Historic Events draw near, what are they? The Bible relates that on a near future day, political leaders around the world will bring an end to freedom of religion. In fact at this time the Russian High Court is weighing whether or not to ban many religions. Individual Jehovah’s Witnesses have appealed to the court with sincere forms of reasonableness including “How are Jehovah’s Witnesses different from the religions they are not banning?”, How can devout pacifists be considered as a terrorist group?” The court is in recess until April 12,2017, is there anything significant about that?
It’s been some three thousand years since Jehovah has shown His great power. Many people now believe the Bible to be man’s work. Some say the legends of God are all just a myth. This thinking leads people to ally themselves with different groups that may believe one race is better than another or another group may believe they are more intelligent than others. All moral sense that the Bible teaches has been left behind as this generation indulges in every form of perversion, stating they were born liking the same sex or were born a girl in a boy’s body. There is no guilt, for if there is no god, any judgment against you is just a different opinion.
In the movie, The Ten Commandments, the Almighty God stood up against those who did not know Him that He might release those having faith in Him from the tyranny of an oppressive Egyptian Pharaoh. Jehovah commanded those He delivered to remember the day that the angel of Jehovah passed over the houses that had been marked in blood in symbol of their faith in Jehovah God, while that angel struck the first-born of man and beast of those not showing faith. How do people today mark themselves and families as having faith in Jehovah God?
Remembering the First Passover and the Last Memorial
The first Passover was observed about the time of full moon, on the 14th day of Abib (later called Nisan) in the year 1513 B.C.E. Before that time Moses had returned to Egypt under Jehovah’s influence and direction. How did the Israelites feel? Excited knowing the spoken word of God foretold the end of their enslavement was near? Little did they know that one tribulation after another was about to occur.
Jehovah highlighted the fact that they were His favored people, the offspring of Abraham, his son Isaac, his son Jacob who was named Israel by God. Jehovah began protecting the Israelites, while plaguing the Egyptians. Egypt was the world power of the day. Pharaoh was haughty, confident in his power and authority. His ego brought much pain, suffering and death. As the tenth plaque came; Jehovah requested a definite commitment from those He would soon deliver. The Israelites had grown faith and trust in Jehovah as He protected them as a group; plague after plague. The last plague required Individual households to mark their houses as trusting in Jehovah before all the hostile Egyptian eyes.
That night the first Passover occurred as the angel of Jehovah passed over the houses marked by lambs blood on the door and window frames. A bright full moon lit up the night as that angel struck the first-born of man and beast of those not marking their doors and windows. As Pharaoh and those around him were suffering the depths of mournful pain, he told the Israelites to leave, to take what spoil and herds they wanted and leave. So they did, many Egyptians believing this was the work of the True God left with them. Some 3 million people took what they could and left.
Jesus was born through the descendants of Abraham. Jesus explained that the Jewish Nation had failed to honor his Father, Jehovah. The hope they once had was taken from them and given to individuals who will honor Him. Jehovah is today gathering people in two groups, those who will serve with Jesus as Kings and Priests and those who will benefit from their leadership as citizens of the Kingdom of God. John 10:16
How the Passover becomes a Memorial
Springtime is a very busy time for Jehovah’s Witnesses. They do all they can personally; to reach as many people as possible; to Invite them to the Memorial of Christ’s Death. The Memorial is the only day the Bible states we are to remember. Beginning in 34 C.E. those recognizing this have gathered to remember the significance of what Jesus said of this event. Jesus made a covenant; after dismissing Judas Iscariot, with his faithful followers for a share of leadership in God’s Kingdom at his last Passover. This was the last valid Passover as God was now forgiving sin on the basis of Jesus shed blood. The miracles that continued to occur among the Christians proved that this was now the religion approved by God. Jesus told his followers to keep doing this Memorial celebration until that Kingdom of God takes over Earths Rulership.
At 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 it states: 23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night on which he was going to be betrayed took a loaf, 24 and after giving thanks, he broke it and said: “This means my body, which is in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” 25 He did the same with the cup also, after they had the evening meal, saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood. Keep doing this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
When will the Last Memorial be Held?
Remember that on Jesus last night; he celebrated the Passover. After dismissing Judas Iscariot, Jesus conducted a covenant with those eleven faithful followers for a kingdom. Jehovah God would anoint 144,000 Christians to be Kings and Priests in the Kingdom of God alongside Jesus himself. Most of that number have already died and have been resurrected to heaven to serve with Jesus. Why do we say this?
Those who God has anointed would be the ones who would take the loaf and the wine as those of the covenant. Those who hope to live forever on Earth are there only as observers of the event. They recognize this is a Holy Event, an arrangement of Jehovah God that began nearly two thousand years ago. When the International Bible Students began everyone at the event would eat of the bread and drink of the wine. As the years went by there came those that did not feel they were anointed by God to serve in Heaven. These did not partake of the emblems at the observance. The numbers of those partaking continued declining through the years. At the same time those not partaking continued multiplying. They recognize that the scriptures at John 10:16 and Revelation 7:14 speak of them. They look forward to the fulfillment of Revelation 21: 3-5 here on Earth.
3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
5 And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
So When will the Last Memorial be Held?
Soon the last of the anointed ones will finish their life on Earth faithfully, then will come an end to this annual observance. Though there may be some who partake of the bread and wine this year, it may be the last memorial if those pass away in the coming year. The world we live in today can change suddenly. Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that Bible Prophesies concerning the end of man’s rule of the Earth are being fulfilled in our lifetime. Please come and observe this historic event April 11,2017 just before sundown. As you leave; I hope you see that first full moon of spring. Just as those Israelites did the night before their first day of freedom.
Why should you attend? Just as was mentioned the Russian Court has recessed until the April 12,2017. This will allow many people to attend this event before the proposed oppressive ban takes affect. Jehovah is not asking people to mark their doors and windows in lambs blood today. No, He is simply asking people to show interest in Him and attend meetings to learn more. There will be more people who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses attending this one hour meeting than are, because people around the world recognize the significance of this historic event.
We want to go with you, for we have heard that God is with you people.—Zech. 8:23.