"We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place" (2 Pet. 1 :19).
Among the many startling changes taking place among nations in these days of world-war and social upheaval, two are of special significance, as viewed in the light of prophecy. First in importance is the deliverance of Jerusalem from the long and cruel dominion of the Ottoman yoke. It has been widely commented on as beginning the fulfilment of those divine promises and prophecies culminating in the establishment of Christ's millennial kingdom-prophecies which have shined as lights in a dark place through the long night of Jewish dispersion and the absence of our Lord.
Secondary only in importance, in view of future developments, has been the release of Italia Irredenta from the Austrian yoke as a final step in the successive stages of Italian emancipation; for, ever since the downfall of the Roman empire, Italy has been more or less in subjection to successive conquerors.
Jerusalem, who refused her heavenly King, and "knew not the time of her visitation," was prophetically doomed to be "trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Imperial Rome, in the 4th century, entered the period of eclipse mentioned in Rev. 17 :8-12, and from which it has slowly emerged, as predicted in these same verses ; while Christendom is swiftly marching on to the foretold apostasy and its judgment, as declared in 2 Thess. 2:7-12; i Thess. 5 :2-4, etc., by which we can already see the closing days of this, the Christian, dispensation.
How suggestive are these recent developments! For, while we have no warrant as to how soon the end may be reached, or how much the present conditions may have to develop, Scripture has plainly foretold Israel's restoration to their God-given land; it also announces the resurrection of the imperial power, with Rome as its center; and the judgment of apostate Christianity.
A special characteristic of these epochal times has been what is called the spirit of "Progress," which has been insidiously transforming and remolding the world's religious, as well as the political and social outlook. This proud, self-centered spirit, "glorying in man," while boasting its righteousness, and retaining the name of Christianity with more or less of its tenets, when tested by Scripture is found wanting, and savors not of "the things that be of God, but those that be of men."
In full keeping with this spirit, the outcome of the world-war is being jubilantly acclaimed as a crowning triumph for Democracy; and the alluring " League of Nations" boasts of new conceptions of man's powers and outlook-the accomplishment of which will be hailed as signalizing the advent of a new political, social, and even religious era.
It is not our thought to link the present movement with the future alliance of the ten kings of Rev. 17:31 who shall support the revived Roman empire; still, looked at in conjunction with present-day social and religious tendencies, it may at least be regarded as leading to those conditions which sooner or later are to develop in such a coalition.
The leagues of the past have had as their objectives, the safeguarding or furtherance of national interests and ambitions. In this, now so widely advocated, we have an entirely new departure. Renouncing all national aggrandizement, it aims at a world-wide and lasting peace ; this ambitious aspiration of the democratized "dwellers on the earth " of to-day has, as its crowning chimera, the elimination of all political discord, economic iniquity and social discontent. A great conception, truly, this alluring vision of a golden age with a Palace of Peace, in a paradise of man's devising, "pleasant to the eyes, and to be desired," as that tree in the garden of old; but, like its prototype in the plain of Shinar, with spire towering to the sky, the foundations of this grand vision rest upon the sand.
The records of the past and the divine prophecies bearing on the future alike forecast the blighting of these hopes. The failure of all man's rule has been demonstrated time and again in the rise and fall of governments through long centuries; and these failures are traceable not to forms of government, but to the heart of man away from God. Democracy and Socialism, as the clay in Nebuchadnezzar's grand image, with the iron of imperialism which is to reappear for a brief period, will alike perish in one final catastrophe described in Daniel 2 :35:"Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver and the gold (of the great image), broken to pieces together, and become like the chaff of the summer threshing floors . . . and the Stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."This is the God-given view of the end of all Gentile power.
Nevertheless, the alluring possibilities of this ambitious conception-the readjustment of the nations along racial lines, and the reconstruction of society on a more or less Democratic and Socialistic basis-thinking thereby to nullify conditions hitherto provocative of war and discontent-strongly appeal to a war-weary world, yearning for the advent of an era of peace, while the root of all the strife and sorrow remains untouched and unchanged. Ignore it, deny it, deride it if he will, the truth abides, that man is a fallen yet impenitent creature, in a doomed world lying under the judgment of a long-suffering God.
The teachings of various Humanist gospels today, though somewhat conflicting, generally agree in affirming the latent goodness and self-redemptive power of human nature, even whilst the world has been proving with unspeakable sorrow that the natural man, be he cultured or uncultured, is, as the word of God has declared, "not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Plan he ever so wisely, rule he ever so well, it passeth the power of man to subdue man's lawless will to a just obedience to God's law. Grapes are not gathered from thorns, nor figs from thistles.
Christ, God's Anointed, alone can bestow on this war-torn world the blessed balm of lasting peace- peace based on divine righteousness-but He is still the "rejected of men." "We will not have this man to reign over us," stands unrevoked, and Satan is still the god and prince of a world at heart essentially unchanged-changed though it be in some of its social and moral conceptions through the influence of Christianity-changed greatly in what pertains to material comforts through many discoveries and inventions, which minister not only to man's material prosperity, but to his pride and supposed independence of God ; it will swiftly bring in the last and darkest chapter of man's sad story, when the creature "exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." To this terrible climax, the world's present course is swiftly tending.
The divine testimony of prophecy being ignored, the world fails to perceive that "progress" is toward the judgment of God. The world-war has demonstrated how unexpected events may come with bewildering suddenness. The years immediately preceding 1914 witnessed such peace propaganda, that multitudes were led to regard a war of any magnitude in the future as unthinkable. The spread of the humanist gospels of democracy, of socialism, and the brotherhood of man, would, it was confidently affirmed, surely succeed where Christianity had failed in assuring peace on the earth. Surely an age so enlightened and "advanced " could with equanimity look upon war as a scourge of the past. That was but yesterday. How is it to-day ? Let the blood and tears, the sorrow immeasurable, of a stricken world tell how illusive are man's most cherished hopes, and how limited his power.
Even the most optimistic as to the progress of the age, must feel that their hopes have been stultified by this unprecedented world-war, which not only exacted its terrible toll of the manhood of nations, but shook the whole fabric of civilization, and outraged every law, human and divine, while in the homes of the people a noisome pestilence baffled medical science even to diagnose, and is still levying a heavy death toll.
Is the world so blinded by pride, so engrossed in pursuits of wealth and pleasures, that it still fails to see the handwriting on the wall, warning of impending doom ? And the redeemed of the Lord- who have by grace been delivered from this blinding power-should they not, with chastened spirit, trim their lamps while waiting for the Lord ? The word of God, with faith, would have safeguarded from false hopes and the delusions which men, destitute of the truth, have fostered upon the people who love to have it so-who love to have preached to them what their hearts desire; while the sweet story of the Cross, of Jesus and His love, has little charm for all such. And this willing ignorance of what God's word declares has opened the door to Higher Criticism, to Unitarianism, to New Thought, to Theosophy, to Christian Science, to Russellism, to Mormonism, to Spiritism, etc. In departing from God's word man puts himself into Satan's hands.
Doubtless, our readers are mostly those who have, through grace, been delivered from "this present evil world," and are looking for the coming of our Lord who, before the day of vengeance upon the ungodly, shall call away His beloved Bride to her eternal home in the Father's house. We, then, who know "the terror of the Lord" for the unsaved, shall not we seek to "persuade men," as did the faithful apostle ? (2 Cor. 5:11 n). Shall not we humbly seek grace from God that our life and ways may reflect the truth we confess? And shall we not beseech at the Throne of Grace, that the lessons we have been considering may be so impressed upon the hitherto heedless and indifferent that they may be constrained to seek salvation while God in grace still invites-not willing that any should perish, but come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved.
W. L. G.