Contributed By Perimeno
“Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.”―Psalms 37:7
Many among Jehovah’s people have become upset, perhaps even stumbled, over recent developments and revelations of wrongdoing and errors in the conduct and teachings of those who have been looked up to as leaders in the organization. Because of their “righteous indignation,” some of them feel that these sins and errors should be exposed. In this they believe they have Jesus as an example. What do you think? Do we have an obligation to publicize “the sins” of God’s people? Or, even more importantly, should we leave? —Isaiah 59:2.
What matters to Jehovah most is our faith and obedience. (Rom. 16:26; Heb. 11:6; 1 John 5:3) He gives us the opportunity to demonstrate both. Time and again he has led his people into situations where they were able to exhibit to him what they were truly like at heart. For example, he allowed his people, whom he had delivered out of Egypt, to go hungry, thirsty, and suffer in order to humble them and put their faith and obedience to the test:
“And you shall [earnestly] remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. . . that He might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end.” ―Deuteronomy 8:2, 16, Amplified Bible
The ordeal that they endured while wandering in the wilderness was to follow in blessings for them, after they had learned from it. But did they? The apostle Paul tells us that their suffering caused the majority of them to rebel and disobey, even wanting to return to Egypt, due to their lack of faith:
“Who were those people that heard God’s voice and rebelled? Weren’t they the same ones that came out of Egypt with Moses? 17 Who were the people that made God angry for forty years? Weren’t they the ones that sinned and died in the desert? 18 And who did God say would never enter his place of rest? Weren’t they the ones that disobeyed him? 19 We see that those people did not enter the place of rest because they did not have faith.” ―Hebrews 3:16-19, CEV
Jehovah had good reason for allowing his people to experience hardship before leading them into the promised land, for he is “searching the heart.” Only by fully trusting in him and being obedient to his commands, especially under trying conditions, could they prove successful and worthy of taking possession of the land. Thus, his people had to be shown what they were truly like at heart, and be given the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments to their faith and obedience. That is why the Scriptures speak of “the tested quality of [our] faith.” Did they discern that? What about us? Are we suffering today? Is it not always easier to trust in Jehovah when times are good? —Jeremiah 17:9,10; James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:7
In Jeremiah’s time Jehovah again put his people’s faith and obedience to the test. It became a matter of life and death for them. For that reason he made Jeremiah “a metal tester” among his people, that is, the people were tested by how they responded to Jeremiah’s message. (Jeremiah 6:27-30, NWT) Jeremiah was commissioned by God to “rise up and speak to them everything that I myself command you.” (Jeremiah 1:17) Jehovah did not command others to join the prophets he himself had chosen in exposing the wickedness of his people. He did not commission others to “test” his people. For someone to prove obedient and be spared the coming adverse judgment, God’s message by means of Jeremiah was simple: “Serve the king of Babylon and keep living.” —Jer. 27:17.
We can well imagine how the message that Jehovah wanted proclaimed by means of his appointed prophet would have been corrupted or contradicted, and could well have turned into total confusion, if everyone were to join in and add their own opinions and pronouncements. At the very least, it would have detracted from God’s own message. Yet, there were those who felt compelled to speak out, and they took it upon themselves to “prophesy” in God’s name.
“These unfaithful prophets claim I give them their dreams, but it isn’t true. I didn’t choose them to be my prophets, and yet they babble on and on, speaking in my name, while stealing words from each other. And when my people hear these liars, they are led astray instead of being helped. So I warn you that I am now the enemy of these prophets. I, the LORD, have spoken.” ―Jeremiah 23:30-32, Contemporary English Version
Instead of helping the people, encouraging them to obey and listen to the message Jehovah was declaring, these self-appointed prophets were actually leading God’s people astray by contradicting God’s instructions. Since Jehovah had not personally given them any message, they were “stealing words from each other.” It was not his message they were preaching. Therefore, they made themselves liars, becoming a danger to anyone who inquired of them. Jehovah became the enemy, not only of the false prophets, but also of those who went to these prophets.
“If a prophet is deceived and tells these idolaters the lies they want to hear, I, God, get blamed for those lies. He won’t get by with it. I’ll grab him by the scruff of the neck and get him out of there. They’ll be equally guilty, the prophet and the one who goes to the prophet.” ―Ezekiel 14:9-10, The Message Bible
Today, for the most part, Jehovah has not given us details regarding his time schedule, what he is doing and why he is doing things a certain way, many times so different from the way we would do it. We may be upset and feel indignant and hurt at all the injustice and wrongdoings we see around us, especially when we are personally affected. But that does not guarantee that we accurately reflect Jehovah’s view on matters. So, Jehovah tells us to leave all concerns in his hands, to patiently wait on him. This gives us the opportunity to exercise faith in him, in his promises, and in his way of fulfilling them. Often, just waiting without being able to do anything is the hardest thing. Yet, for good reason, that is what Jehovah is telling us, while at the same time keeping us busy in the preaching of the “good news” of the kingdom, the means by which he will bring an end to all suffering. —Matt. 24:14
“We speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts.” ―1 Thessalonians 2:4 New Century Version
Having been influenced by the various “prophets” that are supposing to speak in Jehovah’s name, many formerly zealous Witnesses today feel that they can no longer conscientiously participate in preaching “the good news about the kingdom,” arguing we have gotten some details, such as dates, wrong. But not understanding everything there is to know about the kingdom did not prevent Jesus from sending his disciples forth to preach the reality of the kingdom. —Matt. 10:5-7; Acts 2:6-7.
Also, many don’t know whether they should still attend meetings because of concerns over the errors we have been taught. Yet, it’s good to ask ourselves: Is what Jehovah has told us not to do―talking against our brothers, judging them, biting and devouring one another, engage in strife, fits of anger, contentions, divisions―are such things keeping us from doing what we have been encouraged to do, namely, “the gathering of ourselves together,” and building up of one another “to love and fine works,” persevering under trials and helping each other to endure and stand firm? —Acts 11:23; 14:21-22; Gal. 5:14-15,19-21; Heb. 10:23-25.
“Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of God’s people; pursue the practice of hospitality. Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’ joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].” ―Romans 12:10-15, AMP.
We demonstrate Christ-like love for our brothers and for God by our own example, by our continuing to be steadfast and rejoicing in our hope, in good or bad times, while patiently waiting for Jehovah to fulfill his promises. (John 13:34-35) Jesus shows that he is not only aware of, but will also bless any faithful disciple of his who has kept his integrity in the midst of a congregation that, as a whole, has come under his adverse judgment. —Rev. 3:1-4.
Do you feel compelled that we should follow Jesus’ example when it comes to righteous indignation, and be moved to take action in exposing those we consider to be at fault? Do we have all the facts? Jesus is the one who has been appointed as judge, we haven’t. Many stumbled at times over what Jesus said or did. (Matthew 15:12; John 6:60-61, 64;9:1-7,13-16) Is it alright for us to stumble others by what we say or do? (Matthew 18:6) How many of his disciples took a whip and drove out the money changers from the temple, in imitation of Jesus? How many of his disciples confronted the religious leaders? Was it not rather the other way around? Rather than jumping to conclusions with our own judgments concerning the errors of our brothers, and be moved to do something about it, why not share Paul’s attitude and wait for the one Jehovah has appointed to do the judging:
“I’m not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn’t mean much. The Master makes that judgment.
So don’t get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of–inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the ‘Well done!’ of God.” ―1 Corinthians 4:4-5, The Message Bible.
The Scriptures tell us that, as a whole, Jehovah’s people have always been rebellious, lacking in faith, testing his patience to the limit. For that reason he got to despise his people very much. (Psalms 78:59) We can learn from their bad examples by not imitating their lack of faith and their disobedience. Don’t let anyone beguile you with their many empty words as to why it is wrong to wait on Jehovah in your time of trouble and despair.
“Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God.” ―Psalm 43:5, AMP.
Jehovah will fulfill all his promises just as he has foretold, and that without any intervention or meddling on our part. He has not explained why he has not commissioned any of us to take action against the shepherds who have become guilty of scattering his sheep. Perhaps it is because none of us are blameless and without sin. (Rom. 3:23) Waiting on Jehovah to act in his own due time is certainly a test of our faith and obedience. We cannot please him if we are not obedient:
“Does the LORD really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn’t want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him. Rebelling against God or disobeying him because you are proud is just as bad as worshiping idols or asking them for advice.” ―1 Samuel 15:22-23, CEV
Obedience to Jehovah has always been the main issue since the time of Adam, who rebelled against God. We can be assured that Jehovah himself will lay bare the sins and errors of his people, because “nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Heb. 4:13, NLT) Our God promises that “just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more.” Could the wicked, mentioned in Psalms chapter 37, refer especially to the wicked among God’s own people rather than those in the world? (Psalms 37:10; compare Jeremiah 5:26; Matthew 13:41) Concerning them we have this encouraging promise:
Trust the LORD
1 Don’t be annoyed by anyone who does wrong,
and don’t envy them.
2 They will soon disappear like grass without rain.
3 Trust the LORD and live right! The land will be yours,
and you will be safe.
4 Do what the LORD wants, and he will give you
your heart’s desire.
5 Let the LORD lead you and trust him to help.
6 Then it will be as clear as the noonday sun
that you were right.
7 Be patient and trust the LORD.
Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those
who do sinful things.
―Psalms 37:1-7, Contemporary English Version
Yes, “be patient and trust” Jehovah! “Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.” The time will soon be here when “it will be as clear as the noonday sun that you were right.” Then you will hear the Well done! from Jehovah, your heavenly Father, for your faith and obedience. “The legal case is before [God], and so you should wait anxiously for him.”―Job 35:14.
The Remaining Sequence of Events:
1. The judgment starts with the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17,18) The first thing that Jesus does upon his return is to judge the members of God’s house, and settle accounts with the slaves whom he had appointed to feed the domestics. This will proof that Jesus is now present! It is at this time that he will identify the true “faithful slave,” and also “rip away the veils” of the wicked slave, the man of lawlessness (the governing body) “whom the Lord Jesus will do away with by the spirit of his mouth and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his presence.” (Matt. 24:45-51; 25:14-30; 2 Thess. 2:3-10; Ezek. 13:21,22) The holy spirit will once again become operative among God’s people in their congregations, who may find it necessary to meet in private homes as they did in the first century.
The judging of the sheep and the goats, of Jesus illustration, takes place at this time, when “the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. . . and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.” The judging will be based on how a person treated Christ’s brothers prior to his return, in connection with whom he will shortly be glorified, as explained below. (Matt. 25:31-46; 7:21-23)
The many prophecies regarding the wicked being removed from God’s house and the righteous ones “shining as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father,” will find their fulfillment then. (Matt. 13:40-43, 49; Dan. 12:3, 9) Jehovah will replace the wicked shepherds with faithful ones, and gather back his lost and scattered sheep, many of whom had been expelled as apostate because of not submitting to the Society’s governing body. Indeed, the entire 34th chapter of Ezekiel is devoted to Jehovah’s lost sheep, and his promise to search for them and bring them back. He is already preparing for their return. (Ezek. 34:15,16, 31; 14:23)
2. After God’s own house has been judged, “Babylon the Great, the mother of the harlots and the disgusting things of the earth,” that is, all religions of which Satan is the god, will experience God’s judgment and be completely destroyed as by fire. (Rev. 17:5, 15-17; 19:1-3; 1 Cor. 10:20,21; 2 Cor. 4:4)
The vacuum resulting from the destruction of Babylon the Great will be filled by the setting up of “the image to the wild beast,” which all persons will be put under compulsion to worship. In fact, “the image of the wild beast [will] both speak and cause to be killed all those who [will] not in any way worship the image of the wild beast.” (Rev. 13:14-17) This reminds us of the image of gold that king Nebuchadnezzar set up in the plain of Dura, which everyone was compelled to worship under penalty of death for refusing to comply. (Dan. 3:1-7) The modern day idolaters will receive a “mark in their right hand or upon their forehead,” as proof of their compliance (their physical or material support, or indirect mental endorsement), without which no one will “be able to buy or sell,” thus being denied the necessities of life. (These are not literal marks, such as the red dot on the forehead in the Hindu religion. But it will clearly identify the individual as being a supporter of the worship of the wild beast and its image.)
Of course, Jehovah’s people will not share in any of that, in spite of any hardship they might have to endure as a consequence! We are told: “If anyone worships the wild beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath.” (Rev. 14:912; 15:2-4; 16:2; 19:19-21; 20:4) In spite of intense persecution brought upon them, they will remain faithful to Jehovah as were Daniel and his three companions, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. (Dan. 3:12-28; 6:16)
3. The stage is now set for Jehovah to fight on behalf of his people as he comes to deliver them. (Zech. 2:8; 1 Cor. 3:17) This will be the foretold war of Armageddon. The term “great tribulation” describes “the war of the great day of God the Almighty,” namely, Armageddon. (Rev. 16:13,14, 16) This is how the prophet Zephaniah describes Jehovah’s day: “That day is a day of fury, a day of distress and of anguish, a day of storm and of desolation, a day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick gloom. And I will cause distress to mankind, and they will certainly walk like blind men; because it is against Jehovah that they have sinned. And their blood will actually be poured out like dust, and their bowels like the dung. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Jehovah’s fury; but by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be devoured, because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.” (Zeph. 1:15-18; Rev. 19:19-21; Ezek. 38:14-23) Jehovah’s day will be so terrible, yes, so severe, as Jesus said, that “unless those days were cut short no flesh would be saved, but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short.” (Matt. 24:21,22)
The apostle Paul explains that this is when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven as he comes with his powerful angels to bring “vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength.” (2 Thess. 1:6-10; Rev. 19:11-16) After the destruction of all the inhabitants of the earth, only God’s people will remain over in it—the “chosen ones” (on whose account the great tribulation was cut short), and the “great crowd” who had “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” and who had done good to Christ’s brothers, the holy ones. (Rev. 7:14; 14:1, 3; Matt. 25:40, 45,46) Just as in the days of Noah, only those who heeded God’s warning will have escaped the global destruction. (Matt. 24:37-39; 2 Peter 2:5) Now, Jesus comes “to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder in connection with all those who exercised faith (the great crowd), because the witness we gave met with faith among you.” (2 Thess. 1:10; Psalms 37:10,11, 34)
4. Jesus’ glorification “in connection with his holy ones” includes all his holy ones, not just the few who survived to his presence. This means that the foretold and long anticipated “first resurrection” will now take place, and “the dead in union with the Lord” will rise and come back to life in order to join the holy ones who are still living at this time. According to the apostle Paul, all of the 144,000, all the “holy ones” will be together as one group, and will together meet the Lord in the air as he comes to receive them and take them with him to heaven, to his Father. (1 Thess. 4:14-17; Rev. 14:1-3; Dan. 7:22; Matt. 24:31) The great tribulation survivors will be present to witness this amazing event, just as Jesus’ few disciples watched him ascend to heaven forty days after his resurrection. (Acts 1:9-11) There will be some sort of visible manifestation of the glorified Jesus’ presence, as Paul explains, perhaps similar to his experience when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:3-8; 26:12-18)
The time for the marriage of the Lamb has now arrived. “Happy are those invited to the evening meal of the Lamb’s marriage.” (Rev. 19:6-9) The great crowd of true worshipers will have good reason to be “happy,” as they are blessed by these events [as the Scriptures explain], and had the opportunity of personally meeting and associating with the Lamb’s bride (including the twelve apostles who return in the first resurrection), for the brief period of time that they spent with them, while they were awaiting the arrival of their Bridegroom. (Matt. 22:1-13) It is after the holy ones ascend to heaven, and the marriage has taken place, that the thousand year rule of God’s kingdom begins. (Rev. 20:6)
5. It is shortly after God’s kingdom begins its 1,000 year rule that the “resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous” takes place, just as Jesus promised and Paul preached. (John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15) God’s many loyal servants of the past will return to “a resurrection of life”; while the majority of mankind, who lived in ignorance of God and his purpose, will return to “a resurrection of judgment.” These ones will have the opportunity to learn about God and avail themselves of his ransom provision for everlasting life without interference from Satan and his perverted form of religions. (Rev. 20:1-3)
As we can well imagine, a tremendous teaching work will open up for the Armageddon survivors, which will be enhanced by being able to relate their own personal experiences, by having survived that world destruction and then having been eyewitnesses to Jesus’ return when he came to be “glorified in connection with his holy ones.” (2 Thess. 1:10) We are not told how soon after God’s kingdom begins its rule that this resurrection will take place, but there is no reason to assume that it will delay. (Rev. 20:6; Dan. 7:21,22,27)
Leave a Reply