Chapter 26 - Epilogue

[SusanB]

All of the Chapters have important information and clarification and all backed up by scripture. The Epilogue starts with a scripture and I think there is another scriptural reference but really I think its a condensed and “distilled” message for the anointed and the rest of us that shows why the book is a “Primer for the Apocalypse”. This chapter makes it clear how we will be involved in the coming test of faith and what the issues truly are with all smoke screens removed.

Here is a quote:

”And while it may appear that Satan primarily called into question the integrity of God’s intelligent creation, ultimately the Devil has impugned God’s character. After all, if a man will not sacrifice his life for his Life-giver perhaps the fault lies with the Creator himself. Maybe God does not deserve absolute obedience. Maybe God simply cannot engender an unbreakable bound of love for himself within his own creation.

These are the underlying issues that Satan’s challenge has raised. And this is where Jesus comes in. Jesus was in a position to provide an unequivocal response to Satan’s taunt. Unlike Job, Jesus was perfect. And unlike in the trial of Job, Jehovah would permit Satan to test Jesus completely— all the way to the death. The only question is whether Jesus would fully submit himself to do Jehovah’s will to the end.

Jehovah is keenly interested in settling these universal issues with finality and proving to all creation that the Devil is a wicked liar. That is why, shortly after Jesus was baptized and anointed as the Christ, the Bible account says that the holy spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Think of it, in the Lord’s model prayer Christians petition God not to lead them into temptation, but in the case of Jesus the holy spirit led Christ to the Tempter. The fact that God’s holy spirit was used to lead Jesus into a situation where he was directly tempted by the Devil proves that there are greater issues at stake than mere human salvation.

Having three times failed to tempt Jesus into misusing his authority as the Christ the account states that Satan withdrew from him until another convenient time. But the ultimate test came when Jehovah removed his protective spirit entirely. That initiated a period Jesus referred to in the Garden of Gethsemane as “the hour of the authority of darkness.”

 

[Ana]

All of the Chapters have important information and clarification and all backed up by scripture. The Epilogue starts with a scripture and I think there is another scriptural reference but really I think its a condensed and “distilled” message for the anointed and the rest of us that shows why the book is a “Primer for the Apocalypse”. This chapter makes it clear how we will be involved in the coming test of faith and what the issues truly are with all smoke screens removed.

Here is a quote:

”And while it may appear that Satan primarily called into question the integrity of God’s intelligent creation, ultimately the Devil has impugned God’s character. After all, if a man will not sacrifice his life for his Life-giver perhaps the fault lies with the Creator himself. Maybe God does not deserve absolute obedience. Maybe God simply cannot engender an unbreakable bound of love for himself within his own creation.

These are the underlying issues that Satan’s challenge has raised. And this is where Jesus comes in. Jesus was in a position to provide an unequivocal response to Satan’s taunt. Unlike Job, Jesus was perfect. And unlike in the trial of Job, Jehovah would permit Satan to test Jesus completely— all the way to the death. The only question is whether Jesus would fully submit himself to do Jehovah’s will to the end.

Jehovah is keenly interested in settling these universal issues with finality and proving to all creation that the Devil is a wicked liar. That is why, shortly after Jesus was baptized and anointed as the Christ, the Bible account says that the holy spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Think of it, in the Lord’s model prayer Christians petition God not to lead them into temptation, but in the case of Jesus the holy spirit led Christ to the Tempter. The fact that God’s holy spirit was used to lead Jesus into a situation where he was directly tempted by the Devil proves that there are greater issues at stake than mere human salvation.

Having three times failed to tempt Jesus into misusing his authority as the Christ the account states that Satan withdrew from him until another convenient time. But the ultimate test came when Jehovah removed his protective spirit entirely. That initiated a period Jesus referred to in the Garden of Gethsemane as “the hour of the authority of darkness.”

All of the Chapters have important information and clarification and all backed up by scripture. The Epilogue starts with a scripture and I think there is another scriptural reference but really I think its a condensed and “distilled” message for the anointed and the rest of us that shows why the book is a “Primer for the Apocalypse”. This chapter makes it clear how we will be involved in the coming test of faith and what the issues truly are with all smoke screens removed.

Here is a quote:

”And while it may appear that Satan primarily called into question the integrity of God’s intelligent creation, ultimately the Devil has impugned God’s character. After all, if a man will not sacrifice his life for his Life-giver perhaps the fault lies with the Creator himself. Maybe God does not deserve absolute obedience. Maybe God simply cannot engender an unbreakable bound of love for himself within his own creation.

These are the underlying issues that Satan’s challenge has raised. And this is where Jesus comes in. Jesus was in a position to provide an unequivocal response to Satan’s taunt. Unlike Job, Jesus was perfect. And unlike in the trial of Job, Jehovah would permit Satan to test Jesus completely— all the way to the death. The only question is whether Jesus would fully submit himself to do Jehovah’s will to the end.

Jehovah is keenly interested in settling these universal issues with finality and proving to all creation that the Devil is a wicked liar. That is why, shortly after Jesus was baptized and anointed as the Christ, the Bible account says that the holy spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. Think of it, in the Lord’s model prayer Christians petition God not to lead them into temptation, but in the case of Jesus the holy spirit led Christ to the Tempter. The fact that God’s holy spirit was used to lead Jesus into a situation where he was directly tempted by the Devil proves that there are greater issues at stake than mere human salvation.

Having three times failed to tempt Jesus into misusing his authority as the Christ the account states that Satan withdrew from him until another convenient time. But the ultimate test came when Jehovah removed his protective spirit entirely. That initiated a period Jesus referred to in the Garden of Gethsemane as “the hour of the authority of darkness.”

Que epílogo tan reflexivo. Que gusto ha sido considerar contigo este libro maravilloso. Gracias por haberlo compartido Susan. Ha sido con estar en la mesa de estudio leyendo juntas. Te ofrezco mi sonrisa más profunda. Ahora estamos en el momento de la expectación anhelante de la creacion de Romanos 8:19, todos esperando la manifestación de los hijos de Dios. Los de arriba deseando conocer a los humanos con los que compartirán la presencia de Jehová con sus coesclavos y nosotros deseando disfrutar de su reinado. Que Dios más extraordinario!! Bendito sea su nombre!! Que trabajo más bueno el de Robert. Gracias.

 

[SusanB]

There is so much to consider in the following quote from the Epilogue. When, in my imagination I put myself in Jesus’ place, it would be a real “gut punch” to be abandoned by those you trusted. The nation of Israel was, without any doubt, God’s chosen people. He said so and had it written but along with Jehovah claiming ownership of the Israelites, they had the responsibility to uphold God’s righteousness. As imperfect humans the Israelites often veered off track because they become pre-occupied with seeking their own righteousness until ultimately commands of men invalidate God’s principles. (Matthew 15:6b: “… So you have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition.”

It is amazing that we are eye-witnesses of that same situation today. I still have a difficult time understanding that they teach God’s word but then somehow excuse themselves from overstepping it. Unfortunately more situations that will be even more difficult to understand are in our future because it will follow the pattern that Jesus set for us. And I think this explains why it will be so important to be brave enough to step up and provide assistance to Christ’s brothers when and if we see the opportunity. Jehovah values loyalty.

”It was the hour of darkness, indeed. Within that “hour” Jesus was betrayed by one of his apostles. The other eleven apostles scattered in fear and confusion. Peter even three times denied that he ever knew Jesus. Jesus was kept up all night under guard and underwent interrogation from the Jewish high priest before the hastily- convened Sanhedrin. He was mocked, falsely accused, and denounced by the Jews who had, days before, jubilantly hailed him as the King of Israel. He was spit upon, beaten and lashed with a barbed whip and finally mockingly crowned with a wreath made out of thorns.

But even during his ordeal Jesus could have avoided being condemned to death if he had just remained silent during the illegal tribunal when put under oath by the high priest, who demanded to know if he was the Son of God. Or, if he had spoken up in his own defense when he stood before Pilate the outcome may have been entirely different. Unflinching in his determination to completely submit himself to God’s will, Jesus allowed himself to be condemned as a seditionist and blasphemer, knowing he would surely be nailed to a crude piece of timber and hoisted up to hang until he breathed his last breath.

Since the Devil was undoubtedly aware that the prophecies, as well as Jesus himself, had foretold that the Christ must die in order to accomplish God’s grand purpose to bring the works of the Devil to nothing, some have wondered why Satan would become a witting participant in the fulfillment of prophecy by having Jesus put to death. In view of the issues that Satan has put forward perhaps the Devil assumed that when actually faced with the agony and horror of his own execution Christ could be induced to blink—to veer off course at the last moment. And, of course, in order to determine if Jesus would shrink back, Satan had to go all the way to the point of having Jesus impaled. Keep in mind that impalement is not a speedy form of execution. Jesus hung upon the stake for about three hours. Even at that point, Jesus could have re- thought things. As his detractors even noted, if Jesus was really the Son of God he could have appealed to God to save him from his agony. He did not. And with his last breath, the victorious Christ stated: “It has been accomplished.”

However, that is not the end of the controversy. On the very night of his arrest, Jesus told Peter that Satan had demanded to have the apostles to sift them as wheat. And sifted they were. Peter eventually gave his life, too, as did many first century disciples. And Satan still demands to have access to tempt and test those who belong to God today.”

 

[DR75 less 1]

it would be a real “gut punch” to be abandoned by those you trusted

Jehovah abandoned Jesus too, Just for a moment at a critical point. Mt 27:46. Jehovah will I suspect step back from the remnant at a critical moment in the near future too. prehaps.

 

[SusanB]

The Epilogue makes reference to Ezekiel 37, which I encourage all to read the entire chapter. Here is a snippet:

Ezekiel 37:11-14: “Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Here they are saying, ‘Our bones are dry, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ So prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “I will open your graves and raise you up from your graves, my people, and bring you to the land of Israel. And you will have to know that I am Jehovah when I open your graves and when I raise you up out of your graves, O my people.”’ ‘I will put my spirit in you and you will come to life, and I will settle you on your land; and you will have to know that I myself, Jehovah, have spoken and I have done it,’ declares Jehovah.”

Here is a quote from the Epilogue:

”But if even so much as one of the chosen ones proves unfaithful after the concluding harvest is accomplished it will mean that God will have failed to produce a kingdom of 144,000 kings and priests— 143,999 just will not do. If Jehovah is to be vindicated as the true God his word must be completely fulfilled in every detail. Those are the stakes. And to up the ante, as they say in poker parlance, Jehovah has purposed to allow the earthly organization to which the chosen ones are attached to be destroyed. This phenomenon is the central feature of prophecy.

Jehovah’s confidence in the unbreakable loyalty of his holy ones at that time is all the more remarkable in light of the fact that at the present moment it is absolutely necessary for God to severely discipline those who make up the anointed congregation of Christ. But we are assured in prophecy that the severe wounding will accomplish its intended purpose, and afterwards will come the ultimate enlightenment, even as Isaiah 30:26 foretells: “And the light of the full moon must become as the light of the glowing sun; and the very light of the glowing sun will become seven times as much, like the light of seven days, in the day that Jehovah binds up the breakdown of his people and heals even the severe wound resulting from the stroke by him.”

The prophecy of the attack of Gog of Magog may now be better understood. The 37th chapter of Ezekiel describes the resurrection of Israel from a state of being like dried-out bones scattered about, as it were, as a result of the severe wounding by the disciplinary stroke of God. But Jehovah then brings the inert organization to life, completely cleansing it and establishing his covenant of peace with it. The result being the same as is described in the 21st chapter of Revelation, namely: God spreads his loving tabernacle over the redeemed and they become his people and Jehovah becomes their God. Ezekiel also foretells, that “David will rule over them.” “David,” of course, is a reference to the son of David, Jesus Christ. So, the prophecy relates to the coming of Christ and the redemption of the Christian Israel of God.”

 

[Ana]

The Epilogue makes reference to Ezekiel 37, which I encourage all to read the entire chapter. Here is a snippet:

Ezekiel 37:11-14: “Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Here they are saying, ‘Our bones are dry, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ So prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “I will open your graves and raise you up from your graves, my people, and bring you to the land of Israel. And you will have to know that I am Jehovah when I open your graves and when I raise you up out of your graves, O my people.”’ ‘I will put my spirit in you and you will come to life, and I will settle you on your land; and you will have to know that I myself, Jehovah, have spoken and I have done it,’ declares Jehovah.”

Here is a quote from the Epilogue:

”But if even so much as one of the chosen ones proves unfaithful after the concluding harvest is accomplished it will mean that God will have failed to produce a kingdom of 144,000 kings and priests— 143,999 just will not do. If Jehovah is to be vindicated as the true God his word must be completely fulfilled in every detail. Those are the stakes. And to up the ante, as they say in poker parlance, Jehovah has purposed to allow the earthly organization to which the chosen ones are attached to be destroyed. This phenomenon is the central feature of prophecy.

Jehovah’s confidence in the unbreakable loyalty of his holy ones at that time is all the more remarkable in light of the fact that at the present moment it is absolutely necessary for God to severely discipline those who make up the anointed congregation of Christ. But we are assured in prophecy that the severe wounding will accomplish its intended purpose, and afterwards will come the ultimate enlightenment, even as Isaiah 30:26 foretells: “And the light of the full moon must become as the light of the glowing sun; and the very light of the glowing sun will become seven times as much, like the light of seven days, in the day that Jehovah binds up the breakdown of his people and heals even the severe wound resulting from the stroke by him.”

The prophecy of the attack of Gog of Magog may now be better understood. The 37th chapter of Ezekiel describes the resurrection of Israel from a state of being like dried-out bones scattered about, as it were, as a result of the severe wounding by the disciplinary stroke of God. But Jehovah then brings the inert organization to life, completely cleansing it and establishing his covenant of peace with it. The result being the same as is described in the 21st chapter of Revelation, namely: God spreads his loving tabernacle over the redeemed and they become his people and Jehovah becomes their God. Ezekiel also foretells, that “David will rule over them.” “David,” of course, is a reference to the son of David, Jesus Christ. So, the prophecy relates to the coming of Christ and the redemption of the Christian Israel of God.”

Habrá que prepararse un buenas ganas de sol, con filtro para la apostasía!!! Buenos días Hawaii!!

 

[Ms_ladyblue]

Que epílogo tan reflexivo. Que gusto ha sido considerar contigo este libro maravilloso. Gracias por haberlo compartido Susan. Ha sido con estar en la mesa de estudio leyendo juntas. Te ofrezco mi sonrisa más profunda. Ahora estamos en el momento de la expectación anhelante de la creacion de Romanos 8:19, todos esperando la manifestación de los hijos de Dios. Los de arriba deseando conocer a los humanos con los que compartirán la presencia de Jehová con sus coesclavos y nosotros deseando disfrutar de su reinado. Que Dios más extraordinario!! Bendito sea su nombre!! Que trabajo más bueno el de Robert. Gracias.

Translation: What a thoughtful epilogue. What a pleasure it has been to consider this wonderful book with you. Thank you for sharing it, Susan. It has been with being at the study table reading together. I offer you my deepest smile. Now we are at the moment of the longing expectation of the creation of Romans 8:19, all waiting for the manifestation of the children of God. Those above wishing to meet the humans with whom they will share the presence of Jehovah with his co-slaves and we wish to enjoy his reign. What an extraordinary God!! Blessed be his name!! What a good job Robert's. Thank you.

 

[SusanB]

Finally my last quote from the Book, ”Jehovah has Become King”. The initial thread was started on December 9, 2022 and I guess we’ve covered it unless others have more comments. I love the admonition to seize the opportunity to make a stand for the truth, come what may!

”Paul went on to exhort the Hebrews not to give out under God’s discipline.

It is especially noteworthy that the entire 11th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is a review of the faith of numerous pre-Christian men and women, many of which faced death. Hebrew Christians living in Jerusalem would have their faith severely tested too.

But the apostle’s letter makes it clear that the destruction of the Jewish system was merely a pattern for the end of the entire Christian era and the present system of things. That is evident by these words of Paul: “See that you do not beg off from him who is speaking. For if they did not escape who begged off from him who was giving divine warning upon earth, much more shall we not if we turn away from him who speaks from the heavens. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, saying: ‘Yet once more I will set in commotion not only the earth but also the heaven.’ Now the expression ‘Yet once more’ signifies the removal of the things being shaken as things that have been made, in order that the things not being shaken may remain.” (Hebrew 12:25-27)

Now, we too must face the hour of the authority of darkness. A darkness so terrifying it will seem as if the sun and moon have been blotted out. During that “hour” civilization will be shaken into oblivion. All mountain-like institutions that seem so permanent now will be rocked off their foundations.

Humanity will be agitated like a storm-tossed sea. There will be no place on earth to flee to escape the tumult. Only those with unshakable faith in God and Christ will survive, because God will provide a real refuge for them.

Rather than melt in fear as those without faith are certain to do when the angels unleash the four winds of annihilation upon the earth, let us seize the opportunity then to take a stand for the truth—come what may! Let us remember the men and women recorded in the Scriptures who accomplished extraordinary things by means of their faith.

Foremost, may we always look to the example that Jesus Christ set. And have faith that the one who once calmed the tempestuous Sea of Galilee with a mere word and who gave the command for Peter to step out of the little boat and into the surging waters, will also carry us through the coming tempest of Jehovah.”

 

[Medi-tator]

Finally my last quote from the Book, ”Jehovah has Become King”. The initial thread was started on December 9, 2022 and I guess we’ve covered it unless others have more comments. I love the admonition to seize the opportunity to make a stand for the truth, come what may!

”Paul went on to exhort the Hebrews not to give out under God’s discipline.

It is especially noteworthy that the entire 11th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is a review of the faith of numerous pre-Christian men and women, many of which faced death. Hebrew Christians living in Jerusalem would have their faith severely tested too.

But the apostle’s letter makes it clear that the destruction of the Jewish system was merely a pattern for the end of the entire Christian era and the present system of things. That is evident by these words of Paul: “See that you do not beg off from him who is speaking. For if they did not escape who begged off from him who was giving divine warning upon earth, much more shall we not if we turn away from him who speaks from the heavens. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, saying: ‘Yet once more I will set in commotion not only the earth but also the heaven.’ Now the expression ‘Yet once more’ signifies the removal of the things being shaken as things that have been made, in order that the things not being shaken may remain.” (Hebrew 12:25-27)

Now, we too must face the hour of the authority of darkness. A darkness so terrifying it will seem as if the sun and moon have been blotted out. During that “hour” civilization will be shaken into oblivion. All mountain-like institutions that seem so permanent now will be rocked off their foundations.

Humanity will be agitated like a storm-tossed sea. There will be no place on earth to flee to escape the tumult. Only those with unshakable faith in God and Christ will survive, because God will provide a real refuge for them.

Rather than melt in fear as those without faith are certain to do when the angels unleash the four winds of annihilation upon the earth, let us seize the opportunity then to take a stand for the truth—come what may! Let us remember the men and women recorded in the Scriptures who accomplished extraordinary things by means of their faith.

Foremost, may we always look to the example that Jesus Christ set. And have faith that the one who once calmed the tempestuous Sea of Galilee with a mere word and who gave the command for Peter to step out of the little boat and into the surging waters, will also carry us through the coming tempest of Jehovah.”

Nice job @SusanB! The chapter by chapter review of Jehovah Has Become King helps a ton, especially while and after reading the various chapters. Thank you!

 

[evw]

Finally my last quote from the Book, ”Jehovah has Become King”. The initial thread was started on December 9, 2022 and I guess we’ve covered it unless others have more comments. I love the admonition to seize the opportunity to make a stand for the truth, come what may!

”Paul went on to exhort the Hebrews not to give out under God’s discipline.

It is especially noteworthy that the entire 11th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews is a review of the faith of numerous pre-Christian men and women, many of which faced death. Hebrew Christians living in Jerusalem would have their faith severely tested too.

But the apostle’s letter makes it clear that the destruction of the Jewish system was merely a pattern for the end of the entire Christian era and the present system of things. That is evident by these words of Paul: “See that you do not beg off from him who is speaking. For if they did not escape who begged off from him who was giving divine warning upon earth, much more shall we not if we turn away from him who speaks from the heavens. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, saying: ‘Yet once more I will set in commotion not only the earth but also the heaven.’ Now the expression ‘Yet once more’ signifies the removal of the things being shaken as things that have been made, in order that the things not being shaken may remain.” (Hebrew 12:25-27)

Now, we too must face the hour of the authority of darkness. A darkness so terrifying it will seem as if the sun and moon have been blotted out. During that “hour” civilization will be shaken into oblivion. All mountain-like institutions that seem so permanent now will be rocked off their foundations.

Humanity will be agitated like a storm-tossed sea. There will be no place on earth to flee to escape the tumult. Only those with unshakable faith in God and Christ will survive, because God will provide a real refuge for them.

Rather than melt in fear as those without faith are certain to do when the angels unleash the four winds of annihilation upon the earth, let us seize the opportunity then to take a stand for the truth—come what may! Let us remember the men and women recorded in the Scriptures who accomplished extraordinary things by means of their faith.

Foremost, may we always look to the example that Jesus Christ set. And have faith that the one who once calmed the tempestuous Sea of Galilee with a mere word and who gave the command for Peter to step out of the little boat and into the surging waters, will also carry us through the coming tempest of Jehovah.”

Thank you Susan for your drive. It certainly helped me with a better understanding and inspired me to translate Robert's articles myself.