God's Judgment On America

From:http://www.choicesforliving.com/spirit/part4/judgement.htm

Jim Bramlett

Is the United States of America mentioned in biblical prophecy?
If we are, indeed, in the "last days" before Christ's return, as the
overwhelming evidence indicates, is it possible that the greatest Gentile power
in history would have been overlooked, or is irrelevant? Or, are references
hidden, as are many other prophecies, to be "unsealed" to seekers in the last
days according to Daniel 12:4?

I believe there are passages that do not name but do infer
America. Interestingly, these passages are compatible with current geopolitical
developments, and also visions and other supernatural revelations reported by
several believers over the years. The message is of severe judgment, and is
ominous.

Judgment Already Decreed

First, a few words about our beloved country. This is hard for
me to say about America. When World War II started, I was age 11. My father
fought with the infantry in Europe; my uncle with the Air Corps in North Africa.
I went to a top military prep school. Later, at a large university, I
practically majored in Air Force ROTC, becoming the highest ranking cadet
officer and Corps Commander. I devoted my career to the nation's military
service, retiring early -- before I was eligible for promotion to full colonel
-- only because of a higher priority, a call into full-time Christian service. I
laid that promotion at the cross. But now, even retired, as a regular officer
the government has a claim on me as long as I live. I love my country. The flag
can still give me goose bumps. I have always been extremely patriotic. I have
researched and lectured on America's Christian heritage. I know how God's hand
has been on America, starting with Columbus. Yet to God the nations are but a
grain of sand, and as a nation America has rebelled against God, insulted Him,
and declared Him "not wanted." Some believe America will get away with it
because God "needs" America to fulfill the Great Commission. He doesn't. We
won't.

Many are praying for revival in America according to the
promises of 2 Chronicles 7:14. God will surely honor the prayers. There will be
revival, and there will be a great harvest, the greatest the world has ever
known. However, based on the parallel of Jeremiah's warning to Israel and God's
answer to him, the part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 about "heal their land" -- as
relates to the secular culture -- will not be answered until Messiah returns. As
with Israel in Jeremiah's day, I believe judgment on America has already been
decreed. God's moth-like judgment (Hosea 5:12) is in progress, eating at us
slowly, but His lion-like judgment (Hosea 5:14) will soon pounce, devouring us
suddenly and completely.

Applicability of 2 Chronicles 7:14? Even though
2 Chronicles was not written for probably over a hundred years later, Jeremiah
may have tried to implement the principles of it. As a priest, he was surely
aware of the promise to Solomon several hundred years earlier, either from the
oral tradition or written records. But three different times (three for divine
emphasis), God said to Jeremiah, "Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea
or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you" (7:16,
NIV). Also see 11:14 and 14:11. In the latter, God says, "Although they fast, I
will not listen to their cry....I will not accept them. Instead I will destroy
them with the sword, famine and plague."
In another passage, God reiterates His willingness to show mercy
and urges Israel to repent. "Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and
devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and
reform your ways and your actions" (18:11). But in His omniscience and
foreknowledge, God then says, "But they will reply, 'It's no use. We will
continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil
heart'" (v. 12). God knew what their reaction would be; thus, judgment was
decreed beforehand. (And even Solomon, after God's clear promises and warnings
in 2 Chronicles 7, fell into sin, soon died and the kingdom was split.)

Why This Probably Applies to
America

1. The End of the Gentile Age. The
evidence is overwhelming that the "times of the Gentiles" referred to by Jesus
(Luke 21:24) -- the same as the age of the "Gentiles" referred to by James (Acts
15:14-16), and Paul (Romans 11:25) -- is in the final seconds. We are in the
final countdown to what God revealed to Daniel as "the appointed time." It is no
accident that America, the largest and most powerful Gentile nation, has been in
a precipitous cultural decline in the last half of this century (as Israel, the
fig tree, has blossomed) as measured by numerous statistical indicators. And our
global cultural influence is taking the world with us, as we daily export
worldwide our anti-God and perverted national values.
God's prophetic plan and timetable will not be stopped, and it
takes precedence over everything. For example, Israel is still in rebellion,
largely a godless nation. But God promised to regather them in the last days. He
has, in spite of themselves, and with no effort on their part to comply with 2
Chronicles 7:14, but simply because of His plan. "It is not for your sake, O
house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy
name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone....Be
ashamed and disgraced for your conduct" (Ezekiel 37:22, 32). Israel does not
deserve mercy, and a further chastening lies ahead. Yet God will honor His
covenant with their fathers, which Paul strongly reminds us so that we will not
be "ignorant" or "conceited" as saved Gentiles, wild branches grafted into the
natural olive tree (Romans 11:24-25).

2. The Pervasiveness of Evil. As
before the Flood, and with Sodom and Gomorrah, and with the idolatrous occupants
of the Promised Land before Joshua entered, evil is now so deeply pervasive and
entrenched that it must be purged by judgment. Such seems to be a clear message
of the prophets and the New Testament writers. The world is rushing madly toward
the prophesied Tribulation, "such as was not since the beginning of the world to
this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21).

3. Veiled References to America.
While America is not mentioned by name in prophecy, some Bible students believe
there are indirect references. For example, some believe we are the last-days
Babylon of Jeremiah 50 and 51 and elsewhere. The reason is that a number of the
references seemingly do not apply to ancient Babylon, or even to a possibly
restored Babylon in Iraq, and that America is now the world's major military and
financial power. For example, the "rich" Babylon Jeremiah describes lives "by
many waters" (USA, not ancient Babylon; 51:13). "She made the whole earth
drunk....they have now gone mad" (our drug/sex/rock culture via MTV and other
media pervades the earth; 51:7). Our soldiers "have become like women"
(homosexuals, women in combat; 51:30). She will be attacked by "arrows"
(missiles; 50:9), from "the north" (direction of Russia; 50:3), with her
judgment rising "as high as the clouds" (nuclear; 51:9). NASA's space program is
implied in 51:53 (KJV), with Babylon mounting "up to heaven." Also, "They sinned
against the LORD....the hope of their fathers" (USA, not ancient Babylon; 50:7).
Economic Babylon of Revelation 18, the commercial capital of the world, may be
New York (the Babylon of chapter 17 may be Rome because of the reference to the
"seven hills" in v. 9). Chapter 18:4 mentions that in one day, and verse 10 says
in one hour, she will be destroyed, with the world's government and financial
leaders weeping and mourning (18:9,15). A one-hour destruction of a great city
is something possible only in the past 50 years, and probable only this decade
with the proliferation of nuclear weapons, recently spreading on the black
market from the former USSR to terrorist organizations, according to
intelligence sources. Only God is holding back Islamic terrorists and other
radicals from setting off a nuclear explosion in New York, Washington, D.C., Tel
Aviv and elsewhere, until "the appointed time."

In addition, a strong case can be made that America and the 1991
Gulf War are referred to in Daniel 8, with Iraq the ram, and America the goat
which "came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground"
(verse 5, NIV), seemingly our massive intercontinental air and sea lift. In
verse 8, the goat is later "broken," or destroyed. We know from verses 20-21
that Media, Persia and Greece were the first fulfillments, but from elsewhere,
such as verse 17, we know that the vision, in a dual fulfillment, is for "the
time of the end." The above seems more plausible when the following is
considered....

4. Soon Fulfillment of Ezekiel 38.
Another possible reference to America, by conspicuous omission, is in Ezekiel 38
and what most scholars see as an invasion of Israel by Russia and a
confederation of Muslim nations. The geopolitical preconditions for this are
rapidly forming. There are reasons to believe this may occur in the very, very
near future (perhaps at the beginning rather than the end of the Tribulation as
some believe). For example, there has been a recent security agreement between
Russia (Magog, 38:2) and the leading terrorist state, Iran (Persia, 38:5).
Russia is supplying Iran with nuclear materials and, on the black market, with
nuclear warheads. I have a reliable report of a recent briefing by NATO
intelligence that a nuclear war in the Middle East is feared probable! America
would surely be involved, perhaps as below:
If Israel is attacked according to Ezekiel 38, it is strange
that there is no hint of help from its security partner, the powerful USA.
Oddly, we do not seem to even be a factor. I believe it may be because, from a
military standpoint, America has been neutralized and rendered powerless by a
surprise nuclear attack by Russia (see below). This would surely give Russian
military planners an assumed and enticing cakewalk to a Middle East takeover,
ownership of the oil fields, new mineral resources and an expansion to the
Persian Gulf, a stated goal of at least one Russian radical, Vladimir
Zhirinovski, whose autobiography is prophetically titled The Last March
South! While Zhirinovsky may never rise to power, this territorial ambition
is undoubtedly shared by other radicals. Of course, we know from Ezekiel 39:1-6
that God Himself will defend Israel and destroy the invaders, to make His holy
name known (v. 7). Again, the above still seems more plausible when the
following is considered....

5. End-time Supernatural Revelations.
Acts 2:17 promises "visions" and "prophesies" in the last days. I have become
aware of and have collected records of visions and prophecies from various
believers over a period of years. Some visions have clearly seen a surprise
nuclear attack on America from Russian submarines. I also know of an older,
respected pastor who had an apparent angel visit in his home, in his study late
at night, with the same message of a Russian surprise nuclear attack from
submarines. The being just suddenly appeared and disappeared out of nowhere.
Also, George Washington reportedly had a vision in his day of America's major
wars and a final military attack on America. Read about A.A. Allen's 1954 vision
of an attack on America:
click here

The idea of a submarine attack is exactly in line with Russia's
present defense policy. According to the Wall Street Journal (August 25, 1995),
"One puzzling aspect of Russia's defense policy is its emphasis on
submarines....is still completing construction of submarines begun in the Soviet
era, on about the same timetable as the Soviets produced them....(they) will
enter the next century with the largest nuclear submarine fleet in the world."
Submarines are basically an offensive weapon. Why are they doing this? It must
be part of God's plan. For years, high-tech and missile-carrying Russian subs
have shadowed U.S ships or invisibly and silently patrolled the U.S. coast under
the radar/sonar cover of their fishing trawlers.

For a nation near collapse, on the brink of fascism, this is not
a picture of peace and stability. Yet foolish American leaders continue to give
billions of dollars to Russia (which they are using on armaments) and shrink our
own military, crying, "peace and safety" according to 1 Thessalonians 5:3, "then
sudden destruction shall come upon them." With uncanny timing, just moments
after I wrote this paragraph, Dateline NBC aired a report that the secret
nuclear shelter built in West Virginia for our Congress is now closed and being
dismantled -- because it is no longer needed, since the "Cold War" is now over!

"Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan
against you," God says. Russian submarines? He says to Magog, "You will devise
an evil scheme....You will say, 'I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting
people'" (Ezekiel 38:10). America, instead of Israel, or both?

Other Revelations. Highly esteemed missionary pioneer Hudson
Taylor had a vision in 1855. He saw both world wars, followed then a spiritual
awakening in Russia, Europe and elsewhere, as we are seeing, followed by the
coming of Christ. Also, in 1930 a prophecy was reportedly given in Russia that a
future leader named Mikhail, with a birthmark on his head, would bring open
doors for the gospel, which would remain open "only for a short period of time,
then it would end and the repression would begin again." Plus, there were
reportedly several prophecies in Russia in 1988 that "the door would stay open
for about seven years." The doors began opening in 1989; however, the Soviet
Union did not officially dissolve until late 1991, which + "about" 7 years =
"about" late 1998. (As this 1995 article is being updated in late 1998, Russia
is in shambles, in economic collapse and political turmoil, and a soon return to
tyranny is highly possible.)

[2004 update. At the present time, Islamic terrorism, possibly
using weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), poses the greatst immediate threat to
America. The other dangers mentioned are still applicable.]


Conclusion

There are three witnesses to the above scenario that seem to
confirm one another: (1) Scripture, (2) contemporary world events, and (3)
agreeing supernatural revelations, such as visions and prophecies. God will
answer and honor prayers for revival, even though judgment on the nation has
already been decreed. Revival and harvest will come -- but possibly as a result
of judgment, and not instead of, a typical biblical pattern. Where is the
Rapture in the above scenario? We cannot be sure, and must not be presumptuous.

With amazing timing, as God often confirms things to me, the
same week this was first printed, NBC News reported new Pentagon alarm at
Russian submarines lurking just off the U.S. coasts! Also, just as I was
finishing this report, two different audio tapes came to me, both unsolicited,
from two people I have never met, both with the message of God's coming judgment
on America! Months later I received a similar message the very same day I
received a newsletter headlined, "It's Time to Weep for America."

Message to the Church. It is time to boldly "blow the trumpet."
The warning should be greatly sharpened to more of a Jeremiah-type warning, that
actual destruction is coming, not just deteriorating social conditions or loss
of freedoms. "If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for
battle?" (1 Corinthians 14:8). The trumpet call should be to God's own people,
since "judgment must begin at the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17). God's message to
His people today is to humbly walk with Him in obedience and to come out of the
world's value system. Christians should get ready to joyously meet their
soon-coming King, and tell as many others as possible about God's grace and
salvation.

* * * * * * *

(Final Note: In one U.S. Air Force assignment, I was a
"Minuteman" -- the commander of a Minuteman ICBM nuclear missile launch crew
responsible, if so ordered in the event of attack, for vaporizing ten Russian
cities/targets, and in personal possession of the top secret war code. Always
"on alert," I was only seconds away from the President's launch command,
unsealing the code, and ending civilization as we know it. America's leaders
have now dismantled many missiles and reduced other defense systems, but oddly,
in a spiritual sense, and in one of God's "coincidences," I am still a
"Minuteman," still on alert, and still only seconds away from the King of king's
shout and command, with His code (from His Word) already being "unsealed," and
with civilization as we know it soon to end.)