Exposition of the Divine Principle

Part II · Chapter 5

The Period of Preparation for the Second Advent of the Messiah

The period of preparation for the Second Advent of the Messiah was the four-hundred-year period from the Protestant Reformation in 1517 to the end of World War I in 1918.

The character of this period was already summarized in comparison with the parallel period of preparation for the advent of the Messiah, but a more detailed examination will be made here. With respect to the providence of restoration, this period is divided into three periods: the period of the Reformation, the period of religious and ideological conflicts, and the period of the maturation of politics, economy and ideology.

Inside this chapter

Section 1

The Period of the Reformation (1517-1648)

1.1 The Renaissance 1.2 The Reformation

Section 2

The Period of Religious and Ideological Conflicts (1648-1789)

2.1 The Cain-Type View of Life 2.2 The Abel-Type View of Life

Section 3

The Period of Maturation of Politics, Economy and Ideology (1789-1918)

3.1.1 Cain-Type Democracy 3.1.2 Abel-Type Democracy

3.2 The Significance of the Separation of Powers 3.3 The Significance of the Industrial Revolution 3.4 The Rise of the Great Powers 3.5 Religious Reforms and Political and Industrial Revolutions since the Renaissance

Section 4

The World Wars

4.1 The Providential Causes of the World Wars 4.2 The First World War

4.2.1 Summary of the Providence in the First World War 4.2.2 What Decides God’s Side and Satan’s Side? 4.2.3 The Providential Causes behind the First World War 4.2.4 The Providential Results of the First World War

4.3 The Second World War

4.3.1 Summary of the Providence in the Second World War 4.3.2 The Nature of Fascism 4.3.3 The Nations on God’s Side and the Nations on Satan’s Side in the Second World War 4.3.4 The Providential Roles of the Three Nations on God’s Side and Satan’s Side 4.3.5 The Providential Causes behind the Second World War 4.3.6 The Providential Results of the Second World War

4.4 The Third World War

4.4.1 Is the Third World War Inevitable? 4.4.2 Summary of the Providence in the Third World War 4.4.3 The Providential Causes behind the Third World War 4.4.4 The Providential Results of the Third World War

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Elsewhere in the book

Part I — General Principles

— Preface — Introduction 1 The Principle of Creation 2 The Human Fall 3 Eschatology and Human History 4 The Messiah: His Advent and the Purpose of His Second Coming 5 Resurrection 6 Predestination 7 Christology

Part II — Providence of Restoration

— Introduction to Restoration 1 The Providence to Lay the Foundation for Restoration 2 Moses and Jesus in the Providence of Restoration 3 The Periods in Providential History and the Determination of Their Lengths 4 The Parallels between the Two Ages in the Providence of Restoration 5 The Period of Preparation for the Second Advent of the Messiah 6 The Second Advent