OUR WATCHFULNESS TAKES ON GREATER URGENCY

Warned of "Things Not Yet Beheld"

In Noah's day, Jehovah declared:  "My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh.  Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years."  (Genesis 6:3)  The issuance of this divine decree in 2490 B.C.E. marked the beginning of the end for that ungodly world.  Just think what that meant for those then living!  Only 120 years more and Jehovah would bring "the deluge of waters upon the earth to bring to ruin all flesh in     which the force of live is active from under the heavens." -Genesis 6:17.

Noah received the warning of the  upcoming catastrophe decades in advance, and he wisely use the time to prepare  for survival.  "After being given divine warning of things not yet beheld,"says the apostle Paul,  '[Noah] showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household."  (Hebrews 11:7) What about us? Some 90 years have passed since the last days of this system of things began in 1914. We are certainly in "the time of the end."  (Daniel 12:4)  How should we respond to warnings we have been given?  "He that does the will of God remains forever," states the Bible.  (1 John 2:17)  Now is therefore the time to do Jehovah's will with a keen sense of urgency.

In modern times, sincere students of the Bible have learned from the inspired Scriptures that this system is doomed to destruction.  Do we believe this? (Yeah, of course. I do anyway.)  Notice what Jesus Christ clearly stated: "There will be great tribulation such as not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."  (Matthew 24:21) Jesus also said that he would come as God's appointed Judge and would separate people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.  Those found unworthy would "depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life." -Matthew 25:31-33, 46.

Jehovah has kept these warning in front of his people by means of timely reminders through the spiritual food provided by "the faithful and discreet slave."  (Matthew 24:45-47) Moreover, every nation, tribe, tongue, and people are called upon to 'fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived."  (Revelation 14:6, 7)  An integral part of the Kingdom message preached earth wide by Jehovah's Witnesses is the warning that God's Kingdom will soon remove human rulership.  (Daniel 2:44)  This warning is not to be taken lightly.  Almighty God always keeps his word.  (Isaiah 55:10, 11)  He did in Noah's day, and he will in our day. -2 Peter 3:3-7. 

Next time: Sexual Depravity Becomes Rampant

The Watchtower, 2003