"But scientific Bible students are
having
their faith in God's Word established more and more. Without affecting
the torrid zone, the warmer temperature
is now extending itself into the frigid zone quite rapidly.
"Greenland's Icy Mountains" will soon be things of the past. The poles
are warming up. The ice caps are dissolving. Last winter was called the
"straw hat season" of Alaska, because of the higher temperature than
ever before known."
C.T. Russell - January 1913
R5159
----------
"Polar
ice, both arctic and antarctic, seems to have been steadily decreasing,
and it may be that these frigid deserts shall once more blossom as the
rose-- `Isa. 35:1`--literally.
The ice from both poles seems to be
drifting toward equatorial regions, to such an extent that, in the
north, it has become a menace to commerce, and it may be a work
preparatory to the "times of restitution."
C.T. Russell May 1, 1903
R3184
-----
"Gradually the
storm-clouds have been
gathering since 1874--so gradually that many have failed to notice the
great changes of public sentiment already accomplished. Yet many are
now waking up, and the inquiry is heard, "Where will matters end if
present conditions continue?" Ah! the answer to this query can be given
from no earthly source. The Word of God is the only revelation of what
lies behind the vail of futurity. It declares trouble, more general and
greater than the earth has ever yet known (`Dan. 12:1`); that troubles
financial, political and religious will fill the earth with distress;
that there will be no hire for man nor hire for beast, nor any peace to
him that goeth out or to him that cometh in, because
every man's hand shall be against his neighbor. (`Zech. 8:10`.) Yet
this is not all; for in connection with these changes, necessary to
prepare for the Millennium Kingdom, will come some physical changes to
the earth, incidental to its preparation for increased fertility and
for rest from storms and cyclones, that it may be more suitable for the
race in the "times of restitution."
The irregularity of the
seasons begins to
show even to infidels that it is altogether within the power of the
Creator, when he is ready, to make it warmer at the poles and cooler at
the equator."
C.T. Russell - October 1890
R1243
-------
"To our understanding there are physical
changes necessary to the full introduction of Millennial conditions:
these will probably come about gradually, and incidentally cause great
trouble and losses. These we understand are so timed as to form a part
of the great time of trouble with which our age is to end, which,
however, the Lord designs shall prepare man as well as the earth for
further, future blessings. 'When the judgments of the Lord are abroad
in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.'"
C.T. Russell - September 15, 1900
::R2699
--------
Ques.
Please let us know your opinion of the very distinct physical features
of the present day, such as cyclones, sun spots, etc. I know your
position concerning political and religious changes as fulfilling the
scriptural statements of the shaking of the heavens, earthquakes, etc.,
but not concerning these physical phenomena?
Ans. We understand that great physical
as well as political and religious revolutions are now in progress.
Just what these are, may not be very clearly seen, but these are as
certain to bring a blessing to earth as the others, though, like them,
the change may be attended with distress and temporary
confusion.
It seems certain that to make the earth
into a paradise like Eden, such as the prophecies picture, and a fit
place for the restored race, some great changes of climate, etc., must
occur. Looking back, we find that some important changes of climate,
etc., took place at the time of the Deluge; a change which at once
affected the longevity of humanity, for before that life averaged 500
to 1,000 years, but immediately afterward it was shortened. (See `Gen.
6:3`; `9:29`; `11:32`.) Furthermore, we learn that until the flood,
there had been no rain on the earth, it being watered by a mist
instead. (`Gen. 2:5,6`.) These changes occurred at the end
of the first world or dispensation--at the beginning of "The present
evil world," or dispensation--and we think that a proper time to expect
another change to a better condition would be at the close
of the present evil dispensation, at the threshold of "The world
[dispensation] to come," wherein dwelleth righteousness.
That these changes will be sudden we do not believe, but think that the
all-wise Director of the work has so planned that physical and higher
changes run parallel and keep pace with each other.
As we find the forty years, from 1874 to
1914, A.D., prophetically marked out as the time for the change of
earth's administration, it would seem not unreasonable to suppose that
the proper physical changes might occur during the same period. "Not
that we expect all changes to be completed in the specified forty
years, but that by that time the new systems and arrangements will be
thoroughly introduced, which will be gradually improving, and will
reach absolute perfection at the same time that mankind in general will
reach absolute perfection by restitution. Thus the perfect earth and
its perfect Lord (man) will both be prepared to enter upon the
ceaseless ages of perfection into which shall never enter sin, death,
pain or sorrow.
So, then, to us let the physical
contortions and quakings and tempests and angry waves, speak of the
better condition coming, just as the social revolutions speak of a more
blessed time coming to the groaning creation who shall be delivered
into the liberty of sons of God. (`Rom. 8:21`.)
Whirlwinds or cyclones are disturbances
occurring in the air or heavens-- caused by disorders therein, and
which exercise a baneful influence upon the earth. These physical
disorders illustrate the origin of much of the world's trouble; it will
be caused by disorders in the symbolic heavens or church nominal.
Notice
how this trouble and whirlwind are symbolically mentioned by `Jeremiah
25:29-36`. Notice how the chief distress is specified as coming upon
the nations [governments] and upon the shepherds and principal of the
flock--nominal.
Pastor Russell - October 1883
R534
Prediction
Regarding Return of Jews to Israel
Written in the
first
issue of "Zion's Watchtower" in 1879...
"Of recent years the Jew has been coming
into prominence, furnishing the world as capitalists and statesmen...,
while
yet more recently, complications of other nations have placed the
control of Palestine in the hands of Hebrews, and opened it to them as
a people for their home, whither the poorer classes are now flocking in
great numbers from Russia,
where one
third of the race are said to reside. And what can be more probable
than that the wealthy ones as already suggested, should flee there to
escape the anarchy and insecurity of earth's falling empires.
But what of this day to the church? We will endeavor to show shortly.
::R27 page 2::
-----------------------------------
"We
are not to understand that this means
that all the Jews of the world will go to Palestine, but that some of
the most pious and zealous from every quarter will gather there. At
that time will occur what the Bible terms "Jacob’s Trouble," in
conjunction with a world-wide trouble, financial, religious, political,
social, eventuating in anarchy, and,
later on, in Israel’s exaltation as the earthly exponent of Messiah’s
spiritual Kingdom. Let none think of us as prophesying, but merely as
announcing our interpretations of prophecy, which we have been
presenting to the public for the past thirty-four years."
C.T.
Russell, 1910
Prediction
of the Holocaust
"When pointing out some time ago that the
Scriptures indicate that the Jews are to be persecuted in all lands, so
as to drive them out, eventually, into their own land, we mentioned the
anti-Jewish sentiment in France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Russia;
and the probability that intense and general Jewish persecution would
break forth ere long; but intimated that the British would probably not
share in it. But even in Great Britain an anti-Jewish feeling is taking
root. The publication of a letter from Mr. Gladstone in the public
press, recently, avowed his opposition to the race, --saying, "I am an
Anti-Semitist"--much to the surprise of others as well as ourselves.
Jew-hatred-- "Judenhetze"--is making progress in England; and is being
discussed in the prominent journals. It is really a movement against
the Jewish money-lenders, and is of a piece with the Silver Movement in
the United States. The following is clipped from the Quarterly Review:--
"The day may dawn, even in France, when a
popular Government will be the voice of the people. In countries not so
manipulated and hoodwinked--in the German Empire, with its military
feudal spirit on one side, its spirit of Socialism on the other; in
Austria, where the Hebrew conquest dates from yesterday; in Russia,
which M. de Vogue calls 'a mightier Islam,' the reaction may take a
swift and sudden turn that would be far more dreadful than any
Judenhetze known since the expulsion of the Marranos from the Spanish
Peninsula. It is not an appeal to the principles of '89 which would
then avail to prevent scenes of horror and confusion. The European
Democracy has no mind to be shorn of its golden fleece for the benefit
of the Rothschilds and the Oppenheims. Let the situation be clearly
understood--and it is growing clearer with each day's news, in Italy,
in the Transvaal, at Vienna--who can believe that Christendom will
allow itself to be made a farm, a tenement of which but a handful even
among the five million Jews are to enjoy the fruits and the revenue?
The 'Emancipation of the Jews'--that old Liberal watchword--has already
given place to its antithesis 'Emancipation from the Jews,' economic
liberty for the Christian working class, defence against usury and
speculative finance, and the rest of a sound social programme. Sooner
or later, these new ideas will issue in legislative enactments; or, if
they do not, a worse thing may happen in countries which have to choose
between the rule of productive industry and the despotism of capital
wielded by a cosmopolitan and antisocial power."
C.T. Russell - August 15, 1896
R2019
====================
Pastor Russell
Predicts Loss of Freedoms for State Necessity
"As
we understand the Scriptures, for a
brief time these combined forces of Armageddon will triumph. Free
speech, free mails, and other liberties which have come to be the very
breath of the masses of our day will be ruthlessly shut off under the
plea of necessity, the glory of God, the commands of the Church, etc.
All will seem serene until the great social explosion takes place,
described in Scripture as "a great earthquake."
C.T.
Russell, 1910
SM232
- Forces Mustering For Armageddon
Present Truth
Forum
Bible Discussion Forum
Indeed!
September 1 2005 at 11:10 AM
Octaman: Indeed what has taken place in the most recent years past and
now at the present are worthy of consideration and discussion.
The tragedy in the south brings home the message of our defenselessness
against the ravages of nature. The hurricanes of the past few years,
Mt. St. Helens, the L.A. earthquake, the landslides in California,
"El-Ninio" are just a few that affected the USA. Earthquakes have
occurred elsewhere around the globe as well as volcanic eruptions of
devastating proportions (Montserrat), etc.
The rapid and steady rise in the cost and availability of crude oil
will reap major devastation as well. Families will have to make a
choice between having enough of the necessities of life or having
sufficient fuel to power their means of transport so they can maintain
the means of income. Watch for the cost of food to rise dramatically.
Watch for the cost of clothing to rise, the cost of airfare to rise,
the cost of operating the educational system to rise (fuel for buses,
heating oil for school buildings, paper etc.).
Watch for the major automakers to suffer sudden drop in sales and a
glut of gas guzzling vehicles sitting unwanted, unsold. Most automakers
are geared up to produce monster vehicles and not prepared to produce
fuel efficient, smaller vehicles. Their profits per unit are also
marginal...they will be much less when forced to produce smaller, less
fuel hungry vehicles. Their stock values will drop, and some may even
be forced out of business. GM is suffering on of the worst sales year
in recent history and has lost a large share of the American market!
The financial world is already in a saddened condition. Scandals and
greed malfeasance on the part of corporate leaders has sent the
financial world into a spin. Enron, Tyco, Arthur Andersen, etc.,
corporations with "impeccable" names have been found to have corrupt
leaders and have harmed many innocent persons.
Yes, the middle east is a boiling point. Watch the happenings there
very closely. The "times are-a-cranking-up" for sure!
I went out early this morning to fill up the tank in my little Suzuki
and found that overnight the cost of regular gasoline had jumped from
$2.29 to $3.34 per gallon! Some stations advertised regular at $3.64
per gallon. Two stations had gasoline for sale at $2.99 per gallon for
regular. One of those was all sold out of regular and 89 octane. They
only had 93 octane left. The other station was still serving, but there
were at least 30 cars in line, stretching way out into the side street!
Being an "old timer" I'm accustomed to something like this back in '73
when I drove a Volkswagen Beetle (the real one) and I waited in line to
purchase gasoline at $3.00 a gallon and was glad to get it. That was a
time when crude oil had reached a high of around $94.00 a barrel.
...
In addition to what I've already posted there is the impact of the loss
of use of the Gulf ports. These are major shipping points for the US!
Not only are we dependent upon these ports for the daily operation of
the petroleum industry, we also use these ports as major shipping
points for a vast amount of grain and agricultural produce export as
well import. It will not be only our country that is impacted, but
other nations as well that depend upon the export of goods from the US
will now be adversely effected. Our farmers will feel the effect of
loss of market. Since predictions are for a long term recovery, the
economic structure will be dealt a heavy blow. Already some stocks have
fallen. The news about the output of US automakers being affected by
the rising cost of fuel is already showing a negative impact. Much more
to come for sure!
Bro. Harold
Harold Solomon is an educator and Bible lecturer. This article
appears with his permission.
outside
authors
corroborate...
Resource
Investor, VA - Aug 29, 2005
...
control. If the dollar
started to melt down,
the results could be really nasty. A 1930s-style global depression
is. To underscore ..
