MMRC: Eschatology and a United Earth: does our future blind us to opportunities?

Eschatology and a United Earth:
does our future blind us to opportunities?
by Justin D. Long

Part 3: Global Government

There's probably no thornier issue facing many Christians today than the prospect of a global government. Should we have one? Should we not? Will it be the spark of global Christian persecution? or will it spell the end of persecution, war and terrorism for everyone?

The reality is: as long as there are diplomatic relationships between nations, there will be some form of "global system" that at the very least deals with such issues as international responses to war, humanitarian crises, disease, economic trade and the like. In truth, such a system, with the appropriate checks and balances, is a good deterrent to a world empire. And, the more organized this system is, the more advantages there will be worldwide for travel, tourism, responses to persecution, humanitarian relief, community development, and communications.

That's not to say that there isn't an inherent danger in a global government. Any world system formed by man, no matter what the reason, is inevitably going to be flawed, because we are sinful, selfish creatures. It doesn't take an Antichrist to be greedy, selfish, or desire power over o thers.

Should men and women who operate from a Christian worldview help form such a government? Well, that's another issue entirely--one that has to be resolved in each of our own hearts and minds, and in open debate. There are some good reasons for being involved in the evolution of the United Nations--if only to try and help guard it from going down the wrong path.

The issue that we should face here is not whether we should be involved in a global government, but whether it offers advantages to those of us involved in frontier missions.

Suggestions

The UN Human Rights Commission has established the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Article 2 of this Declaration states that everyone is entitled to all the rights set out in the Declaration, regardless of "race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, ..." Article 18 says that everyone has the right to "freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." By these two statements, It is a fundamental violation of human rights according to internationally-accepted standards to persecute based on religion. This is one basis for getting governments involved in the fight against religious persecution.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and other UN and international programs, often have grants available for working in community development and humanitarian relief. Mission agencies qualify and have qualified for these grants. This is one viable source of funding.
The development of Third World nations through various international programs will bring additional infrastructure which will make it easier to spread the Gospel--new communications systems, broadcasting mediums, better roads, and better methods of getting to the rural areas.
UN and other efforts for peace help (sometimes) to lessen hostilities, making it less dangerous for missionaries to work in areas of territorial conflict.
Some programs of the World Health Organization (and other international medical ventures) offer opportunities for mission agencies involved in medical relief to work in areas of the world where otherwise they would not be welcome.