is a quite unique political combination; nothing of the sort has ever existed before. First and central to the whole system was the “crowned republic” of the United British Kingdom, . . . It will be manifest, therefore, that no single office and no single brain had ever comprehended the British Empire as a whole. It was a mixture of growths and accumulations entirely different from anything that has ever been called an empire before. . . . Like the Athenian Empire, it was an overseas empire; its ways were sea ways, and its common link was the British navy. Like all empires, its cohesion was dependent physically upon a method of communication; . . .—Pages 365, 366, 368 of A Short History of the World, Chapter 64, “The British Empire in 1914.”

19. In what way did this symbolic horn “devour the whole earth,” and what did part of it become to add further to its power?

¹⁹ The British Empire did “devour the whole earth” in that it became global, so that the sun never set upon its possessions and territories. It embraced one fourth of the land surface of the earth and one fourth of the earth’s population. It was the greatest empire of world history. But more than that: In 1775 the thirteen British colonies in America revolted and established their independence after eight years of fighting. The kingless American republic, with a president as chief of government, fought, expanded and spread across the North American continent from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Coast. It purchased Alaska and gained possession of various islands of the sea. By force of compelling circumstances it became the ally of the Mother Country; and together Britain and America fought their painful way to victory through two world wars. From the second world conflict the American republic emerged as the dominant nation of the world, but still holding strong bonds and still co-operating in vital matters with Britain.

20. So, in its latest development, what did that horn symbolize, and what three horns did it cause to fall?

²⁰ The foretold “horn which had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and which seemed greater than its fellows,” is identified by history as being the Anglo-American dual world power, the seventh world power foretold in Bible prophecy. The three horns or “three kings” that this mighty “horn” put down before 1914 were the naval powers of (1) Spain, (2) The Netherlands, and (3) France.a

21. In what way does this symbolic horn have eyes, and how has its mouth spoken great things and even words against the Most High?

²¹ This Anglo-American seventh world power is very observing, astute, diplomatic and worldly-wise; it is the “horn which had eyes.” It has a “mouth that spoke great things,” dictating the policy for a great part of the world, acting also as the mouthpiece or prophet for the world. (Rev. 16:13; 19:20) Nations have pricked up their ears at what it has had to say, before shaping their course. Like the preceding world powers of Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome, it has used its mouth against Jehovah God and has had to do with Jehovah’s faithful witnesses, his “holy ones,” in the earth. “He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law.” (Dan. 7:25, RS) In spite of all this “he” claims to be Christian!

22. Of what is this symbolic horn a part, and how has it not worked for God’s kingdom or spoken according to God’s will?

²² The Anglo-American dual world power is undeniably a part of this unchristlike world. It is a part of “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory,” which Satan the Devil offered to Jesus Christ in the mountain of temptation but which Jesus refused, saying: “Go away, Satan! For it is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” (Matt. 4:8-10) In its conscienceless striving for world domination this symbolic horn with eyes and mouth has not worked in the interests of the promised Kingdom of God. In expressing its aims for leadership in this world its talkative mouth has not been without sin or without diplomatic falsities. It has spoken against the will and purpose of the Most High and has refused to recognize that “thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”—Ps. 83:18, Authorized Version of 1611.

(To be continued)

Expressing Loyal Love to God and His Kingdom Heir

LOYAL love is one of the remarkable traits of Jehovah God. In fact, it might be said that he is the very personification of always-proved loyalty. Ever since he began to create he has been expressing his loyal love toward his righteous principles, toward his faithful creatures and toward the covenants he has made with them. And he has continued faithful in his loyal love regardless of how often and how severely circumstances have put his loyal love to the test.

Thus we note that King David was once overtaken in a set of shocking sins and that the majority of his successors on the throne of Jehovah proved unfaithful. Yet through it all Jehovah kept giving proof of his loyal love to that most important of all his covenants, his Kingdom covenant made with David, so that it could find fulfillment in David’s chief descendant, the King-Priest Jesus Christ. No wonder David was caused to exclaim: “Loyal love belongs to you, O Jehovah.”—Ps. 62:12, margin.a

Jehovah’s loyal love for that covenant has continued to our day. Even though the remnant of Kingdom heirs were overtaken by lack of knowledge, negligence and fear of man during the World War I years, Jehovah’s loyal love did not forsake them but sustained them, even as it was foretold: “It is the acts of loyal love of Jehovah that we have not come to our finish, because his mercies will certainly not come to an end. They are new each morning. Your faithfulness is abundant.”—Lam. 3:22, 23, margin.

Do we appreciate this remarkable, heart-cheering trait of our God Jehovah? If so, then we will be spurred on to make expression of our loyal love to God and his Kingdom Heir. In what ways? First of all by taking advantage of all opportunities to witness to God’s name and kingdom. More than that we will then make opportunities by buying out the opportune time, knowing that the days are wicked and our safety lies in always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord.

Let us bear in mind that this message we bring is no joke, neither is it anything stale even though it has been preached for forty years. It is ever new, ever fresh, growing ever grander, for the light on our path grows ever brighter. What increased understanding and appreciation we have gained in just the last twelve months! Likewise what improved instruments to make our preaching ever more effective!

Loyal love to God and his Kingdom Heir also requires us to be on guard against temptations to become materialistic, or to