Are Our Times Really Different?

DESCRIBING the present world situation, American economist Peter F. Drucker stated: “No one needs to be told that our age is an age of infinite peril. No one needs to be told that the central question we face with respect to man’s future is not what it shall be, but whether it shall be.”

What are some of the problems that cause many people to wonder if mankind has any future? What dangers distinguish our times from preceding generations?

Pollution

The air in many large cities has become a health hazard. Seas, lakes and rivers are polluted by industrial waste, contaminating the fish we eat. The protective ozone layer is threatened by waste gases. With good reason pollution is a cause for international concern. An OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) meeting was reported on in the French daily Le Monde: “From 1965 to 1975 the environment suffered severe damage. Even if we count on economic recession greatly slowing down [industrial] growth, the natural environment will continue to deteriorate in the years to come if protection is not reinforced.”

Some claim that pollution is nothing new. If that were true, why is it that monuments that have stood for millenniums are suddenly imperiled? “Day by day the polluted atmosphere of Athens is succeeding in destroying what Turkish troops failed to destroy during their 400-year occupation of Greece. Little by little the marble is being eaten away.”​—Paris Le Figaro.

Overpopulation

Other factors further complicate the situation on a worldwide scale. France’ scientific monthly Science et Vie (Science and Life) had this to say on the subject of population growth and the expansion of deserts: “The world population will increase from four to six billion by the year 2000, whereas arable ground will possibly be reduced by 30 percent over the same period, due to overcropping . . . and urbanization. The simultaneous character of these two tendencies is preparing the way for an explosive situation.”

True, population growth has declined in certain Western and Third World countries. Yet, according to experts, overpopulation will persist until at least the middle of the next century, for in many lands the growth rate is increasing and will continue to increase. The vast majority of developing countries are among the world’s most highly populated lands. Overpopulation marks our times as really different from the past.

Weapons

You may be well aware that many are alarmed over the arms race. Millions of Europeans are uneasy about living within reach of missiles based in Eastern-bloc countries or about having U.S. missiles on their soil. But no matter where you live on earth there is reason for concern over laser- or particle-beam weapons, biological weapons or dangers launched from satellites or orbiting space platforms. Furthermore, some experts regard some of these weapons as a new stage in the balance of terror. The feeling of vulnerability they produce may lead a nation to consider it advantageous to attack first.

Ask yourself: Did preceding generations have such power to destroy most of earth’s inhabitants in just a few minutes? Or is this an element peculiar to our day?

Dangers such as we have mentioned produce various reactions, especially in industrialized countries. Some citizens form committees to fight pollution; others seek security at all costs by arming themselves, building shelters or even taking refuge in isolated areas. Commenting on this latter category, the International Herald Tribune stated: “Small but growing bands of Americans are arming themselves and learning how to kill because they are convinced that the social order is crumbling and that they will have to fend for themselves to survive.” Private individuals in other lands, too, are training with weapons​—women as well as men.

But there may be another sort of danger that is even harder to escape or deal with​—economic collapse. There are millions of unemployed in the Western world, while Eastern-bloc nations have other economic problems. Do you not see the effects of economic turmoil where you live? In late 1980 ex-prime minister of France Raymond Barre said about the world’s economy: “This is . . . a world crisis. It is neither short-lived nor superficial, but lasting and deep-seated.” Economist Samuel Pisar stated: “Everything goes to bear out and testify to the fact that we are on the brink of a new collapse. Our problems have nothing in common with those of 40 years ago, and this only increases our apprehension.” So where can you turn in these times that are so different?

Long ago Jesus Christ spoke of a time that would be characterized among other things by “anguish of nations, not knowing the way out.” (Luke 21:25) Confronted with these different events, we have to admit that his words fit our times, times that are so different from any before. However, if Jesus was really referring to our day, what does it mean for us? Do all these things truly indicate that a radical change is near? The following article will help you answer these questions.

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Pollution

Overpopulation

Weapons

The Worst of Times, Yet the Best of Times

CHARLES DICKENS opened his historical novel A Tale of Two Cities, about the French Revolution, with the description: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” He thus tried to express the unrest of the period, as well as the optimism that momentous changes in history were occurring.

But in the light of what we noted in the previous article, our times can, in many respects, far more appropriately be called “the worst of times.” However, could a period of grave difficulties at the same time be a cause for joy? Could it truly be “the best of times”? Yes, if we have guaranteed assurance that better days are right ahead.

As we have seen, in many ways the world is now going through harrowing times. But there is every reason to believe that deliverance is near for humanity​—deliverance from crime, war, famine, sickness. The Bible holds out such a hope. To make this hope our own, though, we need to identify the time period in which we are living and learn from the Holy Scriptures what course we should follow.

Our Time​—A Marked Generation

In the first century, Jesus’ apostles at first expected him to seize power in Israel as the promised Messiah. When they saw that Jesus’ departure was imminent, and yet their expectations were unfulfilled, they questioned him about his return: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24:3) The prophecy that Jesus gave in reply was not completely fulfilled in the first century. And later inspired writings pointed to a larger fulfillment in later history. (Revelation 6:2-8) Could it be in our time?

Jesus showed that it would take some discernment to recognize the foretold period, for he warned his disciples that the vast majority would not grasp the sense of the momentous events occurring. Using the global Deluge of Noah’s day as a parallel, Jesus stated: “For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. . . . They took no note until the flood came and swept them all away.”​—Matthew 24:37, 39.

By what means would men perceive his “presence” and thus take steps to avoid being swept away to destruction like the majority in Noah’s day? Jesus gave a multiaspect prophetic “sign” that is recorded in the Gospels. Let us see if this “sign” is visible today, and if so, what it forecasts.

INTERNATIONAL WAR​—INCREASE OF LAWLESSNESS: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (Luke 21:10) “The increasing of lawlessness.”​—Matthew 24:12.

Many wars have taken place since 1914, including two on a worldwide scale. Even at present about a million soldiers and guerrillas are active, and over 100 young men are killed daily, according to the New Zealand Herald. Crime too is flourishing, as you may be sadly aware. Journalist Anthony Lewis recently observed: “From countries as disparate as Britain . . . and the Soviet Union there are reports of increasing criminal violence and of official inability to cope with it.”

EARTHQUAKES: “Earthquakes in one place after another.”​—Matthew 24:7.

While there have been major earthquakes on occasion over the centuries, our day is particularly marked in this respect. Earthquakes have been very numerous in the past few decades. From 1970 to 1979, an average of 80,000 people each year lost their lives in earthquakes. This figure does not even include the 1975 disaster in China, where, according to certain estimates, 800,000 people lost their lives!

FAMINES​—DISEASES: “In one place after another pestilences and food shortages.”​—Luke 21:11.

According to UNICEF, 12 million children died of hunger throughout the world during 1979. In Africa about one child in three starves to death. Sickness, too, continues to wreak havoc worldwide. Five hundred thousand children die of measles annually, and one billion people are afflicted with tropical diseases. Nor can those in industrialized countries feel secure, for there cancer, heart ailments and venereal disease strike millions.

A WORLDWIDE WITNESS: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.”​—Matthew 24:14.

In the 12-month period from September 1981 through August 1982, Jehovah’s Witnesses spent well over 384 million hours spreading the good news and teaching people Bible truths. Over two million ministers preached in 205 countries and islands of the sea.

The Meaning of It All

After foretelling these different events, Christ revealed their meaning:

“Note the fig tree and all the other trees: When they are already in the bud, by observing it you know for yourselves that now the summer is near. In this way you also, when you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.”​—Luke 21:29-32.

The fulfillment of all that Jesus had described would make up a composite “sign,” indicating the nearness of the Kingdom of God as infallibly as trees “already in the bud” herald the arrival of summer. But when did these things start to occur?

Commenting on an event that changed the face of the world, French economist Alfred Fabre-Luce stated: “The 1914 war was the initial quake that gave birth to tremors still rocking us today.” Many other historians and statesmen have acknowledged that a dramatically different era began in 1914 when World War I commenced. Interestingly, Pius XI, pope from 1922 to 1939, recognized that events occurring since 1914 were “the signs of the last days, such as were announced by Our Lord.” As we have seen, the different events foretold in this prophecy continue today. We thus have good reason to believe that the generation that witnessed the initial shock in 1914 and is still represented by people alive today must be the one that will witness the final fulfillment of this prophecy.

What, then, should be our attitude as this “generation” advances? We should not give way to discouragement or indifference. Rather, we need to heed the counsel Jesus gave after having listed the various elements of the “sign.” He said: “As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.” (Luke 21:28) We can adopt such an attitude when we know what the near future holds for us under God’s Kingdom rule.

God’s Promises

Many feel that their present worries would be lessened if they could work in more pleasant surroundings and with security. The Scriptures do not brush aside such an idea. Prophets such as Isaiah foretold better conditions that will enable man to enjoy life: “They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance.”​—Isaiah 65:21, 23.

However, the Scriptures particularly draw attention to the fact that blessings from Jehovah will also include those of a spiritual nature. Humans need more than just material well-being. We need to respect the principles of love and justice and live alongside others who respect those principles. God’s Kingdom will bring about such a favorable environment on earth, enabling honest-hearted ones to blossom out to the full. The aforementioned prophet adds: “When there are judgments from you for the earth, righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn.”​—Isaiah 26:7-9.

God’s Kingdom will accomplish something no other government can, namely, delivering mankind from sin and its consequences: woes, sickness and death. When God accomplishes this through Jesus Christ, all those who love and practice righteousness will obtain eternal life.​—John 3:16.

Benefits Even Now

We should not overlook the fact that a large measure of happiness is available right now by our living in harmony with God’s purposes. The bad things happening on earth are obvious to all and bring no joy in themselves. Still, if we discern their meaning and thus recognize the “sign,” we can understand why our times are in a sense a foretaste of the best of times, for we will witness God’s intervention, bringing a permanent solution to man’s problems.

Although living in the midst of this troubled world, Jehovah’s Witnesses are able to reap benefits that are available to you also. Their knowledge of God’s laws offers moral protection and enables them to live balanced lives. They have available the peace of mind that comes from a hope based on divine promises, along with godly conduct. (Psalm 119:165; 1 Timothy 4:8) In addition, there will be a deliverance when Christ destroys God’s enemies in the near future and opens the opportunity to receive God’s permanent blessings.​—Zephaniah 2:2, 3; Psalm 29:11.

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As to our times, Jesus said that we can learn from the fig tree