"Be Vigilant" - How We Should Be Affected

How should knowing that the end of this wicked system is rapidly approaching affect us?   The apostle Peter wrote: "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion!" (2 Peter 3:11) Those words emphasize the need to keep close watch to make sure that our conduct is in harmony with God's requirements and that our life includes works of God'y devotion, reflecting our love for Jehovah.  Such deeds include doing our utmost in preaching the good news of the Kingdom before the end comes. Peter also wrote: "The end of all things has drawn close. . . Be vigilant with a view to prayers." (1 Peter 4:7) We draw close to Jehovah and show our love for him by constantly going to him in prayer, asking him to give us guidance by means of his holy spirit and his worldwide congregation.

In these perilous times, we need to adhere closely to the counsel of God's Word: "Keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, buying out the opportune time for yourselves, because the days are wicked." (Ephesians 5:15, 16)  Wickedness is now more abundant than in any other time in history.  Satan has devised  many things to prevent people from doing Jehovah's will or simply to distract them.  As God's servants, we know this, and we do not want to allow anything to undermine our loyalty to God. We also know what is shortly going to take place and we put our confidence in Jehovah and his purposes. - Read 1 JOHN 2:15-17. 

There will come to pass the marvelous promise that God has made to restore the dead to life, for "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." (Acts 24:15) Notice how emphatic that promise is:  "There is going to be a  resurrection"!  There is no doubt about it, for Jehovah has given his word!  Isaiah 26:19  promises:  "Your dead ones will live. . . .Awake and cry out joyfully,  you residents in the dust! . . . The earth itself will let even those impotent in death drop in birth." Those words had an initial fulfillment with the restoration of God's ancient people to their homeland, giving us confidence in the coming literal fulfillment in the new world. What great joy there will be as resurrected ones are reunited with their loved ones! Yes, the end of Satan's world is near, and a new world of God's making is at hand. How vital it is that we remain vigilant! 

Next time: "Be Vigilant" - The Age of Turbulence Began

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