Something I’ve often fought against in my writer’s mind in these commentaries is the matter of being too America-centric. That is, it’s always tempting to bring things involving the United States into articles. I’m most familiar with our nation and its influence on geopolitical and other areas of life upon the planet. So it’s perhaps a sense of familiarity that produces laziness in my research if my guard against such isn’t at full resolution.
However, in this particular piece, it is altogether appropriate to make America the focal point. The reason is that I continue to receive a number of emails from writers who look at developments in which the US is undeniably at the center of critical areas of nation-state interaction.
Of course, the emails I receive are inevitably steeped in and surrounded by questions with Bible prophecy at their center. And with the frenetic pace of developments lately, those messages are, almost as a unified theme, posing the question: Why is America so powerfully observable in geopolitical and geo-economics activity at this late hour of this Age of Grace (Church Age)?
Without exception, these mention the fact that the American president commands full attention in all he does, and now there is, with the death of Pope Francis, a newly elected pontiff—an American.
President Trump seemingly has the magic touch in leading all nations–even antagonist nations like China—to join in working to make the world economy one that will benefit all. This president also leads the way in seeking peace in the Middle East in dealing with Iran and Israel, between Russia and Ukraine, and between India and Pakistan–all areas that present the danger of igniting nuclear conflict.
Pope Leo XIV, who is already ballyhooed as “the American pope,” joins the movement in calling for peace and safety as he demonstratively aims to lead with great vigor from the Vatican, Christendom’s most powerful center from the world’s diplomatic perspective.
Many who watch things develop toward prophetic stage-setting and even fulfillment are speculating as to whether the powerful influence the US is currently exhibiting in the areas of geopolitics, geo-economics, and religion might indicate that America is destined to be the Babylon of Revelation 18.
One of the most-asked questions by those interested in end-times matters is: “Is America in Bible prophecy?” Or, “Why isn’t America, certainly considered the greatest nation to this point in history in terms of wealth and material achievement, not in Bible prophecy?”
The most common answer given by teachers and others who view prophecy from the premillennial, pre-Tribulation, futurist perspective is: “No. America is not found in Bible prophecy.” That has most frequently been my own answer to that basic question. The US isn’t found within the pages of God’s prophetic Word.
I can’t answer for others who deal with biblical eschatology (the study of end things). I can only say that my own meaning within my answer is that the US isn’t mentioned by name anywhere in prophecy.
Whether this most materially blessed nation in history, despite the absence of its name, is or is not somewhere in prophecy is another matter. Regarding that, my thinking has trended in more recent times toward “perhaps.”
Babylon, the city second only to Jerusalem as far as the number of times it’s mentioned in the Bible, is, of course, at the center of most controversy in the question of whether America is implied in Scripture. Is the United States Babylon the Great?
Despite the adamant answers to this query by some of my colleagues and friends on both sides of the America/Babylon matter, I must say they cannot—nor can I—know for certain. Only history playing out can provide the answer. We don’t know the future in detail when speculating upon such peripheral prophetic issues. Such is reserved exclusively for the God of Heaven.
Time’s unfolding, however, always draws things to come into focus so that prophetic detail can be more clearly discerned. It seems to me that recent times have provided ever-increasing magnification, showing America’s possible inclusion within these “end-of-days” prophecies, as the secular world terms them.
I’m not declaring that I think America is Babylon the Great. Like this commentary’s title implies, however, our nation, in many ways, looks more and more like a mirror reflection of that prophesied entity. The speculation , therefore, is allowable, in my view.
If God’s Word is true—and it is in every respect—there must be a city, nation, and commercial influence of tremendous magnitude during the time of what John was told to call the Apocalypse: the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.”
We must then, if trying to understand whether the present generation is near the time of Christ’s revelation, or Second Coming, ask whether a city-state commercial system as described in Revelation 18 exists.
As a matter of fact, there is indeed such an entity. It is the only one on the scene right now. Far beyond that fact, the one presently on the scene is unlike any other that’s ever existed.
The United States of America is, in terms of human achievement and attainment of every conceivable development of material convenience, the absolute apex of all nations of all of history! This isn’t being boastful of my nation. It’s simply fact that even the most ardent America-hater can’t truthfully deny.
At the same time, as we’ve seen over these closing days of the age, America is the exporter of evil even the likes of Sodom couldn’t claim.
Here are God’s Words, through John while the apostle and prophet was exiled on Patmos. Is there any possibility that these words might fit America the Great?
Let’s look here at the mysterious entity God called “Babylon the Great.” Its total destruction assuredly describes how it will be the apex nation/city/commercial and religious system of human history.
“And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
“The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
“For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
“And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate (Revelation 18:9-10, 15-19).
It’s a frightful and exceedingly sad speculation, to be sure. But we are commanded by our Lord to “watch” (Mark 13:37). Therefore, we must do so in accordance with Christ’s other command:
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).