Signs of the Times

An Ecclesiastical Summit Meeting

Last month the world witnessed, or rather heard, for the occasion was private except for the pres­ence of an interpreter, what is considered to be an historic meet­ing. Into the Vatican courtyard rode the Most Rev. Geoffrey Fran­cis Fisher, Archbishop of Canter­bury and Primate of All England. His position holds precedence over all other bishops, and is the high­est of rank in all England. He was escorted into the papal apartments by the Chamberlain of Cape and Sword and presented to Pope John XXIII. The meeting lasted for about an hour during which the two high church officials discussed both temporal and spiritual mat­ters.

This momentous occasion mark­ed the end of four hundred years of historical tradition, in which difference and schisms that sep­arated the two groups were never bridged. It was during the reign of Henry VIII that the Church of Rome was defied because Pope Clement VII refused to recognize the King’s annulment with his Spanish wife. The separation that has prevailed down to the present day has been accented with wars, bloodshed awl bitter hatred. In the reign of “Bloody Mary”, King Henry’s daughter nearly 300 persons met death by burning because they were considered heretic s. Hardly any considered the meeting last month to be a cure all, for such deep seated and emotional feelings could hardly be dissolved in a sin­gle session. Vatican observers, however, did remark, “a first and significant step has been taken.” The spokesman for the Church of England announced, “His Holiness expressed to the Archbishop his great desire to increase brotherly feelings among all men, and Es­pecially Among All Christians.”

The Purpose—Unity

Though this first meeting was, in the words of the Pope, an ap­proach “only as far as the thres­hold of great problems”, its purpose was clearly stated by the Primate in a sermon delivered the night before his visit. “The cold war was indeed a war. A strife for victory, for converts, for political powers in many countries with vic­tims and martyrdoms and cruel­ties and oppressions. That period is not altogether past, but it is pass­ing.” In concluding his speech, the Archbishop with emphasis declar­ed, “We no longer need forbid one another. For if we are not against one another any longer, we are for one another, and so can be glorious­ly free to be altogether for Christ and for the true unity of his

church. I say deliberately ‘unity’ not ‘union’, for church union or re­union rests upon a reconciliation of jurisdiction and authorities. But unit is only of the spirit, and into that spirit the churches can enter readily, and are indeed entering now.”

If this be the intent and purpose of his visit to the Pope, it is obvi­ous that many more must follow. Though both the Church of Eng­land and the Roman Catholics church maintain that there must remain a separateness between church and state, it is apparent that both find this idealistic posi­tion impossible to maintain. The bloody history that records the wars and martyrdoms that ensued between these two groups illustrate as the Archbishop stated that the strife was, at least in part “for political powers in many coun­tries”.

Dissolving Differences

Only days before, Dr. Fisher was in a hurried but extensive tour of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. It was in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity that the elderly Primate knelt before the Roman Catholic, the Greek Orthodox and the Armenian Orthodox altars to pray. Though much of the purpose of his tour was to visit some of the his­torical spots, the most significant meeting was with Roman Catholic Monsignor Alberto Gori, Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Archbishop remarked to Mon­signor Gori (in reference to his forthcoming visit with the Pope) “There are moments when I realize w h y divisions a r e transcended even while they exist.” Through­out the whole of Dr. Fisher’s visits, there seemed to be an ever increasing inclination to minimize differences, and make concessions. But can such great differences be minimized, and can such conduct be winked at for the sake of peace and harmony ? The answer from the people of God is an unhesita­ting “no”.

One hour with the Beast

In the 17th chapter of Revela­tion, this system of error is identi­fied beyond all uncertainty. that the true followers of Christ might be alerted against her doctrine and sins. In verses 3 to 6 John writes ; “So he carried me away in the spirit to the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colour­ed beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet col­our, and decked with gold, and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth. And I saw the woman, drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus ; and when I saw her I wondered with a great won­der.” RV. This ecclesiastical sys­tem is of such great odiousness that God has presented her as a prostitute that His people might not miss the depths of her sinfulness. The seven heads of the beast upon which the harlot sat are iden­tified as seven hills in verse 9, and help us to recognize that religious power that is h e re in described. What is of special interest to the Bible student is that John relates the fact that the nations are to be in power with the beast for one hour; that is God is going to allow hem to test their true affinity. It is to the beast and that power that resides on the seven hills of Rome that their allegiance goes. The conciliatory attitude of the Pri­mate of All England to the head of this system, coupled with the fact that United States has now elected one of its adherents to the station of president may very well be the setting of the stage that will her­ald in the appearance of Christ.

But this religious order and all of its various offshoots, styled in verse 5, by way of implication, as daughters of the harlot, are des­tined to be completely swept away by the presence of Jesus and his saints, for in verse 14, we are told. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall over­come them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings : and they that are with him are called, and chos­en, and faithful.”

Many are the nations that will be duped into trusting her and ac­cepting of her doctrines, reeling with the intoxicating effects of her teachings and allowing their minds to be numbed to the awful d anger that encompasses her paths.

“For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her for­nication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my peo­ple, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18: 3-4)

Israel — the abyss of assimilation

Early in January, David Ben­Gunon, Prime Minister of Israel, addressed the 25th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem in a sear­ing speech that lasted for an hour and forty minutes, in which he ac­cused them of being cowards and false mends. In spite of the Zion­ists’ tremendous efforts 12 years ago to establish. the Israeli State, and the hall billion dollars spent to effect its continuance, the Prime Minister insisted that they were slacking off in their respon­sibility to Israel. Why, such a vicious condemnation of its staunch supporters ? Ben-Gurion declared that what Israel needed desperate­ly, even more than money and good advice, was man-power.

He lamented the fact that not one top U. S. Zionist leader has settled in the country he laboured to produce. Immigration h a s dwindled to a mere 25,000 a year, and the greatest percentage of these are from the Middle East. Ben-Gurion stated that the Zionist should have provided Israel with competent Jewish immigrants from the West. “Unless the Oriental immigrants are leavened by Westerners,” he said, “nothing can prevent Israel from develop­ing into a Levantine state.”

The Prime Minister ironically insisted that “Judaism faces the kiss of death, a slow and imperceptible decline into the abyss of assimilation.” The Zionists were grim, realizing that immigration from the United States has never been more than a trickle, but also knowing that mass immigration from a country where persecution is limited and opportunity unlimited is almost out of the question

Unwilling immigrants

There seemed to be many facts that David Ben-Gurion has over looked in his summation of the serious problem facing Israel. It quite true that most of the immigrants to Israel have come from countries in which they have undergone terrible racial persecution, such as Poland, Germany am Finland.

This, however, is in complete harmony with those prophecies that deal with the flow of Jews back to the land of Palestine in the last days. The initial occupation of the land was to be with those Jews who would return, not because of any deep love for Judaism or for the waste and barren desert land characteristic of Israel ; no indeed ; the reason for immigration was to rest on entirely different causes, clearly set forth by the prophet, Jeremiah. “Be­hold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. For mine eyes are upon all their ways : they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes. And First, I Will Recompense Their Iniquity And Their Sin Double because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.” (Jeremiah 16:16-18) The reference to fishers and hunters is a clear indica­tion that Israel was to be brought back to the land because of their persecutors.

Divinely preserved

The Prime Minister’s statement about the assimilation of the Jews is one that is made either in ig­norance of or in spite of what God has revealed in the scriptures con­cerning His ancient people. Yahweh has decreed that the Jew will never be assimilated in foreign countries, and that they will al­ways remain a different and distinct people.

Through His servant, Amos, the Lord has set forth the punishment and the preservation of Israel as a separate race though scattered throughout Gentile lands. “Be­hold, the eyes of the Lord God are upon the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth ; saying That I will not utterly destroy the House of Jacob, saith the Lord. For, lo, I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, Yet shall not the least grain fall upon the Earth.” (Amos 9:8-9)

Though dispersed from one end of the earth to the other, the fleshly descendants of Jacob were to retain their identity and racial characteristics. Instead of being assimilated by the countries into which the hand of God has scattered them they were to be divinely preserved.

Jeremiah likewise proclaims this remarkable characteristic in the 30th chapter of his prophecy at verse 11 For I am with thee, saith the Lord, to save thee : though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.”

It is quite clear from these prophecies that Ben-Gurion’s fear of Israel’s being racially absorbed is unfounded. There is, in God’s plan for this earth. a very important place for the Jew. Amos continues his prediction concerning Israel in verse 14 of his 9th chapter with these encouraging words ; “And I will bring again the cap­tivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them ; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof ; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the Lord thy God.”

Great David’s Greater Son

Though it is God’s purpose to some day bring all His people out of the land of the Gentiles to es­tablish them permanently in the land covenanted to their fathers, the work is not to be accomplished through the hands of a mortal such as David Ben-Gurion. Israel’s Prime Minister may fancy himself to be the great restorer of the an­cient people, but the work is as­signed to a greater David (belov­ed), even the Lord Jesus Christ, the natural and spiritual heir to David’s throne. Isaiah foretells the glorious work given into the hands of the Messiah in the 49th chapter of his prophecy at verse 6; “And He said, it is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to Raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel; I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.”

Restoration involves much more than mere occupancy of the land ; it also necessitates the restoring of Israel to divine favour, a posi­tion that can only be brought about when “there shall come out of Sion the deliver” who “shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” (Rom. 11:26)

It is clear from these passages that present day immigration to Palestine must remain a trickle in spite of human efforts to bring all the Jews to Israel. National and complete restoration must re­main until the “Fullness of the Gentiles be come in,” and when Israel will be in a position to say “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

“This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most high ruleth in the kingdom of men, and give­th it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Dan. 4:17)

Catholic voting majority by 1970?

For the first time in history, a Roman Catholic has been elected to the position of President of the United States of America. Jack Kennedy edged into office by a wide electorial margin, but scarce­ly half of the popular vote. As the Tidings goes to press, it has not yet been decided whether Presi­dent-elect Kennedy will capture over 50% of the votes or follow the same pattern as that of former President Truman, who was put into office on a minority vote. Regardless of the outcome the position is his, and for the next four years it will be his duty to order the affairs of state and com­mand the reign of government to the best of his ability.

The election of a Catholic to this eminent position, in which it is possible to wield such very strong influence of the policies of Am­erica, has been accepted by some very soberly and almost fatally, Many receive the fact with disappointment and more with surprise. Can it mean that the Roman Catholic faith is destined to some day become the state religion ? And is it true, as some maintain that by 1970 over half of the citizens of voting age will be mem­bers of the Catholic religion ? These are truly thought provoking times, made all the more critical, as one recalls the notorious history recorded in those countries where Catholicism was in a position where it could be influential in affairs of state.

Providence among nations

The people of God, because o the abundance of signs discernable today in the political heavens be­lieve that the return of Christ is imminent. It is quite evident that if the present trends continue, Jesus will very likely make his appearance in the earth in this generation ; possibly in the next four years. Very often in the past the God of heaven has seen fit to intervene in the affairs of the nations for the purpose of per­petuating His will. When it has suited His purpose, He has taken a very strong hand in the destinies of empires, overturning kingdoms and establishing others. Such was the case when, in fulfillment of His promise to Abraham, He visit­ed his descendants in the land of Egypt. He raised up Moses in their midst to effect their eventual emancipation from the bonds of slavery. In the process of educat­ing His people and acquiring their confidence, God brought upon Egypt mighty and terrible plagues. The Pharaoh, then ruling in Egypt was of such a character as to firmly resist the demands of God in the person of Moses, On sev­eral occasions he hardened his heart, until finally, God hardened it. Pharaoh’s obstinacy in stub­bornly refusing to yield to the requests of Moses suited God’s purpose perfectly, for had Egypt’s ruler submitted immediately, it would have left no opportunity for the miraculous display of Yahweh’s power and strength. In Exodus 9:12, we are told, “and the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the Lord had spoken unto Moses.” Later on in this chapter, we are made to understand the purpose of Pharaoh’s adamant position, for the account goes on, “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power ; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.” (v 16)

When the time of Judah’s cap­tivity in the land of Babylon was coming to a close, Yahweh once again took a hand in the political affairs of the nations. The Baby­lonian Lords had proved to be op­pressive and overbearing over the children of the captivity, and God had decreed that they should be punished. Before the Israelites could return to the land of their fathers, Babylon would have to be broken. The Lord of heaven and earth, selected Cyrus, a Persian for this purpose, and raised him up to a position of great importance among his people. In Isaiah 45:1 we find a prophecy relating to the precise manner in which Babylon would be delivered into his hands ; a prophecy that was made several years before Cyrus was even born, and one that clearly indicates the means by which the Persian king should find entrance into the “invulnerable” city. “Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut.” For some reason, which history does not disclose, the huge gates leading to the city from the river flowing through its center were not shut. The Persians gained access to the city by di­verting the flow of the water and marching up the river bed into the city itself. Here is another case when the God of Israel, in fulfill­ment of His promise, moved king­doms to accomplish His ends.

Mention could also be made of the prophecy contained in the 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel, where the invasion of the land of Israel by a terrible northern confederacy is outlined in great detail. The attract seems to be instigated through the efforts of one partic­ular individual, styled by Ezekiel as Gog of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. The final result of the incidents recorded here is the destruction of those nations in his camp and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on the mountains of Israel. To bring these events to their climatic end, it will be necessary for Yahweh to raise up one who answers to the description of Gog, whose heart is evilly inclined and who aspires to world domination. It is to be in his destruction that God is to be glorified in the sight of all nations, even as it was in the spoiling of Egypt in the eyes of the Israelites. n verse 16 of the 38th chapter, Ezekiel declares, “And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land ; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen (na­tions) may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O God, before their eyes.” In verse 23, the proph­et adds, “Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself ; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.”

There is no power, but of God

This pattern could be repeated many times, for God has often taken a strong hand in the gov­ernments of the world when it served His purpose. In considera­tion of these occasions where it has been evident that God’s hand was involved, is it not reasonable to believe that in these last days when He is about to send His be­loved Son to this earth to estab­lish His kingdom, that He will also make extensive preparations, in­volving changes in the political heavens ? It may very well serve His purpose for America to have a Catholic president ordering its policies at the appearance of Christ. Certain prophecies concerning the stand great nations will take in the last days seem to lend them­selves to the position as they now exist.

However, regardless of the out­come of elections, or the changes in America’s foreign policies ; even though dismay and despair settle over many, the people of God view these happenings with the know­ledge that Yahweh does indeed rule in the kingdoms of men, that all things are in His perfect con­trol and that there exists not a power on the face of the earth that can deter His purpose.

“The heathen raged, the king­doms were moved ; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46:6, 7.

Parliamentary Discord

“Whenever men recall the 15th General Assembly of the United Nations in years to come the image before their mind’s eye would be that of Nikita Khrush­chev, grinning like a delinquent adolescent as he pounded his desk and shouted. By his own doing, Khrushchev last week engraved himself upon the world’s memory as a man indifferent to or con­temptuous of civilized restraint and parliamentary procedures, a dictator deluded by the conviction from the obligation to show a decent respect for the opinions of mankind.” (Quoted f r om Time magazine).

This latest general assembly of the United Nations will probably prove to be one of the most his­torical of our times, due to the unprecedented manner in which a head of a large and powerful state wantonly exhibited his utter disregard for proper decorum. Time and again it was necessary for the chairman to bring the Soviet leader to order, as he displayed his displeasure at what was being said by furiously pounding on his desk. Khrushchev suffered many defeats at the assembly, the greatest of which was his in­ability to convince the new Afri­can delegates of his role as big brother. His suggestion that Dag Hammerskjold, U. N. Secretary-General be replaced with a three man directorate was overwhelm­ingly defeated with a vote of 70 to 0. The only individual with whom the Russion Premier seemed to make progress was Fidel Castro, whose public meetings were char­acterized by bear hugs.

A cold war battleground

It is doubtful that many held any real hopes for any measure of progress in this session. The United Nations is swiftly becoming just another arena for the airing of complaints and re-stating of political differences. Each session seems to worsen in this respect, as the members practice less and less self-restraint. Under the cloak of visiting dignitaries, and repre­sentatives of nations hostile to the west, Communist bosses feel safe to voice whatever comes into their minds.

African Neutrality. . .?

There was one significant change made, however, which has great historical importance ; the addition of 13 new African nations Out of the dark continent emerg­ed these new nations, raising to 22 out of a total membership of 96 countries. Each of these countries, regardless of their size has the same voting power, which accounts at least in part, for Khrushchev’s desire to win them over. Their position in the assembly, however, was made quite clear, as they de­clared their determination to re­main neutral. Each of them in order proclaimed its purpose, “Not to be drawn into the con­flict between the great powers.”

This new addition raised to 42 the combined Afro-Asian bloc, now representing the biggest one in the assembly. For years, the issues have been clearly cut be­tween pro-Communist and anti-Communist groups, and the ses­sions have merely become battle­grounds, with little hope on either side of changing the other. The balance has shifted somewhat as the neutralists, totally unpre­dictable in their decisions, con­tain the most members.

Regardless of these new mem­bers’ determination not to be drawn into the issues that sep­arate the two world camps, they will some day be required to make a choice. The finger of prophecy has traced their destiny in the world events, and mentions them as participating in the global conflict that is to precede the establishment of God’s kingdom.

A Tragic Mistake

Though some resemblance of order was discerned among the new African delegates, chaos con­tinued to reign in the Congo. The political future of the Congo rested on the success of the efforts of three men ; Col. Joseph Mobutu, Premier Patrice Lum­umba and President Joseph Kasavubu. None of the three care to venture into the streets for fear of disaster, relying upon either the Congolese troops or the United Nations troops to main­tain order. In the southern pro­vince of Katanga, where Tshombe rules, supported by Belgian busi­nessmen (whose eyes are on its mineral wealth) news of a brutal massacre leaked out. Some of Tsh­ombev’s troops captured 68 Baluba tribesmen, and, after tying their hands behind them, executed them. Later it was learned that the massacre was a mistake, and that they “had not intended to kill them.” The Katanga leader was warned by the U. N. that their forces would intervene should an occurrence of a similar nature take place.

The Inevitable Consequence of Human Rule

These events only emphasize the fact that violence and death are to be found in all regions of the earth. A few years ago, such happenings would not have had the significance they hold today. Small internal strifes within na­tions widely separated would not excite much interest and no anxiety at all 50 years ago. But times have greatly changed, and disorders within one nation can have serious effects on another on the opposite side of the world. Dis­tance is no longer a barrier to travel, and unrest and turbulence in remote places of the world can exercise strong influences in other nations. With the increase of power and advancement of knowledge, the leading countries of the world have a far greater responsibility to each other ; a responsibility, however, which they find impossible to fulfill. Unfor­tunately, though man’s under­standing of the elements has in­deed advanced in many fields, there seems to have been no change whatsoever in his inhumanity to man. Lust and greed are still the primary factors in his progress. Benefits of a peaceful nature are still mostly the byproducts of war. Developments in nuclear research have found their greatest success in the field of weapons and machines of destruc­tion.

This condition is destined to continue until the intervention of the great Creator. Bible students realize that the last momentous efforts of mankind will be to de­vise bigger and more deadly in­struments of destruction. The time will surely come when it will be expedient for God to take a hand in the affairs of man, lest he destroy himself from off the face of the earth. It is to this glorious event to which the chil­dren of the Most High look. They realize that the world shaking events transpiring today are in­evitable, as long as men of flesh and blood hold the reins of leader­ship. The scriptures have foretold with unerring accuracy, the world conditions as we see them today.

They provide the servants of God with a witness to the infall­ibility of His word, and a cause to rejoice in joyful anticipation of the magical changes that will transpire when Christ returns.

“He which testifieth these things saith, surely I come quick­ly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev. 22 :20)

Turbulence in the Congo

If one were called upon to name the most chaotic spot in the earth today, he would unhesitatingly point to the dark continent of Africa, a country swiftly becoming the newest battleground of the “cold war.” It has only been in re­cent times that so much world wide attention has been given the Afri­can continent. Occasionally, in the past, tribal warfare has erupted to a certain degree, but never in its history has it claimed such great concern among the peoples of the earth.

The main center of unrest lies in Central Africa in the Republic of the Congo, where Premier Patrice Lumumba and President Joseph Kasavubu are battling over control of the newly formed government.

In a country like Africa, where there are about 1000 different tribes, each possessing their own form of domestic life and religious customs, it is exceedingly difficult to effect a practical union under one government.

The entrance of United Nations troops recently in support of Kasa­vubu, intended to restore order, has only served to emphasize the tremendous problems confronting the Conglese. It is difficult to imagine the speed with which conditions have deteriorated from orderly prosperity into chaos and virtual bankruptcy.

Unemployment is mounting, civil war ensues between the blacks and the whites, while the economy of the country is plunging into ruin.

Red Infiltration

It is in the midst of this profound confusion that Russia, in flagrant disregard of the United Nations has been providing Lumumba’s forces with trucks, arms, planes and other military supplies, with which to fight the Katanga armies, mobilized by Tshombe.

Not only has Russia succeeded in sending in these supplies, but also manpower ; Communist – country personnel, masquerading as doctors and technicians have been flown in and are assisting the Congolese Army. It is apparent that Lumum­ba is merely a tool in the hands of the Communists to test United Na­tions patience in the Congo con­flict.

While Moscow sent more Communists to provide “technical” assistance to Lumubba, Tshombe made it clear that “if the West were to save the Congo from Communist dictatorship it must move quickly. If Lumumba were given enough military assistance to per­mit a successful invasion of the Katanga and were allowed to fasten his dictatorship on the entire coun­try, then it would be too late.”

Sensing the alarming danger arising from Red influence in the Congo, the President, Joseph Kasa­vubu attempted to exercise his constitutional power to fire the Premier. He in turn was dismissed by Lumumba.

Early in September, a $45 mil­lion contract for Soviet develop­ment of mineral and industrial re­sources in the Ghananian province was signed in Moscow. In Leopold­ville and Stanleyville, Soviet built planes take off and land almost ceaselessly.

A few short years ago, Russia displayed no interest whatsoever in the dark continent. Only in the recent African nationhood, has the Soviet Union manifested an intense eagerness to get in on the ground floor.

Following is an excerpt from TIME Magazine, which adequately reveals the progress of Communism in Africa ; “Despite their slow start in Africa, the Soviets moved swiftly once colonial rule began to crumble.

Overnight Russia’s rulers created in Moscow a mammoth African re­search center headed by the Soviet Union’s top African expert, Pro­fessor Ivan Potekhin.

Top Soviet diplomatic talent was rushed to Africa, including Middle East Ace Daniel Solod, who is Moscow’s Ambassador to Guinea, and hard-driving Ambassador to Congo Mikhail Yakovlev, whose clever footwork has gained him seemingly unrestricted access to Patrice Lu­mumba’s office.

Soviet diplomats have cleared the way for such projects as the African student scheme under which, last week, arrangements were made to send 150 Congolese youths to Moscow’s new Friendship University in the autumn. And at least 1000 African students have already been installed in schools in Moscow, Kiev, Odessa and Lenin­grad under the crash program be­gun three years ago.”

Egypt, Africa, Russia—a latter day alliance

What is the significance of Red progress in Africa, and why should news of this nature appear in the Tidings under the heading of “Signs ?” In one way or another, at least part of Africa is to be allied with Russia at the time of the end.

On more than one occasion, the Tidings has set forth proof that the “chief prince of Meschech and Tubal” mentioned in the 38th chap­ter of Ezekiel is actually Russia, “Ros” (Correct word for chief) be­ing the most ancient name by which Russia was mentioned.

The prophet declares an alliance between this mighty nation, in the time of the end, and Ethiopia, who is to render an assistance to her in the invasion of the land of Israel. In verse 5 of this chapter, Ezekiel describes the descent of the north­ern confederacy ; “Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them ; all of them with shield and helmet,” and in verse 8, “in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel.”

Daniel, also foretells the affinity that shall exist between Russia and Africa in the 11th chapter of his prophecy, as he describes the same series of events that shall take place in the “time of the end.” “And at the time of the end shall the king of the soul h push at him : and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind,

He shall enter also into the glor­ious land (of Israel). and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom and Moab, and. the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries : and the land of Egypt shall not escape.”

The language of the prophet does not make it perfectly clear whether Egypt and Ethiopia are to be voluntary allies of Russia or whether they are to be conquered. From the growing developments in the polit­ical world, and the manner in which Russia has forced the spread of Communism in smaller nations, both Egypt and Ethiopia, as well as other parts of Africa, could be­come Red satellites. In any event, it is very interesting to the student of prophesy to notice the intense interest Russia is now showing in Africa, in a time when so many of the other signs in the world scene point to the proximity of Christ’s return. That there is indeed to be an alliance among these nations mentioned by Ezekiel and Daniel is certain

When this confederacy becomes a reality, Daniel states that the Russian power, then in Egypt shall go forth in the fury of his madness to utterly destroy Jerusalem, the city of the great king. He is to be met, however, with one whose fury is even greater than his, even the God of Israel, who shall subdue him and break in pieces his armies. Ezekiel declares, “And it shall come to pass at the same time when God shall come against the land of Is­rael, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face.

For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken. Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel.

“Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his se­cret unto his servants the Prophets.” (Amos 3:7)

Israel’s fall foretold.

Before the sad calamities befell the nation of Israel, the Lord God warned them repeatedly of the end to which their sins were plummet­ing them. The prophets are full of the appealing messages of God’s servants as He endeavoured to persuade them to forsake their evil ways and place their trust in Him. The patience of Yahweh, far greater than that of man, was not exhausted until the Israelite’s had so completely forsaken His laws and statutes, that there was no possibility of their return. They had turned a deaf ear to the voice of the prophets, and had succeeded so extensively in teaching for doc­trines, the commandments of men, that their Creator caused them to be scattered into all regions of the earth. In Jeremiah 35:15 we find one of the most touching of the Lord’s appeals to the nation to re­turn ye now every man from his evil ways and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers : but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hark­ened unto me.”

There were many accompanying signs to verify the words of the prophets as they foretold the doom that a waited Israel, because of their departure from God. There was no reason to doubt the voice of the messengers of Yahweh, for the Mosaic test of a true prophet had been successfully met. Only be­cause of their refusal to see events in their true aspect, spelling out as it were, the destruction of the nation, did they become blind to the impending doom.

Today, there faces the world a similar calamity, and it is the pur­pose of this column of the Tidings, to bring some of the signs that shall herald its approach before our readers. The return of Christ to this earth is the most momentous event this world will ever encount­er, and has been the subject mat­ter of Divine prophecy throughout the length and breadth of God’s word. By emphasizing some of the current events in the light of pro­phecy, it is hoped that those of the household of faith will be alerted to the urgency of the times, and that the interest of those still outside may be aroused.

Willful blindness and impending judgement.

In the 24th chapter of Matthew’s gospel we read of the disciples of Jesus asking their Lord, “Tell us when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy com­ing, and of the end of the world ?” In the discourse that followed, Je­sus told them many things about his second coming, in which he even issued warnings against false Christs that should arise.

He foretold the constant war­fare that should prevail among the nations that know not God. He predicted the development of mod­ern warfare to such extent that the human race itself would stand in jeopardy. “Except those days should be shortened”, said Jesus, “there should no flesh be saved.” A creation of a war that would pose a threat to civilization itself was totally unheard of in Christ’s day, and can only be interpreted to be a prophesy of modern nuclear warfare. Only in this age, with the invention of the hydrogen bomb, and inter-continental ballistic mis­siles can it be stated, as it has been by eminent statesmen, that the human race stands in danger of be­ing wiped off the face of the earth. As a final indication of the near­ness of his coming and the end of the world, the Master prophesied of the return of the Jews to the land of Palestine, an event that has been a reality for over 12 years.

It is a sad attestation to the con­dition of the world today, that these unmistakable signs of the nearness of Christ are so complete­ly ignored. The world is in a state of complacency, insofar as the re­turn of Jesus is concerned, while at the same time in a state of trepi­dation over the chaos confronting them. This condition of confusion and fear is reminiscent of that ex­perienced by the Pharisees and Sadducees as they viewed with disbelief the mighty works per­formed in their midst by the Son of God. In Matt. 16:1, we are told that they came to Jesus and “desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.” The reply that the Lord made to them is a fitting description of the world in general, who refuse to see any connection with world events and the estab­lishment of the kingdom of God. “When it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, it will be foul weather to day : for the sky is red. and lowering. 0 ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky ; but can ye not discern the signs of the times ?

A solemn warning.

Tonight, as we sit typing this article, overhead, a thousand miles in space, a man made object of colossal size speeds through space in an orbit around the earth. The size of the balloon is such that it can be detected with the naked eye quite easily. Millions of people have their eyes turned heaven­ward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the object as it streaks across the skies like a slow moving mete­orite. As they do so, they stand in awe and solemn wonder at the achievements of man. It is obvious to them, that this generation has witnessed the greatest increase of man’s knowledge ever to be seen. It is also quite clear to them, that mankind stands on the threshold of space, and that this man-made satellite is only indicative of the profound secrets the present age will reveal. But, like the Pharisees and Sadducees of old who could readily discern the face of the sky, they cannot “discern the signs of the times.”

They are blind and oblivious to the many present day events that warn the servants of Yahweh, that their Master is at the door. When Christ had completed telling his disciples of the series of events that should herald his coming he carefully warned them to be ever watchful lest his sudden appear­ance should be unwelcome ; “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be over­charged with surfeiting, and drunk­enness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you un­awares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch, therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before I he Son of man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

The darkness of despair

It is doubtful that world conditions during peace time have ever taken on the somber tones they do this day as the Tidings once again goes to press. Tension between the leading powers has steadily increased as threats and counter threats are tossed back and forth by their highest delegates. On June 27th, Russia’s Khrushchev ordered the delegates of five Communist countries to walk out on the Geneva conferences. The destruction of this conference was just as deliberate as that of the summit, when the Sov­iet boss ended all hopes of any kind of understanding being reached by the two great powers. Success never was predicted for these conferences, but their sud­den termination was hardly for-seen by even the most pessimistic. It is questionable, however, if any thinking man actually thought that world wide disarmament could be effected through the efforts at either Paris or Geneva. Mr. E. B. White, for over 30 years a con­tributor to the New Yorker, and one, whose views are held in re­spect, had these skeptical remarks to make about the plausibility of total disarmament : “Unfortunate­ly, disarmament doesn’t have much to do with peace. . . . Total disarm­ament would not leave anyone free of the threat of war, it would simply leave everyone temporarily without the help of arms in the event of war. . . Every plane could be scrapped, every stockpile de­stroyed, every soldier mustered out, and if the original reasons for holding arms were still present, the world would not have been disarmed. Arms would simply be in a momentary state of suspen­sion, preparatory to a new and greater arms. . . . President Eisen­hower has said that war in this day and age would yield only a great emptiness. So, I think, would disarmament in this day and age. An arms race is a frightening thing, but eighty sovereign na­tions suddenly turning up without arms is truly terrifying. . . . Disarmament in this Day would Increase, not Diminish, The Danger of War . . . If modern arms make war unlikely, had we not better keep them until we have found the political means of making war un­necessary ?”

Mr. White’s arguments are logi­cal to a certain degree. Merely the removal of the means to wage war is no guarantee, in itself that war can completely be averted. The po­litical means, which he argues, are necessary to make war no longer expedient are not to be found at either Geneva or Paris. Even if the heads of nations could devise some way in which the whole world would suddenly, say within four years as suggested by Khrushchey, be stripped of arms and the means of making war, there still remains to be found a politi­cal system, agreeable to all that could provide the other essentials to lasting peace. Though many statesmen will not agree with White’s conclusions regarding the futility of world disarmament, it is obvious to all that such futility exists, and apart from friendly and cooperative merging of the powers of this planet, peace is out of the question.

A Divine Mandate

The failure of the disarmament talks have seemed to touch off a check of defenses both in the Sov­iet Union and in the United States. On June 28th, the day following the walk out at Geneva, the Sov­iet government announced that it would hurl a series of powerful rockets in the Central Pacific area in early July. The tests displayed to the West the Reds’ ability to hit pinpoint targets at a distance of over 8,000 miles. The military force of Russia, admittedly at 3,623,000 men (a million under allied estimates) has just been reequipped in all basic weapons from rifles to artillery and missiles. The Reds are also concentrating on the production of 700 – 1000-mile missiles for practical offense meas­ures against Western Europe.

In the United States, President Eisenhower’s request for 39.3 bil­lion dollars for defense, beginning July 1, has been supplemented by congress to the tune of 661.6 mil­lions. Another aircraft carrier of the Forrestal class and a new atomic submarine has been ap­proved. U. S. leaders have viewed with alarm the step up in Soviet arms, and have, in turn, increased the tempo of production of arms here. Funds have finally been ap­proved for a faster development of high altitude supersonic bombers. An airborn alert system originally scheduled to receive 85 million dol­lar support, now has been granted 170 millions.

Why has there been such a com­plete reversal of thought on these issues so quickly after the col­lapse of the conferences ? Why is it that experts have realized the futility of world disarmament, and have turned their efforts now to the manufacture of weapons in an unprecedented manner ? The ans­wer is given to us clearly in the scriptures of Truth that has fore­told with unerring accuracy the failure of men to establish peace.

In Joel 3:9 the prophet issues a command to the nations to concen­trate their endeavours on a great preparation for war. “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare War, wake up the mighty Liens, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” (3:9-10) When was this command to be obeyed, and how can we be so sure that what we see today is in response to this mandate? The ans­wer is to be found in the first verse of this chapter and estab­lishes the age in which this was to happen beyond all question. “For behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem . . . .” The return of the Jews to the land of Palestine was to mark the age in which world wide armament was to be engaged in. This one great event was to be the greatest of all signs that God would give to his servants that they might be warned of the near­ness of the return of Christ to this earth. Many signs of the Coming of the Lord were to converge on the generation that witnessed the revival of Israel, among which the preparation for war was to be paramount. Jesus declared that the Jews were to fall by the edge of tie sword and be led away captive into all nations. while their land fell under Gentile devastation Until the end of Gentile times. (Luke 21 :24) Joel’s prophecy converges two of the signs for our edification that the true children of God may be fully aware of the imminence of their Lord. Joel continues his outline of future events in verse 11: “Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gath­er yourselves together round about: Thither Cause Thy Mighty Ones to come down O Lord. Let the heathen be wak­ened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat : for there will I sit to judge the heathen round about. Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down, for the press is full, the fats overflow ; for their wickedness is great.”

The fantastic arms race which we see before us is merely part of the overall plan of God, preparing them for His judgment, soon to be poured out upon a world of wickedness and sin. Sooner or later the rocket rattling of the Soviet Un­ion and the retaliatory threats of the United States will break loose in a nuclear holocaust that, if permitted to continue, will either bring the residue of mankind to the dark ages or effect its com­plete extinction. Though we have painted a very dark picture of world conditions, can anyone say that they have been exaggerated ? Dare we sit complacently by, tot­ally oblivious to world develop­ments like the proverbial ostrich and not lift our voice in warning to those who are in ignorance, Whether we want to face realities or not, God has warned us of what is coming, and has instructed us in His word as to what we are to do.

“For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21 :35,36)

If one were called upon to identify the greatest issue of our day, and if one were at all informed on world developments, he would immediately suggest the problem of world disarmament. For the past 18 months this issue has been the subject of heated debate at Geneva. Throughout the cold war, both sides have pressed for an effective system to stop nuclear testing of arms. The United States has stood firm in their stand that in order for any plan to be truly effective, there must also be a foolproof means of inspection. Russia, at first, wanted a complete termination of all tests, before even discussing inspection.

On March 29th, President Eisenhauer announced to America terms on which atomic tests would be banned. A similar announcement was made by Prime Minister Macmillan for Great Britain on March 31. It has been the Presidents standing for many months that before total banning of tests could be started, an agreement on a practical means of inspection must be reached. The plan revealed for the ban consisted principally of three parts ;

1. Practical means of control must be achieved, staffed by personnel agreeable to both sides.

2. While the ban is in effect, research into nuclear detection must carry on, in an endeavor to design more thorough checks.
3. Arrangements must also be made to carry on small atomic explosions for peaceful purposes.

This arrangement would outlaw all nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in the sea and in space. It would provide a means of policing the ban with a global network of long-range seismographs and international teams of inspectors to search into any unnatural earth disturbances.

In essence, this is the same plan offered by the United States last February. All nuclear tests of less than 19 kilotons would be exempt, simply because they would be impossible to detect.

The Soviet’s first reaction to this was complete rejection. But, as has been the case so many times in the past, after her initial condemnation of the plan, Russia came back with a counter plan, that was at least in part, a compromise of her former position. The Soviet Delegate, Semyon Tsarapkin finally accepted the “United States suggestion to ban the big controllable tests.” But the Delegate also wanted all nations to voluntarily abandon all tests “for four or five years”, even those of the size that could not be monitored. He also conceded to the proposal that an all out drive be made by both sides to develop effective devises to accurately detect any nuclear blasts.

There seemed to be a modification in Russia’s position, for she no longer insisted that nuclear tests be stopped permanently, and admitted the need for more advanced detection machines. This counter proposal again placed the U.S. in an awkward position. To accept the Soviet plan would be to enter a disarmament project without the assurance that it could be properly monitored. In order to properly decide on the issue, Secretary of State Christian Herter early last month convened the Administration’s “Committee of Principals.” The committee; however, except for a unanimous stand that the U.S. could not accept all the points of Russia’s plan, were split in their ideas on a counter counter-proposal.

What would be the consequences of accepting the proposal, which does not provide for a means of inspection, and, at the same time would terminate all tests, even those for peaceful purposes? Authoritative sources agree that the U. S. would be gambling with its nation’s safety if all tests are to cease. Most defense weapons have not been tested with actual warheads in them, such as the basic U. S. weapons, Atlas, Titan, Polaris, Nike-Hercules, Red-stones, and many others. It is argued that many inconsistencies and defects can show up when a nuclear weapon is tested, even though all the component parts have worked out perfectly. The problem of re-entry for instance, is one that hasn’t even been dealt with as yet. Without actually running a test on a nuclear bomb dropped from a missile it could not be determined with certainty whether the intense heat generated by the atmospheric friction would damage the bomb or cause it to explode prematurely.

President Eisenhower, himself, made the final decision, when he stated that he would “accede to a full ban for a year or two, provided the Soviets would genuinely press for a crash drive to devise better detection, and would make further concessions on issues of inspection.”

Internationally famous nuclear physicist and mathematician Freeman John Dyson in “Foreign Affairs” insisted that the U. S. spurn an unshockable test ban and resume testing. Dyson felt that the Russians might already have perfected a nuclear weapon that can be detonated by inexpensive TNT instead of costly fission. This would mean, of course, the Soviets could mass produce nuclear warheads, while the United States, bound by the treaty of complete test-ban, would fall even farther back in arms development than she already is. “The only wise policy for the United States, at present”, said the physicist, “is to continue the exploration of nuclear weapons technology, including the testing of weapons, until a reliable international control is established . . . It would be wrong for us to leave the future development of nuclear weapons to chance. Our development and possession of these weapons will help maintain the stability of the world until in the fullness of time we can hand over all such devilish inventions to an international authority powerful enough to prevent their abuse.”

It is remarkable that such an individual as John Dyson should recognize the desperate need of an “international authority”, whose great power would prevent abuse of the unleashed energy of nature.

Even more surprising is his reference to the “fullness of time” when these things would be possible. The phrase is precisely that used by Jesus of Nazareth 20 centuries ago when foretelling the signs that should indicate the end of this age, when “the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luke 21: 24) It is quite doubtful that Dyson had in mind the power and authority which God has vested in the person of Christ, when he admitted the need of one having international authority. “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth”, said Jesus after his resurrection. The time is surely coming when the Father shall give unto him “the nations for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession.” (Psalm 2).

When Jesus shall return to this earth in his glory, with all his holy angels, the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. He shall then take up his great power and reign as king over all the earth. Truly, the answer to the world’s dilemma is accurately stated by the physicist, in his recognition of one having international authority. This has been the prayerful anticipation of God’s children down through the ages, whose eyes, ever heavened-turned, have longed to see the Master’s face.

“Nikita Scuttles Summit Meeting — Insults Ike, Cancels His Invitation.”

These were the headlines that confronted the public on the opening day of the summit talks at Paris, France. The proceedings at this conference completely lacked the dignity and prestige such a meeting should demand. Those who were present report that never before in peace-time history has there ever been such an uninhibited exposition of personal antagonism. As the Tidings goes to press, (the first day and possibly the last day of the conference) indications are that the proceedings will go no further. No subsequent meetings were scheduled.

Reconnaissance Flights Condemned

Nikita Khrushchev’s opening speech bitterly denounced the flight of an American U-2 light jet over Soviet territory on May 1st. The pilot, Francis Powers has apparently admitted to Russian officials that he was engaged in espionage activities over the U.S.S.R. He was not detected and shot down until he was well (1500 miles) into the Russian state. This deep penetration into Soviet territory was undoubtedly a shock to the Russian Premiere, and inflamed his attack on the United States. At first the U.S.A. denied any knowledge of spying, stating that the plane was on a routine research flight over Turkey. It was unarmed and was on a high-altitude clear air turbulence mission, when last heard of. However, when it was discovered that the pilot had confessed to the espionage charge made by Russia, the State Department reversed its stand and frankly admitted that it was common practice for the U.S. to engage in such activities in order to forestall a surprise attack on the free world. The state department further admitted that, “Endeavoring to obtain information now concealed behind the Iron Curtain,” an unarmed U.S. plane had flown over Soviet territory.

The situation placed the Americans in a most embarrassing position, since it occurred on the eve of the Summit Conferences in Paris. When Russia was charged with carrying on similar spy activities, Khrushchev threw up his hands over his head and declared, “As God is my witness, my hands are clean and my soul is pure.” His reference to God was noticeably out of taste since he is a communist and a professed atheist.

President’s visit to Russia Cancelled

Nikita’s attack against the United States was increasingly vicious, as he threatened retaliatory reprisals, and certain annihilation to those countries which allowed spy-planes to use their air strips. In the long speech delivered at Par­is today, the Soviet Premiere demanded that the United States publicly acknowledge their act of aggression, and severely punish those who instigated the flight. The text, released for the public shortly after its delivery, stated in part: “It goes without saying that in this case the U.S. government cannot fail to call to strict account those who are guilty of the deliberate violation by American aircraft of the state borders of the U.S.S.R.” The Premiere went on to suggest that the conference be postponed for a period of six to eight months (an obvious insult directed against Pres. Eisenhower since by then he will no longer be in office) to allow all involved to quietly analyze conditions. Before even future meetings could be held, however, Khrushchev made it clear that the United States must make public apology. He then made it clear that President Eisenhower is no longer welcome to visit the Soviet State in June as originally planned.

President Eisenhower declared that an official statement such as this coming from a nation in Russia’s position sounds as if it were already at war. The president probably did not realize just how true his words were. The cold war existing between the two leading nuclear powers only lacks the guns and missiles to make it a full fledged conflict.

Men’s hearts failing them for Fear

For eighteen months, now, conferences have been going on in an endeavor to ease tension, and promote peace. Millions of dollars have been spent in a futile attempt to establish a sound basis for international understanding and coexistence. This last conference in Paris was undoubtedly the most important, due to the greater world tension building up in recent months. The summit meeting offered a thread of hope in the face of despair, or so it seemed to state officials. Reaction to this latest turn ranged from despair to despondency. Some United States Senators took the stand that Khrushchev was in trouble at home with the military, and had forced events to their unhappy end in order to avert failure. House speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas, was outed as saying, “I’m afraid we’ll have to acknowledge failure at the summit conference.” Assistant Democratic leader Sen. Mike Mansfield stated. “The events of the past week, accentuated by the reports of today’s summit meet, should bring home to all — to the Russians, to Americans, and to peoples everywhere, a realization of how slender is the reed by which we cling to a civilized survival.” The Senator went on to predict the present civilization being reduced to a “monumental wreckage.” “But it will be for some other generation, not this one, to study it. For the wreckage will be not just a plane. It will be the charred remains of the civilization which houses living mankind.” Even Great Britain’s Macmillan, usually optimistic about the summit meet, publicly warned, “Errors of judgment based on ignorance or anger could lead with dreadful speed to the extinction of civilization.”

The pathetic efforts of mortal men in their vain pursuit to reach peace are summed up by the prophet Isaiah : “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God to the wicked.” (Isa. 57: 20,21) The mire and dirt of human nature has been revealed quite clearly in events leading up to today’s collapse, as the heads of nations, like the troubled seas vainly meet, only to withdraw like the ebb tide.

Look unto me — and be ye saved

The earth’s inhabitants look vainly to the leaders of the Gentiles for the answer of peace. The futility and deceit of their counsels of peace closely resemble those of the false prophets of the captivity who promised security to the captives, while plotting their destruction. Their weak and miserable efforts failed and they were put to open shame in the sight of all the people. “Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace ; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against them. Then shall the seers be shamed, and the diviners confounded : yea, they shall all cover their lips ; for there is no answer of God.” (Micah 3:5-7) Israel looked hopelessly to their seers and diviners, just as the world looks to the political leaders of our days for an answer of peace. The answer to the world’s plight, however, does not lie with man, but with his Creator. It is to the “High and Lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity” that the children of God look, for in His power only is the solution to the world’s dilemma.

“Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills (nations), and from the multitudes of mountains : truly in the Lord Our God is the Salvation of Israel..” (Jer. 3:23).