THE COMPOSITE SIGN

It is only a part of the composite sign.

² In answer, Jesus described a composite “sign” consisting of evidence that would prove that the Jewish system was soon to end.

3. In speaking of another sign, what added developments did Jesus foretell?

³ After Luke’s mention of the appointed times of the nations, the parallel accounts in Matthew, Mark, and Luke describe a further series of developments that include a sign in addition to the composite ‘sign of the conclusion of the system of things.’ (Matthew 24:3) (On page 15, this point in the account is marked off by a double line.)

Regarding the conclusion of this present world, or system of things, Jesus described several features that, taken together, would be a composite sign identifying the last days.

Is that composite sign being fulfilled?

Hence, for our day, the visionary man “clothed with linen, with a secretary’s inkhorn at his hips,” must picture a modern composite man, that is, a united group of men, all working together under one headship in the one same work, with the same one end in view, in the service of Jehovah, “the King of eternity.”

23, 24. (a) Why are the natural Jews not fulfilling the vision of the linen-clad man? (b) Are the clergy of Christendom doing the secretarial work for Jehovah, and what is the reason?

²³ Just because this composite “secretary” is in Jehovah’s service, it does not today mean a Jewish group of people.

4. What composite “sign” did Jesus give, and what did it include?

⁴ The Great Prophet, Jesus Christ, gave a composite “sign” of things that would occur to mark not only the conclusion of the Jewish system of things in the first century but the end of the worldwide system of things today.

They would not see any meaning in the composite “sign” given by Jesus, as recorded in Matthew, chapters 24 and 25, nor in the other signs that would mark our momentous time, such as the general corrupting of society and the ruining of the earth.

This composite “steward” was alive and available for being appointed by the departing Master, and a remnant of that “steward” class is on earth today and proving faithful to the Master Jesus Christ.

Through the composite “steward” class this purpose has been fulfilled down till now.

Re Chapter 17 of the book of Revelation foretells a composite political organization, combining in itself the remnants of the world powers of history.

Even as the governments represented by the “ten horns” gained increased authority on a world scale through association with the composite political organization, so too we see that even small nations have gained a voice, importance and power through their membership in the United Nations.​—Rev. 17:7-13.a

It is, therefore, a composite sign, and the appearance of all these events and conditions would thus “spell out” that visible sign and open the eyes of their readers to perceive that the ‘sign of the Son of man has appeared in heaven.’

Read for yourself the description of the multiple features and details of this composite sign as given by Jesus at Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 and Revelation 6:1-8, including global wars, widespread food shortages, pestilences, earthquakes in many places, increase of lawlessness, anxiety and fear of the future, and an earthwide preaching of the “good news of the kingdom” by persons who would be persecuted in all nations.

This signifies that such earth-wide preaching of the Kingdom would be part of the composite “sign” that would mark “the conclusion of the system of things.”

Yes, they would be helpful to us in seeing the composite “sign” with understanding.

Such a “dominion” as this Jehovah by Christ has given into the hand of the “steward” class, and this composite “steward” has faithfully and discreetly exercised this “dominion” till now.

The composite “steward” class has shown itself worthy of shouldering the royal “key of the house of David.”

Similarly, the “lawless one,” the “man of lawlessness,” was not to be one man, but a composite rebellious body of men. (2 Thess. 2:3)

Discussing the revealing of this rebellious composite “man of lawlessness,” Paul said: “But the lawless one’s presence is according to the operation of Satan with every powerful work and lying signs and portents and with every unrighteous deception for those who are perishing.”​—2 Thess. 2:9, 10.

It is evident that by the use of this expression the Holy Bible means a composite “man,” who exists over a long period of time and whose makeup and personnel change as time goes by.

This rebellion being (as discussed in our previous issue) against Jehovah God, it is no cause for surprise that this composite “man” should try to make a god of himself, as did the great rebel Satan the Devil, whom the Bible calls “the god of this system of things.” (2 Cor. 4:4)

Rather, we should look for a body of persons, a composite, unified group.

In the past God has addressed a composite group of persons by the word “servant” (singular number). (Isa. 43:10)

They were one composite “servant” of their Divine Ruler, whose witnesses they were.

This composite “servant” is the one whom Jesus Christ had in mind when he spoke of his going away and his returning, saying: “Who really is the faithful steward, the discreet one, whom his master will appoint over his body of attendants to keep giving them their measure of food supplies at the proper time?

Of course, she is no individual woman but is a composite bride, an organization made up of people.

This composite bride is also spoken of as the “little flock” to whom God will give the Kingdom (Luke 12:32), and who are to be kings and priests with Christ. (Rev. 20:4, 6)

Under the term “slave” Christ’s anointed followers of today are viewed as a class, a composite slave or composite servant.