Greetings,
Tucked away among all the increasingly shocking events taking place in the world, are reports documenting human trafficking. Perhaps these reports are overshadowed by the immense volume of refugees moving out of the Middle East and North Africa into and across Europe. Human Trafficking is a modern term for slavery. It is something that is almost unthinkable in our modern world. Just as we try to get our heads around the atrocities committed within the growing Islamic power, we are confronted with another aspect of human behavior that, from our vantage point, is incomprehensible. How can humans treat their fellow human beings in such cruel, heartless and inhumane ways? But, unfortunately the exploitation of humans in this way is not new; only the magnitude may be new.
Modern human trafficking has evolved with two main purposes – forced labor and the sex industry. It would not be unreasonable to assume that as conditions continue to deteriorate and people’s lives become more desperate that these activities will only increase. Human suffering and misery is unfortunately a marker of the end time. There is a world dominating system coming that is very wealthy and the merchants of the earth profit through this system. “For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury” (Revelation 18:3). When God finally brings judgment upon this system, the merchants weep and mourn for what they have lost. Among the merchandise listed which formed the basis of their wealth is – “… and bodies and souls of men” (verse 13). The word “bodies” can be rendered “slaves” as the KJV does. Slavery is sadly a fact of life in the end time. Harsh treatment and cruel abuse are part of human trafficking. Many needy people live in fear as they struggle to survive and are easily exploited by ruthless traffickers who falsely promise hope to their victims.
Perhaps this devastating woe is something we can use to sharpen our focus on the meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles that we will be observing very soon. The Feast points us to a different time – a time when the world is free from oppression and fear. “… You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear” (Isaiah 54:14). People will be able to live in a secure environment, free from anxiety. “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, ‘Be strong, do not fear!’ Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you” (Isaiah 35:4). This does not mean we ignore the reality of the world, but it does mean we can give it a context that helps us appreciate the plan of our Father. It is a plan that will ultimately rescue everyone.
We need to think about a time when the hateful influence of an evil mind will be removed from the realm of man and replaced by the mind of God. “And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those around them who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God” (Ezekiel 28:26). We need to be thinking forward to a time when all the wrongs of this world are put right. There will be no more vulnerable people to exploit. “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. A day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn …” (Isaiah 61:1-2).
Perhaps we can – and should – use the deplorable conditions many people find themselves in to help us focus on the only true solution to the plight of man: the return of Christ and the Kingdom of God ruling over all mankind.
An “In The News” item has been posted on the website which contains links to a number of articles on the subject of human trafficking. They can be primers for us to pray fervently, “Thy Kingdom come!”.
Feast of Tabernacles
This week the activity and service schedules for both Oxnard and Tulsa were posted on the website under “Feast Plans 2015”. Additional comments for the German, Madagascar and Rwanda sites are included.
Sabbath services for this Sabbath will be streamed from Concord, CA.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
