The foregoing parts of this book were not written in the light of mid-twentieth century developments, but rather in the light of Holy Scripture in its prophetic utterances; for God-given prophecy is "as a light in a dark place, to which we do well that we take heed" (2 Peter 1:1919We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19)). These writings of another century enable men of God to look at the future of the earth and some of its peoples through the glasses of inspired foreknowledge. This gave them more wisdom than the wise men of the earth who had not this divine light.
The developments since the turn of the century have brought the seemingly impossible within the reach of full development. None would have supposed that within such a short span of time the hibernating Russian bear would come to life and bring agonizing fear into the hearts of the English lion and the American eagle, together with the rest of the English-speaking world and most of the Latin world. Nor would anyone have supposed that a handful of doctrinaire Marxists could bring into abject surrender all the Russians and many neighbors, and then together with their copyists in Peking control about 1 billion inhabitants of the globe.
Perhaps the most perilous part of the conflict of ideologies for the world at large is the determined exportation of Communism to every other part of the world where there is the least opening for it. Russo-Chinese exploitation of local disturbances anywhere in the world has brought on a series of crises, any one of which could explode into a world catastrophe.
The statesmen of the world are dismayed; they have tried every conceivable approach to work out a modus vivendi with international Communism, but without success. We will herewith quote our comments on the situation at the time of the utter collapse of the "Summit Conference" held in Paris early last year; they were published in Christian Truth magazine, July, 1960.
The unceremonious collapse of the so-called Summit Conference, together with the vehemently acrimonious charges made by Nikita Khrushchev, left a world that is almost shock-proof, somewhat stunned. That which was supposed to ease world tensions only increased them as two world giants brought charges and counter charges against each other. Much smaller contentions have in times past brought on wars, with their resultant destruction and loss of life. But since in this day each side possesses more frightful weapons which could, if fully unleashed, make shambles of man's so-called civilization, only the knowledge that the winner would be a loser in such a contest causes men to halt just short of actual war. Some people refer to it as the strategy of "brinkmanship"; that is, to see how close they can come to war without actually engaging in it. But who can tell when someone may miscalculate, and the terrifying lethal machines be turned loose.
Mankind in general desires peace, but not peace at any price. If he were given an alternate choice of either having the uncertainties of the present with the haunting fears and terrifying prospects for the future, on the one hand, or a full and complete surrender to God which would separate him from the pleasures and frivolities of the world on the other, he would almost surely choose the former. We know, of course, that the work of the Spirit of God in the soul, repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ would be requisite for the latter; but we are speaking only of man's preference.
The Old Testament prophesied of the coming of the "Prince of Peace"; and when He came into the world, He was hailed by angelic voices, saying, "On earth peace." But after His life of devotedness to God and service to man, His disciples were led to say, and correctly, "Peace in heaven." It was not the time for peace on earth. "He is despised and rejected of men," and, as Peter said, "Ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life." Acts 3:14, 1514But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:14‑15). Since men knew not the way of peace, and when the "Prince of Peace" came they rejected Him for a murderer, is it any wonder that true world peace eludes them?
The disillusionment of the great men of the earth who sought peace at the Summit Conference is still not as hopeless and disheartening as that which will yet come according to Isa. 33:77Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. (Isaiah 33:7)—"The ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly." Disappointment will meet all who seek a real peace in this world until the "Prince of Peace" will put down all His enemies and reign gloriously.
The Word of God gives us some glimpses of war and treachery between kingdoms of old, in Dan. 11, where battles, intrigues, and conferences were conducted between the warring dynasties of the Seleucidae of Syria and the Ptolemies of Egypt. (So accurate is the prophetic account that infidels have contended that it must have been written after the events.) At one point in the alternating war and diplomacy ventures, the Syrian king gave his daughter to be the wife of the Egyptian king; but this supposedly master stroke failed, for she became loyal to her husband (Dan. 11:1717He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright ones with him; thus shall he do: and he shall give him the daughter of women, corrupting her: but she shall not stand on his side, neither be for him. (Daniel 11:17)). At another time, after a Syrian victory over Egypt, the two kings sat down to a conference; but God said beforehand, "They shall speak lies at one table." Treachery was in their hearts while peace was on their lips. How well God knows what is in man!
Statesmen and so-called Russian experts are sifting every shred of information for the answer to why Russia should have chosen to wreck, in a torrential rain of invectives by their chief man, the conference which was to include the very chief men of Great Britain, France, and the United States. Is it not still evident that "The way of peace have they [men] not known"? Of course Mr. Khrushchev seemed to have some justification for his attitude, but this would not have altered matters if he did not feel he had more to gain by wrecking the conference than by letting it go on. Whether it be by war, intrigue, or so-called diplomacy, everything must subserve the Russians in their chief aim—bring more of the world under their sway. We are reminded of the words of another great Russian, Peter the Great (1672-1725): "The Russian nation must be constantly on a war footing, to keep the soldiers warlike and in good condition. No rest must be allowed, except for the purpose of relieving the State finances, recruiting the army, or biding the favorable moment for attack. By these means peace is made subservient to war, and war to peace, in the interest of the aggrandizement and increasing prosperity of Russia." See Page 82.
Although Peter the Great thought it would be comparatively easy to set one nation against another, and then Russia take over the winner at will, and thus "keep steadily extending... frontiers," he never in his wildest moments envisaged a time when such a large percentage of humanity would be under the heel of Russian power; but he did let out the manner of manipulation, of which his modern successors have become masters. So we hear of Russia's power to destroy the world in war, then of a cold war which can just as really destroy nations by weakening the will to resist. Then we hear of "peaceful co-existence," but it is questionable whether a lamb would be allowed to co-exist with the Russian bear, unless the lamb were first inside of the bear.
As the world gets older, it becomes none the wiser; and so strife and uncertainty become an established custom. The moment is fast approaching when men's hearts will fail them for fear as they anticipate the awful unleashing of stored destruction. Scientific and technological skills increase while man departs further and further in heart from God. Soon all of man's greatest achievements will be rubble. May our hearts be set more and more upon those bright and pure scenes above, so that we can say with the poet:
"This world is a wilderness wide!
We have nothing to seek or to choose;
We've no thought in the waste to abide;
We have naught to regret, nor to lose."
We read in Isa. 14 of a man who is coming who will make "the earth... tremble," and "shake kingdoms." He will make the world a wilderness and destroy its cities (Isa. 14:9-179Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. 10All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? 11Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. 12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. 16They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (Isaiah 14:9‑17)). This man is called the "king of Babylon," because he will be the holder of that Gentile power which began with Babylon and will end with him, the Roman "beast." In this portion, the word which is transliterated "Lucifer" means merely "O Bright Star, Son of the Morning," and should have been so translated. "Lucifer," a transliteration, has been taken by so many to mean "Satan" but later sentences prove it is a man. He is the "morning star" of the Old Testament, while Christ is the Morning Star of the New Testament. This man—king of Babylon—is the beast of the revived Roman Empire. He will promise to usher in a new day, but what a day it will be! The Scripture seems to indicate that at the very end, perhaps in the middle of those seven years, when this man receives satanic power, he will unleash those terrifying weapons in the so-called "arsenals of democracy," and make shambles of the earth. God is going to bring down all the pride of man and allow him to destroy much of which he has boasted.
Fellow-Christian, we look for the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior who will take us home to His Father's house ere long. Those bright and blessed scenes are our prospect, and that in spite of the growing numbers of so-called evangelical leaders who are now denying the hope of the Lord's soon return—that which many of them once preached.
Two things rush on apace—man's great works, and his power to destroy them. He is much like a child who builds a beautiful house out of blocks, which he then with one sweep tumbles into a heap. It is a principle with God to allow man to reach his zenith before He will bring it all down.
And when we speak of God's power to destroy, we think of His word, "Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.... The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage." Isa. 24:1, 201Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. (Isaiah 24:1)
20The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again. (Isaiah 24:20). First He will let men destroy much, but then He will arise to "shake terribly the earth" (Isa. 2:1919And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. (Isaiah 2:19)). Men may have forgotten that God has such power, and vaunt themselves of the power that they have created—in fact God is seldom thought of in connection with the earth and with men. But a few days ago, in the Chilean earthquake, God gave just a little specimen of the power that He has, and many thousands were cut off. Man cannot harness what God sets loose. He may reason against God's having anything to do with it, but the fact remains that just an earthquake in Chile broke mountains, caused lakes to disappear, sent volcanoes into action, even where none had previously existed. But this does not touch the hearts of those who were not personally affected by it. It seemed a long way from them. This earthquake was not a small temblor, but was of about the same intensity as the San Francisco quake in 1906. It was not, however, the strongest one ever recorded. The seismic waves, rushing across the great Pacific Ocean at more than 400 miles an hour, destroyed property in Hawaii and the Philippine Islands, and sent waves 20 feet high into low-lying areas of Japan, 10,700 miles distant. It is estimated that this earthquake unleashed a force equal to 25,000 "A" bombs. How small man and his doings really are when put side-by-side with God! His Word declares that there will be "great earthquakes... in divers places." And a time is coming when there will be a "great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great." Rev. 16:1818And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. (Revelation 16:18).
God is not indifferent to what this world did to His Son, nor to its ungodliness, its corruption, its atheism, its infidelity, and its homage to the soul-destroying, unprovable hypothesis of evolution. Some day man will find that he was wrong, but all too late. God will arise and shake terribly the earth. Men will see His power and also yet prove that His word was correct: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27). If a sinner in his sins should read these lines, let him be warned now and flee to Him for refuge through the precious blood of Christ.
Another editorial from Christian Truth on the subject of Russia, China, and the world, should add further light on this prime topic of world importance. The world's great men cannot interpret these current problems; they must be looked at in relation to the prophetic Word. We shall herewith quote from the August 1959 issue of Christian Truth:
At this point let us take a look at the world and see what its state is. Suppose our hopes and aspirations are here, rather than in heaven. What would you have? Where has the world drifted in just the last ten years? Apart from any thought of the sure judgment of God soon to break over this scene, what is the world's outlook?
The period of the last ten years is almost insignificant as a measure of time, but it is probably the most epochal decade out of thousands of years. In this brief moment of history Russia consolidated her hold on the Baltic states, East Germany, Hungary, Rumania, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, and Albania. She has absorbed much of the heartland of Europe and pushed her advantages beyond any hope of liberation for millions of people in the area.
In this same decade, the Red Chinese have attained absolute power over 600,000,000 Chinese. Has anything like that ever happened before in so short a time? Her rulers are absolute masters of China. Besides, they have taken over North Korea, North Vietnam, and gained footholds in Malaya and Indonesia, from which it is doubtful if they can be pried loose. They have taken Tibet and crushed resistance. They have gained much ground in other places on their periphery.
Today Russian-Chinese Communism controls the great land mass of Eurasia with almost one billion people to do its bidding. It was once said that he who controlled that great land area controlled the world, but sea power enabled smaller nations to contain great land powers. These advantages of maritime powers to confine land armies have about ceased to exist. Daily the Russian navy expands, especially in the great submarine fleet, and has access to ports in the Baltic, the Mediterranean, along the China coast, and can at will push on to the Persian Gulf from Iraq. While on the one hand the peripheral maritime powers are poorly united and often work at cross purposes, a handful of dedicated Communists in Moscow direct world strategy without restraint. Air power has been a deterrent of Russian control of the world, but this is no longer the prerogative of one side. Neither it nor sea power have the advantage of a decade ago.
If we look at the Middle East, we see the same deterioration of Western dominance and influence that has been witnessed in many quarters. Ten years ago Russia was an outsider in the Middle East, and she was not to be reckoned with; but today her voice is probably the loudest in the area. English and French influence dropped sharply while Russia moved in to fill the vacuum thus created. The United States sought to dose the gap, but indecision hindered her success. The only bright spot in the area for the West today is the resurgence of the thriving nation of Israel. Often her cause was hindered, or at least not espoused by the West, for fear of offending the Arab nations which were of uncertain loyalty; and now many of them are virtually lost to the West.
In the same decade there have been great stirrings in the continent of Africa with its teeming millions and untold natural resources. Old alignments are being broken, and new untrained nations are emerging, all seeking a voice in world affairs. The condition is ripe for Russian subversion and intrigue, all to the detriment of the West. In fact, it is evident that the whole world is astir, and the statesmen are bewildered. None knows where to go from here. This reminds us of a story, supposedly with a comic twist, which was told to a college graduating class. The professor who addressed them told of the strange answers which were received by a man seeking directions on how to go to a certain place. The man who tried to answer him said to go one way, then changed his mind and the directions. This was done numerous times, and finally the seeker was told, "If I were you, I wouldn't even start from here." The present generation has been born to a bewilderment—they know they are in confusion, and do not know where they are going, or even how to start. "The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord); and what wisdom is in them?" Jer. 8:99The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the Lord; and what wisdom is in them? (Jeremiah 8:9).
All the frantic efforts of Western leaders have failed to hold the line against Communist encroachments in one area after another. The last decade has been a period of tragic loss to the West. Nowhere on the horizon is there the least hope of reversing the trend, no, nor even of containing Russia and China at this point.
Western conceit has received some severe jolts in the last ten years. It was once thought that the Russians were too slow and backward to master the sciences, that they were too retarded to match the inventions and technological advancements of the West. Nevertheless, the Russians managed to set off an atomic explosion in 1949, and in 1957 sent the Sputnik aloft, beating all nations to the day of sending man-made satellites into orbit. In those years they also outran other nations in missile developments. When Egypt nationalized the Suez Canal, it was freely predicted that the canal would stagnate when once Western technicians were withdrawn. But it has continued operating under Egyptian control.
The West has been especially blessed by God. They have had the opportunity of the gospel and an open Bible. They were blessed with great natural resources and God-given intellects whereby they made use of His materials. But have they continued in God's goodness? (Rom. 11:2222Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22)). It is painfully evident that they have not. The Western world has been almost synonymous with Christendom, but cannot the arraignment of Rom. 3 be applied to them? Where are those who really seek after God? Where is the fear of God dominant? Man under the most favorable circumstances is living to himself, forgetful of his Creator. The West's day is fast running out. And when judgment comes, it will fall most severely on these most favored lands. "O that they were wise,... that they would consider their latter end." Deut. 32:2929O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! (Deuteronomy 32:29).
If the Russian march has not and cannot be stopped in the fields of intrigue, of subversion, and of military might, what of the latest threat? It is no secret that Russia and China today are bent on overtaking and surpassing the West economically and industrially. Let no man hide his head in the sand, ostrich-like, and pretend he cannot see such a possibility. The great Russian leader freely predicts that in another six years they will produce more than half of the goods in the world. Perhaps it is a fantastic boast, but their boasts have come true before. This man has also boasted that the Russian ruble will replace the dollar in the world of commerce. If there is anything that the Russo-Chinese combine needs to know to forge ahead, their espionage is fully capable of supplying all the necessary data. Then think what 850,000,000 people who are used to obeying strict discipline can do when directed by men dedicated to outrun and outmaneuver the West.
Russian gold and market manipulations could disrupt world currencies. Dictator Khrushchev is at work on economic and industrial incorporation of the satellite nations of Europe into a single working unit to further these goals. Perhaps the Soviet economic offensive will be more effective than any means yet used to accomplish world domination.
Time is on the side of the communistic world, and a crisis of unparalleled proportions is in the making. This is no new thing in history, for nations have risen and fallen, empires have come and gone during the centuries. Only a dedicated optimist, who will not face the facts, can fail to read the signs of these times. The day is fast approaching when men's hearts will fail them for fear and looking forward to the things that are coming on the earth. There will be distress of nations, with perplexity (Luke 21:2525And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)).
Perhaps some readers will ask, Do you think that Russia will dominate the whole world? No, we do not, for Scripture is too plain for that. The point we make is that, but for God's intervention, it would be so, and that in the not-too-distant future. Our aim is to point up the significance of world conditions, showing that it is on the eve of great convulsions. If we survey Russo-Chinese advances in the last ten years, and would allow them a comparable advance in the next decade, they would either control the world or have that power within their easy grasp. If then God's decrees forbid that, the end is here. Let us not fear then, nor be distressed. Rather let us lift up our eyes in joyful anticipation of our Lord's imminent return. Sober reflection would make us marvel that we are still here so close to the end of this age. Shall we paraphrase a verse and say, "Now is our salvation much nearer than it was a short time back."
There are several reasons for understanding that Russian and Chinese world domination will be halted, by God's decree, short of full mastery:
The Word of God is dear that there will arise a beast with seven heads and ten horns (Dan. 7). This beast is the revived Roman Empire which will be a ten-kingdom federation, the most powerful force ever seen on earth. The man who will head this confederacy will be worshiped as one with whom no one can make war (Rev. 13:1-101And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And 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. 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:1‑10)). The Western world is soon to be headed by this man. A Communist world domination would prelude such an event.
This confederation will at first be linked in dose affinity with the greatest exhibition of church unity ever seen on earth. This ecumenical church will be "Babylon the Great," and its headquarters will be in Rome. The revived Roman power will carry this great, false religious system, characterized in Scripture as a corrupt woman—a harlot (Rev. 17:1-71And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. 7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:1‑7)). If Red Communism could master the world, there would be no church left in Rome to exert mastery over the soon-to-be-revived Roman Empire.
Israel is to have a dynamic head who will work hand-in-glove with the Roman beast (Dan. 11:36-3936And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:36‑39)). In fact, the Roman Empire under this head will give Israel a guaranteed protection treaty for seven years' duration (Dan. 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)). If Russia could take over the Middle East, and eliminate Israel, this would not happen; but God has decreed that it shall. Therefore, Russian world domination will be blocked by soon-to-be fulfilled events. We would not, however, rule out other happenings before the taking away of the Church.
These three developments must come before Russia can enslave the world, and they will be fulfilled after the Church is taken to heaven. Since they must come soon to forestall Russia, then we may rightly conclude that our departure from this world is an hourly probability. In view of that blessed hour, so soon to be realized, surely we can sing:
"It is not for us to be seeking our bliss,
And building our hopes in a region like this;
We look for a city which hands have not piled—
We pant for a country by sin undefiled."
May the Lord grant us to be more heavenly-minded, and may we more earnestly lay up in heaven a treasure that faileth not. With the disintegration of all that man has set his heart on here coming apace, may we who have a hope that is sure and steadfast, and that cannot fail, have our hearts weaned from this poor world, and our thoughts, our hopes, and our aspirations set on the goal that is before us.
Still another editorial from Christian Truth, September, 1960, regarding the "cold war" and the turbulence in Africa would seem an appropriate addition to the subjects of this book; hence we quote:
One of the greatest changes of this century is the awakening and muscle-flexing of the non-Caucasian peoples, which, if the Lord does not come and bring an end to man's day, would ultimately bring an end to Caucasian supremacy. The multitudinous hordes of Asia and Africa armed and marching forward could swamp the rest of the world. Added to this posing threat is the fact that International Communism is the driving force behind the Asian resurgence, and is at least suspect of stirrings in Africa. Already one third of the world's population is under Communist domination; and that all came about in much less time than the sixty years of this century. The world is marching with quickened pace to doom. Everything portends the coming judgment of God upon the world which, when He came into it in grace, spit in His face and cast Him out.
Most of the great European powers which had colonies in Asia and Africa have either lost them thus far this century or their hold on them is tenuous and of very doubtful duration. During only one month, July, 1960, four African countries became independent nations, while Italy, France, Britain, and Belgium watched the old colonies chart new and untried courses. In October, Nigeria becomes independent. Within two more years three other countries are scheduled for freedom. The dark continent with its great natural resources is on the move, and many untried leaders of doubtful allegiance between East and West will come forward. Add the future uncertainties to the already overwhelming perplexities of the present day and it is not difficult to imagine the heart-breaking consternation that is fast coming when men's hearts will fail them for fear.
The latest upheaval has been the terrible strife in the newly independent Congo. Man glories in his independence, but when there are no restraints he becomes the plaything of the devil. Creature perfection is characterized by dependence and obedience; these were the marks of the perfect Man when He was in this world. The Lord Jesus as that perfect Man said, "Preserve Me, O God: for in Thee do I put My trust." Psa. 16:11<<Michtam of David.>> Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. (Psalm 16:1). He also said, "I do always those things that please Him [the Father]." John 8:2929And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29). The first man, Adam, was disobedient unto death; but the second Man, the Lord from heaven, was "obedient unto death" (Phil. 2:88And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)).
Man's fall was brought about by disobedience to God, and independence of Him. So with man today; when he pleases only himself in independence, and there is no human power to restrain him, he becomes an abject slave of his lusts, and the willing tool of Satan. True liberty is only known by those who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and have been set at liberty from slavery to self and to sin, and thus are free in the "perfect law of liberty" to please another—even God. (James 1:2525But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25).)
Russia has been a master at sowing strife and discord and then encouraging a minority to overthrow duly constituted authorities; then their dupes often find they are in worse slavery. What a strange mess man has made of the world!
Look around today and you will find no segment of the world really tranquil and at rest. All of Europe is uneasy; West Berlin is like a time bomb, with none but Russia knowing the setting of the timing device; Italy has been through the throes of another political crisis; France is involved in a war in Algeria which it is trying to terminate; Eastern Europe is either under the heel of Russia or straddling the fence between East and West; Belgium will feel the strain of the Congo crisis for some time. Then to the east, Turkey has been through a revolution; Nasser of Egypt and Syria still threatens Israel; Russia is stirring minorities in Iran (Persia) to topple the Shah from his throne; India has border troubles with China; Nepal and other countries on the periphery of China have the same; likewise Tibet is suffering, as China seeks to assimilate its people while ruthlessly crushing resistance; Indonesia has been in trouble from within and without; to say nothing of Indo-China, Korea, Formosa, and other nations who are threatened constantly; nor of Japan and the bloody riots instigated by Russia. We have already considered Africa. In North America, all are aware of Russia's designs either to isolate its powerful nations from the rest of the world, or to eventually break them by force. To the south, militant and die-hard communistic groups are active in nearly all lands. Cuba has already succumbed, and the future is uncertain for any nation.
Another recent national upset with international complications has taken place, this time in the tiny, strategic kingdom of Laos in Southeast Asia. It lies between Communist nations, and between Communist and non-Communist countries. Less than one year ago it was rescued by the United Nations from military aggression by Communist North Vietnam. Now in the space of only a few hours, the pro-Western government fell in a military coup; later the non-Communist government revived, but is hourly in danger from the growing might of the Communist forces. It is a critical spot in world affairs at present. Washington has spent much money to bolster Laos as a buffer state, but all may be lost. It is all a part of a new kind of warfare called "cold war," which is global in outlook and effect, and in which the International Communist conspiracy is the most adept. How wonderful it is that our rest and hope are in heaven, and not here!
Thus the 60's of the great 20th century find the world with all its boasted progress ripe for the day when peace will be taken from the earth (Rev. 6:44And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. (Revelation 6:4)). Then what of man's achievements? He has lived without God, and he is about to perish in his own delusion.
Students of international affairs, and great statesmen grapple with matters that they cannot settle; they see the ominous trends toward disaster and are powerless to reverse or stay them. It is easy for one politician to criticize another, but not one of them is master of the situations they encounter; they can only go on from one crisis to another, devising some way to play for time, hoping for some method of escape that is not apparent. We quote herewith from the "second Psalm" which shows that God is still supreme, and "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh." All of man's puny efforts will come to naught, and in the end the One whom the world rejected will reign and subjugate all of His enemies.
Now as this latest edition of The Future of Europe and Russia's Destiny is about to go to press in 1961, we find the world in the midst of new and increasing troubles. Russia and China are sowing the seeds of revolution and strife in other nations. Cuba has fallen into the Communist orbit within only 90 miles from the United States mainland; and its dictator, Fidel Castro, is conniving with the international communist conspiracy to export his brand of communistic revolution to the South American nations, where it is evident that headway is being made.
Russia has boldly attempted to wreck the United Nations when unable to circumvent its operations to preserve the former Belgian Congo from falling apart in civil war. The United Nations was sustained by the major noncommunist powers; now Russia is reported to be supplying her puppet successor to the untimely-deceased Patrice Lumumba with material to increase internal strife. Russia has more to gain from fomenting strife and disorder than from helping to preserve peace. She has long found fishing is good in troubled waters.
All of this brings to mind the scripture that can only refer to Russia, in Isa. 33, verse 1: "Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee." The reason for assigning this portion to Russia is that Russia will be the last nation to be dealt with by the Lord when He comes to "reign gloriously." In Isa. 32 The Lord is seen as reigning; then Russia comes against Him.
He will not put down all His enemies at one time, but will deal with them in order, when He as the Son of man descends with power and great glory. First, He will break the Roman Empire when it goes to the aid of beleagured Israel; He will take its vile head (the first beast of Rev. 13) together with his wicked colleague, the head of the nation of Israel (the second beast of Rev. 13), and cast them both alive into "the lake of fire" (Rev. 19:2020And 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 19:20)). After that He will execute vengeance on the "king of the north" (Dan. 11:40-4540And 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. 41He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. 42He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. 44But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. 45And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Daniel 11:40‑45)), also called "the Assyrian," which will be beaten down in the land of Israel (see Isa. 30:30-3330And the Lord shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones. 31For through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod. 32And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it. 33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. (Isaiah 30:30‑33)). We take it from the correct translation (see page 62) of the last verse of Isa. 30 that the head of this Assyrian adversary of Israel will also be cast into the lake of fire. The verse should read: "For Topheth is prepared of old; for the king also it is prepared; He hath made it deep and large; its pile is fire and much wood; the breath of Jehovah, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it." The "king" mentioned in this verse is the false "king of the Jews"—the antichrist—the second beast of Rev. 13. The correct rendering of this verse makes it apparent that the Assyrian will be cast there where "the beast and the false prophet" have recently been cast. "Tophet" was prepared for him, and also for the false "king." Thus the Lord will deal with that old avowed enemy of Israel.
The Lord's next visitation of wrath upon His enemies will be the destruction of Russia and all her satellites as described in Ezek. 38 and 39. The Russian hordes will come against Israel, now settled in Palestine, as a land army; and the destruction will be so great that it will take seven months to bury the dead. These hordes will be utterly destroyed, for God is not mocked; and their boasted atheism will not avail them in that day. God will also remember their hatred and treatment of the children of Israel in bygone days the pogroms, etc. The correct translation of Ezek. 39:22And I will turn thee back, and leave but the sixth part of thee, and will cause thee to come up from the north parts, and will bring thee upon the mountains of Israel: (Ezekiel 39:2) does not say that God will leave the sixth part of them. See either the A.S.V. or the J.N.D. translations. Destruction will be total.
The last half of the seven years of trouble are called "the great tribulation." They are referred to as "forty and two months" (Rev. 13:55And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5)), "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" (Rev. 12:66And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (Revelation 12:6)), "time and times and the dividing of time" (Dan. 7:2525And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25)), and the "midst of the week" of years (Dan. 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)). But in the last chapter of Daniel we read of extended periods of time 1290 and 1335 days as though indicating extra time required for Christ's victories over various foes.
There will also be other enemies on which the Lord will use the new, regenerated nation of Israel as His rod; as, for instance, will be the case with Greece, which was probably not involved in any of the confederacies previously dealt with by the Lord Himself. We read:
"When I have bent Judah for Me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece... The LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of His people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon His land." Zech. 9:13-1613When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man. 14And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south. 15The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar. 16And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. (Zechariah 9:13‑16).
Isa. 11 also tells us that Israel will execute judgment upon the old enemies of "Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon." So there will be some enemies whom the Lord will deal with through Israel after their repentance and restoration. See page 68.
Solomon's glorious reign is typical of Christ's millennial kingdom, but even Solomon did not set everything right at once. There was a period of transition when each opponent was dealt with in wisdom and righteousness; as, for instance, Shimei was not put to death at once, but put under a ban, the breaking of which brought death to him later (see 1 Kings 2).
In an article copyrighted by the United Feature Syndicate in 1952 and published in various periodicals, an interview was given between a foreign correspondent, Richard C. Hottelet, and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Maxim Litvinov. Mr. Litvinov had been the U.S.S.R. Ambassador to the United States when Russia badly needed United States' aid. The amiable Russian had been used (perhaps unknowingly) to beguile the West with enticing words, but at the time of the interview (in 1946) was about to be cast into the discard heap as no longer serviceable to his masters. It now seemed to them that a hard, intractable attitude toward the West was possible, and even expedient. Mr. Litvinov made it unmistakably clear that Russia was not to be trusted, and that their behavior was not a sloppy "hit-and-miss" affair, one-day-hot and another-day-cold, slovenly, ill-conceived plan, but that it was all a deliberate plot. This was a great Russian's last contact with the West. This should speak for itself.
A brief glance at the present destructive potential of only two nations—Russia and the United States— will show the deadly peril in which the whole world stands in 1961, and the peril is increasing daily. As of now, it is, according to a reliable secular source, as follows:
David Lawrence, a noted observer and news commentator, says: "History tells us that a balance of power has often produced a long period of peaceful equilibrium. But today a balance of power has been augmented by a balance of terror. Any minute a mistake can be made, and a war started.
"The danger faced by mankind today is incredible. It defies description. But the paradox is that people have not been really awakened to it. They are fearful. They are nervous. They are hopeful that man will not commit suicide. They have not, however, taken steps to restrain the impulses that can at any moment, without notice to an adversary, release a destructive force of incalculable dimensions." —U.S. New & World Report, Feb. 27, 1961.
The same issue of this magazine gives a comparison of estimated destructive power on hand and ready for delivery by both Russia and the United States. We need to remember that just at the close of World War II, Hiroshima, Japan was destroyed by an atomic bomb. It was then an experiment in power to destroy. Now the United States stands ready to hurl missile weapons possessing an explosive power of more than 1 million Hiroshima-type A-bombs, and can rain down 3,600 nuclear bombs, each many times more powerful than the old Hiroshima-type bomb (which killed 78,150 people). If only one third of the attackers got through, they could destroy 1,200 Soviet centers.
On the other side, "by best available estimates," Russia could hurl "the equivalent of about 350,000 Hiroshima-type bombs" at the United States, and drop 250 powerful nuclear bombs on its cities. These are probably fairly accurate estimates of the present potential of the two great antagonists. And thus the world rushes madly on to destruction.
But while the world cringes, or at least should, the Christian can see in all these developments but the preparations for the days that will follow our translation from earth to heaven. Our hope is outside of and beyond this poor, doomed world. The Lord Jesus Christ, "our hope," will soon call His people home to be with Himself.
"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly." Our response is and should be, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Rev. 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20).
Paul Wilson
Courtesy of BibleTruthPublishers.com. Most likely this text has not been proofread. Any suggestions for spelling or punctuation corrections would be warmly received. Please email them to: BTPmail@bibletruthpublishers.com.