"Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"!

A TIME OF TESTING AND JUDGMENT

What will happen after the destruction of false religious organizations?  It will a time to reveal what is really in our heart. The majority of mankind will seek refuge in human organizations that are likened to "the rocks of the mountains." (Revelation 6:15-17) Figuratively speaking, however, God's people will flee to the refuge that Jehovah provides. In the first century, the interval was not a time for a mass conversion of Jews to Christianity. It was a time for action and obedience on the part of those who were already Christians. Similarly, we cannot expect that the future interruption in the great tribulation will result in an influx of new believers. Rather, it will be an opportunity for all true believers to prove their love for Jehovah and give their support to Christ's brothers. -Matthew 25:34-40. 

Although we do not fully understand all that will happen during that time of test, we can expect that it will involve some measure of sacrifice.  In the first century, Christians had to leave behind their possessions and endure hardships in order to survive. (Mark 13:15-18)  To remain faithful, will we be willing to experience material loss?  Will we be ready to do whatever is required of us to prove our loyalty to Jehovah?  Just think!At that time, we will be the only ones  following the example of the ancient prophet Daniel by continuing to worship our God no matter what. -Dan 6:10, 11.  

This will not be the time to preach the "good news of the Kingdom." That time will have passed.  The time for "the end" will have come!  (Matthew 24:14) No doubt God's people will proclaim  a hard-hitting judgment message. This may well involve a declaration announcing that Satan's wicked world is about to come to its complete end. The Bible likens this message  to hailstones, each about the weight of a talent, fell from heaven on the people, and the people blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, for the plague was unusually great." -Revelation 16:21. 

None of this will go unnoticed by our enemies. Under inspiration, the prophet Ezekiel explains what Gog of Magog, a coalition of nations, will do:  "This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says:  'In that day thoughts will come into your heart, and you will devise an evil plan. You will say:  "I will invade the land of unprotected settlements. I will come against those living in security, without disturbance, all of them living in settlements unprotected by walls, bars, or gates." It will be to take much spoil and plunder, to attack  the devastated places that are now inhabited and a people regathered from the nations, who are accumulating wealth and property, those who are living in the center of the earth.' " (Ezekiel 38:10-12)  Spiritually speaking, God's people will stand out as unique, "in the center of the earth," as it were.  This will be too much for the nations.  Yes, they will be eager to attack Jehovah's anointed ones as well as their associates. 

Next time: "Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"! - Conclusion of  A TIME OF TESTING AND JUDGMENT

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015