Q&A about America in Bible prophecy

Including a look at the close link between the fate of the United States and the Rapture

Q. Do you think the "Babylon" of Jeremiah 50 and 51 is actually the United States of America?

A. I am convinced of it. Therefore, putting it bluntly and being up front with it, I believe America will be coming to a sudden, violent end. And soon.

I believe the scriptures indicate that the end of America will come as a direct result of an American-led assault against the nation of Israel.

I also believe that the Rapture will immediately precede the end of America, and precede it so closely as to be nearly coincidental to it. I detail many reasons I believe these things in Jeremiah 50 & 51, commented, with more in Notes on Lot and Sodom & Gomorrah.

Q. You tie America's dealings with Israel into the fate of America. But America's foreign policy position is decidedly pro-Israel, isn't it?

First of all, I don't tie it to it, scripture does in Jeremiah 50 and 51. Secondly, America's official position is not cast in stone. There is plenty of almost daily evidence that leadership tries to walk a rather blurred line. Almost non-partisan, when it comes to the Middle East. A big factor may be oil.

Thirdly, America's position can turn on a dime depending on what Israel does. And I believe that's exactly how it will shake out, and how Jeremiah 50 and 51 indicates it will shake out. Israel will do something, and America will lift up in pride to judge and condemn and launch a punitive strike or something against Israel.

Whatever Israel does, no matter what it is, it is clear that it is America's best interest to stay out of it. But America won't. And pride is the reason.

Q. Couldn't the Babylon in Jeremiah 50 and 51 be a reference to original Babylon in Iraq?

A. It couldn't be the original, historic Babylon, and the first fulfillment of the prophecy, because the area was only uninhabited for a while, and came to be reinhabited. In fact it's reported that Saddam Hussein made a project of rebuilding and restoring original Babylon in Iraq. It is today, apparently, not only inhabited, but growing. So the first fulfillment was but a type of a coming fulfillment of the prophecy.

As far as the future of original Babylon in Iraq, or Iraq itself, the land of ancient Babylon, apparently it will play a role in future events, possibly becoming a financial center (Zechariah 5:5-11). We also see that as the millenial kingdom of Jesus Christ is established, people come from that land (Shinar, in Isaiah 11:11) when they are gathered together, which would be impossible if it were the Babylon of Jeremiah 50 and 51, because nothing living could come out of there. So that Iraqi Babylon will evidently be in existence and inhabited at that time.

The Babylon in Jeremiah 50 and 51 is destroyed completely, and will never be inhabited again. And it is evident from reading the passage that this is massive destruction, on a scale never seen in common history.

Q. Why is that Babylon the United States? Why not some other Gentile nation?

A. Because something big has to happen to take America out of end time prophecy events. "If God allows the United States to continue unpunished, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah an apology" is a saying I've heard attributed to both Billy Graham and Mrs. Billy Graham, so I'm not sure which said it. Regardless, I've come to believe the scriptures indicate that God's destruction of the United States will come not as a result of sodomy or other debauchery or moral decay -- though those are indications of haughtiness toward and defiance of God --, but because of an American military assault against the nation of Israel.

We are closer to the end time than ever. America is described now as the world's superpower, and, in fact, the last global superpower. There's little that occurs in the world that the United States is not only a player, but the major player, affecting the outcome. So with America this powerful, this strong, this late in the "game", something must take America out.

There have been attempts to identify Persia as a type of America in endtime events. The explanation was that over time America would be weakened by financial collapse and internal subversion, and so become a minor player. But in the years since such was postulated, America's economic position and global position has actually strengthened.

So something big is likely, something sudden. And as God will do nothing except he revealeth it by his servants, the prophets, it must be in the Bible. And I believe it is, in Jeremiah 50 and 51.

Q. What about "behemoth"? Some say that is America and tie that in with scripture in Revelation.

A. That's an interesting way of making of a scriptural case that America will still be around for end time events. Personally, I don't agree. Open the popup window for more information.

Q. Do you think this cataclysmic end is crucial to end time prophecy fulfillment?

A. I do think it sets the stage in a way no other event possibly could. The protective -- and perhaps, sometimes, interfering or constraining -- arm of America will be eliminated. The "assembly of nations" that will launch the destruction of America (Jeremiah 50, 51) will, no doubt, cause the rest of the free world fear and worry. That sets the stage for a charismatic, strong leader and for protective treaties and joining of nations together for common defense, to provide "peace and safety". Even if some nations have to be compelled to join by force. The way will be paved for the beast of Revelation, and the fulfillment of end time prophecy.

Q. Several pastors or teachers think America will suffer an economic collapse, and that will take the United States out of end time events. Do you agree?

A. No. Because that would cause suffering of the just too. We have to remember that the evidence is that the biggest concentration of born again believers in the world is in America. I have no reason to think that God won't keep blessing them by blessing all. As the parable in Matthew 13: 24-30 says, let the wheat and the tares grow up together, lest both be destroyed trying to get to the tares. Then, when harvest time is come, the scythe is put in, the wheat is gathered into the barn, and the tares are burned. That's a kingdom of heaven parable, but it reveals to us God's mind in similar matters.

The economy may have ups and downs, but I believe things will be rolling along, business as usual, right up until the Rapture and the sudden, violent end of America. One of the reasons I believe this is because of the type of Lot's sons in law, and their attitude toward the warning from Lot. There's more on this in notes on Lot and Sodom & Gomorrah.

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Qualifications For Working For God

There are many reasons why God shouldn't have called you. But don't worry. You're in good company. Moses stuttered, David's armor didn't fit, John Mark was rejected by Paul, Timothy had ulcers, Hosea's wife was a prostitute, Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning, Jacob was a liar, David had an affair, and Solomon was too rich.

Jesus was too poor, Abraham was too old, and David was too young. Peter was afraid of death, Lazarus was dead, John was self-righteous, Naomi was a widow, Paul was a murderer and so was Moses. Jonah ran from God, Miriam was a gossip, Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal, Elijah was burned out, John the Baptist was a loudmouth, Martha was a worry-wart, Mary was lazy. By the way, Samson had long hair, and Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul--well, lots of folks did.

But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our of a loving father than a boss. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, and not blind to our needs.

As much as we try, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be...Wonderful. Satan says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM." Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did in '98. It's not even on the record.

Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, he'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like.

I pray that as Christians, we will step out of our limitations into the illimitable nature of who God really is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate him will make mincemeat of our limitations.

Author Unknown