Chapter - 10 GOD'S KINGDOM RULES

THE REALITY OF GOD'S KINGDOM

Imagine that a fire has destroyed your home.  Now a friend who has the means to do so promises to help rebuild your house and provide food for your family.  If that friend has always told you the truth, would  you not believe him?  Suppose you came home from work the next day and found that workers were already starting to clean up the debris from the fire and that food had been  brought for your family.  No doubt you would be completely confident  that with the passing of time, things would not only be restored but would even be better than before.

Similarly,  Jehovah gives us assurance of the Kingdom's reality.  As shown in the Bible  book of Hebrews, many facets of the Law foreshadowed the Kingdom arrangement.   (Hebrews 10:1)  Foregleams of God's Kingdom were also evident in the earthly kingdom of Israel.  That was no ordinary government, for the rulers sat upon "Jehovah's throne."  (1 Chronicles 29:23)  Moreover, it had been foretold:  "The scepter will not turn aside from Judah, neither the commander's staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to him  the obedience of the peoples will belong."  (Genesis 49:10)  Yes, it was into this Judean line of kings that Jesus, the permanent King of God's government, was to be born. -Luke 1:32, 33.

The foundation of God's Messianic Kingdom was laid with the selection of Jesus' apostles.  (Ephesians 2:19, 20; Revelation 21:14)  Theses were the first 144,000 who would rule in heaven as associate kings with Jesus Christ.  While on earth, these prospective corulers would spearhead a witnessing campaign, in keeping with Jesus' command:  "Go . . .and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit." -Matthew 28:19.

The command to make disciples is now being obeyed on an unprecedented scale.  Jehovah's Witnesses are proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom all around the globe,in harmony with Jesus' prophetic words:  "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 ) As one aspect of the Kingdom-preaching work, a great educational program is being carried out.  Those who submit to the laws and principles of God's Kingdom are already experiencing a peace and unity that human governments cannot achieve.   All of this gives clear evidence that God's Kingdom is a reality!

Jehovah told the Israelites:  "You  are my witnesses, . . .even my servant whom I have chosen."  (Isaiah 43:10-12)  Jesus,  "the faithful witness," zealously declared the good news of the Kingdom.  (Revelation 1:5; Matthew 4:17)  So it is appropriate that present-day Kingdom proclaimers bear the divinely appointed name Jehovah's Witnesses.  But why do the Witnesses spend so much time and effort talking to others about God's Kingdom?  They do this because the Kingdom is mankind's only hope.  Human governments break down sooner or later, but God's Kingdom never will.  Isaiah 9:6, 7  calls its Ruler, Jesus the "Prince of Peace" and adds:  'To the abundance of the princely rule and to peace there will be no end."  God's Kingdom is not like man's governments-here today and overthrown tomorrow. Indeed, Daniel 2:44 says:  "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. . . . It itself will stand to times indefinite."

What human king could bring about the elimination of war, crime, sickness, starvation and homelessness?  Furthermore, what earthly ruler could resurrect those who have died?  God's Kingdom and its King will address these matters.  The Kingdom and its King will address these matters.  The Kingdom will not prove defective, like malfunctioning equipment that continually needs repair.  Rather, God's Kingdom will succeed, for Jehovah promises:  "My word that goes forth from my mouth . . .will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it."  (Isaiah 55:11)  God's purpose will not fail, but when was Kingdom rule to begin?

Next time: KINGDOM RULE-WHEN?

The book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995