Transcript of the talk from the 2014 UK District convention (Aug 2014).
Sunday morning.
Symposium: Anticipate Future Kingdom Blessings! (part 6 "New Scrolls")
(speaker not known)
The Green Cross Code road safety guide has been successful in saving many lives.
Just imagine if you had the 18th century pedestrian road safety guide in today's environment. A guide that was prepared for facing horses and carts, compared to the speed of a modern motor vehicle.
Yes, as events change new instructions are required.
Throughout history, Jehovah has always guided his people with appropriate decisions to save lives. For example in Moses day some three and a half thousand years ago, God gave detailed laws that meant life for those ancient Israelites. The reason? An event changed.
For more than two hundred years earlier those Israelites had served as Egyptian slaves. Now, they were free. An event changed and new instructions were required.
Moving forward to the first century, the birth of the new Christian era. That brought about new instructions for example in preaching and conduct. Prior to those instructions for Christianity, alien residents were welcome to come to Israel to find true worship, but under these new instructions true Christians were to go, go to all nations preaching about the kingdom. In that way we see that it wouldn't be confined to a small pond of natural Jews, but rather to the entire sea of mankind.
Secondly conduct. The new instructions were based on John 13 to love one another as Jesus loved us. This was love without limits. It was love that required the giving of one's own life in behalf of another, something that the Mosaic law never required.
Today we are blessed with a wonderful understanding of Jehovah's word. In line with prophecy true knowledge has indeed become abundant, and we're ever so grateful living in the time of the end. Bible instruction is here, ready to be applied.
So what of the future? Will we receive new instructions in the new world? Well the precedent's been set, hasn't it. When events changed for the Israelites, moving from slavery to freedom, new instructions were given. When events changed with the birth of Christianity new instructions were given. We just shortly face the greatest event change in the whole of mankind's history. A new world order, and new instructions will be required.
The logic is clear and so is scripture. Please turn to our theme scripture, Revelation 20 and verse 12. The context here is a vision of future kingdom blessings during the thousand year reign. But note the instruction in Revelation twenty twelve: "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds."
Did you note that new scrolls, new instructions, were given in addition to our present day Bibles.
Evidently, these scrolls will tell us what Jehovah wants for us during that thousand year reign. Yes indeed there will be regulations, there'll be guidance, there'll be commandments for us to benefit from, but also those new scrolls will give us a further insight into the mind of Jehovah God. Sure you'll agree we still have so much to learn and so much to prepare for.
When might you reflect on these future kingdom blessings? Please note how two elders conclude a shepherding visit.
(demonstration)
Elder 1: Also Pam, can we commend you for thirty three years as a kingdom publisher, and this last six months as a regular auxiliary pioneer.
Elder 2: Yes, I must say that as someone who has established a fine reputation for learning and applying Bible direction in your life, even when it's a real challenge to do so.
Pam: Well thank you for your kind comments. It's true I find it challenging sometimes but I try not to view things negatively. I think what's helped me is learning more about Jehovah and reading about faithful ones. I've also benefitted from the loving reminders from Jehovah's organisation in making my choices. (inaudible)
Elder 2: Your self-sacrificing spirit is really evident, in fact you really remind me of the faithful women of old.
Pam: Oh, thanks Mark. It has been helpful to consider such ones as Ruth and Naomi who stayed firm during their hardships. They were able to do so because they heeded Jehovah's reminders. Likewise I enjoy learning about Jehovah's (inaudible) and His guidance from His word.
Elder 2: Oh, that's really interesting Pam. Have you ever thought that this is only the start of Jehovah's guidance, because in the new system there will be those new scrolls that will help us to learn even more about Jehovah and his purpose?
Elder 1: Ah yes, Mark is actually referring to Revelation 20 and verse 12 there. The context is the thousand year reign in paradise. Shall we have a look at that together? It's Revelation 20 and verse 12. It says "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds." You know it's interesting that our publications indicate that the opening of these scrolls evidently refers to Jehovah giving detailed instructions to all mankind during that thousand year reign. These scrolls are likely to be published to everyone, including many that are actually resurrected. How people respond to the content of these scrolls will actually determine whether their names are written in the scroll of life or not.
Pam: I see what you mean. With wickedness gone you require new updated direction because we're living in a new world.
Elder 2: Oh, you've really got the point there Pam because, no doubt in the new scrolls there will be rules, but there will also be principles that will give us guidance on how to live our lives in a world that is finally free of Satanic influence. And when that happens can you think how your past record will help you then?
Pam: I'm not really sure what you mean Mark.
Elder 2: Well because of your past application of Bible principles in all aspects of your life even when it's been a real challenge, this will make it easier for you to apply the instructions in the new scrolls, because you've set a pattern of godly direction. And just think, in that wonderful new era of divine guidance there will be so many blessings for all those who do Jehovah's will whole heartedly.
Pam: I can hardly wait.
(Back to speaker)
Thank you. (audience applause)
So what is the application of Revelation 20 verse 12, for you and I?
We are to use our imagination. See yourself there during Christ's millennial reign. See yourself with other believers involved in a worldwide extensive education campaign directed by our king, Jesus Christ, guided by ever increasing instruction from Jehovah's word and the new scrolls. Learning more about our all wise and loving God. Where all humans will be in a world where they are treated with love, respect and dignity. Did you note in verse 12 as well, to see your name there, as Revelation 20 promises everlasting life for those who maintain integrity through that final test. To see your name, yes, your name written by Jehovah God Himself, permanently in the scroll of life.
Do you recall our introduction?
The Green Cross Code is successful because physically it calls for us to stop, look and listen. Spiritual success calls for the same. We must take time out of our busy, everyday schedules to stop, look and listen. Take time to anticipate those future kingdom blessings, because for those who are constantly spiritually alert at present, they will receive the new scrolls of the future.
(end)