by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
THE AGE OF TERROR
I N G od ’ s W ord we find the clear prophecy concerning the fact that in addition to the sign of deception as a forerunner of Christ’s coming, there is also going to be a time of great distress and hostility. In Matthew 24:6 we read, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” The Lord warns us not to confuse times and signs with ten dencies. While the end is definitely approaching it is not now here. It is interesting to take the history of war and note how much it is on the increase. From the 16th century down to the present age there have been more than 276 wars. The tragic thing about it is that these conflicts are becoming more universal and widespread in the destruction of hu man lives, to say nothing of the ex pense involved. With a thermoneu- clear war there is serious doubt as to the possibility of any survivors. Yet as we think of the dangers of atomic power in the wrong hands and other similar horrible prospects, we are not to be unsettled. The word “troubled” is a very forceful descrip tion. It means we are not to shrink, to be terrified, to cry out. “After all,” the Lord says, “your times are in the hands of God.” It is comforting to know that if you and I were to be in the destruc tive range of an atomic bomb, the only thing which could happen to us is that we would be blown into glory. We would immediately be translated into the Lord’s presence. The time will come, however, when judgment will severely visit the earth. Now the judgments you and I experience in this day of grace are those projected by man because of his sinfulness. When God speaks and the earth keeps silence, however, no one will be able to escape.
People will often ask, “Must we al ways have war? Can’t we be educated away from it?” The Word of God shows us that war is not a matter of the mind but a matter of the human heart. In James 4:1, 2 we read, “For whence come wars a n d fightings among you ? come they not hence, even of your lusts (desires) that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” James tells us that our first difficulty is that we desire the things which are not ours. Second, within the world there are 'A little while!" and He shall come, The hour draws on, the pace, The blessed hour, the glorious Lord, When we shall see His face: How light our trials then will seem! How short our pilgrim way! Our life on earth, a fitful dream, Dispelled by dawning day! A little while, with patience, Lord, those who have and there are those who have not. The “haves” are try ing to keep what they have and the “have nots” are trying to get what they don’t have. Consequently there is this consistant turmoil. In the history of war it has been thought that as each instrument has been invented, it would have the po tential of halting any future disturb ance between men and nations. Such has never been the case. Russia and the United States know the mighty power in each’s hand to destroy one another. If war were of the mind, there might be a possibility that these 5 I fain would ask, "How long?" For how can I with such a hope Of glory and of home, With such a joy, awaiting me, Not wish the hour would come? How can I keep the longing back, And how suppress the groan?"
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