A dubious unity

The UN recently voted 138 to nine to grant observer status to Palestine in their assembly (the United States, Israel, and Canada were among the few opposing). Is this kumbaya? Is the world coming together for peace?

I was reminded of the times in the Bible when scoundrels who had normally been enemies suddenly became friends—allied together against righteousness:

“As soon as all the kings who were beyond the Jordan in the hill country and in the lowland all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittities, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, heard of this, they gathered together as one to fight against Joshua and Israel” (Joshua 9:1-2).

Later …

“… Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, ‘Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel” (Joshua 10:3-4).

King Herod and the prefect Pontius Pilate had no use for each other until they found themselves thrown together by history in the drama of Jesus’ betrayal and execution:

“And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other” (Luke 23:12).

In the end times there will be the unity of all unities. The Dragon will magnanimously give his power and authority to the Beast from the Sea. The whole earth will marvel (Revelation 13:3). Now that’s unity! Another beast will rise out of the earth, and will be allowed to exercise all the authority of the first beast (verses 11-12). Very cozy.

The whole world will be so united that those who are not part of the group will be slain (verse 15). So united that “all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,” will don a mark (RFID chip anyone?) “on the right hand or the forehead” (verse 16). If you want to buy or sell anything in those days, you will have to join that big unified crowd, because “no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark” (verse 17).

So then, unity in itself is neutral. Once the whole world united for the glory of man through autonomy from God. They built a tower called Babel.