The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

socialists, who mistakenly see in their theories, a remedy for these evils; anarchists, who
have but the one purpose, the overthrow of the whole present governmental orders; the
ignorant and hopeless masses, who comprise the majority, and who are ready to join any
movement that may seem to them would better their condition.
A day of recompenses
However, we must not get the impression that this nondescript host has God's sanction in
their course. It is simply a case in which "He makes the wrath of men to praise Him."
These shall not escape their share of punishment. This is plainly taught in another
Scripture (Zeph. 1:7-9,14-18) that describes this day of trouble under the same symbol. Mr.
Russell thus quotes and comments on this prophecy:
"The Lord hath prepared a slaughter, He hath bid His guests. [Compare Rev. 19:17.] And it
shall come to pass in the day of the Lord's slaughter that I will punish the princes and the
king's children, . . . and I will inflict punishment [also] on all those [marauders] who leap
over the threshold on that day, who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.
[This shows not only that there will be a great overthrow of wealth and power in this time
of trouble, but that those who will for the time be the instruments of heaven in breaking
down present systems will also be punished for their equally unjust and unrighteous
course; for the coming trouble will involve all classes, and bring distress upon all the
multitude.]' . . .
"The attitude of the people of God [who will witness the beginning of this conflict] should
be that of great thankfulness to the Giver of every good. They should make provision for
the great storm that is coming and keep very quiet, not unduly interested in the side of
either rich or poor. We know in advance that the Lord is on the side of the people. He it is
that will fight the Armageddon Battle, and His agency will be that peculiar army--all
classes."
On the side of the triple-alliance will be those who will seek to uphold the present order,
some actuated by policy, some by selfishness, and some sincerely, not seeing how a better
order can be instituted. All these things have been for some years gradually shaping
themselves for this final great Armageddon conflict; and a knowledge of them enables us
better to comprehend the symbolic vision under consideration, describing the unseen,
supernatural forces operating in this great work of overthrowing apostate Christendom.
In connection with the seventh vial St. John is shown in vision the breaking up of this
triple-alliance or league; probably caused by its failure to accomplish its purpose of
holding in check the turbulent masses. This is described under the symbol of the "great
city," Christendom, becoming divided into three parts. (Rev. 16:19.) It is necessary to keep
in mind that it is in connection with or immediately following the disruption of this triplealliance,
that great Babylon, the mother system, in its governmental aspect, frequently
designated the "beast," comes in remembrance before God and is destroyed. (Compare
Rev. 16:19 with Rev. 18:21.) It is our thought that this great event is brought about,
doubtless, by a revolutionary uprising of the Italian peoples. Those who are carefully