In September, Nikita Khrushchev made one of the most dramatic moves of his career in world politics. He had hinted at what he was about to do during his visit to the United States earlier in the month when he announced that he would in the following week make known to the world, Russia’s great plan for universal peace. When the Soviet boss told the delegation of the United Nations that he was now going to present the plan, which if adopted would ensure peace to all the world, a great silence settled over all. Khrushchev then said to the startled audience; “What does the Soviet government propose? The essence of our proposal is that over a period of four years all states should effect complete disarmament, and no longer have any means of waging war. This means that land armies, navies and air forces shall cease to exist ; that general staffs and war ministries shall be abolished; that military educational establishments shall be closed.” He then proceeded to outline details on his plan that fell upon the ears of those present like fairy tales. The reaction of the audience is summed up adequately by a “Times” correspondent ; “For diplomatic reasons, no one wanted to come right out and say “nonsense,” but the fact remained that Nikita’s demand for total disarmament was so absurd and impractical as to be insulting.” We agree whole heartedly that Russia’s proposal is indeed absurd and impractical, but for different reasons. Khrushchev, who heads a nation, known to be atheistic did not realize just how close his tongue-in-the-cheek plan came to the Divine remedy for the perplexing problems facing the world. Complete disarmament, including the training for war is one of the expedients of the Kingdom age, when the law of God shall go forth from Mt. Zion into all regions of the earth. Isaiah beautifully describes the effect Christ’s reign will have on the peoples of the earth in the 2nd chapter of his prophecy ; “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people : and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks : Nation shall not lift up sword against nation neither shall they learn war any more.” (v 4)
Nikita’s illusory role of Prince of peace is to be filled by one individual only, which makes the red chief’s proposal absurd in the sight of men and foolhearty in the sight of God. David declares, “The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought : He maketh the devices of the people of none effect.” (Psalm 33 :10) The exalted role of Prince of peace belongs only to the Son of God, the Son that was given, and upon whose shoulders the responsibility of maintaining peace and order is to rest. (Isa. 9 :6-7)
The proposal, in itself of abolishing arms and armies, would not ensure either peace or happiness for several reasons. To begin with, man cannot be trusted to keep his end of the bargain. The “Heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” ; so much so that it cannot be trusted. As in earlier proposals of “H” bombs tests termination, a feasable plan of inspection must be maintained in order to ensure all nations remaining faithful to their agreement. It would also be quite easy for a state, if necessary to convert their industries from the manufacture of peace time items to nuclear weapons. Furthermore, even if major conflicts could be avoided, it is no assurance that either contentment or happiness would result. The Bible clearly and forcefully outlines the fallacy of human nature, and its inability to dissolve differences between nations. Just as dramatically, however, does it reveal a plan designed to bring this earth a period of peace, happiness and prosperity such as it has never known. The Divine scheme provides not only a plan and purpose for the peoples of the world, but also supplies the wisdom and power to put such a plan into practical reality.
Krhushchev’s plan is lacking in one of its most essential elements; an element that many concede man is completely powerless to provide. Before it is possible for peoples of different lands and customs to realize peaceful coexistence, they must be united under one government. There must be one, powerful seat of government, recognized by all its citizens as having universal and unlimited power and authority. All peoples of the earth, in order to ensure the adequate supply of their needs must be organized under one head, whose counsel must be final and unquestionable, and whose power must be far in excess of that of mortal man. Such a being must possess intelligence far superior to that evidenced in the world today. His wisdom must be properly tempered with love, righteousness and an unimpeachable sense of fairness and equality. His judgment and decisions must not be swayed by cunning and deceitful arguments of wicked men or their clever attorneys. He must be able to discern through their lies, fabrications and falsehoods, and at the same time perceive the real truth of those matters falling under his jurisdiction. Where shall we look for such a being? Shall we seek him in the ranks of Christendom ; among their most famous expositors? Shall we look among the military or political leaders of the Gentiles for one possessing these qualifications ? May he be found anywhere in the world about us in the annals of mortal man ? The answer is evident to all. He is not to be found either among the living or the dead of the mortal descendants of Adam. There is such a one in existence, however, whose reign of peace, the scriptures proclaim with an eloquence far superior to that of mortal man. It tells of the judgement of the greater son of David, and Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, whose power stems not from the flesh, but from the Sprit.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots ; And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and (understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord : and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord : and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears : but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth : and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness. the girdle of his reigns.”— (Isa.11 :1-5).
The student of prophecy knows full well that such a system of peace as described by Isaiah is not possible aside from the personal appearance of Christ in the earth. On him only rests the title of “Prince of Peace”, and to him only has God granted His Spirit without measure. (John 3:34) The hope of the prophets, apostles and faithful men of old consisted in the personal presence of Israel’s Messiah in the earth. In one of the last of the books of the Bible, John records a prayer for the quick return of his Lord from heaven to bring about the prophets. His prayer to the true children of God, still remains the only hope for a distressed and war-torn world ;
“And the Spirit and the bride say come. And let him that heareth say come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely—He which testifieth these things saith, Surely, I come quickly. Amen. Even so. come. Lord Jesus.”— (Rev. 22:17,20
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One