The mighty angel next calls attention to the broad extent of the harlotry of Babylon the Great, proclaiming: "For because of the passion-arousing wine of her fornication" all the nations have fallen victim,m and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the traveling merchants of the earth became rich due to the power of her shameless luxury." (Revelation 18:3) She has indoctrinated all nations of mankind in her unclean religious ways. In ancient Babylon, according to Greek historian Herodotus, each maiden was required to prostitute her virginity in temple worship. Revolting sexual corruption is portrayed to this day in the war-damaged Buddhist sculptures at Angkor Wat in Kampuchea and in the temples of Khajuraho, India, which show the Hindu god Vishnu surrounded by disgusting erotic scenes. in the United States, the disclosures of immorality that shook the world of TV evangelists in 1987, and again in 1988, as well as the revelation of the widespread practice of homosexuality by ministers of religion, illustrate that even Christendom tolerates shocking excesses of literal fornication. Yet, all the nations have fallen victim to an even more serious kind of fornication in this 20th century.
We have already reviewed the illicit relgio-political relationship that catapulted Hitler into power in Nazi Germany. Other nations have also suffered because of religion's meddling in secular affairs. For example: If Fascist Italy, on February 11, 1929, the Lateran Treaty was signed by Mussolini and Cardinal Gasparri, making Vatican City a sovereign state. Pope Pius XI claimed that he had "given Italy back to God, and God back to Italy." What that the truth? Consider what happened six years later. On October 3, 1935, Italy invaded Abyssinia, claiming that it was "a barbarous land which still practices slavery." Who, really, was being barbarous? Did the Catholic Church condemn Mussolini's barbarity? While the pope issued ambiguous statements, his bishops were quite vocal in blessing the armed forces of their Italian "fatherland." In the book The Vatican in the Age of the Dictation, Anthony Rhodes reports:
Next time: Continue with Passion-Arousing Wine.
2.29.2008
2.28.2008
Decline Of Babylon The Great
Ancient Babylon's fall in 539 B.C.E. was the start of a long decline that ended in her desolation. Similarly, since the first world war, the influence of Babylonish religion has declined remarkably on a global scale. In Russia, the Bolshevik Revolution has continued to stifle the influence of the Orthodox Church. In Japan, Shinto emperor worship was proscribed following the second world war. In China, the communist government controls all religious appointments and activity. In Protestant northern Europe, most people have become indifferent to religion. And the Roman Catholic Church has recently been weakened by schisms and internal dissent in its global domain. - Compare Mark 3:24-26.
All these trends are doubtless part of the 'drying up of the river Euphrates' in preparation for the coming militaristic attack on Babylon the Great. This 'drying up' is reflected too, in the pope's announcement of October 1986 that the church mist "again become mendicant"-because of huge deficits. (Revelation 16:12) Particularly since 1919 has Babylon the Great been exposed to a public gaze as a spiritual wasteland, just as the mighty angel here announces: "And she has become a dwelling place of demons and a lurking place of every unclean exhalation and a lurking place of every unclean and hated bird!" (Revelation 18:2b) Soon she will be literally such a wasteland, as desolate as Babylon's ruins in 20th century Iraq. -See also Jeremiah 50:25-28.
The word "demons" here is likely a reflection of the word "goat-shaped demons" (se'i-rim') found in Isaiah's description of fallen Babylon: " And there the haunters of waterless regions will certainly lie down, and their houses must be filled with eagle owls. And there the ostriches must reside, and goat-shaped demons themselves will go skipping about there." (Isaiah 13:21) It may not refer to literal demons but rather to shaggy-haired, desert-dwelling animals whose appearance made onlookers think of demons. In the ruins of Babylon the Great, the figurative existence of such animals, along with stagnant, poisonous air ("unclean exhalation") and unclean birds, signifies her spiritually dead condition. She holds forth no life prospect whatever for mankind. -Compare Ephesians 2:1, 2.
Her situation also matches Jeremiah's prophecy: "There is a sword against the Chaldeans,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and against the inhabitants of Babylon and against her princes and against her wise ones. . .There is a devastation upon her waters, and they must be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and because of their frightful visions they keep acting crazy. Therefore the haunters of waterless regions will dwell with the howling animals, and in her the ostriches must dwell; and she will nevermore be dwelt in, nor will she reside for generation after generation.,' " Idolatry and chanting of repetitious prayers cannot save Babylon the Great from a retribution resembling God's overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. -Jeremiah 50:35-40.
Next time: Passion-Arousing Wine.
All these trends are doubtless part of the 'drying up of the river Euphrates' in preparation for the coming militaristic attack on Babylon the Great. This 'drying up' is reflected too, in the pope's announcement of October 1986 that the church mist "again become mendicant"-because of huge deficits. (Revelation 16:12) Particularly since 1919 has Babylon the Great been exposed to a public gaze as a spiritual wasteland, just as the mighty angel here announces: "And she has become a dwelling place of demons and a lurking place of every unclean exhalation and a lurking place of every unclean and hated bird!" (Revelation 18:2b) Soon she will be literally such a wasteland, as desolate as Babylon's ruins in 20th century Iraq. -See also Jeremiah 50:25-28.
The word "demons" here is likely a reflection of the word "goat-shaped demons" (se'i-rim') found in Isaiah's description of fallen Babylon: " And there the haunters of waterless regions will certainly lie down, and their houses must be filled with eagle owls. And there the ostriches must reside, and goat-shaped demons themselves will go skipping about there." (Isaiah 13:21) It may not refer to literal demons but rather to shaggy-haired, desert-dwelling animals whose appearance made onlookers think of demons. In the ruins of Babylon the Great, the figurative existence of such animals, along with stagnant, poisonous air ("unclean exhalation") and unclean birds, signifies her spiritually dead condition. She holds forth no life prospect whatever for mankind. -Compare Ephesians 2:1, 2.
Her situation also matches Jeremiah's prophecy: "There is a sword against the Chaldeans,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'and against the inhabitants of Babylon and against her princes and against her wise ones. . .There is a devastation upon her waters, and they must be dried up. For it is a land of graven images, and because of their frightful visions they keep acting crazy. Therefore the haunters of waterless regions will dwell with the howling animals, and in her the ostriches must dwell; and she will nevermore be dwelt in, nor will she reside for generation after generation.,' " Idolatry and chanting of repetitious prayers cannot save Babylon the Great from a retribution resembling God's overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. -Jeremiah 50:35-40.
Next time: Passion-Arousing Wine.
2.27.2008
Babylon The Great Takes A Tumble
John continues the account, telling us: "After these things I saw another angel descending from heaven, with great authority; and the earth was lighted up from his glory. And he cried out with a strong voice, saying: 'She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen.' " (Revelation 18:1, 2a) It is the second time that John hears that angelic announcement. (See Revelation 14:8) This time, however, its significance is emphasized by the magnificence of the heavenly angel, for his glory lights up the whole earth! Who can he be? Centuries earlier the prophet Ezekiel, reporting on a heavenly vision, stated that the "earth itself shone because of his [Jehovah's ] glory." (Ezekiel 43:2) The only angel to shine with glory comparable to Jehovah's would be the Lord Jesus, who is "the reflection of [God's] glory and exact representation of his very being." (Hebrews 1:3) In 1914 'the Son of man arrived in his glory,' and since that time Jesus, installed "on his glorious throne" in the heavens, has been exercising authority over the earth as Jehovah's associate King and Judge. It is fitting, then, that he should announce the fall of Babylon the Great. -Matthew 25:31, 32.
Whom does this angel with great authority use in heralding such amazing news before mankind? Why, is it the very people that are released as a result of that fall, the remaining anointed ones on earth, the John class. From 1914 to 1918, these suffered greatly at the hands of Babylon the Great, but in 1918 the Lord Jehovah and his " messenger of the [Abrahamic ] covenant," Jesus Christ, began judgment with "the house of God," those professing to be Christians. Thus apostate Christendom was brought to trial. (Malachi 3:1; 1 Peter 4:17) Her tremendous bloodguilt incurred during the first world war, her complicity in persecuting Jehovah's faithful witnesses, and her Babylonish creeds did not help her in the time of judgment; nor did any other part of Babylon the Great merit God's approval. -Compare Isaiah 13:1-9.
So by 1919 Babylon the Great had fallen, opening the way for God's people to be released and restored, in one day as it were, to their land of spiritual prosperity. (Isaiah 66:8) By that year,Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, the Greater Darius and the Greater Cyrus, had maneuvered matters so that false religion could no longer keep a hold on Jehovah's people. No more could it prevent them from serving Jehovah and making known to all who might hear that harlot like Babylon the Great is doomed and the vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty is at hand! -Isaiah 45:1-4; Daniel 5:30, 31.
True, Babylon the Great was not destroyed in 1919-any more than the ancient city Babylon was destroyed in 539 B.C.E. when it fell to the armies of Cyrus the Persian. But from Jehovah's' viewpoint, that organization had fallen. She was judicially condemned, awaiting execution, therefore, false religion could no longer hold Jehovah's people in captivity. (Compare Luke 9:59, 60) These were released to serve as the Master's faithful and discreet slave in providing spiritual food at the proper time. They had received a judgment of "Well done" and were commissioned to get busy again in Jehovah's work. -Matthew 24:45-47; 25:21, 23; Acts 1:8.
Millenniums ago Jehovah used other prophets to foretell this epoch-marking event. Isaiah spoke of a watchman who "proceeded to call out like a lion: "Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly by day, and at my guard post I am stationed all the nights.' " And what event does that watchman discern and proclaim with lion like boldness? This: " She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen, and all the graven images of her gods he [Jehovah] has broken to the earth!" (Isaiah 21:8, 9) This watchman well foreshadows the wide-awake John class today, as it uses the Watchtower magazine and other theocratic publications to sound abroad the news that Babylon has fallen.
Next time: Decline Of Babylon The Great.
Whom does this angel with great authority use in heralding such amazing news before mankind? Why, is it the very people that are released as a result of that fall, the remaining anointed ones on earth, the John class. From 1914 to 1918, these suffered greatly at the hands of Babylon the Great, but in 1918 the Lord Jehovah and his " messenger of the [Abrahamic ] covenant," Jesus Christ, began judgment with "the house of God," those professing to be Christians. Thus apostate Christendom was brought to trial. (Malachi 3:1; 1 Peter 4:17) Her tremendous bloodguilt incurred during the first world war, her complicity in persecuting Jehovah's faithful witnesses, and her Babylonish creeds did not help her in the time of judgment; nor did any other part of Babylon the Great merit God's approval. -Compare Isaiah 13:1-9.
So by 1919 Babylon the Great had fallen, opening the way for God's people to be released and restored, in one day as it were, to their land of spiritual prosperity. (Isaiah 66:8) By that year,Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, the Greater Darius and the Greater Cyrus, had maneuvered matters so that false religion could no longer keep a hold on Jehovah's people. No more could it prevent them from serving Jehovah and making known to all who might hear that harlot like Babylon the Great is doomed and the vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty is at hand! -Isaiah 45:1-4; Daniel 5:30, 31.
True, Babylon the Great was not destroyed in 1919-any more than the ancient city Babylon was destroyed in 539 B.C.E. when it fell to the armies of Cyrus the Persian. But from Jehovah's' viewpoint, that organization had fallen. She was judicially condemned, awaiting execution, therefore, false religion could no longer hold Jehovah's people in captivity. (Compare Luke 9:59, 60) These were released to serve as the Master's faithful and discreet slave in providing spiritual food at the proper time. They had received a judgment of "Well done" and were commissioned to get busy again in Jehovah's work. -Matthew 24:45-47; 25:21, 23; Acts 1:8.
Millenniums ago Jehovah used other prophets to foretell this epoch-marking event. Isaiah spoke of a watchman who "proceeded to call out like a lion: "Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly by day, and at my guard post I am stationed all the nights.' " And what event does that watchman discern and proclaim with lion like boldness? This: " She has fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen, and all the graven images of her gods he [Jehovah] has broken to the earth!" (Isaiah 21:8, 9) This watchman well foreshadows the wide-awake John class today, as it uses the Watchtower magazine and other theocratic publications to sound abroad the news that Babylon has fallen.
Next time: Decline Of Babylon The Great.
2.26.2008
The Great City Devastated
Sudden, shocking, devastating-such will be the demise of Babylon the Great! It will be one of the most catastrophic events in all history, marking the start of the "great tribulation such as not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." -Matthew 24:21.
False religion has been around for a long time. It has existed without a break since the days of bloodthirsty Nimrod, who opposed Jehovah and set men to building the Tower of Babel. When Jehovah confuse the tongues of those rebels ans scattered them over the earth, Babylon's false religion traveled with them. (Genesis 10:8-10; 11:4-9) Since then, political empires have risen and fallen, but Babylonish religion has endured. It has taken many shapes and forms, becoming a world empire of false religion, the prophesied Babylon the Great. Its most prominent part is Christendom, which grew out of a fusion of early Babylonish teachings with apostate "Christian" doctrine. Because of the long, long history of Babylon the Great, many people find it hard to believe that it will ever be destroyed.
It is therefore appropriate that Revelation should confirm the doom of false religion by giving us two detailed descriptions of her fall and subsequent events leading to her total desolation. We have already seen her as "the great harlot" that is finally devastated by her erstwhile lovers of the political realm. (Revelation 17:1, 15, 16) Now, in still another vision, we are to view her as a city, the religious anti type of ancient Babylon.
Next time: Babylon The Great Takes A Tumble.
False religion has been around for a long time. It has existed without a break since the days of bloodthirsty Nimrod, who opposed Jehovah and set men to building the Tower of Babel. When Jehovah confuse the tongues of those rebels ans scattered them over the earth, Babylon's false religion traveled with them. (Genesis 10:8-10; 11:4-9) Since then, political empires have risen and fallen, but Babylonish religion has endured. It has taken many shapes and forms, becoming a world empire of false religion, the prophesied Babylon the Great. Its most prominent part is Christendom, which grew out of a fusion of early Babylonish teachings with apostate "Christian" doctrine. Because of the long, long history of Babylon the Great, many people find it hard to believe that it will ever be destroyed.
It is therefore appropriate that Revelation should confirm the doom of false religion by giving us two detailed descriptions of her fall and subsequent events leading to her total desolation. We have already seen her as "the great harlot" that is finally devastated by her erstwhile lovers of the political realm. (Revelation 17:1, 15, 16) Now, in still another vision, we are to view her as a city, the religious anti type of ancient Babylon.
Next time: Babylon The Great Takes A Tumble.
2.25.2008
Carrying Out God's Thought
How does Jehovah execute his judgment? This may be illustrated by Jehovah's action against his apostate people in ancient times, concerning whom he said: "In the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen horrible things, committing adultery and walking in falsehood, and they have strengthened the hands of evildoers in order that they should not return, each one from his own badness. To me all of them have become like Sodom and the inhabitants of her like Gomorrah (Jeremiah 23:14) In 607 B.C.E., Jehovah used Nebuchadnezzar to 'strip' off the garments, take away the beautiful articles and leave naked and nude' that spiritually adulterous city. (Ezekiel 23:4, 26, 29) Jerusalem of that time was a pattern of Christendom today, and as John saw in earlier visions, Jehovah will administer to Christendom and the rest of false religion a similar punishment. The desolated, uninhabited condition of Jerusalem after 607 B.C.E. shows what religious Christendom will look like after being stripped of her wealth and shamefully exposed. And the rest of Babylon the Great will fare not better.
Again Jehovah uses human rulers in executing judgment: "For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, even to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished." ( Revelation 17:17) What is God's thought'/ To arrange for the executioners of Babylon the Great to band together, in order to destroy her completely of course, the rulers' motive in attacking her will be to carry out their own "one thought." They will feel that it is in their nationalistic interests to turn upon the great harlot. They may come to view the continued existence or organized religion within their boundaries as a threat to their sovereignty. But Jehovah will actually be maneuvering matters; they will carry out his thought by destroying his age old adulterous enemy at one stroke! -Compare Jeremiah 7:8-11, 34.
Yes, the nations will use the scarlet-colored will beast, the United Nations, in destroying Babylon the Great. They do not act on their own initiative, for Jehovah puts it into their hearts "even to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast." When the time comes, the nations will evidently see the need to strengthen the Untied Nations. They will give it teeth, as it were, lending it whatever authority and power they possess so that it can turn upon false religion and fight successfully against her "until the words of God will have been accomplished. " Thus, the ancient harlot will come to her complete end. And good riddance to her!
As if to emphasize the certainty of Jehovah's execution of judgment on the world empire of false religion, the angel concludes his testimony by saying: " And the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:18) Like Babylon of Belshazzar's time, Babylon the Great has "been weighed in the balance and found wanting." (Daniel 5:27, The New English Bible) He execution will be swift and final. And how do Jehovah's Witnesses respond to unraveling of the mystery of the great harlot and of the scarlet-colored wild beast? They show zeal in proclaiming Jehovah's day of judgment, while answering "with r graciousness" sincere searcher for truth. (Colossians 4:5, 6; Revelation 17:3, 7) As out next chapter will show, all who are desirous of surviving when the great harlot is executed must act, and act quickly!
Next time: The Great City Devastated.
Again Jehovah uses human rulers in executing judgment: "For God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought, even to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished." ( Revelation 17:17) What is God's thought'/ To arrange for the executioners of Babylon the Great to band together, in order to destroy her completely of course, the rulers' motive in attacking her will be to carry out their own "one thought." They will feel that it is in their nationalistic interests to turn upon the great harlot. They may come to view the continued existence or organized religion within their boundaries as a threat to their sovereignty. But Jehovah will actually be maneuvering matters; they will carry out his thought by destroying his age old adulterous enemy at one stroke! -Compare Jeremiah 7:8-11, 34.
Yes, the nations will use the scarlet-colored will beast, the United Nations, in destroying Babylon the Great. They do not act on their own initiative, for Jehovah puts it into their hearts "even to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast." When the time comes, the nations will evidently see the need to strengthen the Untied Nations. They will give it teeth, as it were, lending it whatever authority and power they possess so that it can turn upon false religion and fight successfully against her "until the words of God will have been accomplished. " Thus, the ancient harlot will come to her complete end. And good riddance to her!
As if to emphasize the certainty of Jehovah's execution of judgment on the world empire of false religion, the angel concludes his testimony by saying: " And the woman whom you saw means the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth." (Revelation 17:18) Like Babylon of Belshazzar's time, Babylon the Great has "been weighed in the balance and found wanting." (Daniel 5:27, The New English Bible) He execution will be swift and final. And how do Jehovah's Witnesses respond to unraveling of the mystery of the great harlot and of the scarlet-colored wild beast? They show zeal in proclaiming Jehovah's day of judgment, while answering "with r graciousness" sincere searcher for truth. (Colossians 4:5, 6; Revelation 17:3, 7) As out next chapter will show, all who are desirous of surviving when the great harlot is executed must act, and act quickly!
Next time: The Great City Devastated.
2.24.2008
Devastating The Harlot
God's people are not the only objects of enmity of the ten horns. The angel now draws John's attention back to the harlot: "And he says to me: 'The waters that you saw, where the harlot is sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. And the ten horns that you saw, and the wild beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshly parts and will completely burn her with fire.' " -Revelation 17:15, 16.
Just as ancient Babylon relied on her watery defenses, Babylon the Great today relies on her huge membership of "peoples and crowds and nations and tongues." The angel appropriately draws our attention to these before telling of a shocking development: Political governments of this earth will turn violently upon the Babylon the Great. What will all those "peoples and crowds and nations and tongues" do then? God's people are already warning Babylon the Great that the water of the river Euphrates will dry up. (Revelation 16:12) Those waters will finally drain away completely. They will not be able to give the disgusting old harlot any effectual support in her hour of greatest need. - Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38, 51:36, 37.
Certainly, the immense material wealth of Babylon the Great will not save her. It may even hasten her destruction, for the vision shows that when the wild beast and the ten horns vent their hatred on her they will strip off her royal robes and all her jewelry. they will plunder her wealth. They "make her. . . naked," shamefully exposing her real character. What devastation! Her end is also far from dignified,. They destroy her, "eat up her fleshly parts," reducing her to a lifeless skeleton. Finally, they "completely burn her with fire." She is burned up like a carrier of the plague, without even a decent burial! It is not the nations alone, as represented by the ten horns, that destroy the great harlot, but 'the wild beast," meaning the UN itself, joins them in this rampage. It will give its sanction to the destruction of false religion. A majority of the 150-and more nations within the UN have already displayed, by their voting pattern, a hostility toward religion, especially that of Christendom.
Whey would the nations treat their former paramour so outrageously? We have seen in recent history the potential for such a turning against Babylonish religion. Official government opposition has tremendously reduced the influence of religion in lands such as the Soviet Union and China. In Protestant sectors of Europe, widespread apathy and doubt have emptied the churches, so that religion is practically dead. the vast Catholic empire is torn by rebellion and disagreement, which the itinerant pope has been unable to calm. We should not, though, lose sight of the fact that this final all-out attack on Babylon the Great comes as an expression of God's unalterable judgment on the great harlot.
Next time: Carrying Out God's Thought.
Just as ancient Babylon relied on her watery defenses, Babylon the Great today relies on her huge membership of "peoples and crowds and nations and tongues." The angel appropriately draws our attention to these before telling of a shocking development: Political governments of this earth will turn violently upon the Babylon the Great. What will all those "peoples and crowds and nations and tongues" do then? God's people are already warning Babylon the Great that the water of the river Euphrates will dry up. (Revelation 16:12) Those waters will finally drain away completely. They will not be able to give the disgusting old harlot any effectual support in her hour of greatest need. - Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38, 51:36, 37.
Certainly, the immense material wealth of Babylon the Great will not save her. It may even hasten her destruction, for the vision shows that when the wild beast and the ten horns vent their hatred on her they will strip off her royal robes and all her jewelry. they will plunder her wealth. They "make her. . . naked," shamefully exposing her real character. What devastation! Her end is also far from dignified,. They destroy her, "eat up her fleshly parts," reducing her to a lifeless skeleton. Finally, they "completely burn her with fire." She is burned up like a carrier of the plague, without even a decent burial! It is not the nations alone, as represented by the ten horns, that destroy the great harlot, but 'the wild beast," meaning the UN itself, joins them in this rampage. It will give its sanction to the destruction of false religion. A majority of the 150-and more nations within the UN have already displayed, by their voting pattern, a hostility toward religion, especially that of Christendom.
Whey would the nations treat their former paramour so outrageously? We have seen in recent history the potential for such a turning against Babylonish religion. Official government opposition has tremendously reduced the influence of religion in lands such as the Soviet Union and China. In Protestant sectors of Europe, widespread apathy and doubt have emptied the churches, so that religion is practically dead. the vast Catholic empire is torn by rebellion and disagreement, which the itinerant pope has been unable to calm. We should not, though, lose sight of the fact that this final all-out attack on Babylon the Great comes as an expression of God's unalterable judgment on the great harlot.
Next time: Carrying Out God's Thought.
2.23.2008
Ten Kings For One Hour
In the previous chapter of Revelation, the sixth and seventh angels poured out bowls of anger of God. Thus we were advised that earth's kings are being gathered to God's war at Armageddon and that 'Babylon the Great is to be remembered in the sight of God.' (Revelation 16:1, 14, 19) Now we will learn in greater detail how God's judgments on these are to be executed. Listen again to Jehovah's angel as he speaks to John: " And the ten horns that you saw mean ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings one hour with the wild beast. these have one thought, and so they give their power and authority to the wild beast. These will battle with the Lamb, but, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those called and chosen faithful with him will do so." -Revelation 17:12-14.
The ten horns depict all the political powers that presently hold away on the world scene and that support the image of the wild beast. Very few of the countries that now exist were known in John's day. And those that were, such as Egypt and Persia (Iran), today have an entirely different political setup. Hence, in the first century, the 'ten horns had not yet received a kingdom.' But now in the Lord's day, they have "a kingdom," or political authority. With the collapse of the great colonial empires, particularly since the second world war, many new nations have been born. These, as well as the longer-established powers, must rule with the wild beast for a short period- just "one hour"-before Jehovah brings an end to all worldly political authority at Armageddon.
Today, nationalism is one of the strongest forces motivating these ten horns. they have "one thought" in that they want to preserve their national sovereignty rather than accept God's Kingdom. This was their purpose in subscribing to the League of Nations and the United Nations organization in the first place- to preserve world peace and thus safeguard their own existence. Such an attitude ensures that the horns will oppose the Lamb, the "Lord of lords and King of kings," because Jehovah has purposed that his Kingdom under Jesus Christ will shortly replace all these kingdoms. - Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 24:30; 25:31-33, 46.
Of course, there is nothing that the rulers of this world can do against Jesus himself. He is in heaven, far out of their reach. But Jesus' brothers, the remaining ones of the woman's seed, are still on earth and apparently vulnerable. (Revelation 12:17) Many of the horns have already demonstrated bitter hostility toward them, and in this way they have battled with the Lamb. (Matthew 25:40, 45) Soon, though, the time will come for God's Kingdom to "crush and put and end to all these kingdoms." (Daniel 2:44) Then, the kings of the earth will be in a fight to the finish with the Lamb, as we shall soon see. (Revelation 19:11-21) But here we learn enough to realize that the nations will not succeed. Though they and the UN scarlet-colored wild beast have their "one thought," they cannot defeat the great "Lord of lords and King of kings," nor can they defeat "those called and chosen and faithful with him," which includes his anointed followers still on earth. These too will have conquered by keeping integrity in answer to Satan's vile accusations. -Romans 8:37-39; Revelations 12:10, 11.
Next time: Devastating The Harlot.
The ten horns depict all the political powers that presently hold away on the world scene and that support the image of the wild beast. Very few of the countries that now exist were known in John's day. And those that were, such as Egypt and Persia (Iran), today have an entirely different political setup. Hence, in the first century, the 'ten horns had not yet received a kingdom.' But now in the Lord's day, they have "a kingdom," or political authority. With the collapse of the great colonial empires, particularly since the second world war, many new nations have been born. These, as well as the longer-established powers, must rule with the wild beast for a short period- just "one hour"-before Jehovah brings an end to all worldly political authority at Armageddon.
Today, nationalism is one of the strongest forces motivating these ten horns. they have "one thought" in that they want to preserve their national sovereignty rather than accept God's Kingdom. This was their purpose in subscribing to the League of Nations and the United Nations organization in the first place- to preserve world peace and thus safeguard their own existence. Such an attitude ensures that the horns will oppose the Lamb, the "Lord of lords and King of kings," because Jehovah has purposed that his Kingdom under Jesus Christ will shortly replace all these kingdoms. - Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 24:30; 25:31-33, 46.
Of course, there is nothing that the rulers of this world can do against Jesus himself. He is in heaven, far out of their reach. But Jesus' brothers, the remaining ones of the woman's seed, are still on earth and apparently vulnerable. (Revelation 12:17) Many of the horns have already demonstrated bitter hostility toward them, and in this way they have battled with the Lamb. (Matthew 25:40, 45) Soon, though, the time will come for God's Kingdom to "crush and put and end to all these kingdoms." (Daniel 2:44) Then, the kings of the earth will be in a fight to the finish with the Lamb, as we shall soon see. (Revelation 19:11-21) But here we learn enough to realize that the nations will not succeed. Though they and the UN scarlet-colored wild beast have their "one thought," they cannot defeat the great "Lord of lords and King of kings," nor can they defeat "those called and chosen and faithful with him," which includes his anointed followers still on earth. These too will have conquered by keeping integrity in answer to Satan's vile accusations. -Romans 8:37-39; Revelations 12:10, 11.
Next time: Devastating The Harlot.
2.22.2008
Why Called An Eighth King?
The angel further explains to John: "And the wild beast that was but is not, it is also itself an eighth king, but springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction." (Revelation 17:11) They symbolic scarlet-colored wild beast "springs from" the seven heads; that is,it is born from, or owes its existence to, those heads of the original "wild beast . . . out of the sea," of which the scarlet-colored wild beast is an image. In what way? Well, in 1919 the Anglo-American power was the ascendant head. The previous six heads had fallen, and the position of dominant world power had passed to this dual head and was now centered in it. This seventh head, as the current representative of the line of world powers, was the moving force in establishing the League of Nations and is still the major promoter and financial support of the United Nations.Thus, in symbol, the scarlet-colored wild beast-the eighth king- "springs from" the original seven heads . Viewed in this way, t he statement that it sprang from the seven harmonizes well with the earlier revelation that the wild beast with two horns like a lamb (the Anglo-American World Power, the seventh head of that original wild beast) urged the making of the image and gave it life. -Revelation 13:1, 11, 14, 15.
Additionally, original members of the League of Nations included, along with Great Britain, governments that ruled in the seats of some of the previous heads, namely Greece, Iran (Persia) and Italy (Rome). Eventually, governments ruling the territory controlled by the previous six world powers came to be supportive members of the image of the wild beast. In this sense, too, it could be said that this scarlet-colored wild beast sprang from the seven world powers.
Notice that the scarlet-colored wild beast "is also itself an eighth king." Thus, the United Nations today is designed to look like a world government. At times it has even acted like one, sending armies into the field to resolve international disputes, as in Korea, the Sinai Peninsula, some African countries and Lebanon. But it is only the image of a king. Like a religious image, it has no real influence or power apart from what is invested in it by those who brought it into existence and worship it. On occasion, this symbolic wild beast looks weak; but it has never experienced the kind of wholesale abandonment by dictator-oriented members that sent the League of Nations reeling into that abyss. (Revelation 17:8) Though holding radically different opinions in other areas, a prominent Soviet leader in 1987 joined the popes of Rome in expressing support for the UN. He even called for "a comprehensive system of international security" based on the UN. As John soon learns, the time will come when the UN will act with considerable authority. Then it, in turn, "goes off into destruction."
Next time: Ten Kings For One Hour.
Additionally, original members of the League of Nations included, along with Great Britain, governments that ruled in the seats of some of the previous heads, namely Greece, Iran (Persia) and Italy (Rome). Eventually, governments ruling the territory controlled by the previous six world powers came to be supportive members of the image of the wild beast. In this sense, too, it could be said that this scarlet-colored wild beast sprang from the seven world powers.
Notice that the scarlet-colored wild beast "is also itself an eighth king." Thus, the United Nations today is designed to look like a world government. At times it has even acted like one, sending armies into the field to resolve international disputes, as in Korea, the Sinai Peninsula, some African countries and Lebanon. But it is only the image of a king. Like a religious image, it has no real influence or power apart from what is invested in it by those who brought it into existence and worship it. On occasion, this symbolic wild beast looks weak; but it has never experienced the kind of wholesale abandonment by dictator-oriented members that sent the League of Nations reeling into that abyss. (Revelation 17:8) Though holding radically different opinions in other areas, a prominent Soviet leader in 1987 joined the popes of Rome in expressing support for the UN. He even called for "a comprehensive system of international security" based on the UN. As John soon learns, the time will come when the UN will act with considerable authority. Then it, in turn, "goes off into destruction."
Next time: Ten Kings For One Hour.
2.21.2008
Conclusion of Executing Babylon The Great
Rome's Eastern Empire, centered at Constantinople, endured in a somewhat uneasy relationship with the Western Empire. In the sixth century, Eastern emperor Justinian I was able to reconquer much of North Africa, and he also intervened in Spain and Italy. In the seventh century, Justinian II recovered for the Empire areas of Macedonia that had been conquered by Slavic tribesmen. By the eighth century, however, much of the former territory of ancient Rome in North Africa, Spain and Syria had come under the new empire of Islam and thus passed from the control of both Constantinople and Rome.
The city of Constantinople itself endured somewhat longer. It survived frequent attacks from Persians, Arabs, Bulgars and Russians until 1203 it finally fell-not to Muslims but to Crusaders from the West. In 1453, though, it came under the power of the Muslim Ottoman ruler Mehmed II and soon became capital of the Ottoman, or Turkish, Empire. Thus, although the city of Rome fell in 410 C.E., it took many more centuries for all traces of the political Roman Empire to pass from the world scene. And even then, its influence was still discernible in relgious empires based on the papacy of Rome and the Easter Orthodox churches.
By the 15th century, however, some countries were building brand-new empires. While some of these new imperial powers were found in the territory of former colonies of Rome, their empires were not mere continuations of the Roman Empire. Portugal, Spain, France and Holland all became seats of far-flung domains. But the most successful was Britain, which came to preside over a huge empire on which 'the sun never set.' This empire spread at different times over much of North America, Africa, India and Southeast Asia, as well as the expanse of the South Pacific.
By the 19th century, some of the colonies in North America had already broken away from Britain to form the independent United States of America. Politically, some conflict between the new nation and the former motherland continued. Nevertheless, the first world war forced both countries to recognize their common interests and cemented a special relationship between them. Thus, a kind of dual world power came to exist, made up of the United States of America, now the world's wealthiest nation, and Great Britain, seat of the world's largest empire. Here, then, is the seventh 'head,' or world power, that continues into the time of the end and in the territories of which the modern-day witnesses of Jehovah first got established. Compared with the long reign of the sixth head, the seventh remains only "a short while," God until God's Kingdom destroys all national entities.
Next time: Why Called An Eight King?
The city of Constantinople itself endured somewhat longer. It survived frequent attacks from Persians, Arabs, Bulgars and Russians until 1203 it finally fell-not to Muslims but to Crusaders from the West. In 1453, though, it came under the power of the Muslim Ottoman ruler Mehmed II and soon became capital of the Ottoman, or Turkish, Empire. Thus, although the city of Rome fell in 410 C.E., it took many more centuries for all traces of the political Roman Empire to pass from the world scene. And even then, its influence was still discernible in relgious empires based on the papacy of Rome and the Easter Orthodox churches.
By the 15th century, however, some countries were building brand-new empires. While some of these new imperial powers were found in the territory of former colonies of Rome, their empires were not mere continuations of the Roman Empire. Portugal, Spain, France and Holland all became seats of far-flung domains. But the most successful was Britain, which came to preside over a huge empire on which 'the sun never set.' This empire spread at different times over much of North America, Africa, India and Southeast Asia, as well as the expanse of the South Pacific.
By the 19th century, some of the colonies in North America had already broken away from Britain to form the independent United States of America. Politically, some conflict between the new nation and the former motherland continued. Nevertheless, the first world war forced both countries to recognize their common interests and cemented a special relationship between them. Thus, a kind of dual world power came to exist, made up of the United States of America, now the world's wealthiest nation, and Great Britain, seat of the world's largest empire. Here, then, is the seventh 'head,' or world power, that continues into the time of the end and in the territories of which the modern-day witnesses of Jehovah first got established. Compared with the long reign of the sixth head, the seventh remains only "a short while," God until God's Kingdom destroys all national entities.
Next time: Why Called An Eight King?
2.20.2008
Executing Babylon The Great
In further describing the scarlet-colored wild beast of Revelation 17:3, the angel tells John: "Here is where the intelligence that has wisdom comes in: The seven heads mean seven mountains, where the woman sits on top. And there are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet arrived, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while." (Revelation 17:9, 10) The angel is here conveying wisdom from above, the only wisdom that can give understanding of the symbols in Revelation. (James 3:17) This wisdom entlightens the John class and its companions as to the seriousness of the times in which we live. it builds in devoted hearts appreciation of Jehovah's judgments, now about to be carried out, and inculates a healthy fear of Jehovah. As Proverbs 9:10 states: "The fear of Jehovah is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is what understanding is." What does divine wisdom reveal to us about the wild beast?
The seven heads of that ferocious beast stand for seven "mountains," or seven "kings." Both terms are used Scripturally to refer to governmental powers. (Jeremiah 51:24, 25; Daniel 2:34, 35, 44, 45) In the Bible, six world powers are mentioned as having an impact on the affairs of God's people. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. Of these, five has already come and gone by the time John received Revelation, whereas Rome was still very much a world power. This corresponds well with the words, "five have fallen, one is." But what of "the other"that was due to come?
The Roman Empire endured and even expanded for hundreds of years after John's day. In 330 C.E., Emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium, where he renamed Constantinople. In 395 C.E., the Roman Empire was split into Eastern and Western parts. In 410 C.E., Rome itself fell to Alaric, king of the Visgoths (a German tribe that had converted to the Arian brand of "Christianity") . Germanic tribes (also "Christian") conquered Spain and much of the territory of Rome in North Africa. There were centuries of upheaval, unrest and readjustment in Europe. Notable emperors arose in the West, such as Charlemagne, who formed an alliance with Pople Leo III in the 9th century, and Frederick II, who reigned in the 13th century. But their domain, though named the Holy Roman Empire, was much smaller than that of the earlier Roman Empire at its Zenith. It was more of a restoration or a continuation of this ancient power than a new empire.
Next time: Continue with Executing Babylon The Great.
The seven heads of that ferocious beast stand for seven "mountains," or seven "kings." Both terms are used Scripturally to refer to governmental powers. (Jeremiah 51:24, 25; Daniel 2:34, 35, 44, 45) In the Bible, six world powers are mentioned as having an impact on the affairs of God's people. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. Of these, five has already come and gone by the time John received Revelation, whereas Rome was still very much a world power. This corresponds well with the words, "five have fallen, one is." But what of "the other"that was due to come?
The Roman Empire endured and even expanded for hundreds of years after John's day. In 330 C.E., Emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium, where he renamed Constantinople. In 395 C.E., the Roman Empire was split into Eastern and Western parts. In 410 C.E., Rome itself fell to Alaric, king of the Visgoths (a German tribe that had converted to the Arian brand of "Christianity") . Germanic tribes (also "Christian") conquered Spain and much of the territory of Rome in North Africa. There were centuries of upheaval, unrest and readjustment in Europe. Notable emperors arose in the West, such as Charlemagne, who formed an alliance with Pople Leo III in the 9th century, and Frederick II, who reigned in the 13th century. But their domain, though named the Holy Roman Empire, was much smaller than that of the earlier Roman Empire at its Zenith. It was more of a restoration or a continuation of this ancient power than a new empire.
Next time: Continue with Executing Babylon The Great.
2.19.2008
Peace And Security-A Vain Hope
In an effort to bolster the hopes of mankind, the United Nations proclaimed 1986 to be an "International Year of Peace," with the theme "To Safeguard Peace and the Future of Humanity." Warring nations were called upon to lay down their weapons, at least for one year. What was their response? According to a report by the International Peace Research Institute, more than five million soldiers were killed in combat during 1986 alone! Though some special coins and some commemorative stamps were issued, most of the nations did little about pursuing the ideal of peace in that year. Nevertheless, the world's relgions-always anxious for a fine rapport with the UN-set about publicizing the year in various ways. On January 1, 1986, Pope John Paul II praised the work of the UN and dedicated the new year to peace. And on October 27, he assembled the leaders of many of the world's religions at Assisi, Italy, to pray for peace.
Does God answer such prayers for peace? Well, to which God were those religious leaders praying? If you asked them, each group would give a different answer. Is there a pantheon of millions of gods that can hear and grant petitions made in many different ways? Many of the participants worshiped Christendom's Trinity. Buddhists, Hindus and others chanted prayers to gods without number. In all, 12 "religous families" assembled, being represented by such notables as the Angelican Archbishop of Canterbury, Buddhism's Dalai Lama, a Russian Orthodox metropolitian, the president of the Tokyo's Shinot Shrine Association. African animist and two American Indians decked out in plumed headdresses. It was a colorful group, to say the least, making for spectacular TV coverage. One goup prayed unceasingly for 12 hours at one time. (Compare Luke 20:45-47.) But did any one of those prayers reach beyond the rain clouds that hovered over the gathering? No, for the following reasons.
In contrast with those who"walk in the name of Jehovah," not one of those relgionists was praying to Jehovah,. the living God, whose name appears some 7,000 times in the original text of the Bible. (Michah 4:5; Isaiah 42:8, 12) As a group, they did not approach God in the name of Jesus, the majority of them not even believing in Jesus Christ. (John 14:13; 15:16) None of them are doing God's will for our day, which is to proclaim worldwide God's incoming Kingdom-not the UN-as the real hope for mankind. (Matthew 7:21-23; 24:14; Mark 13:10) For the most part, their religious organizations have been involved in the bloody wars of history, including the two world wars of this century. To such, God says: "Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed your very hands have become filled. -Isaiah 1:15; 59:1-3.
Further, it is deeply significant that the world's relgious leaders should join hands with the United Nations in calling for peace at this time. They would like to influence the UN to their own advantage, especially in this modern age when so many of their people are abandoning religion. Like the unfaithful leaders in ancient Israel, they call out, ""There is peace! There is peace!' when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14) No doubt their cries for peace will continue, rising in support of the climax concerning which the apostle Paul prophesied: "Jehovah's day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: "Peace and security!" then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pangs of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." -1Thessalonians 5:2, 3.
What form will this significant cry of "Peace and security" take? It is here mentioned as being outstanding just before the sudden destruction of those making the cry. Hence, it will have to be something more pronounced than any previous declarations by world leaders. No doubt it will be on an earth-wide scale. Yet, it will be no more than a facade. Underneath, nothing will really have changed. Selfishness,hatred,crime, family breakdown, immorality, sickness, sorrow and death will still be here. That is why the coming cry will mislead those who are not awake to Bible prophecy. But it need not mislead you, if you have been awake to the meaning of the world events and have been heeding the prophetic warnings in God's Word. -Mark 13:32-37; Luke 21:34-36.
Next time: Executing Bayblon The Great.
Does God answer such prayers for peace? Well, to which God were those religious leaders praying? If you asked them, each group would give a different answer. Is there a pantheon of millions of gods that can hear and grant petitions made in many different ways? Many of the participants worshiped Christendom's Trinity. Buddhists, Hindus and others chanted prayers to gods without number. In all, 12 "religous families" assembled, being represented by such notables as the Angelican Archbishop of Canterbury, Buddhism's Dalai Lama, a Russian Orthodox metropolitian, the president of the Tokyo's Shinot Shrine Association. African animist and two American Indians decked out in plumed headdresses. It was a colorful group, to say the least, making for spectacular TV coverage. One goup prayed unceasingly for 12 hours at one time. (Compare Luke 20:45-47.) But did any one of those prayers reach beyond the rain clouds that hovered over the gathering? No, for the following reasons.
In contrast with those who"walk in the name of Jehovah," not one of those relgionists was praying to Jehovah,. the living God, whose name appears some 7,000 times in the original text of the Bible. (Michah 4:5; Isaiah 42:8, 12) As a group, they did not approach God in the name of Jesus, the majority of them not even believing in Jesus Christ. (John 14:13; 15:16) None of them are doing God's will for our day, which is to proclaim worldwide God's incoming Kingdom-not the UN-as the real hope for mankind. (Matthew 7:21-23; 24:14; Mark 13:10) For the most part, their religious organizations have been involved in the bloody wars of history, including the two world wars of this century. To such, God says: "Even though you make many prayers, I am not listening; with bloodshed your very hands have become filled. -Isaiah 1:15; 59:1-3.
Further, it is deeply significant that the world's relgious leaders should join hands with the United Nations in calling for peace at this time. They would like to influence the UN to their own advantage, especially in this modern age when so many of their people are abandoning religion. Like the unfaithful leaders in ancient Israel, they call out, ""There is peace! There is peace!' when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14) No doubt their cries for peace will continue, rising in support of the climax concerning which the apostle Paul prophesied: "Jehovah's day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: "Peace and security!" then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pangs of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." -1Thessalonians 5:2, 3.
What form will this significant cry of "Peace and security" take? It is here mentioned as being outstanding just before the sudden destruction of those making the cry. Hence, it will have to be something more pronounced than any previous declarations by world leaders. No doubt it will be on an earth-wide scale. Yet, it will be no more than a facade. Underneath, nothing will really have changed. Selfishness,hatred,crime, family breakdown, immorality, sickness, sorrow and death will still be here. That is why the coming cry will mislead those who are not awake to Bible prophecy. But it need not mislead you, if you have been awake to the meaning of the world events and have been heeding the prophetic warnings in God's Word. -Mark 13:32-37; Luke 21:34-36.
Next time: Executing Bayblon The Great.
2.18.2008
Ascending Out Of The Abyss
The scarlet-colored wild beast did indeed climb out of the abyss. On June 26, 1945, with noisy fanfare in San Francisco, U.S.A., 50 nations voted to accept the Charter of the United Nations organization. This body was "to maintain international peace and securiy." There were many similarities between the League and the UN. The World Book Encyclopedia notes: "In some ways, the UN resembles the League of Nations, which was organized after World War I. . . Many of the nations that founded the UN had also founded the League. Like the League, the UN was established to help keep peace between nations. The main organs of the UN are much like those of the League. The UN, then, is actually a revival of the scarlet-colored wild beast. Its membership of over 150 nations far exceeds that of the League's 63; it has also taken on broader responsibilities than its predecessor.
At first, great hopes were expressed for the UN. This was in fulfillment of the angel's words: " And when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present, those who dwell on the earth will wonder admiringly, but their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world." (Revelation 17:8b) Earth's dwellers have admired this new colossus, operating from its imposing headquarters on New York's East River. But true peace and security have eluded the UN. In this diabolical nuclear age, world peace has been maintained only by the threat of "mutual assured destruction" -MAD, as it is abbreviated-and the arms race has continued to escalate astronomically. After almost 40 years of effort by the United Nations, its secretary-general, Javier Pe'rez de Cue'llar, Lamented in 1985: "We are living in another age of fanatics and we don't know what to do about it."
The UN does not have the answers. And why? Because the Giver of Life to all mankind is not the UN"S life-giver. Its life span will be short, for according to God's decree, "It is to go off into destruction." The UN"s founders and admirers do not have their names recorded in God's scroll of life. How could sinful, mortal men, many of whom mock God's name, achieve through the UN what Jehovah God has declared he is about to accomplish, not by human means, but through the Kingdom of Christ? - Daniel 7:27; Revelation 11:15.
The UN is actually a blasphemous counterfeit of God's Messianic Kingdom by his Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ-to whose princely rule there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6, 7) Even if the UN were to patch up some temporary peace, wars would soon erupt again. this is in the nature of sinful men. "Their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world." Jehovah's Kingdom by Christ will not only establish eternal peace on earth but, on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice, raise the dead, the righteous and the unrighteous who are in God's memory. (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15) This included everyone who has remained steadfast despite the attacks of Satan and his seed, and others who have yet to show themselves obedient. Obviously, God's scroll of life will never contain the names of die-hard adherents of Babylon the Great or of any who continued to worship the wild beast. -Exodus 32:33; Psalm 86:8-10; John 17:3; Revelation 16:2, 17:5.
Next time: Peace And Security-A Vain Hope.
At first, great hopes were expressed for the UN. This was in fulfillment of the angel's words: " And when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present, those who dwell on the earth will wonder admiringly, but their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world." (Revelation 17:8b) Earth's dwellers have admired this new colossus, operating from its imposing headquarters on New York's East River. But true peace and security have eluded the UN. In this diabolical nuclear age, world peace has been maintained only by the threat of "mutual assured destruction" -MAD, as it is abbreviated-and the arms race has continued to escalate astronomically. After almost 40 years of effort by the United Nations, its secretary-general, Javier Pe'rez de Cue'llar, Lamented in 1985: "We are living in another age of fanatics and we don't know what to do about it."
The UN does not have the answers. And why? Because the Giver of Life to all mankind is not the UN"S life-giver. Its life span will be short, for according to God's decree, "It is to go off into destruction." The UN"s founders and admirers do not have their names recorded in God's scroll of life. How could sinful, mortal men, many of whom mock God's name, achieve through the UN what Jehovah God has declared he is about to accomplish, not by human means, but through the Kingdom of Christ? - Daniel 7:27; Revelation 11:15.
The UN is actually a blasphemous counterfeit of God's Messianic Kingdom by his Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ-to whose princely rule there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:6, 7) Even if the UN were to patch up some temporary peace, wars would soon erupt again. this is in the nature of sinful men. "Their names have not been written upon the scroll of life from the founding of the world." Jehovah's Kingdom by Christ will not only establish eternal peace on earth but, on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice, raise the dead, the righteous and the unrighteous who are in God's memory. (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15) This included everyone who has remained steadfast despite the attacks of Satan and his seed, and others who have yet to show themselves obedient. Obviously, God's scroll of life will never contain the names of die-hard adherents of Babylon the Great or of any who continued to worship the wild beast. -Exodus 32:33; Psalm 86:8-10; John 17:3; Revelation 16:2, 17:5.
Next time: Peace And Security-A Vain Hope.
2.17.2008
An Awesom Mystery Solved
What is John's reaction at seeing the great harlot and her fearsome mount? He himself answers: " Well, on catching sight of her I wondered with great wonderment." (Revelation 17:6b) Mere human imagination could never conjure up such a sight. Yet, there it is-away out in a wilderness-a debauched prostitute perched on a gruesome, scarlet-colored wild beast! (Revelation 17:3) The John class today also wonders with great wonderment as events unfold in fulfillment of the prophetic vison. If people of the world could see it, they would exclaim, 'incredible!' and the world's rulers would echo, 'Unthinkable!' But the vision becomes a startling 20th-century reality. God's people have already had a remarkable share in the vision's fulfillment, and this assures them that the prophecy will move right on to its astounding climax.
The angel notices John's amazement. "And so," John continues: "The angel said to me: ' Why is it you wondered? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast that is carrying her and that has the seven heads and and the ten horns.' " (Revelation 17:7) Ah, the angel will now unravel the mystery! He explains to the wide-eyed John the various facets of the vision and the dramatic events that are about to unfold. Likewise, as it serves under angelic direction today, the watchful John class has had revealed to it understanding of the prophecy. "Do not interpretations belong to God?" Like faithful Joseph, we believe that they do. (Genesis 40:8; compare Daniel 2:29, 30) God's people are placed, as it were, center stage as Jehovah interprets to them the meaning of the vision and its impact on their lives. (Psalm 25:14) Right on time, he has opened up to their understanding the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast. - Psalm 32:8.
From September 18 to 20, 1942, at the height of World War II, Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States held their New World Theocratic Assembly, the key city, Cleveland, Ohio, was tied in by telephone with more than 50 convention cities, for a peak attendance of 129,699. Where wartime condions permitted, other coventions repeated the program around the world. At the time, many of Jehovah's people expected that the war would escalate into God's war of Armageddon; hence, the title of the phone talk, "Peace-Can It Last?," aroused much curiosity. How could the new president of the Watch Tower Society, N.H. Knorr, presume to talk about peace when the very opposite seemed to be in store for the nations? The reason was that the John class was paying "more than the usual attention" to God's prophetic Word. -Hebrews 2:1; 2 Peter 1:19.
What light did the talk "Peace-Can It Last?" throw on the prophecy? Clearly identifying the scarlet-colored wild beast of Revelation 17:3 as the League of Naions, President Knorr went on to discuss its stormy career on the basis of the angel's following words to John: "The wild beast that you saw, was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction." -Revelation 17:8a.
"The wild beast. . . was." Yes, it had existed as the League of Nations from January 10, 1920, onward, with 63 nations participating at one time or another. But, in turn, Japan, Germany and Italy withdrew, and the Soviet Union was dropped from the League in September 1939 the Nazi dictator of Germany launced World War II. Having failed to keep peace in the world, the League of Nations virtually plunged into an abyss of inactivity. By 1942 it had become a has-been. Neither before this nor at some later date-but right at that critical time-did Jehovah interpret to his people the full depth of meaning of the vision! At the New World Theocratic Assembly, President Knorr could declare, in line with the prophecy, that "the wild beast. . . is not. He then asked the question, "Will the League remain in the pit?" Quoting Revelation 17:8, he answered: "The association of worldly nations will rise again." That is just how it proved to be-in vindication of Jehovah's prophetic Word!
Next time: Asccnding Out Of The Abyss.
The angel notices John's amazement. "And so," John continues: "The angel said to me: ' Why is it you wondered? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast that is carrying her and that has the seven heads and and the ten horns.' " (Revelation 17:7) Ah, the angel will now unravel the mystery! He explains to the wide-eyed John the various facets of the vision and the dramatic events that are about to unfold. Likewise, as it serves under angelic direction today, the watchful John class has had revealed to it understanding of the prophecy. "Do not interpretations belong to God?" Like faithful Joseph, we believe that they do. (Genesis 40:8; compare Daniel 2:29, 30) God's people are placed, as it were, center stage as Jehovah interprets to them the meaning of the vision and its impact on their lives. (Psalm 25:14) Right on time, he has opened up to their understanding the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast. - Psalm 32:8.
From September 18 to 20, 1942, at the height of World War II, Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States held their New World Theocratic Assembly, the key city, Cleveland, Ohio, was tied in by telephone with more than 50 convention cities, for a peak attendance of 129,699. Where wartime condions permitted, other coventions repeated the program around the world. At the time, many of Jehovah's people expected that the war would escalate into God's war of Armageddon; hence, the title of the phone talk, "Peace-Can It Last?," aroused much curiosity. How could the new president of the Watch Tower Society, N.H. Knorr, presume to talk about peace when the very opposite seemed to be in store for the nations? The reason was that the John class was paying "more than the usual attention" to God's prophetic Word. -Hebrews 2:1; 2 Peter 1:19.
What light did the talk "Peace-Can It Last?" throw on the prophecy? Clearly identifying the scarlet-colored wild beast of Revelation 17:3 as the League of Naions, President Knorr went on to discuss its stormy career on the basis of the angel's following words to John: "The wild beast that you saw, was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction." -Revelation 17:8a.
"The wild beast. . . was." Yes, it had existed as the League of Nations from January 10, 1920, onward, with 63 nations participating at one time or another. But, in turn, Japan, Germany and Italy withdrew, and the Soviet Union was dropped from the League in September 1939 the Nazi dictator of Germany launced World War II. Having failed to keep peace in the world, the League of Nations virtually plunged into an abyss of inactivity. By 1942 it had become a has-been. Neither before this nor at some later date-but right at that critical time-did Jehovah interpret to his people the full depth of meaning of the vision! At the New World Theocratic Assembly, President Knorr could declare, in line with the prophecy, that "the wild beast. . . is not. He then asked the question, "Will the League remain in the pit?" Quoting Revelation 17:8, he answered: "The association of worldly nations will rise again." That is just how it proved to be-in vindication of Jehovah's prophetic Word!
Next time: Asccnding Out Of The Abyss.
2.16.2008
A Name, A Mystery
The apostle John is soon to learn that the great harlot has chosen a dangerous beast to ride. First, though, his attention turns to Babylon the Great herself. She is richly adorned, but, oh, how repulsive she is! "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and was adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls and had in her hand a golden cup that waa full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication. And upon her forehead was written a name, a mystery: 'Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth.' And I saw that the woman was drunk witht the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus." - Revelation 17:4-6a.
As was the custom in ancient Rome, this prostitute is identified by the name on her forehead. It is a long name. "Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth. That name is "a mystery," something with hidden meaning. But in God's due time, the mystery is to be explained. In fact, the angel gives John enough information to allow Jehovah's servants today to discern the full significance of this descriptive name. We recognize Babylon the Great as being all of false relgion. She is " the mother of the harlots" because all the individual false religions in the world, including the many sects in Christendom, are like her daughters,imitating her in committing spiritual harlotry. She is also the mother of "disgusting things" in that she has given birth to such revolting offspring as idolatry, spiritism, fortune-telling, astrology, palmistry, human sacrifice, temple prostitution, drunkenness in honor of false gods and other obscene practices.
Babylon the Great is dressed in "purple and scarlet," the colors of royalty, and is "adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls." How appropriate! Just reflect on all the magnificent buildings, rare statutes and painting, priceless icons, and other religious paraphernalia, as well as astronomical amounts of property and cash, that this world's relgions have accumulated. Whether at the Vatican, in the TV empire of evangelism centered in the United States, or in the exotic wars and temples of the Orient, Babylon the Great has amassed-and at times lost-fabulous wealth.
Look now at what the harlot has in her hand. John must have gasped at the sight of it-a golden cup "full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication"! This is the cup containing "the wine of the the anger of her fornication" with which she has made all the nations drunk. (Revelation 14:8; 17:2) It looks rich on the outside, but its contents are disgusting, unclean. (Compare Matthew 23:25, 26) It contains all the filthy practices and lies that the great harlot has used to seduce the nations and to bring them under her influence. Even more revolting, John sees that the harlot herself is inebriated, drunk with the blood of God's servants! In fact, we later read that " in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth." (Revelation 18:24) What massive bloodguilt!
Over the centuries, the world empire of false relgion has shed oceans of blood. For example, in medieval Japan, temples in Kyoto were transformed into fortresses, and warror-monks, invoking "the holy name of Buddha," battled on another until the streets ran red with blood. In this 20th century, the clergy of Christendom have marched with the armies of their respective countries, and these have slaughtered one another, with the loss of at least a hundred million lives. In October 1987 former U.S. president Nixon said: " The 20th century has been the bloodiest in history. More people have been killed in the wars of this century than in all the wars fought before the century began." The relgions of the world are judged adversely by God for their share in all of this; Jehovah detests "hands that are shedding innocent blood." (Proverbs 6:16, 17) Earlier, John heard a cry from the altar. "Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10) Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth will be deeply involved when the time comes to answer that queston.
Next time:An Awesome Mystery Solved.
As was the custom in ancient Rome, this prostitute is identified by the name on her forehead. It is a long name. "Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth. That name is "a mystery," something with hidden meaning. But in God's due time, the mystery is to be explained. In fact, the angel gives John enough information to allow Jehovah's servants today to discern the full significance of this descriptive name. We recognize Babylon the Great as being all of false relgion. She is " the mother of the harlots" because all the individual false religions in the world, including the many sects in Christendom, are like her daughters,imitating her in committing spiritual harlotry. She is also the mother of "disgusting things" in that she has given birth to such revolting offspring as idolatry, spiritism, fortune-telling, astrology, palmistry, human sacrifice, temple prostitution, drunkenness in honor of false gods and other obscene practices.
Babylon the Great is dressed in "purple and scarlet," the colors of royalty, and is "adorned with gold and precious stone and pearls." How appropriate! Just reflect on all the magnificent buildings, rare statutes and painting, priceless icons, and other religious paraphernalia, as well as astronomical amounts of property and cash, that this world's relgions have accumulated. Whether at the Vatican, in the TV empire of evangelism centered in the United States, or in the exotic wars and temples of the Orient, Babylon the Great has amassed-and at times lost-fabulous wealth.
Look now at what the harlot has in her hand. John must have gasped at the sight of it-a golden cup "full of disgusting things and the unclean things of her fornication"! This is the cup containing "the wine of the the anger of her fornication" with which she has made all the nations drunk. (Revelation 14:8; 17:2) It looks rich on the outside, but its contents are disgusting, unclean. (Compare Matthew 23:25, 26) It contains all the filthy practices and lies that the great harlot has used to seduce the nations and to bring them under her influence. Even more revolting, John sees that the harlot herself is inebriated, drunk with the blood of God's servants! In fact, we later read that " in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth." (Revelation 18:24) What massive bloodguilt!
Over the centuries, the world empire of false relgion has shed oceans of blood. For example, in medieval Japan, temples in Kyoto were transformed into fortresses, and warror-monks, invoking "the holy name of Buddha," battled on another until the streets ran red with blood. In this 20th century, the clergy of Christendom have marched with the armies of their respective countries, and these have slaughtered one another, with the loss of at least a hundred million lives. In October 1987 former U.S. president Nixon said: " The 20th century has been the bloodiest in history. More people have been killed in the wars of this century than in all the wars fought before the century began." The relgions of the world are judged adversely by God for their share in all of this; Jehovah detests "hands that are shedding innocent blood." (Proverbs 6:16, 17) Earlier, John heard a cry from the altar. "Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10) Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth will be deeply involved when the time comes to answer that queston.
Next time:An Awesome Mystery Solved.
2.15.2008
Contiue With The Harlot Rides A Wild Beast
Did the John class, the one group on earth that eagerly accepted the incoming Messianic Kingdom, share with Christendom in paying homage to the scarlet-colored wild beast? Far from it! On Sunday, September 7, 1919, the convention of Jehovah's people in Cedar Point, Ohio, featured the public talk "The Hope For Distressed Humanity. On the following day, the Sandusky Star Journal reported that J.F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Society, in addressing nearly 7,000 persons, had "asserted that the Lord's displeasure is certain to be visited upon the League. . .because the clergy-Catholic and Protestant-claiming to be God's representatives, have abandoned his plan and endorsed the League of Nations, hailing it as a political expression of Christ's Kingdom on earth.
The dismal failure of the League of Nations should have signaled to the clergy that such man-made organs are no part of a Kingdom of God on earth. What Blasphemy to make such a claim! It makes it seem as though God was a party to the colossal botch that the League turned out to be. As for God, "perfect is his activity." Jehovah's heavenly Kingdom under Christ - and not a combine of squabbling politicians, many of them atheists - is the means by which he will bring in peace and have his will done on earth as in heaven. -Deuteronomy 32:4; Matthew 6:10.
What of the League's successor, the United Nations? From its inception, this body has also had the great harlot riding on its back, visibly associated with it and trying to guide its destiny. For example, on its 20th anniversary, in June 1965, representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims - said to represent two thousand million of earth's population - assembled in San Francisco to celebrate their support and admiration of the UN. On visiting the UN in October 1965, Pope Paul VI described it as "that greatest of all international organizations" and added: "The peoples of the earth turn to the United Nations as the last hope of concord and peace." Another papal visitor, Pope John Paul II, addressing the UN in October 1979, said: "I hope the United Nations will ever remain the supreme forum of peace and justice." Significantly, the pope made no mention of Jesus Christ or of God's Kingdom in his speech. During his visit to the United States in September 1987, as reported by The New York Times, "John Paul spoke at length about the positive role of the Untied Nations in promoting . . . 'new worldwide solidarity.' "
Next time: A Name, A Mystery.
The dismal failure of the League of Nations should have signaled to the clergy that such man-made organs are no part of a Kingdom of God on earth. What Blasphemy to make such a claim! It makes it seem as though God was a party to the colossal botch that the League turned out to be. As for God, "perfect is his activity." Jehovah's heavenly Kingdom under Christ - and not a combine of squabbling politicians, many of them atheists - is the means by which he will bring in peace and have his will done on earth as in heaven. -Deuteronomy 32:4; Matthew 6:10.
What of the League's successor, the United Nations? From its inception, this body has also had the great harlot riding on its back, visibly associated with it and trying to guide its destiny. For example, on its 20th anniversary, in June 1965, representatives of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, together with Protestants, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims - said to represent two thousand million of earth's population - assembled in San Francisco to celebrate their support and admiration of the UN. On visiting the UN in October 1965, Pope Paul VI described it as "that greatest of all international organizations" and added: "The peoples of the earth turn to the United Nations as the last hope of concord and peace." Another papal visitor, Pope John Paul II, addressing the UN in October 1979, said: "I hope the United Nations will ever remain the supreme forum of peace and justice." Significantly, the pope made no mention of Jesus Christ or of God's Kingdom in his speech. During his visit to the United States in September 1987, as reported by The New York Times, "John Paul spoke at length about the positive role of the Untied Nations in promoting . . . 'new worldwide solidarity.' "
Next time: A Name, A Mystery.
2.14.2008
Continue With The Harlot Rides A Wild Beast
What, then, is this new scarlet-colored wild beast? It must be the image to the wild beast that was brought forth under the urging of the Anglo-American wild beast that has two horns like a lamb. After the image was made, that two-horned wild beast was allowed to give breath to the image of the wild beast. (Revelation 13:14, 15) John now sees the living, breathing image. It pictures the League of Nations organization that the two-horned wild beast brought to life in 1920. U.S. President Wilson had envisioned that the League "would be a forum for the dispensation of justice for all men and wipe out the threat of war forever." When it was resurrected after the second world war as the United Nations, its chartered purpose was "to maintain international peace and security."
In what way is this symbolic wild beast full of blasphemous names? In that men have set up this multinational idol as a substitute for God's Kingdom-to accomplish what God says his Kingdom alone can accomplish. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 12:18, 21) What is remarkable about John's vision,though, is that Babylon the Great is riding the scarlet-colored wild beast. True to the prophecy, Babylonish religion, particularly in Christendom, has linked itself with the League of Nations and its successor. As early as December 18, 1918, the body now known as the National Council of the Churches of Christ in America adopted a declaration that declared in part: "Such a League is not a mere political expedient; it is rather the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth. . . The Church can give a spirit of good-will, without which no League of Nations can endure. . . The League of Nations is rooted in the Gospel. Like the Gospel, its objective is 'peace on earth, good-will toward men.' "
On January 2, 1919, the San Francisco Chronicle carried the front-page headline "Pope Pleads for Adoption of Wilson's League of Nations." On October 16, 1919, a petition signed by 14,450 clergymen of leading denominations was presented to the U.S. Senate, urging that the body "to ratify the Paris peace treaty embodying the league of nations covenant." Though the U.S. Senate failed to ratify the treaty, Christendom's clergy continued to campaign for the League. And how was the League inaugurated? A news dispatch from Switzerland, dated November 15, 1920, read: "Opening the first assembly of the League of Nations was announced at eleven o'clock this morning by the ringing of all the church bells in Geneva."
Next time: Continue with The Harlot Rides A Wild Beast.
In what way is this symbolic wild beast full of blasphemous names? In that men have set up this multinational idol as a substitute for God's Kingdom-to accomplish what God says his Kingdom alone can accomplish. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 12:18, 21) What is remarkable about John's vision,though, is that Babylon the Great is riding the scarlet-colored wild beast. True to the prophecy, Babylonish religion, particularly in Christendom, has linked itself with the League of Nations and its successor. As early as December 18, 1918, the body now known as the National Council of the Churches of Christ in America adopted a declaration that declared in part: "Such a League is not a mere political expedient; it is rather the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth. . . The Church can give a spirit of good-will, without which no League of Nations can endure. . . The League of Nations is rooted in the Gospel. Like the Gospel, its objective is 'peace on earth, good-will toward men.' "
On January 2, 1919, the San Francisco Chronicle carried the front-page headline "Pope Pleads for Adoption of Wilson's League of Nations." On October 16, 1919, a petition signed by 14,450 clergymen of leading denominations was presented to the U.S. Senate, urging that the body "to ratify the Paris peace treaty embodying the league of nations covenant." Though the U.S. Senate failed to ratify the treaty, Christendom's clergy continued to campaign for the League. And how was the League inaugurated? A news dispatch from Switzerland, dated November 15, 1920, read: "Opening the first assembly of the League of Nations was announced at eleven o'clock this morning by the ringing of all the church bells in Geneva."
Next time: Continue with The Harlot Rides A Wild Beast.
2.13.2008
The Harlot Rides A Wild Beast
What more does the prophecy disclose as to the great harlot and her fate? As John now relates, a further vivid scene come to view: " And he [the angel] carried me away in the power of the spirit into a wilderness. And I caught sight of a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored wild beast that was full of blaphemous names and that had seven heads and ten horns." -Revelation 17:3.
Why is John carried into a wilderness? An earlier pronouncement of doom against ancient Babylon was described as being "against the wilderness of the sea." (Isaiah 21:1, 9) This gave due warning that, despite all its watery defenses, ancient Babylon would become a lifeless desolation. It is fitting, then, that John should be carried in his vision to a wilderness to see the fate of Babylon the Great. She too must become desolate and waste. (Revelation 18:19, 22, 23) John is amazed, though, by what he sees out there. The great harlot is not alone! She is sitting on a monstrous wild beast!
This wild beast has seven heads and ten horns. Is it, then, the same as the wild beast that John saw earlier, which also has seven heads and ten horns? (Revelation 13:1) No, there are differences. This wild beast is scarlet-colored and, unlike the previous wild beast, is not said to have diadems. Rather, than having blasphemous names on its seven heads only, it is "full of blasphemous names." Nevertheless, there must be a relationship between this new wild beast and the previous one; the similarities between them are too pronounced to be coincidental.
Next time: Continue with The Harlot Rides A Wild Beast.
Why is John carried into a wilderness? An earlier pronouncement of doom against ancient Babylon was described as being "against the wilderness of the sea." (Isaiah 21:1, 9) This gave due warning that, despite all its watery defenses, ancient Babylon would become a lifeless desolation. It is fitting, then, that John should be carried in his vision to a wilderness to see the fate of Babylon the Great. She too must become desolate and waste. (Revelation 18:19, 22, 23) John is amazed, though, by what he sees out there. The great harlot is not alone! She is sitting on a monstrous wild beast!
This wild beast has seven heads and ten horns. Is it, then, the same as the wild beast that John saw earlier, which also has seven heads and ten horns? (Revelation 13:1) No, there are differences. This wild beast is scarlet-colored and, unlike the previous wild beast, is not said to have diadems. Rather, than having blasphemous names on its seven heads only, it is "full of blasphemous names." Nevertheless, there must be a relationship between this new wild beast and the previous one; the similarities between them are too pronounced to be coincidental.
Next time: Continue with The Harlot Rides A Wild Beast.
2.12.2008
Sitting On Many Waters
Ancient Babyon sat on many waters-the Euphrates River and numerous canals. These were a protection to her as well as a source of commerce producing wealth, until they dried up one night. (Jeremiah 50:38; 51:9, 12, 13) Babylon the Great also looks to "many waters" to protect and enrich her. These symbolic waters are "peoples and crowds and nations and tongues," that is, all the thousands of millions of humans over whom she has dominated and from whom she has drawn material support. But these waters are also drying up, or withdrawing support. - Revelation 17:15; compare Psalm 18:4; Isaiah 8:7.
Further, Babylon of old was described as "a golden cup in the hand of Jehovah, she making all the earth drunk." (Jeremiah 51:7) Ancient Babylon forced neighboring nations to swallow expressions of Jehovah's anger when she conquered them militarily, making them as weak as drunken men. In that respect, she was Jehovah's instrument. Babylon the Great, too, has made conquests to the point of becoming a worldwide empire. But she is certainly not God's instrument. Rather, she has served "the kings of the earth" with whom she commits religious fornication. She has gratified these kings by using her lying doctrines and enslaving practices to keep the masses of people, "those who inhabit the earth," weak as drunken men, passively subservient to their rulers.
Shinto Japan provides a notable example of this. The indoctrinated Japanese soldier regarded it as the highest honor to give his life for the emperor-the supreme Shinto god. During World War II, some 1,500,000 Japanese soldiers died in battle, almost to a man, they looked at surrender as dishonorable. But as a consequence of Japan's defeat, Emperor Hirohito was compelled to renounce his claim to divinity. This resulted in a notable withdrawing of the "waters supporting the Shinto segment of Babylon The Great-alas, after Shintoism had sanctioned the shedding of buckets of blood in the Pacific war theater! This weakening of Shinto influence also opened the way in recent years for more than 120,000 Japanese, the great majority of whom were formerly Shintoists and buddihists, to become dedicated, baptized ministers of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.
Next time: The Harlot Rides A Beast.
Further, Babylon of old was described as "a golden cup in the hand of Jehovah, she making all the earth drunk." (Jeremiah 51:7) Ancient Babylon forced neighboring nations to swallow expressions of Jehovah's anger when she conquered them militarily, making them as weak as drunken men. In that respect, she was Jehovah's instrument. Babylon the Great, too, has made conquests to the point of becoming a worldwide empire. But she is certainly not God's instrument. Rather, she has served "the kings of the earth" with whom she commits religious fornication. She has gratified these kings by using her lying doctrines and enslaving practices to keep the masses of people, "those who inhabit the earth," weak as drunken men, passively subservient to their rulers.
Shinto Japan provides a notable example of this. The indoctrinated Japanese soldier regarded it as the highest honor to give his life for the emperor-the supreme Shinto god. During World War II, some 1,500,000 Japanese soldiers died in battle, almost to a man, they looked at surrender as dishonorable. But as a consequence of Japan's defeat, Emperor Hirohito was compelled to renounce his claim to divinity. This resulted in a notable withdrawing of the "waters supporting the Shinto segment of Babylon The Great-alas, after Shintoism had sanctioned the shedding of buckets of blood in the Pacific war theater! This weakening of Shinto influence also opened the way in recent years for more than 120,000 Japanese, the great majority of whom were formerly Shintoists and buddihists, to become dedicated, baptized ministers of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.
Next time: The Harlot Rides A Beast.
2.11.2008
Modern-Day 'Harlotry'
Through her meddling in politics, the great harlot has brought untold sorrow to mankind. Consider, for example, the facts behind Hitler's rise to power in Germany-ugly facts that some would like to expunge from the history books. In May 1924 the Nazi Party held 32 seats in the German Reichstag. By May 1928 these had dwindled to 12 seats. However, the Great Depression engulfed the world in 1930; riding in its wake, the Nazis made a remarkable recovery, gaining 230 out of 608 seats in the German elections of July 1932. Soon after, a former chancellor Franz von Papen, a Papal Knight, came to the Nazis' aid. According to historians, von Papen envisioned a new Holy Roman Empire. his own short tenure as chancellor had been a failure, so now he hoped to gain power through the Nazis. By January 1933, he had mustered support for Hitler from the industrial barons, and through wily intrigues he ensured that Hitler became Germany's chancellor on January 30, 1933. He himself was made chancellor and was used by Hitler to win the support of Catholic sections of Germany. Within two months of gaining power, Hitler dissolved parliament, dispatched thousands of opposition leaders to concentration camps, and began to open campaign of oppressing the Jews.
On July 20, 1933, the Vatican's interest in the rising power of Nazism was displayed when Cardinal Pacelli (who later became Pope Pius XII) signed a concordat in Rome between the Vatican and Nazi Germany. Von Papen signed the document as Hitler's representative, and Pacelli there conferred on von Papen the high papal decoration of the Grand Cross of the Order of Pius. In his book Satan in Top Hat, Tibor Koeves writes of this, stating: "The Concordat was a great victory for Hitler. It gave him the first moral support he had received from the outer world, and this from the most exalted source." The concordat required the Vatican to withdraw its support fro German's Catholic Center Party, thus sanctioning Hitler's one-party "total state." Further, its article 14 stated: "The appointments for archbishops, bishops and the like will be issued only after the governor, installed by the Reich, has duly ascertained that no doubts exist with respect to gerneral political considerations." By the end of 1933 (proclaimed a "Holy Year" by Pope Pius XI). Vatican support had become a major factor in Hitler's push for world domination.
Though a handful of priests and nuns protested Hitler's atrocities-and suffered for it-the Vatican as well as the Catholic Church and its army of Clergy gave either active or tacit support to the Nazi tyranny, which they regarded as a bulwark against the advance of world communism. Sitting pretty in the Vatican, Pope Pius XII let the Holocaust on the Jews and the cruel persecutions of Jehovah's Witnesses and others to proceed uncriticized. It is ironical that Pope John Paul II, on visting Germany in May 1987, should glorify the anti-Nazi stand of one sincere priest. What were the other thousands of the German clergy doing during Hitler's reign of terror? A pastorial letter issued by the German Catholic bishops in September 1939 at the outbreak of World War II provides enlightenment on this point. It reads in part: "In this decisive hour we admonish our Catholic soldiers to do their duty in obedience to the Fuehrer and to be ready to sacrifice their whole individuality. We appeal to the Faithful to join in ardent prayers that Divine Providence may lead this war to blessed success.
Such Catholic diplomacy illustrates the kind of harlotry that religion has engaged in over the past 4,000 years in wooing the political State religio-political relationships have fostered warfare, persecutions, and human misery on a vast scale. How happy mankind can be that Jehovah's judgment upon the great harlot is at hand. May it soon be executed!
Next time: Sitting On Many Waters.
On July 20, 1933, the Vatican's interest in the rising power of Nazism was displayed when Cardinal Pacelli (who later became Pope Pius XII) signed a concordat in Rome between the Vatican and Nazi Germany. Von Papen signed the document as Hitler's representative, and Pacelli there conferred on von Papen the high papal decoration of the Grand Cross of the Order of Pius. In his book Satan in Top Hat, Tibor Koeves writes of this, stating: "The Concordat was a great victory for Hitler. It gave him the first moral support he had received from the outer world, and this from the most exalted source." The concordat required the Vatican to withdraw its support fro German's Catholic Center Party, thus sanctioning Hitler's one-party "total state." Further, its article 14 stated: "The appointments for archbishops, bishops and the like will be issued only after the governor, installed by the Reich, has duly ascertained that no doubts exist with respect to gerneral political considerations." By the end of 1933 (proclaimed a "Holy Year" by Pope Pius XI). Vatican support had become a major factor in Hitler's push for world domination.
Though a handful of priests and nuns protested Hitler's atrocities-and suffered for it-the Vatican as well as the Catholic Church and its army of Clergy gave either active or tacit support to the Nazi tyranny, which they regarded as a bulwark against the advance of world communism. Sitting pretty in the Vatican, Pope Pius XII let the Holocaust on the Jews and the cruel persecutions of Jehovah's Witnesses and others to proceed uncriticized. It is ironical that Pope John Paul II, on visting Germany in May 1987, should glorify the anti-Nazi stand of one sincere priest. What were the other thousands of the German clergy doing during Hitler's reign of terror? A pastorial letter issued by the German Catholic bishops in September 1939 at the outbreak of World War II provides enlightenment on this point. It reads in part: "In this decisive hour we admonish our Catholic soldiers to do their duty in obedience to the Fuehrer and to be ready to sacrifice their whole individuality. We appeal to the Faithful to join in ardent prayers that Divine Providence may lead this war to blessed success.
Such Catholic diplomacy illustrates the kind of harlotry that religion has engaged in over the past 4,000 years in wooing the political State religio-political relationships have fostered warfare, persecutions, and human misery on a vast scale. How happy mankind can be that Jehovah's judgment upon the great harlot is at hand. May it soon be executed!
Next time: Sitting On Many Waters.
2.10.2008
Continue with Judging The Infamous Harlot
Which religious entity? Is she the Roman Catholic Church, as some have maintained? Or is she all of Christendom? no, she must be even larger than these if she is to mislead all the nations. She is, in fact, the entire world empire of false religion. Her origin in the mysteries of Babylon is shown in that many Babylonish doctrines and practices are common to religions around the world. For example, belief in the inherent immortality of the human soul, in a hell of torment, and in a trinity of gods is to be found in most Oriental relgions as well as in the sects of Christendom. False relgion, spawned more thatn 4,000 years ago in the ancient city of Babylon, has developed into the modern monstrosity that is called appropriately, Babylon the Great. Why, though, is she described by the repugnant term "the great harlot"?
Babylon (or Babel, meaning "Confusion") came to its peak of greatness in Nebuchadnezzar's time. It was a religio-political state more than a thousand temples and chapels. Its priesthood exercised great power. Though Babylon has long since ceased to exist as a world power, religious Babylon the Great lives on, and after the ancient pattern, she still seeks to influence and mold polititcal affairs. But does God approve of religion in politics? In the Hebrew Scriptures, Israel was said to prostitute herself when she got involved with false worship and when, instead of trusting in Jehovah, she made alliances with the nations. (Jeremiah 3:6, 8, 9; Ezekiel 16:28-30) Babylon the Great also commits fornication. Outstandingly, she has done whatever she deems expedient in order to gain influence and power over the ruling kings of the earth. -1 Timothy 4:1.
Today, religious leaders frequently campaign for high government office, and in some lands, they share in government, even holding cabinet posts. In 1988 two well known Protestant clergymen ran for the office of president of the United States. Leaders in Babylon the Great love the limelight; their photos are often to be seen in the public press as they consort with prominent politicians. In contrast, Jesus shunned political involvement and said of his disciples: "They are no part of this world, just as I am no part of this world." -John 6:15; 17:16; Matthew 4:8-10; see also James 4:4.
Next time: Modern-Day 'Harlotry.'
Babylon (or Babel, meaning "Confusion") came to its peak of greatness in Nebuchadnezzar's time. It was a religio-political state more than a thousand temples and chapels. Its priesthood exercised great power. Though Babylon has long since ceased to exist as a world power, religious Babylon the Great lives on, and after the ancient pattern, she still seeks to influence and mold polititcal affairs. But does God approve of religion in politics? In the Hebrew Scriptures, Israel was said to prostitute herself when she got involved with false worship and when, instead of trusting in Jehovah, she made alliances with the nations. (Jeremiah 3:6, 8, 9; Ezekiel 16:28-30) Babylon the Great also commits fornication. Outstandingly, she has done whatever she deems expedient in order to gain influence and power over the ruling kings of the earth. -1 Timothy 4:1.
Today, religious leaders frequently campaign for high government office, and in some lands, they share in government, even holding cabinet posts. In 1988 two well known Protestant clergymen ran for the office of president of the United States. Leaders in Babylon the Great love the limelight; their photos are often to be seen in the public press as they consort with prominent politicians. In contrast, Jesus shunned political involvement and said of his disciples: "They are no part of this world, just as I am no part of this world." -John 6:15; 17:16; Matthew 4:8-10; see also James 4:4.
Next time: Modern-Day 'Harlotry.'
2.09.2008
Judging The Infamous Harlot
Jehovah's righteous anger must be poured out to completetion, seven bowls of it! When the sixth angel emptied his bowl at the location of ancient Babylon, it fittingly symbolized the plaguing of Babylon the Great as events move swiftly toward the final war of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:1, 12, 16) Likely, it is this same angel that now reveals why and how Jehovah executes his righteous judgments. John is struck with wonderment at what he next hears and sees: "And one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying: 'Come,I will show you the judgment upon the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, whereas those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.' " -Revelation 17:1, 2.
"The Great Harlot"! Why so shocking a designation? Who is she? Some have identified this symbolic harlot with ancient Rome. But Rome was a political power. This harlot commits fornication with the kings of the earth, and this evidently includes the kings of Rome. Besides, after her destruction, "the kings of the earth" are said to mourn her passing. Therefore, she cannot be a political power. (Revelation 18:9, 10)) Additionally, since she is mourned also by the world's merchants, she could not picture big business. (Revelation 18:15, 16) We read, however, that 'by her spiritistic practices all the nations were misled.' (Revelation 18:23) This makes it clear that the great harlot must be a worldwide religious entity.
Next time: Continue with Judging The Infamous Harlot.
"The Great Harlot"! Why so shocking a designation? Who is she? Some have identified this symbolic harlot with ancient Rome. But Rome was a political power. This harlot commits fornication with the kings of the earth, and this evidently includes the kings of Rome. Besides, after her destruction, "the kings of the earth" are said to mourn her passing. Therefore, she cannot be a political power. (Revelation 18:9, 10)) Additionally, since she is mourned also by the world's merchants, she could not picture big business. (Revelation 18:15, 16) We read, however, that 'by her spiritistic practices all the nations were misled.' (Revelation 18:23) This makes it clear that the great harlot must be a worldwide religious entity.
Next time: Continue with Judging The Infamous Harlot.
2.08.2008
Continue with "It Has Come To Pass!"
John continues: "And lightnings and voices and thunders occurred, and a great earthquake occurred such as had not occurred since men came to be on earth, so extensive an earthquake, so great. And the great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell; and Babylon the Great was remembered in the sight of God, to give her the cup of the wine of the anger of his wrath. Also, every island fled, and mountains were not found. And a great hail, with every stone about the weight of a talent descended out of heaven upon the men, and the men blasphemed God due to the plague of hail, because the plague of it was unusually great." -Revelation 16:18-21.
Once again, Jehovah acts unmistakably toward mankind, this being signaled by "lightnings and voices and thunders." (Compare Revelation 4:5; 8:5.) Mankind will be shaken in a way that has never happened before, as if by a devastating earthquake. (Compare Isaiah 13:13; Joel 3:16.) This blockbuster shaking will shatter "the great city," Babylon the Great, so that it splits into "three parts"-symbolic of its collapse into unredeemable ruin. Also, "the cities of the nations" will fall. "Every island" and "mountain"-institutions and organizations that seem so permanent in this system- will go. "A great hail," much greater than that which afflicted Egypt during the seventh plague, with each hailstone weighing about a talent, will pummel mankind painfully. (Exodus 9:22-26.) This punishing downpour of congealed waters likely pictures unusually heavy verbal expressions of Jehovh's judgments, signaling that the end of this system of things has arrived at last! Jehovah could well use literal hail too in his destructive work. - Job 38:22, 23.
Thus, Satan's world will meet up with Jehovah's righteous judgment. To the end, most of humankind will continue to defy and blaspheme God. As with Pharaoh of old, their hearts will not be softened by the repeated plagues or by the final death-dealing culmination of those plagues. (Exodus 11:9, 10.) There will be no last-minute, large-scale change of heart. With their dying breath, they will rail against God who declares "They will have to know that I am Jehovah." (Ezekiel 38:23.) Nevertheless, the sovereignty of Jehovah God the Almighty will have been vindicated.
Next time: Judging The Infamous Harlot.
Once again, Jehovah acts unmistakably toward mankind, this being signaled by "lightnings and voices and thunders." (Compare Revelation 4:5; 8:5.) Mankind will be shaken in a way that has never happened before, as if by a devastating earthquake. (Compare Isaiah 13:13; Joel 3:16.) This blockbuster shaking will shatter "the great city," Babylon the Great, so that it splits into "three parts"-symbolic of its collapse into unredeemable ruin. Also, "the cities of the nations" will fall. "Every island" and "mountain"-institutions and organizations that seem so permanent in this system- will go. "A great hail," much greater than that which afflicted Egypt during the seventh plague, with each hailstone weighing about a talent, will pummel mankind painfully. (Exodus 9:22-26.) This punishing downpour of congealed waters likely pictures unusually heavy verbal expressions of Jehovh's judgments, signaling that the end of this system of things has arrived at last! Jehovah could well use literal hail too in his destructive work. - Job 38:22, 23.
Thus, Satan's world will meet up with Jehovah's righteous judgment. To the end, most of humankind will continue to defy and blaspheme God. As with Pharaoh of old, their hearts will not be softened by the repeated plagues or by the final death-dealing culmination of those plagues. (Exodus 11:9, 10.) There will be no last-minute, large-scale change of heart. With their dying breath, they will rail against God who declares "They will have to know that I am Jehovah." (Ezekiel 38:23.) Nevertheless, the sovereignty of Jehovah God the Almighty will have been vindicated.
Next time: Judging The Infamous Harlot.
2.07.2008
"It Has Come To Pass!"
"And the seventh one poured out his bowl upon the air. At this a loud voice issued out of the sanctuary from the throne, saying: 'It has come to pass.!' " - Revelation 16:17.
"The air" is the final life-sustaining medium to be plagued. But this is not the literal air. There is nothing about the literal air that makes it deserving of Jehovah's adverse judgments, any more than the literal earth, sea, freshwater sources, or sun deserve to suffer judgments at Jehovah's hand. Rather this is "the air" Paul was discussing when he called Satan "the ruler of the authority of the air." (Ephesians 2:2) It is the satanic "air" breathed by the world today, the spirit, or general mental inclination, that characterizes his whole wicked system of things, the satanic thinking that permeates every aspects of life outside Jehovah's organization. So in pouring out his bowl upon the air, the seventh angel expresses God's wrath against Satan, his organization, and everything that motivates mankind to support Satan in defying Jehovah's sovereignty.
This and the precious six plagues give the sum total of Jehovah's judgments against Satan and his system. They are a declaration of doom for Satan and his seed. When this final bowl is poured out, Jehovah himself proclaims: "It has come to pass!" There is nothing else to say. When the contents of the bowls of God's anger have been publicized to Jehovah's satisfaction, there will be no delay in his executing the judgments proclaimed by these messages.
Next time: Continue with "It Has Come To Pass!"
"The air" is the final life-sustaining medium to be plagued. But this is not the literal air. There is nothing about the literal air that makes it deserving of Jehovah's adverse judgments, any more than the literal earth, sea, freshwater sources, or sun deserve to suffer judgments at Jehovah's hand. Rather this is "the air" Paul was discussing when he called Satan "the ruler of the authority of the air." (Ephesians 2:2) It is the satanic "air" breathed by the world today, the spirit, or general mental inclination, that characterizes his whole wicked system of things, the satanic thinking that permeates every aspects of life outside Jehovah's organization. So in pouring out his bowl upon the air, the seventh angel expresses God's wrath against Satan, his organization, and everything that motivates mankind to support Satan in defying Jehovah's sovereignty.
This and the precious six plagues give the sum total of Jehovah's judgments against Satan and his system. They are a declaration of doom for Satan and his seed. When this final bowl is poured out, Jehovah himself proclaims: "It has come to pass!" There is nothing else to say. When the contents of the bowls of God's anger have been publicized to Jehovah's satisfaction, there will be no delay in his executing the judgments proclaimed by these messages.
Next time: Continue with "It Has Come To Pass!"
2.06.2008
The Gathering To Armageddon
The need for Christians to stay awake becomes even more pressing as the next verse of Revelation comes closer to fulfillment: " And they [the expressions inspired by demons] gathered them [the earthly kings, or rulers] together to the place that is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon." (Revelation 16:16) This name, more commonly rendered Armageddon, occurs only once in the Bible. But it has fired mankind's imagination. World leaders have warned of a possible nuclear Armageddon. Armageddon has been linked also with the ancient city of Megiddo, the site of many decisive battles in Bible times, and some religious leaders have therefore speculated that the final war on earth will take place in that limited area. In this, they are far wide of the truth.
The name Har-Magedon means "mountain of Megiddo." But rather than being a literal place, it represents the world situation into which all nations are gathered in opposition to Jehovah God and where he will finally destroy them. This is global extent. (Jeremiah 25:31-33; Daniel 2:44) It is similar to "the great winepress of the anger of God" and "the low plain of the decision," or "the low plain of Jehoshaphat," where the nations are gathered for execution by Jehovah. (Revelation 14:19; Joel 3:12, 14) It is also related to "the soil of Israel"where the satanic armies of Gog of Magog are destroyed and that location "between the grand sea and the holy mountain of Decoration" where the king of the north comes "all the way to his end"at the hands of Michael the great prince. -Ezekiel 38:16-18, 22, 23; Daniel 11:45-12:1.
When the nations have been maneuvered into this situation by the croaking propaganda originating with Satan and his earthly agents. It will be tim e for the seventh angel to pour out the final bowl of the anger of God.
Next time: "It Has Come To Pass!"
The name Har-Magedon means "mountain of Megiddo." But rather than being a literal place, it represents the world situation into which all nations are gathered in opposition to Jehovah God and where he will finally destroy them. This is global extent. (Jeremiah 25:31-33; Daniel 2:44) It is similar to "the great winepress of the anger of God" and "the low plain of the decision," or "the low plain of Jehoshaphat," where the nations are gathered for execution by Jehovah. (Revelation 14:19; Joel 3:12, 14) It is also related to "the soil of Israel"where the satanic armies of Gog of Magog are destroyed and that location "between the grand sea and the holy mountain of Decoration" where the king of the north comes "all the way to his end"at the hands of Michael the great prince. -Ezekiel 38:16-18, 22, 23; Daniel 11:45-12:1.
When the nations have been maneuvered into this situation by the croaking propaganda originating with Satan and his earthly agents. It will be tim e for the seventh angel to pour out the final bowl of the anger of God.
Next time: "It Has Come To Pass!"
2.05.2008
The Gathering To Armageddon
Jesus also warned of the kind of pressures that this world, saturated with propaganda would put on Christians. He said: "Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. . . Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man." (Luke 21:34=36) "That day" is "the great day of God the Almighty." (Revelation 16:14) As "that day" is the great day of the vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty approaches, it becomes ever more difficult to cope with the anxieties of life. Christians need to be alert and watchful, staying awake until that day arrives.
What, though, is implied by the warning that those found sleeping would be shamed by losing their "outer garments"? In ancient Israel, any priest or Levite on guard duty at the temple had a heavy responsibility. Jewish commentators tell us that if anyone was caught sleeping on such duty, his garments could be stripped from him and burned, so that he was publicly shamed.
Jesus here warns that something similar can happen today. The priest and Levites foreshadowed Jesus' anointed brothers. (1 Peter 2:9) But Jesus' warning applies by extension to the great crowd too. The outer garments here referred to identify the wearer as a Christian witness of Jehovah. (Compare Revelation 3:18; 7:14.) if any allow the pressures of Satan's world to lull them to sleep or into inactivity, they are likely to lose these outer garments-in other words, lose their clean identification as Christians. Such a situation would be shameful. It would put one in danger of losing out completely.
Next time: Continue with The Gathering To Armageddon
What, though, is implied by the warning that those found sleeping would be shamed by losing their "outer garments"? In ancient Israel, any priest or Levite on guard duty at the temple had a heavy responsibility. Jewish commentators tell us that if anyone was caught sleeping on such duty, his garments could be stripped from him and burned, so that he was publicly shamed.
Jesus here warns that something similar can happen today. The priest and Levites foreshadowed Jesus' anointed brothers. (1 Peter 2:9) But Jesus' warning applies by extension to the great crowd too. The outer garments here referred to identify the wearer as a Christian witness of Jehovah. (Compare Revelation 3:18; 7:14.) if any allow the pressures of Satan's world to lull them to sleep or into inactivity, they are likely to lose these outer garments-in other words, lose their clean identification as Christians. Such a situation would be shameful. It would put one in danger of losing out completely.
Next time: Continue with The Gathering To Armageddon
2.04.2008
The Gathering To Armageddon
John tells us: "And I saw three unclean inspired expressions that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are, in fact, expression inspired by demons and perform signgs, and they go forth to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty." (Revelation 16:13, 14) In Moses' day, Jehovah brought a loathsome plague of frogs on Pharaoh's Egypt, so that "the land began to stink." (Exodus 8:5-15) During the Lord's day, there has also been a disgusting froglike visitation,though from a different source. It consists of Satan's "unclean inspired expressions," clearly symbolizing propaganda designed to maneuver all human rulers, "kings," into opposition to Jehovah God. Satan thus makes sure that they are not swayed by the pouring out of the bowls of God's anger but are firmly on Satan's side when "the war of the great day of God the Almighty "begins.
The propaganda comes from "the dragon" (Satan) and "the wild beast" (Satan's earthly political setup), creatures that we have already met up with in Revelation. What, though, is "the false prophet"? This is a newcomer in name only. Previously, we were shown a wild beast with two horns like a lamb that perfomed great signs before the seven-headed wild beast. This deceptive creature acted like a prophet for that wild beast. It promoted worship fo the wild beast, even causing an image to be built to it. (Revelation 13:11-14) This wild beast with two horns like a lamb must be the same as "the false prophet" mentioned here. Confirming this, we read later that the false prophet, like the symbolic wild beast with two horns, "performed in front of the [the seven-headed wild beast] the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who render worship to its image." -Revelation 19:20.
With so much Satanic propaganda around, the next words that John records are indeed timely: "Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness." (Revelation 16:15) Who is coming "as a thief"? Jesus himself, coming at an unannounce time as Jehovah's Executioner. (Revelation 3:3; 2 Peter 3:10) While still on earth, Jesus also likened his coming to that of a thief, saying: "Keep on the watch, therefore,because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. On this account you too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming." (Matthew 24:42, 44; Luke 12:37, 40) Echoing this warning, the apostle Paul said: "Jehovah's day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: 'Peace and security!" then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them." Satan is even now maneuvering the nations toward making that false proclamation of "Peace and security!" -Thessalonians 5:2, 3.
Next time: Continue with above subject.
The propaganda comes from "the dragon" (Satan) and "the wild beast" (Satan's earthly political setup), creatures that we have already met up with in Revelation. What, though, is "the false prophet"? This is a newcomer in name only. Previously, we were shown a wild beast with two horns like a lamb that perfomed great signs before the seven-headed wild beast. This deceptive creature acted like a prophet for that wild beast. It promoted worship fo the wild beast, even causing an image to be built to it. (Revelation 13:11-14) This wild beast with two horns like a lamb must be the same as "the false prophet" mentioned here. Confirming this, we read later that the false prophet, like the symbolic wild beast with two horns, "performed in front of the [the seven-headed wild beast] the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who render worship to its image." -Revelation 19:20.
With so much Satanic propaganda around, the next words that John records are indeed timely: "Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness." (Revelation 16:15) Who is coming "as a thief"? Jesus himself, coming at an unannounce time as Jehovah's Executioner. (Revelation 3:3; 2 Peter 3:10) While still on earth, Jesus also likened his coming to that of a thief, saying: "Keep on the watch, therefore,because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. On this account you too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming." (Matthew 24:42, 44; Luke 12:37, 40) Echoing this warning, the apostle Paul said: "Jehovah's day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: 'Peace and security!" then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them." Satan is even now maneuvering the nations toward making that false proclamation of "Peace and security!" -Thessalonians 5:2, 3.
Next time: Continue with above subject.
2.03.2008
The River Euphrates Dried Up
The sixth trumpet blast heralded the releasing of "the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates." (Revelation 9:14) Historically, Babylon was the great city that sat on the river Euphrates. And in 1919 the release of the symbolic four angels accompanied a significant fall of Babylon the Great. (Revelation 14:8) It is noteworthy, then, that the sixth bowl of God's anger also involves the river Euphrates: "And the sixth one poured out his bowl upon the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the rising of the sun." - (Revelation 16:12) This too is bad news for Babylon the Great!
In ancient Babylon's heyday, the abundant waters of the Euphrates were a major part of her defense system. In 539 B.C.E. those waters dried up when they were diverted from their course by the Persian leader Cyrus. Thus, the way was open for Cyrus the Persian and Darius the Mede, the kings from "rising of the sun" (that is the east), to enter Babylon and conquer it. In the hour of crisis, the river Euphrates failed in the defense of that great city. (Isaiah 44:27-45:7; Jeremiah 51:36) Something similar is due to happen to modern Babylon, the worldwide system of false religion.
Babylon the Great "sits on may waters." According to Revelation 17:1, 15 , these symbolize "peoples and crowds and nations and tongues"-hordes of adherents that she has regarded as a protection. But the "waters" are drying up! In Western Europe, where formerly she had great influence, hundreds of millions have openly ignored religion. In some Eastern Euopean lands, there is a declared policy to try to destroy the influence of relgion. The masses in those lands have not risen up on her behalf. Similarly, when the time comes for Babylon the Great to be destroyed, the dwindling number of her adherents will prove to be no protection at all. (Revelation 17:16) Though she claims a membership of thousands of millions, Babylon the Great will find herself defenseless against "the kings from the rising of the sun."
Who are these kings? In 539 B.C.E. they were Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian, who were used by Jehovah to conquer the ancient city of Babylon. In this the Lord's day, the false religious system of Babylon the Great will also be destroyed by human rulers. But again, this will be a divine judgment. Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, "the kings from the rising of the sun," will have put into the hearts of human rulers the "thought" to turn on Babylon the Great and destroy her utterly. (Revelation 17:16, 17) The pouring out of the sixth bowl proclaims Publicly that this judgment is about to be executed!
These first six bowls of Jehovah's anger carry a sobering message. God's earthly servants, supported by the angels, have been busy publicizing their contents on an earth-wide scale. In this way, due warning has been served on all sectors of Satan's world system, and Jehovah has provided individuals an opportunity to turn to righeousness and keep living. (Ezekiel 33:14-16) Still, one more bowl of God's anger remains. But before telling us about it, Revelation reveals how Satan and his earthly agents are trying to counteract the publicizing of Jehovah's judgments.
Next time: The Gathering To Armageddon.
In ancient Babylon's heyday, the abundant waters of the Euphrates were a major part of her defense system. In 539 B.C.E. those waters dried up when they were diverted from their course by the Persian leader Cyrus. Thus, the way was open for Cyrus the Persian and Darius the Mede, the kings from "rising of the sun" (that is the east), to enter Babylon and conquer it. In the hour of crisis, the river Euphrates failed in the defense of that great city. (Isaiah 44:27-45:7; Jeremiah 51:36) Something similar is due to happen to modern Babylon, the worldwide system of false religion.
Babylon the Great "sits on may waters." According to Revelation 17:1, 15 , these symbolize "peoples and crowds and nations and tongues"-hordes of adherents that she has regarded as a protection. But the "waters" are drying up! In Western Europe, where formerly she had great influence, hundreds of millions have openly ignored religion. In some Eastern Euopean lands, there is a declared policy to try to destroy the influence of relgion. The masses in those lands have not risen up on her behalf. Similarly, when the time comes for Babylon the Great to be destroyed, the dwindling number of her adherents will prove to be no protection at all. (Revelation 17:16) Though she claims a membership of thousands of millions, Babylon the Great will find herself defenseless against "the kings from the rising of the sun."
Who are these kings? In 539 B.C.E. they were Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian, who were used by Jehovah to conquer the ancient city of Babylon. In this the Lord's day, the false religious system of Babylon the Great will also be destroyed by human rulers. But again, this will be a divine judgment. Jehovah God and Jesus Christ, "the kings from the rising of the sun," will have put into the hearts of human rulers the "thought" to turn on Babylon the Great and destroy her utterly. (Revelation 17:16, 17) The pouring out of the sixth bowl proclaims Publicly that this judgment is about to be executed!
These first six bowls of Jehovah's anger carry a sobering message. God's earthly servants, supported by the angels, have been busy publicizing their contents on an earth-wide scale. In this way, due warning has been served on all sectors of Satan's world system, and Jehovah has provided individuals an opportunity to turn to righeousness and keep living. (Ezekiel 33:14-16) Still, one more bowl of God's anger remains. But before telling us about it, Revelation reveals how Satan and his earthly agents are trying to counteract the publicizing of Jehovah's judgments.
Next time: The Gathering To Armageddon.
2.02.2008
Darkness And Gnawing Pain
The kingdom of this wild beast has been in spiritual darkness ever since it beginning. (Compare Matthew 8:12; Ephesians 6:11, 12) The fifth bowl brings intensified public announcement of this darkness. It even dramatizes it, in that this bowl of God's anger is poured out upon the very throne of the symbolic wild beast. "And its kingdom became darkened, and they began to gnaw their tongues for their pain, but they blasphemed the God of heavens for their pains and for their ulcers, and they did not repent of their works." - Revelation 16:10b, 11.
The fifth trumpet blast is not exactly the same as the fifth bowl of God's anger, since the trumpet blast heralded a plague of locusts. But notice that at the release of that plague of locusts, there was a darkening of the sun and the air. (Revelation 9:2, 5) And at Exodus 10:14, 15, we read concerning the locusts with which Jehovah plagued Egypt. "They were very burdensome. Before them there had never turned up in this way locusts like them, and there will never turn up any in this way after them. And they went covering the visible surface of the entire land, and the land grew dark." Yes, darkness! Today, the world's spiritual darkness has become all too evident as a result of the sounding of the fifth trumpet and the pouring out of the bowl of God's anger. The stinging message proclaimed by the modern-day locust swarm brings torment and pain to those wicked ones who "have loved the darkness rather than the light." - John 3:19.
As world ruler, Satan has caused much unhappiness and suffering. Famine, wars, violence, crime, drug abuse, immorality, sexually transmitted diseases, dishonesty, religious hypocrisy -these and more are are the hallmarks of Satan's system of things. (Compare Galatians 5:19-21) Even so, the public exposure of Satan as the god of this system of things caused pain and embarassment to those who live by his standards. "They began to gnaw their tongues for their pain," especially in Christendom. Many resent that the truth exposes their lifestyle. Some find it threatening, and they persecute those who publish it. They reject God's Kingdom and revile Jehovah's holy name. Their religiously diseased, ulcerous condition is laid bare, so that they blaspheme the God of heaven. No, they do "not repent of their works." So we cannot expect a mass conversion before the end of this system of things. -Isaiah 32:6
Next time: The River Euphrates Dried Up.
The fifth trumpet blast is not exactly the same as the fifth bowl of God's anger, since the trumpet blast heralded a plague of locusts. But notice that at the release of that plague of locusts, there was a darkening of the sun and the air. (Revelation 9:2, 5) And at Exodus 10:14, 15, we read concerning the locusts with which Jehovah plagued Egypt. "They were very burdensome. Before them there had never turned up in this way locusts like them, and there will never turn up any in this way after them. And they went covering the visible surface of the entire land, and the land grew dark." Yes, darkness! Today, the world's spiritual darkness has become all too evident as a result of the sounding of the fifth trumpet and the pouring out of the bowl of God's anger. The stinging message proclaimed by the modern-day locust swarm brings torment and pain to those wicked ones who "have loved the darkness rather than the light." - John 3:19.
As world ruler, Satan has caused much unhappiness and suffering. Famine, wars, violence, crime, drug abuse, immorality, sexually transmitted diseases, dishonesty, religious hypocrisy -these and more are are the hallmarks of Satan's system of things. (Compare Galatians 5:19-21) Even so, the public exposure of Satan as the god of this system of things caused pain and embarassment to those who live by his standards. "They began to gnaw their tongues for their pain," especially in Christendom. Many resent that the truth exposes their lifestyle. Some find it threatening, and they persecute those who publish it. They reject God's Kingdom and revile Jehovah's holy name. Their religiously diseased, ulcerous condition is laid bare, so that they blaspheme the God of heaven. No, they do "not repent of their works." So we cannot expect a mass conversion before the end of this system of things. -Isaiah 32:6
Next time: The River Euphrates Dried Up.
2.01.2008
The Throne Of The WIld Beast
Upon what does the next angel pour out his bowl? "And the fifth one poured out his bowl upon the throne of the wild beast." (Revelation 16:10a) "The wild beast" is Satan's governmental system. It does not have a literal throne, any more than the wild beast itself is literal. Mention of a throne, however, shows that the wild beast has exercised royal authority over mankind, this is in harmony with the fact that each of the beast's heads bears a royal diadem. In fact, "the throne of the wild beast is the foundation, or source of that authority.
The Bible reveals the true situation of the royal authority of the wild beast when it says that "the dragon gave to the beast its power and its throne and great authority." (Revelation 13:1, 2; 1 John 5:19) Thus, the pouring out of the bowl upon the throne of the wild beast involves a proclamation revealing the true role that Satan has played and still plays in supporting and promoting the wild beast.
How is this relationship between Satan and the nations maintained? When Satan tempted Jesus, he showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a vision and offered "all this authority and the glory of them." But there was a condition-Jesus had to perform an act of worship before Satan. (Luke 4:5-7) Can we imagine that the governments of the world receive their authority at a lesser price? Not at all. According to the Bible, Satan is the god of this system of things, so that whether the nations are aware of it or not, they serve him. (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4) This situation is revealed in the makeup of the present world system, which is built on narrow nationalism, hatred and self-interest. It is organized the way Satan wants it-to keep mankind under his control. The corruption in government, the lust for power, the lying diplomacy, the armaments race-these reflect Satan's debased personality. The world subscribes to Satan's unrighteous standards, thus making him its god. The throne of the wild beast will be overthrown when that beast suffers extinction and the Seed of God's woman finally abysses Satan himself. - Genesis 3;15; Revelation 19:20, 21; 20:1-3.
Next time: Darkness And Gnawing Pain.
The Bible reveals the true situation of the royal authority of the wild beast when it says that "the dragon gave to the beast its power and its throne and great authority." (Revelation 13:1, 2; 1 John 5:19) Thus, the pouring out of the bowl upon the throne of the wild beast involves a proclamation revealing the true role that Satan has played and still plays in supporting and promoting the wild beast.
How is this relationship between Satan and the nations maintained? When Satan tempted Jesus, he showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a vision and offered "all this authority and the glory of them." But there was a condition-Jesus had to perform an act of worship before Satan. (Luke 4:5-7) Can we imagine that the governments of the world receive their authority at a lesser price? Not at all. According to the Bible, Satan is the god of this system of things, so that whether the nations are aware of it or not, they serve him. (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4) This situation is revealed in the makeup of the present world system, which is built on narrow nationalism, hatred and self-interest. It is organized the way Satan wants it-to keep mankind under his control. The corruption in government, the lust for power, the lying diplomacy, the armaments race-these reflect Satan's debased personality. The world subscribes to Satan's unrighteous standards, thus making him its god. The throne of the wild beast will be overthrown when that beast suffers extinction and the Seed of God's woman finally abysses Satan himself. - Genesis 3;15; Revelation 19:20, 21; 20:1-3.
Next time: Darkness And Gnawing Pain.
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