Scripture clearly indicates that a 10-king power coalition will take form near the start of the Tribulation period. At least five separate visions in the Bible depict these 10 kings. We find these in Daniel 2:41-42 in the form of 10 toes, and as 10 horns representing 10 kings in 7:7, 20, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 12. As already explained in previous parts, the Bible’s use of the terms “kings” and “kingdoms” is equivalent to a male sovereign nation leader in our day.
Another important conclusion was that the 10 kings take form prior to the appearance of the Antichrist. This sequence is often ignored … many still looking for the Antichrist first. As such, the emergence of a 10-nation coalition is one of the most important signs of the times, though the world will likely not know the exact configuration of these 10 kings until the Antichrist actually arrives.
A power coalition of the type prophesied here is a unique arrangement in world geopolitical history. Ten sovereign kings (nation rulers) will pool their power together and then agree to put it at the disposal of the Antichrist (Revelation 17:13).
The general pattern throughout world history has been that only one nation would dominate the known world or its regions. Even in our modern age, this has been the case. It has been a long, long time since the world has not been dominated by one prominent and powerful country.
That said, it also is true that much of the world remains heavily influenced by the Roman Empire. In fact, as demonstrated in previous parts of this series, the Bible considers our era a definite offshoot of the Roman Empire.
It has never before occurred that the entire world has been firmly ruled by a voluntary coalition of power-sharing countries. That is still not the case, though movement has clearly been in that direction.
Today, we have nation assemblies such as the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, and many other international agencies … all coming into existence over the last 150 years or so. However, an obstacle to further collective globalism is that there are at least one or more geopolitical nation-states that are too powerful or independent to join such a coalition. These may be reluctant to cede their sovereignty to a smaller group of nations.
These mega-countries would have to recede in terms of influence or be superseded in some way or outdistanced before the 10-nation coalition can assume world-spanning power.
Significance of 10 Toes
Let’s again return to our laymen’s podiatry—the study and treatment of feet. We recall that Daniel saw 10 toes in the prophetic image of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. As reviewed in previous parts of this series, we know that the 10 toes are a parallel symbol to that of the 10 horns, shown in both Daniel and Revelation.
As such, it is a prophecy through symbol. Symbols must have literal meanings, as is the case with all symbols in Scripture. This being so, we can then draw meaningful conclusions by simply looking at symbols.
Therefore, Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a large human statue made of various materials (Daniel 2) contains a very important clue.
Studying this picture, one is likely to uncover an ill-fitting fact. Were Nebuchadnezzar’s vision to apply to our day, we would note that the feet would be quite lopsided and deformed. Why? There would be a big, outsized toe if the United States were a member of this group.
Consider that a foot has one big toe and four progressively smaller ones. While there are size differences in our toes, none are so large that it is bigger than the foot itself, for instance. Proportionality must be observed.
Every indication that the Bible gives us about the final, last-day, 10-king power coalition is that each member is roughly proportionate in size. First, in Daniel 2, we are shown a normal set of 10 toes. In Daniel 7, as well as Revelation 12, 13 and 17, they are shown as 10 typical horns.
However, a little later—continuing the “horn” imagery—the 10 horns are implicitly compared to an emerging 11th horn, which is said to have been small and which then uproots three of the existing horns (Daniel 7:8).
As such, we are led to recognize that the final 10 kings will not be small in size, nor is there any indication that the size of the horns will not be normal. We can reasonably conclude that the visions do not allow for outsized toes and feet, nor any grotesquely enlarged horns. The size differences would be normal … just as the big toe is bigger than the smallest of the toes.
But that is not what we would observe were Nebuchadnezzar’s vision to apply to our era. Presently, significant size differences would be noted. Consider that only one hugely outsized big toe would be visible. It certainly could not fit into the endtime glass slipper.
Viewed through the lens of current geopolitics, we see that there is one prophesied global political condition that does not yet exist. It is minilateralism. That arrangement will arrive when a small group of relatively powerful nations come together to form a world-ruling coalition.
These ten kings/nations will have global power. Grouped together, they will assuredly be more powerful than any other nation or group of nations.
Many national leaders look forward to the day when world affairs will not be so dominated by a select few … and certainly not by any one superpower, as America still may be today.
What do these conditions imply for America in the future? Could the US, therefore, be a future member of the 10-nation coalition … or not? Before we provide our viewpoints on these questions, we must first examine several other Bible prophecies that may play a role in endtime geopolitics. What does the Bible say about Asian countries such as China or Iran? As it happens, at this time, relations between America and China are tense.
China vs. America: Who Will Prevail?
Today, there is a fast-growing counterweight to the United States globally. It is China. This country has already made some great advances in global influence. Will its progression continue? Where will the growing geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China lead? Does the Bible have anything to say on this matter?
Will China leap-frog America … or not? The Bible provides a partial answer.
Unlike America, the Bible does mention this nation in the last days by name. China is identified specifically as Sinim. In fact, Scripture also prophesies about China.
Consider this prophetic verse: “Behold, these shall come from far; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim” (Isaiah 49:12, KJV).
Just what and where is Sinim?
Most sources agree that Sinim refers to the far eastern region of China today.1 Things related to China are still referred to as “Sino.” For example, the word “sinology” means the study of China. Sinim is likely the most eastern nation mentioned in the Bible.
In the Arabic language, China is still referred to as “Sin.” The word “Sin” likely comes from the word Ch’in (or Tsin), as in the Ch’in Dynasty, which ruled China between 221 and 206 BC. The word “Sinim” in Hebrew would, therefore simply be the plural form of “Sin.”
Returning to the quoted verse, we can deduce from Isaiah’s words—written some 2,700 years ago—that Sinim (China) will most certainly exist in the last days and will carry into the following Millennial period. Isaiah here speaks of the nations that will recognize Israel and worship the Lord.
Moreover, we can also reasonably deduce that China must be a substantial entity at that time since it is actually named in the prophecy. Also, instead of naming the “east,” the prophet simply assumes that this is the direction of Sinim.
Isaiah indicates that the people of Sinim will also be in that number that will eventually go to worship in the new Israel during the 1,000-year Millennial Period.
What about the “kings of the east” that are mentioned in Revelation 16:12? What role might they have? Will China be counted in this group? This verse reads: “The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East.”
This judgment occurs in the second half of the Tribulation Period. As a result, the “kings of the east” head west across the Euphrates. We can only speculate as to what their motives may be. Possibly (though this is sheer speculation), eastern nations may wish to get out from under the thumb of the Antichrist.
We must then turn to this crucial question: Will China play a significant geopolitical role in the last days, perhaps being a key member of a final world order? The answer, we believe, is both yes and no. Yes, in our opinion, China (and some other select Asian nations) will play a prominent role in the last-day geopolitical developments mentioned in Revelation 16:12. An aggressive action of some kind seems to be suggested.
While that may be the case, the Bible at the same time also rules out any role for China in the post-globalism, minilateralism period of a “10-king” ruling order.
How can we be sure of this view? Scripture reveals the answer.
Revelation 17:12 supports an important deduction. It reads: “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.” Just how does this verse connect to China and some other Asian countries today?
The verse we have quoted from Revelation specifically refers to these last-day 10 kings and reveals a crucial clue. John the Revelator tells us here that these 10 kings “have not yet received a kingdom.” This means that neither the kings nor their kingdoms referred to in this verse had yet existed, either at or by the time the Apostle John wrote Revelation (approx. 90-95 AD).
As such, we can draw some clear conclusions from Revelation 17:12. Any nation today that existed at or prior to the time of John’s prophecy, therefore, cannot qualify as one of the 10 final kings … in other words, one of the final influential 10 nations.
If we apply this rule, it reveals that such nations as China, India, Iran (Persia) and others will not be part of the final, 10-king world power coalition. Why? Because they already had kingdoms by the time of John’s prophecies.
Consider that China already existed in New Testament times. According to historians, the Han Dynasty, a predecessor to modern-day China, was in power at the time of John’s prophecies.
The same may be concluded for the nation of Japan today. As already mentioned, the nation of “Hodu” (India) had already existed, as the Book of Esther confirms. Crucially, therefore, we discover here that none of these large and influential Asian nations will be part of the last-day rulership represented by the 10-king coalition.
What light could these perspectives possibly shed upon our times?
Beyond the certainty that these nations will not be part of the world-ruling order at the time the Antichrist takes global control, we can only attempt a few additional speculative conclusions.
A scenario that appears plausible is that the formation of the final 10 kings may very well be a counterstrategy to the perceived threats or non-aligned perspectives of other global players, these very possibly being the “kings of the east,” who are growing in power before the 10-king coalition emerges.
There is no doubt that China is strategically placed geographically, allowing it to become a naval and economic power that can control and coordinate much of Asia. A number of geographers and geo-strategists have long thought this to be the case. As it happens, China today has sharply increased its naval capabilities.
Thoughts to Ponder
We can deduce that China will not qualify as one of the 10 horns on the head of the 7th Ruler King. It will not be part of the world-ruling 10 kings. Nor is it likely to gain total dominance over the world.
What would these conclusions mean for the outcome of the China/America rivalry that we see today? As almost always, interpretations of Bible prophecy are often colored or biased by recency. Events or trends of our time tend to be read into the prophetic Scriptures. As such, the reader beware.
It seems reasonable to conclude that if both China and America (at this time, anyway) do not qualify to be part of the world’s last power structure, that therefore the China/American rivalry will move to backstage geopolitically.
For the time being, combative postures may continue. Aggressive actions may yet escalate. Time will tell.
A wonderful conclusion to this segment is the message of Isaiah 49:12 (quoted earlier). Despite the distrust and different values that the two nations may have, in the end, the supposedly “big, bad Red China” will acknowledge Jesus Christ and enter the Millennial period.
In the next issue—the last one of this series—we will outline the final conclusions about America’s geopolitical future in light of Scripture. Does God have America in His eye? Was this nation created for a purpose?
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Wilfred J. Hahn is a global economist/strategist. Formerly a top-ranked global analyst, research director for a major Wall Street investment bank, and head of Canada’s largest global investment operation, his writings focus on the endtime roles of money, economics and globalization. He has been quoted around the world and his writings reproduced in numerous other publications and languages. His 2002 book The Endtime Money Snare: How to live free accurately anticipated and prepared its readers for the Global Financial Crisis. A following book, Global Financial Apocalypse Prophesied: Preserving true riches in an age of deception and trouble, looks further into the prophetic future.
Contact Wilfred at: staff@eternalvalue.com
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1 James H. Strong, Exhaustive Concordance, p. 5515: “Sinim is a distant Oriental region.”