Questions and Answers By R. A. TORREY
stroyed as it seems likely to be, for Israel to return to the Holy Land as it is proph esied in Scripture that they will return. One, who has made any study of prophecy, can not but watch the present developments with the keenest interest as everything points to the'exact and literal fulfillment of the predictions of Scripture regarding the return of the Jews to the Holy Land, the gathering of the nations against them under the leadership of Russia and the coming of our Lord with His Saints,to their deliver ance. This is not to say for one moment that the present war is the battle of Arma geddon, for it certainly is not, as we clearly proved in a former number of the K ing ' s B usiness , but there are various striking in dications that it is preparing the way for it. However, the believer does not have to wait for the battle of Armageddon before His Lord comes. The Lord is coming for His people before that and may come at any time. Will those who really believe in the immi nent coming of the Lord spend their time in building big structures, even for Christian work? There is no reason why those who believe that the Lord may come at any time should not build the very best buildings they can for the most effective carrying on of His work until He comes. Those who have an intelligent faith founded upon the Word of God that the Lord may come soon, do not set a time for His coming. Though there are so many indications that He will come very soon, He may not come for many years. Time and again in the past history of the world those who were living nearest to God felt that the coming of the Lord was just at hand. Martin Luther felt so, but the Lord has not come yet. Martin Luther was not mistaken for the Lord was at hand. Those who were mistaken were those who said, “My Lord delayeth His coming” and therefore neglected earnest service for Him. (Concluded on page 730)
Is Russia anywhere mentioned in proph ecy? Yes, very definitely. Russia has a very definite place in the prophecies connected with thè close of the present dispensation. For example, in Ezekiel 38:2, we read, “And say, Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, etc.” In the Revised Version this is more accurately rendered, “And say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah : Be hold I am against thee, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubai.” Rosh, Meshech and Tubal mean, of course, Russia, Moscow and Tobolsk. It is evident from the proph ecy that follows and from Ezekiel 39:6 ff. Revelation 20:8 ff. that Russia is to obtain a great prominence over the Gentile nations and to be the leader of the nations in the final assault on the Israelitish people after their return to their land. After many vic tories they are to find their final and over whelming defeat in their assault on Israel. You should read chapters 38 and 39 of the prophecy of Ezekiel with great care. They are full of suggestions as to the future of Russia, as well as the future of Israel. If Gomer (Ezek. 38:6) is, as many contend, Germany, then they indicate that Germany (if not in this war, in some future war) is to become subject to (or at least under the leadership of) Russia. It is interesting to note in connection with this final destiny of Russia, that Russia and the northern powers have been the great persecutors of Israel in recent days and seem to be fitting them selves for the very thing which is proph esied in Scripture. It is true that the Czar of Russia in the difficulties in which he has recently found himself has spoken about the Jews as “My beloved Jews,” but this has not been his attitude toward Israel nor the attitude of Russia toward Israel, and the sincerity of it all is naturally questioned on every hand. However, Russia may be friendly toward the Jews for a time and open the way, if Constantinople falls into their hands and the Turkish power is de
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