Does the War in Europe Show Christianity a Failure?—Do We in Reality Have Christian Nations?—The Bible Foretells Just Such Wars as This—The Word That Predicts So Accurately Has Not Failed
By E. E. ANDROSS
IN the Literary Digest of August 29, 1914, under the heading, “Has Christianity Broken Down?” appears the following from the pen of the Rev. G. Monroe Royce, taken from the New York Evening Post:
“The actual conduct and character of the Christian nations of the world at this moment, as revealed by the state of things in Europe, strip the churches and their ministers of all spiritual significance. To put it in plain language, it seems that they are not doing what they profess to do, and what they are paid for doing, and hence there is a vast waste of money and energy. . . .
“One has a right to expect that, after nineteen hundred years of civilization calling itself Christian, the church and her ministers should have influence enough, power—downright moral and spiritual power—enough to prevent the savage, the brute instincts of mankind dominating not only kings and other rulers, but the whole body of people composing the nations of Europe. This much we have a right to insist upon; and if the combined influence of all organized Christianity can not bring about such a result, then it is, I think, perfectly fair to conclude that the church machinery has broken down, that it does not do what it professes to do, and is not worthy the support it is receiving. Of course, I am acting upon the assumption that people who support the Christian church do so with the expectation that it will not only teach the principles of Christianity as beautiful sentiments, but will insist that at least the fundamental principles of Christianity must be regarded as controlling forces by organized society, such as states.”
If it were true that the professedly Christian nations of Europe actually represented the Author of Christianity, then it might be truly said, “Christianity has broken down.” But every one who has any knowledge of the Sacred Writings, knows that the Saviour’s teachings were just the opposite of what we now see revealed in Europe.
PROCLAMATION OF PEACE
The song of the heavenly choir at the announcement of the Saviour’s birth to the shepherds on the plains of Judea was characteristic of His teaching throughout His public ministry. It was as follows: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14.
His work was, as was that of His forerunner, John, “to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:79. One of the names by which Jesus was to be known was, “the Prince of peace.” Isa. 9:6.
But since the very nations that are called “Christian,” and hence are supposed to represent the teachings of the Master, are now engaged in the most sanguinary struggle that has ever been recorded in the annals covered by the pages of history, how can their2course be harmonized with the teachings of the Saviour? It would seem that if ever nations could be expected to represent the Saviour’s teachings, it would be those now involved in this conflict.
HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR JUST SUCH A WAR
Have not the people composing all the nations of Europe had every opportunity to receive the gospel of peace? Surely no one could say they have not. Yet for more than half a century, these very nations, with all other Christian and non-Christian nations of the world, have been putting forth almost superhuman efforts to prepare for just such a war as this.
Photo by Boston Photo News Company
The gospel of Christ is not popular to-day, any more than it was when the Saviour Himself was here upon earth. The true way to life is yet straight and narrow, and “few there be that find it.” Matt. 7:13, 14. The principles of the gospel are not in harmony with the inclinations of the natural heart, and but few are willing to deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow Christ. Yet to the few who do follow Him, Jesus says, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.
WHAT CAN IT MEAN?
It means simply this: Nations as such are not Christian. They may be influenced more or less by Christian principles. Christian men may occupy positions of responsibility in their councils, and thus the nations may at times be led to take a righteous course. They may, in fact, be founded upon great Christian principles, as we believe our own nation was when it undertook to guarantee to all its citizens “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”; and further, when the equality of man was recognized, and when liberty of conscience was guaranteed by the fundamental law of the land.
The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence declares that “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” The first amendment to the United States constitution protects American citizens by providing that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Any or all of these things, however, do not make a nation Christian.
A TRUE CHRISTIAN
A Christian is one who, having heard the call of the Saviour, in penitence and contrition of heart turns away from his former life of sin to a life of righteousness and holiness. His past sins are all forgiven, and he is cleansed from all unrighteousness. The heart of stone is taken away, and a new heart of flesh is given, upon which is written, by the Spirit of God, Jehovah’s ten holy precepts.
If he becomes a worthy exponent of true Christianity, he must daily feed upon the word of God, and live in constant communion with his heavenly Father through his only Intercessor and Advocate, Jesus our Lord. This will lead him to labor earnestly to advance the cause of his Master in the salvation of the lost, among all people, without regard to their nationality or condition in life. Matt. 4:4; Luke 18:1; Eph. 6:18; Heb. 7:25; Acts 4:12; Matt. 28:19, 20; Col. 3:11.
Photo by Boston Photo News Company Pontoon bridge built by British engineers. The planking in a section in the center has broken down, letting two horses fall in, and the men are trying to rescue them. These pontoons are carried with the army, so that a temporary bridge can be immediately built across a stream.
WILL NOT STRIVE FOR AN EARTHLY KINGDOM
He will not strive primarily to build up any earthly kingdom, though his life will exert a powerful influence to that end wherever he may be, and in all that is good and true. He will live in obedience to the laws of whatever government he may be in, unless in some way its laws interfere with his obedience to the law of God, in which case he must obey God first. In short, he will walk as Jesus walked. Acts 4:18-20; 5:27-29; 1 John 2:6.
No government, as such, can fulfil these requirements; therefore no government can be Christian. The salvation which Jesus came to earth to bring was for man and not for governments. His people are in this world, but are not of it. John 17:11, 16. His kingdom is neither in this world, nor of it, for He says in John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence.”
PROOF OF CHRISTIANITY’S TRIUMPH
This very condition, existing among the nations of earth, and especially the present conflict in Europe, instead of being a sign of the failure of Christianity, is one of the strongest proofs of its final triumph. More than 2,700 years ago, the Lord revealed to the prophet Joel the very conditions among the nations that have made this awful carnage possible. He said: “Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:9, 10, American Revised Version.
To the prophet Jeremiah, 2,500 years ago, the results of such a preparation for war were revealed, as follows: “I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I can not hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled; suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment. How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?” Jer. 4:19-21.
Again, more than 1,800 years ago, the revelator saw the universality of the final struggle among the nations, to which the present conflict is perhaps but the prelude. He also saw, back of all the profession of Christianity by the rulers of the nations, the true source of their inspiration. He says: “And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs: for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. (Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.) And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon. And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done.” Rev. 16:13-17, American Revised Version.
THE DEVIL IS RESPONSIBLE
Instead of Christianity being responsible for the conditions now existing in Europe, this responsibility must be laid at the door of its enemy, the devil.
Who but God could have foretold, hundreds of years before it took place, all that we now see among the nations of earth? We who now live in the twentieth century of the Christian era see the fulfilment of all but the war of the great day of God, which will reach its climax in the battle of Armageddon.
To the prophet John the Lord revealed that under the sounding of the seventh or last trumpet, and just before the wrath of God would be poured out upon the ungodly, the nations would be “angry.” John’s record reads: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The3kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.” “And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldst give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldst destroy them which destroy the earth.” Rev. 11:15, 18.
“WAKE UP THE MIGHTY MEN”
To Joel God showed that just before “the day of the Lord” the nations would prepare for war. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision,” says the prophet. “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.” Joel 3:14, 9, 10.
To Jeremiah Jehovah made known the suddenness with which the storm would finally break. Jer. 4:19-21. To John the extent of the conflict was made known, miracle-working spirits of devils going out to the kings of the whole world, gathering them to battle. Rev. 16:14.
EXPLOSIVE SUDDENNESS
Witness the rapid succession of events in Europe from the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria, June 28, 1914, but more especially from July 23, when Austria sent an ultimatum to Servia, to August 4, when Great Britain declared war on Germany. In Current Opinion for September, 1914, I find the following:
“The eight days from July 28 to August 4 are not unlikely to go down into history as the most fateful since the records of mankind began to be kept. On the first of those dates, war was declared by Austria-Hungary upon Servia. On the last, war was declared by the British Empire upon Germany. In the brief period that elapsed between those dates, the long-hovering war-cloud had burst, and a cataclysm had begun that may prove second only to that which swept over the world when the Roman Empire was broken up and the long night of the Dark Ages began. On one side, in that brief time, Germany and Austria-Hungary had become arrayed in deadly conflict with Servia, Montenegro, Russia, France, Belgium, and Great Britain, with Portugal and Japan likely to be involved in some degree, and with Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Holland, Turkey, Greece, Rumania, and Bulgaria all mobilizing their troops in fear of being drawn into the conflict.”
NONE BUT AN ALL-WISE POWER COULD DO IT
Considering the fact that the predictions of the prophets, uttered hundreds of years ago, are now so accurately fulfilling before our eyes, we must conclude that they have none other than the omniscient God for their author,—the one who sees the end from the beginning.
“All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever.” 1 Peter 1:24, 25.
The word of God is a revelation of the gospel, hence the gospel must stand also, with the Word. Christianity is the result of the manifestation of God’s power to save the lost through the gospel, hence Christianity can not fail. That which is looked upon as the evidence of its failure is truly one of the many signs of its ultimate and speedy triumph. It has always triumphed in the heart of every one who has truly believed, and in the resurrection morning millions will hear witness to that triumph.
MAGNIFICENT CELEBRATION AND TRIUMPH
Soon there will be a most magnificent celebration of this complete and eternal triumph, when the King of kings, and Lord of lords, in infinite power and great glory shall descend to earth, shall call forth His sleeping saints, and, accompanied by all the heavenly host, shall ascend to the city of God. No such magnificence and splendor as the universe will then behold, has ever yet been witnessed in this world or in any other. Glory transcendent will emanate from our victorious Lord, and will encircle each one of His children. Crowns of glory that fade not away will be placed upon their heads, and palms of victory in their hands. Then wars shall “cease unto the end of the earth”; for the Lord shall break the bow, and cut the spear in sunder. He will also burn the chariot in the fire. Ps. 46:9. Then His scattered, torn, and bleeding people, though strangers and pilgrims here, and hated of all men, will hear the words of never-ending blessing pronounced upon them, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Matt. 25:34.
