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PARTTWO:
THE
UNITED
STATES ANO BRITAIN
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IN~~
PROPHECY~ ~
The vety fate ofthe Bible as the revealed Word ofGod-the evidence ofthe existence of
God- hangs on the answer to this momentous question: Did God keep the promises of
national wealth and greatness He made to the patriarch Abraham? The
J
ewish people
did not fulfill these promises. They do not refer to the Church. Did Godfai!? Or has He
made good this colossal promise unknown to the world? The true answer is the most as-
tonishing revelation ofBible truth and ofprophecy.
N
by
Herbert W. Armstrong
ow we come to a most vital distinction, and a
roce,
not grace. Birthright possessions are customarily
bit of Bible truth known to but a very few. Very few,
passed down from father to eldest son.
indeed, have ever noticed that the promises to Abraham
" Sceptre:
kingly office; royal power; badge of com-
were twofold. But the Bible itself makes sharp dis-
mand or
sovereignty"- Standard Dictionary.
The prom-
tinction between these two phases ofthe promises.
ised kingly line culminates in
Christ,
and involves
grace
The spiritual promises- the promises of the "one
to all.
seed," Christ, and of salvation through Him- the Bible
We have seen how both sets of promises, right of birth
calls the
sceptre.
But the material and national promises
and gift of grace, were unconditionally made by God to
relating to many nations, nationaJ weaJ tb, prosperity and
Abraham. Both the birthright and the sceptre were re-
power , and possession of the Holy Land, the Bible calls
promised by the Eterna! to Isaac and to Jacob. But the
the
birthright.
fact that should open your eyes, as a joyous truth newly
Race, Not Grace
Let us understand the meaning of the terms:
"Birthright:
native right or privilege"-Standard
Dic–
tionary;
"any right acquired by birth"-
Webster 's.
A
birthright is something which is one's right , by birth.
It
has nothing to do with grace, which is unmerited pardon
and a free gift which is
not
one's right.
Tt
has to do with
The
PLAIN TRUTH December 1978
discovered, is that from that point these two sets of
promises became separated! The sceptre promises of the
kingly line culminating in Christ, and of grace through
Him, were handed on to
JunAH,
son of Jacob and father
of all Jews. But the astonishing truth is that the birth–
right promises were never given to the Jews!
Let that be repeated! Realize this! The birthright
promises were never given to the Jews!
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