Yesu Mulungi - African Christian Perspectives

Kato Mivule

November 25, 2008

 

There is a lot of talk among Bible Prophecy and Eschatological circles about the US being Babylon the Great spoken about in Revelations 17 and 18. The characteristics, definitions, symbolism, and Bible Prophecy parameters in Revelation 18 all point to this great and wealthy City – State - Nation in the last days that reigns over all nations of the world. There is no other nation present on earth that can precisely fit the parameters of Revelation 18 like the USA does.

 

There are a number of books and numerous articles written by Bible Prophecy students pointing to the fact that the USA is that nation spoken about in Revelation 18 today. No nation on earth comes near to Revelation 18 resemblances except the USA especially when it comes to the Economic Might and Power spoken about this city - nation called Babylon in Revelation 18. (Google USA Babylon)

 

On the other side there are many Christian Evangelicals who are saying that the End of the USA is now. This group is multi faceted in their eschatology…I will just mention two interesting groups here… One group believes that with the current political turnout of events and democrats taking over the White House, this spells doom for the ever sinful USA and therefore The Lord is about to ‘Rapture the Church Now’ out of this mess. 

 

Another group believes that the USA is Babylon the Great in Revelation 18 and because of her sins and evil, she is being judged systematically and destroyed now economically and also cataclysmically through convulsions of nature( Hurricanes, Katrina, Tornados, California Fires, etc)… Both groups tend to be political sometimes and though not always. However, the ‘Rapture Now Group’ is overtly political, believing that a “Christian President” would avert judgment on the USA by instituting Christian Laws against Gay Marriages, Abortions, etc…

 

However, things did not go well this election cycle and so now their eschatology of an imminent rapture has become a main discussion. However, some of the no ‘Rapture Now Group’ get caught up in politics and frustrated at the turn of events that a Democratic President will usher in a very quick and systematic collapse of the USA, a nation believed to be the Revelation 18 Babylon the Great. It is interesting that our eschatology some times gets shaped by our geo political frustrations instead of trusting wholly in God’s Holy Word and allowing and trusting God’s Sovereignty in these matters…

  

So, the question is unavoidable in light of the US ‘Global Financial’ meltdown. How can the USA be Babylon the Great of Revelation 18 if her economic superiority is destroyed by the current economic meltdown???? Don’t we need to take a closer look at Revelations 18 again? Either we are wrong or the Bible is wrong… However, I believe that The Bible is correct and infallible and therefore our assumptions and conclusions are found wanting when it comes to End Time Bible Prophecy…

 

Secondly, revelation 18 shows us that Babylon the Great is  not only an Economic Power House but she is destroyed in one hour and all the Merchants who become rich because of selling good to her (Babylon is a great Consumer Nation) weep and mourn as they see their money (riches) burn up in flames in one hour… Judgment of Babylon here in Revelation 18 is not systematic but swift and within a very short time space – one hour; otherwise the rich merchants who weep and wail would have had a chance to get  close to her…but are caught off guard.

 

Therefore is the current US Global Economic meltdown a judgment spoken about in Revelation 18 on Babylon the Great?  I don’t think so. I think we are quick to come to conclusions but nay, it isn’t so…

 

Personally I believe that the USA is the only nation on earth in our present day that perfectly fits the description in Revelation 18 and no other nation on earth fits into the prophetic parameters in Revelation 18.

 

However, when I look closer, I don’t see the USA collapse because of an economic meltdown as I have written numerous times in my articles. What I see become of this Global Economic mess is exerting and asserting of the US Global influence on all nations of the earth at levels further than we have seen.

 

Just think about Citi Bank that the US government bailed out and how it has business in almost all nations of the earth. The US government could not allow it to collapse or be taken over by foreigners like the Dubai financial executives. 

 

What I see here is a passing away of this current Economic Crisis and a new and powerful Global USA just as decrypted in Revelation 18. When Babylon gets judged, she is an Economic Power House! The current global economic crisis, election of Barack Obama…etc is a ‘repositioning’, metamorphosis, and resurgence of a more Powerful Global Political Military Economical entity called ‘Babylon USA the Great’…her judgment is a 'now' but not yet!

 

Revelation 18:15-19

(15)  The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

(16)  And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

(17)  For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

(18)  And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

(19)  And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

 

 

Kato Mivule