Jehovah has raised up an international group of Christians who vigorously witness to the fact of the Kingdom’s establishment. They urge all to worship Jehovah, the true God, with hope of surviving his war of Armageddon into God’s new world. (Matt. 24:14; Rev. 16:14, 16) To the very doors of mankind God has sent these witnesses with assurance that he has not forgotten. Their message declares that soon Christ will crush the serpent, Satan, and “break up the works of the Devil.” (Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8) Following that victorious Armageddon fight, the King of kings will subdue all enemies, including Adamic death, and bring in a paradise of peace and happiness to the extremity of the earth. (1 Cor. 15:25, 26; Ps. 46:9; 72:7)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1963 p. 5, 6
When Armageddon’s fury breaks in this generation, God will remember those who have served him, just as he remembered to save righteous Noah and his family at the time of the Flood.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1963 p. 6
Today people of goodwill must have the same strong faith in order to be taken through this time of trouble and the battle of Armageddon into God’s new world of righteousness.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1963 p. 10
They will be caught in the fiery destruction. Some may try to escape but they will look around at antitypical Sodom, even as Lot’s wife looked back and became a pillar of salt, and in the battle of Armageddon others will die in the attempt to escape.—Gen. 19:26; 2 Pet. 3:10-13.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1963 p. 13
Those who want to live in God’s new world will have to flee the Devil’s organization and find security in Jehovah’s organization. God will provide the safe place for all during the time of the battle of Armageddon. Do you have faith that God will do this for you? Lot and his two daughters had faith and they got to Zoar and lived on.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1963 p. 16
Then followed “war in heaven” resulting in Satan, the great opposer of God and of faithful men on earth, being cast out from heaven, and now he is due to be crushed shortly along with all his wicked angels, worldly governments and unrighteous men who have opposed God’s rule. This would take place in the “war of the great day of God Almighty” called Armageddon.—Rev. 12:7-12; Dan. 2:44; Rev. 16:14, 16.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 15, 1963 p. 47
At the rapidly approaching battle of Armageddon he will destroy both it and all those who have idolized it.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 15, 1963 p. 55
At Armageddon Jehovah will again act in anger against all those who have offended him by worshiping idols instead of the one true God Jehovah, the only One who deserves our worship.—Ezek. 8:17, 18; Rev. 16:14, 16.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 15, 1963 p. 56
Section heading: Are the Nations Headed for Armageddon?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 69
Are the Nations Headed for Armageddon?
Can it be avoided? What does the Bible disclose?
MANY men of note think the nations are heading for some kind of disaster. A prominent clergyman speaks of a “thermonuclear Armageddon.” In the United States Congress a Senator from Vermont said on the Senate floor: “In very truth the world seems to be mobilizing for the great battle of Armageddon. Now is a crisis in the agelong warfare between God and the Devil for the souls of men.” And playwright Tennessee Williams sees the nations acting like crazy persons: “If people acted like nations they would all be put in straitjackets. . . . I think Armageddon is really at hand this time.”
Now, what is this Armageddon? Some view it as a third world war, the annihilation of all life on earth, the result of folly by nuclear-armed nations. But is this what the Holy Bible speaks of by the word “Armageddon”?
If you turn to the Holy Bible, the book of Revelation, chapter sixteen, you will be able to read about the true significance of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 69
And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Har–Magedon [or Armageddon].”—Rev. 16:13, 14, 16.
Observe, please, that in this inspired prophecy it is clear that the nations are being gathered to the place called Armageddon, also that this place of battle is linked with no mere human war but a universal war—”the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” Since battles often take their name from the place where they are fought, this war of the great day of God the Almighty is also referred to as the battle of Armageddon. Now, what is it that drives the nations to a suicidal march to Armageddon?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 69
Section heading: WHY ARMAGEDDON CANNOT BE AVOIDED
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 70
Relentlessly, the nations are thus being gathered in opposition to God, to the battlefield of Armageddon.
Another reason, yes, the basic reason, why Armageddon cannot be avoided is that the great issue between Jehovah God and Satan the Devil must be settled. It is not mere global domination but universal domination; hence the issue of universal sovereignty must be decided. Almighty God settles this issue by fighting the battle of Armageddon, “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” It will be a great day for “Jehovah of armies,” the great God whose heavenly armies under the command of Jesus Christ will come off victorious, utterly destroying the wicked nations of this world and putting to death the Devil and his demons.—Jas. 5:4; Dan. 2:44.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 70
The word “Armageddon” draws some of its meaning from the name Megiddo, a battlefield site in Palestine where decisive battles were fought by God on behalf of his people. But the battlefield of Armageddon is not a literal place; it is a symbolic battlefield.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 70, 71
So, then, the nations march to Armageddon to fight something visibly tangible that represents God’s heavenly kingdom.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 71
Hence there is a deeper significance in the word Armageddon or Har–Magedon, which means “Mount of the assembly of troops.” Since Megiddo was in the land of God’s people of ancient time, in this “time of the end” Armageddon represents the people who are assembled to preach the good news of God’s established kingdom and engaged in a spiritual warfare against demons, to get this Kingdom preaching done.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 71
It is this attack upon God’s Kingdom witnesses that provokes Armageddon and that results in a smashing defeat for all the nations of the earth.—Eph. 6:12.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 71
Not only the nations are headed for an Armageddon defeat but so also are the demons and their ruler, Satan the Devil.—Rev. 20:1-3.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 71
Do not be misled with the nations to suffer defeat at Armageddon. Make your decision for God’s kingdom, that you may be spared alive through the coming universal conflict, “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 1, 1963 p. 71
Section heading: What Is Required to Survive Armageddon?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 101
THIS world is face to face with its worst calamity. Not because of a third world war is this the case but because of the certainty of the universal war of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 101
Thus Armageddon will be an expression of God’s righteousness, since “his judgments are true and righteous.”—Jer. 11:20; Rev. 19:2.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 101
Though these cannot avert God’s declared purpose to destroy Christendom at Armageddon, along with all the nations of the earth, yet these individuals can take a course of action that will result in their survival.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 102
So God addresses the meek ones of the earth and tells them that if they do not want to suffer destruction at Armageddon, then they must seek Jehovah and be humble, and they will gain by it, since “the result of humility and the fear of Jehovah is riches and glory and life.” (Prov. 22:4)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 102
What does Zephaniah’s stressing of the need for seeking Jehovah indicate, then? That only by doing so can one find concealment during Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 103
If we are seeking meekness, we will have the right mental disposition; we will be mild-tempered and willing to be disciplined by God, we will be willing to tell others the requirements for surviving Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 104
So the meek ones of the earth, following his example, will warn others of the coming execution of God’s judgments by the King Jesus Christ, at Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 104
Though Armageddon is to come upon this generation, some, because of age or illness, may die before that time; yet they may be hid by dying in God’s favor: “Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of his loyal ones.” (Ps. 116:15)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 104
Until Armageddon we can expect these three forces to oppose our walking with God.—Rom. 7:21, 24; 1 Cor. 9:27; Dan. 9:4-13.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 106
Christlike submission would require us to break off such an attachment instead of cultivating it, regardless of how pleasant the arrangement may seem to be because of the attraction of the sexes and also regardless of what suffering it might cause now. Is it not far better to suffer a little now, by falling out of love again and ending the relationship, than to suffer the rest of your life or until Armageddon relieves you of your onerous burden? Surely!—1 Cor. 7:39.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 112
Wisely, therefore, she hangs on for dear life. So if we want to reach “home,” the post-Armageddon new world of righteousness, we dare not let go of our heavenly Father’s hand, but must hang on tightly.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 112
Entering Bethel meant a broader and fuller life, and I learned how to be content and happy with having plenty to do in full-time service. We knew we had to “Advertise the King and the Kingdom,” but there was no conception then of the tremendous educational work and the ingathering of a “great crowd” of “other sheep” before Armageddon; no, not even the clear identification of such a group. Gradually, however, the curtain rose, revealing an ever-widening horizon. How did it come about?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 119, 120
Yes, humanly speaking, I felt the outlook was dark and uncertain. Would it end in Armageddon?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. February 15, 1963 p. 120
After Armageddon—A Righteous New World
Armageddon will cleanse the earth of all unrighteousness. But what ensures that the post-Armageddon new world will be forever righteous?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 133
Armageddon, then, will be a time when this earth or human society will be exposed as unrighteous. No unrighteousness will be concealed from God’s eyes so as to go unpunished, for the word of prophecy says: “Look! Jehovah is coming forth from his place to call to account the error of the inhabitant of the land against him, and the land will certainly expose her bloodshed.” (Isa. 26:21)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 133
At Armageddon the King Jesus Christ takes his sword, with which to cut down and destroy the nations that are ruining the earth.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 134
He rides his symbolic war mount to Armageddon to vindicate Jehovah’s universal sovereignty and sanctify the divine name—the greatest act of righteousness.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 134
After describing the King’s Armageddon ride in the cause of righteousness, the inspired psalmist gives us assurance that the government of the new world will never be corrupted, since it is written concerning its Ruler: “God is your throne to time indefinite, even forever; the scepter of your kingship is a scepter of uprightness.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 134
To live in God’s righteous new world and be in line for a salvation to everlasting life in perfect health, one cannot wait till after Armageddon to learn righteousness.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 136
Since no unrighteousness will go undiscovered and unpunished at Armageddon, now is the time to begin living for the righteous new world
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 136
Shortly God’s people will enter into the great day of Jehovah known as Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. March 1, 1963 p. 157
Questions From Readers
● Since Genesis 7:4 shows that Noah was advised seven days in advance of the exact day that the Flood would come, does this mean that God’s people will be advised in advance as to exactly when Armageddon will break out?—E. G., United States.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1963 p. 223
We therefore cannot construe Genesis 7:4 to mean that sometime in the future, yet well before Armageddon, Jehovah God will advise his people on earth as to when Armageddon will begin. Besides, Jesus long ago said about it: “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.”—Matt. 24:36.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1963 p. 223
To the extent that it would be necessary for Jesus, some time in the future, to know the starting time for Armageddon so as to muster his heavenly armies for that battle, he no doubt will be advised.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1963 p. 223
So today, the ingathering work of itself serves notice to an ungodly world that the battle of Armageddon is very near and will strike within this generation. Until Armageddon does strike there is much for God’s people to do in aiding men of goodwill to take their stand and enter the modern ark.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. April 1, 1963 p. 223
To this end Jehovah God holds back the cataclysm of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1963 p. 263
● What provokes the battle of Armageddon?
Satan’s attack upon God’s people.—P. 71.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 1963 p. 276
Steadfastness certainly is required in successfully facing the world’s Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 15, 1963 p. 302
Jehovah and Armageddon are no longer terms strange to them.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 15, 1963 p. 306
There should be progress, even if we may think it is slow. And even if the progress is really slow, it is still of paramount importance that we individually grow to maturity and progress in spiritual stature. Why? In order that we may, with Jehovah’s help, stave off the inroads of the Devil in these critical days before Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 1, 1963 p. 338
So, taste and see that Jehovah is good, for his blessing is upon those who remain faithful to him in these critical pre-Armageddon days when each one of us will want to expand his ministry willingly.—Rev. 21:1-5; Ps. 110:3.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 1, 1963 p. 339
Make it your hope, your career, by remembering your Creator now; then Jehovah will certainly remember you in the calamity of Armageddon when God destroys the old wicked world.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 15, 1963 p. 366
In view of the many Bible prophecies, for a certainty we are near the end of this system of things, and if we desire to be saved from its destruction and to be shown God’s favor by being protected through his battle of Armageddon and kept alive into the new world, we, too, must walk blamelessly as did David and Paul. Like these integrity-keepers, we are interested in magnifying Jehovah’s name by our conduct and example to the world before our fellow Christians, just as the Thessalonians were good examples to the believers in Macedonia. Paul wrote concerning them: “You came to be an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”—1 Thess. 1:7; Matt. 24:1-15;1 Tim. 3:7.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. June 15, 1963 p. 368
This will take place at God’s war of Armageddon when ‘every plant that the heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted.’—Matt. 15:13.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1963 p. 392
On Sunday, July 26, 1953, President Knorr addressed the convention on the absorbing subject “After Armageddon—God’s New World.” Those who attended can still remember those thrilling opening words: “Armageddon will be the worst thing ever to hit the earth within the history of man. God’s new world will be the best thing ever to come to distressed mankind and will never pass away.” Filling the stadium and overflow areas was a crowd of 165,829 persons who heard that stirring talk.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1963 p. 393
We will fully appreciate that there is no such guarantee as ‘once saved, always saved,’ but our course will be marked by a continuous forward effort until the fulfillment of the Christian course, either in death for those of the little flock of God’s anointed remnant and then immortality in God’s heavenly kingdom, or the approval of the “other sheep” to life on earth after Armageddon.—Phil. 3:13, 14.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 1, 1963 p. 404
For instance, we had taught the people from the Bible that Satan is the god of this world, and that this wicked world is going to be destroyed at the battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. July 15, 1963 p. 439
The prophecy of Revelation chapter 17 describes harlotrous religion as riding atop the UN “beast,” and her devastation by “horns” that rise up from within the very organization that she sponsored. Any triumph by these radical “horns” will also be short-lived, for they too will be thrown into confusion as God’s judgment of Armageddon catches up on them. (Rev. 16:14, 16; Hag. 2:21, 22) It is woe to those who worship man-made gods or the god of war, putting faith in ICBM’s, space rockets and asteroid bombs!—Ps. 20:7.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1963 p. 458
These are truly “enjoying salvation in Jehovah,” and they look forward confidently to their “eminent sword” solving all nuclear-age problems, as he crushes warlike nations, together with their devilish instruments of annihilation, in Armageddon’s war.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1963 p. 462, 463
Thus, the true religion, the worship and service of Jehovah, will bring everlasting delight to the Armageddon survivors, to their children and their children’s children.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1963 p. 463
It is the time to be completely vigilant, to keep one’s faith at concert pitch, so as to be ready to follow every leading of Jehovah and his Son, during these climactic days leading to Armageddon. What a tremendous day will that be, and may we then, all of us, be able to show the tested quality of our faith, for praise and glory and honor at the Armageddon “revelation of Jesus Christ”!—1 Pet. 1:7.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1963 pp. 468-469
What glorious promise of protection during the fastgathering storm of Armageddon!
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1963 p. 469
21. (a) In what may Armageddon survivors rejoice? (b) What is the conquest that overcomes the world, and with what reward?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 1, 1963 p. 469
Today the majority of mankind are indulging in a wild spree of worldliness; but if we want to escape the “judicial punishment” soon to be meted out to them at Armageddon, then, whether young or old, we cannot afford to spend more time doing things such as the apostle Peter describes: “The time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations when you proceeded in deeds of loose conduct, lusts, excesses with wine, revelries, drinking matches, and illegal idolatries.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 1963 p. 500
May Jehovah’s Judge “of the living and the dead” be pleased to find our account good and entrust us with post-Armageddon interests and privileges, along with the gift of everlasting life.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 1963 p. 501
Remember, valuable material things are temporary and they cannot profit you in the day of Jehovah’s fury, Armageddon. (Prov. 11:4)
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 1, 1963 p. 536
Protection after Armageddon is something else. Even Armageddon may not end earthquakes. We cannot be dogmatic and say that Armageddon will immediately bring the entire globe, internally and externally, to its finished condition and hence there will not need to be any alterations in the interior or on the surface of the earth.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 1, 1963 p. 543
A high point at these assemblies was the adoption of a stirring resolution, by 22,009 conventioners in Stockholm and 39,663 in London. It was resolved that “under the propaganda and programs inspired by demons and voiced by political systems serving the ‘ruler of this world,’ the kings of the earth and their armies are being led . . . to the battlefield with the Hebrew name Har–Magedon (or, Armageddon).
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 1, 1963 p. 544
For instance, some, under instruction from their church, tell Jehovah’s witnesses who call at their homes this: “You preach a cruel and unreasonable God who is going to sweep most of his children away in a horrible battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 15, 1963 p. 547
Ignored too is the guarantee that he will bring a similar destruction at the battle of Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. September 15, 1963 p. 548
That is the meaning that the last book of the Bible (Rev. 16:13-16) places upon the irresistible movement that the militarized nations are making to the situation that is prophetically called Har–Magedon or Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 1, 1963 p. 586
52. How do we know that all the children born to Armageddon survivors and the returning dead will not overpopulate our earth?
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1963 p. 627
Wednesday brought the remarkable talk “Messengers of Liberation,” by F. W. Franz, which talk made clear why the fall of Babylon the Great had to occur before Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1963 p. 630
It stressed that the nations are being led by invisible wicked spirits to Armageddon, but that “we will not march with them to Har–Magedon, for we refuse to fight against God Almighty and his kingdom.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1963 p. 632
The crowd at the public talk was such that the Milwaukee Journal of July 8, 1963, said: “Stadium records were smashed again Sunday afternoon when 57,055 persons attended the last session of the Jehovah’s Witnesses assembly and heard a description of the paradise on earth which awaits righteous survivors of the battle of Armageddon.”
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1963 p. 633
The days ahead as this old world draws to its Armageddon end will be days of woe and hardship. They will not be easy times for anyone.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 15, 1963 p. 640
Hence the kings and their armies are influenced by this propaganda inspired by demons and are marching unitedly, not primarily to a third world war with nuclear weapons, but to the “war of the great day of God the Almighty.” The Hebrew name for the battlefield is Har–Magedon (or, Armageddon).
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 15, 1963 p. 683
Under propaganda and programs inspired by demons and voiced by political systems serving the “ruler of this world,” the kings of the earth and their armies are being led, not to the Euphrates River, but to the battlefield with the Hebrew name Har–Magedon (or, Armageddon).
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 15, 1963 p. 686
That uncertainty, however, does not apply to God in the sense that he is incapable of concealing faithful seekers of righteousness and meekness at Armageddon.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. November 15, 1963 p. 704
Even as Jesus did both while he was on earth, so his followers on earth today do the same—they preach the good news of an earthwide Paradise and warn of Armageddon, the war of the great day of God the Almighty.—Isa. 61:1, 2; Rev. 16:14, 16; 21:4.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. December 1, 1963 p. 711
The militarized “kings” or political rulers of the earth, with whom she has committed spiritual fornication, have fallen prey to demons. Under demon influence they are being led on to an Armageddon disaster, in the “war of the great day of God the Almighty.” They will all lose their national sovereignties.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. December 15, 1963 p. 754, 755
However, as God produced sudden revolutionary changes in earth’s living conditions by the deluge of Noah’s day, with extremes now of heat and cold, so at Armageddon and with the inauguration of his Messianic kingdom he can produce rapid changes that will ameliorate any hard conditions of winter or disagreeable features of other seasons.
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. December 15, 1963 p. 768