We hear a new term lately, “secular globalism.” This refers to a worldview or ideology that emphasizes the elimination of religion and promotes interconnectedness for the entire world. It is characterized by a belief in the separation of religion and state. It is based on a theory of prioritizing reason, science, and evidence-based thinking over religious beliefs to shape a better society. In other words, it calls for decision-making without any consideration of one’s faith in a Creator. The historical form of globalization has always been tied to military conquest. You may have heard of secular globalism from the United Nations. It is part of their 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.1 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf. We can also add China into the mix as they too have a grand plan in the so-called “Chinese Century” to dominate the world.

Our Bible gives us an excellent example of secular globalism: The Assyrian Empire, from the late 25th or early 24th century BC to 605 BC, controlled vast swaths of Babylonia, Egypt, and the Holy Land. While technologically advanced for their time, the Assyrians were also brutal warriors who murdered, tortured, and enslaved their enemies. The Assyrians were globalists in that they were bent on world conquest. God used the Assyrians to punish and exile the ten northern tribes of Israel for the sinful things Israel did to provoke God to anger (2 Kings 17).

The most well-known Biblical example of God’s opinion on globalization might be the attempted construction of the Tower of Babel in the 21st century BC. It was a time after the great flood that there were no cities scattered in the world. Rather than filling the earth as God commanded (Genesis 9:1), mankind rebelled, deciding to centralize in one city and not be scattered over the earth (Genesis 11:4). This construction effort was spearheaded by Noah’s great-grandson, King Nimrod (whose name means rebel”). God, in response, confused their languages, thus forcing the people together into new groups by dialect.

The idea of a city with a watch tower, when viewed together, represents the creation of what today we call a community. Babel’s builders believed that bricks would provide economic and social stability, ensured by shared religious and military establishments. To the people, Babel meant a utopian environment that could survive against any enemies. Babel failed, of course, because of God’s response. By dividing mankind’s language, God forced dispersion so that man could never unite long enough to rebuild another community like Babel elsewhere (Genesis 11:8-9). God’s Covenant of the Rainbow had been for Noah and his heirs to spread His Kingdom over the earth and, in turn, depend on God, not humans,  for safety and sustenance (Genesis 9:1-17). 

On the surface, the idea of secular globalism, “One World Nation,” may not seem all that bad. Among other things, globalization seems to hold an answer to the world’s financial troubles. This would be a world where people from diverse backgrounds could coexist, collaborate, and address global challenges together. As a society, it would emphasize the importance of universal human rights, equality, and social justice, regardless of religious or cultural differences. Societal priorities would include addressing issues such as poverty, climate change, and social inequality through collaborative efforts among nations and cultures. Rejected, would be diversity and values established as religious principles. If this sounds a bit utopian, it is. Secular Globalism is humanity’s attempt to create “Heaven on Earth” but do it without God’s help.

Globalization is “the act extending an influence on all parts of the world.” It involves the emergence of a single world market or society. Our Bible shows that any time humanity has attempted “globalization,” it becomes a wicked and ungodly empire. Its rulers emerge to enslave and attempt to control the destiny of the world. We are told repeatedly through God’s Word that we should oppose globalization.

(2 Corinthians 4:4)2NIV New International Version Translations – “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

The author of secular globalization is Satan himself! It is interesting to note that humanity’s (and Satan’s) final attempt at globalization will include a resurgence of “Babylon,” which started the globalization effort so long ago (See Revelation 18 – It is worth the read).

(Isaiah 2:6-9) – “You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs. Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. So people will be brought low and everyone humbled—do not forgive them.”

The Prophet Isaiah tells us that faith exists when people hear God’s Truth, believe God’s Truth, and obey God’s Truth. Their biblical faith comes from knowing, believing, and using what God says in His Word making it a constant part of their life. No one should be surprised when the secular world does all it can to attack the Bible. After all, God’s Word tells us that humanity “loved darkness rather than light(John 3:19). The illogical message of Secular Globalism is that you can create Heaven without its Author. And who will the authors of this new human world be? Politicians, wealthy people, scientists, generals, presidents, kings; just who is great enough?

(Romans 3:23) – “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

1 Kings 12:25-33 records the beginning of the Kingdom of Israel’s final downfall. Fearing the loss of political control over the ten tribes because of their long-standing religious ties to Jerusalem3The capital of the other Kingdom, Judah (1 Kings 12:27), King Jeroboam instituted a state religion designed to meet his peoples’ needs for convenience and his own need for power. He built two shrines, one in Bethel, at the southern extremity of his kingdom, and the other in Dan, near its northern boundary (1 Kings 12:29). King Jeroboam then exiled the Levites (the tribe of priests established by God) and created his own priesthood (1 Kings 12:31). In the king’s final move, he negated the Sabbath commandment by Executive Order (Leviticus 23:1-3, 23-44). Jeroboam’s disregard for God would take hold in Israel and never leave. Hence, God would banish the northern ten tribes and scatter them until none existed. The southern Kingdom of Judah would be exiled to the Babylonians. Once again, we see that God holds leadership to their responsibility of leading His people to Him but the people are still held accountable for their actions! There are no exceptions to this in God’s Word.

We know that the final empire before the return of our Lord will be a true global government, ruled by the Antichrist, also called the beast and the lawless one (Revelation 13:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:8). The final global leader will have “authority over every tribe, people, language and nation,” and he, along with the False Prophet, will force all people to take his mark. This future global leader will control all financial transactions (Revelation 13:17) and all religious observance (Revelation 13:8). Refusal to worship the Antichrist will mean death; but to give in and try to save yourself will mean eternal punishment from God (Revelation 13:15; 14:9-11). All mankind will need to make a choice!

You see, God has always had a different plan. His plan calls for globalization under the headship of the King and Redeemer, Jesus Christ (Revelation 19–20). There will still be individual nations under Christ’s rule (Zechariah 2:10-11). The faithful will eternally enjoy a time of righteousness and true justice (Isaiah 11:3-5). What does any of this mean for you? It depends on the very foundation of your faith.

Where are your faith, your beliefs, and your morality coming from?  Radio, television, the Internet, movies, cell phones, iPads, etc. have not only changed our daily routines but have become a major influence on our attitudes and the priorities impacting our lives. Each year, fewer people in the world care about God’s Truth. God has been removed from schools, our justice systems, universities, and governments. The secularism of humanity is winning right now. Do you like Satan’s world better? His world gives us abortion, more than two sexes, crime, human trafficking, drugs, war, and the collapse of the family unit to name a few. Our response must never accommodate the world! God calls us to change the world!

What more could our God do to get our attention? In the Book of Amos, God’s history shows that He uses “natural” disasters to teach people lessons, to bring them to repentance, and to correct their ways. Do you believe this? 

(Amos 4:6-13) – “’I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘I also withheld rain from you when the harvest was still three months away. I sent rain on one town but withheld it from another. One field had rain; another had none and dried up. People staggered from town to town for water but did not get enough to drink, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards, destroying them with blight and mildew. Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘I sent plagues among you as I did to Egypt. I killed your young men with the sword, along with your captured horses. I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have not returned to me,’ declares the Lord. ‘Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.’ He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord God Almighty is his name.’”

Secular globalism worships its own success, not God. It places confidence in humanity and worldly powers. Secular globalism is driven by the quest for wealth and control over people. Globalists also push for a common world value system too. Through laws and executive orders, governments want to tell us what is moral, and what is right. The globalist sees the Bible’s values such as love, justice, compassion, and stewardship of the earth as inadequate to addressing today’s global challenges. Christ’s command to love one another emphasizing care for the marginalized and oppressed, advocating for justice and the well-being of all people is not enough for those who want to control God’s world themselves.

Secular globalism, with its universal set of values and norms, destroys the rich diversity of cultural, religious, and traditional practices across the world. Under the common “One Nation Strategy,” there is also a loss of sovereignty. There are no longer individual nations. To “level the playing field,” there must be inequality and marginalization because benefits will be equally distributed to all regardless of their effort or creativity. The death of freedom quickly follows. Does any of this sound great to you? Why then, should you trust God when our world is full of violence, sickness, and disease? Or is the real question, why shouldn’t you trust God? Rest in the confidence that our God is loving. His history is one of fairness and perfection. For thousands of years, God has sent saints, people of faith, prophets, and martyrs as witnesses to encourage us to stand strong and trust in Him, not in this fallen and sad world.

(Psalm 118:8) – “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.”

Contemplations

  • Do you believe that God punishes sin?
    • Ideas to Explore: Is it a matter of timing? What does history tell us about God and punishment?
  • Of the leaders that have pursued world dominance for themselves, who have succeeded or even come close?
    • Ideas to Explore: Most who have tried have died violent deaths. Is the human need to be free more powerful than to be ruled over and taken care of?
  • Do people in pursuit of power ever sacrifice for the good of others?
    • Ideas to Explore: Look at the castles, mansions, estates, plantations, and private islands and see if those people were secular globalists. If so, did they serve the people, God, or themselves?
  • When you exercise your right to choose a leader, do you first ask yourself, does this person bring me closer to God?
    • Ideas to Explore: If your answers are: makes me happier, makes me wealthier, makes me safer, makes me healthier, you are missing the point. The only point you need to check is whether that individual makes me closer to God.