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The Wicked Prepare to Attack the New Jerusalem,
November 26
Satan ... shall go out to deceive the nations ... to gather them together
to battle.
Revelation 20:7, 8
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In that vast throng are multitudes of the long-lived race that existed
before the Flood; men of lofty stature and giant intellect, who, yielding to
the control of fallen angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the
exaltation of themselves; men whose wonderful works of art led the world to
idolize their genius, but whose cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth
and defacing the image of God, caused Him to blot them from the face of
His creation. There are kings and generals who conquered nations, valiant
men who never lost a battle, proud, ambitious warriors whose approach
made kingdoms tremble. In death these experienced no change. As they
come up from the grave, they resume the current of their thoughts just where
it ceased. They are actuated by the same desire to conquer that ruled them
when they fell.
Satan consults with his angels, and then with these kings and conquerors
and mighty men. They look upon the strength and numbers on their side,
and declare that the army within the city is small in comparison with theirs,
and that it can be overcome. They lay their plans to take possession of the
riches and glory of the New Jerusalem. All immediately begin to prepare
for battle. Skillful artisans construct implements of war. Military leaders,
famed for their success, marshal the throngs of warlike men into companies
and divisions.
At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves
on—an army such as was never summoned by earthly conquerors, such as
the combined forces of all ages since war began on earth could never equal.
Satan, the mightiest of warriors, leads the van, and his angels unite their
forces for this final struggle. Kings and warriors are in his train, and the
multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its appointed leader. With
military precision the serried ranks advance over the earth’s broken and
uneven surface to the City of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of the
New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city and
make ready for the onset.
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