Ten Reasons (4) Brutal Military Power

Daniel described a powerful military empire that would dominate most of the earth.

The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it (Dan 7:23).

This Terrible Beast devoured the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing everything that stood in its way.

The military power of the United States exceeds anything that has ever been known. It has military bases all over the world, including a large force in Europe and another in Asia (Korea). The US navy has more powerful ships than any nation that has ever existed. The US air force has the ability to drop bombs or target missiles anywhere in the world. No nation can challenge the military power of the United States.

The military power of the United States is made greater by its economic power. United States defence expenditure is bigger than the budgets of the next 15 to 20 biggest spenders combined. It is making it hard for any other country to catch up. It spends far more on military research and development than any other military power.

The United States has overwhelming nuclear superiority, the world's dominant air force, the only true, blue-water navy and military bases all over the world. It leads the world in exploiting the military applications of advanced communications and information technology.

American unmanned planes and guided missiles are becoming increasingly sophisticated. These developments give unrivalled ability to destroy targets from afar with extraordinary precision.

The British Empire at its peak had about 35 bases in foreign countries. The United States has over a thousand bases all over the world. This superiority gives the United States a unique capability to project power around the world.

Compared with earlier empires, like Rome, Egypt and Babylon, the reach of American power is absolutely immense. Those ancient empires only controlled a small part of the world and their economic power and military forces were feeble by comparison to the United States.

All previous empires were surrounded by enemy powers. The United States is isolated on an island on the other side of the world with no threats to its peace. It has never been invaded, except by the first European settlers. Yet because the people trust in military power, their leaders have been able to devote massive resources to build up the nation’s military forces. This situation is unique, so military dominance on this scale will probably never happen again.

The American Empire does not need direct control of every country in its sphere. It can gain enough control to accomplish its purposes by doing deals with kings and dictators. The United States government supplies the dictator with military and economic assistance. The dictator creams a tithe off the top of the economic aid to maintain his family in a presidential lifestyle. He uses military assistance to suppress opposition and to establish the peace and stability needed for the operation of American business. Everyone that counts is happy.

The United States is the only modern nation with sufficient military and economic power to be the fulfilment of the Beast. Unfortunately, its system of government is breaking down. As presidents become more dictatorial, they will embark on foreign adventures using military power to enhance their popularity.

The expansion of the American Empire does not eliminate kings and rulers. They can continue in their comfortable lifestyle with undiminished power, provided they submit to American interests. Many weak nations will be trampled by American power. If rulers refuse to comply with American interests, they will be beaten up like Iraq and Libya.

Christians think of their military as the nice people in uniform at church on Sunday. They ignore the brutality of the US military in places where it is fighting, destroying buildings, massacring citizens, imprisoning people who disobey their commands.