Gospel Minutes.org Lost Israel? A recent email that I thought was interesting asked what happened to the northern ten tribes also called the lost ten tribes. Well we have a couple of pieces of evidence from the scripture and one from Joshephus. Luke 2:36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in many days, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. In the book of Luke there is a woman descended from the tribe of Asher of the house of Israel, the ten northern tribes. Also in John Christ told the Pharisees that where he was going to go they could not follow. John 7:35 Then the Jews said among themselves, Where is he about to go that we shall not find him? Is he about to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and to teach the Greeks? The Dispersion is in actuality another term for Israelites living in foreign countries. Take a look at James 1:1. Jamess 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion, greeting: Notice that the book of James is addressed to the twelve tribes! James certainly believed that the entire twelve tribes existed. So as is commonly reported among the churches today the northern ten tribes did not dissapear and cease to exist or become a part of the Assyrians. 1 Peter 1:1 is very similar, but one must do a little deciphering. I will add the meanings from the Greek in (parenthesis) after the word in question. 1Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect sojourners (resident foreigner) of the Dispersion (Israelites resident in foriegn countries) of Pontus, of Galatia, of Cappadocia, of Asia, and of Bithynia, There is a good bit of controvesy about the word dispersion, but looking closely one finds that it refers to the ten northern tribes and if you include what parts of the tribes were actually taken into the Assyrian captivity then you know that most of all 12 tribes were included. All that was left were those living in Jerusalem and a few surrounding towns. Now for the quote from Josephus. "...wherefore there are but two tribes in Asia and Europe subject to the Romans, while the Ten Tribes are beyond the Euphrates till now, and are an immense multitude, and not to be estimated by numbers." Flavius Josephus, historian and contemporary of the Apostle Peter. One has only to read the many prophecies promising the northern ten tribes that one day they would return to favor with God and become known as "sons of the living God". I believe that means that they would be Christians. There are many answers to this prophecy in the new testament that have been mislabled as a reunion between the house of Judah and Gentiles. The parable of the Prodigal son is actually about the lost ten tribes and Judah. Luke 15:24 for this my son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry. Hosea 1:11 Then the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel shall be gathered together, and shall set over themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land. For great shall be the day of Jezreel. This could get to be a rather long article with the evidence found in the new testament when you include the answered prophecy. Suffice it to say it is incorrect to conlcude that the northern ten tribes no longer exist. Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Regular Version Feel free to send your helpful comments. Thank You Tim Gospel Minutes