The Presence of the Day of Jehovah

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A “perfect storm” scenario of apocalyptic proportions is brewing – soon to spawn the greatest catastrophe in human history. That most people are oblivious to the looming calamity or that some may ridicule the prophecies that foretell it, or even the mere suggestion that all is not as it seems, is by no means a contra-indication of its nearness, but is in itself a characteristic commonly exhibited by a doomed society.

The most immediate threat facing civilization is not over-population, the depletion of the ozone layer, the destruction of the rain forests, or the gradual thaw of the polar ice caps, or even terrorism, as some politicians and the corporate media would have us believe, but rather, it is the age-old menace of war – except now, the evils of war are no longer inflicted with muscle-powered bow and arrow, as in ancient times; or even with cannon and gun, as in more recent wars. The next war will be waged with the most sophisticated and destructive weapons imaginable – weapons so powerful that the potential exists of extinguishing the human race.

According to the apostle Peter and Jesus Christ, there is to occur a time of unprecedented trouble; a virtual meltdown of the entire global system of things, a calamity of such severity that the continued existence of mankind will require divine intervention to halt the tribulation.

Clearly, though, if God cuts short the oncoming great tribulation, as Christ foretold, it should be evident that the tribulation itself is not a direct act of God, as will be ‘the war to end all wars’ – Armageddon.

What is more, it is also apparent that the great tribulation that is to suddenly engulf “the entire inhabited earth,” causing men to literally faint with fright, is not merely the destruction of the symbolic Babylon the Great, as Jehovah’s Witnesses presently imagine. The tribulation is destined to bring distress to the entire world of mankind, not just those who worship the harlot of Babylon.

In view of the fact that the 9-11 terrorist attack on New York and Washington D.C. six years ago served as a pretext for the United States to launch ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the most likely trigger for the next war, which unquestionably has the potential to become a world war, and hence, the great tribulation, is an act of terrorism (whether real or synthetic is irrelevant).

A major terror event causing mass casualties, especially one involving WMD, would trigger a sudden chain-reaction crash of the already-collapsing global financial system, and ultimately serve as the pretext and inducement for the United States to attack pre-targeted nations; and in the process commit national suicide.

It is well known that the United States has been preparing for an attack upon Iran for many months now; preparations that include the first time-ever use of tactical nuclear weapons. Preparations for war are in an advanced stage. (Global Research article) Even without the pretext of a terror attack the Anglo-American-Israeli triad seems demonically-driven to launch nuclear shock and awe in the near future. Telegraph article

Mass deaths due to food storages and global pandemics are certain to be an inevitable consequence of international war and economic collapse. Global genocide is a very real possibility and, in fact, is what the prophecies foretell. (See essay: Habakkuk – The Ultimate Final Solution and video: Babylon and the Coming New World Order)

Global war, food shortages and pestilences are, of course, the primary features of the sign of Christ’s presence – along with developments that will directly impact true Christians, such as intense persecutions and betrayal by former brothers and the desolation of Jehovah God’s holy place. (See essay: What is the Holy Place and Great Tribulation?)

Although the present world system is inherently, terminally flawed, the future unveiling of the judgments of Jehovah, beginning with the violent debasing of the god of this world – Satan, along with his demons – will serve as the actual detonator for the meltdown of the present system of things.

The crisis brought on by global war, resulting in the devastating mortal wound upon the presently-ruling Anglo-American dyad, will serve as the unmistakable signal that “the presence of the day of Jehovah” has begun and that Satan has lost the initial phase of the war and been hurled down from heaven, where he is certain to make his last stand against the then-ascending kingdom of God. (See essays: The Death of a God and The Coming Downfall of America.)

While at the present moment Jehovah’s Witnesses are thoroughly convinced that the world-shattering war in heaven between Michael the archangel and Satan the Devil took place nearly a century ago, and that the Devil and his angels were at that time ousted from heaven by Christ and cast down to the earth, the seismic shocks certain to shake the world to its foundation in the near future will most certainly sweep away the Watchtower Society’s 1914 delusion and amplify the chilling declaration of the Apocalypse: “Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.”

NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH

Over 1900 years ago the apostle Peter penned a brief prophecy regarding the end of the present world-system of things and the ushering in of an entirely new system, founded upon true righteousness and justice.

As regards the sudden and unexpected passing of the present order, the apostle exhorted Christians to keep “close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah,” writing at 2 Peter 3:9-13 Peter states:

“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, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt! But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”

Persons who are untaught as regards the meaning of biblical symbolism naturally tend towards a literal understanding of prophecy. Hence, the common misconception among Christendom’s unlearned adherents is that God is going to destroy the literal heavens and physical earth. Unfortunately, hugely popular books like Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth and the Left Behind fictional series have only reinforced such unfounded notions.

But the fact that the apostle Peter likened the end of the present world to the previous world that perished as a result of the global Deluge indicates that the planet itself is not what is meant by “earth.” After all, planet earth was not destroyed by the flood of Noah’s day. Noah and his family stepped out of the Ark on the same terra firma that they had trod prior to the time they had gone into the Ark and the hand of God sealed the door behind them. In fact, the earth we now inhabit still bears the scars gouged out by that ancient cataclysm that washed away a degenerate civilization dominated by materialized angels and their freakish offspring.

Jehovah’s Witnesses at least have a working knowledge of the basic meanings of the symbolism employed in prophecy. For instance, it can easily be proven that the expressions “new heavens and new earth” are not to be taken literally by taking into consideration the fact that the apostle Peter was alluding to the Hebrew prophecies; namely, the 65th and 66th chapters of Isaiah, which foretold the creation of a new heavens and new earth in connection with the re-establishment of the theocratic nation of Israel.

Obviously, though, Jehovah did not create a new heavenly habitation for himself; nor did he create a new starry canopy above our earthly home or call into existence a new planet to accommodate the Jews after they were liberated from Babylon. No, what God created was a new Jewish society – one that had been cleansed from the gross immorality, wickedness and idolatry that had characterized it before. In a miniature way that provides a foregleam of what is entailed in the creation of a new heavens and new earth foretold in the letter of Peter, as well as in the 21st chapter of the book of Revelation.

Jehovah’s Witnesses correctly understand that the “new heavens” represent the very kingdom of God that will rule over the earth from heaven, composed of Christ and the 144,000 chosen ones of God; and the “new earth” is a symbolic term that describes a new earthly society that Jehovah will establish, composed of an international great crowd of persons of faith who are destined to survive, in the flesh, the now-imminent passing of the present system of things.

“The heavens and the earth that are now,” of which the apostle wrote, signify the corrupt governments that hold power over mankind, just as the heavens are over the earth. The heavens are also a fitting symbol for the governing powers ruling over the earth in view of the fact that the real rulers of the world are the unseen demonic principalities that exist in the spirit realm, or heavens. And, of course, the earth is a symbol for the nations and peoples that inhabit the earth that are under the influence and domination of the wicked “heavens.”

But, taking into consideration that the prophecy of Isaiah initially applied solely to the nation of Israel and Judah, with its governing Davidic kingdom and Levitical priesthood – the heavens that are now may also include the institution of the Governing Body of the Watchtower Society and the entire theocratic organization over Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Peter’s admonition to keep “close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah” was, after all, addressed to anointed Christians. Expressed another way, since “the presence of the day of Jehovah” will also initiate the judgment upon the house of God, the “heavens and the earth that are now stored up for fire” must include that which is called ‘Jehovah’s earthly organization.’ After all, the fiery judgment that came upon Israel and Jerusalem on separate occasions ultimately destroyed the only institutions that had ever been originated and sanctioned by Jehovah God himself.

It will be as if the manifestation of Jehovah’s anger will melt away the protective institutional elements that buttress this present fragile system; thus, exposing the world – in all of its unseemliness – to the searing light of God’s inspection. This is what Peter foretold, where he wrote: “but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered.”

The intense heat of the day of Jehovah will ignite the combustible “elements” comprising the present earth. “The elements” constitute the elementary aspects having to do with the day-to-day functioning of the world, such as the economy and various institutions that contribute to the workability of the system.

Since the vast magazine and book publishing operation, as well as the congregational activities overseen by the Watchtower Society, are very much dependent upon the continued smooth functioning of the present order, the Watchtower organization itself must be included among “all these things…thus to be dissolved.” (See essays: The Coming Collapse of the Watchtower and Joel – Day of the Locust Attack)

Did not Paul foretell regarding the fiery day of Jehovah, that each one’s work will be subjected to the flame, so-to-speak, to the extent that the wood, hay and stubble-like works of some anointed Christians would be entirely incinerated in the conflagration? (See blog entry: The Fire of Jehovah)

Just as “the presence of the day of Jehovah” is destined to arrive like a thief in the night, Jesus also exhorted his disciples to keep awake and on the watch because his coming to reward and punish his household of servants will also manifest itself as unexpectedly as the break-in of a burglar at night. (See essay: Keep on the Watch)

Unfortunately, although possessing a fundamental knowledge of prophecy, Jehovah’s Witnesses are nonetheless laboring under a considerable burden of misunderstanding as to the details of the outworking of Jehovah’s purpose, due in no small measure to the Watchtower Society’s 1914 teaching.

On the one hand, Jehovah’s Witnesses commonly believe that the fiery dissolution of the present system will come about during the war between God and man at Armageddon; on the other hand, it is the Society’s official teaching that the new heavens have already come into existence.

As incredible as it may seem, according to the Watchtower the “new heavens” became operational in 1914. As an example here is a snippet from Bethel’s latest commentary on Isaiah: “In 1914 the long-awaited new heavens came into existence. The Messianic Kingdom born in that year rules from heaven itself, and Jehovah has given it authority over all the earth. This Kingdom government, under Christ and his 144,000 corulers, is the new heavens.”

The Watchtower offers no explanation as to how it is that the new heavens have come into existence before the “heavens and the earth that are now” have even been dissolved by the fiery heat of “the presence of the day of Jehovah.” Apparently the leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses considers that to be an insignificant detail of interpretation! But, alas, the pattern established in the Scriptures indicates that God first sets fire to the corrupt heavens and earth that presently dominate, and then – afterwards – he will create “a new heavens and new earth” to replace that which was destroyed.

According to Jesus’ prophecy of the conclusion of this system of things, the nations of the earth are destined to be suddenly plunged into upheaval and anguish with no apparent way out of the enveloping calamity, “because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation.” In the same context Jesus also foretold that “the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

“The powers of the heavens” that are due a violent shaking are the governmental heavens. As for the meaning of “the roaring of the sea,” throughout prophecy the sea is used as a symbol for the turbulent masses of mankind, such as at Isaiah 57:20, which says: “But the wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire.”

During “the presence of the day of Jehovah” civilization will be thrown into tumult and the heavenly, governmental powers will be shaken, as if by an earthquake or powerful tempest.

In the 51st chapter of Isaiah Jehovah states that it is He who stirs up the sea, making it “boisterous.” The prophecy of Isaiah goes on to indicate that the new heavens and the new earth come into existence during the time of international crisis, when the nations are in turmoil, riled, as if a storm-tossed, turbulent sea. Isaiah 51:15-16 reads:

“But I, Jehovah, am your God, the One stirring up the sea that its waves may be boisterous. Jehovah of armies is his name. And I shall put my words in your mouth, and with the shadow of my hand I shall certainly cover you, in order to plant the heavens and lay the foundation of the earth and say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

So, by the word of God, the planting of the new heavens and the laying of the foundation of the new earth occurs during the tumultuous period of the tribulation; when Jesus gathers his chosen ones from the four winds and cuts short the tribulation. That is when God’s purpose is accomplished concerning the creation of a people for his name. It is then that his chastened and redeemed people will become Jehovah’s Witnesses in the fullest sense. (See essay: Jehovah’s Witnesses – A people for his name)

Then Jehovah becomes a comforter to his punished people, referring to the anointed as “you heavens” and the great crowd of terrestrial survivors as “you earth,” even as Isaiah 49:13 foretells, saying: “Give a glad cry, you heavens, and be joyful, you earth. Let the mountains become cheerful with a glad outcry. For Jehovah has comforted his people, and he shows pity upon his own afflicted ones.”

The interim between the conclusion of the old heavens and earth and the inauguration of the new is the tumultuous period of the great tribulation – the changing of the guard, so-to-speak. The turmoil and upheaval resulting from the violent passing of one world and the birth of a new will provide the circumstances for the judgment of the house of God, as well as the basis for judging mankind in general. That is, in fact, what the apostle wrote at 2 Peter 3:7: “But by the same word 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.”

Of course, “the day of judgment” is not a literal 24 hour day. It is the 42 month interval following the collapse of the present Anglo-American-dominated system and the imposition of the rule of the God-appointed tyrannical eighth king, during which time those who pledge their allegiance to the resurrected beast instead of to the then-reigning Christ will receive the symbolic 666 mark of doom as retribution. (See essay: Judgment Day – The Last Hour of the Eighth King)

THE HEAVENS WILL PASS AWAY WITH A HISSING NOISE

But what might it mean that “the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise”?

Since paper money began to be used several centuries ago there have been numerous speculative frenzies that have come to be described as “bubbles.” A few examples of bubble mania are the John Law bubble and the so-called South Sea bubble. Those schemes ended in disaster.

More recently the tech bubble and housing bubble have cost investors hundreds of billions of dollars in losses.

Appropriately, the present global financial system is often likened to a huge bubble filled with hot air. For a certainty, the entire financial system is based upon an ever-expanding bubble of debt and related derivatives amounting to the hundreds of trillions. It is by far the biggest financial bubble ever blown. And unlike previous speculative bubbles that only involved individual national economies or relatively isolated segments of the financial system, the present dollar-based debt bubble is global – all encompassing.

The common characteristic of financial debt bubbles is that they must continue to expand or else they violently contract in collapse. The leveraged bets placed in the global casino’s electronic roulette wheel are so enormous that the collapse of merely one large bank, hedge fund or related financial institution, could bring down the entire system in a matter of a few hours. The recent credit crunch, so-called, has demonstrated that fact in dramatic fashion. That an irreversible contraction in the financial sphere has already begun is evident in the spreading sub-prime contagion and mounting panic that has resulted in a run on the UK bank, Northern Rock. It is as if we are already hearing the faint hiss of speculative spume escaping from the doomed bubble.

The reality is, it is simply out of the realm of possibility that the already contracting massive bubble of debt could survive the turbulence and uncertainty of a heated war in the Middle East, especially if tactical nuclear weapons are used.

Since the currencies of national governments are the primary medium of exchange, the inevitable blowout of the global debt bubble will virtually bankrupt the governments of the world and render their currencies worthless.

In view of the impending destruction of the dollar system, the prophetic depiction of the governments and related institutions of this world passing away with “a loud hissing noise” is indeed an apt description of what will soon occur at “the presence of the day of Jehovah.”

Published September 21, 2007