08/05/09

What Happens to America in the End Times?

Author: Roger Barrier

Dear Roger,

What happens to America in the end times?

Sincerely, Peter

Dear Peter,

The quick and simple answer is that no one knows. However, there are some Biblical and political possibilities.

Let me begin by listing for you the major predictive passages in the Bible. The Book of Revelation promises a blessing to those who read and understand these prophetic truths. Daniel relates in the final chapter of his book that God will open up the prophetical books at the end times so that those with wisdom can discern what is coming.

The primary predictive passages are Ezekiel 37-39, Daniel 2 and 7-12; Matthew 24-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; and Revelation 4-22.
I see at least three possibilities for what happens to the United States in the end times. First, America is not even around for the end times. The average lifespan of large, significant Kingdom or national empires is about 300 years. Most of them fall apart because of military action from their neighbors other by collapsing from the inside as evidenced by a loss of any one or more of the following factors: values and morals; a collapsing of the fabric of their society; using up natural resources; changes in weather patterns; as well as a deteriorating relationship with their trade partners—among other equally significant factors .You can decide for yourself whether or not you think America will exist as a nation much longer based on these factors.

By the way, most cultures go through three-recurring-generational cycles before finally breaking down. These cycles occur multiple times through the Biblical book of Judges. The first generation fights the battles. The second generation enjoys the benefits. The third generation gives it all back again. The cycle then repeats.

Second, if America is still in existence in the final days, she may align herself with the nations united from the territories of the old Roman Empire. These aligned nations will be led by the Antichrist to invade Israel immediately after he inviolates the peace treaty he signed with Israel just three and one-half years earlier. If America has commitments pledging her allegiance and assistance to the nations of Europe—and keeps them—she will most likely meet her doom at the Battle of Armageddon.

Finally, Revelation 12:13-17 has an oblique reference to an “eagle” which saves Israel from destruction by the devil. Since the eagle is the national bird of the United States, some postulate that this eagle saving the woman is a symbolic picture of the U.S. stepping in to protect Israel at the commencement of the Battle of Armageddon. The characters in Revelation 12 are identified from the easy to decipher descriptions of each in the following verses I have identified with parenthesis the participants in the action above.

When the dragon (Satan) saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman (Israel) who had given birth to the male child (Jesus). The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle (the United States?), so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring — those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.

Well, Peter, while no one knows with any degree of certainty the answer to your question, I hope I have given you some options to consider.

Love, Roger