WE are in the midst of turbulent times. We have strifes in the social and financial world that are filling men with grim apprehensions. Society is divided into factions, each of which is striving for some personal end, and all are claiming that they are called to do what they are doing in order that the social structure may not be utterly ruined.
Louder, even, than these clamorings in society, are the rumblings of the war chariots among the nations. The omens of war are so strong that many peace societies have been formed for the purpose of trying to hold the war craze within bounds, with the hope of finally destroying the sentiment of war altogether. These peace organizations are formed in states and in nations, and then are brought together in international societies so that their combined influence may be exerted to withstand the pent up sentiments of war. The peace organizations are, without doubt, doing a great work. But they make a mistake in thinking that they will be able ultimately to control war in this wicked world, filled with selfish and ambitious men. It is needful that we view these things in their true light if we would avoid being deceived. The following prophetic declaration states the situation as it is:
"After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that no wind should blow on the earth, or on the sea, or upon any tree. And I saw another angel ascend from the sunrising, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a great voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we shall have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." Rev. 7:1-3.
The sixth chapter of Revelation closes with a description of the awful scenes that will be upon earth when Christ will be revealed at His second coming. They are the scenes that occur under the sixth seal. Then the eighth chapter begins with the opening of the seventh seal, and tells of the silence in heaven for the space of a prophetic half hour, or seven and one half literal days, when all the angels have left their regular dwelling-place around God's throne to accompany Christ to this earth. Hence the seventh chapter, from which the foregoing quotation is taken, is thrown in parenthetically, in order to describe some particular things connected with the close of time that had not already received attention from the prophet's pen.
THE RUSSIAN FLEET AS IT WILL BE IN 1913 From the "Illustrated London News"
It will be seen, from the quotation, that angels are commanded to hold the "winds," that they may not blow either on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. Winds, in symbolic prophecy, denote strifes, wars, and commotions. And hence the four angels are told to hold back these things until the Lord has given His sealing, gospel message to the ends of the earth.
When the dogs of war and of strife have to be held, it shows that they are not in repose. They are tugging at their leashes, and howling in their madness. Hence if there should be any short outbreaks of war and strife, they would, in the very nature of things, come suddenly and furiously. Such is the definite thing that the prophecy calls for, and the conditions in the world at the end of time are to test the accuracy of the divine prediction.
Concerning the suddenness with which wars in these days arise, one of England's greatest statesmen has said:
"Still more serious is the consideration which recent events have forced upon us that these wars come absolutely unannounced and with terrible rapidity. The war-cloud rises in the horizon with a rapidity that obviates all calculation, 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 on which your very existence is staked."
This utterance from a former prime minister of England states the case as we have come to know it to exist. The wars of this time break forth with a rapidity and a force which show that the nations are under an unseen restraint. And when the winds of war do come, they appear in gusts, and thus reveal the unseen restraining hand, which is known only by the prophetic Word. Men ought to be able to see things that are so clearly manifest. They would if the critics of this generation had not led so many to discredit the Bible. But these unwise critics have had their day. The time has come for the prophecies of God's Word to have opportunity to speak, and they are speaking in no uncertain or indefinite manner.
The war between Turkey and Italy that has just been concluded is a clear example of the rule. It broke out suddenly, and it has ended quite as suddenly. The Russo-Japanese war was another recent example. The war wind broke forth with a gust, and then it was terminated before either Russia or Japan was willing to have it close. The present Balkan war is another illustration. A few weeks ago, there seemed to be no more trouble there than has been usual for the last quarter of a century, for there has been a heavy war-cloud hovering over that section for fully that long. But all of a sudden the little Balkan States stalk forth madly. They say they are determined to have revenge on Turkey. Then there is a little calm. The "powers" say they will control the situation. They will not let these little nations fight the old decaying, crumbling Turk. But while the "powers" deliberate, Montenegro rushes to the attack, and then the war storm, in all its furies, is on.
Some have thought that all Europe will be embroiled in this war. It may be so. But mark this: It will be of short duration. It will be ended as suddenly, perhaps, as it was begun. It can not continue; for He who commands the orderly movements of all the suns and worlds in the universe, has uttered His prophecy, and made His decree. The "winds" are ordered held until the sealing work of the gospel is finished. And in this time, the gospel has in it the message that Jesus is about to return to earth.
Satan, the great adversary, seeks to counteract the work of the gospel, and to hide from men the fact that a great chorus of voices from God's prophetic Word is telling the world that the Lord Jesus Christ will soon come again in person to this earth. To this end he has brought about conditions, in many of the nations, that make it hard for the gospel work to go. This is particularly the case in the great heathen lands where he has had the most undisputed sway. And as the winds of war are ordered held so that the sealing work of the gospel may go forward, it is evident that these winds would be allowed to blow for a short time in certain localities if by that means obstacles could be taken out of the way that are impeding the progress of the great work of God.11
NEARLY FOUR FIFTHS OF THE ENTIRE GERMAN NAVY
With these thoughts before us, it will be readily called to mind that one leading characteristic of all modern wars has been that as soon as they are over, it is manifest that there is greater liberty and freedom granted to those engaged in the controversy. The way is opened for the sealing message to go with greater facility. And following this usual plan, we may expect that when the present Balkan-Turkish war is over, in a little time from now, there will be in that territory a freedom for true gospel work that has not been accorded in the past.
But no one should make the mistake of thinking that these little outbreaks are the beginnings of Armageddon. When the Armageddon war starts, the whole world will rush to arms with a fury that has never before appeared on earth; for that war comes under the pouring out of the sixth plague, and it is consequently after the close of probation. Then there will be no restraining hand. God will have directed the angels to loose their hold upon the winds of war, and the scenes that will appear in the mad tornado of strife will go beyond any powers of human description.
God is urgently inviting us to stand with Him in that awful day; and if we will but accept His invitation, He will abundantly protect us. All the power displayed among the millions of worlds that make up His universe, is staked for the protection and the success and the deliverance of each one of His children. How indescribable will be the satisfaction and joy of standing under the protection of such mighty power when Satan is doing his last destructive work through the forces of sin just prior to the coming of our beloved Lord!
