The story behind the throne of Great Britain is larger than the story we see. It stretches back to antiquity and forward to the future.
[Darris McNeely] Today marks the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's succession to the throne of Great Britain and it will be included with a number of ceremonies that will go over the next few months to mark her diamond jubilee. And there's a great deal of fascination and attention that's being paid to this momentous event.
[Steve Myers] Well, people probably don't realize that there is some biblical significance to the whole thing with the Queen, and the throne and all those kinds of things. And as you think about that for just a moment, I found an old Life magazine up in our attic a number of years ago and I thought I'd save this one because it was from the coronation of the Queen, which actually happened after…
[Darris McNeely] More than a year after she became queen.
[Steve Myers] But just an amazing picture that just shows that coronation of the Queen.
[Darris McNeely] Now here she is being crowned upon the ancient chair and stone that used to set at that time in Westminster Abbey, now it's up in Edinburgh Scotland, and there's a great deal of history and legend and stories behind that throne and the stone that she was actually crowned on. That actually connects it really in a direct way to some of the prophecies in the Bible. There is a reason why the United States and Britain are joined almost as a single tribe in an ethnic sense together. We share a common language, a common culture and common institutions. And Queen Elizabeth as the Queen of England and sitting upon a throne that has been there for what, since the 9th century at least, and…
[Steve Myers] in England.
[Darris McNeely]…in England, and then goes back even further in antiquity represents something that we find in the Scriptures that is very important. We've written a great deal about this and we have an understanding of…a prophetic understanding of the significance of the United States and Great Britain.
[Steve Myers] And when you look at the significance of that, it's a biblical prophecy when you find out what were some of the promises to the various tribes. And one of the interesting ones was Joseph, itself.
[Darris McNeely] Yeah, America and Great Britain are the recipients of the promises that God made to Abraham and specifically to Joseph. And Jacob passed on certain promises that we read about in Genesis chapter 49, where prophecy is made about the descendants of Joseph who would be like "a grapevine that produces much fruit, a healthy vine whose branches grow over the wall" (Genesis 49:22-26). There's a very good description here of the impact that Joseph's descendants in the nations of America and Great Britain have made in modern history. And this particular promise goes on to say, "May these blessings rest on the head of Joseph, on the forehead of the one who was separated from his brothers." America and Great Britain are the recipients of those specific promises that Jacob passed on to the sons of Joseph. It's a fascinating story and it's all tied directly into what we are seeing, even played out here in the monarchy of Great Britain and the relationship of Great Britain and the United States.
[Steve Myers] Yeah and if you were to look at the lineage there's a physical side of things as well that can trace back biblically. I was thinking of the passage in Jeremiah 33 and verse 17 it says, "For thus says the Lord, David shall never lack for a man to sit on throne of the house of Israel" (Jeremiah 33:17). And that is part of this promise that there is someone that is sitting on that throne even today. And ultimately it's not just a physical thing, but it mirrors what's going to happen in the future—a spiritual thing that's going to come about.
[Darris McNeely] Yes, it's part of God's promises that have been fulfilled through the promises He made to Abraham fulfilled in our day and in our two nations, but it also is a reassuring hope that God's spiritual promises will be ultimately fulfilled to all nations and all peoples at all times. And so, as we look at the succession of Queen Elizabeth II, 60 years of duty and service on the throne, it brings to mind a deeper, far reaching story that stretches all the way back to the time of the patriarchs of the Bible and on into the future from our days today.
[Steve Myers] Yeah, because ultimately, I thought of Luke 1:31 where Jesus Christ is going to be born, the angel is announcing that to Mary and he says in Luke 1:32, "He will be great. He will be called the Son of Highest and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David." Now we're talking about something that's not only a physical throne, but also a spiritual fulfillment of that promise.
[Darris McNeely] How all of this connects together from the headlines of today to the pages of the Bible is a fascinating story. We tell it in one of our booklets that's available on our website, The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy. It's a fascinating story from the pages of the Bible, history and the headlines of today.
[Steve Myers] That's BT Daily. We'll see you next time.
The greatest and most enduring dynasty in world history is showing signs of passing. But will it? To understand the future of the British royal family, we must examine how the monarchy began—and why.
Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. He and his wife, Debbie, have served in the ministry for more than 43 years. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Darris is the Associate Media Producer for the Church. He also is a resident faculty member at the Ambassador Bible Center teaching Acts, Fundamentals of Belief and World News and Prophecy. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren.
Steve is the Operation Manager for Ministerial and Member Services of the United Church of God. He is also an instructor at Ambassador Bible College and served as a host on the Beyond Today television program. Together, he and his wife, Kathe, have served God and His people for over 30 years.