It is becoming more and more evident that we are living in dark, perilous times. Many believe the plagues, natural disasters, politics, current foreign affairs, violence, and brutality worldwide are all indicators that the end times are near us now. It is hard to question that there is a lot at stake. As our nation continues to be divided and in turmoil, many wonder about America, its role in the end times, and the future of America.
While there are no specific references to America in Bible prophecy, there are statements in Scripture about what the nations in total will be doing during the tribulation period. Some of these passages include Haggai 2:6-7, Isaiah 66:18-20, and Zechariah 12:2-3. These are the passages that speak to the nations that will be involved in the end times. While these references undoubtedly include the U.S. in prophecy fulfillment, they don’t teach us directly about America’s role in Bible prophecy. What other passages in Scripture can tell us anything about America’s role in Bible prophecy?
Scripture references the “fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” in Revelation 19:15. In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, the Bible exults that, “Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come.” God sends Jesus to us directly to deliver us from His own wrath. Romans 5:8-9 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him."
There are also various references to God’s judgment through the Bible. Romans 1:18,24 indicates, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness...Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another." When we look throughout history, we see God’s punishment falling on nations like Israel and others. The Bible says, "You will be a reproach and a taunt, a warning and an object of horror to the nations around you when I inflict punishment on you in anger and in wrath and with stinging rebuke. I the LORD have spoken" (Ezekiel 5:15). We also know from Bible readings that there will be a final judgment on all people at the end of history. Scriptures also says, "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed" (Romans 2:5).
When we look at examples of judgment throughout Scripture and know that there is a final judgment, it’s only natural to want to know if that same judgment falls on America. There are various leading Christian voices that indicate that the end times are near, and we are facing final judgment. One of these leading voices is Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of the late evangelist, Rev. Billy Graham. She warns not only that the end times are near, but that God’s judgment will be coming to America. "Our nation is in a mess," Lotz said, according to the Christian Post. "Why? Could it be because America is losing God's blessing? His favor. Could our sin be provoking His judgment? Judgment that is not necessarily in the form of a nuclear dirty bomb, or another ISIS attack, or an economic collapse. But a Romans 1 judgment as God backs out of our national life and turns us over to ourselves."
She also went back over the Old Testament story that talks about God’s punishment upon the nation of Judah for going their way and disobeying Him.
“God warns a nation that judgment is coming. He doesn't want any to perish. But if a nation does not heed His warnings, He unleashes His anger and there is nothing — no one — who can prevent it. If God would judge His own beloved nation of Judah, why would we think America could escape?" Lotz shared in an important call to action, emphasizing that Americans have to turn back to God in true repentance, seeking God in these perilous times. Some believe that President Donald Trump fulfilled one of the last prophecies in the Scripture prior to Jesus’ return by moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel back to Jerusalem. In Trump recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, this was another end-times prophecy being fulfilled.
There are also voices like R.R. Reno, one of America’s leading scholars of religion and politics, who believe our society is on the brink of collapse. He warns that if America isn’t restored to a Christian society, our nation and culture will quickly descend to a lawless, unhappy, shallow, and brutal place. This space will be divided even more between rich, poor, vulnerable, and elite demagogues, Reno says. While these things can be very scary to think about, we do have hope. While we can see that America is falling and failing, there is something that can save us. This begins with a renewal of Christian ideals. These include things like integrity, compassion, hard work, and love. If we really want to restore America at this pivotal time, Christianity’s public influence needs to be restored.
In order to do this, we should put on the full armor of God, and contend against the principalities, against the world rules of this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:11-12). There is no way we can ignore what’s taking place in America. We can’t step aside and just watch our nation crumble. We owe our fellow neighbors a faithful witness to the truth. Be aware that this may provoke controversy, but it is important. Ephesians 6:15 reminds us that the armor of God includes “the equipment of the Gospel of peace” . There is no greater place that we can turn to than God because He reflects the love and will show us the proper way.
We are at an important crossroads. We have to ask ourselves whether we will live in the ideals of a Christian society or listen to the instructions of a secular one. We can’t deny or underestimate the danger we are in. One great thing we can do is restore our voices as Christians in the public sphere. Our God is active, and we are called to show His love to others through our discipleship. When light is standing with darkness, the light always reigns supreme. We may be living in dark times, but we have hope in God, who is the Light. He never fails.
