ARE WE NEARING END OF AN AGE? EDGE OF THE ABYSS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 46, 14 May 1948, Page 7

ARE WE NEARING END OF AN AGE? EDGE OF THE ABYSS

(Contributed by the Ministers’ Association)

Are we nearing the end of an age? This is a question that many are asking. It is being raised in many quarters. In his book, “Mind at the End of It’s Tether,” H. G. Wells wrote: “It (our civilisation) is like a convoy lost in darkness on an unknown rocky coast, with quarrelling pirates in the chartroom and savages clambering up the sides of the ships to plunder and do evil as its whim may take them. There is no way out or round or through.” Since the atomic bomb exploded upon an unsuspecting world, scientists, statesmen and educators have been shouting that it is time some great moral and spiritual movement was made to save the world from destruction. Science and education alone cannot stop this instrument of death. Church leaders are desperately trying to bring this home to the consciousness of the nations.

A young scientist who had worked on the atomic bomb and had witnessed and examined the results of the two Bikini explosions writes: “I am rather easily convinced that, from a purely mechanistic point of view, humanity stands on a tiny ledge above the abyss of annihilation, and the next ten or perhaps five years will bring an atomic war which will crumble this ledge and complete our present era.” Then he goes on to say: “In view of the impending doom many fundamentalist people will ask, why ■ worry about social evils 5 ? Many have told me that humanity is out of control, and so, rather than dissipate our energies in pouring water on fire, of building new additions to the house to replace those already burning, we must bend all our efforts toward rescuing what furniture we can.” Dr Carl Henry, one of the leaders of evangelical thought in America, wisely answers: “While the Lord tarries the Gospel is still relevant to every problem that vexes the inhabitants of this apprehensive globe. While He tarries the news of His coming again is equally relevant.” It may be that the coming crisis marks the terminus of Western culture only, -and that the Eastern nations may have a new opportunity before the Lord comes. Or it may be that the signs indicate that the great event, the second advent is near at hand.

Concerning that advent the Bible says: “No man knoweth the day nor the hour,” Math 24:36. All attempts to fix dates are futile. But certain events are predicted by our Lord (Matt. 24), and these are given that Christians may not be overtaken unawares (1 Thes. 5:1-4). Supreme is the worldwide proclamation of the Gospel (Matt. 24:14). 4 Are we to expect the conversion of the world? Some seem to think so. They believe that Christianity will so permeate every nation that all the .world will come under its powerful influence. But there is a darker side to the picture. The present age is described as one of mingled good and evil. Note the parable of the wheat and the tares, Matt. 13:24-30. With these predictions of our Lord the Apostles are in full accord. Paul is very explicit in his description of conditions pertaining to the last days. 2 Tifn. 3:1-5. And Peter makes special reference to conditions before the Lord returns. 2 Pet 3:3,4. Jesus Himself spoke of a period of dreadful anguish to befall the world immediately before His advent. Matt 24:21-31. But this darkest hour precedes the brightest era of the world’s history. His coming is to inaugurate his millennial reign (Rev 20). When all those glorious prophecies recorded in the Old Testament will be literally as well as spiritually fulfilled.—“ The Challenge.”