Our Refuge Under the Incorruptible “Kingdom of the Heavens”

1. What are some reasons for feeling insecure, leading to what urgent cry?

HAVE you ever felt the intense need to seek refuge, to find a place of shelter and protection from danger or distress? Perhaps you are one who has vivid memories of taking refuge night after night in an air-raid shelter in wartime, this giving you a sense of protection, a measure of relief. But what about the dangers and stress of present-day conditions? As a man, do you feel secure in your job? As a woman, do you feel secure in your homelife and personal relationships? Is it safe for you or the children to go out alone at night, or maybe even in the daytime? We could mention a great many more reasons for feeling very insecure, including such things as inflation, vandalism, drugs, pollution and the like. World conditions never looked blacker. World distress is deepening. Man’s helplessness becomes more and more evident. Relief from human sources is obviously impossible. The heartfelt cry goes up, Where can we find that place of secure refuge?

2. (a) In what way was 1914 C.E. a big turning point? (b) Since then, in what respects has escalation become evident?

² Before answering that question, let us look at the root cause for these things. When and how did it all start? Looking back, we can see that 1914 C.E. was the big turning point. Until the summer of that year the outlook was promising. There was the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Europe for settling international difficulties. Life for many was genial and promising. Then came World War I like a bolt out of the blue, started by a single pistol shot that developed into bombs raining from the sky. It was hoped to be the war that would end all war. Instead it paved the way for World War II. And now, the stockpiling of nuclear weapons for missile warfare threatens our very existence. Escalation is also seen in other respects. The world population is increasing, like compound interest on money that is invested. With this increase of mouths to feed, there is the talk of world famine in the near future. And what about the widespread growth of pestilences? Not only did the “Spanish flu” of 1918 claim 20 million victims, but, with our permissive society, loathsome sex diseases have become epidemic. Crime, violence and lawlessness are the order of the day. With the growing need for self-preservation, and with so much rivalry, greed, stealing, taking advantage of others, inborn human selfishness is bound to increase. And with the loss of love for fellowman, the love of God has cooled off. Not only has it cooled off, but it is quite popular today to say that God is dead! Of course, we readily admit that there are yet many individuals who are good-hearted and are living decent lives, but it must also be admitted that they are finding it more difficult.

3. (a) How are we guided in finding the real meaning of present-day conditions? (b) What significant question led to Jesus Christ’s great prophecy?

³ Well, we have traced the general trend of things since 1914, but have we really fathomed the root cause? And, more importantly, what is the remedy? Is there one? How can we find a satisfactory answer to these questions? To whom can we go? Happily, yes, there is someone who can give, and already has given us, completely satisfying answers to all these questions. We remind you that as far back as 1876 the Bible Student who became the first president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society stated in print that the Biblical “times of the Gentiles” would expire in the autumn of 1914 resulting in unparalleled trouble for the whole world. Where did he get his information? From God’s Word, the Holy Bible, and particularly from Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32 and the great prophecy given by Jesus Christ, God’s Son, who was inspired by God’s holy spirit. This prophecy forms an integral part of God’s Word and is recorded at Matthew 24:4-51, also at Mark 13:5-37 and Luke 21:8-36. The prophecy was given in answer to a noteworthy question raised by Jesus’ disciples: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matt. 24:3) Yes, Jesus foretold the conclusion of a system of things, not only for his day, but in parallel fashion for our day. He also identified the much-needed refuge in which we are keenly interested.

4. What was the immediate fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy, pointing to what similarity in our day?

⁴ Looking briefly at the immediate fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in his own day and that of his disciples, we know that the predicted things that reached their peak in the desolation of the temple, the “holy place,” and “the holy city,” Jerusalem, also the province of Judea in the year 70 C.E., marked the calamitous end of that system of things. What of our day? Do we see the many things that Jesus foretold that make up the composite “sign” marking his presence and the conclusion of the system of things? We have already mentioned quite a few of them, and, even apart from the chronological reckoning concerning the “times of the Gentiles,” we can say with confidence that 1914 certainly marked the beginning of the “last days” of this system of things when, as Paul said, “critical times hard to deal with will be here.”​—2 Tim. 3:1.

THE REMEDY AND THE REFUGE

5. At Luke 21:28-32, how did Jesus tell of the only refuge to which we should flee?

⁵ We next ask, Is there a remedy? There is no remedy for the present system of things. According to God’s Word, it is deservedly doomed to destruction. But is there nothing to which individuals can turn that will counteract present-day evils? There certainly is, and this is where our attention is drawn to the all-important refuge to which we need to flee without delay. Note Jesus’ words when he said:

“‘But as these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.’ With that he spoke an illustration to them: ‘Note the fig tree and all the other trees: When they are already in the bud, by observing it you know for yourselves that now the summer is near. In this way you also, when you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near.’”​—Luke 21:28-31.

6. (a) How did Jesus identify the king of God’s kingdom? (b) What further identification is found in the Hebrew Scriptures?

⁶ That is it! That “kingdom of God” deserves our fullest attention. Who is the king of that kingdom? Just preceding the above-quoted words, Jesus, referring to himself, said: “Then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” And following his prophecy he gave three parables, concluding with the one respecting the sheep and the goats, introduced as follows: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne.” (Luke 21:27; Matt. 25:31) There is no doubt as to who is the anointed King of God’s kingdom. And there is no doubt as to his worthiness! First, he willingly emptied himself of his previous heavenly glory and then, “when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name.” (Phil. 2:5-11) He is a living person of today​—yes, and highly interested in the fulfillment of his own inspired prophecy! His life on earth was a marked life and had been foretold, in its vitally important aspects, in the inspired Hebrew Scriptures, in order to identify clearly who the Messiah was. One of these scriptures foretells our day when “the kings of earth take their stand and high officials themselves have massed together as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one”; then, in reply and with a derisive, angry laugh, Jehovah tells these enemies they are too late. He says: “I, even I, have installed my king upon Zion, my holy mountain.” For further identification, Jehovah says to this anointed king: “You are my son.” The opposing nations are given to him to “dash them to pieces.” But the psalm comes to a fine conclusion: “Happy are all those taking refuge in him.” (Ps. 2:1-12) Many other psalms, such as Psalm 91:1, 2, speak of Jehovah as our refuge, or “my refuge,” but the means by which he has provided refuge in this day is his kingdom in the hands of his anointed and reigning Son, Christ Jesus.​—See Psalm 110:1-4.

7. What is God’s purpose as to some sharing with Christ Jesus, and why is this so astonishing?

⁷ Many times Jesus spoke of the “kingdom of God,” or the “kingdom of the heavens.” He also spoke of some sharing with him, actually sharing with him as associate kings. Whoever heard of such an arrangement? Has there ever been a nation or an empire that has had 144,000 and one kings ruling in it at the same time? Never has such a thing happened. Even today, with a global population of more than four thousand million, there are not that many kings or rulers, even all of them put together. With whom did this idea originate? Certainly not with man! It is God’s idea. It is the purpose of the Creator of heaven and earth. Such a heavenly government with so many kings comprising a world government may seem fantastic to politically minded people. But that is because, just as the literal heavens are higher than the earth, so the heavenly Creator, God, has a way of thinking that is higher than the way in which earthly man thinks. As God once said to his ancient people, Israel: “‘The thoughts of you people are not my thoughts, nor are my ways your ways,’ is the utterance of Jehovah. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”​—Isa. 55:8, 9.

8, 9. (a) Respecting this, what further details are given at Revelation 1:5, 6? (b) What additional information is given about this in the book of Revelation?

⁸ So we should not be surprised at anything purposed by him being so much grander than what mere man could have imagined. Centuries later, in the last book of the Bible, Revelation, God disclosed more details respecting this world government. It also gives God’s Son the full credit for pursuing a self-sacrificing course as a perfect man on earth. Notice how the apostle John, writing under inspiration, expressed this: “Jesus Christ, ‘the Faithful Witness,’ ‘The firstborn from the dead,’ and ‘The Ruler of the kings of the earth.’ To him that loves us and that loosed us from our sins by means of his own blood​—and he made us to be a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—​yes, to him be the glory and the might forever. Amen.”​—Rev. 1:5, 6.

⁹ If it were not that Jesus Christ poured out his lifeblood in self-sacrifice to God, his footstep followers could never be made kings and priests to God his Father in heaven. Jesus Christ thus plays a vital part in making it possible for these associate kings to share with him in the heavenly kingdom. As he said: “To the one that conquers I will grant to sit down with me on my throne, even as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev. 3:21) In harmony with this, the twenty-four elders are reported as saying to Jesus Christ: “You were slaughtered and with your blood you bought persons for God out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and you made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they are to rule as kings over the earth.”​—Rev. 5:9, 10.

10. Who are see with the Lamb on Mount Zion, and how are they described?

¹⁰ As to the number of these associate kings and priests with Christ Jesus, we are not left in doubt. Describing those who will reign with Christ Jesus on the heavenly Mount Zion and telling of their fine qualifications, John writes: “Look! the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand having his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. . . . And they are singing as if a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to master that song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, who have been bought from the earth. These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, and no falsehood was found in their mouths; they are without blemish.”​—Rev. 14:1-5.

11, 12. (a) How are these differentiated from mankind in general? (b) When do these king-priests reign with Christ Jesus, and how do they gain entrance into the heavenly kingdom?

¹¹ These followers of the Lamb are clearly differentiated from mankind in general when Revelation 7:4-8 speaks of them as Israelites of a spiritual kind. As such, they are sealed with the “seal of the living God” in their foreheads. The apostle John lists twelve tribes of them with Israelite patriarchal names. He states that 12,000 were sealed from each of these twelve tribes, giving a grand total of 144,000 spiritual Israelites. The Lamb, Jesus Christ, is himself spoken of as “the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah.” (Rev. 5:5) Hence, this finally results in 144,000 and one spiritual Israelites, all together.

¹² The twentieth chapter of Revelation discloses that these 144,000 king-priests enter in upon a reign of a thousand years with the Lamb Jesus Christ immediately after Satan the Devil and his demons are chained and hurled into an abyss, where these wicked spirit forces are unable to mislead the peoples of the earth during Christ’s millennial reign together with the ones whom he bought with his sacrificial blood. They enter into the heavenly kingdom with Christ by means of a resurrection to spirit life, spoken of as “the first resurrection.” Hence, Revelation 20:6 says: “Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority [because they have been made immortal], but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.”

AN INCORRUPTIBLE REFUGE

13. From all the foregoing evidence, what conclusion do we reach?

¹³ With all this inspired written evidence before us, we have no grounds for questioning that Jehovah God has purposed a literal government of one hundred and forty-four thousand and one kings to reign over the whole globe during the prescribed thousand years, during which Satan and his demons will be imprisoned in the “abyss.” Down till now, our earth has never been favored with a government of that kind, with government officials of such Godly qualities. This heavenly world government is at hand. It is the kingdom for all people to seek for a refuge that will not fail them.

14. (a) In what two ways are present-day rulers subject to corruption? (b) What can be said in this respect of all the members of God’s heavenly government?

¹⁴ All man-made kingdoms or governments, as represented by their rulers, by whatever title they may be known, are subject to corruption. They are corruptible, in the sense that, due to inherited sin and imperfection, they all sicken and die off, but they are also subject to corruption morally. There is no need to submit proof of this. We are only too familiar with the record to date. Not so, however, with the government comprising the “kingdom of the heavens,” even though made up of so large a number. Each and every one of them will be incorruptible, both literally, as regards their organisms, and morally. There is no question of the topmost one, Christ Jesus, who, at Hebrews 7:26, is described as “loyal, guileless, undefiled, separated from the sinners, and become higher than the heavens.” But what of his associates, chosen from amongst sinful mankind? Well, following their sincere repentance and conversion, turning to God in whole-souled dedication and exercising faith in the merit of Christ’s ransom sacrifice, they are accepted by God and quickened by his spirit to a new hope, a heavenly one. As the apostle Peter expressed it: “He [God] gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading inheritance. It is reserved in the heavens for you.” Then, later, after saying, “You have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth,” he adds: “For you have been given a new birth, not by corruptible, but by incorruptible reproductive seed, through the word of the living and enduring God.”​—1 Pet. 1:3, 4, 22, 23; see also Acts 26:20.

15, 16. What do we further learn regarding this, including the scripture at 2 Peter 1:4 and 1 Corinthians 15:53?

¹⁵ As for the realization of their heavenly hope, Peter says: “He [God] has freely given us the precious and very grand promises, that through these you may become sharers in divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world through lust.” And this is confirmed by Paul’s word as regards their nature and organism when he wrote: “For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and this which is mortal must put on immortality.”​—2 Pet. 1:4; 1 Cor. 15:53.

¹⁶ As regards those who are not of the “kingdom of the heavens” class, but who seek and find refuge under the Kingdom, these too must prove to be incorruptible morally, but this matter will be discussed later.

THE FALSE GOVERNMENTAL REFUGE

17. Since World War I, how and why have people turned increasingly to human government, and in spite of what preaching?

¹⁷ Meanwhile, in order to heighten our appreciation by means of a sharp contrast, let us take a look at a false governmental refuge that has been foisted upon mankind, reaching a climax in our day. Since the outbreak of World War I in 1914 the inability of man-made governments to rule mankind successfully has become more and more evident. And yet the people turn increasingly to human government, with more national governments being established since 1919 than in any comparable previous period. The former League of Nations, which died in the throes of World War II, had fewer than sixty member nations at that time. But the United Nations of today has one hundred and thirty-eight member nations. Local rule by the local people, not colonial empires, has been the guiding principle. This multiplication of man-made governments has gone on in spite of the ever-intensified preaching by Jehovah’s witnesses that God’s Messianic kingdom is mankind’s only and immediate hope. During the past sixty-one years hundreds of thousands have responded to this Kingdom message, but these two million advocates of God’s kingdom are far outnumbered by the overwhelming majority of earth’s four thousand million inhabitants. There is no gainsaying the fact that the vast bulk of humankind are manifestly not taking refuge under God’s kingdom as their only hope.

18. (a) What illustration of Jesus foretold two contrasting classes, and how so? (b) What did Jesus further say that gives the real point to many of his parables?

¹⁸ Should we be surprised that the greater part of mankind have shut their hearts and minds to the Kingdom gospel and prefer human political governments as their refuge in these troublous times? No, not if we are well acquainted with the prophetic scriptures of God’s Holy Bible. His Son, the Lamb Jesus Christ, foretold that it would be so. In one of his illustrations, he said: “The kingdom of the heavens has become like a man that sowed fine seed in his field. While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds in among the wheat, and left.” He went on to say that the sorting out of the weeds from the wheat would wait until the harvest. Later, when explaining the parable, he said: “As for the fine seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one,” and added that “the harvest is a conclusion of a system of things.” (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43) Keep in mind, too, the answer Jesus gave when his disciples asked him: “Why is it you speak to them by the use of illustrations?” Note, now, his reply: “To you [disciples] it is granted to understand the sacred secrets of the kingdom of the heavens, but to those people it is not granted . . . because, looking, they look in vain, and hearing, they hear in vain, neither do they get the sense of it; and toward them the prophecy of Isaiah [at chapter Isa 6:9, 10] is having fulfillment, which says, ‘By hearing, you will hear but by no means get the sense of it; and, looking, you will look but by no means see. For the heart of this people has grown unreceptive, and with their ears they have heard without response, and they have shut their eyes; that they might never see with their eyes and hear with their ears and get the sense of it with their hearts and turn back, and I heal them.’” (Matt. 13:10-15) This setting gives the thrust to many of Jesus’ parables. Is it not exactly the same today with the “weeds” at this “harvest,” the “conclusion of a system of things”? Their hearts and minds are shut.

19. (a) What similar warning did Paul give at Acts 20:27-30? (b) How did the “man of lawlessness” develop, ultimately forming what false governmental refuge?

¹⁹ Bearing on the same subject, we recall the warning that the apostle Paul gave to the elders of the congregation at Ephesus when he said: “I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.” (Acts 20:27-30) These false teachers would be very corrupt and, as Paul also foretold, would gradually form a composite “man of lawlessness.” (2 Thess. 2:3-12) It was already at work in the days of the apostles, but it did not take definite form until the fourth century when Emperor Constantine the Great forced a compromise with the so-called “bishops,” the false teachers of his day. So the adulterated Christianity that these “bishops” supervised was merged with the pagan Roman religion. This fusion religion became the State religion, and in this way Christendom was founded. It is a huge religious mass today and is thoroughly leavened with paganism, worldliness, badness, traditions of men, hypocrisy, doctrines of demons. Christendom made herself a part of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, and is the dominant part of that religious empire.​—Rev. 17:3-6; Gal. 5:9, 19-21.

A Positive Commitment Required for Those Taking Refuge

1. What two symbolic women are mentioned in the book of Revelation and how are they identified?

ON LOOKING into the last book of the Bible, we find two symbolic women who are seen in sharp contrast with each other. The one is “Babylon the Great,” and the other is the “wife” of the Lamb of God. The first is branded as a “harlot.” The second, “the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” is a virgin. (Rev. 17:3-6, 15; 21:9) Both are religious organizations, the one unclean, the other clean. The “bride, the Lamb’s wife,” is the congregation of the 144,000 virginlike faithful followers of the Lamb Jesus Christ, all of them being spiritual Israelites. Babylon the Great is the world empire of false religion as derived from ancient Babylon. Hence, it is composed of all of those who practice religions in opposition to true Christianity. That is why the apostle John “saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the holy ones and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.” (Rev. 17:6) The religion of the members of Babylon the Great is, therefore, not Christian, but Babylonish, hence false.

2. What is the relationship between Christendom and Babylon the Great, and how is this made evident?

² By becoming the dominant religious organization of the Roman World Power, Christendom was, in effect, a daughter of Babylon the Great, of whom it is said: “Upon her forehead was written a name, a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and of the disgusting things of the earth.’” (Rev. 17:5) It is no wonder, then, that Christendom imitates her religious mother, of whom it is said: “With [her] the kings of the earth committed fornication, whereas those who inhabit the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.” (Rev. 17:1, 2) Christendom enjoys intimate friendship with the world. This reminds us of the scripture at James 4:4: “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” The many unions of Church and State in Christendom do not stand to her credit. They brand her as a spiritual fornicatrix, a meddler in world politics. She is condemned as a false and an unclean refuge for mankind.

3. How is the destiny of Babylon the Great, including Christendom, vividly portrayed?

³ What befalls Babylon the Great also befalls Christendom. There are no two ways about it. Revelation, chapter 17, though written in symbolic language, makes it unmistakably plain. Coming to the climax of the drama pictured in that chapter, we read: “And the ten horns that you saw, and the wild beast [on which Babylon the Great had been riding as mistress], these will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire.” Not a pretty picture!​—Rev. 17:16.

FLEE FROM BABYLON THE GREAT TO GOD’S TRUE WOMAN

4. (a) At Revelation 18:4-8, what compelling cry did John hear, and why was it an urgent one? (b) How might some react to this cry, but what question must we all face today?

⁴ Not surprisingly, early in Revelation, chapter 18, we hear the urgent and compelling cry: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues. . . . In one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong.” (Rev. 18:4-8) Have you heard and heeded that cry? Perhaps you say that you have seen the hypocrisy of the churches of Christendom and have left them, if indeed you ever reckoned to have membership in any one of them. There are many in our present generation who have no religious background at all, but who say in a vague sort of way that they believe there must be a God. Do you feel satisfied to be simply nonreligious? You could hardly claim to be in, or seeking to be in, a safe place of refuge if you are holding to such a negative and noncommitted attitude. In view of all the evidence of the approaching end of the present system of things, including Christendom, we must face the question: On whose side are we in this day of approaching climax?

5. After vision of the 144,000 what crowd of people did John see, giving what detail?

⁵ Perhaps you say that you are not one of the “kingdom of the heavens” class comprising those who know they have the heavenly hope, as was discussed earlier. But this does not rule you out of God’s favor or of finding refuge under his wings. (Ps. 91:4) Following the description of the 144,000 spiritual Israelites at Revelation 7:4-8, we read: “After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: ‘Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’” Then, for further identification, we read: “These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple . . . [and] the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.” What an inviting picture!​—Rev. 7:9-17.

6. (a) How did Jesus speak of this people? (b) In what way did he make this very personal, leading to what fine assurance?

⁶ For further indication as to who comprise this “great crowd,” and inviting you to be one of them, may we remind you of what Jesus said concerning his followers, whom he likened to sheep. As regards those who would share with him in his throne, he said: “Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) Yes, a “little flock.” But on another occasion, when speaking more extensively about his “sheep” and himself as the “fine shepherd” who ‘surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep,’ he said: “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” He also made this very personal. A little earlier he said: “He [the shepherd] calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” This means that if you become one of his true sheep by disowning yourself and continually following him, then he knows you personally. And notice the very personal note in his further words: “My sheep listen to my voice [and to no one else], and I know them [individually], and they follow me. And I give them everlasting life, and they will by no means ever be destroyed, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is something greater than all other things, and no one can snatch them out of the hand of the Father.” What a grand assurance of a safe refuge!​—John 10:3, 16, 27-29; see also Matthew 16:24.

7. What warning did Peter give respecting “false teachers”?

⁷ Returning to the question as to whose side we are on, we do well to consider what the apostle Peter was inspired to say respecting this. Toward the close of his second letter he first warned of the rise of “false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves.” With these imitation Christians in mind, he later wrote: “In the last days there will come ridiculers with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires and saying: ‘Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation’s beginning.’” Is that not exactly the attitude that is adopted generally by Christendom’s clergy and their followers? We trust that it is not your attitude.​—2 Pet. 2:1, 2; 3:3, 4.

8. How did Peter go on to sound a warning especially for our day?

⁸ Rather, we trust that the sincere attitude of all of us is in line with the apostle’s further exhortation. After telling that “by the word of God” a former system of things, a former heavens and earth, “suffered destruction when it was deluged with water,” he then continued, saying that “by the same word [of God] the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.” He then warned about becoming impatient, as many are these days, by God’s seeming slowness, saying: “Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, [now notice the reason] but he is patient with you because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.” He again warned that “Jehovah’s day will come as a thief” in which the present symbolic heavens and earth, under Satan’s invisible control, will be destroyed.​—2 Pet. 3:5-10.

9. Why is it important to take the right view of God’s patience?

⁹ Then comes the exhortation: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah.” (2 Pet. 3:11, 12) The ridiculers of today do not take advantage of God’s patience. However, although they do not appreciate it, God has acted very kindly toward them with a view to their repenting. As the apostle Paul wrote: “Do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and long-suffering, because you do not know that the kindly quality of God is trying to lead you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4) Woe betide us if we despise God’s kindness!

10. On what basis and in what way can we respond to the plea at 2 Peter 3:14?

¹⁰ But, on the positive side, how should we answer the question: What sort of persons ought you to be? And how can we show that we are “keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah”? For one thing, all of us, whether our hope of life is heavenly or earthly, must respond to Peter’s further plea: “Do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace.” (2 Pet. 3:12, 14) Yes, we must always strive to be morally incorruptible. We must maintain our integrity, “pure in heart” in whole-souled devotion to Jehovah. (Matt. 5:8) Granted, we are all imperfect and fall short every day, but, as mentioned in the very next letter in the Bible, at 1 John 1:7: “If we are walking in the light as he [God] himself is in the light, we do have a sharing with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Yes, Jesus Christ “is a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins [the Christian congregation, the “little flock”], yet not for ours only but also for the whole world’s.” Hence, however many come into the “great crowd” of “other sheep,” they can, and must, ‘wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.’​—1 John 2:2; Rev. 7:14.

11. Besides the abandonment of false religion, what definite commitment is indicated at Revelation 18:4?

¹¹ But that is not all. Do you remember our mention of those two symbolic women set in sharp contrast with each other? The one is the harlot, Babylon the Great, including Christendom, the other is a virgin, the Lamb’s wife, the Christian congregation. It is not sufficient to get out of Babylon the Great, to abandon all false religion. Who were told, at Revelation 18:4, to “get out of her”? It was: “My people.” This means that you must definitely identify yourself as one of God’s people, as one of his devoted servants or slaves, as a follower of the fine shepherd, Christ Jesus, one of his “sheep.” For further information about this, we must go back to the Hebrew Scriptures and prophecies forming the basis, not only of the command at Revelation 18:4, but of most of what is contained in that last book of the Bible.

12. (a) How did Isaiah’s prophecy speak of Jehovah’s heavenly organization? (b) What part did Christ Jesus play in connection with this organization?

¹² According to Isaiah’s prophecy, Jehovah’s Messianic Servant, Christ Jesus, before performing his role on earth, was a member of Jehovah’s heavenly organization of faithful “sons of God.” (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7) That heavenly spirit organization takes the part of a “wife” who is married to Jehovah the Creator, just as the ancient nation of Israel, when taken into the Law covenant, was as if married to Jehovah and was pictured as an earthly wife of his. (Isa. 54:1, 5-8) Jehovah selected his principal heavenly son to serve as the Messianic Servant on earth. So Jehovah’s motherly organization in heaven furnished this one to be the prime vindicator of her Husband’s universal sovereignty. When this Servant had faithfully fulfilled his course on earth and was resurrected from the dead, the motherly organization in heaven received him back as the “firstborn from the dead.” (Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5, 17, 18) Her joy was foretold! Listen: “‘Cry out joyfully,’” says Isaiah 54:1, “‘you barren woman that did not give birth! Become cheerful with a joyful outcry and cry shrilly, you that had no childbirth pains, for the sons of the desolated one are more numerous than the sons of the woman with a husbandly owner,’ Jehovah has said.”

13. (a) How and to whom did Paul apply Isaiah 54:1? (b) In harmony with this, how did Jesus apply Isaiah 54:13?

¹³ This scripture is applied by the apostle Paul, not to the Jewish nation after its exile in Babylon, but to Jehovah’s wifely organization in heaven. At Galatians 4:22 through 5:1, Paul contrasts the Jewish nation with its capital at Jerusalem, and which nation rejected Jesus Christ, with God’s heavenly wifelike organization, and says that the “Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” According to Isaiah’s prophecy, God’s heavenly organization was to have more children than the Messiah Jesus, for whom she had long waited as if in barrenness. She was to become the spiritual mother of the 144,000 associates of the Messiah Jesus. This is clearly shown at Isaiah 54:13, addressed to the “Jerusalem above,” the “heavenly Jerusalem” or “Mount Zion,” and which reads: “And all your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant.” That this is the correct understanding is evidenced by the fact that Jesus Christ applied that scripture to his own disciples, at John 6:45.​—Heb. 12:22.

14. How is God’s organization represented on earth, calling for what positive commitment?

¹⁴ Thus we can say that God’s wifelike heavenly organization is represented on earth by the well-taught and well-trained associates of Christ Jesus. Hence, not only must we flee from the unclean harlot, Babylon the Great, but we must flee to and find refuge in close association with God’s true woman, the “heavenly Jerusalem,” represented by the virginlike followers of the Lamb, Christ Jesus, on earth. This is clearly seen in the situation that obtains today with that body of Christian people known as Jehovah’s witnesses. Among them, forming a nucleus, there is a remnant of those who are anointed by God’s spirit to the heavenly hope. Closely gathered around that nucleus is an ever-increasing “great crowd” of “other sheep,” forming “one flock [under] one shepherd.”​—John 10:16.

15. In what ways do Jehovah’s witnesses show that they keep Jehovah’s day “close in mind”?

¹⁵ This is no empty claim. They show that they are indeed “keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah.” Despite all the increasing pressures, they hold to the ‘pure religion and undefiled’ by keeping themselves without spot from the unclean world. They refuse to worship the political “wild beast” and its man-made “image,” the United Nations. They keep from being stained with bloodguilt, keeping strictly neutral and nonparticipating with respect to the sanguinary wars of nations and political parties of this world. They copy Jesus Christ their leader in being no part of this world.​—Jas. 1:27; Rev. 13:1-15; 15:2-4; John 15:19; 17:14, 16.

16. How do they carry out the two commands at Matthew 24:14 and Matthew 28:18-20, and with what evidence of Jehovah’s blessing?

¹⁶ With emphasis on the positive side, they prove that they are “seeking first the kingdom [of their heavenly Father] and his righteousness” by their persistence in proclaiming what they know to be man’s only hope and refuge, as Jesus foretold: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” They also persist, while there is yet time, in carrying out the command of the resurrected Jesus Christ to go and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in water and teaching them to observe all the things that he commanded them. (Matt. 6:33; 24:14; 28:18-20) That all of this has had Jehovah’s blessing is seen, not only in the truly remarkable increase of those crowding into Jehovah’s organization, but in the peaceful, happy, secure and clean condition, obtaining earth wide among Jehovah’s dedicated people. It is truly like a spiritual paradise. Listen, then, and give heed to this Scriptural invitation, to come and find refuge in this spiritual paradise.

INVITATION TO A SPIRITUAL PARADISE

17. What promise and what invitation were given at Isaiah 54:17 and Isaiah 55:1, 2, and with what miniature fulfillment?

¹⁷ At the close of Isaiah, chapter 54, comes the grand promise to the spiritual sons of the “Jerusalem above”: “Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success, and any tongue at all that will rise up against you in the judgment you will condemn.” (Isa. 54:17) Then comes the thrilling invitation: “Hey there, all you thirsty ones! Come to the water. And the ones that have no money! Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk even without money and without price. . . . Listen intently to me, and eat what is good, and let your soul find its exquisite delight in fatness itself.” (Isa. 55:1, 2) The clue to the situation is seen when we recall that Isaiah foretold the desolating of Jerusalem and Judea and the exile of the Jews to Babylon for seventy years. He also foretold their liberation through Cyrus the Persian, who was used as a prophetic type of God’s Messianic Servant, Christ Jesus, who would overthrow and destroy modern Babylon the Great. (Isa. 44:28–45:6) But what of today?

18. How did the experiences of Jehovah’s witnesses from 1914 to 1919 lead up to a major fulfillment of the above scriptures?

¹⁸ During World War I, Babylon the Great really got Jehovah’s witnesses in her power by means of her worldly paramours, the political, military and judicial authorities. There were widespread persecution and bans, climaxed by the imprisonment of members of the governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses. The outlook was dim. Then suddenly an unexpected postwar period opened up before them. The message of deliverance came from Jehovah, the Scriptural message of deliverance from Babylon the Great by means of the established Messianic kingdom. The concrete proof of this was seen in the release from prison of the above-mentioned members and their being totally relieved of all false charges. Closely following in the same year, 1919, the leading article appeared in The Watch Tower entitled “Blessed Are the Fearless,” and which was the theme of the General Convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, September 1-8, 1919. At that convention, as a sign of more spiritual food and a greater work ahead, there was announced the publication of a new biweekly magazine, The Golden Age. As you can imagine, all of this was like refreshing water, strengthening bread, joy-giving wine and fattening milk to God’s true servants.

19. What subsequent steps have been taken toward the restoration of a spiritual paradise?

¹⁹ That was only the beginning, the first step, of the restoration of a spiritual paradise for God’s people. Tremendous forward steps have been taken since then, as the modern history of Jehovah’s witnesses shows, and which record is available for all to see and check for themselves. Additionally, each forward step can be seen to be under the direction of the Bible’s Author, who said: “My word . . . will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it. For with rejoicing you people will go forth, and with peace you will be brought in . . . the very trees of the field will all clap their hands. Instead of the thicket of thorns the juniper tree will come up. Instead of the stinging nettle the myrtle tree will come up. And it must become for Jehovah something famous, a sign to time indefinite that will not be cut off.”​—Isa. 55:10-13.

20. How is the invitation to share in this paradise expressed at Psalm 1:1-3?

²⁰ What a grand and inviting description of a spiritual paradise! And you are invited to have a personal share in that paradise if you stick closely to God’s Word. As it says at Psalm 1:1-3: “Happy is the man . . . [whose] delight is in the law of Jehovah, and in his law he reads in an undertone day and night.” What happens to that man? “He will certainly become like a tree planted by streams of water, that gives its own fruit in its season and the foliage of which does not wither [remaining ever fruitful and ever green], and everything he does will succeed.”

21, 22. (a) How do the scriptures at Matthew 25:34 and Revelation 22:17-20 enlarge on this invitation? (b) What personal and positive commitment can we make in response to this invitation?

²¹ The way into the spiritual paradise is still open! The invitation to enter and enjoy it is still sounding out world wide! As expressed by the king in Jesus’ parable: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (Matt. 25:34) In fact, the Holy Scriptures, God’s Word, concludes with this invitation: “And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: ‘Come!’ And let anyone hearing say: ‘Come!’ And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free.” As a last word, John, in vision, hears Christ Jesus say: “He that bears witness of these things says, ‘Yes; I am coming quickly.’” Then John eagerly responds: “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”​—Rev. 22:17-20.

²² Why not make a positive commitment and take refuge under the incorruptible “kingdom of the heavens”? With such an oft-repeated and pressing invitation, will you not eagerly respond? Will you not come?