Faced with mounting deficits, the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office may need to cut its budget by up to 40% over the next four years. Thus, many of Britain’s embassies or high commissions will be either pared down or completely closed, greatly reducing Britain’s international presence. Consulates are vital for securing trade and investments and also for protecting British citizens around the globe. But, under new EU regulations, many of these historically sovereign responsibilities are being handed over to Brussels. Plans are also being made to sell or lease many of these embassies and residences (Times, July 15, 2010).

Britain once claimed that the sun never set on her empire, and embassies have kept that claim still partially alive. However with their close and sale, Bible prophecies continue to be fulfilled.  God blessed the descendants of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) who became a fruitful vine whose branches trailed over the wall and whose influence spread around the world (Genesis 49:22). We are now witnessing the sobering removal of this influence, as “high places” and “high commissions” are lost—because the Israelite nations have turned their back on God and His commandments (Leviticus 26:14-30).