Stay Close to Jehovah - End Notes - WHY IS THE YEAR 1914 SO IMPORTANT

The prophecy in Daniel chapter 4 teaches us that God would set up his Kingdom in 1914.

 The prophecy:  Jehovah gave King Nebuchadnezzar a  prophetic dream about a large tree that was chopped down. In the dream, a band of iron and copper was put around the tree's stump to stop it from growing for  a period of "seven times."  After that, the tree would grow again. - DANIEL 4:1, 10-16. 

What the prophecy means for us:  The tree represents God's rulership, for many years, Jehovah used kings in Jerusalem to rule over the nation of Israel.  (1 Chronicles 29:23)  But those kings became unfaithful, and their rulership ended. Jerusalem was destroyed in the year  607 B.C.E. that was the start of the "seven times."  (2 Kings 25:1, 8-10; Ezekiel 21:25-27)  When Jesus  said,  "Jerusalem  will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled,"  he was talking about the "seven times." ( Luke 21:24)  So the "seven times" did not end when Jesus was on earth.  Jehovah promises to appoint a King at the end of "seven times."  The rulership of this new King, Jesus would bring great blessings for God's people all over the earth, forever.  -LUKE 1:30-33.

The length of the "seven times.":  The "seven times" lasted for 2, 520 years. If we count 2, 520 years from the year 607 B.E.E., we end up at the year 1914.  That was when Jehovah  made Jesus, the Messiah, King of God's Kingdom in heaven.

How do we get the number 2, 520?   the Bible says that three and a half times equal  1, 260 days.  (Revelation 12:6, 14)  So "seven times" is double that number, or 2, 520 days are equal to 2, 520 years because of the prophetic rule "a day for a year." -NUMBERS 14:34; EZEKIEL  4:6 .

Chapter 8, paragraph 23


23. MICHAEL  THE ARCHANGEL

The word "archangel" means "chief of the angels."  The Bible mentions only one archangel, and his name was Michael. - DANIEL 12:1; JUDE 9.

 Michael is the leader of God's army of faithful angels.  Revelation 12:7 says:  "Michael and his angels battled with the dragon . . . and its angels."  The book of Revelation says that the leader of God's army is Jesus, so Michael is another name for Jesus. - REVELATION 19:14-16.

Chapter 9, paragraph 4

24. THE LAST DAYS

This expression refers to the time period when major events would happen on earth just before God's Kingdom destroys Satan's world.  Similar expressions, such as "the conclusion of the system of things" and "the presence of the Son of man," are used in Bible prophecy to refer to the same time period.  (Matthew 24:3, 27, 37)  "The last days" started when God's Kingdom began ruling in heaven ini 1914 and will end will Satan's world is destroyed at Armageddon. - 2 TIMOTHY 3:1; 2 PETER 3:3. 

25. RESURRECTION

When God  brings a person who has died back to life, it is called a resurrection. Nine resurrections are mentioned in the Bible. Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, Peter all performed resurrections.  These miracles were possible only because of God's power.  Jehovah promises to resurrect "both the righteous and the unrighteous" to life on earth.  (Acts 24:15)  The Bible also mentions a resurrection to heaven.  This takes place when those who are chosen, or anointed, by God are resurrected to live in heaven with Jesus. - JOHN 5:28, 29, 11:25; PHILIPPIANS 3:11; REVELATION 20:5, 6, 

Chapter 9, paragraph 13 

Next time: Stay Close to Jehovah - End Notes - 26. DEMONISM (SPIRITISM) 

From the jw.org publications