John tells in Revelation that the coming antichrist will rule over the entire earth. “......and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” (Revelation 13:7). That describes a world government over which antichrist will rule.
In Revelation 17:12 we see ten leaders of European nations sharing rule with antichrist. This rule takes place during the first half of the tribulation period and we refer to it as the revived Roman Empire. “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.”
One hour is a short period of time for an empire. This time period is identified in other scriptures as three and one half years. There must be a transition from the present situation in Europe to the ten nation confederacy scripture foretells. We realize that some monumental problem or crisis situation must occur before this transition in the EU takes place.
We are now seeing in Europe a collapse of the economic and monetary system. Many are openly declaring that the present situation is setting the stage for a new European political and economic union. We believe that new union will be the revived Roman Empire as described in the above verse.
In Revelation 17:13 we see a transition to the world wide kingdom of antichrist. “These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” This occurs at the mid-tribulation point as the ten European leaders surrender to the absolute rule of the man called the beast, the antichrist. I believe at this point, the efforts of the UN to establish world government will have reached full fruition. I believe that antichrist will be welcomed and invited to assume total control of this newly established world government. This will be the world-wide kingdom of antichrist which will involve the last half of the tribulation period.
The following news item recently appeared in a newsmax.com commentary.
The United Nations is driving toward making itself the central government of the world. It has declared the entire earth a “Global Commons” under its rule.
Using the world economic crisis as an excuse, the UN has now put a very specific plan together to gain control over the world economy, including:
UN control of the sea, space and air - UN tax authority - UN financial regulatory authority - UN authority over world commerce - Creation of a world (UN) Monetary Board to create a UN currency.
The UN’s Commission on Global Governance issued a report saying, “Mankind’s problems can no longer be solved by national governments. What is needed is a World Government.”
What would it take to persuade national governments to surrender their sovereignty to the UN?
What about a massive world-wide crisis? An economic and monetary collapse would leave people everywhere destitute and create chaos and desperation. Add to that a major war in the Mideast with the use of chemical and biological weapons, and a possible nuclear exchange. Those possibilities are looming large on the present horizon. The scene would be set for a super leader (who would be coming to power in Europe) to appear on the world stage and solve the economic problems and bring (a false) peace to the world.
We read about this peace treaty of antichrist in Daniel 9:27a; "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease....."
We also read about this scenario in Daniel 8:25a; "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many...."
Paul also described this same event in 1 Thessalonians 5:3; "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
John gives us the same mesage in Revelation 6:2; "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." It has often been pointed out that in this text this false Christ has a bow but no arrows, indicating he conquers by peace and not war. His wars of destruction come at a later time.
What would it take to bring about a world church?
After the body of Christ is taken out of the world and the restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit is terminated (2 Thessalonians 2:7) world religions will come together very easily.
The emerging church and men like Rick Warren, with his World P-E-A-C-E plan, are actually preparing the way for apostate evangelicalism to be assimilated into the world church. (See Rev. 3:14-16)
Before antichrist and his revived Roman Empire appear on the scene the bride of Christ will be caught up to heaven. The signs of His coming are growing brighter with each passing day.
We see the Biblical end time scenario for Europe unfolding like a blossoming flower; however its results will not be very pretty.
In the following scriptures we see what awaits the world in the soon coming seven years of tribulation.
"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:14-17).
The only way to escape this awful time is to come to Christ through repentance and faith for salvation. The hour is late, come to Christ now.