AMERICA’S PATRIOTIC PROPHETS
Part V – The Prophetic Sequence
By
Doug Krieger
The Sun Magazine article on Armageddon Has Begun is the latest pop culture attempt to “discern the times and seasons” – an over-the-counter amalgamation from New Age-Nostradamus predictions to Mark Hitchcock’s interview on CNN Headline News with Glenn Beck—especially, in reference to the August 22 date in which Iran’s messianic-complex, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, quite possibly could have planned a “light show” over Jerusalem to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s heavenly journey launched from the Temple Mount on the half man-half horse Buraq. Beck placed the caveat in the apocalyptic possibility: “But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind” (just in case it did happen). (See our last article: ISRAEL’S WAR which references the August 22 “light show.”)
Examine MSNBC’s host Tucker Carlson who admitted on the apocalyptic eve of August 22 that the failure of catastrophic Armageddon to seize the moment awaits another time frame wherein we will witness “the end of days.” (Media Matters, August 23, 2006)
Before we merge pop and prophets, let it be understood, this article, Part V in the Prophetic Sequence, exposes America’s Patriotic Prophets and their complicity in covering America’s involvement in orchestrating the infamous Peace Treaty of the Antichrist—that’s a mouthful—but frankly, it will amaze you how America’s pop culture has played into the hands of her patriotic prophets, willingly, I surmise. To trivialize the following as a “food fight” amongst Christian fundamentalists, having little if anything to do with the real world in which we live—you do so at your own peril!
WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?
As I witnessed the exchange between Beck and Hitchcock, it was difficult to ascertain whether or not Beck—always the spoofster—was using the whole prophetic probability as a charade . . . a sort of “mockery” of the Second Coming . . . or, were he and Carlson actually embracing the Armageddon Scenario as biblically viable, given the alignment of nations now in place as we approach the “end of the days?”
Listen to the Beckster and ponder the absurdities of the remarks as a “tongue in cheek” – a sort of nervous chatter which, if it happened, Beck could come off as having warned the multitude:
"I have been throwing a lot of scarier scenarios your way lately, and some of them may or may not come to fruition. But if they do ... we are going to be experiencing the joys of vaporization . . . is the day that Israel might be wiped off the map, leading to all-out Armageddon . . . could be the day that agnostics get down on one knee and start to pray, ‘Sweet Jesus, are you coming today?’ (August 9, 2006)
Or, in response to critics who took his remarks too seriously (forbid we do such):
“I wasn't predicting Armageddon today. ... We talked about the predictions of renowned Middle East scholar Bernard Lewis . . . It is amazing to me to be called a nut job for quoting a scholar who thinks we might expect aggressive behavior from a man who wants to wipe Israel off the map. I know. Sounds crazy! But, hey, who has time to actually listen? . . . I believe in the second coming of Christ. Is this it?” (Ibid., Media Matters)
Beck inserted throughout his exchange with the mild-mannered and “reasonable man” accolades extended by Beck to Hitchcock that he foresaw a “world war of biblical proportions” – whereupon, he wrapped up his apocalyptic segment by eating a slice of “doomsday cake” in celebration of the “end of the world as we know it” (a tune played at the commencement in this exercise of American pop futility). Frankly, by this time, I was laughing my head off—though, at the same time I couldn’t believe what I was watching/hearing! These guys can’t be serious—or could they be spoofing to alert the masses—bizarre or what?—only in America!
Now, the aforementioned Tucker Carlson posited the query:
“‘Iran [is] preparing to unleash Armageddon in less than two weeks,’ adding that August 22 is ‘a significant date on the Islamic calendar’ and ‘also a date terror experts have nervously circled as the date the Iranian government may launch a global jihad.’ Yet with no signs of the end of days by the recording of the August 22 edition of his MSNBC program, Carlson asked Andrew Grotto of the Center for American Progress: ‘August 22nd, today, had been some predictions and some public hand-wringing about the beginning of a war with Iran today. Is this date going to pass without one?’” (Ibid)
I introduce these conservative pop-culturalists—juxtaposed to the “progressive” Airhead America types, whose brainless broadsides on the same topic demonstrate utter contempt for truth. However, in deference to their liberal folly, they are so turned off by the Religious Right that any biblical scenario is understood to be Pat Robertson-style manipulation of the poor and puny in concert with the globalists who hate Hugo Chavez with like passion. The conservatives, on the other hand, demonstrate their superficial awareness (at least it is that) that the Great City, Sodom and Egypt, which they have for these weighty matters . . . a sort of “Scoffers Announcing” --- “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (II Peter 3:3-4).
So . . . just prior to Mark Hitchcock Presents, a plethora of prophetic platitudes proceeded from the pallet of CNN’s Beck:
“So before we get to him (i.e., Hitchcock), let me give you a quick test to see how far down Apocalypse Avenue you're willing to -- you're willing to drive tonight. One, do you think Iran has nuclear ambitions? Do you believe that the U.N. won't aggressively stand up to them? And, three, do you believe that Iran and Russia will come together to invade Israel, resulting in a world war of biblical proportions, an eventual peace treaty, and the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period, and the eventual revoking of the peace treaty by a leader who turns out to be the Antichrist, and a campaign of Armageddon, and the second coming of Christ?
“If you're still shaking your head ‘Yes,’ you are going to love Mark Hitchcock. He is the author of Iran: The Coming Crisis [Multnomah, June 2006], and the stage being set for the end times.
“Mark, I've got to tell you, I believe in the second coming of Christ. Is this it? Do you think this is it?”
Can we get any clearer than this? What came next was Beck standing in front of a doomsday clock while moving the minute hand within seconds of Armageddon’s high noon or midnight as the Q&A continued to gyrate Beck’s minute hand ever closer to the epiphanous moment of apocalyptic trauma—of course, all dependent upon Beck’s perceptions of Hitchcock’s prophetic predictions.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING!
Indeed, Beck trips over our immediate distinction between the Oracle of Damascus and the Gog Magog War by postulating:
“Do you believe that Iran and Russia will come together to invade Israel, resulting in a world war of biblical proportions . . . an eventual peace treaty (following this nuclear exchange between Iran and Israel . . . so is the veiled allusion of the Beckster) and the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period, and the eventual revoking of the peace treaty by a leader who turns out to be the Antichrist.”
Beck was simply configuring Hitchcock’s understanding of the end time’s scenario—a traditional Premillenarian, pre-tribulation forecast of events.
The Gog-Magog conflagration (Ezekiel 38-39) precedes (comes before, according to Beck-Hitchcock) the “Peace Treaty” and the commencement of the seven-year tribulation period. Nothing is mentioned about the Oracle of Damascus, Jacob’s waning, Arab revival, nor who’s behind YOUR COVENANT WITH DEATH, YOUR AGREEMENT WITH HELL (i.e., the “Peace Treaty”) other than the one who is to be revealed as the ultimate Euro-Centric Antichrist (according to Hitchcock—for the EU is in place—and, of course, moving rapidly with its contingent of under 10,000 troops who intend to have nothing to do with disarming Hezbollah—Viva La France!).
Thence, though Hitchcock, Lindsey, et al, talk about the Oracle of Damascus (i.e., “Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap” – Isaiah 17) in the context of a pre-Gog-Magog Conflagration (to their credit), they do so without any attempt to explain America’s overwhelming presence in the Middle East! Since Beck-Hitchcock-Carlson-Lindsey are patriotic Americans—putting it bluntly: DUMP ON THE EURO-ANTICHRIST!
Notwithstanding (and I do love Hal Lindsey) – how can he say the Rapture is imminent when the Oracle of Damascus PRECEDES the Tribulation Period? He cannot be consistent with the pre-tribulation, pre-millenarian scenario if he does this!
“Twenty Seven hundred years ago, Isaiah warned, ‘An oracle concerning Damascus: ‘See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins … In that day the glory of Jacob will fade; the fat of his body will waste away.’ (Isaiah 17:1, 4 NIV)
“To establish the time of this event, look at these factors. First, Damascus is one of the oldest continuously populated cities on earth. It has never been totally destroyed – yet. Second, it is in a context of events that lead up to the catastrophes that precede the Lord Jesus’ Second Coming. Third, it is far enough away from that event that Jacob (Israel) is enduring terrible circumstances. Fourth, Syria and the tribal name of its forefathers are not mentioned in the Russian led Muslim Confederacy that launches Armageddon in the middle of the Tribulation.
“All of this leads me to believe that Damascus will be destroyed before the Tribulation begins. I believe that Damascus is about to so threaten Israel’s existence by either launching or furnishing bio-chemical weapons or radioactive dirty bombs, that Israel will nuke them. Israel has sworn that it will implement the Samson-Option against any nation that attacks them with any form of weapons of mass destruction. That means a thermonuclear strike. This may soon happen to Syria.” (UPDATED 07/24 3PM EST - Urgent Intelligence Update, UNCOVERED: RUSSIAN-SYRIAN-IRANIAN AXIS)
Furthermore, how can this cabal of pop-prophetical pundits and preachers speculate that Gog-Magog precedes the infamous efforts of The Coming Prince (Daniel 9:26) and his demands for a “covenant (Peace Treaty) with the many” (Daniel 9:27a) when, in point of prophetic fact, Israel is dwelling in absolute SAFETY prior to Gog-Magog?
In other words: Gog-Magog does NOT trigger the Seventieth Week of Daniel and the beginning of the Tribulation Period by the subsequent orchestration of a Peace Treaty by the Antichrist—i.e., The Gog-Magog War concludes and then the Peace Treaty between Antichrist-Israel takes place and commences the 70th Week of Daniel’s prophecy (so say Lindsey et al).
Hal-Mark-Glenn-Tucker – please, carefully reread these portions—and, no, I’m NOT being patronizing…I am appealing to your literal designs upon these passages:
“On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your (Gog’s) mind, and you will make an evil plan: You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’” (Ezekiel 38:10-11).
It is an inescapable omission on the part of well-intentioned, patriotic American Premillenarians who embrace the pre-tribulation rapture (i.e., the Church will rapture prior to or at the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel—before the “Tribulation Period”) that the Gog-Magog War precipitates at its horrific conclusion the Peace Treaty (i.e., “Your Covenant with Death, your agreement with Hell” Isaiah 28:15 & 18; Daniel 9:27). That is absolutely nonsensical according to the literal reading of the Scriptures found in Ezekiel 38.
To the contrary, it is the “end of THE WAR” (i.e., the “Arab-Israeli Conflict” Daniel 9:26b) which concludes with the Oracle of Damascus (Isaiah 17, Zechariah 9) which precipitates the “Peace Treaty” that leads to the Gog-Magog War!
The Peace Treaty – Defense Pact – with “the many” stands alone! It is the seminal event which announces the 70th Week of Daniel—the commencement of the Tribulation Period, the final countdown to Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ, the Coming of Israel’s Messiah—introducing earth’s Millennial bliss.
AMERICA IS NOT IN THE HITCHCOCK-BECK SCENARIO
What’s interesting in this comedic cataclysm of conjecture and congenial exchange is the total absence of America’s role in any prophetical scenario.
How could it be—after all, America is uppermost in their patriotic brains—she is the protector of all things beautiful, democratic, free, and, to top it off, the most Christianized, God-fearing lot on the planet?
Of course, Sodom abounds in the midst of this City Set on a Hill which cannot be hid for all its light it disseminates. Not once did America’s name enter in the prophetic postulations on the Beck-Hitchcock exchange—again, is there any wonder or what is wrong with this picture?
Even so – listen to their own profundities, then weep, for RANK DECEPTION abounds AFTER the Oracle of Damascus, as the foremost power on the globe comes forth to enforce the so-called PEACE TREATY:
In all of Mark Hitchcock’s 13-books sold through Armageddon Books, America is utterly left outside the plethora of prophetic predictions—aside from a veiled allusion to the “merchants of Tarshish” which Tom Ice (Tim LaHaye’s eschatologist) begrudgingly bequeaths to America (and they admit that this is but pure conjecture).
Since Lindsey is no longer the darling of the pundits . . . let us quote from Hitchcock’s: Is America in Bible Prophecy?
“No longer does the United States excel in all phases of military power. What lies ahead for this great country . . . America, like most nations (Note: All nations?), is not mentioned by name anywhere in the pages of Scripture (Note: Neither is Rome’s Empire.). This is obvious. Nevertheless, America is clearly a part of the general framework of prophecy” (pp. 21-22).
Now this profound admission:
“Numerous passages in the Bible refer to God’s final dealings with ‘all the nations.’ Most would agree that America is included in such general references in Scripture.” (p. 22)
We’re getting hot here—but Hitchcock’s “prophetic interruptus” persists throughout his love affair with America, much like many others who ascribe the stars and stripes in unapproachable ambiguity or, going so far as to announce her meteoritic conclusion as a result of the secret rapture, and subsequent economic collapse as a result of millions of Christian Americans (along with millions of “innocent” children) high-tailing it to glory to leave the Jews and a whole bunch of left-behinders languishing at the hands of the Antichrist! Some even predict that New York City is the Babylon of the last days and will be blown to smithereens by radical Islam—but we persist, and fully intend to rebuild our Trade Towers in defiance of Islam’s finest efforts!
“I believe that neither America nor New York city is the Babylon of Revelation 17-18. For one thing, Babylon is presented as a wicked city (not a nation) that persecutes God’s people, especially the prophets and saints . . . though we may agree that New York City has a great deal of wickedness, as do all big cities, it has consistently been a safe haven to which Jews and Christians from all over the world have been able to flee in order to escape persecution . . . I believe that Revelation 17-18 is referring to a literal, rebuilt city of Babylon in modern-day Iraq.” (p. 33)
I find it incomprehensible that Hitchcock (along with scores of other members of America’s Patriotic Church) does not know by now that ancient Babylon, and especially Baghdad, is utterly occupied by these same MERCHANTS OF TARSHISH to which he (and Tom Ice) ascribes veiled references to America (see Hitchcock’s pp. 47-59, Is America “the Young Lions of Tarshish”?).
Their deniability of America’s role as Babylon’s inheritor of “Abominations of the Earth” is astounding! Yet he, and countless others who follow in assigning perfunctory prophetic performance to America’s culpability in this mystery, is utterly outrageous or disingenuous, whichever comes first!
These brethren, including Charles Dyer (An “excellent book” according to Hitchcock—p. 35), the foremost eschatologist of the Moody Bible Institute, doggedly ascribes credibility to the theory of so-called biblical literalism which demands (so they acclaim) Baghdad’s revival as the source of Revelation’s ultimate destruction (Revelation 17-18)!
“The rise of Iraq in recent years on the world political and economic scene is not an accident. There is a divine reason that she possesses huge reservoirs of oil—and receives great profits from it. In spite of the Gulf War and tremendous worldwide pressure, Iraq remains a formidable foe. This current rebuilding and rise of Babylon may be a key part of God’s plan for the last days.” (p. 41, Hitchcock)
Now, mind you, Hitchcock and Dyer wrote their prognostications and Saddamic acclaims prior (before 2003) to “No longer does the United States excel in all phases of military power” and the 82nd Airborne stomping all over Saddam’s Baghdad. Can’t these “guys” understand that Babylon on the Hudson is the 800-pound gorilla sitting in the living room?
Or, do they enjoy selling their books by the gazillions in order to keep home and hearth stoking—ah, the entanglements of Mystery Babylon—and American Christians mesmerized by the false sense of security, since they’re all going to rapture out of this mess in any event before the fireworks happen?
What amazes, after the gorilla’s overbearing presence in all things Middle Eastern (Note: America’s role in orchestrating Israel’s most recent conflict in Lebanon is altogether obvious—let alone her massive endeavors in Iraq, Afghanistan, and throughout all of Eurasia and the Middle East) is the total lack of prophetic discernment and absolute inexcusable obfuscation of America’s role as BABYLON THE GREAT in any and all of their prophetic commentary since their prophetic blunders—even after the horrific miscalculations regarding Saddam’s demise! Better left unsaid?
To the contrary—they continue their profundities and announcements on Beck’s CNN and their writings (Iran, The Coming Crisis, Mark Hitchcock, 2006) exonerating America’s abject complicity in any and all of this wretched commercial exploitation and world hegemony! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! How can these brethren continue to deceive—and that’s what it’s becoming—American Christians into believing that America has but a peripheral role, even in the Middle East, when she sits astride the banks of the Tigris-Euphrates and builds the world’s largest foreign embassy known to man?
Go to Rapture Watch—view the exchange amongst believers—witness Tom Ice and how he, along with Hitchcock and Dyer, becloud America’s presence in ancient Babylon . . . how can they maintain any credibility as prophets to the world in these tumultuous days which lie before—let alone alert the Church and/or Israel to the emergency of the hour?
”I believe that if America is referenced in Bible prophecy, this passage (Ezekiel 38:13: “Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions . . . .”) is the best bet. However, this passage could include the entire Western Hemisphere. This does not mean that America will have become an insignificant nation during the tribulation. That may be true, but it also could be that she is somehow part of the Revived Roman Empire of the Antichrist, since our country originated as a colony established by Europe. In spite of the apparent biblical silence on this subject, it does not mean that America's role in end-time prophecy is not clear, for it is very clear.”
What on earth is Tom Ice trying to say—is or is not America clear? Or, are we just, as Hitchcock surmises—and these are the precise words of Hitchcock on p. 56 of his book entitled: Is America in Bible Prophecy:
“Although I do not believe that the young lions of Tarshish are a reference to the United States, I concede that of all the passages in the Bible that could refer to the United States, this is by far the best one.” (p. 56)
The “united front of prophetic ambiguity” presented by the Hitchcock-Dyer-Ice Alliance astounds. The “best one?” Come on, brother Hitchcock—TELL IT LIKE IT IS! No wonder the patriotic Glenn Beck desired Hitchcock’s presence on CNN!
Let’s do a wrap here, as Hitchcock begrudgingly admits America could possibly, at best, be a part of the Western constellation of nations (Ezekiel 38:13—like Ice and others), and without equivocation America, unfortunately, is not mentioned in Isaiah 18, and certainly has nothing to do whatsoever with Revelation 17-18) . . . I strongly urge him to redress his masterpiece as: AMERICA IS NOT IN BIBLE PROPHECY!
“We have rejected the idea that the United States or New York City is Babylon because neither fits the description of Babylon in Revelation 17-18. These two chapters fit much better if we link them with the literal city of Babylon in modern Iraq (Note: Now utterly occupied by the might of the US military—regardless of oil prices and civil war! My comments.).
“We’ve also ejected the view that America is the unnamed nation in Isaiah 18, because that chapter is a clear historical reference to ancient Cush in Africa. Finally, we’ve concluded that the reference to the young lions of Tarshish in Ezekiel 38 probably alludes to Western Europe, not the United States (Note: Even Ice includes the USA in the constellation of the “merchants” or “ships” of Tarshish.).
“Therefore, I conclude that the role of the United States in the end times is not specifically discussed in the Bible. This is actually quite remarkable (NO KIDDING) when you think about it. If we are living in the latter years of this age, doesn’t it seem logical that God would clarify the role of the most powerful, influential nation in the history of the world? But He didn’t. Why not? Over the years prophecy scholars (?) have struggled to answer this question . . . why the United States is not mentioned in Bible prophecy?” (pp. 58-59, Is America in Bible Prophecy?)
THE FALL OF AMERICA!
“If the scriptural silence (?) indicates that America will be a relatively unimportant nation in the end times, how will America fall?” (Mark Hitchcock, p. 63, Is America in Bible Prophecy?)
Will the America of Ice, Hitchcock, and Dyer—even the one of Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye, become the America of John Walvoord, former President of Dallas Theological Seminary (a man dearly beloved by this brother)? To wit:
“Although conclusions concerning the role of America in prophecy in the end time are necessarily tentative, the Scriptural evidence is sufficient to conclude that America in that day will not be a major power and apparently does not figure largely in either the political, economic, or religious aspects of the world.” (John F. Walvoord, The Nation in Prophecy, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1967), p. 175.)
I hasten to add, that Dr. Walvoord’s prophetic assumption did not foresee the immediate geopolitical reconfiguration—his only backdrop was Israel’s retaking of the Temple Mount in 1967!
So, how does America’s immediate dominance of all things Middle Eastern (juxtaposed to Iran and militant Islam) end? According to Hitchcock, as follows:
(1) America will remain the world’s most powerful nation—but the Bible “simply chose not to mention her specifically” (Note: This is, as far as this author is concerned, “an oversight of biblical proportions!” (p. 62, Is America in Bible Prophecy?)
(2) America is not mentioned in Bible prophecy because “she will suffer a fall from the outside” and “be destroyed by other nations.” (p. 63)
(3) She will have “lost her influence as a result of moral and spiritual deterioration . . . she will suffer a fall from the inside.” (p. 64)
(4) Option 4: THE LATE GREAT UNITED STATES . . . or “how do we explain the fact that America seems to be such a second-rate nation in the last days that it does not even warrant specific mention in the Bible?” (p. 65)
Let us probe the depths of Hitchcock’s . . .
(1a) “Until the Rapture (Ah . . . we have a hint why America is somehow a “second-rate nation in the last days!”); the United States will continue to serve as Israel’s chief ally. (p. 66)
(2a) “We know from Scripture (?) that after the Rapture, the Antichrist will come to Israel’s side and make a seven-year treaty with her . . . but where is America in that scenario? Why aren’t we around as Israel’s great protector? Evidently, antichrist and his European empire (Whoops, there’s that Euro-Antichrist again!) will replace America as Israel’s chief ally . . . this strong presence of Europe indicates to me that something will have happened to America that shifts world power back to Europe. (p. 67)
(3a) “AMERICA WILL BE BROUGHT TO HER KNEES BY THE RAPTURE . . . the Rapture is the key. The Rapture will change everything . . . I believe the Rapture will produce a power vacuum—and into it will step the Antichrist and his reunited Roman Empire . . . If the rapture were to happen today and all the true believers in Jesus Christ were whisked away to heaven in a split second, America would be devastated.” (Note: Hitchcock then goes on to quote the Barna Research Online stating that the USA has some 23% “rapturable citizens.”) (pp. 67-69).
Not just Hitchcock holds these “truths to be self-evident” – but Moody’s Charles Dyer affirms the American demise via the Rapture; again, Hitchcock quotes from Dyer’s “excellent book” – The Rise of Babylon:
“The economic fluctuations of the eighties and even the Great Depression will pale in comparison to the political and economic collapse that will occur when our society suddenly loses individuals (Dyer estimates upwards of 28 million, and that was in 1987-1993 prior to America’s smashing of Saddam’s Babylon) who were its ‘salt and light.’ America could not support an army in the Middle East because the military would be needed at home to control the chaos!” (p. 72, Hitchcock and p. 168, Dyer, The Rise of Babylon).
In sum, Hitchcock’s Dyer prediction (pun intended):
“The Rapture may well be the end of America as we know it. Those who are left out on the Rapture in the United States will be left behind to pick up the pieces.” (p. 72)
“America must remain strong until the end times to continue her defense of Israel . . . world power in the end times will be centered in the reunited Roman Europe (Europe) . . . European prominence can be explained only in light of a decline in (the) power of America. Why else would Europe guarantee Israel’s safety (i.e., the Antichrist springs from Europe and makes the Covenant, Peace Treaty, with Israel to guarantee her safety) unless something had happened to the United States? America will fall when the church is raptured.” (p. 73)
At this point Hitchcock, along with Ice and Dyer, et al, include what’s left behind in America with subservience to the Euro-Antichrist. Furthermore, America, so says Hitchcock “is slowly, subtly, but relentlessly being drawn away from national sovereignty into globalism.”
Does not the man realize that it is America herself who leads the cast of character nations in this quest for globalism and that it is her concoctions—NATO, GATT, NAFTA, WTO, IMF, WORLD BANK—which traumatize the nations?
Brethren, this is either geopolitical ignorance on an unprecedented scale or blatant deception on the part of FALSE PROPHETS! Yes, FALSE PROPHETS to celebrate the Patriotic Church, while turning a blind eye to America’s overt extensions of globalism and economic, military, and cultural hegemony. Concealing the true identity of America, the Babylon of the Last Days!
And, yet, this same man, Mark Hitchcock, goes on to say, at the revelation of the Antichrist—now, as a result of the Rapture of the Church, domiciled in a resurgent Europe:
“When the world gets its first glimpse of Antichrist, he will appear to be a great peacemaker. The signing of this covenant is one of the most important end-times events predicted in the Bible because it introduces the world to the Antichrist and begins the countdown of the final seven years of this age . . . .” (p. 100)
Hitchcock continues, by quoting Charles Dyer’s literature:
“This ruler will succeed where Kissinger, Carter, Reagan, Bush (Note: Americans all), and other world leaders have failed. He will be known as the man of peace!” (Charles H. Dyer, World News and Bible Prophecy, Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale, 1995, p. 214)
Hitchcock’s unbelievable conclusion in covering America’s dastardly presence in all this . . . continues unabated:
“It’s interesting that in recent years the Arabs and Israelis are looking more and more to Europe (Note: Especially now that she is leading a most significant expedition into Southern Lebanon! Pardon the facetious nature of this remark—it was well-intended.) as the mediator to bring peace to the region. This is exactly what the Bible predicts in Daniel 9:27 (Note: And, I hasten to add: This is precisely what the Bible does NOT predict!).
“Antichrist, the leader of Europe, brokers this peace deal, all will go along just fine until the mid-point of the seven years . . . .” (The End) (Appendix of Is America in Bible Prophecy).
I do not apologize in bringing you through the mire of prophetic bewilderment—but this is precisely to where the pretribulational Rapture of the Church has led—DO YOU SEE IT!! America’s total exoneration—her subservience—the rump session of the American era is about to end—and it is the Church’s Rapture from America that will bring this geo-political phenomenon about!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
“God Bless America” is one of the final chapters of Mark Hitchcock’s “Is America in Bible Prophecy?” Written shortly after 9/11, Mark remarks:
“In the past few months I have seen more flag waving and heard more renditions of ‘God bless America’ than in the rest of my life combined. There is an incredible outpouring of patriotism and unity in America that is refreshing to see.”
This leads us, as well as Hitchcock, and the PATRIOTIC PROPHETS, to ponder: “What can we do as a nation to ensure the continued favor of God upon us as a people?” (p. 83)
Alas! The three-fold answer from the pen of Mark Hitchcock is a potent prophetic blockbuster, as it was prior to America’s invasion of ancient Babylon in 2003:
1. BLESS ISRAEL
2. PREACH THE GOSPEL
3. RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION
(pp. 84-88)
These three things, along with the fervency of patriotism—and don’t think that during the years since Mark’s text was written things have changed—they are still the mainstays of Evangelical Christianity, American-style.
“NATIONAL CHRISTIANITY” has absolutely NOTHING to do with the favor of God in these Last Days! The Church herself is described as a “peculiar people, a holy nation” and NOT the United States of America:
“But you (the people of God after the cross of Christ) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God” (I Peter 1:9-10a).
And, may I make it abundantly plain to all of you who have survived this diatribe upon these beloved, but grossly deceived, patriotic prophets: “Beloved, I beg you as SOJOURNERS, and PILGRIMS” (I Peter 2:11) that you “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” Now, this doesn’t sound like a bunch of patriots warring against terrorism, but it sure sounds like a “heavenly people” bound for a “City Whose builder and maker is God” . . . (whose battle) is “against principalities and powers in heavenly places.”
In case you think that Hal Lindsey’s Oracle of Damascus has given him a new lease on America as the Babylon of the last days—let me disabuse you of that prophetic outburst:
“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. 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.” (May 2, 2001, America in Prophecy, Hal Lindsey, WorldNet Daily)
Listen, I have not even touched upon the depth of the American Patriotic Prophets and their secret rapture which will cause the rise of the Euro-Antichrist—enabling every God-fearing, blood-washed, gospel-touting brother and sister, to leave this wretched state of affairs, and let America go to the dogs, the merchants, and the Antichrist!
The only excuse that these Patriotic Prophets can give for America’s diminishing is the Rapture of the Church! They tenaciously hold to this fallacy; and, conveniently, America can romp through the tulip patches of the Middle East with impunity—as long as she keeps “blessing Israel.”
ISAIAH 18 – REVELATION 17-18
In keeping with this prophetic subterfuge, it is mandatory that these Patriotic Prophets dissuade us from an affirmation that Isaiah 18 bespeaks of a mystery nation known today as the United States of America—who, immediately following the waning of Jacob, as a result of the Prophecy Against Damascus (i.e., the Oracle of Damascus) becomes the sequential prophetic concern of Isaiah . . . “beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, which sends ambassadors by sea” (Isaiah 18:1).
Hitchcock gives short shrift to American involvement in Isaiah—telling us to look elsewhere to find her—and then he proceeds to conceal her identify throughout his many books.
In his chapter, “Is America the Unnamed Nation in Isaiah” he shrugs off Jack Van Impe’s presupposition found in his text, The Great Escape, that America is that mystery nation “beyond the rivers of Ethiopia” (i.e., “Cush” or ancient Sudan) . . .
“Isaiah 18:1-2 issues a warning to a nation . . . the nation described in this text is in great difficulty with God because the opening word ‘woe’ in the text is judgmental. The nation has the insignia of wings, similar to America’s national emblem, the bald eagle. It is a land that is beyond the sea from Israel. This designation of ‘beyond Ethiopia’ eliminates all of the nations of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is a land scattered and peeled, meaning it is stretched out and having a large landmass. It is measured and staked out with countries, cities, and states. It is a land with polluted rivers. Does that not sound unmistakably like our precious America?” (Van Impe, The Great Escape, p. 206)
Hitchcock rejects outright identification of Isaiah 18 with America—even after the Oracle of Damascus occurs (to which at this juncture he gives no prophetic continuity to what follows Isaiah 17)—even after he clarifies the “polluted rivers” of that land with “whose land the rivers divide” as being more recognizable of America proper (i.e., “ . . . since America is divided east and west from Canada to the Gulf of America by the Mississippi River and is further divided by the Ohio, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, and Columbia Rivers” . . . He footnotes E. F. Webber’s America in Prophecy of the Southwest Radio Church who in 1993 gives eight points from Isaiah 18:1-2 that he believes identify the USA as this mystery nation.).
Hitchcock’s rejection:
“Isaiah 18 fits into a longer section, chapters 18-20, that is one connected prophecy (and I completely concur) dealing with the ancient nations of Cush and Egypt, which were one country at that time. Ancient Cush included modern-day southern Egypt, Sudan, northern Ethiopia, and Somalia. The phrase ‘the land shadowing with wings’ does not refer to the wings of an eagle but the whirring wings of insects that infested the Nile valley in that area.” (p. 46)
And, further:
“In Isaiah 18:1-2, God is warning the Cushites to get in their boats and head back home and not form an alliance against the Assyrians. God promises that when it was time for the Assyrians to fall, He Himself would destroy them for all the surrounding nations to see.” (p. 46)
Hal Lindsey is all the more emphatic that Isaiah 18 has absolutely nothing to do with America of the last days:
“America, the wide and smooth? Some point to Isaiah 18, which speaks of a people ‘tall and smooth’ who are ‘feared far and wide.’ The passage says these people are ‘a powerful nation whose land the rivers divide’ that will one day bring gifts to the Messiah when He reigns from Mount Zion.
“Those who hold this view, point to the fact the United States is divided by the Mississippi, to America's power and say we are the people ‘feared far and wide’ of whom Isaiah was speaking. But this view only works if you ignore the first verse of Chapter 18. It clearly identifies the powerful nation divided by a river as Cush, or Ethiopia. At the time of Isaiah, Ethiopia was part of the Egyptian empire and the river referred to is without doubt the Nile.” (America in Prophecy, WorldNet Daily, May 2, 2001)
AMEICA IS THE MYSTERY NATION OF ISAIAH 18!
Notwithstanding the “prophetical patriotic conspiracy” aforementioned—there are too many today who wholly identify this “mystery nation” lock, stock, and barrel with the Babylon yet future, the United States of America.
And, it is not simply E. F. Webber, the founder of the South West Radio Church, or Jack Van Impe, or, for that matter, Franklin S. Logsden, former Senior Pastor of the Moody Memorial Church—men who have the strength of their convictions and speak out what the Word of God so obviously declares.
We extensively covered this topic regarding America’s identification as the “mystery nation” in our article: PART IV, The Road to Damascus, Damascus Will Cease from Being a City” . . . Syria, Catalyst for Gog-Magog” – therefore, it would be superfluous to repeat these conclusions—suffice it to say, however, that since these conclusions, we are all the more convinced of their accuracy.
That biblical vindication comes on the heels of the Oracle of Damascus—even Hal Lindsey admits the judgment of Damascus will precede The Tribulation! Then, may I ask, brother Hal, doesn’t Isaiah 18 come after Isaiah 17? And, doesn’t Isaiah 19 and the Oracle against Egypt (King of the South who shall come up against Antichrist, Daniel 11:40-45—describing the Gog-Magog conflagration) come after Isaiah 18? And, finally, doesn’t the Millenarian state wherein “. . . that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians . . . in that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance’” (Isaiah 19:23-25) conclude with Isaiah 19?
Do not so glibly presume that Isaiah randomly disbursed the sequence of these judgments—no, no, no—under the unction of the Holy Spirit they clearly delineate the amazing Prophetic Sequence that unfolds today!
America, with her ambassadors of peace, will, under the inspiration and direction of the Antichrist, galvanize her efforts to bring about the much-vaunted COMPREHENSIVE PEACE SETTLEMENT so longed for now, but all the more so, after Jacob wanes, and Damascus becomes a ruinous heap!
Yes, “go, swift messengers, to a nation tall and smooth (clean-shaven) of skin, to a people TERRIBLE FROM THEIR BEGINNING onward—a nation powerful and TREADING DOWN, whose land the rivers divide” (Isaiah 18:2). And, in case you aren’t clear as to who this could possible be—Isaiah sets the record straight:
“All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth: when he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it; and when he blows a trumpet, you hear it” (Note: IT’S OBVIOUS WHAT NATION WE’RE TALKING ABOUT!) (Isaiah 18:3).
How Lindsey, Hitchcock, Dyer, and scores of others can be so prophetically cavalier as if there is little or no connection between these chapters bespeaks of a predisposition to protect the identify of the United States of America—and, that has more to do with, I fear, the Laodicean Church’s identification with those same “merchants of Tarshish” than with a quest for the “Truth of Scripture.”
Indeed, their dismissal of America’s identification with the “ships or merchants of Tarshish” which at best places America distinctly distant and an “also ran” among the Western powers (as if) is, once again, a manifestation of their persistence to deny America’s ubiquitous presence during the Last Days, under the sub-heading: Tarshing America:
“Another view says that America is identified by the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 38:13. Ezekiel speaks of the ‘merchants of Tarshish and all the young lions thereof’ who launch a diplomatic protest at the time of the Gog-Magog invasion of Israel. Some point to the fact that Tarshish was the westernmost trading and seafaring nation of the ancient world. From there, Tarshish becomes Britain. After all, Britain is the westernmost point on the Continent. And the symbol of Britain is a lion. Consequently, ‘all the young lions thereof’ become the former British colonies, like Australia, Canada and, of course, the United States. Therefore, ipso facto, the merchants of Tarshish and all the young lions thereof must be referring to America.
“But this doesn't work, either. First and foremost, nobody can pinpoint with any degree of accuracy the location of Tarshish. The only thing we are sure of is that it isn't Britain. The most recent archeological evidence puts ancient Tarshish in Spain, which, while close, doesn't quite win the cigar.” (America in Prophecy, Hal Lindsey, WorldNet Daily, May 2, 2001)
How quaint of Hal to compare our identification of the Hegemonic “Merchants of Tarshish” with smoking a cigar. Well, Hal, I don’t know what your smoking, but whatever it is, it’s skewed your prophetic senses as to the culprit in all this exchange!
And, isn’t it of great interest that the progression of the West—from Babylon, to the shores of Greece via the Persians, to Rome and thence to the New World and America, the beautiful . . . or, from another angle, considering the Western progression of the Canaanites (Hebrew for “Merchants”), to the Greek recollection of the Phoenicians, to the Latin Punic peoples, and thence the West’s chief merchant, the United States of America—go WEST, young man, go West!
Each day, the case of the Patriotic Prophets grows weaker, as American influence and “treading down” grows stronger—yes, “terrible from their beginning onward!”
MERCY UPON AMERICA!
Lest you assume that I abide an American basher or hater, ponder the imponderable—imagine the unimaginable:
“In that time a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts from a people tall and smooth of skin, and from a people terrible from their beginning onward, a nation powerful and treading down, whose land the rivers divide—to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, to Mount Zion” (Isaiah 18:7).
YES! Not only does the Spirit of God forecast America’s involvement in Antichrist’s Peace Treaty—but as with Syria’s demise at the Oracle of Damascus; of Jacob’s waning, and subsequent vulnerability with the Peace Treaty of Antichrist; of Egypt’s judgment during Gog-Magog—America’s remnant will on that Millenarian debut coming to Mount Zion, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, to bring “a present” to the Lord of hosts!
Now . . . the apparent preposterous injunction that we should appeal to our brethren in Christ to renounce their complicity with Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the earth, is extended. That complicity, so rife amongst the “Patriotic Prophets of America,” is perhaps the most devious deceit perpetrated upon the believing Church since the era of indulgences designed to build St. Peter’s Basilica! The Reformation confronted that absurdity and rank materialism—even so, may the recognition of Babylon’s environs and her duplicity in the Prophetic Sequence seize our brethren who place their disquieting trust in the slogan: GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Instead, may this affirmative theology wherein the Great City includes the American travesty of world hegemony—materially, culturally, politically, and spiritually—alert the believing Church, be they amongst Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or free church—there is hope beyond this compromise of conspiracy; strength apart from the weakness that demeans the Church’s integrity; and witness to the world separated by the pristine announcement that Christ will not, cannot, and has never committed His rule and reign through temporal powers no matter how constrained they are by the gospel!
Ours has not, nor ever will be in this present state of affairs, embraced this earthly clod with any more than a rueful glance—because our destiny and eternity escapes this transitory affliction.
Brethren, let these words enrich our impoverished souls; quench the insatiable thirst of our spirits:
“These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit (no “falsehood”), for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Revelation 14:4-5).
