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God’s Kingdom Now Rules! — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
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data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1066" alt="Lesson 32. Jesus Christ as heavenly King holds a scepter and rules over the earth." width="1200" height="324" class="north_center" /> </figure> </div> <p class="contextTtl" id="p1" data-pid="1"><span id="page131" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="131" data-before-text="131"></span><strong>LESSON 32</strong></p> <h1 id="p2" data-pid="2"><strong>God’s Kingdom Now Rules!</strong></h1> </header> <div class="clearfix alternatePresentation clickable noTooltips "> <div class="thumbnail"> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1058" class="lightbox" data-alt-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1062" data-alt-type="svg"/> </div> <div class="title">Printed Edition</div> </div> <div class="clearfix alternatePresentation clickable noTooltips hidden"> <div class="thumbnail"> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1059" class="lightbox" data-alt-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1063" data-alt-type="svg"/> </div> <div class="title">Printed Edition</div> </div> <div class="clearfix alternatePresentation clickable noTooltips hidden"> <div class="thumbnail"> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1060" class="lightbox" data-alt-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1064" data-alt-type="svg"/> </div> <div class="title">Printed Edition</div> </div> <div class="clearfix alternatePresentation clickable noTooltips hidden"> <div class="thumbnail"> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1061" class="lightbox" data-alt-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1065" data-alt-type="svg"/> </div> <div class="title">Printed Edition</div> </div> <div class="bodyTxt"> <div id="tt4"> <p id="p3" data-pid="3">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.</p> <h3 class="du-color--red-500 du-fontSize--base du-margin-top--8" id="p4" data-pid="4"><strong>1. What does Bible prophecy indicate?</strong></h3> <p id="p5" data-pid="5">The Bible book of Daniel indicated that God’s Kingdom would begin ruling at the end of a period called <strong>“seven times.”</strong> (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/0/0" data-bid="1-1" class="b">Daniel 4:16, 17</a>) Centuries later, Jesus referred to that same time period as <strong>“the appointed times of the nations,”</strong> and he taught that it had not yet ended. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/1/0" data-bid="2-1" class="b">Luke 21:24</a>) As we will see, the seven times ended in the year 1914.</p> <h3 class="du-color--red-500 du-fontSize--base du-margin-top--8" id="p6" data-pid="6"><strong>2. What conditions and attitudes have been evident since 1914?</strong></h3> <p id="p7" data-pid="7">Jesus’ disciples asked him: “What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/2/0" data-bid="3-1" class="b">Matthew 24:3</a>) 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 <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/3/0" data-bid="4-1" class="b">Matthew 24:7</a>.) The Bible also foretold that people’s attitudes in <strong>“the last days”</strong> would make life <strong>“hard to deal with.”</strong> (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/4/0" data-bid="5-1" class="b">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a>) These conditions and attitudes have especially been evident since 1914.</p> <h3 class="du-color--red-500 du-fontSize--base du-margin-top--8" id="p8" data-pid="8"><strong>3. Why have conditions become so bad since God’s Kingdom began ruling?</strong></h3> <p id="p9" data-pid="9">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 <strong>“he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.”</strong> (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/5/0" data-bid="6-1" class="b">Revelation 12:9, 10,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/5/1" data-bid="6-2" class="b"> 12</a>) 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.</p> </div> <div id="tt8"> <h2 class="du-color--coolGray-400 du-fontSize--basePlus1 du-letterSpacing--8 du-constrainStylesToTextWidth du-borderStyle-top--solid du-borderColor-top--coolGray-400 du-borderWidth-top--4 du-margin-top--12 du-padding-top--4" id="p10" data-pid="10"><span id="page132" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="132" data-before-text="132"></span><strong>DIG DEEPER</strong></h2> <div id="tt10" class="du-fontSize--basePlus1"> <p id="p11" data-pid="11">Examine how we know that the Kingdom started ruling in 1914 and what this should mean for us.</p> </div> <h3 class="du-color--red-500 du-margin-top--8" id="p12" data-pid="12"><strong>4. The Bible’s chronology points to 1914</strong></h3> <div id="tt140" class="du-margin-children-bottom-desktopOnly--0"> <p id="p13" data-pid="13"><a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?lank=pub-lffv_321_VIDEO&wtlocale=E" data-video="webpubvid://?pub=lffv&track=321"><strong>Play the VIDEO</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> </div> <div id="tt13" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly dc-columns-order-desktopOnly--reverse"> <div id="tt14" class="dc-column-width--oneThird"> <div id="tt15" class="dc-columns-mobileOnly du-bgColor--teal-50 du-margin-top-desktopOnly--8 du-padding--4"> <div id="f2" class="dc-column-width--oneThird du-margin-inlineEnd-mobileOnly--4 du-margin-bottom-desktopOnly--4"> <figure> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?lank=pub-lffv_321_VIDEO&wtlocale=E" data-video="webpubvid://?pub=lffv&track=321" class="dc-iconOverlay--play"><img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1069" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1068" alt="" width="1200" height="675" class="suppressZoom" /></a> </figure> </div> <div id="tt16" class="dc-column-width--twoThirds du-fontSize--baseMinus1 du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p14" data-pid="14"><a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?lank=pub-lffv_321_VIDEO&wtlocale=E" data-video="webpubvid://?pub=lffv&track=321"><strong>VIDEO: <em>God’s Kingdom Began Ruling in 1914</em> (5:02)</strong></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="tt18" class="dc-column-width--twoThirds du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--8"> <p id="p15" data-pid="15">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.—<strong>Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/6/0" data-bid="7-1" class="b"><strong>Daniel 4:17</strong></a><strong>.</strong><a id="footnotesource1" data-fnid="1" class="fn" href="/en/wol/fn/r1/lp-e/1102021232/0">a</a></p> <p id="p16" data-pid="16"><strong>Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/7/0" data-bid="8-1" class="b"><strong>Daniel 4:20-26</strong></a><strong>,</strong> and then use the chart to answer the following questions:</p> <ul><li><p id="p17" data-pid="17"> <strong>(A)</strong> What did Nebuchadnezzar see in his dream?—See <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/8/0" data-bid="9-1" class="b">verses 20 and 21</a>.</p> </li> <li><p id="p18" data-pid="18"> <strong>(B)</strong> What would happen to the tree?—See <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/9/0" data-bid="10-1" class="b">verse 23</a>.</p> </li> <li><p id="p19" data-pid="19"> <strong>(C)</strong> What would happen at the end of the “seven times”?—See <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/10/0" data-bid="11-1" class="b">verse 26</a>.</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="tt23" class="du-bgColor--gray-600 du-color--white du-margin-bottom--12 du-padding--2"> <h4 class="du-fontSize-mobileOnly--basePlus1 du-margin-top--1" id="p20" data-pid="20"><span id="page133" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="133" data-before-text="133"></span><strong>How the Tree Dream Relates to God’s Kingdom</strong></h4> <div id="tt25" class="du-fontSize-desktopOnly--baseMinus1 du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p21" data-pid="21"><strong>THE PROPHECY</strong> (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/11/0" data-bid="12-1" class="b">Daniel 4:20-36</a>)</p> </div> <div id="tt26" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly du-bgColor--white du-color--textDefault du-fontSize-desktopOnly--baseMinus2"> <div id="tt27" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--1 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--40" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1071')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1071" data-bg-image-label="A tree of enormous height."><div id="tt28" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f3" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1075" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1074" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt29" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p22" data-pid="22"><strong>Rulership</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt30" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p23" data-pid="23"><strong>(A)</strong> An enormous tree</p> </div> <div id="f4" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1073" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1072" alt="A tree of enormous height." width="1200" height="1231" /> </figure> </div> </div> <div id="tt31" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--1 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--40" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1076')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1076" data-bg-image-label="A tree stump banded with iron and copper."><div id="tt32" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f5" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1080" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1079" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt33" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p24" data-pid="24"><strong>Rulership interrupted</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt34" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p25" data-pid="25"><strong>(B)</strong> “Chop down the tree,” and let “seven times pass”</p> </div> <div id="f6" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1078" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1077" alt="A tree stump banded with iron and copper." width="1200" height="1013" /> </figure> </div> </div> <div id="tt35" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--40" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1081')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1081" data-bg-image-label="A tree of enormous height."><div id="tt36" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f7" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1075" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1074" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt37" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p26" data-pid="26"><strong>Rulership restored</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt38" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p27" data-pid="27"><strong>(C)</strong> “Your kingdom will be yours again”</p> </div> <div id="f8" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1083" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1082" alt="A tree of enormous height." width="1200" height="1131" /> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p id="p28" data-pid="28"><strong>In the first fulfillment of this prophecy . . .</strong></p> <ul><li><p id="p29" data-pid="29"> <strong>(D)</strong> Whom did the tree represent?—See <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/12/0" data-bid="13-1" class="b">verse 22</a>.</p> </li> <li><p id="p30" data-pid="30"> <strong>(E)</strong> How was his rulership interrupted?<strong>—Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/13/0" data-bid="14-1" class="b"><strong>Daniel 4:29-33</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> </li> <li><p id="p31" data-pid="31"> <strong>(F)</strong> What happened to Nebuchadnezzar at the end of the “seven times”?<strong>—Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/14/0" data-bid="15-1" class="b"><strong>Daniel 4:34-36</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> </li> </ul> <div id="tt43" class="du-bgColor--yellow-600 du-color--white du-margin-bottom--12 du-padding--2"> <div id="tt44" class="du-fontSize-desktopOnly--baseMinus1 du-margin-top--0 du-margin-bottom--2 du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p32" data-pid="32"><strong>FIRST FULFILLMENT</strong></p> </div> <div id="tt45" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly du-color--textDefault du-bgColor--white du-fontSize-desktopOnly--baseMinus2"> <div id="tt46" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--1 du-bgColor--gold-50 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--20" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1084')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1084" data-bg-image-label="King Nebuchadnezzar standing proudly."><div id="tt47" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f9" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1088" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1087" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt48" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p33" data-pid="33"><strong>Rulership</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt49" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p34" data-pid="34"><strong>(D)</strong> Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon</p> </div> <div id="f10" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1086" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1085" alt="King Nebuchadnezzar standing proudly." width="1200" height="929" /> </figure> </div> </div> <div id="tt50" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--1 du-bgColor--gold-50 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--20" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1089')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1089" data-bg-image-label="Nebuchadnezzar lying on the ground and eating grass like an animal."><div id="tt51" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f11" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1093" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1092" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt52" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p35" data-pid="35"><strong>Rulership interrupted</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt53" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p36" data-pid="36"><strong>(E)</strong> After 606 B.C.E., Nebuchadnezzar loses his sanity and is unable to rule for seven literal years</p> </div> <div id="f12" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1091" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1090" alt="Nebuchadnezzar lying on the ground and eating grass like an animal." width="1200" height="764" /> </figure> </div> </div> <div id="tt54" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-bgColor--gold-50 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--20" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1094')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1094" data-bg-image-label="King Nebuchadnezzar looking to the heavens with arms upraised."><div id="tt55" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f13" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1088" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1087" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt56" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p37" data-pid="37"><strong>Rulership restored</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt57" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p38" data-pid="38"><strong>(F)</strong> Nebuchadnezzar regains his sanity and begins ruling again</p> </div> <div id="f14" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1096" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1095" alt="King Nebuchadnezzar looking to the heavens with arms upraised." width="1200" height="849" /> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p id="p39" data-pid="39"><strong>In the second fulfillment of this prophecy . . .</strong></p> <ul><li><p id="p40" data-pid="40"> <strong>(G)</strong> Whom did the tree represent?<strong>—Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/15/0" data-bid="16-1" class="b"><strong>1 Chronicles 29:23</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> </li> <li><p id="p41" data-pid="41"> <strong>(H)</strong> How was their rulership interrupted? How do we know that it was still interrupted while Jesus was on earth?<strong>—Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/16/0" data-bid="17-1" class="b"><strong>Luke 21:24</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> </li> <li class="du-margin-children-vertical--0"><p id="p42" data-pid="42"> <strong>(I)</strong> When and where was this rulership restored?</p> </li> </ul> <div id="tt62" class="du-bgColor--teal-500 du-color--white du-padding--2"> <div id="tt63" class="du-fontSize-desktopOnly--baseMinus1 du-margin-top--0 du-margin-bottom--2 du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p43" data-pid="43"><strong>SECOND FULFILLMENT</strong></p> </div> <div id="tt64" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly du-color--textDefault du-bgColor--white du-fontSize-desktopOnly--baseMinus2"> <div id="tt65" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--1 du-bgColor--coolGray-50 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--40" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1097')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1097" data-bg-image-label="A succession of Israelite kings sitting on thrones. Rays of light shine down on them."><div id="tt66" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f15" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1101" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1100" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt67" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p44" data-pid="44"><strong>Rulership</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt68" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p45" data-pid="45"><strong>(G)</strong> Israelite kings who represent God’s rulership</p> </div> <div id="f16" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1099" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1098" alt="A succession of Israelite kings sitting on thrones. Rays of light shine down on them." width="1200" height="1144" /> </figure> </div> </div> <div id="tt69" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--1 du-bgColor--coolGray-50 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--40" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1102')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1102" data-bg-image-label="A fire destroying ancient Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Afterward, 2,520 years elapse."><div id="tt70" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f17" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1106" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1105" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt71" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p46" data-pid="46"><strong>Rulership interrupted</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt72" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p47" data-pid="47"><strong>(H)</strong> Jerusalem is destroyed, interrupting the line of Israelite kings for 2,520 years</p> </div> <div id="f18" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1104" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1103" alt="A fire destroying ancient Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. Afterward, 2,520 years elapse." width="1200" height="938" /> </figure> </div> </div> <div id="tt73" class="dc-column-width--oneThird dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom dc-bgImageZoomable du-bgImage-mobileOnly--none du-bgColor--coolGray-50 du-padding-horizontal--3 du-padding-top--3 du-padding-bottom-desktopOnly--40" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1107')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1107" data-bg-image-label="Jesus ruling over the earth from his heavenly throne beginning in 1914 C.E. Rays of light shine from him."><div id="tt74" class="dc-columns dc-columns-verticalAlign--center du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <div id="f19" class="dc-column-width--oneEighth dc-column-width-desktopOnly--oneFifth du-margin-inlineEnd--2"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1101" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1100" alt="" width="400" height="284" /> </figure> </div> <div id="tt75" class="dc-column-width--sevenEighths dc-column-width-desktopOnly--fourFifths du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p48" data-pid="48"><strong>Rulership restored</strong></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt76" class="du-margin-children-vertical--2"> <p id="p49" data-pid="49"><strong>(I)</strong> Jesus begins ruling in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom</p> </div> <div id="f20" class="du-display-desktopOnly--none du-margin-horizontal--negative-3"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1109" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1108" alt="Jesus ruling over the earth from his heavenly throne beginning in 1914 C.E. Rays of light shine from him." width="1200" height="938" /> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="tt77" class="du-fontSize--baseMinus1 du-borderStyle--solid du-borderWidth--3 du-borderColor--gray-200 du-margin-top--12 du-padding--4"> <h4 class="du-fontSize-mobileOnly--basePlus1 du-margin-top--0" id="p50" data-pid="50"><strong>How long are the seven times?</strong></h4> <p id="p51" data-pid="51">Some portions of the Bible help us to understand other portions. For example, the Bible book of Revelation says that three and a half times equal 1,260 days. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/17/0" data-bid="18-1" class="b">Revelation 12:6,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/17/1" data-bid="18-2" class="b"> 14</a>) Seven times is double that number, or 2,520 days. Sometimes the Bible uses a day to represent a year. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/18/0" data-bid="19-1" class="b">Ezekiel 4:6</a>) That is the case with the seven times mentioned in the book of Daniel—they represent 2,520 years.</p> </div> </div> <div id="tt139"> <div id="tt79" class="dc-bleedToArticleEdge du-color--white dc-paddingToContentEdge dc-bgImageLayout--matchContainerWidth-bottom du-bgColor--gray-900 du-margin-top--12 du-padding-top--12 du-padding-bottom--4 suppressZoom" style="background-image: url('/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1110')" data-bg-image="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1110" data-bg-image-label=""><h3 class="du-color--red-200 du-margin-top--0" id="p52" data-pid="52"><span id="page134" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="134" data-before-text="134"></span><strong>5. The world has changed since 1914</strong></h3> <div id="tt141" class="du-margin-children-bottom-desktopOnly--0"> <p id="p53" data-pid="53"><a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?lank=pub-lffv_322_VIDEO&wtlocale=E" data-video="webpubvid://?pub=lffv&track=322"><strong>Play the VIDEO</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p> </div> <div id="tt82" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly dc-columns-order-desktopOnly--reverse"> <div id="tt83" class="dc-column-width--oneThird"> <div id="tt84" class="dc-columns-mobileOnly du-bgColor--white du-bgColorOpacity--20 du-margin-top-desktopOnly--8 du-padding--4"> <div id="f21" class="dc-column-width--oneThird du-margin-inlineEnd-mobileOnly--4 du-margin-bottom-desktopOnly--4"> <figure> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?lank=pub-lffv_322_VIDEO&wtlocale=E" data-video="webpubvid://?pub=lffv&track=322" class="dc-iconOverlay--play"><img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1112" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1111" alt="" width="1200" height="675" class="suppressZoom" /></a> </figure> </div> <div id="tt85" class="dc-column-width--twoThirds du-fontSize--baseMinus1 du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p54" data-pid="54"><a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?lank=pub-lffv_322_VIDEO&wtlocale=E" data-video="webpubvid://?pub=lffv&track=322"><strong>VIDEO: <em>The World Has Changed Since 1914</em> (1:10)</strong></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="tt87" class="dc-column-width--twoThirds du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--8"> <p id="p55" data-pid="55">Jesus foretold world conditions that would be evident after he became King. <strong>Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/19/0" data-bid="20-1" class="b"><strong>Luke 21:9-11</strong></a><strong>,</strong> and then discuss this question:</p> <ul><li><p id="p56" data-pid="56"> Which of these conditions have you observed or heard about?</p> </li> </ul> <p id="p57" data-pid="57">The apostle Paul described what people would be like in the last days of human rule. <strong>Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/20/0" data-bid="21-1" class="b"><strong>2 Timothy 3:1-5</strong></a><strong>,</strong> and then discuss this question:</p> <ul><li><p id="p58" data-pid="58"> Which of these attitudes have you noted in people today?</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="f22" class="dc-bleedToArticleEdge"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1115" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1114" alt="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." width="1200" height="1096" /> </figure> </div> <h3 class="du-color--red-500 du-margin-top--12" id="p59" data-pid="59"><span id="page135" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="135" data-before-text="135"></span><strong>6. The rule of God’s Kingdom should motivate us</strong></h3> <p id="p60" data-pid="60"><strong>Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/21/0" data-bid="22-1" class="b"><strong>Matthew 24:3,</strong></a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/21/1" data-bid="22-2" class="b"> <strong>14</strong></a><strong>,</strong> and then discuss these questions:</p> <ul><li><p id="p61" data-pid="61"> What important work shows that God’s Kingdom is now ruling?</p> </li> <li><p id="p62" data-pid="62"> How can you have a share in this work?</p> </li> </ul> <p id="p63" data-pid="63">God’s Kingdom is now ruling, and the day when it takes full control of the earth is near. <strong>Read</strong> <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/22/0" data-bid="23-1" class="b"><strong>Hebrews 10:24, 25</strong></a><strong>,</strong> and then discuss this question:</p> <ul><li><p id="p64" data-pid="64"> What should each of us do as we “see the day drawing near”?</p> </li> </ul> <div id="f23" class="du-margin-vertical--8"> <figure> <img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1117" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1116" alt="Collage: 1. A Bible student attends a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 2. The same student preaches to an acquaintance." width="1200" height="613" /> <figcaption class="figcaption"> <p id="p94" data-pid="94">If you learned something that could help and save others, what would you be moved to do?</p> </figcaption> </figure> </div> <div id="tt98" class="dc-bleedToArticleEdge dc-paddingToContentEdge du-bgColor--gray-50 du-padding-vertical--4"> <p id="p65" data-pid="65"><strong>SOMEONE MAY ASK:</strong> “Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses talk so much about 1914?”</p> <ul><li><p id="p66" data-pid="66"> What would you say?</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="tt101"> <h2 class="du-color--red-500 du-fontSize--basePlus1 du-margin-top--12" id="p67" data-pid="67"><span id="page136" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="136" data-before-text="136"></span><strong>SUMMARY</strong></h2> <p id="p68" data-pid="68">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.</p> <h3 class="du-color--coolGray-500 du-fontSize--basePlus1 du-margin-top--8" id="p69" data-pid="69"><strong>Review</strong></h3> <ul><li><p id="p70" data-pid="70"> What happened at the end of the seven times foretold in the Bible book of Daniel?</p> </li> <li><p id="p71" data-pid="71"> What convinces you that God’s Kingdom began ruling in 1914?</p> </li> <li><p id="p72" data-pid="72"> How can you show that you believe the Kingdom is ruling now?</p> </li> </ul> <div class="gen-field du-borderStyle-top--solid du-borderColor--gray-100 du-borderWidth--1 du-margin-top--12 du-padding--4 du-padding-desktopOnly--8" id="p73" data-pid="73"> <label for="tt110" id="tt109">Lesson completed on: </label> <input type="text" id="tt110" name="text-1"/> </div> <div id="tt112" class="du-bgColor--warmGray-50 du-padding--4 du-padding-desktopOnly--8"> <fieldset> <legend id="p74" data-pid="74" class="du-color--coolGray-500 du-fontSize--basePlus2"><strong>Goal</strong></legend> <div class="gen-field" id="p75" data-pid="75"> <input type="checkbox" id="tt116" class="du-borderStyle--none" name="goal-checkbox-1"/> <label for="tt116" id="tt118">Qualify to become a publisher of the good news.</label> </div> <div class="gen-field" id="p76" data-pid="76"> <input type="checkbox" id="tt120" class="du-borderStyle--none" name="goal-checkbox-2"/> <label for="tt120" id="tt122">Other: </label> <div class="gen-field"> <label for="tt125" id="tt123" class="dc-screenReaderText">Your other goal</label> <textarea id="tt125" class="du-borderStyle--none" name="textarea-1"></textarea> </div> </div> </fieldset> </div> <div id="tt127" class="du-bgColor--gray-50 du-margin-top--12 du-padding--4 du-padding-desktopOnly--8"> <h3 class="du-color--coolGray-500 du-fontSize--basePlus2 du-letterSpacing--8 du-margin-top--0" id="p77" data-pid="77"><strong>EXPLORE</strong></h3> <div id="tt129" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly du-borderStyle-top--solid du-borderColor--gray-100 du-borderWidth--1 du-margin-top--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--6 du-padding-top--4"> <div id="f24" class="dc-column-width--oneQuarter du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--4"> <figure> <a href="/wol/rslink/r1/lp-e?lang=E&docid=102007122&pub=g&issuesymbol=g07&issuedate=200704"><img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1119" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1118" alt="" width="1200" height="675" class="suppressZoom" /></a> </figure> </div> <div id="tt130" class="dc-column-width--threeQuarters du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p78" data-pid="78">Consider what historians and others say about changes in the world since 1914.</p> <p id="p79" data-pid="79"><a href="/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/0/0"><strong>“When Morals Declined Dramatically”</strong> (<em>Awake!,</em> April 2007)</a></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt131" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly du-borderStyle-top--solid du-borderColor--gray-100 du-borderWidth--1 du-margin-top--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--6 du-padding-top--4"> <div id="f25" class="dc-column-width--oneQuarter du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--4"> <figure> <a href="/wol/rslink/r1/lp-e?lang=E&docid=2017088&pub=wp17&issuesymbol=wp17.3&issuedate=201705&issuenumber=3"><img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1121" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1120" alt="" width="1200" height="675" class="suppressZoom" /></a> </figure> </div> <div id="tt132" class="dc-column-width--threeQuarters du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p80" data-pid="80">Read how the prophecy found at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/23/0" data-bid="24-1" class="b">Matthew 24:14</a> affected one man’s life.</p> <p id="p81" data-pid="81"><a href="/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/1/0"><strong>“I Loved Baseball More Than Anything!”</strong> (<em>The Watchtower</em> No. 3 2017)</a></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt133" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly du-borderStyle-top--solid du-borderColor--gray-100 du-borderWidth--1 du-margin-top--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--6 du-padding-top--4"> <div id="f26" class="dc-column-width--oneQuarter du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--4"> <figure> <a href="/wol/rslink/r1/lp-e?lang=E&docid=2014726&pub=w14&issuesymbol=wp14&issuedate=20141001"><img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1123" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1122" alt="" width="1200" height="675" class="suppressZoom" /></a> </figure> </div> <div id="tt134" class="dc-column-width--threeQuarters du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p82" data-pid="82">How do we know that the prophecy recorded in <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/24/0" data-bid="25-1" class="b">Daniel chapter 4</a> applies to God’s Kingdom?</p> <p id="p83" data-pid="83"><a href="/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/2/0"><strong>“When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Ruling? (Part 1)”</strong> (<em>The Watchtower,</em> October 1, 2014)</a></p> </div> </div> <div id="tt135" class="dc-columns-desktopOnly du-borderStyle-top--solid du-borderColor--gray-100 du-borderWidth--1 du-margin-top--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--6 du-padding-top--4"> <div id="f27" class="dc-column-width--oneQuarter du-margin-inlineEnd-desktopOnly--4 du-margin-bottom-mobileOnly--4"> <figure> <a href="/wol/rslink/r1/lp-e?lang=E&docid=2014805&pub=w14&issuesymbol=wp14&issuedate=20141101&beginpar=1&endpar=36"><img src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1125" data-img-small-src="/en/wol/mp/r1/lp-e/lff/2021/1124" alt="" width="1200" height="675" class="suppressZoom" /></a> </figure> </div> <div id="tt136" class="dc-column-width--threeQuarters du-margin-children-vertical--0"> <p id="p84" data-pid="84">What indicates that the “seven times” mentioned in <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/25/0" data-bid="26-1" class="b">Daniel chapter 4</a> ended in 1914?</p> <p id="p85" data-pid="85"><a href="/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1102021232/3/0"><strong>“When Did God’s Kingdom Begin Ruling? (Part 2)”</strong> (<em>The Watchtower,</em> November 1, 2014)</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="groupFootnote"><div id="footnote1" data-fnid="1" class="fn-ref"><p id="p87" data-pid="87"><a href="#footnotesource1" class="fn-symbol">a</a> See the <a class="it" href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102021232#h=82-86:0">last two articles</a> in the Explore section of this lesson.</p></div> </div> <!-- Root element of lightbox --> <div class="pswp" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="pswp__bg"></div> <div class="pswp__scroll-wrap"> <!-- Container that holds slides. --> <div class="pswp__container"> <div class="pswp__item"></div> <div class="pswp__item"></div> <div class="pswp__item"></div> </div> <div class="pswp__ui pswp__ui--hidden"> <div class="pswp__top-bar"> <div class="pswp__counter"></div> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--close" title="Close (Esc)"></button> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--fs" title="Toggle fullscreen"></button> 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