Loader
Is America in Bible Prophecy?
Faithful Performance is a ministry that correlates the current events of today to the biblical prophets, and specializes in teaching the Jewish roots of Jesus to the Gentiles, while revealing to the Jews that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.
God, Yeshua, Jesus, Messiah, Bible, Prophecy, End times, Armageddon, Second Coming, Millennial Reign, God's Prophetic Timeline, God's Fishermen
48
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-48,single-format-standard,theme-bridge,bridge-core-3.0.1,qode-quick-links-1.0,woocommerce-no-js,qode-page-transition-enabled,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,vertical_menu_enabled,qode-title-hidden,side_menu_slide_with_content,width_470,hide_top_bar_on_mobile_header,qode-content-sidebar-responsive,columns-4,qode-theme-ver-28.5,qode-theme-bridge,disabled_footer_top,bridge

Is America in Bible Prophecy?

Hello Friends,

The most profound, imperative, and relevant questions concerning American bible scholars, prophecy teachers, and believers today is: “Where is the United States in bible prophecy? What role will the United States have at the end of the age?”

In America, these two questions are at the pinnacle of discussion, and there are usually two schools of thought on opposite ends of the spectrum. Some believe that the United States is specifically mentioned in the Holy Bible and will be a major factor at the end of the age, and others believe that the United States is described in the judgment and destruction prophecies of the Holy Bible. So, which one is it? Before we explore the Scriptures, let us discuss five major reasons why believers think America will be a major factor at the end of the age.

  1. America was founded on Judeo-Christian values, and the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights were inspired by the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah.
  2. Over the last century, America has been the most dominant economic and nuclear superpower in the world.
  3. America has been the lion hearted leader of democracy, freedom, liberty, and justice for all of mankind across the world.
  4. America has been Israel’s #1 ally since she became a nation again in 1948 (Isaiah 66:8, Genesis 12:3).
  5. America has been the dominant leader of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), spreading the Gospel of Messiah to all parts of the world. No other country comes close to doing what America has done in that respect.

Because of these great accomplishments, and indeed they are absolutely incredible, some American bible scholars, prophecy teachers, and believers conclude that the United States will continue to be the #1 superpower in the world until the end of the age. So, if that is the case, then the United States must be at the forefront in Bible prophecy right? Lets search the Scriptures to find out.

Just because America is the economic and nuclear superpower of the world, it does not mean that America is specifically mentioned in the Holy Bible. We must always remember that the Holy Bible is a Jerusalem and Israel centered book first, and then all of its surrounding enemies next (Middle East/North Africa). It is not written in an American context. It is also imperative to understand that the United States was founded by Columbus 1,400 years after John the Revelator penned the last book of the Holy Bible (95AD), the Book of Revelation. Isaiah gives us great insight into the fulfillment of the biblical prophecies.

Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”

If the Lord is declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done, then clearly America, who was “born” approximately 500 years ago, is not the specifically dominant nation prophesied about by the biblical prophets (either in blessing or judgment). The Holy Bible’s prophecies are specifically focused on the following:

  1. The Promised Land, Israel
  2. The children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel), David, who are the Jewish people of today.
  3. The everlasting covenants by God to the children of Israel (Gentiles are grafted in to Israel’s tree, and are included in the  promises of the covenants (Romans 11, Galatians 3:29)
  4. The Promised Seed of Israel, Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah and King of Israel, who will return to earth at His Second Coming and sit on David’s everlasting throne and reign from Jerusalem during His Millennial Reign (1,000 years).
  5. The countries who are the enemies of Israel (Middle Eastern/ North Africa)

To be clear, I am not saying that America will not have a specific purpose at the end of the age, because it definitely will, as all countries will, but it still doesn’t indicate that the United States is specifically written in biblical prophecy. Although the world’s economy and other aspects are centered around the United States, the Holy Bible certainly is not, as we will discover in the Scriptures. Now, let us discover the prophecies that some people believe are prophesying about the United States.

Revelation 12:13-14, “Now when the dragon (Satan) saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman (Israel) who gave birth to the male Child (Messiah). But the woman (Israel) was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time (3 1/2 years), from the presence of the serpent.”

John the Revelator is prophesying about the beginning of the last 3 1/2 years of the age (great tribulation). He states that Satan (dragon) is cast down to the earth at that time, and through the Antichrist (Satan incarnate), he will persecute Israel. However, John tells us that Israel (woman) was given two wings of a great eagle to escape the Antichrist and flee to safety. Messiah also warns of this time in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:15-22).

A lot of people believe that the United States is the eagle mentioned in the bible, because it is the symbol of America. This is also a popular belief, because the United States has been the #1 ally of Israel since 1948. However, John wrote this in a specific way for us to understand who represents the eagle when he refers us to the Torah and to the prophet Jeremiah.

Exodus 19:3-4, “And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”

After the Exodus from Egypt, God Almighty Himself states that He is the eagle, as “I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” Clearly, the Lord is using a metaphor of His righteous sovereignty, as He alone delivered the children of Israel from Pharaoh and the Egyptians by sending plagues and by miraculous parting the Red Sea so the Israelites would have an escape path. The eagles’ wings are a metaphor used to describe His incredible works. Now, let us continue John’s prophecy in Revelation 12 in order to discover more wisdom and understanding.

Revelation 12:15-16, “So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.”

After the children of Israel flee from the Antichrist (Satan incarnate) at the beginning of the great tribulation (last 3 1/2 years) (Revelation 12:13-14), he sends an army (flood) after them. The next verse confirms that God Almighty alone helps Israel, because John states that “the earth helped the woman (Israel) and swallowed up the flood (army).” This is most likely referring to an earthquake, as the earth “swallowed up the army.”

Just as the Lord parted the Red Sea and delivered the children of Israel from Pharoah (the earth (sea) swallowed the Egyptians), He will deliver the children of Israel in a similar way during the great tribulation (earth will swallow the Antichrist’s army)! The Red Sea miracle is a prophetic foreshadow of the tribulation miracle, and both incidences are confirmed by the symbolism of eagles’ wings, which is God’s divine intervention. We can also confirm the symbolism of the eagle as God Almighty in the Book of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 49:22, “Behold, He shall come up and fly like the eagle, and spread His wings over Bozrah; The heart of the mighty men of Edom in that day shall be like the heart of a woman in birth pangs.”

Jeremiah is prophesying about the Day of the Lord, Messiah’s Second Coming, as He states that Messiah “shall come up and fly like the eagle and spread His wings over Bozrah and Edom (Jordan/Saudi Arabia). Jeremiah also uses an eagle as a metaphor to give us wisdom and understanding of the Lord’ sovereign righteousness and authority. Please note that just because the United States is not the “eagle” referred to in biblical prophecy, it does not indicate that America will not support or help the children of Israel during the great tribulation (I pray and hope so). It just confirms that America is not specifically mentioned in this particular prophecy. As we continue, Daniel 11 prophesies about the Antichrist’s actions, blasphemies, and conquests during the tribulation period, including the abomination of desolation prophesied by Messiah (Matthew 24:15). He also states that people will fight against the Antichrist.

Daniel 11:29-30, “At the appointed time he shall return and go toward the south; but it shall not be like the former or the latter. For ships from Cyprus (Kittem) shall come against him.”

During the tribulation period, as the Antichrist advances his conquests, the ships of Cyprus or Kittem will challenge him. Kittem is the great grandson of Noah and son of Javan (Genesis 10-11), who settled in Western Turkey and the Eastern Greek Isles area. Some bible scholars and prophecy teachers state that Cyprus (Kittem) refers to the nations Northwest of Israel, including Greece, Rome, and other European nations. However, placing America in this Scripture is a stretch, as the text focuses on Eastern Europe and Northwest of Israel only. As we continue to read Daniel 11, we find a prophecy that could definitely refer to America.

Daniel 11:39, “He shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain.”

The Antichrist will rise to power and challenge the strongest of fortresses, which means the largest and most powerful military forces in the world. America could definitely be one of the nations Daniel is prophesying about, since America has one of the most powerful military forces in the world, if not the most powerful. Again, this is not specifically stating that Amercia is included in this prophecy, but it very well could be. Let us pray and hope that at the end of the age, we will continue to support Israel and have a dominant military, which will rise up in Israel’s defense to challenge the Antichrist.

Now, let us discover the reasons why some people conclude that America will become irrelevant at the end of the age. There are some bible scholars, prophecy teachers, and believers who state that since America has deepened its apostate nature over the last fifty years, God is going to judge America and even destroy it. Here are their primary list of reasons:

  • 1962 – Prayer was taken out of schools
  • 1973 – Abortion became legal
  • From the 1960’s until today, drugs, alcohol, pornography (#1 Exporter), adultery, homosexuality, idolatry, etc. has become more widespread and tolerable than ever before. Without question, America, as a nation, has called evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
  • In the 2000’s, the Ten Commandments were removed from court houses.
  • In 2015, same sex marriage was approved by the Supreme Court, and now, in 2016, the transgender debate is at its pinnacle.

Therefore, as America continues to defy God and His commandments with all of these abominations, some bible scholars, prophecy teachers, and believers conclude that God will judge America and even destroy us. To their point of view, it is a fact that no other nation in history, including Israel, has survived when they descended into the spiritual depths that America has fallen into. Some prominent preachers and evangelists, who I respect, have even compared America to Sodom and Gomorrah stating that “If God doesn’t judge America, He would have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

In the over all context of judgment, one could agree with that statement, as America, its leaders, and lawmakers have defied and blasphemed God’s laws and exalted themselves as creator, judge, and ultimate rule. Unless one is not living in reality, clearly we can agree that America’s apostasy has deepened like quick sand. However, one could strongly disagree on the destruction comparison of America to Sodom and Gomorrah (destroyed in one day), as it is a pessimistic and hopeless view. We must always trust and believe there is hope as long as there is God, Messiah, the Holy Spirit, and a remnant of believers who are praying and interceding for America. Let us recall the story of Sodom and Gomorrah to understand this point.

Like America, Sodom and Gomorrah was drowning in sin, sinking to new levels by calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). However, God Almighty, in His unconditional love, amazing grace, and unmatched mercy and forgiveness, told Abraham if he could find ten righteous people in Sodom that He would not destroy them (Genesis 18:32-33). So, if God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and He does not change (Malachi 3:6), then He is not going to destroy America if there is a remnant of believers in America. I know for a fact that there are tens of thousands of righteous people in America, including you and me, who are praying and interceding for our country as Abraham did for Sodom. The difference is Sodom did not repent of their apostasy and turn their lives and ways back to the Lord. We must always remember to not let our emotions of disappointment for our country’s apostate nature lead us to dangerous paths of proclamation for the Almighty. Make no mistake, America will be judged for its blasphemous abominations, however, God will always protect His remnant of faithful righteous believers (you and me). Other great examples of God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness:

  • Moses interceded for the children of Israel after they built a golden calf, and the Lord relented from destroying them (Exodus 32).
  • Jonah preached to Ninevah about repentance and the people repented, causing the Lord to withhold destruction (Jonah chapters 3 & 4).

Again, this is not to say that God will not judge America, because He most definitely will. However, with God’s great blessings comes great responsibility, and Americans have been irresponsible with all that God has given them. America was founded on God’s purpose and will, so He will definitely chastise and judge this nation just as He will all nations, including Israel. However, we cannot take a pessimistic and negative attitude proclaiming total destruction on America. Our responsibility is to be the light in the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16), and fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Of course, we are to warn of God’s judgment for disobeying His laws and commandments, but we should do so in a responsible way that aligns with the Scriptures. Now, let us explore the final three prophecies that some believe point to America, including the most infamous one, “Mystery Babylon.”

Ezekiel 38:1-6, “Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,  “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you.”

In Ezekiel 38 & 39, Ezekiel prophecies about the Gog and Magog coalition that invades Israel, which is the Antichrist’s coalition during the tribulation period. According to the bible atlas’, Zondervan, IVP, Holman, New Moody, etc., Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, and Togarmah are all located in modern day Turkey. Ezekiel also tells us that Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (Modern day Sudan), and Libya are with the Antichrist (Gog), as well. At the end of this section, Ezekiel states that “many people are with you,” and some believe that this could refer to America. First of all, this is a far stretch, because that would imply that America is not allied with Israel but with the Antichrist’s armies that invades Israel. Although America has made poor decisions in Middle Eastern affairs in the past 25 years, especially since 2003, It is very unlikely that America will be allied with the Antichrist’s armies. Second, all of the other country’s names from Ezekiel’s prophecy are specifically located in the Middle East, and furthermore, most of them are located in Turkey. It is not logical that Ezekiel would have been speaking about America, which is approximately 6,500 miles west of the Middle East and was not founded until 1492. Ezekiel continues:

Ezekiel 38:10-13, “‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”’

Ezekiel states that the Antichrist plans an attack on Israel, Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish and their young lions, and they confront him. Sheba and Dedan are located in Saudi Arabia. The merchants of Tarshish refers to Javan, who is the grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:2). Tarshish refers to western Turkey and the eastern Greek Isles, where Javan settled. Some believe the “young lions” speak of America, but again, this is a stretch as Ezekiel’s prophecy is centered around the Middle Eastern area.
This brings us to the biblical prophecy that some people conclude is America: “Mystery Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth.”

In the Book of Revelation, John records the events of the Seven Year Tribulation, Messiah’s Second Coming, His Millennial Reign, and the New Jerusalem (Eternity). In Revelation 17 & 18, John is carried away in the Spirit by an angel and is shown a great harlot who is sitting on the beast. She has in her hand a cup full of abominations of her fornication. because she is drunk off of the blood of the saints. Her name is “Mystery Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth,” and she represents a great city (Revelation 18:9-10).

The title alone gives us great insight into who the great harlot is and where she is located. The expression “The Mother of” is a term that is commonly recognized in the Middle East. Let us recall when Saddam Hussein (Iraq) used this phrase in the first Gulf War as “The Mother of all Battles,” or in 2005, when the President of Iran (Ahmadinejad) said “It will be the Mother of all wars.” This is a common Middle Eastern term that places the emphasis on the grand magnitude of the event being spoken about.

Mystery Babylon is the “Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the Earth, which means the largest harlot and the most blasphemous, which refers to the largest false religion in the world. John confirms that the false religion is drunk off of the blood of the saints, which is an abomination (Revelation 17:6). Clearly, just by the title alone, it eliminates America from being “Mystery Babylon”, because America was not founded on a false religion that is drunk off the blood of the saints. As we discussed, America, as a nation, is not a nation based on a false religion, because it has been a Judeo-Christian beacon of light to the world and proclaimed the testimony of Jesus to the nations more than any other country in history. John is referring to a city whose people overwhelming deny Jesus is the Messiah. Below are the major requirements that a city has to fulfill to be Mystery Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and the Abominations of the Earth.” Please note, a city has to fulfill ALL of the requirements, not just one or two of them.

Revelation 17:3

John is carried away into a wilderness. In the Strong’s Hebrew dictionary #4057, and in the Greek #2047, a wilderness is a desert. So, this is speaking of a Middle Eastern city that is located in a desert. The most common reference to Mystery Babylon in America is New York or Washington D.C. Neither one of these cities sits in a desert, thus eliminating America as Mystery Babylon.

Revelation 17:1

The great harlot also sits on many waters. Although America sits on the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico, Mystery Babylon is a specific city. New York and Washington D.C. do not sit on many waters, thus eliminating America as Mystery Babylon.

Revelation 17:2

The kings of the earth commit fornication with this city, and the inhabitants of the earth are made drunk off the wine of her fornication. This is referring to its false religion, because the kings and the inhabitants of the earth purchase a product from this country that allows the harlot to have great power, thus killing the saints. Remember, she is drunk off of the blood of the saints. As we discussed before, America is not a false religion nor does it have a product that the whole world consumes and the kings of the earth get drunk from. America, including New York and Washington D.C. is not drunk off the blood of the saints. Has America made errors in judgment with the Middle Eastern countries? Absolutely. However, America does not fulfill ALL of the prophecies of Mystery Babylon, thus eliminating it. These are just a few requirements of Mystery Babylon that clearly show America, New York, or Washington D.C. do not fulfill the specific requirements for being Mystery Babylon.

Conclusion

Is America specifically mentioned in biblical prophecy at the end of the age? The answer is no. There is not anywhere in the Holy Bible that specifically states that America is the primary focus at the end of the age. However, this does not imply that it becomes a third world country, or that it is completely destroyed, as some people suggest. Nevertheless, America could impact biblical prophecy in an indirect way by not understanding the implications of its actions in the Middle East. For example, an interesting fact is that America was the leader in overhauling the three countries that the Antichrist is going to conquer at the end of the age, Egypt (2011), Libya (2011), and Sudan (2005). Please see Daniel 11:42-43. This is very profound, and we cannot underestimate its significance to biblical prophecy, as it seems that these countries are ripe for the Antichrist’s reign. This confirms that America could continue to have a peripheral impact on biblical prophecy in an indirect way. Obviously, the presidential election of 2016 will play a major role in deciding the future of American politics in the Middle East.

My prayer is that America, including our elected leaders, will return to God’s purpose for this nation and obey the laws and commandments that the Almighty commanded through the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospels. Let us pray that America will always stand with Israel, the children of Israel, and reignite the spark of the Great Commission, so that when Messiah separates the sheep nations (good) from the goat nations (evil) at His Second Coming and Millennial Reign, America will be called as a sheep (Matthew 25:31-46). Finally, I pray that you will read Daniel 9:3-19 and use it as a template for prayer and intercession for America. In the name of Jesus the Messiah, Amen, Amen, and Amen.

 

Joe Harvey
chad@turtlecreek333.com
No Comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.