| Highlights of Dawn | January 1959 |
World Problems Solved by Our Lord’s Return
THE human race seems to go from the throes of one great world crisis into another. The cleverest brains of the powers have been unable to find a common ground for the solution of their mutual problems in international affairs. Each is vexed with the other. Each is expressing recriminations of the other’s motives and sincerity.
When countries are as they exist today; when the plight of the world is beyond the ability of man to control; when the wisdom of the wise men has perished; when the knowledge of the prudent men of the earth is ineffective; when the diplomats and statesmen of earth do not know what to do; when, as today, men’s hearts are failing them for fear of many things, some people instinctively turn to God to find the answer, to find the remedy for these conditions, to learn how to solve their problems.
We all agree that the world has many problems. The question in the minds of many is, will it be possible to solve these problems? There are the problems of the atomic bomb, of international finance, of foreign policy. There are the social and religious problems. And these are not merely the problems of one country. They are the problems of the entire civilization.
Human selfishness has long stood in the way, barring the human race from solving apparently simple problems. In spite of the fact that there is an abundance of food in certain parts of the earth, famine and starvation are stalking abroad on a tremendous scale in other parts of the world. Food is wasted and destroyed for economic reasons, while others starve because they live in countries with a different economy.
The planet has given forth tons of gold and silver, but we do not know what to do with it in the stabilizing of international currency. So we in America pay our own debts with paper money, while we guarantee our foreign obligations with gold. While one country needs what another country has, and one country produces what yet another needs, we have been unable to organize a satisfactory and fair method of exchange. On the surface, this appears to be a simple problem. But when America wanted to give away some of its surplus food, other nations objected because that would spoil their markets; so it is not as simple as it at first appears.
And, also, while the majority of all peoples hate war and bloodshed, and desire to live in peace and security, we have never yet solved the problem of preventing increasingly destructive wars.
While history tells us of the rise and fall of nations, the Bible tells of the rise and the fall of worlds. It tells us of the “world that was,” which came to an end at the time of the Flood. It tells us of the “present evil world,” or age, which ends with a destructive fire, and it tells of the “world, or age to come” and what we may expect in this new world of prophecy. (Gal. 1:4; Luke 18:30) The Apostle Peter, in II Peter 3:6 declares, “The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” Everyone knows that it was not the earth which was destroyed by water, for all of us know that we are still living on the same earth that, existed before the Flood.
Let us notice the words of John the Baptist as recorded in Luke 3:16,17: “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire: whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable,” Here is a prophecy that has been fulfilled. It is a prophecy concerning Israel, and as prophesied by John the Baptist, our Lord came, and he did baptize with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. And he also baptized with fire.
Sometimes people pray for the baptism of fire. How little they know for what they pray! Those who were baptized by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were few in number. They were Israelites indeed, who recognized in Jesus their Lord and Savior. “He came unto his own [people], and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” (John 1:11,12) The remainder of the Jewish nation knew not the day of their visitation.
The Master, just prior to his triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem, speaking prophetically of the whole nation of Israel said, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen cloth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (Luke 13:34,35) And so it was. They were burned as chaff in the time of fiery trouble which marked the end of the Jewish age.
It was to that destruction that our Master referred when he spoke of their baptism of fire. It was a “fire” of destruction and of desolation. Various steps were taken to hinder the complete desolation of the nation of Israel, but all efforts failed. The prophecy had to be fulfilled. Truly their house had been left unto them desolate. The foretold baptism of fire that destroyed and desolated the nation of Israel is a prophecy which has already been fulfilled, and therefore easy to comprehend as the key to the fire of our day. It was not a literal fire then; it is not literal fire now.
The majority of Christian people have been taught to believe in the literal burning and destruction of the earth. This teaching is not in accord with the Word of God. In Ecclesiastes 1:4 we find the simple statement, “The earth abideth forever.” This plain scriptural assurance is in harmony with the Word of God through the Prophet Isaiah (Isa. 45:18) that he created the earth not in vain, but he formed it “to be inhabited.”
God promised Abraham, “Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward. For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.” (Gen. 13:14,15) He will not break his promise.
Some find it difficult to believe that the earth itself is not to be destroyed, because of the statement of the apostle in II Peter 3:7, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
Here is something to think about! While some believe that this earth will be destroyed by fire, do they believe that God’s throne will be destroyed? Of course they do not, and yet the Bible says heaven is God’s throne, and this text specifically declares that the heavens as well as the earth will be dissolved with fervent heat. What does it mean?
There must be a more logical explanation of this prophecy than that which has been given us by ecclesiasticism. We believe that this is an account of the current time of trouble through which this present evil world is passing. As the flood of water ended the old world; and as the “fire” of trouble ended Jewish national life when the Fortress Mesaba, on the Dead Sea, fell in A.D. 73, so since 1914 our civilization has been receiving its baptism of fire. The fire is symbolic of trouble and destruction.
The heavens represent the present religious world which is honey-combed with unbelief, and these powers of heaven are being shaken. The earth represents our social, political, and financial systems, and the “elements” referred to in this prophecy symbolize the various factors that constitute our world—the capital and labor element, the rich and the poor elements of our social order, the bureaucratic and industrial phases of our life.
The “works” that shall be burned up are the hate and war, the graft and greed, the selfishness, and the jealous ruthlessness which is manifest on every hand as the “works” of this world. That is the world which is being destroyed and every one of us will be glad to see this old selfish order go into oblivion.
The Prophet Zephaniah (1:14-18) declares, “The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and haste eh greatly, even the voice of the day of the Lord: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.”
As we see the trouble of earth constantly gaining momentum, we realize the possibilities which are confronting the world. But as students of God’s Word we see a silver lining to this dark cloud of trouble. The Apostle Peter after speaking of the destruction of those things which are out of harmony with God, gives us these words of encouragement: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”—II Peter 3:13
Here we are directed by Peter to a promise of God which was given long years before, and recorded in Isaiah 65:17-25. Peter believed this promise, which reads, “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
Now notice what the nature of this new order will be. “And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble [it will not be war economy]; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.”
Thus the prophet looked down the corridor of time and saw a new earth—even though it will be on this old planet—a new earth not based on war and selfishness. This is the promise to which Peter referred. This is the prophecy that had stirred his mind as to the blessings which would come to the earth in the establishment of the new order. This is what caused him to say, “Nevertheless we … look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” And we may also look forward in anticipation to the time when the human race will be able to enjoy the fruits of its labor in the midst of happy, edenic conditions, wherein righteousness will dwell.
There are many prophecies in God’s Word which assure us that when this new order of righteousness is established in the earth, it will not be a temporary thing that will exist only for a few brief years until another flood or until another “baptism” of fiery trouble; but rather, as declared by the Prophet Micah: “We will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” (Micah 4:5) When this new order of society has been established, it shall abide forever.
Possibly one of the most easily understood prophecies concerning this present transition period, and the assurance that after the trouble conditions of millennial peace will be established, is found in Zephaniah 3:8,9. This prophecy reads: “Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” Notice, that this prophecy explains the fire which will destroy the old order. It is not literal fire—it is the fire of God’s jealousy—the fire of trouble.
It is difficult to discern a “pure language,” a pure Gospel message, in this old order, because of the different creeds and theories that men have created to their own confusion. Today there are many voices, many languages, all claiming to be the message of God. In this babble of conflicting philosophies it is difficult indeed to discern the voice of God.
But after the “fire” of trouble has done its work, after the present ecclesiastical heavens have lost their power, and after the present “earth” with its social, political, and financial elements has been brought to a condition of impotency, the mist and fog of prejudice and superstition will be lifted from the minds of men. Then the pure message of truth concerning the glories of the coming kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will shine forth as a pure language to tell of the lengths and breadths, and the heights and depths of the love of God. This will be the answer to our prayer that God’s will may be done as fully in earth as it is in heaven. And according to this prophecy the result will be “that the people will all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.”
However, as we speak of this new day and the blessings it shall contain, and as we are assured that the reign of Christ will solve the problems of the earth, the thought will present itself to many, “Why has this condition not been established long ago seeing that 1,900 years and more have passed into history since our Lord Jesus Christ finished his earthly ministry? Why have we had to wait so long in sickness and death? What has God been doing concerning this glorious kingdom from the time of Calvary until the present?”
There are many scriptures which assure us that God has not been inactive during this long interlude; but rather, beginning at Pentecost and continuing until the present time, the purpose of God has been to choose the “bride” of Christ. Altogether these will be but a “little flock” as compared to the billions of Adam’s children, but they have been “the salt of the earth.”—Luke 12:32; Matt. 5:13
These have been the ones who have heard the invitation of the Master, when he declared, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. 16:24) And this group of loyal, faithful Christians has endeavored to follow in the footsteps of the Master with the assurance that, as children of the Lord, they will live and reign with Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks of them in Romans 8:17 saying, “If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
These are they who are spoken of as walking in the straight and narrow way which leadeth unto life. To these applies that promise which has encouraged saints throughout past centuries, when Christ, through John the Revelator, in chapter 2, verse 10, declares, “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10
And it is this “little flock” who will live and reign with Christ a thousand “years, assisting hi the establishment of the new world wherein righteousness will dwell. The world’s problems will be solved through the application of the principles upon which Christ’s kingdom will be built. Then there shall be none to hurt nor to offend in all that kingdom, for ‘‘of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end; upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.” “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given,” and he becomes the “Prince of Peace,” for he will establish peace.—Isa. 9:7,6
A Righteous World
Thus righteousness will at last be man’s heritage in a new world order under the rulership of Jesus Christ, “the Prince of Peace.” It is to establish his rulership, his kingdom, that our Lord returns at his second advent. The first world ended with the destruction of all those who were out of harmony with God. But Noah and his house were protected and saved.
The second world is ending with the destruction of those elements of hate and greed and war which are so out of harmony with God and the principles of Jesus Christ. But his church, through divine providence, is also saved and, being exalted, will reign with him. The third world will see justice laid to the line and “righteousness to the plummet.” It will see the power of truth “sweep away the refuge of lies,” upon which the old order has been built.—Isa. 28:17
Those who are willfully disobedient to righteousness under those favorable conditions will also be swept to destruction; but the human race, having learned well the exceeding sinfulness of sin through the experiences of six thousand years of the history of sin, will rejoice in the opportunity willingly to obey the new rule of righteousness which will fulfill the prophecy of Revelation 21:1-5:
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first [Diaglott, ‘former’] heaven and the first [Diaglott, ‘former’] earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
Therefore our message to you is that world problems will be solved by our Lord’s return, and, through the establishment of his kingdom, there will be a “new heavens and a new earth,” a new social order wherein righteousness will dwell. That is what we pray for when we pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,”—Matt. 6:10