The first president of the United States, George Washington, gave a sobering warning in his farewell address on Sept. 19, 1796. He emphasized the two “great pillars of human happiness,” which he identified as “Religion and morality.” He then reminded his listeners, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.” He capitalized the word “Religion,” referring to Christianity.
Washington sounded like Paul, speaking to his beloved flock before leaving them (Acts 20:28–31).
Crossing God’s Boundaries
In recent years, the United States has crossed every boundary that brought demise to other nations. Who ever thought in America we’d see the day when public schools would not allow students to pray or mention the name of Jesus? Or the day a Christian baker would be sued and lose his business for not baking a cake for a gay wedding? Or the day when the demon goddess Kali would be projected on the Empire State Building?
We will never be able to say the prophets did not warn us. I recently heard Messianic Jewish Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, author of The Harbinger and The Mystery of the Shemitah, say on a radio program, “America is now overripe for God’s judgment.” Rabbi Cahn continued, “If you’re not born again, you must be born again, and this is the time … If you are a believer … if there’s anything in our life that is not right, we need to get it out now.”
A person or nation who does not turn away from wickedness can go too far for too long, and then it becomes too late. Jeremiah warned Israel over and over again, but they mocked and ridiculed him. He tried interceding for them, but God said it was too late (Jer. 7:16-17). Israel would go into captivity in Babylon for 70 years as a result of their repeated disobedience.
We find this exact theme in the New Testament in Paul’s letter to the Romans. There is a point of no return when God turns people over to a reprobate mind, lost without hope (Rom. 1:28-32).
The Roman Empire experienced a decline and fall, and America has been following an eerily parallel path. Witnessing firsthand the deterioration of an empire is chilling. Rome went from a state of wealth and influence into nonexistence, with many of the mile markers we, in the United States, have already passed. America’s decline may take generations as Rome’s did. The United States may one day become a satellite nation of the new Europe. Depending on our decisions and actions toward God in the days ahead, America’s demise may come suddenly due to nuclear attack, EMP attack, financial collapse or foreign invasion.
A Better Future for America—Revival and Outpouring
Prophecy isn’t meant to frighten us; it is meant to enlighten us and give us hope. No matter how dark it gets, Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us but to walk with us and work with us (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). As the darkness deepens, the light of Christ in us will grow brighter (Titus 2:12-14).
God never intended for us to walk in hopelessness. He intended for us to be people of faith, and faith is the substance of things we hope for (Heb. 11:1). God is calling us as ambassadors to be hope distributors in these last days (2 Cor. 5:20).
Yes, America may collapse. But there is another possibility, a real hope—revival!
And we have biblical precedent for this. If people listen and turn around, judgment can be softened or even averted, as it was for Nineveh: “When God saw their actions, that they turned from their evil ways, He changed His mind about the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it” (Jon. 3:10).
On the Threshold of a New Dimension
I believe strongly that we, as the church, are on the threshold of a whole new dimension of God’s grace and glory. I believe we will be a 21st-century church with 1st-century power; we were handpicked by God to live in these times, an unleashing of God’s glory, an anointing that past generations have prayed and fasted for is coming; and God is preparing us for a greater level of testimony than the majority of people of all generations have ever heard about.
Now is the perfect time to intensify our fasting and prayer for America and its leaders. Every time people humbled themselves in fasting and prayer, without exception, God did something extraordinary. Even wicked King Ahab, a man sold out to the devil at a deep level, averted judgment when he humbled himself with fasting (1 Kin. 21:27-29).
If we, Spirit-filled believers, will take our positions as God’s anointed ambassadors on earth with the help of the Holy Spirit, God will heal this land, and we will win millions more to Jesus Christ before His coming. Even so, come quickly, Jesus! {eoa}
Dave Williams serves as a pastor, teacher, speaker, author and trainer who has authored more than 60 books that inspire readers in many areas of Christian living. His book The New Life has sold more than three million copies, and his articles have appeared in numerous national magazines. This article is an excerpt from his book Hope in the Last Days.
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