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Reasoning (rs)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs | How You Might Respond to Potential Conversation Stoppers
Comments: The life prospects of people depend on their attitude toward Jehovah God and his Kingdom by Christ Jesus. The message of God’s Kingdom is thrilling, and it points to the only dependable hope for humankind. It is a message that transforms lives. We want everyone to hear it. We realize that only a minority will receive it appreciatively, but we know that people at least need to hear it if they are to make an informed choice. Yet not everyone is willing to listen, and we do not try to force them. But with discernment it is often possible to turn potential conversation stoppers into opportunities for further discussion. Here are examples of what some experienced Witnesses have used in their efforts to search out deserving ones. (Matt. 10:11) Our recommendation is not that you memorize any of these replies but that you get the idea in mind, put it in your own words and express it in a manner that conveys your genuine interest in the person to whom you are speaking. As you do so, you can have confidence that those whose hearts are rightly disposed will listen and respond appreciatively to what Jehovah is doing to draw them to his loving provisions for life.—John 6:44; Acts 16:14.
‘I’M NOT INTERESTED’
● ‘May I ask, Do you mean that you are not interested in the Bible, or is it religion in general that does not interest you? I ask that because we have met many who at one time were religious but no longer go to church because they see much hypocrisy in the churches (or, they feel that religion is just another money-making business; or, they do not approve of religion’s involvement in politics; etc.). The Bible does not approve of such practices either and it provides the only basis on which we can look to the future with confidence.’
● ‘If you mean that you are not interested in another religion, I can understand that. But more than likely you are interested in what kind of future we can expect in view of the threat of nuclear war (or, how we can safeguard our children against drug abuse; or, what can be done about crime so that we won’t have to be afraid to walk the streets; etc.). Can you see any prospect for a real solution?’
● ‘Is that because you already have a religion? . . . Tell me, Do you think we will ever see a time when everyone belongs to the same religion? . . . What seems to stand in the way? . . . For it to be meaningful, what sort of foundation would be needed?’
● ‘I can appreciate that. A few years ago I felt the same way. But I read something in the Bible that helped me to view matters in a different light. (Show the person what it was.)’
● ‘Would you be interested if I could show you from the Bible how you could see your dead loved ones again (or, what the real purpose of life is; or, how it can help us to keep our families united; etc.)?’
● ‘If you mean that you are not interested in buying something, let me put your mind at ease. I’m not engaged in a commercial work. But would you be interested in the opportunity to live on a paradise earth, free from sickness and crime, with neighbors who really love you?’
● ‘Is that your usual reply when Jehovah’s Witnesses call? . . . Have you ever really wondered why we keep calling or what we have to say? . . . Briefly, the reason I came to see you is that I know something that you should know too. Why not listen just this once?’
‘I’M NOT INTERESTED IN RELIGION’
● ‘I can understand how you feel. Frankly, the churches are not making this world a safer place to live, are they? . . . May I ask, Have you always felt the way you do now? . . . But do you believe in God?’
● ‘There are a lot of people who share your view. Religion has not really helped them. That is one reason why we are calling—because the churches have not told people the truth about God and his wonderful purpose for mankind.’
● ‘But I am sure that you are interested in your own future. Did you know that the Bible foretold the very conditions that exist in the world today? . . . And it shows what the outcome will be.’
● ‘Have you always felt that way? . . . How do you feel about the future?’
‘I’M NOT INTERESTED IN JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES’
● ‘Many folks tell us that. Have you ever wondered why people like me volunteer to make these calls even though we know that the majority of householders may not welcome us? (Give the gist of Matthew 25:31-33, explaining that a separating of people of all nations is taking place and that their response to the Kingdom message is an important factor in this. Or state the gist of Ezekiel 9:1-11, explaining that, on the basis of people’s reaction to the Kingdom message, everyone is being “marked” either for preservation through the great tribulation or for destruction by God.)’
● ‘I can appreciate that, because I used to feel the same way. But, just to be fair, I decided to listen to one of them. And I found out that I hadn’t been told the truth about them. (Mention a common false accusation and then explain what we believe.)’
● ‘Not long ago I said the same thing to a Witness who called at my door. But before he left I raised a question that I was sure he could not answer. Would you like to know what it was? . . . (As an example: Where did Cain get his wife?)’ (For use by those who really had such an experience.)
● ‘If you are a religious person, I can appreciate that. Your own religion no doubt means much to you. But I think you’ll agree that we are both interested in (name an appropriate topic).’
● ‘Then no doubt you have your own religion. Do you mind my asking which religion it is? . . . We enjoy talking with people of your faith. How do you feel about (mention your topic for discussion)?’
● ‘Yes, I understand. But the reason we are calling is that we are a family that would like to see people live together in peace. We’re sick and tired of the news every night with reports of fighting and suffering. I suppose you are the same. . . . But what can bring the needed change? . . . We’ve found encouragement in the Bible’s promises.’
● ‘I appreciate your letting me know how you feel. Would you mind telling me what there is about us that you don’t like? Is it what we show you from the Bible, or is it our coming to visit you?’
‘I HAVE MY OWN RELIGION’
● ‘Would you mind telling me, Does your religion teach that the time will come when people who love what is right will live on earth forever? . . . That is an appealing thought, isn’t it? . . . It is right here in the Bible. (Ps. 37:29; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 21:4)’
● ‘I agree that in this matter each person must make his own decision. But did you know that God himself is looking for a certain kind of people to be his true worshipers? Notice here at John 4:23, 24. What would it mean to worship God “with truth”? . . . What has God given us to help us to know what is true and what is not? . . . (John 17:17) And notice how important it is to us personally. (John 17:3)’
● ‘Have you been a religious person all your life? . . . Do you think mankind will ever be united in one religion? . . . I’ve thought a lot about that because of what is recorded here at Revelation 5:13. . . . What is needed in order for us to fit into this picture?’
● ‘I was hoping to find someone like yourself who has an interest in spiritual things. So many today do not. May I ask how you feel about the Bible’s promise that God will clear out all wickedness and make this earth a place where only people who love righteousness will live? Does that appeal to you?’
● ‘Are you quite active in church affairs? . . . Is the church usually well filled for services these days? . . . Do you find that most members are really showing a sincere desire to apply God’s Word in everyday life? (Or, Do you find that there is unity of thinking among the members as to the solution to the problems that face the world?) We find that personal home Bible instruction helps.’
● ‘Evidently you are satisfied with your religion. But most people are not satisfied with world conditions. Perhaps that is true of you too; is it? . . . What is it all leading up to?’
● ‘Are you a person who enjoys reading the Bible? . . . Do you find time to read it on a regular basis?’
● ‘I appreciate your telling me that. I am sure that you will agree that, no matter what our religious background, we are all very much interested in world peace (or, ways to protect our children against bad influences; or, having a neighborhood in which people really love one another; or, enjoying good relationships with other people, and that can present a challenge when everyone feels under pressure).’
● ‘I’m glad to know that you are religiously inclined. Many people today do not take religion seriously. Some even think there is no God. But, according to what you have been taught, what kind of person do you think of God as being? . . . Notice that the Bible gives us his personal name. (Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18)’
● ‘When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, he told them to go to every part of the earth, so they would meet many people whose religion was different from theirs. (Acts 1:8) But he knew that those hungering and thirsting for righteousness would listen. What is the particular message that he said would be delivered in our day? (Matt. 24:14) What does that Kingdom mean to us?’
‘WE ARE ALREADY CHRISTIANS HERE’
● ‘I’m glad to know that. Then you no doubt know that Jesus himself did a work like this, calling on people in their homes, and he commissioned his disciples to do it too. Are you familiar with the theme of the preaching they did? . . . That’s what we came to talk about today. (Luke 8:1; Dan. 2:44)’
● ‘Then I’m sure you will appreciate the seriousness of what Jesus said here in the Sermon on the Mount. He was being very straightforward but also loving when he said . . . (Matt. 7:21-23) The question that we need to ask ourselves, then, is, How well do I know the will of the heavenly Father? (John 17:3)’
‘I’M BUSY’
● ‘Then I’ll be very brief. I called to share just one important thought with you. (State the gist of your topic for discussion in about two sentences.)’
● ‘All right. I’ll be glad to call at another time, when it is more convenient for you. But before I leave, I’d like to read just one scripture that really gives us something important to think about.’
● ‘I understand. As a mother (or, workingman; or, student) I have a full schedule too. So I’ll be brief. All of us are faced with a serious situation. The Bible shows that we are very near the time when God will destroy the present wicked system of things. But there will be survivors. The question is, What must you and I do to be among them? The Bible answers that question. (Zeph. 2:2, 3)’
● ‘You know, that’s exactly the reason why I’m calling. We’re all busy—so busy that really important things in life sometimes get neglected, isn’t that so? . . . I’ll be very brief, but I’m sure you will be interested in just this one text. (Luke 17:26, 27) None of us want to find ourselves in that situation, so we need to make time in our busy lives to consider what the Bible says. (Make literature offer.)’
● ‘Would it be more convenient if we called back in about half an hour, after we have visited some of your neighbors?’
● ‘Then I won’t keep you. Perhaps I can call another day. But before I leave, I would like to give you the opportunity to obtain this special offer. (Display the offer for the month.) This publication contains a study course that will acquaint you with the Bible’s own answers to such questions as (mention just one or two).’
● ‘I’m sorry that I caught you at an inconvenient moment. As you may know, I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. I wanted to share with you an important thought from the Bible. But since you don’t have time to listen right now, I would like to give you this tract, which discusses (name the subject). It won’t take long to read, but you will find it very interesting.’
● ‘That’s not hard for me to understand. There just does not seem to be enough time to get everything done. But have you ever thought how different life might be if you could live forever? I know that may sound strange. But let me show you just one Bible text that explains how such a thing is possible. (John 17:3) So, what we need to do now is to take in this knowledge of God and his Son. That is why we leave this literature.’
‘WHY DO YOU PEOPLE CALL SO OFTEN?’
● ‘Because we believe that we are living in the last days referred to in the Bible. We feel that it is important for all of us to think about what the outcome of present conditions will be. (Mention one or two recent events or current situations.) The question is, What do we need to do if we are to survive the end of this system of things?’
● ‘Because we love God and our neighbors. That is what we all should do, isn’t it?’
‘I AM ALREADY WELL ACQUAINTED WITH YOUR WORK’
● ‘I am very glad to hear that. Do you have a close relative or a friend that is a Witness? . . . May I ask: Do you believe what we teach from the Bible, namely, that we are living in “the last days,” that soon God is going to destroy the wicked, and that this earth will become a paradise in which people can live forever in perfect health among neighbors who really love one another?’
‘WE HAVE NO MONEY’
● ‘We are not soliciting funds. But we are offering a free home Bible study course. One of the subjects that it covers is (use a chapter input from a current publication). May I take a few minutes to show you how it works? It won’t cost you a penny.’
● ‘We’re interested in people, not their money. (Continue with discussion. Show them one of the publications and explain how it can benefit them. If they manifest genuine interest and promise to read it, leave it with them. If appropriate, explain how our worldwide preaching activity is financed.)’
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS, ‘I’M A BUDDHIST’
● Do not conclude that the person’s beliefs are the same as those of all other Buddhists. Buddhist teachings are vague and the interpretation varies from one person to another. Japanese Buddhism is quite different from the Buddhism of Southeast Asia. Individuals, too, differ as to their viewpoint. In general, however, the following points may be helpful: (1) Buddhism does not recognize an external God, a personal Creator. But many Buddhists worship images and relics of Buddha. (2) Siddhartha Gautama, who was given the input Buddha, came to be viewed as the religious ideal of his followers, to be imitated by them. He encouraged gaining enlightenment by studying mankind from a human standpoint, also severing the roots of suffering by controlling the mind so as to eliminate all earthly desire. He taught that in this way one might attain to Nirvana, free from the rebirths of transmigration. (3) Buddhists worship their ancestors, because they view these as the source of their life.
Suggestions for conversation: (1) When speaking with Buddhists, emphasize that you are no part of Christendom. (2) Buddhists have respect for “holy books,” and generally they respect the Bible for that reason. Instead of dwelling on Buddhist philosophy, present the positive message of the Bible. Let them know that the Bible is not mere human philosophy but the authoritative Word of mankind’s Creator, Jehovah God. Ask politely if you may show them an interesting point in this holy book, the Bible. (3) Many Buddhists are keenly interested in peace and family life and want to live moral lives. Discussion on any of these matters is often welcomed. (4) Show that the Bible points to a righteous heavenly government over the earth as the real solution to the problems facing mankind. It explains the future of the earth and the wonderful prospect of living forever in an earthly paradise. (5) You might point out that the Bible explains the origin of life, the meaning of life, the condition of the dead and the resurrection hope, the reason for the existence of wickedness. A kindly presentation of the clear truths of God’s Word will find appreciative response in the hearts of sheeplike ones.
The booklet In Search of a Father was prepared especially for the benefit of sincere Buddhists.
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS, ‘I’M A HINDU’
● You ought to be aware that Hindu philosophy is very complex and does not conform to normal logic. You may find it helpful to have the following points in mind: (1) Hinduism teaches that the god Brahman includes three forms—Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Siva the Destroyer. But Hindus do not think of a personal god with an individual existence. (2) Hindus believe that all natural objects possess a soul that never dies, that the soul experiences a virtually endless cycle of reincarnation, that the forms in which it is reborn are determined by deeds (Karma), that release from this “endless wheel” is possible only by extinguishing all physical desire, and that if this is achieved, the soul will merge with the universal spirit. (3) In general, Hindus respect other religions. Hindus believe that, in spite of the fact that they teach conflicting doctrines, all religions lead to the same truth.
Instead of trying to deal with the complexities of Hindu philosophy, present the satisfying truths found in the Holy Bible. Jehovah’s loving provisions for life are open to people of all kinds, and the clear truths in his Word will reach the hearts of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Only the Bible provides a truly well-founded hope for the future; only the Bible gives really satisfying answers to the important questions that face all mankind. Give them opportunity to hear those answers. It is of interest that the Hindu Rig-Veda hymn, 10. 121, is eninputd “To the Unknown God.” In some cases you may find it appropriate to refer to this in a manner similar to the apostle Paul’s reference to the altar “To an Unknown God” in Athens. (Acts 17:22, 23) Interestingly, the name of the Hindu god Vishnu, without the digamma, is Ish-nuh, which in Chaldee means “the man Noah.” Point out what the Bible says about the significance of the global Flood in the days of Noah. Those who are distressed by the prospect of endless reincarnations may be helped by the material on pages 320, 321, under the main heading “Reincarnation.”
The booklets The Path of Divine Truth Leading to Liberation and From Kurukshetra to Armageddon—And Your Survival contain information that will be very beneficial to sincere Hindus.
WHEN SOMEONE SAYS, ‘I’M A JEW’
● First, ascertain how the person views himself as a Jew. Few are religious. For many, being Jewish is simply an ethnic designation.
Here are a few points that are beneficial to have in mind: (1) Religious Jews view the pronouncing of God’s name as forbidden. (2) Many Jews think of “the Bible” as a Christian book, but if you refer to “the Hebrew Scriptures,” “the Scriptures,” or “the Torah,” that problem does not arise. (3) Tradition is a central part of their faith and is viewed by many religious Jews as equal in authority with the Scriptures. (4) They may associate Jesus Christ with the brutal persecution experienced by the Jews at the hands of Christendom in the name of Jesus. (5) They frequently believe that God requires the Jews to keep the Sabbath, which belief includes refraining from handling money on that day.
To establish a common ground, you might say: (1) ‘You would no doubt agree that, regardless of our background, we all face many of the same difficulties in today’s world. Do you believe that there will really be a lasting solution to the great problems that face this generation? (Ps. 37:10, 11, 29; Ps. 146:3-5; Dan. 2:44)’ (2) ‘We are no part of Christendom and do not believe in a Trinity but worship the God of Abraham. We are especially interested in the matter of religious truth. Do you mind if I ask how you determine what is true, especially in view of the fact that there are great differences of beliefs among Jewish people? . . . (Deut. 4:2; Isa. 29:13, 14; Ps. 119:160)’ (3) ‘We are keenly interested in God’s promise to Abraham that through his seed people of all nations will be blessed. (Gen. 22:18)’
If the person expresses lack of faith in God, ask whether he has always felt that way. Then perhaps discuss why God has permitted wickedness and suffering. Memories of the Nazi holocaust have caused many Jews to be concerned about this.
If you discuss the importance of using God’s name, find out first how the other person feels about it. Point out that Exodus 20:7 forbids taking up God’s name in a worthless way, but it does not forbid using it with respect. Then reason on texts such as Exodus 3:15 (or Psalm 135:13); 1 Kings 8:41-43; Isaiah 12:4; Jeremiah 10:25; Malachi 3:16.
When you discuss the Messiah: (1) Talk first about the future blessings under his rule, instead of his identity. (2) Then reason on texts that point to a personal Messiah. (Gen. 22:17, 18; Zech. 9:9, 10; Dan. 7:13, 14) (3) You may need to discuss the two comings of the Messiah. (Contrast Daniel 7:13, 14 with Daniel 9:24-26.) (4) When referring to Jesus, do so in a context that emphasizes the progressive nature of God’s purpose. Mention that when Jesus taught, the time was near when God allowed the second temple to be destroyed, never to be rebuilt. But Jesus emphasized the fulfillment of the Law and of the Prophets and the glorious future to which these would direct persons with faith. |
Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2)
2008 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2 | CHAPTER 36
How Can I Defend My Belief in God?
What would most likely hold you back from talking to a classmate about your faith?
□ Lack of Bible knowledge
□ Fear of ridicule
□ Not knowing how to start a conversation
Which method of talking about your faith would you find easiest?
□ Talking one-on-one to a student
□ Speaking before the entire class
□ Writing about my Bible-based beliefs in a report
Name a schoolmate who you think might be receptive to a Bible discussion if you knew how to bring up the subject. ․․․․․
GOD probably isn’t the most popular topic of conversation among your schoolmates. Bring up almost anything else—sports, clothes, or the opposite sex—and you’ll trigger a lively discussion. But mention God, and an awkward silence may quickly descend.
Not that your peers don’t believe in God; many youths do. But some are embarrassed to discuss the subject. ‘It’s just not cool,’ they might think.
What About You?
If you’re reluctant to talk to your schoolmates about God, it’s understandable. No one enjoys being rejected, and being made fun of is even worse! Could that happen if you talked about your faith? It could. On the other hand, your peers might surprise you. Many of them are searching for answers to such questions as: Where is this world heading? and Why is it so full of trouble? Your peers would likely rather talk about those subjects with someone their own age than with an adult.
Still, talking to your peers about religion may seem like a daunting challenge. Really, though, you don’t have to come across as a fanatic, nor do you have to worry about saying exactly the right thing. Talking about your faith can be a little like playing a musical instrument. Challenging at first? Probably. But with practice it becomes easier, and your efforts will pay off. How, though, do you get a conversation started?
Usually, you can find a comfortable opening. For instance, perhaps when a current event is being discussed at school, you can add your Scriptural perspective. Or you could try speaking to just one classmate. Easier still, some Christian youths have simply placed a Bible-based publication on their desk to see if it attracts a classmate’s attention. Frequently, it does and a conversation follows!
Which of the above methods could you try? ․․․․․
Can you think of another way you could talk about your faith with a classmate? If so, write it below.
․․․․․
Sometimes a school project lends itself to giving a witness about your faith. For example, what might you do when the subject of evolution arises? How can you defend your belief in creation?
Defending Creation
“When evolution was brought up in the classroom, it challenged everything I had been taught,” says a youth named Ryan. “It was presented as a fact, and I found that to be intimidating.” A girl named Raquel expresses herself similarly. “I was terrified when my social studies teacher said that evolution would be our next lesson,” she says. “I knew that I’d have to explain in class where I stood on this controversial issue.”
How do you feel when the subject of evolution comes up in class? You believe that God “created all things.” (Revelation 4:11) You see evidence of intelligent design all around you. But the textbooks say that life evolved, and so does your teacher. Who are you to argue with the “experts”?
Rest assured, you’re not alone in your feelings about the evolution theory. The fact is, even a number of scientists don’t accept it. Neither do many teachers and students.
Still, to defend your belief in creation, you need to know what the Bible really teaches on the subject. There’s no need to make an issue over things that the Bible doesn’t directly comment on. Consider a few examples.
My science textbook says that the earth and the solar system have been in existence for billions of years. The Bible says that the earth and the rest of the universe were in existence before the first creative day. Thus, the earth and the solar system may well be billions of years old.—Genesis 1:1.
My teacher says that the earth could not have been created in just six days. The Bible doesn’t state that the six creative days were literal 24-hour periods.
Our class discussed several examples of changes in animals and humans that took place over time. The Bible says that God created living things “according to their kinds.” (Genesis 1:20, 21) It does not support the idea that life arose from nonliving matter or that God started off the process of evolution with a single cell. Still, each “kind” has the potential for great variety. So the Bible allows for change to take place within each “kind.”
In view of what has been considered in this chapter, how would you respond if a teacher or a classmate said:
“Science has proved that we are the product of evolution.” ․․․․․
“I don’t believe in God because I can’t see him.” ․․․․․
Be Confident of Your Beliefs!
If you’re being raised by Christian parents, you might believe in creation simply because that’s what you’ve been taught. Now that you’re growing older, though, you want to worship God “with your power of reason,” having a solid foundation for your beliefs. (Romans 12:1) In view of that, ask yourself, ‘What convinces me that there is a Creator?’ Sam, 14, looks at the human body. “It’s so detailed and complex,” he says, “and all of its parts work so well together. The human body couldn’t have evolved!” Holly, 16, agrees. “Since being diagnosed with diabetes,” she says, “I have learned a lot about how the body works. It’s amazing, for example, how the pancreas—a little organ that hides behind the stomach—does such a huge job in keeping blood and the other organs working.”
Below, list three things that convince you that there is a Creator.
1. ․․․․․
2. ․․․․․
3. ․․․․․
There’s no reason to feel awkward or ashamed because you believe in God and in creation. Considering the evidence, it’s entirely reasonable to believe that we humans are the product of intelligent design.
In the end, it’s really evolution, not creation, that requires a huge leap of faith—in effect, belief in miracles without a miracle maker! Once you’ve thought this matter through using your power of reason, you will feel more confident about defending your belief in God.
IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERYou see others your age getting baptized. Are you ready to take that step?
KEY SCRIPTURE
“I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith.”—Romans 1:16.
TIP
Be aware of your demeanor when you talk about your beliefs. If you appear ashamed, you may invite ridicule from your peers. But if you speak with confidence—just as your schoolmates would speak about their views—you’re more likely to win their respect.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
Sometimes when teachers are asked to prove evolution, they find that they cannot do so and they come to realize that they accept the theory simply because it’s what they have been taught.
ACTION PLAN!
To strike up a conversation about the Bible with a classmate, I could ․․․․․
If I am asked why I believe in a Creator, I will say ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Why is it important to talk to others about what you believe?
● What are some ways you can comfortably express your belief in creation at school?
● How can you show your appreciation for the One who created all things?—Acts 17:26, 27.
[Blurb on page 299]
“School is a preaching territory that only we can reach.”—Iraida
[Picture on page 298]
Much like playing a musical instrument, talking about your faith requires skill—with practice, you will become proficient
[Picture on page 300, 301]
You can conquer your fear of defending your beliefs |
Man’s Salvation (sl)
1975 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sl | Chapter 12
Christendom and Judaism Now Facing Desolation
1. What is the year 1975 on the religious calendar of the Roman Catholic Church, and how often are such celebrations held?
1975 of our Common Era—the year marked in the religious calendar of the Roman Catholic Church for celebration as a Holy Year, which really began on Christmas Eve, December 24, of the year 1974. In this twentieth century three such Holy Year celebrations were observed, in 1925, in 1933 in commemoration of the nineteen hundredth anniversary of the death of Jesus Christ in 33 C.E., and in 1950. On this subject the New Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7, pages 108, 109, has this to say, in part:
A year during which a solemn plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful under certain conditions, and special faculties are given to confessors. Holy Years are ordinary when they occur at regular intervals (every 25 years in modern times) and extraordinary when they are proclaimed for some very special reason, e.g., in 1933, to celebrate the anniversary of the Redemption. Twenty-five general Holy Years were celebrated between 1300 and 1950. . . .
The first Holy Year in 1300 began on the evening of December 24-25 . . . Pope Boniface VIII issued the bull . . . which determined that every 100 years a universal jubilee should be celebrated. . . . In 1342 Clement VI decreed a jubilee every 50 years; . . . In 1389 Urban VI reduced the time to 33 years . . . and proclaimed the third Holy Year for 1390. . . . The fourth jubilee was the centenary year 1400, and the fifth was held in 1425 . . . Finally, in 1470, Paul II reduced the time to 25 years, so that the next Holy Year was in 1475, and up to our days this custom has remained. . . .
2. Current statistics show what as to the size of Christendom?
2 The Roman Catholic Church entered the Holy Year for 1975 with an estimated Roman Catholic population of 551,949,000, making it the largest religious organization on earth today. The next-largest religious organization, that of the Hindus, numbers 515,580,500 members. If we add to the Roman Catholic population the estimated 91,580,700 members of the Eastern Orthodox group and the 324,263,750 reported members of the Protestant denominations, it gives to Christendom a membership of at least 967,793,450—a formidable religious organization that it would ordinarily seem impossible to overthrow or to eradicate from the earth. (See The World Almanac 1975, page 322.)
3, 4. The extent of Christendom’s numerical growth was foretold by Jesus in what illustration?
3 Measured by the size of Christendom at its beginning in the fourth century of our Common Era, her claimed population today bespeaks indeed a tremendous growth. It creates the impression that the One after whom Christendom takes its name has been blessing Christendom. The statistics regarding her growth to nearly a thousand million members would give the impression that Christendom has been flourishing with the luxuriousness of a spiritual paradise. Some may think that she is on her way to her onetime goal, that of world conversion. Her growth to her present numerical proportions should not be surprising, for it was foretold by Jesus Christ himself. In the midst of a series of prophetic illustrations or parables, he gave pictures drawn from everyday life to foretell Christendom’s growth. For example, he said:
4 “The kingdom of the heavens is like a mustard grain, which a man took and planted in his field; which is, in fact, the tiniest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the largest of the vegetables and becomes a tree, so that the birds of heaven come and find lodging among its branches.”—Matthew 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30-32.
5. (a) When referring here to “the kingdom of the heavens,” what did Jesus have in mind? (b) Why should this not seem strange, in view of the parable preceding this one?
5 In this parable, Jesus Christ was referring to “the kingdom of the heavens” with its counterfeit in mind. This was not strange, for, in the parable just preceding this one, he illustrated how imitation Christians in great numbers would be produced. He, like the sower of the fine wheat seed in the field, was sowing the figurative “fine seed,” the “sons of the kingdom.” However, as, in the parable, the enemy came by night when men slept and oversowed the same field with weed seed, or bearded darnel seed, so later on, when baptized professing Christians did not keep awake and on the watch against the invasion of error and pretenders, Satan the Devil would sow imitation Christians in among the true “sons of the kingdom.” This would call for a separation of the true from the false at God’s appointed time, in the “conclusion of the system of things,” where we find ourselves today.—Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; compare Mt 13 verses 47-50.
6. Instead of predicting world conversion, what did Jesus foretell as to the number of the “sons of the kingdom”?
6 The Lord Jesus Christ did not expect and did not predict world conversion to true Christianity. He did not predict that all the world of mankind would one day become “sons of the kingdom” in fact. To the prospective “sons of the kingdom,” he said: “Your Father knows you need these things. Nevertheless, seek continually his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Have no fear, little flock, because your Father has approved of giving you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:30-32) About sixty-five years after the giving of the parable of the mustard seed, the resurrected, glorified Jesus Christ transmitted a revelation to the apostle John and plainly stated that the “sons of the kingdom,” the spiritual Israelites, would number twelve times twelve thousand. Compare this with the present-day membership of Christendom, or 144,000 compared with 967,793,450.—Revelation 7:4-8.
7. How does the Scriptural context help us to identify the “birds” that find lodging in the mustard tree of Jesus’ illustration?
7 So Jesus Christ well knew that true Christianity, “the kingdom of the heavens,” was not to become a figurative “tree,” on the branches of which the birds could lodge or under which they could find ample shadow. In the earlier parable on the four types of soil upon which the fine seed, picturing the “word of the kingdom,” is sown, Jesus brought birds into the picture. Whom did he explain those “birds” to be like? “The wicked one,” “the Devil.” That is to say, the earthly agents of the wicked Devil. (Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15) Mark 4:15 calls him Satan. Reasonably, then, birds mentioned in the same context, in the same series of parables, would picture similar things. So the birds that find lodging in the mustard tree would picture the agents of the “wicked one,” “Satan the Devil.” They would correspond with the “weeds,” the imitation wheat, in the parable of the wheat and the weeds. They are the “sons of the wicked one.”
8. Who, then, in the parable, is the “man” that sowed the mustard seed, and whom did he outstandingly use as an agent in the fourth century?
8 It is the fake “kingdom of the heavens,” the counterfeit, namely, Christendom, that is filled with these symbolic birds, “the sons of the wicked one.” Today it is big enough to hold them all. In the parable, the “man” that sowed the mustard grain pictures the “wicked one,” Satan the Devil. Outstandingly in the fourth century C.E. Satan the Devil planted or specially cultivated this symbolic “mustard grain” of contaminated, adulterated, imitation Christianity. He did so by then using a man who became the leading politician of the Roman Empire, namely, Constantine the Great. In 312 C.E. this bloodstained army man professed to be converted to Christianity, really, though, to the apostate Christianity of his day as professed by soldiers in the army. This ambitious man conquered his political rivals and gained the position of emperor of the Roman Empire. In this capacity he acted as the Pontifex Maximus or chief priest of the pagan Roman religion. He held onto this pagan religious input and position and authority despite claiming to be a Christian.
9. (a) What kind of God do all the “birds” in this symbolic “tree” worship? (b) Where do they all eventually expect to go, thus making it fitting to associate them in the illustration with the “kingdom of the heavens”?
9 As Pontifex Maximus, Emperor Constantine acted as if he were the visible head of the Christian Church and called a council of so-called “bishops,” the presiding overseers of congregations of professed Christians, at Nicea, Asia Minor, in 325 C.E. At that Council the Pontifex Maximus Constantine settled the episcopal wrangling over who and what God is by taking the trinitarian side and decreeing that God is a triune God, a God in three indivisible persons, namely, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. To this day the unscriptural doctrine of the “Trinity” is the fundamental doctrine of the sectarian churches of Christendom. To this trinitarian mustard “tree” all the trinitarian “birds” flock to roost thereon. They all expect to go to heaven, like “sons of the kingdom,” and to see this mysterious, unexplainable triune God. Truly in Christendom, the mock “kingdom of God,” is fulfilled the parable of the “mustard grain.”
RELIGIOUS CORRUPTION
10. In Matthew 13:33, what further illustration did Jesus give about the “kingdom of the heavens”?
10 According to Matthew 13:33, immediately after the parable of the mustard grain Jesus Christ gave another illustration to show something further about the imitation “kingdom of the heavens.” We read: “Another illustration he spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of the heavens is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three large measures of flour, until the whole mass was fermented.’” (Also, Luke 13:18-21) How, now, has this illustration been fulfilled?
11. (a) In Bible times, what was leaven, and what effect does it have? (b) In the Scriptures, how is leaven used figuratively? Illustrate.
11 Leaven, in Bible times, was a piece of sour dough that had been preserved and that was added to a new batch of dough to make it ferment and form gas bubbles that would leaven or lighten the whole mass. The fermentation is really a breaking-down process, a corrupting, so that it often causes spoilage. For this reason it is generally used in the Holy Scriptures in a bad way figuratively. For instance, the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees were purveyors of spiritual leaven, regarding which Jesus told his disciples: “Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” The disciples grasped this to mean the “teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:6-12) According to Luke 12:1, Jesus told his disciples: “Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” This doctrinal and ritualistic leaven could also have a political tinge, as represented by the Jewish party followers of King Herod; so that Jesus said: “Keep your eyes open, look out for the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”—Mark 8:15.
12. In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, leaven was used to represent what, and in contrast with what?
12 Fully in obedience to that warning, the first-century Christians were celebrating in their daily lives the antitype of the ancient Jewish festival of unleavened bread or cakes, the festival that was celebrated for seven days after the annual Passover. Quite appropriately, then, the apostle Paul warned them against the figurative leaven, saying: “Your cause for boasting is not fine. Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole lump? Clear away the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, according as you are free from ferment. For, indeed, Christ our passover has been sacrificed. Consequently let us keep the festival, not with old leaven, neither with leaven of badness and wickedness, but with unfermented cakes of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8) This statement of the apostle contrasted the figurative leaven of badness and wickedness, false sectarian teaching and religious hypocrisy, with sincerity, genuineness and truth.
13. Why did Jesus refer to a woman in his illustration, and how did the amount of leaven compare with the quantity of flour?
13 As, back there, the agricultural field was the realm of the man, so the kitchen was the realm of the woman. (2 Samuel 13:6-8; 1 Kings 17:11-13; Jeremiah 7:18; Luke 17:35) Appropriately, then, Jesus used a woman in his illustration as the one putting the little piece of leaven in a big batch of dough in order to leaven it. The lump of dough contained “three large measures of flour.” The New English Bible indicates the quantity of flour that this amounted to by rendering Matthew 13:33 as follows: “The kingdom of Heaven is like yeast, which a woman took and mixed with half a hundredweight of flour till it was all leavened.” The New American Bible describes the process, saying: “The reign of God is like yeast which a woman took and kneaded into three measures of flour. Eventually the whole mass of dough began to rise.” Byington’s translation also emphasizes the quantity that was leavened, saying: “The Reign of Heaven is like a bit of yeast which a woman took and buried in forty quarts of flour till it all grew yeasty.” This illustrates just how figurative yeast acts.
14, 15. (a) What effect does figurative leaven have on a religious organization? (b) With what language did the apostle Peter warn against such an influence in the congregation?
14 Like literal leaven or yeast, figurative leaven causes a souring of a religious organization. It is an agency that corrupts religiously. It is prepared by Satan the Devil, and he uses earthly human agents to introduce the figurative leaven into a clean religious organization with the design of corrupting it and making it unfit for God’s use and making it a reproach or discredit to God. In a letter written about thirty-one years after the founding of the true Christian congregation on the day of Pentecost in 33 C.E., the apostle Peter warned against such an insertion of religious leaven among the congregation, saying:
15 “Consequently we have the prophetic word made more sure; and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises, in your hearts. For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit. However, there also came to be false prophets among the people, as there will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively. Also, with covetousness they will exploit you with counterfeit words. But as for them, the judgment from of old is not moving slowly, and the destruction of them is not slumbering.”—2 Peter 1:19 through 2:3.
16. Similarly, of what did the apostle Paul warn the congregation at Ephesus?
16 By word of mouth the apostle Paul warned the elders of the congregation of Ephesus, Asia Minor, about the very same thing, saying: “I have not held back from telling you all the counsel of God. Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son. I know that after my going away oppressive wolves will enter in among you and will not treat the flock with tenderness, and from among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.”—Acts 20:27-30.
17, 18. (a) In time, what did these false teachers and prophets become? (b) Why were they rightly called the “son of destruction”?
17 These false teachers and prophets, wolfish men in sheep’s clothing, would gradually build up and form a composite “man of lawlessness.” This human agency of Satan the Devil would cause a rebellion or “apostasy” in the religious organization that claims to be Christian. For this reason, this clerical body of religious leaders would be destined for destruction, so that this composite “man” could rightly be called the “son of destruction.” Of course, the religious organization over which this “man of lawlessness” would assume control would not get God’s favor but would be marked for destruction in His due time. Why?
18 “Because they did not accept the love of the truth that they might be saved. So that is why God lets an operation of error go to them, that they may get to believing the lie, in order that they all may be judged because they did not believe the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness.”—2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.
19. How did the “man of lawlessness” become clearly identifiable in the fourth century C.E.?
19 Although the “mystery of this lawlessness” was already at work in the days of the apostles, this composite “man of lawlessness” did not take a clearly identifiable form until in the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great in the first quarter of the fourth century C.E. This pagan Pontifex Maximus tried to create a “fusion religion” by making a blend. True Christianity can never blend or fuse with any of the false religions of this world. (2 Corinthians 6:14 through 7:1) However, the religious-political head of the Roman Empire forced the so-called “bishops” that negotiated with him to compromise. So the adulterated Christianity that these “bishops” supervised was merged with the pagan Roman religion, so as to create a “fusion religion” that would be less objectionable, more acceptable to those who were still pagan at heart and who desired to hold onto certain pagan religious ideas and practices of theirs. Like what they were used to in their former pagan religion, they allowed the “bishops” to form a clergy class over them, to govern them as a laity class. This fusion religion became the State religion.
20, 21. (a) As a result of the religious “leaven” kneaded into Christendom at its beginning, what has developed? (b) Though the members of Christendom’s churches think that they are going to heaven at their death, what is indicated by the prevalence of the “works of the flesh” among them?
20 In this manner Christendom was founded, and, during the centuries since, it has grown to be what it is today. It is a huge religious mass today, and yet, from a bit of religious “leaven” kneaded into the organization at its beginning, it has become thoroughly leavened with paganism, worldliness, badness, wickedness, traditions of men, hypocrisy, doctrines of demons. Christendom made herself a part of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, and has grown to be the dominant single unit in that religious empire. (Revelation 17:3-6) The name Christendom may give the idea that her religious members are destined for the heavenly kingdom at their death. But today, more than at any time previous, Christendom is full of the “works of the flesh,” and what these works are and whether they are the basis for admission into the heavenly kingdom is stated by the apostle Paul:
21 “A little leaven ferments the whole lump. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, outputions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these. As to these things I am forewarning you, the same way as I did forewarn you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.”—Galatians 5:9, 19-21.
22. Is Christendom today enjoying a spiritual paradise, and what are her prospects for entering into any other paradise of God?
22 In view of all the oft-mentioned facts, will any honest-hearted person say that Christendom today, with her great membership, is enjoying a spiritual paradise such as is described in the Holy Bible? Are her members destined, at death, to go to heaven and eat of the “tree of life, which is in the paradise of God”? (Revelation 2:7) Or will Christendom be spared by Jehovah God because of her religious name and professions and outlive the present world distress and enjoy the literal earthly paradise during the approaching thousand-year reign of the Son of God, Jesus Christ? (Luke 23:43) There is no Scriptural basis for saying Yes to these questions. Rather, what awaits Christendom was prefigured by what befell the land of Edom in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, chapter thirty-four.
THE MODERN-DAY COUNTERPART OF EDOM
23. Who today look to Jehovah as their Judge, Statute-giver and King, as foretold by Isaiah, and therefore from what sicknesses are they safeguarded?
23 The three verses that precede the opening of this thirty-fourth chapter of Isaiah make a declaration of a religious position that has not been taken either by Christendom or by Judaism. The verses read: “Jehovah is our Judge, Jehovah is our Statute-giver, Jehovah is our King; he himself will save us. Your ropes [of the attacking enemy’s sailing fleet] must hang loose; their mast they will not hold firmly erect; they have not spread a sail. At that time even spoil in abundance will have to be divided up; the lame ones themselves [of Jehovah’s delivered people] will actually take a big plunder. And no resident will say: ‘I am sick [spiritually].’ The people that are dwelling in the land will be those pardoned for their error.” (Isaiah 33:22-24) In sharp contrast to Christendom and Judaism, Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, who are residing in the spiritual paradise of his favor and protection, are the ones that have taken Jehovah as their King, their Statute-giver, their Judge, their Savior. They are therefore the ones that are safeguarded from the spiritual sicknesses and maladies and plagues that afflict Christendom and Judaism.—Psalm 91:1-10.
24, 25. (a) In Isaiah chapter 34, Jehovah notifies the nations that they are involved in what? (b) What are they notified that the outcome of this legal case will be?
24 Following right on the heels of that prophecy, Isa chapter thirty-four of Isaiah’s prophecy presents a horrifying outlook for the worldly nations. This outlook furnishes a contrast background against which the bright spiritual paradise described in the next Isa chapter (35) stands out in bolder relief. Because what is so calamitous is ahead of the nations and because it proceeds forth from Him, Jehovah serves advance notice upon the nations and national groups. The nations today may think that God has nothing to do with the matter, that they are not involved with God in any matter, that as materialistic humans they are running their own affairs and have no responsibility to a Supreme Being, to a Creator. But through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah God jerks the nations to attention and reminds them that they really do have part in a legal case that is before the Court of the Universe, and that, therefore, they will experience the execution of judgment.
25 So, opening up chapter thirty-four, God’s spokesman says: “Come up close, you nations, to hear; and you national groups, pay attention. Let the earth and that which fills it listen, the productive land and all its produce. For Jehovah has indignation against all the nations, and rage against all their army. He must devote them to destruction [he has vowed them to destruction]; he must give them to the slaughter. And their slain ones will be thrown out; and as for their carcasses, their stink will ascend; and the mountains must melt because of their blood. And all those of the army of the heavens must rot away. And the heavens must be rolled up, just like a book scroll; and their army will all shrivel away, just as the leafage shrivels off the vine and like a shriveled fig off the fig tree.”—Isaiah 34:1-4, NW; Je.
26. For what are the nations here being called to account by God, and which nations outstandingly so?
26 What is here called to our attention is the bloodguiltiness of the nations, among whom the nations of Christendom have been the most guilty of all. They have soaked the earth, not only with the blood of wild animals wantonly slain, but particularly with the blood of humans. Who is the logical one that should rightly require of the nations all this blood that they have spilled, asking it back from the nations because this blood stands for God-given life? It is no one else but the Creator himself, the Life-Giver, who gifted mankind with a life-sustaining bloodstream. All the nations of today have their standing armies, in greater abundance than ever before, and all equipped, prepared and trained to spill more human blood in international conflicts.
27. (a) How serious is God’s law that soul must go for soul? (b) What is indicated by the statement that “the mountains must melt because of their blood”?
27 Not in mere idle talk did Jehovah God state his just law, Life must go for life; soul must go for soul. (Genesis 9:4-6; Exodus 21:23-25) True to this irrevocable law, He will cause the blood of the nations to flow to their death. The increasing bloodguilt of the nations is so great that the blood asked back in repayment to the Life-Giver would provide enough liquid to melt, to dissolve, as it were, the mountains. Of course, with the complete destruction of the military forces of the worldly nations there would come the fall of their governments, which, sometimes in Bible prophecy, are pictured as “mountains.”
28. In this prophecy, the expression “all those of the army of the heavens” refers to what, and what happens to them?
28 By the prophet’s expression, “all those of the army of the heavens,” he does not mean the stars and planets of our skies such as the sun, the moon and the milky way, and the far distant galaxies of stars. Rather, the governments over mankind are, because of their loftiness as superior authorities, likened to a heavens over earthly human society. (Romans 13:1-4) So the “army of the heavens” would be the combined armies of these heavenlike governments of mankind. This “army,” seemingly the strongest part of the heaven-high governments, will “rot away,” molder away, like something perishable. The literal heavens above us seem to be arched, curved, like an ancient book scroll, the writing on which was generally on the concave side, the inner side. The sun, moon and stars of our skies appear on the stretched-out arch of our skies, like the things written upon the inner side of a book scroll.
29. How do the symbolic heavens prove to be “just like a book scroll” and “like a shriveled fig”?
29 When the material written on the inner side of the scroll has passed before the eyes of the reader, then the finished scroll is rolled up and put away. Similarly, “the heavens must be rolled up, just like a book scroll,” in that the heavenlike governments whose “army” has played its part visibly on the pages of human history must come to their end, must come to the last page of their history, and, hence, must be brought to their finish, done away with, put away and with no further permission from God to exist. Those of their impressive-looking “army” lose the freshness of life and fall, disappear from sight of those who have read their history, just like shriveled leaves that fall off the grapevine and like the shriveled fig that drops off the fig tree. Their season is over.—Compare the language of Revelation 6:12-14.
CHRISTENDOM, MODERN COUNTERPART OF EDOM
30, 31. How do the following verses of Isaiah’s prophecy show that the “heavens” here referred to are not the invisible spirit heavens of God’s residence?
30 That the “heavens,” the “army” of which rots away or shrivels away, are not to be understood as the invisible spirit heavens of God’s residence is indicated by the further part of Isaiah’s prophecy. Expressing himself therein, Jehovah says:
31 “‘For in the heavens my sword will certainly be drenched. Look! Upon Edom [Idumea, Greek LXX] it will descend, and upon the people devoted by me to destruction in justice. Jehovah has a sword; it must be filled with blood; it must be made greasy with the fat, with the blood of young rams and he-goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For Jehovah has a sacrifice in Bozrah [capital city of Edom or Idumea], and a great slaughtering in the land of Edom. And the wild bulls must come down with them, and young bulls with the powerful ones; and their land must be drenched with blood, and their very dust will be made greasy with the fat.’ For Jehovah has a day of vengeance, a year of retributions for the legal case over Zion.”—Isaiah 34:5-8, NW; Septuagint translation by Thomson.
32. Who were the Edomites, and in what kind of region did they dwell?
32 The territory of the Edomites, which straddled the Arabah between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of ‘Aqaba, was called “the mountainous region of Esau.” (Obadiah 8, 9, 19, 21) Esau was the original name of the man called Edom. The nickname Edom, meaning “Red,” was given to Esau because he sold his Abrahamic birthright to his younger twin-brother Jacob (Israel) for a meal of reddish stew. (Genesis 25:29-34; Hebrews 12:16, 17) Because Jacob supplanted him in the precious birthright, Esau (or Edom) became filled with murderous hate toward his spiritually minded twin-brother. (Genesis 27:30-45) Because of Esau’s taking up residence in the mountainous region, he dwelt high up, as in heaven. Jehovah spoke of matters from that standpoint when, by the mouth of his prophet Obadiah, he said to the Esauites (Edomites):
“‘The presumptuousness of your heart is what has deceived you, you who are residing in the retreats of the crag, the height where he dwells, saying in his heart, “Who will bring me down to the earth?” If you should make your position high like the eagle, or if among the stars there were a placing of your nest, down from there I would bring you,’ is the utterance of Jehovah.”—Obadiah 3, 4.
33. (a) At Isaiah 34:5, what is meant by the statement that God’s sword would be drenched “in the heavens”? (b) By what terms is reference made to the greater ones and lesser ones in Edom?
33 Therefore in speaking of his destruction of the nation of Edom by the “sword” of warfare, Jehovah could figuratively say that “in the heavens” his sword would be drenched, filled with blood. He had devoted or vowed the Edomites to destruction in justice, and this destruction would reach to the highest-ranking part of the nation of Edom, as pictured by its capital of Bozrah. The slaughter of this enemy nation Jehovah speaks of as a sacrifice, for it is in execution of his judgment and in vindication of him as the Universal Sovereign. The greater ones and the lesser ones Jehovah speaks of as symbolic “wild bulls” and “young bulls” and as “young rams” and “he-goats.” The land of this murder-minded bloodguilty nation must be drenched with their own blood by means of the slaughtering “sword” of Jehovah.
34-36. What had the Edomites done to deserve this drastic treatment at the hands of God?
34 This drastic treatment of the land of Edom was deserved; otherwise, it would not have been an act of divine justice. “For Jehovah has a day of vengeance, a year of retributions for the legal case over Zion.” (Isaiah 34:8) It was not over so-called “Zionism.” Rather, ancient Zion, where “Jehovah’s throne” had been occupied by the anointed kings of Jehovah’s chosen people, was involved. In the year 607 B.C.E., the armies of Babylon had destroyed the holy city of Jerusalem and overthrown the Kingdom of Judah and deported the surviving Jews to the pagan land of Babylon. On this occasion the attitude of the nation of Edom toward the disciplined people of Jehovah displayed itself unmistakably. How?
35 Jehovah calls it to their attention by means of his prophet Obadiah, saying:
“In the day when you stood off on the side, in the day when strangers [Babylonians] took his [Israel’s] military force into captivity and when outright foreigners entered his gate and over Jerusalem they cast lots, you also were like one of them.
“And you ought not to watch the sight in the day of your brother, in the day of his misfortune; and you ought not to rejoice at the sons of Judah in the day of their perishing; and you ought not to maintain a big mouth in the day of their distress. You ought not to come into the gate of my people in the day of their disaster. You, even you, ought not to peer at his calamity in the day of his disaster; and you ought not to thrust out a hand upon his wealth in the day of his disaster. And you ought not to stand at the parting of the ways, in order to cut off his escapees; and you ought not to hand over his survivors in the day of distress. For the day of Jehovah against all the nations is near. In the way that you have done, it will be done to you. Your sort of treatment will return upon your own head. For in the way that you people have drunk upon my holy mountain, all the nations will keep drinking constantly. And they will certainly drink and gulp down and become as though they had never happened to be.”—Obadiah 11-16.
36 The inspired psalmist recalled the same malicious conduct on the part of a brother nation, when he prayed to Jehovah and said: “Remember, O Jehovah, regarding the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who were saying: ‘Lay it bare! Lay it bare to the foundation within it!’ O daughter of Babylon, who are to be despoiled, happy will he be that rewards you with your own treatment with which you treated us.”—Psalm 137:7, 8.
37. (a) Why did Jehovah count the “legal case over Zion” with Edom as being his? (b) When did Jehovah’s expression of vengeance upon the Edomites begin?
37 What the Edomites did to his chosen people in the day of their disaster in 607 B.C.E., Jehovah counted as being done to him. For this reason he had a “legal case over Zion.” So the year must come when he would mete out “retributions for the legal case over Zion” and express his vengeance upon the offending Edomites. (Isaiah 34:8) Jehovah did begin expressing this righteous vengeance upon the Edomites by means of the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, not long after the destruction of Jerusalem.—Jeremiah 25:17-21.
ACTS OF THE EDOMITE HERODS
38. Of what further acts against Jehovah’s people were such Edomite rulers as King Herod the Great, Herod Antipas and King Herod Agrippa I guilty?
38 The descendants of Edom (Esau), the Idumeans, as the Greeks called them, continued to be guilty of acts against Jehovah’s chosen people. The family of King Herod the Great were Idumeans or Edomites. To his shame, the Bible record discloses that this king who built the gorgeous temple at Jerusalem feared for his kingdom in his family and tried to murder the young child Jesus at Bethlehem-Judah. (Matthew 2:1-22) About thirty years later, at his birthday celebration, foxlike Herod Antipas the district ruler had Jesus’ forerunner, John the Baptist, beheaded. (Matthew 14:1-11; Luke 13:31, 32) In 33 C.E., when Jesus was on trial for his life and was sent by Governor Pilate to the then king of Galilee, Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, this ruler was disappointed in Jesus and discredited him as the Messiah and sent him back to Pilate and to his death. (Luke 23:6-12) Some years later, King Herod Agrippa I tried to please the Jews and executed James the brother of John, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, by the sword and then imprisoned the apostle Peter with the intention of having him executed after the Jewish Passover. (Acts 12:1-6) And, finally, what about King Herod Agrippa II?
39. Although given an opportunity to become a Christian, of what did King Herod Agrippa II remain an agent?
39 In a special session the apostle Paul was brought before him at Caesarea by arrangement of Governor Festus. When, at the climax of his legal defense of himself, Paul said to the king, “Do you, King Agrippa, believe the Prophets? I know you believe,” what did this Idumean say to Paul? “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:27, 28) Although then a circumcised Jewish proselyte, King Agrippa never became a spiritual Israelite, a Christian. He remained in politics as an agent of the pagan Roman Empire.
40. (a) In what conspiracy against Jesus did the party followers of Herod participate? (b) Following what event do the Edomites disappear from history, in fulfillment of Bible prophecy?
40 During the lifetime of Jesus, the party followers of Herod cooperated with the Pharisees in trying to trap Jesus in his remarks on whether it was Scripturally lawful for Jews to pay tax to Caesar. They tried to put him on the “horns of a dilemma,” and so bring him into trouble either with the Romans or with the nationalistic party of the Jews. (Matthew 22:15-22) Thus the Herodians did not take a favorable attitude toward Christianity at its beginning. The same was true, according to the Bible record, with regard to the Edomites or Idumeans, headed by the royal family of the Herods. They clung to Judaism. During the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 C.E., the Idumeans answered a summons from the Jewish faction that was holding the temple area against the opposing faction of the Jews. But the Idumean (Edomite) help proved to be in vain, and Jerusalem fell to the Romans and was destroyed along with its temple of Herod. After this disaster, the Idumeans or Edomites disappear from the scene of Middle Eastern history. Bible prophecy did not fail as to them.
ANCIENT EDOM AND MODERN ANTITYPE
41. What is the modern-day counterpart of the “land of Edom”?
41 Jehovah’s prophecy will likewise not fail in fulfillment upon the modern-day counterpart, the antitype, of the “land of Edom.” What is that antitype? It is Christendom. Just as the ancient Jewish nation and Jerusalem were used by Jehovah God in a typical way, to foreshadow things with regard to Christendom, so the brother nation of Edom was used by Him in a typical way. (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11; Colossians 2:16, 17) The people of Edom were fleshly descendants of Esau, who was nicknamed Edom (“Red”). Their national forefather was the older twin-brother of Jacob, who became surnamed Israel. Because of his being the firstborn of Isaac and Rebekah, Esau felt that he had a natural right to the birthright that his grandfather Abraham handed down.
42. What developments in connection with the birthright led to Esau’s feeling hatred for Jacob?
42 However, Jehovah God disregarded the natural right of a firstborn son, and, before the birth of the twins, he declared in favor of the second-born twin, Jacob (“Supplanter”). Even though this was the case, Esau treated the birthright in a profane way or with a lack of appreciation for spiritual things. In a time of fatigue and hunger, he was willing to sell this birthright to his appreciative brother Jacob for just one meal. Later on, when the time came for his father Isaac to bestow the Abrahamic blessing, Esau disregarded the oath with which he had sworn in order to validate the sale of his birthright and he made preparations to receive the birthright blessing, to which he was no longer eninputd. It was only right that he was outwitted in this matter and the blessing went to the one to whom it rightly belonged according to God’s will, Jacob. But Esau felt that he had been unjustly supplanted, cheated. So, in hatred, he purposed to kill Jacob at the earliest convenience.—Genesis 25:29 through 27:45; Hebrews 12:16, 17.
43. (a) In this matter, of whom did Jacob become a picture? (b) What about Esau?
43 In these regards, Jacob became a picture of the heirs of the Abrahamic promise, the ones who became the spiritual “seed” of Abraham, namely, the anointed disciples of Jesus Christ, who is the principal one of the “seed” of Abraham. (Galatians 3:16-29) As regards the materialistic Esau, he became a type of the nation of natural Israel, who were fleshly descendants of Abraham and who thought that the Abrahamic blessing belonged naturally to them.
44. How did the natural, circumcised Israelites, as a whole, prove that they were indeed like Esau?
44 However, these natural, circumcised Israelites failed to qualify for becoming the spiritual seed of Abraham. They rejected the main one of Abraham’s promised “seed,” namely, Jesus Christ, and had him killed and thereafter persecuted his faithful footstep followers. Only a small remnant of the natural Jews met the requirements and became part of the spiritual seed of Abraham. So the remaining needed members of the spiritual seed of Abraham have had to be taken from non-Jews who meet the qualifications. (Romans 2:28, 29; 11:1-29) Thus the majority of the Jewish nation made themselves like their distant uncle Esau or Edom.
45. How did those who were descendants of Esau or Edom come to manifest hostility toward their brother nation, the Israelites?
45 Due to his profaneness or lack of spiritual appreciation, Esau was not in position to hand down the Abrahamic birthright to the nation that descended from him, the Esauites or Edomites. (Hebrews 12:15-17) These Edomites were the descendants of Esau by pagan, unbelieving wives. (Genesis 26:34, 35; 27:46; 28:6-9) Naturally they would have reason to think that they had been deprived of being the natural seed of Abraham with a right to the promised blessing, because of the action of their uncle Jacob or Israel. So they easily learned to harbor the hatred that their national ancestor Esau had felt toward Jacob, and this hatred manifested itself in hostility toward their brother nation, the Israelites. During the course of the centuries that followed, the Edomites or Idumeans were made to feel the disfavor of Jehovah God.—Ezekiel 35:1-9; Malachi 1:2-4.
46. During the time of the Maccabees, how did the Edomites become amalgamated with the Jewish nation?
46 During the period of the Maccabean rulers of the repatriated Jews in the land of Judah, the surviving Edomites were obliged to become Jewish proselytes. Approximately between the years 130-120 B.C.E. John Hyrcanus of the Maccabean line subjugated the Edomites and forced them to submit to circumcision as proselytes to Judaism. This accounts for the Jewish toleration of the rulership of the Edomite (Idumean) king, Herod the Great, and members of his royal family. (See Antiquities of the Jews, by Flavius Josephus, Book 13, chapter 9, paragraph 1; Book 15, chapter 7, paragraph 9.) In this way the Edomites (Idumeans) became amalgamated with the Jewish nation of the first century of our Common Era, which Jewish nation was used as a Bible type of Christendom.
47. In what ways has Christendom proved herself to be similar to Esau or Edom?
47 Similar to Esau or Edom, Christendom has laid claim to the Abrahamic promise and considers itself to be the spiritual seed of Abraham, the heirs to the heavenly kingdom with Jesus Christ. According to their religious claims, the members of Christendom make themselves twin-brothers of those who are the real Christian heirs of God’s Messianic kingdom, the true disciples of Jesus the Messiah. Nevertheless, Christendom does not love these faithful spirit-anointed disciples of Christ. She hates them with a murderous hate. (1 John 3:12-15) Ever since the founding of Christendom in the fourth century C.E., she has persecuted those who are not imitation Christians. These follow Jesus’ words and example in being no part of this world, but Christendom has made herself a friend of this world by becoming a part of it. Therefore what the world hates, she hates. (1 John 2:15-17; John 15:19; 17:14, 16; James 4:4) By persecuting the true Christians, she imagines that she is rendering to God a sacred service.—John 16:2.
48. Just like the Edomites at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction in 607 B.C.E., how did Christendom act toward spiritual Israel during World War I?
48 Modern twentieth-century history testifies to this fact. During World War I the faithful remnant of spiritual Israel came to be hated by all the nations, just as Jesus Christ had foretold regarding his true footstep followers. (Matthew 24:9; 10:7-22) The reason for this world hatred was the fact that the anointed remnant proclaimed God’s Messianic kingdom as the rightful rule for all the earth, the only hope for all mankind. (Mark 13:10-13) During all the persecution and suffering upon the faithful remnant, Christendom did not express a word of sympathy for them. In fact, the documented evidence shows that Christendom’s religious clergy instigated this persecution upon these proclaimers of the “good news” of God’s Messianic kingdom. She rejoiced with the warring nations of Christendom over the suppression of these Kingdom proclaimers and the killing of their public witness work, just as the Edomites rejoiced with the Babylonians over the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E.—Revelation 11:7-10.
49, 50. (a) During World War II, how did Christendom further show that she had the spirit of ancient Edom? (b) In fulfillment of God’s word through Isaiah, what now faces the modern-day Edomites, the people of Christendom, as well as Judaism?
49 Nursing her hatred of the remnant of spiritual Israelites who stood out as true Christians in contrast to her church members who engaged in bloodspilling in violent warfare, Christendom did not rejoice when the suppressed Kingdom witnesses were revived by God’s spirit in 1919 C.E. She did not rejoice at the spiritual paradise into which those restored spiritual Israelites were brought. (Isaiah 35:10) During World War II of 1939-1945 C.E., which broke out within her own borders, Christendom again stirred up religious persecution and fiercely endeavored to wipe out the spiritual paradise of the remnant of spiritual Israel and their companion worshipers of Jehovah God. But all in vain! Jehovah’s Christian witnesses survived and came forth from the second world conflict with greater force of numbers than ever before. In view of such violent hatred on the part of Christendom toward His Christian witnesses, does Jehovah God have a “legal case over Zion”? Has His “year of retributions” arrived upon the modern-day Edomites, Jehovah’s “day of vengeance”?—Isaiah 34:8.
50 The answer is Yes! And so Christendom now faces desolation. Judaism faces the same thing! |
How You Can Cope With the Information Age | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101998003 | How You Can Cope With the Information Age
WE MUST face the fact that there are many aspects of the information age of the 1990’s that will continue to make us anxious. Over some of these, we have little or no control. On the other hand, there are steps we can take to eliminate much, if not all, such anxiety. We might say, then, that survival in the information age is a challenging yet rewarding task.
Receivers and Givers of Information
Whether we have classified ourselves in this way or not, throughout our lives we are all receivers and givers of information to some extent. Our brain, however, receives and processes information in different ways. One way involves the amazing capacity of the brain to process information subconsciously.
Another way involves conscious processing of information such as during conversation. We have a great deal of control over this type of information processing—both as givers and receivers. When it comes to trivial conversation, the Bible warns about those who are “not only unoccupied, but also gossipers and meddlers in other people’s affairs, talking of things they ought not.” (1 Timothy 5:13) In other words, be careful not to spend inordinate amounts of time talking about trivialities or even harmful information. Do not be the sort of person who lives from one piece of gossip to the next. Valuable time and energy can be wasted, and this can make us and others anxious. You may miss opportunities to absorb and distribute information that is truly upbuilding and crucial for surviving in this troubled world.
Information gathered by reading is processed consciously and hence takes the longest. The anxiety-laden lament, “I can’t keep up with my reading!” is only too familiar. Do you feel that you have too much to read and too little time to do it? Because of the time-consuming nature of reading, the art and pleasure of it is often lost in this age of instant information. Too many allow TV to monopolize their time. Yet, the written word is still the most powerful way of stimulating the imagination and transmitting information, ideas, and concepts.
How can we cope when so much reading matter is calling for our attention and competing with TV, computer games, and other recreational activities? The answer is screening. Screening, sorting out or prioritizing, what we need to hear, see, say, or read may eliminate much information anxiety. Effective screening can be done on two levels.
Do We Need So Much Trivia?
The perception of our needs is often distorted by what others think we need or by what the advertising skills of the media lead us to believe we need. To cut through this confusing information labyrinth, apply this basic rule: Keep it simple! Richard S. Wurman puts it this way: “The secret to processing information is narrowing your field of information to that which is relevant to your life . . . I believe it is a myth that the more choices you have, the more appropriate actions you can take and the more freedom you will enjoy. Rather, more choices seem to produce more anxiety.”
So when it comes to reading or watching TV, it is good to examine your habits. Ask yourself: ‘Is this necessary for my work or my life? Do I really need to know all the trivia and gossip about the famous and so-called beautiful people in the world? How would my life change if I did not watch this TV program, read this book or that magazine, or spend so much time with the newspaper?’ Some have been able to take stock of their reading and TV intake and have eliminated material that cluttered their minds and also their homes. For example, they have decided to subscribe to only one daily newspaper. Most papers carry the same basic news items anyway. Some people have specifically requested that they not receive unsolicited junk mail in their mailboxes.
Keeping life simple and uncluttered was advocated by the greatest man who ever lived, Jesus Christ. (Matthew 6:25-34) Simplicity is recommended and celebrated in many Asian cultures and is even recognized by many in Western cultures as a superior way of living. Writer Duane Elgin stated: “To live more simply is to live more purposefully and with a minimum of needless distraction.”
Now, having prioritized your information intake as far as your needs are concerned, do the same with interests, for interest is the motivating force for learning. The problem here, however, is to distinguish between what really interests you and what you might think should interest you in order to please others—perhaps people at your place of work. But if you can plan your reading and TV or computer intake just as you would plan any other activity, you will find that building it around genuine interest can make for a pleasant road to travel, without undue anxiety.
So, how can you cope with information anxiety? You may never be able to eliminate it altogether, but following the few simple rules we have outlined will help greatly. Keep it simple, and classify information according to your personal needs and interests. The time is coming when all complications of life, including information anxiety, will be a thing of the past, but in the meantime, keep the marvels of modern technology in their place. Treat them as a means to an end. Do not be their slave or stand in awe of them. Thus, useful information will be upbuilding, encouraging, and beneficial, without causing you anxiety.
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Try a Trade-Off
“Cancel your cable TV service, . . . and apply that same [money] per month to one or more good books. Books are the opposite of television: They are slow, engaging, inspiring, intellect-arousing, and creativity-spurring.”
“You could also consider limiting yourself to no more than a certain number of hours on the Internet each week, or at least balancing the amount of time spent online with an equal amount of time reading books.”—Data Smog—Surviving the Information Glut.
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Be the Master, Not the Slave
“Turn the television off. There is no quicker way to regain control of the pace of your life, the peace of your home, and the output of your thinking than to turn off the appliance that supplies for all-too-many of us the ambiance of our lives. Millions of Americans have been discovering the serenity and empowerment that comes with using the OFF switch, not to mention hours and hours of newly acquired free time with which they can begin to do some of the things they’ve never found time for in the past.”—Data Smog—Surviving the Information Glut.
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Beware of the Internet
Immoral individuals use the Internet to pursue their sex perversions and to try to contact willing partners or innocent victims. Others use the Internet to promote their own personal agendas. Apostates also create Web sites to catch the naive.
Extreme caution is necessary when the Internet is used, and certainly parents should closely supervise any of their children who may be using it. It is true that there are many useful sources to be found, such as research libraries, bookstores, and news channels. For example, the Watchtower Society recently announced its own Web site (http://www.watchtower.org), which serves to give factual information about Jehovah’s Witnesses. Still, one has to recognize that there are some extremely harmful influences out there, including pornography and apostasy.
A Christian should be conscious of Paul’s counsel: “This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in the Lord, that you no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds . . . Having come to be past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort with greediness. But you did not learn the Christ to be so.” (Ephesians 4:17-20) Also, “Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people; neither shameful conduct nor foolish talking nor obscene jesting, things which are not becoming, but rather the giving of thanks.” (Ephesians 5:3, 4) We have to realize that many Web sites have been created by people with immoral or dishonest intent. And many sites that may not be immoral or dishonest, such as chat groups, are a plain waste of time. From all such, stay away! |
HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
The Deaf Have Not Been Forgotten | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502500219 | HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
The Deaf Have Not Been Forgotten
JULY 1, 2022
Jehovah God wants all people, regardless of their circumstances, to learn about him and his heavenly Kingdom. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4) For that reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses produce Bibles and Bible study aids for as many people as possible, including the deaf. In fact, our organization has produced thousands of publications in the form of sign-language videos,a which are available in more than 100 sign languages! How do we produce and distribute these publications? And what improvements have we made over time?
How Are Sign-Language Videos Made?
Sign-language publications are produced by translation teams around the world. Members of each team carefully analyze the publication they need to translate. Next, they decide how best to convey the information in sign language. When that is done, they record the publication on video. Currently, 60 teams translate Bible study aids into sign language on a regular basis, and another 40 do so occasionally.
In the past, it was costly to produce sign-language videos. Video cameras and other equipment were more expensive than they are today. Also, videos were recorded in a studio, which we had to build ourselves, sometimes by renovating an existing building. In total, it would cost over $30,000b to have everything set up for a sign-language translation team.
In order to make the best use of donated funds, our organization has sought ways both to improve and to simplify the translation process. We have thus made use of modern equipment that is both functional and less expensive. Instead of using a studio, translation teams can set up a green background called a green screen and record videos in their office. When multiple signers are needed, brothers and sisters can record their portion of a publication from their office or home; they no longer have to go to a studio.
We have also produced software to help signers with their work. Such improvements have reduced by half the time that translation teams need in order to produce a sign-language publication. Our brothers appreciate these improvements. A brother named Alexander says: “Sign-language videos are released much more often than before. I’m very happy about that. I watch the videos every day.”
Nowadays, it costs less than $5,000 to equip a translation team. As a result, we are able to produce sign-language videos in many more languages.
How Are Sign-Language Videos Distributed?
Once a team finishes recording a sign-language publication, the videos must reach those who need them. In the past, we produced videocassettes and DVDs, but this was expensive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. The recordings were sent to a vendor for duplication. Finally, the videocassettes and DVDs were shipped to congregations. In 2013 alone, we spent more than $2,000,000 on producing sign-language DVDs.
The deaf greatly appreciated those provisions. However, the videos were not always easy to use, especially as the number of cassettes or DVDs grew. In some cases, multiple DVDs were required to record a single Bible book. A brother in Brazil named Gilnei recalls: “Whenever we wanted to read a scripture, we had to find the right videocassette and then find the scripture. It was very difficult.” A sister named Rafayane, who used sign-language DVDs, says: “It was tiring to do personal study. We spent a lot of time just looking up scriptures or references.” And when our brothers and sisters were in the preaching work, they would often take along DVDs or videocassettes, which they could play on an interested person’s TV. Some brothers even took their own DVD players. Before long, however, portable DVD players with a screen became available, and many brothers used these. Bobby, who lives in the United States, says: “If after sharing one scripture you wanted to share another one, you often had to switch to a different DVD. This took time and limited our ability to use the Bible in conversations.”
In 2013, Jehovah’s organization released the JW Library Sign Language app, which allows brothers and sisters to download and play sign-language videos on their smartphones or tablets. The app was first released for American Sign Language. Then, in 2017, it was updated to support all sign languages. Brothers and sisters worldwide were overjoyed. Juscelino, a brother in Brazil, says: “I couldn’t believe it! I kept thinking about how the Governing Body shows love for us deaf people and how they want us to progress in the truth just like those who use a spoken language. I was very excited, and the app motivated me to study the Bible even more.”
Using the JW Library Sign Language app
Today we produce all sign-language videos digitally and distribute them on our website and on the JW Library Sign Language app. As a result, sign-language publications can be translated, recorded, and distributed in a matter of days, rather than months or years. In fact, in many sign languages, publications are released simultaneously with those in spoken languages.
Note the comments from some of our deaf brothers and sisters. A sister named Klízia says: “What organization cares so much about the deaf that they are willing to provide spiritual food in such an easily accessible way? Nothing in the world can compare with what Jehovah’s organization does for us.” Vladimir says: “The videos show me that Jehovah cares as much about deaf people as he does about hearing people.”
Our sign-language videos often state the following: “This publication is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations.” We deeply appreciate your donations, many of which are made via donate.jw.org. These funds allow us to produce Bibles and Bible study aids for all people, including those who use sign language.
a Since sign languages communicate ideas visually using hands and facial expressions, sign-language publications are released in video format instead of on the printed page.
b Dollar amounts in this article are in U.S. dollars.
Milestones in Sign-Language Translation
1992: Release of our first sign-language videocassette
2002: Release of our first sign-language DVD
2013: Release of the JW Library Sign Language app
2017: JW Library Sign Language app is updated to support all sign languages
2020: Release of the world’s first complete sign-language Bible, the New World Translation in American Sign Language |
JW Brochure (br78)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/jw-brochure-br78 | Practical Value of the Good News to Your Community
In today’s world we often hear the opinion expressed: “The principles of Christianity are not practical. They just will not work in today’s complex society.” However, in a reported conversation between the Hindu leader Mohandas K. Gandhi and the former British Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin, a very different sentiment was expressed. Lord Irwin asked Gandhi what he thought would solve the problems between Great Britain and India. Gandhi picked up a Bible and opened it to the fifth chapter of Matthew and said: “When your country and mine shall get together on the teachings laid down by Christ in this Sermon on the Mount, we shall have solved the problems not only of our countries but those of the whole world.”
That sermon speaks of seeking spirituality and being mild-tempered, peaceable, merciful, a lover of righteousness. It condemns not only murder but being wrathful with others, not just adultery but lustful thoughts as well. It speaks against irresponsible divorce actions that break up homes and victimize children. It tells us: ‘Love even those who dislike you, give to the needy, stop judging others unmercifully, treat others as you would like to be treated.’ All this advice, if applied, would yield tremendous benefits. The more persons in your community who practice them, the better your community becomes!
Jehovah’s Witnesses are an influence in this direction. The Bible teaches them to respect marriage. Their children are trained in right principles. The importance of the family is stressed. United families are a boon to your community, even to your nation. History is filled with examples of world powers crumbling when family ties weakened and immorality increased. The more individuals and families that Jehovah’s Witnesses influence to live by Christian principles, the less delinquency, immorality, and crime you will have in your community.
One of the big problems plaguing communities and nations is racial prejudice. In contrast, the apostle Peter said: “I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.” And Paul wrote: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one person in union with Christ Jesus.” (Acts 10:34, 35; Galatians 3:28) Jehovah’s Witnesses accept this. All races and colors live and work together at their world headquarters, at the branches, and in the congregations.
In Africa certain tribes cannot mix together without clashes. However, in assemblies of Jehovah’s Witnesses there, people from many different tribes eat, sleep, and worship together in complete harmony and warm fellowship. Government officials are amazed when they see this. An example of the unifying effect of true Christianity was commented on by the New York Amsterdam News of August 2, 1958. The comment was inspired by observing the international assembly previously mentioned where over a quarter of a million Witnesses assembled in New York City.
“Everywhere Negroes, whites and Orientals, from all stations in life and all parts of the world, mingled joyously and freely. . . . The worshiping Witnesses from 120 lands have lived and worshiped together peacefully, showing Americans how easily it can be done. . . . The assembly is a shining example of how people can work and live together.”
Many may say that the principles of Christianity are not practical for this modern world. However, what else has worked or will work? Christian principles can be of real value if applied to your community now, and they will be the basis for uniting all ‘nations, tribes, and peoples’ earth wide under the rule of God’s Kingdom over mankind.—Revelation 7:9, 10.
[Blurb on page 24]
All races and colors work together
[Blurb on page 24]
Christianity is practical. What else has worked? |
“I Refuse to Dwell On My Illness” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102015008 | “I Refuse to Dwell On My Illness”
“I needed help getting in and out of bed. Walking was painful. My throat closed up so that I couldn’t swallow my pain pills. I developed sores that wouldn’t heal, some of which later became gangrenous. I had stomach ulcers and severe heartburn. I didn’t understand what was happening. I was just ten years old.”—Elisa.
Despite her limitations, Elisa enjoys teaching others about the Bible
SCLERODERMA—meaning “hard skin”—is a word used to describe diseases that afflict an estimated 2.5 million people worldwide. The type most often seen in children is localized scleroderma, which mainly involves a hardening of the skin tissues.
Elisa, however, was diagnosed at age ten with a form of systemic scleroderma—a condition that can seriously affect not only the skin but also the function of internal organs, involving the kidneys, heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. Doctors thought that treatment would prolong Elisa’s life by only five years. Now, some 14 years later, Elisa is very much alive. Although she is not cured, she maintains a positive attitude about life. Awake! spoke to Elisa about her illness and her strength to endure.
When did you first become aware that you were not well?
When I was nine years old, I got a cut on my elbow, and it was extremely painful. The wound got bigger, and it wouldn’t heal. A blood test revealed that I had systemic scleroderma. Because my health was deteriorating rapidly, we needed to find a doctor who had experience treating scleroderma.
How did your search turn out?
We found a rheumatologist. She told my parents that chemotherapy could slow down the scleroderma and extend my life by five years, with the possibility that my illness might go into remission. The downside was that chemotherapy would compromise my immune system. Even a cold could prove fatal.
Obviously, the worst did not happen.
No—thankfully, I’m still alive! When I was about 12, though, I started experiencing severe chest pains that would last for about 30 minutes, sometimes twice a day. They were so bad that they made me scream.
What was the cause?
The doctors found that my hemoglobin level was dangerously low and that my heart was working overtime to pump blood to my brain. Within a few weeks, treatment relieved the problem. But at that point, I remember thinking that anything could happen from one day to the next. I felt more helpless than ever, as if I had no control over what was happening to me.
It has been 14 years since your condition was diagnosed. What is the state of your health now?
I still live with pain, and I have a number of ailments that are associated with scleroderma. These include ulcers, lung fibrosis, and severe heartburn. Still, I refuse to dwell on my illness or waste time feeling sad. I have other things to do.
Like what?
I love drawing, making clothes, making jewelry. Most important, though, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I engage in the work of teaching the Bible. Even when I am not able to walk to people’s homes, I am able to assist other Witnesses who conduct Bible study sessions with people in our area. I have even had students of my own. The ministry gives my life purpose.
Why do you engage in this work when you have your own problems to contend with?
I know that the information I share with people is vital and beneficial. Besides, when I keep busy helping others in this way, I’m happier. I even feel healthier! For that brief period of time, I forget that I’m sick.
What role does the Bible play in your positive viewpoint?
It reminds me that my suffering—and the suffering of others as well—is just temporary. Revelation 21:4 says that at his appointed time, God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” Thinking about scriptures like that helps strengthen my faith in God’s promise of a bright future—not just for those who suffer with chronic illnesses but for everyone.
For more information on what the Bible teaches regarding sickness and God’s promises for the future, see chapter 3 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? available at www.jw.org. Also on jw.org, see the online article “Living With Chronic Illness—Can the Bible Help?” Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. |
Watching the World | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101980013 | Watching the World
More on Jupiter
◆ The solar system’s fastest moving moon was recently discovered accidentally when researchers were examining pictures of Jupiter taken by the Voyager spacecraft. The newly discovered moon is less than 25 miles (40 km) across and circles the huge planet at the outer edge of its newly discovered ring. The rough piece of dark rock moves around Jupiter at about 67,000 miles per hour (108,000 km/hr), about 30 times the speed of Earth’s moon.
The Soviet digest Sputnik claims that the presence of Jupiter’s ring was predicted by the Russian astrophysicist Sergei Vsekhsvyatsky as early as 1960, and was published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the Armenian Republic. “The existence of active processes—eruptions—in the Jovian system, which is proved by data of cometary astronomy,” said the journal, “furnishes all grounds for assuming that ring-shaped cometary meteoric masses resembling the Saturn ring travel around Jupiter.”
Israel’s “Penguins”
◆ Attempts to apply religious laws in the secular state of Israel have created some unusual schemes to skirt the law by less religious citizens. According to The Wall Street Journal, certain Israeli farms are breeding “penguins” that “weigh up to 600 pounds, have curly tails, roll in mud—and squeal ‘oink-oink.’” The Journal explains: “In other countries, ‘penguins’ answering this description are called pigs. But religious tradition proscribes pork for Jews, and so in Israel, pigs must masquerade as ‘penguins’—or sometimes as ‘ducks.’ Restaurants that serve pork describe it as ‘white steak.’” The article observes that such substitutes for the word pork “mask a flourishing industry and are just part of the complex arguments and elaborate pretexts that people in Israel . . . offer to cover a widespread ambivalence—or perhaps, a sense of guilt—about pork’s rising popularity.”
Brazil’s Energy Initiative
◆ “Brazil is the only country in the world that has already made official an alternative energy program based on alcohol,” says General Motors do Brasil President Joseph Sanchez. In late September, the Brazilian Association of Automobile Manufacturers signed an agreement to build 1.7 million alcohol-powered automobiles during the next five years. Many of Brazil’s six million cars already run on a 20-percent blend of alcohol and gasoline. But the goal is to change over to pure alcohol, a renewable energy source. Alcohol production is already over five times what it was in 1975. Pure alcohol is less than $1 per gallon, compared to nearly $2 for regular gasoline and $3 for high-test. The government claims that alcohol production costs are only 70 cents per gallon.
General Motors in Brazil has developed a “multifuel” engine for its cars that will run on alcohol, gasoline, or a combination. Ford do Brasil also has begun producing an alcohol-powered model. Where does the energy-hungry United States stand on this innovation? “Theoretically, there are no barriers that would prevent us from selling or making our line of alcohol-fueled vehicles and engines in the U.S.,” said one auto official. “It’s just not in our plans at the moment.” Many people wonder why.
Early Learner
◆ A four-year-old Japanese boy has passed an exam that certified his English-language ability as equivalent to an eighth-grade junior high school student. How did he achieve this extraordinary feat, previously equaled by no one younger than a seven-year-old? “Inspired by a book which recommended that parents educate children from babyhood,” reports the Mainichi Daily News, “Nariaki [Iwashita]’s mother Emi gave him tape-recorded English language courses when he was two years of age and made him learn English lessons on radio from the age of three.” According to his mother, the talented tot even uses the dictionary by himself.
Education Shocker
◆ “Nearly one out of every two students dropped out of New York City’s public high schools over a four year period ending in 1978,” reports the New York Times. The information was provided by School Chancellor Frank J. Macchiarola, who said of the 45-percent dropout rate that “there is no question that our responsibilities to these young people have been grievously unfulfilled.” The New York public school system is the largest in the U.S., with 950,000 students.
Unique Bill Collectors
◆ The Economist of London reports that an enterprising firm has devised a nearly foolproof system for collecting what is owed from evasive business debtors. For £20 ($41), Smelly Tramps Ltd. will send “otherwise respectable chaps, dressed in disgusting clothes and treated with a special stomach-churning chemical” to the recalcitrant debtor’s office, says The Economist. “The technique is simply to sit around in the victim’s office until he signs a cheque.” According to one “Smelly,” “the receptionists do most of my work for me. One sniff and they go and tell their bosses they can’t stand it.” The firm claims that about 90 percent of debtors pay up after merely receiving a seven-day advance notice of the coming visit. They also screen requests for their services to see that the money is really owed.
Hot-Water Hazard
◆ Not only does a high setting on your hot-water heater waste energy, but, according to the U.S. Consumer Produce Safety Commission, it can be dangerous. The organization says that every year 3,000 preventable burn injuries are caused by overly hot water from home faucets. Just 15 seconds of exposure to water at 130 degrees F (54 degrees C) can injure skin, while 140-degree-F (60-degree-C) water will do so in three seconds. Yet many heaters are set at 150 degrees (66 degrees C), which can scald almost instantly.
Television Addicts
◆ Two studies, one by the A. C. Nielsen Co., and the other by the Roper Organization, Inc., show that the television viewing habits of American people have not declined as some had thought recently. The Roper results show an actual increase of about 15 minutes a day since 1976. Nielsen reports that the average household keeps its television on for six hours and 13 minutes a day, with any one member of the household watching for three hours and eight minutes a day, on the average, throughout the entire year.
China’s Male Birth Pill
◆ According to a leading American authority on birth control, Chinese scientists have perfected a male contraceptive. They claim that it has no health side effects and does not harm future fertility or offspring. Stanford University professor of chemistry Dr. Carl Djerassi explains that Chinese investigators learned of the substance from what was at first thought to be only folklore. In the Upper Yangtze province of Hebei, it was said that their women could not have children after marriage to local men, while those marrying outside the area were fertile.
Investigation narrowed the phenomenon to gossypol, found in raw cottonseed oil used in the local food. The chemical seems to deactivate or destroy sperm cells. Now Shanghai scientists report that 12,000 men are under study with good results so far. Dr. Djerassi points out that there is an almost limitless supply of gossypol, in view of the 25-million-ton annual world cotton production.
Rising from Ashes
◆ In 1973 a spectacular volcanic eruption practically buried tiny Westmann Island, near Iceland. Almost all of its 5,000 population was evacuated. In the following months slowly advancing lava and a rain of volcanic ash buried hundreds of homes. Now, six years after the eruption, Westmann has been rebuilt. The huge supply of cinders, mixed with cement, makes good blocks for building material. Heat coming from crevices is being used to produce hot water that is piped into homes for heating. Too, the high wall of cooling lava provides a new windbreak against prevailing gales, and the narrow entrance to the town’s harbor, almost choked off by the lava flow, now acts as a breakwater providing a calm harbor for fishermen, who say that they have never seen the fish harvest better. Even the millions of seabirds inhabiting the cliffs seem to have benefited, as the chilled lava created calmer waters and made more ledges and crevices available for nesting.
Pests More Resistant
◆ It is reported that now at least 43 strains of mosquito and 121 strains of housefly are resistant to the traditional pesticides used on them. Similarly, the poison-resistant “super rat” has become so immune to chemicals that a federal agriculture department official in Canada says: “The best rat control is the earliest one ever discovered—good sanitary conditions around human habitation and the old-fashioned trap. The householder who buys a 50 gram box of rat and mice poison—it might kill a couple of mice, but not a rat, anymore. A rat trap is still best.”
Sunflower Power
◆ The Minister of Agriculture in South Africa announced that oil made from sunflower seeds has been tested successfully as diesel fuel for tractors and a truck. It was also reported that the oil can power any type diesel engine. After extracting the oil from sunflower seeds, the residue, rich in protein, is said to make fine cattle feed. However, while alternates to petroleum are being sought, it is unlikely that ‘sunflower power’ will get very far, considering the huge quantities that would be needed to produce enough oil for the vast number of motor vehicles in existence, even if the price could be made competitive.
Fatal TV Influence
◆ It has been well established that too much television viewing by impressionable young children can produce many undesirable effects, such as slower mental development, poorer health due to a lack of exercise, the inability to interact with other children, irritability and nervousness, and also a tendency to commit more violent acts. One child even committed suicide due to the cancellation by the network of his favorite television show. His parents had allowed him to have a television set in his own room so that, as the Sunday Oregonian related, his “world was wrapped up in the programs he viewed on his own TV set in his bedroom.” His father sadly declared regarding too much television viewing: “I was never sure it did influence kids that bad, but now I’m convinced it does.”
Valium Abuse
◆ Last year about 45 million prescriptions for Valium, a tranquilizing drug, were filled in the United States alone. However, Dr. Joseph Pursch, who heads a Navy alcohol rehabilitation service in California, said that this widely used drug was addictive and represented a major national health problem. While cautioning that doctors should not prescribe it for everyday stress, he observed: “Classically today, if a woman walks into her doctor’s office and says, ‘I’m nervous, my husband drinks too much,’ the doctor will automatically give her a tranquilizer,” such as Valium or Librium. Dr. Pursch noted that he had seen people become addicted to the tranquilizer in only six weeks, adding: “None of these drugs solve our problems. They make people feel better because they make you feel dull and insensitive. But they don’t solve anything.” Senator Edward M. Kennedy, chairman of a Senate health committee, said that the message was clear: “If you require a daily dose of Valium to get you through each day, you are hooked and should seek help.” |
Young People Ask, Volume 1 (yp1)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp1 | CHAPTER 30
Are We Really Ready for Marriage?
You’ve found your match, and you’ve been dating long enough to know that you’re in love. Wedded bliss is on the horizon. Or is it? On the threshold of one of life’s biggest decisions, you start to wonder . . .
Are we really ready for marriage?
NAGGING doubts about marriage are normal—even when you’re in love. With unhappy marriages abounding and divorce rates soaring, it’s understandable that you want to proceed with caution as you contemplate this life-altering step. How do you know if you’re ready for it? Now more than ever, you need to root out any daydreams you may have about marriage and replace them with realities. For example:
DAYDREAM 1 “We can live on love.”
Reality: Love will neither pay bills nor cover over financial hardship. In fact, researchers have found money to be a leading cause of marital disputes and eventual divorce. An unbalanced view of money can cause you spiritual and emotional harm, and it can erode your relationship with your spouse. (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) The lesson? Don’t wait until after marriage to discuss money management!
The Bible says: “Who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense?”—Luke 14:28.
Suggestion: Talk over your future financial arrangements with your intended spouse now—before you are married. (Proverbs 13:10) Consider such questions as these: How will our income be budgeted? Will we have a joint bank account or separate accounts? Which spouse will be more adept at keeping financial records and seeing that bills are paid?a How much money can one of us spend on a purchase without consulting the other? Now is the time to start working as a team!—Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10.
DAYDREAM 2 “We’ll be a perfect match as a married couple because we see eye to eye on everything—we never disagree!”
Reality: If you never disagree, it’s probably because you’ve carefully managed to avoid issues that might spark a conflict. But marriage will not afford you that luxury! The fact is, no two imperfect humans are perfectly matched, so a measure of disagreement is inevitable. (Romans 3:23; James 3:2) You need to consider not only how well you agree but also what happens when you disagree. A strong union is made up of two people who can openly acknowledge a difference and then work to settle the matter maturely and amicably.
The Bible says: “Don’t go to bed angry.”—Ephesians 4:26, Contemporary English Version.
Suggestion: Reflect carefully on how you’ve handled conflict with your parents and siblings up to this point. Make a chart similar to the one that appears on page 93 of this book or on page 221 of Volume 2. Note specific events that have triggered a disagreement, how you responded, and what response might have been better. For example, if your impulsive reaction to a conflict has been to storm off to your room and angrily slam the door, write down a better response—one that will work to resolve the problem rather than further entrench it. If you learn to respond better to conflict now, you’ll gain a skill that is crucial to a happy marriage.
DAYDREAM 3 “Once I get married, all my sexual desires will be satisfied.”
Reality: Being married does not guarantee ‘sex on demand.’ Remember, your spouse is a human being who has feelings that must be considered. Frankly, there will be times when your mate simply isn’t in the mood for intimacy. Marriage does not give you the right to insist on having your needs fulfilled. (1 Corinthians 10:24) The fact is, self-control is vital in both singleness and marriage.—Galatians 5:22, 23.
The Bible says: “Each one of you should know how to get possession of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in covetous sexual appetite.”—1 Thessalonians 4:4, 5.
Suggestion: Make a careful review of your sexual desires and tendencies, and think about how these might affect your future marriage. For example, are you enslaved to the self-focused habit of masturbation? Have you had a habit of viewing pornography? Do you have a roving eye, secretly looking lustfully at members of the opposite sex? Ask yourself, ‘If I have trouble controlling my sexual desires before marriage, how will I be able to do so afterward?’ (Matthew 5:27, 28) Another matter: Have you been prone to flirt and play the field, earning a reputation as a playboy or a flirt among those of the opposite sex? If so, how do you plan to curtail that tendency after marriage, when your affections will need to be directed to one person—your spouse?—Proverbs 5:15-17.
DAYDREAM 4 “Marriage will make me happy.”
Reality: An unhappy single person usually becomes an unhappy married person. Why? Because happiness is determined more by one’s outlook than by one’s circumstances. (Proverbs 15:15) Those who tend to look negatively at their lot in life usually focus on what’s missing in a relationship rather than on what’s present in it. It’s far better to cultivate and nurture a positive spirit while single. Then, when you’re married, you’ll bring out the best in yourself and your spouse.
The Bible says: “It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else.”—Ecclesiastes 6:9, Today’s English Version.
Suggestion: Sometimes a negative attitude comes from having unrealistic expectations. On a separate sheet of paper, list two or three expectations you have of marriage. Read them, and then ask yourself: ‘Are my expectations based more on fantasy than on reality? Have they been fueled by the media, perhaps by romantic movies or books? Do my expectations focus on what marriage will do for me—perhaps cure my chronic loneliness, satisfy my desire for sex, upgrade my status among my peers?’ If so, you will need to shift from thinking about “me” to thinking about “us.” To help you do that, list two or three expectations of marriage that involve you and your future spouse.
The above marital daydreams can adversely affect your happiness in marriage. So strive to eliminate such thinking and replace it with a realistic outlook. The worksheet on pages 216 and 217 can help you and your future spouse as you look forward to what can be one of life’s greatest blessings—a happy marriage!—Deuteronomy 24:5; Proverbs 5:18.
IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERA breakup can feel like a minideath. How can you cope with the aftermath?
[Footnote]
a The “capable wife” of Proverbs 31:10-28 is portrayed as handling a number of weighty responsibilities that had a direct bearing on family finances. See verses 13, 14, 16, 18, and 24.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“A man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh.”—Genesis 2:24.
TIP
Talk to an older married couple, and ask them what advice they would give to a new husband and wife about how to have a successful marriage.—Proverbs 27:17.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
In a successful marriage, husband and wife view each other as friends, communicate well, know how to resolve conflicts, and view their relationship as a lifelong union.
ACTION PLAN!
The trait I will work on now to help improve my relationship with my future spouse is ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● In some lands, a high percentage of marriages end in divorce. Why, do you think, is that the case?
● What dangers are there in marrying simply to escape an unhappy homelife?
● Why will it be important to conform to Bible principles in your future marriage?
[Blurb on page 220]
“Marriage is a huge step. It’s important to know not only what you’re getting into but who you’re getting into it with.”—Audra
[Box/Picture on pages 216, 217]
Worksheet
Are You Ready to Get Married?
Consider the questions on the following two pages. You might even use these pages as a basis for discussion between you and your future mate. Be sure to look up the cited scriptures.
Financial Issues
□ What is your attitude toward money?—Hebrews 13:5, 6.
□ In what ways do you already show yourself to be financially responsible?—Matthew 6:19-21.
□ Are you currently in debt? If so, what steps are you taking to pay off what you owe?—Proverbs 22:7.
□ What will be the cost of your wedding? How much debt, if any, would you consider reasonable?—Luke 14:28.
□ After you are married, will both you and your spouse need to work? If so, how will you handle differing schedules and transportation needs?—Proverbs 15:22.
□ Where will you and your spouse live? How much will rent, food, clothing, and other expenses likely cost, and how will you pay for those expenses?—Proverbs 24:27.
Family Matters
□ How well do you get along with your parents and siblings?—Exodus 20:12; Romans 12:18.
□ How do you currently resolve conflicts at home?—Colossians 3:13.
□ If you are a young woman, in what ways do you demonstrate a “quiet and mild spirit”?—1 Peter 3:4.
□ Do you plan to have children? (Psalm 127:3) If not, what form of birth control will you use?
□ If you are a young man, how do you plan to take the lead in providing spiritually for your family?—Matthew 5:3.
Personality Traits
□ In what ways have you shown yourself to be industrious?—Proverbs 6:9-11; 31:17, 19, 21, 22, 27.
□ How have you demonstrated a self-sacrificing spirit?—Philippians 2:4.
□ If you are a young man, in what ways do you show that you can handle authority in a Christlike manner?—Ephesians 5:25, 28, 29.
□ If you are a young woman, what evidence is there that you can subject yourself to authority?—Ephesians 5:22-24.
[Picture on page 219]
Do not jump into marriage without first knowing something about the “waters” you are getting into |
Great Teacher (te)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/te | Chapter 18
Why People Do Bad Things
WOULDN’T it be wonderful if everyone were good?— Then no one would ever hurt anyone else.
But is there anyone who really is good all the time? What do you think?— The Bible tells us that Jehovah God is always good. And Jesus, the Great Teacher, always does what is right. But none of us are good all the time.
We may try to be good. But there are times when we think bad things, aren’t there?— And at times we do bad things. The first man, Adam, disobeyed God on purpose. What he did was very bad. As a result, we were all born imperfect. We are all the children of Adam. That is one reason why people do bad things, even though they don’t want to be bad.
But some people do bad things on purpose. They hate other people and do things to hurt them. Do you think a person like that could ever change and learn to be good?—
The Bible gives examples of bad persons who changed. I am going to tell you about one of them. And, together, let’s see if we can figure out why he was bad.
The man’s name was Saul. Saul was a very religious man. He belonged to a religious group called the Pharisees. They had God’s Word, but they paid more attention to the teachings of some of their own leaders. Do you think that was wise?— It could lead to much trouble.
One day when Saul was in Jerusalem a disciple of Jesus named Stephen was arrested. They took him to court. Some of the judges on the court were Pharisees. Even though bad things were said about him, Stephen was not afraid. He spoke right up and gave the judges a good witness about God and about Jesus.
But those judges did not like what they heard. They became very excited. They grabbed hold of Stephen and took him outside the city. They knocked him down, and threw stones at him until they had killed him.
Saul was right there watching while Stephen was being put to death. He thought it was good to kill him. But how could he think such a bad thing?—
Well, Saul had grown up as a Pharisee. All his life he had been taught that they were right. He looked to these men for his example. So he copied them.
Now that Stephen was dead, Saul wanted to get rid of the rest of Jesus’ disciples. He began going right into their homes and dragging out both men and women. Then he would have them thrown into prison. Many of the disciples moved away from Jerusalem to get away from Saul. But they did not stop preaching about Jesus.—Acts 8:1-4.
This caused Saul to hate Jesus’ disciples even more. So he went to the high priest and got permission to arrest Christians in the city of Damascus. But on the way to Damascus an amazing thing happened.
A light flashed from heaven so bright that it made Saul blind. And a voice said: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” It was the Lord Jesus speaking from heaven! So Saul was led blind to Damascus.
Three days later Jesus appeared in a vision to one of his disciples named Ananias. Jesus told Ananias to visit Saul to take away his blindness and to talk to him. Saul was now ready to listen. When Ananias spoke to him, Saul accepted the truth about Jesus. His eyes got back their sight. His entire way of life changed. He became a faithful servant of God.—Acts 9:1-22.
Now do you see why Saul used to be so bad?— He had been taught wrong things. He was following men who were not faithful to God. And he belonged to a group of people who put the ideas of men ahead of the Word of God. But Saul changed because he did not really hate the truth.
There are many people today who are like Saul. They can change, but it is not easy. One reason is that someone is working hard to make everyone do bad. Do you know who that is?— Jesus talked about him when he spoke to Saul from heaven. He told Saul: ‘I am sending you to open people’s eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.’—Acts 26:17, 18.
Yes, it is Satan the Devil who has caused all the teaching of bad things. He wants people to be bad. So if we do what is bad, then the Devil is pleased. But we want to please Jehovah, don’t we?— How can we be sure to do this?—
We will please God if we always pay attention to the Bible and do what it says. When the Bible shows that we have been doing something bad, we should stop doing it. When we learn from the Bible about things that God wants us to do, we should be eager to do them. When we do what pleases God we are doing good things, because God is good.
(For help in avoiding what is bad, read together Proverbs 3:5-7; 12:15; 2:10-14; Psalm 119:9-11 [118:9-11, Dy].) |
A Real Hope for a Better Tomorrow | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100017 | A Real Hope for a Better Tomorrow
Are you optimistic about the future? Many people try to remain positive despite the serious problems we face today. But can we realistically expect things to get better? Yes! The Bible gives us a solid hope for a better tomorrow.
What hope does the Bible provide?
Is the hope the Bible offers us too good to be true?
How will this hope come about?
When will this hope be fulfilled?
How can the hope the Bible offers us help you today?
What hope does the Bible provide?
The Bible acknowledges that humankind faces tremendous problems. However, it promises that these problems will not afflict us indefinitely. Consider a few specific examples.
Problem: Homelessness
What the Bible says: “They will build houses and live in them.”—Isaiah 65:21.
What it means for the future: People will enjoy their own home.
Problem: Unemployment and poverty
What the Bible says: “The work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.”—Isaiah 65:22.
What it means for the future: All humans will have satisfying, enjoyable, and rewarding work.
Problem: Injustice
What the Bible says: “Princes will rule for justice.”—Isaiah 32:1.
What it means for the future: Racial, social, and economic injustice will be eradicated forever. Everyone will be treated fairly.
Problem: Malnutrition and Hunger
What the Bible says: “There will be an abundance of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains it will overflow.”—Psalm 72:16.
What it means for the future: Everyone will have access to an abundance of healthy food. No one will go to bed hungry or suffer from malnutrition.
Problem: Crime and violence
What the Bible says: “They will sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one will make them afraid.”—Micah 4:4.
What it means for the future: Everyone will feel safe and secure because wicked people will be gone, and “the righteous will possess the earth.”—Psalm 37:10, 29.
Problem: War
What the Bible says: “Nation will not lift up sword against nation, nor will they learn war anymore.”—Isaiah 2:4.
What it means for the future: Peace will prevail earth wide. (Psalm 72:7) No one will need to mourn the death of a loved one killed in war or seek refuge from war zones.
Problem: Sickness and disease
What the Bible says: “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”—Isaiah 33:24.
What it means for the future: People will no longer suffer from disabilities or get sick. (Isaiah 35:5, 6) The Bible even promises that “death will be no more.”—Revelation 21:4.
Problem: Damage to the environment
What the Bible says: “The wilderness and the parched land will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.”—Isaiah 35:1.
What it means for the future: The earth will become a global paradise for humans to inhabit, as God originally intended.—Genesis 2:15; Isaiah 45:18.
Is the hope the Bible offers us too good to be true?
Understandably, you may feel that it is. However, we encourage you to examine further what the Bible says about the future. Why? The promises found in the Bible are different from the promises and predictions that people make. The promises found in the Bible are from God. Here is why that makes a big difference:
God is trustworthy. The Bible says that God “cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2) In addition, only God has the ability to foretell the future. (Isaiah 46:10) The Bible contains countless examples that prove that what God foretells always comes true. For more information, watch the video How Can We Be Sure the Bible Is True?
God has the power to solve our problems. The Bible says that God has the power to do “everything he pleases to do.” (Psalm 135:5, 6) In other words, nothing can stop God from fulfilling his promises. What is more, God wants to help us because he loves us.—John 3:16.
Naturally, you may wonder, ‘If God wants to help us and has the power to help us, why do we still experience so many problems?’ To answer that question, watch the video Why Does God Allow Suffering?
How will this hope come about?
God will use his Kingdom, a government in heaven, to fulfill his promises. He has appointed Jesus Christ as Ruler of that Kingdom, and he has given him authority to care for the earth and the people on it. When Jesus was on earth, he cured the sick, fed the hungry, controlled the weather, and even resurrected the dead. (Mark 4:39; 6:41-44; Luke 4:40; John 11:43, 44) He thus showed what he would do as King of God’s Kingdom.
Watch the video What Is God’s Kingdom? to learn more about how God’s Kingdom will benefit you.
When will this hope be fulfilled?
Soon! How can we be sure? The Bible foretold events that would signal that God’s Kingdom is about to begin its rule over the earth. (Luke 21:10, 11) Present world conditions match what the Bible foretold.
To learn more, read the article “When Will God’s Kingdom Rule the Earth?”
How can the hope the Bible offers us help you today?
One Bible writer compared the hope that the Bible gives to an “anchor for the soul.” (Hebrews 6:19) Just as an anchor keeps a ship steady during a storm, the Bible’s solid hope for the future can help us weather the problems we face today. Our hope can protect our emotional and mental stability, and even our physical well-being.—1 Thessalonians 5:8. |
This Life (ts)
1974 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ts | Chapter 10
Could It Be a Masterful Deception?
OVER the centuries humans have witnessed the strangest of happenings. Rocks, water glasses and the like have been seen sailing through the air as if moved by invisible hands. Voices, rappings and other noises have been heard even though there was no apparent source or cause for them. Shadowy figures have appeared and then quickly disappeared. At times such happenings have been so well attested to that there is little room for doubt.
Many people consider manifestations of this kind to be evidence that death does not end conscious existence. Some believe that departed spirits are trying in some way to get the attention of the living and to communicate with them.
But one might ask: If these are truly deceased loved ones who are trying to get in touch with the living, why do their manifestations generally frighten observers? What, really, is behind such things?
The Bible clearly shows that death ends all conscious existence. (Ecclesiastes 9:5) Hence, there must be other forces responsible for things that are often attributed to the spirits of the dead. What might those forces be? Could they be intelligent? If so, could they be guilty of perpetrating a masterful deception on humankind?
Surely we do not want to be deceived. To be deceived would mean loss to us and, perhaps, cause us even to come into a position of grave danger. That is why we have good reason to examine the available evidence, reasoning on it, to be sure that we have not fallen victim to a masterful deception. We should be willing to go back as far as possible in human history in an effort to get at the truth of the matter.
The Bible enables us to do that. It takes us back to the time when the first human pair came into existence. In the third chapter of Genesis the Bible relates a conversation that may sound unbelievable to many today. Yet it is not fiction. This conversation provides a clue as to whether a masterful deceiver is at work in human affairs.
THE START OF DECEPTION
One day, while not in the company of her husband, the first woman, Eve, heard a voice. From all appearances it was the voice of a serpent. Regarding the conversation, the Bible reports:
“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.’ 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.”—Genesis 3:1-6.
The message transmitted by the serpent was a lie. That lie was the first one on record. Accordingly, its source must be the originator or father of lies. Since the lie led to death-dealing consequences, the liar was also a murderer. Obviously this liar was not the literal serpent, a creature that is not endowed with the power of speech. But there must have been someone behind the serpent, someone who, by what might be called ventriloquism, made it appear that the serpent was talking. That should not seem so strange to us in this twentieth century when a cone in the speaker of a radio or a television set can be made to vibrate in such a way as to reproduce the human voice. But who was the speaker behind the serpent?
AN INVISIBLE DECEIVER
He is identified by Jesus Christ, who himself had come from the heavens and knew what went on in the invisible realm. (John 3:13; 8:58) When certain religious leaders were seeking to kill him, Jesus said to them: “You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie.”—John 8:44.
Being a liar and a manslayer, the Devil is obviously someone who possesses intelligence. This gives rise to the question, How did he come into existence?
The Bible reveals that even before the earth came to be, invisible, spirit persons were enjoying life. Job 38:7 speaks of these spirit persons, “sons of God,” as “shouting in applause” when the earth was created. As “sons of God,” they received their life from him.—Psalm 90:2.
Hence, the one who deceived Eve by means of the serpent must have been one of these spirit sons, one of God’s intelligent creatures. In contradicting God’s warning about the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, this one slandered his Creator, making God appear to be a liar. He is therefore rightly called the “Devil,” as that word is drawn from the Greek term di·aʹbo·los, meaning “false accuser, misrepresenter, slanderer.” By his course of action this creature set himself in resistance to God and thereby made himself Satan (Hebrew, sa·tanʹ; Greek, sa·ta·nasʹ), which means “resister.”
Jehovah God cannot be blamed for what this creature did. “Perfect is his activity,” says the Bible concerning God, “for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness, with whom there is no injustice; righteous and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) He created his intelligent sons, spirit and human, with the capacity of free will. He did not force them to serve him but wanted them to do so willingly, out of love. He endowed them with the capacity to develop ever greater love for him as their God and Father.
The spirit creature who made himself a resister and a slanderer of God, however, did not choose to perfect his love for his Creator. He allowed selfish ambitions to take root in his heart. (Compare 1 Timothy 3:6.) This is reflected in the conduct of the “king of Tyre” over whom a dirge was rendered in the prophecy of Ezekiel. In the dirge, it is said to the king of Tyre who turned traitor to the kingdom of Israel:
“You are sealing up a pattern, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. In Eden, the garden of God, you proved to be. . . . You are the anointed cherub that is covering, and I have set you. On the holy mountain of God you proved to be. In the midst of fiery stones you walked about. You were faultless in your ways from the day of your being created until unrighteousness was found in you. . . . Your heart became haughty because of your beauty. You brought your wisdom to ruin on account of your beaming splendor.”—Ezekiel 28:12-17.
The rebellious spirit son of God, similar to the traitorous “king of Tyre,” thought too highly of himself. Pride caused him to want to control the human race, and he sought to gain his ends through deception. To this day the majority of humankind are still victims of this deception. By refusing to do God’s will as set forth in his Word, the Bible, they actually align themselves with Satan. In so doing, they accept the same lie that Eve did, namely, that choosing to act contrary to God’s will can bring real gain.
Since God’s Word condemns communication with the dead, those who try to speak with the dead put themselves on Satan’s side. While they may think that they are talking with the dead, they have become the victims of a hoax. Just as Satan made it appear to Eve that a serpent was talking, so he can just as easily make it appear that the dead are talking through mediums. Does this mean that Satan is directly responsible for all the strange phenomena that are often attributed to the spirits of the dead? Or, are others also involved?
OTHER INVISIBLE DECEIVERS
The Bible reveals that Satan is not the only rebellious spirit creature. Revelation 12:3, 4, 9 shows that there are others. In this Scripture passage Satan the Devil is symbolically depicted as a “great fiery-colored dragon” having a “tail” that “drags a third of the stars of heaven.” Yes, Satan was able to use his influence, like a tail, to get other “stars,” spirit sons of God, to join him in a rebellious course. (Compare Job 38:7, where spirit sons of God are called “morning stars.”) This happened before the global deluge in the days of Noah. Numerous angels, contrary to God’s purpose, “forsook their own proper dwelling place” in the heavens, materialized human bodies, lived as husbands with women and fathered hybrid offspring known as Nephilim. Of this, we are told:
“Now it came about that when men started to grow in numbers on the surface of the ground and daughters were born to them, then the sons of the true God began to notice the daughters of men, that they were good-looking; and they went taking wives for themselves, namely, all whom they chose. . . . The Nephilim proved to be in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of the true God continued to have relations with the daughters of men and they bore sons to them, they were the mighty ones who were of old, the men of fame.”—Genesis 6:1-4.
During the Flood these sons of God lost their wives and their hybrid offspring. They themselves had to dematerialize. Respecting what happened to them thereafter, the Bible reports: “God did not hold back from punishing the angels that sinned, but, by throwing them into Tartarus, delivered them to pits of dense darkness to be reserved for judgment.” (2 Peter 2:4) And at Jude 6 it adds: “The angels that did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place he has reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day.”
As these descriptions relate to spirit creatures, it is evident that the “pits of dense darkness” and “eternal bonds” are not literal. These expressions simply convey to us a picture of restraint, a condition of debasement separated from all divine enlightenment.
There is no Scriptural basis for concluding that these disobedient angels are in a place like the mythological Tartarus of Homer’s Iliad, that is, in the lowest prison where Cronus and the other Titan spirits were said to be confined. The apostle Peter did not believe in any such mythological gods. So there is no reason to conclude that his use of the Greek expression ‘throwing into Tartarus’ even hinted at the existence of the mythological place referred to by Homer some nine centuries earlier. In fact, in Greek the expression ‘throwing into Tartarus’ is only one word, a verb, tar·ta·roʹo. It is also used to mean debasing to the lowest degree.
To illustrate, the English word “debase” contains the noun “base.” Yet our use of the word does not mean that a literal base in some geographical location is involved in the act of debasement. Likewise the Greek verb rendered ‘throwing into Tartarus’ need not be viewed as suggesting the existence of an actual place, but as suggesting a condition.
At 1 Peter 3:19, 20 the debased spirit creatures are referred to as “spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient when the patience of God was waiting in Noah’s days, while the ark was being constructed.” Thus the Bible makes it plain that after the Flood the “angels that sinned” came under a form of restraint. There is no Biblical indication that they were able to materialize and take up visible activity on earth after the Flood. So it logically follows that the restraint under which they came made it impossible for them to take on flesh again.
BEWARE OF DEMON INFLUENCE
It should be noted, however, that the disobedient angels, who now came to be known as demons, had a strong desire to be in close association with humans. They were willing to abandon their heavenly position for the pleasure of living as husbands with women. Scriptural evidence shows that, though restrained from such physical contact now, they have not changed their desires. They seek every means open to them to be in touch with humans and even to control them. Jesus Christ referred to this, using figurative speech in saying:
“When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through parched places in search of a resting-place, and finds none. Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house out of which I moved’; and on arriving it finds it unoccupied but swept clean and adorned. Then it goes its way and takes along with it seven different spirits more wicked than itself, and, after getting inside, they dwell there; and the final circumstances of that man become worse than the first.”—Matthew 12:43-45.
It is vital therefore to be on guard lest a person yield himself to demon influence. He may be very uncertain about himself and his future. He may desperately want some assurance that things will go well for him. Or he may find a certain fascination in the weird and frightening manifestations of occult practices. He may hear about someone who reportedly can accurately predict the future. Or he may learn about the various means of divination used—Ouija boards, ESP (extrasensory perception), patterns of tea leaves in cups, oil configurations on water, divining rods, pendulums, the position and movement of stars and planets (astrology), the howling of dogs, the flight of birds, the movement of snakes, crystal-ball gazing and the like. His situation may appear so desperate or his fascination be so great that he may decide to consult a fortune-teller or a medium or to resort to some form of divination. He might be willing to try anything just once.
Is that wise? Definitely not. His curiosity can lead to his coming under demon control. Rather than such a course’s bringing him relief and comfort, his situation may only worsen. Supernatural disturbances may rob him of sleep and fill even daylight hours with dread. He may begin to hear strange voices, suggesting that he kill himself or someone else.
Is it not wise therefore to avoid such a risk and to shun all forms of divination? Jehovah God does not view this matter lightly. To protect the Israelites from being deceived and harmed by wicked spirits, he made the practice of divination a capital offense, saying in the Law: “As for a man or woman in whom there proves to be a mediumistic spirit or spirit of prediction, they should be put to death without fail.”—Leviticus 20:27.
God’s view of spirit mediums, sorcerers and divination has not changed. A divine decree still stands against all practicers of spiritism.—Revelation 21:8.
Therefore exert yourself to resist being deceived by wicked spirit creatures. Should you ever hear a strange voice, perhaps suggesting that it is that of a deceased friend or relative, do not pay any attention. Call upon the name of the true God, Jehovah, to help you to resist coming under demon influence. As God’s own Son advised, make your prayerful petition: ‘Deliver me from the wicked one.’ (Matthew 6:13) As to items associated with divination, imitate the example of those who accepted true worship in ancient Ephesus. “Quite a number of those who practiced magical arts [there] brought their books together and burned them up before everybody.” Expensive as these items were, they did not hold back from destroying them.—Acts 19:19.
In view of this example, do you think that it would be right to associate deliberately with those known to dabble in the occult and to accept gifts from them? Might they not become the instrumentalities by means of which you could come under demon influence?
Our recognizing that wicked spirits are often responsible for causing people to see or hear weird and frightening manifestations—voices, rappings and shadowy figures for which there are no apparent causes—is a major factor in safeguarding us from being deceived. This knowledge will free us from fearing the dead and from engaging in valueless rites in their behalf. It will also help to prevent our being victimized by wicked spirits.
But if we are to be protected from every aspect of the deception that Satan and his demons have perpetrated in connection with the dead, we must believe and act in harmony with the entire Bible. This is because all of it is the inspired Word of God. |
WAS IT DESIGNED?
The Compound Heat Shield of the Saharan Silver Ant | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102017010 | WAS IT DESIGNED?
The Compound Heat Shield of the Saharan Silver Ant
THE Saharan silver ant (Cataglyphis bombycina) is one of the most heat-tolerant land animals known. When the midday Saharan sun forces the ant’s predators to seek shade, the ant makes brief forays from its burrow in search of food, which consists of other insects killed by the intense heat.
[50] μm
Consider: The silver ant’s assets include a compound heat shield made up of a covering of special hairs on the top and sides of its body and a hairless underside. The hairs, which give the ant a silvery sheen, are tiny tubes with a triangular cross section. Their two outward-facing surfaces have microscopic corrugations that run the length of the hair, while the inward-facing surface is smooth. This design serves two functions. First, it enables the hairs to reflect solar radiation in the visible and near-infrared ranges. Second, it helps the ant to dissipate body heat absorbed from the environment. Meanwhile, the ant’s hairless underside reflects radiation that is in the mid-infrared range and emanates from the desert floor.a
[10] μm
The Saharan silver ant’s compound heat shield helps the insect to keep its body temperature below the maximum it can tolerate—128.5 degrees Fahrenheit (53.6°C). Inspired by that tiny creature, researchers are working to develop special coatings that enhance passive cooling—that is, cooling without the aid of fans or other devices.
What do you think? Did the compound heat shield of the Saharan silver ant come about by evolution? Or was it designed?
a The ant’s other assets include special proteins in its body that are not easily broken down by intense heat, long legs that elevate it above the hot sand and enable it to run fast, and superb navigational skills, which help it to take the fastest route back to its burrow. |
COVER SUBJECT | WHY BE HONEST?
Why It Pays to Be Honest | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2016004 | COVER SUBJECT | WHY BE HONEST?
Why It Pays to Be Honest
“We trust we have an honest conscience, as we wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”—Hebrews 13:18.
In the Bible, the original Greek word that is sometimes translated “honesty” literally means “something that is intrinsically good.” It can also carry the meaning of something beautiful to behold in a moral sense.
Christians take seriously the apostle Paul’s inspired words: “We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.” What does that involve?
THE STRUGGLE WITHIN
Most people glance at themselves in a mirror every morning before going out in public. Why? Because they want to look their best. But there is something much more important than having a stylish haircut or fashionable clothes. Indeed, the person we are on the inside can either add to or detract from our outward appearance.
God’s Word frankly admits that we are inclined to do what is bad. “The inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up,” says Genesis 8:21. Thus, to be honest, we must fight against our inborn sinful tendencies. The apostle Paul gave a vivid description of his own fight against sin, saying: “I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I see in my body another law warring against the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin’s law that is in my body.”—Romans 7:22, 23.
For example, when our heart urges us to do what is bad and we have a strong inclination to be dishonest, we do not have to be a slave to our heart’s impulses. We still have a choice in the matter. When we choose to reject a bad thought, we can remain honest despite the dishonesty surrounding us.
WINNING THE BATTLE
To be honest, we need a strong moral code. Sadly, however, many people spend more time deciding on their personal ‘dress code’ than they do on thinking about a personal moral code. As a result, they justify the amount of dishonesty that will suit their situation. The book The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty put it this way: “Essentially, we cheat up to the level that allows us to retain our self-image as reasonably honest individuals.” Is there, though, a reliable standard that can help us decide for ourselves how much—if any—dishonesty is acceptable? Thankfully, there is.
Millions of people the world over have found that the Bible perfectly fills that need. The Bible has a moral code that is beyond compare. (Psalm 19:7) It gives reliable guidance on such matters as family life, employment, morality, and spirituality. It has stood the test of time. Its laws and principles apply to all national groups, races, tribes, and peoples. By peering into the Bible, meditating on what it says, and applying its counsel, we can train our heart to be honest and upright.
Still, there is more to winning the battle against dishonesty than gaining an accurate knowledge of the Bible. After all, we live in a morally depraved world that pressures us to accept its corrupt standards. That is why we need to pray to God for his help and support. (Philippians 4:6, 7, 13) By doing so, we can have the courage to stand up for what is right and to be honest in all things.
REWARDS OF HONESTY
Hitoshi, quoted in the opening article, profited from having a reputation of being an honest worker. He now works for an employer who appreciates his honesty. “I am thankful,” says Hitoshi, “that I was able to find work that allows me to keep a clean conscience.”
Others have found the same to be true. Consider some examples of those who have benefited by applying the Bible principle to “conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”
Clean Conscience
“I left school at age 13 in order to work with thieves. As a result, 95 percent of my income was obtained by dishonest means. Later, I married, and my husband and I began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. We learned that Jehovaha God hates dishonest practices, so we decided to change our lifestyle. In 1990 we dedicated our lives to Jehovah and got baptized as Jehovah’s Witnesses.”—Proverbs 6:16-19.
“In the past, my house was full of stolen goods, but now it is free from such things; and this gives me a clean conscience. Thinking back over my many years of dishonesty, I am grateful to Jehovah for his great mercy. It is so satisfying to go to sleep each night knowing that Jehovah is now pleased with me.”—Cheryl, Ireland.
“When my boss found out that I had turned down a bribe from a potential customer, he said to me: ‘Your God makes you such a trustworthy person! It truly is a blessing to have you here in our company.’ To be honest in all things enables me to have a clean conscience before Jehovah God. It also allows me to help my family and others to do the same.”—Sonny, Hong Kong.
Peace of Mind
“I work as an executive assistant at an international bank. In this business, honesty is often shoved aside for the sake of gaining wealth. The widespread view is, ‘What’s the harm in a little dishonesty if it promotes wealth and helps the economy?’ But by being honest, I have peace of mind. I am resolved to remain honest and face whatever consequences may come. My employers know that I will not lie to them or for them.”—Tom, United States.
Self-Respect
“My supervisor at work encouraged me to lie about some missing supplies at work, but I refused. When the thieves were finally revealed, my employer thanked me for being honest. Being honest in a dishonest world calls for courage. But in the end, we can gain the trust and respect of others.”—Kaori, Japan.
A clean conscience, peace of mind, and self-respect—such rewards show that it really does pay to be honest. Do you not agree?
a Jehovah is the name of God as revealed in the Bible. |
Young People Ask, Volume 1 (yp1)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp1 | Role Model—Timothy
Timothy is about to leave home—not to run away from his family but to become a missionary companion of the apostle Paul! Possibly in his late teens, Timothy is already a responsible young man who has been “well reported on by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium.” (Acts 16:2) Paul is confident that Timothy can accomplish great things in God’s service. And he does! In the years that follow, Timothy travels extensively, establishing congregations and building up the brotherhood. Timothy’s fine qualities endear him to Paul, who some 11 years later tells the Philippians: “I have no one else of a disposition like his who will genuinely care for the things pertaining to you.”—Philippians 2:20.
Are you making yourself available to be used in God’s service? If you are, great blessings await you! Jehovah truly values young ones who “offer themselves willingly.” (Psalm 110:3) Furthermore, you can be assured that Jehovah God “is not unrighteous so as to forget your work.”—Hebrews 6:10. |
How Many Names Does God Have? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502017121 | How Many Names Does God Have?
The Bible’s answer
God has just one personal name. It is written יהוה in Hebrew and is usually rendered “Jehovah” in English.a Through his prophet Isaiah, God stated: “I am Jehovah. That is my name.” (Isaiah 42:8) This name appears about 7,000 times in ancient Bible manuscripts—far more frequently than any other term for God or, indeed, anyone else’s personal name.b
Are there other names for God?
Although the Bible refers to God by only one personal name, it uses many inputs and descriptions for him. The following list of some of those inputs and descriptions shows how each one reveals an aspect of Jehovah’s nature or his personality.
input
Reference
Meaning
Allah
(None)
Derived from Arabic, the word “Allah” is not a personal name but a input meaning “God.” Bible translations in Arabic and other languages use “Allah” as an equivalent for “God.”
Almighty
Genesis 17:1
Has irresistible power. The Hebrew expression ʼEl Shad·daiʹ, “God Almighty,” occurs seven times in the Bible.
The Alpha and the Omega
Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13
“The first and the last,” or “the beginning and the end,” meaning that there was no Almighty God before Jehovah and there will be none after him. (Isaiah 43:10) Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
Ancient of Days
Daniel 7:9, 13, 22
Had no beginning; existed for an eternity before anyone or anything else came into being.—Psalm 90:2.
Creator
Isaiah 40:28
Brought all things into existence.
Father
Matthew 6:9
Life-giver.
God
Genesis 1:1
An object of worship; a strong One. The Hebrew word ʼElo·himʹ is plural, indicating Jehovah’s majesty, dignity, or excellence.
God of gods
Deuteronomy 10:17
The supreme God, in contrast with the “worthless gods” worshipped by some.—Isaiah 2:8.
Grand Instructor
Isaiah 30:20, 21
Gives beneficial teaching and direction.—Isaiah 48:17, 18.
Grand Maker
Psalm 149:2
Brought all things into existence.—Revelation 4:11.
Happy God
1 Timothy 1:11
Characterized by joy and happiness.—Psalm 104:31.
Hearer of prayer
Psalm 65:2
Personally listens to each prayer offered to him in faith.
I Am That I Am
Exodus 3:14, King James Version
Becomes whatever is needed to fulfill his purpose. This phrase has also been translated “I Will Become whatsoever I please” or “I Will Become What I Choose to Become.” (The Emphasised Bible, by J. B. Rotherham; New World Translation) This description helps to explain the personal name, Jehovah, given in the next verse.—Exodus 3:15.
Jealous
Exodus 34:14, King James Version
Tolerates no rivalry in worship. This term has also been translated “does not tolerate rivals” and “known for requiring exclusive devotion.”—God’s Word Bible; New World Translation.
King of eternity
Revelation 15:3
His rulership has no beginning or end.
Lord
Psalm 135:5
Owner or master; Hebrew ʼA·dhohnʹ and ʼAdho·nimʹ.
Lord of hosts, Lord of Sabaoth
Isaiah 1:9, King James Version; Romans 9:29, King James Version
Commander of vast forces of angels. The input “Lord of Sabaoth” can also be rendered “Jehovah of armies” and “Lord of the [heavenly] armies.”—Romans 9:29, New World Translation; NET Bible, footnote.
Most High
Psalm 47:2
Occupies the supreme position.
Most Holy One
Proverbs 9:10
More holy (morally clean and pure) than any other being.
Potter
Isaiah 64:8
Has authority over individuals and nations, just as a potter has authority over clay.—Romans 9:20, 21.
Redeemer, Repurchaser
Isaiah 41:14; King James Version
Recovers or buys back mankind from sin and death through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ.—John 3:16.
Rock
Psalm 18:2, 46
A secure refuge and source of salvation.
Savior
Isaiah 45:21
Delivers from danger or destruction.
Shepherd
Psalm 23:1
Cares for his worshippers.
Sovereign Lord
Genesis 15:2
Has supreme authority; Hebrew ʼAdho·naiʹ.
Supreme One
Daniel 7:18, 27
The highest sovereign.
Place names in the Hebrew Scriptures
Some place names in the Bible include God’s personal name, but these are not alternate names for God.
Place name
Reference
Meaning
Jehovah-jireh
Genesis 22:13, 14
“Jehovah Will Provide.”
Jehovah-nissi
Exodus 17:15
“Jehovah Is My Signal Pole,” or “my Banner.” (Today’s New International Version) Jehovah is a God around whom his people can rally for protection and help.—Exodus 17:13-16.
Jehovah-shalom
Judges 6:23, 24
“Jehovah Is Peace.”
Jehovah-shammah
Ezekiel 48:35, footnote, American Standard Version
“Jehovah Is There.”
Reasons to know and use God’s name
God must feel that his personal name, Jehovah, is important, because he included it thousands of times in the Bible.—Malachi 1:11.
God’s Son, Jesus, repeatedly stressed the importance of God’s name. For instance, he prayed to Jehovah: “Let your name be sanctified.”—Matthew 6:9; John 17:6.
Those who come to know and use God’s name take the first steps in building a friendship with Jehovah. (Psalm 9:10; Malachi 3:16) Such a relationship enables them to benefit from God’s promise: “Because he has affection for me, I will rescue him. I will protect him because he knows my name.”—Psalm 91:14.
The Bible acknowledges: “There are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords.’” (1 Corinthians 8:5, 6) Yet it clearly identifies the one true God by his name, Jehovah.—Psalm 83:18.
a Some Hebrew scholars favor the rendering “Yahweh” for God’s name.
b A shortened form of the divine name, “Jah,” appears about 50 times in the Bible, including its use in the word “Hallelujah,” or “Alleluia,” which means “Praise Jah.”—Revelation 19:1; American Standard Version; King James Version. |
‘Know Jehovah’ (kj)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/kj | Chapter 11
Disappointment in Store for Overconfident Ones
1. Whom, in vision, did Ezekiel now get to see in the eastern gate of the temple, and what were they saying?
IN HIS next vision, what does Ezekiel see happen? Listen: “And a spirit proceeded to lift me up and bring me to the eastern gate of the house of Jehovah that is facing eastward, and, look! in the entrance of the gate there were twenty-five men, and I got to see in the midst of them Jaazaniah the son of Azzur and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people. Then he [Jehovah] said to me: ‘Son of man, these are the men that are scheming hurtfulness and advising bad counsel against this city; that are saying, “Is not the building of houses close at hand? She is the widemouthed cooking pot, and we are the flesh.”’”—Ezekiel 11:1-3.
2. What do we note about the identity of these twenty-five men, and what political movement were they scheming?
2 Apparently these are not the twenty-five men whom Ezekiel saw earlier in the inner court of the temple, worshiping the sun to the east, before the slaughter work was ordered to begin upon the unmarked inhabitants of Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 8:16) Nor is this Jaazaniah the son of Azzur the same as the Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan whom Ezekiel saw engaged in idolatrous worship inside a temple building. (Ezekiel 8:11) These latter twenty-five men are said to be “princes of the people,” hence governmental princes and not religious princes of the temple. Evidently, in this year 612 B.C.E., more than three years before the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem began, King Zedekiah of Jerusalem had not yet rebelled against the king of Babylonia to whom he had pledged submission. (2 Chronicles 36:11-13; 2 Kings 24:18 to 25:1) But these twenty-five “princes of the people” were likely scheming in favor of such a rebellion, for they were “advising bad counsel against this city.” But they were confident that no harm would come.
3. To what did those twenty-five men liken Jerusalem’s walls and therefore themselves, how were they reasoning, and what did they now need?
3 Those schemers and bad counselors of the king of Jerusalem likened the city to a widemouthed cooking pot or caldron, one made of iron. The city walls were like the sides of that metallic pot, unbreachable. Inside those walls, like flesh that is to be cooked, those twenty-five princes would be safe. Safe inside, they would never be dispossessed, and so was it not the time to build houses for permanent occupancy? They could make sure of their permanent residence by appealing to Egypt against the king of Babylon. They did not believe the predictions of the prophet-priest Jeremiah concerning the coming destruction of Jerusalem. They needed to have a double warning of this from Jehovah. “Therefore,” said Jehovah to Ezekiel, “prophesy against them. Prophesy, O son of man.”—Ezekiel 11:4.
4. What now happened to Ezekiel proved the truth of what action of the spirit as mentioned in 2 Peter 1:21?
4 What now happened to Ezekiel proves how true were the later words of the Christian apostle Peter: “Prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by holy spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) Note what Ezekiel tells us:
5. In what Jehovah now told Ezekiel to say, how did he use the likeness drawn by the twenty-five men but show a reverse outcome for them themselves?
5 “Then the spirit of Jehovah fell upon me, and he went on to say to me: ‘Say, “This is what Jehovah has said: ‘You people said the right thing, O house of Israel; and as regards the things that come up in your spirit, I myself have known it. You have caused your slain ones in this city to be many, and you have filled her streets with the slain ones.’” “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘As regards your slain ones whom you people have put in the midst of her, they are the flesh, and she is the widemouthed cooking pot; and there will be a bringing forth of you yourselves out of the midst of her.’”’”—Ezekiel 11:5-7.
6. Why were so many slain by those princes, and who were to remain inside the symbolic cooking pot, the slain ones or the princes?
6 In order to try to make sure of their permanent position inside Jerusalem, those pro-Egyptian princes had killed off those who were in favor of continuing submissive to Babylon. If Jerusalem were to be likened to a cooking pot, then those slain ones were the ones to stay inside, on the site of the city, and not be dragged out of her by the Babylonians. They were to be like the flesh in the caldron. But the walls of Jerusalem would be no metallic cooking pot for the pro-Egyptian murderous princes. They were the ones who were to be brought out of her by the Babylonians. They would have to leave vacant the houses that they had built.
7. What was to happen to the newly built houses of those princes, and what did they have reason to fear as to Egypt’s ability against Babylon?
7 The fiery destruction that was symbolized by the “coals of fire” that the linen-clad man tossed over the city was certain to reach their newly built houses and all the city of Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 10:2-7) If they put through their scheme to induce King Zedekiah to break his oath and rebel against Babylon, they had good reason to fear that the king of Babylon would come back against Jerusalem with the sword of punishment. Even militarized Egypt would not prove strong enough to hold back the king of Babylon. Hence Ezekiel must continue on to say to those scheming princes:
8. What instrument did Jehovah say he would bring against them, and in what region would he judge them?
8 “‘A sword you have feared, and a sword I shall bring upon you,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘And I shall certainly bring you forth out of the midst of her and give you into the hand of strangers and execute upon you acts of judgment. By the sword you will fall. On the border of Israel I shall judge you people; and you will have to know that I am Jehovah. She [Jerusalem] herself will not prove to be for you a widemouthed cooking pot, and you yourselves will not prove to be flesh in the midst of her. On the border of Israel I shall judge you, and you will have to know that I am Jehovah, because in my regulations you did not walk and my judgments you did not do, but according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you, you have done.’”—Ezekiel 11:8-12.
9. In the execution of his judicial decisions, what would Jehovah use, and the use of it in execution would take place in what part of the land?
9 The high hopes of those overconfident schemers were to be disappointed. The judicial decision to be executed upon them was to be from Jehovah, but he would use the “sword” in the hands of those foreign “strangers” to do the executing. By this “sword” of punitive warfare many of them would fall in death. Those who survived would not remain safe inside Jerusalem’s walls. Her walls would not prove to be like the impenetrable side of an iron cooking pot, safely protecting the “flesh” inside her. Those rebellious scheming survivors would be brought out as captives from behind the breached walls of Jerusalem to suffer acts of judgment. These miserable survivors were to be dragged off the territory of the Kingdom of Judah, for Jehovah had said that “on the border of Israel” he would judge them. At the northern tip of the territory that had been conquered by King David, namely, at Riblah toward Hamath, Jehovah would have them executed by the Babylonian king wielding the “sword.” On this Jeremiah 52:24-27 informs us:
10. Concerning that execution, what does Jeremiah 52:24-27 say?
10 “Furthermore, the chief of the bodyguard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three doorkeepers, and from the city he took one court official that happened to be commissioner over the men of war, and seven men of those having access to the king, who were found in the city, and the secretary of the chief of the army, the one mustering the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land, who were found in the midst of the city. So these Nebuzaradan the chief of the bodyguard took and conducted them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. And these the king of Babylon proceeded to strike down and to put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah went into exile from off its soil.”
11. What was Jehovah’s purpose in letting the Babylonians treat his people so harshly, and what connection did this purpose have with the Mosaic law covenant?
11 What was Jehovah’s purpose in letting the Babylonian “strangers” treat his chosen people in such a harsh, merciless way? “And you will have to know that I am Jehovah,” is His answer. Twice, in close succession, he here makes that declaration of his purpose. His chosen people were trying to ignore him, and he had to show them forcefully that he had not released them from their sacred covenant with him long ago through the prophet Moses. As a matter of fact, that Mosaic covenant was to continue in force for almost 639 years after the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E., or down till the spring of 33 C.E. He had to force them to know that he still held them to account for breaking their side of this two-way covenant. Invisible though he was because of being spirit, he was not to be treated as someone that did not exist. He was Jehovah, the very same God to whom their forefathers had repeatedly said at Mount Sinai in Arabia: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.” (Exodus 19:1-8; 24:1-7) Jehovah would in this way demonstrate before all creation in heaven and in earth that he faithfully lives up to his side of any solemn contract or covenant.
12. What did Jehovah do toward helping them to know that it was he who was taking the action and why he had to do so?
12 Because Jehovah by his prophets had forewarned them that he would bring upon the Israelites such consequences of their breaking of their covenant with him, they would know that it was the action of Jehovah himself when these foretold things actually came upon them. He was plain spoken when he pointed out to them just why he had to execute these acts of judgment upon them, saying: “On the border of Israel I shall judge you, and you will have to know that I am Jehovah.” Why? “Because in my regulations you did not walk and my judgments you did not do, but according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you, you have done.”—Ezekiel 11:11, 12.
WHY CHRISTENDOM ALSO WILL NOT ESCAPE FROM KNOWING
13. In what respects does Christendom claim to be like ancient Israel, and therefore, despite her hypocrisy, how should she expect to be treated?
13 Modern-day Christendom has let this warning example of history be lost on her. Regardless of how she feels about it today, she has claimed to be like ancient Israel, in a solemn compact or covenant with the God of the Holy Bible. The copies of the Bible that she has printed and circulated by the hundreds of millions in over a thousand languages establish his divine name as being Jehovah or Yahweh. Only she claims her mediator between this God and men to be Jesus Christ the Son of God, and her covenant with God to be the new covenant. (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6) In all this, Christendom is hypocritical. Nevertheless, Jehovah God takes her according to her claims and pretensions, and he must deal with her accordingly. He is not going to let her misrepresent him shamefully before all the world and not be exposed finally as a hypocrite and be duly punished for it.
14. What will Christendom’s claimed Mediator not do for her in the judgment, and what will all mankind have to know on her account?
14 Christendom’s claimed Mediator, Jesus Christ, will not plead before God for mercy upon her. She will have to know painfully that he is Jehovah. In fact, all mankind will have to know that He is not the God that Christendom has represented Him to be.
15. How has Christendom ignored Isaiah 31:1 as regards alliances, and what will be her experience as regards the symbolic ironlike cooking pot?
15 Similar to ancient Israel, Christendom has preferred to make her own chosen alliances with this world. She has not put her trust in the God of the new covenant. In lack of faith, she has paid no attention to the divine warning, in Isaiah 31:1: “Woe to those going down to Egypt for assistance, those who rely on mere horses, and who put their trust in war chariots, because they are numerous, and in steeds, because they are very mighty, but who have not looked to the Holy One of Israel and have not searched for Jehovah himself.” Christendom’s religious leaders may have felt that they are the “flesh” in the midst of the widemouthed cooking pot, safe behind her walls of protection and defense. But will the secular elements of modern-day Egypt, this worldly system of things, be able to save her from the execution of Jehovah’s judicial decisions against her? No! Her symbolic walls of defense will fail under the assaults of Jehovah’s executional forces. Her overconfident leaders, who trust in man-made security within their ironlike “cooking pot,” will surely be taken out of her and destroyed by Jehovah’s executional “sword.”
16. Because of the dangerousness of connections with Christendom, what is it urgent for each church member or moral supporter of her to ask himself now?
16 Is it not therefore dangerous before God for religiously inclined persons to continue their membership in Christendom or their close association with her on a sort of “interfaith” basis? Each church member or moral supporter of Christendom is now under a growing urgency to ask himself, ‘When shortly God carries out his stated purpose, “You will have to know that I am Jehovah,” will the execution of his judicial decision bring about my own destruction along with Christendom?’ This is no academic, theoretical question; it is practical, realistic and now most timely!
17. What is the reason to which Jehovah can appeal for destroying Christendom just as in the case of destroying ancient Jerusalem?
17 Let every honest person compare what the Bible says about true Christianity and what Christendom has adopted as her religious regulations. Then he will see that Jehovah can appeal to the same reason for destroying Christendom as he did for destroying Jerusalem in the year 607 B.C.E. What reason? “Because,” as Jehovah said, “in my regulations you did not walk and my judgments you did not do, but according to the judgments of the nations that are round about you, you have done.” (Ezekiel 11:12) If we share with Christendom in that course, can we evade her destruction?
18. The fact that the destruction comes from Jehovah was illustrated in the sudden death of which prince, and of what did Ezekiel, according to his outcry, take this to be a sign?
18 The fact that the destruction comes from Jehovah enthroned on his celestial chariotlike organization was illustrated in the experience that the prophet Ezekiel had respecting the twenty-five men who schemed what proved to be disastrous for Jerusalem: “And it came about that as soon as I prophesied Pelatiah the son of Benaiah himself died, and I proceeded to fall upon my face and cry with a loud voice and say: ‘Alas, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah! Is it an extermination that you are executing with the remaining ones of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 11:13) In this vision, what caused Pelatiah the prince to drop dead after Ezekiel had prophesied and served notice upon the twenty-five “princes of the people”? The prophet Ezekiel according to what he cried out in fear took it to be a direct execution of judgment from Jehovah. He took it as a sign, not only of impending death for the other twenty-four princes, but also of a coming extermination of all the “remaining ones of Israel.” He did not, however, challenge God’s right to exterminate them all.
19. What fear of religiously inclined people today compares with Ezekiel’s outcry; and in view of the Communists’ attitude, what question arises as to the future of religion?
19 Just as Ezekiel feared the destruction of all of Jehovah’s covenant people during the threatening destruction of Jerusalem, so a fear might be excited in the hearts of religiously minded persons who do not appreciate the distinction between Christendom and true Christianity. Their frightened question might be, ‘If in the coming “great tribulation” upon the whole system of things Jehovah exterminates all of Christendom and her worldly allies, will this mean the destruction of true Christianity?’ Communist and other radical elements of this system of things who hate the Christianity of the Holy Bible would like to have it so and would like to have a part in making it so. They would like to have wiped out, not only the hypocritical Christianity of Christendom, but also the “pure religion,” the true Christian worship of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. (James 1:27, AV; NW) Will these irreligious radicals have the satisfaction of seeing such a thing realized, in substantiation of the fears of some religious people?
CHRISTENDOM’S DESTRUCTION NOT THAT OF CHRISTIANITY
20, 21. Who only could answer Ezekiel’s fearful question, and what did he promise to become to the exiled brothers of Ezekiel who had the right to a repurchase?
20 The fear-inspired question of Ezekiel could be answered only by Jehovah, whose covenant had been broken by the house of Israel. His answer to Ezekiel exemplified what would be the case with regard to true Christianity in this modern “time of the end.” Ezekiel gives us the divine answer as he now writes:
21 “And the word of Jehovah continued to occur to me, saying: ‘Son of man, as regards your brothers, your brothers, the men concerned with your right to repurchase, and all the house of Israel, all of it, are the ones to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, “Get far away from Jehovah. To us it belongs; the land has been given us as a thing to possess”; therefore say, “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: ‘Although I have put them far away among the nations, and although I have scattered them among the lands, yet I shall become to them a sanctuary for a little while [or, in a little way] among the lands to which they have come.’”’”—Ezekiel 11:14-16, and marginal reading.
22. As regards the exiles, whom might the expression “all the house of Israel, all of it” include, and how did the matter of a repurchase enter into the case of these exiles?
22 This divine promise had reference to Ezekiel himself and to his fellow exiles in Babylon hundreds of miles away from Jerusalem. They were Ezekiel’s Israelite brothers. They were the ones who in the year 617 B.C.E. had been put far away among the nations and scattered among the lands because of Jehovah’s judicial decision. They had thus been obliged to leave their hereditary possessions in the land of Israel. Besides these ones, Jehovah’s expression “all the house of Israel, all of it” might include the Israelites who had been carried into exile by the Assyrians back in 740 B.C.E. (2 Kings 17:6-18; 18:9-12) According to God’s law as set out in Leviticus 25:13-38, hereditary land in Israel that was sold to an alien resident could be repurchased for the landless Israelite by a close Israelite relative before the Year of Jubilee arrived, and thereby the original landowner could be reinstated on his God-given property. But did the inhabitants of Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s day have that loving spirit of a redeemer or repurchaser toward their exiled brothers scattered throughout the Babylonian Empire?
23. Did Jerusalem’s inhabitants have the loving spirit of a redeemer toward their exiled brothers, and what is the evidence according to the way her inhabitants talked and planned?
23 Not according to the way in which Jehovah described those Jews still occupying Jerusalem and the land of Judah. They did not desire their unfortunate brothers to be restored from exile in Babylon and to reoccupy estates in the land of Israel. They were pleased to have their brothers unwillingly get as far away from Jehovah as possible, in order that they might have all the land for themselves in the land of Israel where Jehovah was understood to be. They felt that by His act of providence all the land had now been given to them to possess. Like Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, they felt that they were secure in the land and that it was the time to build houses therein for permanent occupancy. They felt snug and safe like flesh in a widemouthed cooking pot. (Ezekiel 11:1-3, 13) In a lack of brotherly affection they were unwilling to share the God-given land once again with any restored exiles.
24. How were Jehovah’s thoughts different from those of Jerusalem’s inhabitants, and what did he promise to be to those exiles?
24 However, Jehovah had other thoughts than theirs in mind. He was not disposed to favor those land-greedy inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah by letting them have continued occupancy of the land at the expense of their brothers in exile. The repentant ones among those exiles he was mercifully disposed to favor. During their exile he became for them a “sanctuary for a little while [or, in a little way] among the lands to which they have come.” (Ezekiel 11:16) For the “little while,” for the limited time of their being exiled, he would be a holy place in which they could take refuge and be safe and be preserved for his future good purposes.
25. Besides being a “sanctuary” to those exiles “for a little while,” how could he be such to them only “in a little way”?
25 Jehovah would be such a “sanctuary” to some extent, “in a little way,” inasmuch as he could not shield them from all the deserved consequences of their past bad conduct toward him. He had brought their exile upon them as a due recompense, and he was not going to shorten the time of exile in Babylon that he had decreed and foretold for them. His being a sanctuary to them was therefore limited. But greater mercy was to be shown them as he now told Ezekiel to explain to them, in these words:
26. What greater mercy was to be shown to those exiles as Jehovah now told Ezekiel to say to them?
26 “Therefore say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “I will also collect you from the peoples and gather you from the lands among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the soil of Israel. And they will certainly come there and remove all its disgusting things and all its detestable things out of it. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I shall put inside them; and I shall certainly remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, in order that they may walk in my own statutes and keep my own judicial decisions and actually carry them out; and they may really become my people and I myself may become their God.”’”—Ezekiel 11:17-20.
27. What, though, did Jehovah say about those inhabitants of Jerusalem who did not want the exiles to get back on the land of Israel?
27 What, though, about those inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah who were not desirous of having the exiles get back on the land of Israel? Concerning these selfish princes and people Jehovah went on to say by Ezekiel: “‘But as for those whose heart is walking in their disgusting things and their detestable things, upon their head I shall certainly bring their own way,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 11:21.
28. How did Jehovah bring upon the loveless greedy ones the fruitage of their detestable ways, and how did he show mercy upon the repentant exiles?
28 By the year 607 B.C.E. and through the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple and the desolating of the land of Judah, Jehovah brought upon those covenant-breaking idolatrous Jews the fruitage of their disgusting, detestable way. With his sword of judicial execution he cut them down by means of the Babylonian “strangers.” Thus they lost the “soil of Israel” that they hugged so greedily to themselves. But what about those far-off exiles in Babylon? In 537 B.C.E., after the full appointed time of seventy years of desolation of the land of Judah, the repentant remnant of those exiled Israelites were collected together and restored to the “soil of Israel.” There Jehovah did for them just as he had promised through his prophet Ezekiel. In this way he proved that they were his people and that he was their God. Jerusalem was rebuilt and another temple was built on the old site.
IS CHRISTENDOM TO BE RESTORED?
29. Does this prefigure that Christendom will be restored after Har–Magedon, and what misunderstanding as to what Christendom is here needs to be corrected?
29 What did this prefigure for our modern day? Could it really mean that Christendom, which is to be destroyed in the oncoming “great tribulation,” will be restored to earth sometime after the “war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Har–Magedon? (Matthew 24:21, 22; Revelation 16:14-16) No, this could not be meant! We need here to correct any wrong understanding of what Christendom is. Her church members may understand Christendom to mean Christ’s kingdom and to be the same as Christ’s kingdom. But this is not so, and hence there can be no true Christendom and counterfeit Christendom.
30, 31. Of what greater religious organization has Christendom always been a part, and what does Revelation 18:21 to 19:3 say about that greater organization?
30 There is only the one Christendom, and it is a false, hypocritical religious organization. Let us never forget that Christendom is and always has been a part of what the Bible calls Babylon the Great, which is the world empire of false Babylonish religion. She is the most populous and powerful part of Babylon the Great. Christendom will no more be restored to earth than will the rest of Babylon the Great. Concerning Babylon the Great, all of her, including Christendom, we read, in Revelation 18:21 to 19:3, these words:
31 “And a strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and hurled it into the sea, saying: ‘Thus with a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again.’ . . . ‘Praise Jah, you people! And the smoke from her goes on ascending forever and ever.’”—Compare Jeremiah 51:58-64.
32. Will Christendom’s destruction leave Jehovah without his pure religion in the earth, and how is this matter affected by what has been flourishing on earth in a religious way since 1919?
32 The total destruction of Christendom along with the rest of Babylon the Great does not take away one iota from God’s true Christian religion in the earth; it does not leave Him without his pure, undefiled religion in the earth. The fact is, the annihilation of Christendom will leave a live, flourishing true Christianity, standing forth in glorious purity under God’s protection. This Christianity has been flourishing in the earth more and more since the year 1919 C.E. Among whom, if not in Christendom? Among the dedicated, baptized, anointed remnant of Jehovah’s worshipers. It is these who were prefigured by the exiled prophet Ezekiel himself.
33. In whom during this twentieth century has Jehovah fulfilled his prophecy by Ezekiel concerning the gathering of his people and restoring them to the “soil of Israel” and how, by what train of events?
33 Indeed, it is these in whom Jehovah has fulfilled his prophecy by Ezekiel about the collecting and gathering of his people from their scattered condition and giving them the “soil of Israel,” in this “time of the end.” (Ezekiel 11:17-20) These dedicated worshipers, anointed with Jehovah’s spirit, were brought into a Babylonish captivity and exile during the world war of 1914-1918 and underwent a severe disciplining then. Their spiritual condition and their prospects of being reactivated in God’s service were pictured and foretold in the vision that was given to Ezekiel about 606 B.C.E., after the destruction of Jerusalem, and in which vision he saw a valley plain full of dry bones and what happened to make them live again. (Ezekiel 37:1-28; 33:21, 22; 32:1) In the spring of the year 1919 C.E. the faithful anointed remnant of Jehovah’s Christian worshipers were delivered from this Babylonish bondage and shook off the shackles of Babylon, thus being restored to the symbolic “soil” of spiritual Israel. This repeopling of the desolated “soil” of spiritual Israel was also foretold after Jerusalem’s destruction, in chapter thirty-six of Ezekiel’s prophecy.
34. How has Jehovah purified still more the anointed spiritual Israelites since 1919 C.E.?
34 These anointed spiritual Israelites Jehovah has purified still more since their deliverance from Babylonish bondage in 1919 C.E. Under the guidance of his holy spirit these restored ones have done just as he foretold: “They will certainly come there and remove all its disgusting things and all its detestable things out of it.”
35. According to what promise has Jehovah given the restored ones a better heart condition spiritually, and they have been fulfilling the work of whom as seen in Ezekiel’s vision?
35 To that end Jehovah has given them a better heart condition spiritually just as he had foretold: “And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I shall put inside them; and I shall certainly remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, in order that they may walk in my own statutes and keep my own judicial decisions and actually carry them out; and they may really become my people and I myself may become their God.” (Ezekiel 11:18-20) These purified anointed worshipers of Jehovah as God are the ones who, as a class, fulfill the prophetic picture of the man “clothed with the linen, at whose hips there was the secretary’s inkhorn.” In so serving they mark the foreheads of persons who will be spared alive when there comes upon Christendom fiery destruction from Jehovah enthroned on his celestial chariot.
36. Who are now enjoying Jehovah’s favor along with the restored remnant?
36 Those marked in the forehead for preservation through the coming “great tribulation” upon Christendom are now enjoying Jehovah’s favor along with the restored anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites on the symbolic “soil” of spiritual Israel.
37. Why and how has this required a change of heart on the part of the “great crowd” gathered since 1935 C.E., and in what lifesaving work have they been aiding the spiritual remnant?
37 Especially since the year 1935 C.E. has the constantly increasing “great crowd” of sheeplike persons been gathered there into association with the anointed remnant of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses.a They also have had to leave behind the detestable and disgusting things of Christendom and the rest of Babylon the Great in order to take up the pure, undefiled worship of the one living and true God. This has required a change of heart on their part. More and more it has become clearly marked in their lives that they too are dedicated worshipers of Jehovah as their God. Until now they are greatly aiding the anointed spiritual remnant in the work of symbolically marking the foreheads of all who seek pure religion.
THE CHARIOT MOVES TO AN OBSERVATION POST
38. Against whom, at his time, does Jehovah’s executional force use their weapons, and as if from where can he observe the lifesaving work, as it goes on?
38 Not against these marked ones, but against all those remaining in active and sympathetic association with Christendom and all the remainder of Babylon the Great, will Jehovah’s angelic executional forces start using their weapons of destruction at His appointed time. He observes and directs the lifesaving work from a fine observation post. (2 Peter 3:9-14) It is as if his celestial chariotlike organization has moved to the top of the Mount of Olives that lies to the east of Jerusalem and overlooks it.
39. To what final location did Ezekiel see Jehovah’s celestial chariot move, and from that same location, when and by whom was destruction of a later Jerusalem foretold?
39 This is the significant location where the prophet Ezekiel finally saw the high-wheeled chariot of Jehovah, according to what he tells us at the close of this series of visions, saying: “And the cherubs now lifted up their wings, and the wheels were close by them, and the glory of the God of Israel was over them, from above. And the glory of Jehovah went ascending from over the midst of the city and began to stand over the mountain that is to the east of the city.” (Ezekiel 11:22, 23) It was from this same Mount of Olives that, 644 years later, Jesus Christ the Son of God foretold the fiery destruction that was to come upon the Jerusalem of that day in the year 70 C.E., a destruction that in itself was prophetic of the destruction that is coming upon Christendom as the antitypical unfaithful Jerusalem of modern times.—Matthew 24:1-22; Mark 13:1-20; Luke 21:5-24.
40. After that movement of Jehovah’s celestial chariot to the mountaintop, what was Ezekiel put in position to do, when did he see the chariot again, and how long did he prophesy?
40 After Jehovah’s celestial chariot took its position over the Mount of Olives Ezekiel himself was put in position to declare the prophetic visions concerning the Jerusalem of his day. Not till eighteen and a half years later, which was thirteen and a half years after Jerusalem’s destruction, did Ezekiel see Jehovah’s symbolic “chariot” again. (Ezekiel 40:1-6; 43:1-17) At this latter time he received a prophetic message of another kind from the Divine Rider of the celestial chariot. Ezekiel continued to be Jehovah’s prophet up till the beginning of the twenty-seventh year of his exile in Babylon. (Ezekiel 29:17-21) So for twenty-one years and nine months he served as a prophetic witness of Jehovah.—Ezekiel 1:1-3.
TELLING TO OTHERS THE SERIES OF VISIONS
41. By being given this series of visions, for what was Ezekiel being equipped, and when, now, did he begin doing this and toward whom?
41 It is one thing to see inspired visions; it is another thing to be obedient to Jehovah’s command to tell forth to others what one saw and heard in such visions. By being privileged to see the visions Ezekiel was not just being entertained; he was being equipped for the work of preaching and teaching that he was commissioned to do. With that purpose in view he is at length released from the power of inspiration and brought back to the realm of reality where he must do his work. Hence, after describing his then final view of Jehovah’s celestial chariot, he tells us: “And a spirit itself lifted me up and finally brought me to Chaldea to the exiled people, in the vision by the spirit of God; and the vision that I had seen went ascending from upon me. And I began to speak to the exiled people all the things of Jehovah that he had caused me to see.”—Ezekiel 11:24, 25.
42. During this series of visions where had Ezekiel been, but where had he remained physically, and who were sitting before him?
42 All through this series of visions Ezekiel had been “sitting in [his] house and the older men of Judah were sitting before [him].” He did not leave the company of those older men of Judah in his house, but the hand of Jehovah, with inspirational power, came upon Ezekiel and caused him to see such remarkable visions. How long those older men were obliged to wait until Ezekiel came out from under this visualizing spirit of God is not stated. In vision he became transported hundreds of miles away from the Chebar River in Chaldea (Babylonia), but now by the same inspirational spirit he was brought back to his real location in his house of exile. So when the final part of the vision “went ascending” from him, he became conscious again of where he actually was.
43. By what means was Ezekiel caused to see those visions, how did he take his commission to tell out those visions, and to whom did he tell them?
43 It was no fanciful dream that Ezekiel had seen. It was nothing that Ezekiel had conjured up in his own mind. It was not by means of any modern-day hallucinogenic drug that he went mentally traveling and seeing what he did. The visions given to him were from Jehovah, the God of true prophecy. That the visions were no idle imaginations is proved by the fact that what the visions presented symbolically came true in actual human history. Consequently Ezekiel took the visions seriously; he took his commission to reveal and tell them seriously. Immediately upon coming out from under the visualizing power of inspiration he began telling those older men of Judah sitting in his house what he had seen and been commanded to say. He did not confine his revealing of the divine prophecies to those older men in his house, but went out telling it to still others. All the exiled people there in Chaldea were concerned. This was potent reason for him to do as he reports of himself: “I began to speak to the exiled people all the things of Jehovah that he had caused me to see.”—Ezekiel 11:25.
44. What obligation is laid upon us by the giving to us of the understanding of Ezekiel’s visions, and why is it urgent for us now to carry out that obligation?
44 By the enlightening power of Jehovah’s spirit we today have been given an understanding of what those prophetic visions of Ezekiel mean. The giving of such understanding of those prophetic revelations is not for our personal self-enjoyment. Rather, it lays upon us the obligation to imitate Ezekiel and tell out to everybody who is involved what Jehovah through his chariotlike heavenly organization has made known to our understanding. For our own sakes, for others’ sakes, it is now more urgent than ever before that we do this. The time for Christendom’s fiery destruction from Jehovah enthroned on his celestial chariot was never nearer!
[Footnotes]
a See The Watchtower under the dates of August 1 and 15, 1935, containing Parts One and Two of the article eninputd “The Great Multitude.” |
Spaceship Earth in Deep Trouble | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101971001 | Spaceship Earth in Deep Trouble
“ALL systems are go!” These were reassuring words to the three astronauts aboard Apollo 13 as it stood poised for its voyage to the moon and back. The success of the mission depended on the intricate life-support systems of the spacecraft; they would need to function with exactness throughout its nearly half-million-mile journey. The supplies of oxygen, water and electricity would have to be husbanded carefully. If one system went awry it could knock out other systems and endanger the men’s lives.
They did experience near disaster. But through constant communication with Ground Control and strict compliance with its instructions, the craft and crew were brought safely back to earth.
Our earth is in reality a giant spaceship and one that is in trouble, as earth’s physical environment is being thrown out of balance. It was not always this way. When the Creator put perfect human “passengers” on the earth, all its life-support systems were ready and functioning in complete harmony. Everything was in faultless balance. God made the reassuring pronouncement: ‘It is very good.’—Gen. 1:31.
For the good of these first human inhabitants of earth God gave them certain instructions. Obedience to such would keep them on a safe course wherein they would “have in subjection . . . all the earth” and would “cultivate . . . and . . . take care of” their environment.—Gen. 1:26; 2:15.
All life-support systems of the earth were designed to respond to man’s loving oversight. The whole globe was to become a paradise of beauty for a perfect human race to enjoy eternally. Only disobedience to his Creator would throw man and his environment out of balance.
The first man disobeyed his Creator and started doing things according to his own wisdom. This started the long chain of events that has brought us to the few remaining years of this system of things and an environmental defilement that now threatens all life on this planet.
Concern for Our Environment
Scientists recognize that the life-support arrangement of man’s environment is made up of many interrelated parts. The study of these parts is named “ecology.” This is the branch of biology that deals with the relationships living things have to one another and to their environment. The scientists who study these relationships are called “ecologists.”
Today ecologists deplore the general lack of discernment as to how much human life depends on keeping earth’s environment in balance. They realize that if one aspect of earth’s environment is thrown out of balance, it will in turn affect others, to the harm of man and other living creatures.
Consequently, concern for our environment is being expressed in the highest echelons of human government. For example, President Nixon of the United States in his State of the Union Message early in 1970 said: “The great question of the 70’s is: Shall we surrender our surroundings or shall we make peace with nature and begin making reparations for the damage we have done to our air, to our land, and to our water?”
Nevertheless, many well-informed men of science believe time is running out or has already run out for bringing about a reversal of the rapid trend toward total environmental wreckage of spaceship earth.
Atmosphere Endangered
Without air we cannot live. Pure air is made up of 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen and 1 percent divided between argon, water vapor and carbon dioxide. Maintaining the balance involves the use and renewal of these gases by plant, soil, animal and human life.
A dramatic example of this marvelous interlocking of air, soil, plant, animal and human life is seen in the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen is required as food for all plants and fleshly creatures but cannot be assimilated in its natural state. However, nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the soil take this gas from the air in a wonderfully efficient way, changing it into plant food. In turn, animals and humans feed on the plants. When these die, other bacteria move in to decompose the dead plants and flesh. Ammonia results.
The remaining moves to complete the cycle are achieved by two distinct bacterial groups. The first changes the ammonia into nitrates and the other releases free nitrogen into the atmosphere. A similar vital interplay between plant life and air is seen in the way plants take in carbon dioxide through their leaves and release oxygen. Refraining from interfering with such a finely balanced system can assure us a lasting supply of clean and healthful air.
Instead of dealing kindly with his atmospheric environment, man has used it as a dumping ground. Ever since the so-called industrial age began he has spewed hundreds of millions of tons of pollutants into it, thinking that air currents would carry them off into limitless space. No thought was given as to what tomorrow might bring forth, yet it is as a noted writer once said: “Sooner or later, everybody sits down to a banquet of consequences.”
It appears that humans are now sitting down to that “banquet.” Time magazine of February 2, 1970, stated: “What most Americans now breathe is closer to ambient filth than to air.” The Toronto Star Weekly of April 11, 1970, called it the “Exhausted Air.” Automobiles are said to be the worst offenders, causing some 60 percent of all air pollution in North American cities. However, one jet aircraft spews out pollutants equal to what is emitted by one thousand automobiles! United States industry vomits 172 million tons of smoke and gases into the air each year. When the “ambient filth” of New York’s atmosphere was recently checked it showed that a person in that city daily breathes in the same amount of poisonous fumes as if he smoked thirty-eight cigarettes a day!
In 1968, a leading meteorologist, Morris Neiburger, showed the criticalness of the situation by saying:
“It is clear that as the amount of pollution . . . increases, a stage will be reached at which the cleansing processes in the atmosphere are no longer adequate to purify the air before it reaches or returns to sources where it receives additional pollution. . . . As time goes on the amount of pollution throughout the world will then increase. Eventually the concentration of toxic substances will reach and exceed lethal concentrations and life on earth will pass away.”
With the arrival of the very large urban units and ever-larger highways to cope with more and more cars, the balanced arrangement between plants, air and soil suffers dangerous interference. It is estimated that one million acres of land are added each year to the 60 million acres in the United States that have already gone out of plant and tree production due to highways and general urbanization. Now it is noted that oxygen and nitrogen cycles are not functioning effectively. The atmosphere is becoming overloaded with poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and dioxide plus nitrogen oxides (which cause eye irritation and infection). Pesticides have played havoc with vital soil bacteria and insects helpful to plants, besides contributing to the general air pollution.
No wonder Life magazine of January 3, 1970, stated: “Scientists have solid experimental and theoretical evidence to support . . . predictions” such as: “In a decade, urban dwellers will have to wear gas masks to survive air pollution,” and “increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will affect earth’s temperature, leading to mass flooding or a new ice age.”
Do you not think it would be wise for mankind to husband the rapidly dwindling atmospheric resources as the astronauts did when some of their life-support systems failed?
Is Our Water Supply Secure?
Some persons would be inclined to say, Yes, as they point to the fact that 71 percent of earth’s surface is presently covered with water. In actuality, though, a little less than 1 percent of the some 325 million cubic miles of water on the globe is available for man’s use. If that becomes polluted, what then? Man must remember that he cannot live without water either. He does not want to become like the shipwrecked mariner who said: “Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink!” Unhappily, this is almost the situation man finds himself in today as he views a shrinking supply of clean water.
Now, why should this be the case? Because rivers have been used as a dumping area for human and industrial wastes. Till recently the rivers and lakes have been able to purify themselves. However, once this self-purification system is taxed beyond its capability to function in proper balance, these water sources lose their precious life-supporting qualities.
Lake Erie, on the border between Canada and the United States, is an outstanding example of what happens when water becomes overburdened with pollutants. This once-beautiful body of water has been so befouled by human and industrial wastes plus chemical phosphates and nitrates that ecologists speak of it as “dying.” Detergent phosphates, after having made the family wash gleaming white, end up in the lake to promote an overgrowth of algae (as do fertilizer nitrates). When the slimy green alga dies and goes into the process of decay, it uses up so much oxygen that the bacterial action once capable of cleaning up organic wastes in the lake is rendered useless. This applies to rivers too.
One would suppose that due to the immensity of the oceans, pollution problems would be minimal. Such is not the case. On February 19, 1970, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson warned of potential disaster to our oceans. He said: “Like all other systems of the planet, the sea is a fragile environment. . . . Upset the intricate ecological systems of the ocean and you run the grave risk of throwing all natural systems so seriously out of balance that the planet will no longer sustain any life. . . . We are already on the way to causing drastic and lasting damage to the ocean and environment.”
This is confirmed by students of the subject who warn that the entire ecology of the ocean may be drastically changed in another five years. They foresee diminishing supplies of food from the oceans. Even now, every kind of fish and animal life in the seas is affected, including the penguins of Antarctica! Is there a particular reason?
Recent studies indicate that the insecticide DDT, carried to the ends of the earth by ocean currents, is a chief contributor to this potential ecological disaster. DDT slows down the process of photosynthesis, the process by which green plants make the sun’s energy available to living creatures. All plant and animal life in the seas is dependent on this process.
Especially significant is the threat to innumerable multitudes of tiny water plants called diatoms. These live close to the surface of the oceans and produce much of earth’s oxygen supply. Without this vital element all of earth’s creatures would find themselves in the same position as the astronauts would have been if their oxygen supply had completely failed!
When we add to this all the other poisons constantly flowing into the oceans from polluted rivers, as well as one million tons of crude oil being spilled or dumped into the seas each year, it simply spells out one thing—spaceship earth is indeed in deep trouble!
What to Do?
In a belated effort to save spaceship earth its passengers have been notified by news media of the crisis. Laws have been passed to control pollution. Some good has resulted. The Thames River in England, once “one of the dirtiest in the world,” has since supported some sixty varieties of fish, but recently, alas! a garbage strike increased the pollution again.
Improvement can take place when people care about their environment. What can you do? Farmers and gardeners can remember that there is nothing wrong with compost or other organic fertilizers or the use of crop rotation to build up the soil. And could it be that you do not need to use your car as much as you do, or could you walk to a nearby store? Is it possible to curb water waste in your home? As housewives, can you use good old laundry soap instead of water-polluting phosphate detergents?
Though the Bible shows that Almighty God will straighten out conditions on earth by means of his kingdom, this is no reason for God-fearing persons today to go along with those who are ‘ruining their way upon the earth.’ (Gen. 6:12) Do what you can now on a personal and a family basis to refrain from adding to the pollution of earth’s environment. And in due time, with the direction provided by the Creator by means of his kingdom, all earth’s life-support systems will be restored to perfect balance and be approved as “very good.” |
Washi—Japan’s Ancient Handmade Paper | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101992008 | Washi—Japan’s Ancient Handmade Paper
By Awake! correspondent in Japan
WHEN you enter a traditional Japanese home, you go through a neat, latticed sliding door. Once inside, you will probably see a decorated folding screen. In the room, you may see other decorations, such as dolls, hanging scrolls with paintings or calligraphy, lampshades, fancy containers or boxes. All these varied items have one thing in common—they are made of washi—the versatile Japanese handmade paper.
A Long History
The Japanese imported the art of papermaking from China in the seventh century C.E. For more than a thousand years, handmade washi reigned supreme as Japan’s only paper. In some areas, entire villages built their livelihood around papermaking; some of them became famous in their own right for the fine paper they produced.
By the latter half of the 19th century, papermaking had reached its golden age in Japan. About a thousand paper factories flourished throughout the country. With the advent of the industrial revolution, however, washi making, along with other hand industries, began to decline. Yet, even today the tradition of handmade washi is still being kept alive in certain areas for its artistic qualities.
How Washi Is Made
The Chinese made their paper from silk, linen, old cotton rags, fishing nets, and the bark of the mulberry tree. At first, the Japanese papermakers used these same ingredients. Later, they experimented with materials readily available to them, such as the inner bark of the mitsumata (paper mulberry) tree, gampi (a Japanese mountain plant), and even bamboo.
The raw material must first be reduced to a fibrous pulp. This is a laborious and painstaking process involving beating, steaming, scraping, soaking, stripping, and other treatments. The resulting pulp is mixed with water to allow the fibers to float freely.
In a typical workshop where gampi is used, women squat around large wooden tubs filled with water. Working with their hands, they clean and separate the gampi fibers in the water until a uniform suspension is formed.
Into this watery mixture another worker dips a large, fine sieve fitted in a stiff wooden frame. As the frame is lifted, the water drains away, leaving the fine fibers on the sieve to mat together to form a sheet of washi. The real expert will point out that a good sheet is made by dipping the sieve several times in a thin mixture rather than making it in one step from a thick soup.
The sieve is then inverted onto a large table. Picking up the closest edge of the sieve, the worker carefully lifts it away, leaving the wet sheet of washi on the table. The dipping process is repeated, and a new sheet is laid right on top of the first one. One by one the sheets are made, and soon a dripping pile of wet paper is produced.
To prevent the sheets from sticking to one another, a slimy substance called tororo, made from the roots of a certain kind of hibiscus, is added to the water. The additive also increases the viscosity of the water, thus slowing down the drainage through the sieve. This allows for better webbing of the fibers. An experienced washi maker can tell by the feel when the consistency is just right.
In the old days, the sheets were laid out individually on boards and dried in the sun. Although this method is still used, most washi factories dry their paper on heated sheets of stainless steel.
A Lingering Tradition
Though washi is no longer the principal medium for writing in Japan, it still has its place in the artistic realm. In fact, it is often referred to as art paper because of the many traditional and artistic paper products made from it.
Delicate pictures of flowers, trees, birds, landscapes, and other designs are made by pasting together strips of washi in different colors. Block-printed scenes on washi by famous Japanese artists, such as Hiroshige and Hokusai, are well-known around the world. Washi is also used in another form of painting called nihonga. A powdered mixture of stone and colored glass in a watery paste is brushed on sheets of washi six feet [1.8 m] square or larger, made specially for this kind of painting. This unique paper is also used to make handbags, purses, fans, umbrellas, kites, lanterns, and paper dolls, along with larger items such as partitions and screens. To promote interest in this art form, there are popular exhibitions, and modern washi makers conduct craft classes.
The golden age of Japanese washi is now part of history. Yet, the tradition lingers on to enrich the lives of people in a busy, modernized society.
[Pictures on page 23-25]
Typical “washi” items:
page 23, mountain design in envelope paper;
page 24, paper dolls, chopsticks decorated with “washi,” and bookmarks;
page 25, origami bird, fan, and kimono decorations |
Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe That They Have the One True Religion? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502012466 | Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe That They Have the One True Religion?
Those who are serious about religion should think that the one they’ve chosen is acceptable to God and Jesus. Otherwise, why would they be involved in it?
Jesus Christ didn’t agree with the view that there are many religions, many roads, all leading to salvation. Rather, he said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” (Matthew 7:14) Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they’ve found that road. Otherwise, they’d look for another religion. |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Is Flirting Harmless Fun? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502017109 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Is Flirting Harmless Fun?
What is flirting?
Why do some people do it?
What are the dangers?
What your peers say
What is flirting?
Some people think of flirting as conveying the impression through words or actions that you are romantically interested in a person of the opposite sex. Is it wrong to show that you are romantically interested in someone? Not necessarily. “If you’re in a position to date and you’re interested in someone,” says a young woman named Ann, “how else can you find out if the feeling is mutual?”
In this article, however, we will discuss the kind of flirting that involves acting as if you have a romantic interest in someone when you have no serious intent.
“It’s one thing to pay special attention to someone because you want to start a romantic relationship. It’s a different matter to lead someone on and then pull the rug out from under him because you were never really serious.”—Deanna.
Why do some people do it?
Some people flirt just to boost their ego. “When you realize you can attract that kind of attention, you may want more of it,” says a young woman named Hailey.
But if you intentionally give the impression that you have romantic interest in someone when in fact you do not, you show a callous disregard for the other person’s feelings. You also call into question your judgment. The Bible says: “Foolishness is a joy to one lacking good sense.”—Proverbs 15:21.
For good reason, Hailey concludes, “Flirting may begin harmlessly, but it often ends dangerously.”
What are the dangers?
Flirting hurts your reputation.
“A person who flirts comes across as insecure and immature. You feel that she is not being honest with you but is only trying to get something out of you.”—Jeremy.
The Bible says: “Love . . . does not look for its own interests.”—1 Corinthians 13:4, 5.
To think about: What kind of words or actions could cause you to gain a reputation as a flirt?
Flirting hurts the person you flirt with.
“If I meet someone who is flirty, it makes me not want to be around him. It’s as if the only reason he’s talking to me is because I’m a girl. People who flirt don’t really care about me; they only care about making themselves feel better.”—Jaqueline.
The Bible says: “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”—1 Corinthians 10:24.
To think about: Have you ever been led to believe that someone had a romantic interest in you, only to find out that you were wrong? If so, how did you feel afterward? How can you avoid hurting someone else in that way?
Flirting hurts your prospects for genuine romance.
“A flirt would be a totally undesirable person to marry or even to date. How could I really get to know or trust someone if he is just putting on an act?”—Olivia.
In the Bible, the psalmist David states: “I avoid those who hide what they are.”—Psalm 26:4.
To think about: What kind of person does a flirt appeal to? Is that the kind of person you want to attract?
What your peers say
“If you’re a flirt, you will hurt people, and those people will tell others what you did. The longer you continue flirting, the bigger the stain you put on your reputation, and the harder it is to wash off.”—Scott.
“Flirting can really damage your reputation. In fact, a flirt comes across as insincere and untrustworthy and is not someone I would pick as a close friend.”—Jeslyn. |
Isaiah’s Prophecy II (ip-2)
2001 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-2 | Chapter Twenty-five
A Prayer of Repentance
Isaiah 63:15–64:12
1, 2. (a) What is the purpose of divine discipline? (b) What choice will the Jews face after receiving Jehovah’s discipline?
THE destruction of Jerusalem and her temple in 607 B.C.E. was discipline from Jehovah, an expression of his extreme disapproval. The disobedient nation of Judah deserved the severe punishment. Yet, Jehovah did not intend that the Jews be exterminated. The apostle Paul alluded to the purpose of Jehovah’s discipline when he said: “True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness.”—Hebrews 12:11.
2 How will the Jews react to the hard experience? Will they hate Jehovah’s discipline? (Psalm 50:16, 17) Or will they accept it as training? Will they repent and be healed? (Isaiah 57:18; Ezekiel 18:23) The prophecy of Isaiah suggests that at least some of the former inhabitants of Judah will respond well to the discipline. Beginning in the last verses 15-19 of Isa chapter 63 and continuing through Isa chapter 64, the nation of Judah is represented as a contrite people who approach Jehovah in heartfelt supplication. The prophet Isaiah, on behalf of his countrymen in their future exile, utters a prayer of repentance. While doing so, he speaks of coming events as if they were taking place before his eyes.
A Compassionate Father
3. (a) How does Isaiah’s prophetic prayer exalt Jehovah? (b) How does Daniel’s prayer show that the prophetic prayer of Isaiah represents the thoughts of repentant Jews in Babylon? (See box on page 362.)
3 Isaiah prays to Jehovah: “Look from heaven and see out of your lofty abode of holiness and beauty.” The prophet is speaking of the spiritual heavens, where Jehovah and his invisible spirit creatures dwell. Expressing the thoughts of the Jews in exile, Isaiah continues: “Where are your zeal and your full might, the commotion of your inward parts, and your mercies? Toward me they have restrained themselves.” (Isaiah 63:15) Jehovah has held back his power and controlled his deep feelings—“the commotion of [his] inward parts, and [his] mercies”—toward his people. Yet, Jehovah is the “Father” of the Jewish nation. Abraham and Israel (Jacob) were their natural forefathers, but if these were restored to life, they might be inclined to reject their apostate offspring. Jehovah has greater compassion. (Psalm 27:10) Isaiah gratefully says: “You, O Jehovah, are our Father. Our Repurchaser of long ago is your name.”—Isaiah 63:16.
4, 5. (a) In what sense does Jehovah make his people wander from his ways? (b) What kind of worship does Jehovah want?
4 Isaiah continues with a heartfelt expression: “Why do you, O Jehovah, keep making us wander from your ways? Why do you make our heart hard against the fear of you? Come back for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your hereditary possession.” (Isaiah 63:17) Yes, Isaiah prays that Jehovah will again turn his attention to his servants. In what sense, though, does Jehovah make the Jews wander from his ways? Is Jehovah responsible for the hardness of their hearts that leads them to have no fear of him? No, but he does allow it, and in their despair the Jews lament that Jehovah gave them such freedom. (Exodus 4:21; Nehemiah 9:16) They wish that Jehovah had stepped in to prevent them from doing wrong.
5 Of course, God does not deal with humans in that way. We are free moral agents, and Jehovah allows us to decide for ourselves whether to obey him or not. (Deuteronomy 30:15-19) Jehovah wants worship that stems from hearts and minds that are motivated by genuine love. Hence, he has allowed the Jews to exercise their free will, even though this has permitted them to rebel against him. It is in this way that he has made their hearts hard.—2 Chronicles 36:14-21.
6, 7. (a) What results from the Jews’ leaving Jehovah’s ways? (b) What vain wish is expressed, but what have the Jews no right to expect?
6 What is the result? Isaiah prophetically says: “For a little while your holy people had possession. Our own adversaries have stamped down your sanctuary. We have for a long time become as those over whom you did not rule, as those upon whom your name had not been called.” (Isaiah 63:18, 19) Jehovah’s people had possession of his sanctuary for a while. Then Jehovah allowed it to be destroyed and his nation to be taken into exile. When that happened, it was as if there had been no covenant between him and the offspring of Abraham and as if his name had not been called upon them. Now captive in Babylon, the Jews cry out in their hopelessness: “O if only you had ripped the heavens apart, that you had come down, that on account of you the very mountains had quaked, as when a fire ignites the brushwood, and the fire makes the very water boil up, in order to make your name known to your adversaries, that on account of you the nations might be agitated!” (Isaiah 64:1, 2) Jehovah does indeed have the power to save. He certainly could have come down and fought for his people, ripping apart heavenlike governmental systems and breaking up mountainlike empires. Jehovah could have made his name known by showing his fiery zeal in behalf of his people.
7 Jehovah had done such things in the past. Isaiah recounts: “When you did fear-inspiring things for which we could not hope, you came down. On account of you the mountains themselves quaked.” (Isaiah 64:3) Such great acts demonstrated Jehovah’s power and Godship. However, the unfaithful Jews of Isaiah’s time have no right to expect Jehovah to act in such a way for their benefit.
Only Jehovah Can Save
8. (a) What is one way that Jehovah is different from the false gods of the nations? (b) Why does Jehovah not act to save his people despite being able to do so? (c) How does Paul quote and apply Isaiah 64:4? (See box on page 366.)
8 False gods perform no powerful acts of salvation for their worshipers. Isaiah writes: “From time long ago none have heard, nor have any given ear, nor has an eye itself seen a God, except you, that acts for the one that keeps in expectation of him. You have met up with the one exulting and doing righteousness, those who keep remembering you in your own ways.” (Isaiah 64:4, 5a) Jehovah alone is “the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Hebrews 11:6) He acts to protect those doing righteousness and those remembering him. (Isaiah 30:18) Have the Jews acted in this way? No. Isaiah says to Jehovah: “Look! You yourself became indignant, while we kept sinning—in them a long time, and should we be saved?” (Isaiah 64:5b) Because God’s people have a long record of persistent sinfulness, there is no basis for Jehovah to hold back his indignation and act for their salvation.
9. What can repentant Jews hope for, and what can we learn from this?
9 The Jews cannot undo the past, but if they repent and return to pure worship, they can hope for forgiveness and future blessings. Jehovah will reward repentant ones in his due time by releasing them from Babylonian captivity. Still, they need to be patient. Despite their repentance, Jehovah will not change his timetable. If they keep alert and are responsive to Jehovah’s will, however, they are assured of eventual liberation. Similarly, Christians today patiently keep in expectation of Jehovah. (2 Peter 3:11, 12) We take to heart the words of the apostle Paul, who said: “Let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due season we shall reap if we do not tire out.”—Galatians 6:9.
10. What inability is frankly confessed in Isaiah’s prayer?
10 Isaiah’s prophetic prayer is more than a formal confession of sin. It expresses sincere recognition of the nation’s inability to save itself. The prophet says: “We become like someone unclean, all of us, and all our acts of righteousness are like a garment for periods of menstruation; and we shall fade away like leafage, all of us, and our errors themselves will carry us away just like a wind.” (Isaiah 64:6) By the end of the exile, repentant Jews may have ceased practicing apostasy. They may have turned to Jehovah with acts of righteousness. But they are still imperfect. Their good deeds, while praiseworthy, are no better than soiled garments when it comes to atonement for sins. Jehovah’s forgiveness is an undeserved gift motivated by his mercy. It is not something that can be earned.—Romans 3:23, 24.
11. (a) What unhealthy spiritual condition exists among most of the Jews in exile, and why may this be? (b) Who were excellent examples of faith during the exile?
11 As Isaiah looks ahead, what does he see? The prophet prays: “There is no one calling upon your name, no one rousing himself to lay hold on you; for you have concealed your face from us, and you cause us to melt by the power of our error.” (Isaiah 64:7) The spiritual condition of the nation is abysmal. The people have not been calling upon God’s name in prayer. While no longer guilty of the gross sin of idolatry, they are evidently negligent in their worship, and there is “no one rousing himself to lay hold” on Jehovah. They clearly do not enjoy a healthy relationship with the Creator. Perhaps some feel unworthy to address Jehovah in prayer. Others may go about their daily routine without taking him into account. Of course, there are such individuals as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, and Ezekiel among the exiles, and these are fine examples of faith. (Hebrews 11:33, 34) As the 70-year period of captivity draws to a close, such men as Haggai, Zechariah, Zerubbabel, and High Priest Joshua stand ready to take an excellent lead in calling upon the name of Jehovah. Still, Isaiah’s prophetic prayer seems to describe the condition of the majority of the exiles.
“To Obey Is Better Than a Sacrifice”
12. How does Isaiah express the willingness of repentant Jews to change their conduct?
12 Repentant Jews are willing to change. Representing them, Isaiah prays to Jehovah: “Now, O Jehovah, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our Potter; and all of us are the work of your hand.” (Isaiah 64:8) These words once again acknowledge Jehovah’s authority as Father, or Life-Giver. (Job 10:9) Jews who repent are compared to malleable clay. Those who respond to Jehovah’s discipline can in a figurative way be shaped, or formed, in harmony with God’s standards. But this can be accomplished only if Jehovah, the Potter, extends forgiveness. Hence, Isaiah twice appeals to him to remember that the Jews are his people: “Do not be indignant, O Jehovah, to the extreme, and do not forever remember our error. Look, now, please: we are all your people.”—Isaiah 64:9.
13. What is the condition of the land of Israel while God’s people are in exile?
13 During the exile, the Jews endure much more than mere captivity in a pagan land. The desolate condition of Jerusalem and her temple brings reproach upon them and their God. Isaiah’s prayer of repentance recounts some of the things that cause this reproach: “Your own holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion itself has become a sheer wilderness, Jerusalem a desolate waste. Our house of holiness and beauty, in which our forefathers praised you, has itself become something for burning in the fire; and every one of our desirable things has become a devastation.”—Isaiah 64:10, 11.
14. (a) How did Jehovah warn of the situation that now exists? (b) While Jehovah found delight in his temple and the sacrifices made there, what is more important?
14 Of course, Jehovah is well aware of the state of affairs in the ancestral land of the Jews. About 420 years before the destruction of Jerusalem, he warned his people that if they turned away from his commandments and served other gods, he would “cut [them] off from upon the surface of the ground,” and the beautiful temple would “become heaps of ruins.” (1 Kings 9:6-9) True, Jehovah found delight in the land he had given to his people, the magnificent temple built in his honor, and the sacrifices made to him. But loyalty and obedience are more important than material things, even sacrifices. The prophet Samuel aptly said to King Saul: “Does Jehovah have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams.”—1 Samuel 15:22.
15. (a) What plea does Isaiah prophetically make to Jehovah, and how is it answered? (b) What events led up to Jehovah’s final rejection of Israel as a nation?
15 Nevertheless, can the God of Israel look upon the calamity of his repentant people and fail to be moved to pity? Such is the question with which Isaiah ends his prophetic prayer. On behalf of the exiled Jews, he pleads: “In the face of these things will you continue keeping yourself in check, O Jehovah? Will you stay still and let us be afflicted to the extreme?” (Isaiah 64:12) As the situation turns out, Jehovah does indeed forgive his people, and in 537 B.C.E., he brings them back to their land so that they can resume pure worship there. (Joel 2:13) Centuries later, however, Jerusalem and her temple were once again destroyed, and God’s covenant nation was finally rejected by him. Why? Because Jehovah’s people had drifted away from his commandments and had rejected the Messiah. (John 1:11; 3:19, 20) When that happened, Jehovah replaced Israel with a new nation, a spiritual nation, namely, “the Israel of God.”—Galatians 6:16; 1 Peter 2:9.
Jehovah, the “Hearer of Prayer”
16. What does the Bible teach regarding Jehovah’s forgiveness?
16 Important lessons can be learned from what happened to Israel. We see that Jehovah is “good and ready to forgive.” (Psalm 86:5) As imperfect creatures, we depend on his mercy and forgiveness to receive salvation. No works of ours can help us to earn these blessings. However, Jehovah does not extend forgiveness indiscriminately. Only those who repent of their sins and turn around are in line for divine pardon.—Acts 3:19.
17, 18. (a) How do we know that Jehovah is genuinely interested in our thoughts and feelings? (b) Why does Jehovah exercise patience toward sinful humans?
17 We also learn that Jehovah is keenly interested in our thoughts and feelings when we express them in prayer to him. He is the “Hearer of prayer.” (Psalm 65:2, 3) The apostle Peter assures us: “The eyes of Jehovah are upon the righteous ones, and his ears are toward their supplication.” (1 Peter 3:12) Further, we learn that a prayer of repentance must include a humble confession of sins. (Proverbs 28:13) This does not mean, though, that we can presume on God’s mercy. The Bible warns Christians “not to accept the undeserved kindness of God and miss its purpose.”—2 Corinthians 6:1.
18 Finally, we learn the purpose of God’s patience toward his sinful people. The apostle Peter explained that Jehovah is patient “because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Nevertheless, those who persistently abuse God’s patience will eventually be punished. Concerning this we read: “[Jehovah] will render to each one according to his works: everlasting life to those who are seeking glory and honor and incorruptibleness by endurance in work that is good; however, for those who are outputious and who disobey the truth but obey unrighteousness there will be wrath and anger.”—Romans 2:6-8.
19. What unchangeable qualities will Jehovah always display?
19 This is the way God dealt with ancient Israel. Our relationship with Jehovah today is governed by the same principles because he does not change. While not holding back deserved punishment, he will always be “Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth, preserving loving-kindness for thousands, pardoning error and transgression and sin.”—Exodus 34:6, 7.
[Box/Pictures on page 362]
Daniel’s Prayer of Repentance
The prophet Daniel lived in Babylon throughout the 70-year period of Jewish captivity. Sometime during the 68th year of the exile, Daniel discerned from Jeremiah’s prophecy that Israel’s sojourn was nearing its end. (Jeremiah 25:11; 29:10; Daniel 9:1, 2) Daniel turned to Jehovah in prayer—a prayer of repentance on behalf of the entire Jewish nation. Daniel relates: “I proceeded to set my face to Jehovah the true God, in order to seek him with prayer and with entreaties, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. And I began to pray to Jehovah my God and to make confession.”—Daniel 9:3, 4.
Daniel uttered his prayer some two hundred years after Isaiah penned the prophetic prayer found in chapters 63 and 64 of his book. Undoubtedly, many sincere Jews prayed to Jehovah during the difficult years of exile. The Bible, however, highlights Daniel’s prayer, which evidently represented the feelings of many faithful Jews. Thus, his prayer shows that the sentiments of Isaiah’s prophetic prayer were indeed the sentiments of faithful Jews in Babylon.
Note some similarities between Daniel’s prayer and Isaiah’s.
Isaiah 63:16 Daniel 9:15
Isaiah 63:18 Daniel 9:17
Isaiah 64:1-3 Daniel 9:15
Isaiah 64:4-7 Daniel 9:4-7
Isaiah 64:6 Daniel 9:9, 10
Isaiah 64:10, 11 Daniel 9:16-18
[Box on page 366]
“Eye Has Not Seen”
In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul quoted the book of Isaiah when he wrote: “Just as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9)a Neither Paul’s statement nor the expressions of Isaiah refer to the things Jehovah has prepared for his people in a heavenly inheritance or in a future earthly paradise. Paul is applying Isaiah’s words to the blessings that were already being enjoyed by Christians in the first century, such as understanding the deeper things of God and receiving spiritual enlightenment from Jehovah.
We can understand deep spiritual things only when it is Jehovah’s due time to reveal them—and even then, only if we are spiritual people with a close relationship with Jehovah. Paul’s words apply to those with little or no spirituality. Their eye cannot see, or discern, spiritual truths, and their ear cannot hear, or understand, such things. Knowledge of the things that God has prepared for those who love him does not even enter into the hearts of such men. But to those who are dedicated to God, as Paul was, God has revealed these things through his spirit.—1 Corinthians 2:1-16.
[Footnote]
a Paul’s words are not found in the Hebrew Scriptures exactly as he quoted them. He seems to be combining the thoughts of Isaiah 52:15; 64:4; and Isa 65:17.
[Picture on page 367]
God’s people had possession of Jerusalem and her temple “for a little while” |
Paradise Restored (pm)
1972 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pm | outputs
PAGE CHAPTER AND input
7 1 Our Basis for Hope in Its Restoration
22 2 Why Highest Hopes Were Disappointed
36 3 The Remedy for Those with Disappointed Hopes
53 4 The Temple to Remain as Nations Are Rocked
75 5 “The Desirable Things of All the Nations Must Come In”
92 6 Calling a Nation to Return to Jehovah
106 7 Blessings and Good Rulership as the World Rocks
124 8 Mercy to the Persecuted but Judgment to Persecutors
147 9 Growth and Protection of God’s Capital Organization
175 10 Satan’s Failure in Resisting the High Priest
192 11 “Not by a Military Force, Nor by Power, But”—
207 12 An End to Permission of Wickedness
222 13 Chariots of God Safeguard Coronation
234 14 Fasting over God’s Executed Judgments Improper
239 15 Many Nations Go to the City of Divine Favor
259 16 Presentation of the King Brings Release to Prisoners
282 17 Unification in Spite of False Predictions
302 18 Consequences of Rejecting God’s Shepherd Ruler
328 19 The Kingdom Withstands International Assault
365 20 A “Third Part” Preserved in a Purged Land
394 21 Theocracy Triumphs over All the Nations
409 22 An International Festival in Paradise
Subject Index |
Study Edition | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2021243 | Study Edition
JANUARY 2021
STUDY ARTICLES FOR: MARCH 1–APRIL 4, 2021
© 2020 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.
COVER PICTURE:
The great crowd dressed in white robes and with palm branches in their hands, standing before the brilliance of the throne of God and before the Lamb (See study article 3, paragraph 7) |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Stealing
Ex 20:15; Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15
See also Jer 2:26; Mt 19:17, 18
Relevant Bible account(s):
Eze 33:14-16—Jehovah promises to forgive wicked ones, including thieves who repent and change their ways
Joh 12:4-6—Judas Iscariot becomes not only a thief but also a traitor |
God Cares for You | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2023004 | God Cares for You
THE Bible is the best source of spiritual guidance available. It is not a health-care manual, but it can help us in practical ways to deal with distressing circumstances, turbulent thought patterns, painful emotions, and upsetting physical and mental health issues.
Most important, the Bible assures us that our Creator, Jehovah God,a understands our thoughts and feelings better than anyone else. He is eager to help us deal with any issues we face. Consider, for example, two comforting Bible passages:
“Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”—PSALM 34:18.
“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.
How, though, does Jehovah help us to deal with mental health problems? As you will see in the following articles, Jehovah shows that he truly cares for us in many helpful ways.
a Jehovah is God’s personal name.—Psalm 83:18. |
School Guidebook (sg)
1992 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sg | Study 8
The Value of Preparation
1-5. For whom is preparation of value, and why?
1 Paul, the apostle to the nations, urged his fellow minister Titus to “continue reminding [Christians] . . . to be ready for every good work.” (Titus 3:1) That meant that they must be prepared in mind and disposition for some future action.
2 Preparation is indeed valuable in any kind of theocratic endeavor. Of course, the first time you participate in a certain activity, it calls for extra preparation because the field is new to you. But as your fund of knowledge increases, you find that you can draw on the study that you have done in times past, as well as on the experience that you have gained. Nonetheless, no matter how many times you have handled a certain type of assignment, preparation is always of value.
3 Preparation is required, not only of those who have received a talk assignment, but also of everyone who wants to be a well-qualified minister of the good news. After you have shared in the house-to-house work for months or years, you find that you do not need as much time for preparation each time before you go out. Nevertheless, if you do prepare you always will be more effective. So, too, with conducting a Bible study. The first Bible study you conducted required a great deal of preparation. But no matter how many times you have studied that particular material, you will do a better job of conducting the study if you review it again with your particular student in mind. The same is true when you speak on the platform. The experience gained over the years is of great help. But where you have advance notice that you are going to give a talk, never try to do it without preparation.
4 With regard to the Theocratic Ministry School, preparation is of great value for all of us. Each student has a copy of the school program and can note from it the Bible chapters or other material to be featured on any given date. The more preparation you can do, the more you will get out of the school. Failure to recognize the value of advance preparation can deprive you of many of the real benefits.
5 It takes time to prepare, but the results are well worth the effort. Not only does the preparation make it possible to participate helpfully in oral reviews, but it aids you to get the mind of Jehovah and improve your grasp of the “pure language” of truth. (Zeph. 3:9) To make advance preparation for the school a habit, you might arrange for such reading and study to be done with members of your own family or in company with friends. Of course, everyone enrolled in the school has opportunities to give talks, and some suggestions on how to prepare them will be helpful.
6. How should we prepare for a reading assignment in the ministry school?
6 Reading assignments. From time to time reading assignments may be scheduled as part of the Theocratic Ministry School program. To prepare for such an assignment, read the material carefully. Become familiar with the pronunciation of names and difficult words. Practice out loud to achieve a conversational, fluent delivery of the material without hesitation or inaccuracies. And carefully check to make sure that the material can be delivered in the time allotted.
7-11. In developing a talk from a published article, what considerations will help in selecting the specific material to use?
7 Developing a talk from a published article. The first thing to do with this kind of talk is to read the assigned material carefully. Underscore main points or write a brief outline of the main points on a piece of paper. Get a clear view of the principal ideas developed. Now, what material will you select, since there is probably more than you can use in the time allotted? Certain things might beneficially govern the selection of material: (1) Your audience and the setting—if a setting will help demonstrate how the material can be used in a practical way, also (2) your theme and the specific application of the material to be made.
8 Considering your audience, you will want to select material from the published article that they will find interesting and beneficial. If some paragraphs of the published article seem heavy for a certain audience, then concentrate on other paragraphs. Also, a few select scriptures will make clear the reason for the things you are saying. If you consider your audience, you will not try to cover too much material, because, if you rush through it, much of its value will be lost. So it is better to cover a few points well.
9 With many of the student talks, it is beneficial to have a specific setting for your presentation. You might present your material as if you were talking to someone in the house-to-house work; or it might be answering a question on a return visit; or perhaps doing informal witnessing. You might even present it as if you were explaining the matter to one of your own children. There are many other settings that could be used. The important thing when a setting is used is that it be as realistic as possible. So give careful thought to the matter of the setting. Discuss it with other publishers too, because they may have some fine suggestions.
10 What theme have you chosen and what application are you going to make of the material? Select material from the published article accordingly. Exclude points that do not truly contribute to your theme and the objective of your talk. Generally speaking, the ideas that should be covered are there in the article, so it is better to concentrate on that than to try to bring in a great deal of outside material. This does not mean, of course, that an apt illustration could not be worked in, or some other point that will help your audience to appreciate the value of the assigned material. Where possible, be sure to make application of the material to your audience so that all will receive the greatest benefit.
11 After selecting your theme and setting, you may find that some paragraphs of the published article do not fit in well with your talk. You are not required to use the ideas of every paragraph. But do this: Endeavor to select a theme and setting that will allow you to use as generous a portion of the material as seems reasonable.
12. How might we go about developing an assigned list of scriptures into a talk?
12 Developing a list of scriptures into a talk. On occasion you might be assigned a certain list of scriptures, perhaps from the booklet Bible Topics for Discussion or the book Reasoning From the Scriptures if such is available in your language. Your objective then is to develop these scriptures into either a regular discourse or a presentation such as is given in the field ministry. If there are more scriptures in the list than you can cover in the allotted time, select the ones that you want to use. It is best not to try to use more than you can cover effectively in the available time. Then analyze each scripture that you are going to use. Determine your reason for using it. Prepare the presentation in such a way that your introduction of each scripture focuses attention on your reason for using it. Also the way you read a scripture should emphasize the key portion of it. Finally, your application of it will drive the main thought home.
13-15. What steps might beneficially be taken in developing a talk on an assigned subject when no specific published material is designated as the basis for the talk?
13 When just the subject is assigned. There will be occasions, whether on the Theocratic Ministry School, service meeting or other programs, when you may be asked to give a discourse with just a subject assigned to you. No specific material is given you for use as a basis for its presentation. In such cases here is the recommended procedure: Search your mind and jot down points that you believe would be worthy of development. That first step is important. This is what may determine whether your talk will be fresh in its development, or merely a rehash of other people’s thoughts. It may also prevent some aimless searching and reading, for it will have narrowed down the sphere of your research. More than that, it will be more likely to result in a talk expressed in your own style of speech rather than in a style that is foreign to your personality. It may also be helpful to talk about your subject with mature persons. They may have some good ideas on how the subject might be developed.
14 Next you are ready to add to your own information by doing research in the Bible and other publications with the help of a concordance and the Society’s indexes. You can usually get the most out of any publication that you use for research by checking the table of outputs first. Then examine the index to see where the material that will be most helpful to you is located. Being selective will save you much time. In your reading there is danger of becoming sidetracked by other interesting points you encounter that are, however, unrelated to your immediate theme. Avoid this by skimming over the material, marking only those sections that you can use. Often all you have to do is to note the topic sentence of each paragraph and then read only those paragraphs that seem to be most appropriate for your use.
15 With your own ideas and those culled from other sources, you are now ready to select the choicest points that can be developed in the time allotted you. In choosing from this wealth of material, ask yourself such questions as: Is it practical? Is it interesting? Will it highlight my theme?
16, 17. What suggestions are given on taking notes?
16 Note-taking. In the preparation and research for any speaking assignment there is need for some means of keeping track of the numerous ideas that develop. Some students have found it helpful to use small cards or slips of paper, setting down on each one some main idea to be used in the talk.
17 The notations may be very brief, usually just sufficient to remind you of the idea. The advantage of this is that brief notes lend themselves to a presentation that is extemporaneous, rather than rigidly adhering to phrases and sentences that have been borrowed from someone else. Jot down the source of your ideas so that you will be able to find the page and paragraph again, if needed. Each main scripture that is going to be relied on as authority should be noted also. Another advantage in the use of cards or slips is that new ones can be added and some deleted during the preparation of the talk, without the need to do a lot of rewriting.
18. Why should we want to be a prepared people?
18 A prepared people. Should there be a tendency to neglect homework in connection with any theocratic assignment, you would do well to reflect upon the importance of preparedness for those who would have Jehovah’s approval. Recall, for example, that John the Baptist was commissioned to “get ready for Jehovah a prepared people.” (Luke 1:17) Those “prepared” Israelites were people who allowed themselves to be molded beneficially by Jehovah’s dealings with them so they would be in a position to do the work that he had in mind for them. So it is with ourselves: By taking full advantage of the Theocratic Ministry School and doing a good job of preparation of each assignment, we allow ourselves to be molded by this program of education that Jehovah has provided. In this way we too become equipped for effective service as ministers of God. |
Page Two | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101986000 | Page Two
In the midst of the stress and turmoil in the world, one would hope to find peace in the family. Yet, often the very opposite is true. Some families exist in open warfare, while others are in a tense cease-fire. What prevents families from enjoying the warmth they so desperately need? How can conditions be improved? The following articles provide some realistic answers
Husbands and Wives—Conquer Conflict With Communication 3
Teenagers—How Can You Promote Family Peace? 6
Peace in the Stepfamily 8
“Living in Step” 9
‘It’s All His Fault!’—Peace Despite Differences 10 |
Watching the World | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102008011 | Watching the World
◼ “The average six-year-old child in Britain will have spent a full year watching television and more than half of three-year-olds have a TV in their bedroom.”—THE INDEPENDENT, BRITAIN.
◼ In China, 31.4 percent of people above 16 years of age who were polled described themselves as religious. If that is representative of the whole nation, this finding would indicate that “about 300 million are religious . . . in sharp contrast to the official figure of 100 million.”—CHINA DAILY, CHINA.
More Harm Than Good
A few years ago, Dutch politicians and environmentalists thought that they had found the key to sustainable energy—running generators on biofuel, notably palm oil. Their hopes became “an environmental nightmare,” says The New York Times. “Rising demand for palm oil in Europe brought about the clearing of huge tracts of Southeast Asian rainforest and the overuse of chemical fertilizer there.” Plantations were created by draining and burning peatland, sending “huge amounts” of carbon gases into the atmosphere. As a result, says the Times, Indonesia fast became “the world’s third-leading producer of carbon emissions that scientists believe are responsible for global warming.”
“Doomsday Clock” Advances
The doomsday clock, conceived by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists (BAS) to illustrate how close mankind is to nuclear disaster, has been advanced two minutes, to read five minutes before midnight—the “figurative end of civilization.” The clock has only been reset 18 times in its 60-year history. The last change was in February 2002, after the World Trade Center attacks in New York. Continued development and presence of nuclear weapons as well as failure to make nuclear materials secure are “symptomatic of a failure to solve the problems posed by the most destructive technology on Earth,” said a BAS statement. Moreover, it continued, “the dangers posed by climate change are nearly as dire as those posed by nuclear weapons.”
Stress During Pregnancy
Stress experienced by a pregnant woman as a result of arguments with or violence by a partner can adversely affect her unborn child’s mental development, according to recent research. Professor Vivette Glover, of Imperial College, London, says: “We found that if the woman had a partner who was being emotionally cruel to [her] while [she was] pregnant it had a really significant effect on [her] baby’s future development. The father has a big part to play.” The state of the parents’ relationship “affects the hormonal and chemical balance in the mother’s body, which in turn affects the development of the child’s brain,” she explained.
Commuters on Autopilot
Commuters who drive the same route each day often do so without using the part of their brain where conscious thinking takes place, says traffic scientist Michael Schreckenberg of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. On familiar routes, instead of concentrating on traffic, drivers become occupied with other things. As a result, it takes longer to recognize dangers. Schreckenberg encourages commuter drivers to keep reminding themselves to stay alert and not let themselves be distracted from the road. |
Watching the World | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101977008 | Watching the World
Dictating Doctrine
◆ The Soviet digest Sputnik recently asserted that there is freedom of religion in Russia, except that “demands for complete freedom from public control have been coming more and more frequently from the Jehovah’s Witnesses” and other suppressed groups. Explaining why some are “punished as criminal offenders,” the Soviet magazine declares that “there is a ban on fanatical rites and deceitful actions provoking superstitions (for instance, the rumours about the ‘end of the world’ . . . )” Hence, a Christian cannot believe in something spoken of scores of times in the Bible and still meet with the approval of the State. On the other hand, says Sputnik, “The bulk of the Soviet clergy makes no such statements.”
Who’s Got the Moon Rocks?
◆ What has happened to the 382,042 grams (842 pounds) of moon material brought back by U.S. astronauts? The curator of moon rocks, geochemist Michael G. Duke, says that 336,455 grams (742 pounds) are still in sealed containers at a Texas air base. The remaining 45,587 grams (101 pounds) are distributed among researchers in fifteen nations and hundreds of political figures world wide. However, space officials say that the astronauts who risked their lives to get the moon rocks are not among the recipients.
“March to Literacy”
◆ Nigeria has begun what it calls a “march to literacy” for its people, who are now estimated to be only about 25 percent literate. All six-year-olds gained the right to free education this semester. As they move to the next grade each year, free education is scheduled to cover that class until the entire primary system is free by the end of five years, when primary education will become compulsory. If all goes as planned, the number of children in the primary system will rise from 4.8 million last year to about 18 million at the end of the five-year development program. Meanwhile, the teaching program of Jehovah’s Witnesses has made almost 8,000 Nigerians literate during the past five years alone.
For the Boys
◆ In the family tradition, wrote a former Boy Scout to the Washington Post, he planned to have his eight-year-old son also join that organization. However, the bicentennial issue of the Scout magazine, Boys’ Life, changed his mind. “It is full of ads for firearms and air rifles,” he complained. “On page 35, it’s ‘the gun’ and ‘the son of the gun’ [large and small rifles], . . . The inside front cover is a full page ad for air rifles which says boys can learn ‘what a great friend a gun can be.’ . . . Page 52 offers the young boy an opportunity to spend $21.95 for a World War II helmet, apparently a real Nazi type, as well as ‘Uniforms, Bayonets, etc.’ . . . This entire magazine teaches boys to be exactly the sort of person we don’t need in a crowded world. We don’t need a lot of killing and swashbuckling attitudes in a world which needs builders rather than destroyers.”
Sodom and Gomorrah Revisited?
◆ Translation work continues on thousands of clay tablets from the ancient kingdom of Ebla found in what is now northern Syria. A surprising number of Bible names never before found in non-Biblical writings have appeared. Recently, an Eblaite business document was translated that records goods sold to Sodom and Gomorrah. Reference also is made to Ur and Haran, locations associated with Abraham. Scholars caution that there is no proof that these are the same places mentioned in the Bible, but the fact that such names are used during the Biblical period is significant. One scholar wisely noted that “the Tell Mardikh discoveries, to be sure, do not ‘prove the Bible.’ Nor can any archeological discovery.”
Stepping out of Depression
◆ A ten-week running program proved more beneficial to a group of abnormally depressed persons than traditional psychotherapy sessions were to another comparison group, according to a recent University of Wisconsin study. Most of the joggers were said to have recovered from their depression after three weeks and have remained stable in the months since.
Meanwhile, a U.S. Public Health Service official told the American College of Surgeons that “both health and the joy of living would be enhanced” if people spent a few hours daily going barefoot around the house or outside.
Gold Atoms Photographed
◆ Neatly aligned rows of doughnut-shaped objects appeared on a photograph recently presented to the Japan Society of Physical Science. Professor Hatsujiro Hashimoto of Osaka University claimed it to be the first photo ever to reveal the structure of gold atoms. The electron microscope picture, he said, shows the nucleus of the atoms as a black center in the doughnut-like objects, while the white surrounding material is the electrons.
Civilization Takes Toll
◆ A Brazilian Indian tribe has decided to die out rather than face the impact of modern “civilization,” according to anthropologist Paulo Lucena. The 2,000 Mayurunas Indians living in dense jungle along the Peru-Brazil border in 1972 are now reduced to about 400. “Civilized” illnesses, including venereal disease brought in by oil workers, quickly overwhelmed them. The Indians recently began killing newborn girls in an attempt to finish what civilization had started. Lucena says that the oil workers ‘aggravated the situation by luring the Indian women into adultery,’ considered by the Mayurunas to be the most serious of sins.
“Most Multilingual Money”
◆ The Swiss are issuing new paper money to replace their old currency. The new bills “will be the world’s most multilingual money,” reports the Associated Press. Not only is it printed in all four national languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh—but it is also embossed so that blind persons can determine the note’s value.
Bad “Marriage”
◆ The first same-sex couple to get a marriage license in the state of Colorado did not make it to their first “wedding” anniversary. One of the pair petitioned Colorado Springs District Court for an annulment. His attorney says that he “just wants to straighten up his life.” Colorado courts have not yet ruled on the legal status of homosexual “marriages.”
“Close” Call
◆ An asteroid about .4 kilometers (1/4 mile) across passed within 1.2 million kilometers (750,000 miles) of earth on October 20. The distance, only three times as far as the moon, is considered close. Since 1932, when the first such object was detected, only 20 others have been observed whose orbits around the sun take them inside earth’s orbit. The only asteroid known to have come closer is Hermes, which passed earth at about 800,000 kilometers (500,000 miles) in 1937.
Paying the Price
◆ Those who engage in immoral sexual activity are paying an increasing higher price for their pleasure.
● A rare form of throat VD, “pharyngeal gonorrhea is on the rise and it is coming from increased oral contact,” says the head of the infectious diseases department at New York’s Columbia University. “It’s a particular problem in the gay [homosexual] community,” notes a New York Health Department official. The rare gonorrhea is also resistant to drugs normally used to treat VD.
● The new strain of gonorrhea recently reported as actually being able to deactivate penicillin is spreading in the U.S. A researcher at the Atlanta, Georgia, national Center for Disease Control says that the cost of treating it “could go from about 50 cents for a shot of penicillin to 3 to 5 dollars and as much as $10” for treatment with other antibiotics.
● The World Health Organization reports that a wide section of sub-Sahara Africa is now suffering from a tragic wave of infertility, causing one tribe’s numbers to decline by more than a third. Tribe members have taken to raiding nearby tribes for fertile wives. The organization cites gonorrhea in both sexes as a major cause of the infertility problem.
Moving Around
◆ Where do families change residences most often? The Irish, on an average, move only about four times during their lifetime; the Taiwanese, six; the Japanese, seven; the British, eight; Australians, Canadians and Americans, twelve each. The U.S. Census Bureau study suggests that the “high mobility” of the latter countries may be due to “an immigrant background” and the very large land areas in which to move around.
Hair Dye Danger?
◆ Modern Medicine magazine reports that “a review of 100 women with breast cancer showed that 87% were longtime users of hair coloring agents, while a study of women in the same age bracket who did not have breast cancer showed that only 25% were regular users of hair dyes.” The report also notes that hair dyes are derived “from the same compounds as are many potent proved carcinogens [cancer-causing agents].” These compounds are not listed on the labels.
Unemployment $ to Prostitutes
◆ “Prostitutes are eninputd to compensation for income lost because of a temporary inability to work,” according to a ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice, as reported in Süddeutsche Zeitung of Munich. However, “for moral reasons [they] cannot receive full compensation,” said the court. The compensation should “be limited to around the wage level of the average worker,” rather than the $109 per day that the prostitute usually took in, as awarded previously by the Munich Provincial Court.
Space-Age Door Lock
◆ Doors that open to voice command—once seen only in science-fiction stories—are now reportedly a reality. A U.S. Air Force development center in Rome, New York, has been testing such a system. A computer compares the person’s recorded voice with words he utters when he wants entrance to a protected area. “If the first comparison doesn’t suit the computer,” reports the Detroit News, “it will ask for another phrase, saying the words it wants to hear.” The test device gave entrance with 99.7 percent accuracy, even among persons with colds and laryngitis.
Upside-Down World
◆ A fifteen-year-old American girl recently asked a syndicated advice columnist: “What kind of a crazy, mixed-up country are we living in anyway?” It seems that a doctor had refused to pierce her ears without parental permission, yet “the Supreme Court has ruled that a minor girl can have an abortion without getting permission from her parents.”
Paperwork versus Research
◆ “We have one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical research organizations, and we spend more man hours filling out government forms or reports than we do on research for cancer and heart disease combined,” declared the chairman of a giant U.S. drug company to the President’s Commission on Federal Paperwork. He estimated that the total cost of government-required paperwork added an average of about 50 cents to the price of each prescription for his company’s medicines in the U.S.A.
Immune from Punishment
◆ The FBI reports that serious crime rose 10 percent in the United States during 1975. An official noted that “the biggest volume of crime is in the mass of middle America, the average sized towns and cities.” With all their efforts, “law enforcement agencies do not clear or solve most crimes,” said the report. “Only one-fifth of the serious crimes committed during 1975 were solved by arrest.” Of this one fifth, few are punished. |
Can Mealtime Strengthen Your Family Values? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010004 | Can Mealtime Strengthen Your Family Values?
“Life itself is full, not only of charm and warmth and comfort but of sorrow and tears. But whether we are happy or sad, we must be fed. Both happy and sad people can be cheered up by a nice meal.”—Laurie Colwin, American writer.
YEARS ago in Western lands, many homes had a treasured ritual. The whole family gathered around a table, at least once a day, to have a meal. No interruptions were allowed. Nobody watched television, wore earphones, or sent text messages to friends. A peaceful environment provided an opportunity for those present to absorb wisdom, strengthen family bonds, and laugh together over daily happenings while enjoying wholesome food.
For many people today, the family meal may sound like an old-fashioned custom. In many homes family meals are the exception not the rule. Why do families find it so difficult to eat together? Is this traditional custom worth preserving? What benefits could it bring to each family member?
Family Meals—A Disappearing Custom
“The fact that it [the evening meal] has visibly diminished in the course of a single generation . . . is remarkable evidence of how rapidly our social connectedness has been changing,” explains Robert Putnam in the book Bowling Alone. What factors have contributed to this phenomenon? First, the high cost of living has led both husbands and wives to work longer hours. Single parents, whose economic situation is usually more precarious, face an even greater strain on their time. Second, today’s hectic pace of life encourages fast food and hasty meals. Not only adults but also children have many commitments, such as sports and other after-school activities.
Additionally, there are fathers who prefer to arrive home when the toddlers are already asleep because they want to avoid tantrums at supper. Other parents, who do get home in time, choose to give the children supper first and send them to bed so that husband and wife can have a quiet meal together.
Such situations lead families to have separate eating sessions. Notes stuck on the refrigerator replace mealtime conversation. Each member of the family arrives home, warms a precooked dish, and sits in front of a TV set, a computer, or a game console. These social trends may seem irreversible. So is it worthwhile to think seriously about bucking the trend?
Merits of the Tradition
Family meals offer parents a unique chance to care for their children’s emotional well-being. The supper table is “an obvious place for kids to get regular access to parental presence and low-key attention,” explains Miriam Weinstein in her book The Surprising Power of Family Meals. “Family supper may not be a panacea, but it sure looks like a relatively painless fix.”
Eduardo, a middle-aged father from Spain, agrees. “When I lived with my parents, there were 11 people at the table every day,” he recalls. “My father made a great effort to return home to eat with his family at midday. It was a special occasion in every sense. We kept up-to-date with the lives of each family member. Good humor and laughter were often present. Those fond memories convinced me that I should imitate my father’s example.”
Family meals also help children to live a more balanced, healthy life. The U.S. National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University found that youngsters who eat with their family about five times a week have fewer problems related to anxiety, boredom, or lack of interest, and they get better grades at school.
“I believe that family meals give children emotional stability,” Eduardo adds. “My daughters are not worried about when they will be able to tell us something. Family meals present the perfect opportunity each day. Furthermore, as a father, these occasions help me keep informed of my daughters’ problems.”
Apparently, when families eat together, it can even help them to avoid bad eating habits. The University of Navarre in Spain reports that eating alone increases the risk of suffering from eating disorders. True, those disorders could still develop, but the absence of regular shared meals makes this more likely. “When eating together becomes a routine, children feel cared for. Family meals give them the emotional security of a warm, loving family environment,” explains Esmeralda, a mother of two daughters.
Family meals also offer parents the opportunity to care for their children spiritually. Some 3,500 years ago, God encouraged the Israelites to spend time with their children in order to inculcate spiritual values in their heart. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) “By praying together and considering a Bible text, family meals become a spiritual occasion,” says Ángel, a father of two. In view of the many benefits that family meals offer, what have some families done to make them a regular feature of their lives?
Making It Happen
“Organization and willingness are essential,” Esmeralda explains. “You have to adapt the timetable as best you can to accommodate the one who arrives home last.” Maribel, a mother of two, says, “We all have supper together every day, come what may.” Some families use spare time on weekends to prepare ingredients or even whole dishes for suppers during the week.
Viewing family meals as a priority also helps. “I had to adjust my job in order to be home for our family supper, but it was worth the effort,” says Eduardo. “Now I feel more aware of family affairs. Since I have to concentrate for many hours a day when I am at work, it would be inconsiderate for me not to pay the same attention to my family at mealtime.”
What about distractions? “My family eats in a place where there is no television,” says David, a 16-year-old. “We take advantage of the time to tell Mom and Dad about our day, and they often give us good advice.” “Nowadays teenagers don’t talk much to their parents,” David adds. “Even when the whole family is at home, each one eats separately while watching television. They don’t realize what they are missing.” Sandra, aged 17, agrees: “I feel sad when my classmates say, ‘I wonder what my mother will have left in the fridge.’ For me, family meals are not just for nourishment. They give us time to laugh, to talk, and to show affection to one another.”
Family meals can become “a bulwark against the pressures we all face every day,” asserts The Surprising Power of Family Meals. Could they provide an opportunity for your family to draw closer together? If you live a busy life, family meals offer the chance to slow down and talk to your loved ones. The effort will certainly be worth it.
[Box/Picture on page 15]
WHILE SHARING A FAMILY MEAL YOU CAN LEARN TO . . .
Converse. Children can learn to talk and listen respectfully. Conversations enrich their vocabulary and teach them how to express themselves.
Eat healthful meals at regular times.
Display good manners. Learn generosity by sharing food and not insisting on getting the best portion. Also learn to care for the needs of other family members while eating.
Work as a team. Children can cooperate by setting and clearing the table, cleaning up afterward, or serving others. As they grow older, they can also help to prepare the meal. |
“The City Is Full of Oppression” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101994002 | “The City Is Full of Oppression”
WHEN the Bible prophet Ezekiel referred to a city “full of oppression,” he knew nothing about the problems that plague today’s cities. (Ezekiel 9:9, An American Translation) Nor were his words a cryptic way of foretelling these problems. Nevertheless, what he wrote would be an accurate description of 20th-century cities.
The book 5000 Days to Save the Planet noted: “Stark and sterile, our cities have become ugly to live in and ugly to look at. . . . The buildings that increasingly dominate our cities have been built with little or no consideration of those who must live and work in them.”
Unflattering Facts About Cities
Nine cities, located in various parts of the world, have been described by newspapers and magazines as follows. Can you identify each city by its correct name?
City A, located in Latin America, is noted for its young contract killers and high homicide rate. It is also known as the home of a drug cartel.
City B is “the worst city in the [United States] for street robberies.” During the first two months of 1990, killings were “up 20 percent from the same period” the year before.
“Several million people a year move to the urban centers of South America, Africa, and Asia . . . , migrating toward their vision of the promised land.” Not finding it, many are forced to live in poverty, reduced to begging or stealing in order to survive. Half the citizens of African City C and Asian City D—as well as 70 percent of Asian City E—reportedly have substandard living quarters.
“While [City F] is among the safest large urban centers in North America, growing unemployment, a rising crime rate and ethnic animosity have made its citizens wonder about the downside of success. Crime . . . has deflated the city’s spirits. Sexual assaults are up 19% . . . Murders are up almost 50%.”
“Every day 1,600 people move to [Latin American City G] . . . If [it] continues to grow at this pace 30 million people will live there by the end of the century. They will struggle through the city at a snail’s pace in 11 million cars, trapped in traffic jams for hours at a time . . . Air pollution . . . is a hundred times the acceptable level. . . . Forty per cent of all residents suffer chronic bronchitis. . . . During peak traffic hours the noise level in the city center climbs to between 90 and 120 decibels; 70 decibels is considered unbearable.”
“Each day 20 tons of dog droppings are picked up from the streets and sidewalks of [European City H]. . . . In addition to the cost and nuisance, a more serious factor has come to light. Dog waste is the source of a disease caused by the parasite Toxocara canis. Half the children’s play areas and sandboxes of [the city] were found to be contaminated with the highly resistant microscopic eggs of the parasite, which enter homes on the soles of shoes and on the paws of household pets. . . . Fatigue, abdominal pain, allergies, heart and arterial problems are early symptoms of the disease.”
“Although [Asian City I] is afflicted with all the problems of an overdeveloped metropolis in an underdeveloped country—poverty, crime, pollution—it has begun to establish itself as one of the capital cities of the 21st century.”
Exceptions or the Rule?
Were you able to identify these cities by their proper names? Possibly not, because none of the problems referred to are unique to any one city. Rather, they are symptomatic of what is wrong with almost every city of any size in the entire world.
City A, according to the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung is Medellín, Colombia. The number of murders dropped from 7,081 in 1991 to “only” 6,622 in 1992. Still, reports the Colombian daily El Tiempo, during the past decade, almost 45,000 persons have died there by violent means. Various civic groups are therefore presently trying hard to clean up the city and improve its reputation.
The identification by The New York Times of City B as New York City probably comes as no surprise to people who have visited there in recent years and most certainly not for its citizens.
The figures given by the German magazine Der Spiegel regarding the number of people living in conditions of poverty in Nairobi, Kenya (C), Manila, Philippines (D), and Calcutta, India (E) indicate that more people are trapped in unsavory living quarters in these three cities alone than live in entire affluent European countries such as Denmark or Switzerland.
City F—Toronto, Canada—was described in 1991 by Time magazine in an article somewhat less flattering than the one it published three years earlier. The first report, eninputd “Finally, a City That Works,” praised the city that “impresses almost everyone.” It quoted a visitor as having said: “This place could almost make me believe in cities again.” Sorry to say, the “city that works” is apparently now falling victim to the same problems that afflict other degenerating cities.
Although speaking of City G as “one of the most handsome and stylish cities in the Americas, and one of the most sophisticated,” Time magazine nevertheless admits that this “is the Mexico City of the rich, of course, and of the tourists.” Meanwhile, according to World Press Review, the poor huddle together “in one of the capital’s 500 slums” in barracks “hammered together of industrial rubbish, cardboard cartons, wrecked cars, and stolen building materials.”
City H is identified by the French weekly magazine L’Express as Paris, which, according to The New Encyclopædia Britannica, “for hundreds and hundreds of years, by a process never successfully explained, . . . has radiated an enchantment irresistible to millions around the world.” In the face of serious problems, however, some of the enchantment of “Gay Paree” has faded.
Of City I, Time says: “Once seen romantically by the West as the drowsy, dreamy capital of old Siam, a ‘Venice of the East,’ today’s quicksilver city of angels and golden temples is Asia’s latest boomtown.” Even its angels and its temples have failed to prevent Bangkok, Thailand, from becoming, at least for a time, “the world capital of the sex trade.”
Taking a Closer Look at Cities
A decade ago a journalist noted that although large cities seem to “share the same crises, each has a character of its own, and thus a special way of struggling for survival.” In 1994, cities are still struggling, each in its own way.
Not everyone thinks the struggle for survival has been lost. A former Toronto mayor, for example, expressed optimism, saying: “I don’t think the city is breaking down. It is challenged, but I think we can solve this problem.” True, some cities have successfully met, or at least alleviated, certain of their problems. But this required much more than just optimism.
Last January journalist Eugene Linden wrote: “The fate of the world is entwined with the fate of its cities.” For better or for worse, cities have shaped our world, and they continue to do so. Also, whether ancient or modern, they have affected us personally—probably more than we might imagine. That is why their survival is intricately tied in with ours.
Taking a closer look at cities, then, is not simply for the purpose of enhancing general knowledge. More important, it will alert us to the precarious situation in which the world now finds itself. So let us begin “Taking a Closer Look at Cities.” We hope this six-part Awake! series will interest, edify, and encourage our readers. Despite serious world problems—on spectacular display in our cities’ struggle for survival—all is not without hope!
[Blurb on page 6]
“The fate of the world is entwined with the fate of its cities.”—Writer Eugene Linden
[Picture on page 7]
Traveling from city to city may be easy, but solving their problems is not |
ILLUSTRATED BIBLE STORIES
Moses Grows Up in Egypt | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013369 | ILLUSTRATED BIBLE STORIES
Moses Grows Up in Egypt
Learn how baby Moses was saved from a cruel Pharaoh in Egypt.
Read the illustrated story online or from a printed PDF.
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When Someone Dies (we)
2005 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/when-someone-dies-we | How Can Others Help?
“IF THERE’S anything I can do, just let me know.” This is what many of us say to the newly bereaved friend or relative. Oh, we sincerely mean it. We would do anything to help. But does the bereaved one call us and say: “I’ve thought of something you can do to help me”? Not usually. Clearly, we may need to take some initiative if we are truly to assist and comfort one who is grieving.
A Bible proverb says: “As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time for it.” (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11) There is wisdom in knowing what to say and what not to say, what to do and what not to do. Here are a few Scriptural suggestions that some bereaved persons have found helpful.
What to Do . . .
Listen: Be “swift about hearing,” says James 1:19. One of the most helpful things you can do is to share the bereaved one’s pain by listening. Some bereaved persons may need to talk about their loved one who has died, about the accident or illness that caused the death, or about their feelings since the death. So ask: “Would you care to talk about it?” Let them decide. Recalling when his father died, one young man said: “It really helped me when others asked what happened and then really listened.” Listen patiently and sympathetically without necessarily feeling that you have to provide answers or solutions. Allow them to express whatever they want to share.
Provide reassurance: Assure them that they did all that was possible (or whatever else you know to be true and positive). Reassure them that what they are feeling—sadness, anger, guilt, or some other emotion—may not be at all uncommon. Tell them about others you know of who successfully recovered from a similar loss. Such “pleasant sayings” are “a healing to the bones,” says Proverbs 16:24.—1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14.
Be available: Make yourself available, not just for the first few days when many friends and relatives are present, but even months later when others have returned to their normal routine. In this way you prove yourself to be “a true companion,” the kind who stands by a friend in a time of “distress.” (Proverbs 17:17) “Our friends made sure that our evenings were taken up so that we didn’t have to spend too much time at home alone,” explains Teresea, whose child died in a car accident. “That helped us cope with the empty feeling we had.” For years afterward, anniversary dates, such as the wedding anniversary or the date of the death, can be a stressful time for the survivors. Why not mark such dates on your calendar so that when they come around, you can make yourself available, if necessary, for sympathetic support?
If you discern a genuine need, do not wait to be asked—take appropriate initiative
Take appropriate initiative: Are there errands that need to be run? Is someone needed to watch the children? Do visiting friends and relatives need a place to stay? Recently bereaved persons are often so stunned that they do not even know what they need to do, let alone tell others how they may help. So if you discern a genuine need, do not wait to be asked; take the initiative. (1 Corinthians 10:24; compare 1 John 3:17, 18.) One woman whose husband had died recalled: “Many said, ‘If there’s anything I can do, let me know.’ But one friend did not ask. She went right into the bedroom, stripped the bed, and laundered the linens soiled from his death. Another took a bucket, water, and cleaning supplies and scrubbed the rug where my husband had vomited. A few weeks later, one of the congregation elders came over in his work clothes with his tools and said, ‘I know there must be something that needs fixing. What is it?’ How dear that man is to my heart for repairing the door that was hanging on a hinge and for fixing an electrical fixture!”—Compare James 1:27.
Be hospitable: “Do not forget hospitality,” the Bible reminds us. (Hebrews 13:2) Especially should we remember to be hospitable to those who are grieving. Instead of a “come anytime” invitation, set a date and time. If they refuse, do not give up too easily. Some gentle encouragement may be needed. Perhaps they declined your invitation because they are afraid of losing control of their emotions in front of others. Or they may feel guilty about enjoying a meal and fellowship at such a time. Remember the hospitable woman Lydia mentioned in the Bible. After being invited to her home, Luke says, “She just made us come.”—Acts 16:15.
Be patient and understanding: Do not be too surprised by what bereaved ones may say at first. Remember, they may be feeling angry and guilty. If emotional outbursts are directed at you, it will take insight and patience on your part not to respond with irritation. “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering,” recommends the Bible.—Colossians 3:12, 13.
Write a letter: Often overlooked is the value of a letter of condolence or a sympathy card. Its advantage? Answers Cindy, who lost her mother to cancer: “One friend wrote me a nice letter. That really helped because I could read it over and over again.” Such a letter or card of encouragement may be composed “in few words,” but it should give of your heart. (Hebrews 13:22) It can say that you care and that you share a special memory about the deceased, or it can show how your life was touched by the person who died.
Pray with them: Do not underestimate the value of your prayers with and for bereaved ones. The Bible says: “A righteous man’s supplication . . . has much force.” (James 5:16) For example, hearing you pray in their behalf can help them allay such negative feelings as guilt.—Compare James 5:13-15.
What Not to Do . . .
Your presence at the hospital can encourage the bereaved
Do not keep away because you do not know what to say or do: ‘I’m sure they need to be alone right now,’ we may tell ourselves. But perhaps the truth is that we are keeping away because we are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. However, being avoided by friends, relatives, or fellow believers may only make the bereaved one feel lonelier, adding to the pain. Remember, the kindest words and actions are often the simplest. (Ephesians 4:32) Your presence alone can be a source of encouragement. (Compare Acts 28:15.) Recalling the day her daughter died, Teresea says: “Within an hour, the lobby of the hospital was filled with our friends; all the elders and their wives were there. Some of the women were in hair curlers, some were in their work clothes. They just dropped everything and came. A lot of them told us that they didn’t know what to say, but it didn’t matter because they were just there.”
Do not pressure them to stop grieving: ‘There, there, now, don’t cry,’ we may want to say. But it may be better to let the tears flow. “I think it’s important to allow bereaved ones to show their emotion and really get it out,” says Katherine, reflecting on her husband’s death. Resist the tendency to tell others how they should feel. And do not assume that you have to hide your feelings in order to protect theirs. Instead, “weep with people who weep,” recommends the Bible.—Romans 12:15.
Do not be quick to advise them to discard clothing or other personal effects of the deceased before they are ready: We may feel that it would be better for them to discard memory-evoking objects because they somehow prolong the grief. But the saying “Out of sight, out of mind” may not apply here. The bereaved person may need to let go of the deceased slowly. Recall the Bible’s description of the patriarch Jacob’s reaction when he was led to believe that his young son Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. After Joseph’s blood-stained long garment was presented to Jacob, he “carried on mourning over his son for many days. And all his sons and all his daughters kept rising up to comfort him, but he kept refusing to take comfort.”—Genesis 37:31-35.
Do not say, ‘You can have another baby’: “I resented people telling me I could have another child,” recalls a mother who lost a child in death. They may mean well, but to the grieving parent, words to the effect that the lost child can be replaced can ‘stab like a sword.’ (Proverbs 12:18) One child can never replace another. Why? Because each is unique.
Do not necessarily avoid mentioning the departed one: “A lot of people wouldn’t even mention my son Jimmy’s name or talk about him,” recalls one mother. “I must admit I felt a little hurt when others did that.” So do not necessarily change the subject when the deceased one’s name is mentioned. Ask the person whether he needs to talk about his loved one. (Compare Job 1:18, 19 and 10:1.) Some bereaved persons appreciate hearing friends tell of the special qualities that endeared the departed one to them.—Compare Acts 9:36-39.
Do not be too quick to say, ‘It was for the best’: Trying to find something positive about the death is not always ‘consoling to depressed souls’ who are grieving. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) Recalling when her mother died, one young woman said: “Others would say, ‘She’s not suffering’ or, ‘At least she’s in peace.’ But I didn’t want to hear that.” Such comments may imply to the survivors that they should not feel sad or that the loss was not significant. However, they may be feeling very sad because they dearly miss their loved one.
It may be better not to say, ‘I know how you feel’: Do you really? For example, can you possibly know what a parent feels when a child dies if you have not experienced such a loss yourself? And even if you have, realize that others may not feel precisely as you felt. (Compare Lamentations 1:12.) On the other hand, if it seems appropriate, there may be some benefit in telling how you recovered from the loss of your loved one. One woman whose daughter had been killed found it reassuring when the mother of another girl who had died told of her own return to normal living. She said: “The dead girl’s mother didn’t preface her story with ‘I know how you feel.’ She simply told me how things were for her and let me relate to them.”
Helping a bereaved person calls for compassion, discernment, and much love on your part. Do not wait for the bereaved one to come to you. Do not simply say, “If there’s anything I can do . . .” Find that “anything” yourself, and then take the appropriate initiative.
A few questions remain: What about the Bible’s hope of a resurrection? What can it mean for you and your loved one who has died? How can we be sure that it is a reliable hope?
Questions to Ponder
Why is it helpful to share the bereaved one’s pain by listening?
What are some things we can do in order to comfort one who is grieving?
What should we avoid saying or doing to someone who is mourning?
Helping Children Deal With Death
When death strikes a family, parents as well as other relatives and friends are often at a loss as to what to say or do to help children cope with what has happened. Yet, children need adults to help them deal with death. Consider some commonly asked questions about helping children understand death.
How do you explain death to children? It is important to explain matters in simple terms. Keep it truthful too. Do not hesitate to use the real words, such as “dead” and “death.” For example, you might sit down with the child, take him in your arms, and say: “A very, very sad thing has happened. Daddy got very sick with a disease that not many people get [or whatever you know to be true], and he died. It isn’t anybody’s fault that he died. We’ll miss him very much because we loved him, and he loved us.” However, it may be helpful to explain that the child or his surviving parent is not likely to die simply because that one gets sick at times.
Encourage their questions. ‘What’s dead?’ they may ask. You might answer this way: “‘Dead’ means that the body stopped working and can’t do any of the things it used to—it can’t talk, see, or hear, and it can’t feel anything.” A parent who believes the Bible’s promise of a resurrection can use this opportunity to explain that Jehovah God remembers the departed one and can bring him back to life in the future earthly Paradise. (Luke 23:43; John 5:28, 29)—See the section “A Sure Hope for the Dead.”
Is there anything you should not say? It is not helpful to say that the deceased has gone on a long journey. Fear of abandonment is a major concern for a child, especially when a parent has died. To be told that the deceased has gone on a trip may only reinforce the child’s feeling of abandonment and he may reason: ‘Grandma left, and she didn’t even say good-bye!’ Be careful, too, with young children, about saying that the departed one has gone to sleep. Children tend to be very literal. If a child equates sleep with death, a fear of going to bed at night can result.
Should children attend the funeral services? Parents should take into account the children’s feelings. If they do not want to go, do not force them or in any way make them feel guilty for not going. If they want to go, give them a detailed description of what will take place, including whether there will be a casket and whether it will be open or closed. Explain, too, that they may see a lot of people crying because they are sad. Again, let them ask questions. And reassure them that they can leave if they need to.
How do children react to death? Children often feel responsible for the death of a loved one. Because a child may at one time or another have felt angry at the person who died, the child may come to believe that angry thoughts or words caused the death. You might need to offer some comfort: ‘Your thoughts and words are not what make people sick, and they don’t make people die.’ A young child may need such reassurances repeatedly.
Should you hide your grief from children? Crying in front of children is both normal and healthy. Besides, it is almost impossible to hide your feelings from children completely; they tend to be very discerning and can often sense that something is wrong. Being honest about your grief lets them know that it is normal to grieve and at times to show your feelings. |
Table of outputs | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102007000 | Table of outputs
January 2007
When Sickness Is No More!
Science has made great strides in the fields of medicine and health care. Still, sickness continues to exact a heavy toll on humankind. Will there ever be a time when sickness is no more?
3 The World Wants Good Health!
4 Will Science Cure the World?
10 When Sickness Is No More!
12 A King’s Search for Wisdom
15 Watching the World
16 Meet the Gardener’s Friend—The Ladybird
18 The Bible’s ViewpointHas Christianity Failed?
23 The Belize Barrier Reef—A World Heritage Site
31 How Would You Answer?
32 “A Must-Read”
Noah’s Ark and Naval Architecture 20
A naval architect finds the design of Noah’s ark consistent with modern shipbuilding practice.
When Can I Start Dating? 27
Are you ready to date? Consider three factors that can help you answer that question. |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 183
Youth’s Place in God’s Arrangement
(Psalm 148:12, 13)
1. There’s a place for ev’ryone in God’s arrangement.
He invites the young and old to praise his name.
The response of all the young ones is impressive
As earth wide the Kingdom message they proclaim.
How effective is the witness they are giving!
They are neat and well prepared and so polite!
To Jehovah they are precious as they serve him;
To the older ones, they also bring delight.
2. So all youngsters who have come to know Jehovah,
What a happy, joyful day it then will be!
Just imagine what awaits them in the future
—Life in Paradise for all eternity!
In the meantime we are living under pressure
From this system that is soon to lick the dust.
We must fight with all our might to overcome it;
Kingdom loyalty maintain—it is a must.
3. They can find good friends among Jehovah’s people.
Why should they seek friendship with the wicked world?
Let them get involved with things that are upbuilding,
That on God’s own sacred pages lie unfurled.
When in trouble let youths seek out those that love them,
Tell these all the things that weigh upon their mind.
Yet their greatest Friend of all is God Jehovah;
Understanding, merciful, him they will find.
4. We are members of the Christian congregation,
Where Christ Jesus now supplies our ev’ry need.
So in loyalty let’s take our place beside him;
All the counsel that he offers let us heed.
Never let the world into its mold now squeeze us;
Let Jehovah, through his Word, our minds keep clean.
And together, young and old, may we be faithful,
Praising him, for life eternal this will mean. |
The Truth About the Future | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2020006 | The Truth About the Future
Have you ever wondered what the future holds? The Bible shows that significant events just ahead of us will affect all people on earth.
Jesus explained how we would “know that the Kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:31) He prophesied that, among other things, there would be great wars, major earthquakes, food shortages, and pestilences—the very things we are witnessing today.—Luke 21:10-17.
The Bible further shows that the “last days” of human rulership would be identified by the way people behave or, more precisely, misbehave. You can read the description at 2 Timothy 3:1-5. When you see these attitudes and actions today, no doubt you agree that this Bible prophecy closely matches what is happening now.
What does this mean? The time is near for God’s Kingdom to make big changes that will significantly affect life on earth for the better. (Luke 21:36) In the Bible, God promises good things for the earth and for the people who will live on it. Here are a few examples.
GOOD RULERSHIP
“And to him [Jesus] there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples, nations, and language groups should all serve him. His rulership is an everlasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed.”—DANIEL 7:14.
What this means: You can enjoy life under a superior global government that God sets up with his Son as King.
GOOD HEALTH
“No resident will say: ‛I am sick.’”—ISAIAH 33:24.
What this means: You will never get sick or be disabled; you will be able to live without ever dying.
TOTAL PEACE
“He is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth.”—PSALM 46:9.
What this means: There will be no more threat of war and all the suffering it causes.
THE EARTH WILL BE FILLED WITH GOOD PEOPLE
“The wicked will be no more . . . The meek will possess the earth.”—PSALM 37:10, 11.
What this means: There will be no more evil people, only people eager to obey God.
THE EARTH WILL BE A GLOBAL PARADISE
“They will build houses and live in them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage.”—ISAIAH 65:21, 22.
What this means: The whole earth will be made beautiful. God will fulfill our prayer that his will be done “on earth.”—Matthew 6:10. |
School (sj)
1983 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/school-sj | Our Purpose in Life
At the outset, a brief description of Jehovah’s Witnesses and our purpose in life will be helpful. We are an international body of Christians who can be found in more than 200 lands throughout the world. Our way of worshiping God involves our entire outlook and manner of life.
Since we are convinced that God is a real being, we consider it vital to maintain a close, personal relationship with him as our Father. (Matthew 6:9) Among other things, this involves knowing him by his name. At Psalm 83:18 the Bible says: “That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”
As Christians, we also try to fashion our lives around the example of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. That he was an outstandingly well-educated man is evident from the wisdom of his teachings. But Jesus used his knowledge for the benefit of others and not to gain a secure financial position or great prominence. The biggest thing in his life was his service to God. “My food,” Jesus said, “is for me to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work.”—John 4:34.
We feel the same way. To this end, Witnesses worldwide value a good education. We encourage our youths to expand their horizons—to get knowledge and understanding of their environment and what life is all about. To this end they read, and often use in their schoolwork, our journal Awake! that covers practically all fields of human knowledge. Some educators also use this magazine in preparing their school courses.
The educational training our children receive has helped many of them to develop their creative potential. The Journal of Personality observed this in its report on an Australian study about the “creativity” of 12-year-olds. The researchers said: “In particular, a disproportionately large number of highly creative children were Jehovah’s Witnesses.” This can be attributed to the fact that the religion of the Witnesses encourages them to use their thinking ability.
Even though Witness youths are interested in a good education, they do not pursue schooling with the intention of obtaining prestige or prominence. Their main goal in life is to serve effectively as ministers of God, and they appreciate schooling as an aid to that end. So they generally choose courses that are useful for supporting themselves in the modern world. Thus, many may take vocational courses or attend a vocational school. When they leave school they desire to obtain work that will allow them to concentrate on their principal vocation, the Christian ministry.
View of the Bible
As you can appreciate from the foregoing, Jehovah’s Witnesses take the Bible as a daily guide more seriously than many do. They really believe that “all Scripture is inspired of God.”—2 Timothy 3:16.
In keeping with those words, we believe that everything recorded in the Bible is accurate and should guide a Christian in life. As a result, a Witness youth’s view of certain school activities may be quite different from that of a student who may not take Bible teachings so seriously. This brochure will consider school activities that are involved and endeavor to help you understand why Jehovah’s Witnesses take the position they do regarding such activities.
Since, as you may know, the Bible is outstandingly a book of prophecy, we would like you to consider the effect that faith in its prophecies has upon the Witnesses’ attitude toward school.
[Picture on page 4]
Witnesses worldwide value a good education
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Used as a daily guide |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 53
Theocracy’s Increase
(Isaiah 9:6, 7)
1. Hail the Theocracy, ever increasing!
Wondrous expansion is now taking place.
Praise to Jehovah is sung without ceasing
By those who walk in the light of his face.
Long years ago saw the humble beginning
As our Redeemer a lowly way trod.
Now a great crowd join the remnant in bringing
Praises to him at the right hand of God.
2. Christ on his judgment throne sits and is reigning;
Nations and peoples before him appear.
God’s sov’reignty he will soon be maintaining,
Crushing his enemies both far and near.
Wonderful Couns’lor and Father Supernal,
Yes, Mighty God is he and Prince of Peace.
Zeal of Jehovah will bring peace eternal
And make his princely rule ever increase.
3. O what a favor we now have in living!
Does not this increase bring joy to your heart?
Share in the joy that gets greater by giving,
And in the witness work gladly take part.
Boldly warn those who are God’s name defaming;
Tell all such men Armageddon is nigh.
And all the while zealously keep proclaiming
Kingdom good news to the meek ones who sigh. |
Choosing (bw)
1979 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/bw | Chapter 11
Live in Expectation of the Fulfillment of the Promise
1, 2. (a) What will yet happen according to the changeless “word of God,” giving rise to what questions? (b) How does the apostle Peter describe what will happen to the present order?
A WHOLE world order is due to change. Every facet of human living is bound to be affected. This change is inevitable since the unfailing “word of God” has decreed the end of the present heavens and earth and their replacement by glorious new heavens and a new earth. What will these developments mean for us? How can we show that we are living in expectation of the fulfillment of what Jehovah God has promised?
2 After referring to the global flood in Noah’s days, the apostle Peter writes: “The heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.” (2 Peter 3:7) The apostle goes on to say that “the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered.”—2 Peter 3:10.
3. In view of the Genesis account, what must we logically conclude about the material universe, including our earth?
3 Based on these inspired words, are we to conclude that our literal earth as well as the sun, moon and stars will be destroyed? To answer this question, we must consider God’s view of his own works. With reference to the end of the creative period, the Genesis account tells us: “God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) The prospect before the first humans was an eternity of happy living on earth, provided that they remained obedient. (Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:3) Nothing in the Genesis account implies that the earth would be but a temporary home for man, finally to be destroyed at some future judgment day. It logically follows that God’s purpose is for the material universe, including our earth, to continue in unending existence.
4. (a) What distinction did Peter make in connection with the situation before and after the Flood? (b) What did the Flood not do?
4 Moreover, the apostle Peter made a distinction between (1) the “heavens from of old and an earth standing compactly out of water and in the midst of water” and (2) “the heavens and the earth that are now.” (2 Peter 3:5, 7) Yet, the earth that existed before the Flood is the same planet that still exists. True, the deluge did bring about changes in the physical features of the earth. Since water was no longer suspended high above earth’s surface, this affected the appearance of the visible universe from the standpoint of the human observer. However, these changes were merely side effects of the Flood. Its purpose was not to destroy the literal planet but to destroy the ungodly human society outside the ark. By means of the deluge, all the works and arrangements that the godless human society had built up perished.
5. For there to be a correspondency with the global flood, what must happen at the day of reckoning?
5 Hence, for there to be a correspondency with the global flood, everything associated with the present wicked human society must perish, as if consumed by fire. Yes, the entire framework of human affairs that came into existence after the Flood has been reserved for destruction and a day of judgment or reckoning.
6. Is the “fire,” by means of which the old order ends, literal?
6 That the “fire” is here used representatively of the thoroughness of the destruction is confirmed in the Bible book of Revelation, where the Lord Jesus Christ is depicted as a warring king. His battle action is said to leave many corpses strewn on earth’s surface, to be consumed by scavenger birds. (Revelation 19:15-18) Such a picture could not be fulfilled to any degree if this planet were to be reduced literally to a lifeless cinder.
7. What do the words of 2 Peter 3:10 indicate about the destruction to come?
7 So, then, Peter’s portrayal of the destruction of the present earth and heavens relates to the annihilation of ungodly human society. Man-made governments that have dominated over human society like “heavens” will pass out of existence. (Compare Isaiah 34:2-5; Micah 1:3, 4.) The sound of their dissolving into ruins, described as a “hissing noise” like that of steam escaping under pressure, will build up in intensity. The “elements,” that is, the spirit that motivates ungodly mankind to think, plan, speak and act in their God-dishonoring way will be dissolved or reduced to nothingness. (Compare Acts 9:1; Ephesians 2:1-3.) This will spell the end for all the philosophies, theories, arrangements and schemes that reflect the spirit of mankind alienated from the Most High. “Earth and the works in it will be discovered” or exposed as deserving destruction. There will be no escape for any member of the wicked human society, the “earth.” (Compare Genesis 11:1; Isaiah 66:15, 16; Amos 9:1-3; Zephaniah 1:12-18.) All the works of lawless men—the institutions and organizations as well as what has been built up in connection with these—will be revealed as divinely disapproved, to be disposed of as worthless refuse.
8. Since every part of the present system will be destroyed, what counsel of Peter should we take to heart?
8 We servants of God, therefore, want to live in a manner showing that we really believe that every part of this present ungodly system will perish everlastingly. This is what the apostle Peter urges us to do, saying:
“Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt!”—2 Peter 3:11, 12.
9. Who only will survive the coming destruction, with everlasting blessings in view?
9 When every part of this system is dissolved by the “fire” of God’s anger expressed through the Lord Jesus Christ, only persons with a record of upright conduct and godly devotion will escape. True worship is not passive, reflecting itself solely in a person’s abstaining from certain wrongs. While maintaining moral and spiritual purity is essential, we are also under obligation to demonstrate our love for our fellow humans by being willing and eager to respond to their physical and spiritual needs. And this contributes to great joy, for “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35.
ACTIONS INDICATING THAT WE RECOGNIZE THE APPROACHING END
10. On account of the approaching “end of all things,” what admonition did Peter give?
10 The following words of the apostle Peter amplify what we need to be doing in view of the approaching “end of all things”: “Be sound in mind, therefore, and be vigilant with a view to prayers. Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”—1 Peter 4:7-9.
11. What is needed for us to remain “sound in mind”?
11 In harmony with this admonition, to remain morally clean or upright in conduct and to be active in promoting the spiritual welfare of others, we need to be “sound in mind.” This requires that we guard against letting emotions rule and allowing them to unbalance us mentally. It is vital that we recognize the truly important things in life, that we have a balanced sense of what deserves priority.—Philippians 1:9, 10.
12. (a) Why is it important to be “vigilant with a view to prayers”? (b) How did Peter come to appreciate the importance of this from his own experience?
12 If we want to remain God’s faithful servants, we cannot hope to succeed in our own strength. We need to look to Jehovah God for aid, being “vigilant with a view to prayers.” From personal experience, the apostle Peter learned the importance of being “vigilant,” watchful or alert with reference to prayers. Just prior to Jesus Christ’s being arrested by an armed mob in the garden of Gethsemane, the Son of God had encouraged Peter, James and John to pray so that they might not fall victim to temptation. However, all three apostles fell asleep at this critical time. (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46) Weakened by his failure to remain “vigilant” as regards prayer, Peter later denied Jesus Christ three times. (John 18:17, 18, 25-27) Yet, earlier, Peter had confidently declared: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both into prison and into death.” (Luke 22:33) “Although all the others are stumbled in connection with you, never will I be stumbled!”—Matthew 26:33.
13. What can we learn from Peter’s experience when he failed to be “vigilant with a view to prayers”?
13 There is a vital lesson for us in what happened to Peter. It can impress on us the danger of overconfidence. Because of our limitations and weaknesses, it is only with divine help that we can succeed in resisting temptation. May we, therefore, keep on praying with an alert mind and a heart that is unwavering in its affections for Jehovah God and Jesus Christ.
14. What should be our motive in fulfilling our Christian responsibility, and how is this manifest in our dealings with our fellow believers?
14 Besides remaining alert and balanced with reference to Christian discipleship, we do well to consider whether love is motivating us to fulfill our responsibilities. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) The apostle Peter urged that we have “intense love” for fellow believers. Such intense love is demonstrated by our having a forgiving spirit. When that is the case, we do not exaggerate the faults of our brothers nor do we call undue attention to their failings. We do not look for mistakes, putting the transgressions of others in the worst light possible. In our thus being forgiving, our love will cover a multitude of sins instead of exposing them to full view for others to see.
15. Why may it be necessary to show hospitality, and with what attitude should it be extended?
15 The showing of hospitality is also an expression of love. How fine it is when we share our food and necessities with others, especially those in need! (Luke 14:12-14) When fellow believers lose everything through natural disasters or persecution, this may mean opening our homes to them for extended periods. This may be very inconvenient for us, and we might tend to complain about the extra demands being put on our assets and energies. At such times we do well to guard against grumbling about having to show hospitality time and again, recognizing that this is a fine way in which we can display our love for those whom God loves.
16, 17. (a) How should we view the gifts that we have? (b) What fine attitude did Paul recommend and manifest himself?
16 All of us do have gifts or endowments that we can use for the benefit of others. Our remaining God’s approved servants depends on our using these gifts eagerly and cheerfully. Wisely, we would avoid comparing ourselves with others. This can prevent our being discouraged when seeing that others can do much more than we can. On the other hand, we would not give in to any feelings of superiority when we can accomplish more in some field of activity than others can. (Galatians 6:3, 4) Note what the apostle Peter said: “In proportion as each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another as fine stewards of God’s undeserved kindness expressed in various ways.” (1 Peter 4:10) Accordingly, we are responsible to use to the full whatever gifts we may have. By God’s undeserved kindness we are what we are and have what we have. Hence, all our energies, abilities and talents may be viewed as gifts that have been granted us by Jehovah’s undeserved kindness, to be used to bring praise and honor to the Most High.
17 The apostle Paul highlighted the right attitude by means of the following questions: “Who makes you to differ from another? Indeed, what do you have that you did not receive? If, now, you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7) Though Paul himself could say that he “labored in excess” of all the other apostles, he did not take the credit to himself but added, “yet not I but the undeserved kindness of God that is with me.”—1 Corinthians 15:10.
18. In what manner should we be using our gifts?
18 As faithful stewards, we will want to be concerned about making full use of whatever gifts we may have in helping others spiritually and materially. The manner in which we do so is also very important. In this regard, Peter wrote:
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as it were the sacred pronouncements of God; if anyone ministers, let him minister as dependent on the strength that God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. The glory and the might are his forever and ever. Amen.”—1 Peter 4:11.
19. How can we glorify God when helping others spiritually and materially?
19 Hence, if we are helping others spiritually, we will want to speak in such a way as to show that the source of our comforting, loving words is Jehovah God. When that is the case, our preaching and teaching will be upbuilding and will not engender feelings of inferiority and shame in those whom we are striving to aid. Similarly, if we give of our time and energies in rendering physical aid, we will want to rely on God for strength. This would de-emphasize our own abilities and highlight God’s use of our capacities for doing good. In this way, our heavenly Father will be glorified. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7) Since such glory or honor is given to the Father because of our being disciples of his Son, Jehovah God is “glorified through Jesus Christ.” Yes, the Most High is responsible for giving us the ability and the strength to accomplish good.
20. Why should we look forward to the coming of Jehovah’s great day, and so what should we be doing?
20 By using our time, assets and energies to aid others, we show that we are in a state of spiritual preparedness, ready to face the great day of Jehovah. In fact, our recognizing that the Lord Jesus Christ could come at any time as the executioner of divine vengeance can incite us to remain spiritually awake. That is why we want to keep ever before us the certainty of the coming of Jehovah’s great day. Because it will open up grand opportunities for all loyal disciples of Jesus Christ, we can rightly look forward to it with eager anticipation. The day of Jehovah will mean being freed forever from the unrighteousness and pressures of the present system of things, to enjoy the blessings of “new heavens and a new earth.” How vital it is that we keep this day “close in mind,” ardently desiring it! (2 Peter 3:12, 13) Our zealous participation in making known God’s purpose to others gives evidence of the proper attitude. It shows that we are convinced that Jehovah’s day will come and that others need to know about it and act in harmony with this vital knowledge.
21. (a) Of what can we be sure in connection with God’s promise of “new heavens and a new earth”? (b) How should this affect us?
21 God’s promise of “new heavens and a new earth,” first stated through the prophet Isaiah, will be fulfilled to its fullest significance. (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22) A righteous rule in the hands of Jesus Christ and his associate king-priests over an earthly society conforming to divine law must become a reality. (Revelation 5:9, 10; 20:6) The certainty of this can stir us to action, moving us to do our utmost to be among those who share in the blessings that will result. The apostle Peter admonished: “Beloved ones, since you are awaiting these things, do your utmost to be found finally by him spotless and unblemished and in peace.” (2 Peter 3:14) As God’s servants, our concern is to be approved by the Lord Jesus Christ, not being spotted or blemished by worldly attitudes, ways and actions. We want to be free from the stain of sin. Since sin disrupts our peace with God, only by remaining in a state where our sins can be atoned for can we be found “in peace” at the coming of his great day.
APPRECIATE DIVINE PATIENCE
22. Why should we not become impatient about the fulfillment of God’s promise?
22 While we rightly look forward to “new heavens and a new earth,” we do not want to become impatient about the fulfillment of the promise. The fact that Jehovah’s great day did not come long ago has allowed for our own salvation. The apostle Peter stated:
“Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul according to the wisdom given him also wrote you, speaking about these things as he does also in all his letters. In them, however, are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unsteady are twisting, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”—2 Peter 3:15, 16.
23. (a) Why should we not presume on God’s patience? (b) How did some in the first century fail to recognize the reason for God’s patience?
23 As persons who appreciate Jehovah’s patience, we will want to be careful not to presume on it, justifying a particular course of selfishness on the basis that God’s great day may yet be far away. In the first century C.E., there were believers who apparently did this. The apostle Peter describes them as “untaught and unsteady,” lacking a clear understanding of God’s Word and being unstable with reference to Christian doctrine and practice. These persons even tried to use statements from the letters of the inspired apostle Paul and other parts of the Scriptures to excuse their wrong conduct. It may be that they pointed to what Paul had written about the exercise of conscience and about being declared righteous by faith and not by works of the Mosaic law as providing latitude for all kinds of actions that were contrary to God’s will. (Compare Romans 3:5-8; 6:1; 7:4; 8:1, 2; Galatians 3:10.) They may have misused such points as the following:
“Christ set us free. Therefore stand fast, and do not let yourselves be confined again in a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) “All things are lawful for me.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) “All things are clean to clean persons.” (Titus 1:15)
However, they ignored that Paul also said:
“Do not use this freedom as an inducement for the flesh, but through love slave for one another. For the entire Law stands fulfilled in one saying, namely: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:13, 14) “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”—1 Corinthians 10:24.
24. Why must we guard our associations even inside the congregation?
24 As in the first-century congregation, so today there are those who would extend the limits of Christian freedom to the point of becoming enslaved to sin. Therefore, we do well to guard our associations, lest we come under unwholesome influence and be led astray. Calling attention to this fact, the apostle Peter wrote: “You, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge, be on your guard that you may not be led away with them by the error of the law-defying people and fall from your own steadfastness.”—2 Peter 3:17.
MAKE ADVANCEMENT AS A CHRISTIAN
25, 26. After obtaining faith, what should we be doing in harmony with 2 Peter 1:5-7?
25 To avoid losing out on the blessings that Jehovah God has in store for us, we should want to make progress in Christian living and activity. (2 Peter 3:18) Our doing so harmonizes with the apostle Peter’s encouragement:
“Yes, for this very reason, by your contributing in response all earnest effort, supply to your faith virtue, to your virtue knowledge, to your knowledge self-control, to your self-control endurance, to your endurance godly devotion, to your godly devotion brotherly affection, to your brotherly affection love.”—2 Peter 1:5-7.
26 Through his Son, Jehovah God has given us the capacity for faith. Hence, in response to, or as a consequence of, what has been done in our behalf, we should want to develop other fine qualities that give evidence of our having genuine faith. This we do by letting God’s Word and his spirit exert their full force in our lives. (2 Peter 1:1-4) The apostle Peter admonished that we ‘contribute all earnest effort,’ exerting ourselves diligently with all the strength that we have, in cooperating with the work our heavenly Father is doing in making us complete Christians.—Compare 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7; James 1:2-4.
27. What is meant by adding virtue to our faith?
27 Our adding virtue to faith means striving to be persons of moral excellence in imitation of our Exemplar, Christ. Such virtue or moral excellence is a positive quality. Its possessor not only refrains from doing bad or causing injury to his fellowmen but also seeks to do good, responding positively to the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of others.
28. Why is it important to grow in knowledge?
28 Moral excellence cannot exist apart from knowledge. We need knowledge to distinguish right from wrong. (Hebrews 5:14) It is also essential for evaluating just how positive good is to be expressed in a given situation. (Philippians 1:9, 10) Unlike credulity, which makes light of or even resists knowledge, solidly based faith rests on and always benefits from knowledge. Hence, our being diligent in applying the Holy Scriptures will strengthen our faith as we continue to grow in knowledge of Jehovah God and his Son.
29. (a) Why is knowledge essential in cultivating self-control? (b) What is the relationship between self-control and endurance?
29 This knowledge serves to restrain us from giving in to sinful passions, becoming immoderate and unbridled in conduct, or in other ways becoming guilty of a serious failure to reflect the divine image in attitude, word and action. Knowledge contributes to our having self-control, the ability to bridle one’s person, actions and speech. By continuing to exercise self-control, we will have the essential quality of endurance. The inner strength that endurance produces can also help us to resist giving in to sinful passions, compromising when suffering persecution or becoming preoccupied with daily cares, pleasures or material possessions. This endurance stems from relying on the Most High for strength and guidance.—Compare Philippians 4:12, 13; James 1:5.
30. (a) What is godly devotion, and how does it manifest itself? (b) What shows that godliness cannot exist apart from brotherly affection?
30 Godly devotion or reverentialness should be added to endurance. Such an attitude distinguishes the entire life course of a genuine Christian. It manifests itself in a wholesome regard and honor for the Creator and a deep respect and concern for parents or others to whom devotion is due. (1 Timothy 5:4) Without brotherly affection, however, godliness cannot exist. The apostle John stated:
“If anyone makes the statement: ‘I love God,’ and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20)
Anyone priding himself on his reverence and devotion would still be woefully lacking if he failed to show affection, kindness and friendliness to his brothers. We cannot be warm toward God and cool toward our brothers.
31. To whom should love be shown, and why?
31 Love is the outstanding quality that should be especially evident in our lives. This kind of love is not to be limited to our Christian brothers. While we are to have affection for our spiritual brothers, love is to be shown to all mankind. This love is not dependent on the moral standing of the individual. It is to be shown even toward enemies, particularly expressing itself in a desire to help them spiritually.—Matthew 5:43-48.
32. What results when we apply the counsel of 2 Peter 1:5-7?
32 What results when virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godly devotion, brotherly affection and love are added to faith? The apostle Peter answers: “If these things exist in you and overflow, they will prevent you from being either inactive or unfruitful regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8) We will then not be standing still, inactive, dead spiritually. With godly qualities lodging in our hearts, being truly a part of us, we will be motivated to think, speak and act in a divinely approved way. (Compare Luke 6:43-45.) When this is true in our case, the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to take full control of earth’s affairs will be the start of blessings far grander than we can now imagine.
33-35. How do we benefit from living as disciples of Jesus Christ?
33 May we, therefore, never become careless in our conduct or in the discharge of our Christian responsibilities, including the vital work of making known God’s message to others. If we have chosen a life as disciples of Jesus Christ we can enjoy a clean conscience and wholesome companionship with fellow believers. We can experience God’s strengthening aid in times of trial, and our relationship with others will improve as we conscientiously apply Bible principles.
34 There is not an area of life—at home, on the job, in our dealings with governmental authorities on all levels—that will not be affected for good if we strive to follow God’s Word. It will also make us more aware of the importance of being wholehearted in reaching as many people as possible with the Bible’s comforting message. We will find great happiness and a true sense of accomplishment in responding to the needs of our fellow humans, especially to their spiritual needs.
35 Most important of all, living as genuine disciples of Jesus Christ is the only course that holds promise of an eternal future of happy living. Surely we would not want to lose what we have gained. May the passing of each day find us in a state of readiness for the coming of our Master in the capacity of a completely victorious king. Only then can we share in the boundless joy resulting from our having chosen to stick to our commitment to serve Jehovah God faithfully. |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 83
Entertained by a Pharisee
JESUS is still in the home of a prominent Pharisee and has just healed a man suffering from dropsy. As he observes fellow guests choosing prominent places at the meal, he teaches a lesson in humility.
“When you are invited by someone to a marriage feast,” Jesus then explains, “do not lie down in the most prominent place. Perhaps someone more distinguished than you may at the time have been invited by him, and he that invited you and him will come and say to you, ‘Let this man have the place.’ And then you will start off with shame to occupy the lowest place.”
So Jesus advises: “When you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, that when the man that has invited you comes he will say to you, ‘Friend, go on up higher.’ Then you will have honor in front of all your fellow guests.” Concluding, Jesus says: “For everyone that exalts himself will be humbled and he that humbles himself will be exalted.”
Next, Jesus addresses the Pharisee who invited him and describes how to provide a dinner having real merit with God. “When you spread a dinner or evening meal, do not call your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors. Perhaps sometime they might also invite you in return and it would become a repayment to you. But when you spread a feast, invite poor people, crippled, lame, blind; and you will be happy, because they have nothing with which to repay you.”
Providing such a meal for the unfortunate will bring happiness to the provider of it because, as Jesus explains to his host, “You will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous ones.” Jesus’ description of this meritorious meal calls to the mind of a fellow guest another kind of meal. “Happy is he who eats bread in the kingdom of God,” this guest says. Yet, not all properly prize that happy prospect, as Jesus goes on to show by an illustration.
“A certain man was spreading a grand evening meal, and he invited many. And he sent his slave out . . . to say to the invited ones, ‘Come, because things are now ready.’ But they all in common started to beg off. The first said to him, ‘I bought a field and need to go out and see it; I ask you, Have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I bought five yoke of cattle and am going to examine them; I ask you, Have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I just married a wife and for this reason I cannot come.’”
What lame excuses! A field or livestock are normally examined before they are bought, so no real urgency exists to look at them afterward. Similarly, a person’s marriage should not prevent him from accepting such an important invitation. So on hearing about these excuses, the master becomes angry and commands his slave:
“‘Go out quickly into the broad ways and the lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ In time the slave said, ‘Master, what you ordered has been done, and yet there is room.’ And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the roads and the fenced-in places, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. . . . None of those men that were invited shall have a taste of my evening meal.’”
What situation is described by the illustration? Well, “the master” providing the meal represents Jehovah God; “the slave” extending the invitation, Jesus Christ; and the “grand evening meal,” the opportunities to be in line for the Kingdom of the heavens.
Those first to receive the invitation to come in line for the Kingdom were, above all others, the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day. However, they rejected the invitation. Thus, beginning particularly at Pentecost 33 C.E., a second invitation was extended to the despised and lowly ones of the Jewish nation. But not enough responded to fill the 144,000 places in God’s heavenly Kingdom. So in 36 C.E., three and a half years later, the third and final invitation was extended to uncircumcised non-Jews, and the gathering of such ones has continued into our day. Luke 14:1-24.
▪ What lesson in humility does Jesus teach?
▪ How can a host provide a meal having merit with God, and why will it bring him happiness?
▪ Why are the excuses of the invited guests lame?
▪ What is represented by Jesus’ illustration of the “grand evening meal”? |
Good News (gh)
1976 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gh | Chapter 8
The Creator Populates “Spaceship Earth”
1. (a) How does the earth contrast with the moon, and with man-made spaceships? (b) How do many persons show that they do not truly appreciate our earth? (Psalm 10:4)
BY THE end of God’s “fourth day” of creation, earth’s surface presented a beautiful sight. It was alive with color. Much later, in this twentieth century of our era, an astronaut viewed it from the lifeless surface of the moon, and commented:
“When you look at our earth from two hundred and forty thousand miles away, especially over a horizon that has been bombarded for cons, you see that our planet is the only thing in the universe that has any color in it. . . . We share such a beautiful planet. . . . The overwhelming wonderment is why in the world we can’t appreciate what we have.”
By experience that astronaut came to know how weightless living in the cramped quarters of a man-made spaceship contrasts with the normal life that man can enjoy right here on “spaceship Earth,” in the environment that God prepared for him. However, not only do the majority of men fail to appreciate what they have, but for the most part they ignore the illustrious Designer and Maker of this earth. Many persons choose to be like the senseless one who “has said in his heart: ‘There is no Jehovah.’”—Psalm 14:1.
FISH “SOULS” AND FLYING CREATURES
2. (a) When did God start to populate our “spaceship”? (b) What is a “soul”? (Revelation 16:3) (c) What souls were created on the “fifth day”?
2 Not millions of years in the past, as some persons theorize, but in comparatively recent times, God proceeded according to his own timetable to populate our “spaceship.” He created the first “souls.” The word “soul” (Hebrew, neʹphesh), as it appears here in the Bible account of creation, refers to a breathing, sentient creature, whether fish, bird, animal or man. On this fifth ‘creative day,’ God produced fish and bird “souls.”—Genesis 1:20-23.
3. (a) How has man been able to use principles that he finds in creation, but what must he admit? (Job 12:7-10) (b) How have fish and bird life been a blessing to mankind?
3 What a wealth of divine wisdom is manifest in the structure of these living things! To some extent, man has been able to copy principles that he finds in this creation, such as the jet propulsion of the squid, the sonar of the bat and some of the aerodynamics of birds. But there are many astounding secrets in the makeup of these “souls” that man has been unable to unlock. Fish and bird life have added beauty and interest to man’s earthly home, besides providing tasty additions to his menu when God decreed for them to “serve as food” for man.—Genesis 9:2, 3.
LIVING SOULS FOR THE EARTH
4. (a) What did God form on the “sixth day,” and how? (b) In what ways have the animals served man? (Genesis 1:25)
4 As the sixth ‘creative day’ opened, Jehovah said:
“Let the earth put forth living souls according to their kinds, domestic animal and moving animal and wild beast of the earth according to its kind.” (Genesis 1:24)
God’s invisible spirit became active in forming a marvelous variety of animal “kinds,” some of which fulfilled a temporary purpose, and others of which have survived, for the benefit of man, to this day. Some of these animals are much more than pets: There are horses for riding, dogs for shepherding, elephants for transporting, oxen for plowing, sheep for providing wool, and so on. Animal “souls” have indeed served for the benefit and happiness of mankind.
5. Why should we thank God for these productions? (Psalm 8:4, 6-9)
5 We can truly thank Jehovah for these productions! As the psalm writer says:
“Jehovah’s expressions of loving-kindness I will sing about even to time indefinite. . . . Heaven is yours, the earth also is yours; the productive land and what fills it—you yourself have founded them.”—Psalm 89:1, 11.
THE CROWNING GLORY OF EARTHLY CREATION
6. (a) What helper did Jehovah have beside him in creation? (John 1:1-4) (b) What did God say to this companion worker, and so what relation would man have toward the animals?
6 During all this creative activity, Jehovah had beside him a helper—a “master worker”—the most beloved of all his angelic sons in the invisible heavens. (Proverbs 8:30) Toward the close of the sixth ‘creative day’ Jehovah said to this companion worker:
“Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every moving animal that is moving upon the earth.”—Genesis 1:26-28.
7. (a) By what process did God create man? (Job 33:4) (b) What proves that man could not have evolved? (Psalm 100:3)
7 Did God and his companion “worker” make man by some complicated evolutionary process? No, it was much simpler than that. For the Bible tells us:
“Jehovah God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)
The Bible here says nothing about man evolving upward from hairy, grunting apelike creatures. Surely, he could not acquire an appreciation of beauty and of music, the ability to look into the past and into the future, inventiveness, a conscience to discern between right and wrong, and the marvelous qualities of kindness and love, by mere chance evolution! Only a higher, intellectual Personage—God—could bestow such attributes. Jehovah God created the first man in His own “image,” and not the image of any previous earthly creation, such as “birds and four-footed creatures and creeping things.” (Romans 1:23) Between the dumb, unreasoning beasts and the intelligent, upright creature man, there exists a gulf that no evolutionary process could ever start to cross.
8. (a) What shows that the first man had a good command of language? (b) What was the quality of all of God’s creation? (Deuteronomy 32:4)
8 When God later took a rib from the man as he slept, built it into the woman, Eve, and presented this lovely wife to Adam, the man was not limited to mere primeval grunts in expressing his joy. Spontaneously he spoke the first poetry:
“This is at last bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh.
This one will be called Woman,
Because from man this one was taken.”
(Genesis 2:21-23)
So in creating mankind as “male and female” God brought his earthly creation to its conclusion.
“After that God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good. And there came to be evening and there came to be morning, a sixth day.”—Genesis 1:31.
REASONS FOR THANKING OUR CREATOR
9. What are some details in the design of man that should cause us to laud our Creator?
9 The masterpiece of God’s earthly creation—man—was indeed “very good.” As descendants of that first man and woman, we should be continually thankful for God’s marvelous workmanship. Think of the joy we can derive from our senses—the taste of delicious meals, the touch of loving hands, the sight of breathtaking landscapes, the sound of birds or of delightful music, the aroma of flowers and of foods! And for good measure, God has endowed us with two each of eyes, ears, nostrils, besides other vital body parts. Ten fingers coordinate perfectly with one another for getting work done and thirty-two superbly designed teeth enable us to bite and chew our foods, and to flash smiles at those around us. Our ability to express pleasure and humor by laughing (something animals cannot do) is another of our many blessings. What zest we can get from life through the God-given abilities of walking, running, jumping, swimming! In appreciation of a thousand marvelous features of the body that our Creator gave us, we should want to express ourselves the same way that King David did:
“O Jehovah, you have searched through me, and you know me. I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, as my soul is very well aware.”—Psalm 139:1, 14.
10. How does the process of human reproduction magnify Jehovah’s wisdom? (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
10 Truly wonderful among God’s gifts to man is the capacity to reproduce his own kind. Though a corrupt world has abused sex and used it for immoral purposes, it is not unclean when used by married persons in harmony with God’s purpose and commandments. What a marvelous process human reproduction is! In the woman, the egg cell—no larger than a pinpoint—is fertilized by a male sperm cell 1/85,000 the size of that egg cell. From the union of those two tiny particles there matures in time a complete human, inheriting qualities from both parents according to the composite “blueprint” (DNA) formed at the time the cells united. Modern architects sometimes fill large volumes with blueprints of a building under construction, but God could incorporate the “blueprint” for making an entire human being—far more complicated than any building—in a cell that is almost invisible. Speaking of this “blueprint” for a human person, King David acknowledges that Jehovah is able to see all things, including the infinitely small:
“You kept me screened off in the belly of my mother. Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book all its parts were down in writing, as regards the days when they were formed and there was not yet one among them. So, to me how precious your thoughts are! O God, how much does the grand sum of them amount to!”—Psalm 139:13, 16, 17.
11. For what capabilities of the human brain should we thank God?
11 True, God’s thoughts are precious! And we can be most thankful that God has given us a brain that is capable of thinking his thoughts. What a magnificent organ this is! The human brain contains a memory system so efficient and so intricate that, if man himself constructed an electronic computer to do the same work, it would need to be as large as the Empire State Building in New York city.a Truly, Jehovah knows how to economize on space! Also, according to biochemists, the capacity of the human brain far exceeds that of animal brains. It is estimated to have the awesome capability of storing a thousand million times more information than a person now stores in a lifetime of seventy to eighty years. In harmony with His purpose for man to live on earth forever, God gave him a brain that could keep on memorizing new items for eternity! How important to keep filling our minds with “praiseworthy” thoughts!—Philippians 4:8.
GOD’S PURPOSE IN CREATING MAN
12. (a) What was God’s purpose in creating man? (b) Despite mankind’s ruinous ways, what will this earth become, and when? (Isaiah 65:17, 18)
12 God had a purpose in creating man, and it should be our desire to live in harmony with that purpose. At the time that Jehovah created the human pair, he blessed them, and told them:
“Be fruitful and become many and 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 upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
However, what do we see today, six thousand years later? In some areas, the earth has become filled with humankind, but for the most part they do not acknowledge dependence on their Creator, Jehovah God, nor do they worship him. And rather than subdue the earth, in a large measure they are polluting and ruining it, along with much of its animal life. However, we can be thankful that God has declared his determination to bring to “ruin those ruining the earth” and to have all earth transformed into his purposed glorious paradise by the end of his great ‘rest day.’—Revelation 11:18.
13. For what glorious prospect can we be thankful? (Psalm 145:11, 15, 16)
13 Truly there are marvelous prospects for the future of “spaceship Earth”! And for man upon it! According to God’s grand purpose, his ‘rest day’ will end with the earth transformed into a paradise, populated by a righteous human race that has in subjection all other created earthly souls. We can thank Jehovah that he created “man in his image,” and that he provides for us so wonderfully here on earth—now, and on into limitless time.—Genesis 1:27.
[Footnotes]
a The World Book Encyclopedia, 1973, Vol. 2, p. 459.
[Picture on page 66]
Earth excels in every respect any spaceship of men
[Picture on page 69]
A great gulf separates God’s human creation from the animals, proving “evolution” to be false
[Picture on page 73]
A computer with memory equaling man’s would fill a skyscraper |
Examining the Scriptures—2023
2022 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/examining-the-scriptures/examining-the-scriptures-2023 | June
Thursday, June 1
A poor widow came and dropped in two small coins of very little value.—Mark 12:42.
Life is very difficult for the widow; she likely struggles to obtain the basic necessities of life. Yet, she goes to one of the chests and discreetly puts in two small coins, which perhaps hardly make a sound as they are dropped into the chest. Jesus knows what she deposited—two lepta coins, the smallest coins in circulation at the time. That is not even enough money to buy a single sparrow, among the cheapest birds sold for food. Jesus is deeply impressed by this widow. So he calls his disciples, draws their attention to the widow, and says: “This poor widow put in more than all the others.” Then he explains: “They [especially the rich people] all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43, 44) When this faithful widow gave her last bit of money that day, she was putting her life in Jehovah’s caring hands.—Ps. 26:3. w21.04 6 ¶17-18
Friday, June 2
Look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.—Acts 5:28.
Jesus maintained a positive attitude throughout his ministry on earth, and he wants his followers to remain positive about the ministry as well. (John 4:35, 36) While Jesus was with his disciples, they were enthusiastic about the preaching work. (Luke 10:1, 5-11, 17) With the arrest and death of Jesus, however, the disciples temporarily lost their desire to preach. (John 16:32) After his resurrection, Jesus urged them to focus on preaching. And after his ascension to heaven, they preached with so much zeal that their enemies complained as noted in today’s text. Jesus directed the work done by those first-century Christians, and Jehovah blessed them with growth. At Pentecost 33 C.E., for example, about 3,000 got baptized. (Acts 2:41) And the number of disciples continued to grow dramatically. (Acts 6:7) Still, Jesus foretold that the preaching work would have even greater success in the last days.—John 14:12; Acts 1:8. w21.05 14 ¶1-2
Saturday, June 3
Happy is the one who finds no cause for stumbling in me.—Matt. 11:6.
Do you remember the moment when you first realized that you had found the truth? You felt that everyone would want to accept the things you had come to believe. You were convinced that the Bible’s message would give them a meaningful life now and a wonderful hope for the future. (Ps. 119:105) So you enthusiastically shared the truths you had found with all your friends and relatives. But what happened? To your surprise, many rejected what you told them. None of us should be surprised when others reject the message we preach. In Jesus’ day, the majority rejected him, even though he performed miracles, proving that he had God’s backing. For example, Jesus resurrected Lazarus—a miracle that those who opposed him could not deny. Nevertheless, the Jewish leaders did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. They even wanted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus!—John 11:47, 48, 53; 12:9-11. w21.05 2 ¶1-2
Sunday, June 4
[Do] not [forsake] our meeting together, . . . but [encourage] one another.—Heb. 10:25.
Strive to attend meetings regularly. You will benefit from the encouraging program, and you can also get to know your brothers and sisters. Seek out friends in the congregation whom you can learn from, even those whose age or background is different from yours. The Bible reminds us that wisdom is “found among the aged.” (Job 12:12) Older ones can learn much from faithful younger ones too. David was much younger than Jonathan, but that did not prevent them from enjoying a close friendship. (1 Sam. 18:1) David and Jonathan helped each other to serve Jehovah despite serious challenges. (1 Sam. 23:16-18) “Our brothers and sisters can really become our spiritual parents or siblings,” says Irina, a sister who is currently the only Witness in her family. “Jehovah can use them to fill our need.” Your friends want to encourage and support you, yet they need you to let them know how they can do so. w21.06 10-11 ¶9-11
Monday, June 5
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.
Jesus gave an illustration about a king and his slave. The king canceled a large debt that the slave could never repay. Later, that same slave was unwilling to cancel the much smaller debt of his fellow slave. In the end, the king threw that merciless slave into prison. The slave’s actions harmed not only him but others too. First, he heartlessly harmed his fellow slave by having him “thrown into prison until he could pay back what he owed.” Second, he hurt other slaves who observed what he had done. When his “fellow slaves saw what had happened, they became greatly distressed.” (Matt. 18:30, 31) Similarly, our actions affect others. If someone wrongs us and we refuse to forgive him, what can happen? First, we hurt him by denying him our forgiveness, attention, and affection. Second, we make others in the congregation uncomfortable when they notice that we are not at peace with that person. w21.06 22 ¶11-12
Tuesday, June 6
[He will] bring to ruin those ruining the earth.—Rev. 11:18.
Satan loves to degrade humans, who were created in God’s image. When God “saw that man’s wickedness was great” in Noah’s day, “Jehovah regretted that he had made men on the earth, and he felt hurt at his heart.” (Gen. 6:5, 6, ftn., 11) Have conditions improved since then? Certainly not! How pleased the Devil must be when he sees the prevalence of sexual immorality in all its forms, including immoral acts between people of the opposite sex and people of the same sex! (Eph. 4:18, 19) Satan is especially happy when he can cause those who practice true worship to fall into sin. Under Satan’s rule, not only is man ‘dominating man to his harm’ but he is also mismanaging the earth and the animal creation that Jehovah entrusted to man’s care. (Eccl. 8:9; Gen. 1:28) The result? Some experts warn that human actions could push one million more species to extinction in the next few years. w21.07 12 ¶13-14
Wednesday, June 7
[Jehovah] will forgive in a large way.—Isa. 55:7.
Some servants of God have become overwhelmed by guilt because of past mistakes. Their self-condemning heart convinces them that Jehovah could never forgive them—no matter how repentant they are. If you deal with such feelings, learning about God’s willingness to extend loyal love to his servants will help you to serve Jehovah joyfully with a clean conscience. This is possible because “the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) When you are discouraged about some imperfection, call to mind that Jehovah is willing, yes, eager to forgive a repentant sinner. Note the connection that the psalmist David made between loyal love and forgiveness. He wrote: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so great is his loyal love toward those who fear him. As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions.”—Ps. 103:11, 12. w21.11 5-6 ¶12-13
Thursday, June 8
Her children rise up and declare her happy; her husband rises up and praises her.—Prov. 31:28.
A Christian husband must show honor to his wife. (1 Pet. 3:7) Honor involves giving special attention and respect to others. For example, a husband honors his wife by dignifying her. He does not ask more of her than she can give. And he certainly does not compare her with other women. If he were to do so, what effect might such a comparison have? The non-Witness husband of a sister named Rosa often compares her with other women. His cruel words have done more than undermine Rosa’s self-confidence. She says, “I need constant reassurance that Jehovah values me.” In contrast, a Christian husband assigns honor to his wife. He knows that his doing so affects both his relationship with her and his relationship with Jehovah. A husband who honors his wife praises her, reassures her of his love, and commends her. w21.07 22 ¶7-8
Friday, June 9
I will show a waiting attitude.—Mic. 7:7.
Do you feel disappointed when a package containing an item that you really need does not arrive when you are expecting it? But if you learn that there are good reasons why, would you not likely be patient and willing to wait? An example that illustrates the need for patience is recorded at Proverbs 13:11. It says: “Wealth quickly gained will dwindle, but the wealth of the one who gathers it little by little will increase.” Do you see the principle? There is wisdom in doing things patiently, one step at a time. Proverbs 4:18 tells us that “the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light that grows brighter and brighter until full daylight.” These words aptly apply to the way in which Jehovah reveals his purpose to his people—gradually. However, the verse can also be applied to the way in which a Christian makes spiritual progress in his life. Spiritual growth cannot be rushed. It takes time. w21.08 8 ¶1, 3-4
Saturday, June 10
Here I am! Send me!—Isa. 6:8.
We have a lot of work to do as this system nears its end. (Matt. 24:14; Luke 10:2; 1 Pet. 5:2) We all want to serve Jehovah as fully as we can. Many are expanding their ministry. Some hope to serve as pioneers. Others hope to serve at Bethel or share in the construction of theocratic facilities. And numerous brothers are reaching out to qualify as a ministerial servant or an elder. (1 Tim. 3:1, 8) How pleased Jehovah must be to see this willing spirit among his people! (Ps. 110:3) But are you discouraged because you have not yet reached a certain spiritual goal? If so, share your concerns with Jehovah. (Ps. 37:5-7) In addition, ask mature brothers for suggestions on how you can improve in your service to God, and then try your best to apply their counsel. If you do, you may well receive that privilege or reach that goal. w21.08 20 ¶1; 21 ¶4
Sunday, June 11
Jehovah . . . will not abandon his loyal ones.—Ps. 37:28.
The widowed prophetess Anna was 84 years old but was “never missing from the temple.” Her faithful “meeting attendance” was richly rewarded when on one occasion she saw the infant Jesus. (Luke 2:36-38) In modern times, many faithful older ones serve as excellent examples for younger ones. We will benefit greatly when we take the time to draw them out and listen as they tell about the joys they have experienced in Jehovah’s organization. Our older brothers and sisters have an important role in Jehovah’s arrangement. They have seen how Jehovah has in many different ways blessed his organization and them personally. They have learned important lessons from mistakes they have made. View them as a “fountain of wisdom,” and draw on their experience. (Prov. 18:4) If you take the time to get to know them, your faith can be strengthened. w21.09 3 ¶4; 4 ¶7-8; 5 ¶11, 13
Monday, June 12
The little one will become a thousand and the small one a mighty nation.—Isa. 60:22.
As Isaiah expressed it, “the milk of nations” is being made available to Jehovah’s people. (Isa. 60:5, 16) With the various skills and abilities of the precious men and women coming into the truth, the preaching work is being carried out in 240 countries and literature is being produced in over 1,000 languages. In this time of the end, the shaking of the nations is forcing people to make a decision. Will they support God’s Kingdom, or will they place their confidence in the governments of this world? This is the choice that all will face. Although Jehovah’s people obey the laws of the government of the land in which they live, they remain completely neutral with regard to the politics of this world. (Rom. 13:1-7) They know that the Kingdom is the only true solution to mankind’s problems. That Kingdom is no part of this world.—John 18:36, 37. w21.09 17-18 ¶13-14
Tuesday, June 13
Pour out your hearts before him.—Ps. 62:8.
When someone you love leaves Jehovah, it is vital that you continue strengthening yourself and other family members. How can you do so? Draw strength from Jehovah by maintaining a routine of reading God’s Word and meditating on it as well as attending Christian meetings. Joanna, whose father and sister left the truth, says: “I feel a calm come over me when I read about such Bible characters as Abigail, Esther, Job, Joseph, and Jesus. Their examples feed my heart and mind with positive thoughts that soothe the pain.” When you experience distressing feelings, do not stop praying to Jehovah. Beg our loving God to help you view the situation from his perspective and to “give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go.” (Ps. 32:6-8) Of course, it may be very painful to tell Jehovah how you really feel. But Jehovah fully understands your pain of heart. He urges you to pour out your heart to him.—Ex. 34:6; Ps. 62:7. w21.09 28 ¶9-10
Wednesday, June 14
This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved. Listen to him.—Matt. 17:5.
After the Passover of 32 C.E., the apostles Peter, James, and John witnessed an amazing vision. On a lofty mountain, possibly a spur of Mount Hermon, Jesus was transfigured before them. “His face shone as the sun, and his outer garments became brilliant as the light.” (Matt. 17:1-4) The apostles heard God say: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved. Listen to him.” The three apostles proved by their life course that they did listen to Jesus. We want to imitate their example. How grateful we are that Jehovah provides us with loving direction through the “head of the congregation,” Jesus Christ! (Eph. 5:23) May we be determined to “listen to him,” as were the apostles Peter, James, and John. By doing so, we will receive many blessings now and unending happiness in the future. w21.12 22 ¶1; 27 ¶19
Thursday, June 15
I will discipline you to the proper degree.—Jer. 30:11.
A Christian in Corinth was living immorally with his father’s wife. The apostle Paul directed the Corinthians to disfellowship him. That man’s immoral conduct was affecting others in the congregation, some of whom were not even ashamed of his outrageous behavior! (1 Cor. 5:1, 2, 13) Sometime later, Paul learned that the sinner was truly repentant! Paul told the elders: “Kindly forgive and comfort him.” Note Paul’s reason: “So that he may not be overwhelmed by excessive sadness.” Paul felt pity for the repentant man. The apostle did not want to see the man so overwhelmed, so crushed, by what he did that he would give up on seeking forgiveness. (2 Cor. 2:5-8, 11) In imitation of Jehovah, the elders love to show mercy. They show firmness when necessary but mercy when possible if there is a real basis for it. Otherwise, it is not mercy but permissiveness. w21.10 11-12 ¶12-15
Friday, June 16
You must not take vengeance nor hold a grudge.—Lev. 19:18.
Hurt feelings can be likened to physical wounds. Some are minor; others are serious. For example, when we open an envelope, we might get a slight paper cut on our finger. That can really hurt, but after a day or two, perhaps we do not even recall where the cut was. Similarly, some offenses are minor. For example, a friend may say or do something thoughtless that hurts us, but we are able to forgive him easily. But if we have a deeper wound, a doctor may have to stitch the wound and bind it in bandages. If we were to keep poking or picking at the wound, we would only harm ourselves. Sadly, a person might be doing something similar when he is deeply offended. He may constantly think about the emotional injury he suffered and the hurt the other person caused him. But those who hold a grudge hurt only themselves. How much better it is to obey the counsel found in today’s text. w21.12 12 ¶15
Saturday, June 17
Why do you judge your brother?—Rom. 14:10.
Suppose an elder is concerned about a fellow believer’s choices in dress or grooming. The elder could ask himself, ‘Is there a Scriptural reason to say something?’ Conscious of the need to be objective, he might ask another elder or mature publisher for his thoughts. Together they might review Paul’s counsel on dress and grooming. (1 Tim. 2:9, 10) Paul outlined certain broad principles, observing that a Christian’s dress should be appropriate, modest, and sensible. But Paul did not make a list of dos and don’ts. He recognized that Christians have a right to express their individual taste within Scriptural limits. So the elders should consider if the person’s choices reflect modesty and good sense. We do well to realize that two mature Christians may make different choices, both of which are acceptable. We should not impose our own standards of right and wrong on fellow believers. w22.02 16 ¶9-10
Sunday, June 18
Deal with one another in loyal love and mercy.—Zech. 7:9.
We have good reasons to show loyal love to one another. What are some of them? Note how the following inspired proverbs answer that question: “Do not let loyal love and faithfulness leave you. . . . Then you will find favor and good insight in the eyes of God and man.” “A man of loyal love benefits himself.” “Whoever pursues righteousness and loyal love will find life.” (Prov. 3:3, 4; 11:17, ftn.; 21:21) These proverbs mention three reasons why we should show loyal love. First, showing loyal love makes us precious in God’s eyes. Second, by showing loyal love, we benefit ourselves. For instance, we forge lasting friendships with others. Third, pursuing loyal love leads to future blessings, including everlasting life. Indeed, we have good reasons for heeding Jehovah’s reminder: “Deal with one another in loyal love and mercy.” w21.11 8 ¶1-2
Monday, June 19
Give us more faith.—Luke 17:5.
If your trials, past or present, have exposed a weakness in your faith, do not be discouraged. See this as an opportunity to strengthen your faith. Pray fervently to Jehovah, especially when facing a crisis. Recognize that Jehovah may provide the needed help by means of family or friends. When you allow Jehovah to help you get through your present trials, you will become more confident that he will help you endure any trials you may face in the future. Jesus pointed out areas where his disciples lacked faith, but he never doubted that with Jehovah’s help they would pass future tests successfully. (John 14:1; 16:33) He was confident that strong faith would allow a great crowd to survive the coming great tribulation. (Rev. 7:9, 14) You will be among them if you take advantage of every opportunity now to develop and strengthen your faith!—Heb. 10:39. w21.11 25 ¶18-19
Tuesday, June 20
The angel of Jehovah camps all around those fearing Him.—Ps. 34:7.
We do not expect to receive miraculous protection today. But we know that no one who puts his trust in Jehovah will suffer everlasting harm. In the near future, our trust in Jehovah’s ability to protect us will be put to the test. When Gog of Magog, a coalition of nations, attacks God’s people, our lives will appear to be in danger. We will need to be convinced that Jehovah can and will deliver us. To the nations, we will seem like defenseless sheep with no one to protect us. (Ezek. 38:10-12) We will be unarmed, untrained in warfare. The nations will see us as easy targets. They will not see what we see with our eyes of faith—a host of angels camped all around God’s people, ready to defend us. How could the nations see them? They have no spiritual vision. What a surprise is in store for them when the heavenly armies come to our aid!—Rev. 19:11, 14, 15. w22.01 6 ¶12-13
Wednesday, June 21
Have love for the whole association of brothers.—1 Pet. 2:17.
All our brothers and sisters are important to Jehovah, so they should also be important to us. We should be willing to do whatever we can to protect and care for them. If we learn that we have hurt or offended someone, we should not simply brush it off, concluding that the person is too sensitive and needs to get over it. Why might some become offended? Perhaps because of their background, some brothers and sisters have a very low opinion of themselves. Others are new in the truth; they have not yet learned how to deal with people’s imperfections. Whatever the case, we should do what we can to make things right. Additionally, though, a person who is often offended by others needs to recognize that this is an undesirable personality trait that he needs to work on. He needs to do that for his own peace of mind and for the well-being of others. w21.06 21 ¶7
Thursday, June 22
Jehovah is near to all those calling on him, to all who call on him in truth.—Ps. 145:18.
Jesus sympathizes with your feelings. When we are distraught, how happy we are to be comforted by a sympathetic friend, especially one who has faced trials similar to ours. Jesus is that friend. He knows what it is like to feel weak and in need of help. He understands our makeup, and he will see to it that we receive the support we need “at the right time.” (Heb. 4:15, 16) Just as Jesus accepted help from an angel in the garden of Gethsemane, we should be willing to accept the help Jehovah provides, whether it is in the form of a publication, a video, a talk, or an encouraging visit from an elder or a mature friend. (Luke 22:39-44) Jehovah will give you “the peace of God” and strengthen you. When we pray, we will receive “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.”—Phil. 4:6, 7. w22.01 18-19 ¶17-19
Friday, June 23
They would deliver . . . the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles.—Acts 16:4.
Jehovah always does what is right. The challenge for us, however, might be to trust in his human representatives. We might wonder whether those with a measure of authority in Jehovah’s organization really act according to Jehovah’s direction or their own. The plain truth is that we cannot say that we trust in Jehovah if we do not trust in his earthly representatives—those whom Jehovah trusts. Today Jehovah leads the earthly part of his organization by means of “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45) Like the first-century governing body, this slave oversees God’s people worldwide and gives direction to congregation elders. The elders, in turn, implement the direction in the congregations. We show that we trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things by heeding the direction we receive from the organization and the elders. w22.02 4 ¶7-8
Saturday, June 24
Let us not give up in doing what is fine.—Gal. 6:9.
What joy and honor we have as Jehovah’s Witnesses! We rejoice when we can help someone who is “rightly disposed for everlasting life” to become a believer. (Acts 13:48) We share the feelings of Jesus, who “became overjoyed in the holy spirit” when his disciples returned from a successful preaching campaign. (Luke 10:1, 17, 21) The apostle Paul urged Timothy: “Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching.” Paul added: “By doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” (1 Tim. 4:16) So lives are at stake. We pay constant attention to ourselves because we are subjects of God’s Kingdom. We always want to act in a way that brings praise to Jehovah and is in harmony with the good news that we preach. (Phil. 1:27) We show that we are ‘paying attention to our teaching’ by preparing well for the ministry and by asking for Jehovah’s blessing before we witness to others. w21.10 24 ¶1-2
Sunday, June 25
Clothe yourselves with the new personality.—Col. 3:10.
“The new personality” is a way of thinking and acting that reflects Jehovah’s personality. A person clothes himself with the new personality by manifesting the fruitage of God’s spirit, allowing holy spirit to influence his thoughts, feelings, and actions. For example, he loves Jehovah and His people. (Matt. 22:36-39) Such a person maintains his joy even when coping with trials. (Jas. 1:2-4) He is a peacemaker. (Matt. 5:9) He is patient and kind when dealing with others. (Col. 3:13) He loves what is good and does it. (Luke 6:35) He proves by his actions that he has strong faith in his heavenly Father. (Jas. 2:18) He remains mild when provoked and exercises self-control when tempted. (1 Cor. 9:25, 27; Titus 3:2) To put on the new personality, we need to develop all the qualities mentioned at Galatians 5:22, 23 and in other Bible passages. w22.03 8-9 ¶3-4
Monday, June 26
Become imitators of me.—1 Cor. 11:1.
Elders can imitate the apostle Paul not only by preaching from door to door but also by being ready and willing to give a witness on every occasion. (Eph. 6:14, 15) Like Paul, elders can use the time spent in the ministry to train others, including ministerial servants. (1 Pet. 5:1, 2) But elders should never be so busy caring for assignments that they have no time for the preaching work. (Matt. 28:19, 20) To remain balanced, they may on occasion need to say no to some assignments. After prayerful consideration, they may realize that they could not care for an assignment without neglecting the more important things, such as conducting family worship, having a full share in the preaching work, or training their children in that activity. They can be sure that Jehovah understands their desire to be balanced in all things. w22.03 27 ¶4, 7; 28 ¶8
Tuesday, June 27
Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.—Matt. 10:28.
Do you remember feeling a bit afraid of becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? Perhaps you felt that you would never be able to preach publicly. Or maybe you feared that your family or friends might oppose you. If so, you can sympathize with your Bible student when he feels the same. Jesus acknowledged that such fears are possible. However, he urged his followers not to let fear stop them from serving Jehovah. (Matt. 10:16, 17, 27) Progressively train your Bible student to share his faith. Jesus’ disciples may have felt nervous when he sent them out to preach. But Jesus helped them by telling them where to preach and what their message was to be. (Matt. 10:5-7) How can you imitate Jesus? Help your student to see where he can preach. For example, ask him if he knows someone who could benefit from learning a specific Bible truth. Then help him to prepare what to say by showing him a simple way to share that truth. w21.06 6 ¶15-16
Wednesday, June 28
I will shake all the nations, and the precious things of all the nations will come in.—Hag. 2:7.
“Within minutes, the shops and old buildings started falling.” “There was panic everywhere . . . A lot of people said it lasted for about two minutes. To me, it seemed like forever.” Those are the comments of some who survived an earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015. We are, however, at this very moment experiencing a different kind of shaking—one that involves all the nations. The prophet Haggai wrote: “This is what Jehovah of armies says, ‘Yet once more—in a little while—and I will shake the heavens and the earth.’” (Hag. 2:6) The shaking that Haggai describes is not like a literal earthquake, which brings only destruction. Instead, it produces good results. Jehovah himself tells us: “I will shake all the nations, and the precious things of all the nations will come in; and I will fill this house with glory.” w21.09 14 ¶1-3
Thursday, June 29
You are the ones who have stuck with me in my trials.—Luke 22:28.
A solid friendship with a fellow human is based on frequent and heartfelt communication. The same is true of our friendship with Jehovah. When we express our feelings, thoughts, and concerns to him in prayer, we demonstrate that we have confidence in him and that we know he loves us. (Ps. 94:17-19; 1 John 5:14, 15) Associate with loyal friends; they are a gift from Jehovah. (Jas. 1:17) Our heavenly Father shows personal interest in us by providing us with a spiritual family of brothers and sisters who show “love at all times.” (Prov. 17:17) In his letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul mentioned certain Christians who had supported him, referring to them as “a source of great comfort.” (Col. 4:10, 11) Even Christ Jesus needed and appreciated the support he received from his friends, both angelic and human. (Luke 22:43) Sharing our concerns with a mature friend is not a sign of weakness; it can be a safeguard. w21.04 24-25 ¶14-16
Friday, June 30
[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.—1 Cor. 13:7.
What should you do if a fellow believer has acted in a way that is very troubling to you? Make every effort to maintain peace. Turn to Jehovah in earnest prayer. Ask him to bless the person who offended you and to help you see the good qualities in that person—the very qualities that Jehovah loves about him. (Luke 6:28) If you cannot overlook what your brother has done, consider how you should approach him. It is always best to assume that the brother would never intentionally hurt you. (Matt. 5:23, 24) When you speak to him, give him the benefit of the doubt. What if he does not want to make peace? “Continue putting up with” him. Do not give up on your brother. (Col. 3:13) Most important, never hold on to resentment, for that could harm your friendship with Jehovah. Never allow anything to stumble you. In doing so, you prove that you love Jehovah more than anything else.—Ps. 119:165. w21.06 23 ¶15 |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Friendship With the World
Who controls the world of unbelieving mankind?
Eph 2:2; 1Jo 5:19
Relevant Bible account(s):
Lu 4:5-8—Satan offers worldly rulership to Jesus, and Jesus does not deny that Satan has such authority
How would wanting to be a friend of the world affect our relationship with Jehovah?
Jas 4:4; 1Jo 2:15, 16
See also Jas 1:27
Relevant Bible account(s):
2Ch 18:1-3; 19:1, 2—Good King Jehoshaphat is rebuked for allying himself with King Ahab, whom Jehovah has judged as wicked
How does a proper view of this world affect our choice of associations?
See “Associations”
Why do we shun the world’s attitude toward material things?
See “Materialism”
Why do we shun the world’s view of immoral fleshly desires?
Ga 5:19-21; 1Th 4:3-5; 1Pe 1:14, 15; 2:11
Why do Christians avoid idolizing men, women, and organizations?
Mt 4:10; Ro 1:25; 1Co 10:14
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ac 12:21-23—Jehovah strikes down King Herod Agrippa I because he accepts idolatrous adulation
Re 22:8, 9—A mighty angel refuses to allow the apostle John to bow down to him, insisting that worship go to Jehovah alone
Why do Christians remain neutral regarding politics and nationalism?
See “Governments—Christians Remain Neutral”
Why do Christians refuse to get involved with other religions?
See “Interfaith”
Why do Christians refuse to compromise on Jehovah’s standards?
Lu 10:16; Col 2:8; 1Th 4:7, 8; 2Ti 4:3-5
See also Lu 7:30
Why does this world often hate and persecute Christ’s followers?
Joh 15:18-20; 17:9, 14, 16
Why is it unwise to become attached to this world?
Isa 65:17; 1Jo 2:17
How do Christians show love and kindness to those who do not serve Jehovah?
Ro 12:18-20; Ga 6:10
Why should Christians respect secular laws, rulers, and officials?
Mt 22:21; Ro 13:1-7
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ac 25:8; 26:2, 25—The apostle Paul is obedient to secular laws and respectful toward rulers |
The Miniature Mansions of Istanbul | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102011011 | The Miniature Mansions of Istanbul
● Wooden birdhouses are seen in many parts of the world. They are ideal places for birds to feed, keep warm, make a nest, raise young, and gain protection from predators and the elements. In Istanbul, birdhouses have been designed to look like full-size structures. Some resemble mansions; others mosques or palaces.a They are known as pigeonries, bird mansions, and even sparrow palaces.
The oldest of these birdhouses date at least as far back as the 15th century, and they incorporate Ottoman architecture. They are simple structures, but starting in the 18th century, birdhouses became grand, luxurious residences. Some had receptacles for food and water, walkways, and even balconies where the birds could, as it were, take in the view. These houses were usually positioned on the side of the building that got the most sun and provided the best shelter from the wind—far away from the reach of cats, dogs, and people. Sometimes these features were added not just for the sake of the birds but to decorate the building as part of its overall design. Birdhouses can be seen on the sides of mosques, large and small, as well as on public drinking fountains, libraries, bridges, and private homes.
Sadly, many of those miniature mansions have deteriorated under the constant barrage of the elements, while others have been intentionally destroyed by people who did not recognize their value. Birdhouses are seen less and less. However, if you visit Istanbul and you have a taste for historical architecture, see if you can spot these delicate little structures nestled in the eaves. Now that you know what they are, noticing these miniature mansions will enrich your visit to the city.
[Footnote]
a Although realistic, these birdhouses are not usually modeled after specific buildings. |
ILLUSTRATED BIBLE STORIES
Jehovah Forgives Freely | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502017168 | ILLUSTRATED BIBLE STORIES
Jehovah Forgives Freely
King Manasseh did some very bad things, but Jehovah forgave him. Why?
Read the illustrated story online or from a printed PDF.
Download
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Should We Worship Images? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013270 | Should We Worship Images?
The Bible’s answer
No, we should not. Describing the laws that God gave to the nation of Israel, the New Catholic Encyclopedia notes: “From various Biblical accounts it is evident that the true worship of God was devoid of images.” Consider these Bible verses:
“You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Exodus 20:4, 5) Since God requires “exclusive devotion,” he is not pleased if we praise or worship images, pictures, idols, icons, statues, or symbols.
“I will not let statues take the praise that should be mine.” (Isaiah 42:8, Easy-to-Read Version) God rejects worship given to him through images. When some Israelites tried to worship him using a statue of a calf, God said that they had committed “a terrible sin.”—Exodus 32:7-9, Easy-to-Read Version.
“We ought not to imagine that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, like something sculptured by the art and contrivance of man.” (Acts 17:29) In contrast to pagan worship, which often uses images “sculptured by the art and contrivance of man,” Christians should be “walking by faith, not by sight,” as the Bible says.—2 Corinthians 5:7.
“Guard yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21) In commands given both to the nation of Israel and to Christians, the Bible consistently exposes as a myth the teaching that God approves of the use of images and icons in worship. |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
How Can I Deal With a Breakup? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502017130 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
How Can I Deal With a Breakup?
“After my girlfriend and I broke up,” says Steven, “I had what I can only describe as a meltdown. It was the most intense emotional pain I’ve felt in my life.”
Have you had a similar experience? If so, this article can help you.
How it feels
What you can do
How it feels
A breakup is bound to cause pain for both parties involved.
If you initiated the breakup, perhaps you can relate to Jasmine, who says, “Knowing that I hurt someone I cared about was a burden on my conscience that I hope never to carry again.”
If you did not initiate the breakup, you probably understand why some have called the experience a mini-death. “I actually went through the stages of grieving,” says a young woman named Janet, “including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally—nearly a year later—acceptance.”
The bottom line: A breakup can leave you feeling downhearted and despondent. As one Bible writer put it: “A crushed spirit saps one’s strength.”—Proverbs 17:22.
What you can do
Talk to a mature confidant. The Bible says: “A true friend shows love at all times, and is a brother who is born for times of distress.” (Proverbs 17:17) Pouring out your feelings to a parent or a mature friend can help you gain perspective.
“For months I isolated myself and didn’t talk to anyone about my feelings. But friends can help the healing process. It wasn’t until I opened up to them that I found a measure of relief.”—Janet.
Learn from what happened. Another Bible proverb says: “Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding.” (Proverbs 4:5) Unpleasant experiences can teach us a lot about ourselves and how we handle disappointment.
“After the breakup, a friend asked me, ‘What did you learn from the relationship, and how can you use what you learned when you date someone in the future?’”—Steven.
Pray. The Bible says: “Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22) Prayer can help you work through your grief and view the breakup from a different perspective.
“Pray constantly. Jehovah understands your pain and knows the situation better than you do.”—Marcia.
Help other people. The Bible says: “Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) The more you get involved with helping others, the sooner you will be able to see the breakup in perspective.
“A breakup feels like the end of the world, and it hurts worse than physical pain. But I found that it does get better. I just had to give it time and let myself heal.”—Evelyn. |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 66
At the Festival of Tabernacles
JESUS has become famous during the nearly three years since his baptism. Many thousands have seen his miracles, and reports about his activities have spread throughout the country. Now, as the people gather for the Festival of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, they look for him there. “Where is that man?” they want to know.
Jesus has become a subject of controversy. “He is a good man,” some say. “He is not, but he misleads the crowd,” others assert. There is a lot of subdued talk of this sort during the opening days of the festival. Yet no one has the courage to speak out publicly in Jesus’ behalf. This is because the people fear reprisal from the Jewish leaders.
When the festival is half over, Jesus arrives. He goes up to the temple, where the people are amazed at his marvelous teaching ability. Since Jesus never attended the rabbinical schools, the Jews fall to wondering: “How does this man have a knowledge of letters, when he has not studied at the schools?”
“What I teach is not mine,” Jesus explains, “but belongs to him that sent me. If anyone desires to do His will, he will know concerning the teaching whether it is from God or I speak of my own originality.” Jesus’ teaching holds closely to God’s law. Thus, it should be obvious that he is seeking God’s glory, not his own. “Moses gave you the Law, did he not?” Jesus asks. By way of rebuke, he says: “Not one of you obeys the Law.”
“Why are you seeking to kill me?” Jesus then asks.
The people in the crowd, probably visitors to the festival, are unaware of such efforts. They consider it inconceivable that anyone would want to kill such a wonderful teacher. So they believe that something must be wrong with Jesus for him to think this. “You have a demon,” they say. “Who is seeking to kill you?”
The Jewish leaders want Jesus killed, even though the crowd may not realize it. When Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath a year and a half before, the leaders tried to kill him. So Jesus now points up their unreasonableness by asking them: “If a man receives circumcision on a sabbath in order that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you violently angry at me because I made a man completely sound in health on a sabbath? Stop judging from the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
Inhabitants of Jerusalem, who are aware of the situation, now say: “This is the man they are seeking to kill, is it not? And yet, see! he is speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. The rulers have not come to know for a certainty that this is the Christ, have they?” These residents of Jerusalem explain why they do not believe that Jesus is the Christ: “We know where this man is from; yet when the Christ comes, no one is to know where he is from.”
Jesus answers: “You both know me and know where I am from. Also, I have not come of my own initiative, but he that sent me is real, and you do not know him. I know him, because I am a representative from him, and that One sent me forth.” At this they try to lay hold on him, perhaps to put him in prison or to have him killed. Yet they do not succeed because it is not time for Jesus to die.
Still, many put faith in Jesus, as indeed they should. Why, he has walked on water, calmed the winds, quieted stormy seas, miraculously fed thousands on a few loaves and fishes, cured the sick, made the lame walk, opened the eyes of the blind, cured lepers, and even raised the dead. So they ask: “When the Christ arrives, he will not perform more signs than this man has performed, will he?”
When the Pharisees hear the crowd murmuring these things, they and the chief priests send out officers to arrest Jesus. John 7:11-32.
▪ When does Jesus arrive at the festival, and what are people saying about him?
▪ Why may it be that some say Jesus has a demon?
▪ What view of Jesus do inhabitants of Jerusalem have?
▪ Why do many put faith in Jesus? |
Study Edition | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2022242 | Study Edition
JANUARY 2022
STUDY ARTICLES FOR: FEBRUARY 28–APRIL 3, 2022
© 2021 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
OUR YEARTEXT FOR 2022:
“Those seeking Jehovah will lack nothing good.”—PS. 34:10
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.
COVER PICTURE:
During the great tribulation, Gog of Magog’s forces may try to assault us in our homes. But we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus and his angels are aware of what is happening and will defend us (See study article 1, paragraph 13) |
World Government (go)
1977 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/go | Chapter 10
A “Great Crowd” Hails the Incoming World Government
1, 2. Before whom are all earthly nations now gathered?
ALL the nations of the earth, those inside the United Nations and those yet outside that world organization, are now gathered before God’s enthroned King, his Son Jesus Christ. This is just as the Son of God foretold it when he was on earth nineteen centuries ago. In the closing illustration set out in his prophecy that details “the sign of [his] presence [parousia] and of the conclusion of the system of things,” Jesus Christ said:
2 “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him.”—Matthew 25:31, 32.
3. How may some argue in objecting to the foregoing statement?
3 Many will contest the fulfillment of that inspired prophecy today, arguing that they do not see the more than four billion people of all nationalities, tribes and races gathered at some spacious place before a visible celestial throne with the Son of man, Jesus Christ, seated thereon, attended by “all the angels” of heaven. We agree with these objectors that they do not see such an international gathering. For one thing, how would all four billion inhabitants of earth get to such a gathering place, even if all the means of transportation that are available today were put at their disposal? Such a thing is out of the question, of course.
4. Why does such a gathering raise no problem for Jesus now?
4 However, the human astronauts who made six landings on the moon in recent years were able to see the earthrise and the earthset from the moon’s surface and also to see the entire revolving earthly globe as they traveled in their spacecraft between moon and earth. How much more so can the superhuman, glorified Jesus Christ take in the whole earthly scene from his throne far above the moon! Since his exaltation to his heavenly Father’s right hand in 33 C.E., he has always been able to do this. So, then, in what sense is it that all the nations are gathered before him since his enthronement in heaven at the close of the Gentile Times in 1914?
5. How have all nations been gathered before Christ enthroned?
5 Well, the situation has changed for the nations since their lease of world domination without interference by God’s universal sovereignty ran out in 1914. (Luke 21:24; Psalm 110:1, 2) When Jesus Christ turned his attention to the nations from then on, he did so as reigning Messianic King. (Revelation 11:15; 12:10) He now faces them and inspects them as to their attitude regarding submission to the rightful Messianic rule. They are all treated as one worldwide political system, like a corporate group, and, together, they face him and deal with him over the paramount issue of world domination. They now have to decide between national sovereignty and God’s universal sovereignty by his Messianic kingdom. Because of the “authority of his Christ,” God’s enthroned Son is now authorized to “shepherd all the nations with an iron rod” and to dash them to pieces in due time. (Revelation 12:5; 19:15; Psalm 2:8, 9) The doomed nations have now gathered together under the United Nations organization, but not to yield to Christ’s rule.
6. How have all nations been notified of their changed position?
6 All the nations have been put on notice of the change in their position before Jehovah God, the Appointer of the Gentile Times or “appointed times of the nations.” (Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32; Luke 21:24) How so? By Jehovah’s sending his Kingdom “ambassadors” to the nations, preaching ‘this good news of the kingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations,’ just as Jesus Christ foretold in Matthew 24:14. These Kingdom “ambassadors” are God’s “chosen ones,” the spiritual “brothers” of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20; John 20:17; Hebrews 2:11, 12) By such ambassadorial service and Kingdom proclamation to all the nations, they are gathered before God’s anointed King, Jesus Christ, who holds the scepter of iron. Already Jehovah’s Christian witnesses have introduced the Kingdom message into two hundred and ten lands, and, as a result of this, disciples of the King Jesus Christ are found to be active in all those lands. (Matthew 28:19, 20) In this way all the nations have been gathered together before the enthroned King as notified ones, on a common footing, under like responsibility.—Compare Matthew 24:31; Isaiah 43:9.
DIVIDING KINGDOM SUPPORTERS FROM NONSUPPORTERS
7, 8. (a) Does the King divide the nations as such according to political differences? (b) On what basis is the separation made?
7 How does “the Son of man” seated on his glorious heavenly throne deal with the nations thus gathered before him? In his illustration Jesus Christ goes on to say: “And he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.”—Matthew 25:31-33.
8 We should note that the King Jesus Christ does not separate the nations into two classes, one class against another class in political differences. Rather, he divides the people who live in those nations, thus allowing each person to make his own individual choice regardless of what the national government over him does. This separating work takes place during Christ’s invisible “presence” in Kingdom power and great glory. (Matthew 24:3, 37, 39, 40) On what basis does this separating work take place? On the basis of their support of Christ’s kingdom or their rejection of it. So, now, what kind of animal pictures the Kingdom supporters, and which kind the nonsupporters? Let us note:
9, 10. The sheeplike ones who are separated to the King’s right did what?
9 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world. For I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I got thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; naked, and you clothed me. I fell sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to me.’”—Matthew 25:34-36.
10 Thus the “sheep” picture the supporters of the Messianic kingdom that was prepared for suchlike ones from the founding of the world of mankind. But since the King Jesus Christ has not been visible in the flesh during his current “presence” in Kingdom power and glory, how have these sheeplike individuals done such things to him? His illustration goes on to say:
11. How does the King answer the questions of the “sheep”?
11 “Then the righteous ones will answer him with the words, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and receive you hospitably, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to you?’ And in reply the king will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”—Matthew 25:37-40.
12. How have the righteous “sheep” done these things, and why?
12 By the reference “my brothers,” the King Jesus Christ means “his chosen ones,” those who are “heirs indeed of God, but joint heirs with Christ.” (Matthew 24:31; Romans 8:17) Of these spiritual brothers, there is yet a small remnant left on earth. All of these have been diligently engaged in fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy, “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations,” for they know by the “sign” of Christ’s invisible “presence” or parousia that the kingdom of God is near at the doors. For doing this since the close of the Gentile Times in 1914, they have been the ones who have experienced hunger, thirst, nakedness, sickness, absence from home or homelessness, and even imprisonment merely for preaching “this good news of the kingdom.” (Matthew 24:14, 32, 33; Mark 13:9, 10; Luke 21:29-31) The “righteous” sheeplike ones come to the aid of the spiritual “brothers” of Christ because they are in favor of the Kingdom that these Christian “ambassadors” are preaching to them. They hail that kingdom as the rightful rulership for all mankind.
13, 14. (a) Like what non-Jews in the days of Queen Esther have these “sheep” become? (b) They become the King’s disciples, how?
13 They knowingly give aid for the furtherance of the Kingdom proclamation, because they pray for that world government and are in favor of it. That is why their aid to his spiritual “brothers” counts with the King Jesus Christ. They were long ago foreshadowed by the non-Jews who came to the aid of the imperiled Jews in the days of Queen Esther and Prime Minister Mordecai during the reign of Ahasuerus, emperor of Persia.—Esther 8:17; 9:3.
14 Consequently, to these the King’s promise applies: “Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink on the ground that you belong to Christ, I truly tell you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Mark 9:41) So now the righteous sheeplike relief-givers are rewarded with the privilege of joining the remnant of Christ’s “brothers” in preaching “this good news of the kingdom” world wide and sharing with the remnant in their sufferings for this cause. Actually they become “disciples” of Christ the King, making a dedication of themselves to the King’s heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and getting baptized in water in symbol of such a dedication.—Matthew 28:19, 20.
15. The “sheep” are blessed with what commission of service?
15 For this dedicated course of action, the righteous sheeplike ones are made emissaries of God’s Messianic kingdom, fully commissioned to preach this theocratic world government to persons of all tribes, nations, races and languages. Truly they become those “who have been blessed by [Christ’s] Father.”
16. How will the “sheep” inherit the Kingdom prepared long ago?
16 For their faithfulness to the universal sovereignty of the King’s Father they will be rewarded—not with an inheritance in the heavenly kingdom with Jesus Christ and his spiritual “brothers”—but with an inheritance in the earthly realm of the Messianic kingdom. The word “kingdom” is often used to mean the realm over which a kingdom rules. This Kingdom realm will be the earthly Paradise of which Jesus Christ spoke more than nineteen hundred years ago, shortly before his death on the stake, when he said to the dying sympathizer, “Truly I tell you today [Passover Day, 33 C.E.], You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) But when God drove Adam and Eve out of the paradise in Eden, he had this restored Paradise in mind, according to what he said in Genesis 3:15, and that was at the “founding of the world.”—Matthew 25:34.
NONSUPPORTERS OF THE INCOMING WORLD GOVERNMENT
17, 18. What judgment is pronounced on the “goats,” and why?
17 In contrast with the King’s invitation to “inherit the kingdom [realm] prepared for [the righteous sheep] from the founding of the world,” there is the judgment pronounced upon the symbolic “goats” of the illustration. Regarding these the parable goes on to say:
18 “Then he will say, in turn, to those on his left, ‘Be on your way from me, you who have been cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I became hungry, but you gave me nothing to eat, and I got thirsty, but you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, but you did not receive me hospitably; naked, but you did not clothe me; sick and in prison, but you did not look after me.’ Then they also will answer with the words, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them with the words, ‘Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did not do it to one of these least ones, you did not do it to me.’”—Matthew 25:41-45.
19. Does the King consider their conduct as ignorant neglect?
19 Here we might well ask, Does the King consider the matter as a mere unintentional oversight on the part of the “goat” class? Does he account their conduct as expressing merely ignorant neglect on their part? Certainly not, when we see that he calls these neglectful ones “cursed” and orders them to go off into the “everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.” The King must rate or judge them as being wicked, according to the Scriptural rule: “The curse of Jehovah is on the house of the wicked one, but the abiding place of the righteous ones he blesses.” (Proverbs 3:33) But why should the “goat” class be cursed for mere failure to come to the aid and relief of Christ’s “brothers”?
20, 21. If not knowing any rule, what did the “sheep” and “goats” know?
20 If we say that the symbolic “goats” were “cursed” and condemned to destruction with the Devil and his angels merely for ignorantly neglecting Christ’s “brothers,” then, logically, we must argue that the symbolic “sheep” were blessed and rewarded with a place in the Kingdom realm merely for ignorantly doing good to Christ’s “brothers.” What real merit would there be, then, in the good that the “sheep” did to Christ’s “brothers”? Or what demerit in the neglect that the “goats” did not realize that they were committing? Where, then, is the justice in rewarding the one ignorant class and punishing the other ignorant class? Justice is apparently nowhere in such treatment.
21 Let us grant that both classes were ignorant of the rule that what they did or did not do to Christ’s spiritual “brothers” they did or did not do to Christ himself. Still, they were not ignorant of the fact that they were dealing with his “brothers”! Why not?
22. To whom were Christ’s “brothers” to preach? With what reaction?
22 We have to take Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats along with what he said earlier in his prophecy on “the sign of [his] presence and of the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 24:3) He spoke of the approved work for his spiritual “brothers” when, at Matthew 24:14, he told them: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations.” Not just to the so-called Christian nations or to Christendom, but to “all the nations” in “all the inhabited earth.” Yet Jesus also told his spiritual “brothers”: “Then people will deliver you up to tribulation and will kill you, and you will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name.”—Matthew 24:9.
23. Does nonrecognition prove Christ’s “brothers” not to be such?
23 Hatred on account of his name means that Christ’s “brothers” would identify themselves by their preaching of “this good news of the kingdom” world wide and by their making disciples for him, baptizing these. (Matthew 28:19, 20) In general, the people or the national governments that these people support refuse to acknowledge that these preachers of the Kingdom “good news” are Christ’s spiritual “brothers.” But does this really disprove that they are actually Christ’s spiritual “brothers”? No!
24. When does neglect of Christ’s “brothers” become inexcusable?
24 This general refusal of people to recognize Christ’s spiritual “brothers” as being such, and this international hatred of them because of what they are preaching about the Kingdom have influenced people in their treatment of these. Where a nation has a Bill of Rights defending freedom of worship, individuals may not join in violently persecuting Christ’s “brothers.” But out of fear of public opinion or because of agreeing with it, such abstainers from persecution refuse willfully to aid, relieve or support Christ’s “brothers.” So their negative attitude, their neglect, is not excusable.—Proverbs 29:18.
25. Why can there be no indifference on the issue without punishment?
25 Jesus’ illustration of the sheep and the goats takes all of this into consideration. Failure to come to the aid and relief of Christ’s “brothers” carries along with it a failure to aid and support Christ’s kingdom, the incoming world government. This is a serious matter, and there is no middle ground, no compromise, no straddling of the fence, with respect to the issue of world government. Jesus Christ the King hates lukewarmness. (Revelation 3:16) Jesus also said: “He that is not on my side is against me, and he that does not gather with me scatters.” (Matthew 12:30; Luke 11:23) On this basis there is no injustice on Jesus’ part in declaring that the goatlike nonsupporters of his “throne” or kingdom are “cursed” and to be punished with the Devil and his angels. The input “Devil” means “Slanderer,” and these “goats” are classed with the Chief Devil because they listen to the slanders of the Devil and his angels and are prejudiced against Christ’s “brothers.” (Revelation 12:10) They should share his fate.
26. When will the King tell the “goats” to go off into the “fire”?
26 Let us, then, not be guilty of making excuses for the “goats” and thereby call into question the justice of Christ the King. Regardless of whether anyone likes the thought of it or not, Jesus’ illustration closes with regard to the judgment executed on the faulty “goats” and the righteous “sheep,” saying: “And these [symbolic goats] will depart into everlasting cutting-off, but the righteous ones into everlasting life.” (Matthew 25:46) When will Christ the King tell these cursed “goats” to go off into the symbolic “fire,” the “cutting-off” (Greek: koʹla·sis)? After the preaching of the Kingdom good news has been carried on earth wide by his spiritual “brothers” and “the end” comes on this system of things that is now in its “conclusion.” (Matthew 24:3, 14) Then the “great tribulation” will break out world wide, but the “goats” will never survive it.—Matthew 24:21, 22.
27. The “goats” have a “cutting-off” from what, for how long?
27 The everlasting “cutting-off (koʹla·sis) of the “goats” is the opposite of the “everlasting life” with which the “sheep” are rewarded. It is an everlasting punishment, because this form of punishment will never be lifted from these “goats” who are executed in the “great tribulation.” They will never have a resurrection from the dead. They suffer that other death that the Bible speaks of, “the second death,” which is symbolized by “the lake of fire.” They will no more be released from this symbolic “lake of fire” than Satan the Devil and his demon angels will. (Revelation 20:10-15; Genesis 3:15) They will perish in the “great tribulation” that will reach its peak in the “war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Har–Magedon.—Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:11-21.
THE SURVIVORS OF THE “GREAT TRIBULATION”
28, 29. The “sheep” survive what, as shown in Revelation 7:13-15?
28 We do not care to be ‘cut off everlastingly’ with the “goats” in the oncoming “great tribulation,” do we? Not if we want to enjoy the incoming world government of Jehovah God by his Son Jesus Christ. Our sensible, God-honoring choice would be that of now proving ourselves to be like the blessed “sheep.” The class made up of symbolic “sheep” will go alive through the “great tribulation.” This survival leads on to their “everlasting life” under the incoming world government. There will be an unnumbered “great crowd” of such sheeplike survivors of the “great tribulation.” We have assurance of this as stated in the dialogue between a special “elder” and one of Christ’s “brothers,” the apostle John. Concerning this dialogue we read:
29 “And in response one of the elders said to me: ‘These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?’ So right away I said to him: ‘My lord, you are the one that knows.’ And he said to me: ‘These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them.’”—Revelation 7:13-15.
30. Under what protection do they survive, to stand before whom?
30 God spreads his “tent” of protection over these white-robed persons. This explains how it is that, aside from the remnant of Christ’s spiritual “brothers” to whom they have kept on doing good, they are the only ones out of all earth’s population at the time that “come out of the great tribulation.” During that “great tribulation” all the thrones of the rulers of the nations have been overturned and destroyed. (Haggai 2:22) That is the reason why no other throne is spoken of in this particular vision of the apostle John but the “throne of God.” (Revelation 7:10-15) No one else is seen seated on a throne but God. His position as Sovereign of the universe, including our earth, is vindicated!
31. What action, not shown in Jesus’ parable, have they taken?
31 This vision shows that these white-robed survivors of the “great tribulation” have done more than what is illustrated in Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats. They “have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” This stated fact emphasizes that they are believers in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, and have accepted his sin-atoning sacrifice, his shed blood. This is one of the factors that moves them to aid, relieve, and work with the Lamb’s spiritual “brothers.” Above all, they have looked to the Lamb’s heavenly Father, the Universal Sovereign, for salvation out of the “great tribulation.”
32. How do they meet the basic requirement for such salvation?
32 The “great crowd” show that they meet the fundamental requirement for such salvation by the attitude they take toward God’s throne and by what they publicly confess before it. This fact becomes plain to us as we read: “After these things [after the sealing of the 144,000 spiritual Israelites, the Lamb’s spiritual brothers] I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: ‘Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”—Revelation 7:9, 10.
33. What acknowledgment do they make to God and his Son? How?
33 In suitable dress, this “great crowd,” which does not contain any spiritual Israelites, stands respectfully before God’s throne, recognizing him as the World Ruler. (Revelation 11:15) As with palm branches, they unitedly hail Him as the Universal Sovereign, the One eninputd to occupy a throne with universal governorship. (Compare John 12:12, 13.) They also acknowledge the “Chief Agent of life” whom Jehovah God has used, “the Lamb,” Jesus Christ his Son. (Acts 3:15; John 1:29, 36) So they joyfully confess before heaven and earth the Source of their salvation out of the “great tribulation” and also his Chief Agent in that behalf.
34. Since when, particularly, has there been a gathering of them?
34 During this “conclusion of the system of things,” notably since the year 1935 C.E., this “great crowd” has been assembled and unified despite national, racial and tribal extractions. They have heard the worldwide preaching of “this good news of the kingdom.” Acting on the timely information published on page 250 (paragraph 34) of The Watchtower for August 15, 1934, they proceeded to dedicate themselves to Jehovah God through his Lamb Jesus Christ. Their dedication they symbolized by water baptism. They have joined the remnant of Christ’s spiritual “brothers” in preaching the “good news” to the ends of the earth. How good it is to our ears to hear them thus hail Jehovah’s incoming world government! |
Great Teacher (te)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/te | A Word to You Parents
The love of parents for their children is a wonderful quality. Like most parents, you are undoubtedly concerned with giving your children a good start in life.
But we are sure you realize that there is more to this than simply providing food and clothing for your children and sending them off to school to be educated. To face life successfully, children need moral guidance, principles by which to live. And they need these from their tender years on. Heartbreaking things can and do happen where children receive help too late.
Perhaps, like many parents, you feel somewhat at a loss as to where to begin and what to teach your children. Really, the best principles that can be found anywhere are found in the Bible. Instruction based on the Bible has definite advantages. By it, children come to realize that what they are being told is not just their father’s or mother’s idea. It is what their Creator says; it is his will. This gives a strength to parental counsel that cannot be equaled in any other way.
In the pages of the Bible God encourages parents to take a personal interest in impressing right principles on the minds of their children. It may seem easier to pass this responsibility on to someone else. But doing that means missing out on a very enriching experience. It means giving up the opportunity to reach your child’s heart in a way that you and no one else ever could.
In many homes today parents and children are steadily drifting apart. As children grow older, parents often find it increasingly hard to talk with them about things that matter the most. This book, “Listening to the Great Teacher,” is designed to help to prevent such a situation in your home. It is designed so that you and your children can read it together. But, more than this, it is designed to stimulate conversation between parents and children.
This is because it calls for a response on the part of the children. You will find many well-placed questions in the printed material. When you come to these, you will observe a dash (—), to remind you to pause and encourage your child to express himself. Children like to be involved. Without that involvement a child’s interest quickly fades. More importantly, though, these questions will help you to learn what is on your child’s mind. Of course, the child may come out with answers that are far from right. But the printed material that follows each question is designed to help the child to develop wholesome patterns of thinking.
When the child learns to read, encourage him to read the book to you, and at times to himself. The more he reads it, the more its good counsel will be impressed on his mind and heart. But, to strengthen the bonds of affection and respect between both of you parents and your child, by all means read the book together, and do it regularly.
Some Bible texts are cited at the end of each chapter. Why not take time to look these up together? You and your children can thereby learn to use the Bible well. Explain what these scriptures are saying. Help make clear any difficult words in the scriptures that you look up, as is done in this book. Doing this, you will be directing your child’s attention to the finest source of guidance in life, the Bible.
We sincerely hope this book will help you and your family to mold your lives so as to be pleasing to the Creator, to your eternal blessing.
—THE PUBLISHERS |
Table of outputs | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102015001 | Table of outputs
January 2015
© 2015 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
COVER SUBJECT
How Did Life Begin?
Two Questions Worth Asking
An Answer Worth Considering
PAGES 3-6
7 Was It Designed?The Honeycomb
8 Help for the FamilyHow to Tame Your Temper
10 Lands and PeoplesA Visit to Costa Rica
12 Health“I Refuse to Dwell On My Illness”
14 The Bible’s ViewpointSuffering
16 Watching the WorldSpotlight on Religion
MORE ONLINE
ARTICLES
Young People AskWhy Reject Pornography?
What do pornography and smoking have in common?
(Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > TEENAGERS)
VIDEOS
Become Jehovah’s FriendBe Kind and Share
In this video for children, see how Caleb and Sophia have a lot more fun when they share things with each other.
(Look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > CHILDREN) |
United in Worship (uw)
1983 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/uw | Chapter 10
A Kingdom “That Will Not Be Brought to Ruin”
1, 2. (a) What fact is emphasized each day by world events, and how? (b) What is the only solution?
WORLD events each day underscore the fact that humans have not found happiness by rejecting Jehovah’s sovereignty and, instead, trying to govern themselves. No system of human government has brought benefits impartially to mankind. Although men have developed their scientific know-how to an unprecedented extent, they have not been able to root out sin, conquer sickness and put an end to death, not for even one of their subjects. On the contrary, the nations continue to develop new and more horrible weapons. Criminal violence flourishes. Technology, greed and ignorance combine to pollute the land, water and air. Skyrocketing inflation and unemployment are making it extremely hard for many to obtain life’s necessities. People are desperate for a way out.—Eccl. 8:9.
2 What is the answer? God’s Kingdom, for which Jesus taught his followers to pray. (Matt. 6:9, 10) How grateful we should be that the relief it will bring is now very near!
3. (a) In connection with this Kingdom, what took place in heaven in 1914 C.E.? (b) Why is that important to us?
3 Already, since 1914 C.E., God’s Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ has been in operation.a In that year the events that Daniel had seen in prophetic vision actually took place in heaven. The “Ancient of Days,” Jehovah God, conferred upon the Son of man, Jesus Christ, “rulership and dignity and kingdom, that the peoples, national groups and languages should all serve even him.” Reporting on the vision, Daniel wrote: “His rulership is an indefinitely lasting rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be brought to ruin.” (Dan. 7:13, 14) It is by means of this Kingdom that God will enable lovers of righteousness to enjoy the countless good things that he purposed when he put our first human parents in Paradise.
4. What details regarding the Kingdom are of keen interest to us, and why?
4 Loyal subjects of the Kingdom are keenly interested in the structure and operation of this government. They want to know what it is doing now, what it will accomplish in the future and what it requires of them. They examine it closely, and as they do, their appreciation for it grows and they equip themselves to tell others about it.—Ps. 48:12, 13.
A Heart-stirring Inspection
5. (a) How do the Scriptures show whose sovereignty is expressed by means of the Messianic Kingdom? (b) So how are we affected by what we learn about the Kingdom?
5 One of the first things that such an examination reveals is that this Messianic Kingdom is an expression of Jehovah’s own sovereignty. He it is who gave “rulership and dignity and kingdom” to his Son. Thus, after this Kingdom began to rule, voices in heaven appropriately declared: “The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord [Jehovah God] and of his Christ, and he [Jehovah] will rule as king forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15) So everything that we observe about this Kingdom and what it accomplishes draws us closer to Jehovah himself. It instills in us a desire to submit to his sovereignty forever.
6. Why is it of special interest to us that Jesus Christ is Jehovah’s deputy ruler?
6 How fine it is that Jehovah has put Jesus Christ on the throne as His deputy ruler! As the Master Worker whom God used to make the earth and man, Jesus knows our needs better than any of us do. Furthermore, he demonstrated from the beginning of human history his ‘fondness for the sons of men.’ (Prov. 8:30, 31; Col. 1:15-17) So great is that love that he personally came to earth and gave his life as a ransom in their behalf. Thus he made available for us the means of release from sin and death, and the opportunity for eternal life.—Matt. 20:28.
7. (a) In contrast with rulership by any human, why will this government endure? (b) What relationship does the “faithful and discreet slave” have to the heavenly government?
7 This is a stable, enduring government. Its enduring quality is assured by the fact that Jehovah himself is not subject to death. (Hab. 1:12; Ps. 146:3-5, 10) In contrast with human kings, Jesus Christ, the one to whom God has entrusted kingship, is also immortal. (Rom. 6:9; 1 Tim. 6:15, 16) Associated with Christ on heavenly thrones will be 144,000 others, loyal servants of God taken out of “every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” These, too, are given immortal life. (Rev. 5:9, 10; 1 Cor. 15:42-44, 53) Already the vast majority of them are in the heavens, and the remnant of them yet on earth make up the “faithful and discreet slave” class, which loyally furthers the interests of that Kingdom here.—Matt. 24:45-47.
8, 9. (a) What divisive, corrupting influences will the Kingdom remove? (b) So, if we are to avoid becoming enemies of God’s Kingdom, in what organizations and activities would we avoid becoming entangled?
8 Soon now, at Jehovah’s appointed time, his executional forces will go into action to cleanse the earth. They will destroy forever those humans who because of their own choice do not know God, refusing to acknowledge his sovereignty, and who treat with scorn the loving provisions that he makes through Jesus Christ. (2 Thess. 1:6-9) This will be Jehovah’s day, the long-awaited time for his vindication as Universal Sovereign.
9 All false religion, and also all human governments and their armies, which have been manipulated by the unseen wicked ruler of this world, will be annihilated forever. All who identify themselves as part of this world by pursuing a self-centered, dishonest, immoral way of life will be cut off in death. Satan and his demons will be removed from contact with earth’s inhabitants, securely confined for a thousand years. What a relief this will be for all who love righteousness!—Rev. 18:21, 24; 19:11-16, 19-21; 20:1, 2.
Its Objectives—How Attained
10. (a) How will the Messianic Kingdom accomplish Jehovah’s purpose for the earth itself? (b) What will this mean for people living on earth then?
10 This Messianic Kingdom will fully accomplish God’s original purpose for the earth. (Gen. 2:8, 9, 15; 1:28) To this day, man has failed to carry out that purpose. However, “the inhabited earth to come” has been subjected to the Son of man, Jesus Christ. All who survive the execution of Jehovah’s judgment on this old system will work unitedly under Christ as King, gladly doing whatever he directs so that the earth becomes a global Paradise. (Heb. 2:5-9) All mankind will enjoy the work of their hands and benefit fully from the abundance of earth’s produce.—Ps. 72:1, 7, 8, 16-19; compare Isaiah 65:21, 22.
11. (a) How will perfection in mind and body be brought about for the Kingdom’s subjects? (b) What will this include?
11 When Adam and Eve were created they were perfect, and it was God’s purpose for the earth to be filled with their offspring, all of them enjoying perfection in mind and body. Under the rule of the Kingdom, that purpose will come to glorious reality. This requires the removal of all the effects of sin, and to that end Christ serves not only as King but also as High Priest. Patiently he will help his obedient subjects to benefit from the sin-atoning value of the sacrifice of his own human life. Blind eyes will be opened. Deaf ears will be unstopped. Flesh disfigured by age or disease will become fresher than that of a child. Chronic weaknesses will give way to vigorous health. The day will come when no one will have reason to say, “I am sick,” because God-fearing humans will be relieved of the burden of sin and its grievous effects.—Compare Isaiah 33:22, 24; 35:5, 6; Job 33:25; Luke 13:11-13.
12. (a) What else does human perfection require? (b) How will that be achieved, and what will result from it?
12 Attaining perfection, however, involves much more than having a sound body and a sound mind. It includes properly reflecting the qualities of Jehovah’s personality, because man was made ‘in God’s image, according to his likeness.’ (Gen. 1:26) To that end, much education will be required. This is a New Order in which “righteousness is to dwell,” so, as the prophet Isaiah foretold, “righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn.” (2 Pet. 3:13; Isa. 26:9) This quality leads to peace—between people of all nations, among close associates, in one’s family and, above all, with God himself. (Isa. 32:17; Ps. 85:10-13) Those who learn righteousness will progressively be educated in God’s will for them. As love for Jehovah’s ways comes to be deeply rooted in their hearts, they will follow these in every aspect of their lives. The perfect man Jesus was able to say, ‘I always do the things pleasing to my Father.’ (John 8:29) How enjoyable life will be when that is true of all humankind!
Accomplishments Already Evident
13. Use the questions above to highlight accomplishments of the Kingdom and what we should therefore be doing.
13 Already the impressive accomplishments of the Kingdom are clearly evident to persons who have eyes of faith. The following questions and Scripture citations will remind you of some of these, as well as of things that all subjects of the Kingdom can and should be doing now:
Against whom did the King first take action, and with what result? (Rev. 12:7-10, 12)
The gathering of the final members of what group was given prompt attention after Christ was enthroned? (Matt. 24:31; Rev. 7:1-4)
At Matthew 25:31-33, what other work did Jesus foretell that he would do after taking his throne and before destroying the wicked?
How is this work accomplished? Who are participating in it? (Matt. 24:14; Ps. 110:3; Rev. 14:6, 7)
Why have political and religious opposers been unable to stop it? (Acts 5:38, 39; Zech. 4:6)
As a result of the educational work being carried out, what changes have already taken place in the lives of persons who submit to Kingdom rule? (Isa. 2:4; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
Enduring Quality of the Kingdom
14. (a) How long will Christ rule? (b) What will be accomplished during that time?
14 After the abyssing of Satan and his demons, Jesus Christ along with his 144,000 joint heirs will rule for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:6) During that time mankind will be brought to perfection. All government and authority and power in opposition to Jehovah will be removed. That having been accomplished, Jesus will turn the Kingdom back to his Father, “that God may be all things to everyone.”—1 Cor. 15:24, 28.
15. How is it true that this Kingdom will ‘never be brought to ruin’?
15 Jesus’ own position in relation to the earth will therefore change. Nevertheless, his rulership will be “indefinitely lasting” and his Kingdom “will not be brought to ruin.” (Dan. 7:14) In what sense? In that the ruling authority will not pass into the hands of others who have different aims. The accomplishments of the Kingdom will ‘never be brought to ruin.’ What the Kingdom does to vindicate Jehovah’s name and his purpose regarding this earth will stand forever.
[Footnotes]
a See the book “Let Your Kingdom Come,” pages 127-139.
Review Discussion
● Why is God’s Kingdom the only solution to mankind’s problems? When did it begin to rule?
● What is especially appealing to you about God’s Kingdom and what it will accomplish? Why?
● What accomplishments of the Kingdom can we already see? What part do we have in these?
[Picture on page 84, 85]
Righteousness is what the people will learn |
What Does It Mean to Be a “Good Samaritan”? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/500100122 | What Does It Mean to Be a “Good Samaritan”?
The Bible’s answer
The expression “Good Samaritan” is commonly used to describe a person who acts to help others who are in need. The term originated from a story, or parable, that Jesus told to show that a good neighbor mercifully helps others regardless of the other person’s nationality or background.a
In this article
What is the parable of the “Good Samaritan”?
Why did Jesus tell this parable?
What is the lesson of the parable?
Who were the Samaritans?
Did the story of the “Good Samaritan” actually happen?
What is the parable of the “Good Samaritan”?
Here is a brief summary of the story that Jesus told: A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. Along the way, he was robbed, beaten, and left for dead.
A Jewish priest and later another Jewish religious leader walked past the wounded traveler. Even though they were of the same nationality as the traveler, neither of them stopped to help the man.
Finally, a man of another nation came along. He was a Samaritan. (Luke 10:33; 17:16-18) Moved with pity, the Samaritan treated the man’s wounds. Then he took the injured man to an inn. There he cared for the man overnight. The next day, he paid the innkeeper to care for the man and offered to cover any additional expenses that might arise.—Luke 10:30-35.
Why did Jesus tell this parable?
Jesus told the story to a man who thought that only people of his own race and religion were his neighbors. Jesus wanted to teach the man an important lesson—that he needed to expand his concept of “neighbor” to include more than just his fellow Jews. (Luke 10:36, 37) This account was included in the Bible for the benefit of everyone who wants to please God.—2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
What is the lesson of the parable?
The story teaches that a good neighbor demonstrates compassion by action. He or she responds to the needs of a person who is suffering—regardless of that person’s background, race, or nationality. A genuine neighbor acts toward others as he would like to be treated himself.—Matthew 7:12.
Who were the Samaritans?
The Samaritans lived in the land directly north of Judea. They included the descendants of mixed marriages between Jews and non-Jews.
By the first century C.E., the Samaritans had formed a distinct religious sect. They accepted the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures but generally rejected the rest.
Many Jews in Jesus’ day despised the Samaritans and avoided contact with them. (John 4:9) Some Jews used the term “Samaritan” as an insult.—John 8:48.
Did the story of the “Good Samaritan” actually happen?
The Scriptures do not indicate whether the parable of the Samaritan was based on an actual event. However, Jesus often used well-known customs and locations in his teaching so that his listeners could easily understand the point he was making.
Many details of the story’s setting are historically accurate. For example:
The road from Jerusalem to Jericho—over 20 kilometers (12 mi) long—steeply descended 1 kilometer (0.6 mi). The account correctly states that travelers heading toward Jericho were “going down from Jerusalem.”—Luke 10:30.
Priests and Levites who lived in Jericho regularly traveled to Jerusalem on this road.
Robbers often hid along the isolated road, waiting for unsuspecting travelers—especially those traveling alone.
a The parable of the “Good Samaritan” is also known as the parable of the “Neighborly Samaritan.” |
God’s Kingdom Has Approached (ka)
1973 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ka | A Wealth of Wisdom in Pocket Size
A number of pocket-size books have been published by the Watch Tower Society. Dealing with a variety of topics, they provide a wealth of divine wisdom. All these books are hardbound, with 192 pages, and are only 25c each.
TRUE PEACE AND SECURITY—FROM WHAT SOURCE?: In frank terms this book discusses the problems facing mankind and which must be solved to bring true peace and security. Bible standards that lead to a successful, secure life are considered. This book analyzes problems and clearly identifies the source from which true peace and security will come in our generation.
THE TRUTH THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE: For many persons, understanding the Bible has been a great problem. They have wanted something easy to read, something that presents Bible teachings simply and clearly. Now this is available in “The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life.” This book may be obtained in over eighty languages. The English edition will be sent unless you specify otherwise.
LISTENING TO THE GREAT TEACHER: One of today’s great problems is how to rear children in the right way. They need to learn and apply the high moral standards found in the Holy Scriptures. This book helps parents to teach their children the Bible. It is designed to be read by parents and children together. Illustrated; large print; easily understood.
IS THE BIBLE REALLY THE WORD OF GOD?: Because of living in a materialistic, faithless world, many persons today need help if they are to accept the Bible as God’s inspired Word. Convincing evidence is required to aid them. Now, in this one book, you will find an array of convincing facts, real evidence showing that the Bible is truly God’s Word.
DID MAN GET HERE BY EVOLUTION OR BY CREATION?: Today the teaching of evolution saturates school textbooks and other publications. Now you can help school-age youths and other persons to evaluate the evidence. The facts can be examined and the reader can see for himself which is most reasonable—a popular theory or the Bible’s account of man’s origin and his future. Illustrated.
To order, see addresses on the last page. |
Watching the World | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101997010 | Watching the World
Be Lighthearted—and Stay Healthier!
“Through humor, people become more tolerant, handle frustrations well, and maintain physical and mental health,” states São Paulo University Professor Sueli Damergian. According to a report in the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, good humor can be learned—just like reading and writing. Clearly, this requires a change in thinking for a grumpy person. Explains professor of psychology Raquel Rodrigues Kerbauy: “If one thinks that he will only be able to smile when the world is just, he will be ill-tempered forever. After all, there are injustices everywhere.” Even with a full schedule, good-natured people enjoy their social contacts, notes the report. They value such little things as “a chat, a candy, or five minutes of good music.” Damergian cautions, however: “One should not confuse good humor with frivolity and bad taste.”
Birds at Risk From Bird Lovers?
Bird lovers may be doing more harm than good by leaving food in their gardens for birds to eat, reports London’s Sunday Times. Food poisoning caused by salmonella bacteria, parasites, and an additional unidentified microorganism have recently killed tens of thousands of Britain’s favorite garden birds. James Kirkwood, chief veterinarian of the London Zoo, is concerned that certain species may be wiped out in some areas. The resilient bacteria and parasites survive for many days on fecal matter on bird tables or on the ground. Moldy nuts are especially dangerous, warns Professor Chris Perrins, of Oxford University. “The government bans infected nuts from being sold to humans but allows them in bird food,” he notes, adding: “They are killing a lot of birds.”
Cozy Home for Fleas
Harsh winter weather used to mean the demise of the flea population. But things are changing, reports Britain’s New Scientist magazine. “Over the past decade there has been an increasing incidence of cat fleas,” says John Maunder, of the Cambridge Medical Entomology Centre. Modern homes now serve as a cozy hideout for these fleas, which also live on dogs. In the past, cold weather brought with it a drop in relative humidity—a fatal blow to flea larvae. “Now,” Maunder notes, “the ventilation in many homes is so poor that the relative humidity remains high, and even prolonged cold weather won’t see the fleas off.”
How to Cope With School Bullies
With the recent publicity about bullying in schools, Japan’s Education Ministry conducted a survey of 9,420 children and their parents and teachers. The findings revealed that up to 70 percent of the parents of bullied students from elementary and junior high schools are either unaware of the problem or have not taken their children’s complaints seriously. Fearing retaliation, many victims do not tell a teacher that they are being bullied. The survey showed, however, that when a teacher tackles the problem seriously, only 2 percent of the victims suffer retaliation and the bullying stops for about 40 percent of the victimized students. Professor Yoji Morita, of Osaka City University, observed: “I’m more convinced than ever that bullying can be overcome if victims complain to their teachers and the teachers deal with it properly.”
Children’s Loves and Hates
What do children enjoy doing the least? In a study of 6- to 11-year-olds by Professor Gustavo Pietropolli Charmet, of the University of Milan, Italy, the majority of children said: “Staying at home watching TV,” or “Staying in with Mom to do homework.” The most unpleasant thing they do, says the newspaper La Repubblica, is “have appointments,” that is, run between lessons in dancing, English, piano, and so forth. Also generally hated is “being alone.” On the other hand, 49 percent of boys want parents to “let children play outdoors,” while girls wish parents would “have fun playing with their children.” They say, in effect: ‘When Mom plays with me, she really has to play. You can tell if she’s not having fun, and then I don’t have fun either.’
Cardinal Recommended Witnesses’ Activity
Cardinal Suenens, of Belgium, a promoter of the Catholic ecumenical and charismatic movements, died recently at the age of 91. The Belgian newspaper Het Belang van Limburg commented that although Suenens accomplished many things, he did not realize his dream in life. His successor, Cardinal Danneels, stated that Suenens “had always desired that Christians become more active. He . . . asked himself if we should go from door to door, just as Jehovah’s Witnesses do. And in the end, he found that this wasn’t a bad method. A statement often heard from him was: ‘You are a true Christian only if you have made someone else a Christian as well.’”
Cleaning Up the Ocean
Even on a dry day, tens of millions of gallons of polluted runoff water and debris from city streets flow into coastal waters around Los Angeles, California. On a rainy day, runoff can reach billions of gallons! The city government sponsored a program to inform residents that everything dumped, washed, or swept into streets goes directly to the ocean via storm drains—untreated! This includes oil and other fluids from cars, yard clippings, trash, and pet droppings. To avoid damaging the ecology of the adjacent Santa Monica Bay, residents are encouraged: Never dump waste in the street; sweep sidewalks instead of hosing them off; clean up after pets; repair car leaks; and recycle motor oil. The Wall Street Journal reports that people swimming close to a storm drain were 50 percent more likely to develop fevers, vomiting, respiratory infections, or earaches than those staying at least 400 yards [360 m] away.
Furry Submarines
The Swedish Navy maintains a network of underwater microphones to detect the sound of bubbles caused by the rotating propellers of submarines, according to New Scientist magazine. Examining 6,000 reports of “alien underwater activity,” based on the microphone system and sightings by the public, a government commission found firm evidence of submarine activity on only six occasions. Many of the rest of the alarms may have been triggered by “the furious paddling of little legs,” says the report. It seems that swimming mink and otters generate sound very similar to that of submarine propellers, thus confusing the navy listeners.
Children Abusing Children
Thousands of youngsters in South Africa suffer sexual abuse from other minors, reports the Johannesburg newspaper Saturday Star. Evanthe Schurink, of the Human Sciences Research Council, attributes this abuse in part to the young perpetrators’ being brutalized themselves. Marilyn Donaldson, a child counselor at the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation’s Trauma Clinic, concurs, saying: “In so many . . . homes, these children are exposed to horrific domestic violence and often their own victims are part of their extended family.” She also blames boredom and parental neglect for much of the abuse. “There is nobody at home for the children when the parent is working,” she observes, “so they are at the mercy of the abusers.” Pointing out a further danger, Donaldson said that she sees more and more “little 6 to 10-year-old children coming into the centre with Aids, which had been sexually transmitted.”
Alcohol During Pregnancy
“New research has confirmed an association between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and an increased risk of infant leukemia,” reports The Medical Post, of Canada. The study involved 302 leukemia victims who were 18 months of age or younger when the disease was diagnosed, along with a control group of 558 other babies. For children whose mothers drank alcohol during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, the risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia was nearly ten times higher than for those whose mothers did not drink. The new research was said to be consistent with other studies regarding expectant mothers who drink alcohol and their baby’s increased risk of leukemia. |
Live Forever (pe)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pe | Chapter 19
After Armageddon, a Paradise Earth
1. (a) What is a common view of Armageddon? (b) What does the Bible say about it?
“ARMAGEDDON” is a frightening word to many. Often world leaders use it to refer to a possible World War III. However, the Bible speaks of Armageddon as the place of a righteous war fought by God. (Revelation 16:14, 16, King James Version) This war of God will prepare the way for a righteous new world.
2. (a) Who will be destroyed at Armageddon? (b) So what practices should we wisely avoid?
2 Unlike the wars of men, which kill both the good and the bad, Armageddon will destroy only the bad. (Psalm 92:7) Jehovah God will be the Judge, and he will remove any who willfully refuse to obey his righteous laws. Today many persons see nothing wrong with such things as fornication, getting drunk, lying or cheating. But, according to God, these things are wrong. So at Armageddon he will not save those who continue to do them. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Revelation 21:8) Knowing God’s laws on these matters, it is important for persons who may be practicing such bad things to change their ways.
3. (a) To what did Jesus compare the end of the present world? (b) What will happen to Satan and his demons? (c) According to scriptures on following pages, what kind of conditions will be enjoyed on the paradise earth?
3 After Armageddon no part of this wicked world will remain. Only persons who serve God will continue to live. (1 John 2:17) Jesus Christ compared the situation to that of Noah’s day. (Matthew 24:37-39; 2 Peter 3:5-7, 13; 2:5) After Armageddon, God’s kingdom will be the only government ruling over the earth. Satan and his demons will be gone. (Revelation 20:1-3) Consider, on the following pages, some of the blessings that the Bible indicates obedient people will enjoy.
ALL HUMANKIND AT PEACE
“There has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called . . . Prince of Peace. To the abundance of the princely rule and to peace there will be no end.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7.
“In his days the righteous one will sprout, and the abundance of peace until the moon is no more. And he will have subjects from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”—Psalm 72:7, 8.
NO MORE WAR
“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.”—Psalm 46:8, 9.
FINE HOMES AND ENJOYABLE WORK FOR EVERYONE
“They will certainly build houses and have occupancy . . . They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating . . . the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance; because they are the offspring made up of the chosen ones of Jehovah, and their descendants with them.”—Isaiah 65:21-23.
CRIME, VIOLENCE AND WICKEDNESS GONE
“For evildoers themselves will be cut off . . . And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be.”—Psalm 37:9, 10.
“As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.”—Proverbs 2:22.
ALL THE EARTH A PARADISE
Jesus said: “You will be with me in Paradise.”—Luke 23:43.
“The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29.
PLENTY OF GOOD THINGS FOR ALL TO EAT
“Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples . . . a banquet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine kept on the dregs, of well-oiled dishes filled with marrow.”—Isaiah 25:6.
“There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow.” “The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our God, will bless us.”—Psalm 72:16; 67:6.
4, 5. (a) What conditions will no longer exist on the paradise earth? (b) What will people be able to do that, in many places, they cannot do today?
4 Surely you want to live on the paradise earth like the garden in which the first man Adam was created. (Genesis 2:8; Luke 23:43) Think of it—no more war, crime or violence. You will be able to walk anywhere at any time of the day or night without fear of being harmed. The wicked simply will no longer be.—Psalm 37:35-38.
5 This means that there will be no dishonest politicians and greedy business leaders to oppress the people. Nor will people be burdened with high taxes to pay for military weapons. Never again will anyone be without good food and comfortable housing because he cannot afford them. Unemployment, inflation and high prices will be no more. The troubles that cause suffering to families today will no longer exist. All will have pleasant work to do, and they will be able to see and enjoy the results of their labors.
6. (a) What work will Armageddon survivors do? (b) How will God bless the work that is done?
6 First of all, those who survive Armageddon will have the work of cleaning up the earth and clearing away the ruins of this old system. And then they will have the privilege, under the direction of the Kingdom rule, of cultivating the earth and making it a beautiful place in which to live. What a happy work that will be! God will bless everything that is done. He will provide the right kind of climate to grow crops and raise livestock, and he will see to it that these are protected from disease and harm.
7. (a) What promise of God will be fulfilled? (b) What do Christians await according to God’s promise?
7 This promise of the loving Creator, as given through the Bible psalmist, will be fulfilled: “You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16) Yes, all the proper desires of God-fearing persons will be completely satisfied. We cannot even imagine how wonderful life will be in paradise on earth. Telling about God’s arrangement for blessing his people, the apostle Peter wrote: “There are 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; 66:22.
8. (a) Why do we not need new physical heavens? (b) What are the “new heavens”?
8 What are these “new heavens”? They are not new physical heavens. God made our physical heavens perfect, and they bring him glory. (Psalm 8:3; 19:1, 2) The “new heavens” refer to a new rulership over the earth. The “heavens” now are made up of man-made governments. At Armageddon these will pass away. (2 Peter 3:7) The “new heavens” that will replace them will be God’s heavenly government. Its king will be Jesus Christ. But ruling with him as part of the “new heavens” will be 144,000 of his faithful followers.—Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1, 3.
9. (a) What is the “new earth”? (b) What is the earth that will be destroyed?
9 What, then, is the “new earth”? It is not a new planet. God made this planet Earth just right for humans to live on, and it is his will that it remain forever. (Psalm 104:5) The “new earth” refers to a new group or society of people. The Bible often uses the word “earth” in such a way. For example, it says: “All the earth [meaning, the people] continued to be of one language.” (Genesis 11:1) The “earth” that will be destroyed are the people that make themselves part of this wicked system of things. (2 Peter 3:7) The “new earth” that replaces them will be made up of true servants of God who have separated themselves from this world of wicked people.—John 17:14; 1 John 2:17.
10. (a) Who are now being gathered, and into what? (b) According to the scriptures on the following pages, what will be done on the paradise earth that human governments cannot do?
10 Right now people of all races and nationalities who will make up part of the “new earth” are being gathered into the Christian congregation. The unity and peace that exist among them is only a small preview of what will make living on the paradise earth after Armageddon such a pleasure. Truly, God’s kingdom will bring to pass what no human government could even hope to do. Just consider a few of such blessings on the following pages.
A LOVING BROTHERHOOD OF ALL HUMANKIND
“God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”—Acts 10:34, 35.
“Look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues . . . They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore.”—Revelation 7:9, 16.
PEACE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND ANIMALS
“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; Isaiah 65:25.
NO MORE SICKNESS, OLD AGE OR DEATH
“At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness.”—Isaiah 35:5, 6.
“And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:3, 4.
THE DEAD ARE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
“The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”—John 5:28, 29.
“The sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades gave up those dead in them.”—Revelation 20:13.
11. What often ruins the kind of paradise that people now make?
11 How much better the paradise under God’s kingdom will be than anything this old system can bring! True, some people today have made the place where they live into what looks like a paradise. But the people who live together in these places may be mean and selfish, and may even hate one another. And, in time, they get sick, grow old and die. After Armageddon, however, the paradise on earth will include much more than simply beautiful homes, gardens and parks.
12, 13. (a) What conditions of peace will exist after Armageddon? (b) What is needed to bring about these conditions?
12 Think of it. People of all races and nationalities will learn to live together as one family of brothers and sisters. They will truly love one another. None will be selfish or unkind. No one will hate another person just because of his race, color, or the place that he comes from. Prejudice will cease to exist. Everyone on earth will become a true friend and neighbor of everyone else. Truly, it will be a paradise in a spiritual way. Would you like to live in this paradise under the “new heavens”?
13 Today people talk a lot about living together in peace, and have even set up a “United Nations” organization. Yet people and nations are divided as never before. What is needed? The hearts of people need to change. But it is simply impossible for the governments of this world to perform such a miracle. The Bible’s message about God’s love, however, is doing it.
14. What is happening now to prove that these paradise conditions will be realized?
14 Upon learning about the righteous new system, the hearts of many people are being moved to love God. And so they begin to act also in a loving way toward others, just as God does. (1 John 4:9-11, 20) This means a big change in their lives. Many who were mean and hateful, like vicious animals, thus have become meek and peaceable. Like obedient sheep, they are gathered into the Christian flock.
15. (a) What two groups of Christians are there? (b) Who will be the first ones to make up the “new earth”?
15 For over 1,900 years there was a gathering together of the “little flock” of 144,000 Christians who will rule with Christ. Only a few of these are left on earth; most are already ruling with Christ in heaven. (Luke 12:32; Revelation 20:6) But speaking of other Christians, Jesus said: “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold [of the “little flock”]; those also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16) A “great crowd” of these “other sheep” are now being gathered. They will make up the first ones of the “new earth.” Jehovah will protect them through “the great tribulation” at the end of this wicked system to live on into the earthly paradise.—Revelation 7:9, 10, 13-15.
16. What miracle will make living with the animals a pleasure?
16 After Armageddon another miracle will add to the paradise conditions. Animals such as lions, tigers, leopards and bears, which now can be dangerous, will be at peace. How fine then to take a walk in the woods and to be joined for a while by a lion at your side, and perhaps later by a big bear! Never again will anybody need to fear another living thing.
17, 18. (a) What cause for sadness will no longer exist in the paradise earth? (b) Why can we be sure that perfect health will be enjoyed by all?
17 Yet no matter how beautiful the homes and gardens, how kind and loving the people, or how friendly the animals, if we got sick, grew old and died there would still be sadness. But who can bring perfect health to all? Human governments have failed to wipe out cancer, heart troubles and other diseases. Yet even if they were to do so, doctors admit that this would not stop people from aging. We would still grow old. In time our eyes would grow dim, our muscles would weaken, our skin would wrinkle and the organs inside our bodies would break down. Death would follow. How sad!
18 After Armageddon, in the paradise earth, a grand miracle by God will change all of that, for the Bible promise is: “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24) When Jesus Christ was on earth he proved his power to heal all kinds of sickness and disease, which result because of the sin we inherited from Adam. (Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 15:30, 31) Aging will also be stopped under Kingdom rule. The old will even grow young again. Yes, ‘a man’s flesh will become fresher than in his youth.’ (Job 33:25) What a thrill it will be then to wake up each morning and realize that you are in better health than you were the day before!
19. What last enemy will be brought to nothing, and how?
19 Surely no one living in youthful, perfect health in the paradise earth will ever want to die. And nobody will need to die! Their receiving the benefits of the ransom sacrifice will mean at last enjoying God’s grand gift of “everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) As the Bible says, Christ “must rule as king until God has put all enemies under his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing.”—1 Corinthians 15:25, 26; Isaiah 25:8.
20. Who, besides persons now living, will enjoy the paradise earth, and how will that be possible?
20 Even persons now dead will enjoy the paradise earth. They will return to life! So, at that time, instead of announcements of deaths, there will be joyful reports about those who have been resurrected. How wonderful to welcome back from the grave dead fathers, mothers, children and other loved ones! No funeral parlors, graveyards or tombstones will remain to spoil the beauty of the paradise earth.
21. (a) Who will help to see that the laws and instructions of the “new heavens” are carried out? (b) How can we show that we really want the “new heavens” and the “new earth”?
21 Who will govern or direct activities on the paradise earth? All laws and instructions will come from the “new heavens” above. But on earth there will be faithful men appointed to see that these laws and instructions are carried out. Because these men represent the heavenly kingdom in a special way, the Bible calls them “princes.” (Isaiah 32:1, 2; Psalm 45:16) Even in the Christian congregation today men are appointed by God’s holy spirit to care for and direct its activities. (Acts 20:28) After Armageddon we can be confident that Christ will see to it that the right men are appointed to represent the Kingdom government, for then he will be taking a direct hand in earth’s affairs. How can you show that you are eagerly awaiting God’s “new heavens” and “new earth”? By doing everything you can to meet the requirements for living in that righteous new system.—2 Peter 3:14. |
Is God’s Kingdom in Your Heart? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008012 | Our Readers Ask
Is God’s Kingdom in Your Heart?
Many today believe that the answer to the above question is yes. For example, The Catholic Encyclopedia asserts: “The kingdom of God means . . . the ruling of God in our hearts.” The clergy commonly teach this idea. Does the Bible really teach that God’s Kingdom resides in human hearts?
Some think that Jesus himself first promoted the idea that God’s Kingdom lies within the hearts of humans. Jesus did say: “Look! The kingdom of God is in your midst.” (Luke 17:21) Some translations here say: “The kingdom of God is within you” or even “inside you.” Are those accurate renderings of Jesus’ expression? Did he really mean that God’s Kingdom is found in human hearts?
First, consider what the human heart is. When referred to in the Bible, the figurative heart means the inner person, the source of a person’s thoughts, attitudes, and feelings. The idea that something as sublime as the Kingdom of God resides within the human heart—in the way it changes and ennobles people, for example—may sound appealing, but does it stand to reason?
The Bible tells us: “The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate.” (Jeremiah 17:9) Jesus himself said: “From inside, out of the heart of men, injurious reasonings issue forth: fornications, thieveries, murders, adulteries, covetings, acts of wickedness.” (Mark 7:20-22) Consider: Cannot much of the misery that we see in the world today be traced back to the sinful hearts of humans? So how could God’s perfect Kingdom come from such a source? Really, the human heart could no more produce God’s Kingdom than a thistle could produce figs.—Matthew 7:16.
Second, consider the audience Jesus was addressing when he spoke the words found at Luke 17:21. The preceding verse reads: “On being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them.” (Luke 17:20) The Pharisees were Jesus’ enemies. Jesus stated that those hypocrites were not going to enter God’s Kingdom. (Matthew 23:13) Now if the Pharisees were not to enter God’s Kingdom, could the Kingdom be in their hearts? Impossible! What, then, did Jesus mean?
In rendering these words of Jesus, a number of careful Bible translations use wording similar to that found in the New World Translation. Some say that the Kingdom is “among you” or “in the midst of you.” How was God’s Kingdom among those people at that time, including the Pharisees? Well, Jesus was the one whom Jehovah God appointed to be the King of the Kingdom. As the King-Designate, Jesus was right in the midst of those people. He taught about the Kingdom of God and even performed miracles, giving them a preview of what that Kingdom would accomplish. In a very real sense, then, the Kingdom was in their midst.
Clearly, there is no Scriptural support for the notion that the Kingdom of God is in the hearts of humans. Rather, it is an actual government, one that will effect dramatic changes on the earth, just as the prophets foretold.—Isaiah 9:6, 7; Daniel 2:44. |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Am I a Perfectionist? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502017144 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Am I a Perfectionist?
If you
expect nothing less than an A+ on every test
avoid new challenges for fear that you will fail
view all criticism as an assault on your character
. . . , then the answer to the question above might be yes. But does it really matter?
What’s wrong with perfectionism?
Is there a better way?
What your peers say
What’s wrong with perfectionism?
There’s nothing wrong with trying to do your best. However, “there’s a big difference between the healthy pursuit of excellence and the unhealthy striving for an impossible ideal,” says the book Perfectionism—What’s Bad About Being Too Good? It adds: “Perfectionism can be a heavy burden because, let’s face it, nobody’s perfect.”
The Bible agrees. It states: “There is no righteous man on earth who always does good.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) Because you’re imperfect, at times your performance will be less than spectacular.
Do you find that hard to accept? If so, consider four ways that perfectionism can affect you—and not for the better.
How you view yourself. Perfectionists set unreasonably high standards for themselves—a setup for disappointment. “Realistically, we aren’t going to be great at everything, and if we keep putting ourselves down for not being perfect, we’ll end up with no confidence. That can be depressing.”—Alicia.
How you view helpful advice. Perfectionists tend to view constructive criticism as character assassination. “When I receive correction, I feel horrible,” says a young man named Jeremy. He adds, “Being a perfectionist keeps you from acknowledging your limitations and accepting needed help.”
How you view others. Perfectionists are often critical of others, and it’s easy to see why. “When you expect perfection of yourself, you hold everyone else to the same standard,” says 18-year-old Anna. “When people fail to meet that standard, you find yourself constantly disappointed in them.”
How others view you. If you have unreasonably high expectations of others, don’t be surprised if people start to avoid you! “Having to live up to the impossible standards of a perfectionist is exhausting,” says a young adult named Beth. “No one wants to be around someone like that!”
Is there a better way?
The Bible says: “Let your reasonableness become known.” (Philippians 4:5) Reasonable people are balanced in what they expect of themselves and in what they expect of others.
“There’s already enough pressure from outside influences. Why add unnecessary pressure by being a perfectionist? That’s way too much to handle!”—Nyla.
The Bible says: “Walk in modesty with your God!” (Micah 6:8) Modest people recognize their limitations. They don’t take on more than they can handle; nor do they spend more time on a task than they can afford.
“If I want to feel that I am handling my responsibilities well, I can only take on a reasonable amount. I can only do so much.”—Hailey.
The Bible says: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10) So the remedy for perfectionism isn’t laziness; it’s industriousness, but blended with the qualities mentioned above—reasonableness and modesty.
“I try to do my work in the best way possible, and I give it my all. I realize that it will never be perfect, but I’m happy knowing I gave it my best.”—Joshua.
What your peers say
“Perfectionism can lead to a lot of stress, and it can make you feel bad when you get constructive criticism. I find that instead of thinking of mistakes as failures, it’s better to think of them as lessons.”—Sierra.
“You can lose out on a lot of happiness being a perfectionist. You can also make your friends uncomfortable because it seems as if you’re judging them or thinking that they just aren’t good enough.”—Bo.
“There are only 24 hours in a day, and things need to get done. So if too much time is spent on every little thing, important activities—even eating and sleeping—can get pushed aside.”—Sarina. |
Examining the Scriptures—2018
2017 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/examining-the-scriptures/examining-the-scriptures-2018 | December
Saturday, December 1
Take your stand against him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of your brothers in the world.—1 Pet. 5:9.
The apostle Peter wrote those words to encourage Christians to endure the hardships heaped on them by Satan. The experiences of “those who have endured” teach us how to remain steadfast and remind us that our faithful course will be rewarded. (Jas. 5:11) Perhaps you face bitter opposition, even persecution, from enemies of true worship. Or you are a congregation elder or a circuit overseer who feels the weight of your heavy responsibilities. Meditate on the example of Paul. He faced numerous “things of an external kind” by vicious persecutors, and he felt daily pressure on account of his anxiety for the congregations. (2 Cor. 11:23-29) Yet, he refused to give up, and his example strengthened others. (2 Cor. 1:6) When you endure hardship, remember that your example is likely encouraging others to endure. w16.04 2:11, 14
Sunday, December 2
Go, . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them.—Matt. 28:19, 20.
Whether people agree with us or bitterly oppose us, few would deny that as a group Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for their preaching activities. It may even be that you have met people in your ministry who have stated that while they disagree with our beliefs, they respect us for the work we do. As we know, Jesus foretold that the good news of the Kingdom would be preached in all the inhabited earth. (Matt. 24:14) Many religious groups feel that they are preaching the Gospel, or good news. However, their efforts are often limited to personal testimonies, church services, or programs broadcast through the media—whether by means of television or on the Internet. Others point to their charitable activities or their endeavors in the fields of medicine and education. How do these claims measure up when compared with what Jesus commanded his disciples to do? w16.05 2:1, 2
Monday, December 3
I appeal to Caesar!—Acts 25:11.
Since 1914, human governments have become rivals to God’s Kingdom, which will soon execute judgment on the nations by destroying them. (Ps. 2:2, 7-9) God lets the world’s political structure remain because it provides a measure of stability that, in turn, helps us to preach the good news of the Kingdom. (Rom. 13:3, 4) God even directs us to pray concerning those in authority, especially when their decisions might affect our worship. (1 Tim. 2:1, 2) We appeal to government authorities for fair treatment, as the apostle Paul did. Although the Bible teaches that God’s adversary, Satan, has authority over political systems, it does not say that he directly controls each leader or official. (Luke 4:5, 6) We should therefore avoid implying that a particular official is controlled by the Devil. Instead, when dealing with “governments and authorities,” we “speak injuriously of no one.”—Titus 3:1, 2. w16.04 4:5, 6
Tuesday, December 4
Keep perceiving what the will of Jehovah is.—Eph. 5:17.
You may wonder, ‘How can we know what Jehovah approves of if his Word provides no specific command on the matter?’ In the absence of a direct Bible law, how can we perceive the will of God? By praying to him and accepting his guidance by holy spirit. Consider how Jesus perceived what his Father wanted him to do. On two reported occasions, Jesus first prayed and then miraculously provided food for large crowds. (Matt. 14:17-20; 15:34-37) Yet, he refused to turn stones into bread when he was hungry and was tempted by the Devil in the wilderness. (Matt. 4:2-4) Because he was familiar with his Father’s thinking, Jesus knew that he should not turn the stones into bread. Yes, Jesus realized that it was not God’s will that he use such power for his own personal benefit. By refusing to do so, he showed that he was relying on Jehovah for guidance and sustenance. w16.05 3:7, 8
Wednesday, December 5
All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial.—2 Tim. 3:16.
Some portions of the Bible were initially directed to one individual or group. That is why, before reading God’s Word, we do well to pray for an open mind and for wisdom to discern the lessons that Jehovah wants us to learn. (Ezra 7:10; Jas. 1:5) As you read a Bible passage, take time to pause and ask yourself such questions as these: ‘What does this tell me about Jehovah? How can I apply this information in my life? How can I use it to help others?’ When we reflect on such questions, we will surely get more out of our Bible reading. As an example, think about the Scriptural qualifications for Christian elders. (1 Tim. 3:2-7) Since the majority of us do not serve as elders, we might initially think that this passage would have little application to our own life. However, this list of qualifications can benefit all of us in a number of ways. w16.05 5:7, 8
Thursday, December 6
Look! As the clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand.—Jer. 18:6.
When the Jewish exiles entered ancient Babylon, they saw a city filled with idols and found a people enslaved to wicked spirits. Nevertheless, faithful Jews, such as Daniel and his three companions, refused to be molded by the world of Babylon. (Dan. 1:6, 8, 12; 3:16-18) Daniel and his companions were determined to give exclusive devotion to Jehovah as their Potter. And they succeeded! Daniel lived in Babylon nearly all his life; yet, God’s angel said that he was a “very precious man.” (Dan. 10:11, 19) In Bible times, a potter might press the clay into a mold so that it would take on the shape he desired. True worshippers today recognize Jehovah as the Universal Sovereign, the one having authority to mold peoples and nations. (Jer. 18:6) God also has the authority to mold us personally. However, he recognizes our free will and wants us to submit to him voluntarily. w16.06 2:1, 2
Friday, December 7
Let your way of life be free of the love of money.—Heb. 13:5.
Satan uses his world’s commercial system to seduce us into believing that having material things beyond our actual needs is necessary for the enjoyment of life. He is adept at appealing to “the desire of the eyes.” (1 John 2:15-17; Gen. 3:6; Prov. 27:20) The world offers every kind of material thing, from the superb to the absurd, some of which look very enticing. Have you ever purchased something, not because you needed it, but because it caught your eye in an advertisement or a store display? Did you later realize that you could have lived the rest of your life without it? Such nonessential things only complicate our life and weigh us down. They can ensnare us and distract us from our spiritual routine of studying the Bible, preparing for and attending meetings, and sharing regularly in the ministry. Remember, the apostle John warned: “The world is passing away and so is its desire.” w16.07 1:3, 4
Saturday, December 8
Just as there are many “gods” . . . , there is actually to us one God.—1 Cor. 8:5, 6.
The first-century Christian congregation was made up of Jews, Greeks, Romans, and people of other nationalities. They had different religious backgrounds, customs, and sensibilities. Because of that, some had difficulty accepting the new way of worship or fully relinquishing their former ways. The apostle Paul found it fitting to remind them that Christians have one God, Jehovah. What about the situation in the Christian congregation today? The prophet Isaiah foretold that “in the final part of the days,” people of all nations would flock to Jehovah’s elevated place of true worship. They would say: “[Jehovah] will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” (Isa. 2:2, 3) How happy we are to see this prophecy undergoing fulfillment before our eyes! The result is that many congregations have become multiracial, multicultural, and multilingual, giving praise to Jehovah. w16.06 3:15, 16
Sunday, December 9
He raised us up together and seated us together in the heavenly places in union with Christ Jesus.—Eph. 2:6.
It is difficult to imagine the wonders that Jehovah has in store for anointed Christians when they are seated on thrones to rule with Christ in heaven. (Luke 22:28-30; Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 John 3:2) They will make up “the New Jerusalem,” the bride of Christ. (Rev. 3:12; 17:14; 21:2, 9, 10) They will share with Jesus in “the healing of the nations,” directing obedient humans to the means to become free from the burden of sin and death and raising them to perfection. (Rev. 22:1, 2, 17) One of the greatest earthly demonstrations of Jehovah’s marvelous kindness will be the resurrection of humans from “the Grave.” (Job 14:13-15; John 5:28, 29) Faithful men and women of old who died before Christ’s sacrificial death, as well as all those “other sheep” who die faithful during the last days, will be brought back to life to continue serving Jehovah.—John 10:16. w16.07 4:13-15
Monday, December 10
At such a time as this, you are sleeping and resting!—Mark 14:41.
To “keep awake” spiritually means more than just having good intentions. A few days before the incident in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told those same disciples to make supplication to Jehovah. (Luke 21:36) So to remain spiritually watchful, we too must stay alert in prayer. (1 Pet. 4:7, ftn.) Since Jesus said that the end will come “at an hour that [we] do not think to be it,” this is no time to doze off spiritually, no time to pursue the illusions and fantasies that Satan and his world offer and that our flesh craves. (Matt. 24:44) Through the pages of the Bible, God and Christ tell us what they have in store for us in the immediate future and how we can keep on the watch. We have to pay attention to our spirituality, to our relationship with Jehovah, and to Kingdom priorities. We must be aware of time and events so that we can be ready for what is coming. (Rev. 22:20) Our life is at stake! w16.07 2:15-17
Tuesday, December 11
Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.—Col. 3:13.
A solid marriage is made up of two people who make allowances for each other’s imperfections. They ‘continue putting up with each other and forgiving each other freely.’ Yes, both mates will make mistakes. When that happens, however, there are opportunities to learn from these errors, to be forgiving, and to let love have full sway as “a perfect bond of union.” (Col. 3:14) Moreover, “love is patient and kind. . . . It does not keep account of the injury.” (1 Cor. 13:4, 5) Misunderstandings should be cleared away as soon as possible. A Christian couple, therefore, should try to settle any issue between them before the day ends. (Eph. 4:26, 27) Sincerely saying “I am sorry for hurting you” takes humility and courage, but it goes a long way in solving problems and drawing marriage partners closer together. w16.08 2:6
Wednesday, December 12
I will give you good instruction.—Prov. 4:2.
Declaring the good news of the Kingdom was Jesus’ primary assignment. However, he took time to train others to be shepherds and teachers. (Matt. 10:5-7) Although Philip was busy as an evangelizer, he no doubt helped his four daughters to become effective in sharing Scriptural truths with others. (Acts 21:8, 9) How important is such training today? Worldwide, the number of people accepting the good news is growing. New ones who are not yet baptized need to grasp the importance of personal Bible study. They must also be taught to preach the good news to others and to teach them the truth. In our congregations, brothers need to be encouraged to work hard in order to qualify for appointment as ministerial servants and elders. By means of “good instruction,” mature Christians can help new ones to make spiritual progress. w16.08 4:1, 2
Thursday, December 13
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the knees that are shaking.—Isa. 35:3.
Serving shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters promotes unity. It also builds lasting friendships and increases mutual confidence in the coming blessings under God’s Kingdom. As we strengthen the hands of others, we help them to battle discouraging circumstances and to maintain a positive and hopeful view of the future. (Isa. 35:4) Moreover, doing that for others helps us to keep our spiritual focus and to feel the reality of what God has in store for us. Yes, it strengthens our hands too. Seeing how Jehovah on different occasions supported and protected his faithful servants in the past should build our faith and trust in him today. So when you face pressures and problems, “do not let your hands drop down”! (Zeph. 3:16) Instead, reach out to Jehovah in prayer, and allow his mighty hand to strengthen you and lead you to Kingdom blessings.—Ps. 73:23, 24. w16.09 1:16-18
Friday, December 14
There is a time for every activity and every action.—Eccl. 3:17.
When making decisions about what to wear, God’s servants take into account the above. It is understandable that different climates and the change of seasons influence what we wear. So do varying circumstances and living conditions. Jehovah’s standards, however, do not fluctuate with the weather. (Mal. 3:6) In warmer climates, it can be particularly challenging to make sure that our style of dress is respectable and sensible and that it shows good judgment. Hence, our brothers and sisters appreciate it when we refrain from wearing clothes that are so tight or so loose that they are revealing. (Job 31:1) Also, when relaxing at the beach or at a swimming pool, the style of swimwear we use should be modest. (Prov. 11:2, 20) Even if many in the world wear revealing swimwear, we who serve Jehovah are concerned about being a credit to the holy God we love. w16.09 3:11, 12
Saturday, December 15
Who do you say I am?—Matt. 16:15.
Jesus was not afraid to ask his followers what they believed. Imitate his example. It is best, in a relaxed setting, to invite your children to express their feelings. If a child is unsure about some teaching, try not to react too strongly or to respond as if you were on the defensive. Patiently help him to reason on the matter. It is helpful to view your child’s sincere questions as an indication that he cares and wants to understand. Even at 12 years of age, Jesus asked serious questions. (Luke 2:46) Get to know your children well—their thinking, their feelings, their concerns. Never assume that they have faith simply because they attend Christian meetings and share in the field service with you. Include spiritual discussions in your daily activities. Pray with and for your children. Try to be aware of any tests to their faith, and help them to deal with these. w16.09 5:3-5
Sunday, December 16
Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.—Matt. 5:3.
Thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses today are taking an active part in the fulfillment of the vision to declare the good news “to every nation and tribe and tongue and people.” (Rev. 14:6) Are you among those who are learning another language? Are you perhaps serving as a missionary or a need-greater in a foreign land, or have you begun attending meetings in a foreign-language congregation in your homeland? As God’s servants, all of us need to give priority to our spiritual health and that of our family. At times, though, we may find it difficult to engage in meaningful personal study because of our busy routine. But those serving in a foreign field face yet other challenges. In addition to learning a new tongue, those serving in a foreign field also need to make sure that they regularly feed their heart with solid spiritual food.—1 Cor. 2:10. w16.10 2:1-3
Monday, December 17
Those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.—Matt. 26:52.
Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to rejoice in their hope despite intense and ongoing persecution. For example, many of our brothers and sisters are imprisoned in Eritrea, Singapore, and South Korea, in most cases because of acting in harmony with Jesus’ words not to take up the sword. Most of Jehovah’s people have not had to endure severe persecution. Their tests of faith have been different. Many have had to endure poverty or have suffered during civil wars or natural disasters. Others are like Moses and the patriarchs in that they have given up a life of worldly ease or fame. They fight hard to resist being tempted to live a materialistic, self-centered lifestyle. What is it that enables them to do this? Their love for Jehovah and their strong faith in the promise that he will correct all injustices and reward his faithful servants with everlasting life in a new world of righteousness.—Ps. 37:5, 7, 9, 29. w16.10 3:15, 16
Tuesday, December 18
Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are discouraged.—Ps. 34:18, ftn.
When Jeremiah was afraid and discouraged, Jehovah built up that faithful prophet’s confidence. (Jer. 1:6-10) And just imagine how encouraged the elderly prophet Daniel was when God sent an angel to strengthen him. That angel called Daniel a “very precious,” or “highly esteemed,” man! (Dan. 10:8, 11, 18, 19; ftn.) Could you similarly encourage publishers, pioneers, and older brothers and sisters whose strength is failing? God did not feel that because he and his dear Son had worked together for ages, there was no need to commend and encourage Jesus when he was on earth. Instead, on two occasions Jesus heard his Father speak from heaven and say: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” (Matt. 3:17; 17:5) God thus commended Jesus and assured him that he was doing well. Jehovah also sent an angel to strengthen Jesus when he was in anguish on the night before his death.—Luke 22:43. w16.11 1:7, 8
Wednesday, December 19
Do not be quick to take offense.—Eccl. 7:9.
It is not easy to control our emotions when we feel that we have been slighted or treated unjustly. It can be devastating if we are mistreated because of our ethnic background, the color of our skin, or some other physical difference. How much greater the pain is if it is caused by a fellow Christian! How wise it is to apply the Bible’s counsel to control our temper and avoid being quick to take offense! (Prov. 16:32) No doubt all of us need to work at being less sensitive and more forgiving. Jehovah and Jesus take forgiveness very seriously. (Matt. 6:14, 15) Do you need to be more forgiving or to give attention to controlling your emotions? People who fail to control their emotions often become bitter. As a result, others may not want to be around them. A bitter individual can exert a bad influence in the congregation.—Lev. 19:17, 18. w16.11 3:4-6
Thursday, December 20
What fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?—2 Cor. 6:14.
Thirsting for Bible truth, Charles Taze Russell and a few associates began their systematic study of the Bible in the late 1800’s. Initially, Brother Russell’s goal was to ascertain which of the prevailing religions was teaching the truth. He had carefully compared the teachings of many different religions, even non-Christian religions, with what the Bible says. He soon realized that not one of those religions completely adhered to God’s Word. At one point, he met with a number of local clergymen in hopes that these men would accept the truths that Russell and his associates had discovered from the Bible and teach them to members of their congregations. The clergymen were not interested. The Bible Students would have to face the facts: There could be no partnership with those determined to hold on to false religion. w16.11 4:14
Friday, December 21
Present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.—Rom. 6:19.
Our appreciation for God’s undeserved kindness involves more than avoiding adultery, drunkenness, or other sins that some in Corinth had been guilty of. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) Accepting God’s undeserved kindness means not only avoiding sexual immorality but also fighting any tendency to enjoy lewd entertainment. Presenting our members as slaves to righteousness will not only keep us from drunkenness but also move us to shun drinking to the point of almost being drunk. It may require considerable effort for us to fight against such wrong practices; still, it is a fight that we can win. Our goal should be to avoid gross sins as well as wrongs that are not as flagrant. We will not be able to do that perfectly. Nevertheless, we should strive to do so, even as Paul did. He urged his brothers: “Do not let sin continue to rule as king in your mortal bodies so that you should obey their desires.”—Rom. 6:12; 7:18-20. w16.12 1:16, 19-21
Saturday, December 22
The fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.—Gal. 5:22, 23.
Jesus promised that our Father in heaven will not fail to give holy spirit to those asking Him. (Luke 11:10-13) The fruitage of the spirit, positive qualities that are produced by God’s active force, reflects the very personality of the almighty God. (Col. 3:10) As you cultivate the fruitage of that spirit, your relationship with others will improve. Thus, you will find that many situations that could otherwise cause anxiety do not arise. Admittedly, you will need humility to yield to “the mighty hand of God” and to “throw all your anxiety on him.” (1 Pet. 5:6, 7) But as you cultivate humility, you will be on a path that results in God’s favor and support. (Mic. 6:8) By maintaining a realistic estimate of your physical, mental, and emotional abilities, you will be less likely to become overwhelmed by anxiety, for you will be relying on God. w16.12 3:7, 12
Sunday, December 23
Noah [was] a preacher of righteousness.—2 Pet. 2:5.
As “a preacher of righteousness,” Noah faithfully proclaimed the warning message he had been given. No doubt, doing so helped Noah keep his faith strong. In addition to preaching, he also used his physical and mental abilities to accomplish the God-assigned work of building an ark. (Heb. 11:7) Like Noah, we strive to have “plenty to do in the work of the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58) Such work may include the construction and maintenance of facilities for worship, volunteering to assist at assemblies and conventions, or caring for assignments at a branch office or a remote translation office. Above all, we stay busy in the preaching work, knowing that this work strengthens our hope for the future. Indeed, sharing in the preaching work fortifies our resolve not to give up in the race for life.—1 Cor. 9:24. w17.01 1:8, 9
Monday, December 24
Each one will carry his own load.—Gal. 6:5.
One of the limitations on our freedom is that we must respect the right that others have to make their own decisions in life. Why? Since we all have the gift of free will, no two Christians will always make exactly the same decision. This is true even in matters that involve our conduct and worship. When we recognize that each Christian must “carry his own load,” we will respect the right that others have to use their own gift of free will, including when making personal decisions in matters of lesser importance. (1 Cor. 10:32, 33) Jehovah has given us the gift of free will and with it true freedom. (2 Cor. 3:17) We treasure this gift because it allows us to make decisions that reveal to Jehovah how much we love him. May we continue to show our appreciation for this precious gift by using it in a way that honors God and by respecting the way that others choose to use their gift. w17.01 2:15, 17, 18
Tuesday, December 25
I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me, I speak these things.—John 8:28.
We win people’s hearts, not by boasting or drawing undue attention to ourselves, but by displaying a “quiet and mild spirit.” (1 Pet. 3:3, 4; Jer. 9:23, 24) Vain sentiments in our hearts will eventually show up in our actions. We might drop hints, for example, implying that we enjoy special privileges, possess inside information, or have special relationships with responsible brothers. Or we might explain things in such a way that only we get the credit for ideas or accomplishments that others also contributed to. Jesus set a wonderful example. A good portion of what he said was either a quotation from or an allusion to the Hebrew Scriptures. He modestly spoke that way so that his hearers would know that what he said was coming from Jehovah and was not the product of his own intellect or wisdom. w17.01 4:12
Wednesday, December 26
As for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, you must not eat from it.—Gen. 2:17.
It was not hard for Adam and Eve to understand this law; nor was it a hardship for them to obey it. After all, they had more food available than they could eat. Satan the Devil, using a serpent, fooled Eve into disobeying her Father, Jehovah. (Gen. 3:1-5; Rev. 12:9) Satan made an issue of the fact that God’s human children were not allowed to eat “from every tree of the garden.” It was as if he were saying: ‘You mean you cannot do what you want?’ Next, he told a blatant lie: “You certainly will not die.” Then he tried to convince Eve that she need not listen to God, saying: “God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened.” Satan implied that Jehovah did not want them to eat the fruit because doing so would enlighten them. Further, Satan made this false promise: “You will be like God, knowing good and bad.” w17.02 1:8, 9
Thursday, December 27
Jehovah your God will raise up for you from among your brothers a prophet like me. You must listen to him.—Deut. 18:15.
Isaiah foretold that this One would become “a leader and commander.” (Isa. 55:4) And Daniel was inspired to write about the coming of “Messiah the Leader.” (Dan. 9:25) Finally, Jesus Christ identified himself as “the Leader” of God’s people. (Matt. 23:10) Jesus’ disciples followed him willingly, and they affirmed that he was Jehovah’s choice. (John 6:68, 69) What convinced them? At Jesus’ baptism, John the Baptizer saw “the heavens being parted and, like a dove, the spirit coming down upon him.” (Mark 1:10-12) For the rest of Jesus’ earthly ministry, God’s holy spirit empowered Jesus to perform miracles and to speak with divine authority. (Acts 10:38) In addition, holy spirit produced in Jesus perfect fruitage, including love, joy, and stalwart faith. (John 15:9; Heb. 12:2) No other leader provided such convincing evidence. Jesus was Jehovah’s choice. w17.02 3:15, 16
Friday, December 28
Remember those who are taking the lead among you.—Heb. 13:7.
At Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostles began to take the lead in the Christian congregation. On that occasion, “Peter stood up with the Eleven” and shared lifesaving truths with a large crowd of Jews and proselytes. (Acts 2:14, 15) Many of them became believers. Thereafter, these new Christians “continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles.” (Acts 2:42) The apostles managed the financial resources of the congregation. (Acts 4:34, 35) They cared for the spiritual needs of God’s people, stating: “We will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) And they assigned experienced Christians to advance the evangelizing work in new territories. (Acts 8:14, 15) In time, other anointed elders joined the apostles in administering the affairs of the congregations. As a governing body, they gave direction to all the congregations.—Acts 15:2. w17.02 4:4
Saturday, December 29
Render to all their dues: . . . to the one who calls for honor, such honor.—Rom. 13:7.
Most imperfect humans are strongly influenced by the spirit of Satan’s world. That is why people tend to idolize certain men or women rather than just show them appropriate honor and respect. They place religious and political leaders, sports figures, entertainment stars, and other celebrities on pedestals, often considering them to be almost superhuman. Hence, young and old alike look to them as role models, perhaps imitating their mannerisms, dress, or conduct. True Christians refrain from such a distorted view of honoring humans. Christ is the only human who ever lived whom we can consider a perfect role model. (1 Pet. 2:21) God would not be pleased if we extended to humans more honor than they are due. We need to bear in mind this basic truth: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) Truly, no human warrants the kind of honor that borders on idolatry. w17.03 1:6-8
Sunday, December 30
Asa’s heart was complete with Jehovah all his life.—1 Ki. 15:14.
Each of us can examine his heart to see if it is fully devoted to God. Ask yourself, ‘Am I determined to please Jehovah, to defend true worship, and to protect his people from any corrupting influence?’ For example, what if someone close to you has to be disfellowshipped? Would you take decisive action by ceasing to associate with that person? What would your heart move you to do? Like Asa, you can show that you have a complete heart by fully relying on God when you are faced with opposition, even some that may seem insurmountable. You may be teased or ridiculed at school for taking a stand as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Or colleagues at work may taunt you for taking days off for spiritual activities or for not often working overtime. In such situations, pray to God, just as Asa did. (2 Chron. 14:11) Remain firm for what you know is right and wise. Remember that God strengthened and helped Asa, and He will strengthen you. w17.03 3:6-8
Monday, December 31
All who are hasty surely head for poverty.—Prov. 21:5.
God’s Word counsels us not to be hasty when we need to make an important decision. When we take the time to weigh carefully all the aspects or facts related to a decision, we will likely be more successful. (1 Thess. 5:21) Before determining a course of action, a family head ought to take the time to research the Scriptures and Christian publications, as well as to consider the opinions or views of others in his family. Recall that God urged Abraham to listen to what his wife had to say. (Gen. 21:9-12) Elders too should take time to do research. And if they are reasonable, modest men, they will not fear losing respect if new, relevant information comes to their attention that indicates a need to reconsider what they had already decided. They should be ready to adjust their thinking and decisions when appropriate, and all of us do well to follow that example. This can promote peace and order in the congregation.—Acts 6:1-4. w17.03 2:16 |
Can Our Planet Survive?—Reasons for Hope | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102023002 | Can Our Planet Survive?—Reasons for Hope
No. 1 2023
© 2023 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. |
Page Two | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101996000 | Page Two
Our Threatened Planet—Can It Be Saved? 3-14
Our planet is being suffocated by pollution, denuded by deforestation, and exhausted by greedy exploitation. Does our threatened planet have a future?
The Greek Orthodox Church—A Religion Divided 15
“The Church of Greece is being torn apart,” said a Greek university professor. What are the causes? And the effects?
“Kanku” Airport—Seen but Not Heard 24
It’s true—an airport that can be used around the clock without being a nuisance!
[Picture Credit Line on page 2]
From the book The Pictorial History of the World
[Picture Credit Line on page 2]
Cover: Child in garbage: Photo: Casas, Godo-Foto |
Why Would Satan Use a Serpent to Speak to Eve? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011008 | Our Readers Ask . . .
Why Would Satan Use a Serpent to Speak to Eve?
▪ You may agree that as discussed on page 8, Satan was the force behind the serpent that spoke to Eve. The Bible certainly teaches this. However, you may wonder, ‘Why would a powerful spirit manipulate a snake the way a ventriloquist uses a dummy?’
The Bible characterizes Satan’s tactics as “machinations,” or “crafty acts,” and this incident helps to prove the point. (Ephesians 6:11; footnote) What we see in Eden is no fable about a talking animal; it is a chilling example of clever strategy designed to lure people away from God. In what way?
Satan chose his target carefully. Eve was the youngest intelligent creature in the universe. Taking advantage of her inexperience, he set out to trick and seduce her. By hiding behind a serpent, a very cautious creature, Satan shrewdly concealed his own bold and ambitious aims. (Genesis 3:1) Consider, too, what he accomplished by making the serpent appear to speak.
First, Satan caught and riveted Eve’s attention. She knew that snakes do not talk; her husband had named all the animals, including this one, likely after careful study. (Genesis 2:19) No doubt Eve too had observed this cautious creature. So Satan’s ploy roused Eve’s curiosity; it got her to focus on the one thing in all the garden that was forbidden to her. Second, if the serpent was lurking in the limbs of the forbidden tree, what conclusion was Eve likely to draw? Might she not have reasoned that this lowly, dumb creature had itself eaten from that fruit and had thereafter been able to speak? If the fruit could do so much for a serpent, what might it do for her? We cannot know for sure what Eve thought or whether the snake had taken a bite of the fruit, but we do know that when the serpent told Eve that the fruit would make her “like God,” she was prepared to believe the lie.
Satan’s choice of words also reveals much. He sowed doubts in Eve’s mind, implying that God was holding back something good from her and needlessly restricting her freedom. The success of Satan’s scheme depended on the chance that Eve’s self-interest would outweigh her love for the God who had given her everything she had. (Genesis 3:4, 5) Tragically, Satan’s gambit worked; neither Eve nor Adam had cultivated in their own hearts the kind of love and appreciation for Jehovah that they should have. Does not Satan promote the same kind of self-interest and rationalizing today?
What, though, about Satan’s motive? What was he after? In Eden, he attempted to hide both his identity and his motive. But, in time, he revealed himself. When he tempted Jesus, he surely knew that disguises were of no use. So he directly urged Jesus: “Fall down and do an act of worship to me.” (Matthew 4:9) Evidently, Satan has long been driven by jealousy over the worship that goes to Jehovah God. He will go to any length to divert or pervert such worship. He loves to destroy integrity to God.
Clearly, the Bible reveals that Satan is a deadly strategist in seeking his aims. Happily, we need not be fooled as Eve was, “for we are not ignorant of his designs.”—2 Corinthians 2:11. |
Look Beyond the Wedding Day | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101970001 | Look Beyond the Wedding Day
Are You Really Ready for the Big Step?
PICTURE in your mind the home of a teen-age bride-to-be. Yes, there is plenty of excitement and concern. The parents, while concerned about the cost, work hard to make the eventful day a success. The girl may be, by turns, depressed and exhilarated. She knows that a big change in her life is at hand. But does she really know how big the change is going to be?
And then there is the young man. He, too, is a teen-ager, and also excited about the big day. Plans have been made to set up a new household soon after the wedding. But at this point all attention is fastened on the wedding day. Both boy and girl have attended weddings and have been caught up in the thrill and glamour of such occasions. They can already see the wedding guests crowding around offering congratulations and bringing gifts.
But are these two young people ready for the big step? Do they really know each other? Speaking of those early days of teen-age love, one authority declares:
“Each partner forms in the beginning an idealized picture of the other. If marriage occurs during the first glow of enthusiasm, both are likely to have a rude awakening later on.” How can they be sure that theirs is not merely juvenile infatuation that could wear thin in a few months’ time?
Perhaps you are a teen-ager, and you have not yet committed yourself to marriage. You may be contemplating it, though. How wise you are if you face the facts now, refraining from rushing into marriage without due preparation or preadjustment! Married life can bring joy, peace, an atmosphere of stability and outputment. But there are failures, too. And you want to avoid that.
Food for Thought
What is it that makes thoughtful, advance consideration of all the pitfalls in marriage desirable? It is the fact that one is entering into a permanent partnership when one enters the bonds of Christian marriage. Before God there can be no excusing the breaking of those bonds for anything short of marital unfaithfulness on the part of one of the mates. ‘Till death do us part’ is the solemn vow that marriage partners make.—Matt. 5:31, 32.
So the glamour of the wedding day should not divert one’s mind from the vital questions that concern those days, months and years that lie beyond the marriage ceremony. Each one contemplating marriage should ask very soberly, Am I adequately equipped for this new role in life, ready to discharge its responsibilities? Young unmarried people can surely note what parents have to do. They can observe that a husband supports his household financially and that he cares for maintenance of equipment in the house. They can see that the role of the wife is that of homemaker—cooking, cleaning, mending and caring for the children. But what can they do to prepare themselves?
If a young man does not know a trade or does not have a job that is adequate to care for himself and his wife-to-be, and perhaps a child before long, can it be said that he is well prepared for marriage? Also, has he worked with his father in caring for practical things around the house? A young woman, too, needs to share in all the household duties with her mother, becoming proficient and always having in mind the excellent qualities of a “capable wife” outlined in the Bible book of Proverbs, chapter 31. Has she really done these things? Successful marriage is not a prolonged honeymoon. Rather, it is a settled, deeply satisfying partnership, with each one contributing generously toward the success of the undertaking.
Religion is a vital consideration when it comes to preparing for a successful marriage. Unless the partners in the marriage can see eye to eye on the subject of God’s requirements for his worshipers, how can they expect success? How can they collaborate to teach their children what is right and true? The Bible wisely counsels: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers,” that is, those who do not accept the truth of the Bible teachings that you rely on as a guide in life.—2 Cor. 6:14, 15.
It is not enough that one of the prospective mates tolerates the religious views of the other. No, because issues may arise that can shatter such toleration—the matter of who has the deciding voice on vital questions affecting the family, for example. Can the girl see in the young man she plans to marry someone she can accept as her “head,” someone for whom she will always have “deep respect”? (Eph. 5:23, 33) Does the man see in his prospective wife one who will always be submissive, not a competitor for the place of leadership in the household?—1 Pet. 3:1.
Many are the disillusionments of premature marriage. According to some authorities in the field of marriage counseling, “two out of three teen-age marriages end on the rocks.” Too late, young mates find that theirs was purely a childish infatuation. Too late, they find themselves mismatched. Too late, they wish they had looked beyond the wedding day and prepared themselves for the roles of husband and wife. Their passions led them into rash action.
What About the Sex Drive?
Yet it is often believed that the sex drive implanted within us should determine when to take a mate. That may be true of animals, but man is superior to the animals, or should be. Intelligent humans well know that the sex urge should never be permitted to take the wheel and direct one’s course in life. Feelings, it is true, are an essential element in our lives, but the mind should supervise, control, yes, even overrule the feelings when necessary to our welfare. If people did everything they felt like doing, this world would be in a sorrier mess than it is in today.
The sex drive is a factor to be considered in marriage. (1 Cor. 7:9) But there are other factors, which, if ignored, can rob a marriage of success. Good judgment, for example, may be cast aside. Consider what happens when someone buys an item without checking as to its quality. On the outside it may appear quite good, but when tested as to quality it may prove to be inferior. Such a discovery as to one’s marriage mate after the wedding day is too late, such as when one finds oneself married to a chronic complainer. Now is the time to think of such possibilities.
‘But this sex drive is too powerful,’ some have been known to claim. But why? Is it because they are reading books and watching films that glorify sex and elevate it to a position it does not deserve? Is it because they have become over-familiar with those of the opposite sex, whipping up their passions to a dangerous degree? That is how boys and girls often become obsessed with the idea that they must marry right away.
The Better Way
How much better, how much wiser it is not to be rushed into any such far-reaching decision as that involved in your choice of a marriage mate! First, it is beneficial to have had the experience of standing alone as an individual after passing the adolescent stage, depending on one’s own resources, physical, mental and spiritual. Teen-agers who pass immediately from parental care into the married state miss this opportunity. They never get to know the reality of single life. All they know is dependence on a marriage mate or a parent for protection and happiness.
Then there is the extreme seriousness of the vow they must make to accept someone in wedlock ‘for better or for worse.’ A vow made in haste, without full consideration of everything involved, holds very little of promise, for in Proverbs 29:20 we read: “Have you beheld a man hasty with his words? There is more hope for someone stupid than for him.”
A prospective marriage mate needs to be observed under unfavorable as well as favorable conditions. And that takes time. Also, it helps if one can become acquainted with the parents of an intended mate. One marriage counselor, a doctor, observed that ‘seeing her fiancé’s mother serve a meal, seeing the father and mother with each other, is one way a girl can get some idea of what her future husband is likely to expect of her.’ Likewise a young man may get some idea of the kind of wife his fiancée will turn out to be, by observing her mother over a period of time.
It takes time also for the respective parents to get to know the one their son or daughter is contemplating marrying. ‘That is unimportant,’ some may say. But then, if the marriage does run into trouble, to whom are the newlyweds going to turn for a sympathetic ear or some assistance and counsel with a view to patching up their differences? It is true that parents may not select mates for their children as in earlier times, but from their fund of experience they can offer helpful advice, especially so if they are well versed in the Bible’s fine principles.
Of course, if one sees the benefits from a waiting period before plunging into matrimony, then he or she must understand that intimate association with the opposite sex or reading books and watching movies having sex as their theme is not for them. Upbuilding reading habits and associations must be substituted.
Following the better way will produce many benefits. A greater stability will come to your life. You will be able to think more calmly and lucidly on vital questions including love and marriage. You will look well beyond the wedding day, preparing in advance for your role as husband or wife. You are more likely to enjoy a lastingly happy married life with God’s rich blessings. |
BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Joshua 1:9—“Be Strong and Courageous” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502300111 | BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Joshua 1:9—“Be Strong and Courageous”
“Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and strong. Do not be struck with terror or fear, for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.”—Joshua 1:9, New World Translation.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”—Joshua 1:9, New International Version.
Meaning of Joshua 1:9
With these words, Jehovaha God assured his faithful worshipper Joshua that he could “be courageous and strong” despite facing challenging circumstances and seemingly overwhelming obstacles. Joshua had no reason to be afraid of the future if he obeyed God’s commands, because it would be as if Jehovah were right there with him helping him to succeed. God was with Joshua by instructing him and by giving him victory over his enemies.
How could Joshua “be courageous and strong”? He could draw courage and strength from the inspired writings that Jehovah had provided at that time. This included “the entire Law that Moses [Jehovah’s] servant commanded [Joshua].”b (Joshua 1:7) Jehovah told Joshua to “read it in an undertone [“meditate on it,” New International Version] day and night.” (Joshua 1:8) Such reading and meditation fortified Joshua’s mind and heart to do God’s will. Joshua then needed to act on what he learned in God’s Word, to “observe carefully all that [was] written in it.” If he did so, then he would act wisely and be successful. And that is exactly what happened. Although he faced challenges, Joshua lived a full and satisfying life as a faithful worshipper of Jehovah.—Joshua 23:14; 24:15.
Jehovah’s words to Joshua continue to be encouraging today. They reveal how much Jehovah cares for all his worshippers, especially when they face challenges. He wants them to be successful just as Joshua was! And like Joshua, they can “be courageous and strong” by regularly reading and meditating on God’s Word, the Bible, and then acting in harmony with its direction.
Context of Joshua 1:9
After Moses’ death, Jehovah directed that Joshua lead the nation of Israel. (Joshua 1:1, 2) At that time, the Israelites were poised to enter the Promised Land, the land of Canaan. But powerful enemies stood before them. For example, Joshua had to wage war against the Canaanites, who were exceedingly wicked.c (Deuteronomy 9:5; 20:17, 18) The Canaanites were also more numerous and better equipped militarily than the Israelites. (Joshua 9:1, 2; 17:18) But Joshua courageously followed Jehovah’s instructions. And God did prove to be with him, for the Israelites conquered the majority of their enemies in just six years.—Joshua 21:43, 44.
Read Joshua chapter 1 along with explanatory footnotes and cross-references.
a The name Jehovah is an English translation of the Hebrew name for God—the four letters יהוה (YHWH), known as the Tetragrammaton. This name is rendered “the LORD” in this verse in the New International Version. For more information about Jehovah and why some Bible translations fail to use that name, see the article “Who is Jehovah?”
b The inspired writings available to Joshua, and now to all of us in the Bible, likely included the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the book of Job, and one or two psalms.
c For a discussion of why such war was necessary, see the article “Why Did God Wage War Against the Canaanites?” in the January 1, 2010, issue of The Watchtower. |
What Do You Know About Jehovah’s Witnesses? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102016003 | What Do You Know About Jehovah’s Witnesses?
You see us in our public ministry. You may have read about us in news reports or heard things about us from others. But how much do you really know about Jehovah’s Witnesses?
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Check each statement true or false.
TRUE FALSE
Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christians.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are creationists.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in doctors.
Jehovah’s Witnesses accept the entire Bible.
Jehovah’s Witnesses use only their own Bible translation.
Jehovah’s Witnesses changed their Bible to fit their beliefs.
Jehovah’s Witnesses shun community involvement.
Jehovah’s Witnesses look down on people of other religions.
For the answers, see the following pages.
1 TRUE. We try to follow closely the teachings and behavior of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:21) However, in a number of ways, we differ from other religious groups that are called Christian. For example, we have found that the Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God; he is not part of a Trinity. (Mark 12:29) We do not believe that the soul is immortal or that there is any basis in Scripture for saying that God tortures people in an everlasting hell. Nor do we believe that those who take the lead in religious activities should have inputs that elevate them above others.—Ecclesiastes 9:5; Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 23:8-10.
2 FALSE. We believe that God created everything. But we do not agree with many who believe in creationism. Why not? Because a number of creationists’ ideas conflict with the Bible. For example, some assert that the six days of creation were literal 24-hour days. But the word “day” in the Bible can refer to a considerable length of time. (Genesis 2:4; Psalm 90:4) Then, too, some creationists teach that the earth is just a few thousand years old. However, the Bible indicates that the earth and the universe existed long before the six days of creation.1—Genesis 1:1.
3 FALSE. We do accept medical treatment. In fact, some of us are physicians, as was the first-century Christian named Luke. (Colossians 4:14) However, we reject any treatment that conflicts with Bible principles. For example, we do not accept blood transfusions, because the Bible forbids taking in blood.—Acts 15:20, 28, 29.
Even then, we seek the best possible medical care for ourselves and our families. In fact, blood conservation treatments that were developed to help Witness patients are now being used to benefit all in the community. In many countries, any patient can now choose to avoid blood-transfusion risks, such as blood-borne diseases, immune-system reactions, and human errors.
4 TRUE. We believe that the entire Bible is “inspired of God and beneficial.” (2 Timothy 3:16) That includes both the Old Testament and the New Testament, as they are commonly called. Generally, we refer to these sections of the Bible as the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Greek Scriptures. In this way, we avoid giving the impression that some parts of the Bible are outdated or irrelevant.
5 FALSE. We use many translations in our study of the Bible. In languages in which it is available, though, we especially appreciate the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures for its use of God’s name, for its accuracy, and for its clarity. Consider the use of God’s name, Jehovah. In the introduction of one Bible translation, there is a list of the names of 79 people who in some way contributed to the production of the translation. Yet, this same Bible omits the name of the very Author—Jehovah God! In contrast, the New World Translation restores the divine name in the thousands of places where it existed in the original text.2
6 FALSE. When we have discovered that our beliefs were not completely in line with the Bible, we have adjusted our understanding. Long before we started producing the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in 1950, we used available translations and formed our beliefs accordingly.
7 FALSE. Our ministry benefits many in the community. We have helped many people to overcome harmful addictions, such as the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Our literacy classes help thousands around the world to learn to read and write. We also help when disaster strikes by providing practical relief assistance to both Witnesses and non-Witnesses. We try to give the emotional and spiritual support that victims sorely need at such times.3
8 FALSE. We follow the Bible’s advice to “respect everyone”—regardless of their religious beliefs. (1 Peter 2:17, Today’s English Version) For example, though in some countries there are hundreds of thousands of us, we do not try to pressure politicians or lawmakers into restricting or banning the work of other religious groups. Nor do we campaign to have laws passed that would impose our moral and religious convictions on the community. Instead, we extend to others the same tolerance that we appreciate receiving from them.—Matthew 7:12.
This article contains information selected from our official website, jw.org. To learn more, go to ABOUT US > FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
^ 1. For that reason, we have no objection—as do some creationists—to credible scientific research that indicates the earth may be billions of years old.
^ 2. The New World Translation has another distinction: It is distributed without charge. As a result, millions are able to read the Bible in their mother tongue. The New World Translation is now available in some 130 languages. You can even read it online at www.jw.org.
^ 3. One of the ways we use donations is in providing relief for victims of disasters. (Acts 11:27-30) Since the work is performed by unpaid volunteers, the funds that are allocated go toward actual relief, not administrative salaries. |
Young People Ask (yp)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp | Chapter 6
Why Are My Brother and Sister So Hard to Get Along With?
SIBLING rivalry—it’s as old as Cain and Abel. Not that you hate your sibling (brother or sister). One youth admitted: “Deep down in my heart, where I cannot feel it now, I guess I love my brother. Sort of, I do.”
Why does animosity so often lurk beneath the surface of sibling relationships? Writer Harriet Webster quotes family therapist Claudia Schweitzer as saying: “Each family has a certain amount of resources, some emotional and some material.” Adds Webster: “When sibs fight, they’re usually competing for these resources, which includes everything from parental love to money and clothes.” Camille and her five brothers and sisters, for example, share three bedrooms. “I want to be by myself sometimes,” Camille says, “and I’ll want to shut them out, but they’re always there.”
Battle lines may also be drawn over sharing privileges and household responsibilities. Older youngsters may resent being expected to do the lion’s share of the chores. Younger children may balk at being bossed by an older sibling or may become jealous when older siblings receive coveted privileges. ‘My sister takes driving lessons and I can’t,’ laments a teenage girl from England. ‘I feel resentful and try to make things difficult for her.’
Sometimes sibling discord is simply the result of personality clashes. Seventeen-year-old Diane says of her siblings: “If you see one another every single day, day in and day out . . . And if you watch the same person every day do the same thing that annoys you—that can get to you.” Young Andre adds: “When you’re at home . . . , you act the way you really are.” Unfortunately, ‘acting the way you really are’ often means dispensing with politeness, kindness, and tact.
Parental preferences (‘Mom likes you best!’) are another common bone of outpution between siblings. Admits professor of psychology Lee Salk: “There’s no way a parent can love all her children exactly the same because they are different human beings and inevitably elicit different reactions from us [parents].” This was true in Bible times. The patriarch Jacob (Israel) “loved Joseph more than all his other sons.” (Genesis 37:3) Joseph’s brothers came to be bitterly jealous of him.
Putting Out the Fire
“Where there is no wood the fire goes out.” So says Proverbs 26:20. The spread of forest fires is often prevented by the cutting of firebreaks, strips of land where all the trees have been cut down. If a fire does start, it usually advances only to that point and then dies out. Similarly, there are ways to prevent—or at least limit—disagreements. One way is to communicate and work out a compromise before an argument flares up.
For example, is the problem a lack of privacy? If so, at a time when the issue is not raging, try sitting down together and working out an actual schedule. (‘I get the room to myself on these days/hours, and you get it on these.’) Then “let your word Yes mean Yes, your No, No” by respecting the agreement. (Matthew 5:37) If something comes up that calls for an adjustment, let the other person know in advance, instead of just thrusting the change upon him or her without notice.
Are you battling over property rights? One teenager complained: “My stepsister always uses my things without asking me. She even used my makeup, and then had the nerve to tell me I didn’t buy the right kind!” You could call upon your parents as the final arbiters. But better yet, sit down with your brother or sister at a calm moment. Rather than quibble over personal “rights,” be “ready to share.” (1 Timothy 6:18) Try to agree upon some rules regarding borrowing, one of which might be always to ask before taking. Work out compromises if necessary. In this way you can watch the ‘fire go out’ before it starts!
But what if a sibling’s personality simply rubs you the wrong way? Really, you can do little to change that one. So learn to ‘put up with one another in love.’ (Ephesians 4:2) Instead of magnifying a sibling’s faults and flaws, apply Christian love, which “covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) Instead of being abrasive or unkind, put away “wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech,” and “let your utterance be always with graciousness.”—Colossians 3:8; 4:6.
‘It’s Not Fair!’
“My sister gets everything she wants,” laments one youth. “But when it comes to me, I get left out completely.” Sound familiar? But note those two absolutes, “everything” and “completely.” Is the situation really that dire? Not likely. And even if it is, is it realistic to expect absolutely equal treatment for two different individuals? Of course not! Your parents may simply be responding to your individual needs and temperaments.
But isn’t it unfair for parents to favor a particular child? Not necessarily. Recall how Jacob favored his son Joseph. The reason? Joseph was the son of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel, who had died. Is it not perfectly understandable that Jacob felt especially close to this son? Jacob’s love for Joseph, however, did not exclude his other sons, as he expressed real concern for their welfare. (Genesis 37:13, 14) Their jealousy of Joseph was thus unfounded!
Your parents may similarly be drawn to your brother or to your sister, perhaps because of shared interests, similar personality, or other factors. This does not mean that they do not love you. If you feel resentment or jealousy, realize that your imperfect heart has simply got the better of you. Work to overcome such feelings. As long as your needs are being met, why become disturbed if a sibling seems to get extra attention?
Brothers and Sisters—A Blessing
This may seem hard to believe at times—especially when they are annoying you. But young Diane reminds us: “It’s fun having brothers and sisters.” She has seven. “You have someone to talk to and share your interests with.”
Anne Marie and her brother Andre add: “Even though you can go places with your friends, you always have your brothers and sisters. They are always there when you want to play a game or sport or go to the park.” Donna sees another practical advantage: “You have someone to share the chores with.” Others have described their brother or sister as “a special adviser and listener” and someone who “understands.”
Later in life, you will experience some of the very same problems with others that you now have with your brother or sister. Jealousy, property rights, unequal treatment, lack of privacy, selfishness, personality differences—such problems are a part of life. Learning to get along with your brothers and sisters is good training in the field of human relations.
Seventeen-year-old Andre echoes the Bible’s words at 1 John 4:20 when he says: “If you can’t get along with people you can see, how can you get along with Jehovah, whom you can’t see?” Disagreements with your brothers and sisters will occur from time to time. But you can learn to share, communicate, and compromise. The result of such effort? You may well decide that having a brother or a sister isn’t so bad after all.
Questions for Discussion
◻ Why do brothers and sisters often clash?
◻ How can you prevent fights over privacy and property rights?
◻ Why do parents sometimes favor a particular child? Do you feel this is necessarily unfair?
◻ Is an only child disadvantaged?
◻ What are some advantages of having brothers and sisters?
[Blurb on page 52]
“There’s no way a parent can love all her children exactly the same because they are different human beings.”—Professor of psychology Lee Salk
[Box on page 54]
‘I’m an Only Child’
If this is your situation, you are not necessarily disadvantaged. For one thing, while other youths may have difficulty getting along with their siblings, you can hand pick your close companions (with your parents’ approval, of course). You may even have more time for study, meditation, or the development of certain skills or talents.—See Chapter 14 on loneliness.
Young Thomas points to another advantage when he says: “As an only child I had the total attention of my parents.” True, excessive parental attention can make a youth self-centered. But if parents show balance in rendering it, parental attention can help you to mature more quickly and to feel at ease around adults.
Since you do not have brothers or sisters to share things with, however, there is the danger of being selfish. Jesus advised: “Practice giving.” (Luke 6:38) Try sharing things with friends and relatives. Develop an eye for the needs of others, offering your help where possible. People will respond to such generosity. And you may find that although you are an only child, you are far from a lonely one.
[Picture on page 53]
I often miss not having a sister; yet I do have certain advantages |
What Is the Seven-Headed Wild Beast of Revelation Chapter 13? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502014128 | What Is the Seven-Headed Wild Beast of Revelation Chapter 13?
The Bible’s answer
The wild beast with seven heads introduced at Revelation 13:1 represents the worldwide political system.
It has authority, power, and a throne, which point to its being a political entity.—Revelation 13:2.
It rules over “every tribe and people and tongue and nation,” so it is greater than a single national government.—Revelation 13:7.
It combines features of the four beasts described in the prophecy at Daniel 7:2-8, including the appearance of a leopard, the feet of a bear, a lion’s mouth, and ten horns. The beasts in Daniel’s prophecy are identified as specific kings, or political kingdoms, that rule in succession over empires. (Daniel 7:17, 23) Thus, the wild beast of Revelation chapter 13 represents a composite political organization.
It ascends “out of the sea,” that is, from the turbulent masses of mankind that are the source of human governments.—Revelation 13:1; Isaiah 17:12, 13.
The Bible says that the number, or name, of the beast—666—is “a man’s number.” (Revelation 13:17, 18) That expression indicates that the beast of Revelation chapter 13 is a human entity, not a spirit or demon entity.
Even though nations may agree on few things, they unite in their determination to maintain their authority rather than submit to the rule of God’s Kingdom. (Psalm 2:2) They will also join forces to battle God’s armies commanded by Jesus Christ at Armageddon, but this war will result in the nations being destroyed.—Revelation 16:14, 16; 19:19, 20.
“Ten horns and seven heads”
Certain numbers are used symbolically in the Bible. For example, ten and seven represent completeness. The key to understanding the specific meaning of the “ten horns and seven heads” of the beast of Revelation chapter 13 is an “image of the wild beast” identified later in Revelation—a bright-red beast that has seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 13:1, 14, 15; 17:3) The Bible says that the seven heads of this red beast mean “seven kings,” or governments.—Revelation 17:9, 10.
Likewise, the seven heads of the beast of Revelation 13:1 represent seven governments: the primary political powers that have dominated through history and have taken the lead in oppressing God’s people—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and Anglo-America. If we conclude that the ten horns represent all sovereign states, small and large, then the diadem, or crown, on each horn shows that each nation rules concurrently with the primary political power of the time. |
Young People Ask (yp)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp | Chapter 14
How Can I Make My Loneliness Go Away?
It is Saturday night. The boy sits alone in his room.
“I hate weekends!” he shouts. But there is no one in the room to answer. He picks up a magazine and sees a picture of a group of young people at the beach. He hurls the magazine against the wall. Tears well up. He clamps his teeth on his underlip, but the tears keep pushing. Unable to fight it any longer, he falls on his bed, sobbing, “Why am I always left out?”
DO YOU sometimes feel like that—cut off from the world, lonely, useless, and empty? If so, do not despair. For while feeling lonely is no fun, it is not some fatal disease. Simply put, loneliness is a warning signal. Hunger warns you that you need food. Loneliness warns you that you need companionship, closeness, intimacy. We need food to function well. Likewise, we need companionship to feel well.
Have you ever watched a bed of glowing coals? When you take one coal away from the heap, the glow of that single coal dies away. But after you put the coal back into the heap, it glows again! In isolation, we humans similarly do not “glow,” or function well, for long. The need for companionship is built into our makeup.
Alone But Not Lonely
Essayist Henry David Thoreau wrote: “I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.” Do you agree? “Yes,” says Bill, age 20. “I like nature. Sometimes I get in my little boat and go out on a lake. I sit there for hours all alone. It gives me time to reflect on what I’m doing with my life. It’s really great.” Twenty-one-year-old Steven agrees. “I live in a big apartment building,” he says, “and sometimes I go to the roof of the building just to be alone. I get some thinking done and pray. It’s refreshing.”
Yes, if used well, moments of solitude can give us deep satisfaction. Jesus too enjoyed such moments: “Early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] rose up and went outside and left for a lonely place, and there he began praying.” (Mark 1:35) Remember, Jehovah did not say, ‘It is not good for man to be momentarily by himself.’ Rather, God said that it was not good for man “to continue by himself.” (Genesis 2:18-23) It is prolonged periods of isolation, then, that may lead to loneliness. The Bible warns: “One isolating himself will seek his own selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth.”—Proverbs 18:1.
Temporary Loneliness
Sometimes loneliness is imposed on us by circumstances beyond our control, like being away from close friends as a result of moving to a new location. Recalls Steven: “Back home James and I were friends, closer than brothers. When I moved away, I knew I was going to miss him.” Steven pauses, as if reliving the moment of departure. “When I had to board the plane, I got choked up. We hugged, and I left. I felt that something precious was gone.”
How did Steven make out in his new environment? “It was rough,” he says. “Back home my friends liked me, but here some of the folks I worked with made me feel as if I were no good. I remember looking at the clock and counting back four hours (that was the time difference) and thinking what James and I could be doing right now. I felt lonely.”
When things are not going well, we often dwell on better times that we had in the past. However, the Bible says: “Do not say: ‘Why has it happened that the former days proved to be better than these?’” (Ecclesiastes 7:10) Why this advice?
For one thing, circumstances can change for the better. That is why researchers often speak of “temporary loneliness.” Steven could thus overcome his loneliness. How? “Talking about my feelings with someone who cares helped. You cannot live on in the past. I forced myself to meet other people, show interest in them. It worked; I found new friends.” And what about James? ‘I was wrong. Moving away did not end our friendship. The other day I phoned him. We talked and talked for one hour and 15 minutes.’
Chronic Loneliness
Sometimes, though, the gnawing pain of loneliness persists, and there seems to be no way out. Ronny, a high school student, relates: “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! . . . Nobody knows what I feel and nobody cares. Sometimes I think I just can’t stand it anymore!”
Like Ronny, many teenagers experience what is often called chronic loneliness. This is more serious than temporary loneliness. In fact, say researchers, the two are “as different as the common cold and pneumonia.” But just as pneumonia can be cured, chronic loneliness can be beaten too. The first step is trying to understand its cause. (Proverbs 1:5) And 16-year-old Rhonda pinpoints the most common cause of chronic loneliness, saying: “I think the reason why I feel very lonely is because—well you can’t have friends if you feel badly about yourself. And I guess I don’t like myself very much.”—Lonely in America.
Rhonda’s loneliness comes from within. Her low self-esteem forms a barrier that keeps her from opening up and making friends. Says one researcher: “Thoughts such as ‘I’m unattractive,’ ‘I’m uninteresting,’ ‘I’m worthless,’ are common themes among the chronically lonely.” The key to overcoming your loneliness may thus lie in building your self-respect. (See Chapter 12.) As you develop what the Bible calls “the new personality,” characterized by kindness, lowliness of mind, and mildness, your self-respect is sure to grow!—Colossians 3:9-12.
Furthermore, as you learn to like yourself, others will be drawn to your appealing qualities. But just as you can only see the full colors of a flower after it unfolds, so others can fully appreciate your qualities only if you open up to them.
Breaking the Ice
‘The best advice for a lonely person,’ says a recent publication from the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, is to ‘get involved with other people.’ This advice harmonizes with the Bible’s counsel to “widen out” and show “fellow feeling,” or empathy. (2 Corinthians 6:11-13; 1 Peter 3:8) It works. Caring for others not only gets your mind off your own loneliness but motivates others to take an interest in you.
Nineteen-year-old Natalie thus decided that she would do more than sit back and wait for people to say hi. ‘I have to be friendly too,’ she says. ‘Otherwise people will think I’m stuck-up.’ So start with a smile. The other person might smile back.
Next, strike up a conversation. Lillian, age 15, admits: “Going up to strangers for the first time was really scary. I was afraid that they wouldn’t accept me.” How does Lillian start conversations? She says: “I ask simple questions like, ‘Where are you from?’ ‘Do you know so and so?’ We both may know a person, and before long we’re talking.” Kind acts and a generous spirit will likewise help you to build precious friendships.—Proverbs 11:25.
Remember too that you can have a friend who will never let you down. Jesus Christ told his disciples: “I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” (John 16:32) Jehovah can become your closest friend too. Get to know his personality by reading the Bible and observing his creation. Strengthen your friendship with him by prayer. Ultimately, a friendship with Jehovah God is the best cure for loneliness.
If you still feel lonely from time to time, relax. That is perfectly normal. What, though, if extreme shyness is holding you back from making friends and being with others?
Questions for Discussion
◻ Is being alone necessarily a bad thing? Are there benefits from solitude?
◻ Why is most loneliness temporary? Have you found this to be true in your own case?
◻ What is chronic loneliness, and how can you battle it?
◻ What are some ways of ‘breaking the ice’ with others? What has worked for you?
[Blurb on page 119]
‘The best advice for a lonely person,’ says the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, is to ‘get involved with other people’
[Pictures on page 116, 117]
Friends can keep in touch even across long distances
[Picture on page 118]
Periods of solitude can be enjoyable |
What Are the Origins of Halloween? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013285 | What Are the Origins of Halloween?
The Bible’s answer
The Bible does not mention Halloween, a holiday that many observe on October 31 each year. However, the ancient origins and traditions of Halloween conflict with Bible teachings.
In this article
Halloween’s history and traditions
Do the pagan origins of Halloween matter?
Why is it called Halloween?
Halloween’s history and traditions
Samhain: The origin of Halloween can be traced to this “ancient pagan festival celebrated by Celtic people over 2,000 years ago,” states The World Book Encyclopedia. “The Celts believed that the dead could walk among the living at this time. During Samhain, the living could visit with the dead.”—See “Why Is It Called Halloween?”
Halloween costumes, candy, and trick or treat: According to one source, some of the Celts wore ghoulish costumes so that wandering spirits “would mistake them for one of their own” and leave them alone. Others offered sweets to the spirits to appease them.a
In medieval Europe, the Catholic clergy adopted local pagan customs and had their church members go from house to house wearing costumes and requesting small gifts.
Ghosts, vampires, werewolves, witches, and zombies: These have long been associated with the evil spirit world. Referring to them as “supernatural monsters,” the book Halloween Trivia states that such creatures are “closely connected with death, the dead or the fear of dying.”
Halloween pumpkins, or jack-o’-lanterns: In medieval Britain, people “moved from door to door asking for food in return for a prayer for the dead,” and they would carry “hollowed-out turnip lanterns, whose candle connoted a soul trapped in purgatory.” (Halloween—From Pagan Ritual to Party Night) Some sources say that the lanterns were used to ward off evil spirits. During the 1800’s in North America, pumpkins replaced turnips because they were plentiful as well as easy to hollow out and carve.
Do the pagan origins of Halloween matter?
Yes. Although some people view Halloween as harmless fun, the practices associated with it are in direct conflict with Bible teachings. Halloween is based on false beliefs about the dead and invisible spirits, or demons.
Notice the following verses that show how God views the beliefs associated with Halloween:
“There must never be anyone among you who . . . consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead.”—Deuteronomy 18:10-12, The Jerusalem Bible.
Meaning: God does not approve of efforts to contact the dead or even of giving the appearance of trying to have contact with those who have died.
“The dead know nothing at all.”—Ecclesiastes 9:5.
Meaning: Because the dead are unconscious, they cannot contact the living.
“[Do not] be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too.”—1 Corinthians 10:20, 21, New International Version.
Meaning: Those who want God’s favor must avoid any connection with demons.
“Stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; because we have a struggle . . . against the wicked spirit forces.”—Ephesians 6:11, 12.
Meaning: Christians should oppose wicked spirit forces, not pretend to celebrate with them.
a See the book Halloween: An American Holiday, an American History, page 4.
Why is it called Halloween?
The name Halloween is connected with the pagan Celtic festival of Samhain. The World Book Encyclopedia states: “Samhain . . . means summer’s end. The festival marked the start of the dark winter season and was celebrated around November 1. In the A.D. 700’s to 800’s, the Christian church established a new holiday, All Saints’ Day, on this date. All Saints’ Day was also called All Hallows’. Hallow means saint, or one who is holy. The evening before All Hallows’ was known as All Hallows’ Eve, or as it came to be abbreviated, All Hallow e’en. This name was eventually shortened to Halloween.” |
Does the Bible Teach That the Earth Is Flat? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502018142 | Does the Bible Teach That the Earth Is Flat?
The Bible’s answer
No, the Bible does not teach that the earth is flat.a The Bible is not a science textbook. At the same time, nothing in the Bible contradicts proved science. What the Bible says is “always reliable, now and forever.”—Psalm 111:8.
What does the Bible mean by “the four corners of the earth”?
What about the Devil’s temptation of Jesus?
What does the Bible mean by “the four corners of the earth”?
The expressions “the four corners of the earth” and “the ends of the earth” used in the Bible are not to be taken literally, as if the earth were square or had ends. (Isaiah 11:12; Job 37:3) Instead, these evidently are figures of speech referring to the entire surface of the earth. The Bible uses the four points of the compass in a similar way.—Luke 13:29.
The Hebrew term translated “corners” or “ends” seems to be an idiom based on the word for “wings.” According to The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, “because the wing of a bird is used as a covering for its young, [this Hebrew term] acquires the meaning of the extremity of anything stretched out.” The same reference work adds that at Job 37:3 and Isaiah 11:12, “the term means the coasts, boundaries, or extremities of the land surface of the earth.”b
What about the Devil’s temptation of Jesus?
To tempt Jesus, “the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.” (Matthew 4:8) Some claim that this Bible account teaches that the entire world is visible from a single spot on a flat earth. However, the “unusually high mountain” in this account seems to be a metaphor and not a physical location. Consider why this conclusion is reasonable.
There is no literal mountain on earth from which all the kingdoms of the world are visible.
The Devil showed Jesus not only all the kingdoms but also “their glory.” Such details could not be seen from a great distance, so it seems that the Devil used some sort of vision to show these to Jesus. This could be similar to the way a person uses a projector and a screen to show someone pictures of various places on earth.
The parallel account at Luke 4:5 says that the Devil showed Jesus “all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time,” which would not be possible through normal human vision. This implies that the Devil presented this temptation to Jesus through some means other than literal human sight.
a The Bible refers to God as the “One who dwells above the circle of the earth.” (Isaiah 40:22) Some reference works allow for the possibility that the word here rendered “circle” could mean a sphere, although not all scholars agree on this point. In any case, the Bible does not support the idea of a flat earth.
b Revised Edition, Volume 2, page 4. |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Greediness
Lu 12:15; Col 3:5
Relevant Bible account(s):
Nu 11:4, 5, 31-33—The Israelites greedily gather quail and are punished for their sin
2Ki 5:20-27—Because of his greed, Gehazi lies and misrepresents Jehovah’s prophet and suffers the consequences |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 166
See Jehovah’s Army!
(Joel 2:7)
1. See Jehovah’s army,
Loosed from Bab’lon’s chains,
Heralding the Kingdom
In which Jesus reigns.
Boldly they press forward,
Each a volunteer;
Flintlike are their faces,
With no hint of fear.
They trust God Jehovah,
Follow Christ his Son,
Joyfully proclaiming:
“God’s rule has begun.”
2. See Jehovah’s servants
Searching for the sheep,
Whom in Bab’lon’s bondage
The false shepherds keep.
These they try to rescue
With repeated calls;
These they keep inviting
To their Kingdom Halls.
When a sheep they get free,
How they follow through
And persist in teaching
Truths both old and new.
3. See the great crowd marching
Under Christ’s command,
With the faithful remnant,
A courageous band.
Cautious just like serpents,
Dovelike, free from guile,
They brave persecution,
Keep true under trial.
They delight to honor
God their Lord and King;
So in their pure worship,
They are prospering. |
JW Brochure (br78)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/jw-brochure-br78 | Ways They Use to Tell it to You
Christians are commanded to “make disciples of people of all the nations,” but this does not mean that they are to use pressure or convert others by force. Jesus’ commission was to “tell good news to the meek ones,” to “bind up the brokenhearted,” to “comfort all the mourning ones.” (Matthew 28:19; Isaiah 61:1, 2; Luke 4:18, 19) Jehovah’s Witnesses seek to do this by declaring the good news from the Bible. Like the prophet Ezekiel of old, Jehovah’s Witnesses today try to find those who “are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done.”—Ezekiel 9:4.
The best-known way they use to find those who are distressed by present conditions is by going from house to house. Thus they make a positive effort to reach the public, just as Jesus did when “he went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” His early disciples did likewise. (Luke 8:1; 9:1-6; 10:1-9) Today, where it is possible, Jehovah’s Witnesses endeavor to call at each home several times a year, seeking to converse with the householder for a few minutes on some local or world topic of interest or concern. A scripture or two may be offered for consideration, and if interest is shown by the householder, the Witness may arrange to call back at a convenient time for further discussion. Bibles and literature explaining the Bible are made available, and if the householder desires, a home Bible study is conducted without any charge. During 1988 an average of some 3,250,000 Bible studies were so conducted regularly throughout the world.
Another way in which “the good news of the kingdom” is told to others is through meetings held at local Kingdom Halls. The Witnesses conduct meetings there weekly. One meeting is a public lecture on a subject of current interest, followed by a study of some Biblical theme or prophecy, using the Watchtower magazine as source material. Another meeting is a school for training Witnesses to be better proclaimers of the good news, followed by a part devoted to discussing the witnessing work in the local territory. Also, once a week Witnesses assemble in private homes, in small groups, for Bible studies.
All these meetings are open to the public. No collections are ever taken. Such meetings are beneficial for all. The Bible says: “We ought to see how each of us may best arouse others to love and active goodness, not staying away from our meetings, as some do, but rather encouraging one another, all the more because you see the Day drawing near.” Private study and research are necessary, but meeting with others is stimulating: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens the wits of another.”—Hebrews 10:24, 25; Proverbs 27:17, The New English Bible.
The Witnesses also make good use of openings for talking about the good news as they come in contact with other people in their daily lives. It may be a few words exchanged with a neighbor or with a fellow traveler on a bus or a plane, a longer talk with a friend or a relative, or a discussion with a fellow worker during lunch hour. Much of the witnessing that Jesus did when he was on earth was of this kind—as he walked along the seashore, sat on a hillside, dined at someone’s home, attended a wedding, or traveled in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and at the temple in Jerusalem. Wherever he was, he found opportunities to talk about God’s Kingdom. Jehovah’s Witnesses endeavor to follow in his footsteps in this regard also.—1 Peter 2:21.
PREACHING BY EXAMPLE
None of these ways of telling you the good news would be meaningful to you if the one telling you did not apply the teachings to himself. To say one thing and do another is hypocrisy, and religious hypocrisy has turned millions away from the Bible. The Bible is not rightly blamed. The scribes and Pharisees had the Hebrew Scriptures, but Jesus denounced them as hypocrites. He spoke of their reading from the Law of Moses, then added to his disciples: “All the things they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform.” (Matthew 23:3) A Christian’s being an example of right living says more than hours of sermonizing. This was pointed out to Christian wives who had unbelieving husbands: “They may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct.”—1 Peter 3:1, 2.
Therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses try to recommend the good news to others in this way also: by being exemplary in the Christian conduct that they recommend to others. They try to ‘do unto others as they would have others do unto them.’ (Matthew 7:12) They try to be this way with all men, not just with fellow Witnesses, friends, neighbors, or relatives. Being imperfect, they do not always succeed 100 percent. But it is the desire of their hearts to do good unto all persons not only in telling them the good news of the Kingdom but also in extending a helping hand whenever possible.—James 2:14-17.
[Blurb on page 21]
Won without a word
[Pictures on page 20]
Kingdom Halls, practical in design, are places for Bible discussion
[Pictures on page 22]
In their own family life, as well as in contacts with other people, the Witnesses sincerely try to do the things that they advocate to others |
COVER SUBJECT | WHY BE HONEST?
How Dishonesty Affects You | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2016003 | COVER SUBJECT | WHY BE HONEST?
How Dishonesty Affects You
“There are always difficult situations that can be solved with a little dishonesty.”—Samantha, South Africa.
Do you agree with that statement? Like Samantha, all of us have faced difficult situations at one time or another. How we react to situations that tempt us to be dishonest can reveal what values we hold dear. For example, if saving face is paramount to us, we would likely view being dishonest as just another tool used to accomplish the task. When the truth comes to light, however, dishonesty often brings negative consequences. Consider the following.
DISHONESTY DESTROYS TRUST
Relationships are built on trust. When two people trust each other, they feel safe and secure. But trust does not happen overnight. People build trust when they spend time together, engaging in honest communication and acting unselfishly. Trust can be shattered, however, by just one act of dishonesty. And when trust has been broken, it can be very difficult to rebuild.
Have you ever been deceived by someone you thought was a good friend? If so, how did you feel? Likely you felt hurt, even betrayed. That certainly is understandable. There is little doubt that dishonesty can destroy the fabric of precious relationships.
DISHONESTY BREEDS DISHONESTY
A study by Robert Innes, a professor of economics at the University of California, found that “dishonesty is indeed contagious.” Thus, dishonesty could be likened to a virus—the more contact you have with a person who is deceitful, the greater your risk of being “infected” with dishonesty yourself.
How can you avoid falling into the trap of dishonesty? The Bible can help you. Please consider a few Bible principles.
Forms of Dishonesty
Lying
WHAT IS IT? Saying something false to someone who is eninputd to know the truth. Lying can include misrepresenting or distorting facts in order to mislead a person, omitting key information to deceive someone, and exaggerating the truth in order to give a false impression.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: “Jehovah detests a devious person, but His close friendship is with the upright.” (Proverbs 3:32) “Now that you have put away deceit, each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.”—Ephesians 4:25.
Slander
WHAT IS IT? Uttering false and malicious statements that injure a person’s reputation.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: “A troublemaker causes dissension, and a slanderer separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28) “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no slanderer, quarreling ceases.”—Proverbs 26:20.
Fraud
WHAT IS IT? Inducing someone to part with money or property on false pretenses.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: “You must not defraud a hired worker who is in need and poor.” (Deuteronomy 24:14, 15) “The one who defrauds the lowly one insults his Maker, but whoever shows compassion to the poor glorifies Him.”—Proverbs 14:31.
Stealing
WHAT IS IT? Taking property from a person without permission.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: “Let the one who steals steal no more; rather, 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) “Do not be misled. . . . Thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit God’s Kingdom.”—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10. |
God’s Word (gm)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gm | Chapter 3
The Bible’s False Friend
In this chapter, we discuss the major reason why many from non-Christian lands refuse to accept the Bible as the Word of God. Historically, Christendom has claimed to believe in the Bible and to be its guardian. But the religious organizations of Christendom have been associated with some of the most appalling horrors of history, from the Crusades and pogroms of the Middle Ages to the Holocaust of our own time. Is the conduct of Christendom a good reason to reject the Bible? The truth is, Christendom has proved to be a false friend of the Bible. Indeed, when Christendom emerged in the fourth century C.E., the Bible’s fight to survive was by no means over.
1, 2. (Include introduction.) (a) Why do many refuse to accept the Bible as the Word of God? (b) What good work was accomplished during the first and second centuries, yet what dangerous development was under way?
BY THE end of the first century, the writing of all the books of the Bible was completed. From then on, Christians were in the forefront of copying and distributing the complete Bible. At the same time, they were busy translating it into the most common languages of the day. While the Christian congregation was busy with this admirable work, however, something was beginning to take shape that would prove very dangerous to the survival of the Bible.
2 This development was foretold by the Bible itself. Jesus once told a parable of a man who sowed his field with good quality seeds of wheat. But “while men were sleeping,” an enemy sowed seeds that would produce weeds. Both types of seeds sprouted, and for a while the weeds hid the wheat from view. By this parable, Jesus showed that the fruitage of his work would be true Christians but that after his death, false Christians would infiltrate the congregation. Eventually, it would be difficult to distinguish the genuine from the false.—Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.
3. According to the apostle Peter, what would be the effect of weedlike “Christians” on belief in the Bible?
3 The apostle Peter frankly warned of the effect of these weedlike “Christians” on the way people would view Christianity and the Bible. He warned: “There will also be false teachers among you. These very ones will quietly bring in destructive sects and will disown even the owner that bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves. Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively.”—2 Peter 2:1, 2.
4. How were the prophecies of Jesus and Peter fulfilled even during the first century?
4 Even during the first century, the prophecies of Jesus and Peter were being fulfilled. Ambitious men infiltrated the Christian congregation and sowed dissension. (2 Timothy 2:16-18; 2 Peter 2:21, 22; 3 John 9, 10) During the following two centuries, the purity of Bible truth was corrupted by Greek philosophy, and many mistakenly came to accept pagan doctrines as Bible truth.
5. What policy change did Constantine inaugurate early in the fourth century?
5 In the fourth century, the Roman emperor Constantine adopted “Christianity” as the official religion of the Roman Empire. But the “Christianity” he knew was very different from the religion preached by Jesus. By now, the “weeds” were flourishing, just as Jesus had foretold. Nevertheless, we can be sure that during all that time, there were some who represented true Christianity and labored to follow the Bible as the inspired Word of God.—Matthew 28:19, 20.
Bible Translation Opposed
6. When did Christendom begin to take shape, and what was one way in which Christendom’s religion differed from Bible Christianity?
6 It was in Constantine’s time that Christendom as we know it today began to take shape. From then on, the degenerate form of Christianity that had taken root was no longer just a religious organization. It was a part of the state, and its leaders played an important role in politics. Eventually, the apostate church used its political power in a way that was completely opposed to Bible Christianity, introducing another dangerous threat to the Bible. How?
7, 8. When did the pope express opposition to the translating of the Bible, and why did he do this?
7 When Latin died out as an everyday tongue, new translations of the Bible were needed. But the Catholic Church no longer favored this. In 1079 Vratislaus, who later became king of Bohemia, asked the permission of Pope Gregory VII to translate the Bible into the language of his subjects. The pope’s answer was no. He stated: “It is clear to those who reflect often upon it, that not without reason has it pleased Almighty God that holy scripture should be a secret in certain places, lest, if it were plainly apparent to all men, perchance it would be little esteemed and be subject to disrespect; or it might be falsely understood by those of mediocre learning, and lead to error.”1
8 The pope wanted the Bible to be kept in the now-dead tongue of Latin. Its outputs were to be kept “secret,” not translated into the languages of the common people.a Jerome’s Latin Vulgate, produced in the 5th century to make the Bible accessible to all, now became a means of keeping it hidden.
9, 10. (a) How did Roman Catholic opposition to Bible translation develop? (b) What was the purpose of the Church’s opposition to the Bible?
9 As the Middle Ages progressed, the Church’s stand against vernacular Bibles hardened. In 1199 Pope Innocent III wrote such a strong letter to the archbishop of Metz, Germany, that the archbishop burned all the German-language Bibles he could find.3 In 1229 the synod of Toulouse, France, decreed that “lay people” could not possess any Bible books in the common tongue.4 In 1233 a provincial synod of Tarragona, Spain, commanded that all books of “the Old or New Testament” be handed over to be burned.5 In 1407 the synod of clergy summoned in Oxford, England, by Archbishop Thomas Arundel expressly forbade the translating of the Bible into English or any other modern tongue.6 In 1431, also in England, Bishop Stafford of Wells forbade the translating of the Bible into English and the owning of such translations.7
10 These religious authorities were not trying to destroy the Bible. They were trying to fossilize it, keep it in a language that only a few could read. In this way, they hoped to prevent what they called heresy but what really amounted to challenges to their authority. If they had succeeded, the Bible could have become just an object of intellectual curiosity, with little or no influence in the lives of ordinary people.
The Bible’s Champions
11. What resulted when Julián Hernández smuggled Spanish-language Bibles into Spain?
11 Happily, though, many sincere people refused to follow these edicts. But such refusals were dangerous. Individuals suffered terribly for the “crime” of owning a Bible. Consider, as an example, the case of a Spaniard named Julián Hernández. According to Foxe’s History of Christian Martyrdom, Julián (or, Juliano) “undertook to convey from Germany into his own country a great number of Bibles, concealed in casks, and packed up like Rhenish wine.” He was betrayed and seized by the Roman Catholic Inquisition. Those for whom the Bibles were destined “were all indiscriminately tortured, and then most of them were sentenced to various punishments. Juliano was burnt, twenty were roasted upon spits, several imprisoned for life, some were publicly whipped, many sent to the galleys.”8
12. How do we know that the religious authorities of the Middle Ages did not represent Bible Christianity?
12 What a horrible abuse of power! Clearly, these religious authorities were by no means representative of Bible Christianity! The Bible itself revealed to whom they belonged when it said: “The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact: Everyone who does not carry on righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother. For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should have love for one another; not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and slaughtered his brother.”—1 John 3:10-12.
13, 14. (a) What remarkable fact about the Bible during the Middle Ages shows its divine origin? (b) How did the situation change as far as the Bible was concerned in Europe?
13 How remarkable, though, that men and women were willing to risk such shocking treatment just to possess a Bible! And such examples have been multiplied many times over right down to our day. The deep devotion that the Bible has inspired in individuals, the willingness to suffer patiently and to submit uncomplainingly to terrible deaths without striking back at their tormentors, is a strong evidence that the Bible is the Word of God.—1 Peter 2:21.
14 Eventually, after the Protestant rebellion against Roman Catholic power in the 16th century, the Roman Catholic Church itself was forced to produce translations of the Bible in the everyday languages of Europe. But even then, the Bible was associated more with Protestantism than with Catholicism. As Roman Catholic priest Edward J. Ciuba wrote: “One would honestly have to admit that one of the more tragic consequences of the Protestant Reformation was a neglect of the Bible among the Catholic faithful. While it was never completely forgotten, the Bible was a closed book for most Catholics.”9
Higher Criticism
15, 16. Why is Protestantism not free from blame as far as opposition to the Bible is concerned?
15 But the Protestant churches are not free from blame as far as opposing the Bible is concerned. As the years passed, certain Protestant scholars mounted another sort of attack on the book: an intellectual attack. During the 18th and 19th centuries, they developed a method of studying the Bible known as higher criticism. Higher critics taught that much of the Bible was composed of legend and myth. Some even said that Jesus never existed. Instead of being designated the Word of God, the Bible was said by these Protestant scholars to be the word of man, and a very jumbled word at that.
16 While the more extreme of these ideas are no longer believed, higher criticism is still taught in seminaries, and it is not unusual to hear Protestant clergymen publicly disavow large sections of the Bible. Thus, one Anglican clergyman was quoted in an Australian newspaper as saying that much that is in the Bible “is just wrong. Some of the history is wrong. Some of the details are obviously garbled.” This thinking is a product of higher criticism.
“Spoken of Abusively”
17, 18. How has the conduct of Christendom brought reproach on the Bible?
17 Perhaps, though, it is the conduct of Christendom that has posed the greatest obstacle to people’s accepting the Bible as God’s Word. Christendom claims to follow the Bible. Yet, her conduct has brought great reproach on the Bible and on the very name Christian. As the apostle Peter foretold, the way of the truth has been “spoken of abusively.”—2 Peter 2:2.
18 For example, while the church was banning Bible translation, the pope was sponsoring massive military efforts against the Muslims in the Middle East. These came to be called “holy” Crusades, but there was nothing holy about them. The first—termed the “People’s Crusade”—set the tone for what was to come. Before leaving Europe, an unruly army, inflamed by preachers, turned on the Jews in Germany, slaughtering them in one town after another. Why? Historian Hans Eberhard Mayer says: “The argument that the Jews, as the enemies of Christ, deserved to be punished was merely a feeble attempt to conceal the real motive: greed.”10
19-21. How did the Thirty Years’ War, as well as Europe’s missionary endeavors and colonial expansion, serve to bring reproach on the Bible?
19 The Protestant rebellion in the 16th century dislodged Roman Catholicism from power in many European lands. One result was the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48)—“one of the most terrible wars in European history,” according to The Universal History of the World. The basic cause of the war? “The hatred of Catholic for Protestant, of Protestant for Catholic.”11
20 By this time, Christendom had begun to expand beyond Europe, carrying “Christian” civilization into other parts of the earth. This military expansion was marked by cruelty and greed. In the Americas, the Spanish conquistadores quickly destroyed the indigenous American civilizations. Noted one history book: “In general, the Spanish governors destroyed the native civilization, without introducing the European. The thirst for gold was the principal motive that drew them to the New World.”12
21 Protestant missionaries also went out from Europe to other continents. One of the results of their work was the promotion of colonial expansion. A widespread view today of the Protestant missionary effort is: “In many instances the missionary enterprise has been used as a justification and a cover for the domination of people. The interrelation between mission, technology, and imperialism is well known.”13
22. How has Christendom brought reproach on the name of Christianity during the 20th century?
22 The close association between Christendom’s religions and the state has continued down to our day. The last two world wars were fought primarily between “Christian” nations. Clergymen on both sides encouraged their young men to fight and try to kill the enemy—who often belonged to the same religion. As was noted in the book If the Churches Want World Peace: “Certainly it is no credit to [the churches] that the war system of today grew up and has worked its greatest havoc among states devoted to the cause of Christianity.”14
The Word of God Survives
23. How does the history of Christendom indicate that the Bible is God’s Word?
23 We recount this long, sad history of Christendom to highlight two points. First, such events are a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. It was foretold that many claiming to be Christian would bring reproach on the Bible and the name of Christianity, and the fact that this has happened vindicates the Bible as being true. Nevertheless, we should not lose sight of the fact that the conduct of Christendom does not represent Bible-based Christianity.
24. What identifies true Christians and thus clearly condemns Christendom as unchristian?
24 The way genuine Christians can be recognized was explained by Jesus himself: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Further, Jesus said: “They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:16) On both counts, Christendom betrays itself as clearly not representing Bible Christianity. It claims to be the Bible’s friend, but it has been a false friend.
25. Why did the Bible survive all its tribulations down to our time?
25 The second point is this: In view of the fact that Christendom as a whole has acted so much against the interests of the Bible, it is remarkable, indeed, that the book has survived until today and still exercises a good influence on many people’s lives. The Bible has survived bitter opposition to translating it, onslaughts from modernistic scholars, and the unchristian conduct of its false friend, Christendom. Why? Because the Bible is unlike any other written work. The Bible cannot die. It is the Word of God, and the Bible itself tells us: “The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God endures for evermore.”—Isaiah 40:8, The New English Bible.
[Footnotes]
a A few translations into vernacular languages were made. But they were often laboriously produced in very ornate manuscripts and were definitely not for popular use.2
[Blurb on page 34]
The mainstream Protestant churches have shared in a major intellectual assault on the Bible
[Picture on page 26]
The history of Christendom really began when Constantine legalized the “Christianity” of his day
[Pictures on page 29]
Popes Gregory VII and Innocent III were prominent in the Catholic Church’s struggle to prevent the Bible from being translated into the everyday language of the people
[Picture on page 33]
The shocking conduct of Christendom has led many to doubt that the Bible is really the Word of God
[Picture on page 35]
During the first world war, these Russian soldiers bow to a religious icon before going out to kill fellow “Christians” |
Live Forever (pe)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pe | Chapter 12
You Are Involved in a Vital Issue
1, 2. (a) Why does the way you live really matter to you? (b) To whom else does it matter, and why?
HOW YOU live your life really does matter. It will mean for you either a happy future or a miserable one. Eventually it will determine whether you pass away with this world or survive its end into God’s righteous new world where you can live forever.—1 John 2:17; 2 Peter 3:13.
2 But how you live your life affects more than just yourself. Others are involved. What you do affects them too. For example, if your parents are alive, what you do can bring them either honor or shame. The Bible says: “A wise son is the one that makes a father rejoice, and a stupid son is the grief of his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1) More importantly, how you live your life affects Jehovah God. It can either make him rejoice or make him sad. Why? Because of a vital issue in which you are involved.
WILL HUMANS BE FAITHFUL TO GOD?
3. What challenge did Satan make to Jehovah?
3 This issue was raised by Satan the Devil. He raised it when he was able to get Adam and Eve to break God’s law and thus join him in rebellion against God. (Genesis 3:1-6) This provided Satan with what he felt were grounds for addressing Jehovah with the challenge: ‘People serve you only for what they get from you. Just give me the chance and I can turn anybody away from you.’ Although these words do not actually appear in the Bible, it is clear that Satan said something like this to God. This is shown in the Bible book of Job.
4, 5. (a) Who was Job? (b) What happened in heaven in Job’s day?
4 Job was a man who lived many centuries after the rebellion had taken place in the garden of Eden. He was a righteous and faithful servant of God. But did it really matter to God or to Satan that Job was faithful? The Bible shows that it did. It tells us about an appearance of Satan before Jehovah in the courts of heaven. Notice the subject of their conversation:
5 “Now it came to be the day when the sons of the true God entered to take their station before Jehovah, and even Satan proceeded to enter right among them. Then Jehovah said to Satan: ‘Where do you come from?’ At that Satan answered Jehovah and said: ‘From roving about in the earth and from walking about in it.’ And 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?’”—Job 1:6-8.
6. What issue does the Bible show existed in Job’s day?
6 Why did Jehovah mention to Satan that Job was an upright man? Clearly, there was an issue as to whether Job would remain faithful to Jehovah or not. Think about God’s question, “Where do you come from?” and Satan’s reply, “From roving about in the earth and from walking about in it.” This question and Satan’s reply showed that Jehovah was permitting Satan free opportunity to carry out his challenge that he could turn anyone away from God. Well, what was Satan’s reply to Jehovah’s question about Job’s faithfulness?
7, 8. (a) For what reason did Satan say that Job served God? (b) What did Jehovah do to settle the issue?
7 “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 1:9-11.
8 By his reply Satan was making an excuse for Job’s faithfulness to God. ‘Job serves you,’ Satan argued, ‘because of the things you give him, not because he loves you.’ Satan also complained that Jehovah was using his greater power in an unfair way. ‘You have always protected him,’ he said. So, to settle the issue, Jehovah answered: “Look! Everything that he has is in your hand. Only against him himself do not thrust out your hand!”—Job 1:12.
9. What trouble did Satan cause for Job, and with what result?
9 Right away Satan began causing trouble for Job. He had all Job’s livestock either killed or stolen. Then he saw to it that Job’s 10 children were killed. Job lost almost everything, yet he remained faithful to Jehovah. He did not curse God. (Job 1:2, 13-22) But that was not the end of the matter.
10. What shows that Satan did not give up?
10 Satan again appeared with the other angels before Jehovah. Once again Jehovah asked Satan if he had seen the faithfulness of Job and said: “Even yet he is holding fast his integrity.” At that Satan 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 2:1-5.
11. (a) What further trials did Satan cause for Job? (b) What was the outcome?
11 In answer, Jehovah gave Satan permission to do whatever he could to Job, although God said: ‘You are not to kill him.’ (Job 2:6) So Satan struck Job with a terrible disease. Job’s suffering was so great that he prayed to die. (Job 2:7; 14:13, 14) His own wife turned against him, saying: “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) But Job refused to do that. “Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity from myself!” he said. (Job 27:5) Job remained faithful to God. So it was proved that Satan was wrong in his challenge that Job only served God for material gain and not out of love. It was also shown that Satan could not turn everybody away from serving God.
12. (a) What answer to Satan’s challenge did Job provide God? (b) What did Jesus’ faithfulness to God prove?
12 How do you suppose Job’s faithful course made Jehovah feel? It made him very happy! God’s Word urges: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.” (Proverbs 27:11) It is Satan who is taunting Jehovah. And by his faithful course Job made God’s heart rejoice. This gave God an answer to Satan’s boastful taunt or challenge that humans would not serve Him under test. Many others have also provided God with such an answer. The greatest example was the perfect man Jesus. He held fast his loyalty to God despite all the tests and trials that Satan brought upon him. This proved that the perfect man Adam could have done the same if he had wanted to, and that God was not unrighteous in requiring full obedience from man.
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
13. (a) What does the way you live your life have to do with the issue? (b) How can we make God happy or cause him pain?
13 What about your life? You may not think that it really matters how you live. But it does. Whether you know it or not, it supports either God’s side of the issue or Satan’s side. Jehovah cares for you, and he wants to see you serve him and live forever on the paradise earth. (John 3:16) When the Israelites rebelled against God, he was pained or felt hurt. (Psalm 78:40, 41) Is your course of life one that is making God happy or is he pained by it? Of course, to make God happy you need to learn his laws and obey them.
14. (a) As regards sexual relations, what laws must we obey to make God happy? (b) Why is breaking such laws a crime?
14 A chief aim of Satan is to get persons to break God’s laws that govern the use of their reproductive powers, and his arrangement of marriage and the family. God’s laws to protect our happiness say that unmarried persons should not engage in sexual relations, and that married persons should not have sexual relations with anybody else besides their marriage mate. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Hebrews 13:4) When God’s law is broken, often children are born without parents who love and want them. Mothers may even have an abortion, killing the children before they can be born. Additionally, many who commit fornication get terrible sexual diseases that can damage children that they may bear. It is an act of unfaithfulness, a crime against God, to have sexual relations with someone to whom you are not married. Job said: “If my heart has been enticed toward a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor’s door . . . that would be heinous, a crime to be condemned.”—Job 31:1, 9, 11, The New American Bible.
15. (a) If we commit fornication, whom do we please? (b) Why is it wise to obey God’s laws?
15 We should not be surprised that this Devil-ruled world would make it seem normal and right for you to have sexual relations with a person to whom you are not married. But if you do so, whom are you pleasing? Satan, not Jehovah. To make God happy, you must “flee from fornication.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) True, it is not always easy to be faithful to God. It was not easy for Job either. But remember, it is wise to obey God’s laws. You will be happier now if you do. But, more importantly, you will be supporting God’s side of the issue and will make him happy. And he will bless you with everlasting life in happiness on earth.
16. (a) How was Job blessed for his faithfulness? (b) What can be said about the harm Satan causes, such as the killing of Job’s 10 children?
16 True, Satan was able to reduce Job to poverty and to cause the death of his 10 children. There is no question that this was a deep loss for Job. But when Job proved faithful, God blessed him with twice as much as he had before Satan was permitted to test him. Job also became father to 10 more children. (Job 42:10-17) Furthermore, we can be sure that Job’s 10 children who were killed by Satan will be brought back to life in the resurrection of the dead. Truly, there is no harm or trouble that Satan is permitted to cause that our loving Father, Jehovah, will not correct in his own due time.
17. Why does the way we live really matter?
17 So you will always want to keep in mind that how you live your life really does matter. It matters particularly to Jehovah God and Satan the Devil. This is because you are involved in the issue of whether humans will be faithful to God or not.
[Picture on page 106]
Job met Satan’s challenge that nobody would remain faithful to God under test
[Picture on page 110]
Having sexual relations with someone to whom you are not married is a crime against God
[Picture on page 111]
Jehovah blessed Job for his faithfulness with far more than he had before |
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Devastating Earthquakes Strike Turkey and Syria—What Does the Bible Say? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100068 | Ismail Sen/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Devasting Earthquakes Strike Turkey and Syria—What Does the Bible Say?
UPDATED: February 10, 2023
As of Thursday, February 9, 2023, the death toll from Monday’s earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria surpassed 20,000. Tens of thousands have been injured and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless.
The two Disaster Relief Committees set up by Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to provide practical help and to assist with search and rescue efforts. (Galatians 6:10) Representatives from the local branch office arrived within 24 hours of the earthquake, despite harsh weather and travel conditions, and have been able to provide emotional and spiritual support to the victims. (1 Peter 5:2) Updates on our relief efforts will be posted in the Newsroom.
The Scriptures assure us that “Jehovaha is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) You may find the following Bible-based resources helpful during this stressful time.
The video Comfort for Those Who Mourn offers practical suggestions to those who have lost loved ones in death.
The article “Help Your Children Deal With Disturbing News Reports” provides Bible principles that can help your children from being overwhelmed by negative news.
On Monday, February 6, 2023, devastating earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria.
“A huge earthquake killed more than 3,700 people across a swathe of Turkey and northwest Syria on Monday, with freezing winter weather adding to the plight of the thousands left injured or homeless and hampering efforts to find survivors.”—Reuters, February 6, 2023.
Our hearts ache when we read of such tragedies. At times like this, we can look to Jehovah who is “the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3) He provides “comfort from the Scriptures [that] we might have hope.”—Romans 15:4.
In the Bible, we learn:
What was foretold about earthquakes.
Where we can find comfort and hope.
How God will eliminate all suffering.
To find out what the Bible says about these topics, read the articles:
“Great Earthquakes—What Did the Bible Prophesy?”
“Where Can I Find Hope?”
“God Will Soon End All Suffering”
a Jehovah is the personal name of God.—Psalm 83:18. |
Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Observe the Lord’s Supper Differently From the Way Other Religions Do? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502015257 | Why Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Observe the Lord’s Supper Differently From the Way Other Religions Do?
We adhere strictly to the Bible in our observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal, which is also known as “the Lord’s supper,” the Last Supper, and the Memorial of Jesus’ death. (1 Corinthians 11:20; King James Version) In contrast, many beliefs and practices of other denominations in connection with this observance are not based on the Bible.
Purpose
The purpose of the Lord’s Evening Meal is to remember Jesus, showing our gratitude for his sacrifice in our behalf. (Matthew 20:28; 1 Corinthians 11:24) The observance is not a sacrament, or a religious practice that imparts merit such as grace or the forgiveness of sins.a The Bible teaches that our sins can be forgiven, not by a religious rite, but only through faith in Jesus.—Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:1, 2.
How often?
Jesus commanded his disciples to commemorate the Lord’s Evening Meal, but he did not specifically say how often. (Luke 22:19) Some feel that it should be observed monthly, while others observe it weekly, daily, several times each day, or as often as a person feels is appropriate.b However, here are some factors that should be considered.
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Evening Meal on the date of the Jewish Passover, and he died later that same day. (Matthew 26:1, 2) This was no coincidence. The Scriptures compare Jesus’ sacrifice to that of the Passover lamb. (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8) The Passover was observed once each year. (Exodus 12:1-6; Leviticus 23:5) Likewise, the Memorial of Jesus’ death was observed once each year by the early Christians,c and Jehovah’s Witnesses follow that Bible-based pattern.
Date and time
The pattern established by Jesus helps determine not only the frequency but also the date and time of the Memorial. He introduced the observance after sundown on Nisan 14, 33 C.E., according to the Bible’s lunar calendar. (Matthew 26:18-20, 26) We continue to observe the Memorial on this date each year, following the practice of early Christians.d
Although Nisan 14, 33 C.E. was a Friday, the anniversary of that date might fall on a different day of the week each year. We determine the date that Nisan 14 falls each year using the same method as was used in the time of Jesus, rather than applying the method used for the modern Jewish calendar.e
Bread and wine
For the new observance, Jesus used unleavened bread and red wine that were left over from the Passover meal. (Matthew 26:26-28) Following his example, we use bread without leaven or added ingredients and plain red wine, not grape juice or wine that has been sweetened, fortified, or spiced.
Some denominations use bread with leavening or yeast, but leaven is often used in the Bible as a symbol of sin and corruption. (Luke 12:1; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 5:7-9) Thus, only bread free from leaven and other additives can be a fitting symbol for Christ’s sinless body. (1 Peter 2:22) Another practice not supported by the Bible is that of substituting unfermented grape juice for wine. Some churches do so because of their unscriptural prohibition against consuming alcohol.—1 Timothy 5:23.
Emblems, not literal flesh and blood
The unleavened bread and red wine served at the Memorial are emblems, or symbols, of Christ’s flesh and blood. They are not miraculously changed into or mixed with his literal flesh and blood, as some feel. Consider the Scriptural basis for this understanding.
If Jesus had commanded his disciples to drink his blood, he would have been telling them to break God’s law against consuming blood. (Genesis 9:4; Acts 15:28, 29) Yet this could not be, for Jesus would never instruct others to violate God’s law regarding the sacredness of blood.—John 8:28, 29.
If the apostles had been literally drinking Jesus’ blood, he would not have said that his blood “is to be poured out,” indicating that his sacrifice was yet to occur.—Matthew 26:28.
Jesus’ sacrifice took place “once for all time.” (Hebrews 9:25, 26) However, if the bread and wine were changed into his flesh and blood during the Lord’s Evening Meal, then those partaking would be repeating that sacrifice.
Jesus said: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me,” not “in sacrifice of me.”—1 Corinthians 11:24.
Those who believe in transubstantiation, that the bread and wine become Jesus’ literal body and blood, base this doctrine on the wording of certain Bible verses. For example, in many Bible translations, Jesus is recorded as saying of the wine: “This is my blood.” (Matthew 26:28) However, Jesus’ words can also be translated as: “This means my blood,” “This represents my blood,” or “This signifies my blood.”f As he had often done, Jesus was teaching by using a metaphor.—Matthew 13:34, 35.
Who partake?
When Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Lord’s Evening Meal, only a small fraction of us partake of the bread and wine. Why is that so?
Jesus’ shed blood established “a new covenant” that replaced the covenant between Jehovah God and the ancient nation of Israel. (Hebrews 8:10-13) Those who are in that new covenant partake of the Memorial emblems. It includes, not all Christians, but only “those who have been called” in a special way by God. (Hebrews 9:15; Luke 22:20) These ones will rule in heaven with Christ, and the Bible says that just 144,000 people receive that privilege.—Luke 22:28-30; Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1, 3.
In contrast to the “little flock” of those called to rule with Christ, the vast majority of us hope to be part of “a great crowd” who will gain everlasting life on earth. (Luke 12:32; Revelation 7:9, 10) While those of us with an earthly hope do not partake of the Memorial emblems, we do join in expressing thanks for the sacrifice that Jesus made in our behalf.—1 John 2:2.
a McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia, Volume IX, page 212, states: “The term sacrament is not found in the N[ew] T[estament]; neither is the Greek word μυστήριον [my·steʹri·on] in any instance applied to either baptism or the Lord’s supper, or any other outward observance.”
b Some Bible translations use the term “as often as” in reference to the Lord’s Evening Meal, and that phrase has been interpreted to indicate how often the meal should be commemorated. However, the correct sense of the original-language term in this context is “whenever” or “every time.”—1 Corinthians 11:25, 26; New International Version; Good News Translation.
c See The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Volume IV, pages 43-44, and McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia, Volume VIII, page 836.
d See The New Cambridge History of the Bible, Volume 1, page 841.
e The modern Jewish calendar determines the beginning of the month of Nisan by the astronomical new moon, but that technique was not used in the first century. Instead, the month began when the new moon was first visible in Jerusalem, which can be a day or more after the moment of the astronomical new moon. This difference is one reason why the date on which Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Memorial does not always coincide with the date used by modern Jews for the Passover.
f See A New Translation of the Bible, by James Moffatt; The New Testament—A Translation in the Language of the People, by Charles B. Williams; and The Original New Testament, by Hugh J. Schonfield. |
Paradise Restored (pm)
1972 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pm | Chapter 4
The Temple to Remain as Nations Are Rocked
1. How long was it now after the Jews had acted on Haggai’s preceding prophecy, and what festival was being completed at Jerusalem?
NOT QUITE a lunar month had passed since the Jews had acted on Haggai’s preceding prophecy, namely, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month (Elul) of the second year of the reign of Darius I (Hystaspis), king of Persia, or 520 B.C.E. The seven-day Festival of Booths (or, Tabernacles) had begun on the fifteenth day of the following month, the seventh month, Tishri, and had reached the seventh day, which was the twenty-first day of Tishri. On the following day, Tishri 22, there was to be a solemn assembly of all the celebrators at Jerusalem. All twenty-four divisions (or, courses) of the Aaronic priesthood were expected to be present at this Festival of Booths in the capital city. Interestingly, it was during the celebration of the Festival of Booths that King Solomon the son of David inaugurated the temple of Jehovah’s worship that he had finished building.—1 Kings 8:62-66; 6:37, 38; 2 Chronicles 7:7-10.
2. What else was the Festival of the Booths called, and what were to be the features of it?
2 This festival of the seventh month, five days after the Day of Atonement, was also called the Festival of Ingathering. In view of the ingathering of the agricultural products of the ground the Israelites were commanded: “You must rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days. And you must celebrate it as a festival to Jehovah seven days in the year. As a statute to time indefinite during your generations, you should celebrate it in seven days. All the natives in Israel should dwell in the booths, in order that your generations may know that it was in the booths that I made the sons of Israel to dwell when I was bringing them out of the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God.”—Leviticus 23:33-43; Numbers 29:12-38; Deuteronomy 16:13-17.
3, 4. (a) Over what could those Jews rejoice during that Festival of Ingathering, and how did their dwellings compare with that of Jehovah? (b) Why was it the appropriate occasion for an encouraging message from Jehovah, and how did this message begin?
3 That the repatriated Israelites had much of an ingathering in 520 B.C.E., we have little reason to believe, in view of what the prophet Haggai said in his first prophecy. (Haggai 1:5, 6, 9-11; 2:16, 17) But what they did gather into their garners was because of Jehovah’s mercy and forbearance. On this account they had good cause to rejoice in Jehovah their God for the seven days of the Festival of Ingathering. And, dwelling in the temporary booths as they did during the festival, in and around Jerusalem, they did not then have paneled, well-roofed houses for themselves any more than Jehovah then had a house for his worship at Jerusalem. They had by now done much of the preliminary work toward getting at the rebuilding of the temple again. They needed further encouragement. Tishri 21 being still a festival day, Jerusalem would be thronging with worshipers of Jehovah, including the governor of Judah and all the priesthood, and it would be a fine time for an inspired message to be given to them. Jehovah saw to it that it was given, as we now read:
4 “In the seventh month [Tishri or Ethanim], on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of Jehovah occurred by means of Haggai the prophet, saying: ‘Say, please, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak the high priest, and to the remaining ones of the people, saying, “Who is there among you that is remaining over who saw this house in its former glory? And how are you people seeing it now? Is it not, in comparison with that, as nothing in your eyes?”’”—Haggai 2:1-3.
5. (a) Jehovah’s form of questioning indicated what concerning those present on this occasion? (b) In view of the comparison made, what was really the big question?
5 All that those thus questioned could see, at most, was the groundwork of the temple, the foundation that had been laid sixteen years previously, back in 536 B.C.E. (Ezra 3:8-13) The form of questioning indicates that there were some very old persons there who had been deported to Babylon and who had seen the temple built by Solomon before it was destroyed by the Babylonians in 607 B.C.E., more than eighty-seven years previously. They could recall how gorgeous that divinely designed temple of Solomon had looked. They alone were able to make a full comparison of it with what they now saw. What now lay before their eyes on the former temple location was as nothing in comparison. What, then, could be expected with regard to a temple that would have such a humble, lowly start? So, would it be worth while for those God-fearing Israelites to carry forward the rebuilding of the temple? But, since the temple was to be Jehovah’s house, the big question was, Could Jehovah of armies make something impressive, something suitable, out of nothing?
6. The matter of rebuilding the temple actually rested with whom, and who therefore would really be building it, and how?
6 The matter really rested with the God who was to be worshiped at the proposed house. Was it His will that the house be rebuilt for his glory and the promoting of the spiritual interests of the nation of Israel? Since it was His will, then the builders would be doing His will and His work. They would therefore have his approval and his backing and support, no matter who and how many were against them. He, in fact, would be building the house through the Israelite builders as his instrumentalities. This was all-important, just as it is stated by Solomon in Psalm 127:1, where he remarks: “Unless Jehovah himself builds the house, it is to no avail that its builders have worked hard on it. Unless Jehovah himself guards the city, it is to no avail that the guard has kept awake.”
7. (a) Who was most concerned with the rebuilding of that house, and why? (b) That they might not be fearful because of the enemies, what did Jehovah now say through Haggai?
7 As the matter concerned the pure worship of the one living and true God, Jehovah himself was involved as being that God. He was the One who would do the building. In view of that they did not need to be weakened through fear of the overwhelming numbers of the enemies. That is why he inspired his prophet Haggai to say: “‘But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and be strong, O Joshua the son of Jehozadak the high priest.’ ‘And be strong, all you people of the land,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and work.’ ‘For I am with you people,’ is the utterance of Jehovah of armies. ‘Remember the thing that I concluded with you people when you came forth from Egypt, and when my spirit was standing in among you. Do not be afraid.’”—Haggai 2:4, 5.
8. In what respect did those temple builders have to be strong, and how was a similar thing true of the apostle Paul in Corinth?
8 That Israelite remnant, who were charged with the rebuilding of the temple, had to be strong in faith. They would show their faith by their work at temple building. Why not? For Jehovah of armies was with them. As the Jewish Christian apostle Paul later on said to the congregation at Rome, Italy: “What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who will be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Such a divine assurance is very strengthening, as this same Paul experienced when doing God’s work in the Grecian city of Corinth in the first century C.E. Concerning this, the account in Acts of the Apostles tells us: “Moreover, by night the Lord said to Paul through a vision: ‘Have no fear, but keep on speaking and do not keep silent, because I am with you and no man will assault you so as to do you injury; for I have many people in this city.’” Did Paul show faith and do as told? The account says: “So he stayed set there a year and six months, teaching among them the word of God.”—Acts 18:9-11.
9. (a) Likewise, in what quality should those temple builders be strong, and under whose leadership? (b) What was it that God concluded with their forefathers that they should remember, and why now?
9 Just so, too, the repatriated Israelite remnant needed to be strong in their reliance upon Almighty God and do His work. The foremost officials among them, Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua, were responsible to take the lead, and the rest of the remnant would follow along and work with them. They should remember the covenant that Jehovah had concluded with their forefathers when He was leading them away from Egypt. It was very fitting for them to be reminded of this by Haggai, for during their forty-year journey from Egypt to the Promised Land their forefathers had lived in tents or booths, and, look here! the Israelite remnant at Jerusalem were celebrating the Festival of Booths in remembrance of that experience of their forefathers. Their forefathers had encountered enemies along the way; but Jehovah had delivered his people and had kept his covenant and brought them into the Promised Land. The same God of deliverances was with the Israelite remnant at the Festival of Booths there in Jerusalem. They should not be afraid.
GRANDER GLORY FORESEEN
10, 11. (a) Why should those temple builders not be discouraged at the comparative look of things? (b) To build up their expectations, what did Jehovah now say through Haggai?
10 The Israelite remnant were not to be discouraged because what they were now starting with was like nothing in comparison with the magnificent world-famous temple of Solomon. They might have expected nothing outstanding or deserving of notice to result from their efforts at temple building. But Jehovah saw something simply surpassing for the product of their labors of faith. So, in order to spur them on, to cheer them on with the highest of expectations, Jehovah now explained why they should not be afraid but be strong in faith and should work, by saying through the prophet Haggai:
11 “For 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 must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,’ Jehovah of armies has said.”—Haggai 2:6, 7.
12. Despite the universal rocking, what would remain, and who was it indicated would turn to Jehovah?
12 Was that not a thrilling prospect for that Israelite remnant to entertain with respect to the house of worship that they were about to build? Jehovah of armies himself was setting that prospect before them, and it was therefore certain to be realized. There was to be a universal shaking. He would cause it. Things high and low with respect to their earth would be rocked—out of their place, if not also to their destruction! But, through all this rocking, one thing was bound to remain standing—that house that the Israelite remnant had built! That meant that the pure worship of Jehovah was to endure, even as His house endured. His house of worship He would fill with glory, for the desirable things of all the nations would come into it. Those desirable things would be borne there by all those who had turned to worshiping Him from among all the nations. That house of divine worship would become the most important and famous house on earth. Not alone would natural Israelites worship Jehovah there, but also non-Jewish peoples from all the nations!
13. What were the workers thus assured this time about their temple building, and so what was there incentive for them to do?
13 This assured that Israelite remnant that this time they would complete the building of the temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem. No matter what world-shaking events might take place around them, this goal would be gloriously attained. Let all the rest of the world be disturbed, frightened and preoccupied by the shaking and rocking that unsettled them, the work of building the house of worship to Jehovah must go forward—to glorious completion! And then would come the jubilant inauguration of it! (Deuteronomy 20:5) Jehovah of armies has given his word for it, and so it must come to pass! So, then, to the work, with His strength! There is every incentive to work!
14, 15. The expression “yet once” is in relation with what—where and when?
14 When, though, is this to be? Jehovah of armies said: “Yet once—it is a little while—and I am rocking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry ground.” (Haggai 2:6) “Yet once”—in relation to what previous? When, previous to this, did he do a rocking of things? This must have been down south at Mount Sinai in the third lunar month (Sivan) in the year of the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt, the year 1513 B.C.E. On the first day of that month (Sivan) they encamped in front of Mount Sinai, the mountain at which Jehovah by means of his angel had appeared to the prophet Moses by miraculous manifestation of the burning bush that did not get consumed. On the third day of their encampment there, what happened? Let us read the account in Exodus 19:16-19:
15 “And on the third day when it became morning it came about that thunders and lightnings began occurring, and a heavy cloud upon the mountain and a very loud sound of a horn, so that all the people who were in the camp began to tremble. Moses now brought the people out of the camp to meet the true God, and they went taking their stand at the base of the mountain. And Mount Sinai smoked all over, due to the fact that Jehovah came down upon it in fire; and its smoke kept ascending like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain was trembling very much. When the sound of the horn became continually louder and louder, Moses began to speak, and the true God began to answer him with a voice.”
16, 17. (a) What warning was then issued, after which there were given what? (b) What request did the Israelites now make about hearing God speak directly to them?
16 Then, after issuing instructions for the Israelites to take care and keep a respectful distance from the mountain so as not to touch it, Jehovah, by means of his angel, pronounced the Ten Commandments from the top of Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:20 to 20:17) After that divine expression, did the Israelite people care to hear the voice of Jehovah directly anymore? Moses tells us, saying:
17 “Now all the people were seeing the thunders and the lightning flashes and the sound of the horn and the mountain smoking. When the people got to see it, then they quivered and stood at a distance. And they began to say to Moses: ‘You speak with us, and let us listen; but let not God speak with us for fear we may die.’ So Moses said to the people: ‘Do not be afraid, because for the sake of putting you to the test the true God has come, and in order that the fear of him may continue before your faces that you may not sin.’ And the people kept standing at a distance, but Moses went near to the dark cloud mass where the true God was.”—Exodus 20:18-21.
18. (a) When did Moses later refer to these experiences at Mount Sinai, and what did David say about it in Psalm 68? (b) What relation did that shaking have with the building and inaugurating of the sacred tabernacle?
18 In farewell talks almost forty years later to the younger generation of Israelites, the prophet Moses referred back to these experiences at Mount Sinai. (Deuteronomy 4:9-14; 18:15-19) Even the psalmist David was inspired to tell about it in a melodious song, saying: “O God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the desert—. . . the earth itself rocked, heaven itself also dripped because of God; this Sinai rocked because of God, the God of Israel.” (Psalm 68:7, 8, NW; RS; JP) This shaking of an entire mountain was something not soon forgotten. Interestingly, also, this making of Mount Sinai rock took place nine months before the Israelites finished making the sacred tent of meeting, the tabernacle. After this the inaugurating of this holy tabernacle occurred on the first day of the first lunar month (Nisan) of the following year, 1512 B.C.E. Thus the shaking and rocking preceded the start of the worship of Jehovah at this tabernacle erected in the wilderness of Sinai.—Exodus 39:42 to 40:37.
19. According to Haggai 2:6, Jehovah was to do another rocking, but this time of what?
19 According to his declaration in Haggai 2:6, Jehovah purposed to do another shaking or rocking of the earth, this to be accompanied by a rocking also of the heavens and the sea and the dry ground. When? “Yet once—it is a little while,” said He.
20. As regards the literal rebuilt temple at Jerusalem, during what period of time would that rocking have to occur as a primary fulfillment of Haggai 2:6-9?
20 It was on Tishri 21 of the year 520 B.C.E. that he said this. The rebuilding of the temple was not finished until the third day of the twelfth lunar month (Adar 3) of the sixth year (515 B.C.E.) of the reign of the Persian Darius I. That was more than four years four lunar months later than Jehovah’s prophecy of Haggai 2:6-9. After that would come the inauguration of the rebuilt temple. Following that, Jehovah would fulfill his word and fill that sacred house with glory. (Ezra 4:24; 6:14, 15) Hence the shaking and rocking of things to fulfill his prophecy in connection with that literal rebuilt temple at Jerusalem would have to occur during that period of time (520-515 B.C.E.), as a primary fulfillment of the prophecy. The records of history would have to show how the prophecy was fulfilled in the international affairs of that particular time. It was indeed a time of considerable disturbance for the Persian Empire.
21. Why should we today be interested in a larger fulfillment of the prophecy of Haggai 2:6-9?
21 However, we must remember that the rebuilt temple at Jerusalem was typical. It was a small-scale representation of Jehovah’s greater temple, his spiritual temple where his dedicated people worship him today. So the larger and final fulfillment of Haggai 2:6-9 is the fulfillment in which we today should be interested.
THE CERTAINTY OF A MODERN FULFILLMENT
22. Since what year have modern nations been unsteady, and what question arises?
22 All informed persons will readily agree that, ever since the fourteenth year of our twentieth century, something out of the ordinary has been happening to the nations. World War I, which began in 1914 C.E., unloosed a chain of events that have sent all the nations reeling today. All their efforts to steady themselves, even with the aid of the United Nations organization for world peace and security, continue to fail. What is the meaning of it all? How will it at last turn out? Political forecasters of events and world historians have no reliable answer. But is there no answer?
23. The answer is contained in what message out of the sixth century B.C.E.?
23 The answer is contained in the words that come ringing out to us from Jerusalem of the sixth century before our Common Era: “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 must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,’ Jehovah of armies has said.”—Haggai 2:6, 7.
24. What questions arise as to the application of those prophetic words?
24 How, though, do we know that those thrilling words transmitted to us by Jehovah’s prophet Haggai do not just apply back there in that prophet’s time or a “little while” after? How can we be sure that those same words have a modern application in our own day?
25. (a) The answer is indicated for us in what quotation made later to people of the same race? (b) Why did those people need to be careful because of an impending catastrophe?
25 We know, because, a long while after Haggai’s prophecy, in fact, about 580 years after, those prophetic words were quoted under divine inspiration and were given a future application, to the end of this international system of things. As with Haggai’s prophetic words, this quotation of his words was made to Hebrews, to the descendants of the patriarch Abraham the Hebrew, only these latter Hebrews had become Christians in the first century of our Common Era. (Genesis 14:13; Hebrews 1:1, 2; 2:16) The quotation from Haggai’s prophecy was made to them about ten years before the destruction of Jerusalem and its rebuilt temple by the Romans in the year 70 C.E. Consequently a great change was impending, and the Christianized Hebrews had to be careful now that they did not suffer harm and loss along with those unbelieving Hebrews who still clung to the earthly Jerusalem and its material temple.
26. For those Christianized Hebrews to avoid loss, what did the writer say to them, with a reference to Esau?
26 Telling the Christianized Hebrews how to avoid irreparable loss by pursuing the right course with proper appreciation of spiritual values, the inspired writer said to them: “Pursue peace with all people, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, carefully watching that no one may be deprived of the undeserved kindness of God; that no poisonous root may spring up and cause trouble and that many may not be defiled by it; that there may be no fornicator nor anyone not appreciating sacred things, like Esau, who in exchange for one meal gave away his rights as firstborn. For you know that afterward also when he wanted to inherit the blessing he was rejected, for, although he earnestly sought a change of mind [in his father Isaac] with tears, he found no place for it [in Isaac].”—Hebrews 12:14-17.
27. (a) Why was the condition of these Christianized Hebrews more serious than that of their forefathers at Mount Sinai? (b) How could they avoid being like Esau?
27 For those Christianized Hebrews things had changed tremendously since they became followers of the Messiah, Jesus the descendant of King David and of the patriarch Abraham. Those Hebrews faced a bigger and more serious set of circumstances than did their forefathers, when these were led to the mountain of Sinai by the prophet Moses in 1513 B.C.E. Bigger things were at stake and could be permanently lost, with destruction finally for the losers. As the patriarch Isaac the son of Abraham refused to repent in spite of the tears of his materialistic son Esau, so Jehovah God would not repent if these Christianized Hebrews lost their appreciation of His undeserved kindness to them through the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of being like Esau, who placed a cheap value on the spiritual opportunities that were open to him as a grandson of Abraham, they should avoid profaneness by showing full appreciation for sacred things and holding fast to these. That is why the inspired writer went on to say to these Christianized Hebrews who had now been brought into a new covenant through Jesus Christ:
28. According to the writer, what had those Christianized Hebrews not approached?
28 “For [that is to say, In view of what I have just said in the preceding sentences] you have not approached that which can be felt [like Mount Sinai] and which has been set aflame with fire, and a dark cloud and thick darkness and a tempest, and the blare of a trumpet and the voice of words; on hearing which voice the people implored that no word should be added to them. For the command was not bearable to them: ‘And if a beast touches the mountain, it must be stoned.’ Also, the display was so fearsome that Moses [the mediator] said: ‘I am fearful and trembling.’
29. But what had those Christianized Hebrews approached and what set of circumstances?
29 “But you have approached a Mount Zion and a city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem, and myriads of angels [not just those angels back there at Mount Sinai], in general assembly, and the congregation of the firstborn [Christian firstborn sons of God who are greater than Isaac’s firstborn son Esau] who have been enrolled in the heavens [not on Isaac’s earthly family record], and God the Judge of all [not God’s representative angel as at Mount Sinai], and the spiritual lives of righteous ones who have been made perfect [not condemned sinners like the Hebrews at Mount Sinai], and Jesus the mediator of a new covenant [better than the Law covenant mediated by Moses], and the blood of sprinkling, which speaks in a better way than Abel’s blood [it being the blood of Jesus Christ].”—Hebrews 12:18-24; Galatians 3:19; Acts 7:37, 38.
30. So, now, what can we appreciate more about the position of those Christianized Hebrews?
30 When we consider all those bigger things to which the Christianized Hebrews had approached, we can appreciate that they were in a situation more serious than that of their Hebrew forefathers in front of Mount Sinai of Arabia in the year 1513 B.C.E. They had more to lose. Eternal destruction was possible for them by becoming like Isaac’s firstborn son Esau and losing their appreciation of the sacred things connected with the spiritual firstborn sons of God who are enrolled in the heavens.
31. The same thing holds true for whom today, and so what should these be eager to do?
31 The same thing holds true for people of today who claim to be Christians, regardless of whether they are converted Jews or converted Gentiles. We should recognize who it is that is speaking to us—God—through his inspired Word, the sacred Bible. We should be eager therefore to listen to the additional things that he has said to us through the Mediator Jesus Christ and his disciples who were inspired to write sacred scripture. We should not fail to appreciate fully these most highly important things. We should not excuse ourselves from listening and paying attention to them. Hence the inspired writer to the Christian Hebrews goes on to say:
32. Hence, what did the writer go on to say about begging off?
32 “See that you do not beg off [excuse yourselves] from him who is speaking. For if they did not escape who begged off from him who was giving divine warning upon earth, much more shall we not if we turn away from him who speaks from the heavens. At that time his voice shook the earth [but did not shake Mount Sinai to pieces], but now he has promised, saying: ‘Yet once more I will set in commotion not only the earth but also the heaven.’”
33. Where did God make such a promise, and why did the writer now quote it as fitting?
33 Where did Jehovah God make such a promise? Why, in the prophecy of Haggai, chapter two, verse six, given in ancient Jerusalem, in these words: “For 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.’” But that divine promise was not completely fulfilled in “a little while” after the prophet Haggai uttered them. That is why the writer to the Christianized Hebrews makes this further inspired comment on that divine promise about shaking the heavens as well as the earth:
34. What comment does the writer make on his quotation of Haggai 2:6?
34 “Now the expression ‘Yet once more’ signifies the removal of the things being shaken as things that have been made, in order that the things not being shaken may remain. Wherefore, seeing that we are to receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us [unlike Esau] continue to have undeserved kindness, through which we may acceptably render God sacred service with godly fear and awe. For our God is also a consuming fire [as destructive as the fire with which Mount Sinai was set aflame].”—Hebrews 12:25-29.
35. To what time does the writer apply the expression “Yet once more,” and so what must be close as regards the shakable, made things?
35 Have we noticed? The writer to the Christianized Hebrews applies the divine expression “Yet once more” to the future and explains that the only unshakable thing is the kingdom that the Christians who render sacred service to God in an acceptable manner will receive. Also, that the removal of all the made things that are shaken will leave room for that kingdom, a government that will remain standing and in operation. The shakable made things have not yet been removed, although they may be already set in commotion and be rocking and shaking. Evidently, then, according to the interpretation placed on things by the inspired sacred Scriptures, the prophecy of Haggai 2:6, 7 has a modern, twentieth-century application and the fulfillment of the prophecy to the point of completion is yet ahead of us, but very close!
HOW?
36. What question now arises regarding a modern, twentieth-century fulfillment of Haggai 2:6, 7?
36 The literal heavens, earth, sea and dry ground will not be removed and perish. Certainly this was not the case in any small-scale first fulfillment of the prophecy in or a little while after Haggai’s day. So, how is it that the divine promise is carried out in modern, twentieth-century fulfillment? “For 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 must come in; and I will fill this house with glory,’ Jehovah of armies has said.”—Haggai 2:6, 7.
37. To what is the rocking of all the things mentioned to lead up, and what must happen to the things that oppose and hinder this?
37 Who is there that cannot see that the rocking and shaking of all the things mentioned is to lead up to the glorification of the Temple of Jehovah God? That means the beautification and exaltation of the pure worship of the one living and true God, not at a literal house of worship on earth, but at his true Temple, namely, the realm of the worship of Him with spirit and with truth, within the framework of his special arrangement. (John 4:21-24) Jehovah must be given his rightful place of worship in all the living universe. All things that have opposed and hindered this right and pure worship must be removed from all existence. According to the inspired writer in Hebrews 12:26, 27, the rocking and shaking of all those things signifies the removing of them, their being shaken to pieces.
38. As regards the rocking or shaking, what about the things to which the anointed Christians have approached (Hebrews 12:22, 23)?
38 The “city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem,” will not be shaken and removed. Neither will its heavenly location, “Mount Zion.” Nor will the holy “myriads of angels, in general assembly,” nor the “congregation of the firstborn who have been enrolled in the heavens,” nor the “spiritual lives of righteous ones who have been made perfect.” (Hebrews 12:22, 23) These things to which the dedicated, baptized, anointed Christians have approached are not things perishable. These are not associated with or dependent on a typical, material temple here on earth, like the temples built in the earthly Jerusalem by King Solomon and Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua the son of Jehozadak. These imperishable things have to do with Jehovah’s greater temple, his spiritual temple, which is the only temple that can contain him in its Holy of Holies (heaven itself). (1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 66:1; Acts 7:48-50; 17:24, 25; Hebrews 9:23, 24) Also, those imperishable, irremovable things have to do with Jehovah’s “kingdom that cannot be shaken.”—Hebrews 12:28.
39. So, are the “heavens” that are rocked literal or symbolic, and why?
39 What, then, are the “heavens” that are to be rocked and shaken and removed? Jehovah, the great Rocker and Shaker and Remover, makes the answer plain to us. In that marvelous book of “signs,” the Revelation, which He gave to the Hebrew-Christian apostle John, He gives us a symbolic picture of the removing of those heavens. In Revelation 20:11 he inspired the apostle John to write: “And I saw a great white throne and the one seated on it. From before him the earth and the heaven fled away, and no place was found for them.” That fugitive heaven was replaced, for, in Revelation 21:1, 2, John goes on to say: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Just as here the “holy city, New Jerusalem,” is a sign picturing “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:9), so the “former heavens,” the “heavens” that fled away from before God on his great white throne, are a “sign” or symbol.
40, 41. What does Revelation 12:3-5, 7-12 say to give us a clue as to what “the heavens” signify?
40 A “sign” of what? Evidently of some invisible, spiritual heavenly organization that dominated over mankind. Revelation chapter twelve gives us the clue to this. It tells us: “And another sign was seen in heaven, and, look! a great fiery-colored dragon, with seven heads and ten horns and upon its heads seven diadems; and its tail drags a third of the stars of heaven, and it hurled them down to the earth. . . . And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels battled with the dragon, and the dragon and its angels battled but it did not prevail, neither was a place found for them any longer in heaven. So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
41 “‘Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ, because the accuser of our brothers has been hurled down, who accuses them day and night before our God! And they conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their witnessing, and they did not love their souls even in the face of death. On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.’”—Revelation 12:3-5, 7-12.
42. From this account the “heavens” are seen to be pictorial of what?
42 From this account in sign language it can clearly be seen that the symbolic “heavens” picture the invisible spirit organization of Satan the Devil and the demon angels under him. With these wicked demon angels Satan the Devil has misled the “entire inhabited earth.” Jesus Christ called him the “ruler” of the world of mankind. (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) The Christian apostle Paul identifies him as “the god of this system of things” who blinds the minds of the unbelievers. Paul also speaks of him as “the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.” (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2) The apostle John calls attention to Satan’s influence on the world of mankind by saying: “We [Christians] know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) Satan and his demon angels are the ones whom Ephesians 6:12 speaks of as “the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” They are the unseen heavens now dominating evil mankind.
43. What can be said as to whether those “heavens” have already begun to be shaken?
43 Thanks be to Almighty God that they are not a permanent “heavens” over the human race. Shortly now, after the coming “great tribulation” upon all mankind, those “heavens” must flee from before the face of Jehovah God seated upon his “great white throne.” (Revelation 20:11) So they are removable “heavens.” They are heavens that can be shaken to their complete destruction. The shaking of them has already begun. At what time? After God’s Messianic kingdom was born in the heavens when the “times of the Gentiles” or “appointed times of the nations” ended in early fall of the year 1914 C.E. Then the enthroned Jesus Christ, acting as the heavenly Michael, the “great prince” who stands in behalf of God’s people, began waging war upon Satan the Devil and his demon organization. As a consequence those wicked spirit forces were shaken out of their heavenly position and were made to fall to the vicinity of our earth.
44. What has that shaking of the “heavens” from contacts above resulted in, and when will the shaking be brought to a finish?
44 Their chagrin at being shaken loose from former heavenly contacts has resulted in increased “woe” for mankind and also persecution upon Jehovah’s dedicated, baptized people, the spiritual Israelites, here on earth. (Revelation 12:5-13, 17; Daniel 12:1) But with this debasement the shaking of them is not all over. The final shaking to a finish must come after the “war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Har–Magedon and must cause their fall into the prisonlike abyss, where they will be restrained for the thousand years of Christ’s uninterrupted reign over redeemed mankind. Thus those wicked “heavens” now will disappear and will give way to the “new heavens” in which righteousness will dwell forever.—2 Peter 3:7-13; Revelation 20:1-3.
45. That initial shaking of those “heavens” has affected affairs where, and what must be said as regards a shaking and removal of our literal earth?
45 This abasing and restraining of the demonic heavens to the neighborhood of the earth for a “short period of time” till their drop into the “abyss” takes place tremendously affected the affairs of mankind on the earth, since 1914 C.E. But how is it that Jehovah God fulfills his promise to rock, shake and set in commotion the “earth” as well as the “heavens”? (Haggai 2:6; Hebrews 12:26) Well, just as the “heavens” to be shaken are not the literal visible heavens over mankind, so the “earth” that is set in contrast to those heavens is not the literal earth under man’s feet. Concerning the literal earth and its permanence, Psalm 104:5 speaks of God’s creation and says: “He has founded the earth upon its established places; it will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever.” In harmony with this, our literal earthly globe will not be made to rock and shake with a view to its removal.
46. What, then, is the “earth” that is shaken and removed, and when did it come into existence?
46 Logically, then, it is the symbolic “earth” that Jehovah has promised to rock and set in commotion with a view to its removal. Just as the associated “heavens” are made up of intelligent living creatures (the spirit demons under Satan the Devil), so the symbolic “earth” is made up of intelligent living creatures, namely, human society that is lying in the power of the wicked one, Satan the Devil. This ungodly human society came into existence sometime after the flood of Noah’s day and now includes practically all the world of mankind. (Revelation 12:9; 1 John 5:19) This symbolic “earth” and the associated “heavens” over it make up the “heavens and the earth that are now” and that, by the word of God, “are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men,” as 2 Peter 3:7 tells us. Before the Sovereign Lord Jehovah destroys this symbolic “earth” as by consuming fire, how is it that he makes it rock, shakes it, puts it into commotion?
MAKING THE “EARTH” TO ROCK
47. How did God begin to do the shaking of the symbolic “earth”?
47 This He begins to do by exerting his claim to sovereignty over the dwelling place of human society, namely, the literal earth. This He does in a way that he never did before. Selfish, self-centered human society claims to own the earth and to have the right to do with the earth and its seas just what it cares to do. This leaves earth’s Creator out of consideration and is wrong as well as shortsighted. The Sovereign Lord Jehovah let this view and its application prevail uninterruptedly and unchallenged until the close of the Gentile Times or “appointed times of the nations” in 1914 C.E. Then he put life into his own rightful claim by bringing to birth in the heavens his Messianic kingdom. This invisible heavenly government, pictured in Revelation 12:5 as a “child,” the “son” of God’s “woman,” is appointed to “shepherd all the nations with an iron rod.” Jehovah’s assertion of his universal sovereignty in this way shook the symbolic “earth,” ungodly human society, loose from its long quiescent state of being settled down, its being permitted by Jehovah God to treat the literal earth as its own, and misusing it as if they were responsible to nobody.
48. How would the symbolic unspiritual “earth” be jarred by the invisible heavenly action by the Universal Sovereign Jehovah?
48 How, though, would earthly human society be rocked or shaken by this invisible heavenly action of the Universal Sovereign if human society was unaware of it? How would unspiritual human society feel it, feel jarred by it? This would be by his having them notified that the Gentile Times, “the appointed times of the nations,” had ended in 1914, the year in which World War I began. Their long world domination had now ended, for now it could be said to the Sovereign Lord Jehovah: “We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken you great power and begun ruling as king. But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came.” (Revelation 11:17, 18) The notifying of the earthly human society concerning this universal change in the status quo was done by the ambassadors on earth of that now reigning Sovereign, Jehovah God the Almighty.
49. Who are those “ambassadors” that serve the notification, and why is their mission now more urgent than ever?
49 Who are these “ambassadors”? These are the dedicated, baptized, spirit-anointed Christians who are described by the apostle Paul’s words in his second letter to the 2 Corinthians, chapter five, verses nineteen and twenty: “God was by means of Christ reconciling a world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and he committed the word of the reconciliation to us. We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ, as though God were making entreaty through us. As substitutes for Christ we beg: ‘Become reconciled to God.’” Now that Jehovah God the Almighty had taken to himself his great power and begun to reign by means of his newborn Messianic kingdom in the heavens, it was more urgent than ever for earthly human society to become reconciled to God. The complete removal of the entire worldwide system of things was now impending, and its “time of the end” had begun. (Daniel 12:4) The question is, Who will escape destruction with it?
50. How did the symbolic “earth” react to the notification served upon it by the Kingdom ambassadors?
50 How did the symbolic “earth,” the war-afflicted human society, react to the notification served upon it by the “ambassadors” of God’s established kingdom in the hands of His Christ? Did the earth quiet down, in peaceful reaction to the invitation to become reconciled to Jehovah’s newborn kingdom by Christ? The history of those years of World War I answers No! The war-torn “earth” was rocked, shaken, set in commotion by such notification. As Revelation 11:18 foretold: “The nations became wrathful,” that is, against the Kingdom ambassadors. They tried to use the earth-wide wartime conditions to suppress these Kingdom ambassadors. They even resorted to violent persecution, in some cases even to the death of ambassadors. This was the experience of the dedicated, baptized, anointed Christians then known as International Bible Students, but today known as Jehovah’s Christian witnesses.
51. (a) What may be said further about this serving of notice by the Kingdom ambassadors and the effects thereof? (b) How has the cause of this been just as stated in Hebrews 12:26?
51 On the pages of history stands written the shameful record that the symbolic “earth” made for itself as it rocked, shook, became filled with violent commotion in hostility to Jehovah’s Kingdom ambassadors. The notification served by the faithful ambassadors of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has continued to this day, on an ever-widening scale, and the symbolic “earth” is still being rocked, shaken, set in commotion by the notification and its challenging significance. As a proof that this notification tells the truth we see fulfilled the things that Jesus Christ said would mark this “time of the end”: “There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences and food shortages; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs.” (Luke 21:11) But in a symbolic way it has been just as Hebrews 12:26 says concerning Jehovah’s presence at Mount Sinai when giving the Ten Commandments: “At that time his voice shook the earth.” In these days the delivery of the message from his written Word by means of his Kingdom ambassadors has shaken the symbolic “earth.”
52. What is pictured by the “sea” and by the “dry ground” that are also to be rocked?
52 All elements of human society on earth have been made to rock and shake. It is just as the Sovereign Lord Jehovah 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.” (Haggai 2:6) On the upper crust of our earthly globe there appear the sea and the dry ground; the sea being constantly in motion and the dry ground being quite stable, except for a local earthquake. The prophecy of Haggai 2:6 having a symbolic meaning, as in the case of the “heavens and the earth,” the symbolic “sea” would be that part of human society that is unsettled, restless, tossing up, as it were, “seaweed and mire,” unpeaceable, desirous of radical changes, continually beating against the “dry ground.” (Isaiah 57:20) In contrast, the symbolic “dry ground” would be that part of human society that is settled, stable, conservative, trying to keep the status quo, opposed to radical changes.
53. How is it shown whether these two elements of human society have been rocked?
53 Nevertheless, both of these elements of human society desire rule of the earthly globe by men rather than by God, the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. Hence they also have been rocked by the serving of notice upon them by the spiritual ambassadors, announcing that the “appointed times of the nations” have expired and that Jehovah’s kingdom by Christ now reigns in the heavens and that the time fast approaches for the utter removal of this whole earthly system of things in a great tribulation such as mankind has never experienced before. (Matthew 24:3-22; Mark 13:4-20) Showing that they are being rocked by the message from God’s Word, both elements of human society, the conservative and the radical, have become “wrathful” against the proclaimers of the divine message, the Kingdom ambassadors. |
What Does the Devil Look Like? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/500100103 | What Does the Devil Look Like?
The Bible’s answer
The Devil is an invisible spirit person, which means that he does not have a physical appearance.—Ephesians 6:11, 12.
A popular depiction of the Devil is that of a goatlike creature with horns, a tail, and a pitchfork. Some have suggested that such depictions of the Devil were conceived by medieval artists who were likely influenced by folklore and ancient mythology.
How does the Bible describe the Devil?
Bible verses about the Devil
How does the Bible describe the Devil?
The Bible uses a number of analogies regarding the Devil. These help us to understand, not his appearance, but his personality. Some of these analogies include:
An angel of light. He pretends to offer something good to try to get people to follow his teachings rather than those of God.—2 Corinthians 11:14.
A roaring lion. He fiercely attacks God’s worshippers.—1 Peter 5:8.
A great dragon. He is frightful, powerful, and destructive.—Revelation 12:9.
Bible verses about the Devil
2 Corinthians 11:14: “Satan himself keeps disguising himself as an angel of light.”
Meaning: Satan pretends to be good in order to fool people into following his teachings rather than those of God.
Ephesians 6:11: “Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil.”
Meaning: The Devil schemes to get people to disobey God.
James 4:7: “Subject yourselves to God; but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you.”
Meaning: A person can defeat Satan by obeying God rather than the Devil.
1 Peter 5:8: “Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.”
Meaning: The Devil hates those who obey God and wants to destroy their friendship with Him. |
‘Know Jehovah’ (kj)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/kj | outputs
PAGE CHAPTER AND SUBJECT
7 1 Nations Long Ago Had to Know Who He Is
21 2 His Own People Had to Know Who He Is
35 3 God’s Chariot Is on the Move!
54 4 Commissioned to Speak in the Divine Name
72 5 Appointed as a Watchman to Christendom
92 6 The Days of Christendom Are Numbered
114 7 Christendom Will Know—at Her End
142 8 Detestable Religious Things over Which to Sigh
162 9 Marking Foreheads of Those to Be Spared
182 10 Christendom’s Fiery Destruction from the Celestial Chariot
194 11 Disappointment in Store for Overconfident Ones
213 12 “Until He Comes Who Has the Legal Right”
237 13 Christendom’s Associates Turn upon Her!
264 14 Hypocritical Religionists Stunned at the News
278 15 The Watchman Lives to Get the Report
293 16 A Shepherd-King for All Mankind
312 17 A “Garden of Eden” for the Sake of His Name
335 18 Resurrection to Unity in a “Garden of Eden”
349 19 Defeat Awaits Attack by Nations under Gog
368 20 Land of Magog No More to Threaten Mankind
382 21 Life in Security under Messiah’s Reign
408 22 Human Happiness in Paradise under Divine Government
408 Subject Index |
The Fascinating Chimpanzee | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101985010 | The Fascinating Chimpanzee
By Awake! correspondent in Sierra Leone
I WAS new both to West Africa and to this home to which I had been invited. Suspecting nothing, I entered the living room and took a seat. Suddenly there was a furious scampering in the hallway. And without further warning a hairy creature—a blur of motion—bounded into the room. With two mighty leaps it touched down once in the middle of the floor and then thudded solidly and heavily in my lap! Flinging its powerful arms around my neck, it froze—lips pouted and eyes staring piercingly into my eyes. I was thunderstruck. But the other people in the room laughed heartily. In a dramatic, unforgettable way, Chippie, a pet chimpanzee, had introduced himself.
Sitting there nose-to-nose with one of the most popular and versatile of all animals, the only thing I could think of was, ‘What’s he going to do next?’ Chippie, however, moved on to other matters, allowing me to regain my composure.
Since my first simian encounter, I have learned that about 3,000 years ago King Solomon imported “apes”—perhaps including chimpanzees—to Jerusalem. (1 Kings 10:22) However, it wasn’t until the last three centuries that primates began to be carefully studied and classified. In 1738 a specimen was brought to England from Africa. It was called by an Angolan name, chimpanzee, or ‘mock man.’ The name stuck.
Plundering the Wild Population
Though some chimps are bred in captivity, the majority still have been brought in from the wild. During the past decades, equatorial Africa has been the source of thousands of them. Since foreign markets want young chimps, capture methods involve shooting or poisoning nursing mothers and wresting infants from their arms. Casualties are high since not only mothers but also males and even infants are sometimes gunned down accidentally. More die while being transported. Indeed, according to Dr. Geza Teleki, primatologist and special adviser on conservation to Sierra Leone, for every chimpanzee that arrives safely abroad about ten others die.
But demand is great, and profit incentives are high. West African dealers pay local suppliers as little as $30 (U.S.) for an infant chimpanzee, whereas the price tag in the United States or Japan soars to $10,000 or more!
Recognizing the value of preserving the remaining, but threatened, wild populations, governments have imposed restrictions and bans on poaching and trade. Despite this, however, the chimpanzee is now listed among the growing ranks of endangered animal species.
Chimps in Man’s World
Chimpanzees are of great value in scientific fields. A chimp named Ham preceded man into space. Chimps also helped pioneer the way for astronauts by being used in experiments designed to investigate the mental and physical effects of weightlessness, partial vacuums and extremes of heat and cold.
The chimpanzee is perhaps best known, however, for its dynamism and disposition. Young chimps in captivity are sociable, responsive and quite bright. They are extroverts who so love to play before an audience that some have become “superstars” in the entertainment field. A chimp named Cheetah thrilled millions as he swung through the jungles with his man-friend Tarzan. Chimp antics continue to delight crowds at circuses and roadshows. And, oh, what manners they show at zoo tea parties!
Chimpanzees have also been trained to work in bars, pouring drinks and carrying them to the customers. They can eat and drink at tables, put on clothes, sweep floors, and wash dishes. Crude pictures painted by chimp “artists” have even been sold. They ride bicycles and motorcycles.
One should not conclude, however, that the chimpanzee is almost human. Like a lot of other animals the chimpanzee responds to its surroundings. It can observe that certain actions produce certain results. By repetition it can be taught that by going through certain motions, certain results can regularly be attained. Thus it can learn to perform many routine actions. But it cannot reason like a human. It cannot discern principles of operation and then apply such in other fields of endeavor. And most certainly it cannot apply moral principles.
The amazing feats that are performed are by the youngsters—usually under ten years of age. But as they reach maturity, captive chimpanzees may become mean, introverted—and dangerous. What does one do with them for the remaining 30 or more years of their lives? Zoos have limited space. Rehabilitation to the wild is beset with problems. So at times experts give a sad piece of advice: “Kill them.”
Man in the World of Chimps
Extensive studies of how chimps react in the world of man have revealed much about their disposition and versatility. Nevertheless, the chimp is as much out of his element in man’s world as a man would be in the chimp’s. Researchers thus realize that in order to understand the chimpanzee fully, studies must be made in the wild.
Possibly the first attempt to do this was during the late 19th century. Zoologist R. L. Garner entered the field equipped with a very large cage. Only the cage wasn’t for the apes he hoped to study; it was for him! Safely locked inside, he observed animals as they passed by. Though his findings were limited, it was nevertheless a genuine effort to study apes in their native habitat.
Though another brief study was made in 1930, it was not until the 1960’s that further field studies began. Dr. Jane Goodall, a researcher operating in Western Tanzania, did not sit in a cage. Her idea was to approach and observe chimps at close quarters, to be accepted by them. It wasn’t easy though. At first they would flee at the sight of her, but patience and perseverance were rewarded, and within a year she was sitting in their midst.
During the next two decades, Dr. Goodall learned much about chimpanzee behavior as well as their social and family structure. Chimps also have intriguing ways of interacting with one another. After being apart for some time, they may greet by clasping hands and kissing. They also groom one another, removing burs and ticks. But, alas, chimpanzee interaction isn’t always so altruistic! At times they kill and eat one another.
Dr. Goodall was recently interviewed by WWF News (World Wildlife Fund) and she said that studying chimps ‘has helped her to realize, perhaps more than anything else, just how different we are from them.’ When asked to be specific, she said: “Humans have more sympathy. In the chimp you have sympathy between a mother and a child but you seldom find it anywhere else. Sympathy is a very, very human characteristic.” After living with chimps for 22 years, she and her colleagues are still learning new things about them.
No doubt about it, wherever you find them, whether in man’s world or in their own, chimpanzees are truly remarkable animals—a fact you won’t need to be reminded of if one ever lands in your lap!
[Blurb on page 26]
The chimpanzee can learn to perform many routine actions, but it cannot reason like a human
[Blurb on page 26]
Studying chimps ‘has helped me to realize, perhaps more than anything else, just how different we are from them.’—Dr. J. Goodall |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 88
The Prayer of God’s Servant
(James 3:17)
1. Heav’nly Father, Sov’reign Lord,
Be your glorious name adored;
For your mercies will endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.
Ever faithful, ever sure,
Yes, your mercies will endure.
2. As our service we pursue,
Teach us, God, your will to do.
Your commands we want to keep,
Staying close to your dear sheep.
Staying close to your dear sheep,
Your commands we want to keep.
3. Give us wisdom from above,
Pure and gentle, full of love.
Help us merciful to be
As we serve impartially.
As we serve impartially,
Help us merciful to be.
4. May the joy to have a part
In your service fill our heart.
Never may our prayers cease
That your Kingdom may increase.
That your Kingdom may increase,
Never may our prayers cease. |
BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Numbers 6:24-26—“The LORD Bless You and Keep You” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502300146 | BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Numbers 6:24-26—“The LORD Bless You and Keep You”
“May Jehovah bless you and safeguard you. May Jehovah make his face shine upon you, and may he favor you. May Jehovah lift up his face toward you and grant you peace.”—Numbers 6:24-26, New World Translation.
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”—Numbers 6:24-26, New King James Version.
Meaning of Numbers 6:24-26
These words are known as the priestly, or Aaronic, blessing—Aaron being Israel’s first high priest. (Exodus 28:1) God is the Source of the blessing. (Numbers 6:22, 23) To Moses he said: “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is the way you should bless the people of Israel,’” after which God stated the words found at Numbers 6:24-26. Faithful priests obeyed that divine command. They also honored God’s name, Jehovah.a In verse 27 we read: “And they [the priests] must place my name upon the people of Israel, that I may bless them.”
“May Jehovah bless you and safeguard you.” Jehovah blesses his worshippers by protecting them, guiding them, and giving them success. (Proverbs 10:22) In Numbers 6:24-26, each occurrence of the word rendered “you” is in the singular. This could indicate God’s desire to bless not only the nation as a whole but also each Israelite personally.
“May Jehovah make his face shine upon you, and may he favor you.” Asking God to “make his face shine upon” someone was a request for God to show his favor and approval to that person.b The phrase can also be translated: “May the LORD smile on you.” (Numbers 6:25, New International Reader’s Version) Jehovah favors his people by showing them kindness, compassion, and mercy.—Isaiah 30:18.
“May Jehovahc lift up his face toward you and grant you peace.” Jehovah ‘lifts his face’ toward his worshippers by directing his loving attention to them and by giving them peace. According to one reference work, “the Hebrew word for peace (shalom) does not refer simply to an absence of conflict, but to well-being and wholeness, both physically and spiritually.”
To benefit from the blessing contained in these verses, the Israelites had to obey Jehovah. (Leviticus 26:3-6, 9) When they did, he proved true to his word. This was well illustrated during the reigns of some of their kings, such as Solomon and Hezekiah.—1 Kings 4:20, 25; 2 Chronicles 31:9, 10.
While Christians are not required to recite this blessing, they can express similar sentiments when praying to God about others or when encouraging fellow Christians. (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 25) Jehovah does not change. He always wants to bless and protect his faithful worshippers. True Christians can therefore be at peace, knowing that Jehovah’s approving “face” is shining upon them.
Context of Numbers 6:24-26
The first ten chapters of the book of Numbers record God’s instructions to the Israelites while they were camped near Mount Sinai en route to the Promised Land. During that encampment, which lasted for about a year, Jehovah organized the people into a nation and gave them the set of laws that made up the Law covenant.
Jehovah also told Moses how Aaron and his sons—who were chosen as priests—should bless the Israelites. (Numbers 6:22, 23) Thereafter, Aaron and his descendants used the words of Numbers 6:24-26 to bless the nation. In time, it became a tradition for a priest to recite the blessing at the close of the daily sacrifices at the temple.
Read Numbers chapter 6 in the study edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. This easy-to-read Bible contains audio recordings, explanatory notes, cross-references, pictures, videos, and maps.
Watch this short video to see an overview of the book of Numbers.
a Jehovah is the common English rendering of the personal name of God in the Hebrew language. To find out why many Bible translations use the input Lord instead of God’s personal name, see the article “Who Is Jehovah?”
b By way of contrast, the Bible says that Jehovah hid his face from the Israelites when he disapproved of their deeds.—Isaiah 59:2; Micah 3:4.
c According to the NIV Study Bible, the repetition of God’s name in these verses “is for emphasis and gives force to the expression in [verse 27].” Yet, some claim that the three occurrences of God’s name in those verses support the notion that God is a Trinity. This is not the case. A Bible commentary that supports the Trinity admits that the threefold use of the divine name “would not even have suggested any such idea to the priest who gave, or to the people who received, the benediction. To them the threefold form merely added beauty and fulness to the blessing.” (The Pulpit Commentary, Volume 2, page 52) For more information, see the article “Is God a Trinity?” |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 22
Heeding Jude’s Message
(Jude 21)
1. Deeply stirred we surely feel
As we read Jude’s appeal.
It was written for us all
So that we ne’er might fall.
From its fine, abiding counsel,
Strength and courage we derive.
It will keep our precious faith alive.
2. Warnings that are clear and strong
Help us see what is wrong.
Satan wants us to deflect,
But his wiles we detect.
He would have us spurn God’s orders;
And with sly, deceptive speech,
How he tries hard us to overreach!
3. With enticements men of sin
Subtly our hearts would win.
In God’s love we choose to stay,
From his ways never stray.
How Jude’s message does equip us,
Helps us all to keep alert!
Thus apostasy we will avert.
4. Yes, we must put up a fight
For the faith with our might.
Mercy, love, and godly peace,
To us may they increase.
To Jehovah God, our Savior,
Through Christ Jesus, who’s our Lord,
Let us honor give with one accord. |
Living With Parkinson’s Disease | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101988004 | Living With Parkinson’s Disease
IF YOU met my mother today for the first time, chances are you would have no idea that she has Parkinson’s disease. Although the symptoms are obvious at times, she is still able to go shopping, clean the house, and generally carry out the normal activities of daily life.
A little over 12 years ago, however, it was a different story. I had just learned that Mom had been diagnosed as having the disease. I wanted to visit her, but I didn’t want to arrive uninformed. So before traveling, I did extensive reading about the disorder. Yet, even this didn’t prepare me for what I saw.
The vivacious woman I remembered moved like an automaton. Her arms were held stiffly, close to her sides, her fingers unnaturally straight. Although erect as she had always been, she walked with little steps, shuffling, and with an agonizing slowness that belied the energy I knew was inside. It was her face, however, that made my heart sink. It was like a mask: wooden, expressionless. She smiled, but only with her mouth. Her eyes were unaffected.
Mom told me that it took two years of visits with various doctors to be correctly diagnosed. As with many, her initial symptoms were ambiguous: deep aching in joints and muscles and difficulty in just shampooing her hair and brushing her teeth. As the symptoms settled in, she began to have difficulty turning over in bed, and my father would have to help her. Walking became more difficult. Although she loved her active life in the Christian ministry, she often found that she could not even speak clearly and had to cut back her activities.
Shocked by what I saw, I began to delve into the matter. What causes this affliction? Can it be cured? Might I get it some day? How active a life can a person with such a disease have?
I soon learned that an astounding number of people contract Parkinson’s disease—one out of every 150 to 200 persons! According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, there are from a million to a million and a half cases in the United States alone. Fortunately, with proper care the vast majority of sufferers are able to manage quite well.
What Is It?
James Parkinson, whose name was given to the disease, described the condition in 1817. His description remains remarkably complete and accurate: “Involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported; with a propensity to bend the trunk forward, and to pass from a walking to a running pace, the senses and intellects being uninjured.”a
It was the last portion that gave me great relief: Mom would retain both her intellect and her senses! She would not lose the ability to relish good food, be delighted by music, become touched or tickled by a talented author, or enjoy any of the many beauties of creation that she loves so much. The lack of spontaneous movement and reactions that I saw had nothing to do with the keen mind that was still very much alive within her.
At the beginning of his description, Parkinson mentioned “involuntary tremulous motion.” This slow, rhythmic tremor, especially of the hands, is the symptom I and most people associate with Parkinson’s disease, for it is the most obvious. In fact, the clinical name for Parkinson’s is paralysis agitans, the second word implying agitation or shaking. However, Mom showed no sign of it, nor does she to this day. ‘Why not?’ I wondered. Dr. Leo Treciokas, adjunct associate professor of neurology at University of California at Los Angeles, explained to me that for some unknown reason a significant percentage never get tremor. In others, tremor is the main symptom.
Everyone who has Parkinson’s, though, gets two other symptoms and almost always before any tremor sets in: rigidity or stiffness of the muscles, and what is called akinesia—an unconscious lack of inclination to use the affected muscles even semiautomatically. This results in a slowness of movement, called bradykinesia. Some neurologists include difficulty in walking and in balance as separate but main symptoms.
The stiffness is really the result of the person’s muscles pulling steadily against one another. As the muscles that bend the body are affected more than those used to straighten it up, a person with Parkinson’s disease gradually assumes a stooped posture. It also makes his muscles and joints ache severely.
Contributing to these symptoms is the akinesia. In healthy people a host of little reflexes accompany the most basic actions: getting up, walking, turning, stopping, and even smiling. In Parkinson’s patients, many of these reflexes are absent or require conscious effort. (That is why Mom looked so expressionless and mechanical.) In addition, short, alternating movements, as used when one brushes one’s teeth, are hard for them. Their handwriting usually gets small and cramped after the first few words. They tend to sit and stare, moving the eyes rather than the head to look somewhere else. And yet they are neither stupid nor lazy.
Pronounced difficulty in walking and balance usually develops as well. My mom, like others, needs to take several little steps before she can break into a stride. Most walk with a constant shuffle, and many have what is called festinating gait (from the Latin festinare, to hasten). Tending to lean forward, their short steps will increase in rapidity till they are nearly running, and they will fall unless they can catch themselves—or someone else does. Even when walking is under control, anything that suggests a change in equilibrium—a looming obstacle, a moving stairway, even a line on the floor—may cause the person to lose his balance and fall or even freeze.
What Can Be Done
These disheartening symptoms are no longer as disabling as they were only recently. In fact, because of medical advances that are less than 20 years old, Parkinson’s patients can now enjoy a very productive life in spite of their affliction.
As the symptoms are caused by an imbalance in the brain between two body chemicals, dopamine and acetylcholine (see box on page 15), doctors will generally try to restore that balance. How? By providing dopamine to the brain through the blood. However, dopamine itself can’t get past what is called the blood-brain barrier, so it gets used up in the body. But another substance, called levodopa, or L-dopa, can get through. It is turned into dopamine by normal metabolism, both inside and outside the brain.
When taken by itself in therapeutic doses, L-dopa has numerous side effects. This is because so much of it is transformed into dopamine before it reaches the brain. To prevent these side effects, inhibitors are added.
Does the therapy work? Yes, in many cases. The major disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s (rigidity, akinesia, difficulty in walking and balance, and sometimes tremor) are frequently reduced, sometimes dramatically. In fact, Parkinson’s patients now may have about the same life expectancy as anyone else. But does this therapy work perfectly? Unfortunately, no. Only the body itself knows exactly how much dopamine is needed and can normally produce it in such precise doses. Supplying it orally is only second best.
Since some people have immediate negative reactions to L-dopa, and because its effectiveness wanes with the years even in those who respond well, other treatments are also used.
What the Patient Can Do
But is there anything else that can be done? Yes, some very important things. One of them is regular exercise. Since movement is difficult and often painful, and balance may be a problem, the tendency of a Parkinson’s patient is to restrict his activities severely. Without exercise, however, everything gets worse. Muscles and joints get stiffer and may become rigid. Blood circulation suffers, which may lead to other illnesses. A tendency to become withdrawn and eventually totally dependent on others may develop.
For these reasons, neurologists say that a program of regular exercise is essential for maintaining well-being and mobility. Of course, a doctor should be consulted for each individual case. But, generally, simple daily exercises, such as walks of moderate length, swimming, and especially stretching and straightening exercises, help maintain suppleness and strength of muscles and the brain’s ability to adapt to its new chemical circumstances.
The coordination problems that Parkinson’s disease causes in walking, speaking, and writing can be helped by conscious effort. The UCLA School of Medicine and the American Parkinson Disease Association recommend slow, deliberate motions for each of these, which allow the higher motor centers in the brain to learn to compensate—at least to some degree—for the spontaneous reflexes now missing.
What Others Can Do
Others can assist as well. A Manual for Patients With Parkinson’s Disease gives this suggestion for helping those who have difficulty in walking: “A gentle offer of support or giving the patient a hand to hang onto may be all that is required to get the patient started again. The patient should always take the hand or arm of the helping person rather than being ‘helped along’ because suddenly grasping the patient’s hand or arm often throws him or her farther off balance.”
Encouragement is especially helpful. As Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine (1983) states: “The severity of the symptoms is considerably influenced by emotional factors, being aggravated by anxiety, tension, and unhappiness, and minimal when the patient is in a outputed frame of mind. . . . The patient often needs much emotional support in meeting the stress of the illness, in comprehending its nature, and in carrying on courageously in spite of it.” Thus, loving consideration, care, and reassurance go far in helping a person to live with Parkinson’s disease.
Medical science does not yet understand the causes of this disease and therefore cannot offer a cure. However, my mother is sustained by the knowledge that the Creator does and that he will provide such a cure under his Kingdom by Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 33:24; Luke 9:11; Revelation 21:1-4) Until that time, she and many others are effectively coping with Parkinson’s disease.—Contributed.
[Footnotes]
a According to recent studies, mild mental deterioration is not infrequently associated with well-established Parkinson’s disease. This dementia may occur despite therapy and may become more pronounced if appropriate mental stimulation and conversation are neglected.
[Box on page 14]
Physical Helps for Parkinson’s Patientsb
◼ Firm chairs, slanted forward, are easier to get out of than low, deep, soft ones.
◼ A rail by the bed and by the toilet helps the patient to get up.
◼ A bed pull (a cord attached to the end of the bed) can assist the patient to sit up and turn over.
◼ A shower caddy holding needed items at about shoulder level, soap on a rope, and a sponge on a handle may be useful in showering.
◼ On clothing, pull-apart closures like Velcro are easier to handle than buttons or zippers.
[Footnotes]
b As suggested by the booklet Aids, Equipment and Suggestions to Help the Patient With Parkinson’s Disease in the Activities of Daily Living, published by the American Parkinson Disease Association.
[Box/Picture on page 15]
What Causes Parkinson’s?
This is what the medical profession wanted to know right up until the 1960’s. In fact, the root cause is still not known, but the cause of the symptoms has been found.
In the brain stem, about level with the top of your ears, is a plate of dark nerve tissue called the substantia nigra, or black substance. The substantia nigra is part of a feedback system for the brain and produces a chemical messenger for nerve transmission called dopamine that is used deep inside the brain for modulating or smoothing out movement of the body.
In Parkinson’s patients, 80 percent or more of this nerve tissue is lost. Because of a lack of dopamine, a precious balance with another nerve messenger, acetylcholine, is also lost. This brings on the symptoms.
Why the substantia nigra degenerates, and why only it does, is still a mystery. The disease is evidently not hereditary, although there is now some evidence that susceptibility may be. In some cases, the symptoms are not due to Parkinson’s at all but to adverse reactions to certain drugs, such as reserpine and phenothiazine, which are used at times to control high blood pressure and mental imbalance. Withdrawal of these medications generally restores normality. Other recent cases are due to new “designer drugs” that look and act like heroin. When bad batches of these have been used, they have irreversibly destroyed the substantia nigra in those who have taken them, producing a condition indistinguishable from true Parkinson’s disease.
[Picture]
Substantia nigra |
Salt Seekers of the Sahara | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009009 | Salt Seekers of the Sahara
STAKES flash past the window of our four-wheel-drive vehicle. These posts mark the way when sandstorms obscure the road. Indeed, such storms are likely here in the Sahara Desert.
The road we are speeding along follows an ancient camel route that instructions the city of Agadez, in northern Niger, to the Algerian border and beyond. Our destination is the tiny village of Teguidda-n-Tessoumt—an outpost of humanity 120 miles [200 km] northwest of Agadez. There, 50 families follow time-honored methods of extracting precious salt from the clay of the Sahara.
Man-Made Hills and Pastel Ponds
Ahead of us small hills appear on the desert plain, marking our destination. Our guide parks our vehicle near a 30-foot [10 m] hill and invites us to get out and climb to the top for a view of the village. As we trudge up the slope, he explains that this mound and the others like it are man-made from the residue of many years of salt extraction in the area.
From the summit the view is captivating. Virtually everything in the village below is the color of baked clay—the ground, the walls, the roofs. The only variation is the green of the leaves of the two trees that stand as sentinels at each end of the township. The fences and houses are, in fact, made of clay. The monochrome buildings contrast with the pastel hues in the hundreds of nearby salt ponds. The area is a hive of activity—men, women, and children all hard at work.
An Unusual Extraction Process
As we descend from our vantage point, our guide explains the ancient salt-extracting process used by the villagers. “There are actually only two types of ponds,” he says. “The larger ponds, some six feet [2 m] in diameter, are used to decant the salt-laden water. The smaller ones are evaporation ponds. The water from the 20 springs in the area is itself quite briny. However, the principal source of the salt is, not the water, but the earth, and that is what makes these salt works unusual.” How, exactly, is the salt extracted from the earth?
We observe a man dumping earth into a large pond full of water from the spring. He stomps the mixture with his feet, as if treading a winepress. When satisfied with his work, he leaves the briny mix to settle for several hours. Large ponds brimming with the same muddy concoction surround him. The outputs of each one displays a different shade of brown because the ponds change color as the mud settles.
Nearby, another man draws the salty water from a pond using a calabash—a utensil made from the shell of a gourd—and ladles the solution into the smaller ponds. Men usually handle this part of the process. The men are also responsible for the maintenance of the ponds. Some of them are natural depressions in the earth, while others have been dug into the rock. Where digging is not possible, the men mound clay into a ring on top of the rock. They form the clay wall by hand and then beat the barrier with a stick until it is solid. These ponds must be repaired or reconstructed every year.
What part do the women play? They do the heavy lifting, ensuring that a good supply of the salty earth is always ready for processing. They also remove the salt crystals from the evaporating ponds. They then thoroughly clean the ponds in readiness for the next batch.
Meanwhile, children scamper about among the smaller ponds. Their job is to monitor the drying process. As the water evaporates from the ponds, crystals form on the surface. If left unchecked, this salty crust would block further evaporation. So the children sprinkle the surface with drops of water to break the crust and cause the crystals to sink to the bottom of the pond. Evaporation continues until finally only the precious salt remains.
Why are the ponds such a variety of beautiful colors? Our guide explains: “There are basically three kinds of clay, or mud, found in this area, and each adds its own color to the water. In addition, the color varies depending on the salinity of the solution. Also, algae grows in some of the ponds and colors the water.” We notice, too, that the ponds change hue and tone as the sun’s burning rays shift their angle of reflection.
Salt as Money
Back in the village, the women form the moist raw salt into loaves or cakes, which they dry in the searing sun. They do not refine the salt, so the cakes stay a brownish color. We observe that the women form the cakes in three shapes—oval, round, and triangular. One of the women explains that the oval and round cakes are sold, while the triangular ones are reserved as gifts.
Who buys the salt? Nomads and salt merchants. They trek through Teguidda-n-Tessoumt, trading food and other goods in exchange for the salt. Most of the salt will be sold in the markets of the larger towns on the fringe of the desert. The raw salt from this village will likely not be used by humans. Rather, it will supplement the diet of domestic animals.
Heading back to our vehicle, we see a man digging the residual clay from an empty decanting pond. He hauls the load toward the dumping grounds and adds his small contribution to the man-made mounds. As we drive away, we reflect on how these hills bear testimony to the generations of salt seekers who have lived, worked, and died in Teguidda-n-Tessoumt.—Contributed.
[Blurb on page 22]
“The principal source of the salt is, not the water, but the earth, and that is what makes these salt works unusual”
[Map on page 21]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
SAHARA
NIGER
Agadez
Teguidda-n-Tessoumt
[Credit Line]
Based on NASA/Visible Earth imagery
[Picture on page 23]
Extracting precious salt from the clay of the Sahara
[Credit Line]
© Victor Englebert
[Picture on page 23]
Evaporation ponds come in many colors
[Credit Line]
© Ioseba Egibar/age fotostock
[Picture on page 23]
Salt loaves dry in the searing sun |
Watching the World | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010005 | Watching the World
“The Christian God is not dead in American life, but he is less of a force in our politics and culture than at any other time in recent memory.”—NEWSWEEK, U.S.A.
“The recession and economic turmoil is creating a new class of casualties: Married couples who can’t afford to get divorced. In these tough times many people are finding it’s cheaper to stay together, even when they can’t stand each other.”—THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, U.S.A.
One mother out of every 3 polled in Germany learns from her daughter—regarding fashion, friendships, being more easygoing, or having greater self-esteem.—BERLINER MORGENPOST, GERMANY.
Antibodies Still Roaming
“Nine decades after history’s most lethal flu faded away, survivors’ bloodstreams still carry highly potent protection against the 1918 virus, demonstrating the remarkable durability of the human immune system,” states the International Herald Tribune. On examining blood from elderly Spanish-flu survivors, scientists found “antibodies that still roam the body looking to strangle the old flu strain.” With these antibodies, researchers made a vaccine capable of curing mice that had been injected with the killer flu. The immune system’s memory amazed researchers. “The Lord has blessed us with antibodies our whole lifetime!” one researcher exclaimed. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Questions for God
“Why is there suffering if you are good?” This was one of the first questions that Swedish college students would ask God if they had the chance to do so, says the Swedish daily Dagen. A survey found that other common queries were: “What is the purpose of life?” and “What will happen after death?” Sweden is known as a highly secularized country. Even so, “these questions are alive,” said a representative of the Christian student organization that conducted the survey. “Young people ponder over questions of this kind.”
Physical Disability Enhances Marital Happiness
“Both men and women—regardless of age—reported being happier in their marriage after they themselves became physically disabled,” say researchers. Loss of ability to perform everyday activities can be stressful, but it can also unite spouses. Older men in particular report having more quality time with their mates. “Taking on care roles and responsibilities that may be new or more focused than in previous times in their marriage provided the men an opportunity to support and spend more time with their wives and ultimately enhanced their appreciation of their relationship,” says Karen Roberto, director of the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech, U.S.A. |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 34
Living Up to Our Name
(Isaiah 43:10-12)
1. Glorious Jehovah, almighty, eternal,
Perfect in justice and matchless in love,
Source of all truth and of infinite wisdom,
You rule as Sov’reign in heaven above.
Myriads of angels delight in your service;
Creation’s wonders your glories proclaim.
Your favored Witnesses is what you’ve named us;
O may we ever live up to our name!
2. Help us, Jehovah, to use each occasion
Your name to honor and your sheep to feed,
Following closely in Christ Jesus’ footsteps
As his instructions we faithfully heed.
We would be careful of our daily conduct,
Lest some reproach should detract from your fame.
Being your Witnesses, great is our priv’lege;
O may we ever live up to our name!
3. As we continue in your precious service,
Working together in love and in peace,
Godly outputment is our daily portion;
Joy fills our hearts as your praises increase.
Up to our name may we ever be living;
Life-giving truth to all men we would bring;
And best of all, thereby we would bring gladness,
Joy to your heart, O Jehovah, our King! |
“God’s Love” (lv)
2014 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lv | A Letter From the Governing Body
Dear Lover of Jehovah:
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” said Jesus. (John 8:32) How encouraging those words are! Yes, it is possible to know the truth, even in these critical “last days” when falsehood abounds. (2 Timothy 3:1) Do you remember when you first recognized the truth as explained in God’s Word? What a thrilling experience that was!
However, as important as it is to have an accurate knowledge of the truth and to have a regular share in telling others about it, we must also conduct ourselves in harmony with the truth. To do that, we need to keep ourselves in God’s love. What does this involve? Jesus’ words on the night before his death answer this question. He told his faithful apostles: “If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have observed the commandments of the Father and remain in his love.”—John 15:10.
Notice that Jesus remained in God’s love by observing his Father’s commandments. The same is true of us today. To remain in God’s love, we need to apply the truth in everyday life. That same evening, Jesus said: “If you know these things, happy you are if you do them.”—John 13:17.
It is our sincere hope that this publication will help you to continue to apply the truth in your life and thus keep yourself “in God’s love . . . with everlasting life in view.”—Jude 21.
Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses |
Mankind’s Search for God (sh)
1990 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sh | Chapter 6
Buddhism—A Search for Enlightenment Without God
1. (a) How has Buddhism manifested itself in Western society? (b) What are the causes of this Western development?
SCARCELY known outside Asia at the turn of the 20th century, Buddhism today has assumed the role of a world religion. In fact, many people in the West are quite surprised to find Buddhism thriving right in their own neighborhood. Much of this has come about as a result of the international refugee movement. Sizable Asian communities have established themselves in Western Europe, North America, Australia, and other places. As more and more immigrants put down roots in their new land, they also bring along their religion. At the same time, more of the people in the West are coming face-to-face with Buddhism for the first time. This, along with the permissiveness and spiritual decline in the traditional churches, has caused some people to become converts to the “new” religion.—2 Timothy 3:1, 5.
2. Where are Buddhism’s followers to be found today?
2 Thus, according to The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2001, Buddhism claims a worldwide membership of some 356 million, with about 1.5 million in Europe, 2.6 million in North America, and 635,000 in Latin America. Most of Buddhism’s adherents, however, are still found in Asian countries, such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Japan, Korea, and China. Who, though, was the Buddha? How did this religion get started? What are the teachings and practices of Buddhism?
A Question of Reliable Source
3. What source material is available on the Buddha’s life?
3 “What is known of the Buddha’s life is based mainly on the evidence of the canonical texts, the most extensive and comprehensive of which are those written in Pali, a language of ancient India,” says the book World Religions—From Ancient History to the Present. What this means is that there is no source material of his time to tell us anything about Siddhārtha Gautama, the founder of this religion, who lived in northern India in the sixth century B.C.E. That, of course, presents a problem. However, more serious is the question of when and how the “canonical texts” were produced.
4. How was the authentic teaching of the Buddha preserved at first?
4 Buddhist tradition holds that soon after the death of Gautama, a council of 500 monks was convened to decide what was the authentic teaching of the Master. Whether such a council actually did take place is a subject of much debate among Buddhist scholars and historians. The important point we should note, however, is that even Buddhist texts acknowledge that the authentic teaching decided upon was not committed to writing but memorized by the disciples. Actual writing of the sacred texts had to wait for a considerable time.
5. When were the Pali texts put down in writing?
5 According to Sri Lankan chronicles of the fourth and sixth centuries C.E., the earliest of these Pali “canonical texts” were put in writing during the reign of King Vattagamani Abhaya in the first century B.C.E. Other accounts of the Buddha’s life did not appear in writing until perhaps the first or even the fifth century C.E., nearly a thousand years after his time.
6. What criticisms are voiced against the “canonical texts”? (Compare 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.)
6 Thus, observes the Abingdon Dictionary of Living Religions, “The ‘biographies’ are both late in origin and replete with legendary and mythical material, and the oldest canonical texts are the products of a long process of oral transmission that evidently included some revision and much addition.” One scholar even “contended that not a single word of the recorded teaching can be ascribed with unqualified certainty to Gautama himself.” Are such criticisms justified?
The Buddha’s Conception and Birth
7. According to Buddhist texts, how did the Buddha’s mother come to conceive him?
7 Consider the following excerpts from Jataka, part of the Pali canon, and Buddha-charita, a second-century C.E. Sanskrit text on the life of the Buddha. First, the account of how the Buddha’s mother, Queen Maha-Maya, came to conceive him in a dream.
“The four guardian angels came and lifted her up, together with her couch, and took her away to the Himalaya Mountains. . . . Then came the wives of these guardian angels, and conducted her to Anotatta Lake, and bathed her, to remove every human stain. . . . Not far off was Silver Hill, and in it a golden mansion. There they spread a divine couch with its head towards the east, and laid her down upon it. Now the future Buddha had become a superb white elephant . . . He ascended Silver Hill, and . . . three times he walked round his mother’s couch, with his right side towards it, and striking her on her right side, he seemed to enter her womb. Thus the conception took place in the midsummer festival.”
8. What was predicted regarding the Buddha’s future?
8 When the queen told the dream to her husband, the king, he summoned 64 eminent Hindu priests, fed and clothed them, and asked for an interpretation. This was their answer:
“Be not anxious, great king! . . . You will have a son. And he, if he continue to live the household life, will become a universal monarch; but if he leave the household life and retire from the world, he will become a Buddha, and roll back the clouds of sin and folly of this world.”
9. What extraordinary events were said to have followed the pronouncement regarding the Buddha’s future?
9 Thereafter, 32 miracles were said to have occurred:
“All the ten thousand worlds suddenly quaked, quivered, and shook. . . . The fires went out in all the hells; . . . diseases ceased among men; . . . all musical instruments gave forth their notes without being played upon; . . . in the mighty ocean the water became sweet; . . . the whole ten thousand worlds became one mass of garlands of the utmost possible magnificence.”
10. How do Buddhist sacred texts describe the Buddha’s birth?
10 Then came the unusual birth of the Buddha in a garden of sal trees called Lumbini Grove. When the queen wanted to take hold of a branch of the tallest sal tree in the grove, the tree obliged by bending down to within her reach. Holding on to the branch and standing, she gave birth.
“He issued from his mother’s womb like a preacher descending from his preaching-seat, or a man coming down a stair, stretching out both hands and both feet, unsmeared by any impurity from his mother’s womb. . . . ”
“As soon as he is born, the [future Buddha] firmly plants both feet flat on the ground, takes seven strides to the north, with a white canopy carried above his head, and surveys each quarter of the world, exclaiming in peerless tones: In all the world I am chief, best and foremost; this is my last birth; I shall never be born again.”
11. What conclusion have some scholars drawn regarding the accounts about the Buddha’s life as found in the sacred texts?
11 There are also equally elaborate stories regarding his childhood, his encounters with young female admirers, his wanderings, and just about every event in his life. Not surprisingly, perhaps, most scholars dismiss all these accounts as legends and myths. A British Museum official even suggests that because of the “great body of legend and miracle, . . . a historical life of the Buddha is beyond recovery.”
12, 13. (a) What is the traditional account of the Buddha’s life? (b) What is commonly accepted regarding when the Buddha was born? (Compare Luke 1:1-4.)
12 In spite of these myths, a traditional account of the Buddha’s life is widely circulated. A modern text, A Manual of Buddhism, published in Colombo, Sri Lanka, gives the following simplified account.
“On the full-moon day of May in the year 623 B.C. there was born in the district of Nepal an Indian Sakyan Prince, by name Siddhattha Gotama.a King Suddhodana was his father, and Queen Mahā Māyā was his mother. She died a few days after the birth of the child and Mahā Pajāpati Gotamī became his foster-mother.
“At the age of sixteen he married his cousin, the beautiful Princess Yasodharā.
“For nearly thirteen years after his happy marriage he led a luxurious life, blissfully ignorant of the vicissitudes of life outside the palace gates.
“With the march of time, truth gradually dawned upon him. In his 29th year, which witnessed the turning point of his career, his son Rāhula was born. He regarded his offspring as an impediment, for he realized that all without exception were subject to birth, disease, and death. Comprehending thus the universality of sorrow, he decided to find out a panacea for this universal sickness of humanity.
“So renouncing his royal pleasures, he left home one night . . . cutting his hair, donned the simple garb of an ascetic, and wandered forth as a Seeker of Truth.”
13 Clearly these few biographical details are in stark contrast to the fantastic accounts found in the “canonical texts.” And except for the year of his birth, they are commonly accepted.
The Enlightenment—How It Happened
14. What was the turning point of Gautama’s life?
14 What was the aforementioned “turning point of his career”? It was when, for the first time in his life, he saw a sick man, an old man, and a dead man. This experience caused him to agonize over the meaning of life—Why were men born, only to suffer, grow old, and die? Then, it was said that he saw a holy man, one who had renounced the world in pursuit of truth. This impelled Gautama to give up his family, his possessions, and his princely name and spend the next six years seeking the answer from Hindu teachers and gurus, but without success. The accounts tell us that he pursued a course of meditation, fasting, Yoga, and extreme self-denial, yet he found no spiritual peace or enlightenment.
15. How did Gautama finally reach his supposed enlightenment?
15 Eventually he came to realize that his extreme course of self-denial was as useless as the life of self-indulgence that he had led before. He now adopted what he called the Middle Way, avoiding the extremes of the life-styles that he had been following. Deciding that the answer was to be found in his own consciousness, he sat in meditation under a pipal, or Indian fig tree. Resisting attacks and temptations by the devil Mara, he continued steadfast in his meditation for four weeks (some say seven weeks) until he supposedly transcended all knowledge and understanding and reached enlightenment.
16. (a) What did Gautama become? (b) What different views are held regarding the Buddha?
16 By this process, in Buddhist terminology, Gautama became the Buddha—the Awakened, or Enlightened, One. He had attained the ultimate goal, Nirvana, the state of perfect peace and enlightenment, freed from desire and suffering. He has also become known as Sakyamuni (sage of the Sakya tribe), and he often addressed himself as Tathagata (one who thus came [to teach]). Different Buddhist sects, however, hold different views on this subject. Some view him strictly as a human who found the path to enlightenment for himself and taught it to his followers. Others view him as the final one of a series of Buddhas to have come into the world to preach or revive the dharma (Pali, Dhamma), the teaching or way of the Buddha. Still others view him as a bodhisattva, one who had attained enlightenment but postponed entering Nirvana in order to help others in their pursuit of enlightenment. Whatever it is, this event, the Enlightenment, is of central importance to all schools of Buddhism.
The Enlightenment—What Is It?
17. (a) Where and to whom did the Buddha preach his first sermon? (b) Explain briefly the Four Noble Truths.
17 Having attained enlightenment, and after overcoming some initial hesitation, the Buddha set forth to teach his newfound truth, his dharma, to others. His first and probably most important sermon was given in the city of Benares, in a deer park, to five bhikkus—disciples or monks. In it, he taught that to be saved, one must avoid both the course of sensual indulgence and that of asceticism and follow the Middle Way. Then, one must understand and follow the Four Noble Truths (see box, opposite page), which can briefly be summarized as follows:
(1) All existence is suffering.
(2) Suffering arises from desire or craving.
(3) Cessation of desire means the end of suffering.
(4) Cessation of desire is achieved by following the Eightfold Path, controlling one’s conduct, thinking, and belief.
18. What did the Buddha say about the source of his enlightenment? (Compare Job 28:20, 21, 28; Psalm 111:10.)
18 This sermon on the Middle Way and on the Four Noble Truths embodies the essence of the Enlightenment and is considered the epitome of all the Buddha’s teaching. (In contrast, compare Matthew 6:25-34; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; James 4:1-3; 1 John 2:15-17.) Gautama claimed no divine inspiration for this sermon but credited himself with the words “discovered by the Tathagata.” It is said that on his deathbed, the Buddha told his disciples: “Seek salvation alone in the truth; look not for assistance to anyone besides yourself.” Thus, according to the Buddha, enlightenment comes, not from God, but from personal effort in developing right thinking and good deeds.
19. Why was the Buddha’s message welcomed at the time?
19 It is not hard to see why this teaching was welcomed in the Indian society of the time. It condemned the greedy and corrupt religious practices promoted by the Hindu Brahmans, or priestly caste, on the one hand, and the austere asceticism of the Jains and other mystic cults on the other. It also did away with the sacrifices and rituals, the myriads of gods and goddesses, and the burdensome caste system that dominated and enslaved every aspect of the people’s life. In short, it promised liberation to everyone who was willing to follow the Buddha’s way.
Buddhism Spreading Its Influence
20. (a) What are the “Three Jewels” of Buddhism? (b) How extensive was the Buddha’s preaching campaign?
20 When the five bhikkus accepted the Buddha’s teaching, they became the first sangha, or order of monks. So the “Three Jewels” (Triratna) of Buddhism were completed, namely, the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha, which were supposed to help people get on the way to enlightenment. Thus prepared, Gautama the Buddha went preaching through the length and breadth of the Ganges Valley. People from every social rank and status came to hear him, and they became his disciples. By the time of his death at age 80, he had become well-known and well respected. It was reported that his last words to his disciples were: “Decay is inherent in all component things. Work out your own salvation with diligence.”
21. (a) Who was instrumental in Buddhism’s expansion? (b) What was the outcome of his efforts?
21 In the third century B.C.E., about 200 years after the Buddha’s death, appeared Buddhism’s greatest champion, Emperor Aśoka, who brought most of India under his rule. Saddened by the slaughter and upheaval caused by his conquests, he embraced Buddhism and gave it State support. He erected religious monuments, convened councils, and exhorted the people to live by the precepts of the Buddha. Aśoka also sent Buddhist missionaries to all parts of India and to Sri Lanka, Syria, Egypt, and Greece. Principally by Aśoka’s efforts, Buddhism grew from being an Indian sect to a world religion. Justifiably, he has been regarded by some as the second founder of Buddhism.
22. How did Buddhism come to be established throughout Asia?
22 From Sri Lanka, Buddhism spread eastward into Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and other parts of Indochina. To the north, Buddhism spread to Kashmir and central Asia. From those areas, and as early as the first century C.E., Buddhist monks traveled across the forbidding mountains and deserts and took their religion into China. From China, it was a short step for Buddhism to spread to Korea and Japan. Buddhism was also introduced into Tibet, India’s northern neighbor. Mixed with local beliefs, it emerged as Lamaism, which dominated both the religious and the political life there. By the sixth or seventh century C.E., Buddhism had become well established in all of Southeast Asia and the Far East. But what was happening in India?
23. What happened to Buddhism in India?
23 While Buddhism was spreading its influence in other lands, it was gradually declining back in India. Deeply involved in philosophical and metaphysical pursuits, the monks began to lose touch with their lay followers. In addition, the loss of royal patronage and the adoption of Hindu ideas and practices all hastened the demise of Buddhism in India. Even Buddhist holy places, such as Lumbini, where Gautama was born, and Buddh Gaya, where he experienced “enlightenment,” fell into ruin. By the 13th century, Buddhism had virtually disappeared from India, the land of its origin.
24, 25. What further developments in Buddhism were seen in the 20th century?
24 During the 20th century, Buddhism underwent another change of face. Political upheaval in China, Mongolia, Tibet, and countries in Southeast Asia dealt it a devastating blow. Thousands of monasteries and temples were destroyed and hundreds of thousands of monks and nuns were driven away, imprisoned, or even killed. Nonetheless, Buddhism’s influence is still strongly felt in the thinking and habits of the people of these lands.
25 In Europe and North America, Buddhism’s idea of seeking “truth” within the individual self seems to have a wide appeal, and its practice of meditation provides an escape from the hubbub of Western life. Interestingly, in the foreword to the book Living Buddhism, Tenzin Gyatso, the exiled Dalai Lama of Tibet, wrote: “Perhaps today Buddhism may have a part to play in reminding western people of the spiritual dimension of their lives.”
Buddhism’s Diverse Ways
26. In what ways is Buddhism divided?
26 Although it is customary to speak of Buddhism as one religion, in reality it is divided into several schools of thought. Based on different interpretations of the nature of the Buddha and his teachings, each has its own doctrines, practices, and scriptures. These schools are further divided into numerous groups and sects, many of which are heavily influenced by local cultures and traditions.
27, 28. How would you describe Theravada Buddhism? (Compare Philippians 2:12; John 17:15, 16.)
27 The Theravada (Way of the Elders), or Hinayana (Lesser Vehicle), school of Buddhism flourishes in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Kampuchea (Cambodia), and Laos. Some consider this to be the conservative school. It emphasizes gaining wisdom and working out one’s own salvation by renouncing the world and living the life of a monk, devoting oneself to meditation and study in a monastery.
28 It is a common sight in some of these lands to see groups of young men with shaved heads, in saffron robes and bare feet, carrying their alms bowls to receive their daily provision from the lay believers whose role it is to support them. It is customary for men to spend at least some part of their life in a monastery. The ultimate goal of the monastic life is to become an arhat, that is, one who has reached spiritual perfection and liberation from the pain and suffering in the cycles of rebirth. The Buddha has shown the way; it is up to each one to follow it.
29. What are the characteristics of Mahayana Buddhism? (Compare 1 Timothy 2:3, 4; John 3:16.)
29 The Mahayana (Greater Vehicle) school of Buddhism is commonly found in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. It is so named because it emphasizes the Buddha’s teaching that “truth and the way of salvation is for everyone whether one lives in a cave, a monastery, or a house . . . It is not just for those who give up the world.” The basic Mahayana concept is that the love and compassion of the Buddha are so great that he would not withhold salvation from anyone. It teaches that because the Buddha-nature is in all of us, everyone is capable of becoming a Buddha, an enlightened one, or a bodhisattva. Enlightenment comes, not by strenuous self-discipline, but by faith in the Buddha and compassion for all living things. This clearly has greater appeal to the practical-minded masses. Because of this more liberal attitude, however, numerous groups and cults have developed.
30. What goal do devotees of “Pure Land” Buddhism seek? (Compare Matthew 6:7, 8; 1 Kings 18:26, 29.)
30 Among the many Mahayana sects that have developed in China and Japan are the Pure Land and Zen schools of Buddhism. The former centers its belief around faith in the saving power of Amida Buddha, who promised his followers a rebirth in the Pure Land, or Western Paradise, a land of joy and delight inhabited by gods and humans. From there, it is an easy step to Nirvana. By repeating the prayer “I place my faith in Amida Buddha,” sometimes thousands of times a day, the devotee purifies himself in order to attain enlightenment or to gain rebirth in the Western Paradise.
31. What are the features of Zen Buddhism? (Compare Philippians 4:8.)
31 Zen Buddhism (Ch’an school in China) derived its name from the practice of meditation. The words ch’an (Chinese) and zen (Japanese) are variations of the Sanskrit word dhyāna, meaning “meditation.” This discipline teaches that study, good works, and rituals are of little merit. One can attain enlightenment simply by contemplating such imponderable riddles as, ‘What is the sound of one hand clapping?’ and, ‘What do we find where there is nothing?’ The mystical nature of Zen Buddhism has found expression in the refined arts of flower arrangement, calligraphy, ink painting, poetry, gardening, and so on, and these have been favorably received in the West. Today, Zen meditation centers are found in many Western countries.
32. How is Tibetan Buddhism practiced?
32 Finally, there is Tibetan Buddhism, or Lamaism. This form of Buddhism is sometimes called Mantrayana (Mantra Vehicle) because of the prominent use of mantras, a series of syllables with or without meaning, in long recitals. Instead of emphasizing wisdom or compassion, this form of Buddhism emphasizes the use of rituals, prayers, magic, and spiritism in worship. Prayers are repeated thousands of times a day with the aid of prayer beads and prayer wheels. The complicated rituals can be learned only under oral instruction by lamas, or monastic leaders, among whom the best known are the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. After the death of a lama, a search is made for a child in whom the lama is said to have been reincarnated to be the next spiritual leader. The term, however, is also generally applied to all monks, who, by one estimate, at one time numbered about one fifth of the entire population of Tibet. Lamas also served as teachers, doctors, landowners, and political figures.
33. How are Buddhism’s divisions similar to those of Christendom? (Compare 1 Corinthians 1:10.)
33 These principal divisions of Buddhism are in turn subdivided into many groups, or sects. Some are devoted to a particular leader, such as Nichiren in Japan, who taught that only the Mahayanan Lotus Sutra contains the definitive teachings of the Buddha, and Nun Ch’in-Hai in Taiwan, who has a mass following. In this respect, Buddhism is not very different from Christendom with its many denominations and sects. In fact it is common to see people who claim to be Buddhists engage in practices of Taoism, Shinto, ancestor worship, and even those of Christendom.b All these Buddhist sects claim to base their beliefs and practices on the teachings of the Buddha.
The Three Baskets and Other Buddhist Scriptures
34. What must we bear in mind when considering the teachings of Buddhism?
34 Teachings attributed to the Buddha were passed on by word of mouth and only began to be put down in writing centuries after he had passed off the scene. Thus, at best, they represent what his followers in later generations thought he said and did. This is further complicated by the fact that, by then, Buddhism had already splintered into many schools. Thus, different texts present quite different versions of Buddhism.
35. What are the earliest of the Buddhist sacred texts?
35 The earliest of the Buddhist texts were written in Pali, said to be related to the Buddha’s native tongue, in about the first century B.C.E. They are accepted by the Theravada school as the authentic texts. They consist of 31 books organized into three collections called Tipitaka (Sanskrit, Tripitaka), meaning “Three Baskets,” or “Three Collections.” The Vinaya Pitaka (Basket of Discipline) deals mainly with rules and regulations for monks and nuns. The Sutta Pitaka (Basket of Discourses) contains the sermons, parables, and proverbs delivered by the Buddha and his leading disciples. Finally, the Abhidhamma Pitaka (Basket of Ultimate Doctrine) consists of commentaries on Buddhist doctrines.
36. What characterizes the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures?
36 On the other hand, the writings of the Mahayana school are mostly in Sanskrit, Chinese, and Tibetan, and they are voluminous. The Chinese texts alone consist of over 5,000 volumes. They contain many ideas that were not in the earlier writings, such as accounts of Buddhas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, who are said to have lived for countless millions of years, each presiding over his own Buddha world. It is no exaggeration when one writer observes that these texts are “characterized by diversity, extravagant imagination, colorful personalities, and inordinate repetitions.”
37. What problems were posed by the Mahayana writings? (Compare Philippians 2:2, 3.)
37 Needless to say, few people are able to comprehend these highly abstract treatises. As a result, these later developments have taken Buddhism far away from what the Buddha intended originally. According to the Vinaya Pitaka, the Buddha wanted his teachings to be understood not only by the educated class but by every sort of people. To this end, he insisted that his ideas be taught in the language of the common people, not the sacred dead language of Hinduism. Thus, to the Theravada Buddhists’ objection that these books were noncanonical, the Mahayana followers’ reply is that Gautama the Buddha first taught the simple and ignorant, but to the learned and wise he revealed the teachings written later in the Mahayana books.
The Cycle of Karma and Samsara
38. (a) How do Buddhist and Hindu teachings compare? (b) What is the Buddhist concept of the soul in theory and in practice?
38 Although Buddhism freed the people from the shackles of Hinduism to a certain extent, its fundamental ideas are still a legacy of the Hindu teachings of Karma and samsara. Buddhism, as it was originally taught by the Buddha, differs from Hinduism in that it denies the existence of an immortal soul but speaks of the individual as “a combination of physical and mental forces or energies.”c Nonetheless, its teachings are still centered on the ideas that all humanity is wandering from life to life through countless rebirths (samsara) and suffering the consequences of actions past and present (Karma). Even though its message of enlightenment and liberation from this cycle may appear attractive, some ask: How sound is the foundation? What proof is there that all sufferings are the result of one’s actions in a previous life? And, in fact, what evidence is there that there is any past life?
39. How does one Buddhist text explain the law of Karma?
39 One explanation about the law of Karma says:
“Kamma [Pali equivalent of Karma] is a law in itself. But it does not follow that there should be a lawgiver. Ordinary laws of nature, like gravitation, need no lawgiver. The law of Kamma too demands no lawgiver. It operates in its own field without the intervention of an external, independent ruling agency.”—A Manual of Buddhism.
40. (a) What does the existence of natural laws indicate? (b) What does the Bible say about cause and effect?
40 Is this sound reasoning? Do laws of nature really need no lawgiver? Rocket expert Dr. Wernher von Braun once stated: “The natural laws of the universe are so precise that we have no difficulty building a spaceship to fly to the moon and can time the flight with the precision of a fraction of a second. These laws must have been set by somebody.” The Bible also speaks about the law of cause and effect. It tells us, “God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Instead of saying this law needs no lawgiver, it points out that “God is not one to be mocked,” indicating that this law was set in motion by its Maker, Jehovah.
41. (a) What comparison may be drawn between the law of Karma and the law of the courts? (b) Contrast Karma with the Bible’s promise.
41 In addition, the Bible tells us that “the wages sin pays is death,” and “he who has died has been acquitted from his sin.” Even courts of justice recognize that no one is to suffer double jeopardy for any crime. Why, then, should a person who has already paid for his sins by dying be reborn only to suffer anew the consequences of his past acts? Furthermore, without knowing what past acts one is being punished for, how can one repent and improve? Could this be considered justice? Is it consistent with mercy, which is said to be the Buddha’s most outstanding quality? In contrast, the Bible, after stating that “the wages sin pays is death,” goes on to say: “But the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord.” Yes, it promises that God will do away with all corruption, sin, and death and will bring freedom and perfection for all mankind.—Romans 6:7, 23; 8:21; Isaiah 25:8.
42. How does a Buddhist scholar explain rebirth?
42 As for rebirth, here is an explanation by the Buddhist scholar Dr. Walpola Rahula:
“A being is nothing but a combination of physical and mental forces or energies. What we call death is the total non-functioning of the physical body. Do all these forces and energies stop altogether with the non-functioning of the body? Buddhism says ‘No.’ Will, volition, desire, thirst to exist, to continue, to become more and more, is a tremendous force that moves whole lives, whole existences, that even moves the whole world. This is the greatest force, the greatest energy in the world. According to Buddhism, this force does not stop with the non-functioning of the body, which is death; but it continues manifesting itself in another form, producing re-existence which is called rebirth.”
43. (a) Biologically, how is one’s genetic makeup determined? (b) What “proof” is sometimes offered to support rebirth? (c) Is such “proof” of rebirth in harmony with common experience?
43 At the moment of conception, a person inherits 50 percent of his genes from each parent. Therefore there is no way by which he can be 100 percent like someone in a previous existence. Indeed, the process of rebirth cannot be supported by any known principle of science. Frequently, those who believe in the doctrine of rebirth cite as proof the experience of people who claim to recollect faces, events, and places that they have not formerly known. Is this logical? To say that a person who can recount things in bygone times must have lived in that era, one would also have to say that a person who can foretell the future—and there are many who claim to do so—must have lived in the future. That, obviously, is not the case.
44. Compare the Bible’s teaching regarding “spirit” with the Buddhist doctrine of rebirth.
44 More than 400 years before the Buddha, the Bible spoke of a life-force. Describing what happens at a person’s death, it says: “Then the dust returns to the earth just as it happened to be and the spirit itself returns to the true God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7) The word “spirit” is translated from the Hebrew word ruʹach, meaning the life-force that animates all living creatures, human and animal. (Ecclesiastes 3:18-22) However, the important difference is that ruʹach is an impersonal force; it does not have a will of its own or retain the personality or any of the characteristics of the deceased individual. It does not go from one person to another at death but “returns to the true God who gave it.” In other words, the person’s future life prospects—the hope of a resurrection—are entirely in God’s hands.—John 5:28, 29; Acts 17:31.
Nirvana—Attaining the Unattainable?
45. What is the Buddhist concept of Nirvana?
45 This brings us to the Buddha’s teaching on enlightenment and salvation. In Buddhist terms, the basic idea of salvation is liberation from the laws of Karma and samsara, as well as the attaining of Nirvana. And what is Nirvana? Buddhist texts say that it is impossible to describe or explain but can only be experienced. It is not a heaven where one goes after death but an attainment that is within the reach of all, here and now. The word itself is said to mean “blowing out, extinguishing.” Thus, some define Nirvana as cessation of all passion and desire; an existence free from all sensory feelings, such as pain, fear, want, love, or hate; a state of eternal peace, rest, and changelessness. Essentially, it is said to be the cessation of individual existence.
46, 47. (a) According to Buddhist teachings, what is the source of salvation? (b) Why is the Buddhist view of the source of salvation contrary to common experience?
46 The Buddha taught that enlightenment and salvation—the perfection of Nirvana—come, not from any God or external force, but from within a person by his own effort in good deeds and right thoughts. This raises the question: Can something perfect come out of something imperfect? Does not our common experience tell us, as the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah did, 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) If no one is able to have total control of his actions even in simple day-to-day matters, is it logical to think that anyone can work out his eternal salvation all by himself?—Psalm 146:3, 4.
47 Just as a man mired in quicksand is not likely to free himself from it on his own, likewise all mankind is entrapped in sin and death, and no one is capable of extricating himself from this entanglement. (Romans 5:12) Yet, the Buddha taught that salvation depends solely on one’s own effort. His parting exhortation to his disciples was to “rely on yourselves and do not rely on external help; hold fast to the truth as a lamp; seek salvation alone in the truth; look not for assistance to anyone besides yourself.”
Enlightenment or Disillusionment?
48. (a) How does one book describe the effect of complicated Buddhist ideas such as Nirvana? (b) What has been the outcome of recent interest in Buddhist teachings in some areas?
48 What is the effect of such a doctrine? Does it inspire its believers to true faith and devotion? The book Living Buddhism reports that in some Buddhist countries, even “monks give little thought to the sublimities of their religion. The attainment of Nirvāna is widely thought to be a hopelessly unrealistic ambition, and meditation is seldom practised. Apart from desultory study of the Tipitaka, they devote themselves to being a benevolent and harmonious influence in society.” Similarly, World Encyclopedia (Japanese), in commenting on the recent resurgence of interest in Buddhist teachings, observes: “The more the study of Buddhism becomes specialized, the more it departs from its original purpose—to guide the people. From this point of view, the recent trend in the rigorous study of Buddhism does not necessarily mean the revival of a living faith. Rather, it must be observed that when a religion becomes the object of complicated metaphysical scholarship, its real life as a faith is losing its power.”
49. For many, what has Buddhism become?
49 The fundamental concept of Buddhism is that knowledge and understanding lead to enlightenment and salvation. But the complicated doctrines of the various schools of Buddhism have only produced the above-mentioned “hopelessly unrealistic” situation, beyond the grasp of most believers. For them, Buddhism has been reduced to doing good and following a few rituals and simple precepts. It does not come to grips with life’s perplexing questions, such as: Where do we come from? Why are we here? And what is the future for man and the earth?
50. What question comes to mind in view of the experiences of some sincere Buddhists? (Compare Colossians 2:8.)
50 Some sincere Buddhists have recognized the confusion and disillusionment that arise from the complicated doctrines and burdensome rituals of Buddhism as it is practiced today. The humanitarian efforts of Buddhist groups and associations in some countries may have brought relief from pain and suffering to many. But as a source of true enlightenment and liberation for all, has Buddhism lived up to its promise?
Enlightenment Without God?
51. (a) What does one anecdote tell about the Buddha’s teachings? (b) What important omission is evident in the Buddha’s teachings? (Compare 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 46:1; 145:18.)
51 Accounts of the life of the Buddha relate that on one occasion he and his disciples were in a forest. He picked up a handful of leaves and said to his disciples: “What I have taught you is comparable to the leaves in my hand, what I have not taught you is comparable to the amount of leaves in the forest.” The implication, of course, was that the Buddha had taught only a fraction of what he knew. However, there is one important omission—Gautama the Buddha had next to nothing to say about God; neither did he ever claim to be God. In fact, it is said that he told his disciples, “If there is a God, it is inconceivable that He would be concerned about my day-to-day affairs,” and “there are no gods who can or will help man.”
52. (a) What is Buddhism’s view of God? (b) What has Buddhism ignored?
52 In this sense, Buddhism’s role in mankind’s search for the true God is minimal. The Encyclopedia of World Faiths observes that “early Buddhism appears to have taken no account of the question of God, and certainly did not teach or require belief in God.” In its emphasis on each person’s seeking salvation on his own, turning inward to his own mind or consciousness for enlightenment, Buddhism is really agnostic, if not atheistic. (See box, page 145.) In trying to throw off Hinduism’s shackles of superstition and its bewildering array of mythical gods, Buddhism has swung to the other extreme. It ignored the fundamental concept of a Supreme Being, by whose will everything exists and operates.—Acts 17:24, 25.
53. What can be said about seeking enlightenment without God? (Compare Proverbs 9:10; Jeremiah 8:9.)
53 Because of this self-centered and independent way of thinking, the result is a veritable labyrinth of legends, traditions, complex doctrines, and interpretations generated by the many schools and sects over the centuries. What was meant to bring a simple solution to the complicated problems of life has resulted in a religious and philosophical system that is beyond the comprehension of most people. Instead, the average follower of Buddhism is simply preoccupied with worshiping idols and relics, gods and demons, spirits and ancestors, and performing many other rituals and practices that have little to do with what Gautama the Buddha taught. Clearly, seeking enlightenment without God does not work.
54. The teachings of what other Oriental religious thinkers will be considered next?
54 At about the same time that Gautama the Buddha was searching for the way to enlightenment, in another part of the continent of Asia there lived two philosophers whose ideas came to influence millions of people. They were Lao-tzu and Confucius, the two sages venerated by generations of Chinese and others. What did they teach, and how did they influence mankind’s search for God? That is what we will consider in the next chapter.
[Footnotes]
a This is the transliteration of the Pali spelling of his name. From Sanskrit the transliteration is Siddhārtha Gautama. His birth date, however, has been variously given as 560, 563, or 567 B.C.E. Most authorities accept the 560 date or at least put his birth in the sixth century B.C.E.
b Many Buddhists in Japan celebrate a showy “Christmas.”
c Buddhist doctrines, such as anatta (no self), deny the existence of an unchanging or eternal soul. However, most Buddhists today, particularly those in the Far East, believe in the transmigration of an immortal soul. Their practice of ancestor worship and belief in torment in a hell after death clearly demonstrate this.
[Box on page 139]
The Buddha’s Four Noble Truths
The Buddha expounded his fundamental teaching in what is called the Four Noble Truths. Here we quote from the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (The Foundation of the Kingdom of Righteousness), in a translation by T. W. Rhys Davids:
▪ “Now this, O Bhikkus, is the noble truth concerning suffering. Birth is attended with pain, decay is painful, disease is painful, death is painful. Union with the unpleasant is painful, painful is separation from the pleasant; and any craving that is unsatisfied, that too is painful. . . .
▪ “Now this, O Bhikkus, is the noble truth concerning the origin of suffering. Verily, it is that thirst, causing the renewal of existence, accompanied by sensual delight, seeking satisfaction now here, now there—that is to say, the craving for the gratification of the passions, or the craving for life, or the craving for success. . . .
▪ “Now this, O Bhikkus, is the noble truth concerning the destruction of suffering. Verily, it is the destruction, in which no passion remains, of this very thirst; the laying aside of, the getting rid of, the being free from, the harboring no longer of this thirst. . . .
▪ “Now this, O Bhikkus, is the noble truth concerning the way which leads to the destruction of sorrow. Verily, it is this noble eightfold path; that is to say: right views; right aspirations; right speech; right conduct; right livelihood; right effort; right mindfulness; and right contemplation.”
[Box on page 145]
Buddhism and God
“Buddhism teaches the way to perfect goodness and wisdom without a personal God; the highest knowledge without a ‘revelation’; . . . the possibility of redemption without a vicarious redeemer, a salvation in which everyone is his own saviour.”—The Message of Buddhism, by the Bhikkhu Subhadra, as quoted in What Is Buddhism?
Then are Buddhists atheists? The book What Is Buddhism? published by the Buddhist Lodge, London, answers: “If by atheist you mean one who rejects the concept of a personal God, we are.” Then it goes on to say: “A growing mind can as easily digest the idea of a Universe guided by unswerving Law, as it can the concept of a distant Personage that it may never see, who dwells it knows not where, and who has at some time created out of nothing a Universe which is permeated by enmity, injustice, inequality of opportunity, and endless suffering and strife.”
Thus, in theory, Buddhism does not advocate belief in God or a Creator. However, Buddhist temples and stupas are found today in nearly every country where Buddhism is practiced, and images and relics of Buddhas and bodhisattvas have become objects of prayers, offerings, and devotion by devout Buddhists. The Buddha, who never claimed to be God, has become a god in every sense of the word.
[Map on page 142]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
By the seventh century C.E., Buddhism had spread from India to all of eastern Asia
INDIA
Benares
Buddh Gaya
3RD CENTURY B.C.E. SRI LANKA
1ST CENTURY B.C.E. KASHMIR CENTRAL ASIA
1ST CENTURY C.E. CHINA MYANMAR THAILAND KAMPUCHEA JAVA
4TH CENTURY C.E. KOREA
6TH CENTURY C.E. JAPAN
7TH CENTURY C.E. TIBET
[Pictures on page 131]
Buddhist temples vary in style worldwide
Chengteh, northern China
Kofu, Japan
New York City, U.S.A.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
[Picture on page 133]
Stone relief, Dream of Maya, from Gandhara, Pakistan, depicts the future Buddha as a haloed white elephant entering the right side of Queen Maya to impregnate her
[Pictures on page 134]
Buddhist monks and worshipers in a temple in New York City
[Pictures on page 141]
Images of the Buddha with stylized gestures
entering Nirvana
teaching
meditating
resisting temptation
[Picture on page 147]
Procession in honor of the Buddha’s birthday, in Tokyo, Japan. The white elephant at rear symbolizes the Buddha
[Pictures on page 150]
Pages of the Lotus Sutra (10th century), in Chinese, describe the power of the bodhisattva Kuan-yin to save from fire and flood. Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, right, was popular in Korea in the 14th century
[Picture on page 155]
Buddhist scroll from Kyoto, Japan, depicts torments in “hell”
[Pictures on page 157]
Buddhists today worship before, as seen clockwise from top left, a lingam in Bangkok, Thailand; the Buddha’s Tooth relic in Kandy, Sri Lanka; images of the Buddha in Singapore and New York
[Pictures on page 158]
A Buddhist woman praying before family altar, and children participating in temple service |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 205
Christ Our Exemplar
(1 Peter 2:21)
1. What love Jehovah showed, what goodness from him flowed,
When to this earth he sent his Son!
Christ came as heav’nly Bread, that mankind might be fed
And life eternal might be won.
2. Christ Jesus told the way that we to God should pray:
‘O let your name be sanctified.
Your heav’nly Kingdom come. Your will on earth be done.
May daily our bread be supplied.’
3. God’s truth with zeal he taught and Kingdom comfort brought
To all those who his message heard.
He died upon a tree to set all mankind free
And that he might fulfill God’s Word.
4. If we appreciate his sacrifice so great,
We’ll prove ourselves his faithful sheep.
Like him, we’ll let God’s praise be filling all our days,
And then, with him, fruit we shall reap. |
Understanding the Bible—What Are the Keys? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013148 | Understanding the Bible—What Are the Keys?
The Bible’s answer
The Bible itself provides many of the keys to understanding it. Regardless of your background, God’s message in the Bible “is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away.”—Deuteronomy 30:11.
Keys to understanding the Bible
Have the right attitude. Accept the Bible as God’s Word. Be humble, since God opposes the proud. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; James 4:6) However, avoid blind faith—God wants you to use your “power of reason.”—Romans 12:1, 2.
Pray for wisdom. “Do not lean upon your own understanding,” the Bible says at Proverbs 3:5. Instead, “keep on asking God” for wisdom in understanding the Bible.—James 1:5.
Be consistent. You will benefit much more from Bible study if you do it regularly rather than sporadically.—Joshua 1:8.
Study by topic. A topical study, in which you analyze what the Bible says about a particular topic or subject, is an effective way to learn what the Scriptures teach. Start with “the beginning lessons,” as it were, and then “go forward to more mature (advanced) teaching.” (Hebrews 6:1, 2, Easy-to-Read Version) You’ll find that you can compare scripture with scripture and learn that various parts of the Bible explain each other, even the parts that are “hard to understand.”—2 Peter 3:16.
Get help from others. The Bible encourages us to accept help from others who understand the Bible. (Acts 8:30, 31) Jehovah’s Witnesses offer a free Bible study program. Like the early Christians, they use Scriptural references to help others discern what the Bible really teaches.—Acts 17:2, 3.
Things you don’t need
High intellect or education. Jesus’ 12 apostles understood the Scriptures and taught them to others, even though the apostles were considered by some to be “unlettered and ordinary.”—Acts 4:13.
Money. You can learn what the Bible teaches without cost. Jesus told his disciples: “You received free, give free.”—Matthew 10:8. |
Table of outputs | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2019003 | Table of outputs
3 Who Is God?
4 What Is God’s Name?
6 What Is God Like?
10 What Has God Done?
13 What Will God Do?
15 What Can Knowing God Mean for You?
16 You Can Be Close to God |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 125
Agony on the Stake
ALONG with Jesus two robbers are being led out to be executed. Not far from the city, the procession comes to a halt at the place called Golgotha, or Skull Place.
The prisoners are stripped of their garments. Then wine drugged with myrrh is provided. Apparently it is prepared by the women of Jerusalem, and the Romans do not deny this pain-dulling potion to those being impaled. However, when Jesus tastes it, he refuses to drink. Why? Evidently he wants to have full possession of all his faculties during this supreme test of his faith.
Jesus is now stretched out on the stake with his hands placed above his head. The soldiers then pound large nails into his hands and into his feet. He wrenches with pain as the nails pierce flesh and ligaments. When the stake is swung upright, the pain is excruciating, for the weight of the body tears at the nail wounds. Yet, rather than threaten, Jesus prays for the Roman soldiers: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Pilate has posted on the stake a sign that reads: “Jesus the Nazarene the King of the Jews.” Apparently, he writes this not only because he respects Jesus but because he loathes the Jewish priests for their having wrung Jesus’ death sentence from him. So that all may read the sign, Pilate has it written in three languages—in Hebrew, in the official Latin, and in the common Greek.
The chief priests, including Caiaphas and Annas, are dismayed. This positive proclamation spoils their hour of triumph. Therefore they protest: “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that he said, ‘I am King of the Jews.’” Chafing from having served as the pawn of the priests, Pilate answers with resolute contempt: “What I have written I have written.”
The priests, along with a large crowd, now gather at the site of the execution, and the priests refute the testimony of the sign. They repeat the false testimony that was given earlier at the Sanhedrin trials. Not surprisingly, therefore, passersby begin speaking abusively, wagging their heads in mockery and saying: “O you would-be thrower-down of the temple and builder of it in three days, save yourself! If you are a son of God, come down off the torture stake!”
“Others he saved; himself he cannot save!” the chief priests and their religious cronies chime in. “He is King of Israel; let him now come down off the torture stake and we will believe on him. He has put his trust in God; let Him now rescue him if He wants him, for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”
Caught up in the spirit, the soldiers too make fun of Jesus. They mockingly offer him sour wine, apparently holding it just beyond his parched lips. “If you are the king of the Jews,” they taunt, “save yourself.” Even the robbers—one impaled to Jesus’ right, and the other to his left—ridicule him. Think of it! The greatest man who ever lived, yes, the one who shared with Jehovah God in creating all things, resolutely suffers all this abuse!
The soldiers take Jesus’ outer garments and divide them into four parts. They cast lots to see whose these will become. The inner garment, however, is without a seam, being of superior quality. So the soldiers say to one another: “Let us not tear it, but let us determine by lots over it whose it will be.” Thus, unwittingly, they fulfill the scripture that says: “They apportioned my outer garments among themselves, and upon my apparel they cast lots.”
In time, one of the robbers comes to appreciate that Jesus truly must be a king. Therefore, rebuking his companion, he says: “Do you not fear God at all, now that you are in the same judgment? And we, indeed, justly so, for we are receiving in full what we deserve for things we did; but this man did nothing out of the way.” Then he addresses Jesus, with the petition: “Remember me when you get into your kingdom.”
“Truly I tell you today,” Jesus replies, “You will be with me in Paradise.” This promise will be fulfilled when Jesus rules as King in heaven and resurrects this repentant evildoer to life on earth in the Paradise that Armageddon survivors and their companions will have the privilege of cultivating. Matthew 27:33-44; Mark 15:22-32; Luke 23:27, 32-43; John 19:17-24.
▪ Why does Jesus refuse to drink the wine drugged with myrrh?
▪ Why, apparently, is a sign posted on Jesus’ stake, and what exchange does it initiate between Pilate and the chief priests?
▪ What further abuse does Jesus receive on the stake, and what evidently prompts it?
▪ How is prophecy fulfilled in what is done with Jesus’ garments?
▪ What change does one of the robbers make, and how will Jesus fulfill his request? |
Truth (tr)
1981 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/tr | Chapter 13
The True Church and Its Foundation
1. Why is it important to know the identity of the true church and its foundation?
IF WE want to live eternally in God’s new system we must acknowledge the true church and its foundation. With reference to them, Jesus said: “Upon this rock I will build my Church.” (Matthew 16:18, Dy) What is this church and what is the rock upon which it is built? The Bible provides us with the right answers.
2. (a) Does the Bible ever use the word “church” to refer to a building? (b) What is the meaning of the Greek word?
2 While many persons speak of the buildings in which people meet for worship as “churches,” did you know that the Bible never does? In the Bible the word “church” always refers to people, actually to an assembly or congregation of persons. (Philemon 2) The Greek word ek·kle·siʹa, translated “church” or “congregation,” literally means “that which is called out.” It refers to a group of persons called out from among others for a particular purpose; but it is used as the equivalent of the Hebrew word qahalʹ, meaning “congregation” or “assembly.”
3. Why is the true church likened to (a) a human body? (b) an engaged virgin girl?
3 The true church or congregation is likened to a human body, because it has many members but only one head, just as a human body has. The inspired Scriptures, at Ephesians 1:22, 23 (Dy), tell us that God made Christ “head over all the church, which is his body.” This church is also compared to a virgin girl engaged to Christ, because as a group the members of the true church are to be closely united to Christ, as a wife is to her husband. Writing to certain members of the church, the apostle Paul said: “I personally promised you in marriage to one husband that I might present you as a chaste virgin to the Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2; see also Revelation 21:2, 9, 10.) So it is a clean congregation, free from worldly corruption and devoted to its Head, Jesus Christ.
4. (a) Can anyone “join” the true church by getting his name on some earthly membership roll? Why? (b) How many make up the true church that will be with Christ in heaven?
4 Could anyone of us decide to “join” this church simply by getting his name placed on some membership roll here on earth? No; as Hebrews 12:23 (Dy) explains, this is the “church of the firstborn who are written in the heavens.” God is the one who selects the members. He sets them in the congregation as he pleases. (1 Corinthians 12:18) These are the ones who will be with Christ in heaven. And Jesus revealed that, far from including all who profess to be Christians, they are limited in number to 144,000.—Revelation 14:1-3; Luke 12:32.
5. For what special purpose are members of the true church called?
5 They are, indeed, a group of persons called out from spiritual darkness for a special purpose. While here on earth they boldly “declare abroad the excellencies” of the Most High God, who called them out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) And, after their resurrection, they will have the grand privilege of ruling with Christ in his heavenly kingdom.—Luke 22:28-30.
6. (a) Who were the first members of the true church, and how was witness borne to them that they were God’s spiritual sons? (b) When was membership opened up for non-Jews?
6 The first members of this true church were all Jews (as were Jesus and his apostles) or circumcised Jewish converts. At Pentecost of 33 C.E.—just ten days after Jesus had ascended to heaven and opened the way for others to follow him in due time—Jehovah indicated his selection of these members through the pouring out of holy spirit. Their receiving of the spirit on that occasion bore witness to them that they were now God’s spiritual sons and heirs of the kingdom with Christ. (Acts 2:1-4, 16-21, 33; Romans 8:16, 17) But the membership of the true church did not remain all Jewish. Three and a half years after Jesus’ death the way was opened for Gentiles or non-Jews to be included. (Acts 10:30-33, 44; Romans 9:23, 24) So, in course of time, the true church came to have international membership.
THE FOUNDATION OF THE TRUE CHURCH
7. How did Jesus and the apostle Paul identify the foundation cornerstone of the true church?
7 Who is the foundation of the true church? Jesus Christ made clear that he himself is that foundation. He applied to himself the prophecy of Psalm 118:22 [117:22, Dy], saying: “The stone that the builders rejected is the one that has become the chief cornerstone.” (Matthew 21:42-44) The apostle Paul adds his testimony that Jesus is the “chief corner stone,” writing to Christians at Ephesus: “You are fellow citizens with the saints and the domestics of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” (Ephesians 2:19, 20, Dy) The apostle was very definite about it, saying again: “For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid: which is Christ Jesus.”—1 Corinthians 3:11, Dy.
8. (a) Why could there be no finer foundation for the true church than Christ Jesus? (b) What question now comes up?
8 There could be no finer and surer foundation for the true church than Christ Jesus, could there? It is his own perfect human life given as a ransom that makes possible this divine arrangement. Yet, how can we harmonize this testimony by Jesus and the apostle Paul with what Jesus stated to Peter at Matthew 16:18? We may be sure that there is no contradiction.
“UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH”
9. (a) How do some persons understand Jesus’ words at Matthew 16:18? (b) Did the majority of the early church “fathers” understand Jesus’ reference to the “rock” as applying to Peter?
9 Peter had just acknowledged Jesus to be the Christ (or, the Messiah), the Son of the living God. Jesus then said: “I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church.” (Dy) Some understand these words to mean that Jesus’ church is built on Peter as the foundation. This is the official position of the Roman Catholic Church. But it is of interest to note that Archbishop Kenrick, in the book An Inside View of the Vatican Council (1870), shows that of at least eighty-six early church “fathers,” only seventeen understood Jesus’ reference to the “rock” as applying to Peter. Were you aware of this?
10. How did Augustine understand Jesus’ reference to the “rock”?
10 Consider, for example, the view of Augustine (354-430 C.E.), usually referred to as “Saint Augustine.” Though at one time he viewed Peter as the “rock,” in later life Augustine restated his position, saying in his Retractationes: “I have since frequently explained the words of our Lord: ‘Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church,’ to the effect that they should be understood as referring to him whom Peter confessed when he said: ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,’ . . . For what was said to [Peter] was not ‘Thou art the rock,’ but ‘Thou art Peter.’ But the rock was Christ.”
11. Whom did Peter himself understand to be the “rock”?
11 But of far more importance—how did Peter himself understand Jesus’ words? Concerning the Lord Jesus, Peter said: “Unto whom coming, as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men but chosen and made honourable by God: Be you also as living stones built up, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore it is said in the scripture: Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious. And he that shall believe in him shall not be confounded. To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner: and a stone of stumbling and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word.” (1 Peter 2:4-8, Dy) These words of Peter show that he, like the apostle Paul, understood Jesus to be the “chief corner stone,” the “rock” on which the church is built. Peter is just one of the 144,000 “living stones” making up the true church.
12. (a) How do we know whether Peter was viewed as an “infallible” head of the early church? (b) Who always remains the head of the true church?
12 Peter enjoyed fine privileges as an apostle of Jesus Christ, it is true. But nowhere does he indicate that he thought he was the chief of the apostles. Nor do we read anywhere that the other apostles and disciples recognized Peter as a “pope” and gave him honor as such. On one occasion the apostle Paul found it necessary to reprove Peter (Cephas) publicly for having taken a course not in keeping with true Christian faith. The fact that Peter was wrong on this matter involving faith and morals and also that Paul felt free to correct him publicly shows that Peter was not looked to as an “infallible” head of the apostles or of the early church. (Galatians 2:11-14) In the true church there is only one Head, Jesus Christ, who, since his resurrection, is “alive forever,” and so needs no successors.—Hebrews 7:23-25.
A UNITED CHURCH
13. (a) What words of Jesus show there was to be no division of the congregation into clergy and laity? (b) How were the ones taking the lead in the congregation to conduct themselves?
13 Jesus, the Head, does not split up the body of his congregation into a clergy class and a laity class of the “common people.” He says to his followers: “Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader is one, the Christ.” (Matthew 23:8-10) So Jesus shows that there is no division among those who make up the true church. However, he did arrange for men to take the lead in the Christian congregation, to serve the spiritual needs of their brothers and organize the work of preaching the good news. Jesus said such ones were not to “lord it over” their brothers but were to be like slaves or servants to them. (Matthew 20:25-28) Is that true of the clergymen you know?
14. Why must the ones making up the true church be gathered in just one organization for worship?
14 To fit the Bible’s description of the true church, those who make it up must be united in their worship. In this regard the apostle Paul wrote: “I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) So we cannot Scripturally expect to find them scattered among all the conflicting religions of Christendom. They must be gathered together in just one organization. As Ephesians 4:4, 5 says of them: “One body there is, . . . one Lord, one faith.” It is vital for us to know what that “one faith” is.
APPRECIATION OF THE TRUE CHURCH AND ITS FOUNDATION
15. (a) How do Christ and his congregation benefit all other obedient humans? (b) What responsibility did Jesus say he would give to his true church at the time of his coming in Kingdom power?
15 The members of the true church under Christ their head are said to become “Abraham’s seed, heirs with reference to a promise.” (Galatians 3:29) This promise is that all others of obedient mankind will bless themselves through Christ and his congregation. (Genesis 22:18) The Bible foretold that, at the time of the establishment of Christ’s kingdom, there would be only a remnant of these children of the “Jerusalem above,” God’s heavenly organization, left on earth. (Galatians 4:26; Revelation 12:10, 17) Jesus described these members of his church on earth as a “faithful and discreet slave.” And he said that such ones who were found faithfully serving at the time of his coming to his judgment work would be appointed “over all his belongings,” that is, over all the earthly interests of Christ’s kingdom. They would take the lead in the preaching of the good news of the established Kingdom to all the nations in the “time of the end.”—Matthew 24:14, 45-47; 25:19-23.
16. What blessings come to those who show proper recognition of this arrangement?
16 All those today who hope to gain eternal life in God’s new system need to recognize this arrangement. For Jesus said that, in this “time of the end,” he separates to a position of favor those doing good to the remaining ones on earth of his “brothers,” his joint heirs who make up the Christian congregation. (Matthew 25:31-40) These are the remaining ones of the “living stones” that are built up into a spiritual house or temple, “a place for God to inhabit by spirit.” (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20-22) Those ‘doing good’ to the members of this temple class are described in the book of Revelation as a “great crowd” of persons who come under God’s protection. Note, too, that they gladly serve God “day and night in his temple,” that is, in association with the remnant of the spiritual temple class, the Christian congregation.—Revelation 7:9, 10, 15.
17. What do sheeplike ones say, in effect, to the remaining ones of the true church?
17 These sheeplike persons say, in effect, to the heirs of the promise made with Abraham: “We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.” (Zechariah 8:23) Even as those of the true church or congregation faithfully walk in Christ’s footsteps and proclaim the Kingdom message, so likewise these sheeplike ones ‘go with them,’ serving God right along with them. Are you doing that? If so, you have the prospect of receiving eternal life on earth, along with all the other blessings that will flow from Christ and his glorified congregation in the heavens. |
School on Safari | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101972008 | School on Safari
BY “AWAKE!” CORRESPONDENT IN ZAÏRE REPUBLIC
HOW would you like to take a 5,000-mile trip through seven of the eight provinces of the Zaïre Republic? My wife and I completed such a trip. It took a year and five months, and was filled with fascinating experiences.
Ours was a school on safari. “Safari” is the word for “journey” in Swahili, one of Zaïre’s many languages. The school was not for children, but for adult Christian ministers. Its purpose was to equip these men to care more efficiently for the spiritual needs of those in their respective congregations.
The Kingdom Ministry School, as this course of instruction is called, is conducted by Jehovah’s witnesses throughout the world. Usually classes are held in one place in a country, or perhaps in a few permanent locations, and Christian overseers travel there to attend.
However, the Zaïre Republic (formerly the Democratic Republic of Congo) is a vast country where a long trip is prohibitively costly for some. But by means of our “school on safari,” which brought the school nearer to them, it was possible for these ministers to attend without an undue financial burden.
There were, on the average, about twenty ministers in each class. The schooling was of two weeks’ duration. Lessons were taught under four main headings: Overseers, Kingdom Teachings, Meetings, and Field Ministry. The Bible was the main textbook, although other Bible study aids were used. As is true of the Kingdom Ministry School everywhere, no tuition was charged; the training was all free.
Equipment and Obstacles
We traveled by Land Rover. We had our folding bed, cooking utensils, supply of staple foods, lamps, books for the school, blackboard, personal clothing, spare parts for the Land Rover, spade, ax, planks, steel cord, cans for extra gas, and maps. Packing all of this is quite an art, as everything has to be in tight to avoid breakage and wear on the bad roads. On some of the roads one must always be prepared for a possible breakdown, or any other eventuality. The neat red road lines on the maps look so uncomplicated, but traversing them is quite another story!
From one of the longer stages of our safari, Kasai Province to Kinshasa, a distance of 1,000 miles and four days of hard driving, two things stand out in our minds. First, the deep sand on many sections of the road. At times we were in our lowest gear, with four-wheel drive, to grind our way through the long deep patches. And second, the number of rivers, some of which were very wide. Some of the smaller rivers were spanned by bridges, but eleven of the wider ones we crossed by ferry.
Fascinating Ferries
The ferries are quite an experience. Usually they consist of only three or four long wooden canoes or simple metal boats lashed together, with a wooden platform on top. Most are now driven by outboard motors. However, a few are still paddled or poled across by local manpower. On one crossing the ferry had a team of ten men. The headman of the team would call out a chant to coordinate the strokes.
Other ferries, however, operate on a cable system. The cable is attached to concrete posts on either bank, and the ferry drifts across the river, pulled by the current and sliding on the cable by means of a moving wheel.
Boarding the ferry is often a tricky business, as one has to drive on over two planks precariously balanced and invariably set at an awkward angle. We always heaved a sigh of relief when each river was safely crossed and the Land Rover was again on firm ground.
The ferries are used by pedestrians too, and there seems to be no limit to their numbers. Quite often the Land Rover was completely surrounded by people. We were packed on like sardines. However, the lack of breathing space did not worry us as much as seeing the water start to creep over the edges of the canoes. But it did not seem to worry anybody else. Somehow the men managed to bail out the water as fast as it flowed in!
Traveling the River
On one stage of our safari, from Kinshasa to Boende in Equateur Province, we traveled by boat for eight days as the roads were especially bad. The riverboats are big motor-driven launches that either push or pull several motorless barges. Our sleeping quarters were on the first deck of the main boat, so we had the advantage of an elevated view of the riverside scenery as well as of the barges. There on one of them we could see our Land Rover, hemmed in by boxes, crates, goods and people. One group decided that the Land Rover made an excellent wall and so attached an improvised lean-to tent arrangement to provide shelter from the sun.
The most striking thing to us was the number of people and goods crammed aboard. The motto on all forms of public transport here seems to be, “Too many is just enough!” There were goats tied up, chickens trussed up, large bowls of water containing live fish that writhed and flopped about, a couple of live crocodiles with mouths and tails tied, a water turtle, wild pigs and cages of parrots and other birds. Also there were numerous baskets of smoked fish, the smell from which rose strongly in the hot sun.
The noise too merits mentioning. In the background was the constant throb of the powerful motors. This encouraged everybody to shout to make himself heard even in ordinary conversation. Children playing, laughing and often crying, plus the goats and chickens, added voices to the chorus. In brief, the boat was an action-packed stage with plenty to absorb the eye and ear.
At every stopping point there was a wave of intensified activity as people left the boat and others boarded. But even before the boat moored, scores of canoes often skimmed out and surrounded us. Usually they had more fish or animals to sell. It fascinated us to watch.
The sellers would precariously balance while standing up in their canoes, and haggle with passengers over a price for their fish or meat. Those on the boat would crowd against the rail, and in the heated bargaining it was hard to tell which passenger was dealing with which seller. Everyone seemed to try to drown out his neighbor. With expressive arm gestures of disgust at the low offers, or resigned agreement to a deal, sales were finally made. Then the boat’s hooter would blow a deafening call, which never failed to take us by surprise and make us jump. The canoes paddled out of the way, and our boat pulled away from another port of call, with all inhabitants waving and shouting their farewells.
En route we passed numerous picturesque villages with huts built on stilts. Life has hardly changed for these people in thousands of years. They fish from their canoes, hunt in the forests and cultivate land along the banks of the river. Any surplus food they trade for the few clothes and other things they need. It is a peaceful and uncomplicated life.
The river sunsets were outstandingly beautiful, with the red glow of the descending sun silhouetting the huts and trees on the bank and making their reflection on the water. At night it was especially peaceful to move along under the moon and stars, with a cooling breeze refreshing everything after the fierce heat of the equatorial sun.
Along the Road
Most of our journey, however, was along the road. We traveled through every type of scenery imaginable—dense forests, woods, mountains, by lakes, across rivers, marshes and savanna. Each region had its own distinctive features and its own beauty. One might also add, its own problems due to the varied road surfaces.
A few roads were good, most were not, and some were really bad. During one three-day drive we slipped into a ditch, stuck fast in three holes, and were stranded in a sea of mud and had to be dragged out by a bulldozer. The reason for all these mishaps was heavy rain, which made the clay surface like soap. It takes only a second to become stuck, but it can require hours to get out.
Fortunately there were usually villages nearby and the inhabitants were more than glad to lend a hand for a small consideration. In fact, one truck driver informed us that many times the villagers are happy to have a bad piece of road nearby as it is a source of income! Some bad sections he knew even had a fixed price to be paid if one had the misfortune to get stuck.
As we approached one bad stretch of mud and holes, the villagers came running out at the sound of the vehicle and stood, arms folded, to watch the drama. I put the Land Rover into the lowest gear. We rolled and lurched and plunged and almost made it, but then the chassis stuck on a ridge between two deep ruts and the wheels spun helplessly inches off the ground. There was a great shout of joy from the observers as they rushed forward to debate the price of helping to get us out. To set the price took all of fifteen minutes.
In Kivu Province we passed through “the Switzerland of the Zaïre Republic.” It was truly breathtaking driving in the mountains, with views over Lakes Albert, Kivu and Tanganyika. One section of the road passed through the Albert National Park and we had glimpses of impalas, buffalo and elephants.
An African Welcome
The most heartwarming experience we enjoyed was definitely the welcome we received at every place of destination. The local congregation of Jehovah’s witnesses would arrive in force to greet us, crowding round us, beaming from ear to ear and just about shaking our hands off. At the same time they would repeat over and over again expressions such as, “wako wako,” “jambo yenu” or “moyo wenu,” which mean “hello” and “welcome” in their various languages. To those of us used to the dignified formalities or coldly polite greetings of some nations, an uninhibited African welcome can be absolutely overwhelming. There was just no doubt that everybody was delighted to have us come.
In every place, everything had been prepared in advance for our stay. Somebody had invariably moved out of his house for us. The roof had usually been rethatched, holes in the walls repaired and shutters put up at the window holes. The floors had been swept clean and a table and two chairs found for us. A new toilet had been dug and a place enclosed to take a shower.
No sooner would we be settled than we would receive a stream of visitors with gifts. The traditional gift is a chicken, and at one place we ended up with ten, clucking and squawking all around the house. Once in a while we received a duck, and twice, small deer were given to us. Others brought fruit, vegetables, rice or eggs. The generosity of these humble people never failed to move us. They have so little materially and yet they give with a generous heart.
The Students
The school was always conducted in the Kingdom Hall, the local meeting place of Jehovah’s witnesses. Usually this was a fairly large mud-brick structure with open sides and a thatched roof. This makes for a lovely cool interior.
Those invited to attend came by boat, a few by train, but the most common form of transport was bicycle. Some, though, walked as far as two hundred miles! Everybody received the same warm welcome, and there was never any problem finding sleeping accommodations with members of the local congregation. Hospitality is second nature to Africans.
Classes were conducted mostly in French and translated into six of the local languages: Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili, Kiluba, Cibemba and Tshiluba. The ministers attending came from different tribes and backgrounds, but they lived and studied together in perfect harmony at the school. They varied-in age from twenty years to over sixty, and had varying scholastic abilities.
For those who were used to cultivating the ground and working with their hands, studying constantly for two weeks was indeed hard work. However, they manifested a willing spirit. Attending school filled all with a desire to improve their own learning ability and to encourage those in their local congregations to do the same. One of the most common expressions at the end of each two-week course was that it had not been long enough.
These expressions of appreciation and the genuine hospitality we received made all the inconveniences of traveling pale into insignificance. We indeed consider it a privilege to have been a part of this “school on safari.” |
Young People Ask, Volume 1 (yp1)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp1 | CHAPTER 4
Why Did Dad and Mom Split Up?
“I was home with Mom the day Dad left us. I was only six, so I didn’t understand what was going on. I was sitting on the floor watching TV, and I could hear my mom sobbing and begging my dad to stay. He came downstairs with a suitcase, knelt down, gave me a kiss, and said, ‘Daddy will always love you.’ Then he walked out the door. I didn’t see my dad for a long time after that. Since then, I have been afraid that Mom would leave too.”—Elaine, 19.
IF YOUR parents divorce, it can seem like the end of the world, a catastrophe that generates enough misery to last forever. It often triggers a wave of shame, anger, anxiety, fear of abandonment, guilt, depression, and profound loss—even a desire for revenge.
If your parents have recently split up, you might be experiencing similar feelings, and no wonder, for our Creator meant for children to be raised by both a father and a mother. (Ephesians 6:1-3) Now you have been deprived of the daily presence of a parent, one you may have deeply loved. “I really looked up to my father and wanted to be with him,” says Daniel, whose parents split up when he was seven. “But Mom got custody of us.”
Why Parents Break Up
Often, a split-up comes as a surprise to the children because parents have kept their problems well hidden. “I was in shock,” says Rachel, who was 15 when her parents divorced. “I always thought that they were in love.” Even when parents do squabble, it may still come as a blow when they actually split up!
In many cases the split-up occurs because one parent is guilty of sexual misconduct. Under those circumstances, God does permit the innocent mate to obtain a divorce and be free to marry again. (Matthew 19:9) In other cases, “wrath and screaming and abusive speech” have erupted into violence, causing one parent to fear for his or her physical well-being and that of the children.—Ephesians 4:31.
Admittedly, some couples split up for less compelling reasons. Rather than work out their problems, some selfishly divorce because they claim they are “unhappy” or “no longer in love.” This is displeasing to God, who “has hated a divorcing” of that kind. (Malachi 2:16) Jesus implied that some families might be disrupted when one mate becomes a Christian.—Matthew 10:34-36.
Whatever the case, the fact that your parents may have chosen to be silent or to give you only vague answers to your questions regarding the divorce does not mean they do not love you. Wrapped up in their own hurt, your parents may simply find it hard to talk about the divorce. (Proverbs 24:10) They may also find it awkward and embarrassing to admit to their mutual failures.
What You Can Do
Identify your fears. Because divorce can turn your world upside down, you may find yourself worrying about things that you formerly took for granted. Even so, you may be able to shrink your fears to a manageable size by first identifying what they are. Below, put a ✔ next to what you fear most, or identify your own fear by writing it next to “Other.”
□ My other parent will also abandon me.
□ My family won’t have enough money to survive.
□ The divorce is somehow my fault.
□ If I marry, my own marriage will fail.
□ Other ․․․․․
Discuss your concerns. King Solomon said that there is “a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) So try to discern the right time to discuss with your parents the fears you identified above. Let them know how sad or confused you are. Maybe they will be able to explain what is happening and thus lessen your anxiety. If your parents are unwilling or unable to give you the support you need at the moment, you may be able to confide in a mature friend. Take the initiative to seek out such a person. Just having someone who will listen to you can be a tremendous relief.—Proverbs 17:17.
Above all, you can find a listening ear with your heavenly Father, the “Hearer of prayer.” (Psalm 65:2) Pour out your heart to him, “because he cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7.
What Not to Do
Don’t hold a grudge. “My parents were selfish,” says Daniel, quoted earlier. “They didn’t really think about us and how what they did would affect us.” Daniel’s feelings are understandable and may be true. But how would you answer the following questions? Write your answers on the line provided.
What harm could come to Daniel if he refused to let go of his anger and resentment? (Read Proverbs 29:22.) ․․․․․
Although it would be difficult, why might it be good for Daniel to try to forgive his parents for the hurt they have caused him? (Read Ephesians 4:31, 32.) ․․․․․
How might the basic truth stated at Romans 3:23 help Daniel to view his parents objectively? ․․․․․
Avoid self-destructive behavior. “I was unhappy and depressed after my parents’ divorce,” recalls Denny. “I started having problems in school and failed one year. After that . . . I became the class clown and got into a lot of fights.”
What, do you think, was Denny trying to accomplish by becoming the class clown? ․․․․․
Why might he have started getting into a lot of fights? ․․․․․
If you have felt the urge to punish your parents by behaving badly, how might the principle at Galatians 6:7 help you to keep the right perspective? ․․․․․
What to Expect in the Future
A literal injury, such as a broken bone, can take weeks or even months to heal completely. Similarly, emotional injuries take time to heal. Some experts feel that the worst of a divorce is over within three years. That may seem like a long time, but remember, a lot has to happen before your life can stabilize.
For one thing, the household routine—disrupted by the divorce—must be reorganized. Time will also pass before your parents are back on their feet emotionally. Only then may they finally be able to give you needed support. However, as your life regains some semblance of regularity, you will begin to feel normal again.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN VOLUME 2, CHAPTER 25
IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERFeel anxious because your parent remarried? How can you cope?
KEY SCRIPTURE
“There is . . . a time to heal.”—Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3.
TIP
If your parents have divorced, one or quite likely both of them have made mistakes. Try to identify those mistakes so that you can avoid repeating them if you choose to marry in the future.—Proverbs 27:12.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
Marital unhappiness is not something that you inherit from your parents.
ACTION PLAN!
I can express my fears to (write the name of a mature person you would like to talk to) ․․․․․
If I feel an urge to punish my parents by behaving badly, I can control it if I do the following: ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Why might your parents be reluctant to talk with you about their divorce?
● Why is it important to remember that divorce is a dispute between your parents—not with you?
[Blurb on page 32]
“After my mom left us, I was depressed and cried every day. But I prayed often, kept busy helping others, and stayed close to mature friends. I feel that through those means, Jehovah God helped me to cope.”—Natalie
[Picture on page 33]
Getting over your parents’ divorce is like recovering from a broken arm—the process is painful, but you will eventually heal |
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