Obedience to His law would bring national prominence, including victory when military conflict was inevitable: "The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven" (Deuteronomy 28:7, New International Version).

On the other hand, willful violation of His righteous law would result in defeat and lack of influence: "The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will come at them from one direction but flee from them in seven" (Deuteronomy 28:25, NIV).

Why did God make these promises of blessings and curses? Is there anywhere we can search in the Bible to see His purpose in offering the ancient Israelites—and their modern-day descendants—the chance for national greatness?

In an even earlier time, before He made His covenant with the Israelites, God began to work with their ancestor, Abraham. In the covenant with Abraham, God told him: "I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and the sand which is on the seashore . . . In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice" (Genesis 22:17-18).

God had determined thousands of years before America and Great Britain ascended to world power status that these would be His model nations. Like "a city on a hill that is not hidden" (Matthew 4:14), God had ordained that Great Britain and the United States be shining examples to other nations.

But today we see just the opposite, as America has followed Britain into decline, retreating throughout the world. To understand the amazing story foretold in the pages of your Bible, read the free study aid booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy.