British Israelism

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Psalm 89:35-36

"Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.  His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me."

Problem:

This passage is used by the followers of Herbert W. Armstrong to point out that the Davidic throne never ceased to exist, and that descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim eventually moved the throne to the British isles.

 

Armstrong writes, "Some say Christ took over the throne.  But He didn't.  Instead He was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven.  He shall come, and soon now, to sit upon that throne... But how could Jesus Christ, when He returns again to earth, take over and sit upon a throne that long ago ceased to exist?" ¹

 

It is on the basis of this reasoning that appeal is made to the ancient annals of Ireland to attempt to prove that Queen Elizabeth now sits on David's throne. Armstrong after citing Irish tradition, states: "In view of the linking together of Biblical history, prophecy, and Irish history, can anyone deny that this Hebrew princess (Tephi) was the daughter of King Zedekiah of Judah, and therefore heir to the throne of David? - That the aged patriarch was in fact Jeremiah, and his companion Jeremiah's scribe, or secretary, Baruch? . . . The Royal Family of the British Commonwealth possesses a chart showing its ancestry, every generation, back to Heremon and Tephi, to Zedekiah, on back to David . . . " ²

Solution:

1. Jesus will not return to a non-existent throne. David's throne will be re-established in Jerusalem. (Luke 1:32,33). As the prophet wrote: "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:" (Acts 15:16).
   
2. This is a classic example of failing to read the verses in their context.  If the diligent reader reads the entire psalm, they will easily find Armstrong's claim to be false (i.e., that there never has been a break in the Davidic line):

Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground. Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin. All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours. Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice. Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle. Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground. (Psalm 89:39-44)

So in this one psalm we have the psalmist declaring that David's throne was "for ever" while at the same time prophesying that it would be cast down. Yes, an "eternal throne" can be cast down and cease for a period of time. Psalm 89 makes this clear.

3. The name "David" means "beloved", and the reference to "David" in verse 35 may be a prophesy of God's "beloved" son - Jesus. This would mean that the eternal throne of David would only begin when the greater "David" takes possession of it.