In 2002 an article in The Atlantic Monthly, an American opinion magazine quoted David B. Barrett, editor of the World Christian Encyclopedia, who described new religious movements that were growing at phenomenal rates: “There is enormous religious change going on across the world….We have identified nine thousand and nine hundred distinct and separate religions… increasing by two or three new religions every day” (“Oh, Gods!,” February 2002, p. 38).
For example, among the many are: The Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist sect, which in 2021 claimed to have approximately 12 million adherents in 192 countries and territories, and the Cao Dai, a four million strong Vietnamese-based group found in 50 countries (a blend of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and a bit of Judaism and Christianity). These groups, and others, have two things in common. They were formed during the 20th century and have grown rapidly, going largely unrecognized in the West.
People adopt a faith to find meaning and identity in life and, in many third world countries, it helps people to survive socially and culturally. When the social fabric or traditional customs of a nation change or break down, people often find their needs can be met by joining a group based on religious faith, giving structure and substance to an otherwise precarious existence. Along with meeting physical needs, these new movements often offer new insight into the mysteries of life for those disillusioned by traditional religions.
The Atlantic Monthly article made another interesting observation while speculating on the 21st century landscape: “One of the most remarkable changes…because of the new religious movements is the underreported shift in the center of gravity in the Christian world. There has been a dramatic move from North to South. Christianity is most vital now in Africa, Asia, and Latin America….There were fewer than 10 million Christians in Africa in 1900; by 2000 there were more than 360 million. And…ancient Christian practices such as exorcism, spirit healing, and speaking in tongues-all of which are documented in the Book of Acts-are back in force” (ibid., p. 44). A concluding thought in the article indicates the future potential influence of these groups. “The present rate of growth of the new Christian movements and their geographical range suggest that they will become a major social and political force in the coming century” (ibid., p. 45).
Religious differences have been the cause of much strife throughout human history, and Christ foretold the rise of religious confusion in the time prior to His return (Matthew 24:4, 24). 2 Thessalonians 2 describes this prophesied religious deception which will be spearheaded by a person referred to as “the man of sin”: “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ….Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God…so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (verses 1-4).This religious figure does not claim merely to represent God, but that he is God, even performing “signs, and lying wonders” (verse 9) under Satanic influence.
Revelation 13:11-14 describes a “beast” who looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon, who will cause the world to worship another beast (verses 1-9). The deception these two men will promote mirrors the description in 2 Thessalonians. These two figures are called “the beast and the false prophet” (Revelation 16:13) and, together they preside over a powerful religious and political system which will dominate the world and marshal the nations to fight Jesus Christ at His second coming (Revelation 16:14).
Revelation 18 indicates that with all faiths working together to form this coming world religion it will seem like the solution to peace and human survival, but in reality it will spiritually enslave those who are willing to trade the truth for a lie and combine age-old deceptions that hide the true God and His eternal plan from man. Any who resist this philosophy, or refuse its “mark,” will be persecuted (Revelation 13:15-17). It will be a time of great testing, with only the remnant of God’s faithful discerning the difference between this new world religion with all its clever deceptions, and keeping “the commandments of God and…the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17).
After describing the signs and lying wonders of the lawless one, Paul’s prophecy in 2 Thessalonians 2 shows those who become convinced of this deception “did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (verses 10). The “love of the truth”, which is God’s Word (Psalm 119:160), is the key to avoiding religious deception.
Holding on to true doctrines and teaching in the face of universal opposing opinions is extremely challenging, but despite the massive deception wrought by this end-time religious movement, prophecies show that the remnant of God’s faithful will hold to the biblical truths (Revelation 19:7-8) with God’s help: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:15-17).
