The last time I wrote about the “end times”, I focused mainly on why I believe that we are currently in the final period of life on Earth. For this part, I want to focus on my thoughts about what is to come and how we can see more prophecy playing out in the near future.
1. The Rapture-and those left behind
Matthew 24:40-41 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
This is how the Rapture will occur. It will be instantaneous and shocking to those left behind. People will vanish while handing money to a cashier, while driving cars and ambulances, flying planes, hugging their friends and families, eating a meal, or working. Others will be caught up in a sinful position like robbing a store or having extra-marital sex. Remember: not all sinners are Christians, but all Christians are sinners. This may provide additional motivation for believers. Do you want to be raptured while watching porn or getting drunk at the bar? Perhaps we should all behave more accordingly.
Those left behind will be searching for answers, and some will be more convincing than others. I have a few theories as to how these false accounts will occur. One of the most popular explanations, in my opinion, will be a super-weapon. This, of course, coincides with the increase in technology and wars raging across the planet. Right now we are seeing the seemingly unstoppable rise of ISIS in the Middle-East. Their stated goal is to rid the world of Christians—the “followers of the cross.” Military super-powers, specifically China, Israel, Germany, and the United States have always been on the forefront of weapon technology. We already know of a neutron bomb that is capable of killing people without the typical explosion and structural damage that accompanies other bombs. With further development, it may be possible to destroy people while leaving no physical trace of them behind. When the Rapture occurs, our already corrupt media may come out and blame ISIS or a similar group of using such a weapon for a global targeting of some Christians. I say some, because there will be those left behind who thought they were Christians based on false doctrine, but never fully accepted Christ as their savior. Their existence after the Rapture will also serve to aid the confusion surrounding the event.
The other popular explanation is an alien or extra-terrestrial invasion or mass-scale abduction. This may seem much more far-fetched than the super-weapon theory, but here is how I would explain the phenomenon if I was in the global media. First of all, I believe we are being set up for this possibility. As I detailed in my previous post about the paranormal. I truly believe that what we currently believe to be “aliens” are actually fallen angels that have taken on flesh. They can appear in humanoid forms, and UFO sightings are increasing around the globe. The U.S. military finally declassified the existence of the infamous Area 51. Other increasing global supernatural activity includes healings, demonic possessions, and sightings of the Virgin Mary. As the supernatural becomes more mundane, the international community may be more open and susceptible to the possibility of extra-terrestrial life.
2. One-World Government
Of the three “one-world” occurrences, I believe we are closest to government and currency. The apparatus for a global government has been in place since the advent of the League of Nations and exists in its current form of the United Nations. As the last empire of the United States loses its footing on the world stage, other nations will rise. Russia and China are currently vying to be the replacement for the U.S., but wars or economic collapse can easily turn power over to a global political force like the U.N. or possibly even a new global government run by a conglomerate of the most powerful nations that are seeking to maintain power by selling out sovereignty. We have already seen this happen over the past twenty years as Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama cede United States strength to the United Nations as enforcers of economic and military justice. We are one major crisis away from this happening.
3. One-World Currency
We are watching the entire globe plunge into chaos as economy after economy crumbles. Several countries in Europe are on the verge of economic collapse, and the U.S. is on the same trajectory, but a few years behind. Austerity proposals are met with violent riots and several currencies, including the dollar, are being devalued. Only artificially low interest rates are keeping the world economy from disaster. China, Russia, and countries in the Middle-East have already begun discussing abandoning the dollar as the world currency for something else. On the brink of economic collapse, is a singular currency really an unreal possibility?
What might this currency look like? Well, my personal theory is that it will be digitized. Bitcoin is currently the strongest of such currencies. It already exists, it is very successful, and there are built in hedges against inflation. There will be a point in which there will be no more available bitcoins, which is how they promise its strength will not be compromised. Now this is where things get a bit dicey.
Let’s just say that Bitcoin is the one-world currency. You might be able to carry a physical version, which already exists. At the moment, however, it is easier to use a mobile device to trade coins. Again, with advances in technology, it would be easier still to simply have a sort of barcode tattooed or a tiny chip implanted just under the skin of your hand. This “mark” could also hold your identification and medical files that are also digitized. Imagine the convenience of having one tiny device that is always connected to your person that allows access to every good and service that you will ever need. Of course, Christians reading this might recognize this scenario as the “Mark of the Beast.”
Revelation 13 states: 16 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: 17 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.
This, my friends, will be the one-world currency, and like the upcoming governmental shift, we are but one major crisis away from global change.
4. One-World Religion
This is the most difficult to pinpoint, especially with the divisive world we find ourselves in. On one side, we have Christianity—on the other, Muslim. However, there are dozens if not hundreds of various factions, denomination, and alternative religions from atheism to Hinduism.
Right now Sunni and Shiite Muslims are killing one another. Episcopalians disagree with Baptists, Protestants fled from the Catholic Church, and most non-Catholic believers believe the “Holy Roman” church to be anything but Christian. Atheists are doing everything they can in the American court system to blacklist Christian businesses, and Christians are retaliating by inserting their beliefs in as many public places as possible. In short, it is a mess. How, then, can we possibly have one global religion? Well, I have an idea—and it may seem pretty off-the-wall.
I would start with redefining what a religion is typically thought of. When most of us hear the word, we immediately think of Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc. However, I would argue that “secular religions” are worthy of consideration. Based on definitions of several great thinkers, religion basically occurs when a group of people gets together and shares in rituals, rites, and values. Religions view certain objects or rituals as sacred and others profane. Consider Christianity for a moment. Hundreds of us gather in one place, where we sing the same songs, pray at the same time, and listen to one person speak to us. We do these things because we agree that worship, prayer, and preaching are sacred. We typically post the symbol of the cross, or Jesus himself on the building or behind the stage. If you desecrate the cross, you will no longer be welcome! Now, consider going to an L.A. Lakers game. Thousands of people gather in one place, where they cheer for the same plays, they sing along with the same songs, and they cheer for the same team. They do these things because they agree that winning an NBA title is sacred. They typically hoist (and sell) jerseys of prominent Lakers players from their rafters. If you desecrate a Kobe Bryant jersey, there is a steep price to pay!
That being said, I personally believe the one-world religion will come in the form of “social justice.” This concept is the driving force behind the modern American political system. It aligns liberal ideology with Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice is what was preached by President Obama’s pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, through Liberation Theology. Pope Francis has also expressed his desire for global social justice, and this thread can be found throughout the Muslim community. It seems to be the uniting force behind so many major religious groups and cannot be ignored. After a major war and a Rapture of true Christians, those left behind may gladly latch on to social justice or Liberation Theology. At the helm of this unified religion, would be the man who would become Antichrist.
If you have read my posts thus far, I deeply thank you, and would ask you to continue to look for part 3. It will be my thoughts on how to identify Antichrist, where he comes from, and how he will usurp global power.
Simmons' Opinions 