TAKE COURAGE AS DELIVERANCE DRAWS NEAR - Deliverances in the Past

Deliverances in the Past

We can be greatly encouraged by recounting some of Jehovah's previous saving acts.  For instance, Lot was "greatly distressed" by the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah.  But Jehovah took note of  "the cry of complaint" against those cities.  At the right time, he sent messengers to urge Lot and his family to get out of that area right way. The result?  Jehovah "delivered righteous Lot,"  "reducing the cities Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes."  (2 Peter 2:6-8; Genesis 18:20, 21)  Today, too, Jehovah notices the cry of complaint regarding this world's gross wickedness.  When his modern-day messengers have completed their urgent witnessing work to the extent he wants, he will act against this world and deliver his servants as he did Lot. -Matthew 24:14.

In ancient Egypt millions of God's people were enslaved.  Jehovah said about them:  "I have heard their outcry . ..I well know the pains they suffer.  And I am proceeding to go down to deliver them."   (Exodus 3:7, 8)  However, after letting God's people go, Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued them with his mighty army.  The Israelites seemed trapped at the Red Sea.  Yet Moses said:  "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will perform for you today."  (Exodus 14:8-14)  Jehovah parted the Red Sea, and the Israelites escaped.  Pharaoh's army charged after them, but Jehovah's projected his power so that "the sea covered them; they sank like lead in majestic waters."   Afterward, Moses exulted in song to Jehovah:  "Who is like you, proving yourself mighty in holiness?  The One to be feared with songs of praise, the One doing marvels." -Exodus 15:4-12, 19.

On another occasion, the enemy nations of Ammon, Moab, and Seir (Edom) threatened Jehovah's people with destruction.  Jehovah said:  "Do not you be afraid or be terrified because of this large [enemy]  crowd; for the battle is not yours, but God's. . . .Your will not need to fight . . .Stand still and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf."  Jehovah delivered his people by proceeding to strike confusion into the ranks of the enemy so that they slaughtered one another. -2 Chronicles 20:15-23.

When the Assyrian World Power came against Jerusalem, King Sennacherib taunted Jehovah by saying to the people on the wall. "Who are there among all the gods of these lands  [that I have conquered] that have delivered  their land out of my hand so that Jehovah should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?"  To God's servants he said:  "Do not let Hezekiah cause you to trust in Jehovah, saying:  "Without fail Jehovah will deliver us.' " Then Hezekiah prayed fervently for deliverance, "that all the kingdoms of the earth my know that you, O Jehovah, are God alone."   Jehovah struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, and God's servants were delivered. Later, as Sennacherib worshiped his false god, his sons assassinated him. -Isaiah, chapters 36 and 37.

We can surely take courage when we see how Jehovah in the past has wonderfully delivered his people.  What about today?  Into what dangerous situation will his faithful servants soon come that will require his miraculous deliverance?  Why has he waited until now to bring their deliverance?  What fulfillment will there be of Jesus' words:  "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near?" (Luke 21:28)  And how will deliverance come for God's servants who have already died?  The following article will examine these questions.

Next time: DELIVERANCE INTO A RIGHTEOUS NEW WORLD

The Watchtower, 1997