Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Text/SMS
Random
Subscribe
Answer
Most interpretations of biblical prophecy, including the book of Revelation, conclude that the United States plays no major role in end-times events. All agree that the USA is not explicitly referenced. Eschatology—the study of the end times—is the subject of varied opinions. Nearly every aspect of eschatology gives rise to alternate, competing views. One idea gaining traction suggests that the United States is not only mentioned in Revelation but that it occupies a key role. Some commentators see strong parallels between the modern USA and “Mystery Babylon,” or the “whore of Babylon” mentioned in Revelation 14, 17, and 18.
Key to this interpretation are changes in American culture. The United States has become increasingly comfortable with unbiblical attitudes toward sex and materialism. Recently, it seems as if sin is not merely tolerated but celebrated. Given its cornerstone position in world politics and economics, the US begins to look like the powerhouse system depicted in Revelation.
Those who identify the United States as Mystery Babylon see parallels between the US and the details of Revelation chapters 17 and 18:
• The US is renowned for blending many cultures and people groups; it touches both the world’s two major oceans (Revelation 17:1, 15).
• Many world governments and leaders have cooperated with the United States, and their people have embraced American cultural norms. Nations have followed America’s lead in many ways (Revelation 17:2).
• Many countries are deeply dependent on American influence, both culturally and economically. This can be compared to an addiction or altered state of mind (Revelation 17:2; 18:3, 9).
• The United States is extremely prosperous compared to other nations. It takes pride in celebrating its own luxury, as well as many things that God has called sin (Revelation 17:4; 18:7, 14, 16).
• The USA is a dominant economic and military superpower with tremendous influence (Revelation 17:18).
• Despite, or maybe because of, America’s power and influence, many nations resent the US. It is not hard to imagine such nations working together against US interests or even its existence. Excessive interference from America in the end times could trigger worldwide backlash (Revelation 17:16).
• The modern United States has a global reputation for excesses, sins, and ungodly attitudes of all sorts. These vices are often viewed within the US as signs of progress (Revelation 18:2).
• America is by far the largest component of the global economy and the largest importer of goods (Revelation 18:3).
• The thought of a rapid US collapse is more realistic than it was in prior generations. Along with dependence on imports, the USA holds a mind-boggling level of national debt and is experiencing escalating cultural division. A breaking point in any or all of these could trigger catastrophic change (Revelation 18:8, 10, 19).
• A sudden fall by the United States would trigger massive economic consequences for the entire world (Revelation 18:9, 11, 15, 19).
At the same time, certain statements within those same passages are difficult to match with the United States. The mentions of seven hills (Revelation 17:9) and a succession of kings (Revelation 17:10) do not seem to fit the US. As of this writing, the USA is not “drunk with the blood of” Christian martyrs (Revelation 17:9), especially compared to other nations. Identifying America as Mystery Babylon would mean shifting other end-times interpretations that consider Babylon a literal city, a religion, or a world system.• Many world governments and leaders have cooperated with the United States, and their people have embraced American cultural norms. Nations have followed America’s lead in many ways (Revelation 17:2).
• Many countries are deeply dependent on American influence, both culturally and economically. This can be compared to an addiction or altered state of mind (Revelation 17:2; 18:3, 9).
• The United States is extremely prosperous compared to other nations. It takes pride in celebrating its own luxury, as well as many things that God has called sin (Revelation 17:4; 18:7, 14, 16).
• The USA is a dominant economic and military superpower with tremendous influence (Revelation 17:18).
• Despite, or maybe because of, America’s power and influence, many nations resent the US. It is not hard to imagine such nations working together against US interests or even its existence. Excessive interference from America in the end times could trigger worldwide backlash (Revelation 17:16).
• The modern United States has a global reputation for excesses, sins, and ungodly attitudes of all sorts. These vices are often viewed within the US as signs of progress (Revelation 18:2).
• America is by far the largest component of the global economy and the largest importer of goods (Revelation 18:3).
• The thought of a rapid US collapse is more realistic than it was in prior generations. Along with dependence on imports, the USA holds a mind-boggling level of national debt and is experiencing escalating cultural division. A breaking point in any or all of these could trigger catastrophic change (Revelation 18:8, 10, 19).
• A sudden fall by the United States would trigger massive economic consequences for the entire world (Revelation 18:9, 11, 15, 19).
So, is the United States described in Revelation? Perhaps, but perhaps not. Comments on Babylon’s identity include two of Revelation’s four uses of the word mystery (Revelation 17:5, 7). Maybe this “great prostitute” is the end-times condition of the United States. Maybe these passages refer to something else, and the USA is simply not alluded to in Scripture. As with all end-times discussions, speculation is fine so long as it doesn’t lead to division among believers.
