DAILY TEXT, From today  Saturday August 12,  Once more I will shake the heavens and the earth (Haggai 2:6).

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Saturday August 12

Once more I will shake the heavens and the earth (Haggai 2:6).

Jehovah has shown much patience during these last days. He does not want anyone to be destroyed (2 Pet. 3:9). He has given everyone a chance to repent. But his patience has a limit. Those who reject this opportunity will find themselves in the same situation as the pharaoh of the time of Moses. Jehovah told him: “I could already have stretched out my hand to punish you and your people with a deadly disease, and you would have already disappeared from the earth. But I have let you live for this reason: to show you my power and so that my name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth” (Ex. 9:15, 16). Ultimately, all nations will have to know that Jehovah is the only true God (Ezek. 38:23). The shaking mentioned in today's text will mean the eternal destruction of those who, like Pharaoh, they refuse to recognize Jehovah's right to rule. w21.09 37:17, 18.

IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION

What decision do people have to make now?

In this time of the end, the shaking of the nations is forcing all people to make a decision: will they support the Kingdom of God, or will they trust the governments of this world? Although Jehovah's servants obey the laws of the country in which they live, they remain completely neutral in political matters (Rom. 13:1-7). They know that the Kingdom is the only solution to humanity's problems, and that Kingdom is not part of this world (John 18:36, 37).

What great test of loyalty is foretold in the book of Revelation?

In the book of Revelation it is explained that in the last days the loyalty of God's people will be tested. This means that we will continue to suffer intense persecution and opposition. The governments of this world will demand that we worship them and will persecute those who refuse to support them (Rev. 13:12, 15). And “to all—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—” they will impose “the obligation to be marked on the right hand or on the forehead” (Rev. 13:16). In ancient times, slaves were given a mark that identified who their master was. Similarly, today all people will be expected to have a symbolic mark on their hand or forehead. In other words, everyone will be expected to show by their actions and thoughts that they belong to and support political governments.

Why is it urgent that we strengthen our loyalty to Jehovah now?

And us, what will we do? Will we accept this symbolic mark and give our allegiance to political governments? Those who refuse to receive the mark will face difficulties and dangers. The book of Revelation goes on to say that no one can "buy or sell except the person who has the mark" (Rev. 13:17). But God's servants know what he will do to those who have the mark (Rev. 14:9, 10). Therefore, instead of carrying that mark, it will be as if they wrote on their hand: "Property of Jehovah" (Is. 44:5). Now is the time to make sure that our loyalty to Jehovah is unwavering. If it is, he'll be happy to say we belong to him.

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