LET GOD BE TRUE

CHAPTER XIX

"THE END OF THE WORLD"

WHAT once appeared fantastic is now a grim possibility. Thus in 1945 the people viewed the Scriptural warning of an end to the world, after the second atomic bomb burst over Japan. The appalling loss of property and life caused deep concern to earth's inhabitants lest man had at last stumbled on something he might not be able to control and the end of the human race might result. This is but one of the many happenings from and after A.D. 1914 which has caused sincere, God-fearing people to wonder if we are not living in the "last days" before the destruction of the world. For the answer it will be necessary to turn to God's Word and there search the prophecies relating to such a time and see if the events of today fit.

² Questions concerning the end of the world first arose in the minds of Jesus' apostles, who asked him: "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24: 3; Mark 13: 4; Luke 21: 7) In answer Jesus foretold many signs that would mark the time of his

coming and the setting up of the kingdom. The end of the "Gentile times" was the time for these to begin appearing.

³ "And Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." (Luke 21: 24) The "times of the Gentiles" indicated a period in which there would be no representative government of Jehovah upon the earth, such as was, for example, the nation of Israel, but the Gentile nations would dominate the world. Those "times" must have been running in Jesus' day, for that very condition existed. Was not Jerusalem then in bondage to Rome, and, before that, to Greece, Persia, and Babylon? Yes. When did the Gentile times begin, and for how long a period would they extend?

⁴ Contrary to common belief, Jehovah has not reigned over the whole earth since man's rebellion in Eden. The Divine Record reveals that later only one nation had God's guidance and provisions, the nation of Israel, which Jehovah used to form a prophetic moving picture of the government that one day will exercise dominion over all the earth, the Kingdom. Through unfaithfulness Israel lost her sovereignty and was carried into captivity to Babylon, in the year 607 B.C. Thus ended a local Theocratic rule in the earth.

⁵ Soon after the Babylonian captivity began Jehovah caused a prophecy to be dreamed and also to be enacted concerning the Gentile times and the restoration of Jehovah's Theocracy. The prophetic dream disclosed a great tree which grew from the earth and reached unto heaven and furnished life and shelter to all creatures. According to the account a holy one from heaven commanded: "Hew down the tree, . . . nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, . . . and let seven times pass over him." (Daniel 4:10-17) Within one year this prophecy began its miniature fulfillment on the dreamer Nebuchadnezzar, who in a fit of boasting was deprived of his sanity and throne, and browsed about like a beast of the field. At the end of seven years he was reinstated. In this Jehovah used the king of Babylon to picture a yet greater fulfillment of the prophecy, namely, the cutting down of Satan as righteous overlord of the earth and the restoration of Theocratic rule. — See Chapter 18 of "The Truth Shall Make You Free".

⁶ "Seven times" were seven literal years in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, deprived of his throne. The seven years were equal to 84 months, or, Scripturally allowing 30 days for each month, 2,520 days. At Revelation 12: 6,14, 1,260 days are mentioned and described as a

"time, and times, and half a time", or 3½ times. "Seven times" would be twice 1,260, or 2,520, days. Ezekiel, a faithful prophet of Jehovah, wrote: "I have appointed thee each day for a year." (Ezekiel 4:6) If this rule is applied, the 2,520 days become 2,520 years. Therefore, since God's typical kingdom with its capital at Jerusalem ceased to exist in the fall of 607 B.C., then, by counting the Gentile times from that date, the 2,520 years extend to the fall of A.D. 1914.

END OF THE "TIMES OF THE GENTILES"

⁷ Expiration of the Gentile times marks the time for the release of the symbolic banded tree stump. This, of course, could not mean the returning of Satan to power as man's rightful overlord, for he has continued for the past six thousand years as the "god of this world". Nor does it mean he would again be in favor with God and be placed in charge of righteous man in the New World. The Devil has been sentenced to death, and the sentence will be carried out. Neither could the return of the natural Jews to Palestine, which followed World War I, indicate the kingdom had been restored to fleshly Israel, for such Jewish movement was political and social without a thought for God's kingdom. No, neither Satan's restoration to God's organization nor the Jews' repatriation was meant by loosing of the "bands" about the

prophetic tree stump, but the time for reinstating Jehovah's Theocracy was meant. Therefore what did result was a new sprout, namely, the Kingdom under Christ Jesus. It is a new Theocratic government toward our earth, the "new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven." — Revelation 21:2.

⁸ When Jesus was on earth it was not his Father's due time to set up the Kingdom; although Jesus did qualify as King. After death on the tree and his resurrection from the dead Jesus was exalted to heaven, there to await the ending of the Gentile times before ascending his throne. Then in 1914, at the end of the period of waiting, the prophecy became due: "Jehovah will send forth the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." (Psalm 110:1, 2, A.S.V.) Such action marked the beginning of the end for the old world and the birth of the new Theocratic government toward our earth. No longer would Satan's world operate unhindered, for the "times of the Gentiles" had run out. In the last book of the Bible Christ Jesus described these developments as the appearance of two great signs in heaven and the birth and enthronement of the "man child". War in heaven followed, with God's organization and Satan's in violent combat. With what result? The thorough cleansing of heaven of the Devil and his demon hordes by their banishment to the earth. (Revelation,

chapter 12) Of course, these spiritual things were unseen by man; but he has been greatly affected by them.

⁹ The direct result of the conflict in heaven was another sign that the world had ended, the first visible sign: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." (Matthew 24: 7) Satan, furious at the successful birth of The Theocratic Government, determined to destroy all peoples ere they learned of the newly established Kingdom. This was the reason for plunging the nations into the war of 1914-1918. It was the first time in history that so great a conflict had taken place. Before its end thirty nations were involved, with war being waged in all corners of the earth. Of a truth, the "nations were angry" (Revelation 11:18); and they fought, not for the righteous cause of Jehovah's kingdom and against Satan, but for selfish world domination. It is conclusive proof that the Gentile times have ended, the Devil's rule has been interrupted, and the enthronement of Christ Jesus has taken place.

¹⁰ Woe and misery do not end with cessation of hostilities. Following World War I famine stalked the earth, and Europe in particular. So much so was this that it was necessary to organize relief measures for stricken areas. Pestilence, too, took its toll. From the "Spanish flu"

alone twenty million died in a few months, in spite of modern medical science, this being a far greater loss of life than caused by the four years of war. Also, since 1914 there have been reported more seismic disturbances than ever before in history, some causing great destruction to both property and life, as, for example, the 1923 earthquake in Japan, which brought death to 99,331 persons. Yet Jesus said: "All these are the beginning of sorrows." — Matthew 24:8.

¹¹ How truly has the history of the past half century borne that out! The world had not recovered from World War I when, in 1939, the nations were again enmeshed in war. This time there were the same sides and the same issue, world domination; but, measured by combatants and equipment, the expenditure of monies and the world-wide effect, the loss of life and property, World War II far outstripped its predecessor. Pestilence, famine and revolution followed in its wake, exacting a further toll in human lives, misery and suffering. Certainly the world writhes in pain under the oppressive influence of its invisible demon overlord, Satan.

KINGDOM PUBLICITY

¹² The birth of the kingdom has been given wide publicity. As far back as 1884, under the Lord's direction, Jehovah's witnesses pro-

claimed, among other Bible truths, the importance of 1914. After a period of interruption of their proclamation during World War I these servants of Jehovah were regathered and reorganized and commissioned to perform a still greater work. (Matthew 24: 31) This time it was to announce, "The Kingdom is at hand," in fulfillment of Jesus' sign: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) So faithfully has this been done by Jehovah's witnesses that since the close of World War I down to this publication nearly a half billion books and booklets on this subject, besides magazines, free tracts, and public lectures, have reached the people, in 88 languages. And now in the postwar era this work continues to expand to reach all peoples, nations and tongues.

¹³ Satan and his religious subjects would like to put an end to the gospel preaching. However, this they cannot do, as the message is of Jehovah; but they do slander and persecute. Jesus knowingly stated: "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20) Such treatment of true Christians has reached a climax in these "last days". (Matthew 24:9) World War I was occasion for much persecution, but with the advent of the total state the opposition to the Kingdom has multiplied. As victims of Nazi-Fascist-Vatican aggression, Je-

hovah's witnesses suffered indescribable torture through twelve long years of Nazi domination. Many sealed their testimony with their life-blood. Persecution was not restricted to Nazi-Fascist-occupied Europe but was felt throughout the world; as in Japan, Australia and Canada, and even America, which witnessed hundreds of cases of mob violence. All such only because Jehovah's witnesses announced God's kingdom.

¹⁴ Jesus gave another sign: "And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; . . . men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25,26) To many the future seems without hope. "We have reached the crossroads and no one knows the way out," so wrote a noted modern historian. Fear and uncertainty grip the world. To alleviate this condition the nations have now turned to international collaboration schemes as a means of peace and security.

"ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION"

¹⁵ Without heeding Jesus' warning the leaders of this old world plunge ahead in the formation of a world super-government. Little do they suspect they are taking part in that which is an abomination bringing on desolation and

doomed to failure. "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation . . . stand in the holy place, . . . then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains." (Matthew 24:15,16) God's kingdom alone is worthy to occupy the "holy place"; for it is dedicated wholly to the honor, praise and vindication of Jehovah. Anything placed in its stead would be an abomination to God and appointed for destruction. Yet the great majority of mankind are placing hope and confidence in such an organization. Many look upon the United Nations organization as the political expression of God's kingdom on earth, thereby ignoring Jesus' words, "My kingdom is not of this world." Was not the old League of Nations so viewed? In May, 1919, the "Council of the Federation of Churches of Christ in America" issued the statement: "The League of Nations is the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth." Protestantism gave her enthusiastic support to the League; but the Roman Catholic Hierarchy was excluded from a seat in the League, and for that reason set out to destroy it. This she accomplished through totalitarian aggression, and the League bowed from the scene during World War II.

¹⁶ However, prophecy shows the League "beast" or creature returns from a condition of nonexistence, but this time with "organized religion", including the Roman Catholic Hier-

archy, in the saddle. "And I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was [the old League], and is not [being lifeless during World War II]; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit [as the United Nations organization], . . . And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." (Revelation 17:3,8,11) In man's history till A.D. 1914 there have been seven great world empires, the last being the present Anglo-American empire. Note the prophecy states there should be an eighth, which is of the seven previous ones. The conception of the League was in the seventh empire, and now the new United Nations organization is getting its chief support and backing from the same empire. Even the seat of the new government is in America.

¹⁷ Man is merely a pawn in the hands of the mighty spirit demon, Satan, who is now grouping his forces for Armageddon. Armageddon? World conflicts have often been incorrectly labeled as Armageddon. Armageddon will be no mere conflict between capitalism and Communism, as some fear. On the other hand, many now express concern that some ruthless power may, through the use of atomic energy, destroy both the nations and our earth. But the end of the world is no literal burning up of the earth. (Ecclesiastes 1:4; Isaiah 45:18) That would

not put an end to wicked spirits, though it might to man. The battle of Armageddon will be Jehovah's fight in which all wickedness will be swept from the universe, and is otherwise called "the battle of that great day of God Almighty". (Revelation 16:14-16) It will completely destroy the invisible and visible parts of Satan's organization, and thus it will spell the FINAL end of this wicked old world. Jesus described it thus: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matthew 24:21; and see also Zephaniah 3:8.) The nineteenth chapter of Revelation symbolically describes the King Christ Jesus as riding upon a white horse at the head of Jehovah's vast host of heavenly armies judging and making war in righteousness. Who will be able to oppose such power? Modern science with its newly found "force of the universe" will pale into nothingness as compared with the mighty forces unleashed by Jehovah and his King in the final war of Armageddon.

¹⁸ The urgency of the world situation as the final end draws near cannot be denied. Jesus warned all who are of good-will toward Jehovah to flee to his kingdom organization (symbolized by mountains) for safety when the "abomination" makes its appearance. The possible benefit is stated in these words: "Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have

wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger." (Zephaniah 2:3) While the world struggles in agony because of its woes and while the message of the Kingdom is a sore plague to Satan's organization, Jehovah's witnesses and all good-will companions are glad and rejoice despite suffering, for these see deliverance near. They do as Jesus said: "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." — Luke 21: 28.