The times in which we live are thrilling in the extreme. The unexpected so often occurs that we cease to marvel at passing events. Wars, revolutions, floods, droughts, fires, cyclones, earthquakes, accidents by land and sea and air, and crimes of every sort follow one another with such rapidity that we almost cease to be surprised; and if the dailies fail to chronicle some harrowing event, we almost feel that we have been cheated out of our usual report.
The future is dark to the most sagacious statesman; only the diligent prophetic student can truly interpret current events. To him the kaleidoscopic activities of the nations, their consuming anger, their mad rush for territory, commercial supremacy, and prestige among men, all point to the fulfillment of prophecy that shall finally bring deliverance to God's people.
One week ago there was recorded in this country no visible war cloud hanging over the nations of Europe, while at this writing the daily papers are printing great headlines announcing that Russia, France, and Servia are in a defensive war with Germany and Austria-Hungary; with England, Italy, and Japan likely to be drawn into the conflict.
How truly the present situation fulfills the declaration of Lord Salisbury, in speaking of these times:—
“ These wars come upon us absolutely unannounced, and with terrible rapidity. A war cloud arises on the horizon that overthrows all calculations, and it may be a month or two months after the first warning you receive, you find you are engaged in, or in prospect of, a war upon which your very existence is staked.”
Of this present struggle, General Miles is quoted as saying, “This is to be the greatest war of the ages, and the last.”
At this time, it is not known what nations of Europe will be involved, if the war continues. Even if the incident should close, and peace be declared, it serves as an illustration of the times in which we live, and the rapidity with which events of this nature may occur.
Our people should not forget their brethren and sisters in these war-stricken zones. Many will be called upon to go to the front, and there enter into a life-and-death struggle with their fellow men, some of whom are Christians like themselves. They will be called to destroy their own brethren in Christ Jesus, and to transgress other precepts of the law of Jehovah. In these trying times our European brethren need our sympathy and prayers for wisdom and strength to do the right.
Our ministers will find it difficult to preach the message. It will be almost impossible to secure halls for preaching, and the ears and hearts of the people will be so hungry for news of the war that they will have little inclination to listen to the gospel. Our colporteurs will suffer greatly from the stringency of money, and the poor will lack even the necessities of life.
Some one said, “War is hell.” Nothing this side of the infernal pit can equal it. It has no redeeming features; it is all bad, diabolical, cruel, devilish; yet the innocent are often dragged into it by those in authority whose ambitions are beyond bounds, and whose covetousness has no limits.
Our sympathies should reach the unfortunate and those whose lives are endangered. Why should we not engage in daily prayer for our brethren and sisters9across the waters, keeping their needs continually before the Lord?
The four angels of Revelation 7 have long withheld the winds of strife, that the work of God might be finished in the earth. For many long years our work has been almost undisturbed; we have gone where we would, and the Lord has blessed and prospered his work.
In Europe the signal blessing of the Lord has attended his work, and during the last few years many have been brought to the truth. As the hand of the Lord has been seen leading in the work in that country, we have all rejoiced. Now if the winds of war break loose, it is because the angels can keep them but little longer in restraint for the finishing of the work. It means that we who have the salvation of our fellows at heart must work with greater diligence than heretofore. We cannot hope for the Lord to hold the armed world forces in leash much longer. In this country, where peace prevails, we must double our diligence in giving the message to the people.
We are surely in the day of the Lord's preparation, and we must account for our stewardship. The hand of God is in it all, and what he permits is for our warning and encouragement. Let us work with a diligence never known before, and forget not our brethren in the faith whose lot must be made doubly hard by the conditions of today.