In due time David along with billions of others, including the three Hebrews and Daniel, will stand up and live in the new system of things after the battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1965 p. 19
Why, therefore, get steeped in wickedness now, continuing with this wicked system of things that will be destroyed at the battle of Armageddon?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1965 p. 21
For this reason those dedicated Christians today who will survive the coming battle of Armageddon and enter into a righteous new order on earth with the opportunity of never dying will survive only by means of God’s miraculous power of protection and preservation.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 15, 1965 p. 46
10. (a) How do Psalm 89:47, 48 and Job 7:8, 9 indicate man’s helplessness in Sheol? (b) So how will survivors of Armageddon escape going into Sheol?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 15, 1965 p. 46
After noting the great increase that had taken place since Gilead’s first class graduated, he revealed that, beginning with 1966, there will be two five-month missionary classes each year instead of one ten-month class. In conclusion Knorr observed that the training the students received will doubtless serve them in teaching those resurrected after Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 15, 1965 p. 51
Today there are many persons who are kindly disposed toward God, but unless they gain God’s favor or goodwill they will suffer destruction at the battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1965 p. 91
One day a package arrived in the mail containing Volume 4 of the Studies in the Scriptures, called “The Battle of Armageddon.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1965 p. 92
After a while I laid it aside. I had read enough to see that if this book was true, then I would be on the wrong side of the battle front at Armageddon. This I did not want to admit.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1965 p. 92
When we moved in on April 1, 1954, it seemed impossible that we would utilize all the space this side of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1965 p. 95
This will be immediately after the battle of Armageddon, in which the Devil’s earthly organization of political rulers will be defeated by the heavenly warrior Jesus Christ and his angels. (Rev. 19:11 to 20:3)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1965 p. 102
Thus in the coming “war of the great day” at Armageddon the symbolic “wild beast” and the “false prophet” are to be destroyed for all time, with no hope of resurrection ever.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1965 p. 112
This punishment of “everlasting destruction” is what is symbolized by the “everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels,” to which also the cursed goatish people of the earth will be sent at Armageddon, according to Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:31-33, 41, 46.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1965 p. 112
The question now arises, Will the people thus dying in this “time of the end” before the destruction of Babylon the Great and the battle of Armageddon have a resurrection later on by the power of God through Christ?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1965 p. 149
Babylon the Great will be destroyed, and then the “war of the great day of God the Almighty,” or, Armageddon, will be fought. (Rev. 16:13-16; 17:1-6, 14)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1965 p. 149
That the Armageddon fighters against God’s anointed King of kings will have no burial in commemorative graves or memorial tombs is proved by the battle description written by the apostle John in these words:
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1965 p. 150
But the rest [the kings of the earth and their armies and their attendants, free and slave] were killed off with the long sword of the one seated on the horse [the King of kings], which sword proceeded out of his mouth. And all the birds were filled from the fleshy parts of them [because the bodies of these dead ones were left unburied on the battlefield at Armageddon].”—Rev. 19:19-21.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1965 p. 150
They are executed by Jehovah God through his executional officer, Jesus Christ, at Armageddon, and for this reason they will have no resurrection from the dead.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1965 p. 150
28, 29. What does Revelation 19:19-21 show as to the disposal of the fighters slain at Armageddon?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1965 p. 150
Hence God’s written Word holds out no hope of a resurrection for those fighters against God who are executed in the “war of the great day of God the Almighty,” at Armageddon. (Rev. 16:14, 16; 19:11-21) Concerning the coming of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to the executional battle of Armageddon, Jesus spoke in his prophecy on the conclusion of this wicked system of things. Jesus said:
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 165
2, 3. (a) What hope of a future does God’s Word hold out for those executed in the battle of Armageddon? (b) Concerning his coming to this executional battle, what did Jesus say in Matthew 24:36-39?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 165
So it will be with all persons on earth who are not in harmony with God’s kingdom at the fast- approaching battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 166
So, when will he say those words to the people whom he classes as “goats”? It will be at the destruction of Babylon the Great and in the battle of Armageddon that immediately follows Babylon the Great’s destruction, that is to say, in the “ war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Rev. 17:1, 2, 15, 16; 16:14, 16; 17:14)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 175
These “sheep” do not march with the “kings of the entire inhabited earth” and their armies to Armageddon to fight against God.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 175
Contrariwise, the “goats” who are to be executed as “cursed” persons will include the religionists who stay inside Babylon the Great till she is destroyed forever; also, the religionists who are the modern-day part of the composite “man of lawlessness,” “the son of destruction”; also, the symbolic “tares,” that is, the “weeds,” “the sons of the wicked one” (Matt. 13:25-30, 38-42); also, those political “kings,” their military commanders, their cavalrymen, the freemen and the slaves, the great and the small, all of whom are lined up at Armageddon, but not on the side of the King of kings and Lord of lords.—Rev. 19:18-21.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 175
Executed along with the “goats” at Armageddon will be the remnant of the “evil slave” class, the “wicked and sluggish slave” class, who were once Christ’s spiritual brothers but who cease to be such because of turning unfaithful and traitors.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 176
Such “goats” who get executed at the destruction of Babylon the Great or in the battle of Armageddon will not go into “everlasting life” in any form, nor even in endless conscious torment. Being destroyed as by fire, they will have no resurrection.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 176
The righteous “sheep” class among men are on their way to everlasting life in God’s new order of things under Christ. A “great crowd” of them will survive the coming battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 176, 177
Our Own Twentieth-Century Generation and the Resurrection
At the destruction of Babylon the Great and in the battle of Armageddon they will be executed with an everlasting punishment and will never be resurrected from the dead, for they will go into the “second death.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 177
Because right after the battle of Armageddon they will be bound into helplessness and be pitched into the abyss and sealed off from all contact with others in the living universe. (Rev. 20:1-3) So without wicked interference the “sheep” who survive Armageddon will prepare for the coming resurrection of the earthly dead from the sea and from Haʹdes or Sheol.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 177
This would include also any of the modern-day “other sheep” who died in righteousness before the battle of Armageddon. (Luke 14:14; Heb. 11:4-40; 12:1; John 10:16)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 178
Furthermore, the warning of the coming execution of God’s vengeance upon the symbolic “goats” must be given before Babylon the Great is destroyed and before the “war of the great day of God the Almighty” is fought at Armageddon, when those not acting on the warning will be wiped out everlastingly in “second death.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 178
In order that there may be a righteous judgment of the dead as well as of the sheeplike people who live through the battle of Armageddon, the dead must be resurrected from Haʹdes or Sheol. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 181
The resurrected humans as well as the sheeplike survivors of Armageddon must first get the benefits of his kingdom and of his sacrificial priesthood for a thousand years.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 181
May the resurrection hope spur us to continue on doing the work of the Lord God, even in the face of death now before Armageddon, because we know that, because of the resurrection of the dead, our faithful “labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.” Thanks be to God Almighty who gives us the victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ!—1 Cor. 15:57, 58.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 15, 1965 p. 182
The Bible also shows that these benefits will be extended to obedient and loving men and women through a Kingdom government ruled by Christ Jesus, and that this will result in an entirely new order for this earth; the old order founded on selfishness, violence and disobedience to God being wiped out at the universal war of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1965 p. 204
Yes, today, with Armageddon staring us in the face, we must keep in mind the sobering thought that millions, even billions, of lives may shortly come to a swift and decisive end, putting their onetime owners beyond the reach of any expression of love on our part.—Matt. 24:34-42.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1965 p. 212
Immediately following that destruction God’s kingdom will rule in righteousness over a cleansed earth with blessings untold for Armageddon survivors and their offspring and, later, for the resurrected millions now sleeping in the memorial tombs.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1965 p. 223
The living survivors of the “war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Armageddon will enjoy it, and also the billions of the human dead who will be resurrected.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 15, 1965 p. 250
Likewise only those of the “other sheep” who keep themselves clean can hope to survive Armageddon and enter in and enjoy the clean post-Armageddon new order!—Matt. 5:8; 1 John 3:2, 3
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1965 p. 287
The “end” of which Jesus spoke would not come as a result of the nations engaging in a disastrous atomic war—a so-called nuclear Armageddon. Rather, the “end” refers to the complete end of the present wicked system of things at the hands of God’s heavenly executional forces.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 15, 1965 p. 295
They are also similar in that they represent judgment messages that plague Satan’s visible organization, especially Christendom and the religious leaders in particular. In both sets of plagues God’s people perform active parts, delivering these plaguing messages, and both series of plagues find their fulfillment from 1919 on to the battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 15, 1965 p. 369
They have had brought home to them the fact that “the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things,” and that “those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare
and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin.” This plague, as also the others, will continue until Armageddon.—1 Tim. 6:9, 10.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 15, 1965 p. 371, 372
The destruction of Adamic death might be said to be gradual, taking place in steps, as it were. For one thing, in the post-Armageddon new order humankind will no longer die because of Adam’s sin.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 15, 1965 p. 383
Are the demons going to be cast into the abyss with Satan the Devil following the war of Armageddon? Will they also return with him after the thousand-year reign of Christ and thereafter be hurled into the “lake of fire and sulphur” with him?—W.D.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 15, 1965 p. 384
Obviously, a report on the Devil’s defeat means that those serving under him have also been defeated. So both the Devil and the demons are hurled into the abyss following the war of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 15, 1965 p. 384
A message calling attention to this was delivered in Detroit, Michigan, in 1928, entitled “Declaration Against Satan and for Jehovah.” It put the blame squarely upon Satan the Devil for all mankind’s ills and warned of Armageddon’s rapid approach.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1965 p. 397
So this plague in modern times also consists of thunderous warnings of divine judgments upon antitypical Egypt, Satan’s visible organization, to be executed at the battle of Armageddon. Those symbolic thunders were, in turn, caused by spiritual lightnings, flashes of truth emanating from Jehovah’s heavenly temple. This plague warns that there is no safety in modern “Egypt” and all who will not heed this warning and who will die at Armageddon will be like those ancient Egyptians who failed to heed the warning back there and who died of the hail.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1965 p. 398
Today Jehovah’s dedicated people have the great privilege of sharing in sending the antitypical ten plagues upon modern Egypt and will continue to do so until religious Babylon the Great suffers destruction and the battle of Armageddon strikes.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1965 p. 403
They must yet pass through the Red Sea experience of Armageddon, where Pharaoh’s counterpart, Satan the Devil, and his pursuit forces will be “drowned.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1965 p. 403
Until Jehovah God’s destruction of Babylon the Great and his war at Armageddon, may there be no quitting or even slowing down on the part of Jehovah’s servants.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1965 p. 403
They themselves can hope to gain freedom from all oppression by antitypical Pharaoh, Satan the Devil, and his world organization after Jehovah overthrows all the enemies at the antitypical Red Sea, Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1965 p. 404
These many heavenly creatures are mentioned in the book of Revelation as being part of a great military force that will be used by God to destroy his enemies at the coming battle of Armageddon. The angelic force, if pictured at Revelation 9:16, is numbered as two myriads of myriads, which is 200 million. That is a sizable organization.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 15, 1965 p. 425
It wants you to live a happy, peaceful and productive life now as well as after God’s war of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 15, 1965 p. 435
You will be able to look forward confidently to preservation through the coming battle of Armageddon when Jehovah will execute his adverse judgment upon the wicked. If you should be faced with death, you will have the confident hope of a resurrection because you have followed Jehovah’s directions.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 15, 1965 p. 436
Above all, with God’s war of Armageddon facing this generation, their opportunity for life is at stake. If they are going to survive Armageddon into God’s paradise New Order under his kingdom, your help may be vital.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1965 p. 460
More pointed still, the booklet Millions Now Living Will Never Die and the worldwide public talks under that title, commencing early in 1918, gave Scriptural proof that a multitude of people would survive Armageddon and live forever on earth under God’s kingdom.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1965 p. 472
Until 1935, the gathering of the “other sheep” as something to be accomplished before Armageddon was not stressed. But from then on, Scriptural nourishment and help were supplied through the pages of The Watchtower to strengthen those whose hopes were earthly.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1965 p. 472
The days of tribulation commenced on Satan’s organization in 1914 and, with justification, could have continued without letup, culminating in the Biblical battle of Armageddon. But, as Jesus said, “those days will be cut short,” else “no flesh would be saved.” (Matt. 24:22) This precious interval of time, commencing in 1918 and ending with Armageddon, is still with us, continuing far longer than we had once expected.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 1965 p. 486
What if Armageddon comes while you are running with this crowd? Then there is no time for repentance.—Luke 15:13, 30; 2 Pet. 2:13, 15.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 1965 p. 487
These receive a ‘mark on their foreheads,’ signifying their knowledge of the truth and open acknowledgment thereof, leading to their preservation at Armageddon. (Ezekiel, chapter 9) In 1932 this class was identified with Jonadab, who gladly joined with King Jehu in his chariot on his way to the execution of Baal worshipers, picturing the execution of all false worshipers at the destruction of Babylon the Great and at Armageddon. It was stressed that the way was still open for interested people to join in the service of the King Jesus Christ, the Greater Jehu, in his chariotlike organization. (2 Ki. 10:15-27) In the years 1933 and 1934 practical help was given on behalf of this class by the institution of the back-call work, that is, return calls on interested people, opening the way for spiritual feeding through the regular home Bible study arrangement. The fitness of their taking the step of dedication, followed by water baptism, was made clear in 1934.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 1965 p. 489, 490
An earthly class had been foreseen, but it was not understood that this class would be specifically dealt with by God and organized this side of Armageddon. No work of gathering and instructing the “other sheep” prior to Armageddon was then envisaged, especially any who had wasted their opportunities, like the prodigal son.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 1965 p. 491
However, in 1919 there was a revival of the work of turning people to God and declaring the oncoming destruction, first of “Babylon the Great,” then of Satan’s visible political system at Armageddon.—Rev. 18:21; 19:11-16.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 1965 p. 494
Because that prophecy said that such a work would be done preceding “the great and fear- inspiring day of Jehovah,” which day is rapidly approaching and which includes “the war of the great day of God the Almighty,” Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 1, 1965 p. 518
Questions From Readers
● In view of what is stated at Hebrews 10:26, 27, will dedicated and baptized Christians with hopes of earthly life have a resurrection if they fall away from true worship and die before Armageddon?—P.G., U.S.A.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 1, 1965 p. 543
Whether others wish to listen or not, whenever the name of Jehovah is mentioned, people automatically think of a people who go from house to house preaching of everlasting life on a paradise earth, the last days, Jehovah’s destruction of the wicked at Armageddon, the end of the appointed times of the nations and the second presence of Jesus Christ beginning in 1914.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 15, 1965 p. 573, 574
Yes, that is why Jehovah’s witnesses must continue to preach until Jehovah himself brings about the termination of this work at Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 15, 1965 p. 574
● Since millions of persons in China and other places have never heard the Kingdom message, will these people be preserved through the destruction of Babylon the Great and the war of Armageddon, or perhaps be resurrected later?—H.S., U.S.A.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 15, 1965 p. 575
No uncertainty exists about the salvation of the class called to the heavenly kingdom, but the question is: Individually, whether we are of the “little flock” or of the “great crowd,” will we endure to the end? The “end” Jesus mentioned is not necessarily a specific year, or even the battle of Armageddon, but the idea is to endure to the finish of one’s earthly course or of the long test.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 1, 1965 p. 586
Enoch’s prophecy shows there is just one possible judgment for such ungodly persons at the destruction of Babylon the Great and the war of Armageddon: everlasting destruction, being cut off by God’s holy myriads, the Chief Holy One in charge of the executional work being the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rev. 18:1-24; 19:11-16)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 1, 1965 p. 596
Let the letter speak for itself:
“Dear Sister Ivy: I was sorry to hear that you weren’t feeling well, and I hope to see you soon. I also hope that you are recovering from your illness. . . . Oh, Ivy, I was never and am not sorry that I have dedicated my life to do Jehovah’s will. I know that in these last days life is not and will not be easy; but with his help and blessings we will survive Armageddon. I have always been thankful to Jehovah for receiving the message of life through you. Because of this message I am able to look to the future with hope and joy. . . . With love, Mary.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 1, 1965 p. 669, 670