"GLAD TIDINGS" FROM THE APOCALYPSE

"His Judgments Are True And Righteous"

Chapters 8to 19 are largely responsible for the reputation that the book Apocalypse, or Revelation has of being a book foretelling terrifying catastrophes. They contain hard-hitting judgment messages (symbolized by trumpet blasts, plagues and bowls of divine anger) directed against various elements of Satan's system of things. These judgments will be executed, first against false religion ("Babylon the Great"), then against the ungodly political systems, symbolized by wild beasts. -Revelation 13:1, 2; 17:5-7, 15, 16. These chapters portray the cleansing of the heavens, with Satan and his demons being cast down to the vicinity of the earth. This provides the only logical explanation for the unprecedented world distress since 1914. (Revelation 12:7-12) They also describe, in symbolic language, the destruction of Satan's wicked system of things on earth. (Revelation 19:19-21) Should honesthearted people be shocked by such dramatic events? No, for during the execution of God's judgments, a heavenly host cries out: "Praise Jah, you people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God, because his judgments are true and righteous." -Revelation 19:1, 2.

Jehovah will not bring in a righteous system of things without ridding the earth of those who are ruining it. (Revelation 11:17, 18: 19:11-16; 20:1, 2) However, no human or political state has the authority or the power to accomplish this. Only Jehovah and his appointed King and Judge, Christ Jesus, can do this in righteousness. - 2Thessalonians 1:6-9.

As the Apocalypse quite clearly shows, Jehovah purposes to bring an end to the present system . This fact should be a cause for rejoicing for men and women who "are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done." (Ezekiel 9:4) This should impress upon them the urgent need to heed the call made by the angel with the glad tidings, who declared: "Fear God . . . because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth." (Revelation 14:7) May such people worship and serve Jehovah alongside his Witnesses, "who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus." -Revelation 12:17.

Next time: The Glorious Millennial Reign

Watchtower, 1999