Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1915 — THE FIRST BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE FIRST BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON

Judges 4:4-34: 5:1-22—Jan. 10. Sisera and Barak—Mrs. Deborah and Mrs. Jael —Was the Latter a Murderess?— How “the Stars In.. Their *. Courses Fought Against Sisera." ."TJie righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivercih them out of their troubles."— Psalm 8} til. E have heretofore pointed fl fl I out that the great antitypical Battle of Armageddon will quickly follow the present world-war. Today’s Study relates to the first great battle in the Valley of Megiddo, noted for its many Slaughters, and therefore made the basis of the Divine prediction respecting the “Time of Trouble such as was not since there was a nation," preparing the way for Messiah’s Kingdom. The Israelites, guilty of idolatry, had, according to God’s Covenant with

them, been chastened by the permitting of their enemies to Vanquish them. General SI-„ sera, of the Canaanites, having humbled ttfe Israelites of North Palestine for years, started southward with a large army, intent upon victotories. Thestrength of his army is

shown in that it contained nine bun-, dred iron chariots. When he had gotten as far southward as the .Valley of Megiddo, messengers informed him' that Barak, an Israelite, was coming southward with an army of ten thousand Israelites. Under Divine guidance Barak made Mt. Tabor his army base—later known as the Mount of Transfiguration, where Messiah’s coming Kingdom was represented in a vision.—2 Peter 1:16-21. The word of Israel’s God directed General Barak to advance against the Canaanites. Sisera’s army was discomfited and scattered. A burst swelled the river, making quagmires of the lower valleys, rendering useless Sisera’s chariots. His soldiers, fleeing for their lives, were cut down by the Israelites, while thousands were swept by the freshets down to the sea. This Divine interference on behalf of God’s people is figuratively styled the fighting- of the “stars*’ against Sisera’s army. Similarly, in the great Armageddon near at hand, it will notj be human might that will prevail, but the hosts of. humanity will effect the complete disruption of the Present Order. (Zechariah 14:13.) It is the cloud-burst of Truth and the rising waters of knowledge which are bringing to pass this great human catastrophe—which the Lord will overrule for the world's blessing. The Power of a« Faithful Woman. The Canaanites had conquered Israel. This conquest, permitted of God, had its insidious start when the Israelites, neglecting the Divine direction, had begun to intermarry with -the Canaanites. These had enticed their husbands and their children to worship the heathen gods. Apparently many Israelites who had not gone over to idolatry had nearly lost their knowledge of the true God. In this dark hour the princes of the tribes seemed to lack patriotism, as well as faith in God, Each tribe was a separate state with no cohesion between them—the Divinely-intended bond of union, the true religion, having related. About this time the Lord, seeking a channel through which to be gracious to His people, found it in a woman—Deborah. Sbfe realized the situation more keenly than did others, probably because more deeply consecrated to God. Deborah removed from her home in the north to the Highlands of Ephraim. From there she sent stimulating mes sages to the chief men of, the tribes. She was respected, her counsel appreciated, her advice sought. In this sense she judged admonished — guided Israel. She i§’styled.a prophetess. This might mean either a public teacher or one through whom the Lord sent special messages. Some things connected with the story indicate the latter. When Sisera’s army had proceeded southward, Deborah sent word to Barak,'a leader in her tribe—‘•Naphtali —to march immediately to battle Barak refused unless she would co-oper-ate. She agreed to do so, forewarning him, however, that he would injss part of his blessing as a result. . Sisera’s army defeated, he fled afoot with others, only to be overtaken by

the victors. Enter ing a supposedly hospitable tent, lie hid himself and fell asleep. His hostess then drove a tent-pin through his temple. The act has been denounced as a breach 61 hospitality, but de fended by others on the ground that ■amongst the Arabs of Palestine it is

still a custom to consider worthy of death any man who intrudes into <•. woman’s tent. Jael was not a Chris tian; and whatever may be said of hei would have nr» bearing upon Chris tians, who are under the Love Let us remember that the death e s Sisera and army did not precipitate them into eternal torture, «but was merely; the way by which they were “gathered to their fathers.” They have known nothing since, and will know nothing until after the establish ment of Messiah’s Kingdom.

Idolatry of Barak's Day.

The Heal Armaged don.