SERVING WITH THE WATCHMAN

JEHOVAH is the Great Purposer, the rebel angel who became Satan the Devil can do nothing to thwart his grand purpose to sanctify his name and establish a glorious Kingdom rule over a paradisaic earth.   (Matthew 6:9, 10)  Under that rule, mankind will be truly blessed.  God "will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces."  Happy, united humans will enjoy peace and prosperity for all eternity.  (Isaiah 25:8; 65:17-25)  Jehovah is his own witness to these grand promises!

However, the Grand Creator also  has human witnesses in pre-Christian times "a cloud of witnesses," beginning with Abel, ran the race of endurance, often in the face of overwhelming odds.  Their sterling examples encourage loyal Christians today.  Christ Jesus is the superlative example of a courageous witness.  (Hebrews 11:1-12:2)  Recall, for example, his final testimony before Pontius Pilate.  Jesus declared:  "For this I have been born, and for that I have come into the world that I should bear witness to the truth."  (John 18:37) From 33 C.E. down to this year 2000 C.E., zealous Christians have followed Jesus' example and have continued to witness, courageously declaring "the magnificent things of God." -Acts 2:11.

Next time: Babylonian Sectarianism

Watchtower, 2000