1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

thousand years, yet pitied and repented not, but the reverse.When, then, the Redeemer appeared, to give himself a ransomfor all, he beset him and endeavored to dissuade him and tempthim and cause him to fall.Not only the head but the members of the body he has beset andopposed. He so completely controlled and used the RomanEmpire that symbolically it is sometimes called by his name--thedevil and Satan; and thus and through its successor, Papacy, hewielded a terrible persecuting power against the saints of themost high God. He is the same still, opposing through all whomhe can use in his service, (1 Pet. 5:8,) "the Lamb of God thattaketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29.)This is what we know of his course, past and present. It is oneunbroken course of evil, in opposition to the blaze of light andknowledge. And what we might have surmised of his future,judging by his past course, the sure word of prophecy clearlyforetells, viz.: that when restrained from evil-doing for thethousand years of Christ's glorious reign, and made to witnessthe grand benefits conferred upon men through their Lord andRedeemer, all this not only fails to lead Satan to repentance, butupon the first opportunity, immediately that the restraint isremoved, he engages afresh in his former work of exaltinghimself and opposing God and his laws. Then shall the fullpenalty of God's law be let fall upon him who richly deserves it--destruction. (Rev. 20:15.)It should not be forgotten that the Apocalypse is a symbolicprophecy. It tells of things not as they may happen to come topass, but accurately--as they shall surely come to pass. Hence itis not its teaching that Satan might not change during theMillennial reign, but it absolutely shows that he will not repentor change. This prophecy of our risen Lord (Rev. 1:1) is no lesssure of fulfillment than the statements of any other prophet.Hence we conclude, there is no doubt or question possible onthis subject, except it be to question the divine record.R726 : page 6====================AGES TO COME.But questions some one, How do we know that there are notother, perhaps many ages of probation, beyond the Millennialage? Does not Paul mention it thus in the plural--"The ages tocome"?Yes, Paul mentions ages in the plural, but neither Paul nor anyScripture writer, speaks of probation during ages to come. It isas grievous an error to be ignorant of what the Apostle says ofthose ages, as to be as so many are, ignorant of the fact thatfuture ages are mentioned.