p. 707 | THE WORLD’S CRISIS by G. G. Rupert

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1900

THE WORLD’S CRISIS.

By G. G. Rupert

G. G. RUPERT.

DURING the last fifty years events have passed in quick succession. The whole world has been astir. The pleasure-seeker has done all in his power to increase enjoyment. Excursions, operas, picnics, dances, games, and all kinds of enjoyable pursuits have been brought into use in the search for happiness. The money-maker has exercised all his power in accumulating wealth, and in devising plans whereby his work might be made a success, and his coffers filled. The inventor has also spent his restless hours in studying out the best uses of steam, electricity, etc., and in making all kinds of machinery. Neither has the soldier been by any means idle during this time. In fact, the world is like a seething mass, everyone seeking something new.

Nations, like individuals, have been busy in maintaining an existence, and accumulating power. Wars and rumors of wars have been the common order of things, being used as a means to settle some real or supposed difficulties existing between the powers. As in days of old, the question is, How many powers shall there be in the world? All nations are interested in this question, and are getting ready to settle it. Many believe China will be divided, but just how no one knows. How much each will get is also a question of the future.

That the Chinese question is one now to be settled there is no dispute. That it will be settled to the satisfaction of all is not probable. All the principal nations are involved; and as they control the whole world, it becomes a question of world-wide interest. The one who is acquainted with the way in which the Bible divides the world will be much interested in the division of China, which will undoubtedly take place. The crisis in this world’s history is here upon us, and will eventually decide the rulership of the world. Should it be adjusted, it will be only temporarily. As there is always a storm center in the atmosphere, so there is a war center in the world, and that center is now in China; not composed of just a few nations, but of the whole world. Hence, if ever the prophetic student should have his mind exercised, it is at this time; and if ever the people of God needed light, and a settled position on prophecy, it is now.

The time has come for us to have additional light on these things. The crisis is upon the world. What have we for the people? Can we begin to see how nations will fall in line for the great battle of Armageddon? The Scriptures say plainly that there will be three powers: “And I saw 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.” Rev. 16: 13, 14. Here the names are plainly given,—the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.

All believers of the Third Angel’s Message believe the dragon to be a symbol of the pagan Roman government. Read Rev. 12: 1–6. This government ruled the world (Luke 2: 1), which at that time included Europe, Asia, and Africa.

In 538 A. D. the beast was established by the power of the dragon. The seat of government was at Rome, the territory was the ten kingdoms of the Western Empire of Rome, and the power to rule extended over this territory.

The false prophet is the United States, and its power extends to the very border of Asia.

The great city of Babylon is also divided into three parts: “And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” Rev. 16: 19. This makes a double threefold division of the world, if we may be permitted thus to speak. The latter division is paganism, Roman Catholicism, and apostate Protestantism.

These divisions must exist and act a part in the world’s crisis. The beast and the false prophet are awake, and ready for the conflict. The heathen are yet to be wakened. Joel 3: 11–13 says: “Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord. Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.” Japan is awake, China is now being wakened. The Turks are always ready. India is having her troops drilled. The dragon—paganism—controls two thirds of the population of the globe.

Ezekiel 38 tells us that Russia is to be a guard, or commander, to all these heathen powers of the dragon. That there must be an issue between these divisions is evident. There will be a settled issue between them, or the battle of Armageddon will never be fought.

□ The Turk and his territory is the last link in the prophecy of Daniel 11. Just before the final gathering of the nations, this prophecy closes, to give place to the three divisions of the world. This is the reason that the Turk comes to his end under the sixth plague. The Turk will then belong to the dragon. The seat of the dragon has been Constantinople ever since the city was built. Rome held the city at that time and till 1453 A. D. The Turks have held it ever since.

But Russia is to be the commander of the dragon power. Russia will no doubt control this seat in the last part of time. Thus we have clear, plain, and unmistakable language to prove the division of the world.

Now let the reader mark all the movements in the East on this basis, and later on he will clearly see the issue between these powers. The powers in each of these divisions will eventually stand as a whole, yet separate, in each division here given. And still further, they will stand, the East against the West.

God has covered the whole ground in his word. Let us watch it closely at this time.