Jehovah’s Message Against Gog of Magog

“And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, . . . and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog.”—Ezek. 38:1-3, AS.

1. Is Jehovah God dependable?

JEHOVAH the God of systematic order has a due time and a fixed schedule for all his purposes. “For everything there is an appointed time; and there is a time for every purpose under the heavens: . . . ‘for [God] has set a time for every purpose and for every deed,’” (Eccl. 3:1, 17, AT) Man can depend upon it: there is a time for the sun to rise and a time for the sun to set; there is a time for the high tide and a time for the low tide. Time and tide, in fact, wait for no man, for they are not dependent upon man but are ordained by God. So it is with all that Jehovah does or purposes to do.

2. Explain how Jehovah is the Author, Fulfiller and Interpreter of Bible prophecy.

² God’s purpose declared ahead of the time of its occurrence is called divine prophecy. It is really history written in advance, for without fail the event comes to pass in due time just as its infallible Author says it will. “For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private release. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” “All Scripture is inspired of God.” (2 Pet. 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, NW) And since Almighty God assumes full responsibility for the carrying out of his purposes he is properly spoken of as the Fulfiller of prophecy. The Author and Fulfiller of prophecy is also the unerring Interpreter and Revealer of the same, for he alone knows the end from the beginning. “Do not interpretations belong to God?”—Gen. 40:8, NW.

3. In proof that only Jehovah God can foretell future events what did Daniel say?

³ God’s prophet Daniel recognized these basic truths, as he declared: “Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his. And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; . . . he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” Furthermore, when Daniel was brought before the great king of the Babylonian empire to interpret a dream he confessed that only Jehovah God was able to reveal such prophetic secrets. Said Daniel: “The secret which the king hath demanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers, show unto the king; but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. . . . But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, . . . 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. 2:20-22, 27, 28, 30, 45, AS) Of a truth, Jehovah the God of purpose, the all-wise, all-powerful and eternal One, is fully capable of declaring ahead of time his majestic purposes and then, in his due time, interpreting such Bible prophecies as they are fulfilled or are about to be fulfilled.

4. Where are we on the stream of time, and why is this of great significance?

⁴ The historical events of the past forty years—global wars, earthquakes, food shortages, sickness and sorrow, crimes and calamities, hatred and persecution of gospel preachers, etc.—establish beyond any question of doubt that we are living in the “last days” of this old world under Satan’s rule, otherwise spoken of in Scripture as “the consummation of the system of things.” (Matt. 24:3, NW; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5) In this connection it is most significant to read in Bible prophecy that Jehovah God says that “after many days,” “in the latter years” and “in the latter days,” where we now find ourselves, he would have a special message delivered against Gog of Magog. This stated purpose of Jehovah was recorded more than 2,500 years ago in the book of Ezekiel, chapters 38 and 39, and is now in the course of fulfillment.a

GOG AND HIS ALLIES

5. What gives a clue to Gog’s identity?

⁵ Who is this Gog of Magog? Some lexicographers have thought the name “Gog” comes from a root word meaning “high, mountain,”b or “high or over-topping,” as the summit of a great mountain, and hence figuratively identifies one that is “gigantic, great of stature, powerful, warlike.”c The latest Biblical lexicographers think the name “Gog” is drawn from the Sumerian word gug, meaning “darkness.”d This opinion agrees well with Gog’s identity as Satan the Devil. Christ Jesus after his resurrection associated Satan’s authority with darkness when he said to Saul of Tarsus: “I am sending you, to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God.” This same Saul of Tarsus, who became Paul the apostle, likewise referred to Satan’s rule as “the authority of the darkness.”—Acts 26:17, 18; Col. 1:13, NW.

6. Why is Satan the Devil referred to as “Gog of Magog,” especially since A.D. 1919?

⁶ All related facts show that the cryptic name “Gog” refers to Jehovah God’s arch enemy, Satan the Devil, since his ouster from heaven after A.D. 1914. Concerning this we read: “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.” Hence, “woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.” (Rev. 12:7-9, 12, NW) From and after A.D. 1914 even to the present day ‘darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people.’ This is the period of time when the Devil, the god of darkness and despair, easily misleads earth’s inhabitants. The time since his being ousted from heaven is the “short period of time” just before the complete end of Satan’s system of things. Yes, this is the time referred to in Ezekiel’s prophecy as the “latter years” and “latter days” of the rule of darkness and oppression by “Gog, of the land of Magog.” In the prophecy the “land of Magog,” because of the uncertainty of its ancient location, well pictures the invisible, degraded region in the vicinity of the earth where Satan and his demons are now held under divine surveillance since their being thrown out of heaven.

7. What elements make up Gog’s organization?

⁷ Gog of Magog is the invisible god and wicked ruler of the present global system of things. (John 12:31; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2) As such he is the head of a monstrous organization composed of invisible wicked demons that were hurled down to earth’s vicinity as well as of many visible earthly associates and allies. It is therefore not at all surprising that the chieftains of the earth, the high and mighty, the visible rulers of the nations, give their full support and strength to the god of this world and his system.

8. How do the political and commercial powers identify themselves as allies of Gog of Magog?

⁸ Politicians and statesmen may be blind to these facts, nevertheless, by their international conferences, peace pacts, treaty agreements and by their oath-bound leagues and alliances, they demonstrate that they are on Gog’s side and against Jehovah and his Christ. Giants of commerce and industry, and the big investment and banking financiers of international power and intrigue, are also in this same satanic camp serving very well Gog of Magog and his organization. “Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against Jehovah, and against his anointed [Jesus].”—Ps. 2:1, 2, AS; Acts 4:25-30.

9. What about the clergy of Christendom, are they also allied with Gog of Magog? Explain.

⁹ The rulers of this world are certainly “against Jehovah, and against his anointed,” for Christ emphatically declared: “My kingdom is no part of this world.” Christ’s true and faithful footstep followers, Jesus said, “are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world.” This is why true Christians are taught to pray for Jehovah God’s kingdom under Christ to come. They are not taught to pray for the continuation of this present devilish world that will soon pass away at Armageddon. (John 18:36; 17:16; Matt. 6:9, 10, NW) But do the clergy of Christendom pray as Christ said they should? No, not at all! As a class they form a strong religio-political brotherhood with the temporal powers and thus endorse and put their stamp of approval on the present system of things, which is in opposition to Christ’s kingdom. Furthermore, they are continually heard to pray for this world’s prosperity and success. From their pulpits and over the radio the clergy laud the leaders of this world and bless anti-Christ schemes for peace such as the organization of the United Nations. Whenever in such countries as the United States of America the legislative bodies open their sessions the official voice of a clergyman is heard calling down divine blessings upon the deliberations. Thus by the company they keep the religious leaders of this world show they are also adulterous ‘friends of this world,’ hence enemies of Jehovah God. Jesus told a similar class of religionists in his day: “You are from your father the Devil and you wish to do the desires of your father.”—Jas. 4:4; John 8:44, NW.

10, 11. Name some other elements of this world that show they are under Gog’s control and domination.

¹⁰ The strong-arm agencies and military strategists of the world, backed up as they are in almost every nation by practically unlimited financial support and regimented manpower, are unquestionably deployed by Gog of Magog. The same is true with most of the wizards of scientific discovery and invention, who, together with a host of research technologists and specialists, are feverishly laboring to improve and strengthen Gog’s offensive and defensive engines of war. News agencies and propaganda organs of this world, by the skill of their writers and orators and through the medium of public press, radio, cinema and television, continually praise and extol the virtues of this present system of things, this “present evil world,” and thus they too serve well as tools of Satan. Mention can also be made of the many ethical and cultural associations, as well as social, educational and judicial bodies, who, wittingly or unwittingly, give active aid and support to Gog’s world organization. In one way or another and with untiring effort they attempt to build up, improve and perpetuate the rule of the nations that are under Satan’s control, all in opposition to God’s kingdom by Christ. “He that is not on my side is against me,” said Jesus, “and he that does not gather with me scatters.”—Matt. 12:30, NW.

¹¹ Gog of Magog certainly has a great host of earthly allies, both willing and unwilling ones. As Ezekiel’s prophecy says Eze (38:3-6, AS), Gog’s forces and allies and armies are many and they are powerful. Besides “Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal: . . . [there are] horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them handling swords: Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer, and all his hordes; the house of Togarmah in the uttermost parts of the north, and all his hordes; even many peoples with thee.” To all of such in the ancient past Jehovah delivered his divine message, pictorial of how in these last days he would have a similar message delivered to all the hordes of Gog’s modern organization.

WHAT IS JEHOVAH’S MESSAGE?

12. Both in type and antitype who is credited with this message against Gog?

¹² This is no message of a mere man. It does not spring from human imagination or ingenuity. In the prophecy Ezekiel did not speak of his own initiative. Rather, he confessed over and over again that the message was of divine origin, from the great Almighty Jehovah God himself. “And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face toward Gog, . . . and prophesy against him, and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, O Gog.” (Ezek. 38:14, AS) In verses fourteen and seventeen of this same chapter the point is again emphasized, and still again in Eze chapter thirty-nine, verses one, five, ten and thirteen the prophet declares that this is truly Jehovah’s weighty message. Likewise today, full credit and responsibility for the message against Gog of Magog rightfully belong to Jehovah God. As Ezekiel was merely the spokesman used by God, so also are those today who are privileged to speak in the name of Jehovah as his message-bearing witnesses.

13. What is the substance of the warning Jehovah gives Gog and his allies?

¹³ The content of this message is one of warning and doom delivered to Gog and his allies; it is really a summons served on Satan to Armageddon’s impending destruction. Jehovah’s message in substance is this: ‘You, Gog, and the vast hordes under your command, pay attention to this—now is the time to muster all your forces and resources, for your violent end is very near. You have observed how my faithful witnesses have been gathered out of Babylonish captivity and now dwell securely in peace and unity, enjoying a full measure of spiritual prosperity, and, seeing all this, you meditate in your wicked and covetous heart to attack their seemingly defenseless congregations as if such were unwalled villages. But watch out! For when you descend as a cloud to destroy my faithful people then I will stop you cold in your attack and all the earth will know that I am Jehovah. I am now warning you, Gog, and those under your control, that my wrath will soon arise and the fire of my jealousy will shortly burst forth upon you in all its devastating fury. In fact, so great and terrible will that display of divine vengeance be that even the fish and the birds and the creeping things of the earth, yes, and all mankind, shall quiver and shake. Imagine! even great mountains shall be thrown down and every walled fortress will be leveled to the ground! Terror will fill the hearts of your allies and they will turn their own lethal weapons of destruction on one another. Indeed I will rain upon you and those supporting you an overflowing and devastating flood of hailstones and sulphurous fire. How foolish then to think that you will escape! The whole earth and all that dwell in the heavens above will know that I am Jehovah!’—Ezekiel 38, 39.

14. In giving this warning message how does Jehovah display his matchless power and supremacy?

¹⁴ It is not necessary for Jehovah to carry out a sneak attack to catch his adversary Gog off balance in order to gain the victory. Jehovah’s power and might are so great he arranges the time and place, invites the enemy to prepare for the showdown fight, and even foretells in detail and long in advance what the final results will be. “Proclaim this to the nations: ‘Let it be war! Rouse up your warriors, muster your fighting men, march! Hammer your ploughshares into swords, your pruning-hooks into lances. Let your weaklings think them warriors, let your cowards think them heroes!’ Let the nations rouse themselves and march to Judgment Valley, for I will sit in judgment there, on all the nations round. In with the sickle!—the harvest is ripe! Come, tread the winepress, tread it, it is full; the troughs are overflowing with their wickedness. What a din of hordes, what a din within the valley of the Verdict! For the Eternal’s day [the day of Jehovah, AS] is near, within the valley of the Verdict.”—Joel 3:9-14, Mo.

15. In the light of Bible prophecy is it reasonable to think that any of Gog’s allies will survive Armageddon?

¹⁵ So devastating that slaughter, the dead will cover the ground as manure spread over a field. “Prophesy all this against them; tell them: The Eternal [Jehovah, AS] will roar from on high, . . . The din resounds to the world’s end, for the Eternal arraigns the nations, he indicts all mankind, and puts the wicked to the sword. Then shall the victims of the Eternal lie all over earth, from end to end, like dung on the face of the ground, unwailed, ungathered, unburied. Howl and cry, you rulers, roll in the ashes, you lords of the flock! ’Tis high time you were slain, and slain you shall be, falling like choice lambs. No escape for the rulers, no way for the lords of the flock to flee!”—Jer. 25:30, 31, 33-35, Mo.

16. Jehovah’s message to Gog includes what special invitation?

¹⁶ In the wake of Armageddon’s carnage, disease and pestilence from the rot and decay would plague the survivors were it not for the fact that Jehovah sends forth an invitation to the birds and beasts to attend this great slaughter. “Speak unto the birds of every sort, and to every beast of the field,” Jehovah says, and say to them, “Assemble yourselves, and come; gather yourselves on every side to my sacrifice that I do sacrifice for you, . . . Ye shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth.” This certainly shows the contempt in which Jehovah holds the proud and haughty of Gog’s system, letting the wild beasts and vultures feed upon them as worthless carrion!—Ezek. 39:17, 18, AS.

17. What happy work of the future awaits Armageddon’s survivors, but first, what must be done?

¹⁷ With such a glorious feast of victory concluded, only the bones, bones from one end of the earth to the other, will be left for burial. What a task that will be for the survivors, to cleanse the earth of every remaining evidence of Gog’s forces! Even with the work well organized it will take seven months, Jehovah says, just to bury the bones. Scouting corps will be sent out on a full-time basis to search the land thoroughly and, when bones are found, markers will be set up for those with the spades and shovels who follow. (Ezek. 39:14, 15) Those privileged to share in that cleanup work will not view it as a revolting and disgusting assignment but will rejoice to be alive when Gog’s long and oppressive rule has come to an end and when the wicked are no more. Survivors of Armageddon will be happy and will greatly rejoice to have a share in preparing the earth for a global paradise of beauty and perfection under the reign of the King Christ Jesus. But first, before that happy day, this message against Gog must be delivered in its completeness.

WHO DELIVER THE MESSAGE?

18. Who are privileged to deliver Jehovah’s message against Gog and his allies, and how was Ezekiel a good picture of these?

¹⁸ Though the message against Gog of Magog is of divine origin, yet Jehovah is pleased to use human creatures as his dedicated and ordained messengers to speak in his name and by his authority. These are therefore properly called “Jehovah’s witnesses.” The prophets of old were witness-bearing messengers and as such were prototypes of Jehovah’s witnesses today. Commissioning Ezekiel as his spokesman, Jehovah said: “Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them. . . . All my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thy heart, and hear with thine ears. And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear [whether they will listen or refuse to listen, Mo.].”—Ezek. 3:4, 10, 11, AS.

19. (a) As one of Jehovah’s witnesses what authority was conferred upon Jeremiah? (b) To whom was he sent to deliver Jehovah’s message?

¹⁹ Concerning another one of God’s faithful witnesses, Jeremiah, we read: “Now the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, . . . I have appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, I know not how to speak; for I am a child. But Jehovah said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for to whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid because of them; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith Jehovah. Then Jehovah put forth his hand, and touched my mouth; and Jehovah said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth: see, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, . . . therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at them, lest I dismay thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a fortified city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee, saith Jehovah, to deliver thee.”—Jer. 1:4-10, 17-19, AS.

20. In what particular respect was Isaiah a fitting picture of Jehovah’s message-bearing witnesses today?

²⁰ Isaiah was another pictorial type of Jehovah’s witnesses in modern times. The prophet, when given a vision of the Lord Jehovah in his temple, cried out: “Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.” The remnant of God’s witnesses A.D. 1918, when the Lord Jehovah came to the antitypical temple for judgment, were in a similar undone and unclean condition because of inactivity, compromise and bondage in modern Babylon. But as in Isaiah’s case so also in modern times, Jehovah in his loving-kindness removed the iniquity of his people and forgave them their sins and then gave them even greater privileges of service. “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, . . . Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until cities be waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land become utterly waste.”—Isa. 6:5, 8, 9, 11, AS.

21. Are Jehovah’s witnesses today adequately qualified to deliver Jehovah’s message, and how so?

²¹ Jehovah’s witnesses today, like the Lord’s ancient witnesses, are under heavy responsibility before the Most High God. “We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us.” (2 Cor. 5:20, NW) As true Christians substituting for Christ they follow the course and example he set. He was a messenger or witness for Jehovah, but not a self-appointed one. (Mal. 2:7; Job 33:23; Rev. 1:5; 3:14) His message was Jehovah’s message. He did not speak of his own initiative. (John 5:19, 30; 7:28; 8:28, 42) So likewise it has been with Jehovah’s witnesses in this twentieth century. They have not appointed themselves to be God’s witnesses. Jehovah has made the appointment. They did not so much as choose their name, “Jehovah’s witnesses.” God did. (Isa. 43:9-11; 44:8) To start with they were but “a child,” untrained and inexperienced, yet by applying themselves to a diligent study of Jehovah’s revealed Word and with God’s holy spirit and blessing upon their efforts they became adequately qualified for their divine assignment. “Not that we of ourselves are adequately qualified to reckon anything as issuing from ourselves, but our being adequately qualified issues from God, who has indeed adequately qualified us to be ministers.”—2 Cor. 3:5, 6, NW.

22. (a) To what extent have Jehovah’s witnesses accepted the assignment conferred upon them? (b) What are some of the interesting questions that will be answered in the following article?

²² So to the ends of the earth these qualified and authorized messengers of Jehovah have been hastening, national boundaries and linguistic barriers notwithstanding. Nothing seems to hinder their preaching activity. As with Jeremiah violent storms of persecution and hateful opposition have raged against them, but such things have not stopped Jehovah’s witnesses. Neither have they shrunk back out of fear or because of the edicts of kings, princes, dictators, popes or priests. How well they have prospered in their assignment, to what extent they have delivered Jehovah’s message against Gog of Magog, and what the results have been, will be considered in the next article.

Delivering Satan’s Death Notice

“How art thou fallen from heaven, . . . Yet thou shalt be brought down to Sheol, to the uttermost parts of the pit. Jehovah of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely, . . . as I have purposed, so shall it stand.”—Isa. 14:12, 15, 24, Am. Stan. Ver.

1. Who have been chosen to deliver Jehovah’s message against Gog of Magog, and why these to the exclusion of others?

AS THE previous article stated, Jehovah’s witnesses, of all people, are the ones commissioned by God to deliver his special message just prior to this world’s end. The message is one of doom directed against Gog of Magog, that is, Satan the Devil, and against his allies. And there are very good reasons why Jehovah God in these “last days” passed over all others and chose what at the time was a small and obscure group of people to speak in his name and by his authority as his witnesses. Whom else can God trust to speak for him? Admittedly he cannot use agnostics and atheists, who say there is neither a Jehovah God nor a Satan the Devil. He cannot use the pagan-worshiping heathen, who have never heard of Him and who prefer to serve a multitude of false gods. Most certainly He will not use the self-seeking, proud and haughty rulers of this world who, like Pharaoh of old, sneeringly say: “Who is Jehovah?” Jehovah uses only those faithful and loyal to him, men and women of proved integrity, and for this reason he refuses to use the clergy of Christendom, since out of fear of men or for some other selfish reason they compromise with and are friends of God’s very enemies.a

2. (a) What high qualifications do Jehovah’s witnesses meet? (b) Name a few of those in the past that displayed similar characteristics, and describe the source of their strength.

² Jehovah’s witnesses, on the other hand, meet the exacting qualifications set by the Almighty Jehovah for those who are privileged to deliver his highly important message against Gog of Magog. These witnesses are fully obedient to Jehovah under all circumstances and especially under difficult situations when put to the test by the adversary. They are fearless of the Devil and his dupes. They are stouthearted and courageous, having implicit trust in and reliance on the Divine Power that backs them up. (Deut. 31:6, 7; Josh. 1:6, 9, 18; Ps. 27:14; 31:24; Hag. 2:4; Zech. 8:9, 13; 1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10; 2 Tim. 1:7) They are not pusillanimous cowards, recreant “sissies,” or weak-kneed poltroons, for such types of craven individuals are an abomination in Jehovah’s sight. (Deut. 20:8; Judg. 7:3; Eph. 4:14; Jas. 1:6-8; Rev. 21:8) The qualities displayed by Jehovah’s faithful witnesses today are the same as those possessed by Jehovah’s representatives in the past—upright men and women of action like Gideon and Deborah, Barak and Jael, Jephthah and Rahab—“who through faith defeated kingdoms in conflict, . . . from a weak state were made powerful, became valiant in war, routed the armies of foreigners.” (Judg. 4:4-9; Heb. 11:31-34, NW) But not in their own strength or through their own craftiness and ability did they come off more than conquerors. It was not because of natural strength of mind or body but by Jehovah’s spirit that they were able to endure the trials and sufferings that came upon them.—Zech. 4:6.

3. How did David measure up to the requirements as a spokesman and witness for Jehovah?

³ David is another good example of one having the desirable qualities Jehovah approves in his witnesses. He was the youngest and apparently the most obscure one of the family, considered by his elders fit only to be a keeper of the sheep out in the wilderness, while his older brothers, wise and important in their own eyes, looked after what they considered the more honorable affairs. But “Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.” So Jehovah passed by these brothers that thought so highly of themselves and their personal qualifications. David, though but a youth, undeveloped and small of stature when measured alongside a mighty man of war like Saul, was nevertheless equipped with those essential qualities that make for success as one of Jehovah’s witnesses. (1 Sam. 16:3-13, AS) He loved righteousness and had a perfect hatred for those that blaspheme and reproach Jehovah God. When faced with overwhelming dangers his full confidence and trust was in the unlimited power of the Most High God. Note how this beloved witness of Jehovah delivered the death notice to that overtowering and frightening representative of the Devil, the giant Goliath. “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a javelin: but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will Jehovah deliver thee into my hand; and I will smite thee, and take thy head from off thee; and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day unto the birds of the heavens, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that Jehovah saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is Jehovah’s, and he will give you into our hand.” With those challenging words David eagerly dashed forward, felled the monster with a well-aimed slingstone right between the eyes, and with Goliath’s own sword cut off his ugly head!—1 Sam. 17:45-47, AS.

4. Explain why Jehovah’s witnesses are the only ones capable of delivering Satan’s death notice.

⁴ The inspired apostle Paul wrote: “Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a fight, not against blood and flesh, but against the [non-flesh-and-blood] governments, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. On this account take up the complete suit of armor from God.” (Eph. 6:10-13, NW) Search the world over and you will find no other group of people aside from Jehovah’s witnesses that have put on such “armor from God.” Thus equipped they are the only group of people that are capable of standing up against and battling the Devil and his demon forces. Jehovah’s witnesses, therefore, are fully qualified and are able and willing to deliver Jehovah God’s message against Gog of Magog and his hordes, and this the history of the past thirty-five years shows they have been doing.

LOOK AT THE RECORD!

5. What challenging proclamation was hurled into the face of Gog and his allies at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1922?

⁵ As long ago as September 10, 1922, more than 10,000 of Jehovah’s witnesses in convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, adopted a Resolution that said in part: “We as [God’s] witnesses hold and testify as follows, to wit: . . . That Satan, long the god of this world, has deceived the statesmen, financiers and the clergy, by inducing them to believe that by international agreement or other combined efforts they can bring the desire of all nations; That all the world’s present organization constitutes the visible part of Satan’s empire or organization, and that Satan’s empire must now fall before the forward march of the King of glory; That all international conferences and all agreements or treaties resulting therefrom, including the League of Nations compact and all like compacts, must fail, because God has decreed it thus; . . . We further hold and testify that this is the day of God’s vengeance against Satan’s empire visible and invisible.” More than 45,000,000 copies of this challenging proclamation were hurled into the face of Gog of Magog and his visible allies throughout the world. A stunning blow indeed, but only the beginning of a long series of such plaguing denunciations from Jehovah by the mouth of his witnesses.

6. The following year what “Warning” was served on Gog’s earthly allies?

⁶ The following year (1923) on August 25, in Los Angeles, California, another convention of Jehovah’s witnesses unanimously adopted another fiery resolution entitled “A Warning.” It was one of the strongest denunciations ever delivered against “those who pretend to be Christians, but do not believe in the Bible as God’s inspired Word of truth, who repudiate the doctrines of the fall of man and his redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ, which class is made up of apostate clergymen and ‘the principal of their flocks’, who are worldly men of strong financial and political influence, which class exercises the controlling influence and power in the denominational organizations.” These are the ones under Gog’s influence and control who “have with selfish design,” the resolution declared, “invaded the schools, colleges, seminaries and universities with their God-dishonoring doctrines of higher criticism and evolution, [and] have led the people into gross error and destroyed the faith of multitudes in the inspired Word of God.” Millions of copies of this resolution, together with the supporting argument entitled “All Nations Marching to Armageddon,” were freely distributed throughout the earth.

7. What satanic conspiracy was specifically mentioned in the 1924 “Indictment”?

⁷ In July, 1924, at another international assembly of Jehovah’s people, in Columbus, Ohio, a resolution designated “Indictment” was adopted and later, in printed form, distributed to the ends of the earth. Among other things it said: “We believe and hold that it is God’s due time for his displeasure to be expressed against wicked systems that have blinded the people to the truth. . . . We present and charge that Satan formed a conspiracy for the purpose of keeping the peoples in ignorance of God’s provision for blessing them with life, liberty and happiness; and that others, to wit, unfaithful preachers, conscienceless profiteers, and unscrupulous politicians, have entered into said conspiracy, either willingly or unwillingly; That unfaithful preachers have . . . willingly made commercial giants and professional politicians the principal ones of their flocks. We present and charge that the clergy have yielded to the temptations presented to them by Satan and, contrary to God’s Word, have joined in said conspiracy.”

8. Again, in 1925, the responsibility for mankind’s deplorable conditions was fixed upon whom?

⁸ Again Jehovah’s witnesses, at a big convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 29, 1925, sent out a “Message of Hope” addressed “To All Peoples of Good Will,” which said in part: “For centuries man has been the victim of oppression, war, famine, sickness, sorrow and death. . . . The causes for this deplorable condition are that man by reason of original sin fell from perfection; and that Satan the enemy of God and all righteousness is the invisible ruler or god of this evil world and by his various agencies has turned the minds of many peoples away from God and from his truth. The greatest crisis of the ages is impending and about to fall, because the old world has ended and Satan’s lease of power is done. Knowing this, and that his time is short, the Devil is trying to overwhelm the peoples with a great flood of false and deceptive doctrines and to turn their minds completely away from Jehovah.”

9. What fearless warning was sent forth from London’s Royal Albert Hall as “A Testimony to the Rulers of the World” in 1926?

⁹ With these yearly denunciations of Gog of Magog coming in such close succession the Lord’s witnesses hardly had time to distribute one to earth’s far corners before another blast against Gog was sent forth. So it was, only ten months later, “A TESTIMONY TO THE RULERS OF THE WORLD” in the form of another resolution was adopted by Jehovah’s faithful witnesses assembled in Royal Albert Hall, London, England, in May, 1926. It read in part: “World powers are designated in the Scriptures under the symbol ‘beast’ for the evident reason that they are the result of the combined effort of the commercial, political and ecclesiastical leaders of men and are influenced and dominated by Satan, the god of this world, and have been, and are, military, harsh, cruel and oppressive, and manifest the spirit of Satan, their invisible ruler, or god; . . . divine prophecy now fulfilled, and in the course of fulfilment, bears testimony to the fact that Satan’s lease of power is done, and that the old world has ended, . . . by reason of the blinding influence of Satan the minds of the rulers and the ruled are turned away from the true God, and the evil forces are gathering the whole world unto the great battle of the Lord God Almighty; that there is now impending a time of trouble such as the world has never known, during which conflict Satan’s powerful organization shall fall never to rise again.”

SATAN’S DOOM BROADCAST AROUND THE WORLD

10. What historic event occurred in 1927 to give impetus to this message of doom being delivered against Gog of Magog?

¹⁰ The power of the printing press aided greatly in making known these divine pronouncements as millions upon millions of printed copies were widely circulated in many languages. Now, in 1927, a new force was added to this message against Gog of Magog, namely, the power of radio broadcasting. History was made in Toronto, Canada, in July of that year when an address entitled “Freedom for the Peoples” was broadcast over the largest hookup of radio stations up until then. Fifty-three stations from the Atlantic to the Pacific, plus shortwave facilities, were used. On that occasion another important resolution was broadcast that, to quote a portion, declared: “As Christians and witnesses to the name of Jehovah God we deem it our privilege and duty to call your attention to the following vital facts: . . . That the invisible ruler of the nations of ‘Christendom’ or ‘organized Christianity’, so called, is Satan the Devil, who has fathered the scheme of forming ‘organized Christianity’ to deceive the people and to keep them in subjection to himself and his agencies. . . . That the kings and rulers of the earth, to wit: those constituting the said unholy alliance, have been duly notified that God has set his King upon his throne and that his kingdom is at hand; but they refuse to understand or to take heed, and they walk on in darkness. Therefore God has decreed and declared that there shall come upon the world a time of tribulation such as never was known; and that during that trouble ‘Christendom’ or ‘organized Christianity’, so called, and all of Satan’s organization shall be destroyed.”

11. What was the occasion when the history-making “Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah” was adopted in 1928?

¹¹ The following year another milestone in history was reached. “The most extensive and expensive radio hookup in history,” to quote the New York Times, in which 107 radio stations covering the United States and Canada, and shortwave channels carrying the message to foreign lands, was arranged for August 5, 1928. This sensational hookup used 33,500 miles of telephone lines and 91,400 miles of telegraph lines, with more than 500 telephone experts superintending the network. What was the occasion? The broadcasting once again of Jehovah’s message against Gog of Magog! It was in the form of a resolution entitled “Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah.” Jehovah’s people assembled in international convention in Detroit, Michigan, the resolution said, “do declare themselves against Satan and wholly for Jehovah of hosts, and emphatically announce further these vital truths, to wit: . . . That Satan the Devil has caused strife amongst the nations and is responsible for all the cruel wars, wicked murders, all heinous crimes and other corrupt acts that have been committed; that until now Jehovah has not restrained Satan from the exercise of power and influence over man, . . . that for many centuries Satan has been the invisible ruler of the world, constantly defaming the name of Jehovah God and working great injury to men and nations; That Jehovah promised that in his due time he would restrain Satan and establish a righteous government in the earth that men might have an opportunity for life everlasting in happiness; . . . That because Satan will not surrender his wicked rule over the nations and peoples of the earth, Jehovah of hosts with his anointed executive officer Christ Jesus will press the conflict against Satan and all of his forces of evil, and henceforth our battle-cry shall be, THE SWORD OF JEHOVAH AND OF HIS ANOINTED; that the great battle of Armageddon soon to begin will result in the full restraint of Satan and the complete overthrow of his evil organization.” At the conclusion, the resolution was enthusiastically adopted by a vote not only by the visible audience of upward of 12,000, but also by the far-greater number in the unseen radio audience.

12. In 1931 what two great truths were called to the attention of “The Rulers” and “The People,” and how was this message further expanded throughout the earth?

¹² Again Columbus, Ohio, this time July 26, 1931, and again a warning was sounded, addressed “TO THE RULERS AND TO THE PEOPLE.” It said in part: “BE IT KNOWN: That there is but one true and Almighty God, whose name is Jehovah, the Most High; that there is but one Redeemer of man, whose name is Christ and whom God has anointed and installed as King of the world; and that his Kingdom is now come, and is the hope of the peoples of the world. That Satan, the Devil, is the great enemy of God and of man. For centuries he has been the invisible ruler of the world, and has brought great reproach upon the name of God and has led men into degradation; that the condition of suffering and distress now in the earth is due to the wickedness of Satan and his agents; that the time has come, as God declares, when Satan’s rule shall for ever end; that in 1914 Satan was cast out of heaven down to the earth; that within a short time from now Jehovah by Christ will destroy Satan’s power and organization in the earth; that before so doing, however, it is the expressed will and commandment of Jehovah God that his message of warning shall be delivered by his witnesses to the rulers and to the people.” Immediately following this convention 165 other conventions throughout the world echoed the same themes of the Columbus assembly and adopted similar resolutions.

THE URGENCY OF THESE FINAL YEARS

13. Has the delivering of Jehovah’s message against Gog of Magog slowed down or ceased since 1931?

¹³ The intervening years from and since 1931 have been filled with similar denunciations and exposé of Gog of Magog and his nefarious allies, and it is certain that this important work will not slow down or cease until it is finished at Armageddon. For example, when the “New World Society of Jehovah’s witnesses” gathered in Yankee Stadium in New York city for an eight-day assembly, July 19-26, 1953, the 112,700 at the evening session of the fifth day heard a talk entitled “New World Society Attacked from the Far North.” In that stirring forthright discourse not only were Gog and his allies identified but also the strategy they will use in their last all-out attack upon the Lord’s faithful people was revealed and described in detail. It was certainly another timely warning from Jehovah, for the whole world to hear; therefore it was later published in the October 1, 1953, issue of the Watchtower magazine, which issue had a circulation of 1,650,000 copies in thirty-nine languages. And now that message continues to go forth in the book You May Survive Armageddon into God’s New World, released in English in 1955, the first edition of which was one million copies, and the twentieth chapter of which is entitled “Awaiting the Attack by Gog of Magog.”

14. What effect has this warning message had upon Gog and his allies?

¹⁴ But over the years what has the delivering of this caustic message against Satan the Devil accomplished or what purpose has it served? First of all, never lose sight of the all-important fact that this is Jehovah’s message that he long ago purposed should be delivered against Gog of Magog in these closing years of Satan’s wicked rule. “Surely the Lord Jehovah will do nothing, except he reveal his secret unto his servants the prophets. . . . The Lord Jehovah hath spoken; who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:7, 8, AS) Of course Jehovah is under no obligation to warn the wicked of their error, but because of his long-suffering with these vessels of wrath that are only fit for destruction Jehovah warns such of their impending execution even though the message only hardens their already stony hearts. That is what happened in Pharaoh’s case, and he was a fitting picture or type of the Devil. This exposure of Gog’s global operation infuriates this wicked one and he schemes how to silence Jehovah’s witnesses for making these things known. This is why he causes his earthly agencies to heap so much persecution and suffering upon them in an effort to hinder and stop their preaching activity. We may confidently expect that Gog of Magog in his maddened desperation will in the future attempt to make even greater efforts to wipe out Jehovah’s faithful witnesses completely. That final desperate attack, however, will mark the beginning of Armageddon.

15. What effect has the opposition to this message had upon Jehovah’s witnesses, and what assurance is there that this message will continue to be preached until Armageddon?

¹⁵ So the proclaiming of this message under these adverse conditions serves a good purpose in that it puts the message-bearers to a test. Will they obey Jehovah God and continue to proclaim God’s ordained message or will they water it down, sugar-coat it with compromise, or will they quit altogether and run for cover? Will they stick to the organization Jehovah is now using in the earth or will they attempt to break away from the theocratic organization and set up one of their own design and making? Here and there an isolated individual who stops walking in the counsel of Jehovah may drop out and turn back, as Lot’s wife did, but the organization as a whole will not fail in its dedicated purpose, because Jehovah’s purposes never fail. Jehovah’s faithful witnesses will stand the enemy’s fire and will thus prove their integrity under the test. There is no doubt, then, the message of warning against the Devil and all those under his cruel rule will continue until the “cities” or organizations of this old system of things are no more to be found.

16. The serving of Satan’s death notice has had, and will yet have, what effect upon people of good will?

¹⁶ Many people of good will are deceived by Satan and are held by him as captives against their own will. So the sounding of this warning message serves another very good purpose. Its loud and continuous proclamation awakens these people of right heart condition, opens their blind eyes, and leads them out of the Devil’s captivity into the glorious freedom of the truth, thus enabling them to escape the execution of Jehovah’s judgment that will fall upon the Devil’s organization in the near future. More than a half million of such lovers of righteousness have already fled for safety in these comparatively few short years since this proclamation began. Here, then, is tangible evidence that the delivering of this message of warning has not been in vain, but rather has been attended by overwhelming prosperity and success. As the Proverb says, “a trustworthy envoy insures success.” And again it is written: “Like a draught of snow-cooled water in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.” (Prov. 13:17; 25:13, AT) The Master Jehovah has in turn smiled with approval upon his trustworthy witnesses and their work, and has indeed refreshed and sustained them over the years. No doubt a great multitude of other people of good will must yet hear and flee to safety as this proclamation continues a little longer.

17. Why is it necessary to emphasize the urgency of the times?

¹⁷ The urgency of the times cannot be emphasized too strongly. The time is short, much shorter than when this proclamation began, and there is no time to lose. Armageddon draws on apace. It is now almost forty years since Satan was cast out of heaven down to this earth. The climax of all ages is fast approaching. Jehovah’s Word and name are about to be completely vindicated. The one that challenged Jehovah’s universal sovereignty in the first place, he who boasted he would be “like the Most High,” is about to be brought down to the pit, the abyss. (Rev. 20:1-3, NW) Just think of it—the one responsible for this world’s ignorance, superstitions and fears, the one responsible for mankind’s fallen condition of sin, sickness, sorrow and death, the one responsible for all the wickedness in the earth, all the wars and famines, the delinquency and immorality, the crimes and calamities and woes, yes, man’s greatest enemy, Satan the Devil, will shortly be abyssed for a thousand years!

18. Do you count it a privilege to be one of Jehovah’s witnesses today? Why so?

¹⁸ What a privilege, then, you witnesses of Jehovah have! In the long line of witnesses extending from Abel’s day on down to now it is your privilege to be standing among those who are now delivering Satan’s death notice! Do not neglect so rare and so sweet a privilege! Do not delay and do not retard serving this weighty and urgent notice. Remember, Jehovah’s blessing and prosperity will continue upon all those who obey his will and serve his purpose and faithfully deliver this divine message, for ‘surely as Jehovah has purposed, so shall it stand.’—Isa. 14:24, AS.

[Footnotes]

Schoolteachers Accept the Truth

From the Watch Tower Society’s Nigerian branch

● I am writing to tell you that two out of four teachers at this school have now become Jehovah’s witnesses. They have joined us in the grand work of promoting true worship. All together, including myself, we are five in number. When I first started to preach to my fellow teachers they would joke about it and start arguing. But as time went on they began to listen intently and asked many reasonable questions. At our last circuit assembly these two teachers were baptized. It was a delight to see these two new brothers returning from the assembly full of joy, rejoicing in the truths set forth in The Watchtower and responding to the call by saying “Send me!”

● Because of their stand for the truth, the members of the Apostolic church tried their utmost to turn them away, but all to no avail. Finding their efforts failing, they began abusing us by calling us “bigots,” “intolerant,” etc. But these new brothers were not moved. They have all the latest publications and have obtained new Bibles. They are filled with love and enthusiasm and are continually studying. The more they go into the field the more and better are their experiences.

● Now the headmaster of the school and the other teacher are paying much attention. The headmaster even brings “Let God Be True” with him to school and is studying it very seriously.

● The fifth teacher, although not yet baptized, has already started preaching. One brother told me that he saw this teacher preaching near the court at the week end. Unable to answer a question he called the brother over for help. The three of us teachers who are brothers now give our students regular talks about Jehovah God and the new world after school is over.