Some modern teachers of prophecy claim a one world
government and religion will control the political and
religious systems of the world just before the end of this
present age. While there are organizations seeking global
unity, the prophetic writers inspired by the Holy Spirit to
write in books what they heard and saw did not include
events that would occur in all the nations of the world.
The prophetic books of the Bible focus on the Middle East
and the area around the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, the
background of the prophets of the Bible was Judeo/Israel.
Therefore, it is important we keep a Middle East perspective
in mind when we read the Biblical prophecies that use the
term “all nations.” It is important we understand what the
term “all nations” include. Does it mean those who will
submit to the authority of the beast John saw coming up out
of the sea or those gathered for the final battle between
Christ and His enemies?
Four thousand years ago God promised Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob, that their descendants, the nation Israel, would
inherit a special land, what is known today, as the Holy
Land, the Promised Land, the land of Israel, and Palestine.
Yet through the ages, Israel has enjoyed sovereignty over
this small plot of land for only a few short centuries.
The promise God would give the land know today as the Holy
Land, the Promised Land, the Land of Israel, and Palestine,
is recorded in Genesis 15:18-21. Biblical records prove
Abraham had eight sons (Genesis 16:15; 21:2; 25:1-2). Under
the covenant recorded in Genesis 15:18 the descendants of
the eight sons of Abraham have a legal right to the land
described in Genesis 15:18-21. However, the right of seven
of Abraham’s sons to inherit the land is denied by God’s
promise to Abraham that the descendants of Isaac will
inherit the land (Genesis 17:19). Isaac had two sons, Jacob
and Esau. Any claim the descendants of Esau may have is
denied by God’s promise to Jacob (Genesis 28:13). God then
promised the land to the descendants of Jacob (Exodus
6:2-8).
The beast, whom "all the earth" wonders after and who has
"authority over every tribe and people and tongue and
nation," who is worshiped by "all who dwell on the earth"
will not be the sole ruler over the entire globe. If this
dictator were only to rule a realm the size and location of
the Middle East, then, scripturally speaking, he could
fulfill this prophecy completely because the planet earth
would not be directly involved. Thus, contrary to popular
teaching, we should not assume the entire world must be
under one man's control before God's Kingdom will arrive.
However, the Middle East and a large portion of planet earth
will be under his authority, this does not mean other people
around the world are exempt from biblical warnings. Everyone
needs to turn his or her heart to the living God. There are
indications that the distinctive events foretold will have
indirect effects around the world. The rest of the world
must realize these strong admonitions set God's standard for
all humanity. God will bless all who seek Him, no matter
where they are from. He will judge all who despise Him.
