"Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"!

Conclusion of A TIME OF TESTING AND JUDGMENT

As we examine what happens next, we need to keep in mind that God's Word does not reveal the exact time order of events. It seems likely  that some events  will overlap. Jesus states in his prophecy about the conclusion of this system of things:  "There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  And they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Luke 21:25-27; read Mark 13:24-26)  Will the fulfillment of this prophecy include frightening signs and events in the literal heavens? We will have to wait and see. But whatever the case, the signs will cause terror and panic in the hearts of God's enemies.

What will happen when Jesus comes "with power and glory"?  This will be  a time for rewarding those who are faithful and for punishing those who are not.  (Matthew 24:46, 47, 50, 51; 25:19,  28-30)  According to Matthew, Jesus finished giving the composite sign with the parable of the sheep and the goats, saying: "When the Son of  man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheet from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left." (Matthew 5:31-33)   What judgment will the sheep and the goats hear pronounced on them?  The parable finishes with the words:  "These [the goats] will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life." -Matthew 25:46. 

How will the goats react when they realize that "the everlasting cutting-off" awaits them?  They will "beat themselves in grief."
 (Matthew 24:30) But how will Christ's brothers and their faithful companions react at that time?  With full faith in Jehovah God and his Son, Jesus Christ, they will heed Jesus' command:  "As these things occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near." (Luke 21:28) Yes, we will have a positive attitude, confident of deliverance. 

Next time: "Your Deliverance Is Getting Near"! - SHINING BRIGHTLY IN THE KINGDOM 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015