Fowls of the heaven -- The most execrable, the vultures of
society. C162, C187; R817:3
Satan and his agents. R2634:6, R5406:5
Fishes of the sea -- Men not under religious restraint.
R333:1
Men of the world, of every kind. C214
See also Rev. 19:17, 18; Rev. 18:18:4, 2.
A sacrifice -- A slaughter in the time of trouble. A315
Hath bid his guests -- "Come and gather yourselves to
ether unto the supper of the great God." (Rev. 19:17) A315
The LORD'S sacrifice -- The Lord's slaughter. A315
With strange apparel -- With imported clothing. A315
Also will I punish -- Not only a great overthrow of wealth
and power, but also a punishment of those used as the
instruments of destruction, for their equally unrighteous
course. A315
On the threshold -- Over the threshold, as marauders.
A315
Day of the LORD -- The forepart of the Millennium.
B33, B40
That period of time in which God's Kingdom, under Christ, is
to be gradually "set up" in the earth, while the kingdoms of
this world are passing away and Satan's power and influence
over men are being bound. A307
It is called the "Day of Jehovah" because, though Christ, with
royal title and power, will be present as Jehovah's
representative, it is more as the General of Jehovah than as
the Prince of Peace. A307
Though addressed to Israel and Jerusalem more or less
directly, the connections show that all mankind is included in
the complete fulfilment. A315
Is near -- It has, indeed, begun, and the heat of human
passion is growing more and more intense daily. The great
time of trouble is very near. R3215:6
Hasteth greatly -- Matters culminate quickly in the Day of
Jehovah. B99
Even the voice -- Even the uproar. A316
The sound. R2216:1
The cries of the oppressed and discontented. R2216:1
Sounding into the ears of the civilized world through the daily
press. R2216:3
Coming from various quarters and swelling into the mighty
roar of the sea class (Luke 21:25)--a voice that will not be
heard. R2216:6
The mighty man -- The rich and those who employ labor--
this is their day of trouble in an especial degree. R1676:5
Rich men, chief captains or kings, and the mighty men of the
nominal churches who have deceived themselves. R683:6
Cry there bitterly -- Shriek bitterly. A316
Because their delusions will all be swept away. R683:6
"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for the miseries
which shall corn upon you." (Jas. 5:1-4) R3107:6, R668:5
That day -- The Day of Vengeance, the time of trouble.
D655
Day of wrath -- A term applied to a period of 40 years in
the close of the Jewish age, and to a similar period of trouble
in the end of the Gospel age. A139
So extreme is the trouble that the world is said to be burned
up by the Lord's anger. R26:2, R268:6, R592:3, R409:5
When the world will have an illustration of its own
money-mad condition. R4522:2
"For all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my
jealousy." (Zeph. 3:8) R3935:2, R4627:3, R5364:1,
R5863:6
Yet the mind that grasps only the idea of anger, or supposes
divine malice, seriously errs. A308
Trouble and distress -- Distress and anxiety. A316
Upon the world and nominal church, though its earliest
dawning light will be full of comfort and cheer to the saints
who see, beyond the trouble, the glorious reign and blessings
promised. B40
What wonder that a revolution of such proportions, and
necessitating such great changes, should cause trouble. A307
We expect that this distress and trouble will come about, in a
natural way, by a rising of the people goaded to desperation.
R26:2, R409:5, R592:5
A day of darkness -- In that day of horror and darkness,
men shall come to learn their need of a strong arm to deliver
them. Their pride and self-sufficiency will be humbled in the
dust. R5537:6
Not the same day as that mentioned in Zech. 14:2,6, when
"the light shall not be bright, nor the darkness thick." D655
And gloominess -- Obscurity, uncertainty and foreboding,
as well as present distress. A316
A day of clouds -- A day of trouble. R153:2, R264:5;
A316
Symbolizing the gathering of the trouble epoch. Storm
clouds, giving evidence that the vitiated and corrupt "air" is to
be changed; and we rejoice that it will be pure after the storm.
R264:5, R256:1, R153:2
Thick darkness -- Tempestuous gloom. A316
Of the trumpet -- The seventh symbolic trumpet which
sounds throughout this day of trouble--also called the Trump
of God, because connected with the events of this Day of the
Lord. A316
And alarm -- Clamorous and conflicting denunciations.
A316
The high towers -- The strong and well-entrenched
governments. A316; R5537:5
Walk like blind men -- Groping in uncertainty, not
knowing what course to pursue. A316
Neither their silver -- Neither "Free Silver" nor
Protective Tariff, therefore, can claim to be remedies for
present and impending evils, but merely palliatives. D473
Nor their gold -- Nor bank notes, nor bonds. F554; D329
"They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall
be removed." (Ezek. 7:19) F554
To deliver them -- In 1898 a miller in Italy Publicly
thanked the virgin for dear bread, and then threw his money
in the street in a vain attempt to pacify the mob that came to
take his life. R2384:2
"Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee.
Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?"
(Luke 12:15-20) D273
In the day -- The Day of Vengeance. D329, D385, D473
Of the LORD'S wrath -- Though previously wealth could
furnish ease and every luxury. A316
The whole land -- The social fabric. R5364:1
Shall be devoured -- Not people; the destruction is that of
government life. R26:2
Fire of his jealousy -- Fire of his zeal, not literal fire.
A317, R5442:4
Symbolic of the great social, financial and religious trouble
which will overwhelm "the present evil world" and usher in
the Millennium. R3074:6, R1615:5, R5733:4
Burning and destroying everything antagonistic to his
righteousness. R5532:4, R4628:1
To try every man's work; when those who daub together
wood, hay and stubble shall suffer loss, and yet "be saved, so
as by fire." (1 Cor. 3:11-15) R505:5*, R5916:1, R4628:1
Permitted by God to turn the hearts of men to himself.
R350:3*
Anarchy, the destruction which will sweep the whole world
and usher in Messiah's Kingdom. R5364:1
Not merely of destruction, but also of purification. R5442:4
Must burn fiercely to consume the giant evils so entrenched in
the world. R5442:4
Of all them -- Of all the wealthy, in the sense that wealth
will cease to be wealth. A316
O nation -- The Royal Priesthood, the Holy Nation.
R996:4
Not desired -- Despised by the world because of your
faithfulness to God and the truth. R996:4
Bring forth -- Before the decree brings forth its results.
R996:4
Before the day -- The day of trouble. A334
Pass as the chaff -- As fire consuming chaff; quickly in
comparison with the slow operation of past ages. A334;
R996:4
Come upon you -- There is no hope held out that this
trouble can be averted. D540
Seek ye the LORD -- Exhorting the better elements of the
world, not the Church, which is accounted worthy to escape
those things coming upon the world. D68, R4997:4,
R2021:1, R5041:6
Let him present himself wholly to God that he may know and
do God's will, and thus prepare himself for the ushering in of
the Kingdom. HG516:4
All ye -- A class of the world not spirit-begotten. Q719:1;
R5041:6, R1607:5
Meek of the earth -- The humble of the world in general.
A334; D68; F555
As well as the Body of Christ. A334
This class should include all mature children of the
consecrated ones who have been rightly taught in the precepts
of the Lord. F555
Few are in the attitude of mind to hear this message. OV86:4
No doubt the trouble will be equally upon the poor; but to
them it will seem less severe since they have been accustomed
to less. SM191:2
"Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few
men left." (Isa. 24:6) R5041:6
Wrought his judgment -- His will. A334
Who love justice and pursue peace. A334; D540
Seek righteousness -- Justice. PD92/107
The right, the truth. R996:4
Practice righteousness, truth, godliness, kindness,
benevolence, justice; trust in the Lord; seek to walk in his
ways. R2564:5
The wise policy, to say nothing of principle, is to deal justly,
generously and kindly with our fellow-men in every rank and
condition of life. D67
The Lord will be pleased to select from among such penitent
seekers of righteousness some as substitutes to complete his
elect Church. R2564:5
Such will be the ones most ready to welcome our King and
his Kingdom. R2564:5
Instead of seeking a non-existent place of safety, let us bring
our selves in to a condition of safety. R2021:1; F554
Seek meekness -- For those who are not seeking after
righteousness and meekness, it will be better for them to go
through the trouble in order to prepare them for the great
blessing to come later. R5864:2
Seek the right and seek it meekly--the time is short. R996:5
The more meek and righteous men may be, the better they
will be prepared for the awful shock and terrible distress of
that day of trouble. R4997:5
During the time of trouble, for the first time in the world's
history there will be a premium on meekness, patience, love,
gentleness, goodness. R1963:6
Rely on the Lord and not on carnal weapons. SM191:2
It may be -- As a consequence of seeking righteousness
and meekness. R1607:5
Ye shall be hid -- Partly hid. A334
Protected from at least some measure of trouble. R2021:1,
R5864:2, R1607:5
In the French Revolution, which was a type of the Day of
Vengeance, favors were shown to the just, generous and kind,
and extreme wrath was visited upon oppressors. D67, D68
Not the Great Company--for they shall suffer the destruction
of the flesh in this time of trouble. R5041:6, R1963:6
As the three Hebrews were preserved in the fiery furnace.
R5041:6
Their manner of life, habits of thought and action, sympathies
for the right, and appreciation of the Bible account of the
trouble and its outcome, will all conspire to make them suffer
less than others. A334
Words of wisdom to the world in general. The Little Flock is
promised that they shall escape all those things coming upon
the world. (Luke 21:36) D68
Day of the LORD'S anger -- The anarchy of the French
Revolution and the anarchy which overthrew the Jewish
nation in AD70 are Scriptural illustrations of what may be
expected soon. PD92/107
Against that evil day, we warn men that they repent and
develop meekness and righteousness. R4433:1
The rejoicing city -- Babylon, Christendom. D527
The oppressing city -- Babylon, Christendom. D527
Wait ye upon me -- We are to wait on him in all things
and not take matters into our own hands. OV287:3;
R5112:6; CR168:6
Have full confidence in God that his methods are best in
every way. OV62:1; R5203:3
The Lord's times and seasons are best for us, and any attempt
on our part to push ourselves in advance of the Lord's will
would be sure to react unfavorably. R5672:3
Now is the time for patience and for remembering that
Socialism cannot do for the world what it desires and teaches.
R4135:1
"Be patient, therefore, brethren." (Jas. 5:7) SM191:2;
R1520:1
Jehovah says to the Church: "I shall attend to this matter
myself." R4990:2
Wait for his time. God has a plan that is surely working itself
out. R4135:1
God's people must not interfere with the powers that be.
SM191:2; R5526:5
God's people are forewarned not to use carnal weapons and
not to trust in such weapons in the hands of others. The trust
of God's people is to be in God. R5733:4, R5526:5
It is not the duty of every one of the Lord's people today to
become public reprovers of public officials, even though they
may see unrighteousness practiced. R3424:5
Do not avenge yourselves on those who legally oppress you,
but wait for justice. R1607:4
We are not to demand justice, but to be sympathetic and
forbearing. R1607:4, R4899:3
We should neither advocate the coming revolution, nor take
part in it. R1607:4
Let us seek to subdue and calm the passions of men in the
coming strife and do nothing to augment them, pointing out
that the worst government is better than no government, and
that we have, in fact, the best of all earthly governments.
OV287:2
Do not attempt to force husbands, wives, parents and children
up to the line of perfect justice toward you. R4899:3
As young David was content to wait God's time for bringing
him to the throne; and not as Jeroboam, possessed of more
confidence in himself than trust in God. R4723:3
Until the day -- The time of trouble. R4627:3
The Day of Wrath. HG417:6
Not a 24-hour day. R2971:3; A334, A138
That I rise up -- "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith
the Lord." (Rom. 12:19) R5574:2
To the prey -- All opposers of his righteous course.
R1913:2
My determination -- His plan declared. R794:4*
Gather the nations -- All the nations. R1785:5
By God permitting them to work out their own selfish
propensities. R5526:5; D271
The peoples of all nations, in opposition to present
governments. A317
Drawn together by rapid communication systems. R5526:5;
D270; HG417:6
Preparatory to the transfer of earth's dominion to "him whose
right it is"--Immanuel. (Ezek. 21:27) D271
The opposing hosts of the last final conflict are gathering at
the present time--forming one vast community of general
interests--commercially, financially and politically. Q769:3,
Q849:T
Since mankind are sinners by nature, their cooperation is most
likely to be along selfish lines, therefore most likely to be
evil. R5161:1
Selfishness has gathered the nations and has been preparing
them for the predicted, fast-approaching retribution. D271
Not only contributing to the severity of the judgment, but also
making it impossible for any to escape, thus making the great
tribulation short as well as decisive. D272
May assemble -- May draw together the kingdoms. A317
The world of mankind is being brought into close touch;
barriers of language are being broken down, etc. R5161:1
In the only manner in which they could be assembled, in
common interest and activity; but not in brotherly love. D271
The kingdoms -- Unite them for common safety, so that
the trouble will be upon all, and all will fall. A317
To pour upon them -- The kingdoms. A317
Mine Indignation -- The Lord's indignation will burn hotly
against all unrighteousness, all iniquity, all falsehood; that
these may be thoroughly removed. SM57:1
It is the "Battle of that Great Day of God Almighty." (Rev.
16:14) D528
All my fierce anger -- By permitting Satan and his legions
to have a great deal of power on earth. R2189:4
The natural result of sin. R350:3*
For all the earth -- The entire present social fabric. A317,
A318; B162; D13, D272; SM58:2; R5364:1, R5526:4,
R2543:6, R1607:5, R668:1; HG515:5
The world that now is. (2Pet. 3:7) D271
Including the nations beyond Christendom, for they are bound
together by commercial and other interests, and justly so; for
they have failed to appreciate what light they have seen. D27
A fire of anarchy will completely consume earthly
governments and Churchianity. R2565:4
Everything evil, both root and branch. (Mal. 4:1) R4628:4,
R2844:5, R2544:1
Shall be devoured -- As Israel was "burned to the lowest
hell." (Deut. 32:22) E357
All evil principles of government and society manifested and
destroyed as a necessary preparation for the coming blessing.
R188:5
All the giants of vice and selfishness. D370
The utter destruction of humanity is not meant. R5364:1
Consumed. The tares will cease to be tares; they will cease to
claim for their worldly systems the name "Christendom."
C148, C149
With the fire -- Wrath, indignation; the great trouble of the
Day of the Lord with which this age will end. B162; C148;
D269, D370, D528; R4628:1
Of truth. R794:4*
Knowledge is bringing on the restless social conditions.
R5526:5
the fire of God's righteous anger. R5863:6, R5532:4;
OV58:3, OV86:1, OV323:3
The Lord's anger will burn against all kinds of injustice and
iniquity. R4628:1, R2844:5
Which must consume all the giant evils so entrenched in the
world. R5442:4
Devouring the political, financial, social and religious
structure of the world. R5733:4, R3935:2, R2565:4,
R1644:5, R1615:5
The fire of God's zeal is a forcible symbol, representing the
intensity of the trouble and the destruction which will envelop
the whole earth. A317
Trouble, strife, confusion. R5526:5, R5364:1, R5161:5;
SM58:2
Fire represents the destruction of whatever is burned--tares,
dross, earth (social organization), or whatever it may be.
A318
Not merely to destroy, but especially to purify. R3684:4,
R5442:4
The same fire spoken of by Peter, through which the world is
to pass at this next great dispensational change. HGI8:5,
HG19:4
Anarchy. D271; HG398:6, HG417:6
Which will come about in a very natural manner. R26:2,
R2971:4
Into which the "tare" class of Christendom will be cast.
R2565:1, R2543:6
A necessary preparation for the glorious reign of
righteousness that shall immediately succeed it. R5989:2,
R1913:2, R188:5
This symbolic burning will be the new missionary method by
which the Church glorified, with her Head, will "bring in
everlasting righteousness." (Dan. 9:24) R2463:1
So great is the trouble here described that the world is said to
be burned up by the Lord's anger. R26:2, R268:6, R409:5,
R592:3
The same fire of the Lord's anger against every evil thing will
continue to burn throughout the entire Millennial age,
destroying some found unworthy of life eternal. R2544:1
Not literal fire, as proven by the next sentence, indicating
surviving people. R4627:3, R4990:2, R5733:4 R3935:2, R5364:4, R2971:3, R2543:6, R1814:1; SM58:3; OV58:3; Q777:1
See also comments on Zeph. 1:15, 18.
Of my jealousy -- Of my zeal. A317; C148; OV86:1
Or, anger, justice. R1814:1, R1785:5
Or, zeal for righteousness. R2971:4
For then -- After this destruction of the kingdoms and the
present social order in the time of trouble. A317; D529;
R5733:4, R3414:5, R1607:5
When the harvest ends; when Jesus begins his reign as
Mediator of the New covenant, and Babylon is no longer.
R5827:2, R5823:3, R4627:6, R5920:4
After men shall have been humbled and made ready to hear
and heed his counsel. D519
As a consequence of the preceding terrible judgments upon
the nations. HG18:5
After the storm comes the sunshine. HGI9:5
Turn to the people -- The masses. SM145:1
Who are therefore not destroyed by the fire, and who are also
shown to be unconverted at the time it takes place. A317,
R4627:6, R5364:1
Not (as some hold) the saints, who, after the earth has melted
and cooled off, will return to earth and build houses and
inhabit them. A317
Implying a cessation of death, a stopping of the proceedings
against those waiting to go into this prison-house. Q216:4
A pure language -- The pure word of truth,
uncontaminated by human tradition. A317; SM145:1;
R2994:4, R5161:5, R5364:4, R5097:6
Instead of a confused message: the contradiction of creeds of
heathenism and Churchianity (Babylon). OV253:2; SM58:3,
SM145:1; R4627:6, R2994:4, R5364:4; F123, F710
A pure message. R4627:3, R5097:6, R5364:1, R5823:3;
OV324:T, SM58:3
Unmixed with falsity and error, as now. R996:5
The confusion of doctrines will all terminate with this present
age. R5161:5
Man's communications with each other will no longer be
selfish, but pure, truthful and loving. D272; R1520:4
The pure Gospel of the Love, Justice and Mercy of God.
OV86:1; CR408:5
A clear declaration of the divine will and plan of salvation.
R5442:4, R3684:4
A pure method. Q430:3
A language of sincerity. Love will then mean love. R1520:4
The Lord, now speaking in anger, will then speak words of
comfort and mercy to chastened hearts. R5823:3
It will be the work of the thousand years of Messiah's reign to
make known the pure message of God. R4390:3, R5733:4
A pure word of instruction, which they can understand.
R2994:4
The unadulterated truth. R1785:5; D529
One manner of communication. R794:4*
The "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12), or "voice of Eden,"
as Luther's translation puts it. R5753:2, R5752:3, R5733:4,
R3414:5; SM796:T
The "voice of Eden" will be heard bringing the message
which will be "the desire of all nations." (Hag. 2:7) R5753:2
As typified by Elisha's purifying the brackish waters at their
fountain by casting in a handful of salt. (2 Kings 2:19-22)
R5780:2
Call -- Recognize our Lord as the great teacher. SM59:T
To serve him -- Being prepared by having experienced the
misrule of the "Prince of this world." R268:6
Will this ever come? Yes!--the mouth of the Lord hath
spoken it. R5112:6
When the judgments of the Lord are abroad in the earth, the
inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. (Isa. 26:9)
SM701:1
The scourging, the curse of Elijah (Mal. 4:5, 6), the symbolic
fire, will accomplish for mankind in a short time what the
message of Elijah failed to accomplish. OV324:T
With one consent -- Then " every knee shall bow and
every tongue confess." (Isa. 45:23) R5098:1
My holy mountain -- Kingdom. A318
Remnant of Israel -- Of both houses, natural and spiritual.
R518:5*
The solemn assembly -- There are some who see many of
these things but follow afar off; but when the tribulation gets
heavy enough, they will be separated and gathered. R519:1*