LIGHT

His Organization

(REVELATION, CHAPTERS 8 AND 9)

JEHOVAH keeps his purposes secret until due time to reveal them. "He revealeth the deep and secret things" in due time. (Dan. 2: 22) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." — Amos 3:7.

The purposes of Jehovah are stated in his Word by his prophets, but no one can understand them until God by his power opens the seals. Chapter six of Revelation deals with the opening of the six seals. Chapter eight has to do with the seventh seal. Apparently the seventh seal could not be opened until the sounding of the seventh angel, as it is written: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." (Rev. 10:7) The "mystery of God" is not the same as the mystery of Christ. The latter has to do with Jesus and his body members. The mystery of God is concerning Jehovah's organization and that organization which opposes God and which the Lord will destroy.

The chief officer of Jehovah's organization is Christ Jesus. In his organization are myriads of angels invisible to human eyes. Also therein are the faithful body members of Christ now resurrected and the anointed remnant now on earth. Since it is God's organization, the word "heaven" properly applies to any part thereof. Any member of the organization as-

signed to any duty or work, and who performs such, is a deputy or messenger of the Lord, and the word "angel" properly applies to such. The word "angel" is also appropriately applied to Christ Jesus, the great deputy of Jehovah. The context must and will enable us to determine to whom the word applies. The body members of Christ on earth, composing the remnant, and therefore forming a part of the elect servant, appear in the capacity of ambassadors or angels by reason of acting under the direction of the Head, Christ Jesus, in performing his work. Therefore the words "heaven" and "angels" at times properly apply to the earthly division of God's organization. At this point carefully read chapters eight and nine of Revelation, with which we are now dealing.

"Silence in heaven" immediately followed the opening of the seventh seal. The "silence" must refer to that part of the organization of the Lord on earth, God's people, who were inactive for a short period of time from 1918 to 1919. This corresponds to the time of waiting which marks the division point between the ending of the Elijah and the beginning of the Blight work of the church. (2 Ki. 2:13) Then John saw "seven angels which stood before God" and to whom were given "seven trumpets". Manifestly these are spirit creatures clothed with authority to perform certain duties in the divine organization and designated as "seven" because representing all of seven distinct proclamations to be given, the number seven being the divine symbolic number of perfection or completeness. A "trumpet" would imply a public proclamation. " Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may

have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." (Matt. 6:2) It seems certain that the time must follow the coming of the Lord to his temple. — 1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15: 52; Matt. 24: 31.

In God's typical organization the sounding of the trumpet denoted a time of joy (Lev. 23: 24; 2 Chron. 15:12-14); also the approach of the king (2 Ki. 11: 12-14; 2 Chron. 23:13; Ps. 47:5; 98:6); also battle (Num. 31:1-6); also war and victory (Num. 10:9; 2 Chron. 13:12-16; Joel 2:1). Therefore the sounding of the seven trumpets would denote a time of woe to the enemy organization; and to God's organization a time of hailing the approaching of the King of the organization; and a time of joy to the remnant on earth, as well as those in heaven; and a time of battle and of victory. Thus the time of the fulfilment of this prophecy is located, and must begin, after God places his King upon his throne.

"Another angel came and stood at the altar."(Rev. 8:3-5) The divine record shows that the altar was golden and had fire on it, which proves that it was God's provision for cleansing and preparing his servants that their service might be acceptable. It corresponds exactly with the altar of fire described in the prophecy of Isaiah (6: 5-8), when the Lord appears at his temple, and from which altar live coals of fire are taken to cleanse the lips of the remnant or servant class. The angel standing at the altar manifestly is the one in charge of the angelic company to which is assigned the duty of directing and gathering and cleansing the remnant of the servant class. Holding the golden censer by the handle in his hand shows that his position was of divine appointment to carry out divine commands. This angel is provided with

much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints, or those making up the remnant, which shows that the angel serving at the altar is different from the saints. This offering of the incense with the prayers was necessary while preparing the servant for service.

The Lord had come to his temple to cleanse "the sons of Levi" and thus bring forth the remnant. (Mal. 3:1-3) It is a time for prayer and cleansing that acceptable service might be performed. (Ps. 51: 2-13) This is done that God's displeasure might be turned away and that acceptable service might follow. (Isa. 12:1-5) It is the "day of the Lord" and the enemy is made known to the remnant, and the remnant pray for protection and greater opportunities of service. (Eph. 6:12-19) The remnant also pray for prosperity and victory (Ps. 118:24, 25); and for peace amongst their members, that they may work to the Lord's glory (Ps. 122: 6-8); and for an open door of service (Col. 4:3); and that they may not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41). "The end of all things is at hand," and the remnant pray that the message of truth may now have a free course. — 1 Pet. 4:7; 2 Thess. 3:1.

There is a difference between the prayers and the incense. It is the remnant on earth that pray, and with their prayers the invisible angels send up a sweet odoriferous evidence of the burning zeal of the remnant, which is pleasing to God, and he hears the prayers and sends the remnant forth for service. (Isa. 12:1-6) The angel takes the censer containing the fire, which has been taken from the altar, and casts the coals of fire into the earth, thereby symbolically saying that all those now on earth who will be pleasing to God shall be cleansed that they might render an accept-

able service, and they are sent forth to the service. While trials and tribulation attend the faithful service, the fire does not represent such trials, but does represent the cleansing of the remnant on earth that the service which is about to follow might be acceptable to God. This is conclusively proven by Isaiah's prophecy, which corroborates the vision in Revelation.

Isaiah, representing God's people, discerns the Lord in his temple and the angels about, and cries, "Woe is me"; evidently because of silence or inactivity in service. Then the messenger of the Lord takes a coal of fire and cleanses Isaiah's lips and God sends him, representing the faithful remnant, forth to service. This is the picture shown in the sixth chapter of Isaiah.

Isaiah the twelfth chapter shows the remnant class cleansed and going forth to joyful service unto the Lord. Revelation 8:3-5 shows a like preparation of the earthly members of the servant class for service. The faithful willing ones go forth to service and serve and fulfil prophecy without knowing they are so doing. Later the Lord reveals to them for what purpose he has been using them. The work that follows, and which is performed by the faithful remnant class thus prepared, was foreshadowed by the prophet Elisha.

VOICES, THUNDERS, LIGHTNINGS

"Voices" symbolically represent intelligible messages of truth. The period of "silence" ended when God's people, in the autumn season of 1919, began delivering the message of truth foreshadowed by Elisha. No one of God's people presumptuously assumed to fulfil prophecy, but after such have been used by the Lord in fulfilment of his prophecy they

humbly acknowledge the divine providence and "rejoice and give all glory and honor to Jehovah God. His faithful ones are instruments in his hand, and to him alone is all glory and honor due.

The following quotation from The Watch Tower, November 1, 1922, is appropriate:

"Prophecy can be better understood when fulfilled. Often God causes his people to enact the fulfilment of a prophecy without their knowing it at the time, and later he reveals to them the interpretation. As above stated, in 1918 the temple class this side the vail was in restraint of both liberty of person and liberty of action in the proclamation of the message. Until 1919 there was a practical silence of the Lord's people, as far as proclaiming his message was concerned. In that year there assembled in convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, a large number of representative followers' of the Lord. Suddenly they awoke to their privileges. Then they flung away their fears. Then they came to a knowledge of the fact that the Elijah work had ended, and that now the work pictured by Elisha must begin.

"When Isaiah saw the King he knew that an impure creature could not live in his presence. Hence his cry: 'Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, . . . for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.' Evidently his uncleanness or iniquity had something to do with the words of his mouth. He recognizes that he ought to be found praising God as the seraphim were; or that he had failed to speak the message that he should speak. His penitent cry leads to his purgation. The seraph then with a burning coal cleanses his lips. Then he is no longer silent, but ready to serve."

"Thunder" represents the voice of God. (Job 40: 9; Ps. 29: 3; 18: 6, 7, 13) "At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away." (Ps. 104:7) Lightning precedes thunder; and it is God's lightning. "His lightnings enlightened [exposed] the world: the earth saw, and trembled." (Ps. 97:4) "In thy light shall we see light." (Ps. 36: 9) Because of the flashes of light or lightning from Jehovah his message of rebuke is sent forth. The Golden Age magazine began its publication in 1919, and within a short time thereafter Number twenty-seven, which contained the Lord's rebuke to those of Satan's organization, was published. It exposed the members of the Devil's organization, and particularly the hypocritical clergy. Other messages or "voices" followed quickly, such as, Talking with the Dead, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, and many world-wide lectures. All this was "the Lord's doing", and he gave his people on earth some part therein.

"And there [was] an earthquake." The symbolic meaning of "an earthquake" is agitation, shock or commotion. It does not mean a revolution, but rather a commotion and agitation amongst the ruling factors of Satan's visible organization. The witness work of God's people that shortly followed the World War caused much agitation amongst the clergy and the principal ones of their flock forming Satan's organization.

The short period of "silence in heaven" undoubtedly ended in 1919, and from that time until 1922 the Lord's devoted people on earth were doing a preparatory work in making strenuous efforts to strengthen the organization. Besides doing what they could in giving a public witness, they purchased and installed

printing machines and efforts were made to print and publish the message of God's truth entirely independently of worldly institutions. Although the Lord was in his temple putting the consecrated to the test, they did not understand it. Being devoted to the Lord they have wanted to be faithful to him. Doubtless the angels, acting as the deputies or servants of Christ, had much to do with the preparatory work that was being carried on at the time in getting ready for a more strenuous witness that was to follow. The remnant was being prepared and the inanimate machines were being prepared "and the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound". These invisible members of God's organization encamped round about the visible ones and protected them and doubtless directed the course of the latter in their actions and preparations for carrying on the Lord's work. — Ps. 34:7.

THE SOUNDING

Since the Scriptures are written for the encouragement and comfort of God's consecrated people, upon whom the end of the world has come (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11); and since Revelation is prophecy, and God is the interpreter of prophecy (2 Pet. 1: 20, 21); it is to be expected that God, by and through his deputies, or angels, and particularly his chief one, Christ Jesus, would cause his people to perform certain things that would be in fulfilment of prophecy, and afterwards show those consecrated ones the application thereof for their own encouragement and comfort. Such is an act of love on God's part; and God is love.

The angels proceeded with the sounding of the trumpets. The facts seem to clearly show that it was in 1922 that the first angel began to sound his trumpet and God's consecrated people were given a part therein; and now after eight years have elapsed the Lord seems pleased to show his people how they had some part in the fulfilment of his prophecy because they were his devoted and willing instruments. His name be praised! All honor and glory be given to him!

On Sunday, September 10, 1922, more than 10,000 of God's people were assembled at Cedar Point, Ohio. A resolution was offered, supported by oral argument, and unanimously adopted. That resolution was a proclamation declaring that Jehovah is God and Christ is King and that his kingdom has come. It was a challenge to the rulers of the visible part of Satan's organization to prove that man has wisdom to rule the earth, or else admit the truth of God's Word that peace, prosperity, life and happiness can come only through Jehovah by and through Christ. Incidentally it is mentioned that a Magnavox was used to amplify the voice of the speaker and all present in that vast audience heard. Visible human creatures had to do with that message, yet, in fact, it was a message of the Lord sent through his invisible angels, because without a doubt these are clothed with authority to direct the course of earthly members of God's organization.

"RESOLUTION

"(Adopted by the International Bible Students Association in Convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, Sunday, September 10, 1922)

"The International Bible Students in convention assembled deem it a duty and privilege to send this message to the nations of earth.

"As a body of Christians consecrated to obey and follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are opposed to engaging in war, revolution, anarchy, or violence in any form; and we are opposed to fraud and deception being practiced upon the people by the misrepresentation of the Word of God or otherwise. We earnestly desire peace, prosperity and the blessing of the people with life, liberty and happiness; and we hold that the only means by which this can be accomplished is by and through the reign of Christ.

"In the light of the Word of God, and particularly of fulfilled prophecy, we submit the following as a true statement of the facts relating to present conditions:

"1. That the rulers of earth have frequently boasted that the World War was fought to make the world safe for democracy, which claim has proven to be a delusion and a snare;

"2. That the international conferences at Paris, Washington, Genoa and The Hague, participated in by the financiers and statesmen and approved by the denominational clergy of the world, held for the purpose, as announced, of establishing peace on earth, have failed to bring forth the desired result;

"3. That all of the nations of earth are now in distress and perplexity, as the Lord foretold they would be at this time, and that the entire social and political structure is threatened with complete dissolution; and the leading statesmen and rulers of the earth, being aware of this fact and of their inability to establish peace and prosperity, are frantically calling upon

the denominational churches to save the world from disaster;

"4. That it is the desire of all the nations and peoples of earth that they might dwell in peace and enjoy life, liberty and happiness;

"5. That the people are being misled by those who are attempting to bring about this desire through international conferences and agreements in the form of the League of Nations and like compacts.

"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 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.

"Relying upon the Word of God and his providential dealings with mankind through Christ Jesus, we as his witnesses hold and testify as follows, to wit:

"1. That the World War came in 1914 and was followed by great famines, pestilences and revolutions in various parts of the earth exactly as foretold by the Lord;

"2. That 1914 marked the legal ending of the old world and there Christ the rightful King took unto himself his power as king;

"3. That the Lord Jesus Christ is now present, invisible to man, and proceeding with the work of establishing his kingdom, for which kingdom he taught his followers to pray;

"4. That Satan, long the god of this world, has deceived the statesmen, financiers and the clergy, by inducing them to believe that by international agreement or other combined efforts they can bring the desire of all nations;

"5. That all of the world's present organization constitutes the visible part of Satan's empire or organization, and that Satan's empire must now fall before the forward march of the King of glory;

"6. That all international conferences and all agreements or treaties resulting therefrom, including the League of Nations compact and all like compacts, must fail, because God has decreed it thus;

"7. That all efforts of the denominational church organizations, their clergy, their leaders and their allies, to save and reestablish the order of things in the earth and to bring peace and prosperity must of necessity fail, because they do not constitute any part of the kingdom of Messiah;

"8. That on the contrary, during the World War the clergy of these various church denominations were disloyal to the Lord Jesus Christ in this, that they wrongfully united with big business and big politicians to further the World War; they preached men into the trenches and falsely and blasphemously told them that their death upon the battlefield would be counted as a part of the vicarious atonement of Jesus Christ;

"9. That they further repudiated the Lord and his kingdom and showed their disloyalty by voluntarily uniting themselves with Satan's organization and boldly announcing to the world that the League of Nations is the political expression of God's kingdom on earth, which announcement so made by them

was in utter disregard of the words of Jesus and the apostles.

"10. We further hold and testify that this is the day of God's vengeance against Satan's empire visible and invisible;

"11. That the reestablishment of the old world or order is an impossibility; that the time is here for the establishment of the kingdom of God through Christ Jesus; and that all the powers and organizations that do not willingly submit to the righteous reign of the Lord will be destroyed;

"12. That if the politicians would faithfully represent the people, and big business would cease exploiting the people, and the clergy would tell the people the truth concerning God's arrangement and the people would cease from strife, the kingdom of Messiah would be established by him without further trouble or distress; but failing thus to do, greater trouble must shortly follow;

"13. That for this reason there is now impending and about to fall upon the nations of earth, according to the words of Christ Jesus, a great time of 'tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be' again, and it is this impending trouble that the rulers and mighty men of earth see coming.

"But 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.

"Therefore we bring to the peoples of earth God's message of good tidings contained in the Bible, his Word of truth, and we publish to them his message of peace and everlasting salvation, to wit, that the King of glory, the Deliverer of man, is invisibly present and has begun his reign; that the old world, under the control of Satan, has ended and soon will be broken in pieces, to make way for the everlasting kingdom of righteousness now being set up, and that millions of people now living on earth, if obedient to the laws of that righteous kingdom, will continue to live and never die; and we call upon all nations, peoples, kindreds and tongues who love righteousness and hate iniquity to recognize and freely acknowledge that Jehovah is the only true God and that his beloved Son Christ Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords."

It is stated (Rev. 8:7) that the first trumpet was followed by "hail and fire mingled with blood" being "cast upon the earth". The symbols used are deeply significant. Hail is a phenomenon, "a sign and a wonder" that glorifies the Lord and fulfils his will. (Ps. 148:7, 8; Ex. 9:29; Ezek. 38:21, 22) It is cold, hard, and destructive to lies and liars. It is such as is reserved for the time of trouble, and it smites. (Isa. 28:2-17; Hag. 2:17; Job 38:22, 23) "Hail" causes unconsecrated men to blaspheme. (Rev. 16:21) "Fire" expresses God's indignation, and is destructive, and devours before God's army. (Ps. 50: 3; 97: 3; 79: 5; Joel 2:3; Luke 12:49) "Blood" poured out is symbolic of death, and pollutes and befouls those coming in contact with it. These symbols in figurative phrase describe the effects of the "proclamation" upon those of Satan's organization.

The "proclamation" charged that the nations of earth had been befouled and polluted with the blood of men unrighteously shed and that the clergy who hypocritically claim to be God's representatives are largely responsible therefor. The clergy and their allies, the resolution charged, resorted to lies, fraud and deceit to mislead and exploit the people and to misrepresent God and his kingdom. These were hard truths, and destructive of lies. The public press gave wide note of the resolution. October 31, 1922, marked the beginning of a world-wide distribution of the resolution and argument in support thereof in many languages, and upward of forty-five million copies were put in the hands of the rulers and of the people. The visible part of Satan's organization on earth received it; and the effect the Lord described in the symbols that follow.

"The third part of the earth was burnt up." (R.V.) The peoples of earth may be properly placed in three divisions, to wit: (1) the agricultural group; (2) the artisans, mechanics, seafaring men and other laborers; and (3) the financial, religious and political group; the last forming the ruling class. The proclamation was a challenge to the latter to bring forth their witnesses and prove their position, or admit they are liars; and their failing to do so places them in a position of disrepute and proves their counsel without value, and therefore they must admit it.

"The third part of the trees was burnt up." "Trees" represent the selfish, exalted and ruling group of living creatures that draw sustenance from the people and cast their shadows upon the earth. "All green grass was burnt up." "The people is grass" and withereth, when the spirit of the Lord

blows upon it. (Isa. 40:6, 7) "Green grass" would represent the peoples' hopes centered in the announced schemes and plans of the ruling class. Such are burned up, and today the people have no hope in the schemes of men.

The forty-five million copies of that message of truth went a good way toward showing the people that they cannot hope for any blessings from the Devil's organization, represented on earth by selfish men. With the earth charred, and the trees and the green grass burned, it is a desolate outlook for the Devil's earthly organization, and this is held up before the people. The clergy warned their flocks not to read the "proclamation" and the accompanying literature, but their warning went unheeded. — See Watch Tower, 1923, page 83.

Then followed the sounding of the second angel. A convention of God's people assembled at Los Angeles on the 25th day of August, 1923, and adopted and sent forth a resolution entitled "A Warning". The resolution was directed against those who falsely claim to represent God and Christ and who had built up a mighty organization in the earth which they likened unto the kingdom of God, and which is symbolized by "a great mountain". The resolution warned the people against these false teachers and urged them to desert the unholy organization. And now, seven years later, it seems clear that the spirit of the Lord, operating by his invisible angels, directed his people on earth to take this action and that such was the beginning of the sounding of the second angel. (Rev. 8:8) Millions of that resolution, together with the supporting argument given in a public dis-

course entitled "All Nations Marching to Armageddon", were freely distributed amongst the peoples of earth, and the servant class of Jehovah did the work. The resolution was not the "trumpet", but it was the tangible manifestation of God's action by and through the members of his organization. The effect thereof is indicated by the symbolic language used in verse nine:

"And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed." Symbolically "the sea" represents the peoples of Christendom, so called, as a whole, which nourish, bear up and support the commercial and governing factors. (Ps. 65:7) The peoples of Christendom claim to represent God and Christ on earth, and taken as a whole they may be put in three separate divisions, to wit: (1) The agnostic and unbeliever; (2) fundamentalists; and (3) modernists. Of the third division are those who repudiate the blood of Christ; and to them his blood has become lifeless or dead. At that time the "mountain" of Satan, his organization called Christendom, was "on fire" with the modernist and fundamentalist controversies, in which the politicians and financiers took part; and more particularly "on fire" with God's indignation; and his organization on earth emphatically expressed the will of God concerning such hypocritical organization of Christendom, which for a long time had deceived the people. By this resolution the issue was put squarely up to the people, who were called upon to decide whether or not they would withdraw from the unrighteous systems and take their stand on the side of the Lord.

"RESOLUTION

"We, the International Bible Students in general convention assembled, again declare our absolute faith in and allegiance to Jehovah God our Father and to his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, our Redeemer and King, and our absolute confidence in the Bible as God's inspired Word of truth given to man for his guidance and instruction in righteousness.

"As followers of our Lord who are diligently striving to be his true and faithful witnesses, we deem it our privilege and duty to call the attention of all peace- and order-loving peoples of all the nations to the deplorable conditions now existing in the world and to point them to Messiah's kingdom as the only remedy for national and individual ills.

"We hold and declare that Jesus Christ organized his church in purity to represent him upon earth; that selfish and ambitious men, loving earthly honor and glory more than the approval of God, have brought in false doctrines destructive of faith in God and his Word; and that as a result there now exist in the various denominational churches two general classes, to wit:

"FIRST: Those who pretend to be Christians, but do not believe in the Bible as God's inspired Word of truth, who repudiate the doctrines of the fall of man and his redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ, which class is made up of apostate clergymen and 'the principal of their flocks', who are worldly men of strong financial and political influence, which class exercises the controlling influence and power in the denominational organizations; and

"SECOND: That great multitude of peoples who claim to be Christians and who hold and believe the

fundamental doctrines of Christianity, namely: That the Bible is the Word of God written under inspiration of the holy spirit; that the Lord Jesus came into the world to redeem man from sin and death; that he gave his life a ransom for mankind; that he was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and will come again and set up his kingdom, as he promised.

"The class first above mentioned are lovers of self, covetous, boasters, unthankful, unholy, fierce, despisers of those who strive to be good, heady, high-minded, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, and who slander, misrepresent and persecute those who faithfully try to represent our Lord. (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Matt. 24: 9; Mark 13: 9) While claiming to be representatives of our Lord, they misrepresent him in this, to wit:

"(1) They have forsaken the Word of God, denied the fall of man and denied the Lord Jesus, by whose blood man must be redeemed. — Jude 4.

"(2) They have used the name of Christian and the Christian religion as a cloak to hide their unrighteousness and to enable them to deceive the people, and have committed spiritual fornication by uniting church with political and financial power. — Jer. 2: 21-24; Rev. 18:3.

"(3) While posing as the representatives of the Prince of Peace, they have prepared war, openly advised, encouraged, and advocated the same, and by appealing to the patriotism of the people have induced them to engage in war; they have wrongfully preached the men into the trenches, caused them to fight and die, have filled the land with a host of wid-

ows and orphans, and thereby increased the sorrow and suffering of mankind. — Rom. 13: 9; Matt. 26: 52; Heb. 12:14; Gal. 6:10; Luke 3:14.

"(4) They have with selfish design invaded the schools, colleges, seminaries and universities with their God-dishonoring doctrines of higher criticism and evolution, have led the people into gross error and destroyed the faith of multitudes in the inspired Word of God. — Jer. 12:10, 12; 23:13, 14; 5:25-30; 8:11; 9:8, 9.

"(5) They have spurned the true teachings of Jesus and the apostles, have scattered the flock of God, have produced a famine in the land for the hearing of the Word of the Lord, and have caused the hungry and thirsty to starve for spiritual food. — Amos 8:11; Ps. 107:4, 5; Ezek. 34:4-6.

"(6) They have hated the light and the bearers of the light (Matt. 5:14), refused to give meat to the hungry and drink to the thirsty Christian, turned away the stranger, failed to minister to the sick, persecuted and caused to be imprisoned honest and faithful Christians, resorted to deeds of violence against peaceable and order-loving Christians, and 'on their skirts is found the blood of the souls of poor innocents'. — Jer. 2:34; Matt. 25:42, 43.

"(7) They have wilfully repudiated and rejected the teachings of Jesus and the apostles concerning the Lord's second coming and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth for the blessing of the people, and have substituted therefor a man-made, Satan-directed League of Nations which they hail as the savior of mankind and as 'the political expression of God's kingdom on earth', thus blaspheming his name and cause. They have taken counsel together against the

Lord and his kingdom, which counsel Jehovah declares shall not stand. — Ps. 2:1-12; Isa. 8: 9, 10.

"Furthermore, we hold and declare that of those described in the second class there is a multitude of the peace- and order-loving ones in the denominational churches, both Catholic and Protestant, who have held and yet hold to their faith, who have been kind and considerate with and respected the faith of their fellows regardless of creed or denomination, have fed the hungry and given drink to the thirsty, have taken in the stranger, clothed the naked, visited the sick and ministered to those wrongfully imprisoned, all in the name of our Lord; that these have hope in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and its attendant blessings; and that for such the Lord has declared his love. — Matt. 25: 34-40.

"We point to the fact that God through his Word has declared his vengeance against all unrighteousness, and particularly against the present evil order (Isa. 34:1-4, 8); that the Lord Jesus is now invisibly present judging the nations of earth; that the end of the world has come and the dashing to pieces of Satan's organization will follow next (Matt. 24:7-14); that all who willingly ally themselves with Satan and his organization shall suffer terrible punishment; that those espousing the righteous cause of the Lord and serving him shall pass through the trouble and receive boundless blessings (Zeph. 2:2, 3; Zech. 13:8, 9; Ps. 41:1, 2); that the line of demarcation between the two classes of Christendom is clearly drawn, and that the time has come for the separation of those who prefer evil from those who love righteousness and desire the Lord's kingdom.

"We, therefore, in the spirit of love sound the warning to all such peace- and order-loving and Godfearing ones who are associated with the denominational churches, and point them to the fact that they can have no part in nor fellowship with that class of pretending Christians who repudiate the Word of God and deny the Lord Jesus Christ and his kingdom; and we call upon them to heed the Word of God and separate themselves from the unclean thing (2 Cor. 6:17), to withdraw themselves from the unrighteous ecclesiastical systems designated by the Lord as 'Babylon', and to 'come out from her, lest they be partakers of her sins and receive of her plagues' (Rev. 18:4); and

"We appeal to all such to recognize Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, and that his kingdom now at hand is the hope and salvation of the peoples; and that they individually and collectively declare themselves on the side of the Lord and in sympathy with his cause, and be ready to receive the blessings of God's kingdom which he has prepared for them from the foundation of the world."

Attention is especially called to the last two paragraphs of the resolution, which are a warning to all God-fearing people to withdraw from the unrighteous organization and an appeal to identify themselves with the Lord.

A "ship" symbolically represents the commercial element using the religious and political factors for selfish purposes in carrying on their traffic. (Prov. 31:14) Modernist "ships" were busying themselves importing so-called spiritual food from sources other than the Word of God, which is Satan's scheme to turn the people away from God. Those who had once

received the light of revealed truth concerning Christ as the Redeemer, and then repudiated God's Word and his Son, and used the name of Christ for commercial purposes, became as blood and died, and their opportunity for the kingdom ended. This cannot mean that the third part of the people died, but the "third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life", that is to say, had received enough of truth that they might obtain life through Christ. Repudiating this, such favor to them ended. Since the great proclamation of the message concerning God's kingdom throughout the earth during the past fifty years there is no excuse for anyone to pose as a preacher of God's Word and at the same time to misrepresent him and his means of salvation; and God's indignation is expressed against all such.

THIRD TRUMPET

Again God put it in the mind of his people, by his angel, to act and to carry out his purposes. In July, 1924, at an international assembly of God's people at Columbus, Ohio, a resolution designated "Indictment" was adopted, and which, together with the supporting discourse, "Civilization Doomed," was later printed and widely distributed amongst the peoples of earth and was shortly thereafter followed by a world-wide series of discourses by many speakers.

"INDICTMENT

"We, the International Bible Students, in convention assembled, declare our unqualified allegiance to Christ, who is now present and setting up his kingdom, and to that kingdom.

"We believe that every anointed child of God is an ambassador for Christ and is duty-bound to give a faithful and true witness on behalf of his kingdom. As ambassadors for Christ, and without assuming any self-righteousness, we believe and hold that God has commissioned us to 'proclaim the day of vengeance of our God and to comfort all that mourn'. — Isa. 61:2.

"We believe and hold that it is God's due time for his displeasure to be expressed against wicked systems that have blinded the people to the truth and thereby deprived them of peace and hope; and to the end that the people might know the truth and receive some comfort for future blessings we present this indictment, based upon the Word of God, and point to the divine provision as the remedy for man's complete relief:

"We present and charge that Satan formed a conspiracy for the purpose of keeping the peoples in ignorance of God's provision for blessing them with life, liberty and happiness; and that others, to wit, unfaithful preachers, conscienceless profiteers, and unscrupulous politicians, have entered into said conspiracy, either willingly or unwillingly;

"That unfaithful preachers have formed themselves into ecclesiastical systems, consisting of councils, synods, presbyteries, associations, etc., and have designated themselves therein as popes, cardinals, bishops, doctors of divinity, pastors, shepherds, reverends, etc., and elected themselves to such offices, which aggregation is herein designated as 'the clergy'; and that these have willingly made commercial giants and professional politicians the principal ones of their flocks.

"We present and charge that the clergy have yielded to the temptations presented to them by Satan and, contrary to God's Word, have joined in said conspiracy, and in furtherance thereof have committed the overt acts as follows, to wit:

"(1) That they have used their spiritual powers, enjoyed by reason of their position, to gratify their own selfish desires by feeding and exalting themselves and failing and refusing to feed or teach the people God's Word of truth;

"(2) That loving the glory of this world, and desiring to shine before men and have the approval of men (Luke 4:8; Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15) they have clothed themselves in gaudy apparel, decked themselves with jewels, and have assumed a form of godliness while denying God's Word and the power thereof;

"(3) That they have failed and refused to preach to the people the message of Messiah's kingdom and to point them to the evidences relating to his second coming; and being unwilling to await the Lord's due time to set up his kingdom, and being ambitious to appear wise and great, they have, together with their coconspirators, claimed the ability to set up God's kingdom on earth without God, and have endorsed the League of Nations and declared it to be 'the political expression of God's kingdom on earth', thereby breaking their allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ and declaring their allegiance to the Devil, the god of evil; and to this end they have advocated and sanctified war, turned their church edifices into recruiting stations, acted as recruiting officers for pay, and preached men into the trenches, there to suffer and die; and when the Lord presented to them the clear

and indisputable proof that the old world has ended and that his kingdom is at hand, they have scoffed at and rejected the testimony, persecuted, arrested and caused the imprisonment of witnesses for the Lord.

"DOCTRINES

"We further present and charge that the clergy as a class have constituted themselves the fountain of doctrines which, in the furtherance of said conspiracy, they have sent forth to the people, claiming such doctrines to be the teachings of God's Word, well knowing the same to be untrue, in this, to wit:

"(1) That they falsely claim to be the divinely appointed successors to the inspired apostles of Jesus Christ; whereas the Scriptures clearly show that there are no successors to the Lord's apostles;

"(2) That they claim the sole right to interpret the Scriptures, and that therefore they alone know what the people should believe; and by this means they have kept the people in ignorance of the Bible; and now in this time of increased knowledge and much reading, when the people might read and understand, these self-constituted 'successors to the apostles' discourage the people from reading the Bible and Bible literature, deny the inspiration of the Scriptures, teach evolution, and by these means turn the minds of the people away from God and his Word of truth;

"(3) That they have taught and teach the divine right of kings to rule the peoples, claiming such rule to be the kingdom of God on earth; they hold that they and the principal of their flocks are commissioned of God to direct the policy and course of the

nations, and that if the people do not submissively concur in such policies then the people are unpatriotic or disloyal;

"(4) That they are the authors of the unreasonable and false doctrine of the trinity, by which they claim and teach that Jehovah, Jesus, and the holy spirit are three persons in one, which fallacy they admit cannot be understood nor explained; that this false doctrine has blinded the people to the true meaning of the great ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, through which men can be saved;

"(5) That they teach and have taught the false doctrine of human immortality; that is to say, that all men are created immortal souls, which cannot die; which doctrine they well know to be false, for it is based exclusively upon the statement of Satan, which statement Jesus declares to be a great lie (Gen. 3: 1-6; John 8: 44);

"(6) That they preach and teach the doctrine of eternal torment; that is to say, that the penalty for sin is conscious torment in hell, eternal in duration; whereas they know that the Bible teaches that the wages of sin is death; that hell is the state of death or the tomb; that the dead are unconscious until the resurrection, and that the ransom sacrifice is provided that all in due time may have an opportunity to believe and obey the Lord and live, while the wilfully wicked are to be punished with an everlasting destruction;

"(7) That they deny the right of the Lord to establish his kingdom on earth, well knowing that Jesus taught that he would come again at the end of the world, and that the fact of that time would be made known by the nations of Christendom engaging

in a world war, quickly followed by famine, pestilence, revolutions, the return of God's favor to the Jews, distress and perplexity of the nations; and that during such time the God of heaven would set up his kingdom, which will stand forever (Dan. 2:44); that ignoring and refusing to consider these plain truths and evidences, they have willingly gone on in darkness, together with their allies, profiteers and politicians, in an attempt to set up a world power for the purpose of ruling and keeping the people in subjection; all of which is contrary to the Word of God and against his dignity and good name.

"The doctrines taught by the clergy, and their course of action herein stated are admitted; and upon the undisputed facts and upon the law of God's Word they stand confessedly guilty before God and in the eyes of the world upon every charge in this indictment.

"Upon the authority of the prophecy of God's Word now being fulfilled, we declare that this is the day of God's wrath upon Christendom; and that he stands in the midst of the mighty and controlling factors of the world, to wit, the clergy and the principal of their flocks, to judge and to express his righteous indignation against them and their unrighteous systems and doctrines.

"We further declare that the only hope for the peace and happiness of the peoples of earth is Messiah's kingdom, for which Jesus taught his followers to pray.

"Therefore we call upon the peoples and nations of earth to witness that the statements here made are true; and in order that the people might, in this time of perplexity and distress, have hope and comfort,

we urge upon them the prayerful and diligent study of the Bible, that they might learn therefrom that God through Christ and his kingdom has a complete and adequate provision for the blessing of mankind upon earth with peace and prosperity, liberty, happiness and eternal life, and that his kingdom is at hand."

Thus in his own due time God fulfilled his prophecy by and through his organization, and his faithful people on earth had a small part therein, even though without their knowledge at the time that it was a fulfilment of prophecy. It was at that same convention that the proof brought forth conclusively showed that Satan is not bound, but is actively endeavoring to turn all creation away from God. The "Indictment" charged that the faithless clergy, the profiteers and the politicians were in a conspiracy with Satan to keep the people in ignorance of God's Word and his kingdom. God's consecrated people at that convention and following it began to announce what the angel of the Lord had sounded by his trumpet:

"And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter." — Rev. 8:10, 11.

The "great star" falling from heaven as a burning lamp was Satan. "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." (Luke 10:18) He was one of the great stars before Jehovah God. (Job 38:7) Being cast out of heaven, and seeing civilization in great distress, he pretended to become a light-bearer and the

torchlight of civilization. (2 Cor. 11:14) His purpose was to deceive the people, but God sent his angel and caused the announcement to be made that Satan's 'civilization is doomed'. This was done in the "Indictment" and in the world-wide witness that followed and by the distribution of upward of fifty million copies of the resolution. It was about that time that God revealed to his people that there had been a great war in heaven and that Satan was cast out of heaven, which truths were later published in The Watch Tower under the caption of "The Birth of The Nation". (Z 1925, page 67) The exact time of Satan's falling from heaven is not stated, but manifestly it was between 1914 and 1918, and was afterwards revealed to God's people.

"The star," Satan, fell upon the "third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters", which evidently refers to the professional ruling group as distinguished from the agricultural and artisan group. The ruling group is made up of those who attempt to tell the people how the world shall be operated, and who claim to be divinely assigned to the work of conducting earth's affairs. They are the "fountains of waters" who have ignored Jehovah as "the fountain of living waters". They have hewn out water holes of their own, which hold no truth. (Jer. 2:13) They have attempted to dictate to the people concerning their every affair of life, and Satan has complete charge of all such. — Rev. 12:12.

The name of this star is called "Wormwood", which means bitter. Being cast out of heaven Satan is in the "gall of bitterness". (Acts 8:23) He has tried to make the lives of God's people bitter and to turn all people to bitterness against Jehovah God. He

is bitter against Jehovah and against the 'seed of promise' and is making the existence of the people bitter. — Gen. 3:15; Rev. 12:17.

"And the third part of the waters became wormwood." The many policies and theories that have been brought forth by the ruling factors and tried out on the people have eventuated in bitterness to the people and to the chagrin of the authors of such schemes. They are the ones "who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth". (Amos 5:7; 6:12) This ruling group, and particularly the fraudulent, religious profiteers, are a wicked crowd, having turned away from the light which they once had. "A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain [bitter waters], and a corrupt spring." (Prov. 25:26) "And many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter." The policies adopted and carried on since the World War by the ruling group have prolonged and increased human suffering, causing great wastage and a tremendous loss of human life. At the same time some of the spirit-begotten ones, being deceived and filled with bitterness of the Devil, have also died. The ruling group since the World War have held over two hundred conferences, all of which have failed, much to their chagrin. The Lord is giving these governing factors, and particularly the false clergy and the principal of their flock, a dose of their own medicine. To each other they say: "Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there; for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord." — Jer. 8:14.

The sounding of these trumpets exposes Satan's organization and discloses God's organization and some of the work being done preparatory to the great and final conflict.

FOURTH TRUMPET

Jehovah continuing to direct the movement of his organization, the fourth angel of the Lord sounds his trumpet: "And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise." (Rev. 8:12) The third part of the group composed of Big Business, and symbolized by the golden sun of prosperity; the so-called statesmen or law-making element, symbolized by the moon; and the fraudulent clergy, symbolized by the stars, claimed to be the light of the world, and they have falsely used the slogan: "Make the world safe for democracy." They hold forth themselves and their schemes as the saviors of men. Their glory must be broken.

God directed his angel, the fourth, to sound, and directed his people on earth, as members of his organization, to take up the message sounded and herald it on. In August, 1925, at a general convention of God's people assembled at Indianapolis, a resolution "Message of Hope" was unanimously adopted which, together with the supporting discourse, "A Standard for the People," was heralded by word of mouth and by radio and by the printed copies to millions of people throughout the earth.

"MESSAGE OF HOPE

"To All Peoples of Good Will:

"The International Bible Students in general convention assembled send greetings:

"When in the course of human affairs the nations have reached a condition of extremity it is due time that the peoples give consideration to the inducing causes, to the proffered remedies and to the true remedy. We humbly invite consideration of this message to the end that the peoples might find consolation therein and hope for their future welfare.

"For centuries man has been the victim of oppression, war, famine, sickness, sorrow and death. At all times he has desired peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and happiness.

"World powers, science and philosophy, commerce and religion, have each in turn offered their respective remedies for man's relief. In the name and under the guise of democracy, these combine in offering their joint and several powers to meet the requirements of man. Together they claim to be the sunlight of the world, holding forth all the light that shines to enlighten and guide the human race.

"Intrigue, duplicity and trickery are freely resorted to by the political and commercial powers; science and philosophy are marked by vanity and self-sufficiency; while the religionists, both Catholic and Protestant, are conspicuous by their arrogance, self-conceit, impiety and ungodliness. Therefore it is apparent that the remedies offered by any and all of these aforementioned elements are vain, impotent and powerless to satisfy man's desire.

"Catholicism claims and assumes that which justly belongs exclusively to God. Modernists deny God,

deny his Word and his purpose of redemption and offer blind force as a remedy for man's undone condition. Fundamentalists, while professing to believe the Bible, by their course of action deny the same. They teach false and God-dishonoring doctrines and together with Catholics and Modernists are allied with the political and commercial powers of the world in blasphemously claiming the ability to establish God's kingdom on earth. All of these have combined, under Satan their superlord, to push God into a corner and to dishonor his name.

"The results are that the peoples are smarting under the oppressive weight of commercial profiteers and their allies, have lost faith in their political leaders and no longer have respect for the religionists who have misled them. Being guided by the false light of such an ungodly and unholy alliance, the peoples have fallen into darkness. They are like lost sheep scattered upon the mountain tops without a shepherd and are without food and shelter and are made the prey of wild beasts.

"The causes for this deplorable condition are that man by reason of original sin fell from perfection; and that Satan the enemy of God and all righteousness is the invisible ruler or god of this evil world and by his various agencies has turned the minds of many peoples away from God and from his truth.

"The greatest crisis of the ages is impending and about to fall, because the old world has ended and Satan's lease of power is done. Knowing this, and that his time is short, the Devil is trying to overwhelm the peoples with a great flood of false and deceptive doctrines and to turn their minds completely away from Jehovah. The time has come for God to

make for himself a name in the earth and for the peoples to know the truth concerning the divine purpose, which is the only means of salvation for the world.

"Therefore, in the name and in the spirit of the Lord, the standard of God's truth and righteousness is here lifted up against the enemy and for the benefit of the peoples, which standard is, to wit:

"That Jehovah is the only true God, the Most High, the Almighty, the author and finisher of his great purpose for the salvation of man, and is the re-warder of all that diligently seek and obey him; that the Bible is his revealed Word of truth; that his beloved Son Christ Jesus is the Redeemer and Deliverer of mankind and, true to his promise, has come to rule and bless the peoples; that the present turmoil, distress and perplexity of the nations is in fulfilment of prophecy, proving that Satan's empire must fall soon and that the Lord of righteousness is taking possession; that the Lord Jesus is now establishing his righteous government and will sweep away Satan's stronghold of lies, lead the peoples into the true light and judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with his truth; and that his kingdom of righteousness is the only remedy for the ills of humankind.

"We confidently appeal to the peoples to rally to the divine standard of truth thus lifted up and thereby learn the way that leads to life and happiness. We call upon all the peoples of good will of every nation, kindred and tongue, to discard the errors invented by the enemy Satan and for many years taught by man, and to receive and believe the divine purpose for salvation as set forth in the Scriptures.

"God's kingdom for which the peoples have long prayed is at hand. It alone can and will establish and stabilize the world so that it cannot be moved. Its ensign of righteousness is the standard now lifted up for the people. Christ Jesus, as glorified King and great executive officer of Jehovah God, has become the rightful ruler of the world. Let the peoples receive, believe and obey him and his laws of righteousness. All who so do are certain to receive the blessings of peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and eternal happiness.

"Dated Indianapolis, Aug. 29, 1925."

That message exposed the intrigue, duplicity and trickery of the ruling group. When it fell upon their ears it cast a gloom on the brightness of their light. Their father and leader Satan, and his schemes, and their own schemes, were exposed to the gaze of the people, which dimmed the brilliancy of the enemy's organization. The message pointed out that the cause of the distress and suffering among the peoples of earth is due to Satan and his selfish agencies. In striking contrast it held forth God's standard for the people, pointing them to the divine standard as the only hope of salvation and telling them that God's kingdom and his anointed King has come and is marching majestically on to the complete destruction of Satan's organization. It was a message of gloom to the enemy organization. It was a message of hope and joy to those who have faith in God. It was a part of God's ever-increasing light to those who love him.

"Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and

healeth the stroke of their wound." (Isa. 30:26) On the 31st of October, 1925, began a world-wide distribution of this resolution and its supporting argument, and millions of copies in many languages were put in the hands of the people; and this had the effect of darkening the schemes of the worldly organizations.

AN EAGLE

John (the servant class) then beheld, and heard an "angel" flying in the midst of heaven. A number of versions render this word "eagle" instead of "angel". (Diag., Roth., A.R.V.) The eagle is far-visioned. (Job 39:29) It symbolizes the servants of the Lord who are privileged to have some far vision of what the Lord is about to do. It was believed that Jehovah had provided the radio to proclaim his message of truth. Amidst much tribulation, which was to be expected, the radio station WBBR was built and put in operation, and at least five other radio stations were then broadcasting the truth. The resolution known as the "Message of Hope", and the accompanying discourse, "A Standard for the People," was broadcast throughout America and Canada on radio stations, as well as in other forms mentioned.

The vision says that the eagle is heard to say: "Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!" It was in that same year that God's people saw clearly that the battle of Armageddon would be the battle of God against Satan, and not a melee between contending forces of mankind. (See Watch Tower, January 1, 1925.) It was seen that there remained much work to be done to give the witness before the great and terrible day

when Jehovah's forces shall completely triumph. This farsightedness of God's people is illustrated by the eagle. God's devoted people, therefore, with eagle-vision, have gone forward with the work in proclaiming the vengeance of God against Satan's organization, which is a "woe" to those composing the organization. The clear implication from this statement must be that the "voices of the trumpet of the three angels" yet to sound would announce God's vengeance upon Satan's organization and assign the reason therefor.

THE JUBILEE

At this point it will be of interest to read an article appearing in the Watch Tower of February 15, 1925, under the caption, "The Year of Jubilee." It is an example of how God permits his people to have part in the fulfilment of his prophecy and then later tells them about it. Without previous knowledge or design on the part of any one connected with The Watch Tower, the time for the Columbus (Ohio) convention was fixed for July, 1924. Exactly ten years, to the day, from the beginning of the World War the message "Civilization Doomed" was delivered in support of the "Indictment", which time marked the last typical jubilee; and, showing that the antitypical jubilee must begin in 1925, the message announced the doom of Satan's organization and that the time had come when the people should go free. The year 1925 marked the due time for the great jubilee, and the announcement was made in due course. But the world rulers failed to heed God's message and to "proclaim liberty throughout all the land". (Lev. 25:10) On the contrary, the oppression of the people

continued with increasing power. The world ruling class had promised the people that the world would be made safe for democracy, which was equivalent to a promise that they should be free; but "they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids [the class really doing the laborious work], whom they had let go free [as promised], to return, and brought them into subjection. .. . Therefore thus saith the Lord, Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold me! proclaiming to you a liberty, declareth Jehovah; unto [1] the sword; unto [2] the pestilence; and unto [3] the famine. . . . And their dead bodies shall become food for the birds of the heavens, and for the beasts of the earth. [And the] king . . . with his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them who are seeking their life." (Jer. 34:11, 17, 20, 21) (See also Rotherham.) This prophecy accords with the figurative or symbolic portrayal of the ninth chapter of Revelation concerning the "two woes", which is now here considered. Please read Revelation the ninth chapter.

THE STAR

Jehovah's greatest "star" is Jesus the beloved. "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city." (Num. 24:17, 19) This prophecy must have a complete fulfilment in God's due time. The "fifth angel" was now due to sound and it marks the fulfilment of the prophecy.

We want to believe, we must believe, and we do believe that the Lord directs the course of his people who are wholly devoted to him. (Ps. 32:8; 48:14; 73:24; Isa. 58:11) A convention of God's devoted people assembled in London, England, in May, 1926. A discourse entitled "The Servant and Service", based upon Isaiah's prophecy in chapter forty-nine, disclosed for the first time to God's assembled people the true meaning of "The Servant". A resolution entitled "A Testimony to the Rulers of the World" was then introduced. It was supported by a public address delivered at Royal Albert Hall entitled "Why World Powers Are Tottering". The morning following the adoption of this resolution, "The Testimony," and the delivery of the supporting argument, a daily paper of London published a full report of both, and more than a million copies were put in the hands of the people that day, and later upward of fifty million copies were published in many languages and distributed throughout the world. At the same convention the Deliverance book was released internationally. The Lord's people began to see and appreciate, as they had not previously, the two opposing organizations and the privilege that God's anointed ones have in being his witnesses and servants.

"A TESTIMONY

"TO THE RULERS OF THE WORLD:

"The International Bible Students in general convention assembled declare their unqualified allegiance and devotion to the Almighty God, and believing it to be their privilege and duty so to do, in obedience to the commandments of God, send this testimony to the governing powers of the world, to wit:

"FIRST. That it is of paramount importance that all recognize that Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth, is the true and Almighty God besides whom there is none other; that his purpose for man is set forth in the Bible, which is his Word of truth, and that Christ Jesus is the Executor of Jehovah's purpose; that it is now apparent to all that the nations of the world are in dire distress and perplexity, and great trouble more terrible than any heretofore experienced is now threatened; that the efforts of the rulers to establish a desirable government or world power have failed; and, now be it known unto you, that the outworking of God's purpose concerning man, and that alone, can and will stabilize the world, and bring lasting peace, prosperity and happiness to the peoples, and that the time has come for those who are exercising governing power over the peoples to recognize these great truths.

"SECOND. That the reason for the prevailing condition of perplexity and distress is because man disobeyed the true God and yielded to the wicked influence of Satan, the false god; that Lucifer, originally the rightful overlord of man, because of his disloyalty to God became Satan the Devil, the instigator of all evil, and the adversary of God, and the arch enemy of man; that the evil one alienated man from the true God, and caused him to sin, by reason of which man lost his perfect home and his right to life and happiness; that since then man has organized governments and world powers in an attempt to govern himself, but in so doing has ignored the Word of God and submitted to the control of Satan the Devil; that until now God has not interfered with Satan to the end that man might be free to choose

right or wrong. But now the time has come when God will interfere in behalf of the peoples.

"THIRD. That Christ Jesus, by his faithfulness unto death, became the Redeemer and Deliverer of mankind; that when on earth he taught that the time for the deliverance of the people would begin when the evil world under the rulership of Satan shall end, and that he, Christ Jesus, would return and set up God's kingdom of righteousness that the peoples might know and follow the right way; and for this reason he taught his followers to pray, 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as in heaven'; that in the meantime world powers have been organized and carried on for the purpose of ruling and controlling the peoples, and these world powers are designated in the Scriptures under the symbol 'beast' for the evident reason that they are the result of the combined efforts of the commercial, political and ecclesiastical leaders of men and are influenced and dominated by Satan, the god of this world, and have been, and are, military, harsh, cruel and oppressive, and manifest the spirit of Satan, their invisible ruler, or god; and now the repeated cries of oppressed humanity have reached unto the God of heaven, who will hear and deliver them.

"FOURTH. That divine prophecy now fulfilled, and in the course of fulfilment, bears testimony to the fact that Satan's lease of power is done, and that the old world has ended, and that the time is at hand when Christ Jesus, the executive officer of Jehovah and the rightful King of earth, will oust Satan the evil one and begin his righteous government, which shall establish God's will on earth; that beginning with 1914 divine prophecy in the course of fulfilment

gave testimony that the end of the evil world had begun in this, to wit, the World War, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, revolutions, the return of the Jews to Palestine, and later followed by general distress and perplexity of the nations of the world; that this testimony of the fulfilment of the divine prophecy having been plainly given to the governing powers of the world, there is placed upon the shoulders of the rulers a responsibility that cannot be avoided.

"FIFTH. That although Jehovah God furnished conclusive proof that the evil world had ended and that the time for the reign of his beloved Son had come, yet this testimony was ignored and pushed aside by those who should have known better; and contrary to the Word of God the commercial, political and ecclesiastical rulers attempted to stabilize the world and keep the peoples under control by adopting that makeshift which is called the League of Nations and which was wrongfully and blasphemously hailed as the political expression of God's kingdom on earth; that the real author and father of the League of Nations compact is Satan the Devil, the god of this world, which was put forward by him as his last desperate effort to deceive the peoples, turn them away from the true God, and hold them under his own wicked control; that now after seven years of laborious effort on the part of the proponents of that compact to establish peace and prosperity, it is practically conceded that the League of Nations is a complete failure and that its utter collapse is a matter of only a brief space of time; that even now while its advocates are striving to re-assemble their forces to maintain that disintegrating and unholy alliance, the peoples are hearing the solemn warning of God's

prophet concerning the federation, saying, 'Associate yourselves, 0 ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand.' — Isa. 8: 9, 10.

"SIXTH. That by reason of the blinding influence of Satan the minds of the rulers and the ruled are turned away from the true God, and the evil forces are gathering the whole world unto the great battle of the Lord God Almighty; that there is now impending a time of trouble such as the world has never known, during which conflict Satan's powerful organization shall fall never to rise again, and there shall be such a demonstration of divine power that all the nations will learn that Jehovah is God and that Christ Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords.

"SEVENTH. That the great tribulation will reveal to the people the kingdom of God, which kingdom shall rest upon the shoulder of his beloved Son the Prince of Peace, and of the peace of that kingdom there shall be no end: it will bring the heart's desire of all peoples of good will, and in that kingdom the blind ignorance with which the people have long been afflicted will be forever removed and with the knowledge of and obedience to God there shall come to the people everlasting peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and happiness; and that the kingdom will be the complete fulfilment of the prophetic song of the angels, 'Peace on earth, good will toward men.'

"Therefore we earnestly bear before you this testimony: That Jehovah is The God, and that he has installed Christ his Son, as The King of the earth, and bids you to give full obedience to earth's rightful

King. Do so and use your influence to turn the minds of the people to THE TRUE GOD, that disaster may not befall you. — Ps. 2: 2-12."

Concerning the vision John says:'"I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit [abyss]." The proper identification of this star will be the key to the understanding of the prophecy. Undoubtedly that star is Christ Jesus: "The Lord himself shall descend [come down] from heaven . . . with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God." (1 Thess. 4:16) The Diaglott renders this text: "A Star having fallen from the heaven to the earth." Rotherham renders it: "A star out of heaven fallen unto the earth." The fall, as stated in this text, does not denote something bad. Rather the thought is that the star has come down from heaven to earth. Coming from his exalted position to earth is best represented by the word "fall" or "descend", and the Authorized Version uses the word "descend". The thought might be well expressed that this mighty Star here and now condescended, descended or came down to give attention to things pertaining to the earth.

The words of Revelation 9:1, "to him was given the key of the bottomless pit [or abyss]," definitely identify the Star as Christ Jesus. (Rev. 1:18; 20:1) No one but Christ Jesus is given the key to the bottomless pit, or abyss; hence the Star mentioned must be the Lord Jesus Christ himself. At his death he went into the abyss, or "pit", but God brought him up therefrom; and having gained this victory over death he would be the one properly entrusted with the key thereto. (Ps. 16:10; Acts 3:15) The star mentioned could not be Satan; because if so, then he

would have the key to let himself out of that pit. The divine record is that Jesus will open the bottomless pit at the end of the thousand years to let Satan out for a short season; and Jesus opens that pit or abyss for the sleeping saints to come out in due time. When Jesus was on the earth he, and none other, had received authority over the abyss or pit. (Luke 8: 30-33, Diag.) These scriptures identify Jesus as the Star, beyond any question.

The record is that when this mighty Star came down from heaven he opened the bottomless pit or abyss and "there arose a smoke out of the pit". The smoke ascending as from a great furnace is a precursor of destruction coming from that source which is controlled only by Jehovah and his Christ. It therefore symbolically pictures destruction. Likewise the 'unruly tongue set on fire' is one of destruction, as the Scriptures describe. (Jas. 3:6) The "whirlwind", which Ezekiel saw, was a symbol of the same thing. (Ezek. 1:4) As further proof that the "smoke" is a symbol of coming destruction God's prophet wrote: "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Mal. 4:1) "And the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit." (Rev. 9:2) Symbolically this says 'the time has come to proclaim the vengeance of Jehovah God against the enemy's organization'.

The resolution adopted at London, above mentioned as "A Testimony to the Rulers of the World", and the supporting message, was the preaching of the Word of God concerning his vengeance, and giving

the reason for the impending fall of the world powers. This was not the message of man or men, but the message of the Lord's Word which God through his angels, without a doubt, directed should be spoken. We must therefore conclude that the angel of the Lord directs the movements of God's organization in obedience to the command coming from "the higher powers", Jehovah and Christ. The message contained in the Deliverance book, released at the same time, was a more detailed description of Satan's organization and God's organization preparing for battle. These messages especially make mention that the name of Jehovah is exalted and expose the wickedness of the enemy organization. These great truths of Jehovah therefore caused "the brightness of the firmament " of Satan to be darkened.

Isaiah, giving a description of the Lord in his temple, says: "And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke." (Isa. 6:4) Thus the glory of the Lord appeared, filling his temple. The proclamation of this message of truth began to put Satan and his cohorts in the shade. The army of the Lord is now being mustered, and concerning that army, and what accompanies it from the Lord, his Word says: "The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining; and the Lord shall utter his voice before his army; for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke." (Joel 2:10, 11, 30) Even the Devil's organization

began to take notice that something undesirable was approaching. The "smoke" and that which came out of it worried the Devil's agents.

LOCUSTS

John describes "locusts" coming out of the smoke upon the earth and that there was given to them power or authority 'as scorpions have'. (Vs. 3) These locusts could not symbolize Satan's servants, but they do symbolically represent the servants of Jehovah God. The proof of the correctness of this statement is submitted. Verse eleven of this same ninth chapter of Revelation says concerning the locusts: "And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon." This shows that the locusts symbolise an organized band or company going forth under their supreme commander, and other scriptures identify Jesus Christ as that King and Commander and the Head of the elect servant of God. The "locusts "therefore must represent the remnant. The remnant "honor the King". — 1 Pet. 2:17.

The word "Abaddon" is derived from the Hebrew term abad, and is applied to Jehovah, who is the One that is "able to save and to destroy". Jehovah destroys them that hate him. (Deut. 7:10) Many Scripture texts apply this Hebrew word to Jehovah relative to destruction. For example:"I will destroy thee, 0 covering cherub." (Ezek. 28:16) "Shall I not in that day [day of the Lord], saith the Lord, even destroy [Hebrew, abad] the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau [Satan's organization]?" (Obad. 8) To the same effect it is writ-

ten: "And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots." — Mic. 5:10.

The Greek word Apollyon, which the Revelator applies here, means "destroying one", and is applied many times in the Scriptures to Jehovah, who is called the destroying One. (Matt. 10:28; 21:41; Jude 5) If there could be any doubt about this, James settles it when he writes: " There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy [Greek, apollymi]: who art thou that judgest another?" (Jas. 4:12) The overwhelming Scriptural authority, in both the Old and the New Testament, applies these titles to Jehovah. Christ Jesus being the chief executive officer of Jehovah, to whom is committed all power in heaven and earth, and being authorized to act as Jehovah's officer to destroy, the titles Abaddon and Apollyon therefore properly apply to him. (Num. 24:17-19; Mark 1: 24; Luke 4: 34) The only reasonable conclusion, therefore, is that Jesus, the glorified King armed for war and having the key to the bottomless pit, is the "king" over the "locusts". This definitely identifies the "locusts" as members of God's organization. The day of God's vengeance against the enemy organization having come, it is appropriate that Jehovah assume the role of Destroyer, that is, Abaddon, or Apollyon ("for our God is a consuming fire"), which title particularly applies at the time the kingdom is being announced. (Heb. 12:29) His beloved Son, then, the King, bears the same title, and the title has a special application in the "day of the Lord", which day began in 1914 and continues thereafter.

The description of the "locusts" shows that they form a part of God's army, the fighting organization,

and therefore proves that the same refers to the remnant on earth, who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ". These are the willing volunteers in the day of the Lord's power. (Ps. 110:3) John says: "And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle." (Vs. 7) This further identifies them as the same ones who form the Lord's army as described by the Prophet Joel. — Joel 2.

The horse is symbolically used in the Scriptures to represent warfare. "The horse rusheth into the battle." (Jer. 8:6) God's remnant now on the earth have taken the offensive. Fearlessly they volunteer and move forward to battle under their Leader and Commander. (Ps. 110:3) Jehovah's description of the horse follows: "Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword." (Job 39:19-22) Such is a good description of those who fearlessly follow the Lord Jesus whithersoever he leads.

'And the locusts had golden crowns, and their faces were as the faces of men.' (Vs. 7) This shows that God's militant remnant is clothed with divine authority to do kingdom work, which is the crowning work of all work now to be done, and 'their faces like men' symbolize that they are benevolent, loving and kind, and the motive is pure. They reflect God's image because they represent him. They are not "bald" locusts, such as the Israelites were permitted

to eat. (Lev. 11:22) They have not 'cut off their hair' for mourning, but they are joyful in the Lord and are in the likeness of the Lord Jesus, in this, that they have hair. (Rev. 1:14) The difference is, they have "hair as the hair of women", which symbolizes that they are in subjection to their Head Christ Jesus. —1 Cor. 11:15.

"And their teeth were as the teeth of lions," showing that they are prepared to eat "strong meat" and are not babes. They are wholly devoted to the Lord God. (1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:14; Joel 1:6) And they had "breastplates of iron", therefore unbreakable, because they have on "the breastplate of faith and love", "the breastplate of righteousness," and are "strong in the Lord and in the power of his might". (1 Thess. 5:8; Eph. 6:12-17) "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate." (Isa. 59:17) They know that they are right and on Jehovah's side and they fear neither man nor devil. They are the fighting contingent of the Lord's people, joyfully following their Head and Leader.

"And the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle." (Vs. 9) When the Lord's remnant are in action they make a sounding noise which frightens the enemy. Their chief business is to make a joyful noise to the glory of the Lord. This is another proof that they are of God's organization. By the use of the radio and the millions of books they make a great noise; so it is thought by those who are frightened. One real Christian can put to flight a thousand ecclesiastical frauds. "One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one." (Isa. 30:17) "Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame

of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array." — Joel 2: 5.

When God's children learn that there is a remnant of spirit-begotten ones on earth to whom the Lord has committed the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12: 17), and that they are the witnesses of Jehovah sent forth to declare his vengeance, it is easy for them to see that the description concerning the "locusts" exactly fits the remnant. It shows that this symbolically represents that division of the Lord's army which is on earth and which delights to keep the commandments of God. About this there cannot be the slightest doubt.

Further describing this militant army of "locusts" the Revelator says: "And they have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails was their power to injure men five months." (Vs. 10, Diag.) God is his own interpreter. He says': " The prophet ... he is the tail." (Isa. 9:15) If the prophet teaches lies, then lie is a lying prophet; and if he teaches the truth he is a true prophet. God's people under Christ Jesus are teachers and leaders. (Isa. 55:4) The prophecy or message which they deliver is from the Lord. This exposes Satan and his organization and his agents who teach lies; therefore the message which the locusts leave behind stings, and has power to hurt. It is the message of God's vengeance. It is the prophecy, "the tail," that does the hurting. No physical force is to be used, but the "locusts" (God's remnant) use their mouths to preach and leave behind the prophecy in printed form, and the message does the hurting.

The London proclamation or resolution and the accompanying argument set forth that Satan is the god of this world; that the British empire is the seat of

his beastly organization; that the League of Nations is the child of Satan, and its mother is the beastly governments of earth; that God had set his beloved Son upon his throne as earth's rightful King and soon Satan's organization must go down, and therefore the tottering and impending fall of the world powers. These statements were clearly proven from the Scriptures, or prophecy of God's Word. The wide publication of this message stung the British imperialists advocating the League of Nations, and all the big men in Satan's organization were stung and hurt by the prophecy. When more than fifty million copies were put in the hands of the people the stinging continued, and their torment increased "as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man". Those stung cried out in woe and in bitter indignation. The British press and the clergymen in bitter terms denounced those who had to do with the declaration of this stinging prophecy. The American clergy and press joined in denouncing the message and the messengers.

This was the first "woe", and the fact that it is called a "woe" shows that it must be inflicted by God's organization upon Satan's organization; and this is further proof that the locusts represent the Lord's army. "Woe to the inhabiters [ruling factors] of the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"  — Rev. 8:13.

The angels of the Lord were instruments used by him directing his people on earth to give out the message above mentioned at London, and this was the first "woe"; and two more "woes" must follow. (Rev. 9:12) This proves that the two remaining trumpets must be woes upon the same organization, which

is the enemy of God, and that these woes must be inflicted by God's organization. God keeps an accurate account of the tormenting message and he shows no quarter to the enemy. His message is a torment to the enemy because they cannot get away from it.

The command given to the locusts (army of the Lord) was that they should not hurt the grass, nor any green thing, nor any tree, but hurt only those men which have not the seal in their foreheads; and they were not to kill, but to torment. (Rev. 9:4, 5) The locusts God sent upon Egypt ate up every green thing. (Ex. 10:13-15) The army of the Lord is different. Pictured by the "locusts", they do not come to feed themselves upon the fruits of the labors of others. If these locusts represented the Devil's agents they would devour everything they could lay hold upon, and particularly those who are sealed by the Lord in their foreheads. (Rev. 12:17) It is only God's organization that can hurt the feelings of and torment the Devil's servants. God makes it clear in this prophecy that none of his sealed servants shall be hurt by the locusts, and this is another proof that the locusts represent the army of the Lord.

A poisonous wound by a scorpion often proves fatal, but these locusts with the power of scorpions were not sent to kill, but they were sent to torment the Devil's agents for a fixed period of time. The torment began in 1926 and is still going on. Concerning the Devil's visible organization that take counsel against God and his anointed he says: "Then will he speak unto them in his anger, and in his wrath confound them." (Ps. 2:5, Roth.) Many instances of the crying out of their torment might be here given if space permitted, but a few are given to prove the fact.

The British and American clergy, through the public press and from their pulpits, set up a dreadful howl following the expose of the League of Nations and other parts of Satan's organization. Big Business, working under cover with politicians and the clergy, proceeded to monopolize the radio in the lands of Britain and did practically the same thing in America, although the radio belongs to the Lord. At a hearing before the Federal Radio Commission at Washington, D. C., Big Business was there with all of its power, flanked and supported by politicians and the clergy. The Federal Council of Churches of America put one of its clergymen on the witness stand to support the claim of Big Business. That clergyman was subjected to a cross-examination under which he suffered terrible torment and doubtless wished he might escape by sinking through the floor. He made himself and the organization for which he stands appear ridiculous in the eyes of all present.

Another agent of Big Business took the stand in an effort to show the importance of a monopoly. With great boasting words he told of the attainments of Satan's organization in the radio business. On cross-examination he was not only made very uncomfortable but was taunted and tormented to the point that his own action at the time led to a further torment at the hands of his fellow servants of Satan that lasted many months. By his indiscretion he opened the way for the next "woe" to be broadcast by radio and to be forcibly inflicted upon Satan's organization, and this brought torment to himself and many others of Satan's organization. They fought among themselves and cursed each other and many others because of their torment. The public press and the clergy es-

pecially howled because of what took place. The "five months" of torment mentioned in the Revelation evidently means the entire period of time until the other woes have ended, because five is a divine number and here marks a fixed period of time without designating how long.

The public press of London devoted much space to an arraignment of those who had had to do with the passing of the resolution and its distribution. It is stated that in the period of torment men "shall desire to die", or "seek death, and shall not find it". (Vs. 6) The Lord's army is commanded not to kill, therefore the torment must continue; and while the agents of Satan have tried to escape the 'pest' of the continuous proclamation of the truth of God's prophecy, they have been unable to do so. "Death" symbolizes a way of escape; but they were unable to find it. They must take their medicine as God has decreed, because "it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at thine hand to drink, then shalt thou [the locusts, God's representatives] say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Ye shall certainly drink". (Jer. 25: 28) They tried for a time to be dead (indifferent) to the strong truths brought by the army of locusts; but that would not work, and then they began to howl because of their torment.

The British press and the New York Times and other like papers vented their spleen by repeated assaults upon the people of God. On September 12,1926, and within five months after the passing of the " Resolution" at London, the London Sunday Express devoted two columns to a denunciation of the "Testimony" to the world powers and the address supporting it. By so doing it gave a further wide advertise-

ment to the truth. Shortly thereafter the New York Times, the New York Sun, and the New York Herald supported the British press in an attack upon God's people. These papers had entered into a contract to advertise a public assembly of Bible Students to be held at Madison Square Garden, New York city, and then repudiated their contract and said unkind things about the Lord's people. (See Watch Tower, Dec. 1, 1926.) The torment of these members of Satan's organization is due wholly to the message of truth, which stings. Although knowing it is the truth, they repent not, but continue to blaspheme God. The army of the Lord, under its King, continues to sing out the message of truth to the glory of God.

'LOOSE THE BOUND ONES'

"And the sixth angel sounded" and the command was given: "Loose the four angels which are bound in [at] the great river Euphrates." (See Revelation 9:13-21.) To definitely identify the "bound" ones will aid to understand this prophecy. From and since 1875 particularly there have been many people who have desired to serve God and who have consecrated themselves to do so. Almost all of them united themselves with some church denomination. As Christ continued to prepare the way before Jehovah, prior to coming to his temple, a goodly number of these people separated themselves from the denominations and were drawn together for the study of God's Word, and for his service; and it is from this latter class that the "remnant" is taken and anointed of the spirit of Jehovah to do his work. The greater number of the consecrated, however, remained in the denomi-

national systems. Before all the spirit-begotten ones the opportunity was set to become God's witnesses or messengers, otherwise spoken of as his angels. The "great crowd" that remained in the denominational systems have not taken a bold stand on the side of the Lord. They have been held in restraint, which makes them prisoners in the denominations, because of their fear to take a stand against the denominations and to publicly and boldly declare the Lord's message. When the time comes and such are released and do take their stand on the side of the Lord, although they will not be among the anointed witness class, yet by their lives they will bear testimony that they are Jehovah's children and will receive approval by him, which is represented by their 'robes washed and made white in the blood of Christ'. They being God's begotten children and bound in the prison and held by the prison keepers, God will loose them and use them in his own due time for his purposes.

The ancient city of Babylon was the greatest city ever built upon the river Euphrates. By the commerce carried on that river the city was supported and maintained. It had suspended gates that swung out over the river, and these furnished a means of military protection and defense. The commercial and political element ruled the city, but did so through the power and influence of the religionists. "Babylon" is one of the names the Scriptures give to the Devil's organization, and particularly when the religion of Satan is in the saddle and controls. (See book Prophecy, pages 126-144.) "Babylon" is the mother of Satan's organization which gives birth to and nourishes Satan's seed. "Organized Christianity," so called, is a part of Satan's organization, since

he has gotten control thereof; and it is supported by the people, pictured by the great river Euphrates.

In ancient Babylon the men of influence were the religionists and exercised power by and with the aid of the commercial and political allies. Today the clergy of so-called organized Christianity exercise, their power of control by and through the commercial giants, who control Big Business, and the politicians, who make and enforce the laws and carry on the governments. All the elements of Satan's organization, and particularly the clergy part thereof, oppose the message of truth concerning God's kingdom and persecute those who proclaim it. They induce their allies, Big Business and the political element, to persecute God's anointed. Had it not been for their evil influence so exercised today there would be millions of people praising God and hailing Christ as earth's rightful King, and doubtless Armageddon would be unnecessary. It is the evil influence of these rulers in Babylon that holds the prisoners in restraint, which prisoners are timid, have agreed to serve God but are fearful to take a positive stand.

Note that at the sound of the sixth angel a voice is heard from among the four horns of the golden altar. (Rev. 9:13, Roth.) It must therefore be a voice of one of Jehovah's organization, to wit, Christ Jesus, the great Priest of the Most High, who gives it, because it comes from all parts of the altar, the place of sacrifice, and Christ is the one great sacrifice for all. The command given is: "Loose the four angels which are bound at the great river Euphrates." (R.V.) In this connection mark another prophecy from Jehovah: "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue

nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts." — Isa. 45: 1, 13.

By this prophecy Jehovah pictures Christ his beloved, the great antitypical Cyrus, acting as his chief officer, swinging back the two leaved gates of Babylon that the imprisoned ones might be loosed. In this work the Lord uses his angels invisible to men and also members of his organization on the earth. Without a doubt the 'prisoners held at the Euphrates' are those who compose the "great multitude" class; and since they are mentioned as "four", it would symbolize those who are in every quarter of the earth and in all the prisons. In his own due time the Lord revealed to his people who they are that compose the prisoners, and it was made known to them through the columns of The Watch Tower (November 15, 1926). These "prisoners", when loosed and brought into the organization as servants of The Christ, are properly designated "angels", because they will be servants of the Lord. (Rev. 7:9, 15) The Lord having come to his temple and built up Zion, the due time had arrived for God to 'hear the cries of the prisoners'. "When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come; and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear

the groaning of the prisoner, to loose those that are appointed to death; to declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem." (Ps. 102: 16-21) "Jerusalem" is a symbol of God's organization, and includes the "great multitude". "Zion" particularly distinguishes the members of the body of Christ from the other spirit-begotten ones.

SIXTH TRUMPET

The Lord sent his angel to sound the sixth trumpet, and at the same time the command is given to loose the bound ones; and such message must of necessity be a "woe" to Satan's organization that rules the earth. The Lord caused his people to assemble in general convention at Toronto, Canada, in July, 1927. The Lord had so arranged conditions that the broadcasting combine was put in a position that its radio facilities must be used to the glory of the Lord. Unwittingly Satan's agents fell into the Lord's trap, and this increased the torment for Satan's organization. Before a visible audience of 15,000 people, and within the hearing of an unseen audience of millions, an address entitled "Freedom for the People" was delivered at this Toronto assembly, and the resolution entitled "To the Peoples of Christendom" was read, and the visible and invisible audience by vote adopted the resolution. Fifty-three radio stations were linked together, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, and these, together with short-wave broadcasting apparatus, heralded the truth through the United States and Canada and to the lands across the sea. The spirit and substance of that message was: "Loose those who are bound in Satan's organization and let them go free."

The Lord sent his angel to direct this message, and caused it to be given, and used his witnesses on earth in connection therewith, and it was heard by millions; and then later more than fifty million printed copies were put in the hands of the people; which message follows:

"RESOLUTION

"To THE PEOPLES OF CHRISTENDOM:

"The International Bible Students in general convention assembled send greetings:

"As Christians and witnesses to the name of Jehovah God we deem it our privilege and duty to call your attention to the following vital facts:

"FIRST: That God made of one blood all peoples and nations of men to dwell on the earth, and granted to all peoples equal rights. There is therefore no just cause or excuse for one nation to make war against another nation.

"SECOND: That the foremost nations of the earth claim to be Christian nations and, taken collectively, they constitute 'Christendom' or 'organized Christianity', so called; that the men chiefly responsible for the claim that these are Christian nations are the clergymen of the various religious denominations who call themselves by the name of Christ but who in fact have denied him; that their purpose of claiming that these nations are Christian is to induce the peoples to believe that said nations, although military and cruel, are the representatives of God and his Christ on earth; that such claim is fraudulent and false and has turned the minds of millions of honest people away from the true God and from his Christ; that the invisible ruler of the nations of 'Christendom', or 'or-

ganized Christianity' so called, is Satan the Devil, who has fathered the scheme of forming 'organized Christianity' to deceive the people and to keep them in subjection to himself and his agencies.

"That the masses of the peoples of the nations are entitled to self-government exercised by the people for the general welfare of all; but instead of enjoying such rights a small minority rules; that the money power of the world has been concentrated into the hands of a few men called high financiers, and these in turn have corrupted the men who make and execute the laws of the nations, and the faithless clergy have voluntarily joined forces with the high financiers and professional politicians and that said unholy alliance constitutes the governing powers that rule the peoples; that the masses of the peoples, acting under a misapprehension of the true facts, have borne up, carried, supported and maintained 'organized Christianity'; and that without the support of the common people the unholy alliance constituting 'organized Christianity' could not long exist.

"THIRD: That for centuries the privileges enjoyed by men have been wholly unequal and unfair. The multitudes have produced the wealth of the world, but have been unjustly deprived of the fruits of their labors. That the leaders of 'Christendom', instead of teaching the children of men the doctrines of Christ, whom they claim to follow, teach them to murder their fellow creatures; and that now the rulers are amalgamating the common people with the military, in order to make all the peoples a part of and subject to their great war machine; that by unjust laws the common people, contrary to their own wishes, have been compelled to go to war against each

other, resulting in great sorrow and suffering, multitudes of broken hearts and millions of untimely graves; that 'organized Christianity' has turned a deaf ear to the petitions and entreaties of the people for relief, and now the cries of the oppressed people have entered into the ears of Jehovah God, and his time is at hand to give the peoples deliverance and freedom.

"FOURTH: That Jehovah is the only true God, the Friend and Benefactor of the peoples. He has now set his beloved Son Christ Jesus upon his throne and bids all the peoples of earth to hear and to obey him who is earth's rightful King.

"FIFTH: That the kings and rulers of the earth, to wit, those constituting the said unholy alliance, have been duly notified that God has set his King upon his throne and that his kingdom is at hand; but they refuse to understand or to take heed, and they walk on in darkness. Therefore God has decreed and declared that there shall come upon the world a time of tribulation such as never was known and that during that trouble 'Christendom' or 'organized Christianity', so called, and all of Satan's organization shall be destroyed; and that Christ Jesus, the righteous King, will assume complete authority and control and will bless the peoples of earth.

"SIXTH: That it must be now apparent to all thoughtful people that relief, comfort and blessings so much desired by them can never come from the unrighteous system of 'Christendom' or 'organized Christianity', and that there is no reason to give further support to that hypocritical and oppressive system. In this hour of perplexity Jehovah God bids the peoples to abandon and forever forsake ' Christen-

dom' or 'organized Christianity' and to turn completely away from it, because it is the Devil's organization, and to give it no support whatsoever; and that the peoples give their heart's devotion and allegiance wholly to Jehovah God and to his King and kingdom and receive full freedom and the blessings God has in store for them.

"SEVENTH: For four thousand years the cherished desire of Jews has been God's Messianic kingdom. For nineteen centuries that kingdom has been the hope of real Christians. It is now at hand. True to his promise God by and through the reign of Christ will lift the burdens of the peoples, free them from war, fraud and oppression, from sickness, suffering and death and give to them a righteous government and the blessings of everlasting peace, prosperity, life, and happiness."

Here again the Lord through his angel directed his people on earth in his service to have a part in his work; and all the glory and honor is due to Jehovah's name. God had foretold that the bound ones would be crying out: "Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name [be thy 'angel' or messenger to serve thee]." (Ps. 142:7) "The Lord looseth the prisoners." (Ps. 146:7) Jehovah anoints his faithful servant class to 'preach the good news, the opening of the prisons to them that are bound', "That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth." (Isa. 61:1; 42:7; 49: 9) His servants on earth began that work in July, 1927, and it still goes on to the glory of God.

The record is, "The four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men." (Vs. 15) This seems to say that the 'loosing' work shall

continue until God's fixed time to finish it, when that class of prisoners, pictured by Samson, shall pull down the structure on their own heads; and at the same time God will complete the downfall of the governing element, which is pictured as 'slaying' them. (See Judges 16:29, 30.) The work of declaring the message for the release of the prisoners, and to the glory of God, still goes on; and it is done by and through many radio stations broadcasting the truth, which message goes into the "prison houses" regardless of the effort of the clergy, or 'prison keepers' to prevent it.

The service workers of the Lord followed up this barrage with the message of the kingdom in printed form. The facts show that at the beginning of 1930 more than seventy-seven million volumes of books, in thirty languages, containing this message of the kingdom have been put in the hands of the people. This part of the work is assigned to members of God's organization on the earth, and they continue to joyfully sing forth his praises while the mighty forces of Jehovah march on to complete the downfall of Satan's organization in due time.

The number of the "army of the horsemen" is given as two hundred million. (Vs. 16) The "bound" ones could not be of this army that make the direct attack upon the outside of Babylon's walls, because they are inside. The army must therefore be confined to those whom God has anointed for that purpose. "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean." (Rev. 19:14) These armies doubtless include the myriads of angels, as well as a little company of people on earth. "His camp is very great: for he is

strong that executeth his word." (Joel 2:11) God's army is well equipped and is fearless. (Job 39:19-25) This two hundred million of the Lord's army sound the message of woe to the "inhabiters" or rulers under Satan. The anointed on earth should be encouraged. Let them rejoice and say: 'They that be with us are more than they that be with the enemy.'  — 2 Ki. 6:16.

The vision discloses that the horses and riders have breastplates of fire, jacinth, and brimstone, and the horses had heads like lions, and out of their mouths issued fire and brimstone. (Vs. 17) Such a fiery, sulphurous breastplate would be a terrifying sight for the enemy to behold. In symbolic language the Lord says: "The day of vengeance is in mine heart." (Isa. 63:4) Such also is the heart attitude of the Lord's army, pictured by the fiery breastplate, and that fiery zeal for Jehovah is pictured as covering the most vital organ, to wit, the heart, and it terrifies the enemy but speaks victory to God's anointed. — Phil. 1:28.

"The Lion of the tribe of Juda," Christ Jesus, leads the army of the Lord, and the members of his body are appropriately described as 'having heads like lions'. (Vs. 17) This is a very appropriate description of the cavalry division of the army of the Lord, which is strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. "What is stronger than a lion?" Like those who followed David, they are "men ... fit for the battle, . . . whose faces were like the faces of lions". (1 Chron. 12: 8) The Lord's people are of the Davidic class. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." "The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion." (Prov. 19: 12) The power of these soldiers of the Lord is in their

mouths and in their tails, which are like the tail of a serpent. (Vss. 18, 19) Jehovah has put his message in the mouth of his people and has made them his witnesses while he does his great work. (Isa. 51:16) These preach his Word and sing his praises, and this message issues from their mouths. The "tail" is the prophetic message which they deliver. God has not authorized the wicked to speak his Word, but has commissioned his anointed ones to deliver his message of truth and speak his word of vengeance against the enemy organization. (Ps. 50:16, 17) These servants of the Lord speak the message by their mouths, and leave the prophetic message, as the "tail", behind, which the people read; and therefore they assault the enemy organization "both coming and going". The public witness message that went forth from Toronto was spoken by word of mouth and broadcast over fifty-three radio stations. Without a doubt a great number of mouths (loud-speakers of receiving sets) took the message from the ether and heralded it to millions of listening people. The immediate response by wire and letters from every part of the country proves this fact to be correct. Then followed the world-wide distribution of the message in printed form. This message from the mouth and "tail" has stung the enemy organization, and still stings. By the three destructive agencies, 'fire, smoke and brimstone,' many were killed; that is to say, their influence and power to deceive the people was rendered nil. The message of the Lord, following in printed form in the Freedom booklet, went both to the governing powers and to the people. It was not man's message, but God's message taken from his Word, and tells of his destruction of the unrighteous sys-

terns. "The breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. For Tophet [which is the valley of Hinnom] is ordained of old; yea, for the king [worldly ruling powers] it is prepared: he hath made it deep, and large; the pile thereof is fire and much wood." — Isa. 30:33.

This work the Lord does when he comes to his temple for judgment: "The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup." (Ps. 11:4, 6) That message, spoken by word of mouth, and then thrust into the hands of millions of people, and left behind for them to chew on, left a smarting sensation like the sting of a serpent. God had said: "Behold, I will send serpents, . . . which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the Lord" (Jer. 8:17), and this prophecy was fulfilled.

The public press, which is the tool and mouthpiece of the ruling powers, immediately thereafter sent up a cry or howl, as a result of the sting. The Toronto press the next day urged the legal department of the government to take immediate steps to deport the public speaker of the occasion who read the resolution, and then vigorously denounced the message that was delivered. The New York Times broke its silence, and for once screeched and howled against the truth and delivered the cries of the clergy. The National Broadcasting Company, another mouthpiece of the unholy alliance, joined in the howl and denunciation, and ever thereafter has refused to have its radio facilities again used in broadcasting the message of God's Word of truth. In an effort to offset the truth

it sets itself up as the one to determine what shall be given to the people in religious matters.

The Lord sent forth his invisible angels to sound the trumpet and direct the message, and he caused his visible servants on earth to join in the work. By their mouths they have spoken the message; and they have left behind "the tail", which is the prophetic message, and this has caused the Devil's representatives to squirm and writhe under the torment. Manifestly this is what the prophet saw when he wrote: "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord

shall have them in derision." (Ps. 2:4) God's people laugh with him.

The message showed the close alliance between the clergy, Big Business, and the politicians. Thereafter many of the clergy went out of the business and went into commercial pursuits. Their preaching business was killed.

"And the rest of the men which were not killed, . . . repented not." (Vs. 20) Men of the world of all divisions thereof still insist on a government without God and without Christ. Even though the truth is pointed out to them that God has set his King upon his throne, and the time has come to establish his kingdom, and that this is the panacea for the ills of humankind, they still persist in their wicked course of oppressing mankind, and insist on ruling them. They refuse to welcome earth's rightful King. They continue to bow down to Satan and his doctrines concerning man's origin and his destiny. They worship material things rather than the Creator. The influence of Satan still induces many of them to hate (which is murder) the Lord's people and to persecute them. Many who profess to be Christians still continue their illicit relationship with the unrighteous things of this world. They have a preference for the doctrine of devils rather than for the Word of God. Under the pretense of a sanctimonious religion they endorse and carry on a wicked system of laws which are unrighteously enforced. They rob and kill their fellow men. They rob God of that to which he is justly entitled, by drawing away the people from him and to the side of Satan. Jehovah continues to move his organization into position for further positive action.