2009 Prophetic Year in Review -- Global Governance and Messianic Fervor

“I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth wondered after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, „Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?‟ (Revelation 13:3-4). 2009 has proven to be another exciting year so far as current events and Bible prophecy are concerned. I believe we are witnessing end-time events in the Middle East and around the world playing out with ever increasing speed. Think about it. Jewish people the world over continue to make Aliyah to the land of their forefathers. The prophesied alignment of nations for the last days continues to fall rapidly into place. The anticipation for a comprehensive Middle East peace has reached a fevered pitch. Apostate Christianity, seen primarily in the Emerging Church, seems to know no theological bounds. The argument over the city of Jerusalem—who will own and control it—has taken center stage in Middle East politics. But perhaps the one thing 2009 will be remembered for among prophecy teachers is the world’s continued march towards global governance and a messianic fervor not seen since the time of Christ.

The worldwide financial chaos witness early on in 2009 brought many major world leaders together to try and solve the problem. What resulted was an acceleration of interdependence on a worldwide scale. The Bible seems to indicate economics and religion as the unifying factors that bring the world together under the leadership of one man in the last days. The Bible further predicts a near future in which a man of superior intelligence, wit, charm, and diplomacy will emerge on the world scene as savior. Speaking of this coming individual, Thomas Horn writes, “He will seemingly possess a transcendent wisdom that enables him to solve problems and offer solutions for many of today’s most perplexing issues. His popularity will be widespread, and his fans will include young and old, religious and non-religious, male and female. He will have the uncanny ability to resolve what has escaped the rest of us, and the poor will bow down at his table.” This individual will appear to be a man of distinguished character, but will ultimately become “a king of fierce countenance” (Dan. 8:23). There is no doubt in my mind that this individual is alive and well on planet Earth today. Of course, I realize I could be wrong. But when one considers the rapid change that has taken place in the world financial arena, and the call for some sort of world governance, the conclusion is clear. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated, “It is time for all countries of the world to renounce protectionism and to participate in a new international system of banking and regulations to shape the twenty-first century as the first century of a truly global society.” Other world leaders have echoed this same call. Ultimately, all countries of the world will come together as a “truly global society.” The Bible predicts the entire world will come together under one man, known as the Antichrist, about whom the Bible says “the whole earth wondered after.” The Greek word for “wonder” is “thaumazo,” which means “to wonder at” or “to marvel at.” Perhaps you are wondering how in the world any intelligent person could ever “wonder at” or “marvel at” another individual. I used to wonder the same thing. However, the past 18 months have clearly demonstrated the very real possibility of such an event taking place. Just think long and hard about it!

As 2009 draws to a close and a new year begins, the one question that is on my mind is this—will 2010 be the year believers the world over hear the trumpet blast? Only God knows. Therefore, it is imperative that we all ready ourselves for this coming momentous event. When it occurs, a change will take place—the dead in Christ will rise and those of us who are alive will be “caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17). But that’s not the only change that will take place. Imagine the utter shock and chaos that will follow on planet Earth. I believe the Rapture of the Church will be the final event that pushes the world into position for the last days and the rise of Antichrist. This event will change everything and it will occur at any moment. If the trumpet sounded today would you be “caught up” with all the saints of all the ages, or would you be left behind? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).