Are You Ready for Jehovah’s Day?

“The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much.”—ZEPHANIAH 1:14.

1. How do the Scriptures describe the day of Jehovah?

JEHOVAH’S “great and fear-inspiring day” will soon come upon this wicked system of things. The Scriptures describe the day of Jehovah as one of battle, darkness, fury, distress, anguish, alarm, and desolation. Yet, there will be survivors, for “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” (Joel 2:30-32; Amos 5:18-20) Yes, God will then destroy his enemies and save his people.

2. Why should we have a sense of urgency about Jehovah’s day?

² God’s prophets attached a sense of urgency to Jehovah’s day. For instance, Zephaniah wrote: “The great day of Jehovah is near. It is near, and there is a hurrying of it very much.” (Zephaniah 1:14) The situation is all the more urgent today because God’s Chief Executioner, the King Jesus Christ, is about to ‘gird his sword upon his thigh and ride in the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness.’ (Psalm 45:3, 4) Are you ready for that day?

They Had Great Expectations

3. What expectations did some Thessalonian Christians have, and for what two reasons were they mistaken?

³ Many have had unfulfilled expectations regarding the day of Jehovah. Some early Christians in Thessalonica said, ‘Jehovah’s day is here!’ (2 Thessalonians 2:2) But there were two basic reasons why it was not at hand. Citing one of these, the apostle Paul had said: “Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6) In this “time of the end,” we ourselves await the fulfillment of those words. (Daniel 12:4) The Thessalonians also lacked another line of evidence that Jehovah’s great day had arrived, for Paul told them: “It will not come unless the apostasy comes first.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) When Paul wrote those words (about 51 C.E.), “the apostasy” from true Christianity had not developed completely. Today, we see it in full bloom in Christendom. Despite their unfulfilled expectations, though, those faithful anointed ones in Thessalonica, who kept on serving God faithfully until death, eventually received a heavenly reward. (Revelation 2:10) We too will be rewarded if we stay faithful as we await Jehovah’s day.

4. (a) With what is Jehovah’s day linked at 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2? (b) What views did so-called Church Fathers have regarding Christ’s return and related matters?

⁴ The Bible links “the great day of Jehovah” with “the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1, 2) The so-called Church Fathers had various ideas about Christ’s return, his presence, and his Thousand Year Reign. (Revelation 20:4) In the second century C.E., Papias of Hierapolis entertained expectations of fabulous fertility of the earth during the Millennial Reign of Christ. Justin Martyr spoke of Jesus’ presence repeatedly and expected restored Jerusalem to be the seat of His Kingdom. Irenæus of Lyons taught that after the Roman Empire was destroyed, Jesus would appear visibly, bind Satan, and reign in earthly Jerusalem.

5. What have certain scholars said about Christ’s “Second Advent” and his Millennial Reign?

⁵ Historian Philip Schaff noted that “the most striking point” in the period prior to the Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E. was “the belief of a visible reign of Christ in glory on earth with the risen saints for a thousand years, before the general resurrection and judgment.” A Dictionary of the Bible, edited by James Hastings, states: “Tertullian, Irenæus, and Hippolytus still look for a speedy Advent [of Jesus Christ]; but with the Alexandrine Fathers we enter a new circle of thought. . . . With Augustine’s identification of the Millennium with the period of the Church militant, the Second Advent is postponed to a distant future.”

Jehovah’s Day and Jesus’ Presence

6. Why should we not conclude that Jehovah’s day is a long way off?

⁶ Misconceptions have led to disappointments, but let us not think that Jehovah’s day is a long way off. Jesus’ invisible presence, with which it is Scripturally associated, has already begun. The Watchtower and related publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses have often provided Scriptural evidence that Christ’s presence began in the year 1914.a So, then, what did Jesus say about his presence?

7. (a) What are some features of the sign of Jesus’ presence and the conclusion of the system of things? (b) How may we be saved?

⁷ Jesus’ presence became a topic for discussion shortly before his death. After hearing him predict the destruction of Jerusalem’s temple, his apostles Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked: “When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24:1-3; Mark 13:3, 4) In reply, Jesus foretold wars, famines, earthquakes, and other features of “the sign” of his presence and the conclusion of the system of things. He also said: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) We will be saved if we faithfully endure to the end of our present life or to the end of this wicked system.

8. Before the end of the Jewish system, what was to be accomplished, and what is being done about this today?

⁸ Before the end, an especially significant feature of Jesus’ presence would be fulfilled. Regarding it, he said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Before the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish system of things ended in 70 C.E., Paul could say that the good news “was preached in all creation that is under heaven.” (Colossians 1:23) Today, however, a far more extensive preaching work is being done by Jehovah’s Witnesses “in all the inhabited earth.” During the last few years, God has opened the way for a great witness to be given in Eastern Europe. With printeries and other facilities worldwide, Jehovah’s organization is poised for increased activity, even in “untouched territory.” (Romans 15:22, 23) Does your heart impel you to do your utmost in giving a witness before the end comes? If so, God can strengthen you to have a rewarding share in the work ahead.—Philippians 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:17.

9. What point did Jesus make, as recorded at Matthew 24:36?

⁹ The foretold Kingdom-preaching work and other features of the sign of Jesus’ presence are being fulfilled right now. Hence, the end is near for this wicked system of things. True, Jesus said: “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:4-14, 36) But Jesus’ prophecy can help us to be ready for “that day and hour.”

They Were Ready

10. How do we know that it is possible to stay awake spiritually?

¹⁰ To survive the great day of Jehovah, we must stay awake spiritually and stand firm for true worship. (1 Corinthians 16:13) We know that such endurance is possible, for a godly family did so and survived the Flood that destroyed wicked humans in 2370 B.C.E. Comparing that era with his presence, Jesus said: “Just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.”—Matthew 24:37-39.

11. What course did Noah pursue despite the violence that existed in his day?

¹¹ Like us, Noah and his family lived in a violent world. Disobedient angelic “sons of the true God” had materialized and had taken wives by whom they fathered the infamous Nephilim—bullies who undoubtedly made conditions more violent. (Genesis 6:1, 2, 4; 1 Peter 3:19, 20) However, “Noah walked with the true God” in faith. He “proved himself faultless among his contemporaries”—the wicked generation of his day. (Genesis 6:9-11) With prayerful reliance on God, we can do the same thing in this violent and wicked world as we await the day of Jehovah.

12. (a) Besides building an ark, what work did Noah do? (b) How did people react to Noah’s preaching, and what were the consequences for them?

¹² Noah is well-known as the builder of an ark for the preservation of life through the Deluge. He was also “a preacher of righteousness,” but his contemporaries “took no note” of his God-given message. They ate and drank, got married, raised families, and carried on the normal affairs of life until the Flood swept them all away. (2 Peter 2:5; Genesis 6:14) They did not want to hear about upright speech and conduct, even as today’s wicked generation closes its ears to what Jehovah’s Witnesses say about “repentance toward God,” faith in Christ, righteousness, and “the judgment to come.” (Acts 20:20, 21; 24:24, 25) There is no available record of how many people lived on earth when Noah was declaring God’s message. But one thing is certain, earth’s population was drastically reduced in 2370 B.C.E.! The Deluge wiped out the wicked, sparing only those ready for that act of God—Noah and the seven others in his family.—Genesis 7:19-23; 2 Peter 3:5, 6.

13. In what judicial decree did Noah put total confidence, and how did he act in harmony with this?

¹³ God did not give Noah years of advance notice about the exact day and hour for the Flood. However, when Noah was 480 years old, Jehovah decreed: “My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.” (Genesis 6:3) Noah put total confidence in this divine judicial decree. After reaching the age of 500, he “became father to Shem, Ham and Japheth,” and custom of those days suggests that 50 to 60 years passed before his sons got married. When Noah was told to build the ark for preservation through the Flood, those sons and their wives evidently assisted him in that endeavor. The building of the ark likely coincided with Noah’s service as “a preacher of righteousness,” keeping him busy for the last 40 to 50 years before the Flood. (Genesis 5:32; 6:13-22) For all those years, he and his family acted in faith. Let us also display faith as we preach the good news and await Jehovah’s day.—Hebrews 11:7.

14. What did Jehovah eventually tell Noah, and why?

¹⁴ As the ark neared completion, Noah may have thought that the Flood was imminent, although he did not know exactly when it would occur. Jehovah eventually did tell him: “In just seven days more I am making it rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights.” (Genesis 7:4) That gave Noah and his family just enough time to get all the animal kinds into the ark and enter it themselves before the Flood began. We do not need to know the day and hour for the start of this system’s destruction; survival of animals is not entrusted to us, and prospective human survivors are already entering the symbolic ark, the spiritual paradise of God’s people.

“Keep on the Watch”

15. (a) In your own words, how would you explain Jesus’ words found at Matthew 24:40-44? (b) Not knowing the exact time of Jesus’ coming to execute God’s vengeance has what effect?

¹⁵ Regarding his presence, Jesus explained: “Then two men will be [working] in the field: one will be taken along and the other be abandoned; two women will be grinding [grain into flour] 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 Lord is coming. But know one thing, that if the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. On this account you too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.” (Matthew 24:40-44; Luke 17:34, 35) Not knowing the exact time of Jesus’ coming to execute God’s vengeance tends to keep us vigilant and gives us daily opportunity to prove that we serve Jehovah with unselfish motives.

16. What will happen to individuals “abandoned” and to those “taken along”?

¹⁶ Individuals “abandoned” to destruction with the wicked will include those once enlightened but who get swallowed up in a selfish way of life. May we be among the ones “taken along,” those fully devoted to Jehovah and truly grateful for his spiritual provisions through “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) Right down to the end, let us serve God with “love out of a clean heart and out of a good conscience and out of faith without hypocrisy.”—1 Timothy 1:5.

Holy Acts Essential

17. (a) What was foretold at 2 Peter 3:10? (b) What are some of the acts and deeds encouraged by 2 Peter 3:11?

¹⁷ The apostle Peter wrote: “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.” (2 Peter 3:10) The symbolic heavens and earth will not survive the heat of God’s burning anger. So Peter adds: “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!” (2 Peter 3:11) Among these acts and deeds are regular presence at Christian meetings, doing good to others, and having a meaningful share in preaching the good news.—Matthew 24:14; Hebrews 10:24, 25; 13:16.

18. If we are developing an attachment to the world, what should we do?

¹⁸ “Holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion” require that we ‘keep ourselves without spot from the world.’ (James 1:27) But what if we are developing an attachment to this world? Perhaps we are being lured into a dangerous position before God by seeking unclean entertainment or by listening to music and songs that promote the ungodly spirit of this world. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) If that is the case, let us seek God’s help in prayer so that we will not pass away with the world but will stand approved before the Son of man. (Luke 21:34-36; 1 John 2:15-17) If we have made a dedication to God, surely we will want to do our best to build and maintain a warm relationship with him and thus be ready for the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.

19. Why can throngs of Kingdom proclaimers expect to live through the conclusion of this wicked system of things?

¹⁹ Godly Noah and his family lived through the Flood that destroyed the ancient world. Upright individuals survived the end of the Jewish system of things in 70 C.E. For instance, the apostle John was still active in God’s service in about 96-98 C.E., when he penned the book of Revelation, his Gospel account, and three inspired letters. Of the thousands who embraced the true faith at Pentecost of 33 C.E., likely many lived through the end of the Jewish system. (Acts 1:15; 2:41, 47; 4:4) Today throngs of Kingdom proclaimers can hope to live through the conclusion of the present wicked system of things.

20. Why should we be zealous ‘preachers of righteousness’?

²⁰ With preservation into the new world before us, let us be zealous ‘preachers of righteousness.’ What a privilege it is to serve God in these last days! And what a joy it is to direct people to the present-day “ark,” the spiritual paradise enjoyed by God’s people! May the millions now in it remain faithful, spiritually awake, and ready for the great day of Jehovah. But what will help all of us to stay awake?

Happy Are Those Who Stay Awake!

“Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments.”—REVELATION 16:15.

1. Since Jehovah’s day is near, what can we expect?

JEHOVAH’S great day is near, and that means war! In vision, the apostle John saw froglike “expressions inspired by demons” going forth to all “kings,” or rulers, of the earth. To do what? Why, “to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty”! John added: “They gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Har–Magedon.”—Revelation 16:13-16.

2. Who is Gog of Magog, and what will happen when he attacks Jehovah’s people?

² Soon, Jehovah will move this system’s political element to destroy Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. (Revelation 17:1-5, 15-17) Then Gog of Magog, Satan the Devil debased to the vicinity of the earth, will marshal his hordes and make an all-out attack on Jehovah’s peaceful, seemingly defenseless people. (Ezekiel 38:1-12) But God will act to rescue his people. That will mark the outbreak of “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.”—Joel 2:31; Ezekiel 38:18-20.

3. How would you describe the developments foretold at Ezekiel 38:21-23?

³ Yes, Jehovah will rescue his people and destroy every last vestige of Satan’s system when we reach the world situation called Har–Magedon, or Armageddon. Read the prophetic words of Ezekiel 38:21-23, and visualize the scene. Jehovah wields his power to bring about flooding cloudbursts, devastating hailstones, streaking fire, deadly pestilence. Panic reigns worldwide as Gog’s hordes are thrown into confusion, fighting against one another. Any surviving foes of Almighty God are executed as Jehovah uses supernatural means to save his servants. When the foretold “great tribulation” has run its course, nothing will be left of Satan’s ungodly system. (Matthew 24:21) Even in their death throes, however, the wicked will learn who is responsible for their calamity. Our victorious God himself says: “They will have to know that I am Jehovah.” These extraordinary events will occur in our day, during Jesus’ presence.

Coming as a Thief

4. In what manner will Jesus come to destroy this wicked system of things?

⁴ The glorified Lord Jesus Christ said: “Look! I am coming as a thief.” A thieflike coming would be sudden, at an unexpected time, when most people are asleep. When Jesus comes like a thief to destroy this wicked system, he will preserve those who are truly awake. He told John: “Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness.” (Revelation 16:15) What is the import of those words? And how can we stay spiritually awake?

5. What arrangement for temple service existed when Jesus was on earth?

⁵ Generally, a guard would not be stripped naked if he fell asleep on the job. But that did happen at the temple in Jerusalem when Jesus was on earth and divisions of priests and Levites served at the temple in Jerusalem. It was in the 11th century B.C.E. that King David arranged Israel’s hundreds of priests and their thousands of Levitical assistants into an organization made up of 24 divisions. (1 Chronicles 24:1-18) Each division of over one thousand trained workers took its turn in handling the features of temple service at least twice a year for one full week at a time. At the Festival of Booths, though, all 24 divisions were on hand for duty. Extra help was also needed at Passover festivals.

6. To what may Jesus have alluded when he said, “Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments”?

⁶ When Jesus said, “Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments,” he may have alluded to a procedure then followed that involved guard duty at the temple. The Jewish Mishnah says: “The priests kept watch at three places in the Temple: at the Chamber of Abtinas, at the Chamber of the Flame, and at the Chamber of the Hearth; and the levites at twenty-one places: five at the five gates of the Temple Mount, four at its four corners inside, five at five of the gates of the Temple Court, four at its four corners outside, and one at the Chamber of Offerings, and one at the Chamber of the Curtain, and one behind the place of the Mercy Seat [outside the rear wall of the Most Holy]. The officer of the Temple Mount used to go round to every watch with lighted torches before him, and if any watch did not stand up and say to him, ‘O officer of the Temple Mount, peace be to thee!’ and it was manifest that he was asleep, he would beat him with his staff, and he had the right to burn his raiment.”—The Mishnah, Middoth (“Measurements”), 1, paragraphs 1-2, translated by Herbert Danby.

7. Why did priests and Levites on guard duty at the temple need to stay awake?

⁷ The many Levites and priests of the serving division stayed awake all night to keep guard and to prevent anyone unclean from entering the temple courtyards. Since the “officer of the Temple Mount,” or “the captain of the temple,” made the rounds of all 24 stations during the watches of the night, each watchman had to stay awake at his post if he did not want to be caught off guard.—Acts 4:1.

8. What are the Christian’s figurative outer garments?

⁸ Anointed Christians and their fellow servants need to stay spiritually awake and keep on their figurative outer garments. These are the outward evidences of our appointment to the ministry at Jehovah’s spiritual temple. In recognition of this, we have God’s holy spirit, or active force, to help us perform our duties and carry out our privileges as Kingdom proclaimers. Falling asleep at our posts as God’s ministers would put us in danger of being caught by Jesus Christ, the Captain of the great spiritual temple. If we were spiritually asleep at that time, we would figuratively be stripped naked and would have our symbolic garments burned. So how can we stay awake spiritually?

How We Can Stay Awake

9. Why is study of the Bible with the help of Christian publications so important?

⁹ Diligent study of the Scriptures with the help of Christian publications is a stimulant to spiritual wakefulness. Such study will equip us for the ministry, will help us to meet crises, and will show us the way to eternal happiness. (Proverbs 8:34, 35; James 1:5-8) Our study should be thorough and progressive. (Hebrews 5:14–6:3) Good food eaten regularly can help to keep us awake and alert. It can prevent the lethargy that may be a sign of malnutrition. We have no reason to be spiritually malnourished and sleepy, for God is making abundant provision for spiritual food by means of the anointed “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) Regular consumption of spiritual food through personal and family study is one way to stay awake and to be “healthy in the faith.”—Titus 1:13.

10. How do Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions help us to stay spiritually awake?

¹⁰ Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions help to keep us spiritually awake. They provide encouragement and opportunities to ‘incite one another to love and fine works.’ Especially should we gather regularly as we “behold the day drawing near.” That day is now near indeed. It is “Jehovah’s day,” when he will vindicate his sovereignty. If that day is really important to us—and it should be—we will ‘not forsake the gathering of ourselves together.’—Hebrews 10:24, 25; 2 Peter 3:10.

11. Why can it be said that the Christian ministry is essential to spiritual wakefulness?

¹¹ Wholehearted participation in the Christian ministry is essential to spiritual wakefulness. A regular and zealous share in preaching the good news keeps us alert. Our ministry affords us many opportunities to talk to people about God’s Word, his Kingdom, and his purposes. It is satisfying to witness from house to house, make return visits, and conduct home Bible studies in such publications as Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. Elders in ancient Ephesus could testify that Paul had taught them “publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:20, 21) Of course, some faithful Witnesses of Jehovah have serious health problems that hinder their ministry somewhat, but they find ways to tell others about Jehovah and his kingship and draw great joy from doing so.—Psalm 145:10-14.

12, 13. For what reasons should we avoid overindulgence in food and drink?

¹² Avoiding overindulgence will help us to stay spiritually awake. When speaking about his presence, Jesus urged his apostles: “Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth.” (Luke 21:7, 34, 35) Gluttony and drunkenness are out of harmony with Bible principles. (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) Proverbs 23:20, 21 says: “Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of wine, among those who are gluttonous eaters of flesh. For a drunkard and a glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with mere rags.”—Proverbs 28:7.

¹³ Even if overeating and heavy drinking have not reached that point, however, they can make a person drowsy, even lazy and negligent about doing God’s will. Naturally, there will be anxieties involving family life, health, and so forth. Yet, we will be happy if we put Kingdom interests first in life and have confidence that our heavenly Father will provide for us. (Matthew 6:25-34) Otherwise, “that day” will come upon us as “a snare,” perhaps as a camouflaged trap that will catch us unawares or as a baited trap, such as those that attract and then seize unsuspecting animals. This will not happen if we stay awake, fully aware that we are living in “the time of the end.”—Daniel 12:4.

14. Why should we engage in earnest prayer?

¹⁴ Earnest prayer is another aid to spiritual wakefulness. In his great prophecy, Jesus further urged: “Keep awake, then, all the time making supplication that you may succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36) Yes, let us pray that we may always be on Jehovah’s side and enjoy an approved standing when Jesus, the Son of man, comes to destroy this wicked system of things. For our own good and for the good of fellow believers for whom we pray, we need to ‘remain awake in prayer.’—Colossians 4:2; Ephesians 6:18-20.

Time Is Running Out

15. What is accomplished by our service as preachers of righteousness?

¹⁵ As we await the great day of Jehovah, doubtless we desire to do all we can in his service. If we earnestly pray to him about this, “a large door that leads to activity” may be opened to us. (1 Corinthians 16:8, 9) At God’s appointed time, Jesus will render judgment and separate righteous “sheep” worthy of everlasting life from ungodly “goats” deserving eternal destruction. (John 5:22) We are not the ones who separate the sheep from the goats. But our service as preachers of righteousness now is affording people the opportunity to choose a life of service to God and thus have the hope of being separated to life when Jesus “arrives in his glory.” The shortness of the time left for this system of things heightens the need for wholehearted activity as we search for those “rightly disposed for everlasting life.”—Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 13:48.

16. Why should we be zealous Kingdom proclaimers?

¹⁶ Time ran out for the world of Noah’s day, and it will soon run out for this system of things. Let us therefore be zealous Kingdom proclaimers. Our preaching work is prospering, for each year hundreds of thousands are being baptized in symbol of their dedication to God. They are becoming part of Jehovah’s blessed organization—“his people and the sheep of his pasturage.” (Psalm 100:3) What a joy it is to share in the Kingdom-preaching work that brings hope to so many before “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah”!

17, 18. (a) As we preach, what reaction should we expect from some? (b) What is sure to overtake ridiculers?

¹⁷ Like Noah, we have God’s support and protection. Yes, the people, the materialized angels, and the Nephilim must have scoffed at Noah’s message, but that did not stop him. Today, some scoff when we point to the overwhelming evidence that we are living in “the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Such ridicule is in fulfillment of Bible prophecy regarding Christ’s presence, for Peter 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.’”—2 Peter 1:16; 3:3, 4.

¹⁸ Present-day ridiculers may think: ‘Nothing has changed since creation. Life goes on, with people eating, drinking, getting married, and raising families. Even if Jesus is present, he will not execute judgment in my day.’ How wrong they are! If they do not die from other causes in the meantime, the fear-inspiring day of Jehovah will definitely overtake them, just as cataclysmic destruction in the Flood brought an end to a wicked generation in Noah’s day.—Matthew 24:34.

By All Means, Stay Awake!

19. How should we view our disciple-making activities?

¹⁹ If we are dedicated to Jehovah, may we never be lulled to sleep by improper reasoning. This is a time to stay awake, to exercise faith in divine prophecy, and to carry out our commission to “make disciples of people of all the nations.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) As this system faces its final end, we could have no greater privilege than that of serving Jehovah God under the leadership of Jesus Christ and sharing in the worldwide work of preaching “this good news of the kingdom” before the end comes.—Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10.

20. What example was set by Caleb and Joshua, and what does their course indicate for us?

²⁰ Some of Jehovah’s people have been serving him for decades, perhaps for a lifetime. And even if we have more recently embraced true worship, may we be like the Israelite Caleb, who “followed Jehovah fully.” (Deuteronomy 1:34-36) He and Joshua were quite prepared to enter the Promised Land shortly after Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Adult Israelites in general, however, lacked faith and had to spend 40 years in the wilderness, where they died. Caleb and Joshua endured hardships along with them all that time, but eventually those two men entered the land of promise. (Numbers 14:30-34; Joshua 14:6-15) If we ‘follow Jehovah fully’ and stay spiritually awake, we will have the joy of entering God’s promised new world.

21. What will be our experience if we stay awake spiritually?

²¹ Evidence clearly proves that we are living in the time of the end and that the great day of Jehovah is near. This is not the time to become sleepy and negligent in doing the divine will. We will be blessed only if we stay awake spiritually and keep our garments of identification as Christian ministers and servants of Jehovah. May it be our determination to “stay awake, stand firm in the faith, carry on as men, grow mighty.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) As Jehovah’s servants, may each one of us be steadfast and courageous. Then we will be among those who are ready when the great day of Jehovah strikes, faithfully serving in the ranks of the happy ones who stay awake.