A Thorough Reading

Requirement for DLI

Compiled and Prepared by:

Bro. Glean B. Pestano

Subject Reading #18. The World's History in Prophetic Symbols

1. Tract #12

The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

[PICTURE]

WILL GERMANY OR ENGLAND WIN THE WAR?

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Copyright 1941

by V.T. Houteff

All Rights Reserved

In the interest of reaching every truth-seeking mind that desires to escape the path that leads to destruction of both body and soul, as long as this issue lasts, this tract will be distributed free of charge. {TN12: 2.1}

TRACT NO. 12

1946 REPRINT

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CONTENTS

GOD ALONE KNOWS THE FUTURE 5

FORETOLD IN PICTORIAL MODE 6

A LION, A BEAR, A LEOPARD

AND A NON-DESCRIPT BEAST 7

LEOPARD-LIKE BEAST, THE 19

The Fall Of Protestantism

And The Rise Of Despotism 24

TWO-HORN BEAST, THE 25

Type Of "The Image Of The Beast" 28

SCARLET-COLORED BEAST DRIVEN BY

BABYLON THE GREAT, THE 30

Whom Does Babylon Personify? 36

FINAL PHASE OF THE BEASTS, THE 38

"The Sea" Locates

The Territory Of The Five Beasts 39

"The Earth" Locates

The Two-Horn Beast's Domain 39

"The Wilderness" Locates

The Scarlet-Colored Beast's Domain 40

TWELVE-STAR-CROWNED WOMAN AND

HER REMNANT, THE 42

Out Of Babylon's

Dominion Into Their Own Land 46

A New Division Of The Land 48

GENTILES WILL BE DRIVEN OUT OF

THE HOLY LAND, THE 49

Who Is Gog? 50

LORD WILL SPOIL AND JUDGE THE

NATIONS, THE 5

CURRENT EVENTS THAT MAY FULFILL

PROPHECY 53

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DANIEL ELEVEN--THE SUMMARY

"That Which Is Noted In The Scripture" 57

The Identifying Acts

Of The King Of The North 59

A Number Of Regimes 61

The Key 63

North Defeats South--

Takes Egypt And Palestine 65

In The Glory Of The Kingdom 66

Overflown By A Flood--

Loses Egypt And Palestine 67

Again Rising To Power 67

The Historical Record Of

Flattery And Forced Christianity 69

History Explains

His dividing The Land For Gain 72

The Second Regime Of The South; Defeats

The Fourth Regime Of The North 73

Both Spoke Lies 77

Against The Holy Covenant 79

Pollutes The Sanctuary,

Takes Away The Daily 81

Disregards A God

And The Desire Of Women 82

The Fifth Regime Of The North 83

Review 86

Declares War--But Not

Against The King Of The South 88

His Last Act 89

Conclusion 91

TAKE IT TO HEART AND PROFIT 91

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THE WORLD

YESTERDAY, TODAY,

TOMORROW

WILL GERMANY OR ENGLAND WIN?

As we are living in a time in which we can expect anything, but be sure of nothing, therefore all including alike statesmen, diplomats, and militarists, will doubtless be surprised at just what will emerge from the present European conflict. {TN12: 5.1}

At this moment (1941) Hitler's dread legions are continuing their inexorable drive upon the world's "Mistress of the Seas," and so far nothing has been able to withstand the fury of their onslaught, with the result that Europe stands in terrified amazement, and the whole world in alarmed wonderment at what is ahead, willing as was Nebuchadnezzar in his day, to give almost anything to know, but

God Alone Knows the Future. {TN12: 5.2}

The wise men of today can no more tell the future than could the wise men of the prophet Daniel's time (Dan. 2). If you think this an extravagant statement then meet the challenge: "Produce your cause saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall

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happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. Shew the things that are to come hereafter that we may know that ye are gods." Isa. 41:21-23. {TN12: 5.3}

The One Who foretold the rise and fall of Babylon and of the nations succeeding it, is the only one who knows what will be the outcome of the present "distress of nations." Luke 21:25. For light, then, on this momentous question now uppermost in every rational mind, we turn to the God of the prophets, Who bids us look to the writings of His ancient seers. There, all the world events that concern His "sons" (Isa. 45:11), are

Foretold in Pictorial Mode. {TN12: 6.1}

The world's history in prophecy is recorded first, in literal terms; second, in parabolical terms; third, in typical terms; and fourth, in pictorial terms. For the sake of brevity, and in the interest of facilitating comprehension, precluding the possibility of side-tracking, this silent messenger presents its message in the pictorial mode. {TN12: 6.2}

The kingdoms that have gone down, the kingdoms that still exist, and the kingdoms that are yet to come, whose legislations involve God's people, have been pictorially chronicled by both Daniel and John the Revelator. {TN12: 6.3}

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Now in order that even the most skeptical and unbelieving mind be persuaded, the subject-matter of this tract is introduced with the symbolisms whose prophetic import has already become history:

A Lion, A Bear, A Leopard, And A Non-descript Beast. {TN12: 7.1}

"Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. {TN12: 7.2}

"And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. {TN12:7.3}

"After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. {TN12: 7.4}

"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." Dan. 7:2-8. {TN12: 7.5}

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PICTURE

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These four great beasts said the angel, "are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." Dan. 7:17. {TN12: 9.1}

Prior to Daniel's vision of these beasts, Nebuchadnezzar, king of ancient Babylon while in a quandary as to the duration of his kingdom, was shown in a dream a great image composed of four metals. Its head was of "gold"; its breast and arms were of "silver"; its thighs, of "brass"; its legs, of "iron"; and its feet, of "iron mixed with miry clay." Interpreting the vision Daniel said to the king: {TN12: 9.2}

"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 an the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron:... And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potter's 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 forever." Dan. 2 :38-44. {TN12: 9.3}

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PICTURE

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Plainly, the four metals of the great image symbolize, as do the four beasts, a succession of four kings in their respective periods. The feet (right and left) of iron and clay obviously represent two divisions of kings (rightists and leftists) in a fifth period -- the time in which the God of Heaven shall "set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed." The toes of the feet, indicate, of course, a multiplicity of kings in both parties, the rightists and the leftists. {TN12: 11.1}

In another symbolism, a ram and a three-phase goat, Daniel saw that the goat in its first phase (that of the "great horn" -- the king of "Grecia"), trampled down the ram ("Media and Persia"), and that after the great horn broke off (Alexander's passing away), four horns came up in its stead (the kingdom divided into four parts), and that finally from one of the four, came a fifth, the "exceeding great horn" (Rome). (See Daniel 8:9, 20, 21-23.) {TN12: 11.2}

Some think the "exceeding great horn" -- the fifth -- symbolizes Antiochus, who ruled one of the four divisions, but this cannot be, because the exceeding great horn's coming out of one of the four, symbolizes a fifth kingdom not one of the four expanded. Moreover, the term, "exceeding great," in contrast to the term, "great," denotes a greater kingdom than Alexander's. And as Antiochus' kingdom in its greatness

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PICTURE

was not half so great as Alexander's, the theory is discredited. {TN12: 11.3}

The Roman Empire is the one that was much greater than Alexander's, and therefore

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it alone answers to the symbolism. In going south, then east, then on toward the pleasant land, the west (Palestine), it necessarily went toward the four corners of the compass, which is just what Rome did. {TN12: 12.1}

Daniel 8:9 says that the "exceeding great horn" came out of one of the four horns of the goat, but does not tell out of which one. Daniel 11:5, however, explains that "one of the princes" of the kingdom of the south was to have a great dominion. This prince, therefore, is symbolized by the exceeding great horn, and shows that it came from the horn which symbolized the Ptolemaic Dynasty -- the southern division. Here is shown what history fails to chronicle concerning the origin of Pagan Rome. {TN12: 13.1}

Now we see that though in Daniel 2 and 7 the names of the kings are not made known they are revealed in Daniel 8. And as Daniel 2 and 8 corroborate Daniel 7, it follows that the four metals of the great image, and the four great beasts, are symbolical of the four ancient empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia Grecia, and Pagan Rome, respectively. {TN12: 13.2}

The following four maps show that history corroborates prophecy. {TN12: 13.3}

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PICTURE

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PICTURE

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PICTURE

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PICTURE

The feet and toes of the image (Dan. 2), being a mixture of iron and clay, forecast an empire which cannot cleave together, the clay causing it to break into parts -- into separate kingdoms: some large, some small, "partly strong, and partly broken." {TN12: 17.1}

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Obviously this scripture describes the present family of kings in their intermarried state (mingled "with the seed of men"). Coming as a result of the crumbling of Pagan Rome, they make a fifth and multipartite empire. Thus this prophetic picture clearly foretells that the rulers of today, unable to cleave one to another (Dan. 2:42, 43), are doomed to continual ruptures and hostilities among themselves. {TN12:18.1}

Map 5 shows the modern divisions, prior to World War II, of the ancient world. {TN12: 18.2}

PICTURE

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As widely accepted, the fourth beast's two-phases -- one with ten horns, the other with seven horns along with the "little horn" (Dan. 7:7, 8) -- portray, first, Pagan Rome, and second, Ecclesiastical Rome, and the "little horn" (the horn-head), the power that then ruled, was religious-political. {TN12: 19.1}

These four beasts coincide respectively with the "gold," "silver," "brass," and "iron" of the "great image." {TN12: 19.2}

In this prophetic four-beast symbolism, along with its historical fulfillment, we see the passing political events and the consequent changing political status of the world from the time of ancient Babylon on down to the time of Christianized Rome. The great image, however, brings us down to the present, the time in which we find ourselves ruled by its toe-kings. But as Daniel's series of beasts delineates but a part of the world's history, another series is necessary to complete it. The only other such series is in The Revelation, the first symbol in which is

THE LEOPARD-LIKE BEAST. {TN12: 19.3}

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten

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crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. {TN12: 19.4}

"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? {TN12: 20.1}

"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. {TN12: 20.2}

"If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." Rev. 13:1-10. {TN12: 20.3}

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PICTURE

The composite make-up of this beast -- mouth of a lion, feet of a bear, body of a leopard, and ten horns -- is faithful witness that he is a descendant of Babylon (lion), Medo-Persia (bear), Grecia (leopard), and Pagan Rome (ten horns). Hence this beast is the melting pot of the four ancient world-empires, and must, along with its seven heads and ten crowned horns, characterize the world of today. {TN12: 21.1}

The beast's forty-and-two-month period, falls in the time of Ecclesiastical Rome -- the empire after Pagan Rome; whereas

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its wounded state (Rev. 13:3), symbolizes her during the Protestant period. Moreover, the beast represents three periods -- (1) the period prior to its wounded state; (2) the period during its wound; and (3) the period in which its wound is healed. {TN12: 21.2}

Furthermore, this symbolization shows that Inspiration reckons the Protestant world still a Roman world. This we know from several angles, the first of which is in the fact that the beast's forty-two months' period parallels that of the little horn's "time" (12 months), "times" (24 months), "and dividing of time" (6 months). The work against God and His people in both records is forty-two months long. {TN12: 22.1}

The horns of the non-descript beast's having no crowns, and the horns of the leopard-like beast's having crowns, point out that the latter symbolizes the world after the crownless horns (kings that were to arise -- Dan. 7:24) of the former beast were crowned. {TN12: 22.2}

Now, as we have seen, it is clear that Ecclesiastical Rome (the second phase of the non-descript beast) was a combined church and state power (a horn-head, having "the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things" -- Dan. 7:8), and that the Protestant Reformation caused the separation of the two. So while Ecclesiastical Rome's rise and reign are prefigured by the non-descript beast's horn-head, her downfall is depicted by the leopard-like

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beast's wounded common head -- the horned part (the civil power) having been taken away. The church was stripped of the sovereign power with which the state had clothed her, with the result that the governments are now independent of the church, and the church is in subjection to the governments. {TN12: 22.3}

It being true that the wounded head symbolizes a religious body, and that there is no distinction in appearance between the wounded head and the six uninjured heads, then the fundamental truth is that they all are figures of religious bodies. Moreover, as these symbolical prophecies deal with the Western Civilization, the home of Christendom, the heads definitely characterize the Christian denominations, just as do "the seven churches of Asia" (Rev. 2, 3), the one difference being that the churches of Asia perhaps cover a longer period of time than do the heads. {TN12: 23.1}

Furthermore, whereas the beast's receiving the deadly wound pictures Christianized Rome humiliated unto death (deprived of her civil power), its recovering from the wound pictures her exalted unto life again (having regained her civil power). And as the wound was inflicted by the hand of the Reformation it could never have healed had the hand continued wielding at it the sharp two-edged sword. The healing, therefore, vividly depicts

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The Fall of Protestantism And The Rise of Despotism. {TN12: 23.2}

Though there is but one right interpretation of each Bible doctrine, yet a multitude of conflicting interpretations are in the Christian world today, with the result that it is split into many sects and schisms (heads), with no two believing alike. Therein lies decisive evidence that these churches are divest of the Holy Spirit, and are running ahead in darkness. Because of professing to teach the Truth, but teaching instead the doctrines and commandments of men, they are reproved by having "the name of blasphemy" written over their heads (Rev. 13:1). {TN12: 24.1}

Even now, in the closing hours of the gospel period, the church says: "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing", -- neither truth nor prophets, -- though in fact she is "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:16, 17), and about to be spued out if she fails now to anoint her eyes with this fresh, extra oil. And being unmindful of her wretched condition, she is now ready not only to reject the last message that comes to her with warnings and reproofs just before the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5), but also again to crucify the Saviour should He in person rebuke her, thereby repeating her rebelliousness of old, as symbolized by Moses'

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striking the "rock" twice (Num. 20:11). {TN12: 24.2}

Detail by detail, we are thus far enabled to see that the healing of the wound is indicative not only of the church's failing to carry the Protestant Reformation to completion, but also of the world's governments' soon reverting to the despotic principles of the Dark Ages -- to the rule of action before the wound was inflicted. This repetition of the past is to be brought about by

THE TWO-HORN BEAST. {TN12: 25.1}

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it

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is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." Rev. 13:11-18. {TN12: 25.2}

The power that is represented by this two-horn beast will identify itself with "the false prophet," for together they are "cast alive into a lake of fire." Rev. 19:20. From this it is plain to see that the wonders which the beast does in the sight of men, and by which he deceives them "that dwell on the earth" (Rev. 13:13, 14), are wrought by the false prophet (Rev. 19:20) "in the sight of the beast." Rev. 13:14. Clearly, then, the beast's civil authority, combined with the prophet's supernatural power, points to a union of beast and prophet -- an affiliation of state and of church representatives. {TN12: 26.1}

Having only two horns, not ten, the beast therefore depicts a local, not a universal, government. Nevertheless, he will influence all Christendom to "make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live"; that is, he will engineer a world-wide governmental setup, re-enthroning the principles of the

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church-state rule of Ecclesiastical Rome. Being the restorer of these principles, he, along with the prophet, will become the world's chief dictator, and shape not only the political and the religious policies of the governments, but also the world's commerce. He shall decree "that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Rev. 13:17. {TN12: 26.2}

This beast represents a man who stands at the head of a nation, and whose influence goes far and wide among the kings of the earth. He is further identified by a number -- the mystical number "six hundred threescore and six." Rev. 13:18. {TN12: 27.1}

The prevailing belief that the number "666" is the numerical identification of some other power, is the spawn of the Prince of Darkness, and is calculated to conceal if possible the identification of this two-horn power. Inspiration puts the number on the two-horn beast, and there we must leave it. When the number is finally made up, the servants of God will be able to convince all the "wise" as to just whom the beast symbolizes. We now see, though, that no one who studies the Word of God, need be deceived when this power does appear on the stage of action. Yet notwithstanding God's warning against giving allegiance to the beast, the world fails to give heed, with the result that even after his number is made up, "he causeth all, both

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small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Rev. 13 :16. {TN12: 27.2}

The passage, "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand," denotes that all who, after hearing the truth, continue to pay homage, either religiously or secularly, to the image, "shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Rev. 14:9, 10. {TN12: 28.1}

A full realization of the glorious reward that awaits mankind will even now compel men to shout for joy! And a like realization of the dreadful penalty that awaits all who fail to make God their refuge, will cause them even now to weep and gnash their teeth. That all might realistically see these alternative prospects, and be impelled thereby to repentance, the Lord has been at supreme pains not only to record a graphic description of the evil which, through the instrumentality of the beast Satan has determined upon the whole world, but also aforehand to make of a similar evil, a perfect

Type of "The Image of the Beast." {TN12: 28.2}

The type was struck when -- {TN12: 28.3}

"Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains,

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the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.... {TN12: 28.4}

"Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." Dan. 3:1-6. {TN12: 29.1}

In the outworking of this drastic and unrighteous decree, there are three outstanding aspects: The first warningly reveals the manner in which the beast will compel all the nations and peoples within his dominion to worship him and the image which he shall make; the second sustainingly promises that just as in Nebuchadnezzar's day, Michael delivered and promoted those who refused to worship the golden image (Dan. 3:12-30), so today will He deliver and promote all who refuse to worship the beast and his image; and the third glorifyingly reveals that just as all who then stood faithful, led a multitude of both high and low to acknowledge Him as the Most High God, so today will all who heed the warning not to worship the beast or his image, "shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:1-3. {TN12: 29.2}

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Hand in hand with history, the "more sure word of prophecy," having led us symbol by symbol down through the empires beginning with ancient Babylon, and down to the present state-ruled sectarian world, will certainly lead us through to the end of time. We are therefore confronted with the logical necessity of another beast-symbol, one predicting the religious-political world of tomorrow. Without a symbolism to carry us beyond the world of today, the prophetic Word of God would be incomplete. So, for the sake of logic, continuity, and completeness, this succession of beast-symbolisms must include another beast, one which in particular is to unveil The World of Tomorrow. The only such symbol remaining is

THE SCARLET COLORED BEAST, DRIVEN BY BABYLON THE GREAT. {TN12: 30.1}

"And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

"So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT,

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THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

"And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

"The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was and is not, and yet is.

"And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

"And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which

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PICTURE

reigneth over the kings of the earth." Rev. 17:1-18. {TN12: 30.2}

Now from the manifest similarity between the leopard-like beast and the scarlet-colored beast, one should recognize that the latter is the image of the former, his deadly wound having been healed and his horns uncrowned. The crownless horns of the latter show that he represents the world in a time in which there are no crowned kings, but that instead the world is ruled by an ecclesiastical head -- the woman that drives the beast. {TN12: 32.1}

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Moreover, the statement, "the ten horns...are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast" (Rev. 17:12), positively imports that the crowned kingdoms of today, which emerged from fallen Rome, and which are represented by the crowned horns of the leopard-like beast, will be uncrowned, dethroned. {TN12:33.1}

The crownless horns of the scarlet-colored beast, moreover, "have one mind," and "give their power and strength unto the beast" (Rev. 17:13) while the woman "reigneth over the kings of the earth." Rev. 17:18. {TN12: 33.2}

Her sitting on the heads (Rev. 17:9), denotes that she is to control the churches; and her driving the beast denotes that she is to be the sovereign of the world. This system of worship and reign is not a new thing under the sun, for "in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Rev. 18:24. She is, therefore, rightly called Babylon, the name of the oldest, the first, world empire -- the type. {TN12: 33.3}

This antitypical Babylon, from which God's people at this time are to be called out, is even to monopolize the world's commerce, as is clearly revealed in the prediction that when her reign ends, then shall-- {TN12:33.4}

"...the merchants of the earth...weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: the merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of

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pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat and beasts, and sheep, and horses and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men....

"The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

"For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate." Rev. 18:11-13, 15-19. {TN12: 33.5}

So, shortly after it is set up, this federation of church and state will be plunged headlong into oblivion, even as a great "millstone" that is cast into the sea (Rev. 18:21). And the cry of her mourners shall be: "In one hour so great riches is come to nought." Rev. 17:12; 18:10, 17. This hour which brings the death throes of Babylon, can be none other than that which, according to Jesus' parable (Matt. 20:11-16), is the last parabolic hour (period) of the day (probationary time); that is, from the eleventh-hour call for laborers (the last

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message to the world -- Mal. 4:5), to the twelfth hour (sunset ancient timepiece), the end of the day -- the close of the gospel period (Matt. 24:14), the close of the harvest (Jer. 8:20), the close of probation (Rev. 22:11). {TN12: 34.1}

The "ten horns" of the scarlet-colored beast (the rulers which she dominates for an hour) ultimately "shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." Rev. 17:16. Thus at length they shall unseat her forever, and the system which she symbolizes, the "image of the beast," shall be demolished. At this resounding crash of Babylon, "the kings of the earth...shall bewail her, and lament for her,...standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city!" Rev. 18:9, 10. {TN12: 35.1}

The lamentation of the "kings" shows that they are sympathetic toward her, while the horns hate her. The "kings," therefore, cannot be those who are symbolized by the beast's crownless horns, but rather those who are symbolized by the crowned horns of the leopard-like beast. They are the crowned kings who arose after the fall of pagan Rome, and who are now speedily going into exile. {TN12: 35.2}

The identity of Babylon being a much mooted subject among students of The Revelation, there arises, therefore, the necessity of ascertaining:

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Whom Does Babylon Personify? {TN12: 35.3}

Now that the light has completely dispelled the darkness which has long enveloped this subject, the student of prophecy can plainly see from the symbolism that in the first place Babylon personifies the forthcoming ecclesiastical-political-economic system of the nations, not some institution or organization; second, that the beast she drives is a figure of her dominion; and third, that it is about to pass from prophecy into history -- indeed, is already beginning to loom up out of the haze as did the shores of America to Christopher Columbus and his companions as they approached the great Western Continent. {TN12: 36.1}

The beast's being driven by the woman, Babylon clearly reveals three important truths: first, that the call of God's people to come out of Babylon (Rev. 18:4), is a call for them to come out from among the nations that are symbolized by the beast which she is driving (ruling); second, that the called ones are to come out from her sin-filled dominion because it is to be ruined by the plagues; and third, their coming out necessitates their going into a place where sin does not exist and where there is no danger of the plagues' falling. Thus their coming out of her dominion must be their going into God's kingdom. {TN12: 36.2}

Then the warning against receiving the mark (Rev. 14:9-11), along with the call to come out will be repeated with an exceeding

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loud cry throughout Babylon's dominion. {TN12: 36.3}

Both those who find themselves in her dominion, and those who find themselves out of it, must then immediately decide to receive the seal of God instead of the mark of the beast if they want to escape the wrath of God. To do this, the former class must come out of her, and the latter class must stay out of her. Despite the death penalty for taking such a stand (Rev. 13:15), there must be no hesitancy or indecision on the part of either class. {TN12: 37.1}

Those who are in Babylon must heed the Voice which says: "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. 18:4. And those who are out, must carefully heed the warning: "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." Rev. 14:9, 10. {TN12:37.2}

The light on this subject will spread as fire in stubble until it finally illuminates the whole earth (Rev. 18:1), and all who walk in its blaze will have their names placed in the Lamb's Book of Life. They will find deliverance from the Enemy's last determined effort to plunge the world into

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the bottomless pit of eternal ruin. For them, said the angel, "shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people...and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1. {TN12: 37.3}

The symbolism now leads us to

THE FINAL PHASE OF THE BEASTS. {TN12: 38.1}

PICTURE

The beasts of Daniel 7 and the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13, came up from

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the sea, but the two-horn beast came up from the earth (Rev. 13:11), and the scarlet-colored beast stood in the wilderness (Rev. 17:3). So to find the geographic location of each beast-government, it is necessary first to ascertain the symbolical meaning of the "sea," the "earth," and the "wilderness." {TN12: 38.2}

"The Sea"

Locates the Territory of the Five Beasts.

Since in the realm of nature, the sea is the storehouse (home) of the waters, therefore in the realm of symbols, the "sea" must be the birthplace of the nations -- the Old Country. The five beasts' (the lion, bear, leopard, and the non-descript beast, along with the leopard-like beast) coming from the sea, denotes that they represent kingdoms that have arisen in the Old Country, just as history confirms. {TN12: 39.1}

Inasmuch as the sea locates the territory of these beasts, obviously, then,

"The Earth"

Locates the Two-Horn Beast's Domain. {TN12: 39.2}

As the birthplace of the nations is symbolized by the sea, then the "earth," the opposite of the "sea," locates the domain of the two-horn beast away from the Old Country. But to find exactly which one of the New Country's governments it stands

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for, we must consider the characteristics of the beast itself. {TN12: 39.3}

His two crownless horns show two non-royalist rulers, while their lamb-like appearance forecasts youthful innocency. And his having the power to dictate who should buy and who should not, shows that he represents a nation that leads in controlling the world's wealth and industry. {TN12: 40.1}

The United States of America is the only government in the world that answers to all these specifications. It originated in a new world ("the earth"), not in the territories of the ancient world ("the sea"). It is the only government which is lamb-like -- youthful and Christian, established upon the innocent principles of peace and liberty, having two non-royalist ruling parties (crownless horns), the Republican and the Democratic. {TN12: 40.2}

As the symbolical "sea" and "earth," along with the beasts' characteristics, perfectly locate the abode of each beast, likewise

"The Wilderness"

Locates the Scarlet-Colored Beast's Domain {TN12: 40.3}

By contrast, a wilderness is the opposite of a vineyard. And since a vineyard is figurative of the home of God's people (Isa. 5:7), the wilderness can only represent the

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home of the Gentiles. The beast's being in the wilderness indicates that at the time it comes into existence, there is a vineyard. Obviously, it would be superfluous to designate "the wilderness" if the whole world is wilderness. {TN12: 40.4}

(For full details concerning these symbolical beasts, read The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2.) {TN12: 41.1}

The certainty that both the vineyard and the wilderness are in existence at the same time, shows, first, that Babylon, riding (ruling) the beast, reigns only over the wilderness (Gentile world); and second, that from it are God's people called to go into the vineyard (the kingdom restored), where there are no sins, and where there is no fear of their receiving the plagues. Of this kingdom of safety the prophet Daniel wrote: {TN12: 41.2}

"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." Dan. 2:44. {TN12: 41.3}

The subject of the vineyard, now, necessitates the analysis of

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THE TWELVE-STAR-CROWNED WOMAN AND HER REMNANT. {TN12: 41.4}

PICTURE

It is self-evident that the woman, Babylon, is the counterfeit of the "woman" that brought forth the Son of God (Rev. 12:1), of whom the Scriptures say: {TN12: 42.1}

"And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which

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brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent." Rev. 12:13, 14. {TN12: 42.2}

To begin with, we see from this scripture that the woman left her vineyard (homeland -- Palestine) and went into the Gentile world after her child was born; that is, in her Christian period, when the dragon persecuted her through the instrumentality of the Jews (Acts 8:1; 13:46, 50, 51). Next we see that after she was there for some time, conditions became such as to hinder her longer nourishing herself, and that it therefore became necessary that she be nourished by someone "for a time, and times, and half a time." {TN12: 43.1}

Three and one half years after Christ's resurrection, the church left Palestine (vineyard), and while she was in the Gentile world (wilderness), "the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman [forced the heathen to be baptized into Christianity, and to join the church], that he might cause her to be carried away [heathenized] of the flood." Rev. 12:15. While thus flooded, she had to be nourished (sustained) by the Lord, because many of her followers were heathenized, and nearly all of those who were not, were carried to death by the "flood." So had He not nourished her (kept her in existence) by a miracle, the Church would have perished during those dark ages of

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religion. True, she has been able to nourish herself since the Reformation, but the unconverted (flood) are still in her midst. She has, however, this promise of rescue: {TN12: 43.2}

"And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth." Rev. 12:16. {TN12: 44.1}

Or, literally stated, the unconverted who are now in the midst of the church, are to be slain and buried. The converted are then to be taken into the kingdom. Then will the dragon be "wroth with the woman, and...make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev. 12:17. {TN12: 44.2}

Stirred to fury over her purification, the dragon will make war "with the remnant of her seed." Against her personally, though, he will not war, because her communicants, the 144,000 (the first fruits -- Rev. 7:3-8; 14:4), those who go first into the kingdom, stand with the Lamb, the King, on Mount Sion (Rev. 14:1) His palace grounds. Thus being the rulers of the tribes, they are symbolized by the crowned woman. And being in their own land, they are protected from the dragon who consequently persecutes only the "remnant," those who are left behind, who are still in Babylon but who are finally called out of her (Rev. 18:4). {TN12: 44.3}

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(For full particulars on Revelation 12, read The Shepherd's Rod, Vol. 2, pp. 64-82.) {TN12: 45.1}

The first fruits of the kingdom come as a result of the shaking, the separation in the church, as is demonstrated by the parables of the net and of the field: The good fish are removed from the net (the church), and put into vessels (the kingdom -- Matt. 13:48), and the wheat is taken from among the tares, and put into the barn (the kingdom -- Matt. 13:30). As bad fish, they are cast away; as tares, they are burned. (For a detailed study of the harvest, read Tract No. 3, The Judgment and the Harvest.) {TN12: 45.2}

The second fruits, however, those that are still in Babylon after the purification, are taken from among the bad (Rev. 18:4), rather than the bad from among the good (Matt. 13:49). {TN12: 45.3}

The dragon's warring against them is occasioned by their having the Testimony of Jesus, the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev. 19:10), by becoming commandment-keepers instead of worshipers of the beast and his image. The dragon's aim is to keep them from coming out of Babylon and thus from going into the rapidly growing Kingdom. Then it is, though, that the world shall behold all God's people coming

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Out of Babylon's Dominion Into Their Own Land. {TN12: 45.4}

The truth now being clearly established that the scarlet-colored beast is the symbol of the dominion over which reigns "Babylon the great, the mother of harlots," it follows that her boundaries will extend as far as the boundaries of the nations that bow down to her authority. Therefore, the call, "Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev. 18:4), is a call for them to come out of her dominion, that they share not in her sins, nor receive of her plagues. Those who respond to the Lord's bidding, must, of course, have a sin-free place to go to, where they may "dwell safely," though there be "neither bars nor gates" around it (Ezek. 38:11). To this haven they shall be "brought forth out of the nations, and [there] they shall dwell safely all of them." Ezek. 38:8. So, "all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." Isa. 54:13. {TN12: 46.1}

God's people at that time can no more serve the Lord in "Babylon" and in "Egypt" than they could have in the days of Ezra or of Moses, for when the plagues are poured upon Babylon, as the "fire and brimstone" were poured upon Sodom and Gomorrah, then if they be living among worldlings, they can no more escape the damage of the plagues than Lot could have

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survived the fire, had he stayed in Sodom. So all who want to escape the foretold ruin verily must come out of Babylon, as Lot and his family came out of Sodom. {TN12: 46.2}

"And it shall," therefore, "come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isa. 2:2-4. (Read also Isaiah 11:11, 12, 15, 16.) {TN12: 47.1}

"...Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: neither shall they defile themselves

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any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God. {TN12: 47.2}

"And David My servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob My Servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and My servant David shall be their prince for ever. {TN12: 48.1}

"Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them: it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore." Ezek. 37:21-28. {TN12: 48.2}

In confirmation of the truth that God's people are again to become a kingdom, Ezekiel prophesies of

A New Division of the Land. {TN12: 48.3}

The prophet presents a division of the land entirely different from that of

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Joshua's time (Josh. 17): It is to be in strips from the east to the west. Dan is to have the first portion in the north, and Gad, the last portion in the south. Between the borders of these two are to be the portions of the rest of the tribes. The sanctuary is to be in the midst of the land, and adjacent to it is to be a city. (See Ezekiel 48). {TN12: 48.4}

The fact that such a division of the promised land has never been made, shows that it is yet future. Also the fact that the sanctuary is to be there, whereas it is not to be in the earth made new (Rev. 21:22), positively proves that this unique set-up is pre-millennial. Moreover, the twofold fact that the name of the city is "The Lord is There," and that its location, according to the division of the land, necessarily must be different from that of old Jerusalem, shows that Jerusalem proper is not that city. {TN12: 49.1}

Moreover, the Scriptures plainly point out that

THE GENTILES WILL BE DRIVEN OUT OF THE HOLY LAND. {TN12: 49.2}

"Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns. And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. And the Lord shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the

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horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it." Zech. 1:18-21. {TN12: 49.3}

Here we see, first, that the heathen powers in their scattering of God's ancient people, are represented as four horns, and later, in their casting out the Gentiles, they are represented as four carpenters. Thus it is predicted also pictorially that "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, [only] until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Luke 21:24. {TN12: 50.1}

(Read Ezekiel 36 and 37; Jeremiah 30 and 31.) {TN12: 50.2}

Although our first question should be, "What shall we do to avoid giving allegiance to the enemies of God, so as to be found worthy of a place in His kingdom when this evil time shall come?" yet the majority make their first question,

Who is Gog? {TN12: 50.3}

For one to try on his own resources to explain who Gog is, is for him to try to do the impossible -- a venture which can result only in disappointment. This is seen in the fact that although the Bible plainly states that the place of unwalled villages is in the mountains of Israel, -- Israel's own land (Palestine), where the fathers of the Israelitish nation dwelt, -- yet men have attempted to tell us that it is in America! {TN12: 50.4}

So it is that in their own craftiness

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THE LORD WILL SPOIL AND JUDGE THE NATIONS. {TN12: 50.5}

9"And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves, and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: 10so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord God. {TN12: 51.1}

11"And it shall come to pass in that day that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The Valley of Hamongog. 12And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. 13Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord God. {TN12: 51.2}

25"Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for My holy name; 26after that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against Me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. 27When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; 28then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. 29Neither will I hide My face any more from them: for I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God." Ezek. 39:9-13, 25-29. {TN12: 51.3}

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1"For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for My people and for My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted My land. {TN12: 52.1}

9"Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. 12Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about." Joel 3:1, 2, 9-12. {TN12: 52.2}

32"And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33and He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25:32-34. {TN12: 52.3}

But to them that are at His left hand shall He say: "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Matt. 25:46. {TN12: 52.4}

(For a complete study of the kingdom, read Tract No. 8, Mt. Sion at the Eleventh Hour, and Tract No. 9, Behold I Make All Things New, pp. 40-64 .) {TN12: 52.5}

These are some of the future events that are soon to follow in quick succession in the ushering in of the kingdom. Then follows

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the closing of probation, and the pouring out of the seven last plagues, which shall fall upon those who figuratively stand on His left hand -- those who are outside Palestine. Then while the plagues are falling, the mightiest of all battles will be fought, "the battle of that great day of God Almighty", -- the long expected end of the world, -- the Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16). {TN12: 52.6}

Coming back now to our present world crisis, since, as previously mentioned, the crowned kings of today (Rev. 13) have already dwindled to a handful, and since the churches, in their cry for peace and safety, are endeavoring to clasp hands with one another, we should do wisely now to inquire into

CURRENT EVENTS THAT MAY FULFILL PROPHECY. {TN12: 53.1}

Because the bone of contention among the angry nations of today is the world's markets, and because the churches are threatened by the totalitarian governments, and thus urged to press together in order to preserve Christianity, the fact is thereby evidenced that the time is nigh for the arrival of the predicted world-wide religious-political-commercial empire, the supposed remedy for the world's ills. {TN12: 53.2}

Now is seen that the prophecy of Revelation 17 and 18, the last scene in the drama played by the nations, is about to be enacted. {TN12: 53.3}

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The warring nations are already divided into two distinct ideological camps: On the one side are the democratic governments, while on the other side are the totalitarian. If the latter continue successfully to prosecute their relentless conquest for world-dominion and sovereignty, the only victorious way out for the Christian nations, as they humanly view their plight, will be to surrender their power to the church. For, seeing Catholic set against Catholic, and Protestant against Protestant, in mortal combat, they will in dread fear be inspired to saddle the beast, and to re-establish the church as its driver in order to free themselves from the shackles of totalitarianism, and to safeguard Christianity. They will see victory in this stratagem, if it be denied them in war, for the very evident reason that many of the millions of communicants of these churches, in every army of the totalitarian states allied in the conflict, will honor the dictates of the church, above those of their respective governments. {TN12: 54.1}

Such a combination of circumstances will result in a replication of the international church-and-state rule of the Middle Ages, and will relegate to the scrap heap the world's finest instrument of human liberty -- the divinely inspired Constitution of the United States of America. Since this development will make the world's ills worse, it will signalize that the four angels

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have let loose the winds, and that the 144,000 Israelites are sealed (Rev. 7:3-8). {TN12: 54.2}

And what is more, a system that will, on pain of death for nonconformity, exact a form of worship in violation of the conscience, is anything but Democracy and Christianity. Enforced religion is nothing less than an order of truckling subjects, rather than an order of voluntary disciples. {TN12: 55.1}

The fast falling crowned kings of the nations (symbolized by the crowned horns of the leopard-like beast) in contrast with the ascending crownless rulers of the nations (symbolized by the crownless horns of the scarlet-colored beast), show that the world is passing out of the period of royalist governments, and into the period of non-royalist governments. {TN12: 55.2}

A totalitarian overthrow of the democracies would endanger the continuation of nationalistic Christianity. To withstand this storm, the Christian governments will before long seat upon the beast the predicted world-queen -- Babylon the Great. Then she will say in her heart: "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Rev. 18:7. {TN12: 55.3}

This church and state union will bring "a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation." Dan. 12:1. Nevertheless, "whosoever will save [protect] his life" by sacrificing the truth, "shall lose it," says Christ, "and whosoever will lose [risk] his life for My sake" by standing

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firm for the truth, "shall find it." Matt. 16:25. And the prophet declares that "at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book... Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but thge wise shall understand." Dan. 12:1, 10. {TN12: 55.4}

Without Christ no system can unravel the world's tangle, but can only make the knot worse. Babylon the great, therefore, can endure but a short time -- one symbolical "hour" -- and then she will be swept away by the crownless horns (Rev. 17:16), the resultant time of trouble finally culminating in the close of probation, and in the triumph and coronation of the "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Rev. 19:16), Whose right it is to reign. {TN12: 56.1}

So it shall be that "in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:" but "it shall stand for ever." Dan. 2:44. "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Matt. 24:34. Then, and not until then, may the world expect peace. {TN12: 56.2}

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Thus "the more sure word of prophecy," which never fails to tell the truth, declares that neither England nor Germany, but rather Babylon the Great (the image of the beast) will finally, for a short season, profit by the war. Permanently, though, none but God's people will be benefited. They shall be made free by becoming a "kingdom, which shall never be destroyed" or "left to other people." Dan. 2:44. {TN12: 57.1}

How necessary, then, that we retain the light thus far shed in our minds by the never-failing Word of Prophecy, and its historical fulfillment, so that we not only may depart from the path that leads to destruction, but also may walk in the path of eternal security. To this end, let us consider a chapter of the Bible which has ever baffled students of prophecy, but which now, in the light of Present Truth, has become one of the most simple and comprehensible of Bible prophecies: {TN12: 57.2}

DANIEL ELEVEN--THE SUMMARY,

"That Which is Noted in the Scripture."

"And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled:

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for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those." Dan. 11:2-4. {TN12: 57.3}

PICTURE

Clear it is, from these verses, that the Medo-Persian Empire was to be subdued by the "mighty king" of Grecia (Alexander

Tract 12 58

the Great), and subsequently be divided into four parts (to the south, to the north, to the east and to the west), "plucked up, even for others." Thus it was that after Alexander's death, the empire was split up, "and one part assigned to each of the four generals who formed the league. First, Ptolemy assumed the regal power in Egypt; second, Seleucus, in Syria and Upper Asia; third, Lysimachus, in Thrace and Asia Minor as far as Taurus; and fourth, Cassander took as his share Macedonia." -- Universal History, p. 100. {TN12: 58.1}

It is well to remember that aside from stating the geographic locations of the four Grecian divisions, the prophetic record of the entire chain of events is devoted to the king of the south and to the king of the north. The acts of the king of the north, however, are especially emphasized showing that the whole prophetic account is given particularly to expose his meddling with holy things. Hence follows an enumeration of some of

The Identifying Acts of the King of the North. {TN12: 59.1}

(1) He defeats the king of the south, and takes his kingdom (Dan. 11:15, 16), after which he stands in the "glorious land" (Dan. 11:16) -- Palestine. {TN12: 59.2}

(2) In the glory of the kingdom, a raiser of taxes stands up (Dan. 11:20). {TN12:59.3}

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(3) His kingdom is "overflown" with arms of a flood from before him (Dan. 11:22), and he loses Egypt and Palestine. {TN12: 60.1}

(4) Afterwards he works deceitfully, and becomes strong with a small people (Dan. 11:23). {TN12: 60.2}

(5) He flatters wicked ones for their wickedness (Dan. 11:32). {TN12: 60.3}

(6) He divides the land for gain (Dan. 11:39). {TN12: 60.4}

(7) He becomes strong the second time, yet is defeated by the king of the south (Dan. 11:25, 29, 30). {TN12: 60.5}

(8) Both kings speak lies at one table (Dan. 11:27). {TN12: 60.6}

(9) Having become strong the second time, and having engaged in an unsuccessful war with the king of the south, he sets his heart against the holy covenant (Dan. 11:28). {TN12: 60.7}

(10) He pollutes the sanctuary of strength, and takes away the daily (Dan. 11:31). {TN12: 60.8}

(11) He forsakes the god of his fathers (Dan. 11:37), acknowledges a strange god (Dan. 11:39), and disregards the desire of women (Dan. 11:37). {TN12: 60.9}

(12) In the time of the end, he again defeats the king of the south, enters into the countries, overflows and passes over (Dan. 11:40); then once more stands in the glorious land. Following this, Edom and Moab and the chief children of Ammon, escape out of his hand (Dan. 11:41); and the

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Libyans, also the Ethiopians, follow at his steps (Dan. 11:43). {TN12: 60.10}

(13) Tidings out of the east and out of the north trouble him. Therefore, he goes forth with great fury, destroys, and utterly makes away many (Dan. 11:44). {TN12: 61.1}

(14) He also plants the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain, yet comes to his end, and no one helps him. {TN12: 61.2}

Beginning with the ancient Medo-Persian Empire (Dan. 11:2, 3), the chain of events of this prophecy reaches on to the time that the "king of the north" plants "the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain" (Dan. 11:45), and culminates, as the angel explained, with the events of Daniel 12: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1. {TN12:61.3}

Covering such a long period of time, many centuries, the dominion of the kings whose history is chronicled in this prophecy, obviously has passed under

A Number of Regimes. {TN12: 61.4}

Seeing that no human being has lived on and on throughout these centuries, it is

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PICTURE

obvious that the titles, "king of the south" and "king of the north," are applicable to two lines of rulers. Seeing also that no government or kingdom has stood intact throughout the ages, it likewise is obvious that these two lines have undergone many

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supersessions of sovereigns -- many regimes. For this reason, the Bible differentiates them by their lineal-geographic titles. {TN12: 61.5}

It is now clear from the Scriptures that the Grecian division south of the Mediterranean, the Ptolemaic, first receives the title, "king of the south," whereas the division north of the Mediterranean, the Lysimachian, first receives the title "king of the north." In relation to the territories of these two lines of rulers, the Mediterranean, therefore, becomes the point of compass from which they must be reckoned. {TN12: 63.1}

In 281 B.C., Lysimachus added to his dominion Cassander's; then in 279 B.C., Seleucus defeated Lysimachus and seized his kingdom, whereupon the eastern, the northern, and the western divisions became one, while Ptolemy held his own, the southern division. The Seleucidan dynasty, therefore, ushered in the second northern regime, whereas the Ptolemaic dynasty continued to be the first southern regime. {TN12: 63.2}

To this point, the prophetic vision has been open to all, but from here on, it has remained closed though many have tried to open it. To open, without a key, a locked door, is, of course, to break the door. But, being unbreakable, the locked door of Prophecy is impossible to open without

The Key. {TN12: 63.3}

The simple and positive way not to lose sight of the identity of these two kings, is

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to let the pen of Prophecy trace on the map of history, the successive rulers of Egypt and Palestine. For the titles of the kings who conquered and who lost these ancient countries, are chronicled in this prophetic chapter to preserve the identity and to expose the evil intents of both the king of the south and the king of the north. {TN12: 63.4}

Remember now, to begin with, the king of the south rules the "glorious land," Palestine, along with Egypt, and the king of the north takes the glorious land twice (Dan. 11:16, 41). If he takes it twice, then he must have lost it once. Consequently, both kings ruled it twice, and lost it twice. But the king of the north, the last to rule it rules it "in the time of the end," the time many run to and fro, and the time knowledge has increased (Dan. 12:4) -- our time. Mark this carefully, for these transactions of the land provide the key to the identity of these kings from the time of Alexander's death to our time. {TN12: 64.1}

The angel emphatically declared that the kings to rule Palestine, together with Egypt, were to be as follows: First, the king of the south (Ptolemy); second, the king of the north (Pagan Rome); third, the king of the south (Turkey); and fourth the king of the north (England). Here, in the following twenty-five pages, are the details of prophecy correlated with history. {TN12: 64.2}

In the light of these foregone fundamental facts, we should now be able to rightly

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evaluate the unfolding of the scroll, and to intelligently match the page of prophecy with the page of history as we pass from the time of the first northern regime, that of the Lysimachian, on beyond the time of the second northern regime, that of the victorious Seleucidae, who subjugated the Lysimachian dynasty, and on to the time of the third northern regime, that of Rome, the power which overthrew the Seleucidan kingdom. And as the prophetic account was given to expose the work of the king of the north during the third regime, we are therefore led to examine the aforenumbered group of prophetic acts, as pointed out on pages 59-61. {TN12: 64.3}

(1)

North Defeats South -- Takes Egypt and Palestine.

"So the king of the north shall come, and cast up a mount, and take the most fenced cities: and the arms of the south shall not withstand, neither his chosen people, neither shall there be any strength to withstand. But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land [Palestine], which by his hand shall be consumed." Dan. 11:15, 16. {TN12: 65.1}

This scripture definitely brings us to the time of the third regime in the kingdom of the north, that of Pagan Rome, which completely overthrew the first regime of the kingdom of the south, that of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Egypt and Palestine then passed

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from the hands of the king of the south (Ptolemy) into the hands of the king of the north (Rome): "In the year 63 B.C. the Roman general Pompey... marched against Jerusalem....Syria...had become a Roman thing." -- The Battleground, by Helaire Belloc. And in 31 B.C. "Egypt became a Roman Province." -- New Student's Reference Book. {TN12: 65.2}

Since the power which overthrew the Ptolemaic dynasty and took Egypt and Palestine, is by the angel identified as the king of the north, and since Pagan Rome was that power, it follows that the title, "king of the north," after passing from Lysimachus (whose rule was the first northern regime), to Seleucus (whose rule was the second northern regime), fell to the Roman emperors (whose rule was the third northern regime). See Map 4, p. 17. {TN12: 66.1}

With this supersession of regimes, we are brought down to about 31 B.C., at which time Rome ruled not only the dominions of Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy, but also the dominion of Cassander -- Alexander's entire empire. {TN12: 66.2}

(2)

In the Glory of the Kingdom

"Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom." Dan. 11:20. {TN12: 66.3}

Augustus Caesar, the Roman emperor, is the one who taxed the world: {TN12: 66.4}

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"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David)." Luke 2:1-4. {TN12: 67.1}

As this raiser of taxes was to stand when the kingdom was in its glory, the statement implies that its glory was to wane. {TN12: 67.2}

(3)

Overflown by a Flood -- Loses Egypt and Palestine

"And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea also the Prince of the covenant." Dan. 11:22. {TN12: 67.3}

Here is shown the break-up of the Roman Empire at the hands of the barbarian hordes which swept down and, as a flood, overflowed it. See map 8. {TN12: 67.4}

(4)

Again Rising to Power

"And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people." Dan. 11:23. {TN12: 67.5}

From this prophetic statement, we see that Rome was to rise from its ruin and

Tract 12 67

PICTURE

humiliation, and again become strong, but this time by deceit, and with a "small people." In this chain of prophecy, then, Rome is shown in two different phases, Pagan and Ecclesiastical, just as it is

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shown by the fourth symbolical beast of Daniel 7. Thus it was that after Pagan Rome saw itself overrun and humbled to the ground, down and out, so to speak, it conceived a deceit by which to bring itself to power again. The scheme resulted in an ecclesiastical code of laws, the enforcement of which it carried out with a "small people" -- the so-called Christians. {TN12:67.6}

It did not call for dethroning the kings, but rather for Christianizing them. Thus peaceably the king of the north succeeded in putting over his scheme to reign as spiritual king of kings in the name of the Christian's God. First it reigned over nations, second over kings of nations. {TN12: 69.1}

These historical and Biblical facts show that the Christianized nations, under one spiritual head, constitute Rome's second phase, and Inspiration gave him the title "king of the north." At his throne, kings and peasants alike, within the far-flung boundaries of Christianized Rome, bowed down in absolute submission and worship. So through subtlety, he again became strong, as the following paragraphs of history confirm. {TN12: 69.2}

(5)

The Historical Record of Flattery and Forced Christianity.

"The bishops, or overseers of the Christian churches, at first demeaned themselves

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in the meek spirit of the founder of their religion. But at length they sought temporal power, and worldly advantage. The bishops of the great cities assumed authority over those of the surrounding country; and Rome Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem became the seats of ecclesiastical power; and their bishops might be said to constitute an oligarchy in the church.... Rome became, through the dark ages, a king of kings; nay more -- he assumed to be in the place of God." -- Universal History, pp. 198, 199. {TN12: 69.3}

"At the coronation of Charlemagne, Pope Leo III., after placing the crown upon his head, saluted him with the title of emperor of the Romans. He had quelled the barbarous nations of Europe, with the exception of the Danes, or Normans, and his kingdom comprised France, Germany, Italy, and the north of Spain. From the east Irene, the empress of Constantinople, sought his friendship, and even the caliph of Bagdad, the princely Haroun al Raschid, entered into a correspondence with him, and sent him the keys of the holy sepulchre of Jerusalem. Charlemagne, though a barbarian who at first could not write his name, but 'signed his treaties with the hilt of his sword, and enforced them with its point,' had yet great sympathy with learned men...." -- Universal History, p. 203. {TN12: 70.1}

"...WITIKIND, the most valiant and renowned of their chiefs, at length embraced

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Christianity, and resigned his arms. Charlemagne then obliged the Saxon people, under penalty of death, to receive baptism. He invaded and conquered the Huns and Sclavonians." -- Universal History, p. 202. {TN12: 70.2}

"...Charles, unable to repel the invaders, ceded to them the province of Nuestria, thereafter called Normandy, and gave to Rollo, his daughter in marriage. The Norman chief was however, to do homage to Charles, kneeling and kissing the royal toe...." -- Id., p. 202. {TN12: 71.1}

"Alfred [king of England] granted the Danes permission to settle in Northumberland and East Anglia, on condition of their being governed by his laws, and embracing Christianity. They were accordingly baptized; and the king himself stood godfather for GUTHRUM their chief...." -- Universal History, p. 209. {TN12: 71.2}

"He found a pretext for invading the kingdom of Lombardy, in the hostilities of DESIDERIUS against the pope. Charlemagne crossed the great St. Bernard from Geneva, and successively took Pavia and Verona. Lombardy was soon reduced to submission, and the king made captive. Charlemagne next visited Rome, where he was received by pope Adrian 1., with every demonstration of joy, and hailed as the deliverer of the church. He caused himself to be crowned king of Lombardy." -- Universal History, p. 201. {TN12: 71.3}

In this subtle manner came the king of the north, and obtained "the kingdom by

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flatteries" (Dan. 11:21) and by honoring "the god of forces," as prophesied in Dan. 11:24, 38, 39. {TN12: 71.4}

(6)

History Explains His Dividing the Land for Gain

"The FEUDAL SYSTEM is a term used to express the manner in which the chiefs, who conquered by the aid of their armies, and settled in the conquered countries, divided the lands among their followers; and the liabilities and privileges growing out of this division. When the chief, or king, saw the whole undivided territory on the one hand, and the body of his followers wishing to settle it on the other, the question naturally arose, how should he divide it? The unsettled state of the world was to be considered. If he divided it among his people, without preserving a warlike attitude, they would become the prey of some of the armed hordes, still moving in search of settlements. The leader, therefore, after retaining what he chose, gave out the lands in large portions to his principal captains, -- on condition of their doing homage to him, paying a certain sum of money, and appearing in the field with a certain number of retainers, whenever he called for their aid. These chief officers, after keeping what they desired for their own use, divided the remainder of the land assigned them, to their own favorites;

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who were to furnish money and soldiers to them, as they were to the king. The conquered inhabitants who remained became slaves, and were transferable with the lands. These kings rose by their own prowess; but on settling with their nation, the monarchy was generally first elective in their families, then hereditary." -- Universal History, p. 200. {TN12: 72.1}

(7)

The Second Regime of the South; Defeats the Fourth Regime of the North

"And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall forecast devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain. Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits and return to his own land. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. {TN12: 73.1}

"For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant." Dan. 11:25, 26, 28-30. {TN12: 73.2}

We have already seen from prophecy, also from history, that the first regime of the south (the Ptolemaic) was overthrown by the third regime of the north (that of

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Pagan Rome). And as Pagan Rome never waged war against any other power of the south, two points stand out clearly: First, following the Ptolemaic regime, another king of the south must have risen; and second, the war against this king of the south was waged by the regime subsequent to Pagan Rome, that of Christianized Rome, the fourth regime of the north. It stirred up "his power and his courage against the king of the south." {TN12: 73.2}

The only regime that has risen from the south since the Ptolemaic dynasty went down, and that has ruled Egypt and Palestine, is that of the Moors: "a Mohammedan, Arabic-speaking race of mixed descent, forming part of the population of Barbary, and deriving their name from the Mauri, the ancient inhabitants of Mauretamia, whose pure lineal descendants are, however, the Amazirgh, a branch of the Berbers. The modern Moors have sprung from a union of the ancient inhabitants of this region with their Arab conquerors, who appeared in the 7th century. As the Mohammedan conquerors of the Visigoths in Spain (711-713) came from North Africa, the name Moor was also applied to them by Spanish chroniclers, and in that connection is synonymous with Arab and Saracen. These Moors pushed northward into France, until their repulse by Charles Martel at the great battle of Tours in 732, after which they practically restricted

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themselves to Spain south of the Ebro and the Sierra Guadarrama.... The expelled Moors, settling in the north of Africa, founded cities from which to harass the Spanish coasts, and finally developed into the piratical states of Barbary, whose depredations were a source of irritation to the civilized Christian powers even till well into the present century." -- Twentieth Century Cyclopaedia, Vol. VI, p. 24. {TN12: 74.1}

The conflicts between the south and the north following the Greeko-Roman wars, were between the Mohammedans and the Christians. At that time, therefore, while the title, "king of the north," applies to the rulers of Christianized Rome, the title, "king of the south," applies to the Mohammedan rulers. {TN12: 75.1}

(Inasmuch as the Saracens, Moors, Arabs, and Turks -- the Moslems -- are the successors of Mohammed's empire in different regimes, we herein, for the sake of brevity, use the name "Mohammedans" for all, as if they were one regime.) {TN12:75.2}

These prophetically and historically chronicled events make it impossible to misapply the titles, or to misconstrue the powers. {TN12: 75.3}

Moreover, the verses (Dan. 11:25, 26, 28-30) upon which we are now concentrating, credit victory to the king of the south, and history shows that, at the exact time the scripture points out, the Mohammedans arose from Africa, and also invaded the

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Christian nations north of the Mediterranean. Then it was that Rome lost Egypt and Palestine. {TN12: 75.4}

In these verses, the personal pronouns of the two antagonists the "king of the south" and the "king of the north," are not traceable by grammatical law, but only by the logic of events: {TN12: 76.1}

"And he [the king of the north] shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he [the king of the north] shall not stand: for they shall forecast devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat [the meat of the king of the north], shall destroy him [the king of the north], and his [king of the south's] army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain.... Then [being defeated] shall he [the king of the north] return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he [the king of the north] shall do exploits, and return to his own land. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter." Dan. 11:25, 26, 28, 29. {TN12: 76.2}

Though the "he" of Dan. 11:28 returns to "his land with great riches," he did not take them as booty from the king of the south, whose army overflowed him and caused many to "fall down slain," not to stand (Dan. 11:26), but he must have received them from the converts to his religion. Those who ate the portion of his meat (Dan. 11:26), his servants, and who later destroy him, were, at the outset, the Protestants. {TN12: 76.3}

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As the "he" of Dan. 11:29 returns at the appointed time and comes toward the south, "he" is therefore the king of the north gone down for another battle. These are the particulars which history confirms, and thus it is seen that the bracketed identification of the pronouns is correct. {TN12: 77.1}

The western incursion of the Mohammedans began "in 639 A.D.," when they "invaded the country, and Egypt became a Mohammedan province." -- The New Student's Reference Book. {TN12: 77.2}

Thus, following the Ptolemies, the Mohammedans, whose rule was the second southern regime, came into the title, "king of the south." {TN12: 77.3}

By 814 A.D., Rome (the king of the north) had already ceded Egypt and Palestine to the Mohammedans (to the king of the south). {TN12: 77.4}

Conscience-dominating Christianity from the north, and conscience-dominating Mohammedanism from the south, have ever since been in territorial and religious conflict. And whichever one took a slice of the other's dominion, he forced, upon penalty of death for nonconformity, his religious beliefs upon his captives. {TN12: 77.5}

(8)

Both Spoke Lies

"And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table;

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but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed." Dan. 11:27. {TN12: 77.6}

The one table at which both kings speak, is, of course, figurative; that is, Ecclesiastical Rome declared to their captives that the Roman religion was foreshadowed by the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she was to bear a son the Saviour of the world; likewise Mohammedanism next declared to the same people (at the same table), when they became their captives, that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mohammed and gave him the religion which all the people of the earth must have. {TN12: 78.1}

Though Rome's declaration as to just what Gabriel said to Mary, is founded in fact, Rome's actual religion, merely coated with Christianity, was not the religion of the One Whose birth Gabriel forespoke. As to Mohammed's receiving his religion from Gabriel, he never did. Thus, both the Mohammedanized pashas and the Christianized lords, were speaking lies at one table -- the people's. But these "shall not prosper," declared the angel, "for yet the end shall be at the time appointed"; that is, their false religions will come to an end at an appointed time: they will not endure forever. {TN12: 78.2}

Map 9 shows the final results -- the nations that were permanently Christianized, and the nations that were permanently Mohammedanized. {TN12: 78.3}

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PICTURE

(9)

Against the Holy Covenant

Seeing the necessity of compromising with the heathen in order to make an easy prey of them, the king of the north therefore set his heart against the "holy covenant"

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(Dan. 11:28, 30, 32) that is, he dropped from the Christian's creed the Sabbath of creation (Ex. 20:8-11), which the Lord "blessed and hallowed" as a memorial of His works, "a perpetual covenant." Ex. 31:16, 17. {TN12: 79.1}

The king of the north's having intelligence only with those who did "forsake the holy covenant," clears two points: first that all did not forsake the Sabbath; second that the small people with whom he became strong, were not the faithful followers of Christ, but the unfaithful ones. {TN12: 80.1}

"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." Dan. 11:32. {TN12: 80.1}

This verse reveals the character of each class: first, of the unfaithful; and second, of the faithful. As to the destiny of the faithful, we read: {TN12: 80.3}

" And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

"Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries." Dan. 11:33, 34. {TN12: 80.4}

These verses, besides foreshadowing the martyrdom of the faithful followers of Christ, predict the Reformation, the "little help," and foretell that its present fallen state is caused by "flatteries." {TN12: 80.5}

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(10)

Pollutes the Sanctuary, Takes Away the Daily

"And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall Dan. 11:31. {TN12: 81.1}

That these three links of Truth (the polluting of the sanctuary, the taking away of the daily, and the placing of the abomination) in the prophetic chain of events, bring us several centuries into the Christian era, is conclusively confirmed by Christ's referring to them as in the future from the time He uttered the command: {TN12: 81.2}

"When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains." Matt. 24:15, 16. {TN12: 81.3}

A heathen sanctuary is already unclean, and therefore cannot be polluted. Clearly, then, the sanctuary of strength (not the heathen) was polluted by bringing into it a pagan priesthood and unconverted

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heathen. The "sanctuary" is the Christian church, for during the period in which the pollution took place there was no sanctuary in Jerusalem. (Concerning the "daily," read Tract No. 3, The Judgment and the Harvest pp. 38, 39.) {TN12: 81.4}

(11)

Disregards a God and the Desire of Women

"Neither shall he regard the god of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain." Dan. 11:37, 39. {TN12: 82.1}

No nation but Christianized Rome fulfills this prophecy, for she is the only one that disregarded the god of her fathers (the Pagan god), and acknowledged a strange god (the God of the Christians). {TN12: 82.2}

And although she professed to have wholeheartedly accepted the Christian's God, this scripture exposes the falsity of her profession. {TN12: 82.3}

"Neither shall he regard...the desire of women." Dan. 11:37. {TN12: 82.4}

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Woman's desire is a home (Gen. 3:16) -- a desire which the Lord placed in her heart. The Roman institution of nunneries, therefore, is not in God's order. {TN12: 82.5}

(12)

The Fifth Regime of the North Defeats the Second Regime of the South

"And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at...the king of the north." Dan. 11:40. {TN12: 83.1}

The angel that dictated Daniel's writings, explains that in the time of the end these prophecies were to be revealed, and that at that time "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12:4. {TN12: 83.2}

Modern inventions, especially in the realm of travel and of communication, are recognized as the fulfillment of the predicted increase of knowledge. The present increase of knowledge, therefore, shows that we are now living in the time of the end. At the beginning of it, declared Inspiration, (in the eighteenth century) the king of the south "shall push" at the king of the north -- the time in which the king of the north shall -- {TN12: 83.3}

"...come against him [against the king of the south] like a whirlwind, with chariots,

Tract 12 83

and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps." Dan. 11:40-43. {TN12: 83.4}

Passing beyond the prophetic declaration of the Mohammedan victories, and coming to "the time of the end," in the eighteenth century, we find that the Christianized king of the north in his fifth regime (the Christian governments independent of the church) is at the outset to overrun the king of the south (the Mohammedan Empire), and is finally to retake from him Egypt and Palestine and many other countries besides those which comprised the Mohammedan Empire. {TN12: 84.1}

Map 10 emphasizes the Turkish Empire in its greatness, and also gives the dates the various provinces fell. According to the map, the decline of the Empire commenced in 1699 (at the time of the end -- Dan. 12:4). {TN12: 84.2}

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PICTURE

"Until 1915, when England declared Turkish suzerainty at an end and established a protectorate, Egypt was nominally a Turkish dependency. But since 1883,

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following Arabi Pasha's rebellion, Egypt had been practically ruled by Great Britain under a consul-general." -- The New Student's Reference Book. {TN12: 85.1}

"Palestine [the glorious land], for long years the home of the Hebrew race, was under control of Rome in the time of Christ. In the seventh century it passed under the Moslem power, and from 1516 to 1919 was in the hands of the Turks and a part of the Turkish Empire." -- The World Book. {TN12: 86.1}

Edom, Moab, and the chief children of Ammon (those of the Trans-Jordan) then came under the mandate of Great Britain. (See Map 5, page 18.) The Word, however, says they "shall escape out of his hand," showing that though he now has them, he is to lose them. {TN12: 86.2}

And "the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps"; perhaps they shall follow him -- be for him. {TN12: 86.3}

In order to fix the truth in our minds before passing from prophecy fulfilled to prophecy unfulfilled, it is expedient to attend to the following

Review: {TN12: 86.4}

After the dividing of Alexander's dominion, Egypt and Palestine were, as previously seen, ruled first, by the Ptolemies; second, by Pagan Rome (Dan. 11:15, 16); third, by the Dan. 11:22);

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and fourth, again by the Christians -- specifically by Great Britain (Dan. 11:41). {TN12: 86.5}

These are the only historically and prophetically recorded supersessions involving the ancient lands of Egypt and Palestine. The surrendering of these countries, by one prophetic king to the other, unmistakably identifies "the king of the north" and "the king of the south" from the time of the dividing of Alexander's empire to the present time, and leaves no room for doubt or for argument . {TN12: 87.1}

Rome's (the king of the north's) entering a second time into "the glorious land" (Dan. 11:41), shows that though, as aforementioned it once took the land from the Ptolemies (Dan. 11:16) it later, in 633 A.D., lost it to the Turks, and in 1919 -- "in the time of the end" wholly regained it. {TN12: 87.2}

Here is simple proof that in modern times the Mohammedan rulers are in prophecy called the "king of the south," while England's kings, along with the disrupted family of Christianized kings whom prophecy says will not cleave one to another (Dan. 2:43), are called "king of the north." {TN12: 87.3}

In her Pagan period, Rome is symbolized by the great image's two legs of iron, and in her Christianized period, by its feet and toes of iron mixed with clay. {TN12: 87.4}

That the "king of the north" (Dan. 11:7) and the little-horn-power (having the eyes of man and a mouth speaking great

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things -- Dan. 7:25) are one and the same power, is again shown by the fact that "time, times, and an half," is the time given in both instances. See Daniel 12:7. (The twelfth chapter is a continuation of the eleventh.) {TN12: 87.5}

It is now clearly seen that the passing of Egypt and Palestine from the hands of one people to another, is the key which has unlocked the mystery of Daniel 11. And the truth, shining out with such resplendence, makes exceedingly clear that the popular doctrines that Turkey is "the king of the north," and that England is the emerged kingdom of Israel, are calculated by the spirit of error so as to cause God's people utterly to lose sight of the truth, and to take their stand, they know not where. {TN12: 88.1}

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Declares War But Not Against the King of the South

So far in this chain of events, each link has been a prophecy fulfilled, but the verses which we are next to consider, contain the links of prophecy unfulfilled. Through the eye of faith, therefore we are now to look into the future: {TN12:88.2}

"But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." Dan. 11:44. {TN12: 88.3}

The king's final trouble is not to arise from the king of the south's pushing at

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him, but from "tidings out of the east and out of the north," showing that he is drawn into this last struggle for supremacy, not by anyone's declaring war against him, but by his declaring war against many because "tidings out of the east and out of the north" have troubled him. {TN12: 88.4}

If Germany's aggressive activities on the north of the Mediterranean, and the Japanese on the east of it, are the tidings which have led England into war against many, and there is no doubt about it, then this second world's war will lead to the fulfillment of the entire chapter under consideration. {TN12: 89.1}

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His Last Act

"And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." Dan. 11:45. {TN12: 89.2}

It is self-evident that planting "the tabernacles of his palace" cannot mean planting his capitol. The tabernacles, therefore, may denote a branch of his palace. And his choosing to plant them "in the glorious holy mountain," indicates that the place is intended to attach to his tabernacles the holiness of the Christian's God. Investing the tabernacles of his palace with such sanctity, can mean that it is to house the headquarters of the soon-coming ecclesiastical world-government, which we have already considered. {TN12: 89.3}

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But one location, perhaps Mount Sinai, is "between the seas" -- the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. His choosing it instead of Jerusalem, implies that it is because Palestine, as well as Edom, Moab and Ammon, shall "escape out of his hand." {TN12: 90.1}

The statement, "he shall come to his end, and none shall help him," shows that he has previously been helped by some other power, and that he will not continue long thereafter, and most likely means that his ecclesiasticism will be overthrown by the horns of the scarlet-colored beast (Rev. 17:16). {TN12: 90.2}

It now being apparent that "the tabernacles of his palace" are supposed to represent holiness, and that the woman riding the beast (Rev. 17:3), settles the world's social, economic, political, and religious problems, the truth is clear that the present Christian governments are to be reorganized, and ruled by an ecclesiastical head -- not by Hitler. {TN12: 90.3}

Our prayer, therefore, is that all make sure that their names be in Michael's Book of Life, for those whose names are not there, will be left to go down in eternal ruin. {TN12: 90.4}

As parting reassurance that we are now living in the time of the end, and as that time is about to pass into eternity, we quote the angel's solemn words: {TN12: 90.5}

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the

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children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." Dan. 12:1, 2. {TN12: 90.6}

Conclusion

Since the prophecies dealt with herein, link together many centuries of history, we have, in the scope of this tract been able but briefly to treat of the history involved, giving especial attention to the part by which the Lord is to guide the feet of everyone who is anxious to take up the cross and to follow Him safely over the bottomless pit, into which all other living are soon to fall. The truth here brought to light, shining as clearly as it does, should convince and convert all the honest who wish to escape the coming doom. Therefore may all

TAKE IT TO HEART AND PROFIT. {TN12: 91.1}

As a life line to keep Christ's faithful followers from being swept away by the religion of either power, God has wrought the prophetic chain of events herein brought to view. {TN12: 91.2}

Those who expect to be led and to be saved by the Word of Truth, also to be delivered from the time of trouble, by

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Michael's standing up (Dan. 12:1), which trouble the present distress of nations is about to bring forth, should not hesitate now to take their stand on the side of right and truth. For this cause, Brother, Sister, is the light now shining on your path. {TN12: 91.3}

To those who take to heart the Lord's warning and who stand on His side, is made the promise: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:3. {TN12: 92.1}

"Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Dan. 12:10. {TN12: 92.2}

And now having heard "the conclusion of the whole matter, fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Eccles. 12:13. Now rise and shine, make the Psalmist's praise your own; say, "O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works." "O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth." Ps. 71:17; Isa. 25:1. {TN12: 92.3}

Tract 12 92

MAPS

Numbers 1-4, 6 and 7 are adaptations from among the maps in Empires of the Bible, by A.T. Jones. {TN12: 93.1}

Number 5 is adapted from among the maps appearing in The Dallas Morning News during 1941. {TN12: 93.2}

Number 8 is adapted from one of the series of maps in Myers' Ancient History, Revised Edition. {TN12: 93.3}

Numbers 9 and 10 are reproduced from among the maps in The New World Problems in Political Geography. {TN12: 93.4}

ILLUSTRATIONS

Cover page illustrations: Top one by Knott in The Dallas Morning News; bottom one by Sakren. {TN12: 93.5}

2. Answerer #2, p. 25, question 18

WHEN BEGINS THE TIME OF THE END?

Question No. 18:

When begins "the time of the end," in which the book of Daniel is opened? {ABN2: 25.3}

Answer:

The angel who instructed Daniel, declared that the book would be closed until the time of the end. Accordingly, not before or after, but in the time of the end, the book must be opened. {ABN2: 25.4}

This period is marked by an increase of knowledge and by men running "to and fro." Daniel 12:4, 9. As a large portion of the book of Daniel is now understood,

Answerer Book 2 25

and as we are in the automotive age, the age of increased knowledge, with men running to and fro, it is evident that we are living "in the time of the end." {ABN2: 25.5}

Daniel 11:40 makes clear that at, not in, the time of the end, the King of the North was to wage victorious wars against the King of the South. Consequently, "the time of the end" must have begun at the closing of the eighteenth century and at the beginning of the nineteenth, with the victories of the King of the North. (See map in our Tract No. 12, The World Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, 1941 Edition, p. 97.) {ABN2: 26.1}

3. Answerer #2, pp. 68-71, question 39

WHO HAS WANDERED AWAY FROM THE OLD LANDMARKS?

Question No. 39:

The Seventh-day Adventist church has always taught that the number 666 applies to the leopard-like beast (Rev. 13:1-10). But "The

Answerer Book 2 68

Shepherd's Rod" teaches that it applies to the two-horned beast (Rev. 13:11). Does not the Spirit of Prophecy plainly tell us that "no line of truth that has made the Seventh-day Adventist people what they are, is to be weakened"?--Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 17. And does it not furthermore warn: "Woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of" those messages?--"Early Writings," p. 258. {ABN2: 68.3}

Answer:

The Spirit of Prophecy does indeed so teach, and to be in harmony one hundred percent with it on this point as on all others, the Rod is carefully stripping from the Truth the rubbish with which men have covered it, and is thus restoring it to its primitive luster. So it has done with the truth concerning the number 666. {ABN2: 69.1}

Though this number has admittedly long been applied to the leopard-like beast, the application was not originated by the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, neither was it taught by them in the early days of the Movement. Rather, it was brought in from outside and woven into the web of Seventh-day Adventist doctrine despite the fact that the Spirit of Truth declared through the founders of the Denomination that the number applied to the two-horned beast: {ABN2: 69.2}

The "beast," says Elder G.W. Holt, writing in the early days of the message, "having seven heads and ten horns is the one referred to, and I think the image, is the beast having 'two horns like a lamb,'

Answerer Book 2 69

but 'spake as a dragon.' His number is 666."--The Present Truth, Vol. 1, No. 8, March, 1850. {ABN2: 69.3}

The "last power that treads down the saints," says Elder White, writing at about the same time, "is brought to view in Rev. 13:11-18. His number is 666."--A Word to the Little Flock, p. 9. {ABN2: 70.1}

And finally, Sister White in authenticating this position, declared: "I saw all that 'would not receive the mark of the Beast, and of his Image, in their foreheads or in their hands,' could not buy or sell. I saw that the number (666) of the Image Beast was made up; and that it was the beast that changed the Sabbath, and the Image Beast had followed on after, and kept the Pope's and not God's Sabbath." A Word to the Little Flock, p. 19. (Note: The number 666 was placed in parentheses by the editor of A Word to the Little Flock.) {ABN2: 70.2}

Here we have from the mouth of three witnesses absolute proof that the Denomination's present teaching concerning the number 666 was neither originated nor sanctioned by its founding fathers; that, in fact, it was not one of the lines of truth, nor even one of the blocks or pins of the message, which God gave to this people. Moreover, the Bible puts the number on the two-horned beast. Note that all the characteristics which pertain to the ten-horned beast are described in Rev. 13:1-10, and that all which pertain

Answerer Book 2 70

to the two-horned beast are described in Rev. 13:11-18. As the number closes the description of the two-horned beast, it cannot logically be applied to the ten-horned beast. {ABN2: 70.3}

This is just one of the many departures from Truth, which caused Sister White far back (1882) to cry out: "The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from his word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us."--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 217. {ABN2: 71.1}

"We have wandered away from the old landmarks. Let us return. If the Lord be God, serve him; if Baal, serve him. Which side will you be on?"--Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 137. {ABN2: 71.2}

4. Answerer #3, pp. 44, 45, question 58

IS THE BEAST BOTH A SECULAR AND AN ECCLESIASTICAL POWER?

Question No. 58:

Does not the "head" that was "wounded to death" (Rev. 13:3) represent the combined secular and ecclesiastical power of the Middle Ages? {ABN3: 44.2}

Answer:

Those who understand that the wounded head of the leopard-like beast (Rev. 13:1-3) symbolizes Rome in her ecclesiastical period doubtless also understand that the "little horn," which had "the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things" (Dan. 7:8), likewise symbolizes Rome before the head was wounded. Rightly to understand the subject, it is expedient to examine this double-phased symbol. from the ground up, beginning with Daniel's view. {ABN3: 44.3}

Having "eyes of man" and "a mouth," the "little horn" is actually a horn-head, a

Answerer Book 3 44

unique thing among governments, a composite hierarchy of civil and religious powers fused into one sovereign head during the Dark and Middle Ages, the "glory that was Rome's." {ABN3: 44.4}

Accordingly, the medieval union of secular and ecclesiastical powers in the Roman church gives the key to the interpretation of both the horn and the head, proving that the head which was wounded unto death is figurative of the ecclesiastical part only. For on the leopard-like beast, Rome is not represented by either a wounded horn or a horn-head, but by a wounded head only, which shows that the blow affected, not the secular half, the state (horn), but only the ecclesiastical half, the church (head). {ABN3: 45.1}

5. Answerer #3, pp. 45, 46, question 59

WHY NOT BOTH VISIONS ALIKE?

Question No. 59:

If Daniel 7:8, 25 and Revelation 13:3 both prefigure the same power, and if the Roman church during the Middle Ages is the one there predicted, then why is she, in Daniel's vision, a combined secular and ecclesiastical power (horn-head), while in The Revelation she is only an ecclesiastical power (head)? {ABN3: 45.2}

Answer:

That the same power is indeed symbolized by both beasts is unmistakably seen from the fact that both "blasphemed" the same length of time: the former, for "a time and times, and the dividing of

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time" (Dan. 7:25); and the latter, for "forty and two months" (Rev. 13:5). This same period is identically stated in Revelation 11:3, and is equivalently represented in Revelation 12:14 as "a time, and times, and half a time," which according to the rule of interpretation of Ezekiel 4:6, is equated: "time half a time" or "dividing of time"--1/2 year: in the aggregate equaling 3 1/2 years, 42 months, or 1260 days (12 months to a year, and 30 days to a month, Bible reckoning). {ABN3: 45.3}

Daniel's vision foretells only the formation of that church and state union, and for this very reason John's was given to show its final stage, its dissolution only. Thus the two visions complete the whole--the formation and the dissolution. {ABN3: 46.1}

6. Answerer #5, p. 91, question 163

WHAT DOES THE "HOLY MOUNTAIN" SIGNIFY?

Question No. 163:

In dealing with the various prophecies, "The Shepherd's Rod" consistently applies the term, "the holy mountain," to Jerusalem, the church, whereas it applies the term, the glorious "holy mountain" (Dan. 11:45), to Mt. Sinai. What reason do you give for this sidestepping, as it were, from the rule? {ABN5: 91.1}

Answer:

The phrase, "the glorious holy mountain," cannot designate the church, for the context of the verse does not support the notion. On the contrary, it clearly shows that the King of the North is to "go forth" from the "glorious land," Palestine, and "plant" his tabernacles in the "glorious holy mountain," while other scriptures show that the Lord is to "return" to the glorious land, and plant His tabernacles in Zion the "holy mountain." Zech. 1:16; 2:10-13; 8:3. So, since both tabernacles cannot be in the same place, and since the Lord's is to be in Jerusalem, obviously, therefore, "the glorious holy mountain," where the King of the North is to plant his, must be elsewhere. {ABN5: 91.2}

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7. Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, #4

QUESTION AND ANSWER DISCUSSION

(Part II)

Who Are The Laodiceans?

Who Are The King Of The North And The King Of The South?

Is World War II In Daniel Eleven?

Conserve Time And Energy.

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, AUGUST 31, 1946

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

This afternoon I am to answer questions that have come to me from brethren in the mother church. But as you listen to the answers I want you to consider that we, too, were once in their place; that we also were typical Laodiceans; and that what they are doing now, we likewise were doing then. We, too, were perhaps questioning everything in which we had no part; acting and speaking in the same way as they. What a terrible and unbecoming thing for a Christian to not believe even the Lord's Own sayings to the Laodiceans, yet we, too, thought we had need of nothing, but that all others had need of us. {1TG4:19.1}

You know that we were not so open-minded then as we are now. And when our doctrines were questioned we, too, like our brethren, did not honestly and unbiasedly give a fair hearing to the views of others. {1TG4: 19.2}

When we were in their place we, too, in our lukewarmness zealously defended every doctrine, even

19

though we ourselves were not clear in some of them. This we did only because the doctrines which were taught in the church by our own Ministering brethren we, too, presumably believed were correct. And so we, as blindly as they believed one hundred per cent of whatever was taught in the church, not considering that much of it came through uninspired men. Inspired or uninspired did not make any difference to us then, as it makes no difference to them now. We, too, were in a terrible sad deception and right along with them knew not or believed not, that we were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, although the Lord Himself said so! Rev. 3:14-18. We continued in that state of mind until the scroll unrolled. Then our eyes were opened: the doctrines and interpretations which did not come through Inspiration we then clearly saw that they were only "devisings of men." Neither did we see beforehand that the Sabbath and the church were turned into institutions for raising goals and for merchandising -- means for dishonoring God and for robbing the poor to feed and clothe those who are keeping the whole church in the terrible Laodicean sad deception. {1TG4: 19.3}

So looking at it from this angle, we were not much better than the best of the Laodiceans. What makes the difference between us and them is that the light has illuminated our path, but it has not as yet reached them. The credit, then, for what advancement we may have made in this revival and reformation effort is not ours, but God's. {1TG4: 20.1}

The first question to be answered this afternoon takes us to the eleventh chapter of Daniel, there to

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Identify The King Of The North And The King Of The South {1TG4: 20.2}

The question is: "Who are the king of the north and the king of the south in our day?" -- As it is our duty to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and to be ready to give the right answer at the right time to every man that asks for a reason of the hope that is in us, let us read-- {1TG4: 21.1}

Dan. 11:40-43 -- "And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps." {1TG4: 21.2}

The dispute brought to view in this verse, occurring between the kings, is not before the time of end, or in the time of the end, but "at the time of the end." The king of the south you note, is the one to push at the king of the north, and the king of the north is the one to win the war, and to take from the king of the south the glorious land (Palestine) and Egypt besides the countries that are not mentioned by name. These points as we shall now see are sufficient to perfectly identify both kings, the war, and the time it is fought. As the war is to begin at the time of the end, and as the king of the south is the

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loser of the war, the countries that are conquered must therefore be ruled by the king of the north during the time of the end. (For detailed study of Daniel eleven, read Tract No. 12, The World Yesterday, Tomorrow, pp. 57-91. {1TG4: 21.3}

Since those who asked the questions agree with us that we are now living in the "time of the end," we need not say more concerning that phase of the subject, but we do need to have them tell us which power at this particular time, in the time of the end, has added "the glorious land" (Palestine), Egypt, and other countries to his empire. The answer that anyone can give is that Great Britain took these from Turkey and has virtually ruled them ever since. Plainly then, during the time of the end Great Britain is the king of the north and Turkey is the king of the south. Rightfully so, too, for Mohammedanism originally arose from the south of the Mediterranean and in undated the lands of the north and ruled them to the time of the end. Then the tables turned and the Turkish empire began to shrink while the British began to expand. {1TG4: 22.1}

Since there is no way of any one dodging the truth of the subject, there is no need of further discussion of it. For detailed study on Daniel eleven read the last part of Tract No. 12. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. {1TG4: 22.2}

Do not expect too much of the Laodiceans, though, for you know that it is just as hard for them to accept Truth as it was for most of us when we were in their place. Why? -- Because for most human beings it is hard to say, "we are wrong." Only a few can shun pride of opinion and admit their errors. It is for this very reason that newly revealed Truth is never popular. When the Truth for today came to us, we believed It not because others did, but because we

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ourselves clearly saw it. Let us thus continue, but let us be patient, tolerant, and charitable with all. {1TG4: 22.3}

----------0-0-0----------

Our next question to give answer to--

"Is World War II In Daniel's Prophecy?" {1TG4: 23.1}

Dan. 11:44, 45 -- "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." {1TG4: 23.2}

In this particular war the king of the north goes to destroy many because unpleasant news from out of the east and from out of the north, reach his ears. The king of the south is therefore not involved in it. {1TG4: 23.3}

Since Hitler and Russia (the powers of the north) started War No. II in Poland, then Japan (the power of the east) joined it, and since Turkey, the king of the south kept out of it, it is very obvious that the war of Dan. 11:44 is World War II into which the tidings here mentioned dragged England (the king of the north). World War II therefore is positively the war predicted in Dan. 11:44, 45, the last war of Daniel eleven. Moreover, the fact that only verse 44 so far has been fulfilled, that the king is yet to come to his end, is proof positive that World War II is yet to be finished, that there is to be no peace now, and no mutual agreement between the nations although the war is supposed to have ceased since Hitler's disappearance. {1TG4: 23.4}

The statement, "He shall come to his end and none

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shall help him," implies that someone has been helping him, and the world knows that it has been the United States of America. We therefore, find ourselves living in between verses 44, and 45 of Daniel eleven. {1TG4: 23.5}

----------0-0-0----------

Our next question is,

"When Does The Time Of The End Begin?" {1TG4: 24.1}

Let us read--

Dan. 11:35 -- "And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge them, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." {1TG4: 24.2}

Here you note that God's people were to fall, be persecuted, martyred and tried even to the time of the end. They were to go through that ordeal in order to be purged, tried, and made white. Bear in mind that the purging was to continue up "to the time of the end," and that the king of the south was to push against the king of the north "at the time of the end." Now mark that the preposition "to" terminates at the preposition "at," that where the purging ends, the king's pushing begins. These points were brought to light at the beginning of this study. {1TG4: 24.3}

So far as I am able to find, history teaches that the martyrdom ceased in 1700 A.D. and that the Turkish empire began to shrink in 1699. (See Map No. 10 of Tract 12, The World Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.) The time of the end, therefore, began at the closing of the seventeenth century, the time martyrdom ceased, and the time the Turkish empire began to disintegrate. {1TG4: 24.4}

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Moreover, speaking of the tribulation in which millions were martyred, Jesus said: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened...." Matt. 24:29. The dark day came in 1780 A.D. And while the Turkish empire kept on shrinking, the British kept on expanding. Here is seen that prophecy perfectly corroborates history. Now learn--

"How To Turn Wasted Time Into Good Use" {1TG4: 25.1}

You are aware of the fact that we are given a great work and that the time in which to do it is very short; that we should therefore, learn how to turn wasted time into good use. Someone has said that on the average, more than half of mens' life and energy are wasted on useless talking and in policing others. One of our greatest needs therefore, is that we learn to control our tongues and to keep our noses out of other people's business in order to conserve time and energy, peace and integrity. {1TG4: 25.2}

It is well to remember too, that our tongues are given to us for the purpose of speaking God's Truth and His praise, and our energies to proclaim His Truth and to bless His people. Let us be talking of and working for these heaven born principles. If you accidently happen to see or to hear that someone is doing something that according to your best judgment is not proper for a Christian to do, and if you think you can help him, then do not make of yourself a tale-bearer by telling it to anyone but rather plead with the guilty one. {1TG4: 25.3}

Do not make yourself a criterion for any either, and do not force your ideas on anyone but on yourselves. It is no one's duty to police another. Understand

25

that no one is in debt to bring his life to anyone's standards and maximums. Hear what Inspiration says: "Who are thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4) but since you are not able to, then why try! {1TG4: 25.4}

Do not make enemies by your tongues. Make friends. And do not have your feelings on your finger tips. If you do, you yourself will feel the loss of friends, of social joy, and of the opportunity and privilege to win souls to Christ. Do not end the day with no credit to be recorded on your page of Heaven's ledger. Do not misinterpret other peoples' motives either. Try to see and interpret everything in the right way, give everyone a chance. See the good in everyone and close your eyes to all evil. {1TG4: 26.1}

Let your conversation be on the subject of promoting God's Truth for the day. It will keep you busy talking of something profitable and commendable. Think and study, and when you talk religion, by all means do not become a bore. Go on with your talk only as far as your listeners follow you -- "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Matt. 7:6. {1TG4: 26.2}

Tongues are hard to control, and ears always anxious to hear. It will therefore be better if you do less visiting. Much visiting is only a waste of time and a temptation to discuss the motes in the eyes of others and to overlook the beam that is in your own eye. {1TG4: 26.3}

Whenever you are by yourself you can get something

26

done. You can then either work or study. But when you get together with others, the chances are that you get nothing done but harm to yourself and to others. Now is the time to study and to learn the Truth for this time, to find out how to give a study and how to answer questions in a simple way, without having to go into a lot of history or biography. And if you are determined to walk with God daily and to study His will concerning your own duties, not the duties of others, you will find plenty to keep you busy and out of mischief. {1TG4: 26.4}

Remember, too, that you are candidates for the first fruits, to be either one with, or one of the 144,000, that you are to be without guile in your mouths (Rev. 14:5). {1TG4: 27.1}

Measure your words by the golden rule. If you will do to others what you would have them to do to you, you will have less trouble, greater joy in life, many friends all around you, and fair sheaves for the Heavenly Garner. {1TG4: 27.2}

8. Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, #17

A WORLD GOVERNMENT AND THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT BOW DOWN TO IT

THE FINAL WORLD GOVERNMENT COMMUNISTIC OR CAPITALISTIC, WHICH?

1

TEXT FOR PRAYER

The Deceitfulness Of Riches

This afternoon I shall read on page 52 of Christ's Object Lessons: {2TG17: 2.1}

"The love of riches has an infatuating, deceptive power. Too often those who possess worldly treasure forget that it is God who gives them power to get wealth. They say, 'My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.' Deut. 8:17. Their riches, instead of awakening gratitude to God, lead to the exaltation of self. They lose the sense of their dependence upon God and their obligation to their fellow men. Instead of regarding wealth as a talent to be employed for the glory of God and the uplifting of humanity, they look upon it as a means of serving themselves. Instead of developing in man the attributes of God, riches thus used are developing in him the attributes of Satan.... {2TG17: 2.2}

"'And the lusts of other things.' These are not necessarily things sinful in themselves, but something that is made first instead of the kingdom of God. Whatever attracts the mind from God, whatever draws the affections away from Christ, is an enemy to the soul." {2TG17: 2.3}

We should now pray for the realization that God is the One Who gives us the opportunity to obtain our needs, and that He blesses some with riches for no other purpose than for the rich to serve Him in the person of humanity. In this reading we are also commended to pray that we shun serving self, and learn to give God the credit for all our righteous acts, and to charge our sins against the Devil. {2TG17: 2.4}

2

A WORLD GOVERNMENT AND THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO WILL NOT BOW DOWN TO IT

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF D. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, DECEMBER 6, 1947

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

PICTURE

Daniel 7; Revelation 13, 17

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Rev. 13:1-10 -- "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. {2TG17: 4.1}

"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. {2TG17: 4.2}

"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. {2TG17: 4.3}

"If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." {2TG17: 4.4}

We have here read the description of one

4

beast, but the remaining verses bring to our attention another beast. {2TG17: 4.5}

Rev. 13:11-14 -- "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." {2TG17: 5.1}

This second beast arises, not from the sea, but from the earth. And he makes an image, a likeness of the first beast; that is, he revives the governmental principles of the first beast, the principles in force before the first beast received his deadly wound. {2TG17: 5.2}

Rev. 13:15-18 -- "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore

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and six." {2TG17: 5.3}

The Bible, we see, places the number "666," not on the first beast, the leopard-like, but on the second, the two-horned beast, for the description of the first beast ends in Rev. 13:10, and the description of the two-horned beast begins with Rev. 13:11 and ends with Rev. 13:18. {2TG17: 6.1}

An early denominational publication, entitled A Word To The Little Flock, and issued by the founders of the denomination, also rightly places the number "666" on the two-horned beast (see page 19 of A Word To The Little Flock.) {2TG17: 6.2}

The Revelation being a complement (Acts of the Apostles, pg. 585) of the book of Daniel, it is necessary that we touch a little on Daniel, chapter seven in particular. {2TG17: 6.3}

The little horn in the second phase of Daniel's fourth beast, shows a rise of brutal, tyrannical power, -- a power against the people of God. The symbolization of John's leopard-like beast of chapter 13, which is the continuation of Daniel's fourth beast, tells what happens to that demon power. {2TG17: 6.4}

Daniel explains that his four beasts symbolize four world empires, one following the other. And it has long been widely understood that they are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. Note that John's leopard-like beast has the head of a lion (first beast), the feet of a bear (second beast), the body of a leopard (third beast), and ten horns (fourth beast). And so, you see, the leopard-like beast is a composite beast of Daniel's four beasts, a descendant of them. It

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must therefore represent the world after the fall of the fourth empire, after Pagan Rome. {2TG17: 6.5}

Moreover, the ten crownless horns of Daniel's fourth beast being symbolical of kings that were to arise out of the Roman Empire, the crowns on the leopard-like beast show that the beast represents the period in which the kings took their crowns, the period after the disintegration of the Pagan Roman Empire. {2TG17: 7.1}

Still further, the leopard-like beast blasphemed God and His tabernacle just as long as did Daniel's fourth beast in his second phase, Ecclesiastical Rome; that is, "a time and times and the dividing of time" (3 years and 6 months), forty and two months. Plain it is, then, that the leopard-like beast reigned contemporaneously with the non-descript beast in his second phase, the phase of the little horn-head. The deadly wound on the leopard-like therefore represents the deadly blow which it received from the Protestant Reformation. Hence its wounded head represents the horn-head power (an amalgamation of civil and religious powers) of Daniel's beast divested of his civil power -- dehorned. {2TG17: 7.2}

Now, since the horns of John's beast symbolize the nations, and his wounded head symbolizes a religious organization divorced from a civil power, and since his seven heads are all alike, save for the wound on one of them, it becomes obvious that the heads, seven in number, portray religious bodies, Christendom in its entirety. The horns, though, ten in number, portray the civil governments in their entirety. Both horns and heads therefore represent the world of today just as each of Daniel's four beasts respectively, represented the world in their day. {2TG17: 7.3}

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The horns and heads all being on the beast at the same time, not coming up one after another, or in like manner falling off as the horns in Daniel chapters 7 and 8, should forever convince every rational mind that the horns and heads symbolize civil and religious bodies, all existing at the same time, not one following the other. {2TG17: 8.1}

The blasphemy being over the heads, not over the horns, denotes that the religious bodies portrayed therein do not worship God according to Truth, that they are not wholly what they profess to be. The exact interpretation that Inspiration places on the word "blasphemy" is this: "I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not." Rev. 2:9. {2TG17: 8.2}

It is better for all of us to acknowledge our failures than to evade the Truth, for it is the Truth that shall make us free. {2TG17: 8.3}

Moreover, since we admit that the Reformation inflicted the deadly blow and brought forth Protestantism, and since Inspiration says the wound was healed, all these prove something which if we confess, may save our jeopardized lives, and make us as great as did the whole-hearted confessions anciently make David great. What is it that we have to confess? -- Just this: If Protestantism wounded the beast by the Reformation, then the healing of the wound shows nothing less that that the Reformation has failed to keep the wound open, that the goal of the reformers has died, and despotism has been revived. Indeed, this symbolism is saying nothing more than what the message to the Laodiceans is saying: {2TG17: 8.4}

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"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Rev. 3:17, 18. {2TG17: 9.1}

For one to be in such a deplorable condition and at the same time to contend that he has need of nothing, is indeed a blasphemy. {2TG17: 9.2}

Unlike the first beast, the second beast comes from the earth. The sea and the earth obviously point to two different locations. We know that the beasts of Daniel 7, and the leopard-like of Revelation 13, the beasts that arose from the sea, all originated in the Old Country, the lands where humanity originated. Yes, the "sea" befittingly symbolizes the Old Country because the sea is the store-house of the waters, the place where the waters originate, as the Old Country is the place from where humanity spread out. {2TG17: 9.3}

The "earth," then, points to a place away from the "sea" and the opposite of what sea stands for, -- a country made up of inhabitants who have emigrated from elsewhere. The only such country or nation away from the Old Country and as influential as portrayed in this two-horned beast that arises after the formation of the leopard-like beast, in the Protestant period, is the United States. Moreover, the United States is already a world power, and so we need not be guessing any more. The beast's two horns point

9

to its two political ruling powers -- Democrats and Republicans. Their lamb-like character gives the appearance of innocence, harmlessness, and charitability. The beast's speaking like a dragon nevertheless repudiates the lamb-like appearance of the horns. {2TG17: 9.4}

The two-horned beast exercises all the power which the first beast, the leopard-like, exercised, again showing it to be a world power. Indeed, it requires just such a power to compel all the inhabitants of the earth to worship as he commands, and to implement a likeness of a church and state government that is as outdated as are the Middle Ages themselves. Yes, it takes such a power to influence the world, save those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life, to bow down to it. {2TG17: 10.1}

Rev. 13:13-15 - -"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." {2TG17: 10.2}

Here you see that this unification of the world, engendered to bring peace and harmony out of the present chaos, will instead bring an even greater time of trouble. And why? -- Because though the beast may bring Communism and Capitalism to mutual agreement, and cause them to

10

bow down to the image of the beast, yet those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will never comply. From this you see that the whole plan is directed by a supernatural power whose aim is to boycott the people of God. They shall nevertheless be delivered. {2TG17: 10.3}

When the beast's decree is passed that no one can buy or sell, and should be killed for non-conformity, then God only can protect His people, the people whose names are written in "The Book." Such is His faithful promise: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the Book." Dan. 12:1. {2TG17: 11.1}

Rev. 13:16, 17 -- "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." {2TG17: 11.2}

This power, you see, is to control the world's markets, too. {2TG17: 11.3}

This symbolic forecast of the world government to be set up, plainly points out that the coming world government is to be neither the U.N., nor Communism, but an ecclesiastical power. We know that it is not Communism, because Communism is against religion, and the beast is for it. {2TG17: 11.4}

When this comes to pass, which is no longer

11

beyond the horizon, then those whose names are written in the "Book of Life" shall be delivered, but all others will have received the mark of the beast. There will be no middle ground, or middle class. {2TG17: 11.5}

We should now decide what to do, so that we will not be caught off guard. For this very cause the light of Truth has come to us now. {2TG17: 12.1}

The world government which is to develop from the "League of Nations" and the "United Nations," is not actually to be absolutely universal, and there are still to be "two worlds," but rather than there being Capitalism and Communism, they are to be those who worship the beast and his image, and those who worship God and have their names written in the Book. The latter are the only people who will not bow down to the future world government. {2TG17: 12.2}

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How blest are they who always keep

The pure and perfect way;

Who never from the sacred paths

Of God's commandments stray!

How blest, who to his righteous laws

Have still obedient been,

And have with fervent, humble zeal

His favor sought to win!

Thou strictly hast enjoined us, Lord,

To learn Thy sacred will;

And all our diligence employ

Thy statutes to fulfill.

O then that Thy most holy will

Might o'er my ways preside;

And I the course of all my life

By Thy direction guide!

--Anon. 13

9. Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, #18

TEXT FOR PRAYER

Surround Youth With Right Influences

I am reading from Christ's Object Lessons, pg. 53: {2TG18: 14.1}

"When the mind is youthful and vigorous, and susceptible of rapid development, there is great temptation to be ambitious for self, to serve self.... In this formative period of their children's life, the responsibility of parents is very great. It should be their study to surround the youth with right influences, influences that will give them correct views of life and its true success.... The more the desire for pleasure is indulged, the stronger it becomes. The interest of these youth is more and more absorbed in amusement, until they come to look upon it as the great object of life. They form habits of idleness and self-indulgence that make it almost impossible for them ever to become steadfast Christians." {2TG18: 14.2}

We are here enjoined to pray that the youth be trained and weaned from serving self; that the parents themselves learn this, for in many instances parental impulses lead the children into worldliness and pride; that the parents and children realize that the more the desire for pleasure is indulged, the stronger it becomes and the more impossible it is to satisfy; that we all understand that unless the youth are given correct views of life and its true success, they will become absorbed in amusement and come to look upon it as the great object in life. {2TG18: 14.3}

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THE FINAL WORLD GOVERNMENT, COMMUNISTIC OR CAPITALISTIC--WHICH?

Revelation 17, 18

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF D. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, DECEMBER 13, 1947

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

PICTURE

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Rev. 17:1-3 -- "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." {2TG18: 16.1}

This beast is seen to portray the world in its day as are all the beasts of Daniel and The Revelation seen to portray the world in their day. {2TG18: 16.2}

The wilderness being opposite of the vineyard denotes that the beast's domain is not in the Promised Land, not in the vineyard (Isa. 5:7), but in the lands of the Gentiles, the "wilderness." From his domain, therefore, is excluded the Holy Land. And by the fact that the woman is sitting on the beast, driving it, is positively shown that she is ruling it, and that the beast itself is the symbol of the dominion of Babylon the Great. {2TG18: 16.3}

The beast's ten horns portray civil powers, as do the horns of any symbolic beast. And if the wounded head of the leopard-like beast of chapter 13 is symbolical of a religious organization, as is taught by the Denomination, then his seven heads must likewise be figurative of religious bodies! Thus it is that this beast in its entirety, like all the other such beasts of the Bible, symbolizes the Gentile world in its entirety -- civil and religious bodies (horns

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and heads). {2TG18: 16.4}

To blaspheme is for one to speak lightly of God, to work hypocrisy, to profess to be something other than what one actually is. Inspiration's definition is this: "...I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." Rev. 2:9. {2TG18: 17.1}

Rev. 17:4-6 -- "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration." {2TG18: 17.2}

This woman does not symbolize something new, but something as old as the time of the martyrs, for she is the cause of their slaying. What could she be but a counterfeit religion which originated with Cain's unacceptable sacrifice? Since then she has brought forth sectarianism, has become a mother of harlots. Her abominations, you note, are made very attractive, being dispensed from a golden cup held in hands that are gorgeously decked with the costliest things of earth. {2TG18: 17.3}

Rev. 17:7-13 -- "And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast that thou sawest was, and is

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not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." {2TG18: 17.4}

Here is a beast whose make-up is similar to that of the leopard-like beast of chapter 13. The horns of this scarlet-colored beast, though, are crownless, and none of his heads are wounded. Also, rather than having the name of Blasphemy written only over his heads, his whole body is full of names of blasphemies. 2TG18: 18.1}

In previous studies we learned that the leopard-like beast symbolizes the world from the fall of Pagan Rome to our time (The Great Controversy, pg. 442). Now, since the scarlet-colored beast also has ten horns and seven heads, it is again seen that he, too, is in the stream of time a symbol of the world with its civil and religious powers -- horns and heads. {2TG18: 18.2}

Inasmuch as his head is not wounded as is the head of the leopard-like beast, and since the wound of the leopard-like is healed, it is

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clear that the scarlet-colored beast represents the world in the time the wound is healed, in the time the two-horned beast (Rev. 13:11-18) makes a likeness of the leopard-like beast in its pre-wounded state. {2TG18: 18.3}

You notice that the horns of Daniel's fourth beast were crownless, and the horns of John's leopard-like beast crowned, and again that the horns of the scarlet-colored beast are crownless. Inspiration by means of these symbolical beasts portrays three periods of time, one following the other: (1) the period before the European kings received their crowns; (2) the period in which they were crowned; (3) a period of crownless kings in which Babylon the Great reigns supreme. {2TG18: 19.1}

The fact that nearly all crowned kings of the world have already been dethroned is proof in itself that Period No. 2, the period of the leopard-like beast (crowned horns) is about to pass away, and that Period No. 3, the period of the scarlet-colored beast (crownless horns) is about to be ushered in. In order to make the transition, the present distress of the nations is therefore inevitable. {2TG18: 19.2}

Rev. 17:14-18 -- "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And He saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put

19

in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." {2TG18: 19.3}

Again, the fact that the ten horns (kings) have one mind (unlike the toe-kings of Daniel 2:42, 43), but have no kingdom of their own, besides the fact that the woman rules the beast, and also the fact that the Communist leaders (crownless kings) of the nations and have one mind (work together for one common cause), -- all these facts show that though Communism appears to be the next power to rule the world, this symbolical prophecy points out that the world will next be ruled by an international religious system, by Babylon the Great, a rival of the religion of Christ, and a counterfeit of the woman in Revelation chapter 12. The scarlet-colored beast, therefore, is the symbol of the world government into which the United Nations will finally evolve. {2TG18: 20.1}

Since those who have no part in the first resurrection, all the unrepentant sinners from the beginning of the world to the Millennium, are to be resurrected after the 1000 years, they will then positively discover that their names were not written "in the Book of Life", -- no, not one of them, even from the foundation of the world. The truth thus stands out clearly that then only will they behold the beast in its three phases ("that was, and is not, and yet is"); that is, he "was" before the Millennium; "and is not" during the Millennium; "and yet is" after the Millennium. {2TG18: 20.2}

He "is not" during the 1000 years because at

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the commencement of the 1000 years, the beast and the false prophet are "cast into the lake of fire," then the "remnant," all the rest who came not out of Babylon's domain, are "slain with the sword" of the "King of kings, and Lord of lords." Rev. 19:21, 16. {2TG18: 20.3}

To summarize, having lived before the Millennium, and also after the Millennium, and being dead during the Millennium, the beast is seen in three phases, in three periods: the pre-millennial in which he "was," the millennial in which "he is not" and post-millennial, in which he "is." {2TG18: 21.1}

He "shall ascend out of the bottomless pit" (out of the pit, in which Satan himself is to be bound for a 1000 years), and then "go into perdition" (Rev. 17:8); that is, he will shortly be put to his second death from which there is no resurrection. {2TG18: 21.2}

"He is the eighth, and is of the seven"; that is, there are four beasts in Daniel 7, two in Revelation 13, and one in chapter 17 -- seven beasts in all. But the seventh lives twice, and thus after his resurrection "he is the eighth," but "is of the seven." Then he goes into perdition, -- suffers the second death. {2TG18: 21.3}

The statement, "and there are seven kings," shows that these kings are not in the symbolism; that is, they are not the horns, nor are they the heads. All the horns and the heads are present on the beast, whereas the "seven kings" are not there symbolized -- five are fallen, one is, and the other is yet to come. {2TG18: 21.4}

We must fully realize that God through this

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symbolism summarizes the history of the entire world, for the beast, as I said before, is symbolical not only of the pre-millennial world but also of the post-millennial wicked world. The seven kings of kingdoms "from the foundation of the world before the flood; (1) The ancient world before the flood; (2) The ancient Babylonian Empire; (3) The Medo-Persian Empire; (4) the Grecian Empire; (5) The Roman Empire. These are fallen. (6) The one that is, is the world to which the present distress of nations is to give birth (the pre-millennial), and of which the beast itself, in his first phase, is the symbol. And (7) the one that is to come, is the world after the 1000 years, of which the beast itself, in its third phase, is also a symbol. {2TG18: 21.5}

Thus along with this symbolism the world of sin is represented from its beginning to its very end. This beast, therefore, is the symbolical summary of the whole world. {2TG18: 22.1}

The "one hour" is obviously the time from the eleventh to the twelfth allegorical hours as set forth in Matthew 20:6. {2TG18: 22.2}

Number ten in this instance, as elsewhere in the Bible, carries the meaning of universality. The ten kings have no kingdom while the woman drives the beast, but jointly with the beast they will have power as kings. The phrase, "as yet," implies that after the one hour they will receive their kingdom. {2TG18: 22.3}

Rev. 17:14 -- "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." {2TG18: 22.4}

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These kings are to be anti-religious and therefore anti-Christian. They shall eventually make war with the Lord and with His called, chosen, and faithful ones, but "the Lamb shall overcome" the kings. {2TG18: 23.1}

The woman, as shown before, is the symbol of a confederated religious system with which the horns are not only in disagreement but are also her enemies. Consequently, after the symbolical hour is passed, they unseat her from the beast, make her desolate, and burn her with fire. Then it is that they receive their kingdom "for a season and time." Dan. 7:12. {2TG18: 23.2}

Rev. 17:17 -- "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled." {2TG18: 23.3}

The call to come out of Babylon (Rev. 18:4), is a call to God's people to come out of her geographic dominion. {2TG18: 23.4}

The eighteenth chapter is a continuation of the seventeenth, and so we shall study it also: {2TG18: 23.5}

Rev. 18:1 -- "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory." {2TG18: 23.6}

After what things? -- After the scarlet-colored beast comes into being and while the woman, Babylon, is sitting upon him. It is then that the earth is to be lightened with the glory of the angel, with the message of the hour. {2TG18: 23.7}

Rev. 18:2-4 -- "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is

23

fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." {2TG18: 23.8}

A heavenly voice, the Spirit of Truth, is heard calling God's people out of Babylon after the earth is lightened with the glory of the angel. For God's people to come out so that they be not partakers of her sins and receive not of her plagues, they must necessarily be called into a place that is free from sin, and thus be saved from Babylon's plagues. Consequently they go into a purified sinless church, and a land that is not in danger of the plagues. {2TG18: 24.1}

Rev. 18:5-7 -- "For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." {2TG18: 24.2}

She has rewarded God's people with evil, and now she is to be paid back double. She has boasted of ruling the world, and has said in her heart that she is not a "widow," that God is her husband, but she finds herself mistaken. {2TG18: 24.3}

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Rev. 18:8-13 -- "Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God Who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: the merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, and cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots and slaves, and souls of men." {2TG18: 25.1}

She has had everything put into her hands, and her hands put into everything, but now her glory comes to an end. {2TG18: 25.2}

Rev. 18:14-21 -- "And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come

25

to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." {2TG18: 25.3}

What violence! and what an inglorious end when the ten horns take hold of Babylon, the headquarters of that pretentious, self-righteous world-wide power. Now is our time and opportunity to get ready for the four winds to be let loose, and prepare an asylum, a sinless place for the gathering of the people, and for the finishing of the gospel work in all the world. {2TG18: 26.1}

Rev. 18:22-24 -- "And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were

26

slain upon the earth." {2TG18: 26.2}

We see that this system of government is set up for no other purpose than to make its adherents rich in the name of religion, a practice which supersedes all other forms of idolatry. {2TG18: 27.1}

If our hearts are set on wealth, if our love of money becomes greater than our love to help set up the Kingdom, then there is no hope. Such shall find themselves magnetically drawn down into Babylon. We must remember that the love of money is the root of all evil; that it is easier for a camel to go through the needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom. But, sad to say, in spite of this solemn warning, we see even the most informed in the things of God fall victims to such filthy lucre. {2TG18: 27.2}

If we have the dollar when we need it, also are certain from day to day of our clothing, food, and a bed to sleep in, we should feel rich. We should feel as if we had a million dollars in the bank. Yes, if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and mind the Lord's business, being slothful in nothing and conscientious in everything, then we shall have all these added unto us (Matt. 6:31-33). {2TG18: 27.3}

We have therefore again seen that the final world government is to be neither Communistic nor Capitalistic, but ecclesiastical and more in favor of Capitalism than Communism. {2TG18: 27.4}

10. Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, #36

DEMOCRACY, COMMUNISM, CATHOLICISM, OR PROTESTANTISM--WHICH RULES NEXT?

HISTORY AND PROPHECY, COMMANDMENTSAND STATUTES--THE BIBLE

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TEXT FOR PRAYER

Christ Reproduced In His People

Christ's Object Lessons, page 69, beginning with the first paragraph: {2TG36: 2.1}

"'When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.' Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. It is the privilege of every Christian, not only to look for, but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain." {2TG36: 2.2}

Here is truth that tells when we may expect Christ to come and gather His own: "When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people." {2TG36: 2.3}

We should now pray that we put forth the effort to grow as Christians, to love and work for others, to reproduce Christ's character in us, then this old world will come to an end, and the new world will for us commence. {2TG36: 2.4}

2

DEMOCRACY, COMMUNISM, CATHOLICISM, OR PROTESTANTISM--WHICH RULES NEXT?

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY ADVENTISTS

SABBATH, MAY 15, 1948

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

Are the nations from now on to live in two worlds? Man may guess, but he cannot predict. God alone knows the future. And if He does not tell us, then we shall never know ahead of time. {2TG36: 3.1}

PICTURE

Daniel 7; Revelation 13, 17

3

On this charted symbolism is seen the world in prophecy from the prophet Daniel's time down to our day, and beyond. In this symbolical prophecy, therefore, we must search to see if there is any information given on the subject in question. {2TG36: 4.1}

We and the majority in Christendom commonly believe that the lion represents the ancient empire of Babylon, the bear Medo-Persia, the leopard Grecia, and the non-descript beast in his two phases the empires of Pagan and Papal Rome. But as to the leopard-like beast, and the scarlet-colored, we may not hold views alike. And that is why we need to study now as never before if we are to know the Truth. {2TG36: 4.2}

If the beasts of Daniel, the first four beasts on the chart, represent four periods of time, one following the other, then why should not the last three likewise represent three periods of time, one following the other? -- Logically they should. We need not, however, wholly depend upon logic, for the symbols themselves should define the time and the systems they portray. {2TG36: 4.3}

In contrast to the crownless horns on the non-descript beast (Daniel's fourth beast) you see the crowned horns on the leopard-like beast of Revelation 13. {2TG36: 4.4}

Why crowns on the one and no crowns on the other? -- The only logical and scriptural answer that can be given is this: The angel explained to Daniel that the horns on the non-descript beast symbolize kings that had no kingdom as yet, that they would someday arise, take up their crowns and reign. (Daniel 7:24). And history records that

4

this happened when Pagan Rome fell, and that the kings that then took their crowns, kingdoms, are the kings who reach down to our day. These kings have now almost dwindled away, their thrones are being taken by Fascism, Communism, or by some form of Republicanism. {2TG36: 4.5}

The leopard-like beast, therefore, having his horns crowned, definitely denotes that he comes into being after the career of the non-descript beast, after the fall of Pagan Rome, and during the time the kings receive their kingdoms, for crowned horns denote crowned kings. {2TG36: 5.1}

Moreover, the leopard-like beast blasphemed God and His tabernacle forty-two months, which is exactly the same length of time in which the little horn power of the non-descript beast was to speak against the Most High and to wear out the saints. He was to do this for a time (one year), times (two years), and dividing of time (half year) equal to forty-two months (Dan. 7:25). Both the leopard-like and the non-descript beast in the second phase, were against God and His people for the same length of time -- forty-two symbolical months. {2TG36: 5.2}

Plainly, then, the leopard-like beast reigns contemporaneously with the second phase of the non-descript beast. {2TG36: 5.3}

Still further, the leopard-like beast is a composite beast of all the beasts before it! His mouth of a lion, feet of a bear, body of a leopard, and ten horns are marks which identify him to be a descendant of the four ancient world empires -- Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. He is therefore the symbol of the world of today, the fifth symbolical beast. {2TG36: 5.4}

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Now the fact that the wounded head of the leopard-like was to have his wound healed, and also the fact that the scarlet-colored beast of Revelation 17 is a beast that has the same characteristics as the leopard-like beast, having ten horns and seven heads but no wound on any of them, proves that the latter beast is symbolical of the time after the deadly wound is healed, of a seventh period of time for the two-horn beast comes before the scarlet-colored beast, and he is the one who makes an image of the beast before it. {2TG36: 6.1}

We are now ready to see by means of this symbolical beast, the seventh, the kind of world we are entering into, -- whether Democracy, Communism, Catholicism, or Protestantism, is next to rule. Light on the subject can be seen from the horns, and from the woman that rides, rules, the beast. {2TG36: 6.2}

Let us first determine whom the woman represents. The first clue is in the widely known fact that Inspiration never symbolizes civil governments by a woman, but It does repeatedly symbolize a religious institution, a church, by a woman, one that brings converts to its creed. The beast, as do all other symbolical beasts, we have seen, represents the world, while the horns represent the rulers. The horns, ten in number are, moreover, significant of universality as are the ten toes on the great image of Daniel 2, and the ten virgins of Matthew 25. The heads, seven in number, also signify completeness, the whole. {2TG36: 6.3}

Now the fact that the horns have no kingdom as yet, while the woman rides the beast, also the fact that the woman rides it, rules it, is

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evidence enough that the world is next to be ruled by an ecclesiastical body, not purely by Democracy or by Communism. {2TG36: 6.4}

That the woman riding the beast symbolizes the world in this day and age is evident from the fact that the ten horns, the civil powers that be during the reign of Babylon, hate the woman, the Church. Communism being the only world-wide ruling power since the world began to hate religion, the Church, is itself solid proof that the ten horns are symbolical of Communism, and that the beast represents a period of time in which Communism is about to dominate the world's seat of government. God is nevertheless to intercept by putting it in their hearts to "give their power and strength unto the beast," "and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the word of God is fulfilled." {2TG36: 7.1}

Thus they receive power one symbolical hour with the beast, they themselves not having a kingdom of their own. And in the end of the "hour" they "make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire." Rev. 17:16. {2TG36: 7.2}

Since the woman is a "mother of harlots" (Rev. 17:5), it is obvious that other sects have sprung from her. {2TG36: 7.3}

We have now seen that the world is next to be ruled not by Democracy, not by Communism, not by Protestantism, nor by Catholicism. It is to be ruled by a system of religion in which all her daughters participate -- a church and state government, which is to be an image or likeness of the leopard-like beast before it received its deadly wound. {2TG36: 7.4}

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Soon, Brother, Sister, we are to enter into this period of persecution, and how thankful we should be that there is no need to fear, no need to be taken off guard. For with the Light now shining on our pathway we should know what to expect and how to cope with the situation. Truly "unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness." Ps. 112:4. {2TG36: 8.1}

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The Lord Is Coming

The Lord is coming! seas, retire!

Ye mountains, melt to liquid fire!

Ye oceans, cease to ebb and flow!

His stately steppings ye should know.

The Lord is coming! Who shall stand?

Who shall be found at His right hand?--

He with the righteous garment on

Which Christ our glorious King hath won.

The Lord is coming! watch and pray!

So shalt thou hasten that glad day;

So shalt thou then escape the snare,

And Christ's eternal glory share.

--Anon. 9

11. Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, #42

THAT WHICH IS TO BE DURING THE TIME OF THE END

TEXT OF ADDRESS BY V.T. HOUTEFF,

MINISTER OF DAVIDIAN 7TH-DAY

ADVENTISTS SABBATH, NOVEMBER 27, 1948

MT. CARMEL CHAPEL

WACO, TEXAS

In order to know what takes place during the time of the end, we must first know where the time of the end begins and ends. We must know both ends if we are to know what takes place between. Now, to find when "the time of the end" begins, let us turn to-- {2TG42: 24.1}

Dan. 11:40 -- "And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over." {2TG42: 24.2}

In this verse of Scripture there are five clues to be carefully noted: (1) that the war mentioned in this verse is the last conflict between the two kings recorded in the prophecy of Daniel 11; (2) that it is a losing war for the king of the south; (3) that it is fought at the time of the end, not before, in, or after; (4) that the king of the north becomes great while the king of the south declines; and (5) that the statement, "at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him," very obviously marks the beginning of "the time of the end." {2TG42: 24.3}

If, therefore, we find the year this prophesied war began, we shall have established the beginning of the "time of the end." {2TG42: 24.4}

Since the king of the south pushes at the king of

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the north, it follows that the king of the south is the aggressor, feels himself strong to attack. He nevertheless loses out and the king of the north overruns him, becomes great -- takes many countries, including the following: {2TG42: 24.5}

Dan. 11:41 -- "He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon." {2TG42: 25.1}

Here it is seen that the king of the north grows very great during the time of the end. He takes "the glorious land" (Palestine), and besides taking many other countries, he also takes Edom and Moab and Ammon (the Arab countries) which nevertheless in time "escape out of his hand" -- free themselves. Moreover, says the scripture: {2TG42: 25.2}

Dan. 11:42 -- "He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape." {2TG42: 25.3}

This definitely shows that "in the time of the end" one great power which has been ruling these countries, among which are included Egypt and Palestine, loses them and becomes small, while another power takes them and waxes even greater. {2TG42: 25.4}

For centuries the Ottoman empire ruled these countries, and history records that the first Turkish reverses on land occurred about 1699. Ever since, Turkey has been declining and the Christian nations gaining, but it is Great Britain in particular that has taken the countries mentioned by name in this prophecy. She is the one who has taken many other countries besides these and has waxed great during the decline of the Ottoman empire. {2TG42: 25.5}

Obviously, therefore, these historic facts, besides

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others we have not mentioned, prove that rising from the jungles south of Palestine, the Ottoman empire, next after the Ptolemies, holds the title "king of the south"; and the nations north of Palestine, the Christian nations rising from the Roman empire (and now Great Britain in particular) hold the title "king of the north." And since the decline of the Ottoman empire began in 1699, and the growth of the British Empire began during the same time, then the beginning of the eighteenth century is therefore the beginning of the "time of the end." {2TG42: 25.6}

Finally, since we now see that the wars of the Mohammedans with the Christian nations are mentioned in prophecy with special emphasis that Egypt and Palestine are, during the time of the end, ceded to the king of the north as part of his trophies, these kings are positively identified. And the fall of the one with the growth of the other after the Treaty of Corlowitz in 1699 by which "Mustapha II agreed to renounce his claims upon Transylvania and a large part of Hungary, to give up Marea to Venetians to restore Polalia and the Ukraine to Poland, and to leave Azov to the Russians" (Twentieth Century Cyclopaedia, Vol. 6, pg. 247) certainly establishes the beginning of the time of the end. {2TG42: 26.1}

Dan. 11:43, 44 -- "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." {2TG42: 26.2}

These verses reveal that after taking Egypt and Palestine, the king of the north enters into another war, not on account of the king of the south, not with Turkey, but rather due to rumors from the east and from the north that trouble him. These cause him to go forth with

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great fury to destroy many. But he conquers nothing worth mentioning, and according to the verse that follows he is afterward threatened with coming to his end. This particular war, therefore, brings the first reverses to the king of the north since the reverses of the king of the south in 1699. {2TG42: 26.3}

Germany and Russia from the north, also Japan from the east, the rumors which put Great Britain and her allies into World War II, are therefore the "tidings" which brought the war and which, though supposedly the war was won, weakened rather than strengthened the British Empire. {2TG42: 27.1}

Dan. 11:45 -- "And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." {2TG42: 27.2}

The only portion of Daniel 11 yet to be fulfilled is this verse, the last of the chapter, and since these prophecies are made to be understood only when they are being fulfilled or after fulfillment, verse 45 is not as clear as we should like to have it. Consequently concerning the place of his tabernacles and his end, also as to whether another Christian power shall inherit the title "king of the north" before verse 45 is fulfilled, only time itself will positively portray the whole truth. {2TG42: 27.3}

The thing that Inspiration makes altogether clear is the fact that the king's next stand is his end, while all look and listen, but none come to his help. {2TG42: 27.4}

Since we have established the time of the beginning of "the time of the end," let us now establish the end of "the time of the end." For light on the subject we turn to-- {2TG42: 27.5}

Rev. 19:19-21 -- "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make

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war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." {2TG42: 27.6}

"The beast," "the false prophet," and "the remnant" are here mentioned. Who are they? {2TG42: 28.1}

First the beast and the false prophet and then the remnant, those that are left, are cast into the lake of fire. Since the "beast" and the "prophet" are special world entities, the remnant (those that are left) represent the rest of the unrepented world sympathetic with the beast and the prophet. The destruction of the prophet, the beast, and the remnant, therefore, is the end of the world -- the terminus of the time of the end. {2TG42: 28.2}

Besides these verses of Scripture, the twentieth chapter of Revelation reveals that with this last pre-millennial event in the drama of sin, the millennial reign of Christ and the Church begins (Rev. 20:1-3), in the end of which time shall arise all who had no "part in the first resurrection." Rev. 20:5, 6. {2TG42: 28.3}

Now we have seen that "the time of the end" spans from the commencement of the decline of the Ottoman Empire, to the end of the world, and that the end of the world is the end of all people but the Church -- "those who lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." {2TG42: 28.4}

Let us now see what takes place between these two sign posts. We shall continue with Daniel's prophecy through the twelfth chapter. {2TG42: 28.5}

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Dan. 12:1 -- "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." {2TG42: 29.1}

"And at that time" -- that is, at the time the king of the north comes to his end (Dan. 11:45) -- shall Michael stand up and deliver His people, the Church, all who are written in the Book. What else takes place?-- {2TG42: 29.2}

Dan. 12:2 -- "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." {2TG42: 29.3}

Here is projected a resurrection of a mixed multitude, wicked and righteous -- foolish and wise. This resurrection, then, is not the pre-millennial "first resurrection," nor the post-millennial resurrection of the wicked (Rev. 20:5, 6), but a special one. If the wise who turn many to righteousness are of the resurrected in this special resurrection, and if they shine as the stars forever and ever, then this special resurrection takes place in probationary time. {2TG42: 29.4}

Dan. 12:4 -- "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." {2TG42: 29.5}

The understanding of the book and of the words of it, were to be sealed to the time of the end. During the time of the end, therefore, the book was to be opened. Knowledge was also to increase. Moreover, many were to run to and fro; that is, communication was to speed up greatly. All this we have already seen takes place during "the time of the end." Thus there is no room for doubt as to the time in which we are living -- the time of the end. {2TG42: 29.6}

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Dan. 12:8-10 -- "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." {2TG42: 30.1}

Here Inspiration itself explains that no one, not even Daniel himself could possibly understand the book before the time of the end. And too, while the wicked were to continue doing wickedly, many were to be purified, made white and tried; that is, the purification of the church, the cleansing of the Sanctuary (Dan. 8:14), was to take place during the time of the end. In the words of the prophet Malachi the cleansing of the Sanctuary is preceded by this announcement: {2TG42: 30.2}

Mal. 3:1-3 -- "Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." {2TG42: 30.3}

Rather than say "Sanctuary," Inspiration in this instance says "Temple." And rather than say "cleansing," It uses the terms refining and purifying. The Apostle Peter, though, chooses to call the cleansing of the Sanctuary, "Judgment" in the "house of God": {2TG42: 30.4}

1 Peter 4:17, 18 -- "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the

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Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" {2TG42: 30.5}

In the parables, however, Jesus explains the cleansing of the Sanctuary thus: {2TG42: 31.1}

Matt. 13:30 -- "Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn." {2TG42: 31.2}

Here it is made clear that in this instance the wicked among the righteous are likened to tares, and the time of the cleansing itself, the Judgment, is likened to a "harvest," but that the cleansing itself is likened to a separation of wheat and tares. {2TG42: 31.3}

Again, in verses 47 and 48 Christ draws a parallel between the Church a "net"; the people he likens to "fish," and the purification to a separation, whereas in Matthew 25 He calls the purified Church the Kingdom of God, and the people He likens unto "virgins," and the cleansing He illustrates by a door which lets in the wise but keeps out the foolish. But His second parable of Matthew 25, the separation, we are told, is to be like a master who comes to reckon with his servants. Those who have done nothing good for the advancement of His kingdom (who have not traded with and increased His talents -- Matt. 25:27) are cast out, there to gnash their teeth in "outer darkness." (Matt. 25:30.) In His third parable the separation He likens to a shepherd who separates the goats from the sheep (sinners from the saints); the goats are condemned to die but the sheep are given the right to the Kingdom. {2TG42: 31.4}

The prophet Ezekiel, however, explains the cleansing of the Sanctuary from still another angle: {2TG42: 31.5}

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Ezek. 9:1, 2, 4-7 -- 1 "He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. 2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.... 4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.... 5 And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eyes spare, neither have ye pity: 6 slay utterly old and young, both maids and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. 7 And He said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city." {2TG42: 32.1}

Besides this vivid illustration, Inspiration, through the prophet Daniel reveals that the Sanctuary is to be cleansed not only from sinners, but from doctrinal error, too, for one angel inquired,-- {2TG42: 32.2}

Dan. 8:13, 14, 17 -- "...How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the Sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And He said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.... Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision." {2TG42: 32.3}

The daily, the desolation, also the Sanctuary and the host pertain both to the doctrines and the people. Both are to be cleansed. And the angel explained that

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the cleansing of the Sanctuary (cleansing it from both error and hypocrisy) takes place after the 2300 days, during the time of the end. {2TG42: 32.4}

Moreover, through the prophet Zechariah the Lord makes another remarkable illustration which points out that the saints themselves also are to be cleansed: {2TG42: 33.1}

Zech. 3:1-5 -- "And He shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by." {2TG42: 33.2}

While we have already seen that the house of God is to be cleansed from error and from Hypocrites, here in Zechariah's prophecy we see that the saints themselves are cleansed from their sins -- their filthy garments are taken away, and clean and beautiful garments are given in their place. This phase of the cleansing is again illustrated by the wedding garment. (Matt. 22:11). {2TG42: 33.3}

And now let me remind you that after the tares are taken away, "the wheat" is not left on the field where it grew (that is, the saints are not left where they were), but it is put into "the barn." {2TG42: 33.4}

Furthermore, after the "bad fish" (hypocrites) are cast out, the "good fish" (the saints) are then put "into vessels," are not left in the "net" (not left in the place

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where the cleansing occurred). Consequently when the church is thus cleansed, the saints are removed from their former place and put in a safe place -- away from all worldly influences and environments. Having been cleansed, they are necessarily thus kept clean. And where is that place? The Revelator has the answer: {2TG42: 33.5}

Rev. 14:1, 4, 5 -- "And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father's name written in their foreheads.... These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." {2TG42: 34.1}

The cleansed ones you see, are the 144,000, and they are taken to Mount Sion. {2TG42: 34.2}

Plainly, then, the cleansing is in two sections. The 144,000 guileless saints who are sealed from among the tribes of Israel (Rev. 7:4-7), the church, are but the first fruits. They are taken to Mt. Sion. Finally after the purification, or cleansing, of the church has taken place, then the great multitude of Revelation 7:9 are gathered out of all nations. They constitute the second fruits, for where there is no second there can be no first. {2TG42: 34.3}

Where is Mt. Zion? Let Micah the prophet tell us: {2TG42: 34.4}

Micah 3:12; 4:1, 2 -- "Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.... But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto

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it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." {2TG42: 34.5}

This is Inspiration's own explanation of the place which the purified church is to occupy. Here we are told that though the ancient kingdom, the Jewish, whose place stood on Mount Zion, was to be demolished from the foundation up, we are nevertheless at the same time promised that the Kingdom will be restored in the last days and that it will be exalted above all other kingdoms, above all "mountains" and "hills." {2TG42: 35.1}

Again says the Lord: {2TG42: 35.2}

Ezek. 36:23-25 -- "And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." {2TG42: 35.3}

We are here told that the final cleansing of the saints, the cleansing that removes all the marks of sin, is performed after God takes His people from among the heathen and from all countries, and brings them into their own land. {2TG42: 35.4}

Ezek. 36:26 -- "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." {2TG42: 35.5}

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When the saints get to the Promised Land, then the sin-indulgent heart, the stony heart, is taken away and a heart of righteous desires, a fleshy heart, is given. No longer will God's people fight temptations from within in order to do righteousness. To them, in the period of the fleshly heart, it will be natural to do righteousness whereas now during the period of the stony heart it is natural to do unrighteousness. {2TG42: 36.1}

Ezek. 36:27 -- "And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them." {2TG42: 36.2}

The Spirit of God, moreover, will be freely given to the saints, and thus will they become perfect eternal beings, perfectly capable of walking in God's statutes and His judgments. {2TG42: 36.3}

Ezek. 36:28 -- "And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God." {2TG42: 36.4}

They are to dwell, not in some other land, says the Lord, but in their own land, in the land He had anciently given to their fathers. They are to dwell in Palestine. {2TG42: 36.5}

Now you plainly see that the unconverted Jews who are endeavoring to take the land of Palestine are not the people of whom these passages of Scripture speak. Now you see that Arab, Jew, or Gentile, all will eventually have to move away and give room to God's clean and purified people. {2TG42: 36.6}

Joel 3:1, 2 -- "For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for My people and for My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the

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nations, and parted My land." {2TG42: 36.7}

Here you have it stated as plain as it can be that when God brings back the captivity of His people, then He will gather all nations in the valley of Jehoshaphat and plead for His people -- for His second fruits -- after He takes the first fruits to Mount Zion. {2TG42: 37.1}

Isa. 2:3 -- "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." {2TG42: 37.2}

Joel 3:20, 21 -- "But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion." {2TG42: 37.3}

Thus will the saints be enabled to live eternally. {2TG42: 37.4}

Isa. 33:24 -- "And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity." {2TG42: 37.5}

And what else will be said after the people are gathered and cleansed? Just this: {2TG42: 37.6}

Rev. 22:11 -- "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still." {2TG42: 37.7}

The completion of the cleansing brings probationary time to a close -- the sinner is forever to stay a sinner, and the righteous forever righteous. Then those who find themselves out of the holy land will wail and gnash their teeth. They will in anguish say: {2TG42: 37.8}

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Jer. 8:20 -- "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." {2TG42: 38.1}

The land, moreover, shall be divided among the tribes but not as divided anciently. Time will not permit me to read the whole account of the division, but, here I have it reproduced in a map which shows that the land has never yet been thus divided. Each tribe is to get a full-length strip from the east to the west. The portion of Dan is the first on the north and the portion of Gad is the last on the south. In chapters 47 and 48 of Ezekiel you will find the full description of this division of the land. {2TG42: 38.2}

PICTURE

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Furthermore, the land itself shall be cleansed; for says the Lord: {2TG42: 39.1}

Ezek. 38:14, 16; 39:4, 7, 9-14 -- "Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say unto Gog, Thus saith the Lord God; In that day when My people of Israel dwelleth safely, shalt thou not know it?...And thou shalt come up against My people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against My land, that the heathen may know Me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.... Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that is with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.... So will I make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let them pollute My holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.... And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the handstaves,and the spears, and they shall burn them with fire seven years: so that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord God. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will give unto Gog a place there of graves in Israel, the valley of the passengers on the east of the sea: and it shall stop the noses of the passengers: and there shall they bury Gog and all his multitude: and they shall call it The valley of Hamon-gog. And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord God. And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon

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the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search." {2TG42: 39.2}

Still further, you will now note that all these wonders God does for His people, not because they have been good, or because they are now good, but for God's own great name. Listen to what the Lord Himself says: {2TG42: 40.1}

Ezek. 36:22-24 -- "Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for Mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land." {2TG42: 40.2}

According to this, God restores the land to His chosen people, not because they as a people are good, but because he wants to vindicate His own name among the heathen. {2TG42: 40.3}

As the time approaches for the cleansing to take place a call for spiritual awakening will be made: {2TG42: 40.4}

Isa. 52:1 -- "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." {2TG42: 40.5}

Inspiration here declares that after this call for revival and reformation, from then on the sinners will not be permitted to have any part among the people that have been cleansed. {2TG42: 40.6}

The prophet Nahum, too, is a witness of this call

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for Reformation. He writes: {2TG42: 40.7}

Nah. 1:15 -- "Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." {2TG42: 41.1}

Here you see that the announcement of this long-expected event is to be made by someone's publications. Moreover, he publishes peace and thus announces the restoration of the Kingdom. This is the only peace that the world can have. There is to be no other. Those who keep God's solemn "feasts" and perform their vows shall have this peace. None others shall. {2TG42: 41.2}

In our study today we have summarized some of the things which will take place during the time of the end, but the most important thing, so far as you are concerned, is the decision you are now left to make. {2TG42: 41.3}