The Christ in Prophecy Journal

United States in Bible Prophecy: Biblical Possibilities

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Where is the United States in Bible prophecy? It is a question I am asked wherever I go. It is only natural that we should wonder. Since the United States is not mentioned specifically by name in Bible prophecy, people have resorted to their imaginations to find our nation in the Scriptures.

A “tall and smooth people”?

Some have pointed to Isaiah 18 which speaks of a people “tall and smooth” who are “feared far and wide.” The passage further states that this is a “powerful nation whose land the rivers divide.” The chapter ends by stating that the people of this nation will bring “a gift of homage” to the Lord when He returns to reign from Mt. Zion.

Because these verses speak of a powerful nation whose land is divided by a great river, some have jumped to the conclusion that the nation is the United States since it is divided by the Mississippi River.

But the opening verses of this chapter indicate it is speaking of “Cush,” the ancient name of Ethiopia. At the time Isaiah wrote this passage, Ethiopia was a part of the Egyptian empire and the river referred to is undoubtedly the Nile.

A “village” of Tarshish?

Probably one of the most popular passages where people claim to have found the U.S. is in Ezekiel 38 where the prophet describes an invasion of Israel that will be launched in the end times by a nation “from the remote parts of the north.” The descriptive verses about the northern power make it clear that this nation is Russia. What is not so clear is where the U.S. fits into this invasion.

Those who find us in the passage point to Ezekiel 38:13 which says that “the merchants of Tarshish and all its villages” (or “young lions” depending on translation) will speak out against the invasion. The argument is that Tarshish is Britain and the “villages” or “young lions” are the English speaking nations like the U.S. and Australia that were founded by British immigrants.

To say the least, this is a highly imaginative interpretation. Its validity is seriously questioned by the fact that no one knows for certain the true identity of “Tarshish.” Furthermore, recent archaeological developments indicate that Tarshish was most likely Spain, not Britain.

A “great eagle”?

Another favorite passage for applied imagination is Revelation 12:13-17. These verses state that in the middle of the Tribulation God will provide a means of escape for the Jewish remnant in Israel. They will be carried into the wilderness to a hiding place on the “wings of a great eagle.”

Some people have seized on this imagery to teach that the U.S., whose national symbol is the eagle, will supply the end time air lift that will save the Jewish remnant.

But the Bible is its own best interpreter. And when you look up the phrase, “wings of an eagle,” you will find that it is the same one that God used in Exodus 19:4 to describe how He brought the Israelites out of Egypt. God is the eagle, not the United States (see Deuteronomy 32:11).

“Babylon the great?”

This brings us to the final and most widely used passage for identifying the U.S. in Bible prophecy. It is Revelation 18 where the destruction of “Babylon the great” is described.

There is no doubt that the United States shares many similarities with the corrupt commercial empire described in this chapter. But the U.S. is not a fulfillment of Revelation 18. That chapter is describing the last Gentile world empire that will dominate the earth at the time of the Lord’s Second Coming. It is the empire of the Antichrist.

A Conclusion

So, where is the United States in Bible prophecy? The answer is that we are not mentioned directly and specifically. We are covered by general prophecies that relate to all nations, but beyond that, our end time destiny must be a matter of speculation.

General prophecies that apply to the U.S. include those that say all nations will be judged (Isaiah 34:2-3) and all nations will cease to exist except the nation of Israel (Jeremiah 30:11 and 46:28).

I do have a speculation as to why the U.S. is not mentioned in end time prophecy, though, which I’ll post in the second half of this study into the United States in Bible prophecy.

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Dr. David Reagan

Dr. David Reagan is the Founder and Evangelist Emeritus of Lamb & Lion Ministries. He is a life-long Bible student, teacher, and preacher and he led over 45 pilgrimages to Israel. Dr. Reagan was the host of the radio then television program Christ in Prophecy for nearly 40 years.

12 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • A Rasmussen poll taken at Easter time this year found 77% of Americans believe Jesus rose from the dead…so I assume at least 77% of Americans are believers.

    I'm betting that the Rapture is the event that will remove America as a world power and out of the picture as a player in the end times.

    With at least 77% of Americans vanished how could we be?

  • The greatest commercial, political, and military power on earth not mentioned in the scriptures, that indeed is a mystery! Is it possible that scholars dismiss the obvious conclusion that is before them because of patriotic and nationalist fervor? America is without a doubt situated and destined to become Babylon, Mother of Harlots. America is the only nation on earth that fits all of the categories portrayed by the various Prophets of the Bible, to dismiss this identifies a willingness of scholars to withhold the truth!

  • Billy,
    I was born and raised RC, I believed what the Catechism taught about God, the Trinity, the life, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. I knew in my heart that God was real and I received Jesus as a wafer every Sunday for years, but I was as lost as Hogan's goat. When I got out of the Military I started going to a Bible preaching church and heard the whole Gospel for the 1st time – that I could confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and receive Him as a person and personal Savior into my heart and I was saved.

    The RCC, Baptists and Mormons are very large denominations and taken all together with the rest of them, probably make up about 80% of America, with that 77% as "Christians" believing in the resurrection as head knowledge.
    But, I would be surprised if more than 25-35% of them have really received Jesus as Savior.

  • Dr. NoFog,

    I did consider how many of those that said they believe Jesus rose from the dead are actually saved Christians. An aethist could believe IT but not in HIM.

    So, you're likely correct that the number of true believers is less. I'm not sure as low as you assume, I'd guess (for what it's worth) a bit more, probably 40-50%.

    Even so, if 40-50% of the U.S. is raptured it would still be enough, I think, to put the U.S. so into chaos that it would no longer be a player on the world stage.

    Rodney,

    America may fit the description a Babylon but I'm not sure it IS Babylon. Just as for example, to me, Obama AN antichrist but not THE antichrist.

  • All are called but few chosen. If we look at the few of Noah and Lot, and the apostasy so rampant in the "Christian" churches, emergent, new age, seeker friendly etc, etc there will be many sitting in a church after the Rapture wondering what happened, maybe even their pastor will be asking this question. As Dr NoFog stated, many have a relationship with their religion but not with out Lord and Savior. Put another way, if 77% were true followers our country would not be in the desparate mess it is. As Dr regan often says. Maranatha, maranatha, maranatha. And soon he will

  • Billy, the train has not arrived at the station yet, America is quickly moving down the tracks to their prophetic destiny. Apostasy is spreading like cancer. Think of how easily demonic influence arranged our current leadership!
    America was engaged in two conflicts (Iraq and Afghanistan) waging war against Islamic fundamentalists and suddenly a man bearing an Islamic name rises from obscurity with questions concerning the origin of his birth as well as his religious affiliation. This same man had no prior business or military experience yet becomes the leader of the greatest commercial, political and military power on the globe. Talk about your strong delusion, there sure was some heavy demonic activity arranging this one! This nation would probably even elect Satan himself if he had a nice smile and promised us more prosperity like we are enjoying now (joblessness, homelessness, mountains of debt)!
    We all know he too is a smooth talker!

  • 77% may believe Jesus rose from the dead, but how many have a relationship with Him?

    If 77% of Americans were genuine Christians – not just professing Christians – this country wouldn't be in the mess that it is. I live in the Bible Belt, and genuine Christians are few and far between?

    77%? No way. 7.7% seems more accurate….and at times even that seems a stretch.

  • When you think about it, Christianity is more or less concentrated in large numbers in the West, in other areas of the globe there are very few in number.
    Between the numbers of followers of Islam, or a variety of Bhuddist or Hindu adherrents, there are very few members of the Body of Christ outside of the West.

    When you consider the West, most would say the Church in Europe is dead having given way to Islam. Here in America the supposed haven of Christianity many follow the Las Vegas version of the faith in all of its universal apostasy and its humanitarian socialist aspects.
    For these particular reasons and the lack of biblical evidence suggesting global calamity as a result of the Rapture, I believe it will be an insignificant event simply because there will be very few particpants alive and remaining in the faith.

  • True statements except the last. It will preclude a very significant time, problem is that those that rejected the gospel prior, will reject it after because of the strong delusion spoken of in Thessolonians

  • None of us readily wants to admit the fact that true Christianity has been overshadowed by Apostasy among many Churches today. True men and women of faith have significantly dwindled in numbers and are considered backward thinkers and are isolated from fellowship. We all like the picture of a victorious Church prior to the Rapture, yet that is not the truth as recorded in the scriptures. The scriptures indicate a time of rampant apostasy and the willingness of those to prefer fables over the truth. The Apostle Paul also makes clear that at the time of the Rapture that the Lord will gather to himself the Dead in Christ first and then we which are alive and REMAIN. I believe there will be very few that remain in the faith as the Spirit of AntiChrist permeates the Churches as it has with society.

  • the great apostasy started sometime in the 1800's as per spurgeon and others remarked on the trouble in the true church of Christ.we live in a time bubble God does not.things are allowed to go futherin gods realm than here.even sin is allowed to continue until God says enough.that time is upon us.many cults have sprang up since the early 1900's pentacostalism,for one has been a huge preacher of a different gospel(research their origins)as well as false teachers and hirelings in the pulpit.Jesus did not state a world wide revival would precede his return but was very clear a great falling away from the truth faith would precede his return.for you pundits that charismatics are godly,i want to remind you the Holy Spirit residing in me does not bark like a dog.millions will perish.catholics also.Jesus started his church,maintains it and with the Holy Spirit guidence grows it.one church, Christs 1st century church.we are a backslidden people today.we are told to exhort when truth is preached but to boldy rebuke false teaching.you can be saved in these cults but you must come OUT as the bible commands us.trouble is we are too polically correct to confront.WE deny Christ when we do not expose falsehood.which Jesus do you worship the catholics where an impotent Jesus chas to ask his mother on decision making,or mormans where jesus is a blood brother of satana or a pentecostal where Gods Holy Spirit is blaspfemed constantly or do your worshih the Christ of the bible the Lord od lord and King of Kings.study to show youre approved and learn about the truth– the Word,the Son of the everlasting Goshead.the choich is ours.choose wisely

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