TRUE CHRISTIANS STUMBLE BUT PREVAIL

"Those who are acting wickedly against the covenant," said God's angel, "he [the king of the north]  will lead into apostasy by means of smooth words." The angel added: "But as regards the people who are knowing their God, they will prevail and act effectively. And as regards those having insight among the people, they will impart understanding to the many. And they will certainly be made to stumble by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plundering, for some days." -Daniel 11:32, 33. 

The ones "acting wickedly against the covenant" can only be the leaders of Christendom, who claim to be Christian but by their actions profane the very name of Christianity. In his book Religion in the Soviet Union, Walter Kolarz says:  "[During the second world war] the Soviet Government made an effort to enlist the material and moral assistance of the Churches for the defense of the motherland." After the war church leaders tried to maintain the friendship, despite the atheistic policy of the power that was now the king of the north.  Thus, Christendom became more than ever a part of this world-a disgusting  apostasy in Jehovah's eyes. -John 17:16; James 4:4. 



What of genuine Christians-"the people who are knowing their God" and  "those having insight"? Although they were properly  "in subjection to the superior authorities,"  Christians living under the rulership of the king of the north were not a part of this world.  (Romans 13:1; John 18:36) Careful to pay back "Caesar's thing to Caesar," they also gave "God's things to God."  (Matthew 22:21) Because of this, their integrity was challenged. -2 Timothy 3:12. 

As a result, true Christians both 'stumbled' and 'prevailed.'  They stumbled in that they suffered intense persecution some even being killed. But they prevailed in that the vast majority remained faithful.  They conquered the world, just as Jesus did.  (John 16:33)  Moreover, they never stopped preaching, even if they found themselves in prison or in concentration camps.  In so doing, they 'imparted understanding to the many.' Despite persecution in most lands ruled over by the king of the north, the number of Jehovah's Witnesses increased.  Thanks to the faithfulness of "those having insight," an ever-expanding part of the "great crowd" has appeared in those lands. -Revelation 7:9-14. 

Next time: JEHOVAH'S PEOPLE ARE REFINED

From the book: PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999