Everything is in motion – politically, socially and religiously. Heaven, earth and sea are in commotion. We are living amid the last scenes in the struggle between the powers of light and the powers of darkness. Desire of fame, glory or power lead some people to participate in political parties to accomplish their desired goals.
The plan of self-glorification that shook the earth was when men decided to establish a capital city and build a tower the top of which would reach unto heaven. By doing this, they wanted to establish a name for themselves and to prevent being spread all over the face of the earth. In this way, they tried to oppose God’s commandment: “Replenish the earth, and subdue it…” Gen. 1:28. The Lord however confused their tongues, so that they had to give up their intention. And then this city was given the name Babylon, which means “confusion”.
The Scripture prophecy which is a light for our time points to four world kingdoms, in Daniel Chapter 2, which were to follow one after another with the passing of time. To present them, the Bible uses an ancient symbol. The prophet saw a large, exceedingly great metallic image, having the shape of a man. The head of this image was pure gold, the arms and breast were of shining silver, the belly was of solid brass, the thighs were of firm iron, and the feet were made of a mixture of iron and clay.
God himself revealed the meaning of this symbolic images, as he explained that the head of gold represented Babylon. The breast of silver, the belly of brass and the thighs of iron represented the next three world kingdoms, which were Persia, Greece and Rome. After these kingdoms had held the world in constant commotion through massive wars, one by one they fell, giving place to the next kingdom.
According to the divine prophecy, the history of this world began with great luster and will end with crumbly clay. We have to agree that the current situation perfectly harmonizes with the clay mixed with iron. Therefore, in the very near future, we can expect the crumbling of the current international system. We are to expect this even more so, since God presented it in a symbol: A large stone that was cut off from above, will strike the world statue in its feet so that it will crumble to dust, while the stone itself will become a great mountain.
Though Rome was furious with fire and sword against the Christians, for centuries, the religion of Christ was spreading more and more. Though the faithful witnesses of the Nazarene were fiercely persecuted, their steadfast faith in the Crucified One made them victors over their enemy, even amid cruel death.
Who can compare however today’s Christianity to the faith of Christ’s apostles and his disciples? If we try, we will find an enormous difference.
The initial Christianity has almost disappeared, giving place to a massive, worldwide religion that is called “Christian”. With the passing of ages, so many human teachings have been introduced, that today we can hardly find anything from the true Christianity of Jesus and his apostles.
The billions of people who call themselves Christians nowadays are scattered among numerous churches and societies, which are constantly competing with each other. At the very end of time, just before Christ’s Second Coming, the Bible talks about another Babylon that is going to be present, another “confusion” of a religious character. Indeed, there cannot be a better description of today’s Christendom.
And just like the ancients tried to centralize all government in that great city of Babylon, so today there are movements that aim to combine all denominations and religions into one body. However, such a conglomeration will by no means achieve the desired goal because religious society cannot be freed from the errors entertained by a mere external union of churches. The salvation of mankind is found only in Jesus Christ. There is only one Way that brings people out of deception, and it is Jesus and his teaching.
But of what value is it for us to admit that Jesus is our Lord and yet ignore his commandments? All conscientious Christians must test their ideas with the gospel of Jesus. All teachings that are not based on the Word of God, must be decidedly rejected as man’s theories. He who knows history must agree that many teachings have been introduced centuries after Christ’s ascension. This is the very thing that the words of Jesus to the scribes and Pharisees apply to:
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matt. 15:8, 9.
Out of all political and religious movements in the end times, the most prominent place is taken by the enormous preparations for a massive, worldwide war. Despite the UN peace conferences people are planning for the most bloody war, that will lead to Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16).
And modern military weapons aid in this preparation. Truly, much is spoken of peace among nations and disarmament. But the gigantic stacks of weapons that are heaped and the enormous expenditures for them prove the opposite. Soon the words of the apostle Paul will be fulfilled:
“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them…” 1 Thess. 5:1-3.
According to God’s plan, the message of salvation is to be brought to all the world:
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:14.
And as much as it is for the purpose of God, all modern inventions of technology and communication must be used for this purpose.
After the preaching of the gospel message in the early ages that moved the whole world, and the departure of the salvational teachings of God that followed, there was a great apostasy. Christianity gained the protection and power of the state and it was rapidly increasing in numbers, but the true Christians were getting fewer and fewer.
Yes, even the few who remained faithful were persecuted and massacred with the most terrible devices of torture. But the light of divine truth was beginning to shine brighter and still brighter. The Holy Scriptures began to be spread massively. And today the Bible is the most widespread book in the world.
To preach the gospel of the soon Coming of Christ to all the world is a solemn task that is of enormous magnitude and far exceeds man’s abilities. But for God all things are possible. It was He who guided men to invent the science of printing so that the means of communication would be improved. Now all kinds of means for communication are in the reach of the messengers of the gospel. But before all, God is working powerfully through his Spirit and his faithful messengers to reach the hearts of those who have not yet been converted.
When the gospel movement reaches all nations and alarms them of the coming destruction, then Jesus himself will come with indescribable glory as the true King and Ruler of the whole world. His Kingdom is the stone from the prophecy of Daniel 2:44, 45 which will fill the whole earth. This is the Kingdom of truth and righteousness that is going to last forever.
And when all the movements of men end with defeat, the work of God for the salvation of man will fulfill its everlasting aim. The children of God from all ages who have fought faithfully for his truth will be changed into immortality and will be taken to the heavenly city, New Jerusalem, to live with Jesus, and after the thousand years of desolation have passed and sin and sinners have been consumed, the earth will be restored and they will be made to reign with him in their eternal inheritance. 2 Peter 3:13.
Through the signs of the times, God is speaking to men in our days. From the east to the west, the mighty events that are happening speak with a clear tongue, telling us that God will bring judgment upon the earth in righteousness, and the nations with his truth.
“See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.” Heb. 12:25-27.