Each passing year brings a full quota of anniversaries of every sort, and 1967 is no different. However, four special occasions being celebrated or, at least, noted this year, are of interest to Christians. The four events are:
The 450th anniversary of the Reformation;
The 100th anniversary of the Dominion of Canada;
The 50th anniversary of communism;
The 10th anniversary of the European Common Market.
Of these four, the first two have had a distinct bearing upon the lives of many of our readers. The last two have a bearing on what is yet to unfold to the world when God's prophetic clock again begins to run. God has been working, and is working, behind the scenes in all the events of time. They are working out His will, and in the end they will accomplish His purposes for His own glory and for His people's good.
While the Reformation actually spanned a number of years, its beginning is dated from October 31, 1517. On that day, 450 years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of his church in Germany. By this means he stated his protest against many of the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. His main grievance was with the sale of indulgences, in which, in exchange for money or some meritorious work, the church would, they said, release a sinner from the punishment he rightly deserved. Earlier, Luther had been greatly exercised about his own sinfulness, and especially with the awful contrast with God's majesty. He sensed that the Roman Church could not really forgive his sins. Then, while searching his Bible, Luther discovered for himself the truth of Romans 1:1717For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17). "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Another writer has said of the Reformation: "Comparatively few in our peaceful times have any idea of the real nature and the comprehensive grasp of popery. During the long period of the middle ages it was fully developed.... The clergy, including the monks and friars, were a distinct class, and stood entirely apart from the rest of mankind. A broad, deep, impassable line separated the two communities- the clergy and the laity. The lives, the laws, the property, the rights, and the social duties of the one were not only different from those of the other, but often antagonistic....
"The confessional laid open the whole heart of everyone, from the highest to the lowest, before the eye of the priesthood. No act was beyond their cognizance, hardly any thought or intention was secret.... Those who openly doubted the power of the clergy... were heretics, outcasts, proscribed, only fit fuel for the flames."'"
Such was the state of things when Martin Luther challenged the Roman Church. "The pope's indulgence," said Luther, "cannot take away sins; God alone remits sins, and He pardons those who are truly penitent without help from man's absolutions.... Every true Christian participates in all the blessings of Christ, by God's grace, and without a letter of indulgence."
In a very short time, Luther's theses were read throughout all of Germany. They spread over the whole of Christendom "as if the angels of heaven had been the messengers to exhibit them to universal gaze."
"The mighty movement... knew no limit, no end. The awakening in the German empire, the revival of the gospel, and the rising interests of the Reformation, had deeply affected the general state of Europe. Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Spain, France, and the British Isles were drawn into the stream of the great religious revolution. It soon ceased to be a merely local, or even a national, question; it became the great overwhelming topic of the time."
Following on that event of 450 years ago, the gospel went forth as perhaps never before. Soon thereafter the Bible was made available to all who would have it. Martin Luther was God's chosen instrument for the special work of the Reformation, and since then Christians everywhere have been the beneficiaries of this movement. Of him, Mr. Darby said, "I see in Luther an energy of faith for which millions of souls ought to be thankful to God, and I can certainly say I am."
The Canadian centennial turns our thoughts back to the early history of that land. Indeed, Columbus' discovery of North America, and the Reformation which we have just been considering, were separated by only 25 years. And only a century after the Reformation, the colonization of North America began with the arrival of the Pilgrims. It is said that when the Reformation divided Europe into warring camps, thousands were stirred to journey to the New World seeking homes which would be free from religious persecution.
Both the French and English claimed sections of Canada, and both established governments where they could. But, as in Europe where these two powers had often been at war, in North America too there was conflict between them. The Seven-Years-War, so named because these two nations fought each other from 1756 to 1763, ended in the triumph of Great Britain; French Canada became her colony.
Soon thereafter, the rudimentary United States fought and won independence, but not until later did Canada become a sovereign nation. The British North American Act accomplished this, providing Canada with its own constitution; and on July 1, 1867 Canada became an independent nation. This year she celebrates her 100th anniversary.
The letters of J. N. Darby afford an interesting insight into conditions in Canada during the years immediately preceding its nationhood. Mr. Darby made several trips across the Atlantic, the first being in the summer of 1862. During the subsequent winter he wrote: "We have had 52 degrees below freezing point, fine healthy weather, but it stopped my preaching at Acton.... D.V., Monday we start for the bush, 40 miles off, where there are a good many brethren, godly, intelligent men; some six or seven years ago a place of bears and wolves."
As to the work of the Lord in those early days, Mr. Darby said, "Blessing has gone on here.... Our conference at Toronto was a very happy one indeed." At another time he wrote, "We have had our meeting at Guelph.... We had great liberty and happiness together, and it showed the progress of truth, and will, with the Lord's blessing, be the means of spreading it.... We had a good many Indians and there is decided progress both in numbers and in spiritual apprehension."
This was Canada 100 years ago as seen through the eyes of J. N. Darby. We who live in lands such as Canada is today, ought to give thanks to God for the many mercies He has granted us. But while we enjoy liberty and sound government, may it be said of us: "These... confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.... They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city." Heb. 11:13-1613These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:13‑16).
Russian communism reached its 50th anniversary this year, a revolution in 1917 having led to the end of the old Russian Empire.
Nicolai Lenin was the leader of the new Russia until his death in 1924. Joseph Stalin succeeded him in the premier's office, being the responsible head of government for almost 30 years. Since Stalin's death several men have held the office.
We might well wonder why God has allowed Russia to continue as it has. Of Stalin it has been said that he was "a dictator with the blood of some 9,000,000 kulaks and political enemies on his hands." For a long time, too, Russia's leaders have tried to cast out the thought of God, to exile Him from their borders. But Russia has a place in prophecy; and for this reason, if for no other, we can suppose she has been allowed to stand.
In the prophetic scriptures we are told of three wicked men who are to play important parts in the history of the world, before the Lord Jesus reigns as Son of man over the earth. The three men are: 1) the antichrist; 2) the beast, or chief of the revived Roman Empire; and 3) the king of the north.
It is with the last of these three men that we are here concerned, for Russia will very probably be his supporter when, during the great tribulation, the king of the north will descend upon the land of Israel for war. There he will find that the Lord Himself is his opponent. In the end, Christ will be there in His character of the Prince of princes, against whom this king of the north will "stand up," but only to be "broken without hand," for "he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." See Dan. 8:24, 2524And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 25And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:24‑25) and 11:45. The beast and the antichrist, or false prophet, will also be destroyed by the Lord when He comes from heaven (Rev. 19:19, 2019And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:19‑20)).
From chapters 36 to 40 of Ezekiel we learn that about this time Israel will be fully and finally restored and brought into blessing in their own land, their time of great tribulation being over. Still remaining to be dealt with will be •the vast and mighty empire of Russia, that was probably the power behind the king of the north. In Ezekiel 38 and 39 we are told in considerable detail of the final and terrible overthrow of this Russian Empire. So vast is the host that will be destroyed that, Scripture tells us, their weapons of war will suffice to Israel for firewood for seven years, and the burial of the dead will require seven months (Eze. 39:9-129And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: 10So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord God. 11And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog. 12And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. (Ezekiel 39:9‑12)).
When all is over, then the Lord says: "I will set My glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see My judgment that I have executed, and My hand that I have laid upon them. So the house of Israel shall know that I am the LORD their God from that day and forward." Eze. 39:21, 2221And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them. 22So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day and forward. (Ezekiel 39:21‑22).
Fearful times lie ahead for this poor world, and God has revealed something of them in His Word. Wonderful it is to know that the Church of God will be removed before the earth becomes the scene of desolating judgments. In that day, Russia and other nations which defy God will be completely subdued; and the Lord Jesus will reign, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Rev. 19:1616And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)).
The fourth event specially noted in 1967 is the 10th anniversary of the European Economic Community (called EEC) or, as it is usually known, the European Common Market. The significance of EEC lies in its being the probable forerunner of the revived Roman Empire. For this reason it is of interest to Christians.
The European Economic Community came into being when six nations signed the Treaty of Rome on March 25, 1957. The signatory powers—Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—were all formerly within the domain of the Roman Empire. This empire was in existence when the Lord Jesus was on earth, and it went on until the year 476. From Scripture we learn that this empire is to be revived again, probably about the time the Lord takes His own people home to glory, or very shortly thereafter.
The purpose of the recent treaty included a customs union, a free flow of labor between the nations involved, uniformity of laws, free flow of capital, and, eventually, political union. The initial success of the association was astounding. After only four years it had become the free world's largest trading unit, and was also the world's largest buyer-importer of raw materials.
After ten years, the leaders of EEC can look upon some other tremendous gains. The combined gross national product of the six nations has grown by 50 per cent, while trade between them has more than tripled. In its major political goal, however—a United States of Europe—the plan has thus far not been successful.
But God's Word cannot fail, and the Roman Empire will again come into existence. Rev. 17:88The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8) (J.N.D. Trans.) teaches us this, for it is "the beast, that... was, and is not, and shall be present." Satan will use this vast empire during the great tribulation in open antagonism against God and all His interests upon this earth.
It should be noted that the Roman Empire is a political system, whereas the Church of Rome is a religious system, although with political aspirations as of old. We are concerned here with the political system, the beast and the ten kings of Revelation 17. These ten kings will give their power to the beast, and "these shall make war with the Lamb." This, the last great war in which the Western powers will be involved, will take place around Jerusalem near the end of the tribulation. It will result in the final and complete overthrow of the Western confederation.
Paul Wilson, beloved editor of Christian Truth for many years, now with the Lord, said this about the revived Roman Empire: "God's Word tells of it.... We need not be surprised then to see it taking shape today. And while we see it, let us be encouraged to look up. The coming of the Lord for His own must precede the events foretold in Daniel and Revelation. If everything is ready for this great political union, then our home call may come at any moment. 'The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.' Let us lift our eyes toward the dark sky and watch for the appearing of the bright Morning Star."
Four events in the history of the world are recalled to us by their anniversaries this year. The first two events remind us of rich mercies bestowed upon Christians, and the last two carry with them the reminder that the Lord Jesus is coming soon to claim His bride. As we consider these events, we can appropriate to ourselves the Lord's own words in Luke 21:2828And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luke 21:28): "When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Let us be reminded too of the Apostle Peter's admonition: "Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless." 2 Pet. 3:1414Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:14).