Armageddon and the Press
By Editor
IT is very interesting, in these days, to observe how many influential papers are discussing the subject of Armageddon. Many of the most prominent publications in the land are referring to it, and some of them quote conspicuously the entire prophecy of the sixteenth chapter of Revelation that refers to that great war. For instance, in a recent issue, the Wall Street Journal, a daily paper of New York, which is classed as one of the very highest authorities in all matters of stock exchanges and other themes of finance and business speculation, quoted practically that entire chapter in Revelation which tells exactly what Armageddon is. There is something significant in the fact that "Armageddon" should come to be one of the commonest words throughout the civilized world; that in these times, men everywhere should be using that expression in reference to the great war that is now raging in Europe. And while this European war, as has been pointed out again and again, can not be the Armageddon of the prophecy, yet it is preliminary to it. And the infinite Father, through His divine Spirit, is impressing people everywhere that this is no common war; that there is something unusual and portentous in it. As suggested by the Springfield Republican, the world is "stupefied" by this "fearful portent," not knowing what it means. When Jesus was here in person, He taught that conditions would arise in the last days that would fill men's hearts with terrors and perplexities, while they were looking after the things that were coming upon the earth. We are in that time; and if you are perplexed or in fear in view of these conditions, it is because you do not know God and His word. If you know that blessed Word, you have a definite knowledge, which is as clear-cut as was ever a mathematical demonstration, that Jesus Christ is about to fulfil His word and return to this earth in person. And if you know Him as your personal Saviour, your mind rises above these distressing, perplexing conditions to the supreme event of all history — the second coming of Christ. God is not the author of the evil things in the world that are filling men's hearts with fear and perplexity, but as His word points out, the spirits of demons, who are enraged because they know that their time is short, are doing this hellish work. Now is the time when men should study their Bibles as never before, and with the aid and under the illuminating influence of the Spirit of God, stand on the side of truth and righteousness, and be ready to reap the great reward that lies just before those who are truly on the side of God.