Peace and Security, Great Tribulation, Armageddon

[trottigy]

Yes, over 400 pages of discussion of "is this it?" Or "might this be it?" And the answer has always been the same "NO" and how do we know it's "no" so far? Because Babylon the Great is still standing. Globally, she has not been attacked.

 

This tells us what? We will know "this is it!" ONLY when we see BtG attacked globally.

 

So, keep on guard OF YOURSELF, stay awake and pay attention TO YOURSELF that you don't get distracted by this one world. And of course help your family. Jehovah has got the rest.

 

But hey, talking about the news is always fun, right?

 

PS have you noticed that public talks have changed? In the past, we spent the first 15 minutes discussing the news and how bad everything is (and even depressing some people) and then we spent the next half hour saying how the kingdom will fix it. Now, we spend LESS than 5 minutes on "the news" and the remaining time on how the Kingdom is the solution. Hmm, there's a lesson there I think.

Edited Wednesday at 05:24 PM by trottigy

[Bernadette]

Yes I had noticed that difference brother and im really grateful for it becos it used to really get me down hearing how bad things are when I already know that 😩

[Shawnster]

2 hours ago, jps said:

And what’s the point of being on guard if what we’re waiting for comes so suddenly that it will be obvious anyway to everyone who has NOT been on guard..

That's exactly the point. We need to be on guard because the end will come suddenly. 

 

You put on the seat belt and practice safety like sitting down before you start driving. Why? Because a traffic accident can happen suddenly.  You don't watch for the potential accident to develop before you put on the seat belt. 

 

You prepare now. 

 

Keeping on the watch has never meant staying abreast of the latest news developments and wondering how they might lead to the fulfillment of prophecy.  Keeping on the watch has always meant staying spiritually awake, drawing close to Jehovah and the congregation, and fully accomplish our ministry. 

Edited Wednesday at 05:36 PM by Shawnster

[chuck83]

32 minutes ago, Shawnster said:

You put on the seat belt and practice safety like sitting down before you start driving. Why? Because a traffic accident can happen suddenly.  You don't watch for the potential accident to develop before you put on the seat belt. 

For some reason this reminds me of the saying we see on license plate holders sometimes:
 

“Get it, sit down, hold-on, and shut up.”, oh, and “driver is married and has no money!” 🤣

 

Edited Wednesday at 06:06 PM by chuck83

[Percy]

1 hour ago, trottigy said:

But hey, talking about the news is always fun, right?

An older brother (like me) mentioned the latest round of talks in Alaska and referenced Daniel 11:27. Now that's fun, right? haha.

Keeping on the watch does mean watching the news and strengthening our relationship with Jehovah, family and friends, as we will help each other endure with the changing world.

When Roman General Cestius Gallus abandoned his attack on Jerusalem in 66 CE, chased by Zealots, it was news and the brothers reacted to it, as it was most important to flee right away. Did they keep up on the news about Jerusalem which was destroyed by the Romans 4 years later?

[Áine]

4 hours ago, trottigy said:

Don't you think this is more a case of we won't know which statement of "peace and security" referred to in 1 Thessalonians is THE ONE until after the attack on Babylon the Great?

 

So, we really should be looking for the attack on BtG rather than the cry of "peace of security".

 

Edit: and since it's all supposed to happen suddenly without much lead up, really looking for that all out attack has to be the main thing.

I agree but if the saying of peace and security should be disregarded then the slave would tell us so…. 
 

we’re told to keep on the watch for a reason 

[cme]

Jerry is right.  We are going to need solid faith to get through what is coming otherwise, we will give into pressure of this system or, give out.

 

Faith does not happen over night.  It takes years of building, getting to know Jehovah, trusting Him, personal bible studies, heart felt prayers and supplications, getting to know our weaknesses and strengthening them.  So we need to take stock of it.

 

If we can't run with footmen then, how will we run with horsemen?  That's in the book of Jeremiah.  This system can weigh us down and tire us out mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, etc. etc.

 

Faith is the most important quality in this time period and, obedience.

 

When the GT starts we will be as ready as humanly possible and leave the rest to Jehovah.  Jehovah is loyal to those that are loyal to Him.

[ChrisC]

5 hours ago, Doug said:

 

  .   .   .    mmmm,  'normal' for the past 10 months?

 

Before the 2024 AM it was all about P&S ~ 1 Thess 5:3.  That was the next thing.  No attention paid to Rev. 17:17 because Rev. would follow Thess.  Besides the fact that Rev, was not understood correctly as well.

 

Now, it's completely reversed, to the degree that 1 Thess 5:3 wasn't even a side point in the QFR. To say that zero mention of 1 Thess. 5:3 in a discussion about end-time prophesy is normal really underscores how quickly we adjust to new light.  

Of course, 1 Thess will be fulfilled. How, we don't know. But what difference does it make how, or even when?  It's all about Rev 17:17 now.

 

Out with the old ~ in with the new  

 

Okay, but I’m not deleting all my notes and highlights in 1Th 5. I think they look pretty.

[Shannie]

November 2025 watchtower 

[chuck83]

59 minutes ago, cme said:

When the GT starts we will be as ready as humanly possible and leave the rest to Jehovah.  Jehovah is loyal to those that are loyal to Him.

I’m finding out that some like those in my own family and even me, for a long time, are loyal to self over Jehovah and thus not ready to leave it with Jehovah. Fostering independent thinking outside of Jehovah.

 

Me? 2022, inactive, studying once a week, little to no Zoom or even in-person when it opened up. I remember my wife telling me to quit my job outright like we see on stage since we were kids and my mom saying if you quit your job, you will lose everything and ultimately be like your father. 

 

I proved who I’ll worship and lost my blood family as a result over time. But from that experience alone, wash, rinse, and repeat for any challenge I face EVEN when it doesn’t make sense.

 

So when you say, “be ready as humanly possible and leave the rest to Jehovah”, have we actually put the rubber to the road in that regard? Because clearly my family, baptized witnesses, don’t understand the concept and essentially have fallen out of the truth.

Edited Wednesday at 10:19 PM by chuck83

[Áine]

18 minutes ago, chuck83 said:

I’m finding out that some like those in my own family and even me, for a long time, are loyal to self over Jehovah and thus not ready to leave it with Jehovah. Fostering independent thinking outside of Jehovah.

 

Me? 2022, inactive, studying once a week, little to no Zoom or even in-person when it opened up. I remember my wife telling me to quit my job outright like we see on stage since we were kids and my mom saying if you quit your job, you will lose everything and ultimately be like your father. 

 

I proved who I’ll worship and lost my blood family as a result over time. But from that experience alone, wash, rinse, and repeat for any challenge I face EVEN when it doesn’t make sense.

 

So when you say, “be ready as humanly possible and leave the rest to Jehovah”, have we actually put the rubber to the road in that regard? Because clearly my family, baptized witnesses, don’t understand the concept and essentially have fallen out of the truth.

Yes Chuck, it’s not easy is it.. I to have family that have gone or at least don’t see the urgency of the time we are living in, I feel like I want to shake them at times and I find myself wondering that if they come back at the last minute then will they be spiritually strong enough to stay the course

 

 It’s not going to be a walk in the park for us either, that’s why we’re told to study and read the Bible and draw close to Jehovah all we can… It's a bit like building up a muscle, if we don’t use our muscles then they become flabby! 
 

I’m so sorry that you’re struggling with things and I feel your pain… every single meeting I’m conscious that I’m the only one of my family there. 

[Doug]

5 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

Keeping on the watch has never meant staying abreast of the latest news developments and wondering how they might lead to the fulfillment of prophecy.  

 

Consider Br. Winder's talk "How Does the Light Get Brighter?" at the 11:00 mark:

 

"Generally, the process happens this way;  First of all, a question comes up.  World events might put a spotlight on a particular prophesy that then gets closer attention.  In one way or another, a question comes up and that question is then put on the Governing Bodies agenda for discussion."

[Shawnster]

2 hours ago, Doug said:

Consider Br. Winder's talk "How Does the Light Get Brighter?" at the 11:00 mark:

 

I don't understand your point. But that's ok. 

 

Let me explain my point.  Here is an entire brochure that encourages us to "Keep on the Watch". *** kp p. 1 Title Page/Publishers’ Page ***

Keep on the Watch!

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1102004250&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=2

 

I don't see anywhere that says in order "keep on the watch" we need to pay attention to and discuss world events the way those events are discussed in this 425 page and growing topic. 

 

What I do see being encouraged is:

 

Be Alert and Ready, like a Watchful Homeowner or Servant. This doesn't mean  being focused on the news beyond recognizing we are deep in the last days. 

 

Ensure faithfully. Don't serve for a date. 

 

Love Jehovah with your whole heart, mind, and strength. 

 

Apply Biblical Lessons from Warning Examples such as the Flood and the destruction of Sodom

 

Turn away from wickedness and maintain deep respect for Jehovah, read the Bible, preach the good news. 

 

Avoid Spiritual Drowsiness and Complacency

 

To “keep on the watch” means to stay spiritually vigilant and ready—being motivated by love for Jehovah, guided by biblical lessons, devoted to God’s Kingdom, and persistent in faithful living, especially in light of the urgency of these times.

Edited Thursday at 01:05 AM by Shawnster

[shali]

Jehovah always has a way of "wowing" us when he fulfills his prophecies. This will be no different. Our minds are so limited and if it weren't for the fact that Adam condemned us to such limits, Jehovah would probably giggle at our lack of real foresight.  But let's face it - even when we have 100% of our brains functioning, Jehovah's thinking WILL STILL be higher than ours! That will be a constant and absolute truth!

Edited Thursday at 04:10 AM by shali

[Dhanyel]

 I see world events as a puzzle that is still missing the last piece. I follow the news superficially, without absorbing everything, so I don’t go crazy. But it’s undeniable that many events fulfill Bible prophecies.

I know friends who don’t like to watch the news and say that what we need to know will appear on the JW website. I respect that with affection and also follow it that way.

However, I like to follow news from around the world and from our local area. I think it’s important to have an idea of what is happening around us, because it can even save lives and help in ministry.

The key is balance. For many years, we read to the residents. The purpose of The Watchtower is to glorify Jehovah God through His Son Jesus Christ and to keep us attentive to world events as Bible prophecies are fulfilled.

I enjoy The Watchtower and following the news. It makes me feel strengthened, vigilant, attentive, an

d awake! 😃☕

[Sweet Tooth]

2 hours ago, Dhanyel said:

puzzle that is still missing the last piece

From what WT article is that from @Dhanyel? Thanks for sharing! 

[Bluebell]

19 minutes ago, Sweet Tooth said:

From what WT article is that from @Dhanyel? Thanks for sharing! 

 

THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION

July 2022

 

[Bernadette]

Amazing that even in just 3 years from the publication of this WT the light has shown that the ‘one thought’ relates to global power being given to the UN.  Makes me wonder what’s next to be revealed🤔🥰

[shali]

It is exciting to see the clarifications on things that are just about to happen.  Shows that Jehovah is not leaving us out of the "loop" when it comes to knowing how and why he is doing things a certain way. We have received clarification on the  timeline of events from the declaration of Peace and Security to the  "judgement message" to be preached after the GT starts and now exactly what that "one thought" is  that Jehovah's puts into the hearts of men.  Those things in themselves are very encouraging as we get nearer and nearer to the end. 

[Doug]

17 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

I don't understand your point. But that's ok. 

 

I don't see anywhere that says in order "keep on the watch" we need to pay attention to and discuss world events 

To “keep on the watch” means to stay spiritually vigilant and ready—being motivated by love for Jehovah, guided by biblical lessons, devoted to God’s Kingdom, and persistent in faithful living, especially in light of the urgency of these times.

 

No problem, I'll explain myself better.

 

You said "Keeping on the watch has never meant staying abreast of the latest news developments and wondering how they might lead to the fulfillment of prophesy".

 

Br. Winder said "World events might put a spotlight on a particular prophesy that then gets closer attention".

 

It seems pretty clear that the helpers, and by extension the rest of us, are  paying attention to the news and events as they may align with prophesy yet to be fulfilled.  As Winder said, world events relating to a particular prophesy receive closer attention.

 

Notice what the brother on the cover of Keep on the Watch! brochure is doing?   Reading the newspaper!

 

Chapter 20 says "Jesus Christ gave advance warning of the end of the Jewish system of things.  He did not give a date. But he described events that would lead up to that destruction".

 

Unlike the world, We keep abreast of the news with spiritual discernment and knowing how the story ends. That's the difference.

[eliaseje]

Does it seem like Rev. 16:13,14 is what Trump is doing now? The King of the South aka flase prophet is gathering the nations to peace or lies of peace. Ultimately bringing them to Armageddon as stated in verse 16.

[Michał]

14 hours ago, Dhanyel said:

I know friends who don’t like to watch the news and say that what we need to know will appear on the JW website

I don’t watch news either. Everything I need to know about dorks events is in this very thread 😂😅🥹☺️

[Ludwika]

Personally, I do keep abreast of the news, because how else could I talk to people on the doors about what's happening in the world? I find it very useful to be up to date, because then I can tell people " the news tells you what is happening, the Bible tells you why". 

[Áine]

14 minutes ago, Ludwika said:

Personally, I do keep abreast of the news, because how else could I talk to people on the doors about what's happening in the world? I find it very useful to be up to date, because then I can tell people " the news tells you what is happening, the Bible tells you why". 

Exactly 

[jrnievas]

3 hours ago, eliaseje said:

Does it seem like Rev. 16:13,14 is what Trump is doing now? The King of the South aka flase prophet is gathering the nations to peace or lies of peace. Ultimately bringing them to Armageddon as stated in verse 16.

 

I’m currently waiting for the Governing Body’s explanation about this specific verse, because I also noticed how it could apply to what the King of the South is doing right now..

 

 

What if this will be included in Annual Meeting on October?