But there is another chapter in the history of the dragon’s career that we must not overlook—­his partnership with Gog and Magog.  The original signification of the terms Gog and Magog is difficult to ascertain, as all known accounts are conflicting.  The terms occur in Ezek. 38 and 39 also.  In the Revelation, however, it is clear that these terms are applied to Romanism and Protestantism, and under the special leadership of this spirit of antichrist they are gathered together to battle against the saints of the most High.  I will again quote the description of this union as given under the sixth vial, which refers to the present time:  “And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.  For they are 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....  And he gathered them into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”  Chap. 16:13-16.  It will be noticed that the field of operations under this grand confederation of the three unclean spirits is enlarged so that it includes not merely the Apocalyptic earth, but “the whole world.”

In order to form a confederation of powers each of which holds its own distinctive principles, it is necessary that each make certain concessions, in outward appearance at least, so that they can work together in harmony against a common foe.  In this case it will be necessary that three points be conceded before the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet can agree.  First, the dragon must not appear in his true character as antichristian; he must be clothed in some different attire in order to “deceive.”  Second, Catholicism must stop her work of slaying those who disagree with her and cover up her true principles.  Third, Protestantism must cease protesting against the abominations of Catholicism.  We are living in the time when this confederation of the powers of wickedness is being effected; therefore we must not expect to see the dragon as a terrible creature with heads and horns standing as the open adversary of God, but we must look for him dressed up in a garb “to deceive.”  If necessary he can place himself under a Christian garb without violating his conscience—­of which he has none.

It will perhaps be beneficial to give the reader a short account of some of the forms under which the dragon is manifesting himself at the present time in order to “deceive” the people.  It will be remembered that, in the description of the first vial, which represented the awful system of infidelity that was spread over Europe, Dr. Adam Weishaupt of the University of Ingolstadt, formed a secret society under the name of the Illuminati in order the better to spread these wicked principles.  A quotation was also made showing that “Freemasonry being in high repute all over Europe when Weishaupt