Posted by Gary [GLamotta] on April 02, 1999 at 10:07:37 {ppHCdFLRUMMSSTtTA17sboLUiPtahc}:
For those following Biblical prophecy and chronology, one my reflect on a milestone that has just been passed, that is, the concept of the "12th hour."
Basically, Matthew 20 refers to workers in the vineyard who would work for 11 hours. Those 11 hours are 11 periods of 7 years each and thus the 12th hour is also 7 years. This relates to the typology of the 7-year period of special activity associated with Jesus' first coming and the general typology of "7".
Based upon this parable, there would be some chronological milestones to make note of, including now the end of the 12th hour which suggests that those of the anointed within Jehovah's Witnesses have been paid (the first-hour workers).
Basically, the 1st-hour workers are the original anointed ones. The 3rd-hour workers were the first group not to know they were of the anointed and thus 21 years after 1914, or in 1935 they began to be officially recognized. They 11th hour workers finished they work after 77 years in 1991 and then the Messiah arrived to begin paying them in 1992 which is when the kingdom was set up.
But based upon that general concept, especially since the workers in the vineyard are paid gradually, that is, starting with the last hour workers first, it might be logical to conclude that the payment period would last for the whole hour, but not beyond that, that is, over the next 7 years. Thus the 7-year period would end this year, I think, officially at Passover. Why?
Because what actually happened is that the Messiah came to return to God's house officially during Memorial in 1992. The kingdom was set up in December and the first Memorial symnbolically eaten, after his return in the flesh in 1993. Thus in terms of periods of 7 years beyond 1991, this year, 1999 would have had that 12th hour expire.
Of special historical note for what has actually happened, therefore, one might make note of these milestones.
Fall, 1914: First-hour workers begin their work.
1935: Third hour workers began to distinguish themselves as a different "class" than the first hour workers, calling themselves "other sheep" and "great crowd" in contrast with "anointed remnant" as prophesied by Matthew 20.
1947: End of 1290 days, Israel returns to Palestine. Messiah's advent imminent.
1950: Chosen Messiah is born. Likely, based upon what happened the first time, there was some heavenly sign or announcment to confirm the birth of the Messiah as an imperfect human. The "eagles" were prophesied to know who the Messiah was all durring his life of 40-years of testing.
1960: Messiah, at age 10 is baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
1960-1992: Messiah lives out life as "prodigal son."
FAST FORWARD:
Memorial of 1992, "Progidal Son" Messiah returns to Kingdom Hall after several years of absence, representing returning to God's house and his acceptance as Messiah.
Summer 1992. During summer of 1992 chosen Messiah becomes "anointed" and believes he is a special "prophet" but does not know yet he is the Messiah.
November 1992. While writing a letter to inform the Governing Body of false teachings and the fulfillment that they have failed as the "faithful slave" and become a god to many witnesses who pay more attention to them than the scriptures, GB was officially notified they were being removed as God's representatives and thus disfellowshipped from Jehovah's Heavenly Organization. This fulfilled another 1290-day parameter for placing of the disgusting thing, to be followed in 45 days with the kingdom setup. This fulfills the Messiah kicking the sluggish slave out into the darkness. Messiah informs GB that they will be in total spiritual darkness at this point as far as Jehovah's activities are concerned.
Summer-Fall 1992: Sometime during this time, after the anointing, the physical Messiah sees flash-vision of the holy spiritual Messiah while talking with another anointed one. It was a bright flashing light, brilliant white full length garment and an incredible sense of God's love for the son. His face was not seen, just the hem of his robe. Very much like others have described in scripture. Physical Messiah did not know he would become Messiah. Also, physical Messiah became aware of other anointed ones who were gathered in secret and that literal angels had materialized and were posing as married persons with families in the congregation. So some of the gathering work by the "angels" as prophesied includes literally materialization of some of them. I've seen at least two materialized "angels". That is, people who were really angels who were on "special assignment" to gather in some of the anointed ones. Amazing!
DECEMBER 24-26, 1992 BIG DATE! : War breaks out in
Heaven, and Satan is kicked out of heaven. At this point, after a mock death, the spiritual Messiah enters the body of the physical Messiah and they become one.
On the afternoon of December 26, the "sign of the son of man" appears in
the skies in the form of cloud-art and the Heavens are opened and the Heavenly host becomes visible to the Messiah and a voice in heaven is heard, like thunder, "This is my Son, whom I have approved."
MEMORIAL, 1993: "Keep doing this in remembrance of me" until I come into the kingdom. Thus the Memorial of 1993 was the first time and the official time the Messiah had returned and thus would partake of the Lord's Evening Meal with his anointed ones. That was the technical last Official time for the Lord's Evening Meal, though since it would take perhaps up to 7 years for all to be gathered and "sealed" others would continue to partake, that is, especially the 1st-hour workers until they fully knew the Messiah had arrived and they were sealed.
FALL 1994: End of "last generation" of 80 years since 1914.
FALL OF 1996: End of Covenant with Jehovah's Witnesses as temple organization, also Jubilee for Christians and Jews, 49 years after 1947. This year marked by Haley's Commet.
1997: Another comet, Halle-Bopp appears in Heaven, making 1997.
MEMORIAL 1999: End of "12th hour" during which all the anointed ones would be paid. Memorial celebrated in private by Messiah to recognize first-hour workers who are last to get paid.
KEEP ALERT!
We all should be more alert than ever before because as far as God's schedule is concerned, everything has been basically completed including the resurrection and the kingdom setup and pretty much the sealing of all the anointed ones. After this occurs then the "four winds" can be released and thus another major tribulation may occur, spiritually among Jehovah's Witnesses in particular and perhaps upon the entire world.
But essentially, as far as the Bible is concerned, everything is now clear for the destruction of Babylon the Great and them Armageddon immediately afterwards.
I don't want to be too much of an alarmist, but basically, whether you believe it or not, the first resurrection has taken place, The Messiah has returned, and now after last night, likely 99% the gathering of all the anointed ones has been completed.
So per God's schedule, all that is left now is the destruction of Babylon, the Great, the nations giving their power to the U.N. for a "time and a season" and...Armageddon! But this will be during God's time.
How long this will be? Who knows. But up the implied Biblical schedule of events as far as what is to happen has run out.
So it's a time to start watching world events and paying all the more attention to everything, particularly what is happening within the organization and particularly with the U.N.
As most Witnesses know, the clear and obvious destruction of Babylon, the Great will be the first clearly visible sign that Armageddon is imminent and that the Messiah has arrived, gathered and sealed the anointed ones and let loose the four winds.
Even if you don't believe, be focussed on that possibility. Don't let Armageddon catch you by surprise while you're waiting for the wrong things. And being "awake" doesn't mean studying the WATCHTOWER closely. You are going to have to rely totally upon the Bible now, so begin to develop good Biblical skills and get ready to dismiss a lot of old ideas and false teachings. We're getting down to the wire now...
This is very exciting, yes, but alertness is everything now. Be ready to shift with the direction Jehovah is giving since finding the correct place of safety is all-important now.
Cheers,
Gary