Revelation Climax bookstudy week 1: Ch 1, paragraphs 1-9

by M.J. 25 Replies latest watchtower bible

M.J.

Going to the bookstudy tonight
Hope you guys can help me get through this bookstudy over the next several months at least...
Here's tonight's reading:
***
rechap.1pp.6-8Revelation—ItsHappyClimax!***
Chapter
1
Revelation—Its
HappyClimax!
A REVELATION TO JOHN—this thrilling book of the Bible brings the divine record to a happy climax. Why do we say "happy"? Well, the Author of the Bible is described as "the happy God," who entrusts "glorious good news" to those who love him. He wants us to be happy too. Thus, at the outset Revelation assures us: "Happy is he who reads . . . the words of this prophecy." In its final chapter we are told: "Happy is anyone observing the words of the prophecy of this scroll."—1 Timothy 1:11; Revelation 1:3; 22:7.

2
How do we find happiness through the book of Revelation? We do so by searching out the meaning of its vivid signs, or symbols, and acting in harmony therewith. Mankind’s turbulent history will soon reach a catastrophic climax, as God and Jesus Christ execute judgment on today’s wicked system, replacing it with "a new heaven and a new earth," where even "death will be no more." (Revelation 21:1, 4) Do not all of us want to live in such a new world, in true peace and security? We can if we build up our faith through study of God’s Word, including the stirring prophecy of Revelation.
Apocalypse—What
IsIt?

3
Is not Revelation also called Apocalypse? That is so, "revelation" being the English translation of a·po·ka´ly·psis in the Greek text. Many people equate Apocalypse with world destruction by nuclear warfare. In a Texas, U.S.A., city where great numbers of nuclear warheads are made, religiously inclined people have been saying, "We’ll be the first to go." Clergymen in that area are reported to have "become convinced that Armageddon is not only inevitable but also close at hand, and that the final battle between the forces of good and bad, of God and Satan, will take place as a nuclear holocaust."
4
But what really is an apocalypse? Though dictionaries define it by using terms such as "an imminent cosmic cataclysm," the Greek a·po·ka´ly·psis basically means "unveiling" or "uncovering." Thus, the last book of the Bible is properly entitled "A Revelation." Here we find, not a mere fatalistic message of world doom, but an uncovering of divine truths that should build in our hearts a radiant hope and an immovable faith.
5
True, Armageddon is described in the last book of the Bible as "the war of the great day of God the Almighty." (Revelation 16:14, 16) But it will be far different from a nuclear holocaust! Such a holocaust would likely mean the annihilation of all life on earth. On the contrary, God’s Word gives the happy assurance that only wicked opposers of God will be destroyed—by forces under God’s control. (Psalm 37:9, 10; 145:20) A great crowd of humans, out of all nations, will survive the climax of divine judgment at Armageddon. Christ Jesus will then shepherd and guide these to life everlasting in a paradise earth. Do you not want to be one of them? Happily, Revelation shows that you may be!—Revelation 7:9, 14, 17.
Searching
OutDivineSecrets
6

As early as 1917, the Watch Tower Society published the book TheFinishedMystery. This was a verse-by-verse commentary on the Bible books of Ezekiel and Revelation. Then, as world events continued to unfold in fulfillment of Bible prophecy, a timely two-volume work entitled Lightwas prepared, being released in 1930. This offered an updated study of Revelation. Light continued to ‘flash up for the righteous,’ so that in 1963 the Society published the 704-page book "BabylontheGreatHasFallen!"God’sKingdomRules! This gave in great detail the history of the rise and fall of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, and it was climaxed with a discussion of the final nine chapters of Revelation . As ‘the path of the righteous ones grew brighter,’ particularly with regard to congregational activity, there followed in 1969 a 384-page volume, "ThenIsFinishedtheMysteryofGod," which discussed the first 13 chapters of Revelation .—Psalm 97:11; Proverbs 4:18.
7
Why should another book on Revelation be published at this present time? Much of the information that has already appeared is very detailed, and it has not been possible to translate and publish it worldwide in many languages. Hence, it was seen fit to provide a book on Revelation in just one volume and in a form that can readily be produced in a number of languages. Further, the opportunity is taken in this volume to provide teaching aids, including illustrations, charts, and summaries, that should help readers to grasp clearly the thrilling import of this marvelous prophecy.
8
An even stronger reason for publishing this book is the need to keep up-to-date with present truth. Jehovah is continually shedding greater light on the meaning of his Word, and we can expect that our understanding of Revelation, along with other prophecies, will be sharpened as we draw closer to the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14) It is important that we be well informed. As the apostle Peter wrote concerning divine prophecy: "You are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises, in your hearts."—2 Peter 1:19.
9
Revelation adds its testimony to many other Bible prophecies, showing that Jehovah God purposes to create new heavens and a new earth. (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5) Primarily, its message is addressed to anointed Christians, whom Jesus has bought with his blood to become corulers with him in the new heavens. (Revelation 5:9, 10) Nevertheless, this good news will also fortify the faith of those millions who look forward to everlasting life under Christ’s Kingdom. Are you one of these? Then Revelation will strengthen your hope of living in Paradise, as part of the new earth, with the enjoyment of an abundance of peace, vibrant health, and an overflow of God’s provisions that will never end. (Psalm 37:11, 29, 34; 72:1, 7, 8, 16) If you want to survive into that new world, it is urgent, yes, mandatory, that you pay attention to Revelation’s graphic description of the epoch-making climax now at hand.—Zephaniah 2:3; John 13:17.
becca1

I refuse to go. I can't stomach it anymore. No way can I sit there when they apply the trumpet blasts to assembly resolutions and other such nonsense in this book.
M.J.

In reference to the Finished Mystery, a previous treatment by the WTS on the book of Revelation, as stated in Captives of a Concept:
on page 230 [The Finished Mystery] uses a full page of calculations to prove that the “1,200 furlongs” mentioned in Rotherham’s translation of Revelation 14:20 referred to the distance between the place where The Finished Mystery was written (Scranton, Pa) and the place where it was printed (Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn, NY).
Same basic crap, different "light".
M.J.

7 Why should another book on Revelation be published at this present time? Much of the information that has already appeared is very detailed, and it has not been possible to translate and publish it worldwide in many languages.

Or, could it be that some of the previous info included stuff like this?
the Finished Mystery, p. 85-86:
“Thou wilt lengthen out leviathan [the locomotive] with a hook [automatic coupler] or with a snare [coupling pin] which thou wilt cause his tongue [coupling-link] to drop down. Wilt thou not place a ring [piston] in his nostrils [cylinders] or pierce through his cheeks [piston-ends] with a staff [piston-rod]? Will be make repeated supplication unto thee [to get off the track]? Or will he utter soft tones unto thee [when he screeches with the whistle]? Will he make a covenant with thee, that thou mayest take him for a servant forever [without repairs]?
Wilt thou play with him as with a bird [make him whistle at will]? Or wilt thou bind [enslave] him for thy maidens [so that you can take them to a picnic or convention]? Companies [of stockholders] will feast upon him [his earnings]; they will share him among speculators. [Psa. 74:14.] Thou wilt fill his skin with pointed irons [bolts], and his head with a cabin of fishermen [a cab similar to the cabins on fishing vessels]. Place thy hand upon him, be mindful of the conflict [raging within the boiler] and thou wilt add no further questions. Behold, his confidence [boiler] being deceived [not properly supplied with water], shall not at once his mighty form be spread asunder [by an explosion]? There is none so bold that he will stir him up [to run at his very highest possible speed], and none who will then place himself before him [to be run over]. Who will compete with this one and endure [pass him on the track]? Under the whole heaven, none, unless [one like] himself.
“I will not pass in silence his members, nor the cause of his mighty forces, nor the beauty of his equipment. Who can strip off the facings of his jacket? Who can penetrate between the double lap of his shield [the overlapping sections of the boiler plates]? Who can force open the doors of his shield [the boiler ends]? The circuits of his teeth [rows or rivets] are formidable. His strength depends on courses of shields [sections of plates] closed up tightly with a seal [calked]. They shall join one upon another so that a hiss of air [steam] shall not escape from between them. One to the other shall adhere. They will be welded together that they cannot be sundered. In his sneezing [when he puffs from the cylinders] light will shine, a flood of light prevading the mass of vapors: and his eyes [headlights] will be as the eyelashes of the morning [as rays of light from the rising sun]. Out of his mouth [fire-door] will leap forth flaming torches, and [from the smoke stack] glowing sparks will slip themselves away. From his nostrils [cylinders] will issue forth vapor as from a boiling pot or caldron. His inhaling [forced draft] will vivify burning coals, and a flame will leap forth from his mouth. Within his neck abideth strength, and a desolation will dance with joy [become a prosperous community] at his presence. The separable parts of his body are connected together; all will be made fast upon him; nothing will be shaky. His heart will be indurated similar to a stone, and will be firm as a piece of the lower [rocks]. When at his full speed the most courageous will fear [lest]. from accidents. they lose themselves. When dryness exalteth him [or renders him furious], he will not have power to withhold; the curved vault [fire box] being caused to tear away, and also the armor. He will esteem iron as straw, and brass as rotted wood. The archer cannot make him flee; missiles [of war] will be turned unto him as chaff. The [strokes of a] hammer will be esteemed as chaff; he will rejoice at the poking of the fireman. Hewed [or notched] timbers of the craftsman [ties] are under him; he will spread an embankment [or trench] upon the mire. He will [as a marine engine] cause deep [places] to become as a boiling pot [about his propellers]; he will make the sea to appear like boiling ointment. He will make a path to shine after him; one will think the deep to be growing gray. [Psa. 104:26; Isa. 27:1.] Upon the earth there is not his like— he that is [so] constructed that he can fear nothing. He can oversee [control by his work] all that which is great; he is indeed king over all conceptions of power.”
zack

My Book study was tonight. I didn't go either. I don't know how much longer I can handle it.
My poor wife (who knows my reservations abouth this publication) said to me that if I go I can tell those others who feel the topics discussed in the book
are "too deep" for them to fully understand that I too think that they are difficult to understand.
I told her that a reply like that would be untruthful.. The Scriptures themselves aren't hard to understand.
The WTS explanations are what are difficult to understand because they are non-sensical, illogical, and
capricious.
Zack---
stillajwexelder

http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/10/126979/1.ashx
see this link with aall the answers too
No Apologies

Nine paragraphs????? Thats the whole study???? How the heck do you stretch out 9 paragraphs to an hour?
No Apologies
moggy lover

Well, all I can say is: Have fun and better you than me, mate.
Nine paragraphs? You young'uns have no idea what going through a book study is really like! Now take my time [violins in the background, maestro, please]
Heck back in the 60s we had to go through the "Babylon the Great has fallen" book and at a hefty 704 pages, it still holds the unenviable records for being: 1 The longest darn book used at a Tuesday book study Yep. Took the likes of two years to go through its lofty rhetoric 2 The most incomprehensible book ever written by Freddy Franz, the exclusive "oracle" of God.
Actually, my sympathies were with those unfortunate souls who got the assignment to translate the book into another language. Gobbledegook in one language is bad enough, but to translate it.....sheeesh.
The WTS shold be charged with crimes against humanity for making their membership go through that ordeal
Cheers, and keep your sanity and your posts coming
Moggy
S EIGHT

I'm conducting ours - 24 hours to go, and no inclination to pre study...
S8
jayhawk1

It is worth asking...
If Revelation is, "primarily... addressed to anointed Christians," why should the great crowd (average JW) give a crap about reading this book again?

Revelation Climax bookstudy week 1: Ch 1, paragraphs 1-9

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