The Battle of Armageddon and the Uprise of Antichrist
Will Antichrist arise to conquer Jerusalem, claim the rulership of the world, and plunge humanity into an orgy of war, bloodshed and evil unparalleled in the history of mankind?
The Return of Christ: Basic Teaching of the Bible
The personal, visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ in power and glory, to take up his great authority, and reign on earth as king, is a basic doctrine of the Bible. Hundreds of references to it are made therein and these are set forth in clear language, the meaning of which should be beyond dispute.
Consider the following predictions:
“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you (Apostles) into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
“Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you; whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:19-21).
“God hath appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Christ) whom He hath ordained: whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:19-23).
The teaching of the second coming of Christ permits believers to look beyond the troubles of today, to a glorious future when the evils and frustrations of the present will be replaced by a righteous administration that will bring “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”
The Doctrine Distorted
Unfortunately this doctrine, so plainly taught in the Bible, is misunderstood and misinterpreted by some who would carry its message to the world. In consequence, its teaching is distorted with the result that often a grotesque, irrational outline of coming events is set before the public.
Two books before us as we write do just that. One is entitled There’s A New World Coming by Hal Lindsey, and the other is Armageddon by J. Wolvoord. Both books advance a similar theory relating to the doctrine of the second coming, a theory that perverts the actual teaching of the Bible. Unfortunately, such books are so widely advertised as to become best-sellers. For example according to the publication notice, some 700,000 copies of the former book were sold in the seven months following October 1973 alone and there have been many 1,000’s more additional editions since then. At $2.95 per copy this represents a rich reward of over $2,000,000, which however, we would not begrudge the author if only the sound truths of Scripture were set forth.
Instead, in both books, a mistaken idea of Christ’s coming is outlined, which, as we will show, could have the effect of those who are swayed by it actually opposing Christ when he does appear.
Between them the books set forth the idea that Antichrist is about to arise, and will set up his power in Jerusalem. He will then claim to be the king Messiah, and abolishing the Jewish religion, will build a Temple, and command the worship of humanity. Both books then refer to the return of Christ, and the “rapture,” that they claim will follow alleging that he will convey his true believers to heaven.
In fact, the Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will return to accomplish that which they claim Antichrist will do: set up his power in Jerusalem, demand the allegiance of mankind, and build a Temple for the universal worship he will establish. He however, will reign on earth, not return to heaven (Isa. 24:23; Zech. 14:9; Rev. 5:9-10).
The books referred to above largely draw upon the teaching of The Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, to establish their theory.
Therefore, in considering the teaching advanced, we aim to answer five questions:
- What is the basic message of the Book of Revelation.?
- Who or what is Antichrist?
- What does the mystical number 666 refer to?
- When and where will Armageddon be fought?
- How will we be personally involved at Christ’s coming?
The Basic Message Of Revelation
Revelation is a prophetic book of symbols. This is shown by its introduction. The first verse declares:
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servant things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Rev. 1:1).
This teaches that the book is designed to outline future events leading to Christ’s second coming, and that its contents were both sent and signified by Christ.
The statement is important. It proclaims that the book is largely symbolical; its teaching is set forth in sign language, which is the meaning of signified.
Unfortunately, this important introduction is frequently ignored, and many miss the meaning of the book by giving literal meanings to symbolical statements.
The book pictures burning stars falling to the earth; fiery mountains being plunged into sizzling seas; a woman giving birth to a son in heaven; a dragon with a tail so huge as to fling a third of the stars above on to the earth.
These are all literal impossibilities; though as symbols they can be aligned with prophetic, historic developments.
Moreover, this same book contains key explanations. to such mysterious figures, sufficient to determine the meaning of such. We read such explanatory notes as the following:
“Here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains. . .” (Rev. 17:9). “The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:15).
So Scripture compared with Scripture enables one to come to a clear understanding of The Revelation, and to understand the plan of prophecy that moves throughout the book.
When this is not done skilfully, unfortunate and serious mistakes follow.
The basic teaching of the Book of Revelation is consistent with the rest of the Bible, and relates to the return of Christ. It proclaims that he will return personally and visibly to the earth:
“Behold he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him” (Rev. 1:7).
This is consistent with the statements cited earlier. But why should “all kindreds of the earth wail” because of the presence of Christ? Because there will be a general recognition of lost opportunities in relation to it. People everywhere will regret that they have been so led astray with false teaching concerning Christ, or have so opposed the influence of the Bible, as to turn their backs upon its truth, and so deny themselves the hope it presents.
As to those who worship God in truth (see John 4:24), they will be elevated as co-rulers with Christ in his earthly administration, and will inherit eternal life. Christ declares:
“He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” (Rev. 2:26).
“Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Rev 22:12).
Consider carefully this last statement of Christ’s in the light of general religious teaching. Most claim that they will go to heaven for their reward.
Not the Bible! It plainly teaches that “the meek shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5); and here Christ states that he will come with his reward. The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is not taught in Scripture, which plainly reveals that the promised inheritance is eternal life upon the earth.
Christ comes to bring to an end the reign of flesh, and set up his own rule from Jerusalem. Hence his promise to his followers that he will give them “power over the nations.” For reference to the earthly reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, consider the following:
“And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” . . . “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:18,15).
Analyse these statements of Scripture. Notice that the resurrection is aligned with a time when the nations are in an angry and belligerent attitude with each other, and the possibility exists of men destroying the very earth. Consider that for the first time in history man has the means to do that through nuclear war. Even today he is busy destroying the earth by polluting it. The return of Christ alone will prevent the destruction of civilisation, and will be followed by his world wide reign on earth in conjunction with his true followers. The Revelation states:
“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6).
See how clearly this last book of the Bible, consistent with its general teaching, proclaims:
- The personal, visible return of Christ;
- The resurrection and bestowal of eternal life on his followers;
- The establishment of Christ’s return on earth;
- The subjugation of all nations to his rule.
This glorious message of hope for a sinning, sorrowing, quarrelling world is the basic message of the Bible as well as of the Book of Revelation. It is summed up in the statement:
“The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed: the kingdom shall not be left to other people (its rulers will be immortal); but it shall break in pieces and consume all kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44).
Who or What Is Antichrist
The subject of Antichrist makes headline news from time to time in some quarters. The alleged future of a fictional character given this title has assisted the sales of Hal Lindsey’s popular books. It is generally assumed that The Revelation refers extensively to Satan under that name.
But the term Antichrist does not occur in The Book Of Revelation. It is a title given by John to a false religious system that was active in his day, over 1900 years ago!
The Bible predicted that there would be a decline in the true teaching of Christianity. Paul writing to Timothy prophesied:
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word . . . with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables . . .” (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
Again:
“Let no man deceive you by my means: for the day of Christ shall not come except there come a failing away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sineth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).
The Apostle thus predicted a falling away from the faith, through which there would arise one claiming infallibility, and false pretensions to divinity.
The papacy does that. In 1870 a decree was issued from the Vatican proclaiming the infallibility of the Pope; which codified the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is virtually worshipped by the adherents of the church, and displays himself with all the pomp and glory of divinity.
In context with the statement above, the Apostle claimed that the seeds of error were already working in his day, though its full manifestation was hindered by the opposition of the pagan Roman authorities of the time (cp. vv. 7-8). When paganism is removed, he predicted:
“Then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.”
Paganism received its political death-blow in A.D. 312 with the elevation of Constantine, claimed by the Papacy to be “the first Christian emperor.” This change of government in Rome brought about the establishment of Roman Catholicism, an event predicted by Paul in the references cited above. The Apostle showed that the apostasy that would arise would continue until the coming of Christ who would put it down once and for all.
The apostate system that arose, which claims the title of Christian, but in fact denies the principles of Christ is what the Apostle termed Antichrist. Its workings were manifested over 1900 years ago, so there is no need to await the uprise of it today, as is claimed by H. Lindsey, J. Walvoord, the Roman Catholic Church, and others.
The term Antichrist is used in the Bible only by John, and is used by him to describe those who deny the saving truths of the Gospel. Hence:
“Every spirit (the word is used in the sense of teaching – cp. John 6:63) that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world” (1 John 4:3).
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 7).
We submit that Antichrist is the Roman Catholic Church, and that it is the satan (a word meaning opponent) and devil (a word translated false accuser – 2 Tim. 3:3) of all who hold the truth. It sets forth false teaching in the name of Christ, and many of its doctrines the Protestant churches have since embraced.
Hence it teaches the doctrine of the Trinity – three Gods instead of one; the immortality of the soul – intangible life in heaven instead of an immortal bodily existence on earth; the church as the Kingdom of God – instead of Christ’s reign from Jerusalem; the devil as a fallen angel, instead of a synonym for human nature (Heb. 2:14); and so on.
In the past the church has exercised dictatorial control doctrinally, politically and economically. It will do so in the future, only to be overthrown by Christ at his coming, as Paul taught (2 Thess. 2:8).
The Meaning Of 666
Associated with the alleged uprise of Antichrist in the near future is the interpretation of the mystical number 666 referred to in Revelation 13:18. The verse reads:
“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 three score and six.”
The Greek text of the Bible has only three Greek letters c x z instead of the number 666. Unlike the English language, the letters of the Greek language have a numerical value, and are used for numbers as well as letters forming words.
Accordingly, this mystical number is interpreted to mean Satan’s Messiah, on the grounds that c Chi and x Xi are the signs of Christ, or Messiah, and that Sigma z is the sign of Satan. Therefore, it is reasoned, 666 represents one who will arise at the time of the end, and claiming to be Messiah or Christ, actually will be an emissary of Satan.
We dispute the interpretation. A more logical explanation, and one that is given support by Scripture as well as being endorsed by commentators since Apostolic times, is to align the word with the term Lateinos. The numerical value of the Greek letters that make up this word also total 666, as follows:
L(30)a(l)t(300)e(5)i(IO)n(50)o(70)s(200).
Lateinos signifies the rule of the Latins, a reference to the Roman Catholic Church, with its emphasis upon Latin, the official language of the Church,
Modern Antichrist Revealed
Antichrist, therefore, denotes a false religious system, claiming the name of Christ, but denying his teaching and principles.
We claim that Christendom today is such a system as that.
In Revelation 17 it is depicted as a whore, an unfaithful woman. This is an appropriate description of a false religious system, for the true followers of the Lord are likened as being espoused as a chaste virgin unto Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2).
This false religious system is given the title of Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth (Rev. 17:5). A little thought will reveal how Appropriate this title is to Roman Catholicism. It is noted for its “mysteries;” its doctrines have been identified with those of ancient Babylon superimposed with the title Christian; and it claims to be a mother church, with the Protestant Churches represented as her rebellious offspring. Speaking of the Babylonish influence on Roman Catholicism, and the influence of the latter on Protestantism, the historian Gibbon declared in Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (Ch. 47):
“During the ten centuries of blindness and servitude, Europe received her religious opinions from the oracle of the Vatican, and the same doctrine, already varnished with the rust of antiquity (i.e. dating back to ancient Babylon) was admitted without dispute into the creed of the reformers who disclaimed the supremacy of the Roman pontiff . . . the synod of Chalcedon still triumphs in the Protestant Churches . . .”
His words describe the mother and her unfaithful daughters of Rev. 17. Moreover, this same system is said to have universal influence for she is described as “sitting upon many waters” (v. 1), which are defined as representing “peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues” (v. 15).
It is described as having great political power, for “the kings of the earth have committed fornication” with her (v. 2). This is characteristic of Rome.
Rome is noted for its wealth, and this is provided for in the symbolism. She is “arrayed in purple and scarlet colour (the colour of the priestly vestments), and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls” (v. 4). As evidence of the wealth of Catholicism, visit the Vatican, or almost any church.
The same system is also noted for its persecuting vigour. It is represented as being “drunken with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus” (v. 6). The persecuting power of the church has been a feature of history. The Inquisition and the Jesuits have played their dreadful part to that end. When power has been with the church it has used it in the most brutal and tyrannical manner.
To summarise the symbolism of this chapter, we have the following representation:
- A whorish woman – an unfaithful religious system;
- Title: mother of harlots – A mother church claiming offspring;
- Dominating many waters – universal influence;
- The paramour of kings – political power;
- Decked in colour and gold – outstanding wealth;
- Drunken with blood – noted for persecution
All the indications point to the Roman Catholic Church as the Organisation referred to. And this is established beyond all doubt by two other points of identification. The “woman” is represented as sitting on a beast possessing seven heads, and the explanation is given: “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth” (v. 9). Again, “The woman which thou sawest is that great city which reigneth over the kings of the earth” (v. 18).
What ecclesiastical system is identified with a city built on seven hills, and exercising world dominion in the days when the Revelation was given to John in A.D. 96? The answer is Rome!
Every indication, every mark of explanation, points to Roman Catholicism as being the system referred to in this chapter, with the title: “Mystery, Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots.”
The theory publicised by Hal Lindsey and others that claims that Antichrist will set himself up in Jerusalem as king and demand the allegiance of the world actually originated from Roman Catholic sources.
This happened when the early Protestant Churches broke away from Catholicism and then correctly identified Catholicism as this system of Antichrist. As a result the Roman Church had to come up with another interpretation of these prophecies.
As a result they claimed that this Antichrist, motivated by satan, will “rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem,” and “renew the ancient forms of worship prescribed in the Law of Moses.” He will set his power up as ruler in the Middle East, and command the religious and political allegiance of mankind, but “the new world ruler will reveal himself as Satan’s substitute for Jesus Christ, sometimes called Antichrist” (Armageddon by J. Walvoord, p. 96).
Now the Bible clearly teaches, that when the Lord Jesus returns, he will set up his power in Jerusalem (Micah 4:1-3), will command the allegiance of mankind, and will re-build the ancient Temple, the plans and specifications of which are outlined in the eight closing chapters of Ezekiel’s prophecy. Referring to the future work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the prophet Zechariah declares: “He shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory; and shall sit and rule upon his throne, and he shall be a priest upon his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both” (Zech. 8:13).
But the theory of the imminent rise of Antichrist, which is sweeping the religious world today, claims that the future ruler of Jerusalem will be satan’s emissary, and as such should be opposed.
The effect of this theory will be that when Christ does appear as king in Jerusalem, and call upon the nations to acknowledge his position and submit to his authority, they will refuse to do so. This will mean that he will be compelled to reduce them to his rule by force. Therefore, referring to nations in association with mystical Babylon the Great, The Revelation declares:
“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” (Rev. 17:15).
The false theory concerning Antichrist will cause the nations to resist Christ; but by the exercise of divine power on his part, they will be subdued and compelled to submit to his righteous rule.
What Is Armageddon?
Reference to Armageddon as such is found in only one place in the Bible (Rev. 16:16), though allusions to the battle then to be fought are frequent in its prophecies.
The prophecy regarding Armageddon also predicts that an agitating democratic (the “three unclean spirits like frogs” (Rev. 16:12-14) that came out of the French Revolution) spirit will go forth to all nations generating a warlike attitude among them leading to “the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Rev. 16:14).
At such a time, Christ returns secretly, as a thief, to the world. The appeal to his followers is couched in the following terms:
“Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments” (Rev. 16:15).
Then follows the statement:
“And he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon. . . .”
Armageddon is the site of this crucial world conflict. The nations will be gathered for war, and Christ will intervene to scatter the armies, and establish his power.
But where and what is Armageddon?
Notice that the statement is made that the term must be interpreted “in the Hebrew tongue.”
This is very significant, for it is only in modem times that Hebrew has been resurrected from a dead to a living tongue. It is the language of modem Israel, and the statement implies that at the time that the prophecy is fulfilled, Hebrew would be again a modern language – as it is today.
Armageddon in Hebrew is comprised of three words: Arema (a heap of sheaves) gai (valley) dun (judgment). The word, therefore signifies A heap of sheaves in a valley for judgment.
This is significant, for the great crisis of the nations, at which Christ will appear in power and glory, is described in such a manner. The nations are represented as being gathered as sheaves for reaping in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (God’s judgment) just outside Jerusalem (Joel 3:2,11-13). The prophet commences his description with significant words (Joel 3:1-2):
“Behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah (the Jewish people) and Jerusalem (the city), I will gather all nations and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat. . .”
The modern world has witnessed the beginning of the fulfilment of this prophecy. In 1917, the Turks were driven from Palestine, and the Balfour Declaration invited Jews to return thereto, which they shortly afterwards commenced to do. Fifty years later, in 1967, in the Six Days War, the city of Jerusalem fell to the Israeli forces, and for the first time in two thousand years, Jews again ruled their ancient capital.
At that time, declared the prophet, God would gather all nations to the valley of Jehoshaphat, a valley to the northeast of Jerusalem. The testimony of Joel is in accordance with that of Zechariah 14:2:
“I (God) will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle. . . . Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when He fought in the day of battle” (vv. 2,3).
It is obvious to all thinking people that the Middle East is the critical point of international relationships. There, the Western nations confront Russia and her confederate armies as described in Ezekiel 38. So delicate is the situation that the antagonism engendered could flare into a conflict that would involve the whole world.
Certainly, neither side can permit the oil-rich countries of the Middle East to become completely dominated by one side or the other, and so dependent is the world upon the black-gold of its deserts, that such prophecies as Joel 3 and Zechariah 14 cited above, are no longer mere possibilities, but are urgent probabilities.
The interests of the nation’s cause them to intrigue with the countries of the Middle East now whilst politicians warn that it is the future powder keg to World War Three.
Meanwhile, preparations for war increase until they have reached staggering proportions of the world’s income. The words of the prophet are heard throughout the earth:
“Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men war draw near (i.e. to Jerusalem v.1); let them come up; beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong” (Joel 3:9-10).
How true these words are in describing modern national policies. On all sides, among nations small or great, guns are being supplied rather than butter. It is computed that two thirds of the world’s population go to bed each night hungry, but still more and more of the world’s wealth is used for the manufacture of weapons of destruction. At one time, Russia was able to supply more destitute nations with foodstuffs, particularly grain from her vast resources; but today the Soviet is concentrating upon the arms race and looks to other nations for food. She is figuratively “beating plowshares into swords, and pruninghooks into spears,” and proclaims to the whole world, “I am strong!” This was not the case at the beginning of World War 1, when for a considerable time, the tiny nation of Finland held at bay the Soviet Union with all its weight of manpower.
The same prophet describes how that the armies of the nations will be gathered to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Jerusalem) as sheaves in a valley for judgment (Jehoshaphat signifies Judgment of God). This is Armageddon: the representative armies of the nations gathered as a heap of sheaves in a valley for judgment. Jerusalem will constitute the crucial point in a war that will involve the whole world. The city will fall (Zech. 14:2), and it will seem as though the success of the Russian armies will be without doubt, when suddenly, and unexpectedly, God will intervene through His son the Lord Jesus:
“The Lord shall roar out of Zion and utter His voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake; but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion (in the person of His son), my holy mountain; then shall Jerusalem be holy” (Joel 3:16-17).
Ezekiel describes the same invasion of the Middle East by hostile armies which shall “in the latter days,” come “out of the north parts” against “God’s people of Israel” (Ezekiel 38:15-16). Not only is the time given – the latter days, but the very conditions of the Middle East are predicted. Israel is described as inhabited by a people “gathered out of the nations;” the land is described as “desolate places now inhabited” (vv. 8,12).
These terms describe the land of Israel today. Moreover, the invading army that is said by the prophet to descend “out of the north” can be identified with Russia. The description of the commander-in-chief as “the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal,” is better rendered according to the Hebrew (and see the Revised Version) as Prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. “Rosh” is the earliest form of Russia; “Meshech” can be identified with Moscow; and Tubal can be aligned with Tobolsk of Siberia.
It is obvious today that the eyes of Russia are centered upon the Middle East, and that the future of this country and of the Jewish People constitutes a bone of contention that will ultimately erupt into world war. The Bible predicts this, aligns it with Armageddon, and reveals that Christ, having resurrected and given eternal life to his faithful followers, will manifest himself to the world at that time and will intervene to establish his authority in the earth:
“It shall come to pass at that same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that My fury shall come up in My face … and I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezek. 38:18,23).
Christ’s Future Work
When Christ returns, he will accomplish that which many people today are teaching Antichrist will do. He will set up his power in Jerusalem; will proclaim himself as King and Saviour; and will rebuild the Temple to provide a basis for the unifying and universal worship he will establish in the earth.
Isaiah describes the result of his activities at that time:
“And it shall 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 anymore.” (Isaiah 2:2-4).
Unfortunately, the Lord will receive opposition in that day, because of the propagation of the theory attributing this action to Antichrist, and so undermining the Truth.
Your Personal Involvement
A responsibility therefore rests upon all people of goodwill to search out the truth concerning the purpose and will of God. We appeal to the reader to give earnest consideration to the Bible and what is taught in the Bible alone, and to free his mind from theories that would blind him to the facts of the situation.
Fulfilling prophecy today clearly indicates that Christ is at the door. Christ is to return, to raise from the dead and give life eternal to those who have lived according to his will; to change the political and moral character of the world; to unite all mankind in a common understanding of truth, and to draw them together in a unifying worship at a Temple to be erected in Jerusalem (see Zech. 14:16).
A wonderful and grand opportunity is open to all who are prepared to identify themselves with him now, to share his glory of the future. This requires a personal effort, both to understand and to do what he requires. The commission given to his disciples epitomises what is necessary. He told them: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, he that believeth and is baptised shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
You owe it to yourself and your family to look into these things, to determine what is the truth of the Bible and to prepare yourself and your family for Christ’s Return to Judge this world in Righteousness.
Acts 17:31
“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
