America in Bible Prophecy: Wealth and Prosperity vs Heavenly Abundance

As we look out upon the world we must remember that this world has nothing to do with our wants and desires but only the will of our God. Our society tells us that we can be anyone that we want to be, and that the entire world is open for our conquest. We are fed the illusion that everything that we need is here for our taking.

Based on what we know and understand, everything is here for our taking. With abundances and riches, wealthy individuals can purchase any item their heart desires and visit any destination they chose. Those with massive wealth can see the world as their oyster and live life with full abundance.

Those on the other side of the spectrum are struggling to live day to day, searching for basic life sustaining means. They farm barren land, search overcrowded areas for resources in hopes to sustain life for another day.

This separation between the quality of life leads many to come closer to God or farther away depending on their needs. When one has every need met and desires nothing, then it’s easy to lose sight of God and His life sustaining love. For those that search every day for resources to survive, God becomes closer as mortality is near.

This disconnect between our fellow man and our God is only heading in one direction. That direction is to a society of those that have and those that have not. Either one has abundance on this world or one hopes to have abundance in the next world. Unfortunately, there is little room for those that maintain wealth, on this spiritual plain, in the kingdom of heaven. Their hearts lack the love and understanding needed within the heavenly kingdom. That is why Jesus himself proclaimed his parable about the eye of the needle:

“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’

‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’

‘Which ones?’ he inquired.

Jesus replied, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’

‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’

Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’

Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much as will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.’” (Matthew 19: 16-29)

We as wealthy Americans can try to twist this message in any way that we chose but the fact of the matter is that we live in the wealthiest nation of the world, possess goods others dream of, and our abundance well surpasses the average human on Earth. We are subject to this teaching, if we like it or not.

How many are willing to give up everything to follow our Lord today? How many truly are willing to give up our lifestyle for a life of poverty and endless desires?  Who among you is willing to become less so that you can become more? We must ask ourselves these questions as we may find out the answer sooner then we think.

Many Bible Prophecy teachers are presenting numerous theories about where the United States I located within Bible Prophecy. The reason that these are all theories is that the United States is never actually mentioned within Scripture. Considering the United State is the leading world power and dictates numerous international policies, it would make sense that this nation would be found within the Prophetic Word. This lack of its presence has led many to believe that the Empire of the United States will not be present within the End times. The only way to really understand this is to look within Scripture and see if we are given any hints as to what may come of this great nation.

Reviewing the modern “Trump Prophecies” is laughable and its review are not even going to be entertained. Using Scripture to determine the outcome of God’s plan is the correct course of action and the use of any modern man prophecies will only lead to deceit and disillusion. We must be careful about what we entertain as we have been warned about these false teachers and their misinterpretation and use of Scripture.

One teaching that is being presented depicts the United States as the protector of Israel during the time of the end and a place of refuge for Jews to go when destruction is coming to their homeland. This belief is being used by referencing the 12^th chapter of Revelation:

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and 10 horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that I might devour her child the moment he was born.

She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1260 days.

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angles fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angles with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.’

When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, 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 wage war against the rest of her offspring – those who keep God’s commandments and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12: 1-17)

This passage has been referenced to the astrological alignment seen in the heavens on September 23, 2017, so it would make sense that the same verses would be used to determine the outcome of those events. From the imagery used we are given a story about the battle in heaven between God and Satan and how Satan is ultimately thrown down to Earth. Understanding that his judgment is nigh, Satan then causes his wrath to be brought upon the Jewish nation and then the Christian nation.  This is where the imagery of the Eagle’s wings is used to show that Israel is brought into the nation of the United States (Eagle to symbolize the United States) and they are protected for three and a half years.  Unfortunately, this interpretation is a stretch when looking at the overall picture of Jacob’s trouble. Understanding that the Tribulation is referenced as Jacob’s trouble, we can see that removing the Jews from Israel and taking them to the United States would mean that God and the Jews are abandoning their Abrahamic Covenant about the promised land.  This would not bring glory to God or show His power to the world, but it would bring power and glory to the United States.  If this would be true, then the United States would need to be referenced in great light during the Prophetic Word and unfortunately it is not.  Plus, the use of the term “wilderness” is referenced numerous times within Scripture, always indicating some uninhabited area in the Middle East. Instead of believing the United States is the wilderness, we should look to the prophet Isaiah for further explanation about this wilderness:

“The desert and parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon, they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance with divine retribution he will come to save you.’

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35: 1-10)

And the Eagle’s Wings:

“’To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One. Life up your eyes and look to the heavens: who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40: 25-31)

By using Scripture to interpret Scripture we can see that depicting the United States as the Eagle’s Wings in this reference is a stretch and not correct in depicting the role of this great nation. Fortunately, there are better references within Scripture as to the fate of the greatest nations the world has ever known.

Some also state that the United States is referenced as the “Young Lions of Tarshish” stating that the lion is referencing Great Britain and its young lions are the United States, Canada and Australia. Even when evaluating this interpretation, we are given no indication that the United States will be the protector of Israel.  Instead we are shown that they only talk about its invasion and ask the invader why they are doing this action:

“Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages, I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,

To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? Has thou gathered thy company to take a prey? To carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, thus saith the Lord God; in that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?

And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company and a mighty army: And thou shalt come up against thy people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38: 10-16)

Scripture does not state that the “Young Lions” come to defend Israel or to protect Israel in any way. Instead God himself talks about how he will be the defender of Israel and its protector:

“Thus, saith the Lord God; Art thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days many years that I would bring thee against them?

And it shall come to pass that the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoke, surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;

So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the bests of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth, shall shake in my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.” (Ezekiel 38: 17-20)

In no way can an interpretation depict the United States as the protector of Israel when reviewing this Scripture. God makes it very clear that He will be the one who comes down to show the world his glory and to defend Israel.

Considering the prior locations within Scripture cannot depict the United States we must look at the interpretation that most closely represents the United States and its possible End Time destiny.

When looking for the United States in Bible Prophecy we must look for a nation depicted with characteristics present within our society. We know that our country will not be referenced by name but once we understand to look for a detailed description of our nation, then we can see clearly where the United States is referenced in Bible Prophecy:

“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.’

Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. The name written on her forehead was a mystery:

Babylon the great the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth.

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God’s holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me: ‘Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.

‘This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.’

Then the angel said to me, ‘The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are people, multitudes, nations, and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.’’’ (Revelation 17: 1-18)

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted:

‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.’

Then I heard another voice from heaven say: ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ Therefor in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

‘When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come! The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore – cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and human beings sold as slaves.

They will say, ‘The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.’ The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out:

‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin! Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’ They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’ ‘Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.’

Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea and said: ‘With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The music from harpists and musicians, pipers and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No worker of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of the bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s holy people, of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.’” (Revelation 18: 1-24)

Looking at these chapters within the Book of Revelation, we can see the depiction of the nation of Babylon the Great and the Beast that she rides upon. A previous study has been completed as to who the Beast is referencing, and it’s recommended to review that teaching named “Biblically Prophetic Beasts Are Rising!”

By looking at the characteristics of the nation Babylon the Great, we can see the exact characteristics of the United States of America. We are the largest purchaser of international goods within the world, we live is exuberant luxury and privilege, we pride ourselves in our musicians, tradesman, and our CEO’s are regarded as the world’s important people. Most importantly the United States has exported its capitalistic culture to the world, as well as, is the largest exporter of pornographic products in the world. Riding upon the beast only helps explain this connection, when we understand the Beast is the Catholic Church with the Pope at its head. We are told every day that the United States was founded on Christian fundamentals and the Christian Church association and history with the Catholic Church only interprets why the harlot rides on the beast.

We can try to interpret the Scripture any way that our hearts choose to justify our personal beliefs or agendas. Many have tried this through the ages and even more continue to do that today.  We must hold true to what Scripture depicts and what God has told his Church.  If we do this, then we can understand we can look at Scripture without preconceived notions or agendas.  We can see what God is trying to warn us about during this time.

Through God’s love we are given this information beforehand so that we may understand what is happening to our world. God does this on purpose so that we may not be deceived as the majority will want to hear what makes them feel happy instead of what is true. This is an individual choice and something every one of us must understand.  Will we choose earthly wealth and prosperity, or will we choose heavenly abundance?  The time to make this decision may be closer than any of us realize!

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

You heard me say, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.” (John 14: 23-31)

 

Clinton Kowach

06/12/19