Last year facing the UN, President Trump spoke of nationalism over globalism; this year he spoke of patriotism over globalism–essentially the same concept.
Are we for globalization? We certainly believe in an age of world peace as described in Isaiah 2 and Micah 4. Yet we know that this will only take place when the Messiah returns and rules and reigns from Jerusalem in the Millennial age.
In the meantime, and even into the Millenium there is a purpose for nations staying separate. Trump spoke at the same time as the Torah portion Ha’azinu was being read in Jewish synagogues:
Deuteronomy 32:8 – When the Most High gave inheritance to the nations, in separating the sons of Man, He established boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of Jacob.
The peoples, or nations, are first separated by tribal distinctions, physical boundaries, and language. (Gen 10). The apostle Paul expands on this verse from Deuteronomy when preaching in Athens:
Acts 17:26 – He made from one, every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation.
Thus, according to the Bible, it is God’s will and plan that there should be borders and distinctions among the nations, to preserve order and to protect each one’s unique inheritance. The global national boundaries are seen as a parallel inheritance to the Israelite ownership of the land of Canaan, an extension of God’s covenant with the people of Israel.
Aligning with His Plan
We are for a vision of global Messianic peace and for a spiritual global family among believers of every racial background. However, we are against globalization in terms of a one world government, religion, or culture.
Nationalism, in the here and now, is NOT meant to be nations trying to conquer other nations, but rather each nation RESPECTING one another’s borders and rights. It is the opposite of colonialism, Nazism/fascism, communism or radical Islam.
Almost all the Prophets describe an apocalyptic world war right before the coming of the Messiah. All the nations will be united in an attack against Israel. At that moment God will intervene to stop the war and establish the Messiah’s kingdom on earth (Zechariah 14, Ezekiel 38-39).
In order for a united attack to take place, there would have to be at least two elements:
- An organization of some sort uniting the nations of the world with a bent against Israel.
- A worldwide philosophy or religion inciting people to try to destroy Israel.
In our day, the UN seems to be fulfilling the first, and radical Islam the second. The bizarre partnership between the radical Left and radical Islam is a dangerous, yet biblically coherent, combination.
Power tends to corrupt. Therefore, God has designed a system of division of spheres of authority, with checks and balances between family, business, religion, national and local governments. When one tries to take over the other, there are usually destructive results.
Asher serves as president of Tikkun Global family of ministries and congregations, dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. He is founder of the Revive Israel five-fold ministry team, and oversees both Ahavat Yeshua and Tiferet Yeshua congregations in Israel.
He and his wife Betty share a passion for personal prayer and devotion, local evangelism and discipleship in Hebrew, and unity of the Body of believers worldwide.
Asher was raised in a conservative Jewish home and holds degrees from Harvard University, Baltimore Hebrew College and Messiah Biblical Institute. He has authored numerous books, tracts and articles.