Signs Of The Times (Part 207 of 0)

The Signs of the Times – Part unknown

An era has come to an end and those that watch and wait for their Lord will do well to give heed to the sign. The sign is the end of the time of plenty. This has occurred with a rapidity which has cought the average man well off guard. The primary cause is oil, but shortages are accumulating in many other commodities from bread to steel. That an oil shortage could develop rapidly was well know in certain circles, but that it would, was not. Under the stimulus of the October war with Israel, the Arab nations exercised their latent and largely unsuspected power to shut off much of the free world’s oil supply. This has forced major changes in the life styles of many peoples

But that was only the beginning, because the embargo and production curtailment led to reevaluations by these nations of the worth of their oil, which subsequently has doubled, tripled or quadrupled in price to the consumer nations They then added further insult to injury by warning against retaliatory economic sanctions which might induce them to reinstate further embargoes. The weak said, “I am strong.” The mighty nations of the world remained silent.

This country proceeds in a spirit of optimism, although experts have warned that replacement fuels from shale oil, coal, or new drilling offshore will take at least the better part of a decade to become a significant factor in making the U.S. independent of foreign fuels. In the meanwhile ever growing sums of money will go overseas to fill the coffers of the sheiks.

It was obsessed not long ago that the oil producing nations now are in the unusual position of being able to obtain two “corners” on the world market. The first of course is the oil itself. The second is the money which they receive in payment. Within a few years, at the present price levels, the oil producers will have much of the world’s financial holdings in their control. Demanding payment for their oil in gold, rather than the currency of the purchasing nation would quickly give them nearly all the free world’s gold. If this last step were carried out, it might well bring with it great peril for all, since the nations who pay would face certain collapse, and put the receiving nations in the position of the common enemies of all, without defense and possessing great wealth. Those with little to lose might then be tempted to try to take over. Perhaps this last step would not be taken, but that it could is surely “well known in certain circles” . .

The extent and severity of the time of shortages will have much to do with the response of the people. Waste has been a way of life in the U.S. for years. This has been a “Throw-Away” society. Cooperation and willingness to conserve will help to keep shortages minimized. But there are other factors to consider as well.

One important factor is the declining respect for government. The student “radicals” who spoke against “establishment” practices in the middle 60’s are quieter now but their ranks have been joined by growing numbers of the ordinary folks who have become skeptical or cynical toward the governing bodies and the laws they make. As long as things go well economically speaking, the cynicism has little serious effect. But in times of crisis, the governing bodies will find their influence weaker — the powers of the heavens shaken. An aspect of this can be seen in Great Britain, now. The coal miners established strikes which if unabated would have brought the nation to a complete halt before many more weeks passed. The government had to dissolve to bring a settlement.

In this country, a great deal of government moral influence has already been lost through the present scandals and collusion with large business interests. Without trust and goodwill among the citizen ry, nations enjoying democratic forms of rule have their days numbered.

So we can see the weaknesses of the governments of man on every side. The wise and those that understand will take heed and prepare themselves for the days to come. The “simple will pass on and be punished.” (Prov. 22:3)

It may be felt that there is little to be gained by reviewing the troubles of man’s rule. In fact, there is much to be gained and by so doing we are proceeding in the footsteps of the prophets of Israel. Isaiah calls attention to the complacent wickedness of Judah and Jerusalem. Daily there was oppression, bloodshed, idolatry and murder in the streets of her cities. He indicts the leaders as the cause of the people’s errors, Isa. 9;16f) and warns those that would follow. Famine and distress are promised over and over, and even the message of restoration and peace is set against the backdrop of the awesome, impending judgments of God. (Isa. 2) The same may be seen in Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the minor prophets. The Old testament closes in Malachi with further warnings and indictments against Israel’s levites and priests, those whose lips should keep knowledge. The promise of Elijah to come speaks of the “great and dreadful day of the LORD.” The New Testament ends in a similar way as we see in the last chapter of the Apocalypse. After the vision of the Holy City, we are both warned and comforted by the words,

“Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev. 22:12)

Outside the city are the dogs, sorcerers, whore mongers, murderers, idolaters and liars, and we have earlier in the prophecy been shown what the end of this class is to be. In contrast, God’s saints are to reign with His Son in His throne as Kings and Priests over the whole earth. (Rev. 5:9. 10) Under their rule will the appeal in the Lord’s prayer be brought to realization——“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Then, as the prophets have spoken, there will be justice for all people, whether poor or rich, great or small. The wolf and the Lamb will dwell together, (Isa. 11:6) and “they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid . . .” (Mic. 4:4)—for the scepter of the LORD our righteousness a scepter of righteousness.

The days that lie before us may well hold trials such as experienced by the faithful in Israel and Judah. In the days of Ahab, for instance, there was a famine for three and a half years, in which there was neither dew nor rain. Jesus calls our attention to the fact that in those days there were many widows in the land, but to one only. (and she was a gentile woman of Serepta or Zaraphath in Zidon!), was Elijah sent to provide her sustenance. (Luke 4:25, 26 & 1 Kgs. 17:9-16) As it was, even this widow was preparing her last meal for her family when Elijah arrived. The effect of that time of trial was to refine out of all Israel’s thousands, just 7,000, “all the knees of which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him ” These shared the distress of their idolatrous neighbors, yet God strengthened their faith that they could endure to the end, and we have the testimony that they were faithful. It has always been the same as it is written by James,

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (Jas. 1:12)

Today we do not usually wrestle with literal false gods and our persecutions and trials are often more subtle than in earlier years when one’s life was at stake. We have had to war against an infiltration enemy such as affluence and opportunity to partake of this world’s goods. Should we now be required to tighten our belts the flesh will be there to encourage us on to work more for mammon at the ecclesia’s expense. The flesh will be quick to claim that Bible classes and lectures are optional and since gas is in short supply, we could as well stay home. It is certain that there will be great economic disruptions prior to Jesus’ return, which means lost jobs, homes and other forms of hardship. It is quite possible the believers will have to endure these as well as the unbelievers. To do so we must be prepared.

As true servants of God, heirs of the coming Kingdom, let us now seek peace for all the brotherhood, pray for the blind and ignorant without, that they may learn and be turned from their error, and let us appeal to God for His mercy upon all men in the days to come. Let us take heed to ourselves and, considering the lateness of the hour, speak urgently to all that will listen that they may turn from their evil ways and repent and be converted before the “great and dreadful day of the LORD” comes upon them. In so doing we shall cause joy in heaven and show ourselves as workmen that need not be ashamed.

The Yom Kippur War

The war in the Middle East which started on October 6th, has been named the Yom Kippur War The Arabs began a surprise attack, on the Jewish high holiday, the day of atonement Their objective was to catch the Israelis off guard and to deal a crippling blow It did prove to be a temporary set back for Israel, but they recovered quickly However, the conflict was longer in duration (17 days) than the Six Day War of 1967 It also was more costly for both sides, in the number of men that were killed and injured The conflict was prolonged because guns, tanks, planes, rockets and sophisticated weaponry were supplied to the Arabs by the Soviet Union and to Israel by the United States

Egypt and Syria, being very poor countries, can ill afford to finance recurring warfare, apart from the assistance given by oil rich Arab nations Israel is a very small country of about three million people and so the loss of men is critical What will be the outcome? God made known by the Prophets centuries ago, concerning His great purpose The land that Israel and the Arabs are striving for, has been promised to the seed of Abraham for an everlasting possession This mean, that the Arabs must be driven out, so that the rightful heirs can inhabit the land How will this be accomplished?

The prophet Obadiah tells us in the 17th verse of his prophecy, The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord bath spoken It ‘ There could be no greater authority than this, “the Lord hath spoken it ” Thus will come to an end the contention for the land between the Arabs (Esau), and Israel (Jacob) At last, those of Israel having the faith of their father Abraham, will find in everlasting possession in the land of promise

Israel’s Creeping Annexation

Meanwhile, a problem has arisen concerning the occupied territories that Israel has gained as the result of wars with the Arab countries. A policy calls for a four year program of Israel; settlement in the occupied territories, on a scale well beyond what has already taken place. Currently, Israel has 44 relatively small outposts scattered over the Golan Heights of Syria, the West Bank of Jordan, the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula. Under the new proposal, there will be 35 more, including an industrial center with housing for 800 families at Rafah, in the Sinai Peninsula. There are to be other industrial developments as well, in the Golan Heights and on the West Bank. Israel’s Land Authority as well as private companies would be allowed to purchase land in the occupied areas. Defense Minister Moshe Dayan is the foremost exponent of expansion. He has stated publicly, that he does not believe in temporary settlement.

If this policy is followed, the colonization program will lead to incorporation of the settled territory into Israel.

Arab propaganda has always maintained that Israel is an expansionist state, ambitious to possess neighboring Arab lands. Israel’s answer has been that the changes in its boundaries that have taken place, have been the unplanned results of wars for which it was not responsible. In her recent visit to Washington, Mrs. Golda Meir made it clear, that boundaries were negotiable, in a move for permanent peace, with the exception of the entire city of Jerusalem.

Recently, a prominent Syrian made the statement that Israel would not be satisfied until all of the land from Cairo north to the river Euphrates, had been taken. How remarkable this is. Although this may not be the declared present purpose of the Israeli leaders, what saith the Scriptures ? In Genesis 15 :18 we read that God confirmed the promise that He made to Abraham. “In the same day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram saying,—Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”

It has been nearly four thousand years since God made His promise to Abraham but fulfillment has not yet come. Speaking of the faithful men and women of all ages, the writer to the Hebrews said: (Heb. 11:13) “these all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” At verse 40 of this same chapter, we are told the reason for the delay in the fulfillment of the promises. “God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”

So God in His infinite wisdom, has allowed time and scope, so that not only the faithful among the Jews, but also that faithful Gentiles may also gain eternal inheritance in His glorious Kingdom on this earth. How favored we are to be living at the very end of Gentiles times, when the Lord shall reveal himself from heaven in power and great glory.

Lasting Peace — Is It Possible?

How remarkable it is that a Jew has been elevated to the position of Secretary of State of the United States, during the current, explosive international crisis. Dr. Henry Kissinger, who now occupies this important post, was a refugee during World War 2. With his family, he escaped from Nazi Germany. Once again, we have illustrated the words of Daniel 4:17, “The Most High ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” The prophet Daniel was of the captives from Judah and was exalted to a position of authority in Babylon. This was done so that he might further the Divine purpose.

It is possible that Dr. Kissinger will fill the need in this time of the end of human power in the world, in accord with the will of God. Dr. Kissinger has represented the United States in conferences in many countries. His latest assignment is a trip around the world, visiting not only Mid-East countries but all others involved in the oil blockade, included are China and Japan. He views his role as that of a catalyst in the Mid-East problem, and places priority on the defining of truce lines, the exchanges of prisoners of war, and the ending of the oil blockade of the Arabs. Already, reports are coming in of the success of the talks with the north African countries and of the nearness of peace settlements in the Mid-East.

However, will the present efforts to bring peace in the world succeed where the League of Nations and the United Nations have failed miserably? At the very best, it could only be a temporary peace. The Bible student knows that permanent peace can only come through Divine intervention in the affairs of the world. Man alone cannot bring a lasting peace. The great Creator of heaven and earth, in whom we live and move and have our being, has not left man to permanently experience the ravages of war. He has promised, “As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” (Num. 14:21)

Again, in Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” The theme finds expression later, in our Lord’s prayer, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” So we find a continuing appeal to God, to change the present earthy systems of government to that of Divine rulers. Lasting peace will not come until this is accomplished.

Coming World Changes

The evil conditions that prevail on the earth today, are indeed signs of the times in which we live. They portend the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to correct the ills of mankind. Never in the history of man, has so much been spent on armaments. Billions of dollars are being allocated to the machines of war, and destruction.

The nations all talk peace, but meanwhile they prepare for war. The coming universal kingdom under Christ, will reverse all of this. The Prophet Isaiah (2:4) foretells the future, “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” What a relief for the people of the world. One of the great problems of man today is the great misunderstanding caused by hundreds of different languages and dialects in the world. We find in Zephaniah 3:9 “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent.” With this will come one religion for all nations, for in Zechariah 14:9, we read, “The Lord shall be king over all the earth, in that day shall there be one Lord, and His Name one.”

How wonderful this will be. No longer hundreds of sects and religions to deceive the people. Only the truth will be proclaimed concerning the One God of Israel. Today, laws go forth from hundreds of capitols of the world. Many of these laws are bad and are not for the well being of the people. In the Kingdom of God, there will be one capitol only, in Jerusalem. “The law shall go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:2.

This will result in the will of God being done in the earth as it is now done in heaven. Under the present order, because of widespread famine millions face starvation, continually. These evil conditions will be reversed in the coming age. In Amos 9:13, we find, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed.” The curse on the ground will be removed, so that the earth shall yield her increase. The signs of the times prove that Christ is coming soon to save His people, to raise the dead who have “died in the Lord” and give to those accepted, eternal life and rulership with him in his kingdom. It is worth all our efforts to attain unto the life everlasting that has been promised, to the faithful.

Israel is on a course leading it farther and farther from the consensus of world opinion This trend is not a surprise to students of the Word, since the prophets of the LORD, moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke long ago that Israel would stand alone in the last days Nevertheless It is stimulating to see, in print, the opinion of a news correspondent in Israel, that the country gains strength from its censure by the U N for the recent forced landing of a Libyan airliner Even the United States has gone along with the U N condemnation of Israel’s act It is not for us to pass judgment upon Israel s action, but to observe It as evidence of Israel’s hardening stance against World pressure.

“Fortress Israel”

The corespondent termed the Jewish state “Fortress Israel,” citing quotations from the man in the street on up to high government officials that the country must stand up for what it “knows” is right But not all in Israel see things this way There are those who “detect arrogance in the leaders’ positions,” and openly speculate that some of the recent Israeli defensive operations might have been done solely for the adventure The report ends most interestingly, quoting ‘another Israeli He said, ‘It is leading to a’situation where Israel will be totally isolated in the international political arena, where no nation, including the United States, will be able to support these policies There is a ring of anxiety in these words

Never Again?

We are reminded of the times of distress into which Judea was plunged in the First century The Jews implacable hatred of Rome led them to open rebellion which brought the Roman Legions under the leadership of Titus against Jerusalem and later Masada As Josephus records, the rivalries of the leaders, intensified by the adversities prevented any of the Jews from surrender In the internal fighting, even while under seige, they plundered one another and brought the awful fulfillment of the prophetic curses of the Law upon all within When the resistance was finally broken, more than one million men, women and children had perished. If only Jerusalem’s elders had known the things which belonged to her peace. Such is the mind of the Is­raeli. He is only slightly awed by the prospect of challenging the entire world. He has not long to wait.

In the Last Days

For the prophet Joel, in the opening words of chapter 3 states:

“For behold, in those days (compare Joel 2:28f to Acts 2:17f) and in that time when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations and will bring

them down into the valley of Jehosha­phat and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Is­rael whom they have scattered among the nations and parted my land.” Joel 3:12

Also the prophet Zechariah says,

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling (poison) unto all people round about, when they shall be in siege both against Judah and Jerusalem.” “And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the earth be gathered together against it” … “And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem.” Zech. 12:2,3,9

And in chapter 14, verse 2, it is stated that ” . . . half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and (but—RSV) the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” That is to say, they are shut in the remains of the city, besieged, until their rescue at the hand of the LORD, who fights against those assembled “as when He fought in the day of battle.”

The end of their latter day siege is vastly different from that in the time of Titus, for it ends in triumph and heralds the dawning of the LORD’s glory which is to fill this earth.

Purged and Purified

But there will be a price to pay in Israel, for their hardness of heart. Two thirds in the land are cut off and die (Zech 13:8), but those remaining are refined through the fire of affliction and are most certainly those who look upon Him whom their fathers had decreed to pierce long ago, and mourn for Him as for an only son. These learn, as did Israel of old, to call upon the Name of the LORD. And He, in His abundance of grace and mercy, again returns to them and hears their call. “The LORD is my God”, they say, “It is my people,” says their God. And so, despite his present hardness of heart, his careless, God-less approach to his future, the success of Israel is assured, because it is the LORD who has spoken, not man. It is ironic that the very identity felt so strongly amongst the Jews in Israel today derives from their past association with the very God they are so loathe to now acknowledge.

Taking it to Heart

Let us, as well, remember that the days are fast approaching when the secrets of men will be judged by Him who has seen all we have ever done, and knows our innermost thoughts and intentions. In a sense we can take a lesson from natural Israel’s willingness to stand for what it felt was right. They felt no price was too high to pay for their independence, even to the loss of everything, including their lives.

So it was too, with the early believers, who could not be persuaded, though they would lose all in this life, to renounce their Lord. Families were often knit together by the stress of defense. These were not different than we, for flesh has not changed. Their strength was not in the might of their own arm, but in the arm of the Lord. In these last days, when daily life around us resembles more and more the evil, violent and amoral society of Noah’s day, the principles and values of Godly living will stand increasingly alone, without support of society. We, as a household, need to be watchful, not only of the signs around us, but of our walk. There is always the temptation to be just a little better than, or different from those around us. This is natural, but being natural is what is wrong with it. The standards of man are sinking and sinking fast. We must compare ourselves, not with men, but with Christ.

“Fortress Israel” moves on towards the greatest moment of its history, prepared to stand entirely alone, if need be. Let those who call now upon the Name of the LORD prepare likewise remembering that both physically and spiritually, in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance.”