Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - A Third of the Earth Burned Up - Conclusion

 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 righteous reign now begun will be blessed with lasting peace, life, liberty and endless happiness." In these corrupt times, when man-made governments, especially those in Christendom, are failing utterly to solve the world's problems, that trumpeting challenge rings out with even greater force than in 1922. How true that God's Kingdom in the hands of his conquering Christ is mankind's one and only hope!

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

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom -A Third of the Earth Burned Up - Continue

 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 the 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 followers and allies, big business and big politicians, to bring forth their proof in justification of the position taken by them that they can establish peace and prosperity on earth and bring happiness to the people; and their failing in this, we call upon them to give ear to the testimony that we offer as witnesses for the Lord, and then let them say whether or not our testimony is true.

Next time: Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - A Third of the Earth Burned Up - Conclusion

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - 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 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; Psalm96:1) Since the second plague is on the sea, which also has to do with mankind, "the earth" must refer to the seemingly stable human society that Satan has built up and that is due to be destroyed. (2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 21:1) The plague scenario reveals that Christendom's third of the earth is scorched by the searing heat of Jehovah's disapproval. Her prominent ones-standing like trees in the midst of her-are burned up by the proclaiming of Jehovah's adverse judgment. All her hundreds of millions of church members, if they continue to support Christendom's religion, become like scorched blades of grass, spiritually wilted in God's eyes. - Compare PSALM 37:1, 2. 

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Identifying the "Third" -

 It is Christendom! In the 1020's, her realm embraced about one third of mankind. Her religion is the fruit of the great apostasy from true Christianity-the apostasy that Jesus and his disciples foretold.  (Matthew 13:24-30; Acts20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Peter2:1-33) The clergy of Christendom claim to be in God's temple and have represented themselves as teachers of Christianity. But their doctrines are far removed from Bible truth, and they continually bring God's name into disrepute. Aptly represented by the symbolic third, Christendom receives potent, plaguing messages from Jehovah. That third of mankind merits no divine favor whatsoever!

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

Next time: Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - A Third of the Earth Burned Up 

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Identifying the "Third"

 As we shall see, when the first four trumpets are blown, plagues are inflicted on "a third of the earth, or the sea, of the rivers and fountains of waters, and of the earth's sources of light. (Revelation 8:7-12) A third is a considerable part of something but not the whole. (Compare Isaiah 19:24; Ezekiel 5:2; Zechariah 13:8, 9) So which "third" would be most deserving of these plagues? The vast majority of mankind has been blinded and corrupted by Satan and his seed. (Genesis 3:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4) The situation is s described by David: "They have all turned aside, they are all alike corrupt, there is not one doing good, not even one." (Psalm 14:3) Yes, the whole of mankind is in danger of receiving an adverse judgment. But one section thereof is particularly guilty. One part-"a third-should have known better! What is that "third"?

Next time: Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Identifying the "Third" - Conclusion

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Preparing for the Blasts of the Trumpets - Conclusion

To my readers: Sorry, the blog was so short, but I had to do my blogs on my phone for a couple days because someone was trying to get information through my website. It may happen again, not just because of that but because Cox may be working on it in the area.

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

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Preparing for the Blasts of the Trumpets - Continue

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

Next time: Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Preparing for the Blasts of the Trumpets - Conclusion 

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Preparing for the Blasts of the Trumpets

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

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Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom - Hurling Fire to the Earth - Conclusion

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

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

Next time: Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on the Earth -  Preparing for the Blasts of the Trumpets 

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ChapterTwenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom -Hurling Fire to the Earth - Continue

 On one occasion Jesus told his disciples: "I came to start a fire on the Earth." (Luke12:49) Truly, he did ignite a fire. By his zealous preaching, Jesus made God's Kingdom the paramount issue before the Jewish people, and this sparked heated controversy throughout that nation. (Matthew:17,25; 10:5-7,17, 18) In1919Kesus'spiritusl brothers on earth, the small band of anointed Christians who had survived the trialsome days of world war one, set light to a similar fire in Christendom. In September of that year, Jehovah's spirit was remarkably in evidence as his loyal Witnesses assembled from near and far at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A.. Joseph F. Rutherford, recently released from prison and soon to be completely exonerated, boldly addressed that convention saying: "Obedient to the command of our Master, and r ecognizing our privilege and duty to make war against the strongholds of error which have so long held the people in bondage, our vocation was and is to announce the incoming glorious kingdom of Messiah. "That is the primary issue-God's Kingdom! 

next time: Chapter Twenty-One/Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom -Hurling Fire to the Earth -Conclusion

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