Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-11-07

Armageddon in the Hebrew signifies
the Hill of Megiddo," or Mount of De
struction. 1t was famous as a battle
field in Old Testament times.
The Lord has seen fit to associate the
name Armageddon. with the great con.
troversy between Truth and Error
right and wrong. God and Mammon.
with which this Age will close, perish
and the New Age of Messiah's glory
be ushered in. He has purposely used
highly symbolical figures of speech in
the last book of the Bible. evidently
with view to hiding certain impor-
cant truths until the due time for their
revealment. But even in the due time.
the Bible assures us. None of the
wicked shall understand" Daniel xii.
o, 10I-none who are out Of heart har-
mony with God-but only the wise of
His people-the wise virgin" Gle Is OF
the Masters parable.
! have long avoided presentation Of
my understanding of our text and Its
context take it up now by request
and because I believe 1t is due time to
be understood. I disclaim any special
inspiration. In some particulars my
views agree with those II other Bible
students. and in other respects they
disagree. Each hearer must use his
own judgment. do his own Bible study.
and reach his own conclusions.
Kindly remember that am not re-
sponsible for the figures of speech used
by the Lord. My interpretations do in
deed constitute a terrible arraignment
of institutions which we have all rever-
enced and which embrace good people.
of good words and good works. Gods
sanity people In these various institu-
lions. being comparatively few. are
ignored when systems as a whole are
dealt with in prophecy.
The Dragon, Beast, False Prophet.
Our context tells us that three I'M
pure spirits 'teachings) will go forth
from the mouths Of the Dragon. the
Beast and the False Prophet, and these
three will be in accord. and symbolical.
ly the doctrines are represented by
frogs" These three doctrines are to
have a mighty influence throughout the
civilized earth They are to gather
the kings and their armies to the great
Battle OF Armageddon.
The ecclesiastical kings and princes.
and their retinues Of clergy and faith
full adherents. viii be gathered in solid
phalanx-Protestant and Catholic. The
kings and captains of industry, and as
many as can be influenced by them,
will be gathered to the same side. The
political kings and princes. with all
their henchmen and retainers, will fol-
low in line on the same side. The
financial kings and merchant princes.
and all whom they can influence by the
most gigantic power ever yet exercis-
ed in the world. will join the same
side. according to this prophecy.
These doctrines Of demons" repre-
scented by the frogs" will lead many
noble people Ir this great army to as
sumo an attitude quite contrary to
their preference. For a time the
wheels of liberty and progress will be
turned backward and medieval re-
straints will be considered necessary
for self-preservation-for the mainte-
nance of the present order of things.
In giving this Interpretation, 1t is
necessary for US to indicate what is
symbollzed by the Dragon, the Beast,
and the False Prophet Bible students
of nearly all denominations agree with
us that the dragon" of Revelation
represents the purely Civil Power,
Protestant interpreters generally agree
that the Beast ike leopard" Reye-
latiou Kill. 2, represents the Papacy.
But fewer still. we fenr, will be ready
TO support our view that Professionalism
Is the "lmage OF the Beast" Revelation
xiii, 49, In our context given another
name, 1.-THE False Prophet" We urge
no one 10 accept our Interpretation,
nor shall we think hard of any who
refuse IL We win neither SANDER nor