CHAPTER NINE

Are we living in the “last days”?

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• What current events were predicted in the
Bible?
• What does God's Word say about what people
would be like in the “last days”?
• What good things does the Bible predict about
“the last days”?
1. Where can we learn about the future?
Have YOU been following the news on
television? Have you ever asked yourself,
‘What is happening to this world?’ Tragic things
happen so suddenly and unexpectedly that no
human being can predict what tomorrow will be
like. (¹⁴ I tell you that you do not know what will
happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is a
vapor that appears for a little while and then
disappears.
James 4:14) However, Jehovah knows the
future. (¹⁰ That I declare the end from the
beginning, and from ancient times the things
that have not yet come to pass; that I say, My
counsel shall be steadfast, and I will do all my
will. Isaiah 46:10) Long ago, his Word, The
Bible predicted not only the bad things that
happen today, but also the wonderful things that
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will occur in the near future.
• What question did the disciples ask Jesus,
and what answer did he give?
2 Jesus Christ spoke about the Kingdom of
God, which will put an end to evil and make the
earth a paradise. (⁴³ But he said to them: I must
also preach the gospel of the kingdom of God
to other cities; for for this purpose I was sent.
Luke 4:43) His listeners wanted to know when
that Kingdom would come. In fact, Jesus’
disciples asked him: “What will be the sign of
your presence and of the end of the system of
things?” (Matthew 24:3) In response, Jesus told
them that only Jehovah knew exactly when the
end of this world system would come. (³⁶ "No
one knows about the day or hour, not even the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the
Father.
³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at
the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew 24:36,37) However, Jesus foretold
things that would occur on earth just before the
Kingdom brought true peace and security to
mankind. What he predicted has come to pass!
3 Before we examine the evidence that we are
living at “the end of the system of things,” let us
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briefly consider a war that no human being
could observe. It occurred in the invisible
spiritual realm, and its outcome affects us.
A WAR IN THE SKY
(a) What occurred in heaven shortly after Jesus
was enthroned as King?
(b) According to Revelation 12:12, what would
result from war in heaven?
4 The previous chapter of this book explained
that Jesus Christ became King in heaven in the
year 1914. (Read Daniel 7:13, 14 ¹³ I was
looking in the night visions, and behold, there
came in the clouds of heaven one like the son
of man; and he went to the ancient of days, and
they brought him to him.
¹⁴ And dominion, and honor, and a kingdom
were given unto him, that all people, nations,
and tongues should serve him; His dominion is
an everlasting dominion that will not pass away,
and His kingdom is such that it will not be
destroyed.
Daniel 7:13,14) As soon as he received
Kingdom power, Jesus acted. “War broke out in
heaven,” says the Bible. “Michael [another
name for Jesus] and his angels battled with the
dragon [Satan the Devil], and the dragon and
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his angels battled.” * Satan and his evil angels,
the demons, lost the war and were expelled
from heaven to Earth. God's faithful spiritual
children rejoiced in the expulsion of Satan and
his demons. Humans, however, would not have
this joy. Instead, the Bible foretold: “Woe to the
earth . . . for the Devil has come down to you
with great wrath, for he knows that he has little
time left.” — Revelation 12:7, 9, 12⁷ And there
was battle in heaven; Michael and his angels
fought against the dragon, and the dragon and
his angels fought;
⁸ But they did not prevail, nor was their place
found in the heavens.
⁹ And the great dragon was thrown out, that
ancient serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,
who deceives the whole world; he was cast
down to the earth, and his angels were cast
down with him.
Revelation 12:7-9.

Notice what would result from war in heaven.

In his anger, Satan would cause afflictions, or
difficulties, to the inhabitants of the Earth. As we
will see, we are now living in this period of
distress. But it will be relatively brief — just “a
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little while.” Even Satan knows this. The Bible
refers to this period as “the last days.” (¹ But
know this: that in the last days difficult times will
come.
2 Timothy 3:1) How good it is to know that God
will soon rid the earth of the Devil’s influence!
Let's look at some of the things predicted in the
Bible that happen in our times. They prove that
we are living in the last days and that God’s
Kingdom will soon bring everlasting blessings to
those who love Jehovah. First, let us examine
four aspects of the sign that, according to
Jesus, would mark the time in which we live.
MAIN EVENTS OF THE LAST DAYS
• How are Jesus' words about wars and lack of
food fulfilled today?
6 “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom
against kingdom.” (Matthew 24:7) Millions of
people have been killed in wars over the last s
hundred years. A British historian wrote: “The
20th century was the most ‘murderous’ in
recorded history. . . . It was a century of almost
uninterrupted wars, with only a few short
periods without there being an organized,
armed conflict somewhere.” A report from the
Worldwatch Institute says: “The number of
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fatalities from wars [in the 20th century] was
three times greater than from all wars combined
from the first century AD to 1899.” More than
100 million people have died as a result of wars
since 1914. Even if we know from personal
experience how sad it is to lose a loved one in
war, we cannot even imagine the enormity of
suffering and pain multiplied millions of times.
7 “There will be a shortage of food.” (Matthew
24:7) According to researchers, food production
has increased greatly in the last 30 years.
However, food shortages continue because
many do not have the money to buy it or land to
grow it. In developing countries, well over 1
billion people have to live on an income of one
dollar or less a day. Most of them suffer from
chronic hunger. The World Health Organization
estimates that malnutrition is one of the main
factors in the deaths of more than 5 million
children per year.
• What indicates that Jesus' prophecies about
earthquakes and pestilences have been
fulfilled?
8 “There will be great earthquakes.” (Luke
21:11) According to the US Geological Survey,
an average of 19 major earthquakes are
expected to occur per year. They are strong
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enough to damage buildings and crack the
ground. And, on average, every year there are
earthquakes strong enough to cause complete
destruction of buildings. Available data show
that earthquakes have caused more than 2
million deaths since 1900. One source states:
“Technological improvements have reduced the
number of deaths only slightly.”
9 “There will be . . . pestilence.” (Luke 21:11)
Despite advances in medicine, old and new
diseases afflict humanity. One report says that
20 well-known diseases—such as tuberculosis,
malaria, and cholera—have become more
common in recent decades, and certain types
of disease are increasingly difficult to cure with
available medicines. In fact, at least 30 new
diseases have emerged. Some have no known
cure and are fatal.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE IN THE

LATTER DAYS

• What characteristics predicted in 2 Timothy

3:1-5 do you notice in people today?
 In addition to predicting certain world events,
the Bible also predicted that the last days would
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be marked by a change in human society. The
apostle Paul described what people in general
would be like. He said: “In the last days there
will be critical times hard to bear.” (Read 2
Timothy 3:1-5.) Paul said that people
• would only love themselves
• would love money
• would be disobedient to their parents
• would be disloyal
• would be denatured
• would be without self-control
• would be fierce
• would love pleasures instead of God
• would maintain an appearance of devotion to
God, which would not exercise any power in
their lives
• How does Psalm 92:7 describe what will
happen to the wicked?
11 Are people in general like this where you
live? Undoubtedly. Everywhere there are
people with bad characteristics. This indicates
that God will act soon, for the Bible says:
“When the wicked spring up like grass, and all
evildoers flourish, they are to be destroyed
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forever.” —Psalm 92:7.
POSITIVE EVENTS
• How has “true knowledge” become abundant
in this “time of the end”?
The last days are undoubtedly full of
afflictions, just as the Bible predicted. In this
turbulent world, however, there are positive
developments among Jehovah’s worshipers.
13 “True knowledge will become abundant,”
predicted the biblical book of Daniel. When
would this happen? During “the time of the
end.” (Daniel 12:4) Especially since 1914,
Jehovah has helped those who truly want to
serve him to understand the Bible better and
better. They have increased their appreciation
for precious truths about God's name and
purposes, the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ,
the condition of the dead, and the resurrection.
Furthermore, Jehovah’s worshipers have
learned to live in a way that benefits them and
brings honor to God. They also came to
understand more clearly the role of God's
Kingdom and how it will set things right on
Earth. How do they use this knowledge? This
question leads us to yet another prophecy that
is being fulfilled in these last days.
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“This good news of the Kingdom will be
preached in all the inhabited earth.” —Matthew
24:14
14. To what extent is the good news of the
Kingdom being preached today, and who is
preaching it?
14 “This good news of the Kingdom will be
preached in all the inhabited earth,” said Jesus
Christ in his prophecy regarding “the end of the
system of things.” (Read ³ And as he sat on the
Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him
privately, saying, Tell us, what How will these
things be, and what sign will there be of your
coming and the end of the world?
⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them,
Beware lest any man deceive you;
⁵ For many will come in my name, saying, I am
the Christ; and will deceive many.
⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars;
Look, don't be scared, because it all needs to
happen, but it's not the end yet.
⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and
kingdom against kingdom, and there will be
famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in
various places.
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⁸ But all these things are the beginning of pains.
⁹ Then they will hand you over to be tormented
and kill you; and you will be hated by all nations
because of my name.
¹⁰ At that time many will be scandalized, and
they will betray one another, and they will hate
one another.
¹¹ And many false prophets will arise, and will
deceive many.
¹² And because iniquity abounds, the love of
many will grow cold.
¹³ But whoever endures to the end will be
saved.
¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be
preached throughout the world for a testimony
to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:3-14.) The good news of the
Kingdom—what that Kingdom is, what it will do,
and how we can receive its blessings—is being
preached throughout the earth, in more than
230 countries and territories, and in hundreds of
languages. Millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses
zealously preach this good news. They come
from “all nations, tribes, peoples and
languages.” (⁹ After these things I looked, and
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behold, a multitude, which no one could
number, from all nations, and tribes, and
peoples, and tongues, standing before the
throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white
robes and with palm branches. in your hands;

Revelation 7:9) They conduct free home Bible

studies with millions of people who want to
know what the Bible really teaches. What an
impressive fulfillment of prophecy, especially
considering that Jesus predicted that true
Christians would be “hated by all”! —Luke
21:17.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
15. (a) Do you believe we are living in the last
days? Why? (b) What will the “end” mean for
Jehovah’s opposers and those submitting to
God’s Kingdom rule?
Since so many Bible prophecies are being
fulfilled today, wouldn't you agree that we are
living in the last days? After the good news has
been preached enough, according to Jehovah’s
decision, the “end” will surely come. (¹⁴ And this
gospel of the kingdom will be preached
throughout the world for a testimony to all
nations, and then the end will come.
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Matthew 24:14) The “end” refers to the day
when God will put an end to wickedness on the
earth. To destroy all who willfully oppose him,
Jehovah will use Jesus and powerful angels. (⁶
If it is indeed right before God to reward those
who afflict you with tribulation,
⁷ And to you who are troubled, rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven with
the angels of his power,
⁸ With a flame of fire, taking revenge on those
who do not know God and on those who do not
obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ;
⁹ Who, as punishment, will suffer eternal
destruction, far from the face of the Lord and
the glory of his power
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) Satan and his demons
will no longer mislead the nations. After that,
God's Kingdom will shower blessings on all who
submit to its righteous rule. — ¹ And I saw an
angel coming down from heaven, having the
key of the abyss, and a great chain in his hand.
² He caught the dragon, the ancient serpent,
who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for
a thousand years.
³ And he cast him into the abyss, and shut him
up there, and set a seal upon him, that he
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should no more deceive the nations, until the
thousand years were ended. And then it matters
that he is released for a little while.
Revelation 20:1-3;
• What would be wise to do?
• As the end of Satan’s system approaches,
everyone should ask themselves, ‘What should
I do?’
It is wise to continue learning about Jehovah
and his requirements for us. (³ And this is
eternal life, that they may know thee, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent. John 17:3) Be a diligent student of the
Bible. He makes a habit of associating with
others who seek to do Jehovah’s will. (Read
Hebrews 10:24, 25 ²⁴ And let us consider one
another to encourage us to love and good
works.
²⁵ Let us not give up meeting together as a
church, as is the custom of some, but let us
encourage one another, even more so as you
see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10: 24,25) Get to know Jehovah
through studying his Word, and make the
necessary changes in your life in order to have
God's favor. — ⁸ Draw closer to God, and he
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will draw closer to you! Sinners, cleanse your
hands, and you who are divided in mind, purify
your hearts.
James 4:8.
• Why will the destruction of the evil ones take
most people by surprise?
Jesus predicted that most people would
disregard the evidence that we are living in the
last days. The destruction of the wicked will
come suddenly and unexpectedly. Like a thief in
the night, he will take may laugh at people in
surprise. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:2 ² For you
yourselves know very well that the day of the
Lord will come like a thief in the night;
1 Thessalonians 5:2) Jesus warned: “As the
days of Noah were, so will be the presence of
the Son of Man. For in those days before the
flood people ate and drank, men married and
women were given in marriage, until the day
that Noah entered the ark, and they paid no
attention until the flood came and swept them
all away; so it will be in the presence of the Son
of Man.” —Matthew 24:37-39.
• What warning from Jesus should we take
seriously?
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Therefore, Jesus told his listeners: “Pay
attention to yourselves, lest your hearts become
burdened with overeating and drinking and the
anxieties of life, and suddenly that day takes
you by surprise, like a trap. For he will come
upon all who dwell on the face of the whole
earth. Therefore, keep awake, making
supplications all the time so that you may
escape all these things that must occur and
may be able to stand [approved] before the Son
of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36) It is wise to take
Jesus’ words seriously. Why? Because those
who are approved by Jehovah God and the
“Son of Man,” Jesus Christ, have the prospect
of surviving the end of Satan’s system and
living forever in the wonderful new world that is
just around the corner! - John 3:16; 2 Peter
3:13.