Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-12-05

/ ~ 8&E3$# III ~ ~ ANNA |
&@MNNMM Pastor Russelrs
S####Ma#$# discourse on the
W####### ### Battle Of Arma. :
K@## ## geddOn." His text
lAN###I a HE gathered
49, them together unto
a placed called in
tMASlQKKQSSElDE the Hebrew tongue
- : Armageddon."|
Revelation xvi. 1877 The speaker said
Armageddon In the Hebrew signifies
the "Hill Of Megfddo." or Mount of De-
struction. 1t was famons as a battle.
Geld in Old Testament times.
The Lord has seen ct 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
tthe last book Of the Bible, evidently
with a view to hiding certain impor-
staut truths until the due time for theit
revealment. But even in the due time,
1.-THE Bible assures us, "None Of the
wicked shall understand" Daniel xii,
9, '10)-none who are out Of heart har-
mony with 'Gad-but only the wise Of
His people-the A'wise virgin" class of
the Masters parable.
I have long avoided presentation of
my understanding Of our text and Its
nnnfovt kol,o f. nm por, I'm roo,,oct
and because l believe it is due time to
be understood. disclaim any special
inspiration. In some particulars my
views agree with those Of ether Bible
students, and in other respects they
disagree. Each hearer must use his
and reach his own conclusions.
Kindly remember that I am not re-
sponsible' for the figures of speech used
by the Lord. Ny interpretations do in
.deed constitute a terrible arraignment
sof institutions which we have all rever-
fenced and which embrace good people,
! az good words and good works. Gods
sanity people in these various Rstitu-
hons, being comparatively few. are
Eigne4ed when systems as a whole are
dealt .with in prophecy.
eDraeon, Beast, False Prophet.
f0ur. context tells us that three i'm
pure Spirits .lteachings) will 60 forth
from the '1noAShs Of the Dragon, the
Beast and the'False Prophet, and these
| three will be. in. accord, and symbolical-
" the doctrines ia 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, will be gathered In solid
phasanx-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-
Eaed in the world, will join the same
side, according to this prophecy.
These doctrines Of demons" repre-
ssented by the. "frogs." will lead many
noble people in 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-
s~straints will be considered necessary
for self-preservation-for the mainte-
nance Of the present order Of things.
I'm giving this Interpretation, 1t is
necessary for us to indicate what is
symbolized by the Dragon, the Beast,
and the False Prophet. Bible students
of nearly all denominations agree with
US that the "Dragor' Of Revelation
represents the purely Civil Power.
Interpreters generally agree
that the Beast like a leopard" Reve-
latdon Kill, p represents the Papacy.
But fewer still, we fear, will be ready
support our view that Professionalism
Is the image of the Beast" lEevehtion
Kill, 15) in our context given another
name. the False Prophet" We urge
one to accept our Interpretation,
nor shall we think hard of any who
It. We will neither SANDER nor
otherwise injnre them now, nor threat
them with eternal torture. They
have the same right to their views that
have. and the same right to make
hem known to others. And I, for
me, Will be very glad to consider any
hing which opponents may set forth
Is their interpretations Of our text.
"unelean Spirits Like Fross."
The symbolisms Of Scripture, right,
= understood. are always forceful.
When the Holy Spirit used a frog"