Lesson 33 What the Kingdom Will Accomplish
[Image:] People living on a paradise earth.
[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]
God’s Kingdom is already ruling. Soon it will make big changes on the earth. Let us consider some of the good things that you can look forward to under Kingdom rule.
1. How will God’s Kingdom restore peace and justice to the earth?
Jesus, the King of God’s Kingdom, will destroy wicked people and governments at the war of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14, 16)
[Quotation] Revelation 16:14: They are, in fact, expressions inspired by demons and they perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the entire inhabited earth, to gather them together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Revelation 16:16: And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon. [End Quotation]
At that time, the following Bible promise will be completely fulfilled: “Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more.” (Psalm 37:10) Through the Kingdom, Jesus will make sure that peace and justice fill the earth. Read Isaiah 11:4.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 11:4: He will judge the lowly with fairness, And with uprightness he will give reproof in behalf of the meek ones of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth And put the wicked to death with the breath of his lips. [End of Read scripture]
2. What will life be like when God’s will is done on earth?
Under the rule of God’s Kingdom, “the righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.” (Psalm 37:29) Imagine living in a world where everyone is righteous and all love Jehovah and each other! No one will get sick, and everyone will live forever.
3. What will God’s Kingdom accomplish after the wicked are destroyed?
After the wicked are destroyed, Jesus will rule as King for 1,000 years. During that time, he and his 144,000 corulers will help humans on earth to become perfect and sinless. By the end of that period, the earth will be turned into a beautiful paradise, filled with happy people who benefit from obeying Jehovah’s laws. Jesus will then hand the rulership back to his Father, Jehovah. As never before, Jehovah’s “name [will] be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9 and 10)
[Quotation] Matthew 6:9 and 10: “You must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth. [End Quotation]
It will have been proved that Jehovah is a good Ruler who cares about his subjects. Jehovah will then destroy Satan, the demons, and any others who choose to rebel against His rulership. (Revelation 20:7 through 10)
[Quotation] Revelation 20:7 through 10: Now as soon as the 1,000 years have ended, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will go out to mislead those nations in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war. The number of these is as the sand of the sea. And they advanced over the whole earth and encircled the camp of the holy ones and the beloved city. But fire came down out of heaven and consumed them. And the Devil who was misleading them was hurled into the lake of fire and sulfur, where both the wild beast and the false prophet already were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. [End Quotation]
The perfect conditions brought about by God’s Kingdom will last forever.
Dig Deeper
Consider why we can trust that God will use the Kingdom to fulfill all the Bible’s promises for our future.
4. God’s Kingdom will end human governments
“Man has dominated man to his harm.” (Ecclesiastes 8:9)
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 8:9: All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm. [End Quotation]
By means of his Kingdom, Jehovah will reverse this injustice.
Read Daniel 2:44 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6 through 8, and then discuss these questions:
How will Jehovah and his Son, Jesus, deal with human governments and their supporters?
How does what you have learned about Jehovah and Jesus assure you that their actions will be just and fair?
[Read scripture] Daniel 2:44: “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever, [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] 2 Thessalonians 1:6 through 8: This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. [End of Read scripture]
[Image:] Jesus as heavenly King ruling over a paradise earth.
5. Jesus is an ideal King
As King of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will do much for the benefit of his earthly subjects. Play the video Jesus Showed What the Kingdom Will Accomplish (1:13) to see how Jesus has already shown that he has both the desire and the God-given power to help people.
[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]|[Jesus Showed What the Kingdom Will Accomplish]
[Jesus on a shinning throne, a great crowd below]
Presenter: How will the Kingdom benefit its citizens?
[Jesus on a rock, teaching]
When on earth, Jesus showed through his miracles what God’s Kingdom would do.
[Text: Mark 4:36-41]
When Jesus calmed a storm, he showed that as King he will control earth’s natural forces, solving environmental problems.
[A desolate land brightens with life]
By miraculously feeding thousands, he demonstrated that the Kingdom will eliminate world hunger.
[Text: Matthew 14:17-21]
When Jesus healed the sick, lame, deaf, and blind,
[Jesus heals a blind man]
he gave us a preview of the perfect health that all will enjoy under his rule.
[Text: Luke 18:35-43]
And by resurrecting people, he showed that through the Kingdom he will reverse death itself.
[Text: Luke 8:40-56. Jesus in the clouds on a throne]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2017 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
While on earth, Jesus gave a preview of what the Kingdom would accomplish. Which blessings listed here do you especially look forward to? Read the accompanying scriptures that relate to those blessings.
While on earth, Jesus . . . controlled earth’s natural forces. Mark 4:36 through 41.
[Read scripture] Mark 4:36 through 41: So after they had dismissed the crowd, they took him in the boat, just as he was, and there were other boats with him. Now a great violent windstorm broke out, and the waves kept crashing into the boat, so that the boat was close to being swamped. But he was in the stern, sleeping on the pillow. So they woke him up and said to him: “Teacher, do you not care that we are about to perish?” With that he got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea: “Hush! Be quiet!” And the wind abated, and a great calm set in. So he said to them: “Why are you so afraid? Do you not yet have any faith?” But they felt an unusual fear, and they said to one another: “Who really is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him.” [End of Read scripture]
From heaven, Jesus will . . . solve the earth’s environmental problems. Isaiah 35:1 and 2.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 35:1 and 2: The wilderness and the parched land will exult, And the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron. Without fail it will blossom; It will rejoice and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, The splendor of Carmel and of Sharon. They will see the glory of Jehovah, the splendor of our God. [End of Read scripture]
While on earth, Jesus . . . miraculously fed thousands. Matthew 14:17 through 21.
[Read scripture] Matthew 14:17 through 21: They said to him: “We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish.” He said: “Bring them here to me.” And he instructed the crowds to recline on the grass. Then he took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said a blessing, and after breaking the loaves, he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. So they all ate and were satisfied, and they took up the leftover fragments, 12 baskets full. Now those eating were about 5,000 men, as well as women and young children. [End of Read scripture]
From heaven, Jesus will . . . eliminate world hunger. Psalm 72:16.
[Read scripture] Psalm 72:16: There will be an abundance of grain on the earth; On the top of the mountains it will overflow. His fruit will flourish as in Lebanon, And in the cities people will blossom like the vegetation of the earth. [End of Read scripture]
While on earth, Jesus . . . healed the sicknesses of many. Luke 18:35 through 43.
[Read scripture] Luke 18:35 through 43: Now as Jesus was getting near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road begging. Because he heard a crowd passing by, he began to inquire what was going on. They reported to him: “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by!” At that he cried out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And those who were in front began rebuking him, telling him to keep quiet, but all the more he kept shouting: “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then Jesus stopped and commanded that the man be brought to him. After he came near, Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do for you?” He said: “Lord, let me recover my sight.” So Jesus said to him: “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” And instantly he recovered his sight, and he began to follow him, glorifying God. Also, at seeing it, all the people gave praise to God. [End of Read scripture]
From heaven, Jesus will . . . ensure perfect health for all. Isaiah 33:24.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 33:24: And no resident will say: “I am sick.” The people dwelling in the land will be pardoned for their error. [End of Read scripture]
While on earth, Jesus . . . brought people back to life. Luke 8:49 through 55.
[Read scripture] Luke 8:49 through 55: While he was yet speaking, a representative of the presiding officer of the synagogue came, saying: “Your daughter has died; do not bother the Teacher any longer.” On hearing this, Jesus answered him: “Have no fear, only have faith, and she will be saved.” When he reached the house, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the girl’s father and mother. But people were all weeping and beating themselves in grief for her. So he said: “Stop weeping, for she did not die but is sleeping.” At this they began to laugh at him scornfully, because they knew she had died. But he took her by the hand and called to her: “Child, get up!” And her spirit returned, and she rose immediately, and he ordered that something be given her to eat. [End of Read scripture]
From heaven, Jesus will . . . reverse the effects of death. Revelation 21:3 and 4.
[Read scripture] Revelation 21:3, 4: With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” [End of Read scripture]
6. God’s Kingdom will bring a wonderful future
The Kingdom will fully accomplish Jehovah’s original purpose for humans. They will live forever on a paradise earth. Play the video A Glimpse Into a Wonderful Future (4:38) to see how Jehovah is working through his Son, Jesus, to accomplish His purpose.
[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]|[A Glimpse into a Wonderful Future]
[In the Garden of Eden, Eve gazes at a piece of fruit. She offers it to Adam]
Presenter: With one act of defiance, mankind became lost,
[They are cast out the garden]
“Alienated from the life that belongs to God.”
[Adam and Eve grow old]
Sin and death have become inescapable for every human born on earth,
[A funeral procession, images of men and women throughout the ages]
with the exception of one, Jesus Christ.
[A profile of Jesus’ face]
He used his God-given powers to heal sicknesses,
[He gently touches a man’s shoulder]
feed thousands
[Baskets of bread and fish]
he even resurrected people back to life.
[He resurrects a young girl]
Jesus performed many miracles while on earth. But are they simply a collection of stories from the past or clues to something far grander
[The shoreline of a lush tropical island]
a glimpse into a wondrous future,
[In a house, parents open large windows as two young boys excitedly run up to watch a giraffe. A man and boy walk through a field surrounded by mountains and blue skies. Women laugh as the pick tangerines together]
a future where God will “satisfy the desire of every living thing,”
[An outdoor buffet with fruits and vegetables]
the “real life” that God promises to each of his faithful servants?
[A white horse gallops in the sunshine down a grassy hill. A man carries a cluster of bananas on his shoulder. A beaming boy leads a playful white horse, followed by two grey elephants. A woman with a flower in her hair smiles joyfully. Two young men bound into crystal clear waters by a waterfall, making a splash. On a porch by the ocean, a little girl in a wheelchair looks down, she slowly moves her small toes. Now, only the wheelchair is on the porch, slightly rolling backwards. The girl is sprinting down the beach with her friends, hair beating back into the ocean breeze. She grins from ear to ear as she runs. As the sunsets on a beach, resurrected ones emerge out of the distance. Overcome with emotion, two women embrace tightly]
But how can this beautiful future be possible?
[A man strolls alone through a shaded, serene forest]
Because of what Jesus did for us. He came to earth for a purpose.
[Mary and Joseph hold the newborn Jesus. Jesus drags his torture stake up dusty stone steps]
He gave his life for those he loved.
[Faces of distressed onlookers watch as he struggles to carry the load. Officers harshly shout, abuses and insults at him. A large, square-headed nail is hammered into Jesus’ hands. They flail with every stroke. An officer solemnly watches rope slide through his hands as the torture stake is lowered into a hole. Jesus’ body hangs before onlookers]
The curse of inherited sin and death could now be lifted from each one of us.
[Back on the tropical island, the two little boys with their parents cheerfully ascend stairs outside, dad carrying a basket full of colourful flowers. From a large, outdoor brick oven, a man uses a bread shovel to retrieve a steamy, crisp loaf of bread. A group of men and women delightedly converse around an outdoor table overflowing with fruits]
[Text: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6]
[As king, Jesus glimmers in the heavens, warmly smiling as he reaches his hand down]
If we look intently to Jesus, we will no longer be lost.
[Hand in hand, a couple admire the tropical shoreline]
He will show us the way “to the Father.”
[They walk in the sunset as the ocean waves gently wash onto the shore. The man with the cluster of bananas smiles widely and gestures to others to follow]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2015 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
Read Psalm 145:16, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Psalm 145:16: You open your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. [End of Read scripture]
How does it make you feel to know that Jehovah will “satisfy the desire of every living thing”?
[Box]
Some People Say: “If we all work together, we can solve the world’s problems.” What problems will God’s Kingdom solve that human governments cannot? [End of box]
Summary
God’s Kingdom will accomplish its goal. It will transform the earth into a global paradise filled with good people who will worship Jehovah forever.
Review
How will God’s Kingdom sanctify Jehovah’s name?
Why can we believe that God’s Kingdom will fulfill the Bible’s promises?
What accomplishment of the Kingdom do you especially look forward to?
Goal
Use the tract What Is the Kingdom of God? to start a conversation. Set Other Goals
Explore
Find out what Armageddon means. “What Is the Battle of Armageddon?” (Web article)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Examine the events that will occur during what Jesus called the “great tribulation.”—Matthew 24:21.
“What Is the Great Tribulation?” (Web article)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
See how families can meditate together on future Kingdom blessings. See Yourself in Paradise (1:50)
[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
In “I Was Troubled by Many Questions,” learn how a political rebel found the solutions he was looking for. “The Bible Changes Lives” (The Watchtower, January 1, 2012)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]