| HIGHLIGHTS OF DAWN | June 1996 |
How Will the World Be Fed?
THE QUESTION, “HOW will the world be fed?” is one that has been asked for over two hundred years—especially since the rapid increase in population growth caused Thomas Malthus and his disciples to predict wholesale disaster through starvation. Recently the World watch Institute, a Washington-based environmental group, released information that farmers had finished a food harvest that would have been a record-setting bin-buster just twenty years ago. Instead it was a shortfall, because there are now roughly 1.5 billion more mouths to feed on the planet, and a growing industrial market for vegetable oil and grain products. Worldwatch reported that grain reserves worldwide amount to only a forty-eight-day supply, the lowest level since measurements began in 1963.
A commentary on this situation appeared in the news media, and asked: “What does it all mean? ‘Not much’, said Dennis Avery, head of the Center for Global Food Issues at the Hudson Institute in Indianapolis. ‘The world has more food security than at any time in history’, he said, citing improvements in agricultural tools and techniques and the trend toward freer trade in agriculture.
“‘Nothing could be further from the truth’, said Lester R. Brown, president of Worldwatch. ‘The politics of scarcity is already beginning to manifest itself’, he said, referring to Vietnam’s brief embargo on rice exports early in 1995, and to reports that some inland Chinese provinces limited grain shipments to populous coastal provinces. ‘We are moving into a period so different from the last half century that we can’t even imagine how different it will be’.”
The article in the news media went on to say that Mr. Avery and Mr. Brown represent two extremes on the matter of food supply. Mr. Avery, along with other optimists, believe that the twentieth century achievements have demonstrated that the world can innovate and grow its way out of food shortages despite rising populations. Mr. Brown, along with other followers of Thomas Malthus, are concerned that we are headed for massive famines and epidemic diseases which could foment war.
The article said further, “One thing is clear: after a long run of successes that had kept prices low and encouraged politicians and many economists to ignore and even ridicule the Malthusians, a bad spring could sow second thoughts. Experts in agribusiness agree that the current, unusually high prices for grain could skyrocket. Add a troubled harvest in Brazil and the other bread-baskets in South America—or poor conditions in the winter wheat crop here next June [1996]—and the price of food could become an election-year issue in the United States.”
A few weeks later, two additional reports caused grain prices to reach their highest level in twenty years. One report was that China would need, in addition to the 2.1 million metric tons of American wheat, another million metric tons. Also, Russia would buy 2.5 million metric tons of grain on the world markets to compensate for its worst harvest in thirty years.
Earlier in the twentieth century there was much optimism for solving the food problem in the world. During the war years, the United Nations was formed, and by the cooperative efforts of the nations of the world there was hope that the Second World War would be brought to an end, and that many problems in the world would be solved. At the urging of President Roosevelt, a United Nations Food Conference was held in 1943. The chairman, Marvin Jones, said at its conclusion, “We have set out to make a world in which, for the first time in history, every man, everywhere, will know certainly that he can get enough to eat.”
President Roosevelt, who had called the conference, assembled the delegates in Washington after the conference and expressed his thanks with the words: “You have demonstrated beyond question that the United Nations really are united. … No nation has ever had enough food to feed all of its people as we now know that human beings should be fed. But neither have nations representing over 80 percent of the world’s 2,000,000,000 inhabitants ever before joined together to achieve that aim.”
More than fifty years have elapsed since that ambitious program of feeding properly all the people in the world was announced. In that time many areas in the earth have had famine, malnutrition, and abject poverty. The world was divided in this interim period into the Western World, the Communist World, and the Third World. The Third World represented the poor nations that were neither under the influence of the Western powers nor within the Communist Iron Curtain. These were the places where famine was more likely to occur, and did occur. Even in the Western World and the Communist World, many of its society members went to bed hungry. Since the demise of Communism, many of its former member nations have been reclassified with the Third World countries because their economies have not been able to provide their needs.
THE NATIONS UNITING
When it was formed, why did the world place such confidence in the United Nations to solve their problems? And how well have they done in achieving their goal, since that time? The answer is, not very well. The manner in which the nations of the earth today are united and continuing to unite to solve the food problem, and other major problems, is a remarkable fulfillment of prophecies pertaining to the closing days of this ‘present evil world’. The Scriptural explanation of why the nations have heretofore been scattered, and why they are now uniting, is most faith-strengthening and revealing.
It was the hand of God in human affairs that has kept the nations separated, and now again it is by divine intervention that they are being brought together. By one master stroke of divine strategy the peoples of earth were driven asunder, and have been kept apart for four thousand years. It occurred shortly after the Flood of Noah’s day. Sacred history records the incident as follows:
“The whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. … And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do. … Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth.”—Gen. 11:1,4-8
From this account it is evident that the idea of world unity is not a new one. It is equally plain, however, why, until now, a united world has not been possible. The diversity of languages has been an effectual barrier to prevent mankind from unifying for the accomplishment of their own purposes, whether noble or selfish. The method used by the United Nations to break down the language barrier is to insist that one of three languages be employed in presenting and discussing all business matters: English, Russian, or French; and in this way the old urge of humanity to unite is promoted.
The overcoming of language barriers in these last days is one of the direct results of the prophetic “increase of knowledge.” (Dan. 12:4) The far-reaching results of education are symbolically described by God’s prophet as the flashing of Jehovah’s “lightnings.” (Ps. 97:4) The Prophet David explains that these lightnings of Jehovah enlighten the world: Many of our great statesmen now recognize the relationship between education and present world chaos. They see that knowledge has started the common people on the march for freedom, and to obtain their share of the earth’s blessings.
Psalm 97 explains that one of the results of Jehovah’s lightnings is that the earth trembles. The thought is that by the great increase of knowledge, symbolized by lightning, the whole social structure of mankind is made to ‘tremble’. It is in order to prevent the total collapse of the human social structure under the impact of these lightning flashes from the throne of God, that the nations unite for mutual protection.
The foretold increase of knowledge, as represented in printing, has also enabled each nation to become acquainted with the languages and customs of others. This, in turn, tends to promote mutual understanding, where there is a desire for such; but, alas, we also see an increasing animosity when the power of knowledge is misused to spread the propaganda of hate. Hence, for these reasons, we can see why the nations now feel it necessary to unite, and the manner in which the increase of knowledge is making it possible for them to do so.
‘VOICES’ AS WELL AS ‘LIGHTNINGS’
The prophetic lightning symbolic of the modern increase of knowledge is mentioned four times in the Book of Revelation. In chapter 4:5, the lightning is said to come forth from the throne of God. In both chapters 4 and 8, “voices” are associated with the symbolisms of thunder and lightning. (vs. 5) That is also true of Revelation 11:19. In Revelation 8:5, 11:19 and 16:18, the term “earthquake” is added. An earthquake in Bible symbology denotes a social revolution.
These symbolic voices carry the same significance as we attach to the word today, that is, of a message. For example, the ‘voice of Washington’ would mean a message representative of official opinions in Washington. While the symbolic earth is ‘reeling’ and ‘trembling’ to its ‘fall’, we hear of many ‘voices’ setting forth plans whereby it can be saved.
From other sources, where it is more clearly recognized that the old order cannot be saved, come voices outlining various plans for a new world. Many of these plans are good, but none of them takes into consideration the element of human selfishness. While selfishness rules, the increasing enlightenment of the masses means that the problem of satisfying their demands becomes more and more complex and acute.
Our noble-minded rulers and lawmakers doubtless wish the best for humanity. But God wants all nations to learn that they cannot establish lasting peace and happiness apart from him and the plan he has made for their eternal blessing. For this reason, the present gathering of the nations will not accomplish what is hoped for, being prophetically foredoomed to failure. Note the following prophecies:
“Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to naught; speak the word, and it shall not stand.”—Isa. 8:9,10
“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.”—Zeph. 3:8
Isaiah 8:12 indicates that the desire of the people to unite is based upon fear. “Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid,” is the prophet’s message to believers in God’s plan. Jesus said of this time that men’s hearts would be failing them for fear as they look forward to the things coming upon the earth. (Luke 21:26) In Psalm 46:1,2, the Lord’s people, who are assured of divine overruling in their lives, are represented as saying they do not fear, “though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”
The ‘earth’ here referred to is symbolic of the present social structure, and is represented as being carried into the sea of human passion and anarchy. (Isa. 17:12,13) While all Christians should appreciate the good efforts now being made by man to establish a better order of things, yet we realize that the “desire of all nations shall come” only after they have first been “shaken,” and that the Lord alone is able to bring a genuine and lasting new order out of the chaos wrought by enlightened human selfishness.—Hag. 2:7
WHY DO THE NATIONS UNITE?
Thus, while the general tendency to unite, as manifested nationally, politically, and ecclesiastically, is clearly in fulfillment of prophecy, yet, the purposes of human betterment which is prompting these unions will be realized only as a result of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.
There are many reasons why this is so. Concerning the food problem there is the curse that came upon humanity six thousand years ago, when God said to Adam, “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; … thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee. … In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen. 3:17-19) No wonder authorities estimate that two-thirds of the earth’s population are chronically undernourished.
Another reason is the law of self-preservation ruling the lives of individuals and nations. This rule of selfishness is at the bottom of most of the world’s troubles, and we doubt if the satisfying of human wants today will continue to safeguard the peace of the world in view of what is sure to be the enlarged wants of tomorrow.
And these enlarged desires of tomorrow are increasing very rapidly when we consider how the world’s population increased from two billion to 5.5 billion people in some 50 years, from the time of the United Nations Food Conference, to the present. As Christian believers in the prophecies and promises of the Bible, we recognize that the only true solution for the food problem is the substitution of love in the place of selfishness as the motivation behind all human endeavor. Supplying the growing and often unreasonable demands of human selfishness is an impossible task in today’s society. Only the administrative and educational program of Christ’s kingdom, backed by God’s miracle-working power, will be able to cope with human selfishness by creating new motivation in the hearts and lives of humankind.
Often the people who are blessed with plenty see the distress in famine-stricken lands on their TV screens, and respond by donating monies for their relief. Yet when food supplies are sent to these lands, frequently they do not reach the people who need them. There are many reasons for this. Some involve the lack of equipment to transport, or the administrative capability to distribute the necessary supplies. Another reason is that forces of evil interfere; as for example, in Somalia, where warlords have intercepted food supplies and use these to bribe the stricken people to be their followers.
The United Nations, with a great assist from the United States, has tried to correct the situation by using military force. To date the many similar situations throughout the continent of Africa and elsewhere in the world have overwhelmed the capability of the UN to solve these problems. As we have already noted, only God can deal with the evil forces that continue to plague the world.
As Zephaniah 3:8 clearly shows, selfishness will not hold the nations together, and the humanly-conceived social “earth” will be consumed by the “fire of God’s jealousy.” But we will not fear, for just beyond this verse, Zephaniah states that a further manifestation of divine power will come into the affairs of men. Verse 9 declares that then God will turn to the people a “pure language.” The Hebrew word here translated ‘language’ is saphah, and is the same word used in the account quoted above concerning the confusion of tongues by the Lord when the people attempted to build the Tower of Babel.
The basic meaning of the word saphah is ‘band’ or ‘boundary’, and when used in connection with the Tower of Babel incident, denotes the limitations that were then placed upon the people by the confusing of their tongues. When the kingdom of Christ is established, all nations will again be circumscribed by God, not by the confusing of their own language, but by having turned to them a pure saphah, or language.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PROGRESSES
‘Words’ or ‘language’ are used in the Scriptures to symbolize the conveying of information or a message. Thus the Word of God, or the language of God, signifies the imparted knowledge of his plans for the children of men. No doubt, as the educational program of the kingdom progresses, all nations will learn to speak one language; but more important than this is the fact that the symbolic language that will be turned to them by God will not only acquaint the people with his glory, but also set the bounds of their worship, limiting all to the worship of the one true God, calling upon him from every land—“with one consent.”—Zeph. 3:9
Then the food problem will be solved, as well as all the other problems created by man’s fall into sin and selfishness. No longer will it be necessary for anyone to return to the dust, for not only will the curse upon the earth, symbolized by thorns and thistles, be removed, but the penalty of death itself will be set aside as a result of the redemptive work of Christ Jesus and the establishment of his kingdom. One of the functions of Christ’s kingdom will be to operate as a worldwide food administration, the glorious and lasting results of which are prophetically described as follows:
“He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no [more, spurious] curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”—Rev. 22:1-3
What a glorious promise! Those who have faith in the Bible know that when the kingdom of Christ is established, and the promised ‘river of life’ is flowing for the blessing of all mankind, no more food shortages will occur. One of the kingdom promises reads: “Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear [reverence] him.”—Ps. 67:6.7
MORE KINGDOM PROMISES
Another promise reads: “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”—Ps. 145:13-16
Thus we see that it will be by God’s great power that all the world will be fed. Even in this imperfect, ‘present evil world’, optimists see that the potential for feeding expanding populations is possible. They say this in spite of the fact that there is much land that is desert, where no rain, or insufficient rain, falls, and there are droughts in other areas where normally rain does fall. Then, too, there are places and times when too much rain falls, flooding occurs, and crops rot or wash away. This imbalance of nature will be corrected, for in the perfect earth these will be in God’s control. This is so even today, as Jesus plainly said speaking of his Father: “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”—Matt. 5:45
On the other hand, there are scientists today who forecast disaster from global warming caused by an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but not all are pessimists. The United States Department of Agriculture has conducted experiments to show that an increase in the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere makes plants grow faster! Couple this fact with the removal of the curse when the Edenic conditions of earth will be restored. Then will be fulfilled what God said: “To every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat.”—Gen. 1:30
There are many inspiring prophecies in God’s Word that tell of the restoration of the earth to its Edenic condition. One of these is Isaiah 35, describing the change that comes with the establishment of God’s kingdom. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.”—vss. 1,2, RSV
The glory of the Lord and the majesty of God shall be revealed in the beauty of the earth—beauty which will be both literal and figurative. The literal earth will become a place of natural beauty, and the people living upon the earth will beautify it with characters of love and devotion to God and to righteousness.
The following two verses are intended to encourage all who read this prophecy, and who are looking for God’s kingdom: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” (Isa. 35:3,4, RSV) The handicaps which besiege mankind such as blindness, deafness, lameness, and dumbness—both literal and figurative—are to be removed. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.”—vss. 5,6, RSV
SYMBOLS DESCRIBING THE KINGDOM
This prophecy continues by using weather patterns that will supply an abundance of water,. as symbolically expressing the abundant provisions of the Lord: “Waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.” (vss. 6,7, RSV) This proper distribution of water will be of utmost importance in solving the food problem. Today’s weather forecasters tell us how the jet stream, far above the earth, controls our weather—bringing rain or snow, cold or warmth, sunshine or clouds—and, in general, changes from one pattern to another. Any influential force upon the weather will be controlled by God in his kingdom.
The Prophet Zechariah, speaking of the Lord’s kingdom, mentions that the nations will want to show their reverence for God, and to worship him, and he says: “It shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” (Zech. 14:17) ‘Rain’ is used as a figure of kingdom blessings, because if literal rain were cut off from that nation they would suffer.
All obstacles for the people of earth shall be removed as the prophecy in Isaiah 35 promises: “A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it, and fools shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.” (vss. 8,9, RSV) Satan, that old ‘lion’, shall be bound.
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!
The prophecy ends on a joyous note: “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (vs. 10, RSV) The people who had lived upon the earth shall return from the grave, rejoicing in the provisions God has made for them. Everlasting joy will prevail!
How important it is for us to pray earnestly, as taught by Jesus: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”—Matt. 6:10