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Bible Correspondence Course Lesson 3
1954, 1965 Edition
Where Is the Arms Race Leading?
About Our Cover ...
Man has already stockpiled enough destructive power to
destroy all living things on this planet! Yet the arms race
continues!
Now a RE-ARMED Germany -- an old enemy revived by American
dollars -- appears to be regaining its power in the heartland of
Europe.
Our cover pictures the strength of two ancient enemies
turned allies. German and French troops take part in joint
maneuvers. Notice that the distinctive "Iron Cross" of Germany is
emblazoned on each tank. The Germans have long felt a "divine
mission" to unite Europe. You will want to know what God reveals
about Germany in Bible prophecy! [Please see editor's note at end of lesson]
THE WORLD TODAY
Make no mistake! -- World War III is on the way. This cold
war is the lull before the storm. It will DECIDE WHO WILL RULE
the world.
WHY A HOT WORLD WAR III IS COMING!
World War I was supposed to have been fought to end all
wars. But it did not produce a DECISIVE outcome. The nations did
not have the POWER with which to slaughter their competitors into
submission. But NOW they have this POWER -- and MUCH to spare --
in the form of the hydrogen bomb and other devices!
World War I of 1914 and World War II -- in which four times
as many were killed as in War I -- were only flashes in the pan!
They were only the forerunners of the UTTER DESTRUCTION which is
soon to break SUDDENLY upon the nations! The contenders for world
rule will not abandon their quest. That's why God says "WATCH"
(Luke 21:36).
This is a command from God. Let us therefore examine the
backgrounds of the ambitious contestants who would rule or ruin
this earth. Your very life may well depend upon your being
CONVINCED of the deadly seriousness with which gangster nations
are out to attain their goal. You need more zeal in studying
God's way of ESCAPE revealed in the coming lessons of the
Ambassador College Bible Correspondence Course.
Here are some amazing excerpts and comments which reveal to
you the bulldogged determination and diabolical cleverness with
which each pretender has settled down to attain his aim --
kingship over this earth -- the office that rightly belongs to
CHRIST!
Russia's Plot
Is Russia planning to conquer the WORLD? Hear the facts
revealed by Marek Korowicz, a member of Communist Poland's
delegation to the United Nations, the day after he escaped from
his Communist overlords. He revealed that the Master Plan of the
Soviet Union is to CONQUER THE WORLD BETWEEN 1970 AND 1980 --
only a few years from now! -- but without an IMMEDIATE war.
The Polish escapee said, "The Kremlin feels that under
PRESENT circumstances war is not the best way to achieve their
aims." And why should she, AT THE PRESENT, change her tactics?
Her COLD WAR strategy, by November, 1954, placed her in position
to win HALF THE WORLD by a partnership deal with Communist China.
The deal went through. All Asia is the price. These facts about
the cold war were reported by "U.S. News and World Report"
magazine.
The Communists are a WELL-ORGANIZED group. They will pursue
their purpose of achieving world rule until either they or their
enemies are blasted into oblivion!
Let's examine their BACKGROUND and GROWTH. In 1905 the Czar
was the chief banker and chief industrialist of Russia. The
government and the imperial family owned two thirds of all the
land in Russia. The prodigious power of the Czarist government
was used to maintain a system based on special privilege. Then in
1917 came Lenin's Bolshevists -- the small beginning of present
Communism. The Bolshevist Reds took over the government. One form
of dictatorship had merely been substituted for another and more
violent one.
Stalin and his slaughtering Communist henchmen became the
head of a whole series of power pyramids -- groups of men with
other men over them -- which dictated the rule of Russia and her
satellites as she gradually acquired them by devious means. In
1946 Stalin announced a vast military program. Since that time
there has been no let-up in military preparations for WORLD
CONQUEST. When Stalin's death came, there was scarcely a ripple
in government, except a few more murders were executed in the
change-over. The basic policy -- world conquest -- has continued
until this day. Prophecy shows it will continue till Christ
comes.
In their mad scramble for power, these leaders have
skillfully woven the most exalted-SOUNDING altruistic motives
into a code of subjection to a godless human dictatorship. In the
NAME of liberation they ENSLAVE millions. They MURDER those who
resist. They terrorize the rest. Behind the bamboo curtain alone,
over TWENTY MILLION have been reported KILLED within the last few
years. This they have done in a FOREIGN land! THIS GROUP IS OUT
TO RULE THE WORLD! The "New York Times" of February 22, 1956,
reports Communist China has sent one million five hundred
thousand slave laborers to the Soviet Union and her Eastern
European satellites.
"Capitalism" is made the goat to cover a grab for world
rule. In a booklet put out by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
entitled "Communist Infiltration in the U.S." it is stated,
"Communism is an organized and even WORLD movement -- it holds
that capitalism must die in the throes of bloody revolution."
Revolution inciting they prefer, but if the inciting of bloody
revolution does not succeed by their DEADLINE date of 1970-1980,
then they are PREPARING TO USE THE FORCE OF RUTHLESS WAR to
overcome us -- the only obstacle THEY see between them and their
goal!
In the meantime they sweep onward toward their objective.
Paul Blanchard, in his book, "Communism, Democracy, and Catholic
Power", states, "The Kremlin ... has learned to conquer nations
without majorities [without the desire of the majority] by using
the methods of infiltration and combination."
On Russia marches, through one country after another.
Apparently nothing will stop her. But WE CAN KNOW HER END!
You need to learn to connect today's news with events of
prophecy that are being fulfilled at this very moment. You will
find that THIS Bible Correspondence Course DOES tell you THE
TRUTH!
Germany about to SHOCK the World Again!
Down through the ages the Assyrians, the ancestors of modern
Germany, called themselves the "Herrenvolk" -- the "MASTER RACE."
Today the term is still used among themselves. Has TODAY'S
Germany given up the idea of achieving this dream?
The keynote of what lies in the Germanic mind was voiced in
1950. Then, according to T. H. Teten's book "Germany Plots with
the Kremlin", Dr. Adenauer, the leader of Germany, caused much
embarrassment by leading a German crowd in singing "Deutschland
ber Alles" -- "GERMANY ABOVE ALL OTHERS" -- in the presence of
Allied representatives. WHY was this thought lurking in his mind?
Here is the PRESENT GERMAN ATTITUDE
"No defeat is final. Defeats are simply lessons to be
learned in PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT AND GREATER ATTACK," said
German General von Stuelpnagel in 1944. Furthermore, he stated,
"In the NEXT WORLD WAR, which should take place WITHIN 25 YEARS,
the same mistake should not be made. The principal ADVERSARY WILL
BE THE UNITED STATES, and the entire effort MUST be concentrated
against this country from the beginning ... our defeat in the
present war need not be considered except as an incident in the
triumphal march of Germany TOWARD CONQUEST OF THE WORLD" --
Deutschland uber Alles!
Twice already Germany has attempted to seize world rule. And
twice we have prevented her from achieving it. This time she WILL
MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT AROUND!
And then, having conquered the United States, what is her
next step? -- who will be the only great military power left?
Russia? And doesn't it lie EAST of Germany? Listen! Hitler told
us of the next step in the carefully laid German military plan to
rule the world when he expounded the thesis in "Mein Kampf". He
said that Germany must FIRST DEFEAT THE WEST in order to have a
free hand for the "Drang Nach Osten" -- the march toward the EAST
-- toward Russia! How PERFECTLY all this accords with revealed
prophecy! Hitler was following this SAME plan in the last World
War until Russia ceased to supply him with oil to further his war
effort, and he was forced to turn upon her to attempt to seize
oil from her.
By now it should be evident to all that Germany is out to
conquer the world. As it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for YOUR
PERSONAL SAFETY that you be convinced on this point, let's
examine further overwhelming evidence. Let's examine the amazing
tenacity with which GERMANY has set out METHODICALLY to achieve
her goal of world rulership.
Fifty-seven years ago leading German industrialists founded
a society which they called the PAN GERMAN LEAGUE. Its slogan was
Deutschland ber alles!" -- Germany over all. They utilized the
trademark "Made in Germany" as proof of German superiority.
Behind their commercial and business methods was a central,
PERMANENT strategy -- with the GOAL OF CONQUERING THE WORLD! It
was they who were largely responsible for inducing the Kaiser to
enter World War I. It was they who were behind World War II.
Cooperating with the German militarists and the SECRET MOVEMENT
started by General Ludendorff, who selected Adolph Hitler as his
stooge and protg, these same industrialists financed the Nazi
movement and actually elevated Hitler to power. (Senator
Kilgore's report to the Senate Military Affairs Committee calls
attention to this fact.) HITLER WAS MERELY A TOOL. He was the
rabble-rouser they needed to sway the masses of German people to
get behind their fanatical plot for world rule. MANY BELIEVE
HITLER TO BE ALIVE TODAY.
PHOTO: Only a few German war criminals were brought to trial for
their crimes. Immediately after World War II Nazi leaders went
underground. In future lessons you will learn more of the details
regarding the sudden, totally unexpected revival of Germany as a
world power. You will want to know what Germany will do -- AND
WHEN!
The world heard and saw Hitler. But his REAL promoters and
backers kept in the background. If Hitler failed in this second
round of World War, they planned to let him shoulder the blame
before the world, and KEEP THEMSELVES FREE TO SECRETLY PLOT THE
THIRD ROUND -- WORLD WAR III! This coming war!
So it was those industrial barons who met together to take
action in mid-May, 1943. They knew Hitler's war was probably
lost. They realized the time had come for them to once again go
UNDERGROUND -- to throw all guilt of World War II on Hitler just
as they had thrown that of the first round -- World War I -- on
the Kaiser.
From that time until now German industrialists have led a
double life. To the world's view, they have become merely private
businessmen. BUT SECRETLY THEY ARE COLLABORATING FULLY WITH THE
OUTLAWED NAZIS! Their job is to keep German industry ready to
produce the weapons and munitions for the THIRD war. Their
mission is to FINANCE the new movement, BY WHATEVER NEW NAME THEY
MAY CALL IT, whenever the time is ripe.
Here are the facts on how one GREAT INDUSTRIALIST, for an
EXAMPLE, has carried out his part in this plan. It is the hoax of
multi-millionaire industrialist Fritz Thyssen. It is revealed in
the book, "The Nazis Go Underground", written by Curt Riess. At
the BEGINNING (note the extreme cleverness) of War II, Thyssen
was sped into neutral Switzerland proclaiming loudly that Hitler
had duped him into financing the Nazi party, and then, once in
power, Hitler had double-crossed and confiscated his wealth, and
left him poor. The Nazis went through the PRETENSE of removing
Thyssen from their party. Thyssen wrote a book about his "shabby"
treatment at their hands. BUT when the Nazis invaded France
later, where Thyssen was, the very Nazis who were SUPPOSED to
hate him left him unmolested and soon he was back in Berlin WHERE
THE NAZIS WERE, living in luxury. The whole RUSE was to DECEIVE
THE ALLIED NATIONS into placing CONFIDENCE in Thyssen in event of
an Allied victory so he could supply them with funds for War III.
Today, thanks to this deeply laid plan and others like it, Krupp
and many other outstanding German businessmen are actively
establishing great factories all over the world to finance WORLD
WAR III. The Nazi plans are well laid.
THE NAZIS WENT UNDERGROUND, MAY 16, 1943! -- two years
BEFORE THE WAR ENDED! The German generals, scientists,
industrialists, bankers, and others knew that War II was lost. So
at that time they organized themselves FOR THE FUTURE. The most
thoroughly organized secret government of modern history began to
function -- UNDERGROUND! Today the Nazis are WORKING FEVERISHLY
on ultramodern weapons and other projects. In 1951 Dr. Adenauer,
ex-chancellor of West Germany, admitted the presence of 134
former Nazis, who served under Hitler, IN HIGH ECHELONS in his
Bonn government.
Today you hear much of a UNITED STATES OF EUROPE. Where does
it fit into Germany's plan for world conquest?
Dr. Adenauer and his press reveal that Germany regards the
creation of a United Europe as the first step in the erection of
a Third Power bloc. In 1950, Dr. Adenauer wrote, "A federated
Europe will become a Third Force in the world." Later he said,
"No one has MORE TO GAIN through the unification of Europe than
the Germans who are the MOST NUMEROUS and MOST DYNAMIC among the
nations west of the U.S.S.R. [Russia]." Dr. Adenauer here shows
that GERMANY desires a United States of EUROPE and points out
that she WILL NATURALLY LEAD it once it is formed.
WE know what her plan is. WE know HOW the United States of
Europe will be used by her to attempt world domination. PROPHECY
shows 10 Kings -- TEN DICTATORS -- will arise in Europe and GIVE
THEIR POWER TO GERMANY. Now you are beginning to link prophecy
with world events -- the very END-TIME events which are now being
fulfilled before your very eyes.
The Vatican Enters the Scene
Does Germany have any plans for receiving the aid of a Great
Church in helping her achieve world domination? The "Madrid
Circular Letter." which reflects the thinking of those in
authority in Germany, states, "The German people, well-trained
and steeled under national socialist leadership, are dominated by
two sovereign ideas: the concept of a German Reich, and Germany's
mission of LEADERSHIP IN THE WORLD ... the RELIGIOUS tradition
embodied in the concept of the Reich, sparks our POLITICAL
mission and is ESPECIALLY ATTRACTIVE WITHIN THE CATHOLIC WORLD."
The GERMAN IDEA OF THE ACHIEVEMENT OF WORLD RULE PLEASES THE
CATHOLIC WORLD GREATLY! Now let's see WHY this is so. It affects
our lives -- YOUR life -- much more than you probably realize!
On February 10, 1952, in his pontifical exhortation, the
POPE SAID, "THE WHOLE WORLD MUST BE REBUILT from its
foundations." Secretly the Vatican diplomats are laying the
foundations of a PROGRAM that WILL REMAKE WESTERN CIVILIZATION!
It has to be PLANNED SECRETLY so it will not be discovered until
it is too late to stop it! The Vatican contends that peace can be
maintained only by a CATHOLIC DOMINATED international
organization which has IRON TEETH TO CRUSH OPPOSITION.
"This organization," said Pope Pius in his Christmas message
of 1944, "will be vested ... with supreme authority and POWER TO
SMOTHER ... AGGRESSION. Note the organization which the pope will
invest with this power will have MILITARY might enough to quell
resistance to the Church. This coming world-ruling organization
would therefore be a UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE with the pope
above all! The Vatican cannot plan with the GODLESS Russians, and
the United States is not fired with a desire to rule the world.
BUT the NAZIS have ALL the qualifications the pope desires. IT IS
WITH THE NAZI UNDERGROUND AND THE FASCIST DICTATORS THAT THE
VATICAN IS SECRETLY PLANNING! Germany needs the MANPOWER of the
millions of people that the Vatican can throw to her support and
the Church needs the power of the German MILITARY might! TIME IS
RUNNING OUT!!
One more thing needs considering. Will GERMANY PLAY ALONG
WITH RUSSIA UNTIL she can subdue the West? The answer is "yes."
In six separate instances within the last two hundred years, in
which Germany has turned on the West, she has FIRST made a pact
with Russia to make herself safe from the East. Now will be no
different.
The events mentioned here are CERTAIN to happen. The
astounding union of a German-dominated United States of Europe
with a great Church is the next thing prophesied to occur! READ
your newspaper -- read the "U.S. News and World Report" magazine.
Purchase it at newsstands. THINK on these things. You can see the
things described here taking form, day by day. The WORLD will
"wonder" -- stand aghast -- when it sees this union of Church and
State appear (Rev. 17:8). YOU need NOT stand aghast. Remember,
God says: "Watch and pray that you may ESCAPE." There is a
reason. For God promises escape to His own.
Continue to study these lessons with all diligence. You will
grow in grace and knowledge and can have God's protection in
escaping the ravages of Hot War III. But you must also WATCH
world events, too, so you will be ready!
HOW CHRIST WILL STOP WORLD SUICIDE
CIVILIZATION IS AT THE CROSSROADS! Mankind already has the
capacity to wipe all life off the face of the earth -- if God
would fail to intervene!
But GOD WILL NOT FAIL! God will NOT let this world
annihilate all human life. Yet, strange to say, many who do
believe in a God, REFUSE TO BELIEVE HE CAN AND WILL
SUPERNATURALLY INTERVENE IN WORLD AFFAIRS.
Why Men Say to God: "Keep Out!"
Of this doubting end time just before Christ's return, Peter writes:
"There shall come IN THE LAST DAYS SCOFFERS, walking
after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of His
coming? FOR ... ALL THINGS CONTINUE AS THEY WERE FROM THE
BEGINNING ..." (II Pet. 3:3-4).
This world doesn't want to change. It doesn't want God to
intervene and force men to learn the way to peace. Men want
peace, on their terms -- not God's. But man's way to peace leads
only to more wars -- and final cosmocide!
That's why Christ MUST come to stop world suicide! When He
does THE NATIONS WILL BE ANGRY. The battle among them for world
rulership will be at a crisis! Terrible DESTRUCTION AND LOSS OF
HUMAN LIFE WILL ALREADY HAVE OCCURRED. The war will be FURIOUS!
While the issue hangs in the balance suddenly CHRIST WILL APPEAR
with all His holy angels to put an end to human war.
PHOTO: Unless God Almighty intervenes in human affairs, mankind
will wage a final world war and obliterate human life from the
earth!
THE NATIONS WILL NOT SUBMIT TO HIM as most people carelessly
assume! They may reason that Christ's army is a group of "space
men" who have developed new scientific ways of waging war. The
tempo of the fight will suddenly INCREASE IN INTENSITY until
Christ crushes human rebellion. He will have to deal with the
nations in language they understand -- hard, overpowering force.
They will have no way to turn. They will be FORCED to take
their minds off destroying each other! They will be fleeing for
their lives!
CHRIST WILL SYSTEMATICALLY DESTROY ALL THEIR WEAPONS AND
ARMIES AND LEAVE THE NATIONS POWERLESS TO CONTINUE THEIR WARS!
JESUS CHRIST, NOT MAN, WILL RULE SUPREME ON THE EARTH! Christ's
coming to prevent total annihilation is much heralded by the
Bible. It is a vital part of God's PLAN.
But HOW WILL CHRIST PROCEED TO ESTABLISH ORDER IN THIS
CHAOTIC, WAR-TORN WORLD?
Order Out of Chaos
Christ, Himself, declared: "I WILL COME AGAIN" (John 14:3).
The manner of His coming is placed beyond all controversy by the
words of the angels. They appeared on the Mount of Olives to the
disciples who were witnessing the ascension of their Lord and
Master into the heavens. The angels said, "This same Jesus, which
is taken up from you into heaven, SHALL SO COME IN LIKE MANNER as
ye have SEEN him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Jesus will return
IN LIKE MANNER AS HE WENT!
Christ is, therefore, coming PERSONALLY and VISIBLY, to be
present on the earth. When He comes again, He will come, not as a
sufferer, nor as a man of sorrows, but as a KING and AS A
CONQUEROR, to occupy a throne of glory, to bring order out of
chaos. His own words are: "When the Son of Man shall come in his
glory, and all the holy angels with him, THEN SHALL HE SIT UPON
THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY (Mat. 25:31).
Numerous are the predictions throughout the Bible that Jesus
Christ will occupy A THRONE, and reign as King thereon. God has
declared, "Behold the days come ... that I will raise unto David
a righteous branch, and a KING SHALL REIGN AND PROSPER, and shall
execute judgment and justice IN THE EARTH" (Jer. 23:5).
Christ will cause SATAN, THE WICKED SPIRIT PRINCE WHO NOW
RULES OVER MANKIND, to be bound (Rev. 20:2). Then, at that time,
"The Lord shall BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH: in that day shall
there be ONE Lord, and His name one" (Zech. 14:9).
Final Important Instruction
Now we are ready for the actual lesson: Is your Bible in
front of you? If not, STOP RIGHT HERE! Go and GET YOUR BIBLE.
Also several sheets of paper, and a pencil or pen, so you can
MAKE NOTES to help you remember what you learn.
PHOTO: Push-button war is now a deadly reality. U.S. Army
missiles are ready to strike deep into enemy territory. Newer,
more fantastic weapons of war are planned for the near future.
Left to right: Nike-Hercules, Corporal, Redstone, Nike-Ajax.
Now, with your Bible, a good DICTIONARY, and your note paper
and pencil or pen on a desk or table before you, here is the
METHOD of study: WRITE DOWN, NEATLY, ON YOUR NOTE PAPER, THE
CAPTION "LESSON 3," AND UNDERSCORE IT. NEXT, WRITE DOWN THE
LESSON HEADING AND THE QUESTION SECTION HEADING. THEN,
UNDERNEATH, NUMBER EACH QUESTION, AND WRITE DOWN OR TYPE OUT THE
ANSWER. As an EXAMPLE, for the first question, this is what you
will write under the heading, Christ Will Overthrow Evil Rulers:
1. Dan. 2:28 -- "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth
secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall
be IN THE LATTER DAYS....
Also write in any other thoughts or comments you want to
remember. When you have finished this question, and have studied
it and are sure you understand it, then read question 2.
2. The SECOND QUESTION of Lesson 3 should be handled as you
did the first question, except that YOU NEED NOT WRITE OUT ALL
THE VERSES. Verses 42 and 44 are the most important and MUST be
written or typed out.
It will be much better if you go to a bookstore or
stationery store, and buy a supply of looseleaf note paper with
the three holes punched in the side, just like these lessons.
Also buy a binder, and keep these lessons and your own notes and
answers fastened in the binder. DO NOT SEND US YOUR ANSWERS TO
THESE REGULAR LESSONS. KEEP THEM FOR REFERENCE.
By writing down all these answers, and by writing down all
the words of every Bible passage that answers a question, you
will find you will REMEMBER what you have learned. It takes a
little more time, but you will really LEARN these lessons that
way, and remember them.
You can QUICKLY REVIEW your lessons, as necessary, if you
have them in this form.
And remember, you are to spend at least a HALF HOUR EVERY
day studying YOUR BIBLE with this Correspondence Course. EASY
TESTS WILL BE SENT AFTER EACH GROUP OF FOUR LESSONS.
LESSON 3
Christ Will Overthrow Evil Rulers
1. To whom did God REVEAL what is to HAPPEN IN THESE LATTER
DAYS? Dan. 2:28.
2. Were there to be four successive world-ruling kingdoms?
Dan. 2:31-40. (A later lesson will explain the full significance
of these four empires.) In the days of the last ten kings
(represented by ten toes in verse 42), which are yet to arise out
of the fourth kingdom, is God going to SET UP A KINGDOM THAT WILL
NEVER BE DESTROYED? Dan. 2:44.
3. A STONE is to destroy these last ten kings. Who is this
stone? Acts 4:10-11. Does it SMITE the image on its ten toes?
Dan. 2:34.
4. Where else is this same event described? Rev. 17:12-14.
Are ten kings mentioned here?
5. Is this person mentioned in Rev. 19:11 to MAKE WAR? He is
called King of kings and Lord of lords (verse 16). Who is He?
Rev. 17:14. Who is the Lamb of God? John 1:29. Do these verses
show that it is Christ who will come with an army of angels to
make war with the rebellious nations of the earth?
6. What will be His PURPOSE in coming? Rev. 19:15. What will
happen to evil men in high offices who oppose Him? Verses 17-18.
COMMENT: The phrase 'flesh of ALL men,' found in Rev. 19:18
does NOT refer to ALL people on earth, but to ALL who are in the
ARMIES gathered against Jerusalem. Compare with Zech. 14:12-15,
7. Does Revelation 11:15-19 speak of this SAME time? How do
we know? Verse 15. Is this angel the LAST of SEVEN angels which
will sound? Rev. 8:6.
8. Is this the SEVENTH TRUMP? Compare this with I Thes. 4:16
and I Cor. 15:52. Is the trump in I Cor. 15:52 the LAST trump?
Note there are NO MORE trumpets blown after Rev. 11:15. Will the
KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF CHRIST at the last
trump? Verse 15.
9. Christ came the first time as a meek lamb to be slain.
How will He come the second time? Will Christ be WRATHFUL --
ANGRY -- against sin? Rev. 11:18. Did Zephaniah the prophet
foretell this SAME TIME OF GOD'S WRATH? Zeph. 1:15. Is the "DAY
OF THE LORD" a DAY OF GOD'S WRATH ON THE INHABITANTS OF THE
EARTH? Verses 14-16.
COMMENT: The "Day of the Lord" INCLUDES THE BLOWING OF ALL
SEVEN TRUMPS, six of which are blown in a period of months
immediately preceding Christ's return.
10. Read also Isa. 13:6; Ezek. 7:19, and Isa. 34:8. Do these
verses verify what the "Day of the Lord" is?
11. Many believe the world will soon find the way to PEACE.
What does the Bible say? Rev. 11:18. When people are angry THEY
FIGHT. Will there be WORLDWIDE FIGHTING in these end times? Mat.
24:7.
12. WHY must Christ take over this world's kingdoms? Has
mankind DISOBEYED God's law? Rev. 11:19 gives us the answer. Read
it.
COMMENT: Above all things GOD DEMANDS OBEDIENCE. He says,
"BEWARE that thou FORGET NOT the Lord thy God, in not keeping His
COMMANDMENTS" (Deut. 8:11). In Rev. 11:19 God pictures the ARK OF
THE TESTAMENT. Let us understand why!
What did the EARTHLY ark of the testament contain? II Chron.
5:10. Deut. 10:4. Does the world today keep God's commandments?
Are the people TODAY destroying the earth? Rev. 11:18. "Thou
shalt not kill" is one of these commandments. Ex. 20:13.
WE THEREFORE KNOW THAT CHRIST WILL COME WITH WRATH TO PUNISH
THE NATIONS BECAUSE THEY ARE VIOLATING GOD'S LAWS!
13. We have seen that the saints, at Christ's second coming,
will be born again -- this time of Spirit -- and be forever with
Him. I Thes. 4:17. Most people today believe that when they are
changed they will lead a life of idleness. When Christ and His
armies of angels begin to subdue the nations, will the saints
have nothing to do? Read Dan. 7:18. What does the word "take"
signify?
The converted are NOT to live a life of idleness when they
are reborn. They must have an ACTIVE PART WITH CHRIST IN TAKING
OVER THE KINGDOMS of this world.
14. What else will happen at the blowing of the GREAT trump
(the seventh) at which Christ comes? Isa. 27:12-13. IS ISRAEL
REGATHERED? Verse 12. What do they do? Verse 13.
15. If they worship God -- come out of this Babylonish world
in which they will have been scattered -- will they ESCAPE HIS
FUTURE PLAGUES? Rev. 18:4.
Wrath to Fall on Lawless World
1. The world is rebellious. Even after Christ is present in
person on this earth, the nations will not accept Him. What will
God do to FORCE THE ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST and His government? Rev.
16:1.
2. Upon WHAT do these VIALS OF WRATH fall? So, isn't the
rebellion WORLDWIDE? Rev. 16:1.
3. How many vials are there? Rev. 16:2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12, 17.
Are these SEVEN "VIALS" of God's wrath ALSO CALLED "PLAGUES"?
COMMENT: Compare verse 17 of Rev. 16 with verse 21. Some
translations use the word "BOWL" instead of the word "vial."
4. Recall that the wrath of God occurs in the "day of the
Lord." What does the phrase in Rev. 18:8, "Therefore shall her
plagues come in ONE DAY" mean?
COMMENT: This scripture shows that all seven vials against
the disobedient will BEGIN IN ONE 24-HOUR DAY -- this particular
day being USHERED IN BY the blowing of the seventh -- or LAST
TRUMP. Some of these vials of wrath will be administered PAST
this 24-hour period. This 24-hour climactic day is the climactic
part of the much longer "day of the Lord" which will have begun
with the seventh seal. The "Babylonish" leadership of this sinful
world will be destroyed.
5. Upon whom is the FIRST VIAL poured? Rev. 16:2.
COMMENT: It will be poured upon all who are participating in
this world's false civil-religious system when Christ comes
again.
6. How do we know the first vial will occur immediately
AFTER Christ comes? (Remember that Christ comes at the LAST TRUMP
-- Rev. 11:15. This trump introduces the seven last plagues.)
7. How will the nations be acting when Christ returns? Rev.
11:18. Will it be the time of GOD'S wrath ALSO? Verses 17,18. As
all the vials are the wrath of God (16:1), how plain that they
will be poured out AFTER Christ intervenes.
8. What are the SECOND AND THIRD VIALS poured out upon? What
do they cause? Rev. 16:3-7. Notice that ALL THESE VIALS WILL
PRODUCE SUPERNATURAL EFFECTS. GOD WILL SUPERNATURALLY INTERVENE
IN WORLD AFFAIRS!
9. What will God be doing to this earth even before Christ
comes and before these vials are administered? Haggai 2:7. Why?
Heb. 12:26-28. Will He use EARTHQUAKES TO TURN THE MINDS of the
people to Him?
10. God will have to use extreme measures. Notice the FOURTH
VIAL. Rev. 16:8-9. (There are SEVEN vials altogether.) Will the
HEAT be INTENSE? How intense will the light of the sun be for a
short time? Isa. 30:26. Who causes this? Verse 27.
11. What effect will all this have on the earth's
population? Isa. 24:6. Will comparatively FEW mortal PEOPLE BE
LEFT at the start of Christ's rule?
COMMENT: Note particularly that NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED
-- some are left. WITH THESE, CHRIST WILL START HIS RULE.
12. WHY will God do this? Isa. 24:5. Isn't this the SAME
reason we found for Christ's coming with WRATH? Rev. 11:19.
COMMENT: Christ will execute the wrath of the Almighty on
this earth because of sin -- disobedience to God's laws. Sin is
the cause of all human woe.
13. What else shows us that God's wrath will occur when
Christ BEGINS to set up His rule on earth? Isa. 24:10. What is
the "City of Confusion"?
COMMENT: In Hebrew and Greek the word "Babylon" means
"confusion." Babylon the GREAT -- THIS WORLD'S confused system
which is the offspring of the old Babylonian system -- will fall
soon after the intervention of Christ (Rev. 18:2).
14. Does Rev. 18:21, 23 also prove modern "Babylon's" fall
will happen in our time? God will punish the rebellious who
refuse to surrender to Christ's rule. What is the attitude of
those who deliberately resist God's government? Rev. 16:9.
15. The FIFTH VIAL is poured out on the area of the earth
which will be most actively promoting the fight against Christ's
rule. What is it called? Rev. 16:10. Will these people repent of
their evil deeds? Verse 11. Is there light there? Verse 10. What
does Christ compare Himself to? John 8:12.
COMMENT: Plainly the word "darkness" of Rev. 16:10 is DUAL
-- there will be actual physical DARKNESS -- thick clouds -- and
also spiritual darkness in this area and wherever the beast's
system is. MUCH IS WRITTEN IN A DUAL SENSE IN THE BIBLE.
Most have always believed that the earth's inhabitants would
QUICKLY accept Christ even if they might not recognize Him at
first. It is amazing to see in advance what this world ACTUALLY
will do.
Nations Assemble to OPPOSE Christ
Mustering at Armageddon
1. What will the SIXTH VIAL of God's wrath be? Rev.
16:12-14. What will be the name of the GATHERING PLACE? Verse 16.
2. WHO WILL GATHER THE WHOLE EARTH to FIGHT AGAINST ITS
CREATOR? Verses 13 and 14. Who is the dragon? Rev. 12:9. Are the
"spirits" Satan's demons? Mark 1:23, 34.
COMMENT: The proper translation of the inspired Greek of
Rev. 16:16 should be as follows: "And THEY gathered them together
...." This verse is sometimes rendered: "And HE gathered them
together ...."
3. What will the evil spirits do to cause the people to
gather? Rev. 16:14. Is the beast a great military leader having
power over many armies? Rev. 17:13-14. Is the false prophet a
great religious leader? II Thes. 2:3-4. Who will INSPIRE him?
Verse 9.
4. AGAINST WHOM are "all the kings of the earth and of the
whole world to gather to fight? Rev. 17:14. (We have already
shown that the "Lamb" is Christ. Notice that Christ hears other
titles also: Read Rev. 19:11,16 and 19.) THESE SCRIPTURES
DEFINITELY PROVE THAT CHRIST AND HIS GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE
WELCOMED.
5. What is described by Rev. 16:15? Is this inset verse a
warning to the people of the earth that they keep posted on God's
prophecies so they will NOT be deceived and become involved in
the fight AGAINST God which will follow the gathering of the
nations at Armageddon?
This 15th verse is an inset thought -- a warning TO YOU! It
does NOT mean that Christ will come after the first five vials
are poured out. Rather, it is a warning not to join in the
military preparations which undoubtedly commence months before
Christ returns. The sixth vial represents the climactic battle of
Christ against wicked nations. It follows their gathering at
Armageddon to oppose Him.
6. Is God going to JUDGE the heathen there? Joel 3:12.
COMMENT: "JEHOSHAPHAT" means "JUDGMENT of Jehovah"
(Peloubet's Bible Dictionary). So this very place bears the name
"Valley of judgment of the Eternal."
7. WHEN will this judgment take place? Verse 14. Compare the
TIME of this event (verse 14) with the time of the event
described in Rev. 14:19.
COMMENT: This battle will be fought in the climactic 24-hour
day of God's wrath -- it will be the day when all seven vials of
the seventh trump are administered. This day in which Christ's
feet touch the earth will be ushered in by the blowing of the
seventh trump.
As we have already shown, the terms the "day of the Lord"
and the "wrath of God" are often used in the Bible
interchangeably and therefore can describe the SAME TIME and the
SAME EVENT. Don't these two events take place at the SAME time?
Doesn't GOD take a DIRECT part in world affairs when either of
these terms is used?
8. Will BOTH of these events culminate in the Day of the
Lord? Compare Joel 3:14 with Rev. 14:19,20. Doesn't the fact that
blood will rise "unto the horse bridles" indicate that there must
be a VALLEY?
COMMENT: Notice that the "blood came out of the winepress
... BY THE SPACE OF A THOUSAND AND SIX HUNDRED FURLONGS." A
furlong is equal to 600 feet (Peloubet's Bible Dictionary). Then
1600 furlongs is over 180 miles! The bloody remains of the
rebellious soldiers will fill Palestine's world-famous valley all
the way from Megiddo southward, passing right by Jerusalem and
extending over 110 miles farther south into the land of ancient
Edom. Compare this with Isa. 63:1-6 where Christ is described as
executing His wrath in the land of Edom.
The Wages of War
1. Compare verse 13 of Joel 3 with verse 19 of Revelation
14. Are the events described in each of these references a
HARVEST?
Note that the term "WINEPRESS" is used in one of these
verses and the similar term "press" is used in the other. Note
also that the JUDGMENT in both references is in the nature of a
harvest in which grapes [rebellious people] of Christ's WRATH are
pressed out. The juice represents BLOOD.
2. The VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT is a deep ravine having very
steep sides, and borders the city of JERUSALEM on the east. Will
the harvest of Rev. 14:20 also be JUST OUTSIDE A CITY?
3. WHO will conduct this harvest for God? Rev. 14:14. Who is
the "Son of Man"? Dan. 7:13-14.
4. WHAT WILL HE DO when He comes? Open to Rev. 19:11. Will
He not also JUDGE at the Valley of Jehoshaphat? Will He come with
ARMIES? Verse 14. Will the people of the earth FIGHT against Him?
Verse 19. Will not He, with armies, "tread THE WINEPRESS of the
fierceness and WRATH OF Almighty GOD"? Verse 15.
Compare this phrase with the phrases in Rev. 14:19 and Joel
3:13. Isn't it clear that the fight which will occur in the
VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT WILL BE THE TREMENDOUS CLIMACTIC BATTLE OF
THE WAR? The main clash will occur around Jerusalem which borders
this valley.
5. Read also Psalm 2. Note verse 8. Will there not also
HEATHEN at the Valley of Jehoshaphat? Joel 3:12. Compare the "ROD
OF IRON" of Psalm 2:9, with which CHRIST BREAKS THEM, with this
same rod with which He will rule the nations, in Rev. 19:15.
Doesn't this term include armies? WILL IT BE NECESSARY FOR
CHRIST, THROUGH HIS ARMIES, WHO "TREAD THE WINEPRESS OF THE
FIERCENESS AND WRATH OF ALMIGHTY GOD" AT THE VALLEY OF
JEHOSHAPHAT, TO STANCH THE BLOODSHED AT THE WORLD'S GREATEST
BATTLE?
6. WHY will the nations fight Christ? Psalm 2:2-3. WILL THEY
WANT HIS TYPE OF GOVERNMENT? Will CHRIST WIN? Verse 9. Note the
word "break."
7. The Valley of Jehoshaphat borders JERUSALEM. Will Christ
take Jerusalem also, in this battle? Zech. 14:3. Does Zech. 14:2
show that one-half of Jerusalem will have been taken by the
nations of the earth before Christ liberates it in this battle?
COMMENT: It can now be seen WHY the world's greatest battle
will be fought at the Valley of Jehoshaphat and not at
Armageddon: THE BATTLE IS FOR CONTROL OF THE WORLD. JERUSALEM,
THE FUTURE WORLD'S CAPITAL, WILL BE THE PRIZE sought.
The "Field of Megiddo" is a FLAT area located on the south
side of the Plain of Esdraelon. It lies about seventy miles north
and west of Jerusalem and furnishes a natural GATHERING PLACE
because of the FLATNESS of the land. In ancient times, it was a
part of the main highway between Asia and Africa. From this
natural gathering place the world's armies will go southward for
the big battle against Christ.
8. Who will AID CHRIST in His battle in the "day of the
Lord"? Zech. 14:5,14, and II Thes. 1:7-10. Notice Jer. 25:30-33:
Christ will "tread the grapes" WHEREVER THERE IS REBELLION! What
happens to those who oppose Christ in the battle for Jerusalem?
Zech. 14:12-13. Christ will be successful.
9. What soon follows, the SEVENTH VIAL? Rev. 16:17-21.
Christ's Victory Brings Peace
1. The RESULTS OF THE BATTLE AT THE VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT
ARE DESCRIBED IN MANY PLACES BECAUSE OF THEIR IMPORTANCE. What
has Christ said He will make of JERUSALEM and Mt. Zion when He
returns? Zech. 8:3.
COMMENT: JERUSALEM has been chosen by God to be the world's
capital -- to have the greatest influence of any city on the
destiny of mankind. JERUSALEM is at the CENTER OF THE LAND
SURFACE OF THE EARTH. IT IS THE IDEAL FOCAL POINT FOR WORLD
CONTROL. ITS VERY NAME MEANS CITY OF PEACE.
HERE WE SEE CHRIST, the "PRINCE OF PEACE" (Isa. 9:6) TAKING
THE CITY OF PEACE FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING IT THE CAPITAL OF THE
EARTH (Jer. 3:17). FROM ITS TEMPLE ON MOUNT ZION, GOD'S LAWS WILL
GO FORTH BRINGING PEACE TO THE EARTH! (Isa. 2:2)
Punishment of War Criminals
1. What will happen to the MILITARY LEADER of those nations
who will oppose Christ? Rev. 19:19-20.
COMMENT: This describes the same LAKE OF FIRE AND BRIMSTONE
into which the beast -- the military leader -- will be cast
alive.
2. The "beast" mentioned here is the MILITARY LEADER OF THE
EARTH who receives military backing from ten fascist dictators
and fights Christ at the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Rev. 17:12-14.
PHOTO: Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong visit the Valley of Megiddo -- site
of man's battle against his Creator.
PHOTO: STATESMEN and SCIENTISTS WARN of NUCLEAR DISASTER!
Late President John F. Kennedy: "Together we shall save our
planet -- or together we shall perish in its flames!"
Dr. W. H. Pickering, Jet Propulsion Laboratory: "In half an
hour the East and the West could destroy civilization."
Dr. Albert Einstein: "There is no defense in science against
the weapons which can destroy civilization."
Philip Noel-Baker, winner of Nobel Peace Prize: "We will all
be dead and the earth will be an incinerated relic."
The Bible uses the expression "ten kings." These will be ten
fascist dictators WHO ARE ARISING IN EUROPE. In Bible times the
term "king" was often used to represent a ruler whom we would
call a tyrant or dictator today. Doesn't verse 14 also verify
this MILITARY LEADER WILL BE OVERCOME?
3. Now notice something else about this MILITARY leader. He
will maintain a very unusual establishment. Read Daniel 11:45.
Observe that this same man is here again identified as a MILITARY
leader ("he shall go forth with great fury to DESTROY, and
utterly to make away many" -- verse 44). He will MAINTAIN A PLACE
OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP -- A TABERNACLE! Verse 45. In Bible language
the word "tabernacle" designates a place of worship. Why will he
maintain a tabernacle? He will do this for the purpose of gaining
the SUPPORT of misguided religious people for the conduct of his
MILITARY VENTURES.
4. Will the FALSE PROPHET, who will be the head of this
tabernacle, meet the SAME FATE as that of the beast, his military
cohort? Rev. 19:20, also Rev. 14:9-11. Does yet another prophecy
verify his fate? II Thes. 2:8.
5. When Christ conquers these ten kings, will He begin to
fulfill the prophecy that, in the days of these kings
(represented by 10 toes), He would set up a kingdom that would
never be destroyed? Dan. 2:42-44.
COMMENT: Although God will GIVE the kingdoms of this world
to Christ to rule when the seventh trumpet is blown, they WILL
NOT ACTUALLY BE HIS UNTIL AFTER HE OVERCOMES THEM. Compare Rev.
11:15 with Rev. 17:14.
Human Civilization Overthrown
Christ Will Establish New Order
The united armies of fascist Europe will now have been
conquered and an enormous death toll will have been taken of ALL
peoples. Many CITIES of this world's civilization -- "BABYLON THE
GREAT" -- the PAGAN world in which we live, will still be
standing, however. Also the "GREAT CITY" (Rev. 16:19), which has
furthered this MAN-MADE system since the days of the Roman
Empire, will still remain.
1. Will God leave these cities standing and erect His new
order AROUND THEM? Or will most BUILDINGS OF THIS WORLD'S SYSTEM
BE LEVELED TO MAKE WAY FOR CHRIST'S NEW WORLD ORDER? Rev.
16:19-21.
PHOTO: PRESIDENTS and EDUCATORS FEAR FUTURE WORLD WAR!
Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States: "This
generation of the world must choose ...."
Dean Acheson, Former Secretary of State: "... this world is
going to be too dangerous to live in."
French President Charles de Gaulle: "... the great powers
are facing their 'last moment.'..."
Dr. Herbert F. York, University of California: "... the arms
race is a steady open spiral down toward oblivion."
What two physical forces will He use to accomplish it? THIS
GREAT HAIL AND EARTHQUAKE LEVEL MOST MAN-MADE STRUCTURES OF THE
WORLD! THIS IS THE SEVENTH VIAL!
2. The last four of the seven plagues will have a terrible
effect; but with all this, will carnal people learn to FEAR God?
Rev. 16:21. Will they learn at long last that a better system is
on the way?
Or will humans STILL WANT TO CLING TO THE OLD? Rev.
18:9,11,17-19. Of what does this vile system which people will
still long for even after God has destroyed it consist? Rev.
18:2-3,13,23-24.
3. Was this Lot's attitude when he departed from the VILE
CITY of Sodom? Did he want to LINGER? LOOK BEHIND? STAY NEAR? And
was it for this attitude that his wife DIED? Gen. 19:16,
17,20,26.
4. What does God, who knows there are BETTER things ahead,
command His people to do about the coming fall of today's
civilization -- MODERN Babylon the Great? Rev. 18:20, DOESN'T
MAN'S DESIRE TO CLING TO THE PRESENT CIVILIZATION SHOW THAT IT
WILL TAKE TIME AND EFFORT ON THE PART OF CHRIST, THE SAINTS, AND
THE ANGELS TO RE-EDUCATE PEOPLE IN THE NEW ERA? THEY WILL HAVE TO
LEARN GRADUALLY THAT GOD'S WAY IS BEST.
Strong fascist resistance to Christ's presence will have
been overcome. The fascist world's great religious leader and its
great military leader will have been destroyed. Great numbers of
the incorrigible wicked will have been killed. Huge hailstones
and the world's greatest earthquake will have leveled human
habitations.
Jerusalem -- Future Model City
1. How WILL CHRIST proceed to ESTABLISH HIS KIND OF
GOVERNMENT, which will maintain WORLD ORDER? Will He build a
MODEL CITY FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD TO PATTERN AFTER? What CITY
will this be? Isa. 62:1-2. Will all the earth know of it? Verse
7.
2. Will Israel be the MODEL FOR THE EARTH? Jer. 33:9. What
two groups will compose this nation? Verse 7. Their re-education
under Christ will have what effect on them? Verse 8. Will God's
MODEL NATION ultimately be PRAISED BY ALL nations? Zeph. 3:15,20
and Zech. 8:3.
3. Where will this nation have come from? Where will it be
located when it ultimately becomes the praise of the earth? Ezek.
34:11,12. (The "sheep" are Israel. Have they been scattered?)
Where will they be settled? Verse 13. Will not the model city be
located within the bounds of the model nation?
4. Though Christ will have conquered the UNITED opposition
of the fascist world, will ALL nations be FRIENDLY to Him and His
government? Or will He BEGIN HIS RULE AMONG ENEMIES? Ps. 110:2.
5. How will this remaining opposition be overcome? Haggai
2:22. What will He begin to do with this world's remaining
rulers? Psalm 149:8. Will He also PUNISH THE HEATHEN? Verse 7.
Who will Christ use to do these things? Verse 5. Read the entire
Psalm. Does this sound like the saints will "go to HEAVEN" and do
nothing?
6. Will Christ become DISCOURAGED with His task and quit
because it WILL TAKE TIME AND PATIENCE? Isa. 42:4. Who is "my
servant," mentioned in verse 1 of Isaiah 42? You will find the
answer in Mat. 12:18 and Phil. 2:7.
Atheistic Russia and China Attempt Final Coup
Russia will be the GREATEST OF THE "KINGS OF THE EAST" (Rev.
16:12). ONE of her armies will be destroyed at the Valley of
Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:12) along with the UNITED armies of all the
fascist European nations gathered against Jerusalem. Remember,
modern nations use MANY ARMIES scattered on different
battlefields.
1. When Russia sees the wealth of the nation Christ has
founded in Palestine -- the "mountains of Israel" -- what will
she say? Ezek. 38:11,12. Will Russia have Oriental and African
allies? Verses 1-6. Won't it be IN OUR TIMES -- these "latter
years"? Verse 8.
2. Will Russia WANT TO TAKE A SPOIL when Christ has just
started to make Palestine a rich and habitable land? Ezek.
38:11-12.
COMMENT: Palestine, having been occupied but a short time,
will be as yet a LAND OF VILLAGES except for Jerusalem and a few
other cities.
3. Would this great ATHEISTIC nation, with her allies, DARE
do this if she believed that this city was actually ruled by
God's own Son? Does God do this so ATHEISTS and heathen may
recognize WHO He is, and may come to really KNOW Him? Ezek.
38:16,23.
4. What must God do to them? Ezek. 38:18-22. Read also Ezek.
39:1-20. This will be the LAST GREAT REBELLION for 1000 years.
(One more will occur 1000 years later. Rev. 20:7-9.)
COMMENT: HOW DO WE KNOW IT WILL BE ATHEISTIC, GODLESS RUSSIA
AND CHINA which will have the boldness to come against Palestine
in which Christ's world capital will then be located?
Notice that GOG comes "out of the north parts" -- NORTH of
PALESTINE! Ezek. 38:15. Who is Gog?
There is a basic KEY to understanding WHAT nations in OUR
DAY are referred to when they are mentioned in Bible prophecy. If
we understand how to use this key, WE CAN KNOW, IN ADVANCE,
EXACTLY WHAT THE NATIONS TODAY -- Russia, Germany, Turkey, the
United States, and many others -- WILL DO IN THE TIMES JUST AHEAD
OF us! This is VITAL to know in these END TIMES. What is this
key?
The KEY is this: NATIONS OF BIBLE TIMES NATURALLY GAVE RISE
TO NATIONS OF TODAY. Therefore God in prophecy HAD to use the
SAME NAMES WHICH THEY HAD THEN, TO FORETELL WHAT THEIR
DESCENDANTS IN OUR TIME WOULD DO!
The descendants of these nations have taken other names in
modern times, BUT such a small lapse of time has occurred between
the bearing of their former names and their present ones that it
is NOT AT ALL DIFFICULT, in most cases, to pick up ancient
history books and find what each nation's name -- its BIBLE NAME
-- has been!
Thus, knowing a modern nation's BIBLE NAME and knowing the
SURENESS of God's prophecy -- knowing what He says WILL happen --
WE CAN KNOW EVERY IMPORTANT FUTURE MOVE OF THE NATIONS AROUND US.
We shall now see an example of the use of this PRINCIPLE IN
ACTION. THERE WILL BE NO GUESSING. God did not intend that we
would have to guess regarding His prophecies, as people today are
doing when THEY seek to interpret them!
Notice that it is GOG and MAGOG (Ezek. 38:2) which will come
against the nation that Christ's capital will be located in
(verse 16). Notice again that GOG AND MAGOG COME "OUT OF THE
NORTH PARTS" (Verse 15) -- WHERE RUSSIA, MONGOLIA AND CHINA ARE
TODAY.
Can it be shown that Russia is the nation which will come
out of the north to invade Palestine? "From the accounts found
among the Arabians, Persians, and Syrians," we learn that these
three nations used the names "Yajuj and Majuj" (note the
similarity in the names Majuj and Magog) to refer to "all less
known barbarous people of the Northwest and Northeast of Asia" --
WHERE RUSSIA AND CHINESE MONGOLIA ARE TODAY! (From "McClintock
and Strong", article "Magog.")
Notice that MESHECH and TUBAL (verse 2) will be associated
with them in this invasion. Can we prove these ancient tribes to
be also the ancestors of the Russians of today? Remember, Russia
has been formed by the association of a number of great tribes.
Professor Sayce says about Meshech and Tubal: "In the Assyrian
inscriptions the names appear as TUBLA and MUSKA, and they were
known to the classical geographers (Greeks) as Tiberani and
Moskhi." After the days of Nebuchadnezzar, the Greeks found them
"farther to the north than they had been in the age of the
Assyrian monuments ... they were forced to retreat northward
towards the Black Sea, and it was in this region of Asia Minor
that Xenophon and his Greek troops found their scanty REMAINS."
(From "The Races of the Old Testament".) They had migrated NORTH
into the land we know as RUSSIA today.
Having CROSSED INTO THE PLAINS OF RUSSIA the people of
MESHECH, CALLED MOSKHI by the Greeks, became known as MUSKOVS.
From this word "Muskov" the name of the modern city MOSKOW IS
DERIVED. The descendants of TUBAL gave their name to the TOBOL
RIVER and the city of TOBOLSK in ASIATIC RUSSIA. Thus we have
demonstrated by these facts that the nations mentioned in this
chapter of Ezekiel's prophecy include the RUSSIANS AND CHINESE OF
TODAY! It will be atheistic Russia and her allies who will come
against Palestine after Christ has begun to establish Israel in
that land as His model nation.
Christ Will Oust Satan
In Hebrews 2:5 we read this: "For unto the angels hath He
not put in subjection the world to come whereof we speak." In
other words, the World Tomorrow -- the Kingdom which Christ will
set up on this earth -- will NOT be under subjection to fallen
angels -- Satan and his demons. These demons, and the devil who
is their head, RULE THIS PRESENT EARTH AND SWAY ITS INHABITANTS.
Christ is coming to change this situation. Man has been
allowed for 6000 years to experience the effects of his own rule
under the sway of Satan. In the coming millennium, he will for
the first time see the effect of God's rule over the earth.
1. Who did Christ ADMIT is THE PRESENT RULER of this world?
Mat. 4:8-9. SATAN said to Christ, "All these things [the kingdoms
of the world] will I GIVE thee." Did Christ say they were NOT
SATAN'S to give?
2. When did CHRIST QUALIFY to become this world's ruler?
Mat. 4:9-10. Was it when Christ REFUSED to obey Satan and
declared His obedience to God? Then did He give Satan a COMMAND
which he obeyed?
3. Notice in Ephesians 2:2 that Satan is called the prince.
Has CHRIST QUALIFIED TO BECOME A PRINCE? Acts 5:31. Over whom did
John say Christ would become the prince? Rev. 1:5
4. Does Satan know that his rule of this earth is almost up
now? Rev. 12:12. When will SATAN BE DISPOSSESSED of his rule and
CHRIST assume his position as RULER? Rev. 20:2. Doesn't this
follow soon after Christ's victory at the Valley of Jehoshaphat?
Isn't this what Daniel referred to? Dan. 7:18.
5. What is another name for Satan? Eph. 2:2. Has he been
deceiving the whole earth -- causing nations to war and REBEL
against God? Rev. 12:9. AFTER SATAN IS SHUT UP IN THE ABYSS WILL
IT BE POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO DECEIVE? Rev. 20:3.
6. How many SUPREME RULERS of the earth will there be after
Christ has firmly established His rule? Zech. 14:9.
7. Are the DEMONS -- wicked angel-followers of Satan, who
have an unclean spiritual attitude -- to be RESTRAINED also?
Zech. 13:2.
Man's Only Hope!
CHRIST MUST COME with GREAT POWER AND GLORY. He MUST
SUPERNATURALLY intervene in the affairs of this world! Nothing
less than supernatural force can stop the tide of human self-
destruction that is sweeping this earth! MANKIND CAN'T stop it!
Only God has the POWER to dispose of Satan who has deceived
the inhabitants of the earth all these centuries, who has caused
them to violate God's laws unknowingly, or has caused sin to
appear so attractive that they were overcome by it. Only GOD has
power or authority to overcome evil dictators -- religious and
military -- who are now rising up, and who, inspired by Satan,
are planning to bring the earth under THEIR rule regardless of
the cost in human lives. ONLY GOD CAN CHANGE HUMAN NATURE.
ONLY GOD has THE WISDOM to administer the TERRIBLE
PUNISHMENTS which will FALL VERY SOON. ONLY HE has the Divine
wisdom. He alone knows how to administer justice.
Jesus will START A BETTER CIVILIZATION under a BETTER FORM
OF GOVERNMENT. All of this is NOT SOME IDLE PIPE DREAM. It is the
gospel -- the Good News Jesus Himself brought!
YOU HAVE JUST FINISHED READING IT IN YOUR OWN BIBLE! YOUR
OWN BIBLE HAS JUST PROVED IT TO YOU! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO
ABOUT IT?
No wonder NOW is NOT the ONLY time of salvation. God says to
the people of this nation, "In an acceptable time I have heard
thee, and in "A" day (not "THE day") of salvation have I helped
thee ... to ESTABLISH the earth, to cause to inherit the DESOLATE
heritages" (Isaiah 49:8). THE EARTH WILL SOON BE NEARLY DESOLATE
due to man's sins. AFTER THIS, THE NEW ORDER WILL BE ESTABLISHED.
It is AFTER this that HE WILL REALLY START TO BRING PEOPLE UNDER
HIS RULE AND SAVE THEM!
Editor's Note
While working your way through this lesson, please keep in mind
that this course was authored during the height of the Cold War
by people who witnessed the horrors of World War II first hand.
Subsequent events have proven some of the geopolitical speculation in this
lesson to have been wrong in the sense that events have not transpired
in the exact time frame or in the exact manner the authors expected
or may have implied. Every student of the Bible knows that God
is faithful and that what He promises in scripture will come to
pass irrespective of man's imperfect understanding of some of the
details.
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