We are now a good many years beyond 1914. A second World War has come and gone and the world wonders if there will be a third. The “great time of trouble” is nearing its climactic stage, but the life-giving blessings of the kingdom are still future. How do these facts affect our understanding of the truth? Did the Gentile Times end in 1914? Is Christ present? Are we really at the end of the age? Will this generation witness the full establishment of the kingdom, as we have been taught to believe?
“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick,” wrote Solomon and to some extent the seeming tarrying of truth’s vision has contributed to a measure of uncertainty among some of the brethren as to just what it signifies and what bearing it has upon our activity in the service of God. The advice of the prophet in this connection would seem to answer this problem. He wrote, “Though it [the vision] tarry, wait for it; . . . it will not tarry.” (Hab. 2:3) The vision of truth has not actually tarried. It has seemed to tarry because of our failure to realize the length of time to be bridged by the events which bring both the Gospel age and the present evil world to an end.
As Brother Russell understood the prophecies and explained them, the time of trouble was to come in “spasms” like birth pangs. He suggested that there would be three major spasms of trouble before the full overthrow of this present evil world was accomplished and the kingdom established. World War I which began at the close of the Gentile Times was the first major spasm of the “time of trouble.” It was the introduction to a period of distress and shaking of the nations, which, followed by the second military spasm of trouble—by the world quite universally styled a “revolutionary war”—has left practically every government on earth changed in one degree or another from what it was in 1914. As for Europe—which is primarily the geographical setting of the prophecies— practically all the pre-1914 governments are now out of the picture entirely. The existence of the few remaining lesser ones is hanging by a thread.
As we all know, the second military spasm of trouble closed with the birth of atomic energy, geared to instruments of destruction so effective that the fear now is that a third world war will result in the utter destruction of the race. This is a forcible reminder of Jesus’ words to the effect that unless these days be shortened, there would be no flesh saved. As we have said, some of the details of this time of trouble are different from those anticipated, and the time required is longer than once expected, but the final result is being accomplished exactly as the prophecies portray and as Brother Russell explained. Even “Jacob’s trouble” upon the Jews is most certainly in the offing and conditions precedent thereto developing.
All of this means that the Gentile Times ended in 1914. The kings to whom that lease of power applied have had their day, and most of them are now removed from the scene, with other forms of government taking their places, while the shaking process continues.
Yes, Brother Russell brought us unerringly to the year 1914. Chronology, as he saw it, went little beyond that date. In 1914 and thereafter was fulfilled our Lord’s statement to his disciples concerning the signs of his second presence “when ye SEE these things begin to come to pass, lift up your head, for your deliverance draweth nigh.” Brother Russell brought us to the day of sight of “these things” proving the second presence. His mission was accomplished.
As mentioned foregoing, the details of these developments are not in all cases such as many at one time thought they would be, but there is no mistaking the fundamental meaning of the prophecies. The Scriptures explicitly declare that the destruction of the old world was to come in spasms, of which “Jacob’s trouble” is to be the last. The prophecies show that this final spasm of trouble will terminate with a manifestation of kingdom authority and power. We see this shape of things developing, and have seen it since 1914, so there is no occasion for doubting the verity of present truth, no necessity for a new chronology nor a new interpretation of the time prophecies. Our King is marching on, and in that glorious fact let us rejoice!
The fact of Christ’s second presence is more discernible today than at any time since 1874. The “sure Word of prophecy” reveals it in past and current world events, and in the manner in which Divine providence is overshadowing the affairs of the church. Throughout all the upsetting experiences of two world wars, the hopes and plans of churchianity, as well as their creedal doctrines, have proved utterly futile. Leaders of churchianity have no answer for those who inquire what it is all about. Mean- while, these very experiences have proved the reality of the truth, and today that truth is the only explanation that can actually satisfy disappointed and mourning hearts.
More than ever today, the truth is the only thing that has stood the test of these chaotic and distressing years which have brought the world to ruin. More than ever the kingdom of Christ is the only solution for the world’s woes. More than ever it is appropriate that we tell the whole world these blessed tidings. More than ever those who love the truth, and to whom it is truly a satisfying portion, will not be able to keep it to themselves. More than ever there is joy in making known the glad tidings. More than ever we need to be active in the service of the truth in order that it be kept alive and radiant in our own hearts.