Signs Of The Times

Whether we are alive to the situation or not, it is no exaggeration to say that, daily, the wide world over, events are happening which point to the coming national restoration and re-constitution of Israel as foretold in the Scriptures of the Prophets.

Associated with the restoration of Israel-destined to be the centre of government iii the Millennial earth, when Christ shall reign over all-the restoration also is assured of those ancient lands which arc linked with the history of Israel in the past, and will be linked with the glory of Israel in the future.

In some of these ancient lands revival is already in evidence

-a revival so amazing, potential and significant, that, twenty years ago, it would have been deemed impossible. In the short space of twenty years three kingdoms have sprung up as it were, out of the desert ; and these kingdoms are literally teeming with potential elements the ancient glory of Asia is beginning to gleam again, and Mesopotamia-" the cradle of the human race," is a significant example.

The king of that realm was recently in England and was received at Buckingham Palace as the honoured guest of king George V. This meeting of the Asiatic ruler-king Feisal, with the head of the British Empire, means munch more than appears on the surface, and much more than anything which has appeared in all that has been written in the British Press (but we speak in regard to the purposes of Jehovah connected with the future of Bible lands according to the Scriptures of the Prophets a matter, of course, of which the Press takes no cognizance).

Of the four great world-empires seen in the "great image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream (see Daniel, chapter 2.), the first and most glorious empire had its seat in the region where Feisal now reigns. King Feisal is a remarkable man-a very remarkable man, endowed with qualities which make him no insignificant successor to that ancient autocrat whose seat of government was established in the land now governed by Feisal. The king of Iraq possesses a striking personality; his genius, resource, powers of organization and command-especially in the military sphere, mark him out as a born ruler.

(If it is permissible to say so, we wonder, from all we have been able to gather, whether Feisal is not, as to personal qualities and character, of a higher type than the man who officially was so much greater as head of the mighty Gentile Monarchy-see Daniel 2. 37, 38.)

Feisal is associated with the most signal victory of the great war-the conquest of Palestine. Perhaps it is little known that when General Allenby swept the proud Turk from the land of Israel, the co-operation of Feisal and his people was a potent factor-the marvellous activities of the Asiatic ruler, who with lightning-like rapidity raised and organized an efficient army in support of Allenby, made it possible for the British to wrest Palestine from the deadly grip of the Turk-the most momentous event of the world-war, considered from a Scriptural point of view. Little did Feisal think that God was using him as an instrument for the furthering of His purposes in connection with Israel, and the land which Israel will assuredly re-possess in Jehovah's time. (Of old Jehovah spake by His prophet of "Nebuchadnezzar My servant "-a remarkable expression; and it may not be mere fancy when we think of a certain kind of reflection in the man who was used of God in the reclamation of the land once desolated by his great predecessor-for Feisal now reigns in territory where Nebuchadnezzar had his seat. Iraq is no longer a mandated sphere, but an independent State, admitted as a kingdom to the League of Nations.)

Feisal is the man to see to developments in Iraq (better known to Bible readers as Mesopotamia, or Shinar). Already amazing developments are in progress. Indeed, we are informed that a writer to whom Iraq is well known, has recently stated that such modern marvels as the conquest of the air, and television, are being surpassed in importance by developments now taking place in Mesopotamia-which is not such a far cry from England in days when "distance is being annihilated," as men say. How far, practically, will London be from Iraq when the great air-line to the East is in operation, and when the railway (already sanctioned by the British Government) is constructed from Haifa to Baghdad? And what will be the commercial importance of "the land between the rivers" where the history of the human race began-a region described as the most fertile on earth-when, for example, the mighty irrigation works are completed between "the great river, the river Euphrates," and its great companion the Tigris? Already the commercial value of Mosul (Mosul-the ancient Nineveh "that great city," Jonah 1. 2) is so potent that no small envy was excited among certain nations when Mosul was awarded to Iraq by the League of Nations-again, a "feather in the cap " of Feisal, the man of genius and ability. So great is the value of Mosul (the oil "reservoir ") in relation to modern world-conditions, that Mosul may one day outrival its ancient predecessor Nineveh.

We could wish that time and opportunity permitted us to refer to the linking of Mesopotamia with Palestine in the coming day. of Israel's dominion over the vast region assigned by Jehovah to His chosen people; but suffice it to say that the wealth and glory of that vast domain is even now being foreshadowed in the developments evidenced in those regions. Life, energy, and prosperity are springing up where all was stagnant for centuries.

These things are of absorbing interest to all who love the sure word of Prophecy-giving heed thereto as "unto a lamp shining in a dark place" (2 Peter 1. 19), but we cannot now pursue the subject further (though some parts are absolutely untouched), we want to come to a practical consideration the importance of which we leave the reader to decide.

As the thoughtful Christian surveys the present situation, does not this question arise in his mind-can it be that all this amazing development in things natural, is ordered in the providence of God apart from any

corresponding design in things spiritual? Let us think-are the vital commercial activities in the East, to find no counterpart in spiritual activities in that region? Someone has said, "Keep your eyes on the East!" Very good, but are we to be mere onlookers? Here in the West, there is now, alas, little ear for the Gospel-the Gentile nations of Europe have turned their ears from the truth and have turned unto fables; but there in the East, ears are opening, and doors are opening for the truth-Jews in Asia will listen to-day as they have not listened for centuries. In Palestine the New Testament is accepted and read where formerly it was rejected and cursed. But in Mesopotamia-of which we have more particularly spoken in this article--- there appears to be a- I positive craving for Divine light! There are now some two hundred thousand Jews in Mesopotamia, and there will be a great increase if the proposal for a Jewish Chartered Companymaterializes ; the proposal is for Jews from all parts of the world to form an Association to obtain from the British Government a concession of those regions of Mesopotamia known as " waste lands," which they will develop (as only Jews can develop).

For more than one reason, we have not called attention in this article to a certain factor in connection within Mesopotamia. It may, however, not he desirable to entirely pass over the factor in question.

One of the most significant signs of the times is the Zionist Movement. Of this great movement we cannot now attempt to speak in detail, but as some of our readers doubtless know, within the compass of the movement there has been a threefold aim, the objective in one case being Mesopotamia. The Jewish Colonization Association--familiarly known "Ica," a convenient abbreviation of the full title of the Association, has aimed distinctively at the colonization of Meso-potamia by Jews.

It is impossible in this article to refer in any adequate way to Mesopotamia in relation to the Jewish Question considered as a whole, but we venture to express the thought (or, shall we say, conviction) that even now there is a remarkable field for service among the children of Israel in Mesopotamia.

Again we raise the question, have all these things no voice, and no call for us ? Already a considerable European contingent is on the scene for commercial purposes. and many houses have been built-men from Europe are keenly alive to commercial possibilities, and shall we not be keenly alive to spiritual possibilities ? Shall it be true of us that the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of light ? How oft it has been stressed in these pages of late that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, "To the ,Jew first" ; and once more we pen a reminder of the debt we owe to that people "of whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God. blessed for ever."

0 Lord, direct and prosper Thy work!

unknown | Sept 1933
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