With astonishing suddenness, political earthquakes and storms have struck in eastern Europe. Eight months ago, whoever would have dreamed that Solidarity would be in control in Poland and that the Communist Party in that country would be struggling for its life? Whoever would have thought Hungary would declare itself a non-communist country without an invasion of the Russian army? Whoever would have thought that the Berlin wall would be thrown open for the unrestricted movement of its people? The changes have come with such speed that even professional diplomats are stunned by developments. (See Bro. MacDougall’s article under Signs of the Times.)
When a million East Germans rally for freedom, that is truly the sea and the waves roaring in a most unexpected manner. When the same newscast reports the San Francisco earthquake and the fall from power of Erich Honecker in East Germany, that is truly earthquakes in diverse places.
Magog and Gomer
140 years ago, Bro. Thomas was convinced that Magog (Ezk. 38:2) referred to Germany and Gomer (v.6) to France (Elpis Israel pp. 426-428, 1949 edition). Tracing these sons of Japheth through references by ancient Greek (Herodotus) and Jewish (Josephus) historians, Bro. Thomas found the evidence inexorably pointing to all of Europe being in league with the Russian hordes in the last days.
Many of us have felt his evidence was not conclusive and have favored limiting Magog and Gomer to Eastern Europe and Turkey. But now developments make the doctor’s ideas far more feasible. Further events are racing toward the elimination of barriers throughout all of Europe.
The great fear of the U.S. is that the price of German reunification will be for a united Germany to take a relatively neutral position between East and West. This would be the precursor of a unified, neutral Europe trading and dealing with Russia in an uninhibited manner. Trade barriers were already scheduled to fall in Western Europe in 1992. Now there is the growing potential to extend the concept eastward.
Exciting days
We are living in exciting times. Conditions seem to remain fairly static for a while then suddenly there is an explosion of developments. Just like an earthquake or a mighty storm.
But isn’t this what we should expect? When we look at the obvious signs that have been fulfilled in the past century, we can have no doubt that the times of the Gentiles are virtually over.
Obscure phrases now clear
100 years ago phrases such as, “many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased” were not so easy to interpret. (Dan. 12:4) For thousands of years, transportation had changed little and knowledge had grown slowly. Now we rush about from suburb to city, from city to city and from one continent to another. The ease and frequency of travel would overwhelm the mind of Bro. Thomas, who took 23 days to journey from Virginia to Illinois. We can go around the world in two days by commercial airplane. And there are jets in the planning stage which will fly commercial mutes from New York to Tokyo in two hours.
The increase in knowledge is something that affects most of us on a daily basis. One of the family was appalled when they saw a five-year-old computer in the trash. But the technology has changed so fast that it was completely outmoded and no one would repair it. This was just a small example of the incredible developments that are affecting everything from the pills we take to the cars we drive.
Fifty years ago, we can remember brethren straining to apply the phrase, “let the weak say, l am strong.” (Joel 3:10) Anyone living today has no problem knowing what is in mind. Caribbean islands and Central American nations that once were controlled by fruit companies now flagrantly taunt the United States and escape any retribution. Arab oil states, which were once insignificant sheikdoms, can force all of us into long lines at the gas station by withholding their oil from the market. Small groups of terrorists can take hostages and have the U.S. tied up in diplomatic knots.
Israel
We all know about Israel! But has it become so commonplace that we lose the impact of what has happened. Here is a nation “gathered out of many peoples…brought forth out of the nations.” (Ezk. 38:8) Jews lived in Israel all down through the centuries but their number barely increased. When the time came for God’s word to be fulfilled, population did not come by internal growth but by immigration from the nations of many peoples.
The returned Jews did not come to a developed land but to one that was desolate, not having been reclaimed from the ravages of successive invaders. Why should a place with such potential lie dormant for centuries? The word of God had proclaimed that the “desolate places that are now inhabited” would be said of Israel in the latter years. (Ezk. 38:12) The ravaged land was not going to be restored until the wave of Jewish emigrants did the work, and now it is done!
Jerusalem was to be “trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24) We are accustomed to the fact of Jewish control of the city, but before June 6, 1967 those words of the Master were unfulfilled Bible prophecy.
The signs cry out
The fulfillment of all these great signs has come to pass now. Why should it be? Why should the Jews return at a time when men run to and fro, knowledge is increased and the weak say they are strong? There is no logical connection between the events; there is only the sure word of scripture stating God would bring these conditions at the time of the end.
We see Europe convulsed with political change. Shall we not take heed lest that day come upon us when we are not ready for it?
As this year draws to a close, let us be shaken once again by the signs of the times. Let us resolve anew not to be absorbed in the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches. Let us be ready for the coming of our Lord, our savior and our judge, for he comes suddenly.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One