What's Ahead?
A recent news headline about Europe is: "IF WHAT IS PAST IS PROLOGUE, EUROPE'S RECENT HISTORY SUGGESTS PLENTY OF DRAMA AHEAD." The Common Market is finally common in more than name.
The tunnel under the English Channel is just ready to speed traffic connecting England with the rest of Europe. The Berlin Wall has been broken down and even sold in chunks as souvenirs. Boundaries in Eastern Europe have changed immensely and are still changing. With the breakup of the U.S.S.R., various new nations have emerged. This is going on in the Balkans also. The top leaders of most of the large nations have altered much in the last few years.
The Apostle Paul writes this in Rom. 15:1919Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19). "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." Illyricum in our day has become Albania and the area of the city of Sarajevo. It was in the Balkan region that John Huss, the reformer, effectively preached the gospel of Christ in early 1400. For his preaching and teaching of the Scriptures, he was burned at the stake. As he approached the stake, he prayed fervently and then said, "Lord Jesus, I humbly suffer this cruel death for Thy sake, and pray Thee to forgive all my enemies.”
Are the horrible atrocities, cruelty and wars in the old Yugoslavian area a prologue of coming events? It is not only that part of the world which has given up the Apostle Paul's doctrine and practice. And it is not only that part of the world which suffers the ravages of war, famine, disease and killing.
For believers, the Apostle Paul wrote: "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." 2 Tim. 2:11, 1211It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:11‑12). Concerning this scripture we use the words of another: "What an encouragement and a fitting reward for those who suffered in the persecutions of the Reformation period." Martyrs receive a crown of life (Rev. 2:1010Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)).
Returning to the headline, we ask: if this is prologue, of what is it indicative? If it is of the great achievements of man and his inventions, and the construction of tunnels, roads, and buildings, is it not also of man's wickedness and the terrible results of war, famine, disease and death?
A common expression is: history repeats itself. In Eccl. 7:1010Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. (Ecclesiastes 7:10) we read, "Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.”
One certain thing for the true believer is that the best is yet to come! Ed.