Mottoes and Symbols of Ephraim-America

Mottoes and Symbols of America (Ephraim)

By: -- William F. Dankenbring and John D. Keyser

The symbols and Great Seal of the United States, and the American
Flag, "Old Glory," have a fascinating history and origin. The terms "G.I. Joe," and "Uncle Sam," have an amazing origin. More evidence that America is indeed the Biblical tribe of Ephraim, the second son of Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham!

The American Flag:
The American flag was designed by George Washington, father of our country. As leader of the Flag Committee (together with Col.Ross and Robert Morris), he went to the home of Mrs. Betsy Ross and drew for her a sketch of the "stars and stripes." The first flag, containing 13 stars in a circle on a blue field, together with the red and white stripes, was adopted by Congress on June 14, 1777.

The Washington family tree has been traced back to Judah. The red, white and blue of our flag were also the colors of ancient Israel. Red is the color of sacrifice and redemption; white is the color of purity, the color of the garments worn by the Levites and priests of Israel, in the service of the sanctuary of YEHOVAH (The LORD) God; the blue represents the color of water, the color of the sky, and the universe -- representing love and devotion. The vail of The LORD's Temple was wrought in the colors "blue, and purple, and crimson [red], and fine linen [white]" (II Chron.3:14; Exodus 26:31).

George Washington's own coat of arms for his own family showed a white shield with 2 red bars and 3 red stars. Thus our flag is of ancient Israelitish origin. The Sachi flags and symbols carved on the walls of the rock temple of Ajanta in Bhopal, India, dating to the 4th century B.C. reveal the astonishing fact that our Israelitish ancestors had flags similar to our British and American flags, today.

The Great Seal of the United States:
On the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, a committed was appointed to design a national seal. The committee consisted of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Concept after concept was rejected, as artists and others contributed their ideas. The present seal was formally adopted June 20, 1782. As the Revolutionary War involved great sufferings, trials, and loss of life, the colonies looked to YEHOVAH God and His Word for spiritual guidance. Both sides of the United States seal have been printed on the one dollar bill, allowing us to determine the full meaning of the seal.

When ancient Israel marched out of Egypt under Moses, they marched under the four standards bearing the figures of the Lion, Bull, Eagle, and Man. There were three tribes under each standard or flag -- and they marched or camped in the form of a hollow square, positioned around the Tabernacle of THE LORD God which was at the center of their camp and marching formation. This "hollow square" was a form of fighting used by the British for years, until the development of high explosives.

We read of these four figures in Ezekiel: "As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle" (Ezek.1:10). These were the cherubim (Ezek.10:1-14).

The eagle in the American seal has its face turned to the right -- or westward. It is in full flight, indicating the American march to the western horizon. The motto of early America, coined by Horace Greeley, was, "Go west, young man," and generations of Americans followed that advice, settling the entire continent from the east to the west coasts. The eagle is an illustration of The LORD's guardianship over Israel. "As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: so the LORD alone did lead him [Israel], and there was no strange god with him. He made him to ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the field; and he made him to eat honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; butter of kine [cattle] and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which had made him, and lightly esteemed the God of his salvation" (Deut.32:11-15).

YEHOVAH God brought Israel out of Egypt on "eagle's wings" (Exodus 19:4). Thus the eagle is a symbol for YEHOVAH God  (Jesus Christ!) -- and His loving protection. Interestingly, the eagle is noted for its keen eyesight, its powerful flight, its soaring aloft, and its nest amidst the towering crags where its young are protected. The eagle mates for life. It is also a very clean bird, keeping its nest clean with "maidenhair," a special herb. It raises only two or three eaglets a year, and when the time comes, does not permit its young to remain near the nest, but forces it out of the nest, teaching it to fly, and then forcing it to seek other regions to dwell in.

The British seal has two of the ancient standards or flags of Israel -- the lion and the unicorn (or bull). On the front side of the British seal is a lion, symbol of the tribe of Judah, which was to bear the kingship (I Chron.5:1-2), and the unicorn.

The obverse side of the Royal Seal of Britain shows the Sphinx of Egypt. The obverse side of the American Seal pictures the Great Pyramid. Both of these objects are close to each other in Egypt. I have visited them, with my family, and like so many other tourists, marveled at their majesty and profound visual impression to all the major senses. We enjoyed a spectacular "light show" at the base of the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, depicting some of the history of Egypt in the time of its original glory.

Interestingly, the British are commonly known as "John Bull," showing their Manasseh heritage, being linked with the unicorn on their Royal Seal. On the other hand, the United States is commonly known as "Uncle Sam." Where does this name or title come from? Could this be a direct and distinct reference to the fact that our ancient capital, in the northern kingdom of Israel, was "Samaria"? Thus "Uncle SAM" derives from SAMaria, the land of our forefathers!

Similarly, American soldiers are commonly call "G.I.s," and a nickname for an American soldier is "G.I. Joe." Where does this term come from? The "G.I." stands for "Government Issue." Joe, of course, is a shortened form of JOSEPH, the name of our illustrious ancestor!

The Escutcheon or Shield:
In Deuteronomy we read: "Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the SHIELD of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places" (Deut.33:29).

Over the breast of the eagle on the United States seal is a shield -- the shield of FAITH. It has thirteen stripes or bars, red and white, signifying the number "13" -- the number of the tribe of Ephraim, which was the "13th tribe" of Israel (being the youngest of all). YEHOVAH God is our shield. He said to Abraham, "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Gen.15:1). David cried, "But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head" (Psa.3:3). David prayed, "For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield" (Psa.5:12).

The 13 paleways or stripes on the shield represent the 13 original colonies. The shield is not fastened to the eagle, but spread across in front of it, as if held there by the unseen Hand of YEHOVAH God.

In the eagle's beak there is a scroll, representing the proclamation of liberty and freedom, and justice for all -- the Constitution of the United States, based on the laws of YEHOVAH God and the Torah which Jesus called YEHOVAH gave to ancient Israel.

The motto "E Pluribus Unum" means "One from Many," or "Out of many, One." It represents the UNITY of Israel, and the states of Ephraim -- FIFTY united States of America! This One nation combines the peoples and ethnic groups of many different nations and peoples from around the world -- out of many, ONE. And if we remained faithful to the laws of YEHOVAH God, this national UNITY would be preserved forever. But if we BREAK YEHOVAH's laws, then the very unity we possess will become a relic, a shallow memory, a distant dream, forgotten in the onrushing calamity and cataclysm.

American is a COMMONWEALTH of fifty states. At our national political conventions, members from each state rise to address the chair, saying, "Mr. Chairman, we the Commonwealth of Maine," or, "The commonwealth of Massachusetts," etc., etc.
Notice that in the eagle's right claw is clutched an olive branch. This olive branch has 13 leaves, and 13 olives. Joseph is compared in prophecy to a fruitful bough -- of an olive tree (Gen.49:22). The olive tree is supreme among trees. The first tree the other trees asked to reign over them was the olive tree (Judges 9:8). But the fruit of the olive honors YEHOVAH God and man (v.9). It seeks not to reign but to bear fruit. It is a sacred tree, anda symbol of the Holy Spirit of YEHOVAH God, and of the Torah -- the life-giving Law and Revelation of YEHOVAH. The olive branch is the greatest symbol also of Peace -- Shalom.

The Bundle of Arrows:

• "Joseph is a fruitful bough . . . The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob" (Gen.49:22-24).

Joseph -- Ephraim and Manasseh -- America and Britain -- are famous therefore for their military prowess. Their "bow" is strong -- they are powerful archers. The "bow," today, is a symbol of AIR POWER. It was largely U.S. air power that defeated the Axis during World War II; that devastated Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War; that wreaked havoc in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The arrow is a symbol of war-making power. The ancient Anglo-Saxons were excellent archers. Who hasn't heard of Robin Hood and his merry men of Sherwood forest? In the eagle's left claw are 13 arrows -- representative of Ephraim, the 13th tribe. They symbolize national readiness and preparedness to fight and to safeguard the truth, the liberty, the freedoms which YEHOVAH God has given us to enjoy. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." The arrows of the Almighty will protect His people so long as we obey Him; but woe unto us, if YEHOVAH God Himself sends His arrows to punish us for our disobedience (Deut.32:23; Ezek.5:16).

On the Seal of the United States of America, there are 13 olive leaves, 13 olives, 13 arrows, 13 paleways or stripes on the shield, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum," 13 stars above the eagle's head. Interestingly, there were 13 original colonies, 13 ships in the original American Navy, 13 letters in "Fourth of July." In World War I, 13 ships were sent to Europe, and took 13 days to cross the Atlantic, landing on Friday the 13th; the American troops on board fought in 13 battles in France. On the obverse side of the U.S. Seal, there are 13 tiers of stone in the Great Pyramid!

Over the eagle's head is a cloud or crest -- a glorious scene of the Shekinah Glory of YEHOVAH God shining through and breaking up a cloud, shining upon 13 stars. The statute of endorsement stated, "A glory breaking through acloud." It was a pillar of fire and a cloud of the Presence of YEHOVAH God that led ancient Israel out of Egypt (Exo.13:21-22; 14:24). The Divine Glory breaking through the cloud shows that it is the power and glory of YEHOVAH God, shining upon Israel, that keeps her safe and makes her great, and gives her deliverance. So long as we acknowledge our God, and His Presence, and obey His Laws, our nations will be great. But if and when we forget YEHOVAH God, then our punishment and doom is assured (Isaiah 1:1-21; Prov.1:22-32; Hosea 4:6-8).

The 13 stars in the cloud above the eagle represent two truths: 1) the number 13 reveals the 13 tribes of Israel, in total; and 2) the scene depicts 12 stars below (bowing down before) the highest star -- the star of Joseph. This was in fulfillment of Joseph's amazing dream, where he said, "behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me" (Gen.37:9; see also verses 10-11).

The Great Pyramid of Gizeh:
The statute adopted by the Seal Committee declared, "A Pyramid unfinished." Above the unfinished pyramid -- remember, the great pyramid of Egypt at Gizeh has no capstone and was never finished, yet it remains the most perfect building ever built by man -- hovers a capstone surrounded by glory. This is the stone rejected by the builders, but which becomes the chief corner stone -- the Messiah, Yeshua, JESUS CHRIST!, Christ is returning soon to complete the pyramid and to usher in the Messianic Age and Kingdom of YEHOVAH God! (I Pet.2:6-8; Isa.28:16; Psa.118:22-23).

Underneath this pyramid is the Latin phrase, "NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM," which means, "New World Order." But this refers to the TRUE New World Order which will be brought to this earth by the returning Messiah and YEHOVAH God Himself we know as Jesus Christ, when they comes in power and glory to establish YEHOVAH's Kingdom (Matt.25:31-32; Rev.19:11-16). The fact that the symbol shows the capstone hovering over the pyramid, not yet finished, depicts the fact that the Messiah has not yet returned to complete his program and the plan of YEHOVAH God on the earth. We are now awaiting with bated breath, breathlessly, that awesome, and for many ominous, Day!

It is a fact that many of the later pyramids in Egypt were built by the Israelites, who were master builders. Joseph himself built ancient Lake Tanis, and a tremendouswater irrigation system for the desert, bringing immense wealth and prosperity to Egypt. Isaiah the prophet speaks of the Great Pyramid in these words: "In that day there shall be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a PILLAR at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt" (Isa.19:19-20).

Modern Cairo, capital of Egypt, stands in the land of Goshen, land given to Israel and belonging to Israel, and which will be returned to Israel in the Millennium. The Great Pyramid lies at the true border of Israel and Egypt, according to this passage of Scripture!

The "Eye of God":
The "eye" depicted in the cornerstone of the Great Pyramid in the American Seal, represents the eye of JESUS who sees all our human undertakings, and beholds all the activities of the sons of men. "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God" (Psalm 14:2). "The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth" (Psalm 33;13).

The eyes of YEHOVAH God behold the righteous, and their suffering -- He is the "God who sees," and who provides -- YEHOVAH-Yireh (Gen.16:13-14). "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (II Chron.16:9).

Above the pyramid we see the motto, "ANNUIT COEPTIS," which is Latin for "He has prospered our undertakings." In Genesis we read about Joseph: ". . . the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand" (Gen.39:3).

How fitting that this very motto reminds us of our forefather Joseph, who lived by the commandments of YEHOVAH God, and who was blessed for his obedience, even as Abraham was before him (Gen.26:5). The implication of course is that if we also obey YEHOVAH and keep His commandments, as a nation, today, we also will achieve success in all our undertakings, be successful in all our endeavors, and prosper in all our ways. But if we disobey the Divine will, and disregard His laws, we will suffer the consequences of disobedience (Lev.26; Deut.28; Ezek.5:12).
How amazing that the Great Seal of the United States tells such a vivid story in Biblical history and prophecy! Truly, the tribe of Joseph has been recognized and FOUND! The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh now stand IDENTIFIED on the face of the earth!
They most assuredly could not be the Chinese, or the Japanese, or the Eskimos of Greenland and Alaska. They most assuredly could not be the Russians, the Mongols, the Arabs, or the blacks of Africa, or the aborigines of Australia, or the Central Europeans.
No other peoples on earth could be the recipients of heaven's choicest blessings, and the promises of YEHOVAH God made to our Fathers, but the United States and Great Britain, and the English-speaking peoples of the earth! Just look at a world globe -- look up the national statistics in any almanac, encyclopedia, or history book. Truly we bear the heritage of Joseph, son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham!

Truly we bear, as Rudyard Kipling wrote so eloquently, an awesome responsibility to carry Salvation and the knowledge of THE LORD God to the ends of the earth -- to repent of our sins and serve the Most High purposes of YEHOVAH -- and to bear the message of the truth of our Messiah Yeshua Notzri -- Yeshua the Nazarene -- throughout the Earth, with the truth of the Torah and LAW of YEHOVAH God!

Let's thank YEHOVAH God (JESUS) for this wonderful Truth -- and strive to be worthy of His promises -- and seek to serve Him and to love Him with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength!