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.