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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global portfolio manager and senior partner with HAHN Investment Stewards & Company Inc. and founder of The Mulberry Ministry, publisher of Eternal Value Review, written for “thinking Christians seeking to understand the times.”

His views and research are particularly relevant to Christians living in the endtimes, a time of great prosperity, financial slavery and economic injustice.

Wilfred J. Hahn

The American The American Colossus:Colossus:

A Foreshadow or A Foreshadow or Fulfillment of Fulfillment of

Endtime Babylon?Endtime Babylon?

www.eternalvalue.com

Wilfred J. Hahn

THE MULBERRY MINISTRY 1

C H A P T E R 1 The American Economic Collossus C H A P T E R 2 A Foreshadow of Endtime Babylon or Literal Fulfillment

C H A P T E R 3 Another Babylon, Another Time

The American Colossus: A Foreshadow or Fulfillment of Endtime Babylon?

Table of Contents

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THE MULBERRY MINISTRY 2

The American Economic Colossus: A Foreshadow of Endtime Babylon or Literal Fulfillment? Wilfred J. Hahn Copyright ©2005, Mulberry Press Inc.

The booklet is based on articles originally published between August 2005 to November 2005 in one or more publications. Each of these articles have been edited from their original.

THE MULBERRY MINISTRY

The American Collossus: Foreshadow or Fulfillment of Endtime Babylon

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Chapter 4: The Rising Price of Obedience

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Which outcome occurs is largely in God’s hands. However, we can pray. And, even though America is not Babylon the Great at this time, it is true that the spirit of Babylon does infuse our culture. In this sense at least, we must “come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4)

NOTES

1. Bank of International Settlements, Quarterly Review, March 2005.

2. That figure refers to the notional value of these instruments, in other words, the total underlying value that the derivatives are based upon.

3. Mark Strauss. NCSJ. Foreign Policy: Antiglobalism’s Jewish Problem. Httpee://ncsj.org/AusPages/111303FP_A-S.shtml. Accessed April 16, 2005



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S everal years ago, I had the opportunity to write the book, The Endtime Money Share: How to live free. Its basic message was that the world was being rapidly set-up for a trap of endtime significance. It argued that

many individuals — including hordes of Christians — had already fallen prey to the “fowler’s net.” Just as happened to Israel, false gods had been followed who now had ensnared them. “So now I say, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” (Judges 2:3) So it is today with individual Christians, America and its sibling countries and the Church. Pagan practices and beliefs have gone unpurged. Therefore, most everywhere the “mammon-god” has been given license to lay a snare. And, alarmingly, the apparatus of a snare continues to rapidly gain momentum. (Please note the chart on the next page which provides an indication of how rapidly this money snare is encroaching.)

The American Economic Colossus

Chapter 1


Chapter 1: The American Economic Collosus

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the end of the Great Tribulation. We can only conclude some extremely difficult conditions and events lie ahead for America and the world.

As already shown in this article series, it is virtually impossible that America would experience a major economic or financial crisis without direly affecting the entire world (or vice versa). Recognizing that a financial/economic earthquake will most likely be the trigger or at least play a major role for the onset of the Great Tribulation we can reasonably speculate whether America’s beginning economic slide that we already sense today will be one and the same contributing development. Without a doubt, current world imbalances in this arena are already of a scope that could trigger the troubles described for the Great Tribulation. After all, it is for the Antichrist’s solutions to global economic and political instabilities that will win him the world’s favor.

There is little cause for complacency on the part of Christians. Admittedly, we really can not be certain about God’s remaining plans for America and her sister countries in the world. The conditions of oppression and enslavement in North American are every bit as terrible as was the case in Judah and Israel. They were punished severely. America is the closest forerunner or type of that future Babylon the Great to date and in some respects may even be its greatest architect. At the same time, America still holds up the biggest banner of Christianity to the world … though it may be a very warped one at that. Will God first discipline America and her siblings as he did Israel, Judah and Babylon of old? Or will he judge? If so, America will suffer an economic downfall, a development that will surely distress the entire world, possibly acting as a catalyst for the chaos of the Tribulation period. Or, will none of these things happen? If so, America will indeed become incorporated as the likely cornerstone of the future global commercial Babylon.


Chapter 3: Another Babylon, Another Time

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closest type of Mystery Babylon the Great (the religious whore of Revelation 17) that the world has produced to this point, the final literal fulfillment still likely lies ahead in the Great Tribulation.

As already documented, America is clearly the major financial and trade nexus of the world. The world is intertwined with its financial tentacles and its massive “bubble money” as no other nation or group of nations. This is similar in position to that of Babylon of Revelation. Coupling that reality with the fact that these are the last days, we must then also conclude that America will have played the key role in promoting the commercial culture, systems and infrastructure that give rise to the final form of Babylon the Great around the world. America in her popular greed, has served the purposes of the spirit of the antichrist. But, again, that does not make her Babylon the Great. At the same time, she is also hindering the purposes of the antichrist because she has been the protector of re-born Israel to this point.

America is still widely considered to be the most openly religious nation of what the world calls the Christian West (based on historical societal associations with Christianity). But the current popular version of what is called Christianity in North America is new — prosperity for all, and as certain reward and proof of Christian living. Not one of the original 12 apostles were familiar with this form. They all took up their cross and shared in the sufferings of Christ. What does our Lord think of America’s current bi-polar condition … its hypocrisy? Will he be long-suffering? At what point will America be “weighed on the scales and found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27) Is the beginning economic slide being witnessed already a form of disciplining?

Rather than inquiring whether the US is mentioned in the Bible, we might better ask why it is not. Clearly, as already presented, the US does play a pivotal role in endtime world developments. Yet, it does not get any unambiguous or specific mention in the Bible. Certainly, it is not a supporter of Israel by



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The money trap holds consequences for individuals, countries and the entire world. I observed an interesting phenomenon with this book: It didn’t seem to be very popular in North America. Yet, in its German and Dutch translations, it has met a surprisingly strong response in Europe. Why was this the case given that Europe is seen today as a secular society while America is the most Christian-professing major nation in the world? Shouldn’t the English version of the book have found a greater reception in America, Canada, Britain and the US? By the end of this article, readers will have formed their own answer as to why this occurred. And, the answer may be linked to the topic of this three-part series. Just where do we find the correct parallel to the economic colossus of America (and its sibling countries) — a picture of the future for the entire globe, or actual endtime Babylon?

Endtime Significance

A global economic “trap” is rapidly taking form. The more that it grows, the more likely its consequences will be linked with events prophesied for the Apocalypse — the Great Tribulation the Great. (I will yet explain why this is so.) Of course, there are many facets to the great endtime trap that is being prepared for humanity. The mentioned book focused more specifically on the role that money and its global systems would play in this regard. Apostasy and spiritual deception play other contributing roles in setting up the world to willingly receive a false Christ. But it is also a certainty that the antichrist and the beast could not successfully execute their endtime agendas and power plays without the global systems of modern-day money. It would be impossible.

Viewing world financial and economic trends, I am persuaded to believe that the trigger that finally snaps the money trap shut can only be just around the corner. In matters such as these, however, one can never really know just what event will



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eventually prove to be the trigger — the so-called “smoking gun.” And, just for whom will the trap spring shut? These are difficult questions. Will the snap be the final pop of endtime significance … triggering the worldwide depression and global chaos of the Apocalypse? Or, at this time will it only be an occurrence that is a “type” of the final trap that will be sprung, as in literally-interpreted prophecy? If so, will its terrible consequences affect only one region or country, rather than the entire world? And, just where does America figure? Whatever the case, extremely difficult conditions lie ahead for the world …in fact, very likely in the not to distant future. The epicenter of upcoming financial earthquakes could very likely lie in America. If so, could it lead to the onset of the conditions prophesied to occur in the Apocalypse? As we study these difficult questions the Bible will be our guide.

Why There Really is a Trap

Before tackling the difficult questions, first the easier ones: Just why is there a trap being constructed in the first place? To believe that there is a dangerous snare being laid implies that there must be a reason.

“Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey? Will a young lion cry out of his den if he has taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth where there is no trap for him? Does a trap spring up from the ground when nothing at all has sprung it?” (Amos 3:3-5) The Prophet Amos makes a most basic point not remembered often enough by Christians. One can’t fall into a trap if there first is no trapper. Birds will not be snared in a net if there is not first a fowler. There is a fowler (Psalm 91:3) and a lion “because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) That said, there still must be someone to trip the trap — a trappee for the trapper. This can be both an individual or



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6. A more recent argument pinning the tail of Babylon upon the US is this one: As America is now occupying Iraq, they reason that since all former world kingdoms mentioned by Prophet Daniel ruled the area of Babylon, that therefore the US reveals itself to be the final seventh kingdom. This argument falls flat on a number of points. The most obvious reason that this argument is incorrect is that the area comprising Babylon is not Israel and therefore not a marker of the prophetic timeline of the Jews. If the theory were correct, again, why is not Britain considered one of world kings mentioned by Daniel … or even the Ottoman empire? Iraq was under British rule after its invasion in 1917 (up to 1941) following the break-down of the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, Iraq was under British mandate and control for more than 30 years. Using this reasoning, both the Ottoman and British empires should have been part of Daniel’s prophetic timeline, which they are certainly not.

7. America today accounts for a large portion of world trade, yet it remains a fraction. By no means does it represent the majority of world trade. Babylon the Great most apparently depicts an entity that accounts for the majority if not all of the world’s trade. Similarly, the final events of the endtime involve the entire world, not just America. Yes, America may have an inordinate influence upon the world. But it is not the entire world, nor does it speak for the entire world economic system as will Babylon the Great.

Thoughts to Ponder

We can safely conclude that America is not Babylon the Great. Yet, that conclusion leaves little room for comfort. It can be still true that America is deeply infiltrated and compromised by the ancient spirit of Babylon. Like no other nation before it, America is the best-fitting foreshadowing of future Babylon to date. Just as the Roman Catholic church of today may be the



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in the description found in Revelation 18 that obviously rule out America as Babylon the Great. There are a number of them. Here are just two: It is stated “Rejoice saints, and apostles, and prophets. God has judged her for the way she treated you.” (Verse 20) Then in verse 24, “In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth." In no way is America responsible for “all who have been killed on earth” nor is she (alone or otherwise) responsible for how apostles and prophets have been treated. America hasn’t been around that long, nor has it existed throughout the ages. What has existed all that time is the “spirit” behind Babylon, the same spirit that enervates the present day world system of finance and commerce as it did in the day of Tyre and ancient Babylon.

4. A number of respected prophecy scholars believe that the ancient city of Babylon will be rebuilt. We will not examine this position here. However, this interpretation if it is correct, certainly precludes America being Babylon the Great.

5. If America is thought to be Babylon the Great, then why was not the Great British Empire a better candidate for this position in the days of her prime. Britain had a much bigger realm — “upon which the sun never set” it was said — than does the US today. Historians generally agree that Britain has left a much bigger stamp upon the world than America has to date. Moreover, Britain even had a bigger influence upon world trade and finance in relative terms at its height of power. The great Gilded Age of the late nineteenth century witnessed a globalization that some economist argue was even greater than today’s era. If so, why would the very capstone of last day economic idolatry that is called Babylon the Great be a smaller manifestation of this kind than has ever occurred before in human history?



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the collective of a country or the world.

There is a great deceitful fowler — our adversary. The express objective is to trap the world, to trap the faithful, to trap Israel, and most certainly, professing Christians. What grieves me most of all — actually causing great concern in my heart — is that Ground Zero for the greatest money snare that has ever occurred in world history to date is today found in the Anglo-Saxon countries, the chief of them, America.1 Is that why Europeans are more attuned to the perspectives being presented here?

Ground Zero for the Mammon Spirit

Could America and its sibling Anglo countries (primarily Britain, Canada, and Australia) be harboring “Ground Zero” of the mammon spirit that is behind the endtime money snare? According to recent trends, the answer is a probable yes. Not only are the citizens of these nations being ensnared; they also have fostered and created much of the machinery that is also fowling the world in this respect.

Let’s next turn our sights upon America alone and consider the implications of current conditions for its own citizens and the world. Here, we target two points: 1. That indeed, America is the “Ground Zero” of the global mammon spirit and has become a nation of moneychangers, and 2. That a dramatic transition to instability and deterioration has taken place in recent decades. Consider some of these perspectives:

• Ground Zero for the world’s financial snare is found on the North American continent … a significantly large part of it located on a little piece of bedrock called Lower Manhattan. America’s money-center banks are the titans of greed and financial manipulation … literal experts in greed. (2 Peter 2:14)



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This must be evident to anyone who seeks to remain aware of the seasons and times. Those with even a modicum of spiritual discernment and having worked on Wall Street and similar centers of influence will have sensed the hottest fires of mammon for themselves.

• The world’s two major institutions behind financial globalization — the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank (the most influential global financial transnational organizations in the world) — are headquartered in Washington, and export the same Wall Street-friendly philosophies around the world.

• At the turn of the last century, the currency of Britain — the pound sterling — was the world’s reserve currency (the money to which most other countries would anchor their own currencies and financial systems). As its economy and financial affairs deteriorated, undermining its ability to maintain its empire “upon which the sun never set”, Britain lost this status to America. The US by this time had long become the world’s leading economy. But today, as one economic observer puts it, “America remains the world’s leading economy because its dollar still serves as the reserve currency” and not the other way around The point being made here (and by other experts) is that the US now takes advantage of its reserve currency status to exploit the rest of the world.

• It once used to be the case that foreigners would accumulate or earn US dollars so that they could trade with America to buy “Made in the USA” goods. Today, it is the inverse. Foreigners lend to the US its own dollars so that Americans can buy their foreign-



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This verse alone rules out the possibility that America can or will be the Babylon of Revelation 18. America certainly will not be moved to Babylonia during the time of “Jacob’s trouble.” However, it is possible that the center of this global system could be moved to this location.

2. Some prophecy commentators hold the view that Babylon the Great of Revelation 18 is a city – in other words, a physical place. Some go so far as to even conclude that Babylon must therefore be New York City. Certainly, these could all qualify as “types” of the final literal manifestation, which yet occurs in the future. But, in fact, Babylon the Great is never called a city in the Bible. To be technically correct, the “economic” Babylon is called the “great city” six times in the Book of Revelation. It is never called a “city”, only a “great city.”

In the Greek, the word combination “great city” is found only 10 times in the New Testament— 6 times for economic Babylon, 3 times for religious Babylon and once for the New Jerusalem. Each of its uses leaves open the interpretation that “great city” means something bigger than a common city … perhaps a system, organization, or a unique structure. Ancient Greek had no word for “system” or “organization” as we understand the terms today. In former times, a city was the closest thing there was to an organized economic entity. These words, or concepts similar to them, are not found in the entire Bible. The closest word combination that is apparent is “kingdom of nations.” (Isaiah 13:1) Babylon the Great is not necessarily a physical city (though it may certainly have a city center). Rather, it seems more plausible that it is a system, in this case the economic trade and financial system dominated by the present or future high-income countries of the world.

3. There are additional statements about Babylon the Great



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Israel and Jews will be under heavy persecution as never experienced before in history. It is the time of “Jacob’s Trouble.” This fact has clear implications for America. As mentioned, Jews at present do enjoy an outsized role in American and global commerce and finance. This will likely no longer be the case in the last half of the Tribulation when literal Babylon the Great is on the stage and with Jews under heavy persecution. That fact alone can be taken to indicate a major disruption in US business affairs at that time … certainly so if the majority of the American Jews have not already left for Israel by then.

The Bible clearly indicates that the Jews will return to Israel, before, during and after the time of “Jacob’s Trouble.” All of the above can mean only one thing. Many of Jews resident in the US will likely have already decamped to Israel before Armageddon approaches. What events will have occurred to precipitate these conditions? Why would America abandon Israel? Why would so many Jews, living in relative comfort in the US, choose to leave at some point? Again, we only speculate as to the answer.

Why America is not Babylon

As mentioned, some believe that America is the literal Babylon the Great, the entity that eventually gets a special measure of the wrath of God at the end of the Great Tribulation. There are many reasons why America is not Babylon the Great. In addition to the broad arguments already presented, here is a brief list of additional points supporting this conclusion:

1. The Bible indicates that someday the center of world commerce will be moved to a new single location — Babylonia. “Where are they taking the basket?" I asked the angel who was speaking to me. He replied, "To the country of Babylonia to build a house for it. When it is ready, the basket will be set there in its place." (Zechariah 5:10-11)



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made goods. As a result, America has become the world’s largest borrower, thus ensnaring itself inextricably with the rest of the world.

• As recently as 1985, the United States was still a net lender to the rest of the world. Today, this nation’s net foreign debt now amounts to almost 30% of the size of the annual US economy. 2. It is the world’s greatest debtor as it vastly over-consumes in relation to its income.

• In its younger days, earning vast profits on the back of its industrial and manufacturing strengths, the USA became the globe’s biggest creditor (lending to the rest of the globe). Now, its financial industries account for 50% and more of all corporate profits. What greater indicator could there be that it has become a nation of borrowers and lenders — a nation taken over by moneychanger praying on the weak and enslaved?

• The personal savings rate among Americans has fallen starkly in recent decades and is now the lowest of world’s major countries. Imagine that America — the largest, and supposedly most enviable economy in the world — borrows almost 80% of the world’s savings. How is it that the weak of the world now lend to the strong? As a consequence, as much as half of federal public debt is today held by foreigners. Quips Niall Ferguson, a noted historian, “A rising proportion of Americans may consider themselves to have been saved in the Evangelical sense, but they are less good at saving in the economic sense.” 3

• At one time, America had a great trade surplus with the world (exporting far more than it was importing)



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because it was a highly productive producer of goods and services. Today, it is the exact opposite. America maintains a false façade of high productivity by incurring the largest and most chronic trade deficit in history (effectively importing the productivity of foreign workers and counting it as its own!).

• Today, it is the deliberate strategy and policy of this nation — the one time standard-bearer of probity and honesty to the world — to reduce its debt burdens to the rest of the world by devaluing its currency (a form of deceit.

• In the 19th century and early 20th centuries, one of America’s biggest exports was the gospel. There existed literally thousands upon thousands of missionary organizations and boards. Today, America is the world’s largest producer and exporter of pornography, media and movies (most of which espouse immorality), consumerist culture and consumer brand names.

What to make of the above-mentioned shifts and conditions? One could cite many more statistics. Without a doubt, the United States is the money center of the world at this time. Common sense — not to mention scripture itself — implores the moral mind to sense that something has gone astray, that things are upside down. One doesn’t need to be schooled in the lofty professions to recognize the changing winds, even if ever so subtly. The results are no longer hidden. The lender successfully sells the false promise of consumer freedom (the opposite of Proverbs 22:7), bad is exchanged for good, stewardship is seen as a vice and hindrance, people work to consume rather than consume to live. “Man does not live by bread alone” (Matthew 4:4) and, of course, one cannot live



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Says one observer, “Historically, anti-Semitism has fluctuated with the boom and bust of business cycles. Jews have long been scapegoats during economic downturns, as a small minority with outsized political and financial influence. 2” It may be a contributing reason, therefore, that anti-Semitism is again rising globally. However, it must be stated that all anti-Semitism of whatever stream has occultic roots. Satan, in his epic campaign to annihilate Jews would surely not overlook the strategy of using some of them to hold prominent roles in the world’s endtime plunge into an economic and financial trap that will play into the agenda of the Antichrist. In fact, some political activists claim a clear connection between world globalization and Jewish influence, so much so, that anti-globalization protestors sometimes brandish the swastika. The vast majority of Jews who hold such prominent positions are US citizens.”

Next, we must face up with a tragic fact. The Bible clearly says that all nations (naming only a few possible exceptions, of which none can be interpreted to be America) come against Israel, even fighting against the Lord of Hosts at the end of the Great Tribulation. We can only conclude that America at that time will no longer be a protector of Israel. Why? We cannot know with any certainty. She may simply have abandoned Israel, come to some kind of demise, or is no longer strong enough to be Israel’s defender. Whatever the case, it remains logical to conclude that America is not a supporter of Israel as Armageddon approaches. Something will occur that causes the removal of America’s protection.

Then, what will happen to almost half of the world’s Jews who reside in America? Here we discover a significant reason why America today is not literal Babylon. It is very unlikely that Israel will be part of the final, literal Babylon the Great, nor is it likely that prominent, wealthy Jews will be allowed an uninhibited role in this system as they do today. How could it be otherwise as



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religion of materialistic excess and beggar-thy-neighbor finance for much longer and will not tolerate its consumptive excesses indefinitely. If America indeed were to be considered as Babylon the Great, would it make sense that this world-reaching behemoth described in Revelation 18 would also be the world’s greatest debtor. This doesn’t follow as it is clearly stated that Babylon is the source of wealth for the kings of the earth, not debt and impoverishment.

America and Israel: Prophetic Implications

No doubt, America’s colossal financial role in today’s world makes it a nation to watch in the context of endtime developments. Whether or not the Bible mentions her specifically, America most definitely is a pivotal actor on the last-day world stage. We know that to be case because the world is definitely witnessing the period that the Bible refers to as the "last days." The Bible's time piece, Israel, ushered in this last period when it resurfaced as a nation in 1948. And, most certainly, America has had an out-sized impact upon the trends and developments in the world since that time. It definitely was, and still is, the world's only superpower (both economically and militarily), similar in influence as was Ancient Rome and the British Empire. No major geo-political event happens without its involvement in some way.

At the very least, America has played a large role in the recent prophetic timeline for Israel as well as worldwide Jewry. As all Bible prophecy either links to, or circumnavigates the timeline of the Hebrews, we can therefore take some clues from conditions applying to the Jews today. Approximately one-half of the world's Jewry currently lives in the United States, a nation which is still Israel’s main protector. Another aspect that may play a role is the fact that prominent Jews have an inordinately large role in American commerce … even a significant influence in global financial and economic circles.



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without bread. However, today winning bread seems to be the prime focus of society.

Points to Ponder

Reading the developments presented, one might well ask: What does all this focus on economic and monetary themes have to do with spiritual issues or prophecy? As a matter of fact, these topics couldn’t be more related and inseparable. When I read through the prophets, both major and minor, I sometimes get the sense that I am reading the headlines of a current business newspaper or an economic journal. Much of the admonitions that the prophets pronounced refer to economic conditions, wealth imbalances, greed, oppression of the poor, commerce, corruption … and so on. These are a natural part of human existence and expression of morality and eternal values.

Back to America: The deterioration outlined, when viewed against history are quite stark and quick for a nation as large and influential as the United States. What then do these trends imply for America and her siblings on the world stage? What do these conditions foreshadow for believers living in these countries? These are timely questions … in fact, urgent questions. If there is no turn or change of direction, there may not be much time left to respond both as individuals and as a nation.

But what if there is no turn … meaning that conditions inexorably slide toward their logical conclusion? In this vein, some argue that America is the Babylon of Revelation 18 and that the processes of decline we see to date are the early tremors of her final demise. Others argue that America is headed for a special disciplining from God, all of its own, and will then repent and turn in direction. Even others see America and her sibling countries still as vibrant instruments of God in the world — advancing freedom, democracy, and good will — and that the best is yet to come. It goes without saying that these



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viewpoints are all heavily debated

In the final two concluding parts of this series, we will address these questions. We will first take our lead from the Bible. Israel and Judah both experienced times and conditions as are America and other countries today. As it turned out then, God ultimately pronounced a harsh judgment upon both after they did not heed the many warnings.

For now we can conclude that a rapid downward slide is very definitely evident in America. Are the parallels closer to Biblical Israel or future Babylon of Revelation 18?

NOTES

1. That observation is a primary cause for some to believe that America actually is or will be the “Babylon” that is profiled in Revelation 18. This is not my view, though, undoubtedly, any country with a large economy at the time of the events concerning Babylon the Great, will be a major contributor to the global conditions depicted in Revelation 18.

2. US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, NIPA and International Transactions statistics.

3. Niall Ferguson., “Sinking Globalization”, Foreign Affairs March/April 2005, pg. 70.



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characteristics portrayed.

“[…]The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them with his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad. Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet for by his net he lives in luxury and he enjoys the choicest food.” (Habakkuk 1:15-16) He (or the world system, the economic Babylon of Revelation 18) is a trapper. Moreover, “[…] he is greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples.” (Habakkuk 2:5-6) This endtime regime is motivated by greed and is global in span as it takes “all the nations” and “all the peoples” captive. “Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion!” (verse 6) “Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain, to set his nest on high, to escape the clutches of ruin!” (verse 6) Habakkuk’s prophecies could not provide a more accurate description of the world’s emerging ruling structure of our times and perhaps yet in the future. It is built upon greed, oppression and extortion, taking the world captive through a financial and economic trap, as well as other means.

The conditions outlined by Habakkuk are already here. But, could America alone fulfill this picture of the oppressive regime of the last days? To this point, this is not the case, nor does it seem likely. America has not yet taken all the world and all its peoples captive. This will not happen without the agreement of other key countries around the world … China, European countries, and Russia, for example.

We have already highlighted some of the longer-running developments that might lead America to a greatly weakened economic and financial state on the world stage. (See Part I) While the US may still be a world military power, its "soft power" — America’s economic and financial influence — stands to be impaired. Quite frankly, the world cannot afford America's



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amount is represented by US stocks and bonds, which is certainly an outsized amount for a country that accounts for approximately 27% of the world economy.

• Although difficult to imagine, the $250 trillion mark for global derivatives markets (a complex financial arena that few people understand or know very much about)2 had recently been reached, almost tripling in notional value in a period of only 2 years. Less than 10 major money-center banks in the US control this market which represents a value some 6 times the size of the entire world’s annual income.

We see that the world is flooded with dollar assets, undergirding global interconnectedness (all significantly involving America) and accelerating forward as never before in human history. It represents a potentially vulnerable position for the US, its investors, and the entire world. Global monetary and economic affairs of the US are deeply enmeshed with the world. If America were to stumble some day, the world will face severe hardship. In fact, such a development could very credibly be the start or part of the economic chaos of the scope prophesied to occur during the Tribulation.

The Endtime Economic Oppressor

Just what are world conditions supposed to be like when Babylon the Great strides the earth? Here, the prophet Habakkuk sheds some light on our questions. Although his prophecies were first directed to the Babylon of his day, they clearly also had an endtime application. The Lord answered him, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.” (Habakkuk 2:3) After this verse, we see the character of the Antichrist of the “end” period described. Greed and economic oppression are the prominent



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A Foreshadow of Endtime Babylon or Literal Fulfillment? — :

Chapter 2



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R esuming from the previous month’s column, we concluded that a global “trap” is rapidly taking form. At a national level, America (and its other sister countries) are gorging on debt as never before.

Apparently, common sense and scriptural perspectives are outmoded, according to today’s worldly prophets. One doesn’t need to be schooled in the lofty professions to recognize the changing winds. The lender successfully sells the false promise of consumer freedom (the opposite of Proverbs 22:7), bad is exchanged for good, stewardship is seen as a vice and hindrance, people work to consume rather than consume to live and much of society is living “by bread alone.”

We were left with some speculative questions. Do the trends and conditions in America today more closely parallel Biblical Israel, future or literal Babylon of Revelation 18? And, depending on the answer, what are the endtime implications?

We concluded that, without a doubt, the United States comprises the money center of the world at this time — the so-called “ground zero” of the mammon-spirit. Moreover, we concluded that something has gone astray, that things are upside



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external deficit will hit $1 trillion (annual current US dollars) in less than two years according to some forecasts. Even though such an extreme may not happen, it is true that a lot of US dollars are flooding the world’s markets and treasuries every year. How extreme is this situation? Consider that the US (accounting for less than 5% of the world’s population) is responsible for approximately three-quarters of world net borrowing. Sparing readers the detailed explanations, what it means is that when the day of financial reckoning comes for America, it is guaranteed to be transmitted to the rest of the world.

• A recent report states that the international positions of reporting banks around the world has reached the $20 trillion mark as of the third quarter-end of 2004. 1 Not only does it represent an increase of more than 50% in less than two years (an extremely reckless pace) it also highlights how quickly financial systems across the world are being intertwined. It is an indicator of the rapid spread around the globe of a US dollar-centric financial boom and a global inflationary bubble of money and credit. Just how rapid is this trend? International lending will have more than doubled in the first five years of this third millennium — growing by more than the entire growth of prior human history!

• Global securities wealth has boomed in recent decades, recently again approaching the $100 trillion mark. As such, it represents almost a doubling in world securities wealth relative to people’s annual income levels in less than 10 years. That’s a lot of securities … and, again, a lot of US dollars. According to various indices, some 40% of that



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exist in America today for which Israel, Judah and ancient Babylon were severely judged. These are heinous conditions in God’s eyes. After all, Christ came to free the imprisoned and the oppressed. (Luke 4:18)

We also concluded that the United States can be regarded as the major money-center and economic hub of the world at this time. This is the same position that Babylon the Great of Revelation 18 will hold. Apart from these two pivotal conclusions that align with Babylon the Great, we also provided evidence that a trend of economic deterioration appears evident in America. America’s position in the world will definitely prove to be on the downside if this trend isn’t soon reversed.

Let’s continue with our investigation. On one point we can be reasonably sure: America is not the literal Babylon the Great of Revelation 18. While we will yet present our reasons for this conclusion, this answer may seem like a welcome relief. But it doesn’t give any reason for comfort as we will yet learn.

A World Without the US?

To begin, we must first settle at least two more foundational questions: Firstly, if the US were to experience a significant disciplining for its economic and financial excesses,(greed and mammon idolatry as was the case in Israel and Judah thousands of years before) would this topple the entire world financial system? Almost certainly, the answer is yes. At the very least, it would cause severe economic and financial troubles in the rest of the world.

Supporting this conclusion, consider these facts about America in relation to global economic and financial structures as they exist today.

• At the present rate that the US is falling into indebtedness to the rest of the world, its annual



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down and that a rapid downward slide is evident in America.

Many Biblical Parallels

Israel and Judah both experienced similar times and conditions as America and other countries today. As it turned out then, God ultimately pronounced a harsh judgment upon both after they did not heed the many warnings from God’s prophets.

Consider just some of many warnings on the following themes:

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes! Cease to do evil, Learn to do right! Seek justice, relieve the oppressed, and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:16-7)

“There is a conspiracy of prophets in the midst of her, like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in the midst of her.” (Ezekiel 22:25)

“The people of the land have used oppression and extortion and have committed robbery; yes, they have wronged and vexed the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 22:29)

“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.” (Jeremiah 6:13)

“Hear this, O you who would swallow up and trample down the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail and come to an end, Saying, When will the New Moon festival be past that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath that we may offer wheat for sale, making the ephah small and the shekel great and falsifying the scales by deceit.” That we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals; yes, and sell the refuse of the wheat?” (Amos 8:4-6)


Chapter 2: A Foreshadow of Endtime Babylon or Literal Fulfillment

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As can be seen, many of the admonitions that the prophets pronounced refer to economic conditions, wealth imbalances, greed, oppression of the poor, commerce, corruption … and so on. Significantly, the powerful and the establishment rulers were deceitful and oppressive, driven by greed. As a result, everything was turned upside down. We see the same conditions today present in many societies in very sophisticated form. This is the case in North America.

There are many false prophets on Wall Street and in Washington and similarly aligned centers around the globe. Their deception is of legendary proportion. Most of these people are lap dogs that earn high reward for their inventive and twisted prophesies. They actively turn what is bad into a good. According to them, the new received wisdom is this: “What seems bad is actually good! Believe it because you want to believe what we say.” Or “Peace and prosperity lie ahead. God Bless America.”

Quoting a noted constitutional law expert, “Nowhere will the Establishment demand the General Government's lap-dog subservience more than with respect to money and banking. For the Establishment's power in every domain largely depends upon its control over--and ability to draw unearned profits from—the coffers of money and banking. Always remember that the two greatest powers of government are `the power of the purse’ and `the power of the sword’. Control over one very often results in control over both.”1

May our brief exposure of organized oppression and greed suffice. It is an unsavory topic. The point to recognize is that many are being oppressed for the sake of the greed-laden, power-lusting priorities of rulers, elites, and those aspiring to such stations.

Whitewashed Oppression and Exploitation



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I s America mentioned in prophecy? Quite a few books have been written on the topic. For some it seems difficult to imagine that the world's present-day superpower would not be mentioned — a world potentate that exists in a time that

many prophecy scholars consider to be the endtime. Wouldn't the US play a major role in such a time?

Many do see America mentioned in the Bible. There are quite a few theories. An increasingly prominent interpretation among them identifies America as being the final and literal Babylon the Great mentioned in Revelation 18. And so, we have been leading up to an answer on this question in this 3-part series. Is America a foreshadowing of endtime Babylon depicted in Revelation 18; its actual literal fulfillment; and/or are there parallels to be found with ancient Israel and Judah who were punished for their sins and idolatries?

To this point in the series, we concluded that the same (if not more severe) conditions of oppression and economic slavery

Another Babylon, Another Time

Chapter 3



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7. America Association for Single People. 200) Census – AARP Report. Accessed at www.unmarrieamerica.org.

8. Federal Reserve Board. Statistics taken from Flow of Funds Z1 report, June 2004.

9. Ibid.

10. Ibid.

11. Ibid.

12..Ibid.

13. Billionaires: The world’s richest people. Forbes Magazine, March 10, 2005

14. Bob Herbert, Op-ed Columnist, The Era of Exploitation. The New York Times March 25, 2005



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The “over-consuming” American may be a well-recognized image around the world — the compulsive shopper and the mall rat.” But this image is not entirely accurate. Yes, the shoppers of America and other high-income countries are big consumers. In fact, they may even be “born to buy” as a recent book makes the case. 2 However, it is much closer to the truth to see many people as trapped by the economic and structural realities around them in America. Many people don’t want to be in the financial or social circumstances that they find themselves. In many ways, the average American is exploited, manipulated and coerced into enslavement. Although individuals should not escape accountability for their personal affairs, it is still possible to be oppressed.

Consider the following facts:

According to a recent report (one of among many) over one-fourth of America’s families are considered poor — meaning they have trouble surviving financially. Yet, these low-income families work hard, an average of 2500 hours per year, equivalent to 1.2 jobs. 3

• According to a survey by Expedia.com last year, 63% of Americans work more than 40 hours a week, with some 50% exceeding the 50–hour a week mark. A recent report from the OECD 4documents that the average hours worked per person in America has risen 20% between 1970 and 2002. Canada and New Zealand also experienced a large increase in labor hours. By contrast, every other country in the 30-country survey (with the exception of 5) enjoyed less hours worked per person. Remarkably, France experienced a 21% decline in hours worked over this period. (This extreme in France seems to be reversing somewhat.)



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• A primary reason for the worsening quality of life and financial conditions is the disintegration of the family. 26.7% of all children under 18 living in the USA live in a one-parent household. 5 Approximately one-half of American households are headed by unmarried people. 6 Single occupant households accounted for 25.5% of all US households in 2000, up from 13.1% in 1960. 7

• In the early 1950s, all households combined had total debt (including mortgages) amounting to less than 25% of the annual amount of national income. Today, this figure is now higher than 100% … more than four times as large in relative terms.

• As recently as 1974, the average American household was able to save more than 10% of income after paying their taxes. Today, the average household saves less than 2% of after-tax income. Given the wealth skew statistics already cited, what this really means is that today the vast majority of American families experience negative savings each and every year. 8

• The modern married mother is now nearly twice as likely to have a full-time job as to stay home. In 1965 only 21% of working women were back at their jobs within 6 months of giving birth to their first child. Today, that figure is higher than 70%.9

• The average two-income family today faces a one in sixteen chance that in any given year, at least one will lose their job. 10

• In America today, by foregoing childbearing, a women decreases her chances of going bankrupt by 66%.



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succumbs to disaster or the judgment seat. However, the cost of coming out too soon is seen to be very high by most people. It means foregone gains, consumption, and fun — not to mention the ignominy of ridicule and mockery by friends and relatives. The vast majority of “fair-weather” Christians only want to leave the party at the very last minute, only a few moments before the police break down the door at midnight … or Christ’s “midnight call.”

When disaster finally strikes America and its sibling countries, will it be the prelude or trigger to the Great Tribulation? To this point we have primarily only dealt with domestic implications for America. In the final part to this series, we will present a case why America’s troubles could very well play a part in the trigger to the situation that the world will find itself during the Great Tribulation. The “oppressor” today has clearly taking a global form. We also then will finally provide an opinion on the question: America—a foreshadow of endtime Babylon, its literal fulfillment, or an ensample of ancient Israel?

NOTES

1. Edwin Vieira; Don’t Count on Washington to Protect us Form Looming Banking Crisis, April 5, 2005. . http://www.newswithviews.com/Vieira/edwin6.htm. Accessed April 9, 2005.

2. Juliet B. Schor. Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child and New Consumer Culture. Scribner 2004.

3. Working Hard, Falling Short. October 2004. Working Poor Families Project, AECF.

4. OECD (Organization of Economic Development) Employment Outlook, December 2004, Chart 1.3.

5. Ibid

6. Ibid



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words:

“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.”

We see in this verse that King Nebuchadnezzar was charged to be merciful to the poor if he wanted to avoid his prophesied fate. Apparently, Babylon was a society that abused its poor, not caring much for the helpless and perhaps careless casualties of greed and the “oppressive rich.” While Nebuchadnezzar did lose his kingdom for seven years, not all of this prophecy unfolded at that time. As such, this vision also speaks to the last days. The fact that the poor of this world are not shown any mercy is a sign of impending judgment – ultimately a seven year Tribulation.

The Bible clearly points out that the world will be marked by massive, endemic deception and greed at the time before the return of Christ. Deception and oppression will be officially sanctioned. It will be the rule of the day, the stock and trade of governments, business and elites. We see this image in the affairs of America and its sibling countries today. Another form of this type of oppression will yet occur under the Antichrist.

Is there a remedy? With God anything is possible. However, America faces the impediment that its society is so greedy, performance-oriented, and pressured by monthly debt-payments among other forces, that it will not be able to afford to avoid a financial and chastening disaster. (The same will be true during the Apocalypse, if it is not the one and the same event.) In a sense, it is caught on a conveyor belt to discipline and judgment. The indulgence, partying (and oppression) will go on until it stops and not a moment sooner.

Avoiding financial Armageddon and judgment means that one must come out from the money-addicted party before one



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Having a child is now the single best predictor that a woman will end up in financial collapse. 11

• In 1981, the median family filing for bankruptcy owed 80 percent of the total annual income in credit card and other non-mortgage debts. By 2001, that figure had nearly doubled to 150 percent of annual income. 12

Many more statistics could be listed. Despite the constant propaganda that America is becoming more prosperous and successful, something awry is happening. These and other statistics suggest continuing deterioration. Clearly, we see that same things that for which the prophets admonished Israel and Judah—enslavement and oppression of the poor and the average citizen. They are being sold for a price.

The Growing Gap Between Rich and Poor

Recently, Forbes magazine again published the results of its annual wealth survey. 13 They reported that the “collective net worth of the world's 691 billionaires is $2.2 trillion, up $300 billion from the combined net worths of the 587 people listed last year.”

Even though the average American has a negative savings rate (meaning they are falling further into debt each year) wealth and the wealthy are still idealized and celebrated. America today has the most skewed wealth distribution of any major country in the world. The results of various surveys vary and the technical details in this debate are complex. However, it is likely that the richest 1% of the nation’s population may account for as much as 40% or more of the country’s privately-held wealth. It is an extreme condition and is a clear emblem of a developing trap – disaster and crisis. History bears adequate testimony that this will be true.



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It is interesting to observe the different attitudes towards the “heaping up of wealth” (James 5:3) between Continental Europe and America. A recent event in Germany illustrates the contrast. In March of this year, the government headed by Social Democrat leader, Gerhardt Shroeder, came under heavy pressure — literally facing a national outpouring of concern. Why? A report had been released admitting what was considered an embarrassing fact for German society: The rich people in Germany had become richer and the poor poorer in recent years. It was widely interpreted as a blow to the sense of German egalitarianism. And yet, Germany’s wealth gap is relatively small compared to that of America. The richest 10% the population (not 1% as in the USA) owns 47% of private wealth in Germany

The same attitude generally prevails across most of Europe. For example, France’s national motto is “Liberté, égalité, fraternité” (liberty, equality and brotherhood). The essence of this point is not to condone the European ideas of socialism but to point to the different attitude to exploitation by the rich.

Endtime Exploitation

As one well-known columnist in the USA recently wrote, “This is the era of entrenched exploitation. All sacrifices will be made by working people and the poor, and the vast bulk of the benefits will accrue to the rich.” 14 Perspectives such as these of course inspire hot political debates, none of which is intended here nor is a diatribe against the “rich.” It is OK to be blessedly rich — after all Abraham was. The word “rich” today has been co-opted to actually mean “rich oppressors.” Not everybody that is rich is an oppressor. That said, many of the rich and today’s society elites are oppressors. That’s what James was talking about when he reminds, “Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? (James 2:6)



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The allegation holds for America and the world alike. It is a global condition: Widespread oppression is sanctified across the world as never before in the name of profits, “business success”, “high productivity” and “maximal wealth creation.” But it is a condition that exists in America like no other major country as if it were a common good. There is ample evidence for that statement.

In the developed world, the global money snare is the most advanced in America … by far. That means many people are blinded, ensnared and afraid. Oppression and entrapment is carried out and allowed at the highest levels. Crucially, these are the same aspects for which the Old Testament prophets castigated Israel and Judah — organized oppression and entrapment.

But why is this such a big deal? We must remember what Christ himself said about his mission: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free.” (Luke 4:18) He came to free the imprisoned and the oppressed.

Thoughts to Ponder

What will be the final outcome for a country that oppresses and exploits the poor and helpless? The Book of Daniel also provides a clear answer. In chapter 4 we find the account of Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a large tree that was chopped down. Daniel told the King that the tree portrayed his kingdom and that it would be cut down with an axe. Moreover, his kingdom would be taken away from him for a period of seven years. This was decreed in order that Nebuchadnezzar would recognize that it is the Most High that rules, not him. However, Daniel then warned the King with these

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