BYE-BYE BABYLON
…the Decline of American Empire
By
Doug Krieger
Here comes another in-house food fight—but it’s affecting everyone out there who claims to have a Weltanschauung or is remotely interested in Weltpolitik. If anyone should understand the supposed demise of American power, just ask the Germans, whose words have become part of the King’s English because they fit so well.
Having beaten back the Huns twice (actually thrice, considering the Hessian conscripts during the Revolutionary War) and then having America’s military-industrial complex, with a multitude of super bases located all over Germany, along with transporting nigh all who really mattered in the Nazi rocket programs into America’s lift off (as well incorporating scores of Nazis into America’s intelligence operations after the War)—well, just ask the Germans who’s the Babylon of the Last Days; better yet, who’s the new Rome.
Thankfully,
the Germans came to their senses and elected
Angela Merkel to recover from the Euro-firsters of
Gerhard Schroeder. No wonder
Forbes Magazine considers Merkel the most powerful woman in the world—and
perhaps one of the brightest: For example—whatever it takes to make the USA
happy, she’ll find a way. Ah, the vicissitudes of Empire—ultimately, knowing
how Weltpolitik is played out carries the day—Auf Wiedersehen to the Schroeders
who attempt a separate path to a Europe void of the Empire’s tentacles, after
all, every time Europe’s been left to her own demise she’s imploded and started
planting new killing fields.
You bet America would like to see a united Europe—as in united around the good ‘ole USofA! And, that continues to be the case in nation after nation . . . let us consider Schroeder’s counterpart . . . (Note: I should have said “client state” as in “client state after client state.”)
For Jacques Chirac—is now Bon Voyage as the Frenchman goes sailing off into legal entanglements . . . the Americans are much more comfortable with the likes of Nicolas Sarkozy—a man inspired by the “economic liberalization” of America and Britain . . . money has a way, after all, of calling the shots, even in French culture. And, of course, the Italians are right in there with their newly-elected and familiarly pro-American Romano Pordi—sort of fits well with Pax Romana or for that matter, Pax Britannia . . . all of which nicely fit into Pax Americana (a.k.a. Blair-Bush).
Whoops! Sorry to get distracted from the in-house food fight—but there’s nothing like watching the Europeans so enthralled with America’s political, economic and military charm . . . all this in spite of Javier Solana as the foremost possibility of the Antichrist since Nero and the not-so-distant rumors of America’s death!
RUMORS OF MY DEATH HAVE BEEN GREATLY EXAGGERATED BY CERTAIN EVANGELICALS!
Never
let it be said that astute Amero-Centric evangelicals—viewing the world no doubt
from
Jules Verne’s Around-the-World-in-Eighty Days Hot-Air Balloon (cir. 1870s)
chanced upon a European view simply mind-numbing for its ever-increasing
separate course, leading to the denial of their insipid social (i.e., socialism)
nets (including a full month’s vacation for all during August with scores of low
productivity holidays propping up the employment numbers and the Euro).
Let me explain . . .
Jules’ tale includes a rather entrepreneurial adventurer by the name of Phileas Fogg and his servant Passerpartout—both names caught my imagination as to how they might fit into my seemingly benign metaphor, likening the cir. 1870’s tour to Americans (though they were Brits) now wafting over European capitols. It’s just that Fogg seems such an apropos name given the vision thing and all; and, of course, Passerpartout fits as well—which doesn’t sound as if everything is all there.
Now,
connecting the scenic dots to another American novelist,
Mark Twain, a.k.a. Samuel Clemens, who lived about the same time
(1835-1910), we begin to see how the mind somehow strings things together to
make a point!
Aside from touring the planet—much like the Jules Verne characters—this witty and sardonic sort scored multiple quotes endearing generations of Americans. Faulkner called Twain the father of American literature! One such quote had to do with rumors of Twain’s death—apparently very real at the time.
Twain was delayed in New England on the yacht of his friend, Henry H. Rogers, because of treacherous seas (heading back to New York City), the ever prescient New York Times circulated the viable notion that Twain had drowned at sea—not knowing he had enough sense to stay dry until the storm passed—then again, nothing like fanning the flames of reliability (media-wise, nothing’s changed).
When hearing of his death, Twain muttered the profundity: “...I will make an exhaustive investigation of this report that I have been lost at sea. If there is any foundation for the report, I will at once apprise the anxious public." This was akin to an earlier dislocation wherein his death had been confirmed some years earlier—to which he replied: "The report of my death is an exaggeration" – hence, “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Well, I’d be obliged to liken the evangelical American perceptions in Jules Verne’s hot air balloon as true colonial fantasy—even to this day the Fogg persists; and, likewise, their belabored attempts to dissuade the masses that somehow America is not found in Bible prophecy, but she is woefully omitted, and purposefully so (somehow). Furthermore, since even an ostrich must pull its head out of the sand from time to time to behold blatant realities of the real world, it appears that a number of these beloved brethren—knowing full-well there’s an 800-lb. gorilla talking on the bed—have now concluded that if this monstrosity is to play second fiddle it must be extinguished or delimited as a world player . . . thus, the American patriotic evangelicals have turned on Americana (easy to do with all her sins rising to the heavens) and are busy about destroying her from some of the most unimaginable gyrations that would make Verne’s fantasy come alive and confirm, once again, that “rumors of my death have been grotesquely exaggerated!”
DANIEL AND THE HORNS
It’s
a tough task being a super patriotic American, while at the same time trying to
figure a way out of this mess—i.e., how an ascending Europe will overtake
America (somehow) and constitute the singular base of the 11th Horn of Daniel,
the infamous Antichrist yet to appear on earth’s scene; therefore, let us review
these poignant verses prior to an excursion into American-style
hari-kari or how to eliminate the 800-lb. talking gorilla from my bed. A
variety of semi-prophetic proposals have surfaced of late . . . but let’s
consider Daniel’s “younger” or “little” horn, known as the 11th horn:
Daniel 7:7-8 . . .
“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little (lit. “younger”) one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous (lit. “great things”) words.”
Prior to these verses (Daniel 7:2-6) the clear outline of the three beasts of history are graphically portrayed—all came forth from the Great Sea, including the fourth Beast: The Lion = Neo-Babylonia; The Bear = Medo-Persia; The Leopard = Grecian Empire; and now the fourth beast: Rome. And, out of this fourth beast—out of its “ten horns” arises an Eleventh Horn, the Younger Horn. Obviously, it comes forth from Rome and it plucks up or “uproots” three of the first horns in so doing.
The
“horn” - as a Biblical metaphor - constitutes “authority” or “government.”
Hence, the ten-horned fourth Beast is a composition of authorities or
governments banded or affiliated together with common aspirations, yet
distinguished; even so, the Eleventh Horn is likewise distinguished and has
similar aspirations, so it would appear, from the original ten horns; however,
by uprooting three of the “first horns” it obviously expressed a violent
overthrown of these three in order to express its youth, and assert its
11th-Horn posture as supreme; notwithstanding, this 11th Horn surfaces out from
“among them” – indicating that ALL somehow participate in its expression.
The fact that this younger horn has “eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking pompous words” personifies him, not only as another authority (i.e., kingdom) but also as a human figure associated with GREAT THINGS (harkening ahead to the GREAT CITY BABYLON); and, therefore, can clearly be heralded as that future “King of Babylon.”
Daniel continues:
“Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth or iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom” (Daniel 7:18-22).
Here the younger horn (i.e., “other horn”) now takes on the “appearance” which is “greater than his fellows.” Something has happened wherein the younger horn now prevails over the other ten horns of the beast, let alone the three that were plucked up when this “other horn” came forth.
In the Revelation we discover another Beast—similar to Daniel’s Fourth Beast having ten horns but no mention of the 11th Horn. This Beast of Revelation, like Daniel’s has “ten horns” (Revelation 17:7); however, he is now identified as having seven heads as well (Revelation 17:7). The discovery of the Antichrist within Revelation’s description takes place when we discover that “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the Beast. These are of one mind, and they (the ten) will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13).
Here, what was introduced in Daniel’s accounting as the 11th Horn (“11,” incidentally, is in Biblical numerology, one less than “12” and indicates “Satanic connection” and/or deficiency—Judas, made the disciples “11” in number; the 11 sons of Canaan vs. the 12 sons of Jacob, etc.) has now been entitled by John’s accounting as the Beast – thusly, we are dealing not only with a person who has become the Beast from the Abyss (appearing half way through the 70th Week of Daniel in Revelation 11:7; 13:1-10) but we are dealing with a BEAST NATION or “horn/government/authority.”
Finally, Daniel adds further clarity to this ten-horned beast and the younger horn Beast person and nation who comes forth from the ten-horned beast.
“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:23-25).
Firstly, the fourth beast is a fourth kingdom – but from this fourth kingdom shall arise “ten horns” who are “ten kings.” Therefore, at some future time from the remnants of this fourth kingdom shall ten separate kings arise or, if you would “ten kingdoms” or “ten authorities.”
The
fact that the Revelation indicates that this ten-horned beast also has “seven
heads” which are “seven authorities” (Mountains, not “hills” – Revelation
17:9) indicates that “complete authority” is involved—the ten-horned beast has
seven heads which are mountains upon which the Woman sits. It is safe to say
that earth’s seven continents—i.e., the entire earth—is involved in the
expression of this authority.
Also, “There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. THE BEAST (i.e., not the ten-horned beast) that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition” (Revelation 17:10-11).
I know this is difficult to follow; however, it is abundantly clear that “The BEAST” is both a person, as well as a nation or kingdom. These kingdoms and/or leaders are a succession. Many Biblical scholars suggest that the “five have fallen” are juxtaposed to their relationship with ancient Israel. At the time of John’s recordation of the Revelation, the five kingdoms that had already treaded down Israel were: Egypt, Assyria, Neo-Babylonia, Medo-Persia and Alexandrian Greece. The current or “one is” would have been the current Roman Empire (not a particular Caesar—Preterists have to gyrate all over the map trying to determine just how many Caesars there were between Julius or Augustus and Domitia in order for their synthesis to make any sense).
Finally,
“the other has not yet come” (i.e., the “seventh”) would complete the succession
of Gentile World Powers usurping the Promised Land. Yes, this “seventh” is a
Revived Rome but wholly distinct from the ten-horned beast or “original Roman
Empire revived”—apart and separate as both a King with a Kingdom. This kingdom
and figure is none other than the 11th or Younger Horn, THE BEAST, the Seventh
King; however, his entitlement as THE BEAST is not accorded to him until the
“Beast that was” (i.e., Ancient Rome), and is not (i.e., “something” has
happened to the Seventh King), “is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven,
and is going to perdition” (Revelation 17:11).
These segments of John’s Beast are remarkable in that the Seventh King or Kingdom has now been transformed into the EIGHTH, but is still connected to the seven . . . in other words the Antichrist-Seventh King/Kingdom has now been transformed into the Beast-Eighth King/Kingdom or Beast Kingdom. We affirm, though time does not permit, that this transformation is naught but the incarnation of Satan into the body of Antichrist and the commencement of the Reign of the Beast and the falsification of the Resurrection of Christ (i.e., the Eighth – “8” in numerology connotes resurrection). This eighth king is referred to “going into perdition” or “destruction” as Judas became the “son of perdition” as “Satan entered into him” to commit the betrayal of Jesus (cf. John 17:12; Luke 22:3; II Thess. 2:3).
All this to say that in the latter days there will most definitely be a Revived Roman Empire—headed up by the Antichrist-Beast whose own Empire-Kingdom is superior to the ten-horned resuscitated Fourth Beast which will be comprised of ten affiliated kingdoms from the old Roman Empire-Fourth Beast. These ten kingdoms will grant the Beast their authority – willingly or by force (Note: Three of the horns were ripped out to make room for the younger horn.).
It’s quite obvious where were going with all this—and that’s what grates our beloved brethren flying around up their in their hot air balloon with Fogg and Passerpartout. So, how do we get rid of the 800-lb. gorilla . . . and you thought just by neglecting him that he’d go away . . . . shame, shame . . . he’s beginning to speak with some heavy-duty pompous talk? It’d be wise to listen.
EVANGELICALS SPREAD RUMORS OF IMPENDING DEATH
By
now, Twain would have shot my thesis through with all sorts of holes and
spurious tales—just get to the point, lad, and be done with the profundities . .
.
So, how do we start—because there’s hoards of gorilla-deniers out there utterly unaffected by his smell, size, chest, looks or any other sensual descript?
Larry Fox, of Fox Ventures—and with the Assemblies of God—a denomination with whom I am still in fellowship (somehow) . . . tells it like it is (or isn’t) when it comes to America’s place in Bible prophecy; simply put:
“What is America’s role in end time Bible prophecy? How will the economy, military preparedness, terrorism, political isolationism, globalism and civil disturbances affect America?
Sure enough . . .
“As an American, one of the first questions I have when considering end-time events is, ‘What role does America play in prophecy?’ A study of the Bible does not reveal any clear references to America, although scholars associate it with various images in scripture. Our country appears not to have a decisive or maybe even significant role in end-time events. Because America has been so influential in world events in the past, we can only speculate about what will happen to reduce our national power.”
Here we go . . .
“One
image in the Bible people associate with America is that of Babylon (Can’t image
why?). Is the Babylon of the last days the ancient site in Iraq (Note: Where
the 82nd Airborne, along with scores of monster-military bases are now located,
and the world’s largest super-duper embassy (USA), along with 200,000 troops are
located and growing no matter the Europeans nor the wishy-washy Democrats say)?
Is it the apostate church? (Yes!) The world system? (Yes!) America? (Big
YES!) The free market system based on greed, as found in America? (Super nailed
it!)” (My interruptions throughout in parenthesis, sorry.)
“There are many similarities between America and the descriptions of Babylon in Jeremiah 50-51 and Revelation 18. It is possible there will be multiple fulfillments of those passages, with America being only one (There’s one bold statement for humanity!). If America is the Babylon of Jeremiah 50, a vicious attack from the north will destroy the country (Jeremiah 50:3, 9, 41 and 51:48). The only countries north of America are Canada (most likely) and Russia (least likely), and the later is the better candidate for military aggression against us (Sure, just consider the nuclear missiles and shield that Bush is planting all over Eastern Europe in getting Putin utterly flustered—no biggie, “Russia’s not our enemy” – and who could have possibly made that egregious statement?). If Russia will invade America in the future, it must be before God destroys the Russian army in Israel! (Man, that makes a lot of sense!)
O.K. – in this scenario American has been destroyed by a Russian invasion—somehow found in brother Fox’s Bible. With America destroyed by Russia—only God can stop the Russians attacking Israel later on in this thriller.
But, there’s more …
“Let us consider other scriptures that might refer to America. In Isaiah 18 there are two identical descriptions of an unidentified nation. In verses 2 and 7, it describes ‘a people tall and smooth-skinned, . . . a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by rivers.’ That is a pretty good description of today’s America (DUH!). Verse 7 is a very vague prophecy (Yeah, it occurs after the final Syrophoenicia and/or Arab-Israeli conflict known as the Burden of Damascus with this strange and vague nation picking up the diplomatic pouches throughout the region and orchestrating some kind of peace after Israel exhausts herself against Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank—a.k.a. stronghold of Ephraim (cf. Isaiah 17-18; Zechariah 9—and now that Gaza’s a separate entity, all the more vague) about that nation sending gifts to the Lord Almighty, to Mount Zion. Even if it does refer to America, it only means that the nation sends gifts (Notwithstanding the FACT that millions of evangelical Christians who support Israel will do precisely such a thing after Israel is exhausted.). It gives little indication of the country’s condition, except that it is aggressive and widely feared. This passage may NOT even pertain to the end times (Sure, that’s why “Damascus will cease from being a city” (Isaiah 17:1) and the fact that “All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: when he (this mystery nation) lifts up a banner on the mountains, YOU SEE IT, etc.” – I guess some don’t…therein lies the rub.).
This goes on until America is in free fall . . .
“We often think of America as a Christian nation and for this reason many believe it will continue to be strong until the Lord returns. This country’s founders wrote many Christian principles into its law: the equality of men, Judeo-Christian principles of justice, freedom of worship and speech, and others. Americans have supported more missionary and evangelistic efforts than any other people in history. There are churches in virtually every community. We have ‘In God We Trust’ on our money.”
But, Alas!
“But America is NOT a Christian nation. Political processes run the government, not righteousness. Pleasure motivates the people, not righteousness (Now, we’re getting somewhere!). The heart of the people determines the heart of the nation, and Americans focus on self, not God. America is a secular nation, based on some Christian principles and containing some Christian citizens. There will be Christians in America as long as there are Christians in the world, but America is NOT a nation of Christians. God always works with a remnant. He often chooses the few, the weak and the insignificant to demonstrate his own glory.”
This is tough for patriotic Americans of evangelical persuasion to admit—but sometimes the smell of the gorilla is overwhelming! So let’s wrap it up for Fox:
“My opinion is that America does NOT play a significant role in end-time prophecy, which means it must fall from world influence.”
Fundamentally, Fox’s pietism has gotten the best of him when it comes to America’s demise—and rightly so. But, just because the gorilla stinks does not mean it somehow will disappear from the bed!
DENIAL AIN'T JUST A RIVER IN EGYPT...Mark Twain
Mark
Hitchcock and John E. Walvoord (son of the late John F. Walvoord, former
President of Dallas Theological Seminary) have teamed up to present their
findings on why America is all over the place but not in Bible prophecy.
In there 12-part countdown to Armageddon – Hitchcock and Walvoord meticulously do everything in their theological persuasion to eliminate the gorilla. Interestingly enough America implodes due to a peace initiative of sorts under the 4th entitlement: the Peace Index (with sub posting entitled “America’s Decline”); this will be Event 4 (You’ve got to go to their site to pick up on the other events leading up to the end of the world as they know it at Prophecy Hotline.). It makes for fascinating reading and at least in Event 4 amplifies Hitchcock’s original thesis entitled: Is America in Bible Prophecy? This somewhat strange title should have been: No, America is Not in Bible Prophecy!
The thesis goes like this:
“Event
#4: The Decline and Fall of America. American power and influence in the
Middle East fade as the United States retreats to deal with the energy crisis
and problems at home (mentioned in some of their former event points).”
Furthermore, de facto, America winds up in the trash bin of contemporary history (rather briskly I surmise) . . .
“Although any conclusion about the role of America in the end times is necessarily tentative, the scriptural evidence (???) is sufficient to conclude that America in that day will not be a superpower and apparently will not figure largely in either the political, economic, or religious leadership of the world (strike three you’re outta here! . . . exit the gorilla from the room, thank you).
“Yet in view of the imminent return of the Lord, Christians in the United States – and around the world – should remember that the cause of evangelism is urgent. If prophecy has any one message for this generation, it’s that time and opportunity are short. Impending world conditions soon may close the door for further witness in many areas. What is true of America is true for the evangelical church throughout the world. The prophetic timetable serves to emphasize the importance of the present task of spreading the gospel, beginning at Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the world.”
Man, that was awful and awful fast – let’s break it down:
“When and How will the U.S. leave Iraq” (Man, that’ll get the Progressives panting.)
“The
front page headline in the New York Times Sunday, May 27 is ‘Chaos is Seen in
Iraq Exit, But Experts Split on Degree . . . .’
“This is a painful time for American military in Iraq (and, no doubt for the American Patriotic Pastors). This month more than 100 American servicemen have already been killed. But all experts agree that a rapid withdrawal of US. Troops from Iraq will unleash a bloody round of escalating civil conflict—a violent chain reaction that would destroy the Iraqi government.
“With the grim prospect of a wave of suicide bomb attacks by Al Qaeda, Shiite militias launching large scale attacks on Sunni civilians, open sectarian warfare for control of Baghdad—it is hard to see how it would stop short of genocide if the U.S. withdraws. Baghdad would be destroyed by violent partition of its neighborhoods, militias would clash, Sunni Arabs would retreat to the western province of Anbar, the Kurds would effectively seal off northern Iraq and it would cease to be part of the country. It is hard to believe that Iran could resist joining the mayhem to annex as much of Iraq as possible.”
Now, here’s the kicker:
“Can the Western world stand by and watch this happen? No, it cannot. But it is clear that the U.S. and British occupation troops in Iraq cannot succeed in bringing peace and will eventually have to withdraw. This is precisely the situation described in end-time prophecies (What Bible are you reading from?).
“A new coalition of political, economic and military power must emerge to bring stability to the region. The time bomb is ticking. If the region tears itself apart, the flow of oil to the West will stop (and so will your excursions in your gas-guzzling SUV). Oil fields, pipelines and refinery infrastructure will be destroyed. This is an unhappy prospect for the United States and Europe. The West—Europe and the U.S.—needs the oil in the Middle East or economics will be destroyed and governments will fall.”
Folks,
Javier Solana the astute and obvious spokesman for the world, is about to make
his showing right about this time—most Americans have no idea who he is, but
he’s for real!
“The Bible predicts that the situation will deteriorate so quickly, that a group of ten leaders from the area of the old Roman Empire will have to form a coalition to bring stability to the region. This “Group of Ten” (Note: As aforementioned in our discussions in Daniel.) leaders may emerge before or after the U.S. withdraws from Iraq. It does not appear that the U.S. will be part of these coalition of forces (That’s
obvious—SHE'S LEADING THEM!).
“There is no happy ending to the current situation. It is precisely a chaotic situation like this that will allow the leaders of the New Roman Empire (to) rise to power. And from that coalition of the “Group often,” one leader will emerge as the strong man (… Javier Solana in the wings) to exert the most awesome economic, political and military concentration of power ever in the Region. This is how the Anti-Christ will come to power (Over George Bush’s dead body he will!)
“The Bible says that Babylon in Southern Iraq (there we go with that dust bowl again) will be rebuilt as the most powerful capital city in the region. This is the center of some of the largest untapped oil reserves in the world. This area must be stabilized or the West will be finished (So, why are we leaving?).”
“The U.S. and Britain invaded Iraq to control events in the region and guarantee the uninterrupted flow (of) oil. But if the U.S. military cannot prevail in Iraq, who will be able to stop the chaos?”
Notwithstanding, THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE (somewhere?) …
“‘The World Is Mine, and I Am God’; one leader seizes power by uniting the military and economic powers of the West (by this time the U.S. is somehow sucking hind mammary glands – so she just joins in the fray with the Euro-Centric Antichrist – hard to do since she’s declined so much, but, whatever) – declaring himself world ruler (as he steps over George Bush’s dead body).
“A new world dictator will first reveal himself in the role of a peacemaker in the Middle East. This event will take place during the first stage of the revived Roman Empire, the fourth world empire described by Daniel. Symbolically the new world leader is depicted as ‘another small horn’ who will emerge from the ten-leader oligarchy controlling the political and military power of the West (Daniel 7:8), Daniel describes his vision of the new world ruler’s rise to power in these words: ‘As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it (Perhaps England, Spain and France may recollect that little experience?). This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly’ (Daniel 7:8).
“The
Group of Ten that consolidates the power and wealth of the Middle East will soon
come under the control of this new leader. Bible expositors have concluded that
this emerging ruler will first of all subdue three of the original ten leaders
and then take control of the entire coalition. The leaders will yield control
of the new European Union to this new strong man of the hour.”
And, so ends the illustrious career of the 82nd Airborne, et al…
“It now appears that America will eventually withdraw from Iraq bloody and beaten. More terror plots and attacks will certainly come. One could reasonably expect that in the not too distant future we will withdraw into our shell and pursue an isolationist position (Will somebody blow more hot air into the balloon!). As this occurs, one could expect Europe, recognized as the world’s most peaceful region, to fill the gap (well, of course). This fits the Biblical scenario to a tee (the Walvoord-Hitchcock “tee”). The Bible predicts that a reunited Roman Empire will rise and initially appear as the world’s great peacemaker, even bringing peace to Israel, which is next to last in the Economist’s peacefulness index (Note: The Economist Magazine found that America is 96th, tied with Iran, for being the most “unpeaceful nation” on the planet out of 120 or so!).”
So what’s the “Biblical logic” behind all of this?
“For
Europe to rise as the Bible predicts, the U.S. must lose influence, power, and
prestige, and that’s exactly what we see happening (Yeah, just look at Europe’s
leaders falling all over George Bush!). Europe will rise and will probably take
some hand in Iraq before it’s all finished. Europe, under the rule of the
Antichrist, will eventually make a treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27). This move
will catapult the Antichrist onto the world scene as the great savior and
diplomat. The world today is ripe for his rise (and ripe for rank deception as
well) as people are crying out for peace unlike anytime in history. People
everywhere have a sense of impending crisis. They are looking for answers. For
someone to bring stability and stop the chaos, especially in the Middle East
that could soon tear itself apart. The world is more dangerous than ever before
because of the atomic factor and rogue nations who support terror. The cry for
‘peace and safety’ will reach a crescendo (I Thessalonians 5:1-3). The stage
today is set for the final act to begin (And America is nowhere to be found!).”
Finally, towering over one after another European capitol, and then making a quick phantasmagoric detour through the ancient site of Babylon of antiquity, we hear the shouts of the Americans aboard the ever conversant gondola:
“The world ruler makes Iraq the new commercial and economic center of his world rule. Knowing what the Bible says about Babylon in the end times, we shouldn’t be surprised by the rise of Iraq. This rise could serve as the perfect prelude for the building of Babylon in the near future. It’s interesting that Iraq has come out of relative obscurity in the past twenty years to play a significant role in the world. The rise of Iraq to world prominence and the ongoing conflict are not accidents. The staggering oil wealth of Iraq is not just a stroke of good fortune. The resurgence of Iraq, the efforts that have already been made to restore and rebuild Babylon, and the rich oil reserves available to finance the rebuilding of the city all make the picture the Bible paints for Babylon in the end times very realistic (at least to Hitchcock-Walvoord et al).”
Thus ends “Event 9: Iraq: the New Babylon – Economic Center of World Power.”
In brother Hitchcock’s “Is America in Bible Prophecy?” he lists possible options on why America is not in Bible Prophecy:
Option 1: “America will still be a powerful nation in the last days, but the Lord simply chose NOT to mention her specifically . . . . possible, but it seems unlikely. In Scripture, the dominant political and military power in the end times is centered in the Mediterranean (somewhere near America’s Sixth Fleet) and in Europe (somewhere near America’s massive Ramstein Air Base in Germany). 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 (But why? We shall soon discover . . . . ).
Option
2: America is not mentioned specifically in Scripture because she will be
destroyed by other nations (like Russia or Canada). She will suffer a fall from
the outside.
Option 3: 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 (now that could happen, but then again, America’s booming porn industry would really be upset).
Option 4: America will be brought to her knees by the Rapture. (YES!) The Rapture is key. (Note: The extension of the thought is that so many American evangelical Christians will be Raptured – some say upwards of 60 million – that all bets are off for a quick American recovery from such an enormous population dislocation…hence, America stops being a world player.)
These aforementioned observations were produced by Stu Johnson of America’s “Prophecy Club” – listen, in spite of Hitchcock knowing full-well statements made by S. Franklin Logsdon, the Sr. Pastor of the Moody Memorial Church, thundering against America, while declaring her as the Babylon of the last days; and Jack Van Impe’s interpretations of Jeremiah 50-51 and Revelation 18 describing America in the last days; and of R.A. Coombes’ brilliant book, America, the Babylon, America’s Destiny Foretold in Biblical Prophecy – Hitchcock’s final conclusion, after this somewhat insurmountable evidence, let alone the realities of our day, was able to simplify the matter:
“I believe that the ancient city of Babylon will be rebuilt in Iraq in the last days to serve as the religious and commercial capital for the Antichrist’s empire.”
Thus ends one of the wildest gondola rides ever taken by American adventurers.
This, however, is NOT an isolated set of American evangelical expositors dismissing America’s decline as proof positive that she is nowhere to be found in Bible prophecy—to the contrary, there are hoards of these enlightened souls spewing forth America’s exit one way or another . . . .
Our dear friends at Rapture Alert ran Hal Lindsey’s “Where is America in Bible Prophecy?” And, in sum, Lindsey concurs with Hitchcock—disagreeing only on minor details. Lindsey sees no relevance of the “mystery nation” mentioned in Isaiah 18 as having the remotest possibility of being linked to America, nor of the “ships of Tarshish” having the same vacuous prophetic impact on America—because we just don’t know where Tarshish is located?
He
sees nothing of relevance in Revelation 12:13-17 where America, says Lindsey, is
“busily engaged in an heroic effort to save Israel.”
Hal then meanders about describing “Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots” and actually sounds like America is today’s Babylon—and, clearly does he suggest that New York City could be Babylon—but then terminates your enthusiasm regarding his insight: “Provided you are looking at prophecy as if it were given from the perspective of Washington … But it isn’t.” So much for “Babylon on the Hudson.”
Lindsey waxes adamant in his belief that America is utterly a non-player in the Last Days:
“America faces threats from mad bombers, mad dictators, a unified Russian-Chinese military adversary and a host of other threats. Who wants to be the one to say that, biblically speaking, there is no reason to think one of them isn’t going to happen? But America is NOT A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE LAST DAYS – SHE HASN’T EVEN A BIT PART.” (My Emphasis.)
And here’s that pre-trib rapture stuff again . . .
“I personally believe that one explanation could be that our country and its leadership will be so decimated following the Rapture that we will simply cease to be a major influence overnight . . . I prefer that over the alternative” (i.e., being destroyed by Russia; hit by a meteorite; or financially imploding) (Rapture Ready)
MIKE EVANS
America’s death, because she will turn her back on Israel, is NOT a rumor of her death in so far as Mike Evans is concerned. In 2004 Evans published a book entitled: the American Prophecies; Ancient Scriptures Reveal Our Nations Future. Evans believes that President Franklin Roosevelt turned his back on Hitler’s gas chambers and allowed six million Jews to perish (Mistake #1). Mistake #2 – America cut a deal with Ishmael and the Muslims for political expediency—for oil. Ever since, America has been embroiled in Middle East politics. Compounding Mistake #2 is America’s duplicitous covenant it cut and continues to cut with Israel – hence, when the prophetic dust clears, America will somehow end up in the toilet bowl of the Middle East—and, this book stood at #10 on the New York Times Best-Seller List and #9 on Amazon’s religion & spirituality best-seller list. (Beliefnet.com)
JAVIER SOLANA AS MR. EUROPE – ERGO, THE ANTICHRIST?
In order for America to descend, Europe must rise? Right? The general consolidation of military power within the 10-nation confederacy within the European Union known as the Western European Union (WEU) has been watched by a number of American and European evangelical pundits as a possible expression of the latter-days’ ten-nation confederation (Revived Roman Empire) aforementioned in this tome.
The late Herb Peters reflected on this phenomenon in one of his Fulfilled Prophecy “What Herb Thinks.”
“Today, for the first time in 2000 years, we’re seeing the Roman Empire being successfully revived through a European reunification process that has come to be known as the European Union (EU) . . . a 10-nation alliance has also appeared in Europe. On January 1, 1995, Greece became the 10th nation of a military alliance known as the Western European Union (WEU). These 10 nations are members of both NATO and the European Union (EU). What binds these 10 nations together is a mutual defense obligation under Article Five of the modified Brussels Treaty. These 10 nations are also known as the Brussels Treaty Powers.
Peters then goes into explaining how one, Javier Solana, received three distinct entitlements within the context of the European Union—making him a very special fellow indeed.
Title #1 – High Representative – EU’s Vienna summit in December of 1998 created the “Office of High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy for the European Union.” Henceforth a common foreign and security policy toward the Russian Federation, the Ukraine, the Balkans and, what Herb felt was “biblically significant” – the Mediterranean. Apparently, this EU summit produced some 2,250 documents; however, the document creating the post of High Representative was number 666.
Title #2 – Secretary General of NATO – While the aforementioned post was being created, Solana was then Secretary General of NATO – apparently, he was involved in the restructuring of the NATO command after the Cold War realities ended. Two strategic command centers were realized – one in Norfolk, Virginia, for America, and one in Brussels for Europe – according to Peters, thereby splitting the Atlantic Alliance down the middle as “he turned the 10 WEU nations into a second pillar of NATO.” Furthermore, Peters observed that “dependence (by Europe) on America was no longer necessary” now that the Soviet threat had ended.
Title
#3 – Secretary General of the Council of Europe – the “EU’s true
seat of power.” Also, the following month in November 1999, Solana was made
Secretary General of the 10-nation WEU alliance. Therefore, Herb Peters
conjectured: “Needless to say, these three positions made Solana a powerful new
player in this modern-day revival of the old Roman Empire.”
Ultimately, “more political intrigue was to come” – so that on June 5, 2000, the 10 WEU nations implemented Assembly Recommendation 666 wherein the new post would recommend to the Council of Europe that the 10 Brussels Treaty Powers should be galvanized as the EU’s new military wing. Also, the High Representative was given emergency powers – powers, apparently that not even the rotating six-month presidency of the EU has. Thus, as Secretary General of both the WEU and the Council, Recommendation 666 was actually, as Peters points out, “Solana recommending action to Solana.”
So – this structure is now in order – and, without UN approval, America invades Iraq in March 2003 on the ruse that Saddam had WMDs and was in bed with al Qaeda. Some EU nations supported America’s Middle East venture—others did not.
Peters becomes ecstatic when, after the EU alliance had been fractured by America’s unilateral move (the very idea of not seeking the EU’s full blessing on the scheme), Solana came up with a June, 2003, 10-page security doctrine that the EU heads at their summit in Greece could buy into: A Secure Europe in a Better World. It called for: (1) Establishment of economic and political stability through the EU’s neighborhood; (2) Establishment of a new international order; and (3) Increasing the EU’s civil and military capabilities to better combat rogue states and weapons of mass destruction.
This accord eventually led to a “strategic treaty with Washington” – which, according to Peters “is known to have established a joint effort between the EU and America to start fighting the international war against terror together.”
Now,
for the life of me, I can’t see how Peters could use little, if any, of this to
demonstrate how the EU or the WEU is calling the shots—especially telling
America where to get off. On the surface it simply sounds like America wants to
streamline things a bit so they/we can go about the business of Empire building;
and, if the Europeans want to tag along—regardless of their bureaucratic
claptrap—so be it.
Likewise, as we have pointed out in the past, the French and the Dutch have resoundingly rejected the EU’s new Constitution. These “heads” have until 2009 to make “internal changes” to—in spite of the French, the Dutch and the British not chiming in—somehow salvage the “internal workings of the Union.” So now without a Constitution these heads must change whatever they can, while, as Peters sees it “pushing ahead the Constitution.”
SOLANA AND THE NEW MIDDLE EAST PEACE PLAN
Peters
sees a truly possible fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th Week—i.e., its commencement.
At the December European Council, 2006, the EC approved a new Middle East peace
plan; and, since the EU’s purse strings are controlled by the EC, it was
imperative to have Solana, not only present with them on January 1, 2007 to
oversee and administer his New ENP (European Neighborhood Policy) towards
nations of the Middle East, but on behalf of Spain, Italy and France, he was
commissioned to bear this peace plan to other members of the so-called Quartet
(the US, the UN and Russia)—in sum, jump start the peace process which was
accomplished at the “Madrid+15 Conference” (mostly held in secret).
Now, from here Peters conjectures:
“For those with a similar understanding of end-time prophecy, the implication of these events is obvious—we may be entering the seven-year period known as Daniel’s 70th Week. However, for this to be true, a few more elements should also be in place. The prophecy tells us that the entire 70 weeks are for the Jewish people and their holy city Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24). So, it stands to reason that this should be true for the final week also. And , as we read earlier, the prophecy also tells us that in the middle of the week the covenant will be broken and the coming leader will stop the Temple sacrifices in Jerusalem. After this event happens, the leader and his 10-king alliance will begin a religious war against God’s elect.”
THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS – IN THE MIDST OF THE 70TH WEEK
In mid-December of 2006, the United Nation’s new “Alliance of Civilizations” (AoC) was launched. Peters sees in it a bridge building scheme between the West and the Muslim world to isolate radical Islam. The Turks and the Spaniards co-sponsored the AoC. Not only will the AoC galvanize moderate Arab states to fight radical Islam, but AoC will serve an even greater purpose in rising up against all religious wars, against all who embrace such practices.
The AoC still must undergo a labyrinth of UN bureaucracies—it will NOT be fully operational nor functional until 2010 (i.e., as Peters sees it—the middle of the seven-year period which was commenced near the beginning of 2007).
Now, this is “an hard saying” for Peters’ pre-tribulational audience—for, if in point of fact we’ve entered into Daniel’s 70th Week; and the Antichrist, Javier Solana, has commenced the covenant with the AoC (i.e., the neighborhood plan for Israel) ready to break it in the midst of the week—man, what on earth are we doing here? We should have raptured! So Peters ends his thesis:
“Friends, it’s my belief the entire end-time picture may be before us. And, it’s my fear that, because of doctrinal differences – some very minor – many of God’s people will continue to be uninformed. There is much more information. But, in light of all that’s been presented, I don’t think more information should be necessary (my emphasis).”
THEY JUST FADE AWAY . . .
It’s time to say Bye-Bye to America’s Empire; Bye-Bye to the old soldiers who never die, but just fade away. Douglas MacArthur was right—we fought, we served, and now we’re headed out to pasture. Oh, Empire, once so relished, how art thou suddenly cast down . . . how disquieting the moment; how ignoble the thought . . . that we who policed the world, are now consigned to view its peace or uncertainty from afar . . . while Europe, once again, has her day in the sun!
But,
the novelists, the Jules Vernes and the Mark Twains of this age of fantasy and
make believe, ever spike the bowl of our fertile imagination, creating these
aforementioned fantastical scenarios.
Brethren – I welcome you back to terra firma—to earth’s dust and mud—and to the present realities not afforded by the Fogg-Passerpartout Hot-Air Balloon ride, which is as much phantasmagoric as it is farcical. The gorilla has NOT left the room—the smell still lingers; and, furthermore, he won’t stop talking. The entire absurdity that the EU and its much-vaunted WEU military powerhouse of 60,000 troops can somehow impress the military might of the most awesome military machine the world has ever known – or that Europe’s restructuring is somehow connected in the panoply of birthing the Antichrist is both spurious and, I repeat, disingenuous on the part of the Americans.
Europe’s ability to protect herself, let alone provide for her economic stability—without the under girding of these United States of America—is unobtainable and downright ludicrous.
You have heard—and there are legions of these voices—repeated confirmations of American participation in some of the greatest moral failures of our time – while at the same time these same voices turn a blind eye to the exploitations of her ever-expanding commercial Empire, maintained by military might—might which is so irrefutably superior and preemptively invasive to anything that the Europeans can contrive, that again, it’s laughable to even compare.
I wanted to end this diatribe by lifting out some Scriptures that would allow for stoning false prophets; however, in lieu of such vindictive, I shall appeal to the novelist Mark Twain who tweaked: A lie can travel halfway round the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.
Better yet—and in honor of America’s “father of literature” – what flabbergasts me is not that the whole world (even the believing world) outside the USA gets it, but the Americans, especially believers, are so righteously oblivious to her overt role as the focus and fulcrum, the sum and substance, of Babylon the Great – and, ipso facto, the birthplace of the King of Babylon, the Antichrist.
Let us hurry; it’s time for the hot air balloon to lift off again. We observe the Americans scurrying into position as sand bags are thrown overboard. Higher and higher she ascends as the hot air presses against the colorful canopy. Somehow she’s reversing her course to explore where no man has gone before. A cheery fanfare of observers bids her farewell. Then to our rapturous surprise the “Gondola Glee Club” in soft melodic tones is heard as the 80-day wonder vanishes across the horizon:
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
And in the streets the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken
And the three men I admire most
The Father Son and Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
They were singin'
BYE, BYE miss American Pie
(a.k.a. Babylon)
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
And good ol' boys were drinking whisky and rye?
Singing this will be the day that I die
this will be the day that I die
(AMERICANPIE by Don McLean)