In the Book of Numbers we find Moses relating how the Almighty poured out His wrath on His chosen people and why. In 11:1-3 and 16:1-3; 34,35 we find Him sending fire to consume many of them. In 11:4-35/12:1-16/13:31-33;14:47/16:41-50/ 25:1-9 we read that He sent sicknesses and diseases upon them, killing many more. In 16:1-3/30-33 He sent an earthquake into their midst and killed a number of men and their families. The ultimate question is: Why? The answer is rebellion against Him. He is the same  yesterday, today and forever. His cause and effect system of governance remains the same until today. Every man and every nation of men will receive what they give. The Israelites had sown the wind and therefore reaped the whirlwind. This whirlwind culminated in military defeat, slaughter and enslavement at the hands of the nation of Assyria. The Lord would later do the same things to the tribes of Judah, Levi and Benjamin, called “Judahites” but nicknamed “Jews” by the King James translators. In the end, the entire commonwealth of Israel was defeated and sent into slavery because of rebellion against the Word of the Lord that was delivered to them through God’s holy prophets whom they rejected, and in some cases, killed.

Today, the descendants of Manasseh–one of the sons of Joseph–make up the bulk of the population of the United States of America. See Who and Where is Israel? Israel and the Church: The Covenant Connection and Israel: The Apostles’ Mission Field for information relative to the Israel–America connection. On that same theme, Great Britain is peopled primarily by the descendants of Ephraim–Joseph’s other son. As he lay on his deathbed, Jacob (Israel) declared that those two boys would afterwards be known as “Israel.”

Moses and the other prophets were diligent in recording the entire Old Testament for one reason which is provided in 1 Cor. 10:11. Here we are told that the Old Testament was preserved as a warning to God seekers in the future not to do what their Old Testament ancestors did–rebel against God by refusing to believe and obey His Word.

Before going on, please read either Deuteronomy 28 or Leviticus 26, or preferably both. These words were recorded for those living in that day as well as those living in the last generation before the return of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:11 the Apostle Paul made this clear by identifying the recipients of God’s prophetic warnings: “Now all these things happened to them (and were recorded) as examples. They were written for OUR INSTRUCTION UPON WHOM THE ENDS OF THE WORLD WILL COME.” God-seekers must realize that the warnings written by the Old Testament prophets were recorded for OUR INSTURCTION/WARNING/ADMONITION. Have the people of the United States believed and headed those warnings? No. For this reason we see the curses warned about in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26 coming to pass in our once God-blessed nation. Even non-believers are taking notice of the quickly-accelerating disasters taking place in this supposed “Nation Under God.” We are not under God, nor do we trust Him, nor do we believe Him, nor do we care about Him. For this reason we see the horrific things that happened to Israel taking place in this country. The differences are that we are suffering many more of them; they are much more deadly and are arriving at a more rapid pace. So-called “natural disasters” are tearing this nation apart. One area burns while another floods. Tornados and hurricanes destroy two areas while flooding and drought destroy other areas. Invaders are creating havoc amongst us with their bombs. Illegal “migrants” are costing the American tax-payer some $338,000,000 per year. Half of the population wants millions more to come here. Our former friends are turning against us. Such things as fish, snails, bugs, snakes, vegetation, etc.–all having come in from other countries–are destroying our natural habitats. Diseases that were thought to be eradicated are now making a comeback and we are unable to stop them. Even France, whom we sent thousands of men to fight and die for, has threatened us with war. Puny little North Korea pushes us around like a playground bully. Economically, the world is turning away from us and looking elsewhere for trading partners. The American dollar is on the way out as the universal currency. America will soon go down and out. And, as was the case with our ancestors, the reason will be the same: REBELLION AGAINST GOD. Know this: GOD IS NOT MOCKED; WHAT A MAN SOWS, HE WILL REAP. This also applies to nations of men. Please read 1 Corinthians 10:1-12. In Matthew 24:3-8 we find Him warning those who would erect the New Covenant Church. He warns of false prophets, war, famines, pestilences and earthquakes that will happen following His death. Those curses that He said would identify the last days are on us now. If you are not ready to meet the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, please get ready. He will come when we least expect it. L.J.