What Significance 1990

This has been a year of sharp contrasts. Until July we saw progressive detente between the Soviet Union and the West, giving a general sense of relief and new hopes for world peace. Then came the sudden crisis through Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, with all the accompanying tensions.

Development of improved relations between the Soviet Union and the Western Alliance seemed impressive. A summit meeting between Presidents Bush and Gorbachev in June was marked by a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. As one commentator put it, "Like a married couple facing tough times Bush and Gorbachev seemed determined to make the relationship work despite their difficulties. After working two days with intractable problems, the two Presidents simply set their differences aside and exchanged signatures on a wide variety of half-way measures".

It was Chancellor Kohl of Germany whose visit to Russia brought a more sensational break-through in July. The unification of East and West Germany within NATO had understandably been a serious problem for the Soviet Union. Kohl had skilfully promoted plans for the rapid amalgamation of the two Germanies, but wished to secure Russian agreement to his proposals. Few imagined that President Gorbachev would be able to will not obtain until the government of the world rests upon the shoulder of Him who is called "Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:6). In that day mankind will be brought into a right relationship with God, and into the blessing of world-wide peace which meantime proves so elusive. As the Master said, "Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass ... nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom ... but all these things are the beginning of travail" (Mat. 24:6-8).

World reaction to Iraq's aggression was remarkably swift and united. The United Nations Security Council condemned Iraq's action and initiated economic sanctions. The United States rapidly deployed forces to support Saudi Arabia against possible threat. It was impressive to see the speed with which such measures could be implemented under modem conditions. For Zechariah 12:3 predicts a future gathering of all the nations of the earth against Jerusalem, and the exercise last August illustrated the feasibility of such international cooperation.

Indeed the whole Iraq-Kuwait episode brought to centre-stage in

world affairs the focal point of the final end-time crisis. The Middle East is central to the fulfilment of the prophetic Word, and Israel will be in the eye of the storm in that future day. Once again we have witnessed the sensitivity of great world powers to events in the Middle East, Strategic considerations and availability of oil supplies affect the vital interests of such nations as Japan, the United Stat~, the Soviet Union and the countries of the EEC. There is of course very strong feeling among many Arabs that the region's problems should be settled by the Arab nations themselves without the interference of other powers. Understandable this view may be, but once again there has been shown the compelling integration of Middle East affairs with the interests of many great world powers; a feature of the end-time seen clearly in the prophetic Word.

From many viewpoints 1990 has been a significant year, for we live in momentous times. Thankfully the believer may view the world scene in the perspective of God's revealed purposes, and be assured that the God of our salvation controls the destiny of our world.

unknown | Dec 1990
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