Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom

 Vision 5-REVELATION  8:1-9:21

Subjec: The sounding of six of the seven trumpets

Time of fulfillment:  From the enthronement of Christ Jesus in 1914 to the great tribulation

The four winds have been held back until the 144,000 of spirtual Israel are sealed and the great crowd is approved for survival.   (Revelation 7:1-4, 9)  However, before that tempestuous storm breaks out over the earth, Jehovah's adverse judgments  against Satan's world  must also be made known!  As the Lamb proceeds  to open the seventh and final seal, John must be watching keenly to see what will unfold.  Now he shares his experience with us: " And when he [the Lamb] opened the seventh seal, a silence occurred in heaven for about a half hour.  And I saw the seven angels that stand before God, and seven trumpets were given them." - REVELATION 8:1, 2.

A Time for  Fervent Prayer

A significant silence this Half and hour can seem a long time when you are waiting for something to happen. Now the constant heavenly chorus of praise is no longer heard.  (Revelation 4:8)  Why?  John sees  the reason in vision:  "And another angel arrived and stood at the altar, have a golden incense vessel; and a large quanity  of incense was given him to offer it with the prayers of all the holy ones upon the golden altar that was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense ascended from the hand of the angel with the prayers of the holy ones before God." - REVELATION 2:3, 4. 

This reminds us that under the Jewish system of things, incense was burned daily  at the tabernacle and, in later years, at the temple of Jerusalem.  (Exodus 30:1-8)  During such incense burning, the nonpriestly Israelites waited outside the sacred aream praying-no doubt silently in their hearts-to the One to whom the incense smokke was ascending.  (Luke 1:10) John now sees something similar happening in heaven.  The incense offered by the angel is associated wut "the prayers of the holy ones."  In fact, in an earlier vision, incense is said to represent such prayers.  (Revelation 5:8; Psalm 141:1, 2)   Evidently, then, the symbolic silence in heaven is to allow the prayers of the holy ones on earth to be heard.

Can we determine when this happened?  Yes, we can, by examing the context, together with historical developments early in the Lord's day.  (Revelation 1:10)  During 1918 and 1919, events on earth harmonized remarkably with the scenario described at Revelation 8:1-4.  For 40 years before 1914, the Bible Students -as Jehovah's Witnesses were than callled -had been announcing boldly that the time of the Gentiles would end in that year.  The distressful events of 1914 proved them correct.  (Luke 21:24,  King James Version; Matthew 24:3, 7, 8)  But many of them also believed tha tin 1914 they would be taken from this earth to their heavenly  inheritance.  That did not happen. Instead, during the first world war, they endured a time of severe persecution.  On October 32  1916 the first president, Joseph F. Rutherford, and seven other representatives  of the Society were  transported to Atlanta, Georgia,  penitentiary, wrongly sentenced to long years in prison.  

The sincere Christians of the John class were perplexed. What did God want them to do next?  When would they be taken uyp to heaven?  And article entitled  "The Harvest Ended-What Shall Follow?" appeared on May 1, 1919, issue of The Watch Tower.  It reflected this state of uncertainty and encouraged the faithful to continue  endurance, adding:  "We believe it is now a true saying that the harvest of the kingdom class is an accomplished fact, that all such  are duly sealed and that the door is closed."  During this difficult period, the fervent prayers of  of the John class were ascending, as though in a smoke of a large quanity of incense.  And their prayers  were being heard! 

Next time: Jehovah's Plague on Christendom - Hurling Fire to the  Earth

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - Making the Calling Sure

What a magnificent vista these words open up to us!   Jehovah himself is on his throne, and all his servants, heavenly and earthly, unite in praising him.  His earthly servants appreciate what an awesome privilege it is to share in this swelling chorus of praise.  Very soon, Jehovah  and Christ Jesus will execute judgment, and the cry will be heard:  "The great day of their  wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Revelation 6:17)  The answer? Only a minority of mankind, including  any of the sealed 14,000 who might still be remaining in the flesh and a great crowd of other sheep who will "stand," that is, survive with them. - JEREMIAH 35:19.

In view of this face,  anointed Christians of the John class exert themselves vigorious in  "pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)  They are fully aware that events during these days call for special endurance on their part.  (Revelation 13:10)    After loyally serving Jehovah for so many years, they hold fast to the faith, rejoicing that their names  are "inscribed in the heavens." (Luke 10:20; Revelation 3:5)  Those of the great crowd too know  that only "he that has endured to the end of the one that will be saved."  (Matthew 24:13)  While the great crowd as a group is marked to come out of the great tribulation, individuals thereof must exert themselves to remain clean and active. 

There is no evidence that any apart from these two groups will "stand" in a day of Jehovah's wrath.  What does this mean for the millions who each year show a certain respect for Jesus' sacrifice by attending the celebration of the Memorial of his death but who have not yet exercised faith in Jesus's  sacrifice to the point of  of becoming dedicated, baptized servants of Jehovah, active in his service?  Further, what about those who were once active but who have allowed their hearts to "become weighed down  with . . .  anxieties of life"?  May all of such awaken, and stay awake, in order to "succeed in escaping all these things that are destine to occur, and in standing before the Son of man"- Jesus Christ.  The time is short! - LUKE 21:34-36. 

Interpretations Belong to God

For many decades the John class inquired as to the identify of the great crowd but without finding a satisfactory explanation.  Why?  We find the answer in the words of faithful Joseph, when he said:  "Do not interpretations belong to God?"  (Genesis 40:8) When and how does God interpret the fulfillment of his prophesies ?  Usually, it is when they are due to be fulfilled or are in course of fulfillment so that their message can be clearly discerned  by his searching servants.  This  understanding is given "for our instruction, that though our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." -ROMANS 15:4.

Next time: Jehovah's Plagues on Christendom

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Blessings of the Great Crowd -Conclusion

The elder continues:  "They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sin beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life.  And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes."  (Revelation 7:16, 17)   Yes, Jehovah is truly hospitable!  But what depth of meaning is there to these words? 

Let us consider a smiliarly worded prophecy: "This is what Jehovah has said:  'In a time of goodwill I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you . . . They will not go hungry, neither will they go thirsty, nor will parching heat or sun strike them.   For the One who is having pity upon them will lead them, and by the springs of the waters he will conduct them." (Isaiah 49:8, 10; see also Psalm 121:5, 6)   The apostle Paul quoted part of this prophecy and applied it to the "day of salvation" that began  at Pentecost 33 C.E.  He wrote: "For he [Jehovah] says: 'In an applicable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you.' Look!  Now is the especially acceptable time.  Look! now is the day of salvation." - 2 CORINTHIANS 6:2.

What  application did the promise about not getting hungry or thirsty or suffering parching heat have back then?  Certainly, Christians in the first century did  suffere literal hunger and thirst at times.  (2 Corinthians 11:23-27)   In  spiritual way, though, they had an abundance.  They were richly provided for, so that they did not go hungry or thirsty for spiritual things. Moreover, Jehovah did not cause the heat of his anger to blaze against them when he destroyed the Jewish system of things in  70 C.E.  The words of  Revelation 7:16 have  a similar spiritual fulfillment for the great crowd today.  Along with anointed Christians, they enjoy bounteous spiritual provisions. - ISAIAH 65:13:  Nahum 1:6, 7.

If you are one of that great crowd, your good condition of heart will make you "cry out joyfully,"  no matter  what you have to endure in the way of privations  and pressures during the twilight years of Satan's  system.  (Isaiah 65:14)  In that sense, even now, Jehovah can 'wipe out every tear from your eyes.'  No longer does God's torrid "sun" of adverse judgment threaten you, and when the four winds of destruction are unleashed, you may be spared  the "scorching heat" of Jehovah's displeasure.  After that destruction is over, the Lamb will guide you to benefit fully  from the revitalizing  "fountains of waters of life,"  these representing all the provisions that Jehovah makes for your gaining everlasting life.  Your faith in the blood of the Lamb will be vindicated  in that you will gradually   be raised to human perfection. You of the great crowd will be unique  among mankind as the "millions" that did not even have to die! In the fullest sense, every teat will have been wiped from your eyes. - REVELATION 21:4. 

Next time: A Multitudinious Great Crowd - Make the Calling Sure

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Blessings of the Great Crowd

 Through the divine channel, John receives further information regarding this great crowd:  "And he [the elder] said to me: 'These are the ones that came out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated upon the throne will spread his tent over them."' - REVELATION 7:14b,15.

On a earlier occasion, Jesus had said that his presence in Kingdom glory would culminate in "great tribulation such as not occurred  since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21, 22)  In fulfillment of that prophecy, the angels will unleash the four winds of the earth to devastate Satan's  world system.  First to go will be Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion.  Then, at the peak of the tribulation, Jesus will deliver the remaining ones of the 144,000 on earth, together with the multitudinous great crowd. - REVELATION 7:; 18:2.

How do individuals  of the great crowd qualify for survival?  The elder tells John that they have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."  In other words, they have exercised their faith in Jesus as their Ransomer, have made a dedication to Jehovah, have symbolized their dedication by baptism, and "hold a good conscience" by their uprighrt conduct.  (1 Peter 3:16, 21;  Matthew 20:28)   Thus, they are clean and righteous in Jehovah's eyes.  And they keep themselves "without spot from the world." - JAMES 1:27.

Further, they have become zealous Witnesses of Jehovah-"rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple."  Are you one of this dedicated great crowd?  If so, it is your privilege to serve Jehovah without let up in this earthly courtyard of his great spiritual temple.   Today, under the direction of  the anointed ones, the great crowd is performing by far the greater parrt of the witness work. Despite secular responsibilities, hundreds of thousands  of them  have made room for the full-time ministry as pioneers.  But whether you are  in that group or not, as a dedicated member of the great crowd, you can rejoice that because of you faith and works you are declared righteous as a friend of God and are welcomed as a guest in his tent.  (Psalm 15:1-5; James 2:21-26)   Jehovah thus 'spread his tent' over those who love him and, as a good host, protects them. - PROVERBS 18:10. 

Next time: A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Blessings of the Great Crowd

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Great Crowd Makes Its Appearance -Conclusion

When the second world war broke out, Satan put forth bitter efforts to stop the harvesting of the great crowd.  Jehovah's work was restricted in many countries.  During those dark days, and shortly before his death in January 1942, J.F. Rutherford was heard to say:  "Well . . . it looks as though the great multitude is not going to be so great after all."  But divine blessing directed otherwise!   In 1946 the number of Witnesses ministering worldwide had jumped to 176,456- most of these being of the great crowd.  In 2005 different lands-truly A GREAT CROWD!  and the number keeps on increasing. 

The harvesting of God's people during the Lord's day has thus been in full harmony7 with John's vision:   first the work of gathering the remaining ones of the 144,000; then the gathering of the great crowd. As Isaiah prophesied, no, "in the final part of the days," people of all nations  are streaming to share in Jehovah's pure worship.  And, indeed, we exult in appreciation of Jehovah's creation of "new heavens  and a new earth." (Isaiah 2:2-4;  65:17, 18)   God is gathering "all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth." (Ephesians 1:10)  The anointed heirs  of the heavenly Kingdom-chosen over the creatures since Jesus' day-are "the things in the heavens."  And now, the great crowd of the other sheep appear as initial ones of  "the things of the earth."  Your serving in harmony with that arrangement can mean eternal happiness for you. 

Next time: A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Blessings of the Great Crowd

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Great Crowd Makes Its Appearance

From the time of the apostle John and on to into the Lord's dau, anointed Christians  were puzzled as to the identity of the great crowd.  It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John's thinking by raising a pertinent question.  "And in response one of the elders said to me:  'These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?'  So  right away I said to him:  'My lord, you are the one that knows." ( Revelation 7:13, 14a)  Yes, that elder could locate te answer and give it to John.  This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elders group may be involved in the communicating of divine truths today.  For their part, those of the John class on earth got to learn the identity of the great crowd by closely observing what Jehovah was performing in their midst.  They were quick to appreciate the dazzling flash of divine light that emblazoned the theocratic firmament in 1935, at Jehovah's due time. 

During the 1920's and early 1930's , the John class has stressed the heavenly hope, both in the publications and in the preaching work.  Apparently, the full number of the 144,000  has yet to be filled.  But increasing numbers of those who heeded the message and who showed zeal in the witness work cam to profess an interests in living forever on the Paradise earth.  They had no desire to go to heaven.  That was not their calling.  They were no part of the little flock but rather of the other sheep.  (Luke 12:32;  John 10:16)  Their being identified in 1935 as the great crowd of other sheep was an indication that choosing the 1144,000 was then about complete. 

Do statistics support this conclusion?  Yes, they do.  In 1938, worldwide, 59, 047 Witnesses of Jehovah shared in the ministry. Of these, 36,732 partook of the emblems at the annual celebration of the Memorial of Jesus' death, thus indicating that they had a heavenly calling.  In the years since then, the number of these partakers  has progressivly  decreased, principallybecause faithful Witnesses of Jehovah finished their earthly course  in death.  In 2005 only 8, 524 partook of the Memorial emblems-0.05 percent of the 16l,390, 116 attending that global observance.  

Next timme: A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Great Crowd Makes Its Appearance- conclusion

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - A Unversial Shout of Praise

The great crowd is praising Jehovah, but others are also singing his praises.  John reports: "And all the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell upon their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:  'Amen! the blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and  the power and the strength be to our God forever and ever.  Amen."' - REVELATION 7:11, 12. 

 When Jehovah created all the earth, all of his holy angels "joyfully cried out together, and all the sons of God began shouting in applause." (Job 38:7) Each new revelation of Jehovah's purpose must have evoked similar angelic shouts of praise.  When the 24 elders-the 144,000  in their heavenly glory-cry  out  in recognition of the Lamb, all others of God's heavenly creatures chime in with praises for Jesus and for Jehovah God. (Revelation 5:9-14) Already, these creatures have been overjoyed to observe the fulfillment of Jehovaj's purpose in his resurrecting faithful anointed humans to a glorious place in the spirit realm.  Now, all of Jehovh's favorite  heavenly creatures burst into melodious praise as the great crowd appears. Truly, for all of Jehovah's servants, the Lord's day is a thrilling time in which to be living. (Revelation 1:10) Here on earth, how privileged we are to share in the song of praise by  witnessing to  Jehovah's Kingdom!

Next time: A Multitudinous Great Crowd - The Great Crowd Makes Its Appearance

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - In Heaven or on Earth

How do we know that "standing before the throne" does not mean that the great crowd is in heaven ?  There is much clear evidence on this point.  For example, the Greek word here  translate  "before" (e-no'pi-on) literally means "in [the] sight [of]" and is used several times  of humans on earth who are "before" or "in the sight of" Jehovah.  (1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:14; Romans 14:22; Galatians 1:20)   On one occasion when the Israelites  were in the wilderness, Moses said to Aaron: "Say to the entire assembly of the sons of Israel, 'Come near before Jehovah, because he has heard your murmurins." (Exodus 16:9) The Israelites did not have to be transported to heaven in order to stand before Jehovah on that occasion.  (Compare Leviticus 24:8)    Rather, right there in the wilderness they stood in Jehovah's view, and his attention was on them. 

Additionally, we read:  "When the Son of man arrives in his glory . . . all the nations will be gathered before him.  The whole human race will not be in heaven when this prophecy is fulfilled.  Certainly those  wo "depart into everlasting cutting-off" will not be in heaven.  (Matthew 25:31-33, 41, 46)  Instead, mankind stands on the earth in Jesus' view, and he turns his attention to judging them.   Similarly, the great crowd is "before the throne and before the Lamb" in that it stnds in the view of Jehovah and his King, Christ Jesus, from whom it receives a favorable judgment.

The 24 elders and the anointed group of 144,000 are described as being  "round about the throne" of Jehovah and "upon the [heavenly] Mount Zion."  (Revelation 4:4;14:1)  The great crowd is not a priestly class and does not attain to that exalted position.  True, it is later described at Revelation 7:15  as serving God "in his temple."  But this temple does not refer to the Greek word na-os', translated "temple," often conveys the broad sense of the entire edifice erected for Jehovah's worship.  Today, this is a spiritual structure that embraces both heaven and earth. - Compare MATTHEW 26:61; 27:5, 39, 40; MARK 15:29, 30; JOHN 2:19-21, New World Translation Reference Bible.

Next time: A Multitudinous Great Crowd - A Universal Shout of Praise

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd - Confirming the Identity of the Great Crowd

 It is fitting, then, that the great crowd, though no part of  spiritual Israel, should wave palm branches, since they joyfully and gratefully ascribe the victory and salvation to God and to the  Lamb, as John here observes:  "And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying:  'Salvation we own to our God, who is seated on the throne  and to te Lamb."' ( Revelation 7:10)   Although they have been separated out of all ethnic groups, the great crowd cry out with just that one  "loud voice."  How can they do this, despite their diversity of nations and languages?

This great crowd is part of the only truly multinational  organization on earth today.  They do not have diffferent standards for different countries but apply the Bible's right principles consistently wherever they live.  They are not involved in nationalistic, revolutionary movements but have truly 'beaten swords into plowshares.' (Isaiah 2:4)   They are not divided into sects or denominations, so that they shout confused or mutally contradictory messages as do the religions of Christendom; nor do they leave it to a professional clergy class to do their praising for them.  They do not cry out they they own to the holy spirit, for they are not servants of a trinitarian god.  In some 200 geographical territories around the earth, they are at one in calling upon the name of Jehovah as they speak the one pure language of truth.  (Zephaniah 3:9)   Properly, they publicly acknowledge that their salvation comes from Jehovah, the God of salvation, through Jesus Christ, His Chief Agent of salvation. - PSALM 3:8; HEBREWS 2:10.

Modern technology has helped to make the loud voice of the united great crowd sound even louder.  No other religious group  on earth has need of publishing Bible study aids in more than 400 languages, since no other group is interested in  reaching all peoples of earth with one united message.  As a further aid in this, under the supervision of the anointed Governing Body of  Jehovah's Witnesses, a Multilanugage Electronic Phototypesetting System (MEPS) was developed.  At the time of this printing, various forms of MEPS are used in more than 125 locations around the earth, and this has helped  to make possible publications of the semimonthly journal, The Watchtwower, in over 130 languages simultaneously. Jehovah's people also simultaneously  publish books, such as this one, in a number of languages. Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses, of whom the great crowd make up the vast majority, are able yearly to distribute hundreds of millions of publications in all the better-known languages. enabling additional throngs out of all tribes and tongues to study God's Word and join their voices to the loud voices of the great crowd. - ISAIAH42:10, 12.

Next time: A Multitudinous Great  Crowd - In Heaven  or on Earth?

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A Multitudinous Great Crowd- Confirming the Identity of the Great Crowd

How can we state so positively that the great crowd is this modern-day group of dedicated Christians who hope to live forever on God's earth?  Previously, John had seen in vision the heavenly group "bought . . . for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation."  (Revelation 5:9, 10)  The great crowd have a similar origin but a different destiny.  Unlike the Isreal of Godd, their number is not predetermined.  No man can tell in advance how many there will be be.  Their robes are washed  white in the blood of the Lamb, symbolizing that they have a  righteous standing befor Jehovah by virtue of their faith in Jesus sacrifice.  (Revelation 7:14)  And they are waving palm branches, hailing Messiah as their King. 

As he looks on in his vision, John's thoughts must be taking him back more than 60 years to Jesus' last week on earth.  On Nisan 9, 33 C.E. , when the crowds flocked  to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem, they "took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him.  And they began to shout:  'Save, we pray you! Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah's name, even the king of Israel!"'  (John 12:12, 13)    In like fashion, the waving of the palm brances and crying out on the part of the great crowd shows their unbridled joy in accepting Jesus as Jehovah's  appointed King. 

Doubtless, the palm brances and exulting cries also remind John of the ancient Israelite Festival of the Booths.  For this festival Jehovah commanded:  "And you must make for yourselves on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, the fronds of the palm trees and the boughs of branchy trees and poplars of the torrent valley, and you must rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days."  The palm brances were used as a mark of rejoicing.  The temporary booths were a reminder that Jehovah had saved his people  out of Egypt, to live in tents in the wilderness.  "The alien resident and the fatherless boy and the widow" shared in this festival.  All Israel were to  "become nothing but joyful." - LEVITICUS 23:40; DEUTERONOMY 16:13-15. 

Next time: A Multitudinous Great Crowd - Confirming the Identity of the Great Crowd

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