"Are You Ready For Jehovah's Day?"

The Organization opens up the study with a great scripture.

Zephaniah 1:14 "The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much."

I couldn't agree with them more.

Paragraph 1 Jehovah's great day is not 24 hours long. It is an extended period during which divine judgment is executed upon the wicked. The ungodly have reason to dread that day of darkness, fury, burning anger, distress, and desolation. (Isaiah 13:9; Amos 5:18-20; Zephaniah 1:15) "Alas for the day," says Joel's prophecy, "because the day of Jehovah is near, and like a despoiling from the Almighty One it will come!" (Joel 1:15) On that great day, however, God will be the Savior of those "upright in heart."-Psalm 7:10.

Praise our Saviour!

Titus 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 2 The expression "day of Jehovah" applies to the execution of divine judgment at various times. For instance, a "day of Jehovah" came upon Jerusalem's residents at Babylonian hands in 607 B.C.E.(Zephaniah 1:4-7) A comparable execution of God's judgment occurred in 70 C.E. when God used the Romans to execute his judgment upon the Jewish nation that rejected his Son. (Daniel 9: 24-27; John 19:15) The Bible also foretells a "day of Jehovah" when he will `war against all the nations.' (Zechariah 14:1-3) Under inspiration, the apostle Paul associated that day with Christ's presence, which began with Jesus' enthronement as heavenly King in 1914. (2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2) With the day of Jehovah looming on the horizon, the yeartext of Jehovah's Witnesses for 2007 has been especially appropriate. Taken from Zephaniah 1:14, it reads: "The great day of Jehovah is near."

607 BC? History has shown it was 586 BC.

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 5 Jesus had wholehearted love for Jehovah and for His righteous standards. Concerning Jesus, Hebrews 1:9 states: "You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your partners." Because he loved his heavenly Father, Jesus maintained integrity to him. If we have similar love for God and live up to his requirements, he will safeguard us. (Psalm 31:23) Such love and obedience will help us to be ready for the great day of Jehovah.

Hebrews 1 reveals more about the Son.

Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." 10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Only God is the Creator.

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 6 Love for people was a notable feature of Jesus' personality. Indeed, "he felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) Consequently, Jesus preached the good news to the people, just as love motivates us to proclaim the Kingdom message to our neighbors. Love for God and for our neighbor keeps us active as Christian ministers and thus helps to prepare us for the great day of Jehovah.-Matthew 22:37-39.

Skinned and thrown about; changes of doctrine like the blood ban, vaccinations, and organ transplants fall under this category.

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 8 Fervent prayer to God helped to prepare Jesus for tests of faith. He was praying when John baptized him. Jesus prayed for an entire night when he chose his apostles. (Luke 6:12-16) And what Bible reader is not impressed with Jesus' heartfelt prayers on the last night of his earthly life? (Mark 14:32-42; John 17:1-26) Are you a person of prayer, as Jesus was? Approach Jehovah often, linger in prayer, seek the direction of holy spirit, and be quick to accept that direction when it becomes evident. A strong relationship with our heavenly Father is vital at this critical time when God's great day is approaching rapidly. By all means, then, draw ever closer to Jehovah in prayer. James 4:8.

A prayer from the Son to the Father.

The great day of Jehovah.

John 17:20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Do JW's expect to live with Jesus?

Paragraph 9 Concern about the sanctification of Jehovah's holy name also helped Jesus to be prepared for the trials he faced. In fact, he taught his followers that their prayers to God should include the request: "Let your name be sanctified." (Matthew 6:9) If we deeply desire that Jehovah's name be sanctified, or held sacred, we will strive to avoid doing anything that would bring reproach upon it. As a result, we will be better prepared for the great day of Jehovah.

Do false promises attributed to God result in reproach?

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 10 If Jehovah's day comes tomorrow, will you really be ready for it? Each of us would do well to examine his or her life to see if any actions or attitudes need to be adjusted. In view of the brevity and uncertainty of present human life, every one of us needs to be spiritually alert each day. (Ecclesiastes 9:11, 12; James 4:13-15) So let us consider some factors that may require attention in our lives.

"Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today".

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 11 One key factor is the admonition of `the faithful slave' to read the Bible daily. (Matthew 24:45) You might make it your goal to read the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation meditatively once every year. By reading about four chapters a day, you can read the Bible's 1,189 chapters in one year. Each king of Israel was to read Jehovah's Law "all the days of his life." Evidently, Joshua did something similar. (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; Joshua 1:7, 8) How important it is that spiritual shepherds read God's Word daily, for this helps them to impart "healthful teaching"! -Titus 2:1.

This is ludicrous. Does it take an admonition from the Governing Body to make daily Bible reading a goal worth pursuing?

Paragraph 12 The nearness of Jehovah's day should move you to attend Christian meetings regularly and participate in them as fully as possible. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Doing so will help you to hone your skills as a Kingdom proclaimer who seeks to find and help those rightly disposed for everlasting life. (Acts 13: 48) Perhaps you could be more active in the congregation in other ways too, such as by helping the elderly and encouraging the young. How satisfying these efforts can be!

Because some people have more of a disposition for everlasting life than others.

Paragraph 13 Since Jehovah's day is imminent, do you need to make a greater effort to "put on the new personality which was created according to God's will in true righteousness and loyalty"? (Ephesians 4:20-24) As you cultivate godly qualities, others are likely to see that you are `walking by God's spirit' and displaying its fruitage. (Galatians 5:16, 22:25) Can you point to specific actions showing that you and your family have put on the new personality? (Colossians 3:9, 10) For instance, are you known for deeds of kindness to fellow believers and others? (Galatians 6: 10) A regular study of the Scriptures will assist you in developing godly qualities that will prepare you for Jehovah's day.

Would a JW who explains he doesn't need the Watchtower be shown any acts of kindness from those in the congregation?

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 14 Suppose that strained relations exist between you and a certain fellow believer. In that case, make every effort to repair the breach, thus promoting the peace and unity of the congregation. (Psalm 133:1-3) Apply the counsel of Jesus as recorded at Matthew 5:23, 24 or Matthew 18:15-17. If you have been letting the sun set while you are still in a provoked state, be quick to correct matters. Often all that is needed is a willingness to forgive. Paul wrote: "Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you."-Ephesians 4:25, 26, 32.

Not to the person who does not need the Watchtower for salvation.

Paragraph 17 What if you have sinned seriously in some way? Take remedial steps as soon as possible. By all means, seek the assistance of Christian elders. Their prayers and counsel will help restore you to spiritual health. (James 5:13-16) Pray to Jehovah with a repentant attitude. Failure to do so would leave you with a sense of guilt and a troubled conscience. David had that experience, but how good it was to get the relief that came with confession to Jehovah! David wrote: "Happy is the one whose revolt is pardoned, whose sin is covered. Happy is the man to whose account Jehovah does not put error, and in whose spirit there is no deceit." (Psalm 32:1-5) Jehovah forgives those who sin but are genuinely repentant.-Psalm 103: 8-14; Proverbs 28:13

Have they repented of their sins and trusted Jesus as their sole saviour?

Paragraph 19 Are you helping your children to 'keep themselves without spot from the world'? (James 1:27) Satan would like to reel in your children as a man reels in fish. Various clubs and other organizations are designed to make young people fit in with Satan's world. But Jehovah's servants already belong to the only organization that will survive the end of this wicked system of things. So Christian youths should be encouraged to have "plenty to do in the work of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58) Godly parents need to assist their children to set goals that will give them a happy and rewarding life that honors God and helps them to be ready for Jehovah's day.

"The only organization that will survive the end of this wicked system of things." This is a keeper.

The great day of Jehovah.

Paragraph 20 You will be able to await Jehovah's day with a calm heart if you keep everlasting life in view. (Jude 20, 21) You look forward to eternal life in Paradise, and thus you have the hope of renewed youthful vitality and unlimited time to pursue wholesome goals and learn more about Jehovah. You can actually go on learning about God forever because humans now know only "the fringes of his ways." (Job 26:14) What exciting prospects!

Everlasting life for a JW is living a long time without aging and playing with the animals. What about glorifying God in His awesome presence?

The great day of Jehovah..

Paragraph 21 In Paradise, resurrected ones will be able to fill in some gaps in our knowledge of the past. Enoch will be there to explain how he had the courage needed to declare Jehovah's message to ungodly people. (Jude 14, 15) Noah will certainly relate what it was like to build the ark. Abraham and Sarah will be able to reveal how they felt about leaving the comforts of Ur and living in tents. Think of Esther supplying details about how she stood up for her people and foiled Haman's plot against them. (Esther 7:1-6) Imagine Jonah telling about his three days in the belly of the big fish or John the Baptizer describing his feelings when he baptized Jesus. (Luke 3:21, 22; 7:28) What intriguing things to learn!

Much ado about the creatures...

Paragraph 22 During Christ's Thousand Year Reign, you may be privileged to help resurrected ones to gain "the very knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:1-6) Today, what a pleasure it is to see people take in knowledge of Jehovah God and act upon it! But think of your joy at that future time when Jehovah blesses your efforts to instruct people from bygone eras and they respond with appreciative hearts!

...and not the Creator.

Paragraph 23 The benefits we now enjoy as Jehovah's people are beyond our imperfect efforts to number or evaluate. (Psalm 40:5) Especially are we grateful for God's spiritual provisions. (Isaiah 48:17,18) Regardless of our circumstances, let us wholeheartedly render sacred service as we await the greatday of Jehovah.

Meaning, be grateful for the literature offered by the "faithful slave" which is bound to change.

THE GREAT DAY OF JEHOVAH

Phillipians1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 1:10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ

1 Thessalonians 5:2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night...9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare...12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat...18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:14 as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus

Amen, Come Lord Jesus!