SOME SYMBOLISM THAT THE UNITED STATES MAY FIT INTO?
Part XX
Rise or Fall of American Empire
By
Doug Krieger
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John” (Revelation 1:1)
The title of this, once again, provocative piece of apocalyptic preciosity is designed to expand the eschatological fervor of God’s people to immediate Biblical relevance, while challenging the geographic restriction of evangelical Premillenarian confinement to all things Euro-centric (e.g., revival of the Holy Roman Empire) . . . for the Image seen in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream began to walk the face of the whole earth colonizing the earthlings and now sits like a Queen overlooking her imperial horizons from sea to shining sea. Simultaneously, the “earthlings” who deign to observe our food fight might just be enthralled to know of our interior constipations or why they are convinced in their disenchantments when considering our apocalyptic wars; hopefully, however, the Holy Spirit just may ignite an illuminating fire within someone’s soul - for “the truth is out there!”
Notwithstanding, content taken from the Apocalypse – the “unveiling of
Jesus Christ” – was and is transmitted to us through a most unusual, yet
time-proven means . . . allow us to share the late Ray Stedman’s explanation
from his commentary on the Revelation – God’s Final Word:
“The book is called the ‘revelation of Jesus Christ,’ and John says that Jesus Himself ‘made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.’ The English phrase ‘made it known’ actually has a deeper meaning in the original Greek, where instead of three words there (i.e. ‘made it known’) is just one Greek word, semaino. The word should be translated ‘signified’—or, if you want to really get the true sense of this word, pronounce it aloud: ‘SIGN-I-FIED.’ In other words, Jesus made His revelation known to John by signs or symbols. Once you grasp the symbolic ‘sign-ificance’ of this book, you can begin to understand and apply the book of Revelation. Revelation is a book of symbols, and these symbols are important. Symbols help to simplify difficult concepts and to clarify things which are baffling or murky . . . The book of Revelation, however, uses symbols with great precision and clarity . . . The key to understanding the symbols of Revelation is recognizing that almost all of these symbols have been given to us elsewhere in the Bible. If you try to read Revelation without any understanding of the rest of the Bible, you are doomed to confusion. But if you use the rest of the Bible as a guide and interpreter of the symbols of Revelation, most of these symbols immediately become understandable.” (God’s Final Word, Ray C. Stedman, Discovery House Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI, 1991, pp. 3-4)
“Some symbolism that the United States may fit into” was taken from one of the more refined, hereunder-mentioned, prophetic websites in the world—and one to whom this ministry actually links; considering it one of the more enlightened disseminators of contemporary insight amidst a fog of confusion, stupidity, indifference and rank ineptitude. But lest we conceal the overweening sense of our own propriety (camouflaging our conceits does not appear to be one of our strong suits) and are charged with “comparing ourselves among themselves, are not wise” (II Corinthians 10:12) – we shall therefore retreat to the Pauline pinnacle of profound prejudice: “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves . . . not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere” (II Corinthians 10:13-15). And having this confidence: “But ‘he who glories let him glory in the LORD.’ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends” (II Corinthians. 10:17-18).
Now, we could further disparage our concerns and imbibe in Paul’s “little folly” to have you all “bear with me” – for this ministry—the Tribulation Network—is “not inferior to the most eminent apostles”…though we may be considered by some to be “untrained in speech” (II Corinthians 11:1, 5-6). That said, it is with some consternation that the dissemination of a great deal of what passes as pertinent prophetic platitude designed to prepare the people of God in America, North America and throughout the planet for the coming of the Lord, is fraught with what the prophet Micah called a severe case of “PRATTLE” – to wit:
“‘Do not prattle,’ you say to those who prophesy (lit. ‘drip words’)” (Micah 2:6)
And, just who might these “prophetic prattlers” be? Alas! For they come bearing gifts and announce all is well, fat and sassy amongst the people of the Lord:
“If someone showed up with a
good smile and glib tongue
and told lies from morning to night—
‘I'll preach sermons that will tell you
how you can get anything you want from God:
More money, the best wines...you name it’—
you’d hire him on the spot as your preacher!”
(Micah 2:11 – From “The Message”)
Therefore, having announced these peculiar caveats (pick and choose what’s appropriate to sundry sites), allow us to delve into the more popular disseminators of the prophetic – knowing this – most are beloved in Christ; however, most are awash in a protective Laodicean-mindset wherein the “Gospel of Wealth and Prosperity” has skewed the prophet’s vision. Compounding the myopic gaze of these visionaries are what is seen as benign attempts at “financial responsibility” (before the Lord, no doubt) – coupled with a preoccupation to obfuscate the United States of America as having little, perhaps-yet-undiscovered or nothing to do with Biblical prophecy, no matter how these aforementioned “symbols” signify to the contrary; i.e., America insinuates herself as the epitome of Revelation’s most ghastly symbolism: The SUPREME CULPRIT - BABYLON THE GREAT – of the latter days!
Now, along with Prophecy News Watch (a Canadian-based web site, though seemingly mesmerized by all things American when it comes to prophetic interpolations) is shy of the pre-wrath Fulfilled Prophecy of the late Herb Peters – the chart below, taken from ALEXA stats, reveals (aside from the glaring oversight uncommitted to Hal Lindsey’s ministry—one of the most popular, yet undisclosed by ALEXA) what the world-wide web views (at least in mid-July, 2008) as “prophetically propagating” to the masses. I “expose” these popularities so that our viewing audience can grasp the magnitude of the present obfuscation, prophetic intransigence or pusillanimity of the fearful who approach her Highness as if keeping her in unapproachable ambiguity is a mark of supreme hermeneutical intelligence, when in point of awful fact it belies a plethora of these ineptitudes, equivocations and character flaws (one of which is probably ignorance and, most certainly, fear or misplaced patriotism). Telling it like it is does not suit most of these beloved – but, nevertheless, here’s what’s out there:
If you ever felt like a voice crying in the wilderness – join the club of one. There are other sites beyond these 11 “most popular” who readily decry Babylon’s austere position in the body politic; but The Tribulation Network occupies a most precarious posture—one hardly accorded popular opinion and certainly one which commands a majority of its audience outside the immediate environs of the USA (USA is but 25% of the Tribulation Network’s audience). It is understandable then that the great majority of the above sites receive a rabid American viewing audience nigh to the exclusion of the world!
Supercilious as it appears – The Tribulation Network now boasts perhaps the largest INTERNATIONAL viewing audience of any prophecy website on the planet . . . EXCLUDING the United States of America. By the way, Lamb & Lion has a combined total of 80% when once the 51st State of the Union is added in (no offense Brits – you know what I mean). One can derive much from these figures – first and foremost, of course: badmouthing America as Babylon the Great is not all that popular with an America audience and exceedingly popular elsewhere? You’d be surprised what the world thinks of us—can’t imagine why they’ve formed such negative impressions of America the Beautiful, can you? Grief, for two whole months our audience was nearly 65% Korean – then large percentages of Brazilians, then Canadians, Australians, then Dutch, Norwegians, Japanese, then South Africans, then Spain and on and on. And, where in the world are the Faroe Islands? Great audience there! And, wouldn’t you know it – the Saudis and the United Arab Emirates watch us more than the Israelis! But what I find mind-boggling is how in the world can the Koreans read my English? Astounding – either their doggedly determined to read American English no matter how long it takes – or they like looking at the graphics or both; can’t tell.
WHERE IS THE UNITED STATES IN BIBLE PROPHECY?
May
as well start off with the friendlies. Prophecy News Watch places “Where is
the United States in Bible Prophecy?” at the top of their categorical reviews
on prophecy in the news—with sundry news items there-under. Somehow they may
know something I don’t—i.e., perhaps they’re sneakily trying to move the
prophetic powers toward a greater understanding of where America just might be
in the prophetic landscape? I can conjecture all kinds of good possibilities
. . . you tell me:
“1. Where is the United States in Bible Prophecy?
One of the most common questions regarding Bible prophecy is where is the United States in scripture? Many nations of the world are not mentioned in scripture, however it is hard to understand how the world's most powerful nation would not be. At least not in a way that we recognize it clearly.
There are many theories and ideas as to why this is but here are three of the most common:
· The United States is no longer relevant
· The United States is destroyed
· The United States is no longer its own country - but part of a larger union of nations - possibly controlled by the Antichrist.
All of these responses are based on speculation. We simply do not know the answer but it is very possible there may be some symbolism that the United States may fit into. (Hummm – clever of them to suggest such an absurdity.) We must simply watch and wait to see what God's plan for America is.
To that effect we monitor what impact terrorism and war might have on the United States as well any other factors that could contribute to its decline or change on the world stage.
America is also Israel's closest ally. God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel (Genesis 12:3). America's relationship with Israel will be closely watched.” (Prophecy News Watch)
A popular theme among the great majority of prophecy web sites (especially, among the Premillenarians) is the “disappearance” of American world dominance at the close of the age—prior to the appearance of the Antichrist. Since America is not mentioned in the Bible (per se – except glaringly in symbolic utterances or “begrudgingly alluded to” perhaps, maybe, very possibly some mentioning embedded in some intricate and obscure and wholly distant passage of Biblical import), she, therefore, must either vanish or be so deprecated economically that she is of no further use to Antichrist – just one of the boys – hardly the current 800-pound gorilla the entire earth now knows and fears—God forbid what the unknown Obama or the known McCain may bring to the unsuspecting billions awaiting a new regime or radical change or more of the same (doesn’t matter—“Ich bin ein Berliner” didn’t fly nor does McCain’s surge and splurge).
Then there’s always irrelevance through destruction—wrought by the Russians (most of the time in some absurd nuclear exchange – as if!). Then there’s the Yellowstone caldera ready to blow us up, and unfortunately, along with the rest of the planet to bits—then we’ll all be irrelevant. Tsunamis wafting in from the Canary Islands, massive 10.0 mega-quakes along the Pacific or on the New Madras Fault of the Central USA and, of course, the ever-popular meteorite smashing smack dab into Chicago blowing a hole fifty miles in diameter and ten miles deep (once again, destroying the rest of the planet in the process). Frankly, I think the guys behind our “History Channel” are part of Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind Series gang—come on now—every night a major disaster wipes out America (you can count on it – how does anyone around here get any sleep?). Living in California these days with incessant fires (some 1,500 started in June; we’re now down to only 300 and “fire season” hasn’t even started—and now, today we’ve got a monster blazing near Yosemite) might just give one the feeling this place is under some judgment already!
And,
if that weren’t enough – just check out Hollywood’s future 1.5-years of
Apocalypse Now-style movies – talk about getting the biggest BANG for the
buck. Americans – and the rest of the world in general – are excited to watch
American cities blown to smithereens with terrorists, giants, demons,
werewolves, aliens, super heroes and monster maggots eating, possessing,
destroying and, in general, tearing up the place.
But let’s get sophisticated about America’s demise—since she’s not in Bible prophecy. Why not simply get subsumed into Bush Sr.’s New World Order? Sort of like a Frankenstein experiment gone awry. Started out in Kuwait as a plausible proposal—expanding the United Nations desire for world peace and stability led by, you guessed it, this one last bastion of hope for the earth: The USA! Then, NAFTA destroyed our national consciousness; we were overwhelmed by Mexicans (Canada was too cold for them.); but we needed the Canadian oil—and the Canadians needed our markets—so they all just lived happily ever after: CANAMEX. From here we branched out ever deeper into Latin America with more anachronisms … it didn’t matter, by now we couldn’t speak English; bar codes and brain devices were popularized and we just text messaged everything in code by “thinking it into being.” Toastmasters simply dried up—everyone had a Bluetooth implant and was found babbling something, apparently talking to themselves and occasionally we looked at one another and uttered something indistinguishable. We were ripe for the Antichrist—no one uttered a word . . . by now we were used to it.
Dumbfounded – we, the originators of the New World Order – became its most devoted victims. Now, full-blown economic collapse and rapture confusion have not been discussed; nor, for that matter, have plagues, pestilence, famine and poisonous fumes from a whole bunch of chemical plants getting blown up by Osama bin Laden’s terrorist thugs and their dirty suitcase nukes scattered across the fruited plain. Somebody’s imagination around here has just gone wild – but there’s plenty more where that came from.
$20 AND 2 BILLION DEAD!
Hard to imagine how $20 can buy you pertinent information on how 2 billion souls will perish from the planet—but it does! Furthermore, you can spend $20 and get in on “666—Satan’s Master plan” and $20 gets you the “Prophetic Destiny of Europe” (they’re worth about that much? – man, actually, I’d pay more to see that one).
Apocalypse sells at the theater and on the web; however, what I find the most disconcerting of all the pronouncements of ENDTIME MINISTRIES, operated by Irvin Baxter, is the following effort to sell the Apocalypse:
“What if the final 7 years do begin this year?
When we consider the possibility that the final seven years to the Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming could begin this year, we are filled with excitement, but also with an extreme sense of urgency! Thinking of 6.7 billion people on earth and most of them not ready to face eternity is sobering!
PLEASE HELP!
Jesus
told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Endtime Ministries
is ready to do this right now. The only thing we lack is the funding.
(My pathetic emphasis.)
If every person receiving this email would give his/her best possible gift, we would be reaching the entire world daily with this endtime message by the end of 2008!
Would you please help us? We need for everyone to pitch in. Remember, no gift is too small in God’s eyes. None of us can do it alone, but together we can do it!
Thank you so much for your orders and donations! This is going to help us to reach the world with the message that the Second Coming is just ahead. God bless you!”
No, the only thing any of us lacks is the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! We cannot buy our way into the Gospel of the Grace of God. May I be so bold to quote these Scriptures, which I find altogether apropos at this juncture:
“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. Then Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me” (Acts 8:18-24).
Now, what would normally cost $80.00 ($20 each for four items of apocalyptic worth) will cost but $65.00 – if purchased altogether. And what four harbingers of prophetic fulfillment have we here?
“Major prophetic fulfillments normally happen once in a century. There are presently FOUR MAJOR prophetic fulfillments converging in one year! That’s the reason I believe 2008 will probably be the greatest year of prophetic fulfillment since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The 4 prophecies that are converging right now?
Two Billion to Die
“The Bible specifically prophesies a war for the near future that will kill one-third of mankind—two billion human beings. This war will start from the area of the Euphrates River (the area of Iraq and Iran), and will escalate into the worst war the world has ever known. This will happen at about the same time as the signing of the Middle East peace treaty.”
(Editor’s Note: In actuality, Irvin is correct – this is the infamous Gog-Magog war – which will occur subsequent to the signing of the “Treaty with Death and Hell” between Israel and the Antichrist.)
Mark of the Beast
“Three and one-half years after the Middle East peace treaty, the mark of the beast will be implemented on earth. All who take the number of the Antichrist (666) will be eternally lost! The UN has asked all nations to implement a number system for all of their citizens by 2010, and almost every nation is doing it right now! In America, it’s called the Real ID.”
(Editor’s Note: Irvin is again correct in this prophetic postulation – however, we are not as absolute about that “mark” being America’s Real ID nor the UN’s implementation of “a number system for all of their citizens by 2010.”)