WHAT IS THE MEANING OF IT?

This being undeniably the situation as it is in the whole world, it is of great interest to all to note and to study the movements of the nations as day by day these movements are developed; but it is of much greater interest to all, and of the very first importance, to inquire into and study the meaning of it all. It is not enough to know that certain events are occurring; that nations are changing the map of the world. All that is quite an empty thing, unless we know the meaning of it. All the history of the world is but a series of names dates, and facts, unless we know the meaning, the philosophy, that is involved in those names, dates, and facts. That a certain man lived; that he did great things in the world; that he lived at a certain time; and that he changed perhaps the map of the world: this is all a very trifling thing, unless we know the meaning that reaches away back of the man, and the philosophy of the history of which he is simply a figure, in which he is simply an item.MON 5.2

Is it possible that any one would say that these things have no meaning—that they are merely fortuitous?—No, no. The mighty movements of nations in the ages past have had not only meaning, but the deepest meaning, to those who would discern. And so it is yet: these things that touch the fate of nations and empires, and that involve the world to-day, have a meaning for the people of the world to-day.MON 6.1

What, then, is the meaning of these things that stand so palpably commanding the attention of the world to-day?—I not mean, What meaning can be conjectured? I mean, What is the meaning in truth and verity? What truth is there in these things for our understanding, and for our instruction?MON 6.2

And where shall we go to find absolute truth concerning any question?—To the source of all truth, to be sure; to the Word of God. That is the divine oracle to which we are to go to inquire for the truth that is up in this world-scene which has here been sketched.MON 6.3

Every one knows that in olden times nations were mentioned by name in messages from God. Every one who has read the Bible, has read the names of kingdoms and empires, and has read the messages that were sent by God, through His prophets, to them.MON 7.1

Thus everybody who has read the Bible at all, whether he believes it or not, knows that in the times when the Bible was written, notice was taken of nations and their movements. Definite mention was made of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the mighty and terrible nation that came after Greece in the course of empire. There was also mention made of very small nations, compared with these, such as Tyre, and Sidon, which were hardly more than cities; and such as Moab, and Ammon, and Arabia, those small, or even petty kingdoms surrounding Palestine.MON 7.2

Now it is written in the Bible that there is no respect of persons with God. Nations are made up of persons. Then, as nations are made up altogether of persons, and as there is no respect of persons with God, it is certain that there is no respect of nations with God, its the Lord in olden times did speak directly to, and did deal personally with, the nations of earth, and especially such small ones as have been here referred to, and as he is no respecter of persons, and, therefore, not of nations, how can it be, how could it be, that the Lord would have no message concerning the mighty nations of to-day—the smallest one of them greater than the small ones which He noticed before, and the greatest them greater than the greatest that existed then, excepting, perhaps, Rome? This makes it certain that as truly as the Bible is from God, bearing message to nations at one time in history, it must have messages for nations at all times.MON 7.3