The U.S. In Bible Prophecy

Another area of constant debate in eschatology is whether or not the Bible mentions the United States in prophecy.

Some argue that it doesn't, and they say this make sense because America is traditionally thought of as a Christian nation, and so if the Rapture were to happen it is assumed that this would reduce the nation to third-world status overnight, and that's why the world's most powerful nation isn't mentioned as a key player in the end times.

Some see the U.S. as Mystery Babylon. Still, there are others who see clear parallels between the U.S. and Judah as given to us in Isaiah 5 or Jeremiah 5 and Jeremiah 6. They suggest that this nation will face a similar demise.

This morning, I came across another section of Scripture that caught my eye and made me stop and do a double take.

"How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Revelation 18:7

First, she glorifies herself. This implies pride, even to the point of arrogance. Jeremiah 51:41 is used in relation to ancient Babylon, but it applies to modern Babylon as God uses it here in Revelation 18. Jeremiah writes...

"How is Sheshach [a biblical code name for Babylon?] taken! And how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! How is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!"

This refers to the fall of Babylon. When Jeremiah wrote this, they were so powerful as a nation that nobody wanted to deal with Babylon as an enemy. He calls her "the praise of the nations." This means, essentially, "the greatest of the nations." Everybody praises Babylon as the greatest of the nations on earth. God applies this to Babylon in Revelation 18. It is something implied, not directly stated. However, even Babylon "has glorified herself."

Second, "she has lived deliciously" or "she has lived luxuriously, extravagantly, lustfully, unrestrainedly." The woman is the very apex of luxury on earth. This phrase indicates satiety, that is, over-indulgence, super-abundance, the state of having too much.

Third, she says, to magnify these, "I sit as a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." "Nobody's going to bother with me. I'll never know any sorrow." Taken together, there is in her an avoidance of suffering, an unwillingness to sacrifice, and it indicates a rather "in your face," cocky superiority. Interestingly, an avoidance of suffering, the unwillingness to sacrifice, inevitably produces compromise with law and conscience.

In this one verse, a nation is portrayed as proud to the point of arrogance, self-confident in its security, thinking that it has produced its power by its own means, and living extravagantly relative to the rest of the world, as it seeks immediate gratification while failing to discipline itself to conform to a set standard.

Hmmm, does that sound like an accurate description of any nation that exists today that you know of? Could this be where we find the U.S. in Bible prophecy? Could America have a similar fate as Judah? If so, Lord have mercy on us all.

Ray Charles created a stirring rendition of "America The Beautiful" that brings tears to my eyes. It's a powerful song made even more powerful with lyrics like "America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw. Confirm thy soul in self-control. Thy liberty in law."



This man was blind and yet he was able to see this country for what it was - a nation built on the foundation of God - and he sang his heart out to tell the world about it.

I'm curious if we'll be able to see our need for repentance following our nation's illicit affair with sin or if we'll choose to remain blind to the truth.

Posted in: How Close Are We?,Political Signs,Prophecy Basics