Who wants to speculate about when the end will come?

[Nicol]

16 hours ago, trottigy said:

It really can be any day.

I hope so, but to be honest I think we have a long ways to go. Do you think it’s going to happen soon? 

[Nicol]

16 hours ago, Tortuga said:

Yup, and there may be many more, but one day it will come.

This is how I feel. Lol 

[Nicol]

14 hours ago, Qapla said:

One date we know for sure - It will NOT come on February 30th

 

 

lol, it might if the sun doesn’t set again. He might keep it light that day so, we have to call it something. 

[Nicol]

10 hours ago, Ahuvah said:

I'd not be surprised if it happened tomorrow,  but prepared to dig in for the long haul if it doesn't. 

My heart is bad, it keeps saying it’s delaying. 

[Tortuga]

42 minutes ago, Nicol said:

I hope so, but to be honest I think we have a long ways to go. Do you think it’s going to happen soon? 

I really appreciated the Annual Meeting reminding us that we can't look at world events to indicate if Jehovah's Day is closer or further away. It will come exactly when Jehovah wants it to come. It may be tomorrow, or it may be 20 years from now, we don't know. However, Jehovah tells us exactly what we need to do to be ready for it.

 

Think of Jehovah's Day as a storm. If you live in an area that is prone to storms, you know one is coming but you don't know exactly when. So, you get ready for it anyway. You don't need to know the exact day, hour and minute the storm will arrive, you get ready for it early and stay ready for it. It gets here when it gets here. 

[trottigy]

1 hour ago, Nicol said:

I hope so, but to be honest I think we have a long ways to go. Do you think it’s going to happen soon? 

 

My outlook is the same as the signature ->

 

Plan ahead as if Armageddon will not come in your lifetime, but lead your life as if it will come tomorrow (w 2004 Dec. 1 page 29)

 

[Landon1285]

I like this particular paragraph from the insight book under the "Time of the End."

 

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&prefer=lang&docid=1200004409&par=4

 

The expression “time of the end” is also used in association with particular developments in connection with human government. Daniel 11:40 reads: “In the time of the end the king of the south will engage with [the king of the north] in a pushing, and against him the king of the north will storm with chariots and with horsemen and with many ships.” Thereafter the prophecy discusses the actions of the “king of the north” and indicates that he will come to his end. (Da 11:41-45) Thus “the time of the end” here is evidently to be understood as a period culminated by the destruction of “the king of the north.” Lending confirmation to this is the fact that “the king of the north” is earlier portrayed as persecuting God’s servants, those “having insight,” until “the time of the end,” that is, until his time of the end.—Da 11:33-35.

 

Of course there is more... 

 

[cme]

Habakkuk 2:3 "And it is rushing toward its end, and it will  not lie. Even if it should delay keep in expectation of it!"

 

We are witnessing the end of this system already.  We are on the cusp/threshold of it.  We just don't know when or how soon.  However, it is soon enough.

[Patience87]

3 hours ago, trottigy said:

 

My outlook is the same as the signature ->

 

Plan ahead as if Armageddon will not come in your lifetime, but lead your life as if it will come tomorrow (w 2004 Dec. 1 page 29)

 

I love this quote and have it saved in my personal study notes, but may I ask what this means to us? I'm curious as to what the "planning" ahead entails? In my mind, it means that I do the best I can to serve Jehovah day to day, but also not throwing caution to the wind with regards to the fact that I'm getting older and won't be able to work at some point. What I'm getting at is, many in my parents' generation and before them didn't plan for retirement. I am seeing many of them now struggling and having to depend on family to live since they didn't plan on ever retiring. But I'd like to hear what others think?

[Nicol]

3 minutes ago, Patience87 said:

I love this quote and have it saved in my personal study notes, but may I ask what this means to us? I'm curious as to what the "planning" ahead entails? In my mind, it means that I do the best I can to serve Jehovah day to day, but also not throwing caution to the wind with regards to the fact that I'm getting older and won't be able to work at some point. What I'm getting at is, many in my parents' generation and before them didn't plan for retirement. I am seeing many of them now struggling and having to depend on family to live since they didn't plan on ever retiring. But I'd like to hear what others think?

I’m 29 and I don’t see myself as having to prepare for retirement since we are at the last of the last days. I’m just waiting on peace and security to be called. I’m young enough that if none of the information changes I won’t need retirement. Or maybe I will because the second generation could get old and decrepit. I like everyone else is waiting to see what preparation we will need. 

[Nicol]

1 hour ago, cme said:

Habakkuk 2:3 "And it is rushing toward its end, and it will  not lie. Even if it should delay keep in expectation of it!"

 

We are witnessing the end of this system already.  We are on the cusp/threshold of it.  We just don't know when or how soon.  However, it is soon enough.

My heart is getting sick in expectation of it 😔

[Nicol]

12 hours ago, SteveAus said:

it would not surprise me if it was only months away. Don't know why I feel that, but I do. But I'm certainly not going to hang my hat on that

 

I feel that way but my brain tells me it won’t be that close. I’m waiting to see. 

[Áine]

5 hours ago, Nicol said:

I hope so, but to be honest I think we have a long ways to go. Do you think it’s going to happen soon? 

That can be dangerous thinking

 maybe listen to this again

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&lank=pub-jwb-120_10_VIDEO

Edited Monday at 10:45 PM by Áine

[Nicol]

10 hours ago, Witness1970 said:

Armageddon will come 1,000 years before the "final test."  I have that on good authority.

I very much think that it will come in the next 5 years. 

I was saying that in 2020. Now look, 2025. Why is this system still living? All we can say now is 2030 will be the year, but I feel I would be amazed it got that far. Could you imagine 2040? 

[Nicol]

Just now, Áine said:

That can be dangerous thinking

What do you mean? 

[dljbsp]

The scriptures and many educated properly about them report that it's coming sooner than we think. I think it's coming tomorrow, so hold on!

[Áine]

2 minutes ago, Nicol said:

What do you mean? 

I’ve edited the post… maybe give the talk another listen

[Nicol]

6 hours ago, LeolaRootStew said:

I think the GT will come within 2-3 years (I've been saying that since 2013). There's lots of talk about the European Union heading towards collapse within the next few months. That sounds like a good opportunity to shake things up and give power to the UN.

I’ve been saying the same since 2018. I wish he gave us a bigger clue then the signs because the signs just keeps getting greater and greater. 

[Áine]

3 minutes ago, Nicol said:

I was saying that in 2020. Now look, 2025. Why is this system still living? All we can say now is 2030 will be the year, but I feel I would be amazed it got that far. Could you imagine 2040? 

I was baptised in 1975 … and here we are heading into 2025, it’s about remaining faithful and enjoying serving our God Jehovah… we don’t serve with a date in mind

[Nicol]

6 minutes ago, Áine said:

That can be dangerous thinking

 maybe listen to this again

https://www.jw.org/finder?srcid=jwlshare&wtlocale=E&lank=pub-jwb-120_10_VIDEO

Yea, but the governing body has been saying about to happen and suddenly for years. 
JACOB RUMPH And JODY JEDELE might get old and decrepit. 

[Nicol]

7 minutes ago, dljbsp said:

The scriptures and many educated properly about them report that it's coming sooner than we think. I think it's coming tomorrow, so hold on!

You think so. I thought that, but I kept running across articles from the 80s and 90s that talked about the end as we do and that was 30 years ago. 

[Nicol]

6 minutes ago, Áine said:

I was baptised in 1975 … and here we are heading into 2025, it’s about remaining faithful and enjoying serving our God Jehovah… we don’t serve with a date in mind

Best quote ever. 

[hatcheckgirl]

Anxiety is caused when we don’t have certainty. We saw how crazy things got during the uncertain times of the pandemic. Most of us are exhausted with living in this system, and we all yearn for it to end - for Jehovah’s name to be sanctified, for his kingdom to rule and replace this wicked system. And to see an end to the persecution and suffering of our faithful brothers and sisters.

 

So, what gives us anxiety? Not knowing the exact date of the end. But really, do we need that much certainty to be able to endure, and not only just endure but with joy. We focus on what we are certain of, and we manage our expectations to lessen our anxiety.

 

• Focus on the reward - “run with endurance the race that is set before us, as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” - Heb 12:1,2
• We are all enduring together, and our faithful brothers and sisters are a good example for us, encouraging us to keep going
• We can see the signs of the last day going from bad to worse - that means we are seeing the actual fulfilment of Bible prophecy before our eyes! What a privilege!
• We are able to make a stand for Jehovah’s side and soon see his name and sovereignty be vindicated! Imagine seeing Jehovah protect us in a miraculous way while the rest of Satans world is destroyed!

So focus on these things (and find more in your personal study project on enduring with joy). We are all soon to see this system end, but focus on these things blessings, not the wait. And stay busy helping others 💞

[trottigy]

41 minutes ago, Patience87 said:

I love this quote and have it saved in my personal study notes, but may I ask what this means to us? I'm curious as to what the "planning" ahead entails? In my mind, it means that I do the best I can to serve Jehovah day to day, but also not throwing caution to the wind with regards to the fact that I'm getting older and won't be able to work at some point. What I'm getting at is, many in my parents' generation and before them didn't plan for retirement. I am seeing many of them now struggling and having to depend on family to live since they didn't plan on ever retiring. But I'd like to hear what others think?

 

Look around ... you still see the slave remodeling and building new buildings. They are VERY active in the work - regardless of whether the end is tomorrow or decades away.

 

It has always been good to make sure we have "some" money (see this week's meeting part), but more important to store up treasures in heaven foremost. So, have a budget, live under your means (if possible) and save what you can. But definitely do NOT just spend away as if saving is unnecessary - that is the opposite of this advice.

[Nicol]

8 minutes ago, hatcheckgirl said:

Anxiety is caused when we don’t have certainty. We saw how crazy things got during the uncertain times of the pandemic. Most of us are exhausted with living in this system, and we all yearn for it to end - for Jehovah’s name to be sanctified, for his kingdom to rule and replace this wicked system. And to see an end to the persecution and suffering of our faithful brothers and sisters.

 

So, what gives us anxiety? Not knowing the exact date of the end. But really, do we need that much certainty to be able to endure, and not only just endure but with joy. We focus on what we are certain of, and we manage our expectations to lessen our anxiety.

 

• Focus on the reward - “run with endurance the race that is set before us, as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” - Heb 12:1,2
• We are all enduring together, and our faithful brothers and sisters are a good example for us, encouraging us to keep going
• We can see the signs of the last day going from bad to worse - that means we are seeing the actual fulfilment of Bible prophecy before our eyes! What a privilege!
• We are able to make a stand for Jehovah’s side and soon see his name and sovereignty be vindicated! Imagine seeing Jehovah protect us in a miraculous way while the rest of Satans world is destroyed!

So focus on these things (and find more in your personal study project on enduring with joy). We are all soon to see this system end, but focus on these things blessings, not the wait. And stay busy helping others 💞

This was a big help to me. I’ll try to stay focused on the blessings like the wonderful sisters and brothers who commented on this post. If you see any articles about enduring with joy, please, send them my way.