The Map With A Message

A Prime Minister of England once gave the advice-" Get a large Map." Events were then taking place in the Far East which caused considerable concern; people were asking anxiously," What does this mean, and what may be expected?" In reply the Prime Minister advised all who wished to understand the situation aright to "Get a large Map" of the area in question, study the map and it would throw light on the actual position, and its implications for the future. The phrase "Get a large Map" was taken up in the Public Press, and repeated with pointed comment. Events, justified the advice given, the significance of the Prime Minister's phrase was verified both as to the situation then present and subsequent developments.

We do not suggest a parallel between the case cited and the Map herewith presented to our readers-for one thing our Map is not a "large map" (although it is as large as circumstances will permit, and is packed with informative details, moreover we have spared no pains to secure a presentable result) all we can say is that we hope the Map will prove useful in connection with matters associated with that region which is of paramount importance to all devout lovers of the Bible- but let us kindly warn our readers that a casual glance at the map with unexercised mind will profit nothing. The profit will be to such only as with careful eye and earnest mind view the Map in relation to Scripture, in true Berman spirit-as it is written, "Examining the Scriptures daily"

It may be seen that the Map is not an old one with ancient names, out-of-date boundaries, and so forth, but is one showing the position as it exists to-day, with the important air services, etc., informative and suggestive in many ways. We think it is not too much to say that the Map directs the mind to the situation in that portion of the world which is rapidly becoming the centre of activities bearing in a preparatory way on Divine purpose and Prophecy relative to Israel and the Nations.

It may be, that with many of us, changes resulting from the Great War have not yet been grasped adequately in respect to both their magnitude and their implications. It is no exaggeration to say that not only Countries, but Continents, have been affected Nationally, Politically, Territorially, and in other far-reaching ways-indeed, the whole world has been affected, and to-day the air, the earth, and the sea teem with actualities and potentialities such as have never before been known in the history of Mankind. Compare the world situation of to-day with that which we know from Scripture will be present (and will further develop) after the termination of this present Dispensation of the grace of God-which will be ended by the Coming of the Lord as in John 14. 3; and 1 Thessalonians 4. 15-17. Make the comparison suggested, and-we ask in all sobriety, is not the conclusion irresistible that the unprecedented world-situation of to-day presents the appearance of a preparation for the next stage of world history-the period following the Coming of the Lord.

We suggest that the Great War inaugurated a time of distinctive character, an outstanding feature of which is a National renaissance of Israel associated with a return to "The Land," according to the world-famed proclamation of Palestine as "A National home for the Jews." The Gentile Powers also exhibit certain significant features which have a bearing on "things to come," and the post-war orientation indicates, in the view of the present writer, A PREPARATORY MEASURE, under the unseen Hand which governs all-a making ready of the world-stage for the next scene, which will emerge as soon as the Divine clock of the Dispensations strikes the hour of completion of the Church period. When will this be? It may be to-night!

Then will follow the years constituting the winding-up stage of "The times of the Gentiles." Now again consider the world-situation of to-day; the one word writ large across the whole scene is "War." It is the great problem-word in the mind of every statesman the wide world over. The nations are "Leagued" in dread of such warfare as threatens to "extinguish civilization "-what could bespeak more plainly a world-trend toward the terrific events of the end-period of the times of the Gentiles, Revelation 6. to 19., when Humanity will be convulsed and the earth drenched with blood?

It is utterly impossible to deal with these things in an article straitened on every side by space limitation (and for which no space at all would be found were it not that the issue of the Map demanded something thereon) we must therefore restrict ourselves to one citation only from prophecy relative to the impending future-

"For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto me: Take the cup of the wine of this fury at My hand, and cause all the nations to whom I send thee, to drink it. And they shall drink, and shall reel to and fro, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them (then in the verses that follow, some twenty kingdoms are enumared in an order of arrangement having particular relation to Jerusalem and Judah; which are first named because Israel will then be the world-pivot on which everything will swing. Later on, the passage shows that not only the nations specified, but all other nations will be embraced)-

All the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth

for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of Hosts ... for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations. He will plead with all flesh ...

Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation,

and a great tempest shall be raised up from the uttermost parts of the earth. And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day, from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth" (see Jeremiah 25. 15-33).

Again we suggest that the world has already entered upon a preparatory stage for the terrific events of that day.

We enter the year 1936 under impressive conditions. Have not the scriptures cited and the facts referred to in this brief article, a message which should appeal to our souls? A message to such as are loyal and true-" Lift up your heads for your redemption draweth nigh! " A message to such as are lukewarm and worldly-"Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from among the dead ones, and Christ shall shine upon thee!" Should not our hearts be thrilled by the last word from the throne ?- "I come quickly."

unknown | Jan 1936
General