Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): Rr ch. 17 paras. 15-21.
When, why and how will Gog invade "the earth"?
15, 16. When will Gog of Magog invade our restored spiritual land?
Thinking that very soon a coalition of nations will invade our precious spiritual land is not just anything. This attack has to do with us who support the pure worship of Jehovah, and so we want to know more about it. Let's see the answer to the next three questions.
When will Gog of Magog invade our restored spiritual land? The prophecy gives the answer: "In the final part of the years, you will invade the earth" (Ezek. 38: 8). These words indicate that the attack will be near the end of this system. Let us remember that the great tribulation will begin with the destruction of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. After the organizations of false religion have been destroyed and before Armageddon begins, Gog will launch a final and all-out attack on the true servants of God.
17, 18. How will Jehovah conduct affairs during the great tribulation?
Why will Gog invade the restored land of Jehovah's servants? In Ezekiel's prophecy we find two reasons. First, because Jehovah is the one who will direct the affairs; second, because Gog will have bad intentions.
Jehovah will direct matters. --Read Ezekiel 38: 4, 16. Let's see what God says to Gog: "I will put hooks in your jaws", and "I will bring you against my land." Does this mean that Jehovah will compel the nations to attack his servants? Of course not! Jehovah would never do anything wrong to his people (Job 34:12). But he knows his enemies very well. He knows that they hate his faithful servants and could not miss the opportunity to exterminate them.(1 John 3:13). As if putting hooks into Gog's jaws and dragging him away, Jehovah will direct matters so that everything happens according to his will and schedule. At some point after the destruction of Babylon the Great, Jehovah may somehow push the nations to do something they already wanted to do: pounce on God's people. In this way, Jehovah will set the stage for the attack that will lead to Armageddon, the world's greatest war. Then he will save his people, raise his sovereignty, and sanctify his holy name (Ezek. 38:23).
19. What will drive Gog to take away pure worship from us?
Gog will have bad intentions. The nations will hatch "a wicked plan." They will unleash the hatred and rage they have felt for so long against Jehovah's servants, who at that moment will appear vulnerable, as if they lived "in defenseless towns, without walls or bars or gates." The na tions will also be eager to "loot and get a great booty" of the people "that is accumulating wealth" (Ezek . 38: 10-12). What "riches" is it? Jehovah's people have great spiritual riches, and the most valuable thing we have is the honor of giving God our pure and exclusive worship. The nations will try to take that honor away from us, but they will not do so because they value pure worship, but because they hate it and because they hate those who contribute to its expansion.
ILLUSTRATION
World and military leaders gathered to end pure worship. They are checking our publications, talking on the phone, and video surveillance of our theocratic activities.
Gog will hatch "a wicked plan" to end pure worship, but he will fail. (See paragraph 19)
20. How will Gog invade the earth or spiritual paradise?
How will Gog invade the earth or spiritual paradise? Nations may try to interfere in our lives and prevent us from worshiping Jehovah. To do this they may try to cut off the supply of spiritual food, prevent us from having our meetings, break the unity we enjoy, and stop the preaching of God's message. All these things are part of our spiritual paradise. Satan will incite the nations to wipe both Jehovah's true servants and pure worship off the map.
21. Why are we grateful that Jehovah has warned us of an event that is so close?
Gog de Magog's close attack will affect all true Christians living on the spiritual land that God gave us. How grateful we are that Jehovah has alerted us to an event that is just around the corner! As the great tribulation comes, let's support pure worship and show that this is the most important thing in our lives. By doing this, we will help make the restored land more beautiful now. Full of hope, we look forward to seeing with our own eyes something truly spectacular that will happen very soon: Jehovah will rise to protect his people and defend his holy name at Armageddon. And that's what we'll see in the next chapter.
PURE WORSHIP AND YOU
Who is Gog de Magog, and how do we know?
Gog de Magog is not the Devil, but a coalition, or group, of nations. The Bible mentions Gog de Magog's attack, but also that of the “king of the north” and that of “the kings of the earth.” Are these separate attacks? It seems not. Apparently this is the same attack under different names. How do we know? Because the Scriptures tell us that all the nations of the earth will participate in the attack that will unleash the war of Armageddon.
What does the spiritual land represent, and how can you beautify it?
A spiritually prosperous and safe situation, an environment where we worship the true God by performing various spiritual activities. On this "land" we live together in safety and enjoy peace and harmony. We receive a lot of spiritual food and we have a job that we love: proclaiming the Kingdom of God. No matter in which corner of the planet we live, we will be on this earth the spiritual paradise, we can beautify it by supporting with all our soul pure worship, both by words and actions.
As the great tribulation comes, what should we do, and why?
As the great tribulation comes, let's support pure worship and show that this is the most important thing in our lives.
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