About one decade has passed, since the manuscript was completed for the first edition of this volume, wherein the author sought to present an outline of the great movements--social, political and religious--of our time. That decade, and particularly the latter half of it, has witnessed the most stupendous events of human history. To outline the changes that have already taken place, and those which are imminent, would be a task of such magnitude that one would be rash to attempt it. So, in sending forth another edition of this volume, we will confine ourselves to the comparatively modest effort of directing attention to a few of the most conspicuous of the many changes that are now taking place, selecting those which also will best exhibit the general drift of mundane affairs. Our object is mainly to show that the several movements described in this book have received a great impetus through the war; and that they all are converging to a common point--now close at hand--namely the "Climax of (man-made) Civilization."

      It is evident to all who reflect upon what is now taking place that the great war has wrought, or has [361] prepared, changes of the profoundest character; changes which affect mankind as a whole, and which affect also the political life of all the nations in the world, and the ideas or viewpoint of well-nigh every human being. But it is not so easy to discern clearly the character and direction of the great political and spiritual forces that are now in violent action, or to forecast even in a general way the state of things in which they will eventuate. It will, however, be a great aid to that end to observe carefully several objects which have lately come clearly into view above the political horizon--objects which are now to be seen by all who observe current, events, though they were discernible only in the light of prophecy when the first edition of this book was written.

      The Holy Land, which is the centre of all God's dealings with the earth, has been wrested from the hands of the Turk, "the worst of the heathen" (Ezek. 7:24); and it is apparent that the rebirth of a Jewish State within the national boundaries of Israel is imminent. "Zionism" is no longer the vision of a few idealists, but is a reality of, practical politics. The impossible has happened; and it has happened with such amazing swiftness as to indicate that the predicted chain of end-time events will indeed "shortly come to pass," i. e., will happen in rapid succession (Rev. 1:1). A nation that was completely destroyed, that for many centuries had ceased absolutely to [362] exist as a nation, whose few survivors were scattered among all the peoples of the world, and who suffered such hatred, oppression and persecution as would, in any other case, have blotted them out of recognizable existence in a few generations, is now, after incredible, vicissitudes, about to be re-assembled and restored to its own land. Our eyes have seen the miracle of Israel's dispersion and of Israel's preservation throughout the long age now drawing to a close. We have seen also the miracle of Israel's rejuvenation during the last half-century, and the yet more astounding miracle of the revival among the scattered Israelites of national aspirations and a widespread longing for their ancient home. And now we are about to see the miracle of Israel's regathering and revitalizing as a recognized member of the family of nations, of whom the most influential have already pledged themselves to that policy. And to these great miracles must be added the still greater marvel, that all these unparalleled and unimaginable events had been written beforehand, in great detail and with unmistakable clearness, in the prophetic Scriptures. We refer to but a few of many prophecies that foretell these things:

      Deut. 30:4, 5.
      Jer. 23:5-8.
      Jer. 31:7, 8, 27, 28, 38, 39, 40.
      Jer. 32:36-44.
      Ezek. 36:33-36.
      Amos 9:15. [363]

      Anyone can see for himself that the foregoing prophecies are now in course of literal fulfillment. It is also evident to the ordinary observer that their complete accomplishment will be a matter of but a few years at the longest. This is clearly indicated by the fact that the leading nations of Western Europe (England, France and Italy) have definitely committed themselves to the re-constitution of the Jewish State in Palestine; and that the Government of the United States is known to be in full sympathy with this project, though it has not made a formal announcement in regard thereto, presumably because it was not technically "at war" with Turkey. This surely is nothing short of the miracle of national resurrection--"Life from the dead"--a thing without parallel in the history of the world. It is a great and wonderful privilege to be permitted thus to behold the fulfillment of the Word of God in bringing to pass things seemingly impossible. For truly "many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that we see and have not seen them."

      Another political development of the first magnitude which is taking substance and form at the present moment is the much discussed "League of Nations." This is a subject which is just now engaging the best thought and closest study of the responsible statesmen of Europe and America. Not only so; but the proposed "League" is regarded by the ablest and [364] most conservative statesmen of the day as the only thing that can save the world from self-destruction. Hence the great anxiety to secure, not peace alone but, "peace and safety" (1 Thess. 5:3). And what enhances the interest which all who believe the Word of God must take in this subject is that, in the light of the prophetic Scriptures, the League of Nations is closely related to the revived Jewish State. For it is easy to recognize, in the forthcoming League of the Nations of the old Roman earth, that Federation of Ten Kingdoms which is foretold in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, and which is to wield the political authority of the world at the time of the second coming of Christ.

      It is worthy of special notice that the proposed League of Nations is not a plan conceived in the mind of some great leader or statesman, nor is it a system of visionary ideals, such as socialism; but it is being born, as it were, out of the political conditions, which the war and the menace of "militarism" have forced upon the world. It is not so much the product of human contrivance as of political and dire necessity. Conditions which the world now faces are admittedly such that "civilized" man must needs create something greater than himself to save him from the results of his own "civilization." This is the point to which human "progress" has brought us.

      This very clearly appears by the latest, and perhaps the most weighty, utterance of President Wilson (pronounced September 27, 1918, only a short time [365] prior to the writing of these lines) wherein he declared that "the only instrumentality" by which "a secure and lasting peace" can be attained is "a league of nations formed under covenants that will be efficacious." And he goes on to say:

      "And as I see it, the constitution of that league of nations and the clear definition of its objects must be a part of the peace settlement itself."

      Manifestly, if President Wilson is right in this view of the situation, the Federation foretold by the prophets will soon be a reality.

      Further in the course of the speech from which we have quoted, Mr. Wilson confidently declared that one effect of the war has been to promote the consolidation of all mankind. So we have here a very striking testimony indeed, and from a highly competent witness, to the great fact which it was the main object of this volume to demonstrate, namely, that current movements were tending to the virtual unification of mankind through the bringing into existence of a vast system, embracing the political, economic and religious affairs of the civilized nations, or the greater part of them. Thus, Mr. Wilson said:

      "The common will of mankind has been substituted for the particular purposes of individual states."

      And again:

      "National purposes have fallen more and more into the background, and the common purpose of enlightened mankind has taken their place." [366]

      Thus Mr. Wilson has announced to the world, which listens with deepest respect to his utterances, the advent of universal Democracy, and confidently declares that it soon will be established upon a permanent basis. And this recalls to mind his earlier phrase, in which he declared that the purpose of the war was, and its outcome will be, "to make the world safe for Democracy"--that is to say for the rule of Man.

      It is of deep interest in this connection to note that in our day the demand of the authorities for "peace" is coupled with an insistent demand for "safety" also, which shows that we are at last in the days foretold in 1 Thess. 5:2, 3--"For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they (i. e., the rulers) shall say (literally, decree or say with authority) peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them."

      To the same effect the ex-Foreign Minister of Great Britain, Viscount, Gray, in a pamphlet recently issued by the Oxford University Press, has strongly argued the vital necessity of the proposed League of Nations, as a means for preserving the human race from self-destruction. Here we have a clear-sighted, sober-minded observer, thoroughly versed in statecraft, who, in all seriousness, declares that man's boasted "civilization" has now reached such a stage of development that without some extraordinary means to prevent it, which means has yet to be created, the human race will speedily destroy itself. Certainly the end of "progress" is in sight, unless it takes an entirely new [367] direction. We quote from a summary of Lord Gray's arguments published in a recent issue of the London Daily Chronicle:

      "Lord Gray is strongly convinced of the League's necessity. War, as he points out, has developed into a ruthless and unlimited application of the resources and discoveries of science to the destruction of human life, non-combatant as well as combatant. If future wars remain possible after this war is ended,¹ another generation of scientific work, whose results cannot be confined to any one nation, will bring us within sight of the destruction of the human race.

      "There are only two working alternatives--(a) to stop war by the permanent dominion of one nation over the others, or (b) to stop it by uniting all the nations (or at least the leading ones) in a peace-preserving League. The former is the German aim--the permanent domination of Germany. The latter is being realized with increasing clearness as the aim of the Allies."

      Quotations from the public utterances of other able men could be multiplied, but the foregoing will suffice to show that, in the opinion of eminent statesmen, noted for sobriety and far-sightedness, we will soon be within sight of the destruction of the human race, unless some new and mighty instrument be devised whereby the progress of man's "scientific" [368] civilization shall be completely arrested. Therefore, we cannot be accused of fanaticism or extravagance in warning our fellow men of the near approach of the "Climax of Civilization."

      We are, however, perfectly confident that the "progress" of the human race, will be checked before the catastrophe foreseen by Lord Gray takes place; but the restraining influence will not come through a league of nations, or through any other human development. Man's amazing genius for contriving instruments, methods and engines of destruction, and also his amazing determination and concentration of energies in their deadly use, have lately been displayed upon a vast scale. Moreover, the human race has been giving daily evidence of the delight it takes in the employment of these destructive agencies. And along with this display of the prodigies of havoc and destruction which are in the power and will of human beings to accomplish, there has been clearly revealed the utter impotence and incapacity of man to make or maintain peace. Man's nature has not changed in any wise for the better since it was written "Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known" (Rom. 3:16, 17).

      But, in the hour of man's greatest need and utter helplessness, "the God of peace Himself" will intervene to secure that "peace" for which the world has waited long and striven vainly. Those who know this by the testimony of the Word of Truth can hopefully face those solemn events which, according to the sure [369] word of prophecy, will mark the end of "this present evil age" (Gal. 1:4). And of special comfort, in view of the things which are speedily coming to pass upon the earth, is the assurance to every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ that His coming for His own redeemed people, in fulfillment of the promise that He will raise the dead saints incorruptible, and change the living into His own glorious likeness, may occur at any moment, and without warning (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:17; 5:9).

      Developments in the great field of business, which embraces the production and distribution of commodities of every sort, have been of a radical nature, and they have taken the line indicated in the pages of this book; that is to say, the progress that has been made in this vast field of human activity has been towards the centralization of control. The war greatly promoted that progress, and swept clean away the barriers of conservatism, which, in ordinary times, would have been difficult or impossible to remove. As "war-measures" the "people" (who are now the nominal governors of the world--the rulers of the new era) have been forced to accept many changes which, in normal times, would have been bitterly resisted. Thus, after a period in which the government exerted all its powers to prevent the consolidation of the railroads, and other transportation agencies, we find complete [370] consolidation an accomplished fact. Monopoly, which was denounced as the parent of a pestiferous brood of evils most injurious to human society, has been found the only thing that could save the situation. Express companies also, and the telegraph and telephone systems likewise, with manufactures to a considerable extent, and even food production and consumption, have come under one control.

      These "war-measures," are, indeed, supposed to be only temporary; but it remains to be seen whether, and to what extent, the control of production and transportation will revert to pre-war conditions. The "people" have now become accustomed to what they once were taught to dread, and have found that, under centralization of control, there has been a great gain in both efficiency and economy. There will be, therefore, a strong desire to continue the existing arrangements, in all essential particulars, for an indefinite period of time. It will be urged that the declaration of peace raises problems as great and as difficult to handle as those raised by the war--problems that can be dealt with to the good of the general public only by central authority. And there is evident force in that argument. In fact it needs no prophet to declare that the ante-bellum conditions of "public service" enterprises will never be fully restored.

      We are witnessing, therefore, the fulfillment of what was predicted by Mr. A. Graham Bell, who said (pp. 245, 246 ante): "The destruction of competition by powerful corporations seems to be inevitable. [371] It is probably the most characteristic feature of the age in which we live." And Mr. Bell suggested, as one of the only alternatives, that the Government should buy out the trusts and run their business. This is what has actually taken place with respect to the great transportation systems, etc.

      It is a remarkable fact that the principles of Socialism, which were utterly opposed to monopoly, have led to the greatest monopoly that has yet appeared in the world. Never before has interference with private affairs and, business affairs been carried to anything like such lengths as now in any civilized country. One of the great "captains of industry" who was lately put in charge, for the Government, of one of the important enterprises which has come under governmental control, has truthfully stated that we are living under a highly socialized system of government, though few are aware of it. And, as forcibly illustrating the fact, he said that the income (earned and unearned) of every individual belongs, to all intents and purposes, to the State; that the individual cannot regard his income as his own, but must hold it all at the disposal of the State; and that he can use for himself and family only so much as is not required for public purposes. Such are, indeed, the conditions under which the "free and equal" citizens of the United States are now existing.

      Thus, there is no escape from the Great Monopoly; for even the efforts put forth for the destruction of monopoly do but lead to establish a greater than [372] those whose destruction was sought. In an amazingly short time, and with no opposition worth mentioning, we have seen the establishment of Government control of public-service corporations, Government control of incomes (both of corporations and individuals), Government control of food and fuel, and Government control of the persons of individuals themselves, for life or death--so far as their lives are supposed to be required in order "to make the world safe for democracy."

      And since this must come about, we have cause for devout thankfulness that the adoption of socialistic principles has been effected in our land without the convulsions of a revolution with its attendant horrors, as in Russia. In this country the form of government has not been changed, though the executive department thereof has been clothed with new and far-reaching powers. In unhappy Russia the steps toward centralized control are following the painful course of the French Revolution. But the end will be reached, and perhaps sooner than is generally expected. Conditions north of the Alps, and east of the Rhine (these being roughly the boundaries that separated the old Roman Empire from the northern barbaric hordes, as a noted military critic² has lately pointed out), are assuredly bringing into existence that formidable power designated in Daniel's prophecy as "the king of the north." [373]

      There are other developments that might be described under the general head of Commercialism and Socialism, but the space at our disposal compels us to be very concise. So we only glance at the following:

      1. We have pointed out that the great Consolidation foretold in the Bible and now in process of rapid formation, will not only exercise vast business and governmental powers, but will also be worshipped. For this, namely, for man's worship of himself under the guise of a great autocratic system (for it will be autocratic in fact, though democratic in name), the minds of men are being prepared in various ways.

      The newspapers, which constitute the bible of the general public, are habitually exalting democracy, and particularly the democracy of the U. S. A., to the place of Deity. As an illustration I quote a few extracts from a well-known writer who, speaking of the American Government as "the product of five generations of Americans," said as follows:

      "Do you think you really appreciate how much your government actually means to you?

      "Have you ever stopped to think that during every moment of your life, waking or sleeping, the vigilant eye of Uncle Sam is always watching over you?

      "He has more might and majesty than all the kingdoms of history--and all this might and majesty are yours. [374]

      "He is your faithful guardian, your tireless servitor.

      "He makes safe the ocean lanes for the way of the mariner.

      "He safeguards the perilous task of the miner.

      "He smites the rock and the dead waste of the desert teems with life.

      "He makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before.

      "He measures the heat of the stars.

      "He is the conqueror of disease.

      "He fixes the standards of weight and measure.

      "He is teacher and law-giver and judge.

      "And now he has turned warrior. For your protection he has grappled with the Power that has transgressed the rights of mankind and upset the peace of the world."

      It is not a great way from this to the actual worship of the "Beast" of prophecy.

      2. In quite another direction we see the development of one of the predicted principles of the religion of man, namely "forbidding to marry" (1 Tim. 4:3). The tendency in this direction is noted in this volume, pages 269-277, where we showed that it was not celibacy that was in view, but the setting aside of the marriage tie, as an interference with human "liberty." A great advance in this direction has been made in Germany and Russia, in which countries, according to despatches passed by censors and published in the press, the respective governments have [375] sanctioned, and even commanded, promiscuous intercourse of the sexes to the end that population, which has been depleted by the war, may be increased. While this "war-measure," ordained for "the good of the State" has not as yet (so far as appears) been adopted in other countries than those named, it is to be feared that, because of the corruption of the human heart, the example is likely to the followed more or less.

      We have sought to indicate in Sections I and II above, that the world is now ready, and the stage prepared, for the entrance upon the scene of the two great prophetic characters of the endtime, namely, the revived Jewish State--"Zion"--and the Federation of Ten Kingdoms, which is known in current language as the "League of Nations."

      It remains only to show that recent happenings also point clearly to the near approach of something in the nature of a Universal Church which shall exercise a dominating influence (and all the more potent because its character is spiritual, and the source of its power unseen and therefore mysterious) over, and in connection with, the Federation or League of Nations.

      The former editions of this book called attention to the progress that had been made along religious lines towards the unification of denominations and systems of religion. That progress has been greatly accelerated by the war; and in these days one hears of the Universal Church (though under various designations) [376] almost as often as of the League of Nations. Various causes, which have been either started or stimulated by the war, are operating to bring about the result indicated above. Prominent among them is the fact that men, so closely united as soldiers are in a common purpose, especially when that purpose is such as to engage absorbingly all the conscious and emotional elements of man's nature, are sure to become impatient of mere creedal or sectarian distinctions, which, with most men, are matters of accident rather than of conviction. The "voice of the army," rather than "the voice of the people," is coming to be more and more that which demands and commands attention as "the voice of God."

      It is significant, therefore, that again and again the word comes back from "the front" that the men will not hereafter tolerate sectarian differences, but they demand that "Christians" should unite into one all-embracing "church." Men are unwilling in such a time as this to be annoyed by theological distinctions and differences of creeds or forms which, to the great majority, are meaningless. Hence there is observable on all sides a strong demand--in the interest of simplicity as well as of economy, and with a view to the saving of time, trouble and expense, and also because of the popularity of the idea of "the brotherhood of man,"--for a practical consolidation of the various religious systems which the world recognizes and respects. Moreover, the conditions which obtained at the front, and in the camps, had a natural tendency to [377] throw the clergy of different sects together, to promote fraternizing between them, and to obliterate sectarian lines of division. The influence of these, and other contributing factors, is producing an increasing movement towards religious unification.

      And not only so, but the idea of a single broad comprehensive Church of Man is being diligently promulgated by men of eminence and influence, whose utterances command wide attention and great respect. And what gives extraordinary force to their effort is that it constituted an important part of the war propaganda itself. For its immediate object was to unite people (whose religious views differ widely) for the vigorous prosecution of the war. Nothing perhaps could arouse a fiercer determination to "see it through to the bitter end" than the preaching by prominent and eloquent ecclesiastics to the effect that the carrying on of the war is a religious duty which everyone owes to the sacred "rights of man."

      Able men of high rank in the Church of England have been touring this country, with the object of stirring up religious fervor for the war now happily ended, and cementing political relations between the peoples of England and America. Moreover, and this is the aim of all these well-planned and well-executed campaigns, the propagandists we have mentioned hold forth distinctly to the view of the public the attractive ideal of a League of Nations bound together by common religious ties and presided over by a Universal Church. [378]

      A great stride towards the consolidation or unification of all religious activities was achieved at the very end of the war by the uniting of seven great auxiliary organizations in efforts for the raising of a huge sum (one hundred and seventy millions) as a common reservoir from which each of these religious or quasi-religious bodies is to draw its individual share. Those organizations are the Y. M. C. A., the Y. W. C. A., the National Catholic War Council (K. of C.), the Jewish Welfare Board, the War Camp Community Service, the American Library Association, and the Salvation Army. These seven now join hands, bound together by the strong band of joint financial interests, and make their appeal to the generous public under the attractive motto, "United We Serve."

      This is exceedingly significant, and the results will be far-reaching indeed. Already this unprecedented alliance is hailed by the press as the breaking down of all barriers between the sects and the creeds of Christendom. The joint enterprise was launched at a great meeting held in New York City, where an Episcopal Bishop, a Jewish Rabbi, a Catholic Cardinal, and noted Protestant laymen, occupied the platform.

      The meeting was described in the papers at great length under such captions as "Creeds Buried at War-Work Meeting," "Concentration of Moral Purpose," "Melting Pot of Creeds," "Grace of Fellowship," and the like. The general tenor of the sentiments [379] expressed may be gathered from the following quotation from one of the speeches:

      "Commercially and economically men have been united regardless of racial or social antecedents. Until now, however, it has rarely happened that the various religious societies of the country have coöperated for the accomplishment of a unified purpose. Protestants, Catholics and Jews have gone their several ways and have striven independently for the betterment of those of their own household, and through them for the amelioration of the human family. But now, behold, one of the first fruits of the great struggle for human freedom, in which we are all engaged as a single unit, and our sons are fighting side by side for the preservation of liberty.

      The astounding spectacle of these seven organizations, normally so antagonistic, joining hands in one common "service" elicits unstinted praise and admiration from the onlooking "world," which enthusiastically responds to the joint appeal for lavish giving. Probably no living person expected ever to see the Church of Rome and the Salvation Army united in a common purpose, and drawing support from a common treasury. That is, nevertheless, the spectacle that now greets our astonished eyes. To the admiring world this is a millennial scene, the lion and the lamb lying down together. But, as seen in the light of God's Word, it is great Babylon drawing her "daughters" close around herself in preparation for her [380] awful doom. Wherefore, the Word of God says, "Come out of her My people" (Rev. 18:4).

      We see, then, as one of the boasted "fruits" of the world-war, that the ideal of a great religious system, broad enough to embrace men of the most divergent sentiments, is not any longer a mere ideal, but is well on its way toward practical realization.

      We see further that this amazing religious Federation is closely associated with the government itself, which has now assumed, in addition to its purely governmental functions, the character of a huge business monopoly, and also that of the controller of the lives, earnings, and property of individual men.

      Truly wonderful things are happening in our day. Yet it requires both the light of prophecy, and the anointed eye of faith to see and understand them.

      In conclusion it will be appropriate to say a word as to the doctrine and the form of this coming Federation of Religions. As has been pointed out at some length in the pages of this volume, the essence of the doctrine which is being urged in various forms for the general acceptance of mankind is Humanism, the cardinal point whereof is faith in man, that is to say, the firm belief in man's ultimate triumph, by means of his own efforts, over every evil that has afflicted the world--whether war, or militarism, or drink, or political corruption, or secret and [381] unscrupulous diplomacy, or selfish business combinations, or whatever form it may assume.

      Man's final and complete salvation by his own works and sacrifices is the basic doctrine of the new Universalism; and the war is preparing in various ways for its world-wide acceptance. From almost the beginning of the war men have been encouraged to face the danger of the conflict by -the preaching of a sure entrance into heaven for all who meet death on the battlefield, or who lose their lives in other military service. It would be impossible to find a doctrine which goes beyond this in exalting man and the merit of the sacrifice of his life--already forfeited through sin--and in setting aside the Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the only and the all-sufficient ground of God's perfect forgiveness and of His righteousness freely given to every repentant and believing sinner.

      As to the form in which the ultimate humanistic religion will be clothed, there is no need to add to what has been set forth in this book as originally published. Beyond a doubt the Church of Rome will furnish the organization that is needed for the embodiment of the great and final Religion of Man. Rome is the source of the gospel of salvation by death on the battlefield, and Rome alone has the world-wide organization required for the part which the ultimate Religion is to play in "the Climax of Civilization." There is nothing in the world to compare with that organization, and never has been; and it need hardly be said that, even if there were room in the world for a rival [382] system of religion, definitely aiming at world-wide spiritual dominion, it would require centuries of time for its development and complete adaptation to the end in view. But Rome, which alone of all the religious systems in the world is seeking universal sovereignty over the consciences of men, and which alone claims it as a divinely given right, has no rival, and will never have one. Therefore, we are not likely to err in assuming that the Church of Rome, with her unfaltering aim, her steadfast assertion of divine authority, and her superb organization, will embody the final universalism, and will dominate, through the assumption of spiritual overseership (which will be tolerated for a brief time) the coming League of Nations. In the seven-headed enterprise to which we have referred, Rome discreetly accepts the second place. This is wise policy, and tends to disarm suspicion. But Rome has the incalculable advantage of being the only partner in that enterprise who has an ulterior aim. And she will know how to press the advantage when the time shall come.

      In this manner (as we feel warranted in saying by reason of many and clear indications on the surface of current events) the prophecy of Rev. 17 will have its fulfillment in the near future. Such will be the last stage of Gentile Supremacy in the world; and its duration will be short---"one hour" in prophetic time. For the ten federated kings (or kingdoms) are to receive power but for "one hour"; and then-- [383]

      The Lamb shall overcome them; for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev. 17:12, 14).

[TNOM2 361-384]