Chapter 7
... And All Speaking the Same Language
Can you imagine a world of one language? Think back a little. One of the major barriers to mutual understanding and cooperation between peoples has been the language barrier. When one man cannot understand another -- he can't freely exchange ideas, philosophies, concepts, or opinions. And in translating, the personal rapport, the sense and feeling of what is being said, is lost.
If you have ever experienced talking to someone through an interpreter, you probably remember how awkward you felt.
Today, this world stands on the brink of cosmocide. Great races, having different languages, cannot seem to come to a meeting of minds. And different peoples' minds work differently.
A different language means a different culture, different music, different habits, different education, different values and standards, and a whole different approach to life.
Fantastic Illiteracy
Think what an almost unbelievable step forward it would be, if all peoples everywhere spoke, and read, and wrote the same language.
But today, vast areas of the earth do not even possess a written language. Millions upon millions are illiterate -- cannot read or write, even their own names.
Millions of others are sadly limited in expressing themselves, even in their own language -- and haven't bothered to learn the language of another people.
One of the great handicaps to free trade, to the exchange of ideas and cultural thought, is the language barrier.
If the language barrier were removed -- and everyone became totally literate -- with fine minds, grasping the same thoughts, capable of thinking the same terms, capable of understanding each other fully -- think of the huge changes that could be effected.
First, consider what a universal worldwide language would mean today, with the world cut off from God.
Evils would multiply. Universally there would be a new age in art and perverted literature (pornography), Godless education, Satan-inspired music -- such as the U.S. and Britain are spawning over the world now -- of quarreling and hostility and war between nations.
Such evils beginning at the Tower of Babel caused God to confound the languages, to prevent such evils from spreading through direct communication between peoples and nations.
But, in the world tomorrow with God's civilization established, and ruled by Christ -- what a blessing it will be.
Man was once bound together by a common tongue. But he used his knowledge for evil -- for an attempt to begin the very civilization that would end by destroying itself.
When God divided the languages at the tower of Babel, He was merely forestalling that eventual time of world chaos which even now threatens the annihilation of humanity.
But once the returning Christ conquers this earth, He will usher in an era of total literacy, total education -- and give the world one, new, pure, language.
This subject by itself needs a book to describe. The whole literary processes of the whole earth changed. Today, all languages are corrupt. They are literally filled with pagan, heathen terms -- superstition -- misnomers -- exceptions to rules -- peculiar idioms.
In our English language, Germanic in origin but with a great deal borrowed from Latin (either directly or through French) and other languages, there are many such terms we take for granted.
"Romance" comes from "Roman" -- because that's what the Romans did. People are called "lunatics" because of an old superstition that the moon (Latin luna) caused insanity. Some "thank their lucky stars," a holdover from astrology (which more and more of our "enlightened" society are turning to). Others even still use pagan curses such as "by Jove."
Our rockets (Thor, Agena, Atlas, Titan) are named after pagan gods and goddesses of the Greeks and Romans, and our space programs (Gemini, Apollo) are named the same way.
June brides want to get married under the sign of the ancient goddess of fertility (though it's not chic to have large families any more), and our days and months bear pagan names.
All languages have peculiarities of expression and grammatical oddities which cause misunderstandings and make them difficult for foreigners to learn. In most cases, even native speakers have problems with their own language, as Professor Higgins so astutely observed in My Fair Lady. Many are in sad need of spelling reform, English being probably the prime example ("ough" has about six different possible pronunciations). The modes of writing vary from Chinese, which still uses a form of picture writing, to a multiplicity of different alphabets, including Greek, Arabic, Sanskrit, Hebrew, and Russian. Something must be done.
God says, "For then will turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the [Eternal], to serve him with one consent" (Zephaniah 3:9).
Think of the new era of good literature, good music, and of the avoiding of duplicated effort, misunderstandings through linguistic difficulties and thousands of painstaking hours of translations. What an age it will be, when all the world becomes truly educated -- and speaks the same language.
What about the Economic Structure?
God shows Jerusalem will become the financial capital of earth.
The Creator says, of the newly built city, "Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea [the world's gold and silver reserves are mostly under the seas] shall be converted unto thee, the forces [wealth, margin] of the Gentiles shall come unto thee" (Isaiah 60:5).
And what vast wealth there is in the sea. The Dow Chemical Company, manufacturers of about 500 substances taken directly from seawater, say one cubic mile of seawater stores 175 million tons of dissolved chemicals worth five billion dollars.
Each cubic mile of seawater contains 93 million dollars worth of gold and eight and one-half million dollars worth of silver.
Each cubic mile contains seven tons of uranium, and enough other minerals, elements and chemicals in dissolution to make each cubic mile worth, in today's figures, five billion dollars.
It's been estimated the total value of the oceans would amount to one quintillion, five hundred quadrillion dollars.
A quadrillion dollars means a thousand trillion. And a trillion is one thousand billion. A billion is one thousand million. And a million is one thousand thousand. So a quintillion is one thousand quadrillions of dollars.
This is in the waters of the seas, alone. But, as you've already read, God Almighty says He'll raise many places now covered by waters of the oceans; that He'll make much more land available. Scientists know most of the earth's raw materials lie in the strata beneath the depths of the seas.
God says this vast wealth will become available for constructive use during the reign of Jesus Christ on this earth.
God says the wealth of the world will be centered in Jerusalem, and that the vast rebuilding programs, rehabilitation processes and new-age pioneering that begin will be backed by that wealth.
"... Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire [desirable things, margin] of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the [Eternal] of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the [Eternal] of hosts" (Haggai 2:6-8).
But God's great treasury will be for public display. No gold bricks, reposing in deep, subterranean vaults -- utterly useless except for their meaning -- no fear of thievery, or robbery. But breathtakingly beautiful decorations for the capital building, the temple in which Christ will dwell.
The gold standard will be set up; and values will never change.
No more speculating or gambling on other people's ability. Never again will any person become rich from investing in the labors and creative ability of another person. No more stock markets, world banks, financing centers, insurance companies, mortgage companies, loan agencies, or time payments.
In God's abundant Government people will buy only what they need, when they can afford it, when they have the cash to pay for it. No more interest. And no more taxes.
But the tithing system will be universal. Today's governments demand up to 40, 50, and even 90 percent in inheritance taxes, income taxes, hidden taxes; federal, state, county, school board, and city taxes.
But God requires only ten percent. And out of that ten percent will be financed the entire governmental, educational, and spiritual leadership of the whole earth.
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? [And God answers] In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the [Eternal] of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:8-10). That's a prophecy for now.
And what a blessing that will be. None of the financial burdens that curse most peoples today.
People will not, then, try to "keep up with the Joneses," so they will not try to live beyond their means.
They will be educated to resist impulse buying, and lustful acquisition of various gadgets, toys, playthings, and luxury items that they can't afford, and don't need.
Take the commercialism of various holidays away -- expose the true origin of pagan holidays -- and people would have more money for the essentials of life that really count.
Reduce the really big expenses in most people's homes; take away all the taxes, real and hidden. Take away property taxes, school taxes (since all education will then be handled by the Family of God, and the physical family of Levi) and all other taxes; cut down totally on any medical bills (only small fees for first aid, or child delivery, or necessary physical helps), and insure no one ever again signs a 36-month contract at up to 35 or 40 percent interest on an ancient used car that falls apart while the buyer still owes more than the car is worth.
Do these things, and the financial curses under which most people live will be healed.
God says financial blessings are to become the order of the day.
Take away thievery, robbery, accidents, weather damage, rust, rot and decay, from plants, stores, manufacturing concerns. How much less could merchandise then sell for -- and at how much greater profits?
Take away weather problems, insect damage, blight and fungus from farmers -- losses through government price controls and overflooding of markets -- and what would be their lot in life?
Take away massive, assembly-line production of cheap, flimsy automobiles, and what would that do to solve the traffic snarls, the smog problems, the collisions and loss of life and the whole social and economic picture?.
God will accomplish these things. How will He do so? First, by changing the nature of human beings; changing their outlook toward life, removing their lust and selfishness, their covetousness and greed that drives them onward toward material goals.
And how will that be done? By putting away the super-powerful Satan, the prince of the power of the air -- the spirit being that now is working in deceived, misled, human beings (Eph. 2:2; Rev. 20:1-3). Satan is the source of what is called human nature, which humans acquire from him.
James says, "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" (James 4:5). And Jeremiah was inspired to write, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).
Human nature covets. It lusts for the things money can buy. It longs for prestige, recognition, admiration and popularity. It lusts for power, position, wealth.
Ask any segment of our modern-day populations what they desire most in life, and they'll almost invariably answer, "money"! Actually, they want the things money can buy. They know prestige and recognition come through the acquisition of material goods. They know most people evaluate other people by what they possess -- by the kind of clothing they wear, the kind of home in which they live, the kind of automobiles they drive, and the material goods they possess.
No wonder God says, "... godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (I Timothy 6:6-8).
Christ commanded, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).
He said, "Therefore take no [anxious, worried, concerned] thought, saying, What shall we eat? or ... Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God [His soon-coming, righteous Government on this earth, which very Government, and its results this book is explaining], and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:31-33).
Notice. It is not a sin to be rich. But it is a sin to covet riches, or to put your heart on material things.
Our God is a multi-billionaire heavenly Father. "The gold is mine ..." He says (Hag. 2:8). And God wants every child of His to truly prosper. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health ..."(III John 2). Christ said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
God wants fullness, abundance in every life. But look at the material "successes" you've known. How truly happy are they? As J. Paul Getty, one of the world's richest men, is reputed to have said, "I'd give all my millions for just one happy marriage!"
In God's Kingdom, these commands of His will be obeyed. They'll become the standard for regulating commerce, business, finance, and the entire economic structure of the world.
And all will be on the giving basis. Christ said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38).
The giving standard will be followed in God's rule on this earth -- not the grasping, conniving, striving, deceitful, clandestine, furtive, scurrilous, devious, cheating and lying chicanery that is commonplace in today's business world.
Look at the corruption in the world through lust for money. It's no wonder God says, "... they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all evils [correct translation] ..." (I Timothy 6:9-10).
But when God converts rebellious mankind by the display of His mighty power -- when He brings to pass His promise; "As I live, saith the [Eternal], every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God" (Romans 14:11), when He humbles the vain, proud spirit of man -- then man will be made willing to give.
IN TOMORROW'S WORLD an understanding of the biological and the botanical realms will be based on the laws of God set in motion at creation, not on the theory of evolution.
And until God breaks the haughty spirit of man (Isaiah 2:10-12,17) -- the peoples of earth will not be ready to accept such a wonderful, loving, generous, honest, giving standard for the whole economy.
It would require a thick book to begin to describe the wonderful conditions which could prevail on this earth -- and which will finally prevail, when the human heart is humbled, converted -- given the very nature of God (II Peter 1:4).
Never again will anyone build a building he can't afford, and doesn't need, to lease and rent to tenants who help him pay for it. No more interest. God says it is sin to lend money at "usury" or interest.
Once each fifty years, all debts, public and private, will be cancelled, completely.
Since governments will be in the hands of the spiritual Family of God, and partially administered by those human leaders directly under that great ruling Family -- and since there will be no huge bureaus watching other huge bureaus, which are suspiciously watching other bureaus; no military establishment; no "intelligence" (spy) agencies or members of Interpol; no huge cartels, monopolies, unions, or giant government spending -- the economy of the world will be healed.
Think of it. No more foreign aid -- none of the wasted billions to buy "lovers" (allies) (Ezekiel 23:9, 22; Lamentations 1:2, 19; Ezekiel, 16th chapter) who turn and rend you later. No more strings-attached government grants to industry, to science and space technology, to schools and institutions for research.
Instead, every necessary industry, educational institution, and business will be in sound financial condition. What a world that will be!
Final Summation
Statesmen, scientists, educators know the only hope for survival and for peace is one world government. We could quote many scores of world leaders affirming this.
We could quote other scores of world leaders saying it is impossible.
So it's "world government -- or annihilation" on the one hand, and it's "world government is impossible" on the other hand.
That is the stark paradox of terror facing all mankind today. No wonder God Almighty says "the way of peace have they not known" (Rom. 3:17).
But what man cannot do for himself, the Great Living God will do for him. World government -- perfect government -- is coming in our time, in the hands of the Great Ruling Christ, and unnumbered thousands of Co-Rulers given immortality with and under Him.
And that good news is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ is to inherit the world throne (Luke 1:32-33), which God had promised to David would never cease on this earth (II Samuel 7:13). Jesus said, before Pilate, it was for this express purpose that He was born (John 18:36-37).
Jesus constantly preached the good news about the coming Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23; 6:10; 7:21; Mark 1:15; 4:11; 14:25; Luke 4:43; 8:10; 9:2, 11, 62, etc.). He pictured Himself as the young nobleman going away (to heaven) to be coronated, and to return to earth (Luke 19:12-27).
Repeatedly Jesus said He would return to earth (Matthew 24:27, 30-31, 42; 25:13; Mark 13:26; Luke 12:42-43; 17:24; 18:8; 19:12; 21:27; John 14:3, etc.). "If I go and prepare a place [position, office, habitation] for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3). He will then be on the earth -- Zechariah 14:3-4 with I Thessalonians 4:16.
The living Christ is coming in all the power and glory of Almighty God, as "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:11-21), to put down the rebellion of warring nations (Revelation 17:14), and establish God's world-ruling Government over all nations (Daniel 2:44; 7:9,13-14, 18, 22, 27; Isaiah 9:7).
No wonder the whole hope of a true Christian is the resurrection (Acts 23:6; 24:15) to immortality -- eternal life -- as a co-ruler, under Christ. Jesus said: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron ..." (Revelation 2:26-27). And again, "to him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne [on this earth] ..." (Revelation 3:21; Luke 1:32-33). And "... we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10).
The Apostle John, in vision, saw a preview of the beginning of that rule and world government: "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them ... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4).
Jesus said no one could see or enter into the Kingdom of God until he is born of God (John 3:3-5). He made plain when one is born of God, he, just as God is, will be Spirit. We have now, as humans, been born of flesh -- and therefore we are flesh. But God is Spirit (John 4:24, Revised Standard Version), and when we are born of God -- of the Spirit -- we shall be Spirit (John 3:6-8). Now, we are earthy -- of the earth (I Corinthians 15:48). We are "flesh and blood" from the earth -- from matter (verse 50) -- yet flesh and blood humans cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (same verse). But, as we have borne the image of the earthy -- mortal -- human -- we shall, when born of God, bear the image of the heavenly that is, spirit (verse 49).
Jesus Christ is the firstborn of many brethren (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18) who shall be born of God "by a resurrection" (John 5:25-29; 6:39, 40, 44).
Christ, the King of kings. Perfect in character, absolute in honesty, integrity, faithfulness, loyalty and trust; filled with outgoing concern for the governed -- their welfare and salvation; total knowledge, understanding, wisdom. Complete love, mercy, patience, kindness, compassion, forgiveness. Yet, possessing total power, and never compromising one millionth of an inch with His perfect law -- which is the way of love. He will enforce God's Law -- God's Government on earth. He will compel haughty, carnal, rebellious humans to yield in complete submission to God's Government.
No one will be deceived -- as the vast majority of mankind is today. All will know the truth. No more religious confusion. Eyes will be opened to the truth. Humans will become teachable. People will start living God's Way -- the way of outgoing concern for others -- the way of the true values -- the way of peace, of happiness, of well-being, of joy.
Crime, sickness, disease, pain and suffering, gone. Poverty, ignorance banished. Smiles on people's faces -- faces that radiate. Wild animals tame. Air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, gone. Crystal pure water to drink; clean, crisp, pure air to breathe; rich black soil where deserts, mountains and seas formerly were, producing full-flavored foods, and fantastic beauty in flowers, shrubs, trees. A world filled with happy radiating humans, guided, helped, protected, and ruled by former mortals made immortal -- and all the humans realizing that they, too, may inherit everlasting life in supreme happiness and thrilling joy.
What a fabulous picture! For further reading on topics briefly discussed in this book, the following titles by Herbert W. Armstrong are available in booklet form free of charge: "Does God Exist?", "The Seven Laws of Success", "Why Were You Born?", "What Do You Mean -- Born Again?", "What Is The True Gospel?"