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the world war is immediately preceded by the drying up of Euphrates； or
the decay of Turkish power。 This fact alone would be enough to connect
the present conflict with the Armageddon of Revelation and therefore to
point to the near approach of the Second Advent。 But further evidence of
an even more solid and convincing nature can be adduced。
〃Armageddon is brought about by the activities of three unclean spirits；
as it were toads； which come out of the mouths of the Dragon； the Beast；
and the False Prophet。 If we can identify these three powers of evil much
light will clearly be thrown on the whole question。
〃The Dragon； the Beast； and the False Prophet can all be identified in
history。 Satan； who can only work through human agency； has used these
three powers in the long war against Christ which has filled the last
nineteen centuries with religious strife。 The Dragon； it has been
sufficiently established； is pagan Rome； and the spirit issuing from its
mouth is the spirit of Infidelity。 The Beast； alternatively symbolised as a
Woman； is undoubtedly the Papal power； and Popery is the spirit which it
spews forth。 There is only one power which answers to the description
of the False Prophet； the wolf in sheep's clothing； the agent of the devil
working in the guise of the Lamb； and that power is the so…called 'Society
of Jesus。' The spirit that issues from the mouth of the False Prophet is the
spirit of False Morality。
〃We may assume； then； that the three evil spirits are Infidelity； Popery；
and False Morality。 Have these three influences been the real cause of
the present conflict？ The answer is clear。
〃The spirit of Infidelity is the very spirit of German criticism。 The
Higher Criticism； as it is mockingly called； denies the possibility of
miracles； prediction； and real inspiration； and attempts to account for the
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Bible as a natural development。 Slowly but surely； during the last eighty
years； the spirit of Infidelity has been robbing the Germans of their Bible
and their faith； so that Germany is to…day a nation of unbelievers。 Higher
Criticism has thus made the war possible； for it would be absolutely
impossible for any Christian nation to wage war as Germany is waging it。
〃We come next to the spirit of Popery； whose influence in causing the
war was quite as great as that of Infidelity； though not； perhaps； so
immediately obvious。 Since the Franco…Prussian War the Papal power
has steadily declined in France； while in Germany it has steadily increased。
To…day France is an anti…papal state； while Germany possesses a powerful
Roman Catholic minority。 Two papally controlled states； Germany and
Austria； are at war with six anti…papal statesEngland； France； Italy；
Russia； Serbia； and Portugal。 Belgium is； of course； a thoroughly papal
state； and there can be little doubt that the presence on the Allies' side of
an element so essentially hostile has done much to hamper the righteous
cause and is responsible for our comparative ill… success。 That the spirit
of Popery is behind the war is thus seen clearly enough in the grouping of
the opposed powers； while the rebellion in the Roman Catholic parts of
Ireland has merely confirmed a conclusion already obvious to any
unbiased mind。
〃The spirit of False Morality has played as great a part in this war as
the two other evil spirits。 The Scrap of Paper incident is the nearest and
most obvious example of Germany's adherence to this essentially
unchristian or Jesuitical morality。 The end is German world…power； and
in the attainment of this end； any means are justifiable。 It is the true
principle of Jesuitry applied to international politics。
〃The identification is now complete。 As was predicted in Revelation；
the three evil spirits have gone forth just as the decay of the Ottoman
power was nearing completion； and have joined together to make the
world war。 The warning； 'Behold； I come as a thief；' is therefore meant
for the present periodfor you and me and all the world。 This war will
lead on inevitably to the war of Armageddon； and will only be brought to
an end by the Lord's personal return。
〃And when He returns； what will happen？ Those who are in Christ；
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St。 John tells us； will be called to the Supper of the Lamb。 Those who are
found fighting against Him will be called to the Supper of the Great God
that grim banquet where they shall not feast； but be feasted on。 'For；' as
St。 John says； 'I saw an angel standing in the sun； and he cried in a loud
voice； saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven； Come and
gather yourselves together unto the supper of the Great God； that ye may
eat the flesh of kings； and the flesh of captains； and the flesh of mighty
men； and the flesh of horses； and of them that sit on them； and the flesh of
all men； both free and bond； both small and great。' All the enemies of
Christ will be slain with the sword of him that sits upon the horse； 'and all
the fowls will be filled with their flesh。' That is the Supper of the Great
God。
〃It may be soon or it may； as men reckon time； be long； but sooner or
later； inevitably； the Lord will come and deliver the world from its present
troubles。 And woe unto them who are called； not to the Supper of the
Lamb； but to the Supper of the Great God。 They will realise then； but too
late； that God is a God of Wrath as well as a God of Forgiveness。 The
God who sent bears to devour the mockers of Elisha； the God who smote
the Egyptians for their stubborn wickedness； will assuredly smite them too；
unless they make haste to repent。 But perhaps it is already too late。
Who knows but that to…morrow； in a moment even； Christ may be upon us
unawares； like a thief？ In a little while； who knows？ The angel
standing in the sun may be summoning the ravens and vultures from their
crannies in the rocks to feed upon the putrefying flesh of the millions of
unrighteous whom God's wrath has destroyed。 Be ready； then； the