God's Sacred Secret - Its Glorious Climax

DO YOU recall the sworn declaration by the strong angel recorded at Revelation 10:1, 6, 7?   He stated:  "There will be no delay any longer; but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to blow his trumpet, the sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish."  Jehovah's due time has arrived for the sounding of that final trumpet!  How is it, then, that the sacred secret is brought to a finish?  John is truly overjoyed to inform us! He writes:  "And the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying:  "The kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.' "  (Revelation 11:15)   Those angels hosts have reason to speak loudly, even in thunderous tones!  For this historic announcement is of universal importance. it is of vital concern to all living creation.

The sacred secret comes to its happy climax!  Gloriously, magnificently, it is brought to a triumphant finish in 1914 when the Lord Jehovah enthrones his Christ as associate King.  Acting for his Father,  Jesus Christ  takes over active rulership in  the midst  of an enemy world of mankind. As the promised Seed, he receives Kingdom power in order to bring to nothing the Serpent and his brood and restore paradisiac to this earth.  (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 72:1, 7) As Messianic King, Jesus will thus fulfill Jehovah's Word and vindicate his Father, the King of eternity," who must rule as Sovereign Lord "forever and ever." -1 Timothy 1:17.

But how did "the kingdom of the world  . . .become the kingdom of our Lord,"  Jehovah?  Has not Jehovah God always been King? That is true, for the Levite Asaph sang:  "God is my King from long ago."  And another psalmist proclaimed:  "Jehovah himself has become king! . . .Your throne is firmly established  from long ago; you are from time indefinite."  (Psalm 74:12; 93:1, 2)  In is wisdom, though, Jehovah has allowed other sovereignty's to exist on earth.  Thus the issue raised in Eden as to whether man can govern himself  without God has been fully tested.  Man-rule has failed miserably.   True, indeed, are the words of God's prophet:  "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man does not belong .  It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step."  (Jeremiah 10:23) Ever since the defection  of our first parents, the entire inhabitant earth has been under the domination of  "the original  serpent," Satan.  (Revelation 12:9; Luke 4:6) It is time, now, for a dramatic change!  To vindicate his rightful position, Jehovah begins to exercise his sovereignty over the earth in a new way, through his designated Messianic Kingdom.

When the sounding of the seven trumpets got under way in 1922, the Bible Students' convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, featured a talk by the president of the Watchtower Society, J.F. Rutherford, based on the scripture  "the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  (Matthew 4:17, King James Version)  He  concluded with these words:  "Then back to the field, O ye sons of the most high God! Gird on your armor!  Be sober, be vigilant, be active, be brave.  Be faithful and true witnesses for the Lord.  Go forward in the fight until every vestige of Babylon lies desolate.  Herald the message far and wide.  The world must know that Jehovah is God and that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords.  This is the day of all days.  Behold, the King reigns!  You are his publicity agents.  Therefore advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom."  God's Kingdom by Christ Jesus  was brought to the fore, and that set off a great surge of Kingdom preaching that has included the judgments heralded by the sounding of all seven of the angelic trumpets.

The trumpet blast of the seventh angel was reflected in highlights of the Bible Students' convention in Detroit, Michigan,  July30 -August 6, 1928.  At that time 107 broadcasting stations were tied in to what The New York Times  described as 'the most extensive and expensive radio hook-up in history.'  The convention enthusiastically adopted a powerful "Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah, pointing to the overthrow , at Armageddon,  of Satan and his evil organization and the emancipation of all who love righteousness.  Loyal subjects of God's Kingdom were delighted  to receive a convention release, the 368-page book Government.  This supplied the clearest of proofs "That God set his Anointed King upon his throne in 1914."

Next time: God's Sacred Secret - Its Glorious Climax - Jehovah Takes Power

From the Book of Revelation