Also with this news of another threat... there are those "End times" people who have pondered why the USA is not mentioned in the "last days" etc..... so could this be why? That we will be so devastated that we will not be able to help Israel?
If America is not specifically referred to in Bible prophecy, what are the options for its future? If the Lord does not return for some time, the present superpower status of the United States could certainly fade, since it has been little more than a century that America has been a powerful presence on the world stage. However, if you believe, as most pre-trib scholars do, that the signs are ripe for the soon return of Jesus, then the question of America's fate in the near future is a relevant one. Let's take a look at the four options suggested by Mark Hitchcock.
First off; "America will still be a powerful nation in the last days, but the Lord simply chose not to mention her specifically."This is possible, but it seems unlikely. In Scripture, the dominant political and military power in the end times is centered in the Mediterranean and in Europe. The scriptural silence concerning America seems to indicate that by the time the tribulation arrives, America will no longer be a major influence in the world.
Since America is the major player in the world today in every arena, it is suggested three additional options that help address how this demise could occur.
Second; "America is not mentioned specifically in Scripture because she will be destroyed by other nations. She will suffer a fall from the outside."
Third; "America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy because she will have lost her influence as a result of moral and spiritual deterioration. She will suffer a fall from the inside."
Forth; "America will be brought to her knees by the Rapture. The Rapture is key" I feel this provides three main reasons why this is the best option:First, America is the number one ally and defender of Israel. … Without the support of the United States, Israel would be incinerated in a matter of days by her hostile Arab neighbors. Least this, is what I believe.
But Israel is pictured in Scripture as a thriving nation in the end times. Therefore, unless the world scene changes dramatically, I believe that America will remain strong as a nation until the beginning of the end times. Until the Rapture, the United States will continue to serve as Israel's chief ally.
Second, we know from Scripture that after the Rapture, the Antichrist will come to Israel's side and make a seven-year treaty with her
Daniel 9:27. But where is America in that scenario? Why aren't we around as Israel's chief ally and as the major world power
Daniel 2:44-45; 7:23-25? This strong presence of Europe indicates to me that something will have happened to America that shifts world power back to Europe.
Third, if America remains strong up to the time of the Rapture but is then replaced by Europe as the world's superpower, what does this tell us?
I believe it tells us that America will be brought to her knees by the Rapture. The Rapture is key. The Rapture will change everything.Look at the statistical evidence of the religiosity of America compared to other nations to demonstrate that the sudden withdrawal of true believers; even if they represent only a portion of those calling themselves "born again" would be staggering. Millions of people will suddenly be gone, many of them in key positions in the religious, economic and political spheres. Europe, with little religious influence, will barely be effected by the Rapture. The resulting chaos will be enormous.
In a chapter entitled "America in the Last Days," Hitchcock describes what a post-Rapture America will look like. "Simply stated, the main view is that in the end times,
America will be absorbed into Antichrist's reunited Roman Empire. The United States will become a part of the end-time confederacy of Western nations."
In light of the flag waving and renditions of "God Bless America" following September 11, which persist even two years after he wrote his book. Hitchcock suggests in a chapter entitled
"God Bless America!" that under the Rapture option, God can continue to bless America right up to the Rapture. There are three keys to this:
blessing the Jewish people, faithfully sharing the Good News of salvation with a needy world, and by being just, or practicing righteousness in our own lives and promoting righteousness in the society at large[/i].
The question of America's future in light of prophecy requires careful study-and perspective. An understanding of history will show that ours is not the only age when the Lord's return seemed imminent. The signs, as Mr. Mark Hitchcock suggest, do seem clearer today than ever before. That is why it is important to study prophecy, while at the same time steadfastly observing the two great commands Christ left his disciples, the Great Commandment Love God and others and the Great Commission spreading the gospel and make disciples. Along with blessing the Jewish people, these are essentially points in seeking God's continued blessing on America.
Resting in the Lord's arms.
Bob
