We come to the end of our 7-part series. If readers have made it this far, they are to be congratulated. This topic was very complicated … not to mention the difficult task of keeping all the facts straight and condensing a massive amount of material on this topic into 7 columns.

The goal of this short series was to legitimize the Bible’s foreknowledge of more than 4,000 plus years (approximated) of mankind’s world geopolitical history, following the calling out of a new people on earth founded by Abram.

We believe it will have been worthwhile. Why? We have reached some penultimate conclusions.

All throughout this 7-part series, we have referred to the question of America’s geopolitical endtime roles according to the Bible. We will lay out our case.

But first, we must highlight the most urgent conclusion of all.

We are living in the very last of the pre-millennial end times.

This conclusion couldn’t be clearer. We note a convergence of many “ripening” trends, as well as accelerating developments that are prophetically enabling.

Crucially, we are very near the emergence of the final Roman, 10-king geopolitical coalition.

Think of the lateness of the times being experienced right now.

Let us suppose that it takes another 50 years before the full 10-king coalition takes form and the Antichrist erupts onto the world scene. (Please note that 50 years is not a forecast, but rather an illustration only. Indeed, we must also acknowledge that this timeline could, in fact, play out more quickly.)

A remaining period of 50 years would mean that 98.75% of the Bible’s revealed world geopolitical timeline has already played out (assuming a 3,500-year period).

Therefore, those who are alive today are privileged to live during a time when the “season” is so clear and imminent.

Another urgent marker that must not be missed is the rapidity of the final developments at the time of the 7th head … i.e., the 10 kings. As the Bible indicates, the 10 kings are said to reign for a short time only. “The seventh head (ruler) “[…] must remain for only a little while” (Revelation 17:10).

Corroborating this rapidity, says Luke, the trap will shut suddenly once it is triggered (see Luke 21:34). “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape!” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). The OT prophet Daniel also backs this up, saying: “The end will come like a flood” (Daniel 9:26).

So here we have it: 1. We are in the very last of the last days pre-millennially; 2. The last of the prophetic developments speed up greatly; and 3. We can deduce that geopolitical volatility and changes of power will yet occur. This is the specter that is unfolding before our very eyes.

America in Prophecy?

But, what about the U.S.? Americans no doubt will have many questions about the prophetic role of their great nation.

Why is America not expressly mentioned in the Bible? One would think that its existence and actions would be worthy of mention. China is mentioned prophetically … why not the U.S.?

In previous parts of this series, we have shown why the USA will not be one of the final 10 kings. Put simply, the glass slipper does not fit the foot.

Given America’s status as a superpower and its huge economic influence upon the earth, it must be concluded that America today could not qualify as a member. It is just too large to be a big toe on either of the two feet that Nebuchadnezzar saw. A foot with such a large toe would not be functional.

Moreover, it must also be concluded that America will no longer be the most influential power in the world. While the specific reasons for this shrinking are not known, in one way or another, this country will diminish. If it is not to be a member of the 10-king coalition, it will then surely be subject to its rule.

Just what type of geopolitical maelstrom or internal deterioration will America yet go through? Quite a bit, it would seem. But can this be? Isn’t God on America’s side? Isn’t God blessing the United States?

America the Bountiful

The country of America is truly one of a kind—like no other. It is extraordinary in so many ways. From an earthly perspective, today it is still the most prosperous nation, the most powerful, and the most influential. We all know this. For example, for some time, its defense expenditures had been greater than the combined outlay of the entire rest of the world. (This is rapidly changing, however.)

Its economy, popularly measured, is still the largest of all nations. (China is now in close pursuit.)

We could outline a long list of superlatives.

But, how did it get to this position? Surely, the pivotal factors that have shaped America were not accidental. Why have so many benefits and geographic advantages been given to this country? The answers are thought-provoking.

Advantage America

No other nation has been given the natural advantages of America. Let us count the ways. We borrow heavily from Stratfor’s popular monograph, “The Geopolitics of the United States.”1

• No other nation in the world has as much arable land as the U.S. The American Midwest is the world’s largest contiguous piece of farmland. In addition, there are other major agricultural areas, namely in south-central Canada, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, California’s Central Valley, and others. These are significant compared to the agricultural capacity in the rest of the world.
• The Atlantic Coast possesses more major ports than the rest of the Western Hemisphere combined.
• The Greater Mississippi Basin, together with the Intercoastal Waterways, has more miles of navigable internal waterways than the rest of the world combined. In addition, the river systems of the Missouri, Arkansas, Red, Ohio, and Tennessee are significant. Why are rivers so important? Navigable rivers have two banks, coasts only one.
• Adding to the power of America is the fact that it has a wealth of sheltered bays and extreme indentations allowing for ports—St. Lawrence Seaway, the Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay, and a number of others.
• A most important feature of North America is the river network in the middle third of the continent. Unlike major rivers in the rest of the world, vast tracts of America’s rivers are navigable because few of their tributaries originate in high elevations. That has meant that America has had the cheapest and most efficient transportation system in the world for its products.
• The vast bulk of America’s prime agricultural lands are within 200 kilometers of a stretch of navigable rivers.
• America has two coasts—the Atlantic and the Pacific. Moreover, it allows America to trade with these two major regions of the world—both Asia and Europe.
• From a national security perspective, America is naturally insulated from any invaders. The two major oceans of its coastline are a natural barrier to enemies. To the south, there is desert; to the north, timberland, mountains or lakes. Its geographic layout makes America very secure like no other its size.
• The United States is the least densely populated of the major global economies in terms of population per unit of usable land. (Russia, Canada, and Australia may be less densely populated, but vast tracts of their land are economically useless … i.e., Siberia, the Canadian North, and the Outback, respectively.)

We could list many other factors. All the above translates into a low requirement for capital, cheap transportation, and low defense costs in its earlier days. These were major factors that enabled the rapid rise of America in world trade and influence.

Canada, on the other hand (to illustrate this contrast), needed to spend massively to develop the St. Lawrence Seaway and the required canals in the Great Lakes.

Just what other nation has been endowed with such wealth, resources, and geographical features?

Could it be that the rise of America over the last 200 to 250 years was not significant in the prophetic timeline of the world?

The correct answer, we think, would be “no.” Is it simply circumstantial that such a large geopolitical power took form late in the premillennial era?

From Blessing to Judgment

As we have shown, the North American continent could not have been created more providentially. Many benefits and advantages were given to the people that would live on that landmass.

There can be no doubt: God has blessed America. The rise of America on the world scene was not accidental. God has had His purposes for America. There can be no other candidate for the geopolitical influence and tasks that it may have fulfilled on the world stage.

However, much of this role may now be in the past.

What about the future?

Nations are free to make their choices. They are free to choose whom they will serve and will bear the corresponding judgments in the last days.

Choices are indeed being made.

Consider that at one time—from the early 1800s—America sponsored waves of evangelism around the world. That is no longer the case. As a recent poll from Gallup reveals, for the first time on record, church membership plunged to less than 50% in 2018. In 2020, this ratio sank further to 47%. Compare this with attendance levels of 70% in 1999 … only 22 years ago!

Foreign Affairs magazine recently published an article entitled, “Giving Up on God: The Global Decline of Religion.” We quote here one headline statement from this report: “The most dramatic shift away from religion has taken place among the American public.” As recently as 2007, the U.S. ranked as one of the most religious countries in the world. Since then, it has shown the largest move away from religion of any country that this survey covered.

All the above-mentioned trends do not invalidate that God has used America in the past to bring about His purposes in the world. Did not God have America in His eye (though not the “apple of His eye,” as in Zechariah 2:8) from the beginning of time?

Since Bible prophecy clearly outlines that there will be a 10-nation power coalition, not a foot with one big toe, we can conclude that this big toe (the U.S.) must then become comparatively smaller. While the British Empire has been removed from the pinnacle of power more than a century ago, its younger cousin, the U.S., now may also face a relative decline.

By whatever means—whether the Rapture, self-inflicted policy errors, deserved or divinely willed—this has to happen if the Bible is to be proven correct. In fact, viewed against the pace of past human history, it must be said that this downward shift of America, relative to the rest of the world, has likely begun.

Less than 25 years ago, though the seeds of America’s moral and economic decline had long been evident, the U.S. was still seen as an invincible, world-dominating power in every sense.

At the time, geopolitical analysts were still actively debating the question of whether the United States should really be considered an empire in the classical sense. Many analysts ridiculed any notion that America might be vulnerable, maintaining that the 21st century would belong to the U.S., as did the 20th.

What does the Bible say? For the last three centuries, there has only been one big toe … first Britain, then America. But this cannot continue if prophecy is to be fulfilled.

Prophecy, in this case, can be fulfilled in a number of ways. A coalition of 10 other kings (nations) could become powerful enough to supersede the geopolitical position of the U.S. Or, could the opposite extreme play out? Could America be downsized … deteriorate from the inside out …or become one of the 10 kings, or not at all? Which will it be?

According to Bible prophecy, every avenue and every possible scenario for the United States seems to lead to some form of diminution on the world stage.

Can you see this?

Indeed, the times are short, and history will speed up dramatically.

What choices will America and the nations make?

What should the Saints do?

We look up and await the Rapture and the return of Jesus Christ: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).

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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com

¹ Stratfor: “The Geopolitics of the United States, Part I: The Inevitable Empire; Part II: American Identity and the Threats of the Future,” August 24, 2011, www.stratfor.com

Scripture clearly indicates that a 10-king power coalition will take form near the start of the Tribulation period. At least five separate visions in the Bible depict these 10 kings. We find these in Daniel 2:41-42 in the form of 10 toes, and as 10 horns representing 10 kings in 7:7, 20, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 12. As already explained in previous parts, the Bible’s use of the terms “kings” and “kingdoms” is equivalent to a male sovereign nation leader in our day.

Another important conclusion was that the 10 kings take form prior to the appearance of the Antichrist. This sequence is often ignored … many still looking for the Antichrist first. As such, the emergence of a 10-nation coalition is one of the most important signs of the times, though the world will likely not know the exact configuration of these 10 kings until the Antichrist actually arrives.

A power coalition of the type prophesied here is a unique arrangement in world geopolitical history. Ten sovereign kings (nation rulers) will pool their power together and then agree to put it at the disposal of the Antichrist (Revelation 17:13).

The general pattern throughout world history has been that only one nation would dominate the known world or its regions. Even in our modern age, this has been the case. It has been a long, long time since the world has not been dominated by one prominent and powerful country.

That said, it also is true that much of the world remains heavily influenced by the Roman Empire. In fact, as demonstrated in previous parts of this series, the Bible considers our era a definite offshoot of the Roman Empire.

It has never before occurred that the entire world has been firmly ruled by a voluntary coalition of power-sharing countries. That is still not the case, though movement has clearly been in that direction.

Today, we have nation assemblies such as the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, and many other international agencies … all coming into existence over the last 150 years or so. However, an obstacle to further collective globalism is that there are at least one or more geopolitical nation-states that are too powerful or independent to join such a coalition. These may be reluctant to cede their sovereignty to a smaller group of nations.

These mega-countries would have to recede in terms of influence or be superseded in some way or outdistanced before the 10-nation coalition can assume world-spanning power.

Significance of 10 Toes

Let’s again return to our laymen’s podiatry—the study and treatment of feet. We recall that Daniel saw 10 toes in the prophetic image of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. As reviewed in previous parts of this series, we know that the 10 toes are a parallel symbol to that of the 10 horns, shown in both Daniel and Revelation.

As such, it is a prophecy through symbol. Symbols must have literal meanings, as is the case with all symbols in Scripture. This being so, we can then draw meaningful conclusions by simply looking at symbols.

Therefore, Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a large human statue made of various materials (Daniel 2) contains a very important clue.

Studying this picture, one is likely to uncover an ill-fitting fact. Were Nebuchadnezzar’s vision to apply to our day, we would note that the feet would be quite lopsided and deformed. Why? There would be a big, outsized toe if the United States were a member of this group.

Consider that a foot has one big toe and four progressively smaller ones. While there are size differences in our toes, none are so large that it is bigger than the foot itself, for instance. Proportionality must be observed.

Every indication that the Bible gives us about the final, last-day, 10-king power coalition is that each member is roughly proportionate in size. First, in Daniel 2, we are shown a normal set of 10 toes. In Daniel 7, as well as Revelation 12, 13 and 17, they are shown as 10 typical horns.

However, a little later—continuing the “horn” imagery—the 10 horns are implicitly compared to an emerging 11th horn, which is said to have been small and which then uproots three of the existing horns (Daniel 7:8).

As such, we are led to recognize that the final 10 kings will not be small in size, nor is there any indication that the size of the horns will not be normal. We can reasonably conclude that the visions do not allow for outsized toes and feet, nor any grotesquely enlarged horns. The size differences would be normal … just as the big toe is bigger than the smallest of the toes.

But that is not what we would observe were Nebuchadnezzar’s vision to apply to our era. Presently, significant size differences would be noted. Consider that only one hugely outsized big toe would be visible. It certainly could not fit into the endtime glass slipper.

Viewed through the lens of current geopolitics, we see that there is one prophesied global political condition that does not yet exist. It is minilateralism. That arrangement will arrive when a small group of relatively powerful nations come together to form a world-ruling coalition.

These ten kings/nations will have global power. Grouped together, they will assuredly be more powerful than any other nation or group of nations.

Many national leaders look forward to the day when world affairs will not be so dominated by a select few … and certainly not by any one superpower, as America still may be today.

What do these conditions imply for America in the future? Could the US, therefore, be a future member of the 10-nation coalition … or not? Before we provide our viewpoints on these questions, we must first examine several other Bible prophecies that may play a role in endtime geopolitics. What does the Bible say about Asian countries such as China or Iran? As it happens, at this time, relations between America and China are tense.

China vs. America: Who Will Prevail?

Today, there is a fast-growing counterweight to the United States globally. It is China. This country has already made some great advances in global influence. Will its progression continue? Where will the growing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China lead? Does the Bible have anything to say on this matter?

Will China leap-frog America … or not? The Bible provides a partial answer.

Unlike America, the Bible does mention this nation in the last days by name. China is identified specifically as Sinim. In fact, Scripture also prophesies about China.

Consider this prophetic verse: “Behold, these shall come from far; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim” (Isaiah 49:12, KJV).

Just what and where is Sinim?

Most sources agree that Sinim refers to the far eastern region of China today.¹ Things related to China are still referred to as “Sino.” For example, the word “sinology” means the study of China. Sinim is likely the most eastern nation mentioned in the Bible.

In the Arabic language, China is still referred to as “Sin.” The word “Sin” likely comes from the word Ch’in (or Tsin), as in the Ch’in Dynasty, which ruled China between 221 and 206 BC. The word “Sinim” in Hebrew would, therefore simply be the plural form of “Sin.”

Returning to the quoted verse, we can deduce from Isaiah’s words—written some 2,700 years ago—that Sinim (China) will most certainly exist in the last days and will carry into the following Millennial period. Isaiah here speaks of the nations that will recognize Israel and worship the Lord.

Moreover, we can also reasonably deduce that China must be a substantial entity at that time since it is actually named in the prophecy. Also, instead of naming the “east,” the prophet simply assumes that this is the direction of Sinim.

Isaiah indicates that the people of Sinim will also be in that number that will eventually go to worship in the new Israel during the 1,000-year Millennial Period.

What about the “kings of the east” that are mentioned in Revelation 16:12? What role might they have? Will China be counted in this group? This verse reads: “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.”

This judgment occurs in the second half of the Tribulation Period. As a result, the “kings of the east” head west across the Euphrates. We can only speculate as to what their motives may be. Possibly (though this is sheer speculation), eastern nations may wish to get out from under the thumb of the Antichrist.

We must then turn to this crucial question: Will China play a significant geopolitical role in the last days, perhaps being a key member of a final world order? The answer, we believe, is both yes and no. Yes, in our opinion, China (and some other select Asian nations) will play a prominent role in the last-day geopolitical developments mentioned in Revelation 16:12. An aggressive action of some kind seems to be suggested.

While that may be the case, the Bible at the same time also rules out any role for China in the post-globalism, minilateralism period of a “10-king” ruling order.

How can we be sure of this view? Scripture reveals the answer.

Revelation 17:12 supports an important deduction. It reads: “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.” Just how does this verse connect to China and some other Asian countries today?

The verse we have quoted from Revelation specifically refers to these last-day 10 kings and reveals a crucial clue. John the Revelator tells us here that these 10 kings “have not yet received a kingdom.” This means that neither the kings nor their kingdoms referred to in this verse had yet existed, either at or by the time the Apostle John wrote Revelation (approx. 90-95 AD).

As such, we can draw some clear conclusions from Revelation 17:12. Any nation today that existed at or prior to the time of John’s prophecy, therefore, cannot qualify as one of the 10 final kings … in other words, one of the final influential 10 nations.

If we apply this rule, it reveals that such nations as China, India, Iran (Persia) and others will not be part of the final, 10-king world power coalition. Why? Because they already had kingdoms by the time of John’s prophecies.

Consider that China already existed in New Testament times. According to historians, the Han Dynasty, a predecessor to modern-day China, was in power at the time of John’s prophecies.

The same may be concluded for the nation of Japan today. As already mentioned, the nation of “Hodu” (India) had already existed, as the Book of Esther confirms. Crucially, therefore, we discover here that none of these large and influential Asian nations will be part of the last-day rulership represented by the 10-king coalition.

What light could these perspectives possibly shed upon our times?

Beyond the certainty that these nations will not be part of the world-ruling order at the time the Antichrist takes global control, we can only attempt a few additional speculative conclusions.

A scenario that appears plausible is that the formation of the final 10 kings may very well be a counterstrategy to the perceived threats or non-aligned perspectives of other global players, these very possibly being the “kings of the east,” who are growing in power before the 10-king coalition emerges.

There is no doubt that China is strategically placed geographically, allowing it to become a naval and economic power that can control and coordinate much of Asia. A number of geographers and geo-strategists have long thought this to be the case. As it happens, China today has sharply increased its naval capabilities.

Thoughts to Ponder

We can deduce that China will not qualify as one of the 10 horns on the head of the 7th Ruler King. It will not be part of the world-ruling 10 kings. Nor is it likely to gain total dominance over the world.

What would these conclusions mean for the outcome of the China/America rivalry that we see today? As almost always, interpretations of Bible prophecy are often colored or biased by recency. Events or trends of our time tend to be read into the prophetic Scriptures. As such, the reader beware.

It seems reasonable to conclude that if both China and America (at this time, anyway) do not qualify to be part of the world’s last power structure, that therefore the China/American rivalry will move to backstage geopolitically.

For the time being, combative postures may continue. Aggressive actions may yet escalate. Time will tell.

A wonderful conclusion to this segment is the message of Isaiah 49:12 (quoted earlier). Despite the distrust and different values that the two nations may have, in the end, the supposedly “big, bad Red China” will acknowledge Jesus Christ and enter the Millennial period.

In the next issue—the last one of this series—we will outline the final conclusions about America’s geopolitical future in light of Scripture. Does God have America in His eye? Was this nation created for a purpose?

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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.

Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com

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1 James H. Strong, Exhaustive Concordance, p. 5515: “Sinim is a distant Oriental region.”