Reviving the Two Witnesses - Conclusion of The Two Witnesses

Conclusion of The Two Witnesses

Zechariah lived in a time of rebuilding and his vision of the two olive trees meant that Zerubbabel and Joshua would be blessed with Jehovah's spirit in strengthening the people for the work.  The vision of the lampstand reminded Zechariah not to 'despise the day of small things' because Jehovah's purposes would be carried out- " 'not by a military force, nor by power, but by my spirit,' Jehovah of armies has said."  (Zechariah 4:6, 10; 8:9) The small band of Christians  persistently carrying the light of truth to mankind during the first world war would similarly be used in a rebuilding work.  They too would be a source of encouragement and few as they were, would learn to rely on Jehovah's strength, not despising the day of small beginnings.

The fact that they were described as two witnesses also reminds us of the transfiguration.  In that vision, three of Jesus' apostles saw him in the Kingdom glory, accompanied by Moses and Elijah.  This foreshadowed Jesus' sitting down on his glorious throne in 1914 to accomplish a work prefigured by those two prophets.  (Matthew 17:1-3; 25:31) Fittingly, the  two witnesses are now seen to perform signs reminiscent of those of Moses and Elijah.  For example, John says of them:  "And if anyone wants to harm them, fire issues forth from  their mouths and devours their enemies; and if anyone should want to harm them, in this manner he must be killed.  These have the authority to shut up heaven  that no rain should fall during the days of their prophesying." -Revelation 11:5,6a.

This reminds us of the time when Moses' authority was challenged in Israel.  That prophet  uttered fiery words of judgment, and Jehovah destroyed the rebels, consuming 250  of them by literal fire from heaven.  (Numbers 16:1-7, 28-35) Similarly, Christendom's leaders defied the Bible Students, saying that  these had never graduated from theological colleges.  But God's witnesses had higher credentials  as ministers those meek persons who heeded their Scriptural  mess age.  (2 Corinthians  3:2, 3) In 1917 the Bible Students published The Finished Mystery, a powerful commentary on Revelation  and Ezekiel.  This was followed by the distribution of 10,000,000 copies of the four-page  tract The Bible Students Monthly with the feature article entitled "The Fall of Babylon-Why Christendom Must Now Suffer-The Final Outcome." In the United States, the irate clergy used the war hysteria as an excuse to get the book burned.  In other countries the book was censored.  Nevertheless, God's servants kept fighting back with fiery issues of the four-page tract entitled Kingdom News.  As the Lord's day proceeded, other publications would make clear Christendom's spiritually defunct condition. Compare Jeremiah 5:14.

What of Elijah?  In the days of the kings of Israel, this prophet proclaimed a drought as an expression of Jehovah's indignation on the Baal-worshiping Israelites.  It lasted three and a half years.  (1 Kings 17:1; 18:41-45; Luke 4:25; James 5:17)  Later, when unfaithful King Ahaziah sent soldiers to force Elijah to come into his royal presence the prophet called down fire from heaven to consume the soldiers.  Only when a military commander showed proper respect for his position respect for his proper respect for his position as a prophet did Elijah consent to accompany him to the king.  (2 Kings 1:5-16) Likewise, between 1914 and 1918, the anointed remnant  boldly drew  attention to the spiritual drought in Christendom and warned of fiery judgment as "the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah." -Malachi 4:1, 5; Amos 8:11.

John goes on to say of the two witnesses: "And they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every sort of plague as often as they wish." (Revelation 11:6b)  In order to persuade Pharaoh to let Israel go free, Jehovah used Moses in striking oppressive Egypt with plagues, including the turning of water into blood.  Centuries later, the Philistine enemies of Israel well remembered Jehovah's acts against Egypt, causing them to cry:  "Who will save us from the hand of this majestic God?  This is the God that was the smiter of  Egypt with every sort of slaughter ["plague ," Revised  Standard Version] in the wilderness."  (1 Samuel 4:8; Psalm 105:29)  Moses portrayed Jesus, who had authority to pronounce God's judgments on the religious leaders of his day.  (Matthew 23:13; 28:18; Acts 3:22)  And during the first world war Christ's brothers, the two witnesses, exposed the death-dealing quality of  "the waters" that Christendom was serving  to her flocks.

Next time:  Reviving the Two Witnesses - The Two Witnesses Are Killed

From the Book of Revelation

Reviving the Two Witnesses - The Two Witnesses

The Two Witnesses

Even while being trampled on, these loyal ones do not cease to be Jehovah's faithful witnesses.  Hence, the prophecy continues:  " ' And I will cause my two witnesses to prophesy a thousand two hundred and sixty days dressed in sackcloth.'  These are symbolized by the two olive trees and the two lampstands and are standing before the Lord of the earth." -Revelation 11:3, 4.

These faithful anointed Christians needed the quality of endurance, for they had to prophesy "in sackcloth."  What did this mean?  In Bible times sackcloth often symbolized mourning.  Wearing it was a sign that the person had been brought low in sorrow or distress.  (Genesis 37:34; Job 16:15, 16; Ezekiel 27:31)  Sackcloth was associated with the mournful messages of doom or grief that God's prophets had to proclaim.  (Isaiah 3:8, 24-26; Jeremiah 48:37; 49:3)  The wearing of sackcloth could indicate humility or repentance in view of divine warning.  (Jonah 3:5)  The sackcloth worn by the two witnesses appears to indicate their humble endurance in announcing Jehovah's judgments.  They were witnesses proclaiming his day of vengeance that would bring mourning also to the nations. -Deuteronomy 32:41-43.

The John class had to preach this message for a definitely stated time: 1,260 days, or 42 months, the same length of time that the holy city was to be trampled underfoot.  this period seems to be literal, since it is expressed in two different ways, first in months and then in days. Additionally, at the beginning of the Lord's day, there was a marked period of three and a half years when the hard experiences of God's people matched the events prophesied here--starting from the outbreak of the first world war in the latter part of 1914 and continuing to the early part of 1918.  (Revelation 1:10) They preached  a "sackcloth" message concerning Jehovah's judgment of Christendom and the world.

The fact that they were symbolized by two witnesses confirms to us that their message was accurate and well founded.  (Compare Deuteronomy 17L6; John 8:17, 18) John calls them "the two olive trees and the two lampstands," saying  that they "are standing before the Lord of  the earth."  This is an evident reference  to the prophecy of Zechariah, who saw a seven-branched lampstand and two olive trees.  The olive trees were said to picture "the two anointed ones," that is, Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua, "standing alongside  the Lord of the whole earth." -Zechariah 4:1-3, 14.

Next time: Reviving the Two Witnesses - Conclusion of  The Two Witnesses

From the Book of Revelation

Reviving the Two Witnesses -The Trampling of the Courtyard

Trampling of the Courtyard

Why was John forbidden to measure the courtyard?  He tells us in these words: "But as for the courtyard that is outside the temple sanctuary, cast it clear out and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city underfoot for forty-two months."  (Revelation 11:2)  We have noted that the inner courtyard pictures the righteous standing on earth of spirit-begotten Christians. As we shall see, the reference here is to the literal  42 months extending from October 1914 into 1918, when all professing Christians were put to a severe test.  Would they uphold Jehovah's righteous standards during  those war years?  Most did not. Enbloc, the clergy of Christendom put nationalism ahead of obedience to divine law.  On both sides of the war, which was fought mainly in Christendom, the clergy preached the young men into the trenches.  Millions were slaughtered.  By the time that  judgment started with the house of God in 1918, the United States had also entered that blood-spilling, and the clergy of all of Christendom had incurred  a blood guilt that still cries out for divine vengeance.  (1 Peter 4:17)  Their being cast out has become permanent, irreversible. -Isaiah 59:1-3, 7, 8;  Jeremiah 19:3, 4.

What, though, of the small group of Bible Students?  Were they to be measured immediately in 1914 by their adherence to divine standards? No.  Like the professed Christians of Christendom, they too must be tested.  They were 'cast clear out, given to the nations' to be severely tried and persecuted.  Many of them realized that they should go out and kill their fellowman, but as yet they did not fully appreciate Christian neutrality.  (Micah 4:3; John 17:14, 16; 1 John 3:15) Under pressure from the nations, some compromised.

How was it, though, that the holy city was trampled underfoot by those nations?  Clearly, this does not refer to the Jerusalem that was destroyed over 25  years before Revelation was written. Rather, the holy city is New Jerusalem, described  later in Revelation, that is represented now on earth by the remaining anointed Christians in the temple's inner courtyard.  In time, these also will become a part of the holy city.  So trampling on them is tantamount to trampling on the city itself. - Revelation 21:2, 9-21.

Next time: Reviving the Two Witnesses -The Two Witnesses

From the Book of Revelation

Reviving the Two Witnesses - Measuring the Temple Sanctuary

Measuring the Temple Sanctuary

John is told to "measure the temple sanctuary of God and the altar and those worshiping in it."  What does this imply?  In the Hebrew Scripture prophecies, such measuring provided  a guarantee that justice, tempered with mercy, would be rendered on the basis of Jehovah's perfect standards. In the days of wicked King Manasseh, the prophetic measuring of Jerusalem testified to an unalterable judgment of destruction on that city.  (2 Kings 21:13; Lamentations 2:8) Later, however, when Jeremiah saw Jerusalem being measured, this confirmed that the city would be rebuilt.  (Jeremiah 31:39; see also Zechariah 2:2-8)  Likewise, the extensive and detailed measuring of the visionary temple witnessed by Ezekiel was a guarantee to the Jewish exiles in Babylon that true worship would be restored to their homeland.  It was also a reminder that, in view of their errors, Israel henceforth had to measure up to God's holy standards. -Ezekiel 40:3, 4 43:10.

Therefore, when John is commanded to measure the temple sanctuary and those priests  worshiping in it, it is a sign that nothing can prevent the fulfillment of Jehovah's purposes regarding the temple arrangement and those associated with it, and that those purposes are nearing their climax.  Now that all things have been placed under the feet of Jehovah's strong angel, it is the time for  "the mountain of the house of Jehovah" to be "firmly established above the top of the mountains."  (Isaiah 2:2-4) Jehovah's pure worship must be exalted , after centuries of Christendom's apostasy.  It is also time for those of Jesus' faithful brothers who have died to be resurrected into "the Holy of Holies."  (Daniel 9:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16; Revelation 6:11; 14:4)  And the last sealed ones on earth of "the slaves of God" must be measured according to the divine standards in order to qualify for their permanent place in the temple arrangement as spirit-begotten sons of God.  The John class today is fully aware of those holy standards and is determined to measure up to them. -Revelation 7:1-3; Matthew 13:41, 42; Ephesians 1:13, 14;  compare Romans 11:20.

Next time: Reviving the Two Witnesses -The Trampling of the Courtyard

From the Book of Revelation

Reviving the Two Witnesses

BEFORE the second woe is finally past, the strong angel  calls upon John to take part in another prophetic presentation, this one having to do with the temple.  (Revelation 9:12; 10:1)  Here is what John reports: "And a reed like a rod was given me as he said:  'Get up and measure the temple sanctuary of God and the altar and those worshiping in it.' " -Revelation 11:1.

The Temple Sanctuary

The temple here mentioned cannot be any literal temple in Jerusalem, since the last of these was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E. The apostle Paul, however, showed that even before that destruction, there had appeared another temple sanctuary that would endure right up to our day.  This was the great spiritual temple that fulfilled the prophetic types provided by the tabernacle and later by the temples built in Jerusalem. It is "the true tent, which Jehovah put up, and not man," and its High Priest is Jesus, whom Paul describes as having already "sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens."  Its Most Holy is the location of Jehovah's presence in heaven itself. -Hebrews 8:1, 2; 9:11, 24.

The apostle Paul explains that the curtain of the tabernacle, separating the Most Holy from the Holy compartment, pictures Jesus'  flesh.  When Jesus sacrificed his life, this curtain was rent in two, showing that Jesus' flesh was no longer a barrier to his entry into Jehovah's presence in heaven.  On the basis of Jesus' sacrifice, his anointed under priests who died faithful would, in due course, also pass into the heavens.  (Matthew 27:50, 51; Hebrews 9:3; 10:19, 20)  Paul points out, too, that the continual sacrifices of animals at the tabernacle  pointed forward  to Jesus' one sacrifice in the courtyard represented Jehovah's provision, according to his will, for accepting Jesus' sacrifice in behalf of the "many" -of the anointed  and later, of the other sheep - who would be "earnestly looking for him for their salvation." -Hebrews 9:28; 10:9, 10; John 10:16.

From this divinely inspired information, we can conclude that the Holy Place in the tabernacle symbolizes a holy condition enjoyed first by Christ and then by the anointed members of the royal priesthood of the 144,000 while they are still on earth, before entering through "the curtain."  (Hebrews 6:19, 20; 1 Peter 2:9)  It well represents their having been adopted as spiritual sons of God, even as God acknowledged Jesus to be his Son following Jesus' baptism in the Jordan in 29 C.E.  (Luke 3:22; Romans 8:15)  And what of the inner courtyard, the only part of the tabernacle visible to non priestly Israelites and the place where  the sacrifices were made?  This pictures the perfect standing of  the man Jesus that qualified him to offer his life for mankind. It also represents the righteous standing as holy ones, imputed on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice, that his anointed followers enjoy while on earth. -Romans 1:7; 5:1.

Next time: Reviving the Two Witnesses -Measuring the Temple Sanctuary

From the Book of Revelation

A Sweet-and-Bitter Message -The Little Scroll Today

The Little Scroll Today

What John sees foreshadows remarkably the experience of the John class at the beginning of the Lord's day.  Their understanding of Jehovah's purposes, including the implication of the seven thunders, was then incomplete.  Nevertheless, they had a deep interest in Revelation, and Charles Taze Russell had commented on many parts of it during his lifetime. After his death in 1916, many of his writings were collected and published in a book entitled The Finished Mystery.  In time, though, this book proved to  be unsatisfactory as an explanation of Revelation.  The remnant of Christ's brothers had to wait a  while longer, until the visions started to be fulfilled, for an accurate understanding of that inspired record.

Like John, however, they were used by Jehovah even before the voices of the seven thunders were fully published.  They had preached diligently for 40 years before 1914,  and they had struggled to stay active during the first world war.  They had  proved to be the ones who, when the master arrived, were found to be giving the domestics food at the proper time.   (Matthew 24:45-47) Thus, in  1919 they were the ones who were given the opened scroll-that is, an open messaged to preach to mankind.  Like Ezekiel they had a  message for an unfaithful organization - Christendom - that claimed to be serving God but, in fact, was not.  Like John they had to preach some more regarding "peoples and nations and tongues and many kings."

John's eating up the scroll pictured that Jesus' brothers accepted this assignment.  It became a part of them to the extent that they were now identified with this portion of God's inspired Word, drawing nourishment from it.  But what they had to preach contained expressions of Jehovah's judgments that were unpalatable to many of mankind. Indeed, it included the plagues foretold in Revelation chapter 8.  It was sweet, however, to these sincere Christians to know those judgments and to realize that they were again being used by Jehovah in proclaiming them. -Psalm 19:9, 10.

In time, the message of this scroll also became sweet to the "great crowd . . .out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues" who were found to be sighing on account of the detestable things they saw being done in Christendom.  (Revelation 7:9;Ezekiel 9:4) These, too, vigorously proclaim the good news, using sweet, gracious words to describe Jehovah's marvelous provision for sheep like Christians.  (Psalm 37:11, 29; Colossians 4:6)  But to goat like people, this is bad news.  Why? It means that the system in which they trust-and which may even have brought them a transitory satisfaction-must go.  For them, the good news spells doom. -Matthew 25:31-34, 41, 46; compare Deuteronomy 28:15; 2 Corinthians  2:15, 16.

Next time: Reviving the Two Witnesses

From the Book of Revelation

A Sweet-and-Bitter Message -The Opened Scroll

The Opened Scroll

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

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

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

Next time: A Sweet-and-Bitter Message - The Little Scroll Today

From the Book of Revelation

A Sweet-and-Bitter Message -The Finish of the Sacred Secret

The Finish of the Sacred Secret

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

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

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

What is this sacred secret?  It involves the seed first promised in Eden, which proved primarily to be Jesus Christ.  (Genesis 3:15; 1 Timothy 3:16)  It also has to do with the identity of the woman out of whom the Seed comes.  (Isaiah 54:1; Galatians 4:26-28)  Further, it takes in the secondary members of the seed class and the Kingdom in which the Seed reigns.  (Luke 8:10; Ephesians 3:3-9; Colossians 1:26, 27; 2:2; Revelation 1:5, 6) The good news about this unique heavenly Kingdom must be preached in all the earth during the time of the end. -Matthew 24:14.

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

Next time: A Sweet-and-Bitter Message -The Opened Scroll

From the Book of Revelation

A Sweet-and-Bitter Message- The Seven Thunders

The Seven Thunders

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

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

But listen! Another voice sounds forth.  It brings a command that must seem strange to John:   "Now when the seven thunders spoke, I was at the point of writing; but I heard a voice out of heaven say:  "Seal up the things the seven thunders spoke, and do not write them down...' " (Revelation 10:4)   John must have been anxious to hear and record those thunderous messages, just as the John class today has waited eagerly for Jehovah to disclose his divine purposes  for publication.  Such revelations come only at Jehovah's appointed time. -Luke 12:41; see also Daniel 12:8, 9.

Next time: A Sweet-and-Bitter Message - The Finish of the Sacred Secret

From the Book of Revelation

Continue with A Sweet-and-Bitter Message

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

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

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

Next time: A Sweet-and-Bitter Message - The Seven Thunders

From the Book of Revelation

A Sweet-and-Bitter Message

THE second woe has been devastating.  It has plagued Christendom and her leaders, "a third of the men," who are thus exposed as being spiritually dead.  (Revelation 9:15) John must have wondered after that what the third would could possibly bring.  But wait!  The second woe is not yet finished-not until we reach the point recorded at Revelation 11:14. Before then, John is to witness a turn of events  in which he blessed himself takes an active part.  it begins with an awe-inspiring sight:

"And I saw another strong angel descending from heaven, arrayed with a cloud, and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face  in was as the sun, and his feet were as fiery pillars." -Revelation 10:1.

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

Next time: Conclusion of A Sweet-and-Bitter Message

From the Book of Revelation

The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry - Conclusion of Two Myriads of Myriads

Conclusion of Two Myriads of Myriads


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

In other places, the Kingdom literature continues to expose Christendom's Babylonish doctrines and ways, bringing her deserved harm in figurative way. By using updated printing methods, this numerous cavalry in the 40 years before 1987 was able to distribute, in upwards of 200 of earth's languages, Bibles, books, magazines, and brochures to the astronomical number of 7,821, 078, 415 copies-many times more than a literal two myriads of myriads.  What a sting those tails have inflicted!

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

What we have just discussed is part of the second woe.  There is more to come before this woe runs its course, as we shall see in the chapters that follow.

Next time: A Sweet-and -Bitter Message

From the Book of Revelation

The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry -Continue with Two Myriads of Myriads

Continue with Two Myriads of Myriads

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

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

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

That cavalry needs equipment for the warfare.  And how wonderfully Jehovah has provided this! John describes it:  "For the authority of the horses is in their mouths  and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with these they do harm."  (Revelation 9:19)  Jehovah has ordained his dedicated, baptized ministers for this service.  Through the Theocratic Ministry School and  other  congregation meetings and schools, ( I take this with a grain of salt, because they do not know for sure) he has taught them how to preach the word, so that they are able to speak authoritatively with "the tongue of the taught ones."  He has put his words into their mouths and sent them forth to make known his judgments "publicly and from house to house." (Keep in mind that Jesus did not go to a ministerial school, he spoke the words of Jehovah, his father)  (2 Timothy 4:2; Isaiah  50:4;  61:2; Jeremiah 1:9, 10; Acts 20:20 ) The John class and the great crowd have left behind a stinging message, corresponding to "tails,"  in the thousands of millions of Bibles, books, brochures, and magazines distributed over the years.  To their opponents, who are  advised of the coming "harm" from Jehovah, these armies of cavalry truly seem like two myriads of myriads. - Compare Joel 2:4-6.

Next time: The Second Woe- Armies of Cavalries -Conclusion of Two Myriads of Myriads

From the Book of Revelation

The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry -Two Myriads of Myriads

Two Myriads of Myriads

How can there be two myriads of myriads of this cavalry?  A myriad is literally 10,000. So two myriads of myriads would come to 200 million." Happily, there are now millions of Kingdom proclaimers, but their number is far short of hundreds of millions!  Remember, though, Moses' words at Numbers 10:36: "Do return, O Jehovah, to the myriads of thousands of Israel."  (Compare Genesis 24:60) That would mean, literally, 'Do return to the tens of millions of Israel.'  Israel, however, numbered only about two to three million in Moses' day.  What, then, was Moses saying?  No doubt he had in mind that the Israelites should be unnumbered as "the stars of the heavens and like the grains of sand that are on the seashore," rather than be counted.  (Genesis 22:17; 1 Chronicles  27:23) So he used the word for "myriad" to indicated a large but unspecified number.  Thus, The New English Bible renders this verse: "Rest, Lord of the countless thousands of Israel." This agrees with a  second definition of the word for "myriad"  found in Greek and Hebrew dictionaries "an innumerable multitude." a "multitude." -The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament; Gesenius' A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament translated by Edward  Robinson. 

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

From 1918 to 1922, the John class began to hold out to distressed humanity the happy prospect that "millions now living will never die."  In 1923 it was also made known that the sheep of Matthew 25:31-34 would inherit life on earth under God's Kingdom. A similar hope was held out in the booklet Freedom for the Peoples, released at the international convention in 1927.  In the early 1930's  the upright Jehonadab class and the 'men sighing and groaning' over Christendom's sorry spiritual condition were shown to be identical with the symbolic sheep having earthly life prospects.  (Ezekiel 9:4; 2 Kings 10:15, 16)  Directing such ones to the modern-day "cities of refuge," The Watchtower of August 15, 1934, stated: "Those of the Jonadab class have heard the sound  of God's trumpet and have heeded the warning by fleeing to God's organization and associating with God's people, and there they must abide." -Numbers 35:6.

Next time: Continue with The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry -Two Myriads of Myriads

From the Book of Revelation

Conclusion of The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry

Apparently, this cavalry thunders forth under the guiding direction of the four angels.  What a fearsome spectacle!  Imagine you reaction if you were to be the target of such a cavalry charge!   Its very appearance would strike terror into your heart.  Did you notice, though, how similar this cavalry is to the locust that preceded it?  The locusts  were like horses, in the cavalry there are horses.  Both, then, are involved in theocratic warfare.  (Proverbs 21:31) The locusts had teeth like lions, the horses of the cavalry have heads like lions.  Both are therefore tied in with the  courageous Lion of the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ, who is their Leader, Commander, and Exemplar. -Revelation 28:1.

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

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

Next time: The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry - Two Myriads of Myriads

From the Book of Revelation

Continue with The Second Woe -Armies of Cavalry

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

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

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

Next time: Conclusion of The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry

From the Book of Revelation

The Secon Woe-Armies of Cavalry

FROM  1919 onward, the symbolic locusts' invasion of Christendom has caused the clergy much discomfort.  They have tried to stamp out the locusts, but these have kept coming on stronger than ever.  (Revelation 9:7) And that is not all!  John writes:  "The one woe is past.  Look!  Two more are coming after these things."  (Revelation 9:12)  Further tormenting plagues are in store for Christendom.

What is the source of the second woe?  John writes:  "And the sixth angel blew his trumpet. And I heard one voice out of the horns of the golden altar that is before God say to the sixth angel, who had the trumpet:  'Untie the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates.' " (Revelation 9:13, 14)  The angels' release is in answer to the voice that comes from the horns of the golden altar.  This is the golden incense altar, and twice previously the incense of the golden bowls from this altar has been associated  with the prayers of the holy ones.  (Revelation  5:8; 8:3, 4)  Therefore, this one voice represents the united prayers of the holy ones on earth.  They petition that they themselves be delivered for further energetic service as Jehovah's "messengers," this  being the basic meaning  of the Greek word here translated "angels."  Why are there f0ur angles?  This symbolic number seems to indicate that they would be so organized as to cover the earthy in its entirety. - Compare Revelation 7:1; 20:8.

How had those angels been "b0und at the great river Euphrates"?  The river Euphrates in ancient times was the northeastern border of the land that Jehovah promised to Abraham.  (Genesis 15:18; Deuteronomy 11:24)  Apparently, the angles had been restrained at the border of their God-given land, or earthly realm of activity, held back from entering fully into the service that Jehovah had prepared for them.  The Euphrates was also prominently associated with the city of Babylon, and after the fall of Jerusalem in 607  B.C.E., fleshly Israelites spent 70 years there in captivity, "bound at the great river Euphrates."  (Psalm 137: 1) The year 1919 found the spiritual Israelites bound in a similar restraint, disconsolate and asking Jehovah for guidance. 

Next time: Continue with  The Second Woe-Armies of the Cavalry

From the Book of Revelation

The First Woe-Locusts -World Rulers Put on Notice

World Rulers Put on Notice

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

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

Rather than announce the incoming Kingdom of God, Christendom's clergy have chosen to remain with Satan's world. They want no part with locust band and their King, concerning whom John now observes:  "They have over them a king, the angel of the abyss.  In Hebrew his name is Abaddon [meaning "Destroyer"] ."  (Revelation 9:11)  As "angel of the abyss" and "Destroyer," Jesus had truly released a plaguing woe on Christendom.  But more is to follow! 

Next time: The Second Woe-Armies of Cavalry

From the Book of Revelation

The First Woe-Locusts -Locusts Equipped for Battle

Locusts Equipped for Battle

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

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

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

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

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

Next time: The First Woe-Locusts -World Rulers Put on Notice

From the Book of Revelation

The First Woe - Locusts -Those Tormenting Locusts!

Those Tormenting Locusts!

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

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

The torment last for five months. Is that a relatively short time? Not from the point of view of a literal locust.  Five months describes the normal life span of these insects . Therefore, it is for as long as they live that the modern-day locusts keep stinging God's enemies.  Moreover, the torment is so severe that men seek to die. True, we have no record that any of those who were stung by the locusts actually tried to kill themselves.  But the expression helps us to picture the intensity of the torment0-as though by the relentless assault of scorpions.  it is like the suffering foreseen by Jeremiah  for those unfaithful Israelites who would be scattered by the Babylonian conquerors and for whom death would be preferable to life. -Jeremiah 8:3 see also Ecclesiastes 4:2, 3.

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

Next time: The First Woe-Locusts -Locusts Equipped for Battle

From the Book of Revelation

The First Woe - Locusts -The 20th Century Plague

The 20th-Century Plague

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

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

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

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

Next time: The First Woe-Locusts -Those Tormenting Locusts!

From the Book of Revelation

The First Woe - Locust -A First-Century Plague

A First-Century Plague

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

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

Next time: The First Woe -Locust -The 20th-Century Plague

From the Book of Revelation

The First Woe - Locusts

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

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

Next time: The First Woe - Locusts -A First-Century Plague

From the Book of Revelation

Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - A Flying Eagle

A  Flying Eagle

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

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

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

Next time: The First Woe - Locusts

From the Book of Revelations

Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Conclusion of Christendom's Waters Revealed to be Wormwood

Conclusion of Christendom's Waters Revealed to be Wormwood


Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

Infants should be baptized:  From the very beginning the Church has administered the Sacrament of Baptism to infants. Not only was this practice considered lawful, but it was also taught to be absolutely necessary for salvation." (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967 edition)

What the Bible Really Says

Baptism is for those who have been made disciples and taught to obey Jesus' commandments. to qualify for baptism, a person must understand God's Word and exercise faith.  (Matthew 28:19,20; Luke 3:21-23; Acts 8:35, 36) 

Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

Most churches are divided into a laity class and a clergy class, which ministers to the laity.  The clergy are usually given a salary in exchange for their ministry and are exalted over the laity by titles such as "Reverend," "Father,"  or "His Eminence."

What the Bible Really Says:

All first-century Christians were ministers and shared in the preaching the good news.  (Acts2:17, 18; Romans 10:10-13; 16:1) A Christian should "give  free," not for a salary.  (Matthew 10:7, 8) Jesus strictly forbade the use of religion titles. (Matthew 6:2; 23:2-12; 1 Peter 5:1-3)  Jesus was not paid and he is more exalted than we are.

Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

Images, Icons, and crosses are used in worship: "The images . . .of Christ, of the Virgin Mother of God, and of the other saints, are to be . ..kept in churches and due reverence and honor to be paid to them." (Declaration of the council of Trent [1545-63]

What the Bible Really Says

Christians must flee from every sort of idolatry, including so-called relative worship.  (Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21)  They worship God not by sight but with spirit and truth. (John 4:23, 24; 2 Corinthians 5:7)  Idolatry is against God's Commandments and Statutes

Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

Church members are taught that God's purposes will be accomplished through Politics. The late Cardinal Spellman stated: "There is only one road to peace . . ., the highroad of democracy." News items report religion's involvement in the world's politics (even in insurrections ) and her support of the UN as "the last hope of concord and peace.

What the Bible Really Says

Jesus preached God's Kingdom, not some political system, as the hope for mankind.  (Matthew 4:23; 6:9, 10)  He refused to get involved  in politics. (1 John 6:14, 15) His Kingdom was no part of this world; hence, his followers were to be no part of the world.  (John 18:36; 17:16) James warned against friendship with the world. (James 4:4) 

Next time: Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - A Flying Eagle

From the Book of Revelation

Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Christendom's Waters Revealed to be Wormwood

Christendom's Waters  Revealed to be Wormwood


Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

God's personal name is unimportant: "The  use of any proper name for the one and only God . . .is entirely inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian church."  (Preface to the Revised Standard Version)

What the Bible Really Says   

Jesus prayed that  God's name by sanctified.  Peter said: "Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved."  (Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32; Matthew 6:9; Exodus 6:3; Revelation 4:11; 15:3; 19:6.

 Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom    

God is a Trinity: "The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God."  (The Catholic encyclopedia, 1912 edition) 

What the Bible Says 

The Bible says that Jehovah is greater than Jesus and is the God and head of Christ.  (John 14:28;20:17l  1 Corinthians 11:3) The holy spirit is God's active force.  (Matthew 3:11; Luke 1:41; Acts 2:4)             

Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

The human Soul is Immortal: "When man dies his soul and body are disunited.  His body . . .decays . . .The human soul, however does not die." (What Happened After Death, a Roman Catholic publication)

What the Bible Really Says

Man is a soul. At death the soul ceases to think or feel and returns to the dust from which it was made.  (Genesis 2:7; 3:19; Psalm 146:3, 4; Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20; 9:5,10; Ezekiel 18:4, 20)

Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

The wicked are punished after death in hell: "According to traditional Christian belief, hell is a place of unending anguish and pain." (The World Book Encyclopedia, 1987 edition)

What the Bible Really Says


 The Wages of Sin is Death, not life in torment. (Romans 6:23) The dead rest unconscious in hell (Hades, Sheol), awaiting a resurrection. (Psalm 89:48; John 5:28, 29; 11:24, 25; Revelation 20:13, 14) 

Beliefs and Attitudes of Christendom

"The title Mediatrix  [female mediator] is applied to Our Lady." (New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967 edition)

What the Bible Really Says

The only mediator between God and men is Jesus.  (John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5: Hebrews 9:15; 12:24)

Next time: Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom -  Conclusion  of   Christendom's Waters Revealed to be Wormwood

From the Book of Revelation

Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Darkness!

Darkness!

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

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

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

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

Next time: Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Christendom's Waters Revealed to be Wormwood

From the Book of Revelation