Is there a consensus among Christians about America in Bible prophecy?
No. Far from it. Christians have two broad viewpoints on this issue. Some believe that though America is not explicitly mentioned in Bible prophecy, perhaps America is indirectly referred to. Other Christians believe America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy at all.
What is an example of an indirect mention of America in Bible prophecy?
There are a number of general prophetic references to “the nations” and “the peoples” in the tribulation period that may include the United States. For example, it is predicted that events in Israel will become a cause of stumbling for “all the peoples” of the earth (Zechariah 12:2-3). God will in the future “shake all nations” (Haggai 2:6-7). God will be glorified among the nations (Isaiah 66:18-20). Such general passages, however, do not tell us anything specific about the role of the United States in the end times.
Is it possible that the land divided by rivers in Isaiah 18:1-7 is an indirect prophetic reference to America?
Some think so, since the United States is divided by rivers, such as the Mississippi River. Isaiah 18:7 also notes that this nation is “mighty and conquering,” perhaps referring to the military might of the United States. The obvious problem with this view is that the nation is explicitly identified in Isaiah 18:1-2 as ancient Cush, which is modern Sudan.
Is it possible that the land of Tarshish in Ezekiel 38:13 is an indirect prophetic reference to America?
Some think so. Ezekiel 38:13 informs us that when a great northern military coalition composed of Russia and a number of Muslim nations invades Israel, a small group of nations will lamely protest the invasion: “Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’”
This is a highly debated passage. Some Bible expositors believe ancient Tarshish may refer to modern Spain. Others say it may be Great Britain. Others say it may refer to the colonies of Western Europe and the nations that have subsequently arisen from them, including the United States. Still others say Tarshish might represent virtually all the Western nations of the end times, which would include the United States. It is thus reasoned, based on Ezekiel 38:13, that the United States might be among the nations that lodge a protest against the massive invasion into Israel. But the protest is a feeble one, with no military action to back the words.
My personal assessment is that ancient Tarshish does not refer to the United States.
Is it possible that the Babylon of Revelation 17 and 18 is an indirect prophetic reference to the United States?
Some interpreters have seen parallels between Babylon the Great in the book of Revelation and the United States—or, more narrowly, New York City. After all, it is reasoned, both Babylon and the United States are dominant, both are immoral, both are excessively rich, and both think they are invulnerable. This scenario is not given much credence by most serious Bible interpreters. Such a view involves more eisegesis (reading a meaning into the text of Scripture) than exegesis (drawing the meaning out of the text of Scripture). I’ll address Babylon in greater detail later in the book.
If America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy, why not?
The United States is the world’s single remaining superpower that also happens to be Israel’s principal ally. One therefore might expect at least a passing reference to the United States in Bible prophecy. If America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy, could the reason be that America may weaken in the end times? It is entirely possible that this is indeed the case. We know that the balance of power will shift toward the United States of Europe—a revived Roman Empire headed by the antichrist—in the end times (see Daniel 2, 7). This in itself suggests a possible weakening of the United States.
Is it possible that the United States might decline due to a nuclear attack?
It is possible. Government advisors say that a nuclear attack on U.S. soil within the next ten years is “more likely than not.”
Granted, it seems unlikely that the entire United States could be destroyed by a nuclear attack. But if one major city—such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, or Dallas—were destroyed, this would have a devastating effect on the already-fragile, debt-ridden U.S. economy.
One problem faced by the United States is that it has so many easy entrances across its borders. It would not be difficult for a terrorist to smuggle a nuclear bomb into the country. A bomb could also be shipped into the United States. Of the 50,000 cargo containers that are shipped into the United States each day, only 5 percent get screened. A bomb could easily make its way into the country in one of the 95 percent that remain unscreened.
It is also possible, experts say, that a terrorist group could launch a nuclear weapon from a commercial ship off the coast of the United States. About 75 percent of the U.S. population is within 200 miles of an ocean coast. With so many registered merchant ships sailing off U.S. coastal waters (over 130,000 from 195 countries), the nuclear danger is obvious.
How does all of this relate to Islamic jihad?
“Jihad” comes from the Arabic word jahada, which principally means “to struggle” or “to strive in the path of Allah.” Muslims today often use the term in reference to armed fighting and warfare in defending Islam and standing against what they perceive to be evil. For most Muslims today, any war that is viewed as a defense of one’s own country, home, or community is called a jihad.
Radical Islamic fundamentalists are well known for their use of arms and explosives in defending their version of Islam. Jihad, in their thinking, has the goal of terrorizing perceived enemies of Islam into submission and retreat. Many Muslims believe Muhammad’s mission was to conquer the world for Allah. The goal of jihad for them is to establish Islamic authority over the whole world. In their view, Islam teaches that Allah is the only authority, and all political systems must be based on Allah’s teaching.
Many Shiite Muslims believe that at the apocalyptic end of days, a great, armed jihad will result in the subjugation of the entire world to Islam. Many such Shiites have long believed in the eventual return of the Twelfth Imam, believed to be a direct (bloodline) descendant of Muhammad’s son-in-law, Ali, whose family, it is believed, constitutes the only legitimate successors to Muhammad. The Twelfth Imam, who allegedly disappeared as a child in AD 941, will supposedly return in the future as the Mahdi (“the rightly guided One”) and create a messianic-like era of global order and justice for Shiites in which Islam will be triumphant.
In this line of thought, the appearance of the Twelfth Imam can be hastened through apocalyptic chaos and violence—that is, by unleashing an apocalyptic holy war against Christians and Jews. It is thus believed that it is within the power of modern Muslims to bring about the end of days. It is within their power to influence the divine timetable. The radical Muslim goal is to attain a world without America and Zionism. Once this goal is reached, the Twelfth Imam can be expected to return. Extremist Muslim leaders now say that humanity will soon know what it is like to live in a Jew-free and USA-free world. “Death to America” is a common slogan among such radical Muslims.
Of course, a religious motivation for many Muslims to participate in jihad is that any Muslim who loses his or her life in service to Allah is guaranteed entrance into paradise (Hadith 9:459). According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad said: “The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah’s cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr)” (Hadith 1:35). This is highly significant to Muslims, for there is virtually no other way a Muslim can have eternal security—that is, be assured of going to paradise.
Why do extremist Muslims hate America so much?
There are a number of reasons. Among them is America’s support of Israel, with over $800 million given in aid annually, as well as support for Israel’s military buildup. Muslims hate Israel because in 1948 the Israeli state was reborn on land that Muslims believe Allah gave to them. Because the United States supports Israel, both Israel and the United States are targeted by Muslim extremists. The United States and Israel are allegedly the “great Satan” and the “lesser Satan.”
Further resentment of Americans is rooted in America’s alleged meddling in Middle Eastern affairs, such as positioning U.S. troops (“infidels”) on Muslim soil—in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and elsewhere. Still further, it is claimed that Americans are arrogant and imperialistic, trying to muscle their way around throughout the Middle East, with their eyes on the Arabic oil fields.
Is it possible that the United States might decline due to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack?
Yes. This possibility is documented in a report issued in 2004 by a blue-ribbon commission created by Congress. It is called: “Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack.” Based on this report, a number of highly respected government officials lament that the technology is now here to bring America’s way of life to an end.
The commission found that a single nuclear weapon, delivered by a missile to an altitude of a few hundred miles over the United States, would yield catastrophic damage to the nation. Such a missile could be launched from a freighter off the coast of the United States. The commission explained that the higher the altitude of the weapon’s detonation, the larger the affected geographic area would be. At a height of 300 miles, the entire continental United States would be exposed, along with parts of Canada and Mexico.
The commission warned that the electromagnetic pulse produced by such a weapon would have a high likelihood of severely damaging electrical power systems, electronics, and information systems. At high risk would be electronic control, the infrastructures for handling electric power, sensors and protective systems of all kinds, computers, cell phones, telecommunications, cars, boats, airplanes, trains, transportation, fuel and energy, banking and finance, emergency services, and even food and water. Anything electrical is at risk.
The consequences of an EMP attack would be especially harmful to American society today since our infrastructure—civilian and military—runs on electricity and electronic components. The commission estimated that it could take “months to years” to fully recover from such an attack.
Is it possible that moral implosion may bring down the United States?
Yes, America may experience an ever-escalating moral and spiritual degeneration, thereby causing its downfall. Lots of statistics show the trouble this country is in morally and spiritually. For example, George Barna’s organization recently released a report titled, “The End of Absolutes: America’s New Moral Code.” The report—based on statistics—convincingly argues that “Christian morality is being ushered out of American social structures and off the cultural main stage, leaving a vacuum in its place—and the broader culture is attempting to fill the void.” The report indicates that for a majority of Americans, experience—whatever is right for you—has now become the basis of morality. The report further notes that “a sizable number of Americans see morality as a matter of cultural consensus.”2 One thing is certain. If the moral fiber of this country continues to erode, and people continue to ignore the Bible, then the demise of this country is only a matter of time.
Because of the high level of immorality in this country, it is entirely possible that God may bring judgment upon it. Christian leaders have been warning about this possibility for decades, and their warnings are typically met with deaf ears, much like prophets were often ignored during Old Testament times.
Can God really bring down a country in judgment?
Yes, indeed. Scripture reveals that God is absolutely sovereign (Psalm 50:1; 66:7; 93:1; Proverbs 19:21; Isaiah 14:24; 46:10), and in His sovereignty He blesses nations that submit to Him and brings down nations that rebel against Him. In the book of Job we read, “He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away” (Job 12:23). Daniel 2:20-21 tells us that God “removes kings and sets up kings.” Because America is now in a moral and spiritual free fall, with no repentance in sight, it is legitimate to ask: Might God sovereignly judge America in the end times for turning away from Him?
Is it possible that Romans 1:18-28 might apply to the United States in its rebellion against God?
I hate to say it, but I think it is a real possibility. If this passage tells us anything, it is that when a nation willfully rejects God and His Word, turning its back on His moral requirements, God eventually reveals His wrath against that nation. God has a long track record of wrath against ungodly nations. This passage reveals that one way God reveals His wrath is by allowing the people of that nation to experience the full brunt of the ravaging consequences of their sin.
If America turns its back on Israel in the end times, might that be a contributing factor to God’s judgment?
Yes. In Genesis 12:3 God promised Abraham and his descendants: “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse.” This ancient promise from God has never been revoked or repealed. Should the day ever come when the United States turns against Israel, woe unto this country! It is good for us to remember that God is a promise keeper, and He will bless those who bless Israel and stand against those who stand against Israel.
Is it possible that the rapture of the church could cause the United States to decline?
Yes. It seems fair to say that because there is such a high concentration of Christians in the United States, it will be negatively affected by the rapture more than most other nations.
Following the rapture, many workers of all kinds will no longer show up for work. Many bills and mortgages will go unpaid. Many college tuition bills and loans will go unpaid. Many business leaders will no longer show up to lead their companies. Many law enforcement personnel will no longer be here to keep the peace, and fears will rise. The stock market will crash like never before because of the panic over millions of people suddenly vanishing. This and much more will follow the rapture.
Is it possible that the United States will be in league with the antichrist in the end times?
It is possible. It may be that following the rapture of the church, the United States will be in general cooperation with the revived Roman Empire headed by the antichrist. Since many U.S. citizens have come from Europe, it would be natural for the U.S. to become an ally of this Roman power.
In this theory, the United States will eventually be subsumed into the globalism that will emerge and prevail during the tribulation. Even in our day, our government seems to be moving us away from American national sovereignty and is open to handling more and more problems globally.
When Armageddon breaks out at the end of the tribulation period, troops from the United States may be there, standing against Israel. I hate to say that, but Zechariah 12:3 seems clear on the matter: “On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it.” The phrase, “all the nations of the earth,” would seem to include the United States.
Likewise, in Zechariah 14:2 we read: “For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” Again, “all the nations” would appear to include the United States.
Further, we read in Revelation 16:14 that “the kings of the whole world” will be gathered together “for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.” The “kings of the whole world” would certainly include the president of the United States.
Keep in mind that following the rapture of the church, there will not be any Christians on the earth, including in the United States. This means that many of the people in the United States who have long supported Israel have just vanished and gone to be with the Lord in heaven. It is easy to see how a Christian-less United States could ally with the revived Roman Empire and then find itself in league with the antichrist against Israel.
It is a sobering thing to ponder.