In Terry James’ article, “Rethinking Babylon the Great,” he gave us something to think about. This has been on my mind for some time, and I too wonder if we are not who Revelation eighteen is speaking. I am certainly not a scholar of prophecy, but I do have my own opinions.
I have heard great men of God explain why America (USA) cannot be the Babylon of Revelation, and their arguments are very sound. I respect what they say, but I am still bothered with questions that cannot be answered, at least for me. It appears more and more, that there has to be at least a possibility that America really is Babylon the Great of the modern world.
One question that has haunted me comes from Revelation 18:15. A long period of time would need to transpire in order for the “merchants” to be so engrained in doing business with Babylon and becoming so wealthy. I do not see this playing out in Iraq, but I do see it as already fulfilled in America (USA). America is the business hub of the world and has been for a long period of time. I personally believe that the Rapture is very close, and very little time will elapse between the Rapture and the start of Daniel’s 70th week (the Tribulation).
Another point that comes to mind is the gross immorality of Babylon the Great, and again, America is the leading provider of smut. Sexual deviancies that we would not even want to think about, let alone mention, are freely available in our society.
Another, the nations of the world all come together on a regular basis in one of our major cities, New York, called the United Nations. With open arms we have supported this corrupt organization and allowed its atrocities in our land.
The United States of America has been blessed more than any nation in history. I think God brought us together, miraculously by the way, to be a beacon to the world and ultimately to be a friend to the “apple of His eye,” Israel. During the Philadelphian church age, we were the missionary center of the world. We have provided technologies beyond human comprehension. We have wealth untold. “Easy street” has been provided to anyone who cares to stroll down its path, but then we “got too big for our britches.”
We are now a beacon to the world of the Laodicean church age. We’ve outgrown God, and are no longer a friend to Israel. We are a leader in porn, illegal drugs, crime, greed, theft, murder, abortion, and immorality of every sort. We started out as a beautiful smelling rose in the garden and are now nothing more than an obnoxious stinkweed.
Even worse, if it were possible, we have forsaken our Christian heritage overnight and embraced idolatry. It isn’t that we don’t believe in anything. We believe in everything, except God and anything associated with the one true God of the Bible. A love for God has quickly grown to a hatred for God and His people.
For America to have had the influence it has had over the years and been so blessed by God, and then turn from God to the ways of Satan in such a short time, there must be a greater judgment awaiting us. There may be some countries as bad or worse than we are, but they haven’t had the blessings from God we have enjoyed.
“And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:47-48)
When reading Revelation chapter eighteen, you could replace the word “Babylon” with “America” and not miss a step. Are we Babylon the Great? I don’t know, but I do think it is worth considering.
Grant Phillips