As an American, one of the first questions I have when considering end-time events is, "What role does America play in prophecy?" A study of the Bible does not reveal any clear references to America, although scholars associate it with various images in scripture. Our country appears not to have a decisive or maybe even significant role in end-time events. Because America has been so influential in world events in the past, we can only speculate about what will happen to reduce our national power.
Biblical Images
One image in the Bible people associate with America is that of Babylon. Is the Babylon of the last days the ancient site in Iraq? Is it the apostate church? The world system? America? The free market system based on greed, as found in America?
There are many similarities between America and the descriptions of Babylon in Jeremiah 50-51 and Revelation 18. It is possible there will be multiple fulfillments of those passages, with America being only one. If America is the Babylon of Jeremiah 50, a vicious attack from the north will destroy the country (50:3, 9, 41 and 51:48). The only countries north of America are Canada and Russia, and the latter is the better candidate for military aggression against us. If Russia will invade America in the future, it must be before God destroys the Russian army in Israel!
Let us consider other scriptures that might refer to America. In Isaiah 18 there are two identical descriptions of an unidentified nation. In verses 2 and 7, it describes "a people tall and smooth- skinned, . . . a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers." That is a pretty good description of today's America. Verse 7 is a very vague prophecy about that nation sending gifts to the Lord Almighty, to Mount Zion. Even if it does refer to America, it only means that the nation sends gifts. It gives little indication of the country's condition, except that it is aggressive and widely feared. This passage may not even pertain to the end times.
In Jeremiah 30:14, God says to Israel "All your allies have forgotten you; they care nothing for you." Its context shows that the verse applies to the time of "Jacob's trouble." America has been an ally of Israel, but obviously will not stand by Israel in the future.
The scriptures that describe the Russian invasion of Israel, which we will examine in the next chapter, make an interesting statement. "I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I am the Lord" (Eze 39:6). "Coastlands" in Hebrew refers to coastal areas, islands and continents. This could include America. Our location on a separate continent has enabled us to "live in safety" through many military conflicts during the last century. This verse suggests either a cosmic or nuclear devastation that includes Russia (Magog) and possibly America (coastlands).
In Revelation 8:13 we read, "As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: 'Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!'"
"Midair" is a translation of a compound Greek word. The first part means mid or middle, and the second part applies to anything above the earth, such as air, sky and heavens (including the location of God's throne). This compound Greek word only appears three times in the New Testament, all in Revelation. In addition to Revelation 8:13, it occurs in 14:6 ("angel flying in midair") and 19:17 ("all the birds flying in midair"). So we can safely interpret "midair" as earth's atmosphere or the region just beyond, where satellites orbit.
The national symbol of the United States happens to be an eagle. Could the "eagle that was flying in midair" and heard by lots of people be a description of a Christian satellite broadcast from America?
American Decline
We often think of America as a Christian nation and for this reason many believe it will continue to be strong until the Lord returns. This country's founders wrote many Christian principles into its law: the equality of men, Judeo-Christian principles of justice, freedom of worship and speech, and others. Americans have supported more missionary and evangelistic efforts than any other people in history. There are churches in virtually every community. We have "In God We Trust" on our money.
But America is not a Christian nation. Political processes run the government, not righteousness. Pleasure motivates the people, not righteousness. Legal precedent and clever lawyers determine justice, not righteousness. The heart of the people determines the heart of the nation, and Americans focus on self, not God. America is a secular nation, based on some Christian principles and containing some Christian citizens. There will be Christians in America as long as there are Christians in the world, but America is not a nation of Christians. God always works with a remnant. He often chooses the few, the weak and the insignificant to demonstrate his own glory.
Like Israel, America may have to experience devastation to purify the remnant. In fact, Israel believed its status as God's chosen nation would protect it from hardship and the false prophets declared that God would not allow anything to happen to the nation. The people believed that right up to the moment they were overrun by the enemy.
One clear principle in scripture is the Law of Accountability: to whom much is given, much is demanded (Lk 12:48). God has blessed America generously. Are we using what he gave us to advance God's kingdom or to satisfy our appetites? America has squandered much of God's blessing on self-indulgence.
My opinion is that America does not play a significant role in end-time prophecy, which means it must fall from world influence.
This article is a brief excerpt of a book chapter which addresses the following topics: