The United States in Bible Prophecy

The United States in Bible Prophecy [next] Early in this nation's history, Europeans traveled to North America and settled in land that had been inhabited by Native Americans. By late in the 1700’s, what had become 13 colonies was subject to British rule and British taxation without representation in the British Parliament. In the year 1776, the United States declared independence from Britain and created a nation of only 10 million people. The final draft of the Declaration of Independence was completed by Thomas Jefferson of Virginia and on July 4th, 1776, it was unanimously approved by the Continental Congress. The United States had declared themselves to be free. [next] The Declaration begins, "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another," and then follows some of the most famous words written in the modern history of the world. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Liberty. Freedom. [next] If you were an immigrant long ago and you approached Ellis Island in New York Harbor, you were approaching hope. Today, Ellis Island is a memorial of immigration and freedom. [next] It's an important place, a significant place. This nation has always stood for freedom. Close by, the Statue of Liberty proudly proclaims these famous words: [next] "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. [next] Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" [next] There seems to be little doubt that God Himself was responsible for the founding of the United States of America. Even our currency says, "In God We Trust." [next] The United States is founded upon principles of freedom of conscience and the rule of justice that are cherished by God Himself and it has declared to this day that it still stands for those principles. The question that we're going to ask today, with reference to the Bible, is, “Could it be that one day those founding principles might be challenged?” [next] Today, we go to the Bible and look at the prophecies that speak to and about the United States of America. We’ll discover that this nation will occupy a very important and very influential position in the close of time. Now, with the United States occupying such a prominent position on the geopolitical landscape, you might expect that the Bible would refer to the United States of America. Of course, the Bible doesn't refer to every nation. You don't read in the Bible about Tonga or El Salvador or Kazakhstan in the Bible. But what you do find are those nations that have had a direct impact on God's relationship with His covenant people. In the beginning of the Bible, we read about a geographic location called the Garden of Eden. Why? That's where God's people were right in the beginning. Abraham, the father of the faithful, was called from Ur of the Chaldees and so we read about Mesopotamia. [next] Then you read about Babylon and Medo-Persia and Greece and Rome — kingdoms that had a direct contact with God’s people. The Babylonians sacked Jerusalem. And then Medo-Persia and Greece came along, both involved in the same region as Babylon. Finally, it was a Roman cross upon which Jesus died. These old, extinct kingdoms — which in many ways still have influence the world — are referred to in the Bible. Would it surprise you to read that the Bible mentions the United States of America, a country that has sheltered those who have pursued religious freedom and the truth of God’s word? The United States really represents an experiment. This was the first time a nation was founded as a Republic on the principle of religious liberty. Today, the United States is the worlds superpower. Here's what was written in one influential newspaper, Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald, a dozen or so years ago: [next] "Americans should admit the truth and face up to their responsibilities as the undisputed masters of the world. The fact is, no country has been as dominant culturally, economically, [next] technologically, and militarily in the history of the world since the Roman Empire." —Sydney Morning Herald, September 2002 Now, the question of liberty looms large in the Bible. Long ago, God blessed us with freedom of choice. God believes in liberty, personal liberty. The question is, will these United States still be allowing freedom to ring during Earth's last days? [next] We've already seen in this series of presentations that in the rise and fall of world ruling powers, the first kingdom to come along was Babylon—a nation that took God’s people captive for 70 years. [next] Medo-Persia was the nation that conquered Babylon and also permitted the reestablishment of Jewish society and the reconstruction of the city wall and the city of Jerusalem itself. [next] Then Greece, under Alexander the Great, ruled the world for a couple of hundred years followed by Rome. It was very much a Roman world when Jesus walked as a man here on the earth. [next] In both Daniel 2 and Daniel 7, we see that the prophecies say that the kingdom of Rome would divide and that out of Rome would come ten nations. Out of those nations there came a little horn about whom we talked last night. We saw that the little horn of Daniel 7 is the same religious and political power as the first beast or nation of Revelation 13. [next] "Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, [next] having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name." Now let's pause. I want to ask you a question. We talked about this in a previous presentation. In Bible prophecy, a beast is a symbol that represents what? A nation. That word “beast” is not an epithet or an insult. It's a symbol, in much the same way as you would say a bear represents Russia or an eagle represents the United States of America. Then John said, [next] “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. [next] And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast." That's verse 3. [next] Verse 4 says, "So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’" You might have notice that all four of the animals depicted in Daniel chapter 7 are mixed into the beast in Revelation 13 — some people call it the “composite” beast. Its made up of various characteristics of those first four nations that we saw in Daniel 7. We identified that nation last time we met. But then along comes another nation in Revelation 13:11 [next] "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon." The question is: “Who is the second nation?” We see it does not come up out of the sea, and it doesn’t have crowns on it’s head like the first beast in Revealtion 13. It’s clearly different in several ways from the first beast. Do you remember the prophetic symbols we talked about last time? A beast is a nation, the winds represent war and strife. What does a sea represent? …People. [next] …multitudes of people. The first beast in Revelation 13 came up among the nations of Europe, but this second beast comes from the earth, not the sea. In other words, it comes up in a part of the earth that is sparsely populated. It’s also important to note that this second nation in Revelation 13 has to have arisen somewhat recently compared to the rest of the nations. You had Babylon and Medo-Persia and Greece and Rome. The empire of Rome came to its end in 476 AD. Then those other ten nations were all established. The little horn came up after that and then is brought into view this second beast, so it must arise some time after the little horn gained power. This nation being depicted in the Bible would have to be a new nation and sparsely populated. How was this new nation set up? [next] Let's look in Revelation 13:11: "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon." It’s interesting that it says it has two horns like a lamb. The word “lamb” is used in the Book of Revelation more than two dozen times. Every single time, it's referring to Jesus, except for this occasion, but we're told it has two horns like a lamb. This would indicate, I believe, that this nation is, in some way, Christ-like. That's important. And you noticed that this nation was not depicted as wearing a crown. If you go back to Revelation 13 in the first few verses, that first nation that came up had crowns on its heads. No crowns here. Where there is a crown, you have a monarch. There is no monarch with this second nation in Revelation chapter 13. That's very significant. This new nation wouldn’t have a king. [next] Here’s what we know so far: This nation rises in a part of the world that is sparsely populated. [next] The Bible also indicates that it's a relatively young nation. [next] There is no monarchy [next] and we notice, too, that it will assume a position of worldwide authority and influence. As we look at this, we come to the inescapable conclusion that the only nation on the planet that could be represented by this is [next] the United States of America. When people realized the Americas existed, it was known as the New World, a haven for those who were escaping religious persecution. And it was founded on the twin freedoms, a free and fair civil government and the freedom of conscience and religion. [next] Yet, according to the Bible, there will be a time when a change comes over the heart of this nation. [next] Revelation 13:11 says, "Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon." A dragon. In Revelation 12 we are told that the dragon is Satan, himself. [next] This nation might hold Christ-like principles for a time, but there comes a point when it will speak like a dragon. How is it that a nation speaks? A nation speaks through its laws. When you see a nation with draconian laws, it tells you something about what's at the heart of that nation. The Bible says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." In Revelation we are told about a change that will come to the heart of this nation when it will no longer speak like a lamb, but instead, it will enact laws like the dragon. [next] Now let's look at Revelation 13:12. It says that, "And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth [next] and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." According to the Bible, this nation would grow in power and prestige and prominence to the place where it is able to use its authority to place that first nation back in its position of unbridled power. Now let's try to understand how this might happen, how a nation that stands for freedom might one day use its power to affect freedom in a negative way. With freedom, there comes responsibility. [next] In this country you're free to learn how to fly a plane, but we trust that you won't fly it into a building. You're free to drive a car, but we trust that with that freedom you'll accept the responsibility to drive safely. With freedom, there comes responsibility, and there's also risk involved. There's a risk that someone who has freedom might use that freedom in a negative way. The United States was once the haven for those who wanted to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. However, today's society has shifted. There is a great deal less respect for God and biblical principles. What was once taboo is now celebrated, and what was once the core of our culture has become the object of ridicule and public scorn. If you are a scientist or academic who believes in a literal 6-day creation then your ability to write grants and progress in your field is significantly diminished. If you believe in saving the life of a fetus then you’re are held in contempt by many who believe you are opposed to women’s rights. This nation is coming under attack. Do you remember the dramatic and rapid changes we saw in our culture and lifestyle after 9/11/2001? Well, many people believe that the only solution for this nation to recover from it’s immorality, debauchery, and atheism, is to return to the principles of the One who made us great in the first place. The Bible says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." It’s logical to conclude that this nation will attempt to turn to God, but instead of re-embracing principles of justice and freedom it will enforce the devil’s agenda instead. [next] A good deception always closely mirrors the genuine article and people in the end of time are going to be encouraged to receive the mark of the beast thinking that that is going to be a good thing. The Bible says this nation, the United States, will use its power to elevate the first nation of Revelation 13 back to its position of global supremacy. As we consider this, we find that the Bible says in the Book of Revelation that ultimately, an act of worship is going to be enforced. What act of worship will that be? We read in Revelation 13:16 that, [next] "He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, [next] and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Now notice that it says he causes. That means forces or coerces people on this earth to receive the mark of the beast. According to the Bible, laws will be passed. That's how a nation causes or forces or coerces. Laws will be passed legislating an unbiblical act of worship. Now in that verse we just read, it said that people who didn't receive the mark of the beast will not be able to buy and sell, so let's understand what that means. Let's try to separate a couple of things here: One is how the mark of the beast is going to be enforced. The other is what the mark of the beast actually is. Whatever the mark of the beast is, it's pushed upon the whole world. There will be many who don't want to receive the mark of the beast and so the Bible says they will be coerced to accept it. If you don't accept it, then you will not be able to buy and sell. What will the mechanism be that keeps people from buying and selling? We don't know. We are not told, but whatever it is, the method of controlling isn't itself the mark of the beast. I want to draw this very clear distinction. Let's place the mark of the beast right here on this stand. There it is, right there. You don't want to take it. What is going to be done in order to coerce you to take that mark of the beast? You will be prevented from buying and selling. Now when the lights go out and the heat is not working in the wintertime and you can't put food on your table, those economic sanctions against you are going to be a powerful motivator to move you to accept the mark of the beast. The economic sanctions themselves are not the mark of the beast. They're a mechanism to move you to receive the mark of the beast. This idea that we must fear something put under our skin or a bar code or whatever it is, that is not the mark of the beast. I would go so far as to say that Satan has been successful in moving our attention away from understanding the mark of beast by throwing conspiracy theories at us. [next] Today, we hardly see money anymore. Between debit cards, credit cards, paypal, cashapp, apple pay and bitcoin payment solutions, we’ve moved beyond a cash-based society. There is nothing especially wrong with that. In many ways it makes life much more convenient. But it also means that if your bank wanted to, they could prevent you from buying and selling by freezing your bank account. All you'd have is the money in your piggy bank. We are already in a position where this prohibition could be enforced. That shouldn’t cause you to abandon banking or stop using mobile payments. It should make you realize the times we are living in. And it should cause you to run to Jesus. He promises those who follow Him that their bread and water will be sure. That he will provide for all their needs. [next] The Bible is clear. We see the world is declining rapidly — morally, spiritually, and socially. It's not safe anymore. We can all agree that a return to God's principles is in the best interest of the world. The challenge that we're facing is this: Who's deciding what God's principles are? We're going to find ourselves in a place where somebody with an inaccurate view of the will of God will enforce upon the world something said to be good, but that will ultimately bring spiritual disaster. The time is coming when the might of the planet's most powerful nation will be misused to enforce this mark, offered as a blessing from God but really a mark of worship to Satan. [next] It goes further. Revelation 13:15 says, "He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak [next] and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed." The Bible says that people without the mark of the beast will be threatened with death. Can you imagine somebody being so religiously fanatical that they would threaten to kill those who don't agree with them? It has been that way all through history. In many parts of the world, it's happening right now. A good counterfeit always runs closely to the true. An image to the beast will be formed. What is the first beast? A religious organization that was given significant civil authority and power. It is a mixing of church and state power. Worship will be the main issue. You will go with the program or be persecuted. God's people will have a decision to make. Will you worship God in spirit and in truth or will you worship according to the traditions of man? [next] Now we've seen this in the Bible before. Turn to Daniel 3 for this story. There were three young men in a crowd one day, a crowd out on the plain of Dura in what is modern-day Iraq. The king of Babylon had dreamed of an image made of various metals, but he defied that dream and build an image to be worship by all that was made entirely out of gold. When all the people had assembled, He said, "When the band starts to play, I want you to bow down before this statue and worship." The band started to play. The crowd bowed down, except for three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Somebody came to the king and said, "These three Hebrew slaves are not bowing down." He called them over. "What? You're not what?" They said, "Oh, king. We are not careful to answer you in this matter. We want you to know that our God is able to save us out of your fiery furnace." He'd threatened them with death, but they still refused to worship a false god. "But even if He doesn't, we're still not going to bow down and worship you." You see, they had made a decision for God in their minds and so the Holy Spirit locked their knee joints and they could not, they would not, bow down. [next] The king was furious, and had them cast into a white-hot furnace that had been used for firing bricks. A furnace burning at over 1,000°. As he looked at what he thought was the waste of three good, young men, he was surprised to discover there were not three in the fire, but instead they were walking around and there was a fourth man with them. He said the fourth looked like a son of the gods. In other words, the Son of God. It WAS the Son of God. Jesus was in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were protected. They were spared. They were unharmed. Not even their hair was singed by the flames. Three faithful young men stood for God, and the Son of God stood with them. [next] We have a privilege down here in the close of time to stand for God. Yet, sometimes we wonder, “Can I do this? Will I be strong enough? Am I holy enough?” We're asking the wrong questions. The question is not, “Am I able?” The question is, “Is He able?” Three young boys went into a fire and God was able. Daniel went into a lion's den and God was able. The Hebrews were exiting Egypt and they were heading towards the Promised Land. There was an ocean in the way, the Red Sea, but God was able. They wandered in the wilderness. They had nothing to eat. Manna on the ground, water came from a rock for them to drink because God was able. The blind cried out. The lame called His name. They couldn't see. They couldn't walk, but God was able. Jesus is able today. The only thing He cannot do is force your will. We are coming up to a time of great crisis, a time of spiritual crisis, in this world. The question is: Who will have your heart? Who will have your allegiance? Who will have your love? Who will you give it all to? You can trust Jesus with your heart and your life today. If He has all of you, then rejoice, no matter the trial that may come. If He doesn't, it’s time to make a decision. He's looking for you, your heart, your life, your mind, your will. He will keep you now and He will keep you forever. Why? Because of your goodness? No, because of His, and because He is able. Whatever trials we may face, we can know that Jesus is able, and that He is returning for us one day soon. We will look up and see Him coming in the clouds and say, “behold, this is our God, we have waited for Him and He will save us.”