In the book of Genesis we read the astounding statement, and prophecy, made by God to Abraham and his descendants:

"By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall POSSESS THE GATE OF HIS ENEMIES; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice" (Gen.22:16-18).

This prophecy was later repeated to Rebekah by her brothers, who said to her when she accepted the proposal of marriage on Isaac's behalf made by Abraham's servant:

"And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions [literally, billions], and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them" (Gen.24:60).

One of the most important, astonishing truths of Biblical prophecy is that the Anglo-Saxon people -- the founders of the United Kingdom, and the United States of America -- are descended from ancient Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Our forefathers are descended from the fabled "Lost Ten Tribes" of ancient Israel. This truth is documented in such books as Steve Collins' The Lost Ten Tribes . . . Found! and Israeli scholar Yair Davidy's current books, Ephraim and Lost Israelite Identity. Since we are the descendants of these ancient people, the promises of God have extended to our nations, today, during this end-time generation!

Surely one of the world's most vital waterway sea-gates that has been possessed during this twentieth century by the modern descendants of ancient Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the Panama Canal, built during the administration of Theodore Roosevelt at the beginning of the twentieth century. Roosevelt's far-sighted planning and vision saw to it that this short-cut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for military and commercial shipping was built by and controlled by the then fledgling United States, which was just beginning to become a "world power" on the world stage.

The Panama Canal has been called "The most vital strategic waterway in the world," by Admiral Thomas Moorer, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It was a vital asset to the United States during World War I, World War II, Korea, Viet Nam, and the Persian Gulf war of 1991. Without it, world history could well have been completely altered. World War II, in which the United States was fighting enemies in both Europe and Asia, might have seen a completely different outcome, had it not been for the usage of the Panama Canal by the United States and her Allies.

But we have now learned that this vital sea-gate is in the process of being given away by the United States government -- and not only that, but it is being given to the greatest enemy and growing threat to America in the world today, the agents of Communist China!

Captain G. Russell Evans, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired) explains the danger:

"Communist China is the greatest emerging threat to United States security. It has the largest army in the world, may soon have the second largest economy, and is rapidly building up its navy and air force. In fact, many scholars are sounding the alarm about a 'new Cold War' with Red China, and a new book has just come out warning of a coming war with China.

"The danger to the United States of a Red Chinese takeover of the Panama Canal is very real. America will lose control of this vital choke-point, through which massive amounts of shipping and our U.S. Navy pass, between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

"The ports of Balboa, which controls the shipping traffic from the Pacific Ocean, and Cristobal, which controls shipping from the Atlantic, could be run by the Communist Chinese. The U.S. Navy might be denied access through the Canal ports, which have been critical to our military efforts in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf conflicts.

"Red Chinese J-11 attack jets, if launched from air facilities in Panama, could strike the mainland United States. Communist China will also have a critical base for its warships in our backyard with the Balboa and Cristobal ports, and with the superb deep-water berths at Rodman Naval Station, now offered by Panama Law No.5 with absolutely no regard for Canal security.

"But what is Bill Clinton doing about this dire threat to American national security? Nothing! He is standing by while allies of his Red Chinese campaign contributor friends take control over the vital Panama Canal ports -- with all the ear marks of a quid pro quo for the millions of dollars illegally contributed by Red China to the 1996 Clinton-Gore re-election campaign! Our major media failed to report this quid pro quo. Why? Are they protecting Clinton and Gore?

"President Bill Clinton took an oath to 'preserve and protect' the United States. Handing the store to the Red Chinese at the strategically vital Panama Canal not only makes him derelict in this duty, but it completely contradicts this duty. . . ." (1998 Briefing Report on The Red Chinese Takeover of the Panama Canal, published by National Security Center, Fairfax, Virginia, introduction).

As shocking and dumfounding as the information contained in this summary detailing the problem of the giveaway of the Panama Canal, is in reality, the whole story makes for a dramatic lesson in treachery, treason, and corruption on a massive and unimaginable scale. The Scriptures state truly, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov.29:18). The United States leadership has apparently no vision at all, and decisions are being made which will jeopardize and compromise the future security of the American nation and people.

Many Biblical prophecies speak of the fate of the leading nation of "Israel" during the last days -- that is, the United States of America. In Bible prophecy, we are the tribe of "Ephraim," the leading birthright tribe, the younger of the two sons of Joseph. God inspired the patriarch Jacob to prophesy of the two brothers, Ephraim and Manasseh: "The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth" (Gen.47:16). Jacob later said that Manasseh would be "great," but added, "but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations [or, states]" (v.19).

Ephraim was set before or above Manasseh in rank and power and blessing. They were to become a "multitude of STATES," as the original Hebrew says -- and truly the "United STATES of America," comprised of FIFTY SOVEREIGN, INDIVIDUAL STATES, fulfills this prophecy to the "T"!

Ephraim was to become a united company or assembly of peoples. Isn't it interesting that the United States is famous around the world for being the "melting pot" of the nations? The United States has more emigrants from more diverse locations, than any other nation on earth! This is both a strength, and a fatal weakness. The prophet Hosea foretold this condition would describe Ephraim in the last days! Hosea wrote, "Ephraim MIXES with the nations; Ephraim is a flat cake not turned over [white on one side, baked black or brown on the other side!]. Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice" (Hosea 7:8-9).

The United States began with thirteen colonies, and a flag of thirteen stripes and thirteen stars. Ephraim was the "thirteenth tribe" of ancient Israel! Mere coincidence?

Ephraim's very name means "double fruit." It is the United States which exploded onto the world scene, becoming a world power in the days of Theodore Roosevelt at the turn of the century, and the twentieth century has been hailed as "America's Century," and world peace "Pax Americana." In a very short time, historically speaking, the United States grew, burgeoned, with rippling muscles, and grew past his older brother Manasseh, yet they are united by language and cultural ties unlike that of any other separate nations on the face of the earth! They are true brothers, sometimes arguing, squabbling, fighting, but back-to-back against any common enemy from the outside!

Jacob prophesied that the younger brother, Ephraim, was to be greater than his older brother, Manasseh. Manasseh, the firstborn, was the older brother. Which nation is older -- the United States or Great Britain? That fact alone should tell us that Great Britain was the older brother, Manasseh, which was to be "great," and even has the word "great" in its name, unlike any other country on the earth today!

But what about the United States? Is it greater than Great Britain, even as Ephraim was to be greater than Manasseh?

Let's face this question honestly and squarely, without pride, pretense, or hypocrisy. The United States is the wealthiest nation in the world in terms of resources, business and assets, and gross national produce -- although we have also become the world's biggest debtor nation by far due to our sins and living beyond our means during the past decade. We comprise only six percent of the world's population, and yet we control over 40 percent of the world's wealth! We are the breadbasket of the world. Our gross national product is over $7 trillion dollars annually. Either California or New York could be the world's fifth or sixth richest nation in the world. The state of Illinois produces more than the entire continent of Africa! The eight industrial states from New York to Illinois produce as much as the Common Market, the Soviet Union, or all of Latin America, Africa, most of Asia except Japan, and the Middle East combined!

When Jacob, or Israel, blessed Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, he knew what he was doing. He deliberately blessed the YOUNGER son with the primogenital blessing of the firstborn, making him the son of the right hand. The older son, Manasseh, shared in the blessing -- but a double portion went to Ephraim! When Joseph protested this sudden switch from the expected, saying that Manasseh was the firstborn, Israel refused to change the blessing, and said:

"I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he ALSO shall be GREAT: but truly his YOUNGER BROTHER shall be GREATER THAN HE, and his seed shall become a MULTITUDE of nations. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh" (Gen.48:19-20).

Let us notice two things about this verse -- this prophetic blessing. The younger brother, born last, would rise up and become greater than the older brother, in time. The older would also become great -- but not as great as the younger!

Of those who understand the basic rudiments of this prophecy, the majority of people, influenced by British-Israelism, believe or have assumed that the British represent the people of Ephraim, and the Americans or "Yanks" the descendants of Manasseh. But is this true? Or has national pride and prejudice caused men to mix up the two boys, or peoples, as Joseph thought Israel had done? Is there in actual fact a parallel here, and the two peoples have been mixed up and mis-identified by the majority who have studied the subject?

Notice carefully the verses we just covered, once again. Manasseh was prophesied to become GREAT. The British people, today, are known as GREAT Britain. They have truly been a great nation, in history, forging the links of a mighty empire, which formerly it was boasted that the sun did not set on the British Empire -- it was global in extent. However, Britain is not so great and powerful today. It has a population of about 57,000,000.

On the other hand, Ephraim was prophesied to become "a multitude of nations." The Jewish Tanakh has this: "Yet his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall be plentiful enough for nations." Compared to the British, the population of the United States of America, which was a paltry few millions in 1776, today stands at 256,000,000 -- over four times the population of Great Britain!

The British never became a "multitude of nations." This prophecy did not state that Ephraim would "RULE" a multitude of nations, but that he would "BECOME" a multitude of "nations." If you count all the Anglo-Saxon members of the British Commonwealth, you have only five nations, most of them with very small populations -- Canada, the largest, population 27,000,000, followed by Australia, 17 million, New Zealand, 3,400,000, and South Africa, where the predominant population is black.

The Hebrew word for "multitude" in this verse is #4393 in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. It is melo and literally means "fullness," or "full." Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon explains it as "fullness, hence that which is full," as "fullness of hands," "a basin full of water." It also means "a multitude, crowd."

The Hebrew word translated "nations" here is actually goy, which is the Hebrew word for "Gentile," also. The plural, goyim, can mean "nations, Gentiles," "a troop," in the sense of massing, "a flight of birds," "a flight of locusts," "a troop of animals," etc. It is variously translated "Gentile, nation, heathen, people."

Carefully looking at these definitions, then, we see there is no proof in this verse whatsoever that The British Commonwealth are Ephraim, and that Manasseh is the United States. Rather, the FULLNESS OF PEOPLES dwells in the United States -- 256 million, to be exact! Gesenius defines goy, "a people, a confluence of men," and adds: "Prop. it would seem body, corpus, from the root [gah] which see; and then transferred to a body politic, or whole people." In other words, it could also be translated as "STATES" -- as in "united STATES of America"!

The United States of America fit this description, or definition, perfectly. America is a union of FIFTY STATES, comprised of many different peoples from different racial stocks, but primarily northern European and Anglo-Saxon.

The Hebrew word for "company" is qahal and means "assemblage, congregation, multitude." "An assembly, a crowd of nations," says Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. Historically speaking, the one nation of Israel, which ruled the effective world, or at least dominated the world and world trade during the reign of Solomon, split into two kingdoms following his death. Ten tribes -- a "company" of nations, led by the tribe of Joseph -- split off from the kingdom of Judah, composed of the tribe of Judah, Benjamin and Levi.

The "Northern Kingdom" of Israel, under Jeroboam, quickly slipped into paganism, and transgressed the laws of God. The Israelitish kings wanted nothing to do with the religion of Judah, the Jews, lest the heart of the people turn once again to the kingdom of David. So Jeroboam established his own pagan priests, who taught a mixture of Torah truth with a blend of pagan sacerdotalism. His kingdom embraced the ways of Baalism, and forsook the truth of God. Therefore, after warnings from prophets and holy men of God, including Elijah, God finally sent the northern kingdom into exile at the hands of the Assyrians in 718-721 B.C.

The northern ten tribed kingdom was broken up, and carried off into exile. "And the LORD rejected ALL the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. For he rent Israel from the house of David" (vs.20-21). Because of their idolatry, "the LORD removed them out of his sight. . . So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day" (v.23).

Altogether there were undoubtedly millions in this composite mass Exodus out of the promised land to the region of the Caucasus. They remained in servitude essentially until the collapse of the Assyrian Empire in 612 B.C. After this, they formed great nations of peoples in the Caucasus, Iranian plateau, and north of the Black Sea and in Eastern Europe and southeastern Asia. After Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire in 334-331 B.C., the tribes of Israel -- after having been sold into captivity 390 years earlier (Ezek.4:1-5) -- were released, and free to begin their migrations and treks across the landscape of Asia and Europe to their eventual destinations -- the shores of western and northern Europe, and the British Isles! They became known to history as the Celts, Cimmerians, as part of the larger mass of peoples called the "Scythians." The very name "Scot" comes from "Scyth" In Hebrew "ska" or "ski" means "a sharp weapon, a knife." It is related to the word "sku" for "hill, "watchtower," and also to the word for "intellect, understanding, the heart, the mind." The Scots, of course, are noted for their agility of mind and quick-wittedness and mental brilliance and clarity.

Various writers have brilliantly traced the migrations of the so-called "lost ten tribes" of Israel into Western Europe. Two of the best books on the subject are Steve Collins' The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel . . . Found! and Yair Davidy's masterful work Lost Israelite Identity: The Hebrew Ancestry of Celtic Races.

In Genesis 35:11 God told Jacob that his progeny would become "a nation and a community of nations." Notice which came first -- the single nation. Then the community of nations, or "united states," were to follow. Again, this is exactly what history records. The single nation -- Great Britain -- came first historically and was great, and Britain "ruled the waves," the British pound was the international currency, and the "sun never set" on the British Empire.

But then the "company of nations" or "united states" followed, and surpassed the greatness of the British Empire at its height. After World War II, no nation and no empire could compete with the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! It ruled the sea lanes of the world; its currency, the dollar, was the foundation of international trade. Thus Ephraim, the United States, surpassed his older brother, Manasseh, or Great Britain.

It was all prophesied long ago!

It is true that the British Empire used to rule the seas and the world, but God is concerned with the end-time in Bible prophecy, the time we are living in, the time the Bible was written for. That's now -- not 100-200 years ago or more. To explain Britain's supposedly being Ephraim by saying that Britain was at one time greater than the United States, that she used to be greater in the 1800's, is entirely unsatisfactory. What about now?

Prophecy was written for the twentieth century, not the eighteenth or nineteenth. One of the strongest and most persistent objections to the whole 'Anglo-Israel' theory is this fact of Britain's ignoble decline and current second-rate status. Yet it confirms modern Israel's true identity and the truth of Jacob's words if we but realize that our nation, the United States, is Ephraim.

One of the tremendous blessings God promised the descendants of Israel in the end-times was great fertility and fruitfulness, the blessings of the womb (Gen.17:6, 22:17, Deut.28:4). Jacob referred to Joseph as a "fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall" (Gen.49:22). The descendants of Israel in the End Time were to be "as the sand of the sea" (Isa.10:22). "Who can count the dust of Jacob, or number the fourth part of Israel?" (Numbers 23:10).

Fruitfulness, flourishing population, can also refer to the rate of growth. The growth rate of the United States has been nothing short of phenomenal -- from virtually nothing to 240 million in only 200 years! During that time Britain has grown from 15 million to 60 million -- four times. But the United States has grown from a population of 3,240,000 in 1784 to 250,000,000 in the same length of time -- an exponential population growth of nearly 70 times over! No country in history has, like the United States, literally come from out of nowhere, and literally EXPLODED in population growth and power, both military and economic!

Truly, the United States -- modern "Ephraim" -- has experienced a dramatic population increase. Truly it has lived up to its name -- and is "DOUBLY fruitful"!

Recall that God promised outstanding natural resources and blessings to the descendants of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, with Ephraim receiving the "double portion" as the "birthright son" of the two. This promise of the choicest gifts of heaven above, of the deep below, of the everlasting hills and valleys, and most fertile fields, and precious metals, has been fulfilled nowhere like it has in the United States. God also promised national greatness, and prestige and honor among the other nations. Again, this promise has been fulfilled nowhere as much as in the United States!

God said of Isaac's descendants, "May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness -- an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed" (Gen.27::27).

Although these blessings would accrue to all the children of Israel, as the primary inheritor of the BIRTHRIGHT, they would accrue to Ephraim most of all! For we read in I Chronicles 5:2, "the rights of the FIRSTBORN belonged to Joseph.

Balaam prophesied of Israel, "How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel! Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters" (Numbers 24:5-6).

Isaiah was inspired to prophesy of Ephraim, "Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim's drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley -- to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine" (Isa.28:1). A land of hills and mountains, lakes and rivers, and fertile vast valleys, Ephraim is characterized.

What land fits that Biblical description more than the United States? The KJV translates this passage "fat valleys," the Living Bible has "rich valleys." Either way, no nation on earth has richer, fatter, more fertile and vast valleys than the United States of America!

"Fat valleys" is a symbol of rich agricultural bounty. Of the two, the U.S. and Britain, which is known as the "breadbasket of the world"? Of the two, which is known for its abundant wine production? Britain is famous for its ales and beer, and Scotland for its whiskey, but the United States is world famous for its wines -- especially California wine! The United States has such world renown agricultural valleys as the San Joaquin, San Fernando, Oregon, Ohio, Cumberland, Shenandoah, etc.

Notice that Ephraim was to be a great wine producing and consuming nation! This fact also identifies modern Ephraim as the United States, rather than Great Britain.

In another passage, Moses was inspired to prophecy of these two brothers, together making up the tribe of "Joseph," their father, and which became the two individual sub-tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh,

"His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he [Joseph, both tribes together] shall PUSH the people together to the ENDS OF THE EARTH: and they are the TEN THOUSANDS OF EPHRAIM, and they are the THOUSANDS OF MANASSEH" (Deut.33:17).

Notice! It was Ephraim which was to outnumber Manasseh in population by something like a ratio of TEN TO ONE! Now consider! Which nation, today, is the larger of the Anglo-Saxon nations? Which has the most power? Which has the greatest natural resources and blessings? England? Or the United States of America? As we have already noted, the population of the United States, at 250,000,000, far exceeds that of Great Britain at 57,000,000, or that of Canada at 27,000,000. Furthermore, it was the United States which "saved the bacon," as it were, of the English and Western Europeans during World War I, and especially World War II! In this end-time generation, it is the "Yanks" who are by far the "greatest" military power among the sons of Jacob!

In ancient times, the tribe of Manasseh was itself divided into two half tribes -- one located EAST of the Jordan river, in Palestine, and one WEST of the Jordan river, and just NORTH of the Tribe of Ephraim. Interestingly, in modern times this same geographic juxtaposition has been maintained by the descendants of these ancient tribes. Today, Manasseh -- represented by England (east of the body of water we call the Atlantic Ocean), and Canada (west of that body of water) -- still lies NORTH of Ephraim, the United States of America!

Nevertheless, in spite of our nation's divine blessings, inherited because of God's blessings on ancient Ephraim, our peoples have been ignorant of these facts, and disobedient to the laws and statutes of our God (see Lev.26; Deut.28). Because of our nations' continued disobedience to the laws and commandments of God, He has begun to allow us to LOSE our vital strategic SEA GATES around the world!

In 1997, the vital sea gate of HONG KONG was given by the British government over to the Communist Chinese in solemn ceremonies which were accompanied by record rainfalls -- a very bad omen in the sight of the Chinese. Since that time, freedoms have been quelled in Hong Kong, including freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. The sinister shadow of Communism has fallen over the island, and the salubratory influence of modern "Israel" has been eclipsed.

But what about the other vital sea-gate of these end times -- the Panama Canal?

Here is the shocking story, as reported by the National Security Center:

"The disastrous series of events that led to Communist China gaining a foothold at the Panama Canal is stunning. It started when a Hong Kong business -- which was already very close to the communist Chinese government -- managed to secure far reaching 'rights' over the Panama Canal ports. Many aspects of the deal between this Hong Kong business and the government of Panama were already suspicious. It was reported that several other companies (including Kawasaki and the American company Bechtel) made better offers to operate the Canal ports, but the Hong Kong company was awarded the contract anyway.

"Even more disturbing is the fact that this Hong Kong company -- and all of Hong Kong for that matter -- has come under Red Chinese control. Can there be any doubt that this brutal totalitarian regime will use its newly acquired 'legitimate' businesses in Hong Kong as a front to infiltrate the Panama Canal and other strategic regions?

"Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd. is a massive conglomerate based in Hong Kong. Its head, Li Ka-shing, is one of the most powerful men in Hong Kong and even before the Communist takeover of Hong Kong had very close ties to the Red Chinese government.

"The National Security Center has requested from the Central Intelligence Agency through the Freedom of Information Act, 'a copy of the dossier (the CIA has) on Hutchison Whampoa company and on its principal shareholder, Li Ka-shing. According to press accounts, the CIA has a "dossier" on both, showing their very close ties to the People's Republic of China.' (acknowledgement letter from CIA of October 24, 1997).

"The CIA turned down this FIA request, and then, on appeal to Mr. William McNair, the Information Officer for the Directorate of Operations and a member of the Agency Release Panel, NSC was turned down again. The Chairman of the Agency Release Panel, Mr. Edmund Cohen, in his letter to NSC, said 'we are neither confirming nor denying that any such documents exist.' He further stated that the entire Agency Release Panel had also affirmed Mr. McNair's decision to turn down the NSC request.

"So why is the CIA so interested in protecting Hutchison Whampoa from the floodlight of public scrutiny in the United States? What is there about a transaction giving Red China this kind of 'gatekeeper' status over the vital Panama Canal, that is in the national security interests of the United States to keep secret from its own people?

"And where are the 'public's right to know' screams from an outraged and offended news media? The CIA has by its stonewalling of this information and its claim of 'national security' only raised more questions of its duplicity in the Clinton acquiescence (at best) of another giveaway at Panama. Moreover, it is an absolute fact-of-life in the Clinton Administration that heads of the CIA and FBI, and the five armed services for that matter, toe the line of political correctness -- or, they are out the door pronto!

"This fact is beyond question. Hutchison Whampoa has been given control over the strategic ports of Balboa and Cristobal at each end of the Canal. But Hutchison Whampoa has also been given long-term 'options' for other facilities, including several military installations the United States is scheduled to evacuate. Hutchison Whampoa secured this far-reaching deal with the government of Panama, which was seeking the best money-making deal possible for themselves from the Canal and other U.S. properties.

"So, without regard to the security of the Canal, their own country, or the United States, the government of Panama entered into what amounts to a 50 year 'contract' with Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd. -- whose leader has always had close ties to Red China and whose home base is now in Communist China's hands.

"This contract is spelled out in detail in the government of Panama's Law No. 5, passed on January 16, 1997 by Panama's Legislative Assembly [notice that date! -- Editor]. Panama made its deal with Hutchison Whampoa without consultation with the United States, in some respects in violation of the 1977 Panama Canal Treaties and its own Constitution.

"This is probably the most stunning recent development at the Panama Canal since the disastrous treaties which would give the Canal away in 1999. Law No. 5 hands control of the strategic ports guarding each end of the Canal over to a Communist Chinese business for the next 50 years. And this 50 year contract was only discovered in the United States after it was a done deal!

"On March 1, 1997 the government of Panama turned over the American-built piers and port facilities at Balboa on the Pacific side and Cristobal on the Atlantic side. This appears to be a sharp break by the government of Panama from American influence and toward a better money- making deal with Hutchison Whampoa and Red China.

"Now some might claim that Hutchison Whampoa, Ltd., is still a private, independent company from Hong Kong, and not a 'front' for the Red Chinese. But even before Hong Kong was taken over by Red China, Hutchison Whampoa had very close ties to the communist regime. And history has proven that when the communists move in, as is the case now with Hong Kong, they do not tolerate anyone who does not toe the party line.

"But that will probably not be a problem for Hutchison Whampoa. In fact, it appears that Hutchison Whampoa and its leader, Li Ka-shing, have a very good understanding.

"For example, Hutchison Whampoa was the only company that Communist China trusted to run its commercial ports, and it is to this very day virtually running south China's seaborne trade. In fact, before the communist takeover of Hong Kong, Hutchison Whampoa was accused of having a 'cozy relationship' with Red China that was as 'close as lips and teeth.'

"Hutchison Whampoa and Panama negotiated Panama Law No. 5 that would give them, and as a result Communist China, a real foothold at the Panama Canal. Law No. 5 was passed by Panama's Legislative Assembly on January 16, 1997 and published in the 'Official Gazette on January 21st, at which time it became law. A careful reading of this law should jolt our leaders in the State Department, the White House and the Congress. Of particular concern is the part which surrenders the strategic ports of Balboa and Cristobal. Indeed, it was a jolt for the members of the Merchant Marine Panel of the House Committee on National Security, including Chairman Herbert Batemann . . .

"Law No. 5 is called a 'contract' for operating the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, but it really is much more. It is also a long-term plan for shocking concessions and usurpation of unwarranted authority after we Americans are scheduled to depart on December 31, 1999 (the U.S. surrender date under the Panama Canal Treaties)."

The shocking report goes on to describe "many aspects of Law No. 5 that are very secretive and very interesting:

" It received very little publicity, apparently because the Panamanian people are strongly anti-Communist and would react harshly to their government's handing over control of the ports to allies of Red China.

" Panama's leading newspaper La Prensa had virtually nothing to say on the matter. Publisher Roberto Eisenmann opposes any U.S. presence in Panama after 1999, so he didn't sound any alarms when Law No. 5 passed.

" TV channel 4, owned by former Foreign Minister Fernando Eleta, was silent. Mr. Eleta also wants the Americans out!

" Law No. 5 is called a 'Concessions and Investment Contract,' but it is obviously more than just a business deal when it comes to operating the Panama Canal. In fact, Law No. 5 violates Article 274 of the Panamanian Constitution which requires a plebiscite on Panama Canal matters. None was held.

" The law in Article 2.11d of Law No. 5 violates the guarantee of 'expedited treat- ment' of U.S. warships agreed to in Article VI and Amendment (2) of the Panama Neutrality Treaty by denying use of port facilities if such would interfere with Hutchison Whampoa's operations.

" Hutchison Whampoa goes by the name of 'Panama Ports Company' in Law No. 5, apparently a cover-up so that the Panamanian people will not connect Hutchison with the Communist Chinese."

This information is presented in a shocking report entitled 1998 Briefing Report on THE RED CHINESE TAKEOVER of the Panama Canal published by the National Security Center, 3554 Chain Bridge Road #301, Fairfax, VA 22030. Those who desire can write to them to obtain a full copy of the complete report -- guaranteed to send shivers up and down your spine.

The United States Ambassador to Panama, William Hughes, has pointed out that Hutchison Whampoa's bids for the ports of Balboa and Cristobal -- reportedly some $22 million per year -- were "highly irregular." Two other companies, Kawasaki and Bechtel, reportedly gave higher bids, yet were turned down. The suspicion is that Communist China is in cahoots with the government of Panama and that an under-the-table agreement was reached including pay-offs and bribes to highly placed Panamanian government officials. Strangely, the U.S. Ambassador himself was kept in the dark on this deal, as it transpired. He only received a "copy" of the law four weeks after it was passed -- and that copy came from a concerned American citizen! The Panama Canal Commission was also kept out of the loop.

Says the "1998 Briefing" about this eerie quietude and atmosphere of stealth that pervaded the entire transaction:

"So why did everyone work so hard to keep this deal quiet? Could it be that Hutchison Whampoa wanted to work as quietly as possible to secure the Panama Canal installations before anyone could stop them? It may be. According to Aquilino Ortega Luna, wring for El Panama America in March 13th, 1997, Hutchison Whampoa is investing heavily in port modernization at Balboa and Cristobal preparing for the long haul -- and well they might, for their contract runs for 50 years."

Other shocking provisions of the hush-hush "Law No. 5" give Hutchison Whampoa many rights which could be potentially disastrous to the best interests of the United States and the free world. For example, Article 2.1 grants the company the option of controlling Telfers island, a potential monitoring site for Galeta Island -- which is the strategic U.S. communications station on the Atlantic side of the Canal. This would enable the Red Chinese to spy on the U.S.!

Article 2.1 also gives Hutchison Whampoa "first option" to take over the huge U.S. military base at Rodman Naval Station for use as a commercial port. U.S. warships could be shut out, and Red Chinese warships be allowed in! Article 2.10c gives Hutchison Whampoa authority to control and operate all piloting services through the Canal, tugs, work boats, etc. Thus Red China would control the critical Canal pilots -- thus deciding which ships are allowed to go through, and when.

How did all this happen? How has the Red Chinese dragon crept so stealthily into America's own back yard? According to one highly placed Panamanian legislator, Congressman Leopoldo Bennedetti, "Bucket loads of money from Asian contractors are pouring in." Says another legislator, "The government is receiving 'money under the table' for public bids that favor the Asians." The writers of "1998 Briefing Report" declare unequivocally:

"In their zeal to reap the financial benefits from this deal, the government of Panama has thrown caution and security to the wind. Worse, they have disregarded the Panama Neutrality Treaty giving United States vessels 'expeditious passage' through the Canal and their own Constitution which requires a plebiscite on Canal matters.

"Now, we might have predicted (and we have) that the corruption and greed in the Panamanian government would endanger the security and operations at the Panama Canal. But what we could not have predicted is the complete lack of interest in the United States government to protect its national security and treaty rights, and the silence of the U.S. media whose reporters cover up for Bill Clinton.

"There is a disturbing neglect of security matters in the Clinton Administration, who refuse to move or protect our clear and vital interests in Panama, and who refuse to assert American rights spelled out in the Panama treaties" (p.7).

How serious is the giveaway of the Panama Canal to Red Chinese interests?

The "1998 Briefing Report" highlights the dangers posed by the Communist Chinese in the years ahead. In a nutshell, the report warns:

"Communist China is the greatest emerging threat to United States security. has the largest army in the world, may soon have the second largest economy, and is rapidly building up its navy and air force. In fact, Red China is increasing military spending faster than any other country in the world. And Red China is the only country besides Russia which openly claims to have the ability to hit the United States with multiple nuclear missiles. And scholars have warned about a 'new Cold War' with Red China in an October, 1996 UPI press release.

"These scholars have warned about a 'new Cold War' because Red China is one of the last remaining bastions of communism left in the world. And like the other communist regimes in Cuba and North Korea, these Marxists in China viciously oppress their own people, aim for the destruction of American-style democracy, and are bent on regional and even global expansion. . .

"Over the past twenty years, Red China has used their armed forces on many occasions to advance their goals. . . In 1995, Communist China's navy occupied Mischief Reef, a small atoll in the Spratly Islands which is claimed by America's ally, the Philippines. And in 1995 and 1996 Red China conducted ominous military exercises in international waters around their sworn enemy, Taiwan -- another American ally. These 'exercises' were practice runs for an invasion of Taiwan and even included firing of nuclear capable missiles in international airspace.

"Communist China has not kept these missiles to themselves, either. They have been caught red-handed selling ballistic missiles and nuclear technology to terrorist states such as Iran and their communist ally, North Korea. These sales are in direct violation of non-proliferation treaties such as the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"And China is not just a seller of military technology, either. Human Events reports that 'the Chinese are scouring the world for the technology and cash they need to build accurate, long-range missiles they will need to credibly threaten to vaporize cities in the western United States.' It has even been confirmed that China has been trying to purchase Russian SS-18 state of the art nuclear ballistic missiles capable of delivering multiple warheads 6,800 miles from their launch point.

"The only reason for Red China to have these missiles is to back up their threat to the United States last spring. Human Events reports that a Chinese official told a U.S. diplomat that, if America interfered with their drive to take back Taiwan, they would 'rain down missiles on Los Angeles.'

"Red China makes no bones about the fact that the United States is their primary adversary in the world. The United States is called 'China's main enemy' in official communist Chinese documents and by Mr. Hu Jintua, Secretary of China's Politburo Standing Committee in Beijing" (p.8-9).

Can there be any doubt? America's biggest enemy -- in reality -- since the end of World War II, and the overthrow of China by the Communists under Mao Tse Tung in 1949, has been Communist China. It was Communist China that sent hundreds of thousands of soldiers into North Korea, in 1950, when North Korea was being overrun by the Americans under General Douglas MacArthur. And China is still America's foremost "nemesis" in Asia, today.

Notice that I highlighted the fact that the giveaway of the Panama Canal was orchestrated, and actually occurred, on the date of January 16, 1997. Why did I do that? As long-time readers of Prophecy Flash will note, that particular calendar date seems to crop up repeatedly with significant prophetic involvement!

January 16-17 is a disastrous date for Biblical prophetic fulfillment. On this date in 1986 Herbert W. Armstrong, leader and founder of the Worldwide Church of God, died, allowing rampant apostasy to take over the Worldwide Church of God.

On January 16-17, 1991, the Gulf War began in the Middle East.

On this date in 1993, the San Fernando earthquake struck Los Angeles -- the most costly natural disaster in American history.

On this date in 1994, the Kobe, Japan, earthquake, caused an estimated $200 million in damage -- the most costly economic disaster in world history.

On this date in 1997 the "Hebron" accords were signed in Israel between the Israelis and Palestinians, putting new life into the "Oslo peace accords." Sadly, those peace agreements will also spell disaster for the Jews in the modern state of Israel.

How significant, then, that on that very same date the Panamanian government signed over the Panama Canal port facilities to an agent of the Communist Chinese government -- the Hutchison Whampoa company! On this very date Panama's Legislative Assembly passed Law No.5, a 50-year contract giving these facilities to the Chinese to operate -- for the next fifty years!

What does the Word of God say about this "treaty"? Notice an astonishing prophecy in the book of Isaiah, chapter twenty eight. We read:

"Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem [the original capital of all Israel, but which stands for the nations of Israel in this "end-time"]. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant [treaty, agreement] with DEATH, and with HELL [sheol, the grave] are we in AGREEMENT; when the overflowing SCOURGE shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: FOR WE HAVE MADE LIES OUR REFUGE, and under FALSEHOOD have we hid ourselves . . .

"[God says in reply] Judgment also will I lay to the line, and and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your COVENANT WITH DEATH shall be disannulled, and your AGREEMENT WITH HELL shall not stand; when the overflowing SCOURGE shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it" (Isa.28:14-18).

Notice! On the very same date, two "treaties" in two widely separated parts of the world were enacted and signed -- one in Israel, called the "Hebron accords," which was a continuation of the 'Oslo peace accords" begun in 1993. But in Panama, the Panamanian Legislative Assembly passed "Law No. 5" giving the Hutchison Whampoa company the right to operate and control the vital PANAMA CANAL sea-gate built by the United States in 1905 under the leadership of American president Teddy Roosevelt! And the United States government, under Bill Clinton, turned the other cheek -- ignored the event -- and the American media also stonewalled the incredibly significant event!

The word of God says these treaties are "A COVENANT WITH DEATH," and calls them "AGREEMENTS WITH HELL." For the United States to allow the Communist Chinese to gain a prominent, powerful foothold in the Western Hemisphere, in Panama, is beyond belief -- incredulous -- incomprehensible!

Truly, our leaders are blind -- and very foolish!

In the book of Revelation, we read of a mighty end-time invasion of the western world from the East -- from Asia and beyond. The apostle John writes: "And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a month, and a year, for to SLAY THE THIRD PART OF MEN. And the number of the ARMY of the horsemen was two hundred thousand thousand [that is, 200 million men at arms!]: and I heard the number of them" (Rev.9:13-16).

This same plague, identified with the drying up of the Euphrates river, is mentioned also in Revelation, chapter 16. We read: "And the sixth angel [identified with the sixth angel of Revelation 9:13] poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the KINGS OF THE EAST might be prepared" (Rev.16:12). Comparing this Scripture with the one in Revelation 9, we find that these "kings of the East" -- which are undoubtedly led by the greatest power in the East -- RED CHINA -- will attack westward, across the Euphrates river, which stands as a symbolic bulwark between East and West, between the Orient and the Occident -- between Asia on the one hand, and Europe and Africa on the other hand. The United States, in the western hemisphere, is identified with the powers in Europe. This mighty attack from the East will involve an army of over 200 million men -- an army unlike any ever before seen on the earth! This might army and the attack which insues, will devastate the earth and will cause ONE THIRD OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION TO DIE!

Judging from these clear Biblical prophecies, can we see the extreme danger that lies in cozying up to the brutal regime that rules modern China? Can we see the awesome peril in which we place ourselves in doing "business as usual" with the Red Chinese, whose only goal is to overtake and conquer their greatest enemy, the United States and her allies?

God warns His people in His Word: "The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; a nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favor to the young. . . . And he shall besiege thee in ALL THY GATES, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee" (Deut.28:49-52).

So can we now see the terrible tragedy and ignominy that is represented by the date of January 16, 1997 -- that on this historic date the vitally strategic Panama Canal -- one of the world's most important "CHOKE POINTS" -- was signed away to one of America's greatest enemies -- the Red Chinese?

Biblical prophecy is being fulfilled!

As we read earlier, God promised Abraham, among other things, "and thy seed shall possess the GATE OF HIS ENEMIES" (Gen.22:17). We also noted Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, was later blessed: "And let thy seed possess the GATE of those which hate them" (Gen.24:60). The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Israel were indeed prophesied to possess the "gates" of their enemies -- this would undoubtedly include the vital SEA GATES around the world. But now these vital sea gates are being stripped away, one by one.

Because of our mounting national sins, and rebellion against God, He is now taking away our national power, prestige, and even our SEAGATES -- the "choke points" by which we have controlled world trade, and dominated the world militarily!

It's time we WAKE UP, and realize what is happening -- and REPENT of our cascading national and personal SINS -- before it is too late! God warns nations, and individuals: "But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23).