Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): rr chap. 22 paras. 23-31 and box 22A.
23. What situation will each person face?
For a short time, Satan will try to turn human beings away from God. That will be the final test. And what will it consist of? Without a doubt, each person will face a situation similar to the one Adam and Eve experienced: either worship Jehovah, accept his standards and support his rule, or rebel against God and side with the Devil.
24. Why are the rebels called “Gog” and “Magog”?
Read Revelation 20:7-10. It is interesting that those who rebel after the 1,000 years are called "Gog" and "Magog. "And it is that they have characteristics very similar to those of the "Gog of the land of Magog" mentioned in Ezekiel's prophecy (Ezek. 38:2). That group of rebels, made up of nations that are enemies of Jehovah's government, is the one that attacks the people of God during the great tribulation. Those who rebel at the end of the Thousand Year Reign of Christ are also called “nations”, and that tells us a lot. Why? Because during the Thousand Year Reign the world will no longer be divided into nations; all its inhabitants will be subjects of a single government, the Kingdom of God. We will form a spiritual nation. By calling these rebels “Gog” and “Magog” and calling them “nations,” the prophecy indicates that Satan will foment divisions and cause some to separate from God's people. Nobody will be forced to take the side of the Devil. Each person, who will already be perfect, will make his own decision.
ILLUSTRATION:
A rebel inciting the crowds to protest. The protest occurs at the end of the Thousand Year Reign of Christ.
Those who rebel after the 1,000 years are called "Gog" and "Magog." (See paragraph 24).
25, 26. (a) How many will join Satan? b) How will the rebels end?
How many will join Satan? The rebels will be as many "as the sand of the sea". This expression does not necessarily indicate that a large percentage of humanity will rebel. Why do we say that? Let's think about the promise that God made to Abraham. Jehovah told him that his offspring would be “like the grains of sand that are on the seashore.” Gen. 22:17, 18. But the members of his seed turned out to be 144,001 (Gal. 3:16, 29). Although it is a significant amount, it is actually only a small part of humanity. Something similar will happen to those who join Satan: it will be a significant amount, but not exaggerated. So the rebels will not pose much of a threat to Jehovah's loyal servants.
Those who join the rebellion will soon be exterminated. They will disappear along with Satan and the demons; they will have no chance to live again. The only thing that will remain of them will be the eternal memory of their bad decisions and the price they had to pay (Rev. 20:10).
27-29. What life will lie ahead for those who pass the final test?
27 Instead, the names of those who pass the final test will be written forever in “the book of life ” (Rev. 20:15). Then, as a united family, all of Jehovah's loyal children will give him the worship he so richly deserves.
28 Imagine that future. You have a wonderful life ahead of you: a life in which neither you nor your loved ones will have to suffer again. Your work will be rewarding and you will be surrounded by real friends. At that time, Jehovah will consider you righteous because you will already be completely sinless. Everyone will have a direct relationship with God. And the most important thing is that the pure worship given to Jehovah, both in heaven and on earth, will be perfect. Pure worship will finally be fully restored!
ILLUSTRATION:
A woman who has achieved perfection. She is walking through the forest as the sun's rays shine through the trees.
When you are perfect, Jehovah will consider you righteous because you will be completely free from sin. (See paragraph 28).
29 Will you be there to see that great day? You can be there, as long as you follow these three fundamental teachings of the book of Ezekiel: give Jehovah exclusive devotion, remain united in the pure worship of Jehovah, and show love to others. Finally, Ezekiel's prophecies give us another very important lesson. Which?
ILLUSTRATION:
Angels in heaven and perfect human beings on earth happily worshiping Jehovah, who is seated in his heavenly chariot.
What happiness when all creation in heaven and on earth will finally be united in the pure worship of Jehovah! (See paragraphs 27 to 29).
“They will have to know that I am Jehovah”
30, 31. (a) What will the statement “they will have to know that I am Jehovah” mean to God's enemies? (b) What will that statement mean for God's servants?
Throughout the book of Ezekiel, there is one statement that resonates over and over again: “They will have to know that I am Jehovah” (Ezek. 6:10; 39:28). For the enemies of God, these words will mean war and death. They will not only have to acknowledge that Jehovah exists; they will also be forced to find out the hard way the meaning of his great name: “he causes to come to be”. And it is that “the Lord of hosts” will be “a mighty warrior” who will fight against them (1 Sam. 17:45; Ex. 15:3). Although it will be too late, they will finally understand a basic truth about Jehovah: nothing can stop him from accomplishing what he sets out to do.
For God's servants, the statement “they will have to know that I am Jehovah” will mean life and peace. Jehovah will cause us to be what he wanted us to be from the beginning: children who perfectly reflect his qualities (Gen. 1:26). Jehovah is already for us a Father who loves us and a Shepherd who protects us, but he will soon become our victorious King. Before that time comes, let us take Ezekiel's message very seriously. Let us demonstrate each day by our words and actions that we know who Jehovah is and what kind of God he is. So when the destructive winds of the Apocalypse are unleashed, we will not be afraid. On the contrary, we will lift our heads because we will know that our deliverance is drawing near (Luke 21:28). As that day comes, let us help people throughout the world to know and love the only God worthy of worship, the God who has the most important name of all: Jehovah (Ezek. 28:26).
TOOLBOX 22A: Events surrounding the final test
Images of events of the time of the final test: 1. Perfect human beings looking towards the heavens. 2. Jesus giving his crown to Jehovah.
ILLUSTRATION:
Perfect human beings looking up to the heavens.
Human beings attain perfection (1 COR. 15:26)
ILLUSTRATION:
Jesus giving his crown to Jehovah.
Jesus hands over the Kingdom to Jehovah (1 COR. 15:24)
ILLUSTRATION:
Two rebels inciting the crowds to protest.
Satan is released from the abyss and gathers the rebels for the last attack (REV. 20:3, 7, 8)
ILLUSTRATION:
The rebels being destroyed.
The destruction of all the rebels (REV. 20:9, 10, 15)
ILLUSTRATION:
In Paradise, perfect human beings praising Jehovah.
Eternal life in an environment of peace and unity (ROM. 8:19-21)
PURE WORSHIP AND YOU
What lessons have we learned from studying the book of Ezekiel?
1) give Jehovah exclusive devotion, 2) remain united in the pure worship of Jehovah, and 3) show love to others.
As you think about life under the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, what do you long for the most?
During the Thousand Year Reign, Jesus will resurrect billions of people and remove the pain caused by our "enemy, death." He will help us root out the root cause of our suffering, the sin we inherited from Adam.
How can you now prepare for the final test?
Each person will face a situation similar to what Adam and Eve experienced: either worship Jehovah, accept his rules and support his rule, or rebel against God and side with the Devil. So we must prepare ourselves to make a decision and faithfully serve Jehovah.
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