As it is written, ‘Samson slew in his death more than he slew in his life,’ even so it is with the servants of God, as pictured by the Elijah and the Elisha periods of the church. It would appear from this and other scriptures that this part of the drama pictures the beginning of Armageddon, but not the end thereof.  That Samson died with the fall of the Philistines; house does not mean that all the Samson class will go down in death at the time of the beginning or even the end of Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  January 1, 1936 p. 12

 

Other scriptures show that some of the remnant will survive Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  January 1, 1936 p. 12

 

Jehovah’s prophets warn the peoples of earth concerning the day of Armageddon and what great destruction the Lord will then bring upon the wicked at that time. The Hierarchy, with pious face and sanctimonious words, harangue the people and claim that these prophecies concerning Armageddon are not true, and especially with reference to the Catholic organization.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  January 15, 1936 p. 27

 

Section heading: The Two Sides At Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  January 15, 1936 p. 28

 

The Scriptures seem fully to support the conclusion that the destruction of the religionists under the lead of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy will bc the first part or the beginning of Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  February 1, 1936 p. 43

 

Armageddon is the work of Jehovah, because the. Scriptures emphatically so declare, that God will do his work at Armageddon by the hand of Christ Jesus.  The fact, however, that Jehovah by his prophet speaks of “his work, his strange work”, “his act, his strange act,” repeating the words, seems clearly to indicate two distinctive parts of Armageddon: (1) That which accomplishes the destruction of hypocritical religionists; and (2) that which accomplishes the complete destruction of all of Satan’s organization. Armageddon, therefore, as a whole is the work and act of Jehovah, but that part of Armageddon which he says is “his strange work”, “his strange act,” would seem clearly to refer to something that would appear to many creatures as very strange. The final conflict would not appear to be strange, for the reason that all professed Christians have been informed by the Scriptures and otherwise of Armageddon as one great time of trouble.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  February 1, 1936 p. 43

 

40, 41.  Show that the Scriptures and the facts seem to indicate wha twill constitute the first part of Armageddon.  What will the faithful do in the meantime?

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  February 1, 1936 p. 46

 

Satan, the evil invisible ruler, is at this time forcing the governments of earth into this condition and gathering them to the great battle of Armageddon, even as the Lord foretold. (Rev. 16:13-16)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  February 15, 1936 p. 62

 

That the destruction of the old world by the deluge foreshadowed the coming destruction of Satan‘s organization, visible and invisible, at the battle of Armageddon, Jesus clearly proves in his great prophecy on the “end of the world”. (Matthew 24 and 25)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  March 15 1936 p. 94

 

Section heading: The Outcome of Armageddon

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 1, 1936 p. 109

 

Armageddon, which means the “hill of the gathering of troop:, marks the place and the time where and when the supreme issue will be finally and for ever decided, namely, Who is the Most High God?

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 1, 1936 p. 109

 

And [(R.V.) they] gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

The great and terrible day of God Almighty, the battle of Armageddon, will be marked with such a  decisive victory for righteousness that all will know it. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 1, 1936 p. 109

 

God’s prophet, describing the expression of God’s anger against these wicked systems and false prophets, and thus giving another description of Armageddon, says: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 1, 1936 p. 109

 

The prophet refers to the time when Satan’s organization will reach the point of assembling or being assembled for Armageddon, saying, “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters.” -Ps. 107:23.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 1, 1936 p. 110

 

The Lord Jesus refers to the same great battle of Armageddon that would follow the World War after an interval of time, when he says: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 1, 1936 p. 110

 

It is manifest from this scripture that all the peoples will see, in the great battle of Armageddon, that it is the Lord dashing to pieces Satan’s organization.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 1, 1936 p. 110

Many scriptures and the attending facts show that Armageddon is near.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 121

 

Is there any Scriptural reason for holding that the promised blessing cannot begin until after Armageddon?  There certainly appears to be none.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 122

 

The vengeance, or vindication, and the blessing are tied together and show that there must be some blessing before the vindication; otherwise there would be none spared and taken through Armageddon as a vindication to Jehovah’s name.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 122

 

The bearing of this testimony must be done between the time of this attack upon “Jerusalem” and Armageddon, and must be done by God’s faithful witnesses.  Before the battle of Armageddon is fought Satan sends forth his wicked spirits, headed by Gog, to gather all nations against God’s organization, and Satan makes war on the remnant because these keep the commandment of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 12:17; 16:13-16)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 122

 

These are now told that they must seek meekness and righteousness before the day of God’s wrath if they would be hid and carried through Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 123

 

Some men, wise in their own conceits, tell you that “we are getting nowhere”, and that “the great multitude cannot conic forth until Armageddon”.  Such conclusion is void of reason wand without Scriptural support.  The Lord’s promise is that he will carry some through Armageddon, and those few will be the ones who keep the feast of tabernacles to the praise of Jehovah.  Armageddon will work an indescribable devastation of the nations, and, says the prophet, “it shall come to pass, that everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem, shall even go up form year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.” 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 123

 

Furthermore it means that the Jonadabs or the great multitude must joyfully obey and worship and serve Jehovah God all the time if they would be carried through Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 123

 

It is now the privilege and obligation laid upon the remnant to energetically and joyfully carry the message of the kingdom to the people of good will and to do this work faithfully to the end and before Armageddon.  It is the privilege and obligation laid upon the Jonadabs or “other sheep” or great multitude to join in that work and to continue therein faithful to the end and up to Armageddon.   

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  April 15, 1936 p. 123

 

Section heading: Armageddon Survivors

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 131

 

At the same time he makes it known that the Lord’s “other sheep”, the “great multitude”, must hear the message of the kingdom before Armageddon, and upon those who hear the Lord has laid obligation and they are responsible for the proper performance in connection with such obligations.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 131

 

The substance of this prophetic statement is this: That the Devil’s worldly armies would not be able to bring on Armageddon, before it was due; neither would they be able to prevent the destruction of “Christendom” (antitypical Jerusalem) at God’s appointed time. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 132

 

When that work is done by Jehovah’s witnesses, then the Lord’s invisible armies, the heavenly hosts, at Armageddon, will do the actual destruction of “Christendom”. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 133

 

Likewise all the nations of “Christendom” continue to hate Jehovah’s witnesses because they proclaim Jehovah’s name, and these nations continue to restrict the sphere of activity of Jehovah’s witnesses, and will continue to do so, until the battle of Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 137

 

The remnant that survive Armageddon will be honored by continued service under Jehovah, as this prophetic drama shows.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 137

 

Information to the Jonadab class come to them from the Lord through the witnesses Jehovah now on earth, and that while the remnant are in fact “in the court of the prison”, that is to say, under surveillance of the worldly powers and being persecuted by such; hence before Armageddon is fought this message must be delivered to the end that the “other sheep” may learn and obey and be preserved at Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 138-139

 

Did Jehovah tell Jeremiah to sit down and wait for a more favorable season to proclaim the truth with- in the city? Has the Lord told his people in this day that they are to be indifferent and wait until after the fall of Satan’s religionists at Armageddon and
then to give the warning to the great multitude and gather them?

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 1, 1936 p. 139

 

The battle of Armageddon, in the “great and the terrible day of the Lord”, will mark the complete collapse of Satan’s organization.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  May 15, 1936 p. 156

 

The words of the prophecy, now illuminated by the lightnings of Jehovah, show that they are descriptive of Almighty God’s preparation for war at Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 1, 1936 p. 173

 

Another illustration of Armageddon is given in the battle fought by Gideon the Israelite against the great multitude of Midian.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 1, 1936 p. 175

 

Such is not the battle of Armageddon, because in that scourge of Armageddon Jehovah by Christ Jesus and his army will completely annihilate all of the enemy.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 184, 185

 

The Devil would use some now to induce Jehovah’s witnesses to believe that they should slack up their work and not expect to do anything particularly important until after Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 185

 

The remnant will not engage in the destructive work at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 185

 

The remnant have a work to do now before the destructive work of Armageddon begins, and which work they use complete before that destructive work does begin. (Matt. 24:14, 21)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 185

 

Would anyone who loves God co-operate with that wicked crowd by trying to induce the anointed to believe that the chief part of their work will be accomplished after Armageddon, and that they should go easy?  Could anyone who is devoted to God and to his cause, and who is participating in the fight, now put forth or attempt to put a scotch block under the wheels of God’s organization by saying in the presence and hearing of the anointed words to this effect: “we are getting nowhere now.  Our chief work is after the first phase of Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 186

 

Certainly not to convert the world nor to gather the great multitude; but it is to furnish the opportunity to these persons of good will toward God to hear the message of truth and to take their stand on the side of God and his kingdom an to truly “seek righteousness” and “seek meekness” before the fierce anger of the Lord is expressed at Armageddon. (Zeph. 2:1-3)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 186

 

Those of the great multitude must be firm and bold in doing their work by informing others and thus giving them the opportunity to seek righteousness and meekness before Armageddon, because such is the plain word of the Lord. 
The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 187

 

Section heading: Satanic Preparation for Armageddon

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 187

 

In the prophecy of Nahum, which is addressed to Nineveh, Jehovah describes his own organization as being prepared for the great and impending conflict, the battle of Armageddon, and serves warning notices on Satan’s organization today, saying: “He that dasheth in pieces is come up before they face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  June 15, 1936 p. 187

 

Jehovah’s witnesses are not engaged in fighting: the battle of Armageddon, and never will be, but they are now at war with Satan’s representatives on earth, and the faithful must and will remain firm and steadfast and quit themselves like men who arc true soldiers of the Lord.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  July 1, 1936 p. 196

 

God’s Word says that the great multitude must hear the truth now that they may have opportunity to learn meekness and righteousness before his wrath at Armageddon, and the remnant must deliver that testimony.
The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  July 1, 1936 p. 205

 

The enemy has gathered his forces to Armageddon for battle, and those wicked forces now surround God’s faithful people, and the hour of final conflict between the Lord and the Devil draws near.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  July 1, 1936 p. 206

 

This seems to point to the fact that the clergy during the period of war, which is now in progress, will be exposed, disgraced and cast aside, and then will follow their destruction at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  July 1, 1936 p. 206

 

They must bear the fruits of the kingdom before the people; and the proclaiming of this message is to awaken those of good will, the Jonadabs, who form the “great multitude”, as well as to give warning to others.  This work must be completed before Armageddon because after the destructive work begins by the “Sword of Jehovah”, and with the angelic host accompanying Christ Jesus with their slaughterer weapons, it will then be both too late for the remnant to declare the message and too late for the remnant to declare the message and too late for the great multitude to receive the message and seek righteousness and meekness before God’s wrath falls upon the enemy. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 1, 1936 p. 235

 

None of the hypocrites or of the wicked will survive, and al who do survive Armageddon, and all who are resurrected, must obey, if they live, and come completely under the rule of the Lord Jesus, the King of the earth.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 1, 1936 p. 235

 

Section Heading: The March to Armageddon

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 1, 1936 p. 236

 

DESCRIBING Satan’s marshaling of his forces for the coming fight of Armageddon, the prophet Nahum in symbolic terms says: “He [Satan] shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defense shall be prepared.” (Nah. 2:5)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 1, 1936 p. 236

 

The subtle enemy Satan attempts in every possible way to deceive God’s people; and among the things that wily foe now attempts is to induce the faithful remnant to believe that they will gather the great multitude, and that the work which the remnant is now engaged in doing amounts to little or nothing: compared with what they shall do after what is called “the first phase of Armageddon”.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 243

 

The question is propounded by some who appear  to be confused, to wit : “Will not the chief work of the remnant in connection with the great multitude be done after the ‘first phase of Armageddon’?” There is no Scriptural reason for such a conclusion, but the  Scriptures are squarely to the contrary. Another asks: “Is it not stated in the. February 1 (1936) Watchtower that there will be two phases of Armageddon?” No, The Watchtower makes no such statement, and certainly the Scriptures do not warrant such a statement.  What The Watchtower did say is this: It seems there will be “two distinctive parts of Armageddon (1) That which accomplished the destruction of hypocritical religionists; and (2) that which accomplishes the complete destruction of all of Satan’s organization”.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 244

 

This action by the remnant, taken at the command of Jehovah, precedes the battle of the great day of God Almighty, that is, Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 244

 

The Lord fought the first battle of Gibeon, with Joshua as the visible leader of the Lord’s forces. (Joshua, tenth chapter) At the second battle of Gibeon the Lord put King David forward as leader in the army visible to human eyes. (2 Sam. 5:19-25)  That both of those battles were typical of Armageddon, and that both are to be considered in looking at the antitype, there cannot be any reasonable doubt. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 245

 

And this declaration of Jehovah’s name must be done and performed before Jehovah exhibits his great power in the destruction of Satan’s organization at Armageddon. (Ex. 9:16)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 246

 

The Lord has set forth many details in his record written of old, the understanding of which details now enables the prophetic student to have a better understanding and appreciation of what is taking place at the present time and preceding Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 247

 

Likewise the great multitude cannot now wait until the final battle of Armageddon, foreshadowed by that at Gibeon, until they make themselves known and take their clear and unequivocal stand.  Had the Gibeonites waited until the battle came, no consideration would have been shown them by the Lord.  If the great multitude wait until Armageddon to make their identity known, no consideration will be given to them. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 249

 

But what would be the result if the Devil could now induce Jehovah’s witnesses to believe and to rely upon the statements that ‘it is not so important now to seek the great multitude’; that ‘the great work to be done for and in behalf of the great multitude is after Armageddon begins’? The result would be wholly disastrous to those who might desire salvation and who might be of the great multitude.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 249

 

The Lord has given warning and is continuing to give warning now to the people of good will that Armageddon is approaching ad is near at hand, and if they would find salvation the great multitude must now “flee into the mountains” and offer themselves as the servants of Jehovah and Christ Jesus, the Greater Joshua, before Armageddon begins. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 250

 

Is not this further proof of the absolute necessity for the great multitude to be instructed and to take their stand firmly on the side of Jehovah and his kingdom before Armageddon?

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 251

 

6-8.  Of what, as apparent from the Scriptures, does the battle of Armageddon consist? Explain whether it is reasonable to conclude that the chief work of the remnant in connection with the great multitude will be done after the ‘first part of Armageddon’. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 252

 

They must come there to worship him before the battle of Armageddon, and it is the public witness work by the priestly remnant that draws their attention to Jehvoah’s temple and invites them to worship him there.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 253

 

Speaking in the spirit of the Scriptures: The battle of Armageddon is near.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 253

 

Armageddon finishes up “the great tribulation”, which tribulation is so called because it is the final one upon Satan’s organization and needs no repetition. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 253

 

Armageddon is no effort of Jehovah God to force or drive the people en masse to take their stand on his side.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 253

 

The Scriptures declare that this unnumbered great multitude of people of good will come out of that “great tribulation” because of the mercy of Jehovah which he shows to such before the final battle, Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 253

 

They must clean up their robes in Christ’s blood by identifying themselves as on Jehovah’s side of righteousness before the battle of Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.   August 15, 1936 p. 254

 

To such people of good will Jehovah promises that they may “be hid” at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 255

 

Their hearts are with the witnesses in zeal for Jehovah, and they never betray the confidence which Jehovah reposes in them, but maintain integrity toward God and thus are for a vindication of his name. At Armageddon‘s slaughter they are preserved.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  August 15, 1936 p. 256

 

The present-day murmurers are not delirious of engaging in the field witness work as servants of the Lord to carry the message to this earthly class to show them the way of escaping execution at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 261

 

The circumstances and the facts disclosed by their prophetic picture made with Joshua and his army show the absolute necessity now to ignore the murmurs and take prompt action in carrying the message to those people of good will, that they may know and exercise faith in God and Christ Jesus and may have the opportunity to voluntarily declare themselves as servants of God and Jesus Christ.  There is no other way for them to escape execution at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 261

 

Those Gabeonites had received the brand or ‘mark in their foreheads’, even as today those of the great multitude must receive the ‘mark in their foreheads’, as a condition precedent to being spared at the battle of Armageddon. (Ezek. 9:4-6)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 263

 

Those who would hinder the work of carrying the message to the great multitude now, by trying to induce Jehovah’s witnesses to believe that the greater amount of their witness work is to be done after Armageddon, are thereby fighting against God, whether they know it or not. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 264

 

Even so now, if the Jonndabs or great multitude continue to resist the conspiracy formed and carried forward by the Hierarchy, it might mean death to them; but if they return to the enemy’s camp, that means certain death at the hand of Jesus Christ when he executes the enemy at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 267

 

The Scriptures strongly support the conclusion that at Armageddon Jehovah will destroy the peoples of the earth, saving only those who obey his commandments to stand by his organization. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 267

 

Those on the earth must now have the opportunity to hear before Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 267

 

Thus this parable is but another proof that the sheep class must identify themselves as for the King and the members of his royal family, and this they must do before the battle of Armageddon, that is, before the King enforces the judgment against the goatish opposers, to wit : “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 269

 

It is before Armageddon that the Lord separates the nations, not afterwards; and hence his brethren on earth whom he uses in his work now must be getting somewhere, by His grace.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 269

 

To deny the separation work as in progress now and as being of importance, and to postpone its application till after Armageddon, is in effect to deny the Lord and King as upon his throne, at the temple, judging. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 269

 

Since this is so, then the time for action by Jehovah’s witnesses in behalf of the Jonadab or sheep class is now, before the battle of Armageddon breaks forth.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 270

 

If the Devil knows the shortness of his own time, Jehovah’s witnesses should likewise know that their time is also short to do the work before Armageddon starts. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 1, 1936 p. 271

 

Seeing that the people of the community of the Gibeonites pictured the great multitude, while the Israelites under Joshua pictured Jehovah’s chosen people who are now under the command of Christ Jesus, the events that came to pass up to this point picture what is to be done by Jehovah’s witnesses before the battle of Armageddon is fought.  It has pleased Jehovah to cause to be written in his prophecy various pictures foretelling the events that lead up to Armageddon and of what Armageddon consists.  All of these pictures show that the work to be done by Jehovah’s witnesses precede the battle of Armageddon, of which the battle of Gibeon was a type. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 277, 278

 

There is nothing in the Scriptures to show that God now, in this day preceding Armageddon, selects some man and assigns to that man “a great work that he must do.”

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 278

 

Joshua was invincible because he was Jehovah’s servant and strictly obeyed God’s law and commandment; and in this he pictured Christ Jesus, who knows no defeat and who will win a signal victory at Armageddon.-Josh. 1:5-9

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 278

 

The beginning of the battle at the city of Gibeon may well picture the beginning of the battle of Armageddon, and which will destroy the religionists’ combine and break up the confederacy; but that is not the conclusion of the battle, for the reason that the conclusion shows the destruction of the entire wicked organization of Satan. 

At page 287 of the book Riches this statement appears: This “seems… to indicate two distinctive parts of Armageddon: (1) That which accomplishes the destruction of hypocritical religionists; and (2) that which accomplishes the complete destruction of all of Satan’s organization”. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 279

 

It does seem certain, however, that there is no period of time between the beginning, or first part, of Armageddon and the final part, in which there is a witness work done for the great multitude. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 279

 

This does not seem to be Armageddon, but rather pertains to the fight that is now in progress.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 280

 

Such, however, is not Armageddon, “the battle of that great day of God Almighty.”  It is Jehovah’s “work” that precedes the battle of Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 280

 

This present warfare between the faithful servant class and the enemy is not Armageddon, but is merely a skirmish immediately preceding Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 280

 

Other prophecies show that when Armageddon is being fought the enemy will be in complete darkness, such as would accompany a destroying storm, while the people of God will have light.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 281

 

Furthermore, this shows that Armageddon will not be interrupted by things determining time, such as sun or moon, but that the battle will be fought through to a finish and to the utter destruction of Jehovah’s enemies.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 281

 

Likewise Jehovah’s faithful witness will not complain of the length of time, either before or during the progress of the battle of Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 281

 

These prophetic scriptures all support one conclusion: that when the battle of the great day of God Almighty begins, it will be fought through to a complete finish, and that there will not be two battles or “two phases of Armageddon”, but only one, and that the witness work to the great multitude must be completed before that time begins.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 281

 

There is no reason why the great multitude should hear the kingdom message for the first time after Armageddon is fought.  There is no scripture sustaining the conclusion that the great multitude will be gathered after Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 281

 

To escape the destructive sword of Christ Jesus, Jehovah’s great Avenger of blood, at Armageddon, such unfortunate ones must get out before Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 282

 

The Lord Jesus did not say that such people should wait until Armageddon has actually begun and the Roman Catholic Hierarchy and the other clergy of “christendom” have been exposed by Jehovah’s “strange work” and overthrown by his “strange act”. (Isa. 28:21)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 283

 

Then the prophet foretells how on the day of Jehovah and before his anger breaks forth at Armageddon Jehovah delivers his faithful remnant from
the power of the Devil’s organization Babylon and sets them to work in God’s organization Zion as his witnesses.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 284

 

This opposition causes Jehovah’s fury to rise up in his face and he smites them low at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 284

 

In view of this the present increase of opposition by Gog and all his hosts in heaven and earth should neither surprise nor dishearten Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions.  Rather this should be encouraging as surly indicating that the battle of Armageddon is near, and its glorious outcome. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 284

 

What a longing is now aroused for Armageddon to burn up Satan’s firth, and for the near day when everything that hath breath will joyfully praising Jehovah!

Sincerely,

John Bennett, England

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  September 15, 1936 p. 288

 

Joshua pursued the enemy, picturing Christ Jesus pursuing the enemy at Armageddon; and those who were with Joshua in the fight at this point manifestly pictured the invisible host of heaven that fight on the side of the Lord and against the enemy at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 292

 

In this day of Jehovah when he will vindicate his name Satan gathers all the nations to Armageddon, because it is there that Jehovah’s people are assembled and that is the principal point of the battle, and hence it is at Armageddon that Jehovah by the hand of Christ Jesus will fight the final battle, that is, the battle of the great day of God Almighty.  A would-be teacher of God’s people has insisted that Armageddon is one battle, and is separate and distinct and different one from the battle of the great day of God Almighty, thus trying to furnish an excuse for saying that between the “two phases of Armageddon” there will bc a great work done. Armageddon means ‘the place of gathering of troops’, that is to say, of Jehovah’s troops. These arc already assembled unto the Lord, and Satan brings up his forces for battle; and therefore, Armageddon being a place where the battle of the great day of God Almighty is fought, it is for that reason properly called the battle of Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 294

 

As further evidence that the battle of Gibeon is a picture of Armageddon, or the battle of the great day of God Almighty, it is written: “And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.” (Josh. 10:42) The statement there made concerning the battle and the forces of the enemy which ‘Joshua did take at one time’ is further proof that Armageddon is one battle and is fought at one time by Christ Jesus and that it is not divided, leaving a large space of time between the two phases so that a witness work may be done between those periods”.   

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 294

 

Thus ends the prophetic picture made by the first battle at Gibeon and which the Lord used to foreshadow the battle of Armageddon.  the picture show complete victory was given to Joshua and complete humiliation came to all the enemy; and that foreshadows that Christ Jesus will gain the complete victory at Armageddon and will humiliate and annihilate Satan’s organization. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 294

 

So likewise are the Jonadabs who form the great multitude, and who will be saved and delivered from their enemies at Armageddon upon condition that they render full obedience to the Lord’s commandments concerning them. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 294

 

The great tribulation reaches its climax at Armageddon and without doubt doubt is the expression of Jehovah’s anger against Satan’s organization.  Those of the great multitude escape that great tribulation and are brought through it and preserved by the Lord upon the expressed condition that they seek righteousness and meekness before Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 297

 

That destruction of the cursed is at Armageddon; and how could it be possible to put to the test others of good will or give them a chance to show themselves devoted to the Lord’s people after the wicked are destroyed and the testing time is past?

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 297

 

The two battles at Gibeon clearly foreshadowed Armageddon, and the Scriptures show such. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 297

 

So likewise the picture given in Revelation concerning Armageddon, that the Lord Jesus leads the fight, and his armies in heaven follow after him.-Rev. 19:11-16

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 297

 

Likewise Jehovah by his great Marshal, Christ Jesus, fights the battle at Armageddon for his covenant people, and the antitypical Gibeonites, the great multitude, who, of course, must be on the side of Jehovah before the fight takes place.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 297, 298

 

So, too, the enemy attempts to destroy all those of the great multitude who are set free from Satan’s organization, because they have devoted themselves to God’s organization under Christ Jesus.  These are preserved and taken though Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 298

 

The Scriptural proof is all one way and on one side, and shows beyond all doubt that the great multitude must be gathered to to the Lord and his organization and learn righteousness and meekness and be put to the test before the “destroying storm”, which is the expression of God’s wrath at Armageddon, wipes out Satan’s organization.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 300

 

31-34.  What is the Roman Catholic Hierarchy?  How will it be destroyed?  What is the “strange work” referred to in Isaiah 28:21, and how will it be done?  For what purpose, and with what result?  With scriptures, show whether that work must be done before Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 1, 1936 p. 302

 

The prophecy of God written centuries ago, and now interpreted by the Lord, makes clear the duty of the temple company.  There has been an attempt to show that the battle of Armageddon and the great day of God Almighty are two separate and distinct events.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 311

 

“Armageddon” means the place of the assembly of troops, that is to say, the troops of Jehovah of hosts.  These, together with Christ Jesus, are on Mount Zion, which is God’s organization.  It is written, at Revelation 16, that the Devil and his aides go forth unto the kings of the earth. and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of the great day of God Almighty, and the Devil gathers his forces together until a place called “Armageddon”.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 311

 

In due time the battle will take place, and it is the battle of the great day of God Almighty, led by Christ Jesus; and all his armies in heaven follow after him; and the place where the battle is fought is called “Armageddon”; the battle of the great day of God Almighty and that which is often spoken of as the ‘battle of Armageddon’ are one and the same.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 311

 

They must perform their part of this work before the final tribulation of Armageddon falls upon the enemy.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 311

 

Some scriptures bearing upon the time for informing the great multitude are here briefly mentioned and conclusively settle the question that the testimony to the great multitude must be delivered before Armageddon, to wit:

At Ezekiel the ninth chapter the Lord records a prophetic drama which is a direct authority on this point.  There the man clothed with linen, with the writer’s inkhorn by his side, plays the part representing Jehovah’s witnesses, who are commissioned to do his work.  Those of the prophecy who sign and cry picture the people of good will, who desire to be rid of the abominations committed by religionists; while the six men with slaughter weapons picture the forces of the Lord which do the slaying work at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 313

 

This prophetic drama definitely fixes the time and order in which Jehovah does his work, and shows that the testimony work must be done and finished before Armageddon begins. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 313

 

But it is seen that it is seen that it is only those who “seek righteousness and meekness” that have the promise of being spared and taken through Armageddon. (Zeph. 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:18) The Scriptures state that Lot was a just and righteousness man and was vexed because of the wicked ones dwelling about him. (2 Pet. 2:7, 8) Sodom is set forth as an example of those whom God will destroy at Armageddon. (Jude 7)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 313

 

Lot received the warning and fled before the destruction of the city; and likewise the great multitude must receive warning and flee to the kingdom organization before Armageddon, which will destroy Satan’s organization. Not only they who compose the great multitude flee before Armageddon breaks, but they must abide with the Lord’s organization, seeking righteousness and meekness; otherwise they will be destroyed.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 314

 

There are many other Scripture texts bearing specifically on this point, and which show conclusively that the witness work must be done and that those who form the great multitude must hear and flee to God’s organization before Armageddon begins. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 314

 

Also Matthew 24:16, concerning this who are commanded to flee to the mountains before Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 314

 

Satan, the wily foe, now tried to induce those who have started in the way of life to become negligent, grow cold, and then to repudiate Jehovah.  Those who take the position that the major part of the world concerning the great multitude takes place after Armageddon, and who insist on that position, are hurrying along the road to certain destruction.  There would be no reason why the Lord would give promise that those who seek meekness and righteousness may be hid in the time of his anger at Armageddon if there were a better chance for them to be of the great multitude after Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 314

 

Armageddon, which is the battle of the great day of God Almighty, will be an act of Jehovah God executed by Christ Jesus and his invisible army, resulting in the complete destruction of every part of Satan’s organization. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 315

 

Note now in Revelation 19 that after the destruction of the old “whore” system all those on the Lord’s side are called to witness the slaughter of the “beast” and the “false prophet”, which are taken and destroyed in the battle of Armageddon. (Rev. 17:17; 19:17-20) Then follows the taking of the Devil himself. (Rev. 20:1-3) The battle which Joshua fought at the ancient city of Gibeon is undoubtedly a picture of God’s “strange act”, the battle of Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 315

 

The Gibeonites who put themselves under Joshua before that battle pictured the great multitude, and the latter put themselves under Christ Jesus, the Greater Joshua, before the battle of Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  October 15, 1936 p. 315

 

This coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple is in “the day of Jehovah”, which day reaches a great climax at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  November 1, 1936 p. 325

 

The Devil and all of his organization will meet their complete defeat at Armageddon, and then all survivors will be glad and rejoice that the witnesses of Jehovah have proved their integrity toward Jehovah and that the Lord has delivered and preserved those who love him. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  November 1, 1936 p. 344

 

The complainers have continued to say, in substance, that the proper thing for a Christian to do is to say nothing that would offend the rulers in this world, who are in fact  representatives of the Devil.  Such complainers fail to understand that God has said to Pharaoh, the representative of the Devil, and therefore said to the Devil, that ‘He had permitted him to remain until His due time to show his power and when he will have his witnesses go about the earth and proclaim his name before destroying Satan’s organization at Armageddon’.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  November 15, 1936 p. 347

 

Those devoted to Jehovah will obey his commandments and let the enemy do his worst.  They know the day of Armageddon draws near and that those who love God must hasten to obey his commandments, amongst which is this one: “Study to show thyself approved unto God”; and that we must carry the message of truth to the people of the world who desire truth and righteousness, and if we fail to obey God’s commandment and anyone by reason thereof fails to be warned, the blood of that person shall be upon us. (Ezek. 9:4; 3:17-20)  The people of good will, the Jonadabs, who form the great multitude, must be told now of and concerning the kingdom.  If we wait until Armageddon, it will be too late, both for us and for them.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  November 15, 1936 p. 348

 

Evidently the “book of remembrance” is kept that the faithful may be remembered and saved and delivered at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  November 15, 1936 p. 348

 

It follows therefore that the Jonadab or “great multitude” class must hear the Word, accept it, and obey, before this scripture can apply to them; and this is conclusive proof that such must precede Armageddon.  if God is going to arbitrarily carry men through Armageddon and then give them an opportunity to join the great multitude, there would be no occasion for obeying Zephaniah 2:3. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 356

 

If we must wait until Armageddon for the great multitude to hear and come forth, then to whom could the Lord have referred in Matthew 25:31-46 as the “other sheep who had been good unto him?

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 357

 

The wicked organization is now energetically putting forth its best efforts to gain control of the United States and Britain.  True to the prophecy of the Lord: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”; which will come upon them at Armageddon. (Prov. 16:18)

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 358

 

This destruction is not at the end of the millennial reign of Christ, but in the fire of detestation that God sends upon Satan’s organization at Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 361

 

The original Elijah, who prophesied in Israel, preceded Jehu and was therefore a forerunner of Jehu, the executioner of the wicked rulers of Israel and those who practiced the devil religion.  The fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy in completeness therefore precedes the execution by Christ Jesus, the Greater Jehu, of the wicked rulers and practicers of devil religion, which takes place at Armageddon. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 362

 

The great and dreadful day of the Lord is when Armageddon falls upon the world.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 362, 363

 

It is those persons of good will who receive the mark in their forehead, as testified by Ezekiel (9:1-4, 11), and which work must be done and completed before Armageddon, because Ezekiel says that when this marking work is competed those to whom it is assigned, and who do it, ‘report the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.’  This is further conclusive proof that the ‘man with the writer’s inkhorn, the faithful witnesses of Jehovah, must continually engage in and complete the witness work of warning the Jonadabs, or great multitude, before Armageddon breaks upon Satan’s organization.  The warning work is now in progress and the great multitude is being gathered to the Lord, and Jesus declares that when this witness work is done then will follow the tribulation of Armageddon, the greatest of all time.  (Matt. 24:21) All these prophecies exactly fit the facts, and are harmonious, even as they must be.  Anyone who insists that those doing the Elisha work toward the great multitude are now “getting nowhere”, and that “after the first phase of Armageddon, we can do something about gathering the great multitude”, shows he does not have an understanding of the prophecies and relationship thereto which is borne by the witnesses of Jehovah.  The Devil would be delighted to see Jehovah’s witnesses adopt the policy of “watchful waiting”, become idle and indifferent, and slack their hand and wait until Armageddon to do their work; but those who really love God, and who have an understanding and appreciation of their relationship to God and his organization, will now push forward with continued zeal and vigor and will obey his commandment not to slack the hand. 

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 363

 

For fifteen years and more the faithful remnant of Jehovah have declared his judgments, which shall be executed at Armageddon by his great Executioner, Christ Jesus. In doing this work from the beginning to the end they are not permitted to slack the hand nor to rest for some future and ‘more favorable’ time. It is not for them to know just how soon the curse will fall, that is to say, just what hour or year Armageddon will take place. They certainly know that it cannot be far removed from the present day, because that work marked out for them, and which they are doing, immediately precedes Armageddon.

The Watchtower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.  December 1, 1936 p. 365