In the annals of human history the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as dependent on the will and prowess of man. The shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the Word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, behind, above, and through all the play and counterplay of human interests and power and passions, the agencies of the all-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.... {FLB 168.2}

I annalerne for menneskehistorien viser nationernes vækst, rigers oprejsning og fald, sig som afhængige af menneskers vilje og overlegenhed. I høj grad synes de kommende begivenheder at være bestemt af menneskers magt, ambition eller lune. Men i Guds Ord er forhænget trukket til side, og vi ser ind bagved, ud over og igennem menneskeinteressers, magts og lidenskabers spil og modspil, den al-barmhjertiges hjælpere, stille og tålmodigt udvirke plan for Hans egen vilje. . . .