July 4 is the day the United States of America celebrates its independence from Great Britain. American President and founding father John Adams seemingly foretold the future when he wrote the following about Independence Day:

"I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more" (from the Massachusetts Historical Society).

And indeed, Independence Day is observed with family gatherings, firework displays, and the like. But can we trace the United States through history before July 4th, 1776? Did God somehow intervene in human history? And what can this tell us about America's future?

A declaration of independence and prosperity

"The Lord had said to Abram, 'Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you' " (Genesis 12:1; New Living Translation). God declared Abram's independence from his family and his former homeland. He promised Abram that "all the families on earth will be blessed through you," and the man who would be Abraham simply yet boldly did what God instructed (Genesis 12:3-4; NLT). The key take-away is that Abraham's descendants would be so blessed and prosperous that not only they would benefit, but the rest of the world as well.

A few generations later, we see Abraham's grandson Israel blessing his own grandchildren, Ephraim and Manasseh. As Israel (also called Jacob) reached the end of his life, we read an interesting prophecy about his grandchildren. Notice what Israel says in Genesis 48:19: "'He [Manasseh, the firstborn brother] also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother [Ephraim] shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.' "

Based on this verse, we can begin to identify Ephraim as the British Commonwealth ("a multitude of nations") and Manasseh as the United States of America (a "great" people). For an in-depth look at the connection between these modern nations and ancient families, please consider reading The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy, one of our free study aids.

Upon reflection, I'm sure you can see many ways in which God has blessed the United States, and how America has in turn benefited the world. But what does the future hold for the modern descendants of Manasseh?

A problem and a promise

The prophet Micah spoke of Manasseh's future in Micah 5:9: "Your hand shall be lifted against your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off." This mark of military success and preeminence is something the United States still currently enjoys. But a dramatic change is coming.

"'And it shall be in that day,' says the LORD, 'that I will cut off your horses from your midst and destroy your chariots. I will cut off the cities of your land and throw down all your strongholds' " (Micah 5:10-11). God will revoke the blessing of His protection from America, and the United States will suffer unprecedented defeat--even captivity--at the hands of its enemies. "'Thus I will destroy your cities' " (Micah 5:14).

National security is a blessing that God grants for obedience (Leviticus 26:1-8). When nations are sinful, however, God's face is against them and they endure defeat at their enemies' hands (Leviticus 26:14-17). Even your seemingly tiny, individual sins contribute to this catastrophe.

The problem is sin--and the solution to that problem is repentance. "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:19; NLT). If America as a nation repents and turns to God, He will remember His blessings for obedience and grant them further to the United States. Unfortunately, this is unlikely.

Despite this apparent disaster, there is a final promise to all people everywhere: the Kingdom of God. Although great trouble is prophesied to come before Jesus' return (Matthew 24:21), He will save the peoples of the earth. He will bring Israel back to the land He originally intended for them to have. God will teach them His law and grant them His Spirit so they can better understand and live out this law. "You shall be My people, and I will be your God" (Ezekiel 36:24-28).

July 4th is a day of physical deliverance, but God's Kingdom will bring greater, spiritual deliverance to all people. The people of America will finally be dependent on God as He intended, and they will be free from the dark grasp of sin. Imagine the wonderful celebrations that this future Independence Day will bring.