|
The Golden Future Part 1 Does God Care? The Author of all creation is actively planning for the happiness of humanity. People from their limited viewpoint see only the dark shadows of life, and even though they usually endeavour to make the best of an unsatisfactory situation, they cannot be happy while disease, disaster and death wait at every turn to claim the unsuspecting victim. Until God speaks, no one knows of the magnificent scope of his glorious destiny, reaching beyond the power of death and evil and stretching into the illimitable reaches of eternity. But God cannot speak until man enquires. He who implanted free will and the power to choose in the human heart forever respects that liberty of choice. Even though the immutable laws of creation decree that willing and wilful continuance in evil can only end in eternal death, the wisdom of God waits while man learns for himself, and learning, makes voluntary choice of his destiny. God’s voice echoes along the corridors of time, sweeping through the long ages of history, passing over the rise and fall of great civilisations, traversing times of darkest ignorance and seasons of human enlightenment, until at last it reaches men in this century. What has God to say? What is there in the words of the Infinite to which man can listen, and listening, find at last a key to the riddle of existence. The voice of God has two mediums of expression—the Bible on the one hand, supreme in the sphere of ethics, and on the other hand Nature, now rapidly yielding her secrets to the scientist and investigator. The history and prophecy, poetry and philosophy of the Bible presents a conception of the Divine purpose in creation which is today confirmed in ever increasing degree by the results of scientific research and discovery. The combined testimony of these two witnesses declares and reiterates one eternal truth. God does care, and the pages of the Book clearly reveal that salient fact. To reconcile the existence of evil, and the chaotic condition of the world today with faith in the reality of God is sometimes very difficult. Some who cannot effect this reconciliation have turned to agnosticism or atheism, demanding a satisfactory explanation of the paradox before they can honestly acknowledge the sovereignty of an omnipotent Creator. But from whence shall such an explanation come? Traditional theology has in its composition too many relics of paganism and insufficient insight into the nature of Divine Law to afford reliable guidance. A system of belief which grew up in the Dark Ages of human ignorance and superstition has too many accretions (developments) born of those ages fitly to reflect the Word of God in this more enlightened day. Hence it becomes necessary to look at the Divine revelation in the Bible from a new standpoint and to seek an exposition of the Creator’s plans which will commend itself to men and women of this generation. GOD DOES CARE. The evidence is to be seen in Nature all around; in the wonderful adaptability of natural resources for human life and happiness; in the immense possibilities which are within the grasp of man. It is written on the pages of history, telling of events which move irresistibly toward the marvellous climax which is the consummation of God’s purpose. It is revealed in the words of God concerning that part of His Plan which, when it goes into effect, will cause sin to be no more and evil to flee away, and people to learn, and well learn, the lessons of the dark period of sin and death. The story in Genesis reveals God’s care. Man, a new creation, endowed with qualities of heart and mind which made him a mental and moral image and likeness of God, placed in a perfect environment and with every possibility within himself for continued progress in the control and use of earth’s resources. A remarkable story indeed, but one that took a tragic turn when man fell into sin and so death passed upon all. Yet God’s care did not cease. Throughout the long story of human frailty and wickedness His controlling hand has been manifest, diverting the course of events when evil appeared likely to sink men into irremediable degradation. Two outstanding events of this nature are recorded in the Old Testament, one being at the time of the Deluge when "every imagination of the thoughts of his (man’s) heart was only evil continually" (Gen.6:5) and the other at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah—two cities which had become sinks of iniquity. God’s care for those people was manifest in that He took them away in mercy before they sank into hopeless and irrecoverable wickedness, knowing as He did that the provisions of His plan would, in a future day, enable those same people to rise out of the depths and come into harmony with the righteousness with God. That was why he said of the Sodomites "I took them away as I saw good." (Ezek.16:50) God’s care is evidenced in the preservation of the Bible—a record which has been the inspiration of millions in all ages of the world’s history. Men have endeavoured by every means known to human ingenuity to exterminate it, but still the Book lives, in veritable truth a beacon in the darkness of this world’s night. God’s care rings with the vibrant words of John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Those words, echoing and re‑echoing in the world for century after century never lose their sheer beauty and impassioned appeal. Jesus Christ, the Divine ambassador who came to earth two thousand years ago to proclaim abroad the message of salvation, is the greatest evidence of the love of God people have ever known. The rest of the story has not yet been told. We are only too familiar with the sad tale of sin, suffering and death. The cry of those who are the victims of violence goes up to heaven, and throughout the earth crime and injustice remains unpunished. Nevertheless the plan of God is moving steadily on into that brighter day when righteousness will be enthroned and evil restrained, when multitudes of humanity will come with gladness and enthusiasm to the feet of the Saviour; and when the dead, returning from graves in which they have lain maybe for centuries, will find themselves upon an earth restored and made new and in which nothing that "defileth…or maketh a lie" (Rev.21:27) will ever be again. "Close your eyes for a moment to the scenes of misery and woe, degradation and sorrow that yet prevail on account of sin, and picture before your mental vision the glory of the perfect earth. Not a stain of sin mars the harmony and peace of a perfect society; not a bitter thought, not an unkind look or word; love, welling up from every heart, meets a kindred response in every other heart, and benevolence marks every act. There sickness shall be no more; not an ache nor a pain, nor any evidence of decay—not even the fear of such things. Think of all the pictures of comparative health and beauty of human form and feature that you have ever seen, and know that perfect humanity will be of still surpassing loveliness. The inward purity and mental and moral perfection will stamp and glorify every radiant countenance, and benevolence will mark every act. Such will earth’s society be." (C.T. Russell) Those words were written over 100 years ago. Today their fulfilment is rapidly approaching. Is it too good to be true? There is Divine authority for its certainty. For "as truly as I live," says God. "All the (whole) earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD." (Num.14:21) "And it shall be said in that day, Because, after all, God does care. The Golden Future |
