In the first century C.E., Jesus said that his invisible presence as earth’s new King would be marked by a visible sign. He was asked: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” His reply? “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 24:3, 7, 8.

Accordingly, the war that broke out in 1914 was accompanied by terrible food shortages, since normal food production was disrupted for over four years. What about “earthquakes in one place after another”? In the decade following 1914, no less than ten destructive earthquakes killed over 350,000 people. (See box.) Indeed, the 1914 generation experienced “a beginning of pangs of distress.” And ever since, pangs of distress have struck with regularity in the form of natural disasters, famines, and many, many wars.

Nevertheless, the news of the establishment of God’s Kingdom in 1914 is good news because that Kingdom will save this earth from ruin. How? It will remove all false, hypocritical religions, corrupt governments, and the wicked influence of Satan. (Daniel 2:44; Romans 16:20; Revelation 11:18; 18:4-8, 24) Moreover, it will usher in a new world in which “righteousness is to dwell.”​—2 Peter 3:13.

Soon after World War I, sincere Bible Students, as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then known, began to discern their privilege respecting another aspect of the sign of Jesus’ presence as King. Jesus Christ foretold: “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.”​—Matthew 24:14.

From small beginnings in 1919, Jehovah’s Witnesses have continued without letup to spread “this good news.” As a result, millions from over 200 lands are now being gathered as subjects of God’s Kingdom. And what blessings await these subjects! The Kingdom will abolish war, famine, crime, and oppression. It will even overcome sickness and death!​—Psalm 46:9; 72:7, 12-14, 16; Proverbs 2:21, 22; Revelation 21:3, 4.

Before the 1914 generation passes away, the Kingdom-preaching work will have accomplished its purpose.

[Chart on page 7]

Earthquakes in the Decade Following 1914

Date: Location: Deaths:

January 13, 1915 Avezzano, Italy 32,600

January 21, 1917 Bali, Indonesia 15,000

February 13, 1918 Kwangtung Province, China 10,000

October 11, 1918 Puerto Rico (western) 116

January 3, 1920 Veracruz, Mexico 648

September 7, 1920 Reggio di Calabria, Italy 1,400

December 16, 1920 Ningsia Province, China 200,000

March 24, 1923 Szechwan Province, China 5,000

May 26, 1923 Iran (northeastern) 2,200

September 1, 1923 Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan 99,300

From table “Significant Earthquakes of the World” in the book Terra Non Firma, by James M. Gere and Haresh C. Shah.