A New Nation

While the first world war was being fought, Jesus' brothers faithfully kept on with their witnessing to the extent possible. This was done in the face of intensified opposition from Satan and his vicious henchmen. Finally, the Bible Students' public witnessing was virtually stopped. (Revelation 11:7-10) That was when they had an experience quite similar to that of the Israelites in Egypt who also endured under great oppression. it was then that Jehovah brought them swiftly, as if on wings of eagles, to safety in the desert of Sinai. (Exodus 19:1-4) Likewise, after the bitter persecution of 1918-1919, Jehovah delivered his witnesses, as representing his woman, into a spiritual situation that was a safe for them as the desert was for the Israelites. This cam as an answer to their prayers. -Compare Psalm 55:6-9.

In the wilderness, Jehovah brought forth the Israelites as a nation, providing for them spiritually and physically. Similarly, starting in 1919, Jehovah brought forth the seed of the woman as a spiritual nation. This is not to be confused with the Messianic Kingdom that has been ruling from the heavens since 1914. Rather, this new nation is made up of the remnant of anointed witnesses on earth, who were brought into a glorious spiritual estate in 1919. Being provided now with "their measure of food supplies at the proper time," these were strengthened for the work that lay ahead. -Luke 12:42; Isaiah 66:8.

How long did his respite for the seed of God's woman last? Revelation 12:6 says 1,260 days. Revelation 12:14 calls the period a time, times, and a half a time; in other words, three and a half times. In fact, both expressions stand for three and a half years, extending in the Northern Hemisphere from the spring of 1919 to the autumn of 1922. This was a period of refreshing recuperation an reorganization for the restored John class.

The dragon did not give up! " And the serpent disgorged water like a river fro its mouth after the woman, to cause her to be drowned by the river." (Revelation 12:15) what is meant by "water like a river, " or "a flood of water"? (The New English Bible) Ancient King David spoke of the wicked men who opposed him as 'flash floods of good-for-nothing men" ["streams of the worthless," Young]. (Psalm 18:4, 5, 16, 17) What Satan now unleashes is likewise persecution by worthless or "good-for-nothing men." After 1922 Satan spewed out a flood of persecution against the Witnesses. (Matthew 24:9-13) This came to include physical violence, "framing trouble by decree," imprisonments and even executions by hanging, shooting and beheading. (Psalm 94:20) The debased Satan, having been denied direct access to God's heavenly woman, set out wrathfully to attack her remaining seed on earth and to destroy them, either directly or by causing them to lose God's favor through breaking their integrity. but their resolved proved to be like that of Job: "Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself?A" -Job 27:5.

Next time: Continue with A New Nation.