Going Forth Conquering

Before and during World War II, the dictatorial Axis powers tried to wipe out Jehovah's Witnesses in many lands where religious leaders, particularly those of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, gave open or tacit support to oppressive dictators, But the 71,509 Witnesses who were preaching when the war started in 1939 became 141,606 by its end in 1945, even though upwards of 10,000 had spent long years in prisons and concentration camps, and other thousands had been killed. The number of active Witnesses earth wide had expanded to well over three million today. Growth has been outstanding in Catholic lands and in countries where persecutions were most bitter-such as Germany, Italy and Japan, in each of which the Witnesses are now reporting well over 100,000 active field ministers.-Isaiah 54:17; Jeremiah 1:17-19.

Our conquering King has also blessed his zealous people by leading them to many victories "in the defending and legally establishing of the good news" in courts of law and before rulers. (Philippians 1:7; Matthew 10:18; 24:9) This has also been on an international scale - in Australia, Argentina, Canada, Greece, India, Swailand, Switzerland, Turkey and other lands. Among 23 legal victories gained by Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States Supreme Court have been those guaranteeing the right to declare the good news "publicly and from house to house" and to desist from idolatrous patriotic ceremonies. (Acts 5:42; 20:20; 1 Corinthians 10:14) Thus, the way has been kept open for an expanding global witness.

How does Jesus "complete his conquest"? This he does, as we shall see, by disposing of false religion and then hurling every remaining segment of Satan's visible organization into a symbolic "fiery lake" of destruction,in vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty. Confidently, we now look forward to that day at Armageddon when our "King of kings" will gain the final victory over Satan's oppressive political organization! (Revelation 16:16; 17:14; 19:2, 14-21; Ezekiel 25:17) In the meantime, the invincible Conqueror on the white horse continues to ride forth as Jehovah keeps adding honest hearted ones to his righteous nations on earth. (Isaiah 26:2; 60:22) Are you sharing with the anointed John class in that joyful Kingdom expansion? In that event, what the apostle John sees when the next three seals are opened will no doubt stir you to have an even greater share in Jehovah' s work for this day.

Next time: Behold, The Fiery -Colored Horse!