T h e K i n g ’ s
February 1932
B u s i n e s s
59
(2 ) Crystalization of evil (2 Tim. 3:1-5). (3 ) Consolidation of wealth (Jas. 5:1-5). (4 ) Confusion of great apostasy (2 Tim. 4 :3, 4 ). (5 ) Contempt of Christ and His coming (2 Pet. 3 :3). The book of Revelation is a dramatic presentation of all consummations epitomized by other sacred writers. John, who saw and bare witness as the panorama of the future was unveiled to him, employs a wealth of detail so astounding, and in symbolism so impressive, that compara tively few trust the realism of the visions. What a drama it is ! The veil is lifted; the future flits by in dissolving views: Rapidly the perspective changes, and intense are the scenic displays. The forces of good and evil, angelic and Satanic, divine and human, are struggling in fiercest battle. Through sev eral awful years, victories and defeats alternate. Three worlds strive for mastery on the earth, as the seat of conflict. We watch the changing scenes with awe, sorrow, or delight accordingly as they are displayed in heaven, on earth, or under the earth. The songs of victors alternate with the cries of martyrs; the shouts of overcomers mingle with-the wails of the vanquished; death rides forth majes tically to be finally destroyed. Satan’s brief reign of madness is followed by age-long gladness. “ The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, . . . sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” A S cene of T riumph (R evelation 4 and 5) A song of victory opens the judicial part of the book of unveilings. A throne is being set; world judgment is about to begin. The old order of creation government is closing and a new order established, a government on the basis of redemption. The setting is majestic, its glory transcendent. One wonders why men dare to mar the effect of the scene by at tempting to spiritualize it or relegate it to obscurity by forced exegesis. Later, the Lamb is seen in the midst of the throne, and the redeemed of all nations are manifested as present at the great coronation. They have come to participate in the exaltation of the “ Lion of Judah” before the judicial pro ceedings against the nations begin; for “ the saints shall judge the earth.” The moment the Lamb answers the challenge of worthi ness “ to open the book”4fthe record of the title to earth’s dominion (once forfeited by man)— “ the elders” and “ the living ones” (Zoa-beasts) sing a new song in harmony with the nature of the new redemptive government: “ Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof : for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood . . . and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5 :9 ,1 0 ). This is God’s first triumph in the conquest o f .“ the last days”— revealing a host of redeemed^ a kingdom of priests, with whom our glorified Lord will return. This is the con summation of church history on earth. What a triumph for Christ and His blood-bought possession! A S eries of T ragedies In striking contrast to the above scene, in the celestial regions (Rev. 6 ), tragic events are immediately enacted. The powers at Christ’s command, the symbolic horseman, go forth on missions of judicial infliction. The conquering prince (subsequently to be elevated as Antichrist), with false propaganda of peace to men—the counterfeit of the faithful and true warrior, revealed in Revelation 19— prepares the way for world wars, that will be waged by
the second horseman. Two others, Pestilence and Famine, follow in the wake of the first, and together, these three levy a death toll upon a fourth part of the earth (Rev. 6 :8 ). The fifth seal opetis, and the cry of martyrs is heard; the sixth is broken and a cataclysm of woe follows. All nature seems on the verge of collapse: The powers of na ture are shaken; an earthquake unprecedented convulses the earth and sea; the heavens are draped. Kings, mag nates, mighty men— frantic, distracted, desperate —pray to rocks and mountains. This is tragedy! T he V ictorious M ultitude (R evelation 7) Grace grants a brief reprieve. Israel is once more visited in mercy. An elect, a firstfruit of 144,000 is chosen, sealed, and commissioned to herald the coming of the King (the gospel of the kingdom). The nations are swiftly evangelized. A golden harvest of souls ripens in the fiery days, soon to be reaped. “ After this,” John writes, “ I be held, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could num ber, . . . stood before . . . the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, Salvation to our God . . . and unto the Lamb.” Another triumph! ' Space forbids describing further scenes o f alternating triumphs and tragedies such as the woe proclamations, the conquest of the skies, the rise and fall of Antichrist, the glory and doom o f Babylon City, the elevation and degrada tion of the scarlet woman (mystical Babylon), and. the hallelujah day in heaven, or the marriage of the Lamb. C hrist ’ s S upreme T riumph (R evelation 19) Once more the door in heaven swings open, and the re deemed hosts come forth. They are coming! He is com ing! This is the revelation. He comes in power, seated upon a white horse, symbol of righteous and irresistible might. He comes to wage righteous war. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? . . . Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, like him that treadeth in the winefat ?” And the answer is : “ I have trod den the winepress alone” (Isa. 63 :l-3 ). And the sequel is : “ He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” The gathered na tions, in a place called Armageddon, are crushed as in the winepress—God’s King of kings becomes sovereign Lord over all the earth. A Unique Ministry R. W ade C. S m ith , cartoonist-evangelist, is a Bible teacher of exceptional ability and unique method. He is.known to hundreds of enthusiastic readers of The Sunday School Times through his columns in that periodical entitled “ Little Jetts” and “ Say Fellows.” His meetings, known as Evangelistic Bible Studies, are becoming increasingly popular. During the past six years, Mr. Smith has conducted 142 such services, in which thousands of timid Christians have been challenged and led to see that personal work is a simple and normal process, adapted to the capabilities of any earnest believer. Great numbers of children and young people have been drawn especially to the night meetings by the “ Little Jetts”— simple etchings which Mr. Smith draws with ease and rapidity as he speaks. Mr. Smith will be on the Pacific coast during May, June, and July, and is now open for engagements during that time. Any community which is fortunate etlough to secure his services will be greatly enriched. Communica tions addressed to Mr. Smith in care of the Bible Institute o f Los Angeles will be forwarded promptly to him.
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