Monday, April 21, 2008

The Final Days of the America Empire?

Gas prices are soaring, the economy is in free fall, the housing market has crashed, Wall Street is a roller coaster, the American dollar is becoming the new Peso, and now...we're rationing food?

Yes we are. Read it
HERE

FOOD RATIONING CONFRONTS THE BREADBASKET OF THE WORLD?
(FROM THE ARTICLE LINKED ABOVE)
"Many parts of America, long considered the breadbasket of the world, are now confronting a once unthinkable phenomenon: food rationing."

"Major retailers in New York, in areas of New England, and on the West Coast are limiting purchases of flour, rice, and cooking oil as demand outstrips supply. There are also anecdotal reports that some consumers are hoarding grain stocks."

As I contemplate our slouching towards the sunset of our fair Empire I can't help but reflect on this passage of prophecy from Revelation and wonder, if the fall of Babylon were to happen this week, what is the most likely nation to qualify as "Babylon" here? Is it America? Haven't we recently conquered the physical Babylon (which is geographically Iraq)? Are we the spiritual equivalent of Babylon today?

Decide for yourself...


"The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more— cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.

"They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment.

"Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out.."


-Full Text is found in Revelation 18:1-24

What other nation could disappear today and be so mourned over? Are we (The United States of America) not the world's largest consumers of the World's goods? (Electronics, Clothing, Spices, Automobiles, etc.)

Either way, repentance is a good response to the crisis our nation faces today.

kg

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I won't comment on the prophetic speculation - though I have read one or two viable cases for America being the Babylon of the modern world. I do know that we can read in the Bible that God opposes the proud and it is in his sovereign character to humble nations that grow too arrogant. The history of the world also proves that empires rise and fall over time. I'm certain that America will one day fall in one way or another. It does look like in the short term we might be in for a rough ride. The sad part is that American Christians have become so dependent on government and the economy that many have not learned how to exercise faith in God. The American mentality has been, "God helps those that help themselves." Because of this we have seldom let ourselves be brought into the place of total dependence on God to make provision.

Keith Giles said...

Anthony,

I debated with myself for several weeks before finally posting this one.

After I saw the food rationing article referenced in this article I felt like I had to at least mention this somewhere.

As you point out, whether or not America and Babylon are the same in this prophecy, we are still a nation that, like Sodom, can be described as "...arrogant, over-fed and unconcerned with the poor" (see Ezekiel 16:49).

I also neglected to post the scripture where God says, "If my people, who are called by name, will humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and turn and heal their land." (see 2 Chronicles 7:14)

The signs point to repentance.

I'll go first...

kg

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting you found this article and your comments.
I have, for a long time, believed
that America is Babylon (from my past studies and my involvement as a Patriot). Remember the Kingdom of Babylon of the Old Testament first appeared in Genesis as the Kingdom of Babel. God switched the languages and mixed them up so the Tower of Babel would not be completed. America is the only nation, right now, in the world with languages, of which there is over 2,000 languages and dialects in Southern California. It is almost like the Old Empire. There was a Romanian Messianic Pastor who came to the US from Russia after being a prisoner for his religious beliefs for fifteen years. God sent him to the USA. His name was Dimitri Dudemann. He settled in Fullerton, Calif. He was sent to warn America of a coming conflict, where the USA is destroyed, because of our leaders'
inability to repent and believe in God. He wrote a book. In his book, he told a story of internal conflict between Americans and their government, massive food shortages, a sneak attack from the Islamic world, using dirty weapons. During an internal conflict between Americans and their government, the Warsaw Pact and other enemies of our nation attacks from the South, using Mexico as a launch base. Pastor Dudemann describes the complete collapse and California, specifically, is burned, beyond all recognition, from a sneak attack. There is good news in his book. A remnant of Christians and Patriots, who love this nation, make a stand to give Christ what is remaining of this unconquered nation what is left. Pastor Dudemann was looked at as a doomsday prophet by the mainstream pastors and not taken seriously. Now, you come up with this article about the food shortages, of which he prophesied in his book. He also spoke of America being Babylon, using many Old Testament references. So, your comments are not real far fetched, as some may believe.

Anonymous said...

Keith,

My religious upbringing was with Jehovah's Witnesses which is one of continual failure and revision when it comes to prophetic interpretation. I think because of this I get cold feet when it comes to such things these days.

I wasn't finding fault with you on what you put up. In fact I appreciate it very much. Just because I won't comment on it doesn't mean you shouldn't. :-)

I agree that we need repentance and if Father chooses to bring tribulation to discipline his sons and daughter we can be sure that it will bring such fruitage. For those of us who already see the signs of times we don't have to wait but should take the lead in prayer and repentance.

Keith - thanks for providing this information and encouragement.

Keith Giles said...

My reason for posting this was simply to point out the sign of the times and to suggest that we (meaning you and I) should consider true repentance.

My problem with prophetic words and modern prophets is that the attention is always "out there" on "those people" and not on us.

God says in the verse I quoted above (2 Chronicles) that He will hold his people (that's us) accountable for the spiritual health of the land (not "those sinners").

So, if God does choose to judge our great nation it will not be because our leaders failed to listen to His voice - it will be because you and I (those who are called by His Name) do not listen to His voice.

Are we humbled before God? Is He our King and Lord? Do we daily submit ourselves to His rule and reign in our lives, or do we pretty much live any way we feel like and expect Him to bless us?

We are the ones who must humble ourselves and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways...and then God will hear our prayers and turn and heal our land.

Don't just sit and wait for the Rapture because you've got your fire insurance - you might be surprised when He does judge our nation and you might be surprised what criteria He uses to judge us by (see Matthew 25 for instance).

kg

Chuck Scott said...

Keith,
I quoted your last sentence on a recent post. I hope you don't mind.

I really feel in my heart that we (the church usa) have, for the most part, cheapened the things of God and are now seeing the fruits of our iniquity.

I am with you brother, we need to repent.

Blessings,
Chuck