BY ROGER B.EAMES
The restlessness and dissatisfaction of the masses of men are displayed in more strikes and rebellion against constituted authority. This is suggestive of those elements of "iron and clay" which Scripture employs as figures of forces pitted against each other in the end times. The strife in the economic field between Capital and Labor is similar to that in the political world between Monarchical Government and Communism, or Socialism.
The last form of Gentile rule in the earth, as seen in Nebuchadnezzar's great image, is the feet, "part of iron and part of clay." The clay, the last material introduced into the image, is a foreign substance which will not mix with iron. It represents the masses of men who have become organized in these days, and whose insistent demands for authority are enforced by ruthless methods of insurrection.
They are powers to be reckoned with which, if unchecked, would destroy stable government and bring chaos and ruin upon the people. In the future alliance of the nations an attempt will be made to satisfy their demands by seeking to combine these two diverse and opposing ideas of government. The result will be a kingdom, "partly strong and partly broken" (Dan. 2:40-43).
HINDENBURG. The death of President Paul Von Hin-denburg at the advanced age of 86, removed a notable character from the troubled political sea of Germany. After the World War he retired to his estate to spend the remainder of his days in peace, as he supposed, when, like a modern Moses, he was called a second time, now to become the President of the new German Republic. "His death removed a check on the church policies of the ruling party. The late President, it was recalled, admonished Reichbishop Ludwig Mueller to 'see to it that Christ is preached.' " Now in Germany it is said, "The time has come to take up the fight against Christianity. Germans must and shall realize that their conversion to Christianity was a crime against the race and people."
"KARL BARTH is the champion spokesman for three thousand revolting German Protestant preachers. Hitler's proposed German Christian Church calls for the substitution of the swastika for the cross, the rejection of the Old Testament, the refusal of membership to its Jewish converts, and the reduction of the Person of Jesus Christ to equality with other heroes of Nordic culture. Earth says, 'We will go to the catacombs first, rather than accept such proposals.' … Earth has been called a prophet. Amid the crashing of civilization in Europe, where Protestantism had lost its power, where religion had been prostituted to modern culture, and where pagan passions predominated in the frenzy of a pleasure-mad world, Earth's voice pierced the ears of the dreamy theologians, proclaiming the Kingdom of God, a kingdom which is not of this world, but which is soon to 'be realized on the earth at the coming of a fast approaching crisis. He proclaims the reality of God, and His creation of the world out of nothing in opposition to evolution. He teaches the desperate case of man's fallen condition, his helplessness as immersed in sin and subject to Satan. Man's sin is pride. Pride is rebellion against the will of God. Modernism is the supreme example of this form of Satanic seduction which has whispered in the ears of our age, 'Ye shall be as gods.' The Word of God is a revelation and a challenge."-"The Alliance Weekly."
GREAT BRITAIN is watching the activities of Turkey at Constantinople, and of Soviet Russia in the Black Sea ports. Russia is preparing to build up her navy in the Black Sea-where are her only open ports in winter-and Turkey is reported to have ordered ships abroad. Britain foresees a Russo-Turkish fleet growing up in that region, which would menace the Suez Canal and the mercantile shipping bound for India and Australia. Turkey also has cordial relations with Persia which have been strengthened by a recent visit of the Shah of Persia to Turkey. It is feared that these two powers may be planning to drive Britain from the Central Asian oilfields where so much British capital is invested.
"The Egyptian Government, acting on the advice of the British Admiral in charge of its marine, has ordered the deepening of Alexandria harbor at a cost of $75,000, 000. When this work is complete, another anchorage for British battleships will be available on the North African coast."
TURKEY proposes to re-fortify the Straits of the Bosphorus and Dardanelles which by the terms of the Treaty of Lausanne were to remain a de-militarized zone. This purpose which is approved by Russia is disturbing to the European powers. Owing to her geographical position, Turkey is destined to play an important part in the conflict of the end times, and is doubtless the future "King of the North" of prophecy. This king, according to Daniel, will sweep through Palestine with her armies, coming "with many ships" (Dan. 11:40). Russia may be an ally in this, and if a navy of these powers springs up in the Black Sea its movements in the Eastern Mediterranean would jeopardise the coast cities of Palestine.
AMERICAN ZIONISTS believe they should have a representative in the League of Nations' Council at Geneva. It. is quite possible that this recognition of a Jewish Homeland in Palestine may be accorded them, although it must be remembered that Britain is the Mandatory power, and they cannot expect release from the supervision of a Gentile nation. Under the Antichrist who will rule for a short time in the land as "King of the Jews," they will have a measure of self-government. Then the League of Nations, which will have its seat in Rome, will be the Mandatory power. The Gentile "treader down" will retain his grip on Palestine until the direct intervention of the Lord from heaven will break his hold upon it. When this great event takes place the "times of the Gentiles" will be at an end.
We may also expect the Jews to become a military people, defending themselves against their enemies and showing great prowess as soldiers in defence of their homeland. There were Jewish regiments formed during the World War which fought in Palestine, and they will do so again.
"ZIONISM AND THE PALESTINE MANDATE" is the title of an article by J. W. Clapham, of Jerusalem, appearing in "Light and Liberty." We quote the following extracts:
"Whatever may have been in the mind of Zionist idealists, students of prophecy or profound statesmen, it seems quite manifest that when, in 1922, Great Britain assumed the Mandate of Palestine, and set out, with the aid of Zionism, to provide a National Home for the Jews, the average man, whether Jew or Gentile, and the average official had no conception of the greatness, the historical importance, or the difficulty of the task."
"During the past two years several events and circumstances have transpired, undoubtedly a part of the great and eternal counsels of God in His dealings with the Jew, which have gone far in dispelling any atmosphere of uncertainty regarding the final establishment of the Jewish National Home in Palestine, and have also given a marked stimulus to the actual revival now going on in the land. When, some two years ago, Mr. Ramsay McDonald made a clear re-statement of the Balfour Declaration before the British Parliament, Jewish hopes at once revived. Despite Arab protests about Jewish immigration, it became clear that Britain was determined to persevere with the original idea of allowing Palestine to become the National Home, the spiritual and ethical center of Jewry."
"Following the persecution [in Germany] numbers of Jews, some from the highest intellectual class, both able and willing to invest capital, mocked from Germany to Palestine. To-day, meeting continually in the streets these new arrivals from Germany, one feels with certainty that a great crisis is indeed passing, if it has not already passed, in favor of Zionism and the return of the Jews to Palestine. Doubt is at an end. The dream has become a reality. The fig-tree is putting on her leaves." These are striking statements, coming as they do from one who lives in Jerusalem. Speaking of the fig-tree, which is a symbol of Israel, the Lord says, "When ye see these things come to pass know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand" (Luke 21:29-31). The conditions are the more significant when we consider that affairs among the Gentile nations are not a whit behind those of the Jews. Both are moving with equal precision toward the fulfilment of the prophetic Scriptures.
STRATOSPHERE BALLOON. The genius of man has conquered the first or atmospheric heavens by means of the air-plane. It was given to man when he was created, to have dominion over the creatures in the three spheres of sea, air, and earth, and he has proved his supremacy. Recent attempts to penetrate into the second heaven, beyond the atmosphere, to discover its secrets, have not been, so far, successful. A few months ago a stratosphere balloon in Russia ripped from its metal gondola, which fell to earth, killing its occupants. The recent flight in this country met with a similar accident, but the three men were happily saved by means of their parachutes.
We do not wish to appear visionary, but these attempts of man to reach beyond his God-given domain remind us of the crude endeavor of men of old to build a tower whose top should reach unto heaven. The result was their confounding and scattering, and the call of a new nation, the seed of Abraham, through whom the earth's blessing was promised.
We are nearing that crisis in human history when God will again deprive the Gentile nations of their preeminence in the earth, and bring His Anointed King, who is of the seed of Abraham, into His predetermined place of King of nations.