DO YOU recall the sworn declaration by the strong angel recorded at Revelation 10:1, 6, 7? He stated: "There will be no delay any longer; but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel. when he is about to blow his trumpet, the sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish." Jehovah's due time has arrived for the sounding of that final trumpet! How is it, then, that the sacrd secret if brought to a finish? John is truly overjoyed to inform us! He writes: "And the seven angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices from heaven, saying 'The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.'" (Revelation 11:15) Those angelic hosts have reason to speak loudly, even in thunderous tones! For this historic announcement is of universal importance. It is of vital conern to all living creation.
The sacrd secret comest to its happy climax! Gloriously, magnificently, it is brought to a triumphant finish in 1914 when the Lord Jehovah enthrones his Christ as associat King Acting for his Father, Jesus Christ takes over active rulership in the midst of an enemy world of mankind. As the promised Seed, he receives the Kingdom power in order to being to nothing the Serpent and his brood and restore paradisaic peace to this earth. (Genesis 3:15; Psalm 72:1, 7) As Messianic King, Jesus will thus fufill Jehovah's Word and vindicate his Father, "the Kin god eternity," who must rule as Sovereign Lord "forever and ever." - 1 Timothy 11:15.
But how did "the kingdom of the world . . . become the kingdom of our Lord," Jehovah? Has not Jehovah God always been King? That is true, for the Levite Asaph sang: "God is my King from long ago." And another psalmist proclaimed: "Jehovah himself has become king! . . . Your throne is firmly established from long agpo; you are from time indefinite." (Psalm 74:12;93:1, 2) In his wisdom, though, Jehovah has allowed other sovereignties to exist on earth. Thus the issue raised in Eden as to whether man can govern himself without God has been fully tested. Man-rule has failed miserably. True, indeed, are the words of God's prophet: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthly man his way to does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step." ( Jeremiah 10:23) Ever since the defection of our first parents, the entire inhabieed erath has been under the domination of "the original serpent, Satan. (Revelation 12:9; Luke 4:6) It is time, now, for a dramatic change! To vindicate his rightful position, Jehovah begins to exercise his soverignty over the earrth in a new way, through his designated Messianic Kingdom.
When the souding of the seventh trumpet got underway in 1922, the Bible Students' convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, featured a talk by J.F. Rutherford based on the scripture "The Kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17, King James Version) He concludd with these words: "Then back to the field, O ye sons of the most high God! Gird on your armor! Bee sober, be vigilant, be active, be brave. Be faithful and true witnesses for the Lord. Go forward in the fight until every vestige of Babylon lies desolate. Herald the message far and wide. The world must know that Jehovah God and Jesus Christ is Kings of kings and Lord of lords. This is the day of all days. Behold, the King reigns! You are his publicity agents. Therefore advertise, advertise, advertise,the King and his kingdom." God's Kingdom by Christ Jesus was brought to the fore, and that set off the great surge of Kingdom preaching that has included the judgments heraled by the sounding of all seven of the angelic trumpets.
The triumph blast of the seventh angel was reflceted in highlights of the Bible Student's covention in Detroit, Michigan, July 30- August 6, 1928. At that time 107 broadcasting stations were tied in to what The New York Times described as "the most extensive and expensive radio hook-up in history.' The convention enthusiastically adopted a powerful "Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah," pointing to the overthrow, at Armageddon, of Satan and his evil organization and the emancipation of all who love righteousness. Loyal subjects of God's Kingdom were delighted to receive a convention release, the 368-page book Government. This supplied the clearest of proofs "That God set his Anointed King upon his throne in 1914. "
Next time: God's Sacred Secret - It's Glorious Climax! - Jehovah Takes Power
From the jw.org publications
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