What is the one-world religion described in Revelation? What will be the one-world religion of the end times?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The one-world religion of the end times, as described in Revelation, is a false religion led by the Antichrist and supported by Satan. This religion is symbolized by a "great prostitute" in Revelation 17, which encourages the persecution and death of Christians. It promotes sexual immorality and is opposed to both Christians and Jews, with the Antichrist defiling the temple (Matthew 24:15). The religion will feature an unholy trinity—Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet—and will deceive the world with false signs and wonders (Revelation 13:3–4; Matthew 24:24). While the specifics of this religion are not fully known today, current trends like religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue foreshadow the rise of this deceptive system. Knowing the truth of Christ is the only way to stand against the deception of the devil.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Satan has always wanted to be worshiped and has always wanted to be God (Isaiah 14:14), but the one-world religion of Revelation is not described in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Revelation 13 tells us of the Antichrist’s rise to power, where the unbelievers of the earth will worship him and the dragon, which is Satan.
• Revelation 17 speaks of a "great prostitute," or "great harlot," which is generally understood as a metaphor for a false religion that will exist during the tribulation period.
• Revelation 17:6 states, "And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." This false religion will permit and even encourage the death of those who follow Jesus during the tribulation.
• This false, end-times religion will include sexual immorality (Revelation 17:2).
• This new, one-world religion will also likely have its headquarters in Rome, often described, even in New Testament times, as Babylon (Revelation 17:5; 1 Peter 5:13).
• This new religion will be opposed to Christians, as well as reject the Jews since the Antichrist will defile the temple as the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15).
• Ultimately, the deception during this time will be so great that Jesus taught, "For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24).
• The religion of the end times will mimic the Trinity with an unholy trinity of Satan, the Antichrist, and the false prophet. It will have some sort of resurrection-like activity. The world will worship them because they will be deceived, as Revelation 13:3–4 describes, "The whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?'"

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many have debated the identity of this religion, with some arguing the Roman Catholic Church, Islam, or another large religious movement will be the end-times, one-world religion. However, it is more likely that the false religion of the last days will consist of an inclusive religion that allows for a pluralistic view of God. This would include even liberal, monotheistic groups that see "all religions as one" and are willing to worship the Antichrist in the last days. Whatever this religion is, it will certainly exclude any faith that is exclusive and refuses to worship the Antichrist or his image.

Some wonder if this one-world religion already exists today. The specific one-world religion of the end times cannot be fully developed until the tribulation, when the Antichrist rules. However, the growth in religious pluralism, interfaith dialogue that promotes the idea that all religions are equal, and the erroneous teachings that many ways lead to God or to heaven all exist today. These views certainly foreshadow what Scripture predicts will be more prevalent in the future, when the world unites under one religion under the power of the Antichrist.

The apostle Paul warned Timothy about this concern, saying, "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Timothy 4:3–4). As believers, we must study and live by the truth, avoiding the false teachings of our time.

UNDERSTAND

• The one-world religion will be led by the Antichrist and empowered by Satan.
• The one-world religion will feature an unholy trinity and deceive the world with false signs.
• The one-world religion will persecute those who do not worship Satan and the Antichrist.

REFLECT

• How does religious pluralism provide challenges or encouragement to your commitment to the exclusive truth of the gospel?
• In what areas of your life do you find yourself tempted to compromise on biblical truths, and how can you stand firm against those temptations?
• How can you strengthen your faith and understanding of Christ’s truth to be prepared for the spiritual challenges that may arise in the future?

ENGAGE

• How does the concept of an unholy trinity in the end-times religion challenge our understanding of the true Trinity, and why is it important to recognize the distinction?
• What does the growing acceptance of interfaith dialogue and religious pluralism in society teach us about the potential for deception in the last days?
• How should we, as believers, respond to the increasing acceptance of teachings that claim all religions lead to the same God, and what role does Scripture play in guiding that response?