It was the largest power failure ever in North America. In the span of a few seconds, electrical power to 50 million people was suddenly suspended without warning. Windowless offices and stores were suddenly plunged into darkness. Millions of whirring motors in freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners and countless other devices, spun to a stop. Computer screens instantly went dark. ATM's failed to function; leaving many people cash-strapped at the very time of emergency when they may have needed quick cash. Perpetually running factory assembly lines and printing presses screeched to a halt. Potentially life-threatening situations developed very quickly as some cities even lost drinking water, and hospitals were forced to resort to emergency backup generators. Some people were stranded in elevators between floors, while, on the streets, disabled traffic lights at thousands of intersections caused massive traffic jams and accidents. By its sudden absence, the invisible electromotive force that powers the world gave everyone time to reflect upon how dependent we are on an undependable system. The electrical grid is just one of many crucial systems that make up what the Scriptures calls the present system of things. There are various other systems of physical infrastructure, as well as institutions, like the vast transportation network; water treatment and sewage systems; education systems, as well as an intricately interwoven governmental and economic system. As civilization becomes more complex, our very lives become more and more dependent upon the intricacies of the system of things. Just how dependent we have become is brought home to us in dramatic fashion when a shorted-out power line can instantaneously affect millions of persons living hundreds of miles away. Fortunately for the people affected, the blackout only lasted a relatively short while before power was restored. But sober minds realize that it is not at all out of the realm of possibility that the entire earthwide system could collapse very quickly—as the Bible foretells. To illustrate how vulnerable the world is, the phenomenon known as an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) has the power to instantly destroy every non-hardened electrical device over a vast area. Merely one nuclear warhead exploded high up in the atmosphere may not even directly affect people on the ground by the heat and radiation of the blast, but a short intense pulse of energy from the bomb, racing at the speed of light, can simply fry delicate electrical circuitry on an entire continent. Even automobiles are rendered immobile by the effects of EMP. In the event of all-out war, military strategy would naturally dictate that the nuclear powers would move to destroy the vulnerable electrical infrastructure of the enemy nations. (The military and governments have taken steps to "harden" their electrical circuitry to shield it from EMP.) But, whether the nations will resort to nuclear EMP remains to be seen. Certainly, though, that is merely one of this system's many vulnerabilities. At any rate, the Bible's prophets have unquestionably foretold that this world will eventually be dealt a catastrophic blow and that only Jehovah will be able to offer salvation from the calamity. The book of Isaiah is one such prophecy that foretells of a visitation of disaster upon the present world. The 24th chapter foretells, among other things, that, as "the army of the height in the height," the demons will be led off as prisoners to a dungeon of detention "and after an abundance of days they will be given attention." Incidentally, since that prophecy was written long before Revelation foretold that the Devil would be sealed in an abyss, and thereafter executed, knowing their fate, it is probably why the demons begged Jesus when he was on the earth not to send them to the abyss prematurely. The last verse of the 24th chapter of Isaiah, which says that Jehovah becomes King in Mount Zion "in front of his elderly men with glory," also harmonizes with Revelation that describes a symbolic grouping of 24 elders and 144,000 priests standing with Christ before Jehovah in heavenly Mount Zion. In the context of the coming of Christ's kingdom and God's judgments against the demons, Isaiah's prophecy foretells that the world will experience an astonishing desolation. Isaiah 24:10-12 says: "The deserted town has been broken down; every house has been shut up from entering. There is an outcry in the streets for want of wine. All rejoicing has passed away; the exultation of the land has departed. In the city an astonishing condition has been left behind; the gate has been crushed to a mere rubble heap." As the 24th chapter of Isaiah indicates, it is during the time of distress upon this system when Jehovah gathers his anointed ones, as if harvested like olives. Verses 13-15 read: "For thus it will become in the midst of the land, in among the peoples, like the beating off of the olive tree, like the gleaning when the grape gathering has come to an end. They themselves will raise their voice, they will cry out joyfully. In the superiority of Jehovah they will certainly cry out shrilly from the sea. That is why in the region of light they must glorify Jehovah, in the islands of the sea the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel." In harmony with Isaiah, Jesus similarly foretold that during the blackness of the tribulation, when the moon turns to blood and the stars fall from the heavens for this old system, or as Isaiah 24:23 says: "The full moon has become abashed, and the glowing sun has become ashamed," that is when the angels will go forth to gather his chosen ones from the four winds of the earth. Along with the detailed sign of his presence and the conclusion of the system of things, Jesus also gave his disciples a parable concerning the wise and foolish virgins. There is an interesting side note to the recent blackout in New York City. One woman who worked in a high rise building started carrying a flashlight in her purse after the 9-11 tragedy. Because she had thought ahead and prepared she was able to find her way down out of the darkened building during the blackout. That is very similar to the lesson that Christ taught concerning the five wise virgins who took along extra oil in their lamps; as opposed to the five foolish virgins, who took their lamps but neglected to take a reservoir of oil with which to replenish their lamps. According to Jesus' illustration, the bridegroom's delay extended well into the night, so that as a consequence, all of the virgins nodded and fell to sleep; only to be startled awake by the stirring call that the groom had finally arrived. When the foolish virgins realized that their oil was spent and that they couldn't make it through the gloom to the place where the bridegroom was waiting for them, and that the others could not spare any of their oil, they went off to fill their lamps and consequently missed out on the marriage. According to the Watchtower's present interpretation, the bridegroom, Jesus, came in the year 1914 and that is when the foolish virgins were left behind and the door to the wedding feast was permanently closed. However, according to the chronology of events laid out in the 19th chapter of Revelation, the marriage of the Lamb definitely takes place after Babylon the Great is destroyed, but immediately before the final war of Armageddon. Besides, how could the door to the marriage feast have been closed so long ago when even the most senior of the anointed ones living today were more than likely anointed some time after 1914? And another thing: At Matthew 25:13, Jesus concluded his parable of the wise and foolish virgins by saying: "Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day or hour." If Christ arrived in 1914, why should Christians even bother remaining on the watch for him now? As Jesus' parable indicates, Christ's arrival will require that his disciples have spiritual insight in themselves, which is evidently what the lamp oil represents. But, rather than provide us with the needed insights into the future arrival of the bridegroom, the Watchtower's insistence that Christ already came in 1914 has actually served to blind us to the reality of his future presence. Moreover, it seems improbable that the Watchtower will come to terms with their grievous misinterpretation of the prophecies before the critical time arrives. Indeed, the five foolish virgins most likely represent a class of anointed Witnesses that will prove to be unprepared for the crucial time when Jesus actually arrives. In order for each prospective heir of the kingdom to prove their worth under trial, it follows the Scriptural pattern, that, momentarily at least, each must stand alone upon their own faith and not as part of the organization. So, the recent blackout ought to serve as a timely reminder of not only just how fragile our world is, and how startlingly quick it can be brought down, but also of the need to wisely prepare ourselves spiritually for whatever the future brings. Copyright © 2003, by Robert King |