Back in 1944 the U.S. population was only about 120 million. In just over 60 years another 180 million have come on board. To a nation with room for growth and fewer people per square mile than many countries on the globe, additional millions could be viewed as money in the bank.

Yet because a substantial portion of the growth has been fueled by immigration, many observers are skeptical of its real value to the nation. True, part of the spin-off has been overcrowding in metropolitan areas and on the highways, as well as seriously straining our tax-funded facilities, including hospitals and school.

It is relatively easy to produce statistics showing that America's 11 million illegal immigrants are responsible for a disproportionately greater share of the nation's criminal activities. But these and other negatives do not reveal the complete picture.

Another side to the story

The overall picture of American immigration is a more complex one. As Michael Barone, senior writer of U.S. News & World Report, has written: "Immigration remains, as it has always been, one of the engines of America's economic growth and prosperity. Every year, about half of the world's emigrants—more than a million people—come to the United States" (The New Americans, 2001, p. viii, emphasis added throughout).

Populist conservative Patrick Buchanan shares a similar view of responsible immigration. "Most of the 36 million foreign-born came to share in the dream and be part of our national family. They are good people who seek the same things as our ancestors sought: a new start, a more rewarding life, the chance to raise a family in a better and freer place than the one they left behind..." (State of Emergency, 2006, p. 13).

So neither sheer numbers nor immigration itself is the crux of the problem. How large the perceived crisis looms depends on your point of view and perhaps where you reside. The southwestern part of the United States faces acute problems.

At this writing the federal government appears to be at an impasse in addressing matters. Big questions remain: "Do immigrants lower wages? Do they expand the economy? Should people who entered the country illegally be allowed to become citizens?" These questions and many more are part of the current national debate. It is not within the focus of this publication to join the political debate over these matters.

We direct our comments to the spiritual dimensions associated with immigration. Population growth, whether by birth or immigration, can be a very good thing depending on how we live our lives as a nation. If we are God-fearing, law-abiding, industrious, hardworking, resourceful and love our neighbors as ourselves, then 300 million and more to come are like a blessing from above.

Immigration affects our national legacy

Samuel Huntington asks a number of important questions in his book Who Are We? "We Americans face a substantive problem of national identity epitomized by the subject of this sentence. Are we a 'we,' one people...? If we are a 'we,' what distinguishes us from the 'thems' who are not us? Race, religion, ethnicity, values, cultures, wealth, politics, or what?

"Is the United States, as some have argued, a universal nation based on values common to all humanity and in principle embracing all peoples? Or are we a Western nation with our identity defined by our European heritage and institutions?" (2005, p. 9).

Understanding our origins would be a big help in addressing some of these questions. You may wish to request our free booklet The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy. This attractive, full-color publication covers important aspects of U.S. history about which most people are totally unaware. Yet these largely unknown facts go a long way toward giving us a proper perspective for understanding the essentials of our national legacy. Many of us are the direct descendants of the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) and Joseph.

A "spiritual" immigration

But much more important than determining our national identity is truly comprehending our potential spiritual identity. The Bible shows that God is drawing a certain number of people from every nation on earth known as "the firstfruits." Christ called this unique group of people "little flock" (Luke 12:32). They are called to spiritual salvation during this present age of man. They are separated out by God from the many millions residing on this wondrous planet.

Those who are called now (and accept this divine calling) are given a passport to eternity. They have, so to speak, passed from death into life (John 5:24). These firstfruits of God have to meet certain conditions in order to obtain this unique passport. Among these are unfeigned repentance, living faith, obedience to God's spiritual law and water baptism. Although eternal life is a free gift, it is neither cheap nor easy. It is through overcoming many obstacles, suffering many trials and troubles that we enter the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).

In one sense God is practicing a "spiritual" immigration control. You cannot emigrate into the Kingdom of God of your own will. It is "as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).

However, those who have not yet been called are not excluded from salvation. Our free booklet God's Holy Day Plan shows that He will give everyone an opportunity for everlasting life in His Kingdom, first during Christ's millennial reign and then during the Great White Throne Judgment period when all who have ever lived before without the true knowledge of God will be restored to physical life and given an opportunity for salvation. It is God's desire, and our hope, that the vast majority will choose God's way of salvation (1 Timothy 2:4; Romans 11:26; Ezekiel 37:1-14).

Who will compose the Kingdom?

Ethnic and racial background, color, nationality, economic status, gender—all the things that seem to concern human beings so very much—will not determine who is in the Kingdom of God. The apostle Paul made this very clear to the Galatians. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed [spiritually], and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:28-29; compare James 2:1-9).

Paul reiterated these principles to the congregation at Colosse. "There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all" (Colossians 3:11).

Your identity will be based on a right relationship with God and Christ. While the United States is part of modern Israel (along with the Israel of the Middle East and other nations descended from the 10 lost tribes), the Church is the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). Earthly contentions and divisions should disappear within God's Church (Ephesians 2:11-15). Some key parables show that the Church starts very small, but ultimately and over time grows into an innumerable company of brethren who obtain eternal life.

God is very pleased to welcome His sons and daughters into His Kingdom. "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). WNP