Lesson 32 God’s Kingdom Now Rules!
[Image:] Jesus Christ as heavenly King holding a scepter and ruling over the earth.
God’s Kingdom started ruling in heaven in the year 1914. That is also when the last days of human rule began. How do we know? Consider Bible prophecy and the conditions and attitudes that have been evident since 1914.
1. What does Bible prophecy indicate?
The Bible book of Daniel indicated that God’s Kingdom would begin ruling at the end of a period called “seven times.” (Daniel 4:16 and 17)
[Quotation] Daniel 4:16 and 17: Let its heart be changed from that of a human, and let it be given the heart of a beast, and let seven times pass over it. This is by the decree of watchers, and the request is by the word of the holy ones, so that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that he gives it to whomever he wants, and he sets up over it even the lowliest of men.” [End Quotation]
Centuries later, Jesus referred to that same time period as “the appointed times of the nations,” and he taught that it had not yet ended. (Luke 21:24)
[Quotation] Luke 21:24: And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled. [End Quotation]
As we will see, the seven times ended in the year 1914.
2. What conditions and attitudes have been evident since 1914?
Jesus’ disciples asked him: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matthew 24:3)
[Quotation] Matthew 24:3: While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” [End Quotation]
In answer, Jesus foretold many things that would happen after he began ruling in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom. Some of these include war, food shortages, and earthquakes. (Read Matthew 24:7)
[Read scripture] Matthew 24:7: “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. [End of Read scripture]
The Bible also foretold that people’s attitudes in “the last days” would make life “hard to deal with.” (2 Timothy 3:1 through 5)
[Quotation] 2 Timothy 3:1 through 5: But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. [End Quotation]
These conditions and attitudes have especially been evident since 1914.
3. Why have conditions become so bad since God’s Kingdom began ruling?
Shortly after Jesus became King of God’s Kingdom, he went to war in heaven against Satan and the demons. Satan lost that war. The Bible says that “he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.” (Revelation 12:9, 10 and 12)
[Quotation] Revelation 12:9 and 10: So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Revelation 12:12: On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing that he has a short period of time.” [End Quotation]
Satan is very angry because he knows he will be destroyed. So he causes pain and suffering all over the earth. No wonder world conditions are so bad! God’s Kingdom will undo all these problems.
Dig Deeper
Examine how we know that the Kingdom started ruling in 1914 and what this should mean for us.
4. The Bible’s chronology points to 1914
Play the video God’s Kingdom Began Ruling in 1914 (5:02).
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[God’s Kingdom Began Ruling in 1914]
[Text: God’s Kingdom Began Ruling in 1914. A man using drugs and alcohol, pollution, violence]
Presenter: Ever since the first humans rejected Jehovah God as Ruler, our world has been plagued with evil and suffering. But Jesus offered hope. He taught that as King of God’s Kingdom, he would restore peace and justice to the earth. But when would that Kingdom begin to rule? According to the Bible, it is ruling right now! How do we know that? Consider what happened over 2,600 years ago.
[Jesus thrown, above the rotating earth]
Jehovah God caused Nebuchadnezzar, a King of ancient Babylon, to have a prophetic dream.
[Text: Daniel 4:10-17]
In the dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw a giant tree that reached all the way to heaven. The tree was cut down, but its stump was left in the ground. After a period of “seven times,” the tree grew again. The Bible indicates that this dream would have two fulfilments.
[Text: Daniel 4:17]
The first had to do with King Nebuchadnezzar himself. He was very prominent —like the tree that reached all the way to heaven. But he was cut down for “seven times.”
[Text: Daniel 4:20-26]
This happened when Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity for seven years. During that time, he was unable to rule as king.
[Dishevelled Nebuchadnezzar chews grass]
At the end of the seven times, Nebuchadnezzar regained his sanity and started ruling again.
[Now clean and dressed as King]
That was the first fulfilment of this prophecy. What was the second fulfilment? It had to do with God’s rulership.
[Text: 1 Chronicles 29:23]
The Bible says that kings in ancient Israel “sat on Jehovah’s throne.” In other words, they represented God and his rulership. However, most of those kings became disobedient to Jehovah and so did most of their subjects. Because of their disobedience, God allowed the Israelites to be conquered by the Babylonians, who destroyed the city of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E.
[A timeline]
From that time on, no more kings represented Jehovah in Jerusalem. Thus, 607 B.C.E. marked the beginning of the seven times, or the period when God’s rulership would be interrupted. That period would last until Jehovah installed a new king to represent Him, this time, someone in heaven. When would that happen? In the second fulfilment of this prophecy, the seven times must be more than seven literal years. How do we know? For one thing, nothing significant relating to God’s rulership happened seven years after Jerusalem was destroyed. And centuries later, Jesus indicated that the seven times had not yet ended.
[33 C.E.]
In a prophecy about the last days, Jesus said that Jerusalem, or God’s rulership, would “be trampled on by the nations “until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled.”
[Text: Luke 21:24]
“The appointed times of the nations” are the same as the “seven times.” When would those “times” end?
[Text: Revelation 12: 6, 14] The Bible book of Revelation says that three and a half times equal 1,260 days. So, seven times is double that number, or 2,520 days. In Bible prophecy, a day can represent a year. That is the case with the prophecy about the seven times. They represent 2,520 years.
[Text: Ezekiel 4:6]
Counting forward from 607 B.C.E., 2,520 years takes us to the year 1914, the year that the seven times ended, and Jesus began ruling from heaven as King of God’s Kingdom. That began a period that the Bible calls “the last days.” Soon, Jesus will finish gathering the rest of his corulers to join him in heaven. God’s Kingdom will then undo every problem that afflicts us and our families. Imagine living there under the rulership of a King who really cares about you!
[A mom and child hug, lush vegetables, wildlife]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2021 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
God caused King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon to have a prophetic dream. That dream and the interpretation Daniel gave indicate that it applies both to Nebuchadnezzar’s rulership and to God’s Kingdom. Read Daniel 4:17. *
[Read scripture] Daniel 4:17: This is by the decree of watchers, and the request is by the word of the holy ones, so that people living may know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that he gives it to whomever he wants, and he sets up over it even the lowliest of men.” [End of Read scripture]
[Footnote] * See the last two articles in the Explore section of this lesson. [End of footnote]
Read Daniel 4:20 through 26, and then use the chart to answer the following questions:
[“Read” scripture] Daniel 4:20 through 26: “‘The tree that you saw that grew great and became strong, whose top reached the heavens and was visible to all the earth, 21 which had beautiful foliage, abundant fruit, and food for all, beneath which the beasts of the field would dwell and on whose branches the birds of the heavens would reside, 22 it is you, O king, because you have grown great and become strong, and your grandeur has grown and reached to the heavens, and your rulership to the ends of the earth. 23 “‘And the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from the heavens, who was saying: “Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump with its roots in the ground, with a banding of iron and of copper, among the grass of the field. And let the dew of the heavens make it wet, and let its portion be with the beasts of the field until seven times pass over it.” 24 This is the interpretation, O king; it is the decree of the Most High that must befall my lord the king. 25 You will be driven away from among men, and your dwelling will be with the beasts of the field, and you will be given vegetation to eat just like bulls; and you will become wet with the dew of the heavens, and seven times will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that he grants it to whomever he wants. 26 “‘But because they said to leave the stump of the tree with its roots, your kingdom will be yours again after you come to know that the heavens are ruling. [End of “Read” scripture]
(A) What did Nebuchadnezzar see in his dream? See verses 20 and 21.
(B) What would happen to the tree? See verse 23.
(C) What would happen at the end of the “seven times”? See verse 26.
[Note to reader] Part 1 of chart. [End of note]
[Image] Text: How the Tree Dream Relates to God’s Kingdom. The Prophecy (Daniel 4:20 through 36) [Image 1:] A tree of enormous height. [Image Text:] Rulership: (A) An enormous tree [Image 2:] A tree stump banded with iron and copper. [Image Text:] Rulership interrupted: (B) “Chop down the tree,” and let “seven times pass” [Image 3:] A tree of enormous height. [Image Text:] Rulership restored: (C) “Your kingdom will be yours again”
[Box] How the Tree Dream Relates to God’s Kingdom
The Prophecy (Daniel 4:20 through 36)
In the first fulfillment of this prophecy . . .
(D) Whom did the tree represent? See verse 22.
(E) How was his rulership interrupted? Read Daniel 4:29 through 33.
(F) What happened to Nebuchadnezzar at the end of the “seven times”? Read Daniel 4:34 through 36.
[“Read” scriptures] Daniel 4:29 through 33: Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. The king was saying: “Is this not Babylon the Great that I myself have built for the royal house by my own strength and might and for the glory of my majesty?” While the word was yet in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from the heavens: “To you it is being said, O King Nebuchadnezzar, ‘The kingdom has gone away from you, and from mankind you are being driven away. With the beasts of the field your dwelling will be, and you will be given vegetation to eat just like bulls, and seven times will pass over you, until you know that the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind and that he grants it to whomever he wants.’” At that moment the word was fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from mankind, and he began to eat vegetation just like bulls, and his body became wet with the dew of the heavens, until his hair grew long just like eagles’ feathers and his nails were like birds’ claws. [End of “Read” scriptures]
[“Read” scriptures] Daniel 4:34 through 36: “At the end of that time I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to the heavens, and my understanding returned to me; and I praised the Most High, and to the One living forever I gave praise and glory, because his rulership is an everlasting rulership and his kingdom is for generation after generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing, and he does according to his own will among the army of the heavens and the inhabitants of the earth. And there is no one who can hinder him or say to him, ‘What have you done?’ “At that time my understanding returned to me, and the glory of my kingdom, my majesty, and my splendor returned to me. My high officials and nobles eagerly sought me out, and I was restored to my kingdom, and even more greatness was added to me. [End of “Read” scriptures]
[Note to reader.] Part 2 of chart. [End of note.]
[Image] Text: First Fulfilment [Image 1:] King Nebuchadnezzar standing proudly. [Image Text:] Rulership: (D) Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon [Image 2:] Nebuchadnezzar lying on the ground and eating grass like an animal. [Image Text:] Rulership interrupted: (E) After 606 B.C.E., Nebuchadnezzar loses his sanity and is unable to rule for seven literal years [Image 3:] King Nebuchadnezzar looking to the heavens with arms upraised. [Image Text:] Rulership restored: (F) Nebuchadnezzar regains his sanity and begins ruling again
In the second fulfillment of this prophecy . . .
(G) Whom did the tree represent? Read 1 Chronicles 29:23.
[“Read” scripture] 1 Chronicles 29:23: And Solomon sat on Jehovah’s throne as king in place of David his father, and he was successful, and all the Israelites were obedient to him. [End of “Read” scripture]
(H) How was their rulership interrupted? How do we know that it was still interrupted while Jesus was on earth? Read Luke 21:24.
[“Read” scripture] Luke 21:24: And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the nations until the appointed times of the nations are fulfilled. [End of “Read” scripture]
(I) When and where was this rulership restored?
[Note to reader.] Part 3 of chart. [End of note.]
[Box] How the Tree Dream Relates to God’s Kingdom
Second Fulfillment
Rulership: (G) Israelite kings who represent God’s rulership
Rulership interrupted: (H) Jerusalem is destroyed, interrupting the line of Israelite kings for 2,520 years
Rulership restored: (I) Jesus begins ruling in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom [End of Box]
[Image] Text: Second Fulfilment [Image 1:] A succession of Israelite kings sitting on thrones. Rays of light shine down on them. [Image Text:] Rulership: (G) Israelite kings who represent God’s rulership [Image 2:] A fire destroying ancient Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Afterward, 2,520 years elapse. [Image Text:] Rulership interrupted: (H) Jerusalem is destroyed, interrupting the line of Israelite kings for 2,520 years [Image 3:] Jesus ruling over the earth from his heavenly throne beginning in 1914 C.E. Rays of light shine from him. [Image Text:] Rulership restored: (I) Jesus begins ruling in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom
5. The world has changed since 1914
Play the video The World Has Changed Since 1914 (1:10).
[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]
[Click for Transcript]|[The World has Changed since 1914]
Presenter: Text. Know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. Second Timothy 3:1. Nation will rise against nation. Luke 21:10.”
[Atomic bomb explosion. Terrorists attack on the World Trade Centre]
There will be great earthquakes. Luke 21:11.
[Tsunami waters rush into shore. Crumbling buildings in a city]
And in one place after another food shortages. Luke 21:11.
[Hungry children. A malnourished mom and son]
And pestilences. Luke 21:11.
[People in pandemic masks. A woman in a hospital bed]
Men will be fierce without love of goodness. Second Timothy 3:2, 3.
[Men violently vandalize a restaurant]
And yet.
[In the past, witnesses preach]
This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth. Matthew 24 -14.
[Current. Witnesses preach internationally. Public witnessing cart in a city. To a woman on a bench. To a man in the mountains]
The one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13. Footnote.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2021 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
Jesus foretold world conditions that would be evident after he became King. Read Luke 21:9 through 11, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Luke 21:9 through 11: Furthermore, when you hear of wars and disturbances, do not be terrified. For these things must take place first, but the end will not occur immediately.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs. [End of Read scripture]
Which of these conditions have you observed or heard about?
The apostle Paul described what people would be like in the last days of human rule. Read 2 Timothy 3:1 through 5, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] 2 Timothy 3:1 through 5: But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. [End of Read scripture]
Which of these attitudes have you noted in people today?
[Image:] Collage: Scenes showing world conditions and attitudes in the last days. 1. A military leader at a podium shouts with his arms raised. 2. Buildings lie in ruins after an earthquake. 3. Military planes. 4. A crowd wearing masks walk outside. 5. The Twin Towers in New York are engulfed in flames after a terrorist attack. 6. A man uses drugs. 7. A husband raises his fist and yells at his wife. 8. Various drugs and alcoholic drinks. 9. Two women wearing fashionable clothes and jewelry take a selfie. 10. A disc jockey leads a crowd at a concert. 11. A rioter throws a Molotov cocktail.
6. The rule of God’s Kingdom should motivate us
Read Matthew 24:3 and 14, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Matthew 24:3: While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Matthew 24:14: And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. [End of Read scripture]
What important work shows that God’s Kingdom is now ruling?
How can you have a share in this work?
God’s Kingdom is now ruling, and the day when it takes full control of the earth is near. Read Hebrews 10:24 and 25, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Hebrews 10:24 and 25: And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near. [End of Read scripture]
What should each of us do as we “see the day drawing near”?
[Image:] Collage: 1. A Bible student attends a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 2. The same student preaches to an acquaintance. Caption: If you learned something that could help and save others, what would you be moved to do?
[Box]
Someone May Ask: “Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses talk so much about 1914?” What would you say? [End of box]
Summary
Bible prophecy, chronology, and world conditions prove that God’s Kingdom is now ruling. We show that we believe this by preaching about it and attending congregation meetings.
Review
What happened at the end of the seven times foretold in the Bible book of Daniel?
What convinces you that God’s Kingdom began ruling in 1914?
How can you show that you believe the Kingdom is ruling now?
Goal
Qualify to become a publisher of the good news.
Other: Set Other Goals
Explore
Consider what historians and others say about changes in the world since 1914. “When Morals Declined Dramatically” (Awake!, April 2007)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Read how the prophecy found at Matthew 24:14 affected one man’s life. “I Loved Baseball More Than Anything!” (The Watchtower No. 3 2017)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
How do we know that the prophecy recorded in Daniel chapter 4 applies to God’s Kingdom? “When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Ruling? (Part 1)” (The Watchtower, October 1, 2014)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
What indicates that the “seven times” mentioned in Daniel chapter 4 ended in 1914? “When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Ruling? (Part 2)” (The Watchtower, November 1, 2014)
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