When I was a new convert I heard pastor Mitchell warn us about the dangers of British Israelism. Evidently this was a big deal in his generation and there must have been influences somewhere that pastor Mitchell wanted to shield us from.
British Israelism is the belief that Great Britain was the direct descendant of the so called lost tribes of Israel who they say split off after Solomon's time as king. They were not lost, just separated. And the consequence of this separation is that their descendants migrated to the British Isles to become the people of Great Britain. The dangerous part was not genetic, but doctrinal. Herbert W. Armstrong became one of the early Pentecostal promoters of British Israelism and it's offshoot in America. The Mormons believed this lie.
What is British Israelism? Here are some ideas.
1. All of the promises of God in the Bible made to Israel now apply to Great Britain.
2. British power and prosperity were seen as evidence of Divine favor and blessing.
3. The British king and people play a unique part in the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
4. One prominent idea is centered on influence and control of events in Jerusalem with idea that making sure certain things happen will bring about the second coming of Christ.
Britain was a supporter of evangelism and missionary activity in the 19th century just like America has been in the 20th century. We are a very tiny part of a much bigger movement.
There are nations mentioned in the Bible. England and the United States are not mentioned at all. Do not make the error of the early Pentecostal movements or the Mormons. God has a plan and He has a people. Our job is to preach the gospel and to plant churches, not to win elections and build a Christian nation.
Pastor Mitchell knew things and guarded us from false doctrines and distractions and error. He knew how to keep the main thing the main thing.
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