IN THE LAST TRUMP

        Immediately prior to the coming of the Lord the whole earth almost with one voice is worshipping the Antichrist as God. The Antichrist with superhuman powers has beaten the rebellious forces of the earth into submission, except for the Jews whom God has taken into a place of hiding, and also the saints who are being slaughtered in vast numbers. In every nation and every city there is the shout of "peace and safety;" and there is a kind of peace throughout the earth, but it is a peace that is anti-God, and anti-Christ. But Paul says, "when they shall say, peace and safety; then SUDDEN DESTRUCTION cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape" (I Thess. 5:3).
        During the reign of Antichrist (described under seals 2-5), the saints will be killed in great numbers; and we hear them under the altar crying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" (Rev. 6:9-11). The answer comes that they are to wait "for a little season." At the end of that "little season," we hear the angel who stands upon the sea and upon the earth swearing "by him that liveth for ever and ever ...that there would be time no longer" (literally --that there would be no longer delay). The "little season" has now elapsed and it is time for the events described under the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet. Thus, the angel continues with the words, "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to His servants the prophets" (Rev. 10:5-7). Observe that it says, "when he shall BEGIN to sound." As the trumpet begins to sound, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," "the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:16-17; I Cor. 15:51-52).
        As has already been proven, and as we must conclude, the latter part of I Thess. 4 and the first part of chapter 5 deal with the same time and event. Chapter 4 speaks more of what will happen, and chapter 5 begins by telling when it will happen. We must also conclude that I Thess. 4:13-18 and I Cor. 15:51-54 deal with the same event and time element. We must further acknowledge that the mystery that is finished at the seventh trumpet is the same mystery which Paul says will be accomplished at the last trumpet. As we learn from the seventh trumpet, and also I Thess. 5:1-2, this mystery is finished as the day of the Lord Jesus Christ begins. These things are a necessary harmony and the man who teaches otherwise will answer for the same in that day of judgment.
        Thus the reign of the Antichrist is ended when suddenly "the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" (I Thess. 4:16-17). The ones who "are alive and remain," are those who remain through the slaughter under the reign of the Antichrist; who are not of the "brethren, that should be killed" (Rev. 6:11).

        Moments before the saints go streaking through the skies around the earth, and in the presence of all the earth, to meet the Lord high in the air above Jerusalem who shines with a brilliance above the brightness of the sun (Acts 26:12; Rev. 1:16), the earth begins to reel and rock with an earthquake so exceedingly great that whole mountains will be shaken to pieces and many islands of the seas move out of their places (Rev. 6:12-17; Luke 21:25-28). Some islands will no doubt be completely submerged in the sea while new ones will appear. There will be great upheavals in the oceans with giant waves rolling and roaring. There will undoubtedly be numerous explosions beneath and above the surface of the earth. An earthquake so huge will demolish whole cities, leaving them in ruins with many hundreds of thousands killed. The skyscrapers of New York and other great cities will crumble before the intensity of the quaking. Many people will be shaken out of their beds, or off their feet. Cars will be shaken off the highways and trains off their tracks.
        At the time the earth begins to quake the sun also suddenly blackens out and the moon likewise. Multitudes of stars begin to fall in streaking fire out of the heavens creating a display along with the results of the earthquake that will cause the greatest distress of nations, with perplexities, the world has every imagined. The tribes of the earth shall mourn exceedingly with "men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth" (Luke 21:25-27). How long this particular conduct of nature will last is not stated but we may judge from the language used that it will not all be over in a moment.
        In the midst of all this the saints are gathering around the Lord "from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven" (Mark 13:27). The spirits of the saints shall be clothed in immortality, even the shining and brilliant glory of Christ. This blessed exaltation of the saints shall be viewed by the horror filled eyes of multiplied millions on earth who have refused to repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; and by this refusal they have hated the Savior. There in the skies Christ shall "be glorified in his saints," and shall be admired in all them that believe (II Thess. 1:10). What joyful singing of praises to God and Christ shall take place in the very presence of the Antichrist and all those who have proclaimed him their God. Those who have not remembered Lot's wife will not escape for they have neglected this great salvation (Heb. 1:14; 2:3; Luke 17:31-37).
        "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindred's of the earth shall wail because of him" (Rev. 1:7). It is on this occasion that the remnant of Israel, who have been kept in hiding through the reign of Antichrist, will accept as Lord and Christ, the One who shines above the brightness of the sun. Though there are about Him a countless multitude of the Gentiles, yet they will be convinced of their error and will receive God's Chosen as the righteous One. With joy they desire Him as their King. Jesus said that the Jews would not see Him till they said "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matt. 23:39), therefore this is the time when the Lord will plead with them face to face (Ezek. 20:35).
        Accompanying Christ and this vast host of elected ones; and standing ready to fully assist their every desire, are the mighty angels of God. This speaks in no wise of weakness on the part of the glorified saints, but rather, it speaks of the immeasurable heights to which these heirs of salvation are exalted (Heb. 1:14).
        Some moments after the earth begins to quake, the sun and moon are blacked out, and the stars streak through the heavens, the whole heavens themselves will be rolled back like a scroll when it is rolled together and the entire earth will view the throne of God in heaven upon which the Father is sitting. A further background will no doubt be furnished by another exceedingly vast host of the angels of God.
        It is said that in the days after the flood (of Genesis) men had a feeling that the heavens were very near the earth, and that wicked men could never feel comfortable; but that Nimrod, who is today worshipped in one form or another in every nation, succeeded in pushing the heavens back away from the earth till such wicked men could feel somewhat comfortable (see the book entitled, "TWO BABYLON'S," by Hislop). Regardless of whether such is true or not, it is true that when the earth shall view the heavens "standing open," as described above and in the former chapter, they will certainly feel that heaven is resting upon the earth, for the throne of God shall visibly be as but a short distance from them.
        If there ever was a time when fear struck men so intensely that their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets; their hearts nearly jumped out of their mouths; their blood almost melted through the pores of their skin; and their hair turned white and stood straight up on their heads, it will certainly be at this time when they view this announcement of the "fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God." All the proud and haughty of the earth who have through their conduct lifted themselves up against Almighty God and His blessed Son by way of mocking, scoffing, and sneering at the humble servants of God, shall at this time be brought so low as to run for the caves and holes of the earth seeking shelter from the wrath of God (Rev. 6:12-17). One of the most gruesome and weird things I have ever heard or read is found in Proverbs 1:26, where God says, "I also will LAUGH at your calamity; I will MOCK when your fear cometh." (Compare also Psalm 2:4; 37:13; 59:8; etc).
        Soon after the heavens are rolled back, Christ with the saints and many angels, shall descend to the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem as the Antichrist and his forces flee from the land of Palestine as quickly as possible (Acts 1:9-11; Zech. 14:3-15; Joel 2:1-11; 3:1-17; Rev. 14:1-7; Dan. 11:45; etc.).
        Among the many things that will be discussed relative to the wrath of God. I will especially be giving proof that Christ and the saints are in Jerusalem at this period of time. Under the direction of God, the angels from heaven are pouring out the wrath of God upon the nations, while the saints, being directed by Christ from Jerusalem, are engaged in the same business. I Cor. 6 teaches that the saints will have a part in judging the world; and from Jude 14-16 we learn that part of that judgment will take place when Christ comes, for it says, "And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." In Dan. 7:26, we read, "But the judgment shall sit, and they (the saints) shall take away his dominion (the dominion of Antichrist), to consume and to destroy it unto the end."
        For further proof that Christ descends immediately to the earth one needs only to remember that Israel's hiding in the wilderness is exactly the same duration as the reign of the Antichrist -- 3 1/2. They go into hiding at the time the Antichrist breaks the covenant (Matt. 24:15-22), and come out of hiding three and one half years later when Christ comes in glory (Rev. 12).
        We can also remember that when the seventh trumpet sounds, the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of our God and Christ, and Christ begins to reign. Christ shall be on earth when He reigns, not in heaven. In the pages to follow, proof will be given from still other passages which absolutely demand such an interpretation.
        It is from Jerusalem that Christ and His army pours out great wrath upon the nations. Rev. 14:1-7 pictures Christ and His army on Mount Sion (Jerusalem) at the time that the hour of God's judgment begins. Verses 12-13 are parenthetical and are applicable to the church age which extends through to the end of the reign of the Antichrist. These verses are particularly applicable to this latter period. Verses 14-16 naturally follow verses 12-13, and describe the harvest of God's victorious saints. The victor's crown which the "Son of man" is wearing signifies that He is reaping a harvest of victorious ones from the earth.
        Verses 17-20 describe a harvest of the wicked for the battle of Armageddon, the call for which goes out under vial 6 and the battle is consummated under vial 7. Chapter 15 backs up again to the beginning of the period of God's wrath and gives a brief preparation for the pouring out of the seven vials which cover the period. Chapter 16 gives the pouring out of the seven vials. Each of these vials greatly increases the intensity of the punishment of the Antichrist and his forces. It appears that these vial judgments are commissioned by the Father from heaven as he directs the angelic forces. In Joel 2 and 3; Zech. 14:3-15; etc., Christ is seen directing His army of glorified saints in bringing vengeance upon the nations from Jerusalem.

        The first vial (Rev. 16:2,11) brings great, grievous sores upon all the nations leaving them in a physical condition worse than the one which Job endured.
        The second vial causes the waters of the oceans to become as the blood of a dead man which results in the death of all living creatures in the seas. A stifling, sickening, foul odor has never crossed the nostrils of man that would compare with this one. With all the oceans turned to blood and every living creature in the blood dead, and this remaining day after day, the air about the earth (with the exception of Palestine) will become so increasingly stale that it will be exceedingly unbearable.
        Under the third vial the rivers and fountains of water in all lands (except Palestine) will also be turned into blood. Men "have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy."
        The fourth vial brings such terrible heat from the sun that men are actually blistered by it. As the inhabitants of the nations sit in horrid agony from great poisonous sores, the sun becomes so miserably hot that it raises blisters on top of the sores, and they thirst exceedingly for water with only blood to drink.
        The fifth vial fills the kingdom of Antichrist with darkness so intense that men gnaw their tongues till the blood flows and still they blaspheme God.
        Under the sixth vial "three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty." We must understand that it will take more than just a few days to bring hundreds of thousands and many millions of men with all their multiplied thousands of tons of war equipment from all parts of the earth to the place called Armageddon.
        The seventh vial gives the judgment of Mystery Babylon taking in all of chapters 17 and 18 of Revelation, the marriage of the Lamb in 19:6-9, and the climax of God's wrath in the battle of Armageddon, 19:17-21. Verses 11-16 of chapter 19 carry us back to the beginning of the wrath of God to the glory coming of Christ. By way of summary, let us make careful note of a few very important factors.
        (1). All seven vials are full of the wrath of God (Rev. 15:1; 16:1). This is the most significant thing about the vials.
        (2). Since the seven vials are full of the wrath of God, we must, of necessity, acknowledge that they follow the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet, both of which state that the wrath of God and Christ begin with them (Rev. 6:12-17; 11:15-19). No one can interpret the Revelation correctly if he does not have this very conspicuous element clear in his mind.
        (3). We must further acknowledge that the seven vials follow the coming of Christ in glory for it is at that time that the wrath of God begins (II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 14-15; Matt. 24:27-31; Rev. 6:12-17; 11:15-19; I Thess. 5:1-3; etc).
        (4). By no means of exposition can we conclude that the vials will be poured out over a short period of time. This factor is significant under each of the vials, but especially so under vials 6 and 7. The battle of Armageddon is called for under the sixth vial, that is, the three foul spirits are sent out at that time to gather the nations of the earth together near Jerusalem for the battle. By no means of calculation can we judge that such extensive preparations can be made (Ezek. 38 and 39), and the transportation of such armies with their burden of equipment and supplies can be executed within a short period of a few brief months; especially when we understand that the nations will have been kept in utter confusion throughout the first five vials which began with such a terrible disruption of the entire structure of the earth at the time the Lord appeared in glory and the heavens were rolled back.

        Zechariah 14:3-15 gives some very valuable information about the period of God's wrath. Verse 2 evidently deals with the great three - kingdom battle spoken of in Dan. 11:40 and Rev. 9:13-21, which takes place during the reign of the Antichrist. Verse 3 announces that Christ shall come and fight against all those nations that have arrayed themselves against Him and His people in the past. Verse 4, the same as Rev. 14:1, teaches that Christ will descend to the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem from which He shall pour out judgment upon the wicked nations. From verse 4 to verse 11 the prophet speaks of some immediate changes that will take place in the land of Palestine (no doubt all the land which God promised to the physical descendants of Abraham -- Gen. 15:18). The curse which God pronounced upon the earth in Gen. 3:17-20 will be lifted from Palestine at the time Christ places His feet upon the Mt. of Olives. The rest of the earth will not rest from the curse until the battle of Armageddon is finished. Verses 12 to 15 describe the battle of Armageddon, and the reader will observe that this battle falls into proper order as to the time element. This battle comes after Christ has set up His throne in Jerusalem and has begun to reign. Let us carefully observe the following things from this passage.
        (1). There will be an immediate change in the land of Palestine when Christ comes. (A). The Mount of Olives shall be divided in half; one half toward the north, and the other half toward the south (verses 4 and 5). (B). "Living waters shall go out from Jerusalem, half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea; in summer and in winter it shall be" (verse 8). (C). The whole land shall be turned into a plain with Jerusalem remaining lifted up higher than the rest of the land (verse 10). (D). There will be no more destruction of the land of Palestine, but Jerusalem (and all the land) shall abide safely (verse 11).
        (2). We have already learned that the wrath of God and Christ begins at the time Christ comes in glory, which is the exact time mentioned in this chapter. We have abundantly seen that the seven vials must be poured out after Christ comes in glory, and that they must extend over a long period of time. This means that the rest of the earth outside of Palestine will be undergoing the terrific burden of God's wrath while Palestine is at perfect rest.
        The land of Palestine will be to the rest of the earth during the wrath of God as the land of Goshen was to Egypt during the plagues preceding Israel's deliverance under Moses. The Israelites were living in the land of Goshen, and God made a great distinction between the dwellings of Israel and those of the Egyptians. Let us look into the book of Exodus and observe the glory and pleasure of God in this matter.
        "And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be" (Exodus 8:22-23). "And the Lord shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel . . . and all the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead . . ." (Exodus 9:4-7). "Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail." (Exodus 9:26). "And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings." (Exodus 10:22-23). "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beasts that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." (Exodus 11:7).
        It should not appear strange that God should perform a similar work during this period of wrath which He has promised to the nations of all the earth for many centuries. The Lord was exalted exceedingly, and His pleasure in His chosen people manifested clearly by the distinction He made between Israel and the Egyptians. God shall do unspeakably greater things after a similar fashion during the period of His wrath upon the whole earth.

        The Old Testament gives many very enlightening portions of scripture which sometimes are slightly veiled. This is especially true if we do not have the proper key to unlock such passages. Joel 2:1-11 falls under this category. The passage speaks of the period of God's wrath which is meted out upon the present world dominions by Christ and His army of glorified saints FROM JERUSALEM. In these verses we see a description of the very great and terrible day of the Lord, and the very great and terrible army of the Lord before whom He utters His voice. The passage is of such significance that it is needful to make the following observations:
        (1). The camp of this army (verse 11) must be associated with Mount Zion, the holy mountain of the Lord (verse 1). This means that the Lord's camp at this time is in Jerusalem.
        (2). We must associate the activities of this army with the day of the Lord (verses 1, 2, and 11). Here the day of the Lord is described as terrible because of the judgments of the Lord through this great army.
        (3). This is clearly the Lord's army. "And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it" (verse 11).
        (4). This army is a super - natural army; a glorified army. (A). There has never been and there never will be another army equal to it (verse 2), therefore this army must be the one mentioned in Jude 14-15. (B). The sun, moon and stars tremble, quake, and withdraw their shining at the will of this army (verse 10). (C). These warriors cannot be wounded -- "and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded" (verse 8). (D). These soldiers are perfect in all their ways -- "and they shall march everyone on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks" (verse 7). (E). The land will be turned into a wilderness at the will of this army (verses 3-5).
        (5). This army is visible yet so powerful and terrible that "Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness" (verse 6).
        (6). The last words of verse 11 -- "for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" -- are in perfect harmony with those in Rev. 6:17 where it is said concerning this same period of time, "For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
        God permits the Antichrist to overcome the saints and to wear them out for forty-two months after a most horrible fashion (Dan. 7:25; Rev. 13:7), yet we can be fully assured that the time has already been fixed when the saints will have their turn, for the Word says, "But the judgment shall sit, and they (the saints) shall take away his dominion (the Antichrist's), TO CONSUME AND TO DESTROY IT UNTO THE END." (Dan. 7:26).
        Joel 3:1-17 gives another view of the Armageddon battle. It is the same harvest (verse 13) as described in Rev. 14:17-20. We observe in verses 16-17 that Christ is in Jerusalem at the time He shall utter His voice from Jerusalem to destroy them. "The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your GOD dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her anymore."

        "Art thou come to take a spoil? Hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?" Ezek. 38:13.
        Ezekiel 38 and 39 have been a great source of interest to all who have studied far into the things which must shortly come to pass. There is every reason to justify such interest; therefore it is needful to spend some time upon the contents of these chapters. Chapter 37 fits chronologically before chapters 38 and 39. The coming of the Lord, the resurrection and rapture, the salvation of the remnant of Israel with the joining of Judah and Ephraim, and the peaceful resettlement of Israel in their land of promise, will all take place at the same time. (Compare also Rom. 11:15; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 23:39; Acts 2:20-21; Joel 2:31-32; etc.). As we shall see, chapters 38 and 39 follow this peaceful resettlement of Israel which is brought about only by the glorious return of Christ.
        This battle of Gog is a specific work in the purpose of God, and the reasons why He brings it about are: First, that He Himself may be magnified and sanctified in the eyes of many nations (38:16, 23; 39:7, 21-29), and also in the eyes of Israel (39:7, 21-29). Second, that He might sanctify Israel in the eyes of the nations (39:7, 21-29). Such language as used in these two chapters, especially in the verses mentioned, strictly forbids this battle being won by the Antichrist with God gaining the glory ascribed to Him in these chapters. Some writers have said that this victory is won by the Antichrist, and that God gets the glory. I do not know what could be more foreign to these chapters than such an absolutely ridiculous teaching. During the reign of the Antichrist, people are forced to give him the praise and worship that is due only to God. There is not the slightest possibility that the language would give glory to God for a victory won by the Antichrist. The language here will in no wise permit such an interpretation.
        It is quite possible if we are not careful to mistake this battle of Gog with the one in Rev. 20:7-10 which is unmistakably at the end of the Millennium. These battles cannot be the same for the following reasons: First, the battle in Ezek. 38 and 39 is accomplished at the time when Israel has just been restored to her land. Israel is sanctified and her restoration is fully established by this battle. Such things have no connection with the Gog battle at the end of the Millennium, for at that time God will have been sanctified in the midst of a regathered Israel for an expired one thousand years. Second, the activities described in Ezek. 39:9-16 can find no place in connection with the last battle of Gog described in Rev. 20:7-10. What purpose could there be in spending seven months burying the dead of the battle when the second resurrection and the white throne judgment are immediately to follow? What purpose could there be in spending seven years burning and doing away with the war equipment when the complete destruction of the present heavens and earth are very soon to follow? To answer these two questions correctly will certainly establish this battle at the beginning of the Millennium.
        The following comparisons between this battle of Gog in Ezek. 38 and 39 with the Armageddon battle in Revelation are submitted for the reader's consideration.
        (1). The glory that God receives after (as a result of) this battle (38:16, 23; 39:7, 21-29) requires that this be the Armageddon battle.
        (2). The great supper to the birds and beasts of the earth mentioned in Ezek. 39:4, 17-20 fits that of Rev. 19:17-21.
        (3). The "great hailstones, fire, and brimstone" of Ezek. 38:22 correspond well with Rev. 16:21.
        (4). The nations named in 38:1-6 also correspond with Rev. 16:14. The nations mentioned are from the three continents known to the world at that time. They are particularly from the north; but also include the east (Persia), the south (Ethiopia), and the west (Libya).
        (5). Both of these battles are accompanied by a great earthquake (Ezek. 38:20; Rev. 16:20-21).
        Now, if the foregoing thoughts have been followed closely, we are prepared to examine other thoughts which give us the information we need to discern the exact time of the battle in relation to other events, particularly the Lord's return. Look carefully at verses 8-14 of chapter 38, from which the following four observations are drawn.
        First, at the time this battle takes place Israel has already been gathered back into her own land for some time. Thus we must understand that this battle does not take place at the time Christ comes in glory, for Israel is not in her own land at that time, but is in hiding in the wilderness. We cannot say that this regathering is the one prior to the reign of the Antichrist, for after that regathering, Israel will again be rooted out of her land when the Antichrist places the abomination that makes desolate in the Jewish temple in the midst of the week, but there is no rooting them out of the land after this regathering. This battle must follow the final and permanent re-settlement of Israel in her own land which takes place at the time Christ comes in glory.
        Second, we observe from these verses (Ezek. 38:8-14) that Israel has already been "brought back from the sword." This signifies that there is no more war for Israel. In this battle there is not one on the Lord's side who feels the edge of the sword. But such cannot be said of Israel during the mock peace of the Antichrist, nor at any other time prior to the Lord's second coming to the earth. Thus this must be after His coming.
        Third, we read in these verses that Israel has been (and still is) prospering very greatly, and that her land is very fruitful. It has been shown already that when Christ comes the land of Palestine will be immediately restored from the curse of Gen. 3:17-20. We find that there is no rooting Israel out of this prosperity in these two chapters which means it cannot be the false prosperity of Israel under the mock peace of the Antichrist. Israel will not be prospering in her land at the time Christ comes, thus, this battle is after the glory coming of Christ.
        Fourth, it is repeated many times that Israel has been RESTORED TO HER LAND AND IS DWELLING IN PERFECT PEACE AND SAFETY (Ezek. 38:8-14), and there is every assurance in these two chapters that her safe dwelling will NOT be disturbed even by battle. Though Israel appears to be dwelling in her land safely during the mock peace of the Antichrist, yet she soon has to flee into the wilderness (Matt. 24:15-22; Rev. 12). They are certainly not dwelling safely in the land when Christ comes, thus, again we see beyond any possible doubt that this battle is after the Lord's complete return to earth. Not until Christ returns to the earth will Israel be permanently restored to her land. It is when Christ comes that the wrath of God begins. The seven vials are full of the wrath of God. Under the sixth vial the three unclean spirits go out to gather the nations of the earth to the battle of the great day of God Almighty; and under vial 7 the battle is consummated.
        The intensity of God's wrath has turned the whole earth into a near complete chaos by the time the fifth vial is finished, that is, except for the land of Palestine. The surface of the earth throughout the nations lies lifeless because all its waters have been turned to blood. The blistering heat of the sun has sapped the life from every green thing. The Antichrist and his forces are exceedingly hungry. They desire food but there is none to be had in all the land. They are withering away because of thirst, yet they have only stale, clotted blood to drink. They turn their eyes toward Palestine, the land of promise and there they see a paradise. There the land is abundantly fruitful with harvests aplenty. There the pastures are filled with fat cattle and sheep. Everything is green and beautiful. The weather is neither hot nor cold, and even the night is as the day. Living waters, fresh and pure, flow freely from the city of the King of the ages. The people are cheerful and happy, and the praises of the Almighty are upon their lips.
        The Antichrist, smoldering with humiliation, yet with heart aflame with burning lusts, decides to come up and take of the fat of the pleasant land. Encouraged by the False Prophet, and empowered by the Dragon, he begins to marshal a great army with "horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great army with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmut: Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and his bands: and many people." (Ezekiel 38: 4-6).
        Christ is well prepared for the occasion for He had ordered it for His own glory in ages past. He has prepared the Antichrist for this event in order to glorify the Father and that the Father might glorify Him. He permits the forces of evil, championed by the Antichrist, to gather themselves in the "valley of Jehoshaphat," (Joel 3), then goes out to meet them. With violent fury He treads the great "winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God," (Rev. 19:15). "And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs" (about two hundred miles -- Rev. 14:20). "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh." (Rev. 19:20-21).

        Let us now look into the period of God's wrath as given by Daniel (Dan. 2:44-45; 7:9-14, 22, 26-27; 8:25; 9:27; 11:45; and 12:12). In studying these verses (and the related contexts in each chapter) we find that Daniel hurriedly carries us from the day in which he lived up to the time when the power of the Antichrist will be broken. In chapters 2 and 7 he begins with the Babylonian empire and ends with the ushering in of the Lord's kingdom. In chapters 8 and 11 he begins with the Medo-Persian empires and ends with the death of Antiochus Epiphanes, who was a type of the Antichrist, therefore carrying us up to the destruction of the Antichrist and the beginning of the Millennium. In chapter 9 similar procedures are followed. Chapter 12 is wholly complementary to chapter 11. In each of these chapters we find the Antichrist in power, then being destroyed by the Lord and His saints.
        Such is most clearly presented in 7:21-22, 25-27. We should make careful notation of two specific developments in these verses that are in chronological order, which order is followed consistently throughout the book.
        (1). The diverse king (the Antichrist) made "war with the saints, and prevailed against them." The saints will "be given into his hands until a time and times and the dividing of time." This period of three and one half years, which is the same as in Rev. 13:5-7, is not the first part of the covenant for one week (7 years -- Dan. 9:27), for the Antichrist is not turned loose until he places the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24: 15-22; II Thess. 2). The scriptures are consistent in teaching that the slaughter of the saints and the Jews does not take place until the Antichrist breaks the covenant immediately after the Holy Spirit who restrains him is moved out of the way (II Thess. 2: 7). It is certain that the Antichrist could not "wear out the saints" unless they are "given into his hand" (Dan. 2:25). The scriptures are also consistent in teaching that God will not judge the Antichrist until his "time and times and the dividing of time" are finished, which is when Christ comes in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God" (II Thess. 1:7-9).
        (2). When the "time and times and the dividing of time" (3 1/2 years) are ended, THEN "the judgment shall sit," and the saints whom the Antichrist has been wearing out will "take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end" (Dan. 7:26). Please observe that the judgment of the Antichrist and his kingdoms very markedly follows his reign, and does not come until his three and one half years' reign is over. It will do nothing but throw confusion into the Scriptures to try to make them say that God judges the Antichrist during the Antichrist's 42 months of power. the whole Earth (except the remnant of Israel) will be given over into the power of the man of sin during his three and one half years of wrath and fury. It is not until these three and one half years are finished that the restraint is put back upon him greater than ever before by the pouring out of the vials, and by the judgment of the saints who will "take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end." It will please the Lord to give the lukewarm Laodicean churches over into the hands of the Antichrist that many may be "purified, and made white, and tried" (Dan. 12:10). But it will also please the Lord to turn the tide and give the saints the last laugh (Psalm 52:6) by giving the whole earth over into their hands and they will consume and destroy until finally Christ shall cast the Antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire where they will remain eternally.

        It is a great interest to all, of course, to discern as closely as possible the duration of this period of God's wrath. Such is what I shall undertake to do by an analysis of Daniel 12: 11-12 in the light of the other passages already examined. It is my firm conviction that the 1335 days (44 1/2 months, or, 3 years 8 1/2 months) of Dan. 12:12 is the duration of the period of God's wrath. "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." It has been advanced by some that these days begin at the time the Antichrist places the abomination of desolation and extend 75 days on past the 1260 days (42 months) of the reign of the Antichrist. This would make the period of God's wrath to fall within the limits of the 75 days. This appears plausible at first, but upon careful study it becomes manifest that we cannot possibly crowd the seven vials into the short space of 75 days. I am fully persuaded that God will be pleased to spend a longer period of time in avenging the blood of His servants upon the Antichrist and his kingdom. The reasons for my convictions are as follows:         (1). There is a very manifest order followed in each of the prophetic parts of the book of Daniel. We must not overlook this order of events. In each of these prophetic parts of Daniel the Lord's people are under the bitter rule of the Gentile world dominions. Near the end of the rule of the Gentiles when the wrath of the Gentiles is at its peak against Israel and the saints, the Lord actually gives the saints over into the hands of the Antichrist for 42 months. Then (in each of these prophetic parts of Daniel) the saints and Israel are given power over the Antichrist and his kingdom. The saints then consume and destroy that dominion to its utter end. This time in which the saints shall consume and destroy the kingdom of the Antichrist (Dan. 7:26) is the same as the 1335 days of Dan. 12:12. Mark the consistency and necessity of this order throughout the book.
        First, in chapter 2 verse 44 we are told the Lord will set up His kingdom "in the days of these kings." And this kingdom, after it has been established, "shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." From this verse (and context) please consider the following facts: (A). The Lord's kingdom is not mentioned until the image is complete; even to its feet and toes. Neither the Stone "cut out of the mountain" nor the kingdom of the Stone is active in destroying the image until the image is complete. The feet and toes of the image represent the Antichrist, his aides, and his kingdom. (B). The Lord's kingdom is established "in the days" of those kings -- not after their destruction, but during the days that those kings are still in power. This is exactly what takes place when the seventh trumpet sounds (Rev. 11:15-19). (C). Following the establishment of the Lord's kingdom comes the destruction of the evil kingdoms. A wise interpretation of this passage will insist that the days of blessedness will be simultaneous with the destruction of those kingdoms.
       Second, chapter 7 of Daniel is a follow-up of chapter 2, and covers precisely the same matters. Verses 21-22 and 25-27 are especially significant to the present discussion. Let us make note of the following facts from them: (A). In both of these two sets of verses we find the Antichrist making war against the saints and overcoming them. The days included in this period cannot be included in the days of blessedness. (B). Immediately following the power and wrath of the Antichrist comes the power and wrath of the saints. The saints as well as the Jews will not be happy until their blood has been avenged upon the Antichrist and his kingdoms, which demands that the days of blessedness will not come until the saints are given power over their enemies. The saints will not have such power during the reign of the Antichrist, but will be "given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."
        Third, chapter 9 verse 27 gives an exact (though brief) follow-up of the same truths. (A). In the midst of the last of the seventy weeks the Antichrist causes the sacrifices in the Jewish temple to stop and places the abomination of desolation. This begins his time of power over the Jews and the saints which continues for forty-two months (same as above). (B). At the appointed time, that which is "determined shall be poured" out upon the Antichrist. This is the time of blessedness for the saints of all ages.
        Fourth, chapter 12 verses 11-12 must follow the above order of developments. This order is very manifestly followed in the verses, and we need only to accept it as it is. (A). Verse 11 speaks of the power and fury of the Antichrist. (B). Verse 12 follows verse 11 with the 1335 days of blessedness for the saints.
        (2). The 12th verse of chapter 12 teaches that all the 1335 days are filled with blessedness, joy, and gladness. The word "blessed" means "happy." This could not be true if part (most) of theses days were under the reign of the Antichrist. Such would ruin the harmony of the book.
        (3). This blessedness is in relation to the defilement of the Jewish temple, the slaughter of the people of Daniel, and the trampling down of Jerusalem. As long as the temple stands defiled, Jerusalem being trodden under the feet of the Gentiles, and the people of Daniel being troubled exceedingly, there will be no days of blessedness. Daniel would not have thought so. Abraham would not have thought so. Only when the deliverance of all those has been executed, will the days of blessedness begin.
        (4). The language of Romans 11:15 (and context) demands that these days of blessedness follow the reign of the Antichrist. Israel has been cut off from the tame olive root and will not be grafted back in until she says, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Matt. 23:39). Not until Israel has been grafted back into her tame olive root will the days of blessedness begin. "For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?" (Rom. 11:15). "Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?" (Rom. 11:12).
        (5). There is a good harmony between these days of blessedness and the "rest" mentioned by Paul in II Thess. 1:4-10. The time when the saints shall rest from the persecutions of the nations is the same time the days of blessedness begin. The time of "rest" begins at the glory coming of Christ at the end of the forty-two months of power of the Antichrist. The "rest" and the days of blessedness do not describe the same thing, but it is necessary that they begin at the same time.
        (6). We cannot (as Daniel could not) make the blessedness of Dan. 12:12 to be the joy of which we receive in the Holy Spirit for such is not limited to 1335 days. We must understand that this blessedness is directly connected with the "abomination that maketh desolate." The reason that there is a specified number of days is that these days include the period in which the saints find great joy in consuming and destroying the Antichrist and his kingdom by whom they were worn out of 1260 days.
        (7). Since the resurrection and rapture do not take place until Christ comes in great glory, these days of blessedness cannot begin until that time. This is most emphatic. The saints (of Israel and otherwise) have been continually persecuted and cast about by the kingdoms described in the book of Daniel. The proud and haughty of the earth have always trampled the servants of God under their feet (study the Psalms, Proverbs, etc.). The Bible is full of references to the time when God and His people shall find great pleasure in utterly destroying the pride and haughtiness of the wicked. During these 1335 days such pleasure will be enjoyed when God and the saints of all ages shall laugh at the wicked whom they have in derision (Psalm 2:4; 52:6; etc.).
        (8). The proof should be sufficient, yet there is another exceedingly forceful element that I wish to set before the reader. Not until the sixth vial do the three unclean spirits go out to round up the nations for the battle against Christ who is in Jerusalem. Five of the seven vials which contain the wrath of God have already been poured out. It is not stated that each of these vials include a fairly equal amount of time, yet I rather think such is true. If the period of God's wrath should last only 75 days, then each vial would be limited to approximately ten and one half (10 1/2) days. This would mean that at the time the sixth vial is ready to be poured out there would be approximately twenty-one (21) days left for the three unclean spirits to gather the armies of the nations of the earth (all parts of the earth) to Jerusalem for the Armageddon battle. Unless my judgment is exceedingly at fault, it will be utterly beyond the least possibility for such to be done in twenty-one days. Under the circumstances prevailing at that particular time it would be utterly impossible within the limits of seventy-five days.
        I do not question in the least God's ability to pour out His wrath within a period of one second should He choose to do so. It is not a question of God's ability to exhaust His wrath in a short amount of time. It is quite clear that God will be pleased to spend a given amount of time in judging the wicked nations; and the language describing these judgments necessitates a longer period of time than seventy-five days. God could have judged the earth in the days of Noah in a very short time, but He was pleased that the flood should last more than a year. The Lord has been patient beyond our understanding with the open rebellion and defiance of the nations. For many hundreds and even thousands of years He has permitted His Spirit to strive with the wicked, not only in the face of such rebellion, but also while they have persecuted and killed His chosen ones. There is every reason, therefore, to believe that God will spend a lengthy period of time in appeasing His wrath. The lost will be punished in hell eternally, while 1335 days are a very short duration comparatively. God has been promising this fierceness and wrath from the earliest centuries, and when the time arrives the nations will be given to drink of their own ways throughout a lengthy period of time.
        In the light of the scriptures used in connection with this period of time, it is clearly seen that the entire earth will be thrown into utter confusion at the time the heavens are rolled back; and that such confusion will continue (and become increasingly worse) through the first five vials. By this time the nations will be in confusion and exhaustion far beyond our ability to even imagine. There has never been a nation, nor even a city, that has suffered such judgment and destruction as the earth will have experienced by the time these first five vials are poured out. Under the sixth vial the Lord permits the nations to collect themselves and make preparations for the Armageddon battle. Certainly it will take them a period of many months to regather their wits and march many millions of men, burdened with millions of tons of war equipment (Ezek. 38 and 39), from all parts of the earth against Christ in Jerusalem. The only sensible explanation for the 1335 days is that they begin with the coming of Christ in flaming fire to avenge the blood of the saints upon those who have been destroying the earth. When Christ comes in the glory of the Father with the mighty angels, He will give rest to His troubled servants and tribulation to the nations (II Thess. 1:3-11). This time of vengeance and tribulation upon the nations will last 1335 days being climaxed with the battle of Armageddon.
        "BLESSED is he that WAITETH, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."
        The comments of this chapter have not begun to exhaust what the Word has to say about this period of time, for the Bible is filled with references concerning it. Yet I pray that these few comments will stir up a fire in the breast of all who read them, that a greater effort may be put forth in the search of God's words of life than ever before. Many of the questions that the reader has now will be answered by a careful examination of the scriptures and comments that will follow.