The Time of the — Almost — End
The time of the end. We begin with something on which we agree with everyone. The "conclusion of the system of things," or the time of the end, exists. It is not the invention of some organization. It is Jesus who speaks of it, on the Mount of Olives, answering a precise question from his disciples: "What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" (Matthew 24:3, NWT). And Jesus answers. Wars and reports of wars. Food shortages. Pestilences. Earthquakes in one place after another. An increase of lawlessness. The love of the greater number growing cold. False prophets. Great signs from heaven. Men growing faint out of fear (Matthew 24:6-12; Luke 21:11, 25-26). Let us stop a moment. There have been those who took these words seriously. They looked at the world around them, compared what they saw with what Jesus had said, and drew the conclusion: this is it. And they did not keep it to themselves. They announced it everywhere...