The Opened Scroll

While John is waiting for the blowing of this seventh trumpet and the bringing to a finish of the sacred secret of God, he is given a further assignment: "And the voice that I heard out of heaven is speaking again with me and saying: 'Go, take the opened scroll that is hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and the earth.' And I went away to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me: ' Take it and eat it up, and it will make your belly bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.' And I took the little scroll out of the hand of the angel and ate it up, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; but when I had eaten it up, my belly was made bitter. And they say to me: 'You must prophesy again with regard to peoples and nations and tongues and many kings.' "-Revelation 10:8-11.

John's experience is rather similar to that of the prophet Ezekiel during his exile in the land of Babylonia. He too was commanded to eat a scroll that tasted sweet in his mouth. But when it filled his stomach, it made him responsible to foretell bitter things for the rebellious house of Israel. (Ezekiel 2:8-3:15) The opened scroll that the glorified Jesus Christ gives to John is likewise a divine message. John is to preach regarding "peoples and nations and tongues and many kings." To feed upon this scroll is sweet for him because it is from a divine source. (Compare Psalm 119:103; Jeremiah 15:15, 16) But he finds it bitter to digest because-as previously with Ezekiel-it foretells unsavory things for rebellious humans. -Psalm 145:20.

The ones who tell John to prophesy again are doubtless Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. John, although exiled on the island of Patmos, has already prophesied regarding peoples, nations, tongues and kings through the information recorded so far in the book of Revelation. The word "again" means that he must write and publish the rest of the information recorded in the book of Revelation. But remember, John is here actually participating in the prophetic vision. What he records is, in fact, a prophecy to be fulfilled after 1914, when the strong angel takes up his position astride the earth and the sea. What, then, does this dramatic portrayal mean to the John class today?

Next time: The Little Scroll Today

The Finish Of The Sacred Secret

Meantime, Jehovah has another commission for John. After the seven thunders have sounded, the strong angel speaks again: "And the angel that I saw standing on the sea and on the earth raised his right hand to heaven, and by the One who lives forever and ever, who created the heaven and the things in it and the earth and the things in it and the sea and the things in it, he swore: 'There will be no delay any longer.' " (Revelation 10:5, 6) By whom does the strong angel swear? The glorified Jesus swears, not by himself, but by the highest Authority of all, Jehovah, the immortal Creator of the heavens and the earth. (Isaiah 45:12, 18) With this oath, the angel assures John that there will be no further delay on God's part.



The Greek word here translated "delay" is khro'nos, which literally means "time." Some have thus felt that this declaration of the angel should be translated: "There will be no more time," as though time as we know it will end. But the word khro'nos here is used without a definite article. So it does not mean time in general, but, rather, "a time" or "a period of time." In other words, there will be no further period of time (or, delay) by Jehovah. A Greek verb derived from khro'nos is used also at Hebrews 10:37, where Paul, quoting from Habakkuk 2:3,4 writes that "he who is coming . . . will not delay."



"No delay any longer" -how those words appeal to the aging John class today! In what respect is there no delay? John informs us: "But in the days of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish." (Revelation 10:7) Jehovah's time is here for bringing his sacred secret to its happy climax, with glorious success!



What is this sacred secret? It involves the seed first promised in Eden, which proved to be Jesus Christ. (Genesis 3:15; 1Timothy 3:16 ) It also has to do with the identity of the woman out of whom the Seed comes. (Isaiah 54:1; Galatians 4:26-28) Further, it takes in the secondary members of the seed class and the Kingdom in which the Seed reigns. (Luke 8:10; Ephesians 3:3-9; Colossians 1:26, 27; Revelation 1:5, 6) The good news about this unique heavenly Kingdom must be preached in all the earth during the time of the end.-Matthew 24:14.



Surely, this is the very best of news. Yet, at Revelation 11:14, 15, the third woe is linked with the Kingdom. Why? Because for those of mankind who prefer Satan's system of things, the trumpeting forth of the good news that the sacred secret of God is brought to a finish-that is, God's Messianic Kingdom is here-is woeful news. (Compare 2 Corinthians 2:16) It means that the world arrangement that they like so well is near to being destroyed. The voices of the seven thunders, containing such ominous storm warnings, become clearer and louder with the approach of Jehovah's great day of vengeance. -Zephaniah 1:14-18.



Next time: The Opened Scroll

The Seven Thunders

John's contemplation of this strong angel is interrupted by the angel himself: "And he [the angel] cried out with a loud voice just as when a lion roars. And when he cried out, the seven thunders uttered their own voices." (Revelation 10:3) Such a powerful shout would catch John's attention, confirming that Jesus is truly "the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah." (Revelation 5:5) John would also be aware that Jehovah, too, is sometimes said to "roar." Jehovah's roaring prophetically heralds the regathering of spiritual Israel and the coming of the destructive "day of Jehovah." (Hosea 11:10; Joel 13:14,16; Amos 1:2; 3:7, 8) Clearly, then, the lion like cry of this strong angel forebodes similar great events for the sea and the earth. It calls on the seven thunders to speak.

John has previously heard thunders proceeding from the very throne of Jehovah. (Revelation 4:5) Back in David's day, literal thunder was at times spoken of as "the voice of Jehovah." (Psalm 29:3) When Jehovah audibly proclaimed his purpose to glorify his own name in the days of Jesus' earthly ministry, to many it sounded like thunder. (John 12:28, 29) Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the 'voices of the seven thunders are Jehovah's own expression of his purposes. The fact that there were "seven" thunders suggests the completeness of what John heard.

But listen! Another voice sounds forth. It brings a command that must seem strange too John: "Now when the seven thunders spoke, I was at the point of writing; but I heard a voice out of heaven say: 'seal up the things the seven thunders spoke, and do not write them down.' " (Revelation 10:4) John must have been anxious to hear and record those thunderous messages, just as the John class today has waited eagerly for Jehovah to disclose his divine purposes for publication. Such revelations come only at Jehovah's appointed time. -Luke 12:42; see also Daniel 12:8, 9.

Next time: The Finnish Of The Sacred Secret

A Sweet-And-Bitter Message

The second woe has been devastating. It has plagued Christendom and her leaders, "a third of the men," who are thus exposed as being spiritually dead. (Revelation 9;15) John must have wondered after that what the third woe could possibly bring. But wait! The second woe is not yet finished-not until we reach the point recorded at Revelation 11:14. Before then, John is to witness a turn of events in which he himself take an active part. it begins with an awe-inspiring sight: "And I saw another strong angel descending from heaven, arrayed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet were as fiery pillars." - Revelation 10:1.

Who is this "strong angel"? It is evidently the glorified Jesus Christ in another role. He is arrayed with a cloud of invisibility, which reminds us of John's earlier words about Jesus: "Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him." (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 17:2-5) The rainbow upon his head reminds us of John's earlier vision of Jehovah's throne, with its "rainbow like an emerald in appearance." (Revelation 4:3, Compare Ezekiel 1:28) That rainbow suggested the serenity and peace surrounding God's throne. In the same way, this rainbow on the angel's head would identify him as a special peace messenger, Jehovah's foretold "Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6, 7.

The face of the strong angel was "as the sun." Earlier, in his vision of Jesus at the divine temple, John had noted that Jesus' countenance was "as the sun when it shines in its power." (Revelation 1:16) Jesus, as "the sun of righteousness, shines forth with healing in its wings for the benefit of those who fear Jehovah's name. (Malachi 4:2) Not only the face but also the feet of this angel are glorious, "as the fiery pillars." His firm stance is that of the One to whom Jehovah has given all authority. . . in heaven and on the earth." -Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:14, 15.

John observes further: "And he had in his hand a little scroll opened. And he set his right foot upon the sea, but his left one upon the earth." (Revelation 10:2) Another scroll? Yes, but this time it is not sealed. With John, we can expect soon to see further thrilling disclosures. First, though, we are given the setting for what is to follow.

Let us return to the description of Jesus. His fiery feet are upon the earth and the sea, over which he now exercises full authority. It is just as stated in the prophetic psalm: "You [Jehovah] also proceeded to make him [Jesus] a little less than godlike ones, and with glory and splendor you then crowned him. You make him dominate over the works of your hands, everything you have put under his feet: small and oxen, all of them, and also the beasts of the open field, the birds of the heaven and the fish of the sea, anything passing through the paths of the seas." (Psalm 8:5-8; see also Hebrews 2:5-9.) This psalm was completely fulfilled in 1914, when Jesus was installed as King of God's Kingdom and the time of the end began. Thus, what John sees here in vision applies since that year. -Psalm 110:1-6; Acts 2:34-36; Daniel 12:4.

Next time: The Seven Thunders

Continue with Two Myriads Of Myriads

A most zealous division of this cavalry is made up of brothers in lands where the work of Jehovah's Witnesses is under ban. Like sheep amidst wolves, these have to be "cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves." In obedience to Jehovah, they cannot stop speaking about the things they have seen and heard. (Matthew 10:16; Acts 4:19, 20; 5:28, 29, 32) Since they have little or no printed material to distribute publicly, must we conclude that they have no share in the cavalry charge? Not at all! They have their mouths and authority from Jehovah to use them to express Bible truth. This they do, informally and persuasively, establishing studies in the Bible and "bringing the many to righteousness." (Daniel 12:3) Though they may not sting with their tails in the sense of leaving behind hard-hitting literature, symbolic fire, smoke and sulfur issue from their mouths as they witness tactful and with discretion concerning Jehovah's approaching day of vindication.

In other places, the Kingdom literature continues to expose Christendom's Babylonish doctrines and ways, bringing her deserved harm in a figurative way. By using updated printing methods, this numerous cavalry in the 50 years before 1987 was able to distribute, in upwards of 200 of earth's languages, Bibles, books, magazines and brochures to the astronomical number of 7,821,078,415 copies-many times more than a literal two myriads of myriads. What a sting those tails have inflicted!

Jehovah purposed that this plaguing message should "kill a third of the men." Hence, its specific target has been Christendom. But it has reached lands far beyond Christendom, including many where the hypocrisy of Christendom's religions is well known. Have the people of these lands drawn closer to Jehovah as a result of seeing the plaguing of this corrupt religious organization? Many have! There has been a read response among meek and lovable people who live in areas outside Christendom's immediate sphere of influence. But as for the people in general, John describes: "But the rest of the man who were not killed by these plagues did not repent of the works of their hand, so that they should not worship the demons and the idols of gold and silver and copper and stone and wood, which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk; and they did not repent of their murders nor of their spiritistic practices nor of their fornication nor of their thefts." (Revelation 9:20, 21) There will be no world conversion of such unrepentant ones. All who persist in their wicked ways will have to face adverse judgment form Jehovah in the great day of vindication. But "everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe." -Joel 2:32; Psalm 145:20; Acts 2:20, 21.

What we have just discussed is pare of the second woe. There is more to come.

Next time: A Sweet-And-Bitter Message

Continue with Two Myriads Of Myriads

Has this great crowd had a part in the cavalry charge that got under way in 1922 and that received particular emphasis at the Toronto convention in 1927? Under the direction of the four angels, the anointed John class, it certainly has! At the world-circling "Everlasting Good News" Assembly of 1963, it joined with the John class in rousing resolution. This declared that the world "faces an earthquake of world trouble the like which it has never known, and all its political institutions and its modern religious Babylon will be shaken to bits." The resolve was expressed that "we will continue to declare to all peoples without partiality the 'everlasting good news' concerning God's Messianic Kingdom and concerning his judgments, which are like plagues to his enemies but which will be executed for the liberation of all persons who desire to worship God the Creator acceptably wit spirit and truth." This resolution was adopted enthusiastically at 24 assemblies around the globe by a grand total of 454,977 conventioneers, of whom well over 95 percent were of the great crowd.

The great crowd has continued to declare its unqualified unity with the John class in pouring out the plagues on Christendom. In 1988 this great crowd made up more than 99.7 percent of the work force that Jehovah is using in the field. Its members are wholeheartedly in accord with the John class, concerning whom Jesus prayed at John 17:20, 21: "I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word; in order that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me forth." As the anointed John class takes the lead under Jesus, the zealous great crowd shares with them in the most devastating cavalry charge of all human history!"

That cavalry needs equipment for the warfare. And how wonderfully Jehovah has provided this! John describes it: "For the authority of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with these they do harm." (Revelation 9:19) Jehovah has ordained his dedicated, baptized ministers for this service. Through the Theocratic Ministry School and other congregation meetings and schools, he has taught them how to preach the word, so that they are able to speak authoritatively with "the tongue of the taught ones." He has put his words in their mouths and sent them forth to make known his judgments "publicly and from house to house." (2Timothy 4:2; Isaiah 50:4; 61:2; Jeremiah 1:9, 10; Acts 20:20) The John class ans the great crowd have left behind a stinging message, corresponding to "tails," in the thousands of millions of Bibles, books,brochures and magazines distributed over the years. To their opponents, who are these advised of the coming "harm" from Jehovah, these armies of cavalry truly seem like two myriads of myriads. -Compare Joel 2:4-6.

Next time: Continue with the above subject.

Two Myriads Of Myriads

How can there be two myriads of myriads of this cavalry? A myriad is literally 10 -200 million. Happily, there are now millions of Kingdom proclaimers, but their number is far short of hundreds of millions! Remember, though, Moses' words at Numbers 10:36: "Do return, O Jehovah, to the myriads of thousands of Israel." (Compare Genesis 24:60) That would mean, literally, 'do return to the tens of millions of Israel.' Israel, however, numbered only about two to three million in Moses' day. What, then, was Moses saying? No doubt he had in mind that the Israelites should be unnumbered as "the stars of the heavens and like the grains of sand that are on the seashore," rather than be counted. (Genesis 22:17; 1Chronicles 27:23) SO he used the word for "myriads" to indicate a large but unspecified number. Thus, The New English Bible renders this verse: "Rest, Lord of the countless thousands of Israel." This agrees with a second definition of the word for "myriad" found in Greek and Hebrew dictionaries: "and innumerable multitude," a "multitude." -The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexion of the New Testament; Gesenius' A Hebrew and English Lexion of the Old Testament, translated by Edward Robinson.

Nevertheless, those of the John class still remaining on earth number fewer than 10,000-less than one literal myriad. How could they be likened to countless thousands of cavalry? To become myriads even in a symbolic sense, would they not need reinforcements? That is what they have needed, and by Jehovah's undeserved kindness, that is what they have received! From where have these come from?

From 1918-1922, the John class began to hold out to distressed humanity the happy prospect that "millions how living will never die." In1923 it was also made known that the sheep of Matthew 25:31-34 would inherit life on earth under God's Kingdom. A similar hope was held out in the booklet Freedom for the Peoples; released at the international convention in 1927. In the early 1930's the upright Jehonadab class and the 'men sighing and groaning' over Christendom's sorry spiritual condition were shown to be identical with the symbolic sheep having earthly life prospects. (Ezekiel 9:4; 2 Kings10:15, 16) Directing such ones to the modern-day "cities of refuge," The Watchtower of August 15, 1934, stated: " Those of the Jonadab class have heard the sound of God's trumpet and have heeded the warning by fleeing to God's organization and associating with God's people, and there they must abide." -Numbers 35:6

In 1935, those of this Jonadab class were specially invited to attend the convention of Jehovah's Witnesses in Washington D.C., U.S.A. There, on Friday, May 31, J.R. Rutherford gave his famous talk "The Great Multitude," in which he clearly showed that this group of Revelation 7:9 (King James Version) was the same as the sheep of Matthew 25:33-a dedicated group with earthly hopes. As a harbinger of things to come, at that convention 840 new Witnesses were baptized, most of them being of the great crowd.

Next time: Continue with the above subject.

Continue with The Second Woe-Armies Of Cavalry

Apparently, this cavalry thunders forth under the guiding direction of the four angels. What a fearsome spectacle! Imagine your reaction if you were to be the target of such a cavalry charge! Its very appearance would strike terror into your heart. Did you notice, though, how similar this cavalry is to the locusts that preceded it? The locusts were like horses; in the cavalry there are horses. Both, then, are involved in the theocratic warfare. (Proverbs 12:31) The locusts has teeth like lions. Both are therefore tied in with the courageous Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ, who is their Leader, Commander and exemplar. -Revelation 5:5; Proverbs 28:1.

Both the locusts and the cavalry share in Jehovah's work of judgment. The locusts emerged from smoke that portended woe and destructive fire for Christendom; from the mouths of the horses, there issue forth fire, smoke and sulfur. The locusts had breastplates of iron, signifying that their hearts were protected by unbending devotion to righteousness, the cavalry wear breastplates colored, red, blue and yellow, reflecting the fire, smoke and sulfur of the lethal judgment messages that gush from the mouths of the horses. (Compare Genesis 19:24, 28; Luke 17:29, 30) The locusts had tails like scorpions for tormenting; the horses have tails like serpents for killing! It seems that what was started by the locusts is to be pursued by the cavalry with greater intensity to a completion.

So, what does this cavalry symbolize? Just as the anointed John class started the trumpet like proclamation of Jehovah's judgment of divine vengeance against Christendom, with authority to 'sting and hurt,' so we would expect the same living group to be used in the 'killing,' that is, in making known that Christendom and its clergy are completely dead spiritually, cast of by Jehovah and ready for "the fiery furnace" of everlasting destruction. Indeed, all of Babylon the Great must perish. (Revelation 9:5,10; 18:2, 8; Matthew 13:41-43) Preliminary to her destruction, however, the John class uses the "sword of the spirit, that is, God's word,," in exposing Christendom's deathlike condition. The four angels and the riders of the horse give directions to this figurative killing of "a third of the men." (Ephesians 6:17; Revelation 9:15, 18) This indicates proper organization and theocratic direction under the oversight of the Lord Jesus Christ as the awesome band of Kingdom proclaimers charges forth to the battle.

Next time: Two Myriads Of Myriads

Continue with The Second Woe-Armies Of Cavalry

Happily, John can report: "And the four angels were untied, who have been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, to kill a third of the men." (Revelation 9:15) Jehovah is precise Timekeeper. He has a timetable and is keeping to it. Hence, these messengers are released exactly on schedule and in time to accomplish what they have to do. Imagine their joy on coming forth from bondage in 1919, ready for work! They have a commission not only to torment but finally "to kill a third of the men." This is related to the plagues heralded by the first four trumpet blasts, which afflicted a third of the earth, the sea, the creatures of the sea, the fountains and rivers, and the heavenly light sources. (Revelation 8:7-12) The four angels go further. They "kill," exposing to a completion. Christendom's spiritually dead condition. Trumpeted pronouncements, made from 1922 onward and continuing to the present time, have accomplished this.

Remember, the heavenly angel has just sounded the sixth trumpet. Responding thereto, the sixth series of Bible Students' annual international conventions was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The program there on Sunday, July 24, 1927, was aired through a chain of 53 radio stations, the most extensive broadcast network up to that time. That spoken message went out to an audience of possible millions. First, a forceful resolution exposed Christendom as spiritually dead and extended the invitation: "In this hour of perplexity Jehovah God bids the peoples to abandon and forever forsake 'Christendom' or 'organized Christianity' and to turn completely away from it. . .; [let] the peoples give their heart's devotion and allegiance wholly to Jehovah God and to his King and kingdom." "Freedom for the Peoples" was the title of the public talk that followed J. F. Rutherford, president of the Watchtower Society, delivered this in his usual dynamic style, appropriate to "the fire and the smoke and the sulphur" that John next observes in his vision.

"And the number of the armies of cavalry was two myriads of myriads: I heard the number of them. And this is how I saw the horses in the vision, and those seated on them: they had fire-red and hyacinth-blue and sulphur-yellow breastplates; and the heads of the horses were as heads of lions, and out of their mouths fire and smoke and sulphur issued forth. By these three plagues a third of the men were killed, fro the fire and the smoke and the sulphur which issued forth from their mouths." -Revelation 9:16-18.

Next time: Continue with the above subject

The Second Woe-Armies Of Calvalry

From 1919 onward, the symbolic locusts' invasion of Christendom has caused the clergy much discomfort. They have tried to stamp out the locusts, but these have kept coming on stronger than ever. (Revelation 9:7) And that is not all! John writes: "The one woe is past. Look! Two more woes are coming after these things." (Revelation 9:10) Further tormenting plagues are in store for Christendom.

What is the source of the second woe? John writes: "And the sixth angel blew his trumpet. And I heard one voice out of the horns of the golden altar that is before God say to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet: 'Untie the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates.' " (Revelation 9:13, 14) The angel's release is in answer to the voice that comes from the horns of the golden altar. this is the golden incense altar, and twice previously the incense of the golden bowls from this altar has been associated with the prayers of the holy ones. (Revelation 5:8; 8:3, 4) Therefore, this one voice represents the united prayers of the holy ones on earth. They petition that they themselves be delivered for further energetic service as Jehovah's "messengers," this being the basic meaning of the Greek word here translated "angels." Why are there four angels? This symbolic number seems to indicate that they would be so organized as to cover the earth in its entirety. -Compare Revelation 7:1; 20:8.

How had these angels been "bound at the great river Euphrates"? The river Euphrates in ancient times was the northeastern border of the land that Jehovah promised to Abraham. (Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 11:24) Apparently, the angels had been restrained at the border of their God-given land, or earthly realm of activity, held back from entering fully into the service that Jehovah had prepared for them. The Euphrates was also prominently associated with the city of Babylon, and after the fall of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E., fleshly Israelites spent 70 years there in captivity, "bound at the great river Euphrates." (Psalm 137:1) The year 1919 found the spiritual Israelites bound in a similar restraint, disconsolate and asking Jehovah for guidance.

Next time: Continue with the above subject

World Rulers Put On Notice

The modern-day locusts had a job to do. The Kingdom good news had to be preached. Errors had to be exposed. Lost sheep had to be found. As the locusts went about these tasks, the John class has continued to expose Christendom as deserving of Jehovah's adverse judgments. In response to the fifth trumpet, a particular aspect of these judgments was emphasized at a convention of the Bible Students in London, England, May 25-31, 1926. This featured a resolution, "A Testimony to the Rulers of the World," and a public talk as the Royal Albert Hall on "Why World Powers are Tottering-The Remedy," the complete text of both of these bring printed in a leading London newspaper the following day. Later, the locust band distributed worldwide, as a tract, 50 million copies of that resolution-a torment indeed to the clergy! Years later, people in England still spoke of this stinging expose.

At this convention, the symbolic locusts received further fighting equipment, notably a new book entitled Deliverance. It included a Scriptural discussion of the sign proving that the 'man child' government, Christ's heavenly Kingdom, had been born in 1914. (Matthew 24:3-14; Luke 21:24-26; Revelation 12:1-10) Thereafter, it quoted the manifesto published in London in 1918 and signed by eight clergymen who were described as being "among the world's greatest preachers." They represented the leading protestant denominations -Baptist, Congregational,Presbyterian, episcopalian, and Methodist. This manifesto proclaimed that "the present crisis points toward the close of the times of the Gentiles" and that "the revelation of the Lord may be expected at any moment." Yes, those clergymen had recognized the sign of Jesus' presence! But did they want to do anything about it? The book deliverance informs us : "The most remarkable part of the affair is that the very men who signed the manifesto subsequently repudiated it and rejected the evidence which proves that we are at the end of the world and in the day of the Lord's second presence."

Rather than announce the incoming Kingdom of God, Christendom's clergy have chosen to remain with Satan's world. They want not part with the locust band and their King, concerning whom John now observes: "They have over them a king, the angel of the abyss. In Hebrew his name is Abaddon [meaning "Destruction"], but in Greek he has the name Apollyon [meaning " Destroyer"]. (Revelation 9:11) As "angel of the abyss" and "Destroyer," Jesus had truly released a plaguing woe on Christendom. But more is to follow!

Next time: The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry

Locusts Equipped For Battle

What a remarkable appearance those locusts have! John describes it: "And the likenesses of the locusts resembled horses prepared for battle; and upon their heads were what seem to be crowns like gold, and their faces were as men's faces, but they had hair as women's hair. And their teeth werre as those of lions; and they had breastplates like iron breastplates. And the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running into battle." -Revelation 9:7-9.

This well illustrates the loyal group of revived Christians in 1919. Like horses, they were ready for battle, eager to fight for the truth in the way described by the apostle Paul. (Ephesians 6:11-13; 2 Corinthians 10:4) On their heads John sees what seem to be crowns of gold. It would not be proper for them to have actual crowns because they do not begin ruling while they are still on earth. (1 Corinthians 4:8; Revelation 20:4) But in 1919 they already had a royal appearance. They were brothers of the King, and their heavenly crowns were reserved for them provided they continued faithful to the end. -2Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4.

In the vision, the locusts have iron breastplates, symbolizing unbreakable righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14-18) They also have men's faces, this feature pointing to the quality of love, since man was made in the image of God, who is love. (Genesis 1:26; 1 John 4:16) Their hair is long like a woman's , which well pictures subjection to their King, the angel of the abyss. And their teeth resembled a lion's teeth. A lion uses its teeth to tear meat. From 1919 onward, the John class has again been able to take in solid spiritual food, particularly the truths about God's Kingdom ruled by "the lion that is of the tribe of Judah," Jesus Christ. Just as the lion symbolizes courage, so great courage has been needed to digest this hard-hitting message, to bring it forth in publications, and to distribute it around the globe. Those figurative locusts have made a lot of noise, like "the sound of chariots of many horses running into battle." After the example of first-century Christians, they do not intend to stay quiet. -1 Corinthians 11:7-15; Revelation 5:5.

This preaching involves more than the spoken word! "Also, they have tails and stings like scorpions; and in their tails is their authority to hurt the men five months." (Revelation 9:10) What could this mean? As they go about their kingdom work, Jehovah's Witnesses leave behind them publications -books, magazines, brochures and timely tracts. These contain authoritative statements, based on God's Word, for the people to read in their homes, and they have scorionlike sting because they warn of Jehovah's approaching day of vengeance. (Isaiah 6:12) Before the present generation of spiritual locusts lives out its life span, its divinely ordained work of declaring Jehovah's judgments will be completed-to the hurt of all stiff-necked blasphemers.

That locust band was overjoyed when a new magazine, the Golden Age, was announced at their 1919 convention. It was a biweekly magazine, designed to intensify the sting of their witnessing. Its issue No. 27, of September 29, 1920, exposed the clergy's duplicity in persecuting the Bible Students in the United States during the 1918-19 period. Through the 1920's and 1930's, the Golden Age tormented the clergy with further stinging articles and cartoons that exposed their crafty dabbling in politics, and especially the Catholic hierarchy's accords made with the Facist and Nazi dictators. In response, the clergy 'framed mischief by law' and organized mob violence against God's people. -Psalm 94:20, King James Version.

Next time: World Rulers Put On Notice

Those Tormenting Locusts!

What battle instructions did those locusts receive? John reports: "An they were told to harm no vegetation of the earth nor any green thing nor any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And it was granted the locusts, not to kill them, but that these should be tormented five months, and the torment upon them was as torment by a scorpion when it strikes a man. And in those days the men will seek death but will by no means find it, and they will desire to die but death keeps fleeing from them." -Revelation 9:4-6.

Notice that this plague is not directed first against the people or prominent ones among them-the 'vegetation and the trees of the earth.' (Compare Revelation 8:7) The locusts are to harm only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads, those in Christendom who claim to be sealed but whose record belies that claim. (Ephesians 1:13, 14) Thus, the tormenting utterances of those modern-day locusts were directed first against the religious leaders of Christendom. How these self-assuming men must have been tormented at hearing it publicly announced that not only were they failing to lead their flocks to heaven but they themselves would not get there! Truly, it has been a case of 'the blind leading the blind'! -Matthew 15:14.

The torment lasts for five months. Is that a relatively short time? Not from the point of view of a literal locust. Five months describes the normal life span of one of these insects. Therefore, it is for as long as they live that the modern-day locusts keep stinging God's enemies. Moreover, the torment is so severe that men seek to die. True, we have no record that any of those who were stung by the locusts actually tried to kill themselves. But the expression helps us to picture the intensity of the torment-as though by the relentless assault of scorpions. It is like the suffering foreseen by Jeremiah for those unfaithful Israelites who would be scattered by the Babylonian conquerors and for whom death would be preferable to life. -Jeremiah 8:3; see also Ecclesiastes 4:2, 3.

Why is it granted to torment these ones, in a spiritual sense, and not to kill them? This is an initial woe in the exposing of the lies of Christendom and her failures, but only later, as the Lord's day progresses, will her death-like spiritual state by fully publicized. It will be during a second woe that a third of the men are killed. -Revelation 1:10; 9:12, 18; 11:14.

Next time: Locusts Equipped For Battle

The 20th-Century Plague

Reasonably, we could expect Joel's prophecy to have a final fulfillment in the time of the end. How true this has proved to be! At the Bible Students' convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., September 1-8, 1919, a notable outpouring of Jehovah's spirit activated his people to organize a global campaign of preaching. Of all professed Christians, they alone, recognizing that Jesus had been enthroned as heavenly King, spared no effort in publishing abroad that good news. Their relentless witnessing, in fulfillment of prophecy, became as a tormenting plague to apostate Christendom. -Matthew 24:3-8, 14; Acts 1:8.

Revelation, written some 26 years after Jerusalem's destruction, also describes that plague. What does it add to Joel's description? Let us take up the record, as reported by John: "And the fifth angel blew his trumpet. And I saw a star that had fallen from heavens to the earth, and the key of the pit of the abyss was given him." (Revelation 9:1) This "star" is different from that at Revelation 8:10 that John saw in the act of falling. He sees a 'star that had fallen from heaven" and that now has an assignment with respect to this earth. Is this a spirit or a fleshly person? The holder of this "key of the pit of the abyss" is later described as hurling Satan into "the abyss." (Revelation 20:1-3) So he must be a mighty spirit person. At Revelation 9:11, John tells us that the locusts have "a king, the angel of the abyss." Both verses must refer to the same individual, since the angel holding the key of the abyss would logically be the angel of the abyss. And the star must symbolize Jehovah's appointed King, since anointed Christians acknowledge only the one angelic King, Jesus Christ. -Colossians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:25.

The account continues: " And he opened the pit of the abyss, and smoke ascended out of the pit as the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun was darkened, also the air, by the smoke of the pit. And out of the smoke locusts came forth upon the earth; and authority was given them, the same authority as the scorpions of the earth have." (Revelation 9:2, 3) Scripturally, "the abyss" is a place of inactivity, even of death. (Compare Romans 10:7; Revelation 17:8, 20:1, 3) The small band of Jesus' brothers spent a short time in such an "abyss" of relative inactivity at the end of the first world war (1918-1919). But when Jehovah poured his spirit upon his repentant servants in 1919, they swarmed forth to meet the challenge of the work that lay ahead.

As John observes, the release of the locusts is accompanied by much smoke, like "the smoke of a great furnace." That is how it proved to be in 1919. The situation darkened for Christendom and for the world in general. (Compare Joel 2:30, 31). The release of those locusts, the John class, was actually a defeat for Christendom's clergy, who had schemed and plotted to kill the Kingdom work for good and who now rejected God's Kingdom. Evidence of a smoke like pall started to spread over apostate Christendom as that locust band was given divine authority and began to exercise it in proclaiming powerful judgment messages. Christendom's "sun"-her appearance of enlightenment- suffered an eclipse , and "the air" became thick with declarations of divine judgments as "the ruler of the authority of the air" of this world was shown to be Christendom's god. -Ephesians 2:2; John 12:31; 1 John 5:19.

Next time: Those Tormenting Locusts!

A First-Century Plague

There was a fulfillment of Joel Chapter 2 in the first century. It was then, at Pentecost 33 C.E., that holy spirit was poured out, anointing the first Christians and empowering them to speak "the magnificent things of God" in many tongues. As a result, a large crowd assembled. The apostle Peter addressed those astonished onlookers, quoting Joel 2:28,29 and explaining that they were witnessing its fulfillment. (Acts 2:1-21) But there is no record of a literal insect plague at that time, causing discomfort to some and leading others to repentance.

What there a figurative plague during those days? Yes, indeed! It came as a result of the relentless preaching of the newly anointed Christians. Through them, Jehovah invited those Jews who would listen to repent and enjoy blessings from him. (Acts 2:38-40; 3:19) The individuals who responded received his favor to a remarkable degree. But to the ones who refused the invitation, the first-century Christians became like a devastating swarm of locusts. Starting in Jerusalem, they spread through all Judea and Samaria. Soon they were everywhere, tormenting the unbelieving Jews by publicly proclaiming Jesus' resurrection, with all that this implied. (Acts 1:8; 4:18-20; 5:17-21, 28, 29, 40-42; 17:5, 6 ,21:27-30) That plaguing continued until the "fear-inspiring day," IN 70 C.E., when Jehovah brought the Roman armies against Jerusalem to destroy it. Only those Christians who in faith called on the name of Jehovah were saved. -Joel 2:32; Acts 2:20, 21; Proverbs 18:10.

Next time: The 20th Century Plague

The First Woe-Locusts

The fifth angel prepares to blow his trumpet. Four heavenly trumpets have already sounded, and four plagues have been directed to the third of the earth that Jehovah regards as most reprehensible-Christendom. Her deathly sick condition has been uncovered. While angels sound the trumpet blasts, human heralds follow through on the earth. Now the fifth angelic trumpet is about to announce the first woe, more fearsome even than what has gone before. It is related to a terrifying locust plague. First, though, let us examine other scriptures that will help us to understand this plague better.

The Bible book of Joel, written during the ninth century B.C.E., describes a plague of insects, including locusts, that is similar to the one that John sees. (Joel 2:1-11, 25) It was to cause much discomfort for apostate Israel but would also result in individual Jews' repenting and returning to Jehovah's favor. (Joel 2:6, 12-14) When that time arrived, Jehovah would pour out his spirit upon "every sort of flesh," while fearful signs and alarming portents would precede "the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah." -Joel 2:11, 28-32.

Next time: A First-Century Plague

A Flying Eagle

These first four trumpet blasts truly resulted in uncovering the desolate and death-dealing condition of Christendom. Her part of "the earth" was exposed as deserving of Jehovah's judgment. Revolutionary governments springing up in her lands and elsewhere were shown to be inimical to spiritual life. The fallen condition of her clergy was laid bare, and the general darkness of her spiritual condition was exposed for all to see. Christendom is truly the most reprehensible part of Satan's system of things.

What more is there to reveal? Before we find the answer to this question, there is a brief pause in the series of trumpet blasts. John describes what he next sees: "And I saw, and I heard an eagle flying in mid-heaven say with a loud voice: 'Woe, woe, woe to those dwelling on the earth because of the rest of the trumpet blasts of the three angels who are about to blow their trumpets!' " -Revelation 8:13.

An eagle flies high in the sky, so that people in a wide area can see it. It has exceptionally keen sight and can see a long way ahead of itself. (Job 39:29) One of the four cherubic living creatures around God's throne was pictured as a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:6, 7) Whether it is this cherub or another farsighted servant of God, it loudly proclaims a dynamic message: "Woe, woe, woe"! Let earth's inhabitants take note, as the three remaining trumpet blasts are heard, each of them linked to the one of these woes.

Next time: The First Woe-Locusts

Darkness!

"And the fourth angel blew his trumpet. And a third of the sun was smitten and a third of the moon and a third of the stars, in order that a third of them might be darkened and the day might not have illumination for a third of it, and the night likewise." (Revelation 8:12) The ninth plague on Egypt was a plague of literal darkness. (Exodus 10:21-29) But what is this symbolic darkness that comes to plague men in our 20th century?

The apostle Peter told fellow believers that they had been in darkness, spiritually speaking, before they became Christians. (1 Peter 2:9) Paul too used the w0rd "darkness" to describe the spiritual state of those outside the Christian congregation. (Ephesians 5:8; 6:12; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5) But what about those in Christendom who claim to believe in God and who say they accept Jesus as their Savior?

Jesus said that true Christians would be recognized by their fruits and that many claiming to be his followers would be "workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:15-23) No one looking at the fruits of the third of the world occupied by Christendom can deny that she is groping in gross spiritual darkness. (2 Corinthians 4:4) She is most blameworthy, for she claims to be Christian. Hence, it is only proper that the fourth angel should trumpet the fact that Christendom's "light" is, in fact, darkness, and her sources of "light" are Babylonish-non Christian. -Mark 13:22, 23; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4.

In line with that heavenly proclamation, a capacity crowd of God's people assembled in convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., on August 29, 1925, and adopted for publication a forthright resolution entitled "Message of Hope." Again, some 50 million copies were distributed in a number of languages. It described the false light held out by the combine of commercial profiteers, political leaders, and the religious clergy, as a result of which "the peoples have fallen into darkness." And it pointed to God's Kingdom as the real hope for receiving "the blessings of peace, prosperity, health, life,liberty and eternal happiness." It took courage for the small band of anointed Christians to proclaim such messages against the giant organization of Christendom. But consistently,from the early 1920's until now, they have done so. In more recent times, in 1955, a further expose' of the clergy class was made by a worldwide distribution in many languages of a booklet entitled Christendom or Christianity-Which One is "The Light Of The World"? Today, Christendom's hypocrisy has become so evident that many in the world can see it for themselves . But Jehovah's people have not let up in exposing her for what she is a kingdom of darkness.

Next time: A Flying Eagle

Continue with: A Star Falls From Heaven

This fall from the spiritual heavens became apparent in the year 1919 when, rather than Christendom's clergy, the small remnant of anointed Christians was appointed over the Kingdom interests. (Matthew 24:45-47) And from 1922 that fall was dramatized when this group of Christians renewed their campaign frankly exposing the failings of the clergy of Christendom.

Outstanding in this connection was the proclamation made at what The Golden Age magazine described as "the greatest convention of Bible Students held during the ages." This convention assembled in Columbus,Ohio, July 20-27, 1924. No doubt at the direction of the angel that sounded the third trumpet, a forceful resolution was there adopted and later 50 million copies were distributed as a tract. It was published under the title Ecclesiastics Indicted. A subheading presented the issue: "The Seed Of The Serpent." The indictment itself roundly exposed Christendom's clergy on matters such as their taking of high-sounding religious titles, their making commercial giants and professional politicians the principal ones of their flocks, their desiring to shine before men, and their refusing to preach to the people the message of Messiah's Kingdom. It emphasized that every dedicated Christian is commissioned by God to proclaim "the day of vengeance of our God: to comfort all that mourn." - Isaiah 61:2, KJ.

Since the third angel started to blow his trumpet, the clergy's position of dominance among mankind has been slipping until, in this day and age, very few of them retain the godlike powers they enjoyed in former centuries. Because of the preaching of Jehovah's Witnesses, great numbers of people have come to realize that many doctrines taught by the clergy are spiritual poison-"wormwood." Furthermore, the clergy's power in northern Europe is almost spent, while in most Eastern European lands, as well as in China, the government strictly curtails their influence. In Catholic parts of Europe and in the Americas, the clergy's scandalous behavior in financial, political and moral affairs has sullied their reputation. From now on, their position can only get worse, since soon they will suffer the same fate as all other false religionists. -Revelation 18:21; 19:2.

Jehovah's plaguing of Christendom is not yet finished. Consider what happens after the fourth trumpet blast.

Next time: Darkness!

A Star Falls From Heaven

"And the third angel blew his trumpet. And a great star burning up as a lamp fell from heaven, and it fell upon a third of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters. And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And a third of the waters turned into wormwood, and many of the men died from the waters, because these had been made bitter." (Revelation 8:10, 11) Once again, other parts of the Bible helps us to see how this scripture applies in the Lord's day.

We have already met the symbolism of a star in Jesus' messages to the seven congregations, in which the seven stars symbolize the elders in the congregations. (Revelation 1:20) Anointed "stars," along with all others of the anointed, inhabit heavenly places in a spiritual sense from the time that they are sealed with the holy spirit as a token of their heavenly inheritance. (Ephesians 2:6, 7) However, the apostle Paul warned that from among such starlike ones would come apostates, sectarians who would mislead the flock. (Acts 20:29,30) Such unfaithfulness would result in a great apostasy, and these fallen elders would come to make up a composite man of lawlessness that would elevate himself to a godlike position among mankind. (2Thessalonians 2;3,4) Paul's warnings were fulfilled when the clergy of Christendom appeared on the world scene. This group is well represented by the symbol of "a great star burning as a lamp.

John sees this particular star falling from heaven. How? The experiences of an ancient king helps us to understand. Speaking to the King of Babylon, Isaiah said: "O how you have fallen from heaven, you shining one, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the earth, you who are disabling the nations!" (Isaiah 14:12) This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon was overthrown by the armies of Cyrus, and its king made an abrupt descent from world rulership to shameful defeat. Thus, a fall from heaven can refer to losing a high position and falling into ignominy.

When the clergy of Christendom apostatized from true Christianity, they fell from the lofty "heavenly"position described by Paul at Ephesians 2;6, 7. Instead of offering fresh waters of truth, they served up "wormwood," bitter lies such as hellfire, purgatory, the Trinity and predestination; also, they led the nations into war, failing to build them up as moral servants of God. The result? Spiritual poisoning of those who believed the lies. Their case was similar to that of the unfaithful Israelites of Jeremiah's day, to whom Jehovah said: "Here I am making them eat wormwood, and I will give them poisoned water to drink. For from the prophets of Jerusalem apostasy has gone forth to all the land." -Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15.

Next time: Continue with the above subject.

Continue with -Like A Burning Mountain

The Fascist and Nazi experiments were snuffed out by the second world war, but government continued to be a fiery issue, and the human sea continued to churn and throw up new revolutionary governments. In the decades since 1945, these have been installed in many places, such as China, Vietnam, Cuba and Nicaragua. In Greece an experiment in military dictatorship failed. In Kampuchea (Cambodia) an excursion into fundamentalist communism resulted in a reported two million and more deaths.

That "mountain burning with fire" continues to make waves in the sea of mankind. Ongoing struggles over government are reported in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific islands. Many of these struggles are taking place in lands of Christendom or where Christendom's missionaries have become activists. Roman Catholic Priests have even joined up with and fought as members of communist guerrilla bands. At the same time, Protestant evangelical groups have worked in Central America to counter what they call the communists' "vicious and relentless thirst for power." But none of these convulsions in the sea of mankind can bring peace and security. -Compare Isaiah 25:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

The second trumpet blast reveals that those of mankind who got involved in revolutionary conflicts over government rather than submit to God's Kingdom are blood guilty. Particularly Christendom's "third of the sea" has become as blood. All living things therein are dead in God's eyes. None of the radical organizations floating like boats in that third of the sea can avoid ultimate shipwreck. How happy we are that millions of sheep like people have now heeded the trumpet like call to separate from those who are still wallowing in the narrow nationalism and blood guilt of that sea!

Next time: A Star Falls From Heaven

Like A Burning Mountain

"And the second angel blew his trumpet. And something like a great mountain burning with fire was hurled into the sea. And a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the creatures that are in the sea which have souls died, and a third of the boats were wrecked." (Revelation 8:8,9) What does this frightful scene picture?

We may best understand it against the background of the convention of Jehovah's people held in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., on August 18-26, 1923. The featured Saturday afternoon talk by the Watchtower Society's president was on the topic "Sheep and Goats." The "sheep" were clearly identified as those righteously disposed persons who would inherit the earthly realm of God's Kingdom. A resolution that followed drew attention to the hypocrisy of "apostate clergymen and 'the principle of their flocks,' who are worldly men of strong financial and political influence." It called on the "multitude of the peace and order loving ones in the denominational churches. . . to withdraw themselves from the unrighteous ecclesiastical systems designated by the Lord as ' Babylon' " and to ready themselves "to receive the blessings of God's kingdom."

Doubtless, this resolution came as a result of the sounding of the second trumpet. Those who would in due course respond to that message would separate from the goat like group that Isaiah described in these words: "But the wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire." (Isaiah 57:20; 17:12, 13) Thus, "the sea" well pictures restless, unsettled, and rebellious humanity that churns up unrest and revolution. (Compare Revelation 13:1) The time will come when that "sea" will be no more. (Revelation 21:1) Meantime, with the blast of the second trumpet, Jehovah pronounces judgment against the third of it-the unruly part that is in the realm of Christendom herself.

A great mountain like mass burning with fire is hurled into this "sea." In the Bible, mountains very often symbolize governments. For example, God's Kingdom is portrayed as a mountain. (Daniel 2:35, 44) Ruinous Babylon became a "burnt-out mountain." (Jeremiah 51:25) But the mountainous mass that John sees is still burning. Its being hurled into the sea will represents how, during and after the first world war, the question of government became a burning issue among mankind, especially in the lands of Christendom. In Italy, Mussolini introduced Fascism. Germany embraced Hitler's Nazism, while other countries tried different forms of socialism. A radical change occurred in Russia, where the Bolshevik revolution produced the first communist state, with the result that religious leaders of Christendom lost power and influence in what was formerly on of their strongholds.

Next time: Continue with the above subject.

A Third Of The Earth Burned Up

Reporting on the angels, John writes: "And the first one blew his trumpet. And there occurred a hail and fire mingled with blood, and it was hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees was burned up, and all the green vegetation was burned up." (Revelation 8:7) This is similar to the seventh plague on Egypt, but what does it mean for our 20th century? -Exodus 9:24.

In the Bible, the world "earth" often refers to mankind. (Genesis 11:1; Psalm 96:1) Since the second plague is on the sea, which also has to do with mankind, "The earth" must refer to the seemingly stable human society that Satan has built up and that is due to be destroyed. (2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 21:1) The plague scenario reveals that Christendom's third of the earth is scorched by the searing heat of Jehovah's disapproval. Her prominent ones-standing like trees in the midst of her-are burned up by the proclaiming of Jehovah's adverse judgment. All her hundreds of millions of church members, if they continue to support Christendom's religion, become like scorched blades of grass, spiritually wilted In God's eyes. -Compare Psalm 37:1,2.

How is this judgment message delivered? Generally, not by the world's news media, which are part of the world and often reproachful of God's slave." (Matthew 24:45) It was proclaimed in a notable way at the second historic gathering of God's people at Cedar Point, Ohio, September 10, 1922. These unanimously and enthusiastically adopted a resolution entitled "A Challenge to World Leaders." In outspoken terms, it put the modern-day symbolic earth on notice, as follows: "We therefore call upon the nations of earth, their rulers and leaders, and upon all the clergymen of all the denominational churches of earth, their followers and allies, big business and big politicians, to bring forth their proof in justification of the position taken by them that they can establish peace and prosperity on earth and bring happiness to the people; and their failing in this, we call upon them to give ear to the testimony that we offer as witnesses for the Lord, and then let them say whether or not our testimony is true."

What testimony did these Christians offer? This: "We hold and declare that Messiah's Kingdom is the complete panacea for all the ills of human kind and will bring peace on earth and good will to men, the desire of all nations; that those who yield themselves willingly to his righteous reign now begun will be blessed with lasting peace, life, liberty and endless happiness." In these corrupt times, when man-made governments, especially those in Christendom, are failing utterly to solve the world's problems, that trumpeting challenge rings out with even greater force than in 1922. How true that God's Kingdom in the hands of his conquering Christ is mankind's one and only hope!

Through resolutions, tracts, booklets, books, magazines and discourses, this and later proclamations were trumpeted forth by means of the congregation of anointed Christians. The first trumpet blast resulted in Christendom's being beaten as with the hardened water of a pounding hail. Her bloodguilt, due to her share in the wars of this 20th century, has been laid bare, and she has been shown to be deserving of the fiery expression of Jehovah's wrath. The John class, with later support from the great crowd, has continued to echo the first trumpet blast, drawing attention to Jehovah's view of Christendom, as being fit for destruction. -Revelation 7:9, 15.

Next time: Like A Burning Mountain

Identifying The "Third"

As we shall see, when the first four trumpets are blown, plagues are inflicted on "a third" of the earth, of the sea, of the rivers and fountains of waters, and of the earth's sources of light. (Revelation 8:7-12) A third is a considerable part of something but not the whole. (Compare Isaiah 19:24; Ezekiel 5:2; Zechariah 13:8, 9) So which "third" would be most deserving of these plagues? The vast majority of mankind has been blinded and corrupted by Satan and his seed. (Genesis 3:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4) The situation is as described by David: "They all have turned aside, they are all alike corrupt; there is no one doing good, not even one." (Psalm 14:3) Yes, the whole of mankind is in danger of receiving an adverse judgment. But one section thereof is particularly guilty. On part-"a third"-should have known better! What is that "third"?

It is Christendom! In the year 1920's, her realm embraced about one third of mankind. Her religion is the fruit of the great apostasy from true Christianity-the apostasy that Jesus and his disciples foretold. (Matthew 13:24-30; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2;3; 2 Peter 2:1-3) The clergy of Christendom claim to be in God's temple and have represented themselves as teachers of Christianity. But their doctrines are far removed from Bible truth, and they continually bring God's name into disrepute. Aptly represented by the symbolic third, Christendom receives potent, plaguing messages from Jehovah. That third of mankind merits no divine favor whatsoever!

In line with there being a sequence of trumpet blasts, special resolutions were featured at seven conventions from 1922 to 1928. But the trumpeting has not been confined to those years. The powerful exposing of Christendom's wicked ways has been continuous, ongoing, as the Lord's day progresses. Jehovah's judgments must be proclaimed universally, to all nations, despite international hatred and persecutions. Only then does the end of Satan's system come. (Mark 13:10, 13) Happily, the great crowd has now added its voice to that of the John class in making those thunderous pronouncements of worldwide importance.

Next time: A Third Of The Earth Burned Up

Preparing For The Blasts Of The Trumpets

John goes on to say: "And the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow them." (Revelation 8:6) What does the blowing of those trumpets mean? In the days of Israel, trumpet blasts were used to signal important days or noteworthy events. (Leviticus 23:24; 2 Kings 11:14) Similarly, the blasts of the trumpets that John is to hear will call attention to matters of life-and-death importance.

As the angels got ready to blow those trumpets, no doubt they were also giving direction to a preparatory work one earth. From 1919 to 1922, the revitalized John class was busy in reorganizing the public ministry and building up publishing facilities. In 1919 the magazine The Golden Age, known today as Awake!, had been brought forth as "A Journal of Fact, Hope and Conviction"-a trumpet like instrument that would play a key role in exposing false religion's political involvements.

As we shall now see, each of the trumpet blasts heralds a dramatic scene in which terrible plagues affect portions of the earth. Some of these remind us of the plagues that Jehovah sent to punish the Egyptians in Mose's day. (Exodus 7:19-12:32) These were expressions of Jehovah's judgment on that nation, and they opened the way for God's people to escape from slavery. The plagues seen by John accomplish something similar. However, they are not literal plagues. They are signs that symbolize Jehovah's righteous judgments. -Revelation 1:1.

Next time: Identifying The "Third"

Hurling FIre To The Earth

John tells us: "But right away the angel took the incense vessel, and he filled it with some of the fire of the altar and hurled it to the earth. And thunders occurred and voices and lightnings and an earthquake." (Revelation 8:5) After the silence, there is sudden dramatic activity! This is evidently in response to the prayers of the holy ones, since it is triggered by fire taken from the incense altar. Back in 1513 B.C.E., at Mount Sinai, thunders and lightnings, a loud noise, fire and a quaking of the mountain signaled Jehovah's turning his attention to his people. (Exodus 19:16-20) The similar manifestations reported by John likewise indicate Jehovah's giving attention to this servants on earth. But what John observes is presented in signs. (Revelation 1:1) So how are the symbolic fire, thunders, voices, lightnings and earthquake to be interpreted today?

On one occasion, Jesus told his disciples: "I came to start a fire on earth." (Luke 12:49) Truly, he did ignite a fire. By his zealous preaching, Jesus made God's Kingdom the paramount issue before the Jewish people, and this sparked heated controversy throughout that nation. (Matthew 4:17, 25; 10:5-7, 17, 18) In 1919 Jesus' spiritual brothers on earth, the small band of anointed Christians who had survived the trialsome days of World War I, set light to a similar fire in Christendom. In September of that year, Jehovah's spirit was remarkably in evidence as his loyal Witnesses assembled from near and far at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. Joseph F. Rutherford, recently released from prison and soon to be completely exonerated, boldly addressed that convention saying: "Obedient to the command of our Master, and recognizing our privilege and duty to make war against the strongholds of error which have so long held the people in bondage, our vocation was and is to announce the incoming glorious Kingdom of the Messiah." That is the primary issue. -God's Kingdom!

Referring to the recent hard experiences of God's people, the speaker said: "So pitiless was the onslaught of the enemy that many of the Lord's dear flock were stunned stood still in amazement, praying and waiting for the Lord to indicate his will. . . But notwithstanding the momentary discouragement, there was a burning desire to proclaim the message of the kingdom." -See the September 15, 1919, issue of The Watch Tower, page 280.

In 1919 that desire was satisfied. This small but active group of Christians was set on fire, spiritually speaking, to begin a worldwide preaching campaign. (Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:19) Fire was hurled to the earth in that God's Kingdom was made the burning issue, and so it continues to be! Strong voices replaced silence, sounding out the Kingdom message with clarity. Thunderous storm warnings from the Bible pealed forth. Like flashes of lightning, brilliant beams of truth shone from Jehovah's prophetic Word, and, as if by mighty earthquake, the religious realm was shaken to its foundations. The John class saw that there was work to be done. And to this day, that work continues to expand gloriously throughout the entire inhabited earth! -Romans 10:18.

Next time: Preparing For The Blasts Of The Trumpets

A Time For Fervent Prayer

A Significant silence this! Half an hour can seem a long time when you are waiting for something to happen. Now, even the constant heavenly chorus of praise is not longer heard. (Revelation 4:8) Why? John sees the reason in vision: "And another angel arrived and stood at the altar, having a golden incense vessel; and a large quantity of incense was given him to offer it with the prayers of all the holy ones upon the altar that was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the hand of the angel with the prayers of the holy ones before God." -Revelation 8:3,4.

This reminds us that under the Jewish system of things, incense was burned daily at the tabernacle and, in later years, at the temple in Jerusalem. (Exodus 30:1-8) During such incense burning, the non priestly Israelites waited outside the sacred area, praying-no doubt silently in their hearts-to the One to whom the incense smoke was ascending. (Luke 1:10) John now sees something similar happening in heaven. The incense offered by the angel is associated with "the prayers of the holy ones." In fact, in an earlier vision, incense is said to represent such prayers. (Revelation 5:8; Psalm 141:1, 2) Evidently, then, the symbolic silence in heaven is to allow the prayers of the holy ones on earth to be heard.

Can we determine when this happened? Yes, we can, by examining the context, together with historical developments early in the Lord's day. (Revelation 1:10) During 1918 and 1919, events on earth harmonized remarkably with the scenario described at Revelation 8:1-4. For 40 years before 1914, the Bible Students-as Jehovah's Witnesses were then called-had been announcing boldly that the times of the Gentiles would end in that year. The distressful events of 1914 proved them correct. (Luke 21:24, King James Version; Matthew 24:3, 7, 8) But many of them also believed that in 1914 they would be taken from this earth to their heavenly inheritance. That did not happen. Instead, during the first world war, they endured a time of severe persecution. On October 31, 1916 the first president of the Watch Tower Society, Charles T. Russell, died. Then, on July 14, 1918, the new president, Joseph F. Rutherford, and seven other representatives of the Society were transported to the Atlanta Georgia, penitentiary, wrongly sentenced to long years in prison.

The sincere Christians of the John class were perplexed. What did God want them to do next? when would they be taken up to heaven? An article entitled "The Harvest Ended-What Shall Follow?" appeared in the May 1, 1919, issue of the Watch Tower. It reflected this state of uncertainty and encouraged the faithful to continues endurance, adding: "We believe it is now a true saying that the harvest of the kingdom class is an accomplished fact, that all such are duly sealed and that the door is closed." During this difficult period, the fervent prayers of the John class were ascending as though in the smoke of a large quantity of Incense. And their prayers were being heard!

Next time: Hurling Fire To The Earth

Jehovah's Plagues On Christendom

"The four winds" have been held back until the 144,000 of spiritual Israel are sealed and the great crowd is approved for survival. (Revelation 7:1-4, 9) However, before that tempestuous storm breaks over the earth, Jehovah's adverse judgments against Satan's world must also be made known! As the Lamb proceeds to open the seventh and final seal, John must be watching keenly to see what will unfold. Now he shares his experience with us: "And when he [the Lamb] opened the seventh seal, a silence occurred in heaven for about a half hour. And I saw the seven angels that stand before God, and seven trumpets were given them." -Revelation 8:1, 2.

Next time: A Time For Fervent Prayer

Making The Calling Sure

What a magnificent vista these words open up to us! Jehovah himself is on his throne, and all his servants, heavenly and earthly, unite in praising him. His earthly servants appreciate what an awesome privilege it is to share in this swelling chorus of praise. Very soon, Jehovah and Christ Jesus will execute judgement, and the cry will be heard: "The great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17) The answer? Only a minority of mankind, including those of the sealed 144,000 still remaining in the flesh and a great crowd of other sheep who will "stand," that is, survive with them. - Compare Jeremiah 35:19; 1 Corinthians 16:13.

In view of this fact, anointed Christians of the John class exert themselves vigorously in "pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14) They are fully aware that events during these days call for special endurance on their part. (Revelation 13:10) After loyally serving Jehovah for so many years, they hold fast to the faith, rejoicing that their names are " inscribed in the heavens." (Luke 110:20; Revelation 3:5) Those of the great crowd too know that only "he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." (Matthew 24:13) While the great crowd as a group is marked to come out of the great tribulation, individuals thereof must exert themselves to remain clean and active.

There is no evidence that any apart from these two groups will "stand" in the day of Jehovah's wrath. what does this mean for the millions who each year show a certain respect for Jesus' sacrifice by attending the celebration of the Memorial of his death but who have not yet exercised faith in Jesus' sacrifice to the point of becoming dedicated, baptized servants of Jehovah, active in his service? Further, what about those who were once active but who have allowed their hearts to "become weighed down with . . . anxieties of life"? May all of such awaken, and stay awake, in order to "succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man" -Jesus Christ. The time is short! -Luke 21:34-36.

Next time: Jehovah's Plagues On Christendom

Continue with The Blessings Of The Great Crowd

The elder continues: " They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, because of the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:16, 17) Yes, Jehovah is truly hospitable! But what depth of meaning is there to these words?

Let us consider a similarly worded prophecy: " This is what Jehovah has said: ' In a time of good will I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you. . . They will not go hungry, neither will they go thirsty, nor will parching heat or sun strike them. For the One who is having pity upon them will lead them, and by the springs of water he will conduct them.' " (Isaiah 49:8, 10; see Psalm 121:5,6) The apostle Paul quoted part of this prophecy and applied it to the "day of salvation" that began at Pentecost 33 C.E. He wrote: "For he [Jehovah] says: 'In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.' Look! Now is the especially acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation." -Corinthians 6:2.

What application did the promise about not getting hungry or thirsty or suffering parching heat have back then? Certainly, Christians in the first century did suffer literal hunger and thirst at times. (2 Corinthians 11:23-27) In a spiritual way, though, they had an abundance. they were richly provided for, so that they did not go hungry or thirsty for spiritual things. Moreover, Jehovah did not cause the heat of his anger to blaze against them when he destroyed the Jewish system of things in 70 C.E. The words of Revelation 7:16 have a similar spiritual fulfillment for the great crowd today. Along with the anointed Christians, they enjoy bounteous spiritual provisions. -Isaiah 65:13; Nahum 1;6, 7.

If you are one of that great crowd, your good condition of heart will make you "cry out joyfully," no matter what you have to endure in the way of privations and pressures during the twilight years of Satan's system. (Isaiah 65:14) In that sense, even now, the Lamb can 'wipe out every tear from your eyes.' No longer does God's torrid "sun" of adverse judgment threaten you, and when the four winds of destruction are unleashed, you may be spared the "scorching heat" of Jehovah's displeasure. After that destruction is over, the Lamb will guide you to benefit fully from the revitalizing "fountains of waters of life," these representing all the provisions that Jehovah makes for your gaining everlasting life. Your faith in the blood of the Lamb will be vindicated in that you will gradually be raised to human perfection. You of the great crowd will be unique among mankind as the "millions" that did not even have to die! In the fullest sense, every tear will have been wiped from your eyes. -Revelation 21:4.

Next time: Making The Calling Sure