Signs of the Times – Part unknown

We have now entered a new year and as we look to the future, we wonder, as we always do, what direction the events of the days ahead will take. As Bible students this is particularly important to us for we measure all movements in the affairs of men by their prophetic relationship to one supreme event, the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

The years fly by so quickly that we find ourselves exclaiming “can it be possible that 1976 has already passed into history? It seems only yesterday that it was ushered in, and now it is gone.” For mans of us, it rushed by so fast that it is only a blur in our memories. But 1976 was not devoid of significance to the student of prophecy, for God’s plan for
mankind is never static but continually moves toward its predestined fulfillment. We think a brief review of some of the things that took place in the last year will confirm this movement from the testimony of the scriptures.

A quotation from Jesus’ Mount Olive prophecy is of particular interest, -and great earthquakes shall be in diverse places” Luke 21:1 I. We see this forecast by Christ graphically carried out in both the literal and figurative sense. Speaking in terms of literal earthquakes, we knows from numerous reports that the earth heaved and groaned with unusual frequency and severity in 1976,

Two major earthquakes in particular, marked this as the year of the great quakes. In February, a pair of quakes
ripped through Quatemala, leaving 23,­000 dead and tens of thousands more injured. It is estimated that a million were left homeless in a country of five million people. Another pair of quakes rumbled through northeast China. It has just been revealed through a United International report that at least 655,237 persons died and another 779,000 were injured by the earthquake that hill north China last July 28, according to a statement attributed to officials in the province where the quake was centered.

The quake which registered 8.3 on the Richter scale was the most severe in the world in many years. No figures have ever been made public officially by Chinese authorities. However, in a major policy speech delivered last month, Communist Party Chairman Hua Kuo-feng said the quake “Inflicted a loss of lives and property that is rarely seen in history.”

There were other great quakes in various parts of the world, “in divers places” as Jesus predicted. In May, Moscow reported at least 10,000 persons were made homeless and an unknown number were killed in a quake in southern Russia. In August, approximately 3,100 were killed in the Philippines by a quake and tidal wave. It is estimated that 900 died in an Italian quake in May. As the year drew to a close, 3,790 persons died in a December quake that rocked eastern Turkey.

There were political upheavals also, which in prophetic terminology are styled earthquakes, that took place in countries widely separated throughout the earth. In China, three men with great influence, who shaped an era of Chinese history, passed from the scene. These powerful men, Mao Tse-Tung, Chou En-Lai and Chu Teh had awakened the slumbering giant that was China and developed it into a major force in international relations. The internal affairs of this great nation have been shaken by intrigue and political maneuvering ever since their death.

The reverberation of changing stratas in the political and social structure of the dark continent Africa are felt at this particular time in Angola, South Africa and Rhodesia by the white minorities. They are in deep trouble as they try to shore up their tottering governments against the political trembles of a restless and militant native population.

Tiny Lebanon split by a big war is endeavoring to put the pieces back together again under a Syrian dominated truce. As the year ended the peace keeping force was attempting to disarm Christian and Moslem factions and lay the basis for a stable government. But the hostility still exists and Israel’s little neighbor is a powder keg with a short fuse.

If we begin with the deaths of Mao Tse-Tung, Chou En-Lai and Chu Teh, add to that the specter of Lebanon in ruins, then mix in the inexorable tide of black nationalism in southern Africa, we find we have some of those ingredients of the further changes and chaos in the kingdoms of men that Jesus said would prevail just prior to his coming.

There are so many other areas of world unrest that still remain we find it is impossible to cover them in this article. It is sufficient to say that world governments are on such a shaky foundation that we may look forward, in the near future, to the greatest political earthquake of all time. “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land: And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come” Haggai 6, 7.

It seems unnecessary for us to go into great detail regarding the economic picture. We are all very much aware, by experience, of the facts of life in this area of our daily lives. The recovery from the business recession has been painfully slow and we have all felt the effects in some form or another. Yet despite the slowdown in this country’s economic recovery, the United States fared better than most of the industrialized nations in 1976.

Inflation continued at the ten per cent level in Britain, inflaming economic problems that caused the British pound to tumble below $1.70. The old lion was not alone in feeling the monetary pinch, for the young lions, also, reflected the financial dilemma of their mother country. The Canadian dollar’s value fell below the U.S. dollar and Australia and New Zealand were forced to devalue their currency. As the year ended the woes of the industrialized nations were compounded by the decision by the oil producing nations to increase all oil prices five to fifteen per cent. This was bad news indeed for the nations dependent on imported oil!

We suppose it might be pointed out that there were some plus achievements in the over all picture for 1976. From a scientific standpoint this is true, nor can it be denied that man has a tremendous technological potential. His space probing robots have certainly extended the frontier of mans knowledge far beyond the confines of his native planet.

On July 20, and again on September 4, Viking spacecrafts made the first successful landings on the red planet Mars. They sent back marvelous and startling pictures which amazed and delighted the scientists of the world. Their highly sophisticated instruments began to collect and analyze soil samples and more complicated atmospheric tests. Although the scientists found the atmosphere conducive to supporting life forms, the Viking instruments failed to detect signs of life. When the test was completed, the spacecrafts had sent back to earth considerable information about the geology and atmosphere of a burned out planet, but failed to find the most important objective of their Martian quest -life. Once more a basic, fundamental principle in God’s word was demonstrated “The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORDS: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” Psalm 115:16.

As we enter this new year people all over the world search for some handmade solution for their political, social and economic problems! In this country a new president assumes the duties and responsibilities of the chief executive office of the United States of America. Mr. Carter’s campaign for election was pre-dedicated on the quality of leadership he promised to bring to this high office. A familiar phrase that President Carter used in completing many of his speeches was “you can depend on that.” While the President may have been quite sincere in what he promised we know there is only one whose word is completely and infallibly dependable, and that is the great Creator and Sustainer of all things.

The complexity of the problems that face the President, as he begins his administration, are many and varied. He is being pressed for immediate action on many fronts. Labor, business interests, minority groups and representatives from almost every political, social and economic project in the country are clamoring for his attention.

Besides all these difficulties at home, there are grave problems to be dealt with abroad. Russia and the United States are the political and military giants of the present day world. They compete in every part of the globe for prestige and leadership and the price that must be paid for the advantage of leadership is astronomical. President Carter and Communist Party Leader Brezhnev will probably meet within the year to endeavor to work out a more favorable military and economic relationship between their two countries. Here again, as bible students of prophecy we know that the inevitable course Russia will take will be directly opposed to the best interests of the United States.

Of particular interest to us is the President’s attitude toward Israel. He has pledged his administration to the policy of supporting and maintaining the sovereignty of the State of Israel, but he has also been cautious regarding how far he would commit this country in a time of crisis. The Jews are uncertain and apprehensive about the new doctrine concerning foreign wars that President Carter spelled out in the words “I would never again get militarily involved in the internal affairs of another nation, unless our own security was directly threatened.”

It is recognized, however, that the Mideast is the most sensitive and explosive area in the world. U.S! News and World Report makes this statement relative to the Mideast problem “As long as the Arabs see a real prospect for a negotiated settlement of their conflict with Israel, the war danger will remain under control! That is why the Carter administration will give high priority to promoting a peace conferences! If the negotiations break down Carter”s advisers warn of the virtual certainty of another Arab-Israeli war within five years, with all the risks of an oil embargo and a U.S.-Soviet confrontation.”

That an eventual confrontation between these two great powers will take place is not only a possibility, it is a prophetically foretold certainty. Neither the President, Cyrus Vance the new Secretary of State, or any statesman in the world can permanently defer this conflict of interests in the Mideast. And the bone of contention is Israel. Ezek. 38.15.

There is one thing we should always keep in mind as we: look into the future, and that is the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Dan. 1:32. God always raises up the right man, in the right place at the right time.

There are a number of examples of this in the pages of the Bible. Some men were beneficial to the interests of God’s people and some were used to afflict them. But all participated in the movement of the great divine plan of the ages as it went forward to fulfill it’s objective. We will mention just a few. When Israel came out of Egypt God rebuked a hard hearted, stubborn Pharaoh with the words -for this cause have I raised thee up, that I might show in thee my power; and that my name be declared throughout all the earth.” Ex. 9:16. Nebuchadnezzar is called God’s servant by Jeremiah and though he led the Jews into captivity he was an instrument in the hands of the Almighty. There were benefactors also. We read in 2 ( Chron. 36:22. “that God stirred up the spirit of Cyprus, king of Persia- to decree that the captive Jews he free to return from the captivity imposed on them by the king of Babylon.

The evidence of God’s control over the affairs of men and nations is clearly demonstrated throughout history, even in the times in which we live. Perhaps one illustration will suffice. Could it have been coincidence that Harry Truman was President of the United Slates when the Jewish people desperately needed a strong voice in international affairs to insure the creation of the state of Israel by the United Nations? We think not. No other President in the history of this country has been so favorably inclined to the welfare and interests of the Jewish people as Harry Truman. He worked diligently in diplomatic circles, putting all the prestige of his office and country behind the effort, and he was successful. He was the right man, in the right place at the right time. A miracle has taken place in our day, and the most High that ruleth in the kingdoms of men made it possible. As the year 1977 progresses we will be watching President Carter. We may see in the working out of his policies the prophetic hand of the God of Israel more clearly defined.

There is one future prospect that inspires and encourages us as we enter this new year. God’s comforting assurance that he has, in the person of his only begotten Son, the right man, who will be in the right place al the right time. There is no uncertainty regarding his policy in government for be has the wisdom to sob e the problems of mankind and the power to make it effective.

The time is coming, and soon by all indications, when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for es er and ever Rev 11 : We pray that in that great day we may- be among those who are accounted worthy to participate with him in the administration of a world where peace will prevail and the earth will be filled with God’s glory.

It is really remarkable the way some present day events have their parallel in the pages of the Bible. The dramatic rescue of the hostages of Abram’s deliverance of Lot from the hand of his captors.

We read in Genesis that at the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah the invading kings took Lot and his household and journeyed with the spoil of their conquest toward their own land. The scriptures record that “when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. He divided himself against them, he and his servants by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. And he brought back all the goods, and he also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also and the people.” Genesis 14:14-16.

The speed and dispatch by which Abram in his surprise attack freed Lot and his family is amazingly duplicated in the Israeli commando rescue of the Jewish hostages held at the Entebe airport in Uganda. Even the number of the invading Israelis and the released captives may be approximately the same. Abram had three hundred and eighteen men in his fighting force and Lot’s household could quite possibly compare to the one hundred and four released Jewish prisoners. The exact details of the raid and the number of the special trained infantry units involved in this operation may never be divulged. It is not unreasonable, however, to estimate that three hundred men would have been aboard the three Lockheed C130 Hercules jet transports that took off from an airport in Israel on the afternoon of July 3.

As might have been expected Egypt, Russia and the Palestine Liberation Organization called the Israeli raid an act of terrorism. The Western world, however, expressed its approval in messages congratulating Israel on its “moral victory over brutal force”, For the Jewish people it was a tremendous morale booster, a timely and much needed unifying event beneficial to all its political and religious factions. The commandos that took part in the raid are already a legend in Israel and confidence in its government administration has been greatly enhanced by this demonstration of its concern for the countries prestige and its citizens. 

There is another interesting Biblical parallel that can be seen in the current conflict of Arab interests in Lebanon. The scriptures reveal that Israel, throughout his history, has always been surrounded by hostile neighbors, who, though distrustful of each other, have one thing in common, a deep abiding hatred for the descendants of Jacob. This intense hostility has united them many times in coalitions to destroy Israel, but it has always survived.

The parallel we have in mind is found in Chronicles 20:23. During the region of Jehoshaphat, Moab and Ammon (the descendants of Lot) and the inhabitants of Mount Seir (the descendants of Esau) formed an alliance to invade  and destroy the southern kingdom of Judah. But God frustrated their plans by causing so much confusion among the invaders that they fought against themselves, “for the men  of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants  of Mount Seir, destroying them utterly, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped  to destroy one another! 2 Chron. 20:23 R.S.V.

A modern version of this verse appeared in the press recently “Syrians use Russian tanks to keep Palestinian Arabs from fighting Lebanese Christians.” But in spite of a number of cease fire arrangements the carnage still continues as each faction endeavors to exterminate its rival. The question “What is the root of the problem in Lebanon?” is not difficult to answer. An Arab  statesman stated it very simply. “The problem in Lebanon is Israel.”

There is not only universal resentment in the Arab world  over the presence of a Jewish state in the Mid-East but there is growing concern about where the final expansion of Israel will end. Israel’s policy of establishing settlements in Arab territory seized in the 1967 war has fanned tempers on every side, intensifying the tension that already exists in Jewish-Arab relations. It is reported that Israel already has close to 60 civilian settlements, plus several military encampments in occupied territory. Many of these are concentrated in the Golan Heights and many have sprung up on the West Bank of the Jordan river, in the Gaza Strip area and even along the Gulf of Aqaba. And more are being planned. The Palestinians see little hope of recovery of this territory which is acquired by what they call “creeping annexation.” Their fear is not without substance for more than half of the residents that moved to Kiryet Arba, the largest and oldest settlement on the West Bank, did so because they believe that God gave the West Bank to the Jews. One of these settlers explained their phil­osophy in these words, “Israel as outlined in the Bible stretches from Iraq to the Nile River. We are not a bunch of fanatics. We are dedicated Jews and we are guarding Tel Aviv from here”.

The Arab states are well aware of the expansion ambition held by many Jews and some of the less belligerent among them feel that a policy of containment would be more practical than further head to head confrontations. They are very much aware that every war with Israel has ended with a loss of more territory. This quite likely accounts for their intervention in the Lebanon conflict. They realize that if Israel’s present border is threatened it would move into Lebanon to protect its military and political interests. On the basis of past experience the Arabs are convinced that once the Jews are in they are almost impossible to get out.

The bloody destruction of the little country of Lebanon has taken some of the pressure off Israel. It has also shown up the weaknesses of all who would be peacemakers, super powers included. The United States, during this election year is in no mood to intervene, at least not visibly. Russia looks like a big loser in Lebanon where Syrians and Palestinians are killing each other with Soviet arms supplied them to fight Israel.

U.S. News and World Report notes that the “Arab League peacemaking force, created early in June is growing only slowly. Syria’s invasion force and the various units of the Palestine Liberation Organization, when not shooting at each other, painted the name “Arab Security Force” on some of their trucks and equipment.”

The first Arab league contingents to arrive in Lebanon were Libyan and Sudanese units. To outside observers, the introduction of other Arab military units into the Lebanese area, already a battleground between Arabs, appeared a strange way to keep peace.” And indeed it has proved to be so, for a United Press International report under the headline “Fighting reported between Libya, Sudan truce forces,” reads, “A right-wing radio broadcast said that skirmishes have broken out near Beirut International Airport between Sudanese and Libyan contingents of the Arab peacekeeping force. The broadcast further stated the command of the Arab League forces is trying to contain the fighting and has believed to have asked Syrian troops to separate the two contingents. The reported clashes broke out following Sudan’s complaint to the United Nations that Libya instigated the abortive coup against Sudanese President Jaafar Numeiry.”

One of the most interesting observations on the current crisis is made by Joseph Kraft of Field Newspaper Syndicate who sees the Mid-East as a gigantic chess board. The pawns are the Lebanese themselves—the Christian community, the Moslem community, and a powerfully armed contingent of Palestine refugees under Yassir Arafat. The players of the chess game are the other Arab states (notably Egypt and Syria) plus, at a safe distance, the great powers.

The game began with the American sponsored Sinai agreement between Egypt and Israel last fall. The next logical step in the American plan for a Middle-East settlement was an accord between Israel and Syria. Egypt wanted it and so did Cairo’s allies among the more conserva­tive Arab states, notably Saudi Arabia.

But President Assad felt that Egypt had made a separate peace which compromised his own position. Syria’s next move was to stimulate Arafat and his armed organization to make more use of Lebanon as a base for operations against Israel. Increased activity by the Arafat forces tended to heighten the claims of Lebanese Moslems for a larger say in their own state. The Lebanese Christians resisted and what had been skirmishing quickly escalated into a bloody civil war. By last spring it looked as though Arafat and the Lebanese Moslems might win a total victory, crushing the Christian community and opening up a new, active front against Israel.

The next move, at that point, was still in the hands of Syria, which, with American and French backing. began sending in forces to establish law and order and a constitutional balance not unfavorable to the Moslems in Lebanon. But Arafat’s guerrillas and the more radical Moslems turned against the Syrians, and there followed a new outburst of fighting.

The radical Arab states move in the bloody chess game was to condemn the Syrians and to back Arafat. Egypt, eager to retaliate for Syria’s attacks on the Sinai accord also lashed out at her rival in Damascus. Russia also voiced its disapproval. The United States and France, while not truly opposed to the Syrian intervention began to urge caution. Syria, thus isolated, agreed to admit military contingents from four other Arab states to help restore law and order in Lebanon. Political analysts feel, however, that the acceptance of additional Arab forces is strictly a charade to provide a cover for Syrian actions.

The Syrians claim they have almost total control over Lebanon now. They steadfastly state they have the power to achieve a cease fire between Christians and Moslems. They have hinted they would then be ready to move toward a settlement with Israel.

The Palestinians and radical Arabs are resisting any efforts to bring order to Lebanon as a prelude to new negotiations with Israel. They are well armed, dug-in and prepared to use any means to stir up and maintain trouble. They will desperately endeavor to check-mate any move on the international chess board to favor a settlement with Israel. This is the way the Middle East situation stands at this writing — subject to change without notice!

The Middle East is, and always has been the focal point of prophecy. It is true that nations outside of this area have been in the past, and will be in the future, involved in events of great prophetic importance. A true perspective of the intricate and confused maneuvering that is now taking place can only be determined on a broad viewpoint of Bible prophecy. It would be most difficult and presumptious to endeavor to give a detailed analysis of the conflict in Lebanon and predict the immediate outcome of the explosive situation that exists there. There is one thing we can state, however, with positive assurance and that is that International politics is not a “chess game” to God. The great and mighty Creator and Sustainer of all things holds the destiny of all individuals and nations in His hand and all things, great and small, move according to His predetermined plan and purpose.

In summation, we do note as students of the scriptures that God preserved Israel in the past by creating chaos and confusion in the camp of their enemies. As we watch the Arab League in hostile disarray indulging its divisive passions in civil war we see a pattern consistent with God’s final intent and purpose when “a great tumult from the Lord shall be among them: and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.” Zechariah 14:13. It may be, as it has been in the past, that God is preserving Israel by this procedure, not for their sake “but for His holy name’s sake” Ezekiel 36:22.

The current situation seems to coincide with this pattern as we see Syria trying to assert itself as the foremost Arab state by maligning the Egyptian accord with Israel. Egypt on its part defends itself against Syrian charges of collusion with Israel by accusing Damascus of aggression against Lebanon. Iraq contests the Syrian moves by mobilizing troops on their common border. Meanwhile Jordan tries to wring financial support out of Saudi Arabia by threatening to make a deal for an air defense system from Moscow.

Behind all this intrigue and confusion we see something else, something much more significant and important in the all­over prophetic picture — Russia patiently waiting in the wings of the International stage for the opportune time to play her part in the Middle East drama of the last days. Ezekiel 38.