A New United Nations

While unaware of the U.N.'s 60th anniversary last month, a growing number of people have become aware of the organization's weaknesses. But before dismissing the idea of the U.N., consider what the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says about the role of nations united under the reign of Jesus after He returns to establish His Kingdom.

Largely overshadowed by news coverage of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many failed to realize that the United Nations celebrated its 60th anniversary when it convened last month. Coinciding with this event, actor Ron Silver released on September 20 a DVD titled "Broken Promises," a documentary of the failures of the United Nations on the organization's anniversary.

The same day, Maggie Farley of the Los Angeles Times provided an overview: "The hour long DVD begins with the U.N.'s creation of Israel in 1948—a seminal event that resonated in Silver's family and neighborhood but also had consequences far into the future.

"The film reflects his conviction that the way the U.N. shifted from peacemaker to arbitrator, treating Arabs and Israelis as equals, foreshadows a fatal flaw in the organization's structure. The U.N. is afraid to take sides, the film says, and doesn't have the independence to intervene when vital.

"The rest of the documentary is a greatest-hits reel of U.N. fiascos: the unfinished partition of Israel and Kashmir, allowing Pol Pot's killing fields in Cambodia, not intervening in the genocide in Rwanda, the failure to protect Muslims at a U.N. haven in Srebrenica and paralysis over reform demonstrated last week at the U.N.'s 60th anniversary World Summit"

(www.brokenpromisesmovie.com/092005_latimes.html ).

While unaware of the U.N.'s anniversary, a growing number of people have become aware of the organization's weaknesses. Although founded in 1945 upon humanitarian principles as the world's greatest hope for peace, this ideal has never been accomplished. Instead, it has proven impossible to bring all nations into mutual cooperation in international law, security, economic development, and social equity—the goals the organization aspires to fulfill.

From an organizational perspective, we've asked more of the U.N. than it is capable of providing. Adhering to the principle that all sovereign nations have the right to determine their own cultural standards, the U.N. does not make crucial distinctions of right and wrong in terms of governmental corruption or racial violence and prejudice. The U.N. has no army and must beg for peacekeeping soldiers and funding for its endeavors. In its chambers, political positions for or against Israel routinely divide member nations. There is no single standard of law, justice, and fairness to which all nations agree. Every nation does what is right in its own eyes.

Reflecting upon these weaknesses, some in the United States are now suggesting that the U.N. experiment has been a failure and that it is time for the U.S. to stop wasting money via financial support. As the major contributor to the organization, a withdrawal of funding by the U.S. would severely cripple the U.N.

But before dismissing the idea of the U.N., consider what the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says about the role of nations united under the reign of Jesus after He returns to establish His Kingdom (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
See All...).

• There will be one universal law for all nations that will enforced by Jesus Himself. His capitol city will be Jerusalem and international directives will go out from there (Micah 4:2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  See All...).

• The present U.N. ideal—taken from Isaiah 2:4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
  See All...—will finally come to pass: "He [God] shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."

• Nations will send representatives to Jerusalem to seek God and pray to Him. This will help resolve the long-standing animosity between Jews and Arabs. Instead of being the scapegoat for failures, Jews will become respected by all because of their understanding of and commitment to God's law (Zechariah 8:22-23 [22] Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
  [23] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
  
  See All...). This will facilitate cooperation and respect between the nations.

• Another key responsibility for representatives of each nation will be to go to Jerusalem during the biblical Feast of Tabernacles to worship God and thereby secure His annual blessing upon their nation (Zechariah 14:16-19 [16] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
  [17] And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
  [18] And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
  [19] This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
  
  See All...).

A new, reorganized United Nations based upon the preceding concepts could be a great benefit to the world. Such an organization could help facilitate respect for God and respect between all peoples. Such an organization could help disseminate the only knowledge and way of life that can ultimately lead to the peace and happiness all people desire.

There is one more item to consider. Observance of the biblical Feast of Tabernacles, this year October 17-24, is to be observed by God's faithful servants as an annual reminder that the above prophecies of a better United Nations will be fulfilled.