Study – Grow – Know

Inside North Korea – a Snapshot of a World Under the Antichrist

January 14, 2011 at 4:46 PM Leave a comment

I just finished watching a National Geographic Documentary: Inside North Korea and I am astounded.  In this particular documentary, an eye surgeon from Nepal was given permission to enter North Korea for a humanitarian effort.  Because of the way life exists (for many) in North Korea, only the privileged ones get to live in Pyong Yang and only those individuals have jobs, food, clothing, and homes.  These are called the privileged ones and certainly compared to the rest of North Korea, they are privileged.

Even among the privileged however, there are poor diets, which can cause cataracts in many.  Cataracts left untreated can and have caused blindness for many there.

It was the doctor’s desire to help as many people as he could in the ten days he was given to perform the necessary eye surgeries.  It was a relatively simple procedure involving the removal of the clouded cataract and replacing it with a high quality plastic lens.

The doctor wanted to perform 1,000 of these surgeries, which amounted to 100 per day.  He was able to reach his goal and 1,000 people regained their sight either in one or both of their eyes thanks to this man.

Unbeknownst to the North Korean government, Lisa Ling and her crew traveled with the doctor under the guise of wanting to film a documentary about this doctor and the people he was able to help.

In spite of this, there were high-ranking people from North Korea who accompanied them everywhere they went.  These were referred to as “minders.”  It was their job to ensure that no rules were broken by the crew.

At one point, one of the crew’s photographers took a picture of a very, very tall statue of Kim Il Sung, Kim Il Jong’s father.  One of the minders chided him because the photographer had to actually lie down on the ground to get a full shot of the statue.  He then threatened him with expulsion the next day.  That did not occur.

Lisa and her crew were able to go into other places to see what life was like.  Of course, there were many places that they were not allowed to go or see, so at least some of the footage was used from another documentary.  They also used a satellite image of one area of North Korea that housed one of their notorious prison camps.  These are simply referred to with a number.  This was prison camp number 22 and it held 20,000 people, mostly families.

The way it worked in North Korea was if you were heard complaining about the monthly rations, or anything that would cause your neighbor or friend to question your loyalty, those neighbors or friends would turn you into the local authorities.  Not only would the local authorities come knocking on your door to haul you off to jail, but your entire family and your extended family was taken as well.

All of you en masse were then taken to one of these camps, where you lived out the rest of your natural life, until you died of old age, disease, or were executed.  No one died of old age.  The work was grueling, the food was in very short supply, and disease was rampant.

One soldier who had managed to successfully defect to South Korea and was given asylum, spoke of being a guard in that camp.  He said they were trained to not see the people there as human beings.  Because of that, the individuals imprisoned in this camp were mistreated horribly and since they were no longer considered to be “people,” abuse and execution was the normal condition that existed in the camp.

He related one incidence in which several children found a kernel of corn in a pile of cow dung.  Because they were so hungry, they fought over it, and one eventually washed in and ate it.

All throughout the documentary, the dictator of North Korea was praised.  He could do not wrong and to the North Korean people, he was/is a god.  Anything good that came into their lives was due solely to Kim Il Jong and his father before him.  Anything bad that came their way was because they needed to try harder.

In every home (that Lisa was allowed to enter) there were no pictures or photos on the wall, except for Kim Il Sung and Kim Il Jong.  Each member of the family would bow and praise their leaders (past and present) on a daily basis and often throughout the day.

Of course, it goes without saying that the children were taught from a very young age that Kim Il Jong is god and Americans (and other outsiders) are evil.  The unity in North Korea exists because both Kims brought the people together as a united front against all outsiders, who were and are considered to be enemies of North Korea.

At the end of all of the doctors surgeries, he went through to each patient as they waited and removed their bandages.  One by one, they volunteered that they could now see.  Many of them had not see anything in many years.  Interestingly enough, the first thing every patient did was not thank the doctor who physically gave them their sight, but instead went and bowed before the portraits of both Kims.

Each patient lifted hands high in boisterous praise to their “dear leader” who had cared about them to give them back their eye sight.  Many were overcome with emotion as they considered how kind and thoughtful their dear leader was to even be aware of their existence.

As I pondered this documentary, I could not help but make a comparison between North Korea’s godless dictator and the final world dictator who will demand worship and will call himself God, just as Paul says he will in 2 Thessalonians 2.  This coming world dictator will consider no one but himself.  The lives of others will mean nothing to him.  They are a means to the end and the end is the eradication of Jesus Christ before He returns to earth.

The day is coming when the Tribulation (the first 3.5 years) and the Great Tribulation (the second 3.5 years) will wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world, just like the flood of Noah’s day did and the fire and brimstone of Lot’s day did.  Out of the mire and mess, one man will stand up above the crowd and will make promises he does not keep.  His mouth will be filled with his own praise and the populace will believe him.

The entire world will follow after this coming man of sin.  They will become enraptured with this man, sold out to him either out of love and loyalty or abject fear.

“And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” Daniel 7:24-25

In the above two verses we read about a time when the world will have collapsed into a one-world government.  From that point, I’m assuming to make it easier to rule over people, this one-world will be divided up into ten realms, each with one person in charge of that section.

By the way, if you doubt this, I’d suggest doing a search on the Club of Rome.  A number of years ago, this group of the world’s elite did much the same thing, dividing the world up (on paper) into ten manageable sections.  I’m not saying that the Club of Rome’s plan is the one that will go into effect.  I’m simply saying that it’s already be bandied about by the world’s elite.

Notice though that after the world is divided up into ten sections, “another shall rise after them.”  This “another” is none other than the Antichrist himself.  It is interesting, is it not, that the Antichrist waits until the world has had some sort of collapse or some other cataclysmic event that causes it to become one?

Even at that, the Antichrist bides his time.  He makes no move yet.  It is only when the world is divided up into ten parts that he makes his move to the top.  Why?  I believe it’s because when the world is divided up into ten parcels, with an individual over each, it becomes far more easy for the Antichrist to put his plan of world domination in motion.

Can you see it?  Here the world goes along and the elitists finally get what they want; absolute control over the world and its citizenry.  Are they happy campers or what?  They are now in a position to do anything they want to do.  The problem is of course, that they had not counted on the fact that someone else will rise up from among their ranks and usurp their power.

This is exactly what he does.  Notice the text also states that this “another” comes to the fore after the first ten kings and that he is different from those ten kings.  He also subdues three of the ten.  I imagine at this point, he kills three kings in order to take over those three areas.

This does a couple of things.  It shows everyone that though they thought they had finally arrived with no one to answer to, they were wrong.  It also shows them that this Antichrist is not above killing to get his way.  His coup pays off because it is obvious that the remaining seven kings put up no struggle at all.  In fact, for the time being, they are allowed to continue their hold over their own 1/10th of the world…with Antichrist’s permission.  This means that these elitists, who looked forward to the day when they would have enough power to no longer worry about the average citizen and who firmly believed when that day came, they would answer to no one except themselves, were wrong.

They now find themselves in the very awkward position of being an elitist who must answer to someone else and the guy they have to answer to, has no qualms about killing any or all of them in his effort to grab power.  The remaining seven opt to play along since they really do not want to die at this point.

The next paragraph of Daniel that I quoted above highlights something that is abysmally interesting because of its blasphemous nature.  Notice that the Antichrist’s rise to power including killing three leaders.  Once he arrived at a spot in which he felt secure in his own position, he really began to let his hair down.

The world begins to see the inner psychoses of this person as he uses his bully pulpit to brag about himself for all he’s worth.  Like Satan of old, the Antichrist takes every opportunity to puff himself up before the entire world, making himself more important and more powerful than God Himself!

The phrase “a time and times and the dividing of time” or another way you may have heard it is “a time, times, and half a time,” literally means 42 months, or 3.5 years.  Because of this, many believe that the Tribulation will only last for 3.5 years then, not the seven that we’ve heard so much about.

This is not what the text is saying.  If we consider the Bible as a whole, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, the entire Tribulation period lasts for a full seven years.  We know this from Daniel 9:24-27.  Verse 27 specifically states that he will enter into a covenant with the many for one week.  We know that the term “week” or “weeks” in this entire chapter’s context is ultimately referencing years. Context is important.

If that is true then why does Daniel 7 and parts of Revelation refer merely to a 3.5 year period.  They do and they don’t.  Please note that in Revelation 6, the very first seal to open is the one which sends the rider on the horse across the landscape.  While some believe this white rider is Jesus (heaven forbid!), it can’t be since Jesus does not return until the end of the Tribulation.  This particular white rider is not wearing a kingly crown either.  He is simply wearing a stephanos or victory crown.  Jesus wears a diadem crown.  Big difference.

So in essence, Antichrist is “let out” the very first part of the Tribulation.  That makes sense since Daniel 9:27 speaks of the fact that the final week begins when the “he” in that verse signs a covenant with “the many” for one week.  People often get confused about this verse and the numerous uses of “he” in Daniel 9:24-27.  It’s not confusing at all if we keep in mind the law of antecedents.  The “he” in verse 27 has to referring back to the very last use of “he” and that “he” is not talking about Jesus.  It is talking not about “the” Prince, but “a” prince who is of the people who destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem (the prince of the people who is to come).

So if the Antichrist kicks off the Tribulation with the event of signing the covenant with Israel for the last week, this has to be a period of seven years.  The entire week is seven years and this covenant starts the tribulation.  It starts getting really bad when the Antichrist goes into the rebuilt Temple and will desecrate it.  That begins the “great tribulation” that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 24:21).  It is because of the desolation created by the Antichrist that the Jews are forced to flee to the hills.

Because the Jews flee, the Antichrist becomes extremely angry!  In fact, he is so angry that he cannot get at these Jews, he goes after Christians instead!  The Antichrist’s rise to power happens before the beginning of the Tribulation period and the reason why is obvious.  He apparently has the authority to act on behalf of the world in creating and offering a covenant with Israel that will guarantee them “peace and safety” so that they can begin building their Temple and reestablish their sacrificial system.  They would not need to rebuild much of it before they could begin the sacrificial system either.

So prior to the beginning of the Tribulation, the following things mush occur:

1. the world becomes a united one-world government
2. the world is then divided into ten regions
3. one leader is placed over each region
4. the Antichrist who is not one of those original ten leaders, subdues three
5. the Antichrist takes power from the other seven remaining leaders, allowing them to retain their positions in exchange for their loyalty

This must be in place prior to the beginning of the Tribulation in order for the Antichrist to be positioned to act on behalf of the world to broker peace in the Middle East.  Once the Tribulation begins, it certainly seems as though the Antichrist is quiet, relatively speaking.  We do not hear from him until the middle part of the Tribulation when he desecrates the Temple.  Outsmarted, he goes on a rampage against any and all who refuse to worship him.

So is the Antichrist remaining silent during the first part of the Tribulation?  I cannot imagine it.  I see him as putting all the pieces of the puzzle together as he climbs to the top.

It is impossible for us know what goes on inside the dictatorship of Kim Il Jong, yet it is clear that he is in charge of that country and rules it with an iron fist.  The decisions he makes behind closed doors are not available for the world to see, until after his decisions are carried out.

Let’s not forget that the entire Tribulation is God’s wrath being poured out on the world.  Because of that, the focus is not the Antichrist.  It is God and the judgments He uses to bring humanity to its knees.  Just because we do not read about the Antichrist during the first 3.5 years does not mean that he is not there, or that he not doing anything.

I believe that he will be spending the first 3.5 years getting all his ducks in a row so that when the time comes, the world will see him as he wants to be seen; savior, god, and lord.  The world will, at this time, be encouraged to give their respect, loyalty, and even their worship to the Antichrist.  Those that do will be rewarded, just as those in North Korea are rewarded for their loyalty to Kim Il Jong.

However, at the midpoint, when the Antichrist unveils himself to the Jews, what was previously recommended will then become mandatory on pain of death.

Life in North Korea is cheap; very cheap.  It takes only one small mistake to be tossed into a prison camp.  For those who are “privileged,” it takes only one small mistake to be executed.  North Korea is a small-scale picture of what life will be like on a worldwide scale during the Tribulation.

There will be no second chances for people during that time.  You will either bow to the Antichrist or lose your life.  Only authentic Christians would willingly give up their lives instead of bowing to Satan.  Many others will lose their lives for political reasons. 

The most tragic thing I noted while watching the documentary was how willingly everyone bowed to and praised Kim Il Jong.  Certainly, many did it out of fear, but maybe not.  The entire country had been brainwashed for so many generations that they knew nothing else.  Cell phones are not allowed.  The news is carefully selected and broadcast only with the permission of Kim Il Jong.  In essence, the people of North Korea lived in what Lisa Ling rightly terms the hermit world.  They know nothing of anything outside the borders of North Korea.  They have no clue.  To them, countries and people outside North Korea are enemies and they should not only be repudiated, but if given the opportunity, killed as enemies.

During the time of the Tribulation, I cannot imagine how bad it will be.  Watching Inside North Korea provides a glimpse of a godless dictator who has accepted the title god.  The “dear leader” of North Korea is loved by young and old in that country.  They really have no choice in the matter.  To react in any other way toward Jong means certain death.  Such is the way of dictators and if we can imagine that 100 or 1,000 times worse, that is what we will have with the Antichrist.

Folks, people need the Lord.  They need to be introduced to Him long before the Tribulation begins.  We have a job and we must take it seriously.  Every area of our lives should mirror Christ.  Every area.

I recently opted to place bumper stickers on my car that have a Christian message.  It is too easy for me to give into frustration while driving.  People cut you off, do not use blinkers, will not let you in their lane and many other things besides.  With bumper stickers I am forced to consider my Christianity.  I am forced to remember that God is in charge of my life.  I am forced to give myself to Him during those frustrating times when someone does something selfish or stupid behind the wheel that causes a problem for me.

We have an obligation to tell the world about salvation in Jesus.  With that comes the requirement that our life equals our talk.  We need to pray for one another that we can be the people God wants us to be, in a world that is increasingly walking away from Him. 

Just as the doctor in the documentary went on a mission to give people their sight back, we need to be on a mission to introduce people to the Light of this world (cf. John 9).  Once they see this Light, they will never be in darkness again.  Physical sight is certainly good.  I’m glad I have it and I’ll be you are glad you have it too.  However, spiritual sight is infinitely better.  Let’s do it!

Entry filed under: 9/11, alienology, Atheism and religion, Demonic, dispensationalism, Eastern Mysticism, emergent church, Gun Control, Islam, israel, Judaism, Life in America, new age movement, Posttribulational Rapture, Pretribulational Rapture, Religious - Christian - End Times, Religious - Christian - Prophecy, Religious - Christian - Theology, salvation, Satanism, Sharia Law, temple mount, ufology. Tags: antichrist and north korea, antichrist of daniel 7, inside north korea, kim il jong, kim il sung, loyalty to kim il jong, natonal geographic documentary inside north korea.