Globalism: Preparation for The
Antichrist
By: Dr. Thomas Ice
Focus on Jerusalem, in
its continuing endeavor to make available interesting and doctrinally sound
articles associated with Bible Prophecy is pleased to present this scripturally
sound and provocative article entitled, “Globalism, Preparation for the
Antichrist?” by Dr. Thomas Ice of the Pre-Tribulation Research Center. Mr. Ice
is an excellent expositor on Biblical themes. The Pre-trib Research Center is
listed on the FOJ links page for your easy access. This article concerns the
gathering impetus for the world order of the Antichrist. It is an intriguing
article and highlights some of the prophetic signs of the world-wide power the
Antichrist will exert during his brief reign during the Tribulation. FOJ hopes
that its presentation will inspire your further interest in the study of the
things of our Lord. (11-01-2005)
No
matter how the problems of today are defined, increasingly the world believes
that the only viable solutions are of a global nature. Everywhere we turn,
globalism is being talked about and touted as the only answer to mankind’s
problems. I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. LaHaye’s recent comment that "Two of
the signs all pre-trib prophecy scholars most watch for are Israel and global
government." No doubt that Israel is God’s super sign of the end-times. And in
concert with Israel’s recent rise is the development of a global consciousness
for the first time since the Tower of Babel.
In a
recent article I wrote on "Signs of The Times and Prophetic Fulfillment," I
noted that we appear to be at the end of the church age because God is currently
setting the stage for the next phase of history, known as the Tribulation. I
said, "we can see that already God is preparing or setting the stage of the
world in which the great drama of the tribulation will unfold. In this way this
future time casts shadows of expectation in our own day so that current events
provide discernable signs of the times."
Global Stage Setting
I
recall in the early 1970s, when I first starting learning about Bible prophecy,
it was common for some to cite a few events evident in our day of the move
toward global governance. Today there are so many things happening in virtually
every area of life that it is enough to make one’s head spin. Yet, there seems
to be a decreasing interest by Christians in this obvious trend.
There
is a rash of events that are currently in the news about those who are gathering
to consider a global agenda. For example, September 6-8, 2000 was to see the U.
N. Millennium Summit, "billed as the largest-ever gathering of world leaders" in
New York City which is expected to draw a record 150 heads of state and
government. Louise Frechette of Canada, the deputy secretary-general of the
United Nations and spokesman for this U. N. planned event said, the summit
should "give a sense of direction to the organization from which its work should
then flow." What work? Why the work toward globalism, of course.
Secretary-General of the UN, Kofi Annan, has "called for benevolent
globalization in the 21st century to insure that the information
revolution does not leave billions of people behind in poverty." The
Secretary-General "asked world leaders to commit themselves to a number of
targets by 2015." "But still under debate are proposals that would highlight
human rights over national sovereignty or strongly assert the right of
non-interference in domestic affairs." Interspersed throughout the summit will
be dozens of "mini-summits" designed to reach consensus on various issues.
Events
like the UN Millennium Summit are occurring with greater frequency and are
increasingly taken more seriously. Clearly the world is on a path to global
rule. It is not a matter of "if," but only a matter of "when." The Clinton
administration has recently committed the United States to participation in a
global court. Such a move, without the required Congressional approval, is just
one more step toward the compromise of US sovereignty and a global rule. It
appears that globalists are working overtime in an attempt to somehow implement
a global tax upon the citizens of the world so that the UN can have an increased
revenue source and gain jurisdiction over citizens of the world in what would be
a major step toward global governance. Globalism is coming, faster than most may
realize.
We see
the urge for Globalism in at least the following areas: government, economics,
religion, the environment, military, commerce and trade, manufacturing, banking,
business, population control, education, management, publishing, entertainment,
personal health and well-being, wealth redistribution, agriculture, law,
science, medicine, sports, travel, music, electronics, the internet and
information availability, and so many more areas. With each day that passes, the
mantra of our day is the famous statement of Los Angeles citizen, Rodney King,
when he said, "Why can’t we all just get along?" Well, what’s wrong with
globalism?
Is Globalism Unbiblical?
The
only global government authorized by God and His Word will be when Jesus Christ
returns to planet earth at the second advent and rules the world with a rod of
iron from Jerusalem. All other global government, no matter how "benevolent" its
intention, is frowned upon by Scripture. Yet, the Bible teaches that God will
allow evil to form a global government for three and one-half years during the
second half of the tribulation for the purpose of our Lord’s global judgment
just prior to the second coming of Christ and the establishment of His global
rule for 1,000 years upon earth. Thus, current moves toward globalism are
preparation for antichrist, not for Jesus Christ, and should be opposed by
Bible-believing Christians.
Most
Christians have at least some vague familiarity with the Tower of Babel incident
shortly after the Flood, which lead to the splintering of the human race into
factions. The traditional understanding of this story (Gen. 10:8-14, 31-31;
11:1-9) indicates that the erection of the Tower corresponds with Nimrod’s
beginning of the kingdom of man at Babel (Gen. 10:10). Thus, Nimrod is seen as
the father of the kingdom of man as a vehicle of rebellion against God and His
kingdom. It is at this point God judged the first United Nations building,
confounded the single human language into many, and established the Divine
Institution of "tribal diversity" to promote social stability.
What
is tribal diversity and how has God used this to promote social stability?
Tribal diversity is when God divided the human race into diverse tribal units so
that mankind would not be inclined toward unity. Due to the fall of Adam into
sin, all descendants of Adam have a sin nature. This means that socially, man
wants to unite in his rebellion against God. Such unity was displayed before the
flood and led to the global flood. God promised not to destroy humanity by a
flood again. At the end of history He will use fire. In the interim, God keeps
the human race from self-annihilation through the restraint of civil government
and tribal diversity. Charles Clough says, "In Genesis 9:25-27 an outline of
postdiluvian history is revealed which centers upon the three sons of Noah—Ham,
Shem, and Japheth. Further subdivisions are indicated in Genesis 10—11 and
Deuteronomy 32:8. "Throughout the postdiluvian period, then," explains Clough,
"God preserved man’s social stability and health by playing off one group or
tribe against another to maximize true progress and retard the influence of evil
(cf. Acts 17:26-27)." Since the flood, God has used tribal diversity as an
instrument to pit one people group against another, so that when one society
becomes entirely pagan, He can judge or restrain its evil influence through
another people. Thus, like compartments in the hull of a ship, damage to one
compartment will no sink the entire ship. This is what God uses to restrain
global government until the tribulation comes when, through the leadership of
the antichrist, mankind will overcome this restraint, resulting in a second
global judgment at Christ’s return. The day in which we live, appears to be on
the threshold of smashing God’s institutions for the supposed higher goal of
erecting a new Babel.
Modern
Globalism was first put forth by Dante in the fourteenth century in order to
counter the all-encompassing stranglehold of the Roman Catholic Church. Immanuel
Kant developed globalism as a philosophical idea half a millennium later. The
military turmoil of the last two hundred years have seen globalism gradually
grow to the place that it is considered the only reasonable solution to a
multiplicity of problems by secular thinkers. Nevertheless, God is as opposed to
globalism today as He was to the one world spirit displayed through the ancient
tower of Babel. His judgment will be just as certain in the future as it was in
the distant past.
The Mystery of Iniquity
No
matter how hard apostate man struggles to apply a global solution to mankind’s
problems, he will not succeed until God removes His restraint of man’s evil
impulse after the rapture of the church. Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 2 that
"the man of lawlessness (the antichrist)" (verse 3), will not be revealed until
"he who now restrains” is taken out of the way" (verse 7). The restraint will be
removed at that future time when God will remove His church through the rapture.
The removal at the rapture will then allow for the rise of antichrist, who will
begin the seven-year tribulation by making a covenant with the nation of Israel.
The final three and one-half years will see antichrist implementing global
governance in rebellion against God. Paul told the Thessalonians that "the
mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so
until he is taken out of the way" (verse 7). Ever since Babel, Satan has been
working to bring about his agenda of globalism, but God restrains from reaching
the flowering of his kingdom until after the rapture, during the tribulation.
Because the mystery of lawlessness (i.e., iniquity in the KJV) has been at work
since Babel, we can see evidence down through history, even in our own day that
the globalization of antichrist is coming. Step by step it creeps, but it is
coming. This is why we can see evidences of globalism today, before the
rapture.
Paul
further warns the Thessalonians that the mystery of iniquity is a satanic
program that advances through deception and guile (verse 10). We can gain
insight into the present working of the mystery of iniquity by studying the
maturity of the kingdom of man as it will be brought out into the open during
the second-half of the tribulation. Revelation 17 and 18 describes this satanic
kingdom as being composed of a religious aspect as depicted by "the great harlot
who sits on many waters" (Rev. 17:1; cf. 17:1-18); and the political and
commercial aspect of the kingdom of man (cf. Rev. 18:1-24).
Conclusion
It
should not be surprising that we see the development globalization advancing at
an alarming rate when we consider the insight into such developments in light of
biblical teachings about past and future growth of the kingdom of man. It should
be clear that all globalization in our own day is the result of a satanic
impulse, not one from above. Even when we find similar trends being espoused in
the Evangelical Church, they should be understood as an invasion of the enemy
(cf. 1 Tim. 4; 2 Tim. 3). We should not be surprised to learn that efforts
toward a one world government have been and continue to be the efforts of so
many in high places of government and commerce; and that they use the stealth of
deception to further their dreams and goals. This understanding provides a
framework for understanding, interpreting, and standing against many of the
trends and events of our own day, knowing from whence they have come and to
where they are leading. We take great relief in knowing that God is just and
will one day judge this ungodly world. But at the same time, while we are
eagerly waiting for a Savior from heaven, we should be aggressively preaching
the gospel of God’s grace to any who will listen. Maranatha!
