Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Prophecy and Present-Day Events. The Rev. Robert M. Russell, D. D., LL. D. - Political Philosophy Versus Bible Prophecy - Foolish World Optimism - Human Advancement Versus Christ’s Advent
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196 Propliecy and Present-Day Events
earthquakes, are to be viewed as the birth-pains of a new age which
shall continue until this new age is born by the presence of Christ in
world-judgment.
Foolish World Optimism
In the face of all that the Bible teaches concerning the con-
tinuance of war during the present age, religious teachers of high
world standard persist in their dream of world peace without the
presence of our glorified Lord. In the summer of 1914, a well known
clergyman had for the subject of his Chautauqua lecture tour,
"Universal Peace." It went fairly well with him and his audiences
during May and June, but in July the chariot wheels of his thought
sank heavily in the sands of reality, while in the world-war which
began August 1st, all his dreams of peace were obliterated. The
same mental processes are being repeated regarding the future. In
the face of present world-woe, we are asked to think what wonders
have been accomplished through the Hague Tribunal and are assured
of a speedy international organization that will forever prohibit war.
Those who believe God’s Word, will not be deluded by false prophets
and their messages. It seems a bit presumptuous for those who told
of universal peace prior to 1914 to again ask the ear and confidence of
the people. It is time that Bible prophecy should take the place that
has previously been given to political philosophy in world thoughts.
Human Advancement Versus Christ’s Advent
A fourth and most significant mark of Christless Christianity is
the substitution of human advancement for Christ’s advent, or the
setting of human hope on the advancement of the sons of men rather
than on the advent of the Son of Man. Nothing is more plainly
taught in God’s Word than that the glorious advent of the world’s
Saviour is to constitute the believer’s hope. Old Testament passages
such as Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-6; Micah 4:1-7; 5:4-9; together with
Zechariah 14:1-21, make it evident that nothing but the glorious
manifestation of Israel’s Messiah will bring world-peace. In the
New Testament, Acts 1:11; Titus 2:11-14; Revelation 1:7 and scores
of other passages reveal that Christ’s return is to be the believer’s
hope. Yet, in the face of all this, the professed expounders of the
Bible are continually pointing to human progress as the goal of
blessedness. A noted preacher crystalized his theology of hope in
the words, "The advancement of the sons of men is the advent of the
Son of Man." No sane exegesis can admit such an interpretation of
the glorious promises concerning the advent of our Lord. It is the
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