The concept of being ‘too big to fail’ was brought to light when the economy began its plunge in 2008. Many politicians and economists argued that the failure of selected private sector companies along with several public sector entities would exacerbate the economic decline and therefore the government should bail them out of their financial troubles.
If government has the power to bail out distressed companies and public sector agencies, who can bail out the government? And can our government be salvaged? The final question, then, if America can be salvaged, will it be?
Prophecy proclaims and history confirms the answers to the above questions. The Old Testament prophet Daniel and the New Testament apostle John addressed the issue. Daniel, looking forward in time wrote of four world empires and their destiny while John confirmed those four by looking backwards in time. In both cases the leaders of the failed empires were described relative to their assessment of God’s sovereignty as well as their own powers.
John described the leader of the final world kingdom.
“Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name…it was granted to him to make war with the saints…and authority was given him…” Revelation 13:6-7
It is readily observed that any power ascribed to this final leader is granted to him by the sovereign God. The Bible further reveals this final gentile kingdom and its rebellious leader will be destroyed by Christ Himself when He establishes His everlasting kingdom.
The prophet Daniel provides much more detail about gentile kingdoms and their leaders. The first of the four major world powers listed was ancient Babylon which was seated in the present Iraq. Babylon’s leader was king Nebuchadnezzar. He had several dreams about his appointed role in God’s sovereign plan for Israel and the nations. Nebuchadnezzar’s major problem was his perceived personal power. He was told in a dream that he would be humbled until he learned that He was given all his authority by God.
“ O king…this is the decree of the Most High…you (shall) eat grass like oxen…and seven times (years) shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” Daniel 4:24-25
Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream didn’t change his heart. Nebuchadnezzar maintained his pride.
“All this came upon king Nebuchadnezzar…he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon…saying, ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?’… While the word was still in the king’s mouth a voice fell from heaven: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken, the kingdom has departed from you!’” Daniel 4:28-31
King Nebuchadnezzar then remembered the wisdom in Daniel’s previous words:
“…in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men.” Daniel 4:17
One of the major teachings in the Bible is that kingdoms rise and fall under the sovereignty of God to reward and chastise His chosen nation of Israel. There is no other nation specifically named in the Bible that is promised eternal existence. And that eternal existence is not due to Israel’s performance, but rather by the grace of God to vindicate His eternal promise first given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
So how is America doing relative to the above criteria? Our current president states America is no longer a Christian nation. His solution to the mid-east challenge is to chastise Israel and divide their land into a Palestinian and Israeli state. He endorses legislation that protects those who break God’s laws. He campaigned for president by stating that he would ‘fundamentally transform America.’ His confidence in himself sounds very similar to Nebuchadnezzar, i.e. ‘…is not this great Babylon, that I have built…by my mighty power…?’
It appears that the lessons about God’s sovereignty are going unheeded.
Therefore, based on current priorities and national trends, everyone can arrive at their own conclusion regarding whether or not America can and will be salvaged.