First: “The Deceiving of the Nations.” Rev. 20:8

“And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth.” Up until the thousand years were finished, the then-known world was small in comparison to what is known now. According to the Word of God this loosing for a little season is going to be world wide. “Four quarters of the earth.” The objective of Satan’s working through these false religious systems was, is, and will be for the purpose of deceiving the people, and winning adherents to systems that will be antagonistic to the true Church. The deception will be in the form of the genuine, but possessing a seducing, and compromising spirit concerning Christian living, and in regard to the true standard of the Word of God.

It has always been the trick of satan to change the true doctrine of the people of God if possible. Change the doctrine and the people will be changed. The scripture saith, “Let no man deceive you.” This great deception spoken of will be world wide—“Four quarters of the earth.” The time designated here is from the 15th century until Jesus comes. This gross deception will be accomplished through the hundreds of man-made organizations called churches. At the present time there are many hundreds of them. Call the organization what you will, if it is not divine in its origin, and work, be assured it is designed to help accomplish the awful destructive work of deception and death. Deceiving work is not alone the plan of the enemy. His purpose is to gather Gog and Magog together to battle the true Church of God. The number of these false religious systems according to the Scripture is as the sand of the sea, meaning numberless. How dreadful this may seem, but it is a revelation of coming events in the future. These anti-christian systems are at war now with the true church, but not as noticeable as coming days will reveal.

Second: What is Gog and Magog?

“Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle.” Rev. 20:8. We now enter on some very difficult things in the minds of the majority of the professed Christian world. An earnest endeavor will be made to stay strictly with the word of God, and recorded facts of history. The word of God gives a true picture of Gog and Magog. “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (pagan Rome) and out of the mouth of the beast (papal Rome) and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Protestantism). For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” Rev 16:13–14.

Here we have three unclean (foul) spirits like frogs. The frog symbolizes the nature, mannerism, and character of these three spirits. The explanation of these three spirits, who they are and their time of reigning is given in Rev. 16:13. They are namely, the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. According to the Bible, these spirits actually were one spirit, only changing its form of appearance, and operation when necessity demanded it. The first spirit came out of the mouth of the dragon. The dragon, as we have noted, is symbolic of pagan Rome, which came into existence in the imperial form in 27 B. C. and continued into the third century, at which time it disintegrated. Its disintegration marked the end of Pagan Rome proper. Its duration was between three and four hundred years.

Pagan Rome denied God and was bitterly opposed to any form of the Christian religion. History, speaking in addition to the Bible, relates that during its reign many died martyrs’ deaths for Christ and His cause at the iron hand of this godless ruling power. Despite the severe persecution, and the hand of death being wielded freely by paganism, the Gospel of Christ was preached, with such power, that it won the hearts of multitudes, and grew into a mighty influence, that moved with such boldness and was endued with such unconquerable power of God that paganism was unable to withstand, and crumbled and fell under the mighty influence of Christianity. Since this anti-god power was unable to withstand Christ and His church, we see it laying off the cloak of paganism and robing up with the spirit of papalism, which is pictured in the book of Revelation as the second spirit, or the spirit of the beast.

The difference between paganism and papalism is that paganism was anti-Christian and papalism put on a profession of Christianity. Papalism (meaning the Catholic Church) came into full dress and power in the fifth century. The reign of papalism was from the ending of paganism until the fifteenth Century A. D. This is a period the book of Revelation calls the “one thousand years,” known in prophecy and history as the “Dark Ages.”

Even though papalism did robe up in the form of Christianity, it possessed the same anti-Christian spirit and attitude as the dragon (pagan Rome) did. The same deadly, murderous spirit controlled, as it did its predecessor, so bitter, merciless, and deadly was the spirit against the followers of Christ, that history states that about 60,000,000 Christians died martyrs’ deaths because they would not give up Christ. It can be easily seen it is the same old spirit of pagan Rome, dressed up in a cloak of feigned Christianity and increased into a more deadly, and destructive organization. To refuse to accept, or compromise with it meant death.

The third spirit came out of the mouth of the false prophet. The two former spirits have been dealt with, which brings us up to the fifteenth century. The third spirit began during the fifteenth Century and will continue until the end of time. It is the false prophet age, which means false prophesying, resulting in gross sect-making, confusion, and wickedness of every description in the name of Christianity. The Word of God says, “But evil men and seducers (deceivers) shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Tim. 3:13. These days are upon us now. The fulfillment of prophecy is not in full bloom as yet, but is coming to pass as prophesied.

The organization, and vehicle on which the false prophets ride, and perform their mission is through Protestantism. This may appear to be a terrible indictment, but it is scripturally true nevertheless. These prophets are working mightily and feverishly today in sheeps’ clothing. They are ravening wolves, in the form and profession of Gospel Ministers. This word of God teaches us we are in perilous days.

The three great powers of formal religion, that compose Gog and Magog are Paganism, Popery, and Protestantism. These are the three unclean spirits spoken of by John the Revelator, that will be instrumental in the hands of the devil to gather together Gog and Magog. The foregoing harmonizes with Rev. 16:19–21. The great city consisting of three parts is here given by the Bible. Note carefully, “The cities of the nations fell,” resulting in a merging that was called “Great Babylon” Rev. 16:10. This merging in the full sense has not as yet reached its fullness but it is in the making and is forming. In due time, as the Bible teaches, consolidation is coming. Gog and Magog are the combined forces of all false religions. They are systems that have a profession of Christianity and yet are bitterly opposed to the full standard of Christ, His Word, and His Church.

For further clarification of the term Gog, we read in Ezek. 38:1–2, “And the word of the Lord came unto me saying: Son of Man, set thy face against Gog, and the land of Magog.” Gog in the Greek is a name of an Anti-Christian spirit. Magog is of the same spirit, only broader in its scope. It means many forms much more deceptive in their nature, and workings. All we need to do is take the false in the time of Christ and follow it through until the coming of Christ and we will have Gog and Magog.

The true Gospel light began to dawn because of Biblical preaching, hence making it necessary for the false to transform itself into various forms, and creeds to perpetuate itself. The devil is constantly at work to keep the counterfeit as near the truth as possible, not to be truth, to make it more deceptive. May the Lord help every true, born again child of God, that belongs to sectism or denominationalism, to see they belong to a system, or organization that in days to come will help to make up that great system of false religion that will try to hang Christianity on the scaffold of its deceptive and deadly power. This very thing is at work now, and will continue to get worse until the end of time.

The message of God is to all Christians connected with man-made ways, systems, organizations, and Churches so-called, to “Come out from among them, and be not partakers of her sins.” The judgment of God is going to fall on these systems. Christians, obey the voice and “Come out of her.” If you do not you will receive the same judgment. God has a church free from all sectism, the world and sin. If you are saved from sin, you belong to the great family of God. Do not join anything. God has already put you in, through the door, which is Christ, John 10:9. Remain free from all man-made ways and creeds, and rejoice in the great freedom of the Gospel.

Third: The Manner of Gathering of Gog and Magog.

The manner in which they will be gathered is through the adherents of the three unclean spirits, and their final merging and formation. In addition to this let us look at Rev. 20:8. The information given here states, “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.”

Here is a picture of the three false spirits going out to all parts of the world. Their purpose is to deceive the nations, and gather together all worshipers of, and adherents to this great mass of false religions into one great body: to attempt to gain power enough to accomplish its desired goal, that of destroying the TRUE. Furthermore, it is brought forth in this text that the objective of their gathering, is for the great final battle. We note the size of the army of Gog and Magog is numberless, “As the sand of the sea.” The nature and place of this battle will be considered at length later, therefore, we will let this thought rest at this point.

Fourth: Time of Gathering.

It will be here on this earth during the latter days. This fact is proven by the Word of God. Together we read, “Preach the Word: be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they (professed Christians) 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 into fables.” 2 Tim. 4:2–4. Paul states: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy: without natural affections, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof, from such turn away.” 2 Tim. 3:1–5. Without the least degree of doubt, we can truthfully say, this time is upon us now. The spiritual condition of the world in general is terrible, and spirituality is at a very low ebb. It is a fulfillment of the Bible. Never has there been a time when the nominal church professed higher, and denied more. Analyze the above scriptures and see if all of them are not being fulfilled. Peter gives an account of this time in 2 Pet. 2:1–3. From the scriptures can be seen the time of gathering is in the “latter days” here on this earth. If in doubt of the truth of these statements, raise the spiritual shutter, look out, the moving is on.

Fifth: The Place of Gathering.

The place is given in Rev. 16:16, “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon” (mount of holiness). Again, we read, Rev. 20:9, “And they (Gog and Magog) went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints, and the beloved city …” The place of gathering of these false religions will be around the true Church of God. The people who compose it are living on the mount of holiness, experiencing holiness of heart and life, here on this earth. Adherents to and worshippers of Gog and Magog will be great haters of the true saints of God, who believe in and practice holiness. There are many holiness fighters at the present, but they are becoming more numerous, and bold, and will wax worse and worse until the end of time. Opposers of holiness are a part of this great system of false religion. The great central truth of the Bible is Christ and holiness. God’s true people never oppose holiness, nor any other part of the Word of God knowingly. It is the only road to heaven.

Sixth: The Armor of Gog and Magog

The prophet Ezekiel gives a clear description of the armor and weapons of Gog and Magog. Ezek. 38:2–4. Pictured here is an army … all of them clothed with all sorts of armor, “even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.” Their Captain is the devil, Rev. 20:7–8. With this kind of leadership, character, spirit and equipment, most anything can be expected. The present general status of denominationalism is a gross state of error, division, and confusion. Concerning the kingdom of the devil, Jesus gives us some very encouraging words. “And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.” Mark 3:24–25. The prophet Isaiah gave a true picture of the spiritual condition of those not of the truth, or the true way. “It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth: but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold, he drinketh: but he awaketh, and behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite; so shall the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion (True Church) “ Isa. 29:8.

Despite the terrible divided condition of sectism today, and being at war among themselves, there is one thing they are agreed upon, and that is to set themselves against the full Gospel Truth, and God’s true Church. This feeling of dislike will be intensified, and become more open, as rapidly as the false is able to gain sufficient influence and power in places of authority as to feel secure. This is borne out by the Scriptures. However, do not misunderstand, and think that I am saying the false will gain sufficient power to overthrow the true. Never. The words of Jesus give us great hope, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it (the Church).” Matt. 16:18.

The true and the false are strongly arrayed against each other, and we need not expect harmony. It will be tragical if this should happen. The determination to win will be strengthened as the battle grows more intense. But with all this, God has promised definite, present, final, and eternal victory to His blood-bought Church. Be encouraged, brethren, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4. This is the victory that over-cometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4.

Seventh: The Final Conflict of the Army of Heaven, the True Church of God.

It is evident beyond all question, there are two distinct religious movements operating at the present time, namely, the true, and the false. It has always been, and will always be. Both of them are just as visible as the people who represent them are visible. The difference between them is as marked as the difference between day and night, or light and darkness. The true has its origin from God, and is controlled by His Spirit. The false originates with man, and is controlled by man. The one is going upward with God, the other downward with the devil. The history of these two has been one constant conflict since the beginning. This being true, we can expect the conflict to continue as long as time shall be, only to become more furious.

The great unanswered, and puzzling question with many today is the nature of this “Armageddon” warfare. There is hardly a religious movement of our day, but what is preaching and teaching it as a great physical and literal combat, that is to happen in the future. This great literal combat as advocated by many will never be. The Bible does not teach it that way.

It is shown beyond all question in the preceding chapters of this book there is going to be an Armageddon battle. To this, I think, all will agree without hesitancy. But the question to settle is, what is the nature of it, and where will this great battle be fought, and by whom? The only unquestionable authority is the Word of God. To it we will now go for the answer.

The account of this is clearly given in Rev. 19:11–16, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called, The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Now to the explanation of these scriptures. In verse 11, a white horse is spoken of. The horse is used here as a symbol of an army, warrior, and a warfare, He (Christ) that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness (not carnal, literal combat) he doth judge and make war. His warfare is on the plane of righteousness, and not physical combat. Verses eleven and twelve have reference to Christ and are self-explanatory.

The armies spoken of in verse 14 are the Saints of God that compose God’s true Church here on earth. They were also on white horses, meaning they too, were in this righteous warfare with Christ their Captain. The fine linen, white and clean, is the righteousness of the Saints. “And to her (the Church) was granted that she (the Church) should be arrayed in fine linen, (righteousness) clean and white (pure and bright) for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Rev. 19:8.

In Rev. 19:15 it shows the Word of Christ going forth from His mouth. The power of it is given in Heb. 4:12, “For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword …” This sword is, “The Word of God” Eph. 6:17. It shall smite the nations; and He (Christ) shall rule them (His people) with a rod of iron (His Word); And he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness, and wrath of Almighty God. That is, He sends judgment on all that refuse to obey His Word, and reject it. Verse 16 speaks of Christ being “Kings of Kings, and Lord of Lords.”

From these scriptures we see that God’s true Church will never be engaged in a physical, literal warfare with earthly weapons. From the time Jesus came and built His Church, has he sanctioned or allowed His Church to go to physical carnal combat? In the case of Peter cutting off the high priest’s servant’s ear Jesus said to Peter, “Put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword (literal weapons) shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels” … Matt. 26:52–53

The prophecy of Joel concerning the Church of God, the body of Christ, states, “Neither shall one thrust another …” Joel 2:8. The uniform of a Christian is the robe of Salvation, the righteousness of God. The armor of a Christian is a spiritual armor, which includes, “loins girt about with truth, and a breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace, the helmet of Salvation, the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God and the Shield of faith,” Ephesians, the sixth chapter. This is a spiritual armor for a spiritual combat.

We hear the voice ringing out to His glorious Church in 2 Cor. 10:4, saying, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” Mighty through God. More powerful than anything the world has to offer. The nature of the Christian warfare is recorded in Eph. 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, (human beings) but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places …” It is shown here that the Christian warfare is spiritual, and is far greater and more powerful than any literal combat.

We exhort to “Recompense to no man evil for evil.” Rom. 12:17. “Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:20–21. The word of God further teaches, “Dearly beloved, (Christians) avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19.

Jesus says, “Love your enemies, bless them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44. The Church that Jesus built, the body of Christ, has lived by this standard, and followed this course since its beginning, and will continue unto the end. The Old Ship Zion (the Church) has weathered many storms, and has always come through more than a conqueror, riding the high waves of victory, shouting “Hosanna” to Christ, the matchless King. Jesus declared, “Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell (methods, powers, and ways of men and devils) shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:18. The message of God to His Church, “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Ex. 14:14.

The past is a good criterion to judge the future course of the Church. The only change we can expect in the true Church of God is much growth numerically, and a waxing much more powerful and brilliant in the truth and way of God. She will continue to go as destined by the Lord, and will arrive on Heaven’s shore on scheduled time. Praise God for this hope and assurance.

Eighth: The Armies of the Beast, or False Religions.

We will now consider the final forming and actions of the army of the beast, meaning false religions. Their character, and mannerisms are clear in the Bible. The Bible states in Rev. 19:19, “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him (Christ) that sat on the horse, and against his army.” God revealed to John the Revelator that all false religions would gather themselves together near the end of time to make war against Christ and His Church. One may be assured according to the scriptures, that the time is coming when all false religions will agree on one thing and that is to dispose of Christ and His Church. Another picture is given in Rev. 20:7–8, “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed (encircled, surrounded) the camp of the Saints about, and the beloved City (The Church) and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.”

Here we have the best description to be found given of the condition near the end of the world. The purpose of the gathering of Gog and Magog is to destroy the church which he (Christ) purchased with His own blood. The first step after being loosed out of prison after the thousand years, Satan went forth to deceive the nations, using his false systems in the guise of religion. Without close observation, it can be seen these false systems are working feverishly, and overtime accomplishing their mission. To say they are making marked progress cannot be denied.

The great question in many minds is, will these false religions (Gog and Magog) ever join themselves, and use carnal, literal weapons? To this it can be said, you can expect anything, when possible, from the false. The history of Paganism, Papalism, and Communism will reveal something of the course of Gog and Magog in the future. It is true the beast’s and the false prophet’s powers are antagonistic to, and are avowed enemies of Communism at the present, but according to the Scriptures the merging day is coming. At the present the beast powers (Papalism) and Communistic powers are tenaciously at each other’s throat. The battle is raging with much fury between them.

From the teaching of the scriptures the old Pagan power will continue until the end of the world. Just as fast as it is conquered in one form, it will arise with another cloak. The religious cloak of Gog and Magog will be somewhat different than anything prior to it. What it will be in name is not given in the scriptures other than Gog and Magog, etc. What difference does it make what suit it wears, if it still possesses the same spirit and character: Here is one thing we may be assured of, since the beast (Papalism) spoken of in Revelation is the mother of all Protestantism, the way the mother goes, the daughters (Protestantism) will tag along. Do not let this cast a gloom over you if you are a Christian, but let it serve to free you from these false ways, if you are not already free, and to fortify you against becoming a promoter of something that is an avowed enemy to Bible Christianity.

As to the tactics, ways, and mannerisms that will be used by the false movements, they are numerous. They are using every conceivable way to get power. One of the most successful approaches of today is the lowering of the standard of religion so low that one can become a member without disturbing him in his sin. These low standards by nominal Christianity are gaining adherents, which ultimately means strength numerically. This group is, and will continue, to band themselves together to put in their kind.

There is a great effort being made by both Papal and Communistic powers to gain control of the government. Herein lies our danger. We have little to fear, unless this is accomplished. Should this occur, severe persecution is in store for Christianity. For example look at Russia, and other countries where Christianity has been dethroned from its rightful place in the government. This is the threatening thing the world is facing today. Unless Christians everywhere arise in the strength of Almighty God, this will come to pass. The great trend of the world is against God, His word, His Church, and all forms of true Christianity. Christians everywhere should become awakened, and greatly stirred. Dreadful days are upon the world, all because of a landslide of backsliding, and wholesale compromise be the many so-called Christians, resulting in nations rejecting God.

The unanswered question remaining in the minds of many is. “What will be the final move against Christianity by Gog and Magog?” The best answer to this will be found in the history of state and national religion. For example, note the results to the three Hebrew children, Daniel, and others of that day who refused to bow to the King, (National Religion). Consider the attitude and actions of Paganism (National Religion) during the days of Christ and the early church, how it was so severely persecuted, and many Christians were put to death, and a jubilant time was had while they were dying the most inhuman deaths that could be conceived. One more example is Papalism during the “Dark Ages.” Millions were martyred in the most merciless manner because they believed in, and would not deny Christ. Similar things would occur throughout the entire world now if certain powers could gain control. The history of false religionists is, to win by deception if possible, but if unable by this method, use force. And this in whatever degree necessary to win. This can only be done when the false wins sufficient government control, that justice cannot be meted out. Without question, Christians are being persecuted today, but as the end nears it will become more severe.

No doubt your soul is stirred, and you are wanting to know how things will end. To this we will let the Word of God answer. The beast and his armies will be taken by the Lord. The recorded word is given in Rev. 19:20. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them (nations), that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image (protestantism). These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” God will send judgment upon them before He will permit them to destroy His Church. God is not going to allow His glorious Redeemed Church to suffer something she has passed through in the past. It is true Christians will be persecuted severely, but not to the extent of past centuries, particularly as to length of time.

Again, we read, Rev. 20:9, “And they (Gog and Magog) went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city, and fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” Notice, this does not say God permitted Gog and Magog to destroy His Church. But when they were all set to destroy it, God sent His judgment, and destroyed the false in hell. This fire means the judgment of God, on the Great Day, at the end of the world. Notice immediately following this happening, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever, and ever.” Rev. 20:10. According to the scriptures God will never allow His Church to go through another dark age experience. Time will end before He will permit it. Daniel gives us a prophecy of this same time, “I beheld then, because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed and given to the burning flames.” Dan. 7:11. King Jesus thus triumphant over the armies of earth and hell at this time delivers up His glorious Kingdom to the Father, “Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” I Cor. 15:24; 26. Then the army (Church) in Armageddon’s height (Mount of Holiness) is now released from duty and caught up forever with the Lord.

The Bible states, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch angel and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:16–18.

Politically, there will be war and rumors of wars. Socially, Jesus said, “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the Ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matt. 24:37–39

Economically, there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, etc. Matt. 24:7. The Battle of Armageddon will not be a great literal battle fought with lead and steel, by carnal kingdoms as some would have you believe. It is a far greater battle. It is one between the true and the false church, between holiness and sin, between right and wrong.

The true Church, moving forward under the direct command of God, possessed with the great power of the Holy Spirit cannot be conquered. The Old Ship of Zion is sailing the high sea of victory. Her cargo is holy men and women. Jesus is at the helm steering her clear of all the breakers. She is being attacked by many torpedoes of compromise, but she is puncture proof, and secure from the devil. She is timed to round the beautiful harbor, and dock on heaven’s shore the last great day. Her passengers, the Redeemed of the Lord, will unite in one great heavenly anthem of praise, joy, and victory that shall never end.

May the Lord bless this truth to the heart of each reader, reveal His glorious light of the Gospel, and unite all of the Redeemed of the Lord into one great Divine Church His body, that a powerful warfare may be waged against the false that is so severely threatening our freedom, and grant that we may preserve the spiritual, political, social and economical freedom we now enjoy.

Chapter V
The Great Judgment Scene

In Rev. 20:11–15 is a true and a detailed picture of the great general judgment that shall be when Jesus makes His return. Notice closely the account as given by the Word of God. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and heaven fled away: and there was found no place for them.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works.

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

These scriptures are so clearly stated that only a brief explanation of various statements will be necessary.

The great white throne in verse 11 is the great throne on which Christ will be seated as judge on the great and final judgment day which will be immediately following His return. The facts herein given reveal that the earth and the heavens fled away, meaning they were dissolved, and destroyed. V. 11. Another account is given in 2 Pet. 3:10 of the disappearing of this earth when Jesus comes. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” It will be impossible for a literal reign of Christ, on a literal throne during a millennium, or a thousand years, unless this earth remain. The Bible as shown teaches clearly that the earth, and all the works therein shall be destroyed. “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.” 2 Pet. 3:11.

In Rev. 20:12, it is stated, “And I saw the dead small and great stand before God.” This teaches us that all ranks, degrees, nations, and peoples will stand before God to be judged on this great day.

Jesus expressing a clear picture of this day says, “When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations; (not just the righteous, or christian people, but all, both saint and sinner) and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on His left.

Then 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. Then shall he (Jesus) say also unto them (sinners) on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Matt. 25:31–34, 41. Both Christians and non-christians were judged and rewarded at the same time, not one thousand years between the judging of the righteous and the wicked as some would have us believe.

The books being opened, spoken of in V. 12 means the Old and New Testaments. It further states, “another book was opened, which is the Book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works.”

The Book of life contained only the names of all genuinely saved individuals who had continued faithful unto death, or until the coming of Christ. All whose names were written in the book of life were taken to heaven. All whose names were not found in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire of eternal torment.

All who lived during the days of the Old Testament will be judged by the law of God given in the Old Testament. Those who lived during the period of the New Testament will be judged by the Gospel standard of the New Testament. This judgment will be according to the life lived. Rev. 20:12. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ: that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10. Those who have lived Christian will go to life eternal; those who refused Christ, and lived a sinful life will go to eternal damnation. In Rev. 20:13 we are told, “The sea gave up the dead which were in it.” This means those who had been drowned in it, and the vast number who had no other grave, And death also gave up the dead. The understanding intended here is, all who died by any kind of disease, whose bodies have been placed in the earth, or the grave.

Hell also delivered up those which were in it. Hell (or hades) meaning the place of abode for the departed spirits of the wicked to await the judgment. The sea, and death (grave) have all the bodies of human beings: hades has the spirits of the wicked. The bodies and spirits of all human kind must be reunited; hades therefore gives up the spirits, and the “sea” and the earth give up the bodies.

The place of abode for the spirits of the righteous between death and the judgment is Paradise. The account of the death of the rich man and Lazarus proves the spirits of the righteous and the spirits of the wicked are in two separate places between death and the judgment. Paradise is a place of rest and delight in the glory of the Lord. Hades is a place of outer darkness and torment in the regions of the lost, and in the presence of the devil and all his imps.

Verse 14 reveals that death and hell were cast into the lake. Death himself is now abolished, and the place for separate spirits is no longer needful. “This is the second death.” The first death consisted in the separation of the soul from the body for a season. The second death is the separation of body and soul from God forever. The first death is that from which there will be a resurrection; the second death is that from which there can be no recovery. By the first the body is destroyed during time: by the second, body and soul are in torment throughout eternity. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” V. 15.

May the Lord richly bless, and grant this truth may serve to save all from the awful place of everlasting torment called hell, and grant an abundant entrance to everyone into the eternal bliss and glory of heaven.

Yours in Him,
Lawrence J. Chesnut.