even when they were unaware of it, He also preserved the royal line as part of His plan—pointing forward to the return of Christ, the true King of Israel.
A Matter of Faith—and Logic
Ultimately, this teaching requires both faith in God’s promises and a willingness to see the logic in how those promises could only have been fulfilled in our modern age. The Bible is not silent on the future of Israel—it speaks of it repeatedly. But unless one understands who Israel is today, much of that prophecy will remain misunderstood.
This truth adds depth to the gospel message, showing how God’s faithfulness extends across generations—and how His plan involves specific people and nations for a purpose. It’s not just about heritage. It’s about responsibility, calling, and identity in God’s unfolding work.
