The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-09-08

was absent, His Church was author
lied to reign over the kingdoms OF the
earth, and to bring them into subjec-
ton. All kinds of intrigue and schem-
ing were considered to be justi1able
to the accomplishment OF the Divine
purpose; that Messiah through the
Church should conquer the world, that
the nations might be broken with o
religious sceptre of iron and dashed
TO pieces, or plotted against and torn
in pieces by their subjects, as might
be possible. The kings and the
judges of the earth who recognized the
Church as Messiah's Kingdom were
accounted wise. They must serve with
fear and literal trembling. On many
occasions verse 10 was quoted al a
warning to kings and to- princes that
they must keep in line with the be-
hests Of the Church-kiss the son, a
claimed vice-gerent OF Christ-lest he
be angry and they perish by the way.
As Revelation 20:1-5 tells us that the
Reign OF Messiah's Kingdom Is to be for
a thousand years, and that during that
time Satan Is to be bound, so It was
claimed that this ecclesiastical system
must thoroughly bind and dominate
Satanic power, as represented in every
thing that opposed it. In full harmony
with this misinterpretation were some
81 the facts.
For exactly a thousand years DC
E~iesiasttcism prospered and ruled the
world-from A. d. 800 to A. ID. 1T99s
The spell which had held Europe and
much OF the world for ten centuries
was broken by Napoleon. When he
carried the Pope a prisoner to France,
the world wondered. Could 1t be that
the spiritual power of Chrfst's King
dom was ineffective against the great
General, Napoleon2 What did 10 meany
The answer came promptly enough
that this was merely another fulfil
ment Of Scripture-the loosing of Sn-
tan at the end Of the thousand years.
Revelation 20:7-109 The prediction
was made, and fully believed, that
very SOC the adverse conditions would
pass away, and the ecclesiastical
throne be re-established in greater
power and glory than ever before. But
instead. Ecclesiasticism has waned.
In September 1870 its last support gave
ray In the French defeat of Sedan.
Forthwith the King of Italy took away
the last vestige Of temporal power.
Awakening Of Bible Students.
Since then, Bible students, and In
deed the whole world, are awakening
to the fact that no real Millennium
OF blessing was enjoyed during the
thousand years of the past. We see
instead that 1t was a period OF great
darkness, superstition and ignorance.
Furthermore, the whole world is be-
coming convinced that the blessings
that have come to us during the past
century ara not OF Satan. but of God.
Indeed, we m learning more and
more to appreciate the fact that an
these wonderful things OF steam pow
er and electricity, with their hundreds
of applications for the advancement OF
science and the blessing OF humanity
are foregleams OF the true Millennium.
More and more we are realizing that
we are In the dawning OF that New
Day, and that the present time OF sci
entific development and enlightenment
10 but q preparatory epoch, making
ready for the coming blessings OF Mes
siah's Kingdom. The Scriptures indeed
describe the present as the day OF HiR
preparation preparation for the
thousand years OF Messiah'g Reign and
the blessing OF mankind.
II Ii not for as to SAY dogrnatically
how soon these blessings win burst
1pon the world In fullest measure.
Gonle Scriptures Indeed seem TO lndi~
cate that they are very clo6e-smpend-
Ing; but the great Time OF Trouble
with which these blessings viii be In
augurated is almost upon us. The dis
content prevalent everywhere 80 lead
ing on rapidly toward the trouble.
How much need we have 10 renaanR
her q textl How much the kings
and princes OF the world need 10 be ans
Htrlcted and to be wise-t0 serve the
lord with fear, and To- rejoice with
hope and yet with carefulnessl How
much NIL me need to remember the
closing words OF the Psalm: BLESSED
are MI that put their trust In Rim.' y y
The glorious Head of the Kingdom
WINS exalted more thnn eighteen CEN
fnrias ago, The First Resurrection WIN
soon complete the Body of Christ.
the Church. through which God has
desigred that reconciliation shall 30
/ extended to the world. Soon the King
dom will take 10 itself It's great power.
Under the Headsfip Of The Messiah.
it VIII 30 forth ~sonqnering. for the pure
pose of blessing. uplifting humanity
Cor whom f.hrist aiaal --z.=Ansy-s-