Conclusion of On to Judahy and Jerusalem!

Whom will Jehovah use to discipline rebellious Christendom? We find answers  in the 17th chapter of Revelation.  There we are introduced to a harlot," Babylon the Great," representing all the world's false religions, including Christendom.  The harlot is riding a scarlet-colored wild beast that has seven heads and ten horns.  (Revelation 17:3, 5, 7-12)  the wild beast represents  the United Nations organization.  Just as the ancient Assyrian destroyed Samaria, the scarlet-colored wild beast  '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)  Thus the modern-day Assyrian (nations associated with the UN ) will deal Christendom a mighty blow and will crush her out of existence.

Will Jehovah's faithful Witnesses perish along with Babylon the Great?  No. God is not displeased  with them. Pure worship will survive.  However, the wild beast that destroys Babylon the Great also casts a greedy eye in the direction of Jehovah's people.  In doing so, the beast carries out, not God's thought, but the thought of someone else. Who? Satan the Devil.

Jehovah exposes Satan's prideful scheme:  "It must occur in that day that things will come up  into your [Satan's] heart, you will certainly think up and injurious scheme, and you must say:  "I shall . . . come in upon those having no disturbance, dwelling in security, all of them dwelling without [a protective] wall . . .'It will be to get a big spoil and to do much plundering."  (Ezekiel 38:10-12)  Satan will reason, 'Yes, why not incite the nations to attack Jehovah's Witnesses?  they are vulnerable, unprotected, without political influence.  They will offer no resistance.  How easy it will be to pluck them like eggs from an unprotected nest!'

But watch out, nations!  Be advised that if you touch Jehovah's people, you will have to reckon with God himself! Jehovah loves his people, and he will fight for them just as surely as he fought for Jerusalem in the days of Hezekiah.  When the modern-day Assyrian tries to annihilate Jehovah's servants, he will really be battling Jehovah God and the Lamb, Jesus Christ.  That is a battle that he Assyrian cannot win.  "The lamb will conquer them," the Bible says, "because he is Lord of lords and King of kings."  (Revelation 17:14; compare Matthew 25:40) Like the Assyrian of old, the scarlet-colored wild beast will 'go off into destruction.'  It will be feared no more. -Revelation 17:11.

True Christians can face the future without fear if they keep their relationship with Jehovah strong and if they make the doing of his will their primary concern in life.  (Matthew 6:33)  then they need "fear nothing bad." (Psalm  23:4) With their eyes of faith, they will see God's mighty arm raised high, not to punish them, but to shield them from his enemies.  And their ears will hear these reassuring words:  "Do not be afraid." -Isaiah 10:24. 

Next time: Isaiah Looks Further Ahead

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000