June 24, 2016, shocked the world. Britain actually voted to leave the European Union.

The world was amazed. The polls had gotten it wrong. The markets had gotten it wrong. Members of Parliament had gotten it wrong; 10 Downing Street had gotten it wrong. The Europeans had gotten it wrong.

Before the final results were announced, even Nigel Farage had gotten it wrong. The strident leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (ukip) who had fought so vociferously for the past 24 years conceded that the “Leave” vote had lost the referendum—five hours before it officially won. The whole world—outside of the streets of Britain—seemed shocked at the final vote: 52 percent “Leave,” 48 percent “Remain.”

But the Trumpet and its predecessor, the Plain Truth, had been expecting this outcome—for over 60 years.

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A Remarkable Forecast

From the earliest days of broadcasting work in the 1930s, Herbert W. Armstrong forecast the advent of a united European power. In 1956 he wrote, “Probably Germany will lead and dominate the coming United States of Europe, but Britain will be no part of it” (emphasis added throughout).

Even when Britain joined the European Community in 1973, Mr. Armstrong did not back away from this bold prophecy. “Britain is going to look back on Monday, Jan. 1, 1973, in all probability, as a most tragically historic date—a date fraught with ominous potentialities!” he wrote. “For that date marked the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Community.”

He concluded that 1973 article by writing, “Britain’s entry into the European Community portends a tragic situation. Britain will be faced with a dilemma.”

Later, in 1978, with Britain firmly entrenched in the European Economic Community, Mr. Armstrong described a “soon-coming resurrected ‘Holy Roman Empire’—a sort of soon-coming ‘United States of Europe’—a union of 10 nations to rise up out of or following the Common Market of today.”

“Britain will not be in that empire soon to come,” he wrote.

How did Mr. Armstrong know Britain would not be part of this final European bloc? Why did he insist this would be the case—for six decades? And why did he think it was so important? Why did the Trumpet insist for 25 years that Britain would leave Europe, even while most of the facts heavily indicated that Britain would stay in—right up until June 24, 2016?

The Plain Truth and the Trumpet had no extensive, seasoned, well-funded, well-equipped, well-connected multinational organization to inform their assessments and their forecasts. We had a different source for this intelligence: the Bible.

The best minds in the world are examining what will happen now that Britain is leaving Europe. But these great heads of state, business leaders, news analysts and policymakers do not know—and cannot know—the future. Yet the Bible boldly proclaims what the future holds.

Yet even most people who are open to the existence of God, the authority of the Bible and Bible prophecy in general are confused about where this vote will lead.

Even if you believe Bible prophecy is true, to unlock what it prophesies, you still have to know who the prophecies are about. The Bible does not use the names Britain, the United States, Russia or Germany. But it absolutely prophesies about these nations in this time period. To unlock the true significance of the Brexit vote—and what will happen next—you need to know how the Bible identifies these world powers.

So what is the United Kingdom’s biblical identity?

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Britain’s Prophetic Identity

The Bible shows that the British people are descendants of the Israelite tribe of Ephraim. There is abundant proof that the British are modern-day Israelites—a book’s worth of proof, in fact. We would like to offer you a copy of that book—The United States and Britain in Prophecy by Herbert W. Armstrong—free of charge, with no cost, obligation or follow-up.

Following is a brief summary of the truth contained in that book. Ancient Israel divided into two nations after the death of King Solomon. Judah was the southern nation with its capital at Jerusalem, and its people are known today as Jews. That is a truth generally acknowledged. But the northern 10 tribes were called the house of Israel. It became a completely separate nation from the Jews. In fact, the word Jews first appears in the Bible within a report about Judah fighting Israel (2 Kings 16:5-6).

From 721 to 718 b.c., the nation of Israel was invaded, conquered and removed from its land by the Assyrian Empire (2 Kings 17:18). Its people were deported to the southern shores of the Caspian Sea (verse 6; 1 Chronicles 5:26). Meanwhile, the kingdom of Judah remained in its land for more than a century until it was later conquered and taken captive.

When the Assyrians were later conquered by the Chaldean-Babylonian Empire, they migrated north and west to Europe. Ultimately, they became modern Germany. The “lost 10 tribes” migrated northwest as well, but they migrated even farther. Some tribes settled in France, Belgium, Holland and the Scandinavian countries, where their descendants are today.

But two tribes in particular migrated even farther: Ephraim and Manasseh. The Bible prophesied that these two tribes would inherit massive national wealth (Genesis 48:14-16).

Ephraim migrated to the British Isles. Manasseh settled in the United States.

Genesis 48 prophesies that Ephraim would become a great company of nations and that Manasseh would become a great nation (verses 18-20). Genesis also specifies that these descendants of Abraham would control the world’s most strategic mountain passes, ports, canals, capes and other strategic choke points (Genesis 22:17-18).

Only two nations in history can fit God’s promises to these two tribes: the British Empire and the United States. These two peoples share a common ancestry. In the 19th and 20th centuries, both came into possession of the majority of the world’s wealth and all of its most important trade routes and sea gates. No other two nations have received these promises so abundantly.

That may seem fantastical. But the proof of this truth is abundant, and it is truly important to look into deeply, to study, and to prove for yourself. Because its implications are staggering. It opens up the meaning of a tremendous amount of biblical prophecy, showing why God was so careful to ensure those prophecies were recorded and preserved through the millennia, and showing how deeply relevant they are to our day.

The Brexit vote—and what lies next in Britain’s relationship with Europe—provides a stunning example.

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What Is Next for Britain

If you understand that the British people are called Ephraim in Bible prophecy, you will discover that the same Bible that prophesied modern Ephraim’s wealth and power also prophesies of its cataclysmic upheaval!

God prophesied that after Ephraim and Manasseh received their promised wealth and power, if they did not turn to the God who blessed them, He would remove those blessings and punish these nations with war and captivity.

Daniel 12:1 prophesies of “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” Jesus Christ called it a period of “great tribulation,” that would annihilate mankind if He didn’t intervene! (Matthew 24:21-22).

God specifies that the U.S. and Britain will receive the worst of this punishment when He says: “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it” (Jeremiah 30:7). The name Jacob refers to Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were given Jacob’s name. The next verse shows that the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh will go into captivity!

And what people does the Bible prophesy will take them into captivity? The very people from whom the British are trying to free themselves politically! These prophecies are tied directly to what is going on between the United Kingdom and the EU!

God prophesied that the British people would, at some point, partner with Germany. “Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria” (Hosea 7:11). Assyria is the biblical name for modern-day Germany (read Germany and the Holy Roman Empire for proof). Britain went to Germany by joining the European Economic Community in 1973, the forerunner to the EU. The British lacked heart or understanding and joined in hopes of saving their struggling economy. Instead of turning to God, they turned to Germany for help.

Because of that, God prophesied: “I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down … I will chastise them …. Woe unto them!” (verses 12-13). God brings great trouble on the British people for turning to Germany. He actually causes them to go into captivity by the very people from whom they sought help.

“Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. For they are gone up to Assyria …” (Hosea 8:8-9). Multiple scriptures reveal that God will use a German-led united Europe to punish Britain in this end time!

In Isaiah 10:5, God says, “O Assyrian [a prophecy of modern-day Germany], the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.” And against whom does God use this rod? Verse 6 shows that it is against “the people of my wrath”—the nations of Israel, including Britain, that have angered God with their sins.

This prophecy underscores the forecast that Britain will not be a part of the German-led European project. A break between the two is strongly implied when it is Germany that will be the power to strike the fatal blow to Britain’s foundation.

Passages in Isaiah 47 and Revelation 17-18 provide even more detail. These forecasts describe Germany heading a united European empire. That empire, influenced by a great false church, will take Israel captive. (For proof, request Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast? by Herbert W. Armstrong.)

Today, the foundation for that empire has already been laid in the European Union. It is dominated by Germany and influenced by the Catholic Church. The Bible prophesies that soon it will appoint a dictatorial leader who will forge an even closer union.

It was precisely their recognition of these trends in development that caused so many Britons to vote to leave the European Union. They know the EU will only continue to rob them of their rights and independence. Decades of regulation and increasingly intrusive policy have already eroded Britain’s sovereignty.

However, if you recognize the veracity of biblical prophecy, you know of a certainty that the “Leave” vote will not free the British from Europe’s control.

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Bible Prophecy Is Sure

For the duration of the Trumpet’s existence, God’s prophecies have led us (and Herbert W. Armstrong for more than 60 years prior), to declare that Britain would not be part of the European Union. The Trumpet has boldly proclaimed it would either be kicked out or leave. That prophecy has been proved right!

In numerous articles, Mr. Armstrong made clear that Britain’s alliance with Europe would end. “The stage is all set!” he wrote in 1956. “All that’s lacking now is the strong leader—the coming führer! The Germans are coming back from the destruction of World War ii in breathtaking manner. Germany is the economic and military heart of Europe. Probably Germany will lead and dominate the coming United States of Europe.”

“But Britain,” he wrote, “will be no part of it!”

Using Bible prophecy to explain and predict world events is unconventional, but it is a proven method. And the Brexit vote was far from being the only time that the Trumpet’s or Herbert W. Armstrong’s forecasts based precisely on the Bible’s prophecies have proved accurate. Read our free booklet He Was Right to see how using Bible prophecy has led to more than 80 years of accurate forecasts.

The great God fulfilled His plan and purpose by bringing tremendous wealth to the British and American peoples. You can be confident, then, that He will also fulfill His plan to bring these peoples into captivity! The British “Leave” vote will not help the British escape. But if you understand these prophecies and learn God’s purpose, you individually can escape the disaster approaching Britain.

Britain’s exit of the European Union is dramatic proof of the accuracy of Bible prophecy. Its forecasts are far more specific than this world realizes—directly connecting to the headlines you read this year, and well beyond.

‘BRITAIN WILL BE NO PART OF IT’

World War ii was over. The Cold War was raging. The British and even the Americans were allying with Europe to fight communism. During this volatile period, Britain entered a union with Europe.

The union was economic in nature at the time. Yet one voice boldly forecast that it would become increasingly political, that it would grow increasingly federal and increasingly German, that it would be increasingly religious, and that it would ultimately become indescribably violent. That voice also flatly stated that, in the end, “Britain will be no part of it.” In fact, he proclaimed for decades that Britain would be a victim of it. It will build your faith in the accuracy of biblical prophecy to compare what that voice, Herbert W. Armstrong, said with the events that have happened since he wrote those words in 1956—and in several other areas of prophecy and geopolitics. Request your free copy of He Was Right.