Five Billion!

The world population, so the experts tell us, has now passed the five billion mark, and by the end of the century is likely to exceed six billion.

It becomes difficult for our minds to cope with the concept of such vast numbers of people. Yet the Psalmist's words remain true:

The LORD looketh from heaven;

He beholdeth all the sons of men;

From the place of His habitation

He looketh forth

Upon all the inhabitants of the

earth (Ps. 33:13,14).

Not a thought or word is unknown to Him (Ps. 139:1-5), and for everything account will be given in the day of judgement (Mat. 12:36). An awesome truth utterly beyond our feeble reason! We can but bow in faith and endorse David's admission that "such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it" (Ps. 139:6). With multitudes in heaven we would reverently say, "Who shall not fear, 0 Lord, and glorify Thy Name" (Rev. 16:4).

The accelerating rate of world population growth in recent times has been most striking. Over three hundred years to about 1945 the number of

people on earth grew from half a billion to two-and-a-half billion. Yet within the past forty-two years that figure has now been doubled. The economic problems resulting from this vast increase have taxed the resources of many nations, leading in some areas to lower standards of living, discontent and political unrest. Population growth has tended to be higher in less advanced countries, accentuating their problems and the contrast between them and more prosperous nations. As these trends increase they will doubtless contribute to a global economic dilemma at the time of the end. One factor which will help towards acceptance of the Antichrist as universal ruler will be his power to control the economic situation in a seriously disrupted world (Rev. 6:5,6; 13:16,17).

Today's situation presents its special challenge to Christian conscience as vast numbers of people live on the margin of existence or die through lack of food and medical care. When a lawyer asked "Who is my neighbour"? the

Lord Jesus simply but powerfully impressed on him that even a stranger of an alien nation should be reckoned as a neighbour and given support in need (Luke 10:36,37). "Go, and do thou likewise" may validly be applied to the believer's responsibility in today's world. Modern communications make us aware of acute need through famine, disease, violence and the like. Should there not be concern to help towards relief of such distress as the Lord prospers us and as He guides in response to our prayerful exercise of heart before Him?

But five billion souls present an even greater challenge! "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). "God willeth that all men should be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim.

2:4).

The Master commanded His apostles to make disciples of all nations; they were to be His witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth. A vastly expanded world population may therefore offer scope for the infinite love of God to find ever fuller expression as increased numbers hear and believe the gospel. There is no limit to divine resources. Our concern must be prayerfully to seek His direction as to how and where we may best be used to share in the furtherance of the gospel. Each of us may daily know a burden of prayer for the wider spread of the Word. Each of us may personally witness and support the corporate testimony of the people of God. A world population of five billion calls for maximum spiritual effort to send out the light and truth of God's Word.

Happily modern technology has been harnessed in printing and broadcasting to speed the communication of the message. There is an unprecedented volume of gospel witness to a needy world. In his generation Paul asked, "Did they not hear?" and replied, "Yea, verily, their sound went out into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world" (Rom. 10:18). Our generation has seen a spectacular furtherance of the word of Christ to "all the earth". Yet many have not yet heard the Name of Jesus!

Let none hear you idly saying,

There is nothing I can do,

While the souls of men are dying,

And the Master calls for you.

unknown | Nov 1987
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