OpinionSpiritual Preps

America, Babylon & the Rapture—A Catastrophic End-Times Link?

The Bible speaks of the coming sudden, unexpected, and catastrophic destruction of economic Babylon (America) in the last days. Does it also provide details regarding an end-times link between that destruction and the Rapture? In this article, we lay out a case that the answer is a resounding yesthis destruction of the great city on a hill will serve as the divine catalyst (trigger) for the rapture of the true church and the outpouring of God’s wrath and judgment on the wicked world left behind.

This is a follow-up to our article Mystery Babylon—God’s Judgment on America Forthcoming, where we made the case that America could very well be economic Babylon that is destroyed by God in the last days.

Building on that case, we seek to now present the logical and scriptural possibility that her sudden, swift, and violent judgment could serve as the very trigger for the Rapture.

In our original article, we focused on the threat posed by China and Russia. However, recent events have cast additional light on other possibilities—namely, divine judgment carried out by means of natural disasters. This is a prospect that is completely in keeping with God’s past mode of judgments—judgments specifically linked in Scripture to the last days and Tribulation period.

As you read this article, I would sincerely exhort you to consider this potential scenario with a true sense of urgency. Time is short my friend—much shorter than any of us could imagine… even those of us who have been watching intently from the walls and sounding the alarm.

Rapture—A Forceful Snatching Away from Danger

We discussed the rapture in great detail in our article Apocalypse Now—Are We Really Already in the Tribulation, and I encourage you to read it to learn more.

However, I wanted to begin this discussion by briefly analyzing the nature of the rapture—namely, that it is a forceful snatching away of the true church from a significant and specific danger or threat.

This is a critical concept to understand. The rapture is not a casual event, nor does it occur at some arbitrary point in time. Rather, it happens at a specific and appointed moment as a divine response to a material catalyst.

As we noted in the aforementioned article, the Apostle Paul uses the term episynagōgēs (Gk. ἐπισυναγωγῆς) in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 to refer to the rapture.

This term carries the meaning of a specific (appointed) grouping, gathering, or collecting together in one place that fulfills [epi] the specific purpose of the gathering together.

Furthermore, in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, one of the seminal passages of Scripture regarding the rapture, Paul uses the term harpagēsometha (Gk. ἁρπαγησόμεθα, “will be caught away”) to denote the rapture.

This is from the root word harpazó (Gk. ἁρπάζω), meaning to seize, catch up, or snatch away.

As such, it indicates the idea of seizing (to claim for oneself) by force, snatching (or plucking) up suddenly and decisively, and taking by an open display of force—not covertly, secretly, or passively.

Thus, the rapture is a sudden, decisive, and forceful snatching away of the true church from a danger.

It is an act of salvation (a physical saving) performed by Christ so as to rescue His bride from an imminent and material threat and by which He claims His bride for Himself and consummates the engagement in a heavenly wedding—bringing together the entire body of Christ together in one place (viz., His presence in heaven) to fulfill His ultimate purpose for her.

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Paul emphasizes this characterization of the rapture when he writes:

“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord [Rapture] so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4)

He speaks of a sudden and unexpected destruction that will strike the world—a destruction from which the unbelieving world will not escape… but true believers (the body and bride of Christ) will.

Furthermore, this fits perfectly with the two signs in the heavens described in Revelation 12.

In Revelation 12:1-2, John reveals the first sign he saw in the heavens:

“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”

This is a picture of Israel (the woman) and the church (the child)—the very sign the world saw displayed by God in the heavens on September 23, 2017.

In Revelation 12:3-5, John reveals the second sign:

“And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon [Satan] having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars [angels] of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman [Israel] who was ready to give birth, to devour her child [the church] as soon as it was born [reached maturity or fullness]. She bore a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron [the church, who will reign with Christ]. And her child was caught up [Gk. harpázō, raptured] to God and His throne.”

Again, the child is the church—not Jesus.

Jesus was not raptured. He died, was buried, and rose again from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)—after which He ascended to heaven. He was not seized or snatched away by force from a threat.

It is the church that will be raptured—forcibly snatched away by Christ.

Jesus Himself made this critical distinction crystal clear when He declared:

“No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven” (John 3:13).

We know Enoch and Elijah were raptured—thus ascending and being raptured to heaven are two entirely different things!

Then, in Revelation 12:6, John finishes by writing:

“Then the woman [Israel] fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”

This will occur during the Tribulation.

Again, this all brings us to the crux of the matter—the rapture is precipitated (triggered) by a catalyst… an imminent threat or condition that necessitates the event.

Call it the church’s “Red Sea” moment, where God will supernaturally intervene in the affairs of this world to rescue and deliver the body of Christ.

What is that catalyst? What is the sudden destruction spoken of by God through Paul?

We will present the case that this trigger is twofold: (1) Satan’s attempt to destroy her and (2) the unleashing of God’s wrath and judgment on the world during the Tribulation—specifically beginning with His swift and cataclysmic judgment on economic Babylon (i.e., America).

It is important to bear in mind that, while our case is reasonable, logical, and scripturally supported, it is not absolute. As Paul himself confessed, we now see dimly and can now only know God’s truth in part:

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

This is not a “thus sayeth the Lord” matter.

Rather, it is a Spirit-led quest to study the Word like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), seek out Godly wisdom regarding the matter (Proverbs 25:2), and ask the eschatological question… could this be how the rapture unfolds and the Tribulation period begins?

Isaiah’s Prophecy Regarding the Rapture

In Isaiah 26, God speaks through the prophet regarding the Tribulation period—also known as Daniel’s 70th Week and the Time of Jacob’s (Israel’s) Trouble.

After describing this seven-year period, Isaiah then writes:

“Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.” (17-18)

This speaks to precisely where corporate Israel finds itself today in it’s 73rd year since being reborn as a nation in May 1948. They have failed to fulfill their divine purpose—to evangelize the world and be God’s mouthpiece. Instead, they remain in disbelief—rejecting Christ as their Messiah.

They have brought forth nothing but wind.

However, Isaiah then immediately continues, declaring:

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (19-21)

This is clearly referring to the rapture—which will occur near the time that God views them as having brought forth nothing but wind. As such, it occurs before the seven-year tribulation period and the Second Coming of Christ at its conclusion.

Pay close attention to “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast” (v. 20).

When the rapture occurs, the bride of Christ (the true church) will spend seven years in our heavenly chambers consummating our wedding to Christ (as was the 7-day custom of a Galilean wedding). During these seven years, the indignation (Tribulation) will unfold on earth—with Christ unleashing His wrath and judgment on a sinful world.

However, it is the phrase “Come, my people” that is of material significance here.

Let’s turn our attention to Revelation 18 (the judgment of economic Babylon) and see if we find a connection…

Connection Between the Judgment of Babylon & the Rapture?

Let’s now explore the possible connections between Isaiah’s description of the Day of the Lord (viz., the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming) and the destruction of economic Babylon found in Revelation 18.

It is important to understand that this chapter is a parenthetical passage—meaning, it lies outside the chronological order of the judgments during the Tribulation period as described by the Apostle John in Revelation.

Thus, it is a prophetic picture of an event that will occur during the last days… but the specific timing of that event is not expressly defined by its location within the overall book (letter).

As such, this divine judgment could happen (like the rapture) prior to the official start of the seven-year tribulation period, which commences with the Antichrist signing a seven-year treaty with many nations and the breaking of the first seal by Christ.

In verse two, the judgment (fall of economic Babylon) is announced.

In verse three, the reason for the judgment is revealed.

Then, in verse four, at the moment that judgment is carried out, John records:

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (vs. 4-5).

This is precisely the same phrase (spoken by God like a great trumpet) that Isaiah recorded as demarcating the rapture.

And this echoes John’s earlier description of the rapture after the seven letters to the seven churches:

“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet [i.e., God’s voice] speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.’ Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.” (Revelation 4:1-2).

After this, John sees the complete and glorified church in heaven (vs. 4-6a).

Thus, it would certainly appear that there is a scriptural connection between the judgment of economic Babylon (America) and the rapture.

Let’s now look at that judgment and see if it would serve as a reasonable catalyst or trigger for the rapture of the true church…

Judgment of Economic Babylon—A Catalyst or Trigger for the Rapture?

Let’s take a look at God’s judgment on economic Babylon (America), and ask ourselves if it would serve as a reasonable catalyst or trigger for the rapture of the true church—Christ’s snatching of His bride out of harm’s way.

John repeatedly emphasizes the sudden, immediate, and catastrophic nature of this judgment, as well as its connection to fire.

In Revelation 18:8, John writes:

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“Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.”

John continues in verses 9-10, writing:

“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'”

Then, in verses 14-19, John writes:

“The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.'”

Thus, as we noted in our previous article, this divine judgment will unleash cataclysmic destruction on economic Babylon (America) that is sudden (unexpected), immediate (one hour), and absolute (nothing of value left)—and it will involve a consuming fire.

However, Scripture seems to indicate that water (a tsunami?) may play a role in this divine judgment on economic Babylon (United States).

In verse 21, John notes:

“Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.'”

When you throw a great stone into the sea, it stands to reason that a massive tsunami would be produced.

Thus, we can add a potential element of flooding from a tsunami to this violent judgment.

This all ties directly to the two prior divine judgments that Scripture intricately ties to the last days: the flood in the days of Noah and the fire and brimstone that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah (and the entire plain they occupied) in the days of Lot.

Jesus Himself declared:

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26-30)

Note, Jesus was describing a before and after picture of judgment. Before, things seemed normal—much as the new “normal” we are experiencing today. After, sudden, immediate, and complete destruction came by way of flooding and fire and brimstone.

It would seem that this transition will occur at the start of the Tribulation (the Day of the Lord), as life will be anything but normal during the seven-year tribulation period. Folks will not be blissfully absorbed with dining, drinking, marrying, commerce, planting, and building during this time—the judgment brings this period of “peace and safety” to an end with “sudden destruction.”

Thus, it would make scriptural sense that God’s judgment on economic Babylon (America)—the third such divine intervention in the affairs of the world—would involve flooding (but not a global flood that will destroy all flesh, cf. Genesis 9:12-17) and fire and brimstone.

Furthermore, it is interesting that John also writes:

“The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived” (Revelation 18:23).

This ties directly to the words of Jesus regarding the pre-judgment world where “they married wives, they were given in marriage.”

Again, following the divine judgment on economic Babylon, there will be no more joyful marriage activities.

Additionally, this may also be referring to the removal (rapture) of the church—the light of the voice of the bridegroom (Christ) and the bride (the church) will no longer be heard.

Finally, it is worth once again noting that God specifically states that ALL THE NATIONS WERE DECEIVED by economic Babylon’s SORCERIES (Gk. pharmakia)—which certainly fits America like glove. I highly encourage you to read our articles Pharmaceuticals—The Great Sorcery Deception of the Beast and Operation Lock Step—The Great Deception that Is the Final Solution to learn more about this detail.

Given the sudden, immediate, and catastrophic nature of this divine judgment, it would certainly be reasonable and logical to view it as a legitimate potential catalyst (or trigger) for the rapture—one that fits perfectly with God’s eschatological timeline.

Is the Stage Set for this Judgment of Babylon (America)?

We’ve already presented our case as to why we believe economic Babylon is America. In this article, we are seeking to make the case that her destruction—and the divine trigger for the Rapture—will be sudden, immediate, violent, and catastrophic… she will be utterly destroyed by fire and water in one hour.

So, being that we are in the final hours of the age of grace and in the process of transitioning into the tribulation period, do we see the potential for such a trigger in our world today?

In fact, we absolutely do.

We need look no further than the Cascadia subduction zone (tsunami), Yellowstone super volcano (fire/brimstone), Long Valley super volcano (fire/brimstone), a multitude of other potential volcanic hotspots in America (including Alaska and Hawaii), and the activity at La Palma (tsunami)… and you can add the New Madrid seismic zone as an additional wild card.

With the unprecedented surge in earthquake and volcanic activity around the globe (despite the attempts by the “experts” to obscure it), these potential events could wipe out both coasts of America by flood (tsunami) and devastate the rest of the country by fire, brimstone, and ash—a sudden, catastrophic judgment from which America would never recover.

She would, quite literally, be essentially wiped from any degree of meaningful existence.

And, with all the cargo ships from around the world currently anchored off our ports due to supply chain issues, Revelation 18:17-19 would make perfect sense:

“Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’ They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.'”

They would, quite literally, have front row seats to see the smoke rising from the ashes of the cataclysmic destruction.

And this scenario would fulfill precisely what Scripture implies regarding the role of America in tribulation period—she is conspicuously absent.

There is no identifiable mention of or reference to America—the long-reigning, undeniable world superpower, who has been involved in literally every facet of the world—anywhere in the Scriptures regarding the Tribulation period outside of her possible destruction as economic Babylon in Revelation 18.

What could lead to the catastrophic destruction of America in one hour, by fire and water, and without warning?

As we suggested previously, an unexpected nuclear exchange remains a possibility.

Furthermore, an asteroid impact would also fit the picture.

Scripture does speak of such an event occurring; however, it is referenced as part of the third Trumpet judgment (viz., Wormwood; cf. Revelation 8:10-11). Thus, this judgment fits within a very well-defined chronology—one that occurs during (not prior to) the Tribulation period and rapture… likely at the beginning of the second half of the Tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation.

Also, a demonic (aka alien) invasion is also a possibility.

Immediately after seeing the first Revelation 12 sign, John saw a second sign—Satan casting a third of the angels down to earth (cf. Revelation 12:3-4) to destroy her (Israel’s) child (the church) as soon as it was born (reached developmental fullness). As we saw earlier, as soon as the child was born, it was caught up (raptured; harpazó) to God in heaven.

While I strongly believe the fallen angels will come down as we, the true church, go up (for more on this, checkout our articles Alien Deception & Great Awakening—Expect More UFO Disclosures and The Great Alien Deception—Is World Being Conditioned for Rapture?)… I maintain that scripture seems to indicate that there will also be a judgment upon economic Babylon that occurs simultaneously—a physical judgment that will destroy her by fire and water in one hour.

Finally, if we are going to be intellectually honest, we must entertain the possibility that this event will be the result of a catastrophic seismic/volcanic event—a scenario that has become increasingly likely over the past few years.

While the world’s eyes are firmly focused on La Palma and the very real potential for a massive tsunami event exists, my only hesitation is that this event would also seem to fit another one of the Trumpet judgments—the burning mountain falling into the see (second Trumpet Judgment, cf. Revelation 8:8-9).

Furthermore, this second Trumpet Judgment indicates that one-third of all ocean-going ships will be destroyed. This seems to contradict the description of the judgment of economic Babylon (Revelation 18), where all the world’s cargo ships are watching the calamity unfold and weeping for their own economic loss.

Thus, I remain open to a La Palma related event; however, I lean more towards a volcanic event (Yellowstone and/or other major volcanoes in the US) in combination with a massive earthquake along the Cascadia subduction zone—triggering a west coast tsunami. Though I do feel the east coast would necessarily need to be directly impacted as well, again, leaving open a possible La Palma connection.

Regardless of the source, there WILL be a trigger that precipitates the snatching away (rapture) of the true church and will fulfill the destruction of economic Babylon (America) by fire and water in one hour—a destruction that will be sudden, unexpected, violent, catastrophic, and similar in nature to the judgments of God in the days of Noah and Lot.

Understand, that trigger will not be a surprise to God—He will not be caught off guard.

He knows exactly when He will rapture the church and has choreographed the world from the very beginning such that His triggering event will occur precisely as He intended and precisely when He intended—in accordance with His appointed and perfect timing.

Possible Prophetic Implications of La Palma Volcanic Eruptions

While I’m not a huge fan of placing too much significance on gematria (you have to be really cautious with it), as many have noted, there are definitely some intriguing counts related to the ongoing La Palma eruption that point to possible prophetic connections.

Not the least of these is the English Gematria for “Canary Island,” which is 726—corresponding to Strong’s Greek harpazó (rapture).

English Gematria for “Canary Island" is 726—corresponding to Strong’s Greek harpazó (rapture)

However, there are a number of other interesting counts, such as…

“Canary Islands” (Jewish Gematria) 779—corresponding to Strong’s Hebrew arar, meaning to curse.

“Canary Islands” (Jewish Gematria) 779—corresponding to Strong’s Hebrew arar, meaning to curse

“La Palma” (English Gematria) 336—corresponding to Strong’s Greek anairesis, meaning taking away (of life), killing, slaying, or destroying.

“La Palma” (English Gematria) 336—corresponding to Strong’s Greek anairesis, meaning taking away (of life), killing, slaying, or destroying

“Santa Cruz de Tenerife” (English Gematria) 1284—corresponding to Strong’s Greek diarréssó, meaning to tear asunder.

“Santa Cruz de Tenerife” (English Gematria) 1284—corresponding to Strong’s Greek diarréssó, meaning to tear asunder

“Los Llanos de Aridane” (English Gematria) 1080—corresponding to Strong’s Greek gennaó, meaning to beget, to bring forth, or to give birth.

“Los Llanos de Aridane” (English Gematria) 1080—corresponding to Strong’s Greek gennaó, meaning to beget, to bring forth, or to give birth

This is very interesting given the Revelation 12 signs pointing to the birth and rapture of the church.

Again, could the La Palma volcanic activity be connected to the imminent catalyst—or trigger—for the rapture of the church, the destruction of economic Babylon (America), and the start of the tribulation period—Daniel’s 70th Week and the Time of Jacob’s Trouble?

And as if that wasn’t intriguing enough, “Fuencaliente de la Palma” (English Gematria) is also 1080—corresponding to Strong’s Greek gennaó, again meaning to beget, to bring forth, to give birth.

“Fuencaliente de la Palma” (English Gematria) is also 1080—corresponding to Strong’s Greek gennaó, again meaning to beget, to bring forth, to give birth

Could the Lord be sending the world a message???

“Cumbre Vieja” (meaning “old ridge”—currently erupting) (English Gematria) 654—corresponding to Strong’s Greek apostrephó, which emphasizes the personal element involved with turning away, rejecting, transitioning to an opposite or divergent course, departing, or separating (as in the world’s ultimate rejection of Christ… and the possible climax of the fullness of the Gentiles and beginning of God’s judgment on the world?)

“Cumbre Vieja” (meaning “old ridge”—currently erupting) (English Gematria) 654—corresponding to Strong’s Greek apostrephó, which emphasizes the personal element involved with turning away, rejecting, transitioning to an opposite or divergent course, departing, or separating

Interestingly, the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome:

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.'” (Romans 11:25-27)

The Greek word Paul used for “turn away” is apostrephó—this very same word.

Interestingly, this text (referencing Isaiah 59:20, 21) specifically points to the “fullness of the Gentiles,” which is when the rapture will occur, and God’s focus will return to redeeming Israel during the Tribulation period (Jacob’s Time of Trouble) and the pouring out His wrath upon a Christ-rejecting and Israel-rejecting world.

Like apostasia, apostrephó can refer to both a physical (literal) and spiritual (abstract) transition to an opposite or divergent course, departure, or separation.

Thus, this could point to both the world’s ultimate rejection of God and—despite His longsuffering—God’s rejection (judgment) of a wicked and sinful world—the dispensational transition from grace to Daniel’s final week (demarcated by the Rapture, the revealing of the Antichrist, and—potentially—the judgment of economic Babylon).

I find it interesting that such a tiny island with such a short list of major identifiable terms would produce such a highly relevant grouping of Gematria values—a tight shot group indeed.

Finally, I do also find the name “Canary Islands” thought-provoking, given the well-known idiom “canary in the coal mine.”

Could what we see now beginning to take place there be a divine canary in our collective coal mine that is the world—yet another (perhaps final) warning of imminent danger in the form of divine judgment?

Economic Babylon—When Is a City Not Just a City?

Having said all that, one of the most common objections I find to this potential scenario is that Revelation 18 is referring to a city—not a nation.

However, I would suggest that this reasoning attempts to artificially place God in a box of our own human making… and denies our own understanding of the broader meaning “city” can have.

For example, capitals are often used to represent broader nations or empires. The Roman Empire officially fell when Rome fell and, as such, it is referred to as the fall of Rome (a great city)—but it denotes the fall of the entire empire. Thus, it makes perfect sense to refer to America as a great city.

In fact, in a modern context, the United States is collectively referred to as a “City upon a Hill,” acting as a “beacon of hope” for the world. President-elect John F. Kennedy referenced this description in 1961, adding that “the eyes of all people are upon us.”

Ronald Reagan also referred to America as a “shining city on a hill” in his 1980 Election Eve address. A title he referenced again in his 1989 farewell speech to the nation, stating:

In my mind [America] was a tall, proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace; a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That’s how I saw it, and see it still.”

Furthermore, President Obama even referenced this in his 2006 commencement address at the University of Massachusetts Boston, stating, “As the earliest settlers arrived on the shores of Boston and Salem and Plymouth, they dreamed of building a City upon a Hill. And the world watched, waiting to see if this improbable idea called America would succeed.”

And Mitt Romney used the label while condemning Donald Trump in 2016, stating, “His domestic policies would lead to recession; his foreign policies would make America and the world less safe. He has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president, and his personal qualities would mean that America would cease to be a shining city on a hill.”

In 2017, former FBI Director James Comey used the phrase in testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee:

…[W]e have this big, messy, wonderful country where we fight with each other all the time, but nobody tells us what to think, what to fight about, what to vote for, except other Americans, and that’s wonderful and often painful. But we’re talking about a foreign government that […] tried to shape the way we think, we vote, we act. […] [They]’re going to try to run it down and dirty it up as much as possible. That’s what this is about. And they will be back, because we remain — as difficult as we can be with each other, we remain that shining city on the hill, and they don’t like it.”

Finally, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used the phrase while delivering an address at the inauguration of the Ronald Reagan Institute Center for Freedom and Democracy in 2020, stating:

I am equally confident that America will overcome any challenge, from Communist China to the terrorist regime in Tehran. Because that’s what free people do. We come together; we solve problems; we win, they lose; and we execute our foreign policy confident that we are that shining city on a hill.”

Thus, Revelation 18 would be perfectly accurate by referring to America as “that great city”. After all, we—and the rest of the world—do the very same thing.

Would it be any different if God had chosen to say, “that great city on a hill”?

Even Jesus referred corporately to believing Jews (and the true church by extension) as a city:

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14).

The same word [Gk. πόλις, polis] that is used here for city is used in Revelation 18. Thus, city can clearly be used by God in scripture to refer to something larger, broader, and greater than merely a single, literal city.

In fact, it is this very scripture—the words of Christ Himself—that served as the basis upon which America gained its title as a “City upon a Hill” and “Shining City on a Hill.”

Conclusion

As we’ve laid out, there is logical and reasonable scriptural support to link the Rapture with God’s impending judgment on economic Babylon (America). In fact, that sudden, unexpected, and catastrophic judgment could serve as the divine catalyst (or trigger) for the Lord to snatch away (harpazó) the true church from the danger.

Furthermore, it is entirely possible that this judgment will be carried out by God through massive natural disasters (e.g., volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis)—disasters that will involve widespread coastal flooding and fire, brimstone, and ash across the country.

In one hour, that great city on a hill will be utterly destroyed—”For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities” (Revelation 18:5).

Are you ready?

Will you be snatched away to safety by the Lord in the rapture… or, will you perish in the judgment or be left behind to try and survive a truly apocalyptic world?

The answer depends on one thing: Have you placed your faith in Christ alone?

Have you accepted God’s free gift of eternal life—a gift purchased by Christ through the shedding of his innocent blood on the Cross, freely offered to you by God, and received by faith alone?

This ship is sinking.

If you haven’t already, we highly encourage you to read our articles The Ship IS Sinking… What Are YOU Going to Do as It Goes Under? and Are You Prepping to Survive or to Escape the Coming Fiery Furnace?

Do not be deceived… The world is on a collision course with the apocalypse—it has been since the Fall in the Garden.

As we revealed in our article Operation Lock Step—The Great Deception that Is the Final Solution, the world is not on verge of ushering in some glorious new golden age of humanity.

Rather, its utterly wicked, depraved, and rebellious spirit is about to be judged by God… just as it was in the days of Noah and Lot.

We are in the final momentsthis is how it ends for a tragically deceived world.

To learn more, we recommend you checkout our article We’re Never Going Back to Pre-Covid World—This Is How It Ends.

Thank God for the two greatest words in all the bible… but GOD!

Things may be looking really bad… but God!

God is in in control. He alone is sovereign. His alone is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.

The world is perishing… but God!

God has lovingly provided you with the perfect solution… the only true solution… the solution only He could provide: eternal salvation (life) through faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone!

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men… Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience… Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him… For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ… and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (Romans 1:18; Colossians 3:6; Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)

While our world is only going to continue to get worse, the good news is that those who place their faith in Christ will not have to face the horrors of the coming apocalyptic period of tribulation.

To get a glimpse into just how bad this time will be, we encourage you to read our article The Destroyer Is Coming—Are You Really Prepared to Face Him?

Jesus Christ will remove His church—His body of true believers—in advance of the coming tribulation period.

To learn more, we highly recommend reading our article Apocalypse Now—Are We Really Already in the Tribulation?

As God declared through the Apostle Paul, prior to the appearance of the Antichrist and the commencement of the beast system, Christ will return in the clouds to call His true followers (His ambassadors) home to heaven—the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13) that is the Rapture.

Make sure you have your boarding pass now my friend!

How do you get onboard Titus 213 Airlines Flight #777?

Again, you punch your ticket to board the escape flight out of here by placing your faith in Christ and receiving eternal life today!

Don’t put it off… today is your day of salvation!

Make sure you are spiritually prepared to escape that which is coming for the world before it’s too late!

Legacy Food Storage

Doug

Doug is a passionate servant of Christ and holds an MBA, BBA (Summa Cum Laude), and AAcc from Liberty University, as well as an additional two years of study at Bible college. He has over 20-years of corporate finance, accounting, and operations management experience—spanning the public, private and nonprofit sectors. He is proud to have served his country as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and his local communities as a firefighter/EMT and reserve peace officer—experience that has provided him with a unique skill-set when it comes to emergency medicine, firearms, crisis management, and wilderness survival. Doug enjoys playing the drums, prepping, and spending time with family—especially in the Outer Banks of NC.