Unraveling Democracy

 

I have heard many journalists comment in recent years that democracy in America is unraveling. I tend to agree. Biblical prophecy even predicted this very issue, long ago, and it is being fulfilled before our very eyes. God does not keep His plans hidden, and unfolding history never catches Him by surprise. In fact, history interprets and confirms prophecy.

There are many catalysts causing the unraveling -- the vitriolic politics of the last ten years, arguments over conspiracy theories, the capital insurrection, the pandemic, George Floyd’s death, social media, and more. Or blame it on CNN or Fox news, whichever one you choose to blame. Perhaps democracy itself is partly to blame -- too many personal rights and opinions at the expense of societal good. I am afraid that the impact of all these catalysts will not be remedied. They portend the end of America, and the end of the age.

Let’s look into God’s prophetic writings to understand the unraveling of American democracy. America’s role in the unfolding plan of the end of the age is no small matter. America is clearly described in three different prophecies. In Revelation 13 America is the seventh head of the beast, the final world power. America is the feet of clay mixed with iron in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a huge statue (Daniel 2). In Daniel’s vision (Daniel 7) America is foretold in the little horn that arises in the midst of ten nations that come out of the Roman empire. That new nation subdues three of the original ten to establish itself. Eventually, the little horn nation becomes arrogant and oppressive. That may be the most recognizable prophecy of America, but most Christins want to hang on to the idea that the little horn is Antichrist. I suggest, think again.

It is in the prophecy of the feet of clay and iron (Dan 2:41-43) where we find a clear description of the unraveling of democracy. America is partly strong and partly brittle. The people are a mixture and will not remain united. The division is not just Republican and Democrat, conservative and liberal, religious and atheist, wealthy and poor, straight and gay, black, brown and white. Although all of those contribute to the divisiveness, the heart of it lies in the fact that we do not want to unite. We want to attack, put down, and utter unbending opinions and unyielding demands. There is no seeking consensus, no empathy or sympathy for one another. Need I remind you, a house divided will not stand.

Iron is strong, clay is brittle. That is God’s word picture of American democracy. We can wield the sword around the world, displaying firepower the likes of which no country dares to stand up against. But we can’t even be logical or civil when it comes to a pandemic, or civil rights, or social issues.

America is a mixture that God says “will not remain united”. While I enjoy democracy and capitalism, they have their weaknesses. Our inalienable rights have become a pursuit of my happiness, my wealth, my opinion, my rights… my, my, my, mine.

My wife asked me, “what comes after an unraveled democracy?” Usually, it would be either a police state or total anarchy. But in this case, it is a large stone that destroys the entire statue, by striking it at its feet of iron and clay (Dan 2:34). The court will sit, the books opened. The feet of iron and clay and the little horn beast will be slain, destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. How do we know that? Because it has been prophesied by the Ancient of Days (Dan 2:26; 7:9-12).