Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII THE DOOM OF EVIL Revelation, Chapters 17, 18, 19, 20 THE connection is clear between the chapters that have preceded and these chapters which follow. There we had described the beginning of the end. Here is the end itself. Precisely as the author carried the evil which he tells us is marked for destruction back from its temporary manifestations in history to its ultimate sources, so here in the account of its destruction, he gives us not only the story of the downfall of the Roman Empire (chapters 17 and 18), but also of the overthrow of evil itself as it is incarnate in Satan, the spirit of evil (chapters 19 and 20). Thus the full spiritual purpose of the author and the full spiritual unity of the book are achieved. What we are told in these chapters is the summary of the Social Hope not only of its age, but of every age. We are told, first, that this present world-order is under the control of God and subject to his righteous judgments. Nothing is more remarkable in the description of Rome in the seventeenth chapter than the full justice done to her power and regal glory. "There is not an untrue stroke in it. The woman is arrayed in purple and scarlet, the colors of empire. She is decked with gold and precious stones and pearls. The wealth of the whole world is poured into her lap. She holds in her hand the golden cup of an advanced civilization. She is poised upon the beast, the symbol of empire. She sits upon many waters, that is, rules over many subject peoples and nations. Tributary kings carry out her behests. It is a remarkable picture of the wealth and glory and dominion of Rome which the author gives."1 But this is not the whole truth about her. Commensurate with the power of Rome is the guilt of Rome. This, too, ...
