(Written by Edward Wood)
As I have continued to study both the Bible and the news, I am becoming more and more convinced that though the most profound and catastrophic events will come to pass on Earth only after the seven year tribulation begins. Yet I believe the precursors of most of them already well under way, involving the political, economic, religious, and natural realms. In short, they are now evident everywhere but still ignored by the secular world and even by most of organized religion, the latter no doubt a topic of lengthy discussion in itself.
Last year, I presented an article called "Signs from Above," which focused on the possible things we can expect to see in the heavens as the end of this age approaches (http://www.raptureready.com/soap/wood7.html). Terry James and I have kept in touch concerning a wide variety of prophecy-related topics over the years and he suggested it might be helpful to revisit this subject at this time. I agree!
(Written by Jack Kelley)
Revelation 17-18 shows there are three components to the one world system of the Last Days. There's a one world religion, a one world government, and a one world commercial system. All have been developing for longer than most people suspect and are rapidly coming to fulfillment. As this happens they're becoming more and more obvious to the public. No longer just the realm of the fanatical conspiracy theorists, today only those who refuse to see are unaware of their existence.
One World Religion
Islam is the most influential religious force in the world today and the goal is nothing less than world domination, by any means necessary. It's also the world's fastest growing religion, and is second only to Christianity in number of adherents. Nearly one out of every four inhabitants of the world is a follower of Islam . After the rapture Islam will be the largest, strongest, best organized, and fastest growing religion in the world by a wide margin. No other group or combination of groups will be in a position to challenge it. And since Islam is not an ecumenically minded religion, all others will have to join it.