| Highlights of DAWN | September 1978 |
“According to His Promise”
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” —II Peter 3:13
IN AN interview some months ago the highly respected former Secretary of State Dean Rusk made a statement closely paralleling in substance one made more than nineteen hundred years ago by Jesus. Mr. Rusk said: “The entire human race is faced now with problems which are different in kind than we ever faced before.”
He then proceeded to outline some of these unique problems, mentioning first the threat of a general war in a world wherein frail human beings possess the power virtually to destroy civilization by means of nuclear weapons. He spoke of the energy problem, which “must somehow be better managed” than present prospects suggest, or else there is “catastrophe ahead.”
Mr. Rusk also called attention to the environment, concerning which he voiced the fear that irreparable damage may be inflicted on the thin layer of biosphere in which the human race lives. He is also much disturbed by the population explosion, saying that within a hundred years there will be some 15 billion people inhabiting this planet, in contrast with the present 4 billions, of which we are told some one-half now go to bed hungry every night.
While voicing deep concern about the horrors of a nuclear war, he seemed to be no less worried over the energy problem. He quoted Energy Secretary James Schlesinger as saying (as do many other reputable experts in this field) that oil and gas are going to be exhausted in 30 to 40 years, and suggested, ominously, that “long before that happens, nations of the world are going to be at each other’s throats for energy supplies.”
His anxiety seems to stem, chiefly, from lack of faith in the leadership of the country to initiate the necessary steps, and the will of the people to make the sacrifices which are required to bring the situation under control. Speaking of the need for action, he did not mince words. He said: “It’s necessary. It’s urgent. Otherwise, there’ll be catastrophe.”
As for the relationship between the two great superpowers, he has no illusions. He believes exaggerated hopes have been attached to the so-called “detente” agreement, pointing out that there are major and serious differences between the two countries, particularly as to the internal political and social structures of the two nations, and also their international objectives. Again using language similar to that of the Bible, he warned: “We shouldn’t think that a new heaven has arrived on earth.”
Mr. Rusk is not alone in his concern regarding Russian intentions. Richard E. Pipes, professor of history at Harvard University, believes the United States is being more directly confronted by Russia today than during the past decade and a half. The reason? American fear of further costly fiascoes of the Vietnam kind, and Russia’s sense of her own military might.
Stanley Hoffman, also a Harvard University professor, points to the Middle East as being one of the world’s chief trouble spots. He, too, is troubled by the proliferation and acquisition of military weapons, not only by the two great powers, but also by many other nations. But he doesn’t appear to entertain great hope that these and other problems will soon be solved. He calls attention to what is daily becoming more apparent to all—the utter helplessness even of peoples of good intentions to meet these problems. He says: “There isn’t a single issue in which we [the United States] can impose our will. … There’s a fundamental clash between the domestic politics of each of the world’s nations … and the need for some kind of world order.”
Recognition of the fact that the world is figuratively shrinking and that the ultimate well-being of all peoples on the earth is mutually interdependent, requiring some kind of universal direction, finds expression in one form or another with increasing frequency. When asked recently if the United States could maintain its world leadership, Robert A. Calapino of the University of California at Berkeley replied: “It seems clear to me that we have to work in a new fashion for a kind of collective leadership.”
Following the close of World War II, leaders in various nations of Western Europe saw the futility of endless confrontations on the battlefield and in the political, social, and economic arenas. A single, unified power to be known as Europe was proposed, to be governed by a European Parliament, the members of which would be appointed by the legislatures of the member countries of the European Economic Community. A Common Market Commission was formed, whose purpose was to facilitate trade between the various members of the Western European community.
Today, the high hopes with which this idealistic effort was initiated are greatly dimmed. Each of the nations involved is deeply immersed in its own specific and individual problems, of which there are many; there is little thought by the richer nations of the community of sharing their wealth and substance with the poorer members. Says one writer of the present status of this fading effort, “There is a sense that governments no longer have the wisdom or power to cope.”
Passing on to the problems in other parts of the world (South Africa, Italy, and Lebanon), CBS correspondent Charles Collingwood recently remarked: “There are more things in this world that cannot be solved than those that can be solved.” As with dealings between individuals, so also with international relationships—selfishness and self-interest are major stumbling blocks in the road to peace, harmony, and happiness among men, and the solution to the world’s problems of war, hunger, diminishing natural resources, pollution, and other difficulties.
Robert L. Heilbroner, economist, in discussing the topic “Is Democracy Dying?” has stated: “There’s a mood of foreboding in this country, partly the result of the fact that we are facing problems we never thought we would face: new international tensions; the spread of the atomic bomb; depletion of resources; … the worry that capitalism won’t work.”
Some years ago William Temple, archbishop of Canterbury (1942-1944), spoke of the futility of hoping that imperfect man can produce a truly righteous world order. He said: “There is no structural organization of society which can bring about the coming of the kingdom of God on earth, since all systems can be perverted by the selfishness of man.” The worthy archbishop neatly put his finger on the cause of most of the world’s problems. And being a churchman himself, he thus includes the church system itself among those human organizations which are powerless to bring peace and happiness to the suffering peoples of earth.
We noted earlier Dean Rusk’s observation that, “The entire human race is faced now with problems which are different in kind than we ever faced before.” The truth of this statement must be obvious to every thoughtful person; and it is, indeed, a most significant truth, for when we place it alongside of a prophecy made by Jesus, it tells us where we are on the stream of time. When Jesus was asked by his disciples, “What shall be the sign of … the end of the world [age]?” he replied, in part: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this same time.” Jesus is here saying that the flood of unique troubles presently plaguing the world (and to which Mr. Rusk directs our attention) indicates that this iniquitous world is soon to pass away.—Matt. 24:3,21
The sense of despair and hopelessness that possesses many thoughtful observers of world events today, as they view man’s inability to solve the growing problems that afflict mankind, is itself a sign that this present world is approaching its end. For our Lord further prophesied that at the end of the age there would be “distress of nations, with perplexity” upon the earth, with “men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” The English word here translated perplexity is from a Greek word meaning “no way out.”—Luke 21:25,26
The Apostle Peter also speaks of this same troubled time in the experience of humankind. He calls it the passing away of this present evil world, even as an earlier world, or social order, was destroyed in the flood because of the like prevalence on the earth of iniquity and injustice.—II Pet. 3:5,7,10,12; Gen. 6:5-7
In cautioning his hearers against expecting too much in the way of concrete results from “detente” between the two great superpowers, as noted earlier, Mr. Rusk said: “We shouldn’t think that a new heaven has arrived on earth.” As far as human efforts to produce a new world of peace and happiness are concerned, Mr. Rusk is absolutely right, for the Lord and Peter both tell us that this unrighteous world is to be destroyed.
But Peter, we are glad, further tells us that just as surely as this present evil world, or social arrangement, is to be destroyed, just so surely will a new and better world be established in the earth. He says: “Nevertheless we, according to his [God’s] promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” This wonderful new world will not be the product of selfish man’s efforts. It will be established by the power of God, even as he has promised by the mouth of his holy prophets since the world began.—II Pet. 3:13; Acts 3:19-21
The beauty and joy and peace of this coming kingdom are beyond the ability of imperfect man’s mind to comprehend even partially. But through his Word the Heavenly Father has been pleased to reveal some of the wonderful aspects of this new world wherein dwelleth righteousness.
It will be a righteous kingdom ruled over for a thousand years by Jesus and his faithful, glorified followers of this present Gospel Age. Satan will then be bound “that he should deceive the nations no more.”—Rev. 20:2,3,6
This thousand-year period of time is called times of restitution in the Scriptures. It is so called because all who have ever lived on this earth—even all who are in their graves—shall hear the voice of the son of Man and come forth, to be given an opportunity to be restored to the perfection of life that Adam once enjoyed in the Garden of Eden. All those who then love the Lord and obey the laws of the new kingdom will gain everlasting life right here on earth. In order that the perfection and peace of that glorious new world shall not be marred by sin, the disobedient will be destroyed from among the people.—John 5:25; Acts 3:19-21
There will be no hunger, and none will want for shelter. “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.”—Isa. 65:21,22
In this new kingdom under Christ and his church there will be no more death, no more sadness. “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
This is God’s long-promised new heaven and new earth, which he planned, through Christ, should be man’s ultimate destiny—planned, indeed, since before the world began. For this grand, approaching epoch in man’s experience every honest heart has unconsciously yearned since man’s creation. How beautiful a word picture the Prophet Isaiah paints of that glorious coming kingdom!
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
“It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. …
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
“Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
“And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
“No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”—Isaiah 35:1-10