| Highlights of Dawn | January 1963 |
The Year Before Us
“Behold, their valiant ones [margin, ‘messengers’] shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly. —Isaiah 33:7
THE world is now no nearer to a solution of its many problems than it was twelve months ago. The festering trouble spots of discontent continue to threaten the uneasy and partial peace of each local area involved, and also of the world as a whole. In many instances these trouble zones became more critical during the year—as, for example, in Cuba and India; the latter being attacked by the armed forces of Communist China. Nor did the Berlin situation improve.
The continued deterioration of human efforts to establish a world society based upon justice, and governed by principles of righteousness, is not disappointing to truth-enlightened Christians. These know that the only solution to the basic problem of human selfishness, which is the cause of the world’s ills, is the full establishment of the kingdom of Christ. Besides, through the information derived from the “sure Word of prophecy,” these know that all the imperfect and selfish institutions of men must, and will, crumble and fall during this day of transition from the present evil world into God’s new world in which universal and lasting peace will be guaranteed, not through fear of destruction in a nuclear war, but by the righteous authority of God implemented by divine power exercised through the agencies of the messianic kingdom.
What to Expect
THE Scriptures do not furnish us with exact details of just how the old world will come to its final and complete end. For example, the Berlin crisis, and the communist war against India, are not indicated in the prophecies except as they are a part of a general and world-wide “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1) The Bible doesn’t state that the Second Vatican Council would be convened in Rome in October 1962, but the Bible does indicate that there would be strenuous efforts made in the ecclesiastical heavens to assure the survival of religious institutions in a crumbling world.
To attempt to forecast in detail what might happen in any place or situation in the world during 1963, or beyond, would be assuming the role of prophets instead of being prophetic students. No student of prophecy could have forecast in the beginning of 1962 that in October a situation would develop in Cuba that would bring the world to the brink of nuclear war, nor can we now foresee specific details of events in advance of their occurrence. It is for the Lord’s people to remain alert to what is taking place, and to realize that in these events, and in developments as a whole, a certain prophetic pattern can be discerned which, when recognized, causes us to look up, and lift up our heads, knowing that our deliverance draweth nigh.—Luke 21:28
Increase of Knowledge
ONE of the things which is very evident in the fulfillment of prophecies in this “time of the end” is the great increase of knowledge. (Dan. 12:4) While Daniel’s prophecy forecasts this development in literal language, it is symbolically mentioned in other prophecies. Jesus, for example, foretold that his second presence would be as the lightning, or bright shining, which would shine from the east even unto the west. (Matt. 24:27) Here we have a symbolic description of a general increase of knowledge throughout the earth.
We are not to suppose, however, that this increase of knowledge is to be limited to increasing information in the field of science and other aspects of human learning. Eventually it will, under the directions of Messiah’s kingdom, include the knowledge of the Lord. This, also, will be as a bright shining which will shine from the east even unto the west, for the promise is that the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea.—Isa. 11:9
Meanwhile, however, we can expect to see the increase of knowledge continue through the divinely overruled efforts of man. The general education of the masses will continue and increase, especially in the backward countries of the earth. Science and invention will continue to make progress. One of the results of this is the tremendous increase of running to and fro in the earth. Along this line, speeds and comforts of travel will probably increase. We are to look for these developments, and when we see them, rejoice to realize the accuracy with which the prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled in this our day.
Knowledge Leads to Trouble
ONE would naturally think that the increase of knowledge, and the conveniences and speed of travel resulting therefrom would mean only blessings for the human race. And this would be the case were it not for human selfishness. But with selfishness the motivating influence in so much of human endeavor and accomplishment, the great advantages of knowledge are all too frequently utilized to gain advantages over others. This leads to trouble, and, in the world-wide picture, to the foretold “time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation.”—Dan. 12:1
Another prophecy outlines this sequence of events. We quote: “The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies about. 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.”—Ps. 97:1-5
This is a symbolic description of the foretold “time of trouble” that would be associated with the overthrow of Satan’s world, and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom. It is summed up by the statement, “His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.” Remember that Jesus said his presence would be as the lightning, or bright shining, and in the prophetic psalm just quoted, this lightning is shown to be enlightenment, or, in other words, the increase of knowledge, of understanding. But, as the psalmist reminds us, the first result of this is to cause the earth to “tremble.”
Trembling is an evidence of fear, and today we are living in a fear-filled world, the cause of which has been the increase of knowledge leading to a situation where man in his foolishness and selfishness is in danger of bringing destruction upon the entire race. We know that this will not occur, for we believe the assurance given to us by Jesus that this time of “great tribulation” will be brought to a close before all flesh is destroyed. [Matt. 24:21,22] And how glad we are for this assurance!
Trouble to Increase
IN VIEW of what the Scriptures have foretold, we are not to expect that man’s increased knowledge will lead to a solution of world problems. We are not to expect that knowledge, scientific or otherwise, will remove selfishness from the human heart. This can be accomplished only through the agencies of Christ’s kingdom. It will be then that the Lord will take away the stony hearts out of the people and give them hearts of flesh.—Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:26
However, fear will attempt to accomplish that which can be brought about only by love. “Messengers” and “ambassadors of peace” will continue to negotiate. They will fly “hither and yon,” around and across the world. They will announce that progress is being made. They may even cry, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace.” They may claim that security has been established, yet eventually destruction shall come upon them “as travail upon a woman with child.”—I Thess. 5:24; Jer. 6:14; 8:11
We are to look for these human efforts to establish peace. They are not only foretold in the Bible, but are the natural result of man’s inherent desire to preserve himself. So 1963 will be marked by conferences on various issues and problems which only the kingdom of Christ and the spirit of love can actually settle. We are to expect these efforts to continue until either a temporary “armistice” in the cold war has been achieved, or someone makes a mistake and the cold war suddenly becomes another shooting war. We do not know how much longer this particular situation will continue throughout the world, but it will be sufficiently long to give the people of all nations an opportunity to realize the futility of their own efforts, and thus to be ready to accept the authority of Christ’s kingdom when the due time comes.
The Religious World
IN THE religious world we are to expect Catholicism and Protestantism to continue their efforts to adjust to the changed situations which confront religion in this chaotic world. There will be efforts to unite, and some of these will, on the surface, be successful. At the Vatican Council many of the dogmas and practices of the Catholic Church will be carefully scrutinized to see what can be done to make them more palatable to the world as a whole. Back of this will be the hope that if sufficient changes can be made perhaps the people of the Protestant churches will look more favorably upon their “brethren” of the Catholic Church.
These things also we are to expect, and as we see them, we should realize that they are a part of the prophetic pattern of this day of the Lord’s vengeance upon all the institutions of earth which do not measure up to his standards of truth and righteousness. With the forces of atheism rampant throughout the earth, and with the increase of knowledge exposing the superstitions of the Dark Ages as mere myths, having no foundation in fact, the churches of all denominations are realizing their vulnerability to attack, so are hurrying to get together for mutual protection. What the temporary results of these efforts may be, the Bible seemingly does not reveal. We know that ultimately, all elements of this present evil world will be destroyed and the authority of Christ’s kingdom established throughout the whole earth.
Israel Fulfilling Prophecy
THE prophecies of the Bible reveal clearly that in these “last days” there would be a regathering of the natural descendants of Abraham, and their settlement in the ancient Land of Promise. We have watched the fulfillment of these prophecies, lo, these many years. After the regathering was well under way, the doors of Palestine were closed to the Jews. But this did not disturb those who had confidence in the promises of God. They knew that the doors would again be opened, and so they were. And since then, hundreds of thousands of Jews have gone to Palestine, and the new State of Israel has been formed.
But still there seems to be much in the prophecies concerning Israel which has not yet been fulfilled. For example, only a portion of the Promised Land is now possessed by the Jews. The prophecies indicate that they were to have it all. The little nation of Israel is ringed by the hostile Arab nations which would like nothing better than to see the Israelites dispossessed of the portion of the land which they do now occupy. But this does not disturb those who have real confidence in the promises of God.
The prophecies indicate, we think, that much trouble still lies ahead for the Jews in Palestine. Students of prophecy speak of this in the scriptural term, “Jacob’s trouble.” (Jer. 30:7) But Jacob, that is, the people of Israel, “shall be saved out of it.” This we know to be a fact, because God has promised it. Just how the details will shape up to bring about this salvation the Bible does not reveal.
In Ezekiel, chapter 38, there is a prophecy which shows that ere Israel is fully established and receiving the blessings of Messiah’s kingdom, an aggressive attack will be mounted against this historic people from the “north.” But, as the prophecy reveals, this will fail because the Lord will turn back and destroy the enemy. As a result of this, the eyes of Israel and of the other nations will be opened to behold the glory of the Lord. We know that this prophecy will be fulfilled, but how the details will shape up we do not know. Evidently the Lord wants us to exercise faith in his promises and prophecies without understanding too many of the details.
So, during 1963 we will keep our eyes on the Promise Land, and upon God’s ancient people assembled there, and still assembling. There is a large segment of Jews still behind the Iron Curtain. The prospects are not now good for their going to Israel. Not many Jews in America at the present time are interested in going. We will need to watch the events as they develop from day to day to see how the Lord will solve these apparent difficulties standing in the way of the complete fulfillment of his prophecies.
Meanwhile we will maintain our faith in the ultimate and complete fulfillment of all God’s promises as they relate to his typical and ancient people. One of these reassuring promises reads: “When I have brought them again from the people, and have gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them into their own land, and have left none of them any more there. Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God.”—Ezek. 39:27-29
Another “final” in connection with the fulfillment of these prophecies, reads: “The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.”—Zech. 8:21-23
The fulfillment of this prophecy will begin to take place after “Jacob’s trouble,” and the Israelites, regathered in their land, have accepted Jesus as their Redeemer and King, and are obeying the laws of his kingdom. The New Covenant will be made with them, and rich will be their blessings of peace, security, health, and life, as through its terms they are brought into harmony with their God. These blessings will be so manifest and outstanding that the people of all nations will want to follow the same course that Israel followed in order to obtain them. “We will go with you,” they will say, “for we have heard that God is with you.”
In reality, God is even now overruling in the affairs of Israel, and when the need arises, will fight for them as he did in the days of old. But few in Israel recognize this, and certainly the Gentiles do not see it. How favored are we that, through the sure Word of prophecy, we can understand the meaning of this particular aspect of the world situation today, and can watch the developments appertaining thereto, and be encouraged by what we see.
But even in this area we do not know just what the developments of 1963 will be. All that we know is the final outcome, and that is glorious. We know that the final outcome of this, and other developments in the world, will be the full establishment of Christ’s kingdom—that kingdom in which Christ and his faithful church will be the spiritual rulers, represented by those “princes in all the earth,” the Ancient Worthies.—Ps. 45:16; Heb. 11
In that kingdom, as the Prophet Ezekiel foretold, the Lord will pour out his Spirit upon his ancient people regathered in their Promised Land. Eventually, the prophecies show, his Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh. (Ezek. 39:29; Joel 2:28) It will be the influence of this spirit that will engender love and understanding in the hearts of the people. Thus will lasting peace and good will be established and enjoyed forever by the redeemed and restored world of mankind. It is the assurance of this final outcome of the divine plan that enables the Lord’s people to view with patience the futile efforts of the world to work out its own salvation.
And, speaking of the final outcome, that will include the awakening of the dead, and the giving to them an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of Messiah’s kingdom; on the conditions, of course, of belief and obedience. Without the promises of God to restore the dead to life how incomplete and unsatisfactory the outlook would be. Thinking of the Jewish situation alone, millions of these suffering people were murdered within our own generation. How thankful we are that God has blessings for these, that he will awaken them from the sleep of death in order that they, together with all other Israelites, might receive and enjoy the blessings of the kingdom.
In the larger picture, there are all the countless millions who have suffered and died since sin entered into the world. These will not fail of an opportunity to enjoy the blessings of Messiah’s kingdom, for they are among the “all” in their graves who will be called forth, enlightened, and given an opportunity to live forever upon the perfected earth. How wonderful indeed is the plan of God! And how thankful we should be that the Lord, in his goodness, has opened the eyes of our understanding to know these mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.—John 5:28,29; Matt. 13:11
Because the Lord has thus taken us into his confidence and assured us of the ultimate glorious triumph of righteousness throughout the earth, we can face the new year with confidence, even with rejoicing. And our rejoicing should overflow in the telling out of the blessed Gospel of the kingdom, that perchance others may share our confidence and joy. There is nothing we can do to change the shape of the world in which we live, but it is our privilege to testify to those who will hear concerning the changes which the Lord will bring about through the establishment of his long-promised kingdom.
We are the ambassadors of the new government so soon to take control in the affairs of men. May the year 1963 see us alert to use faithfully every opportunity which presents itself to represent the new King of earth, and to explain the glories of his kingdom. The world around us is dark. The storm clouds are threatening. But we are the children of the light, and may we continue to let our light shine that those to whom the Lord gives “ears to hear” may be reached and blessed.
If we enter the new year resolved that we will be faithful ambassadors of Christ, we can expect that the Lord will guide and bless us, and that our own hearts will rejoice the more as we endeavor to share our blessings with others. We can expect, of course, that the world in general will be indifferent, perhaps even scornful at times. But in this we will be able to rejoice knowing that thus we are sharing in a small way some of the experiences of our Lord Jesus.
But compensating for the cold indifference and the antagonism of the world, will be the warmth of our Heavenly Father’s love, and the smile of his countenance. So, for us the prospect is indeed bright and glorious as we continue on to know and to serve the Lord; and as we look forward eventually to obtaining an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.—II Pet. 1:10,11