Daniel’s Prophecy (dp) (57 – 62)

A KINGDOM—VAST BUT INFERIOR

17
Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar that the belly and thighs of the immense image constituted “another
kingdom, a third one, of copper, that [would] rule over the whole earth.” (Daniel 2:32, 39) This third
kingdom would follow Babylonia and Medo-Persia. As copper is inferior to silver, this new world power
would be inferior to Medo-Persia in that it would not be honored with any privilege like that of liberating
Jehovah’s people. However, the copperlike kingdom would “rule over the whole earth,” indicating that it
would be more extensive than either Babylonia or Medo-Persia. What do the facts of history bear out
about this world power?
18
Shortly after inheriting the throne of Macedonia in 336 B.C.E. at 20 years of age, ambitious
Alexander III embarked upon a campaign of conquest. Because of his military successes, he came to be
called Alexander the Great. Gaining one victory after another, he kept moving into the Persian domain.
When he defeated Darius III in battle at Gaugamela in 331 B.C.E., the Persian Empire began to collapse
and Alexander established Greece as the new world power.
19
After the victory at Gaugamela, Alexander went on to take the Persian capitals Babylon, Susa,
Persepolis, and Ecbatana. Subduing the rest of the Persian Empire, he extended his conquests into
western India. Greek colonies were established in the conquered lands. Thus, Greek language and
culture spread throughout the realm. The Grecian Empire, in fact, became greater than any that had
preceded it. As Daniel had foretold, the copper kingdom ‘ruled over the whole earth.’ One result of this
was that Greek (Koine) became an international language. With its capacity for accurate expression, it
proved highly suitable for writing the Christian Greek Scriptures and for spreading the good news of God’s
Kingdom.
20
Alexander the Great lived only eight years as world ruler. Young though he was, 32-year-old
Alexander fell ill after a banquet and died shortly thereafter, on June 13, 323 B.C.E. In time, his huge
empire was divided into four territories, each ruled by one of his generals. Thus out of one great kingdom
came four kingdoms that were eventually swallowed up by the Roman Empire. The copperlike world
power continued only until 30 B.C.E. when the last of these four kingdoms—the Ptolemaic dynasty ruling
in Egypt—finally fell to Rome.
A KINGDOM THAT CRUSHES AND SHATTERS
21
Daniel continued his explanation of the dream image: “As for the fourth kingdom [after Babylon,
Medo-Persia, and Greece], it will prove to be strong like iron. Forasmuch as iron is crushing and grinding
everything else, so, like iron that shatters, it will crush and shatter even all these.” (Daniel 2:40) In its
strength and ability to crush, this world power would be like iron—stronger than the empires represented
by gold, silver, or copper. The Roman Empire was such a power.
22
Rome crushed and shattered the Grecian Empire and swallowed up remnants of the Medo-Persian
and Babylonian world powers. Showing no respect for God’s Kingdom proclaimed by Jesus Christ, it put
him to death on a torture stake in 33 C.E. In an effort to shatter true Christianity, Rome persecuted Jesus’
disciples. Moreover, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and its temple in 70 C.E.
23
The iron legs of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream image pictured not only the Roman Empire but also its
political outgrowth. Consider these words recorded at Revelation 17:10: “There are seven kings: five have
fallen, one is, the other has not yet arrived, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while.” When
the apostle John penned these words, he was being held in exile by the Romans, on the isle of Patmos.
The five fallen kings, or world powers, were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. The sixth
—the Roman Empire—was still in power. But it also was to fall, and the seventh king would arise from
one of Rome’s captured territories. What world power would that be?
24
Britain was once a northwestern part of the Roman Empire. But by the year 1763, it had become the
British Empire—the Britannia that ruled the seven seas. By 1776 its 13 American colonies had declared
their independence in order to set up the United States of America. In later years, however, Britain and
the United States became partners in both war and peace. Thus, the Anglo-American combination came
into existence as the seventh world power of Bible prophecy. Like the Roman Empire, it has proved to be
“strong like iron,” exercising ironlike authority. The iron legs of the dream image thus include both the
Roman Empire and the Anglo-American dual world power.
A FRAGILE AMALGAM
25
Daniel next told Nebuchadnezzar: “Whereas you beheld the feet and the toes to be partly of molded
clay of a potter and partly of iron, the kingdom itself will prove to be divided, but somewhat of the
hardness of iron will prove to be in it, forasmuch as you beheld the iron mixed with moist clay. And as for
the toes of the feet being partly of iron and partly of molded clay, the kingdom will partly prove to be
strong and will partly prove to be fragile. Whereas you beheld iron mixed with moist clay, they will come to
be mixed with the offspring of mankind; but they will not prove to be sticking together, this one to that one,
just as iron is not mixing with molded clay.”—Daniel 2:41-43.
26
The succession of world powers represented by the various parts of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s
dream began with the head and extended down to the feet. Logically, the feet and toes of “iron mixed with
moist clay” would symbolize the final manifestation of human rule that would exist during “the time of the
end.”—Daniel 12:4.
27
At the dawn of the 20th century, the British Empire ruled over every fourth person on earth. Other
European empires controlled millions more. But World War I resulted in the emergence of groups of
nations in place of empires. After World War II, this trend accelerated. As nationalism developed further,
the number of nations in the world grew dramatically. The ten toes of the image represent all such
coexisting powers and governments, for in the Bible the number ten at times signifies earthly
completeness.—Compare Exodus 34:28; Matthew 25:1; Revelation 2:10.
28
Now that we are in “the time of the end,” we have reached the feet of the image. Some of the
governments pictured by the image’s feet and toes of iron mixed with clay are ironlike—authoritarian or
tyrannical. Others are claylike. In what way? Daniel associated the clay with “the offspring of mankind.”
(Daniel 2:43) Despite the fragile nature of clay, of which the offspring of mankind are made, traditional
ironlike rulerships have been obliged to listen more and more to the common people, who want their say
in the governments ruling over them. (Job 10:9) But there is no sticking together of authoritarian rule and
the common people—no more than there could be a uniting of iron with clay. At the time of the image’s
demise, the world will indeed be politically fragmented!
29
Will the divided condition of the feet and toes cause the entire image to collapse? What will happen
to the image?
A DRAMATIC CLIMAX!
30
Consider the climax of the dream. Daniel told the king: “You kept on looking until a stone was cut out
not by hands, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and of molded clay and crushed them. At that time
the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold were, all together, crushed and became like
the chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away so that no trace at all was
found of them. And as for the stone that struck the image, it became a large mountain and filled the whole
earth.”—Daniel 2:34, 35.
31
By way of explanation, the prophecy continued: “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will
set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any
other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;
forasmuch as you beheld that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and that it crushed the
iron, the copper, the molded clay, the silver and the gold. The grand God himself has made known to the
king what is to occur after this. And the dream is reliable, and the interpretation of it is trustworthy.”—
Daniel 2:44, 45.
32
Appreciating that his dream had been called to mind and explained, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged
that only Daniel’s God was “a Lord of kings and a Revealer of secrets.” The king also gave Daniel and his
three Hebrew companions positions of great responsibility. (Daniel 2:46-49) What, though, is the modern-
day significance of Daniel’s ‘trustworthy interpretation’?
‘A MOUNTAIN FILLS THE EARTH’
 33
When “the appointed times of the nations” ended in October 1914, “the God of heaven” established
the heavenly Kingdom by enthroning his anointed Son, Jesus Christ, as the “King of kings and Lord of
lords.” (Luke 21:24; Revelation 12:1-5; 19:16) So it was that by divine power, not by human hands, the
Messianic Kingdom “stone” was cut out of the “mountain” of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty. This
heavenly government is in the hands of Jesus Christ, upon whom God has conferred immortality.
(Romans 6:9; 1 Timothy 6:15, 16) Hence, this “kingdom of our Lord [God] and of his Christ”—an
expression of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty—will not be passed on to anyone else. It will stand forever.
—Revelation 11:15.
34
The birth of the Kingdom took place “in the days of those kings.” (Daniel 2:44) These were not only
the kings pictured by the ten toes of the image but also those symbolized by its iron, copper, silver, and
gold parts. Although the Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman empires had passed away as world
powers, their remnants still existed in 1914. The Turkish Ottoman Empire then occupied the territory of
Babylonia, and national governments were functioning in Persia (Iran) and Greece and Rome, Italy.
35
God’s heavenly Kingdom will soon strike the symbolic image on its feet. As a result, all the kingdoms
pictured by it will be broken to pieces, bringing them to an end. Indeed, at “the war of the great day of God
the Almighty,” that “stone” will strike with such crushing impact that the image will be ground to powder
and the wind of God’s storm will sweep it away like the chaff of a threshing floor. (Revelation 16:14, 16)
Then, like the stone that grew to mountainous size and filled the earth, God’s Kingdom will become the
governmental mountain that will affect “the whole earth.”—Daniel 2:35.
36
Though the Messianic Kingdom is heavenly, it will extend its power toward our globe for the blessing
of all obedient inhabitants of the earth. This stable government “will never be brought to ruin” or be
“passed on to any other people.” Unlike the kingdoms of dying human rulers, “it itself will stand to times
indefinite,” forever. (Daniel 2:44) May you have the privilege of being one of its subjects eternally.

Revelation Climax (Pgs 255 – 258)

Executing Babylon the Great

IN FURTHER describing the scarlet-colored wild beast of Revelation 17:3, the angel tells John: “Here
is where the intelligence that has wisdom comes in: The seven heads mean seven mountains,
where the woman sits on top. And there are seven kings: five have fallen, one is, the other has not
yet arrived, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while.” (Revelation 17:9, 10) The angel
is here conveying wisdom from above, the only wisdom that can give understanding of the symbols in
Revelation. (James 3:17) This wisdom enlightens the John class and its companions as to the
seriousness of the times in which we live. It builds in devoted hearts appreciation of Jehovah’s judgments,
now about to be carried out, and inculcates a healthy fear of Jehovah. As Proverbs 9:10 states: “The fear
of Jehovah is the start of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Most Holy One is what understanding is.”
What does divine wisdom reveal to us about the wild beast?
2
The seven heads of that ferocious beast stand for seven “mountains,” or seven “kings.” Both terms
are used Scripturally to refer to governmental powers. (Jeremiah 51:24, 25; Daniel 2:34, 35, 44, 45) In the
Bible, six world powers are mentioned as having an impact on the affairs of God’s people: Egypt, Assyria,
Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Of these, five had already come and gone by the time John
received Revelation, whereas Rome was still very much a world power. This corresponds well with the
words, “five have fallen, one is.” But what of “the other” that was due to come?
3
The Roman Empire endured and even expanded for hundreds of years after John’s day. In 330 C.E.,
Emperor Constantine moved his capital from Rome to Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. In
395 C.E., the Roman Empire was split into Eastern and Western parts. In 410 C.E., Rome itself fell to
Alaric, king of the Visigoths (a Germanic tribe that had converted to the Arian brand of “Christianity”).
Germanic tribes (also “Christian”) conquered Spain and much of the territory of Rome in North Africa.
There were centuries of upheaval, unrest, and readjustment in Europe. Notable emperors arose in the
West, such as Charlemagne, who formed an alliance with Pope Leo III in the 9th century, and
Frederick II, who reigned in the 13th century. But their domain, though named the Holy Roman Empire,
was much smaller than that of the earlier Roman Empire at its zenith. It was more of a restoration or a
continuation of this ancient power than a new empire.
4
Rome’s Eastern Empire, centered at Constantinople, endured in a somewhat uneasy relationship
with the Western Empire. In the sixth century, Eastern emperor Justinian I was able to reconquer much of
North Africa, and he also intervened in Spain and Italy. In the seventh century, Justinian II recovered for
the Empire areas of Macedonia that had been conquered by Slavic tribesmen. By the eighth century,
however, much of the former territory of ancient Rome in North Africa, Spain, and Syria had come under
the new empire of Islam and thus passed from the control of both Constantinople and Rome.
5
The city of Constantinople itself endured somewhat longer. It survived frequent attacks from
Persians, Arabs, Bulgars, and Russians until in 1203 it finally fell—not to Muslims but to Crusaders from
the West. In 1453, though, it came under the power of the Muslim Ottoman ruler Mehmed II and soon
became capital of the Ottoman, or Turkish, Empire. Thus, although the city of Rome fell in 410 C.E., it
took many more centuries for all traces of the political Roman Empire to pass from the world scene. And
even then, its influence was still discernible in religious empires based on the papacy of Rome and the
Eastern Orthodox churches.
6
By the 15th century, however, some countries were building brand-new empires. While some of
these new imperial powers were found in the territory of former colonies of Rome, their empires were not
mere continuations of the Roman Empire. Portugal, Spain, France, and Holland all became seats of far-
flung domains. But the most successful was Britain, which came to preside over a huge empire on which
‘the sun never set.’ This empire spread at different times over much of North America, Africa, India, and
Southeast Asia, as well as the expanse of the South Pacific.
7
By the 19th century, some of the colonies in North America had already broken away from Britain to
form the independent United States of America. Politically, some conflict between the new nation and the
former motherland continued. Nevertheless, the first world war forced both countries to recognize their
common interests and cemented a special relationship between them. Thus, a kind of dual world power
came to exist, made up of the United States of America, now the world’s wealthiest nation, and Great
Britain, seat of the world’s largest empire. Here, then, is the seventh ‘head,’ or world power, that
continues into the time of the end and in the territories of which the modern-day Witnesses of Jehovah
first got established. Compared with the long reign of the sixth head, the seventh remains only “a short
while,” until God’s Kingdom destroys all national entities.
Why Called an Eighth King?
8
The angel further explains to John: “And the wild beast that was but is not, it is also itself an
eighth king, but springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction.” (Revelation 17:11) The
symbolic scarlet-colored wild beast “springs from” the seven heads; that is, it is born from, or owes its
existence to, those heads of the original “wild beast . . . out of the sea,” of which the scarlet-colored wild
beast is an image. In what way? Well, in 1919 the Anglo-American power was the ascendant head. The
previous six heads had fallen, and the position of dominant world power had passed to this dual head and
was now centered in it. This seventh head, as the current representative of the line of world powers, was
the moving force in establishing the League of Nations and is still the major promoter and financial
support of the United Nations. Thus, in symbol, the scarlet-colored wild beast—the eighth king—“springs
from” the original seven heads. Viewed in this way, the statement that it sprang from the seven
harmonizes well with the earlier revelation that the wild beast with two horns like a lamb (the Anglo-
American World Power, the seventh head of that original wild beast) urged the making of the image and
gave it life.—Revelation 13:1, 11, 14, 15.
9
Additionally, original members of the League of Nations included, along with Great Britain,
governments that ruled in the seats of some of the previous heads, namely Greece, Iran (Persia), and
Italy (Rome). Eventually, governments ruling the territory controlled by the previous six world powers
came to be supportive members of the image of the wild beast. In this sense, too, it could be said that this
scarlet-colored wild beast sprang from the seven world powers.
10
Notice that the scarlet-colored wild beast “is also itself an eighth king.” Thus, the United Nations
today is designed to look like a world government. At times it has even acted like one, sending armies into
the field to resolve international disputes, as in Korea, the Sinai Peninsula, some African countries, and
Lebanon. But it is only the image of a king. Like a religious image, it has no real influence or power apart
from what is invested in it by those who brought it into existence and worship it. On occasion, this
symbolic wild beast looks weak; but it has never experienced the kind of wholesale abandonment by
dictator-oriented members that sent the League of Nations reeling into the abyss. (Revelation 17:8)
Though holding radically different opinions in other areas, a prominent leader of the former Soviet Union
in 1987 joined the popes of Rome in expressing support for the UN. He even called for “a comprehensive
system of international security” based on the UN. As John soon learns, the time will come when the UN
will act with considerable authority. Then it, in its turn, “goes off into destruction.”
Ten Kings for One Hour
11
In the previous chapter of Revelation, the sixth and seventh angels poured out bowls of the anger of
God. Thus we were advised that earth’s kings are being gathered to God’s war at Armageddon and that
‘Babylon the Great is to be remembered in the sight of God.’ (Revelation 16:1, 14, 19) Now we will learn
in greater detail how God’s judgments on these are to be executed. Listen again to Jehovah’s angel as he
speaks to John. “And the ten horns that you saw mean ten kings, who have not yet received a
kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings one hour with the wild beast. These have one
thought, and so they give their power and authority to the wild beast. These will battle with the
Lamb, but, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb will conquer them. Also, those
called and chosen and faithful with him will do so.”—Revelation 17:12-14.
12
The ten horns depict all the political powers that presently hold sway on the world scene and that
support the image of the wild beast. Very few of the countries that now exist were known in John’s day.
And those that were, such as Egypt and Persia (Iran), today have an entirely different political setup.
Hence, in the first century, the ‘ten horns had not yet received a kingdom.’ But now in the Lord’s day, they
have “a kingdom,” or political authority. With the collapse of the great colonial empires, particularly since
the second world war, many new nations have been born. These, as well as the longer-established
powers, must rule with the wild beast for a short period—just “one hour”—before Jehovah brings an end
to all worldly political authority at Armageddon.
13
Today, nationalism is one of the strongest forces motivating these ten horns. They have “one
thought” in that they want to preserve their national sovereignty rather than accept God’s Kingdom. This
was their purpose in subscribing to the League of Nations and the United Nations organization in the first
place—to preserve world peace and thus safeguard their own existence. Such an attitude ensures that
the horns will oppose the Lamb, the “Lord of lords and King of kings,” because Jehovah has purposed
that his Kingdom under Jesus Christ will shortly replace all these kingdoms.—Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew
24:30; 25:31-33, 46.
14
Of course, there is nothing that the rulers of this world can do against Jesus himself. He is in
heaven, far out of their reach. But Jesus’ brothers, the remaining ones of the woman’s seed, are still on
earth and apparently vulnerable. (Revelation 12:17) Many of the horns have already demonstrated bitter
hostility toward them, and in this way they have battled with the Lamb. (Matthew 25:40, 45) Soon, though,
the time will come for God’s Kingdom to “crush and put an end to all these kingdoms.” (Daniel 2:44) Then,
the kings of the earth will be in a fight to the finish with the Lamb, as we shall soon see. (Revelation
19:11-21) But here we learn enough to realize that the nations will not succeed. Though they and the UN
scarlet-colored wild beast have their “one thought,” they cannot defeat the great “Lord of lords and King of
kings,” nor can they defeat “those called and chosen and faithful with him,” which includes his anointed
followers still on earth. These too will have conquered by keeping integrity in answer to Satan’s vile
accusations.—Romans 8:37-39; Revelation 12:10, 11.
Devastating the Harlot
15
God’s people are not the only objects of the enmity of the ten horns. The angel now draws John’s
attention back to the harlot: “And he says to me: ‘The waters that you saw, where the harlot is
sitting, mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues. And the ten horns that you saw, and
the wild beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up
her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire.’”—Revelation 17:15, 16.
 16
Just as ancient Babylon relied on her watery defenses, Babylon the Great today relies on her huge
membership of “peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.” The angel appropriately draws our
attention to these before telling of a shocking development: Political governments of this earth will turn
violently upon Babylon the Great. What will all those “peoples and crowds and nations and tongues” do
then? God’s people are already warning Babylon the Great that the water of the river Euphrates will dry
up. (Revelation 16:12) Those waters will finally drain away completely. They will not be able to give the
disgusting old harlot any effectual support in her hour of greatest need.—Isaiah 44:27; Jeremiah 50:38;
51:36, 37.
17
Certainly, the immense material wealth of Babylon the Great will not save her. It may even hasten
her destruction, for the vision shows that when the wild beast and the ten horns vent their hatred on her
they will strip off her royal robes and all her jewelry. They will plunder her wealth. They “make her . . .
naked,” shamefully exposing her real character. What devastation! Her end is also far from dignified. They
destroy her, “eat up her fleshy parts,” reducing her to a lifeless skeleton. Finally, they “completely burn her
with fire.” She is burned up like a carrier of the plague, without even a decent burial! It is not the nations
alone, as represented by the ten horns, that destroy the great harlot, but “the wild beast,” meaning the UN
itself, joins them in this rampage. It will give its sanction to the destruction of false religion. Many of the
190-and-more nations within the UN have already displayed, by their voting pattern, a hostility toward
religion, especially that of Christendom.
18
Why would the nations treat their former paramour so outrageously? We have seen in recent history
the potential for such a turning against Babylonish religion. Official government opposition has
tremendously reduced the influence of religion in lands such as the former Soviet Union and China. In
Protestant sectors of Europe, widespread apathy and doubt have emptied the churches, so that religion is
practically dead. The vast Catholic empire is torn by rebellion and disagreement, which her leaders have
been unable to calm. We should not, though, lose sight of the fact that this final, all-out attack on Babylon
the Great comes as an expression of God’s unalterable judgment on the great harlot.
Carrying Out God’s Thought
19
How does Jehovah execute this judgment? This may be illustrated by Jehovah’s action against his
apostate people in ancient times, concerning whom he said: “In the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen
horrible things, committing adultery and walking in falsehood; and they have strengthened the hands of
evildoers in order that they should not return, each one from his own badness. To me all of them have
become like Sodom, and the inhabitants of her like Gomorrah.” (Jeremiah 23:14) In 607 B.C.E., Jehovah
used Nebuchadnezzar to ‘strip off the garments, take away the beautiful articles, and leave naked and
nude’ that spiritually adulterous city. (Ezekiel 23:4, 26, 29) Jerusalem of that time was a pattern of
Christendom today, and as John saw in earlier visions, Jehovah will administer to Christendom and the
rest of false religion a similar punishment. The desolated, uninhabited condition of Jerusalem after
607 B.C.E. shows what religious Christendom will look like after being stripped of her wealth and
shamefully exposed. And the rest of Babylon the Great will fare no better.
20
Again Jehovah uses human rulers in executing judgment. “For God put it into their hearts to
carry out his thought, even to carry out their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild
beast, until the words of God will have been accomplished.” (Revelation 17:17) What is God’s
“thought”? To arrange for the executioners of Babylon the Great to band together, in order to destroy her
completely. Of course, the rulers’ motive in attacking her will be to carry out their own “one thought.” They
will feel that it is in their nationalistic interests to turn upon the great harlot. They may come to view the
continued existence of organized religion within their boundaries as a threat to their sovereignty. But
Jehovah will actually be maneuvering matters; they will carry out his thought by destroying his age-old,
adulterous enemy at one stroke!—Compare Jeremiah 7:8-11, 34.
21
Yes, the nations will use the scarlet-colored wild beast, the United Nations, in destroying Babylon
the Great. They do not act on their own initiative, for Jehovah puts it into their hearts “even to carry out
their one thought by giving their kingdom to the wild beast.” When the time comes, the nations will
evidently see the need to strengthen the United Nations. They will give it teeth, as it were, lending it
whatever authority and power they possess so that it can turn upon false religion and fight successfully
against her “until the words of God will have been accomplished.” Thus, the ancient harlot will come to
her complete end. And good riddance to her!
 22
As if to emphasize the certainty of Jehovah’s execution of judgment on the world empire of false
religion, the angel concludes his testimony by saying: “And the woman whom you saw means the
great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18) Like Babylon of
Belshazzar’s time, Babylon the Great has “been weighed in the balance and found wanting.” (Daniel 5:27,
The New English Bible) Her execution will be swift and final. And how do Jehovah’s Witnesses respond to
the unraveling of the mystery of the great harlot and of the scarlet-colored wild beast? They show zeal in
proclaiming Jehovah’s day of judgment, while answering “with graciousness” sincere searchers for truth.
(Colossians 4:5, 6; Revelation 17:3, 7) As our next chapter will show, all who are desirous of surviving
when the great harlot is executed must act, and act quickly!

W90 5/15, 6-7

Armageddon—When?

“WE STAND at Armageddon and we battle for the Lord.” With those words, former U.S. president
Theodore Roosevelt applied the term “Armageddon” to a political battle in which he was involved. So,
should we search for Armageddon in the political arena?
A few years ago, the Canadian magazine Business Life carried an article entitled “Economic
Armageddon.” A subtitle asked: “Could Third World default on debt trigger our economic collapse?” But
should we think of Armageddon as a financial disaster?
According to the journal Newsweek, the world’s end became a campaign issue during a 1984
presidential debate. On that occasion, then U.S. president Ronald Reagan “was asked if he truly believes
that the world is headed for a ‘nuclear Armageddon.’ Reagan acknowledged ‘philosophical discussions’
about the coincidence between current events and Biblical signs portending the last days, but the
commander in chief insisted that he has never said that ‘we must plan according to Armageddon.’” Yet,
should our search for the meaning of Armageddon focus on military action that threatens nuclear
holocaust?
Many religious people say that Armageddon is a battle. But early in the 19th century, Bible scholar
Adam Clarke wrote: “How ridiculous have been the conjectures of men relative to this point! Within the
last twenty years this battle has been fought at various places, according to our purblind seers and self-
inspired prophets! At one time it was Austerlitz, at another Moscow, at another Leipsic, and now
Waterloo! And thus they have gone on, and will go on, confounding and being confounded.”
Searching for the meaning of Armageddon clearly raises some vital questions. What is Armageddon?
If it is a battle, who will be the participants? Why will it be fought? Where will it take place? And when will
Armageddon occur?
What Is Armageddon?
The term “Armageddon” is derived from a word found in the Bible book of Revelation, known for
symbolic language. Therein the apostle John wrote: “I saw three unclean inspired expressions that looked
like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth
of the false prophet. They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and perform signs, and they go
forth to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God
the Almighty. . . . And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Har–Magedon.”—
Revelation 16:13-16.
Armageddon, or Har–Magedon, is a transliteration of the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew expression
Har Meghid·dohn′ meaning “Mountain of Megiddo,” or “Mountain of Assembly of Troops.” It is linked with
“the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” So Armageddon is not a political skirmish, an economic
disaster, a nuclear holocaust, or a human conflict. Rather, Armageddon is God’s war.
Who Will Be the Participants?
 The three unclean froglike inspired expressions come out of the mouths of the dragon (Satan the
Devil), the wild beast (his earthly political setup), and the Anglo-American false prophet. These
expressions inspired by demons, or wicked angels, gather the earthly kings, or rulers, to Har–Magedon.—
See chapter 32 of the book Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! published by the Watchtower Bible
and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
On Jehovah’s side in the war of Armageddon is a vast army of invisible spirit forces led by the King
Jesus Christ. The apostle John reported: “I saw the heaven opened, and, look! a white horse. And the
one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he [Jesus] judges and carries on war in righteousness.
. . . Also, the armies that were in heaven were following him. . . . And out of his mouth there protrudes a
sharp long sword, that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron. He
treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty. And upon his outer garment, even
upon his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:11-16) The sharp
long sword represents Christ’s authority to order the execution of all who refuse to support God’s
Kingdom. (Revelation 1:16; 2:16) Huge invisible forces are available for the war of Armageddon.
In opposition are Satan, his demon hosts, and the kings of the entire inhabited earth. But we should
not think only of world rulers in the visible realm, for the people they govern are also involved. It was
foretold: “Jehovah has indignation against all the nations, and rage against all their army.”—Isaiah 34:2.
Why Will It Be Fought?
Armageddon will be fought because God is righteous and will no longer tolerate evil. (Psalm 11:7)
Satan the Devil’s organization, comprising both demons and rebellious humans, responsible for
millenniums of wickedness and woe, must therefore be destroyed. (Compare Genesis 3:15.) Jehovah’s
universal sovereignty will be upheld at Armageddon, and that war will clear his name of the reproach
heaped upon it for centuries. As God declared through his prophet Ezekiel: “I shall no more let my holy
name be profaned; and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 39:7.
God’s war of Armageddon will actually prevent the destruction of all mankind. Jehovah created the
earth to be inhabited, not destroyed in a thermonuclear war among humans or otherwise rendered unfit
for life. (Isaiah 45:18) He will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Revelation 11:18) But the psalmist
declared: “Jehovah himself has become king. The productive land [Hebrew, te·vel′; the earth, as fertile
and inhabited, the habitable globe] also becomes firmly established so that it cannot be made to totter.”—
Psalm 96:10.
What God does at Armageddon will be in complete harmony with his principal attributes of justice,
wisdom, power, and love. (Deuteronomy 32:4; Job 12:13; Isaiah 40:26; 1 John 4:8) He will act against
“ungodly sinners,” not against the upright. (Jude 14, 15) Only ‘the wicked ones will be given to the sword.’
(Jeremiah 25:31) This will pave the way for the restoration of Paradise, fulfilling the divine purpose for the
earth and humankind.—Luke 23:43.
Where Will It Take Place?
Since the term “Armageddon” comes from a Hebrew expression meaning “Mountain of Megiddo,”
some may conclude that this war will be fought on a lofty eminence bearing that name. However, there
never was a mountain named Megiddo. Some 60 miles [100 km] northwest of Jerusalem there was a hill
town, or city, called Megiddo, but only a mound about 70 feet [20 m] high now marks its site.—Joshua
17:11.
That ancient city overlooked “the valley plain of Megiddo.” (2 Chronicles 35:22) Associating
Armageddon (or Har–Magedon) with that vicinity is apropos because it was the location of decisive
battles. For instance, there God enabled Judge Barak to inflict a crushing blow upon Canaanite king Jabin
and his military forces commanded by Sisera. (Judges 4:12-24; 5:19, 20) In that vicinity Gideon and his
small band routed the Midianites. (Judges 7:1–8:35) There too Kings Ahaziah and Josiah were killed.—
2 Kings 9:27; 23:29, 30.
It is noteworthy, however, that this valley plain, also called the Plain of Esdraelon, is only 20 miles
[32 km] long and 18 miles [29 km] wide at its eastern end. The kings of the entire inhabited earth and
their military forces could never fit into such a small area. Besides that, neither a mound (the tell of
Megiddo) nor a plain is a mountain. Clearly, then, Armageddon will not be confined to some mountainous
location in the Middle East. Rather, Armageddon (or Har–Magedon) is symbolic of a worldwide situation,
although it draws some of its significance from Megiddo and what took place in that area.
When Will Armageddon Occur?
Since Megiddo was in the land of God’s ancient people, what happens at Armageddon relates to
Jehovah’s Witnesses in this “time of the end.” (Daniel 12:4) Har–Magedon applies to “the place” to which
the earth’s political rulers are gathered in opposition to Jehovah and his Kingdom by Jesus Christ.
(Revelation 16:14, 16) But that “place” (Greek, to′pos) denotes a world situation. Armageddon will occur
when a certain situation develops that affects Jehovah’s Witnesses around the earth.
The spiritual prosperity of Jehovah’s Witnesses infuriates Satan the Devil, who will soon launch an all-
out attack against these seemingly defenseless Christians. This worldwide assault by Satan, or Gog, is
described in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. Under the Devil’s influence, the nations will march against
Jehovah’s peace-loving people gathered out of all nations. Yes, satanic opposition will be manifested by
global action against Jehovah’s earthly servants, the visible representatives and proclaimers of God’s
Kingdom.
A battle is often known by the place where it is fought. Thus, God’s mighty defense of his people can
be called the battle, or war, of Armageddon. When Jehovah rises up to defend his servants against Gog’s
attack, Armageddon will be in progress! Human governments will collapse. Flooding cloudbursts,
devastating hailstones, streaking fire and sulfur, raging pestilences—truly acts of God—will cause world
panic outside the ranks of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their human foes will turn their weapons against their
own ranks. And those whom this suicidal warfare does not kill off, Jehovah will annihilate.—Ezekiel 38:18-
23; Daniel 2:44.
In terror, every man’s hand will be turned against his neighbor in a frenzied but futile struggle for
survival. (Zechariah 14:12, 13) “Those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end
of the earth clear to the other end of the earth. They will not be bewailed, neither will they be gathered up
or be buried. As manure on the surface of the ground they will become.” (Jeremiah 25:33) Any attempt to
remain neutral in God’s war will cost you your life at Armageddon! And as so often proved Scripturally in
this journal, the present generation will not pass away before Armageddon occurs!—Matthew 24:21, 34.
What Armageddon Will Accomplish
Armageddon will remove the last vestige of Satan’s earthly organization. Moreover, the Devil and his
demons will be abyssed. (Revelation 20:1-3) What blessings will then flow to Jehovah’s people, the joyful
survivors of his great war of Armageddon! They will happily proceed with reconstruction that will transform
the entire earth into a paradise, free from pollution, pain, mourning, tears, and death. (Revelation 11:15,
18; 21:3, 4) And you can be there if you take to heart the psalmist’s words: “Hope in Jehovah and keep
his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will
see it.” (Psalm 37:34) Indeed, you may live to see the war of the great day of God the Almighty and
become a happy survivor when Armageddon strikes!

“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy
acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the
presence of the day of Jehovah.”—2 Peter 3:11, 12

W07 11/1 Page 15

Jehovah’s Word Is Alive
Highlights From the Books of Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah

“THE vision of Obadiah.” (Obadiah 1) These words begin the Bible book of Obadiah. The prophet
reveals nothing about himself except his name in the book that he composed in 607 B.C.E. In a book
completed over two centuries earlier, the prophet Jonah candidly relates what he personally experienced
in connection with his missionary assignment. The 60 years of Micah’s prophetic activity lie between
those of Obadiah and Jonah, stretching from 777 B.C.E. to 717 B.C.E. All that Micah relates about
himself is that he is “of [the village] Moresheth” and that Jehovah’s word occurred to him “in the days of
Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” (Micah 1:1) The prophet’s familiarity with rural life is evident in
the type of illustrations he uses to stress the points of his message.
EDOM “WILL HAVE TO BE CUT OFF TO TIME INDEFINITE”
(Obadiah 1-21)
Regarding Edom, Obadiah says: “Because of the violence to your brother Jacob, shame will cover
you, and you will have to be cut off to time indefinite.” The prophet has fresh in mind the Edomites’ recent
acts of violence against the sons of Jacob—the Israelites. In 607 B.C.E., when the Babylonians destroyed
Jerusalem, the Edomites “stood off on the side” and allied themselves with the invading “foreigners.”—
Obadiah 10, 11.
In contrast, a restoration is in store for the house of Jacob. Obadiah’s prophecy states: “In Mount Zion
is where those escaping will prove to be, and it must become something holy.”—Obadiah 17.
Scriptural Questions Answered:
5-8—What is significant about the comparison of Edom’s destruction to the coming of
despoilers by night and of grape gatherers? If thieves had come into Edom, they would have taken
only what they wanted. Had harvesters come into her, they would have left behind some of the crop for
gleaning. When Edom falls, though, her treasures will be thoroughly searched out and she will be
completely plundered by “the very men in covenant with [her]”—her allies, the Babylonians.—Jeremiah
49:9, 10.
10—How was Edom “cut off to time indefinite”? As foretold, the nation of Edom, with a
government and people in a specific region of the earth, became extinct. Babylonian King Nabonidus
conquered Edom about the middle of the sixth century B.C.E. By the fourth century B.C.E., Edom’s
territory was inhabited by the Nabataeans, and the Edomites had to take up residence in the southern
part of Judea, the area of the Negeb that later came to be known as Idumea. After the Romans destroyed
Jerusalem in 70 C.E., the Edomites ceased to exist.
Lessons for Us:
3, 4. Because they lived in a rugged region of high mountains and deep ravines that offered excellent
strategic advantages, the Edomites may presumptuously have deceived themselves into feeling safe and
secure. But Jehovah’s judgments are inescapable.
8, 9, 15. Human wisdom and mightiness provide no protection during “the day of Jehovah.”—Jeremiah
49:7, 22.
12-14. The Edomites serve as a warning example to those who gloat over the difficulties that God’s
servants may encounter. Jehovah does not view the mistreatment of his people lightly.
17-20. This restoration prophecy regarding the sons of Jacob began to be fulfilled when a remnant
returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in 537 B.C.E. Jehovah’s word always comes true. We can have full
confidence in his promises.
“NINEVEH WILL BE OVERTHROWN”
(Jonah 1:1–4:11)
Instead of obeying God’s command to “go to Nineveh the great city, and proclaim against her” a
judgment message, Jonah flees in the opposite direction. By hurling “a great wind at the sea” and by
using “a great fish,” Jehovah redirects Jonah and commissions him a second time to go to the Assyrian
capital.—Jonah 1:2, 4, 17; 3:1, 2.
Jonah enters Nineveh and proceeds to proclaim a straightforward message: “Only forty days more,
and Nineveh will be overthrown.” (Jonah 3:4) The unexpected outcome of his preaching work causes
Jonah to become “hot with anger.” Jehovah uses “a bottle-gourd plant” to teach Jonah a lesson in mercy.
—Jonah 4:1, 6.
Scriptural Questions Answered:
 3:3—Did the size of Nineveh really amount to “a walking distance of three days”? Yes. In
ancient times, Nineveh was likely understood to include other settlements stretching from Khorsabad in
the north to Nimrud in the south. All the settlements identified with Nineveh form a quadrangle with a
circumference of 60 miles [100 km].
3:4—Did Jonah have to learn the Assyrian language in order to preach to the Ninevites? Jonah
may already have known the Assyrian language, or he may have miraculously received the ability to
speak it. Another possibility is that he delivered his succinct message in Hebrew, with someone
interpreting for him. If the latter was the case, his words would have aroused even greater curiosity about
his message.
Lessons for Us:
1:1-3. Deliberately scheduling other activities in order to avoid having a full share in the Kingdom-
preaching and disciple-making work is an indication of a wrong motive. Someone who does so runs away
from a God-given assignment, so to speak.
1:1, 2; 3:10. Jehovah’s mercy is not limited to one nation or race or to a special group of people.
“Jehovah is good to all, and his mercies are over all his works.”—Psalm 145:9.
1:17; 2:10. Jonah’s three days and nights in a big fish prophetically point to Jesus’ death and
resurrection.—Matthew 12:39, 40; 16:21.
1:17; 2:10; 4:6. Jehovah delivered Jonah from the raging sea. God also “appointed a bottle-gourd
plant, that it should come up over Jonah, in order to become a shade over his head, to deliver him from
his calamitous state.” Jehovah’s present-day worshippers can trust in their God, and in his loving-
kindness, to safeguard and deliver them.—Psalm 13:5; 40:11.
2:1, 2, 9, 10. Jehovah hears the prayers of his servants and pays attention to their entreaties.—Psalm
120:1; 130:1, 2.
3:8, 10. The true God “felt regret over,” or changed his mind about, the calamity that he had spoken of,
and he “did not cause it.” Why? Because the Ninevites “had turned back from their bad way.” Similarly
today, God’s adverse judgment can be averted if a sinner manifests genuine repentance.
4:1-4. No human can cause God to put a limit on His mercy. We should be careful not to be critical of
Jehovah’s merciful ways.
4:11. Jehovah is patiently having the Kingdom message preached earth wide because—as he did for
the 120,000 men in Nineveh—he feels sorry for those “who do not at all know the difference between their
right hand and their left.” Should we not feel sorry for the people in our territory and have a zealous share
in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work?—2 Peter 3:9.
‘THEIR BALDNESS IS TO BE BROADENED OUT’
(Micah 1:1–7:20)
Micah exposes the sins of Israel and Judah, foretells the desolation of their capitals, and promises
restoration. Samaria shall become “a heap of ruins of the field.” Because of their idolatrous course, Israel
and Judah deserve “baldness,” or shame. By their being sent into captivity, their baldness is to be
broadened out “like that of the eagle”—apparently a type of vulture that has only a few soft hairs on its
head. Jehovah promises: “I shall positively gather Jacob.” (Micah 1:6, 16; 2:12) On account of the corrupt
leaders and the delinquent prophets, Jerusalem too “will become mere heaps of ruins.” But Jehovah will
“collect [his people] together.” Out of “Bethlehem Ephrathah” will come “the one who is to become ruler in
Israel.”—Micah 3:12; 4:12; 5:2.
Has Jehovah been unfair to Israel? Are his requirements too severe? No. All that Jehovah asks of his
worshippers is that they ‘exercise justice, love kindness, and be modest’ in walking with their God. (Micah
6:8) Micah’s contemporaries, though, have become so bad that “their best one is like a brier, their most
upright one is worse than a thorn hedge,” causing hurt and pain to anyone coming near. But the prophet
asks: “Who is a God like [Jehovah]?” God will again show mercy to his people and “throw into the depths
of the sea all their sins.”—Micah 7:4, 18, 19.
Scriptural Questions Answered:
 2:12—When was the prophecy about ‘collecting the remaining ones of Israel’ fulfilled? Its first
fulfillment was in 537 B.C.E. when a Jewish remnant returned to their homeland from Babylonian exile. In
modern times, the prophecy finds its fulfillment in “the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16) Since 1919,
anointed Christians have been collected together “like a flock in the pen.” Being joined by the “great
crowd” of “other sheep,” especially since 1935, they have become “noisy with men.” (Revelation 7:9; John
10:16) Together, they zealously promote true worship.
4:1-4—“In the final part of the days,” how does Jehovah “render judgment among many
peoples, and set matters straight respecting mighty nations”? The expressions “many peoples” and
“mighty nations” do not refer to national groups or political entities. Rather, these expressions pertain to
individuals out of all the nations who have become Jehovah’s worshippers. Jehovah renders judgment
and sets matters straight respecting them in a spiritual way.
Lessons for Us:
1:6, 9; 3:12; 5:2. Samaria was devastated by the Assyrians in 740 B.C.E.—during Micah’s lifetime.
(2 Kings 17:5, 6) The Assyrians came as far as Jerusalem during Hezekiah’s reign. (2 Kings 18:13)
Jerusalem was set ablaze by the Babylonians in 607 B.C.E. (2 Chronicles 36:19) As prophesied, the
Messiah was born in “Bethlehem Ephrathah.” (Matthew 2:3-6) Jehovah’s prophetic word never fails.
2:1, 2. How dangerous it would be for us to claim to serve God but seek first riches rather than “the
kingdom and his righteousness.”—Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10.
3:1-3, 5. Jehovah expects the responsible ones among his people to act justly.
3:4. If we want Jehovah to answer our prayers, we must not practice sin or live a double life.
3:8. Our commission to preach the good news, which includes judgment messages, can be fulfilled
only if we are strengthened by Jehovah’s holy spirit.
5:5. This Messianic prophecy assures us that when God’s people come under attack by their enemies,
“seven [representing completeness] shepherds” and “eight dukes”—a considerable number of capable
men—are raised up to take the lead among Jehovah’s people.
5:7, 8. To many people, anointed Christians today are “like dew from Jehovah”—a blessing from God.
This is so because he uses the anointed to proclaim the Kingdom message. The “other sheep” help in
bringing spiritual refreshment to people by actively supporting the anointed in the preaching work. (John
10:16) What a privilege it is to share in this work, which brings true refreshment to others!
6:3, 4. We should imitate Jehovah God and be kind and compassionate even to those who are hard to
get along with or are spiritually weak.
7:7. As we deal with problems at the end of this wicked system of things, we should not become
downhearted. Instead, like Micah, we need to “show a waiting attitude for [our] God.”
7:18, 19. As Jehovah is willing to pardon our errors, we should be willing to forgive those who sin
against us.
Continue ‘Walking in the Name of Jehovah’
Those who fight against God and his people “will have to be cut off to time indefinite.” (Obadiah 10)
However, Jehovah’s anger can be turned back by our heeding the divine warning and ‘turning back from
bad ways.’ (Jonah 3:10) “In the final part of the days,” that is, during these “last days,” true worship is
being exalted above all false religion and obedient ones are streaming to it. (Micah 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1)
May we therefore be determined to “walk in the name of Jehovah our God to time indefinite, even
forever.”—Micah 4:5.
What valuable lessons the books of Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah teach us! Though written over 2,500
years ago, their message “is alive and exerts power,” even today.—Hebrews 4:12.