From the Series: Countdown to Convergence
Countdown to Convergence traces the alignment of Agenda 2030’s goals, today’s headlines, and God’s prophetic Word. This series reveals how the world’s plans are converging into the very system the Bible warned us about — the last global order before Christ’s return. Our purpose is not fear, but watchfulness, so that the Church stands ready, holding fast to the Blessed Hope, and calling others out of the system that will soon demand total allegiance.
The System God Warned About
In September 2015, world leaders gathered at the United Nations and adopted what they called a “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” — better known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Among their goals: the end of poverty, hunger, and inequality, along with the building of “peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”
On the surface, it all sounds noble. But when we hold their vision up to Scripture, we see something deeper: a system that mirrors exactly what the Bible warned about nearly two to four thousand years ago — a final world order built on human unity apart from God, demanding total control over life, commerce, and even belief.
Scoffers in the Last Days
The moment we begin to speak of prophecy, scoffers rise up. Peter told us this would happen:
“Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” (2 Peter 3:3–4, c. AD 65, NKJV)
Their very denial is itself a fulfillment of prophecy. Scoffing does not disprove God’s Word — it proves it. And Jesus told us not to be lulled into complacency but to watch (Matthew 24:42).
Apostasy Comes First
The Bible also makes clear that before the Antichrist is revealed, a great falling away must take place:
“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, the son of perdition.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3, c. AD 51, NKJV)
This apostasy — a visible Church departing from the truth, softening itself for deception — is already underway. I have written in depth on this in another series, but here we will simply note: apostasy clears the ground for everything else. It is the precursor to the convergence we now see.
Three Timelines Converging
- Their Timeline – Agenda 2030
- The UN’s 2030 Agenda lays out 17 Sustainable Development Goals with 169 targets to be achieved by the year 2030. Words like “universal,” “inclusive,” and “global” echo throughout the text. These reveal not just programs, but a vision for centralized, worldwide governance.
- Current Events Timeline
- Headlines today show the groundwork being laid:
- Nations piloting digital IDs tied to access.
- Central banks testing CBDCs (central bank digital currencies).
- Governments drafting AI regulations to control information and speech.
- These aren’t isolated innovations; they are puzzle pieces being fitted into one global system.
- Headlines today show the groundwork being laid:
- God’s Timeline – Prophecy
- Scripture told us long ago where this would lead:
- “…and the fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.” (Daniel 7:23, c. 530 BC, NKJV)
- “…and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:17, c. AD 95, NKJV)
- “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:3, c. AD 51, NKJV)
- Scripture told us long ago where this would lead:
Across 2,500 years of prophecy, the same reality is revealed: a global system of control arising just before the Lord’s return.
Why This Is the Last Economic System
History has seen many empires — Babylon, Rome, and countless others. But none had digital enforcement or global reach. What is being built now is unprecedented. Once established, it will not be surrendered, because it fulfills exactly what Revelation describes: a system continuing until Christ Himself destroys it at His coming (Revelation 19:11–21).
This is not just another cycle of history. It is the final man-made system, the Beast system.
God’s Pattern of Deliverance
Yet in all of this, we see God’s character and pattern. He delivers His people at the brink, just before wrath falls:
- Noah and his family were lifted above the flood before judgment came (Genesis 7, c. 1445 BC).
- Lot was led out of Sodom before fire fell (Genesis 19, c. 1445 BC).
- Israel walked through the Red Sea just as Pharaoh’s army closed in (Exodus 14, c. 1445 BC).
- Esther stood at the king’s side as Haman’s plot collapsed (Esther 7, c. 450 BC).
Each moment of deliverance came when the enemy’s pride was at its peak — and God was glorified. The Rapture of the Church will be no different.
Watchfulness and Hope
Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42, c. AD 60, NKJV). Paul reminded us that Christ will appear “to those who eagerly wait for Him” (Hebrews 9:28, c. AD 65, NKJV).
We do not watch with fear, but with expectancy. We are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). We are called to endure faithfully, to shine as lights in a dark world, and to fix our eyes on the Blessed Hope — the soon return of Jesus Christ.
Sources & References
Scripture
- Genesis 7 & 19; Exodus 14, c. 1445 BC
- Esther 7, c. 450 BC
- Daniel 7:23–25, c. 530 BC
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:3, 5:9, c. AD 51
- 2 Peter 3:3–4, c. AD 65
- Hebrews 9:28, c. AD 65
- Revelation 13:16–17; 19:11–21, c. AD 95
- Matthew 24:42, c. AD 60
Agenda 2030
- Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations, 2015)
- UN Sustainable Development Goals: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Current Events
Digital ID/Digital Identification
- “Britain to introduce compulsory digital ID for workers” — Reuters
- “New digital ID scheme to be rolled out across UK” — GOV.UK (UK government announcement)
- “Digital identity leaders and privacy experts sound the alarm on invasive ID systems (‘Phone Home’)” — ACLU press release
- “Apple’s digital ID program expanding nationwide in 2025 amid privacy debates” — Mobile ID World
- “Mandatory digital ID card plan blasted as ‘ludicrous’ …” — The Sun
- “The global rise of digital ID technology in 2025” — ZignSec blog
CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) Pilots & Developments
- India: Retail Sandbox for CBDC / Deposit Tokenization Pilot
- Uganda: CBDC Pilot with Tokenized Economy
- Uganda launched its CBDC (digital shilling) pilot in a $5.5 billion tokenised economy model, building an infrastructure that goes beyond money to tokenizing real assets and systems. Techpoint Africa+2CoinCentral+2
- The pilot is anchored in Uganda’s Green Industrial & Special Economic Zone (GISEZ), embedding the CBDC into industrial and trade flows. Techpoint Africa
- Global / Other Trends
- The European Central Bank aims for its EU-wide CBDC to be ready by 2025. Digital Watch Observatory
- China has conducted multi-year trials for its digital yuan (e-CNY) across cities and sectors. Digital Watch Observatory
- There is growing interest globally in “programmable money” (money with built-in rules / smart contracts). Digital Watch Observatory+1
Representative Articles & Links
- “India’s central bank launches digital currency retail sandbox” — Reuters Reuters
- “RBI launches digital currency retail sandbox” — Economic Times The Economic Times
- “Uganda launches CBDC pilot in $5.5B tokenised economy” — Techpoint Africa Techpoint Africa
- “Indian central bank to launch pilot for deposit tokenisation” — Reuters Reuters
- “Cryptocurrencies and digital money in 2025” — Dig.watch (background / trends) Digital Watch Observatory
- “Blockchain and Digital Assets News and Trends – February 2025” — DLA Piper DLA Piper
AI Regulation / AI Legislation & Policy
- U.S. Regulatory Changes & Strategy
- The U.S. under the 2025 administration has prioritized regulatory clarity for digital assets and AI. State Street
- A new Executive Order called “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology” set the tone for digital asset + AI policy. State Street
- The administration formed a “President’s Working Group on Digital Assets,” including an AI/Crypto Special Advisor. State Street
- It also rescinded SAB 121 (which had required custodial crypto assets to be recognized on balance sheets), replacing it with SAB 122, aligning accounting treatment more cleanly. State Street
- The U.S. government expects to release a high-level AI policy (for oversight and risks) around mid-2025. State Street
- State / National AI-focused Legislation
- The National Conference of State Legislatures tracks 2025 AI bills in U.S. states (covering issues like transparency, bias, oversight). NCSL
- Across the globe, jurisdictions are pushing or drafting AI regulation (e.g. EU’s AI Act, national AI laws). State Street+1
- Regulatory Outlook & Trends
- Many commentators expect U.S. regulation to be more innovation-friendly than restrictive, at least initially. State Street
- The intersection of AI and digital assets (e.g. algorithmic stablecoins, programmable finance) is a major regulatory frontier. State Street+1
- In Europe, regulations on digital “dark patterns,” algorithmic decisioning, and fairness (like the proposed Digital Fairness Act) are in motion. Wikipedia
- Legislative Activity in U.S. States (2025)
- Various state bills have been introduced on AI, covering disclosure, bias mitigation, algorithmic audits, etc. NCSL
Representative Articles & Links
- “2025 regulatory preview: Understanding the new US … digital assets & AI” — State Street’s Digital Digest / regulatory outlook State Street
- “2025 Digital ID Predictions: What’s Next for the Industry?” — Trinsic (with mention of AI-enabled identity) Trinsic
- “Global Crypto-Asset Regulation Outlook (May 2025)” — Substack insight piece Insights for VC
- “Artificial Intelligence 2025 Legislation” — NCSL overview of state AI bills NCSL
- “Blockchain and Digital Assets News and Trends – February 2025” — DLA Piper, covering overlap with AI & digital assets DLA Piper
- “Digital Fairness Act” — Wikipedia summary of proposed EU legislation (relates to algorithmic fairness and digital regulation) Wikipedia
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