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 a third of the trees was burned up, and all the green vegetation was burned up."  (Revelation 8:7) This is similar to the seventh plague on Egypt, but does it mean for our time? - 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 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 of Jehovah's disapprovall.  Her prominent ones-standing  like trees in the midst of her-are burned up by 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  37:1, 2. 

How is the 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 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 forth their proof in justification of the position taken by them  that they can establishy peace and prosperity on earth and bring happiness to all the people; and their failing on this , we call upon them to give eart to the testimony that we offer as witnesses to our Lord, and then let them say whether or now our testimony is true." 

What testimony did these Christians offer?  This:  "We hold and declare that the 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 the nations; that those who yield themselves willingly t hos righteous reign  now begun will be blessed with lasting peace, life, libertuy and endless happiness."  In these corrupt times, when man-made governments, especially those in Christendom. are failing utterly to solver the world's problems, that trumpeting challenge rings out with even great 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 Christians.  The trumpet blast resulted in Christendom's being beaten as  with the hardend water of a pounding hail. Her bloodguilt, due her share in the wars of the 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 blas, drawing attention to Jehovah's view of Christendom, as being fit for destruction. - REVELATON 7:9, 15. 

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

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