Out of Armageddon: Towards the end of this section...

The Twelfth Chapter of Revelation

The prefiguring movement carried out by Joshua 4hows that it was by the ark he conquered the nations that rose against him. And when we read and understand the Book of Revelation we see that it contains the description of the temple and ark of the New Cove­nant on the way to conquer the nations, that at this time occupy the promised possession. Joshua had to meet thirtyone kings with their armies, and the Son of man may have to meet as many before He has taken in the whole earth. King David, in his prophecy about the King of Zion, says: "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and -against his anointed. " And in the 149th Psalm David prophesies how the King of Zion will deal with His enemies. As they have done to His servants, He will recompence to them again.

Concerning the means the Lord will use as He is carrying on the work of Joshua, David says in the 99th Psalm:

"The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name: for it is holy. The king's strength also loveth judg­ment and righteousness in Jacob. Exhalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy." V. 1-5.

He sitteth between the cherubims. That reminds us of the ark of God. The cherubims were connected with the ark of the Cove­nant. It was by the ark of the Covenant Joshua divided Jordan so that the people could pass over the river; it was by the ark he conquered Jericho, and by the same means he overcome all his foes.

When our original parents were driven out from the place of rest where God had placed them, the way was guarded by the "cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life" Gen. 3. 24. Now, when the way shall open for the human family to return back to the kingdom of Rest, it must pass that cherubim sword in order to get to the tree of life. The Book of the Revelation reveals how that will be accomplished.

206

Hence we read there about the two witnesses of Jesus (Joshua), .connected with the living temple, they stand united with the ark of the New Covenant as did the cherubims of the prefiguring Cove­nant with the ark of ' God.

They are the lampstand, standing before the God of the whole earth. while He leads the people the way back to the Paradise re­stored. Rev. 22. 1-3 shows that that is the final goal, the happy result of the great struggle. That will be the grand salvation and the everlasting enjoyment for all those that have gained victory over the enemies strewn on the way. It is of this great day David prophesied when he said:

"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will re­joice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, 0 Lord: 0 Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacri­fice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." Ps. 118. 22-27.