4 THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE
days. Each player is fully aware that the fate of his nation is
trembling in the balance, and he is breathlessly seeking to ma-
neuver it into a position of advantage so that when the time comes
for the final moves, his nation will win in the climactic struggle
that ends the game.
In reviewing world conditions a few weeks ago before a group
of professional men and industrial leaders, the speaker, one of
the keenest observers and editors in the United States, said, “The
world is shedding its last trace of stability.” This is a mournful
statement, but it is Biblically true. Humanity is distraught and
bewildered. It is in the grip of two mighty impulses, each striving
to seize the mastery. It is about to be torn asunder between the
two gigantic forces, the hope of peace and the fear of war.
Millenniums ago Christ forecast this unwelcome picture of
the nations and outlined their course of thought and conduct. He
revealed clearly that the general conditions of the world, and of
, the nations in particular, would continue unrelieved until the last
days, at which time they would become so alarming and extensive
as to constitute one of the very definite signs of His imminent
return.
What Christ Predicted
In presenting the tokens by which men might know when His
coming is near, He declared: “There shall be signs in the sun, and
in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of na-
tions, with perplexity; the sea and the 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. And when these things begin to come
to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption
draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28.
Describing the unparalleled preparations for war and the
astonishing and premonitory awakening of heathen nations for
the final conflict, the prophet Joel made the following prophetic
statement: “Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles [“the nations,”
“Revised Version]; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let
all the men of war draw near; let them come up: beat your plow-
‘shares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears: let the
~ weak say, I am strong. . . . Let the heathen be wakened. . . .
Le Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision [or “cutting off’]
+ for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel
1 3:9-14.
John the revelator saw the sword swinging and the glowering