Signs of the Times – Part unknown

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, 0 Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night, ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. ‘ — Isaiah 62: 6, 7.

We belong to a unique community as students of God’s word, for all our people are watchmen looking for the same fulfillment of our great hope—the coming of Christ. As could be expected God’s people have always anticipated this great event with the question–“How long. . . and what will be the manner of thy coming?”

Many areas of scripture give us an insight into the broad aspects concerning the question and there is no doubt in our mind that Christ will come—and soon. But human nature seems to require more than the basic framework of prophetic revelation. In viewing the swiftly moving international scene we sometimes endeavor to find a day to day progression that may be interpreted as events of tremendous significance. It is of course true that all the current news is important and indicates progress in God’s plan, but it is also true that it is extremely difficult for the watchman to define and categorize every movement in the complex maneuvering of the diplomacy of today’s world.

For example, it would be very hard to predict what the losses suffered by Golda Meir in the December 31 election will mean to the course Israel will take in the coming conferences with Egypt. Though she still is in command, her problem will be insuring her nation from further Arab attacks without yielding so much territory that Israeli rightists topple her regime. Mr. Henry Kissinger is, at the time of this writing, shuttling on an almost daily basis, between Cairo and Tel Aviv using his extraordinary ability as a mediator to arrange conferences between the two opposing factions. It is most interesting that a Jew should be such an important factor in arrangements of this kind. Mr. Kissinger seems to be the one man in world affairs that has the ability to go anywhere and negotiate with representatives of many nations and obtain a favorable result. This should not surprise us. God has always had the right man in the right place at the right time. That the present Secretary of State, a Jew, has such an influential position has an interesting precedence in Bible history Mordecai, who, in the service of Ahasue­rus, King of Persia, delivered his people from the hand of their enemies. Isn’t it remarkable that Mr. Kissinger, with his particular diplomatic talent and qualifications, should become Secretary of State just at the time of this international crisis.

The U. S. News and World Report issue of January 14th states—”Arabs and Israelis talking peace at Genera are a long way from a final settlement. But they have this in common: Each side is putting on a public show of negotiating free of control by the superpowers.

For the combatants, the appearance of independence apparently is essential. As for the reality of Middle East politics—

It’s true that neither superpowers calls all the shots. But note that Israeli Defense Minister Dayan visited Washington in early January. Egyptian Foreign Minister Fahmy is scheduled to go to Moscow a bit later. Why? Because Governments in Tel Aviv and Cairo make no major moves without first checking strategy with their “sponsor.” That’s Mideast reality. For Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, checking with Washington is doubly important. In the December 31 elections, her ruling Labor Party lost seats to the opposition Likud, a party standing tough against returning occupied lands to the Arabs. Mrs. Meir, softer on that issue still is strong enough at home to form another coalition Government. But to deal with Israeli hawks, she needs firm U.S. support. That’s why Dyan went to Washington.

Israel and Egypt are not the only nations talking — and negotiating — these days. Soviet and U.S. officials also keep diplomatic wires humming. The superpowers are cautiously seeking new relationships after their near – confrontation during and just after the October Mideast war. There is a growing number of contacts from the Ambassador level upward.”

Repercussions from the Yom Kippur war have been felt throughout the entire world. The Arabs have been aware for some time of the tremendous bargaining power they have in their oil supply to bring political and economic pressure to bear on the industrial nations of Europe, Japan and the United States. Oil is the life blood of industry. Lack of it brings not only a disastrous and ruinous slowdown to business enterprises, but imposes discomfort and hardship upon the individual citizen as well. This powerful weapon is being used to great advantage as an anti-Semitic weapon to influence public opinion in its attitude toward the Jewish State. The Arab is saying in effect “if it wasn’t for your support of Jewish territorial expansion your homes would be warm, your automobiles would have fuel at reasonable prices and you would not have wide spread unemployment because of the energy crisis. The tide of discomfort and the displacement of our economy when it actually hits us where it hurts, can swing a lot of weight in changing former commitments. People begin to talk in terms of being practical and realistic in a changing world. Anti-Antisemitism grows in a climate like this, and we are sure that many Jewish people feel apprehensive as they see the possibility of the old familiar figure of the “scape goat” take shape once again.

We are sure it is a new experience for many of us to suffer shortages of any kind. Some of us have never known hunger or felt the real discomfort of being cold. In New England and many other parts of the country we have severe winters and energy shortages keep our thermostats set at 68 degrees. Under these conditions there is real suffering especially among the underprivileged and epidemics of colds, influenza and pneumonia are much more prevalent, particularly in children and the elderly.

It seems incredible that in what we have always thought of “as the land of plenty” that these conditions should exist, yet there may be a real lesson that we can learn from what we are going through. It is said “No one can have compassion for the hungry unless he has hungered, nor can he ever feel sympathy for those who suffer unless he has known pain.” I suppose that applies to all the afflictions of mankind. This explains why our Master “was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” that by actual experience he might know every state of body and mind with which the poor and deprived are oppressed. Perhaps we shall gain a deeper sense of humility, and a greater appreciation of our brethren and sisters in past history who “wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted, tormented, (of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts and in the mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” Hebrews 11:37, 38. When we consider their faithfulness and their fortitude . . . we really don’t suffer much, do we?

A little deprivation may create in us a more: grateful attitude for the spiritual things which really count — for “man shall not live by bread alone, but every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Mat. 4:4. As for Israel — Fear not, “it is a land thy God careth for; the eyes of the Lord are always upon it even from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.” Deut. 11:12 . . . “he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber or sleep.” Psalm 121:14.

Our closing exhortation is—Be patient as the details of the present negotiations are worked out. Be of good courage, God is in control, the kingdom is near. .. “and all things work together for good for them that love God.” Romans 8:28

The last week in June 1973 may well he one of the most significant milestones in the history of the prophetic signs of the last days It was during this week that Mr. Leonid Brezhnev and President Richard Nixon met to work on problems that could be potentially disastrous for the United States, the Soviet Union and the whole world.

We are sure that the Associated Press headline “U. S., Soviets agree to head off wars” brought a sigh of relief and new hope to millions of the earth’s inhabitants. Let us look at some of the details that came out of the Brezhnev-Nixon summit meeting and then see how they relate to the signs of the times. On June 22nd President Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed a declaration pledging joint efforts to avert war and nuclear disaster The Associated Press quotes Henry A Kissinger, the President’s national security adviser as saying “the practical effect of this new two-nation pact would be to prevent the outbreak of hostilities against any other country” He further stated “Clearly under this agreement the use of force against another country which would have wide repercussions would be precluded”.

The key articles of the agreement include:

1. A mutual promise by the two countries “to act in such a manner as to prevent the development of situations capable of causing dangerous exacerbation of their relations as to avoid military confrontations, and as to exclude the outbreak of nuclear war between them and between either of the parties and other countries”.
2. A mutual promise “to refrain from the threat of the use of force” against each other, the other’s allies and other countries in circumstances which may endanger international peace and security”.
3. If the risk of nuclear war arises they “shall immediately enter into urgent consultations with each other and make every effort to avert this risk”.
4. Nothing in the agreement affects “the inherent right of self-defense by the United States or the Soviet Union, alone or with their allies”.

Mr. Kissinger said the purpose of the pact was “to legalize and simplify restraint on the part of the two super-powers in their international law”. He also stated “As a general proposition it is not possible under this agreement for either side to use force in circumstances that can threaten international peace and stability without breaking the spirit of the accord.”

It is particularly interesting, to Bible students, to note that Mr. Kissinger in his news conference would not say specifically to which of the trouble spots, such as the Middle East, the pact would apply. But looking back, he said the agreement might have avoided the 1962 Cuban missile crisis and several crises over Berlin.

The July 9th issue of U. S. News and World Report indicates the bitter disappointment of the Arabs over the outcome of the Nixon-Brezhnev summit in the following analysis by their Beirut correspondent.

“Arabs have had three stiff punches in June. West Germany’s Willy Brandt visited Israel, giving at least moral support to that side. Then Red China’s Foreign Minister turned up in Iran with support for that country’s aim to become militarily predominant in the Persian Gulf over the Arab states. Finally the Nixon-Brezhnev communique gave only 89 of 3,700 words to the Mideast crisis. Arabs see that as a low priority, dashing their hopes for big power mediation”.

A summary of the results of the United States-Soviet pact indicates:

1. A mutual respect for each others nuclear capabilities and an agreement on a balance of power that will bring about a semblance of peaceful co-existence between the two superpowers.
2. NATO nations will go along with the U.S.-Soviet agreement but hold grave reservations about the wisdom of the U.S. troop reductions in Europe. France as a nuclear power maintains the time has come for Europeans to consider how they, themselves can defend Europe—without the United States if necessary. It is apparent however, that the two big powers’ decisions will be difficult to over-ride.
3. Israel will feel more secure from Russian intervention on behalf of the Arab States and her bargaining power will be greatly enhanced at the negotiating table. Inferred assurances under the pact may enable her to divert some of her monetary reserves from an austere military budget to the much needed development of her economy.
4. The Arab States embittered by what they consider political abandonment by their Soviet mortgage holders still fail to achieve solidarity within their own ranks. Obviously impotent in their disorganized condition to challenge the most efficient military machine in the world, they now vacillate between threats and negotiation.
5. In the event of a threat of a renewal of hostilities in the Mideast we can expect the principals in the summit agreement to apply pressure, Russia on the Arabs and the United States on Israel to “cool” hostilities by the quick use of the “hot line”.

Yes, we can see how the world can breathe a hopeful, cautiously optimistic sigh of relief over the headline “U. S., Soviets agree to head off wars”. But how do Bible students regard this significant turn of events?

Well, first of all, any turn of events is viewed by the student of God’s Word in the light of how it relates to the greatest event of all time—the coming of Christ. Every believer in prophetic truth since Jesus’ disciples came to him with the question “What shall be the sign of thy coming and the end of the age?” has had the same yearning desire for the signs of his coming. Christadelphian writers have recorded their observations of these signs for over a hundred years and we have witnessed how accurate their analysis of prophecy has been. The broad viewpoint regarding the return of the Jew to the Holy Land and the dominant part Russia and the Anglo-American confederacy would play in the history of the last days has been emphatically confirmed.

The question before us now is does the present U.S., Soviet pact have prophetic significance? We believe the answer is “Yes”—it would seem to be a sign of tremendous importance and possibly the last great sign we shall see before we are called to the judgment seat of Christ.

The question may be asked how can there be peace when the Bible says “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked”. Isaiah 57:21 Of course there can be no real peace in the true sense of the word, but there can be the illusion of peace and the scriptures certainly seem to indicate this condition will exist at the end of Gentile times.

We do not suggest that every part of the globe will be free from the inevitable process of deterioration from pollution, overpopulation and diminishing resources of food, energy and basic materials. Local trouble spots will continue to fester but with the two major powers seeming to guarantee the safety of mankind there will be a relaxation of fear and tension. Under these conditions the more affluent nations of the earth will flourish and prosper and prosperity will bring the final descent into that spiritual decadency from which there is no return.

Have you ever noticed the surprise factor in connection with the prophecies of the last days? The unexpected always occurs in an atmosphere of apparent security and a complete lack of concern for possible danger.

A few scripture references may demonstrate this element of surprise which is such an important consideration in our subject.

1. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” 1 Thess. 5:2,3.
   The “they” in the above quotation is undoubtedly referring to the people of the world.
2. —Jesus speaking of the day of the Lord predicts — “as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the earth” — Luke 21:35
   The following references illustrate the pattern of the serene life style of the people in the days of Noah and Lot.
3. —”As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank they bought, they sold, they planted, they budded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.” Luke 17: 26-29

We are sure that the Nixon-Brezhnev summit pact will be viewed by the world with mixed emotions. Some will feel in view of past relations between the United States and Russia that Mr. Nixon and Mr. Brezhnev are strange bed-fellows indeed. Then there are those who will feel that the world has finally come to its senses and the two major powers can really make the principle of co-existence work. It is remarkable that the outcome of this relationship is clearly and graphically portrayed in a prophetic book of the old Testament.

The 38th chapter of Ezekiel has always held a particular fascination for the Bible student — for it dramatically depicts the first phase of God’s judgment on the nations. Space does not allow us to deal with it in detail, however as you read it again notice the setting. Here we see Israel re-established in its own land, prosperous and “dwelling safely” (or as the margin states “confidently”). The verse continues “all of them dwelling without walls, having neither bars nor gates.” Does Israel’s vulnerability in this verse suggest her confidence in political assurances and international guarantees? It would be hard to believe otherwise of this tough and realistic little nation.

Note also that though we read in the 10th verse that Russia conceives “an evil thought,” it is forcibly brought to our attention in verses 16 and 17 that it is the God of Israel who is the prime mover. “I will bring thee against my land.” Once again the surprise factor is demonstrated. We can well imagine the consternation of the Western nations as they stand aghast at Russia’s complete disregard for their mutual peace and security pact. In shocked helplessness they plaintively protest “Art thou come to take a spoil, hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey?” At this point God intervenes and settles forever the relationship between the heads of state and the nations they represent. No pact or agreement will ever again be formulated to regulate the affairs of men for God has placed the destiny of mankind in the hands of His Son.

Time will tell whether or not the Nixon Brezhnev summit meeting has prophetic significance in connection with “peace and safety” and “the sudden destruction” that surely follows. It raises a very sobering question in any case. What would a period of false peace and imagined security do to the Household of Christ? We believe it will provide the final test of the spiritual stamina of the last generation of God’s people. It will probably be the most dangerous period in history and the casualty rate at the judgment seat of Christ could be tragically high.

Jesus showed great concern for the members of his Household that would face the perils of the last days. It is quite plain he did not consider them in physical danger, but in an extremely hazardous spiritual environment. The condition that exists at his coming is that of ease and tranquility and that day takes many unawares.

The measure of Jesus’ anxiety regarding laxity is manifested to a remarkable degree in his Mt. Olivet prophecy as recorded in Matthew 24. Nowhere in the gospels does he repeat himself so many times in examples and warnings regarding the lack of concern for the day of his coming. His parable of the ten virgins will certainly become a tragic reality unless its warning is taken and its lesson learned. We should see in all the Master’s warnings and exhortations the deep love and tender compassion he has for every member of his Household. In his great affection he searches for the lost sheep and reaches out to grasp the hand of the repentant prodigal . . . and even the leper. We will need a firm hold on that hand in the days that lie ahead. If we lose our grip, we may be sure it will be our hand, not his that releases its hold.

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass and stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36