16, 17. How did Jehovah make his glory shine forth upon his womanlike organization in 1914, and what command did he give her?

¹⁶ In soul-stirring language, the Scriptures describe the manner in which divine light is being diffused to people everywhere. Isaiah 60:1-3, which is addressed to Jehovah’s “woman,” or his heavenly organization of loyal servants, says: “Arise, O woman, shed forth light, for your light has come and upon you the very glory of Jehovah has shone forth. For, look! darkness itself will cover the earth, and thick gloom the national groups; but upon you Jehovah will shine forth, and upon you his own glory will be seen. And nations will certainly go to your light, and kings to the brightness of your shining forth.”

18. (a) Why does darkness cover the earth, as foretold at Isaiah 60:2? (b) How can individuals be delivered from earth’s darkness?

¹⁸ In contrast, darkness covers the earth and thick gloom the national groups. Why? Because the nations reject the government of God’s dear Son in favor of human rule. They think that by getting rid of one form of human government and adopting another, they will solve their problems. But this does not bring the relief they hope for. They fail to see who is behind the scenes maneuvering the nations from the spirit realm. (2 Corinthians 4:4) They reject the Source of true light and are therefore in darkness. (Ephesians 6:12) Regardless of what the nations do, however, individuals can be delivered from that darkness. In what way? By putting full faith in the Kingdom of God and submitting to it.

19, 20. (a) Why and how has Jehovah’s glory shone upon Jesus’ anointed followers? (b) For what reason has Jehovah made his anointed ones light bearers? (c) As foretold, how have “kings” and “nations” been drawn to God-given light?

¹⁹ Christendom has not put faith in God’s Kingdom and has not submitted to it. But the spirit-anointed followers of Jesus Christ have. As a result, Jehovah’s light of divine approval has shone upon these visible representatives of his heavenly woman, and his glory has been manifest upon them. (Isaiah 60:19-21) They enjoy spiritual light that no change in the world’s political or economic scene can take away. They have experienced Jehovah’s deliverance from Babylon the Great. (Revelation 18:4) They enjoy his smile of approval because they have accepted his discipline and have loyally upheld his sovereignty. They have bright prospects for the future, and they rejoice in the hope he has set before them.