What comes to mind when someone mentions the United Nations? For some people, it may be world peace. For others, it may be international camaraderie. Regardless of whatever thoughts it may provoke, the United Nations, or U.N., was founded to guarantee international cooperation and to achieve international peace and security. This international organization replaced the League of Nations, which was established in conjunction with the end World War I.

Today, people across the globe have differing opinions on the worthwhileness of the U.N. Some quote, “Do your best to live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18), and claim the U.N. is a great step in that direction. Others are more cautious. In Joan Veon’s book entitled, The United Nations Global Straitjacket, she asks, "How soon will the United Nations bring into reality a one world judicial, political, and economic system?" Will God be forced to intervene like he did in Genesis 11? ¹ Does this foreshadow a one world government and the days leading up to the return of Christ?

The United Nations initially sprung from the League of Nations. On January 18, 1919, near the end of World War I, a peace conference took place at the Palace of Versailles in Paris. The purpose of the conference was to achieve global peace amongst a society of nations. However, no representatives from the Central Powers were invited, and the conference made little progress. ² Eventually, a group of four men, each from a separate country, assumed leadership over the conference. One of these men included Woodrow Wilson from the United States. Wilson firmly believed that the creation of a League of Nations was absolutely essential for world peace to become a reality. He wanted to establish a global organization in which every country could voice their opinion with regards to international affairs. Ironically, the U.S. Senate refused to ratify Wilson’s idea, and they did not join the League of Nations. However, this did not hinder the founding of the League, as compromises were made throughout the peace conference. One of the end results of this convention was the Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919), which basically placed the entire blame on Germany and its allies for starting the First World War. It also forced the demilitarization and debt of war on Germany. Despite Germany’s protests, it eventually signed, along with representatives from 48 countries, the League Covenant ³, "which was included in the Treaty of Versailles and the other peace treaties." ⁴

Many people believed that this treaty would only set the stage for another war. French Marshal Foch refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles, sayings, "This is not peace. It is an armistice for twenty years." ⁵ However, the League was not so useless in its first few years of existence. The League settled various disputes between smaller nations, gave financial assistance to needy states, and further encouraged international cooperation. ⁶ However, its political influence on the greater nations was not as strong. In 1933, Japan withdrew from the League. Three years later, Hitler rejected and denounced the Treaty of Versailles when he remilitarized the western Germany. ⁷ In 1939, the Second World War began. The League’s inability to prevent a war devastated their prestige and credibility. Near the end of World War II, the League of Nations disbanded due to the lack of effectiveness (inability to impose sanctions) and lack of interest (key nations did not join). ⁸ Following the end of World War II, nations were much more open to promoting international dialogue; thus, the U.N. was created.

In establishing this new organization, the United Nations, the main essence of the League of Nations remained, as "a significant number of the old League's aims and methods were transmitted into the [U.N.] in 1945." ⁹ On June 26, 1945, the U.N. Charter was signed by representatives of 50 countries. Four months later, it was approved by the required number of nations. ¹⁰ To date, it has always sought to maintain global unity and peace in international affairs. Currently, the U.N. has many agencies within their organization, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). ¹¹

One very important body within the U.N. is the Security Council. Under Article 24, 1 of the U.N. Charter, the Security Council is entrusted with the "maintenance of international peace and security." ¹² The Security Council consists of 15 member states. Five ¹³ are permanent members while ten ¹⁴ are non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly. ¹⁵ In essence, the U.N. Security Council is the core council of key nations. According the U.N. Charter, the Council's decisions are legally binding (thus, Member States are obligated to carry them out). A subsidiary of the UN Security Council is the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) which tried Slobodan Milosevic. The USA refuses to recognize the authority of theInternational Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Holland which has put Israel on trial for building a fence. Many of the U.N resolutions to promote peace are done by condeming Israel's self defense efforts. Shouldn't the focus instead be on PLO terrorism? Israel is the only member nation of the UN that is not allowed to rotate into a seat on the security council since her Muslim nations threaten to withdraw if Israel is added to their Midle East block. It is no wonder the U.N. issues more decrees against Israel than any other nation. These decrees serve to define the friends and enemies of Israel much as they decrees against and for Israel were made by King Xerxes of the Medes and Persians.*

Similar to the League of Nations, the U.N. has brought peace to countries that have been at civil war. They have settled disagreements between different countries across the globe. This is definitely commendable, since God blesses those who work for peace. ¹⁶ On the other hand, they do not have the power to stop those groups who refuse to heed the U.N. Although this is not necessarily a bad thing (dictatorship would be horrendous), this results in the question of how effective is the U.N.? When Iraq attacked Kiwait in 1991, the U.N. was just as irrelevant as when it could not enforce the disarmament of Iraq or avoid USA intervention against the dictator in 2003. Although the unilateral behavior of the USA stopped the terrorism inflicted by Saddam Hussein, neither the USA nor the UN could prevent the attacks of September 11th, 2001. However, the USA could persue Osama Bin Laden, and liberate Afgahnastan in the process, whereas the UN has no authority to deal with individuals and other terrorists who opporate apart from any nation's direct command. Yet there remain those who staunchly uphold the U.N.’s ability to maintain lasting global peace. Lasting peace will never be sustainable by human effort alone. Jesus told his followers, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27). The prayer chapel at the U.N. was established to recognize the truth of all religions in a new age ecumenical pandering under the banner of environmentalism.

There is a twisted focus on sustaining "Mother Earth" rather than supporting families. By tying development money to abortion services through its 'population control programmes', the U.N. promotes the greatest weapon of mass destruction available. "Of the $17 billion given to Development Aid [in 2002], $15 billion go into preventing births and providing abortions.¹⁷"

In Revelations 13, the prophet John refers to the Antichrist as the Beast. "And the beast was allowed to wage war against God's holy people and to overcome them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation." In today’s society, the U.N. would be a prime vehicle in which the Antichrist would use to take over the world. Millions of babies are sacrificed each year to the idol of Mother Earth to ease the strain on her resources. Regardless of whatever tool the Antichrist uses, God is always in control. Most believe the U.N. in itself is an organization with commendable goals. Just like the League of Nations, the U.N. was formed to prevent world wars and to promote international peace. On the flip side, the League of the Nations was unable to prevent World War II. Would the U.N. be able to prevent WW III if the danger of a third world war were to arise? Has the U.N. been able to prevent terrorism? Although the U.N. has done laudable things, they have not been able to hinder reckless nations from destructive actions. They have ignored the source of real peace. ¹⁸ It is prophesied of the Lord Jesus Christ that "the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end." ¹⁹. In the meantime, Christians are instructed to “Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives...” (1 Timothy 2:2).

Quick Quiz:

Endnotes

up¹ Bible. Genesis 11:1-9. 20. January. 2004.

up² Combee, Jerry H. History of the World in Christian Perspective. Pensacola Christian College, 1995. Third Edition. Page 449. 20. January. 2004.

up³ Townshend, Charles. The League of Nations and the United Nations. 14. January. 2004.

up⁴ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. League of Nations. 14. January. 2004.

up⁵ The Fame of Tipperary Group. The Irish in Uniform. 14. January. 2004.

up⁶ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. League of Nations. 14. January. 2004.

up⁷ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. League of Nations. 14. January. 2004.

up⁸ Russia, Germany, and the United States did not join.

up⁹ Townshend, Charles. The League of Nations and the United Nations. 14. January. 2004.

up¹⁰ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. United Nations. 14. January. 2004.

up¹¹ Formerly the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, which was created in December 1946 by the UN in order to support children facing famine and disease.

up¹² World Press Review Online. How the United Nations Security Council Works. 14. January. 2004. "In order to ensure prompt and effective action by the United Nations, its Members confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf."

up¹³ The permanent members are the United Kingdom, China, France, the Russian Federation, and the United States.

up¹⁴ The current non-permanent members include: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Brazi, Chile, Germany, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, and Spain.

up¹⁵ The General Assembly is a world forum where all Member States are represented. It sometimes is referred to as a "parliament of nations". Unlike the 50 member states that were part of the signing of the U.N. Charter, the modern-day General Assembly holds nearly 200 member states.

up ¹⁶ Bible. Matthew 5:9. 14. January. 2004.

up¹⁷ <http://www.christianaction.org.za/GDL/Newletters/02/oct_nov02.htm>February, 27 . 2004.

up¹⁸ Bible. Romans 3:11-17. 14. January. 2004.

up¹⁹ Bible. Isaiah 9:6. 14. January. 2004.

*It was about 3000 years ago when all the people living between Mesopotamia, India, and Ethiopia were given royal permission to destroy the Jews on a certain day. The Jews watched their enemies prepare for the day of massacre. Just before the day arrived another decree was proclaimed that gave the Jews the right to defend themselves- which they did (Esther, chapters 7-9).

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