BY ROGER B. EAMES
The turmoil of the nations, and the overturning which continues to disrupt Governments, makes evident that a crisis in the world's history is approaching. International alliances have been formed and broken, and each passing year leaves problems more complex and impossible of solution.
The limitations imposed by the treaties following the world war have become intolerable to some, and the nations distrustfully watch one another, while they continually prepare for a conflict which all see to be inevitable, although they also see it to be suicidal. Yet what is to be done? To them the future is an unsolved riddle-a dark enigma.
The religious world is keeping pace with the political in its dissatisfaction at restraint of any kind. High-mindedness and pride have taken the helm. The wisdom of this world has led the masses of Christendom into disbelief of the Scriptures as being a revelation from God, denying the need of the atonement, or that there is future retribution for sin.
The social world, emboldened by these teachings, has thrown off that restraint which the Scriptures formerly exercised over it, and the moral standards of human relationships once maintained by a God-fearing people are no longer regarded as binding. Such is the world today.
The REPEAL OF THE EIGHTEENTH AMENDMENT closes what has been called "a noble experiment." Quite apart from the merits or otherwise of the controversy over Prohibition, its trial in this country serves at least to confirm how men naturally are of a lawless spirit, and how any effort, however well-intentioned, to govern their evil appetites to the extent of taking away the possibility of gratifying them, only serves to stir up to a greater degree, and to bring out into fuller manifestation in a multitude of ways, the innate evil disposition of man's nature. Truly this has been written largely into the history of this country during the past decade, written in records of crime, intrigue, and organized wickedness such as the world has seldom, if ever, before witnessed on such a scale-all; with its manifold ramifications and debasing machinations reaching, in some way, to almost every class of the country's population, touching many in different walks of life who before Prohibition seldom if ever touched what was prohibited.
Men are satisfied with the operation of law within certain limits, but when the law touches that which the many consider their personal freedom, freedom to exercise their own wills in self-gratification, then comes out the evidence of their fallen nature. This cannot be changed by laws, or even the law of God, and so God's only remedy is new creation, His gracious workmanship through grace and by faith in Christ Jesus. The Word of God is unchanged; and so is man's nature even in this twentieth century, as this recent "noble experiment" proved once again. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh," and, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Let our witness to this be unequivocal, and in our manner of life every care be exercised to show that we "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11), and that we "hold aloof from every form of wickedness" (1 Thess. 5:22, N. Trans.).
THE RECOGNITION OF SOVIET RUSSIA by the United States is deplored by a multitude of Christian people. The atheistic program of the Soviet Union is ample reason to fear her propaganda and influence here. When the Pilgrim Fathers landed at Plymouth in 1620, their purpose was to establish a colony where there would be freedom to meet together for worship in simplicity according to Scripture as they understood it, and this freedom was later written into the constitution of the United States. This is, doubtless, one reason why God has so signally prospered the nation in the past. The present generation knows nothing, apparently, of this, nor of our indebtedness to God's mercy, and the hand of fellowship is extended in recognition of a Government which refuses to recognize the God to whom we owe everything; in whom, "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17).
SOVIET RUSSIA is ruled by infidel Jews who care nothing for the welfare, or even the life of the Russian peasant, but whose only purpose is to carry their program to a successful issue. In this country also Jews are becoming more prominent in matters of government, and some of them appear sympathetic with the principles of those who rule Russia. There are six Jews of note in the so-called "Brain Trust" which is now helping to shape the policies of the present administration.
[Perhaps we should not be surprised at the prominence of the Jews in matters of government, for since the captivity of Judah they have been in influential positions on many occasions in the Gentile empires and Governments. Indeed, should we not rather expect that this prominence would increase as the prophetic end-time approaches in preparation for an international recognition of a Jewish State in Palestine, and the general acceptance of the Leader of that State as a great factor in world affairs- the second Beast of Rev. 13, the Wilful King of Dan. 9, the false prophet and false Messiah who will come in his own name.-Editor's note.]
The following, says "Christian Victory," comes from "The Jewish Hope," describing the Jewish part at the pageant of nations held August, 1932, in the Hollywood Bowl.
"The Bowl, with a normal seating capacity of 20,000, was filled to overflowing. Nation after nation was represented on the stage. The program was well advanced when the announcer raised his hand aloft to hush the plaudits of the preceding number. When all was still, he spoke. 'Tonight we present a new nation-ZION!' A hush descended on that mighty throng. High and clear the clarion notes from the silver trumpets heralded approach-and out upon the polished floor marched the standard-bearer, carrying high a white ensign with two blue stripes and a center insignia of two interlaced tri-angles of blue. The ensign of Zion! Then appeared a large blue-and-white banner, carried length-wise, and completely concealing the bearers,, Mid-stage it halted; a moment all was still. Then above the banner appeared TWO TABLES OF STONE-THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! A gasp of awe surged from the multitude, breaking into a swelling, thunderous ovation."
All this is very inspiring to the Jewish mind, and the "clarion notes from the silver trumpets" may peal forth as in the days of their ancient glory, while the display of the ten commandments is their own condemnation. Stephen's arraignment of them before the council might well be repeated to them in the present day (Acts 7:SI-53). The time is coming when the Lord will set up, "An ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" (Isa. 11:12), but their present return to Palestine is not a fulfilment of this prophecy.