THE RISE AND FALL OF KINGDOMS, EMPIRES AND HUMAN SYSTEMS

THE RISE AND FALL OF KINGDOMS, EMPIRES AND HUMAN SYSTEMS

Pst. Gavin Aleogho 

Looking at global politics and the happenings around the world, there are many things that should give us genuine cause for concern. The recently concluded American midterm elections and the political developments in Israel in October this year are among the events drawing global attention.

The rise of evil, the killings in Nigeria, increasing insecurity, international wars and religious intolerance are all sources of pain and concern to every sensitive mind.

Satan knows that his time is running out. Revelation 12:12 tells us that the devil has great wrath because he knows that he has but a short time. Hence, he continues to unleash the wickedness in his arsenal against God's creation.

In the midst of all these, however, we must never lose sight of the reality that our God rules and reigns in the affairs of men.

This truth should keep our hearts at peace. Nothing happening in local or global politics takes God by surprise. Nothing!

Daniel 2:21 declares:

"He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding."

Even then, there is no human system, kingdom or empire established on earth that is built to last forever. Both the Bible and history are full of examples of the rise, dominance and eventual fall of great kingdoms, empires and powerful rulers.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

- Egyptian Kingdom (New Kingdom): 1550–1069 BC (approximately 481 years). Exodus 1–14.

- Assyrian Empire: 911–609 BC (approximately 302 years). 2 Kings 17:3–6.

- Babylonian Empire: 626–539 BC (approximately 87 years). Daniel 1–5.

- Persian Empire: 550–330 BC (approximately 220 years). Ezra 1:1–4; Esther 1:1.

- Greek Empire under Alexander the Great: 336–323 BC (13 years of Alexander's reign). Daniel 8:5–8, 20–22.

- United Kingdom of Israel: c. 1050–930 BC (approximately 120 years). 1 Samuel 10; 2 Samuel 5; 1 Kings 11–12.

- Northern Kingdom of Israel: 930–722 BC (approximately 208 years). 2 Kings 17.

- Southern Kingdom of Judah: 930–586 BC (approximately 344 years). 2 Kings 24–25.

- Roman Empire: 27 BC–476 AD (approximately 500 years of imperial rule in the West). Luke 2:1; Acts 25:10–12. The Eastern Roman Empire continued until 1453 AD.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLES

- Akkadian Empire: 2334–2154 BC (approximately 180 years).

- Mongol Empire: 1206–1368 AD (approximately 162 years as a unified empire).

- Ottoman Empire: 1299–1922 AD (approximately 623 years).

- Spanish Empire: 1492–1898 AD (approximately 406 years).

- British Empire: 1583–1997 AD (approximately 414 years).

- French Colonial Empire: 1534–1980 AD (approximately 446 years).

- Nazi Germany (Third Reich): 1933–1945 AD (12 years).

- Soviet Union (USSR): 1922–1991 AD (69 years).

- Yugoslavia: 1918–2003 AD (approximately 85 years as a state).

Even the Roman Empire, which under Emperor Constantine began to favour and support Christianity, did not endure in its Western form. The Western Roman Empire eventually fell, while its Eastern counterpart also came to an end centuries later.

What about the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades and other historical events in which religious institutions and political powers became deeply involved? These remind us that even institutions and movements that carry religious labels are not automatically immune to human weakness, corruption and eventual decline.

Why, then, do you think any present-day world power would last forever?

I understand your concerns. I, Gavin Aleogho, also have my concerns. However, my concern is not primarily about which nation will become the next world power. My concern is the bloodshed, wickedness and religious intolerance associated with some of the nations and forces contending for global influence and dominance.

For me, my greatest concern is about the FAITH and the propagation of the GOSPEL.

The Scriptures have already given us a picture of the times we are living in. Isaiah 60:2 declares:

"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."

Darkness will continue to characterise the world until the return of the Son of Man. The Lord Jesus Himself warned us about wars, rumours of wars, nations rising against nations and other troubling developments (Matthew 24:6–8).

However, this is not a call to fear or hopelessness. It is a call to spiritual alertness, faithfulness and readiness.

As long as you are still on earth, your concerns are valid. The least you can do is fulfil your civic responsibilities, pray and watch.

You must watch because you need to understand the times and seasons in which we are living. You must recognise that these developments are among the signs associated with the last days and the anticipation of His return. Hence, the Lord Jesus admonished us to watch and be ready (Matthew 24:42–44).

All these should remind us that, despite humanity's efforts to establish peace, equity, justice and fairness across the world, no human system can guarantee lasting peace. This is largely because of the fallibility, limitations and imperfections of the men and women entrusted with the affairs of nations.

Even when the world speaks of peace and security, the Bible warns that sudden destruction would come upon it (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

This is not to say that we should abandon efforts towards peace, justice and fairness. Rather, we must understand that lasting and perfect peace cannot be established by human efforts alone. True and everlasting peace is found in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 9:6).

As long as we remain in this world, we must continue to do everything within our civic rights and responsibilities to make it a better place for us and our children to live in. We must pray for our leaders, promote peace, stand for justice, speak against evil and contribute positively to society (1 Timothy 2:1–2; Jeremiah 29:7).

However, as we do all these, we must never forget one fundamental truth:

THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME!

Our citizenship is in heaven, from where we eagerly await our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).

Let us therefore remain watchful, prayerful, faithful to the Gospel and committed to the advancement of God's Kingdom, irrespective of what happens in the world around us.

©Pst. Gavin Aleogho

November 2026