Peace and Security, Great Tribulation, Armageddon

[Mike047]

We will have an update picking up on some points, in our AGM, yet to be put up

[Sackedbysapp]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/23/who-can-tame-trump-pope-leo-xiv-catholic-church-usa

 

 

This could get things going…

[Bruceq]

10 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

This is how I see it also: 

None of this will go unnoticed by our enemies.  those who are living in the center of the earth.’” (Ezek. 38:10-12) Spiritually speaking, God’s people will stand out as unique, “in the center of the earth,” as it were. This will be too much for the nations. Yes, they will be eager to attack Jehovah’s anointed ones as well as their associates. W15.

 

 

“The center of the world’s attention” Ezek. 38:12 ISV Translation]

People will realize Jehovah’s Witnesses are true prophets which will give added weight like hailstones to their message after Babylon the Great has fallen, it will be unusually great.

It is possible we will be mute just as Ezekiel was during the fall of Jerusalem then resumed after. Therefore we may become mute as to preaching during the attack on BTG then resume preaching after during the respite. In this way we will become "the center of the world's attention" which explains why they come to attack us at the end but their attention during the first phase is primarily on Babylon the Great which would be why they are attacked.

[Abigail]

On 11/19/2025 at 10:34 PM, Shawnster said:

 

This is why I think the attack will be along the lines of making it illegal for religions to meet together or own property. Without brick and mortar churches and temples and religious schools, most all religions will cease. 

 

Of course, this would affect us. No more Bethel, no more print facilities, no more Kingdom Halls. However, unlike Christendom, we don't need any physical locations like that. The pandemic showed us we can meet om Zoom and continue to function as normal. We can still have our app, still be fed by the Slave, still hold meetings and still preach (even if that preaching is completely informal or under ban.)

 

After the destruction of false religion and the pause that follows, the nations will see we are still preaching and teaching and worshipping. This will enrage the nations to turn on us specifically. 

Perhaps this is the reason our publications come out way in advance. It didn't used to be so far ahead. We have food for meetings 6 months ahead.

[Doug]

18 hours ago, Doug said:

 

However, life never returned to 'normal' in Jerusalem. Within the city rival factions quarreled and fought, and those caught attempting to leave the city were slain as traitors. 

 

3 hours ago, LeolaRootStew said:

 

That "brief respite" lasted 3 1/2 years. If we compare that to phase 2 of the great tribulation you are proving my point. We don't know how long that respite will last. 

 

I wouldn't call the entire 3 1/2 years of hell a 'respite'.  The respite would have been just long enough for faithful Christians to recognize the fulfillment of Jesus prophetic words and flee as soon as the Roman troops retreated.  No delay, no hesitation.

 

Otherwise, they would be trapped.

 

 

[Dhanyel]

Our voices will not stop preaching; we may use different methods of preaching, but stop? Never! 

[trottigy]

22 hours ago, eliaseje said:

With today's climate of social media and cameras everywhere you think phase 2 will take years?  People will quickly notice how Jehovah’s Witnesses are still preaching unless we are instructed at that time to preach more indiscreetly.

 

Yes, as I imagine it being quite chaotic once religion is destroyed. It'll take at least a year to "normalize" to even get to a point where JWs will be able to be seen - let alone seem as if we "are at peace". If it is only months after false religion is destroyed, it would not appear to be an attack that was cut short, but rather an attack temporarily paused. The attack has to actually end/ be cut short. And there has to be enough time for JWs to get to a point of "living in peace." Also, there has to be enough time for things to normalize all around the world - that must take some time. And then time for ones to see us still doing our thing, get angry, meet and talk about a response, agree on a plan and actually implement it. Governments move at glacial speeds.

 

But this is just my take. I'll tell you this - I'd rather assume it will take 5 or more years and it takes only 3.5, then assume it will take only a few months and it last years. If I were in the second group and it all appeared to drag on, I could easily get disappointed. 

 

Plan for the worst, hope for the best. I'm doing the same thing now - planning my finances and such as if this isn't coming to end, but living my spiritual life as if it is ending tomorrow.

Edited 20 hours ago by trottigy

[Shawnster]

10 hours ago, Bruceq said:

People will realize Jehovah’s Witnesses are true prophets which will give added weight like hailstones to their message after Babylon the Great has fallen, it will be unusually great.

 

Except none of us are prophets, nor should any of us claim otherwise. 

 

*** w02 10/1 p. 17 par. 22 Jehovah Blesses and Protects Those Who Are Obedient ***

22... Today, Jehovah does not inspire prophets as in the past; instead, he has commissioned a faithful slave class to provide timely spiritual food to his household. (Matthew 24:45-47) How important, therefore, that we have an obedient attitude toward that “slave”! As the following article will show, such obedience also reflects our attitude toward Jesus, the ‘slave’s’ master. He is the One to whom ‘the obedience of the peoples belongs.’—Genesis 49:10.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2002724&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=30

 

 

[Bruceq]

3 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

Except none of us are prophets, nor should any of us claim otherwise. 

 

*** w02 10/1 p. 17 par. 22 Jehovah Blesses and Protects Those Who Are Obedient ***

22... Today, Jehovah does not inspire prophets as in the past; instead, he has commissioned a faithful slave class to provide timely spiritual food to his household. (Matthew 24:45-47) How important, therefore, that we have an obedient attitude toward that “slave”! As the following article will show, such obedience also reflects our attitude toward Jesus, the ‘slave’s’ master. He is the One to whom ‘the obedience of the peoples belongs.’—Genesis 49:10.

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2002724&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=30

 

 

Prophets as in witnesses of Jehovah. True Religion

[sania]

7 hours ago, trottigy said:

Plan for the worst, hope for the best

My new dp

 

[Janetmuri]

22 hours ago, New World Explorer said:

How will God’s people fare at that time? Jesus explains: “In fact, 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. 24:22) As we considered, in 66 C.E. the tribulation was “cut short.” This allowed “the chosen ones,” anointed Christians, to flee the city and its environs. Likewise, the initial part of the future great tribulation will be “cut short” because of “the chosen ones.” The political “ten horns” will not be allowed to annihilate God’s people. Rather, there will be a brief respite. W15 7/15 

 

I get this idea from the publications. (unless our understanding changes in the future - for now it is a "brief respite") 

 

Also please note of this: When will the current preaching work end?
Jesus stated: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) The Greek word translated “end” in this verse, as well as in verses 6 and 13, is teʹlos. It refers to the final end of Satan’s world at Armageddon. (Rev. 16:14, 16) Thus, we will continue to preach the good news until just before that final end. This adjusts our earlier understanding.
Previously, we understood that we would stop preaching the good news when the great tribulation began with the destruction of Babylon the Great. (Rev. 17:3, 5, 15, 16) This event, we believed, would mark the end of the figurative “year of Jehovah’s goodwill.” (Isa. 61:2) We also felt that those who would survive the great tribulation would prove their devotion to Jehovah before that event. We compared them to the Jews who survived the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. These individuals had been marked for survival earlier because they worshipped Jehovah and hated wickedness. (Ezek. 5:11; 9:4) That comparison, however, does not harmonize with Jesus’ words found at Matthew 24:14, which indicate that people may have the opportunity to respond to the good news until just before the final end at Armageddon.
Our clarified understanding of Matthew 24:14 also adjusts our understanding of the hailstonelike message foretold at Revelation 16:21. Further examination has revealed that the two scriptures complement each other. How so? The answer lies in how people respond to the Kingdom message. To “those who are being saved,” wrote the apostle Paul, the message is good news, “a fragrance of life.” But to God’s enemies, it is bad news, “an odor of death.” (2 Cor. 2:15, 16) They hate the Kingdom message because it exposes their world for what it is—wicked, ruled by Satan, and headed for destruction.—John 7:7; 1 John 2:17; 5:19.
Note, too, that the symbolic hailstorm will be “unusually great.” This suggests that during the great tribulation, the preaching work may become more hard-hitting, that is, Jehovah’s name will be made known as never before. (Ezek. 39:7) At that late point in time, after the destruction of Babylon the Great, will some be drawn to the message as to a sweet fragrance? This is quite possible. Perhaps they may recall or learn that for many years Jehovah’s Witnesses had announced the end of false religion. W25
 

 

What did Jesus mean: “those days will be cut short”?

 

 

In Matthew 24:21, 22, Jesus describes There are two fulfillments we talk First-century fulfillment – 66–70 C.E.

• In 66 C.E., the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem. That was the start of the “tribulation” on the Jewish system.
• Then, unexpectedly, the army withdrew. That “cutting short” of the tribulation gave anointed Christians time to obey Jesus’ command to flee (Matt. 24:15–18; Luke 21:20–22).
• In 70 C.E., the Romans came back and completely destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. But by then, the faithful Christians were already fled/gone.
•  

 

[Janetmuri]

 

Putting the pieces together (based on Revelation and Matthew 24):

 

1. Start of the great tribulation
   • It begins when the political powers (symbolic “ten horns” on the wild beast) turn against Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion (Rev. 17:16–17).
   • That will be a massive, coordinated attack on false religion worldwide.
2. “Cut short” before God’s people are destroyed
   • After false religion is attacked, the political powers will naturally be hostile toward true worship as well.
   • However, Jehovah will not allow them to wipe out his people. The tribulation is “cut short” in the sense that the political system is not permitted to go as far as it wants against the chosen ones.
3. A “brief respite”
   • That Watchtower explains that there will be a short pause in which the political powers are not actively destroying God’s people.
   • It doesn’t mean life becomes easy or “normal,” but that total annihilation is prevented.
   • During that interval, Jehovah’s people are still under pressure but are preserved—very much like the period between 66 and 70 C.E., after Christians left Jerusalem but before final destruction.

Edited 13 hours ago by Janetmuri

[Dhanyel]

I went to read it again.

 

https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/watchtower-study-august-2025/questions-from-readers/

 

Questions From Readers

When will the current preaching work end?

Jesus stated: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) The Greek word translated “end” in this verse, as well as in verses 6 and 13, is teʹlos. It refers to the final end of Satan’s world at Armageddon. (Rev. 16:14, 16) Thus, we will continue to preach the good news until just before that final end. This adjusts our earlier understanding.

Previously, we understood that we would stop preaching the good news when the great tribulation began with the destruction of Babylon the Great. (Rev. 17:3, 5, 15, 16) This event, we believed, would mark the end of the figurative “year of Jehovah’s goodwill.” (Isa. 61:2) We also felt that those who would survive the great tribulation would prove their devotion to Jehovah before that event. We compared them to the Jews who survived the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. These individuals had been marked for survival earlier because they worshipped Jehovah and hated wickedness. (Ezek. 5:11; 9:4) That comparison, however, does not harmonize with Jesus’ words found at Matthew 24:14, which indicate that people may have the opportunity to respond to the good news until just before the final end at Armageddon.

Our clarified understanding of Matthew 24:14 also adjusts our understanding of the hailstonelike message foretold at Revelation 16:21. Further examination has revealed that the two scriptures complement each other. How so? The answer lies in how people respond to the Kingdom message. To “those who are being saved,” wrote the apostle Paul, the message is good news, “a fragrance of life.” But to God’s enemies, it is bad news, “an odor of death.” (2 Cor. 2:15, 16) They hate the Kingdom message because it exposes their world for what it is—wicked, ruled by Satan, and headed for destruction.—John 7:7; 1 John 2:17; 5:19.

Note, too, that the symbolic hailstorm will be “unusually great.” This suggests that during the great tribulation, the preaching work may become more hard-hitting, that is, Jehovah’s name will be made known as never before. (Ezek. 39:7) At that late point in time, after the destruction of Babylon the Great, will some be drawn to the message as to a sweet fragrance? This is quite possible. Perhaps they may recall or learn that for many years Jehovah’s Witnesses had announced the end of false religion.

By way of comparison, consider what happened in ancient Egypt following the Ten Plagues. After Jehovah “[executed] judgment on all the gods of Egypt,” his people were joined by “a vast mixed company” of non-Israelites. (Ex. 12:12, 37, 38) These foreigners may have turned to Jehovah when they saw Moses’ warnings about the Ten Plagues come true.

Any who turn to Jehovah after the destruction of Babylon the Great will have the privilege of doing good to Christ’s brothers who will still be on earth. (Matt. 25:34-36, 40) Of course, that opportunity to be judged as sheep will end shortly before Armageddon when the remaining anointed ones receive their heavenly reward.

This clarified understanding powerfully illustrates Jehovah’s great love and mercy. Yes, he “does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.”—2 Pet. 3:9

[Tronora]

When the Romans attacked Jerusalem i 66, the obedient and alert christians har already fled to safety, hadn't they? Like we have left BtG today. 

[Osprey]

I would say no, most fled after roman army withdrawed. Our movie also showed that most left at that time, not before.

[SUNRAY]

On 11/23/2025 at 7:11 AM, Mike047 said:

We will have an update picking up on some points, in our AGM, yet to be put up

What is the AGM?

[Dages]

1 hour ago, Tronora said:

When the Romans attacked Jerusalem i 66, the obedient and alert christians har already fled to safety, hadn't they? Like we have left BtG today. 

in 70.
They flew after the roman army went away in 66

[Shawnster]

59 minutes ago, Tronora said:

When the Romans attacked Jerusalem i 66, the obedient and alert christians har already fled to safety, hadn't they? Like we have left BtG today. 

 

This highlights an important point people seem to be overlooking when they compare the destruction of Jerusalem with the great tribulation. 

 

The Bible does not say thar every aspect of the destruction of Jerusalem has an equivalent to the great tribulation. Years ago when discussing our new understanding on types and anti-types our thinking was adjusted on trying to fit each and every detail from a past event to a future event. Unless the scriptures specifically state there is a connection to a past event to a future event, we should not try to make prophetic connections. When the scriptures do present a past event as a warning or type/anti-type to what is in store for us, we limit our connections to what the Bible says. 

 

Where the Bible is silent, we are silent. 

 

This raises the question in what way does the Bible connect the destruction of Jerusalem to the great tribulation? 

[Michał]

My subjective take:

 

phase 1: 4-8 weeks

phase 2: at least a few months for people joining us after BTG destruction can get strong enough spiritually. 
phase 3: 1-2 weeks with Stmagefon only a few hours. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Michał

[jrnievas]

We’ll understand everything at the right time brothers 🤠

 

As Jesus said,

 

It does not belong to you to know the times or seasons that the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction. (Acts 1:7)

 

We can guess, yes. But we should not forget that it's Jehovah and Jesus only that knows everything what will soon happen. 

 

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[trottigy]

Hmm, didn't Jesus make a connection between the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the last days?  Isn't that the whole point of Matthew chapter 24? How the two ends are similar, but he used terms to help us appreciate he was not just talking about the destruction of Jerusalem - but also about the end of the last days we're living in.

[Tronora]

4 hours ago, Osprey said:

I would say no, most fled after roman army withdrawed. Our movie also showed that most left at that time, not before.

Sorry, that's what I meant!  AFTER the the attack, when they withdrew.  You are absolutely right. 

 

So the christians fled when there was an opening. They weren't destroyed with Jerusalem. 

 

Sorry, folks! My bad

[Tronora]

4 hours ago, Dages said:

in 70.
They flew after the roman army went away in 66

You are absolutely right. I got my wires crossed. Sorry for the confusion. 

[Tronora]

4 hours ago, Shawnster said:

 

This highlights an important point people seem to be overlooking when they compare the destruction of Jerusalem with the great tribulation. 

 

The Bible does not say thar every aspect of the destruction of Jerusalem has an equivalent to the great tribulation. Years ago when discussing our new understanding on types and anti-types our thinking was adjusted on trying to fit each and every detail from a past event to a future event. Unless the scriptures specifically state there is a connection to a past event to a future event, we should not try to make prophetic connections. When the scriptures do present a past event as a warning or type/anti-type to what is in store for us, we limit our connections to what the Bible says. 

 

Where the Bible is silent, we are silent. 

 

This raises the question in what way does the Bible connect the destruction of Jerusalem to the great tribulation? 

 

I love that we have left the type/anti-type thinking. (My statement should read 70, not 66, anyway, see posts above)

 

An interesting question you are posing at the end  

 

My point was (that got a little lost), since we have left BtG, will we really be the recipient of Jehovah's wrath when she is destroyed? 

Edited 1 hour ago by Tronora
Wine was wrong