God’s organization. It is against the Lord’s troops that Satan makes war; therefore saith the Lord, ‘Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops; he hath laid siege against us.’—Mic. 5:1. (See Watch Tower, 1928, p. 376 [¶33].)”—Page 56.

Satan the Devil had been cast out of heaven and down to this earth by the year 1918. It is after this event that he by his inspired utterances through his visible worldly agencies gathers all earthly kings and their armies to Har–Magedon, to attack those who preach the good news of God’s kingdom and who therefore stand for that established kingdom. Ever since Jehovah’s remnant of anointed witnesses were restored from their Babylonish captivity to their theocratic place in His ministry in 1919, they have been assembling to the place called Har–Magedon. The particular assembling of the remnant class continued on till 1931, in fulfillment of Matthew 24:31. By then a full remnant were gathered to Har–Magedon.

Because of the spiritual prosperity and expansion that they enjoy, all the nations yield to Satan’s influence to attack the remnant at Har–Magedon. Since 1931 the Kingdom message has gone forth in increasing volume, and due to this enlarged proclamation the Lord’s “other sheep” have been assembled to Har–Magedon to the side of the remnant, to become with them one flock under one Shepherd. (John 10:16) All nations resent having some of their citizens flock to the spiritual remnant at Har–Magedon. The nations readily submit to being gathered by the inspired utterances coming forth from Satan and his visible agencies. Those inspired utterances gather them to Har–Magedon. The purpose of the nations is to inflict at Har–Magedon a defeat upon the remnant and their companions, just as Pharaoh Nechoh of Egypt inflicted defeat on King Josiah of Judah.

However, the nations will be the ones to suffer the Armageddon defeat. Jehovah’s remnant and their companions will depart from that Mountain of Assembly of Troops to devote themselves to the peaceful arts of Christ’s thousand-year reign. They will then not have to fight “against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” Armageddon will reach its climax in the abyssing of those devils with their wicked machinations. (Eph. 6:12, 13; Rev. 20:1-3) Then the war footing or embattled position symbolized by Har–Magedon will pass away from Jehovah’s witnesses on earth.

Announcements

FIELD MINISTRY

During June Jehovah’s witnesses will continue to offer the new 256-page Bible-study aid From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained and an informative Scriptural booklet, on a contribution of 75c. Return calls will be made on all interested persons with a view to starting home Bible studies.

1959 AWAKE MINISTERS DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES

All over the world Jehovah’s witnesses will come together this year in four-day district assemblies. In the United States, Canada and Iceland, the Society has selected twenty-nine cities for your convenience. For the location and date of the assembly nearest you contact your local Kingdom Hall or write to Watchtower Convention, 117 Adams St., Brooklyn 1, N. Y. Plan now to attend and remain awake to Kingdom activity.

BROOKLYN BETHEL VACATION

The Society’s office, factory and Bethel home in Brooklyn, New York, will be closed from August 1 to August 16 inclusive. Orders and correspondence sent in during that period will not be handled until some time after the reopening of the offices. Please anticipate your needs and place your orders in ample time for attention before the vacation period.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

July 12: “Look! I Am Making All Things New,” ¶1-29. Page 325.

July 19: “Look! I Am Making All Things New,” ¶30-56. Page 331.