(November 14, 2008) In the book of Revelation, John describes seeing a unified global religion on the earth in the last days. He says, “3 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 [i.e. Antichrist]. 4 And they worshipped the dragon [i.e. the Devil; see Revelation 12:9] 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? 5 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. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 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. 8 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. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear…11 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. 12 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. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 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. 15 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.” (Revelation 13:3-9,11-15) Those who reject the truth of Jesus Christ will worship the Devil and his pawn, the Antichrist. John also mentions a third personage he describes as a two-horned lamb that speaks like a dragon. The implication here is that this lamb is a religious leader who speaks the words of the Devil and not the truth of God. Revelation calls him as the “false prophet”: “13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:13-14) The three beings form a “satanic trinity” with the Devil being the leader. The False Prophet will use his powers to promote the Antichrist to the world. Those who reject the God of the Bible will willingly worship the Antichrist. The Antichrist will blame the followers of God for the world’s problems (cf. Hitler and the Jews). They will follow after him and “make war” with the saints of God. As the second passage above declares, this unholy trinity will take the world’s leaders and their followers to the battle of Armageddon where they will suffer complete destruction by Jesus Christ.
At this time it is hard to see how the disparate religions of the world could ever become unified. John states that these unholy men will have power and oratory skills that will cause the world to “wonder” after them. They will be able to persuade the world that they are representatives of the “true” power in the universe. There is one exception to this though. Most religions believe there are many ways to God. Christianity believes there is only one way to God because Jesus Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” (John 14:6) This means that when the world religion spoken of in Revelation occurs orthodox Christianity will not be a part of it.
There is a call by some of the leaders in the technology field and Hollywood industry for “people worldwide to help craft a framework for harmony between all religions.” (World asked to help craft online charter for religious harmony) The article quotes religious scholar Karen Armstrong, “The chief task of our time is to build a global society where people of all persuasions can live together in peace and harmony. If we do not achieve this, it seems unlikely that we will have a viable world to hand on to the next generation.” Though their stated goal of peace and harmony is a noble one it will never be realized in the fallen world that we currently exist. It is indicative though that there are numerous people in the world who would love to see unity in religion. It will happen twice in the future. The first is the evil global religion mentioned above. The second time will be when Jesus Christ sets up His kingdom after Armageddon. Then the Bible says that the Arabs, Jews and Christians will all worship God together: “19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. 20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour, and a great one, and He shall deliver them. 21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. 22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: He shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and He shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them. 23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. 24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: 25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:19-25)
