What is the meaning of the awakening to world-consciousness of Africa,
the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and the nations of the Far East?
“‘LET
THE NATIONS BE ROUSED; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat,
for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side. Swing the
sickle, for the harvest is ripe . . . so great is their wickedness!’
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For THE DAY OF THE
LORD IS NEAR in the valley of decision.”
—Joel 3:12-14.
Today
Asia and Africa have aroused from sleep; they feel their strength and
are looking for their place in the sun, for a piece of a global economy.
Eastern Europe is seething. The republics of the former Soviet Union jostle
for position. Middle Eastern countries empowered by oil revenues are dramatically
enlarging their spheres of influence. As one ethnic or religious group
after another reaches for sovereignty, maps are out-of-date almost as
soon as they’re printed. We are witnessing perhaps the most widespread
awakening of individual nations in all of recorded history, “for
the day of the Lord is near.”
Today
Asia and Africa have aroused from sleep; they feel their strength and
are looking for their place in the sun, for a piece of a global economy.
Eastern Europe is seething. The republics of the former Soviet Union jostle
for position. Middle Eastern countries empowered by oil revenues are dramatically
enlarging their spheres of influence. As one ethnic or religious group
after another reaches for sovereignty, maps are out-of-date almost as
soon as they’re printed. We are witnessing perhaps the most widespread
awakening of individual nations in all of recorded history, “for
the day of the Lord is near.” 
