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So, what is the takeaway point
up to this time?
I’m sure we got the point.
It’s helped us to think about our loving,
heavenly Father, Jehovah,
as the merciful Judge of the entire earth,
and his Son, Jesus Christ.
Yes, we can trust them
to make proper judgments.
We know that Jehovah
and Jesus can read hearts.
And they have a long record
of living by the perfect standards of justice
that Jehovah has set up.
So, what about the future judgments
during the great tribulation?
Is there something that we can adjust
with regard to our understanding?
Well, before we start to do that,
let’s be quite frank.
Over the last few years,
we’ve had a few changes
with regard to the events
that occur during the great tribulation.
And if you’ve been in the truth for a while,
sometimes it’s a bit hard to remember,
‘Was that what we used to believe,
or is this what we believe now?’
So to help us to make sure
that we’ve got some idea
of some of the events
that occur during the great tribulation,
let’s look at this review.
What event starts the great tribulation?
The destruction of Babylon the Great.
That will be the time
when the political powers
turn on the world empire of false religion,
showing their disgust
for the symbolic prostitute.
This will lead to the destruction
of all false religious organizations.
What event ends the great tribulation?
The battle of Armageddon.
That will be the final part
of the great tribulation.
Jesus, along with the resurrected 144,000
and myriads of angels, will battle
with all those who oppose Jehovah,
his Kingdom, and his people here on earth.
This will be “the war
of the great day of God the Almighty.”
Now that we have the start
and the end of the great tribulation in mind,
let’s ask a few more questions.
How long will that time period be
from start to finish?
The answer is we don’t know.
We do know that many events
are foretold to happen during that time period.
But these events may all occur
in a reasonably short period of time.
For this discussion, though,
let’s focus on the few events that will occur
toward the end of the great tribulation.
When does the attack of Gog of Magog occur?
It doesn’t occur at the beginning
of the great tribulation
but toward the end of that period of time.
This attack on God’s people
by a coalition of nations
will lead right
into the battle of Armageddon.
So Gog’s attack will occur
just prior to Armageddon.
When will the remaining ones of the anointed
be gathered and taken to heaven?
The Bible book of Ezekiel indicates
that when Gog of Magog starts his attack,
some of the anointed
will still be here on earth.
However, Revelation 17:14 tells us
that when Jesus battles with the nations,
he will come with those
“who are called and chosen,”
that is, all of the resurrected 144,000.
So the final gathering
of his chosen ones must occur
after the start of the attack of Gog of Magog
and before the battle of Armageddon.
This means that the anointed
will be gathered and taken to heaven
toward the end of the great tribulation,
not at the beginning.
When will the final judgment
of the sheep and the goats take place?
Again, although we can’t be dogmatic
as to the exact sequence of events,
it appears
that the final judgment takes place
at the end of the great tribulation,
not at the beginning.
That will be the time
“when the Son of man comes in his glory,
and all [his] angels with him.”
Of course, there are a lot of other events
that are foretold to happen
during this time period,
but for now,
let’s just focus on these few events,
all of which will happen
just before the outbreak of Armageddon.
What do we learn from them?
First, Jesus’ judgment
of the sheep and the goats
and the destruction of the wicked
will take place
at the end of the great tribulation.
Second, there will be some
of the remaining ones
of the anointed on earth
until the start
of the attack of Gog of Magog,
right at the end of the great tribulation.
Third, the judgment
of the sheep and the goats
will include their dealings
with Christ’s brothers,
even during the great tribulation.
So that is a review
of what we already believe.
So if you were writing down notes
(“oh, that’s a new point”),
be careful what you say to others.
But how do these basic facts
(when we look at the things that occur
toward the end of the great tribulation,
how do they)
affect our understanding
of Jehovah’s judgments
by means of Jesus Christ?
Well, we know that the closer
we get to the great tribulation,
the clearer our understanding
is of what will occur.
Yes, our understanding is clarified
according to the proper time
and also in a way that will help us
not only to endure the great tribulation
but also to prosper
during that period of time.
So, what we’re going to do
is consider four very interesting questions.
Yes, and I’ve got some time left.
The first question is,
Once the great tribulation starts
(we saw there in the chart
with the destruction of Babylon the Great,
so once it starts),
is there a door of opportunity
for nonbelievers to actually join us
in serving Jehovah?
Is there a door of opportunity?
What have we said in the past?
We’ve said,
“No, there will not be an opportunity
for people to join us at that time.”
Now, why did we say that?
Well, basically,
we viewed the account of the Flood
as being a type and antitype portrayal.
And we thought the fact
that the door of the ark was closed
prior to the Flood coming
indicated that the door of opportunity
would close
once the great tribulation started.
But, of course, it’s true;
Jesus did compare the time of Noah
with the presence of him as a reigning King.
But notice, Jesus didn’t say anything
that indicated
this was a type-antitype arrangement,
and he certainly didn’t mention
anything with regard
to a door of opportunity closing.
So let’s think about that question again.
Once the great tribulation starts,
is there a door of opportunity still available?
Well, to answer that, looking at this time chart,
remember, the judgment
of the sheep and the goats
—the final judgment—occurs when?
Not at the beginning,
but toward the end of the great tribulation.
So let’s think about some whom we know
—perhaps unbelieving relatives,
disfellowshipped ones,
others who have heard the message
and perhaps have studied with us.
Could some of them,
once they see the destruction
of Babylon the Great,
decide that what Jehovah’s Witnesses
were saying
is correct after all?
Could they take a stand for the truth?
Well, if they changed
their hearts and joined us,
would we be disappointed?
Now, we can’t be dogmatic,
but we don’t want to be like Jonah
and say: “Oh, no, no.
The door is closed, no, no.”
You see, we need to remember
other cases in the Scriptures that help us
to understand how Jehovah as a merciful Judge
has dealt with people in the past.
For example, think about the Israelites
when they left Egypt.
Please, if you turn with me
to Exodus chapter 12,
Exodus chapter 12,
and we’re going to read
the first part of verse 38.
So here it’s describing the Exodus,
and Exodus 12:38 says:
“And a vast mixed company
also went with them.”
Now—do you notice?—
there’s a footnote there.
And what does it say?
“That is, a mixed company of non-Israelites,
including Egyptians.”
So, what happened?
Well, during the time when the Ten Plagues
came upon the Egyptians,
obviously some of these Egyptians
started to see the distinction
between Jehovah and the false gods
that they worshipped.
So when decision time came
and the Israelites were leaving Egypt,
some of these Egyptians
joined the Israelites.
Now, isn’t that interesting for us to note?
But, of course, we might be thinking:
‘Yes, well, I understand why
we said what we did before,
‘but is it really the case
that all these ones whom we’ve studied with
‘or so on (some of them) may have a chance
‘to join us after Babylon the Great
is destroyed?
‘Is that fair?
Last-minute repentance.’
But, you see, are we imitating
the merciful “Judge of all the earth”?
Really, we shouldn’t be surprised
if that were to happen, should we?
And think about it.
As we looked at the time chart,
we saw that this is
a time period prior to the final judgment.
So anyone who takes their stand for Jehovah
early in the great tribulation
will still face the attack of Gog of Magog,
and that will be a very, very difficult time.
But now, what do we need to note
with regard to this?
Well, just as in the first century,
in 66 C.E.,
decision time came
and many decided to go
and leave Jerusalem at that point.
Now, they made their decision
based on what they already knew
and had heard.
So, in a similar way,
our preaching work today
is of utmost importance.
Let’s notice what the apostle Paul said,
as recorded in the book of Romans
—Romans 10:13, 14.
And as we read this,
think about the context
of what we’re talking about
—when Babylon the Great is destroyed.
So the time prior to that,
we see it says in verse 13:
“For ‘everyone who calls
on the name of Jehovah will be saved.’
“However, how will they call on him
“if they have not put faith in him?
“How, in turn, will they put faith in him
“about whom they have not heard?
“How, in turn, will they hear
without someone to preach?”
Do you see why our preaching work
is so urgent and important today?
Yes, many take the opportunity
to make a decision right now.
But could it be that once
the great tribulation starts,
many who have heard the message
that Jehovah’s Witnesses have preached
may be in a position then
to make the right decision, the right choice?
Well, again, we can’t be dogmatic,
but we certainly hope
that that would be the case.
Now, while we’re talking about this,
let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Hmm, what do we mean?
Well, you know, some of us in the past
(we’re not going to mention names,
but yet some of us) have said:
“Oh, you know, my unbelieving relative—
I hope he dies before the great tribulation.”
Aha!
We know what you’ve been saying.
We’ve said: “Because if he dies
before the great tribulation,
“he’ll have a chance of a resurrection.
But during?
Uh-uh.”
But let’s think about that.
You see, does someone’s eternal salvation
depend on when they die?
Or does it depend on,
really, their heart condition?
You see, the merciful Judge of the earth
knows their heart condition.
And, really, what are we thinking
if we ask that question?
You know, are we imagining Jehovah
saying to Jesus: “Look, at this person.
“You know, they really should die forever.
“But look at it!
“They died now before the great tribulation.
Oh, no!
We have to resurrect them”?
I mean, really?
Jehovah is the righteous, merciful Judge.
He knows people’s hearts.
You can’t fool him or trick him.
So that was the first question
I’m sure you found interesting, yeah?
Once the great tribulation starts,
does the door of opportunity close?
The answer is, well,
we’ll have to wait and see.
But according to the Scriptures,
it is a possibility that some
can take a stand for the truth.
Second question:
When does the preaching
of the good news of the Kingdom finish?
Good question.
For a start, let’s remember
that the good news is only good news
to us and to those who accept it.
As Psalm 2 mentions, though,
for the rest of the world,
it’s never been good news, has it?
So, what does Matthew 24:14 tell us?
It tells us that ‘the good news
is going to be preached,’
and “then the end will come.”
Let’s look at our timeline again.
What is “the end” referred to there?
Well, it’s the final part of the great tribulation.
So that means that during the great tribulation,
the good news of the Kingdom
will still be preached.
And it’s still good news to us
but not to the rest of the world.
That good news will become
more hard-hitting as time goes on,
causing people to make
a decision one way or the other,
whether they accept the Kingdom or not.
So isn’t that yet another reason
why we shouldn’t be surprised
that some may take a stand for the truth
even during the great tribulation?
The third question:
All those who die
during the great tribulation,
will they go into eternal death
and never be resurrected?
Well, initially, we can say the goats
are not going to be resurrected
—are they?—
because they’re
going to “everlasting cutting off,”
according to what Jesus said.
And in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1,
it speaks of the “punishment
of everlasting destruction”
being meted out.
But what time period are we talking about?
Well, let’s look at our timeline again.
You see, this is referring to the time
when Jesus comes with his holy ones.
So looking at our timeline,
what does it show us?
That this is at the very end of the great tribulation
when people are judged as being goats.
Specifically,
they have been given this judgment.
But there are some other questions
that come up.
You see, these ones who are judged as goats
(those who receive everlasting destruction)
obviously have had adequate
opportunity (have had a full opportunity)
to accept or reject the Kingdom.
But what about those prior
to that final judgment?
So the great tribulation starts.
We’re not sure how long it goes,
but each day it goes on,
there are people who no doubt will die.
Do you realize that every day worldwide
about 150,000 people die
either of natural causes or wars,
sicknesses, and so on?
So, what about those ones?
They’re not actually killed
by Jehovah as a punishment.
So, what do we need to remember?
The merciful Judge knows
who should be resurrected
and who shouldn’t be resurrected.
So we can’t be dogmatic
about those ones who may die at that time.
We know that Jehovah
and Jesus will do the right thing.
Now, another final interesting question:
Will all those living
during the great tribulation
have a full opportunity
to decide either
for the Kingdom or against it?
How would you answer?
Don’t say it out loud.
The simple answer is, we don’t know,
and we don’t need to know
because we’re not the judges.
It’s above our pay grade.
But now, there may be a little voice
in you saying: ‘But why don’t we know?
I mean, I’ve always believed
that during that time, that’s it.’
But, you see, each day, as we mentioned,
150,000 people on average die,
but 350,000 new babies are born each day.
So even if the great tribulation
was only a few days long,
each day you’ve got more babies being born.
And what about areas where the good news
hasn’t reached to the greatest extent,
maybe in lands where our work is restricted?
We might be wondering, ‘Well, will we get
to preach to every individual?’
Matthew 10:23, if you look at it later,
seems to indicate that maybe we won’t.
So, now, here’s an interesting question:
Is it reasonable for us to say
that Jehovah and Jesus
automatically label millions
of people as goats
even though they have never
had a full opportunity to respond?
Interesting question.
If they haven’t had a full opportunity
and they die at that time,
is it possible
that they may receive a resurrection
as unrighteous persons?
What’s the answer?
We simply don’t know.
We can’t be dogmatic,
and we shouldn’t be dogmatic
because we don’t know.
But, rather, let’s take comfort
in what we do know.
And what do we know?
We know that Jehovah and Jesus are merciful,
that they will always do the right thing.
At Ezekiel 33:11, what does it say?
‘Jehovah takes no delight
in the death of a wicked person.’
He wants them to change.
And we know that Jehovah and Jesus
will judge each individual
in a balanced, righteous, and merciful way.
Well, now, at this point, you think:
‘Wow!
That’s a lot to take in.’
Maybe your hand
is a little tired from taking notes.
Don’t worry.
An upcoming Watchtower
is going to give us all the details on this,
so stay tuned.
But in the meantime,
what do we need to keep doing?
We need to keep preaching the message
to as many people as possible.
We have no idea what results
may come from that.
And as we keep on preaching, remember,
leave the judging to Jehovah and Jesus!
They will always do the right thing,
the merciful and just thing.
Of that we can be absolutely confident!

Geoffrey W. Jackson: What Do We Know About Jehovah’s Future Judgments?