The beast from the earth.
“Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.” Revelation 13:14. The efforts by the beast, which originated from the earth concerning free global trade and commerce, were not visible until after World War II. The United States of America (USA) emerged from World War II as the only global superpower. As World War II drew to a close, the United States invited the Allied countries to a meeting to agree on a framework for establishing a fair and equitable global system. Delegates from the forty-four Allied countries that fought in World War II met in July 1944 at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.
The Allied countries at the meeting above empowered the United States to lead the effort in establishing the system, which qualifies as the image of the beast that came out of the Sea. It was agreed to establish the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund to assist countries worldwide in becoming part of this new and unprecedented global undertaking. “The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.” Revelation 13:15. The phrase “to be killed” should not be read with literal rigidity. The countries that may decide not to participate will eventually be forced without destroying the country.
The image of the beast that emerged from the sea became fully functional on January 1, 1995. At this point, the image of the first beast began achieving its predetermined goals, with the USA no longer playing a leading role. The World Trade Organization (WTO) exercises all authority as the first sovereign global institution, coordinating global free and open trade and commerce activities. Future discussions in this blog will provide a more detailed description of the image in honor of the first beast.
It will be continued in the next blog.
