“What does the bible tell us about the role of AMERICA in the end times? THE UNITED STATES is without question the most powerful nation on earth. Yet she is nowhere to be found in the Scriptural record. 
Where is she?”

(January 6, 2003) I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about America in the Last Days…

…Well here we are, advancing fast into this third millennium in a brand New Year. It’s hard to believe 2000 AD is already far behind us. We all remember the flurry and fears brought about by the computer date crisis among other things. Yet, all that never really materialized and life just went on into the new century. Peter the apostle talks about this mindset and syndrome when he wrote 2000 years ago,

2 Pet 3:3-4 (NLT)  First, I want to remind you that in the last days there will be scoffers who will laugh at the truth and do every evil thing they desire. 4 This will be their argument: "Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he? Why, as far back as anyone can remember, everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created."

Yes, for those who scoff at God’s Word and its Christian beliefs, they fall back on the premise that, “everything has remained exactly the same since the world was first created." We call thus “Uniformatarianism,” meaning all things continue because they are the same year after year, and century after century. However, the Bible tells us this isn’t so. How’s that you say? Well when we read the Christian Bible, we discover that God warned that just prior to His Son Jesus’ glorious return to the earth, to take over its rulership and restore His ownership, that certain things will precede His coming again. Today I want to look at them in light of America, to see where our great nation fits in the glorious plan of the future. But first, let’s listen to another moment of music…

… Where is America in prophecy! That has been the unending cry of many folks who  are genuinely concerned about the future and path of America in the Last Days before Christ returns. Now there are many voices declaring that America can be found in the prophetic pages of God’s Word and they believe that America has a Divine destiny revealed therein. Here then are the latest teachings that are coming forth from those who believe such concerning America in the Last Days.

1. Some believe that in the prophetic Old Testament Book of Daniel (Dan. 11:30), there is reference to the United States of America.

Dan 11:30 (NIV)  Ships of  [Khittim] the western coastlands will oppose him, and he will lose heart. Then he will turn back and vent his fury against the holy covenant. He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant.

Here they say this phrase “ships of the western coastlands,” or “ships of Khittim” as the King James version tells it, is geographical language referring to a future great western nation, which could only be describing “America.” As such, followers of this interpretation believe America will play a leading role in the Tribulation Period by fighting against the “Antichrist.” Secondly,

2. Some believe and point to the Book of Isaiah in chapters 18 and 24 and say, “here is America in prophecy!” Well, let’s look at the Scripture,

Isa 18:1-2 (NASB)  Alas, oh land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Cush, 2 Which sends envoys by the sea, Even in papyrus vessels on the surface of the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth, To a people feared far and wide, A powerful and oppressive nation Whose land the rivers divide.

Here some say is direct reference to a uniquely powerful and strange land, unknown in biblical days. It refers to a nation “tall and smooth,” who are “feared far and wide,” and also refers to a “land of whirring wings, and a “powerful nation…” that one day will bow at the feet of the God’s Messiah who returns to rule and reign on the earth. Those holding this view say, that’s America in prophecy! However, the context denies this for in the first verse of Isaiah 18 we read,

Isa 18:1 (NASB)  Alas, oh land of whirring wings Which lies beyond the rivers of Cush,

Here this land is clearly identified as a nation, which is divided, by the “RIVER CUSH,” or Ethiopia, which in Isaiah’s day was part of the Egyptian empire and where this river geographically was, the Nile! Now if that’s not enough to believe, those who see America in prophecy refer to Isaiah 24:14-16. Let’s look at these verses now,

Isa 24:14-16 (NASB)  They raise their voices, they shout for joy. They cry out from the west concerning the majesty of the LORD. 15 Therefore glorify the LORD in the east, The name of the LORD, the God of Israel In the coastlands of the sea. 16 From the ends of the earth we hear songs, "Glory to the Righteous One.."

Some say this apocalypse of Isaiah speaks of a great nation known as “coastlands of the sea.” In other words, a reference to a new world that lies in the western hemisphere which will still exist and be praising God’s Savior in the Day of return. Now this all sound good for Americans to have some encouragement that this great nation will continue to exist even into the day of the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ. But these are not the only prophecies some refer to in placing America in the Last Days scenario. Still,

 3. Some more believe, that Ezekiel also speaks of America in the Last Days in,

Ezek 38:11-13 (NASB)  and you will say, 'I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will go against those who are at rest, that live securely, all of them living without walls, and having no bars or gates…  13 "…. the merchants of Tarshish, with all its villages, will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"'

In these seemingly cryptic verses of Scripture, zealots for America’s place in prophetic history claim this as further reference. The phrases “land of unwalled villages…at rest and living securely...” they say, refers to America, a great nation bound only by two great oceans or seas. In addition the phrase “merchants of Tarshish,” they says can be extrapolated to refer to Great Britain and its former colonies that migrated to the shores of America. Therefore by default, the “merchants of Tarshish” must refer to America. Well if that’s not enough Scripture for the proponents of America in the Last Days in prophecy, another is said to be found in the book of Revelation. Hence,

4. Some believe, that America in prophecy can be found in Revelation 12 & 17. We read,

Rev 12:13-17 (NASB)  And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. 14 And the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was^ nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent…”

Using their imagination, some believe the phrase “wings of the great eagle,” is easy reference to America, which has adopted the Eagle as its representative symbol. Then in,

Rev 17:1-2 (NASB)  And one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, "Come here, I shall show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality."

Here John the apostle describes what is described in prophetic language as the “religious Babylon” of the future. The “great harlot who sits on many waters,” is judged by fanciful imagination to represent America in its days of decline and evil.

Well there you have it. There are four views of where some think America can be found in prophecy. However, although America is sinking to new lows and a sinful state, if you properly interpret Scripture according to the known and valid rules of interpretation, NONE OF THE VERSES OF SCRIPTURE can ever refer to America! The plain fact of the matter is, America is strangely absent from prophetic history!

In fact, we are told that just before Christ returns in glory to set up His glorious kingdom on the earth, we are given a clear scenario of the which world powers will exist. Indeed, the Bible Prophets predicted the whole political alignment of the end time. Moreover, they predicted that all nations would fit into four spheres of political power. It appears these four world powers will rule the earth in the Tribulation Period (Dan. 7:17). Let’s look now at the final alignment of nations as foretold by Scripture. We see,

1.  A WESTERN CONFEDERACY COMPOSED OF 10 FEDERATED STATES WILL ARISE (Rev. 17:8-16) – This will mainly be a “United States of Europe,” as it will be composed of all the nations that arose out of the old Roman Empire. Possibly America will exist during this time, but it will be absorbed by this powerful industrial and military giant ruled by none other than the Antichrist himself. Secondly,

2.  A NORTHERN CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS WILL ARISE (Ezek 38:2-6) – The nations that will align into this powerful group will most likely be the Russian nations, Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, Libya, and parts of Turkey and Eastern Europe. The Russian nations will head up this coalition and be a fierce force in the Tribulation period. Third we discover,

3. AN ASIATIC CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS WILL ARISE (Rev. 16:12) – In Revelation 16:12 we read that Palestine, will be invaded by a great army coming from the “east” beyond the River Euphrates known as “the kings of the east.” This second great alliance of nation that threatens the power of the antichrist who is gaining rulership of the world, will be most likely composed of the nations of Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and other Asian countries. Now the fourth world power group to arise is,

4. AN ARAB CONFEDERACY OF NATIONS WILL ARISE (Dan 11:40) – This third power will be angry and hostile to the Antichrist’s Western (European) Confederacy as well as the Northern (Russian) Confederacy. Daniel describes these people as the “King of the South.” This power in the mid-point of the Tribulation will march on Palestine and set off a movement of other nations that brings about its own destruction. The “King of the South,” will probably be Egypt aligned with the countries black Africa and other Islamic nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc.

These three world powers will undoubtedly, but temporarily align to challenge the Western European Federation under the leadership of the Antichrist.

Now that is the scenario of world powers the Bible presents in the “Last Days” before Christ returns. We of course will not be dogmatic in specifically placing nations within these coalitions, but those I’ve referenced, do seem to fit the prophetic Scriptures presentation of the Last Days. However, the question all will ask is “If America is not in the prophetic scriptures what happens to her for her to disappear?” Good question. Again we can only speculate, but we can do so without much imagination. You see, America once blessed and sanctioned by God to be the center of world evangelism, worship and ministry on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ is rapidly heading towards judgment and oblivion. The Bible warns every nation, even those that have for a time had God’s hand of blessing on them, that there is a responsibility to maintain righteousness, socially and individually among the families that compose a nation. Listen to God’s Word on the matter,

Psa 9:17 (NIV)  The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.

Micah 5:15 (NIV)  I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me.”

Isa 42:1 (NIV)  “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.

Jer 4:7 (NIV)  A lion has come out of his lair; a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his place to lay waste your land. Your towns will lie in ruins without inhabitant.

All these verses speak of the responsibility of nations, all nations on the face of the earth, to be accountable to our Creator God. Yes, God expects every nation blessed by Him, to remain in existence by following the general principles and laws of God has set forth in the Word of God. Now don’t mistake this, America was surely founded on that when our Pilgrim forefathers struck a covenant with God, to forge a society where God and His Word would be honored. From the beginning centuries America honored that. From public schooling being essentially Christian, to the laws of our land – all reflected faith and belief in the Bible as the authority of choice for this nation’s individual families and our society and culture at large. However, in the last century and a half, Christians began to neglect their responsibility to maintain a godly government and education for the nation’s children. In this neglect and void, Satan moved in the atheists, agnostics, and a host of other anti-Christian minds and corrupted voices. They soon took over the nation’s leadership, schools of education, legislative roles and courts of the land. In one or two generations they’ve reared a nation of people who have “not known the Lord,” and worse couldn’t care less.

Let’s face it ¾ an entire generation today has been fed on an anti-God philosophy of life called evolutionary humanism. Rejecting the Bible, its precepts and laws, its teachings and truths, this philosophy vehemently works to separate, by “religious cleansing,” the American Republic for the foundational belief in the Christian God of the Bible.

Following W.W. II, we’ve seen a rogue Supreme Court arise with an agenda of anti-Christianity which has done more to ruin America than any other group of people. Legislating from the bench, the Supreme Court essentially ruled God out of the land that once welcomed Him. These verses I quoted for you are unalterable.  They cannot be changed or modified, only broken and when that is done God promises judgment follows. Why just look at history! The British historian Arnold Toynbee once wrote that of the 21 civilizations throughout world history, 19 of them fell through atheism, socialism, materialism, and drug abuse. America surely is following along the same lines of judgment. Look at the defilement of our nation. We’ve turned away from God, rejected His laws and precepts and banished Him from every public school and governmentally controlled or sponsored work. Why even now there is a push to even remove the word “Christmas” from the nation’s holiday season in public speech and places.

How long friend, do you think this nation can go on and continue to receive the blessings of God, while rejecting Him and His Word? I believe the reason why America is absent from all prophecy of the future, is it will cease to exist! Now, what will happen to remove this great nation from existence and or world status? Two things I speculate:

1.  AMERICA MAY CEASE TO EXIST DUE TO ECONOMIC RUIN – Look at the greed and materialism that has engulfed our nation’s corporations, by the fraud and theft scandals that have rocked the world since the “911” tragedy. Money has become the new god of America, and its princes rule and have total power in business and government. Corporate catastrophes one after another are taking down our nation, as hundreds of billions of dollars have been stolen from workers pensions and life savings. Regardless of what our economists say, we are living in a fragile economic state. All it will take to bring economic ruin is one more great catastrophe such as “911” brought us, that fateful September 2001.Yes, all it will take is another great and tragic attack against America by the Islamic terrorists such as a biological or chemical strike on our major cities, even exploding a crude nuclear suitcase bomb – and “poof” our American economy will be virtually destroyed. You see, God promises us ruin will come when we replace the one true God with the false gods of materialism and wealth. Yes, America is headed for this disaster unless we turn away and around by a nationwide revival. Secondly, I think,

2. AMERICA MAY CEASE TO EXIST DUE TO SOCIAL RUIN – What do I mean by this? Well look at the push for a multi-cultural nation that’s upon us. Unimpeded immigration and illegal aliens are pouring into this nation with no intent to become American, and uphold the Judeo-Christian culture that made it great. Yes, America has or had a culture, but it is being destroyed in favor of godless ethnic cultures that have long proven to ruin other nations. Yet, we’re embraced them for America! I believe if we continue in this anti-Christian path, we shall be the Balkanization of America, as it is broken up into ethnic sections of the land. There will be no America as we know it anymore. We may see a Mexican, Asian, African and European, grouping of splintered states, all separated from one another by language and ethnic origins, and the great nation called the United States will no longer be united or a world power economically, militarily and socially. Ah, but there is one more option that we must face as to why America is NOT in the prophetic Scriptures.

3. AMERICA MAY CEASE TO EXIST DUE TO SEXUAL DEFILEMENT – For the sinful living of Americans, God may strike from Heaven itself like He did to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Look at the sexual defilement going on here now. Rampant physical abuse is seen in every quarter as alcoholism, drug abuse, and homosexuality rises to rule and abuse the land. In addition, the immorality of Americans, thanks to the godless depraved crowd of Hollywood, now we have sunk to new lows as we brazenly flaunt God’s Laws for marriage, home and sexual relations. Yet remember what God said,

Heb 13:4 (NIV)  Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

In addition, the abortion nightmare and holocaust of America now has claimed over 41 million bloody deaths of our children. Will God wink at this and look the other way? Not according to my Bible! Indeed, unless America repents, the future for us is one of doom!  Our economic wealth cannot save us, our military might cannot save us, only God can save us from His judgments promised to follow the disobedience of this nation.

But thanks be to God, we are still the greatest nation on the earth when it comes to having born again Christians living among the people. May this New Year cause us all to rise to the forefront to restore what has fallen, to build what is necessary to bring righteousness back to the land, to our homes and families, to our communities. It’s up to you my friend, for to continue to do nothing, will surely bring God’s judgments. May God energize us for Christ in this New Year, for it’s in Jesus’ holy Name I ask this, AMEN.

Yes my friends, may this New Year bring you personal prosperity and good things, provided you live for Christ and have invited Him into your life. The Bible says the future is bright for all those who know Him and have received Him into their hearts and lives.