Watchtower Study, Week of July 18-24, 2022, The Message of Revelation for You in the Future, Answers Underlined.

Watchtower Study, July 18-24, 2022, Revelation's Message for You in the Future, Answers Underlined.

1. What important decision must everyone make?

Today, everyone has a very important decision to make: will they support Jehovah as the rightful ruler of the universe, or will they side with Satan, God's wicked enemy? You can't be neutral on this. Gaining eternal life depends on that decision (Matt. 25:31-33, 46). During “the great tribulation,” Jehovah's faithful servants will be marked for survival (Rev. 7:14; Ezek. 9:4, 6). And the people who have the mark of the wild beast will be destroyed (Rev. 14:9-11).

2. a) What does Hebrews 10:35-39 encourage us to do? (b) How does the book of Revelation help us?

(Read Hebrews 10:35-39). If you have already sided with Jehovah's government, you have made a good decision. Surely now you want to help others to do the same. Well, what the book of Revelation says can be very useful to you. On the one hand, this book tells us what will happen to those who oppose Jehovah. And, on the other, he highlights the blessings that will come to those who loyally support his rule. We do well to discuss these important teachings, because it helps us to be more determined to continue serving Jehovah. Furthermore, we can use what we have learned to encourage others to make the right decision and not back down.

3. What questions will we answer in this article?

In this article, we will answer these questions: What awaits those who support God's government? And what will happen to those who decide to support the scarlet red wild beast mentioned in the book of Revelation?

WHAT AWAITS THOSE WHO ARE FAITHFUL

4. What group does the apostle John see together with Jesus in heaven?

The apostle John sees in a vision two groups that support Jehovah's government and receive eternal life with all its blessings. The first group is made up of 144,000 individuals (Rev. 7:4). They are from Earth, and they go to heaven to form, together with Jesus, a government or Kingdom. All together they reign over the Earth (Rev. 5:9, 10; 14:3, 4). John sees them standing with Jesus on heavenly Mount Zion (Rev. 14:1).

5. What will soon happen to the remaining anointed Christians on earth?

From the time of the apostles to the present day, thousands of people have been selected to be part of the 144,000 (Luke 12:32; Rom. 8:17). But Juan is told that during the last days only a remnant, or a small part, of that group would be left alive on Earth. Before the great tribulation begins, these “remaining” anointed Christians will receive the ultimate “seal,” that is, Jehovah's final approval.​—Rev. 7:2, 3; 12:17. Then, at some point in the great tribulation, this remnant will be taken up to heaven to be with the rest of the 144,000 who died faithful and are already there. They will rule with Jesus in the Kingdom of God (Matt. 24:31; Rev. 5:9, 10).

6, 7. (a) What group does John next see, and what do we know about them? (b) Why should the remnant of anointed Christians and the “great crowd” be interested in Revelation chapter 7?

After seeing the group in heaven, John sees "a great crowd." Unlike the 144,000, this second group cannot be counted (Rev. 7:9, 10). What do we know about them? John was told: “They are the ones who come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their long robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14). After surviving the great tribulation, this “great crowd” will live on earth and enjoy wonderful blessings (Ps. 37:9-11, 27-29; Prov. 2:21, 22; Rev. 7:16, 17 ).

Regardless of whether we have been chosen to go to heaven or to stay on Earth, we should all see ourselves “in the picture” described in Revelation chapter 7, right? It will be a very exciting time for these two groups of God's servants! We will be very, very glad that we decided to support Jehovah's government. What else does the book of Revelation tell us about the great tribulation? (Matt. 24:21).

WHAT AWAITS THOSE WHO OPPOSE GOD

8. How will the Apocalypse begin, and what will be the reaction of most people?

As we saw in the previous article, the political organizations of this world will soon attack Babylon the Great, the collection of false religions in the world (Rev. 17:16, 17). With that attack the great tribulation will begin. Will that cause people to flock to worship Jehovah? No, quite the opposite. According to Revelation chapter 6, at that decisive moment, those who do not serve Jehovah will seek protection in the political and commercial systems of this world, which in this chapter of the Bible are compared to mountains. Since these people will not take sides with the Kingdom of God, Jehovah will consider them his enemies (Luke 11:23; Rev. 6: 15-17).

9. Why will Jehovah's people draw much attention during the great tribulation, and what will be the result?

Jehovah's faithful servants will undoubtedly draw much attention during that time of tribulation and distress. They will be the only group on earth that continues to serve Jehovah and refuse to support “the wild beast” (Rev. 13:14-17). Seeing them so firm, those who oppose Jehovah will be furious. As a result, a coalition or group of nations will attack God's people throughout the Earth. The Bible refers to this insane act of aggression as the attack of Gog of Magog (Ezek. 38:14-16).

10. According to Revelation 19:19-21, what will Jehovah's reaction be when his people are attacked?

What will be Jehovah's reaction when this cruel attack against his people takes place? He himself tells us: “My great fury will be unleashed” (Ezek. 38:18, 21-23). Revelation chapter 19 explains what will happen next. Jehovah will send his Son to defend his people and defeat his enemies. And Jesus will not be alone; “the armies of heaven” will accompany him, that is, the faithful angels together with the 144,000 (Rev. 17:14; 19:11-15). How will this war end? In the total destruction of all people and organizations that oppose Jehovah (read Revelation 19:19-21).

AFTER THE WAR, A WEDDING IS HELD

11. What is the most exciting event in the book of Revelation?

How will faithful Christians on earth feel when they see that they have survived the annihilation of God's enemies? They will not be able to contain the joy! And, although there will be shouts of joy in heaven when Babylon the Great disappears, there will be an even greater reason for happiness (Rev. 19:1-3). In fact, it is the most exciting event in the book of Revelation: “the wedding of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:6-9).

12. When will the marriage of the Lamb take place? (Revelation 21:1, 2).

When will the wedding take place? Although all 144,000 will be in heaven just before Armageddon begins, that will not be the time to celebrate the wedding of the Lamb (read Revelation 21:1, 2). The wedding will take place after the war of Armageddon, when all of God's enemies have been eliminated (Ps. 45:3, 4, 13-17).

13. What meaning does the marriage of the Lamb have for those who participate in it?

What meaning does the wedding of the Lamb have for those who participate in it? At a wedding a man and a woman come together. Well, in this symbolic wedding, the King, Jesus Christ, and his “bride”, the 144,000, come together. With this exciting event, Jesus and the 144,000 will begin to reign together on Earth for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:6).

A SPLENDID CITY AND OUR FUTURE

14, 15. To what is the 144,000 in Revelation 21 compared? (See cover drawing.)

Next, in Revelation chapter 21, the 144,000 are compared to a precious city called “the New Jerusalem” (Rev. 21:2, 9). This city has “12 stones for its foundations,” and on them are written “the 12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.” Surely this catches Juan's attention. Why? Because you see his name written on one of those stones. What a great honor! (Rev. 21:10-14; Eph. 2:20).

This symbolic city is unlike any other. Its main street is pure gold, its 12 gates are 12 pearls, the wall and foundations are adorned with precious stones, and it has the shape of a perfect cube (Rev. 21:15-21). But Juan realizes that something is missing. What will it be? He says: “I did not see any temple in it, because Jehovah God, the Almighty, is his temple, even as the Lamb is. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev. 21:22, 23). Those who are part of the New Jerusalem will have direct access to Jehovah (Heb. 7:27; Rev. 22:3, 4). That is why Jehovah and Jesus are said to be the temple of the city.

16. What blessings will mankind enjoy during the Thousand Year Reign of God's Kingdom?

Anointed Christians are very excited to think of this city. But it should also be of interest to Christians who hope to live on Earth. During the Thousand Year Reign of the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem will shower countless blessings on Earth. John sees that these blessings flow as “a river of water of life” and that on both banks there are “trees of life” that produce leaves “to heal the nations” (Rev. 22:1, 2). All human beings living at that time will have the opportunity to enjoy all these gifts. And those who are obedient will gradually reach perfection. There will be no more sickness or pain or tears of sadness. (Rev. 21:3-5).

ILLUSTRATION:

The symbolic city called the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven and shines. A river flows from that city. On both banks of the river there are trees that bear fruit.

Revelation chapter 21 says that the New Jerusalem comes down “out of heaven, from where God is.” During the Thousand Year Reign, this symbolic city will shower countless blessings on obedient human beings. (See paragraphs 14 to 16).

17. Who will enjoy the blessings of the Thousand Year Reign? (Revelation 20:11-13).

Who will enjoy these wonderful gifts? First of all, the great crowd that will survive Armageddon and the children that will be born in the new world. But are not the only ones. Revelation chapter 20 promises that the dead will be raised (read Revelation 20:11-13). And who will return to life on Earth? Both the “righteous,” that is, faithful servants of Jehovah who died in the past, and the “unrighteous,” that is, those who did not have the opportunity to know Jehovah (Acts 24:15; John 5:28 , 29). Does this mean that everyone will be resurrected on Earth during the Thousand Year Reign? No. Those who purposely turned down the opportunity to serve Jehovah before they die will never live again. They already had their chance and proved that they did not deserve to live in Paradise (Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 17:8; 20:15).

ILLUSTRATION:

A group of people enjoy life in Paradise. In the background is a river flowing from the symbolic city called the New Jerusalem. On both banks of the river there are leafy trees.

Who will receive the blessings represented by “a river” and by “trees”? (See paragraphs 16 and 17).

THE END

18. In what situation will humanity be at the end of the 1,000 years?

At the end of the 1,000 years, everyone living on Earth will have achieved perfection. No one will suffer the effects of the sin that Adam left us as an inheritance (Rom. 5:12). Not a trace of the curse of Adam's sin will remain. It can be said that, at the end of the 1,000 years, the inhabitants of the Earth will come to life because they will be perfect human beings (Rev. 20:5).

19. Why will a final test be necessary?

We know that Jesus, who was a perfect man, remained faithful to God in spite of all that Satan did to test him. But will all perfect human beings do the same when Satan gets a chance to test them? Each of them will have to answer this question when the 1,000 years are up and Satan is released from the abyss (Rev. 20:7). Those who are faithful during the final test will receive eternal life and will finally enjoy true freedom (Rom. 8:21). But those who rebel will be destroyed forever, just like the Devil and his demons from him (Rev. 20: 8-10).

20. How do you feel after analyzing the exciting prophecies of Revelation?

How do you feel after this brief review of the book of Revelation? Are you excited to see yourself “in the picture”, living the fulfillment of these impressive prophecies? Do you feel the desire to invite others to join in the pure worship of our God? (Rev. 22:17). After discussing these exciting future events, we are sure to be filled with excitement and want to say what the apostle John said: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What decision must we make now?

Everyone has a very important decision to make: will they support Jehovah as the rightful ruler of the universe, or will they side with Satan, God's wicked enemy?

What is "the marriage of the Lamb"?

Well, in this symbolic wedding, the King, Jesus Christ, and his “bride”, the 144,000, come together. With this exciting event, Jesus and the 144,000 will begin to reign together on Earth for 1,000 years.

What blessings await faithful servants of Jehovah?

John sees that these blessings flow like "a river of water of life" and that on both banks there are "trees of life" that produce leaves "to heal the nations." All human beings living at that time will have the opportunity to enjoy all these gifts. And those who are obedient will gradually reach perfection. There will be no more sickness or pain or tears of sadness.