838.htm

(Cont. from Page 837). (Daniel 11:37-39 Cont.).

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(V.37-39): The prospering of satan and his people in their majestic position to their final desperate state of force is here indicated. Previous gods are not heeded (used). Even the god of women (Tammuz) of satan's past promotions has to give way. "But his majesty shall honour the god of fortresses and another god (whom his fathers never knew)" (Moffatt Translation). Who is this other god who is not previously known but whom he honours besides his military strongholds? It is those he has led into apostasy, those who have acted wickedly and effectively against the covenant of God. The covenant is for a heavenly Kingdom successfully concluded among its anointed sons. This heavenly Kingdom will begin its rule by abyssing subjects of satan promoted by him. The "desirable things" really amount to the "glory" that satan has given to members of this "foreign god" for working effectively for him within the spiritual "land" of God. The price they pay for the fleeting "glory" they receive from him is the disgracing of themselves before Almighty God for their betrayal of His anointed ones by saying they are "Jews" and yet they are not but are lying. (Rev 3:9).

They are all those who are acting as priests ('elders') without authority through an anointing from God to do so, along with those who have abused their authority. It is by this means that satan has been able to act effectively, for the "most fortified strongholds" are not military, but are The Christ's anointed brothers the congregation of God. The working of satan "along with a foreign god" (NWT) means: along with the members of this "foreign god" of many.

(V.39-43): The literal earthly evidence of this dominant power today is being expressed in satan's usual way, through dictatorships (the "king of the North"). Totalitarian governments permit no rival loyalties and are by force. The "king of the South" governs by demoncracy, the will of the people. Both these "kings" have engaged in a "pushing" for some time now, prior to the storm-like "flooding over" into lands that is prophesied to follow. If this storm were solely of a military kind, the might of these great powers in war would have destroyed all life on earth! In fulfilment, military and economic measures have been brought to bear on many lands by this Northern "king" in an attempt to suppress the people and block access to the Kingdom of God by the threat of military or economic reprisals.

Of greater importance is the spiritual kind of warfare this prophecy conveys, that will take place at the same time. But how will "he" satan "enter into the land of the Decoration?" (V.41). The inhabitants of this "land" today are spiritual "Jews", the "land" or soil of "Israel" given to "a nation producing its fruits". (Matt 21:43). Through his people satan enters this "land". Their methods? Dispiriting the hearts of prospective members of God's heavenly government, His "sanctuary" class (Ezek 13:22); refusing to help them in their calling and development while on earth in their service to God; excluding them from association (Isaiah 66:5); showing partiality in the law using corrupt authority to judge them in exchange for a "bribe" (2 Chron 19:7); all in an attempt to "kill" them (their faith). (1 Kings 21:15. Acts 5:38,39). All these things and more are being done by unsealed "Ahab" 'elders' and their "Jezebel" wives (prophetesses) to Jehovah's people within 'Babylonian' congregations.

Many of the "land" have already committed "adultery" with "Jezebel" wives through their many "veils" (false teachings), and are now defiled with these "women". (Rev 2:20-23. 14:4). These "children" of "Ahab" and "Jezebel" are the ones that join themselves to them by means of "smoothness" or "flattery" (See Dan 11:34 Moffatt). In this way the "foreign god" enters into the "land" and gives satan "recognition" in the form of so-called 'elders' ruling among many and receiving "ground" in the "land". (V.39). And the "price" they pay? (Read verse 45). So destroying the printing presses or literature of the sect of JWs is not an incidence of entering the spiritual "land of decoration", nor is their claim that the "king of the North" sent communists among them as though they were of God's "sanctuary" class. They are not!

(Cont. on Page 839).

5/3/78.