Men Have Forgotten God

In the upcoming issue of Beyond Today, I ask a tough question: “Why does our world see such horrors as genocide, terrorism, mass murder, torture and serial killing? . . . No matter how much the evil committed in wars, riots, misgovernment and societal decline is decried, nothing really changes to improve it.”

This statement and others similar in nature currently occupy many of our thoughts. With the U.S. election just past, I know from letters, emails and phone calls that these and related subjects are on the minds of our ministers and members. In a time of restless uncertainty, where it seems that many rock-solid values are dissolving before our very eyes, we all need and want the assurance of hope that only the truth of God delivers.

For those not familiar with the precious truths taught by the United Church of God, my BT article goes into detail about the origins of evil and its solution—the return of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. But in this column, let’s consider further: in this present time of doubtful transition, the fears of many—even in our fellowship—are fanned by the dual intricacies of a national election fraught with controversy and a continuing pandemic that—as I write—is choking hospitals around the world. We face a decidedly uncertain time. But for many, that’s nothing new.

With this as a backdrop, it’s interesting to consider that in 2017 the Wall Street Journal declared a related global tragedy bred by humans ruling over humans to be the “greatest catastrophe in human history.” The Journal coverage here did not mention a pandemic, but instead spoke of a savage dictatorship, a foul totalitarian regime spawned in Russia in the name of theoretical communism, a corrupt system whose butcher’s bill would eventually claim the lives of more than 100 million people across the globe.

In the early aftermath of this bloody calamity, one insightful voice told the truth. Speaking in London in 1983, this voice declared: “More than half a century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: ‘Men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened’” (emphasis added throughout).

Many in our fellowship likely recognize these words. The London event was the 1983 presentation at Buckingham Palace of the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion. The recipient? The exiled receiver of the 1970 Nobel Prize for Literature, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.

For decades, at personal peril and much like an Old Testament prophet, Solzhenitsyn fearlessly condemned the advance of humanistic atheism. Ignoring those who found his words annoying—including many Soviet Communist leaders and even people in Western society—he valiantly championed a resurgence of spiritual renewal, a national turning back to God.

Today, many of us in the Church of God fellowship see firsthand the terrible outcome of a nation increasingly turning away from God and His revealed truth. In the United States, we see intolerable injustice. We see the values of a society built on the Ten Commandments being abandoned and broken up on the rocks of secularism. When people speak of God, they face derision and scorn.

We in the Church may find ourselves identifying with the prophet Habakkuk, as he directly demanded of God: “How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save” (Habakkuk 1:2, New Living Translation).

Does this ancient passage ring true today? “I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts” (verse 3, NLT, emphasis added throughout).

Yet, for us, it is deeply encouraging that our responsibility shines clear. As Jesus directed, even as society crumbles around us and darkness threatens, we are to cry aloud the truth of the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Isaiah 58:1). We are to fearlessly “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18, English Standard Version).

At the same time, we hold a solemn responsibility that was taught by Jesus and the apostles. Paul summed it up in his instructions to Timothy: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV). These supplications should include solemn prayer and fasting.

Why? “That we might lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” Such a life enables us to broadly preach the gospel using every means at our disposal, ancient and modern!

Peter, writing just a few years before his death and the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, makes it clear: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors” (1 Peter 2:13, ESV).

I have just finished going through the books of 1 and 2 Peter and the book of Jude for the students at Ambassador Bible College. I am sobered, humbled, and encouraged, all at the same time. The first epistle that Peter wrote includes a theme of facing persecution from without, a time when the Roman Emperor Nero did unspeakable things to Christians. Peter’s second epistle, as does Jude, includes a theme of trials from within. Jude, a human brother of Jesus Himself, warns Christians living then “to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches” (Jude 3-4, NLT).

But even in those trying times, there was hope, just as today there is hope. Let us find direction and spiritual strength in the words of Jude to us: “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love” (Jude 21-22, NLT).

As we wrap this up, let’s briefly look back. Summing up this age, even while speaking some 37 years ago, Solzhenitsyn got it right. Back then he thundered: “If I were called upon to identify briefly the principal trait of the entire 20th century, here too, I would be unable to find anything more precise and pithy than to repeat once again: ‘Men have forgotten God’” (emphasis Solzhenitsyn’s).

The Bible is plain. In the days ahead, humanity will reap the whirlwind.

But we have not forgotten God! And God will remember us (Malachi 3:16-18), preserving and directing us, even as Jesus promised, “be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, NLT).

In this time of national, even global uncertainty, let us hold fast this sure hope, standing firm on the foundation of real truth, the living Word of God!