[451]On one hand we observe the employers who own the factories and the mills and who employ the laboring element to do the work, striving to curtail their expenses, reducing wages, discharging men, resulting in millions being out of employment with no means of earning a livelihood for themselves or families.  On the other hand is the laboring class of men, who have received their employment at the hands of the wealthier, who are distressed in mind.  And because of the injustices heaped upon them they are becoming more restless each day and are threatening to take complete possession and control of the factories and mills and mines and operate these themselves.  The political class, striving always to do the will of the financial powers, are perplexed and frightened as to what they shall do, yet constantly acting in a vain attempt to help their allies in the great beastly order; while the apostate clergy, which goes to make up the third element of the beastly order, is trying to induce the order-loving people to unite themselves with church systems and thereby support the employing class.

[452]These various elements, selfishly exercising what power they have, are going from bad to worse, leading on to a great disaster for the unrighteous systems of earth.  Jesus points this out as the final and conclusive evidence of his presence and of the end of the world, saying:  “Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved:  but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21,22) The prophet Daniel corroborates the words of the Master to the effect that in this time of trouble the great Messiah will manifest himself and put into operation his kingdom.  He says:  “And at that time shall Michael [God’s representative, the Messiah] stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book".—­Daniel 12:1.

[453]The world is madly rushing on now to this time of trouble.  It is the time spoken of by the prophet Haggai, who says:  “And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts”. (Haggai 2:7) And when this great shaking is over, then the desire of all nations and peoples will come, namely, an honest, righteous government, administered in behalf of mankind under the supervision of the great Messiah.  The apostle Paul refers to this time as a time of great shaking, which immediately precedes the full establishment of the Messianic kingdom.  (Hebrews 12:18-28) The Lord by his presence is bringing to light every hidden thing.  The Apostle foretold it would be thus, saying:  “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts".—­1 Corinthians 4:5.