REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The RIver Euphrates Dried Up - Continue

 In ancient Babylon's heyday, the abundant waters of the Euphrates were a major part of her defense system. In 539 B.C.E.  those waters dried up when they wer diverted from their course by the Persian leader Cyrus. Thus, the way  was open for Cyrus the Persian and Darius the Mede, the kings from "the rising of the sun" (that is the east), to enter  Babylon and conquer it.  In the hour of crisis, the river Euphrates failed in the defense of that great city.  (Isaiah 44:27-45:7; Jeremiah 51:36)   Something similar is due to happen to modern-day Babylon, the worldwide system of false religion. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The River Euphrates Dried Up - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The River Euphrates Dried Up

 The sixth trumpet blast heralded the releasing of  "the four angels that are bound at the river Euphrates." (Revelation 9:14) Historically, Babylon was the great city that sat on the river Euphrates. And in  1919 the release of the symbolic four angels accompanied a significant fall of Babylon the Great.  (Revelation 14:8) It is noteworthy, then, that the sixth bowl of God's anger also involves  the river Euphrates. "And the sixth one poured out his bowl upon the river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from  the rising sun." (Revelation 16:12)  This too is bad news for Babylon the Great!

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The River Euphrates Dried Up - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Darkness and Gnawing Pain - Conclusion

As world ruler, Satan has caused much unhappiness and suffering. Famine, wars, violence, crime, drug abuse, immorality, sexually transmitted diseases, dishonesty, religious hypocrisy-these and more are at the hallmarks of Satan's system of things.  (Compare Galatians 5:19-21) Even so, the public exposure of Satan as the god of this system of things caused pain and embarrassment to those who live by his standards. "They began to gnaw their tongues  for their pain," especially in Christendom.  Many resent that the truth exposes their life-style.  Some find it threatening, and they persecute those who publish it.  They reject God's Kingdom and they revile Jehovah's holy name.  Their religously diseased, ulcerous condition is laid bare, so that they blaspheme the God of heaven.  No, they do "not repent of their works." So we cannot expect a mass conversion before the end of this system of things. -ISAIAH 32:6.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter  Thirty Two - The River Euphrates Dried Up

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Darkness and Gnawing Pain - Continue

 The fifth trumpet blast  is not exactly the same as the fifth bowl of God's anger, since the trumpet blast heralded a plague of locusts.  But notice that at the releasae of that plague of locusts, there was a darkening of the su and the  air.  (Revelation 9:2-5) And at Exodus10:14, 15, we read  concerning the locusts with which  Jehovah plagued Egypt:  "They were very burdensome. Before them there had never turned up in this locust like them, and there will never turn  up  any in this way  after them.  And they went covering the visible surface of  the entire land, and the land grew dark." Yes, darkness!  Today, the world's spiritual darkness  has become all too evident as as resullt  of the sounding of the fifth trumpet and the pouring out of the fifth bowl of God's anager.  The stinging message proclaimed by the modern-day locust swarm brings torment and pain to those wicked ones who "have love the darkness rather than the light." -  JOHN 3:19. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Conclusion 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Darkness and Gnawing Pain

 The kingdom of this wild beast has been in spiritual darkness ever since its beginning. (Compare Matthew 8:12; Ephesians 6:11, 12)  The fifth bowl brings intensified public announcement of this darkness. It even dramatizes it, in that this bowl of God's anger is pointed out upon the very throne of the symbolic wild beast. "And its kingdom became darkness, and they began to gnaw  their tongues for their pain, but they blasphemed the God of heavens for their pain and for their ulcers, and they did not repent of their works."- REVELATION 16:10b, 11. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Darkness and Gnawing Pain - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The Throne of the Wild Beast - Conclusion

 How is this relationship between Satan and the nations maintained? When Satan tempted Jesus, he showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a vision and offered  "all this authority and the glory of them.  "But there was a condition-Jesus first had to perform and act of worship before Satan. (Luke 4:5-7)  Can we imagine that the governments of the world receive their authority at a lesser price?  Not at all. According to the Bible, Satan is the god of this system of things, so that, whether the nations are aware of it or not, they serve him.  (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4)  This situation is revealed in the makeup of the present world system, which is built on narrow nationalism, hatred, and self-interest.  It is organized the  way Satan wants  it-to keep mankind under its control.  The corruption in government, the lust for power, the lying diplomacy, the armaments race-these reflect Satan's debased personality.  The world subscribes to Satan's unrighteous standards, thus making him its god. The throne of the wild beast will be overthrown when that beast suffers extinction and the seed of God's woman finally abysses Satan himself. - GENESIS 3:15; REVELATION 19:20, 21; 20:1-3.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Darkness and a Gnawing Pain

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The Throne of the Wild Beast

Upon what does the next angel pour  out his bowl? "And the fifth one poured out his bowl upon the throne of the wild beast." (Revelation 16:10a) "The wild beast" is Satan's governmental system. It does not have a literal throne, any more than the wild beast itself is literal.  Mention of a throne,  however, shows that the wild beast has exercised his royal authority over mankind; this is in harmony with the fact that each of the beast's heads bears a royal diadem. In fact, "the throne of the wild beast" is the foundation, or source of that authority." The Bible reveals the true situation of the royal authority of the wild beast when it says that "the dragon gave to the beast its power and its throne and freat authority."  (Revelation13:1, 2; 1 John 5:19) Thus, the pouring out  of the bowl upon the throne of the wild beast involves a proclamation revealing the true role that Satan has played and still plays in supporting and promoting the wild beast.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The Throne of the Wild Beast - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Scorching Men With Fire - Conclusion

 Jehovah's Witnesses have consistently taught that the only solution  to mankind's baffling problems is God's Kingdom, through which Jehovah  purposes to sanctify  his name. (Psalms 83:4, 17, 18; Matthew 6:9, 10; 5:2)  Having no interest in the Messianic Kingdom, these opposers choose to suffer under  their own torrid "sun" of oppressive rulership.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The Throne of  the Wild Beast 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Scorching Men With Fire - Continue

 After the first world war, the rulers of this world formed the League of Nations in an effort to solve the problem of world security, but has failed miserably. So other experiment types of rulership were tried, such as Fascism and Nazism. Communism continue to expand .  Rather than improve  mankind's lot, the sun-like rulers  in these systems began to 'scorch mankind with great heat.'  Local wars in Spain, Ethiopia, and Manchuria led up to the second word war.  Modern  history records that Mussolini, Hitler, and Stalin as dictators became responsible directly for  the deaths of tens of millions, including many of their own nationals  More recently, international or civil conflicts have "scorched" the people of countries such as Vietnam, Kampuchea, Iran, Lebanon, and Ireland, as well as countries of Lating America and Africa.  Add to this the ongoing struggle between the superpowers, whose horrendous nuclear weapons are capable of incerating all mankind.  In these last days, humanity has surely been exposed to a scorching "sun," its unrighteous rulers.  The pouring out of the fourth bowl of God's anger has pinpointed these historic facts, and God's people have proclaimed  them throughout the earth.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Scorching Men With Fire - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Scorching Men With Fire - Continue

 Today, at the conclusion of the sysemt of things,  Jesus' spiritual brothers "shine as brightly as the sun in the kibgdom of their Father." (Matthew 13:40, 43) Jesus himself is "the sun of righteousness."  (Malachi 4:2) Mankind, though, has its own "sun," its own rulers who try to shine in opposition to God's kingdom.  The fourth trumpet blast proclaimed tha the 'sun, moon, and stars' in Christendom's heavens are really sources of darkness, not light. (Revelation 8:12)The fourth bowl of God's anger now shows that the world's "sun" wold get unbearably hot.  Those looked to as sunlike leaders would "scorch" mankind.  This would be granted to the symbolic sun. In other words, Jehovah would  allow this as part of his fiery judgment on mankind. In what way has this scorching taken place?

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Scorching Men With Fire.

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thrity Two - Scorching Men With Fire

 The fourth bowl of the anger of God has the sun as its target.  John tells us: "And the fourth one poured his bowl upon the sun; and to the sun it was granted to scorch the men with fire.  And the men were scorched  with great heat, but they blasphemed the name of God, who has the authorty over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give glory to him." - REVELATION 16:8, 9.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Scorching Men With Fire - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink - Conclusion

 "The angel over the waters" that is, the angel who pours this bowl into the waters magnifies Jehovah as the Universal Judge, whose righteous decisions are absolute.  Therefore, he says of this judgment: "They deserve it."  Doubtless, the angel personally witnesses much of the bloodshed and cruelty fomented over thousands of years  by the false teachings  and philosophies of this wicked world. Hence, he knows that Jehovah's  judicial decision  is right. Even God's "altar speaks out.  At Revelation 6:9, 10,  the souls  of those who were martyred are said to be at the base of that altar.  So "the altar" adds powerful testimony as to the justice  and righteousness of Jehovah's  decisions.  "Certainly, it is fitting that those who have shed blood should themselves be force-fed with blood, in symbol of Jehovah's sentencing them to death.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Scorching Men With Fire

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink - Continue

 In Moses' day, when the Nile River was turned into blood, the Egyptians were able to keep alive by seeking other sources of water. (Exodus 7:24)  Today, though, during the spiritual plague, there is nowhere in Satan's world that people can find life-giving waters.  The pouring out of this third bowl involves proclaiming that the world's "rivers and the fountains of the waters" are as blood, bringing spirtual death to all who imbible  them. Unless people turn  to Jehovah. they reap his adverse judgment. - Compare EZEKIEL 33:11.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two -Giving Them Blood to Drink - Continue

 Such tainted "waters" have led men to become bloodguilty, for example, in encouraging them to shed blood on a monumental scale in the wars of this century, which have now taken more than a hundred million lives. Particularly in Christendom, where the two world wars have erupted have men been "in a hurry to shed blood,"  and  this has included the blood of God's own witnesses. (Isaiah 59:7; Jeremiah 2:34) Mankind has also incurred bloodguilt by its misuse of huge quanities of blood for transfusions, in violation of Jehovah's righteous laws.  (Genesis 9:3-5; Leviticus 17:14; Acts 15:28, 29)  On this account, they have already reaped  sorrow by the proliferation, through blood transfusions of AIDS, hepatitis, and other diseases. Full retribution for all bloodguilt will come shortly when transgressors pay the supreme penalty being trampled  in "the great winepress  of the anger of God." -  REVELATION 14:19, 20.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink - Continue

 These "rivers and the fountains of waters" picture the so-called fresh sources of guidance and wisdom accepted by this world, such as the political, economic, scientific, educational, social, and religious philosphies that guide human actions and decisions.  Rather than look to Jehovah, the Fountain of life, for live-giving truth, men have 'hewn out for themselves  broken cisterns' and drunk deeply of the "wisdom of this world [that] is foolishness with God." JEREMIAH2:13; 1 CORINTHIANS 1:19, 26;  PSALM 36:9.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATIONS ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink

The third bowl of God's anger, like the third trumpet blast, has an effect on freshwater sources: "And the third one poured out his bowl into the rivers and the fountains of waters. And they became like blood.  And I heard the angel over the waters say; "You the One who is and who was, the loyal One, are righteous, because they poured out the bood of the holy ones and the prophets, and you have given them blood to drink.  They deserve it.' And I heard the altar say; 'Yes, Jehovah, God, the Almighty, true and righteous are  your judicial decisions.' " - REVELATION 16:4-7.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink -Coninue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The Sea Becomes Blood

 The second bowl  of God's anger must now be poured out. What will it mean for mankind?  John tells us: "And the second one poured out his bowl into the sea. And it became blood as of a dead man, and every living soul died, yes, the things in the sea." (Revelation 16:3)  Like the second trumpet blast, this bowl is directed against "the sea"-the settling of the rebellious mass of humanity alienated from Jehovah. (Isaiah 57:20, 21; Revelation 8:8, 9)  In Jehovah's eyes this "sea"  like blood, unfit for creatures to live in.  That is why Christians must be no part of the world. (John 17:14) The pouring out of the second bowl of God's anger reveals that all of mankind who inhabit this sea are dead in Jehovah's eyes.  By reasons of community responsibility, mankind is guilty of gross shedding of innocent blood. When Jehovah's day of anger arrives, they will initially die at the hands of his executional forces. -REVELATION 19:17, 18; compare EPHESIANS 2:1; COLOSSIANS 2:13. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Giving Them Blood to Drink

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Jehovah's Wrath Against "the Earth" - Conclusion

The contents of this bowl strongly emphasize the choice that lies before humans.  They must suffer either the world's  disapproval or Jehovah's indignation.  Mankind has been put under compulsion to accept the mark of the wild beast, with the intent that "nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name."  (Revelation 13:16, 17)  But there is a price to pay for this!  Jehovah regards those who accept the mark of the as being stricken wit "a hurtful  malignant ulcer."  Since 1922 ethey have been marked in public as having rejected the living God. Their political schemes have no success, and they suffer anguish. Spiritually, they are uncleann.  Unless they repet, this "hurtful " illness will be terminal, for it is now Jehovah's day of judgment.  There is no neutral ground between being a part of the world's  system of things  and serving Jehovah on the side of Christ - LUKE11:23; compare JAMES 4:4.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - The Sea Becomes Blood

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Jehovah's Wrath Against "the Earth" - Continue

 In these last days, many governments have demanded what amounts to worship from their subjects, insisting that the State must be exalted above Jehovah God or any other loyalty.  (2 Timothy 3:1; compare Luke 20:25; John 19:15) Since 1914 it  has become common for nations to conscript their youthg in order for them to fight, the kind of total warfare that has so bloodied the pages  of modern history.  During the Lord's day, the nations have also produced, as a substituted for God's Kingdom, the image of the beast-the League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations. What blasphemy to proclaim as recents popes have done, that this man-made body is the nations' sole hope for peace!  It staunchly opposes God's Kingdom.  Those who worship it becomes spiritually unclean, ulcerated, just the Egyptians who opposed Jehovah in Moses' day were plagued by literal sores and ulcers. - EXODUS 9:10, 11. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Jehovah's Wrath Against "the Earth" - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Jehovah's Wratj Against "the Earth"

The first angel goes into action! "And the first one went off  and poured out his bowl into the earth. And a hurtful malignant ulcer came to be upon the men who had the mark of the wild beast and were worshiping its image." (Revelation 16:2) As with the first trumpet blast, "the earth" here symbolizes the stable-looking political system that Satan began to build here on earth back in Nimrod's time, over 4,000 years ago. - REVELATION 8:7.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/ Chapter Thirty Two - Jehovah's Wrath Against "the Earth" - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thrity Two - God's Anger Brought to a Finish

 John has already introduced the angels commissioned to poor out the seven bowls. He tells us that "these are the last ones, because by means of them the anger of God is brough to a finish." (Revelation 15:1; 16:1) These plagues revealing Jehovah's sanctions for wickedness in the earth must be poured out to a finality.  When they are over, God's judgments will have been executed.  Satan's world will be no more! What do these plauges portend for mankind and the rulers of the present wicked system? How can Christians avoid being plauged along with  this doomed world? Vital questions, these and now they are to be answered. All who long for the triumph of righteousness will have keen interest in what John next sees.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty Two - Jehovah's Wrath Against "the Earth" - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Bowls and the Trumpet Blasts - Conclusion

 The final three trumpet blasts were different, for they were called woes.  (Revelation 8:13; 9:12)  The first two of these consisted of  the locust and the armies of cavalrym while the third introduced the birth of Jehovah's Kingdom. (Revelation 9:1-21; 11:15-19) As we shall see, the final three bowls of his wrath also cover some of these aspects, but they are somewhat different from the three woes. Let us now pay close attention to the dramatic  disclosures that result from the pouring out of the bowls of Jehovah's anger.

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/ Chapter Thirty Two - God's Anger Brought to a Finish 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Bowls and the Trumpet Blasts - Continue

 The targets of the first four bowls of God's anger correspond to those of the first four trumpet blasts, that is, the earth, the sea, the rivers and fountains of water, and the heavenly sources of light.  (Revelation 8:1-12) But the trumpet blasts announced plagues on "a third," whereas an entirety is afflicted by the pouring out of the bowls of God's anger.  Thus, while Christendom. as "a third," has received  first attention during the Lord's day, not one part of Satan's system has been exempted from being plagued by Jehovah's vexatious judgment messages and the sorrows they bring. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Bowls and the Trumpet Blasts - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Bowls and the Trumpet Blasts

 The bowls of Jehovah's anger reveal features of the world scene as Jehovah views them and warn of judgments that Jehovah will execute.  The angels pour out the bowls through the agency of the congregation of anointed Christians on earth, the ones singing the song of Moses and  the song of the Lamb.  While proclaiming the Kingdom as good news, the John class have boldly revealed the contents of these bowls of anger. (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 14:6, 7) Thus, their twofold message has been peaceful in proclaiming liberty to mankind but warlike on the warning of "the day of vengeance on the part of our God." - ISAIAH 61:1, 2.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Bowls and the Trumpet Blasts - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah in His Sanctuary - Conclusion

 The awesome command thunders forth: "And I heard a loud voice out of the sanctuary say to the seven angels: 'Go and pour  out the seven bowls of the anger of God into the earth.'" (Revelation16:1)   Who issues this command?  It must be Jehovah himself, since the radiance of his glory and power prevented anyone else from entering the sanctuary.  Jehovah came to hs spiritual temple for judgment in 1918.  (Malachi 3:1-5) It must, then, have been shortly after that date that he gave the command to pour out the bowls of the anger of God.  In fact, the judgments contained  in the symbolic bowls started to be proclaimed with intensity in 1922.  And their proclamation is increasing to a cresendo today.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Bowls and the Trumpet Blasts

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah in His Sanctuary - Continue

 Jehovah is also deeply interested in things happening on earth now. He wants the seven angels to complete their assignment.  It is a climactic time of judgment, as described at Psalm 11:4-6: "Jehovah is in his holy temple. Jehovah-in heavens is his throne.  His own eyes behold, his own beaming eyes examine the sons of men.  Jehovah himself examines the righteous one as well as the wicked ones, and anyone loving violence His soul certainly hate. He will rain down sulphur and a scorchig wind, as the portion  of their cup." Until these seven plagues are poured out upon the wicked ones, the seven angels will not return to Jehovah's lofty presence. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah in His Sanctuary - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah in His Sanctuary

 Finally, completing this part of the vision, John tells us: "And the sanctuary became filled with smoke because of the glory of God and because of his power, and no one was able to enter into  the sanctuary until the seven plagues were finished." (Revelation 15:8) There were  occasions in Israel's history when a cloud covered the literal sanctuary, and this manifestation of Jehovah's glory prevented the priests from entering there.  (1 Kings 8:10, 11;  2 Chronicles  5:13, 14; compare  Isaiah 6:4, 5) There were times when Jehovah was actively involved wiht developments on earth.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah's in His Sanctuary - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Angels WIth the Bowls -Conclusion

 These angels are well qualified for this work.  They are cloth ed with clean, bright, linen, showing that they are spiritually clean and holy, righteous in Jehovah's sight. Also, they wear golden girdles.  Girdles are usually  used  when a person girds himself for a task to be accomplished. (Leviticus 8:7, 13; 1 Samuel 2:18;  Luke 12:37; John 13:4, 5)  So the angels are girded for carrying out and assigment.  Moreover, their girdles are golden.  In the ancient tabernacle. gold was used to represent divine, heavenly things. (Hebrews 9:4, 11, 12) That means that these angels have a precious, divine commission of service to peform.  Others too are involved in this great task. One of the four living creatures hands hte actually bowls to them.  Doubtless, this was the first living creaturee, which resembled a lion, symbolizing the boldness and indomitable, courage needed to proclaim Jehvoah's judgments. - REVELATION 4:7.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/ Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah in His Sanctuary

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Angels With the Bowls - Continue

 As respects the Israelite temple. which contained  representations of heavenly things, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy, here called "the sanctuary"  (Hebrews 9:3, 7) It represents the place of Jehovah's presence in  heaven. In heaven itself, however, not only does the High Priest Jesus Christ have the privilegeof entering before Jehovah but the angels do also.  (Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 9:24-26) It is not surprising, then, that seven angels should be seen coming out from the sanctuary in heaven.   They have a commission from Jehovah God himself: Pour out the bowls full of the anger of God. - REVELATION 16:1.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Angels Witht the Bowls - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Angels With the Bowls

 It is fitting that we hear the song of these anointed conquerors. Why? Because they have publicized on earth the judgments contained in the bowls that were full of the anger of God. But the pouring out of these bowls involves more than mere humans, as John goes on to show: "And after these things I saw, and the sanctuary of the tent of the witness was opened in heaven, and the seven angels with the seven plagues emerged from the sanctuary, clothed with  clean, bright linen and girded about their breasts with golden girdles. And one of the living creatures gave the seven angels seven gold bowls that were full of the anger of God, who lives forever and ever.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Angels With the Bowls - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Conclusion

 Like Moses, Jesus publicly san God's praises and prophesied about His victory over all enemies. (Matthew 24:21, 22; 26:30; Luke 19:41-44) Jesus too looked forward to the time when the nations would come in to praise Jehovah, and as the self-sacrificing "Lamb of God," he  laid down his human life to make this possible. (John1:29; Revelation 7:9; compare  Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 8:23) And just as Moses   came to appreciate God's name, Jehovah, and extol that name, so Jesus made God's name manifest. (Exodus 6:2,3;  Psalm 90"1, 17; John 17:6)  Since Jehovah is loyal, his glorious promises are certain of fulfillment. Surely, then, we are at ome with these  loyal singers, with the Lamb and with Moses, in subscribing  to the words of this son: "Who will not really fear you, Jehovah, and glorigy your name?" 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Angels With the Bowls

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!?Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

Nevertheless, this is the song not only of Moses but also "of  the Lamb." How so?  Moses was Jehovah's prophet to Israel, but Moses himself prophesied that Jehovah would raise up a prophet like him. This One proved to be the Lamb, Jesus Christ.  Whereas Moses was "the slave of God,"  Jesus was God's Son, in effect, the Greater Moses. (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Acts 3:22, 23; Hebrews 3:5, 6) Hence, the singers also sing "the song of the Lamb."

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the  Lamb -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb -Continue

 How  Moses himelf would have rejoiced to be in the Lord's day now, singing along with the heavenly chorus: "All the nations will come and worship before you"!  That transcendent song continues to have marvelous fulfillment today as we see, not just in vision but as a living reality, the millions from "the nations" who are now flocking to Jehovah's earthly organization. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One -The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

 In another song, composed as Israel prepared for the conquest of Canaan, the aged Moses told that nation: "I shall declare the name of Jehovah.  Do you attribut greatness to our God!"  The last verse of this song also gave encouragement to non-Israelites, and Moses' inspired words reach right down to the great crowd of today: "Be glad you nations, with his people." And why should they be glad?  Because now Jehovah "will avenge the blood of his servants, and he will  pay back  vengeance to his adversaries."  This execution of righteous judgment will bring jubliation to all who hope in Jehovah, - DEUTERINOMY 32:3, 43; ROMANS 15:10-13; REVELATION 7:9.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

 These victors sing "the song of Moses," but that is, a song similar to one that Moses sang in like circumstances.  After the Israelites  had witnessed the ten plagues  in Egypt and the destruction of the Egyptian armies in the Red Sea, Moses led them in  such a song of triumphant praise to Jehovah, proclaiming: "Jehovah will rule as king to time indefinite, even forever." (Exodus 15:1-19) How fitting that the singers in John's vision, coming off victorious  from the wild beast and being involved in proclaiming the seven last plagues, should also sing "to the King of eternity"! - 1 TIMOTHY 1:17.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

 That is what John reports: "And they are singing the song of Moses the slave of God and the song of the Lamb, saying: 'Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are  your ways, King of eternity. Who will not really fear you, Jehovah, and glorify your name, because you alone are loyal? For all the nations will come and worship before  you, because your righteous decrees have been made manifest.' " -REVELATION 15:3, 4.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/ Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

 These loyal overcomers have harps of God. In this, they are like the temple Levites of old, who worshiped Jehovah with song to the accompaniment of harps.  Some  also prophesied to a harp accompaniment.  (1 Chronicles 15:16;  25:1-3) The beautiful strains of the  harp embellished Israel's songs of joy and prayers of praise and thanksgiving to Jehovah.  (1 Chronicles 13:8; Psalm 33:2; 43:4; 57:7, 8)  In times of depression or captivity, the  harp was not heard.  (Psalm 137:2)The presence of harps of God in this vision should whet our anticipation, triumphant song of praise and thanksgiving to our God." 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATI ON ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

 The fact that the molten sea in Solomon's temple was for the use of the priests indicates that the singers standing before the heavenly glassy sea are a priestly class.  They have "harps of God," and we therefore associate them with the 24 elders and the  144,000, since these groups also sing to a harp accompaniment.  (Revelation 5:8; 14:2)  The singers that John sees "come off victorious from the wild beast and from its image and from the number  of its name."  So  they must be those from among the 144,000 who live on earth during the last days. As a group, they do indeed come off victorious.  For some 70 years since 1919, they have refused to accept the mark of the wild beast or look to it image as man's only hope for peace. Many of them have already  endured faithful to the death, and these, now in heaven, doubtless follow with special delight the singing of their brothers who are still on earth. - REVELATION 14:11-13.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thrity One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

The "glassy sea" is the same one that John saw earlier, positioned before the throne of God. (Revelation 4:6) It is similar to "the molten sea" (water container) of Solomon's temple, where he priests obtained water to cleanse themselves. (1 Kings 7:23)   It is thus a fine representation of "the bath of water," that is God's Word, by which Jesus cleanses he priestly congregation of anointed Christians.  (Ephesians 5:25, 26; Hebrews 10:22)  This glass sea is "mingled with fire," indicating that these anointed ones are tested and purged as they obey the high standard set for them.  Further, it reminds us that God's Word contains expressions of fiery judgments against his enemies. (Deuteronomy 9:3; Zephaniah 3:8)  Some of these fiery judgments are manifested in the seven last plagues that are about to be poured out.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - THe Song of Moses and of the Lamb

 A remarkable panarama now comes into John's view: "And I saw what seemed to be a glassy sea mingled with fire, and those who come off victorious from the wild beast and from its image and from the number of it name standing by the glassy sea, having harps of God." - REVELATION 15:2. 

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovha's Works - Great and Wonderful - Conclusion

 What are these plagues?  Like the seven trumpet blasts, they are scathing judgment prounouncements, publicizing Jehovah's view of  various features of this world and warning of that final outcome of his judicial decisions.  (Revelation 8:1-9:21)   The pouring out of them points to the execution of those judgments, when the objects of Jehovah's wrath are destroyed in the day of his burning anger.  (Isaish 13:9-13; Revelation 6:16, 17)  Thus, by means of them "the anger of God is brought to a finish."  But before describing the pouring out of the plagues, John tells us about some humans who will not be adversely affected by them." Having refused the mark of teh wild beast, these loyal ones sing praises to Jehovah as they proclaim his day of vengeance. - REVELATION 13:15-17.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty  One - The Song of Moses and of the Lamb

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION iTS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah's Works - Great and Wonderful - Continue

 Notice the important roles that angels again have in accomplishing God's will.  This fact has long been known by Jehovah's servants. Why, under inspiration the ancient psalmist  evem spoke to such angels, urging them: "Bless Jehovah, O you angels of his, mighty in power, carrying out his word, by listening  to the voice of his word"!  (Psalm 103:20) Now, in this new scene, angels  are assigned to pour out the seven last plagues. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah's Works - Great and Wonderful - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah's Works -Great and Wonderful

A woman giving birth to a male child! A dragon seeking to devour that child! Those two heavenly signs, so vividly portrayed in Revelation chapter 13,  brough home to us that the agelong controversy involving the Seed of God's woman and Satan and his demonic seed is reaching its climax.  In highlighting these symbols, John says: "And a great sign was seen in heaven . . .And another sign was seen." (Revelaton 12:1. 3, 7-12)  Now John reports a third sign: "And I saw in heaven another sign, great and wonderful, seven angels with seven plagues.  These are the last ones, because by means of them the anger of God is brought a finish." (Revelation 15:1) This third sign has vital meaning for Jehovah's servants.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty One - Jehovah's Works - Great and Wonderful - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty -Treading the Vine of the Earth - Conclusion

 Living as we do in the time of the end, the vision of these two harvests is very meaningful.  We have only to look around us to see the fruits of Satan's  vine.  Abortions and other forms of murder; homosexuality, adultery,  and other forms of immorality; dishonesty and lack of natural affection-all such things make this world vile and disgusting in Jehovah's eyes.  Satan's vine bears 'the fuit of a poisonous plant and wormwood."  Its ruinous idolatrous course dishonors mankind's Grand Creator.  (Deuteronomy29:18; 32:5; Isaiah 42:5, 8) What a privilege it is to be actively associated with  the John class in the harvest of the wholesome fruitange that Jesus  is bringing forth to Jehovah's praise! (Luke 10:2)  May all of us be determined that we will never be tainted by the vine of this world, and may we thus avoid being trampled with the vine of the earth when Jehovah's adverse judgment is executed.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thiry One - Jehovah's Works-Great and Wonderful

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue

 This vivid vision has a parallell in teh crushing of the kingdo of the earth by the Kingdom stone described by Daniel 2:34, 44.   There will be an extermination. The river of blood from the winepress is very deep, up to the bridles of the horses, and it extends for a distance of 1,600 furlongs.  This huge figure, produced by multiplying the square of four by the square of ten (4 x 4 x 10 x 10), empathetically conveys the message that evidence of the destruction  will involve all the earth. (Isaiah 65:16) The destruction will be complete and irreversible. Never, no never again, will Satan's vine of the earth take root! - PSALM 83:17, 18.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue

 The visionary treading is done by horses for the blood trodden out from the vine reaches  "the bridles of the horses." Since the term "horses" usually refers to war operations, this must be a time of war.  The armies of the heavens that follow Jesus into the final war against Sata's system  of things are said to tread the winepress of the anger of God the Almighty." (Revelation 019:11-16) These are clearly the ones that do the treading of teh vine of the earth. The winepress  is  "trodden outside the city," that is outside heavenly Zio.  Indeed, it is fitting that the true vine of the earth should be trodden earth. But it will also be "trodden outside the city" in that no harm will come to the remaining ones of the woman's seed, who represent the heavenly Zion on earth. These together with  the great crowd will be safely hidden within Jehovah's earthly organization arrangement.  - ISAIAH 26:20, 21.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading on the Vine of the Earth - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue

Judgment must be executed! "And  the angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and  he hurled it into the great vinepress of the anger of God.  And the winepress  was trodden outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress as high up as  the bridles of the horses,  for a distance of a thousand six hundred furlongs."(Revelation 14:19, 20) Jehovah's indignation against this vine has long since been announced. (Zephaniah 3:8) A prophecy in the book of Isaiah leaves no doubt that whole nations will be destroyed when the winepress is trampled.(Isaiah 63:3-6) Joel too prophesied that huge "crowds," whole nations would be trampled to destruction in "the winepress," in the low plain of the decision." (Joel 3:12-14)   Truly, a stupendous harvest the like of which will never occur! According to John's  vision, not only are the grapes harvested but the whole symbolic vine  is cut down and thrown into the winepress to be trampled. So the vine of the earth will be stamped out and will never be able to grow again. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue

 But what is "the vine of the earth"?  In the Hebrew Scriptures the Jewish nation was spoken of as Jehovah's  vine.  (Isaiah 5:7; Jeremiah 2:21)  Similarly, Jesus Christ and all those who will serve with him in God's Kingdom are spoken of as a vine. (John 15:1-8)  In this setting the significant characteristic of a vine is that has produced abundant fruit to Jehovah's praise. (Matthew 212:43)  "The vine of the earth," therefore, must be. not of this genuine vine, but Satan's imitation of it, his corrupt visible system of government over mankind with it various  "clusters" of demonic fruitage produced over the centuries Babylon the Great, in which apostate Christianity is so prominent, has exercised great influence over hsi poisonous vine. - Compare DEUTERONOMY 32:32-35.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue

 The fifth angel comes  from Jehovah's presence in the temple sanctuary; hence, the final harvest also takes place according to Jehovah's will.  The angel is commanded to begin his work By a message relayed throgh another angel that "emerged from the altar." The fact is most significant, since faithful souls underneath the altar had asked: "until when, Sovereign Lord holy and true, are you refraining from judging and avenging our blood upon those who dwell on the earth?"(Revelation 6:9, 10)  With the harvesting of the vine of the earthm this cry for vengeance will be satisfied.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty- Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chaptet Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth

 With the harvest of salvation completed, it is time for another harvest.  John reports: "And still another angel [the fifth] emerged  from the temple sanctuary that is in heaven, he, too, having a sharp sickle. And another angel [the sixth} emerged from the altar and he had authority over the fire. And he called out with a loud voice to the one that had the sharp sickle, saying: 'Put your sickle on and gather the clusters of  the vine of the earth, because its grapes have become ripe.' " (Revelation 14:17, 18)  The angelic hosts are entrusted with much harvesting during the Lord's day, separating the good from t he bad! 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty -Treading the Vine of the Earth - Continue

From the jw.org publications 

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Harvest of the Earth - Conclusion

 Although he is a King and a Judge, Jesus waits for word from Jehovah his God before beginning to reap.  That word comes from  "the temple sanctuary" by means of an angel. Immediately, Jesus obeys. First, from 1919on, he has his angels  complete the harvesting of the 1144,000. (Matthew 13:39, 43) Next, the harvest ingathering of the great crowd of other sheep takes place. (Matthew 25:31-33;  John 10:16; Revelation 7:9) Histor shows that between 1931 and 1935 Jehovah opened to the  understanding of the John class the real identity of the great crowd of Revelation7:9-17.  Thenceforth, much emphasis was placed on the ingather of this crowd. By the year 1988, it number has far exceeded the three million  mark, and it still increasing.  Surely, the one like a son of man has reaped a bountiful harvest during this times of the end. - Compare EXODUS 23:16; 34:22.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Treading the Vine of the Earth 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAMD CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Harvest of the Earth - Continuer

The  identity of the one seated on the white cloud is nbnot in doubt. Seated on a white cloud, resembling a son man ad with a golden crown, he is clearly Jesus, the Messianic King that Daniel saw in vision.  (Daniel 7:13, 14; Mark 14:61, 62) But what is the harvest here prophesied?  While on earth, Jesus likened the discipling work to the harvesting of the world field of humanity.  (Matthew 9:37, 38; John 4:35, 36)  The climax of this  harvesting comes in the Lord's day, when Jesus is crowned as King and executes judgment on behalf  of his Father. Thus, his time of ruling since 1914, is also the joyful time for bringing the harvest.- Compare Deuteronomy 16:13-15.

Next time:  REVELATION ITS GRAND CIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Harvest of the Earth -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Harvest of the Earth

 Others also are to benefit in this day of judgment, as John goes on to tell us:"And I saw, and look! a white cloud, and upon the cloud someone seated like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. And another angel [the fourth] emerged from  the temple sanctuary. crying with a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud: 'put your sicle in  and reap, because the  hour  has come to reap, for the  harvest of the earth is thoroughly ripe.'  And the one seated on te cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped." - REVELATION 14:14-16.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Harvest of the Earth - Continue

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Endurance for the Holy Ones - Conclusion

 This promise harmonizes well with Paul's prophecy concerning Jesus' presence.  "Those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving [those of the anointed ones who survive into the Lord's day} will, together  with them be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) After Satan's ouster from heaven, those who were dead in union with Christ rose first.  (Revelation 6:9-11)  Afterward, those of the anointed ones who die during the Lord's day  are promised a special privilege.  Their resurrection to spirit life in heaven is instantaneous, "in the twinkling of an eye." (1 Corinthians 15:52) How marvelous this is! And their works of righteousness continue right on in the heavenly realms.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT  HAND!/ Chapter Thirty - Harvest of the Earth 

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Endurance for the Holy Ones - Continue

 Yes,  "endurance for the holy ones" means their worshiping Jehovah in exclusive devotion through Jesus Christ.  They message is not popula. It leads to opposition, persecution, even martyrdom. But they are strengthened  by what John reports next: "And I heard a voice out of heaven say: 'Write: Lord from this tim onward. Yes, says the spirit, let them rest fro their labors, for the things they did go right with them.' " - REVELATION 14:13.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Endurance for the Holy Ones - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Endurance for the Holy Ones - Continue

Who deliver the tormenting message today? Remember, the symboic locusts have authority to torment the men who do not have the seal of  God on their foreheads.  (Revelation  9:5)  Evidently, these ones under angelic direction are the tomentors. Such is the persistence of they symbolic locusts taht "day and night they have no rest, those who worship the wild beast  and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."  And finally, after their destruction, the monumental evidence of that vindication of  Jehovah's sovereignty, "the smoke of their torment," will ascend forever and ever.  May the John class endure until that vindication is complete!  As the angel concludes: "Here is  where it means endurance for the holy ones, those who observe the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." -Revelation 14:12.

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Thirty - Endurance for the Holy Ones - Continue 

From the jw.org publications