Thursday, February 20 The end of all things has drawn close.​—1 Pet. 4:7.

[Áine]

Thursday, February 20

The end of all things has drawn close.—1 Pet. 4:7.

 

Although the apostle Peter addressed his letters to the first-century Christians, Jehovah made these writings part of His Word. So we can now benefit from those letters. (Rom. 15:4) We are surrounded by people who have no faith in Bible prophecy. Opposers may mock us because we have eagerly anticipated the end for many years. Some critics claim that it will never come. (2 Pet. 3:3, 4) If we hear such comments from a householder, a workmate, or a family member, our faith could be shaken. Peter explained what can help us. It may seem to some that Jehovah is slow to end the present wicked system. Peter’s words can help us to keep the right perspective, reminding us that Jehovah’s view of time is vastly different from that of humans. (2 Pet. 3:8, 9) To Jehovah a thousand years are like one day. Jehovah is patient, not wanting any to be destroyed. When his day arrives, though, this system will end. w23.09 26-27 ¶2-5

[Andrey]

13 hours ago, Áine said:

Thursday, February 20

 

The end of all things has drawn close.—1 Pet. 4:7.

 

 When his day arrives, though, this system will end. w23.09 26-27 ¶2-5

 

When his day arrives!?

 

I put an exclamation point because this Day of Jehovah, will free all mankind, from Satan the Devil's system, a system that is rotten in every way, affecting every aspect and direction related to the right to Jehovah's Lordship. 2 Peter 3:7, Romans 16:20

 

But, I also put a question mark.

 

In His conversation with His disciples, Jesus mentioned the time that Jehovah God, His Father, had set to punish those who, as in the days of Noah, would not be willing to acknowledge Jehovah as Sovereign and would encroach on His earthly Organization.

 

Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. Matthew 24:36

 

... in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on 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 Thessalonians 1:8, 9

 

We are all looking forward to Jehovah's Day. But, in Matthew 24:36, Jesus mentioned not only the day, but also the hour. So Jehovah's Day will happen on a certain day and at a certain time — an hour.

 

Of course, we cannot consider and compare Jehovah's Day with the Flood in the days of Noah, with 607 B.C., and with 70 A.D. But we can consider some nuances:

 

— Not only did the Flood begin on a specific day, but it also has to do with the time during the day, the hourly time of 24 hours. There was a specific hour appointed when the downpour from the sky began.

 

— The capture of Jerusalem, both in 607 and 70, according to military tactics and battle strategy, began at certain hours, not just the appointed day.

 

If we consider the lives of the people at the time of the Flood and in Jerusalem, they all lived in the same time zone. The day and hour was the same for everyone.

 

Today, people live all over the earth and the time difference is very different. The critical situation before Armageddon will escalate until Jehovah brings it to the appointed hour.

 

If we think strategically, the general headquarters of the coalition must be in one place and the order to attack Jehovah's people, the great multitude, must come from there.

 

And here is the most interesting thing, from what place, i.e. from what time zone, will Armageddon begin?

[trottigy]

"So, then, let those who are suffering in harmony with the will of God keep on entrusting themselves to a faithful Creator while they are doing good."

 

 

That's a nice way to finish the chapter our text is in.

 

And this was a good reminder from Peter and in the reference material:

 

The end of the entire Jewish system of things was near when Peter wrote those words. The end came a few years later, in 70 C.E., when Roman armies devastated Jerusalem. However, Christians had been given a sign in advance, and they heeded it and fled to the mountains across the Jordan River near the town of Pella.—Luke 21:20-22.

 

Try to imagine the situation as perhaps thousands of Christians arrived in that mountainous area. They evidently didn’t have housing or other basic needs but had to set up makeshift shelters. There were shortages and hardships. (Matthew 24:16-20) What did they particularly need at that trying time? “Intense love for one another,” Peter said. Yes, helping one another to cope

Edited February 20 by trottigy

[Andrey]

Go, my people, enter your inner rooms, and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment until the wrath has passed by. For look! Jehovah is coming from his place to call the inhabitants of the land to account for their error, and the land will expose her bloodshed and will no longer cover over her slain. Isaiah 26:20, 21

 

If we stick to the guidance we will receive at the time, as Noah, the Israelites and the first Christians once did, I don't think there is any point in looking for a place, time zone or where Armageddon will come from.

 

Peter’s words can help us to keep the right perspective, reminding us that Jehovah’s view of time is vastly different from that of humans. (2 Pet. 3:8, 9) To Jehovah a thousand years are like one day. Jehovah is patient, not wanting any to be destroyed. When his day arrives, though, this system will end. w23.09 26-27 ¶2-5