no match for Satan and the powers of darkness under his control. But clad in the panoply of God, described in detail

in Ephesians 6, we are safe and can go forward without fear.

It is not possible to give a full length exposition of the Book of the Revelation in this volume but enough has

been written, we feel, to make clear that the kingdom with which it deals is none other than the mediatorial earthly

kingdom of the Old Testament at last beginning to be fulfilled. We say `beginning' advisedly, because the

millennial kingdom that follows is not the perfect kingdom of God. It is certainly the most favoured time for

humanity since the fall of Adam, but sin and death are still there. We read in the Old Testament of those who only

render `feigned obedience' to Christ (see p. xxx) at this time, and at the end of the thousand years, when Satan is

released from his prison, he finds many of his own in the four quarters of the earth. These he once more attempts to

deceive and gathers them together for another rebellion against God. But the Lord deals with them summarily:

`And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city:

and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them' (Rev. 20:9).

Looking back to the Millennium, the very fact that Satan will be imprisoned in the abyss and his activities

completely curtailed, will make a tremendous difference to witness for God and the spread of His Truth over the

earth. What makes Christian work and witness so difficult in this age is the great deceiving and blinding power of

Satan acting on men's minds:

`But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of

them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine

unto them' (2 Cor. 4:3,4).

`... Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of

the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience' (Eph. 2:1,2).

This malevolent power will be eradicated during the millennial age and with this great obstacle removed, witness

and service for the Lord will be much easier. We see no reason why the knowledge of the Lord, mediated by

restored and recommissioned Israel, will not make rapid strides, and soon `cover the earth as the waters cover the

sea'. People at that time will want to know God, His ways and His Truth.

`But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the

top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations

shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob;

and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the Word

of the LORD from Jerusalem' (Micah 4:1,2).

`Thus says the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all

languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for

we have heard that God is with you' (Zech. 8:23).

What a difference from the present time with the opposition or complete indifference to the things of God!

But even with all the advantages of the thousand year reign of Christ, the real and eternal kingdom awaits the

new heaven and earth, where sin and death and all that militates against the rule of God shall be finally eradicated.

2 Peter 3:13 assures us that, in this final creation, righteousness will dwell and be one of its great characteristics. At

last the time for the complete fulfilment of the Lord's kingdom prayer will be realised - `Thy will be done on earth as

it is done in heaven'. There it is carried out perfectly, and the great kingdom of God cannot come into being until

this is true of the whole creation.

Almost the last scene which the Word of God leaves with us is that of a wedding:

`And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of

mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give

honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was

granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for, fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

And He saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called (invited) unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

And He saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God' (Rev. 19:6-9).