Voices—Small and Great

THE ability to clothe ideas in words and to transmit them with the voice is a potent influence in modern society. And if we include the written word—the power to translate these ideas into a form that can reach far beyond the sound of the voice—we are considering the mightiest influence possessed by our race for either good or ill.

Great orators have, until very recent generations been limited by space and time to a comparatively small scope. With the invention of printing in the fifteenth century, a great change began to take place. The progress was slow until the harnessing of steam and the discovery and application of electricity vastly increased the products of the printing press. With the discovery of radio and television the circle is complete; and shortly the visible personality of the orator, the natural vibrations of his voice, the actual words in which he expresses his thoughts—warnings, injunctions, information—will be instantly available to his unseen audience the world around.

Recently the newspapers carried an account of an invention by which lines drawn with metallic ink on a plate can be used in a radio set instead of wires. A short time ago a picture was published of a complete radio set built into a man’s hat. It is not unlikely that within the next few years we shall have not only the 1000-mile-per-hour plane, making Europe as near to New York City as Albany was twenty years ago, but also radio sets adapted for the pocket or handbag and capable of receiving messages originating thousands of miles away.

One of the phenomena of our day is the pitiless publicity to which practically everything is subjected. Injustices practiced by those in high positions formerly were often concealed for many years. Today, with the acceleration of sound and speed, we likewise find that little can be said or done by those in positions of public trust and authority that is not promptly discovered and made a subject of general discussion.

In this country we became accustomed to hearing the late President, in what he styled a “fireside chat,” discuss matters of national importance with his fellow countrymen. Many other public men have made use of the radio to present their messages. Now, with the functioning of the United Nations Organization, we have a forum where issues of international import are discussed—truly a “town meeting of the world.” Some of these discussions have been recorded for radio transmission. For other questions, and the views of the various governments upon them, we have but to await the evening, or the next morning’s newspapers.

The recent meetings in London of the UNO and its Security Council have given the edifying illustration of how this forum may be used for the discussion of even the complaints of subject peoples, their appeals for freedom and justice, as in the case of the Indonesians, and for food for a starving population in parts of India. And these problems are being presented before this world organization quite differently than with the previously and long accepted “correct” diplomacy, which suppressed many of the facts known only to those in high governmental stations. As commentators have pointed out, these discussions have not led to decisions and settlement of the problems, but they have accomplished the miracle of prompt presentation before the bar of public opinion, and given notice to all the powers directly or even indirectly concerned, that their course is being critically watched by the outside world.

What the full result of such publicity may be remains to be seen. But the power of public opinion is becoming so strong and so important, that either through desire for approval or fear of disapproval, movements in the direction of the obviously right and just course, or in line with humanitarian principles, may be anticipated. And some of these desirable results are already visible.

The prophecies of the Bible, describing the time in which we are living, lay emphasis upon an increase in communications and of knowledge in general. They point to a great storm of controversy to result from increased knowledge of rights and wrongs, discovered in the relations of men and nations. The Bible, in symbolic language, speaks of these as “voices and thunders.”

How accurately these expressions describe the peculiar situation in the world! On every hand we hear the foretold “voices.” Every moment is articulate through press and radio. Even representatives of capital and labor feel it necessary to present their views and contentions to the public, as well as to one another, when disturbances and strikes are threatened. Frequently these public statements are contradictory. Propaganda has become a study and, too often, an evil art. An institution may give one line of thought and argument to its own adherents, to arouse or augment their partisan spirit and support, yet present quite a different and disarming aspect to others.

With the multitude of voices heard today through press and radio, an unparalleled opportunity is available for enlightenment on every subject—but only to the discriminating hearer. For those in touch with and influenced by merely a segment of this publicity, facts are still subject to suppression, discoloring, or denial. It is easy to be misled, and in fact it requires patience and an open mind if one is to gain a fair understanding of the many issues that insistently clamor for solution.

In the nominal religious realm, the danger of being misled by some of the “voices” we hear today is especially indicated in the Scriptures. In Daniel’s prophecy, chapter seven, four great beasts are used to illustrate the four vast empires of antiquity—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Continuation of government beyond the time of the Roman Empire is pictured in the ten horns of the fourth beast; and a “little horn” which became great, represents the rise of a religious power claiming to speak for God, while really misrepresenting him and persecuting his truly consecrated people.

Daniel’s vision continues until God’s judgment throne is set up, and the decision is rendered against the kingdoms of this world, including this religious system, to the effect that they are to be displaced by the kingdom of Christ and his church. The language of this chapter indicates that the destruction of this false religious system would be gradual: “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.”—Verse 26

And even after the judgment has been rendered, Daniel records the remarkable fact that the claims and pretensions of this institution would still be proclaimed. He says (Verse 11): “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”

This same institution is given a prominent place in the Book of Revelation under the symbols of a city (Babylon), and as a separate beast which the Revelator says resembled a leopard. (Rev. 13:2) In the account of its destruction, this same remarkable fact is apparent, namely, that it continues to claim sanctity, and to represent itself as God’s mouthpiece and as the bride of Christ, even after the judgments of God have begun—judgments which will ultimately completely destroy and consume it. Two of these instances are found in the sixteenth chapter. In verse 10, a “vial” containing the wrath of God is poured out upon the “seat of the beast.” The result was that “his kingdom was full of darkness, and they gnawed their tongues for pain,” but they continued to “blaspheme” the God of heaven.

Here the word “blaspheme” does not mean to take the name of God in an oath, but to misrepresent him; and the impression we are to gain clearly seems to be that they did not acknowledge their errors and wrongdoing, even when suffering under the judgments of God. The same thought is found in the 21st verse of this chapter. There the judgments are represented by great hail—hailstones approximately half the weight of a man. As water in the Scriptures symbolizes truth, so hail seems to represent great truths in such form as to be a most destructive agent. And still, notwithstanding the plague of the hail, these “men” continued to misrepresent God.

Again this same thought is emphasized in the eighteenth chapter where we read of symbolic Babylon (verses 7,8); “… she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.” But the answer given to these false and extravagant claims is, “Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.” The suddenness of her final destruction is also pictured in the following chapter where we are told that the “beast” is to be cast “alive [active to the last] into the lake of fire.”

And so today, this great false system of religion, while it has lost some of its power, wealth, and prestige, was never so active in proclaiming its sanctity, its God-given mission to the world; its exclusive right to speak for him and to lead men—and especially Christians—by securing their obedience to one whom they claim speaks and rules in the church as Christ’s vicegerent, his proxy.

The position of Bible students has been compared to that of a man standing on the seashore observing the waves rolling in. He has the timetable of the tides, and knows that the floodtide is past, and the ebbtide begun. Presently he is joined by one who does not have a timetable. Together they watch a great wave coming in; it breaks on the shore, and the surf rolls up toward them, reaching considerably beyond the high water mark of the preceding waves. The latter arrival advises that they step back, thinking that the tide is rising. But the one who has the timetable assures his companion that he need have no concern, that while there may be a high wave or two, actually the tide has turned, and that the general average of the waves is receding.

So today, the Lord’s people know that the tide of Babylon’s power to rule has turned; that the judgment has been rendered against every section and phase of Satan’s empire. This is the important consideration. They note the occasional “high wave,” but they are not impressed with the “great swelling words,” because they have been informed that these will not indicate that their timetable and expectations are incorrect.

On the contrary, they are to recognize in them a confirmation of the prophecies that the false religious systems will not realize in advance that their days are numbered. But oh, the blessedness of the promise, “Ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should come upon you as a thief.” But, “when THEY shall say peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, … and they shall not escape.”—I Thess. 5:3,4

Reverting to the multitude of “voices” heard today, we ask, What is the meaning of this confusing “babel”? Is it likely to result in a better order, or a worse? These questions cannot be answered by a simple Yes or No. A generation ago the frequently expressed appraisal of the great advances in science and invention was that we were entering the “Brain Age” and, among other advantages, mankind would soon be too wise to continue attempting the solution of world problems by armaments and war.

But since then two world wars have intervened; and finally, with the application of atomic energy to destruction, the assurance has been completely shattered that scientific knowledge and general publicity can be depended upon to lengthen the span, or increase the happiness, of human life—or even prevent the abnormal shortening of it through mortal conflict.

The Bible alone answers every anxious query as to the meaning of the events of our day. Without its enlightenment the outlook is dark, as our Lord foretold; and it is causing men’s hearts to fail as they endeavor to look into the future and, with fear, consider “those things which are coming on the earth.”—Luke 21:26

Much that is good is revealed by present day publicity, but also much that is evil—dishonesty and selfishness in high places. The effect of the good is over-balanced by the bad; and the Scriptures inform us that the result will be the loss of confidence on which solidarity and co-operation are built. These same Scriptures, however, inform us that God has ever been mindful of the poor and needy, the down trodden and exploited those who have no other helper.—Psalm 72; Isaiah, chapters 2 and 11

While a multitude of human “voices” is now heard, the prophet tells us of a far more powerful Voice—one which speaks “from heaven.” Throughout the Scriptures these great “voices,” or messages, from God, are brought to our attention. They may be said to provide the over-all program for man, the limits to which his undisciplined mind and powers may extend.

Many centuries ago a Babylonian monarch lost his reason. The peculiar circumstances about his derangement was that God had sent him warning of this impending misfortune in a dream, telling him it would be in the nature of a chastisement for his pride and vainglory—“until thou know,” said the “voice from heaven,” “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.”—Dan. 4:30-32

This incident serves to illustrate the figure of speech, “God’s voice,” as related to the affairs of men. It is idle to expect more from human wisdom and effort than God’s Voice indicates they are capable of accomplishing. The essence of wisdom is in learning to understand this great overruling Voice, its instructions and encouragement, and to base our life and hopes upon it.

What, then, is the program outlined today by that authoritative Voice? We may read the answer to our question in many portions of the Bible, among them Psalms 2 and 46. In the 2nd Psalm we find a description of our day, of men’s confused efforts to solve world problems apart from God. Note the query of the inspired writer as to why men are so engaged, instead of seeking the higher wisdom—the Word and principles of God.

Psalm 46:6 summarizes in a few words the whole unparalleled turmoil of our time, and God’s overruling for man’s good. The “Master program” there stated is the “melting” of the earth: “… He uttered his voice, the earth melted.” In Scripture symbology, earth means human society; hills and mountains mean kingdoms, governments. Thus we are informed in this prophecy that today’s rush and furore, the multitude of “voices” offering plans, programs, warnings, and threats will result in bringing down society to a common level, just as a wax cone, when subjected to heat, will level out and become flat. This is the exact figure used by the Psalmist (Psalm 97:4,5) where we read concerning our day, “His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.”

We are not left in doubt as to God’s object in so overruling the imperfect attempts of men to solve their problems and maintain order. It is that as a result of their perplexity and discouragement—when, as the Psalmist says (Psalm 107:27,28), they “are at their wit’s end”—they will be prepared to hear God’s voice saying, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”—Psalm 46:10

Then—and only then—will men be ready to heed the divine instructions. These will be given through the kingdom of Christ. It will be established, so the Prophet Daniel says, in the days of the kingdoms of this world and shall supersede all other authority. It will cause the knowledge of God to fill the earth as the waters cover the sea; and, hearing and obeying its instructions and laws, mankind will then gain life and peace.—Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14

That kingdom or government, will be “the desire of all nations.” (Haggai 2:7) It will produce just the atmosphere that noble statesmen long for—the basis for happy and peaceful relationships between man and man, between nation and nation. As the Psalmist, in an exalted strain, says: “He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In His days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.”—Psalm 72:6,7

When this kingdom has accomplished its work, we have the assurance of the divine Word that all the dead and the living of our race except the incorrigible, will have been brought back into harmony with their Creator. That great Voice from heaven is heard apprising us of this glorious outcome: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God ‘shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”—Rev. 21:3,4

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