JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning the identity of Germany in Bible prophecy.

Referring to the Germans in his "Classical Dictionary," Smith states, "There can be no doubt that they ... migrated into Europe from the Caucasus and the countries around the Black and Caspian Seas" (article "Germania," page 361). This, of course, is the area of ancient Mesopotamia.

Then, around 550 B.C., Sylax, writing in his "Periplus" about the southern shores of the Black Sea, states, "The coast of the Black Sea ... is called Assyria." From there the Assyrians moved north. This is brought out by the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder -- several centuries later. He declared that the "Assyriani" were then (about the time of Christ) dwelling north of the Black Sea ("Natural History," IV, 12, p. 183). But the Assyrians did not remain there. They are not there today. They migrated into Central Europe, where the Germans live today.

Further evidence lies in the ancient German tradition claiming that their oldest city, Trier (in Southern Germany), was founded by Trever or Trebeta, a son of Ninus, king of Assyria. Notice what one historian wrote: "The inhabitants of Trier maintain that their city is the oldest in all Europe .... Trier was founded by Trebeta, a son of the famous Assyrian Ring Ninus. In fact, one finds ... in Trier the inscription reading, 'Trier existed for 1300 years before Rome was rebuilt'" (from "In Deutschen Landen," p. 69, Josef K. L. Bihl).

We hope you will let us know whenever we may assist you with your study of the Bible. We are pleased to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT