Throughout the years, many prophecy pundits have taught that America does not appear in Bible prophecy. Contrary to these pundits, I contend that America does appear in Bible prophecy. Indeed, we play a prominent role in the Biblically predicted and divinely preordained end-time scenario. The problem is, we appear figuratively, not literally, and under different names than our own. For instance, consider the book Revelation's "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (17:5).

Ever since the days of ancient Babylon, which was the first great Gentile world power, every Gentile superpower has served as the Babylon of its day. For instance, Peter called Rome, the great Gentile world power of his day, "Babylon" in 1 Peter 5:13. As today's only remaining superpower, America serves as the "Babylon" of our present-day world.

According to the book of Revelation, "Babylon the Great"—the end-time Gentile superpower—will be smugly sitting with a false sense of invulnerability when sudden destruction befalls her (18:7-17). As the smoke of her destruction rises, the whole world is aghast at the vulnerability of this once perceived impregnable "great city" (18:18). Furthermore, all of this is predicted to take place "in one hour" (18:10, 17).

Who can keep from thinking about the events of 9/11 when reading the book of Revelation's description of the fall of this world's final Gentile superpower? The pieces of this prophecy and the events of that fateful day of infamy fit together perfectly. And who can deny that our country has been going up in smoke ever since that day when nineteen young box-cutter wielding Muslim terrorists shattered America's pompous air of impregnability?