The Nations Marshalling for Armageddon
By Dr. Louis
Bauman
As this issue goes to press, word has reached us that on November 8th in Washington, D. C. Dr. Louis S. Bauman went to be with the Lord. So far as we know, this is the last article he ever wrote, and it will have the deeper significance to our readers. The January issue will contain an account of Dr. Bau man’s life and work. The entire church of Christ will feel deeply the loss of this outstanding man of God.
Flag raising at United Nations General Assembly.
I T seems strange that there should be so many erro neous views afloat among true believers today concern ing the “battle of Armageddon.” It is quite common "to hear the great battle described by Ezekiel in chapters 38 and 39, wherein Gog is overthrown, called the “ battle o f Armageddon.” Also the conflict described by John in Revelation 20:8, wherein the destruction of “ Gog and Magog” brings to an end the very last satanic rebellion against God, is believed to be Armageddon. Many hold that Armageddon will be a great, final clash between Gentile nations for the dominion of the earth. Theodore Roosevelt, speaking of the great battles in France during the first world war, said: “We go up to Armageddon and do battle for the Lord.” The teaching of the Scripture is so plain that it seems strange that such errors should be made. The name Armageddon originates from Revelation 16: 14,16: “ For they are the spirits of devils, working mir acles, 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 . . . And he gathered them together to a place called in the Hebrew tongue Arma geddon.” The “ Determination” of the God of Israel Once before, the God of Israel having decreed the doom of the wicked King Ahab, that he should fall at Ramoth- gilead (1 Kings 22), sent forth a “ lying spirit” to “ per suade” Ahab to go to that very spot where he was smit ten down in his chariot. Even so, when the hour arrives, the kings of the earth will be moved by evil spirits to march to their doom, and to bring to an end “ the times of the Gentiles,” on the very spot that God has decreed. Might Communism, Fascism and Romanism prove to be these evil spirits? Time will tell. It is written: “ Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger” (Zeph. 3:8, R.V.). D E C E M B E R , 1 9 5 0
It is written: “ I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judg ment upon them there for my people, and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: and they have parted my land, and have cast lots for my peo ple, and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine” (Joel 3:2,3, R.V.). Thus, the nations that have held the flesh and blood of the Jews so cheaply, will be drawn into the valley of Jehoshaphat for their final judgment. And, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory . . . then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all the nations:” and, these nations will be judged on the ground of their treatment of the Jew: “ Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren . . . ye did it unto me.” One of the common, outstanding and most vital errors made by expositors is in considering Matthew 25:31-4.6 to be the judgment of individuals rather than “nations.” The salvation of individuals is “ by grace through faith” (Eph. 2:8-10), and is never of works. History supplies us with abundant evidence that Satan has ever sought the annihilation of the children of Israel. The reason is quite apparent. Jesus said: “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). And He stood in the shadow of Calvary, knowing full well what the Jews would do to Him shortly, when He said that! It is the relation of our Lord to Israel that has been back of the satanic persecution of the Jews through the centuries. It was to the children of Israel that Jesus plainly said of the last days: “ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matt. 24:9). Note that: “Hated of all nations FOR MY NAME’S SAKE” ! In the light of that statement how can any child of God permit himself to be impregnated with the virus of anti-Semitism? Page Thirteen
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs