The United States and God’s Judgment :: By Michael Hile

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Is the United States mentioned in Bible prophecy?

Perhaps the two most frequently asked questions when Bible prophecy is brought up involve the role of the United States in the end times. Specifically, people want to know if the United States is mentioned in Bible prophecy and when God will judge America. The United States is the dominant superpower in the world today; however, the United States appears to be mysteriously absent from the scene when the final, end-time prophecies in the Bible begin making their appearance.

Since the United States is arguably the most prosperous and powerful nation that has ever existed on earth, why is there no mention of the United States in the book of Revelation, especially since the end-time apocalypse appears to be on the horizon? One should not automatically assume that the United States will play a major role in the end-time scenario simply because of its current superpower status. On the other hand, we should be careful not to automatically exclude the United States from all the prophetic scriptures due to historic, traditional interpretations of certain prophetic scripture passages.

The sobering conclusion one must come to, due to lack of Biblical evidence, is that the United States will not have a major role in the end time events that take place during the final 7-year period of this age that is called Daniel’s 70th week. If that is true, then the role of the United States will have to greatly diminish in the future if we are living in the “end times,” as many experts in Bible prophecy believe.

Where is the United States found in the Scriptures?

Although the United States is not directly mentioned by name in the Bible, some believe the presence of the United States is inferred in the prophetic scriptures due to the major political, economic, military, and technological roles exercised by the United States in the world today.

There are many scriptures in the Bible that have been linked to the United States by Bible teachers. Some of the Scriptures that have been used include: Isaiah chapters 13; 14; 18:1-2; 21; 24; 47:5-6, 8, 10-13; 48; Jeremiah chapters 50:12, 16, 23; 51:13, 44, 53; Ezekiel chapters 38:13, 39:6; Daniel 7:4, and Revelation chapters 12:14; 13:11-17; 17; 18 and 19.

Although God is the only One who knows what the future holds for the United States and the rest of the nations of the world, there are some intriguing prophetic scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that may provide clues concerning specific nations or kingdoms that will arise on the scene before Christ returns to set up His kingdom. These “end time” nations and kingdoms may already be active in the world today, helping establish a global government that will eventually give rise to the “Antichrist.”

The tendency to link the United States with some of the prophetic Scriptures is perhaps due to the many converging “signs of the times” that have been developing in the world today; specifically, the return of Israel back to their land during our generation (Matt. 24:32-34, Mark 13:28-30, Luke 21:28-32). Whether present or absent from the world scene, the United States appears to be playing a major role in helping set the stage for several end-time prophecies in the Bible that are in the process of development.

Will God judge America?

The wife of a well-known evangelist once said, “If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” ⁽¹⁾ This famous quote might be true if God was not a holy and just God and righteous in all His deliberations, actions and judgments. God, however, will not need to apologize to anyone.

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works” (Psalm 145:17).

When God allowed Assyria and Babylon to conquer the kingdoms of Israel (Northern Kingdom—c.722 B.C.) and Judah (Southern Kingdom—c. 586 B.C.) due to their idolatrous worship of false gods and other sinful behaviors, God later brought judgment upon both Assyria (c. 612 B.C.) and Babylon (c. 539 B.C.) for their evil behavior and for invading God’s chosen nation (a divided kingdom at this time).

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25b).

God may delay his judgment upon a city, a nation, or even the whole world because of His great mercy; however, His judgment of sinful behavior will never be ignored or forgotten. As someone once remarked, “The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied… “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 1:14-15).

The God of all Creation will not only judge the United States and Sodom and Gomorrah in righteousness, but He will also judge all the other cities and nations in the world, especially in regard to how they have treated the Jewish people and His chosen nation of Israel (Matthew 25:31-46, Rev. 20:11-15).

“The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: ‘…Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil’” (Eccl. 12:13-14 NASB).

God’s Sovereignty over all of Creation

God’s sovereignty means He is supreme and superior in power and authority over all of Heaven and earth. Since God is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (present everywhere), there is nothing that escapes His knowledge, understanding, or purview.

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).

“Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it…” (Isaiah 42:5).

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength” (Isaiah 40:28-29).

“All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Dan. 4:35).

“For by Him [Jesus Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Col. 1:16-17).

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’” (Revelation 1:7-8).

The Sovereignty of God and Responsibility of Man

There are many quotations by the “Founding Fathers” of our nation which show that many of the founders were God-loving, God-fearing, and God-worshiping people who understood the importance of religious liberty and the price many paid to acquire and help preserve the many freedoms we have today. A few of these are reproduced below. ⁽²⁾

“While the People are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their Virtue, they will be ready to surrender their Liberties to the first external or internal Invader.” – Samuel Adams, (1722-1803), an early American governor, lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Adams was the second cousin of John Adams, the second President of the United States from 1797 to 1801. ⁽³⁾

“Posterity—You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.” – John Quincy Adams, an American statesman and the sixth President of the United States from 1825 to 1829 ⁽⁴⁾

“If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.” ⁽⁵⁾ – Samuel Adams. Adams was known for his great animosity toward England’s presence in the colonial affairs.

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” ⁽⁶⁾ – Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was an American Founding Father who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and later served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809.

“My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” ⁽⁷⁾ – Thomas Jefferson

The generation of people living today is far removed from the trials and difficulties that the “Founding Fathers” of our country had to endure in order to secure the liberties that we enjoy. There are many threats to the freedoms provided to us that are enshrined in the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Those freedoms are in jeopardy of being taken away.

We should not assume someone else will protect the freedoms we enjoy, because someone else always believes someone else will protect their freedoms. A quote sometimes attributed or misattributed to Edmund Burke (1729-1797), who was an Irish-born British statesman, economist and philosopher, was summarized in the statement:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Why will God judge America?

The United States has been in a moral freefall that accelerated in the decade of the 60s with restrictions on prayer (1962) and Bible reading in the public schools (1963). The U.S. Supreme Court has systematically helped destroy religious liberty in America with the following 12 court cases:

1925—The Scopes “Monkey” Trial—Tennessee v. Scopes—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scopes_Trial

1940—The Free Exercise Clause is created—Cantwell v. Connecticut—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantwell_v._Connecticut

1947—The Establishment Clause is Created—Everson v. Board of Education—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everson_v._Board_of_Education

1962—Prayer is removed from the Schools—Engel v. Vitale—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_v._Vitale

1963—Bible reading is removed from the Schools—Abington School District v. Schempp—https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abington_School_District_v._Schempp

1973—The Murder of unborn babies is Legalized—Roe v. Wade— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade

1980—The Ten Commandments are removed from School Classrooms—Stone v. Graham— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_v._Graham

1992— Invocations/Benedictions are Banned from School Activities—Lee v. Weisman— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_v._Weisman

2003— Sodomy is legalized by the Supreme Court—Lawrence v. Texas— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_v._Texas

2005—Display of the Ten Commandments is Ruled Unconstitutional—McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McCreary_County_v._American_Civil_Liberties_Union

2013—Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is Declared Unconstitutional—United States v. Windsor— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Windsor

2015—Same-Sex Marriage is approved by the Supreme Court—Obergefell v. Hodges— https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obergefell_v._Hodges

We are Becoming a Dystopian Society

When the novel 1984 was published in 1949 about a dystopian society (opposite of utopia) called “Oceania,” the author, George Orwell, made up a fictional political group called the “Party.” The “Party” developed a new language of words that they called “Newspeak,” which was used to influence and control the residents in Oceania.

The clearest example of using “Newspeak” was in the “Party’s” slogan: “WAR IS PEACE. FREEDOM IS SLAVERY. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH.” The “Party” was not content with just monitoring their citizens. They desired total control of the citizens’ thoughts, feelings, and actions, which the politicians used to manipulate and control the people.

What is going on today in society is similar in some ways to what the famous 1984 novel described, where the definitions of words have been changing in order to disguise, mislead and twist the meaning of words so that they actually represent the opposite or a distorted version of words that previously had clear and distinct meanings.

Words such as love, hate, hater, marriage, family, gay, tolerant, boy, girl, sex, gender, husband, wife, man, and woman have been redefined by the media and society in a way that is abhorrent to God. What used to be wrong in God’s model of behavior in the Old and New Testaments is now called right, and what used to be considered evil, according to the Scriptures, has been twisted and redefined to be considered wholesome (good and healthy) (2 Peter 3:16-17).

“Woe [judgment is coming] to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe [judgment is coming] to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever and shrewd in their own sight! Woe [judgment is coming] to those who are heroes at drinking wine and men of strength in mixing intoxicating drinks, Who justify the wicked and acquit the guilty for a bribe, and take away the rights of those who are in the right!” (Isaiah 5:20-21 AMP).

The Absence of God in American Society

God, metaphorically, has been kicked out of the courts; the schools; professional, college and high school sporting events; the public square; the marketplace; many churches, and most homes. Subsequently, the culture has declined, family values have been disintegrating, and we are entering a time where “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 2:7-11, 21:25).

When God is kicked out of society and is not welcome within our homes, we should not expect God to show up when He has been disinvited (or ignored) by most Americans. Before trouble comes our way and our lives begin falling apart, we should heed the story of the wise man who built his house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27). Contrary to what some may think, “He who dies with the most toys (does not) win” (see Eccl. 5:10).

“And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.’ Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: ‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?”‘

“So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”‘

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:15-21).

The Deception of Prosperity

Prosperity has blinded many to their spiritual need, and most Americans have been deceived by their wealth and comfortable lifestyle. The natural man (not saved) and immature believers can be deceived by their wealth, position in a corporation, political power, education or social standing, pride, and self-confidence so that they think they don’t need God or want Him interfering in their lives (1 Cor. 2:14-3:3, Heb. 5:12-14). On the other hand, poor and/or ignorant people can be deceived just as easily when they disregard their spiritual condition (John 3:14-21, Eph. 2:1-12).

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

The life that consists of getting more cars, houses, furniture, clothes, electronics, and other gadgets (your best life now) may temporarily satisfy the “lusts of the flesh” but will leave the soul and spirit in poverty at the day of judgment (Matt. 6:19-21, Rom. 2:5-6, Jer.17:9-11, 1 John 2:15-17, Rom. 8:1-8, Gal. 5:16-21).

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

The Deception of Pride

Pride, which leaves God out of our thoughts and actions, was the primary reason for Satan’s fall (Isaiah 14:12-15) and is the number one enemy on God’s list in the book of Proverbs (6:16-19). It is perhaps the most deceptive of all sins because it is very subtle and, if ignored, excludes God in the salvation process and, subsequently, any interaction in your daily life.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:5-7).

Whether rich or poor, mighty or weak, wise or foolish, or you have been deceived by your own stubborn pride, your relationship with the God of Heaven, who created you and the whole universe, is of utmost importance, and pursuing God’s will for your life should be the number one priority of your existence.

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom; Let not the mighty man glory in his might; Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories, glory in this, That he understands and knows Me; That I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight,’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

God’s delayed Judgment of Nineveh

Is the United States headed toward judgment like the city of Nineveh when God told Jonah to go and warn the people of Nineveh that judgment was heading their way? The Lord is patient towards us (2 Peter 3:9); however, rebellion against God eventually leads to certain judgment. The evil which Assyria had perpetrated against the northern kingdom of Israel and other nations had reached its fullness during the time of Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2, 3:1-4).

When Jonah proclaimed his message of judgment, which God was going to carry out against the Ninevites, they quickly did an “about-face,” repented, and took Jonah’s message seriously. The whole city of Nineveh (kingdom of Assyria) dressed in sackcloth and ashes after Jonah confronted them, and even their king joined the people of Nineveh in repentance concerning their wickedness.

“So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.

“But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:5-10).

For whatever reason, the people and king of Nineveh took God’s message from Jonah personally. Ironically, the Ninevites turned from their evil ways, and God chose not to bring judgment against the city of Nineveh. Because the people of Nineveh lacked spiritual discernment, God decided to spare the great city of Nineveh due to His great mercy and their repentant attitude (Jonah 4:11). Will the United States repent of its sin and rebellion against God like Nineveh did, or has our country become so arrogant and prideful that it believes it is invincible and does not think it needs to change or reverse course?

How will God judge America?

God can remove his hand of protection overnight and take away the blessings He has given to a city or nation and its people. An example of God’s wrath being poured out on several wicked and sinful cities is the judgment God declared on Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain (Genesis 18:1-19:38).

Lot and his two daughters were the only ones that escaped the fire and brimstone that rained down on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Before “the blessed hope” and the great “escape” takes place, conditions in the world will be “as the days of Noah” and “the days of Lot” (Titus 2:13, Luke 17:26-30, 21:34-36).

Contrary to what some may think, the “days of Noah and Lot” have already arrived in America and around the world with violence, sexual perversion, and gender dysphoria dominating the social and media culture. The Lord’s return will catch many unsuspecting people off guard and will be “a time that you think not” (Matthew 24:36-51, Revelation 3:2-3). It will also be a time when people will be eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting and building. That same day, “it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” The immorality and decline of culture in the world will be the same way (business as usual) when the “the Son of man is revealed” (Luke 17:26-30, 2 Tim. 3:1-7).

Although it may be at odds with what many people in the United States assume, the freedoms and blessings this nation enjoys are direct gifts from God rather than just the creative ingenuity of its citizens. Those who have followed the Judeo/Christian work ethic and those who have benefited from the freedoms afforded by the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and the rule of law have helped build the most prosperous and powerful nation in the history of the world.

What happens to the United States economically, militarily, technologically, religiously, and morally affects the whole world more than any other nation. If and when the United States is destroyed from within or from outside forces, which many believe is an organized effort by the global elite, the whole world will feel its effect. A worldwide paradigm shift will take place; events will begin to unfold in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, and the Apocalyptic events prophesied in the book of Revelation will take center stage around the world.

Will the United States collapse from economic problems, an immigration invasion, rampant moral decay, a series of national disasters, pandemics, an EMP attack, nuclear war, or some other unforeseen catastrophe? Some think God’s judgment upon the United States has already begun, as evidenced by the many natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, droughts, forest fires, mudslides, and environmental disasters that have been occurring throughout the country and offshore. More recently, food shortages, high food and gasoline prices, illegal immigration, increasing lawlessness, and the Ukraine/Russia debacle threaten the very existence of this nation.

It has been said by many Bible prophecy experts that the nation of Israel represents God’s prophetic time clock, with Israel as the “hour” hand, Jerusalem as the “minute” hand, and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem representing the “second” hand (Jeremiah 31:35-37, Psalms 137:5-6, Luke 21:28-36, Rev. 11:1-3).

If Israel represents God’s “thermostat” (the timing of God’s prophetic plan for the “end times”), perhaps the United States, due to God’s blessings and its superpower status, represents God’s “thermometer,” at least for a temporary period of time.

The United States (through the Holy Spirit’s preservation) may be acting as “God’s prophetic linchpin” that holds things together from a geopolitical perspective “as we see the day approaching,” but before the “Day of the Lord” begins and God’s wrath descends upon the world (Heb. 10:24-25, 2 Thess. 2:6-8, 1 Thess. 5:1-3, 2 Peter 3:3-12).

When will God judge America?

The breakdown of society, both in the United States and around the world, accelerated with the release of the Covid-19 virus during the early months of 2020.

The global elites, which many believe have a well-organized plan of subversive action, took advantage of the pandemic and accelerated their march towards a global, totalitarian government. Ironically, many of the global elites, who have nefarious designs for the United States, reside within this country.

The World Economic Forum (WEF), along with other globalist groups, corporations, most governments, and help from the leftist global media, took advantage of the Covid crisis. Their coordinated effort was used to promote fear and intimidation by using lockdowns, masks, vaccination passports, social distancing, and other restrictions in order to condition the world for a series of future ongoing crises and pandemics. The end goals for the globalist elites will be restrictions on freedoms, compliance with global rules, electronic surveillance of financial transactions, and social credit scores.

Since the whole world is their target, the globalists will use the environment as their primary tool for enforcement (global cooling, global warming, climate change, etc.), along with man-made pandemics, in order to create fear, intimidation, and civil unrest. Deception, intrigue, and disinformation (lying) will be commonplace in order to promote their worldwide agenda, which will be contrary and directly opposed to God’s sovereign plan (Matt. 24:4, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:8, 2 Thess. 2:3-12, Rev. 18:23-19:2).

This diabolical plan will ultimately lead to worldwide chaos in which a future world leader will emerge on the stage (the man of sin), who will attempt to solve many of the global problems (Rev. 13:4-18, Psalms 2:1-12). This world leader, often referred to as the “antichrist,” will take control of many of the political, economic, religious, and military institutions of the world through peace, deception, flatteries, intrigue, and military conquest (Dan. 11:21-43, 2 Thess. 2:1-12). A growing number of followers of the prophetic Scriptures in the Bible believe global government is approaching quickly, and the season of the coming “antichrist” is very near.

In November 2016, the World Economic Forum WEF, with the blessing of the United Nations (U.N.), made 8 predictions they hope to accomplish by the year 2030, if not sooner. Two of the eight WEF goals are listed below.

1.All products will have become services. “I don’t own anything. I don’t own a car. I don’t own a house. I don’t own any appliances or any clothes,” writes Danish MP Ida Auken. Shopping is a distant memory in the city of 2030, whose inhabitants have cracked clean energy and borrow what they need on demand. It sounds utopian, until she mentions that her every move is tracked and outside the city live swathes of discontents, the ultimate depiction of a society split in two.

3.U.S. dominance is over. We have a handful of global powers. Nation states will have staged a comeback, writes Robert Muggah, Research Director at the Igarapé Institute. Instead of a single force, a handful of countries – the U.S., Russia, China, Germany, India and Japan chief among them – show semi-imperial tendencies. However, at the same time, the role of the state is threatened by trends including the rise of cities and the spread of online identities… ⁽⁸⁾

What does the Lord expect of America?

The Lord appeared to Solomon by night when the Temple in Israel was being dedicated and told him there were consequences for not following the Lord (2 Chron. 7:11-22). It can be argued that these same principles that applied to Israel also apply to the United States and other countries as well. The Lord is no respecter of persons, the cities they live in, or any nations and kingdoms on the earth (Romans 2:5-11).

“Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land’” (2 Chronicles 7:12-14).

Due to the failure of leadership from many of our elected and appointed government officials, the United States is in a precarious position that will be difficult, if not impossible, to overcome.

What may appear to be a visible battle between opposing political parties to the natural person (unsaved); behind the scenes, we are engaged in an intense, ongoing spiritual battle (1 Cor. 2:14-15). This battle is part of a larger, worldwide conflict involving spiritual warfare, which is coordinated by Satan, the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:1-3).

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:10-13) (also Eph. 6:14-20, 1 Peter 5:8-9, James 4:7-8).

1. Be Salt and Light

While there is still an opportunity to make a difference, we should get on our knees and pray for God’s protection (put on the whole armor of God), get off our knees and take a stand for Biblical values in our community, vote for Biblical candidates when possible, and be “salt” and “light” to those we come in contact with.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:13-16).

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’

“But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:1-13).

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:35-40).

2. Be Diligent in your Service to the Lord

One of the biggest mistakes an immature believer makes is to assume they only need to make it to Heaven and nothing else. Remember, the rewards God gives us in Heaven are eternal, and your position of service is determined down here on earth. The Apostle Paul understood this principle of service and strived to reach spiritual perfection while he was still on the earth (Matt. 5:48).

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you” (Philippians 3:13-15).

3. Don’t be Blindsided and Shocked at the Judgment Seat of Christ

All Christian believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and will give an account of all their actions (good and bad works) while on earth (Romans 14:10-12, 1 Cor. 3:9-17, 2 Cor. 5:9-11, Rev. 3:11, John 19:13). The rewards and crowns you receive will determine your level of glory and position of honor and service in the kingdom of Heaven. The rewards God gives are permanent, not temporary. That principle is illustrated below.

There are celestial bodies that exist in outer space like the sun, moon and stars, and each one has a different “glory.” Man still does not know how many stars there are, and the number increases as new galaxies are discovered. God, however, knows the number of all the stars and calls them by their name (Psalms 147:4-5).

There are terrestrial bodies that exist on earth like man, animals, fish and birds, and each one has a different “glory.” All celestial bodies have a different appearance, structure and characteristics just like all terrestrial bodies on earth have a special appearance, structure and characteristics.

Man, however, was created in God’s “image” with a body, soul and spirit and differs from all other creatures that God made (Gen. 1:26-28, 1 Thess. 5:23). Man has a unique appearance, body, cellular structure and genetic makeup (DNA), and he has also been given the option and special privilege of going to Heaven to serve, worship and glorify God.

“All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:39-42).

Contrary to what many people think about Heaven, every person that makes it to Heaven by trusting in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins will “differ” in “glory” and appearance, just as every star in the universe differs in appearance, size and brilliance according to its “glory” (1 Cor. 15:41-42).

When the “resurrection” and “catching up” of the saints takes place (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:51-57), every believer will receive a “glorified body” like the one Jesus had after He was resurrected from the grave. Everyone’s body will be unique in appearance and “glory,” just as the sun, moon and stars differ in “glory” (Phil. 3:20-21, Rom. 8:28-30).

Those who are wise in the Lord will have a special “glory,” which is compared to the brightness of the sky, and those who dedicate themselves to helping others find the Lord and pursue “holy” living will have a special “glory” that will shine like the stars forever.

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

“…behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12).

4. The Time to Prepare is Now

“As Christians, we are responsible to the Lord for how we are presently living, and one day we will also stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of ourselves to the Lord (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10). The time to prepare for this encounter is right now.”— Dr. Charles Stanley

“The believer’s appearance before Christ does not affect his personal salvation, but it does greatly affect his life in the coming kingdom of Christ.”— Dr. Paul Benware

“When we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, our faithful service to Him will be evaluated and rewarded. With perfect knowledge, He will assess our every thought, motive, and action. Erwin W. Lutzer has said, ‘We do not desire rewards for the reward itself, but because rewards are a reflection of Christ’s approval of us.’ The prospect of this coming judgment should motivate us to please the Lord in our daily life, running our spiritual race toward His heavenly rewards.”— Dr. David Jeremiah

“It’s a hard but inescapable truth: heaven will not be the same for every Christian. When “we…all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Rom. 14:10), some will receive great rewards, and others will not…. Making it to heaven is the goal, but making it there to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” is the key to ultimate victory.”— Dr. Robert Jeffress

When asked the question, “What is the greatest thought that ever passed through your mind?” Daniel Webster responded: “My accountability to God.”

5. The Importance of Taking God Seriously

The Lord does not reward laziness but expects all believers that stand before Him to be spiritually clothed, receive a full measure of reward, and not be ashamed at His coming (Matt. 25:14-30; Isaiah 61:10; 2 John 1:8; 1 John 2:28; Rev. 3:11, 16:15, 22:12).

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. ‘They shall be Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’ Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him’” (Malachi 3:16-18).

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries…. For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26-27, 30-31).

Have we reached the Point of No Return?

The accelerating deterioration of the U.S. economy, open borders, and lack of military preparedness, which appears to be a planned destruction of our country designed to move us towards global government, is a cause for great concern and is quite alarming. The current White House staff of the U.S. government has perhaps the most wicked and ungodly policies of any administration in the history of the nation.

Abortion, sexual immorality, disregard for law and order, corruption in the educational system (teaching socialism), and support for the enemies of Israel are just a few of the many evil policies that this administration has endorsed. The moral decay has greatly accelerated in recent years with sexual promiscuity and gender dysphoria taking center stage in our culture. The proliferation of sinful behavior has increased with the use of social media.

The increase in lawlessness, disregard for the police, civil unrest, theft, rioting, gambling, corrupt mayors and government officials, and the failure to punish criminals by prosecuting attorneys and judges, have led to a rapid breakdown in law and order in society. Equal justice under the law no longer exists at the highest level in the government of the United States.

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths” (Prov. 5:21).

There has been no shortage of Biblical teaching, preaching, and evangelizing that has taken place in the United States, which was not the case when God sent Jonah to warn the Ninevites of impending judgment. Consequently, there is little evidence the United States will reverse course in the coming months outside of God’s intervention.

“For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7 ESV).

Sometimes God refuses to listen and answer the prayers of those who are in rebellion against Him, as was the case with the southern kingdom of Judah. That is why it is very important not to ignore or postpone your relationship with the Lord, because He might not be available when you get in trouble and need Him.

“Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword’; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 1:18-20).

Because the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem had made altars and burned incense to Ba-al, the Lord told them that they had reached the point of no return, and the Lord would not hear their prayers. God’s patience with Judah and Jerusalem had come to an end because of their refusal to repent (change their evil ways). When that happens, all hope is lost, and there is no escape from God’s certain judgment.

“Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will surely bring calamity on them which they will not be able to escape; and though they cry out to Me, I will not listen to them. Then the cities of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to whom they offer incense, but they will not save them at all in the time of their trouble…. So do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry out to Me because of their trouble’” (Jeremiah 11:11-12, 14).

God is merciful; however, His patience will not last forever, especially when cities and nations harden their heart and will not turn from their evil ways. The prophet Jeremiah reveals God’s course of action when a nation decides to forsake God, go in the wrong direction, and embrace cultural decadence.

“At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; if that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them” (Jeremiah 18:7-8).

Are the days of dominance by the United States of America coming to an end? The incremental takeover of the world economies by global fiat does not bode well for the United States or the rest of the nations in the world if significant pushback is not orchestrated soon. If the United States continues its downward spiral and does not begin turning back to the Biblical principles that made this country great, God will judge our nation like he did Babylon over 2,500 years ago when the mysterious handwriting appeared on the wall of the king’s palace:

“And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:25-28).