Unforeseen Events

9th March 2023 in the City of Hamburg 7 Jehovah’s Witnesses were shot dead and up to 8 others injured in their Kingdom Hall. The media fail to understand that the congregation were attending a regular meeting and that was the pattern of their weekly schedule. Therefore, the gunman chose a time when there was maximum opportunity to take the lives of those attending. He had enough ammunition to kill all 50 attendees.

Our thoughts go out to those Brothers and Sisters who were in the Kingdom Hall and to their family’s. Our prayers go to Jehovah but we are already confident that the survivors are receiving the support of their Christian Family.

Thoughts on the Gunman

Whatever the reason for the heinous act of violence, however, his thinking was twisted to the point he thought that somehow this would provide some satisfaction and an answer to his pain he was a flawed human, he had chosen to take this course of action knowing that the outcome would be tragic.

The wages of our life course are calculated in Romans 6: 23 “For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.”

All the Gunman accomplished is 8 people including him have died. The world hasn’t changed. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 1: 2 “The greatest futility!” says the congregator, “The greatest futility! Everything is futile!” and then in verse 8: What has been is what will be, And what has been done will be done again; There is nothing new under the sun.

These things continue to happen to people all over the globe and Jehovah’s Witnesses are not immune as Ecclesiastes 9: 11 “I have seen something further under the sun, that the swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.” verses 17 and 18 also help with further insight.

Jehovah’s Witnesses will not lobby for greater gun control, nor will Jehovah’s Witnesses close the doors of their Kingdom Halls, the Gunman is a sad reflection of the world we live in. No matter the reason for the action it is not our place to judge, abhor the act, hate what is bad and support those affected by the outcome including the Gunman’s family.

Our Hope

Jesus promised at John 5: 27 “And he has given him authority to do judging, because he is the Son of man.28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.”

Yes all those who have died and are in the memory of the Creator they will receive a resurrection. They will not be judged on past sins because death pays the price for sin.

Those who die will live again, that is what the bible teaches. Where will they live and when? Those questions require personal review of the bible evidence and study of what Jehovah has done, is doing and promises to do. Like all things that are a matter of faith we must convince ourselves, I can’t tell you to believe, or prove that the evidence that convinces me will convince you. It is a personal hope and everyone needs to dig into this for our self.

So review the personal Bible Study Aid “Enjoy Life Forever”.

Many accept the teachings of religion and science without researching, they listen to people who are educated and think “well they should know” but how can they? For example, the origin of the Universe, science prefixes everything with “we think” “the evidence suggests” or as DR Brian Cox said when talking about Black Holes something like if you don’t understand what I’m talking about that’s fine because I don’t know either.

The arrogance of Humanity is that we think that because we can ask all the questions that we should be able to come up with all of the answers. Science fact doesn’t change, the order of creation in Genesis reflects what we know to be the process of the development of life on earth. The science of the water cycle and many other facts are recorded in the bible long before they were agreed by science.

Like the ant of the railway line thinking it is the master of all it sees we know little, can explain even less but dream big and hope for something better. We need to find out from the author of the Bible if we can guarantee an outcome based on the evidence we see around us.

Life and Death happen, so the message from Hamburg is live your life the best way possible, make today a day of great value and if it is our last that we can say like those Witnesses shot and injured, My trust is in Jehovah, he will call and I will answer at the resurrection.

An enforced break

Heart Disease and Cancer are relentless since November 2021 the family has been meeting the challenges and ravages of the human body.

With each month the growing catalogue of health issues has invaded time spent on the Good News of Gods Kingdom. Things got worse in November/December 2022 and have spiralled.

February 2023 begins the period of medical and surgical interventions when yet another round of treatments will interrupt the posting of content.

Facing the Spectre

Surgery and Treatment are really a sticking plaster, slowing the process of aging and death they give us little hope. Once this round of surgery is over there is another to follow. Eventually leaving so little of the original in situ we all become the $6million Dollar. There is an inevitability of Genesis 3: 19 “In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Adam bought corruption and death when he opted for independence from God. Once we became independent our opportunity for unending life with out corruption disappeared. The Apostle Paul goes into great detail about tthe need for a ransom, and the Apostle John emphasised that the price that we estranged humans need to pay is a corresponding ransom, yes something beyond all of us collectively.

So when the spectre of death looms what are we facing, Psalm 146: 3 “Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation.4 His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish.” We die, death is the opposite to life, just as sleep is opposite to being awake.

Are we tormented? Can we torment others? Note the words of Ecclesiastes 9: 4 “There is hope for whoever is among the living, because a live dog is better off than a dead lion.5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten.6 Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they no longer have any share in what is done under the sun.”

Churches confuse the Christians by discussing Greek Philosophy for example the immortality of the soul, the bible does not teach this as many authoritative works highlight (Study the origins of doctrines and images). It makes it plain, we die because we sin, not as a punishment but as a consequences of a decision made by our ancestors.

We find that easier to understand these days, I have never enslaved or exploited anyone of any race or creed but I am described as White Privileged and a Beneficiary of Colonial exploitation. Those who read British Social History know this is far from the truth. The Reform Acts of 1884 and 1918 gave males regardless of property status and female property owners over the age of 21 and 30 respectively the right to vote, this disparity was rectified in 1918. The disenfranchise poor in 1914 became the cannon fodder of Europe, the same continued in 1939. The Social Struggle continued through the 1940s to 1983 with legislation that opened the right to buy. These individuals broke the the Colonial yoke and yet today they are tarnished with the Colonial brush of shame. Why? Because they inherited it.

We inherit, sin, sickness and death. There is nothing to pin our hopes on if we look at science and medicine. The very people (scientists and politicians) who led progress now condemn ordinary people for using those inventions, the motorcar, pesticides and so many any other tools of progress.

The inconsistency of Humanity, I saw a wonderful quote this morning “If scientists say there is evidence of intelligent life on Earth why haven’t they been able to find it?”

I wrote an essay once about a man who was alone, in his isolation he became afraid of the things he did not know so he decided to protect himself and he built a wall. It encircled his property and inside he ensured he had what he wanted. Every year he added to the size of the wall by digging out the ground underneath his feet, his only resource, eventually he used up his resources, just before he died he looked up at his wall and realised he had built his own prison cell and death chamber.

Humanity has done that so unlike the man with his wall we need to find someone who will intervene on our behalf, our hope is based on the fact that we have found that person in Jesus Christ the son of God of whom John the Baptist said John 1: 29 “The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and he said: “See, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Hope has become our anchor in times where sticking plasters won’t do, humanity wants equity of outcome, well the bible promises just that with the words recorded at John 17: 3 “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

So we remember as we face trials and the inevitable pressures that Hebrews 13: 5b ” For he has said: “I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.” 6 So that we may be of good courage and say: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

It may be a few weeks before I post again but be confident that my hope is in Jehovah, the future of humanity is safe and millions alive today will never need to die because Jesus paid the price for us to enjoy Life in Paradise Forever.

2.2 billion Christians

There are almost 8 billion lives on the planet, a quarter claim to follow Jesus Christ. It is time to ask do those who claim to be Christians reflect the qualities of Jesus Christ?

Many would shout Yes! pointing the great works of charity done in the name of Christ. These reflect the attitide of those identified in Matthew 7: 21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’

We have to ask “am I following Jesus as he would want?”

Three things to reflect on:

1. God’s Kingdom was the focus of Jesus life – is the focus of my life?
2. Preaching and teaching were in his ministry – do I preach and teach others about God’s Kingdom? The best news for suffering humanity!
3. Do I worship the God Jesus taught us to pray to?

This year is ending on yet another low note. COVID-19 is still with us, the world is facing ecnomic and environmental disaster, politically there is little leaders can do to stem the global misery, Europe has a war and Russia continues to threaten. Notice jesus words at Luke 21: 25 “Also, there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of nations not knowing the way out because of the roaring of the sea and its agitation.26 People will become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27 And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28 But as these things start to occur, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your deliverance is getting near.”

Therefore Christians need not be afraid of the future rather they need to explain what God’s Kingdom is doing and will do to resolve the calamity facing the planet.

In the Revelation the Apostle John heard those before the throne of God thanking Jehovah for salvation but notice how the verses continue Revelation 11: 18 “But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”

Here is the question – Why aren’t 2.2 billion Christians pointing to the promise of salvation? Why are they fighting in wars? Voting in a political system that is flawed? We go back to Matthew 7 and Matthew 25, not everyone claiming to be a Christian is recognised by Jesus. Not everyone saying “Lord, Lord”,

Changing standards

Minority opinions and life styles have been accepted into the Churches, particularly Christianity. Now one incident of how changing standards confuse people.

Until recently religious groups of all faiths had received funding through tax resourced grants. The grants were made to the groups based on the faith of the subscribers, a simple calculation. However, recently that has changed. To receive the grants the religious group must accept secular standards, allowing thosewho practice or live in a alternative life stlye choice to remain members of the congregations. Churches have taken the line of least resistance and made the changes carry on as usual.

Now principles spring to mind – “We must obey God as ruler rather than man (governments)”. To prove faithful we must “obey Gods commandments” Jehovah is the arbitor of what is right not society.

So faiths like Jehovah’s Witnesses no longer receive the grants. It is expacted other countries will remove their tax concessions in the future. However, the majority of Christians just alter the rules.

Jesus was unpopular, radical, peaceful, kind, and focused on the future. His followers (Christians) we loving, peaceable, morally clean and committed to following in Jesus footsteps. How many of the 2.2 billion individuals claiming to follow Christ today even attempt to follow The Christ?

Britain is now officially a secular state with saying they have no religion and yet their god whom they worship is very clear. The whole world is controlled by one God and his aim is to ensure that those living today will be destroyed.

Join the millions of Christians searching for the Truth, because as Jesus stated “Your word is Truth” search the bible and find the you too can “Enjoy Life Forever”

APOLOGIES FOR THE GAP IN POSTS – CRITICAL HEALTH ISSUES HAVE REDUCED TIME ONLINE.

Afraid to Die

Is a fear of death unhealthy? The answer is no, fear is the primary tool we use in remaining safe and keeping our family safe. Yet we know from Psalm 90:10 “The span of our life is 70 years, Or 80 if one is especially strong. But they are filled with trouble and sorrow; They quickly pass by, and away we fly.”

Romans 6: 23 “For the wages sin pays is death,..” Ecclesiastes 9: 5 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all,..”

The English Actor and Play write Christopher Bullock (1716) first penned the words “’tis impossible to be sure of any thing but Death and Taxes” and Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s Founding Fathers, penned a letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Le Roy  “Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

There is an inevitability in life, we all die. So why do we fear something common to us all?

Living with that fear

The spectre of death becomes enhanced when we become parents, we realise that our responsibility for another life that is so fragile is all consuming. The phone call I have always dreaded is a message to say either of our sons has been in an accident.

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, an 1887 painting by Viktor Vasnetsov. From left to right are Death, Famine, War, and Conquest; the Lamb is at the top.

Yet we live with the constant awareness that we can’t prevent the unexpected, and this has consequences. 40 years ago a friend went out to work, it was at a height, he fell, and he died a few days later. He hadn’t gone out that morning thinking of that event, he had been strong, vigorous and full of life, he and his wife were expecting their first child. He fell 28 feet, a couple of weeks earlier I had fallen from over 30 feet with a minor injury. Death is our unexpected master.

Yet we all get on with life, we can’t hide away and wrap ourselves in cotton wool, we weigh the risks and try to manage them as best we can. Why?

Ecclesiastes 3: 11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has even put eternity in their heart; yet mankind will never find out the work that the true God has made from start to finish.”

Jehovah God put eternity into our hearts, we focus on living today and as we know taking one day at a time means that everything around us carries on and we want to do the same.

Jesus Promise

John 5: 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice29 and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.”

All those who have died and who remain in God’s memory will hear Jesus voice, did the ancients believe that? Job 14: 14 “If a man dies, can he live again? I will wait all the days of my compulsory service Until my relief comes. 15 You will call, and I will answer you. You will long for the work of your hands.”

Written by Moses the book of Job and again with Abraham in the book of Genesis we appreciate that they understood that there is to be a resurrection, the time when Jehovah God would call to them and they would live again.

So the condition of the dead becomes important note the rest of Ecclesiastes 9: 5 “For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all,..” by reading the full context of the paragraph Ecclesiastes 9: 4 “There is hope for whoever is among the living, because a live dog is better off than a dead lion.5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten.6 Also, their love and their hate and their jealousy have already perished, and they no longer have any share in what is done under the sun.”

The same point is expressed in Psalm 146: 3 “Do not put your trust in princes Nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation. 4 His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; On that very day his thoughts perish.”

No thought, planning, pain or suffering, Jesus said of Lazarus that he was sleeping. These ones are waiting for that call.

Does it really matter? Well ask two questions:

1. Can I choose the day on which I will die?
2. Given the chance of healthy life how long would I want to live?

Take steps to prepare for life without the fear of death, be assured of the Bible promises and explanation of why we find ourselves in this situation. For those without a Bible – down load a copy

Need support in studying the bible request a free Bible Study course, online or in person in your own language the study aid is interactive, fast paced and enables you to answer questions for yourself using “Enjoy Life Forever” download your free copy today.

Remember Jesus said in John 17: 3 “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

We can live forever without fear and coming to know our creator and his son.

Prepared for Survival

The Kingdom of Fortresses will not save us

Elijah called out to Israel: “How long will you be limping between two different opinions? If Jehovah is the true God, follow him; but if Baʹal is, follow him!” But the people did not say a word in answer to him.”

The Israelites struggled with the basic question associated with their survival – “whose side are you on?” and right now billions are answering by their opposition and silence.

Planning to survive isn’t the same as being prepared to survive. Most weeks I watch local offshore fishermen grab their life buoyancy vest and throw it on their boat. In a recent accident the fisherman had his life vest on board so he was planned to survive any incident but when it happened he wasn’t wearing it. Planning and preparation.

We can be the same we tell everyone we have our plan ready, we have all the equipment but if it isn’t in the right location for use then it is wasted.

Preparation involves more than having a plan, we must follow through and raise our state of awareness, resource our survival plan and ensure we have it with us ready for use.

Psalm 37: 10 begins with the words “Just a little while longer…” doesn’t that sound imminent? Jesus in Matthew 24 listed the signs and Revelation described the events.

However, just like the days of Elijah we are heading for the reckoning. This system of globalism and government is ending, it is unsustainable and millions no BILLIONS are totally unprepared for survival.

One scripture has always captured my attention Psalm 146: 3 “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.”

No human government can ever guarantee your survival and what they achieve has limited effects.

How do you Prepare?

The first thing is recognise the danger, perceive the range hazards and the mitigate the risk by thorough preparation. Hopefully the reader realises I’m not one of those Christians that say “accept Jesus as your personal saviour and that means you’re saved”

Jesus didn’t say nor did the Apostles notice Jesus words in Matthew 7: 21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.22 Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’23 And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’

He did go on to tell us what happens in the next illustration Matthew 7: 24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these sayings of mine and does them will be like a discreet man who built his house on the rock.25 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded on the rock.26 Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.27 And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house, and it caved in, and its collapse was great.”

The Discreet person hears Jesus sayings and does them. So the first element of our preparation is to read the Bible, understand the signs, look at the conditions we face and identify where we are in the stream of events. Again in Matthew 24 Jesus made it clear when we see things happening then that is the time to take action.

If you have ever been in a burning building you’ll know you never wait for the fire to reach you before you start to think about escape. As soon as you are aware, you know what you are going to do, hopefully you have had the chance to practice it and you get out of there raising the alarm as you go.

The American Military have the mantra – leave no one behind – well Jesus had the same approach as his father note the words in in 2 Peter 3: 9 “Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.10 But Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be exposed.”

Do not be misled, we face the near extinction of humanity and we have the choice, survive or die.

Choose to survive and begin your preparation now. Study the Bible, link to a free bible study course we are not afraid of the future we are prepared for it. Israel was told to Stand Still and See the Salvation of Jehovah, this is not our battle therefore we need to pick a side, listen to the commander of Gods forces and be ready for survival.

Remember Zephaniah 2: 3 “Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, that have kept his ordinances; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye will be hid in the day of Jehovah’s anger.” the only doubt is where we stand because for as long as we limp along on two sides we are only assured of not surviving.

We don’t need guns, stock piles of gold and silver, an underground bunker, we need to acknowledge Jehovah God, Jesus his appointed King and prepare our selves and family for survival.

Armageddon – their riches can’t save them!

The greatest issue facing millions in the coming months is going to be the value of Money. Finding ways to make the same income stretch to pay ever increasing costs. This is called basic economics but it is a system of trade based on the value of money.

Society and so-called civilisation has determined that those without talent or skill can become very rich by by using money – taking risks and gambling.

Let me ask you a silly question: would you take survival advice from someone who took extreme risks? For example, a person who had survived a couple of near death experiences. It is unlikely and especially if there is a known safer route.

So the Politicians, Celebrities, Financiers, Religious leaders of the world continue to recommend their high risk approach to the future. Their reliance on money and weapons of war has become their security. However, the money is losing it’s value, prophetically note just three of the many scriptures that describe the outcome:

Zephaniah 1: 18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them in the day of Jehovah’s fury; For by the fire of his zeal the whole earth will be consumed, Because he will make an extermination, indeed a terrible one, of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

Ezekiel 7: 19 “‘They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will become abhorrent to them. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them in the day of Jehovah’s fury.

James 5: 3 “Your gold and silver have rusted away, and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh. What you have stored up will be like a fire in the last days.”

How rich they think they are nor how big their arsenal of weapons has become their trust is in something valueless.

Do you think that the God who created the heavens and controls the destructive power of the winds, rain and extreme storms would be afraid of of puny weapons produced by tiny politicians.

These leaders are being drawn to a war they can’t win. They want to fight the ultimate battle against God Revelation 16: 14 “They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.”

Jesus was clear – stop storing up treasures on earth, the Psalmist made it clear not to trust humans for salvation.

The prophetic picture is being revealed before our eyes, billions refuse to see it or acknowledge it, they think humans can resolve all their own problems – they can by destroying everything. Note what Revelation 11: 18 “But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”

Time is very short! So let’s be very clear Jesus stated at John 3: 16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him.” and John 17: 3 “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

Revelation reminds us that Salvation is from God through his son Jesus so what do those who want to survive need 1 John 5: 3 “For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome,”

So the Gold, Silver and weapons won’t save the rich, the currency is valueless as we inexorably towards the end of unrighteous and wicked governments we have to build our futures based on the love of God and the only way to salvation.

End of Suffering – The War of Armageddon

There is much trouble in the world today, with many leaders speaking of Armageddon. They fear an all out world encompassing nuclear war, which would devastate our globe.

Many people fear Armageddon, they believe the Bible talks about it. It DOES!.

In Revelation 16: 16 “And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon.” but notice verse 14 which explains what Armageddon is: –

“the war of the great day of God the Almighty.”

Armageddon is and always has been going to be GOD’s War against the wicked; not something fought between mankind as the world today fears.

Please note some of God’s promises towards the earth and the outcome of this war:

Ecclesiastes 1: 4 “A generation is going, and a generation is coming, But the earth remains forever.”

Psalm 37: 29 “The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.”

Revelation 21: 4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

To find out more about Armageddon God’s war, how we know it’s approaching and what it means for us please either speak to one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or visit the website JW.ORG where you can download a copy of the publication “Enjoy Life Forever” or request a free Home Bible Study.

Also download a copy of the Bible in your language for free.

Armageddon – something to fear?

This has to be given some thought because the answer is both Yes and No!. The reason is who side you are on.

One thing unites world governments

Governments perceive that Armageddon is the ultimate War that destroys the earth, yet that is not an accurate understanding of the scriptures.

The final book of the New Testament – The Revelation written to John or known by many as The Apocalypse chapter 16 and verse 16 reads “And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-magedon”

Lets ask the obvious question who is the “they” referred to in this text? Let’s begin with the context John sees bowls of denunciation and judgement poured out in sequence, the War spoken of is the climax of the sixth bowl.

Therefore, lets begin with the out pouring of that bowl, Revelation 16: 12 “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.”

We know fro9m the overall context of the visions these events were to occur in a period identified as the “last days” or as many like to refer to them as “end times”. Therefore, the information is not literal, we are not to expect that suddenly the River Euphrates will stop flowing, rather this refers to the state of humanity and the attachment to religion and faith. The Great River Euphrates ran through Babylon and we are witnessing the number of those who claim to have a faith dry up. Also, as a Political power we are watching Governments struggle to convince their fellow citizens that they have the best solution. Therefore, as the water and seas are often a reference to the state of Humankind we are looking at the evidence today of dwindling support for the established way of life.

That seems quite simple but note the next part of the prophetic vision Revelation 16: 13 “And I saw three unclean inspired expressions that looked like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the wild beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.“

Okay, so we have three protagonists in this part of the vision, these have already been identified in the earlier parts of “The Dragon” in chapter 12 is Satan the Devil and he has positioned himself against God’s Kingdom. The other characters are linked to the authority he has given them as he rules the world 1 John 5: 19.

Looking at their single purpose “they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.”

Armageddon is a war led by Satan, using human rulers to fight against God’s Kingdom. What do you think the outcome will be. Revelation 17 begins with the destruction of the Harlot or world religion – the rulers of the world will take the lead in this

Revelation 18 : 4 “And I heard another voice out of heaven say: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.” So we know we can escape that part of the destruction or the war that is coming.

Revelation 19 reminds us that salvation is with God, the one fighting as Champion against the Devil is identified – the invincible warrior king Jesus Christ. Then note Revelation 19: 19 “And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army.20 And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who worship its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulfur.21 But the rest were killed off with the long sword that proceeded out of the mouth of the one seated on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Human rulers and those who follow them cannot be victorious because they are fighting against God. So Armageddon is a moment in time when Human Rulers turn their attention to removing all of those who follow God’s Kingdom. They align themselves with the invisible Satanic creatures who are ensuring they are destroyed.

Revelation 20 and 21 explain that those on the side of God’s Kingdom will survive, it also describes the resurrection of the dead and the final war between invisible creatures.

We are involved. Satan taunted Jehovah that like Job we only serve God for what we get out of it. However, the survivors answer that challenge with the critical words in Revelation 19:1After this I heard what seemed to be a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: “Praise Jah! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God,2 because his judgments are true and righteous. For he has executed judgment on the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality, and he has avenged the blood of his slaves that is on her hands.”3 And right away for the second time they said: “Praise Jah! And the smoke from her goes on ascending forever and ever.”

Whose side have you chosen? Do have questions about how you chose the winning side now? The Interactive Bible Study Course Enjoy Life Forever as a free download, or request a hard copy and free course support. Life depends on get the right choice made now. Once we are at the point of Armageddon we have made the choice and the battle lines are drawn. The outcome is assured.

World War III – Can you Survive?

Russia threatens nuclear war over the NATO reaction and response to the annexing of the Ukraine. It is an issue that is frightening many is that this conflict will lead to the Bible War of Armageddon.

There are clear difference between the War in Europe, Nuclear and Armageddon. These are worth reviewing. Humanity is threatened by the posturing of Russia and there could be a nuclear incident but is this Armageddon?

Well lets check the Bible description – Revelation 16: 14 “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.” then verse 16 “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”

Nations are not fighting each other they have a common opponent – GOD! This war is further described in Revelation 19: 19 “And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the one seated on the horse and against his army”.

The Nations Join together

The Bible refers to the coalition of Nations who decide to turn against religion, and the idea that God’s Kingdom has any right to rule. So they gather themselves, led by the international mouth piece – again identified in the Bible, this global grouping of the nations thinks it has established peace as the words in 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 “Now as for the times and the seasons, brothers, you need nothing to be written to you.2 For you yourselves know very well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying, “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, just like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape“

The entertainment and film industry have long projected to people that this is a war they can win. However, fighting the power and armies of God is not like fighting “Aliens”. The human resolve will fail in this battle and the outcome is one that individuals find unpalatable because they assume the Religions reflect what Theocracy is like. For example, Islam and some sects of Christianity (like Catholicism) have painted God to harsh, unforgiving and cruel.

Life now is brutal, cruel, worthless and without hope, be honest with yourself do you really see this way of life prevailing and establishing real peace? Humans can’t rule humans because they dominate and damage.

So will the conflict and threat of Nuclear War herald Armageddon? No! This is a war between Governments and Humans Armageddon is a war against God.

The outcome is assured there are those who will survive so now is the time to do all we can to understand what is really happening in the World. We do not need to be afraid, although facing an uncertain period we know and are confident that Jehovah God has provided the route for survival but like all survival guides you have to read it , consult it and follow it. Something billions are not prepared to do.

The answer is simple to find out more let the Bible answer the question

• What is Armageddon?
• Russia invades Ukraine what does is mean?
• Is the world coming to its end?

The survival guide is the Bible, it is in most homes and available for free online – download a copy to your device and read it everyday.

Please comment if you would like to ask questions we are happy to answer from the Bible. Be courageous and strong because deliverance or rescue is very near, so reach out for the saving hand because soon it will be gone as the world decides to confront the creator and it won’t end well for the political, social and commercial systems of this earth. No one can fight against God and be victorious

End of Suffering – How can the Bible help

Wherever we live in the world we are facing increasing problems in daily life. Due to the environment, financial problems and those caused by conflict to name just a few.

So how can the bible help us now, and in the future?

Although written many years ago the bible offers practical help in all sorts of areas – how to find true friends, how to find family happiness. By applying its principles in daily life millions of people are living happier and purposeful lives.

But the bible also answers the big questions – will evil and suffering ever end? Does God really Care about me? and, how can I get to know God?

All of these things are covered in our online bible study course, the publication – “Enjoy Life Forever” supported with online video, audio and articles.

Follow the link above or visit jw.org to request support with your bible study program form a local minister.

The comfort we find in the Bible assures all those searching for God that in the near future Psalm 37: ¹⁰  Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more;+ You will look at where they were, And they will not be there.+¹¹  But the meek will possess the earth,+ And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.+