By the end of October, the United States had evacuated the last of her 10,000 troops sent to Lebanon last July to quell the internal trouble of that small nation. The Christian Moslem situation had quieted down and things were almost back to normal. At the same time Britain was engaged in the removal of her troops in the Jordan area by an air lift which took them over Syria by permission of Nasser.
In Geneva, peace talks are still going on between Russia and Britain and the United States on Nuclear war tests. The talks seemed doomed hopelessly to failure however, since Russia had rejected the U.S. proposal that a system of nuclear tests detection be established before calling a halt to tests themselves. Instead, Russia proposed that tests be halted at once and on a permanent basis. The suggestion was so obviously ridiculous that few if any gave credence to it. The plan to stop nuclear tests on a permanent basis (forever) in view of the uncertain conditions existing today could not have been seriously suggested by Russia. Undoubtedly, she expected her plan to be rejected, thus placing Britain and the U.S. in another embarrassing position.
Military leaders all over the world concur in the thought that man is now in possession of a power that if not properly controlled could mean the extinction of the human race. The danger is indeed real, for all leading military powers today are in possession of nuclear weapons, and should one of them carelessly launch even a mild attack, it is likely that the whole world would become involved in the most devastating conflict it has ever seen. What is the result ? Each world power is convinced that her enemy will not dare to attempt such a move. for even a surprise attack, well calculated, could not possibly avert a counter-attack that would spell doom for all concerned. The world is thus faced with the ridiculous situation of peace being established, not on a mutual understanding of each other’s problems or the uniting of peoples under a common government, but through the fear of annihilation. This fear of retaliation as a confidence for peace has been accepted by many, who are too horrified with the thought of what would happen were the world plunged into an atomic war, to recognise any other alternative. Like the proverbial drowning man grasping for even a straw, the world cries for peace, peace when there is no peace.
The great question confronting all nations today is, will the fear of the inevitable outcome of nuclear war prevent such an outbreak from occurring? What does the Bible have to say about world conditions when Christ returns from his Father’s right hand ?
According to Divine prophecy, there is to be a general gathering of all nations in the vicinity of Israel, Jordan, Syria and Egypt ; a gathering that has resulted from the proclamation of God to all nations to prepare for war, a condition which we are now witnessing. The effect that this is to have upon the world powers is not one of restraint, but contrariwise, one of great boasting and belligerency. The prophet Joel has this to say about conditions that are to characterize the last days ; “Proclaim ye this among the gentiles prepare war, wake up the mighty men, Let all the men of war draw near : let Om come up; Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears; let the weak say , I am strong. Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about : thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, 0 Lord.” (Joel 3:9-11) This great armament program seen today must indeed be in answer to God’s mandate to all nations to “prepare war.” Its purpose is to engage them in combat on the mountains of Israel, the valley of Jehoshaphat, where the Lord of Hosts will plead (correct) them on account of His heritage Israel, whose land they have plundered and divided. (Joel 3:2)
It is likewise shown in Zechariah 14, that the “day of the Lord” will find the nations of the world in great physical combat. The land of Israel is in question in this prophecy, for it is to fall victim to a great northern aggressor leading a confederacy of smaller nations. The plunderer according to Divine prophecy will only be arrested in his conquest by the appearance of Christ and his saints. It will be the great day of God’s controversy in the land of Israel, when, in the fury of his wrath He will punish the host of high ones. Israel is found to be situated in the midst of this scene of action, and even today we can see conditions developing in that area that tell us beyond doubt that the time is short.
Israel’s David Ben-Gurion, who formerly maintained that expansion of his country would not involve the changing of its borders recently confided to an English newspaperman that in the event of a change in Jordan’s status, Israel would like to see the west bank of the Jordan demilitarised and guarded by U.N. troops. He also said that Israel would be firmly opposed to the entry of foreign troops into Jordan. It is obvious that should Jordan topple, Israel would quickly move her borders westward to the Jordan. Nasser, likewise would like very much to move into Amman and then northward to join the Syrian border, thus being geographically as well as politically joined with her new ally. Although this would multiply Israel’s problems, being surrounded on three sides by hostile Arabs, the new advantage to be realised from the straightening out of her borders may more than offset them. Many newscasters are speculating on whether Israel and Egypt contemplate an unwritten agreement for the dissolution of the Heshemite empire. There are advantages to be gained and lost should this come about. However, regardless of this consideration, it is apparent to the Bible student that developments in the Middle East are conforming to the Divine pattern. Israel’s foes are multiplying all about her in preparation for that latter day onslaught in which she will find herself on the verge of annihilation. As this edition of the Tidings goes to press, we are informed that the Sudan has just been overthrown by the army. This is noteworthy, since the government has been in sympathy with the West, whereas the army leans toward Nasser. This coup could give Egypt added strength to tighten the rope about the neck of her most formidable fee. She is ready to recognise the new government just as soon as there is any one to recognise.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One