Keep in Expectation!

EXPECTATION MEANS ACTION

We can expect that Jehovah's organization will continue to remind us that we should serve God with a sense of urgency. Such reminders are provided not merely to keep us busy in God's service but to help us remain aware that the sign of Christ's presence is now undergoing fulfillment. What is the most sensible response to the times in which we are living?  Why, it is for us to keep on seeking first the Kingdom and God's righteousness by having a zealous share in preaching the good news! -Matthew 6:33; mark 13:10.

One sister commented:  "By preaching the good news of God's Kingdom, we . . .can help to rescue persons  from sure death in the coming world catastrophe."  She knows something about  being rescued, for she and her husband were survivors of one of the worst maritime disasters in history-the sinking of the luxury liner Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945.  Even in the face of such peril, a person could have the wrong view of what is truly important.  The sister recalled that one woman kept wailing:  "My suitcases! My suitcases! My jewelry! All my jewelry is down there in the cabin. I have lost everything!" By contrast, several passengers who were moved by a spirit of helpfulness risked their lives  working hard to rescue people who had fallen into the icy seas. Like those unselfish passengers, we do our utmost to help people.  We keep the urgency of our preaching work in mind and help others to become survivors of the impending world catastrophe before it is too late. 

Events on the world scene clearly indicate that Bible prophecy is now being fulfilled and that the end of this wicked system of things is imminent. Therefore, we should not assume that much time is needed for the state of this world to develop to the point where "the ten horns" and "the wild beast" of Revelation 17:16 turn on Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion.  Let us bear in  mind that God will "put it into their hearts" to make that move-and this could happen swiftly  and at any time!  (Revelation 17:17) The end of this entire system of things is not far off. With good reason, we should heed Jesus' warning:   "Pay attention to yourselves that you never  get weighed down  with overeating and heavy drinking and  anxieties of life, and suddenly  that day be instantly upon your as a snare." (Luke 21: 34, 35; Revelation 16:15) Let us be resolved to serve Jehovah with a sense of urgency, confident that "he acts  in behalf of those who keep in expectation of him." -Isaiah 64:4. 

As we await the end of the present wicked system of things, let us heed the disciple Jude's inspired words;  "Beloved ones, build yourselves up on your most holy faith, and pray with holy spirit, in order to keep yourselves in God's love, whole you await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ with everlasting life in view." (Jude 20, 21) How, though, can we show that we are living in expectation of God's promised new world and are really looking forward to it?  That will be the subject of  the next article. 

Next time:  Keep in Expectation! - Prepare Now for Life in the New World

From the Watchtower magazine