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We are a Christian Fellowship meeting in North London with a strong interest in teaching the Bible and understanding our time in
the light of Bible prophecy
Uniting the nations
At the reception at which the UN was awarded the Nobel Peace prize
(10/12/01), Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General gave an interesting speech,
which relates to themes I have written about in this magazine. Here are some
excerpts from the speech. To many people what he says may seem harmless
enough, but if you know how the globalist players operate, there is another
agenda, which I analyse here:
'We have entered the third millennium through a gate of fire. If today,
after the horror of 11 September, we see better, and we see further - we
will realize that humanity is indivisible. New threats make no distinction
between races, nations or regions. A new insecurity has entered every mind,
regardless of wealth or status. A deeper awareness of the bonds that bind us
all - in pain as in prosperity - has gripped young and old.'
Analysis: In the light of the threat of global terrorism we need a united
world. The September 11th attack is a gift to the cause of global unity and
we are going to use it. If you oppose this you are on the side of the terrorists.
'In the 21st Century I believe the mission of the United Nations will be
defined by a new, more profound, awareness of the sanctity and dignity of
every human life, regardless of race or religion. This will require us to
look beyond the framework of States, and beneath the surface of nations or
communities.'
Analysis: States / nations / communities are not able to guarantee freedom
and human dignity. We are now moving beyond the age of government by states
and nations into the age of government by blocs of nations, which will
ultimately surrender their sovereignty to the UN (see Revelation 17.12-13).
'Over the past five years, I have often recalled that the United Nations'
Charter begins with the words: 'We the peoples.' What is not always
recognized is that 'we the peoples' are made up of individuals whose claims
to the most fundamental rights have too often been sacrificed in the
supposed interests of the state or the nation.'
Analysis: We are going to bring this about by convincing you that we are
seeking to extend human rights and govern in the interests of the
individual, rather than the state or nation. Don't believe those who tell
you that this will really mean that power will be concentrated in the hands
of a small elite who will bring in a global tyranny.
'The idea that there is one people in possession of the truth, one answer to
the world's ills, or one solution to humanity's needs, has done untold harm
throughout history - especially in the last century. Today, however, even
amidst continuing ethnic conflict around the world, there is a growing
understanding that human diversity is both the reality that makes dialogue
necessary, and the very basis for that dialogue.'
Analysis: There are some people who are opposing this process and who are a
destructive influence on the world. There are some Muslims who want to
impose Islam by force on the rest of the world. There are also some
Christians who believe the Bible is true and hang on to outdated ideas about
salvation and eternal life only coming through Jesus and say that current
events line up with Bible prophecies of his second coming. These people have
done great harm to the world and need to be opposed. Evangelical Christians
are as bad as Islamic terrorists should be treated as a hindrance to the
development of a better world.
'In every great faith and tradition one can find the values of tolerance and
mutual understanding. The Quran, for example, tells us that 'We created you
from a single pair of male and female and made you into nations and tribes,
that you may know each other.' Confucius urged his followers: 'when the good
way prevails in the state, speak boldly and act boldly. When the state has
lost the way, act boldly and speak softly.' In the Jewish tradition, the
injunction to 'love thy neighbour as thyself,' is considered to be the very
essence of the Torah. This thought is reflected in the Christian Gospel,
which also teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who wish to
persecute us. Hindus are taught that 'truth is one, the sages give it
various names.' And in the Buddhist tradition, individuals are urged to act
with compassion in every facet of life.'
Each of us has the right to take pride in our particular faith or heritage.
But the notion that what is ours is necessarily in conflict with what is
theirs is both false and dangerous. It has resulted in endless enmity and
conflict, leading men to commit the greatest of crimes in the name of a
higher power.'
Analysis: All gods are equal and those who deny this are not true to their
own faith. The creed of the modern world is really to be found in the Hindu
saying 'truth is one and the sages give it various names.' In other words it
makes no difference what you believe and who you worship because all
religions and philosophies are different expressions of the same thing. The
Bible does not mean it when God says, 'I am the Lord and there is no other…
Ignorant are they who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that
cannot save. … There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Saviour'
(Isaiah 45.18-21). Jesus did not mean it when he said, 'I am the way, the
truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by me' (John 14.6).
Any attempt to persuade people that the true way of salvation is only to be
found in repentance and faith in Jesus the Messiah is false and dangerous.
The UN and the Roman Empire
In many ways the UN is calling for some kind of world government and many
politicians and newsmen are saying that some kind of global authority is
needed today. Former newsman, Walter Cronkite, wrote in his book, 'A
Reporter's Life', 'A system of world government is mandatory. The proud
nations someday will see the light and yield up their precious sovereignty.'
Cronkite also told BBC newsman, Tim Sebastian, 'I think we are realizing
that we are going to have to have an international rule of law. We need not
only an executive to make international law, but the military forces to
enforce that law.'
In response to Annan's speech, Gunnar Berge, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel
Committee, said, 'This year we are celebrating the centenary of the Nobel
Prizes, including the Peace Prize. That makes it natural to consider
historical continuities where both the better organized world and the Nobel
Peace Prize are concerned. The idea that mankind has common interests, and
that this should find expression in some form or other of shared government
or rules, can be traced back to the Roman Empire.'
It is very interesting that he refers to the Roman Empire. Students of
prophecy have long held the view that in the last days before the return of
Jesus there will be a revival of the Roman Empire. This may not necessarily
refer just to the region of the Roman Empire, but to the spiritual power of
ancient Rome.
What is happening today ties up with what happened in the days of the Roman
Empire, when different religions were tolerated as long as they were
registered as 'religio licita' (a legal religion). Legal religions placed
their gods in the Pantheon, a building in Rome, which means 'all gods'. They
were required to give allegiance to Caesar but as long as they did this they
could practise their religion how they liked. Caesar was known as the
'Pontifex Maximus', a Latin term meaning supreme bridge maker. On one level
this title referred to his role as defender of the city of Rome by securing
the bridges across the River Tiber. On another level he was considered a
divine figure, who became the 'bridge' between this world and the next.
Later when the Roman Empire collapsed, the Bishop of Rome took on the title,
Pontifex Maximus, which is today one of the titles of the Pope.
As well as accepting the supremacy of the Caesar, religions were expected to
keep the Pax Romana, Roman peace. None of them should disturb this peace by
challenging the power of Rome or by stirring up religious or nationalistic
conflict. For many people this was a good thing as it stopped warring tribes
fighting each other and created a framework of law and order, which as long
as they kept the rules was acceptable. The early Christians were a 'religio
illicita' (illegal religion) because they refused to accept the supremacy of
the Caesar and acknowledge him as 'Lord' since they believed Jesus to be the
only one worthy of being called Lord. They also were seen as a threat to the
peace (see Acts 19.23-41) because they proclaimed their message to all other
faiths, saying that Jesus is the only Saviour and the Messiah.
Today we find that the world system is becoming increasingly similar to the
Roman system. All religions are accepted and brought into the modern
'Pantheon' in which human wisdom and institutions are seen as the ultimate
authority to which all must submit. As yet we do not see a visible 'Caesar'
figure to be worshipped as divine, but the Bible says he is waiting in the
wings (see Revelation 13). But we do see that the UN is demanding that
religions cooperate in the cause of peace. Those who proclaim that they have
the only way to God are seen as enemies of the peace. Increasingly political
leaders court religious figures in their quest for a new world order, which
is clearly backed by a spiritual power aimed at bringing the religions
together. The very thing prophesied in Revelation 17 - the woman (false
religion) riding the beast (political power) - is already here in embryo.
True Christians cannot enter into this union because we know that Jesus is
unique, not to be put on the same level as the founders of other faiths. He
is unique because He is God, and He fulfilled the prophecies of the Messiah
in the Hebrew Scriptures by laying down His life as a sacrifice for our sins
and rising again from the dead. Buddha, Mohammed and even Moses are all dead
and buried, but Jesus is unique in that he has risen from the dead. He alone
can grant us forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The Gospel message is one
answer to the world's ills and if this offends the leaders of the UN and the
world religions as they come together, so be it. This message does not bring
harm to anyone, but a better life in this world and the next.
There is a longer article on this theme, 'Religion in the last days' on this website.
