BRITISH-ISRAEL LECTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23859, 13 July 1939, Page 14

BRITISH-ISRAEL LECTURE

The third of a series of lectures on British-Israel Truth was delivered in the Y.M.C.A. Hall last evening, when the Rev, J. S. Pate addressed those present on “ The Trend of International Events.” “Every generation and age had-its own world situation, which was made up largely of international situations.” Mr Pate said. “The world is a stage where' nations play their part and then pass away. At the present day there are many aspects of the world situation. In the Far East there is a situation in China where Japan is engaged in her ‘little incident.’ In Palestine there is another aspect of the international situation where three parties are seeking to find a solution for the settlement of the land—British. Jews, and,Arabs. The situation in Spain.is now supposed to be settled. In Italy there is a dictator, and it is said of him— ‘ Mussolini is always right.’ 'this no doubt applying to his ‘ conquest ' of Ethiopia and Albania. In Germany there is another ■ dictator, and the people’s lives are directed according to Nazi principles. There is also a racial situation, a people there being persecuted and their lives made unbearable, all because they are Jews. There is also a religious situation. and both Protestant and Roman Catholic adherents are being persecuted. It may, therefore, be truly said that there are five situations in the world to-day. namely. Political, Economical. Commercial. Religious, and Racial.

“The International situation,” Mr Pate said, “is unprecedented, because in Europe are three centres where there is a form of government having asvai policy the domination of . the world, Russia's policy is a world union of Socialist Soviet Republics ruled from Moscow. Italy’s policy is a revived Roman Empire and ruled from Rome, while in Germany, Hitler dreams of something greater and grander ‘ than anything that has ever been known, and ruled from Berlin. “All these Powers have adopted' or. will adopt the method of power politics to achieve their aim; and thus there is, at least, a three-fold international menace acting in accordance with the principle that “might Is. right.” The reaction on the democracies because of the. aggression of these dictators is to rearm for de-, fence. Thus we have an armed world full of national antagonisms. . “ From the historian’s point of view there are many causes of the present situation, but is there not a first cause?” the speaker asked. “Webblieve there is, and the teaching of our Lord in the New Testament throws, great light on the present world situation. Jesus Christ believed in prophecy and also, uttered prophecies. We have an example of this in Luke, xxi: 20-31. Here is a series of prophecies, some to be fulfilled within 40 years when the Roman armies encompassed Jerusalem when many of the Jews were killed and the rest to be dispersed among the nations. Jerusalem also was to have the further experience of being trodden down of the Gentiles, for the period which Christ designated ‘ The Times of the Gentiles.’ This is a period of 2520 years, one of God's time measures in His plan. The first part of these prophecies of Jesus,” said the speaker, “ were fulfilled in 70 A.D.. and Jerusalem continued to be trodden down until 1917. In this year Jerusalem was delivered, and what could not be done by all the early Crusades with all their sacrifice and suffering and expense was accomplished easily because the appointed hour had struck. The next year, 1918, was a catastrophe for Europe and the world. European dynasties tumbled down and all the troubles of to-day in Europe can be. traced to their downfall. "The second section of these pro-, phecies of Jesus commences in the twenty-fifth verse,” Mr Pate said, “ and He mentions three realms—the astronomical with signs in the sun, moon, and stars; the national distress of nations with perplexity, and the individual men’s hearts failing them for fear and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. These three latter prophecies are being fulfilled at the present time. Two principles are opposing one another to-day. The aggressor nations are acting on the principle that ‘might is right,,’ while the democracies seek to act on the principle that ‘right is might.’ The question have to ask,” said the speaker, “ is ‘ Who is on the side with God Almighty?’ God’s Word declares that ‘righteousness exalteth a nation’ and, again, ‘the nation that shall not serve Thee shall perish.’ Right, then, is on the side of God, and while evil may have the advantage of an initial success, right eventually will win. Will the dictators triumph? Definitely, no. Will the British Empire pass away? Again, no.” concluded the speaker.