Chapter Five/John Beholds the Glorified Jesus

Continue with In the Lord's Day

Hence, this first vision and the counsel it contains are for the Lord's day, from 1914 onward.  This timing is supported by the fact that, later in Revelation, the record describes the execution of God's true and righteous judgments-events in which the Lord Jesus plays an outstanding part.  (Revelation 11:18; 16:15; 17:1; 19:2, 11) If the fulfillment of the first vision began in 1914, when does it end?  As the messages themselves show, the organization addressed is God's congregation of anointed ones on earth.  The fulfillment of this first vision ends, then, when the last faithful member of that anointed congregation dies and is raised to heavenly life. Nevertheless, the Lord's Day, with blessings to the earthly other sheep, continues till the end of Jesus Christ's Millennial Rule. -John 10:16; Revelation 20:4, 5.  

In this first vision, before John sees anything, he hears something:  "And I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet saying:  'What you see write in a scroll and send it to the seven congregations, in Ephesus and in Smyrna, and in Pergamum and in Thyatira, and in Sardis and in Philadelphia and in Laodicea.' " (Revelation 1:10b, 11)  Authoritative and commanding as a trumpet call, a voice calls on John to write to "the seven congregations." He is to receive a series of messages and to publish the thins he will see and hear. Notice that the congregations mentioned here actually existed in John's day.  All of them were situated in Asia Minor, right across the sea from Patmos.  They were easily accessible  to one another by means of the excellent Roman roads that existed  in the area.  A messenger would have had  no trouble carrying  the scroll from one congregation to the next.  These seven congregations would resemble a section of a modern-day circuit of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Most of the prophecies in Revelation were to be fulfilled after John's time.  They referred to "the things that will take place after these."  But the counsel  to the seven congregations deals with "things that are," situations that really existed in the seven congregations at that time.   The messages were valuable aids to faithful appointed elders in those seven congregations, as well as in all other congregations of anointed Christians of the time.  Since the vision has its prime application in the Lord's day, what Jesus says serves notice that similar conditions are to be expected in the congregation of anointed Christians of our own day. -Revelation 1:10, 19.  

In this first vision, John sees the radiant Lord Christ in his heavenly glory.  What could be more fitting for a book of prophecies relating to that great day of this Lord commissioned by heaven? And what could be more important to us, who are now living in that time period and giving careful heed to his every command?  Moreover, how thrilling it is for supporters of Jehovah's sovereignty to be assured that the Messianic Seed, having endured for all the tests and persecutions  brought by Satan and having suffered an agonizing death when His "heel" was bruised 1, 900 yeas ago, and is now alive in heaven, empowered to bring God's grand purpose to its triumphant completion! -Genesis 3:15. 

Next time: Chapter Five/ John Beholds the Glorified Jesus -Continue with In the Lord's Day

From the book of Revelation   




















  

Chapter Five/John Beholds the Glorified JEsus

THE first vision in the book of Revelation begins with chapter 1, verse 10.  This vision like the others in Revelation, is introduced by a declaration that John hears or sees something extraordinary.   (Revelation 1:10, 12; 4:1; 6:1)  This first vision is presented   in a first-century framework in which messages are addressed to seven congregations contemporary with John.  But John indicates the time of its real application when he says:  "By inspiration I came to be in the Lord's day."  (Revelation 1:10a) When is this "day"?   Do the dramatic events of this tempestuous 20th century have any connection with it?  If so, we should pay close attention to the prophecy, as affecting our very lives-even our survival. -1 Thessalonians 5:20, 21. 

In the Lord's Day

In what time frame does this place the fulfillment of Revelation?  Well, what is the Lord's Day?  The apostle Paul refers to it as a time of judgment and of fulfillment of divine promises.   (1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14; Philippians 1:6, 10; 2:16) With the arrival of that "day,"  Jehovah's grand purposes moves progressively  and triumphantly  toward their climax.  That "day" begins the crowning of Jesus as heavenly King. Even after Jesus executes judgment on Satan's world, the Lord's day continues, with the restoration of Paradise and the perfecting of mankind, until Jesus finally "hands over the kingdom to his God and Father."  -1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Revelation 6:1, 2. 

The fulfillment of other Bible prophecies helps us to see when the Lord's Day begins.  For example, Daniel described a chopping down of rulership in the line of King David;  after "seven times" it would be known "that the Most High is Ruler of the kingdom of mankind, and that to the one whom he wants to he gives it."  (Daniel 4:23, 24,31, 32)  The major fulfillment of that prophecy started with the desolating of the kingdom of Judah, which is indicated by Bible evidence to have been completed by October 607 B.C.E. Revelation 12:6, 14 shows that 3 1/2 times amounts to 1, 260 days; hence seven times (twice that number) Must be 2, 520 days. Reckoning "a day for a year," we  arrive at 2,520 years as the duration of the "seven times"  (Ezekiel 4"6) Therefore, Christ Jesus began his heavenly  rule in the latter part of 1914.   The erupting of the first world war in that  year marked  "a beginning of pangs of distress" that have continued  to plague mankind.  Since 1914, how remarkable events in this bloodstained earth have confirmed that year to be the start of the  "day" of Jesus' presence! -Matthew 24:3-14. 

Next time: Chapter Five/John Beholds the Glorified Jesus - Continue with In the Lord's Day

From the book of Revelation 

Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement

Obtaining Spiritual Food in Difficult Times

During these last days, when Jehovah's Witnesses have suffered so much persecution and hardship, it has been vital for them to receive spiritual food in order to stay strong in faith.  In most cases, adequate sustenance has been provided, often thanks to some remarkable demonstration of Jehovah's power.

For example, in Germany under Hitler, Witnesses mimeographed and distributed  copies of the Watchtower which was officially banned by the cruel Nazi authorities.   In Hamburg the Gestapo raided a house where such mimeographing took place.  The house was small, and there was nowhere to hide anything securely.  The typewriter had been left in a cupboard, and the bulky mimeograph equipment was stored in a potato bin in the basement.  Moreover, behind the bin there was suitcase full of magazines!  Discovery seemed inevitable.  But what happened?  The officer who opened the cupboard did so in such a way that he did not see the typewriter. As  for the basement, the householder reports:  "The three officers stood in the middle of the room, mind you, right there where the bin stood with the suitcase full of Watchtowers behind it. But none of them seemed to notice it; it was if they though they had been struck blind."  Thanks to this remarkable providence, the householder was able to continue supplying spiritual food in difficult and dangerous times. 

In the 1960's, there was a civil war between Nigeria and the breakaway province of Biafra.   Since Biafra was completely surrounded by Nigerian territory, the only link between it and the outside world was an airstrip.  This meant that the Witnesses in Biafra were in danger of being cut off from their supply of spiritual food.  Then, in early 1968, the Biafran authorities assigned one of their civil service staff to an important pose in Europe and another was assigned to the Biafran airstrip.  These two happened to be Jehovah's Witnesses, and now they were at both ends of the only link between Biafra and the outside world.  The two recognized that the arrangement must have been from Jehovah.  Hence, they volunteered for the delicate and risky task of channeling spiritual food into Biafra.   And they were able to do this all through the war. One of them commented:  "The arrangement was beyond something that humans could have planned." 

Next time: Chapter Five/John Beholds the Glorified Jesus

From the book of Revelation 

Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement

Symbolic Number in Revelation

Number                Symbolic Meaning

2                          Signifies solidly confirming a matter. (Revelation 11:3, 4; 
                             compare Deuteronomy 17:6) 

3                         Denotes emphasis.  Also indicates intensity.  (Revelation 4:8;    
                            8:13; 16:13, 19) 

4                       Signifies universalness or foursquareness in symmetry 
                         (Revelation 4:6; 7:1, 2; 9:14; 20:8; 21:16) 

6                      Signifies imperfection, something not normal, monstrous.  
                         (Revelation 13:18; compare 2 Samuel 21:20.)

7                       Signifies divinely determined completeness, as to Jehovah's 
                          purposes or to Satan's. (Revelation 1:4, 12, 16; 10:3, 4; 12:3)

10                      Signifies allness or completeness in a physical way, as to things 
                           on earth.  (Revelation 2:10; 12:2; 13:1; 17:3, 12, 16) 

12                       Signifies a divinely constituted organization either in the heavens
                            or on the earth.  (Revelation 7:5-8; 12:1;21:12, 16; 22:2)

24                      Signifies Jehovah's abundant  (doubled) organizational 
                           arrangement.  (Revelation 4:4) 

Some numbers mentioned in Revelation are to be understood as literal. Often, the context helps to determine this.  (See Revelation 7:4, 9; 11:2, 3; 12:6, 14; 17:3, 9-11; 20:3-5) 

"The Alpha and the Omega"

Now, wonder of wonders!  The Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself speaks.  How appropriate this is as a preface to the visions that are about to unfold, since he is our Grand Instructor and the ultimate Source of  Revelation!  (Isaiah 30:20) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, . . . the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty."  (Revelation 1:8)  This is the first of three times in Revelation that Jehovah himself speaks from heaven. (See also Revelation 21:5-8; 22:12-15) First-century Christians would quickly have recognized alpha and omega as the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet.  Jehovah's calling himself by those two letters stresses that before him, there was no almighty God, and there will be none after him.  He will bring to a successful conclusion , for all eternity, the issue of Godship. He will be forever vindicated  and the one and only almighty God, Supreme Sovereign over all of his creation.-Compare Isaiah 46:10; 55:10, 11. 

Confident that Jehovah will direct the outcome of matters, John tells his fellow slaves:  "I John, your brother and sharer with you in the tribulation and kingdom and endurance in company with Jesus, came to be in the isle that is called Patmos for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus."  (Revelation 1:9) A prisoner on Patmos for the sake of the good news, enduring tribulations with his brothers, hoping firmly  to have a share in the coming Kingdom, the aged John now sees the first of the visions of Revelation. No doubt he was encouraged greatly by these visions, just as the John class is stimulated today at seeing their fulfillment.  We do not know  how John forwarded the scroll of Revelation to the congregations since he was in confinement at the time.  (Revelation 1:11; 22:18, 19) Jehovah's angels must have cooperated in getting this done, just as they so often protected faithful witnesses of Jehovah who serve under bans and restrictions today, so that these have been able to get timely spiritual food to their truth-hungry  brothers.  -Psalm 34:6, 7. 

How deeply John must have appreciated his privilege of being used by Jehovah as His channel of  communication to the congregations!  Similarly, the John class today treasures greatly its privilege of providing the household of God with spiritual "food a the proper time."  (Matthew 24:45)  May you be one of those strengthened by this spiritual provision so as to attain to the glorious goal of everlasting life! -Proverbs 3:13-18; John 17:3.  

Next time: Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement - Obtaining Spiritual Food in Difficult Times

From the book of Revelation

Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement

"Coming With the Clouds"

Next, John jubilantly announces:  "Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen."  (Revelation 1:7)   No doubt John was here reminded of Jesus' earlier prophecy concerning the conclusion of the system of things. Jesus there stated:  "Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in lamentation, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."  (Matthew 24:3, 30) Thus, Jesus 'comes' by turning his attention to the executing of Jehovah's judgments  on the nations. This will result in momentous changes on earth, and since "all the tribes of the earth" have  ignored the reality of Jesus' kingship, they will indeed experience "the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty." -Revelation  19:11-21; Psalm 2:2, 3, 8, 9. 

During Jesus' last evening with his disciples, he told them:  "A little longer and the world will behold me no more."  (John 14::19) How is it, then, that "every eye  will see him"?  We should not expect that Jesus' enemies would see him with physical eyes, for the apostle Paul said, after Jesus' ascension to heaven, that Jesus  now "dwells in unapproachable light," and "not one of men has seen or can see" him,  (1 Timothy 6:16)  Evidently, John meant "see" in the sense of "discern," God's invisible qualities by mean of his creations.  (Romans 1:20)  Jesus "is coming with the clouds" in that he will be just as invisible to the naked eye as the sun is when it is behind clouds. Even when  the sun is hidden by clouds during daytime, we know that it is there because of the daylight that surrounds us. Similarly, though the Lord Jesus is invisible, he will be revealed like "a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not obey the good news about him.'  These too will be compelled  to "see him." -2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; 2:8.  

Jesus will be 'seen' by "those who pierced him." Who might these be?  When Jesus was executed in 33 C.E., the Roman soldiers pierced him literally.  The guilt of that murder was shared by the Jews, for Peter told some of these at Pentecost; "God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you impaled."  (Acts 2:5-11, 36; compare Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37.) Those Romans and Jews have now been dead for close to 2,000 years . So those who 'pierce him' today must represent nations and people s that display the same hateful attitude that was shown when Jesus was impaled.  Jesus is no longer here on earth.  But when opposers  either actively  persecute Jehovah's Witnesses, who bear witness to Jesus, or passively consent to such treatment, it is just as though such opposers were 'piercing' Jesus himself. - Matthew 25:33, 41-46. 

Next time: Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement - Symbolic Numbers In Revelation

From the book of Revelation

Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement

"The Faithful Witness"

After Jehovah, Jesus is the most glorious person in the universe, as John recognizes, describing him as "'the Faithful Witness,' 'the firstborn from the dead,' and 'the Ruler of the kings of the earth.' " (Revelation 1:5b)  Like the moon in the heavens, he has been firmly established as the greatest Witness to Jehovah's Godship.  (Psalm 89:37) After he kept integrity down to a sacrificial death,  he became the first from among mankind to be raised to immortal spirit life.  (Colossians 1:18)  Now in Jehovah's presence, he is exalted high above all the earthly kings, being invested with "all authority . . . in heaven and on the earth."  (Matthew 28:18; Psalm 89:27; 1 Timothy 6:15)  In 1914 he was installed as King to rule among the earthly nations. -Psalm 2:6-9; Matthew 25:31-33. 

John continues to express appreciation for the Lord Jesus Christ in these glowing words:  "To him that loves us and that loosed us from our sins by means of his own blood -and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father-yes, to him be the glory and the might forever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5c, 6)  Jesus gave his perfect human life so that those of the world of  mankind who exercise faith in him may be restored to perfect life. You, dear reader, can be included in this!  (John 3:16) But Jesus' sacrificial death opened the way for a special blessing for those who become anointed Christians like John. These have been declared righteous on the basis of Jesus' ransom sacrifice. Renouncing all earthly life prospects, as Jesus did, those of the little flock have been begotten by God's spirit, with the expectation of being resurrected to serve as kings and priests with Jesus Christ  in his Kingdom. (Luke 12:32;Romans 8:18; 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 20:6) What a grand privilege!  No wonder John exclaimed so affirmatively that the glory and the  might belong to Jesus! 

Next time: Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement - "Coming in the Clouds" 

From the book of Revelation 



















\

Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement

WHAT  follows next should be of absorbing interest to everyone associated with the congregation of God's  people today. Here is  a series of messages .   They have particular   application as "the appointed time" draws near.   (Revelation 1:3) It is to our everlasting benefit that we  heed those pronouncements.  The record reads:  "John to the seven congregations that are in the district of Asia:  May you have undeserved kindness and peace from 'The One who is and who was and who is coming,'  and from the seven spirits that are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ." -Revelation 1:4, 5a. 

Here John addresses "seven congregations," and these are named  for us later in  the prophecy.  That number "seven," is often repeated in Revelation. It signifies completeness, especially in connection with the things of God and his anointed congregation.  Since the number  of congregations of God's people worldwide has grown into tens of thousands during the Lord's Day, we can be sure that what is said primarily  to the "seven congregations" of Jehovah's Witnesses and all who associated  with them, everywhere on the face of this earth.  

"Undeserved kindness and peace" -how desirable these are and especially when we  appreciate their source!   The "One" from whom they flow is the Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself, "the King of eternity," who lives "from time indefinite to time indefinite.."  (1 Timothy 1:17; Psalm 90:2)  Involve here, too, are the "seven sprites," which term indicates a fullness of operation of God's active force, or holy spirit, as it brings understanding and blessing to all who pay attention to  the prophecy.  Also occupying a key role is "Jesus Christ," of whom  John later wrote:  'He was full of undeserved kindness and truth."  (John 1:14)  Thus,  John's greeting has the same elements that the apostle Paul mentioned in closing his second letter to the Corinthian congregation:  "The undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Chris and the love of God and the sharing in the holy spirit e with all of you.  (2 Corinthians 13:14) May those words apply also to every one of us who loves truth today! -Psalm 119:97. 

Next time: Chapter Four/Jesus Comes With Encouragement - "The Faithful Witness"

From the book of Revelation 

Chapter Three/Things That Must Shorty Take Place

Conclusion of Channel of Communication

These visions in Revelation  are not presented in chronological order. Each has its own time period of fulfillment. Many of the visions echo words of earlier prophecies that provide clues as to their interpretation.   For example, Daniel's  prophecy described four fearsome beasts, explaining that these portrayed ruling powers on earth. Hence, we are helped to understand that the beasts of Revelation represent political entities, including those now existing. -Daniel 7:1-8, 17; Revelation  13:2, 11-13; 17:3. 

John was faithful in bearing witness to the message that God through Jesus Christ gave to him.  He described in detail "all the things he saw."  The John class has earnestly sought guidance from God and Jesus Christ in order to understand the prophecy fully and make known it fine points to God's people. For the benefit of the anointed congregation (and also of the international great crowd that God will preserve alive through  the great tribulation), John writes:  "Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near." -Revelation 1:3. 

You will benefit greatly by reading Revelation and even more so by observing the things written in it. John explained in one of his letters:  "This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments, and yet his commandments  are not burdensome because everything that has been born from God conquers the world. And this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith."  (1 John 5:3, 4)  You can become supremely happy by building such a faith!

It is urgent that we observe the words of the prophecy,  "for the appointed time is near. The appointed time for what?  For the fulfillment of the prophecies of Revelation, including God's judgments.  The time is near for God and Jesus Christ to execute final judgment on Satan's world system.  When Jesus was here on earth, he stated that only his Father knew "that day or the hour."  Looking ahead to the troubles that have multiplied here on earth from World War I onward, Jesus also  said:   "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen." So the appointed time for executing God's  decision must be drawing perilously close. (Mark 13:8, 30-32) As Habakkuk  2:3 states:  "The vision is yet for the appointed time, and it keeps panting on to the end, and it will not tell a lie. Even if it should delay, keep in expectation of it; for it will without fail come true. It will not be late."  Our salvation  through the great tribulation depends on our observing God's prophetic Word. -Matthew 24:20-22.

Next time:  Chapter Four'/Jesus Comes With Encouragement

From the book of Revelation 

Chapter Three/Things That Must Shortly Take Place

Channel of Communication

Revelation 1:1b, 2 continues: : And he [Jesus] sent forth his angel and presented it [Revelation]  in signs through him to his slave John, who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw."  Thus, John received the inspired record through an angelic messenger. He wrote it in a scroll, transmitting it tot he congregations of his time. Happily for us, God has preserved it for the encouragement of the more than 50,000 congregations of his united servants on earth today. 

God had a channel for communicating Revelation in John's day, and John was the earthly part of that channel. Likewise, God has a channel for giving spiritual nourishment to his 'slaves' today. In his great prophecy concerning the conclusion of this  system of things, Jesus identified the earthly part of this channel as "the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics to give them their food at the proper time? " (Matthew 24:3, 45-47) He uses this John class in unlocking the meaning of the prophecy.

The apostle John writes that Jesus presented Revelation "in signs," or symbols. These are vivid and thrilling to examine.  They depict dynamic activity and should, in turn stir us to zealous efforts in making know to others the prophecy and its meaning. Revelation presents for us a number of electrifying visions, in each of which John participated either actively or as an observer. Those of the John class, some of whom have shared for upwards of 70 years in the fulfillment of these visions, are happy that God's spirit has unlocked the meaning so that they can explain it to others. 

Next time: Chapter Three/Things That Must Shortly Take Place - Conclusion of Channel of Communications 

From the book of Revelation

Chapter Three/Things That Must Shortly Take Place

YOU should be deeply concerned about world events today. Why so? Because this world cannot escape God's execution of judgment.  But you can escape. You can do this by making yourself  'not part of the world" that is doomed to destruction.  This does not mean adopting an austere, monastic way of life. It means that while enjoying a wholesome meaningful  life, you separate yourself from political corruption, from greedy commercialism, and from God-dishonoring religion, as well as from violent and immoral behavior. At the same time, you must follow God's high standards of conduct and seek to do his will. (John 17:14-16; Zephaniah 2:2, 3; Revelation 21:8)  The Bible book of Revelation shows how important it is for you to apply yourself in these respects, making changes as necessary in your way of life.

The apostle John introduces this grand prophecy with the words: "A revelation by Jesus Christ, which gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place."  (Revelation 1:1 a) so it was the resurrected Jesus Christ who received this weighty message from Good. Far from being a part of a mystic Trinity, Jesus is here  shown to be subject to his Father. In the same way, the "slaves" making up the Christian congregation are subject to Jesus Christ, so that they  keep following him wherever he goes.' (Revelation 14:3; Ephesians 5:24)  But who today are truly "slaves" of God, and how does Revelation benefit them?

The apostle John, who wrote down Revelation, describes himself a such a slave. He was the last surviving apostle and one of the select spirit-anointed group of "slaves" that inherit immortal life in the heavens. Today, there are just a few thousand of these remaining on earth. God has other servants too, a great crowd of them, men, women, and children, numbering now  into the millions. Under angelic direction, these are sharing with the anointed "slaves" in declaring the everlasting good news to all mankind. Oh, how all these "slaves" are expending themselves in order to help the meek ones of the earth to find salvation!   (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7:9, 14; 14:6)  Revelation indicates what you must do to benefit from the happy good news.

How could John say, though, that these "slaves" would be shown "things that must shortly take place"? Were not those words spoken almost 1,900 years ago?  From the viewpoint of Jehovah, in whose eyes a thousand years are but "as yesterday,: 1,900 years is a short time when compared with the aeons of time that he spent in creating and preparing the earth for human habitation.  *Psalm 90:4) The apostle Paul wrote of his own "eager expectation and hope,"  for no doubt the reality of his reward seemed close at hand to him.  (Philippians 1:20) Today, however, the evidence abounds that all the things 
foretold will take place on schedule.  Never before in history has the very survival of mankind been at stake. Only God has the solution! -Isaiah 45:21. 

Next time: Chapter Three/Things That Must Shortly Take Place - Channel of Communication

From the book of Revelation 

The Grand Theme of the Bible - Chapter Two

Babylon the Great

The building of the original Babylon  was more than a political enterprize. Since that city was established in defiance of Jehovah's sovereignty, religion was involved. Indeed, ancient Babylon became a fountain of religions idolatry. Its priests taught God-dishonoring doctrines, such as the survival of a human soul after death and that the hereafter is a place of eternal horror and torment presided over  by demons.  They fabricated myths to explain the origin of the earth and man upon it and performed degrading rituals and sacrifices, supposedly  to ensure fertility in childbearing and crop raising, and victory in war. 

As the various language groups from Babylon spread out over the earth, they took Babylonish religion with them. Thus, rites and beliefs similar to those inhabitants of Europe, Africa, the Americas, the Far East, and the South Seas; and many of these beliefs  persist to this day.  Appropriately, then, Revelation refers  to the world-embracing empire of false religion as a city name Babylon the Great .  (Revelation, chapter 17, 18)  Wherever it has been sown, false religion has sprouted oppressive priesthoods, superstition, ignorance, and immorality. It has been a powerful tool in Satan's hand.  Babylon the Great has always fought fiercely against the true worship of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.

 As a most reprehensible part of the seed of the Serpent, the scribes and the Pharisees in the first-century Judaism took the lead on persecuting and finally murdering the primary representative o the seed of the woman.  Thus, the Serpent was able to "bruise him [the "seed"] in the heel."  (Genesis 3:15; John 8:39-44;  Acts 3:12, 15) Why is this described as only a heel wound?  It is because this  wounding touched him only briefly here on earth. It was not permanent  because Jehovah resurrected Jesus on the third day and exalted him to spirit life. -Acts 2:32, 33; 1 Peter 3:18. 

This glorified Jesus Christ now serves at God's right hand, judging Jehovah's enemies. He has already taken action against Satan and his angels, hurling them down and confirming their activity on this earth-which accounts for the multiplying of woes in this 20th-century.  (Revelation 12:9, 12)  But there will be the foretold removal of Satan's earthly seed when God executes  judgment on Babylon the Great and all other segments of Satan's organization on earth.  Finally, the Seed of God's woman, Jesus Christ will bruise Satan, that wily old Serpent, "in the head,"  and that will mean his complete annihilation and his total removal from the affairs of mankind. -Romans 16:20. 

How will all of this come about? That is what is unveiled for us in the Bible book of Revelation. It is revealed to us in a series of visions, highlighted  by striking signs  and symbols. Eagerly, let us examine this powerful prophecy. Happy, indeed, are we if we hear and observe the words of Revelation! By doing so, we will share in  bringing honor to the name of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah and inherit his eternal blessings. Please read on an wisely apply what you learn. It can mean your salvation at this time of climax in mankind's history. 

Next time:  Chapter Three/Things That Must Shortly Take Place

From the book of Revelation

The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter Two

Selfish Commercial Traffickers 

Closely allied to political leaders, there came into view dishonest traffickers in material goods. Records unearthed in the ruins of ancient Babylon show that business transactions exploiting the unfortunate circumstances of fellow humans  were very much in vogue back there.  The world's merchants have continue to work for selfish profit down to this present day, when in many lands a few have become very rich while the majority of the population languishes in poverty.  In this 20th-century industrial age, the merchants and manufacturers have made great gain by supplying the political powers with stockpiles of devilish military weapons of destruction, including the nuclear arsenals that now threatens mankind with annihilation.   Such greedy business magnates and other of their kind must be included with the "military commanders" and "strong men" as belonging to Satan's wicked seed. They are all part of the earthly organization that God and Christ judge as deserving of execution. -Revelation 19:18. 

To corrupt politics and greedy commercialism there must be added  a third element of human society there merits God's adverse judgment. What is that? You may be surprised by what Revelation says about this well-known global structure. 

Next time: The Grand Theme of the Bible-Chapter Two -Babylon the Great

From the book of Revelation

The Grand Theme of the Bible m-Chapter Two

Political Powers Appear

In Babylon there appeared features of human society that developed in defiance of Jehovah's sovereignty. One of these was political. As mankind multiplied, other ambitious humans followed Nimrod's example in seizing power.  Man began to dominate man to his injury.  (Ecclesiastes 8:9) During the days of Abraham, for instance, Sodom, Gomorrah, and nearby cities  fell under the control of kings from Shinar and other far distant lands.  (Genesis 14:1-4)  Eventually, military and organizational geniuses carved out huge empires for their own enrichment and glory.   The Bible refers to come of these, including Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.

Jehovah tolerated the existence of those political powers, and his people rendered relative obedience to them when they living in lands under their control. (Romans 13: 1, 2 ) Sometimes, political authorities even served for the furtherance of God's purposes or as a protection for his people.  (Ezra 1:1-4; 7:12-26; Acts 25:11, 12; Revelation 12:15, 16) Nevertheless, many political rulers have viciously opposed true worship, showing themselves to be a part of the Serpent. -1 John 5:19. 

For the most part, man-rule has failed miserably to bring happiness to us humans or to solve  our problems.  Jehovah has permitted mankind to experiment with every form of government, but he does not approve of corruption or the way governments have misruled the people.  (Proverbs 22:22, 23) Revelation portrays oppressive world powers as making up a proud and monstrous wild beast. -Revelation 13:1, 2.  

Next time: The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter Two


From the book of Revelation

The Grand Theme of the Bible-Chapter Two

How Enmity Developed

Satan's human seed began to be manifested very early in mankind's history.  For example, there was Cain, the first human born,  "who originated with the wicked one and  slaughtered his brother Abel. (1 John 3:12)  Later, Enoch spoke of Jehovah's coming "with his holy myriads, to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly deeds that they did in  an ungodly way, and concerning all the shocking things that ungodly sinner spoke against him."  (Jude 14, 15)  Moreover, rebellious angels  joined Satan  and became part of his seed.  These "forsook their own proper dwelling place" in the heavens in order to materialize  fleshly bodies and marry the daughters of men.  They produced  a superhuman hybrid of offspring of bullies.  That world became filled with violence  and badness, so that God destroyed it in the Deluge, faithful Noah and his family being the only human flesh to survive. The disobedient angels -now demons under Satan's control-were forced to abandoned their doomed human wives and hybrid children. They dematerialized, returning to the spirit realm where  they await God's execution of judgment on Satan and his seed. -Jude 6; Genesis 64:12; 7:21-23; 2 Peter 2:4, 5.

Shortly after the great Deluge, a tyrant named Nimrod appeared on earth.  The Bible describes him as  "a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah" -truly a part of the Serpent's seed. Like Satan, he showed a spirit of rebellion and built the  city of Babel, or Babylon, in defiance of Jehovah's  purpose to have mankind spread out  to fill the earth.  Babylon's centerpiece was to have been a great tower "with its top in the heavens."  God thwarted the would-be-builders of that tower. He confused their language and "scattered them from there all over the surface of the entire earth? but allowed Babylon itself to remain. -Genesis 9:1; 108:12; 11:1-9. 

Next time: The Grand Theme of the Bible - Chapter Two - Political Powers Appear

From the book of Revelation 

The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter Two

The Seed of the Woman Identified

The prophecy at Genesis 3:15 refers finally to  the seed of the woman. While Satan was developing his seed, Jehovah was preparing for his "woman," or wifelike celestial organization, to produce a seed.  For some 4,000 years, Jehovah progressively revealed to obedient God-fearing humans details related to the coming of the seed.   (Isaiah 46:9, 10) Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others could thus build faith in the promise that the seed would appear in their genealogical  line. (Genesis 22:15-18; 24:4; 28:14)  Satan and his henchmen often persecuted such servants of Jehovah because of their unswerving faith. -Hebrews 11:1, 2, 32-28.

At last, in the year 29 of our Common Era, the perfect man Jesus presented himself at the Jordan River and was baptized. Jehovah there begot Jesus with holy spirit, saying :  "This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved."  (Matthew 3:17)  Jesus was there identified as having been sent forth as God's spiritual organization in heaven.  He was anointed as the King's-Designate of the heavenly Kingdom that would restore rulership over the earth in Jehovah's name, thus settling once and for all the issue involving government, or sovereignty.  (Revelation 11:15) Jesus, then, is the principal One of the seed of the woman, the foretold Messiah. -Compare Galatians 3:16; Daniel 9:25. 

Would the woman's seed be simply one prominent person?  Well, what of Satan's seed?  The Bible identifies Satan's seed as including a host of wicked angels and God-dishonoring humans. It should not surprise us, then, to learn of God's purpose  to select 144,000 integrity keepers from among mankind to become priestly  corulers with the Messianic Seed, Jesus Christ. Revelation refers to these when it says that the Devil , in his enmity toward God's womanly organization,  "went off to wage war with the remaining ones of her seed." - Revelation 12:17; 14:1-4. 

In the Bible, anointed Christians are  called Jesus' brothers, and as his brothers, they share the same Father and the same mother.   (Hebrews 2:11) Their Father is Jehovah God. Hence, their mother must be "the woman," God's wifelike celestial organization.  They become a secondary part of the seed, Christ Jesus being the primary part.  The congregation of these spirit-begotten Christian on earth make up God's visible organization in the heavens, where they will be united with Christ Jesus at their resurrection.   (Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 3:16, 29)  Though not part of the seed, millions of other sheep out of all nations are being united to  serve with God's organization on earth. Are you one of these sheep?  Then your happy hope is everlasting life on paradise earth. -John 10:16; 17:1-3.

Next time: The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter Two -How Enmity Developed

From the book of Revelation 

The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter Two

Two Seeds in Opposition

Two seeds appear next at Genesis 3:15. We should be deeply interested in these, for they are related to the great issue of rightful sovereignty over this earth.  This  involves each one of us, whether young or old. Which one of these seeds do you favor?

First there is the seed, or offspring, of the Serpent. What is this?  It surely includes  these other spirit creatures who joined Satan in his rebellion and who were finally "hurled down with him" to the realm of the earth.  (Revelation 12:9) Since Satan, or Beelzebub, is the "ruler of the demons,"  it is apparent that they make up his invisible organization. -Mark 3:22; Ephesians 6:12. 

Further, Jesus told Jewish religious leaders of his day:  "You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father."  (John 8:44)  By their opposition to God's Son Jesus, those religious leaders showed that they too were Satan's offspring. They were part of Satan's seed, serving him as their figurative father. Many other humans throughout history  have  identified themselves  by doing Satan's will, particularly in opposing and persecuting the disciples of Jesus.  Collectively, these humans may be described as making up Satan's visible organization on earth. -See John 15:20; 16:33; 17:15.   

Note: This not only involves the majority of the human government, but also the  other religious leaders that teach tradition, like celebrating holidays, birthdays, etc, which is known as Babylon the Great. 

Next time: The Grand Theme of the Bible - The Seed of the Woman Identified

From the book of Revelation

The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter Two

The Principals in the Drama 

The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was addressed to the serpent that had lied to Eve, suggesting to her that she would not die for her disobedience but that she would become independent, a goddess.  The serpent thus made Jehovah out to be a liar and insinuated that humans could improve their lot by rejecting His supreme rulership.   (Genesis 3:1-5)  Jehovah's sovereignty was challenged and his good name besmirched. The book of Revelation describes how the righteous Judge, Jehovah uses his Kingdom rule of his Son, Jesus Christ, to vindicate his sovereignty and clear all reproach from his name. -Revelation 12:10; 14:7. 

As for that term"serpent," does it apply only to a literal snake?  Not at all!  Revelation identifies for us the infamous spirit creature  that spoke through the snake. It was  "the great dragon . . . ,the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth," that "seduced Eve by its cunning." -Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 11:3. 

Genesis 3:15 speaks next of "the woman."  Was this Eve?  Possibly she thought so.  (Compare Genesis 4:1)  But a long-lasting enmity between Eve and Satan become impossible when Eve died more than 5,000 years ago.  Further, since the Serpent addressed by Jehovah is an invisible spirit, we should expect that the woman also belongs to the spirit realm.  Revelation 12:1, 2 confirms this, indicating that this figurative woman is Jehovah's heavenly organization of spirit creatures. -See also Isaiah 54:1, 5, 13. 

Next time: The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter Two -Two Seeds in Opposition

From the book of Revelation

Revelation - Its Happy Climax!

The Grand Theme of the Bible- Chapter 2 

A BIBLE proverb says:  "Better is the end afterward of a matter than its beginning." (Ecclesiastes 7:8) It is in the book of Revelation that we read of the dramatic  culmination of Jehovah's grand purpose to sanctify his name before all creation. As God declared time and time again by one of his earlier prophets:  "They will have to know that I am Jehovah." -Ezekiel 25:17; 38:23. 

Just as Revelation spells out the triumphant end of matters, so their beginning is described for us in earlier books of the Bible. By examining this record, we are enabled to understand the issues involved and get an overall view of God's purposes. How satisfying this is!  Further, it should rouse us to action, so that we may share in the marvelous future that awaits mankind.  (Psalm 145:16, 20) 
At this point, it seems appropriate to discuss the background  and theme of the entire Bible,in order that we may have in mind the paramount issue that now faces humankind, as well as God's clearly stated purpose to resolve that issue. 

The Bible's first book, Genesis, tells of "the beginning"  and describes God's creative works, including his crowning earthly creation, man.  Genesis also sets out the first divine prophecy, uttered by God himself in the garden of Eden some 6,000 years ago.  A serpent had just been about to deceive the first woman, Eve, she in turn had persuaded her husband, Adam, to join her in violating Jehovah's law by eating from "the tree of the knowledge of good and bad."  In passing judgment on the sinful couple, God said to the serpent:  "I shall put enmity between you  and woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel."  (Genesis 1:1; 2:17; 3:1-6, 14, 15)  That prophecy sets the theme for the whole Bible, including Revelation. 

Immediately after uttering the prophecy, God expelled our first parents from Eden. No longer could they  look forward to everlasting life in Paradise;they would have to live out their lives in the unprepared earth outside.  Under sentence of death, they would produce sin-laden children.  (Genesis 3:23-4:1; Romans 5:12)  What, though, does the Edenic prophecy mean?  Who are involved?  How does it link up with Revelation?  What message does it have for us today?  In order to gain personal relief from the effects of the tragic event that led to Jehovah's uttering that prophecy, it is of vital concern that we know the answers to those questions.  

Next time: Revelation -Its Happy Climax! - The Grand Theme of the Bible -Chapter 2 -The Principals in the Drama

From the book of Revelation