| Highlights of Dawn | December 1968 |
1968 and Beyond
THE news magazine TIME observed recently, “1968 has been a confounding year for news. There has been more controversy, more surprise, more complexity than in any year within memory.” On the very first day of the year President Johnson announced that the United States was in grave financial straits, and urged that the public curtail travel to Europe in order to help prevent the damaging drain on American dollars. The President indicated that special taxes might have to be imposed on foreign travel if voluntary compliance with his request was not forthcoming. Later there was an acute monetary crisis.
Since the close of the Second World War the American dollar has kept the world from a complete economic collapse, but it appears now that Uncle Sam’s coffers cannot continue being drained; that even this, the richest of all nations, does not have resources which are inexhaustible. The dollar itself continues to lose its value in purchasing power; and while high government officials would like to think that world peace and security can be bought with dollars, we are getting ever nearer to the time foretold in Zephaniah 1:18: “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath.”
The prophet describes this “day of wrath” as “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.” (Zeph. 1:15) How well this description fits the general characteristics of the year 1968 with its wars, assassinations, riots, youth in protest, and the ruthless invasion of Czechoslovakia!
In January the little communist country of North Korea “hijacked” the Pueblo, an American intelligence-gathering ship, claiming that it was operating in Korean waters. This in itself was not a world-shaking event, but it did reveal how much the world has changed. The North Koreans are still holding the Pueblo and its crew of nearly one hundred, although there has been one diplomatic conference after another between American and North Korean officials in an effort to obtain the ship’s release.
The United States is, militarily, the most powerful nation on earth, and North Korea is one of the weakest, and also one of the smallest nations. Militarily, the United States could force the release of the Pueblo, and in the past this would have been the normal procedure. But it is now doubtful if any such action will be taken lest it lead to conflict with more powerful communist nations such as Russia and China. The fear is that if and when the time comes for such a confrontation it will lead to the use of nuclear bombs with the destruction of countless millions of people of all nationalities. Such is the predicament to which worldly wisdom has led in these “last days.”
Nation Divided
Ordinarily when the United States is at war a general spirit of patriotism prevails among the people, and any minority which may speak out against the war becomes very unpopular. But this is not the case with respect to the war in Viet Nam. Many in high government circles openly advocated that the bombing of North Viet Nam cease, and that as quickly as possible United States armed forces should be brought home from that troubled part of the world.
And it would seem that the “doves”—as the anti-war advocates are called—are on the increase. Arthur Goldberg, former Ambassador to the United Nations, declared himself on this side. Eugene McCarthy sought the democratic presidential nomination on the basis of this issue. In the heat of the controversy President Johnson declared that he would not run for President again. It is believed by many that it was the strong, nationwide opposition to the Viet Nam war that largely influenced this withdrawal.
The Rev. Martin Luther King, a negro, and an outstanding advocate of civil rights, was also a “dove.” His assassination shocked the nation and the world; as did also the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy during the heat of his campaign for the presidency. He also was a “dove.” Then, of course, there were the almost numberless peace demonstrations, which often ended in riots and bloodshed.
So far as we know there are no specific prophecies which foretold the details of this situation. We mention it as one of the news highlights of 1968, and to show the great change which is taking place in the minds and the outlook of the people. It is a breaking down of what is today often referred to as “the establishment.” The Bible, calls it “the world,” “the earth,” symbolic of the social order. In a general way the prophecies describe the removal of this social order. We read, for example, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”—Ps. 46:1-3
Peace Overtures
When, in early April, President Johnson announced his retirement from the political scene, declaring his desire to give his full attention to attaining peace in Viet Nam, he authorized a restriction of bombing of North Viet Nam, and pleaded with the rulers of that little nation to join in negotiations in a search for peace. A little later, overtures were received from North Viet Nam, and on May 10, the first “peace conference” was held in Paris. Those conferences continued with a fair degree of regularity, and on October 31 President Johnson announced that sufficient progress had been made to justify a halt in the bombing.
Because the war in Viet Nam gets “top billing” in the news of every day, and because the horrors of that war are brought right into the living rooms of millions by means of television, there seems to be a feeling with some that if it could be concluded, and the American fighting men brought home, the solving of the other major problems of the world would quickly follow. But of course we know that this is not so.
Food Distribution
The people often speak of the food shortages in the world when what is mainly involved is food distribution. However, it is a well-known fact that today seventy-five per cent of the world’s population is underfed and under-clothed. One of the shocking news releases during 1968 was the one which revealed that in the United States of America, the richest country of the world, there are ten million people who go hungry every day—and that many of these are literally starving to death.
Much is said in government circles and elsewhere about “the poverty program” and “the Great Society,” but when it comes to a choice between using money for the war in Viet Nam, or being the first to reach the moon, or feeding the hungry, the war and the moon are given the preference, while ten million people continue to go hungry in the land of plenty.
But the situation in the United States is good compared to many other countries of the world, such as India, for example. This year a shocking situation in Biafra came to light. Biafra is a small section of Nigeria, Africa, which declared its independence from Nigeria, and a cruel war ensued. The superior forces of Nigeria sealed off the border between the two parts of the once united country, and brought starvation to millions in Biafra. It was reported that five thousand were dying of starvation every day. This horrible situation was brought into the living rooms of the people through radio and television.
How much indeed the world needs the kingdom of Christ and its blessings! One of the prophecies of that kingdom assures us that under its rulership “they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.” (Micah 4:14) This need not be understood literally. It is a beautiful and meaningful symbol of economic security which will be enjoyed by all when “the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains,” and when the nations beat their “swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks”; and when “nation shall not lift up a sword against nation,” and when they will not learn war any more.
Israel in the News
The little nation of Israel has been in the news considerably during 1968. Last year there was the Six-Day War in which the fighting forces of Israel defeated the Arabs and Egyptians, capturing much territory, including “old Jerusalem.” But this did not settle the controversy. Almost immediately the Russians began to rearm the Arabs and Egypt, and there has been sporadic shooting back and forth across the borders ever since. Quite a number on both sides have been killed.
It seems clear that the focal point of the prophetic Armageddon of the Scriptures will be in the Land of Promise. So far as we know, the Scriptures do not give details of developments which will lead up to that final struggle referred to as “Jacob’s trouble.” (Jer. 30:3-7) The Prophet Ezekiel tells of a mighty horde from the “north,” with allies to help, assaulting Israel in that final struggle, and that the Lord will fight against these and destroy them.—Ezek. 38:6,18-23
The joyful part of this prophecy is that as a result of the Lord’s demonstration of power on behalf of Israel he “will be known in the eyes of many nations,” and they shall know that he is the Lord. By this same demonstration of divine power on their behalf the Lord will make his holy name known in the midst of his own people, Israel. (Ezek. 39:7) The final result of this is further described by the prophet:
“When I have brought them again from the people, and 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 unto 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
Much is involved in the fulfillment of this brief prophecy. The work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the people during the millennial reign of Christ will result in writing the law of God therein, or the taking out of their stony hearts, and giving them hearts of flesh, as promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. And at that time the Lord will also pour out his Spirit upon “all flesh,” with the same blessings resulting.—Joel 2:28
The knowledge of the Lord will then fill the earth as the waters cover the sea; and “nothing shall hurt nor destroy” in all that holy kingdom. (Isa. 11:9) Upon the basis of that knowledge the people will be judged. Jesus will be the great Judge of the people at that time, and associated with him will be his faithful followers of this present Gospel Age. Of Jesus, Isaiah wrote, “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the [willfully] wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.”—Isa. 11:2-5
Associate Judges
Jesus, the chief Judge of the thousand-year judgment day, will have associate judges working with him. Peter, speaking for the apostles, said to Jesus, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” To this Jesus replied, “Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”—Matt. 19:27,28
That will be the judgment day for Israelites, and not Israelites only, but the people of all nations. In this promise to his apostles Jesus speaks of the time when he will sit on the throne of his glory. Additionally, in his judgment-day Parable of the Sheep and the Goats Jesus also speaks of the throne of his glory. He says, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels [messengers; his faithful followers] with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered ALL nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”—Matt. 25:31-34
Jesus explains the characteristics of those symbolized by sheep—“I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” (vss. 35,36) The “sheep” of the parable apparently did not realize that they had ever done these things for the “King,” and he explained to them, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”—vs. 40
Interest in Others
Thus we see that in that thousand-year day of judgment those who qualify to receive the Lord’s blessing will be those who possess, or acquire, the Lord’s spirit of love and helpfulness which will prevail because the knowledge of the Lord will then fill the earth. The parable indicates that the “sheep” did not show a spirit of kindness and helpfulness to others in order to gain a reward. They practiced righteousness because they loved to do so and in the end, as the parable indicates, were somewhat surprised that they had done anything outstanding.
How unlike this prophetic description of the Millennium is the prevailing attitude in the world today! The opposite spirit is now prevailing—with, of course, noble exceptions here and there. It is because the Devil is still ruling the world through the spirit of selfishness, that 1968 has been such a hectic year for so many of earth’s millions. And we cannot expect that the world situation will improve until the time comes for Satan to be bound, and for the Lord to pour out his Spirit upon all flesh.
Just when that will be the prophecies of the Bible do not indicate—not, at least, so far as we are aware. Meanwhile, and while waiting for the time when the Lord shall sit upon the throne of his glory, let us strive with all our might to be found worthy to be among those who will share that throne with him, and to participate with him in judging the twelve tribes of Israel, and “all nations.”
What a joy it is to realize that the blessings of the world’s coming judgment day, as well as the blessings of the kingdom, will not be limited to those who are alive when the dispensing of those blessings commences, for all who sleep in death will be awakened that they too may have an opportunity to “take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17) True, it will be a time of discipline and trial, but these experiences will be permitted and directed by the great Judge and his associates in order that the people might be brought back to God. The Bible says that when the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth the inhabitants of the world will “learn righteousness.”—Isa. 26:9
The acceptance of Jesus as the Redeemer and Savior of mankind, and obedience to the laws of the kingdom, will be basic requirements for entering into life. But it will be those who meet these requirements, and who are purged from selfishness and filled with love for God and for their fellows, who will hear that gracious and meaningful invitation, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matt. 25:34) This is just another way of describing what the Apostle Peter spoke of as “restitution,” the “restitution of all things,” spoken by the mouth of God’s holy prophets since the world began.—Acts 3:19-21