Comment By Torchlight

The Making of History

We referred last month to the events in the Far East and the sudden shift of power in that region. These developments were followed by considerable diplomatic activity. The visit to Europe of U.S. President Gerald Ford and his Secretary of State, Dr Henry Kissinger, coming in the wake of these events, was seen to be of crucial importance as a pointer to the future role of the United States in global affairs, and, in particular, to the Western Alliance. Towards the end of their tour the American diplomats met President Sadat of Egypt at Salzburg. This has been regarded as a very important step in the search for a Middle East peace formula. President Ford explicitly asserted that he was not prepared to tolerate a stalemate or stagnation in the Arab-Israeli dispute. Later he would meet Israeli Prime Minister Y. Rabin in Washington. This meeting will have taken place by the time these comments are published, and it will have become evident what concessions are to be required of Israel in order that progress can be made. In Israeli government circles fears have been expressed that she will be subjected to strong pressure to accept conditions which have previously been rejected as unacceptable to her. President Ford said he was determined to bring to an end the armed truce in the Middle East. He asserted, "A just and durable peace, fair and equitable to all parties, car and will be achieved". Time will tell whether this prophecy was soundly based. In the past such forecasts have been falsified by events.

Two other important Middle East events took place early last month:

the reopening of the Suez Canal, eight years to the day since it was blocked in the six-day war; and the gesture by Israel in voluntarily withdrawing her military forces in the Sinai desert to a line farther back from the canal zone. It is too early to assess whether these developments will relieve or increase

tension in the area. To what extent the canal will regain its importance as an international waterway will not be apparent for some time. One of the questions arising is, Will Israeli-bound ships be permitted to use the canal? Apparently President Sadat committed himself in the 1973 Disengagement Agreement to let cargoes destined for Israel pass in non-Israel ships once the canal opened. He now says that this can only be done after the Geneva peace conference, which has not yet been recalled. The Israelis say they would regard any search of vessels for Israel-bound cargo as "interference".

One other event of profound significance last month was the outcome of the United Kingdom Referendum campaign which resulted in a decisive 'Yes' vote. Britain is now firmly committed to membership of the European Economic Community. This will undoubtedly bring far-reaching consequences in the direction of national policy in many fields. Many students of Biblical prophecy will, no doubt, find in this historic decision confirmation of the trend of events towards the end-time predicted in the prophetic word.

These are some of the events which have occupied world attention in the historic month of June, 1975. They are all registered in heaven. The clock of human history moves inexorably forward to the decisive hour when "the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ: and He shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 11:15). And from the hearts of Christians everywhere, waiting and longing for that day, there arises with increasing fervour the age-long petition,

"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth"

The purpose of Prophecy(Matt. 6:10).

When looking at history in the light of Scripture there is always the danger of missing the real purpose of Biblical prophecy. Its purpose is to lift the vision of God's people from the bewildering present to the glorious future planned in the counsels of the Godhead. Thus it is "a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn" (2 Pet. 1:19). And it is a reminder that in each age of human history, the present no less than former ones, God's people are called upon, in separation from the world, to play their part in serving the counsel of God as He marches on. It is a call to service, a corrective to squandering our lives for present gain; it clothes the present with the grandeur of eternity.

The danger to which we have referred was no doubt in the mind of C.H. Spurgeon when he wrote, "Ye men of Plymouth, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?" Let us see to it that our interest in Biblical prophecy acts as a stimulant and not as a sedative.

unknown | Jul 1975
Comment By Torchlight