| Highlights of DAWN | May 1984 |
The Roaring of the Seas
“Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters.” —Isaiah 17:12
ALTHOUGH it consists of but seven brief sentences, the twenty-third psalm is one of the sweetest expressions of faith ever composed by man. From his earliest youth the boy, David, had been charged with the care of his father’s sheep, and he knew from experience how completely the life and well-being of the flock depended on the devotion and constant watchfulness of their shepherd. He dwelt in wild country, and must forever be on the alert for hungry predators. By day he must guide his trusting charges to green pastures, and at night find a safe shelter for them from the cold.
Thus, when the shepherd boy became a man and was anointed by Jehovah to high office in the kingdom, he too, like his little flock of old, learned through experience that Jehovah God was constantly watching over him, directing him with his rod and staff, supplying all his needs, and guarding him from danger. It was but natural, therefore, when David desired to express his own unfailing faith and confidence in that great Creator and Guide, whom he had learned to know and trust, that he should liken him to a shepherd.
What a beautiful and meaningful figure of speech it is! The Bible was provided by the Lord for the instruction and encouragement of all who would ever seek to be his people down through the ages; and in whatsoever language of the world, or in whatever age it might be written, the term shepherd would unfailingly proclaim God’s enduring qualities of trustworthiness, love, and watchfulness to any who might be striving to find their Creator in the pages of that great Book.
The Bible contains much symbolic language. Unless one can comprehend something of Bible symbology, much misunderstanding of God’s wise and loving purposes for the entire world of mankind and, indeed, of the very character of the Lord himself, may result. It is because of this that, almost from the earliest days of Christianity, many earnest and sincere preachers of the Word have alarmed their congregations with the mistaken idea that this glorious planet Earth would one day be literally and forever destroyed. But when the simple meanings of the Bible’s symbols are seen in their unhampered power and beauty, then many formerly obscure, and even ominous passages, become at once clear, instructive, and hope-inspiring. But before we examine these situations let us consider the real meaning of some of the Bible’s more commonly used symbols.
The Apostle Peter tells us that the heavens and the earth “perished,” or were destroyed, in the Flood of Noah’s day. He then states that the present heavens and the earth will be destroyed by fire. (II Pet. 3:6,7,12) Manifestly, the earth twice referred to here by Peter cannot be this literal planet Earth, for after the first earth perished in the Flood, the planet Earth remained, and it does so to this day.
In these statements Peter is referring to the heavens and the earth as together constituting worlds, or social arrangements, the heaven representing the spiritual, and the earth the civil rulership of each of these separate worlds.
The Prophet Zephaniah also speaks of the earth in this symbolic sense. He says that in “the day of the Lord’s wrath [the time of trouble] the whole land [Hebrew, ’erets, earth] shall be devoured [destroyed] by the “fire of his jealousy.” He then explains that he is speaking of the destruction, not of the literal planet Earth, but of the social arrangements that would then be in existence on the earth: “For he [God] shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land [earth].” He repeats the same thought later, and shows that after the earth (social order) has been destroyed, the planet Earth still remains, for Jehovah then turns to the people “a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” The prophet makes the additional important point that the word fire, as used in the Scriptures, often symbolizes utter destruction.—Zeph. 1:18; 3:8,9
Another word often used metaphorically in the Scriptures is mountain, beautifully symbolizing a kingdom. The Scriptures tell us that when this present evil world, or social order, is destroyed, Christ’s millennial kingdom will be established in the earth, and it will judge the world in righteousness. In harmony with this, Jehovah declares of that glorious coming time, in Psalm 2:6, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” (Rotherham, NEB) Kings, of course, do not reign over literal mountains. They reign over kingdoms, which are often symbolized in the Scriptures by the word mountain. Thus the Prophet Micah could write:
“In the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain [kingdom] of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains [kingdoms], and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain [kingdom] of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.—Mic. 4:1-4
The Prophet Isaiah also foretold of that wonderful kingdom over which the glorified Jesus will reign: “For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.”—Isa. 9:6,7
The Scriptures also speak of the roaring of the sea and waves. (Isa. 60:5; Jer. 6:23) The Prophet Isaiah leaves no doubt in our minds that when these terms are used symbolically they refer to the restless, protesting masses of mankind. He says, “Ah, the thunder of many peoples, they thunder like the thundering of the sea! Ah, the roar of nations, they roar like the roaring of many waters!”—Isa. 17:12, RSV
In both the Old and New Testaments the word shake is used metaphorically. We are told that God intends “once more to shake the [symbolic] heavens and the earth” in the day of his wrath. The Prophet Haggai explains that it is the rulership exercised by the nations of earth that will be shaken, or removed. And the Apostle Paul confirms that it is the man-made social order of this present evil world that will be shaken, so “that those things [things eternal in the heavens] which cannot be shaken may remain.”—Hag. 2:6,7; Heb. 12:26,27; II Cor. 5:1
In symbolic prophecy, a city represents the seat of government of a kingdom. We have already seen that the heavens and the earth which are now represent the ruling ecclesiastical and civil powers of this present evil world. But the Revelator tells us this order of things will pass away, to be replaced by a glorious new heavens and a new earth, Christ’s millennial kingdom, whose seat of government will be the symbolic “holy city, the New Jerusalem.” This holy city of God will be composed of the overcoming church of this Gospel Age, which will rule over the earth, much as God’s typical kingdom, Israel, was ruled from the literal city of Jerusalem.—Rev. 21:1,2,9,10
To one not acquainted with the symbolic meaning of portions of the Scriptures, Psalm 46 could be unclear, even ominous. But when we understand the use of symbolic language in the Bible, how instructive, how comforting, and hope-inspiring this lovely passage becomes! Although it is partly a prophecy of the great time of trouble with which this present age shall end, it is also a beautiful, God-given guarantee to the Lord’s people that they will at all times be protected under the shadow of his wings. It also foretells the everlasting joy, peace, and perfect life with which the whole resurrected world of mankind will be blessed when God’s kingdom under the Christ is established in the earth.
Indeed, the promise of God’s overruling protection for his special people is deliberately and lovingly declared in the very first verse of the psalm: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” And because of that never-failing watchfulness by our Heavenly Father nothing can affright us: “Therefore will not we [his people] fear, though the earth [the ruling powers of this present evil world] be removed, and though the mountains [kingdoms of earth] be carried into the midst of the sea [swallowed up by the turbulent masses]; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled [the people become infuriated and violent], though the mountains [kingdoms] shake [are done away with in violent revolutions] with the swelling thereof.”
The psalmist then reminds us once more of the sure source of our comfort as we contemplate these trying days: “There is a river [God’s Word, a fountain of truth and grace], the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God [the embryonic kingdom of God, the church], the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High [the church wherein God is pleased to dwell]. God is in the midst of her [the church]; she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early [before the time of trouble reaches its climax].”
The psalmist then reverts to his account of the time of trouble. “The heathen [the nations, or people] raged, the kingdoms [earlier referred to in the psalm as mountains] were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted [the social order disintegrated].” But although the coming destruction will be great, the Lord’s people are again reassured: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.”
Then come the long-promised blessings of the kingdom. “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen [nations], I will be exalted in the earth.” And then that final, repeated sweet word of comfort to the church: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
It is interesting to observe that, in telling of the great time of trouble with which this present evil world is to end, Luke employs the same symbolic language as we have just seen used by both the psalmist and the Prophet Isaiah to describe that awesome period. Luke writes, “There shall be … upon earth distress of nations, with perplexity [no way out]; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” (Luke 21:24) As we noted earlier, this roaring of the sea and waves graphically pictures the rising dissatisfaction of the masses of the peoples of earth with their increasingly unhappy lot.
Hunger, oppression, and injustice of every description have long existed in the world. Sixteen centuries before the start of the Christian era, the Israelites suffered cruel bondage under the Pharaoh in Egypt. (Exod. 1:1-14; 3:7-10) As a result of the inequities and suffering endured by the less fortunate throughout the ages, the concept of sharing was long ago proposed by philosophers and statesmen. About 400 B.C., Plato, in his Republic, outlined a society based on the communal holding of property. In 1516, Sir Thomas More published his Utopia, picturing an ideal state where all is ordered for the best of mankind as a whole, and where the evils of society, such as poverty and misery, have been eliminated.
The Bible also records an attempt by certain early Christians to put these high principles into practice. Of these it is written, “Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” This noble effort failed, as have all similar efforts since, because of the greed and imperfection of fallen man.—Acts 4:34-37; 5:1-11
Figuratively speaking, the world is shrinking; it is increasingly becoming a single entity, so that what happens in one corner of the earth may cause repercussions in other parts of the world. Thus a drought in Canada or the United States may mean hunger or starvation to thousands in Africa or Asia. The production of food has increased in some areas of earth, but in other parts of the world the population has increased at an ever faster pace. Not surprisingly, therefore, the numbers of the undernourished and starving human beings in the world are also growing.
But the struggle by individuals and nations to escape injustice, oppression, and hunger goes on virtually all over the world, today. The increase of knowledge which the Bible tells us is a sign of our Lord Jesus’ second presence has made even the humblest human being in the remotest reaches of earth, aware of his desperate condition, and of the inability of the powers that be to better his lot. Thus, he has joined the ranks of those clamoring for a change. And the protests—the roarings of the sea and the waves—take different forms in different situations in different parts of the world.
Almost wherever one looks today there is violence, strife, hunger, tyranny, or armed conflict—and outcries and protests in one form or another for change. There is political turmoil in Central and South America; civil war in Angola; cruel racism in South Africa; violent protest against the ruling establishment in the Philippines; war between Iran and Iraq; chaos in Lebanon; religious violence in Northern Ireland; military subjugation of Poland and of Afghanistan, and the virtual enslavement of whole nations in Eastern Europe by Russia; riots in India; confrontation between North and South Korea; hostility between Taiwan and mainland China; millions of homeless, hungry people in Southeast Asia. Disheartening ghettos in varying degrees of dilapidation, and deplorable tin-and-cardboard shanty towns exist in or near most of the large cities of the world—with the mansions of the mighty often in provoking proximity.
Our own neighbor to the south is plagued with “a plunging standard of living, a huge foreign debt, increased crime in the streets, and rising accusations that Mexico’s one-party political structure is riddled with corruption. … Eyeing the mountain of problems, one senior politician comments: ‘If Mexico survives this crisis without a major uprising, it will be a miracle.’”—U.S. News & World Report, 2/13/84
Many of the poorer nations of the world have been compelled to borrow vast sums from the banks of the rich countries in order to supply their people with food and shelter. When pressed for repayment, the borrowing nations protest that to do so could destroy their economies, and present the risk of major political upheavals. This, of course, is diplomatic language for anarchy.
But it is perhaps the haunting fear of nuclear war with its Inevitable, awesome destruction that is the cause of the most widespread outcry by the people of many nations against the course being pursued by their perplexed and floundering leaders.
Some months ago, ABC broadcast its nuclear nightmare entitled, “The Day After.” Although, by force of circumstances, it presented but a mere sample of the naked horror that can result from even a single nuclear detonation in a single city, it has had incalculable impact on the thinking of people the world over. “‘The Day After’ has already emerged as the single biggest mobilizing point for the antinuclear movement, roused thunder from nuclear-freeze opponents, … and inspired a nationwide education debate about how to talk to children about the horrors of nuclear war.”—Newsweek, 11/21/83
Speaking of the nuclear threat, George F. Kennan, noted American diplomat, has stated that the superpowers “are simply writhing helplessly, at immense danger to themselves and to the world around them.” Writes Hedrick Smith (The New York Times, 11/20/83): “Imbedded in the public mood is a strain of dire pessimism and dismay that the logic of events may be dragging the world toward unspeakable disaster. … The American nuclear-tipped cruise missiles in Britain … were greeted by howls of protest in the House of Commons and by angry demonstrators outside the air base at Greenham Common where they were unloaded.”
Newsweek, 10/31/83, reports: “In London, 200,000 antiwar demonstrators poured into Hyde Park. Hundreds of thousands more marched in Rome, while in neutral Vienna 100,000 protesters filed through the streets. But it was in West Germany that last week’s campaign against the deployment of new American nuclear missiles in Europe reached its peak. More than one million Germans turned out on Saturday. Some of them formed a solid human chain between NATO military headquarters in Stuttgart and a Pershing missile base at Neu-Ulm, seventy miles away. Others swarmed to huge but peaceful rallies in Bonn, West Berlin, Hamburg and other cities.”
Similar demonstrations against nuclear armaments have been commonplace in the United States and other Western nations. But now protests are rising against the deployment of these hideous devices not only in the West, but even in Russian dominated Eastern Europe.” ‘I am eighteen. … I do not want to die’, said the letter to the editor. Another asked, ‘What kind of life awaits us?’ … These letters were printed not in West European newspapers, but in Czechoslovakia’s official communist daily, Rude Pravo.”—Time Magazine, 11 /21 /83
As it becomes ever clearer to the suffering world that the bewildered ruling authorities of earth are unable to resolve the problems of hunger, injustice, crime, immorality, pollution and wars, the Lord’s holy prophets indicate the clamor and tumult of the people will intensify, until finally “the earth [will] be removed, and … the mountains [will] be carried into the midst of the sea.”—Ps. 46:2,6; Luke 21:24,25
And just what is the import to a student of God’s precious Word of this varied and far-flung dissent and clamor? It is confirmation of our Lord’s second presence, and indicates the world has indeed entered into that great time of trouble which Jesus and the prophets of old foretold would bring this present evil social order to an end. It tells the Lord’s people that their Christian course is approaching its end, and the establishment of Christ’s millennial kingdom for the blessing of the world of mankind is near.
We are given this blessed assurance by none less than our Lord’s inspired servant, Luke. In his separate account of the time of trouble, Luke says, “There shall be … upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity [no way out]; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke then continues, “And when these things begin to come to pass … your redemption draweth nigh. … When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.”—Luke 21:15,26,28,31
We believe we see these things beginning to come to pass. We believe we are approaching the time for the establishment of God’s kingdom under Jesus and the glorified church, the “new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” foretold by the Apostle Peter, in which every man will love his neighbor as himself. (II Pet. 3:13) We believe the time is near when Jesus, as the Arm of Jehovah, will say to the raging seas, “Peace, be still!”—Mark 4:39
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the … [former] heaven and the … [former] earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”—Rev. 21:1-5
Think for a moment of God’s Ancient Worthies, of the prophets of old, of Peter, Paul, and John, who foretold and looked forward to this wonderful time! Think of the faithful, long-suffering footstep followers of Jesus all down through the long, trying days of the Gospel Age, who yearned and prayed for the coming kingdom! How thrilled beyond measure, how thankful to the Heavenly Father they would all have been to stand where we stand today, and to see what we are privileged to see!
Surely, we can hear the sweet voice of our dear Lord Jesus as he offers hope and encouragement to his footstep-followers in these closing days of the Gospel Age:
“Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them!”—Matt. 13:16,17