Retrospect and Prospect

By Emily Hoefle

(Editor of Epiphany Bible Students Association. An excerpt from paper No. 546)

“Men fainting from fear and apprehension of the things coming on the Habitable; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” Luke 21:26, Dia.)

This text certainly describes the condition of things that has existed among the world during the past year.

There is an air of tension and anxiety accompanied by events that warrant such feelings.

With the many bombings around the world and the threat of possible bombings on the U.S. … as well as the money problems, widespread layoffs and strikes, it isn’t any wonder that the people are very uneasy.

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).

[As Bible students] We recognize the trouble as the preparation, according to God’s Plan, for blessing the whole world.

The world does not understand these things, but if we are Bible Students, we know that … [after revolution, anarchy]… comes the great time of blessing upon the whole earth.

This is what we keep our mind stayed on and that helps us to be at ease during the trouble time.

Three phases of Trouble are pictured in I Kings 19:11-12 as Wind (War), Earthquake (Revolution) and Fire (Anarchy). But after the Fire “a still small voice,” the voice of God, the Divine Power, which will bring blessings to the world.

This corresponds to Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” So we look forward with great anticipation for that time of blessing for all the world.