THE NEW WORLD
Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 9:39AM 
When Christopher Columbus returned to his native land with the news of his discovery Europeans immediately began to refer to it as “the New World.” For the past half millennia the Americas have been called the New World. For desperate millions the New World offered the hope of a fresh start, free from the grinding poverty and oppression of the remnants of a feudalistic system in Europe, that at the time of Columbus’s discovery still had not fully recovered from the ravages of the Black Death, famine and the so-called Hundred Year’s War, which combined, had reduced the population in some parts of the Old World by as much as two-thirds.
But, alas, the New World is just a name. Surely it is understood that the term “new world” is merely in reference to a land mass and not a new society. In spite of the lofty hopes and aspirations of the pioneers and immigrants along with their descendants, who, over the past five centuries have peopled the Western Hemisphere's continental New World, the Americas are burdened with the very same problems that have long plagued the Old World.
Now at this stage of affairs the untreated disease that has for so long afflicted society has reached the point that the entire global civilization faces an early collapse into a new dark age. (YouTube) Never before in history has the need for a new world, that is to say – a new society – been so urgent as at this present time.
The real problem, though, is that society's sick condition has no human remedy. The primary reason that civilization is plagued with the same problems generation after generation is because the ruler of this world is wicked. According to Jesus the Devil is the unseen ruler of this world.
Since Adam and Eve came under his authority Satan the Devil has exerted tremendous influence over mankind. Jesus fingered the Devil as a manslayer and the father of the lie. No wonder the world under his evil spell is murderous and full of liars and con men. Satan must be removed if there is ever going to be a genuine new world.
What mankind desperately needs is a righteous ruler to replace the Devil and his degenerate demons. And that is exactly what God has provided in the person of Jesus Christ and those 144,000 who will rule with him in his kingdom, which is why Jesus himself teaches his followers to pray: “Let your kingdom come.”
“MILLIONS NOW LIVING WILL NEVER DIE”
It was in the aftermath of the most intense calamity that had ever befallen the world prior to then, that J.F. Rutherford initiated a far-reaching preaching campaign that heralded the bold proclamation: “Millions now living will never die.”
Despite Rutherford’s penchant for Barnum and Bailey theatrics and his ill-conceived chronology, the Watchtower’s advertising slogan actually revived the long-lost message of the sacred Scriptures; namely, the God-given hope of a new world.
Although that post-WWI generation has in fact died off, and Rutherford’s embarrassing 1925 belly flop notwithstanding (Rutherford later admitted: “I made an ass of myself”), the hope of a new world in the hearts and minds of millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses has not diminished.
Indeed, in the aftermath of the colossal calamity known as World War Two the Watchtower introduced the phrase “the new world.” Thus, the New World Society came into focus, as Jehovah’s Witnesses are alternatively called; and at the same time the Watchtower Society commissioned the production of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. (The Watchtower also frequently used the terms “new order” and "new world order," but as that terminology has become increasingly associated with the conspiratorial new world order, in 1986 the Watchtower wisely dropped those phrases from its theocratic lexicon.)
But what is the biblical basis for the new world hope?
Actually, there has already been one new world since creation. At least an old world was destroyed and society began anew when Jehovah caused a global deluge to swept away an ancient world. Eight human souls survived to re-populate the earth, freed from the malevolent Nephilim and their lustful fathers from heaven.
In the third chapter of his second letter the apostle Peter referred to that calamity, comparing it to the coming fiery catastrophe that will incinerate the present civilization during the period designated in Scripture as the day of Jehovah. But the apostle put forward the hope of survival into a new heavens and new earth. In the book of Revelation Jesus also spoke of the passing of an old heaven and an old earth and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. (When on earth Jesus also spoke of 'the system to come' and "the regeneration.")
Of course, God did not create a new planet in the days of Noah. He merely swept away a corrupt civilization and gave mankind a fresh start. The new heaven and new earth have to do with God replacing the present corrupt system. There is nothing wrong with the beautiful globe that orbits the sun that Jehovah has created that cannot be remedied by the removal of the present demonic system of things. The old heaven that will be dissolved is symbolic of the Devil’s heavenly throne over mankind. The old earth is the present civilization under Satan's domination. The new heaven is God's kingdom of 144,001 that will replace Satan and the demons as rulers. The new earth will be a righteous new society, initially composed entirely of the survivors of the world-ending war of Armageddon, and later joined by the masses of mankind who will be brought back from the dead to live on earth once again.
Although the chosen few will have to die to receive their heavenly thrones the unnumbered great crowd of people who are destined to come out of the great tribulation will have the unspeakable privilege of being the first people who have ever lived who will never die.
Although the Watchtower’s “millions now living” campaign has to this day been held up to scorn and ridicule, the fact is, Rutherford was just ahead of his time. As this present system careens towards its inevitable crash it may confidently be stated that millions now living will never die. The new world of Jehovah's promise lies just beyond the pall of the mushroom clouds certain to envelop this evil world in the near future.
Reader Comments (14)
Thanks for the article , just what I needed at the time!
Very good article. Thanks !
Watchman,
the hope of a new world is not unique to JWs or even Christians in general, nor is the idea that it is to be brought about by SUPERNATURAL means, because that is exactly what is going to happen soon.
However, the all important question is: WHEN is this new world actually coming? There are two actual scenarios here, where everybody on this earth will have to commit themselves to one OR the other, with its attendant ETERNAL consequences. But because the events are sequential, BOTH scenarios will be EQUALLY real and true to those experiencing them.
The WT-anointed teach that since mankind cannot solve its own problems, the kingdom that is about to take over the whole world, to bring about a total transformation in people, a change of heart, as it were, eradicating all opposition to the new ethic of unconditional love and acceptance, and backed up by enforcing the laws of tolerance, honesty and equality, leading to unprecedented unity and prosperity worldwide, is verily the kingdom of God as prophesied in the Bible!
In fact, their whole theology is predicated upon the REALITY of this kingdom already ruling since 1914 in heaven, invisibly administering world affairs, ruling in the midst of its enemies, progressively subduing all opposition to its global rule of 'righteousness,' as already preached and practiced by its loyal, multicultural kingdom subjects. As the WT-anointed say, alluding to Jesus word about "THIS good news of the kingdom,” QUOTE: "Is THAT the kingdom YOU preach?" UNQUOTE
As for me, NO, that is not THE kingdom that I preach. In fact, if you want to know, I preach the kingdom that is going to come AFTER the global kingdom of the WT-anointed has taken complete control of the whole world!
I am not saying that the kingdom of the WT-anointed is not real, quite the contrary, because it will be just as real as the kingdom over the whole world that Satan offered to Jesus, to gain instant access to the REALITY that his Father only PROMISED him further down the line, one day, hopefully, and after much suffering, persecution and an ignominious death as blasphemer of God.
Where do you stand on this issue, Watchman? Despite your considerable insight you still seem to be engaged in apologetics for the WT-anointed and their 'peaceful and secure new world that is about to replace the present wicked, lawless system of things.'
When the peaceful and secure new world of the WT-anointed arrives, will you and your audience be able to distinguish it from THE kingdom of God, the good news of which will only THEN be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations?
Do you really believe that it is all about mankind not being able to solve their problems, either on their own or with the help of Satan? Could the real issue perhaps be higher ideals, such as righteousness and the divine right to exclusive determination of what is right and wrong?
As always, no offence intended, and no rush to respond; in fact, thanks for airing your thoughts, I agree with them in a qualified sense, as I am still trying to work out were YOU stand.
E-Watchman believes that Jehovah’s Witnesses have played a significant role in the outworking of God’s purpose for our time by having reintroduced God’s name in the Bible where it rightfully belongs. This in itself will prepare people to identify the true God during the time of distress, confusion and mass hysteria soon to come upon the whole world.
Those calling upon the name of Jehovah will be in a better position to have their eyesight pry open during the tribulation as God’s judgment will start first in his own house. As imperfect as the guy might be, it appears that he is serving as a public servant for this main body of believers. So who are we to judge?
So Proxy, there you go again venturing into shark infested waters. Apparently you have not paddled your way back to shore, so as to regain your composure and sense of balance. You actually believe that you can sore like an eagle. How foolish!
Please do not respond to this comment. The more you write the more confusing you sound.
Our hearts all yearn for the prophesied kingdom to manifest. We all sense our own sins and shortcomings and, if humble, reach upward to our loving and merciful Father via the One that He sent as our only Mediator (John 10:9, Acts 4:12). Likewise, we are not so blind to believe that when "the days of Noah" arise again, this present earth and world system will not suffer catastrophic judgment, greater than in the worldwide deluge. The Scriptures are clear that the very "elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works therein shall be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10) To spiritualize this warning could be a grave mistake, falsely encouraging believers to make this present real estate their eternal home. The apostle Paul was clearly looking for "a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness." (3:13)
Also, perhaps even more critical, is to recognize the Scriptural identity of our Savior. It is the revelation of Jesus Christ given in the Book of Revelation, chapter one (vs 1). He speaks of Himself in these verses - "I am Alpha and Omega...the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (vs 8)..."the first and the last" (vs 11). See Isaiah 44:6 where the same term is used for Old Testament Jehovah.
So, after reading everything thus far, and even searching the very inside of two, I can only conclude that the internet is full of some haughty and self righteous critics. ..or did I miss something?
Some of you get it, and most of you don't. Humans have become complacent! I assure all of you that something unknown by man for thousands of years will soon be made manifest again. And they will start to fulfill what is much needed and deserved by ungrateful humankind.
Carry on Watchman! Your efforts are not in vain. Just remember this, you have given food freely and only the ones called by my Father Jehovah will eat.
I take leave now as we that have witnessed for so long a time and have seen much, grow anxious over what is yet to come.
May Jehovah bless you Robert King, through the pure language of your heart and lasting endurance.
Matthew 24 vs 15-22 talks about a tribulation all the world will face. ''Then'' as vs 23-26 says,warns of anti-christs immediately proceeding the tribulation. Anti- Christ- what does that mean to the reader? Yes Satan rules this world at present as an angel of darkness but immediately after the the tribulation he will become an angel of light- BE WARNED!!!! Jesus here was warning his chosen- not the rest of the world. This because this "Kingdom" will be so convincing that even they may possibly be misled. This ''Kingdom" will mimick the very "Kingdom" our father through Jesus Christ will establish proceeding this one. This will be the true hour of test. Woe to those who crave for the day of Jehovah because it will not come until first this beautifully seductive "kingdom" comes first. "Let him who has an ear hear what the spirit says"
"To be Frank",
Your point is?
First off, thanks Robert for your always thought-provoking articles. Secondly, I find it quite amusing the various other comments where the posters attempt to use this section to spout off their own barely decipherable 'relig'o'babble' like some kind of strange parasite - if you have such 'insight' to share, get your own website to burble and blather away there (not that they apparently will ever go away but at least it provides for some humor).
humored,
The high and mighty attitude prevails, huh?
In his publications, e-Watchman presents Jehovah’s Witnesses as God's people, particularly the anointed, and just like the Watchtower, he depicts Christendom as part of Babylon the Great. So in effect Robert King is perpetuating the Watchtower’s teachings, even though he disagrees with some aspects of the Society’s views on prophecy and other matters related to organizational arrangement.
Basically, Mr. King has taken most of the Watchtower’s prophetic interpretations out of their improperly assigned twentieth century mold, placing them within the context of the great tribulation or the concluding harvest. Thus, he hasn’t really distanced himself from the Society’s theology. He remains a JW at heart, and for many good reasons.
The Watchtower has established itself as a religious organization with rights and privileges as most mainstream religions. Over the years since its inception, it grew in the face of terrible opposition from the clergy of Christendom and civil authorities. No doubt it enjoys God’s blessings in many ways. Nonetheless, religious organizations, as a whole, are part of the vine of the earth spoken of in Revelation 14:19, until Jesus says otherwise as the Judge of all the earth appointed by God.
God is not going to look at one organization, and single them out as his own out of all the others, just because it carries his name. When he sent his own people, Israel, into Babylonian captivity for seventy years, he showed that they were no better than the people of the nations.
Jesus never implied that he is going to find his sheep in one particular religious organization. (John 4:20, 21) The narrow road to life has no bearing upon membership of any religious body, as Jesus will be the one separating people from one another when he comes in his glory with all the angels. –Mat 25:31-33.
So Christ is going to find his sheep wherever they are during the tribulation. This is what the seven seals, the seven trumpets and the seven bowls will accomplish in their totality.
We know that the sixth seal is Armageddon. Therefore, the trumpets and the bowls judgments come before the sixth and seventh seal. When we get to Revelation 8:2, the sequence of events regarding the seven seals is broken. That means the sounding of the trumpets does not start with the opening of the seventh seal. So when does the “silence” occur in heaven at the opening of the seventh seal?
The scroll of life sealed with seven seals is in the Lamb’s possession, and he is breaking the seals in chronological order. The opening of the fourth seal produces the events mentioned in the first four trumpets. Interestingly, events associated with the fourth seal and the first four trumpets are coordinated by the same living creature, the fourth living creature having the face of an eagle. –Rev 4:7; 6:7; 8:13.
Where then does the Bible situate the breaking of the seventh seal and the “silence” associated with the breaking of this last seal? It is when the scroll of life is opened after “the thousand years have ended.” At that point there are no more seals to break. So the scroll of life is finally opened. --See Revelation. 20:7, 12.
The historical view presented by the Watchtower in their attempt to explain the seals, trumpets and bowls of Revelation is faulty. It does not follow specific rules indicated in the Bible for the fulfillment of prophecy at their proper time. Thus the idea that the seventh trumpet sounded in 1914 is incoherent.
How can one correctly explain the first six trumpets, if according to the Watchtower they were sounded a few years later after the First World War, through the printing pages of Watchtower publications particularly directed against Christendom?
It behooves us then to humble ourselves so that Christ may show us the way to salvation. However, it appears that his indignation will flare up before we are dispossessed of our blindness, at a time when he will “make mortal man rarer than refined gold, and earthling man [rarer] than the gold of O’phir.” --Isaiah 13:12.
The watchtower may have many errors, but despite persecution they have remained faithful followers and have remained faithful in the face of death during the war. Without question they are a unique people who must have had Gods direction and blessing to endure such trials. Show me a christian religion without flaws, it doesnt exist.
What Robert King suggests is very wise, he has helped many through scripture to open their eyes, and be cautious, but their choice to stay in the organisation is an individual choice. If worshippers of Jehovah were to do a mass exodus at this moment in time, where would you suggest they go?
99% of christian churches are part of the "world Council Of Churches" and part of the ecumenical inter-faith movement who will bring about this one world religion and false hope.
Many of us now can see the true light of Christs words and its our duty to sound the alarm as Robert King is doing,
but to advise a mass exodus as some suggest is going from the frying pan into the fire.
proxygnosis, I found your comment interesting re: a counterfeit kingdom under JW anointed. It is facinating to me how watchtower centric ex-jws continue in their studies. I mean that I agree that an anti-christ world wide gov will arise, but in what way would jw anointed be capable of enforcing their rulership? It really defies logic.
If you want to know what form the anti-christ world gov will take; read "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion". The Zionist Jews who run most of the governments already, have nearly subjugated all the world already to communist Jew control. Once they have used the Jew controlled banking system to create complete financial collapse; they will have us all looking out the barbed wire of FEMA camps. They will then begin slaughtering Christians just like they did when they took over Russia in 1917. The Zionist Jews are Anti-Christ and they'll kill us like they did Jesus.
claude i like your post the best .@Shikinah I will Tell you were to go http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/1/Total%20Onslaught/ .JW's have a problem with keeping the law which the savior commanded us to keep during creation week a perpetual law .a test commandment for all who obey Jesus who love him . JW's say they are not members of the wwc but in fact they are in line with the same unity as they are . To think that God is a God of lawlessness and we don't have to obey him is to sin . Just think who worships God on Sunday and keeps not his Laws ? answer lucifier and his whore of Babylon and daughter churches . come out of her my people . also none can go to the father except he go through me Jesus Christ so the whole Jehovah thing is in error .Jehovah tells you to go to Jesus for life eternal that it is by his name his son the one way.no other way no other God. good Luck.