And then the first article of the February 15 issue of The Watchtower might be presented: “Many people today see the future of man as gloomy and without hope. Some have even linked the Biblical apocalypse, or Armageddon, to human extinction, thus stirring fear in the heart of their fellowman. However, the article ‘Apocalypse—What Is It?’ clearly defines what the Biblical apocalypse really is. I feel confident that you will be encouraged by reading The Watchtower. We are offering a year’s subscription of 24 issues for a contribution of $4.00.”

Our Kingdom Ministry.  February 1986 p. 2

If appropriate, you may be able to continue the conversation using points in the Reasoning book under such headings as “Armageddon,” “Government,” “Kingdom,” or “Last Days.”

Our Kingdom Ministry.  February 1986 p. 4

Publication title: ? New Publications Available:

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—1985 edition (regular; bi12 with marginal references)—German

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, deluxe edition (DLbi12); available in black or maroon—Danish, Portuguese

Reasoning From the Scriptures—Italian, Korean

Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!—Punjabi

From Kurukshetra to Armageddon—And Your Survival—Malayalam, Tamil

The Government That Will Bring Paradise—Chichewa, Ewe, Ga, Hiri Motu, Kwanyama, Luvale, New Guinea Pidgin, Shona, Silozi, Sranan Tongo, Tuvaluan, Twi

Watch Tower Publications Index for 1984—English

Our Kingdom Ministry.  May 1986 p. 7

As you read about the tremendous work and privileges in Jehovah’s new system of things, it will build up your anticipation for what is in store for Armageddon survivors.

Our Kingdom Ministry.  October 1986 p. 1

Following are the titles of the talks and the chapters of the Worldwide Security book on which they will be based:

1—The Ruling “Prince of Peace” Liberates His People (chapters 1-4)

2—The Present Urgent Need to “Keep on the Watch” (chapters 5-8)

3—Divine Covenants That Near Accomplishment (chapters 9-12)

4—The “Great Crowd” Survive Christendom’s Destruction (chapters 13-16)

5—Jehovah’s Loyal Ones Witness His Triumph at Armageddon (chapters 17-19)

Our Kingdom Ministry.  November 1986 p. 4

According to fulfilled Bible prophecy, the time is near for God’s Kingdom to take action. (Matthew 24:3-35) Soon God’s war of Armageddon will put an end to Satan’s rule with all its divisive and destructive politics. (Revelation 16:14-16; 19:17-21)

Awake!  February 8, 1986 p. 9

“All of a sudden—in the midst of all the screaming, the swaying of the building, and the flying dust—the building collapsed! It was as if we were going down in an elevator! Although one of my daughters at that moment calmly told me, ‘Father, Armageddon is here,’ I assured her that it was not yet.

Awake!  February 22, 1986 p. 22, 23

But how can it be possible? That question is answered in the fascinating publication entitled You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. The book also considers subjects about which many people have questions, such as what happens at death, how Armageddon makes way for the Paradise earth, who are to be resurrected and where, what Judgment Day is, and what you must do to live forever.

Awake!  June 8, 1986 p. 31

That event will bring an end to the present unrighteous system of things. Its climax will be “the war of the great day of God the Almighty”—Armageddon. That will indeed be a calamity for all those who remain a “part of the world.”—Revelation 16:14, 16; John 17:14; 2 Peter 3:3-13.

Awake!  August 8, 1986 p. 8

Femi Abbas, writing in his “Islam” column in the National Concord, quoted U.S. President Ronald Reagan as saying in 1983 that “Armageddon which we have all read about in the Bible will probably happen in our time.” Reagan’s statement, Abbas wrote, “is only a partial fulfilment of the omens of the Last Day,” which Abbas claims Muhammad foretold.

Awake!  October 8, 1986 p. 29

‘But why,’ someone may ask, ‘are there so many expansion projects when we stand face-to-face with Armageddon?’ The answer is that Jehovah’s organization does not ‘close up shop’ with the approach of Armageddon. That is ‘closing time’ only for Satan’s organization. Jehovah’s organization is building for an eternal future. Whether or not man-made structures weather the storm of Armageddon, we know that God’s organization will survive as a going concern and that Jehovah will use it and those who loyally support it, establishing eternal peace and security in the glorious earthly Paradise of God’s promise.—Revelation 7:9, 14-17; 21:1, 4, 5.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  January 1, 1986 p. 25, 26

18. Why are there so many building projects today, despite the nearness of Armageddon?

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  January 1, 1986 p. 25

Elsewhere, the Bible refers to this revelation, or apocalypse, as “the war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Armageddon.—Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-21.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 4

Yes, as long as they know Jehovah God and unselfishly serve him, they will have no cause for fear when God and Christ come forth to fight the war of Armageddon.—Revelation 11:17, 18; 16:14, 16.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 6

AVERTING ARMAGEDDON is the title that two reporters gave to their 1984 book on recent papal politics

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 7

According to these reporters, Monsignor Emery Kabongo, personal secretary to John Paul II, stated: “The Pope is like a spiritual Hercules trying to keep the superpowers apart, trying to avert nuclear Armageddon.”

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 7

Thus, Averting Armageddon says: “Among those engaged with Kabongo, there is no outward sign of strain in trying to stave off the apocalypse they detect. . . . But behind this routine there is a tension which is a direct carryover from the international Synod of Bishops.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 7

Averting Armageddon also calls attention to the symbolic “doomsday clock” that is regularly highlighted in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. When this “clock” was first published in December 1947, it was set at seven minutes before midnight to show “how close the world was to a nuclear Armageddon.”

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 7

Despite any papal efforts “to avert nuclear Armageddon,” in November 1985, the hands still showed just three minutes to go.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 7

The last book of the Bible, Revelation, records a vision of “the kings of the entire inhabited earth” being gathered together “to the war of the great day of God the Almighty” at “Har–Magedon” [“Mountain of Megiddo”], or Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14, 16)

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 24

“This is apocalyptic language,” the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia tells us, “and it is possible that Armageddon is used not as a name for a particular locality but as a symbolic term for the final decisive conflict.”

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 24

Consequently, there is no time to delay! “Look! I am coming as a thief,” warns the glorified Jesus Christ with specific reference to the climax of the “great tribulation” at Armageddon.—Revelation 16:15; Matthew 24:21.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 24

The global war of Armageddon will be decisive, just like battles fought at Megiddo. All God’s earthly foes will perish.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 23

“The information on the main subjects such as Armageddon, Creation, Evolution, Fate, Kingdom, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Last Days, Suffering, and Wickedness are so useful in explaining Bible truths to people.”

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  February 15, 1986 p. 32

There were comparatively few preaching in those days, so we tried everything to get the good news to the people before Armageddon.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom  March 1, 1986 p. 23

Impatience is another thing looked for by the Devil. We may sometimes feel that changes should be made; we want quick action, immediate answers. ‘This problem must be cleared up now, or I quit. I’ve got to have the answer to this question right now, or I’m not going any further. Armageddon and the new system have been “right around the corner” for years now. I’m tired of waiting.’ Be assured that the Devil is ready to sow seeds of doubt and revolt in such fields of impatience. Endurance and faith are needed.—Hebrews 10:36, 39.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  March 15, 1986 p. 17

That Armageddon, referring to the battle of the great day of God the Almighty, is near. (Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-21)

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  April 1, 1986 p. 31

True, the rulers may try to cheer up their people with arms treaties and various plans for peace and security, even with ‘holy years’; but the march toward the final showdown at God’s war of Armageddon continues relentlessly.—Revelation 16:13-16.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  April 15, 1986 p. 19

The heavenly armies that Jehovah will use to execute his judgments at Armageddon will be led by the Ruler that he has ‘set up’ for all the earth

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  April 15, 1986 p. 19

Have a share in the most important work that is being done on earth today—the gathering together and training of those who will survive Armageddon and who will have the wonderful prospect of cultivating a paradise on earth and living in it forever.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  April 15, 1986 p. 20

Moreover, you have the opportunity of enjoying its blessings after Armageddon, to all eternity!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  July 1, 1986 p. 8

I had to control my emotions because I thought I might not see them again before Armageddon!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  July 1, 1986 p. 12

In fact, some faithful Christians who expected to see Armageddon and the beginning of the new system of things in their lifetime have died.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  July 1, 1986 p. 19, 20

They point to Jehovah’s saving his anointed remnant at the battle of Armageddon.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  August 15, 1986 p. 21

“You know, I turn back to your ancient prophets in the Old Testament and the signs foretelling Armageddon, and I find myself wondering if—if we’re the generation that’s going to see that come about. I don’t know if you’ve noted any of those prophecies lately, but believe me, they certainly describe the times we’re going through.”—U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  October 1, 1986 p. 3

Logically they, too, will experience “a better resurrection,” no doubt early in the post-Armageddon period. (Hebrews 11:35; James 2:23)

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  October 1, 1986 p. 14

The rampaging Jordan finds a parallel in the flood of humanity that is now plunging headlong toward destruction at Armageddon. (Compare Isaiah 57:20; Revelation 17:15.) Today, as mankind stands at the brink of that final plunge, Jehovah fortifies his people, now numbering over 3,000,000—a number comparable to that of God’s people who marched with Joshua.—Compare Habakkuk 2:3.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  December 15, 1986 p. 13

Likewise today, humankind plunges ever more swiftly toward the “Dead Sea” of Armageddon.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  December 15, 1986 p. 14

Today, as we face the final war of Armageddon, may we be courageous and strong as were Joshua, his mighty men, and all the vast encampment of Israel. We can be confident that, just as Jehovah brought several million Israelites unscathed into the Promised Land, so he can perform further awe-inspiring miracles in bringing the millions of his fearless people through Armageddon into his new system.—Revelation 7:1-3, 9, 14; 19:11-21; 21:1-5.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom.  December 15, 1986 p. 24