who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
For the moment, such a scenario appears far off to most of us. For the moment, few of us can comprehend the people of the strongest nation on the face of the earth worshipping the "beast" and "dragon" spoken of in the Book of Revelations.
For the moment we have a difficult time fathoming such things. The difficulty is a result of prophetic lethargy. Far too many of us are dull to the significance of prophetic events unfolding around us. Far too many of us are guilty of spiritual sleepwalking. We are aware of worldly events, but fail to appreciate their prophetic worth.
As noted earlier, most Americans cannot envision their government humbling itself to another governing body. Yet during October 2002 an attempt to submit the authority of the United States government to a world body was made.
While the Senate debated the merits of going to war with Iraq, Senator Carl Levin proposed Amendment SA 4862. The purpose of the amendment was:
"To authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces, pursuant to a new resolution of the United Nations Security Council, to destroy, remove, or render harmless Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons-usable material, long-range ballistic missiles, and related facilities, and for other purposes."
Senator Levin and co-sponsors Reed, Bingaman, Boxer, Mikulski, Stabenow, Akaka, Jeffords and Corzine attempted to pass an amendment authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces, only if the action was supported by the United Nations Security Council.
What's the big deal you ask? The United States is a sovereign country, a nation built on autonomy and self-government. An amendment such as SA 4862 demands that the United States Government subject itself to the will of the United Nations Security Council. As a result, if Senator Levin's and those supporting his amendment had their way, the sovereignty of the United State's government would be forfeited to the United Nations as it relates to this issue.
When the amendment was voted on the count was seventy-five "No" votes, twenty-four "Yes" votes and one failure to vote. To some these results may carry little significance; after all, the vast majority of Senators voted against the amendment. This sort of thinking fails to grasp the big picture. The significance lies not in whether the amendment passed, but rather almost one fourth of the United States Senate believed it was perfectly acceptable for the United States to submit its right to self-determination to that of the United Nations Security Council.
Not long ago, an amendment like this would never have been proposed. Not long ago, such a proposal would have been deemed traitorous. Not long ago, the twenty-four Senators who approved the amendment would have been run out of town for such a suggestion.
What's the point? Simply put, that which seemed inconceivable not long ago, now finds the support of nearly one fourth of the United States Senate. As time passes those willing to support such things have increased and will continue to increase, until the United States one day humbles itself to world organizations such as the United Nations.
How did the United States go from a free and sovereign state, to a country only twenty-seven votes shy of surrendering its sovereignty? One poison pill at a time!
Just as Americans are slowly inching toward a loss of national sovereignty, one day the people of the world will slowly humble themselves to the powers of darkness. The Bible teaches us that the very things that once seemed inconceivable will one day own the hearts of man.
