The following editorial comment had gone to the printer for typesetting when Israel invaded the Egyptian-held Sinai peninsula and the Gaza strip in lower Palestine, while England and France attacked Egypt in an effort to regain control of the Suez Canal. It will be necessary to add some later notes as we go to press, but we feel that what was already set in type is pertinent, so will print it.
We pointed out in our August issue that the ceasefire agreements between Israel and her Arab neighbors, which were secured through the earnest and laborious efforts of the United Nations' Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, were not likely to be more fruitful of peaceful results than such previous agreements. Since that date the incidence of border violations, and provocations and retaliations have increased sharply. Today, more than ever before, the Middle East is a seething caldron which could boil over, precipitating a full-fledged war between the Arab states and Israel, in which event the whole world might conceivably become involved. The Western world has vital stakes there, and Russia has obtained a foothold from which to strengthen her position.
The Suez Canal crisis is only a small part of the real tension in the region, but it has suited Russia's purpose to stir up trouble for the West. It now seems apparent that Egypt's seizure of the Canal is only a preliminary step toward the Arab's common goal of a war of extermination of Israel. Even before this seizure, Egypt was effectually blockading the Canal against Israeli shipping, in defiance of agreements and international law. In September, 1954, Egypt seized Israel's S.S. Bat Galim; and in August, 1956, she formally confiscated the ship and cargo, then incorporated the ship into the Egyptian navy. On May 25, 1956, Egypt detained a Greek vessel bound from Haifa to Elath in Israel, and not until September 8 was it permitted to leave—then only to return with its cargo to Haifa. In substance, a state of war already exists between Egypt and Israel.
We have been impressed by recent statements of the Arab world leaders; we shall quote a few in brief:
"Many steps and acts will follow the nationalization of the Suez Canal Company in order to regain stolen Palestine."—Foreign Minister of Jordan.
"The Egyptian Nationalization of the Suez Canal is another step toward the liberation of Palestine."—Egyptian Charge d'Affaires in Amman, Jordan.
Other statements, not quite so recent, but all spoken or written in 1956, are:
"It will be good for mankind if the State of Israel will shrink and degenerate... In the Arab states, there is no hesitation about beginning a war." "The Arabs are determined to stress one fact, even by bloodshed: Israel must be wiped out."—Government controlled Egyptian Broadcasting Service.
"Israel ought to know that the Arabs... are bringing the day of her elimination nearer."—Government-controlled Jordan Broadcasting Service.
"The elimination of Israel is indispensable and Israel herself knows that no other possibility exists.... The Arab armies are now united and have at their disposal a sufficient quantity of arms for an attack on Israel."—Egyptian daily newspaper.
"The Syrian people will not rest or be quiet as long as the thing called Israel exists."—Member of Parliament of Syria.
"The solution to the Palestine question will be reached not through the United Nations and inquiry committees, nor through conciliation committees.... The solution will not be secured by words and discussions but battle and action."-Member of Parliament of Jordan.
"Israel represents Western imperialism and world Zionism. Both are a cancer which has to be cut out of the body of the Arab nation."—Cairo daily newspaper.
"The present situation demands the mobilization of all Arab strength to eliminate that state which has arisen in our midst. Israel is like a cancer, not only satisfied to feed on her own manpower but is also assisted by world Zionism." "How can we rejoice when in the Holy Land exists a wicked and hostile state.... Sacrifice will regain for us that part of our land under tyranny."—President of Syria.
"Every gun, plane or tank received by Iraq will contribute to solving the Palestine problem in the interests of the Arab states."—Prime Minister of Iraq.
"We are now obliged to be strong in order to liberate the entire Arab land from Morocco to Baghdad and in order to retrieve the rights of Palestine's people. We must unite for the realization of our goals."—President Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt.
"The Arabs must put aside their conflicts in order to prepare for the war of honor in Palestine."—Minister of Information of Lebanon.
"The Palestine problem will be solved only on the soil of Palestine.... The Security Council has lost its prestige.... The solution is in our hands alone and the method is to expel the enemy by force."—Minister of Interior of Syria.
"The foreign policy of the Arab states must be united and set as its primary goal... the reconquest of Palestine."—Member of Parliament of Iraq.
"The Syrians stand ready to enter a war of revenge and in defense of Arab honor."—Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Army.
Many more such statements could be quoted from excerpts compiled by the Israel Office of Information, but these are sufficient to demonstrate the deep-seated animosity of the Arab peoples to the very existence of Israel as a nation. They are virtually saying now, what the prophetic psalmist has foretold that these same confederates will say just before the Lord appears for Israel's deliverance; namely, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance." Psalm 83:44They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. (Psalm 83:4).
Between now and the appearing of Christ in power and great glory, these same peoples will wage a war of extermination against Israel, only to have the Western world, under the leadership of the head of the revived Roman Empire, come to Israel's aid, defeat the Arabs and give Palestine, including Jerusalem, to the Jews under a contract for a period of seven years: "And he [the beast, or head of the Roman
At the end of that period, the confederated Arab world (or perhaps the Moslem world, which is still broader) will be emboldened by the reeling of the Roman Empire under the successive strokes of divine judgment, under the "trumpets" and "vials" of Revelation, to act on their long-standing determination to unite in cutting Israel off from being a nation, and will come down against Israel "like a whirlwind" (Dan. 11:4040And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. (Daniel 11:40)).
God has decreed that the Jews' protective alliance with the beast of the Roman Empire shall fail to protect them from the powerful alliance to their north and east. His word for that hour is: "Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves.... Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it." Isa. 28:14-1814Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. 15Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: 16Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. 17Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. 18And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (Isaiah 28:14‑18).
At that time "the city [Jerusalem] shall be taken...; and half the city shall go forth into captivity." Zech. 14:22For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (Zechariah 14:2). "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land [Palestine], saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third part shall be left therein." Chap. 13:8. This will fill up the "time of Jacob's trouble."
Then "The Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act." Isa. 28:2121For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. (Isaiah 28:21). Judgment is His strange work, but it shall surely come when man has reached the climax of his wickedness and defiance of Him. He "shall... go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle." Zech. 14:33Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. (Zechariah 14:3).
When the Son of man arises to destroy all the Gentile powers that have gathered themselves against Jerusalem (Zech. 12:99And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:9)), He "will bring the third part [a remnant of Israel] through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried." He further says, "They shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God." Zech. 13:99And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. (Zechariah 13:9).
Israel's blessing will then be secured by the Sovereign Lord of all the earth, "And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles." Zech. 14:1616And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:16). Israel and Jerusalem will then be the world center, and Jehovah will be King in that day. At that time righteousness will reign, and holiness will be found in Israel: "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses,
HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD: and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts." Chap. 14:20, 21.
When we see men striving to build things which the Lord will tear down, how thankful we can be that He has revealed to us the secrets of His plans and counsels concerning the earth—Israel and the nations. While our portion is distinctly heavenly, and we are just waiting for the call to "come up hither," (which of course will take place before these prophecies concerning Israel can be fulfilled) we have divine wisdom concerning that which passes before us. We need not build in vain, for His Word has been given to us, with understanding through His Spirit, so that we may pass on our ways unruffled by the troubles piling up for this doomed world, while we behold everything taking shape according to His prophetic word. Consequently, we know that the moment of our departure is AT HAND. How strange then it is for some Christians to be building their hopes down here, or helping the poor Jews to return to Palestine for the very worst of their troubles which are to precede their emancipation, before they "look on Him whom they pierced," and realize that Jesus of Nazareth was truly their Messiah. Then their repentance, like that of Joseph's brethren, will pave the way for their installation in the choicest place, and under divine favor on the basis of pure grace.
As we go to press, Israel has conquered all of the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip; England and France failed to gain a quick decision over Egypt which would have given them complete control over the Suez Canal; United Nations' troops are taking over along the Canal; Israel has agreed to withdraw from Egyptian territory. It may be argued whether or not the bold ventures were wise or foolish, but one thing should be apparent: the wisest of men are not masters of the destinies of their own nations. Events are moving in a general direction contrary to the wishes and efforts of Western leaders. Man's day is about to run out, and God's purposes are going to be fulfilled.
One thing is certain as an aftermath of the recent hostilities; that is, Arab resentment against Israel will be more deep-seated than ever before. The will to cut it off "from being a nation" will be strengthened, not lessened. A new opportunity to carry it out will be sought.
Russia has gained a new foothold in the Middle East and is now engaged in building up Syria with arms and men. Syrian army men have long aspired to assume Arab leadership. At present they express favor for and unanimity with Egypt in her stand against Israel, England and France, but they seek to be the dominant Middle East Arab power. The severe losses of materiel and men suffered by Egypt in the recent struggle, opens the way for this. There has long been a power vacuum in that area, so now with the aid of Russia they may easily fill that void.
In the very midst of the fighting in Egypt, the president of Syria and his official family were in Russia cementing relations between the two countries. Now Syria and Russia together express strong anti-Israeli sentiments, and the pro-Russian army leaders of Syria are in power in Syria.
In the past we have pointed out that a strong confederation of Arab peoples north of Palestine would be formed, and a mighty leader would emerge. We could not be sure which country would assume such leadership, nor whom the leader would be, but current events may indicate that Syria will be the country, and that a strong man may (with Russia's assistance) arise quickly in their midst. Syria has been the traditional opponent of Israel on her north, and Syrian kings were referred to in turn in Dan. 11 as "the king of the north," the most notable one being Antiochus Epiphanes. He oppressed Israel and is the prototype of the man soon to arise in that area.
In Dan. 8:2424And 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. (Daniel 8:24) it is said of the coming northern opponent of Israel, that "his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power"; he will have outside help. Perhaps we are witnessing this development now. Coming events do cast their shadows, and the shadows are becoming more and more clearly defined as we approach the moment of our home call. Surely our hearts should beat a little faster with the bright anticipation of hearing that shout any day, but may we be more faithful to the unsaved about us in view of the terrible calamity which will befall the world after we leave it. Our own portion has been well expressed by the poet: "What will it be to dwell above,
And with the Lord of glory reign,
Since the blest knowledge of His love
So brightens all this dreary plain?
No heart can think, no tongue can tell
What joy 'twill be with Christ to dwell.
"When left this scene of faith and strife,
The flesh and sense deceive no more,
When we shall see the Prince of life,
And all His works of grace explore;
What heights and depths of love divine
Will there through endless ages shine!
"And God has fixed the happy day
When the last tear shall dim our eyes;
When He will wipe these tears away,
And fill our hearts with glad surprise;
To hear His voice, and see His face, -
And know the fullness of His grace."