DELIVERANC3E INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - The "Great Tribulation"

The "Great Tribulation"

In 1914 this world entered its "last days."  (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13) We are now 83 years into that period and are nearing its end when, as Jesus foretold, the following will take place:  "There will be great tribulation such as  not occurred since the world's beginning  until now, no, nor will occur again."  (Matthew 24:21)  Yes, worse than ever World War II, when some 50 million lives were taken.  What a world-shaking time is fast approaching! 

The "great tribulation" will come with astounding suddenness, "in one hour."  (Revelation 18:10)  Its outbreak will be marked by God's execution of judgment on all false religion, which God's Word calls "Babylon the Great."  (Revelation 17:1-6, 15) Ancient Babylon's dominant feature was false religion.  Modern Babylon is like her ancient counterpart and represents the world empire of false religion.  She has played the harlot by compromising with the political elements.  She has supported their wars and has blessed armies on opposing sides, resulting in people of the same religion slaughtering one another.  (Matthew 25:51, 52; 1 John 4:20, 21)  She has winked at the corrupt practices of her adherents and has persecuted true Christians. -Revelation 18:5, 24.

The "great tribulation" begins when the political elements suddenly turn on "Babylon the Great." They "will hate the harlot and will make her devastated  and naked, and will eat up her fleshly parts and will completely burn her with fire."  (Revelation 17:16)  Thereafter, her former supporters "will weep and beat themselves in grief over her."  (Revelation 18:9-19)  But Jehovah's servants have long expected this, and they will exclaim:  "Praise Jah, . . .for he has executed judgment upon the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged the blood of his slaves at her hand." -Revelation 19:1, 2.

Next time:  DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD - God's Servants Attacked

The Watchtower, 1997