Prophecy related to the end of the world is a fascinating subject that interests almost everyone. The question that I am asked most often is, “What is the next big prophetic event?” The reason that question is so relevant is that we are living in unusual days, prophetic days, in which Bible prophecy can be seen unfolding in the daily media reports.
At the same time, it is also important to look back see God’s guiding hand in the establishment of this nation. I believe we can see a prophetic destiny forged in eternity and given evidence in our history and the foundational documents of America.
It was President Woodrow Wilson who reminded us that, “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do.”
God’s prophetic plan will ultimately supersede all human political maneuvering and economic pressure. America’s situation does not depend on luck or fate. A worldview based on the Bible does not allow that possibility. What God has promised will come to pass.
Theologian Wayne Grudem has written,
“There is no such thing as “Luck” or “Chance.” All things come to pass by God’s wise providence. This means that we should adopt a much more “personal” understanding of the universe and the events in it. The universe is not governed by impersonal fate or luck, but by a personal God. Nothing “just happens”—we should see God’s hand in events throughout the day, causing all things to work together for good for those who love him.”
In a somewhat unknown book entitled, The Book of Prophecies, Christopher Columbus conveyed his belief that the discovery and purpose of America was anything but accidental. He firmly believed that he was fulfilling a divine destiny and attributed his discovery to Almighty God.
Upon reading the Book of Prophecies, you will be amazed by Columbus’ understanding of the Holy Spirit, both in guiding him to America and comfort in the midst of skeptics. Columbus when addressing his sovereigns:
“At this time I have seen and put in study to look into all the Scriptures, cosmography, histories, chronicles and philosophy and other arts, which our Lord opened to my understanding (I could sense His hand upon me), so that it became clear to me that it was feasible to navigate from here to the Indies; and He unlocked within me the determination to execute the idea. And I came to your Highnesses with this ardor.
All those who heard about my enterprise rejected it with laughter, scoffing at me. Neither the sciences which I mentioned above, nor the authoritative citations from them, were of any avail. In only your Highnesses remained faith and constancy. Who doubts that this illumination was from the Holy Spirit?
I attest that He (the Spirit), with marvelous rays of light, consoled me through the holy and sacred Scriptures . . . encouraging me to proceed, and, continually, without ceasing for a moment, they inflame me with a sense of great urgency.“2
One would be hard-pressed not to see the powerful moving of the Holy Spirit in Christopher Columbus in fulfilling God’s plan for America. God’s hand established and has guided us as a people.
It is difficult to watch the news these days without some degree of frustration, fear and trepidation. The daily reports of lawless actions in the societies we live in appear not only more widespread but also more intense than ever.
Is nowhere safe? We have experienced terror—from without and within—in our schools, in our workplaces, in our theaters, at major sporting events and in our skies. Even churches are not immune to the pervasive lawlessness that has so thoroughly infected the prevailing culture.
Jesus came to destroy the works of the evil one (1 John 3:8). As Jesus’ trusted servants and representatives on earth, we are to oppose the works of darkness and bring the Kingdom message to the world. The more we are in tune with the Holy Spirit, the better equipped we will be to fulfill the mission that we have been given. When we do not pray, we fail to hinder the activity of the enemy and we open the door for lawlessness.
Satan is all too eager to advance his cause. Jesus made it clear that Satan “was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44).
This is not a time to grow weary or to let down our guard. It is a time for conquest and victory. It is a time to lift up the banner of the Lord and proclaim the powerful message of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Too often we live as though spiritual victory depends on our own strength, ability and power, but that is not sufficient if we are to survive in this world, much less thrive. Yet when we are empowered with the Holy Spirit, we invade and exploit the areas of darkness and release those who are held captive.
Phil Hotsenpiller is Founder and President of American Faith.
1Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 337.
2 Kay Brigham, Christopher Columbus – His life and discovery in the light of his prophecies (Terrassa, Barcelona: CLIE Publishers, 1990), pp. 53, 61, 82, 85, 86, 115, 124, 125, 127, 129, 131, 167.
