"KEEP ON THE WATCH"

Six Convincing Lines Of Evidence

First, we clearly see the fulfillment of the apostle Paul's prophecy concerning "the last days." Paul wrote: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. But wicked men and imposters will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled." ( 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13) Do we not see this prophecy being fulfilled in our day? Only those who ignore the faces can deny it!

Second, we see the effects of the ouster of Satan and his demons from heaven, in fulfillment of Revelation 12:9. There, we read : "Down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him." This has resulted in great woe for the earth. Truly, there has been much woe for mankind, particularly since 1914. But the prophecy in Revelation adds that when the Devil is cast down to the earth "he has a short period of time." (Revelation 12:12) During this period, Satan wages war with the anointed followers of Christ. (Revelation 12:12) We certainly have seen the effects of his attack in our time. Soon, however, Satan will be confined in the abyss so that "he might not mislead the nations anymore." -Revelation 20:1-3.

Third, we are living in the time of the eighth and final "king" mentioned in the prophecy recorded at Revelation 17:9-11) . Here the apostle John mentions seven kings, representing seven world powers-Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the Anglo-American dual world power. He also sees "an eighth king" that "springs from the seven." This eighth king-the last one that John envisions-now represents the United Nations. John says that this eighth king "goes off into destruction," after which no further earthly kings are mentioned.

Fourth, we are living in the period symbolized by the feet of Nebuchadnezzar's dream image. The prophet Daniel interpreted this mysterious dream of an enormous image in human form. (Daniel 2:36-43) The four metallic parts of the image represent various world powers, beginning with the head (the Babylonian Empire) and extending down to the feet and toes (the governments that are ruling today). All the world powers represented in that image have made their appearance. We are living in the period symbolized by the feet of the image. No mention is made of other powers to come.

Fifth, we see a global preaching work being accomplished, which Jesus said would take place just before the end of this system. Jesus stated: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) Today, that prophecy is in the course of fulfillment on an unprecendented scale. True, untouched territories still exist, and it may be that in Jehovah's due time, a large door leading to greater activity will open. ( 1 Corinthians 16:9) Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be preached to Jehovah's satisfaction. Then the end will come. -Compare Matthew 10:23.

Sixth, the number of genuine anointed disciples of Christ is dwindling, though some will evidently still be on earth when the great tribulation begins. Most of the remnant are quite elderly, and over the years the number of those who are truly anointed has been getting smaller. Yet, referring to the great tribulation, Jesus stated: "Unless those days will be cut short." (Matthew 24:21, 22) Evidently, then, some of Christ's "chosen ones" will still be on earth when the great tribulation begins.

Next time: What Lies Ahead?

Watchtower, 2000