As I sat down to address this crucial question about America's role in end-times prophecy, I wrestled with some sobering truths about our nation's spiritual condition. When you study Bible prophecy, you'll find some nations specifically mentioned. The Bible clearly speaks about Libya and Ethiopia. It tells us about Persia (that's modern-day Iran and Iraq). There are scriptural references that point to Russia and China. Then there is Israel, which is a major focal point of all end times prophecy.
But, where is America in Biblical prophecy? The United States of America, currently the world's most powerful nation, is absent from the prophetic passages we find in Scripture. While this might not immediately trouble you, the question is, should it? I will even add maybe America shows up in Bible prophecy, but it just doesn’t show up in the places you might normally look. I believe when you understand what I am about to share about America's role in the end times, maybe the spiritual alarm bells should start ringing in your heart.
America: from Global Power to No Power?
Since July 4, 1776, the day when America declared its independence, God has blessed this nation in extraordinary ways. America has grown from the original thirteen colonies, to now becoming the world's leading superpower. America's influence touches virtually every corner of the globe through its economic might, political leadership, and military strength.
Our nation was founded on religious freedom. This God-given liberty has allowed believers to worship, share their faith, and spread the Gospel openly without fear of persecution. As Christians, we've enjoyed privileges that many of our brothers and sisters around the world can only dream about.
Now, here's the challenging question we need to address: How could a nation so powerful, so influential, and so historically aligned with Christian values not be part of biblical prophecy? America's absence from end times prophecies speaks volumes, and if you have not thought about it, maybe it is time you do.
The idea of America stepping off the world stage, particularly during end-times events, might almost seem impossible given our current position of global influence. But the truth is, no nation can be assured its powerful status will endure forever.
Looking back in time, you see this play out throughout history. Think about the great empires of the past. There was Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome, among others. Each one seemed invincible in their time. Each one dominated the known world. Yet, each one eventually fell by the wayside.
I'm not trying to be a prophet of doom, nor am I suggesting America's decline is inevitable. What I am saying is we need to examine this absence from biblical prophecy with spiritual eyes and historical wisdom. History teaches us that nations often crumble from within before they fall from without. The signs of internal decay typically appear long before external defeat.
When you think about internal decay, consider these sobering questions:
- Has the moral and spiritual foundation of America eroded?
- Have we departed from the biblical principles that once guided our nation?
- Could our absence from end-times prophecy suggest a significant change in America's global standing?
While America today stands as a beacon of freedom and prosperity, let’s not be so prideful as to believe that will automatically be the case tomorrow. My aim is not to make you afraid, but maybe it’s time we wake up to the spiritual reality of our nation.
Is America Represented in Bible Prophecy in a Different Way?
Could it be possible that America is part of Bible prophecy, just not in the way you might think? Prophecy is not just about the nations but also the state of the human heart that will exist in the end times. Is this the place where we find America in Bible prophecy? Let me tie together three ways America fits perfectly with prophetic words that were spoken in the Bible.
America is a nation that is losing its moral standards
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people" (2 Tim 3:1-5).
When Paul wrote these words to Timothy about the last days, he could have taken this right from today's headlines. People who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, and abusive permeate the culture we currently live in. Sadly, we don’t reject many of these people for their behavior, but in many ways we celebrate them.
Our society embraces self-absorption, materialism, and moral relativism. Social media platforms have become opportunities for self-promotion. We feed our minds with entertainment that often glorifies immorality, slowly moving God and his righteousness out of the picture. Many seek to do what is right in their own eyes, with no regard to what God’s standards are. Since we have removed the standard, we have shifted from absolute truth to relative truth. I can understand when this is the way people who are not followers of Christ think, but some followers of Christ are embracing this way of thinking. Like Paul said, having a form of godliness but denying its power. I can’t say definitively, but maybe this contributes to America no longer being the nation it once was and is a reason America is not part of end times prophecy.
America is a divided nation
"If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand" (Mk 3:25).
Jesus' words speak to another crumbling foundation that is becoming more prevalent in our nation. It feels like the divides in our nation are growing larger. For example, we don’t just have casual political disagreements anymore; we want to fight. When was the last time you saw a peaceful discussion between people with opposing political views? Our nation has become so bitterly divided that even simple conversations about politics or almost anything else can turn into verbal warfare, dividing families, households, and yes, even churches. Sadly, in some instances, the church is leading the way in this. How is it possible that believers who share the same Savior, read the same Bible, and claim the same faith are allowing political ideologies to tear them apart? Maybe we are fulfilling Jesus' warning about a house divided against itself.
America is a loveless nation
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold" (Mt. 24:12).
Jesus said the two greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbor. My question is, where has the love gone? Jesus revealed a truth about the end times that the love of most will grow cold. This may be another place we see America in Biblical prophecy. I don’t know how you feel, but it seems love has now become conditional and compassion comes with fine print. We reserve these things for those who look like us or who think and act like us. Yet in doing this, we are becoming a nation that is quick to judge, quick to dismiss, and slow to forgive. Have we become a nation where the ends justify the means? Who cares who you hurt, destroy, or what you must do? Just give me what I want. Is it possible that the American way as we know it is the fulfillment of the love of most growing cold?
What Does All This Have to Do with America in Biblical Prophecy?
The entire point of this article is to consider that maybe America is not in Biblical prophecy because America will cease being what America has been. I cannot say that with any certainty, but just thinking about that is the sobering truth that hit me in the face as I sat to write this article. Hopefully I have made you think about this too.
I don’t know what will happen to America in the future because the Bible does not give us specific prophecies about America. However, let’s not assume that what we are now is what we will always be. My prayer is that this understanding won’t drive us to fear, but to our knees in prayer for our nation and to a renewed commitment to being salt and light in an increasingly dark world. That is our mission as believers, and regardless of the future direction of America, that will never change.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Anastasiia Stiahailo
