A Great Image - Part I

    JEHOVAH caused his prophet to make a record of and concerning a great image which appeared in a dream to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Not only that, but he caused his prophet to speak an interpretation of that dream concerning the image. This alone gives importance to the image and to an understanding thereof.
    Image-making is anti-God. In his law which God gave to the Israelites he specifically prohibited the making of an image or the likeness of anything in heaven or on earth. (Ex. 20:4) Concerning those who indulge in image-making it is written: "Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place." —Deut. 27:15.
    An image is something that represents or is regarded as representing another thing that exists. It is the likeness or imitation of a real thing made to resemble that real or more complete thing. It may well be said to mimic something greater. While Moses was in the mountain to receive the tables of the law at the hand of God the Israelites made a molten image before which they worshiped, which constituted a serious breach of God's law. (Deut. 9:12) The tendency of images and image worship is to turn the people away from God and turn them to God's enemy. The real reason, therefore, for God's forbidding the making of images was and is that the creature should give his entire devotion to his Creator, and not be led into the ways of error.
    These fixed rules of God, together with the fact that he caused a record to be made in his "Word concerning the image that appeared to Nebuchadnezzar, and that he calls it a 'great and terrible' image, is proof conclusive that the image could not represent God's purpose, but must have reference to God's enemy or something in connection with God's enemy. It is stated in his Word that "I the Lord thy God am a jealous God", and this statement is made in connection with image-making and image worship. This does not mean that God could be injured by what his creatures might do, but does mean that his creatures, by turning themselves to God's enemy and looking at images and not at Jehovah, do violence to their own interests and bring great injury to themselves. Image-making and image worship is therefore an abomination in the sight of God. Why then should God cause record to be made of the great image above mentioned? The expressed purpose of God of and concerning his enemies has direct bearing upon this question and upon the proper understanding of the prophecy uttered by Daniel relative to the image above mentioned.
    Jehovah will triumph over his enemies so completely that never will a place be found for them again. The Bible contains an abundance of testimony concerning the enemies of Jehovah. That fact alone proves that it is the purpose of Jehovah to fully advise those who love him of the reason for the existence of these enemies, whence they came, why they have opposed him, why he has permitted them to continue so long, what provision he has made for their destruction, and when they will be destroyed. We know that the power of the Almighty God has no limitations and if he should will to do so he could snuff out all his enemies in an instant. The fact that lie has not done so long ago shows that he has good reason for not doing it until a time certain. That it may be fully understood that he will destroy them completely in his own good time it is important to consider a few of the Bible texts upon this point: "But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore. For, lo, thine enemies, O Lord, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish: all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered." (Ps. 92:8,9) "Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off." (Mic. 5:9) "Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee." (Ps. 21:8) "But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off."—Ps. 37:20,38.
    Jehovah's purpose to destroy his enemies has been expressed from the very beginning of man's sinful course. The seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.—Gen. 3:15.
    That declaration was made more than six thousand years ago. The final bruising has not yet taken place. To Abraham Jehovah said: "Thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies." (Gen. 22:17) Here Abraham represented Jehovah himself, while the "seed" promised stands for or represents the instrument Jehovah will use to destroy his enemies. Jehovah caused Jacob to prophesy concerning Judah in these words: "Judah, ... thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies." (Gen. 49:8) "The Lion of the tribe of Juda" will be the One who thus performs the work here prophesied.
    God's chosen people in Canaan were led by Joshua, When he had captured the enemy kings and held them in custody he caused his men to draw near and put their feet on the necks of these kings, and then they killed them. "And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. "—Josh. 10:25.
    God's prophet, concerning the enemies of Jehovah and the enemies of those who love him, wrote: "For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth." (Ps. 54: 3-5) "Through God we shall do valiantly; for he it is that shall tread down our enemies." (Ps. 60:12) The prayer of the righteous is: "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses."— Ps. 68:1,2,21.
    Jehovah has made his beloved Son Christ Jesus his Chief Executive Officer for ever. By him he will accomplish his purposes. He is the right hand instrument of Jehovah. Christ Jesus is the "seed" that shall bruise the head of the enemy. Christ was not permitted even to begin this work of destruction until God's due time, but when that time arrived God sent him forth upon a mission, and the work is now in progress. (Ps. 110:1,2) The beginning of his reign in 1914 marks the beginning of the great King's work and he must go forward from that time until it is completed: "The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. He shall judge among the [nations], he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries." (Ps. 110: 5, 6) The great work God gives unto the hand of Christ, which includes the faithful members of his body. Concerning such it is written:
    "Give the king thy judgments, 0 God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust." (Ps. 72:1,2,8,9) "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about." (Ps. 97:1,3) "Let there be none to extend mercy unto him; neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut oft": and in the generation following let their name be blotted out."—Ps. 109:12,13.
    The above are a few of the Scriptural texts proving God's purpose to completely destroy his enemies, and to do so by and through his beloved Son. We are now approaching that great battle of the day of God Almighty and it seems quite clear that God's due time has come for us to have a better understanding of the prophecies and that this includes an understanding of the great and terrible image mentioned in Daniel's prophecy.

    

    TERRIBLE IMAGE

    In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, he had a dream that troubled him. He forgot the dream, and he being unable to remember it, his magicians and astrologers, of course, could not interpret it; and they used this fact as an excuse for their inability to interpret the dream. Daniel was then a captive in Babylon, where the Israelites had been taken. Together with some of his brethren he sought the face of the Lord in prayer and then asked permission to disclose to Nebuchadnezzar both his dream and the interpretation thereof. Daniel was then brought before Nebuchadnezzar the king, and told him his dream. Be it noted that Daniel laid no claim whatsoever to any personal ability or learning by which he could recall the dream or give the interpretation thereof; but when he was brought to tell Nebuchadnezzar he informed the king that his information came from the God of heaven. Daniel said to the king: "But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart."—Dan. 2: 30.
    Daniel was devoted to Jehovah and was much beloved by Jehovah and was used by the Most High to write down the prophecy, which would be fulfilled in God's due time. Daniel represented that class of people who would be on earth and who would be fully devoted to God at the end of the world when 'Michael shall stand up'. Daniel therefore specifically represented the faithful remnant, those who are anointed of the Lord God to do his work. The record of the dream and the interpretation given by Daniel the prophet follows:
    "Thou, 0 king, sawest, and behold, a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
    "This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou, 0 king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh, all these shall it break in pieces and bruise. And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part, of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
    "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure."—Dan. 2:31-45.
    For many years those who have loved God have sought for an understanding of the prophecies, and particularly those written by Daniel and Ezekiel. God has never been displeased with this effort, as is indicated by the Scriptures; nor should it be expected that God will permit the true understanding of these prophecies to be had until his due time. The holy men of old who prophesied concerning God's purpose of the salvation of the human race sought diligently to understand the meaning of what they wrote down. Even the angels desired to look into the meaning thereof and have an understanding of it. God did not express his displeasure because of the efforts thus made to understand, but it was not his due time to make his secrets known. Nor would it be at all improper for anyone who is devoted to God to diligently seek to know the understanding of his Word at any or all times. This observation is here made to emphasize the fact that only in God's due time can a prophecy be understood by men.
    More than fifty years ago some good, honest Christian people who were called Adventists published an interpretation of the foregoing prophecy of Daniel which in substance states that the terrible image that Daniel saw represented the successive world powers, to wit, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome; that the golden head of the image represented Babylon, the breast of silver represented or pictured the Medo-Persian empire; that the copper (mistranslated brass) pictured the Grecian world power; and the legs of iron pictured the Pagan Roman world power; and the feet composed of iron and clay pictured Papal Rome or what is otherwise called the "Holy Roman Empire". The Watch Tower publications, having no better explanation, practically adopted the foregoing interpretation. There are some good reasons why the above interpretation of the prophecy is not connect, and these are, to wit:
    (1) That the true meaning of the terrible image could not be understood by any of those whom Daniel represented until after the coming of the Lord to his temple. The foregoing interpretation having been made long before the coming of the Lord to his temple, it is hardly likely that it would be correct. That would not mean that any criticism is leveled against any of those who thus interpreted it. Without doubt God was pleased with them because they sought the truth. Daniel's prophecy says: "This secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation." And furthermore that 'the God of heaven revealeth secrets of what shall be in the latter days'. (Dan. 2:28,30) These "latter days" must refer to the "day of the Lord", which means the time beginning when God places his King upon his holy hill in Zion. (Ps. 2:6) That event occurred in 1914, and surely then the understanding could not be had until after that time. It was after the Lord came to his temple in 1918 that his anointed people began to have a better understanding of the prophecies, because the temple in heaven was opened. (Rev. 11:19) Since Daniel says that the vision or prophecy-is to make known what is to come to pass in the "latter days", then it must be that God purposed that his people, whom Daniel represented, would be given an understanding of the image in the "latter days", and not before.
    (2) That the prophecy shows that the terrible image would be broken in pieces all at one and the same time and it follows that unless the entire image is in existence at one and the same time this could not take place. The world powers of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Pagan Rome, have ceased to exist and the image has not yet been broken in pieces. The "holy Roman empire" does not now exist as a world power.
    (3) It could not be literally true that Nebuchadnezzar at the time he was king of Babylon was ruler over all "the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven", as the prophecy states. There is no proof that he had any more power or control over the wild beasts and the birds than any other imperfect man had.
    (4) There is no evidence whatsoever that Medo-Persia as a world power possessed anything peculiar that could be symbolized by the precious metal silver, or that the Grecian empire was in any particular way marked so that it could be symbolized by the less valuable metal brass or copper.
    (5) It is not true that Rome was the first world power to employ the iron military rule that 'bruises the peoples of the earth'. Egypt existed long before the day of Rome, and Egypt was the first great military power. The world power of Assyria was before Babylon or Rome, and Assyria boasted that her armies had conquered all the nations and none had been able to stand before her military onslaughts. Only Jehovah by his angel could and did deliver the Israelites from the Assyrian iron or military hand. (Isa. 36:17-20) Greece conquered and ruled the world by military force, and it is said of her mighty warrior general that "he wept because there were no more worlds to conquer". In much earlier days than that, even, the kings of Canaan had military equipment and nine hundred chariots made of iron. (Judg. 4:3) Other nations fought with military instruments of iron long before Rome existed. (1 Ivi. 22:11) Other reasons appear why 'the terrible image' does not refer to world powers, and these will be considered as we progress.
    The image about which Nebuchadnezzar dreamed was a terrible one. What could it picture? In order to enable the student to follow the argument here set forth it is now here briefly stated that the terrible image represented Satan's organization, both visible and invisible. Before submitting the proof in support of that conclusion consideration is first given to some Scriptural evidence concerning the greater organization.

    JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION

    Jehovah has a universal organization which is often mentioned in the Scriptures under the symbol of "mountain". "So he brought them into his own holy bounds, the mountain-range which his right hand acquired." (Ps. 78: 54, Rotherham) "Great and highly to be praised in the city is our God, his holy mountain is beautiful for elevation, the joy of all the earth. Mount Zion on the northern ridge is the city of a king." (Ps. 48:1,2, Rotherham) (See also Isaiah 2:2; 11:9; 56:7; Joel 3:17; Zeehariah 8:3.)
    Ezekiel was caused to write down his vision of God's organization. (Ezek. 1: 3-28) In that vision he describes four living creatures having the likeness of a man, and every one had four faces and four wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one wei'C joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went. As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, and like the appearance of lamps: it went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning."—Ezek. 1:9-13.
    There appeared in the vision also one wheel upon the earth by each of the living creatures which had four faces. "And their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel." Further describing what he saw, Ezekiel said: ""When they went, they went upon their four sides; and they turned not when they went. And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up. "Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go; and the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels."—Ezek. 1:17,19, 20.
    There appeared over the heads of the living creatures a great expanse like terrible crystal to look upon. Under the expanse were the wings of the living creatures each having four wings, two on each side of the body. When these creatures went the sound of the wings was like the sound of many waters. "And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of. speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings. And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings."—Ezek. 1: 24, 25.
    Above the expanse or firmament was the likeness of a great throne having the appearance of a sapphire stone, and upon the throne was one having the appearance of a man. There was the appearance of fire round about and within it, and the color was of amber. After describing the appearance of the one on the throne, then the prophecy adds: "As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." (Ezek. 1: 28) Thus it is seen that the prophetic description is that fitly representing a mighty war chariot, therefore picturing a chariot-like organization extending high above the earth into heaven, and this mighty organization is presided over by Jehovah the Most High.
    The Chief Executive Officer in that great organization is the beloved Son of God, whom he has made Ruler over the world. With him is his perfect organization "the holy city", which forms a part of the universal organization. In that organization are cherubim, seraphim and a host of angels, and the members of the body of Christ, these all possessing authority and power as granted by Jehovah. (Isa. 6: 2, 3; Rev. 4: 6; 1 Pet. 3:22; Heb. 12: 22) Mention is here made of this mighty organization of Jehovah that the student may have in mind the mimic god who has attempted to make the organization in the likeness thereof.

    LUCIFER'S ORGANIZATION

    God created man in his own image and put him on the earth. He put man in the garden of Eden to dress and keep it. (Gen. 1:28; 2:15) God thereby made the pex'fect man a part of his great organization and commanded that man should remain always in harmony with his Creator and his fixed laws. The beginning of God's creation was Ms beloved Sou the Logos, and thereafter all things created were created by the Logos as the deputy of Jehovah God. (John 1:1-3) That there are various divisions of God's universal organization is certain, as appears from the words which follow: "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all tilings were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should aJl fulness dwell.
    This establishes beyond a question of doubt that in God's organization there are thrones, dominions, principalities, angels and servants. One of the titles given to the mighty Chief Deputy of Jehovah is the "bright and morning star", which also means prince. There was another star in God's universal organization. It is recorded that when God laid the foundation of the earth as a home for man "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy". (Job 38:7) That other star or prince was Lucifer, and the proof concerning that is quite certain and clear.
    Lucifer was appointed to a high office in God's organization. "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so; thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." (Ezek. 2S: 14) "Anointed" means that he was designated to fill a certain office. The word "covereth" used in this text means one who provides protection, defense or supervision as an overseer. Lucifer was in Eden, the garden of God, where Adam was put, and Lucifer being made an officer in Jehovah's organization, it seems clear that man was under the special supervision of Lucifer and the perfect man was therefore a part of Lucifer's organization and in the great organization of Jehovah. Since Ezekiel's prophecy shows that God's organization is like a wheel within a wheel, then it may well be said that Lucifer's part of the organization was one of the wheels in the greater wheel. This, of course, applies when he was in harmony with Jehovah.
    Lucifer was made glorious and beautiful to look upon when he appeared in Eden. '' Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrcts and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created." (Ezek. 28:13) He was therefore a light-bearer and clothed with power and authority.
    The tree is a symbol of a living creature, and when planted by the Lord Jehovah it is a tree of righteousness or creature of righteousness as long as remaining in harmony with Jehovah. (Isa. 61:3; Ps. 1:1-3; Prov. 11:'30; Num. 24:6; Judg. 9:8; Ps. 104:16) It appears certain from the language used that God's prophet referred to Lucifer when he wrote these words:'' Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters. The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches: nor any treo in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty. I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him." (Ezek. 31:7-9)
This shows that Lucifer had other spirit creatures in his organization, and over which he ranked as superior. As a superior officer in God's organization certain specific duties devolved upon him, and man was under Lucifer's direct supervision. Being above others of his organization he would be properly referred to as the head thereof.
    God created the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air and brought them before Adam and caused him to give each one a name, and they were subject to Adam. (Gen. 1:28; 2:19,20) Since Lucifer was overlord of Adam it follows that all these beasts of the field and fowls of the air'were under his superior supervision. The further description by the prophet concerning Lucifer's organization is this: '' Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations." (Ezek. 31:5,6) Compare this language at this point with Daniel 2:38.

    METALS

    The image described by Daniel in the prophecy mentions three precious metals, to wit, gold and silver, and copper, which is mistranslated "brass". It mentions one base metal "iron". The meaning of these metals is significant, otherwise the Lord would not have them in his Word in connection with this image. Gold is first mentioned in the Bible as being in the land of Havilah, which land was watered by one of the heads of the rivers that flowed out of Eden. (Gen. 2:11,12) The Most Holy, both of the tabernacle and of the temple, was overlaid with fine gold. The cherubs in the Most Holy were made of gold. (Ex. 25:17-19; 1 Ki. 6:22-28) The tabernacle and temple pictured God's organization. Gold is symbolic of things divine. The saints of Zion are comparable to fine gold. (Lam. 4:2) Silver is a precious metal and was used in con- nection with the tabernacle and temple service. (Ex. 26:19) The platters, bowls and other utensils used in that service were made of silver. (Num. 7:13; 1 Chron. 28:17) Silver is next in order in value as compared with gold, but of course of less value than gold. It is mentioned as second in the terrible image.
    Copper is another precious metal, but of less value than silver. Brass, as we know, is a combination of metals. The word "brass", appearing in the Authorized Version, is a mistranslation, and should be "copper". Copper was used in connection with the tabernacle and the temple. (Ex. 3) Gold, silver and copper arc classed as "noble" metals and have their relative value as in the order named. The description of Lucifer when he was in Edon, as given by the prophet, shows that lie was covered with gold and precious stones which God gave to him when he was created or when installed in office.

    THE ENEMY

    Lucifer was undoubtedly the most beautiful in appearance of all creatures in his immediate organization which God had provided for him. He had much; but he coveted more, and by reason thereof he became the great enemy of God. (Jcr. 51:13) Being made perfect and beautiful and being given a commission of great authority he was duty-bound to be wholly loyal to God. "Iniquity" means lawlessness or that which is contrary to law, and the record shows that Lucifer became lawless, and from that time he was God's enemy. "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." (Ezek. 28:15) From that day until now he has been interfering with God's organization, and Jesus is authority for the statement that he is The Enemy.—Matt. 13: 25-38,41.
    When Lucifer rebelled against God and started on his course of lawlessness or wickedness God changed his name, or gave him different names, and ore of these names is Satan, which means opposer or adversaiy. This signifies that he is the enemy of God and that he resists everything that God does. (Zcch. 3:1,2) It was Satan that tried to turn Job against God. He induced Judas to betray Christ Jesus. (Job 1: 6-12; Luke 22: 3) He also got control of the clergy of Jesus' time and dragged them into his great conspiracy to murder the Holy One.
    "Serpent is another name that Lucifer has had since his rebellion and which signifies that he is the arch deceiver. He has deceived almost all the human race. His deceptions have been so complete that only God's 'elect servant' class amongst men are able to resist him, and these do so only by the grace of God. —Matt. 24:24; Ps. 91:2-11.
    At the present time Satan has induced almost all people to believe that no such a thing as the Devil is existing but that all talk about the Devil is a myth. By reason of this deception he is able to use them more to his purposes. Even among the children of God fully consecrated to do his will, until recent years many thought that Satan the Devil had been bound and restrained for some time. Not until 1924 was it made clear from the Scriptural evidence that Satan is not bound, and it was after that date that Satan's mighty organization was first recognized by Cod's faithful people.
    Today there are many people on earth who have made a consecration to do God's will who do not discern Satan's organization even now. Satan is the great enemy. His organization is made up of God's enemies, and the scriptures heretofore set forth show beyond any question of doubt that in God's due time the enemy shall be destroyed.

    UNDERSTANDING

    When the Lord came to his temple in 1918 greater light began to shine into the mind of each one of his devoted ones who have been brought into the temple. It was about 1925 that the faithful discerned the fact that the kingdom had begun and that Satan had been cast out of heaven and now must confine his operations to the earth. The two great signs or wonders in heaven appeared unto them and were then understood by God's people for the first time.
    It therefore seems to be impossible that even the anointed of the Lord could have had a proper conception of the 'terrible image' of Daniel until after the coming of the Lord to his temple. Furthermore, the Scriptures positively state that greater light shines upon God's people at the end of the world and that these things in the Bible were written aforetime for the special benefit, comfort and encouragement of those continuing faithful upon the earth at the end of the world. (1 Cor. 10:11; Kom. 15:4) In the light of the foregoing indisputable truths let the examination be made of the text of Daniel's prophecy concerning the 'terrible image'.
    At once it is apparent to the anointed of the Lord at this time that the 'great and terrible image' herein considered represents far more than merely earthly corporations or earthly governments.

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