Saturday, August 1 2026 When is the hour of test coming upon the world?

[PJ54]

​

Saturday, August 1 2026​

There will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now.—Matt. 24:21.

We pray that as many as possible will respond to the warning message and join us in pure worship now. But what about those who do not heed the warning at this time? It may be Jehovah’s will to save people who have a change of heart when they see the destruction of Babylon the Great. If so, then it is all the more urgent that we keep sounding the warning. What we tell them now may give them something to remember then. (Compare Ezekiel 33:33.) Perhaps they will reflect back on the warning they heard from us and be moved to join us in pure worship before it is too late. Like the jailer in Philippi who had a change of heart only after “a great earthquake occurred,” perhaps some who do not respond now will have a change of heart after the world-shaking destruction of Babylon the Great.—Acts 16:25-34. w24.05 17 ¶9-10
Examining the Scriptures Daily—2026​

When is the hour of test coming upon the world?

This is the last article in the series examining the May, 2024 Watchtower. I am still trying to mentally process the Watchtower’s most recent “new light.” As stated in the previous article in this series, it is doubtful that

e-watchman.com

This is the last article in the series examining the May, 2024 Watchtower.

I am still trying to mentally process the Watchtower’s most recent “new light.” As stated in the previous article in this series, it is doubtful that Jehovah’s Witnesses will perceive that the Governing Body has repudiated everything it has ever taught regarding the urgency of getting out of Babylon the Great before God’s judgment against it. The Bible is pretty clear. Zephaniah 2:2-3 is unequivocal: “Before the decree takes effect, before the day passes by like chaff, before the burning anger of Jehovah comes upon you, before the day of Jehovah’s anger comes upon you, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who observe his righteous decrees. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you will be concealed on the day of Jehovah’s anger.”

For whatever reason, it certainly seems that the Governing Body is diluting, yea, denying

God’s word. According to the seers, it is no longer imperative to take any action before the day of Jehovah’s anger erupts. God is so merciful. Is this development not in keeping with the ear-tickling that the Watchtower has begun?

There is an underlying error in all of this, which is, of course, 1914. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been deluded into believing that virtually everything in Revelation has already been fulfilled except for the destruction of Babylon the Great. For example, Jesus spoke of an hour of test coming upon the entire inhabited earth. Similarly, Jesus said the great tribulation was coming upon the entire inhabited earth. Is there any connection? Not according to the Watchtower. Here is what is stated in the Grand Climax publication under the subheading “The Hour of Test”:

What, though, is “the hour of test”? No doubt, those Christians in Asia had to cope with a further wave of terrible persecution from imperial Rome. Nevertheless, the major fulfillment is the hour of sifting and judging that finally arrived during the Lord’s day, climaxing from 1918 onward. The test has been to determine whether one is for God’s established Kingdom or for Satan’s world. It is for a comparatively short period, an “hour,” but it is not over yet. Until it is, we must never forget that we are living in “the hour of test.”

“The hour of test” is “a comparatively short period.” But is it reasonable that this test spans more than a century? Why would God use the symbolism of an “hour” if the actual timeframe spanned multiple generations? And since this “hour of test” will determine everyone’s eternal destiny, does that mean that the vast majority of mankind have failed the test and hence have forfeited their resurrection because they did not accept the Watchtower’s message that the Kingdom began ruling in 1914? According to that criteria, even the Bible Students and the renamed Jehovah’s Witnesses during the 30s failed the test too since, at the time, they were laboring under the delusion that the parousia had begun in 1874 and the Kingdom began ruling in 1878.

Although the Watchtower has skillfully managed to create and maintain the illusion that the Kingdom began ruling in 1914, neither the Governing Body nor any of their “helpers” will be able to control reality—specifically, the reality of what is shaping up to be World War Three. Can you imagine the questions from readers that will flood Bethel’s mail room when nations and kingdoms go to war with all of their fearsome weaponry? By all accounts, global war could erupt any day. Seemingly, everyone except Jehovah’s Witnesses is aware of this.

Will the outbreak of WW3 begin the test that Jesus said will come upon the entire inhabited earth? No. However, as Jesus noted, it will be “the beginning pangs of distress.” Then, a great tribulation, unlike anything that has ever occurred before or will ever occur again, will come upon the entire inhabited earth. Does Revelation foretell this global disaster in symbolism? Yes, it does.

The tribulation is what is betokened by the opening of the sixth seal: “And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind drops its unripe figs. And the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every

mountain and every island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the high officials, the military commanders, the rich, the strong, every slave, and every free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rocks: “Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” — Rev 6:12-17

How can we determine that the opening of the sixth seal represents the great tribulation? For the reason that Jesus used the very same apocalyptic symbolism when he said the following: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” — Matthew 24:29

So, the “great earthquake” that results from the opening of the sixth seal must represent the great tribulation, which is then followed by the phenomena Jesus described that occur “immediately after the tribulation in those days.” Thus, this begins the hour of test that is coming upon the entire inhabited earth. How can that be discerned? Because the great earthquake forces people to oppose “the One seated on the throne,” which is to say the Kingdom.

In harmony with this, Jesus said that the tribulation would be of such severity that God would intervene to cut it short on account of the chosen ones, and the next verse

symbolizes this very thing: “After this I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.” — Rev 7:1

Undoubtedly, the opening of the sixth seal and the “great earthquake” represent the crash of the present civilization—a great tribulation indeed. No wonder Jesus said nothing

like it has ever happened before or will ever happen again. However, the judgment upon Babylon the Great is glaringly absent in that context. Nevertheless, dogma is a powerful thing, for now anyway.

It is the post-tribulation period when the hour of test will begin. The hour of the test will coincide with the one-hour reign of the eighth king. The eighth king will rise from the ashes of the crash brought on by the “great earthquake.” That is when the nations will no longer serve as God’s civil ministers but will be in total opposition to Christ. The last king will become an instrument of coercion to force mankind into worshipping the beast and the Devil himself. Any who refuse to compromise will be locked out of the system—unable to buy or sell, and marked for death. An hour of test, indeed!
April 5th, 2024

 

[MickHewitt]

Here's where 2Cor10:4,5 come to play: "For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ." That is exactly what we have been processing here a dismantling of strongly entrenched dogma......1914 and all it's supporting whitewash. Overturning reasonings another part of the warfare we lovers of truth are engaged in and what a joy to see it having success among us. The truth will out!

 

[kenmuldoon55]

When is the hour of test coming upon the world?

This is the last article in the series examining the May, 2024 Watchtower. I am still trying to mentally process the Watchtower’s most recent “new light.” As stated in the previous article in this series, it is doubtful that

e-watchman.com

View attachment 10199
This is the last article in the series examining the May, 2024 Watchtower.

I am still trying to mentally process the Watchtower’s most recent “new light.” As stated in the previous article in this series, it is doubtful that Jehovah’s Witnesses will perceive that the Governing Body has repudiated everything it has ever taught regarding the urgency of getting out of Babylon the Great before God’s judgment against it. The Bible is pretty clear. Zephaniah 2:2-3 is unequivocal: “Before the decree takes effect, before the day passes by like chaff, before the burning anger of Jehovah comes upon you, before the day of Jehovah’s anger comes upon you, seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who observe his righteous decrees. Seek righteousness, seek meekness. Probably you will be concealed on the day of Jehovah’s anger.”

For whatever reason, it certainly seems that the Governing Body is diluting, yea, denying

God’s word. According to the seers, it is no longer imperative to take any action before the day of Jehovah’s anger erupts. God is so merciful. Is this development not in keeping with the ear-tickling that the Watchtower has begun?

There is an underlying error in all of this, which is, of course, 1914. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been deluded into believing that virtually everything in Revelation has already been fulfilled except for the destruction of Babylon the Great. For example, Jesus spoke of an hour of test coming upon the entire inhabited earth. Similarly, Jesus said the great tribulation was coming upon the entire inhabited earth. Is there any connection? Not according to the Watchtower. Here is what is stated in the Grand Climax publication under the subheading “The Hour of Test”:

“The hour of test” is “a comparatively short period.” But is it reasonable that this test spans more than a century? Why would God use the symbolism of an “hour” if the actual timeframe spanned multiple generations? And since this “hour of test” will determine everyone’s eternal destiny, does that mean that the vast majority of mankind have failed the test and hence have forfeited their resurrection because they did not accept the Watchtower’s message that the Kingdom began ruling in 1914? According to that criteria, even the Bible Students and the renamed Jehovah’s Witnesses during the 30s failed the test too since, at the time, they were laboring under the delusion that the parousia had begun in 1874 and the Kingdom began ruling in 1878.

Although the Watchtower has skillfully managed to create and maintain the illusion that the Kingdom began ruling in 1914, neither the Governing Body nor any of their “helpers” will be able to control reality—specifically, the reality of what is shaping up to be World War Three. Can you imagine the questions from readers that will flood Bethel’s mail room when nations and kingdoms go to war with all of their fearsome weaponry? By all accounts, global war could erupt any day. Seemingly, everyone except Jehovah’s Witnesses is aware of this.

Will the outbreak of WW3 begin the test that Jesus said will come upon the entire inhabited earth? No. However, as Jesus noted, it will be “the beginning pangs of distress.” Then, a great tribulation, unlike anything that has ever occurred before or will ever occur again, will come upon the entire inhabited earth. Does Revelation foretell this global disaster in symbolism? Yes, it does.

The tribulation is what is betokened by the opening of the sixth seal: “And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and a great earthquake occurred; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the entire moon became as blood, and the stars of heaven fell to the earth as when a fig tree shaken by a high wind drops its unripe figs. And the heaven departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every

mountain and every island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the high officials, the military commanders, the rich, the strong, every slave, and every free person hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rocks: “Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” — Rev 6:12-17

How can we determine that the opening of the sixth seal represents the great tribulation? For the reason that Jesus used the very same apocalyptic symbolism when he said the following: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” — Matthew 24:29

So, the “great earthquake” that results from the opening of the sixth seal must represent the great tribulation, which is then followed by the phenomena Jesus described that occur “immediately after the tribulation in those days.” Thus, this begins the hour of test that is coming upon the entire inhabited earth. How can that be discerned? Because the great earthquake forces people to oppose “the One seated on the throne,” which is to say the Kingdom.

In harmony with this, Jesus said that the tribulation would be of such severity that God would intervene to cut it short on account of the chosen ones, and the next verse

symbolizes this very thing: “After this I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding tight the four winds of the earth, so that no wind could blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree.” — Rev 7:1

Undoubtedly, the opening of the sixth seal and the “great earthquake” represent the crash of the present civilization—a great tribulation indeed. No wonder Jesus said nothing

like it has ever happened before or will ever happen again. However, the judgment upon Babylon the Great is glaringly absent in that context. Nevertheless, dogma is a powerful thing, for now anyway.

It is the post-tribulation period when the hour of test will begin. The hour of the test will coincide with the one-hour reign of the eighth king. The eighth king will rise from the ashes of the crash brought on by the “great earthquake.” That is when the nations will no longer serve as God’s civil ministers but will be in total opposition to Christ. The last king will become an instrument of coercion to force mankind into worshipping the beast and the Devil himself. Any who refuse to compromise will be locked out of the system—unable to buy or sell, and marked for death. An hour of test, indeed!
April 5th, 2024

“Any who refuse to compromise will be locked out of the system—unable to buy or sell, and marked for death. An hour of test, indeed!”

I was wondering whether the two instances in the 12th chapter of Revelation may be referring to Jehovahs caring for those who refuse taking the M O T B after Satan’s beast government sanctions them.
Any thoughts folks?

Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years). Rev 12:6

Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years). And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (three and one-half years), away from the presence of the serpent (Satan). And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth.
Rev 12:13-16

 

[MickHewitt]

Any thoughts folks?

Rev3:10 "Because you kept the word about my endurance , I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the entire inhabited earth to put to the test those dwelling on the earth"?

 

[MickHewitt]

Because you kept the word about my endurance

Surely that word about our Father's endurance is the endless patience and scriptural appeal towards the Daughter of Jerusalem evidenced through His Watchman? Ezekiel 33:33

 

[kenmuldoon55]

Rev3:10 "Because you kept the word about my endurance , I will also keep you from the hour of test, which is to come upon the entire inhabited earth to put to the test those dwelling on the earth"?

That's a perfect tie in Mick, thanks.

Exodus 19:4 mentions the eagle wings also in reference to Jehovah bringing His people out of a situation of suffering. ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
I suppose the "wilderness" reference could mean any location on the earth, maybe even within the inner rooms of a faithful person's own home where officials of the beast government could be deterred\ blinded from discovering them.
Anyone dwelling in the secret place of the Most High will lodge under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalms 91:1

 

[PJ54]

“Any who refuse to compromise will be locked out of the system—unable to buy or sell, and marked for death. An hour of test, indeed!”

I was wondering whether the two instances in the 12th chapter of Revelation may be referring to Jehovahs caring for those who refuse taking the M O T B after Satan’s beast government sanctions them.
Any thoughts folks?

Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years). Rev 12:6

Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years). And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (three and one-half years), away from the presence of the serpent (Satan). And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth.
Rev 12:13-16

These posts come to mind:

Thread '666 Mark of the Beast'

Jul 15, 2026

Has the Watchtower ever addressed the question involving that of the mark of the beast in Revelation 13, imposed on all, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave (Revelation 13:16-17)— in contrast to the mark given to the 144,000 in Revelation 7:3-8— and whether this means that the great crowd, who do not receive the mark of Revelation 7, will themselves receive the mark of the beast as described in Revelation 13, but use their ability to buy or sell to support the 144,000 anointed class, suggested by Matthew 25:40 and leading to the "after this" of Revelation 7:9-10?

The...

• Watchman
• Replies: 98
• Forum: Bible Questions

• 
• 
• 

Post in thread '666 Mark of the Beast'

Jul 15, 2026

As for the great crowd, first, it should be pointed out that the so-called great crowd does not exist. It will come into existence during the tribulation. And the seventh chapter of Revelation says that they will neither hunger nor thirst, and neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat. Neither hungering or thirsting can be taken in a spiritual sense. But since they will come under God's protective tent and be shielded from the scorching heat of Satan's tyranny, it must mean that they will be miraculously provided with life's necessities during the 42 months of the...

• PJ54

• 

 

[SusanB]

I had to fix a few words in the Daily Text: “We pray that as many as possible will respond to the warning message and join us in pure worship now. But what about those who do not heed the warning at this time? It may be Jehovah’s will to save people who have a change of heart when they see the destruction of the ***Watchtower Corporation (not the stated Babylon the Great). If so, then it is all the more urgent that we keep sounding the warning. What we tell them now may give them something to remember then. (Compare Ezekiel 33:33.) Perhaps they will reflect back on the warning they heard from us and be moved to join us in pure worship before it is too late. Like the jailer in Philippi who had a change of heart only after “a great earthquake occurred,” perhaps some who do not respond now will have a change of heart after the world-shaking destruction of **the Watchtower Corporation (not the stated Babylon the Great)”.

From “The Message” bible translation: Ezekiel 13:10-14: “The fact is that they’ve lied to my people. They’ve said, ‘No problem; everything’s just fine,’ when things are not at all fine. When people build a wall, they’re right behind them slapping on whitewash. Tell those who are slapping on the whitewash, ‘When a torrent of rain comes and the hailstones crash down and the hurricane sweeps in and the wall collapses, what’s the good of the whitewash that you slapped on so liberally, making it look so good?’ And that’s exactly what will happen. I, God, the Master, say so: ‘I’ll let the hurricane of my wrath loose, a torrent of my hailstone-anger. I’ll make that wall you’ve slapped with whitewash collapse. I’ll level it to the ground so that only the foundation stones will be left. And in the ruin you’ll all die. You’ll realize then that I am God.”

From the NWT: Amos 2:4-6: “This is what Jehovah says,‘For three revolts of Judah, and for four, I will not reverse it, Because they rejected the law of Jehovah, And because they did not keep his regulations; But the same lies their forefathers followed have led them astray. So I will send a fire into Judah, And it will consume the fortified towers of Jerusalem.’ This is what Jehovah says, ‘For three revolts of Israel, and for four, I will not reverse it, Because they sell the righteous for silver, And the poor for a pair of sandals.’”

 

[kenmuldoon55]

These posts come to mind:

Thread '666 Mark of the Beast'

Jul 15, 2026

Has the Watchtower ever addressed the question involving that of the mark of the beast in Revelation 13, imposed on all, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave (Revelation 13:16-17)— in contrast to the mark given to the 144,000 in Revelation 7:3-8— and whether this means that the great crowd, who do not receive the mark of Revelation 7, will themselves receive the mark of the beast as described in Revelation 13, but use their ability to buy or sell to support the 144,000 anointed class, suggested by Matthew 25:40 and leading to the "after this" of Revelation 7:9-10?

The...

• Watchman
• Replies: 98
• Forum: Bible Questions

• 
• 
• 

Post in thread '666 Mark of the Beast'

Jul 15, 2026

As for the great crowd, first, it should be pointed out that the so-called great crowd does not exist. It will come into existence during the tribulation. And the seventh chapter of Revelation says that they will neither hunger nor thirst, and neither will the sun beat down on them nor any scorching heat. Neither hungering or thirsting can be taken in a spiritual sense. But since they will come under God's protective tent and be shielded from the scorching heat of Satan's tyranny, it must mean that they will be miraculously provided with life's necessities during the 42 months of the...

• PJ54

• 

Thanks, PJ54 for the links. That's an interesting point about the great crowd, how is it that they can comfort the brothers of Jesus with food and drink unless they had the means to obtain them from the economy.
But that would still require bowing down to the eighth king to avoid the economic boycott which I can't see happening.
Since Jesus mentioned other acts of generalized hospitality, things that weren't directly related to food and water, maybe the inference is just the great crowd's general disposition towards those brothers of Jesus. I really don't know brother but fascinating topic nonetheless.
By the way thanks for all the hard work you do on the blog to supplement Robert's work.

 

[BARNABY THE DOG.]

“Any who refuse to compromise will be locked out of the system—unable to buy or sell, and marked for death. An hour of test, indeed!”

I was wondering whether the two instances in the 12th chapter of Revelation may be referring to Jehovahs caring for those who refuse taking the M O T B after Satan’s beast government sanctions them.
Any thoughts folks?

Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years). Rev 12:6

Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that she would be nourished there for a thousand two hundred and sixty days (forty-two months; three and one-half years). And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time (three and one-half years), away from the presence of the serpent (Satan). And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth.
Rev 12:13-16

I can’t say I’m certain about the application of the scripture you quote, but I certainly feel likewise that Jehovah will care for those putting faith in Him. We will not survive without it. How long can we go without water? Not long - a few days. Food 30 days…We have to expect this test. I look back to the days when the Israelites were without water and then, it comes out of a rock! Food falls like rain from the sky. And in front of all that, the man leading them failed! It just goes to illustrate that we have to get the right understanding of our faith, its source, its application and to whom it must be directed. We will be fed and watered. We will survive. Of that there is for each of us a certainty no matter the cost. But we have to understand why we should come under that gift of protection.

 

[kenmuldoon55]

" But we have to understand why we should come under that gift of protection."

Maybe some of us non sealed ones will be martyred for our faith. I think Jehovah knows the ones who could endure such. I think of the 3rd century martyr Perpetua who was killed in the arena at Carthage. She steadied the nervous Soldiers quivering arm, which held the sword to her throat, so he could deliver the death stroke on her. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetua_and_Felicity
I think I'd be good with that outcome as long as it didn't involve bees, hornets, scorpion's snakes, fire, or getting thrown off a cliff. lol.
Jehovah has a lot at stake (reputation wise) for bringing the great crowd through the hour of test. Remember when Moses pleaded with Jehovah not to exterminate His people on account of how the nations would view such an action?