Answer
The Great Reset has long been associated with unprovable conspiracy theories about a globalist takeover of world economic and political systems. However, recent developments on the world stage have lent some credence to at least some of the theories. Advocates for the Great Reset are quite vocal about their plans, and they use that term.
In June 2020, the World Economic Forum (WEF) held their fiftieth annual conference in Davos, Switzerland. The theme of the conference was “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World,” and the purported goal was “to overcome income inequality, societal division and the climate crisis” (from the official WEF website). Significantly, the Davos 2020 Conference used the term The Great Reset and launched what they call “The Great Reset Initiative.” The term The Great Reset goes back at least to 2010 and the publication of the book The Great Reset by Richard Florida.
A major topic of discussion at the Davos 2020 Conference was how to use the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change as a means to “reset” global structures. Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, co-wrote a book in 2020 called COVID-19: The Great Reset. And Schwab is quoted on the official WEF website as saying, “The pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world.” Attendees at the conference discussed fundamental changes in the traditional modes of decision-making and studied a perceived need to transform health care, financial systems, energy production, digital oversight, and education.
The Great Reset, as envisioned by the World Economic Forum, desires to affect the “state of global relations, the direction of national economies, the priorities of societies, the nature of business models and the management of a global commons” (from their official website). The 2020 conference drew 3,000 participants from 117 countries, including 53 heads of state.
Promoters of the Great Reset don’t try to hide the fact that they wish to usher in a new world order based on global control of just about everything. Naturally, this leads to questions about the relationship between the Great Reset and the kingdom of the Antichrist in the end times.
Revelation 17:12–13 prophesies that, during the tribulation, ten kings “will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.” This global federation will then “wage war against the Lamb” (verse 14). Given the nature of the Antichrist’s future government, it seems that any push for centralized economic or political power would align with Satan’s objectives, regardless of whatever “humanitarian” goals such centralization touts.
It is important to try to understand things like the Great Reset from a biblical perspective. In particular, we want to consider how world events impact the nation of Israel. With respect to a coming one-world government, Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, a Jewish scholar of Bible prophecy, identifies a sequence of nine events to occur before the seven-year tribulation begins. These nine events are part of a pretribulational and premillennial view of prophecy, which is our position at Got Questions:
1. World War I and World War II (see Matthew 24:1–8).
2. The re-establishment of Israel as a nation (see Ezekiel 36:33–24 and Isaiah 11:11–12). Israel was re-established as a nation in 1948.
3. Jewish control of Jerusalem (implied in Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4; and Revelation 11:1–2). Israel took control of the whole of Jerusalem after the Six-Day War of 1967.
The first three events have already happened. They are historical fact and lay the groundwork for six additional events that must happen in the future, probably before the seven-year tribulation begins:
4. Invasion of Israel by a northern alliance of nations (see Ezekiel 38:1—39:16).
5. A one-world government (see Daniel 7:23).
6. A federation of ten kingdoms (see Daniel 7:24a).
7. The rise of Antichrist (see Daniel 7:24b; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3).
8. A period of peace and false security (see 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3).
9. The signing of a seven-year covenant with Israel (see Daniel 9:27). When the Antichrist brokers this “peace treaty” between Israel and its neighbors, the time of the tribulation can begin. (Fruchtenbaum, A., “The Sequence of Pre-Tribulational Events,” Messianic Bible Study, No. 038, available at www.ariel.org).
The rapture of the church could happen at any time between right now and #9, in the list above. The Great Reset could be an aspect of the coming one-world government, but it’s hard to make that connection as of yet. We don’t know how far off the rapture or the end times are, and we don’t know what, if anything, will come of current plans for the Great Reset.
If the goals for the Great Reset are realized, then it could indeed give rise to a one-world government, which Daniel sees as a terrible beast: “As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces” (Daniel 7:23, ESV). The Great Reset, as described on its own website, promotes globalist programs and controls, which would certainly be a major aspect of any one-world government.
How should a Christian respond to the Great Reset and other worldly plans to, as it were, rebuild the Tower of Babel? First, refuse to worry. In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus helps us navigate unsettling times. Even if you literally don’t know where your next meal is coming from, do not worry; God provides for the birds, and He will provide for you. Even if you are literally facing destitution, do not worry; God clothes the grass of the field, and He will clothe you. Pray for His provision and expect Him to provide. Having a mindset free of worry allows us the freedom to set our minds on His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Second, remember that all the schemes of the godless will come to naught. “Good people obtain favor from the Lord, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes” (Proverbs 12:2). The child of God is only in this world temporarily and will one day be situated in a much better and permanent home: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17). Our future is known, our residence is heaven, and our hope is eternal.
Third, pray “for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2).
The True “Great Reset” will occur when Jesus Christ comes again, bringing true justice, peace, and righteousness to a world that desperately needs it. “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him—even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7, NLT).
