1. Creating Utopia: A return to eden or babel?
Considering the implications of building a perfect society without God.

2. Utopia: unified governance
Session 4
Utopia: unified governance

3. The title of the presentation was:
The framework of this study was laid out by Dr. Heiser in a presentation given at the “Future Congress” Conference.
The title of the presentation was:
“Thinking Theologically About the Utopian Impulse as a Perversion of the Judeo-Christian Worldview”
It can be viewed on YouTube at:

4. For more of Dr. Heiser’s work listen to his: “Naked Bible Podcast”
Or visit his primary website at:

5. rejection of the king
When they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the Lord. But the Lord told him, “Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king. They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me, since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods. Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them.”
–1 Samuel 8:6-9

6. Session GOALS Review God’s ideal form of government.
Review the biblical view of government.
Explore the results of the humanity’s first unified government.
Explore Christian Eschatology related to the next unified government.
Consider how the utopian impulse effects modern concepts of governance.

7. God’s ideal government
God’s ideal situation more closely resembles a family than a bureaucracy.
God is headship of creation.
His “angelic family” was meant to be sinless and thus follow God’s will in all things.
His “human family” was meant to be sinless and thus follow God’s will in all things.

8. The “angelic family”
The “angelic family” were to be administers and caretakers of the heavenly realm.
For the undefiled angelic beings they continue to operate within God’s will and in full communion with Him.
Some were found with sin in them (Lucifer and the fallen angels).
Some have been bound up, some have been removed from their heavenly authority, and all will be cast into the Lake of Fire in the end.

9. “You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you
“You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you.
Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub from among the fiery stones.”
–Ezekiel 28:14-16

10. The “human family”
The “human family” were to be administers and caretakers of the Garden of Eden and the whole earth.
When Adam and Eve rebelled against God all their descendants fell with them.
Jesus provided us with personal salvation to save our soul and return to communion with Him.
God provides governments to help us regulate our societies.
Since governments are comprised of humans they are ultimately as fallen as the people running them.

11. what is the biblical view of government ?

12. Does God support human governments?
Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.
–Romans 13:1-2

13. would God let the government take from us?
 “Whose image and inscription is this?” He asked them. “Caesar’s,” they said to Him. Then He said to them, “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
–Matthew 22:20-21

14. would God let those in power abuse us?
 Household slaves, submit with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle but also to the cruel. For it brings favor if, mindful of God’s will, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly.
–1 Peter 2:18-19

15. what do we do if a government goes against God?
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we don’t need to give you an answer to this question. If the God we serve exists then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”
–Daniel 3:16-18

16. God has placed us under the authority of a government that allows us to have a voice!
if we ever lose that freedom, we will have to look to God to replace it.

17. building a case for: humanity’s first unified government

18. Humanity had a divine commandment
God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
–Genesis 9:1

19. Humanity had a common leader
Cush fathered Nimrod, who was the first powerful man on earth. He was a powerful hunter in the sight of the Lord. That is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a powerful hunter in the sight of the Lord.” His kingdom started with Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah, and Resen, between Nineveh and the great city Calah.
Nimrod was the “first powerful man on earth” and he had a kingdom.
While his kingdom would have been small in our day, it embraced a large percentage of the total human population, maybe even all of it.
–Genesis 10:8-12

20. Humanity had a common language and location
At one time the whole earth had the same language and vocabulary. As people migrated from the east, they found a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.
–Genesis 11:1-2

21. Humanity had a common Purpose
And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
Violation of the Edenic Mandate.
–Genesis 11:4

22. God was displeased by their rebellion
Then the Lord came down to look over the city and the tower that the men were building. The Lord said, “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them, Come, let Us go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” So from there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth, and they stopped building the city.
–Genesis 11:5-8

23. as recorded by josephus
The Antiquities of the Jews: Book 1
The descendants of Noah descend from the mountains into the lowland, but they were fearful of another flood.
The area was called the plains of Shinar. God commanded them to send out colonies across the earth, so that they would not fight each other. They listened to others and disobeyed God.
God again told them to send out colonies. They did not because they believed the prosperity they were enjoying was due to their hard work and not given by God.
111. Do we give God credit for our prosperity, or do we assume it is because of our hard work?
How difficult would it be for God to remove our prosperity?

24. as recorded by josephus
The Antiquities of the Jews: Book 1
They began to suspect that God was trying to split them up so that they could be more easily oppressed.
It was Nimrod was “exciting them” against God. He was telling the people it was their courage and not God that was creating their happiness.
He turned the government into a tyranny so that people would no longer fear God, but depend on Nimrod’s power. He convinced them to built a tower so tall that they could be above any flood waters and they could get revenge against God for killing their forefathers.
112. Two times before God had instructed mankind to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth.
113. Do our leaders today credit God for our happinesses or do they celebrate themselves?
114. Does the government foster the idea that the people depend on it?

25. as recorded by josephus
The Antiquities of the Jews: Book 1
The people followed Nimrod and saw it as cowardice to submit to God. They built a tower higher than anyone expected.
God decided not to destroy them again, since the destroying them in the flood didn’t teach them.
God split the people up by confusing their languages and making them unable to understand each other.
115. Do we mindlessly follow where our leaders direct? Consider how clearly we think about politics and how we get our information from the media.

26. Humanity had a common religion
In his book The Two Babylons (1858), Rev. Alexander Hislop argues:
Humanity had a single common religion under Nimrod.
This was the introduction of “paganism” as we know it today.
Nimrod, his wife Simiramis, and his son Tammuz were worshipped as gods.
This likely set-up the pagan Mother Goddess & Husband- Son rebirth cycle we see in the pagan calendar.
This likely started the King/Queen/Son and Sun/Moon/Stars motif in pagan religions.
An esoteric priesthood was created that has survived for millennia and lives in today’s secret esoteric societies.

27. The case for a Unified humanity
Both biblical and secular sources agree that after the flood:
Humanity was unified under one leader named Nimrod.
Humanity was unified under one language.
Humanity was unified in one place called Shinar.
Humanity was unified in one new religion (Paganism).
Humanity was unified in one purpose, to build a tower.
Humanity was unified in rebellion against God. God confused their languages and scattered them across the earth, thus creating the nations.

28. further reading The Antiquities of the Jews: Book 1 (Chapters 3-6)
By: Flavius Josephus
The Two Babylons
By: Reverend Alexander Hislop (1858)
Tower of Babel: The Cultural History of Our Ancestors
By: Bodie Hodge (2013)

29. we have had a unified government before, and it was a disaster!
Could it happen again?

30. Christian Eschatology and a coming unified government

31. The rising of the beast
The beast I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear’s, and his mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. One of his heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but his fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast. They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?”
“The Beast” is given his throne and authority by Satan.
The whole earth follows the beast.
–Revelation 13:2-4

32. the beast hates God
He began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme His name and His dwelling—those who dwell in heaven. And he was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. He was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All those who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.
The Beast hates God.
The Beast tries to destroy God’s people.
The Beast is given authority over mankind in a way that hasn’t been seen since Nimrod.
–Revelation 13:6-8

33. If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he goes.
a warning to believers
If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he goes.
If anyone is to be killed with a sword, with a sword he will be killed. This demands the perseverance and faith of the saints.
In this period of time, God will allow believers to suffer and die.
–Revelation 13:10

34. the coming leader (recap)
Humanity will once again be unified under a single leader, and that leader will lead the same type of rebellion that Nimrod did.
He will be empowered and given authority by Satan.
The whole earth will follow the beast and worship Satan.
He will speak blasphemies against God.
He will wage war against the believers, capturing and killing them.
The believers will have to persevere under the persecution.

35. is the utopian impulse driving us toward eden or babel?

36. utopian impulse and reunification
The collective visions of a utopia are populated with people who are unified in equal rights, equal freedom, and ultimately of one mind.
Unification of Governance
Unification of Location
Unification of Resources
Unification of Language
Unification of Religion
Unification of Purpose
These are the same types of unification we saw in the past with Nimrod and in the future with The Beast.
They are inherent in any utopian system that mankind conceived of.

37. Unification of governance
In Eden there was no government, only relationship with God.
In Babel there was one man leading, Nimrod.
Today through the United Nations we are striving to place all peoples of the earth under one single government. If that government was ever given over to a single person then we would again be unified under a one man.

38. If the United Nations does not attempt to chart a course for the world's people in the first decades of the new millennium, who will?
–Kofi Annan

39. Unification of Location
In Eden “all humanity” was in one place, but they were commanded to expand into the entire world.
In Babel “all humanity” was in one place, and fought against the command to expand into the entire world.
Today “all humanity” has expanded into the entire world, but we are trying to redefine our perception to see the diverse populations as a single human community. We are a small speck in the universe and we are working together to save the planet.
Utopians seek to envision humanity as a unified community, but that is isolated and insignificant, fighting against the universe.

40. “Whether the boarders that divide us are picket fences or national boundaries, we are all neighbors in a global community.”
–President Jimmy Carter
“Let’s create an integrated global community where we have shared benefits and responsibilities, and we don’t fight because of our differences.”
–President William J. Clinton
“The environment is a common patrimony of all humanity and is everyone’s responsibility. Whoever possesses part of it should merely administer it for the common good. If we do not do this, our conscience is burdened with the weight of denying the existence of others.”
–Pope Francis

41. Unification of resources
In Eden the resources were provided directly by God to individuals.
In Babel a single leader controls all resources and provides them as they see fit.
Today there is a great push to put all economic resources within global oversight. The idea is this will lead to:
A common global currency to facilitate commerce and security.
Global economic stability.
A common distribution system to ensure the needs of everyone are met.

42. “In these extraordinary times, greater international cooperation is needed to reverse the global economic downturn, eradicate poverty, promote security and enhance cultural understanding,.”
–Klaus Schwab, Founder of the World Economic Forum
If God were to punish one nation in some way, this system would strive to rush in and solve the problem. Not as individuals coming in to share in hardship and provide repeat, but as a monolithic institution that just manages the issue away.
“The role of globalization is to homogenize all cultures, and to turn them into commodified markets, and therefore, to make them easier for global corporations to control. Global corporations are even now trying to commodify all remaining aspects of national cultures, not to mention indigenous cultures.”
–Jerold “Jerry” Mander, Activist and Author

43. “War used to be something you could stand on the nearby hill and watch
“War used to be something you could stand on the nearby hill and watch. Now we have total war; everybody's in it. We have total economics as well. Everything affects everybody. The Malaysian currency shakes, and people around the world are seriously affected.”
–Salman Rushdie, Author
“What bitcoin does better than the current financial system is it's a better stored value globally. There are a lot of countries that really don't trust their banks or their currency, and bitcoin is an alternative.
–Adam Draper, Founder and CEO of Boot VC (Venture Capital)

44. Unification of language
There have been many attempts to create a universal language.
Solresol: Created by François Sudre in Based on musical construction.
Volapük: Created by Johann Martin Schleyer in Based on the combination of multiple European languages.
Esperanto: Created by L. L. Zamenhof in the 1880s. Based on the idea that learning the language should be simple.
Supported for non-governmental use by the U.N.
Spoken by two million people worldwide.
Gestuno (International Sign Language): - Began standardization at the World Deaf Conference in Based on the needs of deaf and non- verbal people.

45. Unification of language
If a universal language is not realistic to obtain, another option is a push for a multi-lingual population.
A push for multi-lingual capability in students. Many universities have Global Learning Initiatives, Global Language Centers, and Global Engagement Initiatives.
Technologies are further promoting multi-lingual capabilities and translation.
Google Translate
Rosetta Stone Software
Portable Language Translator Devices

46. Unification of religion
Ecumenical movement between Pentecostal Evangelicals and Charismatic Catholics.
New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)
Convergence of the Name-it and Claim-it preachers, the prosperity doctrine, and the emergent church movement.
An apostate movement within the greater Christian church.

47. Unification of religion
Ecumenical movement between the Roman Catholics and Lutherans to end the Protestant Reformation.
The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ)
10/31/1999: Signed by Cardinal Edward Idris Cassidy (emissary of Pope John Paul II) and Rev. Ishmael Noko of the Lutheran World Federation.
7/18/2016: Adopted by the World Methodist Council.
7/18/2017: Adopted by the World Communion of Reformed Churches (Congregational, Presbyterian, Reformed, United, Uniting, and Waldensian Churches)

48. Unification of religion
People are rejecting traditional western religions as morally restrictive and judgmental.
People are rejecting atheism and scientism because of their failure to address the “big questions” and provide the genuine sense of spirituality that many people are seeking.
Pluralism, the occult, mysticism, and eastern religions have melded to create the New Age Movement.
People are drawn to the message of unity, sense of community, spirituality, and lack of judgement in the New Age Movement.

49. Unification of purpose
Under the unification of purpose we see what is often referred to as the “Social Justice Doctrine” which embraces the following traditional utopian goals:
World Peace and the End of War
Eradication of Hunger, Poverty, and Need
Freedom and Equality for All
The Betterment of the Human Organism
Safety and Security (physical, political, and economic)
Environmental Stewardship

50. “The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.”
–H.L. Mencken, American Journalist, Satirist, and Critic
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make the violet revolution inevitable.”
–President John F. Kennedy

51. Summary
God created an ideal environment for mankind to live in. We did not need to be ruled since we lived in relationship with the Creator.
God gives us governments to watch over us and to execute His justice. We must persevere under unjust governments.
Humanity once had a unified government and it led to a rebellion against God.
The book of Revelation gives us insight into what the final world government and its final rebellion against God.
In today’s environment we are well on our way to realizing that final government.

52. For more of Dr. Heiser’s work listen to his: “Naked Bible Podcast”
Or visit his primary website at: