TRENDS
TO THE TRIBULATION
By G. G. BENSON.
It goes without saying that this age is one of the most
momentous the earth has ever known. We
stand at the crossroads and at times behave as disinterested spectators when
before our very eyes is being enacted the mightiest
drama of all time.
The tribulation is just around the corner! All signs point in that direction. Viewing conditions from any standpoint one is
bound to admit that the climax of the ages is upon us.
Political conditions stress the nearness of the man of sin. Visualize, if you can, the upheaval and
turmoil of the day. Start in any
country, travel from east to west and from pole to pole, and the same sorry
plight confronts you. Listen to the frantic groans of the starving
millions.
Pandemonium and fear paralyze all strata of society. Distrust is rampant. Everywhere people speak of World War III, and
sometimes we fear we hear the tramp, tramp of marching feet. The unstable, in-cohesive conditions predicted
in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision, in Daniel 2, are
everywhere evident.
Then, too, the swift-moving moral scene is symptomatic of
tribulation times. Christ spoke of
conditions to prevail in the time of His return. We are told that the drunkenness and debauchery
of Noah’s day would be evident. He
declared also that we would see the loose, lecherous behaviour of
Divorce courts are full. Outbreaks of vice and unheard of atrocities
are numerous. The record from day to day
becomes more sickening and the scene grows darker. A sin-laden, sin-loving age gladly sets the
stage for the revelation of the Man of Sin. Christ confronted a rebellious world with
righteousness and was crucified. Antichrist shall come as the incarnation of
all that is deceitful and wicked and shall win instant acclaim.
We are compelled to consider also that satanic activities
point to the nearness of tribulation torment. The Bible authorizes our statement that in the
last days demonic powers shall increase their influence on human affairs.
Unclean spirits, springing from the abyss, shall travel to and fro throughout
the earth, carrying on their diabolic schemes. Falsehood shall prosper (Dan. 8: 25, Strong) under the direction of lying
spirits blanketing the earth with their malignant, God-hating deceit.
Through his many-sided genius, Antichrist shall persuade the
millions, all strata of society included, that he is the answer to their need. Deluded and deceived, they gladly will believe
a lie and thus move closer to their inevitable damnation.
During tribulation times, totalitarianism in its worst form
shall find ready acceptance and the whole world shall wonder after the beast. The plans are being well formed. Myriads of demons and spirits of uncleanness
are relentlessly sowing the seed on a world wide scale. Falsehood, ever the keynote of their
programme, shall find universal acceptance and its grand culmination will be
the unveiling of the man of sin.
LUKE 21: 34-36
The aroused and watchful Christian takes a different view-point
from that which is earthly. Political unrest makes him happy to be a
citizen of God’s kingdom. The increase
of sin causes him to draw close to the Lord and hide beneath the precious
blood. Satanic activity makes him more
conscious of the truth. He lives in the
joy of Christ’s all-complete victory. Consequently
one born of God can see these things come to pass and lift up his head and
rejoice. He thanks God and prays that he might be “counted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before
the Son of man”. Christian, will the Bridegroom cry find you watching - waiting - ready?
- The Gospel Call.