America has been a prominent player on the world stage for over two hundred years and the undisputed superpower for decades. Why is it noticeably absent from the last days scenario and why can’t we find any apparent mention of America in Bible prophecy? Current events seem to be racing toward the last days with domino effect like speed. Many Christians, students of Bible prophecy, and people who want to know what the future holds are asking the same question: What about U.S.?
This apparent absence of the United States from the end time scenario is troubling to many people. After all, world events and current headlines seem to be indicative of a climax of this world as we know it. Since the U.S. is the prominent power in the world today, as we see events pointing toward the last days, it would seem only logical that the U.S. would be woven all throughout prophetic Scripture. But this is not the case with the U.S. In fact, any mention of the western nations….. the U.S. in particular is not apparent.
The prophet Ezekiel refers to nations involved in the coalition that comes against Israel in the last days. Ezekiel uses the names he would have been familiar with in his day, but they are all easily recognizable now. Russia, Iran (Persia), Libya, Turkey, Ethiopia, and others are all mentioned in these events. Isaiah refers to the burden of Damascus (Syria) as part of the end time events. Now you don’t have to be a Bible scholar to see these nations are have aligned themselves against the nation of Israel.
The continued stonewalling and maneuvering by Iran in regard to its nuclear program is just one glaring example of how close we are to some dark days ahead. What’s more, the Russian government seems bent on assisting Iran in obtaining nuclear weapons through providing it scientists, technology, finances, and time…through groundless negotiations that will prove to be a farce in the near future.
With all of the unrest in the world one can only wonder, where is the US as the world spirals toward a climax? There are several excellent prophecy teachers who conjecture there is a mention of America in prophecy. The passage is Ezekiel 38:13:
“Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?”
It is possible that Tarshish could be a reference to Britain as some have mentioned. It is also in the realm of possibility that America could be one of the young lions because of our obvious connection to Britain. It’s not hard to imagine Great Britain, the US., and even the UAE or Saudis asking the question Ezekiel writes above. When you look at the geopolitical climate at this moment it is clear that coalitions are forming and nations are aligning themselves according to what the prophets have written thousands of years ago.
Is the U.S. alluded to as one of the bystanders in Ezekiel 38? No one can be absolutely certain, but there are some things we can be sure of just by reading these verses in context. First, Israel will go it alone. The Bible is clear that as this evil coalition moves in from the north to attack a land dwelling securely of unwalled villages……no nation will come to the aid of Israel. God Himself will be Israel’s defender on that day. That in and of itself is a beautiful subject for another article. What we want to look at here is….why America is absent from Israel’s defense? It is this writers belief it has much to do with the geopolitical position of our nation as we move forward in the days ahead.
Whether or not the U.S. is one of the “young lions” mentioned in Ezekiel 38 or not, one thing is clear: We won’t come to the aid of Israel. This would be unthinkable in years past. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Israel was viciously attacked by her hostile Arab neighbors during on of the most important days on the Jewish calendar. At first, it seemed as though all was lost and the advancing Jordanian, Syrian, and Egyptian forces were closing in on every side. As divine providence would have it Israel prevailed…..so much so that she drove the enemies back across the Sinai, Golan Heights, and Jordan.
The gains were so stunning that Soviet Premier Brezhnev warned President Nixon that Russia would intervene if Israel wouldn’t stand down. President Nixon countered with a warning of his own to Brezhnev which in effect told the Soviet premierthatthere would be grave consequences for Russia if intervened in the conflict. The president put our strategic nuclear forces on alert and thankfully the Russian government relented. The reason I tell that story is this: America for the most part has been a friend, supporter, and a strategic ally of Israel since here modern rebirth. We demonstrate this through military/financial aid and political support in the world community.
Here is the big issue: It is becoming more and more difficult given the current political climate to see the U.S. as a friend who would be willing to risk it all for Israel if she were attacked. The Ezekiel 38 scenario seems to mirror that thought. In fact, there seems to be a group of nations in the periphery asking the invaders the question, “Have you come to seize spoil?” This doesn’t seem like some far off concept anymore.
Can you picture the resolutions that aren’t worth the paper they are written on and handwringing in the UN? The U.S. is war weary after years in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is an obvious distain among a growing number of people for Israel and unfounded/misplaced sympathy for her enemies…even among some evangelicals, which I find unthinkable and unscriptural. There is also the fact that as I write this article, we are saddled with over 17 trillion dollars in debt. It’s no wonder why the U.S. is absent from the scene when Israel faces her gravest threat to date..
There are other factors that may certainly be a reason why the United States is not prominent in the last days narrative. Many prophecy teachers believe it is possible that the U.S. will trade her sovereignty to be part of the coalition mentioned in Daniel. There is substantial talk of a North American confederacy consisting of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and even a common currency. It remains to be seen how everything will play out, but the Bible is clear that there will be huge changes ahead and this will eventuate a one-world-government.
America is facing numerous threats at home and abroad. Some scholars believe the U.S. is seemingly absent from prophecy because of its possible destruction. North Korea, Iran, and China are all foes who seem to rattle off threats almost on a weekly basis now. While our DOD budget is systematically reduced, China, Russia, and others are in a time of rapid build-up and modernization. Their threats are numerous: Dirty bombs, coordinated terrorist attacks, nuclear weapons unaccounted for, open borders, EMP threat natural or man made, and even economic collapse.
We have seen what the horror of September 11th and it’s after effects on our economy. A nuclear 9-11 or coordinated attack would drastically change the dominance we have long had into dependence overnight. This would also be a catalyst for America to be part of the confederacy of nations mentioned in Daniel. Loosing our national sovereignty doesn’t seem to be a matter of if anymore, but how soon.
While on the subject of national security, I want to mention the importance of supporting Israel and the Jewish people. This nation has been an oasis for the Jewish people in the midst of an unwelcoming world for the most part. Moreover, we are the chief supporter of it’s military by means of hardware and strategic intelligence sharing.
In recent years, this partnership with Israel seems more like a hostile divorce.
The US. seems focussed on appeasing the EU, UN, and the Arab nations all the while these folks vilify Israel as the reason there is no peace in the world today. It seems when things get out of hand, the Jews get blamed…again. I love our nation and I love the title “American” but I believe if the U.S. continues on its recent trajectory of action toward Israel, the country will come under judgment (or it’s already beginning).
The Bible is clear about God’s love and care for Israel. God’s position is diametrically opposed to the replacement theologians and social activists that seem to be invading the evangelical church. Here is what the Bible says about God’s feelings for His land and people:
Genesis 12:1: “Now theLORDsaidto Abram, “Go from your countryand your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Joel 3:1: “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land,and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.”
In light of what the Bible says about Israel, the U.S. must not be party to those who would divide God’s land. It’s just that simple. Moreover, as Christians we should pray for the Jewish people and be a witness of the life changing power of Jesus. Thinking about the United States, I know the days ahead look dark and the prospects for the U.S. look dim. As Christians we have a greater hope and security than this nation, military, or leaders could ever give. We have complete security and hope in the Lord Jesus. No matter what lies ahead for this country we can be certain that we are in Him.
What does that mean for us? We are dual citizens. Our true eternal citizenship is in heaven. No matter what, we are not living for this world, but the world to come. As I see this society gets darker and immorality runs rampant, the signs point to the Lord’s return…..I know our time is short. We don’t know the day or hour, but we know Jesus is coming soon.
It’s not time to try to “take America back for Jesus” or create some evangelical utopia. That is churchianity…not Christianity. We must be focussed on the task at hand and that is being an effective, bold, loving witnesses for Jesus. That is the only thing that will make an eternal difference in peoples lives.
In the meantime we should humble ourselves and pray for our country, its leaders, and what’s ahead. We should be responsible and vote for legislation that is in-line with biblical values. The thing to remember is our faith is not in men, but in the name of the Lord which remains forever.
Psalm 20:7:“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
All for Him,
Howard