LIGHT

Triumph

(DANIEL, CHAPTER 2)

JEHOVAH will triumph over his enemies so completely that never will a place be found for them again. The Bible contains an abundance of testimony concerning the enemies of Jehovah. That fact alone proves that it is the purpose of Jehovah to fully advise those who love him of the reason for the existence of these enemies, whence they came, why they have opposed him, why he has permitted them to continue so long, what provision he has made for their destruction, and when they will be destroyed. We know that the power of the Almighty God has no limitations and if he should will to do so he could snuff out all his enemies in an instant. The fact that he has not done so long ago shows that he has good reason for not doing it until a time certain. That it may be fully understood that he will destroy them completely in his own good time it is important to consider a few of the Bible texts upon this point: "But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, 0 Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish: all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered." (Ps. 92: 8, 9) "Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off." (Mic. 5:9) "Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee." (Ps. 21:8) "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. But the transgres-

sors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off." — Ps. 37: 20, 38.

Jehovah's purpose to destroy his enemies has been expressed from the very beginning of man's sinful course. 'The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.' — Gen. 3:15.

That declaration was made more than six thousand years ago. The final bruising has not yet taken place. To Abraham Jehovah said: "Thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies." (Gen. 22:17) Here Abraham represented Jehovah himself, while the seed promised stands for or represents the instrument Jehovah will use to destroy his enemies. Jehovah caused Jacob to prophesy concerning Judah in these words: "Judah, . . . thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies." (Gen. 49:8) "The Lion of the tribe of Juda" will be the One who thus performs the work here prophesied. God's chosen people in Canaan were led by Joshua. When he had captured the enemy kings and held them in custody he caused his men to draw near and put their feet on the necks of these kings and then they killed them. "And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight." — Josh. 10: 25.

God's prophet, concerning the enemies of Jehovah and the enemies of those who love him, wrote: "For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth." (Ps. 54: 3-5) "Through God we shall do valiantly, for he it is that shall tread down our enemies." (Ps. 60:12)

The prayer of the righteous is: "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses." — Ps. 68:1, 2, 21.

Jehovah has made his beloved Son Christ Jesus his chief executive officer for ever. By him he will accomplish his purposes. He is the right hand instrument of Jehovah. Christ Jesus is the "seed" that shall bruise the head of the enemy. The preceding chapters herein, dealing with Revelation, prove that for many long centuries God has been carrying forward his purpose and that the time is near when he will destroy the enemies by and through his chosen instrument. Christ was not even permitted to begin this work of destruction until God's due time, and when that time arrived he sent him forth upon a mission, and the work is now in progress. (Ps. 110:1, 2) The beginning of his reign, in 1914, marks the beginning of the great King's work, and he must go forward from that time until it is completed:" The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through Icings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the [nations], he shall fill the places with the dead bodies: he shall wound the heads over many countries." (Ps. 110:5, 6) The great work God gives into the hand of Christ, which includes the faithful members of his body. Concerning such it is written:

"Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judg-

ment. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust." (Ps. 72:1, 2, 8, 9) "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about." (Ps. 97:1, 3) "Let there be none to extend mercy unto him; neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out." — Ps. 109:12, 13.

These are only a few of the many Scripture texts proving God's purpose to completely destroy the enemies and to do so by and through his beloved Son. We are now approaching that great battle of the day of God Almighty when the enemy organization shall go down. In view of what God has made known to his people in the book of Revelation, now due to be understood by those that love him, other prophecies bearing upon the same subject matter may be examined in this connection with profit. There is a close relationship between the prophecy of Daniel and that of Revelation. To understand one leads to a better understanding of the other.

'TERRIBLE IMAGE'

In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, he had a dream that troubled him. He forgot the dream, and he being unable to remember it, his magicians and astrologers, of course, could not interpret it; and they used this fact as an excuse for their inability to interpret the dream. Daniel was then a captive in Babylon, where the Israelites had

been taken. Together with some of his brethren he sought the face of the Lord in prayer and then asked permission to disclose to Nebuchadnezzar both his dream and the interpretation thereof. Daniel was then brought before Nebuchadnezzar the king, and told him his dream. Be it noted that Daniel laid no claim whatsoever to any personal ability or learning by which he could know the dream or give the interpretation thereof; but when he was brought to tell Nebuchadnezzar he informed the king that his information came from the God of heaven. Daniel said to the king: "But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart." — Dan. 2:30.

Daniel was devoted to Jehovah and was much beloved by Jehovah and was used by the Most High to write down the prophecy, which would be fulfilled in God's due time. Daniel represented that class of people who would be on earth and who would be fully devoted to God at the end of the world when 'Michael shall stand up'. Daniel therefore specifically represented the faithful remnant, those who are anointed of the Lord God to do his work. The record of the dream and the interpretation given by Daniel the prophet follow:

"Thou, 0 king, sawest, and, behold, a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee, and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of day. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without

hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth. This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou, 0 king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven, hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes part of potters' clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left

to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." — Dan. 2:31-45.

For many years those who have loved God have sought for an understanding of the prophecies, and particularly those written by Daniel and Ezekiel, and those in Revelation. God has never been displeased with this effort, as is indicated by the Scriptures; nor should it be expected that God will permit the true understanding of these prophecies to be had until his due time. The holy men of old who prophesied concerning God's purpose of the salvation of the human race sought diligently to understand the meaning of what they wrote down. Even the angels desired to look into the meaning thereof and to have an understanding of it. God did not express his displeasure because of the efforts thus made to understand, but it was not his due time to make his secrets known. Nor would it be at all improper for anyone who is devoted to God to diligently seek to know the understanding of his Word at any or all times. This observation is here made to emphasize the fact that only in God's due time can a prophecy be understood by men.

More than fifty years ago some good, honest Christian people who were called Adventists published an interpretation of the foregoing prophecy of Daniel which in substance states that the terrible image that Daniel saw represented the successive world powers,

to wit, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome; that the golden head of the image represented Babylon; and the breast of silver represented or pictured the Medo-Persian empire; the copper (mistranslated "brass") pictured the Grecian world power, and the legs of iron pictured the pagan Roman world power; and the feet composed of iron and clay pictured Papal Rome or what is otherwise called the "Holy Roman Empire". The Watch Tower publications, having no better explanation, practically adopted the foregoing interpretation. There are some good reasons why the above interpretation of the prophecy is not correct, and these are, to wit:

(1) That the true meaning of the terrible image could not be understood by any of those whom Daniel represented until after the coming of the Lord to his temple. The foregoing interpretation having been made long before the coming of the Lord to his temple, it is hardly likely that it would be correct. That would not mean that any criticism is leveled against any of those who thus interpreted it. Without doubt God was pleased with them because they sought the truth. Daniel's prophecy says: "This secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living [creature], but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation"; and furthermore that 'the God of heaven revealeth secrets of what shall be in the latter days'. (Dan. 2:30, 28) These "latter days" must refer to the "day of the Lord", which means the time beginning when God places his King upon his holy hill in Zion. (Ps. 2: 6) That event occurred in 1914, and surely, then, the understanding could not be had until after that time. It was after the Lord came to his temple in 1918 that his anointed

people began to have a better understanding of the prophecies, because the temple in heaven was opened. (Rev. 11:19) Since Daniel says that the vision or prophecy is to make known what is to come to pass in the "latter days", then it must be that God purposed that his people, whom Daniel represented, would be given an understanding of the image in the "latter days", and not before.

(2) That the prophecy shows that the terrible image would be broken in pieces all at one and the same time, and it follows that unless the entire image is in existence at one and the same time this could not take place. The world powers of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and pagan Rome, have ceased to exist and the image has not yet been broken in pieces. The "Holy Roman Empire" does not now exist as a world power, but only as a part of the 'beast that came up out of the sea'.

(3) It could not be literally true that Nebuchadnezzar at the time he was king of Babylon was ruler over all "the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven", as the prophecy states. There is no proof that he had any more power or control over the wild beasts and the birds than any other imperfect man had.

(4) There is no evidence whatsoever that Medo-Persia as a world power possessed anything peculiar that could be symbolized by the precious metal silver, or that the Grecian empire was in any particular way marked so that it could be symbolized by the less valuable metal brass or copper.

(5) It is not true that Rome was the first world power to employ the iron military rule that "bruises" the peoples of the earth. Egypt existed long before

the day of Rome, and Egypt was the first great military power. The world power of Assyria was before Babylon or Rome, and Assyria boasted that her armies had conquered all the nations and none had been able to stand before her military onslaughts. Only Jehovah by his angel could and did deliver the Israelites from the Assyrian iron or military hand. (Isa. 36:17-20) Greece conquered and ruled the world by military force, and it is said of her mighty warrior general that "he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer". In much earlier days than that, even, the kings of Canaan had military equipment and nine hundred chariots made of iron. (Judg. 4:3) Other nations fought with military instruments of iron long before Rome existed. (1 Ki. 22:11) Other reasons appear why the terrible image does not refer to world powers, and these will be considered as we progress.

The image about which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed was a terrible one. What could it picture? In order to enable the student to follow the argument here set forth it is now here briefly stated that the terrible image represented Satan's organization, both visible and invisible. Before submitting the proof in support of that conclusion consideration is first given to some Scriptural evidence concerning the greater organization.

JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION

Jehovah has a universal organization which is often mentioned in the Scriptures under the symbol of "mountain". "So he brought them into his own holy bounds, the mountain-range which his right-hand acquired." (Ps. 78: 54, Roth.) "Great and highly to be praised in the city is our God, his holy mountain is

beautiful for elevation, the joy of all the earth. Mount Zion on the northern ridge is the city of a king."  — Ps. 48:1, 2, Roth. See also Isaiah 2:2; 11:9; 56:7; Joel 3:17; Zechariah 8:3; also Revelation 2:10 and comments thereon.

Ezekiel was caused to write down his vision of God's organization. (Ezek. 1: 3-28) In that vision he describes four living creatures having the likeness of a man, and every one had four faces and four wings. "Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning." — Ezek. 1: 9-13.

There appeared in the vision also one wheel upon the earth by each of the living creatures which had four faces. "And their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel." Further describing what he saw, Ezekiel said: "When they went, they went upon their four sides; and they turned not when they went. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth,

the wheels were lifted up. "Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels." - — Ezek. 1:17, 19, 20.

There appeared over the heads of the living creatures a great expanse like terrible crystal to look upon. Under the expanse were the wings of the living creatures each having four wings, two on each side of the body. When these creatures went the sound of the wings was like the sound of many waters. "And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings." — Ezek. 1: 24, 25.

Above the expanse or firmament was the likeness of a great throne having the appearance of a sapphire stone, and upon the throne was one having the appearance of a man. There was the appearance of fire round about and within it, and the color was of amber. After describing the appearance of the one on the throne, then the prophecy adds: "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." (Ezek. 1: 28) Thus it is seen that the prophetic description is that fitly representing a mighty war chariot, therefore picturing a chariot-like organization extending high above the earth into heaven, and this mighty organization is presided over by Jehovah the Most High.

The chief executive officer in that great organization is the beloved Son of God, whom he has made Ruler over the world. "With him is his perfect organization "the holy city", which forms a part of the universal organization. In that organization are cherubim, seraphim and a host of angels, and the members of the body of Christ, these all possessing authority and power as granted by Jehovah. (Isa. 6: 2, 3; Rev. 4: 6; 1 Pet. 3: 22; Heb. 12: 22) Mention is here made of this mighty organization of Jehovah that the student may have in mind the mimic god who has attempted to make the organization in the likeness thereof.

LUCIFER'S ORGANIZATION

God created man in his own image and put him on the earth. He put man in the garden of Eden to dress and keep it. (Gen. 1:28; 2:15) God thereby made the perfect man a part of his great organization and commanded that man should remain always in harmony with his Creator and his fixed laws. The beginning of God's creation was his beloved Son the Logos, and thereafter all things created were created by the Logos as the deputy of Jehovah God. (John 1: 1-3) That there are various divisions of God's universal organization is certain, as appears from the words which follow: "By him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-

eminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell." — Col. 1:16-19.

This establishes beyond a question of doubt that in God's organization there are thrones, dominions, principalities, angels and servants. One of the titles given to the mighty chief deputy of Jehovah is the "bright and morning star", which also means prince. There was another "star" in God's universal organization. It is recorded that when God laid the foundation of the earth as a home for man "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy". (Job 38:7) That other star or prince was Lucifer, and the proof concerning that is quite certain and clear.

Lucifer was appointed to a high office in God's organization. "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so; thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." (Ezek. 28:14) "Anointed" means that he was designated to fill a certain office. The word "covereth" used in this text applies to one who provides protection, defense or supervision as an overseer. Lucifer was in Eden, the garden of God, where Adam was put, and Lucifer being made an officer in Jehovah's organization, it seems clear that man was under the special supervision of Lucifer and the perfect man was therefore a part of Lucifer's organization and in the great organization of Jehovah. Since Ezekiel's prophecy shows that God's organization is like a wheel within a wheel, then it may well be said that Lucifer's part of the organization was one of the wheels in the greater wheel. This, of course, applies when he was in harmony with Jehovah. Lucifer was made glorious

and beautiful to look upon when he appeared in Eden. "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created." (Ezek. 28:13) He was therefore a light-bearer and clothed with power and authority.

A tree is a symbol of a living creature, and when planted by the Lord Jehovah it is a tree of righteousness or creature of righteousness as long as remaining in harmony with Jehovah. (Isa. 61:3; Ps. 1:1-3; Prov. 11:28; Num. 24:6; Judg. 9:8; Ps. 104:16) It appears certain from the language used that God's prophet referred to Lucifer when he wrote these words: "Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters. The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches: nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him." (Ezek. 31:7-9) This shows that Lucifer had other spirit creatures in his organization, and over which he ranked as superior. As a superior officer in God's organization certain specific duties devolved upon him, and man was under Lucifer's direct supervision. Being above others of his organization he would properly be referred to as the head thereof.

God created the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air and brought them before Adam and caused

him to give each one a name, and they were subject to Adam. (Gen. 1:28; 2:19, 20) Since Lucifer was overlord of Adam, it follows that all these beasts of the field and fowls of the air were under his superior supervision. The further description by the prophet concerning Lucifer's organization is this: "Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations." (Ezek. 31:5, 6) Compare this language at this point with Daniel 2:38.

METALS

The image described by Daniel in the prophecy mentions three precious metals, to wit, gold and silver, and copper, which is mistranslated "brass". It mentions one base metal, iron. The meaning of these metals is significant, otherwise the Lord would not have them in his Word in connection with this image. Gold is first mentioned in the Bible as being in the land of Havilah, which land was watered by one of the heads of the rivers that flowed out of Eden. (Gen. 2:11, 12) The Most Holy, both of the tabernacle and of the temple, was overlaid with fine gold. The cherubs in the Most Holy were made of gold. (Ex. 25: 17-19; 1 Kings 6:22-28) The tabernacle and temple pictured God's organization. Gold is symbolic of things divine. The saints of Zion are "comparable to fine gold". (Lam. 4: 2) Silver is a precious metal and was used in connection with the tabernacle and temple service. (Ex. 20:19) The platters, bowls and

other utensils used in that service were made of silver. (Num. 7:13; 1 Chron. 28:17) Silver is next in order in value as compared with gold, but of course of less value than gold. It is mentioned as second in the terrible image.

Copper is another precious metal, but of less value than silver. Brass, as we know, is a combination of metals. The word "brass", appearing in the Authorized Version, is a mistranslation, and should be "copper". Copper was used in connection with the tabernacle and the temple. (Ex. 38:3) Gold, silver and copper are classed as "noble" metals and have their relative value as in the order named. The description of Lucifer when he was in Eden, as given by the prophet, shows that he was covered with gold and precious stones which God gave to him when he was created or when installed in office.

THE ENEMY

Lucifer was undoubtedly the most beautiful in appearance of all creatures in his immediate organization which God had provided for him. He had much; but he coveted more, and by reason thereof he became the great enemy of God. (Jer. 51:13) Being made perfect and beautiful and being given a commission of great authority he was duty-bound to be wholly loyal to God. "Iniquity" means lawlessness or that which is contrary to law, and the record shows that Lucifer became lawless, and from that time he was God's enemy. "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." (Ezek. 28:15) From that day until now he has been interfering with God's organization,

and Jesus is authority for the statement that he is The Enemy. — Matt. 13: 25-30, 41.

When Lucifer rebelled against God and started on his course of lawlessness or wickedness God changed his name, or gave him different names, and one of these names is Satan, which means opposer or adversary. This signifies that he is the enemy of God and that he resists everything that God does. (Zech. 3: 1, 2) It was Satan that tried to turn Job against God. He induced Judas to betray Christ Jesus. (Job 1: 6-12; Luke 22:3) He also got control of the clergy of Jesus' time and dragged them into his great conspiracy to murder the Holy One.

Serpent is another name that Lucifer has had since his rebellion and which signifies that he is the arch deceiver. He has deceived almost all the human race. His deceptions have been so complete that only God's 'elect servant' class amongst men are able to resist him, and these do so only by the grace of God. (Matt. 24:24; Ps. 91:2-11) At the present time Satan has induced almost all people to believe that no such a thing as the Devil is existing but that all talk about the Devil is a myth. By reason of this deception he is able to use them more to his purposes. Even among the children of God fully consecrated to do his will, until recent years many thought that Satan the Devil had been bound and restrained for some time. Not until 1924 was it made clear from the Scriptural evidence that Satan is not bound, and it was after that date that Satan's mighty organization was first recognized by God's faithful people. Today there are many people on earth who have made a consecration to do God's will who do not discern Satan's organization even now. Satan is the great enemy. His or-

ganization is made up of God's enemies, and the scriptures heretofore set forth show beyond any question of doubt that in God's due time the enemy shall be destroyed.

UNDERSTANDING

When the Lord came to his temple in 1918 greater light began to shine into the mind of each one of his devoted ones who have been brought into the temple. (Rev. 11:19) It was about 1925 that the faithful discerned the fact that the kingdom had begun and that Satan had been cast out of heaven and must now confine his operations to the earth. The two great signs or wonders in heaven appeared unto them and were then understood by God's people for the first time.

It therefore seems to be impossible that even the anointed of the Lord could have had a proper conception of the 'terrible image' of Daniel until after the coming of the Lord to his temple. Furthermore, the Scriptures positively state that greater light shines upon God's people at the end of the world and that these things in the Bible were written aforetime for the special benefit, comfort and encouragement of those continuing faithful upon the earth at the end of the world. (1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4) In the light of the foregoing indisputable truths let the examination be made of the text of Daniel's prophecy concerning the terrible image.

THE HEAD

In Daniel 2:31, 32 the statement is made that the image was of excellent brightness, great and terrible, and that the head was of fine gold, the breast and arms of silver, and the belly and thighs of copper

(mistranslated "brass"). The image was great and terrible because it was in opposition to Jehovah and was the picture of complete wickedness. The image pictured Satan's organization, of which the wicked one is the head. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had the dream, and it was appropriate to use him and his dream to make this picture to be recorded in the Bible and which discloses Satan's organization and fully identifies it in God's due time. Gold is the only appropriate metal that could represent the head of that organization at the time it was created.

Almighty God's universal organization bears the name of God's woman, "Zion." Jehovah is the "husband" and father, and Zion is the 'wife' and mother that produces God's seed. The way to Jehovah God is through his organization. Concerning Lucifer it is written: "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds: I will be like the Most High." — Isa. 14:13, 14.

That Satan carried out his covetous desire expressed in this prophecy is true beyond any question of doubt. Having an organization he determined to turn the entire thing against God, or in opposition to God, and to set up a throne in the mount (or organization) of the congregation (or assembly) of God's creation in the sides of the north (in the position occupied by Jehovah), and therefore said, "I will be like the Most High." God had given Lucifer an organization which he, as Satan, now proceeds to use and to make as nearly like Jehovah's organization as possible and yet use it for his own selfish and wicked

purposes in opposing Jehovah. Jehovah God permitted him to take his own wicked course and bides his own good time when, as he states, Lucifer 'shall be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit'. — Isa. 14:15.

Satan called his organization on earth Bab-il, meaning "the gate to god", and doubtless his purpose was to have it understood that through his organization is the way to come to him to worship, even as the way to God is through His organization. Without a question of doubt Satan is the "god of this world". (2 Cor. 4:3, 4) Bab-il, or Babylon, is the name of Satan's woman symbolizing his organization. Jehovah named the wicked organization "Ba-bel", which means confusion. (Gen. 11:9) There is a striking similarity in the two names, but they have different meanings. God has truly named the organization Babel, because it has confused all the peoples and nations of the earth. Particularly has this been done by and through the Devil religion.

The beginning of the earthly part of Satan's organization was under Nimrod, and to the city organized by him was given the name Babylon, which is the name of Satan's woman or his organization. Although the first to be organized, Babylon was the third in order as a world power. Egypt and Assyria preceded Babylon as world powers. Nebuchadnezzar, being the king of Babylon at the time of his dream, pictured Satan, the real head of the organization. (For a more detailed description of Satan's organization, see the book Prophecy, chapter six.)

Addressing Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, Daniel said: "Thou, 0 king, art a king of kings: for

the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory." (Dan. 2:37) This scripture could not specifically apply to Nebuchadnezzar, except in a representative capacity. It is not true that the God of heaven had given Nebuchadnezzar the universal kingdom, because the Babylonish empire was Satan's organization, organized and operated in opposition to God. God made Lucifer the golden head of the organization, given him before his deflection. Lucifer had now turned his organization to wickedness. Lucifer's organization being of divine origin is properly symbolized by gold as the head of that organization. The fact that it was afterwards turned to wickedness would not at all change the original symbol. Nebuchadnezzar was holding the earthly position of king or ruler as the visible representative of Satan, the real head. Therefore the description of the head of the image fits Satan exactly as the "head of gold". The fact that Nebuchadnezzar immediately thereafter set up a golden image, contrary to God's law, and commanded God's chosen people to worship that image, is proof conclusive that Nebuchadnezzar was Satan's representative. (Dan. 3:1; Ex. 20:3, 4) Jehovah had withdrawn his favor from Israel because that people had yielded to the Devil, and now the Devil had become the universal ruler.

Nebuchadnezzar was the visible representative of Satan, and therefore in the representative capacity it was said of him: 'Thou art a king of kings.' The Israelites had been unfaithful to their covenant and had fallen away from God to Satan and now came under his organization. God declared this condition should continue until the coming of him 'whose right it is to rule'. Therefore the rule of Nebuchadnezzar

was not by divine right. (Ezek. 21:27) Nebuchadnezzar was not the representative of Jehovah. The statement by Paul, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God," has been misapplied time and again. It has no reference whatsoever to any part of Satan's organization, and could not have. Paul's statement must apply and does apply exclusively to God's organization. The Gentile powers of this earth were never "ordained of God". Satan has been their god in defiance of Jehovah; and this is fully supported by the words of Jesus and the apostles. — 2 Cor. 4: 3, 4; John 12: 31; 14: 30.

The beasts of the field and the fowls of the air were subject to the perfect man Adam. Since he was driven out from Eden the beasts of the field have been wild and vicious and manifest the spirit of the Devil. Manifestly it is Satan the Devil who turned them against man; and this explains why wild beasts and reptiles seek the destruction of man. Satan's first representative on earth was the man Nimrod, and he made him a "mighty hunter" of wild beasts and advanced him in the eyes of the people as above Jehovah. Satan would induce man to believe that God had made even the animals vicious against them, and thus cause the people to curse and reproach God; and by his putting Nimrod forward as the great defender of the people against the wild beasts, Nimrod was said to be above or superior to or better than Jehovah. (Gen. 10: 9) Because the beasts of the field and the birds of the air were subject to Adam and he was under Lucifer, the description in Daniel 2: 38 and in Ezekiel 31: 6 exactly fits Lucifer as the ruler of the world.

Lucifer was 'a golden cup in the hand of Jehovah' when first put in his office. This "cup" marked out the course Lucifer should take. He took an opposite course, and therefore the golden cup became an abominable thing. In harmony with this it is written: "Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad." (Jer. 51:7) Lucifer's organization as constituted by Jehovah was right, and is therefore pictured by gold (the head). It became wicked; hence his organization, now called Babylon, is employed to make all the nations of the earth drink of the wine of his cup and go mad, which they have done. (See Revelation 18:3 and comments thereon.)

Continuing, Daniel says: "And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass [copper], which shall bear rule over all the earth." (Vs. 39) The word "after" does not have reference to time, but rather to inferiority, or station below Satan in his organization. The "kingdom" has reference to rulership. A prince in a kingdom is a ruler under a superior power. It is certain that Satan would constitute his organization as nearly as possible like that of Jehovah; that is to say, Satan would take and did take the superior or supreme position, and in his organization and under him would be princes or rulers.

Daniel's prophecy tells of the invisible rulers of Satan under the titles of "prince of Persia" and "prince of Grecia". (Dan. 10:13, 20) These princes were so powerful that Michael had to interfere in behalf of the angel that was sent to Daniel with a message. These invisible princes or rulers in Satan's or-

ganization are shown as a part of the terrible image; and as silver and copper are inferior or next in order to gold, therefore the image shows that, instead of these representing world powers, they represent lower orders than Lucifer in the great organization. Until 1914 Satan was seated "in the sides of the north", where he had fixed a throne, with his deputy rulers with him. (Rev. 12:3-7) These latter, named and symbolized by silver, doubtless did not come directly in contact with the nations of the earth, but that duty was assigned and is assigned to the company of wicked angels pictured by copper. Evidently these princes of Grecia and Persia were exercising power superior to angels, and therefore successfully resisting an angel that was on the way to Daniel with a message. Be it now noted that in the thirty-ninth verse, above quoted, it is stated that the third kingdom of brass "shall bear rule over all the earth". This statement is limited to the third order, or copper class, and therefore proves that the immediate rule of the earth has been under the control of the evil angels directed by Satan the head, and in this rule he has been assisted by his invisible princes. Jesus referred to Satan as the "prince [or chief] of this world", and hence chief of devils. (John 14:30; Matt. 9:34; 12:24) In his time men were possessed of demons, or devils, which he cast out. (Matt. 9:32, 33; 12:22) The testimony of Jesus is conclusive that these devils were not Satan himself, but were a host of wicked angels operating about the earth. This conclusion upon Daniel's prophecy, is supported by the words of Jesus and by the further inspired words, to wit: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness

of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Eph. 6:12) Here the apostle shows that Satan's invisible organization is made up of principalities (superior power), powers (officers of power in the organization) and rulers (wicked angels). The three "noble" metals of Daniel therefore describe the three invisible parts of Satan's organization.

As God's organization is sometimes pictured by a man, so here Satan's organization is pictured by a man in the form of this image. The legs support and bear up the man. The legs are beneath the head of the man and carry the man about. The legs of the image therefore represent the inferior and visible parts of Satan's organization under the head, but which support the head and act in obedience to the head. The terrible image described shows that the legs were of iron "and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise". This part of the image pictures the world powers, every one of them, beginning with Egypt to the present day, all of which are of Satan's organization. From the time of Egypt until now these world powers have oppressed and bruised and broken in pieces the people. There is no exception whatsoever to this rule. The history of the nations of earth is written in human blood unrighteously shed, because the ruling factors have oppressed, bruised and broken to pieces the people by employing military power. To apply this picture of the legs to the Roman empire alone would be entirely foreign to the facts. It is by the facts well known to be true that at the proper time the prophecy must be understood.

The feet and toes of the image are shown to be part of iron and part of clay. The feet and toes are essentially a part of the legs and support this image which

is Satan's organization. Clay has the appearance of stone. It is a camouflage. It is a means of practicing hypocrisy. The visible part of Satan's organization has at all times had three component parts, to wit, commercial, political, and religious. The commercial and political have formed and operated the military, which has bruised and broken the people; while the religious element has furnished the hypocritical screen to hide the real, wicked purpose of the ruling powers. It has been the camouflage and the prime instrument of hypocrisy. In every world power and every nation religion has been employed to induce the people to believe that the world powers are exercised by divine right. Coming down to modern times we see that "organized Christianity", so called, is the religious element of the ruling powers of earth. Therein is found the greatest exhibition of hypocrisy that has ever been made. It claims that the nations exist and operate by divine right and that the League (or combination) of Nations represents God and his kingdom on the earth and is an exact expression thereof.

Then the record reads: "And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided." (Vs. 41) This is further supported by the fact that the religious element is a part of the ruling factors, and Revelation shows that before the final end the religious elements, the very embodiment of hypocrisy, will be exposed and will disclose the wicked alliance that has ruled and oppressed the people. — Rev. 17:16, 17.

"And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." (Vs. 43) The chief ob-

jective of the enemy Satan is to turn the people away from Jehovah and keep them under the wicked one's control. He uses the commercial and political elements that operate and control the military to coerce the people, and uses the religious element to hoodwink and deceive them. The three elements mingle themselves with the seed of men, and with high-sounding words claim to be the saviors of men, and insist that the people must support their organization if they would live. There are ten toes to the feet, and these symbolically represent all the nations of Christendom in the conspiracy under their father and head, Satan, to keep the people in subjection and under control.

The pious religious frauds are made prominent in the feet and toes by the miry clay that attempts to cover up the wickedness of their unholy allies. There is no real cleavage between iron and clay, and this shows that there is really nothing that sincerely binds the commercial and political elements to their religious frauds. They are carried like barnacles to support a devilish scheme. "They shall not cleave one to another," because God has decreed it so. Already the peoples of Russia are beginning to break away, and the people of good will throughout all the nations now are seeing that the religious leaders are the greatest hypocrites that have ever walked the earth.

Subsequently Daniel had a dream and a vision in which the visible part of Satan's organization is pictured under the symbol of wild beasts, whereas the terrible image of Nebuchadnezzar shows a picture of the entire satanic organization, both invisible and visible. It should hardly be expected that the Lord would disclose the real meaning of this image until

the time of its destruction should arrive. God did not interrupt the rule and operations of this devilish organization until he set his King upon his throne.

He anointed Lucifer to rule, as the Scriptures show, and there is no evidence in the Bible that God ever took that anointing away from Lucifer prior to 1914, if then. His time for ruling by sufferance of Jehovah has come to an end. He has been cast out of heaven. The decree is written against him, and soon that decree shall be enforced by the complete destruction of his organization, both visible and invisible. The instrument to be used for this great work Jehovah now discloses in this same prophecy.

THE STONE

Jehovah uses "The Stone" to destroy the terrible image, which is Satan's organization. That at once identifies "The Stone" as God's Executive and Priest acting as the head of his organization. The Logos was the beginning of God's creation, and has since been the active agent in the creation of all things that were created. When Lucifer turned his organization to wickedness God expressed his purpose to bring forth a new thing which would be the "seed" or offspring of his "woman", or great universal organization. Satan had a seed, and since then others have become his offspring. (John 8:42-44) It is the "seed" of God's woman, Zion, that will destroy Satan and his "seed" of his woman, Babylon. Therefore it is written: "Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king

what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." (Vs. 45) If Satan understood the prophecy, then the utterance of it was serving notice upon him how God would accomplish the destruction of his wicked organization. No wonder he made every possible effort to destroy Jesus.

What is meant by the statement, "The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands"? "The mountain" (as hereinbefore shown) is God's universal organization. To "cut out" means to bring forth or produce something new. That would mean to bring out from his universal organization that which is pictured by "The Stone", and in doing so no hands are employed. It is all done by the will of God. Jehovah having purposed it, it must be done and the accomplishment of his purpose is absolutely certain. Satan not only reproached Jehovah, but defied him. He insisted that any and all creatures would forsake Jehovah under certain conditions and that therefore Jehovah could not put a man on the earth who would maintain his integrity and remain true and faithful to God. Satan claimed to be able to cause all men to curse God. The Bible account of Job is proof of this. (See the book of Job, and explanation in the book Life.)

God accepted the challenge of Satan and purposed to completely vindicate his word and name before all creation, and he proceeded in his own good way to prepare to do so. He chose the people of Israel and organized them into a nation to foreshadow his purposes and the manner of accomplishment of the same. With a few exceptions the people of that nation fell away to Satan and came under his wicked control.

When God removed his protecting hand and permitted the Israelites to fall under the control of Satan, the Devil there became the god of the entire world. At the same time God announced that in his own due time he would send the One whose right it is to rule and he would rule in righteousness.

Then Jehovah sent his beloved Son Jesus to the earth. Jesus left everything in heaven that he possessed, including all his power and glory. He took upon himself a bondman's form, that is to say, of a man in bondage. As a perfect man he denied himself everything that he could rightfully have had. He was subjected to the most severe test that could possibly be put upon him by Satan the enemy. Jesus had no rulership, surely, at the time that Satan offered to give the kingdoms of the world to him upon condition that he would worship Satan. Jesus refused every offer and resisted every temptation of Satan and maintained his integrity under the most severe of all tests. Because of his faithfulness even unto the most ignominious death God raised him up and made him to be above all, that in all things he should have the preeminence. — Col. 1:18, 19.

God has now expressed his purpose to 'take away from him [Satan] that which he hath and give unto him [Christ] who had had nothing'. Jesus announced this as the rule applying to all to whom is committed responsibility and who fail or refuse to perform the duties imposed upon them. (Matt. 25: 29) Jesus went into death with nothing, not even a place to lay his head. Because of his faithfulness God raised him up out of death and then announced that all the angels of heaven should worship him and that every knee to him shall bow and every tongue shall confess that

he is Jehovah's anointed One and the high officer of the Most High. — Phil. 2:11.

"The Stone," therefore, is God's anointed King. He is the world's rightful Ruler. (Ezek. 21:27) He appears under other symbols, such as 'the man child, who is to rule all nations'. (Rev. 12: 5) The Stone is cut out of "the mountain", God's universal organization, in this, that it is 'the man child, born by Zion'. (Isa. 66: 7) He is the one to whom the prophet refers when he says: "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." (Ps. 2:9) Jehovah God carried out his expressed purpose and has prepared for his beloved Son a city, or organization, of which Christ Jesus is made the Head, and which new organization is the capital city, or chief part, of the universal organization of Jehovah. It is symbolized by the name "the holy Jerusalem".

It is God's new creation. It is the very pinnacle of his creation. God made Lucifer the golden head of an organization, which organization Lucifer turned against Jehovah and made every part thereof to be the enemy of God. Jehovah would now have it known that he has made his beloved Son the Head of the new organization and clothed him with divine authority for ever, and this he symbolizes by the crown of pure gold. This new organization shall destroy the enemies of God and be forever to his glory, therefore it is written: "For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. For thou hast made him most blessed for ever: thou hast made him ex-

ceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the Lord, and, through the mercy of the Most High, he shall not be moved. Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them." — Ps. 21: 3, 5-9.

As a further vindication of his word and name Jehovah God has laid before men of the earth the opportunity of proving their faithfulness and devotion to him, and grants to the faithful overcomers the great honor and reward of being a part of "the holy city". To this end he justified and brought forth sons and then offered them a place in his kingdom. Those who responded to the call and have walked in the way of righteousness he has chosen and anointed. These have maintained their integrity with Jehovah and must continue to be stedfast in every way, and, so doing, will prove their complete loyalty and faithfulness unto God. These have been taken into the covenant for the kingdom. (Luke 22: 28, 29) They are described as "living stones" built up according to the pattern of the perfect One, The Stone, the elect and precious One. If faithful unto death these sons of God will be born as children of God's woman Zion and be made a part of the kingdom or "holy nation". (1 Pet. 2: 3-10; Isa. 66: 8) These shall be made a part of "the holy city", the holy Jerusalem or organization prepared especially for the beloved One, Christ Jesus. Of these stones there will be 144,000; and they have been in course of development and preparation during the past nineteen hundred years, and the number is about complete.

By his prophet Jehovah said: "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place." — Isa. 28:16, 17.

At the time of being laid The Stone must be "a tried stone". For three and a half years Jesus carried on his work in the earth and resisted every effort put forth by Satan to overcome him, and at the conclusion thereof Jesus rode into the typical city Jerusalem and offered himself as King. That was the laying of The Stone in miniature. (Matt. 21:1-11) The clergy in control of the religion of that people rejected Jesus as King and sought his death. They openly took the side of Satan the Devil. To them Christ Jesus was there "a stone of stumbling" and "a rock of offence". He denounced them as the very hotbed of hypocrisy, and said to them: "The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." He quoted to them the prophecy concerning The Stone, that they might have full notice that they were rejecting God's Word.  — Ps. 118:22; Matt. 21:42-44.

In 1914 Jesus, at Jehovah's direction, took his power and began his reign as King. After ousting Satan from heaven Jesus then, in 1918, came to his temple for judgment. He had then been "tried" twice, once when on earth, and the second time in his great fight against Satan, when he ousted him from heaven. (Rev. 12:1-7) In coming to his temple he offered himself as King and rightful Ruler of the earth to all

who claim his name. That was the laying of the chief corner Stone in Zion and in completion. The religionists of the present time, particularly the clergy of Christendom and the counterpart of the Pharisees, rejected Christ Jesus as King. They joined with others of Satan's organization to set up the League of Nations and fully allied themselves openly with Satan's organization. In this the kings of earth are joined in a confederacy and shall fall. (Isa. 8: 9-12) Christ is the great Judge in the temple. Now begins his judgment. Jehovah God through him puts forth a great witness to the truth which is likened unto hail which now uncovers the refuge of lies and hypocrisy that have long been practiced by the chief ones of Satan's earthly organization. Thus is The Stone definitely and completely identified.

Daniel then announces God's decree or judgment upon 'the terrible image'. At the time of the enforcement of the judgment this terrible image must be completely in existence and must be completely destroyed. All the kingdoms of the earth, and particularly "Christendom", are pictured in the feet and toes of the image. The Stone strikes the image, first on the feet, and then breaks and grinds to pieces Satan's entire organization, and a great whirlwind carries it completely away. (It is therefore seen that the prophecy of Daniel and that of Revelation tell of the same thing and with the same result.) Satan's entire organization must be and will be destroyed at Armageddon. Satan's organization, represented by the terrible image, is "broken to pieces" and 'no place is found for it'. (Dan. 2: 35) Thus Babylon, or Satan's organization, of which Nebuchadnezzar was a symbol and the visible ruler at the time of the

dream, is shown to completely fall and never shall be again. Egypt and Assyria, which were world powers under Satan, shall be restored, in this, that the peoples thereof will have an opportunity for life; but Babylon will never be restored.

Some commentators have said that after The Stone breaks the image it then grows into a great mountain that fills the earth. This is not the correct thought. The Stone is complete before the striking is done. After the destruction of Satan's organization the beneficial operations of the kingdom of the Lord will extend to every part of the earth and fill it with life and joy and happiness.

Lucifer was appointed by Jehovah to the high office of overseer of the earth and of all the things therein, including the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air. He was unfaithful to God and turned the earthly creation into God's enemies. Christ now becomes earth's rightful Ruler by the appointment of Jehovah. His rule will bring blessings to all obedient ones, and righteousness shall be established everywhere. Peace will be with man and beast forever because the great Ruler is the Prince of peace. — Isa. 9:6, 7.

The beasts of the field and the fowls of the heavens will be given into the hand of the righteous Ruler, and thus all that Lucifer once had while he was perfect will be transferred to the One who rules by right and who is faithful to God. "In that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground." (Hos. 2:18) "And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell safely in this wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And

I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season: there shall be showers of blessing." (Ezek. 34:25, 26) This further supports the conclusion that the terrible image represents Satan's entire organization, visible and invisible, and that everything that continues to exist shall be put under the control of Christ.

The great climax is at hand. The kings of earth now set themselves against God and against his anointed Stone. Arrogantly and in defiance of God the wicked rulers of the earth go on in their wrongful way. Jehovah now holds them in derision. His judgment against every part of Satan's organization, including the kings and nobles of earth, has been written, and that judgment is death, in which they shall all be bound by the chains and "fetters of iron". All the saints shall have a part in this honor, to the glory of God. (Ps. 149:5-9) The complete triumph of Jehovah over his enemies comes suddenly. The nations at this day are boasting of their ability to bring lasting peace to the earth, while at the same time they prepare more deadly instruments to engage in war. They continuing to cry, Peace, peace, when there is no peace, suddenly destruction shall come upon all. (1 Thess. 5:3) This is in full accord with Nebuchadnezzar's dream.

As the kings thus continue to arrogantly rule and boast this prophecy of Daniel will be fulfilled, to wit: "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." (Vs.44)

Thus in prophetic phrase Daniel describes the kingdom of God under Christ, the holy city. No selfish creature shall have any part therein nor any control over it. It is God's creation and he makes it the capital or chief city of his universal organization. It shall stand forever, and everything therein shall give praise and honor to the great Creator.

God has expressed his purpose, and discloses the meaning thereof in advance to those who love him. There is nothing that can prevent the complete accomplishment thereof. The Lord Jehovah says: "I have purposed it, I will also do it." (Isa. 46:11) Having accomplished his announced purpose, thus he will have vindicated his word. He proves that he is equal and exact in justice, perfect in wisdom, unlimited in power, and entirely unselfish, and that only those in harmony with him shall have life everlasting. All will learn that he is the only true God, the Almighty God, Jehovah, the Most High. The paramount doctrine of his Word is his kingdom, through which his name is vindicated. His name, completely vindicated, stands preeminently above all.

JEHOVAH IS LIGHT!

The End