"Your Will Take Place . . .Upon Earth"

God promises to destroy this wicked system of things.  He has both the will and the power needed to do so.  (Psalm 147:5, 6; Isaiah 40:25-31) In the prophetic  Bible book of Daniel, it is foretold:  "The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin.  And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people.  It will crush and put an  end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite" - yes, forever.  (Daniel 2:44) Jesus Christ had this lasting and benevolent heavenly government in mind when he taught his disciples to petition God in prayer: "Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." -Matthew 6:9, 10.

Jehovah will answer such prayers because he really does care about the human family.  According to the prophetic words of Psalm 72, God will authorize his Son, Jesus Christ , to bring lasting relief to the poor, the afflicted, and the oppressed who support Jesus' rulership.  Thus, the inspired psalmist sang: "Let him  [God's Messianic King] judge the afflicted ones of the people, let him save the sons of the poor one, and let him crush the defrauder. . . . He will deliver the poor one crying for help, also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper.  He will feel sorry for the lowly one and the poor one, and the souls of the poor ones he will save.  From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul, and their blood will be precious in his eyes." -Psalm 72:4, 12-14.

In a vision involving our day, the apostle John beheld  "a new heaven and a new earth," a completely new system of things established by God.   What a blessing for suffering mankind! Foretelling what Jehovah would do, John wrote: "I heard a loud voice from the throne say:  'Look! the tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them.  And he will wipe  out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.  The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said:  'Look! I am making all things new.'  Also, he says:  'Write, because these words are faithful and true.' "-Revelation 21:1-5.

Yes, we can believe these words, for they are faithful and true, Jehovah will soon act to rid the earth of poverty, hunger, oppression, sickness and all  injustice.  As this magazine has often pointed out from the Scriptures, an abundance of evidence shows that we are living in the time when these promises will be fulfilled.  God's promised new world is at hand! (2 Peter 3:13) Soon, Jehovah will "swallow up death forever" and will "wipe the tears from all faces." -Isaiah 25:8.

Until that happens, we can be glad that even now there are people who genuinely care.  A greater cause for gladness is that Jehovah God himself really cares.  He will soon eliminate all oppression and suffering.  You can have absolute trust in Jehovah's promises.  His servant Joshua certainly did.  Without any reservations, he told God's ancient people:  "You well know with all your hearts and with all your souls that not one word out of  all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken has failed.  They have all come true for you.  Not one word of them has failed."  (Joshua 23:14)  While the present system of things remains, therefore, do not let yourself be overwhelmed by the trials you may have to face.  Throw all your anxiety upon Jehovah, for he really does care. - 1 Peter 5:7.

Next time: WHY KEEP YOUR PROMISES?

The Watchtower, 2000