Great changes have occurred in world politics during the last few months. But not all brethren and sisters are reacting to them with heightened anticipation of Christ’s return. Some find the events frustrating, confusing and disappointing.
Frustration and confusion
One brother, whose favorite study is prophecy, expressed great frustration that he could not find verses pointing to each of the changes as they occurred. Another was annoyed that, in recent lectures, he had not projected the unification of Germany.
Others have expressed confusion; they thought all that needed to be accomplished before Christ’s coming was already done. They are also confused that some prophecy enthusiasts seem to take any major event as the last piece of the puzzle. If Europe goes communist, they react, “isn’t it wonderful the way events are developing.” Yet if Europe breaks free of communism, they say the same thing.
Eventually, an observer can react to the other person’s enthusiasm with indifference and not excitement. He shrugs off prophecy and goes about living his life figuring that Christ will come when he comes. In taking such an attitude, he loses out on the incentive to active discipleship that should be derived from the circumstances of today.
Look at the forest, not the trees
Part of the problem is that we try to see major prophecy fulfilled in every twist of current events. We should have learned by now that political, social and economic conditions can change with breathtaking speed in today’s world. Take Gorbachev out of the way and who knows what might happen. Let the U.S. attack a chemical plant in Libya and the reaction of European nations could be dramatic.
There are certain basics of Bible prophecy, however, that stand out like a beacon pointing to the nearness of Christ’s return. We witness the nation of Israel, the northern military colossus centered in Russia, apostate Christianity with roots in the Roman empire, the breakdown in morality and continuing turmoil in the world. We can get lost in the trees as to just where we are in God’s timetable; but when we step back and look at the forest, we have no doubt that these are the last days.
The nation of Israel
Fifty years ago there was no Jewish state of Israel. Ezekiel 38-39, Joel 2-3 and Zechariah 12-14 could not be fulfilled without one. Now it exists, as we are reminded almost daily in the news.
Is it merely coincidence that Israel stays in the forefront of the news? Or is it a deliberate divine act to remind the saints that this is the time of the end?
We agree that Israel has yet to experience great prosperity and to enjoy peace. But that could well develop after we are withdrawn for judgment. We will be taken away before everything is ready because the saints are given the honor of executing God’s vengeance upon the heathen and His punishments upon the people. (Psa. 149:7) Part of that honor includes destroying the Gogian invader upon the mountains of Israel. (Ezk. 39:4-6,8) We will not see the Russian confederacy destroyed before the judgment seat. In fact, it is very unlikely we will see the Russian invasion before we are called to judgment.
The northern colossus
Do not be distracted by all the talk of Russia’s economic demise. The fact remains that she has over 5.5 million men in the military, over 1,500 warships, over 11,500 nuclear warheads, over 50,000 tanks, 48,000 artillery pieces, 8,500 aircraft, etc. While the economy short-changes its citizens, it continues to maintain the greatest military establishment on earth. Furthermore, it has the minerals needed to support the latest technological advances, minerals which in many cases the U.S. must import.
Fifty years ago, the U.S.S.R. was a vast nation with little strength. Now she meets the description of Ezk. 38. Whether she will be united with all of Europe or only Eastern Europe when she invades the Middle East is interesting but not vital. The great fact is that she is now the northern colossus of Bible prophecy.
The apostate system
Daniel 7 makes clear that a religious system would arise from the Roman empire that would change God’s laws and oppose true believers until destroyed by Christ and the saints. II Thess. 2 added the facts that this would be an apostate Christian system centered in the authority of one person and sustained by appealing to alleged miracles.
In spite of attempts in the last century to destroy the papacy and in the face of strident opposition in communist states, the apostate system, headed by the Roman Catholic church, has survived and has made marked advances in political influence. Its resilience is amazing but not unexpected, for it will not be destroyed until confronted by the King of Kings and his mighty army.
Moral breakdown
We do not live in an age of strict morality. We live in one marked by violence, a grotesque absorption in wealth and pleasure, the breakdown of the family structure and the proliferation of deviate relationships. Intellectual theories which discredited God gave rise to such conditions, and a religious system that seeks money but has no reforming power has furthered their spread. II Tim. 3:1-5 revealed these would be the moral conditions “in the last days.”
Worldwide distress
Luke 21:25-26 is a summary of our time. In spite of incredible advances in medicine and science, in spite of the greatest production of food and goods in the history of the world, in spite of talk of peace, men’s hearts fear the future. And the turmoil increases in intensity.
The Lord said, “when these things begin to come to pass…” (Luke 21:28) Begin? They haven’t just begun to occur, they have been occurring for years.
Look at the broader picture, never be disappointed by the ebb and flow of current events. “Lift up your heads, for you redemption draweth nigh.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One