Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - A Third of the Earth Burned Up

A Third of the Earth Burned Up

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

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

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

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

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

Next time: Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom -Like a Burning Mountain

From the Book of Revelation