IS AMERICA IN BIBLE PROPHECY?

What Is Going to Happen to Our Country?

INTRODUCTION:  What is the role of the United States in the end times? There are a lot of preachers (televangelists) who emphatically claim that “Yes, America is definitely in the Bible!” 

There are a lot of web-sites set up which attempt to explain in detail the various theories of how America is represented in the Scriptures.  Of course, I have not read them all; BUT I have read enough in the last 2 weeks to “make my head spin”.  There is even an entire denomination (Garner Ted Armstrong’s The Intercontinental Church of God) that was primarily founded upon the premise that America is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. 

Well… first of all, you should understand that the United States of America is never explicitly mentioned in the Bible. There are NO verses that refer to the “U.S.A.”…

Secondly, there are several “theories” out there regarding vague references to what some people claim is the United States, BUT… I am not yet convinced that there are any clear references to America.

– HOWEVER, I’m going to admit to you that I may be wrong – and these are things that you need to study out for yourselves!

            Here are the most common Scriptures where people think they see a reference to America:

# 1 -- Is America Referenced in Isaiah 18?

In Isaiah 18:1-2 & 7 there is a description of what seems to be an unidentified nation.

Verse 2 = Ambassadors are sent by ships to it.  (Some say this is a reference to the fact that all nations

send their ambassadors to America.)

Verse 2 = It is a nation that “scattered and peeled”

A.    “scattered” = stretched out”

B.     “peeled” = obstinate (NOTE: It does not mean “smooth-skinned” – in a reference to American Indians)

Verse 2 & 7 = “from a people terrible (OR feared) from their beginning”

Verse 2 & 7 = “meted out”

Verse 2 = “trodden down”

Verse 7 = “trodden under foot”

Verse 2 & 7 = “whose land the rivers have spoiled” (OR divided in two) (Some say this is a reference to the Mississippi)

Some say that this is a pretty good description of America – with the exception that we have never been “trodden under foot”.

MOST IMPORTANTLY…. the context of chapter 18 fits into a larger context of chapters 18-20, which refer to the ancient nations of Cush and Egypt, which were one country at the time.

Verse 1 clearly says that this unidentified nation is “beyond the rivers of Ethiopia” – which would make it ancient “Cush” or a close neighbor.  At the time of Isaiah, Ethiopia was part of the Egyptian empire and the river in question is without doubt the Nile; not the Mississippi!

Even if it does refer to America, the passage gives little indication of this country's condition, except that it is aggressive and widely feared, nor does it describe in any detail what is going to happen with this nation in the last days… EXCEPT…that it will bring a present to the Lord at Mount Zion.

# 2 – Is America referenced in Jeremiah 50-51?

Jeremiah 50:3 & 9-10, & 41-43 = a reference to a great nation from the north (AND several other nations in a “coalition”) which attack and destroy Babylon.

This entire passage is what is known as a “duel prophecy”: it has an immediate AND a future application.  In other words, the text is talking about 2 different events.

First = it is talking about the fact that a nation from the north (Greece) would break the power of ancient Babylon.

Second = it is talking about a future battle which will completely destroy Babylon. 

Jeremiah 50:39 and 5:61-62 plainly states that when this last battle is finished, no one will be able to live in that land forever….  That has NOT happened yet!

Is it America that does this?  Are we the “nation from the north”?

I don’t think so… (and here’s why)…

1.)    Jeremiah 50:42 does NOT sound like America!

2.)    In prophecy, most all other references to a nation from the north is a reference to Russia and her allies.  Why would it change?

# 3 -- Is America Referenced in Revelation 12:13-17?

In this passage, the devil is shown seeking to destroy the nation of Israel.  This has been the battle between God and Satan since the devil was cast down from his place in heaven. 

However, in this passage, it shows how the devil will seek to destroy Israel completely during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation period.

THE THEORY: In verse 14, there is a reference to two wings of a great eagle.  Some have taken this to mean that this is a picture of America (i.e. “the eagle”) coming to aid Israel. 

THE PROBLEM:  God has already told us what these eagles’ wings refer to back in Deuteronomy 32:11 – it is God, Himself, that will protect His people!!!

Deuteronomy 32:11 = As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:

# 4 -- Is America Referenced in Revelation 13:11-18?

THE THEORY: 
 1. Revelation 13:11 predicts the rising of a great beast.
 2. In prophecy, a beast represents a great nation. (Their KEY POINT)
 3. This nation comes out of the earth, or wilderness area.
 4. This nation starts out young, like a baby lamb.
 5. This nation is lamb-like, with Christian characteristics.
 6. This nation has horns with no crowns–it has no kings.
 7. This nation achieves superpower status near the end of time.
 8. This nation influences the world’s economy.
 9. This nation finally speaks like a dragon.
10. This nation finally enforces the mark of the first beast in Rev. 13:2

Ellen White wrote this…"The application of the symbol [in Revelation 13:11] admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America" (The Great Controversy, 440).

THE PROBLEM: 

1. Beasts do NOT always represent nations.
2. From the text, this is clearly a reference to one person.
3. In this chapter, we have an overview of the devil, the anti-Christ, and the false prophet – 3 different individuals.
4. Consequently, this beast is NOT a nation at all. It is one part of the Satanic trinity.

# 5 -- Is America Referenced in Revelations 17-18? 

In our remarks regarding Jeremiah 50 and 51, we’ve already talked about the complete and total destruction of Babylon – which we seem to see again here in the Book of Revelation.  Now there are some who question:  Is America the “Babylon” of Revelation 17 & 18?

THE THEORY:  Some of the references in Ch. 18 describe a city that has world-wide business dealings.  This city seems to control the finances of the entire world.  18:18-19 refers to sailors being able to witness the city burning – and since ancient Babylon in Iraq isn’t near a sea, they claim this must be New York City.

THE PROBLEM:  MOST of the verses just simply cannot apply to America.

            So what is the Babylon here in Revelation?

·         Is the Babylon of the last days the ancient site in Iraq?

·         Is it the apostate Roman Catholic Church?

·         Is it the world system?

·         Is it America?

·         Is it the free market system based on greed, as found in America?

·         Is it the financial and commercial capital of the antichrist?

·         Is it ALL of modern civilization everywhere – that was influenced and permeated by Babylonian mystery religion?

       THE ANSWERS:  (OR helps to find an answer)

1.)    Revelation 14:8 = the 1^st reference in Revelation to the fall of this Babylon

2.)    Revelation 17 describes this Babylon as…

A.    She is a woman riding a beast…

B.     She is called a great whore…

C.     17:5 refers to her a Mystery, Babylon the Great

NOTE: This is talking about the ancient, mysterious religion of Babylon started by Nimrod at the Tower of Babel – which is the worship of a mother goddess – and all of its emphasis on sensuality - - and its accompanying rites, rituals, symbols, idols, and clothing.

This ancient mystery religion of Babylon gave birth to what is known as Roman Catholicism…. Worship of a mother goddess…  (i.e. Mary)

D.    She is called the Mother of Harlots…

E.     She is called the Mother… of abominations on earth

F.      She was drunken with the blood of saints whom she had martyred.

      NOTE: Rome persecuted the saints of God!!

G.    She rode on a beast that had 10 horns – a clear reference to the old (and revived) Roman empire.

H.    17:9 says sits on a city that was built on 7 mountains

I.       17:18 says she IS that great city that ruled over the nations of the world!

NOTE: Almost everyone agrees that this is talking about the city of Rome.

3.)    Revelation 18 describes the fall of the city of Babylon

The question arises: Are we still talking about the same woman and city of Chapter 17 OR are we now talking about something different?

There are three lines of thought:

A.    Some believe that chapter 17 refers to the religious capital of the Anti-Christ’s world (ROME); while chapter 17 refers to the financial capital of the Anti-Christ’s world (a rebuilt Babylon in Iraq)

1.)    “Believing that one is a mystery and the other is the actual city of Babylon in modern day Iraq.”

2.)    One preacher said, “I believe that the ancient city of Babylon will be rebuilt in Iraq in the last days to serve as the religious and commercial capital for the Antichrist's empire.”

B.     Some believe that BOTH chapters are referring to Rome.

C.     Some believe that BOTH chapters are referring to literal Babylon.

4.)    HOWEVER…In no instance, do we have a reference to America!

# 6 – Is America Referenced in Ezekiel 38:13?

Ezekiel 38-39 describe a world war that has NOT yet happened!!  Some call it “World War III” --- BUT we cannot say that it will absolutely be the next world war.

Bible scholars call it the Battle of Gog and Magog and their invasion of Israel.

Ezekiel says this will occur "in the latter years" (38:8) and "in the latter days" (38:16).   

FURTHERMORE, Ezekiel says in 38:8 that these nations would be attacking Israel AFTER Israel had been gathered back as a nation – which happened in 1948!!

The invasion involves a coalition of nations whose names are strange-sounding to us today – BUT they are clearly identified in history:

Verse 2           1.) Gog = Russia

                        2.) Magog = parts of modern day Russia, The

                             Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.

                        3.) Meschech = Moscow

                        4.) Tubal = Tolbosk (former capital of Russia)

            Verse 5           5.) Persia = Iran

                                    6.) Ethiopia = ancient Cush / modern Sudan

                                    7.) Libya = Libya

            Verse 6           8.) Gomer and all his bands = a reunified

                                         Germany

                                    9.) Togarmah = Turkey

            Chapter 39 declares that Israel will defeat these 9 nations and that only 1/6^th of Gog (Russia) will survive!!!

The Question is this: Is America Referenced in Ezekiel 38:13?

            It seems that when this invasion from Russia and her allies starts that there are some nations who will protest (verse 13). 

            (Ezekiel 38:13) The nations who protest are… Sheba, Dedan, The Merchants of Tarshish, and the young lions thereof…

            We know exactly who Sheba and Dedan are today:

1.)    Sheba = modern Yemen

2.)    Dedan = modern Saudi Arabia

HOWEVER… we are not at all sure who the next two groups are:

3.)    The merchants of Tarshish = ???

4.)    The “young lions thereof” (descendants of Tarshish???)

Psalm 72:10-11 describes the kings of Tarshish and the kings of Sheba as allies who will bring gifts to Christ during His reign.

In Isaiah 60:6-9 we see these two groups together again during the Millennial Kingdom.  In verse 9, the ships of Tarshish are taking the sons of God (Jews) back to Israel.

Who are the merchants of Tarshish and the young lions thereof?

THE THEORY:

1.)    The merchants of Tarshish refer to the Phoenician maritime and trading community located in Spain during the general time of King Solomon, 3,000 years ago.

a.       Tarshish appears to be a wealthy trading community on the far western extremity of the Mediterranean world.

b.      Some people claim that Tarshish is ancient Tartessus in the present-day nation of Spain.

2.)    The merchants of Tarshish, during the last 500 years, developed into the modern mercantile nations of Western Europe like Spain, Holland, and Britain.

a.       From the Bible we learn that the ships of Tarshish were the largest seagoing vessels known to the Semitic world, and the name was eventually applied to any large ocean-going vessel. . . . the ships of Tarshish became proverbial as an expression of sea power. . .

b.      "Young lions" is, in the Hebrew, "whelps" or "cubs" =  possibly a reference to offspring or colonies.

c.       Young lions are often used as figures of energetic rulers.

3.)    The phrase "with all the young lions thereof" would be a reference to all of its colonies and the nations that have arisen from them --- which would include America. Thus, it is reasoned, because America is the most dominant of these Western nations, this must be a reference to America.

4.)    This would mean that America will be one of the nations that strongly protest the invasion of Israel by Russia and her allies in the last days.

THE PROBLEMS: 

1.)    Scholars are not 100% agreed that ancient Tarshish was in Spain.  It may have been a city in Cilicia (an island off the coast of Italy).

2.)    Even if Tarshish was city in ancient Spain, you could possibly then make Spain an ally of Israel, BUT it is a stretch to say that this is America – UNLESS it was not an accident that the Portuguese turned down requests to finance Columbus, BUT the queen of Spain did help pay to discover America.

KEY NOTE: The Bible does NOT actually say that these nations join with Israel to fight.  It only says that they protest! 

IF this is America, it shows us protesting, BUT it does NOT show us fighting for Israel!!

# 7 -- Is America Referenced in Ezekiel 39:6?

THEORY: There are some people who believe that this is a reference to nuclear war between Russia and America.  They use modern versions that translate the word “isles” as “coastlands”.

PROBLEM: The Bible says GOD would rain down fire from heaven on these people – it does NOT say that kill off each other.  (BY THE WAY…. God has done this before… Remember Sodom & Gomorrah?)

# 8 -- Is America Referenced in Daniel 11:21-32?

Some claim that there is a reference to America in verse 30.

THE THEORY:

1.      They believe that the word “Chittim” was used in inter-testamental writings as denoting all of the land west of Cyprus – and since America lies west of Cyprus, we must be the mighty ships of Chittim.

2.      They believe this entire passage is talking about the Anti-Christ.

A.    They claim that in verse 25-29 the antichrist has invaded Egypt

B.     Then in verse 30, these ships from Chittim scare the antichrist out of Egypt

C.     The antichrist gets so mad that he breaks his covenant with the Jews and invades Israel!

THE PROBLEM:

1. Verses 21-35 are referring to the Roman ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes; NOT the Anti-Christ.  The Bible does NOT start talking about the Ant-Christ until verse 36-45.
2. ALL of these events have already been fulfilled!
3. “Chittim” is the tribal name of the island of Cyprus

# 9 – Is America Referenced in Daniel’s prophecy of a Revived Roman Empire in Daniel 2:36-45?

THE TWO THEORIES:

1.)    There are some that claim that America is the stone that destroys the kingdom of the antichrist in Daniel 2:44-45.

NOTE: That “stone” that is going to destroy the antichrist is Jesus Christ – NOT America!

2.)    Some claim that America is just a small part of the Revived Roman Empire

a.       The revived Roman Empire described in Daniel 2 & 8 and Revelation 13 consists, ultimately, of ten European nations.

b.      All of these nations will come from the two legs of the Roman Empire (Eastern & Western)

c.       All of these nations are located in and around the Mediterranean Sea.

d.      Although, America ultimately DID come from portions of the old Roman Empire; it is NOT conclusive that we will be a part of the Revived Roman Empire.

CONCLUSION:  At the very best, America might be a part of the merchants of Tarshish and her young lions that protest the invasion of Israel by Russia --- BUT (other than that vague reference) there is no clear and direct prophecies concerning America!!

WHY? Why is the United States of America not mentioned in Bible prophecy?  

Did God NOT know about us? 

How could God not include the world’s largest, mightiest super-power of the last days in prophecies regarding end-time events? 

n  We are the world’s superpower today.

n  We have a unique history.

n  We are basically a Christian nation – at least, we are unique in that we were founded as such.

n  We are the world’s most influential nation.

n  We are the best friend of Israel today.

How could God seemingly forget us??

The main reason may be as simple as….  In regards to the end times, the only nation the Bible seems to be concerned with, specifically, is Israel.

FOR EXAMPLE: The Book of Revelation does not mention any countries or nations, other than Israel (Revelation 7:4; 21:12) – except for a place called Babylon (Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21), but beyond that, it does not name specific places or peoples in prophecy.

BUT… still we wonder… WHAT HAPPENS TO AMERICA? 

There are 3 possible scenarios:

1.)    Perhaps the United States does not play an important role in the end times.  (Either God only emphasizes the events in the Middle East or we somehow lose our status as a super-power.)  Some have thought that possibly after the rapture, there would be so many Americans missing that we would immediately no longer be a super-power.

2.)    Perhaps the United States does not exist anymore once the end times begin. It is possible that Ezekiel 38-39 will include a nuclear war between Russia and the United States. The Bible does NOT say it, but it still possible.

3.)    Perhaps the United States is included with all the other nations that reject God in the end times (Revelation 10:11; 11:18; 12:5; 14:8; 15:4; 16:19; 17:15; 18:3,23; 19:15).  Possibly, we are assimilated       into this new “league of nations” under the rule of the antichrist – just like everyone else.

I like to hope that Option 1 is the answer, but I am afraid that option (3) is the most likely answer.   IN FACT: if we take a close look, America is NOT the country she was just 25 years ago!!  Could that really happen to our country??  Could we really reject Christ – just like all the other nations of the world????

• America is a nation adrift.

n  We are adrift spiritually!!

n  We are adrift morally!!

• The United States of America is the biggest supported of Israel in the world today. This might not always be the case.  We have gradually started taking the side of the Palestinians AGAINST Israel!!

• America has the unique history of being founded upon Christian principles!!  However, we no longer hold to these principles!!

• America has been a missionary center for the entire world, BUT we are sending fewer and fewer missionaries out to evangelize the world.

• IN REALITY… America, in national character, is only another pagan nation. America is not a Christian nation.
  • Political processes run the government, not righteousness.
  • Pleasure motivates the people, not righteousness.
  • Legal precedent and clever lawyers determine justice, not righteousness.

• America is a secular nation, based on some Christian principles and containing some Christian citizens!

One clear principle in scripture is the Law of Accountability: “to whom much is given, much is required” (Lk 12:48).  God has blessed America generously. Are we using what he gave us to advance God's kingdom or to satisfy our appetites?  Americans use their wealth, wisdom, work, and strength to please themselves – NOT to please God.

I know that God is going to judge America, the question is WHEN??

I firmly believe that God CAN continue to bless America right up to the Rapture.

BUT… (I ask you to think about this) …What is going to keep our nation from disappearing into obscurity and defeat before the Rapture takes place???

We sing and say the words, “God Bless America”, BUT how can He?

What is it going to take to make sure that God keeps blessing America?

There are three keys to this.  There are 3 things we as American MUST do in order for God to keep blessing us…

1.) Keep being a blessing to the Jewish people,

2.) Keep sharing the Good News of salvation with a needy world,

3.) Keep practicing righteousness in our own lives and in society at  large.

CLOSING EXAMPLE:

President Abraham Lincoln wrote some challenging words during the firestorm of controversy that accompanied his Emancipation Proclamation. He wrote them as a note to himself and never intended for them to be published:

“The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the
present civil war it is quite possible that God’s purpose is something different from the purpose of either party…”

Here was Lincoln, amid the cries from both North and South that “God is on our side,” actually pondering the idea that maybe it could be that God is actually on neither side!!!

From our vantage point a century and a half later, we can say that we certainly don’t think that God was on the side of the South and the evils of American slavery. But perhaps God wasn’t on the side of the North
either. Perhaps God was also displeased with the North and the sins of which they were guilty? Perhaps God had a higher purpose?

In our present conflict on the War on Terror, we can certainly say that God is not on the side of Osama Bin Laden with his customary egregious evil of wantonly killing innocent civilians. But perhaps we have been too quick to presume that, because God is not on bin Laden’s side, therefore He must be on our side.

To paraphrase Jim Wallis: “The question is not, ‘Is God on our side?’  The question is ‘Are we on God’s side?’”

It seems like we Americans just assume that God is going to be on our side – no matter what we do or how we live!!

KEY EXAMPLE:  Frederica Mathewes-Green wrote an article in Touchstone magazine about a strip bar that had changed its sign out front to “God bless America.” Consider that image for a moment: a strip bar with a “God bless America” sign out front.  That, I fear, is exactly the frame of mind of most Americans.  “I’m an American. God is on my side.  I can live anyway I please.”

We are asking for God’s blessing without being willing to repent of our own sin.

- “God, please protect our malls and businesses - but don’t expect us to repent of having made money and possessions the primary god of our lives.”

- “God, please protect out children – but don’t expect us to think twice about the four thousand babies we kill every day in our country through abortion.”

- “God, please keep our financial markets from collapsing - but don’t think that we’re going to be good stewards of your money.

As Jefferson noted, indeed I fear for my country when I consider that God is just.

We all seem to be presuming that God is on our side, but we are unwilling (through sorrow over our sins and being willing to repent and turn away from what we’ve been doing wrong) to display that we want to be on God’s side.

What I am saying is this: before we spend too much time talking about how God is going to continue blessing us, or before we presume that it is God’s intention to continue blessing us, perhaps it’s time for us to consider Jesus’ first word: repent.

What is going to happen to America???

Well actually, the answer to that question is NOT in the Bible --- it is entirely up to you!