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Prophets and Kings
that the earth should be inhabited by beings whose existence would
be a blessing to themselves and to one another, and an honor to their
Creator. All who will may identify themselves with this purpose. Of
them it is spoken, “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall
show forth My praise.”
Isaiah 43:21
.
In His law God has made known the principles that underlie all true
prosperity, both of nations and of individuals. To the Israelites Moses
declared of this law: “This is your wisdom and your understanding.”
“It is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life.”
Deuteronomy 4:6
;
32:47
. The blessings thus assured to Israel are, on the same conditions
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and in the same degree, assured to every nation and to every individual
under the broad heavens.
Hundreds of years before certain nations came upon the stage of
action, the Omniscient One looked down the ages and predicted the rise
and fall of the universal kingdoms. God declared to Nebuchadnezzar
that the kingdom of Babylon should fall, and a second kingdom would
arise, which also would have its period of trial. Failing to exalt the
true God, its glory would fade, and a third kingdom would occupy its
place. This also would pass away; and a fourth, strong as iron, would
subdue the nations of the world.
Had the rulers of Babylon—that richest of all earthly kingdoms—
kept always before them the fear of Jehovah, they would have been
given wisdom and power which would have bound them to Him and
kept them strong. But they made God their refuge only when harassed
and perplexed. At such times, failing to find help in their great men,
they sought it from men like Daniel—men who they knew honored
the living God and were honored by Him. To these men they appealed
to unravel the mysteries of Providence; for though the rulers of proud
Babylon were men of the highest intellect, they had separated them-
selves so far from God by transgression that they could not understand
the revelations and the warnings given them concerning the future.
In the history of nations the student of God’s word may behold the
literal fulfillment of divine prophecy. Babylon, shattered and broken
at last, passed away because in prosperity its rulers had regarded
themselves as independent of God, and had ascribed the glory of their
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kingdom to human achievement. The Medo-Persian realm was visited
by the wrath of Heaven because in it God’s law had been trampled
underfoot. The fear of the Lord had found no place in the hearts of the