The Revelation of Jesus Christ

“Brace up your minds for activity, keep completely balanced and set your hope upon the undeserved kindness that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”—1 Pet. 1:13, NW.

1, 2. What has been the hope of sincere persons, and how have some religious-minded persons viewed the matter?

FOR many centuries sincere and honest-hearted persons have longed for the return of Christ. Just how he would come and exactly what would occur at that time have not been too clear to many, but the prospect of realizing the promised blessings has filled them with hope. Although it has been spoken of as a time of judgment and of the end of the world, their hope has not been misplaced, because it is also foretold as a time of deliverance. But this salvation will not come automatically as a result of “good behavior.” Neither will the presence of that day be so easily recognized that all will know judgment is in progress. An accurate study of the Scriptures discloses that when the revelation of Jesus Christ comes it will catch most of the world unaware.

² Why is this so? Was the only warning man was to receive sounded when Jesus was on earth? Did he indicate that at the end of the world he would suddenly appear unannounced and immediately hold all people accountable? Some religious-minded persons insist that Christ will not have arrived until he visibly appears out of the clouds with his angels and subjects all people to a fiery judgment. These same persons believe that judgment will be entered on the basis of moral behavior or on the acceptance of the preaching of “Christ crucified” or of “Jesus, and the resurrection.” (1 Cor. 1:23; Acts 17:18) Such understanding, however, is purely human reasoning and not based on an accurate knowledge of God’s Word.

3. (a) When and where does responsibility before the Lord arrive first? (b) What is to be preached worldwide, and on what does responsibility at Jesus’ revelation depend?

³ The Bible shows clearly that before anyone would be brought to complete responsibility a way of preparation would be made before the Lord. Only when those earnestly seeking the Lord would have an opportunity to recognize that he is present in his kingdom would he suddenly appear to hold an accounting. The Scriptures show further that this first responsibility would not be with the nations but rather with the “house of God.” (1 Pet. 4:17; Mal. 3:1-5) Then, Jesus pointed out, a full and complete warning would be given in all the inhabited earth. And what does he say will be preached? Not primarily his “crucifixion” or staking, and not primarily his resurrection. While these are important doctrines of the Bible and have a definite bearing on the climax of God’s purpose and judgment today, nevertheless the resurrection of Jesus was given as a sign of Christ’s first presence and has been preached ever since then. Now he says: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations, and then the accomplished end will come.” (Matt. 24:14, NW) It is the good news that this kingdom has been established that Paul speaks of in his second letter to the Thessalonians. There he is discussing “the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings due punishment upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thess. 1:7, 8, NW) Responsibility at the revelation of Jesus Christ, therefore, depends on whether one accepts or rejects the good news of the presence of the Kingdom that Jesus said would be preached world-wide.

4. What have the nations failed to recognize today?

⁴ Why, then, do the nations not realize and accept the approach of this climax of judgment? It is because they have not heeded the world-wide advertising of Christ’s return and his second presence. Since long before World War I Jehovah’s witnesses pointed to 1914 as the time for this great event to occur. And since 1914 physical evidences establishing this truth have been pointed to repeatedly in the columns of The Watchtower. The nations continue to ignore this sign and refuse to recognize that a time of judgment is even now in progress. They cannot see that Christ appeared in the temple in 1918 and judgment has already been entered against two classes of lawless ones whom he found there. (Matt. 24:48-51; 2 Thess. 2:8) They have not observed since then a division going on among the people—a separation that is being made before their very eyes. (Matt. 25:31-33) They willfully close their ears to the warning message that a climax of judgment is fast approaching when Jesus Christ will be so completely revealed to the world that his presence will be indisputable. It is this indisputable evidence of his presence that brings destruction, because he reveals himself in the execution of adverse judgment through the war of Armageddon. That is why Peter admonishes: “Hence brace up your minds for activity, keep completely balanced and set your hope upon the undeserved kindness that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13, NW) With our eternal destinies in the balance the course of wisdom would dictate gaining all the knowledge possible about this promised return visit of Jehovah’s righteous representative before he is revealed in execution of judgment. Acting upon that right kind of knowledge is the only sure way of defense.—Eccl. 7:12.

DEMONSTRATING THE PATTERN

5. What pattern has Jehovah set in judgment?

⁵ Jehovah never judges anyone guilty without a fair trial. He clearly points out his will to man and gives man full opportunity to show a good and right heart by adhering to it. He even makes repeated warnings to those who are prone to ignore him. But his judgments are sure and swift when guilt has been established. Throughout the history of his dealings with mankind in judgment this same pattern presents itself. Two examples which are given as types of Christ’s second presence should serve to demonstrate this pattern.—2 Pet. 2:5, 6.

6. What three aspects are there to any advent of Jehovah’s representative in judgment?

⁶ It should be noted in this connection that there are three distinct phases or aspects to any visitation or advent of a righteous representative of Jehovah in time of judgment. The entire period of the advent is referred to as the presence. Then there is a time when the purpose of the presence becomes clearly manifest. It is a time for judgment to begin on all Christians. Finally there is a climax of the purpose of the presence, which is the execution of judgment. This is a time of revelation because the purpose of the visit is now clearly seen in the deliverance of those favorably judged and in the destruction of those found unworthy of salvation.

7. When did the time of Noah’s presence begin, and how was Jehovah’s mercy expressed?

⁷ First consider the presence of Noah in the period before the flood. The earth had become filled with violence so that it was ruined in God’s sight and he purposed to destroy it. The history of Noah’s sons recorded at Genesis chapter 6 and beginning with verse 9 Ge 6:9 (NW) says: “Noah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with God.” While the very presence of righteous Noah condemned the generation in which he lived, Jehovah mercifully gave warning of his purpose to destroy that world and showed a way of escape through his representative that he was sending. “After that God said to Noah: ‘The end of all flesh has come before me, because the earth is full of violence as a result of them, and here I am bringing them to ruin together with the earth. Make for yourself an ark.’” (Gen. 6:13, 14, NW) This giving of advance notice to Noah would mark the beginning of “the days of Noah” or the time of Noah’s presence during which period Noah served as a “preacher of righteousness.” (2 Pet. 2:5) The people of that time certainly knew Noah was there and that he was preaching, but they paid no attention.

8. How did Noah receive evidence of Jehovah’s favor and how was the righteousness of Noah’s presence revealed?

⁸ Then the day arrived when Jehovah God took Noah, his family and all the animals into the ark. This was certainly a manifestation of divine favor but still not recognized by any of those scoffers who had consistently ignored the advance warning. During the time of this manifestation and Noah’s going into the ark the way was still open—but not for long. “After that Jehovah shut the door behind him.” (Gen. 7:16, NW) The judgment of all in the earth at that time was now sealed. Jehovah had given evidence of his favor to Noah and now proceeded to give evidence of wrath against all who had not recognized Noah’s righteous presence. The flood was an unmistakable climax of the truthfulness of Noah’s preaching and a revelation to the wicked world in which he lived. So it will be at Christ’s second presence.

9. What attitude and course of action did Lot take toward the Sodomites?

⁹ Lot also stands out in judgment against a people. Peter has this to say about Lot, who was a temporary resident in Sodom: “[God] delivered righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the indulgence of the law-defying people in loose conduct—for that righteous man by what he saw and heard while dwelling among them from day to day was tormenting his righteous soul by reason of their lawless deeds.” (2 Pet. 2:7, 8, NW) Because of the wickedness of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah Jehovah sent his angels to bring a judgment of condemnation against them. Lot made an attempt to persuade the Sodomites to adhere to the righteousness of God, but they scorned him with the words, “This lone man came here to reside awhile and yet he would actually play the judge.” Lot then tried to persuade his prospective sons-in-law to flee with him for protection. “He kept on saying: ‘Get up! Get out of this place, because Jehovah is destroying the city!’ But in the eyes of his sons-in-law he seemed like a man who was joking.”—Gen. 19:9, 14, NW.

10. What does Jesus clarify as to his own revelation through the example of Sodom’s destruction?

¹⁰ No doubt they still thought he was joking when the angels of Jehovah took Lot and his wife and two daughters by the hand and led them out of the city. They did not recognize it as a manifestation of Jehovah’s favor until fire came down upon Sodom and Gomorrah. This revelation of the presence of Jehovah’s angels with righteous Lot was too late for their salvation. Jesus clearly links his own revelation with execution of judgment when he climaxed his account of Lot’s deliverance by saying: “But on the day that Lot came out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all. The same way it will be on that day when the Son of man is to be revealed.”—Luke 17:29, 30, NW.

PRESENCE, MANIFESTATION, REVELATION

11. What is the meaning of parousía, and what does it indicate as to Christ’s second coming?

¹¹ The Christian Greek Scriptures make a clear distinction between the three phases or aspects of Christ’s second advent by using a different Greek word in each instance. The word parousía is consistently translated “presence” in the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures because that is the actual meaning of the word in the original. As applied to the second coming of Christ it is used to indicate either the years of the beginning of his visit or to refer to the entire time he is with mankind. This time began in 1914 and means that Christ is now present though invisible.

12. What does the word epipháneia mean, and to what does it point as to faithful Christians then?

¹² A second word, epipháneia, translated “manifestation,” means appearing, manifestation or a coming to light or to view. The use of this word points to Christ’s appearance in the temple for judgment in 1918 and marks the beginning of favorable judgment, first, in the resurrection of the anointed already asleep in death (2 Tim. 4:8) and, second, in the entrusting of Kingdom interests to those of the anointed found faithful on earth.

13. What does apokálypsis mean, and to what does it refer at Christ’s return?

¹³ The third word, apokálypsis, which is translated “revelation,” means a disclosure, taking off the covering, or uncovering. When this word is used it indicates that a clear and unobstructed view is meant, and in connection with Christ’s second presence it refers to the time his manifestation is turned into an unmistakable revelation at Armageddon and even the unwilling are forced to recognize his presence.

14. Why does an outstanding sign accompany each visit, and what caused the Jewish leaders to stumble at Christ’s first presence?

¹⁴ It is significant to note also in regard to the pattern that has been set that each presence is accompanied by an outstanding sign. This serves to identify the representative of Jehovah and establish him as having authority. Also it serves to clarify the purpose of the visit as well as to fix the responsibility of the people. This becomes evident in considering the first presence of Jesus Christ. Many things had been foretold by the Jewish prophets that would be fulfilled in the Messiah. However, until he presented himself it would be impossible to determine accurately just how he would accomplish the purpose of his visit, or, for that matter, just what the full purpose of his presence would be. For this reason the self-wise religious leaders among the Jews stumbled at Christ’s first presence, endeavoring to read into the prophecies interpretations of their own that did not conform to God’s will in sending his Messiah. Their minds had not been braced up by the patterns that had been recorded and they were not prepared for the kind of activity the presence of the Messiah in their midst called for. Looking only for self-exaltation through a return of Davidic kingdom rule they could not see that a “first” presence of the promised King was necessary. Neither could they recognize when he did appear that this presence would accomplish deliverance for them far beyond their own private expectations.

FIXING THE RESPONSIBILITY

15. What was the primary reason for Jesus’ first presence?

¹⁵ Jesus’ first advent was to accomplish a twofold purpose. It was of secondary importance that he came to provide a ransom for mankind. (Matt. 20:28) The primary reason was that he might prove his integrity to the One who sent him and establish the universal sovereignty of Jehovah. In doing so he would through much suffering thereby establish his right to inherit the Kingdom. (Heb. 2:18; 5:8) This righteous course in itself was a sign to Israel. It showed his ministry was one of vindication and salvation.

16. How did Jesus’ healing of the blind man establish the condemnation of Israel?

¹⁶ It was this ministry of preaching and healing that condemned those of Israel even though Jesus had not come for judgment of the world. He said: “I was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt. 15:24, NW) The apostle John testifies they would not accept his works: “He came to his own home, but his own people did not take him in.” (John 1:11, NW) An example of this is shown in the account of Jesus’ healing of the man blind from birth. The Jews had already agreed among themselves that if anyone accepted Jesus as the Christ or Messiah, then that one should be expelled from the congregation. The healed man boldly testified to the miracle and admitted belief that Jesus must be a prophet. The Pharisees reviled him and said: “You are a disciple of that man, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man we do not know where he is from.” “In answer the man said to them: ‘This certainly is a marvel, that you do not know where he is from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does his will, he listens to this one. From of old it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of one born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing at all.’ In answer they said to him: ‘You were altogether born in sins, and yet are you teaching us?’ And they threw him out!” Eventually Jesus heard that the man had been put out of the congregation and when he found him he asked him if he was putting faith in the Son of man. The healed man answered that he was and did obeisance to Jesus and then Jesus said: “For this judgment I came into this world: that those not seeing might see and those seeing might become blind.” “Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and they said to him: ‘We are not blind also, are we?’ Jesus said to them: ‘If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, “We see.” Your sin remains.’”—John 9:28-41, NW.

17. What evidence of the Messiah were the Jewish religionists seeking, and what did they request of Jesus?

¹⁷ Jesus showed by these words that a spiritual healing also was in progress which could deliver them from condemnation due to sin or which, if rejected, would leave them under God’s wrath. The Pharisees, however, continued to hold on stubbornly to their own conception of what evidences would indicate the arrival of the Messiah. “Here the Pharisees and Sadducees approached him and, to tempt him, they asked him to display to them a sign from heaven. In reply he said to them: ‘ . . . A wicked and adulterous generation keeps on seeking for a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah.’” (Matt. 16:1-4, NW) They had in mind the prophecy of Daniel that foretold the sign of the Son of man and were insisting that it be fulfilled in their day if they were to believe the Messiah was present. Obviously they were not interested in the coming of Christ as a representative of Jehovah. To them the promised Messiah was coming only to serve their own selfish interests.

18. What sign did Jesus indicate would establish his first presence?

¹⁸ However, in spite of the fact that Jesus’ preaching and healing works were sufficient to convince right-hearted ones (Luke 7:18-23), he gave the nation an outstanding sign by which they could recognize that certainly he was the one sent by God. “No sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.”—Matt. 12:39, 40, NW.

19. How did the Jewish leaders react to the sign, and what further did the sign serve?

¹⁹ But did the religionists welcome this sign and accept it in evidence? Did they now discern that through the resurrection Jesus had been justified in the spirit and hence the primary purpose of his first presence had been accomplished? On the contrary. When the time came for the sign to appear they tried to prevent it by causing Pilate to put a seal on the tomb and posting a guard of soldiers. Their ruse failed miserably, however, and then in an effort to hide their hypocrisy they added to their guilt by trying to obscure the significance of the sign. When the soldiers on guard at the tomb reported on the events of Jesus’ resurrection, “they gave a sufficient number of silver pieces to the soldiers and said: ‘Say, “His disciples came in the night and stole him while we were sleeping.”’” (Matt. 28:12, 13; 27:62-66, NW) Hence the sign of Jesus’ first presence not only identified him as the tried and proved Messiah but also served to fix the responsibility of both Jews and Gentiles through the preaching of the disciples.

20. How does modern-day Christendom follow the pattern of Israel?

²⁰ Modern-day Christendom is following this same pattern. She claims to be looking for the return of Christ just as the Jews claimed to be looking for his advent then. And just as the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign, ignoring all the evidences that Christ was already in their midst, so the many sects of Christendom turn blind eyes to the sign of Christ’s second presence and insist upon awaiting the sign of his revelation, which can mean only their destruction.

21, 22. To what sign did Jesus point as evidence of his second presence, and what does its appearance indicate as to his revelation?

²¹ They are in fact refusing the very sign the Jews were seeking in their day, the “sign of the Son of man” foretold by Daniel. (Dan. 7:13, 14) This sign over which the Jews stumbled was definitely pointed to by Jesus himself as evidence that he would be present among men the second time. “And then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will go to wailing and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matt. 24:30, NW) Since Daniel links the sign with the giving of the Kingdom it is obviously a sign pointing to the beginning of Christ’s presence and his coming into his kingdom. This could not occur until his return, and so, along with other things that were to happen at a later date, Jesus gave to John a revelation of this sign and identified it as marking the beginning of his presence and of his kingdom and power. (Rev. 12:1, 2, 5, 10) All the evidences point to 1914 as the date.

²² Since Christ has already taken up his kingdom authority with the beginning of his presence in 1914, and since his presence begins a time of judgment, it follows that his revelation in symbolic fire for execution of judgment at the battle of Armageddon must follow very shortly. (Matt. 24:34) All persons of right heart toward God and his sent-forth One will eagerly lay aside all other interests as of secondary importance and, having their minds braced up with accurate knowledge, will plunge wholeheartedly into the only activity that can bring deliverance.

Maintaining the Way of Favor

1. (a) What is the purpose of Christ’s return as contrasted with that of his first presence? (b) How will he make his presence known?

NO MAN can look upon God and live. That is because God is spirit and far above man’s natural ability to see. After Jesus’ death as a human he was raised to immortality as a spirit in the express image of God, so that now it is impossible for man to see the glorified Christ Jesus either. Yet he promised to return and reveal himself to the world of mankind. This he will do not by appearing in the flesh, since he would thereby be unable to accomplish the purpose of his visit, but he will make his presence known to mankind first by the many evidences that were foretold to mark his return. However, not all persons will accept these evidences as a sign that Christ has taken up his invisible position as regards the earth or that he has actually been sent forth in Kingdom power to begin his reign. But as his first presence was to prove his right to the Kingdom, so the purpose of his return is to establish that kingdom in full power and glory and make all persons, nations, and even Satan himself, subject to that righteous rule. Therefore, those who refuse to accept this royal representative of Jehovah’s sovereignty by recognizing his dominion through the sign that has been divinely foretold and manifested must be forced to recognize his presence through the revelation of the fiery execution of judgment against them.

2. Why was the beginning of Jesus’ presence in 1914 not marked by a “revelation”?

² Jehovah does not delight in the execution of the wicked. (Ezek. 18:23) That is why when Christ returned in 1914 he did not reveal himself “in a flaming fire” to bring due punishment upon those not knowing God. After the war in heaven had accomplished a successful purpose and Satan with all his demons had been ousted and cast down to the earth, Christ Jesus halted this first exercise of Kingdom power. (Rev. 12:7-9) In giving the sign of his return and of the end of Satan’s system of things Jesus said: “Unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.” (Matt. 24:22, NW) So he temporarily brought an end to the hot war against Satan in order that he might accomplish another purpose of God. (Rev. 7:1-3) It is a time of judgment, a time of showing favor to those whom God approves.

TIME OF DECISION

3. (a) What illustration did Jesus give to show his manifestation must precede his revelation? (b) What is indicated in some being “taken along”?

³ After Jesus had cited the examples of Noah and Lot to show the nature of his presence and revelation he then gave evidence to show that his manifestation must precede the execution of adverse judgment. He said: “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken along and the other be abandoned; two women will be grinding at the hand-mill: one will be taken along and the other be abandoned. Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Master is coming.” (Matt. 24:40-42; Luke 17:34, 35, NW) The word used here in the Greek for the expression “taken along” is also used when Joseph is said to have taken his wife home. It is also as when Jesus is said to have taken Peter, James and John along with him into the mount of transfiguration. Jesus used the word when he said: “I am coming again and will receive you home to myself, that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:3; Matt. 1:20, 24; 17:1, NW) Thus, those “taken along” receive a favorable standing with the Lord and are brought into a way of salvation. This corresponds to Noah’s being taken into the ark the day of the flood and to Lot’s being taken by the hand and led out of the city and therefore precedes the execution of judgment.

4. (a) When and how did the manifestation of Christ’s first presence take place? (b) Into what position of favor were those approved taken?

⁴ This condition is further illustrated by the judgment of favor which Jesus rendered during the days of his first presence. Throughout his three and a half years of preaching Jesus not only healed the sick physically but also opened the way for spiritual recovery. So when Jesus unexpectedly rode into Jerusalem on Nisan 10, A.D. 33, to present himself as king, a division among the people took place. The multitudes who had prepared themselves by listening to him hailed him as king. On the other hand, the chief priests, who had refused his works, now manifested their attitude by refusing to recognize and anoint him with holy oil in the manner of accepting kings in Israel. At Pentecost, shortly after Jesus’ death and resurrection, this division became even more marked when Christ manifested his favor toward those following him by pouring out God’s active force upon them. It was at this time that they were entrusted with the stewardship of God’s service and anointed with his spirit to preach the good news of the resurrection of Jesus, the sign of the first presence of the promised Messiah. Speaking of them as “stewards of sacred secrets of God,” Paul discusses this division with the words: “Do not judge anything before the due time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring the secret things of darkness to light and make the counsels of the hearts manifest, and then each one will have his praise come to him from God.” (1 Cor. 4:1-5, NW) While Paul was looking forward to Christ’s coming for judgment at the spiritual temple in 1918, he had as an example that sudden appearance of Christ at Jehovah’s literal temple in Jerusalem Nisan 10, A.D. 33.

5. In what way were the religious leaders “abandoned”?

⁵ In that judgment on Israel Jesus made manifest the heart condition of those religious leaders occupying positions of temple service and rejected them completely, abandoning them to their own hardness of heart. This is shown in the words of Jesus to the fleshly nation of Israel when he pronounced against them Jehovah’s official divorce decree. “Look! your house is abandoned to you.” It would seem Jesus here meant the temple at Jerusalem, for he later told his disciples concerning the temple: “By no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down.” (Matt. 23:38; 24:2, NW) Jehovah from then on withdrew his presence from the house of Israel’s worship just as he has abandoned the house of Christendom’s worship.

6. How can it be certain that those taken along are not literally caught up out of the earth?

⁶ Some religious interpreters of the Bible have concluded from Jesus’ words regarding those taken along and those abandoned that when he returns he will suddenly catch up out of the earth in a “rapture” some whom he has approved while others will be left behind and destroyed by fire. This is private interpretation and a wresting of the Scriptures. According to the miniature fulfillment of Jesus’ words to his disciples they were separated from the rest of Israel only in their favorable standing and relation with Jehovah. On the other hand, the religious leaders and those who would follow them were left desolated of God’s favor and allowed to remain for almost forty years to hear the resurrection of Christ preached throughout the nation. So Israel’s time of decision continued until A.D. 70, while those who had been “taken along” continued present with those who had been “abandoned.” This miniature foreshadow finds a parallel in the time of Christ’s second manifestation and revelation.

7. How was favor shown in the manifestation of Christ’s second presence, and what resulted to those found unfaithful?

⁷ In 1918 the Lord suddenly appeared at the spiritual temple for judgment. At that time he showed favor to the faithful overcomers who were in the sleep of death by raising them to immortality. Those found faithful on the earth were taken along by the Lord into temple service and entrusted with the interests of God’s kingdom. (Luke 12:42-44; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17) Since then, especially from 1919 on, they have joyfully gone forth heralding the presence of the King and proclaiming throughout all the inhabited earth the good news of his established kingdom, pointing to the sign of Christ’s second presence, the sign of the Son of man. At the same time those who were found to be sluggardly slaves, unmindful of the advance of the sign of Christ’s presence, were abandoned to their own evil imaginings and cast out with the class of lawless religious leaders, those called “hypocrites” who have never been faithful to their implied covenant to do temple service. There they await the accomplished end when Christ will be revealed.—Matt. 24:48-51; Luke 12:45, 46.

KEEPING IN BALANCE

8. Through what activity has Christ continued to manifest himself?

⁸ Christ not only in 1919 manifested favor to those who were earnestly seeking him but also since then has continued to make himself known to those who recognize his presence through the preaching of these. This increasing activity on the part of those taken along has been carried on despite severe persecution by those who have been abandoned for destruction. The faithful ones take courage, however, in the knowledge that their very preaching is a part of the sign and their boldness an evidence of the impending destruction of those who oppose. (Phil. 1:27, 28) But they realize there are still many pitfalls that lie between them and the time of the revelation of Jesus Christ. They know that during the consummation of this system of things Jehovah’s faithful witnesses are called upon to make decisions every day that might affect their standing with the Lord. They remember that the bulk of the Christian Greek Scriptures admonishing Christians to faithfulness was written when there was special need for them then during the consummation of the Jewish system of things and before the climax of judgment. So today, with their minds braced up for activity those taken along continue to heed the warning of Peter to “keep completely balanced.”

9. What Scriptural admonition is given to those who are in the way of favor?

⁹ The saying, “Once saved always saved,” is not in harmony with Bible teaching. Jesus warned: “No man that has put his hand to a plow and looks at the things behind is well fitted for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62, NW) Then he admonished further: “On that day let the person that is on the housetop but whose movable things are in the house not come down to pick these up, and the person out in the field, let him likewise not return to the things behind. Remember the wife of Lot.” (Luke 17:31, 32, NW) For this reason those who have been taken along must ‘keep making straight paths for their feet’ and be guided solely by God’s Word. (Heb. 12:13; Prov. 3:5, 6) The beginning of compromise is the beginning of apostasy; so they must and do refuse to be turned aside by any plausible-sounding reasonings of men. (Col. 2:8) Jesus said: “Look out that nobody misleads you; for many will come on the basis of my name, saying: ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.” (Matt. 24:4, 5, NW) Those in the favored position today carefully and prayerfully continue to study God’s Word as it is revealed through the “faithful and discreet slave,” recognizing that they individually are but a part of the organization with which Jehovah is dealing and which he is triumphantly directing to victory according to his own will.

10. What warning will those take who are properly balanced?

¹⁰ Keeping balanced means keeping a clear vision of the theocracy and one’s relation to it. An unbalanced person is erratic, changeable, unreliable. Falling a prey to the insidious unrighteousness of the world, one might begin to form his decisions and to set his course of action according to the “accepted” standards of the oldworld society. Such a course is dangerous and leads to many painful experiences. (1 Tim. 6:10) One should always remember that many an experienced traveler has become completely lost while on a particularly rough and difficult detour. And those who sincerely and whole-heartedly love Jehovah and his New World society do not wish to have any serious part with those who are being abandoned to Jesus Christ’s wrath at his revelation.

11. (a) How does making secondary issues the important thing upset one’s balance? (b) How is this illustrated in the racial issue?

¹¹ Neither will those maintaining proper balance be drawn aside by some secondary issue and make it the motivating factor in their lives. For example, in the days of the early Christians many wished to make the matter of circumcision a major issue and caused the preaching work to be interrupted. The question was not settled nor the trouble abated until the governing body took the necessary action. (Acts 15:1-29) Today, in many countries of the world the racial question becomes a major problem in the Kingdom work. But those of the “faithful and discreet slave” class recognize that the final settling of such problems is not their commission. Their commission as clearly stated is to preach and to call attention to the existing sign of the approaching revelation of Christ and the execution of his judgment. They refuse to become any part of the wrangling factions and schisms that face extinction at Armageddon. They know that division or class distinction does not exist within Jehovah’s service organization even though it may be necessary or expedient to adhere to Caesar’s law in some localities by holding separate meetings. However, we know that assembling together is primarily for study, while our main objective is giving the witness in the field. So those whose eye is sincere will rightly maintain complete balance by taking whatever course or following whatever legal methods are most practical to break down prejudice of the people in their territory. Why not show those among whom we live the only way to real freedom, which we are already enjoying? Why force an issue already strained and add to the problems of witnessing? Love for our neighbor is one of Jehovah’s righteous requirements. Those who are maintaining complete balance will make sure their love is expressed not toward oneself nor in elevating some particular group in the eyes of man but in properly directing the “other sheep” to the love of God where true help and succor are to be found.

12. In what proper light should the revelation of Jesus Christ be viewed?

¹² Only the unmerciful look to Armageddon solely as the time of God’s wrath and execution of his judgment against the wicked. Paul says: “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are, if you judge; for in the thing in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, inasmuch as you that judge practice the same things. Now we know that the judgment of God is, in accord with truth, against those who practice such things. But do you have this idea, O man, while you judge those who practice such things and yet you do them, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or 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? But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and of the revealing of God’s righteous judgment.” (Rom. 2:1-5, NW) Those today who are prone to criticize and find fault endanger their position with the Lord and test his mercy and long-suffering perhaps to the limit. That is why Peter admonished us: “Set your hope upon the undeserved kindness that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13, NW) Since Jehovah has mercifully shortened this day of wrath expressed against Satan by allowing a time when men can flee to safety, those who have the love of God and of their neighbor make all haste to take advantage of it to the full, stabilizing their own minds securely in the accurate knowledge of God’s Word and actively proclaiming the good news to all others who will hear.

AWAITING THE DAY

13. How does Peter emphasize the importance of keeping busy?

¹³ In his second letter Peter explains the matter further and again emphasizes the importance of keeping busy. Reminding us that many ridiculers would come who assume God has forgotten man’s condition, he says: “Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance. Yet Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered. 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. 3:9-12, NW.

14. In what different ways are the beginnings of Christ’s second presence and manifestation marked?

¹⁴ Peter’s mention of the day’s coming as a thief gives rise to another question. Some, untrained in the Scriptures, point to this as an instance of inconsistency in the Bible. “How,” they say, “can you harmonize the statements that he would come in power and great glory and also as a thief in the night?” The answer, of course, is simple, as already explained in our discussion. These ridiculers have failed to recognize the various aspects of Christ’s presence and what is to be accomplished by each phase of his advent. Whereas the beginning of his presence was heralded world-wide when he came in power and glory, the next phase of his presence, namely his appearance or manifestation at the temple for judgment, was as unexpected as a thief in the night. Even those seeking him were not aware of this activity until after it had begun.—Mal. 3:1, 2; Matt. 25:1-13.

15. (a) In what way is the revelation of Jesus Christ like a thief? (b) How does it differ in this respect from his manifestation?

¹⁵ The day of Jehovah referred to above by Peter is the day for the expression of God’s wrath at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Here again the time is spoken of as thieflike. How, then, will even the wicked know he is present? It is the beginning of that “day” that arrives unexpectedly and comes upon them while they continue unprepared, but as it progresses it will become more and more obvious to all that the end of this system of things has arrived. (Ezek. 7:6-9; Luke 21:34-36) But unlike at Christ’s manifestation in 1918 those who are seeking him now will not be caught napping. This is made certain by Paul’s words: “You yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying, ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. But you, brothers, you are not in darkness, so that that day should overtake you as it would thieves, for you are all sons of light and sons of day.” (1 Thess. 5:2-5, NW) Being in the light, they have come to distinguish accurately between the beginning of Christ’s presence, his manifestation and his revelation. They are thereby “handling the word of the truth aright.”

16. How will the beginning of the revelation of Jesus Christ be recognized?

¹⁶ How shall we know when the time of the revelation of Jesus Christ has arrived and has begun? Notice the sign given to the Thessalonians by Paul in his letter quoted from in the preceding paragraph. When they are saying, “Peace and security!” the time has arrived. And how will this be so? Persecution of those taken along into God’s favor is certain to continue and increase at the hands of those left desolate of God’s presence. (Rev. 12:17; 13:7) These abandoned ones, at Satan’s instigation, will muster all their forces in final all-out war against Jehovah’s enthroned King and will seek to wipe out the new nation of spiritual Israel that Christ is building as a part of the new world. It might be they will make it appear they have accomplished their purpose and for this reason cry, “Peace and security!” Then it is that Christ reveals himself to the nations in all the majesty and power of his great invisible presence.—Ezek. 38:18, 19, 21-23.

17, 18. Where does the execution of judgment begin, and who alone will find deliverance?

¹⁷ “This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you, but, to you who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings due punishment upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will pay the penalty of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength.” (2 Thess. 1:6-9, NW) The ax falls first at the roots of apostate Christendom (Jer. 25:34, 35; Luke 3:9) and, when these mercenary shepherds flee for cover, only those Christians whose faith has been tried in the fire will survive and continue to pronounce the coming judgment against heathendom and all the rest of Satan’s organization.

¹⁸ Courage, then, faithful slaves of Jehovah! “Let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses.” (1 Thess. 5:6, NW) The way of maintaining the favored position is clearly marked out before us and the victory feast is certain. So press on in the advancing light of the manifestation of Christ’s presence until he is fully revealed and final and complete deliverance has been accomplished!

Brazil’s Religious Crisis

When Brazil’s government proposed a law to sanction divorce, Cardinal Carmelo of São Paulo declared that the Roman Catholic Church would fight the government on the issue. This prompted one priest, “Father” Calazans, to admit that virtually all the Catholics in Brazil were Catholics in name only. For he said that what is needed besides political action on divorce is “real Catholics” who practice their religion—but these are an insignificantly small number. The vast majority of Brazil’s Catholics, declared priest Calazans, merely have “diplomatic relations” with the church on “social occasions,” such as baptisms, weddings and funerals.

So is Brazil experiencing a “religious crisis”? This was the question asked by that country’s important magazine Visão (Vision). In reply, a Catholic bishop stated that there was no “religious crisis,” because the Catholic Church is “present in every key position in the country” and even has plans for enlarging its sphere of political influence. In spite of this answer, the editor of Visão commented that regardless of outward appearances, the Catholic Church “cannot conceal the sad truth that our people are only nominally and statistically religious.” He explained that “Brazilians are much more interested in entertainment and in automobiles and refrigerators than in religion.”

Who Converted?

Franciscan priest Berard Haile, who has spent 53 years working with the Navaho Indians in the southwestern United States, has, according to Time, March 15, learned bit by bit from their medicine men “what no white man had known before him: the whole of the ‘Blessing Way’—a sacred, secret collection of ceremonies covering the whole religious life of the Navaho people.” He has written this carefully searched-out information in a 1,203-page manuscript, which he hopes to have published. When the Navahos gave their approval and support, he said: “I am one of you.” But one of the tribal councilors put it another way: “You came to make Christians out of the Navahos, but the Navahos have made a Navaho out of you.”

We wonder how many other peoples look at their missionaries in the same manner.