by C. Parker Thomas
The following article is interesting and thought-provoking. It was first published in the Midnight Cry Messenger in 1957! As it involved world events current in 1957 it is in some ways dated. Although many details have changed in the 57 years since its publication, yet the spirit that is driving the unfolding of world events has not changed. Lucifer’s goal of enthroning himself over a world united under his dominion remains the same. Many of the players in the drama are still with us.
The discerning reader will note a number of references to beliefs about the endtimes that Bro. Thomas later repudiated. Were he with us today he would no doubt write this article differently. Nevertheless the real point of the article is not its underlying “eschatology” but rather that it shines a light on the real inspiration behind world events.
Revelation 13:1-3, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power and his seat and great authority. 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.” Read also Daniel 7: 7-26.
The eyes of the world today are upon the United Nations. The vast majority of civilized nations are looking to the United Nations to solve the world’s problems. To many, it is the last hope for peace in a war-weary world, a world that is dominated by cosmic principles of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, pleasure, and international rivalry.
The UN is hailed by many as the only Saviour of today’s world facing its greatest crisis. President Eisenhower said in his speech to the nation, Feb. 20, 1957: “The United Nations must not fail!”
The following article, datelined Washington, December 27, 1956, perfectly illustrates the attitude and opinion of great men regarding the United Nations and its predecessor, The League of Nations. Woodrow Wilson, born 100 years ago tomorrow, was eulogized tonight as a peace-maker, administrator and one of “our five or six greatest presidents.” Tributes came from President Eisenhower and former President Truman and Hoover as part of an international observance of the Wilson Centennial. Eisenhower’s statement, prepared for a ceremony in Paris, France, tomorrow was made public by the Woodrow Wilson Centennial Celebration Commission here. “Wilson’s defense of human rights and liberties makes him a splendid symbol of the enduring friendship that has bound our countries together since the days of Lafayette,” Eisenhower said. “Wilson’s concept of a great family of nations living peacefully together and ruled with justice under law is still our dedicated goal.” The Paris observance takes special note of Wilson’s help in creating the League of Nations after World War I. Truman wrote the commission he thought that William Jennings Bryan “did the country a major service in bringing about Woodrow Wilson’s nomination. I am pleased indeed that your efforts are being directed toward giving Woodrow Wilson his proper place among our five or six greatest presidents,” Truman added. Former President Hoover praised Wilson as “one of the best administrative minds we have ever had in the White House.” As a young man, Hoover served under Wilson during World War I and Paris peace conference. Hoover said the United Nations charter follows every major pattern of the covenant of the League of Nations adding: “No greater monument, than this could be erected to the ideas and ideals of Woodrow Wilson.”
Despite what men may say or the world may think, is the UN of God or Satan? If it’s of God it should have our prayers and support. If it’s of Satan it should be exposed and condemned. The only way we can possibly find the answer to these questions is to examine the UN in the light of God’s word, the Bible.
What is the UN? It’s an attempt by man to bring peace and unity to the earth by means of a world organization, Please note we said it was an attempt by man, because God was left out to begin with. God’s word plainly says, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” II Tim. 3:13. “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,” Matt. 24:7. These conditions will characterize the age at the time of the appearance of the world power known to Bible scholars as the beast of Revelation 13 and Daniel 7:7.
Please note the following remarkable similarities of the UN to this last form of Gentile world power. The beast of Rev. and Daniel, that will exercise such great power over the earth at the time of the return of Christ, will be on the world scene without men being aware of it. To begin with this great power will appear as the very thing the world needs to solve its difficult problems. Instead of appearing as a monstrous power to destroy and made desolate, it will appear as the Saviour of a bewildered world that is looking for a way out. Daniel 8:25 says the beast will “by peace destroy many.”
This last Gentile world power will be Satan’s masterpiece for deception. Many Bible scholars have taught the people to look for a revival of the old Roman Empire. Some are looking for some great power such as Russia to take over by brute military force. Russia, it’s true will be a part of this power, Ezekiel 38, and will play a leading role; but so will the whole Gentile world of organized nations. There will come a showdown and we find that 10 nations who will be of one mind are going to give their strength and power to the beast. Rev. 17:12-13.
God knows that non-spiritual students of the world would try to figure these things out without revelation from the Holy Spirit. It’s true, His real anointed are going to see the truth as the prophecies unfold. Jesus would have never said, “When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door,” unless He intended for someone to understand. The truth is it won’t be the great theological minds that the religious world is looking to. Isaiah 29:13-14. “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men; therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” In contrast to this God’s word says, II Cor. 1:26-29, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence.”
Because of these facts the world as a whole (including the religious world) will not recognize the beast or world power that brings in the great tribulation upon the world. Jesus said in Luke 21:35, “For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” A snare is a clever trap that catches its prey when it least expects it, Paul also gives the same warning in I Thess. 5:2-3, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” Think of it, as a thief in the night. The thief comes while you are sleeping soundly; takes your valuables and is gone. This thing is going to take place in just such a manner. In fact everyone will be saying, “Now we are going to have peace and safety. Friend, did you ever stop to realize that the whole purpose of the UN is to bring peace and safety to the world.
Remember also that Daniel 8:25 says the beast will by “peace destroy many.” Under the guise of being an organization whose purpose is to bring peace to the earth, the UN now has 80 nations of the world as its members and supporters. Remember also that Rev. 13:7 says, “and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues, and nations.” Isn’t it a strange coincidence that the UN has under its wings practically all kindreds and tongues, and nations.
So far we have listed three remarkable similarities between the beast of Daniel and Revelation and the United Nations.
1. The beast will not be recognized as such, but will actually be looked upon as a deliverer. So is the United Nations.
2. The beast will, to begin with, use peace as its chief weapon. So does the UN.
3. The world will be under the influence of the beast. Isn’t that true also of the United Nations and becoming more so each day.
Let’s go on and note other remarkable similarities from the word of God. Similarity No. 4: According to Dan. 8:24, Rev. 13:7, and 17:13, the beast derives his power from other sources. Now that is exactly the case of the UN. It is entirely dependent upon its member nations to give it power. Only as they support it and stand back of its decisions can it assert itself.
Similarity No. 5: According to Dan. 2:40-43 the beast, or kingdom, as it is called by Daniel, will be clay and iron, typifying dictatorship and democracy causing division and weakness. Isn’t that exactly what has taken place between the Western powers representing democracy and Russia and her followers representing dictatorship. Also notice Verse 43 of Dan. 2, which says, “they shall mingle themselves with the seed of man; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.” How true this is of the UN which is made up of 80 different nations. If this isn’t also characteristic of the confusion and disunity that has prevailed in the UN, then I don’t know anything.
Similarity No. 6: In the beginning the beast doesn’t have power to enforce its decisions. We find 10 of the nations who are of one mind getting together and giving their power and strength to the beast. Rev. 17:12-13. At this very moment while this article is being written, the leading nations of the UN are considering ways and means to give the UN power to enforce its decisions. The UN has its flag, its army, and is just waiting for the big powers to say, “I’ll give you my power and strength.”
Similarity No. 7: The name Babylon is very significant. In Rev. 17:5 we have Babylon, the Great Whore, Mother of Harlots. Practically every student of the word recognizes this Babylon as apostate Christianity headed up under the Papacy. Her daughters are Protestant Christendom that are following in her steps in trying to build religious empires, and thus make a name for themselves. Now the second Babylon we have in view is the beast’s confederated empire or the last form of Gentile world power. To begin with, we find ecclesiastical Babylon, the great whore, riding on the back of the beast, political Babylon. But we find the ten kings of Rev. 17:12-13 turn on the great whore and destroy her, Rev. 17:16-17, “And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast; these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”
The word Babylon originated at the tower of Babel (Gen. 11) and means confusion. What happened at the tower of Babel was simply men getting together and saying, let’s unite together, and build us a great city and tower (or civilization) lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth. Now the thing that was wrong was they did not seek God’s face in the matter. They were presumptuous, self-willed, and made their own plans ignoring God and leaving Him out completely.
Friends, God already has his plans made regarding this old world and the coming kingdom, and the sooner mankind learns this, the better off he will be. In the meantime, manmade plans and schemes are doomed to fail. The beast of Revelation is called Babylon along with the great whore because the presumptuous and selfwilled spirit of Satan that was in man at the tower of Babel is in them. It’s simply man trying to make himself a universal kingdom without God. That is the spirit that dominates the political and religious world. The basic sin responsible for this is self-worship instead of God. It’s the same spirit that was in old Lucifer that caused him to say, “I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the North. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” Isa. 14:13-14.
What is the United Nations, but another attempt at world unity without God. It has also turned out to be another Babel, for we have had nothing but confusion.
It seems to me if there was one iota of real faith in God and the Bible, some of our leaders could see that the United Nations is a satanic and unholy alliance that could never result in anything but confusion. How God hates such an abomination. To think that they can yoke up together atheistic, Christ-rejecting heathen nations with all kinds of religions that deny Jesus Christ along with God-hating and God-defying Russia, and still have God’s blessing upon them is more that I can understand. Can you imagine Christ and the devil getting together and solving the world’s problems.
Oh, if President Eisenhower would only call congress together like the Prophets used to call the elders of the Israel together and read the Word, then seek the face of God – but that will not happen, the scriptures will be fulfilled.
Similarity No. 8: In Rev. 17:3, we find the woman, the great whore, riding upon the beast. This simply means that the woman (the apostate church) will be sustained and supported by the beast (the last Gentile world power). Strange as it may seem but yet fulfilling the scriptures, the present Pope has spoken very highly of the UN and commended it for its role in world affairs. And if the UN continues to grow in power and influence (we believe it will) the whole apostate church world including Rome and her daughters will be only too glad to ride upon the back of the UN.
Similarity No. 9: In Rev. 13:3, 17:8, we notice that the whole world wondered after the beast. Isn’t that exactly what is taking place today! The eyes of the world are upon the UN. You cannot pick up a newspaper that does not carry the news regarding the development in the UN. Also if the UN gets the Power to enforce its decisions the world will be saying, “Who can make war against the UN?” Rev. 13:4.
Similarity No. 10: From Rev. 13:3 and Rev. 17:8, we see that the beast had a deadly wound that was healed or it was and is not, and yet is. This means that this beast, or last world power, came into being, then died, and then revived again. Of all the amazing similarities between the beast and the UN this is the one that should convince the most skeptical. Did you ever stop to realize that the same spirit that conceived the League of Nations after World War I is responsible for the United Nations of today. The League of Nations died because it did not have the support of its member nations to carry out and enforce its decisions. The League of Nations was a man-made, Satan-conceived, plan to bring unity and peace to the earth without following the plan of the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ. It died, but its deadly wound has been healed and today it’s called the United Nations. It has the same spirit and the same purpose. Remember former President Herbert Hoover said, “The United Nations Charter follows every major pattern of the league of Nations.”
Similarity No. 11: In Revelation 13:11-12, we have another beast coming up out of the earth with two horns like a lamb and spake as a dragon. Remember, now, beast represents kingdom, world power, nation, etc. (Dan. 7). This beast, I believe, represents the good old USA, and we have 5 reasons for believing that.
1: It had horns “like a lamb,” typifying Christianity. Was not this country started because men came to these shores looking for freedom where they could worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience? But alas, it has developed into a great world power and today to a great extent it is a military nation whose mighty voice (like the dragon) can be heard in the affairs of the world. Its Presidents and diplomats are prominent figures at the various world conferences.
2: This beast, Rev. 13:12, “causeth the earth and all them that dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed.” Verse 15 of Rev. 13 says, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast.” Now let me ask you a question: what nation is most interested in and responsible for the UN? The idea, to begin with was conceived by one of our former Presidents, Woodrow Wilson. Today, where is the UN headquarters located? New York City. It’s a known fact, the United States is the main power back of the UN. Remember the beast of Rev. 13:11 gives life to the image of the beast. Were it not for the life given the UN primarily by the United States it would be a lifeless image. Let’s remember the UN has no life or power of its own. It’s simply a lifeless image, or theory, without power and authority from other nations. President Eisenhower expressed this country’s attitude and concern when he said, “The United Nations must not fail.” Yes, this country by its active support of the UN is causing all the world to worship the UN. The word worship means to look to, trust in, co-operate with, obey. If the present trend continues to develop, power is going to be given the UN to force the nations of the earth to bow before her.
3: This beast of Rev. 13:11 “doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” Rev. 13:13. This sounds like the atomic and hydrogen bomb. It’s a known fact, such terrific heat is generated by these bombs until it…melts…disintegrates everything for miles around. The sand melted and became a solid sheet of glass from the test bombs exploded in Arizona. It is said that the steel tower from which the bomb dropped melted like wax. The eyes of the world were upon the United States after the atomic bombs were dropped upon Japan.
4: This second beast greatly impresses the rest of the world because of the great wonders and miracles. Rev. 13:13-14. Isn’t it true that the United States with its knowledge and development of nuclear energy, along with its scientific know-how, is the amazement of the whole world. These facts enable the United States to cause the rest of the world to take knowledge of the UN.
5: This second beast is also the power that causes the rest of the world to receive the mark of the beast. I don’t believe this mark means that men will literally be branded with irons. If it does, then God is also going to brand his people with irons. Rev. 7:3, 9:4, 14:1, 22:4. The key to understanding this mystery is found in the following scriptures. In Ezekiel 9:4 the mark or seal is put upon them that sigh and cry over the abominations of the city. In Ephesians 1:13, 4:30 and also in II Cor. 1:22, we see that God’s seal is the Holy Spirit.
The reason forehead is mentioned as the place of the mark is because it means mind. People that have God’s spirit in them have the mind of Christ. I Cor. 2:11-16. Romans 8:5-6 says, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Now if God’s seal is the Spirit giving us the mind of Christ, then Satan’s seal or mark as it is called in Rev. 13:16 is the spirit of Satan giving wicked men the mind of Anti-Christ. Forehead means mind. The mark of the beast in the forehead simply means that they will be of the same mind. Mark in the right hand means agreement or co-operation. It’s the right hand that we extend when we agree with someone. Those that refuse these marks which means to cooperate or to go along with the beast, will not be allowed to buy or sell. Think with me now what happened just the other day when Israel was refusing to co-operate with the UN and get out of the Gaza strip! They were considering economic sanctions against Israel. What are economic sanctions? Just simply, refusing to buy from or sell to. In other words the UN was going to tell Israel, you either co-operate and do as we say or we will starve you out.
What country played the leading role in bringing pressure upon Israel to get out of the Gaza strip? Uncle Sam did, under a headline titled, “UN Must Use Pressure in Mideast Situation.” Mr. Eisenhower declared, “The United Nations has no choice but to exert pressure upon Israel.” Isn’t it significant to Bible scholars that Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East are so much in the news today. This is where the great buildup is going to be that brings the greatest battle, Armageddon, the world has ever seen to a climax. Before that battle takes place, the beast is going to receive power that he doesn’t have in the beginning. After he receives this power the great tribulation known as the time of Jacob’s trouble will begin. This will last 42 months or 3 1/2 years before the battle of Armageddon takes place. It’s during this time that the beast is going to make himself known. This is when he will really take over and begin to assert himself in no uncertain terms. Matt. 24:15-22, Rev. 13:5-8.
To you that read these lines we are afraid it is later than we think. The midnight hour is fast approaching and great multitudes are not prepared. Many church members are like the five virgins of Matt. 25: they have lamps of profession, but no oil. And then, there are those that are still in and supporting Ecclesiastical Babylon, the great whore and her daughters. God is speaking from heaven and saying (Rev. 18:4) “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”
Praise God, we are looking beyond the tribulation, when the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. That stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands is going to smite the image, the beast. And then, hallelujah, the stone is going to grow into a great mountain that shall fill the earth. Dan. 2:21-35.