I know there are many on this site who sincerely believe that the warnings and descriptions of events in the end times (which, according to Paul, we are now in) either were fulfilled long ago or are merely allegorical and not to be taken literally. Some may just not know what to think.
Wherever you fall on that spectrum of views, just for a second consider what Christ did say: there will come a period in history where the entire world will bow before a certain man, or die for refusing to do so, who will appear to make peace on earth where none before him have been able to do so. In this man's name a mark of some kind will be given to all, without which they will be able neither to buy nor sell...in other words, he will own them, now and for eternity.
What is described in these passages is, in modern terms, a global religion/government/economy, united into one body and driven by the worship of that man, "the man of peace," who in reality will be energized by Satan to do his will on earth.
Even though I believe these things are neither allegorical nor already fulfilled, but are certain to come to pass, no one can say what their exact final fulfillment will look like. But anyone with eyes to see can detect general patterns forming in that very direction. Just take a quick look at our current state of affairs with regard to these three areas:
ONE WORLD RELIGION: This has been in the works for decades under the auspices of various big names, denominations and organizations. Today it mostly goes by the name ecumenism. People of competing and even contradictory faiths - and even NO faith - join hands in common sociopolitical cause for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God (or at least "utopia") on earth. For example, look into what all went on at the 1986 Assisi summit if you've not read up on it before.
ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT: For the past few centuries this has been longed for but only in the past 50 years has it been something that might actually be doable. The alarming thing is that the powerful global elite who have quietly pushed for it have lately become more open about "letting the cat out of the bag" by describing their vision for all mankind...whether the rest of mankind wants anything to do with it or not. This naturally ties directly to....
ONE WORLD ECONOMY: Europe is trying it and it's not working out very well, but you can bet they'll try again. Should a one-world government come fully into place, a one-world economy would soon have to follow, and it only follows that no competing economies will be tolerated. ALL will be subject to whatever the "coin of the realm" is said to be, no exceptions.
Note that while global economy and government are, of necessity, closely connected, "spirituality" has begun to play a larger and larger role in the mix in recent years, tying all three of these elements more closely together all the time.
All this is coming to pass, just as Christ said it would...meaning it is not allegorical, but literal prophecy. Only now has mankind attained the levels of ability needed to realize everything Christ said would happen...meaning it cannot have already passed but soon is coming to pass.
Or do you prefer to believe the amazing parallels between what is happening EVEN AS WE WATCH, and what was foretold by our Lord, is just a coincidence?
Wherever you fall on that spectrum of views, just for a second consider what Christ did say: there will come a period in history where the entire world will bow before a certain man, or die for refusing to do so, who will appear to make peace on earth where none before him have been able to do so. In this man's name a mark of some kind will be given to all, without which they will be able neither to buy nor sell...in other words, he will own them, now and for eternity.
What is described in these passages is, in modern terms, a global religion/government/economy, united into one body and driven by the worship of that man, "the man of peace," who in reality will be energized by Satan to do his will on earth.
Even though I believe these things are neither allegorical nor already fulfilled, but are certain to come to pass, no one can say what their exact final fulfillment will look like. But anyone with eyes to see can detect general patterns forming in that very direction. Just take a quick look at our current state of affairs with regard to these three areas:
ONE WORLD RELIGION: This has been in the works for decades under the auspices of various big names, denominations and organizations. Today it mostly goes by the name ecumenism. People of competing and even contradictory faiths - and even NO faith - join hands in common sociopolitical cause for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God (or at least "utopia") on earth. For example, look into what all went on at the 1986 Assisi summit if you've not read up on it before.
ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT: For the past few centuries this has been longed for but only in the past 50 years has it been something that might actually be doable. The alarming thing is that the powerful global elite who have quietly pushed for it have lately become more open about "letting the cat out of the bag" by describing their vision for all mankind...whether the rest of mankind wants anything to do with it or not. This naturally ties directly to....
ONE WORLD ECONOMY: Europe is trying it and it's not working out very well, but you can bet they'll try again. Should a one-world government come fully into place, a one-world economy would soon have to follow, and it only follows that no competing economies will be tolerated. ALL will be subject to whatever the "coin of the realm" is said to be, no exceptions.
Note that while global economy and government are, of necessity, closely connected, "spirituality" has begun to play a larger and larger role in the mix in recent years, tying all three of these elements more closely together all the time.
All this is coming to pass, just as Christ said it would...meaning it is not allegorical, but literal prophecy. Only now has mankind attained the levels of ability needed to realize everything Christ said would happen...meaning it cannot have already passed but soon is coming to pass.
Or do you prefer to believe the amazing parallels between what is happening EVEN AS WE WATCH, and what was foretold by our Lord, is just a coincidence?
