Continue With Revelation And You

The anointed remnant today have obeyed the words of the angel. They have not sealed up the words of the prophecy. Why, the very first issue of Zion's Watchtower And Herald of Christ's Presence (July 1879) set out comments on numerous verses of Revelation. As we noted in our opening chapter, the Watchtower Society has over the years published other enlightening books on Revelation. Now we again draw the attention of all truth lovers to the powerful Revelation prophecies and their fulfillment.

If people want to ignore the warnings and counsel in Revelation, well, let them do so! "He that is doing unrighteousness, let him do unrighteousness still." If it is their choice, those who are wallowing in the filth of this permissive age can die in that filth. Shortly, Jehovah's judgments will be executed to completion, starting with the destruction of Babylon the Great. Let meek persons be diligent to heed the prophet's words: "Seek Jehovah . . . Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you may be concealed in the day of Jehovah's anger." (Zephaniah 2:3) As for those who are already dedicated to Jehovah, "let the righteous one do righteousness still, and let the holy one be made holy still." The wise one knows that no temporary advantage coming from sin can compare with the lasting blessings to be enjoyed by those who pursue righteousness and holiness. The Bible says: "Keep testing the whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are." (2 Corinthians 13:5) Based on the course you choose and stay with, you will receive your reward. -Psalm 19:9-11; 58:10, 11.

Jehovah the King of eternity, now addresses readers of Revelation for the last time in the prophecy, saying: "Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to render each one as his work is., I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Happy are those who wash their robes, that the authority to go to the trees of life may be theirs and that they may gain entrance into the city by its gates. Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone liking and carrying on a lie." -Revelation 22:12-15.

Next time: Conclusion of Revelation And You.

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 198

Revelation And You

On reading the delightful description of New Jerusalem, you may be moved to ask: 'Can something so wonderful really come to be?' John answers that question by reporting the angel's next words: "And he said to me: 'These words are faithful and true; yes, Jehovah the God of the inspired expression of the prophets sent his angel forth to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And, look! I am coming quickly. Happy is anyone observing the words of the prophecy of this scroll.' " ( Revelation 22:6, 7) All the wonderful promises of Revelation will really be fulfilled! Speaking in the name of Jesus, the angel declares that Jesus is coming soon, "quickly." This must be Jesus' coming "as a thief" to destroy Jehovah's enemies and usher in the grand and happy climax of Revelation. (Revelation 16:15, 16) We should, therefore, conform out lives to the words of "this scroll," Revelation, to be pronounced happy at that time.

After such a richness of revelation, it is understandable that John felt overwhelmed: "Well, I John was the one hearing and seeing these things. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that had been showing me these things. But he tells me: 'Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who are prophets and of those who are observing the words of this scroll. Worship God.' " (Revelation 22:8, 9; compare Revelation 19:10) this twice-stated warning not to worship angels was timely in John's day, when some evidently pursued such worship or claimed special revelations from angels. (1Corinthians 13:1; Galatians 1:8; Colossians 2:18) Today, it highlights the fact that we must worship God alone. (Matthew 4:10) We should not corrupt pure worship with the worship of anyone or anything else. -Isaiah 42:5, 8.

John continues: "He also tells me: 'Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the appointed time is near. He that is doing unrighteousness, let him do unrighteousness still; and let the filthy one be made filthy still; but let the righteous one do righteousness still, and let the holy one be made holy still.' " -Revelation 22:10, 11.

Next time: Continue with Revelation And You

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Revelation's Happy Climax

The realization of this vision of New Jerusalem, the Lamb's bride, is the happy climax to which Revelation points, and fittingly so. All of John's first-century fellow Christians to whom the book was initially addressed looked forward to entering into that city as immortal spirits co-rulers with Jesus Christ. The remnant of anointed Christians still alive today on earth have the same hope. Thus Revelation moves on to its grand climax, as the completed bride is united with the Lamb. Next, by means of New Jerusalem, the benefits of Jesus' ransom sacrifice will be applied to mankind, so that eventually all faithful ones will enter into everlasting life. In this way the bride, New Jerusalem, as a loyal helpmeet to her Bridegroom King, will share in building up for eternity a righteous new earth- all to the glory of our Sovereign Lord Jehovah. -Matthew 20:28; John 10:10, 16; Romans 16:27.

What joy we feel, then, as we draw to the close of our consideration of the book of Revelation! We have seen the final efforts of Satan and his seed utterly frustrated and Jehovah's righteous judgments carried out to completion. Babylon the Great must go out of existence forever, to be followed by all other hopelessly corrupt elements of Satan's world. Satan himself and his demons will be abyssed and later destroyed. New Jerusalem will rule with Christ from the heavens as the resurrection and judgment proceed, and perfected mankind will finally come to enjoy everlasting life in the Paradise earth. how vividly Revelation portrays all these things! How it strengthens our determination to 'declare this everlasting good news as glad tidings to every nation and tribe and tongue and people' on earth today! (Revelation 14:6, 7) Are you expending yourself to the full in this great work?

With our hearts so full of gratitude, let us give attention to the concluding words of Revelation.

Next time: Revelation And You

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

No More Night

Entry into New Jerusalem-surely, there could be no more wondrous privilege! Just think-those once lowly, imperfect humans will follow Jesus into heaven to become part of such a glorious arrangement! (John 14:2) John gives some idea of the blessings to be enjoyed by these, saying: "And no more will there be any curse. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his slaves will render him sacred service; and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads." (Revelation 22:3, 4) When the Israelite priesthood became corrupt, it suffered Jehovah's curse. (Malachi 2:2) Jerusalem's faithless "house" was pronounced abandoned by Jesus. (Matthew 23:37-39) but in New Jerusalem, "no more will there be any curse." (Compare Zechariah 14:11) All its inhabitants have been tested in the fire of trials here on earth, and having gained the victory, they will have 'put on incorruption and immortality.' In their case, Jehovah knows, just as he knew with Jesus, that they will never fall away. (1 Corinthians 15:53, 57) Further, "the throne of God and of the Lamb" will be there, making the city's position secure for all eternity.

Like John himself, all future members of that celestial city are "slaves of God. As such, they have God's name prominently written on their forehead, identifying him as their Owner. (Revelation 1:1; 3:12) They will count it an inestimable privilege to render him sacred service as part of New Jerusalem. While Jesus was on earth, he made a thrilling promise to such prospective rulers,saying: "Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God." (Matthew 5:8) How happy these slaves will be actually to behold and worship Jehovah in person!

John continues: "Also, night will be no more, and they have no need of lamplight nor do they have sunlight, because Jehovah God will shed light upon them." (Revelation 22:5a) Ancient Jerusalem, like any other city on earth, relied on the sun for light by day and on moonlight and artificial light by night. But in heavenly New Jerusalem, such lighting will be unnecessary. The city will be illuminated by Jehovah himself. "Night" may also be used in a figurative sense, referring to adversity or separation from Jehovah. (Micah 3:6; John 9:4; Romans 13:11, 12) There could never be that kind of night in the glorious, radiant presence of the almighty God.

John closes out this magnificent vision by saying of these slaves of God: "And they will rule as kings forever and ever." (Revelation 22:5b) True, at the end of he thousand years, the benefits of the ransom will have been applied to completion, and Jesus will present a perfected human race to his Father. (1 Corinthians 15:25-28) What Jehovah has in mind for Jesus and the 144,000 after that, we do not know. But Revelation assures us that their privilege sacred service to Jehovah will continue into all eternity.

Next time: Revelation's Happy Climax

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Trees Of Life

In Ezekiel's vision, the river even became a torrent, and the prophet saw growing on both sides of it all kinds of fruit-bearing trees. (Ezekiel 47:12) But what does John see? This: "And on this side of the river and on that side of the river there were trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees were for the curing of the nations." (Revelation 22:2b) These "trees of life" must also picture part of Jehovah's provision for giving eternal life to obedient mankind.

What bounteous provision Jehovah makes for responsive humans! Not only may they partake of those refreshing waters but they may pluck from those trees a continuing variety of sustaining fruits. Oh, if only our original parents had been satisfied with a similar "desirable" provision in Eden's Paradise! (Genesis 2:9) But now a global Paradise is here, and Jehovah even makes provision through the leaves of those symbolic trees for "the curing of the nations." Far superior to any medicine, herbal or otherwise, that is dispensed today, the soothing application of those symbolic leaves will raise believing mankind to spiritual and bodily perfection.

Those trees, well watered by the river, may additionally picture the 144,000 members of the Lamb's wife. While on earth these also drink of God's provision for life through Jesus Christ and are called "big trees of righteousness." (Isaiah 61:1-3; Revelation 21:6) They have already produced much spiritual fruitage to Jehovah's praise. (Matthew 21:43) And during the Thousand Year Reign, they will have a part in dispensing the ransom provisions that will serve for "the curing of the nations" from sin and death. -Compare 1 John 1:7.

Next time: No More Night

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The River Of Water Of Life

The resplendent New Jerusalem will channel grand blessings to human kind on earth. This is what John next learns: "And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its broad way." (Revelation 22:1, 2a) When does this "river" flow? Since it flows "out from the throne of God and of the Lamb," it could only be after the Lord's day began in 1914. That was the time for the event heralded by the blowing of the seventh trumpet and the grand announcement: "Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ." (Revelation 11:15; 12:10) Previous to that date, "the Lamb" was not enthroned as Messianic King. Additionally, since the river runs through the broad way of New Jerusalem, the time of the vision's fulfillment must be after the destruction of Satan's world, when New Jerusalem 'comes down out of heaven from God.' -Revelation 231:2.

This is not the first time that life-giving water has been offered to mankind. When he was on earth, Jesus spoke of water that imparted everlasting life. (John 4:10-14; 7:37, 38) Further, John is about to hear the loving invitation: "The spirit and the bride keep on saying: 'Come!' And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free." (Revelation 22:17) This invitation is being sounded even now, indicating that a measure of water of life is already available. But in the new world, those waters will flow from God's throne and through New Jerusalem as a veritable river.

What is this "river of water of life"? Literal water is a vital element for life. Without food a man can survive for a number of weeks, but without water he will die in about one week. Water is also a cleansing agent and vital for health. Thus, the water of life must represent something essential for the life and health of mankind. The prophet Ezekiel was also granted a vision of this "river of water of life," and in his vision, the river flowed out from the temple in Jerusalem and down into the Dead Sea. Then, miracle of miracles! that lifeless, chemically saturated body of water was converted into fresh water teeming with fish! (Ezekiel 47:1-12) Yes, the visionary river brings back to life something that was previously dead, confirming that the river of water of life pictures God's provision through Jesus Christ for restoring perfect human life to the "dead" human race. This river is "clear as crystal," showing the purity and holiness of God's provisions. It is not like the blood-stained, death-dealing "waters" of Christendom. -Revelation 8:10, 11.

The river originates at "the throne of God and of the Lamb." this is appropriate, since the basis of Jehovah's life-giving provisions is the ransom sacrifice, and this was provided because Jehovah "loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) the water of life also involves God's Word, which is spoken of as water in the Bible. (Ephesians 5:26) However, the river of water of life includes not only the truth but also every other provision of Jehovah, based on Jesus' sacrifice, for recovering obedient humans from sin and death and granting them everlasting life. -John 1:29; 1 John 2:1, 2.

During the Thousand Year Reign, the benefits of the ransom are applied fully through the priesthood of Jesus and his 144,000 under priests. Fittingly, then, the river of water of life flows through the middle of the broad way of New Jerusalem. This is composed of spiritual Israel, which along with Jesus makes up the true seed of Abraham. (Galatians 3:16, 29) Therefore, when the water of life flows in abundance through the middle of the broad way of the symbolic city, "all nations of the earth" will have full opportunity to bless themselves by means of Abraham's seed. Jehovah's promise to Abraham will be completely fulfilled. - Genesis 22:17, 18.

Next time: Trees Of Life

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

A Light For The Nations

This same prophecy also foretold: "And nations will certainly go to your light, and kings to the brightness of your shining forth." (Isaiah 60:3) Revelation shows that these words would include New Jerusalem: And the nations will walk by means of its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. And its gates will not be closed at all by day, for night will not exist there. And they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it."- Revelation 21:24-26.

Who are these "nations" walking by means of the light of New Jerusalem? They are people, once a part of the nations of this wicked world, who respond to the light shed through this glorious heavenly city. Foremost among them are the great crowd, who have already come out of "all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues" and who worship God day and night in company with the John class. (Revelation 7:9, 15) After New Jerusalem comes down from heaven and Jesus uses they keys of death and of Hades to resurrect the dead, they will be joined by millions more, originally from "the nations," who come to love Jehovah and his Son, the Lamb-like Husband of New Jerusalem. - Revelation 1:18.

Who, then, are "the kings of the earth" who "bring their glory into it"? They are not the literal kings of the earth as a group, for they do down to destruction fighting against God's Kingdom at Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:17, 18) Could the kings be some high-ranking ones of the nations who become a part of the great crowd, or are they resurrected kings who submit to God's Kingdom in the new world? (Matthew 123:42) Hardly, because for the most part, the glory of such kings was worldly and has long since faded. "The kings of the earth," then, who bring their glory into New Jerusalem must be the 144,000, who are bought . . .out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation" to rule as kings with the Lamb, Jesus Christ. (Revelation 5:9, 10; 22:5) They bring their God-given glory into the city to add to its radiance.

John continues: "But anythings not sacred and anyone that carries on a disgusting thing and a lie will in no way enter into it; only those written in the Lamb's scroll of life will." (Revelation 21:27) Nothing tainted by Satan's system of things can be a part of New Jerusalem. Even though its gates are permanently open, no one who "carries on a disgusting thing and a lie" will be allowed to enter. there will be no apostates in that city nor any members of Babylon the Great. And if any try to desecrate the city by corrupting its future members while thy are still on earth, their efforts are brought to nothing. (Matthew 13:41-43) Only "those written in the Lamb's scroll of life," the 144,000, will finally enter into New Jerusalem. -Revelation 13:8; Daniel 12:3.

Next time: The River Of Water Of Life.

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

A City Of Light

In Solomon's time, Jerusalem was dominated by a temple built at the city's highest elevation on Mount Moriah to the north. But what of New Jerusalem? John says: " And I did not see a temple in it, for Jehovah God and the Almighty is its temple, also the Lamb is. And the city has not need of the sun nor of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God lighted it up, and its lamp was the Lamb." (Revelation 21:22, 23) In truth, there is no need to construct a literal temple here. The ancient Jewish temple was just a pattern, and the reality of that pattern, the great spiritual temple, has existed since Jehovah has anointed Jesus as High Priest in 29 C.E. (Matthew 3:16, 17; Hebrews 9:11, 12, 23, 24) A temple also presupposes a priestly class offering sacrifices to Jehovah on behalf of the people. But all those who are part of the New Jerusalem are priests. (Revelation 20:6) And the great sacrifice, Jesus' perfect human life, has been offered once for all time. (Hebrews 9:27, 28) Moreover, Jehovah is personally accessible to everyone living in the city.

When Jehovah's glory passed by Moses on Mount Sinai, it caused Moses' face to shine so brightly that he had to cover it from his fellow Israelites. (Exodus 34:4-7, 29, 30, 33) Can you imagine, then, the brightness of a city that is permanently lighted up with Jehovah's glory? Such a city could have no nighttime. It would have no need of a literal sun or moon. It would be eternally shedding light. (Compare 1 Timothy 6:16) New Jerusalem is bathed in that kind of radiant brilliance. Indeed, this bride and its Bridegroom King become the capital of Jehovah's universal organization - his "woman," "the Jerusalem above" -concerning which Isaiah prophesied: "For you the sun will be no more prove to be a light by day, and for brightness the moon itself will no more give you light. And Jehovah must become to you an indefinitely lasting light, and your God your beauty. No more will your sun set, nor your moon go on the wane; for Jehovah himself will become for you and indefinitely lasting light and the days of your mourning will have come to completion. -Isaiah 60:1, 19, 20; Galatians 4:26.

Next time: A Light For The Nations

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Precious Building Materials

John continues his description: " Now the structure of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass. The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with every sort of precious stone: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Also, the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was made of one pearl. And the broad way of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass." - Revelation 21:18-21.

The city's construction is truly resplendent. Instead of mundane earthly building materials like clay or stone, we read of jasper, refined gold and "every sort of precious stone." How fittingly these portray celestial building materials! Nothing could be more magnificent. The ancient ark of the covenant was overlaid with pure gold, and in the Bible this element often represents things that are good and valuable. (Exodus 25:11; Proverbs 25:11; Isaiah 60:6, 17) But the entire New Jerusalem, and even its broad way, are constructed of "pure gold like clear glass," portraying a beauty and intrinsic value that stagger the imagination.

No human smelter could produce gold of such purity. But Jehovah is the Master Refiner. He sits "as a refiner and cleanser of silver," and he refines the individual, faithful members of spiritual Israel "like gold and like silver," removing from them all impurities. Only individuals who have truly been refined and cleansed will finally make up New Jerusalem, and in this way Jehovah builds the city with living building materials that are aglow with the highest excellence of spiritual purity. -Malachi 3:3, 4.

Even the city's foundations are beautiful being adorned with 12 precious gems. This calls to mind the ancient Jewish high priest, who on ceremonial days wore and ephod studded with 12 different precious stones somewhat similar to the ones described her. (Exodus 28:15-21) Surely, this is no coincidence! Rather, it emphasizes the priestly function of New Jerusalem, of which Jesus, the great High Priest, is the "lamp." (Revelation 20:6; 21:23; Hebrews 8:1) Also, it is through New Jerusalem that the benefits of Jesus' high-priestly ministry are channeled to mankind. (Revelation 22:1, 2) The city's 12 gates, each being a pearl of great beauty, call to mind Jesus' illustration that likened the Kingdom to a pearl of high value. All who enter through those gates will have shown true appreciation for spiritual values. -Matthew 13:45, 46; compare Job 28:12, 17, 18.

Next time: A City Of Light

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Measuring The City

John continues his account Now the one who was speaking with me was holding as a measure a golden reed, that he might measure the city and its golden gates and its wall. And the city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth.And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs; its length and breadth are equal. also, he measured its wall, one hundred and forty-four cubits,according to a man's measure,at the same time an angel's." (Revelation 21:15-17) When the temple sanctuary was measured, this guaranteed the fulfillment of Jehovah's purposes with regard it. ( Revelation 11:1) Now, the angel's measuring New Jerusalem show how unchangeable Jehovah's purposes are with regard to this glorious city.

What a remarkable city this is! A perfect cube 12,000 furlongs (about 1,380 miles) in perimeter, surrounded by a wall 144 cubits, or 210 feet, in height. No literal city could ever have such measurements. It would cover a territory about 14 times as large as modern Israel, and it would tower almost 350 miles into outer space! Revelation was given in signs. So, what do these measurements tell us about heavenly New Jerusalem?

The 144-cubit high walls remind us that the city is made up of 144,000 spiritually adopted sons of God. The figure 12 that appears in the 12,000 furlong measurement of the city-with the length, breadth and height being equal-is used figuratively in organizational settings in Bible prophecy. Hence, New Jerusalem is a superbly designed organizational arrangement for accomplishing God's eternal purpose. New Jerusalem, together with the King Jesus Christ, is Jehovah's Kingdom organization. Then there is the shape of the city; a perfect cube. In Solomon's temple, the Most Holy, containing a symbolic representation of Jehovah's presence, was a perfect cube. (1 Kings 6:19, 20) How fitting, then, that New Jerusalem, illuminated by the glory of Jehovah himself, is seen as a perfect, large-scale cube! All its measurements are perfectly balanced. It is a city without irregularities or defects. -Revelation 21:22.

Next time: Precious Building Materials

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Conclusion Of The Resplendent City

New Jerusalem is breathtaking in its beauty: "Its radiance was like a most precious stone, as a jasper stone shining crystal-clear. It had a great and lofty wall and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names were inscribed which are those of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. The wall of the city also had twelve foundation stones, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Revelation 21:11b-14) How fitting that the first impression John records is of glowing brightness! Radiant as a new bride, New Jerusalem makes a fitting consort for Christ. It positively glows, as is proper for a creation of "the Father of the celestial lights." -James 1:17.

On its 12 gates, there are inscribed the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. Therefore, this symbolic city is made up of the 144,000, who were sealed "out of every tribes of the sons of Israel." (Revelation 7:4-8) In harmony with this, the foundation stones have on them the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. Yes, New Jerusalem is not the fleshly nation of Israel founded on the 12 sons Jacob. It is the spiritual Israel, founded on "the apostles and prophets." -Ephesians 2:20

The symbolic city has a huge wall. In ancient times, city walls were built for security to keep out enemies. New Jerusalem's "great and lofty wall" shows that she is spiritually secure. No enemy of righteousness , no one unclean or dishonest, will ever be able to gain entrance. (Revelation 21:27) But for those allowed in, entering this beauteous city is like entering Paradise. (Revelation 2:7) After Adam's expulsion, cherubs were posted in front of the original Paradise to keep out unclean humans. (Genesis 3:24) Similarly, angels are posted at each entrance of the holy city Jerusalem to ensure the spiritual security of the city. Indeed, throughout the last days, angels have been guarding the congregation of anointed Christians, which becomes New Jerusalem, from Babylonish contamination. -Matthew 13:41.

Next time: Measuring The City

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Resplendent City

An Angel had taken John into a wildness to show him Babylon the Great. Now one of the same angelic group conducts John to a lofty mountain. What a contrast he sees! Here is no unclean, immoral city like the Babylonish harlot, but New Jerusalem - pure, spiritual, holy - and it is descending from heaven itself. - Revelation 17:1, 5.

Even earthly Jerusalem never had a glory such as this. John tells us: "And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls which were full of the seven last plagues, and he spoke with me and said: ' Come here, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.' So he carried me away in the power of the spirit to a great and lofty mountain, and he showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God and having the glory of God." (Revelation 21:9-11) From the vantage point of that towering mountain, John surveys the beauteous city in all its lovely detail. Men of faith have been in eager expectation of its coming ever since mankind's fall into sin and death. At last it is here! (Romans 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 23; Hebrews 11:39, 40) It is the magnificent spiritual city, composed of 144,000 loyal integrity keepers, resplendent in its holiness and reflecting the very glory of Jehovah. Here is the grand Revelation climax!

Next time: Continue with The Resplendent City

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Ones Conquering

Those who drink of that refreshing "water" must also conquer, as Jehovah goes on to say: "Anyone conquering will inherit these things, and I shall be his God and he will be my son." (Revelation 21:7) This promise is similar to the promises found in the messages to the seven congregations; hence, these words must apply in the first place to anointed disciples. (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21) Christ's spiritual brothers throughout the ages have eagerly anticipated the privilege of being part of New Jerusalem, if they conquer, as Jesus conquered, their hopes will be realized. -John 16:33.

The great crowd out of all nations also look to this promise. they too must conquer, loyally serving God until they come out of the great tribulation. Then they will enter into their earthly inheritance, 'the kingdom prepared for them from the founding of the world.' (Matthew 25:34) These and others of the Lord's earthly sheep who pass the test at the end of the thousand years are called "holy ones." (Revelation 20:9) They will enjoy a sacred and filial relationship with their Creator, Jehovah God, as members of his universal organization. -Isaiah 66:22; John 20:31; Romans 8:21.

With this grand prospect in view, how important it is that Jehovah's Witnesses now remain cleaned from the defiling things of Satan's world! We need to be strong, resolute and determined that the Devil will never drag us down into the company that Jehovah himself here describes: "But as for the cowards and those without faith and those who are disgusting in their filth and murderers and fornicators and those practicing spiritism and idolaters and all the liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This means the second death." (Revelation 21:8) Yes, the would-be inheritor has to avoid the practices that have befouled this old system of things. He has to conquer by remaining faithful in the face of all pressures and temptations. -Romans 8:35-39.

Christendom, though she claims to be the bride of Christ, is characterized by the disgusting practices that John here describes. So she goes down to eternal destruction with the rest of Babylon the Great. (Revelation 18:8, 21) Likewise, any of the anointed or of the great crowd who take up the practice of such evildoing, or start encouraging it, face everlasting destruction. If they persist in these actions, they will not inherit the promises. And in the new earth, any who try to introduce such practices will be destroyed speedily, going into the second death without hope of a resurrection. -Isaiah 65:20.

Outstanding as conquerors are the Lamb, Jesus Christ, and his bride of 144,000, New Jerusalem. How fitting, then, that Revelation should be brought to a sublime climax by a final, transcendent view of New Jerusalem! John now describes one last vision.

Next time: The Resplendent City

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

"Water' For The Thirsty Ones

It is Jehovah himself who declares: "To anyone thirsting I will give from the fountain of the water of life free." (Revelation 21:6b) To quench that thirst, a person has to be conscious of his spiritual need and be willing to accept "the water" that Jehovah provides. (Isaiah 55:1; Matthew 5:3) What "water"? Jesus himself answered that question when witnessing to a woman beside a well in Samaria. He told her:: " Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life." That "fountain of the water of life" flows from God through Christ as his provision for restoring mankind to perfection of life. Like the Samaritan woman, how eager we should be to drink deep from that fountain! And like that woman, how ready we should be to drop mundane interests in favor of telling others the good news! -John 4:14, 15, 28, 29.

Next time: The Ones Conquering

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Conclusion Of A New Heaven And A New Earth

"At that time,"says Isaiah, "the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped." Yes, "at that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness." (Isaiah 35:5, 6) At that time, too, "they will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occupancy; and they will not plant and someone else to the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full." (Isaiah 65:21, 22) So they will not be uprooted from the earth.

What magnificent foregleams fill our minds as we meditate on these promises! Wonderous provisions are in store for faithful mankind under heaven's loving government. Are such promises too good to be true? Are they just dreams of an old man exiled on the island of Patmos? Jehovah himself answers: "And the One seated on the throne said: "Look! I am making all things new.' Also, he says: 'Write, because these words are faithful and true.' And he said to me: 'They have come to pass! I am the Alpha and the Omega,m the beginning and the end.' " -Revelation 21:5, 6a.

It is as though Jehovah himself were signing for faithful mankind a guarantee, or title deed, to these future blessings. Who would dare question such a Guarantor? Why, so certain are these promises of Jehovah that he speaks as though they were already fulfilled: "They have come top pass!" Is not Jehovah "the Alpha and the Omega. . ., the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty"? (Revelation 1:8) Indeed he is! He himself declares: "I am the first and I am the last, and besides me there is no God." (Isaiah 44:6) As such, he can inspire prophecies and fulfill them in every detail. How faith strengthening! So he promises: "Look! I am making all things new"! Rather than questioning whether these marvels will really happen, surely, we should be wondering 'What do I personally have to do to inherit such blessings?"

Next time: "Water" For The Thirsty Ones

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Continue with A New Heaven And A New Earth

John tells us further: "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: 'Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them.' " (Revelation 21:3) When Jehovah made the Law covenant with the then new nation of Israel, he promised: "I shall certainly put my tabernacle in the midst of you, and my soul will not abhor you. And I shall indeed walk in the midst of you and prove myself your God, and you, on your part, will prove yourselves my people." (Leviticus 26:11, 12) Now Jehovah is making a similar promise to faithful humans. During the thousand-year Judgment Day, they will become a very special people to him.

During the Millennial Reign, Jehovah will "reside" among mankind in a temporary arrangement, he being represented by his royal Son, Jesus Christ. At the then of the Thousand-Year Reign, however, when Jesus hands the Kingdom over to his Father, no royal representative or intercessor will be needed. Jehovah will reside spiritually with "his peoples" in a permanent and direct way. (Compare John 4:23, 24) What a lofty privilege for restored humanity!

John goes on to say: " And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4) Once again, we are reminded of earlier inspired promises. Isaiah also looked forward to the time when death and mourning would be no more and grief would be replaced by exultation. (Isaiah 25:8; 35:10; 51:11; 65:19) John now confirms that these promises have a wonderful fulfillment during the thousand-year Judgment Day. First the great crowd will enjoy the blessings. "The Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne," continuing to shepherd them, "will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:9, 17) But eventually all those who are resurrected and exercises faith in Jehovah's provisions will be there with them, enjoying a paradise that is both spiritual and physical.

Next time: Conclusion of A New Heaven And A New Earth

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

A New Heaven And A New Earth

This glorious vision continues to unfold as the angel takes John back to the beginning of the Thousand Year Reign. What does he describe? "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more." (Revelation 21:1) A captivating panorama comes to view!

Hundreds of years before Johns day, Jehovah had said to Isaiah: "For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart." (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22) This prophecy was initially fulfilled when faithful Jews returned to Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E. after their 70 -year exile in Babylon. In that restoration, they formed a cleansed society, "a new earth," under a new government system, "new heavens." The apostle Peter, however, pointed to a further application of the prophecy, saying: "But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." (2 Peter 3:13) John now shows that this promise is fulfilled during the Lord's day. "The former heaven and the former earth," Satan's organized system of things with its governmental structure influenced by Satan and his demons, will pass away. The turbulent "sea" of wicked, rebellious mankind will cease to exist., In its right place will be "a new heaven and a new earth" -a new earthly society under a new government, God's Kingdom. - Compare Revelation 20:11.

John continues: "I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Revelation 21:2) New Jerusalem is the bride of Christ, made up of the anointed Christians who remain faithful to death and who are raised to become kings and priests with the glorified Jesus. (Revelation 3:12; 20:6) Just as earthly Jerusalem became the seat of government in ancient Israel, the magnificent New Jerusalem and her Bridegroom make up the government of the new system of things. This is the new heaven. The 'bride comes down out of heaven,' nor literally, but in the sense of directing attention to the earth. The Lamb's bride is to be his loyal helpmeet in operating a righteous government over all mankind. A blessing indeed for the new earth!

Next time: Continue with A New Heaven And A New Earth

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The End Of Death And Hades

Next, John describes something truly wonderful! " And death and Hades were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14, 15) By the end of the millennial Judgment Day, "death and Hades" are completely removed. Why does this involve a thousand years? Hades the common grave of all mankind, is emptied when the last one in God's memory is resurrected. But as long as any humans are tainted by inherited sin, Adamic death is still with them. All those resurrected on earth, as well as the great crowd that survives Armageddon, will need to obey what is written in the scrolls until Jesus' ransom merit has been applied in fully removing sickness, old age and other inherited disabilities. Then Adamic death, along with Hades, is "hurled into the lake of fire." They will be gone forever!

Thus, the program that the apostle Paul describes in his letter to the Corinthians will come to completion: "For [Jesus] must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, [Adamic] death is to be brought to nothing." What happens next? "When all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him. In other words, Jesus "hands over the kingdom to his God and Father." (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) Yes, Jesus, having conquered Adamic death through the merit of his ransom sacrifice, will hand over a perfected human family to his Father, Jehovah. It is evidently at this point, at the end of the thousand years, that Satan is released and the final test takes place to determine whose names will remain permanently recorded in the scroll of life. "Exert yourselves vigorously" so that your name may be among them! -Luke 13:24; Revelation 20:5.

Next time: A New Heaven And A New Earth

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Opening Other Scrolls

How must these resurrected ones demonstrate their obedience? Jesus himself pointed to the two great commandments, saying: "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, and you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.' The second is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' (Mark 12:29-31) There are also Jehovah's well established principles that they must follow, such as to repudiated stealing, lying, murdering and immorality. - 1 Timothy 1:8-11; Revelation 21:8

However, John has just mentioned other scrolls that will be opened during the Millennial Reign. (Revelation 20:12) What will these be? At times, Jehovah has given specific instructions for particular situations. For example, in Moses' day he provided a detailed series of laws that meant life for the Israelites if they obeyed. (Deuteronomy 4:40; 32:45-47) During the first century, new instructions were given to help faithful ones to follow Jehovah's principles under the Christian system of things (Matthew 28:19, 20; John 13:34; 15:9, 10) Now John reports that the dead are to be "judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds." Evidently, then, the opening of these scrolls will publish Jehovah's detailed requirements for mankind during the thousand years. By applying in their lives the regulations and commandments of those scrolls, obedient humans will be able to lengthen their days, attaining finally to everlasting life.

What an extensive campaign of theocratic education will be needed! In 1987 Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide were conducting on the average 3,005,048 Bible studies in various locations. But during the resurrection, countless millions of studies, based on the Bible and the new scrolls, will no doubt be conducted! All of God's people will need to become teachers and to exert themselves. Resurrected ones, as they progress, will no doubt share in this vast teaching program. Likely, the resurrection will proceed in such a way that those who are alive may have the joy of welcoming and instructing former family members and acquaintances, who, in their turn, may welcome and instruct others. (Compare 1 Corinthians 15:19-28, 58) The more than three million witnesses of Jehovah who are active in spreading the truth today are laying a good foundation for the privileges they hope to have during the resurrection. - Isaiah 50:4; 54:13.

With regard to the earthly resurrection, Jesus said that 'those who did good things come out to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.' Here "life" and "judgment" contrast with each other, showing that those resurrected ones who "practiced vile things" after being instructed in the inspired Scriptures and scrolls are judged unworthy of life. Their names will not be written in the scroll, or book, of life. (John 5:29) This would also be true of any who previously followed a faithful course, but who, for some reason, turn aside during the Thousand Year Reign. Names can be erased. (Exodus 32:32, 33) On the other hand, those who obediently follow the things written in the scrolls will keep their names on the written record, the scroll of life, and continue living. For them, the resurrection will have proved to be one "of life."

Next time: The End Of Death And Hades

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Scroll Of Life

John speaks of "the scroll of life." This is a record of those in line to receiver everlasting life from Jehovah. The names of the anointed brothers of Jesus, of the great crowd, and of faithful men of old, such as Moses, have been recorded in this scroll. (Exodus 32:32, 33; Daniel 12:1; Revelation 3:5) As yet, none of the "unrighteous" resurrected ones have their names in the scroll of life. So the scroll of life will be opened during the Thousand Year Reign to permit the writing of names of others that come to qualify. Those whose names do not get written in the scroll, or book, of life are "hurled into the lake of fire." - Revelation 20:15; compare Hebrews 3:19.

What,then, will determine whether a person gets his name written in the opened scroll of life at that time? The key factor will be the same as it was in the days of Adam and Eve: obedience to Jehovah. As the apostle John wrote to beloved fellow Christians: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:4-7, 17) In the matter of obedience, Jehovah's appointed Judge set the example: "Although [Jesus] was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered: and after he had been made perfect he became responsible for everlasting salvation to all those obeying him." -Hebrews 5:8, 9.

Next time: Opening Other Scrolls

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society,1988

Who Are Raised And Judged?

John adds: " But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. And the dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. And the sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades gave up those dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds." (Revelation 20:12b, 13) A breathtaking spectacle indeed! 'The sea, death and Hades' each play a part, but note that these terms are not mutually exclusive. Jonah, when in the belly of a fish and therefore in the midst of the sea, spoke of himself as being in Sheol, or Hades. (Jonah 2:2) If a person is held in the grip of Adamic death, then likely he is also in Hades. These prophetic words give strong assurance that no one will be overlooked.

There are, of course, an unknown number who will not be resurrected. Among these would be the unrepentant scribes and Pharisees who rejected Jesus and the apostles, the religious "man of lawlessness," and anointed Christians "who have fallen away." ( 2Thessalonians 2:3; Hebrews 6:4-6; Matthew 23:29-33) Jesus also spoke of goatlike people at the world's end who go into "the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels," namely "everlasting cutting-off." (Matthew 25:41, 46) No resurrection for these!

On the other hand, some will be specially favored in the resurrection. The apostle Paul indicated this when he said: " I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) With regard to the earthly resurrection, "the righteous" will include faithful men and women of old - Abraham, Rahab and many others - who were declared righteous as to friendship with God. (James 2:21, 23, 25) In this same group will be those righteous other sheep who died faithful to Jehovah in modern times. Likely, all such integrity keepers will be resurrected early in Jesus' Millennial Reign. (Job 14:13-15; 27:5; Daniel 12:13; Hebrews 11:35, 39, 40) No doubt many of these resurrected righteous ones will be assigned special privileges in overseeing the tremendous work of restoration in Paradise. - Psalm 45:16;compare Isaiah 32:1, 16-18; 61:5; 65:21-23.

Who, though, are "the unrighteous" mentioned in Acts 24:15? These would include the great masses of mankind who have died throughout history, particularly those who lived in 'times of ignorance.' (Acts 17:301) These , because of where they were born or when they lived, had no opportunity to learn obedience to Jehovah's will. Additionally, there may be some who did hear the message of salvation but who did not respond fully at that time or who died before they had progressed to dedication and baptism. In the resurrection such ones will have to make further adjustments in their thinking and life course if they are going to benefit from this opportunity for gaining everlasting life.

Next time:The Scroll Of Life

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Thousand-Year Judgment Day

Who are left to be judged after the old earth and the old heaven flee away? Not the anointed remnant of the 144,000, for these have already been judged and sealed. Those still alive on earth after Armageddon must shortly thereafter die and receive their heavenly reward by resurrection. (1 Peter 4:17; Revelation 7:2-4) However, the millions of the great crowd who have now come out of the great tribulation stand conspicuously "before the throne." These have already been counted righteous for survival because of their faith in Jesus' blood, but their judging must continue through the thousand years as Jesus keeps on guiding them to "fountains of waters of life." Then, having been restored to human perfection and thereafter tested, they will be declared righteous in the fullest sense. (Revelation 7:9, 10, 14, 17) Children who survive the great tribulation and any children born to the great crowd during the Millennium will similarly need to be judged during the thousand years. - Compare Genesis 1:28; 9:7; 1 Corinthians 7:14.

John, however, observes a throng far more numerous than the surviving great crowd. It will number into the thousands of millions! " and I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened." (Revelation 20:12a) "The great and the small" embraces the prominent as well as the less prominent ones of humans that have lived and died on this earth during the past 6,000 years. In the Gospel that the apostle John wrote shortly after the Revelation, Jesus said of the Father: "He has give him [Jesus] authority to do judging, because Son of man he is. Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out." (John 5:27-29) What a stupendous project - the undoing of the deaths and burials throughout all history! No doubt those countless millions in God's memory will be brought forth gradually so that the great crowd - so few by comparison - will be able to handle the problems that may arise because resurrected ones may tend at first to follow their old life-style, with its fleshly weaknesses and attitudes.

Next time: Who Are Raised And Judged?

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

God's Day Of Judgment - Its Joyful Outcome!

As humans, we were created to live forever. If Adam and Eve has obeyed God's commands, they would have never died. (Genesis 1:28; 2:8, 16, 17; Ecclesiastes 3:10, 11) But when they sinned, they lost perfection and life both for themselves and their offspring, and death came to reign over mankind as a relentless enemy. (Romans 5:12, 14; 1 Corinthians 15:26) Nevertheless, God's purpose to have perfect humans live forever on a paradise earth did not change. Out of his great love for mankind, he sent to earth his only-begotten Son, Jesus, who gave his perfect human life as a ransom for "many" of Adam's offspring. (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16) Jesus can not use this legal merit of his sacrifice to restore believing humans to life in perfection on a paradise earth. (1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:2) What grand reason for mankind to "be joyful and rejoice"! -Isaiah 25:8, 9.

With Satan confined in the abyss, Jesus' glorious Thousand Year Reign begins. It is now the "day" in which God "purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed." (Acts 17:31; 2 Peter 3:8) John declares: " And I saw a great white throne and the one seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them." (Revelation 20:11) What is this "great white throne"? It can be none other than the judgment seat of "God the Judge of all." (Hebrews 12:23) Now he will judge mankind as to who will benefit from Jesus' ransom sacrifice. - Mark 10:45.

God's throne is "great," emphasizing Jehovah's grandeur as Sovereign Lord, and it is "white," calling attention to his flawless righteousness. He is the ultimate Judge of mankind. (Psalm 19:7-11; Isaiah 33:22; 51:5, 8) He has, however, delegated the work of judging to Jesus Christ: "The Father judges no one at all, but he has committed all the judging to the Son." (John 5:22) With Jesus are his 144,000 associates, to whom the "power of judging was given . . . for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4) Even so, it is Jehovah's standards that decide what will happen to each individual during Judgment Day.

How is is that "the earth and the heaven fled away"? This is the same heaven that departed as a scroll at the opening of the sixth seal -the human ruling powers that are "stored up for fire are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." (Revelation 6:14; 2 Peter 3:7) The earth is the organized system of things that exists under this rulership. (Revelation 8:7) The destruction of the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies, along with those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who render worship to its image, marks the fleeing away of this heaven and earth. (Revelation 19:19-21) Judgment having been executed on Satan's earth and heaven, the Great Judge decrees another Day of Judgment.

Next time: The Thousand-Year Judgment Day

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Conclusion of Tormented Day And Night Forever

Additionally, the related word ba-sa-ni-stes', "tormentor," is used in the Bible to mean "jailer." (Matthew 18:34, Kingdom Interlinear) In harmony with this, Satan will be imprisoned in the lake of fire forever; he will never be released. Finally, in the Greek Septuagint, which was well known to John, the related word ba'sa-nos is used to refer to humiliation that leads to death. (Ezekiel 32:24, 30) This helps us to see that the punishment that Satan undergoes is a humiliating, everlasting death in the lake of fire and sulfur. His works die with him. - 1 John 3:8.

Again, the demons are not mentioned in this verse. Will they be released with Satan at the end of the thousand years and then undergo the punishment of everlasting death along with him? The evidence answers yes. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus said that the goats would go off "into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41) The expression "everlasting fire" must refer to the lake of fire and sulfur where Satan is to be hurled. The Devil's angles were cast out of heaven with him. Evidently, they went into the abyss with him at the beginning of the Thousand Year Reign. Consistently, then, they will also be destroyed with him in the lake of fire and sulfur. -Matthew 8:29.

In this way,the final detail of the prophecy recorded at Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled. When Satan is hurled into the lake of fire, he will become as dead as a snake the head of which has been ground under an iron heel. He and his demons will be gone forever. There is no further mention of them in the book of Revelation. Now, having prophetically disposed of these, Jehovah's spirit draws attention to a matter of pressing interest to those who cherish an earthly hope: What will result to humankind from the heavenly reign of the "King of kings" and "those called the chosen and faithful with him"? (Revelation 17:14) To answer , John brings us back once again to the beginning of the Thousand Year Reign.

Next time: God's Day Of Judgment -Its Joyful Outcome!

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

Tormented Day And Night Forever

Referring to the Devil as well as the wild beast and the false prophet, John now tells us: " And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Revelation 20:10b) What could this mean? As mentioned already, it is not logical to say that symbols, such as the wild beast and the false prophet, as well as death and Hades, could suffer torture in a literal way. Hence, we have no reason to believe that Satan will be suffering for all eternity. He is to be annihilated.

the Greek word used here for "torment," ba-sa-ni'zo, means primarily "to test (metals) by the touchstone." To question by applying torture" is a second meaning. (The New Thayer's Greek-English Lexion of the New Testament) in the context, the use of this Greek word indicates that what happens to Satan will serve, for all eternity, as a touchstone on the issue of rightness and righteousness of Jehovah's rule. That issue of sovereign rulership will have been settled once and for all time. Never again will a challenge to Jehovah's sovereignty need to be tested over an extended period of time in order to be proved wrong. -Compare Psalm 92:1, 15.

Next time: Continue with Tormented Day And Night Forever.

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Lake Of Fire And Sulfur

Will this final effort by Satan succeed? Certainly not-no more than the attack that Gog of Magog is due to make on spiritual Israel in our will will succeed! (Ezekiel 38:18-23) John vividly describes the outcome: "But fire came down out of heaven and devoured them. And the Devil who was misleading them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulphur, where both the wild beast and the false prophet already were." (Revelation 20:9b-10a) Rather than being merely abyssed, this time Satan, the original Serpent, will actually be crushed out of existence, pulverized, completely annihilated as if by fire.

We have already noted that "the lake of fire and sulphur" could not be a literal place of torment. (Revelation 19:20) If Satan were to suffer excruciating torture that for all eternity, Jehovah would have to preserve him alive. Yet, life is a gift, not a punishment. Death is the punishment for sin, and according to the Bible, dead creatures feel no pain. (Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) Moreover, we read later that death itself, along with Hades,is cast into this same lake of fire and sulfur. Surely, death and Hades cannot suffer pain! - Revelation 20:14.

All of this reinforces the view that the lake of fire and sulfur is symbolic. Further, the mention of fire and sulfur calls to mind the fate of ancient Sodom and Gomorrah, destroyed by God because of their gross wickedness. When their time came, "Jehovah made it rain sulfur and fire from Jehovah from the heavens, upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah." (Genesis 19:24) what befell the two cities is called "the judicial punishment of everlasting fire." (Jude 7) Yet, those two cities did not suffer everlasting torment. Rather, they were blotted out, obliterated for all time, along with their departed inhabitants. Those cities do not exist today, and no one can say for sure where they were located.

In harmony with this, the Bible itself explains the meaning of the lake of fire and sulfur: "This means the second death, the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:14) It is clearly the same as the Gehenna that Jesus spoke of, a place where the wicked remain destroyed, not tortured forever. (Matthew 10:28) It is a complete utter destruction without hope of a resurrection. Thus, while there are keys for death, Hades and the abyss, there is no mention of a key for opening the lake of fire and sulfur. (Revelation 1:18; 20:1) It will never release its captives. - Compare Mark 9:43-47.

Next time: Tormented Day And Night Forever

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Lake Of Fire And Sulfur

Conclusiono of The Final Test

The Bible calls these rebels "nations in the four corners of the earth." This does not mean that mankind will have been divided once again into mutually exclusive national entities. It merely indicates that these will separate themselves from Jehovah's righteous , loyal ones and manifest the same bad spirit that the nations show today. They will "think up an injurious scheme," as did the Gog of Magog in Ezekiel's prophecy, with a goal of destroying theocratic government on earth. (Ezekiel 38:3, 10-12) Hence, they are called "Gog and Magog."

The number of those who join Satan in his revolt will be "as the sand of the sea." How many is that? There is no foreordained number. (Compare Joshua 11:4; Judges 7:12) The final total of rebels will depend on how each individual reacts to Satan's deceptive wiles. Doubtless, though, there will be a considerable number, since they will feel strong enough to overcome "the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city."

"The beloved city" must be the city that is spoken of by the glorified Jesus Christ to his followers at Revelation 3:12 and that he calls "the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which descends out of heaven from my God." Since this is a heavenly organization, how could those earthly forces 'encircle' it? In that they encircle "the camp of the holy ones." A camp is outside a city; therefore, "the camp of the holy ones" must represent those on earth outside the heavenly location of New Jerusalem who loyally support Jehovah's governmental arrangement. When the rebels under Satan attack those faithful ones, the Lord Jesus regards it as an assault on him. (Matthew 25:40, 45) "Those nations" will try to wipe out all that the heavenly New Jerusalem has accomplished in making earth a paradise. So in attacking "the camp of the holy ones," they ware also attacking "the beloved city."

Next time: The Lake Of Fire And Sulfur

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Final Test

By the end of the Thousand Year Reign, all earth will have come to resemble the original Eden. It will be a veritable paradise. Perfect mankind will no longer need a high priest to intercede for it before God, since all traces of Adamic sin will have been removed and the last enemy, death, brought to nothing. Christ's Kingdom will have achieved God's purpose to create one world with one government. At this point, Jesus "hands" over the kingdom to his God and Father." -1 Corinthians 15:22-26; Romans 15:12

It is now time for a final test. Will that perfected world of mankind, in contrast with the first humans in Eden, stand firm in its integrity? John tells us what happens: "Now as soon as the thousand years have been ended, Satan will be let loose out of his prison, and he will go out to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war. The number of these is as the sand of the sea. And they advanced over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city." -Revelation 20:7-9a.

How will Satan's last effort fare? He deceives "those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog," and leads them to "the war." Who could possibly side with Satan after a thousand years of joyful, up building theocratic rule? Well, do not forget that Satan was able to mislead the perfect Adam and eve while they were enjoying life in the Paradise of Eden. And he was able to lead astray heavenly angels who had seen the bad results of the original rebellion. (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6) So we should not be surprised that some perfect humans will be enticed to follow Satan even after a delightful thousand years of rule by God's Kingdom.

Next time: Continue with: The Final Test.

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988
45

The First Resurrection

Returning now to those who "came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ," John writes: "This is the first resurrection." (Revelation 20:5b) How is it first? It is "the first resurrection" as to time, for the ones who experience it are a "first fruits to God and to the Lamb.' (Revelation 14:4) It is also first in importance, since those who share in it become rulers with Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom and judge for the rest of mankind. Finally, it is first in quality. Apart from Jesus Christ himself, those raised in the first resurrection are the only creatures spoken of in the Bible as receiving immorality. - 1 Corinthians 15:53; 1 Timothy 6:16.

What a blessed prospect for these anointed ones! As John declares: "Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority." (Revelation 20:6a) As Jesus promised the Christians in Smyrna,m these conquerors that share in "the first resurrection" will be in no danger of harm by "the second death," which means annihilation, destruction without hope of a resurrection. (Revelation 2:11; 20:14) the second death has "no authority" over such conquerors, for they will have put on incorruption and immortality. -1 Corinthians 15:53.

How different from earth's kings during Satan's tenure of authority! These have ruled at most for a mere 50to 60 years, and the great majority for just a few years. Many of them have oppressed mankind. In any case, how could the nations benefit permanently under ever-changing rulers with ever-changing policies? In contrast, John says of earth's new rulers: "But they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years." (Revelation 20:6b) With Jesus, they will form the sole government for a thousand years. Their priestly service, in apply the merit of Jesus' perfect human sacrifice, will life obedient humans to spiritual, moral and physical perfection. their kingly service will result in building a global human society that reflects Jehovah's righteousness and holiness. As judges for a thousand years, they, with Jesus, will lovingly guide responsive humans toward the goal of everlasting life. -John 3:16.

Next time: The Final Test

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988

The Rest Of The Dead

Whom though will these kings judge if as the apostle John here inserts, "(the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended)"? (Revelation 20:5a) Again, the expression "come to life" has to be understood according to context. this expression can have varying meanings in varying circumstances. For example, Paul said of is anointed fellow Christians: "It is you God made alive though you were dead in your trespasses and sins." (Ephesians 2:1) Yes, spirit-anointed Christians were "made alive," even in the first century, being declared righteous on the basis of their faith in Jesus' sacrifice. -Romans 3:23, 24.

Similarly, pre-Christian witnesses of Jehovah were declared righteous as to friendship with God; and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were spoken of as "living" even though they were physically dead. (Matthew 22:31,32; James 2:21, 23) However, they and all others who are resurrected, as well as the great crowd of faithful other sheep who survive Armageddon and any children that may be born to these in the new world, must yet be raise to human perfection. T his will be accomplished by Christ and his associate kings and priests during the thousand-year Judgment Day, on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice. By the end of that Day, "the rest of the dead" will have "come to life" in the sense that they will be perfect humans. As we shall see, they must then pass the test, God will declare them worthy of living forever, righteous in the fullest sense. They will experience the complete fulfillment of the promise: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it." (Psalm37:29) What a delightful future is in store for obedient mankind!

Next time: The First Resurrection

Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand! Watchtower Bible And Tract Society, 1988