In spite of America’s disintegrating family values, fierce political divisions, 33+ trillion-dollar deficit, and increasingly worrisome threats to our fragile freedoms, what happens in Washington, DC, still affects the globe. Recent setbacks aside, the United States of America still stands as the world’s sole superpower. Every Fourth of July, Americans still proudly sing about “the land of the free, and the home of the brave.”

But will America’s freedoms last forever? Believe it or not, the answer can be found in an unexpected place—hidden within the sacred pages of the book of Revelation, the most influential book ever written about Bible prophecy.

To be fair, many popular prophecy teachers insist America isn’t in God’s Book. They often pinpoint Russia, China, Israel, Iraq, and Iran as end-time players, but not the United States. This writer disagrees. Stick with me as I build my case, point by point, that America is the precise power specified in this mysterious Bible verse:

the second beast of Revelation 13

“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).¹

First, what is a “beast” in prophecy? Answer: A mighty nation. The proof is in Daniel chapter 7—an Old Testament chapter that perfectly parallels Revelation 13. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 refer to beasts, ten horns, a boastful mouth speaking great things, and war against God’s saints (compare Daniel 7:3–8, 21 with Revelation 13:1–7). Daniel 7 also describes four mighty beasts: a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like creature with ten horns. An angelic interpreter confirmed:

“The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth” (Daniel 7:23; emphasis added).

So we can nail this down: According to Daniel 7—a chapter that perfectly parallels Revelation 13—a “beast” in prophecy isn’t a computer or super-sinister person, but a mighty kingdom or nation. That’s what God’s angel said. Historically, 98 percent of reputable Bible commentaries have interpreted Daniel’s four beasts to symbolize the ancient nations of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.

This is a fact, not speculation.

Back to Revelation 13:11: “I saw another beast coming up.” Thus John saw a great nation rising into power. Significantly, the original Greek words for “coming up” indicate gradual growth like a plant in a garden.

When would it come up? In ancient times? No, because at the end of Revelation 13 this same nation becomes entangled in the enforcement of “the mark of the beast” (see Revelation 13:16, 17; 19:20).² These inspired puzzle pieces inform us that this mighty nation would spring up as we near the end times.

Where would it come up from? “Out of the earth” (Revelation 13:11), penned God’s prophet. In Daniel 7, all four beasts “came up from the sea” (Daniel 7:3). What does “the sea” or water represent? Once again, the Bible provides a clear answer. In a parallel prophecy, another holy angel confirmed “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15). Fitting perfectly with the symbols of prophecy, ancient Babylon, Medo-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 rises “up out of the earth,” which would logically indicate a sparsely inhabited area.

“And he had two horns” (verse 11) “Two horns” represent a division of power within the government of this nation. Significantly, its “two horns” have no crowns like the first beast had on its horns at the beginning of Revelation 13. Ancient kings wore crowns, and thus crowns represent kingly power or monarchies. The fact that this “beast” has two horns without crowns suggests that it would develop into a milder, less dictatorial, more “of the people” style of government.

Its “two horns” would also be “like a lamb.” A lamb is a young animal, a baby sheep. Lambs aren’t predators like lions, bears, and leopards. Thus, instead of rising primarily by conquest—as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome did—this new nation would gradually develop into a new, youthful power among nations.

In the book of Revelation, “the Lamb” is also a symbol of Jesus Christ. To be clear, this lamblike beast isn’t Jesus, yet it would have certain Christian features. As Heaven’s Lamb, our Savior sacrificed Himself on a cruel Roman cross to save sinners from sin. Thus we would expect that this lamblike nation would make many noble, unselfish sacrifices for the benefit of others.

Would it have a special attachment to freedom of conscience? Consider this. In the first book of the New Testament, an incredible showdown is revealed between Jesus Christ and a group of zealous Pharisees who didn’t believe Jesus was Israel’s Messiah. Determined to expose Him as a false teacher, they sent some of their disciples to “entangle Him in His talk.”

“Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (Luke 20:22) was their crafty question. If Jesus answered, “Yes,” their plan was to expose Him before the Jewish nation as a deceiver loyal to Rome, their hated enemy. But if He replied, “No! Don’t give your hard-earned money to the cruel Romans,” they would then accuse Him of seditious activities against the governing authorities.

Not to be outwitted, Jesus asked them to bring Him a Roman coin. Holding it up, He asked, “Whose image and superscription is on this coin?” “Caesars!” they replied with one voice. Notice carefully Christ’s answer: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (verse 25).

His hearers were stumped!

Then “they marveled at His answer and kept silent” (verse 26).

Let’s look closer at Christ’s masterful answer. “Caesar” represented government, while “the things that are God’s” represent religion. According to Jesus, each has a legitimate yet distinct sphere. Significantly, the First Amendment of the US Bill of Rights famously declares: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”³

This amendment is the cornerstone of American freedoms and is respected worldwide. The government is neither to enforce religion nor to prohibit it. Where did America’s founding fathers get such an enlightened principle that has helped make its freedom-loving shores a wonder of the world? Believe it or not, the principle can be traced back to Jesus Christ’s authoritative answer to those crafty Pharisees—Caesar should not enforce religion!

This is a vital principle of the Lamb.

Back to the prophecy of Revelation 13. Here’s the shocker: Revelation 13 reveals that the mighty “beast” with two lamblike, crownless horns would eventually achieve superpower status near the close of time, make a fatal mistake, and finally become entangled in the global enforcement of “the mark of the beast.” God’s Word reports:

“He [the lamblike beast] causes [resorting to force] all [through his global influence], both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell [the world’s economy is involved] except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16, 17).        

putting it together

Now put these 10 pieces together:

1. Revelation 13:11 predicts the rise of a great beast or mighty nation.
2. It would rise, not in ancient times, but near the end times.
3. It would rise like a plant out of the earth or sparsely populated territory.
4. It would start out young, like a baby lamb.
5. It would have two crownless horns, indicating it would not be a dictatorship or monarchy ruled by kings.
6. “Like a lamb” also indicates that it would have noble, Christian features.
7. “Like a lamb” also indicates that its core principles may be traced back to Jesus Christ Himself.
8. Near the close of history, this nation would achieve superpower status and even influence the world’s economy.
9. Its noble principles of freedom would eventually disintegrate.
10. Finally, this mighty nation would deny its founding lamblike principles, “speak like a dragon,” and enforce the mark of the beast.

Think soberly: How many nations on earth fit all ten of these Heaven-inspired predictions?

Only one.

The United States of America.

But how could it be? This is our country. We proudly sing, “God bless America! . . . The land of the free, and the home of the brave!” Many men and women have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.

And yet, in spite of God’s blessings on America, the prophecy of Revelation 13 solemnly predicts that as earth’s last crisis approaches, vast changes will overtake our beloved country, and the last movements won’t be pretty.

Sadly, in the closing moments of time, this mighty nation that has stood tall for representative government, democracy, and freedom will compromise its mild, lamblike, Christian principles, “speak as a dragon,” and enforce the mark of the beast.

Gospel singer John Rich, in his popular song, “Revelation,” earnestly sings, “Revelation, I can feel it comin’, like a dark train runnin’.” He’s right. If our eyes are open to discern “the signs of the times,” we can detect Revelation’s from-freedom-to-force moment fast approaching. For years, our government has been crossing lines. Freedoms are disappearing. The dragon is snarling.

May God help us to understand His “sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV) and to spiritually prepare for the coming storm. No matter how dark things get, the good news is that when the powers of earth “make war with the Lamb,” we need not fear, for God’s Word promises us that “the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

May all of us be among those who reject the dragon’s voice and give our loyalties to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Will Freedom Die in America? by Steve Wolhberg	From the July 2025 Signs