The New World Order—known also as the One World Order—attracts much speculative comment.  It is best to stay clear of the extremism that is attracted to this topic … for example, refraining from pointless attempts to identify or “tar and feather” the mythical “globalists” or “international bankers” or Jews who are supposedly scheming up diabolical plans for the world.  But there definitely is a great conspiracy at work.  Soon, there will be 10 kings that will give their support to the ultimate conspirator—the Beast, the “in-the-flesh” Antichrist.  But a few things have to happen before this can occur.  And, at least one of these things will involve America.

But first, a few comments about conspiracy theories are in order. The Bible clearly equates conspiracy schemes with the antichrist spirit.  Said Apostle John, “This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” (1 John 4:3). Everyone is vulnerable to playing a role, whether small or large.  There can be any number of antichrists in this sense, the Bible indicating that there would be many. “Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). Simply complying with the world’s values and its humanist agenda makes one a conspirator … a mini antichrist.  The spirit of the antichrist really aligns all individuals, groups and nations who betray a spirit of rebellion against God, whether elites or not.

But this should not make any complicit people our enemies or the target of our condemnation. We are reminded that “[…] we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).  This is not a single spirit, but a hierarchy of demons led by the “kosmokrator,” the chief angel, Satan.  It is against this conspiracy that we wrestle—not deceived, mortal human beings.

Our time is therefore better spent praying for conspirators and antichrists, whoever they are, and pursuing a Biblical faith life. Elitists, globalists or whatever other “one-world-order” villains there might be, are no different or worse than the vast humanity that has been either misled or blinded by this world’s “prince of the air.” All other conspiracy theories, such as mentioned, are really unnecessary distractions to Christians.

Lately, however, at the behest of many antichrists and the Antichrist spirit himself, the great cosmic conspiracy is being advanced rapidly.  And, as has often been the case throughout history, great financial crises have proven to be very effective catalysts for the advance of humanism on earth.

 World Order Delayed or a Diversion?

A new world order?  Lately, it would hardly seem that way.  The globe has appeared rather disorderly.  Panic and desperate actions better define the times, not order rank and file. It even seems as if that prophesied day has arrived where people will throw their silver into the streets (Isaiah 2:20, Ezekiel 7:19). Recently, even gold and silver prices have plunged. However, that prophesied time is also not yet.  Ezekiel and Isaiah’s prophecies refer to conditions that will occur in the later stages of the Tribulation … likely nearer the time of the 6th seal.

Yet, many observers—Bible-readers or not—do think that the world is now rapidly caught in something like the Great Tribulation.  In fact, it is surprising how many observers use apocalyptic language in describing the recent economic and financial meltdowns. Apparently, a “financial Armageddon” is more fearsome than the real Armageddon. Indeed, a very steep global economic recession, perhaps even a depression, is in the works for some countries.

That America and the world’s financial systems were vulnerable to shattering meltdowns had long been obvious. Yet, now that calamitous events have occurred and difficult times are obvious to everyone, most of the world still remains asleep as to what really is underfoot behind the scenes.  What yet lies in the future?

We need not speculate. We know where this global rebellion against God is headed, because the Bible tells us the future in advance. Yes, we cannot know the exact timing and the minute details of future events.  All the same, reading the Bible we do know what the general world order will look like nearer the time that the Tribulation period begins.  Doing so, we can discern that developments today are fulfilling a rapid progression towards that prophesied time.

Unlike the Rapture, which is signless, the Tribulation is not.  Therefore, we can today know that the Tribulation period has not yet begun and is yet future. This conclusion can be deduced a number of ways. One of the most persuasive reasons for knowing that time is not yet is that the “endtime shoe” does not yet fit the time of the 10 kings.

The 10 kings must exist before the Antichrist is revealed.  Daniel makes this clear. “The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings” (Daniel 7:24).  Here we see only “after” the 10 kings are on the scene, that “another king”—the Antichrist—will arise.

Because of this, we can know that the world is yet to experience some great geopolitical and economic power shifts.  This must occur before the final endtime events described in the Bible can occur.

Ultimate Doom and Gloom Deferred

Prospects now look so grim to some analysts that they predict the world will soon return to the “Dark Ages.” They reason that during difficult times, individual sovereign countries will resort to protecting their own narrow interests.  They will therefore no longer comply with global organizations and institutions, abandoning multilateral relationships and retreating to the principle of “every man for himself.”  As such, globalism will be abandoned.

Also, global merchandise trade will now experience a steep setback.  The Baltic Dry Shipping Index (a statistical barometer that economists use to track world transportation rates for ocean-going ships) has shockingly collapsed 90% in less than a year.  When this index soared, as it did in recent years when the Asian manufacturing hub anchored by Chinaflooded the world with exports galore, it indicated rising demand for ships.  Its unprecedented collapse now signifies to some that global commerce is doomed.  They therefore conclude that globalization must therefore be dead.

Yet, though the globe may be facing unprecedented and calamitous times, a total collapse is not imminent. No doubt, difficult economic conditions are upon the world … certainly for a time. However, predictions of terminal doom occurring now are wrong.  In fact, the Bible expressly indicates otherwise. For one, we know that the world will have many sea captains at that future time when Babylon is yet to be judged (Revelation 18:17). How otherwise would it be possible for “all who had ships on the sea [to become] rich through her [the great cityBabylon’s] wealth” (Revelation 18:19)?  As such, shipping captains must yet experience a time of prosperity in the future.

Also, we know that ocean going traffic will still exist in the early Millennial period, as this must be the case in order to fulfill prophecies promised to Israel.  For example: “Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come” (Isaiah 60:5).  Ships will be bringing cargo and people to Israel at that future time. “Surely the islands look to me; in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your sons from afar, with their silver and gold […]” (Isaiah 60:9).

As mentioned, views that the world will face a reversal with respect to globalism are also wrong.  It is much too late for this to occur in any case, as the world is already too interconnected upon global trade with other nations. The fortunes of every country are too mutually dependent, so that very few, if any, can risk being recklessly independent.  In this sense, the road back from globalism is more horrible to policymakers than the one forward.

Said differently, ever more sovereignty will be bartered for the sake of grain, just as was foreshadowed by the Bible’s account of Joseph’s policies in that time of crisis in Egyptthousands of years ago.  “And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world” (Genesis 41:57).  The world is resolute upon achieving prosperity and its popular comforts its own way, without first seeking the Kingdom ofGod and salvation through the Son, Jesus Christ.

Road to Armageddon Uninterrupted

For these reasons and others, we can know that the steep downturn in global trade at present is only a stage of the world’s endtime “birth pains,” not yet the end. We must sadly conclude that the world’s progression towards the prophesied global conditions of the last days will continue.  As for what happens after the Rapture … that may be of little interest to Christians who are focused upon the Lord, looking only to His return. Yet, this realization does quicken our gaze upward, as His appearing seems ever more imminent.

Just what are some of these prophesied conditions?  Among many are these: apostasy, false christs, wealth extremes, hoarding, dissipation, indulgence, globalism and globalization.  All of these are far advanced.  But there is one that does not yet exist— global multipolarism.  What is meant by multipolarism?  It is a condition of inter-relationships where the world’s key nations are relatively balanced in terms of power and influence. Let’s examine this condition more closely, as it is very significant and also connects to the question of America’s fate.

Peer Steinbrück (the German finance minister) recently said that the world’s financial crisis prefigures the end of Wall Street’s (and, by extension, America’s) hegemony and the emergence of a multi-polar world.  He now sees a world where power is distributed a little more evenly.

If he is right that this will happen soon, it meets an endtime condition that the Bible prophesies.

Purpose of the Latest Crisis: A Shoe Horn

Scripture clearly indicates that a 10-king power coalition will take form near the start of the Tribulation period. At least five separate visions depict these 10 kings.  (Daniel 2:41-42 [in the form of ten toes]; 7:20, 24; Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3, 12, 16).

Many characteristics are revealed about this group of 10 world leaders.10 kings. Please see the Midnight Call 3-part article series, “The Emerging Global Power Coalition”— October to December 2006—which details 13 sets of factors that apply to this future grouping of kings.

In fact, this 10-nation coalition is one of the most important and early signs of the times.  While the world will not know the exact configuration of these 10 kings until the Antichrist achieves an accord with Israel (this being widely agreed to be the signal event of the start of the Tribulation period) this general trend toward world governance will be evident well before. That is what is playing out before our eyes today.

It is essential to understand the uniqueness of the arrangement, where 10 kings will pool their power together and then agree to put it at the disposal of the Antichrist.  There are two reasons.

Firstly, the general pattern throughout 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.  Secondly, it has never occurred before that the entire world has been ruled by a voluntary coalition of countries.  That is still not the case today, though there may be a European Union, NATO, the United Nations and many other international agencies.  Why? Because there are at least one or more geopolitical nation-states that are too powerful or independent. Therefore, we can know that the prophetic “glass slipper” has not yet found the 10-king Cinderella.

“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. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12-13). Effectively, this power configuration comes into existence for a very short period of time, and gives rise to the world’s 8th kingdom.  In Revelation 17 the beast with seven heads and crowns is again shown. These seven heads portray the past Gentile kingdoms that have suppressed Israel—fromEgypt to the second, revived Roman one at the time of Israel’s re-emergence.  The Antichrist’s rule at first is borne on the strength of 10 kings, and then becomes the 8th.

Critically, there are clear changes now underway that make way for the 10-king coalition … shortly thereafter, the 8th king.

We continue with our endtime shoe fitting and conclusions in Part II: What Must Become of the Big Toe—America?

We continue with our examination of Zechariah’s two strange visions mentioned in Zechariah Chapter 5 — the strange, flying scroll and the transported ephah.  In Part I we concluded that both of these visions concern the judgment of the endtime boom of commercialism that is also depicted in Revelation 18 as Babylon the Great.  We resume our review of the meanings of those that “sweareth falsely” and “stealeth” that were listed on opposite sides of the unfurled scroll.  We had already identified the meaning of those that swear falsely.

Hand in Hand With Theft

What about stealing?  It is the other side of the coin … or we should better say, the other side of the flying scroll.

Stealing in our time is probably more prevalent that ever before.  However, it is much more sophisticated.  There are numerous types of stealing that are institutionalized into world systems.  For example, consider the phenomenon of inflation (the price of goods continually rising in currency terms).  Today it is one of the biggest forms of stealing.  While there are many complexities to inflation, in reality, it is nothing more than stealing.  Yet, every central bank in the world today will argue that a little bit of stealing (inflation) is necessary for the smooth and safe functioning of economies and financial systems.

Too much inflation, however, can be disastrous.  Therefore, quite a bit of inflation (meaning the stealing from the pocketbooks of the citizenry) is masterfully concealed or lied about so as to not arouse unnecessary suspicion.  Officials are swearing falsely about inflation.  These are factual statements that can be proven, had we the space.  However, we want to continue illustrating how endemic stealing is today.

It is the staple of many other activities, as well.  Corporate executives steal from shareholders (like never before) and countries try to steal precious resources from other countries (oil, for example). Although such motivations are couched in official policy-speak such as “securing our interests” or“gaining access through free trade.”  This is all the norm today, though every now and then some people who make this too obvious for comfort will face conviction.

In conclusion, we see that swearing falsely and stealing are at the very root of man’s global endtime edifice.  The competitions of modern-day economic pagan man and sovereign countries around the world are typified by “swearing” and “stealing.”  It comes to its apex in the form of the commercialBabylon the Great, ancient Tyre reborn into its final global manifestation.

Two-Sided Meaning

We stop to consider the symbolic significance of the fact that the flying scroll has two sides.  On one side thieves are listed, on the other those that sweareth falsely.  Why are they shown as opposites or as two sides of the coin?  Actually, the entire economic system upon earth is defined by these very two symptoms as well as this nature of duality.

Isaiah, prophesying of judgment and wrath in the last days (the very same period that Zechariah sees)also emphasizes a duality.

“And it shall be—as [what happens] with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor.”  (Isaiah 24:2 AMP)

He lists here six sets of pairs that harbor an element of opposites.  For example, there can be no maid without a mistress.  Interestingly, three of these pairs (50%) directly refer to commercial aspects. There is a buyer and a seller; a lender and a borrower; and a creditor and a debtor.”  Significantly, these are mentioned last.  The sequence moves from the highest order of people and priest to the basest of creditor and debtor.  It pretty much fits the evolution of mankind’s systems.  The last pair pictures the crassest and most brutal world based on the rights of creditors and debtors — of those that “stealeth” and those that “swear falsely.”

And, indeed that is the world today — a world witnessing an explosion of debt and the widest chasm between the lenders and borrowers ever in history.  Interestingly, it is a commercial system perched upon the “double entry” bookkeeping system, its foundational duality.

Zechariah’s Conclusion: The Final Judgment

The rendering of Zechariah speaks of an endpoint — a final judgment.  He sees a picture of the world that is being cursed in its sophisticated perversions of stealing and perjury.  Then comes the point where this idolatry is encased in an ephah and moved.  The ephah, the filth and wickedness it contains, which is the related condition to the “swearing and stealing” that is upon the whole earth, and is therefore under a curse, is sealed off with a heavy lid of lead and is removed to a specific location.

The key aspects here are removal and a sealing off.  We note that Zechariah tells us that after the contents of the ephah are revealed, that the angel “pushed her back into the basket and the pushed the lead down over its mouth.”  (Verse 8)  This does not reveal a releasing of this wickedness and idolatry to again reflourish in some endtime location, but rather a sealing.  It is an end.

Next, we are told that the ephah is taken away, to be set upon its base which is a place that has been prepared for it ahead of time. (verse 11) We must ask ourselves why such advance preparations are required?  And, who is doing the “preparing?”  Of the many answers that can be probed, the only one that relates to the general theme of judgment in this entire chapter, is that this removal is one for divinely set purposes.

In other words, the filth and wickedness of a worldwide condition is quarantined and set upon a “resting place” (a base, possibly being a dungeon) somewhere in the land of Shinar.

Iniquity Moved to Its Final Quarantine

What is the significance of Shinar being mentioned as the final resting place for the flying ephah? Consider the significance of this location.  It is just outside the eastern extremity of the land promised to the covenantal descendants of Abraham which is the Euphrates River. (Genesis 15:18)  Shinar, is on the eastern side of this river, as is Babylon and therefore is just outside the periphery of the restored Millennial Israel.

As the ephah contained wickedness (Zechariah 5:8) and as the restored land of Israel is considered Holy in the Millennial period — harboring the holy hill of Zion and Holy Jerusalem — it is therefore understandable why this worldwide “wickedness” would be removed to somewhere outside the millennial Israel.  And as Shinar was the original source of this wickedness, it is most fitting that it be returned to that location.

The Meaning of Shinar

It is significant also that the original Hebrew texts confirm that Zechariah uses the word “Shinar” in identifying the future and final location of the ephah and not Babylonia.  The latter term, Babylonia(which some Bible translations incorrectly use) was the more modern term for this region during the time of this prophet’s ministry (after the Babylonian captivity of Judah).  The Babylonian kingdom at that time is referred to as Neo-Babylon by Assyriologists (experts in Middle Eastern history and archeology).  Though both terms, Shinar and Babylonia, refer to the very same general region, the former is the more ancient term harking back to the days of Nimrod and Semiranus.  That was at least 2000 years before the prophet’s time, even earlier than Chaldea.  This was the era out of which the original post-flood paganism and commercialism was spawned.

Since Zechariah refers to ancient Shinar, it is reasonable to conclude that he must be linking this prophecy to the ending of the ancient pagan beliefs and idolatry that first emanated out of the time of Nimrod, not the Neo-Babylonian empire.  It is these that are removed to a dungeon outside the Millennial kingdom.

Babylon Rebuilt?

Recognized is that many respected prophecy scholars see these final verses in Zechariah 5, that refer to the Ephah being moved to Shinar as lining up with a revived, rebuilt Babylon.  In fact, some use this reference as proof that this will the case.  As such, they see the ancient commercialism and paganism being returned to its previous eminence in the rebuilt Babylon just before the final Armageddon.

Actually, Zechariah 5 provides no such proof.  In fact, over the course of studying this topic, I have also gradually shifted my own views on this point.  While possibly other Bible references may be used to support the “rebuilt Babylon” view, verse 11 here cannot qualify, for several reasons.

Firstly, Shinar, the location to which the wicked is removed, is a region and not a city.  Also, as already shown, the term Shinar does not refer to the same era as Babylonia, though they are the same general region.  Therefore, to link this prophecy to the city of Babylon and its rebuilding cannot be substantiated.  This verse simply does not say this, neither referring to any rebuilding nor any city. Furthermore, as we have learned, the prophecies contained in the 6th and 7th visions speak of an end and a judgment, not a period of reflourishing wickedness.

There are additional problems with the interpretation that the ancient city of Babylon will revive as a great commercial centre of the world at the endtime.  Firstly, those that assume that this indeed will yet occur, link it with the great global commercial colossus identified as Babylon the Great in Revelation 18.  For this to occur, we must expect some monumental changes to occur over a very short time frame.  This shift must take place no later than the Tribulation period.  Could this really happen?

We recognize, of course, that just because Bible prophecy may sometime speak of incredible and unlikely developments (as humans may see them), this in no way disproves future literal fulfillment. Yet, let’s consider the possibility of such a development as the city of Babylon reviving and the necessary developments for this to transpire.

Unlikely Events Must be Expected

As is well known, the ancient city of Babylon is located in Iraq of today.  One could not think of a more dysfunctional and unruly country in the present-day world.  Even the world’s only superpower cannot bring this region to heel.  Are we to believe that this region will be transformed into the centre of the world’s trading system by the mid-point of the Tribulation?  If so, it would soon have to overshadow the financial and trade centers of New York, London, Frankfurt, Singapore or Hong Kong.  Practically, how long of a period would such a transition require, were it possible?

Never before in the history of the world has such an unlikely transition take place in a period of less than 50 years … even perhaps a hundred years.  Not only does scripture appear to preclude this outcome, this scenario stretches simple common sense and historical precedent.

To begin, we must remember that we are living in the very generation that Christ said will see the birth pangs of the endtime world.  Israel, the fig tree, has come back to life.

We don’t exactly know what length of term Christ meant by the phrase ”this generation” (Matthew 24:34) when he said to the Jews — meaning the revived Israel of the future — that “this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.”  It may be 60 years to 70 years or more, but likely not centuries.  If so, there simply is not enough time for Iraq or the city of Babylon to flower into the world’s economic power centre.  Alone, cultural changes of the type required to allow a Muslim nation such as Iraq to gain the type of broad-based power that determines world potency today, requires many decades.  This is improbable in itself.

A Tree Must Be Related to its Cultural Fruits

An insightful book by Lawrence E. Harrison1 recently concludes how unlikely and difficult it is for societies to change their cultural identities.  The entirety of history provides no precedent for such a rapid change as would be required to so suddenly alter its cultural course.  If and when this has happened for any particular society, such changes almost always occurred from within, requiring many years.  Rarely were major cultural changes forced from outside.

Consider the case of Turkey.  It can be argued that it and its forerunner, the Ottoman Empire, has been making attempts to Westernize for perhaps as much as a century or more, especially so under Mustafa Kemal, its founder — Attaturk — since the middle 1920s.  Yet, today, it remains a developing nation with a fundamentally Islamic society.  Virtually 100% of its population is Muslim.  It is still considered a developing economy by the World Bank and other such transnational agencies.

The type of transformation that is therefore required in Iraq in order to be able to control and commandeer the world economy, would take much more time than could allowed by Christ’s indication of a “generation.”  Assuredly, as mentioned, what the Bible prophesies will surely happen no matter how unlikely and impossible it may seem.  However, let’s be reasonable.  At the very earliest, something as unlikely as a revived Babylon would take many, many decades if it is to fit the descriptions found in Revelation 18.  On that logical basis, we must conclude that the Tribulation period is still 50 years or more in the future at the earliest.

Yet, revived Israel is on the scene today.  We would then have to agree that a generation must be at least 100 years if not much more.  Also, if a revived Babylon were to occur any quicker, we must then consider that apocalyptic events would be needed to change the order of the world that rapidly.  Yet, apocalyptic events of this scope prophesied anywhere in the Bible of yet future events do not take place any earlier than in the Tribulation period.

Finally, we consider one more argument that rules out a revived city of Babylon as the world’s future economic node.  The Babylon the Great of Revelation 18 is not in fact a city.  In fact, endtime Babylonthe Great is never called a city in the Bible.  To be technically correct, the “commercial” Babylon of Revelation 18 is always called the “great city.”  Six times in the Book of Revelation, it is never called a “city,” only a “great city.”  This is significant.  The term “great city” most likely refers to something bigger than a single or normal city.  There are strong arguments to be made that it refers to a systemic, global commercial regime, rather than a single city.

Points to Ponder – Part II

We conclude our review of the visions of the strange, flying scroll and the transported ephah.  If we have followed their literal, common-sense meanings, we may now understand some very important prophecies that in some cases may have been opaque to readers.

It is prophecy in the form of symbols that is intended to convey a specific meaning, not an allegorical one.  Often, prophecy of this type can contain things or concern events which are not understandable to the prophet relative to the conditions of the time during which they lived.  While the two visions do in fact concern concepts that would have been impossible to understand 2800 years ago, they do not refer to strange technology but rather to futuristic, systemic forms.  Zechariah is not referring to intercontinental ballistic missiles or satellites or any other such inventive thing.  He is referring to an endtime period of massive and idolatrous commercialism that will envelop the world.

The ephah of wickedness will indeed be taken to Shinar — the land of Babylonia — and become an astonishment.  It speaks of the end, not a beginning.

It fits hand-in-glove with the conditions that will fully be realized in the Tribulation period:

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

We now live during that time where we can see such conditions develop before our eyes.  For how long will the Lord yet tarry?  The curse is already upon the land and the world.  Economic inequities and injustices are waxing great.  Man’s wealth and commercial systems are exploding into prominence above else.

Yet, we Christians must face this flood of iniquity and stand firm.  Admittedly, it is near impossible. Even as we strive not to participate in the world’s materialistic orgy, we can identify with Jeremiah, who complained, “Alas, my mother, that you gave me birth, a man with whom the whole land strives and contends! I have neither lent nor borrowed, yet everyone curses me.” (Jeremiah 15:10)

1.       Harrison, Lawrence E. The Central Liberal Truth: How Politics Can Change a Culture and Save it From Itself. Oxford University Press, 2006.