20. (a) What kind of conditions does war always bring, and particularly for whom? (b) So what bad economic condition does Habakkuk describe, and this as merely possible or as likely?

²⁰ War always brings disagreeable conditions for those involved, especially for those under attack. The “war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Har–Magedon can be expected to bring hardships for those who are then under attack by the combined enemies of Jehovah’s worshipers. It was not as a mere possibility of such hardships that the prophet Habakkuk spoke of such a thing, saying: “Although the fig tree itself may not blossom, and there may be no yield on the vines; the work of the olive tree may actually turn out a failure, and the terraces themselves may actually produce no food; the flock may actually be severed from the pen, and there may be no herd in the enclosures; yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” (Hab. 3:17, 18) Habakkuk speaks of this as a very real likelihood.

21. For whom did Habakkuk envision such extreme economic conditions, and because of what?

²¹ Habakkuk prophetically envisioned extreme economic hardship for Jehovah’s “anointed one” because of the international attempt to scatter the worshipers of Jehovah. It would seem as if there was nothing for these to live on. Their survival was in doubt!

24. What questions arise as to the conduct of Jehovah’s witnesses at that time, but how does Habakkuk prophetically answer for them?

²⁴ Will they panic with fear? Will they yield to the attacking enemies and renounce their faith and cease to be Jehovah’s Christian witnesses? Or, will they lose hope and sink into the slough of despondency and die spiritually? No! answers back Habakkuk in speaking prophetically for them. Despite all these hardships brought upon them for their faithfulness to the one living and true God, Jehovah’s Christian witnesses will cry out: “Yet, as for me, I will exult in Jehovah himself; I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.”​—Hab. 3:18.

25. How will Jehovah then vindicate himself as a Savior, and who on earth will be eyewitnesses of his vindicating his sovereignty?

²⁵ Their God, Jehovah, is a God of salvation, and he will save them. Jehovah will vindicate himself as their Savior and Deliverer.