| Highlights of Dawn | October 1961 |
Looking Backward
MR. O. BARNES, First-Vice-President of the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church, in a recent report to fellow Lutherans in western Canada, said that “Pagan religions, in spite of the excellent progress of Christian missions in the world today, are increasing ten times as rapidly as the Christian church.” This is an astounding statement, and the truth it reveals must be very disconcerting to those whose only hope for the world is its conversion to Christianity through the missionary efforts of denominational churches.
Back in the nineteenth century the churches had high hopes of converting the world, possibly within a generation. This hope was revived as late as the 1920’s of the present century. Everyone now knows that this did not materialize, and the extent of its failure is highlighted by Dr. Barnes’ report that non-Christian religions are making more progress in the present chaotic world than is professed Christianity.
This, of course, helps to emphasize that we are living in a time of change. There is almost nothing in the world today that is the same as it was at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This is the more remarkable when we remember that up until then the world had made almost no progress in the fields of education, invention, communication, and travel. Scientific and other knowledge did not develop gradually, beginning with the dawn of history, and finally reach the space age. Instead, it has all come about suddenly.
As the nineteen century began, the most advanced people of earth were getting along without watches and sewing machines; and without steamboats and steam locomotives. The humble bicycle was unheard of, nor could even the rich have their “pictures taken.” No one could send a telegram, and the canning of food was unknown. Tractors had not appeared, and electric dynamos had not been invented. Farmers then knew nothing of power reapers, and even the insignificant match for lighting fires had not been invented.
Half of the nineteenth century had passed before the people of the world knew anything about typewriters, gasoline engines, incandescent lamps, the telephone, elevators, and a host of other inventions which at the present time we consider quite necessary to our way of life. Indeed, most of these did not come into anything like general use until near the end of the nineteenth century.
During the first sixty years of the twentieth century came the airplane; the practical and general use of radio; television; the X-ray tube; radar; atomic energy; the space rocket, and jet propulsion. Many of these astounding developments have materialized since the publication of the first issue of The Dawn Magazine in October, 1932.
Since the beginning of the nineteenth century the speed of travel has increased from the slow pace of a camel, donkey, or horse to six hundred miles an hour for the general public, and thousands of miles an hour for flyers in the armed forces of the leading nations of earth. Now the claim is that in a few years it will be possible to fly to the moon, which is really “out of this world.”
Social and Political
THE political and social changes in the world since the beginning of the nineteenth century have also been great, most of these having occurred since the outbreak of the first World War in 1914. Following the French Revolution at the close of the eighteenth century, Europe remained much the same. There were minor changes, but the divided Roman world continued to be governed by hereditary ruling houses claiming “the divine right of kings.”
There were localized wars during the nineteenth century, including the Civil War in the United States, but these did not materially change the shape of the world. Through the impact of increasing knowledge and invention the industrial age was developing, and parliaments began slowly to curb the absolute dictatorial powers of some of Europe’s kings and emperors. This was particularly true in England, where, toward the close of the century, control of the British army was taken out of the hands of the reigning queen.
There were rumblings of discontent and threats of revolution, but from the human viewpoint it appeared unlikely that anything could happen which would overthrow the long established crowned heads of Europe. This seemed especially so when, in 1913, the nations of the world celebrated an international peace year. And then it happened! The assassination of a Hapsburg arch-duke in a Slav province gave the signal, and the first World War in history was on.
The result of that war is briefly summed up in an editorial which appeared in the New York Time Magazine, on August 10, 1954. Displaying a picture of Kaiser Wilhelm, the editorial observes, “With him a world passed away.” That this is true has become more and more apparent with each passing year since. Following that first World War there was a great hue and cry about returning to “normalcy,” meaning the status quo of the pre-war days. However, it was soon realized that this was impossible. The very foundations of so-called civilization had been shaken, and its fabric was tearing apart. The powerful hereditary rulers of Europe were no longer in control. Some in the less powerful states were permitted to maintain their titles, but without genuine governmental authority. Nor did the people of such countries as Germany and Russia have any notion of reinstating the former ruling houses. The kings had had their day.
Changes Continued
THE overthrow of hereditary ruling houses was only the beginning of changes which were triggered by the first World War. It was the defeat of Russia in that war that made possible the rise of communism to the point where it now threatens to engulf all nations. It was the defeat of Germany that led to the rise of Hitler and to the cruel persecution of the Jewish people throughout Germany and other parts of Europe, which led to so many of them going to Palestine.
It was the defeat of Turkey that resulted in the opening up of Palestine as a homeland for the Jews, and eventually the establishment of the new State of Israel. This in turn, has created a situation in the Arab world which is pregnant with the threat of more war. In short, the first World War marked a turning point in modern history, and the world continues to round that turning point.
The buildup of the Hitler and Mussolini regimes eventually led to the second World War, which was even more widespread and devastating than the first. Weapons of destruction had been made more deadly, particularly the bombing plane. By the war’s end the cities of Europe and many parts of Asia were a shambles. Countless millions had been kilted, and other millions uprooted from their homes and cast upon the mercy of the world as war refugees.
The end of the second war found the victorious nations of Europe, and also the conquered, bankrupt and hungry. Even in formerly powerful and rich Britain, food rationing had to be continued for a number of years after the war. It is a question if any nation in Europe could have survived at all but for the help of almost unlimited American dollars. This flow of money has never ceased, although now it is being used largely to build up military might against the communist world.
While the defeat of Russia in the first World War made possible the rise of communism in that country, her victory in the second war put communism in a position of power in the fast-changing world which would have been thought impossible prior to the time it actually happened. And communist control continues to spread.
The western world would like nothing better than to stop the onrush of communism, and, indeed, to destroy it. But now science has provided the great powers of earth with such deadly weapons of war that no one wishes to risk their use, so everything possible is being done, even to permitting communism to spread, to avert another global struggle in which there would be the possibility of the human race itself being just about totally destroyed.
Religion Also
COMMUNISM is anti-God. The only devotion it recognizes is to the state. It is an ideology in which the state is worshiped instead of God. In this respect, at least, it is a revival of paganism. Wherever communism controls, systematic efforts are made to educate the youth in irreligion. This is having a damaging effect upon the moral fiber, not only of the communist world itself, but its influence is spilling over into the rest of the world.
Religious news reporters visiting Russia sometimes bring back glowing reports of seeing churches filled with worshipers, as if to give the impression that there is a religious revival in that country. What they do not as a rule report is that in a city which formerly had perhaps twenty-five churches there is now only one; and that it is this lone church building that is filled, mostly with the older residents some of whom are still interested in the privilege of thus attending worship.
It is no wonder that paganism is growing ten times faster than churchianity, as observed by Dr. Barnes of the Lutheran Church. Nor is it only in communist countries that the God of the Bible is being discounted in high circles. The theory of human evolution also for the most part does away with the need for God, and this theory has become the established teaching of essentially all our colleges and schools.
What Next?
WHAT does the future hold? We know that eventually the kingdom of Christ will manifest itself in power and great glory to establish peace, and to bless mankind with health and everlasting life. But the details of events in connection with Satan’s sick and dying world are not clearly revealed by the prophecies of the Bible, and we think it unwise to guess what those details may be. How far short we would have come of being right had we endeavored in the first issue of The Dawn Magazine back in 1932 to describe the shape of the world in 1961, and the details of events during the intervening years!
Backward
ONLY in broad outline do the prophecies of the Bible describe the events which would occur during this “time of the end” in which we are living. They tell us that there would be a great increase of knowledge, and much running to and fro. (Dan. 12:4) Sir Isaac Newton thought this meant that one day people would be able to travel as fast as fifty miles an hour. He was right, but even Newton would have shaken his head in unbelief had someone predicted that the time would come when people could travel several thousand miles an hour. Nor did Newton attempt to explain how his predicted fifty miles an hour would be attained.
The Bible foretold concerning the end of the age in which we are now living that there would be “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1) Jesus referred to this “trouble” as “tribulation,” and explained that it would be so severe that all flesh would be destroyed but for the intervention of God’s elect—Jesus, and those who will live and reign with him.—Matt. 24:21,22
Jesus gave a very general description of this trouble, that it would involve “distress of nations with perplexity” and that men’s hearts would fail them for fear as they realized the possibilities of what might happen. He likened this fearful, agitated state of the world to the roaring of the sea and the waves. (Luke 21:25,26; Isa. 17:12) We now understand some of the details of this “tribulation,” for we have lived through its early stages. But for the future, what? Will there be a push-button war in which short and long-range missiles are hurled across continents and oceans, wantonly destroying human life and wrecking cities? Will hydrogen bombs be hurtled to earth from bases on the moon? We will have to wait and see. We know that ultimately, and in God’s own way, war will cease, and the instruments of war will be destroyed; for God, through the agencies of Messiah’s kingdom, will say to the raging nations, “Be still, … I will be exalted in the earth.”—Psalm 46:10
Israel’s Restoration
THE restoration of Israel to the land of Canaan was also foretold for this “time of the end.” Here again, however, details of prophecy can be understood only as they unfold through fulfillment. The Prophet Joel foretold that this regathering would occur during a period in which the Gentile nations would be assembling and making war. We quote: “In those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.”—Joel 3:1,2
While we rejoice in the progress that is being made in the restoration of Palestine as a homeland for the Jewish people, we must bear in mind that as yet they possess only part of the Land of Promise. Possibly this is what is referred to in Joel’s prophecy as the parting of the land. What will bring about a change in this situation and lead to a complete fulfillment of the restoration prophecies is not yet apparent. Here, again, we have to wait on the Lord, thankful to be living at this “time of the end” of the reign of sin and death and to be able to discern so much to assure us that the kingdom of the Lord is indeed near.
Unbelief
THE increasing unbelief of the world was foretold by Jesus. In reply to his disciples’ questions as to what would be the signs of his second presence, Jesus gave as one of these signs the fact that faith would be dwindling. He put it in question form: “When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 17:22 – 18:8) In view of this, we should not be surprised at the rapid growth of paganism.
No doubt Jesus’ reference was to faith in the true God of the Bible, and in his messianic kingdom plan to bless all the families of the earth. This sort of faith has almost vanished from the earth, existing, as it does, in the hearts of only a small minority, those who are enlightened by present truth.
Faith in God’s kingdom plan began to wane soon after the death of the apostles, when the church, becoming apostate, set up its own kingdom arrangements through illicit union with civil rulers. The true faith was maintained in the hearts of “the children of the kingdom,” and still is, but otherwise darkness has continued to cover the earth. While denominationalism makes a distinction between paganism and churchianity, one is little nearer to the truth of the Bible than the other.
The Bright Shining
JESUS explained that his presence—Greek, parousia—would be as a light that would shine from the east even unto the west. (Matt. 24:27) The King James Version translation of this text comes short of giving the real thought as expressed by Jesus, which is that his presence would be marked by a great and world-wide increase of knowledge, or of light. It harmonizes with Daniel’s prophecy which foretold the increase of knowledge which has been so outstanding since the beginning of “the time of the end.”—Dan. 12:4
The light, or knowledge, accompanying the Master’s presence is manifest also in the gradual dispersal of superstition, and thus is slowly breaking the hold which fear-instilling false religions exercise over the minds of men. While the temporary result of this is often the casting aside of all religious restraint, it is in preparation for the subsequent receiving of a knowledge of the true God through the agencies of the messianic kingdom.
An interesting reference to the light of the Lord’s second presence is found in II Thessalonians 2:1-8. This is a prophecy of the great apostasy from the true faith which was to occur following the death of the apostles, and of the establishment of that wicked counterfeit system described as “the man of sin,” “the mystery of iniquity,” and that “Wicked” one. The prophecy brings us down to the end of the age and to the time of our Lord’s return and second presence, saying of this time, “Then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [Greek, parousia, meaning, presence].”—vs. 8
Here again it is beneficial to glance backward to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Specifically, it was in the closing year of the preceding century that Napoleon divested the papacy of its temporal power. This was a crippling blow to that system which falsely claimed to be the kingdom of Christ. Human wisdom could not then foresee the details of the effect of this event on that system during the years ahead. Nor are we even now able to know the exact manner in which this counterfeit kingdom of Christ will be completely destroyed through the agencies of the true messianic kingdom.
Paul’s prophecy mentions that this “man of sin” would be consumed by the spirit of the Lord’s mouth, and destroyed by the brightness of his parousia, presence. The first reference might well be to the Word of God which began to come into such general use soon after the beginning of the nineteenth century. The rapid spread of the Bible carrying its message that Christ alone is the only true Head of his church could not help but weaken somewhat, in the minds of many, the former totalitarian authority of the pope.
Then came the “brightness” of the Master’s parousia, as represented in the general increase of knowledge along all lines. It is impossible to approximate the effect this has had on “the man of sin,” being, as it is, a system which depends upon the ignorance of the masses in order to maintain its power. All we know is that tremendous changes are taking place in the position of papacy throughout the world.
Through the increase of knowledge the people of every nation are gradually learning that the head of papacy possesses no genuine divine authority, that this is merely another of the superstitious notions of a darker past. Knowing this, the anti-clerical forces of the world, headed by the communists, are able to make much more rapid progress in overthrowing papal authority than would otherwise be possible.
As we say, the details of the future we must leave with the Lord, but from the beginning of the nineteenth century until now, millions in Italy, and in other countries of Europe, have turned against papacy, and the position of the Catholic Church is now being seriously threatened in such formerly strong Catholic countries as Cuba, Mexico, and throughout South America. Could anyone have foreseen this in the year 1801?
True, there is now more or less fraternizing between Catholics and Protestants, but even this is an acknowledgment of weakness in which they are seeking each other’s help. What degree of strength they will be able to muster through unity is one of the details for which we will have to wait and see.
We know that we are living in the days of the Master’s presence, and that its brightness will continue to increase. But increasing knowledge in the hands of selfish men will eventually lead to the collapse of human authority throughout the earth. Then it will be the due time for the authority and power of the kingdom of Christ to take control of the nations.
When we realize the distress and perplexity in the world today, we wonder how much longer it will be before the final climax of the great “time of trouble.” We hope it is near, and let us continue to look to the Lord for wisdom and strength to make known the glorious Gospel of the kingdom as long as there is an opportunity to do so.