Comment By Torchlight

The 'seventies

We enter a new decade of human history under the dark clouds which gathered during the 'sixties. In spite of man's conquest of space and his spectacular technological progress, culminating in the landings on the moon, events on this planet expose his spiritual and moral bankruptcy. Outbreaks of violence in many parts of the world, defiance of authority and contempt of law and order, the urge to destroy, the collapse of cherished ideals and time-honoured institutions, all reflect the frightening dilemma of modern man. While some nations bask in unprecedented material prosperity, others struggle with poverty and hunger. There is widespread frustration and disillusionment at the failure of political measures designed to disentangle mankind's problems. This is the picture of modern civilization reflected in our daily newspapers as we enter 1970.

In global politics the Middle East remains the focal point. 1969 saw no progress towards the solution of the problem of Israel. As we write, the position is grave indeed and the prospects of pacification in this area seem remote. While the warlike activities of Jews and Arabs increase the possibilities of their coming to the conference table recede. There is at present an explosive atmosphere similar to that which preceded the six-day war in 1967.

In these world-conditions the Christian bears a heavy responsibility. We must guard against apathy, cynicism and despair, remembering that the world of humanity is loved by God, who will intervene in human affairs in due course. In the meantime the Gospel is to be lived and preached by those who are His disciples. Herein lies man's only hope. If we could but recapture the zeal of those early Christians who "went about preaching the word (Acts 8.4), and took joyfully the spoiling of their possessions (Hebrews 10.34), how much more effective our influence would be! Let us resolve to set our course afresh in accordance with the Master's words, "Whosoever shall lose his life for My sake shall find it" (Matthew 16.25).

The sure Word of Prophecy

On page 2 begins the first of a series of articles entitled, The Finger of Prophecy, which will appear monthly during 1970, if the Lord will. In the first article attention is drawn to the wealth of Old Testament prediction which was fulfilled in the events associated with our Lord's first advent. This confirming testimony to the inerrancy of Scripture is irrefutable and merits continual emphasis. The trend of modernist theology is to discredit Scripture authority, and many are disturbed and confused by the flood of liberal propaganda issuing from the religious Press. Scripture needs no defence from us. It stands as a witness to the immutability of God and those who presume to impugn it will be broken in pieces. The present attack on Scripture by many who profess to venerate it is undoubtedly inspired by the Devil. It is part of his strategy in the modern world. But God's Word stands,

"Firm as a rock amid the seething waves, Against it vainly man or demon raves, Each futile blow but proves how well 'tis based, And shows the Christian's trust is not misplaced".

There remains in both the Old and New Testaments a vast area of divine prediction awaiting fulfilment. But there are differing views among discerning students of Scripture prophecy as to the precise order in which the events associated with our Lord's second coming will occur. A certain general outline of the order of these events has been propounded in this magazine for the past 80 years or so, and this has found general support among us. Recent events have tended to confirm rather than to disturb it. Our contributors have used this outline as the general framework for their study. But there are many details in the prophetic word which will be made plain only as the events to which they refer unfold. On such details undue dogmatism is to be deprecated. And no discussion of the varying views on prophetic fulfilment should obscure our vision of the glorious hope of our Lord's return. Avoiding unwise and fanciful speculation we turn to the prophetic word for encouragement and strength as we see the powers of evil massing around us. Let us be as those who wait for the Lord from heaven,

"Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2.13).

While there is general agreement among Editors of Needed Truth on the outline of prophetic fulfilment set forth in the articles referred to above, it should not be assumed that they necessarily agree with every detail of the expositions.

unknown | Jan 1970
Comment By Torchlight