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Speaking on this text, Dr. John F. Walvoord said,

According to biblical prophecy, the future of America is not bright. Scripture predicts a world government [at] the end of the age which will have its center not in America but in the Middle East. The centralization of power which is prophesied as extending to “all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:7) clearly requires that America in that [nearby] future day lose much of its present strategic place in the world (John F. Walvoord, Th.D., quoted in Thomas S. McCall, editor, America in History and Bible Prophecy, Moody Press, 1976, page 24).

Dr. Walvoord was correct. Nowhere is America mentioned in end-time prophecy. That seems hard to understand. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the United States is now the only superpower in the world. Yet America is conspicuous by its absence in the near future from the world-scene in Bible prophecy. Why? Because it seems that America simply won't be here with the power it has today. I really hate to say that. It brings pain to my heart and tears to my eyes. But I must say what I think is true. We seem to be living at the end of America. 

Where is the United States in the coming time of Tribulation? That question cannot be answered because the Bible is silent on the subject. This much is certain – America will no longer be a world power by the time the final Tribulation period begins.

How will the all-powerful American presence in the world end? I think there are several possibilities.

1.  Muslim terrorists, emboldened by a weaker U.S. President, could smuggle small radioactive bombs into one or more of the large cities in the U.S. and then set off these “dirty bombs” from a distance or with a timer. A “dirty” bomb is made of radioactive material that can be exploded by conventional means, making a city uninhabitable by polluting the air and water supplies. This would cause a general panic and would kill thousands of people. If that should occur in Washington, D.C. and New York City, it could cripple the U.S. for decades to come.

2.  Earthquakes occurring along the San Andreas Fault in California might traumatize the entire West Coast for years.

3.  If Iran builds nuclear warheads in the near future, they could strike our friends in Israel, and possibly even the East Coast of the United States.

What if all the above calamities occurred together, or over a few weeks’ time? Within a few months, America would no longer be a world power. A few weeks ago, we saw how fragile the economy of our nation is. I heard on one news program that two-thirds of Americans are frightened about what may happen to our economy in the future. Polls show that their fear will probably be decisive in the upcoming Presidential election. But no President can save this nation when the judgment of God falls on us.

Our nation is very vulnerable, much more so than it was during World War II, and much more vulnerable than many other countries such as China today. We no longer function as a common nation, with a common culture and a common language. Many people no longer think of themselves as “Americans” but only as members of their particular "ethnic" group. Many of our people are instantly ready to riot. Many of them do not work, and even among those who do work, they are not used to self-denial and sacrifice, and most people (working or not) expect many benefits and services as their so-called “right.”

Most Americans consider themselves entitled to a comfortable life and to many benefits. They think that the government owes them a living, owes them a tax cut and an easy life. Their schools and politicians tell them that constantly. Our country now functions on pleasure, amusement and debt, rather than saving and hard work. Many of our people could not withstand a job loss or a financial challenge. And most families no longer function as support groups. Also, many people think that the problems in this country and in the world, even terrorism, are really America’s fault. People like movie maker Michael Moore think the government "owes" them a living, paid for by the higher taxes of hard working men like "Joe the Plumber." I think he has been taxed enough already, and so have you! 

Most people in this country expect quick and easy victories without having to work for it, much like what they see all the time in movies and television programs, but that is not what happens in many financial conflicts. So most people in this country will cave in (for instance, walk away from Vietnam, or make a diplomatic deal with Iran) or give up in a challenge or conflict, when their personal peace and prosperity is threatened, or when it looks like a struggle will drag on for a long time and require sacrifices. It was not that way in World War II – but could Americans of our time fight and win World War II all the way to the end, or would they back away and make some arrangement with Hitler - or the Muslim extremists of today? 

In other words, a real challenge, a military or even a financial crisis, could cause America to cave in, collapse completely, or join a European union if that was necessary to maintain their own personal peace and prosperity.

We have turned away from the Bible. We have brought Halloween into our schools and workplaces, while at the same time banning the name of Christ, and banning the Holy Scriptures. We have turned away from Judeo-Christian ethics, and have embraced the practices of neo-paganism. We have slaughtered 4,150 children each and every day (including Christmas Day) by wholesale abortion. Fifty-one million of our fatherless children have been murdered by the abortionists. No President can save us when the hand of God turns against our nation. As it was in the ancient kingdom of Judah, so it may be in modern America on that day of judgment. The prophet Jeremiah’s words seem also to fit America in our time.

“They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?”
     (Jeremiah 5:28-29).

“Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched”
      (Jeremiah 7:20).

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (I Thessalonians 5:3).

I greatly fear that these verses seem to apply to our beloved nation, America. I wish it were not so – but I am fearful that they do. I love America with all my soul. It breaks my heart to have to give a sermon like this. You must understand that I wept while writing this sermon. We were taught to love the country when I was young. God help us!

The late Dr. John F. Walvoord was the president of Dallas Theological Seminary for many years. Dr. Walvoord was a highly respected scholar, and wrote extensively on Bible prophecy. His comments on America were not those of a raving lunatic. He was a highly respected Bible scholar. I will repeat here what Dr. Walvoord said about our text:

According to biblical prophecy, the future of America is not bright. Scripture predicts a world government in the end of the age which will have its center not in America but in the Middle East. The centralization of power which is prophesied as extending to every kindred, tongue and nation (Revelation 13:7) clearly requires that America in that future day lose much of its present strategic place in the world (John F. Walvoord, Th.D., quoted in Thomas S. McCall, editor, America in History and Bible Prophecy, Moody Press, 1976, page 24).

Here, again, is the full text of the passage in the Book of Revelation Dr. Walvoord quoted from:

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear” (Revelation 13:7-9).

I. First, this passage in Revelation speaks of the coming Antichrist.

It says, in verse seven,

“…and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:7).

This verse refers to the “Beast” – who is also known as the “Antichrist” in the New Testament, in such passages as I John 2:18,

“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come…” (I John 2:18).

This coming world dictator is called the Antichrist because “anti” means he is both against Christ and seeks to replace Christ. Don't we see that happening right now in Washington and in our schools? Dr. Walvoord said that [the Antichrist] will be “offered to the world as Satan’s substitute for God” (John F. Walvoord, Th.D., Major Bible Prophecies, Zondervan Publishing House, 1991, p. 315).

According to the seventh chapter of Daniel, the Antichrist will become the leader of ten nations that were formerly part of the Roman Empire. This would include Italy, and several other nations of Europe. Dr. Walvoord said,

Though the possibility of such a fulfilled prophecy was often scorned by preceding [past] generations, it now becomes a very likely possibility, and even the secular world is predicting some sort of United States of Europe. From a prophetic standpoint, the importance is that this is a major step in end-time events leading up to the second coming of Christ (Major Bible Prophecies, ibid.).

Dr. Walvoord continued,

First, he [the Antichrist] will bring consolidation to the ten-nation group [in Europe], which will give him the power to act as the main leader of the Middle East…he will then enter into a seven-year covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27) which will give the time frame for the last seven years leading up to the second coming of Christ. He will also assume power as the world dictator three and a half years before the second coming of Christ, as indicated in Revelation 13:7. As such, he will be the persecutor of both Jews and Christians (ibid., p. 316).

II. Second, this passage in Revelation speaks of the Antichrist’s
power to persecute.

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them…” (Revelation 13:7).

Christ called this period the “Great Tribulation” in Matthew 24:21-22, and in Matthew 24:29. Christ said,

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved…” (Matthew 24:21-22).

This speaks of the awful time of persecution under the reign of the Antichrist. Dr. Walvoord said,

The final time of trouble [in the Great Tribulation] is set apart as unprecedented. It will differ from all other preceding times of trouble in character, events, and extent (ibid. p. 346). The awful oppression of the Roman Empire…will be greatly exceeded by the persecutions that will come in the revived form of the [Roman] empire [under the dictatorship of the Antichrist] (ibid., p. 248).

Writing in the New York Times, near the end of the 20th century, a thoughtful and honest Jewish commentator, A. M. Rosenthal said, “One of the shocking untold stories of our time is that more Christians have died in this century simply for being Christians than in any century since Christ was born.” There is no indication that this is going to get better in the future in spite of Mr. Rosenthal's warnings.

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them…” (Revelation 13:7).

III. Third, this passage in Revelation speaks of the testing
of your feeling that you are already a Christian.

Look at verse eight.

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

All the world will submit to this dictator known as the Antichrist. The only exception will be those whose names are written in the “book of life,” those who are true Christians, those who are genuinely converted to Christ. The true Christians alone will refuse to bow down and worship the coming Antichrist. This will be a time of great testing for them and for all who profess to be Christian. It will be very clear who is a real Christian and who is a false one in that coming time. But that has always been true, hasn’t it? In the Parable of the Tares, Jesus spoke of those who

“Have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended” (Mark 4:17).

And Luke adds these additional words of Christ, given at that time, “…and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13).

“They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation [and "persecution"] [they will] fall away” (Luke 8:13).

The persecution of Christians under the Antichrist will be terrible beyond imagination, worse than any the world has ever seen. Only those who are real Christians, whose names are written in God’s “book of life,” will endure. Is your name in God’s book of life? The Bible says,

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

Your name is not written in that book unless you turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He died for your sin on the Cross. He rose from the dead to give you life. His Blood can cleanse you from “all sin” (I John 1:7). Come to Christ by faith and your name will be found in the “book of life,” and you will live forever. Even if you are executed by the Antichrist, your soul will live on with Christ in glory! I pray that you will come fully to Christ and be converted. Then you will be safe even if the Antichrist kills your mortal body. Whatever you do, come to Christ, so your name will be in the “book of life.”

Lord, my sins they are many,
   Like the sands of the sea,
But Thy blood, O my Saviour,
   Is sufficient for me;
For Thy promise is written,
   In bright letters that glow,
“Though your sins be as scarlet,
   I will make them like snow.”
Is my name written there,
   On the page white and fair?
In the book of Thy kingdom,
   Is my name written there?  
(“Is My Name Written There?” by Mary A. Kidder, 1820-1905).

That is the great question I want you to grapple with tonight: Is your name “found written in the book of life?” (Revelation 20:15). Make sure that it is. Come back to church. Come fully to Jesus Christ and be saved by Him. It is my prayer that this will happen to you before God’s judgment falls on America.

And whatever you do, come home to church at 7:30 PM on Halloween night next Friday.  We will have a wonderful time, and it won’t have a thing to do with Satan and witches and the demonic holiday of Halloween.  Do it!  Do it.  Do it.  That is my prayer.  Amen.

(END OF SERMON)
You can read Dr. Hymers' sermons each week on the Internet
at www.realconversion.com. Click on “Sermon Manuscripts.”

Scripture Read Before the Sermon by Dr. Kreighton L. Chan: Revelation 13:1-9.
Solo Sung Before the Sermon by Mr. Benjamin Kincaid Griffith:
“Is My Name Written There?” (by Mary A. Kidder, 1820-1905).