Continue with Endurance For The Holy Ones

Was Edom hurled into some mythical hellfire to burn forever? Of course not. Rather, the nation completely disappeared fro the world scene as if she had been totally consumed with fire and sulfur. The final result of the punishment was not everlasting torment, but "emptiness. . . wasteness. . . nothing." (Isaiah 34:11,12) The smoke 'ascending to time indefinite' vividly illustrates this. When a house burns down, smoke keeps coming from the ashes for some time after the flames have died down, providing onlookers with evidence that there has been a destructive conflagration. Even today God's people remember the lesson to be learned from the destruction of Edom. In this way 'the smoke of her burning' is still ascending in a symbolic way.

Those who have the mark of the wild beast will also be destroyed completely, as if by fire. As the prophecy later reveals, their dead bodies will be left unburied for animals and birds to eat. (Revelation 19:17, 18) So, clearly, they are not being literally tortured forever! How are they "tormented with fire and sulphur"? In that proclamation of truth exposes them and warns them of God's coming judgment. Therefore they vilify God's people and, where possible , slyly persuade the political wild beast to persecute and even kill Jehovah's Witnesses.l As a climax, these opposers will be destroyed as with fire and brimstone. then "the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever" in that God's judgment of them will serve as a touchstone if ever again Jehovah's rightful sovereignty is challenged. That issue will have been settled for all eternity.

Who deliver the tormenting message today? Remember, the symbolic locusts have authority to torment the man who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. (Revelation 9:5) Evidently, these ones under angelic direction are the tormentors. Such is the persistence of the symbolic locusts that "day and night they have no rest, those who worship the wild beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name." And finally, after their destruction, the monumental evidence of that vindication of Jehovah's sovereignty, "The smoke of their torment," will ascend forever and ever. May the John class endure until that vindication is complete! As the angel concludes: "Here is where it means endurance for the holy ones, those who observe the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." - Revelation 14:12.

Yes, "endurance for the holy ones" means their worshiping Jehovah in exclusive devotion through Jesus Christ. Their message is not popular. It leads to opposition, persecution, even martyrdom. But they are strengthened by what John next reports: 'Write: Happy are the dead who die in union with the Lord from this ti me onward. Yes, says the spirit, let them rest from their labors, for the things they did go right with them.' " - Revelation 14:13.

This promise harmonizes well with Paul's prophecy concerning Jesus' presence: "Those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving [those of the anointed ones who survive into the Lord's day] will, together with them be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) After Satan's ouster from heaven, those who were dead in union with Christ rose first. (Compare Revelation 6:9-11.) Afterward, those of the anointed ones who die during the Lord's day are promised a special privilege. Their resurrection to spirit life in heaven is instantaneous, "in the twinkling of an eye." (1 Corinthians 15:52) How marvelous this is! And their works of righteousness continue right on in the heavenly realm.

Next time: Harvest Of The Earth.