America in Bible prophecy

To most people, the identity of the descendants of the Tribe of Benjamin, are as hidden from view today, as the real origin of Benjamin's most famous Queen was hidden anciently. 

The Tribe of Benjamin is descended from Jacob via the youngest of his 12 sons.  While sometimes called the smallest Tribe of Israel, Benjamin hasn't always been that way.  That fact illustrates an important characteristic that few seem to have noticed.  The history of the Tribe of Benjamin is peppered with paradoxes.  Many of which have-and still do-affect all of Israel, and the world.

The paradoxical nature of Benjamin is indicated in the two chapters of the Bible prophesying the future of all of Israel's Tribes.  In Genesis 49, the dying original patriarch of Israel, Jacob-foretold by inspiration of God-what would happen to the 12 Tribes of Israel "in the last days" (v1), and blessed them (v28). 


However negatively one may view the first prophecy, the second is clearly positive, however one interprets it.  And there is a paradoxical difference between the two blessings.

Various English translations imply the following possible interpretations of the second verse:

1--Benjamin, the beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by God who shelters that Tribe all the day long; and Benjamin shall dwell between God's shoulders.

2-Benjamin, the beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by God, who shelters Benjamin all the day long; And God shall dwell between Benjamin's shoulders. 

The note for this verse in The Amplified Bible (Zondervan 1987) reads:

"The temple in Jerusalem was located almost between the ridges of the territory of Benjamin, suggesting "between his shoulders" (see also Josh 15:8)" [and Joshua 18:11-28]. 

Therefore, the prophecy may refer to that past fulfilment when God's Sanctuary was in Benjamin's territory-and/or to the future Temple during the Millennium when Messiah is present.

3--The beloved of the LORD-meaning the Messiah--shall dwell in safety by Benjamin, who shelters the Messiah all the day long; and the Messiah shall dwell between Benjamin's shoulders".  

Whichever of these was the intended meaning of Moses, it is positive, which contrasts with the negative sounding elements in Jacob's blessing.


During hard labor, just before she died giving birth, Rachel named her last son Benoni-meaning "son of sorrow".  His father Israel renamed him Benjamin-meaning "son of my right hand".  (See Genesis 35:16-20). 

Note the paradox: Rachel's great tribulation and death gave life to Benjamin--the last son of Jacob-who was the first (and the only) son born to him after Jacob was renamed by God.  Thus Benjamin the last born, was the first son born to converted Israel.  And therefore, Benjamin is also a type of both the firstborn Son of God, and the firstborn saints to be resurrected as sons of God.  Benjamin is therefore a case where the Bible paradox, "the last shall be first" applies.

These prophecies make Benjamin an important forerunner of those in Israel and the Church, with whom God deals.  Benjamin and his brother Joseph were the only sons of the 12, who had Jacob and his favorite wife Rachel for parents.  This partly explains why they were Jacob's two favorite sons.  It must have given them a better upbringing in that divided house with four mothers sharing the same man.

Note the love that elderly Israel showed for Benjamin more than for the other sons he had at home, in the account of them going to Egypt to buy food during the prophesied 7 years global famine (Genesis 42:3-4, 36-38; 44:20-22).

After Joseph had become famous in Egypt, but was still thought to be dead by his visiting brothers, he arranged them by age at a meal table (to their astonishment), and-paradoxically--gave the youngest, Benjamin, five times more food than the rest of them (Genesis 43:34).  Benjamin was also given five times more changes of clothing, and 300 pieces of silver, which the other brothers never received (Genesis 45:21-22).  Note that these items were given by the order of the leading Gentile ruler of his day, Pharaoh, to the last--and normally least born son--of Israel.  Interestingly, little Benjamin later became a spiritual bridge between Israel and the Gentiles worldwide through the Benjamite, the Apostle Paul.

In Egypt, Benjamin was given five times the food and clothing of his brothers.  Physical food is a type of spiritual food-or, the Word of God.  Good clothing is symbolic of righteousness in Scripture.  The tallest man in Israel, Saul of the Tribe of Benjamin, started out exceptionally well, becoming Israel's first King-but paradoxically ended up rejected by God, and committed suicide.  David's elegy for this man of Benjamin was itself paradoxical, since on several occasions Saul tried to kill David.  Interestingly David's elegy included the words: "...daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet...who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel" (2 Samuel 1:24).   

After God removed King Saul of the Tribe of Benjamin and his descendants from the Royal line--and gave it to King David of Judah and his descendants--there naturally was some tension between the two Tribes.  The Tribe of Benjamin was most closely related to the two half-Tribes of Joseph: Ephraim and Manasseh.  Following King Solomon's death, Jeroboam (of Ephraim), broke-up the United Kingdom of Israel.  He took 10 of the Tribes and made his capital at Samaria-which became known as the House of Israel.  Paradoxically, Benjamin who was ethnically closer to them, stayed with The Tribe of Judah in Jerusalem, known in Scripture as the House of Judah. 

Starting about 721 BC the Assyrians defeated and evicted the House of Israel.  Over 100 years later the Babylonians overcame and deported the House of Judah (with the Tribe of Benjamin) to Babylon.  70 years later, 42,360 people--plus their servants--returned to the Land of Israel.  This included some Benjamites.  (Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 list some of the cities they were associated with).

Saul of Tarsus--reputed to be a short man-was the worst enemy of the early New Testament Church.  Paradoxically, after his dramatic conversion and name change, this Benjamite became the Apostle Paul--the most prolific writer of the New Testament.  He thereby has provided enormous spiritual food and clothing for the Church, through the inspiration of God, for almost 2000 years, helping put many on the road to salvation, by teaching that they must become spiritual Jews.  (Jesus had taught that "salavtion is of the Jews".  The New Testament Church is built on the foundation of the Hebrew prophets, Jesus and his Apostles, who were all Jewish).  

The Apostle Paul's travels, preaching, and writing, provide a (Benjamite) bridge from God via Israel to the Gentiles, which leads to salvation to those who walk that way. 

The Apostle Paul as a member of the Tribe of Benjamin, also provides a bridge from God via spiritual Israel to those not yet enlightened in greater Israel, including those in Judah who come to recognize the Messiah has already come once.  This is another reason why Paul is the most likely author of the New Testament book addressed to the Hebrews. 

Members of the Tribe of Benjamin- paradoxically are called "Jews" in the Bible's Book of Esther.  The Tribe of Benjamin is most closely related ethnically to the non-Jewish Tribe of Joseph (heading the House of Israel that split away from the Jewish, Royal House of Judah--after Solomon's death).  Benjamites are still thought of as Jews today, because they sided with the descendants of King David.  In reality, this places Benjamin in position to be a bridge between the House of Judah and the House of Israel, having intimately known both.

Another paradox is that the first King of Israel was chosen from the smallest Tribe of Israel-Benjamin.  While head and shoulders taller than anyone in Israel, King Saul started out regarding himself as being least important and from the least esteemed family in Israel (1 Samuel 9:21).  After becoming sovereign of Israel he exalted himself to the point of thinking he knew better than God.  This paradoxical behavior led to him consulting Satan's demon world, and an ignominious death.

A further irony is that some of the finest people in the Bible are from the Tribe of Benjamin, and so are some of the worst. 

King's Saul's son Jonathan is probably the outstanding example of loyalty and proper male-to-male love and bonding, in Hebrew Scripture.  Jonathan willingly gave up his right to be King of Israel for his best friend David (1 Samuel 18:1,19:1 to 20:42; 23:16-18).

Ehud-the second Judge of Israel, was a left-handed Benjamite who delivered the nation from servitude to the King of Moab (Judges 3:12-30).    

Queen Esther-of the Tribe of Benjamin--is one of the most beautiful women in the Bible, physically and spiritually. She displayed the ultimate love for her people in doing what could have cost her life, in order to save them.  The Book of Esther is replete with paradoxes.  The key one is that God's name is never openly mentioned, but God's invisible hand is everywhere evident.  The Book of Esther also contains a hidden outline of the Plan of God for Humanity in its storyline, which is linked to the major Holydays and their symbolic meaning.  For example, Queen Esther symbolizes all of Israel-including spiritual Jews, or the true Church-whom Haman (symbolizing Satan), tries to destroy, until the tables are suddenly turned on him, and he and his work is brought to nothing, resonant of the prophetic meaning of the Day of Atonement. 

Paradoxically, Esther's hidden identity is not presented in the Bible as been that of a Benjamite, but of a Jew, (which technically and ethnically Benjamites are not-but they were especially closely associated with that Tribe at the time).

Queen Esther's step-father Mordercai, is another outstanding example of a righteous Benjamite.  He symbolizes the Son of God-who is as good as dead (in a Passover-like sequence) because of Haman's devilish devices-but then is miraculously revived and becomes the leader of his people.
 
If Esther and Mordecai, two members of the Tribe of Benjamin, had not been the courageous and faithful people they were, all of Israel may have been wiped out.

The Book of Judges ends ominously with the words: "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes".  Members of the Tribe of Benjamin-in Benjamin's territory--caused the worst incident, from Israel's Exodus out of Egypt, until the end of the period of the Judges.  See Judges 19:1-30.

This event involving sexual abuse and perversion by men of the Tribe of Benjamin, led to civil war with the rest of Israel's Tribes.  The Benjamites refused to hand over the culprits for execution.  The other Tribes attacked with an army initially a third larger-but paradoxically twice lost to smaller Benjamin, which had 26,000 swordsmen and 700 deadly accurate left-handed sling-throwers.  After they properly appealed to him, God allowed the other Tribes to ambush and slaughter Benjamin, making it the smallest Tribe of Israel (Judges 20).


Some of the best friends and worst enemies of David (of the Tribe of Judah) were from the Tribe of Benjamin.  Note these paradoxes:

    King Saul--the first King of Israel--had a split-personality: at first he admired David when he slew Goliath, then grew jealous when women attributed lesser accomplishments to him than David, causing Saul to openly and deviously try to kill David (1 Samuel 17,18 & 24).
    Jonathan--King Saul's son--was David's best friend and paradoxically remained loyal to him instead of his father who wanted him to inherit Israel's crown (1 Samuel 18 1-4; 19:17; 19:1 to 20:42). 
    Michal--Jonathan's sister--initially loved David and saved his life, but paradoxically came to despise him (1 Samuel 18:20; 1 Samuel 19:11-17; 2 Samuel 6:20-23).
    Shimei--cursed David and threw stones at him, but was paradoxically allowed to live by David--until Solomon reigned (2 Samuel 19:16-23).
    Sheba-"a worthless person", organized resistance to David (2 Samuel 20:1-2).
    Cush--an enemy of David.  From the description in Psalm 7, (see the heading), he appears to have persecuted David, paradoxically, for no valid reason (v4).
    Note that David and Jonathan made a special eternal Covenant, involving a bond between God, themselves and their descendants (either personal, Royal, and/or national)-that is still in effect today--between the Tribe of Benjamin and the Jewish House of David (1 Samuel 20:12-23 ). 
    This suggests that in the endtime important people of both Judah and Benjamin are associated in working together in fulfilling God's purpose.  Since the most important and well known descendants of King David in our time have been Queen Elizabeth II and Herbert W Armstrong, it is therefore probable they have been aided in one or more key positions by a descendant of the Tribe of Benjamin.  Queen Victoria-another descendant of King David-had a very capable Jewish Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, whose name may indicate he was of the Tribe of Benjamin.  His important contribution may have been a partial fulfillment of the prophecy.  Similarly, it is possible that America's remarkable Benjamin Franklin, could have been from the Tribe of Benjamin.  


According to Rabbi Yaakov Kleiman, writing about the legends of the Lost Tribes of Israel:

    The Pathans in Afghanistan-who before becoming Moslems were influenced religiously by Jews--claim descent from King Saul of Benjamin.  They look Semitic and still observe some customs similar to the Jews.  
    The Jews once in Kurdistan-who moved as an entire community to the State of Israel in its early days-have a particularly strong tradition that they are descended from the Tribe of Benjamin.

These claims may be true.  However, Herbert W Armstrong-a descendant of the Royal House of David--more widely than anyone proved from the Holy Bible that the Anglo-Saxon British and Americans are descended from Isaac via Joseph and his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh.  He further deduced from the evidence he had, that the modern-day descendants of the Tribe of Benjamin-their closest blood brothers--are mainly the Norwegian people and Icelanders of the same stock.  The purpose of this article is to show additional Bible, and other support, for that view. *

    5 times the food given to 10 (or 5+5) of his brothers, was given to Benjamin in Egypt (Genesis 43:34); and Benjamin got 5 changes of clothing to their one (Genesis 45:22).
    5 years of famine were left when Benjamin arrived in Egypt (Genesis 45:6,11).  It was Joseph's insistence on Benjamin's arrival and presence that led to Israel and his 10 other sons being saved from starvation, and prospering. 
    5 sons were born to Benjamin: Bela, Ashbel, Aharah, Nohah, Rapha (1 Chronicles 8:1-2).
    5 is a Bible symbol of grace, or God's divine favor freely bestowed without being earned, and is thus symbolic of the New Covenant convert whom Benjamin pictures.
    5 sections traditionally make up Norway geographically.  Is that merely coincidence?


    Benjamin's mother's description of him as the "son of my sorrow" is resonant of the pain prophesied to pierce Mary's heart, regarding the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus (Luke 2:35; John 19:25-26).  While both mothers were greatly blessed to bear their important sons, paradoxically great sorrow accompanied the privilege.
    Benjamin was the only son born when Israel was converted.  Jesus was conceived of, and had a full measure of, the Holy Spirit from his human beginning (John 3:34-36).
    Benjamin was patriarch of the Tribe that inherited Jerusalem, the territory of the Temple, and the region from which the Messiah will rule at his Second Coming.  Note that's where the leaders of Benjamin lived (Joshua 18:25; 1 Chronicles 8:1-28).
    Benjamin was born near Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, about 5 miles South of Jerusalem (Genesis 35:16-19).  Bethlehem means "house of food".  Jesus provided spiritual food, including much through the Benjamite, Paul the Apostle.
    Benjamin's birth is the first reference in Scripture to Bethlehem, which is a sign that it was a significant event.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1).
    Benjamin went to Egypt, as did Jesus, without being overcome by sin (Genesis 43:15).


The most widely distributed book of the 20th Century's clearest interpreter of Bible prophecy, Herbert W Armstrong, was "The United States and Britain in Prophecy".  In that volume, the author identified the Anglo-Saxon people of the UK (and former colonies) and of the USA, as descendants of the Tribe of Joseph.  He identified the modern descendants of Benjamin as the Norwegian people and Icelanders of the same stock.

As far as this author knows, neither Mr Armstrong nor anyone else, has publicly emphasized the paradoxes associated with the Tribe of Benjamin.  But since they exist, it is to be expected that their modern descendants would also be associated with some remarkable paradoxes. 

    Norway's modern origin was as the fearsome wolf-like Vikings, just as Jacob predicted.  They would have viewed today's Norway as a paradox, since it is now known for giving out the Nobel Peace prize, and other peace initiatives, such as her behind the scenes efforts for the Middle-East Oslo Accord, interestingly involving her ancient ally the Tribe of Judah. 

    William the Conqueror (a Norman Viking with Norwegian lineage) led a bloody attack on England, which paradoxically stabilized the region and led to the first United Kingdom since Israel was divided by Jeroboam.  William's symbol was the wolf.

• The American based organization Sons of Norway in Minnesota publishes a chart showing that the first President of the United States pf America—George Washington--was descended from Norwegian lineage. Thus not only was Israel's first King from the Tribe of Benjamin—but paradoxically since his royal lineage ceased with him—the two key figures in the early history of the most prominent modern descendants of Israel’s Tribes, Anglo-Saxon Britain and America, were also from the Tribe of Benjamin.

    During World War 2, Norway had the greatest percentage of resistance fighters against Hitler's Nazi regime.  Paradoxically, Norway also had the worst traitor, Quisling, whose name became an English synonym for a collaborator with the enemy.

    Paradoxically, Iceland is known as the land of Fire and Ice.

    The name Iceland suggests an incredibly cold place, yet the thermal waters make the climate relatively moderate. 

    Despite their seemingly frigid climates, Norway and Iceland consistently are rated as two of the best countries in the world to live in.

    The Benjamite, Apostle Paul, was the most prolific New Testament writer.  Norway has the highest percentage of newspaper readers in the world.  Both Norwegians and Icelanders have two of the highest levels in the world, of book readers.  The Iceland Sagas are notable early literary achievements.  The playwright Henrik Ibsen, Norway's most famous modern writer, is internationally considered the father of the modern drama.

    As many people of Norwegian origin live in America as live in Norway.  Since Benjamin is most closely related--of the ancient Tribes of Israel--to the modern-day Anglo-Saxons of America and Britain, this should not be surprising.  They tended to immigrate to those parts of America that reminded them of Norway. 

    The center of Norwegian-American life is Minnesota, whose capital is the twin city (perhaps symbolizing the dual nature of the people), Minneapolis/St Paul.  They are located opposite each other on either side of the Mississippi River.  Saint Paul is the name of the most prominent New Testament person of the Tribe of Benjamin.  He wrote the Bible's most famous description of Godly love, in 1 Corinthians 13.  The Mississippi is the longest river of flowing water in America, and it starts in Minnesota.  A river of flowing water is symbolic of eternal life in the Bible, which the New Covenant made possible. The man Benjamin symbolized the converted man. So did the conversion of the Tribe from being wolf-like to peace-promoter.  Paul of the Tribe of Benjamin more vigorously spread the Gospel of love than any of the early Apostles.  "Minne" means "love", therefore Minne-apolis can mean "City of love", although that may not have been the American Indian meaning.  In some languages the prefix or suffix "min" can mean either "love" or "small", such as in Afrikaans: "bemin" (love), and "min dae" (few days).  Or the English: miniature.  Is it possible that the name of the smallest Tribe of Israel--the one associated with the big love of Jonathan, Esther, and the Apostle Paul-the Tribe of Benjamin--influenced these words?  Perhaps at some stage the Tribe was colloquially called the Benjaminne's, the Minne's, or the Min's, which gave rise to these names and words. 

    Norway was the only nation to support Britain in the UN vote regarding the Falklands War, showing a natural affinity for their brother Joseph's descendants, modern day Ephraim, the English people of the world.

    Norway was the first country Queen Elizabeth II officially visited, which indicates closeness between the two nations.  As the Queen rules from the throne prophesied to continue until the Messiah comes, the Throne of David-whose best friend was Jonathan the Benjamite-the trip was doubly significant, since although the Queen is a direct descendant of King David, she also represents the 10-Tribe House of Israel led by Ephraim (England). 

    Norway has been blessed with an abundance of fresh water, and oil.  Both are symbols of the Holy Spirit, which is the hallmark of the converted man.

    Both Norway and Iceland are major fishing countries.  This may be symbolic, since Benjamin is a type of converted man, and Jesus used fishing as a metaphor for preaching the Gospel and drawing in disciples whom God calls.

    A characteristic that seems to be shared between members of the ancient Tribe of Benjamin and modern Norwegians is their approach to tackling major problems, in a private, secretive, and/or unorthodox manner.  Note these examples of members of the Tribe of Benjamin, who had what might be called "an underground approach"--to resolving certain major issues.  (Norway acted that way against the Nazis who invaded their country. They also secretly tried to help resolve the Israeli/Palestinian and South African racial conflicts):   

    Ehud, a Judge over Israel, secretly carried a dagger into the King of Moab's presence, caused a diversion that made everyone else leave--then assassinated him--locking the door as if nothing had happened, so he could escape.  This stopped 18 years of subjugation to the Moabites (Judges 3:15-20).   

    King Saul.  Samuel the prophet of God, arranged for a public meeting to declare Saul--whom he had already privately ordained as the first King--to be officially announced as Israel's monarch.  Trying to get out of the responsibility he didn't feel worthy of, Saul did something secretive: he hid himself (1 Samuel 10 17-25).  As King, he unconventionally, was open to sending the youthful David-like a secret weapon--against the enemy giant Goliath, who Saul's own soldiers were afraid to confront (1 Samuel 17:33-37).  Saul more than once tried to privately kill David by unexpectedly throwing a javelin at him, as he played music to soothe him (1 Samuel 18:9-11; 19:9-10). Saul tried to out maneuver David and get him killed by the indirect method of secretly manipulating other people (1 Samuel 18:17-29).  Saul disguised himself when secretly visiting a medium, to try and ascertain the future (1 Samuel 28:7-20).  

    Jonathan secretly initiated a two-man military maneuver--without telling his father King Saul--which led to the defeat of Israel's enemy, the Philistines (1 Samuel 14:1-23).  Jonathan secretly met with David to try and save his life, when he knew his father Saul wanted to kill him (1 Samuel 20:7-20).

    Mordecai advised Queen Esther, who agreed, to keep her ethnic origin secret until the appropriate moment, when its revelation led to the destruction of Haman, and many of the enemies of the Jews.  (See the entire Book of Esther).

    Michal, Jonathan's sister and the youngest daughter of King Saul, placed a dummy of David in his bed, and organized his secret escape from her father's men, sent to assassinate him (1 Samuel 19:11-18). 

    The Apostle Paul, before conversion, privately sought authority from the High Priest to arrest any disciples of Jesus who attended a synagogue (Acts 9:1-2).  Paul said his approach was to emphasize what he and others agreed upon-meaning he temporarily hid the differences--so that he win others to God's viewpoint, (1 Corinthian 9:20).

    Some characteristics of members of the Tribe of Benjamin in the Bible seem to be:



When made king, Saul could have executed people who had been against his coronation.  He calmly decided not to.  When Saul thought David was trying to usurp his throne, he became extremely angry and committed himself to killing him.  Before the Apostle Paul was converted he was a leading student of Gamaliel, the chief rabbinical scholar of the time-and energetically persecuted the early Church.  When converted, Paul was more energetic than any of the Apostles in delivering the Gospel message, as his letters confirm.  When necessary, Queen Esther kept silent about her ethnic origin. When time for action came she was quick to act decisively to help destroy the enemy.  The dual nature of being peaceful-even reticent or secretive (as Saul was before becoming King)--but wolf-like in action when injustice is perceived, seems be a general characteristic of the Tribe of Benjamin. 


Norway's coastland without fjords and bays is 2532 km long.  Fjords and bays add another 25,148 km. Islands are a further 58,133 km, making a total of 83,281 km.  Note the paradox: the actual coastline is almost 2/3rds longer than the apparent one.  The widest point of Norway's mainland is 1789.6 km.  The mainland covers 13 latitude, from 58N to more than 71N.  It stretches further across Europe than any other nation.  Paradoxically, Norway's smallest frontier (at Elvenes) is only 1.6km wide.

Norway is small--slightly bigger than New Mexico, slightly smaller than Japan.  Yet its coastline is both strategically important and one of the most rugged and longest in the world.  Mainland Norway is about two-thirds mountains with some 50,000 islands off its much-indented coastline. 

Norway's shape is reminiscent of that of the male sperm.  Sperm in turn is a physical type of the seed of God's Holy Spirit.  God plants a seed of the Holy Spirit in a person's mind, to begin their new life and growth as a spiritual child of his.  This only happens after they admit and abandon their sins, obey God-and their old sinful self is symbolically drowned, when they are fully immersed under water, in the baptism ceremony.  This eventually leads to their being literally born again as an immortal being, composed fully of spirit, in the resurrection (Acts 2:38, 5:32; 2 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Peter 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-53). 

This is interesting in light of the fact that Benjamin's descendants-were prophesied first to be like a wolf-unconverted as the marauding Norwegian Vikings, with their pagan religion, were.  Later they prophesied to be in the presence of God, like a converted person. On a national level, Norwegians gave up their paganism for the strictness of Lutheran Christianity, which even today the overwhelming majority of the nation declares allegiance to, and they are famous for awarding the Nobel Peace Prize.

Norway is of the world's most northerly countries.  The Scandinavian Mountains-the most prominent natural feature, towers over large areas of Norway, making it one of Europe's most mountainous nations.

The country-length chain of peaks is geologically continuous with the mountains of Scotland, Ireland in the United Kingdom and the Appalachian Mountains of the USA.  The physical connection between Norway's mountains (which in the Bible are symbolic of national governments), and the UK and USA's mountains, may be symbolic of the ethnic link between Benjamin and Ephraim, Manasseh, and even Judah (whose Royal Davidic line settled in the United Kingdom, first in Ireland, later in Scotland, and now operates from Buckingham Palace).

Sognefjorden is the world's second deepest fjord and Hornindalsvatnet is the deepest lake in Europe.  Queen Maud Land in Antarctica belongs to Norway.  It is connected to the world's largest ice sheet, which stretches to the South Pole.  Note the paradoxical contrasting superlatives of one of the world's smallest countries. 

Areas in Norway located north of the Arctic Circle experience the phenomenon of the midnight Sun-a paradoxical phenomenon-for half the year.  And its opposite effect: winter darkness half the year.  Light symbolizes Truth.  Darkness symbolizes lack of Truth.  These physical conditions mirror the dual nature of the two main prophecies about Benjamin.  The northern part of the country is located in the Aurora Borealis zone, with its spectacular heavenly signs.

Norway's climate is paradoxically temperate for so northerly a country.  This is mainly because of the North Atlantic Current and the Norwegian Current that extends from it.  Despite its geographic difficulties, paradoxically, God has blessed Norway above many nations.  Some areas of Vestlandet and Southern Nordland are Europe's wettest.  Water is a symbol of God's Holy Spirit, which brings about conversion in humans.   

Norway's climate experiences big variations: The warmest temperature ever recorded was 35.6C at Nesbyen. The coldest temperature was -51.4C at Karasjok. Norway's lowest point is sea level; its highest point is 2469 m at Galdhpiggen.

Norway has a larger variety of habitats than any European country, with about 60,000 species.  Many are insects and fungi.  Among the critically endangered species in Norway, is the gray wolf.  Perhaps that is symbolic of Benjamin's move away from wolf-like tendencies.


The following message from God, shows there will be some Benjamites in the Land of Israel in the endtime, just prior to the greatest time of trouble ever, which Jeremiah also prophesied about:


Note that the context indicates the reason that God will allow Jerusalem to be attacked, is not because of Benjamite guilt, but due to the lifestyle of the daughters--meaning descendants--of Judah.

In a prophecy to be fulfilled after the Great Tribulation, David foresaw a procession to the New Temple in Jerusalem, (which ties in with the positive prediction of Moses about Benjamin):


All 12 Tribes of Israel will be re-gathered and relocated in the Promised Land, under the Messiah.  David will be resurrected to be their King.  Benjamin's territory during that 1000 year reign, is described in Ezekiel 48:22-32.  The Tribe of Benjamin in Jerusalem, will have its gate on the East side between Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) and Dan. 

In modern terminology, the Norwegians, Icelanders, and those 'Jews' descended from the Tribe of Benjamin, will have their gate between the English/Anglo-Saxon American gate-and the Irish/ Danish gate of Dan.


At that time, another paradox is likely to occur.  Although removed from the Royal line of ruler-ship because of his father Saul's sins-the then resurrected Benjamite, Jonathan-is likely to be the chief advisor, to his best friend King David as he rules over the re-United Kingdom of Israel's 12 Tribes.  That would be a further fulfilment of their eternal covenant involving God, themselves and their Tribes, and make Jonathan another Benjamite bridge to Israel and all the world.

Since they are ethnically the closest to each other, Norwegians, Icelanders, Anglo-Saxon English and Americans, should be as interested as the Jews, in the history and destiny of the paradoxical, but beloved of the LORD, Tribe of Benjamin.  

*Herbert W Armstrong (1892-1986) was the founding Editor of The Plain Truth magazine and the original voice of The World Tomorrow radio and TV broadcasts. 

It is suggested that this article be read a second-time, substituting the words Benjamin and Benjamites with the words, Norway, Norwegians-and/or Iceland-ers, (as appropriate)--to get a feel of the history of the modern day descendants of the youngest-but by no means least--son of Israel.