This article is a brief summary of my eschatology as it pertains to the United States during the tribulation. For a much more extensive explanation, see my Roman Catholic eschatology books.

The tribulation is divided into two parts. The first part of the tribulation occurs in the present time; it is about to begin. We all now stand on the threshold of the tribulation. But the present time is not the end of the world.

The first part of the tribulation begins soon and ends in early 2040. Next, there is a brief time of peace, holiness, and rebuilding in the world, lasting about 25 years. Subsequently, the world becomes slowly, inexorably, more and more sinful. A few hundred years pass, and then the second part of the tribulation occurs, in the early 25th century, which includes the reign of the Antichrist, followed by the Return of Jesus Christ.

The first event of the tribulation is World War 3. The U.S. and Europe will fight against the Arab/Muslim nations of the Middle East and northern Africa (who will be led by Iran and Iraq). The U.S. and Europe will lose World War 3. The Muslims will conquer Europe, parts of Africa (down to about the equator), parts of Eastern Europe, and (part or all of) Scandinavia. The occupied territories will be oppressed; Christians and Jews will be persecuted.

During World War 3, at its very beginning, Iran will strike New York City with a nuclear bomb. Sometime later, during the same War, Iran and its allies will strike Rome and Vatican City with a nuclear missile.

The first four afflictions of the Tribulation are: (1) World War 3, (2) severe civil disorder and violence, (3) famine, especially in wealthy nations, (4) death from a variety of causes, including disease. These are the four horsemen of the Apocalypse.

The U.S. will not be as severely affected by World War 3 as Europe. For Europe will be conquered and occupied, whereas the U.S. will not be conquered or occupied. However, the U.S. will suffer more from the War than other nations outside the occupied territories, due to the nuclear attack on NYC and the threat of a subsequent attack.

The civil disorder will affect every nation on earth, and will be particularly intense in major cities. The U.S. will be no exception.

The famine will affect the U.S. less severely than Europe, because the fighting of World War 3 causes additional harm to food production and distribution in Europe. But the U.S. will be more affected by the famine than the developing nations. There will be food shortages, disruptions in food distribution, much higher food prices, food rationing, and widespread hunger.

The fourth affliction, death from a variety of causes, will affect Europe more than the U.S. However, there will still be many deaths in the United States. The explosion and nuclear fallout from the nuclear attack on NYC will kill hundreds of thousands. The civil disorder will result in an increase in deaths due to violent crimes, and this will continue for many years. The famine will kill many persons in the U.S. due to malnutrition, which weakens the body, making the person more susceptible to disease and injury.

Economic problems, a sharp increase in poverty, and a deteriorating health care system will also weigh upon the U.S. population, aggravating these other afflictions.

The U.S. and Europe lose World War 3. Europe will be occupied and oppressed.

But as the War is winding down, and a famine afflicts the European nations, the Protestant Churches will repent and convert. Then, in the early 2020’s, the Catholic Church will be restructured to have seven parts within one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church: 5 parts for the formerly-Protestant Churches, 1 part for the Eastern Churches, and 1 part for the Latin Rite. As a result, the United States will become a Catholic nation. The vast majority of its citizens will be practicing Catholics.

World War 4 occurs in the mid 2030’s. World War 4 is an all-out nuclear war between the Arab/Muslim extremists in the occupied territories (and in their own lands) and the U.S. with the other free nations (and the European governments in exile). The U.S. will win the war, but at great cost. The number killed will be in the hundreds of millions. The United States will be devastated, struck by multiple nuclear missiles.

During World War 4, Washington, D.C. will be destroyed, just as was prophesied so many years ago: “The capital of the world will fall.” (Abbot Werdin d’Otrante). Washington, D.C. is not currently the capital of the world. However, after World War 3, the European governments in exile and the Holy See will reside in Washington, D.C., making that city the figurative capital of the world. But as a result, the city will also be a main target of attack in World War 4. The enemy will succeed in destroying the city, but the U.S. will win the war.

After World War 4, there will be a series of severe afflictions, as described in Revelation chapters 8 and 9. These afflictions end with the Three Days of Darkness. Subsequently, there will be peace, holiness and rebuilding.

However, the United States will never again be a world superpower. The devastation of World War 3 and World War 4 bring the nation to its knees. The dominant world powers in subsequent years will be from other areas of the world. The U.S. President will no longer be considered the “leader of the free world” or the “most powerful person in the world”. The U.S. will no longer dominate the foreign policy and domestic policy of other nations. U.S. influence on the world will decrease sharply and remain at a low level. Subsequently, the dominant world powers will be Europe, then later Russia, then much later Africa, India, and China.

When does the tribulation begin? Very soon. Most likely in late 2012 or early 2013.

by
Ronald L. Conte Jr.
Roman Catholic theologian and
translator of the Catholic Public Domain Version of the Bible.