 |
By Arno FroeseOne of the most difficult things to grasp for citizens who have lived under a so-called free system such as democracy is that it will usher in the new age of the Antichrist; a temporary time of world peace and prosperity.
World unity is being accomplished in different ways and on different levels. An article from the April 26, 1992 edition of the Kansas City Star provides us with a glimpse of how world unity is coming together:
A new economy rules. Because of their different histories and present circumstances, Japan and Europe will be infusing the capitalistic economy with strategies very different from those found in the Anglo-Saxon world.The new social/capital economy will incorporate different strategies and is indeed altering the traditional economic game the leaders of the world have played thus far.
They will force the economic leaders of the 19th and 20th century, the United Kingdom and the United States, to alter the way they play the economic game.
What we see developing today is unprecedented. The success lies in rejecting the old traditional ways and pulling out onto new avenues to achieve prosperity, success and unity.
Britain first held the torch but the United States has been the world’s economic leader for most of the last century. If other nations tried to interfere, they were silenced by force.
For example, when the Dutch established New Amsterdam (today’s New York), the British simply told them to get out, and they had no choice but to obey. This type of power wielding was the norm in politics, economy, military and religion until the beginning of the 1900s.
As already mentioned, the United States is no longer the undisputed leader of the world. Our national debts testify against any other theory. Britain, once a world empire, is now one of the poorer nations in Europe. England’s standard of living is substantially lower than that of Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, and Norway. So, just as was pointed out in the Kansas City Star article, the old Anglo-American system is failing and will be surpassed by the new social/capital world system now being developed in Europe.
The Coming European World
The new European power structure will fulfill the prophetic predictions that tell us that a one-world system will be implemented. Once the system is established, it will fall into the hands of an extremely clever person the Bible identifies as the Antichrist.
The fourth Gentile empire, which is being established today, does not need to be labeled as the Roman Empire or the One-World Order. These and many other labels that are being coined today will ultimately merge into one.
Whether the unity of the world is promoted by certain organizations such as the Illuminati, Bilderbergers, the Club of Rome, the G-7, the United Nations, or any other, the aim and the result will be the same.
It is not necessary to distinguish between each of them and analyze their objectives because it is the same one-world spirit. The same spirit prompted the building of the Tower of Babel. We can justifiably call the movement toward world unity an unmistakable sign of the end times. The Antichrist will be especially successful in the last days when he incorporates the world into one.
Important for Christians to understand is that the progress and subsequent success of the new world is not necessarily evil and should not be rejected by believers, but we must always keep in mind that we are in the world and not of the world.
All Governments Are Ordained by God
When we analyze the situation of the world, we must not forget that “there is no power [government] but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). When Christians become politically partial, then we are actively participating in the political process and become part of the world. I am fully aware that I will be chided for making such a statement, but I believe it is biblical.
Joseph was as a slave in a foreign government, as was Esther. Daniel faithfully served two dictatorships that had destroyed his own country and led to his captivity. Above all else, Jesus was obedient to the dictatorship of Rome!
All governments have been ordained by God, but each and every one is placed under the jurisdiction of the devil because he is the god of this world. He is the prince of the powers of darkness. No doubt, there are great differences between the various governments, and surely, the communist governments committed more evil acts than the democratic governments, but these things have no direct relationship to the Church of Jesus Christ.
Using All Things Liberally
The Bible is clear that regardless of the world’s evil condition, believers can make use of all things in our service to God. Thus, we read in 1 Corinthians 3:22: “Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours.” We may use all modern facilities, inventions and products to further the Gospel, and not feel like we have to analyze everything for hidden diabolic intent.
For example, we have had people tell us they will not subscribe to our magazine because we accept credit cards as forms of payment. These people assumed that we were in cahoots with the devil, but we would be blind if we denied that a one-world economy already existed.
New Currency
Much has been written about the proposed new money. While in many parts of the world, new money is being issued rather frequently, it is almost unthinkable in the United States. We have gotten used to the “greenback” over the last several generations. This is equally true for the British currency. Incidentally, both currencies are continuously losing purchasing power and financial experts have little doubt that the currencies will need to be replaced. The following is an interesting article in connection with this idea:
The consequences of a universal currency will be simplicity of all arithmetic,operation and facilities gained for travelers, the easing of international transactions and the simplification of exchange rates.When we have a universal currency, trading will receive such a stimulus that it will bypass all the trade records experienced so far.Does that sound like some overly optimistic prediction? Wrong! This was written in 1870 by Mr. Feer Herzog, the Swiss Finance Minister in France. Already at that time, there were those who dreamed of a unified Europe and a united currency!
World Communism
What is especially unique today is the fact that the competing forces of capitalism and communism are being merged into one since the fall of international communism. The communist system could not compete with social/capitalism because it ignored monetary policy.
Back in 1967 Dr. Wim Malgo wrote an article in our first American edition of Midnight Call entitled, “Communism: Doomed to Fail.” We have witnessed its collapse but it was unthinkable in 1967 because we had heard so much about the great communist threat. Russia was ahead of the United States in weapons production and space travel and she was swallowing up one country after another. The U.S. lost the war against the small nation of North Vietnam. The communists achieved one great victory after another in many parts of the world.
Why did communism fail? There were many reasons, but one specific point that I would like to mention here is that communism failed to consider that man is basically evil, selfish and money hungry. Capitalism, on the other hand, thrives on the love of money. A catch-phrase Greed Is Good was popular during the Regan administration.
Anti-God Communism
Communism revealed itself as being anti-God. The communist’s motto was “God is dead!” When my mother-in-law was alive she frequently traveled behind the Iron Curtain to visit her relatives in communist East Germany. She always brought Midnight Call literature with her in spite of the fact that it was forbidden. She was caught with the literature several times, but the authorities did not arrest her because of her age.
When in East Germany, Mom always took long walks in the fields of the countryside. On one occasion, she saw a large sign in a wheat field that the communists had put up that said, “Ohne Gott und Sonnenschein bringen wir doch die Ernte ein!” (“Without God and sunshine we will still bring the harvest in.”) The communists challenged God. Their confidence was strengthened because they had just imported brand new grain harvesters from Russia, which were supposedly capable of harvesting wheat during wet seasons.
Then one day it started to rain. This, of course was not unusual but the rain continued for seven days. The result was predictable. The crop was flattened. They were unable to harvest the grain even with the most sophisticated Russian machinery. The billboards disappeared overnight. The communists had taken them down because they were embarrassed by their arrogance.
I don’t have to tell you that my mother-in-law, who was a believer, praised the Lord, rejoicing in her heart to see these foolish people defeated by the mighty hand of God.
Anti-Christ Capitalist
The capitalistic system is not anti-God but anti-Christ. The system of capital democracy will usher in the Antichrist; therefore, I propose we watch it more carefully in our day.
Communism was based upon the productivity of the worker. Karl Marx, a German Jew, stated in 1848: “If the workers of the world unite, they will be able to bring forth a paradise on Earth.”
But communism failed because it was not centered on the love of money. Instead, they invented their own financial system that was not backed by personal incentives for the individual. Communism rejected that idea and developed the philosophy that all people are created equal, subsequently, they will remain equal.
A degree of greediness is essential in order to make a capitalistic economy work properly. People who seek personal wealth generally work a lot more than the average citizen. Many successful businessmen work between 12 and 16 hours a day. Some work six, even seven days a week. They think about profit and individual wealth all the time. They are dedicated to success, and they love money.
Believer’s Lesson
Believers must learn a lesson here: we must also work day and night, but the work we do is of eternal value. Gold and silver perish, but precious souls that will be saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ will remain forever. They will make up our crown of jewels, our reward for all of eternity.
We all need money. Midnight Call Ministries could not function without money. We must pay to print our magazines, books and tracts. We need money for wages, missionaries, and postage. We need money for just about everything. But money should only serve to sustain our standard of living, and most of all, to further the work of the Lord. That is the reason the Lord gives us health: so that we can work, earn money, and help to further the Gospel.
Ultimate Control
Money will play a major role in the coming one world system. In the book of Revelation, we read: “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 13:16-17). This is obviously the ultimate system for money control, as far as the end times are concerned.
The Mark of the Beast, or the number of his name, will become a financial necessity. I do not believe, however, that this mark will be forced upon people. The general public will recognize the advantages this system provides and will gladly receive it.
It is significant that worship is mentioned first. The people who will receive the Mark of the Beast will be convinced that this is the right thing to do because the system will eliminate many of the evils within our society. Think about it: Tax fraud deepens our national debt and places more burden upon the honest citizens. The drug trade would receive an immediate death blow. The evil deeds of drug dealers would stop because there would be no more cash. Virtually all cash-related crimes would stop. The majority of the people will gladly receive the Mark of the Beast for these and other obvious benefits.
Credit Cards: The First Step Toward Global Money
It is necessary today to have a credit card if you wish to travel, especially to foreign countries, as it would be very difficult to make hotel and airplane reservations without one. A credit card is the most economic and practical form of currency you can use in a foreign country. It will save you from having to go through the time consuming process of exchanging American dollars for local currency, not to mention the astronomical fees charged by the money changers.
We talked earlier about a global currency and pointed out that the credit card is the beginning of a unified currency. Unfortunately, someone could use it simply by forging your signature; therefore, it is almost natural that this system would have to develop further. A credit system that cannot be lost or stolen will offer itself as the ultimate in security — a permanent bodily mark! This global system will be the most successful financial/ political/economic and religious system the world has ever known!
Just think for a moment about the amount of money that could be saved by operating a one world government with only one military force. Think about the tax cuts and the money freed up for more beneficial uses. It is for that reason the nations will gladly accept the Mark of the Beast with the new world ruler system that promises peace and prosperity on earth.
Eternal Unity
But, while the world is being united and prepares to welcome the Antichrist, believers are “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Christians are preparing for the coming of the Lord.
When Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” He had paid the price in full for the sins of all mankind. Calvary finished the payment for sin and unified all who believe.
Man’s unity is based on his own intellectual capacity, which is tainted with sin and will lead to Armageddon.
Money is still the name of the game whether you are the richest man on earth or a homeless person. There is no difference at death, regardless of whether you are Sam Walton [founder of the Wal-Mart chain], who was called the richest man in the world, or the poor homeless fellow who lives underneath a bridge. The only thing that counts when you die is whether you trusted in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
