REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Forty - Satan Abyssed - Continue

 What happens to the demons?  They too have been "reserved for judgment." (2 Peter 2:4)  Satan is called "Beelzebub the ruler of the demons."  (Luke 11:15, 18; Matthew 10:25) In view of their longtime collaboration with Satan, should not the same judgment  be meted out to them?  The abyss has long been an obect of fear to those demons on one occasion when Jesus confronted them, they "kept entreating him  not to order them to go away into the abyss." (Luke 8:31) But when Satan is abyssed with is abyssed, his angels will surely be hurled  into the abyss with him.  (Compare Isaiah 24:21, 22) Afterthe abyssing of Satan and his demons, the Thousand Year Reign of Jesus Christ can begin. 

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When the great fiery-colored dragon as hurled down from heaven, he was spoken as  "the origibal serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth."   (Revelation 12:3, 9)  Now, at the point of being seized and abyssedm his is described again in full as "the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan."  This infamous devourer, slanderer, and opposer is chained and hurled "into the abyss," which is closed and sealed off tightly, "that he might not mislead the nations anymore."  This abyssing of Satan is for a thousand  years, during which time his influence on mankind will be no  more than that of a prisoner in a deep dungeon.  THe angel of the abyss removes Satan completely from any contact with the Kingdom of righteousness. What a relief for mankind!

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 Who is this angel? He must have tremendous power to be able to dispose of Jehovah's archenemy .  He has "the key of the abyss and a great chain." Does this not remind us of an earlier vision?   Why,  yes, the king over the locusts is called "the ange;l of the abyss"! (Revelation 9:11)  So  here we again observe Jehovah's Chief Vindicator, the glorified Jesus Christ, in action. This archangel that cast Satan out of heaven, the judged Babylon the Great, that disposed of "the kings of the earth and their armies" at Armageddon would surely  not step aside to let a leslser angel deliver the masterstroke in abyssing Satan! - REVELATION 12:7-9; 18:1, 2; 19:11-21. 

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 What, then, is in store for "Satan himself and his demons?  John tells us: "And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And  he seized the dragon, the original serpent who is the  Devil and Satan, and bound him  for a thousand years. And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, that he might not mislead the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After these things he must be let loose for a little while." - REVELATION 20:1-3. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Forty -Crushing the Serpent's Head - Conclusion

 What about the Serpent and his seed? About 56 C.E. the apostle Paul wrote a long letter to the Christians in Rome.  In concluding  it, he encouraged them by saying: "For his part, the God who gives peace will crust Satan under your feet shortly."  (Romans 16:20)  This is more than superficial bruising.  Satan is to be crushed! Paul here used a Greek word, syn-tri''bo, that means to be bruise into a jellylike state, to trample down, to destroy utterly by crushing. As for the human seed of the Serpent, this is due for a real plaguing in the Lord's day, climaxing at the great tribulation in the complete crushing of Babylon the Great and political systems of the world, together with their financial and military henchmen  (Revelation, chapters 18 and 19)  Thus Jehovah brings to a climax the enmity between the two sees.  The Seed of God's woman triumphs over the earthly seed of the Serpent, and the seed is no more!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Forty - Crushing the Serpent's Head

 Do you recall the first Bible prophecy? It was uttered by Jehovah God when he said to the serpent: "I shall put enmity between you and the woman  and between her seed and your seed, he will bruise you in the head and  you will bruise him in the heel."  (Genesis3:15) Now the fulfillment of that prophecy come to its climax!  We have traced the history of Satan's warring against Jehovah's heavenly womanlike organization.  (Revelation 12:1, 9) The Serpent's earthly seed, with its religion, politics, and big business, has heaped cruel persecution on the woman's seed. Jesus Christ and his 144,000 anointed followers, here on earth. (John 8:37, 44; Galatians 3:16, 29) Satan inflicted an agonizing death on Jesus. But this proved to be like a heel wound, for God resurrected his faithful Son on the third day. - ACTS 10:38-40.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chaptere Thirty Nine - The Great Evening Meal of God - Conclusion

 In this way, all of Satan's  earthly organization comes to an end. The "former heaven" of political rulership has passed away. The "earth," the seemingly permanent system that Satan has built up over the centuries, is now utterly destroyed  The "sea," the mass of wicked humanity opposed to Jehovah, is no more.  (Revelation 21:1, 2; 2 Peter 3:10) What, though, does Jehovah have in store for Satan himself? John goes on to tell us? 

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 All others who were not directly part of government but who were nevertheless an informable part of this corrupt world of mankind are likewise "killed off with the long sword of the one seated on the horse."  Jesus will pronounce them deserving of death. Since  in their case the lake of fire is not mentioned, are we to expect that  they will have a resurrection? Nowhere are we told that those executed  by Jehovah's Judge at that time are to be resurrected.  As Jesus himself stated, all those who are not "sheep" go off "into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels," that is, "into everlasting cutting-off." (Matthew 25:33, 41, 46) This climaxes "the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men." - 2 PETER 3:7; Nahum 1:2; 7-9; MALACHI 4:1.

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 The seven-headed, ten-horned wild beast out of the sea, representing Satan's political organization, is tumbled into oblivion, and along with it goes the false prophet, the seventh world power. (Revelation 13:1, 11-13; 16:13) While still "alive," or still functioning in their united opposition to God's people on earth, they are cast into "the lake of of fire."  Is this a literal lake of fire?  No, no any more than the wild beast and the false prophet are literal animals.  Rather isis a symbol of complete, final destruction, a place of no return.  Here is where, later, death and Hades, as well as the Devil himself, will be  hurled. (Revelation 20:10, 14) It is certainly not and inferno of eternal torture for the wicked, since the very idea of such a place is destestable to Jehovah. - JEREMIAH 19:5; 32:35; 1 JOHN 4:8, 16.

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RECELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine -THe Great Evening Meal of God - Continue

 After the pouring out of the sixth bowl of Jehovah's wrath, John reported that "the kings of the earth and of the whole world" were gathered  by demonic propaganda to "the battle of that great day of God Almighy." This is fought at Armageddon-not  a literal location, but the global situation that calls for execution of Jehovah's judgment.  (Revelation 16:12, 14, 16, King James Version) Now John sees the battle lines. There, ranged against God, are all the "kings of the earth and their armies." They have stubbornly refused to submit themselves to Jehovah's King. He gave them fair warning in the inspired message: "Kiss the Son , that [Jehovah] may not become incensed and  you may not perish from the way."  Not having submitted to Christ's rule, they must die. - PSALM 2:12.

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 John summarizes the course of the final war:  "And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage the war with the one seated on the horse and with his army. And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed signs wit which he misled those who render worship  to its image. While still alive, they both wer hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur.  But the rest were killed off with the long sword of the one seated on the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth. And all of the birds were filled from the fleshy parts of them." - REVELATION 19:19-21. 

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The angel is "standing in the sun," a  commanding position for attracting the attention of the birds. He invites the to be ready to gorge themselves on the flesh of those about to be slain by the Warrior-King and his heavenly armies.  The fact that the dead are to be left on the surface of the ground indicates that they will die in public shame.  Like Jezebel of old, they will not have an honorable burial.  (2 Kings 9:36, 37)  The list of those  whose corpses  would be left lying there shows the range of the destructin: kings, military  commanders, strong men, freemen and slaves. No exceptions. Every last trace of the rebellious world  in opposition to Jehovah will be eliminated.  After this, there will no more be a restless sea of confused humans. (Revelation 21:1)   This is "the great evening meal of God," since it is Jehovah who invites the birds to share therein. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - THe Great Evening Meal of God

 In Ezekiel's vision, after the destruction of Gog's crowd, the birds and the wild animals are invited to a feast!  They rid the landscape of carcasses by eating the dead bodies of Jehovah's enemies. (Ezekiel 39:11, 17-20)  John's next words bring that earlier prophecy vividly to mind: "I saw also an angel standing in the sin, and he cried out with a loud voice and said to all the birds that fly in midheaven:  'Come here, be gathered together to the great evening meal of God, that you may eat the fleshly parts of kings and the fleshly part of military commanders and the fleshly parts of strong men and the fleshly parts of horse and of those seated upon them, and the fleshly parts of all, of freemen as well as of slaves adn of small ones and great.' " - REVELATION  19:17, 18.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - To the Final Battle! - Conclusion

 That will be a day of doom, indeed for disobedient nations and humans but a day of relief for all who have made Jehovah and  his Warrior-King their refuge!  (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)  The  judgment that started with the house of God in 1918 will have run through to its climax, answering the question at 1 Peter 4:17: "What will the end be who are not obedient to he good news of God?" The glorious Victor will have trodden the winepres to a finish demonstrating that he is the exalted One of whom John says:"And upon his outer garment, even upon his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:16)  He has proved to be far, far mightier than any earthly ruler, any human king or lord. His dignity and splendor are transcendent.  He has ridding "in the cause of truth and humilty and righteousness" and has triumphed for all time! (Psalm 45:4)  Upon his blood-sprinkled garments is written the  name bestowed on him by the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, who Vindicator he is is!

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 The prophet Joel associates a winepress with Jehovah's coming to "judge all the nations round about."  And it is Jehovah who issues the command, no doubt to His associate Judge, Jesus, and his heavenly armies:"Thrust in a sickle, for harvest has grown ripe.  Come, descend, for the winepress  has become full.  Their vats actually overflow; for their badness has become abundant. Crowds, crowds are in the low plain of the decision, for the day of Jehovah is near the low plain of the decision. Sun and moon themelves  will certainly become dark, and the very stars will actually withdraw their brightness.  And out of Zion Jehovah himself will roar, and out of Jerusalem he will give forth his voice. And heaven and earth certainly will rock; but Jehovah will be a refuge for his people, and fortress for the sons of Israel. And you people will have to know that I am Jehovah your God." - JOEL 3:12-17.

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 The mighty Warrior-King appears again in the next scene of the vision: "He treads too the winepress of the anger of the wrath of God the Almighty." (Revelation 19:15b)  In a previous vision, John had already seen the treading of the "winepress of the anger of God." (Revelation  14:18-20) Isaiah also describes an executional winepress, and other prophets tell how calamitious the day of God's anger  will be for all the nations.- ISAIAH 24:1-6; 63:1-4; JEREMIAH 25:30-33; DANIEL 2:44; ZEPHANIAH 14:3, 12, 13; REVELATION 6:15-17.

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 The Warrior-King as Jehovah's appointee, will make a distinction between those  who will survive and those who will die. Jehovah speaking prophetically to this Son of God, says: "You will break them from [earth's rulers] with an iron scepter, as though a potter's vessel will will dash them to pieces." And Jeremiah addresses such corrupt governmental leaders and their lackeys, saying: "Howl, you shepherds, and cry outE! And wallow about, you majestic ones of the flock, because your days of slaughtering and for  your scatterings have been fulfilled, and you must fall like a desirable vessel!" However, these detestable these rulers may have appeared to a wicked world,  one blow from the King's iron scepter will shatter them, as if smashing an attractive vessel. It will be just as David prophesied concerning the Lord Jesus: "The rod of your strength jehovah will send out of Zion, saying:  "Go subduing in the midst of  you enemies." Jehovah at  your right hand will certainly break kings to pieces on the day of his anger. He will execute judgment among the nations; he will cause a fullness of dead bodies." - PSALM 2:9, 12; 83:17, 18; 110:1, 2, 5, 6; JEREMIAH 25:34.

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 At this point in time, Jesus will already  have acted in fulfillment of Paul's words:"Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away wiht by the spirit of his mouth adn bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence." Yes, Jesus' presence (Greek, pa-r-ou-si'a) has been demonstrated from 1914 onward by the exposing and judging of the man of lawlessness, the clergy of Christendom.  That presence will be strikingl  manifested when the ten horns of the scarlet-colored wild beast execute that judgment and ravage Christendom, along with the rest of Babylon the Great.  (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 8) That will be the start of the great tribulation! After that, Jesus turns his attention to what remains of Satan's organization in line with the prophecy: "He must strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the spirit of his lips he will put the wicked one to death." - ISAIAH 11:4. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - To the Final Battle

 By what authority does Jesus complete his conquest?  John informs us: "And out of his mouth there protrudes a sharp long sword,that he may strike the nations with it, and he will shepherd them with the rod of iron. (Revelation 19:15a) That "sharp long sword" represents Jesus' given authority to issue orders for the execution of all who refuse to support  God's Kingdom.  (Revelation 1:16; 2:16) This vivid  symbolism parallels  Isaiah's words: "He [Jehovah] proceded  to make my mouth lika sharp sword.  In the shadow of  his hand he has hidden me. And he gradually made  me a polished arrow." (Isaiah 49:2) Here Isaiah foreshadowed Jesus, who proclaims God's judgments and executes them as  with an  unerring arrow.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - Jesus' Fellow Warriors - Conclusion

 Does this mean that Jehovah's Witnesses are against all governments? Far from it! They obey the apostle Paul's counsel: "Let ever soul be in subjection to the superior authorities." They realize that as long as the present system lasts, those "superior authorities" exist by God's permission for maintaining a measure of order in human socieity.  Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses pay their taxes, obey the laws, follow traffic ordinances, comply with registrations, and so forth. (Romans 13:1, 6. 7) Further, they follow Bible principles  in being truthful and honest; showing love of neighbor, building a strong, moral family unit; and training their children to be exemplary citizens. In this way they pay back not only "Caesars things to Caesar, but God's things to God." (Luke 20:25; 1 Peter 2:13-17)  Since God's Word shows that the governmental powers of this world are temporary, Jehovah's Witnesses prepare now for the fuller life. the real life, soon to be enjoyed under Christ's Kingdom rule.  ( 1 Timothy 6:17-19) Though they will have part in overturning the powers of this world, the Witnesses experience reverential awe at what God's inspired Word, the Holy Bible, says, regarding the judgment Jehovah is about to execute at Armageddon. - ISAIAH26:20, 21; HEBREWS 12:28, 29.

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What, though of God's servants here on earth?  The John class  will have no active part in the fighting at Armageddon; neither will its loyal companions, those peoples out of all nations who have been streaming to Jehovah's spiritual house of worship.  These peaceable humans have already beaten swords into plowshares.  (Isaiah 2:2-4) Yet, they are very much involved! As we have already noted, it is Jehovah's seemingly defenseless people that are viciously attacked by Gog and all his crowd. That is the signal for Jehovah's Warrior-King, supported  by the armies in heaven, to start fighting a war of extermination against those nations. (Ezekiel 39:6, 7, 11; compare Daniel 11:44-12:1.) As spectators, God's peoplle on earth will be most interested. Armageddon will mean their salvation, and they will live for eternity aas having been witnesses of Jehovah's great war of vindication.

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 Others too will be involved.  When sending his message to the congregation in Thyatira, Jesus promised: "To him that conquers and observes my deeds down to teh end I will give authority over the nations, and he shall shepherd the people with an iron rod so that they will be broken to pieces like clay vessels, the sam as I have received from my Father." (Revelation 2:26, 27)  Without a doubt, when the time comes, those of Christ's brothers already in heaven will have a part in sheperding people and nations with that iron rod.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - Jesus' Fellow Warriors

 Jesus is not alone in fighting this battle.  John tells us: "Also, the armies that were in heaven were following him on white horses, and they were clothed in white, clean, fine linen." (Revelation 19:14)  The fact that the horses are "white" denotes righeous warfare.  "Fine linen" is appropriate for the King's horsemen, and its glistening, clean whiteness indicates a pure righteous standing before Jehovah.  Who, then, make up these "armies"?  Doubtlelss,  they include the  holy angels. It was early in the Lord's day that Michael and his angels hurled Satan and his demons  out of heaven.  (Revelation 12:7-9)  Further, "all the angels now attend upon Jesus as  he sits on his glorious throne and proceeds to judge the nations and people of the earth.  (Matthew 25:31, 32)  Surely, in the decisive war, when God's judgments are executed to a finality, Jesus will again be accompanied by his angels.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - The One Called "Faithful and True" - Conclusion

 John adds:"And he is arrayed with an outer garment sprinkled with blood, and the name he is called is The Word of God." (Revelation 19:13)  Whose "blood"  is this? It could be Jesus' lifeblood, shed for the sake of mankind. (Revelation 1:5) But, in this context, it more likely refers to the blood of his enemies that is spilled when Jehovah's judgments are executed upon them.  We are reminded of the earlier vision in which the vine of the earth is reaped and trodden in the great winepress of the anger of God until the blood reaches "as high up as  the bridles of the horses"-signifying a great victory over God's enemies. (Revelation 14:18-20) Likewise, the blood sprinkled on Jesus' outer garment confirms that his victory is decisive and complete. (Compare Isaiah 63:1-6)  Now John speaks again of Jesus' being called by a name. This time is a widely known name-"The Word of God"-identifying this Warrior-King as Jehovah's Chief Spokesman and Champion of truth. - JOHN 1:1; REVELATION 1:1. 

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 Jesus' privileges are unique. Apart from Jehovah himself, only Jesus can comprehend what it means to hold such a high position. (Compare Matthew 11:27) Therefore, of all God's creatures, only Jesus can fully appreciate this name.  Nevertheless, Jesus does include his bride in some of these privileges.  So he makes this promise: "The one that conquers . . . I will write upon him . . . that new name of mine." - REVELATION 3:12.

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John's description continues: "He has a name written that no one knows but he  himself." (Revelation 19:12b) The Bible already speaks of God's Son by names such as Jesus, Immanuel, and Michael. But this unstated "name" appears to stand for the position and privileges that Jesus enjoys during the Lord's day. (Compare Revelation 2:17) Isaiah, desribing Jesus since 1914, says: "His name will be called wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)  The apostle Paul associated Jesus' name with His very high privileges of service when he wrote: "God exalted  [jesus] to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above any other nae, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend." - PHILIPPIANS 2:9, 10. 

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 Diadems crown the head of this Warrior-King. The wild beast that John saw  coming out of the sea had ten diadems, picturing its temporary rulership of the earthly scene. (Revelation 13:1) Jesus, though, has "many diadems."  His glorious rulership is unmatched, since he is "King of those who rule as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords." - 1 TIMOTHY 6:15.

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 As the earlier version of the four horsemen, this "white horse" is a fitting symbol of righeous warfare. (Revelation 6:2)   And who of God's sons could be more righteous than this mighty Warrior?  Being "called Faithful and True," he must be the faithful and true witnesses ," Christ Jesus.  (Revelation 3:14)  He makes war in order  to execute Jehovah's righteous judgments. Thus,  he is acting in his capacity as Jehovah's appointed Judge, the "Mighty God." (Isaiah 9:6)  His eyes are fear inspiring, like a "fiery flame," looking to the coming fiery destruction of his foes. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - The One Called "Faithful and True"

 Jehovah calls forth a sword.  Who is it that wields  this sword?  Returning to Revelation, we find the answer in still another thrilling vision. Before John's eyes the heavens open up  to reveal something truly awe inspiring-Jesus Christ himself in battly array! John tells us: "And I saw the heaven  opened, and look! a white horse. And the one seated upon it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and carries on war in righteousness.  His eyes are like a fiery flame, and upon his head are many diadems." -REVELATION 19:11, 12. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - The Warrior-King Triumphs at Armgeddon - Conclusion

How does Jehovah dispose of Gog and all his crowd?  Listen! "I will call forth against him throughout all my  mountainous region a sword," is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. "Against his own brother the sword of each one will come to be.' " But neither nuclear or conventiona; arms will avail in that strife, for Jehovah declares:  "I will bring myself  into judgment with him, and with  pestilence and with blood; and a flooding downpour and hailstones fire and sulfur I shall rain down on him and upon his bands and upon the many people that will be with him.  And I shall certainly  magnify myself and sanctify myself and make myself known before the eyes of many nations; and they will have to know I am Jehovah." - EZEKIEL 38:21-23; 39:11; Compare JOSHUA 10:8-14; JUDGES 7:19-22; 2 CHRONICLES 20:15, 22-24; JOB 38:22, 23. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine -The Warrior-King Triumphs at Armageddon - Continue

 The Devil's vicious  assault  is vividly described in Ezekiel chapter 38. There the debased Satan is called "Gog of the land of Magog."  Jehovah puts figurative  hooks in Gog's jaws, drawing  and his numerous  military force to the attack. How does he do this? By causing Gog to see His Witnesses  as a defenseless people "gathered together out of the nations, one that is accumulating wealth and property, those who are dwelling in the center of the earth."   These hold the center stage on earth as the one people to have refused to worship the wild beast and its image.  Their spiritual strength and prosperity engrage Gog, so Gog  and his numerous military force, including the wild beast out of the sea with its ten horns,  swarm in for the kill. Unlike Babylonthe Great, however, God's clean people enjoy divine protection! - EZEKIEL 38:1, 4, 11,12, 15;  REVELATION 13:1.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Nine - The Warrior-King Trumphs at Armageddon

 ARMAGEDDON- a fear some word to many!  But to lovers of righeousness, it betokens the long-awaited day when Jehovah will execute final judgment on the nations.  It is not man's war but "the war of the great day of God the Almighty"-his day of  vengeance against earth's rulers.  (Revelation 16:14, 16; Ezekiel 15:17)  With the desolating of Babylon the Great, the great tribulation will already have started.  Then, urged on by Satan, the scarlet-colored wild beast and its ten horns will concentrate their attack on Jehovah's people.  The Devil,  more wrathful than ever at God's womanlike organization, is determined to use his dupes in waging war to a finish with the remaining ones of her seed.  (Revelation 12:17) This is Satan's last opportunity! 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Jesus' Role in Prophecy - Conclusion

 So, then, let us unitedly voice the opening words of Psalms 146 to 150:"Praise Jah, you  people!" May the Hallelujah chorus thunder forth in anticipation of Jehovah's triumph over the Babylonish world empire of false religion! And may joy abound as the marrage of the Lamb approaches!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Jesus' Role in Prophecy - Continue

 Does this detract in any way from the worship we give to Jehovah?  No. Remember the angel's cautionary advice: "Worship  God."  Jesus never tries to rival Jehovah.  (Philippians 2:6)  True, all the angels are told to "do obeience to [Jesus]," and all creation must recognize his high position so that "in the name of Jesus  every knee should bend." But notice, this is "to the glory of God the Father" and by his order. (Hebrews 1:6; Philippians 2:9-11)  Jehovah gave Jesus his high authority, and by acknowledging that authority, we give glory to God. If we refuse to submit to Jesus' rule, it is equivilent to rejecting Jehovah God himself.-  PSALM 2:11, 12.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Jesus' Role in Prophecy

The angel then says: "For bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying." (Revelation 19:10b)  How so? This means that all inspired prophecy is evoked because of Jesus and the role he playys in Jehovah's purposes.  The first prophecy in the Bible promises the coming of a seed.  (Genesis 3:15) Jesus became that Seed. Subsequent revelations built a huge edifice of prophetic truth of this basic promise.  The apostle Peter told that believing Gentile Cornelius: "To him [Jesus]   all the prophets bear witness."  (Acts 10:43) Some 20 years later, the apostle Paul said:  "No matter  how many the promises of God are, they have become Yes, by means of him [Jesus]."  (2 Corinthians 1:20) After another 43 years, John himself reminds us: "The truth came to be through Jesus Christ." - JOHN 1:17. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Happy Are Those Invited - Conclusion

 Throughout Revelation a remarkable witness is given to the faithfulness and diligence of the angels.  They are involved in the channel of revealed truth.  (Revelation 1:1) They work along with humans in preaching the good news and pouring out the symbolic plagues. (Revelation 14:6, 7; 16:1)  They fought alongside Jesus to cast Satan and his angels from heaven, and they will fight alongside him again at Armageddon. (Revelation 12:7; 19:11-14) Indeed, they have access ti tge very person of Jehovah. (Matthew 18:10; Revelation 15:6)  Nevertheless, they no more than humble slaves  of God. There is  no room in pure worship  for worship of the angelsll or even for relative worship, directing worship to God via some "saint'" or angel.  (Colossians 2:18) Christians worship only Jehovah, making their petitions to him in Jesus' name. - JOHN 14:12, 13. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty EIght - Happy Are Those Invited - Continue

 The angel adds that "these are the true sayings of God." This word "true" translates the Greek A-le-thi-os' and means "genuine"  or  "dependable."  Since these sayings are really from Jehovah, they are faithful and reliable.  (Compare John 4:1-3;  Revelation 21:5; 22:6.) As one invited  to that marriage feast, John must have been filled with Joy at hearing this and at contemplating the blessings ahead for the bride class. He was so deeply moved, in fact, that the angel had to give him counsel, as John relates: "At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: 'Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of  you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus.  Worship God.' " - REVELATION 19:10a.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Happy Are Those Invited

 John now records the fourth of the seven happinesses in Revelation: "And he [the angel who has been revealing these thingst to John] tells me: 'Write: Happy are those invited to the evening meanof the Lamb's marriage." Also, he tells me: 'These are the true sayings of God.' " (Revelation 19:9) The ones invited to "the even meal of the Lamb's marriage" are the members of the bride class.  (Compare Matthew 22:1-14) All the anointed brida; company share the happiness of having received this invitation.  Most of the invitees have already gone to heaven, the place of the marital evening meal.  Those who are still on earth are happy, too, that they have the invitation.   Their place at the marital evening meal is secure. (John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 1:3-9) When they are resurrected to heaven, then the entire united bride will procedd to share with the Lamb in that supremely happy marriage. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - The Lamb's Wife Has Prepared Herself - Conclusion

 The prophetic descriptio of events in Psalm 45 confirms that order. First the enthroned King rides forth in the conquest of his enemies.  (Verses 1-7) Then the marriage is performed, the heavenly bride being attended on earth by her virgin companions, the great crowd. (Verses 8-15) Next the marriage becomes fruitful, with resurrected mankind being raised to perfection under oversight  of "princes of all the earth." (Verses 16, 17)  What glorious blessings accompany the marriage of the Lamb! 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty EIght - The Lamb's Wife Has Prepared Herself -Conclusion

At this point in Jehovah's timetable, when the sealing of the 144,000 has reached completion, the angels release the four winds of the great tribulation.  (Revelation 7:1-3)  First, Judgment is executed on harlotlike Babylon the Great. The victorious Christ next moves on quickly to Armageddon to destroy the rest of Satan's organization on earth and finally, to abyss Satan and his demons.  (Revelation 19:11-20:3)  No doubt, anointed ones who surivive on earth ill soon enter into their heavenly reward to join their fellow members of the bride class.  Then, amid a setting of  universal peace, the marriage of the Lord can take placel!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - The Lamb's Wife Has Prepared Herself - Continue

 After decades of testing, Paul himself could declare: "I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith. From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day, yet not only to me, but to all those who have loved his manifestation." (2 Timothy 4:7, 8) The apostle's sealing appears to have been complete, even though he was stillin the flesh and would yet face martyrdom.  Similarly, the time must come when all remaining ones on earth of the 144,000 will have been sealed individually as belonging to Jehovah.  (2 Timothy 2:19) This will be when  the Lamb's wife will have fully prepared herslef -the great majority of the 144,000 have already  received their heavenly reward and those still on earth having been finally approved and sealed as faithful ones. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!?Chapter Thirty Eight - The Lamb's Wife Has Prepared Herself

 So, now, after almosts 2,000 years, all 144,000 of the bride class have made themselves ready.   But what point of time may it be said that 'the Lamb's wife has prepared herself'?  Progressively from Pentecost 33 C.E. on, believing anointed ones  "were sealed  with the promised holy spirit,"  This is in view of a coming "day of releasing by ransom."  As the apostle Paul expressed it, God "has also put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts." (Ephesian 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22) Each anointed Christian is "called and chosen," and he has proved himself "faithful." - REVELATION 17:14.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - The Lamb's Marriage Is at Hand! - Conclusion

From Pentecost 33 C.E. on, Satan used Babylon the Great as his tool in trying to contaminate the prospective members of the Lamb's wife. By the end of the first century,  he had sown seeds of Babylonish religion in the congregation.  (1 Corinthiabs 15:12; 2 Timothy 2:18; Revelation 2:6, 14, 20)  The apostle Paul describes those who were subverting the faith in these words: "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into  apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself  keeps transforming himself into an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:13,14) In succeediing centuries, apostate Christendom, like the rest of Babylon the Great, dressed herself in the clothing of wealth and privilege, "purple and scarlet, . . . gold and precious stone and pearls." (Revelation 17:4)  Her clergy and popes consorted with the bloodthirsty emperors, such as Constanting, and Chalemagne. She was never arrayed in "the righteous acts of the holy ones." As a counterfeit bride, she was truly a masterpiece of satanic deception.  At last, she is gone forever!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - The Lamb's Marriage Is at Hand!/Continue

 Down through the centuries, Jesus has made loving preparation for this celestial marriage. (Matthew 28:20; 2 Corinthians 11:2) He has been cleaning the 14,000 of spiritual Israelso that"he might present  the congregation to himself in its splendor, not have a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but that it should be holy and without  blemish." (Ephesians 5:25-27)  With a view to attaining to "the prize of the upward call of God," each anointed Christian has had to strip off the old personality with its practices, put on the new Christian personality, and perform righteous acts "whole-souled as to Jehovah. - PHILIPPIANS 3:8, 13, 14; COLOSSIANS 3:9, 10, 23.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - The Lamb's Marriage Is at Hand! - Continue

 With the distgusting  harlot, Babbylon the Great, gone forever, attention can now be focusedon the virgin-pure bride of the Lamb! Hence, the heavenly throngs sing exultantly in praise of Jehovah: "Let us rejoice and be overjoyed, and let us give him the glory,  because the marriage of the Lamb has arrived and is wife has prepared herself. Yes, it has been granted to her to be arrayed in bright, clean, fine linen, for the fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the  holy ones." - REVELATION 19:7, 8.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - The Lamb's Marriage Is at Hand!

 "You woman enemy of mine!"  That is how  Jerusalem, the location of Jehovah's temple of worship addressed idolatrous Babylon. (Micah 7:8)  Likewise, the holy city, New Jerusalemm" made up of the bride of 144,000 members, has had every reason to address Babylon the Great as her enemy.  (Revelation  21:2)  But at last the great harlot has suffered adversity, calamity, and ruin.  Her spiritistic practices and astrologers have been unable  to save her. (Compare Isaiah 47:1, 11-13)   A major victory, indeed for true worship!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - 'Hallelujah-Jehovah Is King! - Conclusion

 How is it, though, that  Jehovah begins to rule? Millenniums have passed since the psalmist declared: "God is my King from long ago." (Psalm 74:12) Jehovah's kingship was ancient even then, so how can the universal chorus sing that "Jehovah . . . has begun to rule as King"?  In that when Babylon the Great is destroyed, Jehovah will no longer have that presumptuous rival to distract from obedience to him.  When ancient Babylon fell from world dominance, Zion heard the victorious proclamation:  "Your God has become King?" (Isaiah 5:27) After the Kingdom's birth in 1914, the 24 elder proclaimed: "We thankyou, O Jehovah God . . . because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king." (Revelation 11:17) Now, after the devastation of Babylon the Great, the the cry  is again uttered: "Jehovah . . .has begun to rule as king  No man-made god remains to contest the sovereignty of the true God, Jehovah! 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - 'Hallelujah-Jehovah Is King!'

 There are further reasons for rejoicing, as John goes on to tell us: "And I heard what was as voice of a great crowd and as sound of many waters and as sound of heavy thunders.  They said: 'Hallelujah, because Jehovh our God, the Almighty, as begun to rule as King.' " - (Revelation 19:6)  This last Hallelujah is the oen that makes the proclamatoion foursquare, or symmetrical. It is a might celestial sound, more magnificent than any human choir, more majestic than any earthly waterfall, and more fear-inspiring than any terrestrial thunderstorm. The myriads of heaven voices celebrate the fact that "Jehovah our God, the Almighty, has begun to rule as King." 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chaptre Thirty Eight - Praise Jah for His Judgments! - Conclusion

What an incentive all of this  us to share fully in God's work for today!  May all of Jah's servants devote themselves heart and soul to declaring God's judgments, together with the grand Kingdom hope, now; before Babylon the Great is unseated and destroyed. - ISAIAH 61:1-3; 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Praise Jah for His Judgments! - Continue

 Yes, those of the great crowd are also  numbered among these slaves. Since 1935 these have been coming out of Babylon the Great, and have experienced the fulfillment of God's promise: "He will bless those fearing Jehovah, the small one as well as the great ones." (Psalm 1115:13) When the harlotlike Babylon is destroyed, millions of them will join in "praising our God"-along wiht the John class and all the heavenly host.  Later, those resurrected on earth, whether previously prominent or not, will no doubt sing  further Hallelujah's on  learning that Babylon  the Great is gone forever. (Revelation 20:12, 15)  All praise to Jehovah for his resounding victory over the age-old harlot!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Praise Jah for His Judgments! - Continue

It was 1918 that  Jehovah started rewarding 'those fearing his name, the small and the great'-the first of these being the anointed Christians who had died faithful, whom he resurrected and stationed in the heavenly ranks of the 24 elders. (Revelation 11:18) Others join with these  in singing the Hallelujahs, for  John reports: "Also, a voice issued forth from the throne and said: 'Be praising our God, all   you his slaves, who fear him, the small ones and the great,' " ( Revelation 19:5)  This is the "voice" of Jehovah's Mouthpiece, his own Son, Jesus Christ, who stands "in the midst of the throne." (Revelation 5:6) Not only in the heaven but also here on earth,  "all you his slaves" share in the singing, with the anointed John class taking the lead on earth. How exultantly these share in obeying the command: "Be praising our God"!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Praise Jah for His Judgments! - Continue

 In an earlier vision, John saw around the throne four livin creatures, together with the 24 elders that picture the Kingdom heirs in their glorious heavenly position.  (Revelation 4:8-11) Now he sees them again s they thunder forth  a third Hallelujah over the destruction of Babylon the Great. "And the twenty-four elders and  the four living creatures  fell down and worshiped God seated upon the throne, and said: 'Amen! Hellelujah!' ""  (Revelation 19:4)  This grand Hallelujah chorus is in addition, then, to the "new song" of praise to the Lamb.  (Revelation 5:8, 9) They sing now magnificent victorty, refrain, ascribing all glory to the Sovereign Lord Jehovah because of his decisive victory over the great harlot, Babylon the Great.  These Hallelujahs peal forth far more melodiously than any Hallelujah choruses sung in Christendom's churches, where Jehovah or Jah, has been dishonored and despised, Such hypocritical singing that reproaches Jehovah's name  is now silenced forever!

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Praise Jah for His Jugdments! - Continue

 Babylon the Great has just been set afire like a conquered city, and the smoke from her "goes on ascending forever and ever." When a literal city is burned by conquering armies, the smoke keeps ascending as long as the ashes are hot.  Anyone who tires to  rebuild  it while it is still smoking will simply get burned by the smolering ruins.  Since the smoke from Babylon the Great will rise "forever and ever' in token of the finality of her judgment, no one will ever be able to restore that inquitous city.  Fale religion is gone forever.  Hallelujah, indeed! - Compare Isaiah 34:5, 9, 10.

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thrity Eight -Praise Jah for His Judgments! -Continue

Why has this great harlot been so deserving of this judgment? According to the Law that Jehovah gave to Noah-and through him to all mankind-the wanton shedding of blood calls for the death sentence.  This was stateed again in God's Law to Israel. (Genesis 9:6; Numbers 35:20, 21)  Moreover, under that  Mosaic Law both physica and spiritual adultery merited death.  (Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 13:1-5) For thousands of years, Babylon the Great has been bloodguilty, and she is a gross Fornicatrix.  For example. the policy of the Roman Catholic Church of forbidding her priests to marry has resulted in gross immorality on the part of many of them,, no a few of these today contracting AIDS.  (1 Corinthiand 6:9, 10; 1 Timothy 4:1-3) But her major sins,  'massing together clear  up to heaven,' are shocking acts of spiritual fornication-this latter in teaching falsehoods  and allying herself with corrup; politicians.  (Revelation18:5)   Since her punishment has finally overtaken  her, the heavenly multitude now echoes a second Hallelujah. 

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REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Eight - Praise Jah for His Judgments

 Hallelujah indeed!  The word means "Praise Jah, you people," "Jah being one shortened form of the divine name, Jehovah.  We are  here reminded of the exhortation of the psalmist: "Every breathing thing-let it praise Jah. Praise Jah, you people!" (Psalm 150:6)  John's hearing the exultant heavenly chorus sing "Hallelujah!" twice at this point in Revelation demonstrates the continuity of the devine revelation of truth. The God of the Christian Greek Scriptures is the same as the God of the earlier Hebrews Scriptures, and Jehovah is his name.  The God that caused the fall of ancient Babylon the Great.  Ascribe to him all glorty for that feat! The power that maneuvered her downfall belongs to him rather than to the nations that he used as intruments in desolating her.  To Jehovah alone we must attriute salvations. - ISAIAH 12:2; REVELATION 4:11; 7:10, 12. 

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