How significant, then, is the present, bitter, world-wide hatred of the Jews. The greatest agonies that they ever passed through our own eyes have beheld during the past few years. It is estimated that one-third of the entire number on the face of the earth have perished in unspeak able agonies in this our day; and that hatred still rankles without good reason in the minds and hearts of the na tions—yes, even here in free America the viper of anti- Semitism still rears its ugly head. The Field of the Battle “ Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about” (Joel 3:12). Thus God has re vealed the place where the judgment, foretold by Christ in Matthew 25:31-46, is to take place. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia states: “ The valley today, especially that part adjacent to the temple, is crowded with Moslem and Jewish graves” ; but, this same author ity declares that proof is wanting that this Valley of Jehoshaphat that stretches itself against the walls of our modern Jerusalem is the valley of Joel’s prophecy. How ever, Zechariah seems to make certain that this is the valley where blood will come “ out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles” (Rev. 14:20). The God o f Israel, speaking by the mouth of Zechariah, said, “ In that day [saith the Lord], will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people o f the earth be gathered together against it . . . In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zech. 12 :3 ,8 ,9 ). In Revelation, chapter 12, Satan persecutes the woman, Israel, because “ she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod o f iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne” (Rev. 12:5). Being unable to again press down the thorns upon the brow of our Lord, Satan spews his venom out upon the people who brought Him forth. '‘Hated . . . for My Name’s Sake!” The lament of David was that the nations “have taken crafty counsel against thy people . . . They have said,
Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee” (Psalm 83:3-5). It would seem to be beyond question, therefore, that on Armageddon’s battle ground, the kings of the earth, satanically inspired, will make their last supreme attempt to destroy the people of the covenants. Present Signs of the Battle When considering signs that betoken the approach of Armageddon, true believers should remember that ere Armageddon arrives, they are to be “ caught up together . . . to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:17). And, when our Lord shall descend to Armageddon’s battlefield, we will accompany Him in glorious array. (Zech. 14:5; Rev. 19:8,14). It is believed by most premillennial teach ers that between the up-calling of the saints and the battle itself, a period of seven years will intervene— “ Daniel’s missing week” (Dan. 9:24-27). But if we who now live see the nations marshalling for Armageddon, how near must our rapture be? “ Behold,” in those days, says the prophet Joel, when Armageddon draws nigh, “ Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles: Prepare war . . . Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong” (Joel 3 :9 ,10). A whole world in a very frenzy of preparation for the greatest of all wars! Such is the divine revelation of the days immediately pre ceding the Armageddon. No human being need be told that exactly that describes our day! Joel, with prophetic eye, looked forward across the cen turies, and he beheld the nations assembling all their ter rific forces to the battle. He saw the great gush of blood, the fearful agonies of innocent little children and of help less men and women. He turned his face away from it all, looked up into heaven, and cried: “ Thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, 0 Lord!” (3:11). What was that but a cry for the speedy coming of our Lord and “ the armies which were in heaven” (Rev. 19:14), so vividly foretold by John in Revelation 19:11-19? After that cometh peace! So arm, ye nations! It will be your last proud muster! Again, the call to Armageddon is written: “ Assemble yourselves, and come all ye . . . [nations]” (Joel 3:11). A vast assemblage of the nations of the earth into a great godless organization, ostensibly to obtain “ inter national peace and security” just preceding Armaged don . . . such is the ringing testimony of the sure word of prophecy from beginning to end. But, “When people say, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruc tion will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child; and there will be no escape” (1 Thess. 5:3, R.S.V.). We are now witnessing man’s supreme attempt to bring “on earth peace, good will toward men,” without the partnership of Him whom Almighty God has ordained as “ The Prince of Peace.” As I am writing these words, our nation is celebrating “United Nations Day” (1950). The first paragraph of the leaflet published by the United Nations and scattered over all the land, announcing this celebration, reads: “United Nations Day is the twenty-fourth of October. It marks the anniversary of that day in 1945 on which the United Nations Charter came into force as world law, expressing the mandate of the peoples of the world that THERE SHALL BE PEACE.” Not for one moment would I detract from the credit of the United Nations any accomplishments it has achieved
Tanks of modern warfare
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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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