Want to know what the Four Horsemen Represent?
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By BroRando
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Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. "Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matthew 24:30) Note: By clicking on the scripture above, it will take you to the following explanations and insights:·
beat themselves in grief: Or “mourn.” A person repeatedly beat his hands against his chest to express extreme grief or feelings of guilt and remorse.—Isa 32:12; Na 2:7; Lu 23:48. see: The Greek verb rendered “see” can literally mean to “see an object; look at; behold,” but it can also be used metaphorically, of mental sight, meaning “to discern; perceive.”—Eph 1:18. the clouds of heaven: Clouds tend to obstruct vision rather than facilitate it, but observers can “see” with eyes of understanding.—Ac 1:9. The sign of the Son of man could very well be an epifania, also rendered epifanías or epiphany. That is a manifestation or a revealing of an undergoing prophecy. Notice the following verse: "Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land." (Exodus 23:30)
By applying the following scriptures, how will the new world come about?
"But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed." (2 Peter 3:10)
"Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence." (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
What's another word for manifestation? Epiphany [ih-pif-uh-nee] a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
The Judgement of the living is pre-millienial during Christ's Presence of the Last Days. Once the wicked deny Christ's Presence as a whole, then comes the revealing phase of Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. .
The Watchtower Society of Jehovah's Wintesses explains this extraordinary event in this manner: "Since Christ has already taken up his kingdom authority with the beginning of his presence in 1914, and since his presence begins a time of judgment, it follows that his revelation in symbolic fire for execution of judgment at the battle of Armageddon must follow very shortly. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )" Read more...
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By BroRando
The Great Tribulation, not what you think.
The Great Tribulation is a 'timed event'. As in past Patterns of Prophecy, "Jehovah will not do a thing Unless he has revealed his confidential matter to his servants the prophets." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Jehovah's servants where given insight to a Prophecy regarding the sudden arrival of Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. in the Book of Daniel. In 29 CE the people were in expectation and all of them were reasoning in their hearts about John, “May he perhaps be the Christ?” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) This timed event {prophecy} was thus fulfilled in its entirety from 29 CE to 36 CE.
If there is one thing you take away from this article, gain the understanding that Prophecies have a beginning and an end. With this understanding, you can SEE our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ coming with the clouds. The sacred secret of understanding prophecy is the slow revealing of it called the manifestation. Therefore, in response the Jews said to him: “What sign can you show us, since you are doing these things?” Jesus replied to them: “Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) How long is a day? "However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) According to (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) the winds of the Great Tribulation are held back until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads. If a day is a thousand years, we can glean the meaning of when the prophecy to be fulfilled. The sealing event began with the outpouring of Holy Spirit on Pentecost 33 CE and would be completed by 2033 CE, the second day. This sealing event would pave the way for the Great Tribulation to take place. It would also pave the way for the Preaching Work to be brought to its End. In fulfillment of Prophecy, Jesus stated that a work would need to be done. "And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Another Prophecy that points to the year 2034 for the Salvation of Jehovah's Servants goes on to say. "He will revive us after two days. On the third day he will raise us up, And we will live before him. We will know, we will earnestly seek to know Jehovah. His going out is as certain as the dawn; He will come to us like a pouring rain, Like a spring rain that saturates the earth.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) After two days, on the third day he will raise us up. The third day of Christ is upon us in 2034. However, the Great Tribulation is not what you think. Did you notice how this Day unfolds? We will live before him. We will know, we will earnestly seek to know Jehovah. His going out is as certain as the dawn; He will come to us like a pouring rain, Like a spring rain that saturates the earth. Are you gaining Spiritual Insight? So what Scripture is the trigger for the Great Tribulation? "Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) The Great Tribulation is an outbreak of “Peace and security!” It's Spiritual. This scripture is actually an inspired expression from the demons to persuade the masses into destruction. "And I saw three unclean inspired expressions that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Since the false prophet has a part in deceiving the people in a false proclamation of prosperity, false religion will be brought to her end by the means of the wild beast that are the earthly political kings. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Through the demonic expression of “Peace and security!” notice how the destruction is to be instantly on them. "They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) "We know that we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Those who choose to alienate themselves from Jehovah God and continue to reject Christ Presence will be destroyed by dying the second death, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, they will by no means escape. Not only is the Great Tribulation Spiritual, so is Armageddon, the war of the great day of God the Almighty. Sometime after 2034, the wicked will witness our brothers and sisters living pass the 70 or 80 years. "All the peoples of the earth will have to see that Jehovah’s Name has been called upon you, and they will be Afraid of you." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) After the wicked witness our brothers and sisters surviving beyond the 70 or 80 years, Gog of Magog, that is Satan's entire Political Systems will come to bring harm to Jehovah's Witnesses. "And I will send fire against Maʹgog and against those who are inhabiting the islands in security, and they will have to know that I am Jehovah. I will make my holy name known among my people Israel, and I will not allow My Holy Name to be profaned any longer; and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel. Yes, this is coming, and it will be done,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘This is the day I have spoken about." (Hello guest! 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By BroRando
"But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. (pangs of distress) do not last for an exhaustive period of time but do have an ending to them. It's an allotment period of time of 120 years, like the Days of Noah. This allotment is a Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. . Better times lay ahead of us as the pangs of distress come to their end, but not for everyone. “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Notice that harm to the earth, sea, or trees are being withheld until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads. Once the total number of the 144,000 are sealed, then a colossal of other prophecies begin to become fulfilled. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. and turning back will no longer be a recourse once the 144,000 are sealed, which will bring the end of ungodly people as they begin dying a permanant death with No Ressurection. (The Second Death) The question about this prophecy is when. Will it be revealed in the future, or are we living it now? In the first part of 1914, the Bible Students known as International Bible Students Association discussed the “time of trouble” on the printed page called The Bible Students Monthly. Early in 1914, an issue of The Bible Students Monthly was issued with the large bold heading “END OF WORLD IN 1914? Some have quoted the large headline of this tract as proof that Russell was expecting the “end of the world” in 1914. However, such neglect the subheading under the larger headline, which states: “NOT THE VIEW OF PASTOR RUSSELL NOR OF I.B.S.A.” International Bible Students Association: "Nevertheless, when viewed from God’s standpoint, we are still “shortly after” 1914. Although Russell himself did not think the time of trouble would be this long, he did allow that it could be. It is possible that the time allotted for this period is 120 years (1914+120=2034), but that these days will be “cut short” some time before they are allowed to reach their end. We do not put this forth as a “prophecy”, nor would we feel anything was wrong if 2034 came and went and nothing had happened as far the full binding of Satan and the destruction of his empire is concerned. All things are in God’s hands." What does Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. represent? The Epiphany of Christ's Presence. The Epiphany was spoken of in the same article “END OF WORLD IN 1914?" It represents that Ah-ah moment of the realization of an undergoing prophecy. Jehovah's people will start to notice their health is generally getting better a little at a time and start sharing these revelations with one another. Notice how the wicked and lawless will be destroyed? "Then, indeed, the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and Bring to Nothing by the Manifestation of his Presence." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) This is where it is critical to gain the understanding of what the Great Tribulation is. The Great Tribulation is marked by an outbreak of "Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. " During this time of Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. among the nations, the Bible reveals, "Why are the nations agitated And the peoples muttering an empty thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And high officials gather together as one Against Jehovah and against his anointed one." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) The Presence of the Son of of Man began in Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. . "For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) "For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the Presence of the Son of man will be." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Are you gaining the understanding that these things are fulfilled in a Spiritual Manner? Ever since Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , right-hearted ones have been witnessing the Presence of the Son of man. AfterHello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , the wicked will also start to gain the understanding that they are really dying and lament all the way to everlasting destruction. As the Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. come to their conclusion and the seperating work is completed, even the wicked will SEE but after it is too late! Yes, the Revealing of the Son of Man will soon begin for the 'ungodly' as we head into Christ Millennial Reign. What is the 'sudden destruction' that comes upon those, once the pangs of distress comes to their end? The Bible reveals it in this manner: "And this is the scourge with which Jehovah will scourge all the peoples who wage war against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot away while they stand on their feet, their eyes will rot away in their sockets, and their tongues will rot away in their mouths." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Those who are figuratively hurled into Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , die 'the second death' which symbolizes everlasting destruction. Once 'the wicked' witness Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. that's our brothers and sisters (the sheep) living beyond the 70 or 80 years. Gog of Magog will come to destroy God's Name People. At the time, the goats within our 144,000 Congregations will have been separated to join all Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. . "In that day confusion from Jehovah will be widespread among them; and each one will grab hold of the hand of his companion, and his hand will come against the hand of his companion." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) So it is written, so it shall come to pass! IF you love Justice, and hate Injustice, why not take a stand today by asking for a Free Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. or take an Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ? Hello guest! 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By BroRando
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2034 has a dual significance of several Bible Prophecies that will begin to unfold in the near future. One of those prophecies are in response to the 'short period of time' Satan has, known as the Last Days. "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) 2034 doesn't represent the beginning of this period but rather the end of it. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. would come to a close as the allotted time is exhausted giving a full witness to the earth's inhabitants. "And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
That End is not the end of the world, but rather the End of an Age of Wickedness. An Explanation from The Watchtower Magazine, December 15, 2003, Pages 14 - 19 entitled "Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. The issuance of this divine decree in 2490 B.C.E. marked the beginning of the end for that ungodly world. Just think what that meant for those then living! Only 120 years more and Jehovah would bring “the deluge of waters upon the earth to bring to ruin all flesh. What about us? Some 90 years have passed since the last days of this system of things began in 1914. We are certainly in “the time of the end.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
Could the Great Tribulation occur soon after 2034? It is possible that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was referring to the Great Tribulation as an allotment period of time. Why? Jesus explains to his followers, "Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of man:" Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Weren't the days of Noah 120 years in length? (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) This period (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) is a conclusion of the system of things. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. What does tribulation mean?
Definition of tribulation : distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution
also : a trying experience 'Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.' (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Are we not in distress and suffering resulting from oppression or persecution especially since 1914? The Last Days began in Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , but could 2034 mark the end of the Last Days? It could...
The short period of time would not be an exhaustive amount of time that would seem to go on and on and on. The Scriptures point out that Satan recognizes that this allotment of time to be a short period of time. 2034 would not only represent the end of Satan's Wicked Rule, but would also mark Christ Millennial Reign poised to begin. Therefore, it makes sense that Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. would be completed prior to the end of the Last Days in 2034. Notice this teaching from the Apostle Paul, "For God is my witness of how I am longing for all of you with such tender affection as Christ Jesus has. And this is what I continue praying, that your love may abound still more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not stumbling others up to the day of Christ;" (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) 2034 is not an end all date, by this time Satan and his demons will have gathered the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) A host of other prophecies begin to emerge. For instance, the separation work of the sheep and goats begin. Jesus would grant Life to Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. whom he chooses as his sheep. They would be marked to be Survivors during Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. . They simply continue living during the condition or situation of Armageddon that forms at (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) and (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) and become Survivors of Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. . Once the Day of Christ does begin, no harm will be allowed to come upon the faithful as the wicked die off. -
By BroRando
Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Prophecies point to the 'timing' of the coming days as a Day of Vindication of Jehovah's Name. There are two years within Jehovah's Organization that can give us insight to the timing of the coming Vindication. Knowing these dates do not give anyone divine protection or superpowers. Matter of fact, knowing such dates and understanding them can make one more accountable to Jehovah. Serving Jehovah with a Full Heart no matter what date comes and goes should be our Priority. If you followed and read articles I have written in the past, you well know about the years 1914 and 2034. But those are not the two years I am speaking about. The two dates I am speaking about are the ones that certain events occurred within God's organization here on the earth. (1919 and 1935) Those on the outside will result in (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) as the 'Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ' come to their end. In Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , shortly after the Last Days began in Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , Jesus Christ would direct the angels to bundle up the weeds in order to be pitched into the fire to be burned up. The weeds are Apostate Christians whom stopped associating with Christ's Brothers. Today, those who have followed the steps of Judas Iscariot are referred to as the man of lawlessness who make the false claim they are part of the 'Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. '. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) These ones are being collected on an individual basis in the time of the end for undergoing the judicial punishment of everlasting fire. In the same manner that the tree of life was protected by angels and a flaming sword, these impostors also known as the sons of disobedience restlessly attack the Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. that is still earthly. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) This attack will soon be cut short as the remnant are suddenly summoned to Heaven. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. is also a year that has significance. That was the time when an earthly hope was revealed in the Book of Revelation as to having Survivors of the Great Tribulation. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Just before the sudden departure of the remnant, the King begins Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. with good health and life in a gradual manner. Those who are marked, simply keep on living from the Conclusion of the Last Days into Christ's Millennial Reign. It's Spiritual. In a few short years, the wicked will begin to noticed that God's Named People are no longer getting sick. Why aren't they dying? With mouths of foam and fraught and delusion, they slowly slide away into the Second Death. Those who join the forces of Gog of Magog will be met with angels and the flaming sword on a massive scale to protect those who have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb. When Jehovah approached Noah at the age of 480 by the means of an angel, Noah didn't know of the time allotted to build the ark. It's not likely he even had a family at this point. We only learn of the 'allotted time limit' when Moses wrote about it in (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Jesus Christ kept reminding his disciples, 'just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of man:' (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) This gives us strong indication that those who are cut off have no idea of what is going on. But notice this next scripture, "Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand; but those having insight will understand." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) As these time periods come and go, the wicked who have No Understanding will become more vile but the scripture promises, 'they will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain'. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) This scripture proves that there will come a point in time that Jehovah will not allow 'the wicked' to do harm or cause ruin in Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. nor allow his Holy Name to be profaned. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. -
By Pudgy
Questions From Readers
● Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. says: “Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered.” What does this text mean? Are not the physical heavens and earth a permanent part of God’s creation?—U.S.A.
In determining the significance of the apostle Peter’s statement, we must remember that the terms “heavens” and “earth” often do not designate the physical heavens and earth, which are an abiding part of God’s creation. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) A notable example of this are the words of Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. regarding the day of Jehovah’s triumph over Babylon: “I shall cause heaven itself to become agitated, and the earth will rock out of its place at the fury of Jehovah of armies and at the day of his burning anger.”
Obviously the fall of ancient Babylon resulted in no agitation of the physical heavens—sun, moon, stars and planets—nor was the literal earth rocked out of its place. But, figuratively speaking, the heavens and the earth were affected. How so? Well, we might recall that the Babylonians worshiped the sun and moon as well as the stars and planets as gods or goddesses. So when these deities proved unable to help Babylon in her greatest time of need, her “heavens” became agitated. Also the “earth” of the Babylonian Empire rocked out of its place. Babylon lost control of this vast portion of the earth upon being defeated and becoming a mere province of the Persian Empire.
The case of Babylon illustrates that the heavenly bodies have been viewed as representing powers higher than men, powers that have exercised controlling influence over mankind. The worship that has been given to these heavenly bodies has actually gone to invisible spirit forces higher than men, namely, to Satan the Devil and his demons. This is evident from the apostle Paul’s declaration: “The things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons.”—Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. .
Yes, God’s Word clearly shows that Satan and his demons constitute a “heaven” over the human society alienated from Jehovah God. The apostle Paul, for example, referred to “wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places,” with their governments, authorities and world rulers. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) And Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. tells us: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.”
So it must be the heavens composed of Satan and his demons that “will pass away with a hissing noise.” A fierce, devouring flame of great magnitude makes a loud hissing sound, as, for example, in the burning of a house or a forest. Of course, literal fire would be ineffective in bringing an end to Satan and his demons. But the wicked heavens will not escape the expression of God’s rage, spoken of in Scripture as burning like a fire. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) That the Satanic and demonic heavens will pass away is confirmed in the book of Revelation. After having seen a vision of the complete defeat of Satan’s forces and the casting of Satan into the abyss, the apostle John noted that the “former heaven and the former earth had passed away.”—Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. .
The “former heaven” not being literal, the “former earth” likewise is not literal. According to Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , not the physical earth, but the kings of the earth and their armies are the ones in line for destruction. Thus the “former earth” designates the wicked human society under the control of Satan and his demons. This identification of the “earth” is in agreement with the fact that, in Biblical usage, the term “earth” can denote earth’s inhabitants.—Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. .
Accordingly, no “elements” (or constituent parts) of the symbolic heavens and earth will be able to withstand the intense heat of God’s burning anger. They will be completely “dissolved.” The words of Peter somewhat parallel the thought expressed at Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. : “‘The day is coming that is burning like the furnace, and all the presumptuous ones and all those doing wickedness must become as stubble. And the day that is coming will certainly devour them,’ Jehovah of armies has said, ‘so that it will not leave to them either root or bough.’”
The earth, the ungodly human society, and its works will be “discovered” (the Greek word for “discovered” appears in the two oldest and most reliable Bible manuscripts available, the Vatican 1209 and the Sinaitic). This means that the wicked human society and its works will be seared bare of all disguise, exposed as being against Jehovah God and his kingdom by Christ and therefore worthy of destruction. By means of his Son, Christ Jesus, and multitudes of faithful angels, Jehovah God will see to it that none of the wicked works will go undiscovered and unpunished. A comparable idea is conveyed at Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. : “Jehovah is coming forth from his place to call to account the error of the inhabitant of the land against him, and the land will certainly expose her bloodshed and will no longer cover over her killed ones.”
If we desire to withstand the consuming heat that will blaze against the old heavens and earth, we must make it our determination to know and to follow the course approved by Jehovah God. As Peter encouraged fellow Christians: “Do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace. . . . be on your guard that you may not be led away with [the untaught and unsteady] by the error of the law-defying people and fall from your own steadfastness. No, but go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”—Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ."
END OF WATCHTOWER ARTICLE
The previous explanation to me is complex, impossible for any rational person to understand, and is built on a web of improbabilities.
The first time I read this Scripture, so many years ago, it seemed crystal clear that what was being described as Global Thermonuclear War. It made perfect sense to me then, and it makes perfect sense to me now ... and it fits the progression of world events, and just plain makes the only sense one can make of that Scripture.
The Society's explanation seems like another "Question fro Readers" question that has been bumping around the Internet since about 1995, "Are Cats For True Christians", which many here have read many times.
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By BroRando
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"And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (
Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) The Bible does point to conditions and a timetable to expect when such prophecies will be fulfilled. Therefore, a certain amount of time would be needed to pass in order for the end to be brought forth. Notice the following verses as it pertains to time.
"He will revive us after two days. On the third day he will raise us up, And we will live before him. We will know, we will earnestly seek to know Jehovah. His going out is as certain as the dawn; He will come to us like a pouring rain, Like a spring rain that saturates the earth." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) We see the timetable is two days. "However, do not let this escape your notice, beloved ones, that one day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
This Bible Principle is the Key to gain the understanding of where we are according to the time of the end. "Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand; but those having insight will understand." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
One can reason on the timing of the end by applying the Bible Principle found at (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) to other scriptures. For instance, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) When did this sealing event begin? On Pentecost 33 CE with the outpouring of Holy Spirit. We can expect this sealing process to be completed by the second day of 2033 CE. This would suggest that the preaching work and the partaking of the emblems would soon come to their end since the sealing is 'a timed event'. This sets us up for Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. to begin, does it not?
Jesus replied to them: “Tear down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” As shown at Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , Jesus was using figurative speech; he was comparing his anticipated death and resurrection to the demolition and reconstruction of the temple. Although Jesus said: “I will raise it up,” the Scriptures clearly show that it was God who resurrected him. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) So what body was Jesus speaking about? "But he was talking about the temple of his body." Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
The temple of his body is the 'Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ' which is a composite body that is made up of 144,000 body members who rule as kings and priests. "Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and they will rule as kings with him for the 1,000 years." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
"Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you individually is a member." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that the spirit of God dwells in you? (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
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By BroRando
Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. What to expect? You can expect a ton of persons to become immediately interested in the Bible, once we stop offering New Bible Studies. The time to think about it a little longer will have come to its end. "And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Jesus in private told his disciples, "For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Notice Jesus compared the days of Noah to his Presence, they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away. Therefore, we can conclude that both Prophecies are 'timed events'. Time and again Jesus kept reminding his disciples just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. How long were the days of Noah? Then Jehovah said: “My spirit will not tolerate man indefinitely, because he is only flesh. Accordingly, his days will amount to 120 years.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) We can be certain to expect a plethora of events to unfold in a timely manner at the end of Christ's Presence, sweeping the ungodly away, but not in the manner you think... Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Proclamation of “Peace and security!” Nations attack and destroy “Babylon the Great” Attack on Jehovah’s people War of Armageddon Satan and his demons are abyssed Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. -
By BroRando
The 40 year refinement period is a Biblical Pattern that has been used over and over again. This 'period of testing' is a purity test to bring out impurities or help build up faith. It can also be used in referring judgement in a positive or negative outcome. In some cases, the period can be days rather than years. Moses, Elijah, and Jesus all fasted for 40 days. However, a 40 year refinement period in triplicate intensifies the seriousness of the judgment coming for those unable or unwilling to be refined. For example, the intensity of the 'woes' to come to those dwelling on earth is forecast by the triple repetition of the declaration “woe.”—Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Can each "woe" represent a 40 year period of refinement? If it does, can we expect the 'woes' to come to their end? Brother Russell referred to the end of the Gentiles in 1914 to be followed by 'a time of trouble'. So wouldn't the time of trouble have a beginning and an end to them? (1914 + 120 = 2034) When 'the time of trouble' ends, then what? Ever since 1914, Satan has been building his organization on earth 'to go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.' (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) This organization was first called the League of Nations, then was revived by Satan as the United Nations today. So how are the kings of the entire inhabited earth being gathered? By Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. . 17 Goals to Transform Our World, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection." Therefore the prophecy, "It puts under compulsion all people—the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves—that these should be marked on their right hand or on their forehead, and that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name" at (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) will have come in Full Force. A door to door enforcement if need be. Soon, the 'woes' will come to their end and the demons will shout with glee! The Great Tribulation begins with propaganda of an outbreak of “Peace and security!” Satan's earthly kings will be astounded and take credit for this false hope as they enter into everlasting destruction, like that of Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. At this point in time, invisible to the human eye, Jesus separates the sheep from the goats, extending his Father's Life Force to the sheep Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. . The faithful keep on living from Satan's System into Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. the wicked die off in the same manner as Adam and Eve with a shortened life span. "All the peoples of the earth will have to See that Jehovah’s name has been called upon you, and they will be afraid of you." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Those looking back can lament all they want, but unknown to themselves, are dying the second death of everlasting destruction, having no Recourse and will finally come to know it! 2034 is not an end all date either, the separation work and the summoning of the anointed remnant will cover a little time as our brothers and sisters become survivors of the Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. The Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. have reach their end. There is a point in time coming that a Survivor may even Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. on a Paradise earth? More study is required as such ones are not given life within themselves but rather everlasting life in view. In time we will know. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. -
By BroRando
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Preaching the Good News of God's Kingdom in Satan's World often brings a hostile and violent reaction from the unfaithful and lawless one. If this is how they react when the Good News of God's Kingdom is declared, how do you think they will react to Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. is delivered? Soon, those who reject the Good News will have no recourse.
As the
Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. come to their End you can apply the following scripture, "Let the one who is unrighteous continue in unrighteousness, and let the filthy one continue in his filth; but let the righteous one continue in righteousness, and let the holy one continue in holiness." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) With this timed revelation, the good news will no longer be offered but rather 'a turning away from ungodly mankind'. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Therefore, those who have been Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. will be dying the second death in the same manner as Adam and Eve.
The Fulfillment of Prophecies are 'a timed event' and so there is no need for me to persuade or convince the reader if they have not yet gained 'Spiritual Insight' at this late stage of Satan's System of things. The scriptures are clear about the time of the end. "Many will cleanse themselves and whiten themselves and will be refined. And the wicked ones will act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand; but those having insight will understand." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
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By BroRando
Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. For almost two thousand years, faithful followers of Jesus Christ have been in anticipation of his Second Coming. We are living at extremely exciting times as our Preaching Work comes to its end! According to Bible Prophecy, an allotment of two days of 2,000 years would need to lapse before the Second Coming is revealed to unbelievers. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Oh!! If only the ungodly would stop being stubborn, pay attention, listen, and gain the wisdom of understanding to keep on living into Christ's Millennial Reign... "Do not think I came to bring peace to the earth; I came to bring, not peace, but a sword." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Even though the Second Coming will be Invisible to the human eye, only faithful followers will perceive when Jesus became King of God's Kingdom. One more 'timed event' or prophecy would be fulfilled prior to the destruction of the wicked. Satan and his earthly kingdoms are entering their final hour since 2015 spewing demonic propaganda that they brought peace and prosperity to the earth by Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , and the majority of the earth's population will be more than willing to capitulate. "Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) It's imperative to build your faith now because the trigger for the Great Tribulation is an outbreak of peace. When Satan's world promotes that they achieved peace and prosperity in Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , people will no longer have to follow any rules. Aborting unborn infant lives will become a common place as in offering up children sacrifices to their gods. No need to work. No need to pray. Government is your god in providing your wants and needs. Then comes the enforcement, perhaps a door to door check by a government agency to see if you bent your knee and have proof of your card to buy and sell. As in the Last Days of Noah, there were hybrid humans. Could their be Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. It's possible as the Last Days of Satan's Rulership comes to an end, he would possibly be looking for a way to build his army. Learning these things now can help you prepare for the coming events. It will take faith, but there is hope! Start preparing your heart and mind and apply the counsel from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: "No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches. “On this account I say to you: Stop being anxious about your lives as to what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your bodies as to what you will wear. Does not life mean more than food and the body than clothing? Observe intently the birds of heaven; they do not sow seed or reap or gather into storehouses, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?" (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) "So never be anxious and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or, ‘What are we to drink?’ or, ‘What are we to wear?’ For all these are the things the nations are eagerly pursuing. Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. -
By BroRando
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"During that time {Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. } will stand up, the Great Prince who is standing in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress such as has not occurred since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book. And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life and others to reproach and to everlasting contempt." (Daniel 12:1-2)
"And war broke out in heaven: {Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. } battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven." (Rev 12:7-8)
The Scriptures also point out that Michael was sent and given the name to the glory of God the Father. "Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and became human." (Philippians 2:5-7)
Yes, this very angel would be given the name to the glory of God the Father and have his Father's Name in him. “I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name, which you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one."(John 17:11)
"More than that, when he came as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, yes, death on a torture stake. For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the Name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend—of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground— and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:8-11) The Name (Jesus) when translated means “Jehovah Is Salvation.”
Matter of fact, Jesus told his Opposers, "For I say to you, you will by no means see me from now until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in Jehovah’s name!’” (Matthew 23:39)
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By BroRando
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After Jesus Christ summoned his 12 disciples and giving them authority to cure every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity, he revealed to them, "Do not think I came to bring peace to the earth; I came to bring, not peace, but a sword." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
As distressing as pestilences are, they are part of the Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. of Jesus Christ Presence in Kingdom Glory. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) Pestilences were often used in the past to execute divine judgment but also salvation to those who know Jehovah God and obey the good news of Jesus Christ today. "This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you." (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
This is Good News for the obedient and the faithful in rejoicing, for Jesus adds the words: “But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) As pestilence becomes a common place in this last hour of this system of things, Jehovah Witnesses are fully cooperating with health officials in all nations in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus. This virus is severely contagious which will affect how we conduct Bible Studies, the preaching work, and even Baptizing New Christian Believers. Such adjustments are welcomed and we look forward to Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. as this gloomy system of things come to its end. But the end is Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content.
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By BroRando
Being a student of Prophecy and intently studying the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1914 is only the beginning of the end. “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. ?All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.” (Matthew 24:7-8)
In 1914 the world as we know it, has entered into its death throes.  God’s Kingdom would slowly begin crushing all kingdoms of the earth. (Daniel 2:44)  Those inhabiting the earth would enter into an ‘allotted amount of time of distress'. “During that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of your people. And there will occur a time of distress such as has not occurred since there came to be a nation until that time. And during that time your people will escape, everyone who is found written down in the book.” (Daniel 12:1)
What is causing this ‘time of distress’?  “And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled ?but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them any longer in heaven.” (Rev 12:7-8)  “Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” (Rev 12:12)  Here’s an important teaching from Jesus Christ, he stated, “For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” (Matthew 24:37)  Did you catch that?  So the presence of the Son of man will be.  Jesus Christ has been ruling from Heaven since 1914 and he compared his presence like the days of Noah!  Few people understand this, but the Days of Noah lasted 120 years. (Genesis 6:3)  Jesus continues, “For as they were in those days before the Flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, ?and they took no note until the Flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” (Matthew 24:38-39)  Folks, the presence of the Son of man is now 103 years from 1914 and counting.  Yet, the World is taking no note.
The Last Days must reach their full time allotted, which is 120 years.  1914 + 120 = 2034.  Since the Great Tribulation is Spiritual, many will  fall away from the faith. But it’s during this time period that the one’s separated to the right hand of Christ, will come out of the Great Tribulation as Survivors.  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?” (Rev 7:13)
So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Rev 7:14)  “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)
Armageddon is an act of undeserved kindness of removing the wicked by means of the second death. Â Soon, those outside our interior rooms will be dying the second death in the same manner as Adam and Eve.Â
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By Anna
Has anyone wondered about this?
God’s Kingdom Rules! Page 230, par.19 & 20 says:
How to Prepare Ourselves
19 How can we prepare ourselves for the earthshaking
events that are to come? The Watchtower stated some years
ago: “Survival will depend on obedience.” Why is that so?
The answer is found in a warning from Jehovah to the captive
Jews living in ancient Babylon. Jehovah foretold that
Babylon would be conquered, but what were God’s people
to do to prepare themselves for that event? Jehovah stated:
“Go, my people, enter your inner rooms, and shut your
doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment until
the wrath has passed by.” (Isa. 26:20) Note the verbs in this
verse: “go,” “enter,” “shut,” “hide”—all are in the imperative
mood; they are commands. The Jews who heeded those
commands would have stayed in their houses, away from
the conquering soldiers out in the streets. Hence, their survival
depended on obeying Jehovah’s instructions.[2]
20 What is the lesson for us? As in the case of those ancient
servants of God, our survival of coming events will
depend on our obedience to Jehovah’s instructions. (Isa.
30:21) Such instructions come to us through the congregation
arrangement. Therefore, we want to develop heartfelt
obedience to the guidance we are receiving. (1 John 5:3)
If we do so today, we will be more inclined to obey willingly
in the future and thus receive the protection of our Father,
Jehovah, and our King, Jesus. (Zeph. 2:3) That divine
protection will allow us to witness firsthand how God’s
Kingdom will completely remove its enemies. What an unforgettable
event that will be!
Prior to those paragraphs, and in harmony with Matthew 24, it was made clear that the sheep and the goats will have already been judged, the sheep being marked for survival. Why would there be further need to follow some other instructions in order to survive? Matthew 24 does not indicate anything about additional instructions as a criterion for survival. In fact it says “then two men will be in the field; one will be taken along and the other abandoned. Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken along and the other abandoned.” This indicates that people will be in ordinary situations, when they are “saved”. The rest of the gospels focus on doing God’s will and following in Christ’s footsteps as the criterion for gaining salvation. "For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome" 1John 5:3. None of the Greek scriptures talk about any special instructions that will have to be obeyed during the great tribulation and Armageddon. It is only Isaiah that mentions this in relation to surviving the overthrow of Babylon, with similar references to the Passover in Egypt and perhaps also Noah entering the Ark.
I wonder why the Slave thinks that the same pattern will be followed when the ultimate destruction comes, as if Jehovah is not capable of saving individuals wherever they may be. Looking at it from a practical point of view, not everyone will be physically able to “go” or “shut” or “hide”. Think of the old and infirm. The scripture in Zepheniah 2:3 talks about doing specific things well before the day of Jehovah's anger. “Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, Who observe his righteous decrees, seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you will be concealed on the day of Jehovah’s anger”.
The paragraph that follows, (Par. 20) talks about us learning to obey the Slave now, so that when the time comes we will “obey” the Slave then, because our salvation depends on it. But the scriptures clearly show our salvation depends on lots of other things, one of them being enduring faithfully to the end. This was the symposium at this year’s Do not Give up convention as well. This included practical steps to “Run With Endurance”
· Run to Win! (1 Corinthians 9:24)
· Train Diligently (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)
· Let Go of Unnecessary Burdens (Hebrews 12:1)
· Imitate Good Examples (Hebrews 12:2, 3)
· Eat Nutritious Food (Hebrews 5:12-14)
· Drink Plenty of Water (Revelation 22:17)
· Obey the Rules of the Contest (2 Timothy 2:5)
· Be Confident of Gaining the Prize (Romans 15:13)
That pertains to everything we do now. And those are the things we will be judged on. That’s how we prepare ourselves surely? Not by obeying some last minute instructions as if Jehovah is not capable of saving each individual Witness wherever they may be, since the whole performance is going to involve supernatural powers anyway....Plus, it has been speculated that some may die at Armageddon, not by Jehovah's hand, but by other extenuating circumstances, even by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I will do some more research on this....
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By Queen Esther
"The “Great Tribulation.”
When answering the question of his disciples concerning the sign of his presence and the conclusion of the system of things, Jesus mentioned a “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again.” (Mt 24:3, 21) As a comparison of Matthew 24:15-22 with Luke 21:20-24 reveals, this had initial reference to a tribulation to come upon Jerusalem. The fulfillment came in 70 C.E., when the city was besieged by the Roman armies under General Titus. This resulted in severe famine conditions and much loss of life. The Jewish historian Josephus relates that 1,100,000 Jews died or were killed, whereas 97,000 survived and were taken into captivity. The temple was completely destroyed. Contrary to the wish of the Roman commander Titus, Roman soldiers set the temple itself on fire. According to Josephus, this took place in the same month and on the same day that the Babylonians had burned the former temple on this site. (The Jewish War, VI, 249-270 [iv, 5-8], 420 [ix, 3]; 2Ki 25:8, 9) The temple destroyed by the Romans has never been rebuilt. Such a “great tribulation” has not occurred again or been repeated upon Jerusalem. Nevertheless, Biblical evidence indicates that the tribulation upon Jerusalem in 70 C.E. pointed forward to a far greater tribulation, one affecting all nations.
Jesus continued his prophecy by describing events that would occur during the centuries after Jerusalem’s destruction. (Mt 24:23-28; Mr 13:21-23) Then, at Matthew 24:29, he added that “immediately after the tribulation of those days,” there would be fear-inspiring celestial phenomena. Mark 13:24, 25 says that these phenomena would take place “in those days, after that tribulation.” (See also Lu 21:25, 26.) To what “tribulation” did Jesus there refer?
Some Bible commentators have reasoned that it was the tribulation that came upon Jerusalem in 70 C.E., though they also realized that the events described thereafter evidently would take place at a time that, from a human standpoint, was then distant. They reasoned that the expression “immediately after” conveyed God’s perspective of the time involved or that the certainty of what was to occur was being expressed by language that placed the events immediately before the reader.
However, since the prophecy at Matthew 24:4-22 (also Mr 13:5-20 and Lu 21:8-24a) clearly has a dual fulfillment, might the “tribulation” referred to at Matthew 24:29 and Mark 13:24 be the “tribulation” during the second and final fulfillment of what was foretold at Matthew 24:21 and Mark 13:19? Viewed in the light of the Bible as a whole, this seems most likely. Do the terms used in the Greek text allow for such a view? Definitely. When Matthew 24:29 refers to “those days” and when Mark 13:24 mentions “those days” and “that tribulation,” the Greek grammar does allow for such an understanding. It seems that Jesus’ prophecy is saying that after the outbreak of the coming global tribulation, there will be striking phenomena (as represented by sun and moon being darkened, stars falling, and powers of heaven being shaken) as well as fulfillment of “the sign of the Son of man.”
About three decades after Jerusalem’s destruction, the apostle John, with reference to a great crowd of persons from all nations, tribes, and peoples, was told: “These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation.” (Re 7:13, 14) Earlier, the apostle John had seen “four angels” holding back destructive winds so that the sealing of the 144,000 slaves of God might be completed. This sealing evidently links up with the ‘gathering of the chosen ones’ that Jesus foretold. (Mt 24:31) Accordingly, the final destructive fury of the “great tribulation” must come after the chosen ones have been gathered and their sealing is completed and when the four angels release the four winds to blow upon the earth, sea, and trees. (Re 7:1-4) The fact that a great crowd ‘comes out of the great tribulation’ shows that they survive it. This is confirmed by a similar expression at Acts 7:9, 10: “God was with [Joseph], and he delivered him out of all his tribulations.” Joseph’s being delivered out of all his tribulations meant not only that he was enabled to endure them but also that he survived the afflictions he experienced.
It is noteworthy that the apostle Paul referred to the execution of God’s judgment upon the ungodly as tribulation. He wrote: “This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you, but, to you who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.” (2Th 1:6-8)
The book of Revelation shows that “Babylon the Great” and “the wild beast” have brought tribulation upon God’s holy ones. (Re 13:3-10; 17:5, 6) It therefore logically follows that the tribulation to come upon “Babylon the Great” and “the wild beast” is included in the “great tribulation.”—Re 18:20; 19:11-21.
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By The Librarian
William Malenfant: Morality in the Last Days (2 Tim. 3:13)
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By Bible Speaks
"For then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21)
What happens after the great tribulation is cut short? Jesus explained that several events will happen before Armageddon begins. These events are mentioned at Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. .
Then we will see Armageddon. The battle of Armageddon is the climax of the great tribulation, just as the destruction of Jerusalem was the climax of the first fulfillment of the prophecy. (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. )
The great tribulation, with Armageddon as its climax, will be an event such as has not happened “since the world’s beginning.” (Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. ) After it happens, Christ will rule as King for 1,000 years.
SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED
Great tribulation: The end of this wicked world. First, false religion will be destroyed. Then, there will be a time when Jesus will judge the sheep and the goats and appoint his faithful slave over all the Master’s belongings. Finally, the rest of this system will be destroyed at Armageddon “Coming”: In Jesus’ prophecy in Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content. , Jesus is described as “coming,” or “arriving.” This refers to the time when he comes as Judge of all the nations during the great tribulation Hello guest! Please register or sign in (it's free) to view the hidden content.
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By Bible Speaks
8 "For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you:
‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye."
(Zechariah 2:8) NWT
21 "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."
(Matthew 24:21) NWT
jw.org
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By Bible Speaks
"For then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again." (Matthew 24:21) NWT
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By Bible Speaks
8 "For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you:
‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye."
(Zechariah 2:8) NWT
21 "for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."
(Matthew 24:21) NWT
jw.org
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By ComfortMyPeople
In answer to Anna question:
The reasons were well explained by brother Lett in 2015 October meeting. He, sincerely mentioned at the beginning of his talk that thought God’s spirit guided them to the new conclusions about the falling in Babylonian hands and getting out from her. And I think so.
I remember feeling very happy when I heard his comments, because finally God has shown to the brothers on charge the discernment regarding this matter. Well, this is only half of the way, but half is more than nothing, it only remains the other half.
Let me start with this words from Jesus, I include two records about the same situation and some emphasis:
(Mark 9:31, 32) “For he was teaching his disciples and telling them: “The Son of man is going to be betrayed into men’s hands, and they will kill him, but despite being killed, he will rise three days later.” 32 However, they did not understand his statement, and they were afraid to question him.”
(Luke 9:44, 45) “Listen carefully and remember these words, for the Son of man is going to be betrayed into men’s hands.” 45 But they did not understand what he was saying. In fact, it was concealed from them so that they might not grasp it, and they were afraid to question him about this saying.”
Now one example: if someone says to you: ‘one person is going to punch me; and then I will die, and finally I will be buried.’ What word would not you understand? Then what was wrong with the apostles? Why was so difficult to understand these simple statements? Their fears. The fears not looking at themselves in thrones with his admired Messiah. Too much for them. This TRUTH was concealed to them.
Accordingly, regarding our days. We, God’s people firmly believe we are living in a wonderful spiritual paradise. We will continue preaching till the end (Mt24:14). The only bad thing waiting for us (not the rest of the world) is Gog the Magog attack but, Jehovah will rescue us. So, no fears!
If some POSSIBLE application of prophetic verses could be understood as some future failure as people, worthy of punishment, discipline… well, this is too much. This application is, simply, remote, if not impossible.
Half of the way in the correct direction
Listening to brother Lett in the aforementioned meeting make me happy because one of our beliefs was difficult to understand to me: the dead condition of our work in 1918, the situation as a dry-bones valley on these years.
Once, reading one biography stroked me the sister relating her life because in that period of time mention she attended a convention. I thought “what, our work was paralyzed.” And I began to investigate. And I found odd (for our former focus) facts:
(Now, I’m paraphrasing from the Spanish translation of the 1969 book “Then is finished the mystery of God”, because I have no way to have it in English and perhaps some phrases or page numbers are different in the actual English book)
fm-S pg. 299-302
· Watch Tower magazine continued to be published semimonthly without interruption. · Despite partly records, 17,961 persons partaken of the emblems. · In USA, they were 15 traveling speakers, pilgrims. · Also, they were 225 colporteurs. · Were celebrated more than 40 conventions. How could be it possible if our work was dead, with dry bones? Yes, perhaps injured, slowed, but not stopped at all, according these and another data spread in different publications. So, we have now a better understanding of these matters and the way they are related to several prophecies.
But, I don’t remember if in this talk of brother Lett or from another brother, I heard this logical statement. “If we move one meaning, it also moves another connected meanings.” Obviously.
Let’s take for example this, presently, orphan prophecy:
· (Revelation 11:7, 8) “When they have finished their witnessing, the wild beast that ascends out of the abyss will wage war with them and conquer them and kill them. 8 And their corpses will be on the main street of the great city that is in a spiritual sense called Sod′om and Egypt, where their Lord was also executed on the stake.”
Till now (2015), these words fit very well with our former view. Our work was deceased in 1918, our organization was a dry-bones valley. But according our new comprehension about the facts on those years this is impossible. This is one of many, and I mean many other related prophecies that now are ‘orphans.’
Do you think I am thinking of myself as a prophet? Well, according one friend of me, yes, I am a false prophet. I don’t feel very happy thinking these prophecies could have a future fulfillment, I prefer to be wrong. Think I, perhaps, I’m a bright boy, more intelligent or blessed than the brothers God are using to teach us? Never, at no time. Then, why years before brother Lett gives these speech, one not cultivated person, not very intelligent not bright at all, could reach to the same conclusions years after "become truth"? For the same reasons any of us reading and thinking could reach to them.
This piece doesn’t belong to this machine!
Have you ever deal with a mechanism hard to assemble? Perhaps you try one way, then the opposite, and get frustrated because any way you try always remains spare parts, pieces left. But, as you don’t give up, finally relies one part doesn’t belong to the mechanism you’re trying to assemble. It was disturbing all the work. Finally, every piece fits perfectly.
We, the JW, also -I sincerely think so- have one piece deeply disturbing our vision about all. All our eschatology revolves, pivots around it. The day this part would remain outside the picture everything will be brightly clear. Sure you know what I’m referring.
Am I teaching these ideas I sincerely believe to the brothers? Not at all, for the next reasons.
· Loyalty to God’s servants on charge of this enormous responsibility. · It’s perfectly possible I will be wrong, why then insists on the matter? · This behavior would lead to disunion · In reality, Jesus is on charge. If something is wrong with us, let the Master correct the situation, not me! And, as I mentioned in my previous post originated your question,
· I belong to this people, and whatever happens to Jehovah’s people will also happen to me. With affection!
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By Jack Ryan
If Jehovah will cut the Great Tribulation short just to protect Jehovah’s Witnesses and save them, why has he let so many of them die in the decades leading up to the Great Tribulation, either through persecution or unexpected events?
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By Guest Nicole
Has JW.ORG previously announced that the Great Tribulation has already started? Or is it something still to occur in the future?
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By TheWorldNewsOrg · Posted
I look forward to seeing some stunning pictures shared 😉 -
By JW Insider · Posted
A few weeks ago, I mentioned to my wife and kids that I found a person on craigslist selling a $900 Celestron 6SE telescope for $400-something and I offered him $300 to see what he might say. He said he couldn't get the motorized finder and computerized mechanism to work, but that the lens/mirror/scope/accessories were in perfect shape and never really used. He sent pictures and agreed on $350. Then I was embarrassed, and actually not that happy that I had to drop the deal because my 3 kid -
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I am seriously looking for TRUTH. Yes I do feel lost in the wilderness.· 0 replies
But, when Jerusalem was about to be destroyed (70C.E) didn't some return 'home' there, only to perish when the Romans slaughtered them. They returned to Jerusalem because they lost their faith in Almighty God and in the words of Jesus. And therefore they died through lack of faith.
I do not lack faith in Almighty God or in Jesus Christ. But I do lack immediate direction. However, at this moment in time, I would not return to the Jehovah's Witnesses Org. In my opinion that Org will be either made clean or destroyed. Either way, right now I would not want to be part of it.
I also do not pay any attention to those on here that condemn me to death or tell me that I have no hope left.
My faith is not in earthling man. My faith in Almighty God through Jesus Christ.
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Bonjour Éric· 0 replies
Je recherche un discours pour une étudiante. Le thème c'était "Dieu approuve-t-il une religion en particulier ? "
Si tu l'as en audio ou écrit, c'est assez urgent car je la vois cet après-midi.
Merci beaucoup mon frère
Esther😉
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