CULTIVATE OBEDIENCE AS THE END DRAWS NEAR

Shiloh Becomes Earth's Rightful Ruler

Jacob's prophecy foretold that Shiloh would command "the obedience of the peoples."  Clearly, Christ's rulership would extend beyond spiritual Israel.  What would it embrace?  Revelation 11:15 answers:  "The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever."  The Bible reveals that Jesus received that authority at the end of the prophetic "seven times" -in 1914. (Daniel 4:16, 17; Luke 21:24) In that year, Christ's invisible  "presence" as Messianic King began, as did his time to "go subduing in the  midst of [his] enemies." -Matthew 24:3; Psalm 110:2. 

Jesus' first act after receiving kingly power was to hurl the very personification of disobedience -Satan-along with his demons "down to the earth."  Since then,  these wicked spirits have fomented unprecedented woe for mankind, besides fostering an environment that makes obedience to Jehovah a challenge.  (Revelation 12:7-12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5) In fact, the main target of Satan's spiritual warfare consists of Jehovah's anointed ones, "who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus," and "other sheep" companions.  -Revelation 12:17; John 10:16. 

Satan is doomed to failure, however, because this is "the Lord's day," and nothing can prevent Jesus from 'completing his conquest.' (Revelation 1:10;  6:2)  He will, for example, ensure the final sealing of the 144,000 spiritual Israelites. He will also protect "a great crowd, which no man was able to  number, out of all nations and tribes and tongues." (Revelation 7:1-4, 9, 14-16)  Unlike their anointed companions, however, these ones will become Jesus' obedient earthly subjects. (Daniel 7:13, 14)  Their very appearance on the world scene already provides tangible evidence that Shiloh truly Ruler over  "the kingdom of the world." -Revelation 11:15.

Next time: CULTIVATE OBEDIENCE AS THE END DRAWS NEAR - Now Is the Time to "Obey the Good News" 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2002