By Dr. David R. Reagan
Where is the United States in Bible prophecy? It is only natural that we should wonder since the United States is not mentioned specifically by name in Bible prophecy. We are covered by general prophecies that relate to all nations, but beyond that, our end time destiny must be a matter of speculation.
General prophecies that apply to the U.S. include those that say all nations will be judged (Isaiah 34:2-3) and all nations will cease to exist except the nation of Israel (Jeremiah 30:11 and 46:28).
A Speculation
I personally believe that the reason the U.S. is not mentioned in end time prophecy is because we will suddenly cease to be a world power and will therefore play no significant role in end time events.
The destruction of American power is most likely to occur in two stages. The first looks to be an economic catastrophe that will result from our out of control debt situation. Our god is the dollar, and the Lord is going to destroy that god when the weight of our debt collapses our economy.
The second stage could occur when Russia launches its invasion of Israel (prophesied in Ezekiel 38 and 39). I believe it is very likely that they will launch a preemptive nuclear attack against our nation, since we are the only country in the world that might possibly come to Israel's defense. This attack may be hinted at in Ezekiel 39:6 where it says that fire will fall on "those who inhabit the coastlands in safety."
The Russian attack will probably come from submarines deployed off our East and West coasts. Each Russian sub carries more fire power than all the bombs dropped in World War II. Such an attack would give us only seven minutes warning, not even enough time to launch a counter attack.
With the U.S. immobilized, the Russians will then attack Israel and, according to Ezekiel, their army will be wiped out supernaturally by God on the hills of Israel (Ezekiel 39:1-4). The greatest power vacuum in the history of mankind will be created almost overnight. The world will be gripped by panic.
Into that vacuum will step a dynamic, charismatic European political personality who will be energized by Satan. He will begin to rally the world to his support through his brilliant proposals for world peace. The world will be mesmerized by him (Revelation 13:8).
The Parallel of Habakkuk
I admit that I do not like this speculative scenario. But it seems the most likely chain of events to me. When it first occurred to me, I was particularly repelled by the idea of God using Russia to judge our nation. I asked, "How can a holy God punish those who are evil with those who are more evil?"
My quest for an answer to that question led me to the book of Habakkuk. I discovered that Habakkuk asked God the same question when God revealed to him that Judah would be judged by an invasion of the Chaldeans.
God never answered Habakkuk's question. He just called on Habakkuk to proceed in faith, believing that God knew best (Habakkuk 2:4). After a difficult spiritual struggle, Habakkuk stepped out in faith and said, "Lord, even if the Chaldeans completely destroy us, I will continue to exalt Your name" (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
The Chaldeans came. They destroyed the nation of Judah and the Temple of God. But where are the Chaldeans today? In the dust bin of history. Where are the Jews? Regathered to their land.
The point is that God has the wisdom and power to orchestrate the evil of Man to the triumph of His holy will in history. It is not for us to question His ways. Rather, it is for us to trust Him.
A Sobering Conclusion
But there is another point to consider. Are we really more righteous than the Russians? I think not.
In fact, I believe we are far more dangerous to the world spiritually than the Russians have ever been, for we are the world's moral polluter through the export of our sleazy television programs, our filthy movies, our satanic music, and our degrading pornography.
We are a people who have turned our back on God. The day of judgment for us will be far more severe than for the Russians, for "to those to whom much is given, much is expected" (Luke 12:48).
Another Possibility
There is another possible fate for the United States. If the Rapture were to occur today, we would be devastated because our nation contains more born again Christians than any other nation in the world - more than all of Western Europe combined. Further, we have many born again Christians in high positions of commerce and government. The Rapture would reduce our nation to chaos, removing us from the international scene as the world's dominant power.
We can hope and pray that this will be the destiny of our nation, because if it is not, we are headed toward outright destruction due to our rebellion against a gracious God who has blessed us more than any other nation that has ever existed.
Distributed by www.worldviewweekend.com
Still no true response?
| Posted On: 05/14/09 04:06:56 PM |
Age 21, MO |
First, I very much do await Christ's return. It is that hope of redemption which has driven Christianity for 2000 years. Second, as far as I know, belief in the rapture is not a requirement for being a Christian, and thus I should get raptured if it does indeed occur. Third, if somehow I do get "left behind," then I will thank God for the opportunity to continue to share the Gospel with those who desperately need to hear it. It is no problem for me. Paul himslef said that he longed to know the "fellowship of Christ's suffering." For the Christian, if we claim to follow Christ, then we must recognize that suffering will come before exaltation (Philippians). This is why I see no reason why christians should need to, or want to, escape the Tribulation. When the world is hurting the most and in most need of Christ, we as Christians should be the first to sacrifice our rights and well being to reach out to them.
Finally, I am still awaiting a biblical response to the Context issue I raised for the 2 passages. Instead, the only response is a very presumptious argument that I do not look forward to Christ's return. To add to their problem, I will say look at Lk. 17:22-37. This passage makes it even clearer that those "taken away" are taken to judgment. Let's read the whole Bible in context shall we. I also agree with the point made by someone else here that Christianity existed without belief in the Rapture for 1,700 years. I guess all those centuries of Christians were just poor, unenlightened fools who did not really desire Christ's return...
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Much Ado...
| Posted On: 12/01/08 10:27:44 AM |
Age 57, CA |
I studied eschatology for years and it became an obsession. Please do not do what I did.
Remember, keep your eyes and heart on Christ not on the supposed end time events.
Pray for Pre-trib, don't wait for mid-trib, hope for Pre-Wrath but prepare for post-trib.
We are in troubling times and you Must prepare as though the 7 year period has started already. This is not to say it has but you must prepare by praying, spreading the word and being ready to assist our brothers in Christ unto death.
Eschatology can actually be fun. Take for example the date setters that base everything on Jubilee, lunar cycles and annual years of 360 years. Read up on astrophysics (scientific American, science, etc.) and a theory is being given more credence: A large planetary object passed by in 7 B.C. and changed the rotation of our planet...yup it is in the Bible. Check out how long it took for the H.A.B. theory to become reality...yes the skin of the Earth rotates between 7600 and 10,900 years on its axis. Take into account that we are passing through the Galactic Rift with a huge gravity well at the same time the Sun is ending a 11 year activity period before it rotates. I hope you are reading all this because I do have a point. Not only was Israel established in 1948 but Jerusalem was retaken in 1967.
So, here is the point, it is impossible for us to know the start of the Jubilee system because of the variable planetary rotation in conjunction with a slowing annual rotation along with a short change in rotation along with ancient records being completely lost and only guessed at. How long really is a generation? 40 years? 70 years? Or is it 41.3456 years?
Only God knows. I think that He knew the level of technology our world would reach and yet we can't even be sure about many physical aspects of the planet we live on. You think maybe He accounted for this? He does have a sense of humor you know.
I think I could write a book about all this science fact and fiction and maybe you get enjoyment out of pondering the world events. This will only lead you to inactivity and fear. God is in control and whatever will happen is under his absolute rule.
Your life will be much more fulfilled by spreading the word as you are commanded to do. Tell everyone about Christ not about a rapture, or heaven, or end time events. Be prepared and you can only do the following by having a deep faith, to die for Christ and your brethren.
CK
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Why does the revival tarry?
| Posted On: 10/18/08 06:57:18 AM |
Age 72, SWEDEN |
Hi.
I found your Web Site by Google
And I wish you the best you can get,
the peace of God through Jesus Christ.
Welcome to visit my Site.
Allan Svensson, Sweden
Why does the revival tarry? It is because God's
people tarry to obey the powerful command of
the Lord in Rev. 18:4. This is the most powerful
revival message of the Lord to his people in our time.
www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/INDEX.HTM
As in the days of Lot, it is now. Lot was not interested
to leave Sodom. God sent two angels to rescue him,
and they must persuade him to leave Sodom. When
he yet lingered, one of the angels said to him:
"Flee for your life sake ..."
Just like as Lot, God's people are not interested to
leave the great Babylon, but finally they must flee
for their life from there.
www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/PAGE88.HTM
God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
because their preachers have rejected knowledge.
Hosea 4:6-11. Instead to preaching the truth of the
Assembly of God, they have preached lies about the
Assembly of God. The Pentecostalists have abused
the expression "Assembly of God" and used it as a
name of their church.
What does hinder the Antichrist to appear?
What is the Restrainer?
http://www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/MESSAGE.HTM#Antichrist
Why did the Pentecostal Revival take an end?
www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/CRISIS.HTM
The coming revival, a nameless revival
www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/POWERFUL.HTM
What will happen before Jesus comes?
http://www.algonet.se/~allan-sv/BEFORE.HTM
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anti-rapture folks may get their wish
| Posted On: 10/08/08 11:20:24 AM |
Age 52, GA |
There are many respected theologians that do believe in escaping the wrath, and being snatched away before the coming tribulation. It is beyond me, why anyone would argue for something they surely wouldn't want to participate in - the tribulation. Also, there is a crown waiting for those that look forward to His appearing. It seems to me that those who argue vehemently against the rapture, are also among those not looking forward to His appearing. Which may mean they will get their wish and will get to participate in the tribulation... too bad for them. As far as the U.S. is concerned in reference to the end times, there may be another reason for optimism. Maybe there will be an awesome revival, and when the time comes for the rapture, there will not be anyone here but a few naysayers. In His service, by His grace, Porter +++
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WHY PUT BROTHERS DOWN
| Posted On: 10/03/08 11:54:16 AM |
Age 64, OH |
To say false doctrine is false is not being a naysayer. I say that every word that Jesus spoke is true. Read my post above titled "DID NOAH HAVE TO BUILD AN ARK or WAS NOAH RAPTURED". Do you think what Jesus said is not true. I choose to believe Jesus instead of mere men. My blessed hope in not the rapture but the return of the Lord Jesus Himself. Why do you write in a tone that put's those who disagree with you down. Are we not all brother's. Lou
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LINDSEY
| Posted On: 10/03/08 11:44:10 AM |
Age 64, OH |
You are sure correct in saying that Hal Lindsey is NOT a prophet. But he does claim to be an expert in prophecy. Who could be an expert in prophecy except a prophet. Prophecy is the testimony of The Spirit of Jesus and who knows that except Jesus. A prophet is one who Jesus speaks to about these things. When man tries to understand the things of God without bothering to seek God about them, you get the error of these men. Read Hal Lindsey's book "Late Great Planet earth" today, it is a joke, many of these things did not come true. Lindsey did imply that these things would come true by quoting scripture and allowing others to claim him an expert. Those area all signs of a false prophet. Lou
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You have told the truth.
| Posted On: 09/30/08 04:59:43 PM |
Age 50, IN |
I have always said that God will take the eagle (USA) out before the antichrist comes. Why? Because the eagle is never mentioned after the rature of the Bride ( Church) of Christ, Rev.4. Now this eagle (USA) as Mr. Reagan has said will cease to be a nation of power because of the rapture (just as Mr. Reagan has said). So I would say it is expediant that we, Believers,who live in the USA start today (NOW) to tell others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
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Not a New Doctrine !
| Posted On: 09/30/08 05:55:30 AM |
Age 41, JAPAN |
The Rapture is not a new doctrine.
Ephraim the syrian realized way back in the third century that the church has to be taken out before the final 7 year tribulation. He came to that conclusion after a careful study of scripture.
God will not mix His two programs for evangilization of the world which are the church and Israel.There is segregation on the earth once again during the tribulation.NOW there is no segregation on the earth, there is only non believing jew, non believing gentile and the christian.
For the israelites to have a legitimate chance to do what they were called to do (spread the knowledge of the one true God), the church CAN'T be here.
We learn this from dispensationalism.
There are MANY other reasons why the church will be taken out in the Rapture but no room here.Why christians work so hard to disprove the blessed hope of the Rapture is beyond me.It was given to be a comfort to the believer.Thank God even anti Rapture christians will be taken out. God ought to leave them here to TRY to endure the Tribulation since they are so against it.Its you sir, who needs to read your Bible....by the Hal Lindsey isn't a prophet and never made a prediction he guaranteed would come to pass.
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What?
| Posted On: 09/28/08 04:17:22 PM |
Age 27, CANADA |
I find it hard to believe that at the outset of the 21st century, men who are apparently biblical scholars would still propagate such a ridiculous patchwork of verses as the rapture. If Christ Himself said "Of that day and hour even I don't know", who are we to predict when these things will happen?
Such speculation only leads to pessimism in evangelism...
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palestine
| Posted On: 09/27/08 09:32:01 PM |
Age 22, MN |
We did not commit a sin when we asked Israel to accept a Palestinian state. Palestine was a peaceful coexistence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims before the Zionists forcefully, and brutally, took over the land after WW2. The history of modern day Israel is drenched in blood. Modern day Palestinians have been socialized into violence and anger by the oppression they suffered from the Israelis over the years. Israel has its fair of sins to account for. -Dan Smith
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