The terrible Civil War had ended some forty years before and the American economy was booming. The population was expanding westward; steam-powered locomotives hauled freight and passengers across country from sea to shining sea; rapid communication was possible by telegraph and telephone; the atomic age was dawning as man explored the internal structure of the atom; Einstein was challenging the scientific world with his Theory of Relativity; the reciprocating gasoline engine was in the offing; and America was at peace with itself and the world.
But storm clouds were gathering in Europe as ethnic and cultural problems were brewing. Finally the pot boiled over, a fatal shot was fired, and an Austrian duke fell dead. Soon all of Europe was engaged in what developed into the first World War. America remained aloof from the fray for four years but was finally drawn into the conflict. The political climate was best expressed by the patriotic song written by George M. Cohen:
"Over There, Over There, Send the word Over There, That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming.... So prepare, Say a prayer, Send the word to beware. We'll be over, we're coming over; And we won't be back till it's over over there!"
Similarly, all was peaceful in heaven, all the universe was filled with gladness and light when "the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." But then a rebellion led by Lucifer, the covering cherub, occurred and continued to grow for an unknown length of time. Finally the rebellion resulted in war in heaven, and "Christ and His angels fought against Lucifer and his angels." The angels, who had previously been engaged in their role as communicators and facilitators were mobilized into the army of heaven called the 'Lord's host.' Satan and his army of rebels were cast out to earth where the battle has continued and has involved the human race. To cope with this problem, the Lord's host was dispatched to earth to do battle in the great controversy against the forces of evil, and they won't go back until it's over over here.
The conflict is almost over; Satan and his hellish crew have lost the battle and are in retreat. They are marshalling their forces for the last great offensive, but they will be destroyed in the final battle. Soon sin and sinner will be no more; the war will be over; all heaven will rejoice as the redeemed of all ages are ushered into the heavenly courts. No longer will the army of heaven be needed; the angels will return to their original duties and there will be a demobilization of the "Lord's host."
