Are Jehovah's Witnesses Feeling Justified in the Last Days of Earth?

When discussing the last days of Earth, many focus on specific events or signs. However, for Jehovah's Witnesses, they believe that the current affairs of the world provide a comprehensive and constant sign for the time we live in. Scriptures like the Bible and prophecies in books such as 2 Timothy and Matthew have provided a framework for interpreting these signs.

Understanding the Last Days from a Biblical Perspective

The Bible emphasizes that we are indeed living in the period known as the last days. In 2 Timothy 3:1-7, it is mentioned that critical times hard to deal with will be here. This refers to the moral and societal changes we observe today, such as love of money, lawlessness, and a growing coldness in relationships. These are all seen as signs that point to the events prophesied in the New Testament.

prophecies and Signposts of the End Times

According to Matthew 24:7-14, we are seeing nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms, food shortages, and earthquakes. These events are described as the 'beginning of the birth pangs of distress.' Additionally, Matthew 24:13 states, 'But the one who has endured to the end will be saved.' This verse emphasizes the importance of enduring through these difficult times.

In Luke 21:11, we see a similar picture of the times to come, noting that food shortages and pestilences will occur. These are not isolated events but a pattern of increasing stress and calamity as prophesied in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, where ineffective leaders and false prophets will arise. This list of societal failings also includes a lack of love and trust, family disintegration, and a decline in moral values.

Jehovah's Witnesses' Perspective

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that living in these last days is a form of divine justification. They find comfort and understanding in the knowledge that Christ's kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth, as predicted in Matthew 24:14. This prophecy is seen as a confirmation that the last days are upon us and that we are in a time of great significance and preparation for the end times.

However, the Bible is also clear that the love of many will grow cold due to lawlessness. In 1 John 2:15-17, we read, 'Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, for everything in the world—that the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and boasting because of what one has—comes not from the Father but from the world.' This verse reinforces the message of detachment from the world and a focus on faith and endurance.

Conclusion and Application

Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses feel justified in their belief and actions because they see the fulfillment of these prophetic signs in the world around them. The current affairs of the world, from political upheavals to natural disasters, are viewed through the lens of divine prophecy. Their perspective is one of considering these events as signs pointing to the end of this age and the beginning of the Kingdom of God.