And Then There Will Be One
By Jennifer Miller
The other day we had our midterm election and several issues arose from the proceedings leading up to, and the results of the elections for our House of Representatives, Senate, State Governors and other officials. It was time to take pause and think about the ramifications of all this hoopla.
One must wonder where all of this is leading and if we will ever live in some semblance of harmony once again. Trading insults fueled with vitriol, demeaning one another, pointing fingers accusingly, outright lying, all seem to be the new way to introduce your platform or agenda nowadays. A sense of decency, allowing one another to openly offer their insight or plan without attack, common courtesy and respect, along with integrity, have all gone by the wayside – possibly to never be seen again.
As a Christian we want good strong people in office that will support what the laws of the Bible are. We want justice to be served, we want fairness for all regardless of sex/gender, race, age, or income. We want honesty, a sense of obligation to meet the needs of the people, compassion, and dedication to serving with honor.
This past election was fraught with much disdain for one another. We were more divided than we have ever been before. We were seeking revenge from one party dissatisfied with the status quo and trying to preserve the quality of life from the other party. Neither side had strong candidates that would benefit the whole but had some that would fight fairly for all. It was going to turn the country one way, and not necessarily the right way at that.
As I watched the election results come in several things were noted. According to multiple news outlets reporting during the election results, a lot of historical firsts occurred during this election: quite a few Democratic House Representatives were first-time candidates and female (one also had the title of youngest female elected as well), many candidates became the first person of their gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation to be elected to office, and in fact, overall it was a record number of women all over the country running for office.
However, what we need to focus on is not what their race or gender or orientation is, but the issues that they stand behind. A lot of the Democratic winners are for abortion, for LGBTQ rights, for gun-control, and curtailing our second amendment rights altogether. They clearly stood out not for the historical firsts, but rather their desire to keep the division between both parties alive and thriving at all costs.
It was very disheartening to say the least. I started to think of what we have lost and wondered if we could ever go back again. I do not believe so. I had prayed hard for this election because I feel the America, I have known for over 50 years is no longer the same. It has become secular and God is being taken out of everything. We are obsessed with political correctness and could care less about biblical correctness. This may my friend, be the beginning stages of a one world government coming into play soon.
Let’s look at the major types of government that we see in the world today and view the benefits and negative aspects of these governments.
Socialism advocates that the means of production, distribution and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community. An example of the countries with constitutional references to socialism are Republic of Bangladesh and Republic of India.
Benefits: This is the goal of common wealth in a system without classes; thus reducing disparity in wealth in all societal ranks and classes. Here government has better use of resources (labor and lands); thus, profits increase on an equal basis and do not trickle down to specific classes. This creates a balance because everyone in the community is equal which improves the standard of living, and provides work related to their skillset which leads to the betterment of society.
Negative aspects: The structure can be easily manipulated by the people in charge of distribution, such as the news media leaning on one side of the aisle over the other side, the law can prevent people from confronting corruption in the system; thus, instead of having control over your own life you now are placed in a position to either defend it or keep it. It doesn’t really provide the balance it seeks because it doesn’t improve living standards for the majority. Jobs are not based on skills and strengths, but rather they are based on the greatest needs within the society which can lead to the workers incompetence (not being suited to the job he is assigned to). It can reduce productivity because the incentive to work lessens since the government provides payment for necessities such as food and housing.
Communism advocates class war and leads to a society in which all property is publicly owned, and everyone is paid according to their abilities and needs. Thus, the need for everyone to be educated for their skillset. An example is the expansion of agriculture and manufacturing to meet the need for higher yields and stay competitive. These are the last five communist countries: People’s Republic of China, People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Republic of Vietnam, People’s Republic of Laos, and Republic of Cuba.
Benefits: Everyone gets the same chance to build a life for themselves and pending on their specific skills and talents, they can become prosperous. Since you would contribute to society, everyone would be employed in some way. To be employed, the need would have to be met by educating everyone for their skillset and provide them the best advantage. An example of where to set the focus in the workplace is the expansion of agriculture and manufacturing to meet the need for higher yields and stay competitive while employing the greater amount of people.
Negative aspects: Since the goal is for the community to work together for the common good, people are not free to pursue their own interests. They must meet the needs of what the community designates for survival. Also, since there is one overall entity controlling the agenda of the society, they not only have rule over the law, but also over the currency and property of the society. They control the message that the people receive within their country; thus, the population can be kept in the dark quite easily. Since they do not have the right to use their voice to express themselves, many are reduced to violence to make their point. Income is capped, and people must reach levels of productivity to maintain the community needs, so motivation to work harder is almost non-existent or futile. Communism seeks to meet the essentials, and those in charge can mandate the people to work for almost nothing; thus, remaining in poverty.
Fascism is a movement that exalts nation and race above the individual. It is an autocratic government headed by a dictator, who forcibly suppresses the opposition. Examples of the countries who practiced fascism in democratic nations until the mid-1940’s were: Belgium (currently has a constitutional monarchy) and The Netherlands (which currently falls into the framework of a parliamentary system).
Benefits: The focus here is on the improvement of the country. Use of government funds is spent on increasing the nation’s defenses by having the necessary weapons, and number of soldiers to defend itself against attacks. The goal is to create equality among everyone so there is no need for socio-economic classes. No red tape to wade through since the dictator makes the decisions and they are implemented right away. Since the government is in control it improves peace and order; thus, crime is reduced for fear of heavy punishment.
Negative aspects: Under a dictator there is the risk of abuse of power. The dictator can make decisions based on his benefit and not that of the nation’s. Human rights are a rebellion against the government and are subject to imprisonment or even death. This of course leads to a fear of expression or use of free speech due to the harsh realities of what can and will happen if one opposes the government. Also, it still does not ensure that all people have the same opportunities for financial gain. The rich can reach out to the dictator and offer deals to maintain their wealth and status, but the poor do not have the opportunity to do so. Thus, this widens the division between the rich and poor. It can also drive away investors from other countries because of the government’s strict rules or hefty fees to start a business in a fascist country. Also, since most of the funds in the country are designated for military/defense, little is left over and can lead to future financial troubles.
Monarchy is when a group which represents an aristocracy exercises the role of sovereignty by having sole power over the people. Examples of this are Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark.
Benefits: Positions are held for life and then succeeded by another member of the monarchy, so there is no need to elect someone. It provides a balance in governing since the sovereign is the Head of State (usually a figurehead position) and legislation is made by Parliament (such as the case in Britain). Those in line of succession are trained at a young age to have the needed education, experience and knowledge to rule. It is a respected position and a great way to have unity within the country. The duration of the tenure (lifelong) gives the reigning monarch no reason to be corrupt.
Negative aspects: Everything is in the hands of one person or family, and therein lies the control which the public does not have a voice to determine the laws created or implemented. The public’s money is used for the monarchy’s expensive lifestyles. Since the monarch is in power, and in his or her position until death or abdication, there is a chance for oppression and the people cannot do anything about it. Just because one is in line for succession, there is no guarantee that they are qualified or competent to handle the position.
Democracy is control of any organization or group elected by most of its members (whole population) and power is exercised by voting for their elected officials. An example of this is the United States.
Benefits: It is in the best interest of the people, who find that their opinion and voice matters; thus, allowing them the freedom to vote for the candidate they feel will meet their needs and interests. This determines who the leaders will be. It is that power to vote that makes everyone an active member of society. It is a system built on equality, so all individuals can feel they are heard and are important which allows changes to be made to the system when necessary. The ruling party works for its citizens and if they perform poorly, they can be removed at the next election. The power exists for all individuals and not just for one. This provides an obligation of the elected official to govern for the people.
Negative aspects: Not everyone however, understands all the issues facing the public; thus, wrong choices regarding who to elect can be made. The system is set up for the majority and the minority can be overlooked which can cause a division between the classes. Mob mentality could rule and influence the voters, and there can be an increase of voter fraud also. Both sides of the aisle need to work together to find the most viable way to handle issues and provide quick or swift resolution.
Now that we have seen the variety of types of governments that exist today, let’s view government as it existed in the Bible. Historically, as pointed out in Daniel 2 we see an outline of what is to come. It begins by describing the rise of 5 world empires, four of which have already come, and the fifth is yet to come. The Bible foretells of four world powers, then a period of division and conflict (of which we are currently under), and then the final power, with divine intervention, comes. That final power is the setting up of God’s kingdom.
In Daniel we see that the first world power was Babylon (referred to the head of gold in the interpretation of Daniel). They were then overthrown approximately 68 years later by Media and Persia; thus, making Persia the 2nd world power (referred to as the breast and arms of silver) which lasted for approximately 200 years. Next, came the rise of Greece in the early fourth century and they became the 3rd world power (referred to as the belly and thighs of brass) until at the end of the fourth century the final (4th power) came into reign which was Rome (referred to as the legs of iron) that lasted for the next six centuries. After that there were many kingdoms that were established (referred to as the feet made of iron (a strength) and the toes made of clay (a weakness) thus, a mixture of the two) and meant to be divided; thus, no more world government until the final one comes. Keep in mind that when Rome collapsed it was broken into ten separate kingdoms which became forerunners for modern Europe. Daniel 2:43 alludes that though the goal is world dominion (for iron and clay do not mix and will not work together), this will not happen (a world government) until God brings His kingdom on earth.
“And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men, but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.”
Throughout parts of the Bible we have many references to a one world government that existed or is yet to come. Most examples are found in Revelation (13:1-18 foretelling of what is yet to come) in the New Testament, and in the Old Testament we have Daniel (2:44 talks about the last kingdom; 2:31-35 prophecy of the five kingdoms; 2:41-47 tells us how it leads us to the final kingdom; 7:16-24 is the interpretation of the prophecy), Ezekiel (37:15-28 centers on the chosen church elect), Micah (4:2-3 what the final kingdom will be like), and Isaiah (9:6-7 points us towards Jesus being the final kingdom). Other references are in 2 Timothy 3:1-4; Matthew 24:21; 1 Peter 2:13-17; and Romans 4:13 in the New Testament.
Revelation
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion, and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed, and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’ And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them, and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 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. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
Daniel
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
“Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. The image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and arms of silver, his belly and thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them, and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”
“And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of the potter’s clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men, but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter, and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure. Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they shall offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him. The king answered unto Daniel, and said, ‘Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.’”
“I came near to one of them that stood by and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet. And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus he said, ‘The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise, and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.’”
Ezekiel
“The word of the Lord came again unto to me, saying, ‘Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions; then take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his companions. And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land. And I will make them one nation ion the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all, and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions, but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them, so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. And David my servant, shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd, they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children forever, and my servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with the; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them, and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore. My tabernacle shall also be with them, yea, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them forevermore.’”
Micah
“And many nations shall come, and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths, for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.’ And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks, nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
Isaiah
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this.”
Verses in New Testament
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that do good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”
“For them shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
“For the promise, that he shall be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”
As we continue down this road of discontent and division, we, as followers of Christ, have hope. We have His promises to hold on to and we know that things will not end as a divided kingdom, but it will once again become a united kingdom as His kingdom will reign on earth. The current world is full of worriers, pessimists who see disaster at every turn, but we need to cling to the promises of our inheritance as stated in Matthew 5:5, the fulfillment of prophecy mentioned in Matthew 24:34, our reward for being faithful in Revelation 2:26, and our future duties outlined in Revelation 5:10. He is in control and His word is faithful, so do not give in to the world’s anxiety or fears.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
“Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be filled.”
“And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”
“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.”
God’s kingdom is the fulfilment of a godly government run by His authority and under peace, not war. Man lives currently for his own selfish power and not as we are instructed to live (as imitators of Jesus) with compassion and caring for others (the masses). When we keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, it does not matter what the world thinks or believes, it only matters what Jesus taught. Disasters which are birthing pains, must happen before the joy can come. I live each day with the hope of His return and let the anxieties of the current times be. I know who is in charge and even if I do not understand the reasoning yet, I know He has a purpose for everything. Trust Him and trust that.
Continue to pray for peace and for others to come to Him. Pray for unity and be a part of the change for the good of society. Still follow His commands and love one another despite any conflict or disagreements. Follow His lead and rest in His assurances. It will all lead to such a glorious end. Take care, and for all who voted, thank you! God bless!