The Nineties In Prospect

This month ushers in the last decade of the second millennium AD. What prospect in the nineties?

God has mercifully drawn a veil over the future, as far as the detail of our individual lives is concerned. A vital principle of Christian living is to look up to God by faith a day at a time for His direction and His supply of grace for that day. "Be not therefore anxious for the morrow", said our Master, "for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Mat. 6:34).

Nevertheless He has chosen to give us the word of prophecy, outlining the main lines of His purposes in the world towards the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. "We have the word of prophecy made more sure"; wrote Peter, "whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts" (2 Pet. 1:19). Bible prophecies about events still future point to the great climax of the coming again of the One who must have preeminence in all things (Col. 1:18).

The more general world scene prior to His coming again as Son of Man

was likened by the Lord Jesus to the days before the Rood (Mat. 24:37-39), and before the destruction of Sodom (Luke 17:2&30). Engrossed in social and material interests the majority of mankind will be taken completely by surprise when the Son of Man appears. We remember also the violence and corruption which characterized the antediluvian world (Gen. 6:5, 11-13) and the gross corruption of Sodom (Jude verse 7). Materialism, violence and corruption have an all too familiar ring in society today. From that viewpoint the general world scene at the beginning of the nineties is approximating towards the conditions described by the word of prophecy at the time of the Lord's return.

However, it is upon Israel and the middle East that the word of prophecy is especially focussed, highlighting Israel's relations with the great world powers in that coming time of crisis. Several features stand out clearly -

Israel's central place on the world stage despite her smallness; her increasing alienation in world opinion and the final attempt to destroy her; Israel's incredible resistance until her military power is broken; Messiah's manifestation for her deliverance from this extremity.

The new decade opens with Israel in a situation which already answers in many ways to these end-time features. There is her central role in the Middle East despite her smallness; her dominant military status in that region; and the erosion of goodwill towards her in many quarters. Her prospect in the nineties is overclouded with mistrust, hatred and fear.

The prophet Habakkuk lived in a time of tension through impending crisis (circ. 600 BC). God was chastising His people through invasion by the great northern power of Assyria.

"I will stand upon my watch", declared the prophet, "and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what He will speak with me" (2:1).

Recognizing the seriousness of the times, Habakkuk wanted assurance from God, and sought it earnestly. We too, at the beginning of the nineties, may in spirit stand on the watchtower and look out over the world scene in the light of the word of prophecy. Through this we may be able to discern the outlines of God's controlling plan, and find direction in our service together as a people for Him.

"The vision is yet for the appointed time", came God's word to Habakkuk, "and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay ... but the just shall live by his faith." (2:3,4) This remarkable oracle is taken up by the Holy Spirit through the writer to the Hebrews and applied to our hope of the Lord's return: "For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. But My righteous one shall live by faith: and if he shrink back My soul hath no pleasure in him" (10:37,38).

What prospect the nineties? To press on in faith, seeking grace to do the will of God with patience (Heb. 10:36). To spread His word with diligence as opportunities are given us. His commission of Matthew 28:18-20 is still the order of the day. Faith looks beyond the clouds to One who has all authority in heaven and upon earth, and whose word will surely find fulfilment: "Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book" (Rev. 22:7).

unknown | Jan 1990
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