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Jehovah’s Goodness in “the Final Part of the Days”The Watchtower—1985 | July 1
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Jehovah’s Goodness in “the Final Part of the Days”
“Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah.”—ISAIAH 2:3.
1, 2. (a) What grave danger now threatens mankind? (b) What are world leaders saying about Armageddon?
“THE FINAL PART OF THE DAYS.” Why does Bible prophecy repeatedly use this expression? Does it mean that the days of mankind are numbered and that finally our earth and all life upon it will perish in some global catastrophe? World leaders often talk apprehensively of such a possibility. For example, in a television interview on January 13, 1985, Moscow’s foreign minister Andrei Gromyko warned the people of the Soviet Union that “a grave danger, a grave threat is looming over the whole of mankind.” He added: “Everything possible should be done to remove that threat, so that the Armageddon with which people have been scared for centuries should not happen.”
2 On a number of occasions, President Ronald Reagan of the United States has also referred to Armageddon. The New York Daily News of October 30, 1983, quoted him as saying: “I turn back to your ancient prophets in the Old Testament and the signs foretelling Armageddon, and I find myself wondering if—if we’re the generation that is going to see that come about.” More recently, on February 8, 1985, The Wall Street Journal reported: “President Reagan says he thinks and talks about Armageddon, . . . but he isn’t planning for it.”
3. (a) What really is Armageddon? (b) What is meant by “the final part of the days”?
3 Yes, world leaders are talking about Armageddon. But do they realize what that Bible word means? Apparently not, for Armageddon is no man-made holocaust. It is God’s universal war by which he and his associate King, Jesus Christ, execute judgment upon wicked nations and wicked men. It comes as a climax to “the final part of the days.” (Daniel 10:14; Revelation 16:14, 16) And what are we to understand by “the final part of the days”? Other translations render this expression as “the afterpart of the days,” “the latter end of the days.” (Rotherham, Young) The Hebrew words so translated are ‘a·charithʹ hay·ya·mimʹ. According to the Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, they often mean “The End Time,” indicating not merely the future but “how history will culminate, thus its outcome.”
4. How will the “End Time” move to its culmination, and with what outcome?
4 For some 70 years, mankind has been living through “the conclusion of the system of things,” foretold by Jesus at Matthew 24:3–25:46. This period, beginning in 1914, is the “End Time” during which events progressively move forward to their culmination. That will be in the “great tribulation” when all of Satan’s wicked organization will be destroyed. (Matthew 24:21, 22) The grand outcome will be the vindication of Jehovah’s holy name.—Ezekiel 38:16, 23.
Jehovah’s Goodness
5. What encouraging words are found at Hosea 3:5?
5 Jehovah is a God of encouragement. What marvelously stimulating expressions he has scattered throughout his Word, the Holy Bible! One such expression is to be found at Hosea 3:5, which reads: “Afterwards the sons of Israel will come back and certainly look for Jehovah their God, and for David their king; and they will certainly come quivering to Jehovah and to his goodness in the final part of the days.”
6. How has spiritual Israel differed from Christendom’s sects?
6 A remnant of Israel returned from captivity in Babylon in 537 B.C.E. to resume worshiping Jehovah in Jerusalem. Similarly in modern times, in 1919 the anointed remnant of spiritual Israel ‘came back’ from captivity to Satan’s organization, earnestly ‘looking for Jehovah their God.’ How different from the apostate sects of Christendom! None of these want to recognize Jehovah as “their God.” Rather than “look for Jehovah,” they avoid any use of his name.
7. How have Jehovah’s people honored his name?
7 Early in “the final part of the days,” the January 1, 1926, issue of The Watch Tower published the challenging article “Who Will Honor Jehovah?” The regathered remnant of spiritual Israel loyally answered that call, and in 1931 they rejoiced to accept the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Isaiah 43:10, 12) To this day they continue to hold the name of Jehovah prominently before earth’s inhabitants. Why, in 1984 they published, by the millions of copies in many languages, the attractive color brochure entitled The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever.
8, 9. (a) What is meant by ‘looking for David their king’? (b) When and where was the King installed? (c) How did Jehovah’s people come to understand this matter?
8 However, Hosea also foretold that these spiritual sons would “come back and certainly look for . . . David their king.” Fleshly Israel has had no king since the overthrow of the Davidic dynasty in 607 B.C.E. That began 2,520 years of godless rule—“the appointed times of the nations,” or Gentile Times. (Luke 21:24; Daniel 4:16) But in 1914, as “the final part of the days” began, God installed the One whom David typified—Jesus Christ—as King in Zion, the “heavenly Jerusalem.”—Hebrews 12:22; Psalm 2:6.
9 Jehovah’s people on earth did not immediately understand all of this. However, their search for ‘David our king’ was climaxed when The Watch Tower of March 1, 1925, published the article “Birth of the Nation.” This set forth conclusive proof, based on Revelation chapter 12, that Jehovah’s Messianic Kingdom had been born in the heavens in 1914 and that Christ is now ‘ruling in the midst of his enemies.’—Psalm 110:1, 2, King James Version; Ps 2:1-6.
10. (a) Who “come quivering to Jehovah,” and how? (b) Why is “the fear of Jehovah” so important today?
10 The anointed remnant, and indeed all who make a dedication to Jehovah, are deeply conscious of their sins of former times. Humbly, they have “come quivering to Jehovah,” asking forgiveness for past sins. And now as “the final part of the days” moves on toward its climax, lovers of Jehovah watch all the more carefully that they do not transgress against God and his righteous laws. We must continue to “come quivering to Jehovah,” pummeling our bodies, in order to find salvation into God’s New Order. (1 Corinthians 9:27) We must always remember that “the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom.”—Psalm 111:10.
11. (a) In what respects is Jehovah good? (b) Why must we ‘come quivering to Jehovah’s goodness’?
11 How, though, may we “come quivering . . . to his goodness”? Jehovah is altogether good. He is the epitome of moral excellence. He is complete in providing for our every need. Thus, we can confidently say as did David: “Jehovah is my Shepherd. I shall lack nothing. . . . Surely goodness and loving-kindness themselves will pursue me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:1-6) Now, and through to the end of “the final part of the days,” we must ‘come quivering to Jehovah’s goodness,’ confident that our sins will be covered by the precious sacrifice of his Son, Jesus. (1 John 2:1, 2) Thankfully, we declare: “O Jehovah, . . . how abundant your goodness is, which you have treasured up for those fearing you!”—Psalm 31:17, 19.
12. (a) How may we imitate Jehovah’s goodness? (b) Why is it essential that we do so?
12 As Satan’s world sinks ever deeper into the morass of badness, may we imitate Jehovah’s goodness by making known to our neighbors the Kingdom good news and by displaying godly qualities in our own lives. May we really cultivate the fruits of the spirit, including goodness, in all our relationships—in our families, in our congregations, and in our contacts with people of the world. (Galatians 5:22, 23; Psalm 119:65-68) Doing this is essential if we are to survive “the final part of the days.”
Patriarchal Advice
13. (a) Who today may benefit by considering Jacob’s deathbed prophecy? (b) What counsel does that prophecy contain?
13 Some 3,700 years ago, the patriarch Jacob (also named Israel) gave a deathbed prophecy. Addressing his 12 sons, the heads of Israel’s tribes, he said: “Gather yourselves together that I may tell you what will happen to you in the final part of the days.” His words apply today to the remaining ones of spiritual Israel and by extension to their companions, the “other sheep.” None of these may with impunity disregard Jehovah’s moral standards, as did Reuben, nor can they allow room for violent dispositions like those of Simeon and Levi. Rather, they must cultivate qualities such as courage, reliance on Jehovah, and fruitfulness, as displayed by other sons of Israel.—Genesis 49:1, 3-7, 9, 18, 22; John 10:16; compare 2 Peter 1:8-11.a
14. What two related prophecies on the “End Time” provide counsel particularly for the “other sheep”?
14 However, particular counsel is provided for the “other sheep” who have the prospect of surviving the “End Time.” We find this stated, as if for emphasis, in two related Bible prophecies, at Isaiah 2:2-5 and Micah 4:1-5.
Streaming to God’s House
15. (a) How has Isaiah 2:2 been fulfilled? (b) What contrast do meek persons now see, and how do they respond?
15 Isaiah 2:2 reads: “And it must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream.” For more than 50 years, since 1935, these “desirable things of all the nations” have been gathering to Jehovah’s house of worship, ‘filling that house with glory.’ This ‘streaming’ appears to intensify as “the final part of the days” moves ever closer to its culmination. The symbolic mountain of Jehovah’s pure worship is becoming more prominent, so that meek persons can see how it contrasts with the sectarian “hills” and “mountains” of Satan’s permissive world. They “get out” of false religion and flee in growing numbers to Jehovah’s mountain of worship.—Haggai 2:7; Revelation 18:2, 4, 5; Psalm 37:10, 11.
16. (a) What call do meek ones now answer? (b) How is Jehovah fulfilling his promise to “speed it up”?
16 These meek ones answer the call of Isaiah 2:3: “‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.” Already, Jehovah is fulfilling his promise to “speed it up in its own time.” (Isaiah 60:22) An increasing “great crowd . . . out of all nations” are flocking to Jehovah’s worship. Of these, 138,540 were baptized in 1982; 161,896 in 1983; and 179,421 in 1984. They want to be saved through “the final part of the days.”—Revelation 7:9, 14.
17. (a) How may new Witnesses show appreciation for Jehovah’s goodness? (b) What positive commands do all of us need to obey?
17 These new Witnesses appreciate Jehovah’s goodness in bringing them to the light of truth, and they are earnestly desirous of showing goodness to others. They welcome the instruction that Jehovah provides through his Word and his organization. The Law of Moses contained many ‘must nots,’ and Israel properly had to observe these. (See Exodus 20:3-17.) But the two great commandments for Christians, as stated by Jesus, are positive commands to ‘love Jehovah our God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourself.’ (Mark 12:29-31) Unitedly, Jehovah’s Witnesses now obey the “law” that God sends forth from the “heavenly Jerusalem,” applying its righteous principles.
18. (a) What kinds of rules do we need to observe? (b) Of what advantage is it to obey healthful rules?
18 This does not mean, however, that Jehovah’s people do not need to observe any rules. The apostle Paul reminds us: “Let all things take place decently and according to order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40, NW Ref. Bi., footnote) A few rules may be needed at our Kingdom Halls, for example, to economize on the use of electricity or to prevent young children from using God’s house of worship as a playground after meetings. Family heads may need to make some orderly arrangements, such as providing for regular consideration of the daily Bible text in the home. In Bethel families there are rules, such as requiring that family members adorn the good news by modest dress and grooming. (1 Timothy 2:9) The “scrolls” to be opened during Jesus’ Thousand Year Reign will no doubt contain rules that will benefit mankind. It is good now to become accustomed to obeying healthful rules that are made for orderliness and out of consideration for others.—Revelation 20:12; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:3, 4.
In This World of Violence
19, 20. (a) How have Jehovah’s people reacted to the principle at Micah 4:3? (b) How is this benefiting them during “the final part of the days”?
19 We are moving rapidly toward the time when every man’s hand will “come up against the hand of his companion.” (Zechariah 14:13) As the world becomes ever more lawless and violent, how do Jehovah’s people react? They act in harmony with Micah 4:3, which says: “They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.” Jehovah’s Witnesses renounce every kind of violence. “Neither will they learn war anymore.” Doubtless, this will continue to work to their advantage throughout “the final part of the days.” It has done so already.
20 For example, when the July 15, 1983, Watchtower magazine pointed out that guns were not for Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses in New Caledonia got rid of their firearms. Shortly thereafter, a local political group searched through a town, burning down every house where they found firearms. But no Witness houses were destroyed. Known neutrality is often the best defense, as has proved true in Northern Ireland, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, and other lands.
21. (a) What call should we answer, and what resolve should we make if we want to be truly happy? (b) How may we be assured of sharing in Jehovah’s goodness?
21 Happy we are if we answer the call of Isaiah 2:5: “Come and let us walk in the light of Jehovah”! Happy, too, are all of us who join in the firm resolve expressed by the prophet Micah who, after describing the paradisaic security and peace that exist among God’s own people, goes on to say: “All the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god; but we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah our God to time indefinite, even forever.” Surely Jehovah’s goodness will be expressed toward all of us who continue to unite peacefully in true worship, for survival through “the final part of the days.”
[Footnotes]
a See the Watchtower issues of June 15 and July 1, 1962, for a detailed discussion of Jacob’s prophecy.
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Triumphing in “the Final Part of the Days”The Watchtower—1985 | July 1
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Triumphing in “the Final Part of the Days”
“There exists a God in the heavens who is a Revealer of secrets, and he has made known . . . what is to occur in the final part of the days.”—DANIEL 2:28.
1. (a) How are the prophecies of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel of vital interest to us today? (b) Why were those inspired writings preserved?
JEREMIAH, EZEKIEL, DANIEL—what thrilling prophecies those names bring to mind! Almost 2,600 years ago, those three courageous servants of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah lived through the final days of an apostate Jerusalem, though serving in different locations and under far different circumstances. But each from his own vantage point prophesied concerning events that would culminate in a later “final part of the days.” Those inspired writings have been preserved for the encouragement of all who love God and righteousness, and who desire to survive the “great tribulation” that impends in our time.—Matthew 24:3-22; Romans 15:4.
2. Why did Jeremiah need strength from Jehovah?
2 Jeremiah prophesied at Jerusalem. As calamity approached, both rulers and people had fallen into lawlessness and corruption. Hence, Jehovah strengthened his prophet like “a fortified copper wall” to stand firm amid their badness.—Jeremiah 15:11, 20; 23:13, 14.
Prophets of Peace
3. What false words were the prophets speaking?
3 Concerning Jerusalem’s delinquent religious leaders, Jehovah declared through Jeremiah: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you people. They are making you become vain. The vision of their own heart is what they speak—not from the mouth of Jehovah. They are saying again and again to those who are disrespectful of me, ‘Jehovah has spoken: “Peace is what you people will come to have.”’” Those false prophets were saying, “There is peace! There is peace!” when there was no peace.—Jeremiah 23:16, 17; 6:14.
4. To what hope do many in Christendom cling?
4 Likewise, in apostate Christendom today, there are prophets of peace. Many of these cling to what Pope Paul VI described as “the last hope of concord and peace,” the United Nations. Shortly, that body is to proclaim 1986 as the International Year of Peace. In announcing its intention to participate in the Year, the Holy See declared that it “nourishes the hope that this Year will produce the desired results and will mark a significant stage in bringing about peaceful relations among peoples and nations.” But is it realistic to expect the nations to establish true peace?
5. What does Jehovah foretell, and how will it be fulfilled in “the final part of the days”?
5 God himself describes what will happen: “Look! The windstorm of Jehovah, rage itself, will certainly go forth, even a whirling tempest. Upon the head of the wicked ones it will whirl itself. The anger of Jehovah will not turn back until he will have carried out and until he will have made the ideas of his heart come true. In the final part of the days you people will give your consideration to it with understanding [or, “you will fully understand,” The New English Bible].” (Jeremiah 23:19, 20; see also 30:23, 24.) Yes, the leaders of false religion will come to understand what “the final part of the days” means for them. But any consideration they give to it will be too late!—Compare Revelation 18:10, 16; 19:11-16; Matthew 24:30.
6. What happy outcome will there be for many?
6 Happily, though, many individuals who were once captives to false religion are ‘giving consideration to it.’ They answer the call: “Get out of her [false religion], my people,” since they do not want to share in her sins or receive part of God’s judgment against her. If you are one of these, may you continue to heed what God’s Word says about “the final part of the days” and the glorious era of peace to follow.—Revelation 18:2, 4, 5; 21:3, 4.
Attack by Gog
7. Under what circumstances did Ezekiel prophesy?
7 How do God’s own people fare during “the final part of the days”? Let the prophet Ezekiel tell us. As a young man, he doubtless knew Jeremiah, but then Ezekiel was carried away to Babylonia. There, by the river Chebar, he was commissioned in 613 B.C.E. to act as Jehovah’s prophet and watchman on behalf of the Jews in exile, a service that he faithfully carried out for at least 22 years. However, his prophecies look far beyond his own time. In chapters 38 and 39, he tells about ‘Gog of Magog.’
8, 9. (a) What major issue must be settled, and when? (b) Who is Gog, who follow him, and what policy does he pursue? (c) What will Jehovah do to Gog?
8 Who is this ‘Gog of Magog’? Well, who is Jehovah’s arch enemy with whom he must settle the major issue of “the final part of the days,” that of universal sovereignty? He is Satan the Devil, whom the Shepherd-King, Jesus Christ, hurled down from heaven following His own enthronement in 1914. The debased and angry Gog is now confined to a limited spirit realm, “the land of Magog,” close to this earth. This means “woe for the earth” because Gog knows that time is short for carrying out his nefarious policy of ‘rule or ruin.’—Ezekiel 37:24-28; 38:1, 2; Revelation 11:18; 12:9-17.
9 Ezekiel quotes the Sovereign Lord Jehovah as saying: “Here I am against you, O Gog, you head chieftain [world ruler] . . . And I shall certainly turn you around and put hooks in your jaws and bring you forth with all your military force, . . . many peoples with you.” (Ezekiel 38:3-6; John 12:31) Yes, Gog has many peoples with him, for “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) Yet, Jehovah can put figurative hooks in Gog’s jaws to maneuver him. But why, and how?
10. (a) In contrast to the nations, where do Jehovah’s Witnesses place their trust? (b) Why do Gog and his mob become enraged? (c) We must do what in order to survive?
10 Under Gog’s prompting, the superpowers today argue that world peace depends on their stockpiling ever more horrendous nuclear armaments. And other nations lend their support. However, God’s people “gathered together out of the nations” have renounced weapons of violence. Jehovah’s Witnesses are the only “nation” on earth that can truthfully state, “In God we trust.” (Isaiah 2:4; 31:1; Proverbs 3:5) These peaceable witnesses of Jehovah are “dwelling in security, all of them dwelling without wall, and they do not have even bar and doors.” They are “dwelling in the center of the earth,” for in all nations, they hold the center stage as the one people that Gog has not overreached. (Ezekiel 38:11, 12) Hence, the infuriated Gog of Magog brings his entire demonic organization to the war zone. Like a roaring lion, the debased Satan gets ready for an all-out assault. For survival, we must all ‘take our stand against him, solid in the faith.’—1 Peter 5:8, 9.
11. How does Jehovah ‘bring Gog against His land,’ and for what purpose?
11 Jehovah instructs Ezekiel: “Therefore prophesy, O son of man, and you must say to Gog, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “Will it not be in that day when my people [spiritual] Israel are dwelling in security that you will know it?”’” Gog and his mob envy the security and prosperity that they see among Jehovah’s Witnesses today. They are enraged that these should make themselves “no part of [Satan’s] world.” Thus Jehovah taunts Gog, arousing him to attack the defenseless Witnesses. Jehovah tells Gog: “You will be bound to come up against my people Israel, like clouds to cover the land. In the final part of the days it will occur, and I shall certainly bring you against my land, for the purpose that the nations may know me when I sanctify myself in you before their eyes, O Gog.”—Ezekiel 38:14, 16; John 17:14, 16.
12. According to Ezekiel 38:18-23, what is the outcome of Gog’s attack?
12 The enraged Gog moves to invade the prosperous “land” of Jehovah’s people. However, is Gog the only one to be enraged? What of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah’s rage against Gog and his dupes? At Ezekiel 38:18-23 Jehovah describes how he ‘sanctifies himself in the eyes of the nations’ by bringing Gog to ruin and rescuing his loyal servants. Closing out the report of his triumph over Gog and his mob, the Sovereign Lord himself declares: “They will have to know that I am Jehovah.” His glorious name is vindicated!
‘Secrets Revealed’
13. How did Daniel set a fine example for youthful Witnesses?
13 While Ezekiel was prophesying among the exiled Jews near Babylon, youthful Daniel, who was of princely Jewish descent, was being educated in the royal court of Nebuchadnezzar. There, as an integrity keeper, he set a fine example for all young servants of Jehovah today.—Daniel 1:8, 9.
14. In what matter did young Daniel give all credit to God?
14 In the second year after Jerusalem’s fall, Nebuchadnezzar was agitated by a dream. On awakening, he could not even remember the dream. But God-fearing Daniel made known to the king both the dream and its interpretation. In doing so, he gave God all the credit, saying to the king: “There exists a God in the heavens who is a Revealer of secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what is to occur in the final part of the days.” (Daniel 2:28). What do we learn from the dream and its application to “the final part of the days”?
15, 16. What is the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream?
15 Here we see a colossus, an immense image, made up for the most part of different metals in succession. Daniel explains that these represent a series of kingdoms and tells Nebuchadnezzar, “You yourself are the head of gold,” referring apparently to the Babylonian dynasty. There follow other world powers, the silver breasts and arms standing for Medo-Persia, the copper belly and thighs for Greece, and the iron legs for Rome and, later, the world power of Britain and America. (Daniel 2:31-40) Down through “the appointed times of the nations,” from 607 B.C.E. to 1914 C.E., these powers have held sway in the kingdom of ‘the god of this world.’—Luke 21:24; 4:5, 6; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
16 However, it is “in the final part of the days” that “the offspring of mankind,” the common man, comes to the fore. In many lands kings, kaisers, and czars are replaced by revolutionary and democratic rulers. Human misrule of the earth becomes a hodgepodge of harsh dictatorships and more pliable democratic forms of government. Like iron and clay, these do not mix. Even in the United Nations they do not cleave together but engage, rather, in angry debates and threats. Truly, ‘the kingdom proves to be divided.’—Daniel 2:41-43.
17. How is the prophecy fulfilled at “the final part of the days”?
17 Thus, in “the final part of the days,” the issue of world domination comes to its culmination. And what is the solution? Look! Already set in motion since 1914 is God’s Messianic Kingdom. It is the “stone” cut out of the “mountain” of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty. No human politician shares in that! Here it comes, right on course, with pinpoint accuracy. At God’s due time, it smashes the feet of the image and grinds the entire colossus to powder. Like chaff before the wind, man-rule is carried away, with no trace being left. But the “stone”—the Kingdom of the grand God and his Christ—becomes a large mountain that fills the whole earth. That kingdom ‘will never be brought to ruin and will never be passed on to any other people.’ It will stand forever. How we thank Jehovah for his advance ‘revealing’ of such secrets!—Daniel 2:29, 44, 45.
A Modern-Day “Pushing”
18. (a) What later vision was given to Daniel? (b) What is remarkable about this vision?
18 However, Daniel had something more to say about human government and “the final part of the days.” Some 70 years after making known Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the aged Daniel was still in Babylon but serving under Cyrus, king of Persia. While he was on the bank of the river Hiddekel, an angel appeared to him, saying: “I have come to cause you to discern what will befall your people in the final part of the days, because it is a vision yet for the days to come.” (Daniel 10:14) The angel went on to describe in great detail rulers and events that would appear in the history of Persian, Greek, Egyptian, Roman, Germanic, Anglo-American, and socialistic forms of rulership. How remarkable that all this history, covering more than 2,500 years, could be written in advance! It gives us great confidence in the inspired prophetic Word of Jehovah God!a
19. What modern events does the prophecy foretell?
19 This prophecy tells that, in the course of time, two superpowers would appear, “the king of the south” and “the king of the north.” At last, the angel says, the northern king will “magnify himself above every god; and against the God of gods he will speak marvelous things”—not favorable things, for it is ‘to the god of fortresses that he gives glory.’ Against this boastful “king,” there is pitted “the king of the south,” who is also powerful in military might. As foretold, these two kings “engage . . . in a pushing.” The modern-day cold war between the superpowers is well illustrated by this. At times they ‘push’ rather rudely as they argue for some parity of nuclear armaments, while escalating their war preparations to the limit.—Daniel 11:36-45.
20. What determines the outcome, and how is “Michael” involved in this?
20 Though the prophecy predicts that “the king of the north” will storm like a flood into many lands, that will not determine the outcome. The determining factor is stated at Daniel 12:1: “And during that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people.” This Michael is Jesus Christ, who ‘stood up’ in his Kingdom in 1914, promptly to eject Satan from the heavens. And it is this “King of kings” who goes into action at Armageddon to consign all “the kings of the earth,” including those of the “north” and the “south,” to destruction.—Revelation 12:7-10; 19:11-19.
21. What, then, is the outcome at “the final part of the days”?
21 There, at the culmination of “the final part of the days,” the outcome will become apparent, with the triumph of God’s Kingdom. The angel describes it in these further words: “And there will certainly occur a time of distress such as has not been made to occur since there came to be a nation until that time.”—Daniel 12:1; compare Jeremiah 25:31-33; Mark 13:19.
22. As God’s people, how should we react to these prophecies and with what prospect?
22 Should we fear that time of tribulation and distress? Not if we are on Jehovah’s side, for the angel goes on to say: “During that time your people will escape, every one who is found written down in the book.” (Daniel 12:1) Let all of us, therefore, apply ourselves in diligent Bible study and exert ourselves in serving Jehovah. Thus, at “the final part of the days,” may we find our names written in God’s “book of remembrance” that is “written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and for those thinking upon his name.” (Malachi 3:16) So doing, we shall be privileged to share in his triumph “in the final part of the days.”
[Footnotes]
a For details, see the book “Your Will Be Done on Earth,” published in 1958 by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., pages 220-323.
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