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THE WAY OF HAPPINESS Forgiveness

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102018019

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS Forgiveness “DURING MY CHILDHOOD, I HEARD A LOT OF INSULTS AND SCREAMING,” said a woman named Patricia. “I did not learn to forgive. Even as an adult, I would dwell on an offense for days, losing sleep.” Yes, a life filled with anger and resentment is neither a happy one nor a healthy one. Indeed, studies show that unforgiving people may . . . Let anger or bitterness sour relationships, leading to isolation and loneliness Become easily offended, anxious, or even severely depressed Become so focused on a wrong that they cannot enjoy life Feel that they are at odds with their spiritual values Experience increased stress and a higher risk of ill health, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and pain disorders, such as arthritis and headachesa WHAT IS FORGIVENESS? Forgiveness means pardoning an offender and letting go of anger, resentment, and thoughts of revenge. It does not mean condoning a wrong, minimizing it, or pretending that it did not happen. Rather, forgiveness is a well-thought-out personal choice that reflects a loving commitment to peace and to building or maintaining a good relationship with the other person. Forgiveness also reflects understanding. A forgiving person understands that we all err, or sin, in word and deed. (Romans 3:23) Reflecting such insight, the Bible says: “Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another.”​—Colossians 3:13. It stands to reason, then, that forgiveness is an important facet of love, which is “a perfect bond of union.” (Colossians 3:14) Indeed, according to the Mayo Clinic website, forgiveness leads to . . . Healthier relationships, including feelings of empathy, understanding, and compassion for the offender Improved mental and spiritual well-being Less anxiety, stress, and hostility Fewer symptoms of depression FORGIVE YOURSELF. Self-forgiveness can be “the most difficult to achieve,” yet “the most important to health”​—mental and physical—​according to the journal Disability & Rehabilitation. What can help you to forgive yourself? Do not expect perfection from yourself, but realistically accept that you​—like all of us—​will make mistakes.​—Ecclesiastes 7:20 Learn from your errors so that you will be less likely to repeat them Be patient with yourself; some personality flaws and bad habits may not go away overnight.​—Ephesians 4:23, 24 Associate with friends who are encouraging, positive, and kind but who will also be honest with you.​—Proverbs 13:20 If you hurt someone, take responsibility for it and be quick to apologize. When you make peace, you will gain inner peace.​—Matthew 5:23, 24 BIBLE PRINCIPLES REALLY WORK! After studying the Bible, Patricia, quoted at the outset, learned to forgive. “I feel liberated from the anger that poisoned my life,” she wrote. “I no longer suffer, and I don’t make others suffer. Bible principles confirm that God loves us and wants the best for us.” A man named Ron said: “I could not control the thoughts and actions of others. But I could control my own. If I wanted peace, I had to let go of resentment. I began to view peace and resentment as north and south. I could not be in both places at the same time. I now have a good conscience.” a Sources: Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine websites and the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. KEY POINTS “Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.”​—Colossians 3:13. Forgiveness leads to . . . Healthier relationships and inner peace Less anxiety, hostility, and stress Improved physical, mental, and spiritual health

Creator (ct) 1998

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ct

Chapter Two How Did Our Universe Get Here?—The Controversy ASTRONAUTS thrill to photograph the earth as it looms large through the window of a spacecraft. “That’s the best part of flying in space,” said one. But our earth seems very small when compared with the solar system. The sun could hold a million earths inside, with room to spare! However, could such facts about the universe have any bearing on your life and its meaning? Let us take a brief mental trip into space to see our earth and sun in perspective. Our sun is just one of an awesome number of stars in a spiral arm of the Milky Way galaxy,a which itself is just a tiny part of the universe. With the naked eye, it is possible to see a few smudges of light that actually are other galaxies, such as the beautiful and larger Andromeda. The Milky Way, Andromeda, and some 20 other galaxies are bound gravitationally into a cluster, all of these being only a small neighborhood in a vast supercluster. The universe contains countless superclusters, and the picture does not end there. The clusters are not evenly distributed in space. On a grand scale, they look like thin sheets and filaments around vast bubblelike voids. Some features are so long and wide that they resemble great walls. This may surprise many who think that our universe created itself in a chance cosmic explosion. “The more clearly we can see the universe in all its glorious detail,” concludes a senior writer for Scientific American, “the more difficult it will be for us to explain with a simple theory how it came to be that way.” Evidence Pointing to a Beginning All the individual stars you see are in the Milky Way galaxy. Until the 1920’s, that seemed to be the only galaxy. You probably know, though, that observations with larger telescopes have since proved otherwise. Our universe contains at least 50,000,000,000 galaxies. We do not mean 50 billion stars—but at least 50 billion galaxies, each with billions of stars like our sun. Yet it was not the staggering quantity of huge galaxies that shook scientific beliefs in the 1920’s. It was that they are all in motion. Astronomers discovered a remarkable fact: When galactic light was passed through a prism, the light waves were seen to be stretched, indicating motion away from us at great speed. The more distant a galaxy, the faster it appeared to be receding. That points to an expanding universe!b Even if we are neither professional astronomers nor amateurs, we can see that an expanding universe would have profound implications about our past—and perhaps our personal future too. Something must have started the process—a force powerful enough to overcome the immense gravity of the entire universe. You have good reason to ask, ‘What could be the source of such dynamic energy?’ Although most scientists trace the universe back to a very small, dense beginning (a singularity), we cannot avoid this key issue: “If at some point in the past, the Universe was once close to a singular state of infinitely small size and infinite density, we have to ask what was there before and what was outside the Universe. . . . We have to face the problem of a Beginning.”—Sir Bernard Lovell. This implies more than just a source of vast energy. Foresight and intelligence are also needed because the rate of expansion seems very finely tuned. “If the Universe had expanded one million millionth part faster,” said Lovell, “then all the material in the Universe would have dispersed by now. . . . And if it had been a million millionth part slower, then gravitational forces would have caused the Universe to collapse within the first thousand million years or so of its existence. Again, there would have been no long-lived stars and no life.” Attempts to Explain the Beginning Can experts now explain the origin of the universe? Many scientists, uncomfortable with the idea that the universe was created by a higher intelligence, speculate that by some mechanism it created itself out of nothing. Does that sound reasonable to you? Such speculations usually involve some variation of a theory (inflationary universe model)c conceived in 1979 by physicist Alan Guth. Yet, more recently, Dr. Guth admitted that his theory “does not explain how the universe arose from nothing.” Dr. Andrei Linde was more explicit in a Scientific American article: “Explaining this initial singularity—where and when it all began—still remains the most intractable problem of modern cosmology.” If experts cannot really explain either the origin or the early development of our universe, should we not look elsewhere for an explanation? Indeed, you have valid reasons to consider some evidence that many have overlooked but that may give you real insight on this issue. The evidence includes the precise measurements of four fundamental forces that are responsible for all properties and changes affecting matter. At the mere mention of fundamental forces, some may hesitate, thinking, ‘That’s solely for physicists.’ Not so. The basic facts are worth considering because they affect us. Fine-Tuning The four fundamental forces come into play both in the vastness of the cosmos and in the infinite smallness of atomic structures. Yes, everything we see around us is involved. Elements vital for our life (particularly carbon, oxygen, and iron) could not exist were it not for the fine-tuning of the four forces evident in the universe. We already mentioned one force, gravity. Another is the electromagnetic force. If it were significantly weaker, electrons would not be held around the nucleus of an atom. ‘Would that be serious?’ some might wonder. Yes, because atoms could not combine to form molecules. Conversely, if this force were much stronger, electrons would be trapped on the nucleus of an atom. There could be no chemical reactions between atoms—meaning no life. Even from this standpoint, it is clear that our existence and life depend on the fine-tuning of the electromagnetic force. And consider the cosmic scale: A slight difference in the electromagnetic force would affect the sun and thus alter the light reaching the earth, making photosynthesis in plants difficult or impossible. It could also rob water of its unique properties, which are vital for life. So again, the precise tuning of the electromagnetic force determines whether we live or not. Equally vital is the intensity of the electromagnetic force in relation to the other three. For example, some physicists figure this force to be 10,000,- 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (1040) times that of gravity. It might seem a small change to that number to add one more zero (1041). Yet that would mean that gravity is proportionally weaker, and Dr. Reinhard Breuer comments on the resulting situation: “With lower gravity the stars would be smaller, and the pressure of gravity in their interiors would not drive the temperature high enough for nuclear fusion reactions to get under way: the sun would be unable to shine.” You can imagine what that would mean for us! What if gravity were stronger proportionately, so that the number had only 39 zeros (1039)? “With just this tiny adjustment,” continues Breuer, “a star like the sun would find its life expectancy sharply reduced.” And other scientists consider the fine-tuning to be even more precise. Indeed, two remarkable qualities of our sun and other stars are long-term efficiency and stability. Consider a simple illustration. We know that to run efficiently, an automobile engine needs a critical ratio between fuel and air; engineers design complex mechanical and computer systems to optimize performance. If that is so with a mere engine, what of the efficiently “burning” stars such as our sun? The key forces involved are precisely tuned, optimized for life. Did that precision just happen? The ancient man Job was asked: “Did you proclaim the rules that govern the heavens, or determine the laws of nature on earth?” (Job 38:33, The New English Bible) No human did. So from where does the precision come? The Two Nuclear Forces The structure of the universe involves much more than fine-tuning just gravity and the electromagnetic force. Two other physical forces also relate to our life. These two forces operate in the nucleus of an atom, and they give ample evidence of forethought. Consider the strong nuclear force, which glues protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of the atom. Because of this bonding, various elements can form—light ones (such as helium and oxygen) and heavy ones (such as gold and lead). It seems that if this binding force were a mere 2-percent weaker, only hydrogen would exist. Conversely, if this force were slightly stronger, only heavier elements, but no hydrogen, could be found. Would our lives be affected? Well, if the universe lacked hydrogen, our sun would not have the fuel it needs to radiate life-giving energy. And, of course, we would have no water or food, since hydrogen is an essential ingredient of both. The fourth force in this discussion, called the weak nuclear force, controls radioactive decay. It also affects thermonuclear activity in our sun. ‘Is this force fine-tuned?’ you might ask. Mathematician and physicist Freeman Dyson explains: “The weak [force] is millions of times weaker than the nuclear force. It is just weak enough so that the hydrogen in the sun burns at a slow and steady rate. If the weak [force] were much stronger or much weaker, any forms of life dependent on sunlike stars would again be in difficulties.” Yes, this precise rate of burning keeps our earth warm—but not incinerated—and keeps us alive. Furthermore, scientists believe that the weak force plays a role in supernova explosions, which they give as the mechanism for producing and distributing most elements. “If those nuclear forces were in any way slightly different from the way they actually are, the stars would be incapable of making the elements of which you and I are composed,” explains physicist John Polkinghorne. More could be said, but you likely understand the point. There is an amazing degree of fine-tuning in these four fundamental forces. “All around us, we seem to see evidence that nature got it just right,” wrote Professor Paul Davies. Yes, the precise tuning of the fundamental forces has made possible the existence and operation of our sun, our delightful planet with its life-sustaining water, our atmosphere so vital for life, and a vast array of precious chemical elements on earth. But ask yourself, ‘Why such precise tuning, and from where?’ Earth’s Ideal Features Our existence requires precision in other respects as well. Consider the earth’s measurements and its position relative to the rest of our solar system. The Bible book of Job contains these humbling questions: “Where did you happen to be when I founded the earth? . . . Who set its measurements, in case you know?” (Job 38:4, 5) As never before, those questions beg for answers. Why? Because of the amazing things that have been discovered about our earth—including its size and its position in our solar system. No planet like earth has been found elsewhere in the universe. True, some scientists point to indirect evidence that certain stars have orbiting them objects that are hundreds of times larger than the earth. Our earth, though, is just the right size for our existence. In what sense? If earth were slightly larger, its gravity would be stronger and hydrogen, a light gas, would collect, being unable to escape the earth’s gravity. Thus, the atmosphere would be inhospitable to life. On the other hand, if our earth were slightly smaller, life-sustaining oxygen would escape and surface water would evaporate. In either case, we could not live. The earth is also at an ideal distance from the sun, a factor vital for life to thrive. Astronomer John Barrow and mathematician Frank Tipler studied “the ratio of the Earth’s radius and distance from the Sun.” They concluded that human life would not exist “were this ratio slightly different from what it is observed to be.” Professor David L. Block notes: “Calculations show that had the earth been situated only 5 per cent closer to the sun, a runaway greenhouse effect [overheating of the earth] would have occurred about 4 000 million years ago. If, on the other hand, the earth were placed only 1 per cent further from the sun, runaway glaciation [huge sheets of ice covering much of the globe] would have occurred some 2 000 million years ago.”—Our Universe: Accident or Design? To the above precision, you can add the fact that the earth rotates on its axis once a day, the right speed to produce moderate temperatures. Venus takes 243 days to rotate. Just think if the earth took as long! We could not survive the extreme temperatures resulting from such long days and nights. Another vital detail is our earth’s path around the sun. Comets have a wide elliptic path. Thankfully, this is not so with the earth. Its orbit is almost circular. Again, this prevents us from experiencing death-dealing extremes of temperature. Nor should we ignore the location of our solar system. Were it nearer the center of the Milky Way galaxy, the gravitational effect of neighboring stars would distort the orbit of the earth. In contrast, were it situated at the very edge of our galaxy, the night sky would be all but devoid of stars. Starlight is not essential to life, but does it not add great beauty to our night sky? And based on current concepts of the universe, scientists have calculated that at the edges of the Milky Way, there would not have been enough of the needed chemical elements to form a solar system like ours.d Law and Order From personal experience, you likely know that all things tend toward disorder. As any homeowner has observed, when left to themselves, things tend to break down or disintegrate. Scientists refer to this tendency as “the second law of thermodynamics.” We can see this law at work daily. If left alone, a new automobile or bicycle will become scrap. Abandon a building and it will become a ruin. What about the universe? The law applies there too. So you might think that the order throughout the universe should give way to complete disorder. However, this does not seem to be happening to the universe, as Professor of Mathematics Roger Penrose discovered when he studied the state of disorderliness (or, entropy) of the observable universe. A logical way to interpret such findings is to conclude that the universe started off in an ordered state and is still highly organized. Astrophysicist Alan Lightman noted that scientists “find it mysterious that the universe was created in such a highly ordered condition.” He added that “any successful theory of cosmology should ultimately explain this entropy problem”—why the universe has not become chaotic. In fact, our existence is contrary to this recognized law. So why is it that we are alive here on earth? As previously noted, that is a basic question that we should want answered. [Footnotes] a The Milky Way galaxy is some 600 quadrillion miles [about a quintillion km] in diameter—yes, 600,000,000,000,000,000 miles [1,000,000,000,000,000,000 km]! It takes light 100,000 years to cross it, and this one galaxy contains over 100 billion stars! b In 1995, scientists noticed the strange behavior of the most distant star (SN 1995K) ever observed as it exploded in its galaxy. Like supernovas in nearby galaxies, this star became very bright and then slowly faded but over a longer period than ever before detected. New Scientist magazine plotted this on a graph and explained: “The shape of the light curve . . . is stretched in time by exactly the amount expected if the galaxy was receding from us at nearly half the speed of light.” The conclusion? This is “the best evidence yet that the Universe really is expanding.” c The inflation theory speculates as to what happened a fraction of a second after the beginning of the universe. Advocates of inflation hold that the universe was initially submicroscopic and then inflated faster than the speed of light, a claim that cannot be tested in a laboratory. Inflation remains a debated theory. d Scientists have found that the elements reveal amazing order and harmony. Interesting evidence is presented in the Appendix “Architectural Units of the Universe,” page 26. [Box on page 15] Trying to Number the Stars It is estimated that the Milky Way galaxy has more than 100,000,000,000 (100 billion) stars. Picture an encyclopedia devoting one page to each of these stars—our sun and the rest of our solar system would be limited to one page. How many volumes would the set need to have in order to cover the stars in the Milky Way? With volumes of reasonable thickness, it is said that the encyclopedia would not fit in the New York Public Library, with its 256 miles [412 km] of shelf space! How long would it take you to examine those pages? “To flip through it, at the rate of a page per second, would require over ten thousand years,” explains Coming of Age in the Milky Way. Yet the stars making up our galaxy are but a small fraction of the stars in the estimated 50,000,000,000 (50 billion) galaxies in the universe. If the encyclopedia contained a page for each of these stars, it would not fit on all the library shelves on earth. “The more we know about the universe,” notes the book, “the more we come to see how little we know.” [Box on page 16] Jastrow—On the Beginning Robert Jastrow, Professor of Astronomy and Geology at Columbia University, wrote: “Few astronomers could have anticipated that this event—the sudden birth of the Universe—would become a proven scientific fact, but observations of the heavens through telescopes have forced them to that conclusion.” He then commented on the implications: “The astronomical proof of a Beginning places scientists in an awkward position, for they believe that every effect has a natural cause . . . The British astronomer E. A. Milne wrote, ‘We can make no propositions about the state of affairs [in the beginning]; in the Divine act of creation God is unobserved and unwitnessed.’”—The Enchanted Loom—Mind in the Universe. [Box on page 17] Four Fundamental Physical Forces 1. Gravity—a very weak force on the level of atoms. It affects large objects—planets, stars, galaxies. 2. Electromagnetism—the key attracting force between protons and electrons, allowing molecules to form. Lightning is one evidence of its power. 3. Strong nuclear force—the force that glues protons and neutrons together in the nucleus of an atom. 4. Weak nuclear force—the force that governs the decay of radioactive elements and the efficient thermonuclear activity of the sun. [Box on page 20] “Combination of Coincidences” “Make the weak force slightly stronger and no helium would have been produced; make it slightly weaker and nearly all the hydrogen would have been converted into helium.” “The window of opportunity for a universe in which there is some helium and there are also exploding supernovas is very narrow. Our existence depends on this combination of coincidences, and on the even more dramatic coincidence of nuclear energy levels predicted by [astronomer Fred] Hoyle. Unlike all previous generations, we know how we come to be here. But, like all previous generations, we still do not know why.”—New Scientist. [Box on page 22] “The special conditions on earth resulting from its ideal size, element composition, and nearly circular orbit at a perfect distance from a long-lived star, the sun, made possible the accumulation of water on the earth’s surface.” (Integrated Principles of Zoology, 7th edition) Life on earth could not have appeared without water. [Box on page 24] Believe Only What You See? Many rational people accept the existence of things they cannot see. In January 1997, Discover magazine reported that astronomers detected what they concluded were about a dozen planets orbiting distant stars. “So far the new planets are known only from the way their gravity perturbs the motion of the parent stars.” Yes, for the astronomers, the visible effects of gravity constituted a basis for believing in the existence of unseen heavenly bodies. Related evidence—not direct observation—was an adequate basis for scientists to accept what was yet invisible. Many who believe in a Creator conclude that they have a similar basis for accepting what they cannot see. [Box on page 25] Sir Fred Hoyle explains in The Nature of the Universe: “To avoid the issue of creation it would be necessary for all the material of the Universe to be infinitely old, and this it cannot be. . . . Hydrogen is being steadily converted into helium and the other elements . . . How comes it then that the Universe consists almost entirely of hydrogen? If matter were infinitely old this would be quite impossible. So we see that the Universe being what it is, the creation issue simply cannot be dodged.” [Picture on page 12, 13] Our sun (box) is insignificant in the Milky Way galaxy, as illustrated here with spiral galaxy NGC 5236 The Milky Way contains over 100 billion stars, and it is only one of over 50 billion galaxies in the known universe [Pictures on page 14] Astronomer Edwin Hubble (1889-1953) realized that a red shift in light from distant galaxies showed that our universe is expanding and thus had a beginning [Pictures on page 19] Fine-tuning of forces that control our sun results in conditions just right for our life on earth

What Does It All Mean?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101978011

What Does It All Mean? Crime increases. Food prices skyrocket. The energy crisis persists. Consideration for others declines. Why? What is the meaning of these things? If you wonder, read The Watchtower and Awake! They not only report current events, but explain their meaning in the light of Bible prophecy. Send only $4 (U.S.) and you will receive both magazines (four copies a month) for one year. Please send The Watchtower and Awake! for one year. I enclose $4 (U.S.). For mailing the coupon I am to receive free six timely booklets.

Sing Praises (ssb) 1984

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb

Song 35 Love’s Excelling Way (1 Corinthians 13) 1. God is love and therefore bids us Walk in love’s excelling way, Letting love of God and neighbor Prompt all things we do and say. E’en though we had faith and knowledge, Gifts of tongues and prophecy, Yet if love itself were lacking, We would simply nothing be. 2. We may spend much time in preaching, Persecution too endure; Yet what profit would it bring us If our motives were not pure? Love is gentle, kind, long-suff’ring; Not ill-mannered does it act, Does not brag and is not jealous, Uses theocratic tact. 3. Love is never hard, resentful, In what’s bad takes no delight. It is strong, all things enduring, And takes joy in what is right. Faith and hope and love continue As we serve our God above; But the way that’s most excelling Is the godlike way of love.

Sing Praises (ssb) 1984

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb

Song 73 “Wisdom Is With the Modest Ones” (Proverbs 11:2) 1. If we would walk with our one God, We need to show true modesty, Appreciate how great God is And how so very small are we! 2. What good-for-nothing slaves we are! As sinful men this we admit. If we will but show modesty, How much we then will benefit! 3. ‘Conduct yourselves as lesser ones,’ So taught our Lord by word and deed. But should we brag or get puffed up, Christ’s counsel we do fail to heed. 4. With fear and trembling, we should serve Because Jehovah God we love. To walk with him in modesty Shows wisdom that is from above.

Helping Children With Learning Disabilities

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009004

Helping Children With Learning Disabilities BY AWAKE! WRITER IN MEXICO Steven has difficulty reading. Every time he knows that he will be asked to read aloud in class, he develops a stomachache. Despite her teacher’s urgings, Maria has problems writing legibly. It takes her hours to complete her homework. Noah reads the same school assignments repeatedly. Still, he forgets the material and struggles with his grades. STEVEN, Maria, and Noah suffer from learning disabilities, the most common of which involve reading disabilities. Dyslexics, for example, often confuse letters that have a similar appearance. Other learning disabilities are dysgraphia (a disorder that affects handwriting) and dyscalculia (difficulty with math skills). Yet, most of those with learning disabilities have average or above-average intelligence. Symptoms of learning disabilities include delayed language skills, trouble rhyming words, habitual mispronunciation, persistent baby talk, difficulty in learning letters and numbers, inability to sound out letters in simple words, confusion involving words that sound alike, and difficulty following instructions.a Helping Your Child to Cope What can you do if your child seems to have a learning disability? First, have his hearing and vision tested to rule out those causes.b Then obtain a medical evaluation. If your child is learning-disabled, he will need your emotional support. Remember, a learning disability is not related to a child’s intelligence. Take advantage of any special program your child’s school might have, such as tutoring. Enlist his teacher’s cooperation. Perhaps your child could be allowed to sit at the front of the classroom and have more time to complete his assignments. His teacher could give him both written and oral instructions and let him take exams orally. As learning-disabled children are often forgetful and disorganized, a second set of textbooks could be provided for use at home. A computer with a spell-checker could be made available for use in class or for homework. Have short daily reading sessions. It is best for a dyslexic child to read aloud so that you, the parent, have an opportunity to offer feedback and correction. First read aloud yourself, having your child follow along. Next, read the same text aloud together. Then have your child read it by himself. Have him use a ruler under each line as he reads, and a highlighter on difficult words. This exercise may take only 15 minutes a day. Math skills can be taught in practical ways, such as when measuring quantities in recipes, using a ruler in carpentry, or going shopping. Graph paper and diagrams may be of help in doing math problems. For handwriting difficulties, try wide-ruled paper and thick pencils. Magnetic letters arranged on a metallic surface may help your child to spell. There are also useful strategies for dealing with ADHD. Before speaking to a child with an attention disorder, make eye contact. Provide a quiet area for homework, and allow your child to take frequent breaks. Channel his hyperactivity by assigning chores that involve being active, such as walking the dog. Success Is Possible Build on your child’s strengths, encouraging any ability or talent that he may have. Praise and reward any accomplishment, however small. Break projects down into smaller, more manageable tasks so that he can experience the pride of succeeding. Use pictures or diagrams of the steps he must take in order to complete a project. In the end, mastering basic reading, writing, and math skills is important for a youth. Be assured that given the proper motivation and assistance, your child can learn​—he may just do it differently from others and take a little longer. [Footnotes] a Learning disabilities are often accompanied by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is characterized by hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and an inability to concentrate. See Awake! of February 22, 1997, pages 5-10. b The masculine gender is used in this article because boys are three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with dyslexia and hyperactivity. [Box on page 11] A LEARNING DISABILITY BECOMES AN ASSET “When I looked at words on a page, they were merely a jumbled mess of squiggly lines. They may just as well have been in a foreign language. Words did not mean anything to me until someone else read them aloud. Teachers thought I was lazy or disrespectful or that I was not trying or not listening to lessons. Nothing could have been further from the truth. I was listening and trying very hard, but I was just not able to grasp the concept of reading and writing. Other subjects, such as math, were not difficult for me. As a child, I quickly learned to focus on things like sports, trade skills, art, and anything that involved using my hands, as long as it was not related to reading and writing. “Later on, I chose to work with my hands, so I became a tradesman. This has led to the privilege of working on five international construction projects of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Because more effort is needed for me to read, I tend to be able to remember much of what I have read. As a student of the Bible, I have found this to be very helpful, particularly in my Christian ministry. So, instead of viewing this disability as a weakness, I view it as an asset.”​—Peter, a dyslexic who is a full-time minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses. [Picture on page 10] Children can be very adept at taking “picture notes” while listening attentively

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS outputment and Generosity

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102018016

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS outputment and Generosity HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU HEARD HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS MEASURED IN TERMS OF ASSETS OR WEALTH? Driven by that view, millions work long, exhausting hours to make more money. But do money and possessions bring lasting happiness? What does the evidence suggest? According to the Journal of Happiness Studies, once our basic needs are met, more income does little to improve our overall happiness or our sense of well-being. Money itself is not the issue. It’s “the striving for [money] that’s instructioned to unhappiness,” states an article in the magazine Monitor on Psychology. Those words mirror this advice given in the Bible almost two thousand years ago: “The love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have . . . stabbed themselves all over with many pains.” (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) What may those pains include? WORRY AND LOSS OF SLEEP BECAUSE WEALTH HAS TO BE PROTECTED. “Sweet is the sleep of the one serving, whether he eats little or much, but the plenty belonging to the rich one does not permit him to sleep.”​—Ecclesiastes 5:12. DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN THE PROMISED HAPPINESS FAILS TO ARRIVE. In part, that letdown is because a craving for money cannot be satisfied. “A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income.” (Ecclesiastes 5:10) Also, a hunger for wealth may move a person to sacrifice important things that do promote happiness, such as precious time spent with family and friends or in spiritual pursuits. GRIEF AND FRUSTRATION WHEN MONEY OR INVESTMENTS DEPRECIATE OR FAIL. “Do not wear yourself out to gain wealth. Stop and show understanding. When you cast your eyes on it, it is not there, for it will surely sprout wings like an eagle and fly off.”​—Proverbs 23:4, 5. QUALITIES THAT PROMOTE HAPPINESS outputMENT. “We have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having food and clothing, we will be output with these things.” (1 Timothy 6:7, 8) People who are output are not disposed to complain or grumble, and their attitude protects them against envy. And because their desires do not exceed their means, they spare themselves needless anxiety and stress. GENEROSITY. “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Generous people are happy because they enjoy making others happy, even if all they can give is a little of their time and energy. They often gain in abundance what no amount of money can buy​—love, respect, and genuine friends, who give generously in return!​—Luke 6:38. PUTTING PEOPLE BEFORE THINGS. “Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened bull where there is hatred.” (Proverbs 15:17) The point? Loving relationships with others are more valuable than material riches. And love, as we shall see later, is vital to happiness. Sabina, a woman in South America, learned the value of Bible principles. Abandoned by her husband, Sabina struggled to obtain life’s necessities for herself and her two daughters. She held two jobs and daily rose at 4:00 a.m. Despite her grueling schedule, Sabina decided to study the Bible. The result? Her economic status remained much the same. But her outlook on life improved dramatically! For example, she gained the happiness that comes from satisfying one’s spiritual need. (Matthew 5:3) She found true friends among fellow believers. And she experienced the happiness of giving by sharing with others what she had learned. “Wisdom is vindicated by its results,” the Bible says. (Matthew 11:19; footnote) On that basis, outputment and generosity as well as putting people before things stand thoroughly vindicated! KEY POINTS “The love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have . . . stabbed themselves all over with many pains.”​—1 Timothy 6:10. “The love of money” can lead to . . . Worry and loss of sleep Disappointment Grief and frustration Happiness comes to those who . . . Are output with what they have Are generous Put people before things

Learn From the Bible (lfb) 2017

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lfb

Introduction to Section 6 When the Israelites finally reached the Promised Land, the tabernacle became the center of true worship there. Priests taught the Law, and judges guided the nation. This section illustrates the profound impact that a person’s decisions and actions can have on others. Each Israelite had a personal responsibility toward Jehovah and his fellow man. Highlight the influence that Deborah, Naomi, Joshua, Hannah, Jephthah’s daughter, and Samuel had on their communities. Emphasize that even some non-Israelites, such as Rahab, Ruth, Jael, and the Gibeonites, decided to side with the Israelites because they knew that God was with them. KEY LESSONS Jehovah used the judges to save his people miraculously Faithful ones, young and old, were rewarded for their complete confidence in Jehovah God is not partial; he accepts people from every nation and background who love him and do what is right

“Eternal Purpose” (po) 1974

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Chapter 12 The Glorification of the Messiah 1. What did Jehovah inspire the prophet Isaiah (53:7-12) to say regarding what should precede the glorification of the Messiah? BEFORE the glorification must come the suffering. This was to be the experience of God’s Messianic “servant.” In foretelling that this was the divine purpose respecting the Messiah, God inspired his prophet Isaiah of the eighth century before our Common Era to say: “He was oppressed, though he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth. . . . Therefore will I divide him a portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because he bared his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”—Isaiah 53:7-12, JPS; Acts 8:32-35. 2. After hearing of John’s imprisonment, what message did Jesus take up? 2 Even the forerunner of the Messiah was obliged to suffer for his faithfulness to God’s law. After he had directed many baptized disciples to Jesus, he was imprisoned by the district ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, and later, during a celebration of Herod’s birthday, he was beheaded. (Matthew 14:1-12) After Jesus heard of John’s arrest and imprisonment, he took up John’s message. “From that time on Jesus commenced preaching and saying: ‘Repent, you people, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’”—Matthew 4:12-17. 3. For preferring to be what did Moses suffer, and how should the experience of Jesus correspond with that? 3 Like John the Baptizer, Jesus was not preaching the earthly kingdom of the Maccabees, which many Jews wanted to be restored. He was preaching the “kingdom of the heavens,” the kingdom of God which had a relationship with King David of old. In his suffering he was not unlike the prophet Moses. As regards the strong faith of Moses, it is written in Hebrews 11:25, 26: “Choosing to be ill-treated with the people of God rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin, because he esteemed the reproach of the Christ as riches greater than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked intently toward the payment of the reward.” Since the Messiah was to be a prophet like Moses, and Moses suffered before and after being appointed (anointed) as Jehovah’s prophet, it was but in the proper order of things that the Messiah Jesus should suffer also. In fact, his sufferings should be greater than those of Moses.—Deuteronomy 18:15. 4. In whose name did Moses come to his people, and how does this correspond with the case of Jesus Christ? 4 It was in the name of God Almighty, Jehovah, that Moses was sent back to Egypt to lead his people out of slavery there. (Exodus 3:13-15; 5:22, 23) Just as Moses met with opposition, so his first-century counterpart did. To those who put no faith in him as the Messiah sent from God, Jesus said: “I have come in the name of my Father, but you do not receive me; if someone else arrived in his own name, you would receive that one. How can you believe, when you are accepting glory from one another and you are not seeking the glory that is from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father; there is one that accuses you, Moses, in whom you have put your hope. In fact, if you believed Moses you would believe me, for that one wrote about me. But if you do not believe the writings of that one, how will you believe my sayings?”—John 5:43-47. 5. Why should the Jews have believed that Jesus came in his heavenly Father’s name, and when did a crowd express such a belief? 5 We note how Jesus answered those who did not accept him as the Messiah and who said to him: “How long are you to keep our souls in suspense? If you are the Christ [Ma·shiʹahh], tell us outspokenly.” Jesus asked them to let his Messianic works speak for him, saying: “I told you, and yet you do not believe. The works that I am doing in the name of my Father, these bear witness about me. But you do not believe, because you are none of my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:24-27) But there were some Jews that believed that Jesus came in his heavenly Father’s name. So, five days before the Passover of 33 C.E., when Jesus, astride an ass, rode into Jerusalem in fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, a crowd of them hailed him and cried out: “Save, we pray you! Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah’s name, even the king of Israel!”—John 12:1, 12, 13; Matthew 21:4-9; Mark 11:7-11; Luke 19:35-38; Psalm 118:26. 6. In whose name did Jesus keep watch over his faithful apostles? 6 Finally, on Passover night, after celebrating it with his faithful disciples or apostles, Jesus prayed to Jehovah and said: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word. . . . Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me, in order that they may be one just as we are. When I was with them I used to watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me; and I have kept them.”—John 17:6, 11, 12. So, in coming in Jehovah’s name, Jesus was a prophet like Moses. IDENTIFIED ALSO BY MIRACLES AND PROPHECIES 7. Why did Moses perform signs before Egyptians and Israelites, and how do his signs compare in number with those of the Messiah? 7 Both to the Israelites and to the Egyptians the prophet Moses proved that he came in the name of the one living and true God by means of many miracles. These were God-given “signs” in proof that Jehovah had sent Moses. (Exodus 4:1-30; 7:1-3; 8:22, 23; 10:1, 2; Deuteronomy 34:10, 11) The ancient Israelites did not demand from Moses a “sign from heaven,” and accordingly the Israelites of the first century C.E. were out of order in asking for such a sign from Jesus. (Matthew 16:1-4) It is no discredit to say that the miraculous signs performed by Moses were far outnumbered by those performed by Jesus in proof of his Messiahship. 8. With what did Jesus begin his “signs,” and what effect did “signs” have upon his disciples and on Nicodemus? 8 Jesus did not do like Moses and turn water into blood, but he did turn water into the best of wine when supplies ran out at a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. This was only the start, according to what is written in John 2:11: “Jesus performed this in Cana of Galilee as the beginning of his signs, and he made his glory manifest; and his disciples put their faith in him.” As regards the Passover of 30 C.E., the record tells us: “When he was in Jerusalem at the passover, at its festival, many people put their faith in his name, viewing his signs that he was performing.” (John 2:23) For example, the Pharisee Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews and member of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin, visited Jesus by night and said: “Rabbi, we know that you as a teacher have come from God; for no one can perform these signs that you perform unless God is with him.”—John 3:1, 2; 7:50, 51; 19:39, 40. 9. How did Jesus’ miracles compare with those of Moses in kind? 9 Did Moses cure leprosy? Jesus cured many lepers in the land of Israel. Did Moses divide the waters of the Red Sea for the saving of his people? Jesus walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee and calmed its waters during a dangerous windstorm. Forty years the Israelites lived on manna from heaven in the wilderness and died thereafter. Jesus provided a manna from heaven in the sacrifice of his own perfect humanity, that all those eating of it by faith may live forever. (John 6:48-51) Moses never cured all the cases of sickness and infirmity that Jesus did. Moses never raised anybody from the dead. Jesus raised more persons from the dead than did the prophets Elijah and Elisha, one of these being Lazarus of Bethany, who had been dead and entombed for four days. (John 11:1-45; 12:1-9) Even Jesus’ enemies had to admit that he performed many signs, for they said: “What are we to do, because this man performs many signs? If we let him alone this way, they will all put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”—John 11:46-48; 12:37. 10. How did Peter testify, both to Jews at Pentecost in Jerusalem and to Gentiles in Caesarea, about Jesus’ miracles? 10 Without overstating the case, then, the apostle Peter could say to thousands of Jews on the festival day of Shavuoth (Weeks) of 33 C.E.: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man publicly shown by God to you through powerful works and portents and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.” (Acts 2:22) Some years later this same Peter, when stating the facts of the case, at Caesarea, to some interested Gentiles who were favorable to the Jews, said: “You know the subject that was talked about throughout the whole of Judea, starting from Galilee after the baptism that John preached, namely, Jesus who was from Nazareth, how God anointed him with holy spirit and power, and he went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him. And we are witnesses of all the things he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem.”—Acts 10:37-39. 11, 12. (a) What is the resemblance of Jesus to Moses as a prophet? (b) What about Jesus’ most extensive prophecy as to its undergoing fulfillment? 11 Was Moses a prophet? Yes, indeed! And so was the Messiah Jesus. He spoke many prophetic parables or illustrations. He foretold his betrayal by his own apostle Judas and how his own death would occur and by whom, and also that he would be raised from the grave on the third day of his death. He foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, that was to occur at the hands of the Romans in 70 C.E. His most extensive prophecy was that recorded in the accounts preserved in Matthew, chapters twenty-four and twenty-five, Mark, chapter thirteen, and Luke, chapter twenty-one. This prophecy was in answer to the question of his disciples as to when Jerusalem’s destruction with its temple would occur, and what would be the “sign” of his Messianic return and “presence” (parousia) and that of the “conclusion of the system of things.” 12 In testimony to the accuracy of this prophecy, features of the prophecy were fulfilled during that generation in the first century, and, more remarkably still, corresponding features and other details have been fulfilled upon our own generation since 1914 C.E., since which year we have had wars, food shortages, earthquakes, pestilences, persecution of his followers, worldwide distress, and an unsurpassed “great tribulation” is ahead.—Matthew 24:21. 13. How does Jesus compare with Moses as to having prophecies that foretold him and that were fulfilled upon him? 13 The prophet Moses had no prophecies foretelling him and fulfilled upon him. But in all the Hebrew Scriptures, from Genesis to Malachi, there are hundreds of prophecies that were fulfilled upon Jesus from his birth to his death and resurrection, to prove that he was indeed the Messiah, the “seed” that was to be bruised “in the heel” by the Great Serpent, Satan the Devil. He himself called the attention of his disciples to this after God raised him from the dead. The record in Luke 24:25-48 tells us: “So he said to them: ‘O senseless ones and slow in heart to believe on all the things the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary for the Christ [Ma·shiʹahh] to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?’ And commencing at Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures. . . . “He now said to them: ‘These are my words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all the things written in the law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms about me must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened up their minds fully to grasp the meaning of the Scriptures, and he said to them: ‘In this way it is written that the Christ [Ma·shiʹahh] would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations—starting out from Jerusalem, you are to be witnesses of these things.’” 14. What did Moses write about curses upon Israel and about making a criminal something accursed to God? With whom in view? 14 In Leviticus, chapter twenty-six, and Deuteronomy 28:15-68 the prophet Moses wrote down all the maledictions and curses that would come upon the nation of Israel for not carrying out their Law covenant with Jehovah God. Moses also wrote: “And in case there comes to be in a man a sin deserving the sentence of death, and he has been put to death, and you have hung him upon a stake, his dead body should not stay all night on the stake; but you should by all means bury him on that day, because something accursed of God is the one hung up; and you must not defile your soil, which Jehovah your God is giving you as an inheritance.”—Deuteronomy 21:22, 23. This law was evidently given by God with his Messiah in mind. Why? In order for the nation of Israel to be saved from the curse coming upon it for the violating of its Law covenant with God, the Messiah must die on a stake as accursed in place of Israel. DEATH AND GLORIFICATION 15. On Passover day of 33 C.E., what was done to have the Lamb of God executed by non-Jews? 15 On Nisan 14, Passover day, of the year 33 C.E., the Passover lamb was killed and prepared to be eaten, even by Jesus’ own apostles. (Matthew 26:1-30; Mark 14:1-26; Luke 22:1-39) But what about the one whom John the Baptist called “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”? (John 1:29, 36) Late after the Passover supper that night he was betrayed by the apostle Judas Iscariot and was taken into custody by an armed group that took him and turned him over to the religious leaders of Jerusalem. He was put through a trial by the judicial Sanhedrin and sentenced to death according to their interpretation of the Law. In view of their limitations as to the execution of the death penalty, that judicial body turned the condemned Jesus over to the Gentile governor, Pontius Pilate, as a disturber of the peace and a criminal seditionist. The insistence of his accusers was on having him hung upon a stake to die. 16. Before Pilate, what did Jesus say about the kingdom and the truth? 16 When on trial before Pontius Pilate, Jesus pointed out that his Messianic kingdom was to be heavenly, not earthly at Jerusalem of the Middle East. When Pilate asked him: “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied: “My kingdom is no part of this world. If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” At this answer, Pilate asked: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus replied: “You yourself are saying that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.”—John 18:33-37. 17. How was Jesus then ‘counted with the transgressors,’ and what hope did he impart to one of the transgressors? 17 Unwillingly, Pilate yielded to the demands of the accusers for Jesus to be hung up on a stake. The place of execution proved to be at Golgotha (“Skull Place”), or Calvary, outside the wall of Jerusalem. He was hung up between two criminal evildoers, “transgressors.” Those who were versed in the Law of Moses looked upon Jesus upon the stake as “something accursed of God.” Although thus “it was with the transgressors that he was counted,” Jesus still held in mind the hope of an earthly Paradise for mankind under his future Messianic government. Consequently, when one transgressor, who came to realize that Jesus was an innocent man and a scapegoat for sinners, said to him: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your kingdom,” Jesus answered: “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise.”—Luke 23:39-43; 22:37. 18. How did Jesus make his grave with wicked ones and with the rich ones, and in what condition was he in Sheol? 18 About midafternoon of that Passover day, Jesus died. “He bared his soul unto death.” “He poured out his soul to the very death.” (Isaiah 53:12, JPS; NW) According to Deuteronomy 21:22, 23, he was buried that very afternoon. He was laid in a newly cut tomb belonging to a rich man, in this way making “his burial place even with the wicked ones, and with the rich class in his death, despite the fact that he had done no violence and there was no deception in his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) Thus, too, Jesus’ soul went to Sheol, the common grave of mankind. There it was true of the dead Jesus: “The dead know not anything . . . there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.”—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10, AS; RS. 19. When and how did Jehovah fulfill his own inspired prophecy in Psalm 16:10, and why did a question arise as to Jesus’ whereabouts? 19 However, King David had written prophetically: “For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; in thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:10, 11, AS; RS) True to this prophecy of His own inspiration, Jehovah the Almighty God raised up the Messiah Jesus on the third day, Nisan 16, the day when the high priest Caiaphas at the temple offered up to Jehovah a “sheaf of the firstfruits” of the barley harvest. (Leviticus 23:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23) True it was that the tomb in which Jesus had been put was found empty, but why was it that he was nowhere to be found by his own disciples? Why was it that during the forty days after his resurrection he would suddenly appear to them and as suddenly disappear, to prove to them that he was alive from the dead?—Acts 1:1-3; John 20:1-31; Matthew 28:1-18. 20. How does Peter explain Jesus’ resurrection, and how does Paul describe the corresponding resurrection of Jesus’ disciples? 20 The apostle Peter, to whom the resurrected Jesus appeared once privately, gives us the explanation for these materializations such as the spirit angels had made in the days of the ancient prophets. Peter says: “Christ also died for our sins once and for all. He, the just, suffered for the unjust, to bring us to God. In the body he was put to death; in the spirit he was brought to life. And in the spirit he went and made his proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.” (1 Peter 3:18, 19, NEB; RS; 1 Corinthians 15:5; Luke 24:34) At his resurrection it was done with him as it is foretold to occur to his faithful disciples at their resurrection: “It is sown in dishonor, it is raised up in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised up in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised up a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual one. It is even so written: ‘The first man Adam became a living soul.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. “However, this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God’s kingdom, neither does corruption inherit incorruption. . . . For this which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and this which is mortal must put on immortality. But when this which is corruptible puts on incorruption and this which is mortal puts on immortality, then the saying will take place that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up forever.’”—1 Corinthians 15:43-45, 50-54. “For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall certainly also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection.”—Romans 6:5. 21. God resurrected Jesus to be what kind of a person, and so how was it that Jesus retained the merit of his human sacrifice? 21 Accordingly, the Scriptural evidence proves that Jesus Christ was resurrected as a spirit Son of God in immortality and incorruption. (Acts 13:32-37) So, at his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ did not withdraw his human body as a sacrifice off God’s altar by resuming his human body. (Hebrews 10:1-10) Just as on the annual Day of Atonement the bodies of those animal victims whose blood was taken into the Most Holy for sin were disposed of, so God accepted the sacrifice of Jesus’ human nature and disposed of Jesus’ human body. How? We do not know. (Hebrews 13:10-13; Leviticus, chapter sixteen) Although Almighty God did not resurrect his Son Jesus Christ in a human body, the resurrected Son of God did retain the value or merit of his human sacrifice, which was like the sacrificial blood that the Jewish high priest carried into the Most Holy of the temple so as to make atonement for sin. 22, 23. (a) As a spirit person by resurrection, what was Jesus now able to do as prefigured by the high priest on Atonement Day? (b) How was Jesus now in a stronger position for bruising the Serpent “in the head”? 22 As a spirit Son of God, Jesus Christ was able to ascend back to heaven on the fortieth day from his resurrection from the dead. A number of his faithful disciples were witnesses to that ascension. (Acts 1:1-11) Just as the Jewish high priest in the Most Holy sprinkled the Atonement blood toward the golden Ark of the Covenant, so Jesus entered into God’s heavenly presence and presented the value or merit of his perfect human sacrifice. (Hebrews 9:11-14, 24-26) Then the Most High God seated him at His own right hand as the “priest to time indefinite according to the manner of Melchizedek.”—Psalm 110:1-4; Acts 2:31-36; Hebrews 5:10; 10:11-13. 23 In this way the Son of God was rewarded with a heavenly position higher than the one he held before becoming a perfect man and being bruised “in the heel” by the Great Serpent. He resumed his prehuman name, Michael, so that again there was a “Michael the archangel” in heaven. (Jude 9; Revelation 12:7) The glorified “seed” of God’s “woman” was now in a far stronger position to bruise the Serpent’s head in God’s due time.—Genesis 3:15. 24, 25. (a) Jews and Gentiles can alike be glad that God’s Son is not what kind of a Messiah? (b) In Philippians 2:5-11, what mental attitude are we exhorted to have? 24 How thankful and glad all humanity, natural Jews and Gentiles alike, should be that God’s promised Messiah will be a deathless heavenly Messiah, and not a mere earthly human “anointed one” like King David! Under prophetic inspiration, David humbly acknowledged this highly exalted one as his Lord, and this should be our attitude also. We are exhorted to have this submissive mental attitude in the following inspired words: 25 “Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ [Ma·shiʹahh] Jesus, who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God [yet he did not think to snatch at equality with God, NEB]. No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ [Ma·shiʹahh] is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”—Philippians 2:5-11. See also 2 Corinthians 5:16.

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK Should I Get Baptized?—Part 3: What Is Holding Me Back?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/500600115

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK Should I Get Baptized?—Part 3: What Is Holding Me Back? Does the thought of dedicating yourself to Jehovah and getting baptized make you nervous? If so, this article will help you confront your fears. In this article What if I make a serious mistake after baptism? What if I fear the responsibility that baptism will bring? What if I feel unworthy to serve Jehovah? What your peers say What if I make a serious mistake after baptism? Why the concern: Perhaps you know someone who got involved in serious wrongdoing and had to be removed from the congregation. (1 Corinthians 5:11-13) You might worry that this will happen to you. “When I first thought about getting baptized, the idea of messing up scared me. I could just imagine how badly that would reflect on my parents.”—Rebekah. Key scripture: “Let the wicked man leave his way . . . Let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will forgive in a large way.”—Isaiah 55:7. Think it through: Although unrepentant wrongdoers are removed from the congregation, Jehovah extends mercy to those who humbly repent and accept correction.—Psalm 103:13, 14; 2 Corinthians 7:11. Besides, the fact is this: Even though you’re imperfect, you can resist temptation with God’s help. (1 Corinthians 10:13) After all, who decides how you will act? You? Or someone else? “I feared that I would make a serious mistake after baptism, but then I realized that I would be making a mistake if I were to hold back from getting baptized. I realized that I shouldn’t let the what-ifs of tomorrow hold me back today.”—Karen. The bottom line: If you choose to, you can avoid serious sins—as do the vast majority of Jehovah’s servants.—Philippians 2:12. Need more help? See “How Can I Resist Temptation?” What if I fear the responsibility that baptism will bring? Why the concern: For instance, you might know of young ones who have moved far away from their family and friends to expand their service to Jehovah. You worry that people will expect you to do the same. “A baptized Christian is eligible for greater privileges, but some people just aren’t ready to make themselves available or they don’t have the circumstances to do so.”—Marie. Key scripture: “Let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person.”—Galatians 6:4. Think it through: Rather than compare yourself with others, focus on the words of Mark 12:30: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart.” Note that you should serve Jehovah with your whole heart—not someone else’s. If you truly love Jehovah, you will find ways to serve him to the best of your ability. “While baptism is a serious step, it’s not a heavy burden. If you surround yourself with good associates, they’ll be there to help you. Gradually taking on responsibilities will actually make you happier. By avoiding baptism, you would be doing yourself a disservice.”—Julia. The bottom line: Build up your appreciation for the love that Jehovah has shown you. That will motivate you to give him your best in return.—1 John 4:19. Need more help? See “How Responsible Am I?” What if I feel unworthy to serve Jehovah? Why the concern: Jehovah is the Sovereign of the universe; by comparison, humans are nothing! You may wonder if Jehovah even knows you exist. “Because my parents are Jehovah’s Witnesses, I was worried that I had just ‘inherited’ my friendship with Jehovah from them and that Jehovah hadn’t drawn me personally.”—Natalie. Key scripture: “No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him.”—John 6:44. Think it through: The fact that you are considering baptism may indicate that Jehovah is drawing you into an even closer friendship with him. Isn’t it only right to respond to that invitation? Remember, too, that Jehovah—not you or anyone else—sets the standard for those whom he will draw. And his Word assures you that if you “draw close to God, . . . he will draw close to you.”—James 4:8. “The fact that you know about Jehovah and have been drawn to him is evidence that he loves you. So when your mind tells you that you are unworthy to serve him, remind yourself that he doesn’t agree. And Jehovah is always right.”—Selina. The bottom line: If you meet the Bible’s requirements for baptism, then you qualify to worship Jehovah. What is more, he deserves your worship.—Revelation 4:11. Need more help? See “Why Should I Pray?” What your peers say “Fear of failure shouldn’t hold you back from baptism. It’s like running a race. You could decide not to run because you’re afraid that you’ll fall. But if you fall, you can get back up. You won’t cross the finish line if you never start running in the first place.”—Skye. “A fear of accidents doesn’t stop a young person from getting a driver’s license. It’s the same with baptism. We should focus on keeping a strong friendship with Jehovah rather than on worrying about what could or might happen.”—Vinicio. Review: What is holding me back from baptism? Fear of making a serious mistake. If you choose to avoid serious sins, you can do so—as do the vast majority of Jehovah’s servants. Fear of responsibility. Build up your appreciation for the love that Jehovah has shown you. That will motivate you to give him your best in return. Fear of inadequacy. If you meet the Bible’s requirements for baptism, then you qualify to worship Jehovah. What is more, he deserves your worship.

Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2) 2008

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2

CHAPTER 2 Secret Dating​—What’s the Harm? Jessica was caught in a dilemma. It all started when a classmate named Jeremy began showing interest in her. “He was very cute,” she says, “and my friends said he was the most decent boy I’d ever meet. Several girls had tried to start a relationship with him, but he wasn’t interested in them. He liked only me.” Before long, Jeremy asked Jessica out. Jessica explained that as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she wouldn’t be allowed to date someone who wasn’t of her faith. “But then Jeremy had an idea,” she says. “He asked, ‘Why can’t we just date behind your parents’ backs?’” IF SOMEONE you were attracted to made such a suggestion, how would you respond? You might be surprised to learn that Jessica agreed to Jeremy’s plan. “I was convinced that if I dated him, I could make him learn to love Jehovah,” she says. How did things turn out? We’ll find out later. First, let’s see how some get caught in the snare of secret dating. Why They Do It Why do some date secretly? A young man named David puts it concisely, “They know their parents would not approve, so they don’t tell them.” Jane points out another possibility. “Secret dating is a rebellion thing,” she says. “If you feel that you’re not being treated like the young adult you think you are, you decide that you’re going to do what you want and just not tell your parents.” Can you think of any other reasons why some might be tempted to date secretly? If so, list them below. ․․․․․ Of course, you realize that the Bible commands you to obey your parents. (Ephesians 6:1) And if your parents object to your dating, they must have a good reason. Still, don’t be surprised if you find yourself thinking: ● I feel left out because everyone is dating except me. ● I’m attracted to someone who doesn’t share my faith. ● I would like to go out with a fellow Christian, even though I’m too young to marry. You probably know what your parents would say about the above statements. And deep down, you know that your parents are right. At the same time, you may feel like a girl named Manami, who says: “The pressure to date is so strong that I sometimes doubt my stand. For kids today it’s unthinkable not to be dating. Besides, it’s no fun being by myself!” Some in that situation have begun to date, hiding the matter from their parents. How? “We Were Told to Keep It a Secret” The very term “secret dating” suggests a measure of deception, and that’s just what it takes to make it work. Some keep their dating secret by communicating primarily over the phone or the Internet. In public, they’re just friends, but their e-mails, phone calls, and text messages tell a completely different story. Another sly tactic is to arrange for a group activity, only to pair off later. James says: “Once, a group of us were invited to meet at a location, only to discover that the whole thing had been set up so that two in the group could be together. We were told to keep it a secret.” Frequently, as James points out, secret dating is carried on with the cooperation of friends. “Often, at least one friend knows about the situation but chooses not to say anything because of a ‘don’t-tell’ mentality,” says Carol. At times, blatant dishonesty is involved. “Many keep their dating secret by lying to their parents about where they go,” says 17-year-old Beth. Misaki, 19, did just that. “I had to make up stories carefully,” she says. “I was cautious not to tell any lies other than those related to my dating so that I would not lose my parents’ trust.” The Pitfalls of Secret Dating If you’re tempted to date secretly​—or if you’re already doing so—​you need to ask yourself the following two questions: Where will my course lead? Do you intend to marry the person reasonably soon? “Dating without the intention of marriage is like advertising something you’re not selling,” says 20-year-old Evan. What can result? Proverbs 13:12 says: “Expectation postponed is making the heart sick.” Do you really want to make someone you care about sick at heart? Another caution: Dating secretly will rob you of the loving interest of your parents and other concerned adults. Because of this, you’re more likely to fall into the trap of sexual immorality.​—Galatians 6:7. How does Jehovah God feel about what I’m doing? The Bible says: “All things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting.” (Hebrews 4:13) So if you’re covering up your own dating​—or that of a friend—​Jehovah already knows about it. And if deception is involved, you have good reason to be concerned. Jehovah God feels strongly about lying. Indeed, “a false tongue” is listed prominently in the Bible among the things that he detests!​—Proverbs 6:16-19. Ending the Secrecy Certainly, you would do well to talk to your parents or a mature Christian adult about any secret relationship that you may be involved in. And if a friend of yours is dating secretly, don’t share in his or her course by helping to cover it up. (1 Timothy 5:22) After all, how would you feel if the relationship had harmful consequences? Wouldn’t you be at least partly responsible? To illustrate: Suppose a friend is diabetic and is secretly filling up on sweets. What if you found out about it, but your friend begged you not to tell anyone? What would be your greatest concern​—covering up for your friend or taking action that could possibly save his or her life? You face a similar situation if you know that an acquaintance is dating secretly. Don’t worry about permanently ruining your friendship. In time, a true friend will realize that you were acting in his or her best interests.​—Psalm 141:5. Secrecy or Privacy? Of course, not all secrecy surrounding dating involves deception. For instance, suppose a young man and woman would like to become better acquainted, but for a time they do not wish to make that widely known. Perhaps, as a young man named Thomas says, “they don’t want to be teased with questions like, ‘So when are you getting married?’” Undue pressure from others can indeed be harmful. (Song of Solomon 2:7) Therefore, at the initial stage of a relationship, some may well choose to be discreet. (Proverbs 10:19) “This gives two people time to decide if they’re serious about each other,” says 20-year-old Anna. “If they are, then they can go public.” At the same time, it would be wrong to hide your relationship from those who have a right to know about it, such as your parents or the parents of the person you’re dating. Really, if you can’t be open about your dating, you should ask yourself why. Do you know in your heart that your parents would have valid reason to object? “I Knew What I Had to Do” Jessica, mentioned at the outset, changed her mind about secretly dating Jeremy when she heard the experience of another Christian who was in a similar situation. “After hearing how she broke off the relationship,” Jessica says, “I knew what I had to do.” Was breaking up easy? No! “This was the only boy I had ever really liked,” Jessica says. “I cried every day for several weeks.” Yet, Jessica knew that she loved Jehovah. And although she had become sidetracked, she truly wanted to do what was right. In time, the pain of breaking up subsided. “Now,” Jessica says, “my relationship with Jehovah is better than ever. I’m so grateful that he gives us the direction we need at just the right time!” IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERYou’re ready to date, and you’ve found someone you like. But how do you know if this person is right for you? KEY SCRIPTURE “We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”​—Hebrews 13:18. TIP You don’t have to broadcast your relationship around the globe. But do tell those who have a right to know. Most often, that includes your parents and the parents of the person you’re dating. DID YOU KNOW . . . ? Lasting relationships are built on trust. Dating secretly betrays the trust of your parents and undermines the very foundation of your relationship with the one you’re dating. ACTION PLAN! If I am dating a fellow Christian secretly, I will ․․․․․ If a friend of mine is dating secretly, I will ․․․․․ What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․ WHAT DO YOU THINK? ● Look back at the three situations highlighted in bold type on page 22. Which, if any, describes how you feel at times? ● How can you address the matter without dating secretly? ● If you knew that a friend was dating secretly, how would you deal with the situation, and why would you choose to do it that way? [Blurb on page 27] “I stopped dating secretly. Yes, going back to school and seeing that boy every day was hard. But Jehovah God can see the bigger picture, whereas we can’t. We just have to trust Jehovah.”​—Jessica [Picture on page 25] Covering up for a friend who is secretly dating is like covering up for a diabetic who is secretly gorging on sweets

Proclaimers (jv) 1993

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/jv

Section 3 An Association of Brothers Is it possible for millions of people out of all nations and languages to work together as a genuine association of brothers? The record of Jehovah’s modern-day Witnesses answers with a resounding Yes! This section (Chapters 15 to 21) tells how their organization functions. It conveys the zeal with which they proclaim God’s Kingdom and the love that is manifest as they work together and as they care for one another in times of crisis. [Full-page picture on page 202]

Sing Praises (ssb) 1984

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb

Song 162 “Preach the Word”! (2 Timothy 4:2) 1. “Preach the word,” the God of heaven Has commanded for this day. Now to us the time is given That divine charge to obey. “Preach the word” along with teaching; Help the meek to understand. Fear not men, but keep on preaching On the streets throughout the land. 2. “Preach the word” in ev’ry season, Always ready to impart To each one who asks a reason For the hope within your heart. “Preach the word,” though opposition Makes it out of season seem. Faithful be to your commission; Trust in God, who is supreme. 3. “Preach the word” in work unceasing. O how vital that all hear! Wickedness is fast increasing, And this system’s end draws near. “Preach the word” and bring salvation To yourself and others too. “Preach the word,” for vindication Of Jehovah’s name is due.

What Happened to Jehovah’s Witnesses During the Time of the Holocaust?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502018290

What Happened to Jehovah’s Witnesses During the Time of the Holocaust? About 1,500 of Jehovah’s Witnesses died during the time of the Holocaust, out of some 35,000 Witnesses living in Germany and Nazi-occupied countries. The cause of death is not known in all cases. Since research is ongoing, figures and other details may be updated in time. How did they die? Why were they persecuted? Where did they die? Some of those executed How did they die? Guillotine used by the Nazis Executions: Close to 400 Witnesses were executed in Germany and in Nazi-occupied countries. Most victims were tried in court, sentenced to death, and beheaded. Others were shot or hanged without a formal court hearing. Severe detention conditions: More than 1,000 Witnesses died in Nazi concentration camps and prisons. They were worked to death or died as a result of torture, starvation, exposure to cold, illness, or poor medical care. As a result of the brutal treatment, others died shortly after their liberation at the end of World War II. Other causes: Some Witnesses were killed in gas chambers, subjected to deadly medical experiments, or given lethal injections. Why were they persecuted? Jehovah’s Witnesses were persecuted because they adhered to the Bible’s teachings. When the Nazi state demanded that the Witnesses do what the Bible forbids, the Witnesses refused to comply. They chose to “obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:​29) Consider two areas in which they made that choice. Remaining politically neutral. As are Witnesses in all countries today, Jehovah’s Witnesses living under Nazi rule were neutral in political issues. (John 18:36) Therefore, they refused to Serve in the military or support war efforts.​—Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 26:52. Vote in elections or join Nazi organizations.​—John 17:16. Salute the swastika or say “Heil Hitler!”​—Matthew 23:10; 1 Corinthians 10:14. Practicing their faith. Despite being forbidden to practice their faith, Jehovah’s Witnesses continued to Meet for prayer and worship.​—Hebrews 10:24, 25. Preach the Bible’s message and distribute Bible-based literature.​—Matthew 28:19, 20. Show kindness to their neighbors, including Jews.​—Mark 12:31. Hold on to their faith, refusing to sign a document renouncing their beliefs.​—Mark 12:30. Professor Robert Gerwarth concludes that Jehovah’s Witnesses were “the only group in the Third Reich to be persecuted on the basis of their religious beliefs alone.”a Fellow concentration-camp prisoners came to admire Jehovah’s Witnesses for their firm stand. One Austrian prisoner observed: “They do not go to war. They would rather be killed than kill anyone else.” Where did they die? Concentration camps: The majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses died in concentration camps. They were incarcerated in camps such as Auschwitz, Buchenwald, Dachau, Flossenbürg, Mauthausen, Neuengamme, Niederhagen, Ravensbrück, and Sachsenhausen. In Sachsenhausen alone, about 200 deaths of Jehovah’s Witnesses have been verified. Prisons: Some Witnesses were tortured to death in prisons. Others died because of the injuries inflicted during interrogation. Places of execution: Jehovah’s Witnesses were executed mainly in Berlin-Plötzensee, Brandenburg, and Halle/Saale prisons. In addition, some 70 other locations where Witnesses were executed have been documented. Some of those executed Name: Helene Gotthold Place of execution: Plötzensee (Berlin) Helene, a wife and mother of two children, had been arrested several times. In 1937, she was mistreated so badly during one interrogation that she lost her unborn baby. On December 8, 1944, she was beheaded by guillotine in Plötzensee prison, Berlin. Name: Gerhard Liebold Place of execution: Brandenburg Twenty-year-old Gerhard was beheaded on May 6, 1943, two years after his father had been beheaded in the same prison. He wrote in his farewell letter to his family and fiancée: “Without the power of the Lord, I would not have been able to walk this path.” Name: Rudolf Auschner Place of execution: Halle/Saale Rudolf was just 17 years old when he was beheaded on September 22, 1944. In his farewell letter to his mother, he wrote: “Many brothers have walked this path, and so will I.” a Hitler’s Hangman: The Life of Heydrich, page 105.

Trinity (ti) 1989

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/trinity-ti

How Is the Trinity Explained? THE Roman Catholic Church states: “The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion . . . Thus, in the words of the Athanasian Creed: ‘the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God.’ In this Trinity . . . the Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent.”—The Catholic Encyclopedia. Nearly all other churches in Christendom agree. For example, the Greek Orthodox Church also calls the Trinity “the fundamental doctrine of Christianity,” even saying: “Christians are those who accept Christ as God.” In the book Our Orthodox Christian Faith, the same church declares: “God is triune. . . . The Father is totally God. The Son is totally God. The Holy Spirit is totally God.” Thus, the Trinity is considered to be “one God in three Persons.” Each is said to be without beginning, having existed for eternity. Each is said to be almighty, with each neither greater nor lesser than the others. Is such reasoning hard to follow? Many sincere believers have found it to be confusing, contrary to normal reason, unlike anything in their experience. How, they ask, could the Father be God, Jesus be God, and the holy spirit be God, yet there be not three Gods but only one God? “Beyond the Grasp of Human Reason” THIS confusion is widespread. The Encyclopedia Americana notes that the doctrine of the Trinity is considered to be “beyond the grasp of human reason.” Many who accept the Trinity view it that same way. Monsignor Eugene Clark says: “God is one, and God is three. Since there is nothing like this in creation, we cannot understand it, but only accept it.” Cardinal John O’Connor states: “We know that it is a very profound mystery, which we don’t begin to understand.” And Pope John Paul II speaks of “the inscrutable mystery of God the Trinity.” Thus, A Dictionary of Religious Knowledge says: “Precisely what that doctrine is, or rather precisely how it is to be explained, Trinitarians are not agreed among themselves.” We can understand, then, why the New Catholic Encyclopedia observes: “There are few teachers of Trinitarian theology in Roman Catholic seminaries who have not been badgered at one time or another by the question, ‘But how does one preach the Trinity?’ And if the question is symptomatic of confusion on the part of the students, perhaps it is no less symptomatic of similar confusion on the part of their professors.” The truth of that observation can be verified by going to a library and examining books that support the Trinity. Countless pages have been written attempting to explain it. Yet, after struggling through the labyrinth of confusing theological terms and explanations, investigators still come away unsatisfied. In this regard, Jesuit Joseph Bracken observes in his book What Are They Saying About the Trinity?: “Priests who with considerable effort learned . . . the Trinity during their seminary years naturally hesitated to present it to their people from the pulpit, even on Trinity Sunday. . . . Why should one bore people with something that in the end they wouldn’t properly understand anyway?” He also says: “The Trinity is a matter of formal belief, but it has little or no [effect] in day-to-day Christian life and worship.” Yet, it is “the central doctrine” of the churches! Catholic theologian Hans Küng observes in his book Christianity and the World Religions that the Trinity is one reason why the churches have been unable to make any significant headway with non-Christian peoples. He states: “Even well-informed Muslims simply cannot follow, as the Jews thus far have likewise failed to grasp, the idea of the Trinity. . . . The distinctions made by the doctrine of the Trinity between one God and three hypostases do not satisfy Muslims, who are confused, rather than enlightened, by theological terms derived from Syriac, Greek, and Latin. Muslims find it all a word game. . . . Why should anyone want to add anything to the notion of God’s oneness and uniqueness that can only dilute or nullify that oneness and uniqueness?” “Not a God of Confusion” HOW could such a confusing doctrine originate? The Catholic Encyclopedia claims: “A dogma so mysterious presupposes a Divine revelation.” Catholic scholars Karl Rahner and Herbert Vorgrimler state in their Theological Dictionary: “The Trinity is a mystery . . . in the strict sense . . . , which could not be known without revelation, and even after revelation cannot become wholly intelligible.” However, contending that since the Trinity is such a confusing mystery, it must have come from divine revelation creates another major problem. Why? Because divine revelation itself does not allow for such a view of God: “God is not a God of confusion.”—1 Corinthians 14:33, Revised Standard Version (RS). In view of that statement, would God be responsible for a doctrine about himself that is so confusing that even Hebrew, Greek, and Latin scholars cannot really explain it? Furthermore, do people have to be theologians ‘to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent’? (John 17:3, JB) If that were the case, why did so few of the educated Jewish religious leaders recognize Jesus as the Messiah? His faithful disciples were, instead, humble farmers, fishermen, tax collectors, housewives. Those common people were so certain of what Jesus taught about God that they could teach it to others and were even willing to die for their belief.—Matthew 15:1-9; 21:23-32, 43; 23:13-36; John 7:45-49; Acts 4:13. [Picture on page 4] The disciples of Jesus were the humble common people, not the religious leaders

COVER SUBJECT How Did Life Begin?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102015002

COVER SUBJECT How Did Life Begin? How would you complete the following sentence? LIFE IS THE RESULT OF ․․․․․. EVOLUTION CREATION SOME might assume that a scientifically-minded person would pick “evolution” and that a religious person would pick “creation.” But not always. The fact is, many educated people​—including a number of scientists​—question the validity of the theory. Consider Gerard, a professor of entomology who was taught evolution at college. “When I took tests,” he says, “I would give the professors the answers they wanted​—but I did not believe it.” Why is it that even some scientifically-minded people have trouble accepting evolution as the origin of life? To answer that, consider two questions that baffle many researchers: (1) How did life get its start? and (2) How did living things develop?

The Dilemma Facing Single People

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101977001

The Dilemma Facing Single People HUSBAND WANTED​—Seek loving, marriage-minded man, even-tempered, good provider, age 27-40, please send photo. Sincere and lonely. #312456 While few have run a “want ad” such as the above, many can sympathize with the painful dilemma here described. In more subtle ways, they too have “advertised,” and found that seeking a mate in today’s world is often a frustrating and complex process. Elaine, a lonely woman in her thirties, speaks of a point of desperation that she reached: “There was no one I could really talk to. I stopped eating and would begin to cry for no reason. And I couldn’t confide in anyone because my feelings were so intense that I was ashamed. . . . I think people have given up on me as far as getting married.”​—New York Post. Although concerned, the thousands of men and women like Elaine usually have not studied the why of their circumstances. They frequently are unaware of sociologists’ studies pointing to the increasing difficulty of finding a good marriage mate. They do not know that this research blames such factors as the massive population shift from rural to city life and the accompanying “moral revolution” that has questioned just about every aspect of the male-female relationship. However, most are aware of the fast rise of total marital failure, politely called “divorce.” They know that many people today cruelly and abruptly drop one lover for another. They are conscious of the flood of conflicting advice that they receive and of the drastically different approaches that their single friends take in seeking a companion. They sense the confusion. Is there a way out of all of this? Choice of a marriage mate is of an intensely personal nature, but are there guidelines or principles that both the youth and the older one can follow? Are there definite pitfalls to be avoided? Facing the ‘Marriage Myths’ Naturally the circumstances and needs of a widow with small children, an older divorced man and a young adult differ greatly. Yet single persons of all ages are faced with certain popular “myths” about matrimony that greatly add to their dilemma. Investigating the value of some of these should help to clear away part of the confusion. One common myth is that since ‘opposites attract,’ someone who is very different from you will add interest to a marriage match. There is, of course, much curiosity about someone from a contrasting environment, religion or nationality. Nevertheless, scientific study to date overwhelmingly indicates that such unions have a higher incidence of divorce. For example, Dr. Dominian in the book Marital Breakdown notes: “The conclusion of all major studies appears to indicate that [religiously] mixed marriages . . . do run a higher risk of marital breakdown.” Is this hard to believe? Really, does not common sense tell you that your friends are those with whom you share similar interests? How will you fare with someone who constantly pulls in another direction or who may disdain those things that you enjoy? The Bible, in Genesis chapter two, refers to the creation of woman for the purpose of being man’s “helper.” Now if you and your helper are to get along in happy harmony, should you two not have similar interests, goals and moral standards? Actually, the more a couple agree on what they commonly hold to be the most important aspects of life, the smoother their daily life will be. That which is different may be initially exciting but in a short time can become a source of strain. As to other marriage myths, undoubtedly the greater number surround infatuation. Infatuation has been defined as “foolish admiration,” an idealizing of a person whom you really do not know. The ‘one and only’ myth, and the ‘love at first sight’ myth, are both symptoms of infatuation. When one seeks a mate in terms of a Mr. Right or a Miss Perfect, there is the expectation that suddenly the tailor-made marriage partner will appear. Of course, a person is naturally more attracted to some people initially than to others​—their appearance, manner, one’s own mood at the time all affect this. What is so dangerous is assigning such a person the mystical qualities of Prince (or, Princess) Charming, quickly forming a longing for that one, and then expecting to ‘live happily ever after.’ But, you might say, although such may be the case at first, surely in the process of courting, the infatuated one will eventually see the ‘real person.’ Sadly, this is not always true. Infatuation can continue right into wedlock. How so? When a relationship is so emotionally “charged” right from the start, it frequently leads to a very physical relationship. Such infatuated ones often smooth over differences with passion by petting. The disastrous result is two virtual strangers entering life’s most intimate bond. “The idea that there is somewhere in the universe a ‘one and only’ for everyone is deeply rooted in fiction and tradition,” says the book Making the Most of Marriage. It continues: “A more practical view is that the well-adjusted person can marry any one of a number of people and be happy, whereas the maladjusted, unhappy person can be successfully married to no one.” The truth of this would seem to be supported by widows and widowers who have eventually remarried and found happiness. Singleness “Abnormal”? Unfortunately, some marriage myths put much pressure on single persons. Two of these myths, often advocated by relatives and friends, are that ‘something is wrong with anyone who doesn’t marry’ and that ‘someone is better than no one.’ Such sayings thus proclaim that singleness is inherently bad. The individual is made to feel “abnormal” or, perhaps, even latently homosexual. It is one thing if a person needs to marry but doesn’t because he fears matrimony. It is quite another matter for a single person simply to recognize that he does not need to marry. Says educator Dr. Henry Bowman: “If [a person] feels that remaining single is the way to greater happiness in life, he [or she] should by all means remain single. . . . There are well-adjusted single persons; there are married ‘old maids’ and ‘old bachelors.’” Yes, rather than being fearfully “stampeded” into an unwanted marriage, it is better to recognize what the wise teacher, Jesus Christ, knew about people. He said that some have the “gift” or ability to be happy in staying single and encouraged Christians who had this “gift” to hold on to it and use it in serving God.​—Matt. 19:10-12. A myth is a fantasy, a popular lie. And we can certainly see where following any of the myths that we have discussed would add to the confusion of one contemplating the marriage-singleness question. However, many young moderns would tell us that there is nothing to fear from any fantasy. Let your emotions go, they say. Don’t worry about making a mistake. Rather, just live together for a while and then if you ‘stay in love,’ marry. Now, is “trial marriage” a way out of the dilemma or is it yet another myth? “Trial Marriage”​—A Satisfying Solution? Of course, there is nothing new in the idea of two people living together without first marrying. What is new is the number openly doing so. In the United States, a government report indicated that between 1960 and 1970 there was a 700-percent increase in unwed couples. More recent reports show an even greater jump. Besides the obvious conflict for a Christian conscience, the question is: Are these couples enjoying “marriage”? Does this cohabitation lead them out of the confusion and into a meaningful, permanent relationship? The truth is that, though some unwed couples may live together for a lifetime, generally these liaisons are short-lived. The fruitage is as bitter and often as emotionally disastrous as divorce. Why? Reflect honestly for a moment. What kind of relationship is it that values the ‘freedom to leave’ above a real commitment to one another? Although a couple may claim that they are not just selfishly ‘taking’ but are ‘sharing’ pleasure, is it reasonable to give something so precious and intimate without a commitment? One definition of “trial” is “experiment.” Can anyone afford an experimental marriage? After all, we are not discussing sharing a piece of clothing. If it is torn in half or discarded, one simply goes out and buys another garment. But the emotional ‘scar tissue’ of a broken intimate relationship is far-reaching; it has brought some to the point of suicide. Even those couples who genuinely care for each other face an emotion-jarring problem: insecurity. As one unwed couple replied to a relative who asked why they were now marrying: “Because we want to​—we want the commitment.” Still, what about the argument that ‘you really don’t know for sure what marriage to that person would be like until you try it out’? One author wisely noted concerning unwed couples: “Marriage adjustment cannot be tested in a state of singleness. Those who attempt a test, even when it seems to be successful, have not proved that they can live together happily in marriage.” And people who have lived in unwed sexual relationship with several others do not come to a new relationship with any great insight. For what little they have learned, the emotional price has usually left them less capable of facing problems, less ready to give of themselves and less ready to trust. Of course, the old-fashioned virtue of “self-control” is not popular today. It is considered repressive, inhibiting, damaging to the personality. Yet in reply to the question, “Is sexual restraint dangerous?” the book Marriage for Moderns declares: “Sexual control before marriage is fraught with fewer physiological, psychological, and social risks than is sexual gratification.” Thus “trial marriage,” as with the other marriage myths, is a dangerous and shaky foundation on which to try to build. “Well,” one might reason, “that helps me to know some views to avoid, but do any ‘positive’ principles then remain? How can I know if I am ready for marriage? How can I wisely select a mate?” There are no simple ‘slogan answers’ to these hard questions. However, reliable guidelines do exist for the benefit of those with the insight to ‘look before they leap.’ Let’s explore them in the following article.

Was Life Created? (lc) 2010

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/was-life-created-lc

Who Designed It First? In recent years, scientists and engineers have, in a very real sense, allowed plants and animals to instruct them. (Job 12:7, 8) They are studying and mimicking the design features of various creatures​—a field known as biomimetics—​in an effort to create new products and improve the performance of existing ones. As you consider the following examples, ask yourself, ‘Who really deserves the credit for these designs?’ Learning From the Whale’s Flippers What can aircraft designers learn from the humpback whale? A great deal, it seems. An adult humpback weighs about 30 tons​—as much as a loaded truck—​and has a relatively stiff body with large winglike flippers. This 40-foot-long (12 m) animal is remarkably agile under water. What particularly intrigued researchers was how this stiff-bodied creature could turn in what seem to be impossibly tight circles. They discovered that the secret is in the shape of the whale’s flippers. The leading edge of its flippers is not smooth, like an aircraft wing, but serrated, with a row of protruding bumps called tubercles. As the whale slices through the water, these tubercles increase lift and reduce drag. How? The journal Natural History explains that the tubercles make the water accelerate over the flipper in an organized, rotating flow, even when the whale is rising at very steep angles.10 Who is nature’s patent holder? What practical applications does this discovery promise? Aircraft wings based on the design would evidently need fewer wing flaps or other mechanical devices to alter airflow. Such wings would be safer and easier to maintain. Biomechanics expert John Long believes that someday soon “we may well see every single jetliner with the bumps of humpback whale flippers.”11 Mimicking the Seagull’s Wings Of course, aircraft wings already mimic the shape of birds’ wings. However, engineers have recently taken this mimicry to new heights. “Researchers at the University of Florida,” reports New Scientist, “have built a prototype remote-controlled drone with a seagull’s ability to hover, dive and climb rapidly.”12 Seagulls perform their remarkable aerobatic maneuvers by flexing their wings at the elbow and shoulder joints. Copying this flexible wing design, “the 24-inch prototype drone uses a small motor to control a series of metal rods that move the wings,” says the magazine. These cleverly engineered wings enable the small aircraft to hover and dive between tall buildings. Some military personnel are keen to develop such a highly maneuverable craft for use in searching for chemical or biological weapons in big cities. Copying the Seagull’s Leg A seagull does not freeze, even while standing on ice. How does this creature conserve its body heat? Part of the secret is in a fascinating design feature found in a number of animals that dwell in cold regions. It is called the countercurrent heat exchanger. Heat transfers, remains in the body. Cold stays in the feet What is a countercurrent heat exchanger? To understand it, picture two water pipes strapped closely together. Hot water flows in one pipe, and cold, in the other. If both the hot water and the cold water flow down the pipes in the same direction, about half of the heat from the hot water will transfer to the cold. However, if the hot water and the cold water flow in opposite directions, nearly all the heat will transfer from the hot water to the cold. When a seagull stands on ice, the heat exchangers in its legs warm the blood as it returns from the bird’s cold feet. The heat exchangers conserve heat in the bird’s body and prevent heat loss from its feet. Arthur P. Fraas, a mechanical and aeronautical engineer, described this design as “one of the world’s most effective regenerative heat exchangers.”13 This design is so ingenious that human engineers have copied it. Who Deserves the Credit? A concept car imitates the surprisingly low-drag and stable design of the boxfish Meanwhile, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is developing a multilegged robot that walks like a scorpion, and engineers in Finland have already developed a six-legged tractor that can climb over obstacles the way a giant insect would. Other researchers have designed fabric with small flaps that imitate the way pinecones open and close. Such fabric adjusts to the body temperature of the wearer. A car manufacturer is developing a vehicle that imitates the surprisingly low-drag design of the boxfish. And other researchers are probing the shock-absorbing properties of abalone shells, with the intention of making lighter, stronger body armor. Sonar in dolphins is superior to the human imitation So many good ideas have come from nature that researchers have established a database that already catalogs thousands of different biological systems. Scientists can search this database to find “natural solutions to their design problems,” says The Economist. The natural systems held in this database are known as biological patents. Normally, a patent holder is a person or a company that legally registers a new idea or machine. Discussing this biological patent database, The Economist says: “By calling biomimetic tricks ‘biological patents’, the researchers are just emphasising that nature is, in effect, the patent holder.”14 Scientists are researching the shock-absorbing properties of abalone shells How did nature come up with all these brilliant ideas? Many researchers would attribute the seemingly ingenious designs evident in nature to millions of years of evolutionary trial and error. Other researchers, though, arrive at a different conclusion. Microbiologist Michael J. Behe wrote in The New York Times of February 7, 2005: “The strong appearance of design [in nature] allows a disarmingly simple argument: if it looks, walks and quacks like a duck, then, absent compelling evidence to the contrary, we have warrant to conclude it’s a duck.” His opinion? “Design should not be overlooked simply because it’s so obvious.”15 The gecko can cling to the smoothest of surfaces by using molecular forces Surely, the engineer who designs a safer, more efficient aircraft wing would deserve to receive credit for his or her design. Likewise, the inventor who devises a more comfortable clothing material or a more efficient motor vehicle deserves credit for his or her design. In fact, a manufacturer who copies someone else’s design but fails to acknowledge or credit the designer may be viewed as a criminal. Now consider these facts: Highly trained researchers crudely mimic systems in nature to solve difficult engineering problems. Yet, some would attribute the genius of devising the original idea to unintelligent evolution. Does that sound reasonable to you? If the copy requires an intelligent designer, what about the original? Really, who deserves more credit, the master engineer or the apprentice who imitates his designs? A Logical Conclusion After reviewing evidence of design in nature, many people echo the sentiments of the Bible writer Paul, who said: “[God’s] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.”​—Romans 1:19, 20. How Would You Reply? Does it seem logical to you to believe that the brilliant engineering evident in nature came about by accident? How would you answer the claim that life only appears to be designed? Was It Designed? If the copy requires a designer, what about the original? Fibers Man-made product: Kevlar is a tough man-made fiber used in such items as bulletproof vests. To manufacture Kevlar, high temperatures and hazardous solvents are required. Natural product: Orb-weaving spiders produce seven types of silk. The sturdiest, known as dragline silk, is lighter than cotton yet, ounce for ounce, is stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar. If enlarged to the size of a football field, a web of dragline silk 0.4 inch (1 cm) thick with strands 1.6 inches (4 cm) apart could stop a jumbo jet in flight! Spiders produce dragline silk at room temperature, using water as a solvent. Navigation Man-made product: Some commercial airliners have computerized autopilot systems that can not only guide a plane from one country to another but also land the plane. The computer used in one experimental autopilot system is about the size of a credit card. Natural product: Using a brain the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen, the monarch butterfly migrates up to 1,800 miles (3,000 km) from Canada to a small patch of forest in Mexico. This butterfly relies on the sun to help it navigate, and it has the ability to compensate for the movement of the sun across the sky. Lenses Man-made product: Engineers have developed an artificial compound eye that fits 8,500 lenses into a space the size of a pinhead. Such lenses could be used in high-speed motion detectors and ultrathin multidirectional cameras. Natural product: Each eye of a dragonfly is made up of some 30,000 lenses. These lenses produce images that combine to create a wide mosaic view. The compound eyes of the dragonfly are superb at detecting movement.

“Eternal Purpose” (po) 1974

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/po

Chapter 11 The Messiah of God’s “Eternal Purpose” 1. When did a rebirth of a land and of a nation occur? RESURRECTION of a city that had lain dead in ruins for seventy years—in the year 537 B.C.E.! The city was Jerusalem that had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 607 B.C.E. When this holy city rose from the dust, there was a rebirth of the land of Judah, yes, the rebirth of a nation, the repatriated people of Jehovah God. (Isaiah 66:8) It was marvelous in the eyes of all observers. 2. (a) The coming promised Messiah was to be later than what anointed agent of Jehovah? (b) How were seventy years of exile fulfilled though Babylon fell in 539 B.C.E.? 2 Along with this national resurrection the hopes for the coming of the promised Messiah were revived. (Ezekiel 37:1-14) Even during the seventy years that the people of the kingdom of Judah were in exile in the land of Babylon the fixed time for the arrival of the Messiah was indicated to them. This Messiah was to be someone later than the Persian conqueror, Cyrus the Great, concerning whom the prophet Isaiah had been inspired to say: “This is what Jehovah has said to his anointed one [Hebrew: ma·shiʹahh], to Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue before him nations, so that I may ungird even the hips of kings; to open before him the two-leaved doors, so that even the gates will not be shut.” (Isaiah 45:1) As Jehovah’s anointed agent, Cyrus had come and got through the gates of the highly walled city of Babylon and had overthrown and killed its imperial ruler Belshazzar, the son of Nabonidus. That was in 539 B.C.E. But Cyrus did not at once release the exiled Israelites. He took over the kingship of Babylon and held the Jews captive about two years more, till 537 B.C.E. Thus seventy years were fulfilled! 3. How long did the desolate land of Judah keep sabbath? 3 This was just as had been foretold in Jeremiah 25:11. And 2 Chronicles 36:20, 21 made a historical record of this, saying: “Furthermore, he carried off those remaining from the sword captive to Babylon, and they came to be servants to him and his sons until the royalty of Persia began to reign; to fulfill Jehovah’s word by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land [of Judah] had paid off its sabbaths. All the days of lying desolated it kept sabbath, to fulfill seventy years”—from 607 B.C.E. to 537 B.C.E. 4. (a) When did Daniel calculate that the end of the Jewish exile would come? (b) What information did Gabriel give Daniel about the time of Messiah’s coming? 4 Among the exiled Jews in Babylon was Daniel the prophet. From the inspired writings of Jeremiah, Daniel did not expect the release from exile to come for the Jews until at the end of the seventy years that Jerusalem lay desolate in sabbath keeping. (Daniel 9:1, 2) So during the first year of the new Medo-Persian regime over the Babylonian Empire, Daniel prayed about the matter. It was then that Jehovah’s angel Gabriel arrived and gave Daniel the following information regarding the time for Messiah to come: “Seventy (year-) weeks have been appointed over you people and over your holy city, to restrain the apostasy and to make an end of sin, and to atone for the error, and to bring everlasting salvation, that vision and prophecy may be sealed, and the Most Holy be anointed. “And you may know and understand: From the going forth of the decree to rebuilt Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the Prince, there are seven (year-) weeks; also sixty-two (year-) weeks, so market place and moat will be rebuilt, and that in the pressure of the times. “And after the sixty-two (year-) weeks an Anointed One will be destroyed, and he has no (successor), and a people of the coming prince will destroy the city and the sanctuary, and his end is coming as by ripping, and war and desolation are ordained till the end. “And he will conclude a strong covenant with many, for one (year-) week, and at the half of the (year-) week he will cancel sacrifice and oblation, and beside the wing (places) a frightful abomination, and that is until the desolation, the one firmly determined upon, is poured out upon the desolator.”—Daniel 9:24-27, Zunz; see also Moffatt. “MORNING” OF SEVENTH CREATIVE “DAY” BEGINS, 526 B.C.E. 5. How is the calculation made of when the seven plus the sixty-two “weeks of years” ended? 5 The first half or “evening” period of God’s seventh creative “day” was now closing, 3,500 years from creation of Adam and Eve. The morning of this creative “day” was due to begin at 526 B.C.E. From then on things should brighten with regard to God’s purpose and for His people. According to Daniel’s prophecy, from a certain feature in the rebuilding of the resurrected city of Jerusalem seventy “(year-) weeks” or “weeks of years” (amounting to 490 years) would count. “Seven (year-) weeks” plus “sixty-two (year-) weeks” would run for a total of 483 years until the coming of the Anointed One (Hebrew: Ma·shiʹahh). Counted from when the Jewish governor Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, these sixty-nine “weeks of years” would end in the first half of the first century of our Common Era. Counted from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes (455 B.C.E.), the year in which Nehemiah rebuilt those walls, the 483 years would end in the year 29 of our Common Era. (Nehemiah 2:1-18) That was about forty-one years before the second destruction of Jerusalem, this time by the Romans. Did something historic happen in 29 C.E.? 6. How was the Persian Empire overthrown, and how did Alexandria, Egypt, come to play a part in Jewish life? 6 Both the first century C.E. and the first century B.C.E. were critical years for the Israelites in Palestine. In the fourth century B.C.E. the control of the repatriated Israelites or Jews had passed out of the hands of the Persian emperor into the hands of the Grecian Empire, due to the conquests of the Macedonian Alexander the Great. In the year 332 B.C.E. he gained control of Palestine and left Jerusalem untouched. Then he overthrew the Persian emperor and established the Grecian World Power, the fifth one of Bible history. In that same year Alexander gave orders for the city of Alexandria to be built in conquered Egypt. This became a flourishing city and a large Jewish population grew up there. These came to speak the common Greek language, which had now become a language internationally known and used as a result of Alexander’s conquests. They also desired Bible knowledge. 7. How did the Greek Septuagint Version come to be produced, and how does it read at Daniel 9:25, 26? 7 So, during the following century, about 280 B.C.E., they began the work of having their sacred inspired Scriptures, from Genesis to Malachi, translated into their own common Greek language. It was completed by the first century B.C.E. and came to be called “The Greek Septuagint Version.” In view of the wide usage of the common Greek even during the first centuries of the Roman Empire, this translation by those Alexandrian Jews could be used internationally. It reflected the Hebrew Bible text quite faithfully. For example, the Greek rendering of Daniel 9:25, 26 read (according to Bagster’s English translation) concerning the Messiah (Ma·shiʹahh): “And thou shalt know and understand, that from the going forth of the command for the answer and for the building of Jerusalem until Christ the prince there shall be seven weeks, and sixty-two weeks: and then the time shall return, and the street shall be built, and the wall, and the times shall be exhausted. And after the sixty-two weeks, the anointed one shall be destroyed, and there is no judgment in him: . . . ” 8. (a) How did Jerusalem come under Roman control and later get destroyed? (b) For how long have the Jews had no temple at Jerusalem or not acknowledged a prophet as from God? 8 The common Greek continued to be the ancient world’s international language even after the Grecian World Power fell before the Roman World Power in the first century B.C.E. One wing of the Maccabean contenders for power in Jerusalem appealed for aid from Rome against the other wing, and so in the year 63 B.C.E. the Roman general Pompey invaded and took control of Jerusalem, and Palestine came under Roman control. In 40 B.C.E. the Jews regained kingship. However, in 37 B.C.E. Herod the Great, a descendant of Esau or Edom, attacked Jerusalem and captured it and ruled as king, as Rome’s appointee. In the first century C.E., the Jews rebelled again against Rome, in 66 C.E., but their short-lived independence was brought to an end in 70 C.E. by the destruction of Jerusalem and its glorious temple rebuilt by Herod the Great. Since then, or for more than nineteen centuries now, the Jews have had no temple at Jerusalem, even since the Republic of Israel was established in 1948 C.E. Besides that, the Israelis acknowledge no prophet as from God since Malachi of the fifty century B.C.E., or more than 2,400 years ago. Is that not strange? What is wrong? FULFILLMENT OF BIBLE PROPHECY EXPLAINS MATTERS 9. When Jerusalem was reestablished in 537 B.C.E., what other city of importance was restored? 9 When ancient Jerusalem was reestablished in 537 B.C.E., another city was restored in the land of Judah—Bethlehem. In Nehemiah 7:5-26, the governor of Jerusalem tells us of the remnant of Jews who returned to their homeland in 537 B.C.E., saying: “Then I found the book of genealogical enrollment of those who came up at the first, and found written in it: “These are the sons of the jurisdictional district who came up out of the captivity of the exiled people whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had taken into exile and who later returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, each to his own city; those who came in with Zerubbabel, Jeshua [Greek Septuagint: Jesus], Nehemiah, . . . The number of the men of the people of Israel: . . . the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, a hundred and eighty-eight; . . . ”—See also Ezra 2:21. 10. (a) Bethlehem thus became available for the fulfillment of what prophecy? (b) Why should it not be unbelievable that the promised birth there should be announced by angels? 10 Thus there came into existence again the city of Bethlehem, “the city of David,” in which it was possible for the Messianic prophecy of Micah 5:1 (Leeser; Mic 5:2, Greek Septuagint) to be fulfilled. Since all independent human life from Cain and Abel onward begins at birth, Micah’s prophecy makes us look for a certain birth in the rebuilt Bethlehem. This is to be a foretold birth. Now, when Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, was to be born by a miracle, three angels of God visited them and announced the birth for the coming year, the leading angel saying: “Is anything too extraordinary for Jehovah?” (Genesis 18:1-14) Centuries afterward, when Samson, the physically strongest man ever on earth, was to be born to a till-then barren Israelitess, God’s angel appeared first to the prospective mother and then to both her and her childless husband, to announce the coming birth of an outstanding judge in Israel. (Judges 13:1-20) Should anybody consider it strange, unbelievable, that what was to be the birth of all human births, the miraculous birth of the Messiah, would be announced to humans by heavenly angels? 11. According to Genesis 3:15, the one chosen for the earthly Messianic role would be taken from where? 11 According to Jehovah’s prophecy at Genesis 3:15, the “seed” that would bruise the Serpent’s head fatally was to be from God’s heavenly “woman,” that is, his wifelike organization of holy heavenly “sons of the true God.” From that organization God could choose the particular spirit son for the earthly Messianic role. 12. What questions now arise concerning the girl to be the human mother of the Messiah, and also concerning her husband? 12 What was the name of this favored son? An interesting question! But for the birth of this chosen son who was to be born into the human family at Bethlehem in the land of Judah, a human mother would be needed. Not only would she have to be of the tribe of Judah, but she would have to be a descendant of King David and thus be able to transmit a natural claim to David’s kingdom. What girl whose native city was Bethlehem in Judah met the requirements? And what about a human husband for her, also of the royal family line of David? And was there an angelic announcement of the birth of one greater than Isaac? The historical record, as written by personal friends of the girl, answers these vital questions. 13, 14. (a) Where was the suitable virgin Jewess found? (b) After greeting her, what did the angel Gabriel say? 13 The time is now toward the end of the first century before our Common Era. Herod the Great, son of Antipater II, was still king in Jerusalem. Heli, a man of Davidic lineage, had moved from Bethlehem in the province of Judea up north to Nazareth in the province of Galilee. There a daughter of his, named Miriam (Hebrew) or Mariam (also Maria) in Greek, grew to marriageable age. She became engaged to marry a man of David’s royal lineage, named Joseph, a carpenter in Nazareth but also a native of Bethlehem. This obliged her to remain virgin. But months before the wedding night, something remarkable occurred. To Maria or Mary there appeared an angel, who identified himself as Gabriel. After a greeting, he said: 14 “Have no fear, Mary, for you have found favor with God; and, look! you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you are to call his name Jesus [Hebrew: Jeshua]. This one will be great and will be called Son of the Most High; and Jehovah God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule as king over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end of his kingdom.”—Luke 1:26-33. 15. (a) What covenant made toward David was to be fulfilled in Mary’s son? (b) His being “Son of the Most High” meant what? 15 According to the angel’s statement, Mary’s son was to be really the promised Messiah. He was to be called with the same name as that of the high priest who returned with Zerubbabel from Babylon in 537 B.C.E., namely, Jeshua, or, in Greek, Jesus. Because of birth through Mary he was to be called the son of “David his father.” Accordingly, Jehovah God would give him the throne or royal seat of King David. As with David, his kingly rule would be over “the house of Jacob,” that is, over all Israel. Since his kingly rule would be forever and there would be “no end of his kingdom,” this meant that Jehovah God would fulfill in him the covenant that Jehovah had made toward David for an everlasting kingdom. He would thus need no successor. (2 Samuel 7:11-16) But how, and why, could he be called “Son of the Most High”? This one would not be the Most High God himself, who is Jehovah, but would be a Son of that Supreme One; and yet, how? 16. In answer to Mary’s inquiry as to how this could take place, what did Gabriel say? 16 Mary herself inquired about this, saying: “How is this to be, since I am having no intercourse with a man?” Gabriel answered: “Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God’s Son. And, look! Elizabeth your relative has also herself conceived a son, in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her, the so-called barren woman; because with God no declaration will be an impossibility.”—Luke 1:34-37. 17. When did the miraculous conception within Mary take place? 17 Did what was there declared to Mary prove to be an impossibility? This Jewish virgin was an example for us today in believing that it would not prove to be impossible for the Most High God. So she responded to the angel Gabriel: “Look! Jehovah’s slave girl! May it take place with me according to your declaration.” (Luke 1:38) Doubtless, at Mary’s acceptance of God’s will for her, conception took place within her, yet virgin. Holy spirit came upon her, and power of the Most High God overshadowed her. How was miraculous conception brought about thereby? 18, 19. (a) Why, at Mary’s conceiving, was it not the giving a start to an absolutely new creature without background? (b) Whose son could it rightly be called? 18 In this case an absolutely new living creature without any previous experience or background was not brought into existence, as in the case of ordinary human conception by means of a human father. God’s heavenly “woman,” God’s womanlike heavenly organization, had to be taken into account. Really from her the “seed” mentioned in Genesis 3:15 had to come. So she had to provide one of her spirit sons for this earthly assignment, for the “seed” to be bruised in the heel by the Serpent. 19 This did not mean that, for the Jewish virgin girl Mary to conceive, one of the heavenly spirit sons of God had to be sent to crawl into the microscopic ovum or egg cell in Mary’s body and fertilize it. Such a thing is unreasonable, an absurdity! Rather, the Almighty God, the heavenly Father, by means of his holy spirit, transferred the life-force of his chosen heavenly son from the invisible spirit realm to the egg cell in Mary’s body and fertilized it. In this way Mary became pregnant, and the child conceived in her was “holy.” It was indeed what the angel Gabriel called it, the “Son of the Most High.”—Luke 1:32. 20. (a) Which son of God’s heavenly organization was chosen? (b) How was he made available for the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:10? 20 Who, though, was the son whom God chose to be born as a perfect human creature? It was not the angel Gabriel, for he was the one that materialized and appeared to Mary and announced her coming motherhood. The Holy Scriptures do indicate that it was the one whom an angel, when speaking to the prophet Daniel, called “the prince of you people,” “the great prince who is standing in behalf of the sons of your people,” namely, Michael. (Daniel 10:21; 12:1) He had been acting as a princely supervisory angel in behalf of the nation of Israel, and he was doubtless the angel that manifested himself in the burning thornbush to Moses at the foot of Mount Horeb back in the sixteenth century B.C.E. He has rightly been called Michael the archangel.a His having his life-force transferred to Mary’s egg cell by Almighty God’s power that overshadowed Mary meant that he, Michael, disappeared from heaven. By human birth from Mary, the Jewish virgin, he was to become a human soul. This made him available for the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:10 concerning Jehovah’s “suffering servant”: “Yet it pleased the LORD to crush him by disease; to see if his soul would offer itself in restitution, that he might see his seed, prolong his days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper by his hand.”—JPS; see also Zunz. EYEWITNESSES TO THE MIRACULOUS BIRTH 21. How was Mary’s pregnancy explained to Joseph, and what action then followed? 21 In due time the surprising pregnancy of the virgin Jewish maiden became manifest to others in Nazareth. Mary’s fiancé found it out and was deeply disturbed. Her pregnancy could not be blamed upon him. Ordinary Jewish opinion there in Nazareth would doubt Mary’s miraculous conception; the strict Jewish adherents to the Law of Moses would condemn her to be stoned to death as an adulteress that violated her marriage engagement to Joseph. Who could come to Mary’s help and save her and her unborn child from death by stoning? Who could clear up things to Joseph? Listen: “During the time his mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, she was found to be pregnant by holy spirit before they were united. However, Joseph her husband, because he was righteous and did not want to make her a public spectacle, intended to divorce her secretly. But after he had thought these things over, look! Jehovah’s angel appeared to him in a dream, saying: ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife home, for that which has been begotten in her is by holy spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you must call his name Jesus [Hebrew: Jeshua], for he will save his people from their sins.’ “All this actually came about for that to be fulfilled which was spoken by Jehovah through his prophet, saying: ‘Look! The virgin [according to the Greek Septuagint] will become pregnant and will give birth to a son, and they will call his name Immanuel,’ which means, when translated, ‘With Us Is God.’ “Then Joseph woke up from his sleep and did as the angel of Jehovah had directed him, and he took his wife home. But he had no intercourse with her until she gave birth to a son; and he called his name Jesus [Jeshua].”—Matthew 1:18-25. 22. (a) Gabriel, in speaking to Mary, emphasized what feature about her Messianic son? (b) The angel emphasized what other feature about Mary’s son to Joseph? 22 By a comparison of what Gabriel told Mary and what the angel in the dream told Joseph, Gabriel placed the greater emphasis on the role that the Messiah would perform as a King descended from David in order to fulfill Jehovah’s covenant with David for an everlasting kingdom. The angel who appeared to Joseph laid the emphasis on the Messiah’s role as a priest, as a sin bearer and sin remover. This angel dwelt on the name to be given to the Messiah, the name which, in Hebrew, means “Salvation of Jehovah.” The Messiah would live up to his personal name in that he would “save his people from their sins.” This agrees with the fact that the Messiah, the Descendant of David, was to become a “priest to time indefinite according to the manner of Melchizedek!”—Psalm 110:1-4. 23. How was it that Jesus’ birth did not take place in Nazareth? 23 Did the birth take place in Nazareth after Joseph took Mary to his home there? No, not according to the inspired record. The birth occurred in David’s city, Bethlehem of Judah. How so? An imperial decree from Rome worked toward the fulfilling of Micah 5:2, concerning the birthplace of the Messiah. Here is the record: “Now in those days a decree went forth from Caesar Augustus for all the inhabited earth to be registered; (this first registration took place when Quirinius was governor of Syria;) and all people went traveling to be registered, each one to his own city. Of course, Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because of his being a member of the house and family of David, to get registered with Mary, who had been given him in marriage as promised, at present heavy with child. While they were there, the days came to the full for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn, and she bound him with cloth bands and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the lodging room.”—Luke 2:1-7. 24, 25. How is the approximate date of Jesus’ birth calculated? 24 The month and the day of birth are not given, even as the birthdays of the people of God are never given in the Holy Bible. 25 With good reason it may be said, however, that Mary’s firstborn son Jesus was not born on the fake date of December 25 nor about the time of the winter festival of Hhanukkah (Dedication), which began on the 25th day of the lunar month Kislev. (John 10:22) According to calculations based on Daniel 9:24-27 concerning the appearing, the public career and the cutting off of the Messiah, Jesus was born about the 14th day of the lunar month of Tishri. This was one day before the beginning of the week-long festival of Sukkoth (Booths, Tabernacles), during which festival the Jews would dwell outdoors in booths and the shepherds would be out in the fields guarding their flocks during the watches of the night. (Leviticus 23:34-43; Numbers 29:12-38; Deuteronomy 16:13-16) Since Jesus lived for thirty-three years and a half and he died on Passover day of 33 C.E., or Nisan 14 of that year, this locates his birthday toward the beginning of the autumn of the year 2 B.C.E., or about Tishri 14 of that year. 26. To whom was God’s angel sent to announce Jesus’ birth, and with what heavenly accompaniment? 26 This being the birth of the long-looked-for Messiah, it was too important to let it pass by without eyewitnesses thereto. God saw to that by sending his angel to announce the miraculous virgin birth. But to whom? To Herod the Great in his royal palace just six miles to the north in Jerusalem? Or to the temple chieftain, High Priest Joazar, who had been appointed by King Herod? Not at all. With security for the newborn child Jesus in mind, Jehovah sent his angel to men who followed the boyhood occupation of David, there in the fields near Bethlehem. He caused no so-called “Star of Bethlehem” to appear for everybody to see. We read: “There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah’s angel stood by them, and Jehovah’s glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. But the angel said to them: ‘Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in David’s city. And this is a sign for you: you will find an infant bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there came to be with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying: ‘Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill.’”—Luke 2:8-14. 27. What terms did the angel apply to the newborn Jesus, and how were they fitting? 27 The angel called the newborn baby lying in a Bethlehem manger a “Savior,” which was one of the reasons why his name was called Jeshua or Jesus, meaning “Salvation of Jehovah.” This baby was also to become Jehovah’s Anointed One, or Messiah or Christ (Greek). He was also to be “Lord,” the One whom even King David speaking prophetically under inspiration called “my Lord.”—Psalm 110:1. 28. To whom was glory due on that occasion, and for whom was peace meant, and also “good news of a great joy”? 28 Only Almighty God, by a miracle, could provide a child with such an assignment as Messiah. What wonder, then, that an angelic “multitude of the heavenly army” appeared and joined in chanting glory to God! This miraculous birth of all human births was a loving expression of His goodwill toward men whom He approves. Such men having God’s goodwill could be at peace in heart and mind. This birth will yet be a reason for “great joy” on the part of “all the people.” No wonder that the angelic report of the birth was good news, not alone for heaven, but also for men on earth! 29. How did the shepherds become eyewitnesses of Messiah’s birth? 29 The angel had given to the shepherds the identifying “sign,” and so now they could become eyewitnesses to Messiah’s birth. “So when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another: ‘Let us by all means go clear to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which Jehovah has made known to us.’ And they went with haste and found Mary as well as Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw it, they made known the saying that had been spoken to them concerning this young child. And all that heard marveled over the things told them by the shepherds, but Mary began to preserve all these sayings, drawing conclusions in her heart. Then the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all the things they heard and saw, just as these had been told them.”—Luke 2:15-20. 30. By rejecting this authentic “good news of a great joy,” how would we be affecting ourselves? 30 Thus this miraculous virgin birth is no myth. It has been testified to by heavenly angels, and has been confirmed by human eyewitnesses. The medical doctor Luke made a personal investigation and gathered this vital information for us. (Luke 1:1-4; Colossians 4:14) We are merely hurting ourselves if we do not accept this authentic testimony. We are only keeping ourselves unhappy by high-mindedly rejecting this “good news of a great joy.” 31. When did Joseph adopt Jesus as his foster son and then get purified with the child’s mother? 31 On the eighth day of his birth the baby was circumcised in the flesh, like all other Jewish boys born under the Law of Moses. (Luke 2:21; Galatians 4:4, 5) At that time, Joseph indicated his adoption of Jesus as his foster child. He adopted no illegitimate child, but protected Jesus against the false charge of being a child of fornication. On the fortieth day of Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary brought her firstborn son up to Jerusalem to present him at the temple to Jehovah and to have a purification sacrifice made for her and the baby’s adoptive father. (Luke 2:22-24; Leviticus 12:1-8) King Herod was not aware of all of this. 32. (a) Did Mary have other sons and also daughters? (b) The adopted Jesus now had what claims upon the suspended kingdom of David? 32 In due time Mary had relations with her husband Joseph and bore children to him. The record shows that for at least twelve years after Jesus’ birth Joseph continued living with Mary. This allowed for him to have children by her. The record tells of four sons, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas, and also of daughters by Mary. These became half brothers and half sisters to Jesus her firstborn. (Luke 2:41-52; Matthew 13:53-56; Mark 6:1-3; Acts 1:14) However, because Joseph adopted Mary’s firstborn son as his own, Joseph passed on to Jesus the legal claim that he had upon the kingdom of David his forefather. Also, by being the natural firstborn of Mary by God’s miracle, Jesus inherited a natural claim to the then suspended kingdom of David. In giving the genealogy of his foster-father Joseph, the historian Matthew calls him the Messiah, saying: “The book of the history of Jesus Christ [Hebrew: Messiah], son of David, son of Abraham.”—Matthew 1:1. See Luke 3:23-38, showing Mary’s lineage. 33, 34. Why did King Herod not succeed in killing the Messiah, and why did Jesus come to be called “the Nazarene”? 33 The birth of Jesus not long before King Herod the Great died was no good news to that Edomite ruler of Jerusalem. He had his attention called to the birth, not by Jehovah’s angel or by shepherds of Bethlehem, but by stargazing astrologers from the east, men under demon influence who are condemned in the Law of Moses.—Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Isaiah 47:12-14; Daniel 2:27; 4:7; 5:7. 34 At Herod’s court the astrologers had first to have the prophecy of Micah 5:2 pointed out to them before that luminous thing that they imagined was a “star” guided them down to Bethlehem and to where Jesus was housed. God gave them divine warning in a dream not to report back to murderous Herod. Not to be foiled in scheming to kill the Messiah, Herod had the boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem killed, but not Jesus. By angelic warning, Joseph and Mary had taken him down to Egypt. Herod died, leaving his son Archelaus as king of Judea, including Bethlehem. Hence, Jesus was not brought back to Bethlehem but was taken north to Nazareth in Galilee, where he grew up. That is why he came to be called Jesus of Nazareth, not Jesus of Bethlehem.—Matthew 2:1-23; 21:11. A FORERUNNER INTRODUCES MESSIAH 35. The Messiah was to be introduced by whom, and what did this one preach? 35 The Messiah was to be introduced to the nation of Israel by a forerunner, according to the prophecy of Malachi 3:1. (Leeser; JPS) This proved to be the son whom the angel Gabriel said would be given to the aged priest Zechariah and his aged wife Elizabeth and whom Zechariah was to call John. (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80) In early spring of the year 29 C.E., during the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, “God’s declaration came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. So he came into all the country around the Jordan, preaching baptism in symbol of repentance for forgiveness of sins.” (Luke 3:1-3) He preached to those who came out to hear him, saying: “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” (Matthew 3:1, 2) This preacher came to be called “John the baptizer.”—Mark 1:1-4. 36. When and why did Jesus go to John to get baptized, and what heavenly evidence was given of approval of this? 36 After observing John engaged in preaching and baptizing for about six months, Jesus took action. He recognized that he was to be the earthly representative of that “kingdom of the heavens.” By the autumn of that year, 29 C.E., Jesus became thirty years of age. He gave up carpentering there at Nazareth and left his mother there with her other sons and her daughters and went to locate his forerunner, John. He had in mind the prophetic words of King David as written in Psalm 40:6-8. (Hebrews 10:1-10) So he went, not to be baptized in symbol of repentance for forgiveness of sins, but to be baptized in symbol of presenting himself to do God’s will for him for the future. How did God show acceptance of him? We read: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him. But the latter tried to prevent him, saying: ‘I am the one needing to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?’ In reply Jesus said to him: ‘Let it be, this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.’ Then he quit preventing him. After being baptized Jesus immediately came up from the water; and, look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw descending like a dove God’s spirit coming upon him. Look! Also, there was a voice from the heavens that said: ‘This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.’”—Matthew 3:13-17. 37. What did John testify to his disciples as to who Jesus was, and how did he refer to him as a sacrificial victim? 37 John the Baptizer saw what happened and heard the heavenly Father’s voice. Later on he bore witness to his disciples of what he had seen and had heard God say from heaven, and he testified, saying: “And I have seen it, and I have borne witness that this one is the Son of God.” John also pointed to the baptized Jesus as the one to be sacrificed for the salvation of mankind, saying: “See, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29-34) Is not John the Baptizer’s testimony worthy of our acceptance and belief today? Yes, indeed! 38. (a) The descent of God’s spirit upon Jesus meant what for him? (b) What number of “weeks of years” ended there, and what was to occur during the further week? 38 That descent of God’s holy spirit upon the baptized Jesus meant more than just his becoming henceforth a spiritual Son of God with his restoration to heavenly spirit life in view. It also meant his being anointed with God’s spirit. Now in very deed he became the Anointed One, the Messiah, or, in Greek, the Christ. Here was the fulfillment of prophecy right on time. Here, in the year 29 C.E., the seven (year-) weeks and sixty-two (year-) weeks (a total of 483 years) ended with the producing of the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ. (Daniel 9:25) Now the seventieth (year-) week was to begin, at the half point of which the Messiah would “cause sacrifice and gift offering to cease” by offering his own self as a human sacrifice, he being “cut off” in sacrificial death as the Lamb of God.—Daniel 9:26, 27. 39. Where and on what occasion did Jesus Christ call attention to the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1-3 in him? 39 So, too, the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-3 was fulfilled concerning the anointing of the Messiah with Jehovah’s spirit. David had been anointed with mere vegetable oil, but here the Son and Lord of David was anointed with holy spirit. The following year, when Jesus returned to Nazareth, not to do carpentering again, but to preach in their synagogue, he called attention to fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in him. The record in Luke 4:16-21 tells us: “So the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed him, and he opened the scroll and found the place where it was written: ‘Jehovah’s spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor, he sent me forth to preach a release to the captives and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the crushed ones away with a release, to preach Jehovah’s acceptable year.’ With that he rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were intently fixed upon him. Then he started to say to them: ‘Today this scripture that you just heard is fulfilled.’” 40, 41. (a) Why did Satan want to break especially the integrity of the anointed Jesus? (b) How did the Tempter’s testing of Jesus end up? 40 The Great Serpent, Satan the Devil, knew that this anointed Jesus was the Messianic “seed” of God’s heavenly “woman.” Here, now, of all the “sons of the true God” was the particular one whose integrity the Great Serpent would like to break, to the greatest reproach upon God. So he approached Jesus out in the wilderness of Judea, where Jesus had gone immediately after his baptism and being anointed with Jehovah’s spirit, to spend forty days there. The Great Serpent tried to tempt Jesus: To prove by a demonstration to the Devil that he was a son of God he should miraculously turn stones into bread or should have the invisible angels carry him on their hands after he had hurled himself down from the battlement of the temple in Jerusalem. 41 Finally, in a third and last desperate effort, the Tempter offered Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory” in reward for just one act of worship from Jesus. For a third time Jesus quoted God’s written Word and said: “It is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”—Matthew 4:1-10. 42. How did Jesus’ experience here correspond with Moses’ spending forty days on Mount Horeb with God’s angel? 42 The angels were watching this testing of the Messiah’s integrity toward the Most High God. So now, when the Devil left in defeat, “look! angels came and began to minister to him.” (Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13) Moses long previously had been forty days with Jehovah’s angel up on Mount Horeb in the wilderness of Sinai; and now Jesus the Messiah, after forty days of fasting and meditation in the wilderness of Judea, was ready to enter confidently upon his public career in the land of Israel.—Exodus 24:18. [Footnotes] a See Jude, verse 9; Revelation 12:7. For an earlier and fuller discussion of this, see the work by E. W. Hengstenberg, eninputd “Christology of the Old Testament and Commentary,” Volume 4, pages 301-304 (published in 1836-1839 C.E.).

“All Scripture” (si) 1990

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/all-scripture-si

Bible Book Number 4​—Numbers Writer: Moses Place Written: Wilderness and Plains of Moab Writing Completed: 1473 B.C.E. Time Covered: 1512-1473 B.C.E. 1. Why were the events of Numbers recorded, and what do they impress on us? THE events of the Israelites’ wilderness trek have been recorded in the Bible for our benefit today.a As the apostle Paul said: “Now these things became our examples, for us not to be persons desiring injurious things.” (1 Cor. 10:6) The vivid record in Numbers impresses upon us that survival depends on sanctifying Jehovah’s name, obeying him under all circumstances, and showing respect for his representatives. His favor does not come because of any goodness or merit in his people but out of his great mercy and undeserved kindness. 2. To what does the name Numbers refer, but what more fitting input did the Jews give to the book? 2 The name Numbers has reference to the numbering of the people that took place first at Mount Sinai and later on the Plains of Moab, as recorded in chapters 1-4 and 26. This name has been carried over from the input Numeri in the Latin Vulgate and is derived from A·rith·moiʹ in the Greek Septuagint. However, the Jews more fittingly call the book Bemidh·barʹ, which means “In the Wilderness.” The Hebrew word midh·barʹ indicates an open place, empty of cities and towns. It was in the wilderness to the south and to the east of Canaan that the events of Numbers took place. 3. What proves Moses’ writership of Numbers? 3 Numbers was evidently part of the original fivefold volume that included the books from Genesis to Deuteronomy. Its first verse opens with the conjunction “and,” tying it in with what went before. Thus, it must have been written by Moses, the writer of the preceding records. This is also clear from the statement in the book that “Moses kept recording,” and by the colophon, “These are the commandments and the judicial decisions that Jehovah commanded by means of Moses.”​—Num. 33:2; 36:13. 4. What period of time is covered by Numbers, and when was the book completed? 4 The Israelites had departed from Egypt a little more than a year previously. Taking up the account in the second month of the second year after the Exodus, Numbers covers the next 38 years and nine months, from 1512 to 1473 B.C.E. (Num. 1:1; Deut. 1:3) Though not fitting into this time period, the events related at Numbers 7:1-88 and; 9:1-15 are included as background information. The earlier portions of the book were no doubt written as the events occurred, but it is evident that Moses could not have completed Numbers until toward the end of the 40th year in the wilderness, early in the calendar year 1473 B.C.E. 5. What features testify to the authenticity of Numbers? 5 There can be no doubt as to the authenticity of the account. Of the generally arid land in which they journeyed, Moses said that it was a “great and fear-inspiring wilderness,” and it is true even today that the scattered inhabitants are constantly on the move in search of pastures and water. (Deut. 1:19) Furthermore, the detailed instructions concerning encampment of the nation, the order of march, and the trumpet signals to govern camp affairs testify that the account was indeed written “in the wilderness.”​—Num. 1:1. 6. How do archaeological finds support Numbers? 6 Even the fearful report of the spies when they returned from their expedition into Canaan, to the effect that “the fortified cities are very great,” is borne out by archaeology. (13:28) Modern-day discoveries have shown that the inhabitants of Canaan at that time had consolidated their hold by a series of forts stretching across the country in several places, from the Low Plain of Jezreel in the north to Gerar in the south. Not only were the cities fortified but they were usually built on the tops of hills, with towers rising above their walls, making them most impressive to people like the Israelites, who had lived for generations in the flat land of Egypt. 7. What stamp of honesty does Numbers bear? 7 Nations of the world are prone to whitewash their failures and magnify their conquests, but with an honesty that bespeaks historical truth, the Numbers account tells that Israel was completely routed by the Amalekites and by the Canaanites. (14:45) It straightforwardly confesses that the people proved faithless and treated God without respect. (14:11) With remarkable candor, God’s prophet Moses exposes the sins of the nation, of his nephews, and of his own brother and sister. Nor does he spare himself, for he tells of the time that he failed to sanctify Jehovah when water was provided at Meribah, so that he forfeited the privilege of entering the Promised Land.​—3:4; 12:1-15; 20:7-13. 8. How do other Bible writers testify to the inspiration of Numbers? 8 That the account is a genuine part of the Scriptures that are inspired by God and beneficial is borne out by the fact that nearly all its major events, as well as many other details, are directly referred to by other Bible writers, many of whom highlight their significance. For example, Joshua (Josh. 4:12; 14:2), Jeremiah (2 Ki. 18:4), Nehemiah (Neh. 9:19-22), Asaph (Ps. 78:14-41), David (Ps. 95:7-11), Isaiah (Isa. 48:21), Ezekiel (Ezek. 20:13-24), Hosea (Hos. 9:10), Amos (Amos 5:25), Micah (Mic. 6:5), Luke in his record of Stephen’s discourse (Acts 7:36), Paul (1 Cor. 10:1-11), Peter (2 Pet. 2:15, 16), Jude (Jude 11), and John in recording Jesus’ words to the Pergamum congregation (Rev. 2:14), all draw on the record in Numbers, as did Jesus Christ himself.​—John 3:14. 9. What does Numbers emphasize concerning Jehovah? 9 What purpose, then, does Numbers serve? Truly its account is of more than historical value. Numbers emphasizes that Jehovah is the God of order, requiring exclusive devotion of his creatures. This is vividly impressed on the reader’s mind as he observes the numbering, testing, and sifting of Israel and sees how the nation’s disobedient and rebellious course is used to emphasize the vital need to obey Jehovah. 10. For whose benefit was Numbers preserved, and why? 10 The record was preserved for the benefit of the generations to come, just as Asaph explained, “that they might set their confidence in God himself and not forget the practices of God but observe his own commandments” and that “they should not become like their forefathers, a generation stubborn and rebellious, a generation who had not prepared their heart and whose spirit was not trustworthy with God.” (Ps. 78:7, 8) Over and over again, the events of Numbers were recounted in the psalms, which were sacred songs among the Jews and so were often repeated as being beneficial to the nation.​—Psalms 78, 95, 105, 106, 135, 136. outputS OF NUMBERS 11. Into what three parts may the outputs of Numbers be divided? 11 Numbers logically falls into three parts. The first of these, concluding at chapter 10, verse 10, covers events taking place while the Israelites were still encamped at Mount Sinai. The next part, concluding with chapter 21, tells what happened during the next 38 years and a month or two more, while they were in the wilderness and until they arrived at the Plains of Moab. The final part, through chapter 36, is concerned with events on the Plains of Moab as the Israelites prepared for their entry into the Promised Land. 12. How large is the Israelite encampment at Sinai, and how is the camp organized? 12 Events at Mount Sinai (1:1–10:10). The Israelites have already been in the mountainous region of Sinai for about a year. Here they have been molded into a closely knit organization. At Jehovah’s command a census is now taken of all the men 20 years old and upward. The tribes are found to range in size from 32,200 able-bodied men in Manasseh up to 74,600 in Judah, making a total of 603,550 men qualified to serve in the army of Israel, besides the Levites and the women and children​—a camp perhaps numbering three million or more. The tent of meeting is situated, along with the Levites, in the center of the camp. In assigned places on each side are camped the other Israelites, in three-tribe divisions, each tribe having instructions as to the order of march when the camp is to move. Jehovah issues the instructions, and the record says: “The sons of Israel proceeded to do according to all that Jehovah had commanded Moses.” (2:34) They obey Jehovah and show respect for Moses, God’s visible representative. 13. According to what arrangement are the Levites assigned to service? 13 The Levites are then set apart for Jehovah’s service, as a ransom for the firstborn of Israel. They are divided into three groups, according to their descent from the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Locations in the camp and service responsibilities are determined on the basis of this division. From 30 years of age on, they are to do the heavy work of transporting the tabernacle. To get the lighter work done, provision is made for others to serve, starting at 25 years of age. (This was reduced in David’s time to 20 years of age.)​—1 Chron. 23:24-32; Ezra 3:8. 14. What instructions are given to ensure the purity of the camp? 14 That the camp may be kept pure, instructions are given for quarantining those who become diseased, for making atonement for acts of unfaithfulness, for resolving cases in which a man might become suspicious of the conduct of his wife, and for assuring right conduct on the part of those set apart by vow to live as Nazirites to Jehovah. Since the people are to have the name of their God upon them, they must deport themselves in accord with his commandments. 15. (a) In connection with the inauguration of the altar, what contributions were made? (b) What relationship must Israel remember, and of what is the Passover to remind them? 15 Filling in some details from the previous month (Num. 7:1, 10; Ex. 40:17), Moses next tells of the contributions of materials made by the 12 chieftains of the people over a period of 12 days from the time of the inauguration of the altar. There was no competition or seeking of self-glory in it; each one contributed exactly what the others did. All must now keep in mind that over these chieftains, and over Moses himself, there is Jehovah God, who speaks instructions to Moses. They must never forget their relationship to Jehovah. The Passover is to remind them of Jehovah’s wondrous deliverance from Egypt, and they celebrate it here in the wilderness at the appointed time, one year after leaving Egypt. 16. How does Jehovah lead the nation, and what trumpet signals are arranged? 16 In the same way that he had directed Israel’s movement out of Egypt, Jehovah continues to lead the nation in its travels by a cloud that covers the tabernacle of the tent of the Testimony by day and by the appearance of fire there by night. When the cloud moves, the nation moves. When the cloud remains over the tabernacle, the nation remains encamped, whether for a few days or a month or longer, for the account tells us: “At the order of Jehovah they would encamp, and at the order of Jehovah they would pull away. They kept their obligation to Jehovah at the order of Jehovah by means of Moses.” (Num. 9:23) As the time for departure from Sinai draws near, trumpet signals are arranged both to assemble the people and to direct the various divisions of the encampment on their wilderness trek. 17. Describe the procedure of march. 17 Events in the wilderness (10:11–21:35). At last, on the 20th day of the second month, Jehovah lifts the cloud from over the tabernacle, thus signaling Israel’s departure from the region of Sinai. With the ark of Jehovah’s covenant in their midst, they set out for Kadesh-barnea, some 150 miles [240 km] to the north. As they march by day, Jehovah’s cloud is over them. Each time the Ark goes out, Moses prays to Jehovah to arise and scatter his enemies, and each time it comes to rest, he prays for Jehovah to return “to the myriads of thousands of Israel.”​—10:36. 18. What complaining breaks out on the way to Kadesh-barnea, and how does Jehovah adjust theocratic procedure in the camp? 18 However, trouble arises in the camp. On the trip north to Kadesh-barnea, there are at least three occasions of complaining. To quell the first outbreak, Jehovah sends a fire to consume some of the people. Then “the mixed crowd” set Israel to bemoaning that they no longer have as food the fish, cucumbers, watermelons, leeks, onions, and garlic of Egypt, but only manna. (11:4) Moses becomes so distressed that he asks Jehovah to kill him off rather than let him continue as male nurse to all this people. Considerately, Jehovah takes away some of the spirit from Moses and puts it upon 70 of the older men, who proceed to assist Moses as prophets in the camp. Then meat comes in abundance. As had happened once before, a wind from Jehovah drives in quail from the sea, and the people greedily seize great supplies, selfishly hoarding them. Jehovah’s anger blazes against the people, striking down many because of their selfish craving.​—Ex. 16:2, 3, 13. 19. How does Jehovah deal with the faultfinding of Miriam and Aaron? 19 The troubles continue. Failing properly to view their younger brother, Moses, as Jehovah’s representative, Miriam and Aaron find fault with him over his wife, who has recently come into the camp. They demand more authority, comparable to that of Moses, though “the man Moses was by far the meekest of all the men who were upon the surface of the ground.” (Num. 12:3) Jehovah himself sets the matter straight and lets it be known that Moses occupies a special position, striking Miriam, who was likely the instigator of the complaint, with leprosy. Only by Moses’ intercession is she later healed. 20, 21. What events give rise to Jehovah’s decree that Israel must wander 40 years in the wilderness? 20 Arriving at Kadesh, Israel camps at the threshold of the Promised Land. Jehovah now instructs Moses to send spies to scout out the land. Entering from the south, they travel north clear to “the entering in of Hamath,” walking hundreds of miles in 40 days. (13:21) When they return with some of the rich fruitage of Canaan, ten of the spies faithlessly argue that it would be foolish to go up against so strong a people and such great fortified cities. Caleb tries to quiet the assembly with a favorable report, but without success. The rebellious spies strike fear into the Israelites’ hearts, claiming the land to be one that “eats up its inhabitants” and saying, “All the people whom we saw in the midst of it are men of extraordinary size.” As murmurings of rebellion sweep through the camp, Joshua and Caleb plead, “Jehovah is with us. Do not fear them.” (13:32; 14:9) However, the assembly begins to talk of pelting them with stones. 21 Then Jehovah intervenes directly, saying to Moses: “How long will this people treat me without respect, and how long will they not put faith in me for all the signs that I performed in among them?” (14:11) Moses implores him not to destroy the nation, as Jehovah’s name and fame are involved. Jehovah therefore decrees that Israel must continue to wander in the wilderness until all those registered among the people, from 20 years old and up, have died off. Of the registered males, only Caleb and Joshua will be permitted to enter the Land of Promise. In vain the people try to go up on their own initiative, only to suffer a terrible defeat meted out by the Amalekites and the Canaanites. What a high price the people pay for their disrespect of Jehovah and his loyal representatives! 22. In what ways is the importance of obedience emphasized? 22 Truly, they have much to learn in the way of obedience. Fittingly, Jehovah gives them additional laws highlighting this need. He lets them know that when they come into the Promised Land, atonement must be made for mistakes, but the deliberately disobedient must be cut off without fail. Thus, when a man is found gathering wood in violation of the Sabbath law, Jehovah commands: “Without fail the man should be put to death.” (15:35) As a reminder of the commandments of Jehovah and the importance of obeying them, Jehovah instructs that the people wear fringes on the skirts of their garments. 23. What is the outcome of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram? 23 Nevertheless, rebellion breaks out again. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and 250 prominent men of the assembly gather in opposition to the authority of Moses and Aaron. Moses puts the issue to Jehovah, saying to the rebels: ‘Take fire holders and incense and present them before Jehovah, and let him choose.’ (16:6, 7) Jehovah’s glory now appears to all the assembly. Swiftly he executes judgment, causing the earth to split apart to swallow up the households of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and sending out a fire to consume the 250 men, including Korah, offering the incense. The very next day, the people begin to condemn Moses and Aaron for what Jehovah did, and again He scourges them, wiping out 14,700 complainers. 24. What sign does Jehovah perform to end the rebelliousness? 24 In view of these events, Jehovah commands that each tribe present a rod before him, including a rod with Aaron’s name for the tribe of Levi. The next day Aaron is shown to be Jehovah’s choice for the priesthood, for his rod alone is found to be in full bloom and bearing ripe almonds. It is to be preserved in the ark of the covenant “for a sign to the sons of rebelliousness.” (Num. 17:10; Heb. 9:4) After further instructions for the support of the priesthood by means of tithes and concerning the use of cleansing water with the ashes of a red cow, the account returns us to Kadesh. Here Miriam dies and is buried. 25. How do Moses and Aaron fail to sanctify Jehovah, and with what result? 25 Again at the threshold of the Land of Promise the assembly gets to quarreling with Moses because of the lack of water. Jehovah counts it as quarreling with Him, and He appears in His glory, commanding Moses to take the rod and bring out water from the crag. Do Moses and Aaron now sanctify Jehovah? Instead, Moses twice strikes the crag in anger. The people and their livestock get water to drink, but Moses and Aaron fail to give the credit to Jehovah. Though the heartbreaking wilderness journey is almost over, they both incur Jehovah’s displeasure and are told they will not enter the Land of Promise. Aaron dies later on Mount Hor, and his son Eleazar takes over the duties of high priest. 26. What events mark the detour around Edom? 26 Israel turns to the east and seeks to go through the land of Edom but is rebuffed. While making a long detour around Edom, the people get into trouble again as they complain against God and Moses. They are tired of the manna, and they are thirsty. Because of their rebelliousness Jehovah sends poisonous serpents among them, so that many die. At last, when Moses intercedes, Jehovah instructs him to make a fiery copper serpent and place it on a signal pole. Those who have been bitten but who gaze at the copper serpent are spared alive. Heading north, the Israelites are impeded, in turn, by the belligerent kings Sihon of the Amorites and Og of Bashan. Israel defeats both of these in battle, and Israel occupies their territories to the east of the Rift Valley. 27. How does Jehovah overrule Balak’s plans in connection with Balaam? 27 Events on the Plains of Moab (22:1–36:13). In eager anticipation of their entry into Canaan, the Israelites now gather on the desert plains of Moab, north of the Dead Sea and to the east of the Jordan across from Jericho. Seeing this vast encampment spread out before them, the Moabites feel a sickening dread. Their king Balak, in consultation with the Midianites, sends for Balaam to use divination and put a curse on Israel. Although God directly tells Balaam, “You must not go with them,” he wants to go. (22:12) He wants the reward. Finally he does go, only to be stopped by an angel and to have his own she-ass miraculously speak to rebuke him. When at last Balaam gets around to making pronouncements about Israel, God’s spirit impels him, so that his four proverbial utterances prophesy only blessings for God’s nation, even foretelling that a star would step forth out of Jacob and a scepter would rise out of Israel to subdue and destroy. 28. What subtle snare is brought on Israel at Balaam’s suggestion, but how is the scourge halted? 28 Having infuriated Balak by his failure to curse Israel, Balaam now seeks the king’s good graces by suggesting that the Moabites use their own females in enticing the men of Israel to share in the lewd rites involved in the worship of Baal. (31:15, 16) Here, right on the border of the Promised Land, the Israelites begin to fall away to gross immorality and the worship of false gods. As Jehovah’s anger blazes forth in a scourge, Moses calls for drastic punishment of the wrongdoers. When Phinehas, son of the high priest, sees a chieftain bring a Midianite woman into his tent right inside the camp, he goes after them and kills them, striking the woman through her genital parts. At this, the scourge is halted, but not before 24,000 die from it. 29. (a) What is revealed by the census at the end of the 40th year? (b) What preparation is now made for entry into the Promised Land? 29 Jehovah now commands Moses and Eleazar to take a census of the people again, as had been done nearly 39 years earlier at Mount Sinai. The final count shows that there has been no increase in their ranks. On the contrary, there are 1,820 fewer men registered. None remain that had been registered at Sinai for army service, except Joshua and Caleb. As Jehovah had indicated would happen, all of them had died in the wilderness. Jehovah next gives instructions concerning the division of the land as an inheritance. He repeats that Moses will not enter the Land of Promise because of his failure to sanctify Jehovah at the waters of Meribah. (20:13; 27:14, footnotes) Joshua is commissioned as successor to Moses. 30. How is the account with the Midianites settled, and what territory assignment is made east of the Jordan? 30 Through Moses, Jehovah next reminds Israel of the importance of His laws concerning sacrifices and feasts and of the seriousness of vows. He also has Moses settle the account with the Midianites because of their part in seducing Israel over Baal of Peor. All the Midianite males are slain in battle, along with Balaam, and only virgin girls are spared, 32,000 of these being taken captive along with plunder that includes 808,000 animals. Not one Israelite is reported missing in battle. The sons of Reuben and of Gad, who raise livestock, ask to settle in the territory east of the Jordan, and after they agree to help in conquering the Promised Land, the request is granted, so that these two tribes, together with half the tribe of Manasseh, are given this rich tableland as their possession. 31. (a) On entering the land, how must Israel continue to show obedience? (b) What instructions are given regarding tribal inheritances? 31 After a review of the stopping places on the 40-year journey, the record again focuses attention on the need for obedience to Jehovah. God is giving them the land, but they must become His executioners, driving out the depraved, demon-worshiping inhabitants and destroying every last trace of their idolatrous religion. The detailed boundaries of their God-given land are stated. It is to be divided among them by lot. The Levites, who have no tribal inheritance, are to be given 48 cities with their pasture grounds, 6 of these to be cities of refuge for the unintentional manslayer. Territory must remain within the tribe, never being transferred to another tribe by marriage. If there is no male heir, then the daughters who receive an inheritance​—for example, the daughters of Zelophehad—​must marry within their own tribe. (27:1-11; 36:1-11) Numbers concludes with these commandments of Jehovah through Moses and with the sons of Israel poised at last to enter the Land of Promise. WHY BENEFICIAL 32. In what ways are Jesus and his sacrifice typified in Numbers? 32 Jesus referred to Numbers on several occasions, and his apostles and other Bible writers clearly demonstrate how meaningful and beneficial its record is. The apostle Paul specifically compared Jesus’ faithful service to that of Moses, which is largely recorded in Numbers. (Heb. 3:1-6) In the animal sacrifices and in the sprinkling of the ashes of the young red cow of Numbers 19:2-9, we again see pictured the far grander provision for cleansing through the sacrifice of Christ.​—Heb. 9:13, 14. 33. Why is the bringing forth of water in the wilderness of interest to us today? 33 Similarly, Paul showed that the bringing forth of water from the rock in the wilderness is full of meaning for us, saying: “They used to drink from the spiritual rock-mass that followed them, and that rock-mass meant the Christ.” (1 Cor. 10:4; Num. 20:7-11) Fittingly, it was Christ himself who said: “Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty at all, but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water bubbling up to impart everlasting life.”​—John 4:14. 34. How did Jesus show that the copper serpent had prophetic meaning? 34 Jesus also made direct reference to an incident recorded in Numbers that foreshadowed the marvelous provision that God was making through him. “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,” he said, “so the Son of man must be lifted up, that everyone believing in him may have everlasting life.”​—John 3:14, 15; Num. 21:8, 9. 35. (a) Against what should Christians be on guard, as illustrated by the Israelites in the wilderness, and why? (b) In their letters, to what examples of greed and rebellion did Jude and Peter refer? 35 Why were the Israelites sentenced to wander 40 years in the wilderness? For lack of faith. The apostle Paul gave powerful admonition on this point: “Beware, brothers, for fear there should ever develop in any one of you a wicked heart lacking faith by drawing away from the living God; but keep on exhorting one another each day.” Because of their disobedience and because of their faithlessness, those Israelites died in the wilderness. “Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into [God’s] rest, for fear anyone should fall in the same pattern of disobedience.” (Heb. 3:7–4:11; Num. 13:25–14:38) In warning against ungodly men who speak abusively of holy things, Jude referred to Balaam’s greed for reward and to Korah’s rebellious talk against Jehovah’s servant Moses. (Jude 11; Num. 22:7, 8, 22; 26:9, 10) Balaam was also referred to by Peter as one “who loved the reward of wrongdoing,” and by the glorified Jesus in his revelation through John as one who ‘put before Israel a stumbling block of idolatry and fornication.’ Certainly the Christian congregation today should be warned against such unholy ones.​—2 Pet. 2:12-16; Rev. 2:14. 36. Against what injurious practices did Paul warn, and how may we today benefit by his counsel? 36 When immorality arose in the Corinthian congregation, Paul wrote them about “desiring injurious things,” referring specifically to Numbers. He admonished: “Neither let us practice fornication, as some of them committed fornication, only to fall, twenty-three thousand of them in one day.” (1 Cor. 10:6, 8; Num. 25:1-9; 31:16)b What about the occasion when the people complained that obeying God’s commands entailed personal hardship and that they were dissatisfied with Jehovah’s provision of the manna? Concerning this, Paul says: “Neither let us put Jehovah to the test, as some of them put him to the test, only to perish by the serpents.” (1 Cor. 10:9; Num. 21:5, 6) Then Paul continues: “Neither be murmurers, just as some of them murmured, only to perish by the destroyer.” How bitter the experiences of Israel as a result of their murmuring against Jehovah, his representatives, and his provisions! These things that “went on befalling them as examples” should stand forth as a clear warning to all of us today, so that we may go on serving Jehovah in the fullness of faith.​—1 Cor. 10:10, 11; Num. 14:2, 36, 37; 16:1-3, 41; 17:5, 10. 37. Illustrate how Numbers helps us to understand other Bible passages. 37 Numbers also provides the background against which many other Bible passages can be better understood.​—Num. 28:9, 10​—Matt. 12:5; Num. 15:38​—Matt. 23:5; Num. 6:2-4​—Luke 1:15; Num. 4:3​—Luke 3:23; Num. 18:31​—1 Cor. 9:13, 14; Num. 18:26​—Heb. 7:5-9; Num. 17:8-10​—Heb. 9:4. 38. In what particular ways is the book of Numbers beneficial, and to what does it direct our attention? 38 What is recorded in Numbers is indeed inspired of God, and it is beneficial in teaching us the importance of obedience to Jehovah and respect for those whom he has made overseers among his people. By example, it reproves wrongdoing, and by happenings with prophetic import, it directs our attention to the One whom Jehovah has provided as the Savior and Leader of His people today. It provides an essential and instructive instruction in the record leading to the establishment of Jehovah’s righteous Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ, the one He appointed as Mediator and High Priest. [Footnotes] a Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1, pages 540-2. b Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1, page 233.

Great Teacher (te) 1971

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/te

Chapter 45 How to Tell God, ‘I Love You’ DID you know that someone loved you even before you were born?⁠— Well, you see we knew you were coming. Of course, we didn’t know what you would look like then. You were still growing inside your mother. But already your father and your mother were doing many things to show they loved you. That’s why there were clothes for you to wear as soon as you were born. And there was a little bed for you to sleep in. And, my, how happy your father and mother were when they finally saw you! They loved you then. And they love you now, very, very much. You love your father and mother, too, don’t you?⁠— But now I am thinking of someone else who also loved you before you were born. Do you know who?⁠— It is Jehovah God. In fact, God loved all of us before we were born. Do you know how we know he did?⁠— Because a long time ago God sent his Son to give his life for us. Also, God is going to make the earth a beautiful garden where we can live forever in happiness, if we really want to. How does this make you feel toward God?⁠— It makes me love him very, very much. I want to serve him all my life. Do you?⁠— But how can we tell God that?⁠— Jesus knew just how to tell God that. Listen while I tell you what he did. One day he went to the Jordan River. John the Baptist was there. Jesus and John waded out into the water. The water was all the way up to their waists. Do you have any idea of what they were going to do?⁠— The man put one of his arms around behind Jesus’ shoulders. He put Jesus all the way under the water for just a second and then lifted him out again. He baptized him. Why did he do that? Jesus asked the man to do it. But why? Do you know?⁠— Jesus did it so that God would know that Jesus wanted to serve him all his life, yes, forever. But did God want Jesus to be put under the water that way?⁠— Yes, he did. How do we know?⁠— Because when Jesus came up out of the water he heard a big voice from heaven say: ‘You are my Son whom I love. I am very pleased with you.’​—Mark 1:9-11. What did Jesus do after this?⁠— Well, he started going around talking about God to everyone who would listen. He told them about God’s kingdom. He told them how they could live forever. Some of the men and women believed what the Great Teacher taught them. But they felt sad. Do you know why?⁠— Because they thought of many bad things they had done. They knew that God was not pleased with those things. They knew the Bible said those things were wrong. Now they wanted to be like Jesus and please God. So, do you know what they did?⁠— They asked to be baptized just as Jesus had been baptized. They wanted to tell God that they loved him and that they wanted to serve him all their life. We can do the same thing today. Of course, you are still growing up now. But you aren’t going to spend your whole life just growing up, are you?⁠— Of course not. Someday you’ll be grown up. What are you going to do then?⁠— Will you be like Jesus?⁠— Will you do what the men and women who believed in Jesus did? Will you get baptized?⁠— If you do, you will be telling God that you love him. You will be telling him that you want to serve him all your life. I certainly hope you do that. And God will be very pleased if you do. When a person is grown up, there are many things that he can do. Some people who are grown up live with their families. They work and earn money, and they buy things for their families. They buy clothes, food, furniture, even automobiles. This is nice. But is this the way to tell God that they love him? Is this the way to tell God that they want to serve him all their life?⁠— Many of these people do not even want to listen when another person tries to talk to them about the Bible. They may not even read the Bible. Some of them hardly ever talk about God or the Great Teacher, not even to their children. Some of them may not even thank God for the food they eat, or talk to him in prayer at night. They do not really love God, do they?⁠— You wouldn’t want to grow up and be like them, would you?⁠— How sad that would be. The Great Teacher talked about God to all sorts of people, including little children. He enjoyed talking about God and about the good things God will do for those who love him. He really meant it when he told God: ‘Father, I love you and I want to serve you forever.’ Learn all you can about the Great Teacher now while you’re young. Let your heart get filled with love for Jehovah God. Then you, too, will really mean it when you tell God: ‘I love you and I want to serve you forever.’ (Other texts you may read that show how we can prove our love for God are: Matthew 6:24-33; 24:14; 1 John 2:15-17; 5:3.)

“A Good Word for the Witnesses”

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101970000

“A Good Word for the Witnesses” THE preaching activity of Jehovah’s witnesses is growing very rapidly. This has required a large expansion of facilities at their international headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. The expansion is arousing much comment in the community, even prompting a sermon at the Plymouth Church (Congregational), located just two blocks away. More than a century ago, the church’s first minister, Henry Ward Beecher, lived on property that is now part of the Watchtower Society’s headquarters complex. The sermon was delivered by Dr. Harry H. Kruener and was eninputd “A Good Word for the Witnesses.” At the outset he declared: “I have to say that they are wrong, wrong in so many of the beliefs I count essential to true religion.” However, he then commented: “But I can still secretly admire them and this is my theme of the morning.” He said: I admire the Witnesses for talking about their religion. . . . We [in his church] indulge in a conspiracy of silence. Religion is the one thing we never talk about. . . . “I know I myself seldom mention I am a minister because it tends to put an awful damper on the conversation. . . . The other day I saw a bulletin board outside a church which caught my eye. it read: ‘If you were on trial for being a Christian would they have enough evidence to convict you?’ . . . “Most of us have seen to it that there would be mighty little they could pin on us. The Witnesses give evidence, verbal evidence every day of their faith. They speak out.” What does the Bible say that true Christians should do? The apostle Paul stated: “With the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.” (Rom. 10:10) And Jesus Christ foretold of our day: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) If you belong to a church, are the members of your church doing this? What about Jehovah’s witnesses? Last year, 1,336,112 of them were actively preaching in 203 lands, devoting over 239 million hours to this work free of charge. These are all Bible teachers who talk to others about God and his purposes. They conduct Bible studies with interested persons in their homes. Last year alone more than 120,000 new Bible teachers were baptized and joined their ranks. Dr. Kruener went on to comment to another point, saying: “I admire the Witnesses for the interracial quality of their fellowship. . . . They have found their ‘equality in the Lord,’ which is what many of our churches, over a hundred or more years, have not been able to do. They [Jehovah’s witnesses] are color-blind. They are brothers. . . . “They have a fellowship, a brotherhood, we might well envy. They accept each other, black and white, rich and poor, as human beings.” Is that important to true Christianity? Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) And the apostle Peter said: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, 35) What is your church, if you belong to one, producing in this regard? In his sermon, the minister noted this additional point: “I admire their discipline. They not only talk about their religion, not only support it, not only are amazingly brotherly; they train themselves, they keep themselves in trim, to be Witnesses. They study the Scriptures, . . . They even seem to me to jog to their meetings. By contrast, the Catholics step along trying to make early Mass, and the Protestants saunter, usually looking at the trees and the flowers in our patio as they pass. But the Witnesses, they march. I might say that they are the ‘happy joggers’ in the army of the Lord.” The disciplined “joggers” of the first century​—who were they? They were those who had the true religion, the followers of Jesus. They were not the scribes, the Pharisees, or their followers. Are the members of your church being disciplined, trained, actively engaged in Bible study and service to God? On a point of disagreement, Dr. Kruener claimed that the message of Jehovah’s witnesses is one of “a heartless God.” However, those who have studied the Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses know that they highlight the fact that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) Read this for yourself in their widely distributed Bible-study aid The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life. See how it highlights the blessings of God’s kingdom, under which God will create a paradisaic new order on earth. In that new order God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more.”​—Rev. 21:4. The minister also declared that Jehovah’s witnesses “get hung up on the end of the world, the apocalyptic sections of Scripture, which are barely ten percent of the total.” He said: “To them God is a bloody avenger on the day of Armageddon and this is a denial I believe of all that Jesus came to teach.” But Jesus himself took the lead in teaching about the end of this wicked system of things! You can read this at Matthew chapter 24, Luke chapter 21 and Mark chapter 13. And ‘Armageddon,’ mentioned at Revelation 16:14-16, is described in many Bible passages, such as Revelation 19:11-21. Yes, the Bible clearly teaches that “the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.”​—1 John 2:17. Is such “apocalyptic” teaching unimportant because it is only “ten percent of the total”? Jesus did not think so. Neither did the Bible writers. Indeed, if the last 10 percent of a bridge was washed out, would you still drive on it if someone called this fact to your attention? The Bible shows that these are the “last days” of this wicked system, that it is nearing its finish. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) The greatest service anybody can now perform is to call this to your attention, because your eternal welfare is involved.​—Ezek. 3:18-21. Jesus, likening men of religious systems to trees, declared: “Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit.” He then warned: “Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matt. 7:16-19) Examine the religious ‘trees’ with which you associate. Are they producing the kind of fruit God requires?

Great Teacher (te) 1971

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/te

Chapter 8 A Good Neighbor DO YOU know anyone who has a skin color different from yours?⁠— In some places the skin color of most people is black or brown. In other places almost everyone has white skin. They are born that way. Does it make you better than other people if you have a different skin color than they do?⁠— Should a person with black skin think that he is better than someone whose skin is white? Or should someone with white skin think he is better than a person whose skin is black? What do you think?⁠— If we listen to the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, we will be kind to everyone. It does not make any difference what nation a person may come from or what his skin color is. We ought to love people of all kinds. This is what Jesus taught. One day a Jew came to ask Jesus a hard question. This man thought Jesus would not know the answer. He said: ‘What must I do to live forever?’ This was an easy question for the Great Teacher. But instead of answering it himself, Jesus asked the man: ‘What does God’s law say we must do?’ The man answered: ‘The law of God says, “You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and you must love your neighbor as yourself.”’ Jesus said: ‘You answered right. Keep on doing this and you will get eternal life.’ But the man did not want to love everyone. So he tried to find an excuse. He asked Jesus: “Who really is my neighbor?” How would you have answered that? Who really is your neighbor?⁠— This man may have wanted Jesus to say: ‘Your neighbors are your friends.’ But what about other people? Are they our neighbors too?⁠— To answer the question, Jesus told a story. It was about a Jew and a Samaritan. This is how it went: A man was going down the road from the city of Jerusalem to Jericho. This man was a Jew. As he was walking along, robbers grabbed him. They knocked him down, and took his money and his clothes. The robbers beat him up and left him beside the road half-dead. A short time later a priest came along that road. He saw the man who was badly hurt. What did he do? What would you have done?⁠— The priest just went over to the other side of the road. He did not even stop. He did not do anything at all to help the man. Then another very religious man came down the road. He was a Levite, who served in the temple at Jerusalem. Would he stop to help? He did the very same thing as the priest. He offered no help. Was that the right thing to do?⁠— Finally a Samaritan came along the road. He saw the Jew lying there badly hurt. Now, most Samaritans and Jews did not like each other. So would this Samaritan leave the man without helping him? Would he say to himself: ‘Why should I help this Jew? He would not help me if I were hurt’? Well, this Samaritan looked at the man lying beside the road, and he felt very sorry for him. He could not leave him and let him die. So the Samaritan got off his animal. He went over to the man, and began caring for his wounds. He poured oil and wine upon them. This would help the wounds to heal. Then he wrapped up the wounds with a cloth. The Samaritan gently lifted the hurt man up on his animal. Then they went slowly on down the road until they came to an inn, or a small hotel. Here the Samaritan got a place for the man to stay, and he took good care of him. Now Jesus asked the man to whom he was talking: ‘Which one of these three men do you think was the good neighbor?’ How would you answer? Was it the priest, the Levite or the Samaritan?⁠— The man answered: ‘The Samaritan was the good neighbor. He stopped and took care of the hurt man.’ Jesus said: ‘You are right. So go your way and do the same yourself.’​—Luke 10:25-37. Wasn’t that a fine story?⁠— It makes clear who our neighbors are. Our neighbors are not only our close friends. Our neighbors are not only persons of our own country, or persons who have the same skin color as we do. Our neighbors are people of all kinds. So if you see someone hurt, what will you do?⁠— What if the person is from a different country or has a skin color different from yours?⁠— He is still your neighbor. So you should help him. If you feel too small to help, then you can ask me to help. Or you can call a policeman, or a schoolteacher. That is being like the Samaritan man. The Great Teacher wants us to be kind. He wants us to help others, no matter who they may be. That is why he told the story about the man who was a good neighbor. (On this matter of how we should view people of other races and nations, also read Acts 10:34, 35; 17:26; Matthew 5:44-48.)

Reasoning (rs) 1989

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs

Jesus Christ Definition: The only-begotten Son of God, the only Son produced by Jehovah alone. This Son is the firstborn of all creation. By means of him all other things in heaven and on earth were created. He is the second-greatest personage in the universe. It is this Son whom Jehovah sent to the earth to give his life as a ransom for mankind, thus opening the way to eternal life for those of Adam’s offspring who would exercise faith. This same Son, restored to heavenly glory, now rules as King, with authority to destroy all the wicked and to carry out his Father’s original purpose for the earth. The Hebrew form of the name Jesus means “Jehovah Is Salvation”; Christ is the equivalent of the Hebrew Ma·shiʹach (Messiah), meaning “Anointed One.” Was Jesus Christ a real, historical person? The Bible itself is the principal evidence that Jesus Christ is a historical person. The record in the Gospels is not a vague narrative of events at some unspecified time and in an unnamed location. It clearly states time and place in great detail. For an example, see Luke 3:1, 2, 21-23. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus referred to the stoning of “James, the brother of Jesus who was called the Christ.” (The Jewish Antiquities, Josephus, Book XX, sec. 200) A direct and very favorable reference to Jesus, found in Book XVIII, sections 63, 64, has been challenged by some who claim that it must have been either added later or embellished by Christians; but it is acknowledged that the vocabulary and the style are basically those of Josephus, and the passage is found in all available manuscripts. Tacitus, a Roman historian who lived during the latter part of the first century C.E., wrote: “Christus [Latin for “Christ”], from whom the name [Christian] had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus.”—The Complete Works of Tacitus (New York, 1942), “The Annals,” Book 15, par. 44. With reference to early non-Christian historical references to Jesus, The New Encyclopædia Britannica states: “These independent accounts prove that in ancient times even the opponents of Christianity never doubted the historicity of Jesus, which was disputed for the first time and on inadequate grounds by several authors at the end of the 18th, during the 19th, and at the beginning of the 20th centuries.”—(1976), Macropædia, Vol. 10, p. 145. Was Jesus Christ simply a good man? Interestingly, Jesus rebuked a man who addressed him with the input “Good Teacher,” because Jesus recognized not himself but his Father to be the standard of goodness. (Mark 10:17, 18) However, to measure up to what people generally mean when they say that someone is good, Jesus surely must have been truthful. Indeed, even his enemies acknowledged that he was. (Mark 12:14) He himself said that he had a prehuman existence, that he was the unique Son of God, that he was the Messiah, the one whose coming was foretold throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. Either he was what he said or he was a gross impostor, but neither option allows for the view that he was simply a good man.—John 3:13; 10:36; 4:25, 26; Luke 24:44-48. Was Jesus merely a prophet whose authority was similar to that of Moses, Buddha, Muhammad, and other religious leaders? Jesus himself taught that he was the unique Son of God (John 10:36; Matt. 16:15-17), the foretold Messiah (Mark 14:61, 62), that he had a prehuman existence in heaven (John 6:38; 8:23, 58), that he would be put to death and then would be raised to life on the third day and would thereafter return to the heavens. (Matt. 16:21; John 14:2, 3) Were these claims true, and was he thus really different from all other true prophets of God and in sharp contrast to all self-styled religious leaders? The truth of the matter would be evident on the third day from his death. Did God then resurrect him from the dead, thus confirming that Jesus Christ had spoken the truth and was indeed God’s unique Son? (Rom. 1:3, 4) Over 500 witnesses actually saw Jesus alive following his resurrection, and his faithful apostles were eyewitnesses as he began his ascent back to heaven and then disappeared from their view in a cloud. (1 Cor. 15:3-8; Acts 1:2, 3, 9) So thoroughly were they convinced that he had been raised from the dead that many of them risked their lives to tell others about it.—Acts 4:18-33. Why did the Jews in general not accept Jesus as the Messiah? The Encyclopaedia Judaica says: “The Jews of the Roman period believed [the Messiah] would be raised up by God to break the yoke of the heathen and to reign over a restored kingdom of Israel.” (Jerusalem, 1971, Vol. 11, col. 1407) They wanted liberation from the yoke of Rome. Jewish history testifies that on the basis of the Messianic prophecy recorded at Daniel 9:24-27 there were Jews who expected the Messiah during the first century C.E. (Luke 3:15) But that prophecy also connected his coming with ‘making an end of sin,’ and Isaiah chapter 53 indicated that Messiah himself would die in order to make this possible. However, the Jews in general felt no need for anyone to die for their sins. They believed that they had a righteous standing with God on the basis of their descent from Abraham. Says A Rabbinic Anthology, “So great is the [merit] of Abraham that he can atone for all the vanities committed and lies uttered by Israel in this world.” (London, 1938, C. Montefiore and H. Loewe, p. 676) By their rejection of Jesus as Messiah, the Jews fulfilled the prophecy that had foretold regarding him: “He was despised, and we esteemed him not.”—Isaiah 53:3, JP. Before his death, Moses foretold that the nation would turn aside from true worship and that, as a result, calamity would befall them. (Read Deuteronomy 31:27-29.) The book of Judges testifies that this occurred repeatedly. In the days of the prophet Jeremiah, national unfaithfulness led to the nation’s being taken into exile in Babylon. Why did God also allow the Romans to destroy Jerusalem and its temple in 70 C.E.? Of what unfaithfulness had the nation been guilty so that God did not protect them as he had done when they had put their trust in him? It was shortly before this that they had rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Is Jesus Christ actually God? John 17:3, RS: “[Jesus prayed to his Father:] This is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God [“who alone art truly God,” NE], and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” (Notice that Jesus referred not to himself but to his Father in heaven as “the only true God.”) John 20:17, RS: “Jesus said to her [Mary Magdalene], ‘Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (So to the resurrected Jesus, the Father was God, just as the Father was God to Mary Magdalene. Interestingly, not once in Scripture do we find the Father addressing the Son as “my God.”) See also pages 411, 416, 417, under the heading “Trinity.” Does John 1:1 prove that Jesus is God? John 1:1, RS: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [also KJ, JB, Dy, Kx, NAB].” NE reads “what God was, the Word was.” Mo says “the Logos was divine.” AT and Sd tell us “the Word was divine.” The interlinear rendering of ED is “a god was the Word.” NW reads “the Word was a god”; NTIV uses the same wording. What is it that these translators are seeing in the Greek text that moves some of them to refrain from saying “the Word was God”? The definite article (the) appears before the first occurrence of the·osʹ (God) but not before the second. The articular (when the article appears) construction of the noun points to an identity, a personality, whereas a singular anarthrous (without the article) predicate noun before the verb (as the sentence is constructed in Greek) points to a quality about someone. So the text is not saying that the Word (Jesus) was the same as the God with whom he was but, rather, that the Word was godlike, divine, a god. (See 1984 Reference edition of NW, p. 1579.) What did the apostle John mean when he wrote John 1:1? Did he mean that Jesus is himself God or perhaps that Jesus is one God with the Father? In the same chapter, verse 18, John wrote: “No one [“no man,” KJ, Dy] has ever seen God; the only Son [“the only-begotten god,” NW], who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.” (RS) Had any human seen Jesus Christ, the Son? Of course! So, then, was John saying that Jesus was God? Obviously not. Toward the end of his Gospel, John summarized matters, saying: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, [not God, but] the Son of God.”—John 20:31, RS. Does Thomas’ exclamation at John 20:28 prove that Jesus is truly God? John 20:28 (RS) reads: “Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” There is no objection to referring to Jesus as “God,” if this is what Thomas had in mind. Such would be in harmony with Jesus’ own quotation from the Psalms in which powerful men, judges, were addressed as “gods.” (John 10:34, 35, RS; Ps. 82:1-6) Of course, Christ occupies a position far higher than such men. Because of the uniqueness of his position in relation to Jehovah, at John 1:18 (NW) Jesus is referred to as “the only-begotten god.” (See also Ro, By.) Isaiah 9:6 (RS) also prophetically describes Jesus as “Mighty God,” but not as the Almighty God. All of this is in harmony with Jesus’ being described as “a god,” or “divine,” at John 1:1 (NW, AT). The context helps us to draw the right conclusion from this. Shortly before Jesus’ death, Thomas had heard Jesus’ prayer in which he addressed his Father as “the only true God.” (John 17:3, RS) After Jesus’ resurrection Jesus had sent a message to his apostles, including Thomas, in which he had said: “I am ascending . . . to my God and your God.” (John 20:17, RS) After recording what Thomas said when he actually saw and touched the resurrected Christ, the apostle John stated: “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31, RS) So, if anyone has concluded from Thomas’ exclamation that Jesus is himself “the only true God” or that Jesus is a Trinitarian “God the Son,” he needs to look again at what Jesus himself said (vs. 17) and at the conclusion that is clearly stated by the apostle John (vs. 31). Does Matthew 1:23 indicate that Jesus when on earth was God? Matt. 1:23, RS: “‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanʹu-el’ (which means, God with us [“God is with us,” NE]).” In announcing Jesus’ coming birth, did Jehovah’s angel say that the child would be God himself? No, the announcement was: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Luke 1:32, 35, RS; italics added.) And Jesus himself never claimed to be God but, rather, “the Son of God.” (John 10:36, RS; italics added.) Jesus was sent into the world by God; so by means of this only-begotten Son, God was with mankind.—John 3:17; 17:8. It was not unusual for Hebrew names to include within them the word for God or even an abbreviated form of God’s personal name. For example, Eliʹathah means “God Has Come”; Jehu means “Jehovah Is He”; Elijah means “My God Is Jehovah.” But none of these names implied that the possessor was himself God. What is the meaning of John 5:18? John 5:18, RS: “This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God.” It was the unbelieving Jews who reasoned that Jesus was attempting to make himself equal with God by claiming God as his Father. While properly referring to God as his Father, Jesus never claimed equality with God. He straightforwardly answered the Jews: “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.” (John 5:19, RS; see also John 14:28; John 10:36.) It was those unbelieving Jews, too, who claimed that Jesus broke the Sabbath, but they were wrong also about that. Jesus kept the Law perfectly, and he declared: “It is lawful to do good on the sabbath.”—Matt. 12:10-12, RS. Does the fact that worship is given to Jesus prove that he is God? At Hebrews 1:6, the angels are instructed to “worship” Jesus, according to the rendering of RS, TEV, KJ, JB, and NAB. NW says “do obeisance to.” At Matthew 14:33, Jesus’ disciples are said to have “worshiped” him, according to RS, TEV, KJ; other translations say that they “showed him reverence” (NAB), “bowed down before him” (JB), “fell at his feet” (NE), “did obeisance to him” (NW). The Greek word rendered “worship” is pro·sky·neʹo, which A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature says was also “used to designate the custom of prostrating oneself before a person and kissing his feet, the hem of his garment, the ground.” (Chicago, 1979, Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich, Danker; second English edition; p. 716) This is the term used at Matthew 14:33 to express what the disciples did toward Jesus; at Hebrews 1:6 to indicate what the angels are to do toward Jesus; at Genesis 22:5 in the Greek Septuagint to describe what Abraham did toward Jehovah and at Genesis 23:7 to describe what Abraham did, in harmony with the custom of the time, toward people with whom he was doing business; at 1 Kings 1:23 in the Septuagint to describe the prophet Nathan’s action on approaching King David. At Matthew 4:10 (RS), Jesus said: “You shall worship [from pro·sky·neʹo] the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” (At Deuteronomy 6:13, which Jesus is evidently here quoting, appears the personal name of God, the Tetragrammaton.) In harmony with that, we must understand that it is pro·sky·neʹo with a particular attitude of heart and mind that should be directed only toward God. Do the miracles performed by Jesus prove that he is God? Acts 10:34, 38, RS: “Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘ . . . God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; . . . he went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.’” (So Peter did not conclude from the miracles that he observed that Jesus was God but, rather, that God was with Jesus. Compare Matthew 16:16, 17.) John 20:30, 31, RS: “Now Jesus did many other signs [“miracles,” TEV, Kx] in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.” (So the conclusion we should properly draw from the miracles is that Jesus is “the Christ,” the Messiah, “the Son of God.” The expression “Son of God” is very different from “God the Son.”) Pre-Christian prophets such as Elijah and Elisha performed miracles similar to those of Jesus. Yet that certainly is no proof that they were God. Is Jesus the same as Jehovah in the “Old Testament”? See pages 197, 198, under the main heading “Jehovah.” Is believing in Jesus Christ all that is required for salvation? Acts 16:30-32, RS: “‘Men, what must I do to be saved?’ And they [Paul and Silas] said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord [“God,” NAB, also JB and NE footnotes; “God’s message,” AT] to him and to all that were in his house.” (Was that man’s ‘believing in the Lord Jesus’ just a matter of his saying sincerely that he believed? Paul showed that more was required—namely, knowledge and acceptance of the Word of God, as Paul and Silas now proceeded to preach it to the jailer. Would a person’s belief in Jesus be genuine if he did not worship the God whom Jesus worshiped, if he did not apply what Jesus taught as to the kind of persons his disciples should be, or if he did not do the work that Jesus commanded his followers to perform? We cannot earn salvation; it is possible only on the basis of faith in the value of the sacrifice of Jesus’ human life. But our lives must be consistent with the faith that we profess, even though that may involve hardship. At Matthew 10:22 [RS] Jesus said: “He who endures to the end will be saved.”) Did Jesus have a heavenly existence before he became a human? Col. 1:15-17, RS: “He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation . . . All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things.” John 17:5, RS: “[In prayer Jesus said:] Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made.” (Also John 8:23) Does Jesus have his fleshly body in heaven? 1 Cor. 15:42-50, RS: “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. . . . It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. . . . Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam [Jesus Christ, who was a perfect human as Adam had been at the start] became a life-giving spirit. . . . I tell you this, brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” (Italics added.) 1 Pet. 3:18, RS: “Christ also died for sins once for all, . . . being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit [“in the spirit,” NE, AT, JB, Dy].” (See page 334.) Illustration: If a man pays a debt for a friend but then promptly takes back the payment, obviously the debt continues. Likewise, if, when he was resurrected, Jesus had taken back his human body of flesh and blood, which had been given in sacrifice to pay the ransom price, what effect would that have had on the provision he was making to relieve faithful persons of the debt of sin? It is true that Jesus appeared in physical form to his disciples after his resurrection. But on certain occasions, why did they not at first recognize him? (Luke 24:15-32; John 20:14-16) On one occasion, for the benefit of Thomas, Jesus appeared with the physical evidence of nail prints in his hands and a spear wound in his side. But how was it possible on that occasion for him suddenly to appear in their midst even though the doors were locked? (John 20:26, 27) Jesus evidently materialized bodies on these occasions, as angels had done in the past when appearing to humans. Disposing of Jesus’ physical body at the time of his resurrection presented no problem for God. Interestingly, although the physical body was not left by God in the tomb (evidently to strengthen the conviction of the disciples that Jesus had actually been raised), the linen cloths in which it had been wrapped were left there; yet, the resurrected Jesus always appeared fully clothed.—John 20:6, 7. Is Jesus Christ the same person as Michael the archangel? The name of this Michael appears only five times in the Bible. The glorious spirit person who bears the name is referred to as “one of the chief princes,” “the great prince who has charge of your [Daniel’s] people,” and as “the archangel.” (Dan. 10:13; 12:1; Jude 9, RS) Michael means “Who Is Like God?” The name evidently designates Michael as the one who takes the lead in upholding Jehovah’s sovereignty and destroying God’s enemies. At 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (RS), the command of Jesus Christ for the resurrection to begin is described as “the archangel’s call,” and Jude 9 says that the archangel is Michael. Would it be appropriate to liken Jesus’ commanding call to that of someone lesser in authority? Reasonably, then, the archangel Michael is Jesus Christ. (Interestingly, the expression “archangel” is never found in the plural in the Scriptures, thus implying that there is only one.) Revelation 12:7-12 says that Michael and his angels would war against Satan and hurl him and his wicked angels out of heaven in connection with the conferring of kingly authority on Christ. Jesus is later depicted as leading the armies of heaven in war against the nations of the world. (Rev. 19:11-16) Is it not reasonable that Jesus would also be the one to take action against the one he described as “ruler of this world,” Satan the Devil? (John 12:31) Daniel 12:1 (RS) associates the ‘standing up of Michael’ to act with authority with “a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time.” That would certainly fit the experience of the nations when Christ as heavenly executioner takes action against them. So the evidence indicates that the Son of God was known as Michael before he came to earth and is known also by that name since his return to heaven where he resides as the glorified spirit Son of God. If Someone Says— ‘You don’t believe in Jesus’ You might reply: ‘Evidently you are a person who believes in Jesus. And so do I; otherwise I would not be at your door today.’ Then perhaps add: ‘In fact, the importance of faith in Jesus is prominently featured in our publications. (Turn to an appropriate chapter in whatever book you are offering and use this as a basis for discussion, highlighting his role as King. Or read what is stated on page 2 of The Watchtower, regarding the purpose of the magazine.)’ Or you could say: ‘Do you mind if I ask you why you feel that way?’ Another possibility: ‘Apparently someone has told you that, but may I say that such is not really the case, because we have very strong faith in Jesus Christ.’ Then perhaps add: (1) ‘But we do not believe everything that people say about Jesus. For example, some say that he was just a good man, not the Son of God. We do not believe that, do you? . . . That is not what the Bible teaches.’ (2) ‘And we do not believe the teachings of groups that contradict what Jesus himself said about his relationship with his Father. (John 14:28) His Father has given him ruling authority that affects the lives of all of us today. (Dan. 7:13, 14)’ ‘Do you accept Jesus as your personal Savior?’ You might reply: ‘The Bible clearly says . . . (quote Acts 4:12). I believe that. But I have also learned that serious responsibilities go with it. How is that? Well, if I really believe in Jesus, then I can’t believe in him just as far as it seems convenient.’ Then perhaps add: ‘His perfect life given in sacrifice makes it possible for us to have forgiveness of sins. But I know that it is also vital to pay attention to his instructions regarding our responsibilities as Christians. (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19, 20)’ Or you could say: ‘(After confirming the fact that you do believe in Jesus as Savior, not only of yourself, but of all who exercise faith in him . . . ) It is important that we respond appreciatively not only to what he did in the past but also to what he is doing now. (Matt. 25:31-33)’ ‘I have accepted Jesus as my personal Savior’ You might reply: ‘I am glad to hear that you believe in Jesus, because there are so many people today who give no thought to what Jesus did for us. You no doubt know well the scripture at John 3:16, don’t you? . . . But where will such people live forever? Some will be with Christ in heaven. But does the Bible show that all good people go there? (Matt. 6:10; 5:5)’

“Look!” brochure (lmn) 1986

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input Page/Publishers’ Page “Look! I Am Making All Things New” 2006 Printing This publication is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations. PICTURE CREDITS: Page 9—Lord Kelvin/National Portrait Gallery, London; Page 11—atomic explosion/U.S. National Archives; Page 13—horses/Kentucky Department of Travel Development, moose/U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Page 24—war scene/U.S. Army, famine/WHO photo, disease/WHO photo [Pictures on page 2] This brochure is prepared for worldwide distribution in many languages at the Watch Tower printing plants shown here UNITED STATES AUSTRALIA BRITAIN GERMANY BRAZIL JAPAN ITALY CANADA

Examining the Scriptures—2020 2019

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March Sunday, March 1 You rule over everything.​—1 Chron. 29:12. When reading the first two chapters of Genesis, we can easily see that Adam and Eve enjoyed the kind of freedom that people today can only hope for​—freedom from want, from fear, and from oppression. The first couple’s life was completely free from worries about food, work, sickness, and death. (Gen. 1:27-29; 2:8, 9, 15) When it comes to freedom, though, a key point for us to bear in mind is that Jehovah God alone has what can be called absolute and unlimited freedom. Why? Because he is the Creator of all things and the almighty Sovereign of the universe. (1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 4:11) Accordingly, all creatures in heaven and on earth have freedom in only a relative sense. They must recognize that Jehovah God has the ultimate authority to impose what he determines to be just, necessary, and reasonable limits. That, in fact, was what Jehovah God did with his human creation right from the beginning. w18.04 4 ¶4, 6 Monday, March 2 How beautiful . . . are the feet of the one bringing good news.​—Isa. 52:7. In this present system, we endure only with Jehovah’s help. (2 Cor. 4:7, 8) But think of those who struggle to survive in this world without a close friendship with Jehovah. Like Jesus, we feel pity for them, and we are moved to bring them “good news of something better.” So be patient with those whom you teach. Remember, they may never have considered some of the Bible truths we know very well. And many have a strong emotional connection to their current beliefs. They may see their religious views as uniting them with their family, their culture, and their community. Before we ask people to give up their cherished “old” beliefs, we may first need to help them build a strong appreciation for “new” truths​—Bible teachings that at the outset are unfamiliar to them. Only then will they be ready to abandon their former viewpoint. It may take time to help people make such changes.​—Rom. 12:2. w19.03 23 ¶10, 12; 24 ¶13 Tuesday, March 3 I have approved you.​—Mark 1:11. Jehovah’s example in expressing love and approval reminds us to look for opportunities to encourage others. (John 5:20) We blossom when someone we care about shows love to us and commends us for the good we do. Likewise, our brothers and sisters in the congregation and our family members need our love and encouragement. When we commend others, we strengthen their faith and help them to serve Jehovah loyally. Parents especially need to encourage their children. When parents commend their children sincerely and show them affection, they help their children to flourish. The words: “I have approved you” show that Jehovah was confident that Jesus would faithfully carry out his Father’s will. Jehovah has such confidence in his Son, so we can likewise be completely confident that Jesus will faithfully carry out all of Jehovah’s promises. (2 Cor. 1:20) When we consider Jesus’ example, we are even more determined to learn from him and to follow in his footsteps.​—1 Pet. 2:21. w19.03 8 ¶3; 9 ¶5-6 Wednesday, March 4 The law of the spirit that gives life in union with Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.​—Rom. 8:2. When we realize the true value of a costly gift, we are moved to show our gratitude to the giver. The Israelites did not appreciate the freedom that Jehovah bestowed upon them when he delivered them from slavery in Egypt. Within a few months of their deliverance, they began to long for the food and drink they once had in Egypt and complained about Jehovah’s provisions, even wanting to return to Egypt. Just imagine, they put ‘fish, cucumbers, watermelons, leeks, onions, and garlic’ above their God-given freedom to worship the true God, Jehovah. Is it any wonder that Jehovah became very angry with his people? (Num. 11:5, 6, 10; 14:3, 4) What a lesson for us! The apostle Paul urged all Christians not to take for granted the freedom that Jehovah has kindly given us through his Son, Jesus Christ.​—2 Cor. 6:1. w18.04 9-10 ¶6-7 Thursday, March 5 He loves righteousness and justice. The earth is filled with Jehovah’s loyal love.​—Ps. 33:5. All of us want to be loved. And all of us want to be treated fairly. If we are repeatedly denied love and justice, we may feel worthless and hopeless. Jehovah knows that we long for love and yearn for justice. (Ps. 33:5) We can be sure that our God loves us dearly and wants us to be treated fairly. This becomes evident when we look closely at the Law that Jehovah gave to the nation of Israel through Moses. As we study the Mosaic Law, we discover the warm feelings of our loving God, Jehovah. (Rom. 13:8-10) We can note that the Mosaic Law was built on love because love motivates all that Jehovah does. (1 John 4:8) Jehovah founded that entire code of laws on two basic commands​—love God, and love your neighbor. (Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5; Matt. 22:36-40) Each of the 600 and more commandments that make up the Law reveals a facet of Jehovah’s love. w19.02 20-21 ¶1-4 Friday, March 6 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.​—Matt. 6:21. Job was careful about his behavior with those of the opposite sex. (Job 31:1) He knew that it was improper to pay romantic attention to any woman other than his wife. Today, we live in a world that bombards us with sexual temptation. Like Job, will we refuse to pay improper attention to anyone to whom we are not married? Will we also refuse to look at lewd or pornographic images in any form? (Matt. 5:28) If we exert such self-control daily, we will strengthen ourselves to keep our integrity. Job also obeyed Jehovah in the way he viewed material things. Job saw that if he put his trust in his possessions, he would commit a grave error deserving of punishment. (Job 31:24, 25, 28) Today, we live in a very materialistic world. If we develop a balanced view of money and possessions, as the Bible admonishes us to do, we will strengthen our determination to keep our integrity.​—Prov. 30:8, 9; Matt. 6:19, 20. w19.02 6 ¶13-14 Saturday, March 7 Just as the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.​—John 15:9. Jesus perfectly reflected Jehovah’s intense love for us in everything that he did. (1 John 4:8-10) Above all, Jesus was moved from the heart to give his life in our behalf. Whether we are of the anointed or of the “other sheep,” we benefit from the love that Jehovah and his Son have shown to us by means of that sacrifice. (John 10:16; 1 John 2:2) Think, too, about the very nature of the Memorial meal; it reveals Jesus’ love and consideration for his disciples. How so? Jesus showed love for his spirit-begotten followers by instituting, not a complicated ritual, but a simple meal for them to observe. As time passed, those anointed disciples needed to observe the Memorial each year, doing so under various circumstances, including imprisonment. (Rev. 2:10) Were they able to obey Jesus? Yes, they were! Down to modern times, true Christians have sought to commemorate Jesus’ death. w19.01 24 ¶13-15 Sunday, March 8 You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.​—John 8:32. That freedom includes freedom from false religion, ignorance, and superstition. And it involves more. It will ultimately include “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21) Taste that freedom even now by ‘remaining in Christ’s word,’ or teachings. (John 8:31) In this way, you will come to “know the truth” not just by learning about it but also by living it. In this old system, even a so-called good life is at best uncertain and short. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. (Jas. 4:13, 14) The wise course, then, is to stay on the path that leads to “the real life”​—everlasting life. (1 Tim. 6:19) Of course, God does not force us to walk that path. The choice is ours. Make Jehovah your “portion.” (Ps. 16:5) Cherish the many “good things” he has given you. (Ps. 103:5) And have faith that he can give you “abundant joy” and “happiness . . . forever.”​—Ps. 16:11. w18.12 28 ¶19, 21 Monday, March 9 A husband should not leave his wife.​—1 Cor. 7:11. All Christians should strive to show regard for marriage, even as Jesus and Jehovah do. However, some may fail to do so, for humans are imperfect. (Rom. 7:18-23) Thus, it should not shock us that some Christians in the first century had troubled marriages. Paul wrote that “a wife should not separate from her husband”; yet, in some cases that did occur. (1 Cor. 7:10) Paul did not explain what led to such a separation. The problem was not, for example, that the husband had been immoral, giving the wife a basis for divorce and remarriage. Paul wrote that a wife who was separated from her husband should “remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband.” So the two were still united in God’s eyes. Paul advised that whatever the underlying problems, if sexual immorality is not involved, the goal should be reconciliation. The two could seek Bible-based help from congregation elders. w18.12 13 ¶14-15 Tuesday, March 10 Keep on . . . seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness.​—Matt. 6:33. Today, God’s will for his people is to develop a friendship with him and have as full a share as possible in his work. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Jas. 4:8) Well-meaning people might try to sway us from that course. For example, what if your employer offered you a promotion with a substantial increase in salary but the position would interfere with your spiritual activities? Or if you are in school, suppose you were offered an opportunity to move away from home to receive additional education. At that moment, would you need to do prayerful research, consult with others, and then make a decision? Why not learn Jehovah’s thinking on such matters now and endeavor to make his thoughts your own? Then, if you are ever presented with such an offer, you may find that it hardly amounts to a temptation. Your spiritual goals are set, your heart is resolved, and all that remains for you is to carry out a decision that you have already made. w18.11 27 ¶18 Wednesday, March 11 Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart.​—Prov. 4:23. Solomon became king of Israel when he was just a young man. In the early part of his reign, Jehovah appeared to him in a dream and said: “Ask what you would like me to give you.” Solomon replied: “I am just a youth and I am inexperienced. . . . So grant your servant an obedient heart to judge your people.” (1 Ki. 3:5-10) “An obedient heart”​—what a modest request that was! No wonder Jehovah loved Solomon! (2 Sam. 12:24) Our God was so pleased with the young king’s answer that he gave Solomon “a wise and understanding heart.” (1 Ki. 3:12) As long as he was faithful, Solomon enjoyed many blessings. He had the honor of building a temple “for the name of Jehovah the God of Israel.” (1 Ki. 8:20) He became famous for his God-given wisdom. And the things he said when he was inspired by God are recorded in three books of the Bible. One of these is the book of Proverbs. w19.01 14 ¶1-2 Thursday, March 12 Stop being molded by this system of things.​—Rom. 12:2. Some people resist the idea of having anyone mold or influence their thoughts. “I think for myself,” they say. They probably mean that they make their own decisions and that it is proper to do so. They do not wish to be controlled, nor do they want to surrender their individuality. We can be assured, however, that bringing our thinking into harmony with Jehovah’s does not mean giving up all individual thought or expression. As stated at 2 Corinthians 3:17, “where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom.” We are free to develop our own distinct personalities. We can have our personal preferences and choose our fields of interest. Indeed, Jehovah designed us to do so. However, we cannot use our freedom without restraint. (1 Pet. 2:16) When it comes to issues of right and wrong, Jehovah wants us to be guided by his thinking as revealed in his Word. w18.11 19 ¶5-6 Friday, March 13 Demas has forsaken me because he loved the present system of things.​—2 Tim. 4:10. When we learned the truth, our interest in material things became secondary to our spiritual pursuits. We were happy to make material sacrifices in order to walk in the truth. Over time, however, we may see others buying the latest electronic devices or enjoying other material advantages. We could begin to feel that we are losing out. No longer output with the necessities, we might put spiritual pursuits aside in favor of accumulating material possessions. Such a course reminds us of Demas. His love for “the present system of things” led him to abandon a life of service with the apostle Paul. Why did Demas leave Paul? Whether he loved material things more than spiritual activities or he was no longer willing to make personal sacrifices in order to serve with Paul, the Bible does not say. We surely do not want to rekindle a desire for material things and let those attractions crowd out our love for the truth. w18.11 10 ¶9 Saturday, March 14 You certainly will not die.​—Gen. 3:4. Satan’s lie was malicious because he knew full well that if Eve believed him and ate the fruit, she would die. Eve and Adam both disobeyed Jehovah’s command and eventually died. (Gen. 3:6; 5:5) More than that, through such sin, “death spread to all men.” In fact, “death ruled as king . . . , even over those who had not sinned in the same way that Adam transgressed.” (Rom. 5:12, 14) Now, instead of being able to enjoy perfect, endless life as God had originally intended, humans are doing well if they live “70 years, or 80 if one is especially strong.” Even then, life is often “filled with trouble and sorrow.” (Ps. 90:10) How tragic​—all resulting from Satan’s lie! In explaining the Devil’s actions, Jesus stated: “He did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him.” (John 8:44) Truth is still not in Satan, for he continues “misleading the entire inhabited earth” with his lies. (Rev. 12:9) We do not want to be misled by the Devil. w18.10 6-7 ¶1-4 Sunday, March 15 Happy are the peacemakers, since they will be called sons of God.​—Matt. 5:9. Those who take the initiative to make peace have good reason to be happy. The disciple James wrote: “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peaceful conditions for those who are making peace.” (Jas. 3:18) When we have a strained relationship with someone either in the congregation or in the family, we can plead for God’s help to be peacemakers. Thus, Jehovah’s holy spirit, righteous conduct, and happiness can predominate. Jesus emphasized the importance of taking the initiative to make peace when he said: “If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, and go away. First make your peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift.”​—Matt. 5:23, 24. w18.09 21 ¶17 Monday, March 16 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another.​—John 13:34. On his final night with his disciples, Jesus mentioned love nearly 30 times. He specifically indicated that his disciples should “love one another.” (John 15:12, 17) Their love for one another would be so outstanding that it would clearly distinguish them as his true followers. (John 13:35) This love is not mere sentimentality. Jesus was referring to a most noble quality​—self-sacrificing love. He said: “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends. You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you.” (John 15:13, 14) The genuine, self-sacrificing love and unbreakable unity of Jehovah’s servants today identify them as God’s people. (1 John 3:10, 11) How grateful we are that Christlike love prevails among Jehovah’s servants regardless of their nationality, tribe, language, or background! w18.09 12 ¶1-2 Tuesday, March 17 If anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith.​—1 Tim. 5:8. Jehovah expects his servants to care for their families. For example, you may have to work to provide financially for your loved ones. Many mothers stay at home to look after their infants. And some adult children may have to care for infirm parents. These are necessary activities. If you have such responsibilities, you likely cannot set aside as much time for theocratic activities as you would like to. But take heart! Jehovah is pleased when you provide for your family. (1 Cor. 10:31) If you do not have pressing family responsibilities, could you assist fellow worshippers who are caregivers and those who are infirm, elderly, or otherwise in need? Why not look around in your congregation and take note of who needs help? In doing so, you might be working with Jehovah to answer a prayer.​—1 Cor. 10:24. w18.08 24 ¶3, 5 Wednesday, March 18 God was with him, and he rescued him out of all his tribulations.​—Acts 7:9, 10. Joseph was about 17 years old when his own brothers out of jealousy sold him as a slave. Prior to this, Joseph had been his father’s favorite. (Gen. 37:2-4, 23-28) For about 13 years, Joseph had to endure slavery and imprisonment in Egypt, far away from his beloved father, Jacob. What helped Joseph not to give in to despair and bitterness? While suffering in prison, Joseph must have focused his mind on evidence of Jehovah’s blessing. (Gen. 39:21; Ps. 105:17-19) The prophetic dreams that Joseph had when he was younger would also have given him confidence that he had Jehovah’s favor. (Gen. 37:5-11) He likely poured out his anguish to Jehovah on more than one occasion. (Ps. 145:18) In response to Joseph’s heartfelt prayers, Jehovah gave him the inner conviction that He would be “with him” in all his trials. w18.10 28 ¶3-4 Thursday, March 19 The poor man is hated even by his neighbors, but many are the friends of the rich person.​—Prov. 14:20. Material wealth is a factor that can affect our view of others. But how could a person’s wealth or his poverty affect the way we view him? Holy spirit moved Solomon to record a sad truth about imperfect humans as shown in today’s text. What does this proverb teach us? If we are not careful, we could desire the friendship of brothers who are wealthy while shunning brothers who are poor. Why is it so dangerous to measure the value of others solely on the basis of their material wealth? Because doing so could create class distinctions in the congregation. The disciple James warned that this problem was dividing some congregations in the first century. (Jas. 2:1-4) We must be on guard not to allow this thinking to affect our congregation today and make sure that we fight against making judgments that are based on the outward appearance. w18.08 10 ¶8-10 Friday, March 20 Have intense love for one another.​—1 Pet. 4:8. Our appreciation for Jehovah’s special friendship is shown in how we treat fellow worshippers. They too belong to Jehovah. If we never lose sight of that fact, we will always treat our brothers and sisters with kindness and love. (1 Thess. 5:15) Jesus said to his followers: “By this all will know that you are my disciples​—if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Interestingly, Malachi depicted Jehovah as “paying attention and listening” as His people interact with one another. (Mal. 3:16) Jehovah indeed “knows those who belong to him.” (2 Tim. 2:19) He is keenly aware of every single thing we do and say. (Heb. 4:13) When we are less than kind to our fellow worshippers, Jehovah is “paying attention and listening.” When we are hospitable, generous, forgiving, and kind to one another, we can be sure that Jehovah takes notice of that as well.​—Heb. 13:16. w18.07 26 ¶15, 17 Saturday, March 21 To [Jehovah] you should cling.​—Deut. 10:20. It makes sense to cling to Jehovah. No one is more powerful, wise, or loving than our God! Who of us would not want to be on his side? (Ps. 96:4-6) Still, some of God’s worshippers have wavered when a situation called for them to take sides with Jehovah. Consider the case of Cain. He did not profess to worship any other god but Jehovah. Cain’s worship, however, was not acceptable to God. There were seeds of wickedness growing deep within his heart. (1 John 3:12) Jehovah reached out to Cain and told him: “If you turn to doing good, will you not be restored to favor? But if you do not turn to doing good, sin is crouching at the door, and its craving is to dominate you; but will you get the mastery over it?” (Gen. 4:6, 7) Jehovah was, in effect, telling Cain, “If you repent and take a firm stand on my side, I will, in turn, be on your side.” But Cain did not listen to the counsel. w18.07 17 ¶1, 3; 18 ¶4 Sunday, March 22 Let your light shine before men.​—Matt. 5:16. One way we let our light shine is by preaching the good news and making disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) In addition, we can glorify Jehovah by our Christian conduct. Householders and passersby observe our behavior. Our friendly smile and warm greeting say much about who we are and what kind of God we worship. “When you enter the house,” Jesus told his disciples, “greet the household.” (Matt. 10:12) In the area where Jesus and the apostles often preached, it was not unusual for people to invite strangers into their homes. Today, this is not the custom in many places. Still, your positive, friendly manner as you explain why you are there can often allay a householder’s concern or ease his irritation. A pleasant smile is often the best introduction. That has also proved true when brothers and sisters engage in public witnessing using a literature cart. You may find that people often react favorably to a pleasant smile and greeting. w18.06 22 ¶4-5 Monday, March 23 God is not partial.​—Acts 10:34. The apostle Peter had a custom of associating only with Jews. But after God made it clear that Christians should not be partial, Peter preached to Cornelius, a Roman soldier. (Acts 10:28, 35) Thereafter, Peter enjoyed food and association with Gentile believers. Years later, though, Peter stopped eating with non-Jewish Christians in the city of Antioch. (Gal. 2:11-14) In that case, Paul gave Peter a fitting reproof, which he evidently accepted. When Peter wrote his first letter to Jewish and Gentile Christians in Asia Minor, he spoke warmly about the whole association of brothers. (1 Pet. 1:1; 2:17) Clearly, the apostles did learn from Jesus’ example to love “all sorts of men.” (John 12:32; 1 Tim. 4:10) Although it took time, they adjusted their way of thinking. Putting on “the new personality,” the early Christians came to view all people as equal in the sight of God.​—Col. 3:10, 11. w18.06 11 ¶15-16 Tuesday, March 24 Stand firm . . . wearing the breastplate of righteousness.​—Eph. 6:14. One type of breastplate worn by a Roman soldier in the first century consisted of overlapping horizontal strips of iron. This type of garment required that he regularly check that the plates were firmly fixed in place in order to protect his heart and other vital organs. What an appropriate symbol of how Jehovah’s righteous standards can protect our figurative heart! (Prov. 4:23) Just as a soldier would not swap a breastplate of iron for one made of an inferior metal, we would never want to exchange Jehovah’s standards of what is right for our own. Our judgment is just too flawed to offer us the protection that we need. (Prov. 3:5, 6) Instead, we regularly check that the ‘iron plates’ Jehovah has given us are firmly fixed over our heart. And the more we love divine truths, the easier it is to carry our “breastplate,” that is, to live by God’s righteous standards.​—Ps. 111:7, 8; 1 John 5:3. w18.05 28 ¶3-4, 6-7 Wednesday, March 25 The people were quarreling with Moses.​—Num. 20:3. Despite Moses’ long record of unselfish leadership, the people complained not only about the lack of water but also about Moses, as if it were his fault that they were thirsty. (Num. 20:1-5, 9-11) In the heat of anger, Moses lost his mild disposition. Rather than speak in faith to the rock, as Jehovah had commanded, Moses spoke in bitterness to the people and gave credit to himself. Then, he struck the rock twice and much water gushed out. Pride and anger caused him to make a painful mistake. (Ps. 106:32, 33) For his temporary lack of meekness, Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. (Num. 20:12) From this incident, we learn valuable lessons. First, we must constantly work at maintaining our meek attitude. If we neglect it for a moment, pride may reassert itself and cause us to speak and act foolishly. Second, stress can weaken us, so we must strive to be meek, even when we are under pressure. w19.02 12-13 ¶19-21 Thursday, March 26 This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.​—Matt. 24:14. Will obeying Jesus’ command to preach become burdensome? On the contrary. After relating his illustration of the vine, Jesus said that as Kingdom preachers, we will experience joy. (John 15:11) In fact, he assured us that his joy will become ours. How? Jesus compared himself to a vine and his disciples to branches. (John 15:5) A vine supports the branches. As long as the branches are attached to it, they receive water and nourishment that flows from the vine. Similarly, as long as we remain in union with Christ by closely following in his steps, we experience the same joy that he has in doing his Father’s will. (John 4:34; 17:13; 1 Pet. 2:21) Notes Hanne, a pioneer for over 40 years, “The joy I always feel after I have been in the ministry stimulates me to continue in Jehovah’s service.” Indeed, deep-seated joy gives us the strength to keep on preaching even in challenging territories.​—Matt. 5:10-12. w18.05 17 ¶2; 20 ¶14 Friday, March 27 I was appointed . . . a teacher of nations in the matter of faith and truth.​—1 Tim. 2:7. In the first century, perhaps the apostle who did the most to encourage his brothers was the apostle Paul. He was sent by the holy spirit to preach to the people of the nations of the Greco-Roman world, who worshipped many gods. (Gal. 2:7-9) Paul traveled far and wide in what is now Turkey, as well as in Greece and Italy, establishing Christian congregations among non-Jews. These newly converted Christians “suffered at the hands of [their] own countrymen” and needed encouragement. (1 Thess. 2:14) About the year 50 C.E., Paul wrote to the young congregation in Thessalonica: “We always thank God when we mention all of you in our prayers, for we continually remember your faithful work, your loving labor, and your endurance.” (1 Thess. 1:2, 3) He also exhorted them to strengthen one another, saying: “Keep encouraging one another and building one another up.”​—1 Thess. 5:11. w18.04 18-19 ¶16-17 Saturday, March 28 The good news has to be preached first.​—Mark 13:10. A young person who focuses his life on the desire to please Jehovah gives special attention to the ministry. Because the preaching work is so urgent, it should be high on our list of priorities. Could you set the goal of sharing in the ministry more often? Could you pioneer? But what if you find little joy in preaching? And how can you be more effective at giving a witness? Two basic steps will help: Prepare well, and do not give up sharing what you know with others. It might surprise you how much joy you will then find when preaching. You could start by working out an answer to a question commonly raised by schoolmates, such as “Why do you believe in God?” Our jw.org website contains articles designed to help young people work out for themselves how to answer that question. There you will find a worksheet eninputd “Why Do I Believe in God?” The worksheet will guide you in preparing your own answer. w18.04 27 ¶10-11 Sunday, March 29 Be fruitful and become many.​—Gen. 1:28. Even though Adam and Eve initially enjoyed freedom in many ways, there were limits imposed on them. Some of them were instinctive, but they were limits nonetheless. For example, our first parents knew that to keep on living, they had to breathe, eat, sleep, and so on. Would they feel a loss of freedom for having to do these things? No, for Jehovah saw to it that even in doing such routine things, they could find enjoyment and outputment. (Ps. 104:14, 15; Eccl. 3:12, 13) Jehovah specifically commanded Adam and Eve to populate the earth and to take care of it. Did this command in some way deprive them of their freedom? Of course not! It was given to enable humans to participate in their Creator’s purpose​—to make the earth into a global paradise home for a race of perfect humans forever. (Ps. 127:3; Isa. 45:18) Enjoying their marriage and family for all eternity could have been Adam and Eve’s happy lot in life. w18.04 4-5 ¶7-8 Monday, March 30 All those who were rightly disposed for everlasting life became believers.​—Acts 13:48. If we are patient with people in the ministry, we will not expect them to understand or accept Bible truth the first time they hear it. As an example, consider how we might reason with someone about the hope of everlasting life on a paradise earth. Many believe that death is the end of it all or that all good people go to heaven. One brother relates an approach that he finds effective. First, he reads Genesis 1:28. Then, he asks the householder where and in what conditions God wanted the human family to live. Most people answer, “On earth, in good conditions.” Next, the brother reads Isaiah 55:11 and asks whether God’s purpose has changed. Often, the householder will answer no. Finally, the brother reads Psalm 37:10, 11 and asks what mankind’s future will be like. Using this Scriptural reasoning, he has helped a number of people to understand that God still wants good people to live forever in Paradise on earth. w19.03 24 ¶14-15; 25 ¶19 Tuesday, March 31 Listen to him.​—Matt. 17:5. Jehovah made it clear that he wants us to listen to his Son’s words and obey them. Jesus lovingly taught his followers how to preach the good news, and he repeatedly reminded them to keep on the watch. (Matt. 24:42; 28:19, 20) He also urged them to exert themselves vigorously, and he encouraged them not to give up. (Luke 13:24) Jesus stressed the need for his followers to love one another, to remain united, and to observe his commandments. (John 15:10, 12, 13) That counsel is just as valid today as it was when Jesus gave it. Jesus said: “Everyone who is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37) We show that we are listening to his voice when we “continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.” (Col. 3:13; Luke 17:3, 4) We further show that we are listening to his voice by zealously preaching the good news “in favorable times and difficult times.”​—2 Tim. 4:2. w19.03 10 ¶9-10

Part 1c—At the Root of Money Worries

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101992003

The Rise and Fall of World Commerce Part 1c​—At the Root of Money Worries CERTAIN religious and political elements of human society are traceable to the days of Nimrod, who thousands of years ago founded Babylon. This is also true, although perhaps less well known, of certain elements in the world of business and commerce.​—Genesis 10:8-12. Mankind’s Creator, the One who rightly determines standards for good and bad, could easily have devised an economic system capable of equitably providing for the needs of the large human family he envisaged. But once the first couple rejected divine direction and were expelled from Paradise, humans were on their own. (Genesis 3:1-24) Independently of divine guidance, men subsequently developed their own brand of religion and their own kind of government. And as soon as it became apparent that some system of household management was necessary to provide the material needs for their expanding family, they set about developing what we call an economic system. This they likewise did independently of divine guidance. Apparently by Nimrod’s time (c. 2270 B.C.E.), the basis for such a system was largely in place. The Collins Atlas of World History explains that “from the third millennium onwards Mesopotamia [Babylon] developed powerful corporations of businessmen. They stocked goods, speculated, used various types of goods as currency, and used ingots, especially of silver, carved into particular weights and sizes and sometimes bearing authentication marks.” The Encyclopedia Americana says that the ancient inhabitants of Shinar​—the original name for what was later called Babylonia—​carried on “a surprisingly complex system of lending, borrowing, holding money on deposit, and providing letters of credit.” A practice evidently peculiar to Mesopotamia was that of using capital as a commodity and charging interest for its use. Thus, money became a means of exerting economic pressure. Records unearthed in Babylonian ruins reveal business transactions that exploited the unfortunate circumstances of some of its citizens. Even then, the modern practice of unjustly profiting at the expense of others was in vogue. No wonder the merchants of Babylon and Nineveh were often spoken of with hatred and contempt. Commercial activities in Nimrod’s day are not directly referred to in the Bible. Yet, expressions found in its first book, such as “to buy,” “to sell,” and “carry on business,” indicate that at least a few hundred years later, commercial activities were commonplace.​—See Genesis 25:31; 34:10, 21; 39:1; 41:56, 57. It is also true that for a prolonged period of time, cuneiform texts are silent with respect to commercial activities in Babylonian society. Admitting that this is difficult to explain, the book Ancient Mesopotamia nevertheless concludes that “one cannot assume that trade relations ceased through that millennium, especially since they are known to have flourished greatly in the subsequent period.” This work suggests that at that time trade may have rested mainly in Aramaic hands and that papyrus and leather were used as writing materials. Both Mesopotamia and Egypt were noted for their caravan trade. Later, to a great extent, the Phoenicians replaced land trade with commerce by sea routes. The ports of Carthage, Tyre, and Sidon became noted commercial centers. Trade was done on the basis of exchanging goods for goods until about the eighth century B.C.E., when the Greeks began using coined money as a medium of exchange. And according to The Collins Atlas of World History, “the centuries that followed [500 B.C.E.] were so marked by the development of trade, money, banks, transport, that several historians have compared them to the capitalist era, an understandable if exaggerated opinion.” Actually, from early on, economic systems have been based on money. Whereas its proper use is allowed by God, its improper use is not. (Ecclesiastes 7:12; Luke 16:1-9) An inordinate desire to possess money has caused people to pervert justice, to betray friends, to falsify truth, and even to commit murder. Note, however, that this is not the fault of money itself but of the greedy viewpoint of people who seek it. At any rate, it is hardly an exaggeration to say that ‘money is what makes the world go round,’ or that it has been doing so in a variety of forms for thousands of years.​—See box, page 7. Thus, during pre-​Christian centuries a basis was laid for many of the commercial and economic features with which we are today familiar. But despite its long history, the world of commerce has been unable to develop foolproof economic systems capable of preventing anxieties. Still we need not despair. An end to money worries is in sight. In our next five issues, we will explain further. [Blurb on page 8] An inordinate desire for money has caused people to pervert justice, to betray friends, to falsify truth, and to commit murder [Box/​Picture on page 7] From Salt to Plastic Salt: Salt rations were served to Roman soldiers, but these rations were later replaced by money, or salarium. Cattle (pecus) were a medium of exchange in ancient Rome. From these Latin words, the terms “salary” and “pecuniary” are derived. Metals: In ancient Mesopotamia (18th to 16th century B.C.E.), silver was regularly used in business transactions. In ancient Egypt, copper, silver, and gold were used. During China’s Ming dynasty (1368-1644 C.E.), writes professor of Chinese history Hans Bielenstein, “copper remained the standard for lower denominations [of money], while silver increasingly came into use for the higher ones.” Coins: Disks of standard weight and value, made of a natural alloy of gold and silver known as electrum, were produced by the Lydians of Anatolia during the seventh century B.C.E. and were probably the first real coins; about a century later, the minting of coins developed in Greece. Paper: The world’s first paper currency appeared in 1024 in China, when unprecedented commercial expansion led to a coin shortage. Says Professor Bielenstein: “Experiments with so-​called Flying Cash had been made as early as 811, in T’ang times. The government had then issued money drafts which could be used in transactions and eventually exchanged for cash.” Starting with England in 1821, many nations adopted the gold standard, meaning that citizens could at any time convert paper money into the actual gold held in reserve by their governments. Since going off the gold standard, however, governments today simply declare their money to be of value, without having anything tangible to back it up. Checks: Developed by English bankers during the 17th century, checks are written orders for the payment of money through a bank; this method of business, being both safe and convenient, has become very popular and widespread. Plastic: Credit cards, called plastic money by some, were introduced in the United States in the 1920’s and soon caught the fancy of people all over the world. The convenience and other advantages they offer are partially offset, however, by the dangers of impulse buying and of living beyond one’s means.

Government (bp) 1993

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/government-bp

input Page/​Publishers’ Page The Government That Will Bring Paradise 2006 Printing This publication is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations. Scripture quotations in this brochure are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 1984 Edition.

Money Problems and Debt—Can the Bible Help?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013102

Money Problems and Debt​—⁠Can the Bible Help? The Bible’s answer Yes. The following four Bible principles can help you with money problems and debt: Plan your spending. “The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage, but everyone that is hasty surely heads for want.” (Proverbs 21:5) Don’t rush to buy something just because it’s on sale. Make a financial plan​—a budget​—and stick to it. Avoid unnecessary debt. “The borrower is servant to the man doing the lending.” (Proverbs 22:7) If you are already in debt and can’t meet your obligations, try to negotiate new payment plans with your creditors. Be persistent. Use the Bible’s advice to one who unwisely guaranteed a loan and thus took on responsibility for the debt: “Humble yourself, and pester your neighbor. Don’t let your eyes rest or your eyelids close.” (Proverbs 6:1-5, God’s Word Bible) Even if your first request isn’t successful, keep on asking for an adjustment. Keep money in its proper place. “Don’t be selfish and eager to get rich​—you will end up worse off than you can imagine.” (Proverbs 28:22, Contemporary English Version) Envy and greed not only can lead to financial ruin but also can crowd out spiritual matters. Be output. “Having sustenance and covering, we shall be output with these things.” (1 Timothy 6:8) Money can’t buy happiness or outputment. Some of the happiest people in the world do not have a lot of money. What they do have is the love of family and friends and a friendship with God.​—Proverbs 15:17; 1 Peter 5:6, 7.

Sing Praises (ssb) 1984

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb

Song 210 “Make Sure of the More Important Things” (Philippians 1:10) 1. We gladly serve our God, Jehovah; He’s the one we love. For love’s the all-important thing; It comes from God above. May love abound yet more and more as we all make sure Of things that are righteous and true. And may we ever be flawless, Having in God’s work much to do. 2. The things that count so much with God Are that we grateful be, Obey him with a joyful heart, And keep integrity. And with all men peaceably live as we to them give The hope of the Kingdom so grand —Working good, causing no stumbling, Giving to all a helping hand. 3. It is important that we strive God’s teaching to adorn, Conduct ourselves as lesser ones, His counsel never scorn. With righteous fruit may we be filled, with good news be thrilled In service that praise to God brings. In this way we will be making sure Of the more important things.

Proclaimers (jv) 1993

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/jv

Chapter 26 Producing Bible Literature for Use in the Ministry THE written word has played a vital role in true worship. Jehovah gave the Ten Commandments to Israel, first orally and then in written form. (Ex. 20:1-17; 31:18; Gal. 3:19) To ensure that his Word would be transmitted accurately, God commanded Moses and a long line of prophets and apostles after him to write.—Ex. 34:27; Jer. 30:2; Hab. 2:2; Rev. 1:11. Most of that early writing was done on scrolls. By the second century C.E., however, the codex, or leaf-book, was developed. This was more economical and easier to use. And the Christians were in the forefront of its use, as they saw its value in spreading the good news about the Messianic Kingdom of God. Professor E. J. Goodspeed, in his book Christianity Goes to Press, states regarding those early Christians as book publishers: “They were not only abreast of their times in such matters, they were in advance of them, and the publishers of the subsequent centuries have followed them.”—1940, p. 78. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that Jehovah’s Witnesses today, as proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, have in some respects been among those in the forefront of the printing industry. Providing Literature for Early Bible Students One of the first articles written by C. T. Russell was published, in 1876, in the Bible Examiner, edited by George Storrs of Brooklyn, New York. After Brother Russell became associated with N. H. Barbour of Rochester, New York, Russell provided funds for publication of the book Three Worlds and the paper known as Herald of the Morning. He served as a coeditor of that paper and, in 1877, used the facilities of the Herald to publish the booklet The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return. Brother Russell had a keen mind for spiritual matters as well as business affairs, but it was Barbour who was experienced in typesetting and composition. However, when Barbour repudiated the sin-atoning value of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Brother Russell severed relations with him. So, in 1879 when Russell undertook publication of Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, he had to rely on commercial printers. The following year the first of an extensive series of tracts designed to interest people in Bible truths was prepared for publication. This work quickly took on immense proportions. In order to handle it, Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was formed on February 16, 1881, with W. H. Conley as president and C. T. Russell as secretary and treasurer. Arrangements were made for the printing to be done by commercial firms in various cities of Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, as well as in Britain. In 1884, Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Societya was legally incorporated, with C. T. Russell as president, and its charter showed that it was more than a society that would direct publishing. Its real objective was religious; it was chartered for “the dissemination of Bible Truths in various languages.” With what zeal that objective was pursued! In 1881, within a period of four months, 1,200,000 tracts totaling some 200,000,000 pages were published. (Many of these “tracts” were actually in the form of small books.) Thereafter, production of Bible tracts for free distribution soared to the tens of millions year after year. These tracts were printed in some 30 languages and were distributed not only in America but also in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and other lands. Another aspect of the work opened up in 1886, when Brother Russell completed writing The Divine Plan of the Ages, the first of a series of six volumes that he personally penned. In connection with the publishing of the first four volumes in that series (1886-97), as well as tracts and the Watch Tower from 1887 to 1898, he made use of the Tower Publishing Company.b In time, typesetting and composition were done by the brothers at the Bible House in Pittsburgh. To keep expenses down, they also purchased the paper for printing. As for the actual printing and binding, Brother Russell often placed orders with more than one firm. He planned carefully, ordering far enough in advance to get favorable rates. From the time of the publication of the first book written by C. T. Russell down through 1916, a total of 9,384,000 of those six volumes were produced and distributed. The publishing of Bible literature did not stop at Brother Russell’s death. The following year the seventh volume of Studies in the Scriptures was printed. It was released to the Bethel family on July 17, 1917. So great was the demand for it that by the end of that year, the Society had placed orders for 850,000 copies in English with commercial printers and bookbinders. Editions in other languages were being produced in Europe. In addition, that year some 38 million tracts were printed. But then, during a period of intense persecution in 1918, while officials of the Society were unjustly imprisoned, their headquarters (located in Brooklyn, New York) was dismantled. The plates for printing were destroyed. The greatly reduced staff moved the office back to Pittsburgh to the third floor of a building at 119 Federal Street. Would this bring to an end their producing of Bible literature? Should They Do Their Own Printing? After the release of the Society’s president, J. F. Rutherford, and his associates from prison, the Bible Students assembled at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1919. They considered what God had permitted to occur during the preceding year and what his Word indicated that they should be doing during the days ahead. Announcement was made that a new magazine, The Golden Age, was to be published as an instrument to use in pointing people to God’s Kingdom as mankind’s only hope. As it had done in the past, the Society arranged for a commercial firm to do the printing. But times had changed. There were labor difficulties in the printing industry and problems in the paper market. A more dependable arrangement was needed. The brothers prayed about the matter and watched for the Lord’s leadings. First of all, where should they locate the Society’s offices? Should they move the headquarters back to Brooklyn? The Society’s board of directors considered the matter, and a committee was appointed to check into the situation. Brother Rutherford instructed C. A. Wise, the Society’s vice president, to go to Brooklyn to see about reopening Bethel and renting premises where the Society could begin printing operations. Desirous of knowing what course God would bless, Brother Rutherford said: “Go and see whether it is the Lord’s will for us to return back to Brooklyn.” “How will I determine as to whether it is the Lord’s will for us to go back or not?” asked Brother Wise. “It was a failure to get coal supplies in 1918 that drove us from Brooklyn back to Pittsburgh,”c Brother Rutherford replied. “Let’s make coal the test. You go and order some coal.” “How many tons do you think I should order to make the test?” “Well, make it a good test,” Brother Rutherford recommended. “Order 500 tons.” That is exactly what Brother Wise did. And what was the outcome? When he applied to the authorities, he was granted a certificate to get 500 tons of coal—enough to care for their needs for a number of years! But where were they going to put it? Large sections of the basement of the Bethel Home were converted into coal storage. The result of this test was taken as an unmistakable indication of God’s will. By the first of October 1919, they were once again beginning to carry on their activity from Brooklyn. Now, should they do their own printing? They endeavored to purchase a rotary magazine press but were told that there were only a few of these in the United States and that there was no chance of getting one for many months. Nevertheless, they were confident that if it was the Lord’s will, he could open the way. And he did! Just a few months after their return to Brooklyn, they succeeded in purchasing a rotary press. Eight blocks from the Bethel Home, at 35 Myrtle Avenue, they leased three floors in a building. By early 1920 the Society had its own printing shop—small, but well equipped. Brothers who had sufficient experience to operate the equipment offered to make themselves available to help with the work. The February 1 issue of The Watch Tower that year came off the Society’s own press. By April, The Golden Age was also being produced in their own printery. At the end of the year, it was a pleasure for The Watch Tower to report: “During the greater portion of the year all the work on THE WATCH TOWER, THE GOLDEN AGE, and many of the booklets, has been done by consecrated hands, but one motive directing their actions, and that motive being love for the Lord and his cause of righteousness. . . . When other journals and publications were required to suspend because of paper shortage or labor troubles, our publications went smoothly on.” The factory space was quite limited, but the amount of work done was amazing. Regular runs for The Watch Tower were 60,000 copies per issue. But The Golden Age was also printed there, and during the first year, the September 29 issue was a special one. It carried a detailed exposé of the perpetrators of the persecution of the Bible Students from 1917 to 1920. Four million copies were printed! One of the factory pressmen later said: ‘It took everyone but the cook to get that issue out.’ In the first year of their use of the rotary magazine press, Brother Rutherford asked the brothers whether they could also print booklets on that press. Initially, it did not appear to be feasible. The makers of the press said that it could not be done. But the brothers tried and had good success. They also invented their own folder and thus reduced their need for workers for that aspect of the work from 12 to 2. What accounted for their success? “Experience and the Lord’s blessing” is the way the factory manager summed it up. It was not only in Brooklyn that the Society was setting up printing operations, however. Some of the foreign-language operations were supervised from an office in Michigan. To care for needs related to that work, in 1921 the Society set up a Linotype machine, printing presses, and other necessary equipment in Detroit, Michigan. There literature was printed in Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, and other languages. In that same year, the Society released the book The Harp of God, which was written in a manner suitable for beginners in Bible study. As of 1921 the Society had not tried to print and bind its own books. Should they endeavor to undertake this work too? Again, they looked for the Lord’s direction. Dedicated Brothers Print and Bind Books In 1920, The Watch Tower had reported that many colporteurs had been forced out of that service because printers and bookbinders had been unable to fill the Society’s orders. The brothers at headquarters reasoned that if they could be free from dependence on commercial manufacturers with all their labor troubles, they would be in a position to accomplish a greater witness concerning God’s purpose for humankind. If they printed and bound their own books, it would also be more difficult for opposers to interfere with the work. And in time they hoped to be able to save on the cost of the volumes and so be in a position to make them more readily available to the public. But this would require more space and equipment, and they would have to learn new skills. Could they do it? Robert J. Martin, the factory overseer, called to mind that in the days of Moses, Jehovah had ‘filled Bezalel and Oholiab with wisdom of heart to do all the work’ needed to construct the sacred tabernacle. (Ex. 35:30-35) Having that Bible account in mind, Brother Martin was confident that Jehovah would also do whatever was needed so that his servants could publish literature to advertise the Kingdom. After much meditation and prayer, definite plans began to emerge. Looking back on what occurred, Brother Martin later wrote to Brother Rutherford: “Greatest day of all was the day when you wanted to know if there was any good reason why we should not print and bind all our own books. It was a breath-taking idea, because it meant the opening of a complete typesetting, electroplating, printing and binding plant, with the operation of more than a score of unfamiliar machines, mostly machines we never knew were made, and the necessity of learning more than a dozen trades. But it seemed the best way to meet the war prices charged for books. “You leased the six-story building at 18 Concord Street (with tenants on two floors); and on March 1, 1922, we moved in. You bought for us a complete outfit of typesetting, electroplating, printing and binding machinery, most of it new, some of it second-hand; and we started work. “One of the great printing establishments which had been doing much of our work heard of what we were doing and came, in the person of the president, to visit us. He saw the new equipment and sagely remarked, ‘Here you are with a first-class printing establishment on your hands, and nobody around the place that knows a thing about what to do with it. In six months the whole thing will be a lot of junk; and you will find out that the people to do your printing are those that have always done it, and make it their business.’ “That sounded logical enough, but it left out the Lord; and he has always been with us. When the bindery was started he sent along a brother who has spent his whole life in the binding business. He was of great use at the time he was most needed. With his assistance, and with the Lord’s spirit working through the brethren who were trying to learn, it was not long before we were making books.” Since the factory on Concord Street had ample space, printing operations from Detroit were merged with those in Brooklyn. By the second year in this location, the brothers were turning out 70 percent of the books and booklets required, besides magazines, tracts, and handbills. The following year, growth in the work made it necessary to use the remaining two floors of the factory. Could they speed up their book production? They had a printing press built in Germany, shipped to America, and put into operation in 1926 especially for that purpose. As far as they knew, that was the first rotary press used in America to print books. However, the printing operations directed by the Bible Students were not all in America. Early Printing Operations in Other Lands Making use of commercial firms, Brother Russell had had printing done in Britain as early as 1881. It was being done in Germany by 1903, Greece by 1906, Finland by 1910, and even Japan by 1913. During the years following the first world war, a vast amount of such printing—of books, booklets, magazines, and tracts—was done in Britain, the Scandinavian lands, Germany, and Poland, and some was done in Brazil and India. Then, in 1920, the same year that the Society undertook its own printing of magazines in Brooklyn, arrangements got under way for our brothers in Europe to do some of this work too. A group of them in Switzerland organized a printing establishment in Bern. It was their own business firm. But they were all Bible Students, and they produced literature for the Society in European languages at very favorable rates. In time, the Society acquired input to that printing plant and enlarged it. To fill an urgent need in economically impoverished lands of Europe at that time, tremendous amounts of free literature were produced there. During the late 1920’s, publications in more than a dozen languages were shipped from this factory. At the same time, much interest in the Kingdom message was being shown in Romania. Despite severe opposition to our work there, the Society established a printing plant in Cluj, in order to lower the cost of the literature and make it more readily available to truth-hungry people in Romania and nearby countries. In 1924 that printery was able to turn out nearly a quarter of a million bound books, in addition to magazines and booklets, in Romanian and Hungarian. But one who had oversight of the work there proved unfaithful to his trust and committed acts that resulted in loss of the Society’s property and equipment. Despite this, faithful brothers in Romania continued to do what they could to share Bible truths with others. In Germany following World War I, large numbers of people were flocking to the meetings of the Bible Students. But the German people were suffering great economic distress. In order to hold down the cost of Bible literature for their benefit, the Society developed its own printing operations there too. At Barmen, in 1922, printing was done on a flatbed press on the staircase landing in the Bethel Home and on another in the woodshed. The following year the brothers moved to Magdeburg to more suitable facilities. They had good buildings there, more were added, and equipment for printing and bookbinding was installed. By the end of 1925, it was reported, the production capacity of this plant was to be at least as great as the one then being used at the headquarters in Brooklyn. Most of the printing actually done by the brothers started on a small scale. That was true in Korea, where in 1922 the Society set up a small printing plant equipped to produce literature in Korean as well as Japanese and Chinese. After a few years, the equipment was transferred to Japan. By 1924 printing of smaller items was also being done in Canada and in South Africa. In 1925 a small press was installed in Australia and another one in Brazil. The brothers in Brazil were soon using their equipment to print the Portuguese edition of The Watch Tower. The Society’s branch in England got its first equipment for printing in 1926. In 1929 the spiritual hunger of humble people in Spain was being satisfied by publication of The Watch Tower on a small press there. Two years later a press began running in the basement of the branch office in Finland. Meanwhile, expansion was taking place at the world headquarters. Their Own Factory at World Headquarters Since 1920 the Society had been renting factory space in Brooklyn. Even the building used from 1922 on was not in good shape; the whole thing would shake badly when the rotary press was running in the basement. Besides that, more space was needed in order to care for the growing work. The brothers reasoned that the available funds could be put to better use if they had their own factory. Some land within a few blocks of the Bethel Home seemed to be a very desirable location, so they bid on it. As it turned out, the Squibb Pharmaceutical Corporation outbid them; but when they built on that property, they had to sink 1,167 piles in order to have a solid foundation. (Years later, the Watch Tower Society purchased those buildings from Squibb, with that good foundation already in place!) However, the land that the Society purchased in 1926 had good load-bearing soil on which to build. In February 1927 they moved into their brand-new building at 117 Adams Street in Brooklyn. It provided them almost twice the space they had been using up to that time. It was well designed, with the work moving from the upper floors down through the various departments until it reached the Shipping Department at ground level. The growth was not finished, however. Within ten years this factory had to be enlarged; and there was more to come later. In addition to printing millions of copies of magazines and booklets yearly, the factory was turning out as many as 10,000 bound books per day. When complete Bibles began to be included among those books in 1942, the Watch Tower Society was again pioneering a new field in the printing industry. The brothers experimented until they were able to run lightweight Bible paper on rotary presses—something that other printers did not try until years later. While such large-scale production was under way, groups with special needs were not overlooked. As early as 1910, a Bible Student in Boston, Massachusetts, and one in Canada were cooperating to reproduce the Society’s literature in Braille. By 1924, from an office in Logansport, Indiana, the Society was turning out publications to benefit the blind. Because of very limited response at that time, however, the Braille work was terminated in 1936, and emphasis was placed on helping the blind by means of phonograph records as well as personal attention. Later on, in 1960, Braille literature again began to be produced—this time in greater variety, and gradually with better response. Meeting the Challenge of Severe Opposition In a number of lands, the printing was done in the face of extremely difficult circumstances. But our brothers persevered, appreciating that the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom was work that Jehovah God, through his Son, had commanded to be done. (Isa. 61:1, 2; Mark 13:10) In Greece, for example, the brothers had set up their printery in 1936 and operated it for only a few months when there was a change of government and the authorities shut down their plant. Similarly, in India, in 1940, Claude Goodman worked for months to set up a press and learn how to operate it, only to have police dispatched by the maharaja swoop in, truck away the press, and dump all the carefully sorted type into large tins. In many other locations, laws governing imported literature made it necessary for the brothers to give the work to local commercial printers, even though the Society had a printing establishment in a nearby country that was equipped to do the work. That was true in the mid-1930’s in such places as Denmark, Latvia, and Hungary. In 1933 the German government, urged on by the clergy, moved to close down the printing activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Germany. The police occupied the Watch Tower Society’s factory at Magdeburg and shut it down in April of that year, but they could find no incriminating evidence, so they withdrew. Nevertheless, they intervened again in June. In order to continue the dissemination of the Kingdom message, the Society established a printery in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and considerable equipment was moved there from Magdeburg. With this, magazines in two languages and booklets in six languages were produced during the next few years. Then, in 1939, Hitler’s troops marched on Prague, so the brothers quickly dismantled their equipment and shipped it out of the country. Some of it went to the Netherlands. This was most timely. Communication with Switzerland had become more difficult for the Dutch brothers. So now they rented space and, with their newly acquired presses, did their own printing. This continued for only a short time, however, before the plant was seized by the Nazi invaders. But the brothers had kept that equipment in use just as long as possible. When arbitrary official action in Finland forced a halt in publication of The Watchtower during the war, the brothers there mimeographed the main articles and delivered these by courier. After Austria came under Nazi domination in 1938, The Watchtower was printed on a mimeograph machine that constantly had to be moved from place to place in order to keep it out of the hands of the Gestapo. Similarly, in Canada during the time that the Witnesses were under wartime ban, they had to relocate their equipment repeatedly in order to continue to provide spiritual food for their brothers. In Australia during the time that the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses was under ban, the brothers printed their own magazines and even printed and bound books—something they had not done there even under more favorable circumstances. They had to move their bindery 16 times to prevent confiscation of the equipment, but they managed to turn out 20,000 hardbound books in time for release at a convention held in 1941 in spite of overwhelming obstacles! Expansion After World War II After the war ended, Jehovah’s Witnesses met in international assembly in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1946. There Nathan H. Knorr, then president of the Watch Tower Society, spoke on reconstruction and expansion. Since the outbreak of World War II, the number of Witnesses had increased by 157 percent, and missionaries were rapidly opening up the work in new fields. To fill the global demand for Bible literature, Brother Knorr outlined plans to enlarge the facilities of the world headquarters. As a result of the proposed expansion, the factory would have more than double the space that was in the original 1927 structure, and a greatly enlarged Bethel Home was to be provided for the volunteer workers. These additions were completed and put to use early in 1950. The factory and office facilities at the world headquarters in Brooklyn have had to be enlarged again and again since 1950. As of 1992 they covered about eight city blocks and included 2,476,460 square feet [230,071 sq m] of floor space. These are not just buildings for making books. They are dedicated to Jehovah, to be used in producing literature designed to educate people in his requirements for life. In some areas it was difficult to get the Society’s printing operations under way again after the second world war. The factory and office complex that belonged to the Society in Magdeburg, Germany, was in the Communist-controlled zone. The German Witnesses moved back into it, but they were able to operate only briefly before it was again confiscated. To fill the need in West Germany, a printery had to be established there. The cities had been reduced to rubble as a result of bombing. However, the Witnesses soon obtained the use of a small printery that had been operated by the Nazis, in Karlsruhe. By 1948 they had two flatbed presses running day and night in a building that was made available to them in Wiesbaden. The following year they enlarged the Wiesbaden facilities and quadrupled the number of presses in order to meet the needs of the rapidly growing number of Kingdom proclaimers in that part of the field. When the Society resumed printing openly in Greece in 1946, the electric power supply was far from dependable. Sometimes it was off for hours at a time. In Nigeria in 1977, the brothers faced a similar problem. Until the Nigeria branch got its own generator, the factory workers would go back to work at any time, day or night, when the power came on. With such a spirit, they never missed an issue of the The Watchtower. Following a visit by Brother Knorr to South Africa in 1948, land was purchased in Elandsfontein; and early in 1952, the branch moved into a new factory there—the first actually built by the Society in South Africa. Using a new flatbed press, they proceeded to print magazines in eight languages used in Africa. In 1954 the branch in Sweden was equipped to print its magazines on a flatbed press, as was the branch in Denmark in 1957. As the demand for literature grew, high-speed rotary letterpresses were provided, first to one branch and then another. Canada received its first one in 1958; England, in 1959. By 1975 the Watch Tower Society had 70 large rotary presses operating in its printeries worldwide. A Global Network to Publish Bible Truth In the late 1960’s and thereafter, a concerted effort was made to achieve further decentralization of the Watch Tower Society’s printing operations. Growth in the number of Jehovah’s Witnesses was rapid. More factory space was needed to provide Bible literature for their own use and for public distribution. But expansion in Brooklyn was a slow process because of limited available property as well as legal red tape. Plans were made to do more of the printing elsewhere. Thus, in 1969 work began on the design of a new printery to be built near Wallkill, New York, about 95 miles [150 km] northwest of Brooklyn. This would augment and spread out the headquarters facilities, and eventually almost all the Watchtower and Awake! magazines for the United States would come from Wallkill. Three years later a second factory for Wallkill was on the drawing boards, this one much larger than the first. By 1977 the rotary letterpresses there were turning out upwards of 18 million magazines a month. As of 1992, large MAN-Roland and Hantscho offset presses (just 4 offset presses instead of the former 15 letterpresses) were in use, and the production capacity was well over a million magazines a day. When plans for printing operations at Wallkill were first laid, The Watchtower was being published in Brooklyn in 32 of its then 72 languages; Awake! in 14 of its 26 languages. Some 60 percent of the total number of copies printed worldwide were being produced there at the world headquarters. It would be beneficial to have more of this work done in lands outside the United States and by our own brothers there instead of by commercial firms. Thus, if future world crises or governmental interference with the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses should hinder operations in any part of the earth, essential spiritual food could still be provided. So it was that in 1971, nearly two years before the first Watch Tower factory at Wallkill went into operation, work got under way to provide a fine new printing plant in Numazu, Japan. The more than fivefold increase in Kingdom proclaimers in Japan during the preceding decade indicated that much Bible literature was going to be needed there. At the same time, the branch facilities in Brazil were being enlarged. The same was true in South Africa, where Bible literature was being produced in more than two dozen African languages. The following year, 1972, the Society’s publishing facilities in Australia were quadrupled in size, with a view to providing each issue of The Watchtower and Awake! in that part of the world without prolonged shipping delays. Additional factories were also erected in France and the Philippines. Early in 1972, N. H. Knorr and the Brooklyn factory overseer, M. H. Larson, made an international tour to examine the work being done, in order to organize matters for the best use of these facilities and to lay the groundwork for more expansion to come. Their visits included 16 countries in South America, Africa, and the Far East. Shortly thereafter, the branch in Japan was itself producing the Japanese-language magazines needed for that part of the field, instead of depending on a commercial printer. That same year, 1972, the branch in Ghana began to print The Watchtower in three of its local languages, instead of waiting for shipments from the United States and Nigeria. Next, the Philippines branch began to care for the composition and printing of The Watchtower and Awake! in eight local languages (besides printing English-language magazines that were needed). This represented a further major step in the decentralization of Watch Tower printing operations. By the end of 1975, the Watch Tower Society was publishing Bible literature in its own facilities in 23 lands spread around the globe—books in three countries; booklets or magazines or both in all 23 locations. In 25 other lands, the Society was reproducing smaller items on its own equipment. The Society’s capacity for producing bound books was also being increased. Some bookbinding had been done in Switzerland and in Germany as early as the mid-1920’s. Following World War II, in 1948 the brothers in Finland undertook the binding of books (at first, largely by hand) to care principally for the needs of that country. Two years later the branch in Germany was again operating a bindery, and in time it took over the bookbinding being done in Switzerland. Then, in 1967, with over a million Witnesses worldwide and with the introduction of pocket-size books for use in their ministry, the demand for this type of Bible literature soared. Within nine years, there was more than a sixfold increase in bindery lines in Brooklyn. As of 1992 the Watch Tower Society had a total of 28 bindery lines operating in eight different countries. In that same year, 1992, not only was the Watch Tower Society printing Bible literature in 180 languages in the United States but four of its major printeries located in Latin America were supplying much of the literature needed both domestically and by other countries in that part of the world. Eleven more printeries were producing literature in Europe, and all of these were helping to fill the literature needs of other lands. Of these, France was regularly supplying literature for 14 countries, and Germany, which printed in over 40 languages, was shipping large quantities to 20 countries and smaller amounts to many other lands. In Africa, six Watch Tower printeries were turning out Bible literature in a total of 46 languages. Another 11 printeries—some large, some small—were supplying the Middle East and the Far East, islands of the Pacific, Canada, and other areas with literature to use in spreading the urgent message about God’s Kingdom. In yet another 27 lands, the Society was printing smaller items needed by the congregations in order to function smoothly. New Methods, New Equipment During the 1960’s and 1970’s, a revolution swept through the printing industry. At an amazing rate, letterpress was being discarded in favor of offset printing.d The Watch Tower Society did not quickly jump on the bandwagon. Plates that were available for offset presses were not well suited to the long runs that the Society needed for its literature. Furthermore, a change of this sort would require completely new modes of typesetting and composition. New printing presses would be needed. New technology would have to be learned. Virtually all the printing equipment in the Society’s factories would have to be replaced. The cost would be staggering. However, in time it became evident that supplies to support letterpress printing would not be available much longer. The durability of offset plates was rapidly improving. The change had to be made. As early as 1972, because of their keen interest in developments in offset printing, three members of the Bethel family in South Africa purchased a small secondhand sheetfed offset press. Some experience was gained in doing small printing jobs on it. Then, in 1974, that press was used to print The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, a pocket-size book, in the Ronga language. Their being able to do that quickly made it possible to get valuable Bible instruction to thousands of truth-hungry people before the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses was again banned in the area where those people lived. Another sheetfed offset press, given to the Society’s South Africa branch shortly after our brothers purchased the first one, was shipped to Zambia and was put to use there. The Society’s factory in Germany also got an early start in offset printing. In April 1975 the brothers there began to use a sheetfed press to print magazines on Bible paper for Jehovah’s Witnesses in East Germany, where the Witnesses were then under ban. This was followed up, the next year, with production of books on that offset press for those persecuted brothers. At about the same time, in 1975, the Watch Tower Society put its first web offset press for magazines into operation in Argentina. It ran for only a little more than a year, however, before the Argentine government banned the work of the Witnesses and sealed their printery. But offset printing operations in other countries continued to expand. Early in 1978, at the Watch Tower Society’s headquarters plant in Brooklyn, New York, a web offset press began to turn out three-color printing for books.e A second press was purchased in that same year. Yet, much more equipment was needed in order to complete the changeover. The Governing Body was confident that Jehovah would provide whatever was needed in order to accomplish the work that he wanted to have done. In April 1979 and January 1980, letters were sent out to congregations in the United States explaining the situation. Donations came in—slowly at first, but in time there was enough to equip the entire global network of Watch Tower factories for offset printing. In the meantime, to make good use of existing equipment and to speed up the changeover, the Watch Tower Society contracted to have its late-model MAN presses converted for offset printing. Twelve countries were supplied with these presses, including six that had not previously printed their magazines locally. Four-Color Printing The branch in Finland was the first to do offset printing of each issue of its magazines in four colors, beginning in a simple way with issues in January 1981 and then progressively using improved techniques. Next, Japan used four-color printing for a bound book. Other Watch Tower printeries have followed suit as equipment has become available. Some of the presses have been purchased and shipped by the world headquarters. Others have been financed by Jehovah’s Witnesses within the country where the factory is located. In yet other cases, the Witnesses in one country have made a gift of needed equipment to their brothers in another land. During the era following World War II, the world became very picture oriented, and use of realistic color did much to make publications more visually appealing. This use of color has made the printed page more attractive and therefore encouraged reading. In many places it was found that the distribution of The Watchtower and Awake! increased considerably after their appearance was thus enhanced. Developing Suitable Computer Systems To support four-color printing, a computerized prepress system had to be developed; and the decision to go ahead with this was made in 1977. Witnesses who were experts in the field volunteered to work at the world headquarters to help the Society meet these needs quickly. (Shortly after this, in 1979, a team in Japan that eventually involved about 50 Witnesses began work on programs needed for the Japanese language.) Available commercial computer hardware was used, and programs were prepared by the Witnesses to help fill the Society’s administrative and multilanguage publishing needs. To maintain high standards and have the needed flexibility, it was necessary to develop specialized programs for typesetting and photocomposition. There were no commercial programs available for entering and phototypesetting many of the 167 languages in which the Watch Tower Society was then printing, so the Witnesses had to develop their own. At that time the commercial world saw no money in languages used by smaller populations or by people with very limited income, but Jehovah’s Witnesses are interested in lives. Within a relatively short time, the typesetting programs that they developed were being used to produce literature in over 90 languages. Concerning their work the respected Seybold Report on Publishing Systems said: “We have nothing but praise for the enterprise, initiative and insightfulness of the Watchtower people. There are few today either ambitious enough or courageous enough to undertake such an application, especially virtually from scratch.”—Volume 12, No. 1, September 13, 1982. Printing operations and maintenance would be greatly facilitated if the equipment used worldwide was fully compatible. So in 1979 the decision was made for the Watch Tower Society to develop its own phototypesetting system. The team working on this was to make the principal hardware, instead of relying so heavily on commercial equipment. Thus, in 1979 a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses with their base of operations at Watchtower Farms, Wallkill, New York, began to design and build the Multilanguage Electronic Phototypesetting System (MEPS). By May 1986 not only had the team working on this project designed and built MEPS computers, phototypesetters, and graphics terminals but, more important, they had also developed the software required for processing material for publication in 186 languages. Coordinated with this software development was a large font-digitizing operation. This required intensive study of the distinctive characteristics of each language. Artwork had to be done for each character in a language (for example, each letter in capitals and lower case, as well as diacritical marks and punctuation—all in a variety of size ranges), with separate drawings for each typeface (such as, lightface, italic, bold, and extra bold), possibly in a number of distinctive fonts, or type styles. Each roman font needed 202 characters. Therefore, the 369 roman fonts have required a total of 74,538 characters. Preparation of Chinese fonts called for the drawing of 8,364 characters for each, with more characters to be added later. After the artwork was done, software was designed that would make it possible to print the characters in clean, sharp form. The software had to be able to handle not only the Roman alphabet but also Bengali, Cambodian, Cyrillic, Greek, Hindi, and Korean as well as Arabic and Hebrew (both of which read from right to left) and Japanese and Chinese (which do not use alphabets). As of 1992 the software was available for processing material in over 200 languages, and programs for other languages used by millions of people were still being developed. The implementation of the changeover in the branches required adopting new procedures and learning new skills. Personnel were sent to the world headquarters to learn how to erect, operate, and maintain large web offset presses. Some were taught how to do color separation work with a laser scanner. Additional personnel were trained in the use and the maintenance of computer equipment. Thus, production problems arising anywhere in the world could be quickly resolved so that the work would continue to move ahead. The Governing Body realized that if Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide could study the same material in their meetings week by week and distribute the same literature in the field ministry, this would have a powerful unifying effect. In the past, literature published in English was not usually available in other languages until at least four months later; for many languages it was a year, or often years, later. But now a change was possible. Having fully compatible equipment in the printing branches was an important factor in being able to publish literature simultaneously in a variety of languages. By 1984, simultaneous publication of The Watchtower was achieved in 20 languages. In 1989, when the powerful message contained in the book Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand! was distributed to the public just a few months after its release, that book was available in 25 languages. By 1992, simultaneous publication of The Watchtower had broadened out to include 66 languages, those being used by a large proportion of the world’s population. Since the MEPS project was undertaken in 1979, the computer industry has made extraordinary advances. Powerful personal computers with great versatility are now available at a fraction of the cost of the earlier equipment. To keep pace with the needs of its publishing work, the Watch Tower Society decided to make use of these personal computers, along with its own software. This greatly speeded up the production process. It also made it possible to provide the benefits of the publishing programs to more of the Society’s branches, and the number of branches using these quickly rose to 83. By 1992 the Watch Tower Society had, worldwide, over 3,800 terminals in which it was using its own computer programs. Not all the branches that are thus equipped do printing, but any branch that has a small computer and the Society’s software, along with a small laser printer, has the capability for prepress work on tracts, magazines, books, and any other printing that needs to be done. Increased Computer Support for Translators Could computerization also be used to give greater support to those doing the work of translation? Translators of Watch Tower publications now do their work, in most cases, at computer terminals. Many of these are at the Society’s branch offices. Others, who may translate at home and who have done their work for many years on typewriters or even by hand, have been helped to learn how to enter their translation at computer workstations or on laptop computers (ones that are conveniently small) purchased by the Society. Adjustments in the translation can easily be made right there on the computer screen. If the translating is done somewhere other than in the office of a branch where the actual printing will be done, all that is needed is to transfer the text to a thin, flexible disk and send it to the printing branch for processing. During 1989-90, as rapid changes took place in the governments in many lands, international communication became easier. Quickly, Jehovah’s Witnesses convened a seminar of their translators from Eastern Europe. This was designed to help them improve the quality of their work, to enable them to benefit from available computer equipment, and to make possible simultaneous publication of The Watchtower in their languages. Additionally, translators in Southeast Asia were given similar help. But could the computer be used to speed up the work of translation or improve its quality? Yes. By 1989, powerful computer systems were being harnessed by Jehovah’s Witnesses to assist in Bible translation. After extensive preliminary work, electronic files were provided that would enable a translator quickly to call up on the computer screen a visual display of any given original-language word along with a record of all the ways it had, in accord with the context, been rendered into English in the New World Translation. He could also select a key English word and call up all the original-language words from which this (and possibly words of similar meaning) had been drawn. This would often reveal that a group of words were being used in English to convey the idea embodied in a single original-language term. It would quickly provide the translator with an in-depth view of what he was translating. It would help him to capture the distinctive sense of the basic original-language expression as well as the exact meaning required by the context and thus to express it accurately in his own language. Using these computer files, veteran translators would examine all the occurrences of any given word in the Bible and assign local-language equivalents for each of these occurrences according to what was required by context. This would assure a high degree of consistency. The work of each translator would be reviewed by others working on the team so that the translation would benefit from the research and experience of all of them. After this was done, the computer could be used to display a given passage of Scripture, showing every word in the English text, a key to what appeared in the original language, and the local-language equivalent that had been selected. This would not complete the work. The translator still needed to smooth out the sentence structure and make it read well in his own language. But while doing this, it would be vital to have a clear grasp of the meaning of the scripture. To help him, he was given instantaneous computer access to published Watch Tower commentary on the Bible verse or any expression in it. Research time could thus be held down, and a high degree of consistency could be achieved. With further development of this potential, it is hoped that more valuable publications can be made available quickly even in languages with limited staffs of translators. Use of this tool to provide literature in support of the proclamation of the Kingdom message has opened up a tremendous publishing field. Thus, like their early Christian counterparts, Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern times employ the latest means to spread God’s Word. In order to reach as many people as possible with the good news, they have not been afraid to take on new challenges in the field of publishing. [Footnotes] a In 1896 the name of the corporation was officially changed to Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. b This was a firm owned by Charles Taze Russell. In 1898 he transferred assets of the Tower Publishing Company by donation to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. c This failure to get coal was not merely due to wartime shortage. Hugo Riemer, who was then a member of the headquarters staff, later wrote that it was principally because hatred for the Bible Students was so rampant in New York at that time. d Letterpress printing is done from a raised surface on which appears a mirror image of what will be on the printed page. This raised surface is inked and pressed against paper. Offset printing is done by making an inked impression from a plate onto a rubber-blanketed cylinder and then transferring that impression to the paper. e From 1959 to 1971, the Society had used a sheetfed offset press at its Brooklyn plant to produce four-color calendars featuring themes related to the preaching of the good news. [Blurb on page 578] “Let’s make coal the test” [Blurb on page 595] Equipping the entire global network of Watch Tower factories for offset printing [Blurb on page 596] “We have nothing but praise for . . . the Watchtower people” [Box/Pictures on page 581] Typesetting At first it was all done by hand, one letter at a time South Africa From 1920 until the 1980’s, Linotype machines were used United States In some places the typesetting was done with Monotype equipment Japan Now a computerized phototypesetting process is used Germany [Box/Pictures on page 582] Platemaking From the 1920’s to the 1980’s, lead plates were made for letterpress printing [Pictures] 1. Lines of type for the pages of printed material were locked into metal frames called chases 2. Under pressure, an impression of the type was made on material that could be used as a mold 3. Hot lead was poured against the mat (or mold) to make curved metal printing plates 4. Unwanted metal was routed from the face of the plate 5. The plates were nickeled for durability Later, negatives of phototypeset pages were positioned, and pictures were stripped in. Groups of pages were photographically transferred to flexible offset printing plates [Box/Picture on page 585] ‘Evidence of Jehovah’s Spirit’ “The successful printing of books and Bibles on rotary presses by persons of little or no previous experience [and at a time when others were not yet doing it] is evidence of Jehovah’s oversight and the direction of his spirit,” said Charles Fekel. Brother Fekel knew well what was involved, for he had shared in the development of the printing operations at the Society’s headquarters for over half a century. In his later years, he served as a member of the Governing Body. [Picture] Charles Fekel [Box/Picture on page 586] Relying on Almighty God An experience related by Hugo Riemer, former purchasing agent for the Watch Tower Society, reflects the way the Watch Tower Society carries out its business. During World War II, printing paper was rationed in the United States. Appeal for supplies had to be made to a government-appointed committee. On one occasion one of the prominent Bible societies had lawyers, big-business men, preachers, and others there to represent them before the committee. They were granted far less than they wanted. After their request had been heard, the committee called for the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. When Hugo Riemer and Max Larson stepped forward, the chairman asked: “Just the two of you?” The reply: “Yes. We hope that Almighty God is with us too.” They were granted all the supplies they needed. [Picture] Hugo Riemer [Box/Pictures on page 587] Printing Presses Presses of many varieties have been used by the Watch Tower Society in its printing operations [Pictures] For many years flatbed presses of many descriptions were used (Germany) Job presses have been used to print not only forms and handbills but also magazines (U.S.A.) In its various printeries, 58 of these MAN rotary letterpresses from Germany were used (Canada) Now, high-speed full-color web offset presses manufactured in various lands are used in the Society’s principal printeries Italy Germany [Pictures on page 588, 589] Bookbinding Some of the early bookbinding in Watch Tower factories was done by hand (Switzerland) Large-scale production in the United States required many separate operations 1. Gathering signatures 2. Sewing them together 3. Pasting on endsheets 4. Trimming 5. Embossing the covers 6. Putting covers on the books 7. Pressing the books until the paste set Now, instead of sewing, burst binding is often used, and high-speed machines may each turn out 20,000 or more books per day [Box/Pictures on page 594] To Promote Knowledge of God’s Kingdom The Watch Tower Society has at various times produced literature in more than 290 different languages. As of 1992 they were publishing literature in some 210 languages. All of this was done in order to help people to know about God’s Kingdom and what it means for them. Among their Bible study aids most widely distributed to date are the following: “The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life” (1968): 107,553,888 copies, in 117 languages “You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth” (1982): 62,428,231 copies, in 115 languages “Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!” (1982): 76,203,646 copies, in 200 languages Figures given above are as of 1992. [Box/Pictures on page 598] Audiocassette Recordings In addition to using the printed page in its evangelizing work, since 1978 the Watch Tower Society has produced audiocassettes—upwards of 65 million copies on its own equipment in the United States and Germany. The entire “New World Translation” is on audiocassettes in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. As of 1992 varying amounts of this Bible translation were also available on audiocassettes in eight other languages. As an aid in teaching young children, tape recordings have been made of “My Book of Bible Stories” and “Listening to the Great Teacher,” publications especially designed for young ones. In addition, in some lands audiotapes are produced for use in radio broadcasts. Recordings are produced by an orchestra made up entirely of Witnesses. These tapes are used as accompaniment for singing at conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Beautiful orchestral arrangements of this music are also available for home enjoyment. Recorded dramas (both modern-day and Bible accounts) are used at conventions, where Witness actors help the audience to visualize events. Some of these are later used for instructive and enjoyable family entertainment. Both the “Watchtower” and “Awake!” magazines are available on audiocassettes in English and Finnish. Also, “The Watchtower” is available in French, German, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish. Originally intended for people who had poor eyesight, these tapes are appreciated by many thousands of others. [Picture] J. E. Barr in recording studio [Box/Pictures on page 600, 601] Use of Videocassettes in Kingdom Proclamation In 1990 the Watch Tower Society entered a new field by releasing its first videocassette designed for public distribution. It was estimated in that year that upwards of 200,000,000 households around the globe had VCR’s (videocassette recorders) of various sorts. Even in lands where there were no television stations, VCR’s were in use. Thus, use of videocassettes as a means of instruction offered a fresh way to reach a widespread audience. As early as 1985, work had begun on a video presentation designed to show those who visit its facilities some of the activity at the Society’s world headquarters. In time, video presentations also proved to be time-savers in the orientation of new Bethel family members. Could this means of instruction be used in other ways to assist in the global work of disciple making? Some of the brothers believed that it could. As a result, in October 1990, the videocassette “Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name” was released. The response was outstanding. A flood of requests for more of such programs was received. To fill the need, a new department called Video Services was established. Witnesses who were experts in the field gladly offered their help. Equipment was obtained. Studios were set up. A camera crew began to travel to various lands to film people and objects that could be used in video presentations designed to build faith. The international all-Witness orchestra that had repeatedly helped with special projects provided music that would enhance video presentations. Plans were implemented to reach more language groups. By mid-1992, the video “Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name” was being sent out in over a dozen languages. It had been recorded in 25 languages, including some for Eastern Europe. In addition, arrangements were under way to record it in Mandarin as well as Cantonese for the Chinese. The Society had also acquired the rights to reproduction and distribution of “Purple Triangles,” a video about the integrity of a Witness family in Germany during the Nazi era. Within a two-year period, well over a million videocassettes had been produced for use by Jehovah’s Witnesses in their ministry. Special attention was given to the needs of the deaf. An edition of “Jehovah’s Witnesses—The Organization Behind the Name” was produced in American Sign Language. And studies were undertaken with a view to providing videos that would be suitable for deaf people in other lands. While this was being done, work was under way to produce a series that would help to build faith in the book that is the very foundation of Christian faith, the Bible. By September 1992, the first part of that program, “The Bible—Accurate History, Reliable Prophecy,” was complete in English, and editions in other languages were being prepared. Videocassettes are by no means taking the place of the printed page or personal witnessing. The Society’s publications continue to fill a vital role in spreading the good news. The house-to-house work of Jehovah’s Witnesses remains a solidly based Scriptural feature of their ministry. However, videocassettes now supplement these as valuable tools for cultivating faith in Jehovah’s precious promises and stimulating appreciation for what he is having done on the earth in our day. [Pictures] 1. After basic output is determined, videotaping proceeds as the script is being developed 2. Pictures are selected and their sequence is determined during off-line editing 3. Orchestral music that has been specially composed is recorded to enhance the presentation 4. Digital music and sound effects are merged with narration and pictures 5. Audio and visual features are given final editing [Pictures on page 576] Actual printing of these early publications was done by commercial firms [Picture on page 577] C. A. Wise made a test to see whether the Bible Students should reestablish headquarters in Brooklyn [Pictures on page 579] The Society’s first rotary press was used to print 4,000,000 copies of the hard-hitting “Golden Age” No. 27 [Picture on page 580] R. J. Martin (right), first overseer of the Society’s Brooklyn factory, conferring with Brother Rutherford [Picture on page 583] One of the Society’s first printeries in Europe (Bern, Switzerland) [Pictures on page 584] In Magdeburg, Germany, the Society set up a printery during the 1920’s [Picture on page 590, 591] Elandsfontein, South Africa (1972) [Picture on page 590] Numazu, Japan (1972) [Picture on page 590] Strathfield, Australia (1972) [Picture on page 590] São Paulo, Brazil (1973) [Picture on page 591] Lagos, Nigeria (1974) [Picture on page 591] Wiesbaden, Germany (1975) [Picture on page 591] Toronto, Canada (1975) [Picture on page 597] Intensive font digitizing has been done by the Witnesses to meet their need for Bible literature in many languages (Brooklyn, N.Y.) [Picture on page 599] Color computer workstations enable art designers to position, crop, and refine pictures electronically [Picture on page 602] Jehovah’s Witnesses use computer systems to speed up and refine the work of Bible translation (Korea)

Isaiah’s Prophecy II (ip-2) 2001

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-2

Chapter Twenty-eight A Light for the Nations Isaiah 66:15-24 1, 2. Why is light vital, and what sort of darkness covers the earth today? JEHOVAH is the Source of light, “the Giver of the sun for light by day, the statutes of the moon and the stars for light by night.” (Jeremiah 31:35) On this basis alone, he should be acknowledged as the Source of life, since light means life. If the earth were not constantly bathed in the warmth and light of the sun, life as we know it would be impossible. Our planet would be uninhabitable. 2 Hence, it is of utmost concern to us that Jehovah, looking forward to our day, foretold a time of darkness, not light. Under inspiration, Isaiah wrote: “Look! darkness itself will cover the earth, and thick gloom the national groups.” (Isaiah 60:2) Of course, these words had to do with spiritual, not physical, darkness, but their seriousness should not be underestimated. Life eventually becomes impossible for those without spiritual light, just as it does for those deprived of light from the sun. 3. In these dark times, where can we turn for light? 3 During these dark times, we cannot afford to ignore the spiritual light that Jehovah makes available to us. It is essential that we look to God’s Word to light up our roadway, reading the Bible daily if possible. (Psalm 119:105) Christian meetings provide opportunities for us to encourage one another to remain on “the path of the righteous ones.” (Proverbs 4:18; Hebrews 10:23-25) The strength that we derive from diligent Bible study and wholesome Christian association helps us to avoid being swallowed up in the darkness of these “last days,” which will culminate in the great “day of Jehovah’s anger.” (2 Timothy 3:1; Zephaniah 2:3) That day is coming on apace! It will come as surely as a similar day came upon the inhabitants of ancient Jerusalem. Jehovah ‘Takes Up the Controversy’ 4, 5. (a) In what way does Jehovah come against Jerusalem? (b) Why may we conclude that only a relatively small number will survive the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E.? (See footnote.) 4 In the concluding verses of Isaiah’s thrilling prophecy, Jehovah graphically describes events leading up to the day of his anger. We read: “Jehovah himself comes as a very fire, and his chariots are like a storm wind, in order to pay back his anger with sheer rage and his rebuke with flames of fire. For as fire Jehovah himself will for a fact take up the controversy, yes, with his sword, against all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah will certainly become many.”​—Isaiah 66:15, 16. 5 Those words should help Isaiah’s contemporaries realize the seriousness of their situation. The time is approaching when the Babylonians, as Jehovah’s executioners, will come against Jerusalem, their chariots stirring up clouds of dust just like a storm wind. What a fear-inspiring sight that will be! Jehovah will use the invaders to carry out his own fiery judgments against all unfaithful Jewish “flesh.” It will be as if Jehovah himself were fighting against his people. His “sheer rage” will not be turned back. Many Jews will fall as “the slain of Jehovah.” In 607 B.C.E., this prophecy is fulfilled.a 6. What reprehensible practices take place in Judah? 6 Is Jehovah justified in ‘taking up the controversy’ against his people? Certainly! Many times in our discussion of the book of Isaiah, we have seen that the Jews, though supposedly dedicated to Jehovah, have been steeped in false worship​—and Jehovah has not been blind to their actions. We see this again in the following words of the prophecy: “‘Those sanctifying themselves and cleansing themselves for the gardens behind one in the center, eating the flesh of the pig and the loathsome thing, even the jumping rodent, they will all together reach their end,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 66:17) Are those Jews “sanctifying themselves and cleansing themselves” in order to prepare themselves for pure worship? Clearly not. Rather, they are engaging in pagan purification rites in special gardens. Thereafter, they greedily devour the flesh of the pig and of other creatures considered unclean under the Mosaic Law.​—Leviticus 11:7, 21-23. 7. How does Christendom resemble idolatrous Judah? 7 What a disgusting situation for a nation in a covenant relationship with the only true God! But consider: A comparably disgusting situation exists today among the religions of Christendom. These similarly claim to serve God, and many of their leaders make a pretense of piety. Yet, they sully themselves with pagan teachings and traditions, proving themselves to be in spiritual darkness. How great that darkness is!​—Matthew 6:23; John 3:19, 20. ‘They Will Have to See My Glory’ 8. (a) What will befall both Judah and Christendom? (b) In what sense will the nations ‘see Jehovah’s glory’? 8 Does Jehovah take notice of Christendom’s reprehensible actions and false teachings? Read the following words of Jehovah, as recorded by Isaiah, and see what you conclude: “As regards their works and their thoughts, I am coming in order to collect all the nations and tongues together; and they will have to come and see my glory.” (Isaiah 66:18) Jehovah is aware of and prepared to judge not only the works but also the thoughts of those who profess to be his servants. Judah professes to believe in Jehovah, but her idolatrous works and pagan practices belie that claim. It is to no avail that her citizens “purify” themselves according to pagan rites. The nation will be cut down, and when that occurs, it will be in full view of her idol-worshiping neighbors. These will ‘see Jehovah’s glory’ in that they will witness the events and be forced to admit that Jehovah’s word has come true. How does all of this apply to Christendom? When she meets her end, many of her former friends and business partners will be forced to stand by and watch helplessly as Jehovah’s word is fulfilled.​—Jeremiah 25:31-33; Revelation 17:15-18; 18:9-19. 9. What good news does Jehovah declare? 9 Does Jerusalem’s destruction in 607 B.C.E. mean that Jehovah will no longer have witnesses on earth? No. Outstanding integrity-keepers, such as Daniel and his three companions, will continue to serve Jehovah even as exiles in Babylon. (Daniel 1:6, 7) Yes, the chain of faithful witnesses of Jehovah will remain intact, and at the end of 70 years, faithful men and women will leave Babylon and return to Judah to restore pure worship there. That is what Jehovah alludes to next: “I will set among them a sign, and I will send some of those who are escaped to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, those drawing the bow, Tubal and Javan, the faraway islands, who have not heard a report about me or seen my glory; and they will for certain tell about my glory among the nations.”​—Isaiah 66:19. 10. (a) In what sense will faithful Jews liberated from Babylon serve as a sign? (b) Who today serve as a sign? 10 The host of faithful men and women who return to Jerusalem in 537 B.C.E. will serve as an astonishing sign, evidence that Jehovah has delivered his people. Who would have dreamed that the captive Jews would one day be free to pursue pure worship at Jehovah’s temple? In a comparable way in the first century, the ones serving “as signs and as miracles” were anointed Christians, to whom meek ones wanting to serve Jehovah flocked. (Isaiah 8:18; Hebrews 2:13) Today anointed Christians, prospering in their restored land, serve as an astonishing sign in the earth. (Isaiah 66:8) They are living evidence of the power of Jehovah’s spirit, attracting meek ones whose hearts impel them to serve Jehovah. 11. (a) After the restoration, how will it be that those of the nations come to learn about Jehovah? (b) How was Zechariah 8:23 initially fulfilled? 11 How, though, after the restoration in 537 B.C.E., will men of the nations who have not heard a report about Jehovah come to know him? Well, not all faithful Jews will return to Jerusalem at the end of the Babylonian captivity. Some, like Daniel, will remain in Babylon. Others will scatter to the four corners of the earth. By the fifth century B.C.E., there were Jews living throughout the Persian Empire. (Esther 1:1; 3:8) No doubt some of them told their pagan neighbors about Jehovah, for many from those nations became Jewish proselytes. Such was evidently the case with the Ethiopian eunuch, to whom the Christian disciple Philip preached in the first century. (Acts 8:26-40) All of this took place as an initial fulfillment of the words of the prophet Zechariah: “It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a man who is a Jew, saying: ‘We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.’” (Zechariah 8:23) Indeed, Jehovah sent out light to the nations!​—Psalm 43:3. Bringing “a Gift to Jehovah” 12, 13. In what way will “brothers” be brought to Jerusalem beginning in 537 B.C.E.? 12 After Jerusalem is rebuilt, Jews who are scattered far beyond their homeland will look to the city along with its restored priesthood as the center of pure worship. Many of them will travel long distances to attend the annual festivals there. Under inspiration, Isaiah writes: “‘They will actually bring all your brothers out of all the nations as a gift to Jehovah, on horses and in chariots and in covered wagons and on mules and on swift she-camels, up to my holy mountain, Jerusalem,’ Jehovah has said, ‘just as when the sons of Israel bring the gift in a clean vessel into the house of Jehovah. And from them also I shall take some for the priests, for the Levites.’”​—Isaiah 66:20, 21. 13 Some of those “brothers out of all the nations” were present on the day of Pentecost when holy spirit was poured out on Jesus’ disciples. The account reads: “There were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, reverent men, from every nation of those under heaven.” (Acts 2:5) They came to Jerusalem to worship according to Jewish custom, but when they heard the good news about Jesus Christ, many exercised faith in him and were baptized. 14, 15. (a) How did anointed Christians gather more of their spiritual “brothers” after World War I, and how were these brought to Jehovah as a “gift in a clean vessel”? (b) In what way did Jehovah “take some for the priests”? (c) Who were some anointed Christians involved in the gathering of their spiritual brothers? (See box on this page.) 14 Does this prophecy have a modern-day fulfillment? Yes, indeed. Following World War I, Jehovah’s anointed servants discerned from the Scriptures that God’s Kingdom had been set up in heaven in 1914. Through careful Bible study, they learned that additional Kingdom heirs, or “brothers,” were to be gathered. Intrepid ministers traveled to “the most distant part of the earth,” using all manner of conveyance, in search of prospective members of the anointed remnant, most of whom came out of Christendom’s churches. When these were located, they were brought in as a gift to Jehovah.​—Acts 1:8. 15 The anointed ones who were gathered in the early years did not expect Jehovah to accept them as they were before coming to a knowledge of Bible truth. They took steps to cleanse themselves of spiritual and moral defilements so that they could be presented as a “gift in a clean vessel,” or as stated by the apostle Paul, “a chaste virgin to the Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2) In addition to rejecting doctrinal error, the anointed ones had to learn how to remain strictly neutral in the political affairs of this world. In 1931, when his servants had been cleansed to an appropriate degree, Jehovah graciously granted them the privilege of bearing his name as Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Isaiah 43:10-12) In what way, though, did Jehovah “take some for the priests”? As a group, these anointed ones became part of “a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” offering sacrifices of praise to God.​—1 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 54:1; Hebrews 13:15. The Ingathering Continues 16, 17. Who are “the offspring of you people” after World War I? 16 The full number of that “royal priesthood” is 144,000, and in time, the gathering of them was completed. (Revelation 7:1-8; 14:1) Was that the end of the ingathering work? No. Isaiah’s prophecy continues: “‘Just as the new heavens and the new earth that I am making are standing before me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘so the offspring of you people and the name of you people will keep standing.’” (Isaiah 66:22) In the initial fulfillment of those words, Jews who return from Babylonian captivity will begin raising children. Thus, the restored Jewish remnant, “the new earth,” under the new Jewish administration, “the new heavens,” will become firmly established. However, the prophecy has had a most remarkable fulfillment in our day. 17 “The offspring” that the nation of spiritual brothers produces are the “great crowd,” who have the hope of everlasting life on earth. They come “out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues,” and they stand “before the throne and before the Lamb.” These ones “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-14; 22:17) Today the “great crowd” are turning from spiritual darkness to the light that Jehovah provides. They exercise faith in Jesus Christ, and like their anointed brothers and sisters, they strive to remain spiritually and morally clean. As a group they continue serving under Christ’s direction and will “keep standing” forever!​—Psalm 37:11, 29. 18. (a) How have members of the great crowd conducted themselves like their anointed brothers? (b) How do the anointed and their companions worship Jehovah “from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath”? 18 These hard-working men and women with an earthly hope know that while it is vital to remain morally and spiritually clean, more is involved in pleasing Jehovah. The ingathering work is in full swing, and they want to have a share in it. The book of Revelation prophesies concerning them: “They are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple.” (Revelation 7:15) Those words remind us of the second-to-last verse in Isaiah’s prophecy: “‘It will certainly occur that from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath all flesh will come in to bow down before me,’ Jehovah has said.” (Isaiah 66:23) This is happening today. “From new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath”​—that is, regularly, every week of every month—​anointed Christians and their companions, the great crowd, come together to worship Jehovah. They do this by, among other things, attending Christian meetings and engaging in the public ministry. Are you one of those who regularly ‘come and bow down before Jehovah’? Jehovah’s people find great joy in doing this, and those of the great crowd look forward to the time when “all flesh”​—all living humans—​will serve Jehovah “from new moon to new moon and from sabbath to sabbath” for all eternity. The Final End of God’s Enemies 19, 20. What purpose did Gehenna serve in Bible times, and what does it symbolize? 19 One verse remains in our study of Isaiah’s prophecy. The book concludes with these words: “They will actually go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that were transgressing against me; for the very worms upon them will not die and their fire itself will not be extinguished, and they must become something repulsive to all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:24) Jesus Christ likely had this prophecy in mind when he encouraged his disciples to simplify their lives and put Kingdom interests first. He said: “If your eye makes you stumble, throw it away; it is finer for you to enter one-eyed into the kingdom of God than with two eyes to be pitched into Gehenna, where their maggot does not die and the fire is not put out.”​—Mark 9:47, 48; Matthew 5:29, 30; 6:33. 20 What is this place called Gehenna? Centuries ago, the Jewish scholar David Kimhi wrote: “It is a place . . . adjoining Jerusalem, and it is a loathsome place, and they throw there unclean things and carcasses. Also there was a continual fire there to burn the unclean things and the bones of the carcasses. Hence, the judgment of the wicked ones is called parabolically Gehinnom.” If, as this Jewish scholar suggests, Gehenna was used for the disposal of refuse and carcasses of those deemed unworthy of burial, fire would be a suitable means of eliminating such refuse. What the fire did not consume, the maggots would. What a fitting picture of the final end of all of God’s enemies!b 21. For whom does the book of Isaiah conclude on a positive note, and why? 21 With such a reference to corpses, fire, and worms, is it not true that Isaiah’s thrilling prophecy concludes on a gruesome note? God’s avowed enemies would undoubtedly think so. But to God’s friends, Isaiah’s description of the everlasting destruction of the wicked is most heartening. Jehovah’s people need this assurance that their enemies will never again have the upper hand. Those enemies, who have caused God’s worshipers so much affliction and have brought so much reproach on his name, will be everlastingly destroyed. Then, “distress will not rise up a second time.”​—Nahum 1:9. 22, 23. (a) Explain some of the ways that you have benefited from your study of the book of Isaiah. (b) Having studied the book of Isaiah, what is your resolve, and what is your hope? 22 As we conclude our study of the book of Isaiah, we certainly appreciate that this Bible book is not dead history. On the contrary, it has a message for us today. When we reflect on the dark times in which Isaiah lived, we can see the similarities between that period and our day. Political unrest, religious hypocrisy, judicial corruption, and oppression of the faithful and the poor characterized Isaiah’s time, and it characterizes ours. Faithful Jews in the sixth century B.C.E. must have been grateful for Isaiah’s prophecy, and we today are comforted as we study it. 23 In these critical times when darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the national groups, all of us are deeply grateful that Jehovah, through Isaiah, has provided light for all mankind! That spiritual light means nothing less than everlasting life for all who wholeheartedly accept it, regardless of their national origin or ethnic background. (Acts 10:34, 35) May we, then, keep on walking in the light of God’s Word, reading it daily, meditating upon it, and cherishing its message. This will be to our own eternal blessing and to the praise of Jehovah’s holy name! [Footnotes] a Regarding the situation after Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Jeremiah 52:15 speaks of “some of the lowly ones of the people and the rest of the people that were left remaining in the city.” Commenting on this, Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1, page 415, states: “The expression ‘that were left remaining in the city’ apparently indicates that great numbers had died from famine, disease, or fire, or else they were slaughtered in the war.” b Since dead carcasses, not live people, are consumed in Gehenna, this place is not symbolic of eternal torment. [Box on page 409] Anointed Gifts for Jehovah From All Nations In 1920, Juan Muñiz left the United States for Spain and then journeyed on to Argentina, where he organized congregations of anointed ones. From 1923 on, the light of truth shone on honesthearted ones in West Africa when missionary William R. Brown (often called Bible Brown) set out to preach the Kingdom message in such places as Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia, and Nigeria. That same year Canadian George Young went down to Brazil and then traveled on to Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, and even the Soviet Union. At about the same time, Edwin Skinner sailed from England to India, where he labored for many years in the harvest work. [Picture on page 411] Some Jews at Pentecost were ‘brothers brought out of all the nations’ [Full-page picture on page 413]

What Will God Do?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2019008

What Will God Do? If you were in difficulty, you would no doubt expect a good friend to do something to help you. With that in mind, some say that God is not a friend because they feel God is not doing anything in their behalf. In reality, not only has God already done many things for our benefit but he will also take action to deal with all the problems and suffering we face today. What will God do? END ALL WICKEDNESS God will end all wickedness by eliminating its source. The Bible identifies what that source is when it says: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) That “wicked one” is none other than the one Jesus called “the ruler of this world,” Satan the Devil. (John 12:31) Satan’s influence on the world of mankind is the root cause of the distressing conditions on earth. What will God do? Jehovah God will soon take action through his Son, Jesus Christ, to “bring to nothing the one having the means to cause death, that is, the Devil.” (Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8) In fact, the Bible shows that the Devil himself knows that “he has a short period of time” before his destruction. (Revelation 12:12) God will also do away with all who cause wickedness.​—Psalm 37:9; Proverbs 2:22. MAKE THE EARTH A PARADISE After eliminating all wickedness from the earth, our Creator will take action to fulfill his eternal purpose regarding mankind and the earth. What can we look forward to? Lasting peace and security. “The meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”​—Psalm 37:11. Ample and wholesome food. “There will be an abundance of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains it will overflow.”​—Psalm 72:16. Suitable homes and satisfying work. “They will build houses and live in them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. . . . The work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.”​—Isaiah 65:21, 22. Do you long to see such conditions? They will soon be an everyday experience for all. ERADICATE SICKNESS AND DEATH Everyone is subject to sickness and death today, but that will not be the case much longer. God will soon apply the benefits of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice so that “everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) What will be the result? Sickness will be eradicated. “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’ The people dwelling in the land will be pardoned for their error.”​—Isaiah 33:24. Death will no longer plague mankind. “He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.”​—Isaiah 25:8. People will live forever. “The gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.”​—Romans 6:23. Those who have died will be brought back. “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) They will benefit from God’s gift of the ransom. How will God accomplish all of this? ESTABLISH A PERFECT GOVERNMENT God will accomplish his purpose for mankind and the earth by means of a heavenly government, with Christ Jesus as the appointed Ruler. (Psalm 110:1, 2) It is the government, or kingdom, that Jesus taught his followers to pray for in these words: “Our Father in the heavens, . . . let your Kingdom come.”​—Matthew 6:9, 10. God’s Kingdom will exercise authority over the earth and eliminate all woes and suffering from its realm. This Kingdom is the best government mankind could ever have! That is why Jesus exerted himself to declare “the good news of the Kingdom” during his earthly ministry and told his disciples to do the same.​—Matthew 4:23; 24:14. Out of his great love for his human creation, Jehovah God has promised to do all these wonderful things for them. Does that not make you want to know him and draw close to him? What will your choosing to do so mean for you? The next article will explain. WHAT WILL GOD DO? God will eliminate sickness and death, unite mankind under his Kingdom government, and make the earth a paradise WHAT IS GOD’S KINGDOM? It is a heavenly government by God that will accomplish his will.​—Genesis 1:28; Matthew 6:9, 10. It is ruled by a divinely appointed King with all authority in heaven and on earth.​—Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:2-4; Matthew 28:18. It is governed by Jesus’ teachings based on God’s laws.​—Matthew 22:37-39; James 2:8. It is already in operation, with millions of people making known the “good news of the Kingdom” worldwide.​—Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20.a a For more information about the Kingdom and its rule, see lessons 32 and 33 of the book Enjoy Life Forever! published by Jehovah’s Witnesses and available online at www.jw.org.

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK How Can I Deal With Depression?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502017124

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK How Can I Deal With Depression? Good coping strategies can make you feel a lot better! What would you do? What if it’s a medical problem? Recovery action plan Bible passages that can help What would you do? Consider the following scenarios: Nothing makes Jennifer happy anymore. For no apparent reason, she cries uncontrollably every day. She avoids people and barely eats. It is difficult for her to sleep or concentrate. Jennifer wonders: ‘What is happening to me? Will I ever be myself again?’ Mark used to be a model student. But now he hates school, and his grades are plummeting. Mark has no energy for the sports he once enjoyed. His friends are confused. His parents are worried. Is this just a phase​—or something more? Do you often feel like Jennifer or Mark? If so, what can you do? You could try these two options: Try to cope on your own Talk to a trusted adult Option A may be tempting, especially when you don’t feel like talking. But is it the smarter choice? The Bible says: “Two are better than one . . . for if one of them falls, the other can help his partner up. But what will happen to the one who falls with no one to help him up?”​—Ecclesiastes 4:​9, 10. To illustrate: Suppose you were lost in a high-crime neighborhood. It’s dark, and strangers lurk around every corner. What would you do? You could try to find a way out by yourself. But wouldn’t it be wiser to ask someone you could trust for help? Feelings of depression are much like that dangerous neighborhood. True, a temporary bout of the blues may pass on its own. But if depressed feelings are prolonged, it’s best to get help. BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Whoever isolates himself . . . rejects all practical wisdom.”​—Proverbs 18:1. The advantage of option B​—talking to a parent or another trusted adult​—is that you can benefit from the experience of someone who has managed difficult emotions. You might say: ‘But my parents don’t have a clue what it’s like to feel this way!’ Yet, do you know that for sure? Even if the situations they faced as teens were different from those you face, their feelings may have been the same. And they may know a way out! BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Is not wisdom found among the aged, and does not understanding come with a long life?”​—Job 12:12. The point: If you confide in a parent or another trusted adult, you are likely to obtain advice that works. Going through depression is like being lost in a dangerous neighborhood. To find the way out, get help What if it’s a medical problem? If you feel depressed every day, you might have a medical condition that needs to be treated, such as clinical (or, major) depression. In adolescents, the symptoms of clinical depression can feel a lot like common teenage moodiness, but they are likely to be more intense and persistent. So if your sadness is severe and ongoing, why not talk to your parents about getting a medical checkup? BIBLE PRINCIPLE: “Healthy people do not need a physician, but those who are ill do.”​—Matthew 9:​12. If you are diagnosed with major depression, there’s no reason to feel ashamed. Depression in young people is common, and it is treatable! Your true friends will not think less of you. Tip: Be patient. Recovery from depression takes time, and you can expect to have both good and bad days.a Recovery action plan Regardless of whether you need medical treatment, there are things you can do to deal with persistent sadness. For example, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and getting the right amount of sleep can help stabilize your emotions. (Ecclesiastes 4:6; 1 Timothy 4:8, footnote) You may also find it helpful to keep a journal where you can record your feelings, goals for healing, setbacks, and successes. Whether you are suffering from clinical depression or are just passing through an emotionally difficult time, remember this: By accepting the help of others and taking personal steps toward healing, you can deal with depression. Bible passages that can help “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”​—Psalm 34:18. “Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.”​—Psalm 55:22. “I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’”​—Isaiah 41:13. “Never be anxious about the next day.”​—Matthew 6:​34. “Let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts.”​—Philippians 4:​6, 7. a If you have thoughts of taking your life, seek help from a trusted adult immediately. For more information, see the four-part series “Why Go On?” in the April 2014 issue of Awake!

COVER SUBJECT A Unique Web Site

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102014002

COVER SUBJECT A Unique Web Site READ the Bible in about 50 languages and Bible-based output in more than 500 languages. VIEW output in nearly 70 sign languages. NAVIGATE the site in hundreds of languages. LISTEN to audio dramas depicting exciting events in the Bible. SEE Bible events come to life in the form of illustrated stories. WATCH Bible dramas and videos that will help you to face life’s challenges. DOWNLOAD e-books, magazine articles, and audio files, every one of them free. RESEARCH a variety of topics using Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY​—the gateway to a wealth of information, available in over 100 languages. FOR COUPLES “I want my family to succeed. My wife and I have gone through a rough patch lately, especially since we had children. We could use some help” THE BIBLE SAYS: “By wisdom a house is built up, and by discernment it is made secure.”​—Proverbs 24:3. USEFUL FEATURES OF THE WEB SITE The “Couples & Parents” section can help you to meet challenges such as these: Surviving the first year of marriage Dealing with in-laws Disciplining children Arguing Dealing with money problems (Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > COUPLES & PARENTS) The Secret of Family Happiness is a book that covers a wide range of family topics, from preparing for marriage while you are single to caring for elderly parents. (Look under PUBLICATIONS > BOOKS & BROCHURES) FOR PARENTS “Nothing is more important to me than my children. I want them to grow up to be adults I can be proud of” THE BIBLE SAYS: “Train a boy in the way he should go; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.”​—Proverbs 22:6. USEFUL FEATURES OF THE WEB SITE The “Children” section contains illustrated Bible stories, picture activities, videos, and Bible lessons that can help you teach your children to . . . be obedient show kindness get along with each other learn to say “thank you” (Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > CHILDREN) My Book of Bible Stories and Learn From the Great Teacher are beautifully illustrated books designed for you to read with your children. (Look under PUBLICATIONS > BOOKS & BROCHURES) FOR TEENAGERS “I’d like some tips for dealing with issues like school, my parents, my friends, and the opposite sex. I’m not a child anymore, so I don’t want to be lectured” THE BIBLE SAYS: “Let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.”​—Ecclesiastes 11:9. USEFUL FEATURES OF THE WEB SITE The “Teenagers” section has articles and videos that can help you . . . if you are lonely if you have problems at school if you have broken a house rule if you are being bullied or sexually harassed (Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > TEENAGERS) Volumes 1 and 2 of Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work tackle 77 important frequently asked questions. (Look under PUBLICATIONS > BOOKS & BROCHURES) FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE BIBLE “I’d like to understand the Bible. Where can I start?” THE BIBLE SAYS: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching.”​—2 Timothy 3:16. USEFUL FEATURES OF THE WEB SITE The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is an accurate and easy-to-read translation of the Bible. (Look under PUBLICATIONS > BIBLE) The “Bible Questions Answered” section gives pointed answers to questions ranging from “Why did God allow the Holocaust to happen?” to “When was Jesus born?” (Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED) The “Request a Free Bible Study” page lets you take advantage of our free Bible study course. (Click on the “Request a Bible Study” instruction on the home page) “I gave up reading the Bible because I couldn’t understand it. But when I studied it using the book ‘What Does the Bible Really Teach?’ I was amazed at how simple and clear the Bible is.”​—Christina. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES? The “Frequently Asked Questions” section answers common questions about Jehovah’s Witnesses, such as “Why do you call on people who already have a religion?” and “How is your work financed?” (Look under ABOUT US > FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS) Each day, some 700,000 people visit jw.org. Why not join them?

Young People Ask, Volume 1 (yp1) 2011

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp1

outputs SECTION 1DEALING WITH FAMILY 7 1 How Can I Talk to My Parents? 14 2 Why Are We Always Arguing? 21 3 How Can I Earn More Freedom? 28 4 Why Did Dad and Mom Split Up? 34 5 How Can I Deal With My Parent’s Remarriage? 40 6 How Can I Get Along With My Siblings? 49 7 Am I Ready to Leave Home? SECTION 2YOUR IDENTITY 57 8 How Can I Make Good Friends? 64 9 How Can I Resist Temptation? 71 10 Why Should I Care About My Health? 77 11 What Can I Wear? 85 12 How Can I Boost My Self-Confidence? 91 13 How Can I Stop Being So Sad? 98 14 Why Not Just End It All? 105 15 Is It Wrong to Want Some Privacy? 111 16 Is It Normal to Grieve the Way I Do? SECTION 3IN AND OUT OF CLASS 121 17 Why Am I Afraid to Share My Faith at School? 128 18 How Can I Cope With Stress at School? 134 19 Should I Quit School? 142 20 How Can I Get Along With My Teacher? 150 21 How Can I Manage My Time? 156 22 Caught Between Cultures​—What Can I Do? SECTION 4SEX, MORALS, AND LOVE 165 23 How Can I Explain the Bible’s View of Homosexuality? 172 24 Will Sex Improve Our Relationship? 178 25 How Can I Conquer the Habit of Masturbation? 183 26 What About Casual Sex? 188 27 Why Don’t Boys Like Me? 195 28 Why Don’t Girls Like Me? 203 29 How Do I Know if It’s Real Love? 212 30 Are We Really Ready for Marriage? 221 31 How Can I Get Over a Breakup? 228 32 How Can I Protect Myself From Sexual Predators? SECTION 5SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR 237 33 What Should I Know About Smoking? 246 34 What’s Wrong With Binge Drinking? 252 35 How Can I Break Free From Drugs? SECTION 6YOUR FREE TIME 259 36 Am I Addicted to Electronic Media? 265 37 Why Won’t My Parents Let Me Have Fun? SECTION 7YOUR WORSHIP 273 38 How Can I Make Worship of God Enjoyable? 282 39 How Can I Reach My Goals? 289 Appendix: Questions Parents Ask

Introduction

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102023003

Introduction You do not need to be a scientist to know that something is disastrously wrong with our planet. Our fresh water, our oceans, our forests, and even our air are gravely damaged. Will our planet survive? Learn why you can have reasons for hope.

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK What if My Friend Hurts Me?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502018110

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK What if My Friend Hurts Me? What you should know What you can do What your peers say What you should know No human relationship is problem free. Being imperfect, your good friend​—even someone you consider to be your best friend​—might do or say something that hurts you. Of course, you too are imperfect. So in all fairness, can you not recall a time when you hurt someone else?​—James 3:2. The Internet can make it easier to get hurt. For example, a teenager named David says: “When you’re online and you see pictures of your friend at a gathering, you might start to wonder why you weren’t invited. And then you can start to feel betrayed and sad.” You can learn to address the problem. What you can do Examine yourself. The Bible says: “Do not be quick to take offense, for the taking of offense is the mark of a fool.”​—Ecclesiastes 7:9, footnote. “Sometimes you later realize that what you’re upset about isn’t really a big deal.”​—Alyssa. To think about: Do you tend to be oversensitive? Can you learn to be more tolerant of others’ imperfections?​—Ecclesiastes 7:​21, 22. Consider the benefits of forgiveness. The Bible says: “It is beauty . . . to overlook an offense.”​—Proverbs 19:11. “Even if you have a cause for complaint, it’s good to forgive freely, and that means not continuing to hold it over the person’s head and making him or her apologize each time you bring it up. Once you forgive, be done with it.”​—Mallory. To think about: Is the situation really that important? Can you forgive for the sake of peace?​—Colossians 3:​13. Constantly bringing up every problem in a friendship is like repeatedly opening the door and letting cold air into a heated room Consider the other person. The Bible says: “Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”​—Philippians 2:4. “When love and respect are present in a friendship, you have a strong reason to resolve problems quickly because you are invested in this friendship. You have already put effort into it, and you don’t want to lose it.”​—Nicole. To think about: Can you find at least some merit in the other person’s point of view?​—Philippians 2:3. The bottom line: Knowing how to deal with hurt feelings is a skill that will serve you well in adulthood. Why not learn that skill now? What your peers say “Not every issue needs to be formally addressed. If I can resolve it in my mind and let it go, I do so. That can keep the peace, more so than bringing up every little offense.”​—Kiana. “In each situation, I ask myself, ‘Is this issue so big that it’s worth potentially losing a friend?’ In nearly every case, the answer is no.”​—Treigh.

Reasoning (rs) 1989

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs

Trinity Definition: The central doctrine of religions of Christendom. According to the Athanasian Creed, there are three divine Persons (the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost), each said to be eternal, each said to be almighty, none greater or less than another, each said to be God, and yet together being but one God. Other statements of the dogma emphasize that these three “Persons” are not separate and distinct individuals but are three modes in which the divine essence exists. Thus some Trinitarians emphasize their belief that Jesus Christ is God, or that Jesus and the Holy Ghost are Jehovah. Not a Bible teaching. What is the origin of the Trinity doctrine? The New Encyclopædia Britannica says: “Neither the word Trinity, nor the explicit doctrine as such, appears in the New Testament, nor did Jesus and his followers intend to contradict the Shema in the Old Testament: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord’ (Deut. 6:4). . . . The doctrine developed gradually over several centuries and through many controversies. . . . By the end of the 4th century . . . the doctrine of the Trinity took substantially the form it has maintained ever since.”—(1976), Micropædia, Vol. X, p. 126. The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “The formulation ‘one God in three Persons’ was not solidly established, certainly not fully assimilated into Christian life and its profession of faith, prior to the end of the 4th century. But it is precisely this formulation that has first claim to the input the Trinitarian dogma. Among the Apostolic Fathers, there had been nothing even remotely approaching such a mentality or perspective.”—(1967), Vol. XIV, p. 299. In The Encyclopedia Americana we read: “Christianity derived from Judaism and Judaism was strictly Unitarian [believing that God is one person]. The road which led from Jerusalem to Nicea was scarcely a straight one. Fourth century Trinitarianism did not reflect accurately early Christian teaching regarding the nature of God; it was, on the contrary, a deviation from this teaching.”—(1956), Vol. XXVII, p. 294L. According to the Nouveau Dictionnaire Universel, “The Platonic trinity, itself merely a rearrangement of older trinities dating back to earlier peoples, appears to be the rational philosophic trinity of attributes that gave birth to the three hypostases or divine persons taught by the Christian churches. . . . This Greek philosopher’s [Plato, fourth century B.C.E.] conception of the divine trinity . . . can be found in all the ancient [pagan] religions.”—(Paris, 1865-1870), edited by M. Lachâtre, Vol. 2, p. 1467. John L. McKenzie, S.J., in his Dictionary of the Bible, says: “The trinity of persons within the unity of nature is defined in terms of ‘person’ and ‘nature’ which are G[ree]k philosophical terms; actually the terms do not appear in the Bible. The trinitarian definitions arose as the result of long controversies in which these terms and others such as ‘essence’ and ‘substance’ were erroneously applied to God by some theologians.”—(New York, 1965), p. 899. Even though, as Trinitarians acknowledge, neither the word “Trinity” nor a statement of the Trinitarian dogma is found in the Bible, are the concepts that are embodied in that dogma found there? Does the Bible teach that the “Holy Spirit” is a person? Some individual texts that refer to the holy spirit (“Holy Ghost,” KJ) might seem to indicate personality. For example, the holy spirit is referred to as a helper (Greek, pa·raʹkle·tos; “Comforter,” KJ; “Advocate,” JB, NE) that ‘teaches,’ ‘bears witness,’ ‘speaks’ and ‘hears.’ (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26; 16:13) But other texts say that people were “filled” with holy spirit, that some were ‘baptized’ with it or “anointed” with it. (Luke 1:41; Matt. 3:11; Acts 10:38) These latter references to holy spirit definitely do not fit a person. To understand what the Bible as a whole teaches, all these texts must be considered. What is the reasonable conclusion? That the first texts cited here employ a figure of speech personifying God’s holy spirit, his active force, as the Bible also personifies wisdom, sin, death, water, and blood. (See also pages 380, 381, under the heading “Spirit.”) The Holy Scriptures tell us the personal name of the Father—Jehovah. They inform us that the Son is Jesus Christ. But nowhere in the Scriptures is a personal name applied to the holy spirit. Acts 7:55, 56 reports that Stephen was given a vision of heaven in which he saw “Jesus standing at God’s right hand.” But he made no mention of seeing the holy spirit. (See also Revelation 7:10; 22:1, 3.) The New Catholic Encyclopedia admits: “The majority of N[ew] T[estament] texts reveal God’s spirit as something, not someone; this is especially seen in the parallelism between the spirit and the power of God.” (1967, Vol. XIII, p. 575) It also reports: “The Apologists [Greek Christian writers of the second century] spoke too haltingly of the Spirit; with a measure of anticipation, one might say too impersonally.”—Vol. XIV, p. 296. Does the Bible agree with those who teach that the Father and the Son are not separate and distinct individuals? Matt. 26:39, RS: “Going a little farther he [Jesus Christ] fell on his face and prayed, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.’” (If the Father and the Son were not distinct individuals, such a prayer would have been meaningless. Jesus would have been praying to himself, and his will would of necessity have been the Father’s will.) John 8:17, 18, RS: “[Jesus answered the Jewish Pharisees:] In your law it is written that the testimony of two men is true; I bear witness to myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness to me.” (So, Jesus definitely spoke of himself as being an individual separate and distinct from the Father.) See also pages 197, 198, under “Jehovah.” Does the Bible teach that all who are said to be part of the Trinity are eternal, none having a beginning? Col. 1:15, 16, RS: “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth.” In what sense is Jesus Christ “the first-born of all creation”? (1) Trinitarians say that “first-born” here means prime, most excellent, most distinguished; thus Christ would be understood to be, not part of creation, but the most distinguished in relation to those who were created. If that is so, and if the Trinity doctrine is true, why are the Father and the holy spirit not also said to be the firstborn of all creation? But the Bible applies this expression only to the Son. According to the customary meaning of “firstborn,” it indicates that Jesus is the eldest in Jehovah’s family of sons. (2) Before Colossians 1:15, the expression “the firstborn of” occurs upwards of 30 times in the Bible, and in each instance that it is applied to living creatures the same meaning applies—the firstborn is part of the group. “The firstborn of Israel” is one of the sons of Israel; “the firstborn of Pharaoh” is one of Pharaoh’s family; “the firstborn of beast” are themselves animals. What, then, causes some to ascribe a different meaning to it at Colossians 1:15? Is it Bible usage or is it a belief to which they already hold and for which they seek proof? (3) Does Colossians 1:16, 17 (RS) exclude Jesus from having been created, when it says “in him all things were created . . . all things were created through him and for him”? The Greek word here rendered “all things” is panʹta, an inflected form of pas. At Luke 13:2, RS renders this “all . . . other”; JB reads “any other”; NE says “anyone else.” (See also Luke 21:29 in NE and Philippians 2:21 in JB.) In harmony with everything else that the Bible says regarding the Son, NW assigns the same meaning to panʹta at Colossians 1:16, 17 so that it reads, in part, “by means of him all other things were created . . . All other things have been created through him and for him.” Thus he is shown to be a created being, part of the creation produced by God. Rev. 1:1; 3:14, RS: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him . . . ‘And to the angel of the church in La-odicea write: “The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning [Greek, ar·kheʹ] of God’s creation.”’” (KJ, Dy, CC, and NW, as well as others, read similarly.) Is that rendering correct? Some take the view that what is meant is that the Son was ‘the beginner of God’s creation,’ that he was its ‘ultimate source.’ But Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon lists “beginning” as its first meaning of ar·kheʹ. (Oxford, 1968, p. 252) The logical conclusion is that the one being quoted at Revelation 3:14 is a creation, the first of God’s creations, that he had a beginning. Compare Proverbs 8:22, where, as many Bible commentators agree, the Son is referred to as wisdom personified. According to RS, NE, and JB, the one there speaking is said to be “created.”) Prophetically, with reference to the Messiah, Micah 5:2 (KJ) says his “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Dy reads: “his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity.” Does that make him the same as God? It is noteworthy that, instead of saying “days of eternity,” RS renders the Hebrew as “ancient days”; JB, “days of old”; NW, “days of time indefinite.” Viewed in the light of Revelation 3:14, discussed above, Micah 5:2 does not prove that Jesus was without a beginning. Does the Bible teach that none of those who are said to be included in the Trinity is greater or less than another, that all are equal, that all are almighty? Mark 13:32, RS: “Of that day or that hour no ones knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Of course, that would not be the case if Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were coequal, comprising one Godhead. And if, as some suggest, the Son was limited by his human nature from knowing, the question remains, Why did the Holy Spirit not know?) Matt. 20:20-23, RS: “The mother of the sons of Zebedee . . . said to him [Jesus], ‘Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, . . . ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’” (How strange, if, as claimed, Jesus is God! Was Jesus here merely answering according to his “human nature”? If, as Trinitarians say, Jesus was truly “God-man”—both God and man, not one or the other—would it truly be consistent to resort to such an explanation? Does not Matthew 20:23 rather show that the Son is not equal to the Father, that the Father has reserved some prerogatives for himself?) Matt. 12:31, 32, RS: “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (If the Holy Spirit were a person and were God, this text would flatly contradict the Trinity doctrine, because it would mean that in some way the Holy Spirit was greater than the Son. Instead, what Jesus said shows that the Father, to whom the “Spirit” belonged, is greater than Jesus, the Son of man.) John 14:28, RS: “[Jesus said:] If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I.” 1 Cor. 11:3, RS: “I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” (Clearly, then, Christ is not God, and God is of superior rank to Christ. It should be noted that this was written about 55 C.E., some 22 years after Jesus returned to heaven. So the truth here stated applies to the relationship between God and Christ in heaven.) 1 Cor. 15:27, 28 RS: “‘God has put all things in subjection under his [Jesus’] feet.’ But when it says, ‘All things are put in subjection under him,’ it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one.” The Hebrew word Shad·daiʹ and the Greek word Pan·to·kraʹtor are both translated “Almighty.” Both original-language words are repeatedly applied to Jehovah, the Father. (Ex. 6:3; Rev. 19:6) Neither expression is ever applied to either the Son or the holy spirit. Does the Bible teach that each of those said to be part of the Trinity is God? Jesus said in prayer: “Father, . . . this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:1-3, RS; italics added.) (Most translations here use the expression “the only true God” with reference to the Father. NE reads “who alone art truly God.” He cannot be “the only true God,” the one “who alone [is] truly God,” if there are two others who are God to the same degree as he is, can he? Any others referred to as “gods” must be either false or merely a reflection of the true God.) 1 Cor. 8:5, 6, RS: “Although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” (This presents the Father as the “one God” of Christians and as being in a class distinct from Jesus Christ.) 1 Pet. 1:3, RS: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Repeatedly, even following Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the Scriptures refer to the Father as “the God” of Jesus Christ. At John 20:17, following Jesus’ resurrection, he himself spoke of the Father as “my God.” Later, when in heaven, as recorded at Revelation 3:12, he again used the same expression. But never in the Bible is the Father reported to refer to the Son as “my God,” nor does either the Father or the Son refer to the holy spirit as “my God.”) For comments on scriptures used by some in an effort to prove that Christ is God, see pages 212-216, under the heading “Jesus Christ.” In Theological Investigations, Karl Rahner, S.J., admits: “Θεός [God] is still never used of the Spirit,” and: “ὁ θεός [literally, the God] is never used in the New Testament to speak of the πνεῦμα ἅγιον [holy spirit].”—(Baltimore, Md.; 1961), translated from German, Vol. I, pp. 138, 143. Do any of the scriptures that are used by Trinitarians to support their belief provide a solid basis for that dogma? A person who is really seeking to know the truth about God is not going to search the Bible hoping to find a text that he can construe as fitting what he already believes. He wants to know what God’s Word itself says. He may find some texts that he feels can be read in more than one way, but when these are compared with other Biblical statements on the same subject their meaning will become clear. It should be noted at the outset that most of the texts used as “proof” of the Trinity actually mention only two persons, not three; so even if the Trinitarian explanation of the texts were correct, these would not prove that the Bible teaches the Trinity. Consider the following: (Unless otherwise indicated, all the texts quoted in the following section are from RS.) Texts in which a input that belongs to Jehovah is applied to Jesus Christ or is claimed to apply to Jesus Alpha and Omega: To whom does this input properly belong? (1) At Revelation 1:8, its owner is said to be God, the Almighty. In verse 11 according to KJ, that input is applied to one whose description thereafter shows him to be Jesus Christ. But scholars recognize the reference to Alpha and Omega in verse 11 to be spurious, and so it does not appear in RS, NE, JB, NAB, Dy. (2) Many translations of Revelation into Hebrew recognize that the one described in verse 8 is Jehovah, and so they restore the personal name of God there. See NW, 1984 Reference edition. (3) Revelation 21:6, 7 indicates that Christians who are spiritual conquerors are to be ‘sons’ of the one known as the Alpha and the Omega. That is never said of the relationship of spirit-anointed Christians to Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke of them as his ‘brothers.’ (Heb. 2:11; Matt. 12:50; 25:40) But those ‘brothers’ of Jesus are referred to as “sons of God.” (Gal. 3:26; 4:6) (4) At Revelation 22:12, TEV inserts the name Jesus, so the reference to Alpha and Omega in verse 13 is made to appear to apply to him. But the name Jesus does not appear there in Greek, and other translations do not include it. (5) At Revelation 22:13, the Alpha and Omega is also said to be “the first and the last,” which expression is applied to Jesus at Revelation 1:17, 18. Similarly, the expression “apostle” is applied both to Jesus Christ and to certain ones of his followers. But that does not prove that they are the same person or are of equal rank, does it? (Heb. 3:1) So the evidence points to the conclusion that the input “Alpha and Omega” applies to Almighty God, the Father, not to the Son. Savior: Repeatedly the Scriptures refer to God as Savior. At Isaiah 43:11 God even says: “Besides me there is no savior.” Since Jesus is also referred to as Savior, are God and Jesus the same? Not at all. Titus 1:3, 4 speaks of “God our Savior,” and then of both “God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” So, both persons are saviors. Jude 25 shows the relationship, saying: “God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Italics added.) (See also Acts 13:23.) At Judges 3:9, the same Hebrew word (moh·shiʹa‛, rendered “savior” or “deliverer”) that is used at Isaiah 43:11 is applied to Othniel, a judge in Israel, but that certainly did not make Othniel Jehovah, did it? A reading of Isaiah 43:1-12 shows that verse 11 means that Jehovah alone was the One who provided salvation, or deliverance, for Israel; that salvation did not come from any of the gods of the surrounding nations. God: At Isaiah 43:10 Jehovah says: “Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.” Does this mean that, because Jesus Christ is prophetically called “Mighty God” at Isaiah 9:6, Jesus must be Jehovah? Again, the context answers, No! None of the idolatrous Gentile nations formed a god before Jehovah, because no one existed before Jehovah. Nor would they at a future time form any real, live god that was able to prophesy. (Isa. 46:9, 10) But that does not mean that Jehovah never caused to exist anyone who is properly referred to as a god. (Ps. 82:1, 6; John 1:1, NW) At Isaiah 10:21 Jehovah is referred to as “mighty God,” just as Jesus is in Isaiah 9:6; but only Jehovah is ever called “God Almighty.”—Gen. 17:1. If a certain input or descriptive phrase is found in more than one location in the Scriptures, it should never hastily be concluded that it must always refer to the same person. Such reasoning would lead to the conclusion that Nebuchadnezzar was Jesus Christ, because both were called “king of kings” (Dan. 2:37; Rev. 17:14); and that Jesus’ disciples were actually Jesus Christ, because both were called “the light of the world.” (Matt. 5:14; John 8:12) We should always consider the context and any other instances in the Bible where the same expression occurs. Application to Jesus Christ by inspired Bible writers of passages from the Hebrew Scriptures that clearly apply to Jehovah Why does John 1:23 quote Isaiah 40:3 and apply it to what John the Baptizer did in preparing the way for Jesus Christ, when Isaiah 40:3 is clearly discussing preparing the way before Jehovah? Because Jesus represented his Father. He came in his Father’s name and had the assurance that his Father was always with him because he did the things pleasing to his Father.—John 5:43; 8:29. Why does Hebrews 1:10-12 quote Psalm 102:25-27 and apply it to the Son, when the psalm says that it is addressed to God? Because the Son is the one through whom God performed the creative works there described by the psalmist. (See Colossians 1:15, 16; Proverbs 8:22, 27-30.) It should be observed in Hebrews 1:5b that a quotation is made from 2 Samuel 7:14 and applied to the Son of God. Although that text had its first application to Solomon, the later application of it to Jesus Christ does not mean that Solomon and Jesus are the same. Jesus is “greater than Solomon” and carries out a work foreshadowed by Solomon.—Luke 11:31. Scriptures that mention together the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 are instances of this. Neither of these texts says that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are coequal or coeternal or that all are God. The Scriptural evidence already presented on pages 408-412 argues against reading such thoughts into the texts. McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, though advocating the Trinity doctrine, acknowledges regarding Matthew 28:18-20: “This text, however, taken by itself, would not prove decisively either the personality of the three subjects mentioned, or their equality or divinity.” (1981 reprint, Vol. X, p. 552) Regarding other texts that also mention the three together, this Cyclopedia admits that, taken by themselves, they are “insufficient” to prove the Trinity. (Compare 1 Timothy 5:21, where God and Christ and the angels are mentioned together.) Texts in which the plural form of nouns is applied to God in the Hebrew Scriptures At Genesis 1:1 the input “God” is translated from ’Elo·himʹ, which is plural in Hebrew. Trinitarians construe this to be an indication of the Trinity. They also explain Deuteronomy 6:4 to imply the unity of members of the Trinity when it says, “The LORD our God [from ’Elo·himʹ] is one LORD.” The plural form of the noun here in Hebrew is the plural of majesty or excellence. (See NAB, St. Joseph Edition, Bible Dictionary, p. 330; also, New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. V, p. 287.) It conveys no thought of plurality of persons within a godhead. In similar fashion, at Judges 16:23 when reference is made to the false god Dagon, a form of the input ’elo·himʹ is used; the accompanying verb is singular, showing that reference is to just the one god. At Genesis 42:30, Joseph is spoken of as the “lord” (’adho·nehʹ, the plural of excellence) of Egypt. The Greek language does not have a ‘plural of majesty or excellence.’ So, at Genesis 1:1 the translators of LXX used ho The·osʹ (God, singular) as the equivalent of ’Elo·himʹ. At Mark 12:29, where a reply of Jesus is reproduced in which he quoted Deuteronomy 6:4, the Greek singular ho The·osʹ is similarly used. At Deuteronomy 6:4, the Hebrew text contains the Tetragrammaton twice, and so should more properly read: “Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.” (NW) The nation of Israel, to whom that was stated, did not believe in the Trinity. The Babylonians and the Egyptians worshiped triads of gods, but it was made clear to Israel that Jehovah is different. Texts from which a person might draw more than one conclusion, depending on the Bible translation used If a passage can grammatically be translated in more than one way, what is the correct rendering? One that is in agreement with the rest of the Bible. If a person ignores other portions of the Bible and builds his belief around a favorite rendering of a particular verse, then what he believes really reflects, not the Word of God, but his own ideas and perhaps those of another imperfect human. John 1:1, 2: RS reads: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” (KJ, Dy, JB, NAB use similar wording.) However, NW reads: “In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god. This one was in the beginning with God.” Which translation of John 1:1, 2 agrees with the context? John 1:18 says: “No one has ever seen God.” Verse 14 clearly says that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us . . . we have beheld his glory.” Also, verses 1, 2 say that in the beginning he was “with God.” Can one be with someone and at the same time be that person? At John 17:3, Jesus addresses the Father as “the only true God”; so, Jesus as “a god” merely reflects his Father’s divine qualities.—Heb. 1:3. Is the rendering “a god” consistent with the rules of Greek grammar? Some reference books argue strongly that the Greek text must be translated, “The Word was God.” But not all agree. In his article “Qualitative Anarthrous Predicate Nouns: Mark 15:39 and John 1:1,” Philip B. Harner said that such clauses as the one in John 1:1, “with an anarthrous predicate preceding the verb, are primarily qualitative in meaning. They indicate that the logos has the nature of theos.” He suggests: “Perhaps the clause could be translated, ‘the Word had the same nature as God.’” (Journal of Biblical Literature, 1973, pp. 85, 87) Thus, in this text, the fact that the word the·osʹ in its second occurrence is without the definite article (ho) and is placed before the verb in the sentence in Greek is significant. Interestingly, translators that insist on rendering John 1:1, “The Word was God,” do not hesitate to use the indefinite article (a, an) in their rendering of other passages where a singular anarthrous predicate noun occurs before the verb. Thus at John 6:70, JB and KJ both refer to Judas Iscariot as “a devil,” and at John 9:17 they describe Jesus as “a prophet.” John J. McKenzie, S.J., in his Dictionary of the Bible, says: “Jn 1:1 should rigorously be translated ‘the word was with the God [= the Father], and the word was a divine being.’”—(Brackets are his. Published with nihil obstat and imprimatur.) (New York, 1965), p. 317. In harmony with the above, AT reads: “the Word was divine”; Mo, “the Logos was divine”; NTIV, “the word was a god.” In his German translation Ludwig Thimme expresses it in this way: “God of a sort the Word was.” Referring to the Word (who became Jesus Christ) as “a god” is consistent with the use of that term in the rest of the Scriptures. For example, at Psalm 82:1-6 human judges in Israel were referred to as “gods” (Hebrew, ’elo·himʹ; Greek, the·oiʹ, at John 10:34) because they were representatives of Jehovah and were to speak his law. See also NW appendix, 1984 Reference edition, p. 1579. John 8:58: RS reads: “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am [Greek, e·goʹ ei·miʹ].’” (NE, KJ, TEV, JB, NAB all read “I am,” some even using capital letters to convey the idea of a input. Thus they endeavor to connect the expression with Exodus 3:14, where, according to their rendering, God refers to himself by the input “I Am.”) However, in NW the latter part of John 8:58 reads: “Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.” (The same idea is conveyed by the wording in AT, Mo, CBW, and SE.) Which rendering agrees with the context? The question of the Jews (verse 57) to which Jesus was replying had to do with age, not identity. Jesus’ reply logically dealt with his age, the length of his existence. Interestingly, no effort is ever made to apply e·goʹ ei·miʹ as a input to the holy spirit. Says A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research, by A. T. Robertson: “The verb [ei·miʹ] . . . Sometimes it does express existence as a predicate like any other verb, as in [e·goʹ ei·miʹ] (Jo. 8:58).”—Nashville, Tenn.; 1934, p. 394. See also NW appendix, 1984 Reference edition, pp. 1582, 1583. Acts 20:28: JB reads: “Be on your guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you the overseers, to feed the Church of God which he bought with his own blood.” (KJ, Dy, NAB use similar wording.) However, in NW the latter part of the verse reads: “the blood of his own [Son].” (TEV reads similarly. Although the 1953 printing of RS reads “with his own blood,” the 1971 edition reads “with the blood of his own Son.” Ro and Da simply read “the blood of his own.”) Which rendering(s) agree with 1 John 1:7, which says: “The blood of Jesus his [God’s] Son cleanses us from all sin”? (See also Revelation 1:4-6.) As stated in John 3:16, did God send his only-begotten Son, or did he himself come as a man, so that we might have life? It was the blood, not of God, but of his Son that was poured out. See also NW appendix, 1984 Reference edition, p. 1580. Romans 9:5: JB reads: “They are descended from the patriarchs and from their flesh and blood came Christ who is above all, God for ever blessed! Amen.” (KJ, Dy read similarly.) However, in NW the latter part of the verse reads: “from whom the Christ sprang according to the flesh: God, who is over all, be blessed forever. Amen.” (RS, NE, TEV, NAB, Mo all use wording similar to NW.) Is this verse saying that Christ is “over all” and that he is therefore God? Or does it refer to God and Christ as distinct individuals and say that God is “over all”? Which rendering of Romans 9:5 agrees with Romans 15:5, 6, which first distinguishes God from Christ Jesus and then urges the reader to “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”? (See also 2 Corinthians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:3.) Consider what follows in Romans chapter 9. Verses 6-13 show that the outworking of God’s purpose depends not on inheritance according to the flesh but on the will of God. Verses 14-18 refer to God’s message to Pharaoh, as recorded at Exodus 9:16, to highlight the fact that God is over all. In verses 19-24 God’s superiority is further illustrated by an analogy with a potter and the clay vessels that he makes. How appropriate, then, in verse 5, the expression: “God, who is over all, be blessed forever. Amen”!—NW. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology states: “Rom. 9:5 is disputed. . . . It would be easy, and linguistically perfectly possible to refer the expression to Christ. The verse would then read, ‘Christ who is God over all, blessed for ever. Amen.’ Even so, Christ would not be equated absolutely with God, but only described as a being of divine nature, for the word theos has no article. . . . The much more probable explanation is that the statement is a doxology directed to God.”—(Grand Rapids, Mich.; 1976), translated from German, Vol. 2, p. 80. See also NW appendix, 1984 Reference edition, pp. 1580, 1581. Philippians 2:5, 6: KJ reads: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” (Dy has the same wording. JB reads: “he did not cling to his equality with God.”) However, in NW the latter portion of that passage reads: “who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure [Greek, har·pag·monʹ], namely, that he should be equal to God.” (RS, NE, TEV, NAB convey the same thought.) Which thought agrees with the context? Verse 5 counsels Christians to imitate Christ in the matter here being discussed. Could they be urged to consider it “not robbery,” but their right, “to be equal with God”? Surely not! However, they can imitate one who “gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.” (NW) (Compare Genesis 3:5.) Such a translation also agrees with Jesus Christ himself, who said: “The Father is greater than I.”—John 14:28. The Expositor’s Greek Testament says: “We cannot find any passage where [har·paʹzo] or any of its derivatives [including har·pag·monʹ] has the sense of ‘holding in possession,’ ‘retaining’. It seems invariably to mean ‘seize,’ ‘snatch violently’. Thus it is not permissible to glide from the true sense ‘grasp at’ into one which is totally different, ‘hold fast.’”—(Grand Rapids, Mich.; 1967), edited by W. Robertson Nicoll, Vol. III, pp. 436, 437. Colossians 2:9: KJ reads: “In him [Christ] dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead [Greek, the·oʹte·tos] bodily.” (A similar thought is conveyed by the renderings in NE, RS, JB, NAB, Dy.) However, NW reads: “It is in him that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily.” (AT, We, and CKW read “God’s nature,” instead of “Godhead.” Compare 2 Peter 1:4.) Admittedly, not everyone offers the same interpretation of Colossians 2:9. But what is in agreement with the rest of the inspired letter to the Colossians? Did Christ have in himself something that is his because he is God, part of a Trinity? Or is “the fullness” that dwells in him something that became his because of the decision of someone else? Colossians 1:19 (KJ, Dy) says that all fullness dwelt in Christ because it “pleased the Father” for this to be the case. NE says it was “by God’s own choice.” Consider the immediate context of Colossians 2:9: In verse 8, readers are warned against being misled by those who advocate philosophy and human traditions. They are also told that in Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” and are urged to “live in him” and to be “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.” (Verses 3, 6, 7) It is in him, and not in the originators or the teachers of human philosophy, that a certain precious “fulness” dwells. Was the apostle Paul there saying that the “fulness” that was in Christ made Christ God himself? Not according to Colossians 3:1, where Christ is said to be “seated at the right hand of God.”—See KJ, Dy, TEV, NAB. According to Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon, the·oʹtes (the nominative form, from which the·oʹte·tos is derived) means “divinity, divine nature.” (Oxford, 1968, p. 792) Being truly “divinity,” or of “divine nature,” does not make Jesus as the Son of God coequal and coeternal with the Father, any more than the fact that all humans share “humanity” or “human nature” makes them coequal or all the same age. Titus 2:13: RS reads: “Awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Similar wording is found in NE, TEV, JB.) However, NW reads: “while we wait for the happy hope and glorious manifestation of the great God and of the Savior of us, Christ Jesus.” (NAB has a similar rendering.) Which translation agrees with Titus 1:4, which refers to “God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior”? Although the Scriptures also refer to God as being a Savior, this text clearly differentiates between him and Christ Jesus, the one through whom God provides salvation. Some argue that Titus 2:13 indicates that Christ is both God and Savior. Interestingly, RS, NE, TEV, JB render Titus 2:13 in a way that might be construed as allowing for that view, but they do not follow the same rule in their translation of 2 Thessalonians 1:12. Henry Alford, in The Greek Testament, states: “I would submit that [a rendering that clearly differentiates God and Christ, at Titus 2:13] satisfies all the grammatical requirements of the sentence: that it is both structurally and contextually more probable, and more agreeable to the Apostle’s way of writing.”—(Boston, 1877), Vol. III, p. 421. See also NW appendix, 1984 Reference edition, pp. 1581, 1582. Hebrews 1:8: RS reads: “Of the Son he says, ‘Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever.’” (KJ, NE, TEV, Dy, JB, NAB have similar renderings.) However, NW reads: “But with reference to the Son: ‘God is your throne forever and ever.’” (AT, Mo, TC, By convey the same idea.) Which rendering is harmonious with the context? The preceding verses say that God is speaking, not that he is being addressed; and the following verse uses the expression “God, thy God,” showing that the one addressed is not the Most High God but is a worshiper of that God. Hebrews 1:8 quotes from Psalm 45:6, which originally was addressed to a human king of Israel. Obviously, the Bible writer of this psalm did not think that this human king was Almighty God. Rather, Psalm 45:6, in RS, reads “Your divine throne.” (NE says, “Your throne is like God’s throne.” JP [verse 7]: “Thy throne given of God.”) Solomon, who was possibly the king originally addressed in Psalm 45, was said to sit “upon Jehovah’s throne.” (1 Chron. 29:23, NW) In harmony with the fact that God is the “throne,” or Source and Upholder of Christ’s kingship, Daniel 7:13, 14 and Luke 1:32 show that God confers such authority on him. Hebrews 1:8, 9 quotes from Psalm 45:6, 7, concerning which the Bible scholar B. F. Westcott states: “The LXX. admits of two renderings: [ho the·osʹ] can be taken as a vocative in both cases (Thy throne, O God, . . . therefore, O God, Thy God . . . ) or it can be taken as the subject (or the predicate) in the first case (God is Thy throne, or Thy throne is God . . . ), and in apposition to [ho the·osʹ sou] in the second case (Therefore God, even Thy God . . . ). . . . It is scarcely possible that [’Elo·himʹ] in the original can be addressed to the king. The presumption therefore is against the belief that [ho the·osʹ] is a vocative in the LXX. Thus on the whole it seems best to adopt in the first clause the rendering: God is Thy throne (or, Thy throne is God), that is ‘Thy kingdom is founded upon God, the immovable Rock.’”—The Epistle to the Hebrews (London, 1889), pp. 25, 26. 1 John 5:7, 8: KJ reads: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (Dy also includes this Trinitarian passage.) However, NW does not include the words “in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth.” (RS, NE, TEV, JB, NAB also leave out the Trinitarian passage.) Regarding this Trinitarian passage, textual critic F. H. A. Scrivener wrote: “We need not hesitate to declare our conviction that the disputed words were not written by St. John: that they were originally brought into Latin copies in Africa from the margin, where they had been placed as a pious and orthodox gloss on ver. 8: that from the Latin they crept into two or three late Greek codices, and thence into the printed Greek text, a place to which they had no rightful claim.”—A Plain Introduction to the Criticism of the New Testament (Cambridge, 1883, third ed.), p. 654. See also footnote on these verses in JB, and NW appendix, 1984 Reference edition, p. 1580. Other scriptures that are said by Trinitarians to express elements of their dogma Notice that the first of these texts refers to only the Son; the other refers to both Father and Son; neither refers to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and says that they comprise one God. John 2:19-22: By what he here said, did Jesus mean that he would resurrect himself from the dead? Does that mean that Jesus is God, because Acts 2:32 says, “This Jesus God raised up”? Not at all. Such a view would conflict with Galatians 1:1, which ascribes the resurrection of Jesus to the Father, not to the Son. Using a similar mode of expression, at Luke 8:48 Jesus is quoted as saying to a woman: “Your faith has made you well.” Did she heal herself? No; it was power from God through Christ that healed her because she had faith. (Luke 8:46; Acts 10:38) Likewise, by his perfect obedience as a human, Jesus provided the moral basis for the Father to raise him from the dead, thus acknowledging Jesus as God’s Son. Because of Jesus’ faithful course of life, it could properly be said that Jesus himself was responsible for his resurrection. Says A. T. Robertson in Word Pictures in the New Testament: “Recall [John] 2:19 where Jesus said: ‘And in three days I will raise it up.’ He did not mean that he will raise himself from the dead independently of the Father as the active agent (Rom. 8:11).”—(New York, 1932), Vol. V, p. 183. John 10:30: When saying, “I and the Father are one,” did Jesus mean that they were equal? Some Trinitarians say that he did. But at John 17:21, 22, Jesus prayed regarding his followers: “That they may all be one,” and he added, “that they may be one even as we are one.” He used the same Greek word (hen) for “one” in all these instances. Obviously, Jesus’ disciples do not all become part of the Trinity. But they do come to share a oneness of purpose with the Father and the Son, the same sort of oneness that unites God and Christ. In what position does belief in the Trinity put those who cling to it? It puts them in a very dangerous position. The evidence is indisputable that the dogma of the Trinity is not found in the Bible, nor is it in harmony with what the Bible teaches. (See the preceding pages.) It grossly misrepresents the true God. Yet, Jesus Christ said: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23, 24, RS) Thus Jesus made it clear that those whose worship is not ‘in truth,’ not in harmony with the truth set out in God’s own Word, are not “true worshipers.” To Jewish religious leaders of the first century, Jesus said: “For the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” (Matt. 15:6-9, RS) That applies with equal force to those in Christendom today who advocate human traditions in preference to the clear truths of the Bible. Regarding the Trinity, the Athanasian Creed (in English) says that its members are “incomprehensible.” Teachers of the doctrine often state that it is a “mystery.” Obviously such a Trinitarian God is not the one that Jesus had in mind when he said: “We worship what we know.” (John 4:22, RS) Do you really know the God you worship? Serious questions confront each one of us: Do we sincerely love the truth? Do we really want an approved relationship with God? Not everyone genuinely loves the truth. Many have put having the approval of their relatives and associates above love of the truth and of God. (2 Thess. 2:9-12; John 5:39-44) But, as Jesus said in earnest prayer to his heavenly Father: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3, NW) And Psalm 144:15 truthfully states: “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!”—NW. When Someone Says— ‘Do you believe in the Trinity?’ You might reply: ‘That is a very popular belief in our time. But did you know that this is not what was taught by Jesus and his disciples? So, we worship the One that Jesus said to worship.’ Then perhaps add: (1) ‘When Jesus was teaching, here is the commandment that he said was greatest . . . (Mark 12:28-30).’ (2) ‘Jesus never claimed to be equal to God. He said . . . (John 14:28).’ (3) ‘Then what is the origin of the Trinity doctrine? Notice what well-known encyclopedias say about that. (See pages 405, 406.)’ Or you could say: ‘No, I do not. You see, there are Bible texts that I could never fit in with that belief. Here is one of them. (Matt. 24:36) Perhaps you can explain it to me.’ Then perhaps add: (1) ‘If the Son is equal to the Father, how is it that the Father knows things that the Son does not?’ If they answer that this was true only regarding his human nature, then ask: (2) ‘But why does the holy spirit not know?’ (If the person shows a sincere interest in the truth, show him what the Scriptures do say about God. (Ps. 83:18; John 4:23, 24)’ Another possibility: ‘We do believe in Jesus Christ but not in the Trinity. Why? Because we believe what the apostle Peter believed about Christ. Notice what he said . . . (Matt. 16:15-17).’ An additional suggestion: ‘I find that not everyone has the same thing in mind when he refers to the Trinity. Perhaps I could answer your question better if I knew what you mean.’ Then perhaps add: ‘I appreciate that explanation. But what I believe is only what the Bible teaches. Have you ever seen the word “Trinity” in the Bible? . . . (Refer to the concordance in your Bible.) But is Christ referred to in the Bible? . . . Yes, and we believe in him. Notice here in the concordance under “Christ” one of the references is to Matthew 16:16. (Read it.) That is what I believe.’ Or you might answer (if the person draws particular attention to John 1:1): ‘I am acquainted with that verse. In some Bible translations it says that Jesus is “God,” and others say that he is “a god.” Why is that?’ (1) ‘Could it be because the next verse says that he was “with God”?’ (2) ‘Might it also be because of what is found here in John 1:18?’ (3) ‘Have you ever wondered whether Jesus himself worships someone as God? (John 20:17)’ ‘Do you believe in the divinity of Christ?’ You might reply: ‘Yes, I certainly do. But perhaps I do not have in mind the same thing that you do when you refer to “the divinity of Christ.”’ Then perhaps add: (1) ‘Why do I say that? Well, at Isaiah 9:6 Jesus Christ is described as “Mighty God,” but only his Father is ever referred to in the Bible as the Almighty God.’ (2) ‘And notice that at John 17:3 Jesus speaks of his Father as “the only true God.” So, at most, Jesus is just a reflection of the true God.’ (3) ‘What is required on our part to be pleasing to God? (John 4:23, 24)’

Was Life Created? (lc) 2010

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/was-life-created-lc

Introduction Was life created, or are you purely the product of random, undirected events? Few questions create more controversy. Yet, the answer is vitally important. This brochure considers such questions as these: Was our planet designed for life? What can we learn from the designs evident in nature? Is the teaching of evolution based solidly on fact? Has science disproved the Bible’s account of creation? Why does it matter what you believe?

Learn From the Bible (lfb) 2017

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lfb

Introduction to Section 2 Why did Jehovah bring about a flood that destroyed the world of that time? Early in human history, a battle began​—the battle between good and evil. Some individuals, such as Adam, Eve, and their son Cain, chose the side of evil. A few others, such as Abel and Noah, chose the side of good. Most people became so bad that Jehovah brought an end to that wicked world. This section will help us to learn that Jehovah sees which side we choose and that he will never allow the evil to conquer the good. KEY LESSONS We should be peaceable, not violent like the Devil and his followers If we listen to God and obey him, as Noah did, we can live forever in happiness Jehovah sees everything that happens. Righteousness brings joy to his heart, but wickedness makes him sad

Scriptures for Christian Living (scl) 2023

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl

Prayer How do we know that Jehovah listens to and answers prayers? Ps 65:2; 145:18; 1Jo 5:14 See also Ps 66:19; Ac 10:31; Heb 5:7 Relevant Bible account(s): 1Ki 18:36-38​—Jehovah responds swiftly to the prophet Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel during his showdown with the prophets of Baal Mt 7:7-11​—Jesus encourages us to persist in prayer and assures us that Jehovah as a loving Father listens to us To whom alone should Christians direct their prayers? Ps 5:1, 2; 69:13; Mt 6:9; Php 4:6 In whose name do we pray? Joh 15:16; 16:23, 24 Whose prayers does Jehovah hear? Ac 10:34, 35; 1Pe 3:12; 1Jo 3:22; 5:14 Whose prayers does Jehovah refuse to hear? Pr 15:29; 28:9; Isa 1:15; Mic 3:4; Jas 4:3; 1Pe 3:7 Relevant Bible account(s): Jos 24:9, 10​—Jehovah refuses to listen to Balaam because what he asks runs contrary to God’s will Isa 1:15-17​—Because his people have become hypocritical and bloodguilty, Jehovah refuses to hear their prayers What is a proper way to end a prayer, and why? 1Ch 16:36; Ps 41:13; 72:19; 89:52; 1Co 14:16 Does the Bible require that we assume a specific position when praying? 1Ki 8:54; Mr 11:25; Lu 22:39, 41; Joh 11:41 See also Jon 2:1 What are some things that servants of Jehovah can pray for when they meet together for worship? Ac 4:23, 24; 12:5 Relevant Bible account(s): 1Ch 29:10-19​—King David leads the congregation of Israel in prayer when the people’s voluntary donations for the temple are collected Ac 1:12-14​—The apostles, Jesus’ brothers, Mary the mother of Jesus, and some other faithful women are in an upper room in Jerusalem praying together Why should the one praying never exalt himself or seek to impress others? Mt 6:5; Lu 18:10-14 Is it fitting to pray at mealtimes? Mt 14:19; Ac 27:35; 1Co 10:25, 26, 30, 31 Why should we never become negligent about praying to our heavenly Father? Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18; 1Th 5:17; 1Pe 4:7 Relevant Bible account(s): Da 6:6-10​—Even under the threat of death, the prophet Daniel continues his habit of praying openly to Jehovah Lu 18:1-8​—Jesus uses the example of an unrighteous judge who gives in to a woman’s persistent pleas for justice to illustrate that our righteous Father will respond readily to his servants’ persistent pleas for help What attitude should we have if we want God to hear our prayers for forgiveness? 2Ch 7:13, 14 Relevant Bible account(s): 2Ki 22:11-13, 18-20​—Because King Josiah humbles himself and seeks to please Jehovah, he is treated with great mercy and kindness 2Ch 33:10-13​—King Manasseh humbly prays, which leads to receiving forgiveness from Jehovah and to being restored to the throne What does Jehovah require of us if we want to be forgiven? Mt 6:14, 15; Mr 11:25; Lu 17:3, 4 Why should we express our support for God’s will in our prayers? Mt 6:10; Lu 22:41, 42 Why should our prayers reflect our faith in our heavenly Father? Mr 11:24; Heb 6:10; Jas 1:5-7 What are some proper subjects for prayer? The sanctification of God’s name Lu 11:2 The coming of God’s Kingdom to rule over all the earth Mt 6:10 The accomplishment of Jehovah’s will Mt 6:10; 26:42 Requests for our material needs Lu 11:3 The forgiveness of our sins Da 9:19; Lu 11:4 Protection from temptations Mt 6:13 Thanksgiving Eph 5:20; Php 4:6; 1Th 5:17, 18 Requests for knowledge of God’s will, for understanding, and for wisdom Pr 2:3-6; Php 1:9; Jas 1:5 See also Ps 119:34 Relevant Bible account(s): 1Ki 3:11, 12​—Jehovah is pleased with King Solomon’s request for wisdom and grants it in a large way Requests for holy spirit Lu 11:13; Ac 8:14, 15 Requests in behalf of fellow worshippers, including those undergoing persecution Ac 12:5; Ro 15:30, 31; Jas 5:16 See also Col 4:12; 2Ti 1:3 Expressions of praise Ps 86:12; Isa 25:1; Da 2:23 Relevant Bible account(s): Lu 10:21​—Jesus publicly praises his Father for revealing spiritual truths to those who are humble like children Re 4:9-11​—Jehovah’s heavenly family offers him due honor and glory Requests to motivate people in authority to let us worship Jehovah in peace and preach to people Mt 5:44; 1Ti 2:1, 2 See also Jer 29:7 Is it fitting to pray on the occasion of our baptism? Lu 3:21 Is it fitting to pray in behalf of those who are spiritually sick? Jas 5:14, 15 Why do men usually pray with the head uncovered, and why do women sometimes pray with the head covered? 1Co 11:2-16 What is even more important than the length or the intensity of our prayers? La 3:41; Mt 6:7 Relevant Bible account(s): 1Ki 18:25-29, 36-39​—In response to the prophet Elijah’s challenge, the prophets of Baal cry out to their god for hours on end—but to no avail Ac 19:32-41​—Idolaters in Ephesus chant frantically to the goddess Artemis for two hours, achieving nothing but a rebuke from the city recorder

Enjoy Yourself With Kingdom Melodies on Tape

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101989014

Enjoy Yourself With Kingdom Melodies on Tape Play the tapes when you’re driving the car, doing chores in the house, or anytime you feel like giving yourself a lift. Let the wonderful music flow into your heart. It’s a beautiful feeling. Each of the eight cassettes of Kingdom Melodies is only $2 and has a playing time of about one hour. Receive the cassettes that are listed below by filling in and mailing the accompanying coupon. Please send, postpaid, the cassette(s) checked below. For each cassette ordered, I have enclosed $2 (U.S.) to cover the cost. (Outside the U.S.A., write to local Watch Tower branch for information.) ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 1 ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 2 ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 3 ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 4 ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 5 ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 6 ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 7 ◻ Kingdom Melodies No. 8

Proclaimers (jv) 1993

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/jv

Chapter 25 Preaching Publicly and From House to House WHEN Jesus Christ sent out his disciples, he instructed them: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’” (Matt. 10:7) And in his prophetic command to true Christians who would be living during the conclusion of the system of things, he said: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness.” (Matt. 24:14) What did that mean? It did not mean that they were to build churches, ring a bell, and wait for a congregation to assemble to hear them give a sermon once a week. The Greek verb here rendered “preach” (ke·rysʹso) means, basically, “make proclamation as a herald.” The idea is not delivering sermons to a closed group of disciples but, rather, making open, public declaration. Jesus himself set the example as to how it was to be done. He went to places where he could find people. In the first century, people regularly gathered in the synagogues to hear the Scriptures read. Jesus seized opportunities to preach to them there, not merely in one city but in cities and villages throughout Galilee and Judea. (Matt. 4:23; Luke 4:43, 44; John 18:20) Even more often, the Gospel records show, he preached by the seashore, on the mountainside, along the road, in villages, and in the homes of those who welcomed him. Wherever he found people, he talked about God’s purpose for humankind. (Luke 5:3; 6:17-49; 7:36-50; 9:11, 57-62; 10:38-42; John 4:4-26, 39-42) And when he sent out his disciples, he instructed them to go to the homes of people to search out deserving ones and to witness to them about the Kingdom of God.—Matt. 10:7, 11-13. Jehovah’s Witnesses in modern times have endeavored to follow the pattern set by Jesus and his first-century disciples. Heralding News of Christ’s Presence As Charles Taze Russell and his associates began to grasp the harmonious pattern of truth set out in God’s Word, they were deeply moved by what they learned about the object and manner of Christ’s return. Brother Russell felt both the need to make it known and a great urgency about doing it. He arranged his affairs to travel to places where there were people to whom he could speak about these Bible truths. He attended religious camp meetings and availed himself of opportunities to speak to them, as Jesus had preached in the synagogues. But he soon realized that more could be accomplished in other ways. His study of the Scriptures showed that Jesus and his apostles did the greater part of their preaching while speaking privately with individuals and when they were calling from house to house. He recognized, too, the value of following up a conversation by putting into the hands of people something in printed form. Already in 1877 he had published the booklet The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return. Two years later he undertook regular publication of the magazine Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. Yes, the objective was to preach, or to herald, vital news concerning Christ’s presence. As early as 1881, literature of the Bible Students was being handed out free of charge near the churches—not right at the church doors but nearby so that people who were religiously inclined would receive it. Many of the Bible Students gave such literature to acquaintances or sent it out by mail. By 1903 the Watch Tower recommended that they endeavor to reach everyone by house-to-house distribution of the tracts, instead of concentrating on church attenders. Not all Bible Students did this, but many responded with real zeal. It was reported, for example, that in a number of the large cities in the United States, as well as in their suburbs for ten miles [16 km] or more in every direction, practically every house was visited. Millions upon millions of tracts, or booklets, were put out in this way. At that time most Bible Students who had a share in spreading the good news did it by some kind of free distribution of tracts and other literature. Others of the Bible Students—more limited in number—served as colporteur evangelists, using a considerable portion of their time exclusively for this work. Zealous Colporteurs Take the Lead The first call for dedicated men and women who could use a substantial amount of their time in this service went out in April 1881. They would offer householders and businessmen a small book explaining Bible truths and a subscription for the Watch Tower. Their objective was to search out those who were truth-hungry and share enlightenment with them. For a time they tried saying just enough to stimulate interest, leaving at each home a packet containing literature for the householder to examine, and then returning in a few days. Some householders would return the literature; others might want to purchase it; frequently there would be opportunities for conversation. Regarding their objective, the Watch Tower stated: “It is not the selling of the packets, nor the taking of subscriptions, but the spread of the truth, by getting people to read.” The number who shared in this colporteur evangelism was relatively small. During the first 30 years, their ranks varied from a few up to 600 or so. These colporteurs were pioneers in the true sense of the word, opening up new territory. Anna Andersen was one who persevered in this service for decades, usually traveling on a bicycle, and she personally reached nearly every town in Norway with the good news. Other colporteurs traveled abroad and were the first to take the message to such lands as Finland, Barbados, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Burma (now Myanmar). There were also some who were not free to move to other areas but who served as colporteur evangelists in their home territory. The work by the colporteurs was outstanding. One who was serving on the west coast of the United States wrote in 1898 that during the previous 33 months, he had traveled 8,000 miles [12,800 km] with his horse and rig, witnessed in 72 towns, made 18,000 calls, placed 4,500 books, taken 125 subscriptions, given away 40,000 tracts, and seen 40 people not only accept the message but also start sharing it with others. A husband-and-wife team serving in Australia succeeded in placing 20,000 books in the hands of interested persons during a period of just two and a half years. Were numerous placements the exception rather than the rule? Well, the report for 1909 shows that about 625 colporteurs (the total on the list at that time) received from the Society 626,981 bound books to place with the public (an average of more than a thousand for each colporteur), in addition to a large amount of free literature. They often could not carry enough books from house to house, so they would take orders and then return later to make deliveries. Nevertheless, some objected: “This is not preaching!” But, in fact, as Brother Russell explained, it was preaching of a most effective sort. Instead of hearing just one sermon, people were receiving many sermons in printed form and thus could enjoy them again and again and could check their outputs in their own Bible. This was evangelism that took into account the fact that general education had equipped people to read. The book The New Creation pointed out: “The fact that these evangelists are working on lines adapted to our day instead of upon the lines adapted to the past, is no more an argument against this work than is the fact that they travel by steam and electric power instead of on foot or on camels. The evangelization is through the presentation of the Truth . . . , the Word of God.” The genuine interest of the Bible Students in helping people was manifest in the thoroughness that in time became characteristic of their preaching work. The Watch Tower of March 1, 1917, outlined the program as follows: First, the colporteurs would call on the homes in an area, offering volumes of Studies in the Scriptures. Then, following up on names noted by the colporteurs or turned in at public meetings, pastoral workersa would call. They endeavored to stimulate a desire to read the literature, encouraged interested ones to attend specially arranged talks, and made an effort to arrange classes for Berean Bible study. When possible, the colporteurs would cover the same area again, and then the pastoral workers would follow through in order to keep in touch with those who showed interest. Later, other class workers would visit the same homes with volunteer matter, as they called the tracts and the other free literature that they offered. This made it possible for everyone to receive at least something that might stimulate a desire to learn more about God’s purpose. When only one or two colporteurs served in an area, and there was no congregation, the colporteurs often did the follow-up work themselves. Thus, when Hermann Herkendell and his partner went to Bielefeld, Germany, as colporteurs in 1908, they were specifically instructed to acquaint the interested ones in the area with one another and to form a congregation. A few years later, The Watch Tower mentioned other colporteurs who were giving personal attention to interested ones to the point that they were leaving a class of Bible Students in every town or city where they served. A valuable aid in this work was provided in 1921 in the book The Harp of God. Especially designed to benefit beginners, the book eventually had a circulation of 5,819,037 in 22 languages. To assist those who obtained this book, the Society arranged a correspondence course in topical Bible study. This consisted of 12 questionnaires, sent out over a period of 12 weeks. With the use of this book, arrangements were also made for group Bible discussions in the homes of interested persons. A number of Bible Students would usually attend such a study. The Witnesses were keenly aware, however, that the field was large and their numbers were few.—Luke 10:2. Reaching Many When Numbers Were Few The Watch Tower pointed out that those who were truly spirit-anointed Christians had the God-given responsibility to locate and assist all who were earnest Christians, whether they were churchgoers or not. (Isa. 61:1, 2) How could it be done? The two Bible Students (J. C. Sunderlin and J. J. Bender) who were sent to England in 1881 could have accomplished relatively little by themselves; but with the assistance of hundreds of young men who were paid for their services, they managed to have 300,000 copies of Food for Thinking Christians distributed in just a short time. Adolf Weber, who returned to Switzerland with the good news in the mid-1890’s, had a vast territory extending into several countries in which to preach. How could he cover it all? He personally traveled far as a colporteur, but he also placed advertisements in newspapers and made arrangements for booksellers to include Watch Tower publications in their collections. The small group of Bible Students in Germany in 1907 arranged to have 4,850,000 four-page tracts mailed out with newspapers. Shortly after the first world war, a Latvian brother who was a member of the Society’s headquarters staff in New York paid for ads in newspapers in the land of his birth. A man who responded to one of those ads became the first Bible Student in Latvia. Use of such means of publicity, however, did not take the place of personal witnessing and the house-to-house search for deserving ones. Rather, it was used to amplify the proclamation. More than ads were published in the newspapers, however. During the years leading up to World War I, under Brother Russell’s supervision, his sermons were regularly published. In a short period, this picked up amazing momentum. More than 2,000 newspapers, with a combined readership of 15,000,000, were carrying these sermons concurrently in the United States, Canada, Britain, Australia, and South Africa. Could more be done? Brother Russell thought so. After two years of preparation, the first exhibition of the “Photo-Drama of Creation” was given in January 1914. The “Photo-Drama” was presented in four parts. The eight-hour program included motion pictures and slides, coordinated with voice recordings. It was truly an extraordinary production that was designed to build up appreciation for the Bible and God’s purpose as set out in it. Showings were organized so that 80 cities could be served each day. Advance advertising was done by means of newspapers, a generous number of window signs, and the distribution of large amounts of free printed matter designed to stimulate interest in the “Photo-Drama.” Wherever it was shown, crowds turned out to see it. Within a year the “Photo-Drama” had reached audiences totaling upwards of 8,000,000 persons in the United States and Canada, and further capacity crowds were being reported from Britain and the European continent as well as Australia and New Zealand. The “Photo-Drama” was followed by a somewhat shorter version (without the motion pictures) for use in smaller towns and country areas. In various languages the Drama continued in use for at least two decades. Much interest was stirred up, names of interested ones were turned in, and follow-up calls were made. Then, in the 1920’s, another instrument became available to give wide publicity to the Kingdom message. Brother Rutherford felt strongly that the hand of the Lord was manifest in its development. What was it? Radio. Less than two years after the world’s first commercial radio station began regular broadcasts (in 1920), J. F. Rutherford, president of the Watch Tower Society, went on the air to broadcast Bible truth. Here was an instrument that could reach millions of people simultaneously. Within two more years, in 1924, the Society had its own radio station, WBBR, in operation in New York. By 1933, the peak year, 408 stations were being used to carry the message to six continents. In addition to live broadcasts, programs on scores of subjects were prerecorded. Intense local advertising by distribution of printed announcements was done so that people would know about the broadcasts and could benefit from them. These broadcasts broke down much prejudice and opened the eyes of honesthearted ones. Many people, out of fear of their neighbors and the clergy, held back from attending meetings sponsored by the Bible Students, but this did not stop them from listening to the radio in the privacy of their own home. The broadcasts did not replace the need for house-to-house witnessing; but they did carry Bible truth to places that were hard to reach, and they provided excellent openings for conversations when the Witnesses personally visited the homes. Responsibility of Each One to Witness The responsibility to have a personal share in witnessing had been pointed out in the Watch Tower for decades. But from 1919 on, it was a topic of constant discussion in print and on convention programs. Yet, for many people it was not easy to approach strangers at their doors, and at first only a limited number of the Bible Students shared regularly in house-to-house witnessing. Heartwarming Scriptural encouragement was given. “Blessed Are the Fearless” was the subject featured in the Watch Tower issues of August 1 and 15, 1919. It warned against fear of man, drew attention to Gideon’s courageous 300 warriors who were alert and willing to serve in whatever way the Lord directed and against seemingly overwhelming odds, and commended Elisha’s fearless reliance on Jehovah. (Judg. 7:1-25; 2 Ki. 6:11-19; Prov. 29:25) In 1921 the article “Be of Good Courage” highlighted not merely the duty but the privilege that it is to serve on the Lord’s side against satanic forces of darkness by having a share in doing the work foretold at Matthew 24:14. Those whose circumstances imposed limitations on them were urged not to be discouraged and at the same time not to hold back from doing what they could. By frank Scriptural discussions, The Watch Tower made all who professed to be anointed servants of God aware of their responsibility to be proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. The issue of August 15, 1922, had a concise, pointed article eninputd “Service Essential”—that is, service in imitation of Christ, service that would take one to the homes of others to tell them about God’s Kingdom. Later that same year, it was shown that such service, to be of value in the sight of God, must be motivated by love. (1 John 5:3) An article in the issue of June 15, 1926, stated that God is not at all impressed by formalistic worship; what he wants is obedience, and that includes appreciation for whatever means he is using to accomplish his purpose. (1 Sam. 15:22) The following year, when considering “Christians’ Mission on Earth,” attention was directed to Jesus’ role as “the faithful and true witness” and to the fact that the apostle Paul preached “publicly and from house to house.”—Rev. 3:14; Acts 20:20. Detailed presentations for publishers to memorize were provided in the Bulletin, their monthly service instruction sheet. Encouragement was given to share in the field service regularly each week. But the number who actually witnessed by making house-to-house calls was small at first, and some who started out did not continue in the work. In the United States, for example, the average weekly number reported as sharing in the field service in 1922 was 2,712. But by 1924 the figure had dropped to 2,034. In 1926 the average rose to 2,261, with a peak of 5,937 sharing during one week of special activity. Then, late in 1926, the Society began to encourage congregations to include a portion of Sunday as a time for group witnessing and to offer at that time not only tracts but also books for Bible study. In 1927, The Watch Tower urged loyal ones in the congregations to remove from positions of eldership any whose speech or actions showed that they did not accept the responsibility of witnessing publicly and from house to house. Thus, branches that were not bearing fruit were taken away, as it were, and the ones that remained were pruned so that they might bear more fruit to God’s praise. (Compare Jesus’ illustration at John 15:1-10.) Did this actually result in an increase in public praise to Jehovah? The year 1928 saw a 53-percent increase in the average weekly number of participants in witnessing in the United States! No longer did the Witnesses simply hand people a free tract and move on. More of them spoke briefly to householders, endeavoring to stir up interest in the Bible’s message, and then offered them books to read. Those early Witnesses certainly were courageous, although not all of them were tactful. Nevertheless, they stood out as distinct from other religious groups. They did not just say that each one should bear witness to his faith. In ever-increasing numbers, they were actually doing it. Testimony Cards and Phonographs Late in 1933 a different method of preaching was begun. By way of introduction, the Witnesses handed people a testimony card that had a brief message for the householder to read. This was especially of great help to new publishers, who did not receive much training in those days. Generally, they made only a few brief remarks to the householder after the card had been read; some spoke at greater length, using the Bible. The use of testimony cards continued well into the 1940’s. It allowed for rapid coverage of territory, and it enabled Witnesses to reach more people, get much valuable Bible literature into their hands, give a uniform witness, and even present the message to people whose language they could not speak. It also resulted in some awkward moments when householders kept the card and shut their door, making it necessary for the Witness to knock again to retrieve it! Recorded Bible discourses too had a prominent role during the 1930’s and early in the 1940’s. In 1934 some of the Witnesses began to take a portable phonograph with them when they went witnessing. The machine was rather heavy, so they might keep it in their automobile or leave it at a convenient place until they found people who were willing to listen to a recorded Bible discourse. Then, in 1937, use of a portable phonograph right on the doorstep was inaugurated. The procedure was simple: After stating that he had an important Bible message, the Witness would put the needle on the record and let it do the talking. Kasper Keim, a German pioneer serving in the Netherlands, was most grateful for his “Aaron,” as he called the phonograph, because he found it difficult to witness in Dutch. (Compare Exodus 4:14-16.) Out of curiosity entire families would sometimes listen to the records. As of 1940, more than 40,000 phonographs were being used. That year a new vertical model designed and built by the Witnesses was introduced, and it was put to use especially in the Americas. It stirred up even greater curiosity because householders could not see the record as it was being played. Each record was 78 rpm and was four and a half minutes in length. The inputs were short and to the point: “Kingdom,” “Prayer,” “Way to Life,” “Trinity,” “Purgatory,” “Why Clergy Oppose Truth.” Upwards of 90 different discourses were recorded; over a million records were put to use. The presentations were clear and easy to follow. Many householders listened appreciatively; a few reacted violently. But an effective and consistent witness was being given. Boldly Heralding the Good News in Public Places Although testimony cards and phonograph records were doing much of the “talking,” great courage was required to be a Witness during those years. The very nature of the work thrust the individual Witnesses before the public. Following the 1931 convention in Columbus, Ohio, Jehovah’s Witnesses distributed the booklet The Kingdom, the Hope of the World, which included a resolution eninputd “Warning From Jehovah” that was addressed “To the Rulers and to the People.” They recognized that as Witnesses for Jehovah, a serious obligation rested on them to deliver the warning set out in his Word. (Ezek. 3:17-21) They did not simply put those booklets in the mail or slip them under doors. They delivered them personally. They called on all the clergy and, to the extent possible, politicians, military officers, and the executives of large corporations. Additionally, they called on the public in general in the approximately one hundred lands where Jehovah’s Witnesses were then carrying on organized witnessing. By 1933 they were making use of powerful transcription machines to play recordings of straightforward Bible discourses in public places. Brothers Smets and Poelmans mounted their equipment on a tricycle and stood by it as it boomed out the message in the marketplaces and near the churches in Liège, Belgium. They were often out there ten hours a day. People in Jamaica would readily gather when they heard music, so the brothers there played music first. When crowds would pour out of the bush areas to the main roads to see what was happening, they would find Jehovah’s Witnesses delivering the Kingdom message. Some of that transcription equipment was installed in automobiles and on boats, with loudspeakers on the roof to make the sound carry farther. Bert and Vi Horton, in Australia, operated a van with a large sound horn mounted on top that was inscribed with the words “Kingdom Message.” One year they made almost every street in Melbourne resound with stirring exposures of false religion and heartwarming descriptions of the blessings of God’s Kingdom. During those years Claude Goodman was pioneering in India. Use of the sound car, with records in the local languages, enabled him to reach large crowds in bazaars, in parks, along the road—wherever people could be found. When the brothers in Lebanon parked their sound car on a hill and broadcast lectures, the sound carried down into the valleys. People in the villages, not seeing the source of the voice, were sometimes frightened, thinking that God was speaking to them out of the heavens! There were a few tense moments for the brothers, however. On one occasion, in Syria, a village priest left his dinner on the table, grabbed his big walking stick, and ran out into the crowd that was gathering to hear a Bible discourse broadcast from a sound car. Waving his stick angrily and shouting, he demanded: “Stop! I command you to stop!” But the brothers realized that not everyone agreed with him; there were those who wanted to hear. Soon, some of the crowd bodily picked up the priest and carried him back to his house, where they deposited him again at the dinner table! Despite clergy opposition, the Witnesses courageously saw to it that people had the opportunity to hear. This era also saw extensive use of advertising placards worn by Witnesses in business areas as they distributed invitations to special lectures. It began in 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland. That year the same method of advertising was used in London, England, and then in the United States. Two years later such advertising was augmented by the carrying of signs held aloft on sticks. These signs proclaimed, “Religion Is a Snare and a Racket”b and, “Serve God and Christ the King.” At the time of a convention, the line of marchers bearing these signs might be miles long. As they quietly marched, single file, along heavily traveled streets, the effect was like that of the army of ancient Israel going around Jericho before its walls fell. (Josh. 6:10, 15-21) From London, England, to Manila, in the Philippines, such bold public witnessing was done. Yet another method of public witnessing was undertaken in 1940. In line with the scripture that refers to ‘true wisdom calling aloud in the streets,’ in February of that year Jehovah’s Witnesses began street-corner distribution of The Watchtower and Consolation (now known as Awake!).c (Prov. 1:20) They would call out slogans drawing attention to the magazines and the message these contained. In large cities and small towns in all parts of the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses offering their magazines have become a familiar sight. But doing that work requires courage, and especially was such courage needed when this work began, for it was an era when there was much persecution coupled with the fever of wartime nationalism. When called on to share in such public witnessing, the Witnesses responded in faith. The number having a personal share in the work continued to increase. They counted it a privilege to demonstrate their integrity to Jehovah in this way. But there was more for them to learn. Each One Able to Explain His Faith An extraordinary program of education got under way in 1942. It started at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and by the next year, it began to be inaugurated in congregations of the Witnesses earth wide. With confidence that God’s spirit was upon them and that he had put his word in their mouths, they were determined to preach that word even if persecutors were to deprive them of Watch Tower publications or the Bible itself. (Isa. 59:21) There were already lands, such as Nigeria, where the Witnesses had only the Bible to use when preaching, since the government had banned all Watch Tower literature and had even seized the publications many of the brothers had in their private libraries. It was on February 16, 1942, that Brother Knorr inaugurated an advanced course in theocratic ministry at the Bethel Home in Brooklyn, New York. The course provided instruction in such matters as research, expressing oneself clearly and correctly, outlining material for presentation in discourses, delivering speeches effectively, presenting ideas persuasively, and being tactful. Both brothers and sisters were welcome to attend, but only males were invited to enroll and give student talks on which they would be counseled. The benefits quickly became evident not only in platform speaking but also in greater effectiveness in house-to-house preaching. The following year this schooling began to be extended to the local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide. First it was in English, then in other languages. The stated purpose of the school was to help each one of Jehovah’s Witnesses to be able to teach others when calling on people from house to house, making return visits, and conducting Bible studies. Each Witness was going to be helped to become a qualified minister. (2 Tim. 2:2) In 1959, sisters were also given opportunity to enroll in the school and present talks in field-service settings—not addressing themselves to the entire audience but, rather, to the one assigned to take the role of householder. And that was not all. Since 1926, traveling representatives of the Society had been working along with individual Witnesses in the field service, in order to help them to improve their abilities. However, at an international convention in New York in 1953, with circuit and district overseers seated in front of the platform, Brother Knorr declared that the principal work of all servants, or overseers, should be to help every Witness to be a regular house-to-house minister. “Everyone,” he said, “should be able to preach the good news from house to house.” A global campaign was launched to achieve this. Why such emphasis on the matter? Consider the United States as an example: At that time 28 percent of the Witnesses were limiting their activity to distributing handbills or standing on the streets with magazines. And over 40 percent of the Witnesses were sharing in the field service only irregularly, allowing months to go by without doing any witnessing at all. There was a need for loving assistance in the form of personal training. Plans were laid that would make it possible for all of Jehovah’s Witnesses who were not already house-to-house Witnesses to be given help in approaching people at their doors, talking to them from the Bible, and answering their questions. They would learn to prepare Scriptural sermons that they could give in perhaps three minutes for people who were busy, or about eight minutes for others. The objective was to assist each Witness to become a mature Christian evangelizer. It was not only the traveling overseers who gave this instruction. Local servants, or overseers, did too; and in the following years, other well-qualified Witnesses were assigned to train certain ones. For years, demonstrations of how to do the work had been provided on the congregation’s weekly Service Meeting. But this was now coupled with increased emphasis on personal training in the field. The results were outstanding. The number of Witnesses preaching from house to house increased, as did the number who regularly participated in the field ministry. Within a decade the total number of Witnesses worldwide rose 100 percent. They were also making 126 percent more return visits to answer Bible questions for interested people, and they were conducting 150 percent more regular home Bible studies with those who showed hunger for Bible truth. They were truly proving themselves to be qualified ministers. In view of the varied educational and cultural backgrounds from which these Witnesses came, and the fact that they were scattered in small groups all over the earth, it is obvious why the Witnesses give credit, not to any man, but to Jehovah God for the way in which they have been equipped and trained to proclaim the good news.—John 14:15-17. House-to-House Preaching —An Identifying Mark At various times other religious groups have encouraged their members to call on the homes of people in their community to talk about religion. Some individuals have tried it. Certain ones may even do it as missionaries for a couple of years, but that is the end of it. However, it is only among Jehovah’s Witnesses that virtually all, young and old, male and female, participate year in, year out, in the house-to-house ministry. It is only Jehovah’s Witnesses who truly endeavor to reach all the inhabited earth with the Kingdom message, in obedience to the prophetic command at Matthew 24:14. It is not that all of Jehovah’s Witnesses find this work easy.d On the contrary, many of them, when they first started to study the Bible, said: ‘There is one thing I will never do, and that is go from house to house!’ Yet, it is an activity in which nearly all of Jehovah’s Witnesses share if they are physically able to do so. And many who are not physically able do it anyway—in wheelchairs, with canes, and so forth. Others—completely unable to leave their home, or temporarily confined, or in order to reach otherwise inaccessible people—witness by telephone or by writing letters. Why this determined effort? As they come to know Jehovah, their love for him changes their whole outlook on life. They want to talk about him. The wonderful things that he has in store for those who love him are just too good to keep to themselves. And they feel a responsibility before God to warn people about the great tribulation just ahead. (Matt. 24:21; compare Ezekiel 3:17-19.) But why do it by going from house to house? They know that Jesus taught his disciples to go to the homes of people to preach and to teach. (Matt. 10:11-14) They are aware that after holy spirit was poured out at Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostles continued without letup to declare the good news “in the temple [in Jerusalem] and from house to house.” (Acts 5:42) Every Witness knows Acts 20:20, which says that the apostle Paul taught “publicly and from house to house.” And they see abundant evidence of Jehovah’s blessing on this work in modern times. Thus, as they gain experience in the house-to-house ministry, the activity that they at one time dreaded often becomes something that they eagerly anticipate. And they are thorough about it. They keep careful records so that they can call back to talk to any who were not at home. Not only that, but they make repeated calls at every home. Because of the effectiveness of the house-to-house ministry, opposers in many lands have tried to stop it. In order to gain official respect for their right to preach from door to door, Jehovah’s Witnesses have appealed to government officials. Where necessary, they have gone to court in order to legally establish the right to spread the good news in this manner. (Phil. 1:7) And where repressive governments have persisted in forbidding such activity, Jehovah’s Witnesses have at times simply done it in a less conspicuous manner or, if necessary, used other means to reach people with the Kingdom message. Although radio and television broadcasts have been used to spread the Kingdom message, Jehovah’s Witnesses recognize that the personal contact made possible by house-to-house calls is far more effective. It affords better opportunity to answer the questions of individual householders and to search out deserving ones. (Matt. 10:11) That is one of the reasons why, in 1957, the Watch Tower Society sold radio station WBBR in New York. Having given a personal witness, however, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not feel that their job is done. It is just a beginning. “Make Disciples . . . Teaching Them” Jesus commanded his followers to do more than preach. In imitation of him, they are also to teach. (Matt. 11:1) Before his ascension to heaven, he instructed them: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19, 20) Teaching (Greek, di·daʹsko) differs from preaching in that the teacher does more than proclaim; he instructs, explains, offers proofs. The Watch Tower, as early as April 1881, offered some brief suggestions on how to teach. Some of the early colporteurs made it a point to call again on those who showed interest, to encourage them to read the Society’s books and meet with others for regular study of God’s Word. The book The Harp of God (published in 1921) was often used for that purpose. Later on, however, even more was done in the way of giving personal attention to interested ones. Recorded Bible lectures along with printed study guides were prominently used in this activity. How did that come about? Since early 1933, the Society had supplemented its radio broadcasts with recordings played on portable transcription equipment in meeting halls, in parks, at factory gates, and so forth. Within a short time, Witnesses who located interested persons when calling from house to house were making arrangements to return to play some of these recordings for them in their homes. When the book Riches became available in 1936, discussions from it were used, after the recordings, to establish studies that could be attended by interested ones in the area. This work was emphasized especially with a view to helping prospective members of the “great multitude” to learn the truth.—Rev. 7:9, KJ. At about that time, the Catholic hierarchy stepped up its pressure on owners and managers of radio stations as well as government agencies in a determined effort to stop the broadcasting of Watch Tower programs. A petition signed by 2,630,000 persons in the United States requested a public debate between J. F. Rutherford and a high official of the Roman Catholic Church. None of the Catholic clergy were willing to accept the challenge. So, in 1937, Brother Rutherford made recordings eninputd “Exposed” and “Religion and Christianity,” which presented basic Bible teachings, particularly in refutation of unscriptural Catholic doctrines. The same material was published in the booklets Protection and Uncovered, and a copy of Uncovered was personally delivered to everyone who had signed the petition so that the people could read for themselves the Bible truths that the Catholic hierarchy was seeking to suppress. In order to help people to see the issues clearly and to examine the Scriptural basis for these, the booklet Model Study No. 1 was printed for use at meetings arranged for interested people. The booklet contained questions, answers, and scriptures in support of the answers given. First, the conductor would have one or more discs of the aforementioned recorded lectures played so that everyone could hear the overall argument. Then, discussion would follow, using the material provided in the Model Study booklet and examining the scriptures themselves. Model Study No. 1 was followed by Nos. 2 and 3, coordinated with other recorded discourses. Such studies were organized first at locations where groups of interested people could be gathered, but soon they were also being held with individuals and families. Since that time many excellent books have been provided especially for use by Jehovah’s Witnesses in conducting home Bible studies. Those having the greatest circulation were “Let God Be True,” The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, and You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth. There were also 32-page booklets—“This Good News of the Kingdom,” God’s Way Is Love, “Look! I Am Making All Things New,” and many others. These were followed by brochures such as Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!, which contains a very simple and easy-to-understand presentation of basic Bible teachings. The use of these instruments, coupled with extensive congregational and personal training, has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of home Bible studies being conducted. In 1950, home Bible studies, often conducted each week, averaged 234,952. Studies that did not make sufficient progress were dropped. Many students progressed to the point that they, in turn, became teachers. In spite of the constant turnover, the number has continued to rise, often quite rapidly. As of 1992, the Witnesses were conducting 4,278,127 home Bible studies worldwide. In order to accomplish this vast work of preaching and teaching, in the languages of all the earth, Jehovah’s Witnesses have made extensive use of the printed page. This has required publishing operations of gigantic proportions. [Footnote] a The pastoral work was first organized during 1915-16 in the 500 or so congregations that had elected Brother Russell to be their pastor. As pastor, he had written a letter to them outlining the work, which was at first limited to the sisters. The following year brothers too were included in this activity. This pastoral work, carried on by a select group, continued until 1921. b That wording was based on the understanding that the term religion embraced all worship built on the traditions of men, instead of on God’s Word, the Bible. However, in 1950, when the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures was published, footnotes at Acts 26:5, Colossians 2:18, and James 1:26, 27 indicated that the term religion could properly be used to refer to true worship or false. This was further clarified in The Watchtower of March 15, 1951, page 191, and the book What Has Religion Done for Mankind?, pages 8-10. c Some street witnessing with the magazines had been done on a trial basis the preceding year, in California, U.S.A. Even as far back as 1926, the Bible Students had engaged in general street distribution of booklets containing important messages. Much earlier, in 1881, they had distributed literature near the churches on Sundays. d The Watchtower, May 15, 1981, pp. 12-16. [Blurb on page 556] Wherever he found people, Jesus talked about God’s purpose for humankind [Box on page 559] Special Blessing on Door-to-Door Work “As at the first advent, work from door to door, instead of pulpit preaching, seems to be receiving the Lord’s special blessing.”—“Watch Tower,” July 15, 1892. [Box on page 570] Why the Witnesses Call Again and Again Explaining why Jehovah’s Witnesses make repeated calls at every home, “The Watchtower” of July 1, 1962, said: “Circumstances keep changing. Today a man may not be at home, next time he may be. Today he may be too busy to listen, but the next time he may not be. Today one member of the family answers the door, the next time another member does; and the Witnesses are concerned with reaching not only every home in their assignments but also, if possible, each mature person in each home. Often families are divided as to religion, so it is not always possible for one member to speak for the entire family. Besides, people keep moving and so the Witnesses never can be certain as to just whom they will meet at a certain door. “Not only do the circumstances change, but the people themselves change. . . . For just some trifle a man may have been out of sorts and not at all willing to discuss religion or anything else no matter who came to his door, but it does not at all follow that he will be of that mental attitude at another time. Or, just because a man was not at all interested in discussing religion last month does not mean he might not be this month. Since the last time a Witness called this man may have had a soul-harrowing experience or in some other way learned something that made him humble instead of proud, hungry and conscious of his spiritual need instead of self-satisfied. “Besides, the message the Witnesses bring sounds strange to many persons and they fail to grasp its urgency. Only by hearing it again and again do they gradually get the point.” [Box/Picture on page 574] Using “Every Way Possible” “Those of us inside the Lord’s organization have tried, in every way possible, to turn [the world’s] attention to the message of life. We have used slogans, full-page advertisements, radio, sound cars, portable phonographs, gigantic conventions, parades of information-walkers carrying signs, and a growing army of house-to-house ministers. This activity has served to divide people—those in favor of God’s established Kingdom on the one side, those against it on the other. This was the work foretold by Jesus for my generation.”—Written in 1987 by Melvin Sargent, at 91 years of age. [Picture] Melvin Sargent [Graph on page 574] (For fully formatted text, see publication) Increase of Home Bible Studies 4,000,000 3,000,000 2,000,000 1,000,000 1950 1960 1970 1980 1992 [Pictures on page 557] Tens of millions of these tracts were distributed, free of charge, near the churches, from house to house, and by mail [Pictures on page 558] Colporteur evangelists distributed books explaining the Bible [Picture on page 559] Anna Andersen reached nearly every town in Norway with Bible literature [Pictures on page 560] Newspaper ads helped to reach people who were not being contacted in other ways [Pictures on page 561] More than 2,000 newspapers on four continents carried Brother Russell’s sermons concurrently [Pictures on page 562] The “Photo-Drama of Creation” gave a powerful witness to millions of people in many lands [Picture on page 563] By means of radio, J. F. Rutherford was able to witness to millions of people worldwide right in their homes [Picture on page 564] Prepared to leave by bicycle for group witnessing in England [Picture on page 565] Starting in 1933, printed testimony cards were used [Picture on page 566] Recorded Bible discourses gave a powerful witness during the 1930’s and 1940’s [Picture on page 567] Sound cars, sometimes many of them (as here in Australia), were used to broadcast Bible truth in public places [Picture on page 568] Illuminated signs in the windows of homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses gave a round-the-clock witness [Picture on page 568] Advertising placards and signs contributed to a bold public witness (as here in Scotland) [Picture on page 569] Street distribution of “The Watchtower” and “Consolation” (as shown here in U.S.A.) began in 1940 [Picture on page 569] Starting in 1943, brothers in the congregations were given training in public speaking [Pictures on page 571] Home Bible studies are conducted with interested people. Below are publications specially designed for that—published first in English, then in many other languages [Pictures on page 572, 573] Young and old, male and female, Witnesses around the globe share in house-to-house witnessing Romania Bolivia Zimbabwe Hong Kong Belgium Uruguay Fiji

Road to Life (ol) 2002

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ol

Table of outputs 1 Do All Religions Teach the Truth? 2 How Can You Learn the Truth About God? 3 Who Live in the Spirit Realm? 4 Where Are Our Ancestors? 5 The Truth About Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft 6 Does God Approve of All Religions? 7 Who Practice the True Religion? 8 Reject False Religion; Practice True Religion 9 True Religion Can Benefit You Forever!

A Mother’s Respect for Life

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101971013

A Mother’s Respect for Life AT THE beginning of 1970, Mrs. B— of New York city began suffering from internal bleeding. When it persisted, she decided to consult a doctor. On January 29, she was examined by a reportedly reputable doctor in the Bronx. He said that Mrs. B— was pregnant, although she had been carefully taking birth-control pills. However, he said that there were no signs of life, and doubted that the fetus was alive. The vaginal bleeding was thought to originate from growths in the areas of her kidney and womb. The same day she was sent to a Manhattan clinic for tests. The following Thursday, February 5, the results of these tests were revealed. They showed that Mrs. B— was pregnant. However, the doctor still felt that the fetus would not live. Abortion Recommended Since he saw no hope of a normal birth, the doctor recommended an abortion. He suggested a “D and C,” or dilatation and curettage. In this, the embryo or fetus is scraped from the wall of the womb. The doctor explained that unless this was done the infection of the dead child would eventually endanger her life. Mrs. B— declared that as long as there was any possibility that there was life in her womb, she could not consent to an abortion, since this would be against God’s law. As one of Jehovah’s witnesses she knew that an induced abortion is murder in God’s eyes. (Ex. 21:22, 23; 1 John 3:15; Rev. 22:15) Her respect for God’s view on life came first. At this the doctor called her mother, who was waiting outside, and repeated his recommendation. However, Mrs. B— again refused, and the doctor disclaimed any responsibility for what might result. After two more visits in February, he still felt the same, although tests continued to prove positive, showing that there was a continued pregnancy. Also Recommends Abortion In March, Mrs. B— was referred to another doctor in New York. After his first examination, he said that it appeared that the baby was not alive. He too recommended an abortion, but said it was now too late for a “D and C,” since that is usually performed early in pregnancy. At this stage of pregnancy an abortion is handled differently. One type is similar to a cesarean operation, where by surgery entry is made into the womb to remove the fetus. Or it can be performed by injecting a saline solution through the abdomen, killing the fetus and inducing labor. This second doctor stated that it would be just a matter of time before she would abort naturally anyhow. Sooner or later, he felt, the body would expel the fetus, since he believed it was not alive. Another Diagnosis An incident that took place during this time is also of interest. One day, due to her bleeding and weakened state, Mrs. B— had a fainting spell. She fell down unconscious. Her sister rushed her to a hospital on Long Island. There X rays were taken, and the report was issued that there was no baby in her womb at all. However, Mrs. B—’s sister, a registered nurse, asked to see the X rays. She inquired as to what the large dark area was in the location of her womb. She was told that this was only the “stool,” resulting from constipation. But when her sister asked why Mrs. B—’s abdomen was protruding if there was no pregnancy, she was told that what Mrs. B— had was only “beer stomach.” Yet, during her pregnancy Mrs. B— did not drink beer or alcoholic beverages of any kind. As events later turned out, the diagnosis could not have been more mistaken. Signs of Life In May, the second doctor began to acknowledge that there were possible signs of life. He said that Mrs. B— had carried the fetus so long that there was now a possibility of birth. But since he no longer delivered babies, he turned her case over to another doctor in the Bronx. This doctor examined Mrs. B— and gave her the first positive assurance that the baby was indeed alive. He began making preparations for her to give birth at Jewish Memorial Hospital in Manhattan. During a brief stay at this hospital for false labor on September 4, X rays were taken. Mrs. B— was told that there were indications that the baby would be too small. And there was also talk of a possibly deformed or abnormal child. This had also been mentioned by other doctors previously. The false labor was not pursued to try to force a birth, as it was felt that the child should have time to develop naturally. But the doctor did say that if she did not deliver by the end of September, they would arrange for a cesarean delivery. By that time the baby would have been quite a few weeks overdue. A Baby Boy On September 19, 1970, Mrs. B— again went to the hospital. This time it was to give birth in the normal way to a 6-pound, 15-ounce bouncing baby boy, normal in every respect! No cesarean operation was necessary. Now Mr. and Mrs. B— have a boy to go with their family of three girls. After the birth of her baby, Mrs. B— agreed to stay and have another operation for the removal of the growths. However, nurses pressured her to have a blood transfusion. They felt she would ‘risk her life’ if she refused. When she did refuse because of its being against God’s law, they said her action was “awful.” Yet some of these very nurses assisted other women to have abortions. Mrs. B— reminded them of their inconsistency in pressuring her to ‘save life’ but then helping to kill other life.​—Acts 15:20, 29. Mrs. B— reasoned that it would be best to return home and, under her doctor’s care, take the time to build up her strength and blood. In this way she would be in a better condition for the operation later. This entire experience shows the wisdom of obeying the laws of God and not being stampeded into premature action. The first two doctors undoubtedly advised in sincerity, but their recommendations would have cost a life. By putting God’s laws first, life was preserved, the result of ‘obeying God as ruler rather than man.’​—Acts 5:29.

HELP FOR THE FAMILY | PARENTING How to Communicate With Your Teenager

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102013002

HELP FOR THE FAMILY | PARENTING How to Communicate With Your Teenager THE CHALLENGE As a child, he talked to you about everything. As a teenager, he tells you nothing. When you try to converse, he either gives clipped responses or ignites an argument that turns your home ground into a battleground. You can learn to talk with your teenager. First, though, consider two factors that may contribute to the challenge.a WHY IT HAPPENS The quest for independence. To become a responsible adult, your teenager must, in a figurative sense, gradually move from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat and learn to navigate life’s treacherous roadways. Of course, some teenagers want more freedom than they should have; on the other hand, some parents grant less freedom than they could. The tug-of-war that may result can create considerable turmoil for parents and teens. “My parents try to micromanage every aspect of my life,” complains 16-year-old Brad.b “If they don’t give me more freedom by the time I turn 18, I’m moving out!” Abstract thinking. Young children tend to think in concrete, black-and-white terms, but many teenagers can perceive the gray areas of a matter. This is an important aspect of abstract thinking, and it helps a young person develop sound judgment. Consider an example: To a child the concept of fairness seems simple: ‘Mom broke a cookie in two and gave half to me and half to my brother.’ In this case, fairness is reduced to a mathematical formula. Teenagers, however, realize that the concept is not that simple. After all, fair treatment is not always equal, and equal treatment is not always fair. Abstract thinking allows your teenager to grapple with such complex issues. The downside? It can also cause him to grapple with you. WHAT YOU CAN DO When possible, have casual chats. Take advantage of informal moments. For example, some parents have found that teenagers are more apt to open up while doing chores or while riding in the car, when they are side-by-side with a parent rather than face-to-face.​—Bible principle: Deuteronomy 6:6, 7. Keep it brief. You do not have to argue every issue to the bitter end. Instead, make your point . . . and then stop. Most of your message will be “heard” by your teenager later, when he’s alone and can ponder over what you’ve said. Give him a chance to do so.​—Bible principle: Proverbs 1:1-4. Listen​—and be flexible. Listen carefully​—without interrupting—​so that you can get the full scope of the problem. When replying, be reasonable. If you rigidly adhere to rules, your teen will be tempted to look for loopholes. “This is when kids live two lives,” warns the book Staying Connected to Your Teenager. “The one in which they tell their parents what they want to hear and the one in which they do as they please once they are out of their parents’ sight.”​—Bible principle: Philippians 4:5. Stay calm. “When we disagree, my mom takes offense at everything I say,” says a teen named Kari. “That just makes me upset, and the conversation snowballs into an argument.” Rather than overreact, say something that “mirrors” your teen’s feelings. For example, instead of saying, “That’s nothing to worry about!” say, “I can see how much this bothers you.”​—Bible principle: Proverbs 10:19. To the extent possible, guide, don’t dictate. Your teen’s abstract thinking skills are like muscles that need to be developed. So when he faces a dilemma, do not do his “exercising” for him. As you discuss the matter, give him a chance to come up with some solutions of his own. Then, after you have brainstormed a few options, you could say: “Those are a few possibilities. Think them over for a day or two, and then we can get together again to talk about which solution you prefer and why.”​—Bible principle: Hebrews 5:14. a Although in this article we refer to the teenager as a male, the principles discussed apply to both genders. b Names in this article have been changed. KEY SCRIPTURES “Be swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath.”​—James 1:19. “An answer, when mild, turns away rage.”​—Proverbs 15:1. “Do not irritate your children, but bring them up tenderly with true Christian training and advice.”​—Ephesians 6:4, The New Testament in Modern Speech, by R. F. Weymouth. FOR TEENAGERS Do you want your parents to extend you more freedom? Do you wish that they really understood you? You can make it easier for them to do both! How? Be willing to tell them what’s going on in your life. Talk openly. When you hold back, they cannot fully trust you​—and trust is the key to your getting more freedom. The point is, do not leave all the communication up to your parents. Do your part. Tell your parents about your day. Ask them about theirs. If you have a complaint, learn how to express it respectfully. Communication is a skill that you will need in adulthood. Why not acquire it now?

Live Forever (pe) 1989

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pe

Chapter 11 Why Has God Permitted Wickedness? 1. (a) What is the situation on earth today? (b) What complaint do some people have? WHEREVER you look in the world, there is crime, hatred and trouble. Often it is the innocent who suffer. Some people blame God. They may say: ‘If there is a God, why does he permit all these terrible things to happen?’ 2. (a) Who are doing wicked things? (b) How might much of the suffering on earth be prevented? 2 Yet who are doing these wicked things to others? It is people, not God. God condemns wicked acts. In fact, much of the suffering on earth would be prevented if people obeyed God’s laws. He commands us to love. He forbids murder, stealing, fornication, greed, drunkenness and other acts of wrongdoing that cause humans to suffer. (Romans 13:9; Ephesians 5:3, 18) God made Adam and Eve with a marvelous brain and body and with the ability to enjoy life to the full. He never wanted them or their children to suffer or have trouble. 3. (a) Who are responsible for wickedness? (b) What shows that Adam and Eve could have resisted Satan’s temptations? 3 It was Satan the Devil who started wickedness on earth. But Adam and Eve were also to blame. They were not so weak that they could not have resisted when the Devil tempted them. They could have told Satan to “go away,” just as the perfect man Jesus later did. (Matthew 4:10) But they did not. As a result, they became imperfect. All their children, including us, have inherited that imperfection, which brought with it sickness, sorrow and death. (Romans 5:12) But why has God permitted suffering to go on? 4. What helps us to understand that a loving God would temporarily permit wickedness? 4 A person may at first think that there could be no reason great enough for God to allow all the human suffering that has been experienced over the centuries. Yet, is it right to reach that conclusion? Have not parents who truly love their children permitted them to undergo a painful operation to correct some problem? Yes, the permission of temporary suffering has often made it possible for children to enjoy better health later on in life. What good has been done by God’s permission of wickedness? AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO BE SETTLED 5. (a) How did Satan contradict God? (b) What did Satan promise Eve? 5 The rebellion against God in the garden of Eden raised an important issue or question. We need to examine it in order to understand why God has permitted wickedness. Jehovah told Adam not to eat from a certain tree in the garden. If Adam did, what would happen? God said: “You will positively die.” (Genesis 2:17) However, Satan said exactly the opposite. He told Adam’s wife, Eve, to go ahead and eat from the forbidden tree. “You positively will not die,” Satan said. In fact, he went on to tell Eve: “For God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad.”—Genesis 3:1-5. 6. (a) Why did Eve disobey God? (b) What did it mean to eat from the forbidden tree? 6 Eve disobeyed God and ate. Why? Eve believed Satan. She selfishly thought that she would benefit by disobeying God. She reasoned that no longer would she or Adam need to answer to God. No longer would they have to submit to his laws. They could decide for themselves what is “good” and what is “bad.” Adam went along with Eve and also ate. Discussing man’s original sin against God, a footnote in The Jerusalem Bible says: “It is the power of deciding for himself what is good and what is evil and of acting accordingly, a claim to complete moral independence . . . The first sin was an attack on God’s sovereignty.” That is, it was an attack on God’s right to be man’s absolute ruler or superior. 7. (a) What issue was raised by man’s disobedience? (b) What questions need answering in connection with this issue? 7 So by eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve withdrew themselves from under God’s rulership. They went out on their own, doing what was “good” or “bad” according to their own decisions. So the important issue or question raised was: Does God have the right to be the absolute ruler of humankind? In other words, is Jehovah the One to decide what is good or bad for humans? Is he the One to say what is right conduct and what is not? Or can man do a better job of governing himself? Whose way of ruling is best? Can humans, under the invisible direction of Satan, rule successfully without Jehovah’s direction? Or is God’s guidance needed in order to set up a righteous government that will bring lasting peace to the earth? All such questions were raised in this attack on God’s sovereignty, on his right to be the only and absolute ruler of humankind. 8. Why did Jehovah not destroy the rebels right away? 8 Of course, as soon as the rebellion happened Jehovah could have destroyed the three rebels. There was no question that he was stronger than Satan or Adam and Eve. But destroying them would not have settled matters in the best way. For example, it would not have answered the question of whether humans could successfully rule themselves without help from God. So Jehovah allowed time to settle the important issue that was raised. SETTLING THE ISSUE 9, 10. What have been the results of humans trying to govern themselves without God’s guidance? 9 Now that time has passed, what has been the result? Well, what would you say? Have the past 6,000 years of history shown that humans have been successful in governing themselves without God’s guidance? Have humans provided good government for the blessing and happiness of all? Or has the record of history shown that the prophet Jeremiah’s words are correct: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step”?—Jeremiah 10:23. 10 Throughout history all kinds of governments have been tried, but none have brought security and real happiness to all those living under their rule. Some persons may point to the signs of progress. But can a person speak of true progress when the bow and arrow have been replaced by the atomic bomb, and when the world now is in great fear of another world war? What kind of progress is it when men can walk on the moon but cannot live together in peace on the earth? What good is it for men to build homes equipped with all kinds of modern conveniences when the families who live in them are torn apart by troubles? Are riots in the streets, the destruction of property and life and the widespread lawlessness things of which to be proud? Not at all! But these are the results of humans trying to rule themselves apart from God.—Proverbs 19:3. 11. So, evidently, what do humans need? 11 The evidence should be clear to all. Man’s efforts to govern himself independently of God have been a terrible failure. They have resulted in great human suffering. “Man has dominated man to his injury,” the Bible explains. (Ecclesiastes 8:9) Clearly, humans need God’s guidance in governing their affairs. Just as God created man with the need to eat food and drink water, so man was made with the need to obey God’s laws. If man ignores God’s laws, he will come into difficulty, just as surely as he would suffer if he ignored his body’s need for food and water.—Proverbs 3:5, 6. WHY SO LONG? 12. Why has God allowed such a long time to settle the issue? 12 However, a person might ask, ‘Why has God permitted so much time, about 6,000 years now, to settle this issue? Could it not have been settled in a satisfactory way long ago?’ Not really. If God had stepped in long ago, the charge could have been made that humans were not given enough time to experiment. But as it is, humans have had plenty of time to develop a government that would satisfy the needs of all its subjects, as well as make scientific discoveries that could contribute to the prosperity of all. Over the centuries humans have tried nearly every form of government. And their progress in the field of science has been remarkable. They have harnessed the atom and traveled to the moon. But what has been the result? Has it brought a grand new system for the blessing of humankind? 13. (a) In spite of all man’s scientific progress, what is the situation today? (b) What does this clearly prove? 13 Far from it! Instead, there is more unhappiness and trouble on earth than ever before. In fact, crime, pollution, war, family breakdown and other problems have reached such a dangerous stage that scientists believe man’s very existence is threatened. Yes, after about 6,000 years of experience in self-rule, and after reaching a peak in scientific “progress,” humankind is now facing self-destruction! How clear it is that humans cannot successfully govern themselves apart from God! Nor can anyone now complain that God did not allow enough time to settle this issue. 14. Why should we be encouraged to examine the other important issue raised by Satan? 14 Surely God has had good reason for permitting humans under the rule of Satan to cause the wickedness that has existed for so long. By his rebellion Satan raised another issue that it has also required time to settle. An examination of this issue will provide further help in our understanding why God has permitted wickedness. You should be especially interested in this issue because you are personally involved. [Picture on page 100] With good reason, a parent will permit a beloved child to undergo a painful operation. God also has good reasons for temporarily permitting humans to suffer [Picture on page 101] Adam and Eve, by eating the forbidden fruit, abandoned God’s rulership. They began making their own decisions as to what was good or bad [Pictures on page 103] Just as man was created with the need to eat food and drink water, he was also created with the need for God’s guidance

This Life (ts) 1974

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ts

Chapter 16 An Earth Free from Sickness and Death WHAT grand relief an earth forever free from sickness and death would mean for us humans! It would put an end to the bitter tears shed in expression of grief and suffering. Gone would be the excruciating pain and horrible deformities that sickness can bring. No longer would the ravages of old age weaken humans, often bringing them to a state of hopeless despair and helplessness. People everywhere would be enjoying youthful strength and vigor. Not a single mournful sound would ever come forth from their lips! This is not based on idle imagination. It is what Jehovah God has purposed. He has far more in mind for mankind than just a few years of life filled with problems and suffering.​—Revelation 21:3, 4. COULD IT LEAD TO TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS? But would an earth free from sickness and death give rise to other serious problems? Do you wonder: Where would all the people live? Would not the end of sickness and death quickly bring about crowded conditions, making life unpleasant, and leading to great food shortage? It was never God’s purpose to overpopulate the earth. To the perfect Adam and Eve, God said: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) There is quite a difference between ‘filling’ the earth and overpopulating it. If someone asked you to fill a glass with juice, you would not keep on pouring until the glass overflowed. Once the glass was sufficiently filled, you would stop pouring. Similarly, once the earth was comfortably filled with humankind, God would see to it that further population growth stopped on this planet. Moreover, we should not, on the basis of what we see or hear today, misjudge earth’s ability to provide a home for us and to sustain human and animal life. While large populations are jammed together in cities, vast regions of the earth are sparsely populated. If the present population were evenly distributed, there would be about six acres of fertile land for every man, woman and child. This would be more than ample room indeed! The hunger that so many humans must endure in various parts of the earth is not because the full capability of the soil to produce has been reached. Rather, widespread food shortage stems mainly from an unequal distribution of food supplies. Whereas much is produced in certain areas and surpluses exist, in other places there are extreme shortages. Actually, the earth could produce much more than it does at present. Back in 1970 the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimated the world’s agricultural potential to be great enough to feed about forty-two times as many people as the present world population. What man has already done in some regions of the earth gives some indication of what great possibilities there are for increasing earth’s productivity. The Imperial Valley of California was once an inhospitable, uncultivated desert. But irrigation of the mineral-rich desert soil has made this valley one of the richest agricultural regions in the United States. With about half the farmland, Europe, through more intensive cultivation, produces about as much food as North America. Truly there can be no question that more land could be brought under more intensive cultivation, and that without spoiling the beauty of forests and meadows. There is yet another factor that will assure an ample food supply for an earth comfortably filled with animal and human life. What is that? It is the divine help and direction that will then be given to mankind under the administration of God’s kingdom by his Son Jesus Christ. No one knows the earth better than does God, for he is its Creator. And under the wise administration of his kingdom the land will yield abundantly. As was the experience of ancient Israel when faithful, so it will be then: “The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our God, will bless us.”​—Psalm 67:6. Dry deserts and other unproductive areas, occupying millions of acres, will doubtless be reclaimed on a large scale. Receiving divine help in getting needed water is not without historical parallel. Back in the sixth century B.C.E., in fulfillment of God’s prophetic promises, thousands of Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. (Ezra 2:64-70) They evidently took a direct route through the inhospitable Syrian Desert. Yet God provided what they needed to keep alive. Even regarding their homeland he had predicted: “In the wilderness waters will have burst out, and torrents in the desert plain.”​—Isaiah 35:6. Since God did this in the past, we have good reason to expect that under the administration of his kingdom by Christ this will be done on a far grander scale. We need not fear that the ushering in of an earth free from sickness and death will give rise to unpleasant conditions. Not only will there be no overcrowding, but everyone will be able to eat food to satisfaction. The administration in the hands of God’s appointed King, Jesus Christ, and his 144,000 fellow rulers will see to it that earth’s inhabitants are well cared for. Pointing to the abundance of wholesome food to be enjoyed, the prophecy of Isaiah states: “Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples, in this mountain, a banquet . . . of well-oiled dishes filled with marrow, of wine kept on the dregs, filtered.”​—Isaiah 25:6. We can have confidence in Jehovah God, the One of whom the Bible declares: “You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16) Never has he failed to fulfill his promises. As the Scriptures say of ancient Israel: “Not a promise failed out of all the good promise that Jehovah had made to the house of Israel; it all came true.”​—Joshua 21:45. HOW SICKNESS AND DEATH WILL PASS AWAY Besides promising to provide the material things that humans need in order to enjoy life, Jehovah God has promised something worth much more. What is that? Relief from sickness and death. His declared purpose about the grand banquet mentioned in Isaiah is, in fact, followed up by the promise: “He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.”​—Isaiah 25:8. In harmony with God’s promise here expressed, the Kingdom administration in the hands of Jesus Christ and his associate rulers will be working toward bringing about the liberation of humankind from death. As sickness and death have come about through our being born imperfect sinners due to inheritance from the first man Adam, the death-dealing effects of sin must be counteracted. How? The basis for doing so must be an arrangement that satisfies justice. Logically it must be an arrangement that offsets the damage caused by the rebellion of Adam. What Adam lost must be regained. The price would have to be a ransom having the exact value of what Adam lost, namely, perfect human life with all its rights and prospects. None of Adam’s sinful descendants could provide such a ransom. This is made clear at Psalm 49:7: “Not one of them can by any means redeem even a brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” But Christ Jesus could do so, for he was a perfect man, and he willingly laid down his life, thereby giving “his soul a ransom in exchange for many.”​—Matthew 20:28. On the basis of his sacrificing his own perfect human life, Jesus Christ is in position to apply the benefits of his atoning sacrifice for the uplift of mankind from enslavement to sin. As sinful tendencies have become part of the human makeup, it will take time and help to overcome these. Under the Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ, all its human subjects will receive training in the way of righteousness.​—Revelation 20:12; Isaiah 26:9. However, this does not necessarily mean that those suffering from a serious physical disability or deformity are going to have to wait a long period of time during which they will finally recover from their affliction. When Jesus Christ was here on the earth, he healed the sick and afflicted instantly, miraculously. A number of cures he performed from a distance, while he was unseen by the afflicted ones and not in immediate touch with them. (Matthew 8:5-13; 15:21-28; Luke 7:1-10) Therefore any seriously handicapped persons, like a person with one leg or one arm, living when the Kingdom begins administering all of earth’s affairs can hope for miraculous, instantaneous healing at God’s appointed time. Marvelous indeed it will be to see sight restored to the blind, hearing to the deaf and soundness of body to the disfigured, maimed and deformed! The bringing of humans to full perfection in body and mind, however, will be a gradual process, requiring the application of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice and obedience to the direction of the Kingdom administration. What will take place might be compared to rehabilitating a disabled person under the guidance of a skilled therapist. During the course of his training the disabled person may make many mistakes but eventually he may come to the point where he is able to live a useful life without having to depend on others. The progress he makes depends on his response to the help given. QUALIFICATIONS OF THOSE REHABILITATING IMPERFECT HUMANS In rehabilitating the human race, Jesus Christ has all the needed qualifications. Having lived as a man on earth, he has personal acquaintance with the problems of imperfect humans. Though perfect, he, nevertheless, experienced suffering and sorrow, to the point of shedding tears. The Bible record tells us: “In the days of his flesh Christ offered up supplications and also petitions to the One who was able to save him out of death, with strong outcries and tears, and he was favorably heard for his godly fear. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”​—Hebrews 5:7, 8. As a result of what Jesus Christ experienced on earth, we can have confidence that he will be an understanding ruler. He will not deal harshly with his subjects, for he willingly laid down his life for mankind. (1 John 3:16) Then, too, since he is also the High Priest, Jesus will deal compassionately in freeing from sin those who respect his direction. He will not become impatient with them nor make them feel crushed because of their slipping into an act that does not perfectly reflect the personality of God. With reference to Jesus’ priestly service, Hebrews 4:15, 16 says: “We have as high priest, not one who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in all respects like ourselves, but without sin. Let us, therefore, approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness, that we may obtain mercy and find undeserved kindness for help at the right time.” While growing to perfection, humans will still be committing sins unintentionally. But by repenting and asking for forgiveness of God through their High Priest Jesus Christ, they will be forgiven and will continue to receive help in overcoming their weaknesses. Depicting the divine provisions for life and healing, Revelation 22:1, 2 speaks of “a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its broad way. And on this side of the river and on that side there were trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees were for the curing of the nations.” Those associated with Jesus Christ in rulership are likewise well qualified to help humankind. These fellow rulers include both men and women from a great variety of walks of life. (Galatians 3:28) Some of them came from backgrounds that had involved them in such conduct as fornication, adultery, homosexuality, stealing, drunkenness, extortion and the like. But they repented, turned around and began living a clean life, to the praise and honor of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) At the time of their death all who become associate king-priests of Jesus Christ must be found to be lovers and practicers of righteousness, haters of bad, and persons who unselfishly devoted themselves to further the welfare of fellowmen.​—Romans 12:9; James 1:27; 1 John 3:15-17; Jude 23. Maintaining a clean standing before God has not been easy for them. They have been subjected to tremendous pressures to adopt the world’s selfish ways. Many have had to face external pressures in the form of reproach, physical abuse and general dislike and scorn. As to what they should expect, Jesus Christ told them: “People will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations.” (Matthew 24:9) Additionally, all during the course of their life they have had to struggle to combat their own sinful tendencies. One of them, the apostle Paul, said of himself: “I pummel my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.”​—1 Corinthians 9:27. Truly, then, this body of 144,000 king-priests can sympathize with the problems of the Kingdom’s human subjects. They themselves had to contend with them and proved themselves loyal to God despite great difficulties. IDEAL CONDITIONS ON EARTH On earth, too, everything will be just right for assisting humans to grow to perfection. Only those who have shown themselves to be desirous of doing the divine will with a complete heart will remain after the Kingdom destroys its enemies. This means that the human greed and selfishness that have largely been responsible for polluting the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe will be things of the past. The survivors will not be plagued by divisive racial and national barriers. United in the worship of Jehovah God, all will act as brothers and pursue peace. Even the wild animals will do no harm to man or his domestic animals. The prophetic words of Isaiah 11:6-9 will then go beyond a spiritual fulfillment and witness a physical fulfillment: “The wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together; and a mere little boy will be leader over them. And the cow and the bear themselves will feed; together their young ones will lie down. And even the lion will eat straw just like the bull. And the sucking child will certainly play upon the hole of the cobra; and upon the light aperture of a poisonous snake will a weaned child actually put his own hand. They will not do any harm or cause any ruin in all my holy mountain; because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters are covering the very sea.” Through the Kingdom administration Jehovah God will be turning his attention to humans in a special way. This is portrayed in a prophetic vision recorded in the Bible book of Revelation. After comparing the extension of the Kingdom’s power to the coming down of New Jerusalem out of heaven, the account tells us: “[God] 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.”​—Revelation 21:2-4. Think of what that means. This present life with its pains and sorrows is definitely not all there is. Humankind will be freed from all mental, emotional and physical pain resulting from imperfection. Mental anguish over uncertainties or grave calamities and dangers will be a thing of the past. The depression, emptiness and loneliness associated with emotional pain will be no more. Never again will people cry out or groan due to severe physical pain. Bitter tears will no longer fill their eyes and stream down their cheeks. There will be no reason for anyone to give way to expressions of grief. Restored to perfection of mind and body, humans will find real pleasure in life for all eternity. Would you not want to be among those to enjoy these blessings from God?

Sing Praises (ssb) 1984

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb

Song 174 Stay Awake, Stand Firm, Grow Mighty (1 Corinthians 16:13) 1. Stay awake, stand firm, grow mighty, In the warfare that is right. Carry on as men undaunted, For the vict’ry is in sight. Under Christ, the Greater Gideon, We’re around the camp of Midian. Soon the battle cry will be given, Putting enemies to flight. 2. Stay awake and keep your senses, Always ready to obey. In his place each one be heeding What Christ Jesus has to say. From his fine example, we discern How Jehovah’s favor all can earn. So, as one, we serve as an army, Ever loyal to God’s way. 3. Stay awake, always be patient; On Jehovah learn to wait. For his hand controls all matters; He will never act too late. As with Gideon’s three hundred men, Our Commander soon will tell us when. So obey his rules for the battle. It will God’s name vindicate. 4. Stay awake, remain united As the good news we defend. And to theocratic order It is vital to attend. Let us shout with all God’s loyal ones: ‘Look! Jehovah’s sword and Gideon’s!’ Stay awake, stand firm, and grow mighty! Carry on right to the end!

‘Know Jehovah’ (kj) 1971

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/kj

Chapter 10 Christendom’s Fiery Destruction from the Celestial Chariot 1-3. Jehovah’s position at the temple was rightly the occasion for him to do what, and for what did this set the pattern as foretold in Malachi 3:1-5? THE celestial chariot of Jehovah is still standing outside the northern gate that leads up into the inner court of Jerusalem’s temple as new things are revealed in the vision to the Levite prophet Ezekiel. From a rider’s position above the celestial chariot the “glory of the God of Israel” had moved to above the threshold of the Most Holy of the temple. (Ezekiel 8:3, 4; 9:3) His presence there was rightly the occasion for him to inspect this house dedicated to him and to see what was going on there and then to express his judicial decision. It set the pattern for what was to take place later with regard to a greater temple, as foretold by a later prophet in these words: 2 “‘Look! I am sending my messenger, and he must clear up a way before me. And suddenly there will come to His temple the true Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,’ Jehovah of armies has said. ‘But who will be putting up with the day of his coming, and who will be the one standing when he appears? For he will be like the fire of a refiner and like the lye of laundrymen. And he must sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and must cleanse the sons of Levi; and he must clarify them like gold and like silver, and they will certainly become to Jehovah people presenting a gift offering in righteousness. And the gift offering of Judah and of Jerusalem will actually be gratifying to Jehovah, as in the days of long ago and as in the years of antiquity. 3 “‘And I will come near to you people for the judgment, and I will become a speedy witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against those swearing falsely, and against those acting fraudulently with the wages of a wage worker, with the widow and with the fatherless boy, and those turning away the alien resident, while they have not feared me,’ Jehovah of armies has said.”—Malachi 3:1-5; written 443 B.C.E., after Jerusalem’s temple was rebuilt. 4. According to the vision to Ezekiel, against whom had Jehovah been a speedy witness at the temple, and from there to where else had the “six men” carried on their smashing work to the finish? 4 In the vision to Ezekiel at the temple Jehovah had indeed been a “speedy witness” against the seventy older men who had been burning incense to idolatrous carvings and against the women who sat weeping over the false god Tammuz and against the twenty-five men who had their backs to Jehovah’s temple as they bowed in worship to the eastern sun. The man “clothed with linen, with a secretary’s inkhorn at his hips,” had not put a saving mark on their foreheads, and so Jehovah’s “six men” with smashing weapons had killed off those defilers of Jehovah’s temple. From their work at the temple those six executioners had gone out through the city of Jerusalem and had smashed to death all the unmarked persons, regardless of age, sex or civil status. Now what was to happen to the city itself, filled as it was with the corpses of the slain? Ezekiel was under command to tell us: 5. What was the man “clothed with linen” now told to do, and did he do so? 5 “And I continued to see, and, look! upon the expanse that was over the head of the cherubs there was something like sapphire stone, like the appearance of the likeness of a throne, appearing above them. And he proceeded to say to the man clothed with the linen, even to say: ‘Enter in between the wheelwork, in under the cherubs, and fill the hollows of both your hands with coals of fire from between the cherubs and toss them over the city.’ So he entered in before my eyes.”—Ezekiel 10:1, 2. 6. What was Jehovah’s judicial decision from the temple, and from where were the means for this to be done to be procured, and then used by whom? 6 Thus we have indicated to us the judicial decision of Jehovah from the temple: the city of Jerusalem must be destroyed, burned with fire, not even its temple being spared! From where would the incendiary material being spared! From where would the incendiary material proceed? From between the chariot wheels, beside which the four cherubs were standing. There the coals of fire were to be found. However, the cherubic living creatures were not the ones directly commanded to toss the fiery coals over corpse-filled Jerusalem. They were not to leave their place beside the wheels of the celestial chariot, but were to use an agent. Whom? The man “clothed with linen, with a secretary’s inkhorn at his hips.” In this way the fiery destruction of Jerusalem and its temple is traced back to Jehovah’s celestial chariot, and the tossing of the fiery coals therefrom is done at Jehovah’s command. The prophet Ezekiel saw the linen-clad man go in to where the fire was to get both hands filled with the fiery coals. Miraculously his hands were not to be hurt thereby. 7, 8. Where were the four cherubs alongside the chariot wheels standing, and how do we figure that out? 7 As Ezekiel watches, he proceeds to give us the background of the exciting scene by saying: “And the cherubs were standing to the right of the house when the man entered, and the cloud was filling the inner courtyard.”—Ezekiel 10:3. 8 By the expression “right of the house” did Ezekiel mean his right side as he faced the temple? Traditionally, the right side represents the south to the Hebrews. But here he speaks of the “right of the house when the man entered,” which would seem to have reference to the right side of the man as he entered, his right side being to the north. Taking this viewpoint of the matter, The New English Bible (1970) translates this part of verse three: “The cherubim stood on the right side of the temple as a man enters.” This would place the cherubs on the north side, where the description in Ezekiel 8:3, 4 stations them. Otherwise, we must understand (although Ezekiel does not say so) that the celestial chariot with its wheels and cherubs had moved from north of the temple to the south side (the right side when one faces east) of the sanctuary. 9. How does Ezekiel apparently repeat Ezekiel 9:3 regarding the movement of Jehovah’s glory and the sound of the cherubs’ wings? 9 Now apparently Ezekiel repeats what he had described previously (in Ezekiel 9:3) as he goes on to say: “And the glory of Jehovah proceeded to rise up from the cherubs to the threshold of the house, and the house gradually became filled with the cloud, and the courtyard itself was full of the brightness of the glory of Jehovah. And the very sound of the wings of the cherubs made itself heard to the outer courtyard, like the sound of God Almighty when he speaks.”—Ezekiel 10:4, 5. 10. How do three modern translators indicate there had been no interim movement of Jehovah’s glory? 10 As indicating that there had not been a movement of Jehovah away from the threshold of the temple to above the celestial chariot and then back again to the threshold of the temple, Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible reads: “And become high doth the honour of Jehovah above the cherub, over the threshold of the house, and the house is filled with the cloud, and the court hath been filled with the brightness of the honour of Jehovah.” Also, An American Translation renders Ezekiel 10:3, 4: “. . . and the cloud filled the inner court; for when the glory of the LORD had gone up from the cherubim to the threshold of the house, the house was filled with the cloud, while the court was filled with the radiance of the glory of the LORD.” Also, A New Translation of the Bible (by Dr. James Moffatt) here reads: “. . . a cloud filled the inner court. When the Splendour of the Eternal ascended from the kherubs and went to the threshold of the temple, the temple was filled with the cloud, and the inner court was filled with radiance from the Splendour of the Eternal.” 11. When the linen-clad man went in to get the fiery coals, where was Jehovah’s glory, and what was the effect of this on the temple, so that the cherubs called attention to it in what way? 11 Thus the glory of Jehovah had left the sapphire throne above that icelike expanse that was above the wheels and the cherubs alongside them and was still over the threshold of the Most Holy of the temple when the linen-clad man was told to get coals of fire. (Ezekiel 1:25-27; 10:1, 2) As for the temple down under the glory of Jehovah, it became filled with a miraculous cloud, this showing that Jehovah dominated the temple and no one else could enter it. (Compare 1 Kings 8:10-13; Revelation 15:8.) So bright was the glory of Jehovah above the temple that its radiance filled the courtyard in front of the temple sanctuary. Jehovah’s presence at the temple for the executing of his judicial decision was highly important. So deserving of attention was it that the four cherubs alongside the chariot wheels put their wings in motion, not to fly away with the chariot, but to make a mighty sound. If anyone had been in the outer courtyard, he could have heard the sound. It might have been like ear-shattering thunder, as when God Almighty speaks.—Compare Exodus 20:18, 19; John 12:28-30. 12. Where had the man with the inkhorn made his report, and to what did he now give his attention? 12 The man “clothed with linen, with a secretary’s inkhorn at his hips,” now turned his attention to those cherubs. Regarding his previous work of marking foreheads he had reported to Jehovah at the temple, saying: “I have done just as you have commanded me.” (Ezekiel 9:11) Now he turns to the “right [side] of the house,” to go to the celestial chariot, as Ezekiel next tells us: 13. What did the man “clothed with linen” receive from one of the cherubs, and how? 13 “And it came about, when he commanded the man clothed with the linen, saying: ‘Take fire from between the wheelwork, from between the cherubs,’ that he proceeded to enter and stand beside the wheel. Then the cherub thrust his hand out from between the cherubs to the fire that was between the cherubs and carried and put it into the hollows of the hands of the one clothed with linen, who now took it and went out. And there was seen belonging to the cherubs the representation of a hand of earthling man under their wings.”—Ezekiel 10:6-8. SYMBOLIC “COALS OF FIRE” TOSSED OVER JERUSALEM 14. What kind of fiery coals does the linen-clad man toss over the city, and this fact signifies what concerning the destruction of Jerusalem? 14 This is the last that the prophet Ezekiel sees of the man “clothed with linen” in the vision. Ezekiel’s eyes turn from following this man in the execution of his mission to a further contemplation of the celestial chariot. Ezekiel thus spares us the sight of the burning of the city of Jerusalem, as this linen-clad man turns his hands from the lifesaving work of marking foreheads to the destructive work of tossing “coals of fire” over the city. It is not man-made fire with which he sets the city afire; it is miraculous fire from God’s heavenly organization. Not a man, but a cherub that belonged to that organization, put this fire into the hands of the linen-clad man. What does this signify? This: that the utter destruction of Jerusalem as IF with fire could be an expression of Jehovah’s wrath and fury against that capital city of the Kingdom of Judah. The prophet Ezekiel saw this miraculous fire “between the wheelwork,” not when he first saw the celestial chariot the previous year in Babylon, but now when he sees that chariot on location at Jerusalem. When that chariot reached Jerusalem, it was the time for her destruction! 15. Correspondingly, to what does Jeremiah in the Lamentations liken the anger and rage poured out by Jehovah on Jerusalem? 15 The prophet Jeremiah, when lamenting bitterly over the destruction of Jerusalem, likens Jehovah’s anger and rage to fire. Mournfully he says: “Jehovah has swallowed up, he has shown no compassion upon any abiding places of Jacob [Israel]. In his fury he has torn down the fortified places of the daughter of Judah. He has brought into contact with the earth, he has profaned the kingdom and her princes. In the heat of anger he has cut down every horn of Israel. He has turned his right hand back from before the enemy; and in Jacob he keeps burning like a flaming fire that has devoured all around. He has trodden his bow like an enemy. His right hand has taken its position like an adversary, and he kept killing all those desirable to the eyes. Into the tent of the daughter of Zion he has poured out his rage, just like fire.” (Lamentations 2:2-4) With fitting figures of speech Jeremiah continues on to say: “Jehovah has accomplished his rage. He has poured out his burning anger. And he sets a fire ablaze in Zion, which eats up her foundations.”—Lamentations 4:11. 16, 17. The account in 2 Chronicles 36:16-20 is so worded as to indicate that destruction of Jerusalem and her temple was the expression of whose rage? 16 Even the inspired Chronicler, evidently the priestly scribe Ezra, words his account to remind us that the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 607 B.C.E. was the unmistakable expression of God’s justified rage against the unfaithful city. So, in 2 Chronicles 36:16-20, we read about the unresponsive Jews: 17 “They were continually making jest at the messengers of the true God and despising his words and mocking at his prophets, until the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until there was no healing. So he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who proceeded to kill their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, neither did he feel compassion for young man or virgin, old or decrepit. Everything He gave into his hand. And all the utensils, great and small, of the house of the true God and the treasures of the house of Jehovah and the treasures of the king and of his princes, everything he brought to Babylon. And he proceeded to burn the house of the true God and pull down the wall of Jerusalem; and all its dwelling towers they burned with fire and also all its desirable articles, so as to cause ruin. Furthermore, he carried off those remaining from the sword captive to Babylon, and they came to be servants to him and his sons until the royalty of Persia began to reign.” 18. Were those who actually burned Jerusalem down prefigured by the man “clothed with linen,” and so what was really implied by this man’s tossing the fiery coals over Jerusalem? 18 That account, and the fuller account in 2 Kings 25:8-21, show that it was the armies of the king of Babylon that actually burned down the city of Jerusalem. This does not mean, however, that such Babylonians were prefigured by the man “clothed with linen” who, in Ezekiel’s vision, tossed fiery coals over Jerusalem. No, but this visionary man continued to picture the faithful remnant of Jehovah’s baptized, anointed witnesses who do the symbolic marking of foreheads down at this “time of the end” for Christendom. Hence the man’s tossing coals of fire over Jerusalem pictured first that Jehovah would pour out his fiery rage upon Jerusalem. By the linen-clad man he was serving advance notice of this upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This pouring out of divine wrath was carried out by means of the Babylonian armies that really did burn the city. In like manner the modern-day counterpart of the linen-clad man scatter the fiery message from God’s Word all over Christendom, and this serves as advance notification to her that Jehovah’s fiery anger will be vented upon her in the coming “great tribulation.” 19. So, then, what relation does the anointed remnant pictured by the linen-clad man have with Christendom’s destruction, and, aside from his invisible, heavenly organization, what agencies will Jehovah use to wreak destruction upon Christendom? 19 Hence, in the actual working out of things in the near future, the anointed remnant pictured by the man “clothed in linen” will not actually set fire to Christendom, nor will they have any active hand in destroying her. They merely now proclaim the “day of vengeance on the part of our God” against Christendom. (Isaiah 61:1, 2) They got this fiery message from Jehovah through his heavenly organization, his celestial chariot. As it were, one of the heavenly cherubs belonging to that celestial chariot put these symbolic “coals of fire from between the cherubs” into the hollows of their hands to go and toss them out over the city of Christendom as warning notice. Aside from what Jehovah’s invisible heavenly organization under the glorified Jesus Christ will do toward the literal wiping out of Christendom, he will use earthly agencies to wreak violent destruction upon Christendom like what the Babylonians did to hypocritical Jerusalem back in 607 B.C.E. 20. Since Christendom is the outstanding part of Babylon the Great, she is in line for what kind of destruction? 20 When we call to mind that Christendom is the outstanding part of modern-day Babylon the Great, the world empire of false Babylonish religion, we can see that Christendom is in line for destruction as if by being burned with all-consuming fire. 21. Unavoidably, then, Christendom comes within the range of what words expressed in Revelation, chapter eighteen, concerning Babylon the Great? 21 Unavoidably, then, Christendom comes within the range of the prophetic words from heaven, as heard by the Christian apostle John: “That is why in one day her plagues will come, death and mourning and famine, and she will be completely burned with fire, because Jehovah God, who judged her, is strong.” Then, in a description of those who suffer personal selfish loss at the destruction of the world empire of false religion (including Christendom), the apostle John goes on to say: “And the kings of the earth who committed fornication with her and lived in shameless luxury will weep and beat themselves in grief over her, when they look at the smoke from the burning of her, while they stand at a distance because of their fear of her torment and say, ‘Too bad, too bad, you great city, Babylon you strong city, because in one hour your judgment has arrived!’”—Revelation 18:8-10. 22. According to the words of Revelation, chapter eighteen, the destruction is recognized as coming from whom, and how will those symbolically marked in the forehead react to it? 22 Even the last writer of the Bible recognizes this destruction of the hypocritical religious organization as a fiery destruction from the One who rides upon the celestial chariot. Accordingly the apostle John, after describing the sorrow of many at this destruction, says: “Be glad over her, O heaven, also you holy ones and you apostles and you prophets, because God has judicially exacted punishment for you from her!” (Revelation 18:20) All those marked in the forehead by the modern-day man “clothed with linen,” will rejoice with these at the fiery destruction that proceeded from Jehovah’s celestial chariot against hypocritical Christendom and all the rest of Babylon the Great. Surely all of us want to be on the side of those who rejoice when that occurs. THE WHEELWORK AND CHERUBS THAT ARE INVOLVED 23, 24. What description does Ezekiel now give of the wheels and cherubs, and what does its correspondency with the previous description indicate as to the source of destruction? 23 Along with the prophet Ezekiel let us take another look at Jehovah’s celestial chariot from which this fiery destruction flames forth against Christendom. How Ezekiel now describes it corresponds closely with what he said about it in Ezekiel 1:5-28. To identify it as being the same chariot, Ezekiel writes: 24 “And I continued to see, and, look! there were four wheels beside the cherubs, one wheel beside the one cherub and one wheel beside the other cherub, and the appearance of the wheels was like the glow of a chrysolite stone. And as for their appearance, the four of them had one likeness, just as when a wheel proves to be in the midst of a wheel. When they would go, to their four sides they would go. They would not change direction when they went, because the place to which the head would face, after it they would go. They would not change direction when they went. And all their flesh and their backs and their hands and their wings and the wheels were full of eyes all around. The four of them had their wheels. As regards the wheels, to them it was called out in my ears, ‘O wheelwork [hag-Galgal, Hebrew]!’”—Ezekiel 10:9-13. 25. What was the name given to the wheels, and to what feature about a wheel does it call attention? 25 It may have startled Ezekiel to hear a name called out to the wheels, “Wheelwork!” (Ezekiel 10:2) This name was evidently occasioned by what the wheel does, namely, it rolls along or whirls. So it could be called a roller or whirler. This feature is emphasized in The Emphasised Bible, by J. B. Rotherham, which translates Ezekiel 10:13 in this way: “To the wheels, to them was made the cry, O whirling wheel!” Or, according to the marginal reading: “O thou that whirlest!” Correspondingly, the name of the Israelite city Gilgal means “A Rolling Away.”—Joshua 5:9. 26. The naming of this feature about the celestial chariot with such a name called attention to what about Jehovah’s heavenly organization? 26 The naming of this part of the celestial chariot by such a name calls attention to the speed with which the celestial chariot, Jehovah’s heavenly organization, moves. It moves as with “wheels [galgal (used here in the plural)] as a stormwind.” “His wheels are like a storm-wind.” (Isaiah 5:28, Ro) The war chariots of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh, never moved faster than this celestial chariot, even if it is said of those Assyrian war chariots: “Like the lightnings they keep running.” (Nahum 2:4) Although the celestial chariot wheels whirled with so many revolutions per minute, they had eyes to see their way. 27. What observation did Ezekiel now make about the cherubs, and what does the movement of the wheels alongside them indicate? 27 From the wheels the prophet Ezekiel now turned his consideration to the accompanying cherubs. Evidently looking first at the left side of the cherubic living creature, Ezekiel remarks as follows about them: “And each one had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub [a bull’s face, in Ezekiel 1:10], and the second face was the face of earthling man, and the third was the face of a lion, and the fourth was the face of an eagle. And the cherubs would rise—it was the same living creature that I had seen at the river Chebar—and when the cherubs went, the wheels would go alongside them; and when the cherubs lifted up their wings to be high above the earth, the wheels would not change direction, even they themselves, from alongside them. When these stood still, they would stand still; and when these rose, they would rise with them, for the spirit of the living creature was in them.” (Ezekiel 10:14-17) There was thus perfect cooperation between the wheels and the cherubs. There was no disharmony or disorganization about this celestial chariot of Jehovah. 28. To what new position did the “glory of Jehovah” and the celestial chariot now move? 28 The “fire” taken from between the cherubs of this chariot and tossed by the linen-clad man over the city of Jerusalem had not yet reached the temple. So, in the vision, the “glory of Jehovah” still continues to maneuver in that area, just as Ezekiel now tells us: “And the glory of Jehovah proceeded to go forth from over the threshold of the house and to stand still over the cherubs. And the cherubs now lifted up their wings and rose from the earth before my eyes. When they went forth, the wheels also were close alongside them; and they began standing at the eastern entrance of the gate of the house of Jehovah, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them, from above. This is the living creature that I had seen under the God of Israel at the river Chebar [in Babylonia], so I that came to know that they were cherubs. As for the four, each one had four faces and each one had four wings, and the likeness of the hands of earthling man was under their wings. And as for the likeness of their faces, they were the faces the appearance of which I had seen by the river Chebar, the very ones. They would go each one straight forward.”—Ezekiel 10:18-22. 29. To where must the prophet Ezekiel now be brought, and what are we interested to learn respecting him now? 29 As the celestial chariot, with Jehovah seated upon the sapphire throne above it, stands at the outer eastern entrance of the temple, what instructions are to be given to the prophet Ezekiel? But first he must be brought from his position in the inner court of the temple in order to view what may be seen from the outer eastern gate that looked toward the Mount of Olives. We are interested to learn what he sees and hears there.

Page Two

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101989000

Page Two Why has religion so often created divisions, fomented hatred, and supported sectarian warfare? Why is religion such a controversial subject? Will it always be so? “Awake!” is pleased, starting with this issue, to make an in-depth study of religion and its future​—a future that will affect every person now alive, you included. This study will be developed in this and the next 23 issues of “Awake!”

“All Scripture” (si) 1990

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/all-scripture-si

Bible Book Number 44​—Acts Writer: Luke Place Written: Rome Writing Completed: c. 61 C.E. Time Covered: 33–c. 61 C.E. 1, 2. (a) What historical events and activities are described in Acts? (b) What time period does the book cover? IN THE 42nd book of the inspired Scriptures, Luke gives an account covering the life, activity, and ministry of Jesus and his followers up to the time of Jesus’ ascension. The historical record of the 44th book of the Scriptures, Acts of Apostles, continues the history of early Christianity by describing the founding of the congregation as a result of the operation of the holy spirit. It also describes the expansion of the witness, first among the Jews and then to people of all the nations. The greater part of the material in the first 12 chapters 1-12 covers the activities of Peter, and the remaining 16 chapters 13-28, the activities of Paul. Luke had an intimate association with Paul, accompanying him on many of his travels. 2 The book is addressed to Theophilus. Since he is referred to as “most excellent,” it is possible that he occupied some official position, or it may simply be an expression of high esteem. (Luke 1:3) The account provides an accurate historical record of the establishment and growth of the Christian congregation. It commences with Jesus’ appearances to his disciples following his resurrection and then records important events of the period from 33 to about 61 C.E., covering approximately 28 years in all. 3. Who wrote the book of Acts, and when was the writing completed? 3 From ancient times the writer of the Gospel of Luke has been credited with the writing of Acts. Both books are addressed to Theophilus. By repeating the closing events of his Gospel in the opening verses of Acts, Luke binds the two accounts together as the work of the same author. It appears that Luke completed Acts about 61 C.E., probably toward the close of a two-year stay in Rome while in the company of the apostle Paul. Since it records events down to that year, it could not have been completed earlier, and its leaving Paul’s appeal to Caesar undecided indicates that it was completed by that year. 4. What proves that Acts is canonical and authentic? 4 From the most ancient times, Acts has been accepted by Bible scholars as canonical. Parts of the book are to be found among some of the oldest extant papyrus manuscripts of the Greek Scriptures, notably the Michigan No. 1571 (P38) of the third or fourth century C.E. and Chester Beatty No. 1 (P45) of the third century. Both of these indicate that Acts was circulating with other books of the inspired Scriptures and hence was part of the catalog at an early date. Luke’s writing in the book of Acts reflects the same remarkable accuracy as we have already noted marks his Gospel. Sir William M. Ramsay rates the writer of Acts “among the historians of the first rank,” and he explains what this means by saying: “The first and the essential quality of the great historian is truth. What he says must be trustworthy.”a 5. Illustrate Luke’s accurate reporting. 5 Illustrating the accurate reporting that so characterizes Luke’s writings, we quote Edwin Smith, commander of a flotilla of British warships in the Mediterranean during World War I, writing in the magazine The Rudder, March 1947: “The ancient vessels were not steered as those in modern times by a single rudder hinged to the stern post, but by two great oars or paddles, one on each side of the stern; hence the mention of them in the plural number by St. Luke. [Acts 27:40] . . . We have seen in our examination that every statement as to the movements of this ship, from the time when she left Fair Havens until she was beached at Malta, as set forth by St. Luke has been verified by external and independent evidence of the most exact and satisfying nature; and that his statements as to the time the ship remained at sea correspond with the distance covered; and finally that his description of the place arrived at is in conformity with the place as it is. All of which goes to show that Luke actually made the voyage as described, and has moreover shown himself to be a man whose observations and statements may be taken as reliable and trustworthy in the highest degree.”b 6. What examples show how archaeological findings confirm the accuracy of Acts? 6 Archaeological findings also confirm the accuracy of Luke’s account. For example, excavations at Ephesus have unearthed the temple of Artemis as well as the ancient theater where the Ephesians rioted against the apostle Paul. (Acts 19:27-41) Inscriptions have been discovered that confirm the correctness of Luke’s use of the input “city rulers” as applying to the officials of Thessalonica. (17:6, 8) Two Maltese inscriptions show that Luke was also correct in referring to Publius as “the principal man” of Malta.​—28:7.c 7. How do the speeches recorded show the record of Acts to be factual? 7 Further, the various speeches made by Peter, Stephen, Cornelius, Tertullus, Paul, and others, as recorded by Luke, are all different in style and composition. Even the speeches of Paul, spoken before different audiences, changed in style to suit the occasion. This indicates that Luke recorded only what he himself heard or what other eyewitnesses reported to him. Luke was no fiction writer. 8. What do the Scriptures tell us of Luke and his association with Paul? 8 Very little is known of the personal life of Luke. Luke himself was not an apostle but was associated with those who were. (Luke 1:1-4) In three instances the apostle Paul mentions Luke by name. (Col. 4:10, 14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24) For some years he was the constant companion of Paul, who called him “the beloved physician.” There is a shifting back and forth in the account between “they” and “we,” indicating that Luke was with Paul at Troas during Paul’s second missionary tour, that he may have remained behind at Philippi until Paul returned some years later, and that he then rejoined Paul and accompanied him on his trip to Rome for trial.​—Acts 16:8, 10; 17:1; 20:4-6; 28:16. outputS OF ACTS 9. What things are the disciples told at the time of Jesus’ ascension? 9 Events till Pentecost (1:1-26). As Luke opens this second account, the resurrected Jesus tells his eager disciples that they will be baptized in holy spirit. Will the Kingdom be restored at this time? No. But they will receive power and become witnesses “to the most distant part of the earth.” As Jesus is lifted up out of their sight, two men in white tell them: “This Jesus who was received up from you into the sky will come thus in the same manner.”​—1:8, 11. 10. (a) What memorable things happen on the day of Pentecost? (b) What explanation does Peter give, and what results from it? 10 The memorable day of Pentecost (2:1-42). The disciples are all assembled in Jerusalem. Suddenly a noise like a rushing wind fills the house. Tongues as if of fire rest on those present. They are filled with holy spirit and begin speaking in different languages about “the magnificent things of God.” (2:11) Onlookers are perplexed. Now Peter stands up and speaks. He explains that this outpouring of the spirit is in fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel (2:28-32) and that Jesus Christ, now resurrected and exalted to God’s right hand, ‘has poured out this which they see and hear.’ Stabbed to the heart, about 3,000 embrace the word and are baptized.​—2:33. 11. How does Jehovah prosper the preaching work? 11 The witness expands (2:43–5:42). Daily, Jehovah continues to join to them those being saved. Outside the temple Peter and John come upon a crippled man who has never walked in his life. “In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!” commands Peter. Immediately the man begins “walking and leaping and praising God.” Peter then appeals to the people to repent and turn around, “that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah.” Annoyed that Peter and John are teaching Jesus’ resurrection, the religious leaders arrest them, but the ranks of the believers swell to about 5,000 men.​—3:6, 8, 19. 12. (a) What answer do the disciples give when commanded to stop preaching? (b) For what are Ananias and Sapphira punished? 12 The next day, Peter and John are taken before the Jewish rulers for questioning. Peter testifies outspokenly that salvation is only through Jesus Christ, and when commanded to stop their preaching work, both Peter and John reply: “Whether it is righteous in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves. But as for us, we cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard.” (4:19, 20) They are released, and all the disciples continue to speak the word of God with boldness. Because of the circumstances, they pool their material possessions and make distributions according to the need. However, a certain Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sell some property and secretly keep back part of the price while giving the appearance of turning in the entire sum. Peter exposes them, and they drop dead because they have played false to God and the holy spirit. 13. With what are the apostles charged, how do they reply, and what do they continue to do? 13 Again the outraged religious leaders throw the apostles into jail, but this time Jehovah’s angel releases them. The next day they are again brought before the Sanhedrin and charged with ‘filling Jerusalem with their teaching.’ They reply: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” Though flogged and threatened, they still refuse to stop, and ‘every day in the temple and from house to house they continue without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.’​—5:28, 29, 42. 14. How does Stephen meet martyrdom? 14 Stephen’s martyrdom (6:1–8:1a). Stephen is one of seven appointed by holy spirit to distribute food to tables. He also witnesses powerfully to the truth, and so zealous is his support of the faith that his enraged opponents have him brought before the Sanhedrin on the charge of blasphemy. In making his defense, Stephen tells first of Jehovah’s long-suffering toward Israel. Then, in fearless eloquence, he comes to the point: ‘Obstinate men, you are always resisting the holy spirit, you who received the Law as transmitted by angels but have not kept it.’ (7:51-53) This is too much for them. They rush upon him, throw him outside the city, and stone him to death. Saul looks on in approval. 15. What results from persecution, and what preaching experiences does Philip have? 15 Persecutions, Saul’s conversion (8:1b–9:30). The persecution that begins that day against the congregation in Jerusalem scatters all except the apostles throughout the land. Philip goes to Samaria, where many accept the word of God. Peter and John are sent there from Jerusalem so that these believers may receive holy spirit “through the laying on of the hands of the apostles.” (8:18) An angel then directs Philip south to the Jerusalem-Gaza road, where he finds a eunuch of the royal court of Ethiopia riding in his chariot and reading the book of Isaiah. Philip enlightens him as to the meaning of the prophecy and baptizes him. 16. How does the conversion of Saul come about? 16 Meanwhile, Saul, “still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” sets out to arrest those ‘belonging to The Way’ in Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashes around him, and he falls to the ground blinded. A voice from heaven tells him: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” After three days in Damascus, a disciple named Ananias ministers to him. Saul recovers his sight, gets baptized, and becomes filled with holy spirit, so that he becomes a zealous and able preacher of the good news. (9:1, 2, 5) In this amazing turn of events, the persecutor becomes the persecuted and has to flee for his life, first from Damascus and then from Jerusalem. 17. How does the good news go to uncircumcised Gentiles? 17 The good news goes to uncircumcised Gentiles (9:31–12:25). The congregation now ‘enters into a period of peace, being built up; and as it walks in the fear of Jehovah and in the comfort of the holy spirit, it keeps on multiplying.’ (9:31) At Joppa, Peter raises the beloved Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead, and it is from here that he receives the call to go to Caesarea, where an army officer named Cornelius awaits him. He preaches to Cornelius and his household and they believe, and the holy spirit is poured out upon them. Having perceived “that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him,” Peter baptizes them​—the first uncircumcised Gentile converts. Peter later explains this new development to the brothers in Jerusalem, at which they glorify God.​—10:34, 35. 18. (a) What next occurs in Antioch? (b) What persecution breaks out, but does it achieve its object? 18 As the good news continues to spread rapidly, Barnabas and Saul teach quite a crowd in Antioch, ‘and it is first in Antioch that the disciples are by divine providence called Christians.’ (11:26) Once again persecution breaks out. Herod Agrippa I has James the brother of John killed with the sword. He also throws Peter into prison, but once again Jehovah’s angel sets Peter free. Too bad for the wicked Herod! Because he fails to give glory to God, he is eaten up with worms and dies. On the other hand, ‘the word of Jehovah goes on growing and spreading.’​—12:24. 19. How extensive is Paul’s first missionary journey, and what is accomplished? 19 Paul’s first missionary trip, with Barnabas (13:1–14:28).d Barnabas and “Saul, who is also Paul,” are set apart and sent forth from Antioch by holy spirit. (13:9) On the island of Cyprus, many become believers, including the proconsul Sergius Paulus. On the mainland of Asia Minor, they make a circuit of six or more cities, and everywhere it is the same story: A clear division appears between those who gladly accept the good news and the stiff-necked opponents who incite rock-throwing mobs against Jehovah’s messengers. After making appointments of older men in the newly formed congregations, Paul and Barnabas return to Syrian Antioch. 20. By what decision is the circumcision issue settled? 20 Settling the circumcision issue (15:1-35). With the great influx of non-Jews, the question arises whether these should be circumcised. Paul and Barnabas take the issue to the apostles and the older men in Jerusalem, where the disciple James presides and arranges to send out the unanimous decision by formal letter: “The holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication.” (15:28, 29) The encouragement of this letter causes the brothers in Antioch to rejoice. 21. (a) Who are associated with Paul on his second missionary trip? (b) What events mark the visit to Macedonia? 21 Ministry expands with Paul’s second trip (15:36–18:22).e “After some days” Barnabas and Mark sail for Cyprus, while Paul and Silas set out through Syria and Asia Minor. (15:36) The young man Timothy joins Paul at Lystra, and they journey on to Troas on the Aegean seacoast. Here in a vision Paul sees a man entreating him: “Step over into Macedonia and help us.” (16:9) Luke joins Paul, and they take a ship to Philippi, the principal city of Macedonia, where Paul and Silas are thrown into prison. This results in the jailer’s becoming a believer and getting baptized. After their release, they push on to Thessalonica, and there the jealous Jews incite a mob against them. So by night the brothers send Paul and Silas out to Beroea. Here the Jews show noble-mindedness by receiving the word “with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily” in search of confirmation of the things learned. (17:11) Leaving Silas and Timothy with this new congregation, as he had left Luke in Philippi, Paul continues on south to Athens. 22. What results from Paul’s skillful speech on the Areopagus? 22 In this city of idols, high-minded Epicurean and Stoic philosophers deride Paul as a “chatterer” and “a publisher of foreign deities,” and they take him up to the Areopagus, or Mars’ Hill. With skillful oratory Paul argues in favor of seeking the true God, the “Lord of heaven and earth,” who guarantees a righteous judgment by the one whom He has resurrected from the dead. Mention of the resurrection divides his audience, but some become believers.​—17:18, 24. 23. What is accomplished in Corinth? 23 Next, in Corinth, Paul stays with Aquila and Priscilla, joining with them in the trade of tentmaking. Opposition to his preaching compels him to move out of the synagogue and to hold his meetings next door, in the home of Titius Justus. Crispus, the presiding officer of the synagogue, becomes a believer. After a stay of 18 months in Corinth, Paul departs with Aquila and Priscilla for Ephesus, where he leaves them and continues on to Antioch in Syria, thus completing his second missionary tour. 24, 25. (a) At the time of Paul’s starting his third journey, what takes place in Ephesus? (b) What commotion marks the conclusion of Paul’s three-year stay? 24 Paul revisits congregations, third tour (18:23–21:26).f A Jew named Apollos comes to Ephesus from Alexandria, Egypt, speaking boldly in the synagogue about Jesus, but Aquila and Priscilla find it necessary to correct his teaching before he goes on to Corinth. Paul is now on his third journey and in due course comes to Ephesus. Learning that the believers here have been baptized with John’s baptism, Paul explains baptism in Jesus’ name. He then baptizes about 12 men; and when he lays his hands upon them, they receive the holy spirit. 25 During Paul’s three-year stay in Ephesus, ‘the word of Jehovah keeps growing and prevailing in a mighty way,’ and many give up their worship of the city’s patron goddess, Artemis. (19:20) Angered at the prospective loss of business, the makers of silver shrines throw the city into such an uproar that it takes hours to disperse the mob. Soon afterward Paul leaves for Macedonia and Greece, visiting the believers along the way. 26. (a) What miracle does Paul perform at Troas? (b) What counsel does he give the overseers from Ephesus? 26 Paul stays three months in Greece before returning by way of Macedonia, where Luke rejoins him. They cross over to Troas, and here, as Paul is discoursing into the night, a young man falls asleep and tumbles out of a third-story window. He is picked up dead, but Paul restores him to life. The next day Paul and his party leave for Miletus, where Paul stops over en route to Jerusalem, to have a meeting with the older men from Ephesus. He informs them they will see his face no more. How urgent, then, it is for them to take the lead and shepherd the flock of God, ‘among which the holy spirit has appointed them overseers’! He recalls the example he has set among them, and he admonishes them to keep awake, not sparing themselves in giving in behalf of the brothers. (20:28) Though warned against setting foot in Jerusalem, Paul does not turn back. His companions acquiesce, saying: “Let the will of Jehovah take place.” (21:14) There is great rejoicing when Paul reports to James and the older men concerning God’s blessing on his ministry among the nations. 27. What reception does Paul receive at the temple? 27 Paul arrested and tried (21:27–26:32). When Paul appears in the temple in Jerusalem, he is given a hostile reception. Jews from Asia stir up the whole city against him, and Roman soldiers rescue him just in the nick of time. 28. (a) What question does Paul raise before the Sanhedrin, and with what result? (b) Where is he then sent? 28 What is all the uproar about? Who is this Paul? What is his crime? The puzzled military commander wants to know the answers. Because of his Roman citizenship, Paul escapes the whipping rack and is brought before the Sanhedrin. Ah, a divided court of Pharisees and Sadducees! Paul therefore raises the question of the resurrection, setting them one against another. As the dissension becomes violent, the Roman soldiers have to snatch Paul from the midst of the Sanhedrin before he is pulled to pieces. He is sent secretly by night to Governor Felix in Caesarea with heavy soldier escort. 29. Charged with sedition, what series of trials or hearings does Paul have, and what appeal does he make? 29 Charged with sedition by his accusers, Paul ably defends himself before Felix. But Felix holds out in hopes of getting bribe money for Paul’s release. Two years pass. Porcius Festus succeeds Felix as governor, and a new trial is ordered. Again, serious charges are made, and again Paul declares his innocence. But Festus, to gain favor with the Jews, suggests a further trial before him in Jerusalem. Paul therefore declares: “I appeal to Caesar!” (25:11) More time passes. Finally, King Herod Agrippa II pays a courtesy visit to Festus, and Paul is again brought into the judgment hall. So forceful and convincing is his testimony that Agrippa is moved to say to him: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.” (26:28) Agrippa likewise recognizes Paul’s innocence and that he could be released if he had not appealed to Caesar. 30. What experiences attend Paul’s voyage as far as Malta? 30 Paul goes to Rome (27:1–28:31).g The prisoner Paul and others are taken on a boat for the first stage of the journey to Rome. The winds being contrary, progress is slow. At the port of Myra, they change ships. On reaching Fair Havens, in Crete, Paul recommends wintering there, but the majority advise setting sail. They have hardly put to sea when a tempestuous wind seizes them and drives them along unmercifully. After two weeks their vessel is finally pounded to pieces on a shoal off the coast of Malta. True to Paul’s previous assurance, not one of the 276 aboard loses his life! The inhabitants of Malta show extraordinary human kindness, and during that winter, Paul cures many of them by the miraculous power of God’s spirit. 31. How is Paul greeted on arrival at Rome, and in what does he busy himself there? 31 The next spring Paul reaches Rome, and the brothers come out on the roadway to meet him. The sight of them causes Paul to ‘thank God and take courage.’ Though still a prisoner, Paul is permitted to stay in his own hired house with a soldier guard. Luke ends his account, describing Paul’s kindly receiving all those who came in to him and “preaching the kingdom of God to them and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with the greatest freeness of speech, without hindrance.”​—28:15, 31. WHY BENEFICIAL 32. Before and at Pentecost, how did Peter testify to the authenticity of the Hebrew Scriptures? 32 The book of Acts adds testimony to that of the Gospel accounts in confirming the authenticity and inspiration of the Hebrew Scriptures. As Pentecost approached, Peter cited the fulfillment of two prophecies that “the holy spirit spoke beforehand by David’s mouth about Judas.” (Acts 1:16, 20; Ps. 69:25; 109:8) Peter also told the astonished Pentecost crowd that they were actually witnessing fulfillment of prophecy: “This is what was said through the prophet Joel.”​—Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32; compare also Acts 2:25-28, 34, 35 with Psalm 16:8-11 and Ps 110:1. 33. How did Peter, Philip, James, and Paul all show the Hebrew Scriptures to be inspired? 33 To convince another crowd outside the temple, Peter again called upon the Hebrew Scriptures, first quoting Moses and then saying: “And all the prophets, in fact, from Samuel on and those in succession, just as many as have spoken, have also plainly declared these days.” Later, before the Sanhedrin, Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 in showing that Christ, the stone that they rejected, had become “the head of the corner.” (Acts 3:22-24; 4:11) Philip explained to the Ethiopian eunuch how the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, 8 had been fulfilled, and on being enlightened, this one humbly requested baptism. (Acts 8:28-35) Likewise, speaking to Cornelius concerning Jesus, Peter testified: “To him all the prophets bear witness.” (10:43) When the matter of circumcision was being debated, James backed up his decision by saying: “With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written.” (15:15-18) The apostle Paul relied on the same authorities. (26:22; 28:23, 25-27) The evident ready acceptance by the disciples and their hearers of the Hebrew Scriptures as part of God’s Word sets the seal of inspired approval on those writings. 34. What does Acts reveal concerning the Christian congregation, and is this any different today? 34 Acts is most beneficial in showing how the Christian congregation was founded and how it grew under power of holy spirit. Throughout this dramatic account, we observe God’s blessings of expansion, the boldness and joy of the early Christians, their uncompromising stand in the face of persecution, and their willingness to serve, as exemplified in Paul’s answering the calls to enter foreign service and to go into Macedonia. (4:13, 31; 15:3; 5:28, 29; 8:4; 13:2-4; 16:9, 10) The Christian congregation today is no different, for it is bound together in love, unity, and common interest as it speaks “the magnificent things of God” under guidance of holy spirit.​—2:11, 17, 45; 4:34, 35; 11:27-30; 12:25. 35. How does Acts show how the witness was to be given, and what quality in the ministry is emphasized? 35 The book of Acts shows just how the Christian activity of proclaiming God’s Kingdom should be carried out. Paul himself was an example, saying: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.” Then he goes on to say: “I thoroughly bore witness.” This theme of ‘thorough witnessing’ strikes our attention throughout the book, and it comes impressively to the fore in the closing paragraphs, where Paul’s wholehearted devotion to his preaching and teaching, even under prison bonds, is borne out in the words: “And he explained the matter to them by bearing thorough witness concerning the kingdom of God and by using persuasion with them concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.” May we ever be as singlehearted in our Kingdom activity!​—20:20, 21; 28:23; 2:40; 5:42; 26:22. 36. What practical counsel by Paul applies forcefully to overseers today? 36 Paul’s discourse to the overseers from Ephesus contains much practical counsel for overseers today. Since these have been appointed by holy spirit, it is most important that they ‘pay attention to themselves and to all the flock,’ shepherding them tenderly and guarding them against oppressive wolves that seek their destruction. No light responsibility this! Overseers have need to keep awake and build themselves up on the word of God’s undeserved kindness. As they labor to assist those who are weak, they “must bear in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’”​—20:17-35. 37. By what tactful argumentation did Paul get across his point on the Areopagus? 37 The other discourses of Paul also sparkle with clear exposition of Bible principles. For example, there is the classic argumentation of his talk to the Stoics and Epicureans on the Areopagus. First he quotes the altar inscription, “To an Unknown God,” and uses this as his reason for explaining that the one true God, the Lord of heaven and earth, who made out of one man every nation of men, “is not far off from each one of us.” Then he quotes the words of their poets, “For we are also his progeny,” in showing how ridiculous it is to suppose that they sprang from lifeless idols of gold, silver, or stone. Thus Paul tactfully establishes the sovereignty of the living God. It is only in his concluding words that he raises the issue of the resurrection, and even then he does not mention Christ by name. He got across his point of the supreme sovereignty of the one true God, and some became believers as a result.​—17:22-34. 38. What blessings will result from the kind of study encouraged in Acts? 38 The book of Acts encourages continuous, diligent study of “all Scripture.” When Paul first preached in Beroea, the Jews there, because “they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so,” were commended as being “noble-minded.” (17:11) Today, as then, this eager searching of the Scriptures in association with Jehovah’s spirit-filled congregation will result in the blessings of conviction and strong faith. It is by such study that one may come to a clear appreciation of the divine principles. A fine statement of some of these principles is recorded at Acts 15:29. Here the governing body of apostles and older brothers in Jerusalem made known that while circumcision was not a requirement for spiritual Israel, there were definite prohibitions on idolatry, blood, and fornication. 39. (a) How were the disciples strengthened to meet persecutions? (b) What bold testimony did they give? Was it effective? 39 Those early disciples really studied the inspired Scriptures and could quote and apply them as needed. They were strengthened through accurate knowledge and by God’s spirit to meet fierce persecutions. Peter and John set the pattern for all faithful Christians when they boldly told the opposing rulers: “Whether it is righteous in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves. But as for us, we cannot stop speaking about the things we have seen and heard.” And when brought again before the Sanhedrin, which had “positively ordered” them not to keep teaching on the basis of Jesus’ name, they said unequivocally: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” This fearless testimony resulted in a fine witness to the rulers, and it led the famous Law teacher Gamaliel to make his well-known statement in favor of freedom of worship, which led to the apostles’ release.​—4:19, 20; 5:28, 29, 34, 35, 38, 39. 40. What incentive does Acts give us to bear thorough witness to the Kingdom? 40 Jehovah’s glorious purpose concerning his Kingdom, which runs like a golden thread throughout the entire Bible, stands out very prominently in the book of Acts. At the outset Jesus is shown during the 40 days prior to his ascension “telling the things about the kingdom of God.” It was in answer to the disciples’ question about the restoration of the Kingdom that Jesus told them that they must first be his witnesses to the most distant part of the earth. (1:3, 6, 8) Starting in Jerusalem, the disciples preached the Kingdom with unflinching boldness. Persecutions brought the stoning of Stephen and scattered many of the disciples into new territories. (7:59, 60) It is recorded that Philip declared “the good news of the kingdom of God” with much success in Samaria and that Paul and his associates proclaimed “the kingdom” in Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. All these early Christians set sterling examples of unswerving reliance on Jehovah and his sustaining spirit. (8:5, 12; 14:5-7, 21, 22; 18:1, 4; 19:1, 8; 20:25; 28:30, 31) Viewing their indomitable zeal and courage and noting how abundantly Jehovah blessed their efforts, we also have wonderful incentive to be faithful in “bearing thorough witness concerning the kingdom of God.”​—28:23. [Footnotes] a St. Paul the Traveller, 1895, page 4. b Quoted in Awake! of July 22, 1947, pages 22-3; see also Awake! of April 8, 1971, pages 27-8. c Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 1, pages 153-4, 734-5; Vol. 2, page 748. d Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, page 747. e Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, page 747. f Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, page 747. g Insight on the Scriptures, Vol. 2, page 750.

Examining the Scriptures—2019 2018

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/examining-the-scriptures/examining-the-scriptures-2019

June Saturday, June 1 God is love.​—1 John 4:16. Motivated by love, Jehovah corrects, educates, and trains us so that we can remain in his love and on the path to life. At times, though, discipline may involve more than counsel or oral correction. If more serious sins are involved, it may include a loss of privileges in the congregation. Even when that is the case, such discipline reflects God’s love for us. A loss of privileges, for example, can help a person realize how important it is for him to focus more on personal Bible study, meditation, and prayer. He can thus be strengthened spiritually. (Ps. 19:7) In time, privileges may be restored. Even disfellowshipping reflects Jehovah’s love, for it protects the congregation from bad influences. (1 Cor. 5:6, 7, 11) And because God disciplines to the proper degree, disfellowshipping can impress on the wrongdoer the seriousness of his sin and move him to repentance.​—Acts 3:19. w18.03 24 ¶5-6 Sunday, June 2 He and his entire household were baptized without delay.​—Acts 16:33. The jailer was not familiar with the Scriptures. So to gain a solid foundation of Scriptural knowledge, he needed to learn basic Bible truths, understand what it means to be one of God’s servants, and be determined to obey Jesus’ teachings. In a relatively brief time, his knowledge of basic Scriptural truths and his appreciation of them prompted him to get baptized. (Acts 16:25-33) No doubt he continued to add to his knowledge after his baptism. With this example in mind, what can you do when your child expresses a heartfelt appreciation for basic Scriptural teachings, including the meaning and significance of dedication and baptism? You Christian parents may conclude that he can contact the congregation elders to see if he meets the qualifications to get baptized. Like other baptized disciples, he will continue to increase in knowledge of Jehovah’s purpose throughout his life, even for all eternity.​—Rom. 11:33, 34. w18.03 10 ¶8-9 Monday, June 3 Have . . . the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had.​—Rom. 15:5. As we work at cultivating spirituality, holy spirit will give us the power to transform our mind. With the spirit’s help, we can gradually begin to think more and more as Christ did. Additionally, it will help us root out fleshly desires and cultivate qualities pleasing to God. Our Christlike thinking will influence our speech, our conduct at work or in school, and the decisions we make each day. Those decisions will reveal that we strive to be followers of Christ. As spiritual people, we want nothing to jeopardize our relationship with our heavenly Father. When we are confronted with temptations, our Christlike attitude will move us to push them away. When making decisions, we will stop and ponder over these questions: ‛What Bible principles will help me decide? What would Christ do in this situation? What decision will please Jehovah?’ w18.02 25 ¶12; 26 ¶14 Tuesday, June 4 Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah.​—Gen. 6:8. By the time of Noah’s great-grandfather Enoch, people had become very ungodly. They were even saying “shocking things” against Jehovah. (Jude 14, 15) Violence was increasing. In fact, in Noah’s day, “the earth was filled with violence.” Wicked angels materialized as humans, took wives, and produced brutal, hybrid offspring. (Gen. 6:2-4, 11, 12) But Noah stood out as different. “He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the true God.” (Gen. 6:9) Consider what those words say about that righteous man. For one thing, Noah did not walk with God in that wicked pre-Flood world for a mere 70 or 80 years​—the life span of many today. He lived in that world for almost 600 years! (Gen. 7:11) And unlike us today, he did not have a congregation of fellow worshippers​—evidently not even his siblings—​to turn to for spiritual support. w18.02 4 ¶4-5 Wednesday, June 5 Men will be . . . lovers of money.​—2 Tim. 3:2. People who love money will always want more, and striving to amass it, they will bring on themselves “many pains.” (1 Tim. 6:9, 10; Eccl. 5:10) We all need money, of course. It provides a measure of protection. (Eccl. 7:12) But can a person be truly happy if he has only enough for his basic needs? Absolutely! (Eccl. 5:12) Agur son of Jakeh wrote: “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Just let me consume my portion of food.” We can readily understand his reason for not wanting to be extremely poor. As he went on to explain, he did not want to be tempted to steal because theft would dishonor God. But why did he pray not to have riches? He wrote: “So that I do not become satisfied and deny you and say, ‘Who is Jehovah?’” (Prov. 30:8, 9) Jesus said: “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches.”​—Matt. 6:24. w18.01 24 ¶9-11 Thursday, June 6 My heavenly Father will also deal with you in the same way if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart.​—Matt. 18:35. We promote unity by freely forgiving others. When we forgive those who have offended us, we show that we appreciate the forgiveness of our own sins made possible by Christ’s ransom sacrifice. Consider one of Jesus’ illustrations as recorded at Matthew 18:23-34. Ask yourself: ‘Am I moved to apply what Jesus taught? Do I show patience and understanding to my fellow servants? Am I ready to forgive those who sin against me personally?’ Granted, there are degrees of sin, and some offenses are very hard for imperfect humans to forgive. Yet, this illustration teaches us what Jehovah expects. Jesus makes it clear that Jehovah will not forgive us if we do not forgive our brothers when there is a sound basis for doing so. What a sobering thought! We protect and preserve our precious unity when we forgive others as Jesus taught us to do. w18.01 15 ¶12 Friday, June 7 For 30 days whoever makes a petition to any god or man except to you, O king, should be thrown into the lions’ pit.​—Dan. 6:7. While it meant risking his life, Daniel decided not to give even the impression that he was compromising in his worship. Jehovah blessed Daniel’s conscientious and courageous decision by miraculously sparing him a cruel death. In fact, the outcome resulted in a marvelous witness for Jehovah that reached the farthest parts of the Medo-Persian Empire! (Dan. 6:25-27) How can we cultivate faith like Daniel’s? The key to strong faith is not simply to read God’s Word but to ‘get the sense’ of it. (Matt. 13:23) We want Jehovah’s mind on matters, which includes grasping Bible principles. Hence, we need to meditate on what we read. Also important is regular heartfelt prayer, especially when we face trials or other challenging situations. When we pray in faith for wisdom and strength, Jehovah will generously give them to us.​—Jas. 1:5. w18.02 10-11 ¶13-15 Saturday, June 8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good.​—Ps. 34:8. Even as a young baptized servant of God, you can taste Jehovah’s goodness by experiencing his support as you share your faith with others. You can do that in the ministry as well as at school. Some find it difficult to preach to their peers at school. You likely can understand why. You have no idea how they will react. It can be especially challenging when speaking to a large group rather than to a classmate one-on-one. What can help you? First, think about why you are convinced of your beliefs. Are the study guides found on jw.org available in your language? If you are not sure, take the time to look for them. They are designed to help you reflect on what you believe, why you believe it, and how you can explain your beliefs to others. When your conviction is strong and you are well-prepared, you will feel impelled to give a witness for Jehovah’s name.​—Jer. 20:8, 9. w17.12 26 ¶12, 14-15 Sunday, June 9 Continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe.​—2 Tim. 3:14. More is involved in imparting spiritual education to children than simply teaching them about the people and events of the Bible. Timothy was also “persuaded to believe.” In the original language, that phrase means “to be assured of” or “to be convinced and certain of the truth of something.” Timothy knew the Hebrew Scriptures from infancy. But at some point he was convinced by compelling evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. How can you help build conviction in your children so that they are persuaded to believe, as Timothy was? First, be patient. Conviction does not come about overnight; nor does it pass from you to your offspring simply because you have been persuaded to believe. Each child needs to use his or her own “power of reason” to develop conviction about Bible truth. (Rom. 12:1) You as a parent play an important role in that process, especially when your child asks questions. w17.12 19 ¶3, 5-6 Monday, June 10 I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.​—John 11:24. Jesus’ close friend and disciple Martha was grieving. Her brother, Lazarus, had died. Could anything ease her sorrow? Yes. Jesus assured her: “Your brother will rise.” (John 11:20-23) Martha was sure that would occur in the future. Jesus then performed a miracle. He brought Lazarus back to life that very day. We have no basis to expect that Jesus or his Father will now perform such a miracle for us. Are you, though, just as sure as Martha was of a future resurrection for a loved one? Maybe it is your deceased mate, your mother, your father, or a beloved grandparent. Or you may be grieving over the loss of a child. You long to hug, to speak with, and to laugh with that dear one. Happily, like Martha, you have good reason to say, ‘I know that my loved one will rise in the resurrection.’ Still, it will do each Christian good to reflect on why that is a valid conviction. w17.12 3 ¶1-2 Tuesday, June 11 To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is deep within me.​—Ps. 40:8. Jesus loved the Mosaic Law. And no wonder! That Law came from the most important Person in Jesus’ life​—his Father, Jehovah. Jesus’ deep affection for the law of God was prophetically expressed in today’s text. By word and deed, Jesus affirmed that God’s Law was perfect, beneficial, and sure to be fulfilled. (Matt. 5:17-19) How pained Jesus must have been, then, when he saw the scribes and Pharisees misrepresent his Father’s Law! They meticulously obeyed some of its smallest details, for Jesus acknowledged: “You give the tenth of the mint and the dill and the cumin.” So, what was the problem? He added: “But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness.” (Matt. 23:23) Unlike those self-righteous Pharisees, Jesus grasped the spirit behind the Law, the divine qualities reflected in each commandment. w17.11 13 ¶1-2 Wednesday, June 12 This is the will of God, that you should be holy and abstain from sexual immorality.​—1 Thess. 4:3. People may say to us: “Life is to be enjoyed. Why condemn having sex outside marriage?” The suggestion that a Christian should tolerate sexual immorality is wrong. Why? Because God’s Word forbids sexual immorality. (1 Thess. 4:4-8) Jehovah has the right to make laws for us because he created us. The law of God that permits sexual relations only between a man and a woman who are married to each other is part of what defines the marriage arrangement. God gives us laws because he loves us. They benefit us. Families who obey them enjoy love, respect, and security. God does not tolerate willful disobedience to his law. (Heb. 13:4) God’s Word teaches us how to keep far away from sexual immorality. An important way to do so is by controlling what we look at. (Matt. 5:28, 29) Therefore, a Christian will avoid looking at pornography or listening to music with immoral lyrics.​—Eph. 5:3-5. w17.11 22 ¶9-10 Thursday, June 13 It is good to sing praises to our God.​—Ps. 147:1. Faithful worshippers of Jehovah have long used music as a way to praise Jehovah. It is noteworthy that when the ancient Israelites were faithfully serving Jehovah, singing was prominent in their worship. For example, in preparation for service at the temple, King David organized 4,000 Levites to provide music of praise. Among these, 288 were “trained in song to Jehovah, all experts.” (1 Chron. 23:5; 25:7) At the inauguration of the temple, music and singing played a prominent role. The account tells us: “At the moment when the trumpeters and the singers were praising and thanking Jehovah in unison, and as the sound ascended from the trumpets, the cymbals, and the other musical instruments as they were praising Jehovah, . . . the glory of Jehovah filled the house of the true God.” What a faith-strengthening occasion that must have been!​—2 Chron. 5:13, 14; 7:6. w17.11 4 ¶4-5 Friday, June 14 Do not think I came to bring peace to the earth; I came to bring, not peace, but a sword.​—Matt. 10:34. Jesus knew that his teachings would divide people and that those who follow him would need courage to do so in the face of opposition. Jesus’ motive was to proclaim God’s message of truth, not to damage relationships. (John 18:37) Still, holding faithfully to Christ’s teachings would be challenging if one’s close friends or family members rejected the truth. In order to prove worthy of the Christ, his disciples have had to endure ridicule or even alienation from their families. Yet, they have gained far more than they have lost. (Mark 10:29, 30) Even when our relatives oppose our efforts to worship Jehovah, we continue to love them, but we must remember that our love for God and Christ comes first. (Matt. 10:37) We must also realize that Satan will try to use our affection for our family to break our integrity. w17.10 13 ¶3-6 Saturday, June 15 He threw [Wickedness] back into the ephah container, after which he thrust the lead weight over its mouth.​—Zech. 5:8. This part of the vision highlights that Jehovah will not tolerate wickedness of any kind among his people. He will see to it that it is contained and speedily removed. (1 Cor. 5:13) The angel assures us of this by thrusting the lead lid back over the container. What a relief this vision must have brought to the Israelites of Zechariah’s day​—a guarantee that Jehovah would keep pure worship clean! However, the vision also reminded the Jews of their responsibility to maintain the purity of their worship. Wickedness cannot and will not be allowed to creep into and dwell among Jehovah’s people. After we have been brought into the protective and loving care of God’s clean organization, we have the responsibility to help maintain it. Are we moved to keep our “house” clean? Wickedness in any form does not belong in our spiritual paradise. w17.10 24 ¶14-15; 25 ¶17-18 Sunday, June 16 I love your law.​—Ps. 119:163. The first 39 books of the Bible were written by Israelites, or the Jews. They were the people initially “entrusted with the sacred pronouncements of God.” (Rom. 3:1, 2) However, by the third century B.C.E., many Jews no longer understood Hebrew. Why not? Because Alexander the Great had expanded the Grecian Empire by means of his conquests. (Dan. 8:5-7, 20, 21) As that empire spread, Greek became the common language of many of its subjects, including Jews who were scattered over a vast area. But as many Jews became Greek-speaking, understanding the Hebrew Scriptures became more difficult for most. What was the solution? Translation of the Bible from Hebrew into Greek, which was completed in the second century B.C.E. The resulting collection of Bible books came to be known as the Greek Septuagint. The Septuagint is the first known written translation of the entire Hebrew Scriptures. w17.09 20 ¶7-9 Monday, June 17 I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.​—Heb. 13:5. Your employer may regularly ask you to work overtime on evenings and weekends​—times that you have set aside for family worship, field service, and Christian meetings. Courage is required to turn down such regular requests and set the right example for your children. We also show courage when we help our children to set and reach spiritual goals. For instance, some parents may hesitate to encourage their child to pursue a career of pioneering, to serve where the need is greater, to enter Bethel service, or to work on theocratic construction projects. The parents may fear that their child will not be able to care for them when they are old. However, wise parents show courage and put faith in Jehovah’s promises. (Ps. 37:25) Then an added way that you can demonstrate courage and reliance on Jehovah is by helping your child to do the same.​—1 Sam. 1:27, 28; 2 Tim. 3:14, 15. w17.09 30 ¶14-15 Tuesday, June 18 The fruitage of the spirit is . . . self-control.​—Gal. 5:22, 23. How can you help your children to develop self-control? Parents know that this quality does not come naturally to young people. And as is the case with all qualities that their children need to learn, parents should set the example. (Eph. 6:4) So if you see that your children are struggling to control their impulses, ask yourself whether you are setting a fine example. Do not minimize the good effect of your being regular in the field service, in attending meetings, and in conducting family worship. Do not be afraid to say no to your children’s requests if need be! Jehovah set limits for Adam and Eve​—limits that could have instilled in them a proper regard for his authority. Similarly, parental discipline and example have the goal of teaching children self-control. Love for God’s authority and respect for his standards are among the most precious things that you can cultivate in your children.​—Prov. 1:5, 7, 8. w17.09 7 ¶17 Wednesday, June 19 There should be no division in the body, but its members should have mutual concern for one another.​—1 Cor. 12:25. Until Satan’s world comes to an end, we will continue to experience trials. We deal with unemployment, serious illnesses, persecution, natural disasters, loss of possessions because of crime, or other hardships. To support one another in our suffering or adversity, we need to have genuine compassion. Feeling tender compassion will move us to acts of kindness. (Eph. 4:32) These aspects of the new personality will help us to imitate God and be of comfort to others. (2 Cor. 1:3, 4) How can we show even greater consideration toward foreigners or disadvantaged ones in our congregation? We need to befriend such individuals and help them to see that they are a valuable part of the congregation. (1 Cor. 12:22) Also, out of compassion for immigrants, many Witnesses endeavor to learn a new language. (1 Cor. 9:23) This has led to rich blessings. w17.08 23-24 ¶7-9 Thursday, June 20 Jehovah is my share . . . That is why I will show a waiting attitude for him.​—Lam. 3:24. Each one of us needs to be willing to wait, to show a patient attitude. But what will help us to do this? Pray for God’s spirit. Remember, patience is an aspect of the fruitage of the spirit. (Eph. 3:16; 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17-19) Plead with Jehovah to help you to endure patiently. Remember, too, what helped Abraham, Joseph, and David to wait patiently for the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises. It was their faith in Jehovah and their trust in his dealings with them. They did not focus just on themselves and their personal comfort. As we contemplate how well things worked out for them, we too will be encouraged to show a waiting attitude. So even though we face tests and trials, we are determined to show “a waiting attitude.” Yes, at times we might cry out: “How long, O Jehovah?” (Isa. 6:11) But with the strengthening power of God’s holy spirit, we can echo the words of Jeremiah in today’s text. w17.08 7 ¶18-20 Friday, June 21 To do your will, O my God, is my delight.​—Ps. 40:8. As a child, Jesus no doubt played and had fun. God’s Word says that there is “a time to laugh . . . and a time to dance.” (Eccl. 3:4) Jesus also drew close to Jehovah by studying the Scriptures. When he was 12 years old, the teachers at the temple were amazed at “his understanding and his answers” regarding spiritual matters. (Luke 2:42, 46, 47) Jesus grew up to be a happy adult. What made him happy? He knew that, among other things, God wanted him “to declare good news to the poor . . . and a recovery of sight to the blind.” (Luke 4:18) Doing what God asked him to do made Jesus happy. He enjoyed teaching people about his heavenly Father. (Luke 10:21) Once, after teaching a woman about true worship, Jesus said to his disciples: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:31-34) Showing love for God and for others made Jesus happy. It can make you happy too. w17.07 23 ¶4-5 Saturday, June 22 The peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.​—Phil. 4:7. Jehovah’s tender empathy was perfectly expressed in the words and actions of his compassionate Son, Jesus, when he was on earth. (John 5:19) Jesus was sent to provide comfort for “the brokenhearted” and “all who mourn.” (Isa. 61:1, 2; Luke 4:17-21) Hence, he was characterized by deep compassion​—a sympathetic awareness of people’s suffering and a heartfelt desire to alleviate their suffering. (Heb. 2:17) The Scriptures reassure us that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8) Since “the Chief Agent of life” personally understands what it is like to feel grief, “he is able to come to the aid of those who are being put to the test.” (Acts 3:15; Heb. 2:10, 18) Christ continues to be moved by the anguish of others, to understand their grief, and to provide them consolation “at the right time.”​—Heb. 4:15, 16. w17.07 13 ¶6-7; 14 ¶10 Sunday, June 23 Where your treasure is, there your hearts will be also.​—Luke 12:34. Satan and his world are constantly seeking to weaken or destroy our appreciation for the spiritual treasures that Jehovah has given us. We are not immune to these tactics. We could easily be enticed by promises of a lucrative career, dreams of a lavish lifestyle, or the desire for a showy display of material riches. The apostle John reminds us that this world is passing away and so is its desire. (1 John 2:15-17) Therefore, we must work hard to safeguard our affections and protect our love and appreciation for spiritual riches. Be willing to give up anything that could replace your wholehearted love for God’s Kingdom. Continue to preach zealously, never losing appreciation for our lifesaving ministry. Earnestly continue to search for divine truths. As you do this, you will build up “treasure in the heavens, where no thief gets near and no moth consumes.”​—Luke 12:33. w17.06 13 ¶19-20 Monday, June 24 A day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else!​—Ps. 84:10. Jehovah’s way of ruling is neither oppressive nor rigid. It allows for freedom and promotes joy. (2 Cor. 3:17) David expressed it this way: “In his [God’s] presence are majesty and splendor; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.” (1 Chron. 16:7, 27) Similarly, the psalmist Ethan wrote: “Happy are the people who know the joyful shouting. O Jehovah, they walk in the light of your face. They rejoice in your name all day long, and in your righteousness they are exalted.” (Ps. 89:15, 16) Frequent meditation on Jehovah’s goodness can strengthen our conviction that his rulership is best. How could it be otherwise? As our loving Designer and Creator, Jehovah knows what we need in order to be truly happy, and he fills that need abundantly. Whatever he requires of us is for our benefit and ultimately results in our greatest joy. That is so even if his requirements involve our making some sacrifices.​—Isa. 48:17. w17.06 29 ¶10-11 Tuesday, June 25 Expectation postponed makes the heart sick.​—Prov. 13:12. Consider the case of a sister in England who very much wanted a child but whose hopes in that regard had not been fulfilled. Then she entered the change of life. She admitted that she felt devastated, for she realized that her desire would not be satisfied in this system of things. She and her husband decided to adopt a child. Nonetheless, she said: “I still went through a sort of grieving process. I knew that adoption would not be exactly the same as giving birth to my own child.” The Bible does mention a Christian woman’s being “kept safe through childbearing.” (1 Tim. 2:15) But this does not mean that giving birth or having children results in gaining everlasting life. Rather, it refers to the fact that a woman’s having children to tend to, along with the other aspects of caring for a household, may keep her from falling into a pattern of gossiping and meddling in others’ affairs.​—1 Tim. 5:13. w17.06 5-6 ¶6-8 Wednesday, June 26 What do you give [God]; what does he receive from you?​—Job 35:7. Was Elihu suggesting that our efforts in God’s service are pointless? No. He was saying that Jehovah does not depend on our worship. Jehovah is complete. We cannot make him richer or stronger. On the contrary, any goodness, talent, or strength that we possess is a trust from God, and he takes note of how we use it. Jehovah considers acts of loyal love expressed toward his servants as being rendered to him personally. “The one showing favor to the lowly is lending to Jehovah, and He will repay him for what he does,” says Proverbs 19:17. Is this scripture implying that Jehovah takes note of every act of kindness performed in behalf of lowly ones? Can we conclude that the Creator of the universe considers himself to be indebted to mere humans who perform deeds of mercy and that he views such giving as loans that he repays with favor and blessings? Yes, and this was verified by God’s own Son.​—Luke 14:13, 14. w17.04 29 ¶3-4 Thursday, June 27 His delight is in the law of Jehovah, and he reads His law in an undertone day and night.​—Ps. 1:2. Besides reading the Bible and our Bible-based publications, how else can we develop a deep love for Bible truth? We can enhance our love for Bible truth by regularly attending congregation meetings. The weekly study of the Bible with the help of The Watchtower is a principal means by which we are taught. To get the sense of the subject that is considered, we need to prepare well for each Watchtower Study. One way we can do so is by looking up each of the cited Bible texts. Nowadays, The Watchtower can be downloaded from the jw.org website or viewed on the JW Library app in many languages. Some electronic formats allow us to access quickly the cited texts from each study article. But whatever method we use, reading these scriptures carefully and meditating on them will deepen our love for Bible truth. w17.05 20 ¶14 Friday, June 28 Each of us will render an account for himself to God.​—Rom. 14:12. After baptism, we want to continue living up to our dedication in faithful service to God. There is no way to undo a dedication vow, taking back what we promised God. If a person tires of serving Jehovah or of living a Christian way of life, he cannot claim that he was never really dedicated and that his baptism was invalid. To all intents and purposes, he presented himself as one who was wholly dedicated to God. He will be accountable before Jehovah and the congregation for any serious sins that he may commit. May it never be said of us that ‘we left the love we had at first.’ Instead, we want Jesus to be able to say of us: “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and ministry and endurance, and that your deeds of late are more than those you did at first.” (Rev. 2:4, 19) May we zealously continue to live up to our dedication vow​—to Jehovah’s delight. w17.04 6-7 ¶12-13 Saturday, June 29 The Rock, perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice.​—Deut. 32:4. “Will the Judge of all the earth not do what is right?” (Gen. 18:25) With that question, Abraham expressed confidence that Jehovah would render perfect justice in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham was convinced that Jehovah would never act unjustly by “putting the righteous man to death with the wicked one.” Such an act was “unthinkable” to Abraham. He could express such confidence because Jehovah is the greatest example of justice and righteousness. In fact, the Hebrew words rendered “justice” and “righteousness” often appear together in the Hebrew Scriptures. Basically, there is no distinction between what is just and what is right. Logically, since Jehovah is the ultimate standard of righteousness, his view of matters will always be just. Further, according to his own written Word, “he loves righteousness and justice.”​—Ps. 33:5. w17.04 18 ¶1-2 Sunday, June 30 No greater joy do I have than this: that I should hear that my children go on walking in the truth.​—3 John 4. Parents, your example is essential to start your children on the path to endless life. When your children see you “seeking first the Kingdom,” they learn to depend on Jehovah for their daily needs. (Matt. 6:33, 34) So live modestly. Sacrifice material things for spiritual benefits​—not the other way around. Strive to stay out of debt. Seek “treasure in heaven”​—Jehovah’s approval—​and not riches or “the glory of men.” (Mark 10:21, 22; John 12:43) Never get so busy that you do not have time for your children. Let them know that you are proud of them when they decide to put Jehovah first instead of seeking prestige or riches​—for themselves or for you. Avoid the unchristian view that children should provide their parents with a life of ease. Remember, “children are not expected to save up for their parents, but the parents for their children.”​—2 Cor. 12:14. w17.05 8-9 ¶3-4

Abraham—A Man of Faith

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012002

Abraham​—A Man of Faith Abraham stands outside in the stillness of evening. As he looks up at the bright, starry heavens, he cannot help but think of God’s promise that his offspring will become as numerous as those luminaries. (Genesis 15:5) To Abraham, the stars are a visible reminder of Jehovah’s promise. They are also a guarantee. After all, if Jehovah has the power to create the vast universe and everything in it, can he not also enable Abraham and Sarah to have a child? Such is the nature of Abraham’s faith. WHAT IS FAITH? As used in the Bible, “faith” refers to firm belief in something unseen. Such belief is based on solid evidence. A person with faith in God focuses on the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises, confident that they are as good as done. HOW DID ABRAHAM DISPLAY FAITH? Abraham demonstrated that he believed God’s promises. In faith, Abraham left the country of his birth, confident that Jehovah would keep His promise to show him a different land. In faith, Abraham wandered through Canaan, sure that his offspring would eventually possess that land. And in faith, Abraham obediently attempted to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, confident that, if need be, Jehovah would resurrect Isaac.​—Hebrews 11:8, 9, 17-19. Abraham focused on the future rather than on the past. Although Abraham and Sarah may have enjoyed a more comfortable lifestyle in Ur than they did in Canaan, “they did not keep thinking about the country they had left.” (Hebrews 11:15, Today’s English Version) Rather, they focused on how God would bless them and their descendants in the future.​—Hebrews 11:16. Was Abraham’s faith well-founded? Without question. Jehovah kept every one of his promises. Abraham’s offspring eventually multiplied into the nation known as Israel. In time, the Israelites came to dwell in Canaan, the very land that Jehovah had promised to Abraham.​—Joshua 11:23. WHAT ARE THE LESSONS FOR US? We can be confident that Jehovah will keep his promises. Even if some of them seem impossible from a human standpoint, we trust that “with God all things are possible.”​—Matthew 19:26. Abraham’s example also teaches us to focus, not on how things were in the past, but on what we will enjoy in the future. That is what a man named Jason has learned to do. Jason suffers from a debilitating disease that has left him completely paralyzed. “I must admit that there are times when I find myself thinking about the past,” says Jason. He adds: “It’s the little things that I miss the most, things like hugging my wife, Amanda.” Nevertheless, Jason has absolute faith that Jehovah will fulfill his promises, including the promise that our earth will soon become a paradise and that faithful humans will be granted everlasting life in perfect health.a (Psalm 37:10, 11, 29; Isaiah 35:5, 6; Revelation 21:3, 4) “I remind myself that the best of times are yet ahead,” says Jason, explaining: “Soon, this will all be over​—the stress, the anxiety, the sadness, the guilt—​and it will be gone forever.” What an excellent example of faith like that of Abraham! [Footnote] a To learn more about the future earthly paradise, see chapters 3, 7, and 8 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Good News (gh) 1976

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gh

Chapter 12 Why Has God Permitted Unhappiness? 1. Why should we be interested in knowing God’s reason for permitting wickedness? (Psalm 94:2, 3) HISTORY contains a frightful record of man’s inhumanity to man. Its pages are bloodied by religious wars, massacres and persecutions. Horrible destruction of innocent people has accompanied the two world wars that Christendom started and the wars that have followed in Korea, Indochina and other places. Violence, revolution and crime continue to flare up in many countries. Why does God permit these terrible conditions? Why has he not removed unhappiness long ago? God himself explains why, in his Book of “good news.” 2. (a) Can God remove wickedness, and does he want to? (Joel 1:15) (b) How has God shown wisdom in this matter? 2 The God who could create the vast universe certainly has the power to remove all unhappiness. As the ‘God of love,’ he really cares for humankind. However, he is also the God of “practical wisdom.” (1 John 4:16; Proverbs 2:6, 7) His wisdom is shown in his taking time to settle an issue of universal importance. Though this has meant his permission of unhappiness for a season, yet the long-range result will assure eternal happiness for all intelligent creatures in the universe. 3. (a) Illustrate why time is needed to settle the issue. (b) Why is the time required comparatively brief? (Habakkuk 2:3) 3 This may be compared to the trial of a notorious murderer. It may take months to argue the case, sift all the evidence and arrive at a righteous and conclusive judgment. Then the murderer may be put away, and all others whose lives may have been endangered because of him can be happy that the threat has been removed. Similarly, time​—some six thousand years—​has been required to settle an issue raised by a manslayer, God’s archenemy, but how brief is this time when compared with the eternity of happiness that lies ahead! For in God’s sight “a thousand years are . . . but as yesterday when it is past.”​—Psalm 90:4. THE ISSUE 4. (a) What is the great issue? (Psalm 83:18) (b) In what way has God’s sovereignty been put in question? 4 What is the great issue that must be settled? It involves Jehovah’s sovereignty over his creatures. At the time of the rebellion in Eden, Satan put God’s sovereignty at issue. Not that he had power to remove God as Sovereign. No, but he raised the question, Is God’s sovereignty over his creatures right and in their best interests? Is that sovereignty righteous, and does it deserve their support? Through a serpent, Satan said to Eve in Eden: “Is it really so that God said you must not eat from every tree of the garden?” After attacking Jehovah’s sovereignty by insinuating that He had lied, Satan persuaded Eve, and through her Adam, to take themselves out from under God’s sovereignty, to be independent and decide for themselves what is “good” and what is “bad.” (Genesis 3:1-5) Thus it was the rightness, righteousness and deservedness of God’s sovereignty that was called into question. 5. (a) Why has God permitted wickedness? (Romans 9:17) (b) How will God’s judgment serve for all eternity? 5 God sentenced the wicked rebels to death. But he permitted them to keep living for a time, and he allowed Adam and Eve to bring forth imperfect offspring. Indeed, he has permitted wickedness to continue, under Satan’s rule, to this present day. And why? To prove once and for all time that his sovereignty is altogether righteous and that no creatures can enjoy lasting happiness independent of his sovereignty and righteous laws. Thus he convicts Satan as a “manslayer,” liar, slanderer and deceiver, and removes him together with all other lawless ones. Then God’s judgment will stand as a precedent and serve as a touchstone throughout eternity in the event any creature again calls into question the sovereignty of Jehovah.​—John 8:44. 6. (a) What has been demonstrated regarding man-rule? (b) What picture does man-rule present today? (Ecclesiastes 8:9) 6 How has this trial in the court of the universe worked out? Man has demonstrated clearly that he is unable to govern properly outside God’s sovereignty. It has been exactly as the prophet Jeremiah states: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) At no time has this been more apparent than today, when the world is divided into Democratic, Communistic and “Third World” segments. Internally, these segments are split by further disunities. In man-rule, corruption and lying diplomacy are to be found everywhere. While one quarter of the world of mankind is starving for food, rulers spend huge sums on arming themselves, in many cases with nuclear weapons capable of annihilating the entire human race. Most rulers are in economic or other serious trouble, and often they are toppled overnight. Any alliances made by statesmen fit the description of Psalm 127:1: “Unless Jehovah himself builds the house, it is to no avail that its builders have worked hard on it.” 7. (a) Why is God-rule superior to man-rule? (Psalm 45:6) (b) What will God now do with regard to man-rule, and why? (Nahum 1:9) 7 There are basic reasons why Jehovah’s sovereignty is vastly superior to man-rule. God’s sovereignty is based on love, which is “a perfect bond of union.” (Colossians 3:14) Man-rule usually deteriorates into selfishness and greediness. God’s sovereignty has power to unite and “to gather all things together.” (Ephesians 1:10) Man-rule fosters division, hatred and strife. God’s sovereignty is exercised “by means of justice and . . . righteousness.” (Isaiah 9:7) Man-rule is usually oppressive of the poor and partial to the rich. It has proved under test to be a dismal failure, and now God is about to move it out of the way in order to exercise fully his own righteous sovereignty over the earth again. MAN’S INTEGRITY 8. What challenge did Satan raise regarding Job? 8 However, a related issue was also raised in the garden of Eden. It is this: Since the first humans rebelled, can God put any man on earth who will remain loyal to him under test? The Bible book of Job shows that there is such an issue. Its first two chapters describe what happened in the courts of heaven some 3,500 or more years ago. There, as the heavenly sons of God assembled before Jehovah, Satan also appeared, and Jehovah spoke: “Jehovah went on to say to Satan: ‘Have you set your heart upon my servant Job, that there is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad?’ At that Satan answered Jehovah and said: ‘Is it for nothing that Job has feared God? Have not you yourself put up a hedge about him and about his house and about everything that he has all around? The work of his hands you have blessed, and his livestock itself has spread abroad in the earth. But, for a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch everything he has and see whether he will not curse you to your very face.’”​—Job 1:8-11. 9. What record did Job make, and how was he rewarded? (Job 42:12-16; James 5:11) 9 Jehovah permitted this test. Job lost his livestock, and his children in death, but he did not curse God, or turn against him. Later, when Satan afflicted him with a loathsome disease, his wife said finally in desperation: “Curse God and die!” But he still held fast his integrity to God. Three false comforters then added to his suffering, but Job declared: “Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself!” (Job 2:9, 10; 27:5) Later, Job was rewarded richly for his integrity-keeping. 10. What record have other integrity-keepers made? (Hebrews 12:1) 10 The Bible record, including Hebrews chapter 11, shows that many others of mankind have chosen unselfishly to uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty, despite every kind of fiendish assault that Satan could make on their integrity. The long line of integrity-keepers continues down to this day. 11. (a) What examples of integrity-keepers are there today? (Proverbs 27:11) (b) How will God vindicate his sovereignty, and for how long? (Ezekiel 36:23) 11 As an example, during Hitler’s reign in Germany, Jehovah’s Christian witnesses refused to salute the Nazi flag and to accept the dictator as their savior. Many hundreds sealed their integrity with their lifeblood. One of these, on the night of his execution, sent the following message, which is typical, to his beloved wife: “When this letter reaches you my life will be fulfilled. We know that the sting has been removed from death and victory has been won over the grave. . . . The hour will come when the name of the Almighty God will be vindicated and mankind will see it. When they ask today why he has not done this up till now, then we know it is because His power will thereby be demonstrated more effectively. . . . I have now reached the end, and I pray that you may also endure . . . so I look once more into your serene and glistening eyes, and wipe away the last sorrow from your heart; and, in spite of the pain, lift up your head and rejoice, not about death, but over the life that God will give those that love Him.” Shortly, Jehovah will vindicate his sovereignty, and all those who have supported it, in a demonstration of power against his enemies that will exalt his name “in all the earth.”​—Exodus 9:16. THE OUTSTANDING KEEPER OF INTEGRITY 12. Who was most suited to prove Jehovah’s side of the issue, and how did he become human? (John 1:14) 12 However, the issue of integrity involves more than us humans. Even an angel of heaven had rebelled to become Satan, and other ‘sons of God’ later joined him in rebellion. (Genesis 6:4, 5) The issue is thus universal. No one could better prove Jehovah’s side of the issue than the highest person in the universe next to Jehovah​—the “master worker” who had assisted him in the creation! This heavenly Son gladly consented to God’s transferring his life to the womb of an Israelite virgin, Mary, so that he was born as a human on this earth where Satan had raised the issue. 13. How did Jesus meet Satan’s challenge? (1 Peter 2:21-23) 13 After growing to adulthood, God’s Son Jesus was baptized in symbol of his presenting himself to carry out the special task that God assigned to him. Satan soon came to the attack! He offered Jesus the sovereignty, which Satan then held, over all human kingdoms on earth, provided he would do an act of worship to Satan and so break integrity to Jehovah. Jesus answered Satan: “Go away, Satan! For it is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”​—Matthew 4:10. 14. Why could Jesus say that Satan had ‘no hold on him’? 14 Having failed to budge Jesus from following the righteous law of Jehovah, Satan next put tremendous pressure on him through the religious leaders of his day. They persecuted him cruelly and finally had him put to death on an execution stake, but they failed to make him swerve from the path of perfect integrity and obedience to God’s sovereignty. On the day of his death, Jesus could say of Satan: “He has no hold on me.” (John 14:30) On the third day thereafter, Jehovah rewarded His faithful Son by resurrecting him in the spirit and later exalting him to His own “right hand” of favor in heaven.​—Acts 2:32, 33. 15. How did Jesus encourage his disciples, and what have they proved to be? (Philippians 2:5, 8, 9) 15 To his loyal disciples this integrity-keeper had declared: “In the world you are having tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus’ apostles and many Christians after them have also proved to be integrity-keepers, down to the death. TRIED AND FAITHFUL RULERS 16. Why can mankind have confidence in earth’s new administration? (Isaiah 32:1) 16 Another important purpose has been accomplished by God’s permitting Jesus’ disciples to endure trials and persecutions. Just as Jesus himself “learned obedience from the things he suffered,” so these, too, have been trained and molded through sufferings to develop the same sterling qualities of loyalty to God’s sovereignty. The Bible shows that God selects a “little flock” of these disciples of Jesus, “a hundred and forty-four thousand” in number, to share in a spiritual “first resurrection,” and to rule with Christ in his thousand-year kingdom over mankind. What a contrast that heavenly Kingdom rule will be to the corrupt, unprincipled man-rule of today! Further, the future visible administrators of all the earth are to include men like Job and a multitude of other integrity-keepers, both of ancient times and of this twentieth century where we now live! What confidence mankind will have in that administration!​—Hebrews 5:8; Luke 12:32; Revelation 14:1-5; 20:6. 17. Why has God’s long-suffering been beneficial to us? (2 Peter 3:9, 15) 17 We should be happy that Jehovah has been “long-suffering” in holding back from destroying the wicked, for it has given many the opportunity to take Jehovah’s side of the great issue. (Romans 2:4) May you also be blessed in supporting his sovereignty! 18. (a) How will God execute judgment? (Jeremiah 25:31) (b) What kind of place will earth then become? (Isaiah 11:9) 18 The long-standing issue involving God’s sovereignty and man’s integrity is about to be settled once and for all time, and completely in Jehovah’s favor. Shortly, Jehovah will execute his “court judgment” in ousting from the earth Satan and all others who oppose God’s rule. Earth will then become a glorious place where “every breathing thing” will “praise Jah,” Jehovah. (Psalm 150:6) But to keep on praising God, man will need to keep on living. How could this be possible? The next chapter will tell. [Picture on page 107] A court trial takes time. So, too, the great issue of sovereignty must be fully examined [Picture on page 110] Job, sorely tried, kept integrity [Picture on page 113] Jesus Christ, the greatest integrity-keeper of all [Picture on page 115] Thousand-year kingdom of Christ will exalt Jehovah’s righteous sovereignty and bless all mankind

Greatest Man (gt) 1991

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt

Chapter 21 In Jesus’ Hometown Synagogue THERE is no doubt a stir of excitement in Nazareth when Jesus returns home. Before he left to be baptized by John a little over a year before, Jesus was known as a carpenter. But now he is known far and wide as a miracle worker. The local residents are eager to see him do some of these marvelous works among them. Their anticipation rises as Jesus, according to his custom, goes to the local synagogue. During the services, he stands up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah is handed to him. He finds the place where it tells of the One anointed by Jehovah’s spirit, which place in our Bible today is Isa chapter 61. After reading about how this One would preach a release to the captives, a recovery of sight to the blind, and about Jehovah’s acceptable year, Jesus hands the scroll back to the attendant and sits down. All eyes are intently fixed upon him. Then he speaks, probably at some length, explaining: “Today this scripture that you just heard is fulfilled.” The people marvel at his “winsome words” and say to one another: “This is a son of Joseph, is it not?” But knowing that they want to see him perform miracles, Jesus continues: “No doubt you will apply this illustration to me, ‘Physician, cure yourself; the things we heard as having happened in Capernaum do also here in your home territory.’” Evidently, Jesus’ former neighbors feel that healing should begin at home, for the benefit of his own people first. So they feel they have been slighted by Jesus. Realizing their thinking, Jesus relates some applicable history. There were many widows in Israel during the days of Elijah, he notes, but Elijah was sent to none of those. Rather, he went to a non-Israelite widow in Sidon, where he performed a lifesaving miracle. And in the days of Elisha, there were many lepers, but Elisha cleansed only Naaman from Syria. Angered by these unfavorable historical comparisons that expose their selfishness and lack of faith, those in the synagogue rise up and rush Jesus outside the city. There, on the brow of the mountain upon which Nazareth is built, they try to throw him over the edge. But Jesus escapes from their grasp and gets away safely. Luke 4:16-30; 1 Kings 17:8-16; 2 Kings 5:8-14. ▪ Why is there a stir of excitement in Nazareth? ▪ What do the people think of Jesus’ speech, but then what makes them so angry? ▪ What do the people try to do to Jesus?

School Guidebook (sg) 1992

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sg

Study 32 Sense Stress and Modulation 1, 2. What does sense stress do for a talk? 1 Sense stress and modulation combine to make a talk meaningful and colorful. Without them, thoughts become distorted and interest lags. Since sense stress is usually the easier of the two to master, we will give it attention first. 2 Keep in mind what sense stress is to accomplish. It is to emphasize words or thoughts in such a way as to convey accurate meaning and to indicate to your audience their relative importance. Sometimes the stress needed is simply heavy or light, but there are also times when it requires finer shades. 3-7. Tell how one can acquire good sense stress. 3 Thought-conveying words in sentences stressed. Placement of stress is basically a matter of which words are stressed. It involves the recognizing of those words that convey the thought and, by proper emphasis or stress, making them stand out in relation to the words surrounding them. If words other than those that carry the thought are stressed, the meaning will be obscure or distorted. 4 Most persons in normal, everyday speech will make their meaning clear. Unless you have a particular mannerism, such as emphasizing prepositions, this aspect should present no real problem. Any outstanding weakness in the matter of placement is usually the result of some such mannerism. If that is your problem, work at it diligently. Ordinarily such habits cannot be broken in a talk or two, so your counselor may not hold you back if your wrong placement is not so pronounced as to distort your meaning. But for the most forceful and effective speech, keep working until you have completely mastered proper placement of stress. 5 Usually more conscious thought must be given to sense stress in preparing for public reading than for purely extemporaneous speech. That is true of the reading of scriptures in a talk just as it is true of reading paragraphs at the congregation Watchtower study. The reason why more attention must be given to sense stress when there is reading to be done is that the material we read usually was written by someone else. So we need to study it carefully, analyzing the thought and repeating the expressions themselves until they become natural to us. 6 How is emphasis or sense stress accomplished? There are various means, often used in combination: by greater volume, by more intensity or feeling, by lowering the tone, by raising the pitch, by slow and deliberate expression, by increasing the pace, by pausing before or after a statement (or both), by gestures and facial expressions. 7 At first be concerned primarily with whether your emphasis is properly placed and of sufficient degree to make the key words stand out. So, in preparing your material, underscore the key words if you will be reading it. If you are speaking extemporaneously, get the thoughts clearly in mind. Use key words in your notes and then stress those words. 8, 9. Why is it important that principal ideas be stressed? 8 Principal ideas in talk stressed. This is the aspect of sense stress most frequently lacking. In such cases there are no peaks in the talk. Nothing stands out above everything else. When the talk is concluded it is often impossible to remember anything as being outstanding. Even if the main points are properly prepared to make them stand out, failure to give them proper emphasis in delivery can weaken them to the extent that they may be lost. 9 To overcome this problem, you must first analyze your material carefully. What is the most important point of the talk? What is the next most important? If you were asked to state the gist of the talk in one or two sentences, what would you say? That is one of the best ways to identify the highlights. After these are known, mark them in your notes or manuscript. You can now build to these points as climaxes. They are the peaks of your talk and, if the material is well outlined and you deliver it with strong degrees of emphasis, the principal ideas will be remembered. That is your purpose in speaking. ********** 10-12. Explain what modulation means. 10 Simple sense stress enables the audience to understand what you say, but variety in stress that modulation offers can make it enjoyable for them to listen. Do you make good use of modulation in your field ministry and in talks that you are privileged to give in the congregation? 11 Modulation is an intermittent variation of pitch, pace and power designed to hold interest and demonstrate your progressive thoughts and emotions as speaker. To serve you best, your modulation should cover the full range of color that the material of any particular talk will allow. In the upper range of modulation you may have, in diminishing degree, excitement, enthusiasm and keen interest. In the middle range is mild interest, while in the lower range are seriousness and solemnity. 12 In no instance would you want to appear theatrical by extremes of expression. Our speech should be colorful, not piously solemn like the orthodox clergy’s, nor hysterically violent like the tent-meeting evangelist’s. Proper dignity and respect for the Kingdom message will prevent any such unchristian displays. 13, 14. What is meant by variety in power? 13 Variety in power. Perhaps the simplest way to obtain modulation is to vary the power of your voice. This is one way of building climaxes and stressing the main points of your talk. However, simply increasing your volume will not always make the points stand out. In some cases it might make them more prominent, but the added force with which they are delivered may defeat your purpose. It may be that your points call more for warmth and feeling than an animated tone. In this case, lower your volume but increase your intensity. The same would be true if you were expressing anxiety or fear. 14 While variety in power is essential for modulation, care must be exercised not to speak so softly that some will not hear. Neither should volume be increased to the point of unpleasantness. 15-17. How does variety in pace enhance a talk? 15 Variety in pace. Few beginning speakers will vary their pace on the platform. We do it constantly in our everyday speech because our words flow out of us spontaneously just as we think of them or have need of them. But the new speaker on the platform will usually not allow himself to do this. He prepares his words and phrases too carefully, so all the words come out at the same rate of speed. Speaking from an outline will help to correct this weakness. 16 The main current of your talk should be a moderate pace. Minor points, narration, most illustrations, and so forth, will allow you to speed up. Weightier arguments, climaxes and main points usually call for a slower delivery. In some instances, for particularly strong emphasis, you could use slow, deliberate stress. You might even stop completely, in a pause, which is a total change of pace. 17 A few words of caution. Never speak so rapidly that your diction suffers. An excellent exercise in private practice sessions is to try reading aloud as rapidly as you can without stumbling. Repeat the same paragraph over and over, constantly increasing your pace without stumbling or muffling your articulation. Then try reading as slowly as possible, dr-aw-ing ou-t th-e v-ow-els rather than chopping off the words. Then speed up and slow down alternately and spasmodically until your voice is flexible and will do what you want it to do. Now when you speak, your changes in pace will come automatically, according to the sense of what you are saying. 18-20. Explain how one can acquire variety in pitch. 18 Variety in pitch. Change of pitch is probably the most difficult means of modulation, that is, in any degree. Of course, we constantly stress words by a slight raising of the pitch, usually accompanied by a slight increase of power. We hit the word, as it were. 19 But more change in pitch than this is called for if you are to get the most benefit from this aspect of modulation. Try reading aloud Genesis 18:3-8 and Ge 19:6-9. Notice the great variety of both pace and pitch called for in these verses. Excitement and enthusiasm always have their outlet in a higher pitch than sorrow or anxiety. When these emotions appear in your material, express them accordingly. 20 One of the main causes of weakness in this aspect of speech is the lack of sufficient range in the voice. If that is your problem, work at it. Try an exercise similar to that suggested earlier in this study. In this case, though, work at raising and lowering the pitch rather than varying the pace. 21-24. Why must modulation fit the thought or the emotion? 21 Modulation to fit thought or emotion. From our discussion of this quality so far it becomes quite clear that variations of the voice cannot be made simply to obtain variety. Your expressions must fit the mood of what you are saying. Where, then, does modulation begin? Obviously, it begins with the material you have prepared to deliver. If you have nothing but argumentation or nothing but exhortation in your talk, you will have little variety in your delivery. So analyze your outline after you have finished it and make sure you have all the ingredients present for a colorful as well as meaningful presentation. 22 But sometimes in the middle of your talk you feel the need for a change of pace. You feel your talk is dragging. What can you do? Here again extemporaneous delivery has the advantage. You can change the nature of your material as you go. How? One way would be to stop talking and start reading a text from the Bible. Or you might convert some statement into a question, with a pause for emphasis. Perhaps you could insert an illustration, making it an adaptation of an argument in your outline. 23 These techniques used during the talk, of course, are for experienced speakers. But you can use the same ideas in preparing your material in advance from your assignment. 24 It is said that modulation is the spice in a talk. If the right kind is used and in the right amount, it will draw out the full flavor of your material and make it a delight to your audience.

“Eternal Purpose” (po) 1974

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/po

Chapter 10 A Covenant for a Kingdom Made with David 1. What time period is marked off in 1 Kings 6:1, and why is this time measurement appropriate? GOD marks off his own time periods according to His “eternal purpose.” One such time period is marked off for us in the book of 1 Kings, chapter six, verse one, where it is written: “And it came about in the four hundred and eightieth year after the sons of Israel came out from the land of Egypt, in the fourth year, in the month of Ziv, that is, the second month, after Solomon became king over Israel, that he proceeded to build the house to Jehovah.” This was an appropriate measurement of time, for it was from when the Israelites were delivered from Egypt, shortly after which they began to build the house of worship in the wilderness of Sinai, to when King Solomon the son of David began to build the temple at Jerusalem. This was from Nisan 15, 1513 B.C.E., to 1034 B.C.E., Ziv (or, Iyyar) 1.—Numbers 33:1-4; 1 Kings 6:37. 2, 3. (a) Why did the Israelites wander so long in the wilderness of Sinai? (b) How long were they in subduing the Promised Land, after which how were they ruled for centuries? 2 Of course, much had happened during those almost five centuries. Because of a lack of faith in God’s ability to subdue the nations that then inhabited the Promised Land, the Israelites were obliged to wander in the wilderness of Sinai for almost forty years. During that time the older Israelites who had revolted against invading the Promised Land under God’s leadership in the second year of their exodus died off. (Numbers 13:1 through 14:38) At the end of forty years God miraculously brought them across the flooding Jordan River into the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. 3 Then, under the leadership of Joshua, the successor of Moses, there began years of warfare for subduing the land. According to the words of faithful Caleb, the son of Jephunneh of the tribe of Judah, at the time of apportioning out the occupied land to the families of Israel, the Israelites were six years in subduing the land and dispossessing its inhabitants. (Joshua 14:1-10) After that God gave the now settled Israelites a line of judges for centuries until a change in the form of the national government was introduced in the days of the prophet Samuel. A Jewish chronologer of nineteen hundred years ago briefly measured out this period for us. Speaking one sabbath day in a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia, Asia Minor, this chronologer said: 4, 5. (a) What time period did that Bible chronologer mark off in Israel’s history before they had judges? (b) With what events did that time period begin and end? 4 “Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it. And for about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years [all that during about four hundred and fifty years, NW]: and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they asked for a king; and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.”—Acts 13:14-21, English Revised Version Bible, published in England in 1884 C.E. See also the Douay Version Bible, published in 1610 C.E. Also, The Emphasised Bible, by J. B. Rotherham, published in 1897 C.E. 5 The allotting of the land to Caleb and the other Israelites for an inheritance took place in the year 1467 B.C.E. If we measure back “about four hundred and fifty years” it brings us to the year 1918 B.C.E. This was the year in which Isaac, the son of Abraham by Sarah, was born and God chose Isaac instead of Ishmael, the older son of Abraham by Sarah’s Egyptian maidservant Hagar. With a sworn oath God had confirmed to Isaac the covenant He had made with Abraham for the possession of the land of Canaan, and now here at the end of this four-hundred-and-fifty-year period God was allotting to Isaac’s offspring for an inheritance that Promised Land. In faithfulness Jehovah God was adhering to his “eternal purpose” for blessing all mankind. 6. (a) How did Judge Gideon show loyalty to God’s sovereignty? (b) How did Gideon’s son Abimelech fare as a king? 6 During the period of the fifteen judges from Joshua to Samuel, the men of Israel tried to persuade the sixth judge, Gideon, the son of Joash of the tribe of Manasseh, to set up a dynasty of rulers in his family, instead of having Jehovah God as King. But Gideon was loyal to the Sovereign Ruler of Israel and turned down the offer of rulership, saying: “I myself shall not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. Jehovah is the one who will rule over you.” (Judges 8:22, 23) One of Gideon’s many sons, named Abimelech (meaning “My Father Is King”), influenced the landowners of Shechem to install him as king over them. He came under God’s adverse judgments and, after he had reigned for three years, a woman brought about his death in battle.—Judges 9:1-57. A KING OVER ALL ISRAEL 7. When and how did Israel come to have a human king chosen by God, and how long did he reign? 7 In the old age of the fifteenth judge, Samuel the prophet, the elders of Israel came to him with the request: “Now do appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” Samuel took this as a rejection of him as God’s appointed judge, but Jehovah said to him: “Listen to the voice of the people as respects all that they say to you; for it is not you whom they have rejected, but it is I whom they have rejected from being king over them.” God told Samuel to warn the Israelites of all the hardship that it would mean for them to have a visible human king, but they still expressed preference for such a king. God, as the Sovereign Lord over Israel, did the choosing of the man to be Israel’s first human king. He sent Samuel to anoint Saul the son of Kish of the tribe of Benjamin to be the king. In the year 1117 B.C.E. Saul was installed as king at the city of Mizpah. “The people began to shout and say: ‘Let the king live!’” Saul reigned for forty years.—1 Samuel 8:1 through 10:25; Acts 13:21.a 8. (a) In the eleventh year of Saul’s reign, what birth occurred in Bethlehem? (b) What did Micah prophesy about Bethlehem? 8 In the eleventh year of Saul’s reign there occurred a seemingly insignificant event in the city of Bethlehem in the territory of the tribe of Judah. Jesse the Bethlehemite became father to an eighth son, whom he named David. Little did King Saul or anyone else in Israel know that this newborn baby would one day become so illustrious that his birthplace, Bethlehem, would one day be called “the city of David.” No one then knew that, some three hundred years later, it would be prophesied concerning that city of David: “But thou, Beth-lechem Ephratah, the least though thou be among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from olden times, from most ancient days.” (Micah 5:1, Leeser; JPS; Mic 5:2, NEB; NW) This prophecy the Jewish religious leaders of the first century before our Common Era understood to apply to the Messiah. So the “seed” of God’s “woman” was to be born in Bethlehem. 9. In view of Saul’s indiscretion, what did God have Samuel tell Saul about the kingdom, and whom would God choose for the throne? 9 However, prior to this, after King Saul had reigned for two years, he yielded to a lack of faith and acted presumptuously, indiscreetly, in office. “At this Samuel said to Saul: ‘You have acted foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of Jehovah your God that he commanded you, because, if you had, Jehovah would have made your kingdom firm over Israel to time indefinite. And now your kingdom will not last. Jehovah will certainly find for himself a man agreeable to his heart; and Jehovah will commission him as a leader over his people, because you did not keep what Jehovah commanded you.’” (1 Samuel 13:1-14) The “man agreeable to [God’s] heart” was not yet born, for those words were spoken years before the birth of David at Bethlehem. This made it evident that the Most High God would exercise his power and right and make his own choice of an Israelite to succeed King Saul. In doing so he would stick to his “eternal purpose” in connection with the Messiah. 10, 11. (a) How was David designated to be the future king of Israel? (b) How did David incur Saul’s murderous jealousy, and where did he first become a king? 10 When David was just a teen-age shepherd boy at Bethlehem, God designated him as the man agreeable to his heart. Although David was not Jesse’s firstborn but was merely the eighth son, God sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint David to become the future king of Israel. 11 David came into the spotlight when he alone of all the Israelites volunteered to meet the challenging Philistine giant Goliath on the field of battle and killed him with a slingstone aimed at Goliath’s forehead. (1 Samuel 16:1 through 17:58) David was taken into King Saul’s army, and his popularity with the people grew beyond that of the king. This made Saul very jealous and he tried to kill David and thus prevent him from supplanting one of his own sons on the throne of Israel. Eventually a fatal wound in battle, followed by his falling upon his own sword to speed his death, ended Saul’s kingship. Ish-bosheth, the surviving son of Saul, was made king by those cleaving to Saul’s family line, but only over eleven tribes of Israel. The tribesmen of Judah anointed David king over them in Hebron in the territory of Judah. That was in the year 1077 B.C.E.—2 Samuel 2:1-11; Acts 13:21, 22. 12. When and how was David made king over all Israel, and what question arises now as to the “scepter” and “commander’s staff”? 12 Saul’s son Ish-bosheth lasted on the throne of Israel possibly for seven years and six months and then he was assassinated by subjects of his. (2 Samuel 2:11 through 4:8) All the tribes now recognized David as Jehovah’s chosen one and they anointed David as king over all Israel, at Hebron. This was in the year 1070 B.C.E. (2 Samuel 4:9 through 5:5) Thus, in harmony with Jacob’s deathbed prophecy as recorded in Genesis 49:10, the “scepter” and the “commander’s staff” had come to the tribe of Judah. On what basis, now, would those emblems of royalty not “turn aside from Judah . . . until Shiloh comes”? 13. How was David really an “anointed one,” and of whom was he made a prophetic type? 13 Because of three anointings for kingship, King David could really be called an “anointed one” or “messiah” (Hebrew: ma·shiʹahh), as in 2 Samuel 19:21, 22; 22:51; 23:1. Outstandingly, David was used as a prophetic type of the preeminent Messiah, the “seed” of God’s heavenly “woman.” (See Ezekiel 34:23.) In fact, God saw good to choose David to be in the line of descent that culminated in the Messiah of God’s “eternal purpose.” How did this occur? 14. What city did David make the capital of all Israel, and what sacred object did he then locate there? 14 Shortly after being anointed king over reunited Israel in 1070 B.C.E., David captured the city of Jebus from the Jebusites and called it Jerusalem. There he moved his government and made this lofty city his capital, it being more centrally located than Hebron, for it was at the borderline between the territories of Judah and Benjamin. (Judges 1:21; 2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9) Not long after that, King David gave consideration to the sacred Ark of Jehovah. For decades it had been allowed to be displaced from the Most Holy of the tent of meeting at Shiloh in the territory of Ephraim. (1 Samuel 1:24; 4:3-18; 6:1 through 7:2) David felt that the Ark should be in the capital city. So he had it brought up and lodged in a tent near his palace.—2 Samuel 6:1-19. 15. What covenant did Jehovah now establish toward David, and out of appreciation for what on David’s part? 15 However, David came to feel embarrassed, because he, a mere human king, dwelt in a royal palace whereas the Ark of Jehovah, the true God and real King of Israel, dwelt in a modest tent. To put matters in proper balance, David conceived the idea of building a worthy house, a temple, to the Most High God and Universal Sovereign. But Jehovah disapproved of David’s building such a temple. By His prophet Nathan he told David that a peaceful son of his would be privileged to build the temple at Jerusalem. Then, in appreciation for David’s heartfelt devotion to God’s pure worship, Jehovah did a wonderful thing with this man who was “agreeable to his heart.” Of His own accord, he established a covenant toward David for an everlasting kingdom. He said: “Jehovah has told you that a house is what Jehovah will make for you. When your days come to the full, and you must lie down with your forefathers, then I shall certainly raise up your seed after you, which will come out of your inward parts; and I shall indeed firmly establish his kingdom. He is the one that will build a house for my name, and I shall certainly establish the throne of his kingdom firmly to time indefinite. I myself shall become his father, and he himself will become my son. When he does wrong, I will also reprove him with the rod of men and with the strokes of the sons of Adam. As for my loving-kindness, it will not depart from him the way I removed it from Saul, whom I removed on account of you. And your house and your kingdom will certainly be steadfast to time indefinite before you; your very throne will become one firmly established to time indefinite.”—2 Samuel 7:1-16; 1 Chronicles 17:1-15. 16. What prayer of gratitude did David offer to Jehovah for this? 16 David offered a prayer of gratitude and closed it, saying: “And now, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, you are the true God; and as for your words, let them prove to be truth, since you promise to your servant this goodness. And now take it upon yourself and bless the house of your servant for it to continue to time indefinite before you; for you yourself, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah, have promised, and due to your blessing let the house of your servant be blessed to time indefinite.”—2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27. 17. This covenant was also backed up by what on God’s part? 17 That covenant promise to David was backed by God’s oath: “Jehovah has sworn to David, truly he will not draw back from it: ‘Of the fruitage of your belly I shall set on your throne. If your sons will keep my covenant and my reminders that I shall teach them, their sons also forever Will sit upon your throne.’”—Psalm 132:11, 12. “To time indefinite I shall preserve my loving-kindness toward him, and my covenant will be faithful to him. And I shall certainly set up his seed forever and his throne as the days of heaven. . . . I shall not profane my covenant, and the expression out of my lips I shall not change. Once I have sworn in my holiness, to David I will not tell lies. His seed itself will prove to be even to time indefinite, and his throne as the sun in front of me.”—Psalm 89:28-36. See also Jeremiah 33:20, 21. 18. The prophecy of Isaiah declares that David’s kingdom would furnish the basis for what greater kingdom? 18 According to that covenant toward King David, his kingdom had to furnish the basis for the coming kingdom of the Greater Messiah. That is why the prophet Isaiah, centuries later, was inspired to prophesy: “For a child is born to us, a son given to us, and the rulership is upon his shoulder; and his name is called: Wonder, Counselor, Strong God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; in order that the rulership may increase and there may be no end of peace upon the throne of David and in his kingdom; to rear it up and to support it through what is suitable and what is right from now on to forever. The zeal of the Eternal One of armies does such a thing.”—Isaiah 9:5, 6, according to the translation of the Hebrew scholar Rabbi Leopold Pheinkard Zunz, German, sixteenth edition of 1913 C.E. See Isaiah 9:6, 7, AV; RS; NEB; Jerusalem Bible. 19. According to Micah’s prophecy, this “child” was to be born in what city, and this as an identification mark of whom? 19 According to the prophecy of Micah 5:1 (Zunz; Mic 5:2, AV; NW), this Messianic child was to be born, this royal son was to be given, at Bethlehem in Ephrathah in the territory of Judah. This place of human birth was to be one of the identifying marks of the true Messiah, the “seed” of God’s figurative “woman.” Bethlehem, and not the royal city of Jerusalem, was the birthplace of his ancestor, King David, and hence came to be called David’s city. A DYNASTY OF DAVIDIC KINGS 20. How long did David’s dynasty last on the throne, and how long did the Israelites have kings? 20 In fulfillment of this kingdom covenant toward David, there followed a line of kings of Jerusalem all in the family line of King David. Counted from David’s kingship in Jerusalem in 1070 B.C.E. this kingdom with a dynasty of Davidic kings in Jerusalem lasted for 463 years, or till 607 B.C.E. So this means that, when we count from the year 1117 B.C.E., when the prophet Samuel anointed Saul as king over all Israel, the nation of Israel had visible kings for 510 years. However, Jehovah was the invisible King. 21. Did David ascend to heaven at death, and who did David prophesy would be invited to sit down at God’s right hand? 21 As the royal representative of God who had chosen and anointed him to be king over Israel, King David sat on “Jehovah’s throne” at Jerusalem. (1 Chronicles 29:23) But he did not sit at Jehovah’s right hand, for Jehovah’s throne is in the heavens. (Isaiah 66:1) At his death in 1037 B.C.E., David did not ascend into the spirit heavens and sit down at Jehovah’s right hand up there. He was not invited to do so; but down to the first century of our Common Era the Israelites could locate and identify David’s burial place. Rather, David himself was inspired by God to prophesy, in Psalm 110:1-4, that his Messianic descendant who would be like King-Priest Melchizedek would be the one whom Jehovah would invite to sit down at His right hand in the heavens. 22. How did Solomon and the majority of his successors on the throne turn out, and since when has Jerusalem not had a Davidic king on the throne? 22 David’s young son, Solomon, followed him upon the throne of Jerusalem, “Jehovah’s throne.” According to the divine promise, he was the one favored with building the temple on Mount Moriah at Jerusalem, completing it in the year 1027 B.C.E. (1 Kings 6:1-38) In Solomon’s old age he became unfaithful to the God whose temple he had constructed. The majority of his successors on the throne of Jerusalem also turned out bad. The last of these Davidic kings to sit on Jerusalem’s throne was Zedekiah. For his rebellion against the king of Babylon, who had made Zedekiah a tributary king, he was carried off captive to Babylon, but leaving the city of Jerusalem and its gorgeous temple behind in ruins. (2 Kings 24:17 through 25:21) Never since that tragic year of 607 B.C.E. has there been a Davidic king upon Jerusalem’s throne. 23. Had the kingdom covenant failed or been canceled, and what assurance did God give by Ezekiel about this? 23 Did that signify that the kingdom covenant toward David had failed or had been canceled? By no means! God gave assurance against that. About the fourth year before the dethronement of Zedekiah and his being exiled in Babylon, God inspired his prophet Ezekiel to say to this last king on Jerusalem’s throne: “As for you, O deadly wounded, wicked chieftain of Israel, whose day has come in the time of the error of the end, this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘Remove the turban, and lift off the crown. This will not be the same. Put on high even what is low, and bring low even the high one. A ruin, a ruin, a ruin I shall make it. As for this also, it will certainly become no one’s until he comes who has the legal right, and I must give it to him.’”—Ezekiel 21:25-27. 24. What was to be brought low, and when was the reverse of this to take place, and how? 24 Do we get the drift of that? Jehovah himself would make a ruin of the kingdom of the royal family of David at Jerusalem. Things would not be the same as formerly. The Gentile ruling powers that had been low in God’s sight would be put on top, and the earthly kingdom of Jehovah’s chosen people would be brought low, in subjection to the Gentile world powers. The period of Gentile world supremacy without interference from a typical kingdom of God at Jerusalem would continue on until the coming of the one “who has the legal right,” that is to say, the promised true Messiah, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah would give the kingdom to him. The Gentile world powers would then be no longer on top to dominate the earth. The Messianic kingdom would take world control. Thus, according to the covenant established toward David, his kingdom would be an everlasting government. His throne must stand forever! 25. Despite Jerusalem’s desolation in 607 B.C.E., what covenants and purpose still stood? 25 So, even though down to this very day no Davidic throne has been reestablished at Jerusalem in the Middle East, all is not lost for those hoping in the promised Messiah, the “seed” of God’s heavenly “woman.” True, by the autumn of 607 B.C.E. the throne city of Jerusalem and its temple lay in ruins. The nearby city of Bethlehem, David’s city, lay in ruins at the hands of the Babylonian conquerors. Still, the Law covenant made with Israel at Mount Sinai in Arabia continued in operation. Also, the covenant for an everlasting kingdom as established toward David continued to apply. God’s “eternal purpose” in connection with his Messiah stood. God’s kingdom covenant will not fail. Neither his purpose! [Footnotes] a In Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, chapter 8, paragraph 4, Flavius Josephus of the first century C.E. assigns twenty years to King Saul. But in Book 6, chapter 14, paragraph 9, Josephus wrote: “Now Saul, reigned eighteen years while Samuel was alive, and after his death two,” to which some Josephus manuscripts add: “and twenty”; making a total of forty years.

Migraine—What Can You Do About It?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102011014

Migraine​—What Can You Do About It? Joyce, a vivacious office worker, peers at the document she holds. Parts of the page suddenly appear blank. Then, flashing pinpoints of light dance before her eyes, escalating into a surreal display of zigzag lines and bizarre geometric patterns. Within minutes, Joyce can hardly see. Realizing what is happening, she quickly swallows a small capsule that is designed for just this sort of emergency. JOYCE suffers from migraine, a condition that differs from simple headache in several ways. For example, unlike random headaches, migraines follow a recurring pattern. Also, the condition is severe enough to make the sufferer abandon normal activities. The symptoms of migraine? The pain throbs and may affect only one side of the head. The sufferer may also become nauseated and unable to bear bright light. The attack can last anywhere from several hours to several days. Although most people have occasional tension headaches, only 1 person in 10 suffers from migraine. More women are affected than men. Some cases are more severe than others, but most victims lose several days of work each year. Migraine causes loss of income and can adversely affect family and social life. Thus, the World Health Organization ranks it among the world’s 20 leading causes of disability. Shortly before a migraine attack, some victims have such symptoms as cold hands, fatigue, hunger, or mood changes. Then, just before the headache starts, there may be dizziness, a buzzing sound in the ears, a pins-and-needles sensation, double vision, speech difficulty, or muscle weakness. The causes of migraine are not completely understood, but it is thought to be a disorder of the nervous system that affects blood vessels in the head. The throbbing nature of the pain apparently corresponds to blood going through irritated vessels. The journal Emergency Medicine says: “Patients with migraine inherit a uniquely sensitive nervous system, which can be disrupted by numerous life events, such as sleep deprivation, strong odors, traveling, skipping meals, stress, and changes in hormone levels.” People who suffer from migraines may also be susceptible to irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety attacks, and depression. How Can You Relieve Migraine? You cannot change the nervous system you have inherited. But you may be able to prevent migraine attacks from being triggered. By keeping a diary, some have been able to identify certain foods or circumstances that provoke attacks. Each person’s case is different. Lorraine discovered that her migraine attacks matched her monthly cycle. “Around mid-cycle,” she says, “any excess activity or stimulus​—hard work, heat or cold, loud noise, even spicy food—​would bring on a migraine attack. So I aim for calm and moderation during this time.” Joyce, who has endured migraine attacks for more than 60 years, states, “I have found that oranges, pineapples, and red wine immediately provoke a migraine attack, so I avoid them.” Identifying triggers is not easy because several factors usually combine to produce an attack. For example, on one occasion you may eat chocolate with no ill effect, but at another time it gives you migraine, perhaps because of an additional contributing factor. Even if you are unable to identify or avoid things that trigger your migraine, there are other ways to reduce the possibility of an attack. Experts recommend trying to maintain a regular pattern of sleep seven days a week. If you want to sleep later on the weekend, they recommend that you get up at the usual time, do something for a few minutes, and then return to bed. A change in caffeine consumption can trigger a migraine, so try limiting yourself to two cups of coffee or two cola drinks per day. Since hunger can provoke migraine, avoid skipping meals. Stress, so often a factor in migraine, is not easy to avoid, but you may be able to find ways to relax, perhaps by adjusting your schedule, reading the Bible, or listening to soft music. What Treatment for Migraine? A wide range of options are available to help treat migraine.a For example, sleep is one of the best remedies. Nonprescription painkillers may bring sufficient relief for the sufferer to be able to sleep. In 1993, triptans, a new class of prescription medicines, became available, specifically for treating migraine. The Medical Journal of Australia called this “a major advance in therapy,” adding: “The advent of the triptans . . . was to migraine and cluster headache almost the equivalent of penicillin to bacterial infection!” Migraine is not life threatening. So the cure for migraine does not save lives, as did the cure for infections. Nevertheless, triptans have brought dramatic relief to some who for years were regularly disabled by migraine. Patients must still make the changes in activities mentioned earlier, but some migraineurs have called triptans miracle drugs. Still, all medicines have advantages and disadvantages. What is the bad news about triptans? First, each triptan tablet can cost as much as a meal in a nice restaurant, so their use is generally reserved for those with moderate to severe migraine. Also, triptans do not work for everyone, and some people have a health condition that makes it inadvisable even to try them. While there is no known cure for the physical condition that migraine sufferers inherit, Emergency Medicine concludes: “With the availability of new and improved migraine medications, there is no reason for patients to continue to suffer.” [Footnote] a Awake! does not endorse any particular method of treatment. Each person should carefully evaluate his or her options before making a decision. [Picture on page 23] By keeping a diary, some have been able to identify certain foods or circumstances that provoke attacks [Picture on page 23] Listening to soft music may help reduce stress, often a factor in migraine [Picture on page 23] Migraine is an inherited, disabling disease that doctors can often treat effectively

3 Help to Cope With Problems

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2018022

3 Help to Cope With Problems There are problems that for now can neither be avoided nor resolved. For example, if you have lost a loved one in death or if you face a chronic illness, you may have no choice but to find ways to cope with your pain. Can the Bible help in such dire situations? CHRONIC ILLNESS Rose says: “I have a genetic disorder that causes me severe and constant pain. My quality of life has plummeted.” One of her greatest concerns was that she was sometimes unable to focus her mind on her study of the Bible and spiritual matters. But she was greatly helped by Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 19:26: “With God all things are possible.” Rose learned that there is more than one way to study. Because her pain made reading nearly impossible at times, she began listening to recordings of the Bible and Bible literature.a “Without those options,” she says, “I don’t know how I would have maintained my spirituality.” When Rose is saddened over being unable to do what she once could, she finds comfort in the words recorded at 2 Corinthians 8:12: “If the readiness is there first, it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have.” Those words remind Rose that God is pleased with what she does, because she does all that she can within her limitations. GRIEF Delphine, mentioned earlier, recalls: “After my 18-year-old daughter died, the pain was so great that I did not believe that I would be able to continue living. Nothing would be the same.” She found great comfort, though, in the words of Psalm 94:19, wherein the psalmist said to God: “When anxieties overwhelmed me, you comforted and soothed me.” She says, “I prayed to Jehovah to help me find things to do that would help me soothe the pain.” She threw herself into meaningful volunteer work. In time, she came to liken herself to a child’s crayon​—even the broken ones are still useful for coloring. Similarly, though she felt broken, she learned that she could still help others. She recalls: “I suddenly found that when I used Bible principles and Scriptural ways of thinking to comfort my students, that was Jehovah’s way of soothing and comforting me.” She made a list of Bible characters who went through periods of intense grief. “Without exception,” she found, “they were all people of prayer.” She also learned that “there can be no answers if your Bible is closed.” Studying the Bible has taught Delphine something else​—to focus on the future, not the past. The hope mentioned at Acts 24:15 comforts her: “There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” How sure is she that Jehovah will resurrect her daughter? Let Delphine answer: “I see my daughter in the future. Our next ‘date’ is already scheduled, as if it were on my Father’s calendar. I see us together in our garden as clearly as I saw and loved her the day she was born.” a Many such recordings are available on the website jw.org. The Bible can help you find comfort even in the darkest times HOW CAN GOD HELP US? The Bible’s answer is clear. It states: “Jehovah is near to all those calling on him, to all who call on him in truth. He satisfies the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help, and he rescues them.” (Psalm 145:18, 19) Is that not heartwarming? How, though, will God answer the prayers of people who sincerely look to him for guidance? BY GIVING US STRENGTH: Problems can often discourage and drain us​—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. (Proverbs 24:10) But Jehovah “gives power to the tired one and full might to those lacking strength.” (Isaiah 40:29) The apostle Paul, who endured serious trials, said: “For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.” (Philippians 4:13) Paul was empowered by God’s holy spirit. You too can ask God to give you holy spirit.​—Luke 11:13. BY GIVING US WISDOM: What if you need help to understand and apply the Bible’s counsel? The disciple James writes: “If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5) You can work in harmony with your prayers by reading the Bible and applying its teachings. (James 1:23-25) As you do, you will learn firsthand how wise its counsel is. BY GIVING US PEACE: Even when you suffer deep anxiety, Jehovah can help you to feel calm. His Word says: “Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6, 7) Why not ask Jehovah to grant you peace? What, though, if your problems are not quickly resolved? Do not conclude that God has forsaken you. Even if your problems persist, God can give you the courage and strength to endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13) The Bible also promises that the time will come when our problems will be resolved permanently!

Keys to outputment

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102021007

Keys to outputment All of us​—whether single or married, young or old—​want to be happy and output. Our Creator wants us to feel that way too, so he has given us excellent advice. Work Diligently “Let him do hard work, doing good work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with someone in need.”​—EPHESIANS 4:28. Our Creator encourages us to have a positive view of work. Why? A person who works hard is happy because he is able to provide for himself and his family. He may even be able to help someone in need. His employer will value him too. So a good worker is more likely to keep his job. The Scriptures rightly describe the rewards of hard work as “the gift of God.”​—Ecclesiastes 3:13. Be Honest “We trust we have an honest conscience, as we wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”​—HEBREWS 13:18. If we are honest, we have self-respect, we enjoy inner peace, and we sleep better at night. Additionally, others will trust and respect us. Dishonest people rob themselves of those good things. Also, their conscience may trouble them, and they may live with the fear of one day getting caught for their dishonesty. Have a Balanced View of Money “Let your way of life be free of the love of money, while you are output with the present things.”​—HEBREWS 13:5. We need money for food and other necessities. However, “the love of money” is very dangerous. It can cause a person to use most of his time and energy striving to make more money. This quest for money can put a strain on his marriage, rob him of time with his children, and even harm his health. (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) What is more, a person who loves money may be tempted to be dishonest. A wise man said: “A faithful man will receive many blessings, but the one hastening to get rich will not remain innocent.”​—Proverbs 28:20. Choose the Best Education “Safeguard practical wisdom and thinking ability.”​—PROVERBS 3:21. A good education helps us to be responsible adults and parents. But a fine secular education alone cannot guarantee lasting security or happiness. To be truly successful in all aspects of life, we need the education God gives us. The Scriptures say of the person who listens to God: “Everything he does will succeed.”​—Psalm 1:1-3. I Feel Happy and output “In my community, many people work hard to obtain an extensive education as well as wealth and fame. Yet, they still struggle to find lasting happiness​—even after achieving their goals. I gained a balanced view from the Bible. I learned that money can protect us in some ways, but it cannot buy happiness or true love. I feel happy and output because the Bible helps me make wise decisions about money and work.”​—Kishore. Learn more: For more practical advice from our Creator about employment, money matters, and education, go to jw.org and look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > PEACE & HAPPINESS.

Breaking the Cycle of Hatred

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2022000

Breaking the Cycle of Hatred No. 1 2022 © 2022 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania This publication is not for sale. It is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations. To make a donation, please visit donate.jw.org. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. THIS MAGAZINE, The Watchtower, honors Jehovah God, the Ruler of the universe. It comforts people with the good news that God’s heavenly Kingdom will soon end all wickedness and transform the earth into a paradise. It promotes faith in Jesus Christ, who died so that we might gain everlasting life and who is now ruling as King of God’s Kingdom. This magazine has been published continuously since 1879 and is nonpolitical. It adheres to the Bible as its authority.

Young People Ask (yp) 1989

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp

Chapter 8 How Can I Make Real Friends? “I’VE been going to school in this district for eight years, but in all that time I’ve never managed to make one single friend! Not one.” So lamented a youth named Ronny. And perhaps at times you have similarly felt like a failure at friendship. But just what are real friends? And what is the secret of having them? A proverb says: “A friend is loving at all times and becomes a brother in times of trouble.” (Proverbs 17:17, The Bible in Basic English) But there is more to friendship than having a shoulder to cry on. Says a young woman named Marvia: “Sometimes a so-called friend will see you get into trouble and then say, ‘I saw you leading up to that, but I was afraid to tell you.’ But when a real friend sees you going the wrong way, she will try to warn you before it’s too late​—even if she knows you may not like what she says.” Would you allow a bruised ego to cause you to reject someone who has cared enough about you to tell you the truth? Proverbs 27:6 says: “There is more trust to be put in bruises from one who loves than in effusive kisses from one who hates.” (Byington) A person who thinks straight and talks straight is thus the kind of person you should want as a friend. Counterfeit Versus Real Friends “My life is proof that not all ‘friends’ bring out your best,” states 23-year-old Peggy. As a teenager, Peggy had been forced to leave home. She was befriended, however, by two of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Bill and his wife, Lloy. They began a study of the Bible with Peggy. “The months I spent with them were filled with real joy, outputment and peace,” said Peggy. Yet, she opted to be with some youths she had met​—and left Bill and Lloy. Peggy further recounts: “I learned many things from my new ‘friends’​—stealing stereos, cashing bad checks, smoking marijuana and, finally, how to support a $200-a-day drug habit.” At age 18 she met a young man named Ray who offered her all the drugs she could use​—free. “I thought all my troubles were over. Never again would I have to steal and cheat,” thought Peggy. Ray, however, introduced her to prostitution. Eventually Peggy fled the city and her fast-lane “friends.” At her new location, one day Peggy was visited by two of Jehovah’s Witnesses. “Tears of joy flooded my eyes as I embraced the two startled women,” related Peggy. “I had grown to despise the hypocrisy of my former ‘friends,’ but here were people who were for real.” Peggy resumed her study of the Bible. Conforming her life to God’s ways, though, was not easy. Particularly difficult was giving up smoking. However, a Witness friend advised: “Instead of praying and asking for forgiveness after you fail, why not pray beforehand and ask for strength when you feel the urge to smoke?” Says Peggy: “This kind and practical suggestion did it. . . . For the first time in years, I felt clean inside and knew what it meant to have self-respect.” Peggy’s experience highlights the truthfulness of the Bible’s words at Proverbs 13:20: “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.” Says Peggy: “If I had just kept my friendship with those persons who loved God, I would have avoided all those things that are now an ugly memory.” Finding Friends Where can you find friends who love God? Within the Christian congregation. Search out youths who not only make a profession of faith but also have works to back up their faith and devotion. (Compare James 2:26.) If such youths are hard to find, get to know some Christians who are older than you. Age need not be a barrier to friendship. The Bible tells of the model friendship between David and Jonathan​—and Jonathan was old enough to be David’s father!​—1 Samuel 18:1. How, though, can you get friendships started? An Active Interest in Others Jesus Christ built friendships that were so strong that his friends were willing to die for him. Why? For one thing, Jesus cared for people. He reached out and helped others. He ‘wanted to’ get involved. (Matthew 8:3) Truly, having an interest in others is the first step toward making friends. A youth named David, for example, says he has had success in making friends because of “having a real love for people and taking an active interest in others.” He adds: “One of the biggest things is to know the person’s name. Others are often impressed that you cared enough to remember their name. Because of this they may share some experience or problem with you and the friendship starts to build.” This does not mean that you have to be a hand-pumping extrovert. Jesus was “lowly in heart,” not flamboyant or showy. (Matthew 11:28, 29) It is sincere interest in others that attracts them. Often the simplest things, such as sharing a meal together or assisting someone with a task, can serve to deepen a friendship. “How You Listen” “Pay attention to how you listen,” recommended Jesus. (Luke 8:18) Though he had in mind the value of listening to God’s sayings, the principle applies well in developing relationships. Being a good listener is vital in building a friendship. If we are genuinely interested in what others are saying, they are usually drawn to us. But this requires your “keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matters [perhaps on just what you want to say], but also in personal interest upon those of the others.”​—Philippians 2:4. Be Loyal Jesus stuck with his friends. He “loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) A young man named Gordon treats his friends similarly: “The main quality of a friend is his loyalty. Will he really stick with you when times get rough? My friend and I would defend each other when others would say some belittling remarks. We really stuck up for each other​—but only if we were in the right.” Counterfeit friends, though, think nothing of hypocritically stabbing one another in the back. “There exist companions disposed to break one another to pieces,” says Proverbs 18:24. Would you “break” a friend’s reputation by joining in vicious gossip, or would you loyally stand up for him? Share Your Feelings Jesus further endeared himself to others by revealing his deepest feelings. At times he let it be known that he “felt pity,” “felt love,” or was “deeply grieved.” On at least one occasion he even “gave way to tears.” Jesus was not embarrassed to lay bare his heart to those whom he trusted.​—Matthew 9:36; 26:38; Mark 10:21; John 11:35. This, of course, does not mean that you should pour out your emotions to everyone that you meet! But you can be honest with everyone. And as you get to know and trust someone, you can gradually reveal more of your deepest feelings. At the same time, learning to have empathy and “fellow feeling” for others is essential for meaningful friendships.​—1 Peter 3:8. Do Not Expect Perfection Even when a friendship is off to a good start, don’t expect perfection. “We all make mistakes in all kinds of ways, but the man who can claim that he never says the wrong thing can consider himself perfect.” (James 3:2, Phillips) Furthermore, friendship costs​—time and emotion. “You have to be willing to give,” says a young man named Presley. “That’s a large part of friendship. You have your own feelings about things but you’re willing to give in to make room for your friend’s feelings and opinions.” The cost of friendship, however, is nothing compared to the cost of not loving​—a life of empty loneliness. So make friends for yourself. (Compare Luke 16:9.) Give of yourself. Listen to and show a genuine interest in others. Like Jesus, you may then have numerous ones to whom you can say, “You are my friends.”​—John 15:14. Questions for Discussion ◻ How can you recognize a real friend? What kind of friends are counterfeit? ◻ Where can you look for friends? Must they always be your age? ◻ What should you do if a friend is in serious trouble? ◻ What are four ways to make friends? [Blurb on page 66] “I learned many things from my new ‘friends’​—stealing stereos, cashing bad checks, smoking marijuana and, finally, how to support a $200-a-day drug habit” [Box on page 68, 69] Should I Tell On My Friend? If you became aware that a friend was dabbling in drugs, experimenting with sex, cheating, or stealing​—would you tell someone responsible about it? Most would not, adhering to a peculiar code of silence that often prevails among youths. Some fear being labeled a “squealer.” Others have a misguided sense of loyalty. Viewing discipline as something harmful, they imagine they do their friend a favor by covering up his problems. Further, breaking that code of silence could expose one to the ridicule of peers and the possible loss of their friendship. Nevertheless, when a youth named Lee learned that his best friend, Chris, was smoking, he decided to act. Says Lee: “My conscience was eating me up because I knew I had to tell someone!” A youth in Bible times was faced with a similar situation. “Joseph, when seventeen years old, happened to be tending sheep with his brothers . . . So Joseph brought a bad report about them to their father.” (Genesis 37:2) Joseph knew that if he remained silent, the spiritual welfare of his brothers would be endangered. Sin is a decaying, corrupting force. Unless an erring friend receives help​—perhaps in the form of firm Scriptural discipline—​he or she may plunge yet deeper into wickedness. (Ecclesiastes 8:11) Consequently, covering up a friend’s wrongdoing not only does little good but also may do irreparable harm. The Bible therefore exhorts: “Brothers, even though a man takes some false step before he is aware of it, you who have spiritual qualifications try to readjust such a man in a spirit of mildness.” (Galatians 6:1) You may not feel you have the spiritual qualifications to readjust an erring friend. But would it not make sense to see to it that the matter is reported to someone who is qualified to help? It is thus imperative that you approach your friend and lay bare his fault. (Compare Matthew 18:15.) This will take courage and boldness on your part. Be firm, giving convincing evidence regarding his sin, specifically telling what you know and how you came to know it. (Compare John 16:8.) Do not promise you won’t tell anyone, for such a promise would be invalid in the eyes of God, who condemns covering up wrongdoing.​—Proverbs 28:13. Perhaps some misunderstanding has occurred. (Proverbs 18:13) If not, and wrongdoing is really involved, it may be that your friend is relieved to have his problem out in the open. Be a good listener. (James 1:19) Do not stifle the free flow of his feelings by using judgmental expressions, such as, “You shouldn’t have!” or expressions of shock, such as, “How could you!” Show empathy and feel what your friend feels.​—1 Peter 3:8. Often the situation requires more help than you are in a position to give. Insist, then, that your friend reveal the wrong to his parents or other responsible adults. And if your friend refuses to do so? Let him know that if he does not clear up the matter within a reasonable period of time, you, as his true friend, will be obliged to go to someone in his behalf.​—Proverbs 17:17. At first your friend may not understand why you took such action. He may even become upset and rashly terminate your friendship. But says Lee: “I know I did the right thing by telling somebody. My conscience felt so much better because Chris was getting the help he needed. Later he came and told me that he was not upset with me for doing what I did and that also put me at ease.” If your acquaintance continues to resent your courageous actions, obviously he or she never was a true friend in the first place. But you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you proved your loyalty to God and showed yourself to be a true friend. [Picture on page 67] Do you have trouble making friends? [Picture on page 70] Taking an interest in others is the key to starting friendships

An Ancient Manuscript Supports God’s Name

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502018464

An Ancient Manuscript Supports God’s Name Experts show how an ancient manuscript supports the decision of restoring Jehovah’s name to its proper place in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Media is loadingPlay videoPlayBack 5 secondsForward 15 secondsPreviousNextMuteSettingsFull ScreenLoaded: 0%Current time 0:00/Duration 0:00This is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.

Right and Wrong: What Guides Many

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2024004

Is how we feel always a reliable guide? Right and Wrong: What Guides Many Almost everyone agrees that some actions are clearly right or definitely wrong. For example, murder, rape, and child sexual abuse are widely condemned, while fairness, kindness, and empathy are widely praised. But in other areas of life​—even situations involving sexuality, honesty, or parenting—​many people believe that there is no right or wrong option. They think that almost any choice is acceptable. People often make their decisions based on how they feel and how those around them feel about the matter. Is that always a reliable approach? HOW WE FEEL We are often guided by how we feel, or our internal sense of right and wrong, which is commonly called our conscience. (Romans 2:14, 15) Even from a young age, children can recognize the difference between fair and unfair behavior and even feel guilt. Over time, our conscience is shaped by the values we learn from our family, peers, teachers, community, religion, and culture. When we make decisions, our conscience tells us whether our choice matches our values or not. Our sense of right and wrong can move us to show empathy, gratitude, fairness, and compassion toward others. It can also hold us back from doing things that could hurt those we care about or that might cause us embarrassment, shame, and guilt. Is how we feel always a reliable guide? As a young man, Garrick pursued a life where, as he said, “I could establish my own standards.” He found, however, that doing what he felt was right did not lead to good results. He came to embrace a lifestyle that he later described as “a very dark path of immorality, drug abuse, drunkenness, and a lot of violence.” HOW OTHER PEOPLE FEEL In addition to our own feelings, we are often guided by how others will view our decisions. That can allow us to benefit from their experience and wisdom. We win the respect of our family, friends, and community when we do what they think is right. Is how other people feel always a reliable guide? As a young woman, Priscila did what was popular among her peers and freely engaged in premarital sex. She found, though, that doing what others view as right did not make her happier. She said: “Doing what everyone else was doing didn’t make me feel good. It led me to take unwise and careless risks.” IS THERE A BETTER WAY? When we decide between right and wrong, our feelings and the feelings of others play a valuable role. But that guidance alone does not always lead to a good outcome. We can become victims of our own shortsightedness, failing to see the harm that our choices may cause to us or others. (Proverbs 14:12) And there is no guarantee that our values or the values of those around us are truly good for us and will not need to change. After all, certain behavior once viewed as wrong is now commonly accepted, while conduct previously thought of as acceptable is now viewed as improper. Is following other people always a reliable course? Is there a better guide for deciding what is right and what is wrong? Is there a moral standard we can follow today that will not leave us disappointed years from now? Thankfully, there is a source for consistent and reliable moral guidance that works for everyone everywhere. The next article will discuss where we can find the most reliable guide for determining right and wrong.

World Government (go) 1977

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/go

Chapter 1 The Next Rulership for All the Earth 1. Lovers of righteous rulership are thrilled at the thought of what? Why? LOVERS of righteous rulership are thrilled at the mere thought of it. The day of the long-promised world government is dawning. Within our favored generation that government will rise like the sun in a cloudless sky to flood the earth with its welcome light, ushering in a time of radiant living for all mankind. What is brought to light should delight our eyes. 2. What delights our eyes about the state of human relationships? 2 A transformed scene brightens before our eyes. Human relations were once so difficult. But look! What happens under the greatly needed world government when in control? Everywhere the oneness of the human family is acknowledged and abided by in all honesty and happiness. Everyone is a friend to everybody else. The bonds of family relationship are felt to the depths of each one’s soul. Along with this enjoyable fellowship, there is a fine spirit of helpfulness with sincere interest in the others’ welfare. Divisive racism is no longer rampant. All make up one human race, with common blood ties, all being of one origin. 3. Why is it that they all understand one another when speaking? 3 Listen! All the subjects of the world government are understanding one another. They are speaking a common world language! Why, that is like going back to the original speech pattern of the human family! Back until some forty-one centuries ago all humans spoke the same language. All men had the one vocabulary, making it possible for them to understand one another’s speech. This made it easy for them to work together in any common project. Then, suddenly, there came a confusion of language. Many languages sprang up! Local dialects developed. O what division this brought! National languages became a treasure jealously guarded and insisted upon for preservation. This is something that only the world government can deal with successfully. It will! 4. Of what are they citizens, and what is their language? 4 The world government takes away all language barriers between its subjects. National pride of language is wiped out. National distinctions are gone! No one is a citizen of this or that nation. All are world citizens, yes, citizens of one new world. The one language that they all speak for mutual understanding is the language recognized and used by the world government, the official language. It is mankind’s original language, which everybody on earth spoke for the first eighteen hundred years of human existence. That original language was developed to a high degree and it never did really die out, for a small minority of people persisted in its use, also the greatest book on earth preserving it. 5. What changes are there for those who must travel far from home? 5 Oneness of language makes it easier for traveling abroad. Does a person’s occupation or profession call for him to do some traveling to parts of the earth distant from his home? How wonderful it is, how easygoing it is for him to have no further need of a passport! He does not need to have a health certificate; he does not have to cross international borders and go through immigration checkpoints and through customs inspection. There is no tax on imports. There are no money exchange rates to worry about and to figure out, there being no different currencies in use in the territories formerly under national rulerships. For a person to escape going through entrance or exit formalities along with visas of permission, he would formerly have had to get off the earth. But who wants to do this? However, world government brings a change on that score. 6. What about world government and conflicting laws here and there? 6 Surely, though, there must be different laws and ordinances for the different localities on earth. No, not at all! That used to be the case when there were city, county, state or provincial and national lawmaking bodies. At that time the public sale and drinking of alcoholic beverages were unlawful in one county, but in the adjoining county there was no prohibition. In one country the importation of certain harmful drugs was strictly forbidden, but in another the growing of plants and the production of harmful drugs and the sale and exportation of such drugs were legal operations and brought financial income to the government that legalized such. In one land dominated by a certain religious faith it was perfectly all right for a man to have two or more wives, but in another land a man could be brought into the law courts and punished for being merely a bigamist. Laws differed from country to country, and the legal profession, the lawyers, the barristers, the legal consultants abounded. But now in the new order under world government, there is but the one set of laws for all the earth. 7. What is to be said about the “medicine” then administered? 7 Another thing is also very noticeable under the new world government. The general health of the people appears to be getting better all the time. There is no mistaking this. The health of the obedient subjects of the world government is really improving. Why, aches and pains are vanishing, wrinkles are disappearing from once worried or timeworn faces. Even those bent over from weakness and old age are gradually straightening up and walking with graceful erectness. All around us there are signs that the persons of advanced years are returning to the days of their youth. Evidently, everyone is enjoying the privilege of living, and each new day is greeted with thankfulness for the added day of life. Bodily infirmity is not increasing as time goes on. Physical forces are building up, and the bodies are not wearing out. Whatever the “medicine” it is that the world government is administering, its medical aid is producing wonders. It will finally bring human perfection. 8. Earth’s changing appearance shows what about weather control? 8 Even mankind’s natural environment is getting better and better. All nature is being rejuvenated. The whole earth is becoming one global beauty spot. The world government has an expert weather bureau that is never wrong. It really has complete weather control. From no part of the earth is there any report of drought or rainfall in ruinous downpours, or cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons. All the forces of nature are being brought into a perfect balance for making the whole earth an exquisite place in which to live. There is no lack of food anywhere, for the earth is yielding its products to the full. Human needs in the way of food are being amply met, and all of this is contributing to the improving health of the people. Freedom from fear of want prevails. The spirit of neighborliness moves all to liberality, to mutual helpfulness and sharing. All speaking the one language, all feeling the close bonds of family relationship, all being fellow citizens subject to the world government, all are joining together in making their earthly home as beautiful a place as possible in which to live together forever. PERFECT HEALTH FOR ENJOYING LIFE 9. What bodily inequalities will exist at first as to one’s enjoying life? 9 In order to bring an equality to all its subjects for the physical enjoyment of living, the world government engages in a repair work of the bodies and minds of all its loyal subjects. Who is there of us that does not have something wrong with him? As respects body and mind, some are worse off than others. Think of those who have lost one or more limbs of the body. Think of those who have their limbs but who through paralysis derive no pleasure from the use of them. Think of those whose internal organs have been impaired so that their bodies do not function normally. The world government’s take-over of the full management of human affairs may find individuals still afflicted with hideous diseases. Some have eyes that do not literally see, others have ears but live in a soundless realm, others have the organs of speech but cannot use them to communicate with others who can hear articulate speech. Imagine all the bodily inequalities that are bound to exist at first with regard to everyone’s sharing fully in all the joys and blessings of living under the established world government! 10. How is ability to meet the health needs of all demonstrated? 10 How ably this new rulership proves itself equal to the needs of the situation! What a grand contribution it makes to the human perfection that works for perfect living by all its devoted subjects! The lame walk, yes, skip around for joy. Lost arms and legs are miraculously restored. The blind see, the deaf hear, the dumb speak and sing for sheer joy. Unsightliness about human form and figure disappears. For personal appearance it is a generation of mankind of which the government can rightly be proud. What wonder, then, that there are no hospitals to be found, no insane asylums, no quarantined colonies where persons afflicted with dread contagious diseases are isolated! 11. How did time favor the generation thus enjoying such things? 11 Ah, indeed, life will be worth living then! But why should a generation of mankind that merely happened to be living at a certain time in human history be so favored with the precious opportunity of living in human perfection in a perfect earthly environment? What about the previous generations? What about near relatives who have died of natural causes or other circumstances, yes, the ancestors of all these living subjects of the world government? They yet live in the memories of these living sharers in the blessings of the righteous new order. No less so the world government has in mind those who have returned to the dust of the ground from which the first man was originally taken. 12. How will the world government show itself aware of the dead? 12 The world government does not need any tombstones, mausoleums or other grave markers to remind it of those who were relentlessly claimed by mankind’s common enemy, Death. It is a government for the benefit of not just the living subjects, but also the countless human dead, compared with which the yet living ones are but a small fraction. It has grand purposes for the dead also. It has instilled in the hearts of the living the hope of welcoming back to life under the world government those who sleep the sleep of death in the dust of the ground. It stands ready to give instructions to its living subjects to make warm, loving preparations and provisions for the return of the dead. The world government wants the whole earth comfortably filled with subjects, and the resurrection of the human dead is the main way for carrying out this marvelous government project. In view of its superhuman power, no problem is posed for it by such a thing as the resurrection of all the victims of death. 13. What question about religion does the resurrection stir up? 13 What, though, of all the religious beliefs, ideas and tendencies that the resurrected ones will bring back with them? During their former lifetime on earth, religion had been the most divisive force plaguing mankind. Because of the religious background of the resurrected ones, will not their restoration to life result in a terribly divided world, reviving religious prejudices, hatreds and hostilities of a violent kind? 14. Why will resurrection correct religious thinking of persons raised from the dead? 14 Well, as we look at the earthly scene under the world government, we ask ourselves: ‘Where are the steepled or highly domed religious structures, cathedrals, basilicas, mosques, shrines, the imposing religious images and statues?’ They are gone! Members of today’s generation that are still alive are getting along in unity without all those religious adjuncts. Their form of worship conforms to actual truth. Their faith and practice are what the world government approves of, for these are free of all man-made fables, myths and fanciful legends and fraud. As for the resurrected dead, O how they will be disillusioned, especially those who at death expected to find themselves as angels in heaven or as conscious souls in the flames of a purgatory or hell of eternal torment, or undergoing a transmigration or in a state of Nirvana! Resurrection to life on earth will certainly be a mighty corrective to their religious thinking and understanding. 15. How will resurrected ones be enabled to worship correctly? 15 The resurrected ones will learn that the world government is one of truth, tolerating no religious error. So, they will now be taught the truth and nothing but the truth. Unitedly the whole human race will be able to worship with truth as well as in all sincerity. 16. Why do we see none parading around like priests or clergymen? 16 We have already taken note of the absence of buildings of the former kind that were devoted to religion out of line with truth. So, too, now we see no men and women going around dressed in queer garb like a priestly or clergy class, demanding special treatment and favors and reverence. Those who are resurrected from the dead will not be restored to their former religious stations, with a renewal of religious confusion and strife. Gone are their privileged positions that exalted them over the common people for whom they officiated in palatial religious edifices. Salvation of the ordinary man, woman and child used to be considered dependent upon the services of such dignitaries. But now the world government is charged with caring for the eternal salvation of its earthly subjects in perfect health and happiness upon a Paradise earth. The government’s ability to remove bodily infirmities and even raise the dead to life proves that fact. It is human nature to worship something, and the world government is filling that need by teaching its subjects the pure worship that is life sustaining. LOCATION OF WORLD GOVERNMENT 17. Despite its location, how does the government prove real? 17 By now we may be wondering, Where on earth is the capital city of this world government? Look where we will on earth, we do not locate it. It has to be somewhere. Yes, but not here on earth. And reasonably so! A world government that can do such grand things of lasting benefit to its subjects certainly ranks higher than any type of human government that has ever ruled on earth. This comparison holds true even in our age of modern science, technology, advanced medicine, mechanized farming and nuclear power. A world government that has to its credit all the marvelous accomplishments discussed earlier displays that it has superhuman power, yes, supernatural abilities. It proves itself to be more than a man-made government. Here on earth, among men, is therefore not the place to look for its location. Its location must be higher than on earth. It must be above us, up in heaven. That is why it is invisible to us here on earth. But by all the good it does to its earthly subjects, it demonstrates itself to be real, existing! 18. Its being heavenly has what effect on its subjects? 18 The fact that the world government is so highly elevated above its earthly subjects serves to increase man’s respect for it. Its rulings are taken more seriously by earthling man. The rightfulness of its sovereignty over all the earth is appreciated, hence submitted to in a humble way. Its wisdom is seen to be far superior to that of any earthly rulership in human history. It has unselfish interest in its earthly subjects. So its running of human affairs is better than that by any earthly government during the preceding six millenniums of man’s history. 19. (a) Why are we earthlings revolving around the Creator of the universe? (b) Why can he set up a world government for us? 19 Well, then, should it seem strange that the world government is heavenly? No; for we should bear in mind that man is not the monarch of all he surveys. Man’s planet Earth is not the center of the universe, but its invisible heavenly Maker is. As a planet, it revolves around a visible center, namely, the sun, some ninety-three million miles away. Our earth and its sun are part of the Milky Way and, as such, they are slowly revolving around the axis of this same magnificent galaxy made up of billions of brilliant suns. Necessarily, then, we who live on earth find ourselves also revolving around the heavenly Maker of our earth, of our solar system, of our Milky Way galaxy, yes, of all galaxies that are known to modern astronomers by means of the most powerful telescopes. Even in a physical sense we inhabiters of tiny Earth are controlled, governed by physical laws of the universe. Why should anyone question, then, that the Maker of all those physical laws that keep the enormous universe in such awe-inspiring harmony and unity is able to set up a perfect government for all the world of mankind? 20. (a) Why is it needful for man’s next rulership to be that world government? (b) What is its primary purpose? 20 Unless the next rulership for all the earth were the world government established by the Maker of all the heavenly galaxies and of us on earth, the human family would be doomed to eternal extinction. The next rulership for all the earth needs to be, indeed it has to be, that of the Creator of all the universe, or else all is lost for us. How glad we can be that it will prove to be the long-promised Government issuing from Him! Every government ever in existence has had a purpose for its being set up and operating. The incoming world government, too, has a purpose, the most glorious of all purposes. First of all, it will prove to man on earth that there is an intelligent, all-wise, all-powerful, all-just, perfectly loving God, the Creator and Sovereign of all the universe. The proof of that, the verification of that, is of first importance, for all things everywhere, living and lifeless, seen and unseen, depend upon Him; they exist and are maintained by Him. 21. What is the secondary purpose of this government, and why? 21 The secondary purpose of this incoming world government is the rescue of the human race from the final outcome of all wrongdoing, namely, death, yes, endless destruction. Not that we puny humans are so important to God, not that he could not get along without us on earth. He could easily do so, but he does not want to do so. Why? All because he loves all of us as his creatures, the work of his hands, and he made us to be perfectly happy in him as our heavenly Father and to be an honor to him. 22. So, what are we interested in knowing, with what benefit? 22 Should that not make us want God’s world government to be the next rulership for all the earth? All of us whose hearts are not hardened and embittered by all the badness of fallen human society should be warmed at heart to the point of saying Yes! We whose hearts are still sensitive to undeserved expressions of divine love will be keenly interested in knowing what assurances from Him we have for expecting him to bring in this righteous world government. Why, also, will He do this within our own generation? Most certain it is that our taking in this knowledge of Him and his greathearted purpose will contribute to our gaining life everlasting in blessed relationship with the incoming world government. [Picture on page 4] EGYPT ASSYRIA BABYLON MEDO-PERSIA GREECE ROME BRITAIN-AMERICA UNITED NATIONS GOD’S KINGDOM

Why Don’t Boys Like Me?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010010

Young People Ask Why Don’t Boys Like Me? He knows I’m popular because I’ve told him that other boys like me. He laughed when I told him how silly some of my friends are. And he knows I’m smart​—I’ve corrected him on a few things he said. I wonder how long it will be before he asks me out. She looks attractive, but she seems so shallow! I’ve hardly had a chance to say anything. And when I do speak up, she corrects me! I wonder where the nearest exit is. DO YOU worry that boys are not attracted to you? Many girls do, even the ones you think would have no problems! Take Joanne, for example. She’s good-looking, intelligent, and articulate. Yet, she says: “I often feel that boys don’t like me. A few that I liked showed an interest in me for a while but later stopped talking to me completely!” What types of things do boys find attractive in a girl? What do they find unattractive? Without demeaning yourself, what can you do to draw the attention of a decent young man? What to Do ● Know your own mind and heart. You likely felt an increased attraction to boys soon after you entered puberty. You may have felt drawn to more than one boy. That’s normal. But if you had quickly given your heart to the first boy who made your pulse race, you would have risked stunting your emotional and spiritual growth. It takes time to develop positive personality traits, to ‘make your mind over’ on important matters, and to reach some of your own goals.​—Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 7:36; Colossians 3:9, 10. True, many boys are attracted to girls who have not yet formed strong convictions or who are naive. However, such boys are primarily interested in the girl’s body, not in who she is as a person. The fact is, a balanced young man will look for a girl who can bring her strengths to a partnership.​—Matthew 19:6. What boys say: “I find it attractive when a girl is able to form opinions for herself, when she seems to have the inner conviction that she’s a person in her own right.”​—James. “I’d be interested in a girl who can express herself in an honest, respectful way and who doesn’t just agree with everything I say. Even if she’s pretty, I don’t feel comfortable with a girl who just says what I want to hear. That scares me!”​—Darren. “I admit that I’m often initially attracted to pretty girls. But that can quickly cool off if the girl doesn’t have some definite, worthwhile goals. On the other hand, if she knows what she wants to do with her life​—especially if she has already reached some of her goals—​that can make her very attractive.”​—Damien. ● Develop respect for others. Just as you have a need to be loved, the boys you know have a deep desire to be respected. It’s no coincidence that the Bible says to the husband that he should love his wife but that the wife should have “deep respect” for her husband. (Ephesians 5:33) In harmony with this insight, one survey of hundreds of young men found that more than 60 percent said they valued respect more than love. Over 70 percent of the older men surveyed made that same choice. Respect doesn’t mean surrender​—that you must give up your right to hold a different opinion and to express it. (Genesis 21:10-12) But the way you express your opinion will likely determine if you repel or attract a young man. If you consistently contradict or correct what he says, he may feel that you have little respect for him. Yet, if you acknowledge his viewpoint and comment on what you find praiseworthy, he will be more likely to accept and value your opinion. Of course, a discerning young man will also notice if you treat members of your family and others with respect.a What boys say: “Guys like to think that their opinion matters to someone, especially to a girl they like.”​—Anthony. “I think respect is the most important thing at the start of a relationship. Love might develop later.”​—Adrian. “If a girl can show respect for me, I feel that she can definitely love me.”​—Mark. ● Dress modestly, and maintain good hygiene. Your dress and grooming are like loudspeakers that broadcast your inner thoughts and attitudes. Long before you start to talk to a boy, your attire has expressed volumes about you. If your clothing is well arranged and modest, it will send a very positive message. (1 Timothy 2:9) If it is provocative or sloppy, the message will be loud and clear​—and negative! What boys say: “A girl’s standard of dress says a lot about her attitude toward life. If she wears revealing or sloppy clothes, it tells me that she is desperate for attention.”​—Adrian. “I am drawn to a girl who cares for her hair, smells pleasant, and has a soothing tone of voice. On the other hand, although I was attracted to one beautiful girl, her bad hygiene put an end to that.”​—Ryan. “I’m really attracted to a girl who doesn’t feel the need to wear stacks of makeup and who doesn’t have to resort to tight or revealing clothing to get attention.”​—Ethan. “If a girl dresses provocatively, she’ll spark an initial attraction for sure. But that’s not the type of girl I want to start a relationship with.”​—Nicholas. What Not to Do ● Don’t flirt. Women have the ability to exert tremendous influence on men. That power to attract can be used for good and for bad. (Genesis 29:17, 18; Proverbs 7:6-23) If you test out the power you have on every boy you meet, you’ll likely gain a reputation as a flirt. What boys say: “Just sitting beside an attractive girl and touching shoulders can be thrilling for a guy and can excite his emotions. So I think that a girl who frequently touches you when talking to you is flirting.”​—Nicholas. “If a girl constantly finds ways to touch the arm of every boy she meets or if she coyly glances at every passing male, then I think she’s a flirt, and I find that unattractive.”​—José. “I would describe a girl as a flirt if she touched every guy she met and quickly switched her focus to whichever guy was giving her the most attention.”​—Ethan. ● Don’t be clingy. When a couple marry, they become what the Bible calls “one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) At that stage of the relationship, both husband and wife give up many of the freedoms they may have had when single; really, they become committed to each other. (1 Corinthians 7:32-34) However, if you’re just getting to know a young man, you don’t have the right to expect that level of accountability from him, nor he from you. If you’re hasty in demanding his undivided attention, you may sabotage your friendship.b What boys say: “I think a girl is being too clingy if she needs to know my every move and seems incapable of having a social life or other interests aside from me.”​—Darren. “If a girl I’ve recently met constantly texts me and wants to know who I’m with, especially the names of any girls in the group, then I think that’s a warning sign.”​—Ryan. “A girl who won’t allow you to spend time with your male friends and gets annoyed when you don’t always invite her to be with you is unattractively dependent.”​—Adrian. Appreciate Your Own Value You likely know girls who would do anything just to gain the attention and approval of a boy. Others may lower their standards just so they can have a boyfriend​—or even a husband. However, the principle ‘you reap what you sow’ applies in this matter. (Galatians 6:7-9) If you don’t value yourself and the standards you try to live by, you’re likely to attract boys who don’t value you or your standards either. The fact is, not all boys will like you​—and that can be a good thing! But if you are conscious of caring for both your external beauty and your inner beauty, you will have “great value in the eyes of God”​—and you will attract the type of young man that you deserve.​—1 Peter 3:4. More articles from the “Young People Ask” series can be found at the Web site www.watchtower.org/​ype [Footnotes] a See chapter 3 of the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work, Volume 2, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. b Of course, when a couple get engaged, they are rightly more accountable to each other. TO THINK ABOUT ● How can you show that you respect a young man’s thoughts and feelings? ● How can you show that you value yourself? [Picture on page 27] Love and respect are like the two wheels of a bicycle​—both are essential

Sing Praises (ssb) 1984

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb

Song 168 Recognizing Earth’s New King (Psalm 2:12) 1. See yonder through the breadth of earth The sight my heart entrances —Jehovah’s band of warriors In unity advances. Their helmets, bright against the sky, Bid ignorance and error fly. They shout aloud their battle cry: “Christ reigns! O earth, receive him.” (Chorus) 2. The King, Christ Jesus, leads the way; His leadership they follow. He speaks the word, and they obey And thus expect no sorrow. They wield their sword, the Word of God. Their feet are with the good news shod. They walk the way their Master trod; Clear to the death they follow. (Chorus) 3. For, see, the time has come at last For Christ to reign in power. Soon all his foes shall lick the dust; Before him they must cower. His God, Jehovah, bares his arm. His trumpet sounds a loud alarm. Be wise, you rulers, do no harm; You judges, own Christ’s power. (CHORUS) Kiss the Son, lest God be angry And you perish in the way. Happy are all they that put Their trust in him today!

Life in a Peaceful New World (T-15) 1994

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/tracts/life-in-a-peaceful-new-world-t-15

Life in a Peaceful New World When you look at the scene on this tract, what feelings do you have? Does not your heart yearn for the peace, happiness, and prosperity seen there? Surely it does. But is it just a dream, or fantasy, to believe these conditions will ever exist on earth? Most people probably think so. Today’s realities are war, crime, hunger, sickness, aging—to mention just a few. Yet there is reason for hope. Looking to the future, the Bible tells of a “new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to [God’s] promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.”—2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah 65:17. These “new heavens” and “new earth,” according to the Bible, are not a new material heavens or new literal earth. The physical earth and heavens were made perfect, and the Bible shows they will remain forever. (Psalm 89:36, 37; 104:5) The “new earth” will be a righteous society of people living on earth, and the “new heavens” will be a perfect heavenly kingdom, or government, that will rule over this earthly society of people. But is it realistic to believe that “a new earth,” or glorious new world, is possible? Well, consider the fact that such ideal conditions were part of God’s original purpose for this earth. He placed the first human couple in the earthly Paradise of Eden and gave them a marvelous assignment: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28) Yes, God’s purpose was for them to have children and eventually to spread their Paradise over all the earth. Although they later chose to disobey God, thus proving to be unfit to live forever, God’s original purpose did not change. And it must be fulfilled in a new world!—Isaiah 55:11. In fact, when you pray the Lord’s Prayer, or the Our Father, asking for God’s Kingdom to come, you are praying for his heavenly government to rid the earth of wickedness and to rule over this new world. (Matthew 6:9, 10) And we can be confident that God will answer that prayer, since his Word promises: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29. Life in God’s New World God’s Kingdom will bring earthly benefits beyond compare, accomplishing everything good that God originally purposed for his people to enjoy on earth. Hatreds and prejudices will cease to exist, and eventually everyone on earth will be a true friend of everyone else. In the Bible, God promises that he will ‘make wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.’ “Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.”—Psalm 46:9; Isaiah 2:4. The whole earth will eventually be brought to a gardenlike paradise state. The Bible says: “The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron. . . . For in the wilderness waters will have burst out, and torrents in the desert plain. And the heat-parched ground will have become as a reedy pool, and the thirsty ground as springs of water.”—Isaiah 35:1, 6, 7. There will be every reason to be happy in the Paradise earth. Never again will people hunger for lack of food. “The earth itself will certainly give its produce,” the Bible says. (Psalm 67:6; 72:16) All will enjoy the fruits of their own labor, as our Creator promises: “They will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. . . . they will not plant and someone else do the eating.”—Isaiah 65:21, 22. In God’s new world, no longer will people be crammed into huge apartment buildings or run-down slums, for God has purposed: “They will certainly build houses and have occupancy . . . They will not build and someone else have occupancy.” The Bible also promises: “They will not toil for nothing.” (Isaiah 65:21-23) Thus people will have productive, satisfying work. Life will not be boring. In time, God’s Kingdom will even restore the peaceful relations that existed in the garden of Eden between animals, and between animals and humans. The Bible says: “The wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together; and a mere little boy will be leader over them.”—Isaiah 11:6-9; Hosea 2:18. Just imagine, in the Paradise earth all sicknesses and physical infirmities will also be healed! God’s Word assures us: “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24) “[God] 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.”—Revelation 21:4. How It Is Possible for You Surely your heart must be moved by the promises of God regarding life in his new world of righteousness. And while some may consider the realizing of such blessings too good to be true, they are not too good to come from the hand of our loving Creator.—Psalm 145:16; Micah 4:4. Of course, there are requirements to be met if we are to live forever in the coming Paradise on earth. Jesus showed a principal one, saying in prayer to God: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”—John 17:3. So if we truly want to live in God’s new world, we must first learn God’s will and then do it. For it is a fact: This “world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever,” to enjoy eternally the blessings to be showered down by our loving Creator.—1 John 2:17. Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotations are from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

Youth (yy) 1976

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yy

Chapter 22 Honesty​—Does It Pay? 1-4. Among younger folks, what evidences of dishonesty have you observed? Why isn’t it really surprising that many young folks do these things? (Isaiah 9:16) MOST people today don’t think it makes sense to tell the truth all the time. Have you observed that? Many businessmen claim they could not compete successfully without some dishonesty. Advertisements come into our view daily that exaggerate or misrepresent. Though political leaders are supposed to be watching over the public’s welfare, many people view them as untrustworthy. 2 Seeing so much dishonesty among adults, young people often adopt the same course. Many cheat on tests in school or “cut classes” under false pretenses. To their friends they may brag, painting false pictures of what they are or what they have done. At home, they may even deceive their parents​—answering questions about their conduct with half-truths, hiding the facts by phrasing their answers so as to give entirely false impressions. If their parents or others try to find out how they feel about immorality, drugs or similar things, they may smoothly cover over the facts, saying what they think those questioning them want to hear, not how they really feel. To get money or permission to do something, they may shower a parent with insincere affection or with flattery. 3 But is this really strange? The fact is, many young people feel they are justified in doing this. Why? Well, it’s true that their parents may teach them that it is wrong to lie. Yet they may see their parents misrepresent facts in order to get out of some unpleasant situation or to avoid paying some bill, debt or tax. Have you noticed that some parents even use their children to falsify for them in giving excuses? 4 Where conditions like these prevail, what encouragement is there for young people​—or for any of us—​to strive to be honest in all things? In a world where lying, cheating and stealing are so common, how practical and worth while is it for you to hold to what is true? Will it really bring you greater benefit than dishonesty would, and, if so, what kind of benefit? SHORT-TERM VERSUS LONG-TERM BENEFITS 5-7. Why are any benefits of dishonesty only temporary? 5 Ask yourself: What do I want​—a quick gain, an apparent benefit, or that which brings enduring benefits? When you think about it, isn’t it true that any apparent benefits from lying and cheating are short term at best? Yes, God’s Word is really true when it says: “It is the lip of truth that will be firmly established forever, but the tongue of falsehood will be only as long as a moment.”​—Proverbs 12:19. 6 Take, as an example, a businessman who misrepresents some product. He may make a sale, but in the process he may lose a customer when the person finds out he was cheated. Or, suppose you were to cheat in school. If not caught, you might get higher grades. But what good would even “straight A’s” be if you got out of school with very little knowledge, maybe not even being able to read or add well? 7 In the end, then, the person who cheats actually cheats himself most of all. Just compare the honest and the dishonest person. And consider some of the things the dishonest person stands to lose and see if you don’t agree that anyone who thinks that dishonesty helps toward a better or happier life is really very shortsighted. 8-10. How is honesty beneficial (a) in one’s secular work? (b) in family relationships? (c) in connection with friends? 8 If you are known for being straightforward and honest in your dealings, you earn the respect and trust of others. The friends you gain are more likely to be genuine because they find you genuine and appreciate this. While it is true that the modern business world is often dishonest, it is also true that employers generally have enough sense to value employees who are honest. A reputation for honesty, then, can bring employment when employment is scarce or aid in holding on to a job when others are losing theirs. 9 At home, honesty contributes to a comfortable, pleasant atmosphere, eliminating doubts or suspicions between marriage partners and between parents and children. When by their honesty children win their parents’ full confidence, usually the parents are willing gradually to grant youngsters more freedom. Granted, telling the truth about some mistake or wrong act can bring discipline. But that discipline may well be lighter because you were honest. Then, if, in the future, you truthfully deny having done some wrong, your explanation is more likely to be believed. 10 Contrast this with the person who gives in to dishonesty to “get out of a pinch” or to gain some advantage. He risks losing all these fine benefits. Because dealing with a dishonest person is like riding in a car with a steering defect​—you never know just what he may do. So realize that when you lie to someone or cheat him, the distrust you create may take years to erase. Where a parent or a friend is involved, the wound caused may heal but may leave a bad memory that is like a long-lasting scar. If you make a practice of dishonesty, the time may well come when you seriously want and need others to believe and trust you but they cannot. Is any temporary advantage that dishonesty brings worth this? 11-13. (a) How does the habit of lying often get started? (b) Why is it cowardly, rather than courageous, to lie? 11 Actually, lying is like wading into quicksand. Often each lie calls for other lies to back it up, and one is soon enmeshed in a vicious cycle. Surely, can’t we see the wisdom of the straightforward Bible counsel: “Do not be lying to one another”?​—Colossians 3:9. 12 Those who lie often begin with half-truths and “little lies,” then gradually go on to worse ones. Lying thus often gets started as does gambling. The person gambling begins betting small amounts, but​—usually to cover some losses—​he gradually gets drawn into making bigger and bigger bets. 13 At first, telling falsehoods with a straight face may seem bold, daring. You may even know of persons who train themselves to look another straight in the eye while lying. Is that not courageous? No, lying is actually cowardly rather than courageous. What takes courage is to tell the truth and face up to whatever consequences that brings. Rather than implying strength, a lie is weak, unable to stand on its own, needing other lies to hold it up, never willing to meet the truth face to face. Why, then, be like a person who spends his life wearing a false face, hiding, ducking and making excuses? Why be like Judas Iscariot, who became a cheat, tried to lead a double life and wound up a failure and a suicide? Why not be man or woman enough to be honest? It is the only way to maintain self-respect and a good conscience. KEEPING YOUR WORD 14-16. Why is it important to keep your word? 14 Keeping your word is also involved in this matter of honesty. You would probably feel deeply hurt if your parents promised you something and then failed to fulfill their word. But do you feel as strongly about keeping your word to your parents? What are you like in this respect? If you tell someone you will help him to do something or offer to perform some service, do you try always to fulfill your word? If you make an appointment to meet someone at a certain time, do you show up, and on time? How much is your word worth? 15 Youth is the right time to start developing the habit of being a person of your word. Keeping or not keeping your word tells a lot about what you are like inside now; it also has a molding effect on your mind and heart. It builds up an attitude, a way of looking at things that can produce long-lasting personality traits. 16 If you are reliable now, you probably will be in later years. And the reverse is just as true. For example, if you do not live up to your word now, in later years you may make a firm agreement to take on a certain job or assignment​—and then soon want to back out. Many people do that, but they are not viewed with respect by others. 17-19. (a) Why do people break their word? (b) What can help you to avoid situations where you might feel inclined to break your word? 17 Why do people break their word? Well, for one thing keeping one’s word puts limitations on a person, it obligates him. When the time arrives for keeping an appointment or some other promise, something else may seem more appealing. Then, too, many times the person may find that making good on his word means much harder work than he thought it would. 18 What will you do in such cases? Will you stay by your word even though it means some hardship or loss to you? One may say, “But I didn’t know what I was getting into!” The real question here is: Whose fault was it? Was there fraud or deception on the other person’s side? If not, then if you endure whatever hardness fulfilling your word requires, you learn a valuable lesson. That is: Think before you talk, before you give your word. Then, when you speak, mean what you say. 19 To say “Yes” to something simply because you think it will please someone​—but without first thinking out the consequences—​can get you into difficulty. By contrast, if you are careful about making promises, if you think matters through and consider how they will affect your future life, then it will be much easier to keep your word once you have committed yourself. You will have prepared your heart and mind to be true to your word. “Let your word Yes mean Yes,” Jesus said.​—Matthew 5:37. THE MAIN REASON WHY HONESTY PAYS 20-22. (a) What is the main reason why it is important to be honest at all times? (Psalm 15:1-4) (b) What fine example does God set in keeping his word? What can help us to follow His example? 20 The main reason why it pays to be honest and truthful is that Jehovah God counts as his friends only persons who are. Why so? Because he himself is unfailingly true to his word. That is why Joshua could say to the nation of Israel: “You well know with all your hearts and with all your souls that not one word out of all the good words that Jehovah your God has spoken to you has failed. They have all come true for you. Not one word of them has failed.” (Joshua 23:14) The Bible is largely a record of the promises Jehovah has kept. His trueness in the past is what gives us such confidence of future blessings in fulfillment of his promises. 21 Do you want God’s approval? Then remember that he gives it only to those who worship him “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:23) And keep in mind that he detests lying in all its forms​—deception, boasting, slander, cheating—​because it springs from selfishness, greed and a callous unconcern for the interests of others. He knows that all mankind’s troubles and suffering originally stem from lying​—on the part of the “father of the lie,” Satan, God’s principal enemy.​—John 8:44. 22 Do you sincerely want to hold faithfully to a course of honesty? Then you should realize that only genuine love for your Creator and your neighbor can give you the motivation you need. There must be a heartfelt love of truth for the good it does and an equally intense hatred of lying for the harm it does. God’s approval, too, must mean more to you than that of any other person. Remember, it is only because he himself loves the truth and hates lying that we can have a solid hope for the future, based on his unfailing promises and the proved reliability of his Word. So strive to be like him. Keep in mind that “it is the lip of truth that will be firmly established forever, but the tongue of falsehood will be only as long as a moment.”​—Proverbs 12:19. [Picture on page 174] Do you really benefit if you steal?

Life (lp) 1977

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lp

Chapter 5 Why Has God Allowed Suffering on Earth? 1, 2. How did the human race get its start, and what kind start was it? SCIENTIFIC evidence and the Bible testify that all humans sprang from one original pair. Then, after the Flood, three main branches of the human family were formed from the offspring of the three sons of Noah.​—Genesis 3:20; 9:18, 19. 2 The apostle Paul said: “[God] made out of one man every nation of men, to dwell upon the entire surface of the earth.” (Acts 17:26) This man Adam and his wife, Eve, were created perfect, as are all God’s works.​—Deuteronomy 32:4; Genesis 2:18, 21-23. 3. How did Adam, at the time of his being created, compare with angels? 3 Adam was a son of God, a full-fledged member of God’s family, made only a little lower than angels. (Luke 3:38) Angels are spirit creatures greater in power and ability than humans. (2 Peter 2:11) But nowhere does the Bible state that the angels have greater moral capacity. When Jesus Christ was on earth as a man, born of a woman, his moral integrity was equal to that of anyone in God’s universal family in heaven and on earth.​—Psalm 8:4, 5; Hebrews 2:6-9; 7:26. 4, 5. How did sickness, trouble and suffering come upon the entire human race? 4 How, then, did imperfection and its accompanying troubles, sickness and strife, come to be the lot of the human race? The Bible explains that, through no fault of their own, all humans since Adam and Eve have been born with imperfections. It declares: “Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”​—Romans 5:12. 5 According to the laws of genetics, children inherit tendencies and characteristics, as well as defects, from their parents. But how did perfect Adam become defective, imperfect, a sinner? Why have trouble and suffering been allowed since then? ADAM’S FINE POSITION 6. In what way was Adam created ‘in God’s image and likeness’? 6 Adam was created in God’s image and likeness. (Genesis 1:26) This means that he had moral qualities and a capacity for spirituality. He could know and learn about God and could have a sonlike relationship with God. He had reasoning powers and the faculty of conscience​—a sense of right and wrong. Adam was able to represent God on earth, reflecting God’s glory​—his fine attributes—​to those who would be born. 7. (a) How did God provide for Adam’s need as a newcomer on earth? (b) How should Adam have responded? 7 God was in communication with Adam, possibly every day. According to Genesis 3:8, it was “about the breezy part of the day” that Adam and Eve “heard the voice of Jehovah God.” The reference to a specific period during the day suggests that this may have been the customary time for God to communicate with man. Yes, the Most High did take time to teach Adam as a newcomer on earth. (Genesis 1:28-30) This first man needed God’s help and instruction, so that he could come to exercise proper dominion over the lower creation. Adam had full capacity for spiritual development and for cultivating love. He could become stronger in appreciation and love for his Creator as he progressed in learning. (1 John 4:7, 8) He could establish an ever closer relationship with Him. 8. Why was it essential that Adam learn much about plant and animal life? 8 The Bible does not state how long a period of time God occupied in giving his son instruction. But it was essential that Adam learn, among the first things, about plant life and animal life, since he was to be the expert cultivator, and instructor of his children in the art of gardening and caring for domestic animals. (Genesis 2:15, 19) This obviously could take some time. 9. What assignment did God give Adam, according to Genesis 2:19, 20, and how was Adam able to carry it out properly? 9 Adam dwelt in the Edenic garden home that God had made for him. It was likely a large area around which Adam could travel. Thus, Adam could observe the animals in their habitat, in whatever way God would facilitate this. Adam could then name them according to their traits and characteristics. There was no need for haste.​—Genesis 2:8, 19, 20. 10. With the training that Adam received, what would Adam be able to do, but what care was he to exercise? 10 While Adam could solve problems that would arise within the scope of his knowledge, he would have to look to God as the Designer and Director as to just how he was to ‘subdue the earth.’ The uncultivated earth outside the garden of Eden would have to be made “home” for billions of persons to come. And just as a builder follows the blueprints of the architect, so man would need to follow God’s wise direction faithfully in order to fashion earth for beauty and for the greatest comfort and enjoyment to the human race.​—Luke 16:10. 11. How did Adam carry out his responsibility at first, and what duties were ahead of him? 11 How did Adam do as to the things with which God had blessed him? For a time he did well, instructing his wife just as he had learned from God. (Compare Genesis 2:16, 17 with Genesis 3:2, 3.) By reason of his Creatorship, Jehovah was their God. To continue in proper relationship to God, Adam and Eve needed to lean upon and obey him as Sovereign Ruler. As they would expand their family to cover the earth, subjection to God’s rulership would be essential for order and harmony. Adam and Eve could teach and train their children, so that they, in turn, might bring glory to God. ‘THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE’ 12. What prospect did Adam and Eve have, according to Genesis 2:17? 12 God had told Adam that he could eat freely of every tree of the garden except for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad. (Genesis 2:17) Everlasting life was set before this couple and their offspring, conditioned only on their obedience. It would be a disgrace upon God’s entire family in heaven and on earth for Adam to be so disrespectful as to disobey God. 13, 14. (a) Why was it entirely right and proper that Adam obey God? (b) What did Adam fail to do with respect to the good things he had, and what attitude did he develop? 13 God had given Adam everything for his enjoyment. Adam himself did not make the earth to produce the fine things to eat. He did not create his beautiful companion Eve. He did not make his own body, with the faculties that enabled him to enjoy the things he had. But, while Adam loved and enjoyed the fine life he had been kindly given, he did not follow through in an obedient way. 14 Eventually Adam came to put his supposed interests above those of his heavenly Father. He thought more of his immediate desires than of the family of God and the offspring that he was to have. Even imperfect humans despise a man who is a traitor to his family and who sells his own children into slavery and death. And that is what Adam did.​—Romans 7:14. 15, 16. (a) Was the “tree of the knowledge of good and bad” a real tree? (b) What other questions arise concerning this tree? 15 Of what did Adam’s sin consist? It was in connection with the “tree of the knowledge of good and bad.” Much conjecture has been put forward about this tree. Was it a real tree? What was the “knowledge” and the “good and bad”? Why would God put such a tree in the garden? 16 The Bible indicates that the tree was real, speaking of it as one among the fruit trees of the garden. (Genesis 2:9) What was the “knowledge” that the tree represented? The Catholic Jerusalem Bible makes a pertinent comment, in a footnote on Genesis 2:17: 17. According to a footnote in the Catholic Jerusalem Bible, what was the “knowledge” that the tree stood for? 17 “This knowledge is a privilege which God reserves to himself and which man, by sinning, is to lay hands on, [Genesis] 3:5, 22. Hence it does not mean omniscience, which fallen man does not possess; nor is it moral discrimination, for unfallen man already had it and God could not refuse it to a rational being. It is the power of deciding for himself what is good and what is evil and of acting accordingly, a claim to complete moral independence by which man refuses to recognise his status as a created being. The first sin was an attack on God’s sovereignty, a sin of pride.” 18. (a) Of what was the tree symbolic? (b) For a perfect man to sin by eating of the ‘tree of knowledge’ what decision would he first make? 18 The tree was, in effect, symbolic of the boundary​—the line of demarcation—​or the limit of man’s proper domain. It was right and proper, yes, essential, that God inform Adam of that boundary. For a perfect man to eat of that tree would require the deliberate assent of his will. It would indicate the determination made beforehand that he would withdraw himself from subjection to God’s rulership, to go out on his own, doing what was “good” or “bad” according to his own decisions. GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY CHALLENGED 19. What did Adam’s willful sin bring upon himself and his children, in harmony with the principle at Romans 1:28? 19 So man went in a way independent of God. God did not interfere with Adam’s free will. But Adam’s wrong choice brought him and his children into all kinds of troublesome, humanly unsolvable problems.​—Romans 1:28. 20. How did Adam’s wrong act raise a question that included all mankind? 20 Moreover, there was more to the issue than the mere rebellion of Adam and his wife. The rebellion of the earthly son of God raised the question: Would anyone within God’s earthly family, using his free will, choose to be loyal to God’s rulership, and would any stay loyal to God under pressure, or under the temptation of gaining something for himself by disobedience? So the integrity, the faithfulness, of every man and woman to be brought into existence would be a matter of doubt in the minds of all God’s creatures in heaven and on earth. 21. The sin of Adam raised what issue far greater than the question of human integrity? 21 This question was, however, subsidiary or secondary to a far greater one​—a challenge regarding the rightfulness of God’s sovereignty or rulership—​as was illustrated by developments some 2,500 years later. An illustration of the issue involved is found in what happened in real life to the man Job, a record of which was preserved for our benefit. 22. How does the book of Job show that the integrity and loyalty of every human were actually made a subject of controversy? 22 The book of Job reveals that a heavenly angel of God was the promoter of the challenge. He appeared before the Most High, insolently accusing God’s devoted servant Job, saying that his loyalty to God was based solely on selfishness. God allowed this spirit son to bring a test of great adversity upon Job. Even though Job proved faithful under the test, the rebel still accused Job of having a bad heart. Jehovah said to him: “Have you set your heart upon my servant Job, that there is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad? Even yet he is holding fast his integrity [blamelessness, faithfulness to God], although you incite me against him to swallow him up without cause.” The angel answered: “Skin in behalf of skin, and everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul. For a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch as far as his bone and his flesh and see whether he will not curse you to your very face.”​—Job 2:2-5. 23. What was the result to Job for holding fast to faithfulness under severe suffering? 23 God let Job be tested, knowing that he would remain faithful. And Job did not actually lose by suffering for a while. For, at the end of the test, God rewarded Job beyond anything he had formerly enjoyed, including 140 more years of life.​—Job 42:12-16; compare Hebrews 11:6. 24. (a) Who, actually, was the instigator and promoter of the rebellion against God? (b)  Were Adam and Eve therefore excusable? 24 This glimpse of an invisible heavenly occurrence helps us to see the real issue as to God’s allowance of evil. The challenging angel, known as Satan the Devil, was actually the instigator of the rebellion. Nonetheless, the first human pair, who took the side of Satan when he first set the challenge in motion, were willfully at fault, without excuse. 25, 26. (a) Since it was Satan the Devil who attacked Adam as to his loyalty to God, did God unfairly leave Adam open to attack? (b) What may have been Satan’s reasoning, as he set about to attack Eve? 25 God had given Adam all the necessary instruction and opportunities to become fully equipped to stand loyally by God, for God would never leave a servant of His open to an attack for which he had no defense. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Consequently, Adam, being perfectly free to exercise his will, could have stood firm and demonstrated loyalty and faithfulness. There were no factors beyond his control to make him sin, as is the case with imperfect mankind today. His sin was entirely willful and deliberate. 26 Nevertheless, God’s adversary, the rebellious spirit son, sought an opportunity to initiate rebellion in the universe. He wanted to use Adam and Eve as instruments to promote his challenge of God’s rulership. The Bible account tells us how he attacked the woman first. Satan had confidence that, having overcome Eve, he would be able to put great pressure upon Adam. REBELLION AGAINST GOD 27. Though a serpent spoke to Eve, how do we know that the serpent was really only the instrument of the Devil? 27 How was the challenge to God’s rulership, that Satan had in mind, actually set in motion? The Bible account reports that a lowly beast of the field, a serpent, spoke to Eve. Of course, an animal cannot speak of itself. Satan the Devil was actually the speaker, using the serpent. Because of this deception and the use of the serpent, God called him “the original serpent [deceiver].” (Revelation 12:9) Jesus pointed out that Satan was the instigator of the challenge to God’s sovereignty when he said that the Devil was “the father of the lie” and a manslayer from the beginning of his rebellious course in Eden. (John 8:44) The Bible record of this first lie and the rebellion reads: 28. From the account in Genesis 3:1-5: (a) How did Satan’s question to Eve imply that God had held back something from her that she should have? (b) Was Eve ignorant of God’s law about not eating from the ‘tree of knowledge’? 28 “Now the serpent proved to be the most cautious of all the wild beasts of the field that Jehovah God had made. So it began to say to the woman: ‘Is it really so that God said you must not eat from every tree of the garden?’ At this the woman said to the serpent: ‘Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat. But as for eating of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, God has said, “You must not eat from it, no, you must not touch it that you do not die.”’ At this the serpent said to the woman: ‘You positively will not die. For God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad.’”​—Genesis 3:1-5. 29, 30. In what way did Eve regard the fruit of the ‘tree of knowledge’ before Satan lied, and how did she view it after the lie? 29 Previous to this time the woman had obeyed the injunction not to eat of the ‘tree of knowledge’ to which the serpent referred. She had all manner of food to eat and was in no need. She understood that to eat from the tree would bring bad results. Not that the fruit was poison, but God had said that eating it would bring his judgment of death. Now, if a person in the woods sees certain plants, such as poison ivy, or certain trees the fruit of which is dangerous to eat, is he attracted or impelled to touch, take and eat of them? No, there is no such attractiveness. This was the way with Eve. But Satan’s lie now gave that tree attractiveness. She believed his words, spoken through a lowly snake, above those of her Creator. We read: 30 “Consequently the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was something to be longed for to the eyes, yes, the tree was desirable to look upon. So she began taking of its fruit and eating it.”​—Genesis 3:6. EVE DECEIVED 31. What may have been Eve’s reasoning as the serpent spoke to her? 31 Why was Eve not dumbfounded, and why did she not flee when the serpent, surprisingly, spoke to her? The Bible does not say. It is possible that she saw the serpent at the tree, and its actions may have attracted her attention. She knew that it was a most cautious animal. So the serpent may have appeared very wise, and when it spoke it seemed to have special wisdom. 32, 33. (a) What freedom did Eve think eating the fruit would give her? (b) How was Eve, in running ahead of her husband, actually losing freedom? 32 In any case, the lie spoken through this animal convinced her that she would not die upon her eating of the fruit. Instead she believed she would gain special powers​—to be like God, free and independent to judge for herself what course to take. She would not be dependent upon or subject to anyone. Certainly she abandoned subjection to her husband, who had stated God’s command to her. She went ahead and took the fruit without consulting him. 33 That is why the apostle Paul stressed submissiveness on the part of the Christian woman. He pointed out that Eve, in thinking she was achieving absolute independence, was actually doing the very opposite and bringing the greatest trouble upon herself. She tried to do that for which she was not fitted. Paul said: “Adam was not deceived, but the woman was thoroughly deceived and came to be in transgression.”​—1 Timothy 2:11-14. ADAM’S LACK OF FAITH 34, 35. (a) Adam not being deceived, why did he enter into the rebellion? (b) Why was the problem raised by Eve’s sin a greater one for Adam than his everyday problems of taking care of the garden of Eden, and how did he demonstrate weakness of faith? 34 Since Adam was not deceived, what impelled him to join his wife in the rebellion? He let his desire for his wife, Eve, take priority over his relationship with God. So when he saw his wife, he took the fruit from her.​—Genesis 3:6. 35 The Bible does not record the words that passed between Adam and Eve. But here a most serious problem was thrown suddenly ‘into his lap.’ Adam may have had problems to work out in connection with his dominion over animals and cultivating the garden, but this situation with Eve was something that reached right into his heart and tested his loyalty. He may have wondered: ‘Why does such a thing have to happen so suddenly and shockingly to me, in the midst of a happy life? Why did God let this occur?’ His faith in God was tested. He should have shown superior love for God. He should have known that God would stand by him.​—Psalm 34:15. 36, 37. (a) How, in addition to lack of faith, did Adam reveal that he was self-excusing? (b) But was he fully responsible for his rebellion? 36 Certainly God would have taken care of his son Adam had Adam proved loyal. He would have worked out matters to Adam’s complete happiness. (Compare Psalm 22:4, 5.) But Adam did not exercise this faith. Furthermore, he tried to excuse himself, saying: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree and so I ate.”​—Genesis 3:12. 37 Adam’s self-excusing reply blamed the woman as the guilty one. But Adam was fully responsible, and, as head of his household, he was the one with whom God dealt directly. He was reprehensible. Actually, Adam took the course described at James 1:13-15: 38. How does James 1:13-15 describe the process by which the perfect humans Adam and Eve came to sin? 38 “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone. But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death.” ENTIRE HUMAN RACE HURT 39. (a) In what way did Adam die “in the day” he sinned? (Genesis 2:17) (b) How did his loss of spirituality affect him physically, and also affect his children? 39 Adam thereby became a sinner. According to the meaning of the Hebrew word for “sin” he ‘missed the mark.’ He could no longer measure up to perfect standards. He died spiritually and also began to die physically in that day. Adam now had a lack, a moral weakness that also affected him physically, for “the sting producing death is sin.” (1 Corinthians 15:56) Adam’s spirituality being ruined, his mental workings were unbalanced, and this contributed toward unbalance and deterioration of his physical body. Adam had to die. (Genesis 3:19) He could not pass on full strength morally or physically to his children, for he no longer had it to give. Consequently, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” which Adam had once reflected in his perfection.​—Romans 3:23. 40. (a) Why did Jehovah God put Adam out of the garden of Eden after Adam sinned? (b) What similar action is taken by Christian congregations today, as shown at 1 Corinthians 5:11-13? 40 Being a sinner, Adam had no right to enjoy communion with Jehovah God. He had no right to live any longer in the paradise garden. God then evidently spoke to his firstborn heavenly Son. This Son had been used by Jehovah in the creative work. (Colossians 1:13, 15, 17) Jehovah said: “‘Here the man has become like one of us in knowing good and bad, and now in order that he may not put his hand out and actually take fruit also from the tree of life and eat and live to time indefinite,—’ With that Jehovah God put him out of the garden of Eden to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken.” (Genesis 3:22, 23) Similarly today, the Scriptures command that a bad or immoral person who is unrepentant must be disfellowshiped from communion and association with the Christian congregation.​—1 Corinthians 5:11-13. 41. Since everyone inherited weakness, can anyone blame all his bad acts on this fact? (Romans 3:23; 5:12) 41 What did all of this mean for the human race? The result was inherited weakness. And yet no person can rightly blame all the bad things he does on this fact, for, actually, all may sin willfully and so bear individual responsibility. In the human race sin has multiplied, so that its extreme badness​—with all the pains and sorrow it brings—​has been manifest. Sin has ruled like a king over humankind, permeating nearly all thoughts and actions; there is an ingrained selfishness.​—Romans 5:14. GOD’S REACTION TO THE CHALLENGE 42. (a) What was challenged with regard to God’s rulership or sovereignty? (b) What was the Devil’s outpution or argument about this? 42 Happily, because of God’s undeserved kindness and his love for the human race, he did not abandon mankind so that they would go permanently into extinction. Think, however, of the position in which God was placed: His rulership, his sovereignty, was challenged as to its rightfulness, its righteousness and deservedness. According to the Devil, Jehovah was not ruling through love. He claimed that the reason why God’s intelligent creatures were obedient was not that they loved God’s rulership and preferred it above all others. No, he held that God’s sovereignty derived its support from others only as the result of His giving every good thing to those obeying Him​—that He ruled, in effect, by a form of bribery. (Job 1:9-11) Moreover, the Devil charged that God was keeping something from His creatures that they had a right to have. One of these withheld things was complete, separate independence from Him, the right to act just as they please.​—Genesis 3:5. 43. Why did the Almighty God not destroy the Devil then and there, but permit wickedness to continue for a time? 43 God knew that his rulership was right. He could have destroyed the Devil then and there. But this would not have settled the issue that had been raised. For Satan’s challenge, supported by Adam and Eve, not only slandered God’s name and government; it also put a shadow on the name of every intelligent person in the universe. So, for the sake of his own name as king, and for the sake of all his family of faithful persons living then and in the future, God permitted wickedness to continue for a limited time. 44. (a) Where would we who are living be today if God had put Adam and Eve to death immediately? (b) What confidence did God have in men who would come to be born, and has this confidence proved to be justified? 44 If God had put Adam and Eve to death immediately, none of us who have lived on earth would ever have been born. Even though Adam and Eve had turned bad, God knew that not all their descendants would do so. Many would serve God through all the tests that the Devil could bring. God therefore allowed Satan, as an outlaw, to continue, and he permitted Adam and Eve to bring forth children. Many of their descendants have proved faithful, as the Bible record testifies.​—Hebrews, chapter 11. 45. (a) In God’s allowance of wickedness, who has suffered for the longest time? (b) Who really has benefited from God’s permission of wickedness for a time? 45 Even though conditions have been adverse, humanity has, for the most part, been happy to enjoy a measure of life. Actually, few persons have suffered for more than a comparatively few years of their lives. So in spite of hardships, most people are glad that they have been born. However, Jehovah God has tolerated these bad things, observing wickedness and suffering, for about 6,000 years. As a Father to his universal family, this has grieved him. (Compare Psalm 78:40.) He had the power to stop wickedness at any time, but held back for a purpose, not for his personal benefit, but for that of intelligent creatures of the universe now and for all time to come. (Luke 18:7, 8; Job 35:6-8) World history and the Bible indicate that the issue is near to its time of complete settlement. 46. What benefit will be gained by letting the issue of God’s rulership be fully tested out, even though it has taken about 6,000 years? 46 There was a legal reason for God’s action. For example, when a case has been carried to the Supreme Court of the land and there argued out and fully decided, the Supreme Court’s ruling stands as a precedent for deciding that same question in all individual cases thereafter. So, too, this universal issue, settled in the Supreme Court of heaven, will serve as a precedent. Never again will wickedness, with its attendant suffering, be allowed to disturb the universe. We are given a view of Jehovah’s Court at Daniel 7:9, 10. 47. Along with settling the universal issue of the rightness of his sovereignty, what else has God provided? 47 God has therefore permitted wickedness and suffering for the settlement of the issue of his universal sovereignty. And in settling the issue, God has also made provision for lifting the human race out of its sad condition. This provision will erase all the harm done by the rule of sin as king over the human race. How God has made this provision is the interesting subject for our consideration in Chapter 6. [Picture on page 51] With instruction from God, Adam learned how to exercise dominion over the animals [Picture on page 63] When a court case has been fairly tried, the ruling sets a precedent. In like manner, when the supreme court of heaven decides the universal issue, all creation will benefit

Mankind’s Search for God (sh) 1990

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sh

Chapter 12 Islām​—The Way to God by Submission [Artwork​—Arabic characters] 1, 2. (a) What are the opening words of the Qurʼān? (b) Why are these words significant to Muslims? (c) In what language was the Qurʼān originally written, and what does “Qurʼān” mean “IN THE name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.” This sentence translates the Arabic text, above, from the Qurʼān. It continues: “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds: The Beneficent, the Merciful: Owner of the Day of Judgement. Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. Show us the straight path: The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.”​—The Qurʼān, surah 1:1-7, MMP.a 2 These words form Al-Fātiḥah (“The Opening”), the first chapter, or surah, of the Muslim holy book, the Holy Qurʼān, or Koran. Since more than 1 in 6 of the world’s population is Muslim and devout Muslims repeat these verses more than once in each of their five daily prayers, these must be among the most recited words on earth. 3. How widespread is Islām today? 3 According to one source, there are over 900 million Muslims in the world, making Islām second only to the Roman Catholic Church in numbers. It is perhaps the fastest growing major religion in the world, with an expanding Muslim movement in Africa and the Western world. 4. (a) What does “Islām” mean? (b) What does “Muslim” mean? 4 The name Islām is significant to a Muslim, for it means “submission,” “surrender,” or “commitment” to Allāh, and according to one historian, “it expresses the innermost attitude of those who have hearkened to the preaching of Mohammed.” “Muslim” means ‘one who makes or does Islām.’ 5. (a) What do Muslims believe regarding Islām? (b) What parallels are there between the Bible and the Qurʼān? 5 Muslims believe that their faith is the culmination of the revelations given to the faithful Hebrews and Christians of old. However, their teachings diverge from the Bible on some points, even though they cite both the Hebrew and the Greek Scriptures in the Qurʼān.b (See box, page 285.) To understand the Muslim faith better, we need to know how, where, and when this religion started. Muḥammad’s Calling 6. (a) What was the focal point of Arab worship in Muḥammad’s time? (b) What tradition existed regarding the Kaʽbah? 6 Muḥammadc was born in Mecca (Arabic, Makkah), Saudi Arabia, about 570 C.E. His father, ʽAbd Allāh, died before Muḥammad’s birth. His mother, Āminah, died when he was about six years old. At that time the Arabs practiced a form of worship of Allāh that was centered in the Mecca valley, at the sacred site of the Kaʽbah, a simple cubelike building where a black meteorite was revered. According to Islāmic tradition, “the Kaʽbah was originally built by Adam according to a celestial prototype and after the Deluge rebuilt by Abraham and Ishmael.” (History of the Arabs, by Philip K. Hitti) It became a sanctuary for 360 idols, one for each day of the lunar year. 7. What religious practices disturbed Muḥammad? 7 As Muḥammad grew up, he questioned the religious practices of his day. John Noss, in his book Man’s Religions, states: “[Muḥammad] was disturbed by incessant quarreling in the avowed interests of religion and honor among the Quraysh chiefs [Muḥammad belonged to that tribe]. Stronger still was his dissatisfaction with the primitive survivals in Arabian religion, the idolatrous polytheism and animism, the immorality at religious convocations and fairs, the drinking, gambling, and dancing that were fashionable, and the burial alive of unwanted infant daughters practiced not only in Mecca but throughout Arabia.”​—Surah 6:137. 8. Under what circumstances did Muḥammad’s call to be a prophet take place? 8 Muḥammad’s call to be a prophet took place when he was about 40 years of age. He had the custom of going alone to a nearby mountain cave, called Ghār Ḥirāʼ, for meditation, and he claimed that it was on one of these occasions that he received the call to be a prophet. Muslim tradition relates that while he was there, an angel, later identified as Gabriel, commanded him to recite in the name of Allāh. Muḥammad failed to respond, so the angel ‘caught him forcefully and pressed him so hard that he could not bear it anymore.’ Then the angel repeated the command. Again, Muḥammad failed to react, so the angel ‘choked him’ again. This occurred three times before Muḥammad started to recite what came to be viewed as the first of a series of revelations that constitute the Qurʼān. Another tradition relates that divine inspiration was revealed to Muḥammad like the ringing of a bell.​—The Book of Revelation from Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī. Revelation of the Qurʼān 9. What is said to have been Muḥammad’s first revelation? (Compare Revelation 22:18, 19.) 9 What is said to have been the first revelation received by Muḥammad? Islāmic authorities generally agree that it was the first five verses of surah 96, eninputd Al-‘Alaq, “The Clot [of Blood],” which reads: “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.Read: In the name of thy Lord who created.Created man from a clot.Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,Who taught by the pen,Taught man that which he knew not.”​—MMP. 10-12. How was the Qurʼān preserved? 10 According to the Arabic source The Book of Revelation, Muḥammad answered, “I do not know how to read.” Therefore, he had to memorize the revelations so that he could repeat and recite them. The Arabs were skilled in the use of memory, and Muḥammad was no exception. How long did it take for him to receive the complete message of the Qurʼān? It is generally believed that the revelations came during a period of some 20 to 23 years, from about 610 C.E. to his death in 632 C.E. 11 Muslim sources explain that upon receiving each revelation, Muḥammad immediately recited it to those who happened to be near. These in turn committed the revelation to memory and by recitation kept it alive. Since the manufacture of paper was unknown to the Arabs, Muḥammad had the revelations written down by scribes on the primitive materials then available, such as shoulder blades of camels, palm leaves, wood, and parchment. However, it was not until after the prophet’s death that the Qurʼān took its present form, under the guidance of Muḥammad’s successors and companions. This was during the rule of the first three caliphs, or Muslim leaders. 12 Translator Muhammad Pickthall writes: “All the surahs of the Qurʼan had been recorded in writing before the Prophet’s death, and many Muslims had committed the whole Qurʼan to memory. But the written surahs were dispersed among the people; and when, in a battle . . . a large number of those who knew the whole Qurʼan by heart were killed, a collection of the whole Qurʼan was made and put in writing.” 13. (a) What are three sources of Islāmic teaching and guidance? (b) How do some Islāmic scholars view translation of the Qurʼān? 13 Islāmic life is governed by three authorities​—the Qurʼān, the Ḥadīth, and the Sharīʽah. (See box, page 291.) Muslims believe that the Qurʼān in Arabic is the purest form of the revelation, since, they say, it was the language used by God in speaking through Gabriel. Surah 43:3 states: “We have made it a Qur-ān in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom).” (AYA) Thus, any translation is viewed as only a dilution that involves a loss of purity. In fact, some Islāmic scholars refuse to translate the Qurʼān. Their viewpoint is that “to translate is always to betray,” and therefore, “Muslims have always deprecated and at times prohibited any attempt to render it in another language,” states Dr. J. A. Williams, lecturer on Islāmic history. Islāmic Expansion 14. What event marked a significant point early in Islāmic history? 14 Muḥammad founded his new faith against great odds. The people of Mecca, even of his own tribe, rejected him. After 13 years of persecution and hatred, he moved his center of activity north to Yathrib, which then became known as al-Madīnah (Medina), the city of the prophet. This emigration, or the hijrah, in 622 C.E. marked a significant point in Islāmic history, and the date was later adopted as the starting point for the Islāmic calendar.d 15. How did Mecca become Islām’s principal center for pilgrimage? 15 Eventually, Muḥammad achieved dominance when Mecca surrendered to him in January of 630 C.E. (8 A.H.) and he became its ruler. With the reins of secular and religious control in his hands, he was able to clean out the idolatrous images from the Kaʽbah and establish it as the focal point for pilgrimages to Mecca that continue down to this day.​—See pages 289, 303. 16. How far did Islām spread? 16 Within a few decades of Muḥammad’s death in 632 C.E., Islām had spread as far as Afghanistan and even to Tunisia in North Africa. By the early eighth century, the faith of the Qurʼān had penetrated into Spain and was at the French border. As Professor Ninian Smart stated in his book Background to the Long Search: “Looked at from a human point of view, the achievement of an Arabian prophet living in the sixth and seventh centuries after Christ is staggering. Humanly, it was from him that a new civilisation flowed. But of course for the Muslim the work was divine and the achievement that of Allah.” Muḥammad’s Death Leads to Division 17. What great problem faced Islām on the death of Muḥammad? 17 The prophet’s death provoked a crisis. He died without any male progeny and without a clearly designated successor. As Philip Hitti states: “The caliphate [office of caliph] is therefore the oldest problem Islam had to face. It is still a living issue. . . . In the words of Muslim historian al-Shahrastāni [1086-1153]: ‘Never was there an Islamic issue which brought about more bloodshed than the caliphate (imāmah).’” How was the problem solved back there in 632 C.E.? “Abu-Bakr . . . was designated (June 8, 632) Muḥammad’s successor by some form of election in which those leaders present at the capital, al-Madīnah, took part.”​—History of the Arabs. 18, 19. What claims divide the Sunnī from the Shīʽite Muslims? 18 The successor to the prophet would be a ruler, a khalīfah, or caliph. However, the question of the true successors to Muḥammad became a cause for divisions in the ranks of Islām. The Sunnī Muslims accept the principle of elective office rather than blood descent from the prophet. Therefore they believe that the first three caliphs, Abū Bakr (Muḥammad’s father-in-law), ʽUmar (the prophet’s adviser), and ʽUthmān (the prophet’s son-in-law), were the legitimate successors to Muḥammad. 19 That claim is contested by the Shīʽite Muslims, who say that the true leadership comes through the prophet’s blood line and through his cousin and son-in-law, ʽAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, the first imām (leader and successor), who married Muḥammad’s favorite daughter, Fāṭimah. Their marriage produced Muḥammad’s grandsons Ḥasan and Ḥusayn. The Shīʽites also claim “that from the beginning Allah and His Prophet had clearly designated ʽAli as the only legitimate successor but that the first three caliphs had cheated him out of his rightful office.” (History of the Arabs) Of course, the Sunnī Muslims view that differently. 20. What happened to Muḥammad’s son-in-law ʽAlī? 20 What happened to ʽAlī? During his rule as the fourth caliph (656-661 C.E.), a struggle over leadership arose between him and the governor of Syria, Muʽāwiyah. They joined battle, and then to spare further Muslim bloodshed, they threw their dispute open to arbitration. ʽAlī’s acceptance of arbitration weakened his case and alienated many of his followers, including the Khawārij (Seceders), who became his deadly foes. In the year 661 C.E., ʽAlī was murdered with a poisoned sabre by a Khārijī zealot. The two groups (the Sunnī and the Shīʽah) were at loggerheads. The Sunnī branch of Islām then chose a leader from the Umayyads, wealthy Meccan chiefs, who were outside of the prophet’s family. 21. What are the Shīʽite viewpoints on Muḥammad’s successors? 21 For the Shīʽah, ʽAlī’s firstborn, Ḥasan, the prophet’s grandson, was the true successor. However, he resigned and was murdered. His brother Ḥusayn became the new imām, but he too was killed, by Umayyad troops on October 10, 680 C.E. His death or martyrdom, as the Shīʽah view it, has had a significant effect on the Shīʽat ʽAlī, the party of ʽAlī, down to this day. They believe that ʽAlī was the true successor to Muḥammad and the first “imām [leader] divinely protected against error and sin.” ʽAlī and his successors were considered by the Shīʽah to be infallible teachers with “the divine gift of impeccability.” The largest segment of the Shīʽah believe that there have been only 12 true imāms, and the last of these, Muḥammad al-Muntaẓar, disappeared (878 C.E.) “in the cave of the great mosque at Sāmarra without leaving offspring.” Thus “he became ‘the hidden (mustatir)’ or ‘the expected (muntaẓar) imām.’ . . . In due time he will appear as the Mahdi (divinely guided one) to restore true Islam, conquer the whole world and usher in a short millennium before the end of all things.”​—History of the Arabs. 22. How do the Shīʽah commemorate Ḥusayn’s martyrdom? 22 Every year, the Shīʽah commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn. They have processions in which some cut themselves with knives and swords and otherwise inflict suffering on themselves. In more modern times, Shīʽite Muslims have received much publicity because of their zeal for Islāmic causes. However, they represent only about 20 percent of the world’s Muslims, the majority being Sunnī Muslims. But now, let us turn to some of the teachings of Islām and note how the Islāmic faith affects the daily conduct of Muslims. God Is Supreme, Not Jesus 23, 24. How did Muḥammad and the Muslims view Judaism and Christianity? 23 The three major monotheistic religions of the world are Judaism, Christianity, and Islām. But by the time Muḥammad appeared toward the beginning of the seventh century C.E., the first two religions, as far as he was concerned, had wandered from the path of truth. In fact, according to some Islāmic commentators, the Qurʼān implies rejection of Jews and of Christians in stating: “Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.” (Surah 1:7, MMP) Why is that? 24 A Qurʼānic commentary states: “The People of the Book went wrong: The Jews in breaking their Covenant, and slandering Mary and Jesus . . . and the Christians in raising Jesus the Apostle to equality with God” by means of the Trinity doctrine.​—Surah 4:153-176, AYA. 25. What parallel expressions do we find in the Qurʼān and the Bible? 25 The principal teaching of Islām, for utter simplicity, is what is known as the shahādah, or confession of faith, which every Muslim knows by heart: “La ilāh illa Allāh; Muḥammad rasūl Allāh” (No god but Allah; Muḥammad is the messenger of Allah). This agrees with the Qurʼānic expression, “Your God is One God; there is no God save Him, the Beneficent, the Merciful.” (Surah 2:163, MMP) This thought was stated 2,000 years earlier with the ancient call to Israel: “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.” (Deuteronomy 6:4) Jesus repeated this foremost command, which is recorded at Mark 12:29, about 600 years before Muḥammad, and nowhere did Jesus claim to be God or to be equal to Him.​—Mark 13:32; John 14:28; 1 Corinthians 15:28. 26. (a) How do Muslims view the Trinity? (b) Is the Trinity Biblical? 26 Regarding God’s uniqueness, the Qurʼān states: “So believe in God and His apostles. Say not ‘Trinity’: desist: it will be better for you: for God is One God.” (Surah 4:171, AYA) However, we should note that true Christianity does not teach a Trinity. That is a doctrine of pagan origin introduced by apostates of Christendom after the death of Christ and the apostles.​—See Chapter 11.e Soul, Resurrection, Paradise, and Hellfire 27. What does the Qurʼān say about the soul and about the resurrection? (Contrast Leviticus 24:17, 18; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10; John 5:28, 29.) 27 Islām teaches that man has a soul that goes on to a hereafter. The Qurʼān states: “Allah receiveth (men’s) souls at the time of their death, and that (soul) which dieth not (yet) in its sleep. He keepeth that (soul) for which He hath ordained death.” (Surah 39:42, MMP) At the same time, surah 75 is entirely devoted to “Qiyāmat, or the Resurrection” (AYA), or “The Rising of the Dead” (MMP). In part it says: “I do call to witness the Resurrection Day . . . Does man think that We cannot assemble his bones? . . . He questions: ‘When is the Day of Resurrection?’ . . . Has not He [Allāh] the power to give life to the dead?”​—Surah 75:1, 3, 6, 40, AYA. 28. What does the Qurʼān say about hell? (Contrast Job 14:13; Jeremiah 19:5; 32:35; Acts 2:25-27; Romans 6:7, 23.) 28 According to the Qurʼān, the soul can have different destinies, which can be either a heavenly garden of paradise or the punishment of a burning hell. As the Qurʼān states: “They ask: When is the Day of Judgement? (It is) the day when they will be tormented at the Fire, (and it will be said unto them): Taste your torment (which ye inflicted).” (Surah 51:12-14, MMP) “For them [the sinners] is torment in the life of the world, and verily the doom of the Hereafter is more painful, and they have no defender from Allah.” (Surah 13:34, MMP) The question is asked: “And what will explain to thee what this is? (It is) a Fire blazing fiercely!” (Surah 101:10, 11, AYA) This dire fate is described in detail: “Lo! Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the Fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment. Lo! Allah is ever Mighty, Wise.” (Surah 4:56, MMP) A further description states: “Lo! hell lurketh in ambush . . . They will abide therein for ages. Therein taste they neither coolness nor (any) drink save boiling water and a paralysing cold.”​—Surah 78:21, 23-25, MMP. 29. What is the Bible’s teaching on the soul, hell, and hellfire? 29 Muslims believe that a dead person’s soul goes to the Barzakh, or “Partition,” “the place or state in which people will be after death and before Judgment.” (Surah 23:99, 100, AYA, footnote) The soul is conscious there experiencing what is termed the “Chastisement of the Tomb” if the person had been wicked, or enjoying happiness if he had been faithful. But the faithful ones must also experience some torment because of their few sins while alive. On the judgment day, each faces his eternal destiny, which ends that intermediate state.f 30. What are the righteous promised according to the Qurʼān? (Contrast Isaiah 65:17, 21-25; Luke 23:43; Revelation 21:1-5.) 30 In contrast, the righteous are promised heavenly gardens of paradise: “And as for those who believe and do good works, We shall make them enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow to dwell therein for ever.” (Surah 4:57, MMP) “On that day the dwellers of Paradise shall think of nothing but their bliss. Together with their wives, they shall recline in shady groves upon soft couches.” (Surah 36:55, 56, NJD) “Before this We wrote in the Psalms, after the Message (given to Moses): ‘My servants, the righteous, shall inherit the earth.’” The footnote to this surah refers the reader to Psalm 25:13 and Ps 37:11, 29, as well as to the words of Jesus at Matthew 5:5. (Surah 21:105, AYA) The reference to wives now makes us turn to another question. Monogamy or Polygamy? 31. What does the Qurʼān say about polygamy? (Contrast 1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12.) 31 Is polygamy the rule among Muslims? While the Qurʼān permits polygamy, many Muslims have only one wife. Because of the numerous widows that were left after costly battles, the Qurʼān made room for polygamy: “And if ye fear that ye will not deal fairly by the orphans, marry of the women, who seem good to you, two or three or four; and if ye fear that ye cannot do justice (to so many) then one (only) or (the captives) that your right hands possess.” (Surah 4:3, MMP) A biography of Muḥammad by Ibn-Hishām mentions that Muḥammad married a wealthy widow, Khadījah, 15 years his senior. After her death he married many women. When he died he left nine widows. 32. What is mutʽah? 32 Another form of marriage in Islām is called mutʽah. It is defined as “a special contract concluded between a man and a woman through offer and acceptance of marriage for a limited period and with a specified dowry like the contract for permanent marriage.” (Islamuna, by Muṣṭafā al-Rāfiʽī) The Sunnīs call it a marriage for pleasure, and the Shīʽah, a marriage to be terminated in a specific period. States the same source: “The children [of such marriages] are legitimate and have the same rights as the children of a permanent marriage.” Apparently this form of temporary marriage was practiced in Muḥammad’s day, and he allowed it. Sunnīs insist that it was prohibited later, while the Imāmīs, the largest Shīʽite group, believe that it is still in effect. In fact, many practice it, especially when a man is absent from his wife for a long period of time. Islām and Daily Life 33. What are the pillars of Islām and of belief? 33 Islām involves five pillars, or principal obligations, and six basic beliefs. (See boxes, pages 296, 303.) One of the obligations is that the devout Muslim turn to Mecca five times a day in prayer (ṣalāt). On the Muslim sabbath (Friday), the men flock to the mosque for prayer when they hear the haunting call of the muezzin from the minaret of the mosque. Nowadays many mosques play a recording rather than have a live voice give the call. 34. What is a mosque, and how is it used? 34 The mosque (Arabic, masjid) is the Muslim place of worship, described by King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia as “the cornerstone for the call to God.” He defined the mosque as “a place of prayer, study, legal and judicial activities, consultation, preaching, guidance, education and preparation. . . . The mosque is the heart of Muslim society.” These places of worship are now found all over the world. One of the most famous in history is the Mezquita (Mosque) of Córdoba, Spain, which for centuries was the largest in the world. Its central portion is now occupied by a Catholic cathedral. Conflict With and Within Christendom 35. In times past, what situation existed between Islām and Catholicism? 35 Beginning in the seventh century, Islām spread westward into North Africa, eastward to Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, and down to Indonesia. As it did so, it entered into conflict with a militant Catholic Church, which organized Crusades to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. In 1492 Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain completed the Catholic reconquest of Spain. Muslims and Jews had to convert or be expelled from Spain. The mutual tolerance that had existed under Muslim rule in Spain later evaporated under the influence of the Catholic Inquisition. However, Islām survived and in the 20th century has experienced resurgence and great growth. 36. What developments were taking place in the Catholic Church while Islām was expanding? 36 While Islām was expanding, the Catholic Church was going through its own turmoil, trying to keep unity in its ranks. But two powerful influences were about to burst on the scene, and they would shatter even further the monolithic image of that church. They were the printing press and the Bible in the language of the people. Our next chapter will discuss Christendom’s further fragmentation under those and other influences. [Footnotes] a “Qurʼān” (which means “Recitation”) is the spelling favored by Muslim writers and the one we will use here. It should be noted that Arabic is the original language of the Qurʼān, and in English there is no universally accepted translation. In quotations the first number represents the chapter, or surah, and the second is the verse number. b Muslims believe that the Bible contains revelations of God but that some of them were falsified later. c In English the prophet’s name has various spellings (Mohammed, Muḥammad, Mahomet). Most Muslim sources prefer Muḥammad, which we will use. Turkish Muslims prefer Muhammed. d Thus, the Muslim year is given as A.H. (Latin, Anno Hegirae, year of the flight) rather than A.D. (Anno Domini, year of the Lord) or C.E. (Common Era). e For further information on the Trinity and the Bible, see the brochure Should You Believe in the Trinity? published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1989. f On the subject of the soul and hellfire, compare these Bible texts: Genesis 2:7; Ezekiel 18:4; Acts 3:23. See Reasoning From the Scriptures, pages 168-75; 375-80, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1985. [Box on page 285] The Qurʼān and the Bible “He has revealed to you the Book with the truth, confirming the scriptures which preceded it; for He has already revealed the Torah and the Gospel for the guidance of men, and the distinction between right and wrong.”​—Surah 3:2, NJD. “Almost all the historical narratives of the Koran have their biblical parallels . . . Adam, Noah, Abraham (mentioned about seventy times in twenty-five different sūrahs and having his name as a input for sūrah 14), Ishmael, Lot, Joseph (to whom sūrah 12 is dedicated), Moses (whose name occurs in thirty-four different sūrahs), Saul, David, Solomon, Elijah, Job and Jonah (whose name sūrah 10 bears) figure prominently. The story of the creation and fall of Adam is cited five times, the flood eight and Sodom eight. In fact the Koran shows more parallelism to the Pentateuch than to any other part of the Bible. . . . “Of the New Testament characters Zachariah, John the Baptist, Jesus (ʽĪsa) and Mary are the only ones emphasized. . . . A comparative study of the . . . koranic and biblical narratives . . . reveals no verbal dependence [no direct quotation].”​—History of the Arabs. [Box on page 291] The Three Sources of Teaching and Guidance The Holy Qurʼān, said to have been revealed to Muḥammad by the angel Gabriel. The Qurʼānʼs meaning and words in Arabic are viewed as inspired. The Ḥadīth, or Sunnah, “the deeds, utterances and silent approval (taqrīr) of the Prophet . . . fixed during the second century [A.H.] in the form of written ḥadīths. A ḥadīth, therefore, is a record of an action or sayings of the Prophet.” It can also be applied to the actions or sayings of any of Muḥammad’s “Companions or their Successors.” In a ḥadīth, only the meaning is viewed as inspired.​—History of the Arabs. The Sharīʽah, or canon law, based on principles of the Qurʼān, regulates a Muslim’s entire life in the religious, political, and social senses. “All man’s acts are classified under five legal categories: (1) what is considered absolute duty (farḍ) [involving reward for acting or punishment for failing to act]; (2) commendable or meritorious actions (mustaḥabb) [involving a reward but no punishment for omission]; (3) permissible actions (jāʼiz, mubāḥ), which are legally indifferent; (4) reprehensible actions (makrūh), which are disapproved but not punishable; (5) forbidden actions (ḥarām), the doing of which calls for punishment.”​—History of the Arabs. [Box on page 296] The Six Pillars of Belief 1. Belief in one God, Allāh (Surah 23:116, 117) 2. Belief in angels (Surah 2:177) 3. The divine books: Torah, Gospel, Psalms, Scrolls of Abraham, Qurʼān 4. Belief in many prophets but one message. Adam was the first prophet. Others have included Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and “the Seal of the Prophets,” Muḥammad (Surah 4:136; 33:40) 5. The last day: when all the dead will be raised from their graves 6. Belief in destiny, its good and its bad. Nothing happens that God has not decreed [Box on page 303] The Five Pillars of Islam 1. Repeat the creed (shahādah): “No god but Allah; Muḥammad is the messenger of Allah” (Surah 33:40) 2. Prayer (ṣalāt) toward Mecca five times a day (Surah 2:144) 3. Charity (zakāh), the obligation to give a percentage of one’s income and of the value of some property (Surah 24:56) 4. Fasting (ṣawm), especially during the month-long celebration of Ramaḍān (Surah 2:183-185) 5. Pilgrimage (ḥajj). Once in a lifetime, every Muslim must make the journey to Mecca. Only illness and poverty are licit excuses (Surah 3:97) [Box/​Picture on page 304, 305] The Bahāʼī Faith​—Seeking World Unity 1 The Bahāʼī faith is not a sect of Islām but is an offshoot of the Bābī religion, a group in Persia (today Iran) that broke away from the Shīʽite branch of Islām in 1844. The leader of the Bābīs was Mīrzā ʽAlī Moḥammad of Shīrāz, who proclaimed himself the Bāb (“the Gate”) and the imām-mahdī (“rightly guided leader”) from the line of Muḥammad. He was executed by the Persian authorities in 1850. In 1863 Mīrzā Ḥoseyn Alī Nūrī, a prominent member of the Bābī group, “declared himself to be ‘He whom God will make manifest,’ whom the Bāb had foretold.” He also took the name Bahāʼ Ullāh (“Glory of God”) and formed a new religion, the Bahāʼī faith. 2 Bahāʼ Ullāh was banished from Persia and was eventually imprisoned in Acco (today Acre, Israel). There he wrote his main work, al-Kitāb al-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), and developed the doctrine of the Bahāʼī faith into a comprehensive teaching. At Bahāʼ Ullāh’s death, the leadership of the fledgling religion passed to his son ʽAbd ol-Bahāʼ, then to his great-grandson, Shoghi Effendi Rabbānī, and in 1963 to an elected administrative body known as the Universal House of Justice. 3 Bahāʼīs believe that God has revealed himself to man by means of “Divine Manifestations,” including Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Zoroaster, the Buddha, Jesus, Muḥammad, the Bāb, and Bahāʼ Ullāh. They believe that these messengers were provided to guide mankind through an evolutionary process in which the appearance of the Bāb initiated a new age for mankind. The Bahāʼīs say that to date his message is the fullest revelation of God’s will and that it is the primary God-given instrument that will make world unity possible.​—1 Timothy 2:5, 6. 4 One of the basic precepts of Bahāʼī is “that all the great religions of the world are divine in origin, that their basic principles are in complete harmony.” They “differ only in the nonessential aspects of their doctrines.”​—2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 1 John 5:19, 20. 5 Bahāʼī beliefs include the oneness of God, the soul’s immortality, and the evolution (biological, spiritual, and social) of mankind. On the other hand, they reject the common concept of angels. They also reject the Trinity, the reincarnation teaching of Hinduism, and man’s fall from perfection and subsequent ransom through the blood of Jesus Christ.​—Romans 5:12; Matthew 20:28. 6 The brotherhood of man and the equality of women are major features of Bahāʼī belief. Bahāʼīs practice monogamy. At least once a day, they pray any one of three prayers revealed by Bahāʼ Ullāh. They practice fasting from sunup to sundown during the 19 days of the Bahāʼī month of ʽAlā, which falls in March. (The Bahāʼī calendar consists of 19 months, each having 19 days, with certain intercalary days.) 7 The Bahāʼī faith does not have many set rituals, nor does it have clergy. Any who profess faith in Bahāʼ Ullāh and accept his teachings may be enrolled as members. They meet for worship on the first day of every Bahāʼī month. 8 The Bahāʼīs see themselves as having the mission of the spiritual conquest of the planet. They try to spread their faith through conversation, example, participation in community projects, and information campaigns. They believe in absolute obedience to the laws of the country in which they reside, and though they vote, they abstain from participation in politics. They prefer noncombatant duty in the armed forces when possible but are not conscientious objectors. 9 As a missionary religion, Bahāʼī has experienced rapid growth in the last few years. The Bahāʼīs estimate that there are nearly 5,000,000 believers worldwide, though actual adult enrollment in the faith is presently a little over 2,300,000. [Study Questions] 1, 2. How did the Bahāʼī faith get started? 3-7. (a) What are some Bahāʼī beliefs? (b) How do Bahāʼī beliefs differ from Bible teachings? 8, 9. What is the Bahāʼī mission? [Picture] The Bahāʼī shrine at the world headquarters in Haifa, Israel [Pictures on page 286] Muslim tradition says that Muḥammad ascended to heaven from this rock in the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem [Pictures on page 289] Muslim pilgrims at Mecca walk seven times around the Kaʽbah and touch or kiss the Black Stone, lower left [Picture on page 290] Arabic is the required language for reading the Qurʼān [Pictures on page 298] Clockwise from top left: Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem; mosques in Iran, South Africa, and Turkey [Pictures on page 303] The Mezquita of Córdoba was at one time the largest mosque in the world (a Catholic cathedral now occupies the center)

Isaiah’s Prophecy I (ip-1) 2000

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-1

Chapter One An Ancient Prophet With a Modern Message Isaiah 1:1 1, 2. (a) What sad state of affairs do we see in the world today? (b) How did one U.S. senator express his concern about the deterioration of society? WHO today does not yearn for relief from the problems that face mankind? Yet, how often our longings go unfulfilled! We dream of peace, but we are plagued by war. We cherish law and order, but we cannot stem the rising tide of robbery, rape, and murder. We want to trust our neighbor, but we have to lock our doors for protection. We love our children and try to instill wholesome values in them, but all too often we watch helplessly as they succumb to the unwholesome influence of their peers. 2 We might well agree with Job, who stated that man’s short life is “glutted with agitation.” (Job 14:1) This seems especially so today, for society is deteriorating on a scale never before seen. One U.S. senator observed: “The Cold War is now over, but in a tragic sense, the world has now been made safer for ethnic, tribal, and religious vengeance and savagery. . . . We have watered down our moral standards to the point where many of our youth are confused, discouraged and in deep trouble. We are reaping the harvest of parental neglect, divorce, child abuse, teen pregnancy, school dropouts, illegal drugs, and streets full of violence. It’s as if our house, having survived the great earthquake we call the Cold War, is now being eaten away by termites.” 3. What Bible book especially offers hope for the future? 3 However, we are not left without hope. Some 2,700 years ago, God inspired a man of the Middle East to utter a series of prophecies that have special meaning for our day. These messages are recorded in the Bible book bearing that prophet’s name​—Isaiah. Who was Isaiah, and why can we say that his prophecy, recorded almost three millenniums ago, provides light for all mankind today? A Righteous Man in Turbulent Times 4. Who was Isaiah, and when did he serve as Jehovah’s prophet? 4 In the first verse of his book, Isaiah introduces himself as “the son of Amoz,”a and he tells us that he served as God’s prophet “in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” (Isaiah 1:1) This would mean that Isaiah continued as God’s prophet to the nation of Judah for no less than 46 years, likely beginning at the end of Uzziah’s reign​—about the year 778 B.C.E. 5, 6. What must have been true regarding Isaiah’s family life, and why? 5 Compared with what we know about some other prophets, we know little about the personal life of Isaiah. We do know that he was a married man and that he referred to his wife as “the prophetess.” (Isaiah 8:3) According to McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, this designation indicates that Isaiah’s married life “was not only consistent with his vocation, but that it was intimately interwoven with it.” It may well be that, similar to some other godly women of ancient Israel, Isaiah’s wife had her own prophetic assignment.​—Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14. 6 Isaiah and his wife had at least two sons, each given a name with prophetic significance. The firstborn, Shear-jashub, accompanied Isaiah when he delivered God’s messages to wicked King Ahaz. (Isaiah 7:3) It is evident that Isaiah and his wife made worship of God a family matter​—a fine example for married couples today! 7. Describe conditions in Judah in Isaiah’s day. 7 Isaiah and his family lived during a turbulent period in Judah’s history. Political unrest was common, bribery tainted the courts, and hypocrisy tore the religious fabric of society. The hilltops were covered with altars to false gods. Even some of the kings promoted pagan worship. Ahaz, for instance, not only tolerated idolatry among his subjects but personally engaged in it, making his own offspring “pass through the fire” in a ritual sacrifice to the Canaanite god Molech.b (2 Kings 16:3, 4; 2 Chronicles 28:3, 4) And all of this took place among a people who were in a covenant relationship with Jehovah!​—Exodus 19:5-8. 8. (a) What example did Kings Uzziah and Jotham set, and did the people follow their lead? (b) How did Isaiah show boldness in the midst of a rebellious people? 8 Commendably, some of Isaiah’s contemporaries​—including a few rulers—​tried to promote true worship. Among them was King Uzziah, who did “what was upright in Jehovah’s eyes.” Still, during his reign the people were “sacrificing and making sacrificial smoke on the high places.” (2 Kings 15:3, 4) King Jotham too “kept doing what was right in Jehovah’s eyes.” However, “the people were yet acting ruinously.” (2 Chronicles 27:2) Yes, throughout much of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry, the kingdom of Judah was in a deplorable spiritual and moral state. By and large, the people ignored any positive influence that came from their kings. Understandably, delivering God’s messages to this stubborn people would not be an easy assignment. Nevertheless, when Jehovah posed the question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah did not hesitate. He exclaimed: “Here I am! Send me.”​—Isaiah 6:8. A Message of Salvation 9. What is the meaning of Isaiah’s name, and how does this relate to the theme of his book? 9 Isaiah’s name means “Salvation of Jehovah,” and this could well be called the theme of his message. True, some of Isaiah’s prophecies are of judgment. Still, the theme of salvation comes through loud and clear. Repeatedly, Isaiah related how in due time Jehovah would release the Israelites from captivity in Babylon, allowing a remnant to return to Zion and bring the land back to its former splendor. No doubt the privilege of speaking and writing prophecies concerning the restoration of his beloved Jerusalem gave Isaiah the greatest joy! 10, 11. (a) Why is the book of Isaiah of interest to us today? (b) How does the book of Isaiah direct attention to the Messiah? 10 But what do these messages of judgment and salvation have to do with us? Happily, Isaiah does not prophesy simply for the benefit of the two-tribe kingdom of Judah. On the contrary, his messages have special significance for our day. Isaiah paints a glorious picture of how God’s Kingdom will soon bring grand blessings to our earth. In this regard, a large portion of Isaiah’s writings focuses on the foretold Messiah, who would rule as King of God’s Kingdom. (Daniel 9:25; John 12:41) Surely it is no coincidence that the names Jesus and Isaiah express virtually the same thought, the name Jesus meaning “Jehovah Is Salvation.” 11 Of course, Jesus was not born until some seven centuries after Isaiah’s day. Yet, the Messianic prophecies contained in the book of Isaiah are so detailed and so accurate that they read like an eyewitness account of Jesus’ life on earth. One source noted that in view of this, the book of Isaiah is sometimes called the “Fifth Gospel.” Hence, it is hardly surprising that Isaiah was the Bible book most frequently quoted by Jesus and his apostles in order to make a clear identification of the Messiah. 12. Why do we eagerly embark on a study of the book of Isaiah? 12 Isaiah paints a glorious word picture of “new heavens and a new earth” wherein “a king will reign for righteousness itself” and princes will rule for justice. (Isaiah 32:1, 2; 65:17, 18; 2 Peter 3:13) Thus the book of Isaiah points to the heartwarming hope of God’s Kingdom, under the Messiah Jesus Christ as enthroned King. What an encouragement for us to live each day in joyful expectation of “salvation by [Jehovah]”! (Isaiah 25:9; 40:28-31) Let us, then, eagerly examine the precious message in the book of Isaiah. As we do so, our confidence in God’s promises will be greatly strengthened. Also, we will be helped to grow in our conviction that Jehovah is indeed the God of our salvation. [Footnotes] a Isaiah’s father, Amoz, is not to be confused with Amos who prophesied at the beginning of Uzziah’s reign and who wrote the Bible book bearing his name. b Some say that to “pass through the fire” may simply indicate a purification ceremony. It seems, though, that in this context the phrase refers to a literal sacrifice. There is no question that child sacrifice was practiced by Canaanites and apostate Israelites.​—Deuteronomy 12:31; Psalm 106:37, 38. [Box/​Picture on page 7] Who Was Isaiah? MEANING OF NAME: “Salvation of Jehovah” FAMILY: Married, with at least two sons PLACE OF RESIDENCE: Jerusalem YEARS OF SERVICE: No less than 46 years, from about 778 B.C.E. to sometime after 732 B.C.E. CONTEMPORARY KINGS OF JUDAH: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah CONTEMPORARY PROPHETS: Micah, Hosea, Oded [Picture on page 6] Isaiah and his wife made worship of God a family matter

Prove to Be a Real Follower of Christ

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010043

Prove to Be a Real Follower of Christ “Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit.”​—MATT. 7:17. 1, 2. How are Christ’s true followers set apart from the false, especially during this time of the end? JESUS said that those falsely professing to serve him would be distinguished from his true followers by their fruits​—their teachings and their conduct. (Matt. 7:15-17, 20) Indeed, people are inevitably influenced by what they take into their mind and heart. (Matt. 15:18, 19) Those who are fed falsehoods produce “worthless fruit,” whereas those who are taught spiritual truth produce “fine fruit.” 2 The two kinds of fruits have become clearly manifest during this time of the end. (Read Daniel 12:3, 10.) False Christians have a distorted view of God and often a hypocritical form of godly devotion, whereas those having spiritual insight worship God “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:24; 2 Tim. 3:1-5) They strive to display Christlike qualities. But what about us personally? As you consider the following five identifying marks of true Christianity, ask yourself: ‘Do my conduct and teachings clearly harmonize with God’s Word? Do I beautify the truth in the eyes of those searching for it?’ Live by God’s Word 3. What pleases Jehovah, and what does this involve for true Christians? 3 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens,” said Jesus, “but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.” (Matt. 7:21) Yes, it is not the professing of Christianity that pleases Jehovah but the practicing of it. For Christ’s true followers, that involves their whole way of life, including their attitude toward money, secular work, entertainment, worldly customs and celebrations, and marriage and other relationships with fellow humans. False Christians, however, adopt the thinking and ways of the world, which have become increasingly ungodly during these last days.​—Ps. 92:7. 4, 5. How can we apply Jehovah’s words found at Malachi 3:18 in our life? 4 Accordingly, the prophet Malachi wrote: “You people will again certainly see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him.” (Mal. 3:18) As you reflect on those words, ask yourself: ‘Do I blend in with the world, or do I stand out as different? Do I always strive to fit in with my secular associates, whether at school or at work, or do I remain firm for Bible principles, even speaking up when appropriate?’ (Read 1 Peter 3:16.) Of course, we do not want to appear self-righteous, but we should stand out as different from those who do not love and serve Jehovah. 5 If you see room for improvement, why not pray about the matter and seek spiritual strength through regular Bible study, prayer, and meeting attendance? The more God’s Word becomes a part of you, the more you will produce “fine fruit,” including “the fruit of lips which make public declaration to [God’s] name.”​—Heb. 13:15. Advocate God’s Kingdom 6, 7. In regard to the Kingdom message, what contrast can be seen between true and false Christians? 6 Jesus said: “To other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” (Luke 4:43) Why did Jesus make God’s Kingdom the main theme of his ministry? He knew that he himself as King of that Kingdom, along with his resurrected spirit-begotten brothers, would deal with the root causes of mankind’s woes​—sin and the Devil. (Rom. 5:12; Rev. 20:10) Hence, he commanded his followers to proclaim that Kingdom until the end of the present system of things. (Matt. 24:14) People who merely profess to be followers of Christ do not engage in this work​—in fact, they cannot. Why? For at least three reasons: First, they cannot preach what they do not understand. Second, most of them lack the humility and courage needed to face the ridicule and opposition that may result from sharing the Kingdom message with their neighbors. (Matt. 24:9; 1 Pet. 2:23) And third, false Christians do not have God’s spirit.​—John 14:16, 17. 7 Christ’s true followers, on the other hand, understand what God’s Kingdom is and what it will accomplish. Moreover, they give the interests of that Kingdom priority in life, proclaiming it worldwide, with the help of Jehovah’s spirit. (Zech. 4:6) Are you having a regular share in this work? Are you trying to improve as a Kingdom proclaimer, perhaps by spending more time in the ministry or by being more effective in it? Some have tried to improve the quality of their ministry by making better use of the Bible. “The word of God is alive and exerts power,” wrote the apostle Paul, who made it his custom to reason from the Scriptures.​—Heb. 4:12; Acts 17:2, 3. 8, 9. (a) What experiences highlight the value of using the Bible in our ministry? (b) How can we become more adept at using God’s Word? 8 When in the door-to-door work, a brother read Daniel 2:44 to a Catholic man and explained how God’s Kingdom will bring about true peace and security. The man responded: “I really appreciate your opening the Bible and showing me what the scripture said instead of just telling me.” When a brother read a scripture to a Greek Orthodox woman, she asked a number of good questions. In this case too, the brother, along with his wife, answered from the Bible. Later, the woman said: “Do you know why I was willing to talk with you? You came to my door with the Bible, and you read from it.” 9 Of course, our literature is important and should be offered in the field. The Bible, however, is our primary tool. So if it has not been your custom to use it regularly in your ministry, why not make it your goal to do so? Perhaps you could select a few key texts that explain what God’s Kingdom is and how it will solve specific problems that concern people in your neighborhood. Then be prepared to read them as you preach from door to door. Proudly Bear God’s Name 10, 11. Regarding the use of God’s name, what contrast is there between Jesus and many who claim to follow him? 10 “‘You are my witnesses,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and I am God.’” (Isa. 43:12) Jehovah’s preeminent Witness, Jesus Christ, considered it an honor to bear God’s name and to make it known. (Read Exodus 3:15; John 17:6; Hebrews 2:12.) In fact, because Jesus proclaimed his Father’s name, he was called “the Faithful Witness.”​—Rev. 1:5; Matt. 6:9. 11 In contrast, many who claim to represent God and his Son have displayed a shameful attitude toward the divine name, even removing it from their versions of the Bible. Reflecting a similar spirit, a recent directive to Catholic bishops said that “the name of God in the form of the tetragrammaton YHWH is neither to be used or pronounced” during worship.a How reprehensible such thinking is! 12. How did Jehovah’s servants become even more closely identified with Jehovah in the year 1931? 12 In imitation of both Christ and the great “cloud of witnesses” who preceded him, true Christians proudly use God’s name. (Heb. 12:1) In fact, in the year 1931, God’s servants became even more closely identified with Jehovah by accepting the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Read Isaiah 43:10-12.) Thus, in a very special sense, Christ’s true followers became a “people who are called by [God’s] name.”​—Acts 15:14, 17. 13. How can we live up to our God-given name? 13 How can we personally live up to our unique name? For one thing, we must faithfully bear witness to God. “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved,” wrote Paul. “However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth?” (Rom. 10:13-15) Also, we should tactfully expose religious falsehoods that malign our Creator, such as the doctrine of hellfire, which in reality attributes to the God of love the cruel traits of the Devil.​—Jer. 7:31; 1 John 4:8; compare Mark 9:17-27. 14. When learning of God’s personal name, how have some responded? 14 Are you proud to bear the name of your heavenly Father? Do you help others to come to know that holy name? A woman in Paris, France, heard that Jehovah’s Witnesses knew the name of God, so she asked the next Witness she met to show her that name in her Bible. When she read Psalm 83:18, the impact was profound. She began to study the Bible and is now a faithful sister serving in another land. When a Catholic lady living in Australia saw God’s name in the Bible for the first time, she wept for joy. For many years now, she has been a regular pioneer. More recently, when Witnesses in Jamaica showed a woman there God’s name in her own Bible, she too shed tears of joy. So be proud to bear God’s name and, in imitation of Jesus, to make that precious name manifest to all. “Do Not Be Loving . . . the World” 15, 16. How do true Christians view the world, and what questions should we ask ourselves? 15 “Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15) The world and its fleshly spirit stand in opposition to Jehovah and his holy spirit. Hence, Christ’s true followers do not merely refrain from being a part of the world. They reject it at heart, knowing that as the disciple James wrote, “friendship with the world is enmity with God.”​—Jas. 4:4. 16 It can be a challenge to heed James’ words in a world that offers countless temptations. (2 Tim. 4:10) Jesus therefore prayed in behalf of his followers: “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:15, 16) Ask yourself: ‘Do I strive to be no part of the world? Do others know my stand on unscriptural celebrations and customs as well as on those that may not have a pagan origin but clearly reflect the spirit of the world?’​—2 Cor. 6:17; 1 Pet. 4:3, 4. 17. What may move honesthearted ones to take sides with Jehovah? 17 To be sure, our Bible-based stand will not win us the world’s favor, but it may arouse the curiosity of honesthearted ones. Indeed, when such individuals observe that our faith is firmly rooted in the Scriptures and involves our whole way of life, they may respond by, in effect, saying to the anointed: “We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.”​—Zech. 8:23. Show True Christian Love 18. What is involved in showing love for Jehovah and our neighbor? 18 Jesus said: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind” and “you must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37, 39) That love (a·gaʹpe in Greek) is a moral love that takes into account duty, principle, and propriety, but it often includes strong emotion. It can be warm and intense. (1 Pet. 1:22) It is the very opposite of selfishness, for it is reflected in selfless words and deeds.​—Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. 19, 20. Relate some experiences that show the power of Christian love. 19 Because love is a product of God’s holy spirit, it enables true Christians to do what others cannot do, such as overcome racial, cultural, and political barriers. (Read John 13:34, 35; Gal. 5:22) Sheeplike ones cannot help but be moved when they see such love. For example, when a young Jewish man in Israel attended his first Christian meeting, he was amazed to see Jewish and Arab brothers worshipping Jehovah side by side. As a result, he began to attend meetings regularly and accepted a Bible study. Do you show such heartfelt love to your brothers? And do you make it a point to extend a warm welcome to newcomers at your Kingdom Hall, regardless of their nationality, skin color, or social standing? 20 As true Christians, we strive to show love toward all. In El Salvador, a young publisher was studying the Bible with an 87-year-old Catholic woman who clung to her church. One day, the woman became gravely ill and was hospitalized. When she returned home, the Witnesses called and made sure that she had food. This went on for about a month. Nobody from the woman’s church visited. The result? She discarded her images, resigned from her church, and resumed her Bible study. Yes, Christian love has power! It can reach hearts in ways that the spoken word may not. 21. How can we make our future secure? 21 Soon, Jesus will say to all who falsely claim to serve him: “I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matt. 7:23) Let us, therefore, produce fruitage that honors both the Father and the Son. “Everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them,” said Jesus, “will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass.” (Matt. 7:24) Yes, if we prove to be real followers of Christ, we will receive God’s favor, and our future will be secure, as if founded on rock! [Footnote] a Some modern Catholic publications in English, including The Jerusalem Bible, render the tetragrammaton “Yahweh.” Do You Remember? • How are Christ’s true followers distinguished from the false? • Name some “fruits” that identify true Christians. • In producing Christian fruitage, what goals can you set? [Picture on page 13] Is it your custom to use the Bible regularly in your ministry? [Picture on page 15] Do others know your stand on unscriptural celebrations?

Young People Ask (yp) 1989

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp

Chapter 5 How Can I Deal With My Parent’s Remarriage? “The day Dad married Rita was the worst day of my life,” recalled Shane. “I was mad. Mad at Dad for being a traitor to my Mom. Mad at Mom for going off to law school and leaving us alone. Mad at the two brats, Rita’s kids, who were going to come live in our house . . . But most of all, I was mad at Rita . . . I hated her. And because I believed it’s not right to hate, I was mad at myself, too.”​—Stepfamilies—​New Patterns in Harmony, by Linda Craven. THE remarriage of a parent destroys the hope that your parents will ever get back together. It can make you feel insecure, betrayed, and jealous. The remarriage can be particularly hurtful if it comes on the heels of the death of a beloved parent. “The death of my mother made me turn very bitter,” admitted 16-year-old Missy. “I thought my father’s fiancée was taking my mother’s place so I was very mean to her.” Loyal to your natural parent, you may even feel guilty if you begin to feel love toward a stepparent. Little wonder, then, that many youths vent their emotional pain in destructive ways. Some even scheme to break up their parent’s new marriage. But remember, your natural parent and stepparent have exchanged vows before God. “Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man [or child] put apart.” (Matthew 19:6) And even if you could break them up, this would not reunite your natural parents. Nor does it make any sense to be in constant conflict with a stepparent. Proverbs 11:29 warns: “He who brings trouble on his family will inherit only wind,” that is, end up with nothing. (New International Version) Fifteen-year-old Gerri’s resentment of her stepmother finally culminated in a bitter fight. The result? Her stepmother demanded that Gerri’s father choose between her and his daughter. Gerri ended up moving back in with her natural mother​—who had also remarried. Love Helps You Cope What is the secret to coping successfully with a parent’s remarriage? Exercising principled love as described at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: Love “does not look for its own interests.” This means ‘seeking not our own advantage, but that of the other person.’ (1 Corinthians 10:24) If a parent has decided that he or she again needs the companionship of a marriage partner, should you resent this? “Love is not jealous.” Often youths do not want to share their natural parent’s love with anyone else. But you need not fear that your parent will run out of love, as love can expand. (Compare 2 Corinthians 6:11-13.) Your natural parent can expand his or her love to include a new mate without losing any affection for you! Will you open your heart to include a stepparent? Doing so in no way means that you are disloyal to your departed parent. Love “does not behave indecently.” Living with new brothers or sisters of the opposite sex can create moral pressures. Reportedly, illicit sexual relations take place among family members in 25 percent of stepfamilies. Says David, whose mother’s remarriage brought four teenage stepsisters into the house, “It was necessary to put up a mental block concerning sexual feelings.” You will also want to be careful to avoid undue familiarity, making sure that neither your dress nor your behavior is sexually provocative.​—Colossians 3:5. Love “bears up under anything . . . It gives us power to endure in anything.” (Charles B. Williams’ translation) At times nothing seems to make your painful feelings go away! Marla admitted: “I felt that I had no place in the home. I even told my mom that I wished I had never been born.” Marla rebelled and even ran away! However, she now says: “The best thing is to endure.” If you likewise endure, in time the bitterness, bewilderment, and pain you initially felt will subside. ‘You’re Not My Real Mother/​Father!’ Coming under the discipline of a new parent is not easy, and when asked to do something by a stepparent, it may be tempting to blurt out, ‘You’re not my real mother/​father!’ But recall the principle stated at 1 Corinthians 14:20: “Grow up in your thinking.”​—The Holy Bible in the Language of Today, by William Beck. Accepting the authority of your stepparent to discipline you is one way to show that you have ‘grown up in your thinking.’ He or she performs the duties of a natural parent and deserves your respect. (Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:1-4) In Bible times Esther was reared by an adoptive father, or “caretaker,” when her parents died. Though he was not her natural parent, Mordecai ‘laid commandments on her,’ which she obeyed even as an adult! (Esther 2:7, 15, 17, 20) Really, a stepparent’s discipline is usually an expression of his or her love and concern for you.​—Proverbs 13:24. Still, legitimate complaints are bound to occur. If so, prove yourself to be ‘grown up’ by doing as Colossians 3:13 urges: “Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another.” Learn to Share, Learn to Compromise When 15-year-old Jamie lived alone with her mother, she had her own room and wore expensive clothes. When her mother remarried and Jamie found herself in a family with four children, things changed. “Now I don’t even have my own room anymore,” she lamented. “I have to share everything.” You may also have to relinquish your position as the oldest or the only child. If you are a son, for a long time you may have served as the man of the house​—a position now occupied by your stepfather. Or if you are a daughter, it may be that you and your mother were like sisters, even sleeping in the same room, but now you have been moved out by your stepdad. “Let your reasonableness become known to all men,” recommends the Bible. (Philippians 4:5) The original word used meant “yielding” and conveyed the spirit of one who did not insist on all his lawful rights. So, try to be yielding, compromising. Make the most of your new situation, and avoid dwelling on the past. (Ecclesiastes 7:10) Be willing to share with stepbrothers and stepsisters, not treating them as outsiders. (1 Timothy 6:18) The sooner you begin treating one another as real brothers and sisters, the sooner your feelings for one another will grow. And as for the new man of the house, don’t resent him. Be glad that he is there to help carry the load of household responsibilities. Coping With Unequal Treatment After admitting that her stepfather shows love, one young girl added: “But there is a difference. He expects more, disciplines more, has less understanding towards us . . . than he does of his own children at the same age. This is a sore spot with us.” Realize that a stepparent usually will not feel the same way toward a stepchild as he does toward his natural one. This is due, not so much to the blood tie with his natural child, but to their shared experience in living. After all, even a blood-related parent may love one child more than another. (Genesis 37:3) There is, however, an important distinction between equal and fair. People have individual personalities and differing needs. So instead of being overly concerned about whether you are treated equally, try to see if your stepparent is striving to meet your needs. If you feel that these are not being met, then you have reason to discuss the matter with your stepparent. Your stepbrothers or stepsisters can also be a source of outpution. Never forget that they too may be having a hard time adjusting to the stepfamily situation. Perhaps they even resent you as an intrusion into their family. So do your best to be kind. If they snub you, try ‘conquering evil with good.’ (Romans 12:21) Besides, it is nothing strange even for biological brothers and sisters to clash from time to time.​—See Chapter 6. Patience Pays Off! “Better is the end afterward of a matter than its beginning. Better is one who is patient than one who is haughty in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8) Normally, several years are needed before trust develops to the point where members of a stepfamily feel at ease with one another. Only then may diverse habits and values blend into a workable routine. So be patient! Do not expect to experience “instant love” or that an “instant family” will result. When Thomas’ mother remarried, he was uneasy, to say the least. His mother had four children, and the man she married had three. “We had fights, arguments, disruptions, terrible emotional strains,” wrote Thomas. What brought eventual success? “By applying Bible principles, things were resolved; not always immediately, but with time and the application of the fruits of God’s spirit, situations were eventually smoothed over.”​—Galatians 5:22, 23. That a commitment to Bible principles really brings about success in a stepfamily is illustrated by the experiences of the following youths whom we interviewed: Youths in Successful Stepfamilies Interviewer: How did you avoid resenting your stepparent’s discipline? Lynch: My mother and stepfather always stood together on discipline. When something happened, they both came to a decision to do it, so when I got a spanking, I knew it was from both. Linda: It was very hard at first because I would say, “What right do you have to tell me this?” But then I thought of how the Bible says to ‘Honor your mother and father.’ Even though he was not my natural father, in God’s sight he was still my father. Robin: I knew that it would deeply hurt my mother for me to resent the person she loved. Interviewer: What promoted good communication? Lynch: You have to get interested in what your stepparent does. I helped him at his secular work. And as we worked we would talk and talk. This helped me to see how he thought. Other times I would just sit with him, and we would talk about ‘nothing.’ Valerie: My stepmother and I spent a lot of time together, and I really got to understand her. We became the closest of friends. Robin: My father died just a year before Mom’s remarriage. I refused to get close to my stepfather because I didn’t want him to replace my father. I prayed that God would help me get over my father’s death and get closer to my stepdad. I prayed and prayed and prayed. Jehovah really answered these prayers. Interviewer: What did you do to get closer? Valerie: Sometimes I would ask my stepmom to go to a show with me​—just the two of us. Or when I was out, I would buy her some flowers or a vase, something to show her that I was thinking about her. She really appreciated this. Eric: You have to search for something you both enjoy. The only thing that I had in common with my stepfather was that he was married to my mother and we lived in the same house. The biggest help came when I began to take the same interest in the Bible that he had. As I drew closer to Jehovah God, I got much closer to my stepfather. Now we really had something in common! Interviewer: How have you personally benefited? Robin: When I lived just with my mother, I was rebellious and spoiled. I always wanted things my way. Now I’ve learned to consider others and be more unselfish. Lynch: My stepfather helped me think like a man. He’s helped me gain skills and know how to use my hands. When times were rough and I needed someone, he was there. Yes, he’s the best father that anyone could ever have had. Questions for Discussion ◻ How do many youths feel when their parents remarry? Why? ◻ How does showing Christian love help a youth cope? ◻ Do you have to submit to the discipline of a stepparent? ◻ Why is it important to know how to compromise and share? ◻ Should you expect equal treatment with stepbrothers and stepsisters? What if you feel you are being treated unfairly? ◻ What are some things you can do that will help you get along better with a stepparent? [Blurb on page 45] “I thought my father’s fiancée was taking my mother’s place so I was very mean to her” [Picture on page 43] A parent’s remarriage often ignites feelings of anger, insecurity, and jealousy [Picture on page 46] Discipline from a stepparent is often resented

Scriptures for Christian Living (scl) 2023

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl

Maturity Why should every Christian seek to become spiritually mature? 1Co 14:20; 1Ti 4:15 How can Scriptural knowledge help us grow to maturity? Php 1:9-11; 2Ti 2:15; 3:16, 17; Heb 5:11-14; 6:1 Is maturity limited to those who are advanced in years? Job 32:9; 1Ti 4:12 Relevant Bible account(s): Da 1:6-20​—Daniel and his three companions, though youthful, show remarkable maturity and integrity Ac 16:1-5​—Timothy, while still perhaps 20 years old or younger, is entrusted with a weighty assignment What effect can good association in the congregation have on us? Eph 4:11-14; Heb 10:24, 25 What indicates that we have a mature outlook on life? 1Co 2:14, 15; 3:1-3; Php 3:14, 15 Why should a mature Christian man consider taking on more responsibility in the congregation? Ac 14:23; Tit 1:5-9 What is the only way we can become mature and effective in our preaching and teaching? Lu 21:14, 15; 1Co 2:6, 10-13 See also Lu 11:13 Relevant Bible account(s): Mt 10:19, 20​—Jesus assures his followers that holy spirit will help them to know how to give a witness when on trial

Scriptures for Christian Living (scl) 2023

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl

Obedience How important is obedience? Ex 19:5; De 10:12, 13; Ec 12:13; Jas 1:22 Relevant Bible account(s): 1Sa 15:17-23​—The prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul for disobeying Jehovah; then Samuel stresses the importance of obedience Heb 5:7-10​—Although Jesus has always been a perfect Son of God, he learned to be obedient when being treated badly while on earth What should a Christian do if a human authority asks him to disobey God? Ac 5:29 Relevant Bible account(s): Da 3:13-18​—Even at the risk of their life, three loyal Hebrews refuse to bow down to an image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar Mt 22:15-22​—Jesus explains that his followers obey the secular authorities unless such authorities ask them to disobey Jehovah God Ac 4:18-31​—Even when ordered by the authorities to stop, the apostles boldly continue to preach What must we do if we are to obey Jehovah’s commandments consistently? De 6:1-5; Ps 112:1; 1Jo 5:2, 3 See also Ps 119:11, 112; Ro 6:17 Relevant Bible account(s): Ezr 7:7-10​—The faithful priest Ezra prepares his heart so that he can take the lead in obeying God’s Law and in teaching it to others Joh 14:31​—Jesus reveals why he does just as his Father commands him to do What should motivate us to obey Jehovah and Jesus? Joh 14:21; 1Jo 2:5; 2Jo 6 How does our obedience demonstrate our faith? Ro 1:5; 10:16, 17; Jas 2:20-23 See also De 9:23 Relevant Bible account(s): Ge 6:9-22; Heb 11:7​—Noah shows his faith by building an ark exactly as Jehovah commands, doing “just so” Heb 11:8, 9, 17​—Abraham demonstrates his faith by obeying Jehovah’s commands not only to leave Ur but also to offer up his own son How does Jehovah bless obedience? Jer 7:23; Mt 7:21; 1Jo 3:22 Relevant Bible account(s): Le 26:3-6​—Jehovah promises to bless and care for those who obey him Nu 13:30, 31; 14:22-24​—Caleb shows an obedient spirit, and he receives Jehovah’s blessing as a result To what does disobedience lead? Ro 5:19; 2Th 1:8, 9 Relevant Bible account(s): Ge 2:16, 17; 3:17-19​—Because they disobey Jehovah God, Adam and Eve lose out on Paradise, perfection, and everlasting life De 18:18, 19; Ac 3:12, 18, 22, 23​—Jehovah foretells the coming of the Prophet greater than Moses and reveals that disobeying that one will bring dire consequences Jude 6, 7​—The rebellious angels and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah incite Jehovah to anger because of their disobedience Why should we obey Jesus Christ? Ge 49:10; Mt 28:18 Relevant Bible account(s): Joh 12:46-48; 14:24​—Jesus explains that failure to obey his words leads to adverse judgment Why do Christians obey overseers in the congregation? Heb 13:17 Why should a Christian wife be in subjection to her husband? 1Co 11:3; Eph 5:22, 24; Col 3:18; Tit 2:4, 5; 1Pe 3:1-6 Why are children obedient to their parents? Pr 23:22; Eph 6:1; Col 3:20 Relevant Bible account(s): Ge 37:3, 4, 8, 11-13, 18​—Young Joseph obeys his father and travels to see his brothers even though they hate him Lu 2:51​—Jesus remains in subjection to Joseph and Mary even though he is perfect and his human parents are not Why is it wise to obey a secular employer even when we are not being watched by others? Eph 6:5; Col 3:22; 1Pe 2:18 Why are Christians obedient to governments? Ro 13:1-6; Tit 3:1; 1Pe 2:13, 14

United in Worship (uw) 1983

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/uw

Chapter 2 Magnify Jehovah as the True God 1. (a) Who is the true God? (b) As we learn about him, how should our own lives be affected? TO FELLOW Christians the apostle Paul wrote that, even though there are many who are called gods, “there is actually to us one God the Father . . . and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 8:5, 6) The “one God” to whom Paul referred is Jehovah, the Creator of all things. (Deut. 6:4; Rev. 4:11) Appreciative persons who learn of his qualities and the things that he has done for humankind find themselves irresistibly drawn to him. With what result? It is only natural for them to magnify the One that they so deeply admire, doing so by both words and deeds. As their love for God grows, they feel impelled to tell others about him, and to the extent possible for them as humans they want to imitate him. The Bible encourages all of us to do that, saying: “Become imitators of God, as beloved children, and go on walking in love.” (Eph. 5:1, 2) To apply that counsel, we need to get to know Jehovah as he truly is. The Kind of Person Jehovah Is 2. What are some of God’s outstanding qualities that move us to praise him? 2 Throughout the Bible are found numerous direct statements identifying the outstanding qualities of God. When you read these, take time to think about what the qualities really are and how important they are to you. For example: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) “All his ways are justice.” (Deut. 32:4) ‘With him there is wisdom.’ (Job 12:13) He is “vigorous in power.” (Isa. 40:26) As you reflect on these attributes, are you not moved, out of admiration for God, to praise him? 3. What other aspects of Jehovah’s personality are very appealing? 3 Further acquainting us with his appealing personality, the Bible tells us that Jehovah is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” (Ex. 34:6) “You, O Jehovah, are good and ready to forgive.” (Ps. 86:5) “As regards Jehovah, his eyes are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.” (2 Chron. 16:9) “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34, 35) Jehovah “gives generously” and is “the happy God.” (Jas. 1:5; 1 Tim. 1:11) How refreshing it is to serve this incomparable God and to experience his loving care! 4. (a) What kind of devotion does Jehovah require, and how important is it? (b) In what does Psalm 34:3 invite us to share? 4 Consistent with his attributes is the fact that he is “a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Ex. 20:5) To serve him acceptably we must give him our full devotion. We cannot also love the world of which Satan is god. (1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 4:3, 4) Jehovah sees through any mere pretense of righteousness. He knows full well not only what we do but also how we feel about it and what kind of persons we are trying to be. If we truly love righteousness, he helps us. (Jer. 17:10; Prov. 15:9) Because of the kind of person Jehovah is, millions of people earth wide have gladly accepted the invitation of the Bible psalmist who wrote: “O magnify Jehovah with me, you people, and let us exalt his name together.” (Ps. 34:3) Are you one of them? 5. What will help us to benefit fully from our study of Jehovah’s personality? 5 Your desire to talk about God will deepen, and you will be greatly assisted in your efforts to imitate him if you examine closely his lofty qualities. Find out (1) exactly what each quality is, perhaps what makes it different from other qualities, (2) how Jehovah has demonstrated it and toward whom, also (3) how you can manifest it or how it should affect your viewpoint. 6. Using love as an example, show how you might examine Jehovah’s qualities. Do this by answering the questions at the end of this paragraph, including scriptures in your answers. 6 Consider here just one example. When the Bible says, “God is love,” what does it mean? (1 John 4:8) There are, of course, a number of kinds of love. The Greek word used in this text is a·gaʹpe, which refers to the highest form of love, as exemplified in Jehovah God himself. Such love is an expression of complete unselfishness. With that in mind, frame your own answers to the questions below, using the scriptures cited. How is this quality demonstrated in Jehovah’s works of creation? (Acts 14:16, 17) What is the most outstanding example of Jehovah’s love for humankind? (John 3:16) Was it because of man’s goodness that Jehovah did this? (Rom. 5:8) How should what Jehovah did by means of his Son influence the way we use our lives? (2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 18, 19) In what ways may we as Christians show that we have the same kind of love for fellow Christians? (1 Cor. 13:4-7; 1 John 4:10, 11; 3:16-18) Toward whom else should we show love, and how? (Matt. 5:43-48; 28:19, 20; Gal. 6:10) 7. In your personal study, how can you find similar material about Jehovah’s other qualities? 7 Would you like also to explore some of Jehovah’s other qualities? For a start, in personal study why not try “justice” and “wisdom,” then perhaps “loving-kindness” and “mercy.” With the use of indexes to Watch Tower publications and a Bible concordance, you will find a wealth of enlightening material. Help Others to Learn the Truth About God 8. (a) What gods do people of the world worship? (b) Who is behind all this confusion, and why do you say so? 8 In opposition to the worship of the true God, literally millions of other gods are worshiped by humans. In the fourth century, Christendom adopted belief in a “Trinity,” taught by Babylonians, Egyptians, Hindus and Buddhists before then. In addition to this concept of God, there are powerful rulers, outstanding athletes and singers who have been idolized like gods. Money, self and sex have also become gods to which fervent devotion is given. Who is behind it all? “The god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil. (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Cor. 10:20) By every conceivable, crafty means he tries to turn people away from Jehovah, or at least to divide their devotion. 9. What is the best way to help anyone learn the truth about God? 9 How can we assist such persons, whether professed Christians or others, to know the truth about God? One of the finest ways is to show them in a helpful manner what the Bible itself says about the identity of the true God and the kind of person he is. Then we need to back this up by conduct that reflects godly qualities in our own lives.​—1 Pet. 2:12. 10. When talking to a Trinitarian, why is it not wise to assume that we know exactly what he believes? 10 But what if some who are members of Christendom’s churches contend with you, claiming that their belief in the “Trinity” is Scriptural? First of all, realize that, although there are official statements of the “Trinity” doctrine, many persons have their own ideas. Invite them to express themselves, and then help them to compare their beliefs with what is in their own Bible. In time, also encourage them to compare official church teaching with God’s Word. 11. Taking just one of the five main points at a time, use the questions and scriptures listed with this paragraph to reason on the unscripturalness of the “Trinity” doctrine. 11 Having in mind the desire to help sincere persons, consider how you might use the texts noted below to reason on the points with which these scriptures are shown: (1) Some Trinitarians emphasize the idea that there are three divine Persons (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) but just one God. But does Acts 2:4, 17 indicate that the “Holy Ghost,” or “holy spirit,” is a person? Why is it helpful to note how many persons are referred to in each of the following scriptures? (John 17:20-22; Acts 7:56; Rev. 7:10) (2) Some believe that all members of the “Trinity” are of equal glory, that none is greater or less than another, that they are coequal as well as coeternal. Do the Scriptures agree? (For the answer, see John 14:28; Matthew 24:36; Revelation 3:14.) (3) Some people point to John 1:1 as proof of the “Trinity.” They argue that the Greek text here has no indefinite article (“a”) and that the scripture must therefore read: “the Word was God,” instead of “a god.” But how many persons are spoken of in John 1:1? Three? Or two? How does John 1:18 also conflict with the “Trinity” doctrine? It is true that Greek has no indefinite article, but many languages do, and it is used in those languages in order to express thoughts correctly. If someone feels that it is wrong to use the indefinite article when translating John 1:1, would he also want it left out at Acts 28:6 according to the King James Version and others? (Another way of rendering John 1:1, as shown in An American Translation, is “the Word was divine,” that is, he had the same divine qualities that God has.) (4) Trinitarians also argue that at Genesis 1:1, 26 the Hebrew word translated “God” is El·o·himʹ and that this is the plural in Hebrew and actually means “Gods.” Why does that not support the teaching of three divine Persons in “one God”? If it indicates a “Trinity” at Genesis 1:1, what does it indicate at Judges 16:23, which uses el·o·himʹ for “god,” with the Hebrew verb in the singular number, not the plural? Why is the plural form of God used in these texts in Hebrew? This is one way that Hebrew conveys the idea of excellence or majesty. If more than one person were meant, accompanying verbs would also be plural, but in the above instances they are not. (5) Because of the emphasis that the churches have put on Jesus (along with the fact that the name Jehovah has been removed from many Bible translations), some persons think only of Jesus when God is mentioned. But what example in worship did Jesus provide for us to imitate? (Luke 4:8) 12. Why did Jesus fittingly address his Father as “the only true God”? 12 Although Jesus is spoken of in the Scriptures as “a god,” even “Mighty God,” yet he magnified his Father, referring to him as “my God and your God.” (John 1:1; 20:17; Isa. 9:6) He agreed with Moses, who had earlier stated: “Jehovah is the true God; there is no other besides him.” (Deut. 4:35) Jehovah stands in utter contrast to such objects of worship as idols, deified humans and Satan the Devil. In contrast to all such, Jehovah is, as Jesus called him, “the only true God.”​—John 17:3. “Walk in the Name of Jehovah” 13, 14. What is involved in “knowing” and ‘walking in’ Jehovah’s name? 13 After years of confusion as to the identity of God, many persons find it thrilling when first they see God’s personal name, Jehovah, in their Bible. (Ex. 6:3) But they will be lastingly benefited by this knowledge only if they ‘walk in the name of Jehovah forever.’ (Mic. 4:5) This involves much more than simply knowing the name Jehovah or claiming that they are Jehovah’s Witnesses. 14 Regarding the significance of God’s name, Psalm 9:10 states: “Those knowing your name will trust in you, . . . O Jehovah.” What does that involve? It involves more than just knowing the name Jehovah, which does not automatically mean trusting in Jehovah. “Knowing” God’s name here means appreciating the kind of God that Jehovah is, respecting his authority, obeying his commands. Similarly, ‘walking in the name of Jehovah’ implies being dedicated to him and representing him as one of his worshipers, truly using one’s life in harmony with God’s will. (Luke 10:27) Are you doing that? 15. What, besides a sense of duty, is needed if we are going to serve Jehovah forever? 15 If we are going to serve Jehovah eternally, more than a sense of duty must impel us. The apostle Paul urged Timothy, who had already been serving Jehovah for many years: “Be training yourself with godly devotion as your aim.” (1 Tim. 4:7) Devotion comes from the heart; it is stirred by appreciation for the person to whom it is directed. “Godly devotion” is profound respect for Jehovah personally. It manifests loving attachment to him because of appreciation for him and his ways. It causes us to want everyone to hold his name in high esteem. We must cultivate “godly devotion” as the goal or aim in our lives if we are going to walk in the name of Jehovah, the true God, forever.​—Ps. 37:4; 2 Pet. 3:11. Review Discussion ● What kind of person is Jehovah? How are we benefited by getting a clear understanding of each of his qualities? ● How can we help other people to learn the truth about God? ● What is involved in “knowing” Jehovah and ‘walking in his name’?

The Water Crisis—What Is Being Done?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009002

The Water Crisis​—What Is Being Done? The water crisis is global. It poses health risks to billions of earth’s inhabitants. What steps have been taken to bring water supply and water use back into balance? SOUTH AFRICA: “Durban’s Poor Get Water Services Long Denied,” announces a headline in Science magazine. The article reports that poor people living there have not had an adequate supply of water for decades as a result of the now-defunct apartheid policy of previous governments. In 1994, the article says, “a quarter of a million households in the Durban area had no access to clean water or sanitation.” To remedy the situation, in 1996 an engineer instituted a program that would supply some 50 gallons [200 L] of water daily to each household. The result? “All but 120,000 of Durban’s 3.5 million residents have access to clean water,” Science reports. Now, at the very least, water is just a short walk away​—a vast improvement over bygone days when many had to carry water for over half a mile [1 km]. Science magazine explains that to address the sanitation issue, “old ‘pit toilet’ outhouses” are being replaced with “urine-diversion (UD) double-pit toilets, which separate urine from feces to allow the latter to dry and decompose faster.” By early 2008 some 60,000 UD toilets had been installed, although it was projected at that time that it would be another two years before all homes would be equipped with a proper toilet. Brazil: In the city of Salvador, hundreds of children were suffering diarrheal diseases because of the lack of a sewage system and toilets.a To correct the situation, the city laid 1,200 miles [2,000 km] of sewer pipes for more than 300,000 homes. The result? The diarrhea rate fell by 22 percent citywide and by 43 percent in areas that previously had a higher prevalence. India: In some parts of the world, there is a seasonal excess of good water; but it is not always captured so that it can be put to good use. However, in 1985 a group of Indian women in the district of Dholera, in the northwest state of Gujarat, came up with an ingenious method for saving water. They organized a group to build a retaining pond, which, when completed, was the size of a football field. They then lined the pond with heavy plastic to avoid leakage. Their initiative was successful. In fact, months after the next monsoon season ended, they still had water​—despite the fact that they had “welcomed their neighbors to drink.” Chile: This South American country stretches for 2,650 miles [4,265 km], hugging the Pacific Coast to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east. The State controls all water rights and authorizes the building of dams and canals. The result? Now 99 percent of city dwellers and 94 percent of those who live in the country receive adequate water. The Ultimate Solution Each country seems to have its own method of dealing with the water crisis. In some lands where favorable winds regularly blow, windmills raise water to the surface and also serve to generate electricity. In wealthier nations, desalinization of seawater is also viewed as a viable solution. In many places huge dams retain river water and rainwater​—a measure that has proved somewhat effective, even though reservoirs in arid areas may lose about 10 percent of their water through evaporation. Jehovah’s Witnesses, the publishers of this magazine, believe that the ultimate solution to the water crisis rests in God’s hands, not man’s. The Bible states: “To Jehovah [God] belong the earth and that which fills it, the productive land and those dwelling in it. For upon the seas he himself has solidly fixed it, and upon the rivers he keeps it firmly established.”​—Psalm 24:1, 2. True, God gave humans the responsibility of taking care of this planet. (Genesis 1:28) However, man’s mismanagement of earth’s resources​—along with the devastating consequences that have ensued—​provides further evidence that “it does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”​—Jeremiah 10:23. What will Jehovah do to restore the elements of our earth to a perfect balance? The Bible assures us that he purposes to ‘make all things new.’ (Revelation 21:5) Imagine a world with no poverty, no droughts, and no water shortages. Imagine a world without monsoon flooding, which today sweeps away thousands of lives each year. Under the rule of his Kingdom, God will fulfill his many promises! Jehovah himself has stated: “So my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted, and it will have certain success in that for which I have sent it.”​—Isaiah 55:11. Would you like to learn more about God’s purpose to restore our earth, as outlined in his Word, the Bible? The following article will explain how you can do so. [Footnote] a Each year across the globe, some 1.6 million children die from diarrheal diseases. That is more than the number of fatalities from AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. [Blurb on page 5] “Where there is no water, there is no life. . . . We live by the grace of water.”​—Michael Parfit, writer for National Geographic [Blurb on page 6] To produce one ton of grain requires 1,000 tons [1,000 cubic meters] of water [Blurb on page 6] “70 percent of world water use is devoted to irrigation.”​—Plan B 2.0, by Lester R. Brown [Graphs/​Pictures on page 7] (For fully formatted text, see publication) How much freshwater is available? Total water 97.5% Salt water 2.5% Freshwater Freshwater 99% Locked up in glaciers and icebergs or underground 1% Available to nearly seven billion humans and countless billions of other life forms [Picture on page 7] Installing pipes for access to clean water, Durban, South Africa [Credit Line] Courtesy eThekwini Water and Sanitation Programme [Picture on page 7] Women working on a rainwater harvesting project, Rajasthan, India, 2007 [Credit Line] © Robert Wallis/​Panos Pictures [Picture on page 7] Local people working on a new water system for their village near Copán, Honduras [Credit Line] © Sean Sprague/​SpraguePhoto.com

Are You Plagued with Piles?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101975006

Are You Plagued with Piles? ACCORDING to historians, piles (or hemorrhoids, as the doctors call them) have changed the course of history. Thus Rudolph Marx tells that Napoleon failed to exploit a gap in the flank of Wellington’s army because of his being groggy owing to a lack of sleep as well as opiate medication taken to ease the pain caused by his hemorrhoids. Piles are swellings or dilatations of the veins in the anus; actually varicose veins at the lower end of the large bowel or rectum. Basically, there are two kinds​—internal and external piles. When complications arise, they may be quite painful and perhaps may rupture, causing bleeding. According to some authorities, one third, if not more, of all adults have piles in one form or another. In many cases, however, the situation is not such that the person is aware of having them. The affliction of piles goes back as far as written history. Ancient records of both Egypt and Babylon show that doctors were familiar with this malady, and in particular does the Bible tell about them.​—Deut. 28:15, 27; 1 Sam. 5:6-12. Causes As to the causes of piles​—it has long been stressed that among the main causes of piles are sedentary occupations and poor bowel habits. But today we are told that piles are found among heavy laborers, military personnel and many others whose work is not sedentary. Among the factors charged by some with bringing on piles are excess use of spices, vinegar and coffee. A most likely basic cause is a hereditary weakness that makes one a good candidate for piles. It is believed that constipation and straining when having bowel movements are to blame in a large measure for the prevalence of piles. But, conversely, an acute case of diarrhea can bring on an attack of complicated hemorrhoids. Inability to relax the muscles in the anus may also bring them on, and this, in turn, may well be caused by modern man’s improper eating habits. Additionally, piles are one of the common complications of pregnancy, due apparently to increased intra-abdominal pressure brought on by the enlarged uterus. Thus an article in the American Heart Journal, April 1973, showed the relationship between deep vein thrombosis or clotting, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It put forward this hypothesis: “A high residue diet promotes rapid transit of intestinal output with the passage of large unformed stools. In contrast, the low residue diet . . . of modern western civilization results in prolonged intestinal transit times with the passage of small, firm, formed stools. In the latter situation not only are [certain] pressures in the colon greatly raised, with resultant appendicitis and [bowel] disease, but the intra-abdominal pressures are also greatly raised during straining at constipated stools.” The article concludes by noting that “if this hypothesis proves correct even in part,” hemorrhoids and related ills “in the western world could be greatly reduced by a return to a higher residue diet.” Making similar observations is an article that appeared in the New Zealand Medical Journal, November 1972. It called attention to a noted surgeon’s view that “the low residue diet of western society is the major factor in the high incidence of haemorrhoids . . . in our communities [as] compared with that obtaining in the native populations of Africa and India.” No wonder that hemorrhoids have been called “a disease of civilization.” Preventing and Curing Piles To avoid having piles, the recommendation is to exercise if yours is a sedentary occupation and to be sure to eat plenty of food that has high residues. Foods that do not have high residues are those largely made with white flour, also white or polished rice, spaghetti and chocolate. Eat sparingly of these foods but plenty of those having high residues, such as bran muffins, whole wheat bread and whole grain cereals. Also, eat plenty of leafy and other vegetables, especially celery and cabbage. Eat baked potatoes with the “jackets,” and fruits with their peelings​—apples, peaches and suchlike fruits. Hypocrates, the noted Greek physician of the fifth century B.C.E., as well as the twelfth-century Jewish scholar and philosopher Maimonides, gave some practical advice regarding the treatment of piles, much in line with what is here noted. If you already have piles, what can you do about them? Just returning to a natural diet as noted above may relieve you of the problem if it is not severe or complicated. But you may need more definitive treatment. What is known in the medical profession as “ligature and excision” is the most common surgical treatment, although only about 10 percent of those afflicted need such surgery. Some types of uncomplicated internal hemorrhoids are successfully treated by one of several injection techniques. Still another procedure employs the use of elastic bands, which are placed so as simply to strangulate the mass of involved venous tissue. Such methods of treatment are done as office procedures under local anesthesia and without much postoperative disability for the patient. A more recent innovation is the “freezing” method, also known as cryosurgery. Surgeons employing this method use “Kryostik” in destroying hemorrhoidal tissue by freezing. It is a relatively painless and nondisabling procedure. Some authorities stress the importance of dilatation (stretching the opening of the anus) as a means of avoiding a narrowing of the anal opening. This may be part of the surgical procedure itself or it may be advised as postoperative management to be carried out by the patient at home. So there are a number of ways in which piles can be dealt with. However, as is obvious, the type of treatment may be determined to a large extent by the type of the problem and the presence of complications such as blood clotting, fissures or fistula. But let it be noted that in the case of piles as in the case of so many other afflictions that plague mankind the rule applies that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Learn to relax the muscles of the anus, get more exercise if you are a sedentary worker and, above all, watch your diet and eat the foods that will help you to keep “regular” and avoid constipation.

Do Animals Go to Heaven?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502019179

Do Animals Go to Heaven? The Bible’s answer The Bible teaches that out of all the creatures on earth, only a limited number of humans will go to heaven. (Revelation 14:1, 3) They go there to rule as kings and priests with Jesus. (Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 5:9, 10) The vast majority of humans will be resurrected to life on a paradise earth.—Psalm 37:11, 29. There is no mention in the Bible of a pet heaven or dog heaven—and for good reason. Animals cannot take the steps needed to qualify for “the heavenly calling.” (Hebrews 3:1) These steps include taking in knowledge, exercising faith, and obeying God’s commands. (Matthew 19:17; John 3:16; 17:3) Only humans were created with the prospect of living forever.—Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:22, 23. To go to heaven, earthly creatures must be resurrected. (1 Corinthians 15:42) The Bible mentions a number of resurrections. (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:32-37; 13:20, 21; Luke 7:11-15; 8:41, 42, 49-56; John 11:38-44; Acts 9:36-42; 20:7-12) However, every one of them involved humans, not animals. Do animals have souls? Can souls die? Do animals sin? Is animal cruelty acceptable? Do animals have souls? No. The Bible says that both animals and humans are souls. (Numbers 31:28) When the first man, Adam, was created, he was not given a soul but “became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7, footnote) A soul is composed of two things: the “dust from the ground” and “the breath of life.” Can souls die? Yes, the Bible teaches that souls can die. (Leviticus 21:11, footnote; Ezekiel 18:20) At death, animals and humans return to the dust of the earth. (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20) In other words, they cease to exist.a Do animals sin? No. To sin means to think, feel, or do something that violates God’s standards. In order to sin, a creature must be able to make moral decisions, but animals lack this ability. They usually act according to instinct during their limited life span. (2 Peter 2:12) At the end of their life span, they die, even though they do not sin. Is animal cruelty acceptable? No. God gave humans authority over the animals but not the right to mistreat them. (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:6-8) God cares about the welfare of each animal—including small birds. (Jonah 4:11; Matthew 10:29) He commanded his worshippers to treat animals considerately.—Exodus 23:12; Deuteronomy 25:4; Proverbs 12:10. Bible verses about animals Genesis 1:28: “God blessed [the first humans], and God said to them: ‘Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it, and have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and every living creature that is moving on the earth.’” Meaning: God gave humans authority over the animals. Numbers 31:28: “As a tax . . . , you should take from the soldiers who went out into the battle one soul out of every 500, of the people, the herd, the donkeys, and the flock.” Meaning: Both animals and humans are souls. Proverbs 12:10: “The righteous one takes care of his domestic animals.” Meaning: Good people care properly for animals, including their pets. Matthew 10:29: “Two sparrows sell for a coin of small value, do they not? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.” Meaning: God notices and cares about animals—even small birds. a For more information, see chapter 6 of the book What Can the Bible Teach Us?

Corrupt Politicians—What God’s Kingdom Will Do

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100085

Comstock Images/Stockbyte via Getty Images Corrupt Politicians—What God’s Kingdom Will Do People want government leaders they can trust; they are tired of corrupt politicians. A global survey published in 2023 ranked government leaders as the group that people trusted the least.a The Bible describes a government whose Leader is completely trustworthy and honest, free from corruption. That government is God’s Kingdom and its Leader is Jesus Christ.—Isaiah 9:7. Jesus has a proven track record of sincere concern for people. (Matthew 9:35, 36) As King of God’s Kingdom, he will deliver justice and peace to all those who accept his leadership.—Psalm 72:12-14. What is God’s Kingdom? During September 2023, Jehovah’s Witnesses participated in a global campaign to let people know what the Bible says about this important topic. We invite you to read an issue of the Watchtower magazine eninputd “What Is God’s Kingdom?” Discover answers to questions such as: Who Is the King of God’s Kingdom? When Will God’s Kingdom Rule the Earth? What Will God’s Kingdom Accomplish? a 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report.

Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2) 2008

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2

CHAPTER 13 How Can I Do Better at School? IMAGINE that you’re trapped in a dense, dark jungle. Virtually all sunlight is blocked by the lush canopy overhead. Surrounded by thick vegetation, you can barely move. To escape, you must cut your way through with a machete. Some would say that the experience of school is similar to the scene described above. After all, you’re trapped all day in the classroom and hemmed in at night by hours of homework. Is that how you feel? On the line below, write down which school subject you find most challenging. ․․․․․ Perhaps your parents and teachers have urged you to put forth more effort in this subject. If so, they’re not trying to make your life difficult! They just want you to reach your full potential. So, what can you do if the pressure to measure up makes you want to give up? With the proper tools, you can clear a path through the jungle. What are these tools? ● Tool 1: A healthy attitude toward learning. It’s hard to be motivated to do well in school if you have a negative view of learning. So try to see the big picture. The Christian apostle Paul wrote: “The man who plows ought to plow in hope and the man who threshes ought to do so in hope of being a partaker.”​—1 Corinthians 9:10. Seeing the value of “plowing” through certain subjects may not be easy. Why? Because not everything in your curriculum may seem relevant​—at least not now. Still, an education in a variety of subjects will enrich your understanding of the world around you. It will help you to “become all things to people of all sorts,” giving you the ability to talk to people of various backgrounds. (1 Corinthians 9:22) At the very least, you will improve your thinking ability​—a skill that will surely help you in the long run. ● Tool 2: A positive view of your abilities. School can reveal your hidden talents. Paul wrote to Timothy: “Stir up like a fire the gift of God which is in you.” (2 Timothy 1:6) Evidently, Timothy had been appointed to some special service in the Christian congregation. But his God-given ability​—his “gift”—​needed to be cultivated so that it would not lie dormant or go to waste. Of course, your scholastic abilities are not directly bestowed upon you by God. Nevertheless, the talents you have are unique to you. School can help you to discover and nurture abilities that you never knew you had. Don’t set yourself up for disaster by thinking that you’re simply not capable of improving. When beset with negative thoughts about your abilities, replace them with positive thoughts. For example, when people, perhaps unjustifiably, criticized Paul’s speaking ability, he replied: “Even if I am unskilled in speech, I certainly am not in knowledge.” (2 Corinthians 10:10; 11:6) Paul was aware of his weaknesses. But he also knew his strengths. What about you? What are your strengths? If you cannot think of them, why not ask a supportive adult? Such a friend can help you to identify your strengths and to make the most of them. ● Tool 3: Good study habits. There’s no shortcut to success at school. Sooner or later, you have to study. Granted, that very word might have an unpleasant ring to it. However, study is beneficial. In fact, with a little effort, you may find it enjoyable. To cultivate good study habits, though, you will need to organize your time. Remember​—while you’re in school, study should be a priority. True, the Bible says that there’s “a time to laugh” and “a time to skip about.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4; 11:9) So, like most youths, you probably want to leave some time for recreation.a But Ecclesiastes 11:4 warns: “He that is watching the wind will not sow seed; and he that is looking at the clouds will not reap.” The lesson? Study first, play second. Don’t worry​—you can find time for both! Help for Your Homework What, though, if you’re simply swamped with homework? Perhaps you feel as did 17-year-old Sandrine, who said: “I spend from two to three hours a night on my homework, plus the weekends.” How can you cope with the onslaught? Try the suggestions on page 119. Clearing the Path Regarding matters pertaining to spiritual progress, Paul wrote to Timothy: “Give your whole attention, all your energies, to these things, so that your progress is plain for all to see.” (1 Timothy 4:15, Phillips) Similarly, with diligent effort, your academic progress will be evident. Think of the illustration presented at the outset of this chapter. Trapped in a dense jungle, you would need the proper tool​—a machete—​to clear a path. The same is true with school. Rather than feel overwhelmed by the demands of your parents and teachers, use the three tools that have been discussed in this chapter to make a success of school. As your performance improves, you’ll be glad you did! READ MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN VOLUME 1, CHAPTER 18 IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERAs if you didn’t have enough problems at school, now you’re being harassed. What can you do about it? [Footnote] a For more information on recreation, see Section 8 of this book. KEY SCRIPTURE “He that is watching the wind will not sow seed; and he that is looking at the clouds will not reap.”​—Ecclesiastes 11:4. TIP When studying, first survey the material, getting an overview of it. Next, make up questions based on main headings. Then read the material, looking for the answers. Finally, see if you can recall what you’ve read. DID YOU KNOW . . . ? Cheating can lead to loss of trust as well as stunted academic growth. Above all, it harms your relationship with God.​—Proverbs 11:1. ACTION PLAN! On my next report card, I would like ․․․․․ to be my grade in the following subject: ․․․․․ I will strive to improve in that subject by doing the following: ․․․․․ What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․ WHAT DO YOU THINK? ● Why should you apply yourself to your studies at school? ● What kind of study/​homework schedule will work for you? ● In your home, where is the best place for you to do your homework and to study? ● How can you keep hobbies and recreation from interfering with your grades? [Blurb on page 117] “I see it in other youths my age. The study habits they had in school carried over to their personal study habits in spiritual matters. Those who didn’t learn to like studying in school weren’t that interested in personal Bible study either.”​—Sylvie [Box/​Picture on page 119] Find a study area. It should be free of distractions. Use a desk if possible. Don’t have the TV on. Set priorities. Since your schooling is important, resolve that you won’t turn on the TV until your homework is done. Don’t procrastinate. Have a definite schedule for your homework, and stick to it. Have a plan. Decide which project you should tackle first, which one second, and so forth. List these on paper, and give each one a time limit. Cross off each assignment as you complete it. Take breaks. If you find yourself losing focus, stop for a brief rest. But get back to your homework as soon as possible. Have confidence in yourself. Remember, the difference between a good student and a poor one usually has more to do with diligence than intelligence. You can make a success of school. Put forth the effort, and you will reap the rewards. [Picture on page 116] Getting through school can be like cutting your way through a dense jungle​—but both are possible with the right tools

KEEP ON THE WATCH! Artificial Intelligence—A Blessing or a Curse?—What Does the Bible Say?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100073

mustafahacalaki/DigitalVision Vectors via Getty Images KEEP ON THE WATCH! Artificial Intelligence—A Blessing or a Curse?—What Does the Bible Say? Recently, world leaders, scientists, and technologists have commented on the power of artificial intelligence (AI). While acknowledging its value, they have also expressed concern over its potential misuse. “AI is one of today’s most powerful technologies, with the potential to improve people’s lives . . . At the same time, AI has the potential to dramatically increase threats to safety and security, infringe civil rights and privacy, and erode public trust and faith in democracy.”—Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States, May 4, 2023. “While artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising solutions in healthcare, it also poses a number of threats to human health and well-being,” wrote an international group of doctors and health-care experts led by Dr. Frederik Federspiel, in an article published on May 9, 2023, in BMJ Global Health.a “AI can already be a tool for misinformation. Soon, it could be a risk to jobs. Somewhere down the line, tech’s biggest worriers say, it could be a risk to humanity.”—The New York Times, May 1, 2023. Time will tell to what extent AI will be used for good or for bad. What does the Bible say? Why human efforts create uncertainty The Bible shows why humans cannot guarantee that their technological advances will result in being used only for good. 1. Even when people have good intentions, they may not foresee the negative effects of their actions. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”—Proverbs 14:12. 2. A person has no control over how others will use—or misuse—his work. “I must leave [my work] behind for the man coming after me.  And who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take control over all the things I spent great effort and wisdom to acquire under the sun.”—Ecclesiastes 2:18, 19. Such uncertainty highlights why we need guidance from our Creator. Where we can put our confidence Our Creator promises that he will never allow humans or any technology that humans create to destroy the earth or mankind. “The earth remains forever.”—Ecclesiastes 1:4. “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”—Psalm 37:29. Through the Bible, our Creator gives us guidance that will lead to a peaceful and secure future. To learn more about what the Bible says, read the articles “Is There a Reliable Guide to a Secure Future?” and “A Real Hope for a Better Tomorrow.” a From the article “Threats by Artificial Intelligence to Human Health and Human Existence,” authored by Frederik Federspiel, Ruth Mitchell, Asha Asokan, Carlos Umana, and David McCoy.

Purple Triangles Guide (brfi) 2023

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/purple-triangles-guide-brfi

outputS Preface 3 Quotations 5 Bans 6 Underground 7 Children 8 Imprisonment 10 Executions 20 Death Marches 25 Survivors 27 Chronicle 30 The Cost of Resistance 32 © 1999, 2003, 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania Purple Triangles​—“Forgotten Victims” of the Nazi Regime English (brfi-E) May 2023 Printing

STUDY ARTICLE 2 “Be Transformed by Making Your Mind Over”

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2023241

STUDY ARTICLE 2 “Be Transformed by Making Your Mind Over” “Be transformed by making your mind over, so that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”​—ROM. 12:2. SONG 88 Make Me Know Your Ways PREVIEWa 1-2. What must we continue to do after baptism? Explain. HOW often do you clean your home? Perhaps before you first moved in, you scoured it thoroughly. But what if you neglected it afterward? As you know, dust and dirt can accumulate quickly. To keep your home presentable, you need to clean it regularly. 2 A similar ongoing effort is required when it comes to our thinking and our personality. Of course, before getting baptized we worked hard to make necessary changes in our life in order to “cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit.” (2 Cor. 7:1) Now, though, we need to follow the apostle Paul’s counsel to “continue to be made new.” (Eph. 4:23) Why is continual effort needed? Because the dust and dirt of this world can quickly accumulate in us. To avoid that outcome and to remain presentable to Jehovah, we must regularly examine our thinking, our personality, and our desires. KEEP “MAKING YOUR MIND OVER” 3. What does “making your mind over” mean? (Romans 12:2) 3 What do we need to do to make our mind over, that is, to change our way of thinking? (Read Romans 12:2.) The Greek expression translated “making your mind over” can be rendered “renovation of your mind.” Therefore, we cannot simply decorate our life with a few good works. Rather, we must examine the person we are deep inside and make any needed changes so that we can bring our life as close as possible to Jehovah’s standards. We should do this, not once, but continually. Do your decisions regarding education and career choices show that you give priority to Kingdom interests? (See paragraphs 4-5)c 4. How can we avoid having our thinking molded by this system of things? 4 When we reach perfection, we will always be able to please Jehovah in everything we do. In the meantime, we need to keep working hard toward that goal. Notice the connection Paul made between making our mind over and discerning God’s will, as recorded at Romans 12:2. Instead of passively allowing ourselves to be molded by this system of things, we must first examine ourselves to determine how much we are letting God’s thinking​—not the world’s—​influence our goals and decisions. 5. How can we examine our thinking about the nearness of the day of Jehovah? (See picture.) 5 Consider an example. Jehovah wants us to “keep close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah.” (2 Pet. 3:12) Ask yourself: ‘Does my way of life show that I understand how close we are to the end of this system of things? Do my decisions regarding education and employment show that serving Jehovah is the most important thing in my life? Do I have faith that Jehovah will provide for me and my family, or do I constantly worry about material things?’ Think how pleased Jehovah is when he sees us bringing our life into harmony with his will.​—Matt. 6:25-27, 33; Phil. 4:12, 13. 6. What do we need to continue to do? 6 We need to examine our thinking regularly and follow through by making any necessary adjustments. Paul told the Corinthians: “Keep testing whether you are in the faith; keep proving what you yourselves are.” (2 Cor. 13:5) Being “in the faith” includes more than attending Christian meetings and engaging in the ministry from time to time. It also involves our thinking, our inclinations, and our motives. So we need to keep making our mind over by reading God’s Word, learning to think as he thinks, and then doing whatever is necessary to bring ourselves in line with Jehovah’s will.​—1 Cor. 2:14-16. “PUT ON THE NEW PERSONALITY” 7. According to Ephesians 4:31, 32, what else do we need to do, and why might this be challenging? 7 Read Ephesians 4:31, 32. Besides making changes in our thinking, we need to “put on the new personality.” (Eph. 4:24) That involves action on our part. Among other things, we must work hard to overcome such personality traits as malicious bitterness, anger, and wrath. Why might that be challenging? Because some negative personality traits are deep-rooted. For example, the Bible says that some people are “prone to anger” and “disposed to rage.” (Prov. 29:22) Controlling ingrained traits will likely require continual effort even after baptism, as the following experience shows. 8-9. How does Stephen’s experience show the need to keep putting away the old personality? 8 A brother named Stephen had a problem with controlling his anger. “Even after I was baptized,” he says, “I had to keep working on my temper. For example, on one occasion while going from house to house in the Christian ministry, I chased after a thief who had just stolen the radio from my car. As I got closer to him, he dropped the radio and ran away. When I related to the others with me how I got my radio back, an elder in the group asked me, ‘Stephen, what would you have done if you had caught up with him?’ That question made me think and motivated me to keep working at being peaceable.”b 9 As Stephen’s experience illustrates, a negative personality trait can come to the surface unexpectedly, even after we thought we had it under control. If that happens to you, do not be discouraged and do not conclude that you have failed as a Christian. Even the apostle Paul admitted: “When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me.” (Rom. 7:21-23) All imperfect Christians have to deal with negative traits that keep coming back like dust and dirt that accumulate in our home. We need to keep working at remaining clean. How can we do that? 10. How can we fight undesirable traits? (1 John 5:14, 15) 10 Pray to Jehovah about the trait that you are struggling with, confident that he will hear you and help you. (Read 1 John 5:14, 15.) While Jehovah will not miraculously eliminate the trait, he can strengthen you so that you do not give in to it. (1 Pet. 5:10) Meanwhile, work in harmony with your prayers by not feeding inclinations of the old personality. For example, be cautious about watching movies, watching television programs, or reading stories that glorify personality traits that you are trying to eliminate. And do not let your mind dwell on improper desires.​—Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2. 11. What steps can we take to keep putting on the new personality? 11 Although you have put away the old personality, it is important to cultivate the new one. How can you do that? Make it a goal to imitate Jehovah as you learn about his qualities. (Eph. 5:1, 2) For example, when you read a Bible account that highlights Jehovah’s forgiveness, ask yourself, ‘Do I forgive others?’ When you read about Jehovah’s compassion for those who have fallen on hard times, ask yourself, ‘Do I have similar concern for fellow believers who are in need, and do I show it by my actions?’ Keep making your mind over by putting on the new personality, and be patient with yourself as you do so. 12. How did Stephen experience the transforming power of the Bible? 12 Stephen, mentioned earlier, found that he was gradually able to put on the new personality. He says: “Since baptism, I have faced a number of potentially explosive situations. I’ve learned either to walk away from people who are trying to provoke me or to defuse the situation in other ways. Many people, including my wife, have commended me on how I have handled these situations. I’ve even surprised myself! I do not take credit for these changes in my personality. Rather, I believe that they are testimony to the transforming power of the Bible.” KEEP BATTLING IMPROPER DESIRES 13. What will help us to cultivate proper desires? (Galatians 5:16) 13 Read Galatians 5:16. To help us win the fight to do what is right, Jehovah generously provides his holy spirit. When we study God’s Word, we are placing ourselves under the influence of that spirit. We also receive holy spirit when we attend our meetings. At those Christian gatherings, we can spend time with brothers and sisters who, like us, are trying hard to do what is right, and that is encouraging. (Heb. 10:24, 25; 13:7) And when we approach Jehovah in earnest prayer and beg him for help with some weakness, he will give us his holy spirit to strengthen us to keep fighting. While these activities will probably not make wrong desires disappear, they will help us resist the urge to act on those desires. As Galatians 5:16 says, those who walk by spirit “will carry out no fleshly desire.” 14. Why is it important to keep cultivating proper desires? 14 Once we have established a wholesome routine of spiritual activities, it is essential that we maintain that routine and keep cultivating proper desires. Why? Because one of our enemies never sleeps. That enemy is the temptation to do what is wrong. Even after baptism we might find ourselves attracted to the very things that we should avoid, including gambling, alcohol abuse, or pornography. (Eph. 5:3, 4) A young Christian brother admits: “One of the most difficult things I have struggled with is my attraction to the same sex. I thought that it was just a phase, but those feelings still plague me.” What can help you if an improper desire is especially strong? If an improper desire tempts you, your situation is not hopeless; others have contended with the same struggle and have overcome it (See paragraphs 15-16) 15. Why is it encouraging to know that improper desires are “common to men”? (See picture.) 15 As you contend with an improper desire that is proving to be a crafty opponent, remember that you are not alone. The Bible says: “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men.” (1 Cor. 10:13a) Another translation renders the passage this way: “No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings.” That statement was directed to male and female Christians living in Corinth. Some had formerly been adulterers, homosexuals, and drunkards. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) Do you think that after their baptism they never had any improper desires to contend with? That could not be the case. They were all anointed Christians, true, but they were still imperfect humans. No doubt they had to struggle with improper desires from time to time. That should be encouraging to us. Why? Because it shows that whatever improper desire you are battling, someone else has resisted it. Indeed, you can remain “firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers.”​—1 Pet. 5:9. 16. What pitfall should we avoid, and why? 16 Avoid the pitfall of thinking that no one else can understand the particular challenge that you are facing. Thinking that way could lead you to conclude that your situation is hopeless and that you are powerless to resist improper desires. The Bible says otherwise. It states: “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13b) Therefore, even when an improper desire is strong, we can successfully endure it. With Jehovah’s help, we can keep from acting on it. 17. Although we may not be able to keep improper desires from surfacing, what can we control? 17 Always remember this: As an imperfect human, you may not be able to keep improper desires from surfacing. But when they do, you can reject them decisively, as Joseph did when he quickly ran away from Potiphar’s wife. (Gen. 39:12) You do not need to act on improper desires! AN ONGOING EFFORT 18-19. What questions can we ask ourselves as we strive to make our mind over? 18 Making our mind over involves an ongoing effort to bring our thinking and actions in line with Jehovah’s will. To that end, examine yourself regularly and ask: ‘Do I act in a way that shows that I recognize the urgency of the times in which we live? Am I making progress in putting on the new personality? Am I allowing Jehovah’s spirit to direct my life so that I can resist the urge to act on fleshly desires?’ 19 As you examine yourself, look for progress, not perfection. If you see room for improvement, do not be discouraged. Instead, follow the admonition of Philippians 3:16: “To the extent we have made progress, let us go on walking orderly in this same course.” When you do, be assured that Jehovah will bless your efforts to keep making your mind over. WHAT STEPS CAN WE TAKE TO . . . make our mind over? put on the new personality? battle improper desires? SONG 36 We Guard Our Hearts a The apostle Paul urged fellow believers not to allow themselves to be molded by this system of things. That is certainly good advice for us today. We need to make sure that this world’s corrupting influence is not affecting us in some way. To that end, we must keep correcting our way of thinking whenever we realize that it is not in harmony with God’s will. In this article, we will consider how this can be done. b See the article “My Life Was Going From Bad to Worse” in the July 1, 2015, issue of The Watchtower. c PICTURE DESCRIPTION: A young brother is contemplating whether to pursue higher education or the full-time ministry.

‘The Best Book on the World’s Religions’

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009016

‘The Best Book on the World’s Religions’ ◼ A high-school teacher in Canada faced the challenge of instructing students in the beliefs of several different religions practiced in her area. After reading the book Mankind’s Search for God, she exclaimed: “This is the best book describing the world’s religions that I have ever read!” She was so impressed that she sought and received permission from the school board to use the book in class. The teacher offered to travel over 300 miles [500 km] to pick up 40 copies of the book from the Canada branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Witnesses in her area, however, were happy to deliver the books to her. A number of students in her class enjoyed the book so much that they asked to have their own copies. You too may find that this book will help you to understand the beliefs of people in your community. It explains the origins, history, and teachings of the major religions of the world​—including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. You may request the colorfully illustrated 384-page book Mankind’s Search for God by filling in the accompanying coupon and mailing it to the address provided or to an appropriate address on page 5 of this magazine. □ Without obligation, I request a copy of the book Mankind’s Search for God. □ Please contact me concerning a free home Bible study.

How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Divorce?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502017101

How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Divorce? We adhere to the Bible’s view of marriage and divorce. God created marriage to be a permanent union between a man and a woman. The only Scriptural grounds for divorce is sexual immorality.​—Matthew 19:​5, 6, 9. Do Witnesses provide help for couples in strained marriages? Yes, through several means: Publications. These regularly feature material that can strengthen marriages, even those that might seem to be beyond repair. For example, see the articles “Maintaining Commitment in Your Marriage,” “How to Forgive,” and “Rebuilding Trust in a Marriage.” Meetings. We discuss the Bible’s practical advice for marriage, doing so at our congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions. Elders. Congregation elders provide personal help to married couples, directing their attention to scriptures such as Ephesians 5:​22-​25. Do congregation elders have to approve the divorce of a Witness? No. Even when elders are asked to help a couple deal with marital difficulties, they are not authorized to tell the couple what to do. (Galatians 6:5) However, someone who chooses to divorce without Scriptural grounds is not Scripturally free to remarry.​—1 Timothy 3:​1, 5, 12. How do Witnesses view separation? The Bible encourages marriage mates to stay together even under less than ideal circumstances. (1 Corinthians 7:​10-​16) Many problems can be resolved by praying earnestly, applying Bible principles, and showing love.​—1 Corinthians 13:​4-8; Galatians 5:​22. Nevertheless, in extreme situations such as the following, some Christians have decided to separate from a marriage mate: Willful nonsupport.​—1 Timothy 5:8. Extreme physical abuse.​—Psalm 11:5. Absolute endangerment of spiritual life. For example, a spouse might try to force a Witness to break God’s commands in some way, and the threatened mate might decide that a separation is the only way to “obey God as ruler rather than men.”​—Acts 5:​29.

Burnout—Are You Next?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101995001

Burnout​—Are You Next? BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN JAPAN “Waitresses in Sweden, teachers in Japan, postal workers in America, bus drivers in Europe and assembly line workers everywhere are all showing increasing signs of job stress.”​—MAINICHI DAILY NEWS. NOBUAKI was exhausted. Working day and night, he had recruited 130 employees within four months. He was the sales manager for a new branch of a major supermarket chain in Japan, and in his efforts under pressure, he had employed people who failed to meet the standards he expected. They fought each other and complained about their lot. On top of that, a male employee ran away with a female employee. Nobuaki was having headaches every day. Soon he could not go to work, and on the days he forced himself to go, he would come home immediately. He was burned-​out, like a match that has finally gone out. Full-​time housewives also experience burnout. After two years of being at home with her three children, Sarah became very impatient with them. “I felt as if I was doing and doing and doing, but it was just a bottomless pit,” she declared. When a mother works secularly and rears children, the possibility of burnout increases. Betty, in her 40’s, found herself in the situation of balancing motherhood and a career, trying to fulfill both roles to perfection. She tried to please everybody​—her husband, her children, her employer, and her colleagues. Her blood pressure was up, and minor incidents irritated her. She suffered burnout. Burnout hits unlikely victims as well. Shinzo, a capable Christian minister, was full of vigor and ideals. He went to help in an area where there was a great need for Christian teachers. Within a few months, however, he felt exhausted, and he shut himself in his bedroom all day long. He felt as though he were in a tunnel with no way out. He had difficulty making decisions, even about what to eat for lunch. He did not feel like doing anything. He was completely burned-​out. What Is Burnout? What then is burnout? Herbert Freudenberger and other researchers took up this term in the mid-1970’s, and it came to describe “a state of exhaustion resulting from involvement with people in emotionally demanding situations.” Also, “physical or emotional exhaustion, especially as a result of long-​term stress or dissipation.” (American Heritage Dictionary) There are, however, depending on the researcher, shades of difference in the definition of this term. Although burnout has no precise medical definition, victims are identified by symptoms such as fatigue, lack of enthusiasm, helplessness, hopelessness, and malaise. The victim feels extremely tired and gets irritated over minor incidents. Nothing will ignite him to action. Everything seems overwhelming, and he may desperately seek help from whoever comes his way. All efforts in the workplace and at home may seem pointless. A sense of hopelessness prevails. If you have these symptoms coupled with malaise, a lack of enjoyment in anything, then you could well be experiencing burnout. Burnout can affect work and family life. You want to avoid it. But how? To find out, let us first see who are prone to burn out and why. [Box on page 4] Symptoms of Burnout “Job burnout refers to a debilitating psychological condition brought about by unrelieved work stress, which results in: 1. Depleted energy reserves 2. Lowered resistance to illness 3. Increased dissatisfaction and pessimism 4. Increased absenteeism and inefficiency at work. “This condition is debilitating because it has the power to weaken, even devastate, otherwise healthy, energetic, and competent individuals. Its primary cause is unrelieved stress, the kind that goes on day after day, month after month, year after year.”​—The Work/​Stress Connection: How to Cope With Job Burnout, by Robert L. Veninga and James P. Spradley.

Can a Christian Accept Medical Treatment?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013146

Can a Christian Accept Medical Treatment? The Bible’s answer Yes. Jesus implied that his followers could seek medical treatment when he said that “persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do.” (Matthew 9:12) Although the Bible is not a medical manual, it does provide principles to guide those who want to please God. Questions to ask yourself 1. Do I understand the proposed treatment? The Bible advises that we search for reliable information rather than put “faith in every word.”—Proverbs 14:15. 2. Should I get a second or a third medical opinion? A “multitude of counselors” can be valuable, especially if your condition is serious.—Proverbs 15:22. 3. Does the treatment involve a violation of the Bible command to “abstain . . . from blood”?—Acts 15:20. 4. Is spiritism used in the diagnosis or treatment? The Bible condemns the “practice of spiritism.” (Galatians 5:19-21) To determine if spiritism is involved, consider questions such as these: Does the practitioner employ spiritism? Is the treatment based on the belief that sickness is caused by offended gods or enemies who use witchcraft? Are sacrifices, incantations, or other spiritistic rituals or objects employed in preparing or using the medicine? 5. Am I becoming obsessed with my health? The Bible counsels: “Let your reasonableness become known to all men.” (Philippians 4:5) Being reasonable will help you to focus on “the more important things,” such as spiritual matters.—Philippians 1:10; Matthew 5:3.

Isaiah’s Prophecy I (ip-1) 2000

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-1

Chapter Seventeen “Babylon Has Fallen!” Isaiah 21:1-17 1, 2. (a) What is the overall theme of the Bible, but what important subsidiary theme appears in Isaiah? (b) How does the Bible develop the theme of the fall of Babylon? THE Bible may be likened to a great piece of music with a dominant theme and with minor themes introduced to add to the distinctiveness of the whole. In a similar way, the Bible has a major theme​—the vindication of Jehovah’s sovereignty by means of the Messianic Kingdom government. It also has other important, recurring themes. One of these is the fall of Babylon. 2 That theme is introduced in Isaiah chapters 13 and 14. It recurs in Isa chapter 21 and again in Isa chapters 44 and 45. A century later, Jeremiah enlarges on the same theme, and the book of Revelation brings it to a thundering conclusion. (Jeremiah 51:60-64; Revelation 18:1–19:4) Every serious student of the Bible needs to be concerned about this important subsidiary theme of God’s Word. Isaiah chapter 21 helps in this regard, for it supplies fascinating details about the prophesied fall of that great world power. Later, we will see that Isaiah chapter 21 stresses another important Bible theme​—one that helps us assess our vigilance as Christians today. “A Hard Vision” 3. Why is Babylon termed “the wilderness of the sea,” and what does that input portend regarding her future? 3 Isaiah chapter 21 opens on an ominous note: “The pronouncement against the wilderness of the sea: Like storm winds in the south in moving onward, from the wilderness it is coming, from a fear-inspiring land.” (Isaiah 21:1) Straddling the Euphrates River is Babylon, with its eastern half in the region between the two great rivers Euphrates and Tigris. It is some distance from the actual sea. Why, then, is it called “the wilderness of the sea”? Because the region of Babylon used to flood annually, creating a vast, marshy “sea.” However, the Babylonians have controlled this watery wilderness by creating a complex system of dikes, sluices, and canals. They ingeniously use these waters as part of the city’s defense system. Still, no human works will save Babylon from divine judgment. A wilderness she had been​—a wilderness she will again become. Calamity is heading her way, brewing like one of the fierce storms that sometimes blow in upon Israel from the fearsome wilderness to the south.​—Compare Zechariah 9:14. 4. How does the Revelation vision of “Babylon the Great” include the elements of “waters” and “a wilderness,” and what do the “waters” mean? 4 As we learned in Chapter 14 of this book, ancient Babylon has a modern counterpart​—“Babylon the Great,” the world empire of false religion. In Revelation, Babylon the Great is likewise portrayed in connection with “a wilderness” and “waters.” The apostle John is carried away to a wilderness to be shown Babylon the Great. He is told that she “sits on many waters” representing “peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.” (Revelation 17:1-3, 5, 15) Popular support has always been a key to the survival of false religion, but such “waters” will not protect her in the end. Like her ancient counterpart, she will end up empty, neglected, and desolate. 5. How does Babylon come to earn a reputation as being “treacherous” and a “despoiler”? 5 In Isaiah’s day Babylon is not yet the dominant world power, but Jehovah already foresees that when her time comes, she will abuse her power. Isaiah proceeds: “There is a hard vision that has been told to me: The treacherous dealer is dealing treacherously, and the despoiler is despoiling.” (Isaiah 21:2a) Babylon will indeed despoil and deal treacherously with the nations she conquers, including Judah. The Babylonians will sack Jerusalem, pillage its temple, and take its people captive to Babylon. There, these helpless captives will be treated treacherously, ridiculed for their faith, and offered no hope of return to their homeland.​—2 Chronicles 36:17-21; Psalm 137:1-4. 6. (a) What sighing will Jehovah cause to cease? (b) What nations are foretold to attack Babylon, and how is this fulfilled? 6 Yes, Babylon richly deserves this “hard vision,” which will mean hard times for her. Isaiah continues: “Go up, O Elam! Lay siege, O Media! All sighing due to her I have caused to cease.” (Isaiah 21:2b) Those oppressed by this treacherous empire will have relief. At last, an end to their sighing! (Psalm 79:11, 12) By what means will this relief come? Isaiah names two nations that will attack Babylon: Elam and Media. Two centuries later, in 539 B.C.E., Cyrus the Persian will lead a combined force of Persians and Medes against Babylon. As for Elam, Persian monarchs will possess at least part of that land prior to 539 B.C.E.a The Persian forces will thus include Elamites. 7. How does Isaiah’s vision affect him, signifying what? 7 Note how Isaiah describes the effect of this vision upon him: “That is why my hips have become full of severe pains. Convulsions themselves have grabbed hold of me, like the convulsions of a woman that is giving birth. I have become disconcerted so that I do not hear; I have become disturbed so that I do not see. My heart has wandered about; a shuddering itself has terrified me. The twilight for which I had an attachment has been made for me a trembling.” (Isaiah 21:3, 4) The prophet, it seems, enjoys the twilight hours, a lovely time for quiet contemplation. But nightfall has now lost its charm, bringing instead only fear, pain, and trembling. He suffers convulsions like those of a woman in labor, and his heart “has wandered about.” One scholar renders this phrase “my heart beats wildly,” noting that the expression refers to “a feverish and irregular beating of the pulse.” Why such distress? Evidently, Isaiah’s feelings are prophetic. On the night of October 5/6, 539 B.C.E., the Babylonians will experience similar terror. 8. As prophesied, how do the Babylonians act, even though their enemies are outside the walls? 8 As darkness falls on that fateful night, terror is the last thing on the Babylonians’ minds. Some two centuries in advance, Isaiah foretells: “Let there be a setting of the table in order, an arranging of the location of seats, an eating, a drinking!” (Isaiah 21:5a) Yes, the arrogant King Belshazzar is hosting a feast. Seats are arranged for a thousand of his grandees, as well as many wives and concubines. (Daniel 5:1, 2) The revelers know that there is an army outside the walls, but they believe that their city is impregnable. Her massive walls and deep moat appear to make her capture impossible; her many gods make it unthinkable. So let there be “an eating, a drinking!” Belshazzar gets drunk, and he probably is not alone. The besotted state of the high officials is suggested by the need to rouse them, as Isaiah’s next words prophetically show. 9. Why does it become necessary to “anoint the shield”? 9 “Get up, you princes, anoint the shield.” (Isaiah 21:5b) Suddenly, the party is over. The princes have to rouse themselves! The aged prophet Daniel has been called to the scene, and he sees how Jehovah throws Babylonian King Belshazzar into a state of terror similar to that described by Isaiah. The king’s grandees are plunged into confusion as the combined forces of Medes, Persians, and Elamites breach the city’s defenses. Babylon falls quickly! What, though, does it mean to “anoint the shield”? The Bible sometimes refers to a nation’s king as its shield because he is the defender and protector of the land.b (Psalm 89:18) So this verse in Isaiah is likely foretelling the need for a new king. Why? Because Belshazzar is killed that “very night.” Thus, there is a need to “anoint the shield,” or appoint a new king.​—Daniel 5:1-9, 30. 10. What comfort can worshipers of Jehovah draw from the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the treacherous dealer? 10 All lovers of true worship draw comfort from this account. Modern-day Babylon, Babylon the Great, is as much a treacherous dealer and despoiler as was her ancient counterpart. To this day religious leaders conspire to have Jehovah’s Witnesses banned, persecuted, or punitively taxed. But as this prophecy reminds us, Jehovah sees all such treacherous dealing, and he will not let it go unpunished. He will bring an end to all religions that misrepresent him and mistreat his people. (Revelation 18:8) Is such a thing possible? To build our faith, we have only to see how his warnings regarding the fall of both ancient Babylon and her modern-day counterpart have already been fulfilled. “She Has Fallen!” 11. (a) What is the responsibility of a watchman, and who has been active as a watchman today? (b) What is represented by the war chariot of asses and that of camels? 11 Jehovah now speaks to the prophet. Isaiah reports: “This is what Jehovah has said to me: ‘Go, post a lookout that he may tell just what he sees.’” (Isaiah 21:6) These words introduce another important theme of this chapter​—that of the lookout, or watchman. This is of interest to all true Christians today, for Jesus urged his followers to “keep on the watch.” “The faithful and discreet slave” has never stopped telling what it sees regarding the nearness of God’s day of judgment and the dangers of this corrupt world. (Matthew 24:42, 45-47) What does Isaiah’s visionary watchman see? “He saw a war chariot with a span of steeds, a war chariot of asses, a war chariot of camels. And he paid strict attention, with much attentiveness.” (Isaiah 21:7) These single war chariots likely represent columns of chariots advancing in battle formation with the speed of trained steeds. The war chariot of asses and that of camels fittingly represent the two powers, Media and Persia, that will unite to launch this attack. Furthermore, history confirms that the Persian army used both asses and camels in warfare. 12. Isaiah’s visionary watchman displays what qualities, and who need these qualities today? 12 The watchman, then, is compelled to make a report. “He proceeded to call out like a lion: ‘Upon the watchtower, O Jehovah, I am standing constantly by day, and at my guardpost I am stationed all the nights. And here, now, there is coming a war chariot of men, with a span of steeds!’” (Isaiah 21:8, 9a) The visionary watchman calls out courageously, “like a lion.” It takes courage to call out a judgment message against so formidable a nation as Babylon. Something else is required as well​—endurance. The watchman remains at his post day and night, never letting his vigilance flag. Similarly, the watchman class in these last days has needed courage and endurance. (Revelation 14:12) All true Christians need these qualities. 13, 14. (a) How does ancient Babylon fare, and in what sense are her idols broken? (b) How and when did Babylon the Great suffer a similar fall? 13 Isaiah’s visionary watchman sees a war chariot advancing. What is the news? “He began to speak up and say: ‘She has fallen! Babylon has fallen, and all the graven images of her gods he has broken to the earth!’” (Isaiah 21:9b) What a thrilling report! At last, this treacherous despoiler of God’s people has fallen!c In what sense, though, are Babylon’s graven images and idols broken? Will the Medo-Persian invaders march into Babylon’s temples and smash the innumerable idols? No, nothing of the sort is needed. Babylon’s idol gods will be broken in that they are exposed as powerless to protect the city. And Babylon will experience a fall when she becomes unable to continue oppressing God’s people. 14 What of Babylon the Great? By engineering the oppression of God’s people during World War I, she effectively held them in exile for a time. Their preaching work was virtually brought to a halt. The president and other prominent officers of the Watch Tower Society were imprisoned on false charges. But 1919 saw an astounding reversal. The officers were released from prison, the headquarters office was reopened, and the preaching work was recommenced. Thus, Babylon the Great fell in that her hold over God’s people was broken.d In Revelation, this fall is twice heralded by an angel using the words of the announcement at Isaiah 21:9.​—Revelation 14:8; 18:2. 15, 16. In what sense are Isaiah’s people “threshed ones,” and what can we learn from Isaiah’s attitude toward them? 15 Isaiah concludes this prophetic message on a note of compassion toward his own people. He says: “O my threshed ones and the son of my threshing floor, what I have heard from Jehovah of armies, the God of Israel, I have reported to you people.” (Isaiah 21:10) In the Bible, threshing often symbolizes the disciplining and refining of God’s people. God’s covenant people will become ‘sons of the threshing floor,’ where wheat is forcibly separated from the chaff, leaving only the refined, desirable grains. Isaiah is not gloating over this discipline. Rather, he has compassion for these future ‘sons of the threshing floor,’ some of whom will spend their entire lives as captives in a foreign land. 16 This may serve as a useful reminder to all of us. In the Christian congregation today, some may be inclined to lose their compassion for wrongdoers. And those who receive discipline may often be prone to resent it. However, if we keep in mind that Jehovah disciplines his people in order to refine them, we will neither belittle the discipline and those who humbly undergo it nor resist it when it comes our way. Let us accept godly discipline as an expression of God’s love.​—Hebrews 12:6. Inquiring of the Watchman 17. Why is Edom appropriately termed “Dumah”? 17 The second prophetic message of Isaiah chapter 21 brings the figure of the watchman to the fore. It begins: “The pronouncement against Dumah: To me there is one calling out from Seir: ‘Watchman, what about the night? Watchman, what about the night?’” (Isaiah 21:11) Where is this Dumah? There were evidently several towns with that name in Bible times, but none of them are intended here. Dumah is not found in Seir, which is another name for Edom. However, “Dumah” means “Silence.” So it seems that, as was the case in the previous pronouncement, the region is given a name suggestive of its future. Edom, long a vindictive enemy of God’s people, will end up in silence​—the silence of death. Before that happens, though, some will anxiously inquire about the future. 18. How is the pronouncement, “The morning has to come, and also the night,” fulfilled upon ancient Edom? 18 At the time of the writing of Isaiah, Edom lies in the path of the powerful Assyrian army. Some in Edom yearn to know when the night of oppression will end for them. The answer? “The watchman said: ‘The morning has to come, and also the night.’” (Isaiah 21:12a) Things do not bode well for Edom. A glimmer of morning will show on the horizon, but it will be brief, illusory. Night​—another dark time of oppression—​will follow quickly on the heels of morning. What an apt picture of Edom’s future! The Assyrian oppression will end, but Babylon will succeed Assyria as a world power and will decimate Edom. (Jeremiah 25:17, 21; 27:2-8) This cycle will be repeated. Babylonian oppression will be followed by Persian and then Greek oppression. There will then be a brief “morning” during Roman times, when the Herods​—Edomite in origin—​gain power in Jerusalem. But that “morning” will not last. Finally, Edom will descend permanently into silence, vanishing from history. The name Dumah will fittingly describe her at last. 19. When the watchman says, “If you people would inquire, inquire. Come again!” what may he mean? 19 The watchman concludes his brief message with the words: “If you people would inquire, inquire. Come again!” (Isaiah 21:12b) The expression “Come again!” may refer to the endless succession of ‘nights’ ahead of Edom. Or because the expression may also be translated “return,” the prophet may be suggesting that any Edomites who want to escape the nation’s doom should repent and “return” to Jehovah. In either case, the watchman invites further inquiries. 20. Why is the pronouncement recorded at Isaiah 21:11, 12 significant to Jehovah’s people today? 20 This short pronouncement has meant a great deal to Jehovah’s people in modern times.e We understand that mankind is deep into the dark night of spiritual blindness and alienation from God that will lead to the destruction of this system of things. (Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4) During this nighttime, any glimmerings of hope that mankind can somehow bring about peace and security are like those illusory gleamings of dawn that are followed only by still darker times. A genuine dawn is approaching​—the dawn of Christ’s Millennial Reign over this earth. But as long as the night lasts, we must follow the lead of the watchman class by staying spiritually alert and courageously announcing the nearness of the end of this corrupt system of things.​—1 Thessalonians 5:6. Night Falls on the Desert Plain 21. (a) What play on words may be intended in the phrase “the pronouncement against the desert plain”? (b) What are the caravans of men of Dedan? 21 The final pronouncement of Isaiah chapter 21 is directed against “the desert plain.” It begins: “The pronouncement against the desert plain: In the forest in the desert plain you will spend the night, O caravans of men of Dedan.” (Isaiah 21:13) The desert plain referred to is evidently Arabia, for the pronouncement is directed at a number of Arab tribes. The word for “desert plain” is sometimes rendered “evening,” a very similar word in Hebrew. Some suggest that this is a play on words, as if a dark evening​—a time of trouble—​is about to fall upon this region. The pronouncement opens with a nocturnal scene featuring caravans of men of Dedan, a prominent Arab tribe. Such caravans follow trade routes from one desert oasis to the next, bearing spices, pearls, and other treasures. But here we see them forced to leave their well-traveled tracks to spend the nights in hiding. Why? 22, 23. (a) What crushing burden is about to befall the Arab tribes, and with what effect upon them? (b) How soon will this disaster come, and at whose hands? 22 Isaiah explains: “To meet the thirsty one bring water. O you inhabitants of the land of Tema, confront the one fleeing away with bread for him. For because of the swords they have fled away, because of the drawn sword, and because of the bent bow and because of the heaviness of the war.” (Isaiah 21:14, 15) Yes, the crushing burden of war will fall upon these Arab tribes. Tema, located on one of the most well-watered oases in the region, is forced to bring water and bread to the hapless refugees of war. When will this trouble come? 23 Isaiah continues: “This is what Jehovah has said to me: ‘Within yet a year, according to the years of a hired laborer, all the glory of Kedar must even come to its end. And the ones remaining over of the number of bowmen, the mighty men of the sons of Kedar, will become few, for Jehovah himself, the God of Israel, has spoken it.’” (Isaiah 21:16, 17) Kedar is so prominent a tribe that it is sometimes used to represent all of Arabia. Jehovah has determined that the bowmen and mighty men of this tribe will dwindle in number to a mere remnant. When? “Within yet a year,” no more, just as a hired laborer works no more than the amount of time for which he is paid. Precisely how all of this was fulfilled is uncertain. Two Assyrian rulers​—Sargon II and Sennacherib—​claimed credit for subjugating Arabia. Either may well have decimated these proud Arab tribes, as foretold. 24. How can we be sure that Isaiah’s prophecy against Arabia was fulfilled? 24 We can be sure, however, that this prophecy was fulfilled to the letter. Nothing can make that point more forcefully than the closing words of the pronouncement: “Jehovah himself, the God of Israel, has spoken it.” To people in Isaiah’s day, it may seem unlikely that Babylon will ascend above Assyria and then be toppled from power during the debauched merrymaking of a single evening. It may seem equally unlikely that powerful Edom will end up in deathly silence or that a night of hardship and privation will fall on the wealthy Arab tribes. But Jehovah says it will, and so it happens. Today, Jehovah tells us that the world empire of false religion will come to nothing. This is not just a possibility; it is a certainty. Jehovah himself has spoken it! 25. How may we imitate the example of the watchman? 25 Let us, then, be like the watchman. Let us remain vigilant, as if posted on a lofty watchtower, scanning the horizon for any sign of impending danger. Let us ally ourselves closely with the faithful watchman class, the remaining anointed Christians on earth today. Let us join them in courageously calling out just what we see​—the overwhelming evidence that Christ is ruling in heaven; that he will soon bring an end to mankind’s long, dark night of alienation from God; and that thereafter he will usher in the true dawn, the Millennial Reign over a paradise earth! [Footnotes] a The Persian King Cyrus was at times designated “King of Anshan”​—Anshan being a region or city in Elam. The Israelites of Isaiah’s day​—the eighth century B.C.E.​—may have been unfamiliar with Persia, whereas they would have known of Elam. This may explain why Isaiah here names Elam instead of Persia. b Many Bible commentators think that the words “anoint the shield” refer to the ancient military practice of oiling leather shields before battle so that most blows will glance off. While this is a possible interpretation, it should be noted that on the night the city fell, the Babylonians barely had time to put up a fight, let alone prepare for battle by greasing their shields! c Isaiah’s prophecy regarding Babylon’s fall is so accurate that some Bible critics have theorized that it must have been written after the event. But as Hebrew scholar F. Delitzsch notes, such speculation is unnecessary if we accept that a prophet might be inspired to foretell events hundreds of years in advance. d See Revelation​—Its Grand Climax At Hand!, pages 164-9. e During the first 59 years of its publication, the Watchtower magazine featured Isaiah 21:11 on its cover. The same scripture provided the theme of the last written sermon of Charles T. Russell, the Watch Tower Society’s first president. (See illustration on preceding page.) [Picture on page 219] “Let there be . . . an eating, a drinking!” [Picture on page 220] The watchman “proceeded to call out like a lion” [Picture on page 222] “I am standing constantly by day, and . . . all the nights”

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK How Can the Bible Help Me?—Part 1: Exploring Your Bible

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502018119

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK How Can the Bible Help Me?​—Part 1: Exploring Your Bible “I’ve tried to read the Bible, but I get intimidated by how long it is!”​—Briana, 15. Do you feel that way? This article can help you! Why read the Bible? How should I read the Bible? What your peers say Why read the Bible? Does the idea of reading the Bible sound less than appealing? If so, it’s understandable. You may think of the Bible as a book with more than a thousand pages of small type and no pictures​—not much competition for TV and videos! But think of it this way: If you came across a huge ancient treasure chest, wouldn’t you be curious about what’s inside? The Bible is just such a treasure chest. It contains many gems of wisdom that will help you to Make good decisions Get along with your parents Find the best kind of friends Cope with stress How can such an ancient book be so practical for our day? It’s because “all Scripture is inspired of God.” (2 Timothy 3:​16) That means the advice in the Bible comes from the best Source possible. The Bible is a treasure chest that contains priceless gems of wisdom How should I read the Bible? One way is to read the Bible from cover to cover. That will give you an overview of the Bible’s message. There are many ways to read the Bible. Consider two examples: You could read the 66 Bible books in the order in which they appear, from Genesis to Revelation. You could read the Bible chronologically​—that is, in the order in which the events related actually occurred. Tip: Appendix A7 in the New World Translation gives a chronological list of the main events of Jesus’ life on earth. A second way to read the Bible is to select an account that relates to a challenge you are facing. For example: Would you like to find trustworthy friends? Read the story of Jonathan and David. (1 Samuel, chapters 18-​20) Then use the worksheet “How to Find Loyal Friends” to learn practical lessons from the account. Would you like to strengthen your ability to resist temptation? Read the story of how Joseph resisted temptation. (Genesis, chapter 39) Then use the worksheets “How to Resist Temptation . . . Joseph​—Part 1” and “Falsely Accused! Joseph​—Part 2” to learn practical lessons from the account. Would you like to learn how prayer can help you? Read Nehemiah’s experience. (Nehemiah, chapter 2) Then use the worksheet “God Answered His Prayer” to learn practical lessons from the account. Tip: When you read the Bible, make sure your surroundings are quiet so that you can concentrate. A third way to read the Bible is to pick an account or a psalm, read it, and then consider how it applies to you. After reading, ask yourself questions such as these: Why did Jehovah include this in the Bible? What does it reveal about Jehovah’s personality or way of doing things? How can I apply this information in my life? Tip: Use the study edition of the New World Translation to access videos, maps, and other features that will help you get the most out of your Bible reading. What your peers say “I select Bible books that particularly interest me. That motivates me to keep up with my goal of reading the Bible daily. For example, I love the book of Proverbs. The gems of wisdom found in that book really encourage me.”​—Chloe. “I try to read one or two psalms before going to sleep. The writers of the Bible book of Psalms had feelings similar to our own. It’s important to end each day on a positive note, and reading psalms builds my faith in Jehovah as the God of true comfort.”​—Stefan.

Greatest Man (gt) 1991

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt

Chapter 113 Humility at the Last Passover PETER and John, under instructions from Jesus, have already arrived in Jerusalem to make preparations for the Passover. Jesus, apparently along with the ten other apostles, arrives later in the afternoon. The sun is sinking on the horizon as Jesus and his party descend the Mount of Olives. This is Jesus’ last daytime view of the city from this mountain until after his resurrection. Soon Jesus and his party arrive in the city and make their way to the home where they will celebrate the Passover. They climb the stairs to the large upper room, where they find all preparations made for their private celebration of the Passover. Jesus has looked forward to this occasion, as he says: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.” Traditionally, four cups of wine are drunk by Passover participants. After accepting what is evidently the third cup, Jesus gives thanks and says: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves; for I tell you, From now on I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the kingdom of God arrives.” Sometime during the course of the meal, Jesus gets up, lays aside his outer garments, takes a towel, and fills a basin with water. Ordinarily, a host would see to it that a guest’s feet were washed. But since on this occasion no host is present, Jesus cares for this personal service. Any one of the apostles could have seized the opportunity to do it; yet, apparently because some rivalry still exists among them, no one does. Now they are embarrassed as Jesus begins to wash their feet. When Jesus comes to him, Peter protests: “You will certainly never wash my feet.” “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me,” says Jesus. “Lord,” Peter responds, “not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” “He that has bathed,” Jesus answers, “does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is wholly clean. And you men are clean, but not all.” He says this because he knows that Judas Iscariot is planning to betray him. When Jesus has washed the feet of all 12, including the feet of his betrayer, Judas, he puts his outer garments on and reclines at the table again. Then he asks: “Do you know what I have done to you? You address me, ‘Teacher,’ and, ‘Lord,’ and you speak rightly, for I am such. Therefore, if I, although Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. For I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do also. Most truly I say to you, A slave is not greater than his master, nor is one that is sent forth greater than the one that sent him. If you know these things, happy you are if you do them.” What a beautiful lesson in humble service! The apostles should not be seeking the first place, thinking that they are so important that others should always serve them. They need to follow the pattern set by Jesus. This is not one of ritual foot washing. No, but it is one of willingness to serve without partiality, no matter how menial or unpleasant the task may be. Matthew 26:20, 21; Mark 14:17, 18; Luke 22:14-18; 7:44; John 13:1-17. ▪ What is unique about Jesus’ view of Jerusalem as he enters the city to celebrate the Passover? ▪ During the Passover, evidently what cup does Jesus pass to the 12 apostles after saying a blessing? ▪ What personal service was customarily provided guests when Jesus was on earth, and why was it not provided during the Passover celebrated by Jesus and the apostles? ▪ What was Jesus’ purpose in performing the menial service of washing his apostles’ feet?

Did God Create the Devil?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502012506

Did God Create the Devil? The Bible’s answer The Bible shows that God did not create the Devil. Instead, He created the person who became the Devil. Regarding God, the Bible says: “Perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; righteous and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:3-5) From that statement, we can conclude that Satan the Devil was at one time perfect and righteous, namely, one of God’s angelic sons. At John 8:44, Jesus said that the Devil “did not stand fast in the truth,” implying that Satan had at one time been truthful and guiltless. However, like the rest of Jehovah’s intelligent creatures, the angel who became Satan had the freedom to choose between right and wrong. By choosing a course in opposition to God and inciting the first human couple to join him, he made himself Satan, which means “Resister.”—Genesis 3:1-5; Revelation 12:9.

Seven Keys to Food Safety and a Healthy Diet

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100003

Seven Keys to Food Safety and a Healthy Diet Why what you eat matters Four keys to food safety Three keys to healthy eating Common misconceptions Why what you eat matters Your health depends, in part, on what you eat. If you maintain food safety and a healthy diet, you can improve your health. In contrast, unsafe food practices and unwholesome food lead to serious health problems, just as poor-quality fuel can lead to car problems. They may not appear immediately, but they will come.—Galatians 6:7. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that “every country in the world is affected by one or more forms of malnutrition”—a term that includes not only undernutrition but also conditions such as overweight and obesity. Frequently consuming unwholesome food or drink increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. According to one study, poor nutrition led to at least 11 million deaths in one recent year. WHO estimates that contaminated food kills more than a thousand people every day and leads to health problems for hundreds of millions. The Bible encourages us to take these issues seriously. It teaches that God is “the source of life.” (Psalm 36:9) Life is a gift, and we show appreciation for it by caring for our health and that of our families. Consider how you can do that. Four keys to food safety 1. Prepare food safely. Why? Dangerous germsa in contaminated food and water can enter your body and make you sick. Health experts recommend: Before you prepare food, wash your hands with soap and water.b Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Scrub the backs of your hands as well as between your fingers and under your fingernails. Rinse and dry your hands well. Use soap and water to wash cutting boards, dishes, and anything else that will touch food. Additionally, avoid using the same board for food that will be cooked and food that will not be cooked. Wash all fruits and vegetables, and also disinfect them if you live in an area where crops might have been irrigated using water contaminated with excrement. 2. Separate raw and cooked foods. Why? Germs from raw food such as meat and its juices will contaminate other food. Health experts recommend: Separate all raw foods—especially meats—from prepared foods when you carry them home from the market and store them. After cutting raw meat, thoroughly wash your hands, the knife, and the cutting board before cutting any other food. 3. Make sure food that needs to be cooked is cooked thoroughly. Why? Harmful germs are killed only if the food reaches a high enough temperature. Health experts recommend: Cook food until it is very hot. Food, including the innermost portions of meat, must reach 70 degrees Celsius (160°F) for at least 30 seconds. Bring soups and stews to a boil. To eat previously-cooked food, reheat it until it is hot and steaming. 4. Keep food at safe temperatures. Why? If food is stored at a temperature between 5 and 60 degrees Celsius (40–140°F) for just 20 minutes, the number of bacteria in it can double. Further, if raw meat is not stored at safe temperatures, some bacteria can produce toxins that are not destroyed by cooking. Health experts recommend: Keep food hot or cold, not lukewarm, to slow or stop germs from multiplying. Never leave food sitting at room temperature for more than two hours, or for more than one hour if the room temperature is over 32 degrees Celsius (90°F). After it is cooked, keep food hot until just before serving. Three keys to healthy eating 1. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables are vital sources of vitamins, minerals, and other essential elements to good health. WHO states that your body needs at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day. These portions do not include starchy roots, such as potato or cassava. 2. Eat only moderate amounts of fats and oils. WHO recommends that you limit your intake of fried foods and processed or commercially baked foods, which often contain unhealthy fats. When possible, cook with unsaturated vegetable oils.c These oils are better than those that are high in saturated fats. 3. Limit your intake of salt and sugar. WHO recommends that adults restrict their total daily intake of salt to less than one teaspoonful. WHO also recommends a total intake of less than 60 milliliters (12 level teaspoons) of free sugars daily.d Sugar is the main ingredient of many processed foods and drinks. For example, an average 355-milliliter (12 fl oz) soft drink contains up to 50 milliliters (10 teaspoons) of sugar. While soft drinks contain many calories, they provide little or no nutritional value. The Bible says: “The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself, but the inexperienced keep right on going and suffer the consequences.” (Proverbs 22:3) If you act shrewdly in your eating habits and make any necessary changes, you show appreciation to God for your life and health. Common misconceptions Misconception: Food is safe to eat if it looks, smells, and tastes fine. Fact: It takes over 10 billion bacteria to make one liter (1 qt) of water look cloudy, but as few as 15 to 20 dangerous bacteria can make you sick. To ensure that your food and drinks are safe, prepare, serve, and store them within the recommended temperatures and time limits. Misconception: Flies do not harm food. Fact: Flies feed on and breed in filth such as excrement, so they often carry millions of disease-causing germs on their feet. To protect prepared food from contamination by flies, cover it completely. Misconception: “I’ve been eating unhealthy food for so long that it won’t help me if I change my eating habits.” Fact: Researchers have found that eating healthier now will reduce your risk of premature death and that you will gain more benefits the longer you maintain a good diet. a Germs, or microorganisms, are living things so small that you cannot see them with your naked eye. They include bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Some microorganisms are beneficial, but harmful ones can hurt or even kill you. b Soap and water remove more germs than water alone. c Unsaturated fats are liquid, not solid, at room temperature. d Free sugars include concentrated or processed sugars, such as table sugar, honey, syrups, and fruit juices. The term does not include the natural sugar found in fresh fruits, vegetables, and milk.

Isaiah’s Prophecy I (ip-1) 2000

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-1

Chapter Four Jehovah’s House Lifted Up Isaiah 2:1-5 1, 2. What words are inscribed on a wall at the United Nations plaza, and what is their source? “THEY shall beat their swords into plowshares. And their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation. Neither shall they learn war any more.” These words are inscribed on a wall at the United Nations plaza in New York City. For decades the source of that quotation was not identified. Since the aim of the UN is to work toward global peace, it was easy to conclude that the quote originated with the founders of the UN, in 1945. 2 In 1975, however, the name Isaiah was chiseled into the wall below the quotation. It was then evident that the words were not of modern origin. They were, in fact, recorded as a prophecy over 2,700 years ago in what is now the 2nd chapter of the book of Isaiah. For millenniums lovers of peace have pondered over how and when the things Isaiah foretold would occur. There is no longer any need to wonder. Today we see before us the remarkable fulfillment of this ancient prophecy. 3. Who are the nations that beat their swords into plowshares? 3 Who are the nations that beat their swords into plowshares? Surely, they are not the modern-day political nations and governments. Until now these nations have developed swords, or weapons, both to wage war and to preserve “peace” through strength. If anything, the tendency has always been for nations to beat their plowshares into swords! Isaiah’s prophecy finds fulfillment in representatives from all nations, people who worship Jehovah, “the God of peace.”​—Philippians 4:9. The Nations That Stream to Pure Worship 4, 5. What do the opening verses of Isaiah chapter 2 foretell, and what underscores the reliability of those words? 4 Isaiah chapter 2 begins with these words: “The thing that Isaiah the son of Amoz visioned concerning Judah and Jerusalem: And it must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream.”​—Isaiah 2:1, 2. 5 Notice that what Isaiah foretells is not mere speculation. Isaiah is directed to record events that “must occur”​—without fail. Whatever Jehovah purposes has “certain success.” (Isaiah 55:11) Evidently to give emphasis to the reliability of his promise, God inspired the prophet Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, to record in his book the same prophecy that is set out at Isaiah 2:2-4.​—Micah 4:1-3. 6. When does Isaiah’s prophecy find fulfillment? 6 When is Isaiah’s prophecy to be fulfilled? “In the final part of the days.” The New International Version reads: “In the last days.” The Christian Greek Scriptures foretold features that would identify this period. Included among them are wars, earthquakes, pestilences, food shortages, and “critical times hard to deal with.”a (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Luke 21:10, 11) The fulfillment of such prophecies gives abundant evidence that we are living “in the final part of the days,” the last days of this present world system. Logically, then, we would expect to see fulfilled in our time the things that Isaiah foretold. A Mountain in Which to Worship 7. What prophetic picture does Isaiah paint? 7 In a few words, Isaiah paints a vivid prophetic picture. We see a lofty mountain, crowned by a glorious house, the temple of Jehovah. This mountain towers above surrounding mountains and hills. Yet, it is not foreboding or intimidating; it is appealing. Peoples of all nations yearn to ascend to the mountain of the house of Jehovah; they stream to it. This is easy to visualize, but what does it mean? 8. (a) With what are hills and mountains associated in Isaiah’s day? (b) What does the streaming of the nations to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah” picture? 8 In Isaiah’s day hills and mountains are often associated with worship. For example, they serve as sites for idolatrous worship and for sanctuaries of false gods. (Deuteronomy 12:2; Jeremiah 3:6) However, the house, or temple, of Jehovah adorns the summit of Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. Faithful Israelites journey to Jerusalem three times a year and ascend Mount Moriah to worship the true God. (Deuteronomy 16:16) So the streaming of the nations to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah” pictures the gathering of many peoples to true worship. 9. What does “the mountain of the house of Jehovah” represent? 9 Today, of course, God’s people do not gather at a literal mountain with a temple of stone. Jehovah’s temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by Roman armies in 70 C.E. Besides, the apostle Paul made it clear that the temple in Jerusalem and the tabernacle that preceded it were pictorial. They represented a greater, spiritual reality, “the true tent, which Jehovah put up, and not man.” (Hebrews 8:2) That spiritual tent is the arrangement for approaching Jehovah in worship based on the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 9:2-10, 23) In harmony with this, “the mountain of the house of Jehovah” mentioned at Isaiah 2:2 represents the exalted pure worship of Jehovah in our time. Those embracing pure worship do not gather at any geographic location; they gather in unity of worship. The Elevating of Pure Worship 10, 11. In what sense has Jehovah’s worship been elevated in our day? 10 The prophet says that “the mountain of the house of Jehovah,” or pure worship, would become “firmly established above the top of the mountains” and be “lifted up above the hills.” Long before Isaiah’s time, King David brought the ark of the covenant up to Mount Zion in Jerusalem, which was located 2,500 feet [760 m] above sea level. There the ark rested until it was transferred to the completed temple on Mount Moriah. (2 Samuel 5:7; 6:14-19; 2 Chronicles 3:1; 5:1-10) Thus, by Isaiah’s day the sacred ark had already been physically elevated and placed in the temple, in a position higher than the many surrounding hills used for false worship. 11 Of course, in a spiritual sense, Jehovah’s worship has always been superior to the religious practices of those who serve false gods. During our day, however, Jehovah has exalted his worship heaven high, above all forms of unclean worship, yes, far above all “the hills” and “the top of the mountains.” How so? Largely through the gathering together of those who want to worship him “with spirit and truth.”​—John 4:23. 12. Who are “the sons of the kingdom,” and what gathering has taken place? 12 Christ Jesus referred to “a conclusion of a system of things” as a time of harvest when the angels would gather in “the sons of the kingdom”​—those with the hope of ruling with Jesus in heavenly glory. (Matthew 13:36-43) Since 1919, Jehovah has empowered “the remaining ones” of these sons to share with the angels in the harvest work. (Revelation 12:17) Thus, to start with, “the sons of the kingdom,” Jesus’ anointed brothers, are the ones gathered. Then they share in a further gathering work. 13. How has Jehovah blessed the anointed remnant? 13 During this time of harvest, Jehovah has progressively helped the anointed remnant to understand and apply his Word, the Bible. This too has contributed to the elevating of pure worship. Though ‘darkness itself covers the earth, and thick gloom the national groups,’ the anointed are “shining as illuminators” among humankind, having been cleansed and refined by Jehovah. (Isaiah 60:2; Philippians 2:15) “Filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension,” these spirit-anointed ones “shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”​—Colossians 1:9; Matthew 13:43. 14, 15. In addition to the gathering of “the sons of the kingdom,” what ingathering has taken place, and how was this foretold by Haggai? 14 Moreover, others have streamed to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah.” Called by Jesus his “other sheep,” these have the hope of living forever on a paradise earth. (John 10:16; Revelation 21:3, 4) Starting in the 1930’s, they appeared by the thousands, then by the hundreds of thousands, and now by the millions! In a vision given to the apostle John, they are described as “a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.”​—Revelation 7:9. 15 The prophet Haggai foretold the appearance of this great crowd. He wrote: “This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘Yet once​—it is a little while—​and I am rocking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry ground. And I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the nations [those who join anointed Christians in pure worship] must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,’ Jehovah of armies has said.” (Haggai 2:6, 7) The existence of this still-growing “great crowd” and their anointed companions elevates, yes glorifies, pure worship in Jehovah’s house. Never before have so many been recorded as united in the worship of the true God, and this brings glory to Jehovah and his enthroned King, Jesus Christ. King Solomon wrote: “In the multitude of people there is an adornment of a king.”​—Proverbs 14:28. Worship Exalted in the Lives of People 16-18. What changes have some made so as to worship Jehovah acceptably? 16 Jehovah deserves all credit for the elevating of pure worship in our time. Still, those who approach him are privileged to share in this work. Just as it requires effort to climb a mountain, so, too, it requires effort to learn of and live according to God’s righteous standards. Like Christians in the first century, God’s servants today have left behind life-styles and practices that are not compatible with true worship. Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, greedy persons, drunkards, and others have changed their ways and been “washed clean” in God’s sight.​—1 Corinthians 6:9-11. 17 Typical is the experience of one young woman who wrote: “I once was lost with no hope. I lived a life of immorality and drunkenness. I had sexual diseases. I also sold drugs and just didn’t care about anything.” After studying the Bible, she made major changes in order to conform to God’s standards. Now she says: “I enjoy peace of mind, self-respect, a hope for the future, a real family and, best of all, a relationship with our Father, Jehovah.” 18 Even after coming to an approved standing before Jehovah, all must continue to elevate pure worship by giving it a place of prominence in their lives. Thousands of years ago, through Isaiah, Jehovah expressed his confidence that there would be multitudes today eager to make his worship the most important thing in their lives. Are you among them? A People Taught Jehovah’s Way 19, 20. What are God’s people taught, and where? 19 Isaiah tells us more about those who embrace pure worship today. He says: “Many peoples will certainly go and say: ‘Come, you people, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.”​—Isaiah 2:3. 20 Jehovah does not let his people wander about like lost sheep. Through the Bible and Bible-based publications, he imparts to them his “law” and his “word” so that they learn his ways. This knowledge equips them to “walk in his paths.” Out of hearts filled with appreciation and in harmony with divine direction, they speak to one another about the ways of Jehovah. They gather together at large conventions and in smaller groups​—at Kingdom Halls and in private homes—​so as to listen to and learn the ways of God. (Deuteronomy 31:12, 13) Thus they imitate the pattern of the early Christians, who met together to encourage and incite one another to abound in “love and fine works.”​—Hebrews 10:24, 25. 21. In what work do Jehovah’s servants share? 21 They invite others to “go up” to the exalted worship of Jehovah God. How well this harmonizes with the command Jesus gave to his disciples just before his ascension to heaven! He told them: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) With divine backing, Jehovah’s Witnesses obediently go throughout the earth, teaching and making disciples, baptizing them. Swords Into Plowshares 22, 23. What does Isaiah 2:4 foretell, and what did one UN official say about it? 22 Now we come to the next verse, part of which is inscribed on the wall at the UN plaza. Isaiah writes: “He will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.”​—Isaiah 2:4. 23 To achieve this would be no small accomplishment. Federico Mayor, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, once said: “All the obscenities of war, brought home to us nowadays by audio-visual equipment, do not seem able to halt the advance of the huge war machine set up and maintained over many centuries. Present generations have the almost impossible, Biblical task of ‘beating their swords into ploughshares’ and making the transition from an instinct for war​—developed since time immemorial—​to a feeling for peace. To achieve this would be the best and most noble act that the ‘global village’ could accomplish, and the best legacy to our descendants.” 24, 25. In whom do Isaiah’s words find fulfillment, and in what way? 24 The nations as a whole will never achieve this lofty goal. It is simply beyond their reach. Isaiah’s words are fulfilled by individuals from many nations, who are united in pure worship. Jehovah has “set matters straight” among them. He has taught his people to live at peace with one another. Truly, in a divided and strife-ridden world, they have figuratively beaten their “swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.” How? 25 For one thing, they do not take sides in the wars of the nations. Shortly before Jesus’ death, armed men came to arrest him. When Peter lashed out with a sword to defend his Master, Jesus said to him: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Since then, Jesus’ footstep followers have beaten their swords into plowshares and have refrained from taking up weapons to kill their fellow man and from supporting war efforts in other ways. They “pursue peace with all people.”​—Hebrews 12:14. Pursuing the Ways of Peace 26, 27. How do God’s people “seek peace and pursue it”? Give an example. 26 The peace of God’s people goes far beyond a refusal to engage in warfare. Though they are found in more than 230 lands and represent countless languages and cultures, they enjoy peace with one another. In them is found a modern fulfillment of the words of Jesus, who said to his disciples in the first century: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Christians today are “peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9, footnote) They “seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:11) Sustaining them is Jehovah, “the God who gives peace.”​—Romans 15:33. 27 There are dramatic examples of those who have learned to be peacemakers. A young man writes of his early life: “Hard experience taught me how to defend myself. It made me tough and angry about life. I would always end up in fights. Each day, I would fight a different kid in the neighborhood, sometimes with fists, sometimes with rocks or bottles. I grew up being very violent.” Eventually, however, he responded to the invitation to go to “the mountain of the house of Jehovah.” He learned God’s ways and became a peaceable servant of God. 28. What can Christians do to pursue peace? 28 Most of Jehovah’s servants do not come from such a violent background. Still, even in relatively small things​—acts of kindness, forgiveness, and empathy—​they strive to promote peace with others. Although imperfect, they endeavor to apply the Bible’s counsel to “continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another.”​—Colossians 3:13. A Future of Peace 29, 30. What prospect is there for the earth? 29 Jehovah has done a marvelous thing in this “the final part of the days.” He has gathered from all nations people who want to serve him. He has taught them to walk in his ways, ways of peace. These are the ones who will survive the coming “great tribulation” and pass into a peaceful new world in which war will be abolished forever.​—Revelation 7:14. 30 Swords​—weaponry—​will be no more. The psalmist wrote of that time: “Come, you people, behold the activities of Jehovah, how he has set astonishing events on the earth. He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire.” (Psalm 46:8, 9) In view of such a prospect, Isaiah’s following exhortation is as appropriate today as it was when he wrote it: “O men of the house of Jacob, come and let us walk in the light of Jehovah.” (Isaiah 2:5) Yes, let Jehovah’s light illuminate our path now, and we will walk in his way for all eternity.​—Micah 4:5. [Footnote] a See the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? chapter 9, “Are We Living in ‘the Last Days’?” published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Go to War?

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013257

Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Go to War? For the following reasons, Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t go to war: Obedience to God. The Bible says that God’s servants would “beat their swords into plowshares” and not “learn war anymore.”—Isaiah 2:4. Obedience to Jesus. The apostle Peter was told by Jesus: “Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Jesus thus showed that his followers would not take up weapons of warfare. Jesus’ disciples obey his command to be “no part of the world” by remaining strictly neutral in political matters. (John 17:16) They do not protest against military actions or interfere with those who choose to serve in the armed forces. Love for others. Jesus commanded his disciples to “love one another.” (John 13:34, 35) They would thus form an international brotherhood in which no one would ever wage war against his brother or sister.—1 John 3:10-12. The example of early Christians. The Encyclopedia of Religion and War states: “The earliest followers of Jesus rejected war and military service,” recognizing those practices as “incompatible with the love ethic of Jesus and the injunction to love one’s enemies.” Likewise, German theologian Peter Meinhold said of those early disciples of Jesus: “Being a Christian and a soldier was considered irreconcilable.” Contributions to the community Jehovah’s Witnesses are useful members of society and pose no threat to the security of the countries where they live. We respect governmental authority, in harmony with these Bible commands: “Be in subjection to the superior authorities.”—Romans 13:1. “Pay back, therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.”—Matthew 22:21. Thus, we obey the law, pay our taxes, and cooperate with the government’s efforts to provide for the public welfare.

Scriptures for Christian Living (scl) 2023

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl

Reasonableness Why should Christians be reasonable? Php 4:5; Tit 3:2; Jas 3:17 See also 1Ti 3:2, 3 Relevant Bible account(s): Ge 18:23-33​—Jehovah patiently allows Abraham to question Him regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah Ge 19:16-22, 30​—Jehovah is reasonable with Lot, yielding to Lot’s request to flee to Zoar instead of to the mountains Mt 15:21-28​—Jesus shows reasonableness, yielding to the pleas of a Phoenician woman because she demonstrates extraordinary faith

Worldwide Security (ws) 1986

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ws

Chapter 8 Sharing in “the Joy” of the “Prince of Peace” 1. (a) For what reason did a certain man travel abroad? (b) What is implied in Jesus’ parable, though not directly stated? IN JESUS’ parable of the talents, the man who possessed the eight silver talents did not travel abroad simply for pleasure as on a sight-seeing trip. He had a serious reason for traveling abroad; he desired to secure something valuable. He went abroad, as the parable shows, to gain a certain “joy,” along with “many things.” (Matthew 25:21) Thus he had to travel a long distance, requiring a long stretch of time, in order to apply to the one who could impart to him that particular joy. 2. (a) In Jesus’ case, what did the traveling abroad of the wealthy man picture, and to whom did he go? (b) With what did the Master return? 2 Since the wealthy man in the parable pictures Jesus Christ, the man’s traveling abroad for a long trip pictures Jesus going to the one Source of the special joy that he had in view. To whom, then, did he go? Hebrews 12:2 tells us: “We look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Yes, indeed, Jehovah God is the Source of that joy. It was to him that Jesus went away, leaving his faithful disciples here on earth entrusted with his “talents.” The Master returned with “many things” that he had not had when he committed the eight silver talents to his three slaves. An earlier parable given by Jesus, the parable of the “ten minas,” specifies that what he came back with was “kingly power.”​—Luke 19:12-15. 3. What kind of time was it when Zechariah 9:9 commenced fulfillment in the first century C.E.? 3 On being newly installed, a king has reason to be joyful, and so do his loyal subjects. We recall the occasion when the Son of God rode into Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Concerning the fulfillment of that prophecy, it is written: “Most of the crowd spread their outer garments on the road, while others began cutting down branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. As for the crowds, those going ahead of him and those following kept crying out: ‘Save, we pray, the Son of David! Blessed is he that comes in Jehovah’s name! Save him, we pray, in the heights above!’ Now when he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was set in commotion, saying: ‘Who is this?’”​—Matthew 21:4-10; see also Luke 19:36-38. 4. After being enthroned as King, why did Jesus Christ have a special basis for inviting his faithful “slaves” into a joyful condition? 4 If, then, it was a joyful occasion when he merely presented himself to Jerusalem’s inhabitants as the one anointed with Jehovah’s spirit for the kingship, how much more was it the case when he was actually enthroned as King at the close of the Gentile Times in 1914? It was a most joyful occasion for him. Then, indeed, he did enter into a joy never experienced before. On settling accounts, he could therefore say to the disciples whom he judged to be “good and faithful”: “You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21) There was now a new joy in which his approved “slaves” could share. What a reward! 5. (a) The apostle Paul was an ‘ambassador’ for Christ at what stage of affairs? (b) But today the anointed remnant are “ambassadors” for Christ after what development? 5 In 1919 the anointed disciples of the reigning King, Jesus Christ, did enter into an approved condition, and this was attended with immense joy on their part. Nineteen centuries earlier the apostle Paul wrote to his fellow believers to tell them of their exalted position: “We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) That was written when Jesus was yet merely the heir apparent with the prospect of receiving “the kingdom of the heavens.” (Matthew 25:1) So, then, he needed to sit at God’s right hand and to wait there for the day of inauguration. But now, since 1919, the approved remnant have been “ambassadors” sent forth by One actually reigning as King. (Hebrews 10:12, 13) This fact was specially called to the attention of the International Bible Students at the Cedar Point, Ohio, convention in 1922. 6. The postwar efforts of those who had received the “talents” were directed first to what type of work? 6 In 1919 they had already had committed to them the equivalent of the “talents” of the reigning King, Jesus Christ. This had enlarged upon their accountability to their reigning King. From the outset, their postwar efforts were directed to a “harvest” work, the gathering of what was “the wheat” class. (Matthew 13:24-30) Since, as Jesus said, the harvest is “a conclusion of a system of things,” the postwar year of 1919 was the due time for this harvesting of the wheatlike “sons of the kingdom,” the faithful anointed remnant, to begin.​—Matthew 13:37-39. 7. (a) Into what sort of time did the harvesters enter with their Master? (b) Into what condition has Jehovah brought the harvesters, and what prophetic statement do they take up? 7 Harvesttime is a joyful time for the reapers, as the Master of the harvest enjoys the occasion with them. (Psalm 126:6) This harvesttime has been greatly enriched by the mounting evidence that God’s Kingdom by Jesus Christ was set up in the heavens in 1914 and that Jehovah restored a righteous standing to his dedicated people on earth. As a class, they take up the words of Isaiah 61:10: “Without fail I shall exult in Jehovah. My soul will be joyful in my God. For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; with the sleeveless coat of righteousness he has enwrapped me.” Gathering “a Great Crowd” of Sharers in “the Joy” 8. What joy that the anointed remnant had not anticipated was to be their portion at the end of the gathering of the Kingdom heirs? 8 Little did the anointed remnant who entered into “the joy” of their Master realize that toward the end of the gathering of the last members of the heirs of the heavenly Kingdom there would be another joy, something not anticipated. This was to be the ingathering of an earthly class who would live in the Paradise earth under the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ. Who else but people from this earthly class would be the proper ones to invite to what would be the first disclosure of information concerned with them? 9. Who were specially invited to attend the Washington, D.C., convention in 1935, and what timely information was there disclosed to them? 9 So it was that, in response to the invitation published in The Watch Tower,a hundreds who were seeking a relationship with Jehovah, along with his name people, attended the general convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Washington, D.C., May 30 to June 2, 1935. At that convention they were stirred to the depths of their hearts to learn that the “great crowd” forevisioned in Revelation 7:9-17 was to be an earthly class. 10, 11. For whom in heaven should this have proved to be a time of special joy? 10 What a great joy the holding of that convention in Washington, D.C., must have been for the Most High God, Jehovah! What a great joy it must also have been for his Son as the Fine Shepherd who would now start to gather these “other sheep” into the “one flock”!​—John 10:16. 11 While being led along and pastured, figuratively speaking, the members of the remnant and the increasing “crowd” of the “other sheep” mingle together peacefully and lovingly. The heart of their “one shepherd” must now swell with joy at having such a large “flock” near the close of this “conclusion of the system of things.” Envoys of the “Prince of Peace” 12, 13. (a) Who has been invited to share with the anointed remnant in the joy of the returned Master, and what is the reason for this? (b) The “great crowd” of “other sheep” serve the interests of the “Prince of Peace” in what capacity? 12 Those sheeplike ones who make up the “great crowd” now have a huge share in the joy of the Master, Jesus Christ. This is largely due to their having an active share in bringing in the ones needed for completing the “great crowd,” for which no number is given in Revelation 7:9. 13 The gathering work in which the “other sheep” are sharing has zoomed to worldwide proportions, far beyond the ability of the diminishing number of the anointed remnant to cope with. Accordingly, it has become increasingly necessary for the growing number of the “other sheep” to have an ever greater share in bringing in still more of the “other sheep” with an earthly hope. Thus the “other sheep” are serving as faithful envoys of the “Prince of Peace.” Proverbs 25:13 adds: “Just like the coolness of snow in the day of harvest is the faithful envoy to those sending him, for he restores the very soul of his masters.” 14. (a) What do the symbolic sheep of Jesus’ parable at Matthew 25:31-46 inherit? (b) How has the Kingdom been prepared for them “from the founding of the world”? 14 In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the symbolic sheep are the ones to whom the King Jesus Christ says: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.” (Matthew 25:31-46) They inherit the earthly realm over which the Kingdom of the heavens will rule during the Millennium of Christ’s reign. Since the time of faithful Abel, Jehovah has been preparing this realm for the world of redeemable mankind.​—Luke 11:50, 51. 15, 16. (a) What “adornment” of a king, as mentioned by Solomon, does the Master have today in spite of his rule in the midst of his enemies? (b) In what form does the reigning King have this “adornment” today? (c) What have those making up this “adornment” done? 15 Wise King Solomon of ancient Israel wrote: “In the multitude of people there is an adornment of a king.” (Proverbs 14:28) The royal Master of today, Christ Jesus, who is an official far higher than earthly King Solomon, has just such an “adornment” as regards a “multitude of people.” This is true even now before the start of his rulership of a thousand years, yes, when he is reigning in the midst of his earthly enemies, over whom Satan the Devil is the superhuman invisible king.​—Matthew 4:8, 9; Luke 4:5, 6. 16 Today’s “adornment” fit for a high official with the rank of king is now found in the swelling number of his “other sheep” who make up the “great crowd.” Jubilantly they are crying out in unison: “Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9, 10) They already experience salvation from the doomed system of things, of which Satan the Devil is “the god.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) They have already, figuratively speaking, “washed their robes . . . in the blood of the Lamb” and made them white so as to appear spotless before Jehovah God, the Judge.​—Revelation 7:14. 17. (a) To what salvation do the “great crowd” yet look forward? (b) What privilege will they enjoy during the Millennial Reign of the “Prince of Peace”? 17 Yet they look forward to the divinely provided salvation that they will experience at Jehovah’s crowning victory in “the war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Har–Magedon. His magnificent victory there will result in the vindication of his universal sovereignty, and they will be earthly eyewitnesses because of being preserved alive through the terrible end of this wicked world. (Revelation 16:14; 2 Peter 3:12) What a precious privilege! What great joy the “Prince of Peace” will then share with the surviving “great crowd” of his loyal “other sheep”! [Footnotes] a Page 2 of the Watch Tower issues of April 1 and 15, May 1 and 15, 1935. [Picture on page 71] The Fine Shepherd’s heart must now be filled with joy at having so many “other sheep”