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This essay is part 16 in a 17-part series on what biblical prophecies say about
the fate of the ten "lost" tribes of Israel. These seventeen essays are directed
mostly to people who have been subjected to Anglo-Israelism (British Israelism),
but they can be beneficial even for others.
This present part poses a provoking question regarding Anglo-Israelism: What if Russia and her Slavic sisters are the lost ten tribes of Israel?
Links to the other parts in this series can be found under the heading "Tribes" on the index-page keyw-t4.htm. Some of them are mentioned even in the "Additional reading" section towards the end of this essay.
Leaving those claims aside, this essay proceeds to show that if one uses arguments of the kind as those preachers do, it is even easier to "prove" that Russia and her Slavic sisters are the "ten tribes", or that they are "Joseph", the "nation and a company of nations" (Genesis 35:11).
Indeed, regarding the claims that the Anglo-Saxon nations supposedly are "Israelites" (Anglo-Israelism) – what if Russia and her Slavic sisters are the lost ten tribes of Israel...?
An important note: A closer study of the Bible makes it clear that neither USA nor Russia can be the lost tribes of Israel. The purpose of this essay is merely to show how arguments of the kind that Anglo-Israelist preachers come up with, can be used to "prove" many kinds of things.
Through Moses, the Lord told to the tribes of Israel what would happen to them if they were disobedient (and they were):
Deuteronomy 28:62 And you shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of the heavens for multitude, because you would not obey the voice of Jehovah your God. 63 And it shall be, as Jehovah rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so Jehovah shall rejoice over you to destroy you, and to lay you waste. And you shall be plucked from the land you are going to possess. 64 And Jehovah shall scatter you among all people, from one end of the earth even to the other, and you shall serve other gods there, wood and stone, which you have not known, nor your fathers. (LIT)
Verse 62: "Few". They had become numerous, "as the stars of heaven" (see Deuteronomy 1:10), but here it was prophesied that they would become few in number. Later, that came to happen. Further: The context and related passages add that they would be scattered in all the world, from its one corner to the other, among the other nations, serving idols. In other words: They would not have a country of their own.
(The Lord did have mercy on the house of Judah – Hosea 1:7 – and, they have not been totally destroyed and scattered into "oblivion" the way the ten northern tribes have.)
The essay ey01b.htm has more on where and how the ten "lost" tribes of Israel really are today, according to the Bible. The essay ey06b.htm shows that the tribes of Israel will be restored and blessed again, only after they have returned to the Lord and made a new covenant with him. The essay ey05c.htm shows how the Anglo-Israelist dogma about "2520 years" is based on a misunderstanding and a misleading translation. The essay ey11b.htm has more on the origins of the peoples of north-western Europe, and their American descendants.
Some Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed that USA is "Manasseh" and Britain "Ephraim". They talk about "a nation and a multitude of nations". They sometimes refer to Genesis 17:4 and Genesis 35:11, but those passages are not about Ephraim and Manasseh, they are about Abraham and Jacob and all of their descendants. However, Genesis 48:19 does refer to the descendants of Joseph:
Genesis 48:19 But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know: he also will become a people, and he also will be great; but truly his younger brother will be greater than he; and his seed will become the fulness of nations. (DBY)
Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said—I know—my son, I know! He also, shall become a people, and, he also, shall become great,—but nevertheless, his younger brother, shall become greater than he, and, his seed, shall become a filling up of the nations. (EB)
Regarding the translation "nations" in this verse: The Hebrew word in question was gowy which could mean several things, such as "people" (see Joshua 4:1 and 5:6 and 8, Daniel 11:23 and Zephaniah 2:9 for examples of this). In short, gowy did not have exactly the same meaning as the English word "nation". Gowy meant "people", or folk, in the different meanings those words can have.
And then, the Hebrew text did not say "multitude". It said melo which meant "fullness", "filling up" or similar. That noun seems to have come from the verb male which meant "to fill", "to be full". In certain forms and combinations, the verb male also meant "to fulfil", "to accomplish", "to complete", "to confirm", "to satisfy". What was meant by that word "fullness"? Perhaps, that the dying Jacob felt satisfied with his large family. The explanation of the meaning of the word "fullness" (melo) may lie therein. Jacob perhaps felt that now with those two "added sons" (he had adopted Joseph's sons as his own), he had his dreams fulfilled. He was satisfied. That is a possible explanation of that word "fullness" in Genesis 48:19, perhaps the most reasonable one.
But, if someone nevertheless hangs on to Anglo-Israelism's unbiblical "multitude of Joseph" dogma which claims that Joseph's descendants would form several great nations, then: Russia and her Slavic sisters fit very well into that "a nation and a multitude of nations" description.
A number of Anglo-Israelist preachers "prove" their dogmas by the help of colourful pictures, graphs and maps, and quotes from others who preach the same dogma.
In contrast to that, the map below is not made to be fancy or glossy. It is just a simple map, placed here to make a certain point. The ten northern tribes of Israel had been taken into exile, to an area which used to be called "Persia" and "Media", about the same as the northern part on modern-day Iran. This map shows the route which one could logically expect those tribes to have taken, in case they at some later time left that area and went north.
Again, this map shows the reasonably logical direction of movement for the "ten tribes", if and when they eventually left Persia and Media where they had been taken when they were banished from their own land.
Some Anglo-Israelist preachers have been so desperate that they have tried to use certain, apparently Jewish tombstones in Crimea (in Ukraine, by the Black Sea) as "proof" that "the lost tribes of Israel" supposedly moved into Europe and America.
How is it with that?
Well, to begin with, consider this: In ancient times, there were Greek colonies in Crimea. With the Greeks, even Jews followed along. The Jews do not belong to the "lost" tribes of Israel.
And then: Those Crimean tombstones, of course only prove that the people buried under them, had moved into Crimea. That is where those tombstones are. And then, if one travels further from Crimea, one does not come to western Europe or America but to Slavic areas, Ukraine proper and Russia.
There is no whatsoever reason to think that those tombstones in Crimea would have something to do with the ten "lost" tribes.
Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed the 1803 "Louisiana purchase" in the USA to be "proof" that USA and Britain supposedly are "Israel". (At that time, the early USA bought a large area on land, from France who had controlled it before that.)
In reality, the Bible shows that in our day, the "lost" tribes of Israel would be powerless, and that they would be relatively few in number and scattered among (within) the other nations, without having a country of their own. The essay ey01b.htm has more on this. But, if one wants to ignore those facts, then one can look around, in order to find a nation or a group of nations which expanded and grew, in a way similar to that of the USA. There is especially one such nation and a group of nations which are of note: Russia and her Slavic sisters.
Russia's expansion was great: From Europe and the Black Sea, all the way to Vladivostok by the Pacific Ocean. From the Caspian Sea to the Arctic Sea, from the Baltic Sea to the Amur River. Actually, even Alaska used to belong to Russia which also had smaller colonies in what today is known as California, before that area became a part of the USA.
The Anglo-Israelist dogma about "expansion" and "blessings" is based on a misunderstanding of a certain passage in the book of Genesis. The word upon which their whole house of cards is built, is not at all found in the Hebrew text passage in question. The essay ey05c.htm has more on this.
Further: The Bible makes it very clear that the northern tribes of Israel (who still remain dispersed today) will be restored and blessed, only after they (as a nation) have returned to the Lord and made a new covenant with him. Those things have not happened yet. The essay ey06b.htm has more on this. Also, their blessings are tied to the one and only earthly Promised Land (Canaan); it is there they were blessed in the past, and it is there they will receive the restored blessings.
But, if someone for some strange reason nevertheless looks for "expansion" and "blessings" in the 1800s, well, then Russia and the Slavic peoples are "logical candidates" for being those tribes. In the 1800s, Russia expanded heavily and came to possess enormous physical resources and riches. And, the geographical area where the Russians live, is just north of where the ten tribes were taken.
Thus, a "Russo-Israelist" preacher would, of course, immediately after pointing out the above-mentioned facts, claim that it to be clear that Russia must be "Israel" today, indeed, "the tribe of Manasseh". The other Slavic nations would then be "Ephraim" (according to the faulty "multitude of nations" dogma which some Anglo-Israelist preachers promulgate).
Russia and the other Slavic peoples came to possess enormous natural resources, incredible amounts of oil and minerals, some of the very best soil for cultivation there is, and a lot more. In the 1800s, they made themselves free from the former low and oppressed position they had had earlier, and became strong. In the end, they became a super-power.
A note: The Bible does not say that the ten "lost" tribes of Israel would be numerous, blessed or strong in our day. That is merely something that some Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed. The essays ey01b.htm and ey06b.htm have more on this.
Some Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed that the USA (whom they claim to be "Manasseh"), supposedly has been "a blessing" for the rest of the world, in our day. They have claimed that the Bible says that they would be that.
A note: In reality, the Bible does not say that. The tribes of Israel, whoever they may be and wherever they may be dispersed, will only become such a "blessing for the world" after Jesus' return, only after they have, as a nation, made a new covenant with him.
But, if one wants to ignore the biblical facts and wants to follow those faulty "blessing" claims, then one should ask this question: What are the major export products of the USA today? The answer: Horrible movies, horrible music, incredibly horrible weapons of destruction, harmful and lethal chemicals, harmful and even deadly "medicine", harmful "foods" and beverages, genetically manipulated things, and lots of other harmful and deadly technology. The world is going under; the world is committing a collective suicide, physically and spiritually, under the lead and by the help of American politics, culture, science, technology and other exports. The facts are that the Anglo-Saxon nations are most certainly not a blessing for the rest of the world.
However, if someone nevertheless claims that such things should be counted as "blessings", well, also Russia exported huge amounts of likewise harmful and deadly stuff before her bankruptcy, and she still exports things of that kind.
Another popular dogma among certain Anglo-Israelist preachers is what could be called "the prophesied downfall of Israel". The facts are that the prophecies they quote, were fulfilled more than 2500 years ago and are a thing of the past (the essay ey05c.htm has more on this), but facts do not disturb those preachers.
Now, if a Russo-Israelist preacher would be of the "doomsday" kind, then he would be shouting that the total "fall" of Russia which occurred in the 1990s, is what was "prophesied to happen". That Russo-Israelist preacher would claim that fall to be "the fall of Israel", "the prophesied punishment of the Lord on Israel".
A Russo-Israelist preacher would then of course point out that while Russia fell, USA did not. Consequently, according to the "fall of Israel" kind of "theology" which is typical for Anglo-Israelist preachers, it simply must be Russia who is "Israel".
A Russo-Israelist preacher, looking at Russia, could indeed sigh and cry: "Look at Russia's great fall, and at how her pride was broken!" For indeed, the pride of Russia has been broken, and she has fallen from the heights of her glory.
Again: The facts are, of course, that the northern tribes of Israel did receive the prophesied punishments, long time ago. In other words: Those prophecies did not refer to the "end time". The essay ey05c.htm has more on this. The essay ey01b.htm shows what the Bible really says regarding how and where those tribes would be today. The essay ey02c.htm shows that Israel's pride was broken a long time ago, around 2700 years ago.
Those are things that certain Anglo-Israelist preachers talk about. They have a dogma which they base on a twisted interpretation of this passage:
Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. (NRSV)
What did that mean? Perhaps this: When the tribes of Israel settled in the Promised Land, Joseph's descendants were so many that they had to ask for more land than what they first were given (see Joshua 17).
But, the following ignore the facts, and will instead play around with the Anglo-Israelist dogma which claims Genesis 49:22 to mean that Joseph's descendants would colonise the whole world. (Again, this essay presupposes that the reader is familiar with Anglo-Israelist dogmas, and can thus understand the play and meaning here.)
Russia: When USA was still small, Russia was already powerful and mighty. And, when the USA expanded towards the west, Russia expanded towards the east. Look on any good map and see what Russia had in her heyday, from Europe to the Pacific, from the Black Sea to the Arctic Sea, from the Baltic Sea to the Bering Sound, and at one time even Alaska.
Indeed, one could say that Russia's branches have ran "over the wall", like those of Joseph in Genesis 49:22. Here, a Russo-Israelist preacher would of course say that the "wall" mentioned in Genesis 49:22 "obviously refers to the Ural mountains". He might interpret the "well" mentioned in that passage to be the Black Sea, or perhaps the Caspian one. And indeed, Russia colonised, over the Ural and far eastward, actually all the way to Alaska and at one time even to California.
A note: The "colonising" dogma which Anglo-Israelist preachers promulgate, has no biblical basis. But, if someone hangs on to such man-made dogmas, then that person must also consider how Russia became a huge country, and colonised into large far-away areas which she had not possessed earlier. Her Slavic sister nations are there also. Indeed, Russia, with her Slavic "company of nations", were spread far and wide.
Some Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed that the large number of bibles printed in the Anglo-Saxon countries, supposedly "proves" that they are "Israel".
Now, in reality, the Bible shows that the ten northern tribes of Israel would lose their very identity and their religion, and that they would cease to be a nation, and that they would be scattered among (within) the other nations without having a country of their own, and that they would serve other gods.
But, Anglo-Israelist preachers do not allow biblical facts to disturb them. Despite the facts, they have claimed that even today, the tribes of Israel would be "a great, really religious nation", a "people of the Bible".
Now, if one wants to find "Israel" through such methods, by measuring the intensity of religion in a country, well, then one should travel to Russia and see their religious devotion! See all the churches there! See the power religion has had, and still has, in that country. Even during the Communist era, Russians remained religious. Thus, if someone would want to use religiosity as "proof" of some nation being a "people of the Bible", then Russia can well compare itself with the USA, especially when measured in a longer time-perspective.
But again: In reality, the Bible says that the "lost" tribes of Israel would serve other gods. More: The Bible shows that they would be "Not my people". They still remain in that state today. The essay ey01b.htm has more on this.
(The essay eg01c.htm considers the words "heathen", "gentile" and "pagan", and the way many people use them.)
Then, the Bible mentions a "land of the north" from which the tribes of Israel are to return in the "end time". Many bible passages talk about that return, which is to be from the north:
Jeremiah 16:15 But, The LORD lives, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands where he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave to their fathers. (AKJV, highlighting added)
Jeremiah 23:8 But, The LORD lives, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries where I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. (AKJV, highlighting added)
Jeremiah 31:8 Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travails with child together: a great company shall return thither. (AKJV, highlighting added)
"The north country". Not from the west, but "from the north".
What countries are there, north of Canaan? Here is the same map as above, but this time the arrows lead southward, toward the land of Israel, which is where the tribes of Israel are to return:
North of Canaan (as well as north of today's Iran which is the area where the northern tribes of Israel were taken), and in the north-west are, of course, Russia and the other Slavic countries.
The direction of their return which is mentioned in the above-quoted bible passages and in others like them, is "from the north". What countries are to the north of Canaan? First Turkey, but above it, Ukraine, Russia and the other Slavic countries. For instance the city of Moscow is located in the direction towards north from Jerusalem.
An important note: One must not forget reality, the facts: The Bible says that the tribes of Israel would be scattered, among (within) all nations, in all the world, from one end of the world into the other, and that they would be without peace, without rest for the sole of their foot: They would be a wandering people without a country of their own. The essay ey01b.htm shows what the Bible really says about the fate of those tribes in our day, and about their "scattering" among the nations.
"Gates" has been another popular dogma among Anglo-Israelist preachers. They have claimed that the ten lost tribes of Israel would supposedly be a strong nation in our day, or a group of nations, and be in possession of "important sea-gates". They have based that dogma on the following words in the 1769 KJ version:
Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. (KJV-1769)
Some Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed that the "seed" (offspring, descendant) mentioned in Genesis 22:17 supposedly refers to the ten "lost" tribes of Israel. However, the (singular) Offspring of Abraham which that passage talks about, an Abraham's Descendant in whom the nations were and are to be blessed, is Jesus.
Abraham was prepared to give his only son, just as God the Father came to give his only son. Because of that, the Lord promised a very special Offspring (descendant) to Abraham, and promised that in that (singular) Descendant the world would be blessed. Also, the Lord said that that (singular) Offspring would come to possess the (singular) "gate" of (singular person) his enemies.
It is important to note that the Bible does not mention any "sea gates" at all, nor any "strategic passes"; not in that way. The Hebrew word in question was sha'ar (shaar, sha-ar). That word could refer to such things as a city gate, and also "a door", "a gate", "a palace", "a city", "market place", or even "heaven", but never a sea sound or a "sea gate". The essay ey03c.htm has more on the word sha'ar and on that "gate" matter.
But, if someone nevertheless wants to use the word "gates" (in the Bible it is in singular), then one must realise that a Russo-Israelist preacher would, of course, preach with fury and intensity about "the gates of Russia's enemies". The Caucasus mountains have served as a "gate" to protect Russia from enemies. At one time, Russia alone possessed the Bering sound "gate", along with all of Alaska. During the time of czar Peter the Great, when Russia broke her former bands, she took the Swedish fort Nöteborg (located where the Russian city St. Petersburg is today). By doing that, Russia gained access to the Baltic Sea and control of an important "gate" between her enemy Sweden's Baltic possessions and the Swedish "motherland". (A note for those who know the geography of that area: In the past, Finland and Estonia have been parts of Sweden.)
A Russo-Israelist preacher would also make a big fuss about the Russian-controlled islands Kunashir and Iturup which are close to the Japanese mainland. Those islands can be seen as effective "gates" to protect Russia from the sea forces of Japan which has been her enemy. A Russo-Israelist preacher would also make a lot of noise about Kaliningrad, an area which Russia took from her enemy Germany and which Russia still possesses. Kaliningrad is also a "gate" of great military importance. Until 1990, Russia had the de facto control of the central city gates of her worst enemy Germany, at the very heart of Berlin. The very heart of Germany's main city, including the Brandenburger Tor with its huge gates, was under Russian control.
Even little Finland has been Russia's enemy. During World War II she attacked (together with Germany) deep into Russia. After Russia had won over Finland, she took from Finland her only "gate" to the Arctic Sea: Petsamo. Russia also took and possessed for many years a large military base on the Finnish Porkkala peninsula, a "gate" to the Finnish capital Helsinki and to much of the Gulf of Finland which has Russia's former capital St. Petersburg at its eastern end.
One could go on for a long time with this. The point is this: If one makes deceiving and false prophecies, mis-using the words "gate of his enemies" as Anglo-Israelist preachers do, then one must also face the fact that a Russo-Israelist preacher could use the very same things as "proof" that Russia is "Israel".
A number of Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed that certain river-names supposedly are "proof" that Britain and USA would be "Israel". That strange "logic" is connected with a claim that the people of Denmark supposedly are "of the tribe of Dan". The essays ey15c.htm and ey11b.htm have more on this.
Please note that the rivers which those preachers refer to (Donau, Dnieper, Dniester, Danube and so on), are located in Russia and in the Slavic area. So, what could the names of those rivers in Russia and in the Slavic countries, really prove? One thing is certain: They do not prove anything regarding the Anglo-Saxon countries. Reasonably, only a Russo-Israelist preacher could use those names as "proof".
Again, the essays ey15c.htm and ey11b.htm have more on those things.
Then, some Anglo-Israelist preachers talk about "the islands of the sea" which some bible-versions mention in certain passages. (A note: Those passages are related to the future gathering together of the "lost" tribes of Israel, including the deceased Israelites.)
There must be a number of dispersed Israelites on various islands in different seas, today. And, there have been, in the past. But, it seems that the Hebrew text actually talks about coast-lands and not about islands.
Isaiah 11:11 And in that day the hand of the Lord will be stretched out the second time to get back the rest of his people, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the sea-lands. (BBE, highlighting added)
(LIT and MKJV have "from the coasts of the sea". ASV and NASB-95 have "coast-lands" in a footnote. EB, NLT-96, NLT-04, NRSV and RSV have "coastlands". The LXXE has "from the rising of the sun" [east], and "out of Arabia".)
Point: The areas mentioned in Isaiah 11:11 are not "islands in the Atlantic" as some Anglo-Israelist preachers have claimed. No, they are in the Middle East: In Assyria, Egypt, Pathros (that is, Upper Egypt), Cush (not clear what "Cush" refers to; not necessarily Ethiopia), Elam, Shinar and Hamath. Plus, that phrase "and from the sea-lands", or "from the coasts of the sea" as others translate. All those are Middle-Eastern areas.
One could go on and on with these things, but hopefully the above made the point clear that if one uses false premises and false "proofs" of the kind and in the same way as Anglo-Israelist preachers do, then one can prove most anything.
Above, "proofs" of that kind were used to "prove" that Russia and the Slavic nations are "Israel". Actually, such "proofs" fit the Slavic nations much better than Britain and the USA.
A note: Those preachers' type of "proofs" are not real; they are deceiving fabrications, things taken out of context, ignoring the clear statements and facts of the Bible.
Regarding what bible prophecy actually says about in what shape, and where, the ten "lost" tribes of Israel would be in our day, see the essay ey01b.htm.
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If this page did not contain what you were looking for, see the links below, and the key-word index and the table of contents, or use the search function.
Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
The lost ten tribes of Israel in prophecy. What happened to Israel's northern tribes? Where are they today? Does the Bible give any clues regarding their fate? → ey01b.htm
A full list of the parts in the "tribes" series is found under the heading "Tribes" on the index-page keyw-t4.htm.
When will the lost ten tribes of Israel be restored and blessed again? What about the "2520 years" that some talk about? → ey06b.htm
Jesus warned his disciples about false prophets, teachers of falsehood, deceivers and deception. He said that many would be deceived. → eo09e.htm
Leviticus 26 and the translation "seven times". What does the Hebrew word sheba in Leviticus 26:16, 18, 21, 24 and 28 really mean and refer to? → ey05c.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
Leviticus 26:19, "And I will break the pride of your power". When did that happen? How and when was the pride of the tribes of Israel broken? Or, does that refer to some still future event, as some have claimed? → ey02c.htm
Gentiles, pagans and heathen or heathens – what do those words mean? This exposition makes it plain and clear what the concepts "gentile", "pagan" and "heathen" actually refer to, in the Bible. → eg01c.htm
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
Covenant signs, including the sign of the New Covenant which shows who really are God's people. The Old Covenant's sign was the circumcision of males. What is the New Covenant's sign, seal or token? → ec09b.htm
The ten lost tribes of Israel – did they move into Europe? Who are the north-west European peoples of our day? → ey11b.htm
The tribe of Dan of Israel – did the Danites travel to Greece and Ireland, as some have claimed? What about Denmark? → ey15c.htm
Genesis 22:17, "And your Seed shall possess the gate of His enemies". What does that mean? → ey03c.htm
A few things regarding certain ancient kingdoms which are mentioned in the Bible. (Assyria, Babylon or Chaldea, Persia and Media.) → ew08b.htm
Ethnic groups who could eventually be parts of the lost tribes of Israel. → ey17b.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
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Important: You are welcome to quote the documents at this site – the Bible Pages – provided that you mention the source, by giving the full web address to the page in question. Please link to these essays and give copies to friends. However, you may not re-publish any part of the contents of this site, as a booklet, brochure or on the Internet or in other ways, without a permission from the author; he retains the copyright. For more on copying and quoting, and a few words about the author and his religious education and credentials, see the page purpose.htm.
The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. The essay eg02c.htm supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to acquiring a better and deeper understanding of the Bible, simply by consciously and methodically avoiding certain usual errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
The address to this page is www.biblepages.web.surftown.se/ey16b.htm
Please send or mention the address to this site to others, and link to these pages.
This page was created or modified 2010-03-06.