"THAT GREAT DAY OF GOD ALMIGHTY"
"And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon" (Rev. 16:16). In these days of stress and apprehensiveness of the future it is interesting to find that Cruden's Complete Concordance defines "Armageddon" as "the mountain of Megiddo, or ... the mountain of fruits, or of apples."
Mary Baker Eddy tells us (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 320), "Metaphors abound in the Bible, and names are often expressive of spiritual ideas." So this interpretation of the word Armageddon may open up a somewhat different viewpoint from the generally accepted one regarding "the battle of that great day of God Almighty." The Scriptural promise reads that in this battle "the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty" are to be destroyed (Rev. 16:14; 19:20). Although this picture of evil may seem terrifying to those contemplating it, we have the assurance, explicit throughout the Scriptures, that the saving Christ does come to human consciousness. So, although today there are signs of upheaval everywhere, those who understand God's omnipotence know that evil is destined to be overthrown and thus are able to rejoice in increasing evidence that good is indeed the only reality. Is not this perceiving "the mountain of fruits"—the true Armageddon?
Is there anyone bowed down under the aggressive mental suggestion of the inevitability of evil? Does he fear that he has come to a standstill in his growth Spiritward? Then let him joyfully realize that this is his moment of victory. The "great day of God Almighty" is at hand, providing each and every one with the precious opportunity of overcoming evil with good.
In prophesying the battle of Armageddon the apostle describes the conquest of evil through the Christ coming to the human consciousness "as a thief" (Rev. 16:15). In the darkest hour the Christ often comes to bring the sunshine of Truth and Love to us all. Christian Science teaches men how to see through the clouds of material sense and to gather through rich experience the fruits of this mountain. It takes away the sting of the mental warfare and shows that the fruitage of all right striving—harmony and assurance of good—is always at hand.
On battlefields, in the business world, in our homes, and in sickrooms this spiritually mental battle goes on, and Christian Science crowns the victory when the unreality of evil is understood. Clinging to the allness of God brings the manifestation of good into the minutiae of one's human experience.
Christian Scientists have the great privilege at this hour of uniting in the consistent reversal of the error that claims to be manifested by nations and individuals. By constantly holding in view God's spiritual universe, governed and directed by divine Truth and Love, they can lift their thoughts above a sense of condemnation of themselves or their brother men and see only the perfect idea of God.
On page 177 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy tells us, "The great battle of Armageddon is upon us." And in demanding what each of us will do about it she asks, "Will you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably to the great work of establishing the truth, the gospel, and the Science which are necessary to the salvation of the world from error, sin, disease, and death?"
The so-called powers of evil claim to be massed in their attacks on Christ, Truth, and "the spirits of devils, working miracles" seem to be abroad in the world. But the Christian Scientist looks up to "the mountain of fruits" and knows that the battle of Armageddon is already decided; good is already triumphant. No matter how error may flaunt its seeming successes, he knows that it is unreal and must disintegrate at the touch of Truth.
It takes steadfastness to stand in the face of evil and know its nothingness, but Christian Scientists have eaten of the fruits of obedience and loyalty to Principle, God. They know they are empowered through the understanding of Truth to do the works which Christ Jesus told us that those who believed in him and his teachings would do. They are standing together in the unity of the one Mind, God, rejoicing in their proofs of His care. They see the sick healed and the sinning reformed through the ministrations of Christian Science. They are keeping their thoughts fixed on God and His healing Christ. They are knowing the nothingness of evil and the sinlessness of man.
Men everywhere are glimpsing this "great day of God Almighty." They are pressing forward, and they catch the sound of the songs of victory raised by the steadfast followers of Truth, those of whom Charles Mackay speaks:
Men of thought, be up and stirring night and day: ...
There's a fount about to stream,
There's a light about to beam,
There's a warmth about to glow,
There's a flower about to blow;
There's a midnight blackness changing into gray.
Men of thought and men of action, Clear the way!
