Among the most important signs of the times that point to the close of the age, must

be reckoned the movement of nations that will eventuate in the confederacy of kings

under the Beast at the time of the end. The focal spot naturally is Jerusalem, and the

central nation, Israel. Yet no one, untaught by the prophetic Scriptures, anticipated that

the Great War which commenced in 1914 could not end until Jerusalem passed from

under Turkish rule, but so it was.

The country of Abyssinia is not mentioned by that name in Scripture, but is

nevertheless frequently referred to under the name Ethiopia.  The Ethiopians are

descendants of Ham, through his eldest son Cush. The words "Cush" and "Ethiopia" are

interchangeable, and where we read in the A.V. the word Ethiopia, the reader should

remember that the Hebrew word is always the name Cush.

A month or two ago, few would have given Abyssinia a moment's thought when

compiling a list of the nations destined to play a part at the time of the end, yet the

student of prophecy has always known that Ethiopia is to be in league, at least for a time,

with Antichrist. Just before he "comes to his end", the willful king "shall stretch forth his

hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape . . . . . and the

Lybyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps" (Dan. 11: 43). That Ethiopia will form

part of the unholy alliance of nations at the time of the end, Ezekiel testifies. The land of

Israel is to be invaded by "Gog, the chief prince (or prince of Rosh) of Meshech and

Tubal" (Ezek. 38: 1-5), and confederate with them will be "Persia, Ethiopia and

Lybia". This confederacy will be overthrown, and numbers will perish, yet we find at

the end Ethiopia numbered among the nations that will submit to the reign of the

King of kings. Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands

unto God. Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord"

(Psa. 68: 31, 32).

The reader would be well advised to study for His own edification the prophetic

references to other nations, such as Greece, Persia, Egypt, etc., so that instead of having a

failing of heart as these terrible signs begin to appear, he will realize how complete is the

foreknowledge and the control of the Lord, and safely lean upon His faithfulness.