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The Inbox: Is the United States in Bible Prophecy?

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Is the United States in Bible prophecy?

My fellow Americans, we fearfully worry and debate, especially during an election year, whether the actions or inactions of a particular candidate or party are going to destroy the United States. The answer to the debate is, “Yes! Yes, they are.” After all, as a nation we’ve kicked God out of just about every institution in our society. Our leaders, no matter what party, just do not seek the counsel and wisdom of God.

The greatest ruler of Israel — King David — warned his citizens that when, “they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, He brought down their heart and there was none to help” (Psalm 107:11–12). As long as we as a nation ignore the eternal wisdom of God and try to go it alone based on one, our own very limited understanding of the universe, and two, because we’re working off a broken moral compass, we most definitely as a nation are doomed to failure.

Bleak? Yes, but not hopeless, if only we as a nation repent and turn back to God (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 107:13).

Does the Bible contain any prophecies concerning the United States that will help Americans make an informed decision during an election? Here are four biblical references where it is believed the United States can be found in end time Bible prophecy.

1. “A nation tall and smooth of skin” (Isaiah 18)

Verse seven prophesies how, “a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide.”

When it comes to describing the United States, the reference to a powerful nation divided by great rivers, such as the Mississippi River, fits the bill. But, the smooth skin part? Context is vital to interpretation, and verses 1-2 address the country of Ethiopia, which in Isaiah’s time included the Sudan, so therefore the dividing river is the Nile River. These people are Ethiopians/Sudanese, and clearly not Americans.

2. “The merchants of Tarshish and all their young lions” (Ezekiel 38-39)

In this future prophecy, the people of Tarshish sit back and do nothing but watch Russia and the Islamic nations of the Middle East attempt to invade Israel. In Ezekiel’s time, roughly 600 BC, Tarshish was considered the nation at the Western end of the earth. So, it’s assumed, her “young lions” must be the New World colonies of the West. But, was Tarshish Britain or Spain? Historians aren’t sure. So this may be a reference to the Spanish–speaking colonies, and not the English-speaking ones, which would have included the United States.

3. “A great eagle” (Revelation 12)

Revelation 12 tells a story of a Dragon who is cast down to the earth, and he persecutes the Woman who gave birth to the Male Child. But the Woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is protected.

Some have interpreted this passage to mean that in the future the Dragon (Satan) will persecute the Woman (Israel) who gave birth to the Male Child (Jesus), and a great eagle (the symbol of America) will rescue the Jews from the Antichrist with something like a massive airlift. Well, everything up to the Eagle is interpreted correctly, but God in Deuteronomy 32 describes Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian slavery as, “how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” The eagle’s wings, God explains, is Himself and not the United States.

4. Babylon the Great (Revelation 18)

This passage foretells of a coming one–world ruler who will reign from “Babylon”. The ruler’s empire is described as having made the nations drunk on her fornications and the merchants of the earth rich through her luxuries. God then destroys this evil empire in “one hour.”

Some conclude that since the United States is powerful, wealthy, and the moral polluters of the world that Babylon must be the United States, or at least New York City or Hollywood. The context, though, is a new global government where all the nations of the world are members. America, if it still exists during that future time, would only be a member state, never having reached the status of a global empire.

Summary

So, where can the United States be found in Bible prophecy? Not in any of those four passages. But, God does say, “the indignation of the Lord is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies” (Isaiah 34), and that He will utterly destroy the nations of the world when Jesus returns to set up His Kingdom (Jeremiah 30:11; 46:28; Daniel 2). So, in these general prophecies which address all the nations of the world, the United States, like the rest, can be found.

But, remember, Christians, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our true citizenship is not of this world, but in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). So, while we wait for Christ’s coming kingdom, do as Jesus commanded, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

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Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

25 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • Thankyou Nathan and Dr. Reagan for addressing this issue of the United States and what role to we play in the end times, or before the Great Tribulation. We all know that God has told Israel in Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the peoples of the earth will be blessed through you. Let us not forget where our blessings come from, (God) those who deny God and pull away from him can expect division, immoral depravity, and hopelessness. Yes, Our nation is in full blown rebellion against God. One can see that those who do not believe or have the wisdom of the Holy Spirit for guidance have been given over to a depraved mind, its the shame that people don’t realize this when they vote and should vote for leaders who believe we need God and prayer in our lives, and honest men to lead us as a nation.

  • I’m scared. Very scared. If God let’s woman and child get raped, starve and run for their lives holding on to their heads; then how can I trust Him to protect my children and myself? I loathe the choices of our nation the USA. Why would God make us Christians here who stood up against this evil and helped spread His word get punished along with the godless? He says to trust Him. How can I trust Him when you ask in His name and He still let’s you get stomped? Really how can I trust Him? He might and might not in many cases, how do I trust Him when He is selective? There’s Dave Wilkerson and others who have same dreams, so that means instead of looking for the blessed hope I’m looking towards horror to come. It makes me angry and confused that God warns to not mess with the children yet He allows them to get messed with. I’m so scared. I’m confused. And I can’t trust Him.

    • Why does God allow suffering? We suffer because of…
      1. Our separation from God.
      2. Living in a fallen and cursed world.
      3. Our free will to make our own bad decisions.
      4. Other’s free will to make their own bad decisions.

      Read Romans 8:5-39 – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:5-39;&version=31.

      As Christians we know that living on this fallen earth means having to endure suffering and trials (Jn. 16:33; Phil. 1:27; 1 Thes. 3:3; 1 Pet. 4:12-13). But, remember that God knows what it is to suffer. He allows suffering to allow for free will. He uses our suffering to bring us back to Him when we begin to stray away. But, God walks with us to comfort and get us through suffering, which makes us stronger.

      There is hope for the believer in that God will end all suffering. Suffering will end for those who put their faith and trust in Jesus when we leave this fallen world and spend eternity with Him.

      As we travel that road of life though, as King David said in Psalm 91, God will walk with us, helping us through those difficulties. Sometimes it feels like God is not with us, and we wonder why He allows bad things to happen to us, but He is there because He promised that “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6). Those challenges we overcome increases our faith and molds us to becoming more Christ-like, if we “abide” (pull close) in Him.

      This life we have on Earth is so short. What we have before us is the real life God has waiting for us that lasts forever. Praise the Lord He’s given us that lifeline of opportunity and hope through Christ’s saving work on the cross.

      • Trust and Faith are universal Christian precepts. Nathan is exactly correct in his teaching as I have no doubts. John 3 has a much to say belief and eternal life. Also a choice in vs. 19 “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”. Very blunt talk for a God who reserves judgment, justice and mercy even to those
        who follow him. 1 John 1:9 and Act 3:19

    • Dear one: Probably one of the most relevant Scriptures I can refer you to is 1 Cor. 15:19. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

      The hardest thing to say to someone when they are experiencing personal tragedy or looking at this fallen, evil world with all the heartbreak caused by sin is; “someday it will be over over; the Lord is coming back and He will make an end of it and we will live forever with Him in peace and righteousness.” But, that’s what the Bible teaches us:

      “Rev 21:2  “And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 
      Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 
      Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 
      Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 
      Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done (Greek “ginomai- to cause to be, or to become.’ Different than the word translated “done” in John 19:30 “tetelestai; It is finished” The implication is that “done” in John 21:30 is used to indicate that the price has been paid and the curse of spiritual death is broken; done in Revelation 21:6 implies the new beginning of the believer’s union with God in heaven)

      “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”

      The point of what I am trying to say is that we really can trust God, but it’s not easy when trouble, pain, and discomfort seem at times to be our daily companions. If it were not so, would Jesus have not said: Luk 18:8  “I tell you that he will avenge them (his people who are being mistreated) speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”
      Read Luke 8: vss. 1-7 for context.

      Please be encouraged and may the Lord’s grace be upon you.

  • I don’t agree that America cannot be the “Babylon the Great” of Revelation simply because of the fact that she will be just another member of the one world government in the end-times. Although she will no longer be the America we have always known, the people, the infrastructure (great cities, industries, natural resources, etc) will still exist and, just as every government has a capitol, a great commerce center such as New York City could conceivably fit the bill. Add to this the fact that New York sits on the Atlantic coast, one could easily imagine the merchants sitting a safe distance off the coast and watching and lamenting her demise.

  • Honestly all of this is a big game of chess that I didn’t ask to be apart of. While I’m typing this there are children screaming on the other side of the world . I’m Fed up. Where did evil come from? Why did God make lucifer if He knew all that would come from that creation? My children love me be cuz I show them love. Why couldn’t God just loved us and we love Him back without all this chess game. What is all this?!

    • The condition of the world isn’t God’s fault, or even Satan’s fault, it’s mankind’s fault. Mankind has rebelled against God. Every sin we commit is a rebellion against God. The sorry condition of the world may be all our fault, but God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to suffer and die in order to take the punishment of our sins upon Himself. Jesus was the sacrifice, and when we accept in faith and repentance Jesus as our Savior, we are restored to God. One day Jesus will return and in the eternal state all will made perfect once more.

      • Thank you for the truth & encouraging words. I will continue to Trust in the Lord with ALL my heart and lean not unto my understanding. Pr: 3 5-6 God Bless You

      • Yes, It is man’s fault. Man without God cannot survive. The nations that outlaw God will get more and more depraved and immoral resulting in more destruction. God’s earth is definitely being defiled, just like the Days of Noah. I sense certain destruction coming.

    • That will be wonderful if it happens in that order. I hope people realize their freedom comes from God, he is the only one who can unite people and give them peace.

  • If you think about it, it stands to reason that after 6,000 years of history there had to finally be a last generation that would witness the winding down of the nations of the world to fulfill all of the events so vividly described by Our Lord almost 2,000 years ago. We can see the future tribulation empire forming before our eyes. We can see the nations described a Gog and persia and Togarmah coming together and being put into place to bring about Ezekiel 38 & 39. The United States cannot exist as a military OR economic super power in the final days. It must be brought down and will be by God. Sadly, we who are alive and remain will have to be witnesses to the fall and collapse of the nation so many of us grew up in and loved. We are THAT last generation but the reward for many of us will be to be one of those who are alive and remain to be caught up in the air to meet the Lord in the air and thus shall we ever be with Him, wherefore, comfort yourselves with these words. Yes. We are the final generation alive to see the disintegration of the United States but we may also know that we are that much closer to our heavenly reward and our joyous reunion with all those who have gone ahead. So don’t let your hearts be troubled by all that you see happening. Know it is all part of God’s plan for the final days and soon we shall all be with Him in paradise.

  • In Zechariah 12 & 14 it is very clear that God will bring ALL nations against Jerusalem, to
    destroy them. This includes the United States, in whatever form it will be at that time. And
    after that the Lord Jesus Christ will be King over all the earth forever.

  • Thanks to Dr. Reagan and Nathan for being here to answer questions. There is no doubt about it, we are loosing our freedoms, intimidation and persecution are high on the list as Matthew 24 3 tells us. The question is how many years of persecution do we have to go through before Christ comes because it gets worse and worse with our enemies here within our country ready to strike at innocent people. Satan definitely rules through man and many are only concerned with power and greed and not the rights of the people.

  • Question: After 48 years of marriage my husband died. I found another Christian man to marry. However if we marry I will loose my late husbands pension and social security and he will loose his late wife social security. We made a commitment to each other and are now living together. Is this ok?

    • The key text concerning marriage can be found in 1 Corinthians 7 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Corinthians+7&version=NIV1984). Marriage is a great blessing from the Lord. It’s the one covenant God speaks about the most in the Proverbs, and is considered the most sacred.

      Jesus taught in Matthew 19:5 and Mark 10:7 that, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” When the two become one flesh they are technically married in God’s eyes (Gen. 2:24). That’s why fornication (sex before marriage) and adultery (sex with someone else other than one’s spouse) is considered a sin. Both are forms of breaking the divinely created union.

      Like any covenant, though, God demonstrates that a public ceremony with witnesses is necessary to validate the agreement. A ceremony with a contract validates the agreement, legally binds the union, creates accountability and provides security for the family that will come out of the marriage. The Bible validates this again with its referral to children born outside of the legally binding marriage contract as being “born of sin.”

      Christians should seek to submit to the legal requirements of the land (Heb. 13:17), such as marriage licenses. More importantly, Christians are witnesses for Christ and should not cause people to stumble by thinking we are living in sin (1 Cor. 10:32; 1 Jn. 2:10). An additional benefit is that married parents provide a more secure environment for any future kids. In other words, getting married legally is the right Christian thing to do.

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