It’s no secret that the United States of America, “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” is in the middle of a catastrophic crisis. Its troubles are not unique. Nations worldwide are struggling with moral, social, environmental, and economic woes. “Make America Great Again!” has become a popular slogan expressing the hopes of millions. What does the future hold for the mightiest nation on earth? Believe it or not, that future has been foretold in advance in the God-inspired pages of the Holy Bible. The Book of Revelation predicts: “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (Revelation 13:11).

Whether you believe the Bible or not, allow me to build a reasonable case that this mysterious prediction applies to America and its future. First, what is a “beast” in Bible prophecy? We don’t need to guess, prognosticate, or speculate. The answer is clear in God’s book. In its prophecies, the term beastis a symbol for amighty nation.The proof is in Daniel 7, a chapter that parallels Revelation 13. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 refer to beasts, ten horns, a boastful mouth speaking pompous words, and intense warfare against God's people (compare Daniel 7:3-8, 21with Revelation 13:1-7). Specifically, Daniel 7 describes four great beasts: a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like creature. Embedded in the same chapter, an angelic interpreter confirmed: “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth”(Daniel 7:23).

So, we can nail this down: According to Daniel 7—which parallels Revelation 13—a beast in Bible prophecy isn't a computer or super-evil person, but a mighty kingdom or nation.That's what the angel said. Historically, 98% of reputable Christian Bible commentaries have interpreted Daniel's four beasts to represent the ancient nations of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. This is a fact.

Out of the Earth

But there’s more. Revelation 13:11 continues: “I saw another beast coming up out of the earth.” Thus, John saw a great nation rising into power. From where? "Out of the earth,"the prophet predicted. By way of contrast, all four of the beasts in Daniel 7 “came up from the sea” (Daniel 7:3). What does “water” represent? Again, prophecy pinpoints a clear answer: multitudes of people. We know this because in a parallel prophecy another angel confirmed: “The waterswhich you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues”(Revelation 17:15, italics added).

True to the facts of history, ancient Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome all arose from the midst of a sea of peoples in Europe and the Middle East. Not so with the beast in Revelation 13:11. It comes from the earth. Thus, Revelation 13:11 points to a great nation rising out of a sparsely inhabited area.

Like a Lamb

“I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb.” (Revelation 13:11). Each word is significant. The true Lamb of God is Jesus Christ who offered His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (see John 1:29; 3:16). “Like a lamb” indicates that this nation would have lamblike or Christian features. A lamb is a young animal, a baby sheep. This nation would at one time be youthful and new. Significantly, its “two horns” have no crowns like the first beast described in Revelation 13:2. Crowns represent kingly power. So, in Revelation 13:11 we see a new nation, with gentle, lamblike, Christian features, rising out of a sparsely inhabited area. It is led by a crown-less government, not ruled by kings.

Are the pieces coming together yet?

Superpower

Here's the shocker: Revelation 13 also reveals that this mysterious beast with two horns like a lamb would achieve superpower status near the end of time. Then it would degenerate and, during earth’s closing moments, lead out in the global enforcement of the mark of the beast. God's Word reports: “He [the lamblike beast] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark” (Revelation 13:16,17).

These ominous verses parallel the last part of Revelation 13:11 which describes the final, tragic act of the lamblike beast: he “spoke like a dragon.” Let’s examine it closely. The beast “causes” all to have a mark—it compels or resorts to force. “All” emphasizes its global influence. Finally, the beast’s control of buying and selling clearly indicates that the world’s economy is involved.

Putting the Pieces Together

Let's put all the pieces together:

1. Revelation 13:11 pinpoints the rising of a great beast.

2.In prophecy, a beast represents a great nation.

1. This nation rises out of the earth, or wilderness area.

2. This nation starts out young, like a baby lamb.

3. This nation has lamblike, Christian characteristics.

4. This nation has horns with no crowns—it has no kings.

5. This nation achieves superpower status near the close of time.

6. This nation influences the world's economy.

7. This nation finally speaks like a dragon.

8. This nation finally enforces the mark of the beast.

Be honest: How many nations on Planet Earth today fit all tenof these clear, unquestionable, Heaven-inspired details?

Only one.

The United States of America.

“God bless America, land that I love!” Americans sing every fourth of July. It's true. God hasblessed America, in spite of its problems and failures. Yet the prophecy of Revelation 13 plainly predicts that major changes will overtake this beloved country. Sadly, the last movements won't be pretty. In the past, this mighty nation has stood tall for representative government, democracy, and freedom. But shortly before the return of Jesus Christ in the clouds with power and great glory (see Matthew 24:30, 31), it will sacrifice its mild, lamblike, Christian principles, “speak as a dragon,” descend to force and tyranny, and legislate the deadly mark of the beast.

Can't you see it coming? If your eyes are only half-open to the signs of the times, you should be able to discern that Revelation's predictedfrom-freedom-to-force trend is in full swing right now.Liberty is in jeopardy. God-given rights are vanishing. The dragon is snarling.

The mark of the beast is coming.

Hope, Peace, Strength

May God help us to understand His “sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19), to prepare for the overwhelming surprise soon to break upon Planet Earth, and to get ready for “the great day of the Lord” that “is near and hastens quickly” (Zephaniah 1:14). Above all, may we each find love, mercy, hope, peace, and strength through developing a strong relationship with the true Lamb of God. Jesus Christ alone can forgive our sins and give us the gift of eternal life (see Romans 6:23).

Let’s reject the dragon's voice.

To discover more eye-opening information about this prophecy, earth’s closing events, the mark of the beast, and God’s infinite love, request your free copy of the bestselling book, The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan, whichexplains these subjects more fully.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.