Continue with God's Sacred Secret-Its Glorious Climax

But how did "the kingdom of the world. .. become the kingdom of our Lord," Jehovah? Has not Jehovah god always been King? That is true, for the Levite Asaph sang: "God is my King from long ago." And another psalmist proclaimed: "Jehovah himself has become king! . . .Your throne is firmly established from long ago; you are from time indefinite." (Psalm 74:12; 93:1, 2) In his wisdom, though, Jehovah has allowed other sovereignties to exist on earth. Thus the issue raised in Eden as to whether man can govern himself without God has been fully tested. Man-rule has failed miserably. True, indeed, are the words of God's prophet: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." (Jeremiah 10:23) Ever since the defection of our first parents, the entire inhabitant earth has been under the domination of "the original serpent," Satan. (Revelation 12:9; Luke 4:6) It is time, now, for a dramatic change! To vindicate his rightful position, Jehovah begins to exercise his sovereignty over the earth in a new way, through his designated Messianic Kingdom.

When the sounding of the seven trumpets got under way in 1922, the Bible Students' convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, featured a talk by the president of the Watchtower Society, J.F. Rutherford, based on the scripture "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17, King James Version) He concluded with these words: "then back to the field, O ye sons of the most high God! Gird on your armor! Be vigilant, be active,be brave. Be faithful and true witnesses for the Lord. Go forward in the fight until every vestige of Babylon lies desolate. Herald the message far and wide. the world must know that Jehovah is God and that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. This is the day of all days.l Behold, the King reigns! You are his publicity agents. Therefore, advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom." God's kingdom by Christ Jesus was brought to the fore, and that set off the great surge of Kingdom preaching that has included the judgments heralded by the sounding of all seven of the angelic trumpets.

The trumpet blast of the seventh angel was reflected in highlights of the Bible Students' convention in Detroit, Michigan, July 30-August 6, 1928. At that time 107 broadcasting stations were tied in to what The New York Times described as "The most extensive and expensive radio hook-up in history.' The convention enthusiastically adopted a powerful "Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah," pointing to the overthrow, at Armageddon, of Satan and his evil organization and the emancipation of all who love righteousness. Loyal subjects of God's Kingdom were delighted to receive a convention release, the 368-page book Government. This supplied the clearest of proofs "that God set his Anointed King upon his throne in 1914.

Next time: Jehovah Takes Power