Is There a Global Conspiracy?
Just last weekend, our country observed the 244th birthday of our nation, Independence Day. For many it was a reason to celebrate. But many others were not celebrating. They appear to have disdain for our nation and its’ founding. Nationalism is a hot button in our country. Those that hold to patriotism are labeled by some as – well you know all the labels. With all this bantering, and increasing lawlessness, how are we to think? Let’s try to understand God’s perspective about the times we are in. What do we know to be true?
- It is true that God established nations to protect the human race so that one segment doesn’t get enough power to destroy the rest of the human race, and eventually themselves. In Genesis 11 at the tower of Babel the Lord said “Behold, they are one people, and they have one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them” (v.6) and He subsequently dispersed the people from Babel over the face of the earth, each group with a different language. God recognizes the need for civil authorities (Rom. 13, Mark 12:17). He is the one who raises up the kings and puts down others. (Dan. 2:21)
It is true that God established a great nation through Abram (see Gen. 12,15, 22), the nation He chose to use for His purposes, so that all the nations will be blessed (through Jesus Christ). That covenant relationship with Abraham happened in a different dispensation. In the Church age, there are no chosen nations and the USA is not favored above, for example, Syria, China or Afghanistan. But the prevailing principle is “righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Nations that fear God experience His blessings.
“Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain. The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying ‘Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles’” (Psa. 2:1-3 NIV)
- It is true that God originally established the divine institution of government (Gen. 9). Governments may be considered political nations (Rom.13; 1 Tim. 2:2). Governments are God’s design to help care for the peoples of the earth. The devil, the great archenemy of God, the ruler of the world, (John 12:31; 1 John 5:19) attempts to destroy the divine institutions of marriage, family and governments (nations) through a philosophy that is opposed to God. He goes about this destruction by engaging, deceiving, and conspiring with men. Satan, the deceiver of the nations, will work unconstrained during the Great Tribulation as he conspires with the antichrist and the false prophet. (see Rev. 19-20). He seeks to lure mankind’s (requisite) worship of God to himself.
“The coming of the lawless one (the antichrist) is by the activity of Satan with all power, false signs and wonders, and all wicked deception for those who are perishing because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thess. 2:9-10)
Now, during the Church age the lawless one is constrained from exercising full power (v.6). Even though the antichrist is not exercising his power currently “ the mystery of lawlessness is already at work” (v.7) This spirit of lawlessness was present at the time of the writing to the Thessalonians and this lawlessness continues to our day.
This pattern of conspiring and deceit, though now muted in comparison to what will happen in the Great Tribulation, is presently at work in our nation and around the world. Even now, there are deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4) actively at work. Some people are held captive to do his will (2 Tim. 2:26), some wittingly and some not.
So, yes, I believe there is a conspiracy! When we, in disbelief, are trying to understand the lies, the destruction and violence that defy common sense, we have to recognize the source of these as being Satanic, emanating from the father of lies. (John 8:44). Note what Jesus says to the religious rulers: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning…when he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” We should not be surprised that Satan, the archenemy of God, would conspire to destroy the sovereignty of nations. It is an effort that will continue until the middle of the Great Tribulation, when the world is ripe for a one world government, the goal of the enemy and the antichrist.
In conclusion, brethren, we should not be ignorant of the devil’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11) but neither should we be fearful and obsessive. Paul wrote to comfort the Thessalonians, who were experiencing great affliction and persecution to the degree that they were concerned that they had missed the rapture and were in the Great Tribulation. The church in America has not experienced such affliction (yet) but the apostle’s words are timely:
“Now may the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” (2 Thess. 2:17-18)
Dave Gossett, Elder and Chairman Gracepoint Church
