The Russo-Eastern Question Prophetically and Historically Considered
By Bryn Mawr
THE RUSSO-EASTERN QUESTION PROPHETICALLY AND HISTORICALLY CONSIDERED. NO. 3.
[This present exposition of the thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth chapters of Ezekiel is presented for the study of our readers. The writer feels the profound conviction that the views as set forth in these articles are truth. For these views the editors are not responsible. The prophecy is an open one, one about which various opinions exist, and much uncertainty; therefore we give these articles space. Let the prophecy be carefully, prayerfully considered. If there are decided objections, let us hear from you. —ED. S. OF T.] THE final scenes of Gog's (Russia's) career are graphically given by the prophet in chapter 39:1-22. The line of events here described begins prior to those delineated in verses 15-23 of the foregoing chapter, and is end farther down the stream of time. Verse 1 leaves no doubt as to who is the object of the Lord's displeasure, and in verse 2 we are again told of the restraints that are put upon him just before the final acts leading to his ruin and the end of the world. The reason for these restraints is given in Rev. 7:1-3. It is notable, as indicative of the nearness of the closing scenes of earth's history about to be enacted, that the six great world powers, the United States, England, Germany, France, Italy, and Austria, are making most strenuous efforts to maintain the peace of the world. Their efforts, however, seem to have been in vain, for at the present time a "state of war" exists between Japan and Russia. Keen diplomats and astute statesmen have long foreseen inevitable world-wide war growing out of the Eastern Question. Their deductions are the result of worldly reasoning alone. Indeed, it scarcely requires prescient wisdom to forecast such a result from the Russo-Japanese contention, as it involves vital interests of every nation on earth—of some their very existence. If so be these nations are to be instruments in God's hand to restrain this conflict by "hooks" in Russia's "jaw," it will only be temporary; for God's word is stronger than the gossamer thread of diplomacy that seeks to cool the ebullition of international jealousy. Dan. 2:43. The very act of restraining Russia will involve the other powers, because some will fear an advantage in which they do not share. The "mountains of Israel" are the strongholds of power, or governments of nations, in which God's people dwell, being vouchsafed some degree of legal protection in religious liberty by so-called Christian nations. Verse 3 fitly illustrates the futility of any attempt of this Gogian power to carry out any purpose that militates against God's people. Verses 4, 5, 17-20, all refer to the same matters and agree with other scriptures, to wit, Rev. 19:17-19; Zeph. 1:7, 8, 14, 15; Joel 3:2, 9-12. These scriptures just given point to the beginning of the final scenes, and Mal. 4:1-3 and Zech. 14:1-3 describe the after-scenes when the former work has been accomplished. Verse 6: "And I will send a fire on Magog [Russia], and among them that dwell carelessly [margin, "confidently"] in the isles; and they shall know that I am the Lord." Here fire means the destructive and consuming processes of war. Jer. 48:45. Those that "dwell confidently in the isles" are thought by some to be the people of "coast lands," or "maritime countries;" but, as all nations have more or less "coast lands" and maritime features, we do not see that such application should be unqualifiedly made in this connection; but it seems more reasonable to conclude that the prophet is speaking of those countries most interested in the doings of Magog (Russia), whose distinctive geographical features might be designated by the word "isles;" and England is preeminently an island kingdom, and, admittedly, the greatest maritime power in the world. Japan is also called the "Island Empire," and in the last few years has attained an enviable maritime position among the other nations. Of all the nations of earth none have interests of such magnitude at stake in the Russo-Eastern Question as do those two, England and Japan. Therefore we conclude that war is inevitable between Russia and Japan and England, and also that it is imminent. During these fearful scenes that are now coming upon the earth, just before man's probation—time to accept salvation—closes, and the last plagues are ushered in, God's people will make known the true message for these times, warning all people of the judgments foretold in prophecy, which are now at the very threshold of fulfilment. Verse 10 describes another incident of the closing, or rather final judgments; and the expression, "And they shall burn them with fire seven years," shows the completeness of the cleansing work, which is more vividly presented in Rev. 20:8, 9; 2 Peter 3:10; Mal. 4:1-3; Ps. 11:6. Verses 11-16 tell us how Gog and all his bands (armies), and all the "many peoples with him" (his allies), and "all his multitude" (the warring nations gathered against him), all come under the unmixed wrath of God in that day. Rev. 14:9, 10. In verses 12-14 the term "seven months" denotes that the burial and cleansing is thorough and complete, that it is for "all time" and eternity. The "passengers," "those who remain on the face of the earth," are the "whole house of Israel," who have passed through the cleansing fires, and upon whom the second death had no power. At this time Jerusalem is holy, "and there shall no strangers pass through her any more." Joel 3:17. There is an absolute literalism about these prophecies that can not be set aside, notwithstanding the similes and symbols so largely drawn from the experiences of ancient Israel. They are actual scenes, enacting and to be enacted here upon the earth, and the culmination "hasteth greatly." This is Ham-ongog—Gog and Hamona, the valley of eternal death, and the city of the eternal dead; for Gog and all his mighty host have found their final doom on the farther side of the second resurrection. They met and were conquered by the second death, because they were not Christ's at His coming. We need look no farther; "Gog and Magog" ended HERE.4Russo-American Eastern Question, and Russia's International Policy. The one dominant, overpowering purpose and desire of Russia is to be mistress of the world. Beginning 4,000 years ago with the Magogian tribes, and it seems with an inborn propensity for "Japhetic enlargement," she joined to herself one-half of the Japhetic family in the Ethnic persons of Meschech, Tubal, and a part of Gomer. Thus the Cushite tribes of Dedan and Sheba, together with the commingled Semitic and Hamitic races, were finally merged into the great Slavonic race. We remember about half a century ago Russia was classed in the geographies as "half civilized." Her peasantry are low in morals, and are kept in degrading ignorance. Her official class is venal as well as corrupt, profligate, and given to inveterate cruelty, ruthlessness being a modern, as well as ancient, characteristic. Herein is the foundation of the peculiar variety of diplomacy that amazes the world; artful, deft, unique, and untiring; subtle and unscrupulous. It is hard to express or describe the true inwardness of her statecraft; but with an atom of truth in a gulf of sophistry, Russian monumental assurance has stupefied the other nations, till they are apparently oblivious to the manifest danger that is at once threatening and imminent,—a Slav mistress of the world. Will she attempt this feat?—Yes; for it is the dream of her life. Will this dream reach fulfilment?—No; for when she goes forth to accomplish this "evil thought" she will find the grave the prophet foresaw. This is not all; there are some other things of equally fateful import that she will accomplish. She will have a war with Japan and England. Again the "hooks" will be put in her "jaws," and she will be "turned back" again for a brief period; but she will be the ultimate gainer by the contest. She gains time, also, which, in the present state of her unaccomplished plans, is extremely desirable, as it will give her assured opportunities to finish the Trans-Siberian Railway and other much-needed transportation facilities—a commercial highway through the last bit of buffer territory lying between her and India (now almost completed). Her intention is to pauperize England by monopolizing the trade of India; to drive the Turk out of Europe; to absorb Asia (here is where the Turk comes to his end with none to help him. Dan. 11:45); to trade portions of it out to some other nations for which they become her allies by treaty compact, thereby securing a Russian highway to the world's great waters. And then, not discerning that the end is come, she makes an assault on the United States for real or fancied injuries, with a view to "getting even." "Remnant" Israel is in the throes of the last persecutions, precipitated and aggravated by Russian successes and intolerance. Then will be the final gathering of the nations to their last conflict. Then will this great diplomatic craftsman of the world, unable to overcome that "more sure word of prophecy" with her accustomed adroitness, "fall upon the open field; for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God." Eze. 39:5.