God's Prophetic Word Gives Hope For The Future

DAY THREE:

God's Prophetic Word Never Fails

The final day of the convention began with the symposium "Prophetic Words for the Appointed Time." The three parts examined the prophet Habakkuk's three pronouncements of Jehovah's executional judgments. The first was against wayward Judah and the second against oppressive Babylon. The final one, yet to be fulfilled, applies to the imminent destruction of all wicked humans. Speaking about Armageddon, the last brother on the symposium evoked a healthy measure of godly fear in his listeners when he said: "Truly, it will be awe-inspiring when Jehovah unleashed the full force of his great power."

"Appreciating our Spiritual Heritage" was the title of the convention's moving Bible drama. This soul-searching presentation contrasted the attitudes of Jacob and Esau toward spiritual things. Esau despised his spiritual heritage, so that it was given to Jacob, who treasured it. "What [spiritual heritage] has Jehovah given us?" The conventioneers were asked. "The truth of his Word,the Bible; the hope of everlasting life; and the honor to represent him as proclaimers of the good news," answered the speaker.

The next part was entitled "What Does Our Precious Heritage Mean to You?" We show the right attitude toward our spiritual heritage by putting Jehovah's service and spiritual privileges before personal or material interests. In this way, we build our life around our relationship with Jehovah, in sharp contrast with Adam, Esau and the unfaithful Israelites.

The public discourse, "Making All Things New-As Foretold," wove together four key prophecies regarding the "new heavens" and the "new earth." (Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-24; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 2:1, 3-5) Clearly, Jehovah had in mind a greater fulfillment of these prophecies than that upon his restored people in 537 B.C.E. Yes, he had in mind his Kingdom government (the "new heavens" ) and its earthly subjects ("the new earth"), who would inhabit a glorious global paradise.

Bringing the convention to a thrilling and motivating conclusion was the talk "Our Expectations as God's Word Guides Us." It reminded all that "the time left is reduced" for completing the work of Kingdom proclamation. (1Corinthians 7:29) Yes, we stand at the very threshold of the fulfillment of Jehovah's decree against Satan and his entire wicked system. May our sentiments be those of the psalmist who sang: "Our very soul has been in expectation of Jehovah. Our helper and our shield he is." (Psalm 33:20) What a glorious prospect lies ahead for whose expectations are based on God's prophetic word!

Next time: "KEEP ON THE WATCH"

Watchtower, 2002