The moment of the Lord Jesus' coming for His own must be very near. The rapid decline in moral standards, the increasing power of ritualism, the growth of rationalism, all remind us that the coming of the Lord draws nigh.
We know that there is to be no sign, no signal, no forewarning of that wonderful event. Yet we can see developments taking place today, which relate to the earth after the Church is gone. They bear witness to the imminence of the rapture, and they may well serve to stir us up to see that all is in readiness. "Set thine house in order" was the word of admonition to one who was about to depart this scene long ago (2 Kings 20:11In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. (2 Kings 20:1)). And in the 12Th chapter of Luke the Lord indicates the attitude in which He would like to find us when He comes: waiting (v. 36), watching (v. 37), and doing or serving (vv. 42, 43). Blessed are those who will be thus found.
Three relatively recent developments which witness to the end of our sojourn on earth are: 1) the formation of the European Common Market; 2) development of the awful weapons of destruction; 3) perfection of world-wide television broadcasting..
The Common Market has been described as the probable forerunner of the revived Roman Empire which, Scripture tells us, will be a political power during the tribulation period. The atom bomb and the hydrogen bomb have been demonstrated with all their destructive power, and more recently the world powers have shown that they have about perfected the means of delivering these bombs, without detection, to the opposite side of the earth. We can well suppose that these implements of war will be used in the coming conflict between the nations.
World-wide television, the third foretoken, became a possibility five years ago when "Telstar," the first communication satellite, was successfully launched. Since then, other larger satellites have been placed in orbit, in relatively fixed positions 22,300 miles from the earth. At this distance the continuing movement of the device keeps pace with the speed of the earth's rotation, and the satellite appears to hover over one part of the earth. With "Early Bird," "Lani Bird," "Telstar," and the "Pacific" satellites all in successful orbit, some two-thirds of the world is now served by these whirling relay stations. The United States is not alone in this effort, for Russia too has launched several communication satellites, all larger and more powerful than those of the United States.
The significance of world-wide television broadcasting is that it will provide the means for all the world to simultaneously see the "beast" of the revived Roman Empire. Although Scripture speaks of him as a beast (or the beast), he is only a man; but he is a man of Satan's special choosing. Satan will also energize the revived Roman Empire. It will be in open and blasphemous opposition against God and all His interests, whether in heaven or on earth. The beast will be the imperial head of this political alliance. Except for the elect, all that dwell upon the earth will actually worship him (Rev. 13:88And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)).
For many years, students of prophecy, seeing this foretold in Scripture, have wondered how the beast will be seen by the whole world simultaneously; for we are told, "The beast which thou sawest was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go into destruction: and they who dwell on the earth, whose names are not written from the founding of the world in the book of life, shall wonder, seeing the beast, that it was, and is not, and shall be present." 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.
The launching of Telstar was a big step in resolving this question. It provided the means whereby television signals could span oceans and continents. Despite its small size and its height above the earth, television signals directed to it from Europe were reflected downward on North America where a receiving station re-transmitted them to television stations across the land. Events taking place in Europe were then viewed in America as they were occurring.
Further' improvements and additional satellites will soon make it possible for the whole world to simultaneously observe a single televised program or event. The impact of this is indicated by the vast throng which reportedly watched the Pasadena, California Rose Parade on television. Estimates placed that audience at more than 128 million, largely in North America alone. What an audience there will be when the whole world is equipped for television. It is virtually so equipped already. This is surely an indication that the coming of the Lord is very near.
With intercontinental television, it has been said by another, "The whole world will see the fulmination of wickedness as the beast struts across the scene, blaspheming God and making the world tremble. Satan will be behind the beast, supporting him with all his power. The world populace will worship not only the beast, but also the apostate head of the Jewish state in Jerusalem (the antichrist) and Satan himself." These three—the beast, the antichrist, and Satan—will be a trinity of wickedness opposed to God's King, whom He has destined to "rule all nations with a rod of iron" (Rev. 12:55And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (Revelation 12:5)).
About 20 years ago, television was a novelty; but it very quickly took hold as an entertainment medium. Some useful applications have been developed in both industry and in education, but by far the greatest use is in the home. A recent survey showed that 94 percent of the homes in the United States have at least one set. In addition to private homes, it is found in almost every hotel and motel room and in most hospital rooms. Young people, serving as "baby-sitters," often find it available in the homes where they care for children. Anyone then may even involuntarily be brought into contact with television.
If the question arises as to owning or operating a television set, we entreat believers to keep in mind Psalm 119:3737Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. (Psalm 119:37): "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." The fact that such a great percentage of people around us own television sets is no warrant for a Christian to have one. For one thing, the great bulk of television programs are of no possible value to a Christian, and many are positively harmful. People connected with the broadcasting industry themselves deplore at least part of the material which is telecast. Lee DeForest, the scientist who pioneered the development of television, has publicly lamented that his invention has been used for such wasteful and even harmful effects.
An officer of the Columbia Broadcasting System has said that television is a "dream machine." "People," he said, "use television to escape from the pressures of their jobs, and their marriages, problems with their children, their health and related anxieties.... By and large, they don't want to be intellectually stimulated and they don't want to be educated. They want to bury their problems in the television screen." Our comment on this is in the words of Jas. 3:1010Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (James 3:10): "My brethren, these things ought not so to be," as relates to the children of God.
A newspaper writer recently reported that during the present season motion pictures which had been shown in theaters to adult audiences only, because they were not suitable for young people and children, will now be broadcast on television. One of these films is said to be packed with profanity and containing some of the most vulgar things heard from a sound track. Another picture scheduled for showing over the air is characterized by the New York Times as "demeaning the prestige of the human race." Will anyone dare say that Satan is right behind all this? No intelligent Christian would go to a theater to view such things, but now they can be seen privately at home via television. Beloved fellow-Christian, we urge you to not allow such to enter your home.
The danger we have pointed to in television is also present in a variety of magazines and books, as well as in moving pictures. Lurid novels seem to be almost the order of the day for publishers of fiction; and many magazines feature, in varying degree, material which appeals to the lust of the flesh.
May we then be alert to the danger in all of these things. Not everything is evil that appears in newspapers, magazines, and books; but careless use of them can result in the drawing away of one's heart from Christ and to the world. Many of us know how hard it is to erase from the mind a scene or action depicted on the printed page. What is seen on television or the movie screen makes an even deeper imprint on the mind. For this reason we again sound a faithful word of warning to all Christians to beware of the defiling influences all around us, and especially in the things of which we have written.
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection [mind, as it should read] on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." Col. 3:1-41If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1‑4). This is a seasonable word, and we do well to weigh it, together with the succeeding verses.
Many believe that there are Christians on earth today who will be among those "which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord." It is a great privilege to be one of these, but it carries a responsibility. Although we are in the world, we are not of it, nor should we act as though we are of it. Col. 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4), quoted above, refers to the day of the Lord's manifestation, and we know that we shall be manifested with Him. In view of that event we are told to mortify-put to death -our members which are upon the earth. While we await the shout that will call us away from the earth, let us conduct ourselves in a manner befitting our high calling. "As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [or, conduct]." 1 Pet. 1:1515But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (1 Peter 1:15). W. L. G.
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace."