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The
Uprise of Antichrist and the Battle of Armageddon
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Will
Antichrist arise to conquer Jerusalem, claim the rulership of the world,
and plunge humanity into an orgy of war, bloodshed and evil unparalleled
in the history of mankind?
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The
Return of Christ: Basic Teaching of the Bible
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The
personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory,
to take up his great authority, and reign on earth as king, is a basic
doctrine of the Bible. Hundreds of references to it are made therein
and these are set forth in clear language, the meaning of which should
be beyond dispute.
Consider
the following predictions:
"This
same Jesus, which is taken up from you (Apostles) into heaven, shall
so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11).
"Times
of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall
send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven
must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God
hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began"
(Acts 3:19-21).
"God
hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness
by that man (Christ) whom He hath ordained: whereof He hath given assurance
unto all men, in that He hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).
"If
in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of
them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection
of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be
made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (1 Corinthians 15:19-23).
The
teaching of the second coming of Christ permits believers to look beyond
the iron curtain of trouble today, to a glorious future when the evils
and frustrations of the present will be replaced by a righteous administration
that will bring "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and
goodwill towards men."
Unfortunately
this doctrine, so plainly taught in the Bible, is misunderstood and
misinterpreted by some who would carry its message to the world. In
consequence, its teaching is distorted with the result that often a
grotesque, irrational outline of coming events is set before the public.
Two
books before us as we write do just that. One is entitled There's
A New World Coming by Hal Lindsey, and the other is Armageddon
by J. Wolvoord. Both books advance a similar theory relating to the
doctrine of the second coming, a theory that perverts the actual teaching
of the Bible. Unfortunately, such books are so widely advertised as
to become best-sellers. For example according to the publication notice,
some 700,000 copies of the former book were sold in the seven months
following October 1973 and there have been additional editions since.
At $2.95 per copy this represents a rich reward of over $2,000,000,
which however, we would not begrudge the author if only the sound truths
of Scripture were set forth.
Instead,
in both books, a mistaken idea of Christ's coming is outlined, which,
as we will show, could have the effect of those who are swayed by it
actually opposing Christ when he does appear.
Between
them the books set forth the idea that Antichrist is about to arise,
and will set up his power in Jerusalem. He will then claim to be the
king Messiah, and abolishing the Jewish religion, will build a Temple,
and command the worship of humanity. Both books then refer to the return
of Christ, and the "rapture," that they claim will follow alleging that
he will convey his true believers to heaven.
In
fact, the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to accomplish
that which they claim Antichrist will do: set up his power in Jerusalem,
demand the allegiance of mankind, and build a Temple for the universal
worship he will establish. He however, will reign on earth, not return
to heaven (Isa. 24:23; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 5:9-10).
The
books referred to above largely draw upon the teaching of The Book
of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, to establish their theory.
Therefore,
in considering the teaching advanced, we aim to answer five questions:
- What
is the basic message of the Book of Revelation.?
- Who
or what is Antichrist?
- What
does the mystical number 666 refer to?
- When
and where will Armageddon be fought?
- How
will we be personally involved at Christ's coming?
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The
Basic Message Of Revelation
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Revelation
is a prophetic book of symbols. This is shown by its introduction. The
first verse declares:
"The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his
servant things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified
it by his angel unto his servant John" (Rev. 1:1).
This
teaches that the book is designed to outline future events leading to
Christ's second coming, and that its contents were both sent
and signified by Christ.
The
statement is important. It proclaims that the book is largely symbolical;
its teaching is set forth in sign language, which is the meaning
of signified.
Unfortunately,
this important introduction is frequently ignored, and many miss the
meaning of the book by giving literal meanings to symbolical statements.
The
book pictures burning stars falling to the earth; fiery mountains being
plunged into sizzling seas; a woman giving birth to a son in heaven;
a dragon with a tail so huge as to fling a third of the stars above
on to the earth.
These
are all literal impossibilities; though as symbols they can be aligned
with prophetic, historic developments.
Moreover,
this same book contains key explanations. to such mysterious figures,
sufficient to determine the meaning of such. We read such explanatory
notes as the following:
"Here
is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains.
. ." (Rev. 17:9). "The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth,
are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15).
So
Scripture compared with Scripture enables one to come to a clear understanding
of The Revelation, and to understand the plan of prophecy that
moves throughout the book.
When
this is not done skilfully, unfortunate and serious mistakes follow.
The
basic teaching of the Book of Revelation is consistent with the
rest of the Bible, and relates to the return of Christ. It proclaims
that he will return personally and visibly to the earth:
"Behold
he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which
pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him"
(Rev. 1:7).
This
is consistent with the statements cited earlier. But why should "all
kindreds of the earth wail" because of the presence of Christ? Because
there will be a general recognition of lost opportunities in relation
to it. People everywhere will regret that they have been so led astray
with false teaching concerning Christ, or have so opposed the influence
of the Bible, as to turn their backs upon its truth, and so deny themselves
the hope it presents.
As
to those who worship God in truth (see John 4:24), they will be elevated
as co-rulers with Christ in his earthly administration, and will inherit
eternal life. Christ declares:
"He
that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations" (Rev. 2:26).
"Behold
I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according
as his work shall be" (Rev 22:12).
Consider
carefully this last statement of Christ's in the light of general religious
teaching. Most claim that they will go to heaven for their reward. Not
the Bible! It plainly teaches that "the meek shall inherit the earth"
(Matt. 5:5); and here Christ states that he will come with his reward.
The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is not taught in Scripture,
which plainly reveals that the promised inheritance is eternal life
upon the earth.
Christ
comes to bring to an end the reign of flesh, and set up his own rule
from Jerusalem. Hence his promise to his followers that he will give
them "power over the nations." For reference to the earthly reign of
the Lord Jesus Christ, consider the following:
"And
the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead,
that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto
thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy
name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the
earth." . . . "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of
our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev.
11:18,15).
Analyse
these statements of Scripture. Notice that the resurrection is aligned
with a time when the nations are in an angry and belligerent attitude
with each other, and the possibility exists of men destroying the very
earth. Consider that for the first time in history man has the means
to do that through nuclear war. Even today he is busy destroying the
earth by polluting it. The return of Christ alone will prevent the destruction
of civilisation, and will be followed by his world wide reign on earth
in conjunction with his true followers. The Revelation states:
"Blessed
and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of
Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years" (Rev. 20:6).
See
how clearly this last book of the Bible, consistent with its general
teaching, proclaims:
- The
personal, visible return of Christ;
- The
resurrection and bestowal of eternal life on his followers;
- The
establishment of Christ's return on earth;
- The
subjugation of all nations to his rule.
This
glorious message of hope for a sinning, sorrowing, quarrelling world
is the basic message of the Bible as well as of the Book of Revelation.
It is summed up in the statement:
"The
God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed: the
kingdom shall not be let to other people (its rulers will be immortal);
but it shall break in pieces and consume all kingdoms, and it shall
stand forever" (Dan. 2:44).
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Who
or What Is Antichrist
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The
subject of Antichrist makes headline news in some quarters. The alleged
future of a fictional character given this title has assisted the sales
of Hal Lindsey's popular books. It is generally assumed that The Revelation
refers extensively to Satan under that name.
But
the term Antichrist does not occur in The Book Of Revelation. It is
a title given by John to a false religious system that was active in
his day, 1900 years ago!
The
Bible predicted that there would be a decline in the true teaching of
Christianity. Paul writing to Timothy prophesied:
"I
charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall
judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach
the word . . . with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will
come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables . . ." (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
Again:
"Let
no man deceive you by my means: for the day of Christ shall not come
except there come a failing away first, and that man of sin be revealed,
the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that
is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sineth in the
temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
The
Apostle thus predicted a declension from the faith, through which there
would arise one claiming infallibility,
and
false pretensions to divinity.
The
papacy does that. In 1870 a decree was issued from the Vatican proclaiming
the infallibility of the Pope; which codified the official teaching
of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is virtually worshipped by the
adherents of the church, and displays himself with all the pomp and
glory of divinity.
In
context with the statement above, the Apostle claimed that the seeds
of error were already working in his day, though its full manifestation
was hindered by the opposition of the pagan authorities of the time
(cp. vv. 7-8). When paganism is removed, he predicted:
"Then
shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with
the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming."
Paganism
received its political death-blow in A.D. 312 with the elevation of
Constantine, claimed by the Papacy to be "the first Christian emperor."
This change of government in Rome brought about the establishment of
Roman Catholicism, an event predicted by Paul in the references cited
above. The Apostle showed that the apostasy that would arise would continue
until the coming of Christ who would put it down once and for all.
The
apostate system that arose, which claims the title of Christian,
but in fact denies the principles of Christ is what the Apostle termed
Antichrist. Its workings were manifested 1900 years ago, so there is
no need to await the uprise of it today, as is claimed by H. Lindsey,
J. Walvoord, the Roman Catholic Church, and others. The term Antichrist
is used in the Bible only by John, and is used by him to describe those
who deny the saving truths of the Gospel. Hence:
"Every
spirit (the word is used in the sense of teaching - cp. John 6:63) that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God;
and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it
should come; and even now already it is in the world" (1 John 4:3).
"For
many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist" (2
John 7).
We
submit that Antichrist is the Roman Catholic Church, and that
it is the satan (a word meaning opponent) and devil (a word translated
false accuser - 2 Tim. 3:3) of all who hold the truth. It sets
forth false teaching in the name of Christ, and many of its doctrines
the Protestant churches have embraced.
Hence
it teaches the doctrine of the Trinity - three Gods instead of one;
the immortality of the soul - intangible life in heaven instead
of an immortal bodily existence on earth; the church as the Kingdom
of God - instead of Christ's reign from Jerusalem; the devil
as a fallen angel, instead of a synonym for human nature (Heb. 2:14);
and so on.
In
the past the church has exercised dictatorial control doctrinally, politically
and economically. It will do so in the future, only to be overthrown
by Christ at his coming, as Paul taught (2 Thess. 2:8).
Associated
with the alleged uprise of Antichrist in the near future is the interpretation
of the mystical number 666 referred to in Revelation 13:18. The verse
reads:
"Here
is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast;
for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred three score
and six."
The
Greek text of the Bible has only three Greek letters c x z instead
of the number 666. Unlike the English language, the letters of the Greek
language have a numerical value, and are used for numbers as well as
letters forming words.
Accordingly,
this mystical number is interpreted to mean Satan's Messiah,
on the grounds that c Chi and x Xi are the signs of Christ,
or Messiah, and that Sigma z is the sign of Satan. Therefore,
it is reasoned, 666 represents one who will arise at the time of the
end, and claiming to be Messiah or Christ, actually will be an emissary
of Satan.
We
dispute the interpretation. A more logical explanation, and one that
is given support by Scripture as well as being endorsed by commentators
since Apostolic times, is to align the word with the term Lateinos.
The numerical value of the Greek letters that make up this word also
total 666, as follows: L(30)a(l)t(300)e(5)i(IO)n(50)o(70)s(200). Lateinos
signifies the rule of the Latins, a reference to the Roman Catholic
Church, with its emphasis upon Latin, the official language of the Church,
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Modern
Antichrist Revealed
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Antichrist,
therefore, denotes a false religious system, claiming the name of Christ,
but denying his teaching and principles.
We
claim that Christendom today is such a system as that.
In
Revelation 17 it is depicted as a whore, an unfaithful woman. This is
an appropriate description of a false religious system, for the true
followers of the Lord are likened as being espoused as a chaste virgin
unto Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2).
This
false religious system is given the title of Mystery, Babylon the
Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth (Rev.
17:5). A little thought will reveal how Appropriate this title is to
Roman Catholicism. It is noted for its "mysteries;" its doctrines have
been identified with those of ancient Babylon superimposed with the
title Christian; and it claims to be a mother church, with the Protestant
Churches represented as her rebellious offspring. Speaking of the Babylonish
influence on Roman Catholicism, and the influence of the latter on Protestantism,
the historian Gibbon declared in Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire
(Ch. 47):
"During
the ten centuries of blindness and servitude, Europe received her religious
opinions from the oracle of the Vatican, and the same doctrine, already
varnished with the rust of antiquity (i.e. dating back to ancient Babylon)
was admitted without dispute into the creed of the reformers who disclaimed
the supremacy of the Roman pontiff . . . the synod of Chalcedon still
triumphs in the Protestant Churches . . ."
His
words describe the mother and her unfaithful daughters of Rev. 17. Moreover,
this same system is said to have universal influence for she is described
as "sitting upon many waters" (v. 1), which are defined as representing
"peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues" (v. 15).
It
is described as having great political power, for "the kings of the
earth have committed fornication" with her (v. 2). This is characteristic
of Rome.
Rome
is noted for its wealth, and this is provided for in the symbolism.
She is "arrayed in purple and scarlet colour (the colour of the priestly
vestments), and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls" (v. 4).
As evidence of the wealth of Catholicism, visit the Vatican, or almost
any church.
The
same system is also noted for its persecuting vigour. It is represented
as being "drunken with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" (v. 6). The
persecuting power of the church has been a feature of history. The Inquisition
and the Jesuits have played their dreadful part to that end. When power
has been with the church it has used it in the most brutal and tyrannical
manner.
To
summarise the symbolism of this chapter, we have the following representation:
- A
whorish woman - an unfaithful religious system;
- Title:
mother of harlots - A mother church claiming offspring;
- Dominating
many waters - universal influence;
- The
paramour of kings - political power;
- Decked
in colour and gold - outstanding wealth;
- Drunken
with blood - noted for persecution
All
the indications point to the Roman Catholic Church as the Organisation
referred to. And this is established beyond all doubt by two other points
of identification. The "woman" is represented as sitting on a beast
possessing seven heads, and the explanation is given: "The seven heads
are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth" (v. 9). Again, "The
woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings
of the earth" (v. 18).
What
ecclesiastical system is identified with a city built on seven hills,
and exercising world dominion in the days when the Revelation was given
to John in A.D. 96? The answer is Rome!
Every
indication, every mark of explanation, points to Roman Catholicism as
being the system referred to in this chapter, with the title: "Mystery,
Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots."
The
theory publicised by Hal Lindsey and others that claims that Antichrist
will set himself up in Jerusalem as king and demand the allegiance of
the world actually originated from Roman Catholic sources. It is claimed
that this Antichrist, motivated by satan, will "rebuild the Jewish temple
in Jerusalem," and "renew the ancient forms of worship prescribed in
the Law of Moses." He will set his power up as ruler in the Middle East,
and command the religious and political allegiance of mankind, but "the
new world ruler will reveal himself as Satan's substitute for Jesus
Christ, sometimes called Antichrist" (Armageddon by J. Walvoord,
p. 96).
Now
the Bible clearly teaches, that when the Lord Jesus returns, he will
set up his power in Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-3), will command the allegiance
of mankind, and will re-build the ancient Temple, the plans and specifications
of which are outlined in the eight closing chapters of Ezekiel's prophecy.
Referring to the future work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophet Zechariah
declares: "He shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear
the glory; and shall sit and rule upon his throne, and he shall be a
priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them
both" (Zech. 8:13).
But
the theory of the imminent rise of Antichrist, which is sweeping the
religious world today, claims that the future ruler of Jerusalem will
be satan's emissary, and as such should be opposed.
The
effect of this theory will be that when Christ does appear as king in
Jerusalem, and call upon the nations to acknowledge his position and
submit to his authority, they will refuse to do so. This will mean that
he will be compelled to reduce them to his rule by force. Therefore,
referring to nations in association with mystical Babylon the Great,
The Revelation declares:
"These
shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for
he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are
called, and chosen, and faithful" (Rev. 17:15).
The
false theory concerning Antichrist will cause the nations to resist
Christ; but by the exercise of divine power on his part, they will be
subdued and compelled to submit to his righteous rule.
Reference
to Armageddon as such is found in only one place in the Bible (Rev.
16:16), though allusions to the battle then to be fought are frequent
in its prophecies.
The
prophecy regarding Armageddon also predicts that an agitating Communistic
spirit will go forth to all nations generating a warlike attitude among
them leading to "the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Rev.
16:14).
At
such a time, Christ returns secretly, as a thief, to the world. The
appeal to his followers is couched in the following terms:
"Behold
I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments"
(Rev. 16:15).
Then
follows the statement:
"And
he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon.
. . ."
Armageddon
is the site of this crucial world conflict. The nations will be gathered
for war, and Christ will intervene to scatter the armies, and establish
his power.
But
where and what is Armageddon?
Notice
that the statement is made that the term must be interpreted "in the
Hebrew tongue."
This
is very significant, for it is only in modem times that Hebrew has been
resurrected from a dead to a living tongue. It is the language of modem
Israel, and the statement implies that at the time that the prophecy
is fulfilled, Hebrew would be again a modern language - as it is today.
Armageddon
in Hebrew can be compounded of three words: Arema (a heap of
sheaves) gai (valley) dun (judgment). The word, therefore
signifies A heap of sheaves in a valley for judgment.
This
is significant, for the great crisis of the nations, at which Christ
will appear in power and glory, is described in such a manner. The nations
are represented as being gathered as sheaves for reaping in the Valley
of Jehoshaphat (God's judgment) just outside Jerusalem (Joel
3:2,11-13). The prophet commences his description with significant words
(Joel 3:1-2):
"Behold,
in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity
of Judah (the Jewish people) and Jerusalem (the city), I will gather
all nations and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. . ."
The
modern world has witnessed the beginning of the fulfilment of this prophecy.
In 1917, the Turks were driven from Palestine, and the Balfour Declaration
invited Jews to return thereto, which they shortly afterwards commenced
to do. Fifty years later, in 1967, in the Six Days War, the city of
Jerusalem fell to the Israeli forces, and for the first time in two
thousand years, Jews again ruled their ancient capital.
At
that time, declared the prophet, God would gather all nations to the
valley of Jehoshaphat, a valley to the northeast of Jerusalem. The testimony
of Joel is in accordance with that of Zechariah 14:2:
"I
(God) will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. . . . Then
shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He
fought in the day of battle" (vv. 2,3).
It
is obvious to all thinking people that the Middle East is the critical
point of international relationships. There, the Western nations confront
Russia and the Communist bloc; and so delicate is the situation that
the antagonism engendered could flare into a conflict that would involve
the whole world.
Certainly,
neither side can permit the oil-rich countries of the Middle East to
become completely dominated by one side or the other, and so dependent
is the world upon the black-gold of its deserts, that such prophecies
as Joel 3 and Zechariah 14 cited above, are no longer mere possibilities,
but are urgent probabilities.
The
interests of the nations cause them to intrigue with the countries of
the Middle East now whilst politicians warn that it is the future powder
keg to World War Three.
Meanwhile,
preparations for war increase until they have reached staggering proportions
of the world's income. The words of the prophet are heard throughout
the earth:
"Proclaim
ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let
all the men war draw near (i.e. to Jerusalem v.1); let them come up;
beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears:
let the weak say, I am strong" (Joel 3:9-10).
How
true these words are in describing modern national policies. On all
sides, among nations small or great, guns are being supplied rather
than butter. It is computed that two thirds of the world's population
go to bed each night hungry, but still more and more of the world's
wealth is used for the manufacture of weapons of destruction. At one
time, Russia was able to supply more destitute nations with foodstuffs,
particularly grain from her vast resources; but today the Soviet is
concentrating upon the arms race, and looks to other nations for food.
She is figuratively "beating plowshares into swords, and pruninghooks
into spears," and proclaims to the whole world, "I am strong!" This
was not the case at the beginning of World War 1, when for a considerable
time, the tiny nation of Finland held at bay the Soviet Union with all
its weight of manpower.
The
same prophet describes how that the armies of the nations will be gathered
to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Jerusalem) as sheaves in a valley for
judgment (Jehoshaphat signifies Judgment of God). This is Armageddon:
the representative armies of the nations gathered as a heap of eaves
in a valley for judgment. Jerusalem will constitute the crucial point
in a war that will involve the whole world. The city will fall (Zech.
14:2), and it will seem as though the success of the Russian armies
will be without doubt, when suddenly, and unexpectedly, God will intervene
through His son the Lord Jesus:
"The
Lord shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and
the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be the hope
of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall
ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion (in the person
of His son), my holy mountain; then shall Jerusalem be holy" (Joel 3:16-17).
Ezekiel
describes the same invasion of the Middle East by hostile armies which
shall "in the latter days," come "out of the north parts" against "God's
people of Israel" (Ezekiel 38:15-16). Not only is the time given - the
latter days, but the very conditions of the Middle East are predicted.
Israel is described as inhabited by a people "gathered out of the nations;"
the land is described as "desolate places now inhabited" (vv. 8,12).
These
terms describe the land of Israel today. Moreover, the invading army
that is said by the prophet to descend "out of the north" can be identified
with Russia. The description of the commander-in-chief as "the chief
prince of Meshech and Tubal," is better rendered according to the Hebrew
(and see the Revised Version) as Prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.
"Rosh" is the earliest form of Russia; "Meshech" can be identified with
Moscow; and Tubal can be aligned with Tobolsk of Siberia.
It
is obvious today that the eyes of the Soviet are centered upon the Middle
East, and that the future of this country and of the Jewish People constitutes
a bone of contention that will ultimately erupt into world war. The
Bible predicts this, aligns it with Armageddon, and reveals that Christ,
having resurrected and given eternal life to his faithful followers,
will manifest himself to the world at that time and will intervene to
establish his authority in the earth:
"It
shall come to pass at that same time when Gog shall come against the
land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that My fury shall come up in My
face ... and I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself; and I will be
known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the
Lord" (Ezek. 38:18,23).
When
Christ returns, he will accomplish that which many people today are
teaching Antichrist will do. He will set up his power in Jerusalem;
will proclaim himself as King and Saviour; and will rebuild the Temple
to provide a basis for the unifying and universal worship he will establish
in the earth.
Isaiah
describes the result of his activities at that time:
"And
it shall come to paw in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's
house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be
exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many
people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of
the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of
his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth
the law, and the word of
the
Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall
rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against
nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isa. 2:2-4).
Unfortunately,
the Lord will receive opposition in that day, because of the propagation
of the theory attributing this action to Antichrist, and so undermining
the Truth.
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Your
Personal Involvement
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A
responsibility therefore rests upon all people of goodwill to search
out the truth concerning the purpose and will of God. We appeal to the
reader to give earnest consideration to this book, and to free his mind
from theories that would blind him to the facts of the situation.
Fulfilling
prophecy today clearly indicates that Christ is at the door. Christ
is to return, to raise from the dead and give life eternal to those
who have lived according to his will; to change the political and moral
character of the world; to unite all mankind in a common understanding
of truth, and to draw them together in a unifying worship at a Temple
to be erected in Jerusalem (see Zech. 14:16). The grand opportunity
is open to all who are prepared to identify themselves with him now,
to share his glory of the future. This requires a personal effort, both
to understand and to do what he requires. The commission given to his
disciples epitomises what is necessary. He told them: Go into all the
world and preach the Gospel, he that believeth and is baptised shall
be saved" (Mark 16:16).
Our
only purpose in writing and publishing this book is to bring to your
attention the dramatic point the world has reached in the purpose of
God, and to invite you to give consideration to the requirements of
Christ at such a critical time.