Uncovering the Origins and History of the Movement Proclaiming the Lost Tribes in the Modern West
The Covenant Israel Message (some call British-Israelism) teaches that the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and kindred peoples are the physical descendants of the ancient Israelites, particularly the ten-tribed House of Israel that was taken into Assyrian captivity and later migrated westward. Far from being a fringe belief, the Covenant Israel Message is rooted in Scripture, confirmed by history, and inspired by a divine purpose: to awaken the people of the covenant to their identity, calling, and destiny.
But how did this message begin? What are its historical roots, and when did people first begin to recognize that the promises made to ancient Israel are fulfilled in the modern nations of Britain, the Commonwealth, and the United States?
In this article, we will trace the origins, early champions, and rise of the Covenant Israel Message as it developed through divine revelation, historical discovery, and scriptural awakening. The story is both fascinating and prophetic.
A Scriptural Foundation Hidden in Plain Sight
The roots of the Covenant Israel Message do not begin in modern times—they begin in the Word of God. From the earliest pages of Scripture, God promised Abraham that his descendants would become “many nations” (Genesis 17:4–6) and that they would possess the gates of their enemies (Genesis 22:17), be a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:3), and become as numerous as the sand of the sea (Genesis 32:12).
These promises passed to Isaac, then to Jacob, and finally to Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh—who were specifically blessed with national greatness and international influence (Genesis 48:19–20). These foundational truths are the basis for understanding how God’s covenant people would emerge again in world history.
Yet, for centuries, this identity remained obscured, especially after the ten northern tribes of Israel were taken captive by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. and disappeared from the biblical narrative. Where did they go? The answer is key to understanding how the Covenant Israel Message began.
The Migrations of Israel and Early Historical Clues
The prophets foretold that the House of Israel would be “sifted among the nations” (Amos 9:9) but never lost. Secular history records that large groups of Israelite captives—known by various names such as Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sacae—migrated northward and westward into Europe.
These peoples settled in regions that would later become home to the Anglo-Saxons, Celts, Franks, and Germanic tribes—the ancestors of many modern European nations. Over time, the tribes of Israel merged into these emerging nations, retaining distinct characteristics that would match biblical prophecies.
Though their identity was largely forgotten during the early centuries of the Church, God began to reawaken this truth during a time of great religious and national reformation.
The Reformation: Seeds of Rediscovery
The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century laid important groundwork for the rediscovery of the Covenant Israel Message. For the first time in centuries, ordinary people had access to the Bible in their own language. As they read the Scriptures, many began to see the parallels between ancient Israel and their own nations—especially Britain.
Reformers such as John Foxe and John Milton wrote of Britain’s divine purpose and likened the English people to the biblical Israelites. The Geneva Bible, used widely among English Puritans, included marginal notes that drew attention to national prophecies concerning Israel, suggesting that they had a modern relevance.
During this time, the idea began to take hold that God had not abandoned His covenant with Israel, and that the Anglo-Saxon peoples were somehow linked to the fulfillment of those ancient promises.
The Birth of the Modern Covenant Israel Message
The modern expression of the Covenant Israel Message began to take shape in the 18th and 19th centuries in Britain. With the rise of the British Empire, many began to wonder how such national greatness and global influence could be explained. Could it be that God’s ancient promises were being fulfilled?
Key Figures in the Early Movement:
- Richard Brothers (1757–1824)
Often considered one of the first voices of the modern message, Brothers wrote about the identity of the British people as descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. Though controversial in some views, his writings sparked public interest. - John Wilson (1799–1870)
A foundational figure in the movement, Wilson was a Scottish antiquarian and scholar. His landmark book, Our Israelitish Origin (1840), presented compelling evidence from Scripture, history, and linguistics that the Anglo-Saxons were the descendants of the ten tribes. His work was scholarly, influential, and widely read. - Edward Hine (1825–1891)
A follower of Wilson, Hine published extensively and was instrumental in popularizing the message in England. He emphasized the birthright of the British people, their role in prophecy, and the importance of national repentance. - Rev. W. M. H. Milner (19th century)
Milner wrote The Royal House of Britain an Enduring Dynasty, tracing the Davidic lineage through the British monarchy, reinforcing the belief that Queen Victoria and her descendants sat upon the very throne promised to David.
These men, along with others, boldly proclaimed the Covenant Israel Message across Britain and beyond, planting seeds that would flourish into a global movement.
Expansion to the United States and the Commonwealth
The message soon crossed the Atlantic and found a receptive audience in the United States, where many saw parallels between Manasseh’s blessing (Genesis 48:19) and the rise of America as a great nation.
In Canada, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand—nations tied to the British Crown—the Covenant Israel Message gained momentum. Churches, publications, and fellowships dedicated to spreading the message were established, including:
- The British-Israel-World Federation (founded 1919) in London
- The Covenant Publishing Company for literature distribution
- Regional branches and Bible study groups throughout the English-speaking world
Throughout the 20th century, the message was preached on radio, written in thousands of pamphlets and books, and taught in Bible conferences. Many Christians, awakened by prophecy and the moral decline of modern nations, saw in this message a call to return to God’s laws and fulfill the national destiny laid out in Scripture.
Scriptural Prophecy Fulfilled in the Movement
The rise of the Covenant Israel Message is not only a historical development—it is fulfillment of prophecy.
“In the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.” (Jeremiah 23:20)
The Bible foretold that in the end times, Israel would remember her identity, return to her God, and be restored as a nation under Christ’s rule. The growing awareness of the Anglo-Israel identity is a vital part of that prophetic awakening.
This movement is not political or racial—it is covenantal. It is about God’s faithfulness to His Word, His people, and His purpose. It calls the nations of Israel to repent, obey His commandments, and prepare for the return of Jesus Christ, the rightful King over Israel and all the earth.
Conclusion: A Divine Message for Our Times
The Covenant Israel Message began with God’s covenant promises, preserved through Scripture, rediscovered in history, and now declared boldly in the latter days. It is not a modern invention but a biblical truth rediscovered.
It began with the patriarchs, re-emerged through the Reformation, and came into clear focus through 19th-century scholarship and divine guidance. It has spread to every continent where Anglo-Saxon and related peoples dwell. And its call is as urgent today as ever:
- Return to your identity.
- Repent as a nation.
- Prepare for the coming Kingdom.
The Covenant Israel Message is not only supported by the Bible—it is proclaimed by it.
