Satan is called the prince of this world and sets its course (Eph. 2:2).
We are not unaware of his schemes (2 Cor. 2:11)
One might surmise that since Satan cannot be everywhere at once he must advance global collectivism in order to leverage his influence over the world.
The natural man has a limit to the level of collectivization he can tolerate. Collective enterprises such as street gangs or even armies reach some point where those at the higher levels want to take over and chaos ensures as the collective either fragments or unravels. I think feudal Japan might be the highest level of collectivization that can be sustained naturally.
To achieve and sustain higher levels of collectivization Satan needed to exploit Christians. Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, Christians are capable of manifesting less destructive selfishness, particularly if they are inclined to think that their collectivization serves a religious purpose.
Just as the power of the Catholic church was declining, people allowed their allegiance to be transferred to nation states. Emergent trade and industry created a new environment, a social environment, that allowed people to see themselves less as a family or as a resident of a village and more as a member of a trade, region, or enterprise.
Once Satan could get Christians divorced from the natural world and integrated into his artificial world (society), he could start to exert control more directly.
Democracy may not be the panacea that many think. It may actually be iron mixed with miry clay. Democracy seems a complete failure anywhere it is tried with non-Christians, the exception being Japan whose legacy of societal rigidity may have given it an apparent "success" for a few generations. Our American revolution was not Christian since the Bible equates rebellion with witchcraft.
In our recent history in the US we find an FDR, LBJ, or BHO that greatly advance global collectivism only to have a brief period of adjusting before the next round of "noose tightening" begins.
Christians have been deceived into thinking that our hope is in a political leader that will slow the rate at which we are being strangled. The truth is that there are fewer Christians. This means fewer people that are even capable of discerning truth much less caring about truth.
Fewer Christians even seems to give rational for increasing collectivism. As we become more criminal and less able to govern ourselves, it seems only prudent to give the government more control, issue rules at will, and take over our lives. It is easy to see how people will rejoice and cry out , "Peace and safety".
America has led the way to the enslavement of the world. Our sorceries (pharmakeia) of oral contraception (which may only prevent ovulation 50% of the time) may have filled the earth with the blood of over a billion babies. Our pornography has polluted the world. Our entertainment has been used to exacerbate lust and greed that pollutes the world. Our technology has created the tools to enslave the world.
If we stand back and look at the history of the world coming to its natural conclusion, we should be able to anticipate the immanent return of our Savior.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Satan rules this world (for now and insofar as he is allowed by God). There is a time coming when he will not. We Christians in American should not blind ourselves to how we have been used (and are still used) to harm others. We are to walk in truth and not be wise in our own conceits.
It is political events such as these that can remind us that we may have been in danger of becoming friendly with the world and thus enemies of God.
