Man in Revolt

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the past few years is the revolt that we see in all parts of the world. It would seem as if the spirit of rebellion has suddenly descended upon our planet. And this rebellion is seen in practically every nation, all receiving their share of wild parades, protest marches, strikes, sit-ins and such like disruptions.

So many departments of our lives are involved in this revolt that it affects us all and becomes the concern of all of us.

Perhaps the start of this was when man departed from God and substituted his own laws in the place of God’s Divine Law. However those of you have studied your Bibles know that man’s revolt goes back to the very beginning, to the Garden of Eden. “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman (Eve), Yea, Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Here we have the first recorded temptation and the tempter who instituted the spirit of revolt. Eve was persuaded to act contrary to the wishes of Almighty God and place her own wish ahead of His. Eve decided for herself, just as we are doing today. Here, right in the Garden of Eden, amid perfect conditions and surroundings, rebellion came in and spoilt the lives of our forefather.

For this offence God turned them out of their happy home and their easy life. Adam was told he would have to earn his living “in the sweat of his face”. The ground was cursed and henceforth brought forth thorns and thistles, and here was the start of our polluted land.

It was wickedness and rebellion that brought about the Deluge. Gen. 6: 5-6, “And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart”.

Then when men built the Tower of Babel , again the Lord was grieved and He confounded their language, Gen. II: 4-9. We learn that Babel means confusion and we are reminded that a “babel of voices” gives forth a confused sound.

As we follow along in the history of Israel (modern Anglo-Saxondom) we find that many, many times they have rebelled and provoked the Lord. The account of their forty years in the Wilderness is filled with revolt. Only the intercession of Moses saved them from destruction.

Later on, after they had entered the Promised Land, they wanted to be as the other nations around them and asked Samuel to give them a king. I Sam. 8:5-9. From the time they were constituted a nation at Sinai Jehovah had been their King. This request for a human king was a direct rejection of Jehovah, perhaps the worst type of rebellion that Israel was ever guilty of in all their long history of rebellion. However their wish was granted and Jehovah chose Saul to be their leader. Some say he was their king, but in I Sam. 10:1 he is called a captain.

Now that the centuries have rolled on, we come to the present and we see rebellion on every side.

Let us face it; crime is increasing, rebellion is now quite the order of the day, violence is growing even more violent.

How can this be met and overcome? By a return to the Bible and by heeding the instructions it gives. In short, a return to the Laws of Almighty God.

The Bible has warned us that these things would take place. We are told that this will be so in the “latter days”. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.” II Tim. 3. (Please read this entire chapter.) Is not this a very graphic picture of conditions around us today?

How many people are content? Our labor strikes should give us the answer to this. Our Lord told the men of His day to be content with their wages. “Exact no more than that which is appointed you … Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages”. Luke 3:13-14.

In Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 20, there is the account of the employer who bargained with his workers. At the end of the day they complained that those who had worked fewer hours were paid the same wages. The employer answered, “Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? … Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own?” verses 13-15.

Just recently it has been said that labor has been making so many impossible demands that the time has come when the employers need to be protected.

As we have warned in advance, there is really no need for us to be surprised. The young people who are in revolt should heed the warning while there is yet time. “Honor all men, love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” I Peter 2:17.

Let us remember that we are living in the time of Trouble, great Tribulation for the world in general and Jacob’s Trouble for us of the Anglo-Saxon race. “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:7. Thank God we are promised a shortening of these evil days, Matt. 24:22, so that God’s true Israel shall survive.

In Luke 21:28 we are told to welcome these evil days, for they herald our redemption. “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
The Book of Psalms has many comforting statements for those who are worried and troubled. Let us look to our Comforter Who has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.