RCM: China Will NOT Be THE Great Power of the 21st Century

Roderick C. Meredith (Photo by Joyce Thiel)

Though China has been growing in wealth, military power, and influence, in the current edition of Tomorrow’s World magazine, Dr. Roderick C. Meredith of the Living Church of God wrote:

China will not be the great power of the 21st century. Beset by increasing financial and social problems, Chinese influence will wane and a German-led “European Empire” will surge to the fore in world affairs. (Meredith RC. What is Just Ahead for You? Tomorrow’s World magazine, Sept-Oct 2011, p. 5)

In the past year or so, China has had massive protests (in 2010 alone, China was rocked by 180000 protests, see Unrest Grows as Economy Booms). Things in China are not always as they appear to Westerners.

Notice what RC Meredith of the Living Church of God wrote over four years ago, and before the relatively recent, unrest in China began:

Many publications have suggested that the 21st century will be “China’s century.” Even though the Chinese are fiercely moving forward, and their progress in developing their industries is obvious, these publications are dead wrong for two reasons. First, the inspired word of God describes specifically how a coming European Union will be the dominant force in this world—obviously within the next several years. Therefore, brethren, I would like to focus your mind on this matter so you can more intelligently “watch” world events along this line as they unfold before your very eyes. In the coming years, you will perhaps even see a revolt of the peasants in the outlying Chinese cities, who have lagged far behind the standard of living afforded those who have moved to Beijing and Shanghai. Plus, the tremendous pollution of the water, air and foodstuffs may bring about massive disease epidemics and other problems for the Chinese.

In addition, distracting wars and other events may— as God chooses to guide it—greatly undermine the material progress now being made by the Chinese. Meanwhile, you will soon see the European Union evolve into an absolutely powerful and dynamic force in the world— ultimately to become the “Beast” as revealed in Revelation 17 in your own Bible!

So the 21st century will not be the “Chinese century!” Rather it will appear to become the European century for a few years, until the magnificent return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. From then on, the 21st century will be, indeed, “Christ’s century!” And all of us who are able to understand the “Big Picture” of world events from God’s point of view should be preparing to help straighten out the appalling degree of suffering, starvation and misconduct we find on this earth today in virtually every nation (Meredith R.C. An Inspiring and Successful Trip. Living Church News. May-June 2007, p. 21).

And while the Chinese government may be able to prevent a massive escalation of protests for a while, it may be that they will end up with massive civil unrest any way.

While many in the world believe that Chinese rising wealth and influence will make it the premier power this century, since biblical prophecy points instead to Europe (Daniel 9:26-27; Daniel 11; Revelation 13,17,18) with China having a different role (Revelation 9:16; 16:12, Daniel 11:44), we in the Living Church of God have a different view.

The Apostle Paul taught:

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

The Bible supports what Dr. Meredith has written about China and Europe. And while China will have some influence this century, it will not truly be its leader.

Some articles involving the Asian peoples that may be of interest may include the following:

China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 1: Genesis and Chinese Characters Where did the Chinese people come from? This article provides information showing that the Chinese peoples must have known about various accounts in the Book of Genesis up until their dispersion after the Tower of Babel.
China, Its Biblical Past and Future, Part 2: The Sabbath and Some of God’s Witness in China When did Christianity first come to China? And is there early evidence that they observed the seventh day sabbath?
Asia in Prophecy What is Ahead for Asia? Who are the “Kings of the East”? What will happen to nearly all the Chinese, Russians, Indians, and others of Asia? China in prophecy, where? Who has the 200,000,000 man army related to Armageddon?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?