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  • Rival Kings in the Time of the End

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  • Rival Kings in the Time of the End
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w20 May pp. 8-11

Rival Kings in the Time of the End

The prophecies mentioned in this chart overlap one another. They prove in multiple ways that we are living in “the time of the end.”​—Dan. 12:4.

A chart showing prophecies and the identity of the king of the north and king of the south from 1870 through present day.
  • Chart 1 of 4, showing overlapping prophecies in the time of the end and covering from about 1870 through 1918. The years from 1914 onward are identified as the time of the end. Prophecy 1: A seven-headed wild beast whose appearance predates the earliest date on the chart. During World War I, the beast’s seventh head is wounded. From 1917 onward, the seventh head is healed and the wild beast recovers. Prophecy 2: The king of the north is identifiable in 1871, and the king of the south is identifiable in 1870. The king of the north reappears in 1871 as Germany. The king of the south is initially identified as Great Britain, but in 1917 is replaced by the Anglo-American World Power. Prophecy 3: Starting in the 1870’s, Charles T. Russell and his associates are identified as the ‘messenger.’ In the early 1880’s, ‘Zion’s Watch Tower’ encourages its readers to preach the good news. Prophecy 4: From 1914 onward, the harvest. The weeds are separated from the wheat. Prophecy 5: From 1917 onward, the feet of iron and clay emerge. Also depicted: World events from 1914 through 1918, World War I. Events affecting Jehovah’s people: From 1914 through 1918, Bible Students in Britain and Germany are imprisoned. In 1918, brothers from headquarters in the United States are imprisoned.
    Prophecy 1.

    Scripture(s) Rev. 11:7; 12:13, 17; 13:1-8, 12

    Prophecy “The wild beast” roams the earth for many centuries. In the time of the end, its seventh head is wounded. Later, that head is healed and “all the earth” follows the beast. Satan uses that beast to “wage war with the remaining ones.”

    Fulfillment After the Flood, human governments opposed to Jehovah emerge. Many centuries later, during World War I, the British Empire is severely weakened. It recovers when it is joined by the United States. Especially in the time of the end, Satan uses his entire political system to persecute God’s people.

  • Prophecy 2.

    Scripture(s) Dan. 11:25-45

    Prophecy Rivalry between the king of the north and the king of the south during the time of the end.

    Fulfillment Germany and Anglo-American powers compete. In 1945 the Soviet Union and its allies become the king of the north. In 1991, the Soviet Union collapses, and in time, Russia and its allies take over the role of the king of the north.

  • Prophecy 3.

    Scripture(s) Isa. 61:1; Mal. 3:1; Luke 4:18

    Prophecy Jehovah sends his “messenger” to “clear up a way” before the Messianic Kingdom is established. This group sets out to “declare good news to the meek.”

    Fulfillment From the 1870’s onward, C. T. Russell and his associates work zealously to explain Bible truths. During the 1880’s, they begin to emphasize that God’s servants need to preach. They publish such articles as “Wanted 1,000 Preachers” and “Anointed to Preach.”

  • Prophecy 4.

    Scripture(s) Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43

    Prophecy An enemy oversows a field of wheat with weeds that are allowed to grow and hide the wheat until the harvest time arrives; then the weeds are separated from the wheat.

    Fulfillment From the late 1800’s onward, true Christians begin to be distinguished from false Christians. During the time of the end, true Christians are gathered and separated from false Christians.

  • Prophecy 5.

    Scripture(s) Dan. 2:31-33, 41-43

    Prophecy The feet of iron and clay belong to an image made of various metals.

    Fulfillment Clay represents the radical and popular elements within the sphere of the Anglo-American World Power. These elements weaken the ability of this world power to act with ironlike strength.

  • Chart 2 of 4, showing overlapping prophecies in the time of the end and covering from about 1919 through 1945. The king of the north is identified as Germany until 1945. The king of the south is identified as the Anglo-American World Power. Prophecy 6: In 1919, anointed Christians are gathered into the restored congregation. From 1919 onward, the preaching work intensifies and continues. Prophecy 7: In 1920, the League of Nations is founded and continues until the start of World War II. Also depicted: Prophecy 1, the seven-headed wild beast, continues. Prophecy 5, the feet of iron and clay, continues. World events from 1939 through 1945, World War II. Events affecting Jehovah’s people: In Germany from 1933 through 1945, over 11,000 Witnesses are imprisoned. In Britain from 1939 through 1945, nearly 1,600 Witnesses are imprisoned. In the United States from 1940 through 1944, over 2,500 mob attacks against Witnesses.
    Prophecy 6.

    Scripture(s) Matt. 13:30; 24:14, 45; 28:19, 20

    Prophecy “The wheat” is gathered into the “storehouse” and “the faithful and discreet slave” is appointed over the “domestics.” The preaching of the “good news of the Kingdom” begins to spread to “all the inhabited earth.”

    Fulfillment In 1919 the faithful slave is appointed over God’s people. From that time onward, the Bible Students step up their preaching activities. Today, Jehovah’s Witnesses preach in over 200 lands and produce Bible-based material in over 1,000 languages.

  • Prophecy 7.

    Scripture(s) Dan. 12:11; Rev. 13:11, 14, 15

    Prophecy A two-horned wild beast takes the lead in creating “an image to the wild beast” and gives “breath to the image.”

    Fulfillment The Anglo-American World Power takes the lead in creating the League of Nations. This organization is supported by other nations. Eventually, the king of the north joins the League as well​—but only from 1926 to 1933. Like the United Nations (UN) after it, the League is given praise that is due God’s Kingdom.

  • Chart 3 of 4, showing overlapping prophecies in the time of the end and covering the time from 1945 through 1991. The king of the north is identified as the Soviet Union and its allies until 1991, and thereafter as Russia and its allies. The king of the south is identified as the Anglo-American World Power. Prophecy 8: A mushroom cloud from an atomic bomb, signifying the vast ruin caused by the Anglo-American World Power. Prophecy 9: The United Nations is founded in 1945, replacing the League of Nations. Also depicted: Prophecy 1, the seven-headed wild beast, continues. Prophecy 5, the feet of iron and clay, continues. Prophecy 6, in 1945 over 156,000 publishers. In 1991, over 4,278,000 publishers. Events affecting Jehovah’s people: In the Soviet Union from 1945 through the 1950’s, thousands of Witnesses were deported to Siberia.
    Prophecy 8.

    Scripture(s) Dan. 8:23, 24

    Prophecy A fierce-looking king brings “ruin in an extraordinary way.”

    Fulfillment The Anglo-American World Power has caused vast ruin. For example, during World War II, the United States caused terrible ruin on an unprecedented scale when it dropped two atomic devices on an enemy of the dual world power.

  • Prophecy 9.

    Scripture(s) Dan. 11:31; Rev. 17:3, 7-11

    Prophecy The “scarlet-colored” beast with ten horns ascends out of the abyss and is an eighth king. The book of Daniel refers to this king as “the disgusting thing that causes desolation.”

    Fulfillment The League of Nations plunges into inactivity during World War II. After the war, the UN is “put in place.” The UN, like the League before it, is given glory that is due God’s Kingdom. The UN will attack religion.

  • Chart 4 of 4, showing overlapping prophecies in the time of the end and covering present day through Armageddon. The king of the north is identified as Russia and its allies. The king of the south is identified as the Anglo-American World Power. Prophecy 10: World leaders proclaim ‘peace and security.’ Thereafter, the great tribulation begins. Prophecy 11: The nations attack false religious institutions. Prophecy 12: The world’s governments attack God’s people. The remaining anointed ones are gathered to heaven. Prophecy 13: Armageddon. The one seated on a white horse completes his conquest. The seven-headed wild beast is destroyed; the giant image is crushed at its feet of iron and clay. Also depicted: Prophecy 1, the seven-headed wild beast, continues until Armageddon. Prophecy 5, the feet of iron and clay, continues until Armageddon. Prophecy 6, today over 8,580,000 publishers. Events affecting Jehovah’s people: In 2017, Russian authorities imprison Witnesses and confiscate branch buildings.
    Prophecies 10 and 11.

    Scripture(s) 1 Thess. 5:3; Rev. 17:16

    Prophecy The nations proclaim “peace and security,” and “the ten horns” and “the wild beast” attack “the prostitute” and destroy her. Thereafter, destruction befalls the nations.

    Fulfillment The nations may claim that they have achieved peace and security. Then, the nations supporting the UN destroy the institutions of false religion. This marks the opening phase of the great tribulation. That tribulation will end with the destruction of the entire world system at Armageddon.

  • Prophecy 12.

    Scripture(s) Ezek. 38:11, 14-17; Matt. 24:31

    Prophecy Gog invades the land of God’s people. Then, angels gather the “chosen ones.”

    Fulfillment The king of the north, acting along with the rest of the world’s governments, attacks God’s people. Some time after the beginning of this attack, the remaining anointed ones are gathered to heaven.

  • Prophecy 13.

    Scripture(s) Ezek. 38:18-23; Dan. 2:34, 35, 44, 45; Rev. 6:2; 16:14, 16; 17:14; 19:20

    Prophecy “The one seated” on a “white horse” completes “his conquest” by destroying Gog and his army. “The wild beast” is “hurled into the fiery lake,” and the giant image is crushed.

    Fulfillment Jesus, the ruling King of God’s Kingdom, comes to the rescue. Together with his 144,000 corulers and his angelic armies, he destroys the coalition of nations, Satan’s entire political system.

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