(formerly the League of Nations). This organization too has the same policy of demanding enforced worship, “it puts under compulsion all persons,” making existence well-nigh impossible unless they openly identify themselves as supporters and worshipers of Satan’s organization.—Rev. 13:15-17.

17. (a) How does Jehovah’s organization stand out in contrast? (b) What is the import of the messages at Revelation 14:6-12?

¹⁷ Then, in strong contrast, at Revelation 14:1-5, is described Jehovah’s organization, with Christ the enthroned king in position as “the Lamb standing upon the mount Zion,” God’s city, and with him the true church, openly identified as worshipers of Jehovah, “the name of his Father written on their foreheads.” “No falsehood [or blasphemy] was found in their mouths.” Then follow the “glad tidings,” which form part of “this good news of the kingdom” now being proclaimed worldwide by Jehovah’s witnesses, announcing the right course, which all must pursue if they would hold their position: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the one that made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.” Immediately following this the judgment is announced, mentioned twice for emphasis as coming on those who worship “the wild beast and its image,” the dwellers at fallen Babylon, Satan’s city or organization. No position of favor or acceptance for them! Instead they cry out to their own tottering organizations: “Fall over us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”—Rev. 14:6-12; 6:16, 17.

18. Why is Jehovah worthy of the rulership and the worship?

¹⁸ As a closing scene, read the words of that grand song sung by those who “come off victorious from the wild beast and from its image,” saying: “Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty. Righteous and true are your ways, King of eternity. Who will not really fear you, Jehovah, and glorify your name, [why?] because you alone are one of loving-kindness? For all the nations will come and worship before you, because your righteous decrees have been made manifest.” Jehovah is worthy indeed to hold the rulership and receive the worship.—Rev. 15:2-4.

“No Need of the Sabbaths”

◆ Two Christian writers who lived in the second century after Christ made these interesting comments about sabbaths: “There was no need of the sabbaths, nor festivals, nor oblations before Moses; so now in like manner, there is no need of them, since Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was by the determinate counsel of God, born of a virgin, of the seed of Abraham, without sin.”—Justin Martyr (Dial. cum. Triph. sec. 23)

◆ “Let them show me that Adam sabbatized, or that Abel, in presenting his holy offering to God, pleased him by Sabbatic observance, or that Enoch who was translated, was an observer of the sabbath, or that Noah, the builder of the Ark, on account of the great deluge, kept the sabbath, or that Abraham amidst sabbath-keeping offered his son Isaac or that Melchisedec in his priesthood received the law of the sabbath. . . . We have nothing to do with the sabbaths, new moons, and feasts in which God at one time took pleasure.”—Tertullian (De Idolatria c. 4 sec. 4; c. 14).