Plucking the Eagle's Wings

The American Revolution and the Children of Israel

nations. America was also destined to realize "the times of the Gentiles" by temporarily evangelizing the world until God's chosen messengers, the Jews, resume the mission.

"Escaped from the house of bondage, Israel of old did not follow after the ways of the Egyptians. To her was given an express dispensation; to her were given new things under the sun. And we Americans are the peculiar, the chosen people the Israel of our time; we bear the ark of the liberties of the world ... God has predestined, mankind expects, great things from our race; and great things we feel in our souls ... We are the pioneers of the world, the advance guard sent on through the wilderness of untried things, to break a new path in the New World that is ours" (Source: White Jacket , Herman Melville).

"Jesus saith unto them, "Did ye never read in the Scriptures, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore I say unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder" (Matthew 21:42-44). Notice that Jesus identified the stone that the builders rejected as he same stone that causes some to fall and be broken. This is the stone that Peter referred to in his epistle.

"Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made of the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in times past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:7 10).

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