p. 7 | The Federation of the World by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1915

The Federation of the World

By C. M. S.

WONDERFUL are the prophecies of the divine Word! They are like the building specifications of a master architect. Though made centuries ago, as the building of his purpose progresses, the walls, the towers, the architraves, the ceiling timbers, the roof, cornices, doors, windows, lintels, and altars all come into place in exact conformity with his specifications and delineations. We look on in wonder as we see every separate part coming into its place, and marvel at the comprehension of the mind that thought the wonderful combination through to the end.

We read of his work in the creation of the universe, that “he spake and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast.” But in the prophecies of his Word he spake, and each separate item comes into place when the time or condition arrives with which that item corresponds. Prediction and fulfillment are the complements of each other, and fit to each other when the time arrives for them to do so.

We have seen fulfillment meet prophecy in so many particulars and in so many events that we are coming to look upon them, to some degree, as almost commonplaces. We almost forget that in each fulfilled prophecy God is telling us over again, lest we forget, that he is God himself, the true God, who is able to tell the end from the beginning, and is doing it that we may have evidence upon evidence of his existence, his love, and his purpose.

We have seen these fulfillments in many events that have taken place before our day. These are interesting and convincing; but a peculiar thrill accompanies the fulfillment of prophecy when we see it actually taking place before our eyes. The peace movement and the movement for world federation, both going on while the worst war the world has ever seen is taking place, — and that paradoxical fulfillment an evidence of the ripening of the world for the judgment, — these constitute a striking and a thrilling fulfillment of the divine Word.

For a generation past the great nations of the Old World have been girding themselves for the shock of a mighty war which they felt was surely impending, and they have associated themselves together by treaties and compacts and concordats, and ententes cordiales. But most centuries ago the divine Word said:—

“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.” Isa. 8:9.

That word is to the nations of our day. They have been doing what the prophecy said they would be doing, and yet they are now being broken in pieces as the prophecy said they would be, in spite of the fact that they have been girding themselves for war as no nations ever before had done, and have associated themselves in groups to protect themselves from one another.

But another admonition the Word of God gives us in this connection; and the fact that God gave that admonition in immediate connection with the prophecy above quoted, shows that it will be applicable at the time when the other applies. It reads: —

“Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.” Verse 12.

Moreover, verse 17 of the same chapter shows that these words apply at a time when the people of God are looking for their Lord’s return. Today we have the peace movement in full blast and at the same time the greatest war of earth’s history in full swing. We have the nations associated together and yet in actual process of being broken in pieces. And what else have we? We have the first steps now being taken for a world-embracing confederacy, the very thing against whose false hopes Jehovah warns his people. The accompanying photoreproduction of a page from the Christian Herald of December 23, is, in and of itself, an event of the utmost significance; and yet something of that nature was certain to come if that prophecy was to meet its fulfillment. The United States of the World would be a federation of the world or a confederacy of the world.

Such a combination of earthly powers is bound to come if ever there is a power in this world which can say “to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” in Rev. 13:14. We also read of this same power, which wields a world influence,

that it “causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Verse 12. A world federation, formed by religious influences, is necessary to the fulfillment of that prophecy. The suggestion to President Wilson and the demand made upon him in the accompanying reproduction from the Christian Herald show how that may be brought about. Such a confederacy, when formed, will be dominated by religion. It will have a head, and that head will be the head of some religion. It will issue religious decrees; for it will be a confederacy dominated by ecclesiastics. The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America have already gone on record as favoring the enforcement of the false sabbath. What more natural than that such a confederation should declare for a Sunday sabbath obligatory upon all the people of the world?

The Federal Council has made one urgent request of President Wilson, which was of a religious nature, and he complied with it, and called the nation to a season of prayer. The churches could just as well have done that themselves; but they chose to have the head of the government do it, forgetting, or not caring, that in doing so they were repudiating the fundamental principles of the government, the separation of church and state.

Now comes this urgent request, declaring in itself that it represents the churches of Christ in the United States, a direct appeal of religion to the government. It shows the way for the formation of a power which will make possible the fulfillment of Revelation 13. We cannot tell whether the head of our government will take the step he is importuned to take; but some President will take it when the time is ripe; for the churches will not cease to importune until it is done. The rest will be but a matter of detail. The United States, according to the prophecy, is to lead the world in bringing to a head that movement which must culminate in that universal decree which demands the worship of the beast on pain of death. We see it getting ready to take the step which will lead to that great climax. The prophecy is fulfilling before our eyes. C. M. S.