This is truly breathtaking. 1989 saw the sudden unification of Germany followed by dramatic changes in Eastern Europe. 1990 saw the European realignment continued, the release of Soviet Jewry to return to Israel and war in the Middle East. Now 1991 has seen operation Desert Storm decimate Iraq, the flight of 20,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in 36 hours, the release of Western hostages held in Lebanon, Middle Eastern peace talks and the collapse of the U. S .S .R.
To those of us who have lived through the post-war period, the collapse of the U.S.S.R. is still hard to believe. How could an empire of such military might and technological achievement be unable to feed its people? But the unbelievable has happened.
At times, the hand of God was so obvious, that even agnostics could not help but recognize it. A scud missile landed in an empty bomb shelter when yards away the next shelter was full. Israel not only accepted foreign help for the first time to defend her, but she also exercised uncommon restraint in not attacking Iraq herself. The whole allied effort was only possible because of a window of opportunity created by Russia’s weakness and policy of reconciliation with the West. In that window, Iraq chose to attack, thus guaranteeing her doom.
On the other hand, many Bible students were left bewildered.
Should we revise interpretations?
One month those who expect Israel to be at peace and Russia to invade are excited by the defeat of Iraq. A few months later they are left wondering if Russia has the strength to fulfill Ezekiel 38.
The broad sweep of signs of the times remain fulfilled, however. They are Israel in the land, Jerusalem in Jewish hands, the nations armed for war, small countries causing great disruption, moral decadence, the increase of knowledge, continued influence of the Papal system and her eastern counterpart, fear and confusion about the future and the potential for many nations to turn on Israel. There is no doubt the return is near!
Furthermore, the collapse of the Soviet empire has led to a realignment of the republics with the Ukraine and Russia (Magog, Meschech and Tubal) having the lead role. The “uttermost parts of the north” (Ezk. 38:6,15 RV) remain in place, waiting for God to put hooks in their jaws and bring them against His land.
Another aspect of current developments that rings true is the increasing mention of the danger of a demagogue arising in today’s fluid situation. Daniel 8 speaks of just such a development, “a king of fierce countenance…shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty…” (Dan. 8:23-24).
We can be encouraged, as well, that Israel continues to remain in the forefront of the news. They will know peace and safety before the Gogian invasion. Whether or not the current peace process will result in such conditions remains to be seen; we can only watch with great interest and anxious anticipation of the return of our Lord.
Mixed ecclesial developments
There was growth in our community during the year. The North American brotherhood increased by 122 compared to a per year average of 44 during the previous 11 years. There were 150 baptisms reported and 30 re-fellowships as opposed to 27 disfellowships and 31 deaths. Nearly half of the growth occurred in three months, January through March, when the impact of events in the Middle East was greatest. Of the baptisms, 80 were of those who had close family connections to the ecclesia while 70 were of interested friends.
Many ecclesias enthusiastically reported holding study days and special efforts of one kind or another. And several had severe problems, almost all of which related to the breakdown in morality that afflicts our times.
Opportunities and problems ahead
Moral conditions around us are not going to improve. We know this from the pattern of history as it relates to mature societies and from the express declaration of the Spirit in II Tim. 3:1-5: “in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…unholy…incontinent…”
When problems of immorality manifest themselves in ecclesial life, our wisdom, compassion and faithfulness to the Truth is sorely tested. The great consolation is that we are now being prepared to assist Christ in ruling the world. Learning now to apply divine principles to specific situations is preparing us for that time. As we know from our formative years, learning can be a trying and difficult process. But if we faithfully apply ourselves with devotion to the word and prayer to our Father, good results can be achieved and, in the process, we will develop the fruits of the Spirit.
To some extent, we bring upon ourselves the problems we face. Increasingly, parents leave their children in front of the TV, forming in them a pattern of behavior which is difficult to break in later years. As morals deteriorate, such a pattern exposes the mind to standards that are wholly opposite to God’s.
Great strength is needed to stand firm against the wrong influences in our lives. Fortunately, greater is He that is in us than the power of sin that is in the world. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4). But God’s power will not help us unless we surrender ourselves to Him, to His word and to a meaningful commitment of our lives.
Setting a right example
In the year ahead, many of our young people will be reaching an age when they can personally dedicate themselves to living in Christ. This affords a great opportunity that we do not want to miss.
For better or for worse, we have noted that the greatest single factor affecting the behavior of our children is the example of their parents. It is a more powerful element than formal parental instruction or the influence of Sunday school teachers or youth circle leaders. Like it or not, they will do what we do more than what we say. If we are true-hearted disciples of our Lord, the chances of their following in that course are far greater than if we are hypocrites or half in the Truth and half in the world.
There is not much longer to go. Let us, therefore, gird up the loins of our minds and so live that when we meet our God, we are prepared to meet Him with joy and not with fear.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One