(Continued: Chapter IV-The Signs of the Times)

The name of the capital of the eastern half of the Roman Empire, Byzantium, was changed to Constantinople, the city of Constantine. The eastern part of the Roman Empire remained intact until A.D. 1453. At that time the country was overrun by invading Asiatic hordes that overthrew the government. The scholars fled to the West with their culture and learning, thus laying the foundation for the Renaissance and the Reformation. The politicians and statesmen fled northward into Russia and infiltrated the government. By so doing, they romanized the country, which was first headed up at Kiev. Later the government was shifted to Moscow, next to St. Petersburg, and in 1917 back to Moscow. The Russian rulers, believing that they were successors of the old Roman Caesars, called themselves Czars—Caesar spelled in Russian.

From the facts just stated, and many others that could be given, one sees that the mighty Roman Empire was divided—as indicated by the legs of Daniel's image—into two sections, and has continued from the days of the ancient Caesars to the present time. Since the center of political gravity was shifted from one place to another in both instances, one concludes that it is the type of government and not the local boundaries that persists and continues through the centuries.

An illustration may clarify and emphasize the situation by referring to the history of America, supplemented by some imaginary events. If one should ask, "Who was the first President of the United States?" everyone would answer, "George Washington." Washington was the President of the United States at the time that it consisted of only the thirteen original colonies. To the question, "What is the capital of the United States?" everyone would reply, "Washington, D.C." As a matter of fact, the first capital was New Amsterdam, later named New York. Next, the government shifted to Philadelphia. Finally a site on the Potomac was chosen for the capital of the nation, which was named Washington, D.C. So much for the real history. Now let us use our imagination. Suppose the Russians should attack America on the Atlantic seaboard with a mighty force and drive our armies westward. When it becomes clear that America cannot repel the invaders, the government immediately moves westward—to Cincinnati, for instance. But the Russians, like a steam roller, continue to march westward. The government, seeing the peril, moves to Kansas City. The invaders finally reach the Mississippi River. By this time in the hypothetical war, the American forces dig in to fight to the last ditch. "The Battle of the Mississippi" proves to be the decisive one of the war. An armistice is signed. A peace treaty is drawn up and is properly signed. In this treaty America cedes to Russia all of its territory east of the Mississippi. All the American forces and interests are withdrawn from the conquered territory. What would be the name of the country west of the Mississippi with the capital at Kansas City? Everyone would answer, "The United States of America." Why? The people in the country are the descendants of those who lived in the original thirteen colonies. They have the same type of government, laws, statutes, institutions, and general culture. They are connected with the past by an unbroken historical continuity. From every point of consideration, these people and their country are called the United States of America, even though they do not possess one foot of the original thirteen colonies.

In a manner analogous to this illustration Rome, in both the East and the West, was shifted northward from its original territory. Since, however, the very warp and woof of the political fabric continues the same as it was originally and has an unbroken continuity with the past, one can see that Daniel, in speaking of Rome's continuing through the centuries, is referring to the type of government apart from local boundaries.

Let us always bear in mind that the fourth kingdom, symbolized by the thighs, legs, feet, and toes of the metallic image of Daniel, chapter 2, is the same kingdom that is represented by the fourth beast of Daniel, chapter 7:

23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24 And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings. 25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. 26 But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him (Dan. 7:23-27).

The fourth world kingdom, Rome, "shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces" (Dan. 7:23). Note the language of this quotation. This fourth beast symbolizes a fourth kingdom, a world kingdom. It will be different from all kingdoms that have ever been. In the very end of its existence it will devour the whole earth, tread it down, and break it in pieces. The earth will have its first real blood bath when this prophecy is fulfilled. Thus some irresponsible demogague will wade through blood to seize the scepter of world dominion. It is by revolutionary means and methods that the fourth kingdom becomes a world kingdom.

As already seen, the Roman Empire has persisted through medieval and modern times in the form of the great German and Russian kingdoms. It is the type of government—imperialism, Caesarean dictatorship—that Daniel sees continuing to the end of the age, and that will infiltrate and spread all over the world, bringing all nations and peoples into the grip of its iron claws. Keen political observers now see the presence and the working of the leaven of imperialism, dictatorship, as it is now rapidly spreading throughout the nations. The present world situation is just awaiting some demagogue to seize the banner of world government and with inflammatory propaganda hypnotize the great unthinking masses; promising them everything for nothing. In some such manner, old Roman imperialism "shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces."

In verse 24 the Prophet explains more fully the entangled situation. On the fourth beast, the symbol of the Roman Empire, were ten horns: "And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings." After this fourth kingdom assumes world-wide proportions, out of it ten kings will arise. Evidently these words imply a counter-revolution against those who have seized authority and imposed their will and regime upon the whole world. Thus the world government, the foundations for which are now stealthily and surreptitiously being laid, will collapse, breaking into ten sections, or divisions. What causes the collapse of this world regime was not revealed by the Prophet. To attempt an explanation is to speculate.

A dictator in each of these ten sections will seize authority in a particular area. The political situation in every nook and corner of the world will be in a more or less chaotic condition. Each dictator will have his problems—which will be all but insurmountable. Each will need all the help that he can get.

Suddenly there will appear upon the scene an unusual character who will promise aid to each of the dictators. By his extraordinary powers and keen insight into human nature and behavior, he will be able to suggest a solution for the problems of each. In some such manner, this mysterious person will ingratiate himself into the favor of the dictators. Finally, by his scheming and maneuvering, which will be by satanic power, he will gain the ascendancy over the dictators and become the dominant figure in world government. At last the ten dictators will practically surrender all their power and authority to their self-styled benefactor, who will rule with an iron hand. This dictator, in Daniel 11:36-45, known as the willful king, will reign along with the ten others for the first half of the Tribulation; and, according to Daniel 7:24,25, in the middle of the Tribulation, he will put down three of the ten and will reign with a high hand the rest of the time.

From Daniel, chapters 2 and 7, we see that in the conclusion of this age—before the Tribulation begins—there is to be a world government, the beginnings of which are clearly discernible in the light of prophecy. Thus one of the signs of the times which point definitely to the winding up of this era is the present trend toward a one-world government.

Haggai, one of the postexilic prophets, sees that there will be a world government in the end time. Speaking for God, the Prophet declares, "... I will shake the heavens and the earth; 22 and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations ..." (Hag. 2:21,22). This government is doubtless the one which Daniel describes, as we have just seen. We are living in momentous days. Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes.

12 Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee: 2 and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing: 3 and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3).

As a rule, a call of God is a challenge to separation and to special service. Abraham the father of the faithful, in answer to the call of God, left his native land, broke all connections with the past, and by faith went in search of the country which the Lord had promised him. There is, therefore, no wonder that his name appears on the roster of faith in Hebrews, chapter 11.

The country to which Abraham went is known as the Holy Land. Lot, his selfish nephew, took advantage of the magnanimity of his uncle, separated from him and took the best of the land. Then the Lord said to Abraham,

14 And Jehovah said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art. Northward and southward and eastward and westward: 15 for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever (Gen. 13:14,15).

After Abraham had delivered Lot from his captors and had refused gifts and tainted goods from the King of Sodom (Gen. 14:17-24), the Lord appeared to him, saying, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Gen. 15:1). Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted to him for righteousness. At that time, the Lord entered into a special covenant with him.

18 In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 the Kenite, and the Kenizzite, and the Kadmonite, 20 and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Rephaim, 21 and the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Girgashite, and the Jebusite (Gen. 15:18-21).

From this passage it is clear that the land promised Abraham includes the vast territory from the river of Egypt to the River Euphrates. Though God gave this land to Abraham and his seed, he did not possess in reality one foot of the soil, for Stephen in Acts 7:5 asserts, "And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child."

Since God promised this land to Abraham and his seed, and since he has not in reality possessed any of it, he and his seed will in the future possess it. The gifts and the calling of God are not repented of; that is, God does not change his mind, but will make good every promise. The people of Israel, therefore, will possess all of this territory in God's good time and way.

The return of Israel to the land, according to Ezekiel, chapter 37, is a process, a development, yes, a program—as shown by the vision of the valley of dry bones.

37 The hand of Jehovah was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Jehovah, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 And he caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord Jehovah, thou knowest. 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy over these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of Jehovah. 5 Thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am Jehovah.

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and, behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I beheld, and, lo, there were sinews upon them and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army (Ezek. 37:1-10).

When Ezekiel, in obedience to the command of God, prophesied concerning the dry bones scattered over the valley, a great earthquake and a mighty noise occurred. Then the scattered bones began to move, bone to its bone, so as to form skeletons. Then sinews began to appear, uniting the bones. Next flesh formed on the bones. Finally skin covered the flesh. Bodies, therefore, were seen over the valley; but they had no life. The final stage of Israel's return to the land and to God—according to this vision is the infusing of life by the Spirit of God into these bodies. When the Holy Spirit imparts life into these bodies, spiritual life, these newly born-again ones will arise a mighty army of God.

The first stage, or step, in Israel's return to God is seen in Zephaniah 2:1-3:

2 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation that hath no shame; 2 before the decree bring  forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of Jehovah come upon you, before the day of Jehovah's anger come upon you. 3 Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah's anger.

It is clear from this passage that there is a return on the part of some of the nation to the land of the fathers before the day of wrath bursts forth upon the world. In fulfillment of this prediction, approximately two million Jews have returned to the land. Though the state of Israel became a reality in 1948, and the people of Israel in the land are doing marvelous things in spite of opposition and all but insurmountable obstacles—a modern miracle of human planning, scientific execution, and indefatigable energy—the present return to the land is not that full and complete restoration of which the psalmists sang and the prophets spoke.

In Joel 3:1-8 the specter of war and of ruthless, savage deportation of those who are now in the land arises and casts its appalling shadow over a defenseless people.

3 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring back the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: and they have parted my land, 3 and have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink. 4 Yea, and what are ye to me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head. 5 Forasmuch as ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly precious things, 6 and have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem unto the sons of the Grecians, that ye may remove them far from their border; 7 behold, I will stir them up out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head; 8 and I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the men of Sheba, to a nation far off: for Jehovah hath spoken it (Joel 3:1-8).

According to this passage, the nations will cast Israel out of their land and scatter them among the peoples of the earth. Moreover they will divide the land. For what purpose and how they will do it, the Scriptures do not say. He who touches Israel touches the apple of Jehovah's eye.

The Lord told Jeremiah that He watches over His word to perform it (Jer.1:11,12). Repeatedly He promises Israel that He will restore the remnant of the nation. Among His promises of restoration is Isaiah 41:8-20.

But thou, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend, 9 thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away; 10 Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 11 Behold, all they that are incensed against thee shall be put to shame and confounded: they that strive with thee shall be as nothing, and shall perish. 12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. 13 For I, Jehovah thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith Jehovah, and thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. 15 Behold, I have made thee to be a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth; thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff. 16 Thou shalt winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them; and thou shalt rejoice in Jehovah, thou shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel. 17 The poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I, Jehovah, will answer them, I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. 19 I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, and the myrtle, and the oil-tree; I will set in the desert the fir-tree, the pine, and the box-tree together: 20 that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of Jehovah hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

A great and glorious future awaits the faithful remnant of Israel.

In this chapter, six of the leading signs of the times have been examined. From the data discovered, it is abundantly evident that we are rapidly approaching the last days; and what we intend to do for God, we should do it without delay. "But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh" (Luke 21:28).