"Stand Firm And See The Salvation Of Jehovah"

Paragraph 1 Today, mankind faces events of a magnitude never previously experienced. Foretelling this about our day, Jesus warned his followers: "There will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short."-Matthew 24:21, 22.

Most JW's don't see themselves as the chosen ones. That would be for only approximately 8,000 people on this Earth.

Paragraph 2 Unseen to human eyes, heavenly forces are now holding back that great tribulation. The apostle John was privileged to see the reason for this restraint in a revelation given to him by Jesus. Here is how the aged apostle described it: "I saw four angels standing upon the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth ... And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrising, having a seal of the living God; and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels ... `Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until after we have sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads."'-Revelation 7: 1-3.

Paragraph 3 The final sealing of the anointed "slaves of our God" is approaching completion. The four angels are ready to release those destructive winds. When they do, what will happen first? An angel answers that question: "With a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again." (Revelation 18:21) What heavenly rejoicing there will be when this happens, when the world empire of false religion is destroyed!-Revelation 19:1, 2.

What about the chapters between 7 and 18 in Revelation?

Paragraph 4 All the nations of the earth will have aligned themselves against Jehovah's people. Will the nations succeed in wiping out those faithful Christians? It may seem as if they could. But look! Heavenly armies following Christ Jesus will see to it that these human forces are destroyed. (Revelation 19:19-21) Finally, the Devil and his angels will be cast into an abyss of inactivity. They will no longer be able to mislead man because they will be bound for a thousand years. Oh, what a relief that will be to the great multitude of survivors!-Revelation 7: 9,10,14; 20:1-3.

Where is the great multitude? Is it on Earth according to their teachings?

Revelation 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God

Heaven!

Revelation 19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army.

The nations have actually aligned themselves against, not JW's, but the Faithful and True, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS and the armies of heaven following Him.

Paragraph 5 We are about to experience these wonderful and awe-inspiring events. They all have to do with vindicating Jehovah's right to rule, his universal sovereignty. And think of this: If we remain loyal to Jehovah and if we stand firm for his sovereignty, we shall have the opportunity of sharing in the sanctification of Jehovah's name and the fulfillment of his purpose. What an inestimable joy that will be!

They forgot Judgement Day when God will demand an account.

Paragraph 6 Are we prepared for those momentous events? Do we have faith in Jehovah's saving power? Are we confident that he will come to our aid at the right time and in the best way? In answering such personal questions, we can keep in mind what the apostle Paul told his fellow Christians in Rome: "All the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4) Among the things written for our instruction, giving us comfort and hope, is the record of the occasion when Jehovah delivered the Israelites from the iron grip of their Egyptian oppressors. A close examination of those exciting events when Jehovah maneuvered the salvation of the sons of Israel should be of great encouragement to us as we look forward to the fast-approaching great tribulation.

Why then do JW's lack assurance of their salvation?

The next paragraphs are about Israel's deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea.

Paragraph 14 What instruction, comfort, and hope do we gain from these thrilling events? Surely we can see that Jehovah is ready for any trial that his people have to go through. He is equal to any situation that may confront them. The Red Sea was no barrier to Israel when Jehovah caused that strong east wind to blow. And he was able to cause that same Red Sea to become a watery grave for Pharaoh's armies. Contemplating this, we can echo the words of the psalmist who said: "Jehovah is on my side; I shall not fear. What can earthling man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6) We can also find comfort in Paul's words recorded at Romans 8:31: "If God is for us, who will be against us?" What confidence these inspired sayings give us! They quiet any fears and doubts that we may have and fill us with hope. How appropriate, then, is our yeartext for 2008: "Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah"!-Exodus 14:13.

God is equal to any trial? Is the Master not greater than that?

Paragraph 15 What else can we learn from Israel's Exodus from Egypt? That we must obey Jehovah no matter what he asks us to do. The Israelites were obedient in carrying out the detailed preparations for the Passover. They obediently stayed indoors during the night of Nisan 14. When they finally left Egypt, they had to go "in battle formation." (Exodus 13:18) Today, it is so important that we follow the guidance that comes to us through "the faithful and discreet slave"! (Matthew 24:45) We have to listen very carefully to God's word behind us, saying: "'This is the way. Walk in it, you people,' in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left." (Isaiah 30: 21) As we get nearer to the outbreak of the great tribulation, we may well receive some detailed instructions. Our safe journey through those troublesome days will depend on our keeping in step with other loyal servants of Jehovah.

Once again the Watchtower sets itself up as the mouthpiece for God. They must relish the thought of assigning further instructions (commands) to their followers.

Paragraph 16 Remember, too, that Jehovah diverted the Israelites into a position where they appeared to be trapped between the mountains on the one side and the Red Sea on the other. It just did not seem to be the right move. But Jehovah had everything in hand, and all worked out to his praise and to the salvation of his people. Today, we may not clearly see why some organizational matters are handled in a certain way, but we have every reason to trust in Jehovah's guidance through his faithful channel of communication. At times, our enemies may seem to be getting the upper hand. From our limited perspective, we may not be able to see the whole picture. Still, Jehovah is capable of maneuvering matters at the right moment, just as he did back there for the sons of Israel. -Proverbs 3:5.

How are JW's going to implement discernment? The Society creates a win-win situation for itself. Whenever something arises that would question their authority, members can do nothing but accept it, otherwise they would be rebelling against God Himself.

1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

My dear JW friends, please take this seriously. Does truth change over time?

The Time Is at Hand, page 101 (1908 edition) "the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty' (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced."

Millions Now Living Will Never Die, page 89 "Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection."

The Watchtower September 1, 1922 "The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures than 1914."

By their standard, who was anyone to question their words?

Paragraph 17 Can you imagine the feeling of confidence that the Israelites must have had as they thought back on that pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night? It was evidence that "the angel of the true God" was guiding their journey. (Exodus 13: 21, 22; 14:19) Today, we can have confidence that Jehovah is with his people to guide, protect, and deliver them. We can take to heart the promise: "[Jehovah] will not leave his loyal ones. To time indefinite they will certainly be guarded" (Psalm 37:28) Never let us forget those mighty angelic forces that are backing God's servants today. With their support, we can "stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah."-Exodus 14:13.

Paragraph 18 What will enable all of us to "stand firm" in the way of the truth? Wearing the spiritual armor described by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. Notice that the apostle admonishes us to "put on the complete suit of armor from God." Are we wearing all the parts of this spiritual armor? In the coming calendar year, it would be well for each one to take stock of himself to make sure that every part of that armor is in place and fits well. Our enemy, Satan the Devil, knows our weaknesses, and he tries to catch us off guard or to attack a vulnerable spot. We have "a wrestling" with wicked spirit forces. Still, in Jehovah's strength, we can come off the winner! -Ephesians 6:11-18; Proverbs 27:11.

In the coming calendar year? What if this very night God demands your life?

Paragraph 19 Jesus said to his followers: "By endurance on your part you will acquire your souls." (Luke 21:19) May we be among those who faithfully endure any hardships that they may encounter and so be privileged byGod's undeserved kindness to "stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah."

In other words, they will be deserving of God's undeserved kindness.

The Bible clearly teaches it is not our works that save us.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Even faith is a gift from God to do the works He prepared for us to do.

Isaiah 26:12 LORD, You will establish peace for us, Since You have also performed for us all our works

1 Corinthians 12:6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

The context of Luke 21:19 and even Matthew 10:22 "he who stands firm to the end will be saved" is PERSEVERANCE. Even in persecution and death, God will not leave, nor forsake His children.