By David Ettinger
A Biblical Perspective
The answer to the title is “biblically.” Christians should view future world and national events from a biblical perspective.
This may seem obvious, but too often western Christians view news events through the lens of politics, as Republican perspective vs. Democrat perspective. But this isn’t the way things should be. Christians should be looking at what the Bible says about the future, and framing their perspectives accordingly.
With this in mind, what exactly should Christians be looking at?
The End Game
What Christians should be looking at is the end-game – that is, where this era of human history is heading before the return of the Lord Jesus. And where this era of human history is heading is a one-world government led by a one-world leader. The Bible clearly teaches this, and it is found in Revelation 13.
We learn in this chapter that:
- Satan (the “dragon”) will give the “beast” (the Antichrist) “great authority” and a global throne (vv. 1-2).
- The world will follow after and worship the Antichrist (vv. 3-4).
- The Antichrist will make war against and kill Christians (v. 7).
- The Antichrist will have authority to rule the world (v. 7).
- The Antichrist will require the Earth’s citizens to take his mark on their right hands and foreheads (v. 16).
- Without this mark, people will not be able to buy and sell. They will be excluded from “participating” in this world (v. 17).
Shaping Our Thinking
How should these biblical truths influence the way Christians view world and national events?
The most obvious way is to remember, once again, the end-game: That civilization is heading toward a one-world government ruled by a one-world leader. We should remember that this ruler will demand the world’s worship, and to secure it he will require his subjects to take a mark. Without the mark, they will be ostracized.
How does this apply today? Let’s take the Covid-19 pandemic as an example, specifically, the vaccinations and their mandates.
Science aside, too many Christians believe the vaccinations are the mark of the beast. This is false as logic dictates that since the Antichrist – the beast – has not yet come to power, there can be no mark given by him. (Read my blog, “Covid-19 and the Mark of the Beast.”)
So, for now, the mark of the beast theory is off the table, but what of the mandates? I think there is much to them.
Again, removing science and viewing the mandates in light of the end-game, I can see an association. The current vaccination mandates include punishment if violated:
- In some cases, those refusing to be vaccinated have been fired from their jobs.
- Athletes refusing to be vaccinated have been suspended by their teams.
- Patrons seeking to attend athletic events, theme parks, and theatrical showings have been refused admission.
- Shoppers violating vax mandates have been denied entry into places of business.
Is this a sign we are in the final 7 weeks of this era of human history – the 70th Week of the Book of Daniel? No, nor is end-times prophecy being fulfilled. However – and this is a big however – we are seeing the foreshadowing of things to come.
In other words, though the vax mandates – not the vaccines themselves – are not the mark of the beast, I think they are the first global signpost of what lies ahead. So far, the unvaxxed can live relatively normal lives, but how long will it be before such demands grow increasingly oppressive resulting in those not complying being ever more shunned?
What about politics? How should we view it?
Again, knowing the end-game – the coming one-world government led by a one-world leader – watch for more and more Western nations, particularly the U.S., to start seeking international alliances.
Look for more nations to begin surrendering their autonomy and pooling their resources into pacts and covenants with other nations. Eventually these groupings of nations will lead to a one-world government.
Don’t Forget God!
If this all seems dismal, Christian, don’t despair! Don’t forget, God has willed such a future, and His will is perfect.
So yes, tough times are coming – tough times which can be foreshadowed in world events. But also coming for those who put their trust in Christ is unimaginable glory as we “will be caught up … in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Therefore, as you view world and national events from a biblical end-game perspective, never forget to do the same with your future end-game glory.
Oh for that wondrous day!
David Ettinger is a writer/editor at Zion’s Hope, Inc., and has written for Zion’s Fire magazine since its inception in 1990.
Bruce Cooper
December 29, 2021
Thinking your last line should read “Or for that” versus “Of for that” but I could be wrong! Great post David, thank you!
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dettinger47
December 29, 2021
Thanks, Bruce! Will make the change.
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Doug Lay
December 29, 2021
Thanks David, I have been teaching apologetics in our High School Bible class and we are currently covering how to develop a biblical / Christian world view. With your permission I would like to assign this blog as reading for.my students and discuss it with them. I particularly like your idea of a ‘biblical end-game perspective’. I think you are right on target with the mandates. They serve to condition the world to accept the events that will lead to the anti christ’s control.
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dettinger47
December 29, 2021
Thank you for the kind words, Doug. Of course you may use my blog for your students.
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dettinger47
December 29, 2021
Your students may be interested in this one as well:
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vicklea
December 29, 2021
I am reading an ARC of Dr. Denison’s new book which releases in January. It is awesomely insightful about current events and I think you would enjoy it. I would love to get your perspective on it. The title is THE COMING TSUNAMI.
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dettinger47
December 29, 2021
Sounds interesting. Thanks, Vickie!
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Angel
December 29, 2021
I don’t think vaccines are the mark of the Beast, but certainly they are training grounds for the eventual mark of the Beast.
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dettinger47
December 30, 2021
I agree.
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ken riddles
December 30, 2021
Thanks for this balanced outlook – I concur. 👍
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dettinger47
December 30, 2021
Thank you, Ken.
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Tom
December 30, 2021
David, I’m among the minority of evangelicals who support C-19 vaccine mandates because vaccines don’t work if not enough people take them, as we’ve seen and are seeing, BUT I do get your point about the bigger picture and the mark of the beast mandate down the road.
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dettinger47
December 30, 2021
Thanks, Tom. I support vaccines, at least, as I have both of them and the booster, though I’m not sold on mandates.
On another note, my son, who has both vaccines and the booster, told me yesterday he tested positive for Covid. He has chills and a temp of 101, but his taste is fine as is his appetite. I’m hoping it passes quickly.
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Tom
December 30, 2021
I said a prayer for your son, David. I second your hope that he recovers quickly. I was disappointed that virus “breakthroughs” happen in spite of the vaccines, although symptoms are reported to be generally less-severe than with the unvaccinated. I hope that’s the case with your son.
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dettinger47
December 30, 2021
Thank you. I appreciate it, Tom.
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The Quiet Roarer
December 30, 2021
A well balanced post on this topic. 👍
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dettinger47
December 31, 2021
Thank you.
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heavensreef
January 4, 2022
In complete agreement no the vaccines are not the mark! Have had to say that to so many people these days…..ugh. But great news……I received my first copy of Zion’s Hope magazine!! Yeh!
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dettinger47
January 4, 2022
Thanks, Maxine. Regarding the magazine, are you talking about the “real” magazine or the online version? If the real one, what issue was it (July-August? September-October?)
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heavensreef
January 4, 2022
I received the “real” magazine…..I was surprised after what you told me, but was sure happy to see it in person!! Issue was July/August.
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