• “Worship God”
    Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!

    • The Final Test

      21, 22. (a) What will the world be like at the end of the thousand years? (b) Why will Jehovah release Satan and the demons?

      21 Jehovah will then do something extraordinary, something that expresses great confidence in his earthly subjects. He will direct that Satan and the demons be released from the abyss in which they have been confined for the thousand years. (Read Revelation 20:1-3.) The world that greets them will be vastly different from the one they knew. Before Armageddon, the majority of mankind was misled by Satan and the unity of the human race was fractured by hate and prejudice. (Rev. 12:9) But at the end of the thousand years, all mankind will be worshipping Jehovah as a united, loving family. The earth will be one harmonious Paradise.

      22 Why will Jehovah release such criminals as Satan and the demons into this clean environment? Because the majority of those alive at the end of the thousand years will never have had their loyalty as faithful worshippers of Jehovah tested. Most died without knowing Jehovah and were then resurrected into Paradise. Jehovah not only gave them life but also provided for all their physical and spiritual needs. They will have experienced no negative influences, only positive peer pressure. They will have been surrounded by people who love and serve Jehovah. Satan could hurl at these resurrected ones the same accusation he leveled at Job​—they serve God only because he protects and blesses them. (Job 1:9, 10) So before Jehovah writes our names permanently in the book of life, he will allow us a chance to prove beyond doubt that we are loyal to him as our Father and Sovereign.​—Rev. 20:12, 15.

      23. What issue will each individual face?

      23 For a brief period, Satan will be given an opportunity to lure mankind away from serving God. What will that test be? No doubt, each individual will face an issue similar to the one that confronted Adam and Eve​—either accept Jehovah’s standards, support his rulership, and worship him or rebel against God and support Satan.

      24. Why are those who rebel called Gog and Magog?

      24 Read Revelation 20:7-10. Significantly, those who rebel at the end of the thousand years are called Gog and Magog. They exhibit traits similar to those shown by the rebels who Ezekiel prophesied would attack God’s people during the great tribulation. That earlier horde, “Gog of the land of Magog,” was divided into nations that opposed Jehovah’s rule. (Ezek. 38:2) Similarly, those who rebel at the end of Christ’s Millennial Rule are described as “nations.” This is a telling description. Why? Because during the Thousand Year Reign, all nationalistic divisions will have been removed; all people will be subjects of one government, God’s Kingdom. We will belong to one spiritual nation. By calling these rebels Gog and Magog and saying that they are “nations,” the prophecy indicates that Satan will be successful in fostering divisions among some of God’s people. None will be forced to take Satan’s side. Each perfect individual will make his or her own choice.

      A rebel inciting a massive crowd to protest. The protesting occurs at the end of Christ’s Millennial Reign.

      Those who rebel are called Gog and Magog (See paragraph 24)

      25, 26. How many will join Satan, and what will happen to them?

      25 How many will join Satan? The number of those who rebel are “as the sand of the sea.” This expression does not necessarily mean that a large percentage of mankind will rebel. How do we know? Consider the promise made to Abraham. Jehovah said that Abraham’s offspring would become like “the grains of sand on the seashore.” (Gen. 22:17, 18) Yet, the number who made up his offspring ended up being 144,001 individuals. (Gal. 3:16, 29) That figure, while significant, is only a fraction of the total number of mankind. Similarly, the number who join Satan may be significant, but it will not be overwhelming. The rebels will pose no great threat to Jehovah’s loyal servants.

      26 Those who join the rebellion will quickly be wiped out. Along with Satan and the demons, they will cease to exist​—with no prospect of ever coming back to life. Only their bad decisions and the consequences of those decisions will be remembered for all time.​—Rev. 20:10.

      27-29. What awaits those who pass the final test?

      27 On the other hand, those who pass the final test will have their names permanently inscribed in “the book of life.” (Rev. 20:15) Then, as a united family, all of Jehovah’s loyal sons and daughters will give him the worship he so rightly deserves.

      28 Think of that future. Ahead of you is a life of rewarding work and enriching friendships. Never again will you or your loved ones need to suffer. On your own merit, you will stand before Jehovah completely without sin. Every person will have an unrestricted friendship with God. And most important of all, in heaven and on earth, pure worship will be carried out in perfection. That will be the ultimate restoration of pure worship!

      A perfect woman walking in a forest. Bright rays of sunlight are shining through the trees.

      When you are perfect, you will stand before Jehovah on your own merit, completely without sin (See paragraph 28)