His Preparation
(REVELATION, CHAPTER 7)
JEHOVAH stopped the World War. Jesus had prophesied that he would do so for the sake of his elect. The elect servant of Jehovah is made up of Christ Jesus the Head and 144,000 approved ones, and the delight of Jehovah is in his servant. (Isa. 42:1) Before Jesus came to earth God foretold by one of his prophets that he would gather his people together and complete the servant before Armageddon is fought. (Ps. 50:5) Jesus prophesied in corroboration thereof. At this time the seventh chapter of Revelation should be carefully read.
Satan got into violent action in 1914, and when he was cast out of heaven he was so angered against God's organization, and particularly the remnant on earth, that he would have completely wrecked everything in connection with the human race. God's due time for Armageddon had not arrived, and he stopped the World War. Not that God needed time to prepare, but he would not permit the climax until his due time. No tangible reason appeared for the cessation of the World War in 1918, but God had a reason. He would gather together his covenant people, and anoint the approved ones and send them forth as his witnesses to serve notice on the organization of Satan of his purpose to destroy that wicked organization and to fully establish his kingdom of righteousness on the earth.
God does not take such action by secret methods. When Armageddon is fought due notice thereof will have been brought to the attention of the enemy and of the people and of the prominent ones of the enemy's organization. Jehovah graciously permits those on the earth forming a part of the elect servant class to give such notice. They must be prepared for their work and must do it in God's way.
THE ANGELS
John, representing the remnant which forms a part of the servant class, "saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth." 'Wind' is a symbol of violent power and force working destruction. "Winds of the earth" means the violent forces of Satan and his organization in operation in the earth, where his operations are confined after his being ousted from heaven. (Rev. 12:12) "Four" is the symbol of the entire forces of his organization in destructive operation. These "four winds", continuing and with the velocity attained in 1918, would have wrecked everything on earth and would have interfered with the work of God's elect in serving the notice. God caused the wind to suddenly subside. This he did by sending a host of his angels to carry out his will.
"Four angels standing on the four corners of the earth" means all the angels required to restrain the operations of the enemy in any and every part of the earth. Those angels are not human creatures or human agencies, but are "the holy angels" of God invisible to man and who accompany and act as the deputies of Christ Jesus when he comes for judgment. (Matt. 25:31) The heavenly power to restrain
Satan's forces not only is used now, but is specifically mentioned as used on another occasion: "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia." (Dan. 10:13) The vision therefore discloses a host of heavenly creatures controlling certain forces from every quarter of the earth.
ANOTHER ANGEL
John then "saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God". (Vss. 2, 3) That mighty angel is the Lord Jesus, the chief and great executive officer of Jehovah. The vision shows him coming from the direction of the rising sun, from the orb of light, which is Jehovah. "The Lord God is a sun and shield." (Ps. 84:11) "As the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matt. 24:27) The angels of God had stopped the violence of war. Then appeared Jehovah's chief officer to issue orders or the command to "the four angels", meaning those guarding every part of the earth.
These angels were commissioned to "hurt the earth and the sea". Manifestly this commission has reference to the great and final battle. The mighty officer of Jehovah orders the angels thus commissioned to "hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads". (Vs. 3) The primary purpose of the apparent delay of Armageddon is announced to be that the servant class might be completed and sealed in
their foreheads and sent forth to do the work God has commissioned them to do.
"The earth" is the symbol for the peoples organized into forms of government ruled by visible creatures and under the supervision of an invisible overlord. It is Satan's official visible organization. Trees grow up out of the earth, and here picture the prominent men of Satan's organization who are cruel, austere and haughty, and who rise up and draw nourishment or sustenance from the people. They are likened unto a green bay tree. (Ps. 37: 35) They are exactly the opposite of the "trees of righteousness", which are the planting of Jehovah. (Isa. 61: 3) Hence, because they are Satan's trees, they are marked to be "hurt" in God's due time.
The sea covers four-fifths of the earth, and therefore must represent the masses of the human race that are alienated from God and that give nourishment to and bear up the commerce of the world. The Devil's organization rides upon "the sea" and oppresses the people. These trees, forming the live agencies of Satan's organization, must be destroyed in God's due time. Satan, in his wicked and violent determination to turn all creation against God, would have pushed the world on to the destruction of all the governments of earth, including the prominent people therein and even the masses. Satan's chief purpose is to destroy God's kingdom. Had he so continued, the gathering of the saints and the witness work would have been greatly hindered, if not prevented. Jehovah therefore cut the day of trouble short for his elect's sake. When the elect has been gathered, then the four angels will let loose the winds of violence that will completely destroy Satan's or-
ganization. Violent forces which Satan has raised up will then be to its own hurt. "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." — Hos. 8:7.
"The seal of the living God," in the possession of the angel coming from the orb of the sun, must have to do with the covenant of God. Circumcision was made a sign or symbol or seal of the covenant between God and Abraham. (Gen. 17:10; Rom. 4:11) The seal in the foreheads of the servants of God would be a sign or symbol of righteousness and their approval by Jehovah in their relationship to the covenant by sacrifice. All of the twelve tribes of Israel were in the covenant of God by the sacrifice of the paschal lamb. Likewise all of the spirit-begotten, or spiritual Israelites, from which the elect servant is to be taken, are in the covenant with Jehovah by the sacrifice of the antitypical Lamb of God. The 144,000 are faithful to the covenant and therefore receive the seal of approval. To the faithful remnant God gives a better appreciation of that covenant, and as a sign of their approval by him God brings them under the robe of righteousness, gives them the garments of salvation and the wedding garments, and thus identifies them with his official organization. It is such that he commissions to do his work in attending to the kingdom interests on earth. The forehead is the prominent place to be seen by all. It is noted that Babylon's name is written on the woman's forehead.
The faithful remnant class is prominently marked in the forehead that all may know and mark a difference in them from those of the world. They are diligent in giving the witness to the name of Jehovah and in caring for the kingdom interests committed to
them. It is these faithful ones that are brought into the "everlasting covenant . . . , even the sure mercies of David" and receive the outpouring or anointing of the holy spirit in the last days. (Joel 2:28, 29; Eph. 1:13) Such is the anointing of the holy spirit for the service of God.
The holy angels of the Lord, thus commissioned to turn loose the winds that will bring hurt upon Satan's organization, do so in God's due time. As the Midianites fought among themselves and were pursued by Gideon, so in due time the Devil's representatives will fight one another and will be pursued by the army of the Lord to the destruction of the enemy. But this must wait until the servant class is completed and sealed. The total number sealed is 144,000 and must of necessity include those who died in faith and waited for the resurrection. God's sign of approval upon them is shown by his awakening them out of death, which the Scriptures clearly indicate took place in 1918.
The remnant on earth received the robe of righteousness and the place in the temple and were given a better appreciation of the kingdom, and their loving zeal therefor is proof of their sealing. All are "spiritual Israelites" because they are God's chosen nation and their right to live is as spirit creatures. The fact that one is an Israelite after the flesh would profit nothing. (John 6: 63) Nor would the fact that one is in the covenant by sacrifice make him eligible. He must be in the covenant for the kingdom and be wholly devoted to the Lord and then receive the Lord's approval, symbolized by the seal.
Of the natural Israelites there were twelve tribes. There are twelve divisions or tribes of the spiritual
Israelites mentioned in this chapter of Revelation. Judah is the first named, and appropriately so, because Jesus Christ, the Head of the servant class, is of the tribe of Judah. (1 Chron. 5:2) The name means "praise", and Christ Jesus leads the praising of Jehovah's name, and all his brethren join in the praise of the Father. Christ Jesus leads the fight against the enemy, and the sweet singers of praise are in the van with him because they are called, chosen and faithful. (Rev. 17:14) "Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand." — Judg. 1:1, 2.
Twelve tribes are mentioned, and of each tribe 12,000 are selected and sealed. This proves that the Lord has no preference amongst the tribes so far as numbers are concerned. There is evenness and beautiful proportion in the divine arrangement of the glorified Christ. God sets the members in the body according to his pleasure. (1 Cor. 12:18) All the twelve tribes of natural Israel were in the covenant of God confirmed at Mount Sinai. All the people begotten of the spirit are in the covenant by sacrifice, but not all will receive the approval of God; and this is shown in God's dealing with natural Israel.
Levi was not regularly considered one of the twelve tribes of Israel, but was a sort of thirteenth tribe by reason of the splitting of the tribe of Joseph into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. (Num. 1:10) Dan is not mentioned in the Revelation account of the twelve tribes that were sealed. He seems to picture that group of persons who have made a covenant with the Lord but who have turned against their "own mother's son" and attempted to hinder God's
organization and who suffer destruction. "Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward." (Gen. 49:17) The tribe of Levi mentioned in the book of Revelation undoubtedly takes the place of the tribe of Dan.
The tribe of Ephraim is not mentioned in the Revelation account, that tribe evidently being included under the tribe of Joseph because after separating the tribe of Manasseh there would be only the tribe of Ephraim left for Joseph. Ephraim seems to represent that class that is neither cold nor hot but is 'spued out of the Lord's mouth'. These were in the covenant by sacrifice but did not receive the Lord's anointing. The headship is taken from Ephraim and given to the patriarch Joseph.
When God selected Israel he gave his word: "Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." (Ex. 19:6) Natural Israel failed and did not receive that which was promised to the faithful, but those who are taken into the covenant by sacrifice, and into the covenant for the kingdom (Luke 22:28-30), and who maintain their integrity and faithfulness, do receive the blessings promised. "What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." (Rom. 11:7) The 144,000 members of the body of Christ are thus in the assembly shown as selected and anointed, or sealed.
GREAT MULTITUDE
After the sealing of the members of the body of Christ the vision which John had changes and he beholds a "great crowd" of creatures. (Rev. 7:9,
Diag.) These are not limited to the Israelites, but are of all nations. This proves that the "great multitude" or "great crowd" is not made up of those who were once anointed as members of the body of Christ and then lost their anointing. There is no Scriptural authority for saying that any one can lose his anointing of the holy spirit and then fall back into the great multitude class. All of that great company were begotten of the holy spirit and were called, but did not respond to the call and hence were not chosen. However, they tenaciously hold to the truth that there is one God, and that the blood of Jesus Christ is the ransom price for man, and for this the Lord loves them.
This scripture does not warrant the conclusion that the great multitude is developed after the glorification of the church, but seems clearly to mean that after the 144,000 are sealed the Lord turns his attention to the "great crowd" that has not prior thereto taken a positive stand on the side of Jehovah. "Therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them, saith the Lord God, and they shall bear their iniquity." (Ezek. 44:12) They were never brought into the covenant for the kingdom and anointed for the kingdom; therefore they stand "before the throne" and before Christ. They are made the servants of the great High Priest, just as the Levites were given over to Aaron to serve. (Num. 3:6, 9) Their "white robes" bespeak their approval only for the position to which they are now assigned as servants of the great High Priest.
The palm branches could not denote martyrdom, because those who make up this great crowd fail to respond to the invitation to become the zealous wit-
nesses for the Lord. Only when forced to take a position on the Lord's side do they so do. They have been chiefly in the prison houses, paying their respects and homage to the prison keepers, the clergy, and their allies, "the principal of the flock." But when the time comes for them to take their stand for Satan or for God they stand on the side of Jehovah, and they must pass through much tribulation. They have not been willing to bear the reproaches that come from being faithful and zealous representatives of the Lord. (Rom. 15: 3) The palm branches in their hands therefore denote that now the time has come when they do acknowledge and hail Christ as Jehovah's King and the rightful Ruler of the world; as it was when Jesus was in the flesh, "much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." (John 12:12, 13) The palm branches are therefore a symbol of their joining themselves as the servants to the Lord's organization.
The identification of the great multitude has caused much comment by the Lord's people. From the language of verses thirteen and fourteen it would appear that some of God's people see in the faces of others of their brethren the question: "What about the great company?" And then they propounded that same question to their brethren merely that the matter might be discussed or considered. This is shown by the fact that one of the elders propounds the question to John. Many Berean classes have discussed at length the meaning of the scriptures concerning the great multitude and have asked many questions con-
cerning the same. In God's due time he has sent forth information on the subject through The Watch Tower. Only recently the Scriptural proof was thus brought forth, fully supported by the facts well known, showing that the great multitude is described as "the prisoners", and as "the islands", and as "the solitary places", and was foreshadowed by Samson. Much of the prophecy of Psalm fifty and Isaiah fifty-eighth chapter are now seen to apply to the great multitude class. Undoubtedly there are many other scriptures likewise applying. When one of the elders of members of the Lord's organization propounds the question, reference to these scriptures is now made to identify the great multitude. The answer to the question is: 'These come up out of great tribulation.'
This could hardly be said to mean that the great multitude could not be located until Armageddon. The facts are that according to their own testimonies they have had much tribulation ever since they came to a knowledge of the truth. Their black ties and long black coats, sad and sanctimonious and pious faces, and the hanging of their heads like bulrushes (Isa. 58:5), and similar things, seem to say: 'We have much tribulation and are therefore in great distress and we shall be so glad to go to heaven.'
The faithful little flock rejoice in tribulation and count it the greatest privilege to suffer with Christ, and to bear the reproaches that came upon him because of his faithfulness. (Rom. 5:3; Phil. 1: 28, 29; Col. 1:24) But not so with the great multitude. Attend a gathering of Christian people today and there will be found a few who are rejoicing in the Lord and are anxious to be his witnesses and bear whatever reproach attends, while many others are of sad coun-
tenance and feel that their self-abasement and their sweet and beautiful character will get them saved. Both in the denominational "prisons" and outside thereof there are those who have side-stepped any participation in any work that would bring the reproach of Christ upon them. It seems necessary for the Lord to preserve them unto the "great tribulation" of Armageddon in order that they might be put to the supreme test.
In the type the scape goat was led forth by a handy man into the wilderness. In 1918 and 1919 the clergy led their flocks into the wilderness by openly adopting and endorsing the League of Nations as a substitute for God's kingdom. But the time must come when every one who will get life as a spirit creature must take his stand against that makeshift of the Devil. That time will come either before or with Armageddon; and then it will be that the class foreshadowed by Samson, and who have been blindly led amongst the hypocrites, will pull down the structure on their own heads and die rather than deny the Lord. That will bring their final tribulation, and their approval will be given by the Lord because they are holding fast to their faith in the blood of Christ, and because they have come to a realization that they must depend upon God's provision for salvation through Christ Jesus and none other.
Now they are crying: "Help us, 0 God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name; and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake." (Ps. 79:9) They will come to know that Jehovah is the Savior and there is none other besides him. (Isa. 43: 11) Thus John saw the great multitude standing with palms in their hands and crying out: "Salva-
tion to our God [Jehovah] which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb."
They have learned that what they thought was character development and sanctimonious appearance is of no saving value, but that the blood of Jesus Christ is God's provision for salvation for man. They are now in tribulation, but the "great tribulation" will wind up their earthly career. In that great tribulation all who receive God's approval, pictured by the white robes, will confess his great name before men even though it cost them their lives. All the holy angels at that great gathering will rejoice and say "Amen" and worship God.
The great multitude, not being of the twelve tribes that are sealed, and being counted as Gentiles, could not serve as priests. As the Levites were given to the priesthood to serve, so the great multitude will be the servants in the temple and before the throne. (Vss. 15-17; Num. 3:9, 7) Jehovah, the great King of eternity, will "dwell among them", or "spread his tabernacle over them" (A.R.V.); which means that they will be under the protection of the Lord God. For a long while these prisoners have suffered for the want of convenient food. The Lord is now beginning to send them food, and when they have a full supply they will hunger no more. — Vs. 16; Ps. 146:7; Isa. 41:17, 18.
"Neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat." This seems to refer to the persecutions they receive from the enemy when taking a positive stand for Jehovah, and then the Lord spreads his tabernacle over them. "And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place
of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain." — Isa. 4: 6.
Then they will not mind the heat of persecution. The Lamb of God shall feed them and give unto them refreshing drink. They have always been somewhat of a tearful company, which has been due to the fact that they have rebelled against the Word of God and fed upon something else. (Ps. 107:11; Isa. 58:5) When they learn that the kingdom class is complete and they are not in it there will doubtless be much more weeping, chiefly because they have not been pleasing to God, whom they will come to love supremely. The privilege of serving Jehovah acceptably through Christ and as the servants of Christ will cause their tears to dry up, and their joy will then be everlasting.
