The Purpose of America

Gen. 3:5 π Isa. 14:13 π Ezek. 33:11 π Dan. 7:5-6 π Dan. 7:7 π Mt. 4:8-9 π Mt. 5:13 π Mt. 7:13-14 π Mt. 16:18 π Mt. 25:35-36 π Lk. 17:1 π Acts 2:17 π Rom. 12:21 π 1 Cor. 2:14 π 1 Cor. 14:33 π 2 Cor. 4:4 π Eph. 4:12 π Col. 2:15 π 2 Ths. 2:4 π 2 Tim. 4:3-4 π Jas. 1:27 π Jas. 2:15-16 π 1 Pet. 4:3-4 π 2 Pet. 3:9 π 2 Pet. 3:13 π 2 Pet. 3:15 π 1 Jn. 3:17 π 1 Jn. 5:19 π Rev. 9:11 π Rev. 12:9 π Rev. 12:12 π Rev. 13:1 π Rev. 13:1-10 π Rev. 13:3-4 π Rev. 13:11 π Rev. 13:11-18 π Rev. 13:12 π Rev. 13:13 π Rev. 13:14 π Rev. 13:14-15 π Rev. 13:16-17 π Rev. 13:16-18 π Rev. 17:1-18 π Rev. 17:7-8 π Rev. 17:8 π Rev. 17:9-11

In approaching this subject, we must set aside the very natural tendency to oversimplify things. We, especially Americans, always want there to be one simple bottom line to everything. In coming to some realistic conclusions about America's heritage, we must realize that there are many things going on simultaneously. If there is any "one bottom line," it would this: There are two opposing forces at work, God and Satan. And whatever Satan attempts to do will never thwart God's purposes and whatever God does will turn Satan's attempts at evil into good. And that's about as simple as it's going to get.

Before opening up this can of worms, we must look at some preconceptions. We must ask:

Was the United States a "Christian nation" at its inception?

Is it a "Christian nation" now;

Will it ever be a "Christian nation"?

However, to even ask the question in this way displays the duplicity with which we use the word "Christian." In the truest sense of the word, no nation could ever be a "Christian" nation for only individuals can be true Christians - that is, born again with new life from above.

But in the second sense in which this word is used, it speaks of the influence. Thus the question would be better asked, Was the inception of the United States influenced by "Christian" principles and philosophies. And the answer is: of course it was. That is not the same as saying, though, that the formation of the United States was clearly accomplished by some direct act of God. That is, I believe, the U.S. is a direct result of Satan's planning, but is also an integral part of God's intervention as well.

To understand why I believe that Satan was directly responsible for the forming of America, we must look at its roots. First, its philosophical roots lie in recognizing the sovereignty of man. This has been Satan's lie from the beginning - "you shall be as gods" ( Gen. 3:5; top ) - and American philosophy is a monumental tribute to the independence of man from God.

And second, it's historical roots lie in rebellion. Though the history books have tried to gloss it over and portray it as a noble cause, the fact is that much of what prompted the American Revolution was the determination to hold onto capital assets rather than ship them overseas to the king of England. No matter how you slice or dice it, that adds up to rebellion against a God-ordained authority in a cause that is not directly related to God's righteousness. Rather it is most closely associated with the philosophical roots of the Revolution - that insistence upon being independent from all forms of "tyrannical" authority, be that the king or God.

It would also make it a little clearer if we understood what Satan's ultimate purpose on earth is. When he is rejected from the heavenly realms and confined to earth ( Rev. 12:9 ), he will raise up or have prepared and readied for himself a government. (depicted as a beast in Rev. 13:1-10 ) The formation of this beast is brought about by the machinations of the "second beast." ( Rev. 13:11-18; top )

Recognizing the second beast will become much easier if we recognize the first beast. John wrote, "And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name." ( Rev. 13:1 ) John is shown this beast again, only this time, there is a woman riding it. ( Rev. 17:1-18; top )

When John sees this beast the second time, the angel says to him:

"Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is." ( Rev. 17:7-8; top )

To understand this passage, we must grasp the larger picture which the angel describes. To do this, we must pay careful attention to the tenses the angel uses in describing this beast. According to the angel, this beast existed at some point in the past, did not exist on the earth at the time this was said (approximately 90 a.d.), will return to the earth from the abyss and will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire. The unbelievers, whether they be churched or not, are going to marvel at this beast "that was, and is not, and yet is."

Wherever the picture of a beast is used symbolically and prophetically, it refers to some king and his armies, that is, the might and machinery of a king battling for domination. (see Dan. 7:5-6 for example) What the angel is referring to is not a human king, but the king who will attempt to wrest control of the world from the hand of God - Satan. (see Rev. 9:11; top ) In this passage from John, we see none other than Satan's "beast" - his armies and machinations to rule the world - coming into action.

This beast was. Throughout human history it has grown its seven heads. The angel said to John:

"Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition." ( Rev. 17:9-11; top )

Mountains are representative of governments. The mountain of God is the seat of His authority and power - the place where Satan attempted to take. (see Isa. 14:13; top ) These seven mountains are seven governments which manifest Satan's attempts to wrest authority from God's hands.

To truly understand this, we must recognize that Satan has dominion over this world. ( 1 Jn. 5:19 ; 2 Cor. 4:4 ; Mt. 4:8-9 ) He has that authority because Adam bowed down to him in the garden. Referring back to Rev. 17:8 , at the time the angel spoke those words, that beast "was not." Why not? Because the second Adam refused to bow down to Satan and instead conquered him and led him in triumphal procession. (see Col. 2:15 ) Though the fifth head, as we shall see shortly, still maintained its presence on the earth, and other heads would and will make their appearance, the beast itself, the might and machinations of the devil have been somehow distanced from the earth for a time - perhaps because the Spirit has been poured out on all flesh ( Acts 2:17 ) and Christ's kingdom is more on the earth now than at any time previous (though of course it is not yet reached completion.) Satan and his demonic hordes are held in check during this time but, when they are cast down upon the earth, they will lash out in fury knowing that their time is very short. ( Rev. 12:12; top )

Again we must pay careful attention to the tense in which the angel speaks: "Five were, one is, and two shall be, and all will go to perdition." These five heads, or mountains, or kings, or world governments, that, previous to the time the angel spoke to John, have held world dominion are:

• Egypt;
• Assyria;
• Babylon;
• Medo-Persia; and
• Greece.

These are "the five that were." The world government that was in existence at the time the angel spoke to John was:

• Rome.

Since that time there has only been one world empire that fits the descriptions of a world empire:

• Britain.

Those unfamiliar with world history may not readily see how perfectly the British empire fits the prophetic descriptions. This short writing will be unable to give a full account but should provide enough for the honest student to confirm these conclusions.

In one of the clear descriptions of this seventh head, John writes, "I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?'" ( Rev. 13:3-4 ) In his description of the second beast, John tells us that the first beast was wounded by a sword. ( Rev. 13:14; top )

Many have taken this to mean that a man will be wounded in the head, perhaps even killed and resurrected to become a part of a Satanic "trinity," but that is not the symbology of this passage at all. It is a kingdom, an empire, which receives a fatal wound, but yet revives to become the eighth and final head. And what administers that fatal wound? War - the sword.

At the end of World War II, the British empire was defunct, for all practical purposes, dead. Its colonies became independent and the sun finally set on the British empire. But in the midst of the ashes there remained powerful moneyed families and banking institutions who had profited greatly from the two world wars and their cleanup afterwards. These people continued, and still continue to this day, their machinations toward a one-world government. It is this "shadow government" which dictates the polices of Great Britain more so than the visible heads of government will admit to in public. They are the real power because they control the money - and it is out of this shadow government of Great Britain that the eighth head will arise, being a puppet of the beast itself, the government of Satan. For the text tells us that the eighth head is the beast (not just another head), the beast that came from the abyss and is going to perdition. The eighth head will be the personal government of the god of this world.

We started down this prophetic path looking for the identity of the second beast. And we have identified the first beast - the government of Satan manifested in seven world empires throughout world history. So then, who is the second beast? John describes him as having "two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon." ( Rev. 13:11 ) Again, a beast represents an empire. Horns throughout Scripture represent either a king or his kingdom or both.(see Dan. 7:7 for example) What John is telling us is that this beast will be made of two nations. These nations will be "Christian" nations - that is they look "like a lamb" - but in reality they are powered by the principles and muscle of Satan - they speak "like a dragon."

As has already been pointed out, America is touted as a "Christian" nation yet its roots are in rebellion - both philosophical and historical. Great Britain too is labeled a "Christian" nation, but that too is a misleading label. The atrocities of both America and Great Britain, though downplayed in history books, are great and numerous. Great Britain has in its history things like the East India Company and the Opium Wars with China. The honest student who researches these things will find it hard to believe Great Britain is a Christian nation. The U.S. has in its history the displacement of the native Indians by the Puritans and a history of wars that are each an instance of atrocity and slaughter on a grand scale very often secretly motivated entirely by financial reasons.

The second beast, John tells us, will exercise the authority of the first beast in his presence. ( Rev. 13:12; top ) That is, the shadow government behind Great Britain and the U.S. will exercise the authority of Satan's government when it arrives in full bloom. This two-nation empire is described as having three characteristics:

1. it causes fire to come from heaven (v. 13 - something already demonstrated in the Iraqi war called "Desert Storm");
   
   
2. it makes a speaking, spiritually living image, an icon, of the beast (Satan's government) which will be worshiped (v. 14-15 - we are already quite familiar with this image or icon though the vast majority don't recognize it for what it is nor have we seen it in its final state: the television); and
   
   
3. it makes a mark without which no one can buy or sell, the number 666 (v. 16-18; top - again this is something which we are all very accustomed to seeing but the vast majority don't recognize it for what it is and it too is not in its final state: the Universal Price Code with its longer controlling lines is 6#6#6).

Ultimately, America will not be the "Christian" nation which many try to say she was. She will be an integral part of the rebellious beast who will usher in the advent of the government of Satan. And this has been Satan's purpose in forming America - a land of people all committed to their own godhood. A nation that will ultimately place its authority in his hands.

That's the dark side of this equation. Now let's turn and look at God's purposes in forming America. And this readily points to the supreme nature of God's power as we see that God gives Satan full rein in pursuing his objectives but yet all that Satan really accomplishes is the will of God. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex idea, I believe God had three main purposes in mind. Perhaps more of His purposes will be revealed in time or in the eternal, but I believe there were at least three.

1. To provide a place where Pilgrims and Puritans and other spiritual refugees could worship Him (however imperfectly) in freedom and in safety.
   
   
2. To provide a place where man would have every opportunity to succeed in self-government.
   
   
3. To build a strong, independent nation that would also work to impede the schemes and machinations of the globalists who would construct a one-world government for antichrist.

The first is quite obvious to most informed observers and will hardly raise an eyebrow. Similarly, the second, when it is remembered that the U.S. Constitution has often been called "The Great Experiment," should be no real surprise either. And for those of us who know the depravity of our own hearts, it is no surprise to us that this experiment will ultimately fail. This is an important point to keep in mind because, as we turn to consider what our role in this changing time ought to be, we need to realize that, ultimately, the U.S. will prove to be yet another proof that man is completely incapable of governing himself so as to produce anything resembling goodness. In all truth, we've already demonstrated the truth of that - the rest of the world looks upon the U.S. as having one of the worst records for committing atrocities. They look upon our conquest of the Indians, the brutal tactics of Vietnam, and even the bombing of Iraq as proof that we are nothing but a greedy, grasping empire.

In spite of all the evil that has been done by Americans, God has still used the U.S. to retard and delay Satan's biggest scheme - a one-world government ruled by himself, even stepping into the very place of God Himself. ( 2 Ths. 2:4; top ) To understand this third purpose that God had in forming America requires an enlightened view of world history and of the goals and intents of the shadow governments of England and the U.S. - those men with the money and real power who make the real decisions that powerfully impact the course of nations. I do not refer to politicians like the U.S. President or to England's prime minister or to the visible governments of either nation. The Council of Foreign Relations (CFR), the Round Table, the Trilateral Commission (TC), the Bilderbergers, the international banking industry, and a few other individuals and organizations have a goal: they want to orchestrate a world which is safe for commerce - their commerce. And one of the worst enemies in their view is a strong, powerful, financially-independent nation. Such an entity would be a rogue elephant running loose in their garden.

And this is precisely what the U.S. has been. As Satan has inspired dreams of world conquest and control over the centuries, God has thwarted his plans time and again through various means. When Satan raised up a Frederick Engels who grew rich from American slave cotton, God would raise up an Abraham Lincoln and a William Wilberforce who would be His agents to abolish slavery in the U.S. and in England. And this is but one example from history.

So too with nations. From the inception of America, there has been a war between the visible government and the shadow government. In the world system, it inevitably comes down to money - whoever controls the money will ultimately control the nation.

In 1913, the visible government of the United States lost that war as the ability to control the money passed into the hands of the Federal Reserve, an independent, privately owned organization. Now the money earned by hard-working Americans no longer goes to further a world "safe for democracy" - an oxymoron in itself - it goes to make a world safe for self-serving globalists who want to protect their bottom lines and their assets.

The purpose of the shadow government in this country is, through a myriad of ways and means, to condition the people to believe that a one-world government is the solution to the world's problems so that it will ultimately hand its power over to the government of Satan. As students of prophecy, we know that this one-world government will ultimately be disastrous for mankind - a time that will make all other atrocities pale in comparison. We also know "that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation." ( 2 Pet. 3:15; top ) Though this process of building a one-world government is inevitable, our response to this process is critical. We Christians are on a collision course with this one-world government. The spirits and many people in the forming one-world government know it - and yet the people who claim to belong to Christ often acts as if they don't. Nor do many act as if they know what they need to do.

As the people of the U.S. quietly acquiesce to the globalists' agenda, we Christians who know the Satanic force behind their work face a dilemma. This dilemma is both cause and effect and has no easy answers.

The effect is rather easy to see though. As the globalists press forward their agenda - which will include, among other things, the "mark of the beast" without which we won't be able to buy or sell anything ( Rev. 13:16-17; top ) - we Christians must determine beforehand at what point our cooperation with this government ceases. We need to consider now at what point we will refuse to obey man so that we may remain obedient to God.

The cause of the globalists' success is a little more difficult to see. Again, at the risk of oversimplifying complex history, I believe there are three reasons the globalists are now succeeding in the destabilization of America. And they all revolve around the immaturity and impotency of the ekklesia, the people called out of this world's darkness to attend to the affairs of Christ's kingdom of light:

1. The people who claim to follow Christ are majorly confused about their role as salt and light in the world and, for the most part, have lost their saltiness and are fit for nothing except to be thrown away. (see Mt. 5:13 ) "Church" is now simply a place to go and "fellowship" (that is, socialize with others who claim to be something of Christ) - not a moral and spiritual corporate entity entrusted with the task of overcoming evil with good. ( Rom. 12:21 , Mt. 16:18; top )
   
   
2. The vast majority of people who claim to belong to Christ are apathetic toward their responsibilities to be salt and light - anything which calls for personal discomfort or sacrifice is viewed as heretical. The "church" is huddled in her buildings, singing "praise songs" while the orphans, widows and "leasts" (see Jas. 1:27 , Mt. 25:35-36 ) remain alone in their distress. "Charity" is now a matter of making a donation and letting someone at the "church" or in the government take care of the needy. (see Jas. 2:15-16 ; 1 Jn. 3:17; top )
   
   
3. The "church" is spiritually immature and ill-prepared to be salt and light. The people of Christ desperately need mature leaders at this hour - but rogue "pastors," teachers and administrators usurp authority, holding their flocks captive (while professing to comfort, edify and equip them) and ostracizing anyone who dares to speak negatively about their wonderful "ministry" to so many people. The people of Christ desperately need to get out of the pew and back into the homes of neighbors and onto the hostile streets but the leaders, drawing their large salaries, are quite content to tell the people the "truth" they want to hear (but which they will do nothing about), telling it in such a way that the flock remains faithful - in both attendance and with their financial support. (see 2 Tim. 4:3-4 ) The people are supposed to and need to do the work of the ministry ( Eph. 4:12; top ) but are quite content to leave that to the "pastor" and his staff which they pay quite handsomely. The "church" needs to do the truth but she is quite content with the truth that she "knows." All this and more make the "church" a counterfeit, a harlot, a whore trying to pose in the place of the bride of Christ.

There are some underlying issues of mammoth proportion that must be discussed here. We must ask, what ought our role to be? For the answer to that question is the same whether God will be merciful to America or not.

There are those who believe that political activism will restore America to its godly heritage. To recognize the inappropriateness of that remedy, requires that we recognize many things:

1. God's kingdom is structured radically different from the U.S. - the U.S. relies on democracy and majority rule, God's kingdom is a Monarchy based on the whims and wishes of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. That is no mere superficial difference even though most Americans will not be able to fully grasp the significance.
   
   
2. Political activism, generally speaking, requires compromise. And even the very act of entering the world's political system, when done with the wrong motives or with the wrong agenda, can be a compromise which cannot further God's kingdom.
   
   
3. The only acceptable motive from God's point of view for entering into politics would be because He specifically commanded someone to become involved. There could be no possible worse life than to be in a political office or expending one's energies on a political cause when God intends for you to be somewhere else. And should God establish you in some office or instruct you to take up some cause, you must remain vigilant against compromising with the world and must remain constantly prepared to speak God's truth to all who will hear. This is not a likely recipe for getting elected, let alone re-elected.
   
   
4. The true Christian is merely a pilgrim, a stranger passing through, in this world. ( 2 Pet. 3:13; top ) Should God be merciful and grant him a quiet, peaceful life, he should be grateful. Should God place him in a time of tumult and change, with persecution and suffering, he should be equally grateful - for that which he receives is what is necessary for the salvation of his soul.
   
   
5. It is in the very nature of God's kingdom that God's ways will not be popular with worldly people. (see Mt. 7:13-14 ) Nor will worldly people embrace godliness and righteousness nor even understand these things ( 1 Pet. 4:3-4 ; 1 Cor. 2:14; top ) - it is extreme foolishness to attempt to legislate righteousness to unregenerate man.
   
   
6. It is in the nature of God to delay judgment - even for the sake of one man. God still rewards obedience to Him with mercy and graciousness.

Some who read this might think they see inconsistency. And yet there is none because what is visible is the "mixed emotions" of God. God is not anxious to bring judgment - He has no joy in the death of the wicked. ( Ezek. 33:11 ) God is desirous that all men repent and none should perish ( 2 Pet. 3:9; top ) - and His Father's heart longs to pour out blessings. No, this is not inconsistency - it is extreme patience and love tempering and restraining His violent and just wrath as He waits for the last man, woman or child to be born who will surrender to Him and receive His offers of peace and reconciliation.

There are those reading this who will respond, "But God told us in advance that there would be a one-world government!" Yes, He did. And Jesus also told us, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!" ( Lk. 17:1; top )

Those who do absolutely nothing to oppose the globalists' agenda are as guilty as those who are working so hard to bring it about. Whether you think the rapture will rescue you or you don't think it's your place to be obediently involved in confronting wickedness wherever you find it in your own circles of influence, you will still share in the bloodguilt for every life that is sacrificed on the globalists' altar of ambition.

Now, am I advocating political action? No. What I am advocating more is that we become a people whose hearts are tuned towards God in the hopes that He may turn and leave a blessing instead. But whether He leaves a blessing or leads us into a time of severe trial and persecution, let our hearts remain true to Him.

But political activism, without a genuine renewal of our obedient walks with God, is worse than useless - it is a slap in God's face as we demonstrate that we believe we can overcome even His judgment upon America. We did it before in the Great Depression when we vowed that such a thing would never happen to this country again; let's not do it again now.

But if you are one of the very tiny minority where political activism is truly where God wants you to be, that's where you need to be. To obey will always be better than to sacrifice. And if your obedience to God means you're out demonstrating your disapproval in front of abortion clinics or working within the halls of Congress to bolster what little national independence we have left, you are acting as salt and light - just as much as any preacher or evangelist who is out functioning in his giftings - and you ought to be honored as a hero and prayerfully supported by all those who claim Christ as their own. But only if that is the area God has personally called you to be doing your obedience to Him.

But is that your first duty? No. Your first duty is to make disciples for Christ. Your first duty is to do your utmost to transfer the love that God has put in your heart to those around you. And if you are truly making disciples (and not just playing "church"), then you are to be honored as a hero and prayerfully supported by all those who claim Christ as their own.

God is not interested in just doing good - that is, He doesn't just do aimless good things. He always works with a purpose in mind. And that purpose is to restore mankind to Himself. Random and senseless acts of kindness are signs of confusion - and God is not the author of confusion. ( 1 Cor. 14:33; top ) Any act of goodness or any defense of what is right and true must be subjected to the will of the Holy Spirit. There is a time to stand up and defend our inalienable rights as God's creation - and there is a time to submit to an evil hand and accept a wrong done to us just as Christ did in going to the cross. Only the Holy Spirit can tell you what time it is when something happens to you or your loved ones. If you are not accustomed to hearing Him now, how will you ever be able to listen then when things are worse than ever before?

That so many who name the name of Jesus know neither their first duty (to disciple) nor their second (to be salt and light) is a national and a spiritual disgrace. May God have mercy on us all.

I'd love to hear comments and/or questions from you! Email me!