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Deliverance from the Authority of DarknessThe Watchtower—1971 | July 15
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He says that “the eager expectation of the creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God . . . [and] that the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Showing that by the word “creation” he has the entire human family in mind, as distinct from the Christian congregation, Paul next says: “For we know that all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now. Not only that, but we ourselves also who have the first fruits, namely, the spirit, yes, we ourselves groan within ourselves, while we are earnestly waiting for [the final] adoption as sons, the release from our bodies by ransom.”—Rom. 8:19-23.
10. What “eager expectation” is about to be fulfilled? By what events since 1914?
10 What a glorious conception and description of the outworking of God’s purpose! At the same time, it recognizes the pressures and sufferings that cause all of us to groan. In addition, what makes this a matter of intense interest is the fact that this “eager expectation” is about to be fulfilled! In 1914 the great change in the sovereignty of this world took place. “Loud voices occurred in heaven, saying: ‘The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.’” Next, there was announced the arrival of “the appointed time for the dead to be judged.” (Rev. 11:15, 18) As other scriptures show that judgment starts with the house of God, this meant the resurrection from the sleep of death for those of the Christian congregation who had ‘proved faithful even to death.’ Shortly, these will be closely associated with Christ Jesus in heaven in bruising the head of the serpent, Satan the Devil, after God’s war at Armageddon. Thus these “sons of God,” with Christ Jesus, the foremost “Son of God,” will be revealed.—1 Pet. 4:17; 1 Thess. 4:16; 2 Thess. 1:7, 10; Rev. 2:10; 16:14-16; 19:11–20:3; Rom. 16:20; John 1:34.
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Deliverance from the Authority of DarknessThe Watchtower—1971 | July 15
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12. (a) What events have already led to an identifying of the sons of God? (b) Who have recognized this, resulting in what blessings?
12 In reply to the disciples’ question: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” Jesus foretold certain activities that would take place under his direction, following his enthronement in 1914. Since that time there has been a remnant of the Christian congregation still on earth, who, through the ministry of the angels, and a trumpetlike call, have been gathered into a close unity. This has led to the clear identification of “the faithful and discreet slave” class, appointed over all Christ’s Kingdom interests. Also, since his enthronement, attended by “all the angels with him,” he has, through the Kingdom message given as a witness to all the nations, caused a separation of the people “one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matt. 24:3, 14, 31, 45-47; 25:31, 32) In other words, there has already occurred an identifying “of the sons of God,” those with the heavenly hope. So growing numbers of “all creation” have gladly recognized these spiritual “brothers” of Christ Jesus, and have ministered and done good things to them, as Jesus foretold at Matthew 25:34-40. These growing numbers constitute a “great crowd . . . out of all nations,” pictured as “before the throne of God,” enjoying his favor, and “rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple,” that is, at the spiritual temple that God pitched, and in close unity with the “temple” class of Christ’s “brothers.” This is the happy experience of Jehovah’s witnesses, and is in full harmony with Jesus’ words at John 10:16: “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold [of the “little flock”]; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, [under] one shepherd.”—Rom. 8:19, 22; Heb. 8:2; 9:11; Rev. 7:9, 15; Eph. 2:21, 22.
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