REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Decline of Babylon the Great - Continue

 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 must "again become dedicant"-because of huge deficits. (Revelation16:12)  Particulary since 1919 has Babylon the Great been exposed to 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 ruins in  20th century Iraq. - See also Jeremiah 50:25-28.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Decline of Babylon the Great -Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty SIx - 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 Russian 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 descent in its global domain. - Compare MARK 3:24-26. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!?Chapter Thirty Six - Decline of Babylon the Great - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a Tumble - Conclusion

 Millenniums ago Jehovah used other prophets to foretell this epoch-making event. Isaiah spoke of  watchman who "who proceeded to call out like a lion: 'Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly day by day, and at my guardpost I am stationed all the nights.' "  And what event does that watchman discern and proclaim with lionlike boldness? This: "She has fallen! Babylon has fallen, and all the graven images of her god's 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 publication to sound abroad the news that Babylon has fallen. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Decline of Babylon the Great

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a Tumble - Continue

  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 condmned, 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 ge busy again in Jehovah's work. 

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a Tumble - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a Tumble - Continue

  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, 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 al who might hear that harlotlike Babylon the Great is doomed and the vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty is at hand! - ISAIAH 45:1-4; DANIEL 5:30, 31.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a Tumble - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a Tumble - Continue

 Whom does this angel with great authority use in hearalding such amazing news before mankind?  Why, it is the very people that are release as a result of that fall, the remaning 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 part of Babylon the Great merit God's approval. - Compare ISAIAH 13:1-9. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a  Tumble - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!!/Chapter Thirty Six - 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 strog 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 visio, 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 the 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.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon Takes a Tumble - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - The Great City Devastated -Conclusion

 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 antitype of ancient Babylon. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - Babylon the Great Takes a Tumble 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - The Great City Devastated - Continue

False religion has been around for a long ti me. 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 confused the tongues of those rebels and 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 may shapes and forms, becoming a world empire of false religion,  the prophesied Babylon the Great.  Its mosst prominent part is Christendom, which grew   out of a fusion of early Babylonish teachigns 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.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - The Great City Devastated - Conclusion 

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - The Great City Devastated

 Sudden, shocking, devastatign-such will be the demise of Babylon the Great!  It will be one of the most catastrophic events in all historym 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. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - The Great City Devastated - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Carrying Out God's Thought - Conclusion

 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)  Her execution will be swift  and final. And  how do Jehovah's Witnesses respond to the 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 graciousnesss"  sincere searchers for truth. (Colossians 4:5, 6; Revelation 17:3, 7)  As our next chapter will show, all who are desirous of surviving when the great  harlot is executed must act, and act quickly!

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Six - The Great City Devastated

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Carrying Out God's Thought - Continue

 Yesm the nations will use the scarlet-colored wild beast, the United Nations, in destroying Babylon the Great.  They do not act on their own initiative, for Jehovah put 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  United 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!

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Carrying Out God's Thought - Conclusion

From  the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Carrying Out God's Thought -Continue

 Again Jehovah uses human rulers in executing judgment:  "For God put into their hearts to carry out his though, even to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast, until the words of God wil 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 ruler' 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 of organized religion within their boundaries as threat to their sovereignty. But Jehovah will actually be maneuvering  matters; they will carry out  his thought by destroying his age-old, aduterous enemy  at one stroke! - Compare Jeremiah 7:8-11, 34. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five -  Carrying Out God's Thought  - Continue

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty FIve - Carrying Out God's Thought

How does Jehovah execute this 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 li ke Sodom and Gomorrah."(Jeremiah 23:14)  In  607 B.C.E., Jehovah used Nebuchadnezzer 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 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 fate no better.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Carrying Out  God's Thought - Continue

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Devastating the Harlot - Conclusion

  Why would the nations  treat their fomer partner 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 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 unalterble judgment on the great harlot.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Carrying Out God's Thought

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Devastating the Harlot - Continue

 Certainly, the immense material wealth of Babylon the Great will not save 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 far from dignafied. They destroy her, "eat up her fleshly parts," reducing her to a lifeless skelton.  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 will beast,"meaning the UN itself, joins them in this rampage.  It will give them its sanction to the destruction of false religion. A majority of the 150-and-more nations within the UN have already displayed, by their wrong pattern, a hostility toward religion, especially that of Christendom.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Devastating the Harlot - Conclusions

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Devastating the Harlot - Continue

 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 developmen: Political governments of this earth will turn violently upon 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 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.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Devastating the Harlot - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty FIve - Devastating the Harlot

 God's people are not the only  objects of the 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, means 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 eat  up her fleshly parts adn will completely burn  her with fire. - REVELATION 17:15, 16.  

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Devastating the Harlot - Continue

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Ten Kings for One Hour - Conclusion

 Of course, there is nothing that the rulers of this world can do against Jesus himself. He is in heaven, far from their reach. But Jesus's brothers, the remaining ones of the woman's seed, are still on earth and apparently vulnerable. (Revelation 12:17)  Many of the horns have 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 an 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 enouh 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 the chosen and faithful with him," which includes his anointed followers still on earth. These too wil have conquered by keeping integrity in answer to Satan's vile accusations. -ROMANS 8:37-39; REVELATION  12:10, 11. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Devastating the Harlot

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty FIve - Ten Kings for One Hour - Continue

  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 24:30; 25:31-33, 46.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/ Chapter Thirty Five - Ten Kings for One Hour - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/ Chapter Thirty Five - Ten Kings for One Hour - Continue

 The ten horns depict all the political powers that presently hold sway 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 has not yet receive 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 al worldly political authority at Armageddon.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Ten Kings for One Hour - Continue

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Ten Kings for One Hour

 In the previous chapter of Revelation, the sixth and seventh angels poured out bowls of the 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 great detail how God's judgments on these are be executed. Listen again to Jehovah's angel as he speaks to John.  "And the ten horns  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 and faithful with him will do so." - REVELATION 17:12-14.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Ten Kings for One Hour-Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Why Called an Eighth King? - Conclusion

 Notice that the scarlet-colored wild beast "is also itself and 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 is 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 the abyss. (Revelation 17:8) Though holding radically different opinions in other areas, a prominent Soviety leader in 1987 joined the popes of Rome in expressing support for the UN. As John soon learns, the time will come when the UN will act with considerable authority.  Then it, in its turn "goes off into destruction." 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HANDD!/Chapter Thirty Three - Ten Kings for One Hour

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Why called an Eighth King? - Conctinue

 Additionally, original members of the League of Nations included, along with Great Britain, government that ruled in the seats of some of the previous heads, namely Greece, Iran (Persia), and Italy (Rome).  Eventually, governments ruling the territory conrolled by the previous six world powers came to be supportive members of the image of the wild beast.  In that sense, too, it could be said taht this scarlet-colored wild beast sprang from seven world powers. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Why Called an Eighth King? -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Why Called an Eighth King? -Continue

 The angel further explains to John: "And the wild beast that was but is not,  it is also itself an eighth king, but it springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction." (Revelation 17:11) The 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, as the current representative  of the line of the world powers, and was now centered in it.  This seventh head. as the current representative of the line of world powers, was the moving force to 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, the statement that it will spring from the seven harmonizes well with the earliest 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. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirt Five - Why Called an Eighth King? - Continue 

From the  jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylong the Great - Conclusion

 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 teh 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 dual world power cam to exist, made of the United States of America, now the world's wealthiest  nation, and Great Britain , seat of the world's largeset 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," until God's Kingdom destroys all national entities. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Why Called an Eighth King? 

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

 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  Britian, 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. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX  AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great -Conclusion

From  the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

 The city of Constantinople itself endured somewhat longer. It survived  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 ruer Mehed II and soon became a 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 though, its influence was still discernible in religious empires based on the papacy of Rome and the Eastern Orthodox  churches. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

 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 aread 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 Syia had become under the new empire of Isalam and thus passed from the control of both Constantinople and Rome.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/cChapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

The Roman Empire endured and even expanded for hundreds of years after John's day.  In 330 C.E. Emperor Constantine move his capital from Rome  to Byzantinum, which he renamed Constantinople.  In 395 C.E., the Roman empire was split into Eastern and Western parts.  In 410 C.E. Rome itself to Alaric, king of the Visigoths (a Germanic 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 readustment in Europe. Notable emperors arose in the West, such as Charlemagne, who fored an alliance with Pope 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 as its zenith. It was more of a restoration or  continuation of this ancient power than a new empire.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

 The seven heads of that ferocious beast stand for seven "mountains," or seven "kings."  Both terms are used Scripturally to refer to goverenmental 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 afairs  of God's people: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Of these five had already come and gone by the time time 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?

Next time: REVELATION  ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - 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 here is conveying wisdom from above, the only wisdom that can give understanding of the symbols in Revelation. (James 3:17)  This wisdom enlightens the John class and its companions as to the seriousness of hte times in which we live. It builds devoted hearts appreciations of Jehovah's judgments, now about to be carried out, and inculcates 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?

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/ Chapter Thirty Four - Peace and Security - A Vain Hope - Conclusion

 What form of this significan 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 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 wh 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 world events and have heeded the prophetic warnings in God's Word.  - MARK13:32-37; LUKE 21:34-36.

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Five - Executing Babylon the Great

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Peace and Security - A Vain Hope - Continue

 Further, it is deepy significant that the world's religious leaders should join hands with the United Natons 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 anxient Israel, they call out, "There is peace!  when there is no peace." (Jeremiah 6:14) No doubt their cries for peace will continue risinfg in support of the climax concernign which the apostle Paul prophesied: "Jehovah's day is comeing 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 pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape." - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:2, 3. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four -Peace and Security - A  Vain Hope - Conclusion 

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Peace amd Security-A Vain Hope - Continue

 In contrast with those who "walk in the name of Jehovah,"  not one of those religionists was praying to  Jehovah, the living God whose name appears some 7,000 times in the original text of the Bible.  (Micah 4:5; Isaiah 42:8, 12)  As a group, they did not approach God in the name of Jesus Christ.  (John  14:13; 15:16) None of them are doong God's will for our day, which is to proclaim worldwide God's Kingdom-not the UN-as the real hope for mankind. (Matthew 7:21-23; 24:14; Mark 13:10)  For the most part, their religous 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 blood-shed on your very hands have become filled." - ISAIAH 1:15; 59:1, 3.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Peace and Security -A Vain Hope - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Peace and Security -A Vain Hope - Continue

 Does God answer such prayers for peace?  Well, to which God were those religious leaders praying?  If you ask them, each group would give a different anwswer. Is there a pantheon of millions of gods that can hear and grant petitions 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  "religious families" assembled, being represented by  such notables as Angelican Archbishop; of Canterbury, Buddhisms Dalaii Lama, A Russian Orthodox metropolitan,  the president of Tokyo's Shinto Shrine Association, African animists and two American Indians decked out in plumed headdresses.  It was a colorful group, to  say the least, making up for spectactular  TV coverage.  One group prayed unceasingly for 12 hours at one time.  (Compare Luke 20:45-47) But did any of those prayers reach beyond   the rain clouds that hovered over the gathering? No, for the following reasons.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Peace and Security-A Vain Hope - Conclusion

From the jw.org publication

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Peace and Security-A Vain Hope

 In an effort to bolster the hopes of mankind the United States 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 commemorative stamps were issued, most   of the nations did little about pursuing the idea of peace in that year. Nevertheless, the world's religions -always anxious for a fine rapport with the UN-set about publicizing the year in various ways. On January 1 1986, Pope John Paul 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 relgions art Assisi, Italy to pray for peace. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four -Peace and Security - A Vain Hope - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Ascending Out of the Abyss - Conclusion

 The UN is actually a blasphemous counterfeit of God's Messianic Kingdom by his Prince of Peace, Jesus Christr-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 the nature of sinful men.  "Their names  have 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.  (John5:28, 29; Acts 24:15) This includes everyone who has remained steadfast despite the attacks of  Satan and his seed, and others who have shown themselves to be obedient. Obviously, God's scroll of life will never contain the name of  die-hard adherents of Babylon the Great or of any who continue to worship the wild beast.  - EXODUS 32:33; PSALM 86:8-10; JOH 17:3; REVELATION 16:2; 17:5.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Peace and Security-A Vain Hope 

From the  jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Ascending Out of the Abyss - Continue

 The UN does not  have the answers. And why? Because the Giver of life to all mankined 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 written in God's scroll of life.   How could sinful , moral men, achieve through the UN what Jehovah God has declared he is about to accomplish, not by human means, but through the Kingdom of the Christ? - DANIEL 7:27; REVELATION 11:15. 

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four -Ascending Out of the Abyss - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Ascending Out of the Abyss - Continue

 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 now colossus, operating fro its imposing headquarters o New York's East Rive. But true peace and security have  clouded the UN.  In this diabolic 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 Perez de Cuellar, lamented in 1985: " We are living in another age of fanatics, and we don't know what to do about it."

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four- Ascending Out of the Abyss - continue

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - 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 security." There were many similarities between the League  and 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 League. The UN, then, is established  to help keep peace between nations.  The main organs of 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.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Ascending Out of the Abyss -Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved -Conclusion

" 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 launched World War II.  Having failed to keep peace in the world.  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 crucial time-did Jehovah interpret to his people the full depth of meaning of the vision!  At the New World Theocratic Assembly, Presiden 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: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - Ascending out of the Abyss

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved - Continue

 What light did the talk "Peace-Can It Last? Throw on the prophect? Clearly identifying the scarlet-colored wild  beast of Revelation 1 7:3 as the League of Nations, Presiden 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 nnot, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction." - REVELATION 17:8a.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved - Continue

 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 by telephone  with more than 50 other convention cities, for peak  attendance  of 129,699. Where wartime conditons  permitted, other conventions repeated  the program around the world. At the same time, many of Jehovah's people expected that the war would escalate  into God's war of Armageddon; hence the title of the public 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 praying " more than the unsual attention"  to God's prophet Word. - HEBREW 2:1; 2 PETER 1:19. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION IT GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!//Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved - Continue

 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 mystert of the woman and of the wild beas that is carrying her and that has the seven heads 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 the 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 beast. - PSALM 32:8.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chaptet Thirty Four - An Awesom Solved

 What is John's reaction as 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 the 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  vision. If people of the world could see it, they would exclaim, 'incredible!' and the world's rulers'Unthinkable!' But the vision becomes a startling 20th century reality.  God's people have already  had a remarble share in  the vision's fulfillment, and this assures them that the prophecy will move right on to its astounding climax.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery - Conclusion

 Over the centuries, the world empire of false religion has shed oceans of blood. For example,  in medieval Japan, temples in Kyoto were transformed into fortresses, and warrior monks, involing "the holy name of Buddha," battled  one another until 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 centurty  has been the bloodiest  in history. More people have been killed in the wars  of this century than in all the wars fought before this century began." The religious 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 earrth?  (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 question.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Four - An Awesome Mystery Solved

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery - Continue

 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 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 Matthew23:25, 26) It contains all the filthy practicess  and lies that the great harlot has used to seduce the nations and 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!

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery - Continue

 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 hte magnificent buildings, rater statues, and  paintings, priceless icons, and other religous paraphernalia, as well as astronomical amount of property and cash that this world's religions  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.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/ Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery- Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATIONS ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery - Continue

 As was the custom in ancient Rome, this prostitute was 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 deceptive name. We  recognized Babylon the Great as being of false religion.  She is  "the mother of the harlots"  because all  the individual  false relgions 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, psalmistry, human sacrifice, temple prostitution, drunkenness in honor of false gods, and other obscene practices. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery

 The apostle Paul 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 was fullof disgusting things and the unclean thigs 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 the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the the witnesses of Jesus." - REVELATION 17:4-6a. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - The Harlot Rides a Beast - Conclusion

What of the Leagues successor, the United Nations? From its inception, this body has also had the great harlot riding on its back, visible 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 he 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 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 of the United Nations in promoting  . . . 'new worldwide solidarity.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - A Name, a Mystery

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - The Harlot Rides a Beast - Continue

 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 colossial 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. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - The  Harlot Rides a Beast - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - The Harlot RIdes a Beast - Continue

 Did the  John class, the one group on earth that was eagerly accepted the incoming Messianic Kingdom,  share  with Christendom in paying homage to the wild beast?  Far from it!   On Sunday, Setember  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 Watchtower Society. in addressing nearly 7,000 persons, had "asserted that the Lord's displeasure is certain to be visited   upon hte League . . . because the clergy-Catholic and Protestant- claiming to be God's representatives, have abandoned hsi plan and endorsed  the League of Nations. hailing it as a political expressio of Christ's kingdom on earth."

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - The Harlot Rides a Beast

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three -The Harlot Rides a Beast -Continue

 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 body "to ratify the Paris treaty embodying the leage of nations covenant."  Though the U.S. Senate failed to raitfy the treaty, Christendom's  clergy continued to campaign for the League. And how was the League inaugrated? A news dispatch from Switzerland, dated November 15, 1920, read: "Opening of the assembly of the League of Natons was announced at elever o'clock this morning by the ringing of all the church bells in Geneva."

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Three - The Harlot Rides a Beast - Continue

From the jw.org publications