US & Israel in Bible Prophecy

Was the terrorist attack of September 11th predicted in Bible prophecy? Did any of the prophets foretell of this catastrophe? Is so, which book of the Bible it is found in? Since these tragic events took place in the United States, was this God sending a direct message of our country? Why New York City? Is this a modern city of Sodom and Gomorrah? Is the United States in Bible prophecy? How can we put these events in biblical and prophetically perspective?

These are just some of the many questions that not only churchgoers are asking, but also many people who are not religious. These and even other questions are being asked after the September 11th national tragedy. Since then, many have begun to take keen interest in Bible prophecy. With this national tragedy, it is more apparent that we as a the body of Christ should become more accessible to ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ and attempt to answer these concerns.

Many families have been left without parents, siblings, relatives and jobs. These attacks have changed the world forever. It has changed me forever. Almost everyone knows of someone who has been affected by this terrorist attack in one way or another. Some people are thinking that this event happened because our beloved country, America, have turned away from God. Our government has taken prayer out of school, is teaching same-sex education and evolution, distributing condoms and legalizes abortions. Many have concluded that it is because we have turned from God and are paying of our sins as a nation.

After the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, many went to the book of Revelation in search for possible answers. Revelations 18:8-10, “Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her…when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgement come.”

This was a starting point for some to say that this event was prophesied and fulfilled in this chapter. Other have said that Revelation 18:18 is referring specifically the Twin Towers. The beauty of Bible prophecy is that it records history before it happens. The use of the history of America and Israel must be compiled and use to see the unique parallel with the word of God. Could we then ignore prophecy? For the most part it is normally ignored. One of the main reasons could be because of the difficulty in making the connection.

“Modern nations are not spoken of in their modern names, expect in few causes. Usually they are referred to by the names of the ancient ancestor from which they sprang.”1 Pg. 8 BIP&US.

Nations are now called by a different name. To identify America and Israel, it must be done from the beginning of its roots in the Bible to place it in proper prophectical place. This is tough because the names are different today. The past and current events surrounding nations of America and Israel holds deep significance in the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. There are certain events that will prelude the Second Coming and the start of the millennium reign with Christ. A look at both of their history and current events dealing with America and Israel can be used timepiece to know the season when Christ will return again. The prophetical writing about America and Israel have to be unravel together because each nations seems to go hand in hand in bible prophecies.

God chose the nation of Israel from the beginning. “In fulfillment of His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God established Israel as a nation for the purpose of bringing blessings to other nations.” page 42. Genesis 12:2,3, “and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” Yahweh, the God of the Universe, promised to bless Abram and make him father of great nations. Abraham then believed God and it as account unto him as righteousness. God gave him the land of Israel because of his promise.

“For over 4,000 years, the Middle East has been frought with cultural, political and religious violence,” said Stephen Flurry, editor of Trumpet magazine. Over bible and modern history, Israel has fought many of wars. Those that burden themselves with Israel shall be cut in pieces. Israel won most of these battles in astonishing fashion, especially their last three wars. From the way these wars were won, it shows that Israel is a country with special blessings from God. This independent Jewish nation is surrounded by all Arab nations. Yet still, it continues to survive only by God’s grace. God promise to keep his covenant with Israel initiated by Him.

A blessing (or cursing) was to be brought upon other nation(s) who dealt with Israel. Manasseh (United States) and Ephraim (Great Britain) was prophesied to be a great nation and “a multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:16, 19). These two countries came from the lineage of Abraham. As modern day Manasseh, the United States, begun to ripe the blessings of the promise. This nation expanded rapidly from 1776, the birth of this great superpower country. “The rise to greatness of Britain and the United States was nothing short of astonishing.”2 Pg. 41 UCG booklet.

America became prosperous and wealthy because it has been very favorable and a strong allie with State of Israel over many years. God kept the unconditional covenant made by Him in the beginning. America also became a country filled with Bible reading Protestants. God used America to help spread the gospel throughout the world. The Bible could have been printed (because of religious freedom) in the United States. God had a special blessing for America for the printing of the Holy Bible through Jewish owned printing press. “Their greatest blessing to the rest of the world has been their unique commitment to printing the Bible in every language of the world and distributing it.”3 Pg. 56 – the US and the British Empire foretold….
What role would the United States play before the Second Coming of Christ? Whatever it might be that the US will play before Christ return is very complex and intriguing. This topic is not popular and therefore not easy to unravel. In the book of Revelation 13:11 speaks of a beast that is lamb-like in feature.
“and I beheld and the beast coming up out of the earth and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”

This scripture gives the best idea of the United States in Bible prophecy. This beast was to come up from the earth, which makes it very different from the rest of the beasts in Revelation. It came up from the earth and not from among the sea. The rise of place of prominence began from among people. Revelation 12:16 clearly stated that the earth helped the woman. This woman represented the church. The earth (United States) helped God’s people after the persecution of the Middle Ages. This period was a time for the church to be under the dominion of this persecuting power. The earth there represented America when it began as a nation. It was a haven for religious freedom.

After this period, the “earth” helped the woman (Revelation 12:16). During that time, the new continent of North America, the United States of America, was established as a nation of free worship. America was a haven for persecuted Christian to worship God freely. Many fled to America to worship their God freely. This land has remained the leader of the free up to this very day. Its principles are lamb like because our country’s foundation was built on standing for liberty and justice.”4 pg. 63 D&R.

Notice that the description of being lamb-like suggests that it appear or act innocent as a lamb. Lamb-like would have the charactherist of a lamb but is only like a lamb. It is not actually a lamb. These lamb-like attributes deals with the American government policies. Our government feed many third world countries by providing them grain and wheat. We subsidize US farmers to grow crops to help with starvation around the world. Medicine and doctors are sent to these countries which is sponsored by our government. The freedom our country was built upon, allows for non-profit organization to help in these efforts as well. Some major humanitarian agencies like the United Way, Red Cross and Doctors without Borders.
Our justice system gives everyone an equal opportunity to be tried in the court of law. It might have some flaws and biases, but for the most part, our justice system is relatively fair when compared with the rest of the world. Everyone is presumed innocent but proven guilty. These are very good, lamb-like, qualities our government possess.

On the other hand, our foreign policies show that other aspect of the beast, speaking as a dragon. Dragons are a representation of evil. While our government feed and help other countries, it is also responsible for policies that results in the lost of life. After the Gulf War in 1991, an embargo was imposed on Saddem Hussein’s regime and Iraq. According the most recent United Nations report, put out in October, it shows that 6,000 innocent Iraqi children die every month from contaminated water, malnutrition, and lack of medicine. Why? Because the U.S. and U.K. governments’ delayed cleareance of equipment and materials is responsible for this tragedy, not Baghdad (The Week, Dec 14, 2001). A dragon destroys the innocent and anything in its way. This beast speaking as a dragon, is heard loud and clear by many.

The two horns could be a representation of our two major political parties, Democrats and Republicans. Israel only a very few years old has many political parties, but the US has but two. Over the years, other third parties i.e., Green, Independent and Liberation, have tried to make headway and a major impact into the political arena, but are not very popular. For whatever reason, these other political parties can’t be as prominent in politics than Democratic and Republican Party. Third parties are not very popular in America. The news media only gives major press coverage for candidates vying for political office from the two major parties. Very rarely we have had any powerful politician in the Senate or served as the President of the United States of America from a third political sway.

As I write this paper, America is fighting a war against terrorism. We would like to raid the world of evil and live in peace. The Middle East and the world would long for peace. Whether or not American and its allies can accomplish world peace is very unlikely. America will continue to play out it’s role as a lamb link beast until Christ return. Will all the military effort to establish peace, only Christ will bring true peace. The saints of God will have eternal peace and happiness. It is a blessed hope to see Christ return to Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and put a stop to all violence and bloodshed. The saints will rule with Jesus Christ and help to establish god’s government over all the earth.5 (15 H&P in the Middle).


Works Cited


Dugger, Andrew N. Daniel And Revelation. Israel: Mount Zion Reporter Press, 1972.

Philadelphia Church of God. History and Prophecy in the Middle East. Edmond: Philadelphia Church of God, 1988.

Hemenway, Harold. The United States and the British Empire Foretold in the Bible. Tukwila: Harold Hemenway, 2000.

Armstrong, Herbert W. The United States and Britian in Prophecy. Pasadena: Worldwide Church of God, 1945.

United Church of God, The United States and Britian in Bible Prophecy. Cincinnati: United Church of God, an International Association, 2001.

Time To Be The Church

Today, humans have acquired more knowledge than any other time in history. Science and medicine are going places never before imagined. We have bigger jets and cruise liners, faster computers, and helpful drugs for certain diseases are being discovered everyday. Daniel envisioned a time when knowledge would increase (See Daniel 12:4). We have much evidence today of our successes in these and many other areas. We have improved on just about every area of life.

Every year Forbes magazine publishes a list of the richest people in the world. This list continues to grow longer and longer. More people can afford vacations, purchase houses, and buy brand new cars. Some car dealership will have cars for sale that can be purchased with zero percent down. Life, overall, seems comfortable for most Americans. When life is good, most people tend to forget about church…well until something happens that turns their lives upside down.

Personal or national tragedy (and especially since 9/11) seems to cause a major shift in people’s assessment of church. It is a time when people flock to churches in droves. There is just something about churches that society finds in times of tragedy and hardship. This always fascinates me because the media and general public embrace church or (the idea of church) during a time of crisis, but in times of peace and prosperity, the church seems to become irrelevant again. Regardless of this double standard, the church keeps people grounded, flushing out the burden of life by providing a bedrock of faith and answers to humanity’s deepest needs.

The role of the modern church in the life of the 21st-century believer is critical because it fills a void only the church can. If a car needs fixing, it is brought to the mechanic shop. If someone is sick, the health center or hospital is the best place to seek medical attention. Church is where people should go if they are in need of a “spiritual fix.” The church is really a hospital for sinners and not an exclusive club for saints.
So why would someone want to attend church? Regardless of what is said about churches, people expect that their life problems can be addressed in some fashion or form. With all the weight and pressures of their world weighing down on their minds, people expect the church to provide Bible-based answers that no other institution can provide.


What is the Church?

Over the past 10 years, megachurches have been sprouting up across America and the world. (A megachurch is a large church with 2,000 or more worshippers at a weekly service.) Most of these megachurches are lead by visionaries and business-minded and charismatic leaders. Just about all of these megachurches broadcast their services over major TV networks, Internet and satellite radio. Many non-Christians and Christians view these programs and sometimes develop certain perceptions about church - whether good or bad.

If someone would visit most of the churches in America, they will come to realize that the 100-voice choir and 10 piece Praise and Worship band does not exist. Looking even closer at your TV set, you will notice pews filled with top of the line multimedia equipment. Is this what people want from a church? What do people want from churches? Unfortunately, there are those who view church this way. Church is more than just entertainment, having large numbers of people attending services or hearing messages of empowerment from the pulpit that makes one feel good. Church is the lifeline of any society. Church is a unique place that should instill change in people’s lives. So what do people need from church?


Meeting the Needs

People need to have their spiritual, emotional and physical needs met. We are living in a crazy world today. II Timothy 3:1 helps me put this in perspective, “but know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.” I’ll take the liberty to say that perilous times are here. More and more children are growing up in broken homes, unemployment is on the rise and Christians are sinking deeper into debt like never before. Many churchgoers are struggling to make ends meet in their everyday lives, and we feel the pinch of reality just like everyone else. Believers are not exempt from trials of the world. We are living in perilous and drastic times. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Targeted small groups should be implemented in churches to be available to meet the needs in each believer’s life. Irrespective of church size, each church can provide effective small group ministries and outreach services, even smaller churches can have and should have specialized small groups. This momentum can then spread out beyond the walls of the church and be incorporated into the community where the church serves. To the best of its ability, the church can provide services, counseling and advice to those in need.


One Stop Super Centers

Wal-Mart, the largest retail store in America, has built Super Centers across the rural parts of the country. At these Super Centers, one can purchase anything from cooking oil to car oil and from pet food to fresh produce. The convenience of having everything located under one roof is a multi-billion dollar secret. This is the true meaning of a convenience store. The Super Center customers are truly in love with this concept of everything under one roof.

I think the church is a type of Super Center. Whatever the situation, there is a Bible-based solution and counsel for each and every problem. I am not advocating that each individual church would have the expertise and know-how to deal with every situation. However, every church should have access to resources needful to guide an individual in the proper direction along with God’s Word.

At times it is hard for single mothers to control their teenage children without the help of father figures. If these single mothers are churchgoers and there are no programs, seminars and sermons to help them in this area, then the church is not meeting their needs. The church should always strive to meet the needs of men and women as it brings the good news of the salvation message of Jesus Christ. The church truly is about people.

One of the greatest lessons of meeting the people’s need was demonstrated when the Messiah fed the 4,000 (Mark 8:1-9). Jesus showed by His deeds the church’s purpose and function. He gave us the blueprint for successfully meeting the needs of the hearers. Before Jesus gave His sermon, He fed the “churchcomers.” They came to hear the Messiah, and after feeding them with physical food, He then gave them spiritual food for the soul. Both their physical and spiritual needs were met. This is the classical Jesus.


Public Service

Churches are a public service to the surrounding communities. They provide just about everything. In the summer of 2005, our church covered a 15-block radius around the church by going door-to-door introducing ourselves as the “community church.” It was amazing and at the same time shocking to see how many people knew about our church and how many didn’t know of our church existence—even though we have been in the neighbor for the past 35 years! We had an older woman who visited our church recently and said that for 25 years she has lived in the community and walked pass our church and never once took notice of our edifice. One would believe that we have a small building, but our church is a huge 4-story brick building that takes up 2 lots and is by far the tallest building on our block. Can you see the egg on my face? I’m thinking to myself that maybe this lady just needs a new pair of glasses. However, the key to this issue still remains…churches must be transparent within their communities.

Upon learning the close proximity of our church and the services we offer, some people are always delighted to use our assistance, whether it is in the form our food pantry or community seminars on health, finance, or emergency preparation. Making a difference in people’s everyday lives will benefit the believer as well as the community. When the church is rooted deeply in its community, and its membership is operating as public servants, the church will impact the lives of the people and the believers will fulfill the Messiah’s mission on earth.

Reading from the book of Isaiah in the Torah, He read our mission statement, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). The basic function of the church is to be involved in every facet of the life of the believer. Holding true to this mission, Christ looked at the needs of the people, provided it, and then begun to preach out the good deeds. The church today must live up to its true billing – meeting the needs of the people. Both the alcoholic and the poor should be able to receive assistance.


Believing in the Believers

Over the past few years, I’ve been thinking seriously about the future of our church. We are living in a critical time never before experienced in the history of humankind, and the church must respond to human’s deepest needs. One question keeps coming to mind: “Who will be the next generation of leaders in our church throughout the future?” We need to bring the church to a new level. Our current leaders will be deceased or too old to lead a new century of believers. We are in desperate need of new and sound leadership to continue the Master’s work. I have asked my friends within the age group of 26-35 if they ever imagine themselves taking a full time position within the church in the future and I am yet to get a positive “yes.” My next question is, “why not?” The reasons are centered on key concerns ranging from:

*Organizational Structure of the Church (Is the church prepared to change the way it is doing business?)

*Commitment from Leadership to Prepare and Train Young Men and Women (Paying tuition for seminary and give full financial support to new programs)

*Philosophical and Theological Differences (Which direction the church should be headed?)

In my final analysis, the church must to away with all and any excuses and continue to prepare young men and women to lead the church throughout the millennium. It is never too late for the right foundation to be laid for sound leadership. Paul sets the right tone in the book of Titus 2:3-7 on this issue.

All leaders of the Church of God (7th Day) must recruit more young men and women to serve in diverse capacities in the ministry. The responsibility of guiding the next wave of leaders weighs heavily on those in leadership positions now believing in the believers. In return, the challenge to prepare a Christian for leadership will take proper training and a willingness to accept a role in church in order to face the many challenges ahead. We must start to look deep within ourselves and arise to serve the needs of all people in the name of Christ. The time is closer until the coming of Jesus Christ and the church has much work to do. Now is the right time to become the church Christ expects it to be.

Good Morning and Shalom!

This past Sabbath, after speaking at one of our churches located in New
Britain, CT, I came home and a package was waiting for me. It was the new
book that I had ordered, “Raising the Ruins – the fight to revive the legacy
of Herbert W. Armstrong” written by Stephen Flurry. What a powerful book! I
started reading that same night, despite the fact that I had preached
earlier, presided over some meetings, and had been on the road for 4 hours,
and played with my children when I got home. I could not put down this book
until I read it all. Really, it was that good, well that is if you love
church history, more so, Church of God history.

I’m inspired to share some thoughts with you today because of what I took
away from reading this book. I do believe that if you have a chance, you
should pick up a copy of this book and read it for yourself. There are
great lessons to be learned for leaders of the COG. It is also an excellent
read for members and the general public as well. It tells a story never
before told. But on the other hand, it confirms the principle of church
growth that I’ve been preaching (well actually talking about) since 1994
from the age of 19 years old.

In order to build the Church of God – churches most be organized at the
highest levels, using these components - printing, media, and local
churches. This was not given to me by revelation from God. It was proven
to me by looking at the works of Elder Andrew N. Dugger of the Jerusalem COG
movement. The churches that sprouted in the Caribbean, Africa, parts of the
USA, and the world over, came about because of the publishing machinery in
Jerusalem. Of course there are other factors and COG conferences that can
be credited as well. But COG’s potential to grow, have colleges,
auditoriums, magazines, booklets, campgrounds, and conference centers, can
only be through committed churches coming together and forming a strong
structure.

Raising the Ruins makes it clear how the Worldwide Church of God, started by
Herbert W. Armstrong, who was converted because of the writings of Elder
Andrew N. Dugger, built an empire out of the model set up by Elder Dugger
and perfected by him Mr. Armstrong. Stand-alone ministries (which most call
churches today) will not be able to reach “the largest audience” possible.
Mr. Flurry makes this point throughout the book and I totally agree with
him. However, please do keep in mind, this is not the focus of the book,
but this theme is constant throughout. I of course do know that God is
using all of our churches for his kingdom building. But much more can be
achieved if each headquarters/conferences have the full support of the
local churches. It makes reaching the largest audience possible,
“achievable.”

Just for one moment, if you look at the Denver Conference, United COG and
Philadelphia COG –this is the model these conference were built on. The
last two, both have radio and television programs running nationally and
internationally. The model works. This model should be followed if COG
really wants to make a bigger impact in the world today.

Within the next two years, I’ll be writing and publishing a book about the
untold story of Andrew N. Dugger and the impact he made within the COG
movement. In this book I will also capture the history of COG in the
Caribbean, Africa, and the USA. After reading Raising the Ruins, it has
re-sparked the urgency in me to not let what our forefathers fought so hard
for to preserve, go to ruins. “And ‘this’ gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the
end come” Matt 24:14.