Trouble In The Land

Trouble In The Land

M. A. Tomlinson

 Any of us who read or listen to the news these days are aware of the fact that there is “trouble in the land.” And it seems to me that the same can be said of almost every country in the world. Con­ditions may not be the same everywhere, but in one form or another trouble is plaguing the nations.

We are often reminded by our good ministers about the things that are to happen in the last days. Jesus left us a warning of troublesome times in the world before His return, but although the troubles exist, He says to us, “see that ye be not troubled” (Matt. 24:6). He tells us that many things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

O course, the rumors of wars, and wars themselves, are not new to us; but He continues: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the begin­ning of sorrows” (vv. 7, 8). Yes, these things are “sorrows” to the people ex­periencing them, but evidently there are much worse things ahead for those who do not take heed to the warnings while the troubles are bearable.

Famines, pestilences, and earth­quakes have been known here and there to all generations of people, as history will show. But have we not noticed the prevalence of all of these in recent years? Some countries have experienced famines and hunger time and again be­cause of the prevailing weather or eco­nomic conditions common to their land. But today, places where times are pros­perous and the land has always been highly productive are faced with short­ages of various kinds.

 Think of the many floods in our own United States of America in the last few months. Millions of acres of good soil have been kept out of production unseasonably by these flood waters. Then, consider the late frosts and freez­es which cut back the fruit crops much deeper into the South than normal. Economic problems are seriously affecting the “law of supply and demand.” We are facing a serious shortage of food­stuffs because the produc­ers cannot afford to supply them under existing circumstances. After just a few weeks, or at the most a few months, of these conditions the effects are already being felt. Nobody can be sure of what lies ahead within the next year or two.

Yet Jesus continues to say, “see that ye be not troubled…All these are the be­ginning of sorrows.”

Luke gives us some more of our Lord’s words, the description of which becomes more and more visible almost by the day. “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts fail­ing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (Luke 21:25, 26).

Many have tried to interpret all of these signs and happenings, but no pri­vate interpretation seems to apply to all, or in all places. They are best under­stood in their own time, and as we see their fulfillment and experience their effects. In fact, some of our Lord’s pre­dictions are now so plain that little in­terpretation is required. But to His own, again He says: “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

 “The beginning of sorrows”— “when these things begin to come to pass”—“be not troubled”—“your re­demption draweth nigh.” Hallelujah! O what a hope He has given us! Yet so many seem not to understand. They are fearful and perplexed. Their hearts fail them with dread of what they fear they must go through. Some even find the strain too great physically and die be­fore their time. Still the promise is there —“look up, and lift up your heads.”

 I suppose it would be possible to become very disturbed reading the newspapers, listening to the radio, and viewing television if one did not know the Lord. Some might feel that it would be better not to hear and know so much about world conditions; that it would save much anxiety over things that can­not well be helped. But there is another way to look at the situation. While many of the conditions themselves are pro­phetic, and apparently will grow worse instead of better, the Lord will not let the end come upon this world without its people being sufficiently warned and given opportunity to escape.

 We who have made our peace with God and are striving daily for a closer walk with Him must set the example by our “looking up” attitude. We can­not afford to let the same things de­press us that depress the lost. We have no reason to do so. Like the children of Israel of the Church in the wilderness, we who have hope must keep saying to the “serpent-bitten” ones, “LOOK AND LIVE!” By our “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith,” we will cause others to look also. We may not be able to supply the famine stricken countries with food. In fact, if the trend continues, we may find ourselves with little to spare. But we can share with them the Bread of Life—the true manna from heaven.

We cannot deny that the world’s population is frightened today. Its enter­tainers go all-out to keep people laugh­ing in an effort to alleviate some of the stress of heart and mind. But in the quiet moments, the fear and perplexity returns with even greater force. When the mirth dies down for a while, there is the news of still more famines, pesti­lences, and destruction. Tornadoes have been numbered in the hundreds this past year. Homes have been destroyed, leav­ing many at a loss to know how to start over. Thousands, already debt-laden, seek loans to get them out of a hard place. Laughter produced by revelry and worldly pleasure is not very effective.

Saints and sinners alike have to learn to face reality. The present-day troubles, and forebodings of tribulation, are far from imaginary. We just don’t wake up and find them gone. They are with us because of the mismanagement and mis­conduct of men. And they are with us because the foreknowledge of God knew what was in man, and what he would do to the good world that was given him.

But above all the din of revelry— yes, and the groaning and lamenta­tion of the suffering ones—comes the voice of thunder, “REPENT YE: FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND!” Or, it may be the still, small voice of the tender Shepherd—“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

The children of God can laugh for joy; and when the spirit turns to more sober things, our hope is still there. There is no let-down such as the lost ones must feel when their merrymaking is over. We have found our rest in the Lord. We have our burdens and trials, but they are not nearly so heavy since we got in the yoke with Je­sus. Hallelujah! The rest we experience in our souls makes every other burden lighter.

 It seems that the alert is being given, and all the warning signals are up for the whole world to see. This world is in trouble; this cannot be denied. But there is still a little time. We must tell the fear­ful ones that the time must be used in the right way. There is cause for fear on the part of the lost, but they who fear the Lord and call upon His name will find the way of escape.

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Luke 12:4, 5).

 Let us give close attention to a final word of warning, for we do have to meet our Lord’s conditions: “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:34-36).

(The following message was taken from the July 28, 1973, issue of the White Wing Messenger)