Endtime Shoe

Endtime Shoe: Fitting the World for Ten Toes – Part I - Wilfred Hahn - www.raptureready.com/featured/hahn/h21.html

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 China flooded 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 city Babylon’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 Egypt thousands 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 of God 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—from Egypt 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?