And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25).
Introduction
As I thought about the current chaos in the Middle East and Northern Africa, I went back to my old history lessons on Modern European History. It was the events of 1848 that seemed most similar to the turmoil we see. It was indeed the European events in that year which formed the backdrop to the early success of John Thomas in the UK in 1848. So it was with some interest that I noticed an article1in Time magazine with the above title. In it, Kurt Anderson compared many aspects of the similarity of the events of the two years.
- The countries involved were and are ruled by Monarchies or Crypto-monarchies
- Feeble Parliaments, brutal police, limited suffrage, limited freedom of expression all are common factors.
- The news was spread rapidly in 1848 by the new technologies of telegraph, and steam powered railways and newspapers, and in 2011 by cell phones, internet and cable television.
- Both eras suffered economic woes, which impoverished most people, but not the rich.
- In France in 1848 it only took 3 days of riots to topple the King, whereas in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year, a few weeks of protest caused the current presidents to resign.
In 1848, the Austrian Empire, Prussia, Bavaria and particularly France were all affected. In 2011, the protests are even more widespread, from Morocco on the West Coast of Africa to Oman on the East end of the Arabian Peninsula. Of particular interest are the protests in the countries surrounding Israel: Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Egypt have all seen protests of one sort or another.
The great earthquake and subsequent Tsunami in Japan on March 11th only serve to remind us also that we are largely powerless against the “forces of nature” — or should I say the forces that can be unleashed by God. Despite the best efforts of a country which is certainly the best prepared of any in the world, the Japanese were totally overwhelmed by an earthquake. This, although the strongest the Japan has experienced, was much less strong than the one that impacted Alaska in 1964, but which resulted in only 125 deaths.
Preaching in 1848
In that year, John Thomas began his well know attempt to deliver his unique message to the British Isles. To quote from a contemporary Newspaper2
“On Wednesday and yesterday evening, J. Thomas M.D., a gentleman from America, wearing a black beard, lectured at the city assembly rooms on the Destiny of Nations. The theory of this gentleman, which he supports by taking isolated passages from Scripture, seems to be that God is the sole sovereign ruler, that he made man free to stand or free to fall, and that Adam having fallen, the different races of his descendants have arrogated the right of governing themselves, and in creating monarchies, republics etc., have cast off the sovereignty of the Almighty; and that ultimately all monarchies etc. shall give place to the Almighty sovereignty, God again becoming universal king of the earth, which shall be inhabited by a race of beings as immortal and sinless as the angels, the destiny of the human race being to advance from their present condition till sin and death shall be no more.”
Behind the polemics of the writer, the message is clear: the Almighty is in charge of the events of all, and we are to strive to attain a place in that kingdom: that the current turmoil is to be expected before the return of Christ. Of course, John Thomas expected that return to happen very shortly: he anticipated 1864 at the time. But large audiences welcomed his message over the next few months, and so the real beginnings of the great spread of his message took place. It was built largely upon the interest in the general populace in the Biblical significance of the current events of the time.
Preaching in 2011
Elsewhere in this article is an advance note of the availability of the special Issue of The Tidings on “Preaching in North America.” The effort to initiate this work took place many months ago, so it is quite unrelated to the current events in Africa and the Middle East. But it should remind us that we ought to be taking every opportunity to spread the gospel, including discussing the current events from a Biblical perspective. There are some opinions being expressed on the prophetic meanings of the current events in the Middle East, but there does not appear to be any consensus in Christadelphian circles. We can, however, be certain that the current events in that region are part of God’s plan.
It is also certain we cannot neglect this or any other opportunity to witness. As is described in the special issue, there are many ways we can preach, and many opportunities come our way in the normal course of events. Again, the disaster in Japan is serves to remind us of the mighty hand of God, whether it is simply the outcome of natural forces caused by the drift of tectonic plates, or part of a larger set of disasters causing “upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.”
The focus of the world on events in Israel might have shifted, but the volatile state of the nations surrounding the land is surely a precursor to many other significant events. Although we cannot perhaps predict the outcome of these events, nor should we in public, we can ponder individually on the different possibilities, and engage in debate at least internally on these matters. I am fully aware of the dangers of being too overconfident in these matters: our literature is unfortunately littered with failed predictions about what would happen and when it would take place. So now is not a time of certainty, but of an increased level of watchfulness and interest. Not perhaps since the stirring days of 1976, when the whole Middle East was involved in one form or another, have we seen such excitement, turmoil, and rapidly changing events. Perhaps, by the time my readers see this (for I am writing at the end of March), all will be calm again in that region of the world — although what passes for calm there seems a strange term.
Conclusions
As we consider the world in 2011, we must recognize that if we were to heavily advertise a public lecture on the Biblical basis of the current events in the Middle East, we are unlikely to get a large number of attendees. As one who has given such addresses during previous Middle East crises, the response has been muted to say the least. Perhaps this lack of response is indeed a prophetic sign, for we read
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” (2Tim 4:3).
We are all aware of the widespread popular form of what passes for religion these days. There is the idea of the gospel of prosperity: if you only believe, God will add all your material needs (and wants) as well. Or the idea that you only have to say “Jesus is my Savior” and you will be certain of Eternal Life. With such sort of false ideas being widely promulgated, is it any wonder that the true message is little heard?
We are not thereby absolved from our obligation to spread the gospel. As Jesus said to his disciples, and indirectly to ourselves:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy [Spirit]: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matt 28:19-20).
Indeed, we can cite the example of Paul, who when preaching in Athens used as his basis the inscription on an idol, which was obviously of interest to his listeners. So if we use the chaos in the Middle East as an introduction to discussing the Bible with our friends, we are following the advice of Jesus — and the examples of Paul. We can also remember John Thomas who, so many years ago preached the Gospel against a similar state of world turmoil.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One