Though the divine channel, John receives further information regarding this great crowd: "And he [the elder] said to me:'These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering to him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them.' " -Revelation 7:14b, 15.
On an earlier occasion, Jesus had said that his presence in Kingdom glory would culminate in "great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21, 22) In fulfillment of that prophecy, the angels will unleash the four winds of the earth to devastate Satan's world system. First to go will be Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. Then, at the peak of the tribulation, Jesus will deliver the remaining ones of the 144,000 on earth, together with the multitudinous great crowd. -Revelation 7:1; 8:2.
How do individuals of the great crowd qualify for survival? The elder tells John that they have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." In other words, they have exercise faith in Jesus as their Ransomer, have made a dedication to Jehovah, have symbolized their dedication by water baptism, and "hold a good conscience" by their upright conduct. (1Peter 3:16, 21; Matthew 20:28) Thus, they are clean and righteous in Jehovah's eyes. And they keep themselves "without spot from the world." -James 1:27.
Further, they have become zealous witnesses of Jehovah-"rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple." Are you one of this dedicated great crowd? If so, it is your privilege to serve Jehovah without let-up in the earthly courtyard of his great spiritual temple. Today, under the direction of the anointed ones, the great crowd is performing by far the greater part of the witness work. Despite secular responsibilities, hundreds of thousands of them have made room for the full-time ministry as pioneers. But whether you are in that group or not, as a dedicated member of the great crowd, you can rejoice that because of your faith and works you are declared righteous as a friend of God and are welcomed as a guest in his tent. (Psalm 15:1-5; James 2:21-26) Jehovah thus 'spreads his tent' over those who love him and, as a good host, protects them. -Proverbs 18:10.
Next time: Continue with the above subject
10.31.2007
10.30.2007
The Great Crowd Makes Its Appearance
From the time of the apostle John and into the Lord's day, anointed Christians were puzzled as to the identity of the great crowd. It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John's thinking by raising a pertinent question: " And in response one of the elders said to me: 'These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?" So right away I said to him: 'My lord, you are the one that knows.' " (Revelation 7:13, 14a) Yes, that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today. For their part, those of the John class on earthy got to learn the identity of the great crowd by closely observing what Jehovah was performing in their midst. They were quick to appreciate the dazzling flash of divine light that emblazoned the theocratic firmament in 1935. at Jehovah's due time.
During the 1920's and early 1930's, the John class had stressed the heavenly hope, both in the publications and in the preaching work. Apparently, the full number of the 144,000 had yet to be filled. But increasing numbers of those who heeded the message and who showed zeal in the witness work come to profess an interest in living forever on the Paradise earth. They had no desire to go to heaven. That was their calling. They were no part of the little flock but rather of the sheep. (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) Their being identified in 1935 as the great crowd of other sheep was an indication that the choosing of the 144,000 was then about complete.
Do statistics support this conclusion? Yes, they do. In 1938, worldwide 59,047 witnesses of Jehovah shared in the ministry of these, 36,732 partook of the emblems at the annual celebration of the Memorial of Jesus' death, thus indicating that they had a heavenly calling in the years since then, the number of these partakers has progressively decreased, principally because faithful witnesses of Jehovah finished their earthly life course in death. In 1987 only 8,808 partook of the Memorial emblems-just 0.1 percent of the 8,965,221 attending that global observance.
When the second world war broke out, Satan put forth bitter efforts to stop the harvesting of the great crowd. Jehovah's work was restricted in many countries. During those dark days, and shortly before his death in January 1942, J.F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Society, was heard to say: "Well. . . it looks as though the great multitude is not going to be so great after all." But divine blessing directed otherwise! By 1946 the number of Witnesses ministering worldwide had jumped to 176,456-most of these being of the great crowd. In 1987 there were 3,395,612 Witnesses who were serving Jehovah faithfully in 210 different lands-truly a GREAT CROWD! And the number keeps on increasing.
The harvesting of God's people during the Lord's day has thus been in full harmony with John's vision: first the work of gathering the remaining ones of the 144,000; then the gathering of the great crowd. As Isaiah prophesied, now "In the final part of the days, " people of all nations are streaming to share in Jehovah's pure worship. And, indeed, we exult in appreciation of Jehovah's creation of "new heavens and a new earth." (Isaiah 2:2-4; 65:17, 18) God is gathering "all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth." (Ephesians 1:10) The anointed heirs of the heavenly Kingdom-chosen over the centuries since Jesus' day-are "the things in the heavens and now, the great crowd of the other sheep appear as initial ones of "the things on the earth." Your serving in harmony with that arrangement can mean eternal happiness for you.
Next time: The Blessings Of The Great Crowd.
During the 1920's and early 1930's, the John class had stressed the heavenly hope, both in the publications and in the preaching work. Apparently, the full number of the 144,000 had yet to be filled. But increasing numbers of those who heeded the message and who showed zeal in the witness work come to profess an interest in living forever on the Paradise earth. They had no desire to go to heaven. That was their calling. They were no part of the little flock but rather of the sheep. (Luke 12:32; John 10:16) Their being identified in 1935 as the great crowd of other sheep was an indication that the choosing of the 144,000 was then about complete.
Do statistics support this conclusion? Yes, they do. In 1938, worldwide 59,047 witnesses of Jehovah shared in the ministry of these, 36,732 partook of the emblems at the annual celebration of the Memorial of Jesus' death, thus indicating that they had a heavenly calling in the years since then, the number of these partakers has progressively decreased, principally because faithful witnesses of Jehovah finished their earthly life course in death. In 1987 only 8,808 partook of the Memorial emblems-just 0.1 percent of the 8,965,221 attending that global observance.
When the second world war broke out, Satan put forth bitter efforts to stop the harvesting of the great crowd. Jehovah's work was restricted in many countries. During those dark days, and shortly before his death in January 1942, J.F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Society, was heard to say: "Well. . . it looks as though the great multitude is not going to be so great after all." But divine blessing directed otherwise! By 1946 the number of Witnesses ministering worldwide had jumped to 176,456-most of these being of the great crowd. In 1987 there were 3,395,612 Witnesses who were serving Jehovah faithfully in 210 different lands-truly a GREAT CROWD! And the number keeps on increasing.
The harvesting of God's people during the Lord's day has thus been in full harmony with John's vision: first the work of gathering the remaining ones of the 144,000; then the gathering of the great crowd. As Isaiah prophesied, now "In the final part of the days, " people of all nations are streaming to share in Jehovah's pure worship. And, indeed, we exult in appreciation of Jehovah's creation of "new heavens and a new earth." (Isaiah 2:2-4; 65:17, 18) God is gathering "all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth." (Ephesians 1:10) The anointed heirs of the heavenly Kingdom-chosen over the centuries since Jesus' day-are "the things in the heavens and now, the great crowd of the other sheep appear as initial ones of "the things on the earth." Your serving in harmony with that arrangement can mean eternal happiness for you.
Next time: The Blessings Of The Great Crowd.
10.29.2007
A Universal Shout of Praise
The great crowd is praising Jehovah, but others are also singing his praises. John reports: " And all the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell upon their face before the throne and worshiped God, saying: 'Amen! The blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.' " -Revelation 7:11, 12.
When Jehovah created the earth, all of his holy angels "joyfully cried out together, and all the sons of God began shouting in applause." (Job 38:7) Each new revelation of Jehovah's purpose must have evoked similar angelic shouts of praise. When the 24 elders -the 144,000 in their heavenly glory-cry aloud in recognition of the Lamb, all others of God's heavenly creatures chime in with praises for Jesus and for Jehovah God. (Revelation 5:9-14) Already, these creatures have been overjoyed to observe the fulfillment of Jehovah's purpose in his resurrecting faithful anointed humans to a glorious place in the spirit realm. Now, all of Jehovah's faithful heavenly creatures burst into melodious praise as the great crowd appears. Truly, for all of Jehovah's servants, the Lord's day is a thrilling time in which to be living. (Revelation 1:10) Here on earth, how privileged we are to share in the song of praise by witnessing to Jehovah's Kingdom!
Next time: The Great Crowd Makes Its Appearance.
When Jehovah created the earth, all of his holy angels "joyfully cried out together, and all the sons of God began shouting in applause." (Job 38:7) Each new revelation of Jehovah's purpose must have evoked similar angelic shouts of praise. When the 24 elders -the 144,000 in their heavenly glory-cry aloud in recognition of the Lamb, all others of God's heavenly creatures chime in with praises for Jesus and for Jehovah God. (Revelation 5:9-14) Already, these creatures have been overjoyed to observe the fulfillment of Jehovah's purpose in his resurrecting faithful anointed humans to a glorious place in the spirit realm. Now, all of Jehovah's faithful heavenly creatures burst into melodious praise as the great crowd appears. Truly, for all of Jehovah's servants, the Lord's day is a thrilling time in which to be living. (Revelation 1:10) Here on earth, how privileged we are to share in the song of praise by witnessing to Jehovah's Kingdom!
Next time: The Great Crowd Makes Its Appearance.
10.28.2007
In Heaven Or On Earth?
How do we know that "standing before the throne" does not mean that the great crowd is in heaven? There is much clear evidence on this point. For example, the Greek word here translated "before" (e-no'pi-on) literally means "in [the]sight [of]" and is used several times of humans on earth who are "before" or "in the sight of" Jehovah. (1 Timothy 5;21; 2 Timothy 2:14; Romans 14:22; Galatians 1:20) On one occasion when the Israelites were in the wilderness, Moses said to Aaron: "Say to the entire assembly of the Sons of Israel, 'Come near before Jehovah, because he has heard your murmurings.' " (Exodus 16;9) The Israelites did not have to be transported to heaven in order to stand before Jehovah on that occasion. (Compare Leviticus 24:8) Rather, right there in the wilderness they stood in Jehovah's view, and his attention was on them.
Additionally, we read: " When the Son of man arrives in his glory. . . all the nations will be gathered before him." The whole human race is not in heaven when this prophecy is fulfilled. Certainly, those who "depart into everlasting cutting-off" are not in heaven. (Matthew 25:31-33, 41,46) Instead, mankind stands on earth in Jesus' view, and he turns his attention to judging them. Similarly,the great crowd is "before the throne and before the Lamb" in that it stands in the view of Jehovah and his King, Christ Jesus, from whom it receives a favorable judgment.
The 24 elders and the anointed group of 144,000 are described as being "round about the throne" of Jehovah and "upon the [heavenly] Mount Zion." (Revelation 4:4; 14:1) The great crowd is not a priestly class and does not attain to that exalted position. True, it is later described at Revelation 7:15 as serving God "in his temple." But this temple does not refer to the inner sanctuary, the Most Holy. Rather, it is the earthly courtyard of God's spiritual temple. The Greek word na-os', here translated "temple," often conveys the broad sense of the entire edifice erected for Jehovah's worship. Today, this is a spiritual structure that embraces both heaven and earth. -Compare Matthew 26:61; 27:5, 39, 40; Mark 15:29, 30; John 2:19-21, New World Translation Reference Bible, footnote.
Next time: A Universal Shout Of Praise
Additionally, we read: " When the Son of man arrives in his glory. . . all the nations will be gathered before him." The whole human race is not in heaven when this prophecy is fulfilled. Certainly, those who "depart into everlasting cutting-off" are not in heaven. (Matthew 25:31-33, 41,46) Instead, mankind stands on earth in Jesus' view, and he turns his attention to judging them. Similarly,the great crowd is "before the throne and before the Lamb" in that it stands in the view of Jehovah and his King, Christ Jesus, from whom it receives a favorable judgment.
The 24 elders and the anointed group of 144,000 are described as being "round about the throne" of Jehovah and "upon the [heavenly] Mount Zion." (Revelation 4:4; 14:1) The great crowd is not a priestly class and does not attain to that exalted position. True, it is later described at Revelation 7:15 as serving God "in his temple." But this temple does not refer to the inner sanctuary, the Most Holy. Rather, it is the earthly courtyard of God's spiritual temple. The Greek word na-os', here translated "temple," often conveys the broad sense of the entire edifice erected for Jehovah's worship. Today, this is a spiritual structure that embraces both heaven and earth. -Compare Matthew 26:61; 27:5, 39, 40; Mark 15:29, 30; John 2:19-21, New World Translation Reference Bible, footnote.
Next time: A Universal Shout Of Praise
10.27.2007
Continue Confirming The Identity Of The Great Crowd
It is fitting, then, that the great crowd, though no part of spiritual Israel, should wave palm branches, since they joyfully and gratefully ascribe that victory and salvation to God and to the Lamb, as John here observes: " And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: 'Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.' " (Revelation 7:10) Although they have been separated out of all ethnic groups,the great crowd cry out with just that one "loud voice." How can they do this, despite their diversity of nations and languages?
This great crowd is part of the only truly united multinational organization on earth today. They do not have different standards for different countries but apply the Bible's right principles consistently wherever they live. They are not involved in nationalistic, revolutionary movements but have truly 'beaten swords into plowshares.' (Isaiah 2:4) They are not divided into sects or denominations, so that they shout confused or mutually contradictory messages as do the religions of Christendom, nor do they leave it to a professional clergy class to do their praising for them. They do not cry out that they owe salvation to the holy spirit, for they are not servants of a trinitarian god. In some 200 geographical territories around the earth, they are at one in calling upon the name of Jehovah as they speak the one pure language of truth. (Zephaniah 3:9) Properly, they publicly acknowledge that their salvation comes from Jehovah, the God of Salvation, through Jesus Christ, His Chief Agent of Salvation.- Psalm 3:8; Hebrews 2:10.
Modern technology has helped to make the loud voice of the untied great crowd sound even louder. No other religious group on earth has need of publishing Bible study aids in more than 200 languages, since no other group is interested in reaching all peoples of the earth with one united message. As a further aid in this, under the supervision of the anointed Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a Multi language Electronic Phototypesetting System (MEPS) was developed. At the time of this writing, various forms of MEPS are used in more than 60 of the Watch Tower Society's branches around the earth, and this has helped to make possible publication of their principal semi-monthly journal, the Watchtower, in 39 languages simultaneously. Jehovah's people also simultaneously publish books, such as this one, in a number of languages. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses, of whom the great crowd make up the vast majority, are able yearly to distribute hundreds of millions of publications in all the better-known languages, enabling additional throngs out of all tribes and tongues to study God's Word and join their voices to the loud voice of the great crowd. -Isaiah 42:10, 12.
Next time: In Heaven Or On Earth?
This great crowd is part of the only truly united multinational organization on earth today. They do not have different standards for different countries but apply the Bible's right principles consistently wherever they live. They are not involved in nationalistic, revolutionary movements but have truly 'beaten swords into plowshares.' (Isaiah 2:4) They are not divided into sects or denominations, so that they shout confused or mutually contradictory messages as do the religions of Christendom, nor do they leave it to a professional clergy class to do their praising for them. They do not cry out that they owe salvation to the holy spirit, for they are not servants of a trinitarian god. In some 200 geographical territories around the earth, they are at one in calling upon the name of Jehovah as they speak the one pure language of truth. (Zephaniah 3:9) Properly, they publicly acknowledge that their salvation comes from Jehovah, the God of Salvation, through Jesus Christ, His Chief Agent of Salvation.- Psalm 3:8; Hebrews 2:10.
Modern technology has helped to make the loud voice of the untied great crowd sound even louder. No other religious group on earth has need of publishing Bible study aids in more than 200 languages, since no other group is interested in reaching all peoples of the earth with one united message. As a further aid in this, under the supervision of the anointed Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, a Multi language Electronic Phototypesetting System (MEPS) was developed. At the time of this writing, various forms of MEPS are used in more than 60 of the Watch Tower Society's branches around the earth, and this has helped to make possible publication of their principal semi-monthly journal, the Watchtower, in 39 languages simultaneously. Jehovah's people also simultaneously publish books, such as this one, in a number of languages. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses, of whom the great crowd make up the vast majority, are able yearly to distribute hundreds of millions of publications in all the better-known languages, enabling additional throngs out of all tribes and tongues to study God's Word and join their voices to the loud voice of the great crowd. -Isaiah 42:10, 12.
Next time: In Heaven Or On Earth?
10.26.2007
Confirming The Identity Of The Great Crowd
How can we state so positively that the great crowd is this modern -day group of dedicated Christians who hope to live forever on God's earth? Previously, John had seen in vision the heavenly group "bought. . .for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." (Revelation 5;9, 10) The great crowd have a similar origin but a different destiny. Unlike the Israel of God, their number is not predetermined. No man can tell in advance how many there will be. Their robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb, symbolizing that they have a righteous standing before Jehovah by virtue of their faith in Jesus' sacrifice. (Revelation 7:14) And they are waving palm branches, hailing Messiah as their King.
As he looks on in this vision, John's thoughts must be taking him back more than 60 years to Jesus' last week on earth. On Nisan 9, 33 C.E., when the crowds flocked to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem, they "took the branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. And they began to shout: 'Save, we pray you! Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah's name, even the king of Israel!' " (John 12:12, 13) In like fashion, the waving of palm branches and crying out on the part of the great crowd shows their unbridled joy in accepting Jesus as Jehovah's appointed King.
Doubtless, the palm branches and exulting cries also remind John of the ancient Israelite Festival of Booths. For this festival Jehovah commanded: "And you must take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, the fronds of palm trees and the boughs of branchy trees and poplars of the torrent valley, and you must rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days." The palm branches were used as a mark of rejoicing. the temporary booths were a reminder that Jehovah had saved his people out of Egypt, to live in tents in the wilderness. "The alien resident and the fatherless boy and the widow" share in this festival. All Israel were to "become nothing but joyful." -Leviticus 23:40; Deuteronomy 16:13-15.
Next time: Continue with the above subject
As he looks on in this vision, John's thoughts must be taking him back more than 60 years to Jesus' last week on earth. On Nisan 9, 33 C.E., when the crowds flocked to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem, they "took the branches of palm trees and went out to meet him. And they began to shout: 'Save, we pray you! Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah's name, even the king of Israel!' " (John 12:12, 13) In like fashion, the waving of palm branches and crying out on the part of the great crowd shows their unbridled joy in accepting Jesus as Jehovah's appointed King.
Doubtless, the palm branches and exulting cries also remind John of the ancient Israelite Festival of Booths. For this festival Jehovah commanded: "And you must take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, the fronds of palm trees and the boughs of branchy trees and poplars of the torrent valley, and you must rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days." The palm branches were used as a mark of rejoicing. the temporary booths were a reminder that Jehovah had saved his people out of Egypt, to live in tents in the wilderness. "The alien resident and the fatherless boy and the widow" share in this festival. All Israel were to "become nothing but joyful." -Leviticus 23:40; Deuteronomy 16:13-15.
Next time: Continue with the above subject
10.25.2007
A Multitudinous Great Crowd
Having described the sealing of 144,000, John goes on to report one of the most exciting revelations in all Scripture. His heart must have leaped with joy as he reported it, saying: "After these things I saw, and, Look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands." (Revelation 7:9) Yes, the holding back of the four winds allows for the salvation of another group besides the 144,000 members of spiritual Israel: a multi-language, international great crowd. -Revelation 7;1.
Worldly commentators have interpreted this great crowd to be fleshly non-Jews converted to Christianity or to be heaven-bound Christian martyrs. Even the Bible Students in the past regarded them as a secondary heavenly class, as noted in 1886 in Volume I of Studies in the Scriptures, The Divine Plan of the Ages: "They lose the prize of the throne and the divine nature, but will finally reach birth as spirit beings of an order lower than the divine nature. Though these are truly consecrated, they are overcome by the worldly spirit to such an extent that they fail to render their lives in sacrifice." And as late as 1930, the thought was expressed in Light Book One:"Those who make up this great crowd fail to respond to the invitation to become the zealous witnesses for the Lord." They were described as a self-righteous group that has a knowledge of the truth but did little about preaching it. They were to get to heaven as a secondary class that would not share in reigning with Christ.
There were, however, other associates of the anointed Christians who later became most zealous in the preaching work. They had no aspirations of going to heaven. Indeed, their hope was in line with the title of a public talk featured by Jehovah's people from 1918 to 1922. Originally, this was "The World Has Ended-Millions Now Living Will Never Die." Soon thereafter, the Watch Tower magazine of October 15, 1923, explained Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), stating: "Sheep represent all the peoples of the Nations, not spirit-begotten but disposed toward righteousness, who mentally acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Lord and who are looking for and hoping for a better time under his reign."
Some years later, in 1931, Vindication, Book One, discussed Ezekiel chapter 9, identifying those persons marked on the forehead for preservation at the world's end as the sheep of the above parable. Vindication, Book Three, released in 1932, described the upright heart attitude of the non-Israelite man Jehonadab, who joined Israel's anointed King Jehu in his chariot and went along to see Jehu's zeal in executing false religionists. (2 Kings 10;15-17) The book commented: "Jehonadab represented or foreshadowed that class of people now on the earth during the time that the Jehu work [of declaring Jehovah's judgments] is in progress who are of good will, are out of harmony with Satan's organization, who take their stand on the side of righteousness, and are the ones whom the Lord will preserve during the time of Armageddon, take them through that trouble, and give them everlasting life on the earth. These constitute the 'sheep class." In 1934 the Watchtower made it clear that these Christians with earthly hopes should make a dedication to Jehovah and be baptized. The light regarding this earthly class was shining ever brighter. -Proverbs 4:18
The understanding of Revelation 7:9-17 was not about to burst forth in all its sparkling brilliance! (Psalm 97:11) The Watchtower magazine had repeatedly expressed the hope that a convention scheduled for May 30 to June 3, 1935, in Washington D.C., U.S.A., would be "a real comfort and benefit" to those pictured by Jehonadab. That it proved to be! In a stirring talk on "The Great Multitude, " delivered to about 20,000 conventioneers, J.F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Society, gave Scriptural proof that the modern-day other sheep are identical with that great crowd of Revelation 7;9. At the climax of this talk, the speaker asked: "Will all those who have the hope of living forever on the earth please stand?" As a large part of the audience stood up, the president declared: "Behold! the great multitude!" There was a hush, followed by thunderous cheering. How elated was the John class-and also the Jehonadab group! On the following day, 840 new Witnesses were baptized, most of these professing to be that of the great crowd.
Next time: Confirming The Identity Of The Great Crowd
Worldly commentators have interpreted this great crowd to be fleshly non-Jews converted to Christianity or to be heaven-bound Christian martyrs. Even the Bible Students in the past regarded them as a secondary heavenly class, as noted in 1886 in Volume I of Studies in the Scriptures, The Divine Plan of the Ages: "They lose the prize of the throne and the divine nature, but will finally reach birth as spirit beings of an order lower than the divine nature. Though these are truly consecrated, they are overcome by the worldly spirit to such an extent that they fail to render their lives in sacrifice." And as late as 1930, the thought was expressed in Light Book One:"Those who make up this great crowd fail to respond to the invitation to become the zealous witnesses for the Lord." They were described as a self-righteous group that has a knowledge of the truth but did little about preaching it. They were to get to heaven as a secondary class that would not share in reigning with Christ.
There were, however, other associates of the anointed Christians who later became most zealous in the preaching work. They had no aspirations of going to heaven. Indeed, their hope was in line with the title of a public talk featured by Jehovah's people from 1918 to 1922. Originally, this was "The World Has Ended-Millions Now Living Will Never Die." Soon thereafter, the Watch Tower magazine of October 15, 1923, explained Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), stating: "Sheep represent all the peoples of the Nations, not spirit-begotten but disposed toward righteousness, who mentally acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Lord and who are looking for and hoping for a better time under his reign."
Some years later, in 1931, Vindication, Book One, discussed Ezekiel chapter 9, identifying those persons marked on the forehead for preservation at the world's end as the sheep of the above parable. Vindication, Book Three, released in 1932, described the upright heart attitude of the non-Israelite man Jehonadab, who joined Israel's anointed King Jehu in his chariot and went along to see Jehu's zeal in executing false religionists. (2 Kings 10;15-17) The book commented: "Jehonadab represented or foreshadowed that class of people now on the earth during the time that the Jehu work [of declaring Jehovah's judgments] is in progress who are of good will, are out of harmony with Satan's organization, who take their stand on the side of righteousness, and are the ones whom the Lord will preserve during the time of Armageddon, take them through that trouble, and give them everlasting life on the earth. These constitute the 'sheep class." In 1934 the Watchtower made it clear that these Christians with earthly hopes should make a dedication to Jehovah and be baptized. The light regarding this earthly class was shining ever brighter. -Proverbs 4:18
The understanding of Revelation 7:9-17 was not about to burst forth in all its sparkling brilliance! (Psalm 97:11) The Watchtower magazine had repeatedly expressed the hope that a convention scheduled for May 30 to June 3, 1935, in Washington D.C., U.S.A., would be "a real comfort and benefit" to those pictured by Jehonadab. That it proved to be! In a stirring talk on "The Great Multitude, " delivered to about 20,000 conventioneers, J.F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Society, gave Scriptural proof that the modern-day other sheep are identical with that great crowd of Revelation 7;9. At the climax of this talk, the speaker asked: "Will all those who have the hope of living forever on the earth please stand?" As a large part of the audience stood up, the president declared: "Behold! the great multitude!" There was a hush, followed by thunderous cheering. How elated was the John class-and also the Jehonadab group! On the following day, 840 new Witnesses were baptized, most of these professing to be that of the great crowd.
Next time: Confirming The Identity Of The Great Crowd
10.24.2007
The Israel Of God Today
Interestingly, the first president of the Watch Tower Society, Charles T. Russell, recognized the 144,000 to be a literal number of individuals making up a spiritual Israel. In the New Creation, Volume VI of his Studies in the Scriptures, published in 1904, he wrote: " We have every reason to believe that the definite, fixed number of the elect [chosen anointed ones] is that several times stated in Revelation ( 7:4; 14:1); namely, 144,000 members 'redeemed from amongst men.' " In Light Book One, published in 1930 by the Watch Tower Society's president, J.F. Rutherford, it was likewise stated: "The 144,000 members of the holy body of Christ are thus in the assembly shown as selected and anointed, or sealed." Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently held to the view that literally 144,000 anointed Christians make up spiritual Israel.
Nevertheless, does not natural Israel today merit some special favor? In the period just prior to the Lord's day, when sincere Bible students were rediscovering many of the basic truths of God's Word, it was thought that with the ending of the Gentile Times the Jews would again enjoy a privileged standing before God. Thus, C.T. Russell's book The Time Is At Hand (Volume II of studies in the Scriptures ). published in 1889, applied Jeremiah 31:29-34 to the natural Jews, and commented: "The worls is witness to the fact that Israel's punishment under the dominion of the Gentiles has been continuous since B.C. [607], that it still continues, and that there is no reason to expect their national re-organization sooner than A.D. 1914, the limit of their 'seven times'-2520years." It seemed that the Jews would then experience a national restoration, and this prospect apparently brightened in 1917, when the Balfour Declaration pledged British support for making Palestine a national home for the Jews.
Following the first world war, Palestine became a mandated territory under Great Britain, and the way opened for many Jews to return to that land. In 1948 the political State of Israel was brought forth. Did this not indicate that the Jews were in line for divine blessings? For many years, Jehovah's Witnesses believed that this was so. Thus, in 1925 they published a 128- page book, Comfort for the Jews. In 1929 they released an attractive 360-page volume. Life, designed to appeal to the Jews and dealing also with the Bible book of Job. Great efforts were made, especially in New York City, to reach the Jews with this Messianic message. Happily, a few individuals responded, but the Jews by and large, like their forefathers of the first century, rejected the evidence of Messiah's presence.
It was obvious that Jewry, as a people and as a nation, was not the Israel described in Revelation 7:4-8 or other Bible prophecies related to the Lord's day. Following tradition, the Jews continues to avoid using the divine name. (Matthew 15:1-3, 7-9) In discussing Jeremiah 31:31-34, the book Jehovah published by the Watch Tower Society in 1934, stated conclusively: "The new covenant has nothing to do with the natural descendants of Israel and with mankind in general, but. . . is limited to spiritual Israel." The Bible's restoration prophecies relate neither to the natural Jews nor to political Israel, which is a member of the United Nations and a part of the world that Jesus spoke of at John 14:9, 30 and 18:36.
In 1931 God's slaves on earth had received, the great joy, the name of Jehovah's Witnesses. they could subscribe wholeheartedly to the words of Psalm 97:11: "Light itself has flashed up for the righteous one, and rejoicing even for the ones upright in heart." They could clearly discern that spiritual Israel alone had been brought into the new covenant. (Hebrews 9:15; 12:22,24) Unresponsive natural Israel had no part therein, nor did mankind in general. This understanding cleared the way for a brilliant flash of divine light, outstanding in the annals of theocratic history. This would reveal how abundantly Jehovah extends his mercy, loving-kindness, and truth to all humans who draw close to him. (Exodus 34:6; James 4:8) Yes, others besides the Israel of God would benefit by the angels' holding back the four winds of destruction. Who might these be? Could you be one of them? Let us now see.
Next time: A Multitudinous Great Crowd
Nevertheless, does not natural Israel today merit some special favor? In the period just prior to the Lord's day, when sincere Bible students were rediscovering many of the basic truths of God's Word, it was thought that with the ending of the Gentile Times the Jews would again enjoy a privileged standing before God. Thus, C.T. Russell's book The Time Is At Hand (Volume II of studies in the Scriptures ). published in 1889, applied Jeremiah 31:29-34 to the natural Jews, and commented: "The worls is witness to the fact that Israel's punishment under the dominion of the Gentiles has been continuous since B.C. [607], that it still continues, and that there is no reason to expect their national re-organization sooner than A.D. 1914, the limit of their 'seven times'-2520years." It seemed that the Jews would then experience a national restoration, and this prospect apparently brightened in 1917, when the Balfour Declaration pledged British support for making Palestine a national home for the Jews.
Following the first world war, Palestine became a mandated territory under Great Britain, and the way opened for many Jews to return to that land. In 1948 the political State of Israel was brought forth. Did this not indicate that the Jews were in line for divine blessings? For many years, Jehovah's Witnesses believed that this was so. Thus, in 1925 they published a 128- page book, Comfort for the Jews. In 1929 they released an attractive 360-page volume. Life, designed to appeal to the Jews and dealing also with the Bible book of Job. Great efforts were made, especially in New York City, to reach the Jews with this Messianic message. Happily, a few individuals responded, but the Jews by and large, like their forefathers of the first century, rejected the evidence of Messiah's presence.
It was obvious that Jewry, as a people and as a nation, was not the Israel described in Revelation 7:4-8 or other Bible prophecies related to the Lord's day. Following tradition, the Jews continues to avoid using the divine name. (Matthew 15:1-3, 7-9) In discussing Jeremiah 31:31-34, the book Jehovah published by the Watch Tower Society in 1934, stated conclusively: "The new covenant has nothing to do with the natural descendants of Israel and with mankind in general, but. . . is limited to spiritual Israel." The Bible's restoration prophecies relate neither to the natural Jews nor to political Israel, which is a member of the United Nations and a part of the world that Jesus spoke of at John 14:9, 30 and 18:36.
In 1931 God's slaves on earth had received, the great joy, the name of Jehovah's Witnesses. they could subscribe wholeheartedly to the words of Psalm 97:11: "Light itself has flashed up for the righteous one, and rejoicing even for the ones upright in heart." They could clearly discern that spiritual Israel alone had been brought into the new covenant. (Hebrews 9:15; 12:22,24) Unresponsive natural Israel had no part therein, nor did mankind in general. This understanding cleared the way for a brilliant flash of divine light, outstanding in the annals of theocratic history. This would reveal how abundantly Jehovah extends his mercy, loving-kindness, and truth to all humans who draw close to him. (Exodus 34:6; James 4:8) Yes, others besides the Israel of God would benefit by the angels' holding back the four winds of destruction. Who might these be? Could you be one of them? Let us now see.
Next time: A Multitudinous Great Crowd
10.23.2007
How Many Are Sealed?
Jesus said to those in line for this sealing: "Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) Other scriptures, such as Revelation 6:11 and Romans 11:25, indicate that the number of this little flock is indeed limited and, in fact, predetermined. John's next words confirm this: " And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel: Out of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed: out of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand; out of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand sealed." -Revelation 7:4-8.
Could this not be a reference to literal fleshly Israel? No, for Revelation 7:4-8 diverges from the usual tribal listing. (Numbers 1:17, 47) Obviously, the listing here is not for the purpose of identifying fleshly Jews by their tribes but to show a similar organizational structure for spiritual Israel. This is balanced. There are to be exactly 144,000 members of this new nation-12,000 from each of the twelve tribes. No tribe in this Israel of God is exclusively royal or priestly. The whole nation is to rule as kings, and the whole nation is to serve as priests.- Galatians 6:16; Revelation 20:4, 6.
Although the natural Jews and Jewish proselytes were given the first opportunity to be chosen for spiritual Israel, only a minority of that nation responded. Jehovah therefore extended the invitation to the Gentiles. (John 1:10-13; Acts 2:4, 7-11; Romans 11:7) As in the case of the Ephesians, who previously had been "alienated from the state of Israel," now non-Jews could be sealed with God's spirit and become part of the congregation of anointed Christians. (Ephesians 2:11-13; 3:5, 6; Acts 15;14) It is appropriate, then, for the twenty-four elders to sing before the Lamb: "With your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth." -Revelation 5:9, 10.
The Christian congregation is "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." (1 Peter 2:9) Replacing natural Israel as God's nation, it becomes a new Israel that is "really 'Israel.' " (Romans 9:6-8; Matthew 21:43) For this reason, it was quite proper for Jesus' half brother James to address his pastoral letter "to the twelve tribes that are scattered about," that is, to the worldwide congregation of anointed Christians that in time would number 144,000. -James 1:1.
Next time: The Israel Of God Today
Could this not be a reference to literal fleshly Israel? No, for Revelation 7:4-8 diverges from the usual tribal listing. (Numbers 1:17, 47) Obviously, the listing here is not for the purpose of identifying fleshly Jews by their tribes but to show a similar organizational structure for spiritual Israel. This is balanced. There are to be exactly 144,000 members of this new nation-12,000 from each of the twelve tribes. No tribe in this Israel of God is exclusively royal or priestly. The whole nation is to rule as kings, and the whole nation is to serve as priests.- Galatians 6:16; Revelation 20:4, 6.
Although the natural Jews and Jewish proselytes were given the first opportunity to be chosen for spiritual Israel, only a minority of that nation responded. Jehovah therefore extended the invitation to the Gentiles. (John 1:10-13; Acts 2:4, 7-11; Romans 11:7) As in the case of the Ephesians, who previously had been "alienated from the state of Israel," now non-Jews could be sealed with God's spirit and become part of the congregation of anointed Christians. (Ephesians 2:11-13; 3:5, 6; Acts 15;14) It is appropriate, then, for the twenty-four elders to sing before the Lamb: "With your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth." -Revelation 5:9, 10.
The Christian congregation is "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation." (1 Peter 2:9) Replacing natural Israel as God's nation, it becomes a new Israel that is "really 'Israel.' " (Romans 9:6-8; Matthew 21:43) For this reason, it was quite proper for Jesus' half brother James to address his pastoral letter "to the twelve tribes that are scattered about," that is, to the worldwide congregation of anointed Christians that in time would number 144,000. -James 1:1.
Next time: The Israel Of God Today
10.22.2007
The Sealing Of God's Slaves
John goes on to describe how some will be marked for survival, saying: "And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrising, having a seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying: 'Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.' " -Revelation 7:2,3.
Though this fifth angel is not named, all the evidence indicates that he must be the glorified Lord Jesus. In line with Jesus' being the Archangel, he is here shown to have authority over the other angels. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9) He ascends from the east, like "the kings from the rising of the sin" -Jehovah and his Christ-who come to execute judgment, as did kings Darius and Cyrus when they humbled the ancient Babylon. (Revelation 16:12; Isaiah 45:1; Jeremiah 51:11; Daniel 5:31) This angel also resembles Jesus in that he is entrusted with sealing the anointed Christians. (Ephesus 1:13, 14) Further, when the winds are unleashed, it is Jesus who leads the heavenly armies in executing judgment on the nations. (Revelation 19:11-16) Logically, then, Jesus would be the one to command that destruction of Satan's earthly organization be held back until God's slaves are sealed.
What is this sealing, and who are these slaves of God? The sealing began at Pentecost 33 C.E. when the first Jewish Christians were anointed with holy spirit. Later, God proceeded to call out and anoint "people of the nations." (Romans 3:29; Acts 2:1-4, 14, 32, 33; 15:14) The apostle Paul wrote about anointed Christians' having a guarantee that they "belong to Christ" and added that God "has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is the spirit, in our hearts." (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; compare Revelation 14:1) Thus, when these slaves are adopted as God's anointed spiritual sons, they receive a token in advance of their heavenly inheritance-a seal, or pledge. (2 Corinthians 5:1, 5; Ephesians 1:10, 11) They can then say: "The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together." -Romans 8;15-17.
"Provided we suffer together-what does that mean? In order to receive the crown of life, anointed Christians must endure, faithful event to the death. (Revelation 2:10) it is not a matter of 'once saved, always saved.' (Matthew 10:22; Luke 13:24) Rather, they are admonished: "Do your utmost to make the calling and choosing of you sure for yourselves." Like the apostle Paul, ultimately they must be able to say: "I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith." (2 Peter 1:10, 11; 2 Timothy 4:7, 8) SO here on earth the testing and sifting of the remaining spirit begotten sons of God must go on until Jesus and his accompanying angels will have firmly implanted the seal 'in the forehead of all of these, identifying them conclusively, irrevocably, as tried and faithful "slaves of our God." That seal then becomes a permanent mark. Evidently, when the four winds of tribulation are unleashed, all of spiritual Israel will have been sealed in finality, even though a few will still be alive in the flesh. (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 19:7) The entire membership will be complete! -Romans 11:25, 26.
Next time: How Many Are Sealed?
Though this fifth angel is not named, all the evidence indicates that he must be the glorified Lord Jesus. In line with Jesus' being the Archangel, he is here shown to have authority over the other angels. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9) He ascends from the east, like "the kings from the rising of the sin" -Jehovah and his Christ-who come to execute judgment, as did kings Darius and Cyrus when they humbled the ancient Babylon. (Revelation 16:12; Isaiah 45:1; Jeremiah 51:11; Daniel 5:31) This angel also resembles Jesus in that he is entrusted with sealing the anointed Christians. (Ephesus 1:13, 14) Further, when the winds are unleashed, it is Jesus who leads the heavenly armies in executing judgment on the nations. (Revelation 19:11-16) Logically, then, Jesus would be the one to command that destruction of Satan's earthly organization be held back until God's slaves are sealed.
What is this sealing, and who are these slaves of God? The sealing began at Pentecost 33 C.E. when the first Jewish Christians were anointed with holy spirit. Later, God proceeded to call out and anoint "people of the nations." (Romans 3:29; Acts 2:1-4, 14, 32, 33; 15:14) The apostle Paul wrote about anointed Christians' having a guarantee that they "belong to Christ" and added that God "has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is the spirit, in our hearts." (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; compare Revelation 14:1) Thus, when these slaves are adopted as God's anointed spiritual sons, they receive a token in advance of their heavenly inheritance-a seal, or pledge. (2 Corinthians 5:1, 5; Ephesians 1:10, 11) They can then say: "The spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are God's children. If, then, we are children, we are also heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ, provided we suffer together." -Romans 8;15-17.
"Provided we suffer together-what does that mean? In order to receive the crown of life, anointed Christians must endure, faithful event to the death. (Revelation 2:10) it is not a matter of 'once saved, always saved.' (Matthew 10:22; Luke 13:24) Rather, they are admonished: "Do your utmost to make the calling and choosing of you sure for yourselves." Like the apostle Paul, ultimately they must be able to say: "I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith." (2 Peter 1:10, 11; 2 Timothy 4:7, 8) SO here on earth the testing and sifting of the remaining spirit begotten sons of God must go on until Jesus and his accompanying angels will have firmly implanted the seal 'in the forehead of all of these, identifying them conclusively, irrevocably, as tried and faithful "slaves of our God." That seal then becomes a permanent mark. Evidently, when the four winds of tribulation are unleashed, all of spiritual Israel will have been sealed in finality, even though a few will still be alive in the flesh. (Matthew 24:13; Revelation 19:7) The entire membership will be complete! -Romans 11:25, 26.
Next time: How Many Are Sealed?
10.21.2007
The Four Winds
Before Jehovah unleashes this fury, heavenly angels perform a special service. John now beholds this in vision: "After this I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow upon the earth or upon the sea or upon any tree." (Revelation 7:1) What does this mean for us today? These "four winds" are a vivid symbol of destructive judgment about to be let loose on a wicked earthly society, on the surging "sea" of lawless humanity, and on lofty treelike rulers that draw support and sustenance from the people of the earth. -Isaiah 57:20; Psalm 37:35, 36.
No doubt, these four angels represent four angelic groups, whom Jehovah uses to hold back the execution of judgment until the appointed time. When the angels release those winds of divine wrath to whirl at one time from north, south, east and west, the devastation will be tremendous. It will resemble, but on a stupendous scale, Jehovah's use of the four winds to scatter the ancient Elamites, shattering and exterminating them. (Jeremiah 49:36-38) It will be a gigantic storm wind far more devastating than the "tempest" by which Jehovah annihilated the nation of Ammon. (Amos 1:13-15) No part of Satan's organization on earth will be able to stand in the day of Jehovah's fury, when he vindicates his sovereignty for all eternity to come. -Psalm 83:15, 18; Isaiah 29:5, 6.
Can we be sure that God's judgments will ravage the entire earth? Listen again to his prophet Jeremiah: "Look! a calamity is going forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest itself will be roused up from the remotest parts of the earth. And those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth." (Jeremiah 25:32, 33) It is during this tempestuous storm that darkness will engulf this world. its ruling agencies will be shaken into oblivion. (Revelation 6:12-14) But the future will not be dark for everyone. For whose sake, then, are the four winds held back?
Next time: The Sealing Of God's Slaves.
No doubt, these four angels represent four angelic groups, whom Jehovah uses to hold back the execution of judgment until the appointed time. When the angels release those winds of divine wrath to whirl at one time from north, south, east and west, the devastation will be tremendous. It will resemble, but on a stupendous scale, Jehovah's use of the four winds to scatter the ancient Elamites, shattering and exterminating them. (Jeremiah 49:36-38) It will be a gigantic storm wind far more devastating than the "tempest" by which Jehovah annihilated the nation of Ammon. (Amos 1:13-15) No part of Satan's organization on earth will be able to stand in the day of Jehovah's fury, when he vindicates his sovereignty for all eternity to come. -Psalm 83:15, 18; Isaiah 29:5, 6.
Can we be sure that God's judgments will ravage the entire earth? Listen again to his prophet Jeremiah: "Look! a calamity is going forth from nation to nation, and a great tempest itself will be roused up from the remotest parts of the earth. And those slain by Jehovah will certainly come to be in that day from one end of the earth clear to the other end of the earth." (Jeremiah 25:32, 33) It is during this tempestuous storm that darkness will engulf this world. its ruling agencies will be shaken into oblivion. (Revelation 6:12-14) But the future will not be dark for everyone. For whose sake, then, are the four winds held back?
Next time: The Sealing Of God's Slaves.
10.20.2007
Sealing The Israel Of God
"Who is able to stand? (Revelation 6:17) Yes, who indeed? When the great day of divine wrath devastates Satan's system,rulers and peoples of the world may well as that question. To them it will appear that the impending cataclysm will snuff out all human life. But will it? Happily, God's prophet assures us: "Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe." (Joel 2:32) The apostles Peter and Paul confirm that fact. (Acts 2:19-21; Romans 10:13) Yes, those who call on the name of Jehovah will be survivors. Who are these ones? As the next vision unfolds, we shall see.
It is truly remarkable that anyone should come through Jehovah's day of judgments alive, for another of God's prophets describes it in these words: Look! a windstorm of Jehovah, rage itself, has gone forth, an onward-sweeping tempest. Upon the head of the wicked ones it will whirl. The burning anger of Jehovah will not turn back until he will have executed and until he will have carried out the ideas of his heart." (Jeremiah 30:23, 24) It is urgent that we take steps to weather that storm! -Proverbs 2:22; Isaiah 55:6, 7; Zephaniah 2;2,3).
Next time: The Four Winds
It is truly remarkable that anyone should come through Jehovah's day of judgments alive, for another of God's prophets describes it in these words: Look! a windstorm of Jehovah, rage itself, has gone forth, an onward-sweeping tempest. Upon the head of the wicked ones it will whirl. The burning anger of Jehovah will not turn back until he will have executed and until he will have carried out the ideas of his heart." (Jeremiah 30:23, 24) It is urgent that we take steps to weather that storm! -Proverbs 2:22; Isaiah 55:6, 7; Zephaniah 2;2,3).
Next time: The Four Winds
10.19.2007
"Fall Over Us And Hide Us"
John's words continue: "And the kings of the earth and the top-ranking ones and the military commanders and the rich and the strong ones and every slave and every free person hid themselves in the caves and in the rock-masses of the mountains. And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rock-masses: 'Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?' " -Revelation 6:15-17.
When Hosea was pronouncing Jehovah's judgment on Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, he said: "The high places of Beth-aven, the sin of Israel, will actually be annihilated. Thorns and thistles themselves will come up upon their altars. And people will in fact say to the mountains, 'Cover us!' And to the hills, 'fall over us!' " (Hosea 10:8) How were these words fulfilled? Well, when Samaria fell to the cruel Assyrians in 740 B.C.E., there was nowhere for the Israelites to run. The words of Hosea express the feeling of helplessness, abject terror and abandonment that the conquered people felt. Neither the literal hills nor the mountain like institutions of Samaria could protect them, even though they had seemed so permanent in the past.
Similarly, when Jesus was being led to his death by the Roman soldiers, he addressed the women of Jerusalem and said: ""Days are coming in which people will say, 'Happy are the barren women, and the wombs that did not give birth and the breasts that did not nurse!" Then they will start to say to the mountains, 'Fall over us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us over!' " (Luke 23:29, 30) The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E. is well documented, and it is evident that Jesus' words had an import similar to that of Hosea's. There was no hiding place then for the Jews who remained in Judea. Wherever they tribe to hide in Jerusalem, or even when they fled to the mountain top citadel of Masada, they were unable to escape the violent expression of Jehovah's judgment.
Now, the opening of the sixth seal has shown that something similar will happen during the coming day of Jehovah's wrath. At the final shaking of this earthly system of things, those committed to supporting it will desperately seek for a hiding place, but they will not find one. False religion, Babylon the Great, has already failed them miserably. Neither caves in the literal mountains nor symbolic mountain like political and commercial organizations will provide financial security or any other kind of help. Nothing will shelter them from Jehovah's wrath. Their terror is well described by Jesus: "Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in the heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."- Matthew 24:30.
Yes, those who have refused to recognize the authority of the victorious Rider of the white horse will be forced to admit their error. Humans who have willingly been part of the seed of the serpent will be faced with destruction when Satan's world passes away. (Genesis 3:15; 1 John 2:17) The world situation at that time will be such that many will, in effect, ask: "Who is able to stand?" They will apparently assume that no one at all can stand approved before Jehovah in that day of his judgment. But they will be wrong, as the book of Revelation goes on to show.
Next time: Sealing The Israel Of God
When Hosea was pronouncing Jehovah's judgment on Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, he said: "The high places of Beth-aven, the sin of Israel, will actually be annihilated. Thorns and thistles themselves will come up upon their altars. And people will in fact say to the mountains, 'Cover us!' And to the hills, 'fall over us!' " (Hosea 10:8) How were these words fulfilled? Well, when Samaria fell to the cruel Assyrians in 740 B.C.E., there was nowhere for the Israelites to run. The words of Hosea express the feeling of helplessness, abject terror and abandonment that the conquered people felt. Neither the literal hills nor the mountain like institutions of Samaria could protect them, even though they had seemed so permanent in the past.
Similarly, when Jesus was being led to his death by the Roman soldiers, he addressed the women of Jerusalem and said: ""Days are coming in which people will say, 'Happy are the barren women, and the wombs that did not give birth and the breasts that did not nurse!" Then they will start to say to the mountains, 'Fall over us!' and to the hills, 'Cover us over!' " (Luke 23:29, 30) The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E. is well documented, and it is evident that Jesus' words had an import similar to that of Hosea's. There was no hiding place then for the Jews who remained in Judea. Wherever they tribe to hide in Jerusalem, or even when they fled to the mountain top citadel of Masada, they were unable to escape the violent expression of Jehovah's judgment.
Now, the opening of the sixth seal has shown that something similar will happen during the coming day of Jehovah's wrath. At the final shaking of this earthly system of things, those committed to supporting it will desperately seek for a hiding place, but they will not find one. False religion, Babylon the Great, has already failed them miserably. Neither caves in the literal mountains nor symbolic mountain like political and commercial organizations will provide financial security or any other kind of help. Nothing will shelter them from Jehovah's wrath. Their terror is well described by Jesus: "Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in the heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."- Matthew 24:30.
Yes, those who have refused to recognize the authority of the victorious Rider of the white horse will be forced to admit their error. Humans who have willingly been part of the seed of the serpent will be faced with destruction when Satan's world passes away. (Genesis 3:15; 1 John 2:17) The world situation at that time will be such that many will, in effect, ask: "Who is able to stand?" They will apparently assume that no one at all can stand approved before Jehovah in that day of his judgment. But they will be wrong, as the book of Revelation goes on to show.
Next time: Sealing The Israel Of God
10.18.2007
"The Heaven" Departs
John's vision continues: "And the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and every island were removed from their places." (Revelation 6:14) Clearly, these are not the literal heavens or the literal mountains and islands. But what do they symbolize?
Regarding "the heaven," we are helped in our understanding by a similar prophecy that tells of Jehovah's rage against all the nations: "And all those of the army of the heavens must rot away. And the heavens must be rolled up, just like a book scroll." (Isaiah 34:4) Edom in particular must suffer. How? She was overrun by the Babylonians soon after the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. At that time, there were no outstanding events recorded as happening in the literal heavens. But there were catastrophic events in Edom's "heavens." Her human governmental powers were abased from their elevated, heaven like position. (Isaiah 34:5) They were "rolled up" and put aside, as it were, like an old scroll that was no longer of any use to anyone.
Thus, "the heaven" that is to 'depart as a scroll' refers to the anti-God governments that rule over this earth. they will be removed with finality by the all-conquering Rider of the white horse. (Revelation 19:11-16, 19-21) This is confirmed by what the apostle Peter said when he looked forward to the events signified by the opening of the sixth seal: "The heavens and the earth that are now, are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:7) But what about the expression, "every mountain and every island were removed from their places"?
In Bible prophecy, mountains and islands are said to rock or be otherwise destabilized at times of great political upheaval. For example, when foretelling Jehovah's judgments against Nineveh, the prophet Nahum wrote: " Mountains themselves have rocked because of him, and the very hills found themselves melting. And the earth will be up heaved because of his face." (Nahum 1:5) There is no record of any breaking up of literal mountains when Nineveh actually fell in 632 B.C.E. But a world power that previously had seemed mountain like in its strength suddenly collapsed.-Compare Jeremiah 4:24.
Therefore, "every mountain and every island" as referred to at the opening of the sixth seal would logically be political governments and dependent organizations of this world that have seemed so stable to many of mankind. They will be rocked right out of place, to the consternation and horror of those who have previously trusted in them. As the prophecy goes on to relate, there will be no question that the great day of the wrath of Jehovah and his Son - the final quaking that removes all of Satan's organization - has come with a vengeance!
Next time: "Fall Over Us And Hide Us"
Regarding "the heaven," we are helped in our understanding by a similar prophecy that tells of Jehovah's rage against all the nations: "And all those of the army of the heavens must rot away. And the heavens must be rolled up, just like a book scroll." (Isaiah 34:4) Edom in particular must suffer. How? She was overrun by the Babylonians soon after the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. At that time, there were no outstanding events recorded as happening in the literal heavens. But there were catastrophic events in Edom's "heavens." Her human governmental powers were abased from their elevated, heaven like position. (Isaiah 34:5) They were "rolled up" and put aside, as it were, like an old scroll that was no longer of any use to anyone.
Thus, "the heaven" that is to 'depart as a scroll' refers to the anti-God governments that rule over this earth. they will be removed with finality by the all-conquering Rider of the white horse. (Revelation 19:11-16, 19-21) This is confirmed by what the apostle Peter said when he looked forward to the events signified by the opening of the sixth seal: "The heavens and the earth that are now, are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:7) But what about the expression, "every mountain and every island were removed from their places"?
In Bible prophecy, mountains and islands are said to rock or be otherwise destabilized at times of great political upheaval. For example, when foretelling Jehovah's judgments against Nineveh, the prophet Nahum wrote: " Mountains themselves have rocked because of him, and the very hills found themselves melting. And the earth will be up heaved because of his face." (Nahum 1:5) There is no record of any breaking up of literal mountains when Nineveh actually fell in 632 B.C.E. But a world power that previously had seemed mountain like in its strength suddenly collapsed.-Compare Jeremiah 4:24.
Therefore, "every mountain and every island" as referred to at the opening of the sixth seal would logically be political governments and dependent organizations of this world that have seemed so stable to many of mankind. They will be rocked right out of place, to the consternation and horror of those who have previously trusted in them. As the prophecy goes on to relate, there will be no question that the great day of the wrath of Jehovah and his Son - the final quaking that removes all of Satan's organization - has come with a vengeance!
Next time: "Fall Over Us And Hide Us"
10.17.2007
A Time Of Darkness
As John goes on to show, the great earthquake is accompanied by terrifying events that involve even the heavens. He says:" And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, and the stars of the heaven fell to the earth, as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind casts its unripe figs." (Revelation 6:12b, 13) What a striking phenomenon! It represents the culmination of the catastrophic situation that Jesus had earlier prophesied about at Matthew 24:29. Can you imagine the frightening darkness that would result if the prophecy were fulfilled literally? No more warm, comforting sunlight by day! No more friendly silvery moonlight by night! And the myriad stars would no longer twinkly against the velvety backdrop of the sky. Instead, there would be cold, relentless darkness.
In a spiritual sense, such a darkness was prophesied for ancient Israel. Jeremiah warned: "A desolate waste is what the whole land will become, and I shall not carry out a sheer extermination? On this account the land will mourn, and the heavens above will certainly become dark." (Jeremiah 4:27, 28) In 607 B.C.E. when that prophecy was fulfilled, things were dark indeed for Jehovah's people. Their capital city, Jerusalem, fell to the Babylonians. Their temple was destroyed, and their land was abandoned. For them, there was no comforting light from heaven. Rather, it was as Jeremiah mournfully said to Jehovah: " You have killed, you have shown no compassion, you have blocked approach to yourself with a cloud mass, that prayer may not pass through." (Lamentations 3:43, 44) For Jerusalem, that celestial darkness meant death and destruction.
Later, a similar darkness in the heavens signified disaster for ancient Babylon. Of this, God's prophet was inspired to write: "Look! The day of Jehovah itself is coming, cruel both with fury and with burning anger, in order to make the land an object of astonishment, and that it may annihilate the land's sinners out of it. For the very stars of the heavens and their constellations of Kesil will not flash forth their light; the sun will actually grow dark at its going forth, and the moon itself will not cause its light to shine. And I shall certainly bring home its own badness upon the productive land, and their own error upon the wicked themselves." (Isaiah 13:9-11) This prophecy was fulfilled in 539 B.C.E. when Babylon fell to the Medes and the Persians. It well describes the blackness, the hopelessness, the lack of any comforting light for Babylon as she fell forever from her position as premier world power.
In a similar way, when the great earthquake strikes, this entire world system will be engulfed in the despair of total darkness. The bright, shining luminaries of Satan's earthly system will send forth no ray of hope. Already today, earth's political leaders, especially in Christendom, are notorious for their corruption, lying and immoral lifestyle. (Isaiah 28:14-19) No longer can they be trusted. Their flickering light will go into total eclipse when Jehovah executes judgment. Their moon like influence on earth's affairs will be exposed as bloodied, death dealing. their worldly superstars will be extinguished like plunging meteorites and scattered like unripe figs in a howling windstorm. Our entire globe will quake under a "great tribulation such as not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21) What a fearful prospect!
Next time: "The Heaven" Departs
In a spiritual sense, such a darkness was prophesied for ancient Israel. Jeremiah warned: "A desolate waste is what the whole land will become, and I shall not carry out a sheer extermination? On this account the land will mourn, and the heavens above will certainly become dark." (Jeremiah 4:27, 28) In 607 B.C.E. when that prophecy was fulfilled, things were dark indeed for Jehovah's people. Their capital city, Jerusalem, fell to the Babylonians. Their temple was destroyed, and their land was abandoned. For them, there was no comforting light from heaven. Rather, it was as Jeremiah mournfully said to Jehovah: " You have killed, you have shown no compassion, you have blocked approach to yourself with a cloud mass, that prayer may not pass through." (Lamentations 3:43, 44) For Jerusalem, that celestial darkness meant death and destruction.
Later, a similar darkness in the heavens signified disaster for ancient Babylon. Of this, God's prophet was inspired to write: "Look! The day of Jehovah itself is coming, cruel both with fury and with burning anger, in order to make the land an object of astonishment, and that it may annihilate the land's sinners out of it. For the very stars of the heavens and their constellations of Kesil will not flash forth their light; the sun will actually grow dark at its going forth, and the moon itself will not cause its light to shine. And I shall certainly bring home its own badness upon the productive land, and their own error upon the wicked themselves." (Isaiah 13:9-11) This prophecy was fulfilled in 539 B.C.E. when Babylon fell to the Medes and the Persians. It well describes the blackness, the hopelessness, the lack of any comforting light for Babylon as she fell forever from her position as premier world power.
In a similar way, when the great earthquake strikes, this entire world system will be engulfed in the despair of total darkness. The bright, shining luminaries of Satan's earthly system will send forth no ray of hope. Already today, earth's political leaders, especially in Christendom, are notorious for their corruption, lying and immoral lifestyle. (Isaiah 28:14-19) No longer can they be trusted. Their flickering light will go into total eclipse when Jehovah executes judgment. Their moon like influence on earth's affairs will be exposed as bloodied, death dealing. their worldly superstars will be extinguished like plunging meteorites and scattered like unripe figs in a howling windstorm. Our entire globe will quake under a "great tribulation such as not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21) What a fearful prospect!
Next time: "The Heaven" Departs
10.16.2007
The Great Earthquake
Yes, these critical last days have been a time of earthquakes-literal and figurative. (2 Timothy 3:1) But not one of these quakings is the final great shaking that John sees at the opening of the sixth seal. The time for advance tremors is ended. There now comes a great earthquake that is totally new to human experience. It is so great an earthquake that the upheavals and convulsions it causes cannot be measured by the Richter scale or by any other human gauge. This is no mere local shock but a cataclysmic shaking that devastates the entire "earth," that is, all depraved human society.
Others of Jehovah's prophets foretold such an earthquake and its catastrophic consequences. For example, about 820 B.C.E., Joel spoke of "the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah," stating that then "the sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood." Later, he adds these words:"Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel." (Joel 2:31;3:14-16) This rocking could apply only to Jehovah's execution of judgment during the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21) So the parallel account at Revelation 6:12, 13 would logically have the same application. -See also Jeremiah 10:10; Zephaniah 1:14, 15.
Some 200 years after Joel, the prophet Habakkuk said in prayer to his God: "O Jehovah, I have heard the report about you.. I have become afraid, O Jehovah, of your activity. In the midst of the years may you make it known. During the agitation, to show mercy may you remember." What would that "agitation" be? Habakkuk goes on to give a graphic description of the great tribulation, saying of Jehovah: "He stood still, that he might shake up the earth. He saw, and then caused nations to leap. . . . With denunciation you went marching through the earth. In anger you went threshing the nations. Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:1, 2, 6, 12, 18) What a mighty shaking Jehovah will cause in all the earth when he threshes the nations!
Ezekiel too foretold that when Gog of Magog (the debased Satan) makes his final attack upon God's people, Jehovah will cause "a great shaking" to occur "in the soil of Israel." (Ezekiel 38:18, 19) Though literal earthquakes may be involved, we should remember that Revelation is presented in signs. This prophecy and the other prophecies cited are highly symbolic. Hence, the opening of the sixth seal appears to disclose the culmination of all shakings of this earthly system of things-the great earthquake in which all humans opposed to Jehovah God's sovereignty are destroyed.
Next time: A Time Of Darkness
Others of Jehovah's prophets foretold such an earthquake and its catastrophic consequences. For example, about 820 B.C.E., Joel spoke of "the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah," stating that then "the sun itself will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood." Later, he adds these words:"Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision for the day of Jehovah is near in the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themselves will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness. And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and a fortress for the sons of Israel." (Joel 2:31;3:14-16) This rocking could apply only to Jehovah's execution of judgment during the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21) So the parallel account at Revelation 6:12, 13 would logically have the same application. -See also Jeremiah 10:10; Zephaniah 1:14, 15.
Some 200 years after Joel, the prophet Habakkuk said in prayer to his God: "O Jehovah, I have heard the report about you.. I have become afraid, O Jehovah, of your activity. In the midst of the years may you make it known. During the agitation, to show mercy may you remember." What would that "agitation" be? Habakkuk goes on to give a graphic description of the great tribulation, saying of Jehovah: "He stood still, that he might shake up the earth. He saw, and then caused nations to leap. . . . With denunciation you went marching through the earth. In anger you went threshing the nations. Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:1, 2, 6, 12, 18) What a mighty shaking Jehovah will cause in all the earth when he threshes the nations!
Ezekiel too foretold that when Gog of Magog (the debased Satan) makes his final attack upon God's people, Jehovah will cause "a great shaking" to occur "in the soil of Israel." (Ezekiel 38:18, 19) Though literal earthquakes may be involved, we should remember that Revelation is presented in signs. This prophecy and the other prophecies cited are highly symbolic. Hence, the opening of the sixth seal appears to disclose the culmination of all shakings of this earthly system of things-the great earthquake in which all humans opposed to Jehovah God's sovereignty are destroyed.
Next time: A Time Of Darkness
10.15.2007
Jehovah Does Some Shaking
Such tremors in human affairs are the result of man's inability to direct his own step. (Jeremiah 10:23) Moreover, that old Serpent, Satan, "who is misleading the entire inhabited earth," is inflicting woes in his last-ditch effort to turn all mankind away from the worship of Jehovah. Modern technology has caused the earth to shrink into a single neighborhood, where nationalistic and racial hatreds are shaking human society to its foundations, and the United Nations, so-called, can find not effective cure. As never before, man is dominating man to his injury. (Revelation 12:9, 12; Ecclesiastes 8:9) Nevertheless, the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, Maker of heaven and earth, has been doing his own kind of shaking over the past 70 years, in preparation of solving earth's problems once and for all. How so?
At Haggai 2:6, 7 we read: "For this is what Jehovah of armies has said: ' Yet, once -it is a little while-and I am rocking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry ground. And I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,' Jehovah of armies has said." Since the year 1919 in particular, Jehovah has caused his witnesses to proclaim his judgments among all elements of human society on earth. Satan's world system has been rocked and shaken by this global warning. As the warning intensifies, God-fearing humans, "the desirable things," have been stirred to separate themselves from the nations. It is not that they are shaken out by the quaking in Satan's organization. But as they discern the situation, they make their own decision to share with the anointed John class in filling Jehovah's house of worship with glory. How is this accomplished? By the zealous work of the preaching of the good news of God's established Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) This Kingdom, made up of Jesus and his anointed followers, will ever keep standing to Jehovah's glory as "a kingdom that cannot be shaken." -Hebrews 12:26-29.
Are you one who has started to respond to that preaching? Are you perhaps among the eight million and more who in recent years have attended the Memorial celebration of Jesus' death? If so, keep on progressing in your study of Bible truth. (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17) Abandon completely the corrupt life-style of Satan's doomed earthly society! Come right on into the Christian new world society and share fully in its activity before the final catastrophic "earthquake" smashes all of Satan's world to pieces. But what is that great earthquake? Let us see now.
Next time: The Great Earthquake!
At Haggai 2:6, 7 we read: "For this is what Jehovah of armies has said: ' Yet, once -it is a little while-and I am rocking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry ground. And I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,' Jehovah of armies has said." Since the year 1919 in particular, Jehovah has caused his witnesses to proclaim his judgments among all elements of human society on earth. Satan's world system has been rocked and shaken by this global warning. As the warning intensifies, God-fearing humans, "the desirable things," have been stirred to separate themselves from the nations. It is not that they are shaken out by the quaking in Satan's organization. But as they discern the situation, they make their own decision to share with the anointed John class in filling Jehovah's house of worship with glory. How is this accomplished? By the zealous work of the preaching of the good news of God's established Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14) This Kingdom, made up of Jesus and his anointed followers, will ever keep standing to Jehovah's glory as "a kingdom that cannot be shaken." -Hebrews 12:26-29.
Are you one who has started to respond to that preaching? Are you perhaps among the eight million and more who in recent years have attended the Memorial celebration of Jesus' death? If so, keep on progressing in your study of Bible truth. (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17) Abandon completely the corrupt life-style of Satan's doomed earthly society! Come right on into the Christian new world society and share fully in its activity before the final catastrophic "earthquake" smashes all of Satan's world to pieces. But what is that great earthquake? Let us see now.
Next time: The Great Earthquake!
10.14.2007
Continue with Tremors In Human Society
Other things besides wars, though, have shaken human society to its foundations since 1914. One of the most traumatic upheavals was triggered by the U.S. stock market crash of October 29, 1929. This brought on the Great Depression, which affected all capitalist countries. That depression bottomed out between 1932 and 1934, but we are still feeling its effects. Since 1929 an economically sick world has been patched up by makeshift schemes. Governments indulge in deficit financing. The oil crisis of 1973 and the stock market plunge of 1987 added to the shakings of the financial empire. Meantime, millions of people buy largely on credit. Countless numbers are victimized by financial gimmicks, pyramid schemes and lotteries and other gambling subterfuges, many of which are sponsored by governments that should be protecting the people. Even Christendom's television evangelists stretch their hands out for their multimillion-dollar share!- Compare Jeremiah 5:26-31.
Earlier, economic troubles had opened the way for Mussolini and Hitler to seize power. Babylon the Great lost no time in courting their favors, and the Vatican entered into concordats with Italy in 1929 and Germany in 1933. (Revelation 17:5) The dark days that followed were surely a part of the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that the sign of his presence would include "anguish of nations, not knowing the way out. . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." (Luke 21:7-9, 25-31) Yes, the quakes that began to shake human society in 1914 have continues, with powerful aftershocks.
Next time: Jehovah Does Some Shaking
Earlier, economic troubles had opened the way for Mussolini and Hitler to seize power. Babylon the Great lost no time in courting their favors, and the Vatican entered into concordats with Italy in 1929 and Germany in 1933. (Revelation 17:5) The dark days that followed were surely a part of the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that the sign of his presence would include "anguish of nations, not knowing the way out. . . while men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth." (Luke 21:7-9, 25-31) Yes, the quakes that began to shake human society in 1914 have continues, with powerful aftershocks.
Next time: Jehovah Does Some Shaking
10.13.2007
Tremors In Human Society
From the mid 1870's, Jehovah's people had been anticipating that catastrophic events would start in 1914 and would mark the end of the Gentile Times. This is the period of "seven times" (2,520 years) running from the overthrow of the Davidic kingdom in Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. to Jesus' enthronement in heavenly Jerusalem in 1914 C. E.-Daniel 4:24, 24; Luke 21:24; King James Version.
Thus, when C.T. Russell, first president of the Watch Tower Society, appeared for morning worship with the Brooklyn, New York, Bethel family onthe morning of October 2, 1914, he made the dramatic announcement: "The Gentile Times have ended; their kings have had their day." Indeed, the worldwide upheaval that began in 1914 was so far-reaching that many long-standing monarchies disappeared. The overthrow of czardom in the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 led to the current confrontation between Marxism and capitalism. Tremors of political change continue to disturb human society earth wide. Today, many governments fail to survive more than a year or two. Lack of stability in the political world is illustrated in the case of Italy, which had 47 new governments in just 42 years following World War II. But such advance tremors are only preliminary to a climactic governmental upheaval. The result? God's Kingdom wil take over sole rulerership of the earth.-Isaiah 9:6,7.
Historians, philosophers and political leaders have pointed to the year 1914 as the start of a new and momentous epoch. Seventeen years into that epoch, historian H. G. Wells commented: "Gladly would the prophet prophesy pleasant things. But his duty is to tell what he sees. He sees a world still firmly controlled by soldiers, patriots, usurers and financial adventurers; a world surrendered to suspicion and hatred, losing what is left of private liberties very rapidly, blundering toward bitter class conflicts, and preparing for new wars." In 1953 philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote: "Ever since 1914, everybody conscious of trends in the world has been deeply troubled by what has seemed like a fated and predetermined march toward ever greater disaster. . . . They see the human race, like the hero of a Greek tragedy, driven on by angry gods and no longer the master of fate." In 1980 statesman Harold Macmillan, reflecting on the peaceful start of our 20th century, said: "Everything would get better and better. This was the world war I was born in. . . .Suddenly, unexpectedly, one morning in 1914 the whole thing came to an end."
World WarII brought another wave of upheavals and smaller wars continue to shake the earth as we approach the end of this century. But will the present system make it that far? The fearful threat of a nuclear holocaust had many people wondering. Happily, the answer rests not with man but with his Creator.-Jeremiah 17:5.
Next time: Continue with the above subject.
Thus, when C.T. Russell, first president of the Watch Tower Society, appeared for morning worship with the Brooklyn, New York, Bethel family onthe morning of October 2, 1914, he made the dramatic announcement: "The Gentile Times have ended; their kings have had their day." Indeed, the worldwide upheaval that began in 1914 was so far-reaching that many long-standing monarchies disappeared. The overthrow of czardom in the Bolshevik revolution of 1917 led to the current confrontation between Marxism and capitalism. Tremors of political change continue to disturb human society earth wide. Today, many governments fail to survive more than a year or two. Lack of stability in the political world is illustrated in the case of Italy, which had 47 new governments in just 42 years following World War II. But such advance tremors are only preliminary to a climactic governmental upheaval. The result? God's Kingdom wil take over sole rulerership of the earth.-Isaiah 9:6,7.
Historians, philosophers and political leaders have pointed to the year 1914 as the start of a new and momentous epoch. Seventeen years into that epoch, historian H. G. Wells commented: "Gladly would the prophet prophesy pleasant things. But his duty is to tell what he sees. He sees a world still firmly controlled by soldiers, patriots, usurers and financial adventurers; a world surrendered to suspicion and hatred, losing what is left of private liberties very rapidly, blundering toward bitter class conflicts, and preparing for new wars." In 1953 philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote: "Ever since 1914, everybody conscious of trends in the world has been deeply troubled by what has seemed like a fated and predetermined march toward ever greater disaster. . . . They see the human race, like the hero of a Greek tragedy, driven on by angry gods and no longer the master of fate." In 1980 statesman Harold Macmillan, reflecting on the peaceful start of our 20th century, said: "Everything would get better and better. This was the world war I was born in. . . .Suddenly, unexpectedly, one morning in 1914 the whole thing came to an end."
World WarII brought another wave of upheavals and smaller wars continue to shake the earth as we approach the end of this century. But will the present system make it that far? The fearful threat of a nuclear holocaust had many people wondering. Happily, the answer rests not with man but with his Creator.-Jeremiah 17:5.
Next time: Continue with the above subject.
10.12.2007
Earthquakes In The Lord's Day
Have you ever lived through a severe earthquake? It is not a pleasant experience. A big tremblor may start with a sickening roll and a rumbling noise. T he swaying may worsen by fits and starts whole you dash for safety-perhaps under a desk. Or it may come as a sudden, shattering jolt, followed by the crashing of crockery, furnishings, even buildings. Damage may be catastrophic, with frequent aftershocks inflicting further damage and adding to the misery.
Having this in mind, consider what John describes at the opening of the sixth seal: "And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred." (Revelation 6:12a) This must fall within the same time frame as the opening of the other seals, just when in the Lord's day does this earthquake occur, and what kind of quake is it? -Revelation 1:10.
Literal and figurative quakings of the earth are mentioned a number of times in the Bible. In his great prophecy about the sign of his presence in Kingdom power, Jesus forecast "earthquakes in one place after another." These would be a part of "a beginning of pangs of distress." Since 1914, with earth's population exploding into the thousands of millions, literal temblors have contributed significantly to the distresses of our times. (Matthew 24:3, 7, 8) Nevertheless, even though they fulfill prophecy, those earthquakes have been natural, physical disasters. They are preliminary to the great symbolic earthquake of Revelation 6:12. This, indeed, comes as the devastating finale to a series of advance tremors that shake Satan's human earthly system of things to its foundations.
Next time: Tremors In Human Society
Having this in mind, consider what John describes at the opening of the sixth seal: "And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred." (Revelation 6:12a) This must fall within the same time frame as the opening of the other seals, just when in the Lord's day does this earthquake occur, and what kind of quake is it? -Revelation 1:10.
Literal and figurative quakings of the earth are mentioned a number of times in the Bible. In his great prophecy about the sign of his presence in Kingdom power, Jesus forecast "earthquakes in one place after another." These would be a part of "a beginning of pangs of distress." Since 1914, with earth's population exploding into the thousands of millions, literal temblors have contributed significantly to the distresses of our times. (Matthew 24:3, 7, 8) Nevertheless, even though they fulfill prophecy, those earthquakes have been natural, physical disasters. They are preliminary to the great symbolic earthquake of Revelation 6:12. This, indeed, comes as the devastating finale to a series of advance tremors that shake Satan's human earthly system of things to its foundations.
Next time: Tremors In Human Society
10.11.2007
'Those Who Are Dead Rise First'
The insight granted by the opening of the fifth seal agrees completely with other scriptures that have to do with the heavenly resurrection. For example, the apostle Paul wrote: "For this is what we tell you by Jehovah's word, that we the living who survive to the presence of the Lord shall in no way precede those who have fallen asleep in death; because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice and with God's trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with the Lord."-1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.
What a stirring story these verses tell! Those of Jesus' anointed brothers who survive to Jesus' presence, that is, who are still alive on earth during his presence, are preceded into heaven by those who have already died. Such ones, dead in union with Christ rise first. Jesus descends, that is, turns his attention to them, and resurrects them to spirit life, giving them "a white robe." Afterward, those who are still alive as humans finish their earthly course, many of them dying violently at the hands of opposers. They do not, however, sleep in death as their predecessors did. Rather, when they die, they are instantly changed - "in the twinkling of an eye"-caught away to the heavens to be with Jesus and fellow members of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:50-52; compare Revelation 14:13.) Thus, the resurrection of anointed Christians starts soon after the four horsemen of Apocalypse begin their ride.
The opening of the fifth seal of the scroll has provided good news concerning anointed integrity keepers who have conquered, faithful to the death. But it provides no good news for Satan and his seed. The ride of the Conqueror on the white horse continues irresistibly and culminates in a time of reckoning for the world that "is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) This is made clear when the Lamb opens the sixth seal.
Next time: Earthquakes In The Lord's Day
What a stirring story these verses tell! Those of Jesus' anointed brothers who survive to Jesus' presence, that is, who are still alive on earth during his presence, are preceded into heaven by those who have already died. Such ones, dead in union with Christ rise first. Jesus descends, that is, turns his attention to them, and resurrects them to spirit life, giving them "a white robe." Afterward, those who are still alive as humans finish their earthly course, many of them dying violently at the hands of opposers. They do not, however, sleep in death as their predecessors did. Rather, when they die, they are instantly changed - "in the twinkling of an eye"-caught away to the heavens to be with Jesus and fellow members of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:50-52; compare Revelation 14:13.) Thus, the resurrection of anointed Christians starts soon after the four horsemen of Apocalypse begin their ride.
The opening of the fifth seal of the scroll has provided good news concerning anointed integrity keepers who have conquered, faithful to the death. But it provides no good news for Satan and his seed. The ride of the Conqueror on the white horse continues irresistibly and culminates in a time of reckoning for the world that "is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) This is made clear when the Lamb opens the sixth seal.
Next time: Earthquakes In The Lord's Day
10.10.2007
The White Robe
After documenting the faith of integrity keepers of ancient times, the apostle Paul said:"And yet all these, although they had witness borne to them through their faith, did not get the fulfillment of the promise, as God foresaw something better for us, in order that they might not be made perfect apart from us." (Hebrews 11:39, 40) What is that "something better" that Paul and other anointed Christians anticipate? John sees it here in vision: "And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told to rest a little while longer, until the number was filled also of their fellow slaves and their brothers who were about to be killed as they also had been." (Revelation 6:11) Their receiving "a white robe " has to do with their resurrection to be immortal spirit creatures. No longer do they lie as slaughtered souls underneath the altar, but they are raised to be part of the group of 24 elders that worship before the heavenly throne of God. There, they themselves have been given thrones, showing that they have entered into royal privileges. And they are "dressed in white outer garments,"signifying that they have been adjudged righteous, worthy of an honored place before Jehovah in that heavenly court. this is also in fulfillment of Jesus' promise to faithful anointed Christians in the congregation in Sardis: "He that conquers will thus be arrayed in white outer garments."-Revelation 3:5; 4:4; 1 Peter 1:4.
All the evidence indicates that this heavenly resurrection began in 1918, after Jesus' enthronement in 1914 and his riding forth to start his kingly conquest by cleansing the heavens of Satan and his demons. Yet, those resurrected anointed ones are told that they must "rest a little while longer, until the number. . . also of their fellow slaves" is filled. Those of the John class still on earth must prove their integrity under trial and persecution, and some of these may yet be killed. Finally, though all the righteous blood shed by Babylon the Great and her political paramours will be avenged. In the meantime, resurrected ones are doubtless busy with heavenly duties. they rest, not by relaxing in blissful inactivity, but in that they patiently await the day of Jehovah's vengeance. (Isaiah 34:8; Romans 12:19) Their rest will end when they witness the destruction of false religion and, as "called and chosen and faithful ones, they accompany the Lord Jesus Christ in executing judgment on all other parts of Satan's wicked seed here on earth. -Revelation 2:26, 27; 17z;14; Romans 16:20.
Next time: 'Those Who Are Dead Rise First'
All the evidence indicates that this heavenly resurrection began in 1918, after Jesus' enthronement in 1914 and his riding forth to start his kingly conquest by cleansing the heavens of Satan and his demons. Yet, those resurrected anointed ones are told that they must "rest a little while longer, until the number. . . also of their fellow slaves" is filled. Those of the John class still on earth must prove their integrity under trial and persecution, and some of these may yet be killed. Finally, though all the righteous blood shed by Babylon the Great and her political paramours will be avenged. In the meantime, resurrected ones are doubtless busy with heavenly duties. they rest, not by relaxing in blissful inactivity, but in that they patiently await the day of Jehovah's vengeance. (Isaiah 34:8; Romans 12:19) Their rest will end when they witness the destruction of false religion and, as "called and chosen and faithful ones, they accompany the Lord Jesus Christ in executing judgment on all other parts of Satan's wicked seed here on earth. -Revelation 2:26, 27; 17z;14; Romans 16:20.
Next time: 'Those Who Are Dead Rise First'
10.09.2007
Continue with 'Slaughtered Souls' Rewarded
The situation may also be likened to that in apostate Judah when King Manasseh came to the throne in 716 B.C.E. He shed much innocent blood, probably 'sawing asunder' the prophet Isaiah. (Hebrews 11:37; 2 Kings 21:16) Although Manasseh later repented and reformed, that bloodguilt remained in 607 B.C.E., when the Babylonians desolated the kingdom of Judah, "it was only by the order of Jehovah that it took place against Judah, to remove it from his sight for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also for the innocent blood that he had shed, so that he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and Jehovah did not consent to grant forgiveness."- 2 Kings 24:3, 4.
As in Bible times, so today many of the individuals who killed God's witnesses may be long dead. But the organization that caused their martyrdom is still very much alive and bloodguilty. It is Satan's earthly organization, his earthly seed. Prominent therein is Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. She is described as being "drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus." Yes, " in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth." (Revelation 17:5, 6; 18:24; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28) What a load of bloodguiltiness! As long as Babylon the Great exists, the blood of her victims will cry out for justice. -Revelation 19:1, 2.
John himself witnessed martyrdom in the first century as the cruel Serpent and his earthly seed waged war on the growing congregation of anointed Christians. John had seen our Lord impaled and had survived through the slayings of Stephen, of his own brother, James, and of Peter, Paul, and other close associates. (John 19:26, 27; 21:15, 18, 19; Acts 7:59,60; 8:2;12:2; 2 Timothy 1:1; 4:6, 7) In 64 C.E., Roman emperor Nero had made a scapegoat of the Christians, accusing them of burning the city, to counteract a rumor that he was the guilty one. The historian Tacitus reports: "They [Christians] died by methods of mockery; some were covered with the skins of beasts and then torn by dogs, some were [impaled], some were burned as torches to light at night." A further wave of persecution under Emperor Domitian (81-96 C.E.) had resulted in John's being exiled to the Island of Patmos. As Jesus said: "If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also." -John 15:20; Matthew 10:22.
By the fourth century C.E., that old Serpent, Satan the Devil, had brought forth his masterpiece of deception, the apostate religion of Christendom -a Babylonish system hidden under a "Christian" veneer. It is the principal part of the seed of the Serpent and has developed into a multitude of conflicting sects. Like unfaithful Judah of old, Christendom carries a heavy bloodguilt, having been deeply involved on both sides in World Wars I and II. Some political rulers in Christendom even used these wars as a pretext for slaughtering anointed servants of God. Reporting on Hitler's persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses, a review of Friedrich Zipfel's book Kirchenkampf in Deutschland (fight of the Churches in Germany) stated: "One third of them [the Witnesses] were killed, either by execution, other violent acts, hunger, sickness or slave labor. The severity of this subjection was without precedent and was the result of uncompromising faith that could not be harmonized with National Socialistic ideology." Truly, it can be said of Christendom, including its priesthood:"In your skirts there have have been found the blood marks of the souls of the innocent poor ones."-Jeremiah 2:34.
Since 1935 faithful young men of the great crowd have borne the brunt of persecution in many lands. (Revelation 7:9) Even as World War II ended in Europe, in just one town 14 witnesses of Jehovah were executed by hanging. Their crime? Refusal to "learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4) More recently, young men in the Orient and in Africa have been beaten to death or executed by firing squad over the same issue. These youthful martyrs, worthy supporters of Jesus' anointed brothers, will surely have a resurrection into the promised new earth. - 2 Peter 3:13; compare Psalm 110:3; Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 20:37, 38.
Next time: A White Robe
As in Bible times, so today many of the individuals who killed God's witnesses may be long dead. But the organization that caused their martyrdom is still very much alive and bloodguilty. It is Satan's earthly organization, his earthly seed. Prominent therein is Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. She is described as being "drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus." Yes, " in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth." (Revelation 17:5, 6; 18:24; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:28) What a load of bloodguiltiness! As long as Babylon the Great exists, the blood of her victims will cry out for justice. -Revelation 19:1, 2.
John himself witnessed martyrdom in the first century as the cruel Serpent and his earthly seed waged war on the growing congregation of anointed Christians. John had seen our Lord impaled and had survived through the slayings of Stephen, of his own brother, James, and of Peter, Paul, and other close associates. (John 19:26, 27; 21:15, 18, 19; Acts 7:59,60; 8:2;12:2; 2 Timothy 1:1; 4:6, 7) In 64 C.E., Roman emperor Nero had made a scapegoat of the Christians, accusing them of burning the city, to counteract a rumor that he was the guilty one. The historian Tacitus reports: "They [Christians] died by methods of mockery; some were covered with the skins of beasts and then torn by dogs, some were [impaled], some were burned as torches to light at night." A further wave of persecution under Emperor Domitian (81-96 C.E.) had resulted in John's being exiled to the Island of Patmos. As Jesus said: "If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also." -John 15:20; Matthew 10:22.
By the fourth century C.E., that old Serpent, Satan the Devil, had brought forth his masterpiece of deception, the apostate religion of Christendom -a Babylonish system hidden under a "Christian" veneer. It is the principal part of the seed of the Serpent and has developed into a multitude of conflicting sects. Like unfaithful Judah of old, Christendom carries a heavy bloodguilt, having been deeply involved on both sides in World Wars I and II. Some political rulers in Christendom even used these wars as a pretext for slaughtering anointed servants of God. Reporting on Hitler's persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses, a review of Friedrich Zipfel's book Kirchenkampf in Deutschland (fight of the Churches in Germany) stated: "One third of them [the Witnesses] were killed, either by execution, other violent acts, hunger, sickness or slave labor. The severity of this subjection was without precedent and was the result of uncompromising faith that could not be harmonized with National Socialistic ideology." Truly, it can be said of Christendom, including its priesthood:"In your skirts there have have been found the blood marks of the souls of the innocent poor ones."-Jeremiah 2:34.
Since 1935 faithful young men of the great crowd have borne the brunt of persecution in many lands. (Revelation 7:9) Even as World War II ended in Europe, in just one town 14 witnesses of Jehovah were executed by hanging. Their crime? Refusal to "learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4) More recently, young men in the Orient and in Africa have been beaten to death or executed by firing squad over the same issue. These youthful martyrs, worthy supporters of Jesus' anointed brothers, will surely have a resurrection into the promised new earth. - 2 Peter 3:13; compare Psalm 110:3; Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 20:37, 38.
Next time: A White Robe
10.08.2007
'Slaughtered Souls' Rewarded
God's Kingdom rules! The Rider of the white horse is about to complete his conquest! The red horse, the black horse and the pale horse are galloping through the earth! Indisputably, Jesus' own prophecies concerning his royal presence are being fulfilled. (Matthew, chapters 24,25; Mark, chapter 13; Luke, chapter 21) That being so, let us pay close attention as the Lamb, Jesus Christ, breaks open the fifth seal of that scroll. In what further revelation are we now to share?
John describes a moving scene: "And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they use to have." (Revelation 6:9) What is that? A sacrificial altar up in heaven? Yes! It is the first time that John mentions an altar. Already, though, he has described Jehovah on His throne, the surrounding cherubs, the glassy sea, the lamps and the 24 elders carrying incense - all of these resembling features of the earthly tabernacle, Jehovah's sanctuary in Israel. (Exodus 25:17, 18; 40:24-27, 30-32; 1 Chronicles 23:4) Should it, then, surprise us tot find a symbolic altar of sacrifice also in heaven?-Exodus 40:29.
Underneath this altar are "The souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they use to have." What does this mean? These could not be disembodied souls-like those believed in by the pagan Greeks. (Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 18:4) Rather, John knows that the soul, or life, is symbolized by the blood, and when the priests at the ancient Jewish tabernacle slaughtered a sacrificial animal, they sprinkled the blood "round about upon the altar" or poured it "at the base of the altar of burnt offering." (Leviticus 3:2, 8, 13; 4:7; 17:6, 11, 12) Hence, the animal's soul was closely identified with the altar of sacrifice. But why would the souls, or blood of these particular servants of God be seen underneath a symbolic altar in heaven? Because their deaths are viewed as sacrificial.
Indeed, all those who are begotten as spirit sons of God die a sacrificial death. Because of the role they are to play in Jehovah's heavenly Kingdom, it is God's will that they renounce and sacrifice any hope of life everlasting on earth. In this respect, they submit to a sacrificial death in behalf of Jehovah's sovereignty. (Philippians 3:8-11; compare 2:17.) This is true in a very real sense of those whom John saw under the altar. They are anointed ones who in their day were martyred for their zealous ministry in upholding Jehovah's Word and sovereignty. Their "souls [were] slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they use to have."
The scenario continues to unfold: "And they cried with a loud voice, saying: 'Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?' " (Revelation 6;10) How can their souls, or blood, cry out for vengeance, since the Bible shows that the dead are unconscious? (Ecclesiastes 9:5) Well, did not righteous Abel's blood cry out after Cain murdered him? Jehovah then said to Cain: "What have you done? Listen Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground." (Genesis 4:10, 11; Hebrews 12:24) It was not that Abel's blood was literally uttering words. Rather, Abel had dies as an innocent victim, and justice called out for his murderer to be punished. Similarly, those Christian martyrs are innocent, and in justice they must be avenged. (Luke 18:7, 8) The cry for vengeance is loud because many thousands have thus died. -Compare Jeremiah 15:15, 16.
Next time: Continue with the above subject.
John describes a moving scene: "And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they use to have." (Revelation 6:9) What is that? A sacrificial altar up in heaven? Yes! It is the first time that John mentions an altar. Already, though, he has described Jehovah on His throne, the surrounding cherubs, the glassy sea, the lamps and the 24 elders carrying incense - all of these resembling features of the earthly tabernacle, Jehovah's sanctuary in Israel. (Exodus 25:17, 18; 40:24-27, 30-32; 1 Chronicles 23:4) Should it, then, surprise us tot find a symbolic altar of sacrifice also in heaven?-Exodus 40:29.
Underneath this altar are "The souls of those slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they use to have." What does this mean? These could not be disembodied souls-like those believed in by the pagan Greeks. (Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 18:4) Rather, John knows that the soul, or life, is symbolized by the blood, and when the priests at the ancient Jewish tabernacle slaughtered a sacrificial animal, they sprinkled the blood "round about upon the altar" or poured it "at the base of the altar of burnt offering." (Leviticus 3:2, 8, 13; 4:7; 17:6, 11, 12) Hence, the animal's soul was closely identified with the altar of sacrifice. But why would the souls, or blood of these particular servants of God be seen underneath a symbolic altar in heaven? Because their deaths are viewed as sacrificial.
Indeed, all those who are begotten as spirit sons of God die a sacrificial death. Because of the role they are to play in Jehovah's heavenly Kingdom, it is God's will that they renounce and sacrifice any hope of life everlasting on earth. In this respect, they submit to a sacrificial death in behalf of Jehovah's sovereignty. (Philippians 3:8-11; compare 2:17.) This is true in a very real sense of those whom John saw under the altar. They are anointed ones who in their day were martyred for their zealous ministry in upholding Jehovah's Word and sovereignty. Their "souls [were] slaughtered because of the word of God and because of the witness work that they use to have."
The scenario continues to unfold: "And they cried with a loud voice, saying: 'Until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?' " (Revelation 6;10) How can their souls, or blood, cry out for vengeance, since the Bible shows that the dead are unconscious? (Ecclesiastes 9:5) Well, did not righteous Abel's blood cry out after Cain murdered him? Jehovah then said to Cain: "What have you done? Listen Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground." (Genesis 4:10, 11; Hebrews 12:24) It was not that Abel's blood was literally uttering words. Rather, Abel had dies as an innocent victim, and justice called out for his murderer to be punished. Similarly, those Christian martyrs are innocent, and in justice they must be avenged. (Luke 18:7, 8) The cry for vengeance is loud because many thousands have thus died. -Compare Jeremiah 15:15, 16.
Next time: Continue with the above subject.
10.07.2007
The Framework Of The Book OF Revelation
Having progressed thus far in our discussion of the book of Revelation, we begin to see more clearly the book's framework. After its rousing introduction (Revelation 1:1-9), Revelation can be viewed as divided into 16 visions as follows:
1st vision (1:10-3:22): John sees by inspiration the glorified Jesus, who sends warm messages of counsel to the seven congregations.
2nd vision ( 4:1-5:14) : A magnificent view of the heavenly throne of Jehovah God. This One hands scroll to the Lamb.
3rd vision ( 6:1-17): Breaking open the first six seals of the scroll, the Lamb progressively reveals a composite vision of events due to happen in the Lord's day. The four horsemen of Apocalypse ride forth, God's martyred slaves receive white robes, and the great day of wrath is described.
4th vision ( 7:1-17): Angels hold back the winds of destruction until the 144,000 of spiritual Israel are sealed. A great crowd out of all nations attribute salvation to God and Christ and are gathered for survival through the great tribulation.
5th vision ( 8:1-9:21): At the opening of the seventh seal, there are seven trumpet blasts, the first six of which comprise the fifth version. These six trumpet blasts herald expressions of Jehovah's judgment on mankind. The fifth and sixth trumpets also introduce the first and second woes.
6th vision (10:1-11:19): A strong angel gives John a little scroll, the temple is measured, and we learn the experiences of the two witnesses. It climaxes with the blowing of the seventh trumpet, which heralds the third woe for God's enemies - the incoming Kingdom of Jehovah and of his Christ.
7th vision ( 12:1-17): This describes the birth of the Kingdom, resulting in Michael's hurling the Serpent, Satan, down to the earth.
8th vision ( 13:1-18): The powerful wild beast comes out of the sea, and the beast with two horns like a lamb urges mankind to worship it.
9th vision ( 14:1-20): A splendid fore view of the 144,000 on Mount Zion. Angelic messages are heard around the earth, the vine of the earth is reaped, and the wine press of God's anger is trodden.
10th vision ( 15:1-16:21): Another glimpse of the heavenly court, followed by the pouring out of the seven bowls of Jehovah's anger into the earth. This section, too, ends with a prophetic description of the end of Satan's system.
11th vision ( 7:1-18): The great harlot, Babylon the Great, rides a scarlet-colored wild beast, which goes briefly into the abyss but comes forth again and devastates her.
12th vision ( 18:1-19:10): The fall and final destruction of Babylon the Great are announced. After her execution, some mourn, others praise Jehovah, the marriage of the Lamb is announced.
13th vision (19:11-21): Jesus leads the armies of heaven to execute God's wrathful judgments on Satan's system, its armies and its supporters; carrion birds feast on their corpses.
14th vision ( 20:1-10): 20:1-10): The abyssing of Satan the Devil, the Thousand Year Reign of Christ and his fellow kings, mankind's final test, and the destruction of Satan and his demons.
15th vision ( 20:11-21:8): The general resurrection and the great Judgment Day; a new heaven and a new earth appear, with external blessings for righteous mankind.
16th vision ( 21:9-22:5): Revelation is climaxed with a glorious vision of new Jerusalem, the lamb's wife. God's provision of healing and life for mankind flows from that city.
Revelation concludes with warm words of greeting and counsel from Jehovah, Jesus, the angel and John himself. The invitation to everyone is "Come!"-Revelation 22:6-21.
Next time: 'Slaughtered Souls' Rewarded
1st vision (1:10-3:22): John sees by inspiration the glorified Jesus, who sends warm messages of counsel to the seven congregations.
2nd vision ( 4:1-5:14) : A magnificent view of the heavenly throne of Jehovah God. This One hands scroll to the Lamb.
3rd vision ( 6:1-17): Breaking open the first six seals of the scroll, the Lamb progressively reveals a composite vision of events due to happen in the Lord's day. The four horsemen of Apocalypse ride forth, God's martyred slaves receive white robes, and the great day of wrath is described.
4th vision ( 7:1-17): Angels hold back the winds of destruction until the 144,000 of spiritual Israel are sealed. A great crowd out of all nations attribute salvation to God and Christ and are gathered for survival through the great tribulation.
5th vision ( 8:1-9:21): At the opening of the seventh seal, there are seven trumpet blasts, the first six of which comprise the fifth version. These six trumpet blasts herald expressions of Jehovah's judgment on mankind. The fifth and sixth trumpets also introduce the first and second woes.
6th vision (10:1-11:19): A strong angel gives John a little scroll, the temple is measured, and we learn the experiences of the two witnesses. It climaxes with the blowing of the seventh trumpet, which heralds the third woe for God's enemies - the incoming Kingdom of Jehovah and of his Christ.
7th vision ( 12:1-17): This describes the birth of the Kingdom, resulting in Michael's hurling the Serpent, Satan, down to the earth.
8th vision ( 13:1-18): The powerful wild beast comes out of the sea, and the beast with two horns like a lamb urges mankind to worship it.
9th vision ( 14:1-20): A splendid fore view of the 144,000 on Mount Zion. Angelic messages are heard around the earth, the vine of the earth is reaped, and the wine press of God's anger is trodden.
10th vision ( 15:1-16:21): Another glimpse of the heavenly court, followed by the pouring out of the seven bowls of Jehovah's anger into the earth. This section, too, ends with a prophetic description of the end of Satan's system.
11th vision ( 7:1-18): The great harlot, Babylon the Great, rides a scarlet-colored wild beast, which goes briefly into the abyss but comes forth again and devastates her.
12th vision ( 18:1-19:10): The fall and final destruction of Babylon the Great are announced. After her execution, some mourn, others praise Jehovah, the marriage of the Lamb is announced.
13th vision (19:11-21): Jesus leads the armies of heaven to execute God's wrathful judgments on Satan's system, its armies and its supporters; carrion birds feast on their corpses.
14th vision ( 20:1-10): 20:1-10): The abyssing of Satan the Devil, the Thousand Year Reign of Christ and his fellow kings, mankind's final test, and the destruction of Satan and his demons.
15th vision ( 20:11-21:8): The general resurrection and the great Judgment Day; a new heaven and a new earth appear, with external blessings for righteous mankind.
16th vision ( 21:9-22:5): Revelation is climaxed with a glorious vision of new Jerusalem, the lamb's wife. God's provision of healing and life for mankind flows from that city.
Revelation concludes with warm words of greeting and counsel from Jehovah, Jesus, the angel and John himself. The invitation to everyone is "Come!"-Revelation 22:6-21.
Next time: 'Slaughtered Souls' Rewarded
10.06.2007
Continue with The Pale Horse And Its Rider
John's vision mentions wild beasts as a fourth cause of untimely death. Indeed, the four things featured by the opening of the fourth seal - warfare, famine, disease and wild beasts -were in ancient times viewed as predominant causes of untimely death. So they would foreshadow all causes of untimely death today. It is just as Jehovah warned Israel: "So, too, it will be when there will be my four injurious acts of judgment - sword and famine and injurious wild best and pestilence - that I shall actually send upon Jerusalem in order to cut of from it earthling man and domestic animal." - Ezekiel 14:21.
Death by wild beasts has seldom made headlines in modern times, though in tropical countries wild animals have steadily claimed victims throughout the 20th century. In the future, they may claim even more if lands become desolated because of warfare or people become too emaciated by famine to fight off hungry animals. Additionally, there are many humans today who, like unreasoning animals display beastly dispositions quite contrary to those described at Isaiah 11:6-9. These people are largely responsible for the global expansion of sex-related crimes, murder, terrorism and bombings in the modern world. (Compare Ezekiel 21:31; Romans 1:28-31; 2 Peter 2:12.) The fourth horseman reaps their victims too. Indeed, the main point of this prophetic scene appears to be that the rider of the pale horse harvests untimely death of mankind in many ways.
The information revealed by the opening of the first four seal reassures us because it teaches us not to despair at the warfare, hunger, disease and other causes of untimely death that are so rampant today; neither should we lose hope because human leaders have failed to solve current problems. If world conditions make it evident that the riders of the red, black and pale horses are abroad, do not forget that the Rider of the white horse was first to begin his ride. Jesus has become King, and he has already conquered to the extent of casting Satan out of the heavens. his further conquests have included his gathering out the remaining ones of the sons of spiritual Israel and the international great crowd, numbering into the millions, for survival the great tribulation. (Revelation 7:4, 9, 14) His ride must continue until he completes his conquest.
The opening of each of the first four seals has been followed by the summons "Come!" Each time, a horse and its rider came charging forth. Starting with the fifth seal, we no longer hear such a summons. But those horsemen are still riding, and they will continue at the gallop throughout the conclusion of the system of things. (Compare Matthew 28;20) what other momentous events does Jesus reveal as he opens the remaining three seals? Some of the happenings are invisible to human eyes. Others though visible, are yet future. Nevertheless, their fulfillment is certain. Let us see what they are.
Next time: The Framework Of The Book Of Revelation
Death by wild beasts has seldom made headlines in modern times, though in tropical countries wild animals have steadily claimed victims throughout the 20th century. In the future, they may claim even more if lands become desolated because of warfare or people become too emaciated by famine to fight off hungry animals. Additionally, there are many humans today who, like unreasoning animals display beastly dispositions quite contrary to those described at Isaiah 11:6-9. These people are largely responsible for the global expansion of sex-related crimes, murder, terrorism and bombings in the modern world. (Compare Ezekiel 21:31; Romans 1:28-31; 2 Peter 2:12.) The fourth horseman reaps their victims too. Indeed, the main point of this prophetic scene appears to be that the rider of the pale horse harvests untimely death of mankind in many ways.
The information revealed by the opening of the first four seal reassures us because it teaches us not to despair at the warfare, hunger, disease and other causes of untimely death that are so rampant today; neither should we lose hope because human leaders have failed to solve current problems. If world conditions make it evident that the riders of the red, black and pale horses are abroad, do not forget that the Rider of the white horse was first to begin his ride. Jesus has become King, and he has already conquered to the extent of casting Satan out of the heavens. his further conquests have included his gathering out the remaining ones of the sons of spiritual Israel and the international great crowd, numbering into the millions, for survival the great tribulation. (Revelation 7:4, 9, 14) His ride must continue until he completes his conquest.
The opening of each of the first four seals has been followed by the summons "Come!" Each time, a horse and its rider came charging forth. Starting with the fifth seal, we no longer hear such a summons. But those horsemen are still riding, and they will continue at the gallop throughout the conclusion of the system of things. (Compare Matthew 28;20) what other momentous events does Jesus reveal as he opens the remaining three seals? Some of the happenings are invisible to human eyes. Others though visible, are yet future. Nevertheless, their fulfillment is certain. Let us see what they are.
Next time: The Framework Of The Book Of Revelation
10.05.2007
The Pale Horse And Its Rider
The story is not yet completely told. Jesus opens the fourth seal, and John tells us the result: " And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard a voice of the fourth living creature say: "Come!' " (Revelation 6:7) This is the voice of the cherub that resembles a flying eagle. Farsighted wisdom is indicated and truly John, the John class, and all other earthly servants of God have needed to observe and act with insight in view of what is here depicted. So doing, we may find a measure of protection from the scourges that plague the worldly-wise of today's proud, immoral generation. -1 Corinthians 1:20, 21.
What new horrors are unleashed, then,as the fourth horseman responds to the call? John tells us: "And I saw, and look! a pale horse; and the one seated upon it had the name Death. And Hades was following close behind him." (Revelation 6:8a) The rider of the last horse has a name: Death. He is the only one of the four horsemen of Apocalypse to reveal his identity so directly. Fittingly, Death rides a horse that is pale, since the word pale (Greek, khlo-ros) is used in Greek literature to describe faces that are blanched, as if by disease. Also fittingly, Death is closely followed in some unexplained manner by Hades (gravedom), since Hades receives to itself the greater number of those who fall victim to the ravages of the fourth horseman. Happily, for these there will be a resurrection, when 'death and hades give up those dead in them.' (Revelation 20:13) But how does Death claim those victims?
The vision enumerates some of the ways: "And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortage and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth." (Revelation 6:8b) Not necessarily a literal fourth of earth's population but a large portion of the earth, whether densely or sparsely inhabited, would be affected by this ride. This horseman reaps the victims of the big sword of the second horseman and the famines and food shortages of the third. He reaps his own harvest, too, from deadly plague and also a harvest from the earthquakes, as described by Luke 21:10, 11.
Of current importance here is 'deadly plague." Following in the wake of the ravages of World WarI, the Spanish flu reaped over 20 million human lives in just a few months of 1918-19. The only territory on earth to escape this scourge was the small island of St. Helena. In places where the population was decimated, funeral pyres were lit to burn the piles of bodies. And today there is the frightful incidence of heart disease and cancer, much of which is caused by tobacco pollution. In what has been described as "the ugly decade" of the 1980's, a way of life that is lawless by Bible standards has added the scourge of AIDS to the "deadly plague." At the same of this writing, all who contract this disease die, and it is estimated that in the United States alone 270,000 will be sick with AIDS by 1991; millions appear to be doomed in a Africa. How thankful Jehovah's people are that the wise counsel of his Word keeps them away from fornication and misuse of blood, through which so many diseases are transmitted today!- Acts 15:28, 29; compare 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
Next time: Continue with the above subject.
What new horrors are unleashed, then,as the fourth horseman responds to the call? John tells us: "And I saw, and look! a pale horse; and the one seated upon it had the name Death. And Hades was following close behind him." (Revelation 6:8a) The rider of the last horse has a name: Death. He is the only one of the four horsemen of Apocalypse to reveal his identity so directly. Fittingly, Death rides a horse that is pale, since the word pale (Greek, khlo-ros) is used in Greek literature to describe faces that are blanched, as if by disease. Also fittingly, Death is closely followed in some unexplained manner by Hades (gravedom), since Hades receives to itself the greater number of those who fall victim to the ravages of the fourth horseman. Happily, for these there will be a resurrection, when 'death and hades give up those dead in them.' (Revelation 20:13) But how does Death claim those victims?
The vision enumerates some of the ways: "And authority was given them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with a long sword and with food shortage and with deadly plague and by the wild beasts of the earth." (Revelation 6:8b) Not necessarily a literal fourth of earth's population but a large portion of the earth, whether densely or sparsely inhabited, would be affected by this ride. This horseman reaps the victims of the big sword of the second horseman and the famines and food shortages of the third. He reaps his own harvest, too, from deadly plague and also a harvest from the earthquakes, as described by Luke 21:10, 11.
Of current importance here is 'deadly plague." Following in the wake of the ravages of World WarI, the Spanish flu reaped over 20 million human lives in just a few months of 1918-19. The only territory on earth to escape this scourge was the small island of St. Helena. In places where the population was decimated, funeral pyres were lit to burn the piles of bodies. And today there is the frightful incidence of heart disease and cancer, much of which is caused by tobacco pollution. In what has been described as "the ugly decade" of the 1980's, a way of life that is lawless by Bible standards has added the scourge of AIDS to the "deadly plague." At the same of this writing, all who contract this disease die, and it is estimated that in the United States alone 270,000 will be sick with AIDS by 1991; millions appear to be doomed in a Africa. How thankful Jehovah's people are that the wise counsel of his Word keeps them away from fornication and misuse of blood, through which so many diseases are transmitted today!- Acts 15:28, 29; compare 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
Next time: Continue with the above subject.
10.04.2007
A Black Horse Plunges Forth
Jesus now opens the third seal! John, what do you observe? " And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say: 'Come!' (Revelation 6:5a) Happily, this third cherub "has a face like a man's, depicting the quality of love. Principled love will abound in God's new world, even as that fine quality permeates all of Jehovah's organization today. (Revelation 4:7; 1 John 4:16) We can be sure that the Rider of the white horse, who "must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet," will lovingly remove the calamitous situation that is next brought to John's scrutiny. -1Corinthians 15:25.
What does John see, then, as the third summons to "Come!" is answered? "And I saw, and, look! a black horse; and the one seated upon it had a pair of scales in his hand." (Revelation 6:5b) Stark famine! That is the dire message of this prophetic scene. It points forward to situations early in the Lord's day when food must be rationed out by scales. Since 1914 famine has been a continuing worldwide problem. Modern warfare brings famine in its wake, for resources normally used in feeding the hungry are often diverted to supplying war weapons. Farm workers are conscripted, and battle-scarred fields and scorched-earth policies curtail food production. How true this was during the first world war, when millions suffered from hunger and died! Moreover, the rider of the black horse of hunger did not relent with the end of the war. During the 1930's, five million perished in just one famine in the Ukraine. The second world war was brought in its wake more food shortages and famines. As the black horse continued its gallop, the World Food Council reported in mid-1987 that 512 million humans were starving and that 40,000 children die of hunger-related causes every day.
John has more to tell us: "And I heard a voice as if in the midst of the four living creatures say" 'A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine.' " (Revelation 6:6) All four cherubs are united in expressing a need to watch food supplies carefully - just as the people had to "eat bread by weight and in anxious care" prior to Jerusalem's destruction in 607 B.C.E. (Ezekiel 4:16) In John's time, a quart of wheat was reckoned to be the daily ration for a soldier. How much would such a ration cost? One denarius-a whole day's wage! (Matthew 20:2) What if a man had a family? Well, he could buy three quarts of unpolished barley instead. Even that would feed only a small family. And barley was not viewed as a quality food such as wheat.
What is implied by the statement, "Do not harm the olive oil and the wine"? Some have viewed it as meaning that while many would be short of food and even starving, the luxuries of the rich would not be harmed. But in the Middle East, oil and wine are not really luxuries. In Bible times, bread, oil and wine were viewed as staples. (Compare Genesis 14:18; Psalm 104:14, 15) Water was not always good, so wine was widely used for drinking and sometimes for medicinal purposes. (1 Timothy 5:23) With regard to oil, in Elijah's day the widow of Zerephath, poor as she was, still had some oil left with which to cook her remaining flour. (1 Kings 17:12) Therefore, the command "do not harm the olive oil and the wine" appears to be advice not to use up these basic commodities too quickly bu to be sparing in their use. Otherwise, they will be 'harmed,' that is, they will run out before the famine ends.
How happy we can be that the Rider of the white horse will soon rein in that galloping black horse! For it is written concerning His loving provision for the new world: "In his days the righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more. . . There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountain there will be an overflow." -Psalm 72:7, 16; see also Isaiah 25:6-8.
Next time: The Pale Horse And Its Rider
What does John see, then, as the third summons to "Come!" is answered? "And I saw, and, look! a black horse; and the one seated upon it had a pair of scales in his hand." (Revelation 6:5b) Stark famine! That is the dire message of this prophetic scene. It points forward to situations early in the Lord's day when food must be rationed out by scales. Since 1914 famine has been a continuing worldwide problem. Modern warfare brings famine in its wake, for resources normally used in feeding the hungry are often diverted to supplying war weapons. Farm workers are conscripted, and battle-scarred fields and scorched-earth policies curtail food production. How true this was during the first world war, when millions suffered from hunger and died! Moreover, the rider of the black horse of hunger did not relent with the end of the war. During the 1930's, five million perished in just one famine in the Ukraine. The second world war was brought in its wake more food shortages and famines. As the black horse continued its gallop, the World Food Council reported in mid-1987 that 512 million humans were starving and that 40,000 children die of hunger-related causes every day.
John has more to tell us: "And I heard a voice as if in the midst of the four living creatures say" 'A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the olive oil and the wine.' " (Revelation 6:6) All four cherubs are united in expressing a need to watch food supplies carefully - just as the people had to "eat bread by weight and in anxious care" prior to Jerusalem's destruction in 607 B.C.E. (Ezekiel 4:16) In John's time, a quart of wheat was reckoned to be the daily ration for a soldier. How much would such a ration cost? One denarius-a whole day's wage! (Matthew 20:2) What if a man had a family? Well, he could buy three quarts of unpolished barley instead. Even that would feed only a small family. And barley was not viewed as a quality food such as wheat.
What is implied by the statement, "Do not harm the olive oil and the wine"? Some have viewed it as meaning that while many would be short of food and even starving, the luxuries of the rich would not be harmed. But in the Middle East, oil and wine are not really luxuries. In Bible times, bread, oil and wine were viewed as staples. (Compare Genesis 14:18; Psalm 104:14, 15) Water was not always good, so wine was widely used for drinking and sometimes for medicinal purposes. (1 Timothy 5:23) With regard to oil, in Elijah's day the widow of Zerephath, poor as she was, still had some oil left with which to cook her remaining flour. (1 Kings 17:12) Therefore, the command "do not harm the olive oil and the wine" appears to be advice not to use up these basic commodities too quickly bu to be sparing in their use. Otherwise, they will be 'harmed,' that is, they will run out before the famine ends.
How happy we can be that the Rider of the white horse will soon rein in that galloping black horse! For it is written concerning His loving provision for the new world: "In his days the righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more. . . There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountain there will be an overflow." -Psalm 72:7, 16; see also Isaiah 25:6-8.
Next time: The Pale Horse And Its Rider
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