The Nations: November 2016

Just a few weeks ago I passed through customs and immigration as I re-entered Canada after being abroad. As he returned my passport, the officer smiled and said, “Welcome home!” That sounded very warm and welcoming, and I appreciated it. To a large extent, we are accustomed to the climate, culture, and scenery of the country in which we live, and in a natural sense are glad to be back in it after traveling.

But the officer did not realize that I was not yet “home.” I was reminded of a brother who lived all of his life during the 19th century, and who traveled a great deal. When asked what part of the world he liked the best, he answered, “When one is near heaven, when Jesus is all, one place scarcely differs from another; God remains God, holy and love, and man remains man.” This is true, and if we are enjoying Christ, we will find that this is true. The poem chosen for this issue of The Christian says it far better than I can.

W. J. Prost

The stereotyping of individuals according to their national, racial, and ethnic heritage has gone on for thousands of years, a tendency that has in turn led to various descriptive phrases, nicknames, and even unflattering jokes concerning certain groups of people. This goes on even today, although the emergence of so-called “politically correct” behavior has driven some of this talk underground, at least in western countries, even if the attitude persists. Also, there is a great deal of controversy concerning such stereotyping. Some who have done research into the subject claim that most of our ideas about the character and personality of certain ethnic groups are flawed, and that even people within a particular group often differ widely when asked about the general features and attributes of those from that group. Others, however, claim that despite the influence of law, culture, and other environmental factors, there are blends of qualities and character traits that seem to pervade certain ethnic and racial groups. The subject thus tends to become a very delicate one.

All Nations of One Blood

If we turn to the Word of God, we find that God indeed “made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts. 17:26). Also, it was not God’s initial intention that the human race should be broken up into nations. Rather, it was man’s sin that occasioned this. However, we also read that “known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world” (Acts 15:18), and thus God purposed the choosing of Israel as His people long before the division of the world into nations. In the same way God accomplished His purposes in David as king, and eventually in Christ, even though Israel was thoroughly wrong in asking for a king.

Noah’s Sons

But right from the very beginning, after the flood, we find the Spirit of God showing us the character of each of Noah’s sons and their descendants. Japheth was the eldest of the three, and it is clear that his posterity spread over most of Europe and northern Asia. Of Japheth, Noah prophesied, “God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant” (Gen. 9:27). Most of the empires of the world, with the exception of early ones such as Egypt, Assyria, and later Persia, have been of Japheth. Since the times of the Gentiles began, most of the world power has been concentrated in Japheth’s posterity, and all of the great colonial powers were from his family.

We find Ham mentioned next, and in keeping with God’s order, his descendants were allowed a measure of prominence at the beginning, as typifying the first man. Ham had sinned in connection with his father Noah, and his son Canaan was cursed as a result. Thus we find Nimrod, the founder of Babylon, first mentioned as “a mighty one in the earth” (Gen. 10:8). From Ham also came Egypt (Mizraim is the Hebrew name for Egypt), many of the African races, and also the Canaanites, who inhabited the land of Palestine before the Israelites drove them out.

Because of Ham’s sin, Noah prophesied that Canaan would be the servant both of Japheth and Shem. Such has generally been the case down through the ages, just as women have suffered from the curse because of Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden.

Shem

Finally Shem is mentioned, from which came the people of Israel, as well as most of the peoples of the east, including the Arab world, and perhaps others from the Far East. As he spread abroad, Japheth has indeed encroached on Shem—”He shall dwell in the tents of Shem” (Gen. 9:27), but it was concerning Shem that Noah prophesied, “Blessed be the Lord God of Shem” (Gen. 9:26). It was through Shem that God raised up Israel, and then ordered that His beloved Son should be born into this world of the family of Shem, in Israel. Again, God allowed the first man, typified in Ham, to take precedence in the early years, but then raised up Israel from the family of Shem, typifying the second man whose heart turned toward God. Of course, we know that the descendants of Shem also turned to idolatry, so that all the world was guilty, but it was Abraham who responded to God’s call, and who is the father of faith. “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham” (Gal. 3:9).

National Traits

Since nations came into existence, there have been traits that have distinguished certain nations, and some of these are found in Scripture. The Spirit of God called the Chaldeans “that bitter and hasty nation” (Hab. 1:6), while of the Edomites Scripture says, “His anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever” (Amos 1:11). In the New Testament, Paul quotes a Cretan writer as saying, “Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons,” and then goes on to comment, “This testimony is true” (Titus 1:12-13). The one who wrote these words about his fellow countrymen (Epimenides) lived in the 6th century B.C., so that this character of the Cretans was of long-standing. Thus it is not wrong to notice certain characteristics in the nations of the world, for God’s Word takes notice of the sinful character of certain peoples.

However, lest we should be lifted up in pride because the nation into which we have been born does not, perhaps, exhibit a particular bad trait or behavior, we must remember that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Generally, every nation has that about its culture and behavior that may be objectionable, but also has good points that distinguish it in a right way. The Word of God judges every culture, bringing to light that which needs our attention in the sight of God. But if a nation seeks God, even in only an outward way, then God’s blessing rests on them, for we read, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Thus nations that have embraced the light and truth of Christianity have been blessed in a temporal way, and now that many of them are throwing off God’s claims, chaos and trouble are the result.

The Heavenly Calling

We must recognize, however, that God is not dealing with nations today, except in His providence and government of the world. God established government in the earth after the flood, and this has never been rescinded, so that Paul could remind believers in his day that “the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). But today God is calling out a people from every nation to form His church, giving them a hope and an outlook that transcends this world and its division into nations. What a privilege today to be “partakers of the heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1)! We who have believed on Christ in this dispensation can look on this world as intelligent observers, but we are no longer part of its nations, governments, and politics; we have a hope that transcends it all. May we value this precious position more, as the world grows darker!

W. J. Prost

When the subject of the nations of the world is considered, the question of patriotism naturally comes up, and it is, perhaps, in order to say a few words about it. Ever since nations have existed, men have identified with their particular racial, ethnic, or national origin, and have been willing to defend both the individuals belonging to that group, and also the territory and other possessions perceived as rightfully the property of the group. This has most often taken the form of warfare, whether in seeking to acquire something, or in defending what is already possessed. The history of this world is the history of war and peace, for the two have alternated all through the ages.

God’s Overrule

In the Old Testament, once the nation of Israel was formed, God was laying claim to the earth, and used Israel to enforce His claims. Thus it was right for them to engage in armed conquest, for the Lord had specifically given them the land of Canaan for a possession, having made the promise to Abraham. The Canaanites who inhabited the land were very wicked before God, and when their iniquity had reached a zenith, God used Israel to drive them out of the land, and to take it over as their own. Other wars in the Old Testament had God’s indirect approval, such as the conquest of the ten tribes by the Assyrians, and the later carrying away of Judah into captivity by the Chaldeans. Likewise, God raised up Cyrus to defeat the Chaldeans and to advance his kingdom, as we read in Isaiah 45:1—“Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him.” Doubtless these wars by the Gentiles were largely driven by national and personal ambition, but the Lord was behind the scenes, directing all in order to accomplish His purposes.

Honor for Patriots

Patriotism has been a very strong force in the world, impelled by national pride and a desire to distinguish oneself in serving his country. Many are the stories that could be told of tremendous bravery in war, of great sacrifice, and in many cases, martyrdom in the particular cause. Nations today continue to give out medals and other rewards that recognize such patriotism, and decorate the graves and battle sites where men have distinguished themselves in this way.

More than this, it is natural for man to feel patriotic, especially in what he feels is a right cause. To be sure, this may often involve self-interest, or the interests of his country, but may also be a feeling of justice, and of maintaining righteousness in this world. Nations that have at least outwardly embraced Christianity tend to have some Christian sense of right and wrong, and public opinion rises in indignation when atrocities and acts of violence are committed against seemingly innocent people. It is natural, then, to feel a responsibility to deal with the perpetrators, and to restore some semblance of order to the world.

God’s Grace

But we are now living in the day of God’s grace, not in the “day of judgment.” We are living in the dispensation when God is calling out a people to form His church, from every nation. God is not dealing directly with favored nations today, and this is important to recognize, although in His government He may exalt or diminish a nation. For the Christian to seek to advance any particular nation, or to become involved in patriotism toward his country, is not to seek God’s interests. Those believers who do so may be well-meaning, but we find nothing of all this in the New Testament.

We may quote from a brother who wrote nearly 150 years ago, but his words are good for us to remember today. (It is worth noting that the author was British, and living in England when she was at the height of her empire and glory.)

“What pains me is the manner in which the idea of one’s country has taken possession of the hearts of some brethren. I quite understand that the sentiment of patriotism may be strong in the heart of a man ... One would sacrifice one’s life—everything (not oneself, or one’s honor) for one’s country, one’s friend ... But God delivers us from the ‘I’; He makes of God, and of God in Christ, the center of all; and the Christian, if consistent, declares plainly that he seeks a country—a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. His affections, his ties, his citizenship, are above. He withdraws into the shade in this world, as outside the vortex which surges there, to engulf and carry everything away. The Lord is a sanctuary.

That a Christian should hesitate whether he ought to obey or not, I understand: I respect his conscience; but that he should allow himself to be carried away by what is called patriotism—that is what is not of heaven. “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight.” It is the spirit of the world under an honorable and attractive form, but wars come from “lusts that war in your members.”

As a man I would have fought obstinately for my country, and would never have given way, God knows; but as a Christian I believe and feel myself to be outside all; these things move me no more. The hand of God is in them; I recognize it; He has ordered all beforehand. I bow my head before that will.”

“Policing the World”

God may choose to exalt certain nations who then act as “policemen” in this world, and He may use such nations to enforce what is right, even if only in an outward way. But when this is done, self-interest is always mixed with it, and even if done in the right way, it is not God’s interests that are in view, but man’s. The believer should stand apart from all this, and “let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth” (Isa. 45:9). We belong to heaven.

In saying this, we also hasten to point out that those of us who live as Christians in lands that have a measure of peace and quiet, and permit full religious liberty, are most thankful for such privileges. We are thankful to live in lands where laws have been framed for the public good, and where a relatively consistent infrastructure is in place for the conduct of business. But we do not depend on such manmade arrangements or authority, much as we may appreciate them. No, we depend on the Lord, for wherever we may live, “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Prov. 21:1).

The question often arises, “What would happen if righteous nations did nothing? Would not the world be overrun with ruthless tyrants, who would wreak havoc and violence without restraint? Would not all order and right collapse in the world, and anarchy be the result? Yes, this could happen, and we know that God, in His ways, has allowed men like Hitler and others to do this very thing. But we must remember that God is in control; no man can go further than He allows. All that happens in this world is carefully weighed in God’s sanctuary before being allowed here, and He carefully measures whatever even the evilest of men are allowed to do. Let us trust Him, “who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will” (Eph. 1:11), and whose promises “in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Cor. 1:20).

W. J. Prost

It is difficult to say exactly how many countries there are in the world today, as some want to be recognized as such, but have only questionable status. However, at the time of the writing of this article, there are 193 nations that are members of the United Nations, and 195 nations that are recognized by the U.S. State Department. (The Holy See, or Vatican, and also the state of Palestine, have observer status in the U.N., but are not members.) We have become so accustomed to thinking of the world in terms of nations that it is hard to conceive of our planet existing in any other mode.

The world has been divided into nations for thousands of years, although what are recognized as nations today were often present in times past as city states, ethnic groups, clans, or even primitive tribes. But the division of mankind into these different groups has been with us for a long time, and the history of this world is the history of the interaction of these various groups or nations with one another. God has used the nations of the world to govern it, and has accomplished His purposes through them. But it was not always so, nor was it necessarily the mind of God that such diversity should exist in this world. However, it is equally important to see that while it was man’s sin that occasioned the forming of nations, yet God in His wisdom has used them, as also He established Israel as a nation.

The Flood

If we go back to the Word of God, we find that after the flood described in Genesis 6-8, the whole earth was re-populated by the family of Noah. We read that “these are the three sons of Noah: and of them was the whole earth overspread” (Gen. 9:19). We find the account of all this in Genesis 10-11. We get the facts of the dispersion in chapter ten, while the reasons for it, and the moral condition of the people are given in chapter eleven. But it seems that prior to the flood, the whole earth was one people, and all spoke the same language. This did not prevent violence and corruption, for we read that before the flood, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). It was for this reason that God destroyed the world with a flood. But then this homogeneity of people and language continued after the flood, for we read that “the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech” (Gen. 11:1).

The Post-Diluvian World

But was man morally any better after such a distinct and overwhelming judgment of God as the flood? No, for immediately his heart was lifted up in pride, and we read that “they said one to another ... Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth” (Gen. 11:3-4). But the Lord saw all this, and in order to curb man’s pride, we read that “the Lord said ... Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the tower” (Gen. 11:6-8). Thus it was the Lord’s judgment upon man’s pride that resulted in the formation of nations, effected by the introduction of various languages. Walter Scott sums this up very well—

“In this chapter (Genesis 10), and only here, have we an account of the rise of nations, peoples, and tongues, and of the dispersion of mankind. The peopling of the earth by families, all speaking one language, having one common interest, and dwelling together in unity, was certainly part of the divine plan in the wise and beneficent government of God—“Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth” (Gen. 9:1). This gracious provision for the blessing of man and creation was not accepted, and men sought to centralize themselves on the earth in direct independence of God. But what God would have accomplished in goodness, had man been obedient, He has brought about in judgment, because of man’s self-will.”

Global Power

All this is a solemn thought, for we see that it is man who has brought upon himself the diversity of nations, with all the trouble and strife that it has caused. But God was in it, for the continual wars and conflict brought about by the constant struggle between nations has generally resulted in a so-called “balance of power,” so that no one group has been able to dominate for very long. As Henry Kissinger says in the introduction to his book “World Order,” “No truly global ‘world power’ has ever existed.” Without a global world power, obviously, there can be no world order. Empires have arisen, to be sure, and at times have governed large portions of the world, but they have risen only to fall again, allowing others to take over. In the process some nations have been more prominent and have subjugated other nations, but again, it has been a constant battle to maintain such a position. All this is reaching a crescendo in the world of today, for with modern weapons, even smaller nations are making their mark in the world and becoming a threat to world peace. Many wonder where it will all end.

Judgment of Nations

But we as believers know where it will end. Nations are still with us today, but after the tribulation period, God will judge the nations, and we know that “the haughtiness of man shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day” (Isa. 2:11). Some nations will disappear, such as the Edomites, or children of Esau, who will be annihilated because of their implacable hatred against Israel. “There shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau” (Obadiah 18.) But other nations, such as Egypt and Moab, will have their place in the millennium, although subject to the revived nation of Israel. All nations will go up to worship at Jerusalem, for we read, “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” (Zech. 14:16). All this will go on for the one thousand year reign of Christ.

The Finalization of Kingdoms

But the kingdom itself will have an end in this world, for we read in 1st Corinthians 15:24—“Then cometh the end, when He [Christ] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.” When all has been subdued by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, He will return the kingdom to the Father, “that God may be all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28). It is at this time that the old creation will be burned up, for Peter tells us that “the day of the Lord will come ... in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). After this there will be the eternal state, also called the day of God, which will consist of a “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet. 3:13). In none of the descriptions of this wonderful time (of which there are very few in Scripture) is there any mention of nations, for it seems that God will again remove the one last barrier that separates one man from another. Israel and other nations will exist as such during the millennium, but in the eternal state, those who remain after the judgment at the end of that glorious kingdom will be melded together into one people, to live on a new earth for all eternity. There will surely be no nations in heaven, and now likewise on earth, there will be nothing that potentially could spoil the peace that will last forever. Sin will never be allowed to spoil that new creation, nor will there be any reminder of that which spoiled the old creation. “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

W. J. Prost

Every missionary effort to preach the gospel would be greatly helped and more clearly guided by keeping before the mind God’s original purpose in sending the gospel to the Gentiles, or nations. This purpose we have stated by James in the most distinct manner in Acts 15—“Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name.” This affords no warrant whatsoever for the idea so persistently held by the professing church, that the whole world is to be converted by the preaching of the gospel at this time. To convert all the nations is one thing; to take out of the nations a people is quite another. Let all missionaries remember this. They may rest assured it will not clip their wings, or cripple their energies; it will only guide their movements, by giving them a divine aim and object.

And here let it be distinctly understood that we delight in all true missionary effort. We heartily wish God’s speed to every true missionary—to everyone who has left home, and kindred, and friends, and all the comforts and privileges of civilized life, in order to carry the glad tidings of salvation into the dark places of the earth.

We are not now discussing the principle of missionary organization, or the various appliances adopted for the carrying on of missionary operation. This is beyond the scope of our subject. The point with which we are occupied in this brief paper is this—will God make use of the professing church to convert the nations?

The Conversion of the Nations

It is blessedly true that all the earth shall yet be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. There is no question as to this. All scripture bears witness to it. To quote the passages would literally fill a volume. All Christians are agreed on this point, and hence there is no need to adduce evidence.

But the question is, how is this grand and glorious result to be brought about? Is it the purpose of God to use the professing church as His agent, or is the gospel they preach His instrument in the conversion of the world? Scripture says no; and says it with an emphasis and a clearness which ought to sweep away every doubt and difficulty.

What, then, say the scriptures on the great question of the conversion of the nations? Let us look as Psalm 67—“God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; Selah. That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. O let the nations be glad, and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise Thee, O God, let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.”

Here, then, the simple truth shines before us; it is when God shall have mercy upon Israel— when He shall cause His light to shine upon Zion—then, and not until then, will His way be known upon earth, His saving health among all nations. It is through Israel, and not through the professing church, that God will yet bless the nations.

The Gospel Preached by Israel

That the “us” of the foregoing psalm refers to Israel, no intelligent reader of scripture needs to be told. Indeed, as we all know, the great burden of the psalms, the prophets, and the entire Old Testament, is Israel. Seeing this, it is clear that the conversion of the nations stands connected with Israel, and not with the church. It is through Israel, and not through the church, that God will yet bless the nations. It is His eternal purpose that the seed of Abraham, His friend, shall yet be pre-eminent in the earth, and that all nations shall be blessed in and through them. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you” (Zech. 8:23).

A People for His Name

There is no need to multiply proofs. All scripture bears witness to the truth that God’s present object is not to convert the nations, but to take out of them a people for His name; and, further, that when these nations shall be brought in—as they most assuredly shall—it will not be by the instrumentality of the church at all, but by that of the restored nation of Israel.

It would be an easy and a delightful task to prove from the New Testament, that, previous to the restoration and blessing of Israel, and therefore, previous to the conversion of the nations, the true church of God, the body of Christ, shall have been taken up to be forever with the Lord. But we do not desire at this time to do more than establish that which we deem of much interest and importance in reference to the grand object of missionary operations. When missionary societies propose for their object the conversion of the world, they propose a palpable mistake. And when Christendom imagines that she is to be God’s instrument in converting the nations, it is simply a delusion and an empty conceit. Hence, therefore, let all who go forth as missionaries see that they are ruled in their blessed work by a divine object, and, further, that they are pursuing that object in a divinely-appointed way.

Adapted from C. H. Mackintosh

The importance of everything connected with Israel’s history and Israel’s hopes receives proof in a passage that often goes unnoticed—“When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance” (Deut. 32:8-9). The distribution of mankind into nations took place more than one hundred years before the birth of Abraham, and Israel had no national existence for nearly five hundred years after this. Yet we are told in the passage before us that Israel occupied in God’s purposes so important a place, that when He separated the sons of Adam, He arranged their several empires according to the number of the children of Israel. Israel’s failure on trial has resulted in quite a different state of things—an arrangement of the nations which seems to have no regard whatever to Israel and their land. But it is only for a time. God has not relinquished His intention to make Israel the center of the nations, and their beloved city the metropolis of the whole earth.

The Idolatry of the Nations

It was the abandonment by mankind of the worship of the true God, and the success of Satan in leading them into idolatry, that formed the occasion on which God called Abraham the father of this people; thus separating to himself both Abraham and his posterity forever. We learn from Romans 1:21-32 how men in that day gave God up for idols; and God gave them up, in consequence, to dishonor themselves and one another. But, while thus for a time abandoning the nations to the fruit of their own ways, he would not leave himself without a testimony on earth to his supreme Godhead, and to the happiness of those, who, blest with His immediate presence and government, were obedient to His laws. “And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor; and they served other gods. And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him through all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac” (Joshua 24:2-3). By the call of God, Abraham was thus separated from the guilty, idolatrous mass, to be the depositary of God’s promises, and the witness to His title and His claims.

The Promise to Abraham

The promises made to Abraham were unconditional and absolute. They included a great deal besides the possession of the land of Canaan, but they certainly embraced this in the most explicit terms. “And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land” (Gen. 12:7). “And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever... Arise, walk through the land, in the length of it, and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee (Gen. 13:14 -17). Abraham was apprised, indeed, that it was not immediate possession of the land which was to be given him. However, the land was then given to Abraham by covenant, and its boundaries most accurately defined. The promise of the land was repeated to Isaac (Gen. 26:3), and to Jacob (Gen. 28:13-14).

Conditional Promises

It was in pure goodness, and on the ground of this unconditional covenant with their fathers, that God delivered Israel out of Egypt. At Mt. Sinai Moses was directed of God to propose to them that they should be placed under law, and enjoy their promised blessings conditionally on their obedience. They undertook to keep the law, promising, “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do” (Ex. 19:8).

The result is well known. Before the words had well passed their lips, they were defiling themselves with idols at the foot of that mount of terror before which they had but lately feared and quaked. God’s relations with them were restored through the mediation of Moses; and they were again, with certain modifications, placed under a covenant of works. Deuteronomy 28 gives us the terms of it very plainly; continuance in the land, with all kinds of temporal blessings are promised in the case of their obedience. Visitations of wrath, one after another, till they should be rooted out of the land, are threatened in case of their disobedience. How accurately and minutely have all these predictions been fulfilled! It is after all this has been spread out before them, that we read, “And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee, and shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey His voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart and with all thy soul; that then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all nations whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee” (Deut. 30:1-3). We have a similar promise in Leviticus 26:40-45.

Israel’s History

All are familiar with Israel’s history in the land. The book of Judges shows how soon they began to depart from the Lord, and in the days of Samuel their sin, and especially that of the priesthood, brought on a dreadful crisis in which God suffered his own ark to be taken captive by the enemy. After its restoration they desired a king, and God granted them their request. He first gave them a king after their own hearts, who ended his days in disgrace on the mountains of Gilboa. Then God placed over them the man after His own heart—David, of whose seed, according to the flesh, Christ is, who is God over all, blessed forever. As to his offspring who immediately succeeded him on the throne, their retention of the throne, and the blessing of the nation under their sway, depended on their obedience; and, if they disobeyed, they were to be chastised. But the covenant was so far unconditional, that God’s mercy was never to be finally removed from David’s house.

The times of David and Solomon form the brightest period in the past history of Israel, but it was only for a brief space. Solomon was corrupted by his wives, and fell into idolatry. Ten tribes revolted from his son, and the history of this kingdom was one of increasing wickedness down to the end. They were carried away captive by the Assyrians, and have never been restored.

The Patience of God

The patience of God waited still with the kingdom of Judah, until the iniquity of David’s house made it impossible for him any longer to bear with them. Jerusalem was taken; the temple was destroyed; and the Jews were carried away captive to Babylon. The throne of God no longer existed at Jerusalem. Power was given into the hands of the Gentiles, and has remained with them till now. With Nebuchadnezzar the times of the Gentiles commenced. A remnant, indeed, returned in the days of Cyrus. And indeed, it would appear to have been the chief object for which this remnant was restored, that Christ might be born amongst them, that, according to the Scriptures, He might be presented to them as their King. This was done, and we know the result. They demanded that Barabbas, a murderer, should be released to them by Pilate, in preference to their King. Even when grace was subsequently preached to them from a risen Christ, there was no relenting in their unbelieving hearts. Peter they imprisoned, James they slew, Stephen they stoned. Their rejection of Christ in every way being completed, God gave them up. Their city was again destroyed; their temple was burned to the ground; myriads of them perished by the sword; and the miserable remnant that escaped were scattered over all the earth. But though it is for their sin in crucifying Jesus that they thus suffer, it was in that very transaction that the basis was laid for their future restoration and blessing.

Israel’s Restoration

As to their future restoration, many scriptures could be quoted. But Ezekiel 37 is a well-known portion. In the former part of it we have the vision of the valley of dry bones. If the dry bones represent living Israelites—dead nationally, but alive as individuals—their graves must surely represent the countries in which, as to any national existence, they have been buried. And then we are told, in plain terms, that it is into their own land that they are brought when they are thus, as a nation, raised from their graves. The parable, or symbol, of the two sticks is what follows: the prophet is commanded to take two sticks, one for Judah and the children of Israel, his companions; the other for Joseph, and for all the house of Israel, his companions. He was to join them together, and they were to become one stick in his hand. The explanation is in verse 20-23—“And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before thine eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling-places wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them; so shall they be My people, and I will be their God.” In this passage we have foretold the restoration of both kingdoms, Judah and Israel, and their fusion into one. Their conversion is predicted, as well as their restoration. It is in connection with the reign of Christ: one king shall be king over them all, and when thus converted and restored, they are not any more to defile themselves, or fall into sin. All this will take place after the church is called home at the coming of Christ, and God again begins to deal with His earthly people Israel.

Once again Israel will take its place as head of the nations, with God laying claim to the earth, and employing a redeemed nation of Israel as His instrument to do this. God’s promises to Abraham will be fulfilled, Israel will possess all the land which God originally promised them, and other nations will be ranged around them according to the expressed mind of God in Deuteronomy 32.

Adapted from W. Trotter

Psalm 82:8 says, “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.” It is God who is to judge the earth, and as the consequence of this judgment, to become the possessor of all nations. We also read in Revelation 11:15-18, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces and worshipped God, saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.”

The True King

The Lord Jesus, the true King over the whole earth, was presented to the Gentiles and Jews (to the Gentiles in the person of Pontius Pilate, and to the Jews in the person of the high priest). He was presented to the world and to His own, and was rejected. But in a much more extended sense it is said, “The nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come.” It is the wrath of God breaking forth against them by the judgment of His Son. In that day, His way of dealing with the nations will be in a way entirely opposed to the gospel—“Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron” (Psa. 2:9). God has decreed His reign surely, irrevocably, and He will bring it to pass in spite of the kings of the earth.

Once the gospel has run its course, Christ will demand righteous judgment against the world. It is no longer Christ at the right hand of the Father, sending down the Holy Spirit to gather together His co-heirs; but Christ calling for righteousness and asking it (generally by His Spirit in the humble and lowly ones of the Jewish nation) against the proud and violent men. If God were not to execute judgment, the evil would only grow worse and worse without any consolation for the faithful. God does not execute it until the evil has arrived at its height. Antichrist and the nations rise up against God and His Christ, and the earth must be cleared of His enemies to give place to the reign of God Himself.

Two Powers of Japheth

At the time of the end, the nations, the descendants of Noah, will be ranged either under the beast or under Gog—the two principal powers. In Genesis 10:5 we read, “By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands.” In the generations of the sons of Japheth are named Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Mesec, and Tiras. Of these we get Gomer, Magog, Tubal, Mesec, under the same names in Ezekiel 38, as followers of Gog. We also find there Persia which was united to Media (Madai), and from whose hands it received the crown (as we are told in Daniel 8 and other places), so that there remain only Javan and Tiras to be accounted for. Those mentioned above are the nations which comprise Russia, Asia Minor, Tartary, and Persia (all the people, in short, of which the empire of Russia is composed, or which are under its influence). They are described as under the dominion of Gog, prince of Rosh (the Russians), Mesec (Moscow), and Tubal (Tobolsk).

The Children of Ham

The children of Ham are pointed out in Genesis 10:6. Of these, Canaan has been destroyed, and his country turned over to Israel; Cush (Ethiopia) and Phut (Libya) are also found (Ezek. 38:5) under Gog; those of Cush only in part, and for the reason that one part of the family of Cush established itself on the Euphrates, the other on the Nile, that is, north and south of Israel. Those of the north are then, by their position, in direct relation with the partisans of Gog. Mizraim (Egypt) and the remainder of Cush and the Libyans, we find in the scenes of the last day—Daniel 11:43.

The Children of Shem

As to the children of Shem (Gen. 10:22), Elam is the same as Persia, of which we have already spoken. Asshur is named in the judgment, which will take place in the last times (Mic. 5:6; Isa. 14:25); also in the conspiracy of Psalm 83, and in other places. Arphaxad is one of the ancestors of the Israelites. We know nothing of the family of Joktan. It is supposed to be a people of the East. Aram, or Syria, was displaced by Asshur, and is found under the title of the king of the North. The same remarks, it appears, may be made of Lud. Javan (Greece) is to be in the last combat (Zech. 9:13). Of all the nations, Tiras is the only one besides Joktan which is not named as to be in this great judgment. We speak only of the Word of God, for profane authors unite Tiras and Javan in Greece; but with this we have not to do. In the present day, we may observe Russia extending her power exactly over the nations who will be found under Gog.

We do not mean that all this yet comes out plain; for example, the ten kings cannot be enumerated and Antichrist has not yet appeared. But the principles which are found in the Word of God are acting in the midst of the kingdoms where the ten horns are to appear: that is, we find all western Europe occupied about Jerusalem. Russia, on her side, is preparing herself, and exercising influence over the countries given to her in the word; and all the thoughts of the politicians of this world are concentrating themselves on the scene where their final gathering in the presence of the judgment of God will take place—where “the Lord shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor” (Mic. 4:12). It is a remarkable coincidence. In observing what is passing around us, we recognize certain prophetical descriptions; at least we see those who are to act, or upon whom God will act, developing the characters which prophecy signalizes.

The Christian’s Place

Let us remember one thing, namely, that we Christians are sheltered from the approaching storm. During these events, the church’s place is to be with Christ, to accompany Him. The church has this special character, that of union with the Lord Jesus Christ, and if we search for the church in the Old Testament, it is Jesus Christ we find. A striking example of this truth is found in Paul’s quotation (Rom. 8:34), taken from Isaiah 50, where Christ says, “Who is he that shall condemn me?” Paul applies this to the church, the church being united to Christ. Its place is not to be in the midst of the nations that are to be broken in pieces, but to be united to Christ, enjoying the same privileges as Christ, and breaking to pieces the nations with Christ. There is nothing true, as regards Christ, in the glory which He has taken, which is not also true of the church.

It is always precious for us thus to understand our place, that of joint-heirs with Christ. And the more we think of this, the more our strength will be increased, and the more we shall become in our minds, as heirs of God, detached from this world, which is judged, as indeed the church is justified. The church is justified; we see not yet the effects of it, because the glory is not come. The church has the fruits of justification only in glory; the world has the fruits of wickedness only in the judgment. Nevertheless, it is true that the church is united to Christ. The world is judged because it has rejected Christ. “Righteous Father,” said the Saviour, “the world hath not known Thee.” But this is what grace has done for us. Just as unbelief separates men entirely and for all eternity from Christ, grace by faith has united us entirely and forever to Him; and we ought to bless God for it.

Adapted from J. N. Darby

Without “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” pious prayers for peace among the nations are unavailing. God’s Christ, “the Prince of Peace,” is still unwanted in this world, and, by and large, men would rather have strife and conflict than have God and His Christ in their lives so as to interfere with their pleasures and mundane affairs.

Paul Wilson

How blest a home, the Father’s house!
There love divine doth rest;
What else could satisfy the hearts
Of those in Jesus blest?
His home made ours: His Father’s love
Our hearts full portion given,
The portion of the First-born Son,
The full delight of heaven.

O what a home! The Son who knows— 
He only—all His love;
And brings us as His well-beloved
To that bright rest above;
Dwells in His bosom; knoweth all
That in that bosom lies;
And came to earth to make it known,
That we might share His joys.

O what a home! there fullest love
Flows through its courts of light;
The Son’s divine affections flow
Throughout its depth and height;
And full response the Father gives
To fill with joy the heart;
No cloud is there to dim the scene,
Or shadow to impart.

O what a home! But such His love
That He must bring us there,
To fill that home, to be with Him,
And in His glory share.
The Father’s house, the Father’s heart,
All that the Son is given,
Made ours, the objects of His love,
And He, our joy in heaven.

Mrs. J. A. Trench