Tuesday, August 4

Jehovah . . . has firmly established his throne for justice. —Ps. 9:7.

The Mosaic Law limited the possibility that a person would be falsely accused of a crime. A defendant had the right to know who was accusing him. (Deut. 19:16-19;25:1) And before he could be convicted, at least two witnesses had to give evidence. (Deut. 17:6; 19:15) What about an Israelite who committed a crime that was seen by only one witness? He could not assume that he would get away with his wrongdoing. Jehovah saw what he did. Yes, Jehovah sets the perfect example; nothing he does is unfair. He rewards those who loyally uphold his standards, but he punishes those who abuse their power. (2 Sam. 22:21-23; Ezek. 9:9, 10) Some may act wickedly and seem to escape punishment, but when Jehovah determines that the time is right, he brings them to justice. (Prov. 28:13) And if they do not repent, they soon learn that “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” —Heb. 10:30, 31w19.02 23-24 ¶20-21

God doesn’t do things piecemeal. There is a “day” in which God intends to judge mankind through Jesus. It is called Jehovah’s day, or the day of Jehovah, as well as the day of Jesus Christ and the Lord’s day.

The initial phase of that “day” focuses on judging Christ’s congregation. The apostle Peter explained: “For it is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of God. Now if it starts first with us, what will the outcome be for those who are not obedient to the good news of God? And if the righteous man is being saved with difficulty, what will happen to the ungodly man and the sinner?” — 1 Peter 4:17-18

Paul expressed it somewhat differently writing to the Romans: “There will be tribulation and distress on every person who works what is harmful, on the Jew first and also on the Greek; but glory and honor and peace for everyone who works what is good, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For there is no partiality with God.” — Romans 2:9-11

As the apostle explained, the “Jew” represents those who are called into the Kingdom.

The day of judgment will begin unexpectedly. Did not Jesus warn his slaves, saying: “But know one thing: 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 the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it.” — Mathew 24:43-44

Writing to the Thessalonians Paul used the same analogy, likening the commencement of the Lord’s day to an unexpected burglary. “Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you. For you yourselves know very 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 on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3

By itself Paul’s prophecy is inscrutable. He does not say who “they” are who will be saying “peace and security.” Nor is it evident what is entailed in the “sudden destruction,” whether it is a manmade event, such as war, or divine destruction —Armageddon.

Because all prophecy is harmonious it is not necessary or advisable to consider a passage in isolation. Consider an obscure prophecy in Ezekiel. (In reality, there are no obscure prophecies. Only unappreciated, misunderstood prophecies.)

“‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Wail, ‘Alas, the day is coming!’ For the day is near, yes, a day of Jehovah is near. It will be a day of clouds, an appointed time of nations. A sword will come against Egypt, and panic will overtake Ethiopia when the slain fall in Egypt; its wealth is taken and its foundations are torn down. Ethiopia, Put, Lud, and all the mixed populations, and Chub, along with the sons of the land of the covenant, by the sword they will all fall.”’ — Ezekiel 30:1-5

There is only one day of Jehovah. True, the phrase is used in connection with past events, such as when Babylon crushed numerous nations, but that is because it was prophetic —or a type, as the Watchtower used to say.

There is no question that the sudden downfall of Egypt is prophetic. Daniel describes the very same thing when foretelling the conquest of Egypt, Ethiopia and Libya (Put) by the king of the north during the time of the end. “The sons of the land of the covenant” refers to God’s people, which not coincidently, Daniel foretells the king of the north will enter into the land of Decoration, also during the time of the end. Ezekiel states that Egypt’s wealth will be taken. Daniel says that the king of the north will rule over the gold, silver and other treasures. Egypt pictures the United States of America. (Downfall of America)

To further confirm the far-reaching import of the fall of Egypt, God uses the same foreboding imagery in connection with Egypt as Jesus when speaking of the tribulation. “And when you are extinguished I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with clouds, and the moon will not give its light. I will darken all the shining luminaries in the heavens because of you, and I will cover your land with darkness,’ declares the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” — Ezekiel 32: 7-8

Since the overthrow of the existing democratic system with its foremost champion of freedom —America —is foretold in prophecy as the beginning of the day of Jehovah, the visitation of “sudden destruction” must come upon antitypical Egypt and its Western allies. Therefore, America and her partners are the “they” who will be saying “peace and security.”

Surely, the projection of the collapse of America should not come as a surprise to anyone cognizant of the present state of affairs.

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