The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

applies the words, "It has been done," as proceeding from the Great Company, uttered in
connection with the fall of the ecclesiastical systems. We quote his words:
"But now, when the seventh has been poured out, we hear the nominal temple saying, 'It
has been done' . . . This temple class, which finally recognizes God's dealings when these
systems are entirely destroyed, is the same which we have found elsewhere mentioned in
Scripture, and which we have designated the second company, who, though losing the
prize promised to overcomers of the beast, etc. (Rev. 20:4), are 'saved so as by fire [these
severe judgments] in the day of the Lord Jesus.'"
In strong symbolical language the utter defeat and overthrow of the opposing forces is
next recorded (Ver. 19,20), following which we have the statement of St. John that "all the
birds were satiated with their flesh." (Ver. 21.) We inquire, Who are represented by these
"birds" of prey? A very interesting and clear interpretation of this symbol is given by Mr.
Russell. His explanation is that these birds, vultures, represent Communists, Infidels,
Socialists, Anarchists and Nihilists.
"All these fight in the battle of the great day, though ignorant of Him whose Kingdom they
help to establish. These are the vultures of Rev. 19:17,18,21, who battle for plunder and get
their fill [eat of the supper] in the overturning of earth's kingdoms; because the time is
come for Messiah to take the dominion of earth and to overthrow the oppressors and
corrupters of the earth (Rev. 19:15 and 11:17,18), preparatory to the establishment of
everlasting peace upon the only firm foundation of righteousness and truth.
"Meantime, while those who are in opposition to the Kingdom of God and its sceptre of
righteousness, impartiality and justice, are being gathered [not after they have been
gathered as described in the vision under consideration] to the great slaughter referred to
above (See Luke 19:27), the Lord's professed Church is having its trial completed."
We next inquire, Who are represented by the kings, commanders, etc., the flesh of whom
will satiate these symbolical birds of prey? The answer is found in the following comment:
"The ecclesiastical kings and princes, with their retinue of clergy and faithful adherents,
will be gathered in solid phalanx--Protestant and Catholic. The political kings and princes,
senators, and all in high places, with their henchmen and retainers, will follow 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 exercised in the world, will join the same side,
according to this prophecy. [Rev. 16:12-16.] They do not realize, however, that they are
coming to Armageddon [Mount of Destruction]."
Developments that must precede
We should bear in mind that this Armageddon conflict will have been going on for some
time before the events of the vision we are considering meet their fulfillment. The
gathering of the forces to this conflict has been in process of fulfillment for some years past
and occasional skirmishes have occurred in connection with the strikes, lockouts, etc., of