THIS WAR-MAD WORLD by E. E. Andross

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 22, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 37.

THIS WAR-MAD WORLD

By E. E. Andross

Man Had Hoped for Peace, but This Horrible War Instead — The Turk to Be a Central Factor in the Strife — Finally to Be Driven from Europe Takes His Stand in Jerusalem at Last — Following That Time Michael Stands Up

By E. E. ANDROSS

THE long dreaded European conflict is at hand. The thunder of Austrian cannon at Belgrade has reverberated in every capital of Europe, and the highways resound with the tramp of marching men and the rattle and rumbling of accouterments of war. It is the beginning of the martial symphony that reaches its climax in the roar of battle. The Austro-Servian war threatens the greatest catastrophe of modern times, a conflict which the world has dreaded, but has accepted as inevitable. For years the nations of Europe have been prepared, each shouldering immense burdens of armament, each straining to surpass the other in strength and power to destroy. Engines of war have been perfected until man's ingenuity in the preparation of catastrophic elements has been exhausted."—Atlas of the European Conflict, by Rand, McNally & Company, Chicago, 1914, page 15.

In describing the conditions that would prevail in the world near the close of earth's history, the seer of Patmos, nearly nineteen centuries ago, wrote: "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: 18.

"LET ALL THE MEN OF WAR DRAW NEAR"

The prophet Joel speaks of the approach of the "day of the Lord," and in immediate connection therewith says: "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.

This work of preparation for the most terrible struggle the world has ever witnessed has been in progress now for half a century; and as the years have passed, it has seemed that intensity was taking possession of every earthly element. It has become more and more apparent to every observer that the storm was gathering, the clouds were loading, ready to burst upon the world.

OMINOUS CALM

Lord Rosebery, of England, in a great speech delivered before the press delegates assembled in London in 1909, sent a note of warning ringing through the empire. He said:

"I do not know that in some ways I have ever seen a condition of things in Europe so remarkable, so peaceful, and in some respects so ominous as the condition which exists at this moment. There is a hush in Europe, a hush in which you may almost hear a leaf fall to the ground. There is an absolute absence of any questions which ordinarily lead to war.

"All forebodes peace; and yet at the same time, combined with this total absence of all questions of friction, there never was in the history of the world so threatening and so overpowering a preparation for war. That is a sign which I confess I regard as most ominous. For forty years it has been a platitude to say that Europe is an armed camp, and for forty years it has been true that all the nations have been facing each other armed to the teeth, and that has been in some respects a guarantee of peace. Now what do we see? Without any tangible reason, we see the nations preparing new armaments. They can not arm any more men on land, so they have to seek new armaments upon the sea, piling up these enormous preparations as if for some great Armageddon — and that in a time of profoundest peace."—McClure's Magazine, October, 1909.

Photo by Paul Thompson GEN. CONRAD VON HOTZENDORF, HEAD OF THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN ARMY

AS FORESEEN BY THE PROPHET

Again, Mr. Harold F. Wyatt wrote in "The Nineteenth Century and After" (London), as follows: "The shadow of conflict and of displacement greater than any which mankind has known since Attila and his Huns were stayed at Chalons is visibly impending over the world. Almost can the ear of imagination hear the gathering of the legions for the fiery trial of peoples, a sound vast as the trumpet of the Lord of hosts."

Twenty-five hundred years ago, the prophet Jeremiah, in holy vision, saw the legions of earth, and heard the tramp of the millions as they were gathering for the last great conflict. "My bowels, my bowels! 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.

Undoubtedly the prophet saw what is so graphically described in the last paragraph of the article from which I quoted in the beginning of this paper, which reads as follows:

THE MARCHING MILLIONS

"Thus Europe resounds with the tread of millions of marching men, the rattle and clash of arms, and the wailing and weeping of women and children. One by one the nations leap to the struggle. Germany, striking at the heart of France, violates the neutrality of Belgium, and arouses her stubborn resistance. England, indignant at the violation of international treaties, gathers her war forces to support Belgium and her allies against the German advance, and the order goes out, 'Seek the enemy, and destroy him.' Battles rage on the Russian and German frontiers. The roar of naval combat is heard in every quarter of the globe. Little Servia, the cause of the mighty tumult, checks the advance of the Austrians. Italy, at first declaring her neutrality, thus breaking the Triple Alliance, watches her hereditary enemy, Austria, and is eager to avenge ancient wrongs. The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Spain hold their forces in war order, to guard their integrity. Everywhere the dark cloud of conflict spreads terror and gloom over the land. News comes that Japan will take the side of England, and therefore that of Russia. Men leave a plentiful harvest to reap a bloody one on the field of battle. On the great markets of the world, prices rise and fall, like the fluctuations of a barometer before a great storm. Men, the pawns of royal intrigue, are forced to march to the field of slaughter, accompanied by the weeping of women and children, and the thought of the misery to fall upon them."

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Many are asking this question to-day, and I am thankful we are not left without the answer. "At that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Dan. 12: 1, 2.

"There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation." This time of trouble to the nations follows the driving of the Turk from Europe. In Dan. 11: 40-45, mention is made of the Turkish power as "the king of the north," and verse 45 says, "He shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." The "glorious holy mountain" is Jerusalem (Zech. 8: 3), which is situated between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea.

BATTERY OF FRENCH ARTILLERY ON THE FIRING LINE

The seat of the Turkish government for many centuries has been Constantinople, one of the most strategic points in Europe, and long regarded with jealous eye by all the great European powers. Russia has perhaps been foremost in her desire to secure possession of that great vantage point, but England and the other Western powers have forbidden it. There seems to be a consensus of opinion among those who have carefully studied the European situation, that the goal in the present struggle is Constantinople.

THE TURK THE REAL BONE OF CONTENTION

From an editorial in the Los Angeles Times Magazine of August 8, 1914, I take the following: "The real bone of contention in the present struggle is Constantinople. The day of the Turk in Europe is practically at an end, and some one will get that point of strategic importance in war and commerce. It must fall to either the Slav or the Teuton, and to which will probably be decided in the present struggle."

In the same paper of August 15, 1914, the following significant utterance occurs: "The whole struggle is one for material domination of certain portions of the world. In the minds of the rulers,—kings, emperors, presidents, chancellors,—and in the minds of the leaders of the armies, 'Constantinople' is probably the slogan sounded deep down in their hearts and kept tightly bottled up in the backs of their heads."

WILL DEMAND CONSTANTINOPLE

In an article in "The War Manual" of the World's Work for September, 1914, page 13, entitled "Why the Nations Fight," by Albert Bushnell Hart, professor of history, Harvard University, the following statement appears: "In case of victory, the Russians will certainly demand Constantinople, which means that the Turk would be finally shoved out of Europe. England and France would probably favor that solution of the near Eastern question."

TURKEY IN EUROPE SOON TO END

In the Los Angeles Times Magazine of August 15, 1914, page 149, speaking of the present war, the writer says: "The day of Turkey in Europe is nearly ended, and that long act in the drama of history is about to have the curtain rung down upon it, and the pronouncement made, 'Actum est.' There is the real impulse of the present war. Constantinople, a position of wonderful advantage, must fall into new hands, and all are wide open to catch the prize."

The writer undoubtedly spoke more wisely than he knew. The Latin words "Actum est," translated into English, are, "It is done." This pronouncement, he says, is about to be made with the ending of Turkey's day in Europe, and the dropping of the curtain in that long act in the drama of history.

After speaking of the battle of Armageddon, and the opening of the seventh vial of God's unmixed wrath, the inspired writer says, "And there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done." Rev. 16: 17.

The Turkish power will come to its end, not when driven out of Europe, but at the battle of Armageddon, which is to be fought where some of the great battles of ancient Israel were fought, on the plain of Esdraelon, in northern Palestine. After leaving Europe, the Turk will "plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." Till now, the Turk has received help from the great European powers. But the time is near when this help will be withdrawn, and, driven from Europe, he will come to his end in the final convulsion of earth's powers at Armageddon.

Photo by Paul Thompson GENERAL PUTNIK, CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE SERVIAN ARMY

MICHAEL STANDS UP

The driving of the Turk out of Europe, and the establishment of his seat of empire at Jerusalem, is to be followed by the standing up of Michael, and the time of trouble such as never was. Michael is Christ (Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4: 16; John 5: 25), and the expression "stand up" means the beginning of His reign. Dan. 11: 2-4.

Since His ascension to the right hand of His Father, nearly nineteen centuries ago, the Saviour has continued to plead in behalf of sinful men before the mercy-seat, as our great High Priest and Advocate. The time must come when He will put off His priestly robes, lay down the scepter of peace, and, stepping down from the golden throne, don the garments of vengeance. He will then take the rod of iron, and the nations shall be broken to pieces as the vessels of a potter.

With this change in the position and work of Jesus, the probation of man will close forever.

The Son of God has gone "into a far country to receive for Himself a kingdom, and to return." "Having received the kingdom," He will come back to earth to gather the "heirs of the kingdom," who are to reign with Him on His throne. Luke 19: 12, 15; James 2: 5; Rev. 3: 21; 2: 26, 27.

THE HEATHEN FOR AN INHERITANCE

The Father says to His Son: "Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Ps. 2: 8, 9, R. V. Then it will be said, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever." Rev. 11: 15.

While this transcendently glorious event is taking place in heaven, the nations of earth, under the influence of evil spirits, are gathering for the battle of Armageddon. "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

This War-Mad World

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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." Rev. 16: 13-16, R. V.

"The war of the great day of God," culminating in the battle of Har-Magedon, or Armageddon, can not take place till after probation has closed, and "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord." Rev. 11: 15. Then will follow the time of trouble to the nations of earth, such as never was. Dan. 12: 1.

THIS IS NOT ARMAGEDDON

The Turk has not yet come to his end, probation has not closed, and Christ has not begun His eternal reign; therefore the present conflict in Europe, however wide-spread or terrible it may be, is not the Armageddon of the Scriptures. It is undoubtedly the beginning of the gathering of the nations for that final sanguinary world struggle, where all the powers of earth are to be involved, and when they will fall, to rise no more.

It is quite probable that the present strife will temporarily cease, and that there will follow a little time of peace, in which the work of the gospel will be finished. But it is God's call to the world to prepare for the moment when His wrath, unmixed with mercy, will fall upon the despisers of His grace.

A NOISE FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of this time as follows: "I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The Lord shall roar from on high, and utter His voice from His holy habitation; He shall mightily roar upon His habitation, He shall give a shout, as they that tread the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth. A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the Lord hath a controversy with the nations, He will plead with all flesh; He will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground." Jer. 25: 29-33.

MERCY'S DOOR WILL CLOSE

For centuries the Lord has been pleading with all flesh by His Holy Spirit; but they have refused His tender entreaties, and finally the sweet voice is heard no more forever. The sword of justice is unsheathed, and the Lord begins to plead with fire and sword.

"For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh: and the slain of the Lord shall be many." Isa. 66: 15, 16.

When the nations of earth are at last gathered upon the field of Armageddon, the Lord Himself, leading the armies of heaven, will appear. Rev. 19: 11-16, 21. Then will be fulfilled the scripture, "And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains; and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of their wrath is come; and who is able to stand?" Rev. 6: 15-17, R. V.

THE TIME IS NEAR

This awful hour is near. "The day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out." The night of eternal doom is settling down over the world. Everywhere the dark cloud of conflict spreads its terror and gloom over the world. The tramp of millions of armed men, as they prepare for the last conflict—the war of the great day of God—with one mighty chorus proclaims the approach of the end.

THE ETERNAL DAY IS DAWNING

But beyond the shades of night may be discerned the light of eternal day. "The night is far spent, the day is at hand." Rom. 13: 12. "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe." 2 Thess. 1: 7-10. The end is near. The day of God is approaching.

Are you ready for that great day? Have you found your Saviour, and are your sins all washed away? Has your heart been renewed by divine grace, and upon its fleshly tables has God's law been written? Is your life in perfect harmony with those ten holy precepts before which you must soon stand in the great day of Judgment, or will you meet your God over His broken law?

Think of these things, and think of them now, while the Saviour lingers at the mercy-seat. Delay no longer, but quickly prepare to meet your God.