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A World in Turmoil:
"Nation shall rise against nation"
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Friday, March 29, 2013
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www.bibleinthenews.com Audio & Print versions
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“A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth." Jeremiah 25:31.32.
Hello: This is Paul Billington bringing you this week's edition of the Bible in the News. And what a lot of news there is! The staggering Eurozone and the European Union; Russia flexing its military muscle in the Black Sea with its eyes on the Mediterranean, Euroscepticism and talk of war by the EU president Rompuy - North Korea making belligerent noises while it targets its rockets on Hawaii and the United States - who then sends over stealth bombers. Syria, scandals in the Vatican. Israel's new Government - and so it goes on. The world really is in a turmoil - a veritable whirlwind; A tornado reaching to the ends of the earth! It has all the makings of a military threat, economic devastation and hard times for all. Most of us have lived during a time of relative prosperity and peace since the end of the Second World War - but those times may be coming to an end. No one wants to spread gloom and doom, but the facts are before us - and what is more important, the Bible has forewarned us of what to expect.The task before us is plainly set out in the Scriptures - for example, look at Ezekiel 33. I will just read verse 6.
"But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand."
The clear message to this generation is direct and it is straightforward. It is the same as that message delivered by John Baptist as recorded in the Gospels:
"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand… Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance."
It was a call to reformation, before the dreadful judgments of AD 70 came upon that generation. Our position is very similar in many respects. We have had the evidence of fulfilling Bible prophecy before us for many years, and especially in the latter-day restoration of the Jews to their ancient Land. long before our time there were those who recognized the miracle of fulfilling Bible prophecy. For example, Thomas Newton as long ago as 1754 wrote as follows:
“Men are sometimes apt to think, that if they could but see a miracle wrought in favor of religion, they would readily resign all their scruples, believe without doubt, and obey without reserve. The very thing that you desire, you have. You have the greatest and most striking of miracles in the series of scripture-prophecies accomplished; accomplished, as we see, in the present state of almost all nations...
“It is not a miracle delivered only upon the report of others, but is subject to your own inspection and examination. It is not a miracle exhibited only before a certain number of witnesses, but is open to the observation and contemplation of all mankind; and, after so many ages, is still growing, still improving to future ages. What stronger miracle therefore can you require for your conviction? or what will avail, if this be found ineffectual? Alas, if you reject the evidence of prophecy, neither would you be persuaded though one should rise from the dead.”
There is now so much more than can be added, but sadly, and for the most part, our generation is blind to it. Let us not be discouraged by this. The Truth is staring us in the face. Jesus told us that a time would come when there would be “upon earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and waves roaring: Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" {Luke 21:26-27).
As we see the world in turmoil, and a great whirlwind raised up from the coasts of the earth, we know that the call to repentance is involved in it all. So let us respond in faith, for:
"When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh" (verse 28).
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Printed: Friday, March 29, 2013
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