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Joseph’s Birthright: The Coronation and Stone of Destiny - Part 2

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[Darris McNeely] Is there a thread of truth to the traditions, legends, and stories behind Britain's coronation stone, the Stone of Destiny? And if true, what would it mean for today's world?

[Narrator] Join our presenters from the United Church of God as we bring you help for today and hope for tomorrow directly from your Bible here on Beyond Today.

[Darris McNeely] As the threatening clouds of World War II were gathering over England, the British government buried for safekeeping a 300 pound stone under the floor of Westminster Abbey in the City of London. The plans of where they put it with the exact location were sent for safekeeping to the prime minister of Canada. This stone was removed from the chair on which every king and queen of England was crowned since the 14th century. It had a wooden inscription marked there on the chair that said "Jacob's pillar stone." That too was removed. Some old photographs of the stone still carry that inscription that traditionally links the stone to the first Israelite in history whose name was Jacob, the grandson of the patriarch Abraham. He consecrated the stone with oil to commemorate with God his appearance to him in a vision while he rested on this pillar.

Now why would this stone called in history the Stone of Destiny, used in the crowning of British kings and queens, why would it be connected with an event in the Holy Land almost 4,000 years ago and some 2000 miles from the British Isles? And why the association between London, England and a place in ancient Israel called Bethel? In a previous program in this series, we showed the connection between the throne of David in ancient Israel and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We noted that some past British monarchs have purportedly traced their line back to King David, believing that they were sitting on the Davidic throne that will one day be claimed by Jesus Christ when He returns to reign from the city of Jerusalem. In the gospel of Luke in the New Testament, we're shown that Jesus Christ is the ultimate claimant to this throne. It says there that He, meaning Christ, will be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God will give Him the throne of his father, David.

Luke 1 of the New Testament through the prophecies that promised to David that he would always have a descendant on a throne, we have made the case in these programs that the throne of Great Britain can be understood to be that throne transferred in time to the British Isles and enduring to this day. The late Queen Elizabeth II and her son King Charles III are connected to this story. Now to a modern mind looking at this story in history, this seems rather preposterous and totally irrelevant but it's not, because Bible prophecy and history and scripture connect to help us understand something about the faithfulness of God beyond what most people can ever imagine.

But let's consider for a moment the idea of a stone, the biblical connection of this stone to the place where British monarchs are crowned and the words of the coronation ceremony itself. First, let's consider the very basic element of stone. It's a feature of our existence on this planet. You know, as far back in human history as we may go, we see the most basic importance of stone. People built shelters out of stone. They used flint to make tools to fashion stones, to build, to hunt, and even to wage battles. Precious stones, well they've been fashioned into jewelry to enhance beauty, to signify status, and even to confirm meaning in life. When we look into the Bible we see that stones were actually erected as altars of sacrifice to make covenants with God. When we look closely at the description of the high priest in the Bible, the clothing of that priest actually carried precious stones representing each of the 12 tribes of Israel. In the vision in the book of Revelation of this New Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven, we see that that city comes down and has light as a most precious stone and its 12 foundations to that city carry the names of the 12 apostles. In prophecy, the book of Daniel, we see a stone cut without hands destroying a great image that symbolizes the kingdoms of this world and then it grows to fill the whole earth according to the prophecy. That prophecy and that stone represents God's kingdom replacing all human kingdoms. And most important of all when it comes to stone is the designation of Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the spiritual rock that led and nourished Israel in their years of wilderness wanderings.

The Bible tells us that Jesus is the stone, which was rejected by the builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. In His name is salvation. And throughout the Bible, stone is used to teach the deepest of spiritual truths. Stone is a fundamental feature of human existence and of God's eternal purpose. And so it's not unusual to connect it to this fascinating story. Stone became connected with the crowning of kings in ancient Israel. We read about that in the Chronicles of the Kings. Indeed, throughout all human cultures that we can study, we see that the use of stone in king making in some way and in his rule is found and there's a connection. When we come to the British Isles, the custom of a king being crowned on a stone is found among the earliest Irish and Scottish traditions and for over 700 years. It is a fact that English and British kings and queens have been crowned over a block of sandstone that today is found in Edinburg Castle in Scotland, for many years before that, in Westminster Abbey in London. As I believe and I mentioned earlier, some believe that the story of this stone connects to the biblical story of Jacob and Jeremiah. Could that be? Think about that. Regardless of the truth of this stone, there is a larger truth that we will all consider as it applies to us at the end of this program.

Next, let's consider the place where British monarchs are crowned. This is Westminster Abbey in London. Westminster Abbey is very interesting. A visit there is very revealing. It's the only church on earth where kings and queens are still consecrated with sacred oil. When you go into the front doors of this of this abbey, you cannot fail but notice the large west window of stained glass identifying every 1 of the 12 sons of Jacob by name. Seen also in this is Moses holding a tablet with the 10 Commandments and Aaron his brother, the high priest, alongside the other Israelites. Now all of this is meant to impress on society, on people who watch it and view it, the importance of God's law. The law that was given at Mount Sinai, the law which is the foundation of all morality, and the need to maintain a spiritual dimension among a nation and among people.

How sad that modern Great Britain is virtually a post-Christian nation, which means Christianity is in the past, the laws of God forgotten. Great Britain today is a multicultural state that has forgotten the bonds of religion and culture and tradition of its past. The truth is that an increasing majority in Great Britain today want to forget the past and willingly embraces a future that's untethered to a biblical morality and story. That nation's ancient connections to the biblical story are considered by most to be the tortured and twisted delusions of another time.

Now let's examine something else. Let's turn now and look at some of the symbols that were used in the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II which will most likely be used in the crowning of her son now who is ascended to the throne, King Charles III. The coronation service of the king, and of any and all really, of the British monarchs, it contains many biblical elements. This is something that we haven't seen for quite a while and is not an everyday event, but the Bible is there. When they start, the Holy Bible is actually taken off of the church altar and presented to the monarch and it will be to the king. If the ceremony follows that of Elizabeth II, the Archbishop who presides will say these words. He will say, "Our gracious king, to keep your majesty ever mindful of the law, the gospel of God, as ruler for the whole life in government of Christian princes, we present you with this book, the most valuable thing that this world affords."

Listening to those words, it's very similar to the command that is given to the kings by God in the Book of Deuteronomy where it says there that a newly chosen king was instructed to read the words of God all the days of his life to learn to fear God and to keep the words of this law and all the statutes and judgments and the commandments to do them and to actually govern, to govern his people by the word of God. You find that back in Deuteronomy 17 and that's part of this amazing ceremony.

Next comes what they call the Spurs and the Sword. After the anointing of the king, there's a delivery of the regalia of spurs and swords. This is part of the insignia of his office and they're tokens that the King is to now take and be as a part of his sovereignty as the consecrated monarch. The touching of the spurs and the girding of the sword, they're both offered on the altar in the church and it signifies God's intent and the king's intent together to rule in justice, equity, and mercy to the poor, to the fatherless, and the widow. Something that also is found throughout scripture that a leader is supposed to look out for.

There's a royal robe of cloth and of gold that will then be placed upon the king and the archbishop who will make the following exhortation to the king. He will say, "Receive the imperial robe and the orb," which is seen here which is a round feature with a cross on top. And he says, "This will imbue you with the knowledge and with the wisdom and the majesty and the power from on high. The Lord embrace you," he goes on, "with His mercy on every side. The Lord clothe you with the robe of righteousness and with the garments of salvation. And when you see this orb thus set under the cross, remember that the whole world is subject to the power and to the empire of Christ Our Redeemer." Now commentators on this part of that ceremony point to the similarity of this exhortation to the book of Revelation 11 where it says there that, "The seventh angel sounded and there were loud voices in heaven saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ and He shall reign forever and ever.'"

The next part of the ceremony is something that involves a ring and scepters. It's called the Wedding Ring of Great Britain. The king, the monarch is actually in a symbolic way, he's married to the nation when he is coronated. The archbishop also hands to the King a scepter with the cross and a scepter with a dove, two different ones. The first one represents kingly power and justice and the second pictures equity and mercy. There's similar imagery found connecting that with the illusions to a scepter as a representative of regal authority and is a symbol of righteous administration. In the book of Hebrews, we have this statement about Jesus that says, "But to the son, he says, 'Your throne, oh God, is forever and ever, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your Kingdom,'" what he holds in his hand.

The next feature is the crown shown here. At the climax of the coronation ceremony, the king then has that crown sat on his head. It's a Saint Edwards crown, is what it's called, and it is the actual crown of the monarch of England. Around the rim you will see that it's encircled with 12 large stones of different colors and each of those stones are surrounded by many diamonds. Interestingly again, as I mentioned earlier, the high priest of ancient Israel, well he wore a breastplate that was set with 12 precious stones as well to represent the unity of the 12 tribes of Israel. And also again, we read in the book of Revelation, the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, it has 12 foundations each decorated with precious stones, again representing the unity and strength under God. The archbishop praises over this crown and he says, "Oh God, the crown of the faithful bless we beseech you and sanctify this, thy servant Charles our King and as you do this day set a crown of pure gold upon his head so enrich his royal heart with your abundant grace and crown him with all princely virtues through the King Eternal, Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." It's quite a ceremony. And that crown is then placed on the King's head as he sits on this coronation chair and at this point the people usually begin to shout, "God save the King."

All of this reminds us again of the deep biblical connection, spiritual significance, of this unique coronation service. It's very similar when we read it through and compare it to a coronation of King Solomon that we're told about back in the Old Testament. When this coronation comes to this point, the King is then taken to his throne, here shown. He's lifted onto it by the archbishop and the bishops and these words are said, "And the Lord God Almighty whose ministers we are and the stewards of his mysteries establish your throne in righteousness that it may stand steadfast forever like as the son before him and as the faithful witness in heaven. Amen." These words taken from scripture refer to the throne of David, the throne of the Lord over Israel where it says, "That as God said to David," and I quoted this in my earlier program, "Once I have sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. His seed shall endure forever and his thrown as the sun before me. It shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky," from Psalm 89.

And then when the coronation service has ended, all the people will shout, "God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the King live forever." Again echoing words from the Bible.

Let's take a step back though at this point. It's a wonderful ceremony to think about and to read through and to connect with Bible, but this ceremony wrapped in scripture, filled with historical symbolism is so out of place in modern Great Britain and the world. It is alien to the common person on the streets of England today. It's a lost history and tradition and story. Most people today do not have a framework to understand, much less to believe, what is happening, what they are hearing. Even the lifestyle of some of the royal family frankly makes a mockery of the heritage behind the monarchy and this coronation with all of its biblical symbolism. And the Church of England, well it's a far cry from a righteous body of leaders that could uphold both biblical and moral truth. Frankly, today Great Britain is full of empty idols. They stumble because of inequity. Good judgment cannot be found among their leaders. They are sick and no cure is imminent. The religious leadership in the Church of England has allied itself with false idolatry and the political class follows every wind of ideas, failing to lead with courage and wisdom rooted in biblical values.

Many commentators on the death of Queen Elizabeth II commented that her death marks the end of an era in that nation and I think there is a great deal of truth to that. Now they will go through the pomp and the ceremony of another coronation, but frankly the life of the nation is hollow and it's empty and it's living on life support. Only by the grace of the faithful God of Abraham does this nation still stand.

The coronation and the stone, they're both quite a story. We've looked at actual words of the enthronement ceremony of the King of Great Britain. We've examined a portion of the story that connects that stone on which he's crowned to the biblical story of Jacob from the Bible and his dream of a ladder to heaven. As we've seen the significance of stone as well, it's very important to understand the glory and the purposes of God. So what are we being told? Could this be a living witness to a modern world going through a moment of unprecedented crisis? Is there a thread of truth to the traditions, the legends, and the stories behind this Stone of Destiny? Is there a truth beyond it all that leads us to understand a covenant, a promise, and a prophecy of a coming kingdom foretold millennia ago? And if that is true, what would it mean for today's world? Is there a witness that we are seeing that, if heeded, could make a difference? What if a king crowned on a stone with an anointing before God would turn to the God of Abraham and in heart rendering prayer call for a national repentance? What might happen? Think about that. What if he turned to the true Christ, the stone rejected by the builders, and what if he asked for the wisdom of Solomon to rule so great a people? What could happen?

Well then, I think we would see global events change almost overnight and it would be for the better if only for a brief moment. You see, God does provide room in His purpose for repentance and for turning from sin. When King Solomon dedicated the temple, God did tell him that a people who could acknowledge their sin when they strayed from God and if they would return, or the biblical language is to repent. God said that, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." He says, "My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer made in this place," speaking of the temple, and He said, "As for you," speaking to Solomon, "if you walk before me as your father David walked and do according to all that I have commanded you, I will establish the throne of your kingdom as I've covenanted with David, your father saying, 'You shall not fail to have a man as a ruler in Israel.'"

Sadly, neither Great Britain nor the United States are likely to be led in such a prayer by any current leader, but we do read God's word and we do hope. We have to wonder at times if we have perhaps reached a point of no return and the judgment of God will yet roll over our nations in a tidal wave of calamity and trial. In future programs in this series, we're going to see what lies ahead for the English speaking nations of this world, but this is what we should consider, that we are called to be living stones before God. Scripture says that, "You are a living stone being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

What if you did this? What if we took this as a witness of God's faithfulness and the guidance of human affairs, a witness that history and the world events of such significance as we were talking about here are part of a divine purpose far beyond what legend, myth, and tradition contained? What if you took as ray of light in the dark glass of time and human events, this teaching and believe that God works in the affairs of man, that we are looking upon a link to the divine? Think about that.

What if you acted on this knowledge and turned to God seeking a new heart and a new spirit of worship and love and turn to God who guides history? What would happen? The study guide that we have prepared for this series of programs that we are doing on this topic is one that's going to be very helpful to anyone who takes the time to study and look into it. It's called "The United States and Britain and Bible Prophecy." It'll take you through that fascinating story that is from the Bible about how these two nations rose to the power that they have held for nearly three centuries. Never in all the history of humanity have two nations, America and Britain, held such power, such wealth, and influence among the nations. Would the Bible mentioned the ancient powers of Egypt, Greece, Babylon, and Rome, and neglect to tell us where the great nations at the end of the age, our present day, will be and what God has to say to them? Well the study guide tells that story, the biblical story of how God has fulfilled promises to the patriarch Abraham through his descendants and it provides a dimension to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God that helps make sense of history in this modern world. This understanding has been known for many years but it's been rejected by mainstream historians and theologians. But if you want to know what the Bible says about America and Great Britain and all the English speaking nations, I encourage you to study the topic for yourself with your Bible and prove it. This booklet takes you through the relevant passages to show why these two nations have played such a large role in our time. This little understood key is an understanding. We are living in a very important moment in history and prophecy and God has not left us without living witnesses to show us his purpose and his guiding hand in all of it.

So get your free booklet, study it with your Bible, then decide for yourself whether what we are talking about on this program is true. You can receive a free copy by calling the number on your screen or going online to beyondtoday.tv.

In our next program, we will be studying a series of prophecies connecting this throne to the events in our world today and what that means for your immediate future. Thanks for watching.

[Narrator] Call now to receive the free booklet offered on today's program, "The United States and Britain and Bible Prophecy." The truth about the identity of the United States of America and Britain is one of the most fascinating and inspiring stories in the Bible. There are biblical reasons behind the dramatic events playing out in our times. This crucial study aid shows straight from the Bible how God foretold the rise of these two nations. Order now. Call toll free 1-888-886-8632 or write to the address shown on your screen. We'll also send you a complimentary one year subscription to "Beyond Today" magazine. "Beyond Today" brings you understanding of today's world and hope for the future. Six times a year you'll read about current world events in the light of Bible prophecy, as well as practical knowledge to improve your marriage and family and godly principles to guide you toward a life that leads to peace. Call today to receive your free booklet "The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy" and your free one year subscription to "Beyond Today" magazine. Call 1-888-886-8632 or go online to beyondtoday.tv.

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The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy

The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy

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Darris McNeely

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.

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Embedded in the pageantry of the coronation of Britain’s monarchs is a remarkable story—one that ties the British crown and throne to the kings and patriarchs of the Bible.

When Queen Elizabeth II was crowned as head of church and state in 1953, highly meaningful symbols were used in the ceremony that have biblical and spiritual implications. Emblems of majesty and dominion contributed to the strength and dignity of this ancient throne. At its heart, this was a religious act.

When King Charles III, the new head of the Commonwealth, is crowned in May 2023, 70 years after his mother was, the same symbols will likely be brought forward in his time of solemn dedication as sovereign of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

His crowning will take place in a church building intended for the worship and service of God. The spiritual aspect of the ceremony will be by far the most important, and we cannot fail to be struck with the similarity between the coronation of Britain’s rulers and that of the kings of the dynasty and lineage of ancient Israel’s King David—called in the Bible “the house of David.”

Let’s examine some of the symbols that were used in the crowning of Queen Elizabeth II, which most likely will also be part of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III.

The Holy Bible

The Holy Bible will be taken from the church altar and presented to King Charles. If the ceremony follows that of Elizabeth II, the Archbishop of Canterbury, senior cleric of the Church of England, will then say these words: “Our gracious king, to keep your Majesty ever mindful of the law and Gospel of God as rule for the whole life and government of Christian princes, we present you with this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords.”

This is very reminiscent of the command given to kings by God in Deuteronomy 17. There a newly chosen king was instructed to read the words of God all the days of his life so that he would learn to fear the Lord his God, keep all the words of the law and statutes, living and governing by them (verses 18–19).

The anointing

What follows will no doubt be the most important aspect of King Charles’ crowning. He will be anointed with specially prepared oil on the palms of his hands, on his breast and on the crown of his head. The words then spoken will harken back to the anointing of King Solomon himself. Here is what was said when Elizabeth II was anointed:

“Be thy hands anointed with holy oil.

“Be thy breast anointed with holy oil.

“Be thy head anointed with holy oil, as kings, priests, and prophets were anointed:

“And as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, so be thou anointed, blessed and consecrated Queen over the peoples, whom the Lord thy God hath given thee to rule and govern, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”

These words emphasize that the coronation of the Queen or King is not a civic ceremony, but rather a religious service for setting apart a person for a holy office—a divinely appointed position. The British people see the king as “the Lord’s anointed,” the representative to the people of the King of Kings.

The prayer at the conclusion of the anointing of King Ethelred II, who was crowned in A.D. 978, very much illustrates the biblical roots of the Angles and Saxons, ancestors of today’s English people. A portion of it states:

“May the Almighty bless thee with the blessings of the heaven above . . . and may the blessing of the ancient fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, be heaped upon thee!”

In the full prayer for King Ethelred, the references to verses in the Old Testament are very relevant—for the kings of the ancient house of David were anointed just as King Charles will be anointed.

The spurs and sword

Following the anointing of the king comes the delivery of the regalia—the spurs and the sword. These insignia of office, presented after the king is anointed, are tokens that he is now a consecrated sovereign—a ruler set apart for God’s service.

The touching of the spurs, an emblem of chivalry, and the girding of the sword, are then both offered on the altar in the church—signifying the king’s intent, under God, to rule in justice, equity and mercy. Scripture reminds us in Zechariah 7:9–10 of this key responsibility.

The royal robe and orb

The royal robe of cloth and gold is then placed on the king by the Dean of Westminster, with the Lord Great Chamberlain fastening the clasps. If history repeats itself, the archbishop will state: “Receive this imperial robe, and the Lord your God endue you with knowledge and wisdom, with majesty and with power from on high: the Lord clothe you with the robe of righteousness and with garments of salvation. Amen.”

The orb, the golden sphere with the cross on top meant to symbolize the sovereignty of Christ over the world, is then brought from the altar by the dean and delivered into the king’s hand by the archbishop, who exhorts: “Receive this orb set under the cross, and remember that the whole world is subject to the power and empire of Christ our Redeemer.”

The ring and scepters

The ring, which is placed on the fourth finger of the monarch’s right hand, is often referred to as “the wedding ring of England.” The king is symbolically married to the nation. And the ring is a symbol of power and honor.

After putting on the ring, the archbishop places into the king’s hands two scepters or royal rods, one with a cross and the other with a dove. The first represents kingly power and justice through Christ, while the second pictures equity and mercy through the Holy Spirit.

We find in the Bible similar imagery with allusions to the scepter as representative of regal authority and symbol of righteous administration: “But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom’” (Hebrews 1:8).

The crown

At the conclusion and climax of the coronation ceremony, after being invested with the insignias and emblems of royalty, the king will then receive his crown.

The St. Edward’s Crown—the crown of England—will most likely be used for the actual coronation. The rim of the crown is encircled with 12 large stones of varied colors, each surrounded by diamonds.

Of interest and relevance is the fact that the high priest of ancient Israel wore a breastplate set with 12 precious stones to represent the unity of the 12 tribes. And in the book of Revelation we read of the New Jerusalem having 12 foundations of these precious stones, showing lasting unity and strength.

If the ceremony follows that of Elizabeth II, the archbishop will lay the crown on the altar and pray the following:

“O God, the crown of the faithful: Bless we beseech thee this crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be filled by thine abundant grace with all princely virtues: through the King Eternal Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Then the archbishop will come from the altar and reverently place the crown on the king’s head—the king still sitting in King Edward’s Chair. At this point the people will repeatedly shout, “God save the king!”

And so, we are reminded again of the deep biblical and spiritual significance of the coronation service. It is similar to the rejoicing and coronation of King Solomon, and deliberately so.

The chair and “Stone of Destiny”

The oak coronation chair on which the king will be seated dates from the time of King Edward I (who reigned from 1272 to 1307). King Edward had the chair specially designed to enclose under the seat a remarkable relic brought to England from Scotland—the Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny, on which Scottish kings had been crowned. The stone was returned to Scotland in 1996 but is being temporarily brought to London for the crowning. It’s the oldest item still used today in the coronation ceremony.

The Stone of Destiny is an oblong block of sandstone 26 inches long by 16 inches wide and 10½ inches deep. Similar stone is found near Bethel in modern-day Israel. Tradition claims this is the very stone Abraham’s grandson Jacob used as a pillow the night he had his famous dream of angels ascending and descending a staircase which reached to heaven. Jacob blessed and anointed the stone with oil and may have later taken it with him as a special possession (Genesis 28:11–18).

Many British monarchs have been crowned on the Stone of Destiny.

And this harkens back to the use of a pillar stone in the coronation ceremonies of kings of the line of David in ancient Judah—as we see mentioned in regard to Kings Joash and Josiah

(2 Chronicles 23:13; 2 Kings 11:12-14; 23:3). This was conceivably the same stone Jacob anointed.

(You can read much more about the history and traditions surrounding this stone in our free eBook The Throne of Britain: Its Biblical Origin and Future)

The enthronement

King Charles will then go to his throne and be lifted up into it by the archbishop and other bishops and noble peers. And then all the assembled officers and nobles will, if as before, say in conclusion:

“. . . And the Lord God Almighty, whose ministers we are, and the stewards of His mysteries, establish your throne in righteousness, that it may stand fast forevermore . . .”

The earlier form of the coronation ceremony, 1937 and before, added the words, “. . . like as the sun before him, and as the faithful witness in heaven. Amen.”

This final phrase of the enthronement speech was spoken in Scripture in reference to the throne of David, the throne of the Lord over Israel: “Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me; it shall be established forever like the moon, even like the faithful witness in the sky” (Psalm 89:35-37, emphasis added).

“God save the king!”

When the coronation service is ended, all the people will shout: “God save King Charles. Long live King Charles. May the king live forever!”

This reminds us of the support, submission and loyalty ancient Israel gave King Solomon: “Then Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon” (1 Chronicles 29:23-24).

Not only the coronation, but the people of the Commonwealth and their brother English-speaking nation, the United States, are linked and bound up in the Bible. It’s all part of an astounding story stretching back thousands of years.

There’s a reason the laws of the nations of the British Empire and the United States are based on the Bible. There’s a reason their families have fought for justice only Jesus Christ can bring. The story of the nations of the British Empire and the United States bear witness to the power of God even as their people pray for His Kingdom to come. The very throne of David is embedded in the royal throne of Britain—to which, as foretold in Isaiah 9:7, Jesus Christ will return and claim as His own!

Darris McNeely

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.

 
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Beyond Today -- Joseph’s Birthright: The Throne of David

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Hear how the rulership noted by this throne has a prophetic bond to Jesus Christ and His second coming.
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With the Bible as our guide, we can understand today’s world and what lies ahead for the nations.

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16 minutes read time
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Our study guide The United States and Great Britain in Bible Prophecy details an amazing understanding from the Bible and history about the modern English-speaking nations being inheritors of the physical promises made to Abraham and his descendants. What exactly does such a story have to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God? More than you think!

Why did many millions of people around the world watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, a 96-year-old woman who had reigned for 70 years? Why in a modern world are people fascinated by the person who wears the crown of Great Britain? Aren’t kings and queens out of date and out of place in our modern technological world?

Could there be something more than mere celebrity and glamor connected with this ancient institution known as the British monarchy?

Britain’s monarchy is among the oldest in the world. It’s traced back to early English and Norman kings as well as rulers of Scotland. It’s a constitutional monarchy, meaning the sovereign does not hold absolute power. However, the British monarchy has a history and mystique that makes it unique among all current monarchies.

The attention, the fascination and the emotional impact of the Queen’s passing points to something beyond this time. When we understand the full story, we see a lot more to the royal family than just wealth, fame, privilege and celebrity. We can conclude there is a connection to God, to biblical history, to vital understanding about today’s world and to future prophecy.

Tracing to King David

In a column written just days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, British journalist Melanie Phillips reflected on the critical role of the British monarchy to the unity of the United Kingdom. As the crowds poured into the streets, showing their devotion to the late monarch, Phillips wrote:

“Devotion . . . has a religious significance. In largely secular, godless Britain there is a strong element of the sacred in this relationship between the people and the Crown. The monarch in Britain is consecrated to a higher king . . . The oath that he takes is not to the people but to God. That’s why his duty to serve the people is unbreakable. And that’s why the monarch is a unifying force, and melds the people into a united nation. The royal family helps forge the country into a kind of national family” (“The Momentous Task for King Charles III,” Sept. 16, 2022).

Phillips then made a remarkable connection to a biblical teaching: “Few also appreciate that the British monarchy is patterned on ancient Israel. It’s why the monarch is anointed; it’s why Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest,’ with its words taken from the first Book of Kings, has been sung [at coronations] . . . Some British monarchs in the past have even purportedly traced their line back to King David”. (emphasis added throughout—see her article at https://melaniephillips.substack.com/p/the-momentous-task-for-king-charles)

We should seriously consider what this British-based writer says. She is connecting current events—the death of Queen Elizabeth and the coronation of King Charles—with the elements of the long history of the British monarchy and ultimately to the Bible and the story of Israel and its most famous leader, King David.

This connection is vital to our understanding of not just this transition of leadership in the United Kingdom and the other nations of the Commonwealth. It is a foundation for a biblical perspective on the world, what we call a biblical worldview. With the Bible as our guide, we can understand today’s world and what lies ahead for the nations, particularly the English-speaking nations of Great Britain, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The global impact Queen Elizabeth had in her life and death, and the coronation of a new monarch that follows, is a living witness to the truth that God’s promises and covenants with the biblical patriarchs are relevant in today’s world. Those promises continue to shape world events and will have even greater impact in the future.

The fact that the English-speaking nations of the world have accounted for most of the world’s wealth and are still making a significant impact on the modern world is not a coincidence of history. It is connected to the purpose God is working out in history. This understanding is ultimately a part of the gospel or good news concerning the Kingdom that Jesus Christ will bring to the earth—the Kingdom of God.

Promises of what Jesus would do and be

In the Gospel of Luke, we see the angel’s announcement to Mary that she would bear a son. He would be called Jesus and would be the Son of God. His destiny would be to receive the famous throne of David, Israel’s greatest king.

This announcement is part of the gospel or good news of the Kingdom of God and its King and the means to entering it, Jesus Christ. It encapsulates all that Israel had hoped. It was the answer to the messages of all the prophets who had gone before. When fully understood, it points to the future intervention in the affairs of this world at Christ’s second coming. Notice what it says:

“. . . The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And . . . the angel said to her, ‘. . . You will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:26-33, emphasis added throughout).

In this announcement we have the heart of the gospel message. The Messiah, born of a virgin, would be “the Son of the Highest” and in fulfillment of many prophecies would be given authority forever through His Kingdom. Here is the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ as King of Kings.

The throne of His Father David

Yes, that is what the Messiah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, is—the prophesied King of Israel who will reign over all nations. And as part of the assurance of these prophecies, God said that David’s throne would endure through all generations. It has never ceased. It has continued to reign over Israelite peoples. And that is a testimony to what is yet to come.

The Kingdom of God is a literal realm that Christ will establish over all nations at His return. The announcement to Mary by the angel Gabriel was a prophecy as well. We should recognize that the throne of the Kingdom, on which Jesus Christ will reign, will be a continuation of the throne of King David who ruled over the nation of Israel as described in your Bible.

And what was that throne on which David sat? David was the second human king to reign over all Israel after Saul. What people often forget is that God was the first and true “King” of the tribes of Israel. The Israelites wanted a king like the other nations, and they went to the prophet Samuel and demanded he give them a king.

“But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also’” (1 Samuel 8:6-8; compare 12:12).

God reigned over Israel from the time He delivered them from Egyptian bondage. While God gave them a physical king as they asked, it was still His throne—albeit delegated in part to a temporal human ruler.

God initially chose Saul but then, due to disobedience, removed him and selected David. Because David was a man after God’s own heart, God promised him an enduring dynasty. Notice what God said: “Also the Lord tells you [David] that He will make you a house [ruling dynasty] . . . I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever . . . And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:11-16).

In another reference this covenant with David’s house is called a “covenant of salt” (2 Chronicles 13:5)—“salt” being a symbol of permanence. This promise is repeated in Psalm 89 (verses 3-4, 25-27) and again by the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33:17-26).

Some will say that Jesus fulfilled all this. But that’s not true! Jesus at His first coming did not assume the throne but compared Himself to a nobleman who “went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return” (Luke 19:12).

The Jews and His disciples thought the Kingdom would be restored in their lifetime. But it was not to be then. It is to be in a time yet future. When He returns, Christ will sit on the throne of His father [or ancestor] David under completely different circumstances. It will be His rightful throne reserved according to a promise. As that member of the family of God who led the Israelites through the sea, Christ was the spiritual Rock accompanying them on which the nation was established (1 Corinthians 10:4).

A living witness

So, what happened to the Davidic dynasty? We see that the covenant was forever. That story is told through prophecies given through Jeremiah and Ezekiel. They are part of a connected trail of biblical events, prophecy and promises that form firm links to God’s enduring faithfulness to Abraham, his descendants and to all nations of the earth and all people. When viewed from the biblical perspective they give insights into the gospel of God to fulfill His purpose through Christ. The God who is bringing together all things in Christ has guided history through all its twists and turns to keep intact the key components of His promises and word.

Based on these biblical passages we can conclude that someone, somewhere—who can trace a lineage back to King David—will be sitting, or eligible to sit, on the Davidic throne continuing in every generation until Christ returns to claim it for Himself. It is evident from the Gospel of Luke that Christ is the ultimate claimant: “He shall be great, and will be called the son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David” (Luke 1:32).

But the prophecies cannot be fulfilled with Christ as the only claimant. (For more on this be sure to read “The Biblical Identity of Britain’s Royal Family”.) The throne of David must exist somewhere today. Christ will come, His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives and He will rule on the throne of His father David from Jerusalem. God has bound Himself by the rotation of the earth on its axis to fulfill these promises.

The fact that some British monarchs, including Queen Victoria (who reigned more than 63 years from 1837 until 1901), have believed the British monarchy descended from King David is a compelling story. While it will be denied, the genealogies do exist, and many people in or associated with the royal family believed this. It’s not a legend or collection of tortured and twisted interpretations of Scripture. It’s part of the fabric of connecting the Bible with relevant modern history. When understood, it adds a dimension of understanding to explain the modern world.

Inherent in the gospel of God is His promise to bring spiritual salvation to all peoples and nations through His Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth. All of God’s promises regarding His servants the prophets and His Son are sure and faithful. He fulfills them to the utmost detail, even if our human histories and records do not chronicle every event with the accuracy of modern methods and criteria. We must take as truth God’s promises to David. They are either true or not.

Why does this matter? Note that when Jesus was about to ascend to heaven, His disciples had one major question for Him: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). So a vital, core message they understood from all their time with Christ was that of restoring Israel’s kingdom and exalting its throne through Him. His response was not to negate this key focus, but to tell them it was not for them to know the time this would happen and that they were to continue as Christ’s witnesses (verses 7-8).

At some point, Christ will return to the earth and sit on the throne of His father David. That throne still exists. In the throne of Great Britain we have a living witness to God’s purpose in today’s world. Christ is at the right hand of the Father in heaven waiting for the time to return and establish a kingdom of righteousness—a kingdom not left to other people. A kingdom different from any kingdom today. This gives us confidence in God’s faithfulness to fulfill all His promises to all peoples.

What about Israel?

God’s enduring faithfulness to Abraham will reach its fullness when Jesus Christ sits on this throne of David in the coming Kingdom. Then Israel will be restored as a people whom Christ will use to teach the way of salvation to the nations.

This key truth explains why a disproportionate share of the world’s wealth is found today in the major English-speaking nations. God told Abraham his descendants would be a multitude of nations—a promise refined to Jacob as a nation and a company of nations (Genesis 35:11). Jacob passed on to his son Joseph those promises, saying that at the end of the age Jacob’s descendants would be a “fruitful bough” (Genesis 49:22).

That God has done this, kept His word, is a marker—a guarantee—that to all peoples and nations He will do the same. When the veil of deception is lifted from the nations, they will learn the way of God:

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2-3).

The gospel of salvation will be taught from Jerusalem. There will be a time of restoration of blessings to Israel. The great question the apostle Paul asked about his people will be answered.

Paul knew the 10 tribes forming the northern kingdom of Israel had been taken captive centuries earlier and were now scattered among the nations, as were many of the two tribes that formed the southern kingdom of Judah. This is why the apostle James addressed his epistle “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (James 1:1).

Paul, a former Pharisee, had taken the gospel to the Jews, and in the main they rejected the message. In a lament recorded in his letter to the Romans, Paul wished he could be accursed if that would allow his fellow Israelites to be saved (Romans 9:3).

He wrote: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1-3). Salvation has not come to Israel at large, but it will in the period of Christ’s reign on earth.

God will restore Israel to a position He always intended —a nation being a light to the world: “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6).

In the world to come, God will use Israel to teach all nations of the earth!

Notice how Paul brings this out: “Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.

“I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles [in the Church] have, so I might save some of them. For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!” (Romans 11:11-15, New Living Translation).

He understood his people Israel had rejected God for a time and for a purpose. During that time Jesus Christ came and died, rejected by His own people so the door of salvation would be opened to the gentiles so they could be “enriched.” Just as the work of spiritual salvation has not been finished with Israel, nor has it been finished with all the nations of the world. When Israel’s “acceptance” in the time of restoration occurs, then the nations of the world will come to know the full gospel of God, and a time of salvation for all the world will begin.

Paul knew God had not cast off His people Israel. He knew their hope of life eternal would be fulfilled (Acts 26:6-7). God will restore the kingdom to Israel when Jesus of Nazareth sits on the throne He gave to David. Righteousness will finally be taught from that throne by the very King of Righteousness. God indeed has unfinished business with His people Israel.

God has not left us without witness today of His faith-fulness and His intent to fulfill His grand purpose of salvation for all peoples. A modern monarchy sitting on a legendary throne whose roots can be traced to ancient Israel and King David is a witness God has provided.

Scoffing, denial and rejection of facts do nothing to change truth. God’s Word is true. Some point to the foibles and faults of the British monarchy both present and as far back in the past as you wish to go. Some members of the royal family are indeed human and deeply flawed. Yet so was King David and many of his descendants who reigned in ancient Judah. Some of them were flagrantly evil. In spite of this, God has preserved the Davidic monarchy, faithfully holding to His purpose in every detail. Scripture points us to this. We have a witness!

As Melanie Phillips said in her article, quoted earlier, “Some British monarchs in the past have even purportedly traced their line back to King David.”

There is a reason they did. There is more understanding and biblical truth here than most realize!

Darris McNeely

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.

 
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The story behind the throne of Great Britain is larger than the story we see. It stretches back to antiquity...
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