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The Revelation of Jesus ChristThe Watchtower—1954 | June 15
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his revelation in symbolic fire for execution of judgment at the battle of Armageddon must follow very shortly. (Matt. 24:34) All persons of right heart toward God and his sent-forth One will eagerly lay aside all other interests as of secondary importance and, having their minds braced up with accurate knowledge, will plunge wholeheartedly into the only activity that can bring deliverance.
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Maintaining the Way of FavorThe Watchtower—1954 | June 15
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Maintaining the Way of Favor
1. (a) What is the purpose of Christ’s return as contrasted with that of his first presence? (b) How will he make his presence known?
NO MAN can look upon God and live. That is because God is spirit and far above man’s natural ability to see. After Jesus’ death as a human he was raised to immortality as a spirit in the express image of God, so that now it is impossible for man to see the glorified Christ Jesus either. Yet he promised to return and reveal himself to the world of mankind. This he will do not by appearing in the flesh, since he would thereby be unable to accomplish the purpose of his visit, but he will make his presence known to mankind first by the many evidences that were foretold to mark his return. However, not all persons will accept these evidences as a sign that Christ has taken up his invisible position as regards the earth or that he has actually been sent forth in Kingdom power to begin his reign. But as his first presence was to prove his right to the Kingdom, so the purpose of his return is to establish that kingdom in full power and glory and make all persons, nations, and even Satan himself, subject to that righteous rule. Therefore, those who refuse to accept this royal representative of Jehovah’s sovereignty by recognizing his dominion through the sign that has been divinely foretold and manifested must be forced to recognize his presence through the revelation of the fiery execution of judgment against them.
2. Why was the beginning of Jesus’ presence in 1914 not marked by a “revelation”?
2 Jehovah does not delight in the execution of the wicked. (Ezek. 18:23) That is why when Christ returned in 1914 he did not reveal himself “in a flaming fire” to bring due punishment upon those not knowing God. After the war in heaven had accomplished a successful purpose and Satan with all his demons had been ousted and cast down to the earth, Christ Jesus halted this first exercise of Kingdom power. (Rev. 12:7-9) In giving the sign of his return and of the end of Satan’s system of things Jesus said: “Unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.” (Matt. 24:22, NW) So he temporarily brought an end to the hot war against Satan in order that he might accomplish another purpose of God. (Rev. 7:1-3) It is a time of judgment, a time of showing favor to those whom God approves.
TIME OF DECISION
3. (a) What illustration did Jesus give to show his manifestation must precede his revelation? (b) What is indicated in some being “taken along”?
3 After Jesus had cited the examples of Noah and Lot to show the nature of his presence and revelation he then gave evidence to show that his manifestation must precede the execution of adverse judgment. He said: “Then two men will be in the
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