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Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Feel That They Are the Only People Who Will Be Saved? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502012467 | Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Feel That They Are the Only People Who Will Be Saved?
No. Many millions who lived in centuries past and who weren’t Jehovah’s Witnesses will have an opportunity for salvation. The Bible explains that in God’s promised new world, “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) Additionally, many now living may yet begin to serve God, and they too will gain salvation. In any case, it’s not our job to judge who will or won’t be saved. That assignment rests squarely in Jesus’ hands.—John 5:22, 27. |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 137
The Appointed Time Nears
(Habakkuk 2:3)
1. O Jehovah, Holy One,
The Rock from long ago,
Out of Zion soon you’ll roar;
Your judgment is not slow.
Even if it should delay,
We know it won’t be late. See!
Panting on, the end draws near;
Hence patiently we wait.
2. Not much longer will it be
Until you draw your sword.
Here on earth we see, at last,
True worship now restored.
Wicked men may rant and rave
And seek to cause us harm, but
Your appointed time is here
To bare your mighty arm.
3. God Almighty, Sov’reign Lord,
Jehovah is your name.
Silence let all people keep
And learn of your great fame.
Through your Son you rule as King
In such a mighty way. Yes,
Seated on the throne, O God,
You over earth hold sway.
4. Joyfully, we raise our voice;
To you, our God, we sing.
Forth you go with Christ our Lord
Salvation now to bring.
O Majestic One above,
It’s your appointed time. So,
We await expectantly
Your victory sublime. |
Nuclear Freeze—Yes or No? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101985003 | Nuclear Freeze—Yes or No?
IN MAY 1983, in the United States, bishops of the Roman Catholic Church formally urged a reduction in the existing nuclear stockpiles and a halt to “the testing, production and deployment of new nuclear weapons systems.” They explained: “There must be no misunderstanding of our profound skepticism about the moral acceptability of any use of nuclear weapons.”—See Awake! of March 22, 1984, page 4.
In a letter drafted at Lourdes, France, on November 8, 1983, the French bishops of the Roman Catholic Church showed that they were not in full agreement with their American colleagues. “Nations,” insist the French bishops in an explanatory note, “can legitimately prepare their defenses to discourage aggressors, even by a nuclear deterrence.”
In their letter the French bishops stated: “Obviously, for nuclear deterrence to be morally acceptable:
“it should be used only as a defense measure
“stockpiling should be avoided; deterrence is attained when the threat of retaliation makes any outside attack unreasonable
“every precaution should be taken to eliminate the risk of nuclear war being set off by accident, madness, terrorism, etc.
“the nation taking the risk of nuclear deterrence should, on the other hand, pursue a constructive peace policy.”
Many French Catholics disagreed vocally with their bishops’ stand. Mr. Alain Woodrow, religion writer for the Paris daily Le Monde, commented: “The bishops’ arguments were bordering on casuistry. Even if they explain that a ‘threat is not use of force,’ the distinction is very subtle, and they themselves admit that for a country’s defense to carry credibility, ‘that country must be resolved to take action if deterrent measures do not work’.”
Interestingly, the viewpoint of the French Protestant Council of Churches was closer to that of the American Catholic bishops when, a few days later, they declared themselves in favor of a “nuclear freeze as a first step toward reversing the arms escalation, even if only unilaterally.” This statement, in its turn, met with keen opposition from within the Protestant Church. In the opinion of one pastor, such an attitude encourages “aggression and subversion from totalitarian states.”
Why such a diversity of opinions within churches on this important 20th-century issue? Evidently because most church authorities consider the world situation from a political, rather than a Scriptural, viewpoint. It is certainly not in these divided organizations that people can hope to find the truly united disciples of Christ, the “Prince of Peace.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7; John 17:20, 21. |
Facial Marks—Nigeria’s Fading ‘Identity Card’ | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101999007 | Facial Marks—Nigeria’s Fading ‘Identity Card’
BY AWAKE! CORRESPONDENT IN NIGERIA
ONE morning in the late 1960’s, six-year-old Danjuma approached his father and insisted that he be given the cuts that Igala citizens wore on their faces with pride. Danjuma felt that he could no longer endure the ridicule of his schoolmates who taunted him for not having the facial marks. Though the cuts were usually administered to Igala infants too young to dread the operation, the boys viewed the marks as a sign of bravery. They regarded those without them as cowards who could not face the knife.
Until then, Danjuma’s father had resisted giving his son the facial marks. But that morning, pressured by his son’s determination to prove his bravery, he took a knife and made three deep horizontal cuts on each side of the boy’s face, slightly above the corners of his mouth.
Danjuma’s father knew that the real significance of the cuts had little to do with courage. Instead, the cuts would heal into scars of identification. They would be a permanent ‘identity card’ that could be neither lost nor forged. They would make his son instantly recognizable to his kinsmen, qualifying him for the rights and privileges of an Igala citizen. But the marks would also set him apart from the more than 250 other ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Scarification and cicatrization, though not limited to Africa, have a long history on the continent. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote in the fifth century B.C.E. about Carians living in Egypt: “[They] cut their foreheads with knives, thus proving that they are foreigners and not Egyptians.” Bronze heads fashioned in Ife, Nigeria, seven hundred years ago show facial lines that are thought by many to be ethnic markings. Facial markings are also evident in the sculpture of the ancient Nigerian kingdom of Benin.
Not all facial marks are made for ethnic identification. Some marks were and still are associated with spiritistic and religious practices. Others are symbols of status in traditional societies. Still others are decorative marks.
Cut by specialists in the community, facial marks vary widely. Some are slight slits in the skin, while others are deep gashes widened by the fingers. Sometimes a native dye is added to the wound to stain the marks. Each ethnic group has its own unique pattern. For example, vertical marks, one on each cheek, identify Ondo men and women. Three horizontal marks on each cheek identify the Oyo people. To those literate in markings, a mere glance at someone’s face is sufficient to read that person’s ethnic group, town, or even family.
Mixed Attitudes
Just as the marks and reasons for them vary greatly, so do attitudes concerning them. Many wear the marks with pride. An editor with Nigeria’s Daily Times stated: “Some consider the marks as an insignia of patriotism. It makes them feel like true sons of their ancestors.”
This is the view of Jimoh, a Nigerian man, who says: “I have never felt bad about my Oyo marks because it shows that I am a real Yoruba indigene from the town of the Alafin.” He further relates how in 1967 the marks saved his life during the Nigerian Civil War: “The house I lived in . . . was invaded and all [the others] were killed. The murderers did not touch me because of the marks on my face.”
Others deeply resent the marks. Tajudeen says about the marking on his face: “I hate it, and I curse the day it was inflicted on me.” And a teenage girl praises her mother for not allowing her to be subjected to the operation as a child. She says: “I would consider suicide if I had been given the marks.”
Coping With Ridicule
Danjuma, mentioned in the introduction, was ridiculed because he did not have the marks. Usually the opposite is the case. Over 45 years ago, G. T. Basden wrote in his book Niger Ibos: “Scarifying and tattooing are going out of fashion. Many of the young men . . . would gladly be relieved of [their marks]. What is a matter of pride, when among his own clansmen, becomes a reproach, because of the ridicule and contempt which is meted out to him in other parts of the country.”
Those words are certainly true today. Ajai, who earned a degree in psychology at the University of Lagos, recently studied facial marks in Nigeria. She observed: “People with facial marks, these days, at least in the cities like Lagos, are in the minority and come in contact with people who ridicule them. For instance, it is common to hear people refer to an individual as colonel, only to discover that he is not a member of the armed forces, but that the stripes on his cheeks are the same number as that of the stripes on the uniform of a colonel in the Army. Some are called tiger, because of their striped cheeks or some are referred to as everlasting tears. . . . Imagine what effect this has on the self esteem of the individual.”
Perhaps the toughest trials are endured in school. Samuel was the only one in his class with facial marks. He relates: “In school I was made fun of a lot. My mates would call me ‘railway line’ and ‘the boy with the railway line.’ They were always making fun of me and would raise three fingers. It made me feel inferior.”
How did he cope? Samuel continues: “One day the jesting was so intense that I went to my biology teacher and asked him if it was possible to remove the marks. He told me that it could be done by plastic surgery but that I should not bother because thousands of people in Nigeria had marks. He said that my peers were making fun of me because they were not mature but that when we grew up, all the jesting would stop. He also said that the marks did not determine what I really was or what I would become.
“That made me feel much better, and the bad feeling I had about the marks disappeared. People seldom refer to my marks now. Even when they do refer to them, I just smile. My relationship with others is not impaired. People respect me because of what I am, not because I have marks.”
A Fading Tradition
Because marking is usually done to youngsters, most Nigerians whose faces bear ethnic marks had little choice in the matter. When they become parents, however, they must decide whether to mark their children.
Some people decide to do so. According to the Times International of Lagos, there are several reasons for this decision. The magazine states: “Some still regard it as beautifying. Others believe tribal marks can be helpful in determining the bearer’s origin for the purpose of favouritism. Another is the usage in determining the legitimacy of a child in the traditional setting.”
Today, however, for more and more parents, these reasons are not compelling. Even among those who are proud of their marks, comparatively few risk the tribal surgeon’s knife on the faces of their children. This is especially true in the cities. The pain and the risk of infection along with the scorn and discrimination the child may face later in life are all factors that make parents reject facial marking.
Clearly, the popularity and acceptance of facial marks are fading fast. It seems that in the Nigeria of the future, the ‘identity card’ will be something people carry in their wallets, not on their faces.
[Picture on page 23]
Facial marks indicate ethnic groups
[Picture on page 24]
Facial marking is a fading tradition |
The Golden Age of Queen Elizabeth I—Myth or Reality? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102010008 | The Golden Age of Queen Elizabeth I—Myth or Reality?
SHE was a legend in her lifetime. Authors, poets, playwrights, and modern filmmakers have perpetuated her fame. Recent years saw a surge in books and exhibitions about her. In an international poll, she featured in the top ten of the greatest Britons. She was Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Why has this monarch, known in her time as the Virgin Queen and Good Queen Bess, caught the public’s attention so persistently? Was her reign really a golden age?
She Inherits Many Problems
Elizabeth Tudor was born in 1533—to the bitter disappointment of her father, Henry VIII, a king desperate for a male heir. Her mother, Anne Boleyn, Henry’s second wife, failed to produce a son. Henry had her beheaded on what many think were trumped-up charges. Elizabeth was just two years old at the time.
Henry had by then severed ties with the pope in Rome and had declared himself the supreme head of the Church of England. After Henry’s death in 1547, the spiritual advisers of his young son, Edward VI, attempted to make England truly Protestant. Edward died after reigning just six years, and the nation swung again to the Roman Catholic faith under the brief and bloody rule of Mary I, Elizabeth’s half sister.a By the time Elizabeth came to the throne in 1558 at the age of 25, England was not only torn by religious strife but also almost bankrupt. It had lost the last of its French possessions, and Spain posed a very real threat.
Elizabeth began her rule by surrounding herself with capable advisers, some of whom were to stay with her for most of her 44-year reign. The first problem she tackled was religion. As the National Maritime Museum notes, she chose “to reinstate the Reformation and build a Church of England that was neither Catholic nor extreme Protestant.” Instead of its supreme head, she became its supreme governor to pacify those who could not accept a woman as head of the church. Next, parliament passed the Act of Uniformity that established the beliefs and practices of the Church of England, although retaining certain Catholic ceremonies. Inevitably, this “middle way” did not please most Catholics or the more rigid Protestants, the Puritans.
There was another more personal problem on Elizabeth’s mind. How could she gain the allegiance and respect of a nation still reeling from the disastrous reign of Mary I? She decided to turn her gender into an asset. Historian Christopher Haigh explains: “On her throne, Elizabeth was the Virgin Queen; towards the Church she was a mother, with her nobles she was an aunt, to her councillors a nagging wife, and to her courtiers a seductress.” Her secret was to reassure her people constantly of her special love for them. In turn, her people loved her too, or so she told them repeatedly, and soon they believed it.
Parliament was anxious for Elizabeth to marry and produce a Protestant heir. First one and then another royal suitor came forward. Elizabeth would feign interest and keep the marriage negotiations going for months, sometimes years, before deciding against the betrothal when it was politically expedient to do so.
As Elizabeth pursued a “moderate” religious path, she became the target of conspiracies against her. Lurking in the wings was her Catholic cousin, Mary Stuart, whom Catholic Europe viewed as the rightful heir of Mary I. Danger from this quarter increased in 1568 when Mary was forced to abdicate the Scottish throne and flee to England. Although under house arrest, she quickly became the focus of Catholic plots to overthrow the Protestant queen, but Elizabeth steadfastly refused to put a fellow monarch to death. In 1570, Pope Pius V issued a papal bull excommunicating Elizabeth and absolving her subjects of obedience to her. The next pope, Gregory XIII, went further, declaring that it would be no sin to invade England and forcibly remove the queen. Matters came to a head when Anthony Babington’s plot to kill Elizabeth was discovered and Mary was implicated. At last, Elizabeth was forced to make a decision about Mary, and urged on by parliament, she finally agreed to Mary’s execution in 1587. Catholic Europe was incensed—and particularly Philip II of Spain.
Catholic Philip’s Bold Strategy
Philip, at that time Europe’s most powerful ruler, had tried to keep England Catholic by asking Elizabeth to marry him when she became queen, but she had turned down his offer. For years English privateers had been looting Spanish ships and ports and challenging its colonial supremacy. To add insult to injury, Elizabeth supported the Dutch in their struggle for independence from Spanish rule. Mary’s execution was the last straw for Philip. Urged on by the pope, he planned to use the Spanish Armada, a huge fleet of more than 130 ships, which would sail to the Netherlands, pick up a large land army, and then cross the English Channel to invade England. Before the fleet was fully mobilized, English spies uncovered the plot. Elizabeth sent Sir Francis Drake with 30 ships to the Spanish harbor of Cádiz, where they destroyed a number of the prize vessels, delaying the Armada for a year.
When the Armada finally left port in 1588, the English navy was ready for it. Although under fire, the Spanish fleet came through the English Channel without too much damage and anchored off the French port of Calais. The following night the English sent in eight fireships.b In panic, the Spanish fleet scattered, and after some fierce fighting, a southwest wind blew them away from England and northward toward Scotland. Storms around Scotland and the west coast of Ireland wrecked half the Spanish ships, while the rest limped back to Spain.
The “Golden Age” Begins
At the start of Elizabeth’s reign, England had no overseas possessions. In contrast, Spain was acquiring great wealth from vast territories it conquered in North, Central, and South America. England wanted a share of the action. So, enterprising adventurers set sail across oceans seeking fame, fortune, and new trade routes to China and the Far East. Sir Francis Drake became the first sea captain to sail his own ship around the world, plundering Spanish treasure ships as he navigated up the west coast of South and North America. Challenging Spain’s monopoly of the New World, Sir Walter Raleigh sponsored attempts to found a colony on the East Coast of North America. The territory that he claimed there he named Virginia in honor of England’s Virgin Queen. Although those early colonizing attempts failed, they awakened England’s interest in future ventures. When Spain’s “Invincible Armada” was defeated, England grew in maritime confidence and Elizabeth supported new trading enterprises on the other side of the world in southeast Asia. The stage was set for the foundation of a British Empire that would eventually encircle the globe.c
On the home front, education was encouraged. New schools opened giving more students a door to the literary world. Thirst for literature, coupled with advances in printing, produced a cultural explosion. This was the age of William Shakespeare and other great dramatists. Audiences thronged to newly opened theaters to be entertained by their plays. Poets wrote eloquent sonnets, and composers developed innovative music. Skilled artists painted exquisite miniatures of queen and courtiers. New Bible translations took pride of place in churches and homes. But the golden days did not last.
The Golden Age Loses Its Glitter
Elizabeth’s last years were full of troubles. Having outlived her trusty advisers, she bestowed privileges on a chosen few, provoking furious rivalry at court and even an unsuccessful rebellion. Once again her kingdom was rent by religious division. Catholics refused to attend Protestant services and experienced increasing persecution. By the end of her reign, approximately 200 priests and laymen had been executed. Puritans suffered imprisonment and executions too. Rebellion against English rule broke out in Ireland, and war with Spain continued. Four successive poor harvests caused rising unemployment and vagrancy, and people rioted against high food prices. Elizabeth had outlived her popularity. England no longer loved its Virgin Queen.
Elizabeth gradually lost the will to live and, as the last of the Tudor rulers, died on March 24, 1603. The nation greeted the news with stunned silence, but by evening they were celebrating a new monarch with bonfires and street parties. At last they had a king—James VI of Scotland, Protestant son of Mary Stuart. In his role as James I of England, he did what Elizabeth had been unable to do—he united the two kingdoms under one monarch. Early optimism, however, soon changed to disillusionment, and the nation began longing for the days of their Good Queen Bess.
Was It Really a Golden Age?
Early historians wrote glowingly of Elizabeth. A few years after her death, William Camden described her reign as a golden age of progress during which the queen inspired her people to greatness. No one really challenged this view for centuries. Elizabeth’s reputation even increased toward the end of the 19th century when she was credited with the birth of the British Empire, which by then covered a quarter of the world.
Some modern historians do not view Elizabeth’s reign through such rose-colored glasses. The Oxford Illustrated History of Britain states: “Elizabeth has attained a posthumous reputation far in excess of her actual achievements. It is plain that her own propaganda, . . . her sheer longevity, the coincidence of the Shakespearian moment, and the lucky defeat of the Armada have beguiled us into joining a crescendo of adulation that ignores the simple fact that she quietly allowed England to become ungovernable.” Haigh, quoted earlier, explains why some historians wrote as they did: “In 1603, Elizabeth had seemed a foolish old woman, as men looked expectantly to a Stuart king. By 1630, when Stuart kings had proved rather a disappointment, she had become the paragon of all princely virtues.”
There is no doubt that Elizabeth was an exceptional woman in a man’s world. Intelligent and determined, she excelled at public relations with the help of her ministers, who skillfully stage-managed her speeches, public appearances, dress, and portraits to promote the royal image and its legendary golden age.
[Footnotes]
a See the article “Religious Intolerance Now Admitted,” in Awake! of April 8, 2000, pages 12-14.
b A fireship was a military vessel loaded with explosives and other combustible materials that was set adrift on fire among enemy ships, causing destruction.
c See the box “John Dee and the British Empire.”
[Blurb on page 22]
“Elizabeth has attained a posthumous reputation far in excess of her actual achievements”
[Box/Picture on page 22]
JOHN DEE AND THE BRITISH EMPIRE
Elizabeth called John Dee (1527-1608/9) her philosopher. A respected mathematician, geographer, and astronomer, he was also deeply interested in astrology and the occult. He advised the queen on the most propitious day for her coronation and practiced his arts in her court. Credited with popularizing the term “British Empire,” he encouraged Elizabeth to view herself as empress of a future empire to be gained by controlling the oceans and colonizing new lands. To this end he tutored explorers in navigation, particularly in their search for Northeast and Northwest passages to the Orient, and he backed schemes to colonize the North American continent.
[Credit Line]
Photograph taken by courtesy of the British Museum
[Pictures on page 20, 21]
A. English fireships sent into the Spanish Armada B. Sir Francis Drake C. Queen Elizabeth D. The Globe Theatre E. William Shakespeare
[Credit Lines]
A: From the book The History of Protestantism (Vol. III); B: ORONOZ; C: From the book Heroes of the Reformation; D: From the book The Comprehensive History of England (Vol. II); E: Encyclopædia Britannica/11th Edition (1911)
[Picture Credit Line on page 19]
© The Bridgeman Art Library International |
Young People Ask (yp)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp | Chapter 18
How Can I Improve My Grades?
WHEN a number of elementary school students were asked, ‘What do you worry about most?’ 51 percent said, “Grades”!
Little wonder that school grades are a major source of anxiety among youths. Grades can mean the difference between graduating and being left behind, between obtaining a well-paying job and getting only a minimum wage, between receiving the praise of parents and incurring their wrath. Admittedly, grades and tests have their place. Why, Jesus Christ often tested his disciples’ understanding of certain matters. (Luke 9:18) And as the book Measurement and Evaluation in the Schools says: “Test results can reveal areas of strength and weakness of individual students and act as motivating devices for future study.” Your grades also serve to give your parents some idea of how you are doing in school—for better or for worse.
Finding the Balance
Too much concern about grades, however, can create paralyzing stresses and ignite fierce competition. One textbook on adolescence observes that college-bound students can especially be “caught up in a competitive maze that emphasizes grades and class rank rather than learning.” As a result, to quote Dr. William Glasser, students “learn early in school to ask what is going to be on the test and . . . study only that material.”
Warned King Solomon: “I myself have seen all the hard work and all the proficiency in work, that it means the rivalry of one toward another; this also is vanity and a striving after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4) Fierce competition, whether for material riches or academic accolades, is futile. God-fearing youths see the need to apply themselves in school. But instead of making education the most important thing in life, they pursue spiritual interests, trusting God to care for their material needs.—Matthew 6:33; see Chapter 22 on choosing careers.
Furthermore, education means more than racking up points on tests. It means developing what Solomon called “thinking ability,” the skill of taking raw information and drawing sound, practical conclusions from it. (Proverbs 1:4) A youth who manages to get passing grades through guessing, cramming, or even cheating never really learns how to think. And what good is a high grade in math if later on you find yourself unable to balance a checkbook?
It is thus important that you view grades, not as an end in themselves, but as a helpful means of gauging your progress at school. How, though, can you achieve grades that reflect your abilities?
Take Responsibility for Learning!
According to teacher Linda Nielsen, poor students tend to “blame their poor [school] performances on sources beyond their control: unfair test questions, a prejudiced teacher, bad luck, fate, the weather.” The Bible, though, says: “The lazy one is showing himself desirous, but his soul has nothing.” (Proverbs 13:4) Yes, laziness is often the real reason for low grades.
Good students, however, take responsibility for their learning. ’Teen magazine once polled some high-achieving high (secondary) school students. Their secret? “Personal motivation helps you keep going,” said one. “Putting yourself on a schedule and organizing your time,” said another. “You have to set goals for yourself,” said yet another. Yes, how good your grades are depends for the most part, not on factors beyond your control, but on YOU—how hard you are willing to study and apply yourself in school.
‘But I Do Study’
This is what some youths might claim. They sincerely feel they are already working themselves to the bone but getting no results. A few years ago, however, researchers at Stanford University (U.S.A.) polled some 770 students and asked how much effort they felt they were putting into their schoolwork. Oddly enough, students with low grades thought they worked as hard as anybody! Yet when their study habits were examined, it was discovered that they actually did far less homework than their high-achieving schoolmates.
The lesson? Perhaps you too are not studying as hard as you think you are, and some changes would be in order. An article in the Journal of Educational Psychology showed that simply making “an increase in time spent on homework has a positive effect on a student’s grades in high school.” In fact, “with 1 to 3 hours of homework a week, the average low ability student can achieve grades commensurate with an average ability student who does not do homework.”
The apostle Paul figuratively had to ‘pummel his body’ to reach his goals. (1 Corinthians 9:27) You may similarly have to institute a get-tough policy with yourself, especially if TV or other distractions easily divert your attention from studying. You might even try putting a sign on the TV that says, “No TV until homework is done!”
Your Study Environment
Most of us would benefit from having a quiet place that is set aside for study. If you share a room or if space is limited in your home, improvise! Perhaps the kitchen or someone’s bedroom can be proclaimed your study area for an hour or so each evening. Or as a last resort, try a public library or a friend’s home.
If possible, use a desk or a table with plenty of space on which to spread out your work. Keep supplies such as pencils and paper handy so you won’t have to get up constantly. And, sorry to say, having the TV or the radio on generally works against concentration, as do telephone calls or visiting.
Make sure, too, that you have adequate, glare-free lighting. Good lighting reduces study fatigue and protects your eyes as well. And if possible, check ventilation and room temperature. A cool room provides a more invigorating study environment than a warm room does.
What if you are simply not in the mood for studying? Life seldom allows us the luxury of indulging our moods. At a secular job, you will have to work every day—whether you are in the mood for it or not. So view homework as an exercise in self-discipline, a rehearsal for later work experience. Be businesslike about it. Suggests one educator: “If possible, studying should be done in the same place and at the same time every day. Thus, regular study will become a habit, and . . . will reduce your resistance to study.”
Your Study Routine
At Philippians 3:16, Paul encouraged Christians to “go on walking orderly in this same routine.” Paul was speaking of the routine of Christian living. However, a routine, or pattern of doing things, is also helpful when it comes to your method of studying. Try, for instance, to organize what you are going to study. Avoid studying similar subjects (such as two foreign languages) in sequence. Plan brief breaks between subjects, especially if your homework load is heavy.
If your assignment involves a lot of reading, you might try the following method. First, SURVEY your material. Glance through the assigned material, looking at subheadings, charts, and so forth, in order to get an overall view of it. Next, make up QUESTIONS based on chapter inputs or topic sentences. (This keeps your mind focused on what you read.) Now READ, looking for the answers to these questions. When you have finished each paragraph or section, RECITE, or tell yourself from memory, what you have read, without looking at the book. And when you have finished the entire assignment, REVIEW by scanning headings and testing your memory of each section. Some claim that this method has helped students retain up to 80 percent of what they read!
One educator further says: “It’s important to have the student realize that a fact doesn’t exist in isolation but is always related to other information.” Try, therefore, to relate what you study to what you already know and have experienced. Search for the practical value of what you are learning.
Interestingly, the God-fearing youth has a real advantage here. For the Bible says: “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7) Learning the laws of physics, for example, may seem like pure drudgery. But knowing that through creation God’s “invisible qualities are clearly seen” gives added meaning to what you learn. (Romans 1:20) History likewise often touches on the outworking of Jehovah’s purposes. Seven world powers (including the present Anglo-American combine) are discussed right in the Bible itself!—Revelation 17:10; Daniel, chapter 7.
By relating what you learn to what you know or to your Christian faith, facts begin to mean something to you, knowledge grows into understanding. And as Solomon observed, “To the understanding one knowledge is an easy thing.”—Proverbs 14:6.
‘There Will Be a Test Next Week’
These words need not cause you to panic. First of all, try to discern from your teacher’s comments what kind of test it will be, such as an essay test or multiple choice. Also, in the days preceding the test, listen for clues as to what will appear in the test. (“This next point is very important” or “Be sure to remember that” are typical hints, says Senior Scholastic magazine.) Next, review your notes, textbooks, and homework assignments.
“By iron, iron itself is sharpened. So one man sharpens the face of another,” Solomon reminds us. (Proverbs 27:17) Perhaps a friend or one of your parents would be happy to drill you with questions or listen to you as you recite classroom material. And then the night before the test, relax and try to get a good night’s sleep. “Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?” Jesus asked.—Matthew 6:27.
Failure
Failing a test—especially after trying hard to pass it—can devastate your self-respect. But educator Max Rafferty reminds us: “As long as we live, we’re graded on what we know, how well we get results . . . A school that kids the kids into thinking that life is going to be all Roman candles is not a school. It’s a dream factory.” The humiliation of failing a test may well be worth it if it spurs you on to learn from your mistakes and improve.
But what about facing disappointed parents with a bad report card? Fear of doing so has at times given birth to elaborate stall tactics. “I used to put my report card on the kitchen table, go upstairs and try to sleep till the next day,” recalls one youth. “What I’d do,” says another, “is wait till the last second to show it to my mother. I’d take it to her in the morning when she was just about to go to work and say, ‘Here, you’ve got to sign this.’ She didn’t have time to deal with me”—at least not for the moment. Some youths have even forged phony grades on their report cards!
Your parents, though, have a right to know how you are doing in school. Naturally, they expect your grades to reflect your abilities, and if your grades are under par, you can expect to receive well-deserved discipline. So be honest with your parents. And “listen . . . to the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.” (Proverbs 1:8) If you think too much is being expected of you, talk it over with them.—See insert eninputd “How Can I Tell My Parents?” in Chapter 2.
As important as grades are, they are not the final judgment on your worth as a person. Nevertheless, take advantage of the time you are in school, and learn as much as you can. Usually that effort will be reflected in grades that will make you—and your parents—feel happy and satisfied.
Questions for Discussion
◻ What purpose do grades serve, and why is it important to have a balanced view of them?
◻ Why is it important that you take personal responsibility for learning?
◻ What are some things to consider about taking on afterschool activities?
◻ What are some ways in which you can improve your grades?
◻ How can you prepare for tests?
◻ How should you view failure, and should such failure be concealed from your parents?
[Blurb on page 141]
A youth who manages to get passing grades through guessing, cramming, or even cheating never really learns how to think
[Box/Picture on page 144, 145]
What About Afterschool Activities?
Many young people find that afterschool activities give them a sense of accomplishment. “I was into just about every club there was,” recalls one boy from Baltimore, Maryland (U.S.A.). “It made me feel good to work with things I like. I was in an automotive club because I enjoy working with cars. I like computers, so I joined that club. I like audio, so I joined that club.” College-bound students are particularly urged to participate in afterschool activities.
However, a U.S. federal government official—formerly a teacher himself—told Awake!: “Probably the students spend more time with extracurricular activities than with schoolwork, making it hard to maintain grades.” Yes, it is not easy to maintain balance when it comes to extracurricular activities. Says a girl named Cathy who used to play on the school softball team: “After the practice, I was too tired to do anything else. My schoolwork was affected. So I did not sign up this year.”
There are also spiritual dangers. Says one Christian man looking back on his teen years: “I thought I could harmonize three activities: schoolwork, practice with the track team, and spiritual activities. But the spiritual aspect of my life was sacrificed whenever the three conflicted.”
Young Themon, who was involved in two sports teams at school, agrees: “I could not attend meetings at the [Kingdom] Hall [for spiritual instruction] because Tuesday we were out of town, Thursday we were out of town, Saturday we were out of town and would not get back until two o’clock in the morning.” Though “bodily training is beneficial for a little,” it is vital to remember that “godly devotion is beneficial for all things.”—1 Timothy 4:8.
Think, too, of the moral dangers. Would you be associating with wholesome friends who would be a good moral influence? What would be the subject of conversation? Could the influence of teammates or members of a club have an adverse effect on you? “Bad associations spoil useful habits,” says 1 Corinthians 15:33.
Interestingly, many youths among Jehovah’s Witnesses have chosen to use their afterschool time for something far more beneficial than sports: helping others to know the Creator. Advises Colossians 4:5: “Go on walking in wisdom toward those on the outside, buying out the opportune time for yourselves.”
[Pictures on page 143]
Students often pay for loose study habits . . . with failing grades
[Pictures on page 146]
Balancing afterschool activities with your homework is not easy
[Picture on page 148]
Parents are sure to be upset over a bad report card. But if you feel they are expecting too much of you, talk it over with them |
Man’s Salvation (sl)
1975 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sl | More Enjoyable Bible Study
You can make your reading and study of the Bible more enjoyable by obtaining the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, an accurate translation in modern English. Satisfying for use in careful study and enjoyable for regular reading, it is available in any of the following editions:
LARGE-PRINT: Has big, easy-to-read print. Revised in 1971, it is printed on fine-quality Bible paper. 1,376 pages. Available in English and Spanish $5.00
REGULAR EDITION: Printed in clear, legible type, two columns to the page, it is bound in green vinyl. Has appendix, concordance, 1,474 pages. Available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish $1.00
THE KINGDOM INTERLINEAR TRANSLATION OF THE GREEK SCRIPTURES: Presents in one column a literal word-for-word English translation under the Greek text, and in a parallel column the “New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures.” Helps you discern the flavor and literal meaning of the original language $2.00
Other Bible Translations
THE BIBLE IN LIVING ENGLISH: A translation by the late scholar Steven T. Byington. First published in complete form in 1972. 1,600 pages, clear print $6.00
THE EMPHATIC DIAGLOTT: An interlinear translation of the Greek text of the Christian Scriptures with a modern English translation by Benjamin Wilson $2.00
AMERICAN STANDARD VERSION BIBLE: Has valuable footnotes, and uses the divine name “Jehovah” $1.00
AUTHORIZED (KING JAMES) VERSION: Watchtower edition with marginal references and maps $1.00
Other Aids to Study
AID TO BIBLE UNDERSTANDING: A new Bible dictionary. Covers Bible topics from A to Z. 1,696 pages $7.00
COMPREHENSIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE NEW WORLD TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES: Lists every occurrence of all the principal words in the “New World Translation” (1971 edition). 1,280 pages $5.00
To order, use the nearest address on the last page. |
LIFE STORY
We Learned Never to Say No to Jehovah | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2021247 | LIFE STORY
We Learned Never to Say No to Jehovah
AS TOLD BY KATHLEEN LOGAN
FOLLOWING a typhoon, the river churned with mud and boulders. We needed to reach the other side, but the raging waters had washed the bridge away. My husband, Harvey, and I, along with our Amis-language interpreter, felt scared and helpless. As the brothers on the other side watched anxiously, we began to cross. First, we drove our small car onto the back of a slightly larger truck. Then, without ropes or chains to keep the car in place, the truck slowly drove into the torrent. The passage seemed endless; yet, we made it safely across, all the while beseeching Jehovah in prayer. That was in 1971. We were on the east coast of Taiwan, thousands of miles away from our places of origin. Let me tell you our story.
LEARNING TO LOVE JEHOVAH
Harvey was the eldest of four brothers. His family came into the truth in Midland Junction, Western Australia, during the desperate economic times of the 1930’s. Harvey grew to love Jehovah and got baptized at age 14. He soon learned not to turn down theocratic assignments. As a lad, he once declined to read The Watchtower at the meeting, thinking he was not qualified. But the brother talking with Harvey reasoned, “When someone in Jehovah’s organization asks you to do something, he thinks you are qualified!”—2 Cor. 3:5.
I embraced the truth in England, as did my mother and my older sister. My father accepted the truth much later, but at first he was opposed. Against his wishes, I got baptized when I was not quite ten years old. I set the goal to pioneer and then to become a missionary. However, my father would not allow me to pioneer until I turned 21. I did not intend to wait that long. So when I was just 16, with his blessing I moved to Australia to live with my oldest sister, who had migrated to that country. Finally, when I turned 18, I started pioneering.
On our wedding day in 1951
In Australia, I met Harvey. We shared the desire to serve Jehovah as missionaries. We got married in 1951. After pioneering together for two years, we were asked to take up circuit work. Our circuit consisted of a large portion of Western Australia, so we were often driving through vast dry and remote areas.
OUR DREAM IS FULFILLED
Gilead graduation at Yankee Stadium in 1955
In 1954, we were invited to attend the 25th class of Gilead. Our dream of becoming missionaries was within reach! We arrived in New York by ship and began a rigorous Bible study course. As part of the curriculum, we had to study Spanish, which was challenging for Harvey because he could not roll his r’s.
During the course, the instructors announced that those interested in an assignment to Japan could sign up for a Japanese-language class. We decided that we would rather let Jehovah’s organization choose our assignment. Shortly afterward, Albert Schroeder, one of the Gilead instructors, learned that we had not put our names down. He said to us: “Think about it some more.” When we hesitated further, Brother Schroeder said: “The other instructors and I have signed you up. See if you can get your tongues around Japanese.” Harvey easily adapted to this language.
We arrived in Japan in 1955 when there were only 500 publishers in the whole country. Harvey was 26, and I was 24. We were assigned to the port city of Kobe, where we served for four years. Then we were delighted to be invited back into the traveling work, and we served near the city of Nagoya. We loved everything about our assignment—the brothers, the cuisine, the countryside. Before long, however, we had another opportunity to avoid saying no to Jehovah.
A NEW ASSIGNMENT BRINGS NEW CHALLENGES
Harvey and me with other missionaries in Kobe, Japan, in 1957
After three years in the traveling work, the Japan branch asked us if we would be willing to go to Taiwan to work among the indigenous Amis people. An apostasy had arisen there, and Taiwan needed a brother fluent in Japanese to help remedy the situation.a We loved our work in Japan, so this was a hard decision. But Harvey had learned never to turn down an assignment, so we agreed to go.
We arrived in November 1962. Taiwan had 2,271 publishers, most of them Amis. But first, we needed to learn Chinese. We had only a textbook and a teacher who did not speak English, but we learned it.
Soon after arriving in Taiwan, Harvey was assigned to be the branch servant. The branch was small, so Harvey could care for his office responsibilities and still work with the Amis brothers up to three weeks per month. He also served as district overseer from time to time, which included giving talks at assemblies. Harvey could have given the talks in Japanese, and the Amis brothers would have understood. However, the government allowed religious meetings to be held only in Chinese. So Harvey, still struggling with the language, gave the talks in Chinese while a brother interpreted them into Amis.
Taiwan was then under martial law, so the brothers had to obtain permits to hold assemblies. Obtaining permits was not easy, and the police often delayed issuing them. If the police had not issued the permit by the week of the assembly, Harvey would just sit in the police station until they did. Since the police were embarrassed to have a foreigner waiting in their station, the tactic worked.
MY FIRST MOUNTAIN CLIMB
Crossing a shallow river in Taiwan to go witnessing
During the weeks we spent with the brothers, we would normally walk for an hour or more at a time, climbing mountains and wading across rivers. I remember my first mountain climb. After a quick breakfast, we caught a 5:30 a.m. bus to a distant village, crossed a wide riverbed, and labored up a mountainside. It was so steep that the feet of the brother climbing in front of me were at my eye level.
That morning, Harvey worked with some local brothers in the ministry, while I witnessed alone in a small hamlet where Japanese-speaking people lived. By about one o’clock, I was feeling faint because I had not eaten for several hours. When I finally met up with Harvey, there were no other brothers around. Harvey had bartered some magazines for three raw chicken eggs. He showed me how to eat one by making a small hole in each end and sucking. Although it did not seem very appetizing, I tried one. But who would get the third egg? I got it, since Harvey did not feel able to carry me down the mountain if I passed out from hunger.
A BATH WITH A DIFFERENCE
At one circuit assembly, I faced an unusual challenge. We were staying in a brother’s home right next to a Kingdom Hall. Since the Amis consider bathing very important, the circuit overseer’s wife prepared a bath for us. Harvey was busy, so he asked me to go first. The bath consisted of three receptacles: a bucket of cold water, one of hot water, and an empty basin. To my surprise, the circuit overseer’s wife had placed them outside the house in direct view of the Kingdom Hall where brothers were helping with the preparations for the assembly. I asked her for a curtain of some kind. She brought me a sheet of transparent plastic! I considered retreating into the shadows behind the house, but there geese poked their heads through the fence, ready to nip anyone who got too close. I thought to myself: ‘The brothers are too busy to notice that I am taking a bath. And if I don’t bathe, they will be offended. Let’s get on with it!’ So I did.
Dressed in Amis ceremonial clothing
LITERATURE FOR THE AMIS
Harvey realized that the Amis brothers were struggling to progress spiritually because many were illiterate and they had no literature. Since the Amis language had recently begun to be written using Roman characters, it seemed practical to teach the brothers to read their own language. This was a huge undertaking, but eventually the brothers were able to study by themselves. Amis literature became available in the late 1960’s, and in 1968, The Watchtower in Amis began to be published.
However, the government restricted publications that were not in Chinese. So to avoid problems, the Amis Watchtower was circulated in various forms. For example, for some time, we used a dual-language Mandarin-Amis edition of The Watchtower. If anyone was curious, we were ostensibly teaching the local people Chinese. Since then, Jehovah’s organization has supplied much Amis-language literature to help these dear people learn Bible truths.—Acts 10:34, 35.
A PERIOD OF CLEANSING
During the 1960’s and 1970’s, many Amis brothers were not living by God’s standards. Since they did not fully understand Bible principles, some were living immorally, getting drunk, or using tobacco and betel nut. Harvey visited many congregations, trying to help the brothers understand Jehovah’s view on these matters. On one such trip, we had the experience mentioned at the outset.
Humble brothers were willing to make changes, but sadly, many others were not, and the number of publishers in Taiwan dropped from over 2,450 to about 900 during a period of 20 years. This was very discouraging. However, we knew that Jehovah would never bless an unclean organization. (2 Cor. 7:1) Eventually, the wrong practices were cleaned out, and with Jehovah’s blessing, Taiwan now has over 11,000 publishers.
From the 1980’s on, we saw the spiritual condition of the Amis congregations improve, and Harvey could spend more time among the Chinese. He was delighted to help the husbands of a number of sisters become believers. I recall that he said how happy he was when one of these men prayed to Jehovah for the first time. I too rejoice to have been able to teach many honesthearted ones to draw close to Jehovah. I even had the joy of serving at the Taiwan branch with the son and daughter of one of my former Bible students.
A SAD LOSS
Now, though, I am without my partner. After almost 59 years of marriage, my dear Harvey died on January 1, 2010, after battling cancer. He had spent nearly six decades in full-time service! I still miss him terribly. But how happy I was to support him in the early days of the work in two fascinating countries! We learned to speak—and in Harvey’s case also to write—two difficult Asian languages.
A few years later, the Governing Body decided that because of my advanced age, it would be best for me to return to Australia. My first thought was, ‘I don’t want to leave Taiwan.’ But Harvey taught me never to say no to Jehovah’s organization, so I was not about to do that. Later, I came to see the wisdom of the decision.
I am glad to use my Japanese and Chinese to give tours at Bethel
Today, I work in the Australasia branch during the week and with a local congregation on the weekends. At Bethel, I am glad to use my Japanese and Chinese to give tours. Yet, I earnestly await the promised day of the resurrection, knowing that Harvey, who learned never to say no to Jehovah, is now safe in His memory.—John 5:28, 29.
a Although Chinese is now the official language of Taiwan, Japanese had been the official language there for many decades. Thus, Japanese was still the common language among the various ethnic groups in Taiwan. |
United in Worship (uw)
1983 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/uw | input Page/Publishers’ Page
United in Worship of the Only True God
Millions of persons have a knowledge of basic Bible teachings. But to experience to the full the joy of sharing in united worship of the true God, they need to press on to Christian maturity. This book has been prepared to help all such persons to broaden and deepen their understanding of God’s Word and to apply it more fully in their lives.
—The Publishers |
‘Know Jehovah’ (kj)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/kj | The Mysterious Book of Revelation Explained!
Most mysteries are fiction. But the Bible book of Revelation tells of mysteries that deal with events of real life in our own day. It reveals that we are rapidly approaching the thrilling climax of God’s purpose for our time, affecting every person on earth.
This fascinating Bible book centers around the greatest mystery of all time—the “Mystery of God”!
Would you like to know the meaning of Revelation’s mysteries? This knowledge is available. You may now have a verse-by-verse explanation of all twenty-two chapters of Revelation. You can learn what the “Mystery of God” means to you. Read the following books:
“Then Is Finished the Mystery of God”
(Explaining Revelation chapters 1-13)
“Babylon the Great Has Fallen!” God’s Kingdom Rules!
(Explaining Revelation chapters 14-22)
Obtain these two eye-opening hardbound volumes that explain the entire book of Revelation. Send only $3.
(Price subject to change.)
To order, see addresses on the last page. |
Young People Ask (yp)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp | Chapter 9
How Can I Cope With Peer Pressure?
AT THE age of 14, Karen was already a heavy drug user and regularly engaged in sex. By age 17, Jim was a confirmed alcoholic and living an immoral life. Both admit they did not really like the life they were living nor the things they were doing. Why, then, did they act as they did? Peer pressure!
“Everyone I was with was into these things, and that had a big effect on me,” explains Karen. Jim agreed, saying, “I didn’t want to lose my friends by being different.”
Why Youths Follow Their Peers
As some youths get older, the influence of parents wanes, and a desire to be popular and to be accepted by peers grows strong. Others simply feel a need to talk with someone who “understands” or who will make them feel loved or needed. When such communication is lacking at home—as is often the case—they seek it among their peers. Often, too, a lack of self-confidence and feelings of insecurity cause some to be vulnerable to peer influence.
Peer influence is not necessarily bad. A proverb says: “By iron, iron itself is sharpened. So one man sharpens the face of another.” (Proverbs 27:17) Just as an iron knife can sharpen the dulled edge of another knife, fellowship with other youths can ‘sharpen’ your personality and make you a better person—if those peers have mature, healthy attitudes.
All too often, though, youths are sadly lacking in maturity—both mental and spiritual. Many youths have viewpoints and opinions that are unsound, unreliable, even reckless. So when a youth unquestioningly comes under the control of peers, it may be little more than the blind leading the blind. (Compare Matthew 15:14.) The results can be disastrous.
Even when peers are not edging you toward outrageous behavior, their influence can still feel oppressive. “You care so much about being accepted by other kids,” said Debbie. “When I was eighteen I dreaded the thought of being unpopular because I would have no one to invite me out for a good time. I feared I would be isolated.” Debbie thus worked hard to gain the acceptance of her peers.
Am I Being Influenced?
Have you too begun to dress, talk, or act a certain way in order to fit in? Seventeen-year-old Susie claims, “Another kid can’t really make you do anything you don’t want to do.” True, but peer pressure can be so subtle that you may not realize how much it is affecting you. Consider, for example, the apostle Peter. A bold man with strong conviction, Peter was a pillar of Christianity. God revealed to Peter that people from all nations and races could gain His favor. Peter thus helped the first Gentile believers to become Christians.—Acts 10:28.
However, time passed, and Peter was situated in Antioch, a city in which many non-Jews had become Christians. Peter freely socialized with these Gentile believers. One day some Jewish Christians from Jerusalem, still harboring prejudices against non-Jews, visited Antioch. How would Peter now conduct himself around his Jewish peers?
Well, Peter separated himself from the Gentile Christians, refusing to eat with them! Why? He apparently feared offending his peers. He may have reasoned, ‘I’ll just bend a little now while they’re here and continue eating with the Gentiles after they’ve gone. Why ruin my rapport with them over such a small thing?’ Peter was thus putting on a pretense—rejecting his own principles by doing something he really did not believe in. (Galatians 2:11-14) Obviously, then, no one is immune to pressure from peers.
How Would I React?
So while it is easy to say, ‘I’m not afraid of what others think!’ maintaining that resolve in the face of peer pressure is quite another thing. For example, what would you do in the following circumstances?
One of your schoolmates offers you a cigarette in front of other youths. You know it is wrong to smoke. But they are all waiting to see what you will do . . .
The girls in school are talking about having sex with their boyfriends. One of the girls says to you: “You’re not still a virgin, are you?”
You wanted to wear a dress like the one all the other girls are wearing, but Mom says it’s too short. The outfit she insists on your wearing makes you feel like you look six years old. Your classmates tease you. One girl asks, “Why don’t you just save up your lunch money and buy something decent? You don’t have to let your mother know. Just keep your school clothes in your locker.”
Easy situations to face? No, but if you are afraid to say no to your peers, you end up saying no to yourself, to your standards, and to your parents. How can you develop the strength to stand up to peer pressure?
“Thinking Ability”
Fifteen-year-old Robin started smoking, not because she wanted to, but because everyone else did. She recalls: “Later on I began to think, ‘I don’t like it. Why am I doing it?’ So I don’t anymore.” By thinking for herself, she was able to stand up to her peers!
Appropriately, then, the Bible urges youths to develop “knowledge and thinking ability.” (Proverbs 1:1-5) One with thinking ability does not have to lean upon inexperienced peers for direction. At the same time, that one does not become self-confident and ignore the opinions of others. (Proverbs 14:16) He or she is willing to “listen to counsel and accept discipline” so as to “become wise.”—Proverbs 19:20.
Don’t be surprised, though, if you are disliked or even ridiculed for using your thinking faculties. “The man [or woman] of thinking abilities is hated,” says Proverbs 14:17. But really, who has more strength, those who give in to their passions and emotions or those who can say no to improper desires? (Compare Proverbs 16:32.) Where are those who ridicule you headed in life? Is that where you want your life to end up also? Could it be that such ones are simply jealous of you and are covering up their own insecurity by ridicule?
Escaping the Snare
“Trembling at men is what lays a snare,” says Proverbs 29:25. In Bible times, a snare could quickly trap any unsuspecting animal that grabbed its bait. Today, the desire to be accepted by your peers can likewise serve as bait. It can lure you into the trap of violating godly standards. How, then, can you escape—or avoid—the snare of the fear of man?
First, choose your friends carefully! (Proverbs 13:20) Associate with those who have Christian values and standards. True, this limits your friendships. As one teenager says: “When I didn’t go along with others in school, with their ideas on drugs and sex, they soon left me alone. Although this lifted a lot of pressure off me to conform, it did make me feel a little lonesome.” But it is better to suffer some loneliness than to let peer influence drag you down spiritually and morally. Association within one’s family and within the Christian congregation can help fill the vacuum of loneliness.
Listening to your parents also helps you resist peer pressure. (Proverbs 23:22) They are likely working hard to teach you proper values. One young girl said: “My parents were firm with me. I didn’t like it at times, but I’m glad they put their foot down and limited my associations.” Because of that parental help, she did not give in to pressure to use drugs and engage in sex.
Teen adviser Beth Winship further observes: “Adolescents who are good at something feel important in their own right. They don’t have to depend on peer approval for good self-image.” Why not, then, strive to be skillful and competent in what you do at school and around the house? Young witnesses of Jehovah particularly strive to be ‘workmen with nothing to be ashamed of, handling the word of the truth aright’ in their Christian ministry.—2 Timothy 2:15.
After warning about the “snare” of fearing men, Proverbs 29:25 continues: “He that is trusting in Jehovah will be protected.” Perhaps more than anything else, a relationship with God can strengthen you to stand up to your peers. For example, Debbie (mentioned earlier) had been a follower of the crowd for some time, drinking heavily and abusing drugs. But then she began a serious study of the Bible and began to trust in Jehovah. The effect? “I made up my mind that I wasn’t going to do the same things as that little group of kids,” said Debbie. She told her former friends: “You go your way and I’ll go mine. If you want my friendship you will have to respect the same standards I do. I’m sorry but I just don’t care what you think. This is what I’m going to do.” Not all of Debbie’s friends respected her newfound faith. But says Debbie, “I sure liked myself better after I made my decision.”
You too will ‘like yourself better’ and spare yourself much grief if you escape the trap of peer pressure!
Questions for Discussion
◻ Why are youths inclined to be influenced by their peers? Is this necessarily bad?
◻ What does the experience of the apostle Peter teach regarding peer pressure?
◻ What are some situations (including perhaps some from personal experience) that might test your ability to say no?
◻ What things might you consider if challenged to take a dare?
◻ What are some things that can help you escape the snare of fear of man?
[Blurb on page 74]
“You care so much about being accepted by other kids,” said Debbie. “I dreaded the thought of being unpopular . . . I feared I would be isolated”
[Box on page 75]
‘I Dare You!’
“Go on,” insisted Lisa’s classmates. “Tell the teacher her breath stinks!” No, oral hygiene was hardly the issue. Lisa was being challenged to take a dare—and a rather risky one at that! Yes, some youths seem to get perverse pleasure out of challenging others to perform acts that range from mildly mischievous to simply suicidal.
But when you are challenged to do something silly, unkind, or downright dangerous, it’s time to think twice. Said a wise man: “Dead flies are what cause the oil of the ointment maker to stink, to bubble forth. So a little foolishness does to one who is precious for wisdom and glory.” (Ecclesiastes 10:1) In ancient times, a valuable ointment or perfume could be ruined by something as tiny as a dead fly. Similarly, one’s hard-earned reputation could be ruined by just “a little foolishness.”
Childish pranks often result in lower grades, suspension from school, and even arrest! What, though, if you think you won’t get caught? Ask yourself, Is what I am being asked to do reasonable? Is it loving? Will it violate the standards of the Bible or those taught by my parents? If so, do I really want fun-seeking youths to control my life? Are youths who ask me to put my life and reputation on the line really friends, anyway?—Proverbs 18:24.
Try, then, to reason with the youth making the dare. Eighteen-year-old Terry likes to “take the fun out of it” by asking, ‘Why should I do it? What would it prove if I did it?’ Also let it be known that you have definite standards you intend to live by. One young girl tried to dare a boy into immorality, saying, “You don’t know what you’re missing.” “Yes, I do,” the boy replied. “Herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis . . . ”
Yes, by having the courage to say no to your peers, you can avoid doing something you would later regret!
[Picture on page 76]
Youths often cling to one another for support
[Picture on page 77]
Have you ever been pressured by peers to go against what you know is right?
[Picture on page 78]
Have the strength to stand up to peer pressure! |
“All Scripture” (si)
1990 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/all-scripture-si | Bible Book Number 51—Colossians
Writer: Paul
Place Written: Rome
Writing Completed: c. 60–61 C.E.
1. Where was the town of Colossae located?
LEAVING Ephesus behind them, two men traveled east through Asia Minor along the Maeander (Menderes) River. On reaching the tributary called Lycus, in the country of Phrygia, they swung southeast to follow the river up through the mountain-enclosed valley. Before them was a beautiful sight: fertile green pastures with large flocks of sheep. (Wool products were a principal source of income for the region.a) Proceeding up the valley, the travelers passed, on the right, the wealthy city of Laodicea, center of Roman administration for the district. To their left, across the river, they could see Hierapolis, famous for its temples and hot springs. There were Christian congregations in both these cities and also in the small town of Colossae, about ten miles [16 km] farther up the valley.
2. (a) Who were the two envoys sent by Paul to Colossae? (b) What is known concerning the Colossian congregation?
2 Colossae was the destination of the travelers. They were both Christians. One of them, at least, knew the region well, as he was from Colossae. His name was Onesimus, and he was a slave returning to his master, who was a member of the congregation there. Onesimus’ companion was Tychicus, a freeman, and both were envoys from the apostle Paul, carrying a letter from him addressed to the “faithful brothers in union with Christ at Colossae.” As far as we know, Paul never visited Colossae. The congregation, which consisted mainly of non-Jews, was probably founded by Epaphras, who had labored among them and who was now with Paul in Rome.—Col. 1:2, 7; 4:12.
3. What does the letter of Colossians itself reveal regarding the writer, as well as the time and place of writing?
3 The apostle Paul was the writer of this letter, as he states in its opening and closing words. (1:1; 4:18) His conclusion states also that he wrote it from prison. This would be the time of his first imprisonment in Rome, 59-61 C.E., when he wrote a number of letters of encouragement, the letter to the Colossians being dispatched along with the one to Philemon. (Col. 4:7-9; Philem. 10, 23) It appears it was written about the same time as the letter to the Ephesians, as many ideas and phrases are the same.
4. What testifies to the genuineness of Colossians?
4 There are no grounds for doubting the authenticity of the letter to the Colossians. Its presence with other Pauline epistles in the Chester Beatty Papyrus No. 2 (P46) of about 200 C.E. shows that it was accepted by the early Christians as one of Paul’s letters. Its genuineness is testified to by the same early authorities who testify to the authenticity of Paul’s other letters.
5. (a) What prompted Paul’s writing to the Colossians? (b) What does the letter emphasize?
5 What prompted Paul to write a letter to the Colossians? For one thing, Onesimus was going back to Colossae. Epaphras had recently joined Paul, and no doubt his report on conditions at Colossae provided a further reason for the letter. (Col. 1:7, 8; 4:12) A certain danger threatened the Christian congregation there. The religions of the day were in the process of dissolution, and new religions were constantly being formed by fusing parts of old ones. There were heathen philosophies involving asceticism, spiritism, and idolatrous superstition, and these, combined with Jewish abstinence from foods and observance of days, may have influenced some in the congregation. Whatever the problem, it appears to have been sufficient reason for Epaphras to make the long journey to Rome to see Paul. However, that the congregation as a whole was not in immediate danger is indicated by Epaphras’ encouraging report on their love and steadfastness. On hearing the report, Paul came strongly to the defense of accurate knowledge and clean worship by writing this letter to the Colossian congregation. It emphasized the God-given superiority of Christ in the face of heathen philosophy, worship of angels, and Jewish traditions.
outputS OF COLOSSIANS
6. (a) What prayer does Paul make in the Colossians’ behalf? (b) What does Paul discuss as to Jesus’ position and ministry in connection with the congregation?
6 Have faith in Christ, the head of the congregation (1:1–2:12). After the opening greetings from Timothy and himself, Paul gives thanks for the Colossians’ faith in Christ and for their love. They have learned of the undeserved kindness of God as a result of Epaphras’ preaching the good news among them. Since hearing the report concerning them, Paul has not ceased praying that they may be filled with “the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah” and “to endure fully and be long-suffering with joy.” (1:9-11) The Father has delivered them into “the kingdom of the Son of his love,” who is the image of the invisible God, and through whom and for whom all things have been created. He is the Head of the congregation and the firstborn from the dead. Through Jesus’ blood, God saw good to reconcile all things again to himself, yes, including the once alienated Colossians, ‘provided, of course, that they continue in the faith.’—1:13, 23.
7. What is Paul preaching, and for what purpose?
7 Paul rejoices in filling up the sufferings of the Christ in behalf of the congregation, whose minister he became. This was in order to preach fully in their interest the word of God concerning ‘the sacred secret, the glorious riches of which God has now been pleased to make known to his holy ones.’ ‘It is Christ we are publicizing,’ says Paul, ‘admonishing and teaching in all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in union with Christ.’—1:26-28.
8. Why does Paul struggle in behalf of his brothers?
8 Paul’s struggle in behalf of the Colossians, the Laodiceans, and others is in order that they may be comforted and harmoniously joined together in love, with a view to their gaining ‘an accurate knowledge of the sacred secret of God, namely, Christ, in whom are carefully concealed all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.’ He does not want to see them deluded by persuasive arguments, but, rather, they should go on walking in union with Christ, “rooted and being built up in him and being stabilized in the faith.” Paul now sounds a warning. “Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey through the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men.”—2:2, 3, 7, 8.
9. Against what kind of worship does Paul warn, and why should the Colossians not subject themselves to the Law?
9 Become dead to works of the flesh but alive to Christ (2:13–3:17). Though they were dead in their trespasses and uncircumcision, God has made them alive together with Christ, blotting out the handwritten document of the Law, which was against the Jews. “Therefore let no man judge” them with respect to the Law or its observances, which are but a shadow of the reality, Christ. Also, if they have died together with Christ toward the elementary things of the world, why do they subject themselves to the decrees: “Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch,” according to the commands and teachings of men? A showy self-imposed form of worship, mock humility, severe treatment of the body—these are of no value in combating desires of the flesh.—2:16, 21.
10. How may one keep seeking the things above and be clothed with the new personality?
10 Rather, Paul counsels: “Go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Keep your minds fixed on the things above, not on the things upon the earth.” This can be done by stripping off the old personality and putting on the new personality, which through accurate knowledge makes no fleshly distinction between Jew and Greek, for “Christ is all things and in all.” It means becoming clothed “as God’s chosen ones” with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Says the apostle: “As Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also. But, besides all these things, clothe yourselves with love, for it is a perfect bond of union.” In word or in work, everything should be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus, thanking God the Father through him.”—3:1, 2, 11-14, 17.
11. (a) What counsel is given concerning family and other relations? (b) What greetings are conveyed in conclusion?
11 Relationships with others (3:18–4:18). As to family relationships, let wives be subject to husbands and let husbands love their wives, let children obey parents and let not fathers exasperate their children. Slaves are to be obedient to their masters in fear of Jehovah, and masters are to deal righteously with their slaves. Let all persevere in prayer and go on walking in wisdom toward those on the outside. Tychicus and Onesimus will relate to them personally the things concerning Paul and his fellow workers for the Kingdom of God. They send greetings to Colossae, and Paul also greets the brothers at Laodicea, asking that they exchange the letters he is sending. Paul writes a concluding greeting in his own hand: “Continue bearing my prison bonds in mind. The undeserved kindness be with you.”—4:18.
WHY BENEFICIAL
12. What refreshing truths did Paul’s letter to the Colossians provide, and with what benefit to the congregation?
12 We can imagine how quickly the news of the arrival of the two brothers from Rome circulated among the brothers at Colossae. With keen anticipation they would assemble, possibly at Philemon’s house, to hear the reading of Paul’s letter. (Philem. 2) What refreshing truths it provided on the exact position of Christ and the need for accurate knowledge! How clearly were philosophies of men and Jewish traditions put in their place, and the peace and the word of the Christ exalted! Here was nourishment for mind and heart for all in the congregation—overseers, husbands, wives, fathers, children, masters, slaves. Certainly there was good advice for Philemon and Onesimus as they entered once again into the relation of master and slave. What a fine lead was given to the overseers in restoring the flock to right doctrine! How Paul’s words sharpened the Colossians’ appreciation for their privilege of working whole-souled as to Jehovah! And the upbuilding counsel to the Colossians on getting free from the enslaving thoughts and practices of the world remains as a living message for the congregation today.—Col. 1:9-11, 17, 18; 2:8; 3:15, 16, 18-25; 4:1.
13. What does Paul admonish with regard to gracious words, prayer, and Christian association?
13 Excellent advice for the Christian minister is set out at Colossians 4:6: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one.” Gracious words of truth will prove appetizing to honesthearted persons and will work to their permanent benefit. Also, the wide-awake prayer of the Christian, expressed from an appreciative heart, will bring rich blessings from Jehovah: “Be persevering in prayer, remaining awake in it with thanksgiving.” And what joy and upbuilding refreshment is to be found in Christian association! “Keep on teaching and admonishing one another,” says Paul, “singing in your hearts to Jehovah.” (4:2; 3:16) You will find many other gems of sound, practical instruction as you search through the letter to the Colossians.
14. (a) What reality is highlighted in Colossians? (b) How is the Kingdom hope emphasized?
14 Concerning the observances of the Law, the letter says: “Those things are a shadow of the things to come, but the reality belongs to the Christ.” (2:17) It is this reality of the Christ that is highlighted in Colossians. The letter refers frequently to the glorious hope reserved in the heavens for those in union with Christ. (1:5, 27; 3:4) Such ones can be most thankful that the Father has already delivered them from the authority of the darkness and transplanted them “into the kingdom of the Son of his love.” Thus they have become subject to the One who is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all other things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities.” This One is eminently qualified to rule in righteousness in the Kingdom of God. Thus, it is that Paul admonishes the anointed Christians: “If, however, you were raised up with the Christ, go on seeking the things above, where the Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”—1:12-16; 3:1.
[Footnotes]
a The New Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, 1970, page 181. |
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 | January
Monday, January 1
Put up a hard fight for the faith.—Jude 3.
The anxious wait is over. Relieved to see her father returning safely from battle, the young woman races to greet him and rejoices over his astounding victory. Instead of joining her in song and dance, he rips apart his battle-stained garments and cries out: “Oh no, my daughter! You have broken my heart.” Then he utters the words that change her life forever, shattering her dreams and hopes of a normal life. Yet, without hesitation, she encourages her father to follow through on what he promised Jehovah. Her words reveal her great faith. She trusts that whatever Jehovah asks is best for her. (Judg. 11:34-37) Her father’s heart swells with pride because he knows that his daughter’s willingness to support his decision brings Jehovah’s smile of approval. Jephthah and his daughter put their trust and confidence in Jehovah’s way of doing things, even when it was hard to do so. They were convinced that gaining God’s approval was worth any sacrifice. w16.04 1:1, 2
Tuesday, January 2
You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave.—Jas. 5:11.
If you are crushed by the discouraging words of a friend or family member, are plagued by a serious illness, or are grieved by the death of a loved one, you can find comfort in the example of Job. (Job 1:18, 19; 2:7, 9; 19:1-3) Although he was unaware of the source of his troubles, Job did not give up in despair. Why not? For one thing, “he feared God.” (Job 1:1) Job was determined to please Jehovah in favorable and unfavorable circumstances. With God’s help, Job reflected on the wondrous things Jehovah had already accomplished by means of His holy spirit. Job became even more confident that Jehovah would end his trials at the right time. (Job 42:1, 2) And that is precisely what happened. “Jehovah removed Job’s tribulation and restored his prosperity. Jehovah gave him double what he had before.” Job lived “a long and satisfying life.”—Job 42:10, 17. w16.04 2:11, 13
Wednesday, January 3
Prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.—Matt. 10:16.
We show caution by recognizing dangers early, and we remain innocent by not letting them lead us into compromise. We must exercise caution when political issues are brought up. For example, when presenting the Kingdom message, avoid either praising or criticizing the policies of a political party or leader. Try to establish common ground with the householder by focusing on the underlying problem rather than on any proposed political solution. Then, show from the Bible how God’s government will solve the problem completely and permanently. If such volatile issues as same-sex marriage or abortion come up, defend God’s standards and explain how we follow these in our own lives. During the discussion, remain strictly neutral on the political aspects of these topics. We take no position regarding what laws should be enacted, repealed, or changed, and we do not pressure others to agree with our view. w16.04 4:8, 9
Thursday, January 4
Go, therefore, and make disciples.—Matt. 28:19.
We must make disciples, baptize them, and teach them, but what is the first thing we need to do? Jesus said: “Go”! With regard to this command, one Bible scholar commented: “To ‘go’ is the task of each believer, whether across the street or across the ocean.” (Matt. 10:7; Luke 10:3) Was Jesus referring only to the individual efforts of his followers, or was he alluding to an organized campaign to preach the good news? Since one individual would not be able to go to “all the nations,” this work would require the organized efforts of many. Jesus indicated as much when he invited his disciples to become “fishers of men.” (Matt. 4:18-22) The type of fishing he referred to here was not that of a lone fisherman using a line and a lure, sitting idly while waiting for the fish to bite. Rather, it involved the use of fishing nets—a labor-intensive activity that at times required the coordinated efforts of many.—Luke 5:1-11. w16.05 2:3, 4
Friday, January 5
Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight.—Prov. 3:5, 6.
To acquaint ourselves with Jehovah’s thinking, we need to make personal study a priority. When reading or studying God’s Word, we might ask ourselves, ‘What does this material reveal about Jehovah, his righteous ways, and his thinking?’ We need to have an attitude like that of the psalmist David, who sang: “Make me know your ways, O Jehovah; teach me your paths. Cause me to walk in your truth and teach me, for you are my God of salvation. In you I hope all day long.” (Ps. 25:4, 5) As you meditate on a Bible passage, you might consider questions like these: ‘How can I apply this information in my family? Where can I apply it? At home? At work? At school? In the ministry?’ Once we have determined where the material can be applied, it may become easier to perceive how we can put it to work. w16.05 3:9, 11
Saturday, January 6
The overseer should . . . be irreprehensible.—1 Tim. 3:2.
By giving a list of qualifications for overseers, Jehovah reveals that he has a high standard for those who serve in an appointed capacity. (1 Tim. 3:2-7) He expects them to set a good example, and he holds them accountable for the way they treat the congregation, “which he purchased with the blood of his own Son.” (Acts 20:28) Jehovah wants us to feel safe in the care of the appointed undershepherds. (Isa. 32:1, 2) From that standpoint, the Scriptural qualifications for Christian elders remind us of how much Jehovah truly cares for us. In fact, each Christian can learn from the qualifications listed in these verses, as most of them involve things that Jehovah asks of all Christians. For instance, all of us should be reasonable and sound in mind. (Phil. 4:5; 1 Pet. 4:7) As elders prove to be “examples to the flock,” we can learn from them and “imitate their faith.”—1 Pet. 5:3; Heb. 13:7. w16.05 5:8-10
Sunday, January 7
Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart.—Prov. 4:23.
Against what hardening traits must we be on guard? They include inordinate pride, the practice of sin, and a lack of faith. These could foster a disobedient, rebellious spirit. (Dan. 5:1, 20; Heb. 3:13, 18, 19) King Uzziah of Judah certainly displayed pride. (2 Chron. 26:3-5, 16-21) At first, Uzziah did “what was right in Jehovah’s eyes,” and “he kept searching for God.” But “as soon as he was strong, his heart became haughty,” even though his strength was from God! He even attempted to burn incense at the temple—a privilege reserved for the Aaronic priests. Then, when the priests confronted him, proud Uzziah became enraged! The result? He had a humiliating “crash” at God’s hands and died a leper. (Prov. 16:18) If we failed to guard against pride, we too could begin “to think more of [ourselves] than it is necessary to think,” perhaps even to the point of resisting Scriptural counsel.—Rom. 12:3; Prov. 29:1. w16.06 2:3, 4
Monday, January 8
[Put] up with one another in love.—Eph. 4:2.
How do you feel about fellow Christians who are from cultures very different from your own? Their first language, style of clothing, manners, and food may not be what you are accustomed to. Do you tend to shy away from them and associate mainly with those who have a background similar to yours? Or what if those appointed as overseers in your congregation—or in your circuit or branch—are younger or are culturally or racially different from you? Do you allow such matters to undermine the unity and oneness of purpose that should exist among Jehovah’s people? What can help us to avoid such pitfalls? To the Christians in Ephesus, a prosperous and diversified city, Paul offered some practical counsel. (Eph. 4:1-3) Paul first mentioned such qualities as humility, mildness, patience, and love. These might be likened to the pillars of a house that keep it standing. w16.06 3:17, 18
Tuesday, January 9
Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of greed.—Luke 12:15.
Satan wants us to slave for Riches rather than for Jehovah. (Matt. 6:24) Those who spend most of their energy accumulating material things end up with a life that is, at best, shallow because it appeals to selfish gratification or that is, at worst, spiritually empty and full of grief and frustration. (1 Tim. 6:9, 10; Rev. 3:17) It is as Jesus described in his illustration of the sower. When the Kingdom message is “sown among the thorns . . . , the desires for everything else make inroads and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” (Mark 4:14, 18, 19) As we near the end of this system of things, now is not the time to amass more and more material things for ourselves. We should not expect that any of our possessions, regardless of how treasured or valuable they may be, will survive with us through the great tribulation.—Prov. 11:4, ftn.; Matt. 24:21, 22. w16.07 1:5, 6
Wednesday, January 10
We all received . . . undeserved kindness upon undeserved kindness.—John 1:16.
A winegrower went to the marketplace early one morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. The men he found agreed to the wage he offered and went to work. The owner needed more workers, however, and returned to the marketplace throughout the day to hire more and more men, offering a fair wage even to those whom he hired at the end of the afternoon. When evening came, he gathered the workers together to give them their wages, and he gave the same amount to each of them, whether they had labored many hours or just one. When those first hired realized this, they complained. The winegrower replied: ‘Did you not agree to the wage I offered? Do I not have the right to give all my workers whatever I want? Are you envious because I am generous?’ (Matt. 20:1-15, ftn.) Jesus’ parable reminds us of one of Jehovah’s qualities that is often mentioned in the Bible—his “undeserved kindness.”—2 Cor. 6:1. w16.07 3:1, 2
Thursday, January 11
Look! I am making all things new. . . . Write, for these words are faithful and true.—Rev. 21:5.
More than ever, our mission as the end nears is to preach the good news of the Kingdom! (Mark 13:10) Undeniably, the good news highlights Jehovah’s undeserved kindness. We should keep this in mind when we share in our witnessing work. Our objective when we preach is to honor Jehovah. We can do this by showing people that all the promises of new world blessings are expressions of Jehovah’s wonderful kindness. As we witness to others, we can explain that under Christ’s Kingdom rule, mankind will benefit from the full application of the ransom sacrifice and will gradually be brought to perfection. The Bible says: “The creation itself will also be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21) This will be possible only through Jehovah’s extraordinary kindness. w16.07 4:17-19
Friday, January 12
Let the husband give to his wife her due, and let the wife also do likewise to her husband.—1 Cor. 7:3.
Although the Bible does not provide specific rules about the kinds and limits of love play that might be associated with natural sexual intimacy, it mentions displays of affection. (Song of Sol. 1:2; 2:6) Christian marriage partners should treat each other with tenderness. Strong love for God and neighbor will not allow anyone or anything to interfere with the marriage bond. Some marriages have been strained or even ruined by a mate’s addiction to pornography. Any tendency toward being attracted to this or toward sexual interests of any sort outside marriage should be firmly resisted. Even giving the appearance of flirting with someone to whom one is not married is unloving and should be avoided. Remembering that God is aware of all our thoughts and actions will reinforce our desire to please him and to remain chaste.—Matt. 5:27, 28; Heb. 4:13. w16.08 2:7-9
Saturday, January 13
We have never stopped praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the accurate knowledge of [God’s] will.—Col. 1:9.
With such accurate knowledge, the Colossian Christians would be able “to walk worthily of Jehovah in order to please him fully.” This would enable them to continue “bearing fruit in every good work,” especially in the preaching of the good news. (Col. 1:10) To serve effectively, a worshipper of Jehovah must follow a routine of Bible study. We do well to help Bible students grasp that fact. Moreover, we ourselves must be convinced of its value. In fact, we ourselves need to have good Bible study habits. So you might ask yourself, ‘When householders express opinions that are contrary to Scriptural teachings or they ask difficult questions, am I able to give answers that are based on the Bible?’ If we tell others how much we have benefited from our personal study of the Bible, we may encourage them to obtain such benefits by being diligent students of the Scriptures. w16.08 4:3, 4
Sunday, January 14
We have a struggle . . . against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.—Eph. 6:12.
It is vital that we resist being affected by the world’s “strongly entrenched things.” These include its doctrines, philosophies, and harmful practices, such as committing immorality, using tobacco, and abusing alcohol and drugs. And we must constantly fight against our fleshly weaknesses and discouragement. (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Col. 3:5-9) Is it really possible to defeat such powerful opponents? Yes, but not without a struggle. Drawing on the example of a boxer of ancient times, Paul said of himself: “The way I am aiming my blows is so as not to be striking the air.” (1 Cor. 9:26) Just as a boxer fights off his opponent, we must fend off our enemies. Jehovah trains us and helps us in our fight. He provides lifesaving instructions in his Word. He also helps us through our Bible-based publications, Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions. Are you putting into practice what you are learning? w16.09 2:2, 3
Monday, January 15
Even the Christ did not please himself.—Rom. 15:3.
Yes, Jesus put helping others ahead of personal convenience—helping them was key to his doing God’s will. Hence, we will forgo items or styles of clothing that we like but that could close the minds of people to whom we want to witness. (Rom. 15:2) Christian parents have a responsibility to teach their families to apply Bible principles. This includes making sure that they and their children strive to make God’s heart rejoice by their modest style of dress and grooming. (Prov. 22:6; 27:11) Parents can instill in their children a healthy respect for the holy God whom they worship by setting the right example for their children and by giving loving and practical instruction. How good it is when parents teach their youngsters where and how to find suitable clothes! This means not just what they like but also what will enable them to carry out their privilege of representing Jehovah God. w16.09 3:13, 14
Tuesday, January 16
A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly instructed will be like his teacher.—Luke 6:40.
As a teacher, Jesus reached hearts because he loved Jehovah, God’s Word, and people. (Luke 24:32; John 7:46) Similar love will help parents reach the hearts of their children. (Deut. 6:5-8; Luke 6:45) So parents, be good students of the Bible and of our study aids. Take an interest in creation and in articles in our publications that discuss this topic. (Matt. 6:26, 28) Your doing so will broaden your knowledge, deepen your appreciation for Jehovah, and better equip you to teach your young ones. When your heart is filled with Bible truth, you will want to discuss it with your family. Do this not only when preparing for Christian meetings or during family worship but at any time. Moreover, such discussions should not be forced but should be natural and spontaneous—a part of your everyday conversation. w16.09 5:6, 7
Wednesday, January 17
None of them knew how to speak the language of the Jews.—Neh. 13:24.
The inability to grasp God’s Word in a foreign language can pose a real threat to our spiritual health. In the fifth century B.C.E., Nehemiah showed concern when he learned that some children among the Jews who had returned from Babylon could not speak the Hebrew language. These children were actually losing their identity as God’s servants because they could not fully understand the meaning of God’s Word. (Neh. 8:2, 8) Some Christian parents serving in a foreign-language field have come to realize that their children’s interest in the truth has waned. Why? When we read in a foreign tongue, our heart may not be as involved as it would be in our own language. Moreover, the inability to communicate well in another language can be mentally and spiritually draining. So while keeping alive our desire to serve Jehovah in a foreign-language field, we do well to safeguard our spiritual health.—Matt. 4:4. w16.10 2:4-6
Thursday, January 18
Faith is . . . the convincing evidence of realities that are not seen.—Heb. 11:1, ftn.
Christian faith is a precious quality. Not all humans possess it. (2 Thess. 3:2) However, Jehovah has given to each one of his worshippers “a measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3; Gal. 5:22) All who have it should be deeply grateful. Jesus Christ said that his heavenly Father draws people to himself through His Son. (John 6:44, 65) Acquiring faith in Jesus, in turn, makes it possible for an individual to gain forgiveness of sins. That, then, opens up the prospect of enjoying an everlasting relationship with Jehovah. (Rom. 6:23) What did we do to deserve such a wonderful blessing? As sinners, the only thing we deserve is death. (Ps. 103:10) But Jehovah saw a potential for good in us. Out of his undeserved kindness, he opened our heart to the good news. So we began to exercise faith in Jesus with everlasting life in view.—1 John 4:9, 10. w16.10 4:1, 2
Friday, January 19
[Paul gave] many words of encouragement to the ones there.—Acts 20:2.
In his letters, Paul spoke highly of his fellow Christians. He had traveled with some of them for years and undoubtedly knew their faults, but he said good things about them. For instance, Paul described Timothy as his “beloved and faithful child in the Lord,” one who would genuinely care for the concerns of other Christians. (1 Cor. 4:17; Phil. 2:19, 20) The apostle commended Titus to the Corinthian congregation as “my companion and a fellow worker for your interests.” (2 Cor. 8:23) How encouraged Timothy and Titus must have been to learn what Paul thought of them! Paul and Barnabas risked their lives by going back to places where they had suffered violent attacks. For instance, even though they had faced fanatic opposition in Lystra, they returned there in order to encourage new disciples to remain in the faith. (Acts 14:19-22) In Ephesus, after Paul faced an angry crowd, he encouraged the disciples there.—Acts 20:1. w16.11 1:10, 11
Saturday, January 20
Be completely united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.—1 Cor. 1:10.
Jehovah leads and feeds those in the earthly part of his organization by means of “the faithful and discreet slave” under the direction of Christ, the “head of the congregation.” (Matt. 24:45-47; Eph. 5:23) Like the first-century governing body, this slave accepts God’s inspired word, or message, and highly esteems it. (1 Thess. 2:13) The Bible directs us to attend meetings regularly. (Heb. 10:24, 25) It urges us to promote unity of doctrine. God’s Word tells us to give the Kingdom first place in our lives. (Matt. 6:33) The Scriptures also emphasize our duty and privilege to preach from house to house, in public places, and informally. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 5:42; 17:17; 20:20) God’s own Book directs Christian elders to keep his organization clean. (1 Cor. 5:1-5, 13; 1 Tim. 5:19-21) And Jehovah decrees that all those in his organization must be clean physically and spiritually.—2 Cor. 7:1. w16.11 3:7, 8
Sunday, January 21
Get out of her, my people.—Rev. 18:4.
In the decades leading up to World War I, Charles Taze Russell and his associates realized that the organizations of Christendom were not teaching Bible truth. Accordingly, they resolved to have nothing to do with false religion as they understood it. As early as November of 1879, Zion’s Watch Tower straightforwardly set out their Scriptural position by stating: “Every church claiming to be a chaste virgin espoused to Christ, but in reality united to and supported by the world (beast) we must condemn as being in scripture language a harlot church,” a reference to Babylon the Great. (Rev. 17:1, 2) God-fearing men and women knew what they must do. They could not expect to receive God’s blessing if they continued to support false religious organizations. Consequently, many Bible Students prepared letters of withdrawal from their churches. w16.11 5:2, 3
Monday, January 22
Those who live according to the spirit, [set their minds] on the things of the spirit.—Rom. 8:5.
In connection with the annual commemoration of Jesus’ death, have you read Romans 8:15-17? Probably so. That key passage explains how Christians know that they are anointed—holy spirit bears witness with their spirit. Anointed Christians are those principally addressed in that chapter. They receive “the spirit” as ones “waiting for adoption as sons, the release from [their fleshly] bodies.” (Rom. 8:23) Yes, their future is to be sons of God in heaven. That is possible because they became baptized Christians, and God applied the ransom in their behalf, forgave their sins, and declared them righteous as spiritual sons. (Rom. 3:23-26; 4:25; 8:30) However, Romans chapter 8 is also of interest to those who have the earthly hope because God in a sense views them as righteous. They too can benefit from the counsel found there that is given to righteous ones. w16.12 2:1-3
Tuesday, January 23
Never be anxious.—Matt. 6:34.
What did Jesus mean when he said: “Never be anxious”? Obviously, he could not have meant that a servant of God would not at some point in life experience anxiety. Instead, Jesus was helping his disciples to realize that undue, or extreme, anxiety does not solve problems. Each day has its own challenges, so Christians do not need to add anxious thoughts about the past or the future to the concerns of the present. Unwarranted anxiety often results if a Christian agonizes over possible future problems. However, you need not be consumed by anxiety, or worry, over events that you do not know anything about. Why not? Because things often do not turn out to be as bad as we feared they might be. Moreover, there is no situation beyond the control of the God on whom you can throw all your anxiety. You can be certain that God can reward his faithful ones and help them deal with anxiety about the past, the present, and the future. w16.12 3:13, 16
Wednesday, January 24
Wisdom is with the modest ones.—Prov. 11:2.
King Saul of ancient Israel began his reign as a modest and respected man. (1 Sam. 9:1, 2, 21; 10:20-24) But soon after he became king, he carried out a series of presumptuous acts. When God’s prophet Samuel did not show up in Gilgal at the appointed time, Saul became impatient. The Philistines were preparing for battle, and the Israelites were deserting Saul. He must have thought, ‘I have to do something—and quickly.’ So he offered up a sacrifice to God, which he was not authorized to do. Jehovah was not pleased. (1 Sam. 13:5-9) When Samuel arrived in Gilgal, he rebuked Saul. Instead of accepting the correction, Saul made excuses, tried to shift the blame, and minimized what he had done. (1 Sam. 13:10-14) That started a terrible chain of events that eventually cost Saul his kingship and, more important, Jehovah’s approval. (1 Sam. 15:22, 23) Despite a promising beginning, Saul’s life ended in complete disaster.—1 Sam. 31:1-6. w17.01 3:1, 2
Thursday, January 25
I have found David . . . a man agreeable to my heart.—Acts 13:22.
David’s life course was one of faithfulness. Even so, on occasion he fell into serious sin. He committed adultery with Bath-sheba. (2 Sam. 11:1-21) David could not undo what he had done. And he could not escape the consequences of his mistakes. In fact, some of those consequences would stay with David for the rest of his life. (2 Sam. 12:10-12, 14) Thus, he needed faith. He had to trust that when he truly repented, Jehovah would forgive him and help him endure the consequences of his actions. Being imperfect, all of us sin. Some mistakes are more serious than others. In some cases, we may not be able to undo our mistakes. We may simply have to live with the consequences. (Gal. 6:7) But we take God at his word, trusting that if we are repentant, Jehovah will support us through difficult times—even when those difficulties are of our own making.—Isa. 1:18, 19; Acts 3:19. w17.01 1:10-12
Friday, January 26
Mankind cannot comprehend what happens under the sun. No matter how hard men try, they cannot comprehend it. Even if they claim that they are wise enough to know, they cannot really comprehend it.—Eccl. 8:17.
Modesty can help us to make good decisions even when we cannot fully know or control how things will turn out. As an example, if we enter some feature of the full-time service, what will happen to us if we get sick? What if our aging parents need our help? How will we look after ourselves in our old age? No amount of prayer or research will reveal a complete answer to questions like these. Our confidence in Jehovah will help us not only to acknowledge but also to accept our limitations. After doing research, consulting others, and praying for guidance, we need to take steps in the direction that God’s spirit is leading us. (Eccl. 11:4-6) That gives Jehovah something to bless, or he can gently redirect our goals.—Prov. 16:3, 9. w17.01 4:14
Saturday, January 27
You must not eat from it.—Gen. 2:17.
Adam and Eve had to decide what to do. Would they obey Jehovah, or would they listen to the serpent? They decided to disobey God. (Gen. 3:6-13) By rebelling against Jehovah, Adam and Eve lost their perfection. Moreover, their rebellion resulted in alienation from Jehovah because his “eyes are too pure to look on what is evil.” Therefore, he “cannot tolerate wickedness.” (Hab. 1:13) If he had tolerated it, the well-being of all living creatures—in heaven and on earth—would be threatened. Above all, had God done nothing about the sin committed in Eden, his own trustworthiness would have been called into question. But Jehovah is faithful to his own standards; he never violates them. (Ps. 119:142) Thus, having free will did not eninput Adam and Eve to disregard God’s law. As a consequence of rebelling against Jehovah, they died and returned to the dust from which they had been created.—Gen. 3:19. w17.02 1:8, 10, 11
Sunday, January 28
Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from Jehovah’s mouth.—Matt. 4:4.
From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus allowed the Scriptures to direct him. Even his final words before he died included quotations of Messianic prophecies. (Matt. 27:46; Luke 23:46) In contrast, the religious leaders of that time disregarded God’s Word whenever it contradicted their own traditions. Quoting Jehovah’s words through the prophet Isaiah, Jesus said about them: “This people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshipping me, for they teach commands of men as doctrines.” (Matt. 15:7-9) Jesus allowed God’s Word to guide not only his actions but also his teaching. When confronted with religious controversies, he appealed neither to his vast wisdom nor to his unparalleled experience. Instead, he held up the Scriptures as the final authority.—Matt. 22:33-40. w17.02 3:18, 19
Monday, January 29
Honor men of all sorts, . . . honor the king.—1 Pet. 2:17.
Jehovah’s Witnesses willingly render honor to public servants, even as it may be expected and as may be customary in the land. We cooperate with them as they perform their duties. Of course, our honor and support have reasonable, Scriptural limits. We cannot go to the point of disobeying God or violating our Christian neutrality. (1 Pet. 2:13-16) Jehovah’s servants in the past set the pattern in their relationship with governments and officials. When the Roman Empire called on people to participate in a census, Joseph and Mary complied. They traveled to Bethlehem despite the fact that Mary was soon to give birth to her first child. (Luke 2:1-5) Later, when Paul was accused of wrongdoing, he respectfully defended himself and showed proper honor to King Herod Agrippa and to Festus, governor of the Roman province of Judea.—Acts 25:1-12; 26:1-3. w17.03 1:9, 10
Tuesday, January 30
These things . . . were written for a warning to us.—1 Cor. 10:11.
When the Israelites adopted the sinful ways of the Canaanites, Jehovah no longer granted them his protective care. (Judg. 2:1-3, 11-15; Ps. 106:40-43) What a challenge it must have been for God-fearing families to remain loyal to Jehovah during those hard years! Nevertheless, the Bible reveals that there were faithful ones, such as Jephthah, Elkanah, Hannah, and Samuel, who were determined to gain God’s approval. (1 Sam. 1:20-28; 2:26) We live in a world where people think and act in ways that are similar to those in ancient Canaan—they glorify sex and violence and promote materialism. Jehovah has given us clear warnings—just as he did the Israelites—to safeguard us from such influences. Will we learn from the mistakes of the Israelites? (1 Cor. 10:6-10) We must strive to remove any trace of Canaanitelike thinking from our lives. (Rom. 12:2) Have we been faithful in making an effort to do so? w16.04 1:4-6
Wednesday, January 31
A man of understanding acquires skillful direction.—Prov. 1:5.
When we are faced with serious decisions, it is vital to draw on the Bible as the best source of advice and to seek Jehovah’s guidance in prayer. Jehovah can give us the qualities we need to make decisions that are in harmony with his will. Make it a practice to ask: ‘Will this decision give evidence of my love for Jehovah? Will it bring joy and peace to my family? And will it show that I am patient and kind?’ Jehovah does not coerce us into loving him and serving him. In line with the free will that he grants us, he respects our responsibility and right to ‘choose for ourselves’ whether we will serve him. (Josh. 24:15; Eccl. 5:4) But he expects us to follow through on other decisions that we make based on his guidance. With faith in Jehovah’s way of doing things and the principles that he has kindly provided, we can make wise decisions and prove ourselves steady in all our ways.—Jas. 1:5-8; 4:8. w17.03 2:17, 18 |
Was Jesus Married? Did Jesus Have Siblings? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502014285 | Was Jesus Married? Did Jesus Have Siblings?
The Bible’s answer
The Bible makes clear that Jesus was not married, even though it does not specifically comment on his marital status.a Consider the following.
The Bible frequently refers to Jesus’ family as well as to women who accompanied him during his ministry and who stood by when he was executed, yet it never mentions his having a wife. (Matthew 12:46, 47; Mark 3:31, 32; 15:40; Luke 8:2, 3, 19, 20; John 19:25) The most plausible reason why the Bible is silent on this matter is that he was never married.
Concerning those who remain unmarried so that they can do more in God’s service, Jesus told his disciples: “Let the one who can make room for it [singleness] make room for it.” (Matthew 19:10-12) He set the pattern for those who choose not to marry in order to devote themselves more fully to God.—John 13:15; 1 Corinthians 7:32-38.
Just before he died, Jesus arranged for the care of his mother. (John 19:25-27) If Jesus had been married or had fathered children, he would have made sure that such close family members were provided for as well.
The Bible uses Jesus as an example for husbands, but it does not refer to the way he treated a human wife. Instead, it says: “Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself up for it.” (Ephesians 5:25) If Jesus had actually been married while on earth, would not his perfect example as a literal husband have been used in that verse?
Did Jesus have siblings?
Yes, Jesus had at least six siblings. These included his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas as well as at least two sisters. (Matthew 13:54-56; Mark 6:3) Those siblings were natural children of Jesus’ mother, Mary, and her husband, Joseph. (Matthew 1:25) The Bible calls Jesus “the firstborn” of Mary, which implies that she had other children.—Luke 2:7.
Misconceptions about Jesus’ brothers
In order to support the idea that Mary remained a virgin all her life, some have applied different meanings to the term “brothers.” For example, some feel that Jesus’ brothers were actually sons of Joseph by an earlier marriage. However, the Bible shows that Jesus inherited the legal right to the kingship promised to David. (2 Samuel 7:12, 13; Luke 1:32) If Joseph had been father to sons older than Jesus, the eldest of these would have been Joseph’s legal heir.
Could the expression refer to Jesus’ disciples, or spiritual brothers? This idea conflicts with the Scriptures, since the Bible says that at one point “his brothers were, in fact, not exercising faith in him.” (John 7:5) The Bible distinguishes Jesus’ brothers from his disciples.—John 2:12.
According to another theory, Jesus’ brothers were actually his cousins. Yet, the Greek Scriptures use distinct words for “brother,” “relative,” and “cousin.” (Luke 21:16; Colossians 4:10) Many Bible scholars acknowledge that Jesus’ brothers and sisters were his actual siblings. For example, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary states: “The most natural way to understand ‘brothers’ . . . is that the term refers to sons of Mary and Joseph and thus to brothers of Jesus on his mother’s side.”b
a The Bible does refer to Christ as a bridegroom, but the context makes it plain that these references are symbolic.—John 3:28, 29; 2 Corinthians 11:2.
b See also The Gospel According to St. Mark, Second Edition, by Vincent Taylor, page 249, and A Marginal Jew—Rethinking the Historical Jesus, by John P. Meier, Volume 1, pages 331-332. |
Internet Fraud—Are You at Risk? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102012005 | Internet Fraud—Are You at Risk?
William, a retired teacher in Florida, U.S.A., received an e-mail he thought was from his Internet service provider. The e-mail said that his billing information had been lost. William filled out the attached form and e-mailed it back. Unknown to him, his personal data went to Shiva, a criminal in Queens, New York. The next day, Shiva used William’s credit card number to buy a photo ID printer on the Internet. The e-mail William received was one of 100,000 Shiva had sent out. Investigators say that about a hundred people responded and were duped.
A 56-year-old woman in Queensland, Australia, began an online romance with a man she thought was a British engineer. She had paid out $47,000 before it was discovered that he was a 27-year-old con man in Nigeria.a
SADLY, Internet fraud is common. In their “State of the Net 2010,” Consumer Reports said: “Internet threats continue at alarmingly high levels, costing consumers billions in damage. The number of virus attacks increased significantly since last year, affecting 40 percent of online U.S. households. Some households reported multiple problems.” Before considering how you can protect yourself against such attacks, let us first identify some of the many ways that criminals act.
How Do They Do It?
Many fraudulent contacts on the Internet take place through e-mail. The kind of e-mail William received is called a phishing e-mail. Like baiting fish, such e-mail coaxes the recipient to supply his password, credit card numbers, or bank account information to an authentic-looking but fake Web site. Con men may get your e-mail address by using a computer program called an e-mail extractor.
Some such phishing e-mails can accomplish their aim even if you do not enter data. Your action of opening an e-mail can insert spy software. These programs can record your computer activity. Some of them log keystrokes on your computer in order to steal your passwords and personal information. Others redirect you to a fraudulent site. Is there anything you can do to protect yourself?
What You Can Do
Beware of e-mails that contain suspicious instructions. Sometimes, a Trojan horse, or Trojan, can provide backdoor access to your computer system, which may allow scammers to have access to your private information. Forums, pornographic sites, Web sites offering software from an unknown source, and social networking sites are also places where con men go to get precious data and plant spy programs to steal information. Also, never respond to e-mails that promise profits that are too good to be true.
Perhaps you have received online messages stating: “Your computer is at risk! Click here to protect your computer!” Or, “Free Screensavers. Click Here.” If you click there, you could activate spy software.
If you are looking for a job on the Internet, beware. Scammers use phony online sites to collect “registration fees” and even personal financial data.
Thieves are now smart enough to access remotely the databases of companies or financial institutions and steal data. In January 2007, criminals hacked the computer systems of a department store chain in the United States and gained access to millions of customer records, including credit card information. In Nigeria, criminals got into the databases of several banks and stole 1.5 million personal identification numbers to withdraw money from automated teller machines. There is now a thriving online black market where rogue employees and hackers sell stolen credit card data and even people’s full identities.
[Footnote]
a Awake! has warned about the dangers of Internet dating. See the issues of April 22, 2005, pages 16-18, and May 22, 2005, pages 12-14.
[Box on page 11]
Phishing e-mail: E-mail that coaxes the recipient to supply his password, credit card numbers, or bank account information to an authentic-looking but fake Web site
Spy software: A program that records your computer activity
Trojan horse: A program designed to breach the security of a computer system while seemingly performing some harmless function
[Box/Pictures on pages 12, 13]
Don’t Be a Victim
TO PREVENT BEING VICTIMIZED BY FRAUD, TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1 Make sure your computer firewall is always turned on and your operating system, applications, and antivirus software are updated regularly.
2 Regularly back up your files, and store the copies safely.
3 Use common sense. Do not be quick to trust information on the Internet. Proverbs 14:15 says: “Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps.”
4 Do not be greedy. (Luke 12:15) Beware of “free” offers or Web sites that sell products at extremely low prices. It could be phishing bait.
5 Beware of unsolicited e-mails or instant messages, especially if they contain instructions or ask for personal information, such as verification of a password.—Proverbs 11:15.
6 Choose passwords that are difficult for others to guess. Change your Internet passwords periodically, and do not use the same password for different accounts.
7 Provide your credit card or banking information only to reputable and secure Web sites.
8 Make sure you type Web addresses accurately, especially for financial institutions. One spelling mistake might redirect you to a fraudulent Web site.
9 Use encrypted connections to transmit sensitive data, such as credit card details, and log off the Web site when you have finished.
10 Review transactions on your credit card and bank statements carefully and frequently. As soon as you spot an unfamiliar transaction, contact the company immediately.
11 Be careful when using unsecured wireless (Wi-Fi) connections, as thieves can steal information and redirect you to fraudulent Web sites.
12 Say no to the question “Remember this password?” Trojan programs can harvest your stored passwords. |
Use Each Day of Your Life for God’s Glory | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2010048 | Use Each Day of Your Life for God’s Glory
“IN THE morning cause me to hear your loving-kindness,” prayed the psalmist David to Jehovah. “Make known to me the way in which I should walk.” (Ps. 143:8) When you wake up and thank Jehovah for a new day of life, do you, like David, entreat Jehovah to guide you in making decisions and taking the best course of action? No doubt you do.
As dedicated servants of Jehovah, “whether [we] are eating or drinking or doing anything else,” we strive to “do all things for God’s glory.” (1 Cor. 10:31) We realize that the way we live our daily life will either honor or dishonor Jehovah. We also remember that God’s Word states that Satan is accusing Christ’s brothers—and, in fact, all of God’s servants on earth—“day and night.” (Rev. 12:10) Therefore, we are determined to give a reply to Satan’s false accusations and to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice by rendering sacred service to our heavenly Father “day and night.”—Rev. 7:15; Prov. 27:11.
Let us briefly consider two important ways in which we can use each day of our life for God’s glory. The first involves getting our priorities right and the second, showing consideration for others.
Living Up to Our Promise
By dedicating ourselves to Jehovah, we expressed our heartfelt desire to serve him. We also promised Jehovah that we would walk in his ways “day after day”—yes, forever. (Ps. 61:5, 8) How, then, do we live up to that promise? How do we demonstrate our wholehearted love for Jehovah each day?
God’s Word clearly identifies the responsibilities that Jehovah expects us to fulfill. (Deut. 10:12, 13) Several are listed in the box eninputd “God-Given Responsibilities,” on page 22. All these assignments are God-given and thus important. How do we decide which one takes priority when two or more require our attention at the same time?
We give priority to our sacred service, which includes Bible study, prayer, Christian meetings, and the ministry. (Matt. 6:33; John 4:34; 1 Pet. 2:9) Yet, spiritual activities cannot occupy our whole day. Employment, school, and numerous household duties need to be fitted in. Even so, we do our utmost to arrange secular work and other activities in such a way that they do not interfere with our sacred service, such as attending Christian meetings. For example, when planning for a vacation, we make sure that we will not miss the circuit overseer’s visit, a special assembly day, a circuit assembly, or a district convention. At times, we may be able to combine some of our responsibilities. For instance, we could make cleaning the Kingdom Hall a family project or use lunchtime at work or at school to give a witness to colleagues or fellow students. Indeed, whenever we need to make a choice in our life—such as finding employment, selecting schooling, or choosing friends—we want to let our decisions be influenced by our greatest priority in life—the worship of Jehovah, our loving Father.—Eccl. 12:13.
Show Consideration for Others
Jehovah wants us to show concern for others and do good to them. Satan, on the other hand, promotes selfishness. His world is full of people who are “lovers of themselves” and “lovers of pleasures” as well as those who are “sowing with a view to [the] flesh.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Gal. 6:8) Many think little about the effects of their actions on others. “The works of the flesh” are evident everywhere.—Gal. 5:19-21.
How different the attitude is of those who, prompted by Jehovah’s holy spirit, display love, kindness, and goodness in their dealings with others! (Gal. 5:22) God’s Word tells us to focus on the needs of others ahead of our own. Therefore, we take an active interest in one another, though we are careful not to interfere in personal matters. (1 Cor. 10:24, 33; Phil. 2:3, 4; 1 Pet. 4:15) We show particular consideration for fellow believers. Still, we also strive to be helpful to unbelievers. (Gal. 6:10) Can you look for an opportunity today to demonstrate kindness to someone you meet?—See the box “Show Them Consideration,” on page 23.
Showing consideration is not limited to some special time or particular situation. (Gal. 6:2; Eph. 5:2; 1 Thess. 4:9, 10) Instead, every day we try to be aware of the circumstances of others and readily respond to a need, even when doing so may be inconvenient for us. We want to be generous with whatever we have at our disposal—our time, material possessions, experience, and wisdom. We have Jehovah’s assurance that when we are generous toward others, he will be generous toward us.—Prov. 11:25; Luke 6:38.
Sacred Service “Day and Night”
Is it really possible to render sacred service to Jehovah “day and night”? Yes, by being regular and diligent in all aspects of our worship. (Acts 20:31) We can fill our lives with sacred service by reading and meditating on God’s Word every day, by praying incessantly, by striving to be at all the meetings, and by taking every opportunity to give a witness.—Ps. 1:2; Luke 2:37; Acts 4:20; 1 Thess. 3:10; 5:17.
Are we personally rendering such sacred service to Jehovah? If so, our desire to please him and provide an answer to Satan’s accusations will be reflected in all aspects of our daily lives. We strive to give Jehovah glory in everything we do and in whatever situation we find ourselves. We allow his principles to govern our speech and conduct and to guide us in the decisions we make. We show our appreciation for his loving care and support by putting our full confidence in him and using what strength we have in his service. And we welcome his counsel and discipline when because of our imperfections we fall short of his standards.—Ps. 32:5; 119:97; Prov. 3:25, 26; Col. 3:17; Heb. 6:11, 12.
Let us continue to live each day for the glory of God. By doing so, we will find refreshment for our souls and will enjoy the loving care of our heavenly Father forever.—Matt. 11:29; Rev. 7:16, 17.
[Box/Pictures on page 22]
God-Given Responsibilities
• Pray frequently.—Rom. 12:12.
• Read and study the Bible, making personal application.—Ps. 1:2; 1 Tim. 4:15.
• Worship Jehovah in the congregation.—Ps. 35:18; Heb. 10:24, 25.
• Provide materially, spiritually, and emotionally for our family members.—1 Tim. 5:8.
• Preach the good news of the Kingdom, and make disciples.—Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20.
• Care for our physical, spiritual, and emotional health, which includes arranging for wholesome recreation.—Mark 6:31; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Tim. 4:8, 16.
• Care for congregation responsibilities.—Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1.
• Care for the appearance of our home and Kingdom Hall.—1 Cor. 10:32.
[Box/Picture on page 23]
Show Them Consideration
• An elderly brother or sister.—Lev. 19:32.
• Someone suffering from a physical or an emotional illness.—Prov. 14:21.
• A congregation member in urgent need of something you can provide.—Rom. 12:13.
• A member of your immediate family.—1 Tim. 5:4, 8.
• A fellow believer whose spouse has died.—1 Tim. 5:9.
• A hardworking elder in your congregation.—1 Thess. 5:12, 13; 1 Tim. 5:17. |
Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Accept Medical Treatment? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013210 | Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Accept Medical Treatment?
Yes, Jehovah’s Witnesses accept medicine and medical treatment. While we try to take care of our bodies and maintain good health, we sometimes “need a doctor.” (Luke 5:31, Easy-to-Read Version) In fact, as was the first-century Christian Luke, some of Jehovah’s Witnesses are physicians.—Colossians 4:14.
Some treatments conflict with Bible principles, though, and we reject these. For example, we don’t accept blood transfusions because the Bible forbids taking in blood to sustain the body. (Acts 15:20) Likewise, the Bible prohibits health treatments or procedures that include occult practices.—Galatians 5:19-21.
However, the vast majority of medical treatments do not conflict with Bible principles. Therefore, personal choice is involved. One Witness might decide to accept a particular medicine or treatment, while another Witness might reject that same treatment.—Galatians 6:5. |
We Survived a Murderer’s Bomb | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101992004 | We Survived a Murderer’s Bomb
SUNDAY morning, July 21, 1985, promised a crisp, midwinter’s day as Jehovah’s Witnesses and friends began filling the Casula Kingdom Hall in a western suburb of Sydney, Australia. At 9:35 a.m., David Winder, the visiting speaker, began his discourse on Christian loyalty. Just a little after ten o’clock, we were looking down, following along in our Bibles as he was reading aloud John 6:68.
He never finished the reading. An enormous blast from under the platform left him writhing on the ground, close to death. A friend of ours, Graham Wykes, a husband and a father, died instantly. Many others were hurt, some critically. Such unprovoked brutality in a place of worship shocked even a hardened world. As the news broke, Australians were glued in disbelief to their TVs and radios.
Instant Reactions
Immediately after the explosion, there was momentary silence. I think most of us were stunned and bewildered, looking around in fright, unable to speak or come to terms with the incongruity of what had just happened. The air was thick with dust. The whole scene looked and smelled like a war zone. Children began to cry, and some started to scream from shock. Later, one observer, a taxi driver, saw an “unidentified girl who probably had a beautiful face being placed into an ambulance with half her face gone.”a That unidentified girl was my wife, Sue.
Sue was knocked unconscious by something that flew from the platform straight into her face. My eardrums instantly burst. To me the explosion sounded as if someone had turned on an air hose inside my head —there was no bang, just a sudden, intolerable hiss as everything went gray. While we were in the second row of seats, the speaker was standing practically over the bomb, which had been hidden under the wooden platform.
Instinctively I crouched with my hands over my head out of fear of falling debris. The next few seconds seemed like minutes. It dawned on me then that our hall had been bombed, and a sense of foreboding gripped me, for Sue had just vanished in the debris and dust. As I shouted “Susie, Susie!” my thoughts were a confusion of questions: ‘Has she been killed? What about David—and the rest? Have I been hurt?’
Ceiling panels, plastic chairs, splintered timber, bags, and torn Bibles and magazines were strewed everywhere. Soon dazed faces, many bleeding and some peppered with splinters, emerged from the rubble. Most of those who had been seated toward the rear of the hall were unhurt except for eardrum damage.
My Wife’s Nightmare
I found Sue when I spotted her boots protruding from beneath a large, but fortunately very light, ceiling tile. When I threw it aside, I was unprepared for what I saw. Sue’s upper lip was severed horizontally beneath a crushed nose and was hanging near her chin. Her front teeth were smashed, and when I saw the damage to and around her eyes, I had fears for her sight. Her hair was a disheveled mass of blood, dirt, and splinters, and her upper left arm seemed badly cut. I was relieved, however, to see no ongoing heavy bleeding. But I learned later that I was deceived. Moments after I lifted her head and shoulders from the rubble, she weakly called out my name. I tried to calm her, mistakenly thinking she was becoming aware of what had happened. Sue later said: “I thought I was home in bed having a nightmare and desperately wanted Peter to wake me up.” She seemed to be drifting in and out of consciousness, and I did not want to leave her, but I did need help.
Another Witness, in a state of shock, exacerbated no doubt by the sight of my wife, was talking irrationally as she approached us. With my free arm, I gestured that she bend down so I could talk to her. With her eyes on Sue, she bent down and gave me her hand. We then had a brief prayer together, supplicating Jehovah for wisdom and strength to cope. By the time we said amen, although she was still teary eyed, she had fully regained her composure. I asked her to find something to serve as a pillow for Sue.
Amazing Survivals
When the bomb detonated, young Paul Hahn was sitting directly in front of me and about six feet [2 m] from the piano. The blast hurled the piano into the air, and a large section of it landed on Paul, taking a sizable chunk of flesh out of his upper thigh. His beautiful front teeth, just out of braces, were smashed. Joy Wykes, widowed by the bomb, lay nearby, with a severe head injury as well as other wounds. Two of her girls were also hurt.
Of the seriously injured, the most remarkable survivor was the speaker, David Winder. The bomb hurled him and debris from the platform right up through the open space where the roof had been only moments before. He came down almost on the spot where he had been standing. He was still conscious but in a state of severe shock. Since his feet and lower legs were mutilated, some thought he would never walk again but today he is able to walk reasonably well. Some of his clothing was found in a nearby eucalyptus tree. The speaker’s stand was found three houses away in a neighbor’s backyard. Because of massive blood loss, David was in a critical state. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital.
Rescuers Arrive
The police and ambulance officers, much to their credit, seemed to arrive very quickly. While ambulance officers attended to the injured, the police had their work cut out. Because the blast had been heard and felt suburbs away, roads approaching the Kingdom Hall were soon choked with hundreds of curious onlookers, and news cameras were running hot. Some of our immediate neighbors kindly offered to help in any way they could.
Ambulances quickly filled and began ferrying the injured to local hospitals. Hospital staff were horrified at what had happened. Many local Witnesses came to the hospitals to offer comfort and support. David Winder and Sue were taken to a hospital especially equipped to handle trauma victims. That night in the Liverpool Hospital and while I was under general anesthesia, doctors removed splinters buried deep in my arm. The next day, with my anxiety growing, I wanted to see my wife. With just a little apprehension, the hospital released me that afternoon so that I could be with Sue.
The Blood Issue Arises
I found her in the intensive-care ward, and when I first looked at her from the foot of her bed, I wept. A grossly discolored face, swollen and distorted beyond recognition, greeted me. Groups of stitches, like miniature black zippers, held her face together.
Sue could not see because her eyes, even her eyelashes, were submerged in swollen tissue. Of her facial bones, her nose, upper jaw, cheek, and orbital bones of the eyes were shattered. The real danger, however, lay in the fact that a section of her skull just above the bridge of her nose had been rammed back, puncturing an artery. While unconscious and buried under rubble, blood poured unseen into her stomach. Her blood count plummeted to six. (The average for a woman is about 14.)
Blood transfusion immediately became an issue, eventually resulting in an impasse with the surgeon. He told Sue that her refusal to permit a transfusion, if needed, would tie his hands. Sue reassured him that we both appreciated this and “would accept any reasonable alternative procedure, but our request to ‘abstain from blood’ was not negotiable.” (Acts 15:28, 29) He would not accept this.
Psychological harassment began and persisted. Sue was asked if she had any children, and when she answered, “No,” the reply was, “Good, because they would have an ugly mother.” He also spoke to Sue of the possibility of my divorcing her because of her face. Sue’s reaction? “That was most distressing. I determined that even though the surgeon, in his own way, wanted me to look as good as possible, I was not going to let him trample on my conscience.” His relentless badgering about blood transfusion only heightened tension and wasted valuable time. During this traumatic period, what stood out in sharp contrast was the compassionate and tender care given Sue by every one of the nursing staff. They earned our respect.
It was now 11 days since the explosion had taken place. Sue’s facial bones were at that critical stage when they were about to start setting but in the wrong places. She needed surgery quickly! On his next round, her doctor, in a final burst of anger, exclaimed, “I’m not touching her!” and then walked away. These were the most anxious moments of our lives. In retrospect, however, the surgeon’s abandonment of Sue proved to be a blessing.
A Compassionate Surgeon
A Witness who is also a doctor spoke on our behalf to a plastic surgeon who agreed to treat Sue using an alternative technique. While not the medically preferred method, it eliminated the question of blood transfusion. This surgeon proved to be respectful and kind. He earned our respect, for he was prepared to do his best without the use of blood.
Threaded steel pins, about three inches [8 cm] long, were screwed into Sue’s broken facial bones. Steel bridges, in turn, held these pins in place, allowing the bones to set correctly. “With spikes protruding from my face for about six weeks, sleeping was no pleasure!” confessed Sue. Her shattered upper jaw was wired to her undamaged lower jaw to ensure that it would set correctly. Her sense of smell could not be restored.
Sue has a fine sense of humor and, more important, was able to laugh at herself, such as at the thought that she resembled a ‘walking TV antenna.’ She would need more than a good sense of humor, though, for she would be having surgery for the next two-and-a-half years. This included eardrum grafts and extensive dental work.
Lessons Learned
Both of us learned many lessons, including the power of prayer and that Jehovah never allows us to suffer more than we are capable of bearing. When confronted by the first surgeon over the blood issue, Sue confided, “I was very nervous and sad that there had to be such a confrontation. Each time I prayed to Jehovah, and the feeling of total calm that swept over me was very reassuring. I had read of other Witnesses who had experienced something similar, but now I felt it for myself.” We are now more confident about facing possible future tests, having seen how Jehovah helps in situations we previously would have considered daunting.
Some have asked us why Jehovah would permit a Kingdom Hall to be bombed and a brother to die. Throughout history, and in our time, God’s people have been subjected to many brutalities. Had Jehovah put a protective fence around them, as Satan claimed had been done for Job, their motives for serving God would indeed be open to question. We have no basis for thinking that we are beyond harm—that God will always save our skin, even from ‘unforeseen occurrences.’ Our acceptance of suffering, or even the loss of our lives for our beliefs or otherwise, recommends our worship as genuine, unselfish—not opportunistic.—Ecclesiastes 9:11; Job, chapters 1 and 2; Matthew 10:39.
Brotherhood in Action
During this time of stress, our spiritual companions proved to be “sticking closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) Sue explains: “Some of my family flew 2,500 miles [4,000 km] to be with us during the critical first two weeks. It was such a comfort to have family and friends sit with me, for I suffered frequent nightmares.” A seemingly endless stream of cards, letters, telegrams, and flowers poured in from thoughtful brothers and sisters both here and abroad. How thankful we were for these “apples of gold in silver carvings.” (Proverbs 25:11) An excellent witness resulted. This was indeed brotherhood in action.
Sue adds: “Practical help came too. Close Witness friends juiced fruits and vegetables particularly rich in iron. We felt that since we were asking doctors to respect our wishes, we were obliged to be supportive of them, and in my case, this meant building up my blood. I also received an iron supplement.” Many of us became quite adept at converting a complete meal into a liquid, and to her credit Sue became equally accomplished at drinking it. (Have you ever tried to eat a roast dinner through a straw?) “The result of all of this was that my blood count shot up three points prior to surgery, much to the delight of my new surgeon,” says Sue.
Patience, love, prayer, the help of God’s spirit, and simply the passing of time, as well as a sensible diet, have all contributed to Sue’s recovery. Some injuries have left a legacy that only God’s Kingdom rule will correct in its own time. As for Sue’s face, to those who know her well, it is a little different but a credit to her surgeon regardless. And to me she is still beautiful.
Yes, our hope as Jehovah’s Witnesses is something special. It can carry us through any trial. And rather than weaken the congregation spiritually, this ordeal strengthened our bonds. An interested friend, present at the bombing, admits with a smile to being ‘bombed into the truth.’ Having seen firsthand such a brutal attack on peace-loving families, he became more determined to pursue his Bible study.
To date no one has been charged with the bombing, but the police do have a prime suspect, allegedly a vengeful murderer who hated the Witnesses. However, they have insufficient evidence to bring charges. He has been instructioned to a number of other crimes.
Now, over six years later, Sue and I continue to enjoy the privilege of serving as members of the Watch Tower branch office staff in Australia. A special delight for us was the dedication of our new quickly built Kingdom Hall, constructed June 22-24, 1990, next to the location of the old bombed-out hall. Christian love has overcome one man’s blind hatred.—As told by Peter and Sue Schulz.
[Footnotes]
a The Sydney Morning Herald, July 27, 1985.
[Pictures on page 10]
Recent photograph of Peter and Sue Schulz
Sue Schulz with her face wired to reshape it
[Picture on page 13]
The new and larger Kingdom Hall |
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Record-Breaking Temperatures Worldwide—What Does the Bible Say? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100051 | KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Record-Breaking Temperatures Worldwide—What Does the Bible Say?
During July 2022, record-breaking temperatures were reported worldwide:
“China issues highest heat alert for almost 70 cities in second heatwave this month.”—July 25, 2022, CNN Wire Service.
“Forest fires rage across Europe as heatwave sends temperatures soaring.”—July 17, 2022, The Guardian.
“Cities across the United States set temperature records on Sunday as a summer heat wave spread across the East Coast and parts of the South and Midwest.”—July 24, 2022, The New York Times.
What does all this mean? Will the earth eventually become unfit for life? What does the Bible say?
Do heat waves fulfill Bible prophecy?
Yes. Global heat waves fit events that the Bible foretold for our time. For example, Jesus prophesied that we would see “fearful sights,” or “strange and terrifying things.” (Luke 21:11; Good News Translation) Rising global temperatures have led many to fear that mankind will ruin the earth.
Will the earth become unlivable?
No. God created the earth to be mankind’s permanent home. (Psalm 115:16; Ecclesiastes 1:4) Rather than allow humans to destroy it, he will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth,” as he has promised.—Revelation 11:18.
Consider just two prophecies that show what else God has promised:
“The wilderness and the parched land will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron.” (Isaiah 35:1) God will not let the earth become an unlivable desert, but he will restore its damaged areas.
“You care for the earth, making it abundantly fruitful and very rich.” (Psalm 65:9) With God’s blessing, the earth will become a paradise.
To learn more about how climate change fulfills Bible prophecy, read the article “Climate Change and Our Future—What the Bible Says.”
To learn more about the Bible’s promise of a restored environment, see the article “Who Will Save the Earth?”
During July and August of 2022, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide are benefiting from the “Pursue Peace!” convention, which is being held virtually. The program can help you to find inner peace despite dire events that cause many to feel overwhelming anxiety. We invite you to watch the program. |
Where Is This World Heading? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102006003 | Where Is This World Heading?
WHAT will the next 10, 20, or 30 years bring? It can be frightening to contemplate the future in this age of terrorism. Technology is booming. Globalization has made many nations interdependent. Will world leaders unite and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow? Some people say yes, hoping that by the year 2015, leaders will be able to stem the tide of poverty and hunger, reverse the spread of AIDS, and halve the proportion of those without access to safe drinking water and sanitation.—See the box “Optimism Versus Reality.”
However, man’s vision of the future has often proved to be illusory. For example, decades ago one expert said that by 1984, farmers would plow the ocean floor with underwater tractors; another said that by 1995, cars would be equipped with computerized hardware that would prevent collisions; and another predicted that by 2000, there would be some 50,000 people living and working in space. Of course, those who made such predictions likely now wish they had remained silent. One journalist wrote: “There’s nothing like the passage of time to make the world’s smartest people look like complete idiots.”
A “Map” to Guide Us
People speculate endlessly about the future, but sometimes their vision is more idealistic than realistic. Where can we turn for a reliable view of what lies ahead?
Consider an illustration. Imagine that you are traveling by bus through a foreign land. Because the area is unfamiliar, you begin to feel uneasy. ‘Just where am I?’ you wonder. ‘Is this bus really headed in the right direction? How far am I from my destination?’ By consulting an accurate map and by observing the signs outside your window, you can find the answers to your questions.
The situation is similar for many today who feel anxious as they think about the future. ‘Where are we heading?’ they wonder. ‘Are we really on the road to global peace? If so, when will we reach that destination?’ The Bible is like a map that can help us to answer those questions. By carefully reading it—and by looking closely at what is happening outside our “window” on the world scene—we can learn much about where we are and where we are heading. First, though, we need to consider how our problems began.
A Tragic Starting Point
The Bible tells us that when God created the first man and woman, they were perfect and that he placed them in paradisaic surroundings. Adam and Eve were made to live forever—not just for 70 or 80 years. God said to them: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth and subdue it.” God’s purpose was for Adam, Eve, and their descendants to extend Paradise to all parts of the globe.—Genesis 1:28; 2:8, 15, 22.
Adam and Eve rebelled against God. As a result, they lost their Paradise home. More than that, they began a slow but steady process of physical and mental deterioration. Each day, Adam and Eve moved one step closer to the grave. Why? Because by turning against their Creator, they had sinned, and “the wages sin pays is death.”—Romans 6:23.
Adam and Eve eventually died but not before having a number of sons and daughters. Would these children be able to carry out God’s original purpose? No, for they inherited their parents’ imperfection. In fact, from one generation to the next, all of Adam’s descendants have inherited sin and death. We have too. “Through one man,” the Bible says, “sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”—Romans 3:23; 5:12.
Pinpointing Our Present Location
The rebellion of Adam and Eve marked the beginning of a long and bitter journey for mankind that has continued till our day. The way one Bible writer put it, mankind has been “subjected to futility.” (Romans 8:20) How well that describes the human struggle! Why, Adam’s descendants have included brilliant men and women of science, masterminds of medicine, and trailblazers of technology. Yet, not one of them has been able to bring about the global peace and optimal health that God purposed for man.
The rebellion of Adam and Eve affects each of us in a personal way. Who, for example, has not felt the sting of injustice, the fear of crime, the pain of chronic illness, or the grief that overwhelms us when a loved one dies? Any calm in our life seems to be quickly interrupted by tragedy. Even with its pleasant moments, our existence is just as the ancient patriarch Job described it when he said: “Man . . . is short-lived and glutted with agitation.”—Job 14:1.
Considering where we came from and the lamentable condition in which we now find ourselves, the future may look bleak. But the Bible assures us that God will not allow such conditions to continue indefinitely. His original purpose for man will succeed. (Isaiah 55:10, 11) Why can we be sure that this will happen soon?
According to the Bible, we are now passing through a critical era called “the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1) That phrase does not signify the end of planet Earth and of all life upon it. Rather, it means “the conclusion of the system of things” and therefore the end of the conditions that cause us sorrow. (Matthew 24:3) The Bible describes the events and the traits of people that would be prevalent during the last days. Note some of these in the box on page 8, and then look outside the “window” at the world scene. Our map, the Bible, helps us to pinpoint our present location as being very close to the end of this system of things. But what will follow?
The Road Ahead
Immediately after Adam and Eve rebelled, God began to reveal his purpose for an arrangement to install a Kingdom “that will never be brought to ruin.” (Daniel 2:44) That Kingdom, which many have been taught to pray for in what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer, will bring untold blessings to mankind.—Matthew 6:9, 10.
God’s Kingdom is not some vague concept that exists in the heart. It is a real heavenly government that will have profound effects on earth. Just consider what God promises to accomplish for humans by means of his Kingdom. The Bible says that God will first “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Revelation 11:18) What will he do for those who demonstrate their obedience to him? His written Word says that he will “wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Revelation 21:4) What human could ever accomplish those things? Only God can bring us to the condition he originally purposed for mankind.
How can you benefit from the blessings that God’s Kingdom will bring? John 17:3 says: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” Jehovah’s Witnesses are involved in a worldwide educational program that is helping people to do just that. Their ministry is carried out in some 230 lands, and their literature is published in more than 400 languages. If you would like to learn more, contact Jehovah’s Witnesses locally or write to the appropriate address listed on page 5.
[Blurb on page 6]
“Listen to me, you that say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will travel to a certain city, where we will stay a year and go into business and make a lot of money.’ You don’t even know what your life tomorrow will be!”—James 4:13, 14, Today’s English Version
[Blurb on page 6]
The Bible traces our history back to the first man and woman. Thus, it tells us where we came from. It also indicates where we are heading. But to understand what the Bible is telling us, we need to study it closely, as we would a map
[Blurb on page 7]
“Sin” can refer to a wrong act or to a condition of being inclined toward badness. We are born in a sinful state, which affects our actions. “There is no man righteous in the earth that keeps doing good and does not sin.”—Ecclesiastes 7:20
[Blurb on page 8]
If you were to photocopy a sheet of paper that had a dark spot on it, that spot would appear on all the copies. As Adam’s descendants—copies, so to speak—we have the stain of sin upon us. It is the same mark that appeared on Adam, the “original”
[Blurb on page 8]
The Bible says: “It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) This explains why man’s efforts to achieve world peace have met with failure. He was not created to “direct his step” independent of God
[Blurb on page 9]
The Bible psalmist said to God: “Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway.” (Psalm 119:105) As a lamp, the Bible helps us to take wise steps when we are faced with decisions. As a ‘light to our roadway,’ it illuminates the path ahead so we can discern what the future holds for mankind
[Box on page 7]
OPTIMISM VERSUS REALITY
In September 2000, member states of the United Nations unanimously set a number of goals to be met by 2015. These included the following:
◼ Reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day as well as those who suffer from hunger.
◼ Ensure that all children complete primary schooling.
◼ Eliminate gender inequality at all levels of education.
◼ Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five years of age.
◼ Reduce the maternal mortality rate by 75 percent.
◼ Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as the incidence of other major diseases, such as malaria.
◼ Reduce by 50 percent the proportion of people who do not have access to safe drinking water.
Can these goals be reached? After reevaluating matters in 2004, a panel of health officials from around the world concluded that optimism has to be tempered with the realization that hoped-for gains do not reflect what is really happening. The foreword to the book State of the World 2005 reports: “Poverty continues to undermine progress in many areas. Diseases such as HIV/AIDS are on the rise, creating public health time bombs in numerous countries. In the last five years, some 20 million children have died of preventable waterborne diseases, and hundreds of millions of people continue to live with the daily misery and squalor associated with the lack of clean drinking water and adequate sanitation.”
[Box/Pictures on page 8, 9]
SOME FEATURES OF “THE LAST DAYS”
Unprecedented warfare.—Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:4.
Famine.—Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:5, 6, 8.
Pestilences.—Luke 21:11; Revelation 6:8.
Increasing lawlessness.—Matthew 24:12.
Ruining of the earth.—Revelation 11:18.
Great earthquakes.—Luke 21:11.
Critical times hard to deal with.—2 Timothy 3:1.
Inordinate love of money.—2 Timothy 3:2.
Disobedience to parents.—2 Timothy 3:2.
Lack of natural affection.—2 Timothy 3:3.
Loving pleasures rather than God.—2 Timothy 3:4.
Lack of self-control.—2 Timothy 3:3.
Without love of goodness.—2 Timothy 3:3.
Taking no note of the impending danger.—Matthew 24:39.
Ridiculers reject proof of the last days.—2 Peter 3:3, 4.
Global preaching of God’s Kingdom.—Matthew 24:14.
[Credit Lines]
© G.M.B. Akash/Panos Pictures
© Paul Lowe/Panos Pictures
[Picture on page 9]
Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom |
Education (ed)
2015 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/education-ed | How Jehovah’s Witnesses View Education
Like all parents, Jehovah’s Witnesses are concerned about their children’s future. They therefore attach great importance to education. “Education should help people become useful members of society. It should also help them develop an appreciation of their cultural heritage and live more satisfying lives.”
AS THIS quotation from The World Book Encyclopedia suggests, one of the main aims of schooling is to train children for day-to-day living, which includes enabling them to care for the needs of a family one day. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this is a sacred responsibility. The Bible itself says: “Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Timothy 5:8) The years spent at school prepare children for the responsibilities they will take on in life. Accordingly, Witnesses feel that education should be taken very seriously.
“Education should help people become useful members of society. It should also help them develop an appreciation of their cultural heritage and live more satisfying lives.”—The World Book Encyclopedia
Witnesses endeavor to live by the Bible command: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23, Today’s English Version) This principle applies to all aspects of daily life, including school. Witnesses thus encourage their youngsters to work hard and to take seriously the tasks assigned to them at school.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord.”—Colossians 3:23, Today’s English Version
The Bible also teaches submission to the laws of the land in which one lives. So when schooling is obligatory up to a certain age, Jehovah’s Witnesses comply with this law.—Romans 13:1-7.
Healthy relaxation, music, hobbies, physical exercise, and visits to libraries and museums all play an important part in a balanced education
While not minimizing the importance of training for day-to-day living, the Bible shows that this is neither the only nor the principal goal of education. A successful education should also foster in children the joy of living and help them to take their place in society as well-balanced individuals. Thus, Jehovah’s Witnesses feel that the choice of activities outside the classroom is very important. They believe that healthy relaxation, music, hobbies, physical exercise, visits to libraries and museums, and so forth, play an important part in a balanced education. In addition, they teach their children to respect older persons and to seek opportunities to do them a service.
What About Supplementary Education?
Because of new technology, the job market is constantly changing. As a result, many youngsters will have to work in areas or in trades in which they have had no specific training. That being the case, their work habits and personal training, in particular their ability to adapt to change, will be even more valuable to them. Accordingly, it is better that students become adults having, as Renaissance essayist Montaigne expressed it, ‘a well-made head rather than a well-filled head.’
Unemployment, affecting both rich and poor lands, often threatens young people who are insufficiently qualified. Therefore, if the job market calls for training in addition to the minimum required by law, it is up to the parents to guide their children in making a decision about supplementary education, weighing both the potential benefits and the sacrifices that such additional studies would entail.
However, you will likely agree that success in life involves more than just material prosperity. In recent times men and women whose whole lives had become absorbed in their careers lost everything upon losing their jobs. Some parents have sacrificed their family life and the time that they could have spent with their children, missing out on helping them to grow up, because they were consumed by secular work.
Clearly, a balanced education should take into account that more than material prosperity is needed to make us truly happy. Jesus Christ stated: “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4, New International Version) As Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses appreciate the importance of developing moral and spiritual qualities as well as preparing themselves to care for their material needs.
Education in Bible Times
THE BIBLE teaches that education is of great importance. It depicts God as the “Grand Instructor” of his people, and throughout its pages it invites his servants to deepen their knowledge of him.—Isaiah 30:20.
In Bible times, only certain privileged classes were literate, such as the scribes in Mesopotamia and Egypt. In sharp contrast, everyone in ancient Israel was encouraged to learn to read and write. “The difference was no doubt due to the simpler alphabetic system of writing used by the Hebrews. . . . The importance of alphabetic writing for the history of education must not be overlooked. It ushered in a break with the traditional scribal cultures of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and second-millennium Canaan. To be literate was no longer the identifying and exclusive characteristic of a class of professional scribes and priests, versed in the abstruse cuneiform and hieroglyphic scripts.”—Encyclopaedia Judaica.
Teaching Methods
In ancient Israel, children were taught from a very early age by both father and mother. (Deuteronomy 11:18, 19; Proverbs 1:8; 31:26) In Dictionnaire de la Bible, Bible scholar E. Mangenot wrote: “As soon as he could speak, the child learned a few passages from the Law. His mother would repeat a verse; when he knew it, she would give him another one. Later, the written text of the verses they could already recite from memory would be put into the children’s hands. Thus, they were introduced to reading, and when they had grown older, they could continue their religious instruction by reading and meditating on the law of the Lord.”
To help young and old to remember, various memory aids were used. These included alphabetic acrostics (successive verses in a poem beginning with a different letter in alphabetical order), alliteration, and the use of numbers. Interestingly, the Gezer Calendar (Archaeological Museum of Istanbul), one of the oldest examples of ancient Hebrew writing, is thought by some scholars to be a schoolboy’s memory exercise.
The Curriculum
Parental education in Bible times included practical training. Girls were taught household skills. The closing chapter of the book of Proverbs shows that these were many and varied; they included handling real-estate transactions and operating a small business, as well as spinning, weaving, cooking, trading, and general household management. Boys were usually taught their father’s secular occupation, whether agriculture or some trade or craft. In Jewish religious circles, the following expression was common: “He who does not teach his son a useful trade is bringing him up to be a thief.”
Thus, in Bible times, education was held in high esteem. |
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 | August
Wednesday, August 1
Let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything.—Jas. 1:4.
The battle was grueling. Israelite soldiers led by Judge Gideon had chased their enemies—the Midianite army and its allies—all night for a distance of some 20 miles (32 km)! The Israelites knew that this was no time to give up. So to eliminate the enemy, “they kept up the pursuit” and subdued Midian. (Judg. 7:22; 8:4, 10, 28) We too are fighting a relentless battle. Our enemies include Satan, his world, and our own imperfections. Some of us have battled for decades, and with Jehovah’s help, we gained victories. At times, though, we may get tired of battling our enemies and of waiting for the end of this system of things. Indeed, we have not yet won the complete victory. Jesus warned that we who live in the last days would face severe trials and cruel mistreatment, but he also said that gaining the victory would depend on our endurance.—Luke 21:19. w16.04 2:1, 2
Thursday, August 2
They continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to associating together.—Acts 2:42.
At our meetings, our Grand Instructor directs us through the pages of his Word, the Bible. (Isa. 30:20, 21) Even unbelievers who attend our meetings may conclude: “God is really among you.” (1 Cor. 14:23-25) Jehovah blesses meetings with his holy spirit and actively directs the Scriptural teaching program. At our meetings, then, we are listening to Jehovah’s voice and sensing his loving care. Consequently, we draw close to him. Jesus said: “Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there I am in their midst.” (Matt. 18:20) As head of the congregation, Christ “walks among” the congregations of God’s people. (Rev. 1:20–2:1) Think of it! Jehovah and Jesus are actively involved in strengthening us at Christian meetings. How do you think Jehovah feels when he observes our eagerness to draw close to him and his Son? w16.04 3:13, 14
Friday, August 3
Do not be quick to take offense.—Eccl. 7:9.
Two brothers were greeted by a certain sister in a way that one of them considered inappropriate. When the two brothers were alone, the offended brother began to criticize the sister for what she had said. However, the other brother reminded him that she had served Jehovah loyally in difficult circumstances for 40 years; he was sure that she meant no harm. After considering this for a moment, the first brother responded, “You are right.” As a result, the issue went no further. What does this experience show? The way you react to situations that have the potential for causing offense lies in your own hands. A loving person covers over minor transgressions. (Prov. 10:12; 1 Pet. 4:8) Jehovah considers it “beauty” on your part “to overlook an offense.” (Prov. 19:11) So the first thing to ask yourself when somebody treats you in a way that could seem unkind or disrespectful is: ‘Can I overlook this? Do I really need to make an issue of it?’ w16.05 1:8, 9
Saturday, August 4
God is the one who . . . energizes you, giving you both the desire and the power to act.—Phil. 2:13.
Who really are preaching the good news of the Kingdom today? With full confidence, we can say: “Jehovah’s Witnesses!” Why can we be so confident? Because we are preaching the right message, the good news of the Kingdom. By going to the people, we are also using the correct methods. Our preaching work is being done with the right motive—love, not financial gain. Our work has the greatest scope, reaching out to people of all nations and languages. And we will continue to do this work without letup, year in and year out, until the end comes. We truly marvel at what is being accomplished by God’s people in these exciting times in which we live. But how is it possible for all of this to happen? The apostle Paul answers in today’s text. May all of us continue to be energized by our loving Father as we do our very best and fully accomplish our ministry.—2 Tim. 4:5. w16.05 2:17, 18
Sunday, August 5
Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good.—Rom. 12:9.
By choosing to do God’s will and by working hard to do so, we show our depth of love for Jehovah and our desire to please him. We also demonstrate our support of his sovereignty. Satan has challenged the rightfulness of Jehovah’s sovereignty, so our voluntary and vigorous efforts to uphold it are undoubtedly of special value to our benevolent and appreciative heavenly Father. (Job 2:3-5; Prov. 27:11) However, if Jehovah completely relieved us of the need to exert ourselves to fight our imperfect tendencies so as to please him, any claim of loyalty and support of his sovereignty would be meaningless. Thus, Jehovah tells us to put forth “earnest effort” in developing godly qualities. (2 Pet. 1:5-7; Col. 3:12) He expects us to work hard to control our thoughts and feelings. (Rom. 8:5) Having made a genuine effort in this regard, we feel all the more satisfied when we realize that the Bible is still changing our life. w16.05 4:12, 13
Monday, August 6
O Jehovah, . . . you are our Potter.—Isa. 64:8.
Jehovah knows the type and quality of “the clay” that is before him, and he molds it accordingly. (Ps. 103:10-14) Indeed, he deals with us as individuals, taking into account our particular weaknesses, limitations, and level of spiritual growth. His attitude toward imperfect servants was demonstrated by his Son. Consider how Jesus dealt with his apostles’ shortcomings, especially their inclination to argue among themselves over position. If you had witnessed the apostles’ heated disputes, would you have viewed these men as meek and malleable? Yet, Jesus did not adopt a negative view. He knew that his faithful apostles could be molded by kind, patient counsel and by their observing his example of humility. (Mark 9:33-37; 10:37, 41-45; Luke 22:24-27) After Jesus was resurrected and the holy spirit was poured out, the apostles focused, not on position or prominence, but on the work he had given them to do.—Acts 5:42. w16.06 1:10
Tuesday, August 7
Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.—Deut. 6:4.
There is no real or true God but Jehovah; no other god is like him. (2 Sam. 7:22) Thus, Moses was reminding the Israelites that their worship of Jehovah must be exclusive. They were not to follow the peoples around them, who worshipped various gods and goddesses. Some of those false gods were viewed as ruling over certain parts of nature. Others were separate forms of a particular deity. For example, the Egyptians worshipped the sun-god Ra, the sky-goddess Nut, the earth-god Geb, the Nile-god Hapi, and numerous sacred animals. Many of these false gods were dealt devastating blows by Jehovah through the Ten Plagues. The prominent Canaanite god was Baal, the god of fertility, who also appeared as the god of the sky, rain, and storm. In many places, Baal was the local patron deity as well. (Num. 25:3) The Israelites were to remember that their God, the “true God,” is “one Jehovah.”—Deut. 4:35, 39. w16.06 3:4, 5
Wednesday, August 8
[Teach] them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.—Matt. 28:20.
Jesus’ confidence in Jehovah and his people was well-founded and still is. Indeed, when we consider the things that Jehovah is accomplishing through his servants in these last days, it is simply amazing. No other people are preaching the truth globally, for others do not have Jehovah guiding them as does his united congregation today. Isaiah 65:14 describes the spiritual condition prevailing among God’s people: “Look! My servants will shout joyfully because of the good condition of the heart.” Jehovah’s servants rejoice at the good things they can do because they are being guided by Jehovah. In contrast, the world under Satan’s influence mourns, as it were, as conditions worsen. We need to maintain our loyalty to Jehovah and his arrangements. w16.06 4:10-12
Thursday, August 9
Keep on the watch.—Matt. 25:13.
We can learn a lesson from ancient times about the importance of being watchful. Back then, many larger cities—such as Jerusalem—were surrounded by high walls. The walls provided physical protection from invaders as well as elevated vantage points from which to watch the surrounding landscape. Day and night, watchmen were stationed on the walls and at the gates. They were to alert the city’s inhabitants of any approaching danger. (Isa. 62:6) It was a life-and-death matter that the watchmen remain awake and attentive at their posts. (Ezek. 33:6) Jewish historian Josephus relates that in 70 C.E., the Roman forces were able to take possession of the Tower of Antonia, adjoining the city wall of Jerusalem, because the guards at the gates were asleep! From there, the Romans rushed the temple and set fire to it, resulting in the finale of the greatest tribulation that Jerusalem and the Jewish nation had ever experienced. w16.07 2:2, 7, 8
Friday, August 10
Be on your guard so that you may not be led astray with them by the error of the lawless people and fall from your own steadfastness.—2 Pet. 3:17.
While undeserved kindness from Jehovah provides us with many blessings, we should not presumptuously think that he condones all conduct. Among the early Christians, there were some who attempted to “turn the undeserved kindness of . . . God into an excuse for brazen conduct.” (Jude 4) These unfaithful Christians apparently thought that they could sin and then count on Jehovah to forgive them. Worse still, they endeavored to entice their brothers to join them in their contemptuous ways. Even today, anyone doing that “has outraged the spirit of undeserved kindness.” (Heb. 10:29) Today, Satan has misled some Christians into thinking that they can presume on God’s mercy and commit sins with impunity. But while Jehovah is willing to forgive repentant sinners, he expects us to put up a strong fight against our sinful tendencies. w16.07 3:16, 17
Saturday, August 11
Whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.—Matt. 19:9.
A legal divorce not based on sexual immorality would not free one to remarry. Of course, a person might choose to forgive an adulterous but repentant mate, even as the prophet Hosea apparently forgave his immoral wife, Gomer. Similarly, Jehovah extended mercy to repentant Israel after that nation’s spiritual adultery. (Hos. 3:1-5) It might be added that if a person knows that his or her mate committed adultery and chooses to resume sexual relations with the guilty mate, such an action constitutes forgiveness and removes a Scriptural basis for divorce. After saying the words of today’s text, Jesus spoke of “those who have the gift” of living a single life. He added: “Let the one who can make room for it make room for it.” (Matt. 19:10-12) Many have chosen to remain single in order to serve Jehovah with an undivided mind. For doing so, they are to be commended. w16.08 1:15, 16
Sunday, August 12
Taste and see that Jehovah is good; happy is the man who takes refuge in him. . . . Those who fear him lack nothing.—Ps. 34:8, 9.
Young people have the strength needed to accomplish much in Jehovah’s service. (Prov. 20:29) Some young brothers in Bethel service have a part in printing and binding Bibles and Bible literature. Many young brothers and sisters share in the work of building and maintaining Kingdom Halls. When natural disasters strike, young people join more experienced Witnesses in carrying through with relief efforts. And many young pioneers help to take the good news to indigenous and foreign-language communities. The psalmist sang: “Those seeking Jehovah will lack nothing good.” (Ps. 34:10) Indeed, Jehovah never disappoints those who zealously serve him. We personally “taste and see that Jehovah is good” as we do all we can in his service. And when we give God whole-souled worship, we experience happiness that has no equal. w16.08 3:5, 8
Monday, August 13
I will save you, and you will become a blessing. Do not be afraid! Let your hands be strong.—Zech. 8:13.
Jehovah is able and willing to give us strength by means of his holy spirit. (1 Chron. 29:12) It is vital that we draw on that spirit so that we can face any challenge that Satan and his wicked system thrust upon us. (Ps. 18:39; 1 Cor. 10:13) Also, we can be grateful that we have God’s Word, which is a product of holy spirit. Think, too, about the spiritual food based on the Bible that we receive each month. The words of Zechariah 8:9, 13 were spoken while the temple in Jerusalem was being rebuilt, and those words are very fitting for us. We are also made stronger by divine education at our Christian meetings, assemblies, conventions, and in our theocratic schools. That training can help us to have the proper motivation, to set spiritual goals, and to fulfill our many Christian responsibilities. (Ps. 119:32) Do you eagerly seek to gain strength from that type of education? w16.09 1:10, 11
Tuesday, August 14
Prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.—Rom. 12:2.
God’s Law to the Israelites showed Jehovah’s strong feelings against clothing that does not make clear the distinction between male and female—what has been described in our day as unisex fashion. (Deut. 22:5) From God’s stated direction about clothing, we clearly see that God is not pleased with styles of dress that feminize men, that make women look like men, or that make it hard to see the difference between men and women. God’s Word contains principles that help Christians make good decisions about how to dress. That is so no matter where they live, what their culture is, or what the climate is. We do not need detailed lists saying which styles of dress are acceptable and which are objectionable. Rather, we are guided by Scriptural principles that allow room for personal preferences. w16.09 3:3, 4
Wednesday, August 15
They all abandoned him and fled.—Mark 14:50.
Consider the courage and honesty of the men who wrote the Bible. Many ancient writers flattered their leaders and glorified their kingdoms. Jehovah’s prophets, however, always spoke the truth. They were willing to point out the shortcomings of their own people, even their kings. (2 Chron. 16:9, 10; 24:18-22) And they made plain their own failings and those of other servants of God. (2 Sam. 12:1-14) Because of the guiding principles found in the Bible, many are convinced that it was inspired by God. (Ps. 19:7-11) Bible principles protect us from sharing in false worship and from superstitions that enslave many people. (Ps. 115:3-8) Such teachings as evolution tend to make nature into a sort of god, giving it powers that belong only to Jehovah. Those who say that there is no God claim that our future is entirely in our own hands. They, however, offer no sure hope for a better future.—Ps. 146:3, 4. w16.09 4:10, 11
Thursday, August 16
Let her glean . . . , and do not mistreat her.—Ruth 2:15.
Boaz was clearly concerned about Ruth and her precarious situation as a foreigner. For one thing, he invited her to stay with his group of young women so that she would not be harassed by the men who were working in the field. He even made sure that she would get enough food and water, just like the hired workers. In addition, Boaz did not speak down to the poor foreign woman but, instead, reassured her. (Ruth 2:8-10, 13, 14) Not only was Boaz moved by Ruth’s unselfish love for her mother-in-law, Naomi, but he was also impressed that she had become a worshipper of Jehovah. Boaz’ kindness was actually an expression of Jehovah’s loyal love toward a woman who had come to ‘seek refuge under the wings of the God of Israel.’ (Ruth 2:12, 20; Prov. 19:17) Similarly today, our kindly demeanor can help “all sorts of people” recognize the truth and sense how much Jehovah loves them.—1 Tim. 2:3, 4. w16.10 1:10-12
Friday, August 17
I inquired of Jehovah, and he answered me. He rescued me from all my fears.—Ps. 34:4.
We too can pour out our concerns to Jehovah, knowing that he will hear us and strengthen us to endure with joy. And when our prayers are answered, our faith gets stronger. (1 John 5:14, 15) Since faith is an aspect of the fruitage of the spirit, we need to “keep on asking” for God’s spirit, as Jesus urged us to do. (Luke 11:9, 13) Our prayers, though, should not be limited to asking God for personal help. “Too numerous to recount” are the “wonderful works” we can thank and praise Jehovah for daily! (Ps. 40:5) Also, our prayers should reflect that we “keep in mind those in prison, as though [we] were imprisoned with them.” And we should pray for our worldwide brotherhood, especially “those who are taking the lead among [us].” Our hearts are touched when we see how Jehovah answers our united prayers!—Heb. 13:3, 7. w16.10 3:8, 9
Saturday, August 18
You have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; rather, it is God’s gift.—Eph. 2:8.
In our present day, Jehovah’s people have been exercising their faith in God’s established Kingdom. This has resulted in the development of a worldwide spiritual paradise that has over eight million inhabitants. It is a place that abounds with the fruitage of God’s spirit. (Gal. 5:22, 23) What a powerful demonstration of true Christian faith and love! No human can take credit for this. It has been accomplished by our God. This wonderful work is bringing “fame to Jehovah, an everlasting sign that will never perish.” (Isa. 55:13) Our spiritual paradise will continue to grow and to flourish until the whole earth is filled with perfect, righteous, and happy humans to the eternal praise of Jehovah’s name. May we keep on exercising our faith in Jehovah’s promises! w16.10 4:18, 19
Sunday, August 19
Some are walking disorderly among you.—2 Thess. 3:11.
We need to follow the Bible-based direction we receive from the elders. Recall Paul’s counsel regarding disorderly ones in the congregation. Some individuals were ‘meddling with what did not concern them.’ They were evidently admonished by the elders but persisted in disregarding the counsel. How was the congregation to deal with such a person? Paul directed: “Keep this one marked and stop associating with him.” That counsel was balanced with the caution not to treat such a person as an enemy. (2 Thess. 3:11-15) Today, elders may give a warning talk about someone’s persisting in a course that reflects badly on the congregation, such as dating an unbeliever. (1 Cor. 7:39) How do you react to their counsel? If you are aware of the situation described in the talk, will you take care to avoid socializing with such an individual? Your loving concern and firm stand may move the person to abandon a disorderly course. w16.11 2:13
Monday, August 20
From among you yourselves men will rise and speak twisted things to draw away the disciples after themselves.—Acts 20:30.
At Pentecost 33 C.E., thousands of Jews and proselytes were anointed with holy spirit. These new Christians became “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession.” (1 Pet. 2:9, 10) The apostles kept careful watch over the congregations of God’s people as long as they lived. However, especially after the death of the apostles, men arose who spoke “twisted things” in order to “draw away the disciples after themselves.” (2 Thess. 2:6-8) Many of these men had responsible positions in the congregations, serving as overseers and later as “bishops.” A clergy class was taking shape, although Jesus had said to his followers: “All of you are brothers.” (Matt. 23:8) Prominent men who were enamored of the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato introduced false religious ideas, gradually replacing the pure teachings of God’s Word. w16.11 4:8
Tuesday, August 21
Do not let sin continue to rule as king in your mortal bodies.—Rom. 6:12.
Before we became Christians, we often sinned, perhaps not realizing how wrong or bad our actions were in God’s eyes. We were like “slaves to uncleanness and lawlessness.” It could be said that we “were slaves of sin.” (Rom. 6:19, 20) Then we came to know Bible truth, made changes in our lives, dedicated ourselves to God, and got baptized. We “were set free from sin,” and we “became slaves to righteousness.” (Rom. 6:17, 18) Yet, we could “let sin continue to rule” by doing whatever our imperfect body moves us to do. Because we can “let” sin rule or refuse to let it rule, the question is, What do we really want at heart? Ask yourself: ‘At times, do I let my imperfect body or mind point me in a bad direction and then go there? Or am I dead with reference to sin?’ It really comes down to how much we appreciate the undeserved kindness God has shown by forgiving us. w16.12 1:11, 12
Wednesday, August 22
Setting the mind on the spirit means . . . peace.—Rom. 8:6.
One aspect of having inner peace is that we strive to be at peace with those in our family and those in the congregation. We have the good sense to realize that both we and our brothers and sisters are imperfect. Because of this, problems may occasionally arise, and if that happens, we have been taught to follow Jesus’ advice: “Make your peace with your brother.” (Matt. 5:24) This is made easier when we recall that the other brother or sister is also serving “the God who gives peace.” (Rom. 15:33; 16:20) And there is another peace that is of incalculable value. By our “setting the mind on the spirit,” we enjoy peace with our Maker. Isaiah recorded words that applied in his day but have an even greater fulfillment now: “You [Jehovah] will safeguard those who fully lean on you; you will give them continuous peace, because it is in you that they trust.”—Isa. 26:3; Rom. 5:1. w16.12 2:5, 18, 19
Thursday, August 23
Always rejoice in the Lord.—Phil. 4:4.
Even in these dark last days of Satan’s wicked system of things, Jehovah is blessing his people. He makes sure that true worshippers flourish in their spiritual estate, which is unprecedented in its spiritual abundance. (Isa. 54:13) As Jesus promised, Jehovah rewards us now by letting us be part of a loving family of spiritual brothers and sisters, a family that is international in scope. (Mark 10:29, 30) Furthermore, those who earnestly seek God are rewarded with the incomparable blessings of peace of mind, outputment, and happiness. (Phil. 4:5-7) You can be certain that “after you have done the will of God, you [will] receive the fulfillment of the promise.” (Heb. 10:35, 36) So let us now continue to strengthen our faith and to work whole-souled as to Jehovah. We can do this, knowing that it is from Jehovah that we will receive the due reward.—Col. 3:23, 24. w16.12 4:17, 20
Friday, August 24
Where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom.—2 Cor. 3:17.
Is having free will with limits real freedom? Yes, it is! Why can we say that? Limitations put on people’s freedom can protect them. For example, we may exercise our freedom of choice to drive to a distant city. However, would we feel safe traveling on highways where there were no traffic laws, where everyone was free to decide how fast or on which side of the road to drive? Obviously not. Limits are necessary in order for all to enjoy the blessings of true freedom. To illustrate further the wisdom of using our free will within the boundaries set by Jehovah, consider the case of Adam. He chose to overstep his God-ordained boundaries by eating the forbidden fruit. This gross misuse of free will resulted in millenniums of suffering and pain for Adam’s descendants. (Rom. 5:12) Knowing the consequences of Adam’s decision should move us to use our freedom responsibly and within the limits set by Jehovah. w17.01 2:6, 8
Saturday, August 25
I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think.—Rom. 12:3.
When we face a new assignment, a prayerful and realistic analysis will help us to avoid overreaching our current abilities and limitations. Modesty may lead us to say no. However, when we do accept a new assignment, Gideon’s example reminds us that we cannot succeed without Jehovah’s direction and blessing. After all, we have been invited “to walk in modesty with [our] God.” (Mic. 6:8) So any time we take on new responsibilities, we need to reflect prayerfully on whatever Jehovah tells us through his Word and his organization. We have to learn to adjust our unsteady steps to match Jehovah’s steady lead. Let us remember that it is Jehovah’s humility and not our own ability that ‘makes us great.’ (Ps. 18:35) Choosing to walk modestly with God will therefore help us to think neither too much nor too little of ourselves. w17.01 3:17, 18
Sunday, August 26
Your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.—1 Cor. 15:58.
Jesus knew that his earthly ministry would come to an end and that others would carry on his work. Though his disciples were imperfect, he had confidence in them and told them that they would do works greater than he did. (John 14:12) He trained them thoroughly, and they spread the good news throughout the then-known world. (Col. 1:23) After his sacrificial death, Jesus was resurrected to heaven where he was given more work to do with authority “far above every government and authority and power and lordship.” (Eph. 1:19-21) If we die faithful before Armageddon, we will be resurrected into a righteous new world, where there will be plenty of satisfying work for us to do. Now, though, there is vitally important work that all of us can participate in—preaching the good news and making disciples. May all of us, young or old, keep on “having plenty to do in the work of the Lord.” w17.01 5:17, 18
Monday, August 27
I am Jehovah; I do not change.—Mal. 3:6.
The ransom has been paid permanently. (Heb. 9:24-26) It completely cancels the condemnation inherited from Adam. Thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, we are free from enslavement to this world under Satan’s control, and we no longer live in fear of death. (Heb. 2:14, 15) God’s promises are absolutely reliable. Just as his laws of creation never fail, Jehovah will never fail us. He does not change. Jehovah gives us far more than just the gift of life. He gives us his love. “We have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love.” (1 John 4:16) The whole earth will be made a paradise of exquisite delight, and everyone on earth will reflect God’s love. May we join our voices with those of God’s faithful heavenly creatures in saying: “Let the praise and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”—Rev. 7:12. w17.02 2:16, 17
Tuesday, August 28
Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit.—2 Cor. 7:1.
The June 1, 1973, issue of The Watchtower asked the question: “Do . . . persons who have not broken their addiction to tobacco qualify for baptism?” The answer was: “The Scriptural evidence points to the conclusion that they do not.” After citing several relevant scriptures, The Watchtower explained why an unrepentant smoker should be disfellowshipped. (1 Cor. 5:7) It said: “This represents no effort to act in an arbitrary, dictatorial manner. The strictness really proceeds from God, who expresses himself through his written Word.” A recent book on religion in the United States notes: “Christian leaders have regularly revised their teachings to match the beliefs and opinions gaining support among their members and in the larger society.” Has any religion other than Jehovah’s Witnesses been willing to rely fully on God’s Word, even when doing so presents a real challenge to some of its members? w17.02 4:15
Wednesday, August 29
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.—Matt. 23:12.
As evidence of their humility, elders refuse to let themselves be treated as celebrities. In this they differ from many modern-day religious leaders and from those of the first century about whom Jesus said: “They like the most prominent place at evening meals and the front seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces.” (Matt. 23:6, 7) Genuine Christian shepherds humbly obey Jesus’ words: “Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your Teacher, and all of 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. But the greatest one among you must be your minister.” (Matt. 23:8-11) You can thus understand why elders in congregations around the globe earn their fellow Witnesses’ love, respect, and honor. w17.03 1:14, 15
Thursday, August 30
Each one will carry his own load of responsibility.—Gal. 6:5; ftn.
It is up to each of us to make decisions, and the wise, right choices are based on sound Scriptural knowledge. We should not give someone else the responsibility to make decisions for us. Rather, we should personally learn what is right in God’s eyes and choose to do it. How might we give in to the danger of letting others choose for us? Peer pressure could sway us to make a bad decision. (Prov. 1:10, 15) Still, no matter how others try to pressure us, it is our responsibility to follow our Bible-trained conscience. In many respects, if we let others make our decisions, we are essentially deciding to “follow them.” It is still a choice, but a potentially disastrous one. The apostle Paul clearly alerted the Galatians to the danger of letting others make personal decisions for them. (Gal. 4:17) Some in the congregation wanted to make personal choices for others in order to alienate them from the apostles. w17.03 2:8-10
Friday, August 31
While [Josiah] was still a boy, he started to search for the God of David his forefather; and in the 12th year, he started to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places and the sacred poles.—2 Chron. 34:3.
Josiah was zealous in doing what pleased God. Like Josiah, young ones should start to seek Jehovah from an early age. Repentant King Manasseh may have taught Josiah about God’s mercy. Young ones, draw close to faithful older ones in your family and in the congregation and learn how good Jehovah has been to them. Also, remember that the reading of the Scriptures touched Josiah’s heart and moved him to take action. Your reading of the Word of God may move you to take action that will increase your happiness and strengthen your friendship with God as well as spur you on to help others to search for God. (2 Chron. 34:18, 19) A study of the Bible may also help you to notice ways that you can improve in your service to God. If you do, apply yourself, just as Josiah did. w17.03 3:18, 19 |
Young People Ask (yp)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp | Chapter 19
Why Won’t the Kids Leave Me Alone?
The boy’s walk is a dead giveaway. Tense and unsure of himself, he is obviously bewildered by his new surroundings. The older students immediately spot him as a new kid in school. Within moments he is surrounded by youths who begin assailing him with obscenities! Crimson from ear to ear, he flees to the nearest sanctuary—the rest room. Laughter echoes off the walls.
HARASSING, teasing, and insulting others are the cruel pastimes of many young ones. Even in Bible times, some youths manifested a mean streak. For example, a group of young boys once harassed the prophet Elisha. Showing contempt for his office, the youths disrespectfully cried out: “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” (2 Kings 2:23-25) Today, many youths are similarly inclined to make insulting, hurtful remarks about others.
“I was the runt of my ninth-grade class,” recalls one of the authors of Growing Pains in the Classroom. “Being the smartest kid and the shortest kid in the room was a disaster combination for junior high: those who didn’t want to hit me for being a runt hit me for being a smart guy. In addition to ‘four eyes,’ I was called ‘a walking dictionary,’ and 800 other epithets [abusive words].” The author of The Loneliness of Children adds: “Children with physical handicaps, speech problems, or obvious physical or behavioral peculiarities are ready targets for teasing by other children.”
Sometimes youths defend themselves by joining in what amounts to a cruel contest: firing increasingly hurtful insults (often regarding the other’s parents) at one another. But many youths are defenseless in the face of peer harassment. One youth recalls that some days, because of teasing and harassment by fellow classmates, he was so scared and unhappy that he ‘thought he would vomit.’ He couldn’t concentrate on his studies for worrying about what the other students would do to him.
No Laughing Matter
Have you been the butt of peer cruelty? Then you may be comforted to know that God does not view it as a laughing matter. Consider the Bible account of a feast that was arranged to celebrate the weaning of Abraham’s son Isaac. Apparently jealous of the inheritance Isaac would receive, Abraham’s older son, Ishmael, began “poking fun” at Isaac. Far from being good-natured fun, however, the teasing amounted to ‘persecution.’ (Galatians 4:29) Isaac’s mother, Sarah, thus sensed hostility in the teasing. She saw it as an affront to Jehovah’s purpose to produce a “seed,” or Messiah, through her son, Isaac. At Sarah’s request, Ishmael and his mother were dismissed from Abraham’s household.—Genesis 21:8-14.
Similarly, it is no laughing matter when youths maliciously harass you—especially when they do so because you endeavor to live by Bible standards. Christian youths, for example, are known for sharing their faith with others. But, as one group of young witnesses of Jehovah said: “The kids in school make fun of us because we preach from door to door, and they put us down for it.” Yes, like faithful servants of God in ancient times, many Christian youths receive a “trial by mockings.” (Hebrews 11:36) They are to be commended for their courage in enduring such reproaches!
Why They Do It
Nevertheless, you may wonder how to make your tormentors leave you alone. First, consider why the teasing takes place. “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,” says the Bible at Proverbs 14:13. Laughter erupts when a group of youths harass someone. But they are not ‘crying out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart.’ (Isaiah 65:14) Often the laughter is a mere camouflage of inner turmoil. Behind the bravado, the tormentors might really be saying: ‘We don’t like ourselves, but putting someone down makes us feel better.’
Jealousy also prompts the attacks. Recall the Bible’s account of the teenager Joseph, whose own brothers turned on him because he was his father’s favorite. Intense jealousy led not only to verbal abuse but even to the contemplation of murder! (Genesis 37:4, 11, 20) Likewise today, a student who is exceptionally bright or well liked by the teachers may arouse the jealousy of his peers. Insults seem to ‘cut him down to size.’
Insecurity, jealousy, and low self-esteem are thus often the reasons for ridicule. Why, then, should you lose your self-esteem because some insecure youth has lost his?
Halting the Harassment
“Happy is the man that . . . in the seat of ridiculers has not sat,” says the psalmist. (Psalm 1:1) Joining in the ridicule in order to deflect the attention from yourself just prolongs the insult cycle. “Return evil for evil to no one. . . . Keep conquering the evil with the good” is godly advice.—Romans 12:17-21.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 further says: “Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones.” Yes, why should you take teasing so seriously? Granted, it hurts if someone pokes fun at your physique or finds amusement in your facial blemishes. Nevertheless, the remarks, tasteless though they may be, are not necessarily malicious. So if someone innocently—or even perhaps not so innocently—touches upon some sore spot of yours, why be crushed? If what is said is not obscene or irreverent, try to see the humor in it. There is “a time to laugh,” and taking offense at playful teasing may be an overreaction.—Ecclesiastes 3:4.
But what if the teasing is cruel or even vicious? Remember that the ridiculer wants to enjoy your reaction, to revel in your misery. Lashing back, becoming defensive, or bursting into tears is likely to encourage him or her to keep up the harassment. Why give that one the satisfaction of seeing you get upset? The best way to fend off insults is often nonchalantly to ignore them.
King Solomon further said: “Also, do not give your heart to all the words that people may speak [“Don’t pay attention to everything people say”—Today’s English Version], that you may not hear your servant calling down evil upon you. For your own heart well knows even many times that you, even you, have called down evil upon others.” (Ecclesiastes 7:21, 22) To “give your heart” to the caustic remarks of the ridiculers would mean to be overly concerned about their judgment of you. Is their judgment valid? The apostle Paul was unfairly attacked by jealous peers, but he replied: “Now to me it is a very trivial matter that I should be examined by you or by a human tribunal. . . . He that examines me is Jehovah.” (1 Corinthians 4:3, 4) Paul’s relationship with God was so strong that he had the confidence and inward strength to withstand unfair attacks.
Letting Your Light Shine
At times you may be mocked because of your way of life as a Christian. Jesus Christ himself had to endure such “contrary talk.” (Hebrews 12:3) Jeremiah too “became an object of laughter all day long” because of boldly speaking Jehovah’s message. So persistent was the harassment that Jeremiah temporarily lost his incentive. “I am not going to make mention of him [Jehovah], and I shall speak no more in his name,” he decided. However, his love for God and truth eventually impelled him to overcome his fear.—Jeremiah 20:7-9.
Some Christian youths today have similarly felt discouraged. Anxious to make the teasing stop, some have tried to conceal the fact that they are Christians. But love for God often finally moves such ones to overcome their fear and to ‘let their light shine’! (Matthew 5:16) One teenage boy, for example, said: “My attitude changed. I stopped viewing being a Christian as a burden to carry around and began to view it as something to be proud of.” You too can “boast” in the privilege of knowing God and of being used by him to help others.—1 Corinthians 1:31.
Do not, however, invite hostility by constantly criticizing others or by giving others the impression that you feel that you are superior. As opportunity arises to share your faith, do so, but with “a mild temper and deep respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) Your reputation for fine conduct may prove to be your greatest protection while you are in school. Though others may not like your courageous stand, they will often begrudgingly respect you for it.
A girl named Vanessa was harassed by a group of girls who would hit her, push her around, knock books out of her hands—all in an attempt to provoke a fight. They even poured a chocolate milk shake over her head and clean white dress. Yet she never gave in to the provocation. Sometime later, Vanessa met the group’s ringleader at a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses! “I hated you . . . ,” the former bully said. “I wanted to see you lose your cool just once.” However, her curiosity about how Vanessa maintained her composure led to her accepting a study of the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. “I fell in love with what I learned,” she continued, “and tomorrow I’m getting baptized.”
So do not let “contrary talk” by peers break your spirit. When appropriate, show a sense of humor. Respond to evil with kindness. Refuse to feed the fires of outpution, and in time your tormentors may find little pleasure in targeting you for ridicule, for “where there is no wood the fire goes out.”—Proverbs 26:20.
Questions for Discussion
◻ How does God view those who cruelly tease others?
◻ What is often behind youthful harassment?
◻ How can you minimize or even halt the ridicule?
◻ Why is it important that you “let your light shine” in school, even when others tease you?
◻ What steps can you take to protect yourself from violence at school?
[Blurb on page 155]
Behind the bravado, the tormentors might really be saying: ‘We don’t like ourselves, but putting someone down makes us feel better’
[Box on page 152]
How Can I Avoid Getting Beaten Up?
‘You take your life in your hands when you come to school.’ So say many students. But carrying a weapon is foolish and invites trouble. (Proverbs 11:27) How, then, can you protect yourself?
Know and avoid danger spots. Hallways, stairwells, and locker rooms are real trouble spots in some schools. And so notorious are rest rooms as gathering places for fights and drug usage that many youths would rather suffer discomfort than use these facilities.
Watch your associations. Often a youth finds himself in the middle of a fight simply because he associates with the wrong crowd. (See Proverbs 22:24, 25.) Of course, giving the cold shoulder to your schoolmates could alienate them or make them hostile toward you. If you are friendly and polite to them, they may be more inclined to leave you alone.
Walk away from fights. Avoid “forcing one another to a showdown.” (Galatians 5:26, footnote) Even if you come off the victor in a fight, your opponent may simply bide his or her time for a rematch. So first try talking your way out of a fight. (Proverbs 15:1) If talking doesn’t work, walk—or even run—away from a violent confrontation. Remember, “A live dog is better off than a dead lion.” (Ecclesiastes 9:4) As a last resort, take whatever reasonable means are necessary to protect and defend yourself.—Romans 12:18.
Talk to your parents. Youths “seldom report their school terrors to their parents, for fear the parents will think them cowardly or chide them for not standing up to the bullies.” (The Loneliness of Children) Often, though, a parent’s intervention is the only way to stop the trouble.
Pray to God. God does not guarantee you will be spared physical harm. But he can give you the courage to face confrontations and the wisdom needed to cool off the situation.—James 1:5.
[Picture on page 151]
Many youths are the victims of harassment by peers
[Picture on page 154]
The ridiculer wants to revel in your misery. Lashing back or bursting into tears might even encourage further harassment
[Picture on page 156]
Try displaying a sense of humor when being teased |
Wisdom for Family Happiness | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102021005 | Wisdom for Family Happiness
Marriage and children are precious gifts from our Creator. He wants us to have a happy family life. So by means of an ancient sacred book, he has given us guidance that can make our family life better and happier. Consider the following wise counsel.
Husbands, Love Your Wives
“Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cherishes it.”—EPHESIANS 5:28, 29.
The husband is head of the family. (Ephesians 5:23) But a good husband is not harsh or demanding. He values his wife and takes good care of her material and emotional needs. He also tries hard to please her, not always insisting on doing what he wants. (Philippians 2:4) He communicates openly and listens when she speaks. He does not become “bitterly angry” with her or hurt her physically or emotionally.—Colossians 3:19.
Wives, Respect Your Husband
“The wife should have deep respect for her husband.”—EPHESIANS 5:33.
When a wife respects her husband and supports his decisions, she promotes family peace. If he makes a mistake, she does not belittle him, but she remains mild and respectful. (1 Peter 3:4) When she needs to bring a problem to his attention, she chooses a good time to do so and speaks to him respectfully.—Ecclesiastes 3:7.
Be Faithful to Your Marriage Mate
“A man will . . . stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”—GENESIS 2:24.
When a man and a woman marry, they form a close family bond. So a married couple should work hard to keep their marriage strong through heartfelt conversations and small acts of kindness. They should also be faithful to each other by not having sex outside the marriage. Infidelity is cruel. It destroys trust and can break up the family.—Hebrews 13:4.
Parents, Train Your Children
“Train a child in the way he should go; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.”—PROVERBS 22:6, footnote.
God has given parents the responsibility to train their children. That includes teaching them how to behave and setting a good example for them. (Deuteronomy 6:6, 7) When a child misbehaves, a wise parent does not overreact. He or she is “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19) If the parent determines that discipline is needed, he or she administers it in love, not in anger.
Children, Obey Your Parents
“Children, be obedient to your parents . . . ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”—EPHESIANS 6:1, 2.
Children should obey their parents and treat them with deep respect. When children show honor to their parents, they bring much joy into the home and contribute to family peace and harmony. Adult children honor their parents by ensuring that they are well cared for. That may include helping them to maintain their home or giving them needed financial assistance.—1 Timothy 5:3, 4.
I Became a Better Husband
“Because of my family background, I used to be very demanding. But I learned that as head of my family, I should listen to my wife and not be selfish or domineering. In God’s eyes, she and I are one flesh, and I should treat her as my own body. Thanks to that wise guidance, I have become a much better husband, and I enjoy a happy family life.”—Rahul.
Learn more:
For more practical advice on how you can improve your family life, go to jw.org and look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > MARRIAGE & FAMILY. |
Examining the Scriptures—2019
2018 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/examining-the-scriptures/examining-the-scriptures-2019 | February
Friday, February 1
Noah did according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so.—Gen. 6:22.
Noah had never built an ark before. So he had to rely on Jehovah, doing “just so”—that is, just as Jehovah directed. The result? Noah got it right the first time. Indeed, he had to! Noah also succeeded as a family man—and for basically the same reason; he trusted in God’s wisdom. He thus taught his children well and set a fine example for them, which was a big challenge during that wicked pre-Flood era. (Gen. 6:5) As parents, how can you do “just so” in God’s eyes? Listen to Jehovah. Let him instruct you in child-rearing by means of his Word and the guidance we receive through his organization. However, despite the parents’ best efforts, some children leave Jehovah. Nonetheless, parents who have tried their best to impress the truth on a child’s heart have a good conscience. They can also hope that the wayward child will one day come “home” to Jehovah. w18.03 30 ¶10-11
Saturday, February 2
Be hospitable to one another.—1 Pet. 4:9.
Have you ever wanted to be hospitable but felt inadequate? Some are shy and fear that conversation would lag or that guests might not feel entertained. Others have limited income and believe that they could never offer what other members of the congregation could. Of prime importance about a home is, not that it is fancy, but that it is orderly, clean, and inviting. Let love motivate your hospitality, and you need not worry. Remember that showing personal interest in guests is always helpful. (Phil. 2:4) Nearly everyone enjoys sharing his experiences in life. Social occasions may be the only times others ask to hear about our experiences. One elder writes: “Having friends from the congregation to my home helps me to understand them better and gives me time to get to know them, especially how they came into the truth.” Loving interest can make any occasion a delight. w18.03 17 ¶15-17
Sunday, February 3
Why are you delaying? Rise, get baptized.—Acts 22:16.
Christian parents have an interest in helping their children make wise decisions. Postponing baptism or delaying it needlessly could invite spiritual problems. (Jas. 4:17) Wisely, however, parents want to be sure that before their children get baptized, they are ready to shoulder the responsibility of Christian discipleship. Some circuit overseers have expressed concern because they meet young ones in their late teens and early 20’s who have grown up in Christian households but who have yet to get baptized. In most cases, these young ones attend congregation meetings and share in the ministry. They view themselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Yet, for some reason they hold back from dedicating their lives to Jehovah and getting baptized. What could be the reason for this? In some cases, parents have encouraged them to delay baptism. w18.03 8 ¶1-2
Monday, February 4
Have . . . the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had.—Rom. 15:5.
To be like Christ, we need to know his pattern of thinking and the full range of his personality. Then we need to follow in his footsteps. Jesus’ mind is focused on his relationship with God. So being like Jesus makes us more like Jehovah. For these reasons, it becomes clear how important it is to learn to think as Jesus does. How can we do this? Jesus’ disciples saw his miracles, heard his discourses, watched how he dealt with all kinds of people, and observed how he applied godly principles. (Acts 10:39) We, however, cannot observe him directly. But Jehovah has lovingly provided the Gospel accounts that can make Jesus’ personality come alive in our mind. By reading and meditating on the Bible books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we expose our mind to Christ’s mind. We thus can “follow his steps closely” and “arm [ourselves] with the same mental disposition” as Christ had.—1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1. w18.02 22 ¶15-16
Tuesday, February 5
Faith follows the thing heard.—Rom. 10:17.
Since early in human history, men and women of faith have learned about God in three primary ways: by observing the visible creation, from other God-fearing humans, and by experiencing the blessings of living in harmony with God’s righteous standards and principles. (Isa. 48:18) By observing the physical creation, Noah would have seen abundant evidence not only of God’s existence but also of his many invisible qualities, such as “his eternal power and Godship.” (Rom. 1:20) As a result, Noah did more than believe in God; he developed strong faith in him. Noah no doubt learned much from his relatives. These included his father, Lamech, who was a man of faith and whose life overlapped Adam’s. They also included his grandfather Methuselah and his great-great-grandfather Jared, whose life overlapped Noah’s by 366 years. (Luke 3:36, 37) In any event, what Noah learned touched his heart, moving him to serve God.—Gen. 6:9. w18.02 9 ¶4-5
Wednesday, February 6
Do not let the sun set while you are still angry.—Eph. 4:26.
When a fellow believer or a family member says or does something that hurts us deeply, we may be devastated. Suppose we cannot simply forget the incident. Will we allow resentment to fester for years? Or will we follow the Bible’s wise advice to settle matters quickly? The longer we put off dealing with the situation, the harder it will be for us to make peace with our brother. What positive steps can you take to make peace? First, approach Jehovah in earnest prayer. Ask him to help you to have an upbuilding conversation with your brother. Remember, he is one of Jehovah’s friends. (Ps. 25:14) Jehovah treats his friends with kindness, and he expects no less from us. (Prov. 15:23; Matt. 7:12; Col. 4:6) Next, review in your mind what you are going to say. Do not assume that your brother set out deliberately to hurt you. And be open to the possibility that in some way you may have contributed to the rift. w18.01 10 ¶15-16
Thursday, February 7
Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.—John 13:34.
In contrast with the people who show the widespread lack of love today, those who worship Jehovah have genuine love for their fellow man. This has always been true. Jesus said that love of neighbor was the second most important commandment in the Mosaic Law, second only to love of God. (Matt. 22:38, 39) Jesus also said that love for one another would be the quality that would identify true Christians. (John 13:35) Such Christian love would even be extended to one’s enemies. (Matt. 5:43, 44) Jesus showed great love for others. He went from city to city, telling people the good news about the Kingdom of God. He cured the blind, the lame, the lepers, and the deaf. He raised the dead. (Luke 7:22) Jesus even gave his own life in behalf of mankind. Jesus’ love perfectly reflected the love his Father shows. Throughout the earth, Jehovah’s Witnesses express godly love toward others. w18.01 29-30 ¶11-12
Friday, February 8
For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.—Phil. 4:13.
You may have qualified for baptism at a young age. Yet, you cannot always predict what challenges you will face in the future. To help you stay faithful in any circumstance, never forget that your promise to Jehovah is unconditional. That means that you have told the Sovereign of the universe that you will continue to serve him even if your friends or parents stop doing so. (Ps. 27:10) In all situations, you can summon the strength—with Jehovah’s help—to live up to your dedication. (Phil. 4:11, 12) Jehovah wants you to be his friend. But maintaining that friendship and working out your own salvation will require effort. In fact, Philippians 2:12 says: “Keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” So consider how you will maintain your friendship with Jehovah and remain faithful to him despite any challenges. You cannot become overconfident. Even some of God’s longtime servants have gone astray. w17.12 24 ¶4, 6-7
Saturday, February 9
I have voluntarily offered all these things.—1 Chron. 29:17.
Jehovah dignifies us with the opportunity to support the grand work taking place today. He guarantees that we will receive blessings when we give in support of the Kingdom. (Mal. 3:10) Jehovah promises that the one who gives generously will prosper. (Prov. 11:24, 25) Giving also makes us happy, for “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) By word and example, we have the privilege of training our children and new ones to appreciate how they can have a share and how they, as a result, can enjoy many blessings. Everything we have is from Jehovah. Giving back to him shows that we love him and appreciate all that he has done in our behalf. When donating for the construction of the temple, “the people rejoiced over making these voluntary offerings.” (1 Chron. 29:9) May we likewise continue to find joy and satisfaction in giving back to Jehovah what has come to us from his own hand. w18.01 21 ¶18-19
Sunday, February 10
Each one in his own proper order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence.—1 Cor. 15:23.
The first resurrection would take place sometime after “the presence” of Christ began. Anointed ones who are alive during the great tribulation will be “caught away in clouds.” (1 Thess. 4:13-17; Matt. 24:31) They “will all be changed, in a moment, in the binstruction of an eye, during the last trumpet.” (1 Cor. 15:51, 52) Today, most faithful Christians are not anointed and called to serve in heaven with Christ. Rather, they await the end of this wicked system of things during “Jehovah’s day.” No one can know the exact timing of that end, but evidence shows that it is close. (1 Thess. 5:1-3) Thereafter, a different type of resurrection will take place, a resurrection to life in an earthly paradise. Those raised will have the prospect of growing to human perfection and never having to die again. w17.12 11 ¶15; 12 ¶18-19
Monday, February 11
Wherever there are jealousy and outputiousness, there will also be disorder and every vile thing.—Jas. 3:16.
If we cultivate love and kindness in our heart, we will not easily become jealous. God’s Word says: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous.” (1 Cor. 13:4) To prevent jealousy from taking root in our heart, we must strive to see things from God’s standpoint, viewing our brothers and sisters as members of the same Christian body. This will help us to show fellow feeling, in harmony with the inspired counsel: “If a member is glorified, all the other members rejoice with it.” (1 Cor. 12:16-18, 26) Thus, rather than feel jealous, we will be happy when others receive blessings. Consider the example of King Saul’s son Jonathan. He was not jealous when David was appointed heir to the throne. Rather, he encouraged David. (1 Sam. 23:16-18) Could we be as kind and loving as Jonathan? w17.11 27 ¶10-11
Tuesday, February 12
He will not judge by what appears to his eyes, nor reprove simply according to what his ears hear. He will judge the lowly with fairness, and with uprightness he will give reproof.—Isa. 11:3, 4.
Jehovah preserved the Law covenant for us in his Word, the Bible. He wants us, not to obsess over the details of the Law, but to discern and apply its “weightier matters,” the lofty principles that underpin its commandments. (Matt. 23:23) The Mosaic Law reflected a “framework of the knowledge and of the truth” about Jehovah and his righteous principles. (Rom. 2:20) The cities of refuge, for example, teach elders how to “judge with true justice,” and they teach all of us how to “deal with one another in loyal love and mercy.” (Zech. 7:9) We are no longer under the Law. Yet, Jehovah does not change, and the qualities of justice and mercy are still important to him. What a privilege to worship a God in whose image we are made, whose qualities we can imitate, and in whom we can take refuge! w17.11 13-14 ¶2-3; 17 ¶18-19
Wednesday, February 13
Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who acquires discernment.—Prov. 3:13.
Brothers who speak from the platform should make sure that the Scriptures form the backbone of their talk. (John 7:16) What does that involve? For one thing, be careful that nothing—experiences, illustrations, or even your manner of delivery—overshadows or draws attention away from the Bible verses you use. Also, remember that simply reading a number of scriptures does not in itself constitute teaching from the Bible. In fact, using too many scriptures could result in none of them standing out in the mind of your listeners. So select your key scriptures carefully, and take time to read, explain, illustrate, and apply them well. (Neh. 8:8) Try to understand the connection between the statements in the outline and the cited scriptures. Above all, prayerfully ask for Jehovah’s help to convey the precious thoughts contained in his Word.—Ezra 7:10. w17.09 26 ¶11-12
Thursday, February 14
Return to me, . . . and I will return to you.—Zech. 1:3.
The year 537 B.C.E. was one of rejoicing for Jehovah’s dedicated people. After 70 long years of captivity, they were freed from Babylon and enthusiastically got to work on restoring true worship in Jerusalem. In 536 B.C.E., the foundation of the temple was laid. Sixteen years later, the building of Jehovah’s temple was at a standstill. God’s people needed to be reminded that they should return to Jehovah and stop putting their personal pursuits first. To help his people recall why they were freed from Babylon in the first place, God sent his prophet Zechariah in 520 B.C.E. The very name Zechariah, which means “Jehovah Has Remembered,” may have brought to mind a vital truth. Though they had forgotten Jehovah’s saving acts, God still remembered his people. (Zech. 1:3, 4) He lovingly assured them that he would help them to reestablish pure worship, but he also firmly warned them that he would not tolerate halfhearted worship. w17.10 21-22 ¶2-3
Friday, February 15
Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate.—Eph. 4:32.
Mental-health experts say that practicing compassion can improve your health, well-being, and relationships. When you relieve the suffering of others, you will feel happier, more optimistic, less lonely, and less inclined to think negative thoughts. Yes, your showing compassion will benefit you. Christians who lovingly seek to help others are rewarded with a good conscience, knowing that they are acting in harmony with godly principles. Having such a disposition makes for a more caring parent, a better spouse, and a better friend. Those who are quick to show compassion are, in turn, more likely to receive help and support when they need it. (Matt. 5:7; Luke 6:38) Knowing that compassion is good for you should not be your main reason for wanting to cultivate it. The principal reason should be your desire to imitate and glorify the Source of love and compassion, Jehovah God.—Prov. 14:31. w17.09 12 ¶16-17
Saturday, February 16
He will sit down on his throne and rule, and he will also be a priest on his throne.—Zech. 6:13.
In addition to being commissioned King and High Priest, Jesus was assigned to “build the temple of Jehovah.” In modern times, Jesus’ building work involved liberating true worshippers from Babylon the Great and restoring the Christian congregation in 1919. He also appointed a “faithful and discreet slave” to take the lead in directing the work in the earthly courtyards of the great spiritual temple. (Matt. 24:45) Jesus has also been busy refining God’s people and helping them to render worship that is clean. (Mal. 3:1-3) During the Thousand Year Reign, Jesus and his 144,000 associate kings and priests will bring faithful humans to perfection. When this is accomplished, only true worshippers of God will be left on the cleansed earth. Finally, true worship will be fully restored! w17.10 29 ¶15-16
Sunday, February 17
He must dwell in [his city of refuge] until the death of the high priest.—Num. 35:25.
An unintentional manslayer had to take action to receive mercy. He had to flee to the nearest city of refuge. (Josh. 20:4) We cannot imagine the fugitive being indifferent; his life depended on his reaching that city as soon as possible and remaining there! This meant sacrifice on his part. He had to leave behind his previous employment, the comforts of home, and the freedom to travel—until the death of the high priest. But such inconveniences were worth the effort. To benefit from God’s mercy, repentant wrongdoers today must likewise take action. We must completely abandon the sinful course, fleeing not only from serious sin but also from the lesser sins that often lead to gross wrongdoing. Earnest actions to abandon a sinful course show Jehovah that we are not complacent, that we have not presumed on his mercy.—2 Cor. 7:10, 11. w17.11 10-11 ¶10-11
Monday, February 18
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.—1 Pet. 4:9.
Jehovah commands us to be generous toward our brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:17) Yet, we must do so with a pure motive, avoiding any trace of selfishness. We can ask ourselves: ‘Do I offer hospitality primarily to close friends, prominent ones, or those who might be able to return a favor somehow? Or do I instead look for ways to be generous toward brothers and sisters whom I do not know well or who have nothing with which to repay me?’ (Luke 14:12-14) Or suppose a fellow Christian falls into need because of poor planning or fails to thank us for our hospitality. In such situations, we should apply the counsel given in today’s text. If you follow this advice, you will gain the reward of happiness that comes from giving with the right motive.—Acts 20:35. w17.10 9 ¶12
Tuesday, February 19
How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?—Gen. 39:9.
Potiphar’s wife set her eyes on Joseph, who was “well-built and handsome,” and she tried to seduce him. Joseph, however, did not succumb to her repeated advances. And when the situation became critical, he fled from her. What does Joseph’s example teach us? One thing is that we may need to flee from the temptation to break one of God’s laws. (Prov. 1:10) In the past, some who are now Witnesses struggled with overeating, heavy drinking, smoking, drug abuse, sexual immorality, and the like. Even after baptism, they may at times be tempted to return to their former practices. Still, if you are ever tempted to break one of Jehovah’s laws, strengthen yourself by taking time to ponder the disastrous spiritual consequences that you could face for failing to restrain sinful impulses. You can try to foresee situations in which temptations could likely present themselves and decide how you can avoid them. (Ps. 26:4, 5; Prov. 22:3) Should you ever face such a test, ask Jehovah to give you the wisdom and self-control to resist. w17.09 4-5 ¶8-9
Wednesday, February 20
Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that when such fail, they may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places.—Luke 16:9.
One way to gain friendship with Jehovah is by minimizing our involvement with the commercial world and using our circumstances to seek “true” riches. Abraham, a man of faith in ancient times, obediently left prosperous Ur in order to live in tents and pursue his friendship with Jehovah. (Heb. 11:8-10) He always looked to God as the Source of true wealth, never seeking material advantages that would indicate a lack of trust. (Gen. 14:22, 23) Jesus encouraged this sort of faith, telling a rich young man: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come be my follower.” (Matt. 19:21) That man lacked faith like that of Abraham, but others have shown implicit trust in God. w17.07 10 ¶12
Thursday, February 21
[Jehovah] promised to give [the land] to [Abraham] as a possession and after him to his offspring, though as yet he had no child.—Acts 7:5.
It was not until 430 years after Abraham had crossed the Euphrates that his descendants were organized into a nation that would take possession of the land. (Ex. 12:40-42; Gal. 3:17) Abraham was willing to wait, because his patience was based on his faith in Jehovah. (Heb. 11:8-12) Abraham was happy to wait, even though he did not see the complete fulfillment of the promise in his day. But just imagine Abraham’s joy when he is resurrected back to a paradise earth. He will be surprised to see how much of the Bible was used to record his personal story and that of his descendants. Just imagine how thrilled he will be to understand for the first time his vital role in the outworking of Jehovah’s purpose with regard to the promised offspring! No doubt, he will feel that the long wait was worth it. w17.08 5-6 ¶10-11
Friday, February 22
Deaden . . . your body members that are on the earth as respects . . . uncleanness.—Col. 3:5.
The original Bible word translated “uncleanness” is a broad term that includes much more than sexual sins. It can refer to the harmful practice of smoking or the telling of obscene jokes. (2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:3, 4) It also applies to unclean activities practiced by an individual in private, such as reading sexually stimulating books or viewing pornography, which may lead to the unclean habit of masturbation. Those who habitually view pornography nurture “uncontrolled sexual passion,” which may result in their becoming addicted to sex. Research indicates that individuals who admitted to having an irresistible urge to watch pornography show the same signs of addiction as do alcoholics and drug addicts. No wonder the practice of viewing pornography has harmful results—such as deep feelings of shame, low productivity in the workplace, unhappy family life, divorce, and suicide. w17.08 19 ¶8-9
Saturday, February 23
He makes the bars of your city gates strong; he blesses your sons within you. He brings peace to your territory.—Ps. 147:13, 14.
In thinking about the restoration of Jerusalem, the psalmist sang the above about Jehovah. How reassuring it was for the psalmist to know that God would strengthen the city’s gates to provide protection for his worshippers! You may face difficulties that cause you to become anxious. Jehovah can give you the wisdom to cope. The psalmist said of his God that “he sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.” Then, referring to Jehovah as ‘sending the snow, scattering the frost, and hurling down the hailstones,’ the psalmist asks: “Who can withstand his cold?” He adds that Jehovah “sends out his word, and they melt.” (Ps. 147:15-18) Our all-wise, all-powerful God, the one who controls the hail and the snow, can help you to surmount any obstacles that you encounter. w17.07 20 ¶14-15
Sunday, February 24
You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things.—Rev. 4:11.
God’s sovereignty is right. It is the best rulership. And it deserves our wholehearted support. Why? Because Jehovah created all things. Therefore, he has full right to rule over humans as well as spirit creatures. Satan has created nothing. Consequently, he has no rightful claim to universal rulership. In rebelling against Jehovah’s sovereignty, he and the first human couple acted arrogantly. (Jer. 10:23) True, as creatures with free will, they could choose independence from God. But did that give them the right to do so? No. Free will enables people to make many appropriate choices daily. However, it does not eninput them to rebel against their Creator and Life-Giver. Clearly, taking a stand against Jehovah is a misuse of free will. As humans, our place is under Jehovah’s righteous rule. w17.06 27-28 ¶2-4
Monday, February 25
If only I may finish my course and the ministry.—Acts 20:24.
If we treasure our ministry, we will be like the apostle Paul, continuing to preach despite persecution. (Acts 14:19-22) During the 1930’s and early 1940’s, our brothers in the United States faced tremendous opposition. Yet, like Paul, they stood firm and continued preaching. To protect our right to do that, the brothers fought many legal battles. In 1943, Brother Nathan H. Knorr, when commenting on one victory in the U.S. Supreme Court, stated: “The victories won are due to your fight. . . . It is this victory of the Lord’s people standing firm that finally brings that decision.” Yes, our love for the ministry can defeat persecution. When we view the ministry as a priceless treasure from Jehovah, we will never be output with simply “counting time.” Rather, we will do everything in our power “to bear thorough witness to the good news.”—2 Tim. 4:5. w17.06 11-12 ¶11-12
Tuesday, February 26
You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.—Matt. 22:37.
Having deep love for God helps us to obey Jehovah’s commandments, to endure, and to hate what is bad. (Ps. 97:10) However, Satan and his world strive to undermine our love for God. The world around us has a distorted view of love. Rather than direct love to the Creator, people are “lovers of themselves.” (2 Tim. 3:2) This world ruled by Satan fosters “the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life.” (1 John 2:16) The apostle Paul warned fellow Christians against pleasing the flesh, saying: “Setting the mind on the flesh means death . . . because setting the mind on the flesh means enmity with God.” (Rom. 8:6, 7) Indeed, those who have spent their lives on pursuing material things or gratifying sexual desires have ended up disappointed and deeply hurt.—1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Tim. 6:9, 10. w17.05 18 ¶5-6
Wednesday, February 27
If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.—2 Thess. 3:10.
When refugee brothers show gratitude, never demanding anything, they help their hosts to experience the joy of giving. Granted, living indefinitely on others’ generosity may erode the self-respect of the refugees and may damage their relationships with other brothers. (2 Thess. 3:7-9) But they do need practical help. This requires, not a lot of money, but mainly our time and concern. It may be as simple as showing them how to use public transportation, how to shop for healthful but inexpensive foods, or how to obtain tools or equipment—such as a sewing machine or a lawn mower—in order to earn some income. More important, you can help them to become fully involved in their new congregation. If possible, offer them rides to meetings. Also explain how they might approach people with the Kingdom message in your territory. Take the refugee brothers and sisters along with you in the ministry. w17.05 5 ¶11-12
Thursday, February 28
Form a longing for the unadulterated milk of the word, so that by means of it you may grow to salvation.—1 Pet. 2:2.
Fleshly-minded people have difficulty cultivating a balanced view of material things. Why? Because their spiritual senses are dulled. (1 Cor. 2:14) Once their powers of discernment have become clouded, it becomes more difficult for them to distinguish right from wrong. (Heb. 5:11-14) As a result, some develop an uncontrolled desire for material things—a desire that can never be fully satisfied. (Eccl. 5:10) Thankfully, there is an antidote to being poisoned by materialistic thinking: a healthy dose of God’s Word, the Bible, taken on a regular basis. Just as meditating on divine truth fortified Jesus to reject temptation, so applying Bible principles helps us to fight against materialistic desires. (Matt. 4:8-10) By doing so, we show Jesus that we love him more than any material thing. w17.05 26 ¶17 |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 51
Making Jehovah’s Heart Glad
(Proverbs 27:11)
1. Great God, we’ve vowed to do your will;
In wisdom your work we’ll fulfill.
For then we know we’ll have a part
In making glad your loving heart.
2. May we from your side never move;
A liar the Tempter we would prove.
Your principles and laws so right
We would make daily our delight.
3. Your slave, so faithful and discreet,
Helps us know what is wise and meet,
Feeds us with nourishment when due,
Thus strengthens us your will to do.
4. Impart to us your active force
That we may keep a faithful course
And bring forth fruitage to your praise
And thus make glad your heart always. |
Worldwide Security (ws)
1986 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ws | Chapter 4
Insecure “Babylon” Doomed to Destruction
1. (a) What does the word “babylon” mean, and who founded the city by that name? (b) What building project did ambitious Nimrod undertake, and with what result?
CONFUSION marks the world today—politically, socially, and religiously. The English translation of the Bible’s Hebrew word for confusion is “babylon.” In Genesis, Babylon is spoken of as Babel, a name that also means “confusion.” The city by that name was founded by Nimrod, a rebel against Jehovah. (Genesis 10:8-10) There, men under the leadership of ambitious Nimrod set about building a tower that would soar heavenward in defiance of Jehovah. Jehovah defeated this God-dishonoring project by confusing the uniform language of the builders, so that they could not understand one another while trying to work together.—Genesis 11:1-9.
2. (a) What happened to the world power Babylon in 539 B.C.E., and did that mark the end of the city by that name? (b) What did the ancient city of Babylon not prove to be?
2 Long afterward, a new city bearing the name Babylon was recorded as existing there at the Euphrates River. (2 Kings 17:24; 1 Chronicles 9:1) In 539 B.C.E. the Babylonian World Power was overthrown by Cyrus the Great, the emperor of Medo-Persia, in fulfillment of Jehovah’s prophecy at Isaiah 45:1-6. Though Babylon had suffered a significant fall, it was permitted to continue its existence as a city. It is reported as existing even in the latter half of the first century of our Common Era. (1 Peter 5:13) That ancient city, however, did not prove to be “Babylon the Great,” which the apostle John wrote about in the book of Revelation chapter 17.
3. What is the true identity of Babylon the Great?
3 The apocalyptic “Babylon the Great,” depicted as an immoral woman who rides “a scarlet-colored wild beast,” stands for the world empire of false religion, including all the religions of so-called Christendom.a (Revelation 17:3-5) According to what the apostle John observed about her, this symbolic organization has committed spiritual fornication with all the political rulers of the earth. The world empire of false religion, Babylon the Great, still wields tremendous influence.
“A Friend of the World”—Not of God
4. During World War I, how did Babylon the Great add to her crimes against the human family?
4 However, the position of Babylon the Great is very insecure, and that has especially been the case since the end of World War I. During that conflict, she added to her crimes against the human family. The clergymen of Christendom, who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, preached the young men onto the battlefields. The late Harry Emerson Fosdick, a prominent Protestant clergyman, supported the war effort but later admitted: “Even in our churches we have put the battle flags . . . With one corner of our mouth we have praised the Prince of Peace and with the other we have glorified war.” The priests and other clergymen of Christendom offered prayers for the fighting forces at religious gatherings, and they served as chaplains for the army, the navy, and the air force.b
5. (a) What words of James 4:4 has Christendom not taken to heart? (b) What must be the divine judgment upon her?
5 Christendom, under the guidance of these religious leaders, has not taken to heart the words of James 4:4: “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” Thus Christendom carries on as an enemy of the Most High God down to this very time. Certainly she does not have divine protection, and for this vital reason her very existence remains insecure. Her political friends are not to be trusted, and the tide in the antireligious direction continues to gain strength. It is not in her behalf that God says: “Do not you men touch my anointed ones.”—1 Chronicles 16:22.
“Get Out of Her, My People”
6, 7. (a) What urgent call is sounded at Revelation 18:4, and to whom is it directed? (b) When did an earlier but similar call begin to apply to the Jews languishing in ancient Babylon?
6 To these anointed ones and their associates during this conclusion of the system of things, the divine call rings out urgently: “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins.” (Revelation 18:4) Yes, get out of the world empire of false religion, Babylon the Great.
7 This call echoes the words of Jeremiah 50:8 and; Jer 51:6, 45, which were directed to the remnant of Jews whom Jehovah sentenced to spend 70 years of captivity and exile in the land of Babylonia. Those words began to apply to the Jews who were languishing in Babylonia in 537 B.C.E., after the foretold Cyrus the Great marched his Medo-Persian troops down the nearly dried-up bed of the Euphrates River and into the city of Babylon.
8. (a) How did Cyrus the Great fulfill Isaiah 45:1-6? (b) Why did the one foreshadowed by Cyrus the Great need to act according to this prophetic pattern of things?
8 In the first year of his rule, Cyrus the Great acted in fulfillment of the prophecy at Isaiah 45:1-6. Similarly, the one foreshadowed by Emperor Cyrus, but who is far mightier, Jesus Christ, acted according to this prophetic pattern of things. This was at the due time after he had entered in upon his royal reign in heaven at the right hand of Jehovah God, when “the appointed times of the nations” expired in October 1914. (Luke 21:24) During the first world war of 1914-18, the remnant of spiritual Israelites experienced a captivity at the hands of Babylon the Great and her political paramours.
9, 10. (a) What action was taken against eight members of the Society’s headquarters staff? (b) What evidence is there that Babylon the Great was behind the movement to stop the work of Jehovah’s people?
9 For example, in the United States the latest book to be published by the Watch Tower Society at that time, The Finished Mystery, was banned as seditious. The two authors of the book were brought into federal court in Brooklyn, New York, and unjustly sentenced to 20 years of confinement in the federal penitentiary at Atlanta, Georgia. So were the president of the publishing society, the secretary-treasurer, and three others of the headquarters staff. An associate translator was sentenced to half that amount of time in the federal penitentiary.
10 And so on July 4, 1918, these eight dedicated Christians were put on a train to Atlanta, Georgia, to be deprived of liberty there. Members of the Brooklyn headquarters of the Watch Tower Society then had to take care of matters to the best of their ability. Who was to blame for this situation? The book Preachers Present Arms answers: “An analysis of the whole case leads to the conclusion that the churches and the clergy were originally behind the movement to stamp out the Russellites [Witnesses]. . . . When the news of the twenty-year sentences reached the editors of the religious press, practically every one of these publications, great and small, rejoiced over the event. I have been unable to discover any words of sympathy in any of the orthodox religious journals.”—Ray H. Abrams, pages 183, 184.
A Fall—But Not Into Destruction
11, 12. (a) What had Babylon the Great intended to do? (b) How did she suffer a significant fall, though not into destruction? (c) What was the effect upon Jehovah’s liberated people?
11 But the rejoicing in Babylon the Great was not to last for long. In the spring of 1919, Babylon the Great suffered a significant fall, following which there must come certain religious developments before she is totally destroyed. Babylon the Great thought to keep Jehovah’s people suppressed and in captivity forever. But in March of 1919 the prison doors were forced open to the eight representatives of the Watch Tower Society, and out they came on bail. Later, they were completely exonerated of all charges.
12 Gone now was the rejoicing by Babylon the Great! Says the book Preachers Present Arms concerning the court’s decision to free the Witnesses: “This verdict was greeted with silence in the churches.” But great was the joy of Jehovah’s people. Their worldwide organization was repaired. At their convention in 1919 at Cedar Point, Ohio, the Society’s president roused the thousands in attendance into action by his talk “Announcing the Kingdom.” Jehovah’s Witnesses were again free, courageously proclaiming God’s Kingdom publicly! Babylon the Great had suffered a fall, though not into destruction. The Greater Cyrus, Jesus Christ, had defeated her and had liberated his faithful followers.
13. When the League of Nations appeared on the scene, what did Babylon the Great do?
13 Thus Babylon the Great was permitted to survive into the postwar era. When the League of Nations was proposed as a world peacekeeping body, the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America came out in support of it, publicly announcing that the League of Nations was “the political expression of the Kingdom of God on earth.” When the proposed League was finally established, Babylon the Great climbed onto its back and thus began her ride on this symbolic “scarlet-colored wild beast.”—Revelation 17:3.
14. (a) During World War II, what was the course of action of Babylon the Great? (b) When the man-made peacekeeping agency ascended out of the abyss after World War II, what did Babylon the Great do?
14 When this ineffective peacekeeping agency went into the abyss of inactivity at the outbreak of World War II, Babylon the Great was left without a mount. (Revelation 17:8) But she was right out there with the 57 nations that got embroiled in World War II. Her having to divide her loyalties between the warring factions did not bother her, even as her being divided up into many hundreds of confusing religious sects and denominations has never disturbed her. When the man-made peacekeeping agency, in the form of the United Nations, ascended out of the abyss of inactivity at the close of World War II, Babylon the Great immediately climbed upon its back and started exercising her influence over it.
Political Powers to Turn Against Babylon
15, 16. (a) Mankind is now face to face with what awe-inspiring spectacle? (b) What has Almighty God determined, in harmony with Revelation 17:15-18?
15 The whole world of mankind is now about to face an awe-inspiring spectacle. This will be the turning of the political powers against Babylon the Great, with the aim of wiping her out of existence. This may sound heart paralyzing to people who sincerely believe that all religions are good. But the Universal Sovereign, Jehovah God, has determined that Babylon the Great has no place in all the universe and that she has befouled the realm of creation long enough. She must be violently brought down to utter destruction.
16 There are already on hand powerful agencies that God can allow to effect her destruction, namely, the political elements of the world. The God-inspired book of Revelation foretells that Jehovah will turn her lovers against her, and they will strip her naked, exposing her for what she really is—a demonized fraud! And then they will, so to speak, burn her with fire and reduce her to a pile of ashes. They will give her a treatment similar to what she gave to the uncompromising worshipers of the true God.—Revelation 17:15-18; 18:24.
17. Do the anti-Babylon exploits of the political powers turn them to the worship of Jehovah God, and how do we know?
17 This violent antireligious action on the part of the political powers does not mean that they will thereafter turn to the worship of Jehovah God. Their fierce anti-Babylon action does not mean that they will now become the friends of God. Otherwise they would not take the later action that the book of Revelation shows that they will take. (Revelation 17:12-14) They may rejoice immensely at the antireligious exploits that Jehovah God has permitted them to accomplish, but they will still continue to be misled by “the god of this system of things,” Satan the Devil, the all-out, relentless opposer of Jehovah God.—2 Corinthians 4:4.
18, 19. (a) Who will not survive to see the vindication of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty by means of the “Prince of Peace”? (b) But who will be ever-living witnesses to Jehovah’s vindication over Babylon the Great?
18 Babylon the Great will not survive to see the grand climax, the vindication of Jehovah’s universal sovereignty by means of the “Prince of Peace,” who is now the “Mighty God” at the right hand of the One Almighty and Supreme Deity, Jehovah.—Isaiah 9:6.
19 On the sidelines, under impenetrable divine protection, will be the witnesses of Jehovah. (Isaiah 43:10, 12) Under command from the righteous heavens, they will obediently have got out of Babylon the Great. (Revelation 18:4) Their righteous pleasure will be unbounded at what they witness. They will thereafter forever be witnesses of Jehovah and eternally be able to testify with regard to his vindication of himself over Babylon the Great.—Revelation 19:1-3.
[Footnotes]
a For a detailed identification, see the book “Babylon the Great Has Fallen!” God’s Kingdom Rules!, pages 468-500, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
b A detailed discussion of the clergy’s support for World War I is given in the book Preachers Present Arms, by Ray H. Abrams (New York, 1933). The book states: “The clerics gave the war its passionate spiritual significance and drive. . . . The war itself was a holy war to promote the Kingdom of God upon earth. To give one’s life for his country was to give it for God and His Kingdom. God and country became synonymous. . . . The Germans and the Allies were alike in this respect. Each side believed it had the monopoly on God . . . Most of the theologians had no difficulty whatsoever in placing Jesus in the very forefront of the thickest fighting leading his troops on to victory. . . . The church thereby became part and parcel of the war system. . . . The [church] leaders lost no time in getting thoroughly organized on a war-time basis. Within twenty-four hours after the declaration of war, the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America laid plans for the fullest cooperation. . . . Many of the churches went much further than they were asked. They became recruiting stations for the enlistment of troops.”—Pages 53, 57, 59, 63, 74, 80, 82. |
2 | “Comfort From the Scriptures” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2023006 | 2 | “Comfort From the Scriptures”
THE BIBLE SAYS: “All the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.”—ROMANS 15:4.
What That Means
The Bible contains comforting thoughts that can give us the strength and endurance we need to cope with negative patterns of thinking. The Bible’s message also gives us hope that emotional pain will soon be a thing of the past.
How This Can Help
We all deal with feelings of distress at times; but those who suffer from depression or anxiety may struggle daily with relentlessly painful emotions. How can the Bible help?
The Bible provides many positive thoughts that can replace negative ones. (Philippians 4:8) It can truly fill our mind with comforting and soothing thoughts that will help us control our emotions.—Psalm 94:18, 19.
The Bible can help us to counteract the thought that we are worthless.—Luke 12:6, 7.
Numerous Bible passages reassure us that we are not alone and that God, our Creator, completely understands our feelings.—Psalm 34:18; 1 John 3:19, 20.
The Bible promises that God will put an end to painful memories. (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:4) When we are suffering from disturbing thoughts and emotions, we may find that this promise gives us the strength to go on.
How the Bible Is Helping Jessica
How Depression Affects Me
“When I was 25 years old, I had a nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with severe depression. I was tormented by flashbacks and intrusive memories. Doctors helped me understand that my depression was related to negative thinking patterns that were triggered by traumatic events in my life. In addition to appropriate medication, I needed therapy to help me identify and correct unhealthy thinking patterns.”
How the Bible Helps Me
“In the darkest moments of my depression, I experienced panic attacks, extreme anxiety, and sleeplessness. Often at night I would feel overwhelmed by disquieting thoughts that raced around in my head. As Psalm 94:19 explains, God can comfort and soothe us when we are overwhelmed by anxieties. So I kept my Bible and a notebook of encouraging scriptures near my bed. When I couldn’t fall asleep, I would read some Bible verses, thus allowing God’s thoughts to comfort me.
“The Bible encourages us to overturn thoughts that go contrary to what we know about God. In the past, I was convinced that I was worthless, unlovable, and useless. But I have learned that such beliefs are actually contrary to the Bible, which depicts God as a loving and compassionate Father who cares about us individually. I gradually took control of my thoughts rather than allow my thoughts to control me. I have learned to view myself as God views me. This was an important step in helping me break down the negative view I had of myself.
“I look forward to the time when all painful memories and unhealthy thinking patterns will disappear. Knowing that mental disorders will be a thing of the past gives me the strength to cope with my limitations now as well as a wonderful hope for the future when my battle against depression will finally be over.”
For More Help:
Read the article “Help From ‘the God of Comfort,’” in the July 2009 issue of Awake! on jw.org.
Listen to the audio recording of the book of Psalms on jw.org. |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
How Should I Take Constructive Criticism? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502019484 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
How Should I Take Constructive Criticism?
Test yourself
Why do I need constructive criticism?
How can I accept constructive criticism?
What your peers say
Test yourself
At times, we all need constructive criticism, meaning advice that can help us improve in our work or attitude. With that in mind, consider the following scenarios.
● Your teacher tells you that your last school project seemed to be rushed. “You need to put more time into research,” he says.
How do you react to the constructive criticism?
Reject it. (‘The teacher just doesn’t like me.’)
Accept it. (‘I’ll take his advice for my next project.’)
● Your mother tells you that your room is a mess—even though you just cleaned it.
How do you react to the constructive criticism?
Reject it. (‘She’s never satisfied.’)
Accept it. (‘I admit that I could have done a better job.’)
● Your younger sister tells you that she doesn’t like your bossy attitude.
How do you react to the constructive criticism?
Reject it. (‘Who is she to talk about being bossy?’)
Accept it. (‘I guess I could treat her more kindly.’)
Some young people have been called teacups—so fragile that they shatter at the smallest dose of constructive criticism. Are you like that? If so, you’re missing out! Why? Because learning to take constructive criticism is an important skill that will serve you well both now and in adulthood.
Don’t reject what you need to hear just because you don’t want to hear it
Why do I need constructive criticism?
Because you’re not perfect. The Bible says: “We all make mistakes many times.” (James 3:2, footnote) For that reason, everyone needs constructive feedback.
“I try to remember that we are all imperfect and that making mistakes is a part of life. So when I receive correction, I try to learn from it and avoid repeating the mistake.”—David.
Because you can do better. The Bible says: “Share with a wise person, and he will become wiser.” (Proverbs 9:9) Constructive feedback can benefit you—if you accept it.
“I used to have the wrong view of criticism. I thought it made me look bad. But now I accept it and even ask for it. I want to know how I can improve.”—Selena.
Of course, it’s one thing to ask for constructive criticism. But when it comes uninvited, that can be another story. “I was horrified and discouraged,” says Natalie, recalling a card she received that contained some unsolicited advice. “I was trying so hard, and all I got for it was counsel!”
Has something similar ever happened to you? If so, how can you deal with it?
How can I accept constructive criticism?
Listen.
The Bible says: “A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a discerning man will remain calm.” (Proverbs 17:27) Don’t interrupt the person who is talking to you. And don’t respond impulsively, saying something that you will regret later!
“When I receive criticism, I’m inclined to get defensive. Instead, I should learn from the correction and do things better next time.”—Sara.
Focus on the message, not the messenger.
You might be tempted to point out the flaws of your critic. But it’s far better to follow the Bible’s advice to “be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19) There is usually some truth to criticism. Don’t miss out on what you need to hear just because you don’t want to hear it.
“I used to get angry and say, ‘I know, I know,’ when my parents gave me correction. But when I really listen to them and apply their advice, there are much better results.”—Edward.
Keep a balanced view of yourself.
The fact that you received constructive criticism doesn’t make you a failure. It simply means that you have flaws, like everyone else. Even the person correcting you needs constructive criticism now and then. In fact, the Bible says: “There is no righteous man on earth who always does good.”—Ecclesiastes 7:20.
“A friend gave me constructive criticism that I didn’t think I needed. I thanked her for her honesty, but I was offended. In time, though, I realized that her criticism had some truth to it. Thanks to her advice, I was able to see what I needed to work on—something I would otherwise have probably overlooked.”—Sophia.
Set a goal to improve.
The Bible says that “a shrewd person accepts correction.” (Proverbs 15:5) Once you accept it, you will be able to bypass any hurt feelings and get busy improving in the area that was pointed out to you. Create an action plan to do so, and track your progress over the next few months.
“Dealing with criticism is instructioned with honesty because you have to be honest with yourself to admit your mistakes, apologize for them, and learn how to improve.”—Emma.
The bottom line: The Bible says: “People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17, Good News Translation) Constructive criticism is a tool that can sharpen you, both now and when you become an adult.
What your peers say
“Constructive criticism doesn’t always come from someone older. It could come from a peer or even someone younger, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn from that person. It may be that he or she understands you and wants the best for you. Take to heart any constructive criticism you receive.”—Renato.
“Many people today are thin-skinned, and they expect others to cater to their sensitivities. That attitude can make them self-absorbed and resistant to any kind of feedback. I’ve found that the quicker you accept constructive criticism, the better things go for you—and for those around you.”—Shae.
Review: How should I take constructive criticism?
Listen. Don’t interrupt while the other person is talking. Don’t react impulsively, saying something you will later regret.
Focus on the message, not the messenger. Be quick to listen, slow to defend yourself. Feedback can help you improve.
Keep a balanced view of yourself. Receiving criticism doesn’t make you a failure. It simply means you have flaws, like everyone.
Set a goal to improve. Resolve to work on the flaw that was brought to your attention. Create an action plan, and monitor your progress. |
Young People Ask, Volume 1 (yp1)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp1 | SECTION 7
Your Worship
273 Making Worship Enjoyable
280 Goals |
What Prayers Can Do for You | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2021008 | What Prayers Can Do for You
Faced with a serious illness, Pamela sought professional medical help. However, she also prayed to God for strength to endure her ordeal. Did prayer help her?
“During my cancer treatment, I often felt a sense of dread,” Pamela explained. “But when I prayed to Jehovah God, a feeling of calm came over me and I could think clearly. I still suffer from chronic pain, yet prayer helps me to maintain a positive outlook. When people ask me how I feel, I say, ‘I don’t feel well, but I am in good spirits!’”
Of course, we do not have to wait until a life-threatening crisis comes on us before we pray. All of us face challenges, large and small, and we often feel we need help to deal with them. Can prayer help?
The Bible says: “Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.” (Psalm 55:22) What a comforting thought that is! So how can prayer help you? When you pray to God in the proper way, he will give you what you need to deal with your challenges.—See the box “What Prayers Can Bring You.”
What Prayers Can Bring You
Peace of mind
“Let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6, 7) When you pour out your concerns to God, he will help you to stay calm and act wisely under stress.
Wisdom from God
“If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5) When we are under pressure, we do not always make the best decisions. If you pray for wisdom, God can remind you of the many helpful principles in his written Word, the Bible.
Strength and comfort
“For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.” (Philippians 4:13) Being the almighty God, Jehovah can give you the strength you need to deal with your challenges or to sustain you through your trials. (Isaiah 40:29) The Bible also calls Jehovah “the God of all comfort.” He can comfort us “in all our trials.”—2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
WILL YOU BENEFIT?
Jehovah, of course, does not force you to pray to him. Instead, he lovingly invites you to do so. (Jeremiah 29:11, 12) What, though, if in the past you felt that your prayers were not answered? Do not lose heart or give up. Loving parents may not help their children in the exact way or at the very moment that the children expect. Perhaps the parents have a better solution. One thing, however, is certain: Loving parents help their children.
Jehovah God—the most loving of parents—wants to help you too. If you carefully examine the guidelines we have considered and do what you can to put them into practice, God will answer your prayers in the best possible way!—Psalm 34:15; Matthew 7:7-11. |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Jehovah
His name
The name Jehovah is understood to mean “He Causes to Become”
Ge 1:1; Ex 3:13-15; Ps 102:25; Isa 42:5
What does Jehovah become, or what roles does he assume, in order to care for his servants?
Ps 19:14; 68:5; Isa 33:22; 40:11; 2Co 1:3, 4
See also Ps 118:14; Isa 30:20; Jer 3:14; Zec 2:5
Why is the sanctification of God’s name of utmost importance?
Ps 83:18; Isa 29:23; Eze 36:23; Lu 11:2
Why is Jehovah, the Universal Sovereign, worthy of our obedience?
Re 4:11; 7:9-12
Some of Jehovah’s inputs
Almighty—Ge 17:1; Re 19:6
Father—Mt 6:9; Joh 5:21
Grand Instructor—Isa 30:20
Jehovah of armies—1Sa 1:11
King of eternity—1Ti 1:17; Re 15:3
Majesty—Heb 1:3; 8:1
Most High—Ge 14:18-22; Ps 7:17
The Rock—De 32:4; Isa 26:4
Sovereign Lord—Isa 25:8; Am 3:7
Some of Jehovah’s outstanding qualities
How does Jehovah emphasize his holiness, and how should that affect his servants?
Ex 28:36; Le 19:2; 2Co 7:1; 1Pe 1:13-16
Relevant Bible account(s):
Isa 6:1-8—The prophet Isaiah is at first overwhelmed by a vision that emphasizes Jehovah’s holiness, but a seraph reminds him that even sinful humans can be clean in God’s eyes
Ro 6:12-23; 12:1, 2—The apostle Paul explains how we can fight against our sinful tendencies and pursue “the way of holiness”
How great is Jehovah’s power, and what are some ways in which he uses it?
Ex 15:3-6; 2Ch 16:9; Isa 40:22, 25, 26, 28-31
Relevant Bible account(s):
De 8:12-18—The prophet Moses reminds the people that they owe all the good things they have to Jehovah’s generous use of His power in their behalf
1Ki 19:9-14—Jehovah uses awesome demonstrations of his power to encourage his depressed prophet Elijah
Why is Jehovah’s justice the best justice?
De 32:4; Job 34:10; 37:23; Ps 37:28; Isa 33:22
Relevant Bible account(s):
De 24:16-22—As revealed in the Mosaic Law, Jehovah’s sense of justice is in perfect harmony with his mercy and love
2Ch 19:4-7—King Jehoshaphat reminds the judges he appoints that they represent Jehovah’s justice, not that of any man
What reveals that Jehovah is supremely wise?
Ps 104:24; Pr 2:1-8; Jer 10:12; Ro 11:33; 16:27
See also Ps 139:14; Jer 17:10
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Ki 4:29-34—Jehovah blesses King Solomon with more wisdom than all other men of his time possess
Lu 11:31; Joh 7:14-18—Jesus is greater in wisdom than Solomon; yet, Jesus humbly acknowledges the Source of his wisdom
How does Jehovah show that love is his dominant quality?
Joh 3:16; Ro 8:32; 1Jo 4:8-10, 19
See also Zep 3:17; Joh 3:35
Relevant Bible account(s):
Mt 10:29-31—Jesus uses the sparrow to illustrate how much Jehovah loves and values each of His human servants
Mr 1:9-11—Jehovah speaks to his Son from heaven, openly giving him what every child needs from a parent—acknowledgment, love, and approval
For what other reasons are we drawn to Jehovah? The Bible shows that among his many appealing qualities, Jehovah is also . . .
All-seeing—2Ch 16:9; Pr 15:3
Changeless; reliable—Mal 3:6; Jas 1:17
Compassionate—Isa 49:15; 63:9; Zec 2:8
Eternal; without beginning or end—Ps 90:2; 93:2
Generous—Ps 104:13-15; 145:16
Glorious—Re 4:1-6
Happy—1Ti 1:11
Humble—Ps 18:35
Kind—Lu 6:35; Ro 2:4
Loyal—Re 15:4
Majestic—Ps 8:1; 148:13
Merciful—Ex 34:6
Patient—Isa 30:18; 2Pe 3:9
Peaceful—Php 4:9
Righteous—Ps 7:9
What will happen when we get to know Jehovah God better?
De 6:4, 5; Mr 12:28-32
How to serve Jehovah
What shows that Jehovah does not require more of his servants than is reasonable?
De 10:12; Mic 6:8; 1Jo 5:3
Relevant Bible account(s):
De 30:11-14—The Law given through the prophet Moses is not too hard for the Israelites to obey
Mt 11:28-30—Jesus, who perfectly reflects his Father, assures his followers that he is a refreshing Master
Why is it fitting that we praise Jehovah?
Ps 105:1, 2; Isa 43:10-12, 21
See also Jer 20:9; Lu 6:45; Ac 4:19, 20
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ps 104:1, 2, 10-20, 33, 34—The psalmist finds in creation ample reason to sing praises to Jehovah
Ps 148:1-14—Physical creation and all the angels praise Jehovah, and so should we
How can our conduct give a witness about Jehovah?
Mt 5:16; Joh 15:8; 1Pe 2:12
See also Jas 3:13
Why should we draw closer to Jehovah?
Ps 73:28; Jas 4:8
How does humility help us draw close to God?
Ps 138:6; Isa 57:15
What role do Bible reading and meditation play in our drawing close to Jehovah?
Ps 1:1-3; 77:11-13; Mal 3:16
Why is it vital that we act on what we learn about Jehovah?
Lu 6:46-49; Jas 1:22-25
Why should we never try to hide anything from Jehovah?
Job 34:22; Pr 28:13; Jer 23:24; 1Ti 5:24, 25
Relevant Bible account(s):
2Ki 5:20-27—Gehazi tries to hide his sin, but Jehovah enables His prophet Elisha to see the truth
Ac 5:1-11—Ananias and Sapphira are exposed and punished for lying to the holy spirit |
BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Matthew 11:28-30—“Come to Me, . . . and I Will Give You Rest” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502300130 | BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Matthew 11:28-30—“Come to Me, . . . and I Will Give You Rest”
“Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for yourselves. For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.”—Matthew 11:28-30, New World Translation.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”—Matthew 11:28-30, New International Version.
Meaning of Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus warmly invited his listeners to come to him. He assured them that by learning from him, they would find refreshment and relief.
“Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down.” Those to whom Jesus extended this warm invitation were “loaded down” by rules and human traditions imposed on them by their religious leaders. (Matthew 23:4; Mark 7:7) The common people were also burdened by anxiety and toil, having to work long and hard just to make a living.
“I will refresh you.” Jesus promised to give relief, or rest, to those who accepted his kind invitation. He did so by helping them to understand what God truly expected of them. (Matthew 7:24, 25) This knowledge set them free from enslavement to false ideas and oppressive religious traditions. (John 8:31, 32) Although learning and applying Jesus’ teachings took effort, doing so was refreshing.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” In Bible times, workers often used a yoke—a wooden bar placed upon the shoulders—to carry heavy loads. Thus, the word “yoke” took on the meaning of being subject to another person’s authority and direction. (Leviticus 26:13; Isaiah 14:25; Jeremiah 28:4) The phrase “learn from me” can also be rendered “become my disciples (learners).” So Jesus was encouraging his listeners to become his disciples by following him and imitating his example.—John 13:13-15; 1 Peter 2:21.
“You will find refreshment for yourselves.” Jesus did not offer immediate relief from all oppressive conditions. He did, however, help his listeners to find comfort and hope. (Matthew 6:25-32; 10:29-31) Those who became his disciples and accepted his teachings found that serving God was not a burden, but doing so brought true satisfaction.—1 John 5:3.
“For my yoke is kindly, and my load is light.” Unlike the religious leaders of his day, Jesus was humble and mild-tempered. (John 7:47-49) He was never harsh or oppressive. Instead, he was kind and approachable. He was reasonable in what he expected of his followers. (Matthew 7:12; Mark 6:34; Luke 9:11) He also showed them how they could benefit from God’s mercy and enjoy the refreshment that comes from having a good conscience. (Matthew 5:23, 24; 6:14) Jesus’ beautiful qualities not only drew people to him but also moved them to accept his kindly yoke and become his disciples.
Context of Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus spoke the words recorded at Matthew 11:28-30 while he was on a preaching campaign in Galilee in the year 31 C.E. The apostle Matthew was the only Gospel writer who recorded Jesus’ kindly invitation. As a former tax collector and a Jew himself, Matthew knew firsthand how the common people were oppressed, not only by Roman taxation but also by the corrupt Jewish religious system. So he was no doubt encouraged when he saw Jesus use the authority given him by his Father, Jehovah,a to invite the humble and downtrodden to come to him.—Matthew 11:25-27.
Matthew’s Gospel highlights the outstanding qualities that Jesus displayed as the promised Messiah and the future ruler of God’s Kingdom.—Matthew 1:20-23; Isaiah 11:1-5.
Read Matthew chapter 11 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 Matthew.
a Jehovah is the personal name of God. (Psalm 83:18) See the article “Who Is Jehovah?” |
Live Forever (pe)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pe | Chapter 26
The Fight to Do What Is Right
1. What two things must Christians fight against?
AS LONG AS Satan’s world exists, Christians must fight to keep free from its wicked influence. The apostle Paul wrote: “Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the [crafty acts] of the Devil.” (Ephesians 6:11-18) However, our fight is not only against Satan and his world; it is also against our own desires to do what is bad. The Bible says: “The inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up.”—Genesis 8:21; Romans 5:12.
2. (a) Why do we often have a strong desire to do wrong? (b) Why should we fight wrong desires?
2 Because of the sin inherited from the first man Adam, our hearts may crave to do what is bad. If we give in to that craving, we will not receive everlasting life in God’s new system. So we need to fight to do what is right. Even the apostle Paul had such a fight, as he explained: “When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me.” (Romans 7:21-23) You, too, may find this fight a hard one. At times a powerful conflict may be going on within you. What will you then decide to do?
3. (a) What inner conflict do many persons have? (b) What Bible truth is demonstrated by the fact that many do wrong when they wish to do right?
3 You have come to know of God’s wonderful promises about living forever under perfect conditions on earth. You believe these promises, and you want these good things for yourself. So you know that it is in your lasting best interest to serve God. But in your heart you may desire things that you know are bad. At times you may have a strong desire to commit fornication, to steal, or to take part in other wrongdoing. Some persons studying this book may actually be engaging in such bad practices, though they know that these things are condemned by God. The fact that they do wrong when they wish to do right demonstrates the Bible truth: “The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate.”—Jeremiah 17:9.
THE FIGHT CAN BE WON
4. (a) Whether the fight is won or lost depends upon whom? (b) What is required to win the fight to do what is right?
4 This does not mean, however, that a person has no control over his strong desires to do wrong. If you really want to, you can strengthen your heart so that it will lead you in a right way. But it is up to you to do this. (Psalm 26:1, 11) Nobody else can win the fight for you. So, first of all, continue to take in life-giving Bible knowledge. (John 17:3) Yet more is needed than simply getting that knowledge into your head. It must also sink into your heart. You must come to have a deep feeling about what you are learning so that you really want to act upon it.
5. How can you gain heart appreciation for God’s laws?
5 But how can you gain heart appreciation for God’s laws? You need to meditate, or think deeply, about them. For example, ask yourself: What difference does obeying God really make? Then look at the lives of people who have ignored his laws, such as the 19-year-old girl who wrote: “I have had a venereal disease three times. The last time it cost me my right to bear children because I had to have a hysterectomy.” It is truly sad to consider all the trouble that is caused when people disobey God’s laws. (2 Samuel 13:1-19) A woman who had committed fornication sadly said: “It’s just not worth the pain and emotional breakdown that comes with disobedience. I’m suffering for that now.”
6. (a) Why is pleasure that may come from doing what is bad not worth it? (b) What kind of life could Moses have enjoyed in Egypt?
6 Yet you will hear people say that fornication, as well as getting drunk and taking drugs, is fun. But the so-called fun is only temporary. Do not be misled into a course of action that will rob you of true and lasting happiness. Think of Moses who was raised as “the son of the daughter of Pharaoh.” He lived in the richness of the royal household there in ancient Egypt. However, the Bible says that, when he grew up, he chose “to be ill-treated with the people of God rather than to have the temporary enjoyment of sin.” (Hebrews 11:24, 25) So there must have been enjoyment or fun in the immoral, loose-living way of life that apparently existed among the Egyptian royal household. Why, then, did Moses turn away from all of it?
7. Why did Moses turn away from “the temporary enjoyment of sin” in the Egyptian royal household?
7 It is because Moses believed in Jehovah God. And he knew about something far better than any temporary enjoyment of sin that he might experience in the Egyptian royal household. The Bible says: “He looked intently toward the payment of the reward.” Moses meditated, or thought deeply, about the things that God had promised. He had faith in God’s purpose to create a righteous new system. His heart was touched by Jehovah’s great love and care for humankind. It was not simply that Moses had heard or read about Jehovah. The Bible says that “he continued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:26, 27) Jehovah was real to Moses, and so were his promises of everlasting life.
8. (a) To win in the fight to do right, what do we need? (b) What viewpoint, as expressed by a youth, would we be wise to have?
8 Is that true of you? Do you view Jehovah as a real Person, as a Father who loves you? When you read about his promises to provide everlasting life in Paradise on earth, do you picture yourself being there enjoying these blessings? (See pages 156 to 162.) To win the fight against the many pressures to do wrong, we need to have a close relationship with Jehovah. And we need to look, as Moses did, “intently toward the payment of the reward.” A 20-year-old youth, who was faced with the temptation to commit fornication, had Moses’ viewpoint. He said: “My hope for everlasting life was too valuable to lose for a few moments of immorality.” Is that not the right attitude to have?
LEARNING FROM THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS
9. In what way did King David fail in the fight to do what is right?
9 You can never let down your guard in this fight, as King David once did. He happened one day to be looking from his rooftop, and in the distance he saw beautiful Bath-sheba bathing herself. Rather than turn away before improper thoughts grew in his heart, he kept looking. His desire to have sexual relations with Bath-sheba became so strong that he had her brought to his palace. Later, since she had become pregnant, and he was unable to have their adultery covered up, he arranged to have her husband killed in battle.—2 Samuel 11:1-17.
10. (a) How was David punished for his sin? (b) What could have prevented David’s falling into adultery?
10 That indeed was a terrible sin. And David really suffered for it. Not only was he greatly distressed by what he had done, but Jehovah punished him with trouble in his household for the rest of his life. (Psalm 51:3, 4; 2 Samuel 12:10-12) David’s heart was more treacherous than he had realized; his wrong desires overpowered him. Afterward he said: “Look! With error I was brought forth with birth pains, and in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5) But the bad thing David did with Bath-sheba did not have to happen. His problem was that he kept looking; he did not avoid the situation that caused his sexual appetite to grow for another man’s wife.
11. (a) What should we learn from David’s experience? (b) What activities would you say can work up “sexual appetite”? (c) As one youth stated, what does the wise person avoid?
11 We should learn from David’s experience to be on guard against situations that excite improper sexual feelings. For example, what will happen if you read books and watch television programs and movies that put emphasis on sex? Sexual desires will likely be stimulated. So avoid activities and entertainment that work up “sexual appetite.” (Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Ephesians 5:3-5) Do not put yourself in a situation with another person that can lead to fornication. A 17-year-old wisely commented: “Anyone can say, ‘we know when to stop.’ True, a person may know when, but how many can do it? It is better to avoid the situation.”
12. What example of Joseph should we keep in mind?
12 If David had kept in mind the example of Joseph, he would never have committed that great sin against God. Down in Egypt, Joseph had been put in charge of the household of Potiphar. While Potiphar was away, his sex-mad wife would try to seduce the handsome Joseph, saying: “Lie down with me.” But Joseph refused. Then one day she grabbed him and tried to make him lie down with her. But Joseph broke free and fled. He kept his heart strong by thinking, not of satisfying his own sexual desires, but of what was right in God’s sight. “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?” he asked.—Genesis 39:7-12.
HELP THAT YOU NEED TO WIN
13, 14. (a) What is needed to win this fight? (b) What change did those who became Christians in Corinth make, and with what help? (c) What kind of persons had Paul and Titus been?
13 To win this fight you must let Bible knowledge sink down into your heart so that you are moved to act upon it. But you also need to associate with God’s people, to become a part of Jehovah’s visible organization. With its help, no matter how deeply you may have been involved in wrongdoing, you can change. Concerning persons in ancient Corinth who changed, the apostle Paul wrote: “Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men, nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom. And yet that is what some of you were. But you have been washed clean.”—1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
14 Think of that! Some of those early Christians had formerly been fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves and drunkards. But with help from the Christian organization they changed. The apostle Paul himself had once practiced bad things. (1 Timothy 1:15) To his fellow Christian, Titus, he wrote: “For even we were once senseless, disobedient, being misled, being slaves to various desires and pleasures.”—Titus 3:3.
15. (a) What shows that it was not easy for Paul to do what is right? (b) How can we benefit from Paul’s example?
15 When Paul became a Christian, was it then easy for him to do what is right? No. Paul had a lifelong battle against the wrong desires and pleasures to which he had once been a slave. He wrote: “I [beat] my body and lead it as a slave, that, after I have preached to others, I myself should not become disapproved somehow.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) Paul ‘got tough’ with himself. He would force himself to do what is right, even when his body desired to do wrong. And if you do as he did, you also can win this fight.
16. What modern-day examples can help us to win the fight to do right?
16 If you are finding it hard to overcome some bad habit, attend the next large assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses. You will no doubt be impressed by the clean conduct and the joy of those present. Yet many of these persons were once part of this world in which fornication, adultery, drunkenness, homosexuality, smoking, drug addiction, theft, fraud, lying and gambling are so very common. Many of them once practiced these things. (1 Peter 4:3, 4) Also, as you associate with Jehovah’s Witnesses at smaller congregation meetings, which should be done without delay, you will be among persons who have fought to overcome the same bad practices and desires that you may now be fighting against. So take courage! They are winning the fight to do what is right. So can you with God’s help.
17. (a) What association is necessary if we are to win the fight? (b) From whom can you receive help with problems?
17 If you have been studying the Bible for some time now with Jehovah’s Witnesses, you no doubt have attended meetings at the Kingdom Hall. Make such meeting attendance a regular habit. All of us need the spiritual encouragement received from such Christian association. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Get to know the “older men,” or elders, of the congregation. Their responsibility is to “shepherd the flock of God.” (1 Peter 5:1-3; Acts 20:28) So do not hesitate to go to them if you need help to overcome some habit that is contrary to God’s laws. You will find them to be loving, kind and considerate.—1 Thessalonians 2:7, 8.
18. What future prospect provides strength to carry on in the fight?
18 The pressure to do wrong is on us, not only from Satan’s world but from within our sinful selves. So to be faithful to God is a daily fight. But how good that the fight will not continue forever! Soon Satan will be removed and his entire wicked world will be destroyed. Then, in God’s new system near at hand, there will be righteous conditions that will make our course much easier. Eventually all traces of sin will be gone, and no longer will there be this hard fight to do what is right.
19. Why should you be willing to put forth any effort to please Jehovah?
19 Think regularly about the blessings of that new system. Yes, put on “as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8) May your attitude be that of the young woman who said: “I think of everything that Jehovah has done for me and promised me. He hasn’t given up on me. He has blessed me in so many ways. I know he wants only the best for me, and I want to please him. Eternal life is worth any effort.” If we faithfully pursue righteousness, ‘all the good promises that Jehovah has made’ toward those who love him will come true.—Joshua 21:45.
[Picture on page 219]
Since there was enjoyment in the life-style of ancient Egypt, why did Moses reject it?
[Pictures on page 220, 221]
David kept looking; he did not avoid the situation that led to immorality
[Picture on page 222]
Joseph fled from the immoral advances of Potiphar’s wife |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 11
The Shulammite Remnant
(Song of Solomon 6:13)
1. ‘Dear Shulammite maiden, so lovely and fair,
Your spiritual virtues are many and rare.
Your speaking is pleasant, your charms a delight.
Your fellowship holds me, beloved Shulammite.’
2. Thus speaks her Fine Shepherd, Christ Jesus her Lord.
He wants her to share his eternal reward.
And how does the fair one, so firm as a wall,
Reply to her Lord, as a model for all?
3. ‘Exclusive devotion is not up for hire,
Since blazings of love are like blazings of fire.
Unyielding as Sheol all true love will be.
Like flame of Jehovah is your love for me.’
4. Fair Shulammite remnant, temptations resist.
Stay clean for your Bridegroom; on virtue insist.
Your virgin companions that walk in your train
Rejoice at your course and the prize you will gain. |
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Trillions Spent for War—What Is the Real Cost? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100099 | Military equipment: Anton Petrus/Moment via Getty Images; money: Wara1982/iStock via Getty Images Plus
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Trillions Spent for War—What Is the Real Cost?
The cost of war is enormous.
“Global military spending hits record $2.2 trillion amid multiple wars.”—The Washington Post, February 13, 2024.
The cost includes much more than money. Consider just one example: The war in Ukraine.
Soldiers. By some estimates, almost 500,000 soldiers have been killed or wounded since the war began two years ago.
Civilians. More than 28,000 have died or been injured, according to the United Nations. However, a senior UN official stated: “The full lasting toll of this devastating war on the civilian population is beyond measure.”a
The cost in human suffering as a result of war and conflict around the world is immense.
114 million. The number of people displaced by war and violence worldwide as of September 2023.
783 million. The number of people facing chronic hunger. “Conflict is still the biggest driver of hunger, with 70 percent of the world’s hungry people living in areas afflicted by war and violence.”—World Food Programme.
Will there ever be an end to war? What hope is there for peace? Will the world’s abundant resources ever be used to fight hunger and erase poverty? What does the Bible say?
A time of war
The Bible foretold widespread warfare, describing it symbolically as a rider on horseback.
“Another came out, a fiery-colored horse, and it was granted to the one seated on it to take peace away from the earth so that they should slaughter one another, and he was given a great sword.”—Revelation 6:4.
That symbolic horseman is followed by two others who represent widespread famine and death due to plague or other causes. (Revelation 6:5-8) To learn more about this Bible prophecy and why we can be certain it is being fulfilled in our day, read the article “The Four Horsemen—Who Are They?”
A future of peace
Soon, the world’s resources will no longer be used for war. However, this will not result from human effort. The Bible says:
God will bring “an end to wars throughout the earth.”—Psalm 46:9.
God will undo the tragic effects of war. “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 21:4.
God will ensure lasting peace for all. “My people will dwell in a peaceful abiding place, in secure dwellings and in tranquil resting-places.”—Isaiah 32:18.
According to Bible prophecy, the wars and other events we see today indicate that this time of peace is near at hand.
How will God bring about this peaceful future? He will do so by means of his heavenly government, or Kingdom. (Matthew 6:10) To learn what this Kingdom is and what it can mean for you, watch the brief video What Is God’s Kingdom?
a Miroslav Jenca, United Nations assistant secretary-general for Europe, December 6, 2023. |
Jesus—The Way (jy)
2015 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/jy | The Way, the Truth, the Life
You likely are pleased to get good news. And there definitely is very good news for you and your loved ones.
This good news is in the Bible, a book that the Creator of the universe, Jehovah God, caused to be written years ago. In this publication, we will focus on four Bible books that contain very good news for all of us. They are identified by the names of the men whom God used to write them—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Many refer to these four accounts as the four Gospels. All four relate the gospel, or good news, about Jesus—that he is God’s means for salvation and that as King of God’s heavenly Kingdom, Jesus will bring permanent blessings to all who exercise faith in him.—Mark 10:17, 30; 13:13.
WHY FOUR GOSPELS?
You may have wondered why God inspired four accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings.
There are benefits to having these separate accounts of what Jesus said and did. To illustrate, imagine that four men are standing near a famous teacher. The man standing in front of the teacher has a tax office. The one on the right is a physician. The man listening from the left side is a fisherman and is the teacher’s very close friend. And the fourth man, located at the back, is an observer who is younger than the others. All four are honest men, and each has a distinct interest or focus. If each writes an account of the teacher’s sayings and activities, the four records would likely feature different details or events. By considering all four accounts, bearing in mind the varying perspectives or objectives, we could get a complete picture of what the teacher said and did. This illustrates how we can benefit from having four separate accounts of the life of the Great Teacher, Jesus.
Continuing the illustration, the tax man wants to appeal to people of a Jewish background, so he groups some teachings or events in a way to help that primary audience. The physician highlights the healing of the sick or crippled, so he omits some things that the tax man recorded or presents them in a different order. The close friend emphasizes the teacher’s feelings and qualities. The younger man’s account is briefer, more succinct. Still, each man’s account is accurate. This well illustrates how having all four accounts of Jesus’ life enriches our understanding of his activities, teachings, and personality.
People may speak of ‘the Gospel of Matthew’ or ‘John’s Gospel.’ That is not inaccurate, for each contains “good news about Jesus Christ.” (Mark 1:1) However, in a larger sense, there is but one overall gospel, or good news, about Jesus—available to us in the four records.
Many students of God’s Word have compared and harmonized the events and facts found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. About 170 C.E., the Syrian writer Tatian endeavored to do so. He recognized these four books as accurate and inspired, and he compiled the Diatessaron, a harmonized account of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Jesus—The Way, the Truth, the Life does similarly, but it is more accurate and complete. That is possible because we now better understand the fulfillment of many of Jesus’ prophecies and illustrations. This understanding clarifies the things he said and did, as well as the order in which events occurred. Archaeological discoveries have also shed light on certain details and on the writers’ perspectives. Of course, no one can be dogmatic about the sequence of every event. But Jesus—The Way, the Truth, the Life presents what is reasonable and logical.
THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
As you read and enjoy this book, try to bear in mind the primary message for you and your loved ones. Recall that Jesus Christ himself told the apostle Thomas: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”—John 14:6.
Jesus—The Way, the Truth, the Life will help you to appreciate how Jesus definitely is “the way.” Only through him is it possible to approach Jehovah God in prayer. Moreover, Jesus is the way for us to be reconciled to God. (John 16:23; Romans 5:8) Hence, only through Jesus can we have an approved relationship with God.
Jesus is “the truth.” He spoke and lived in harmony with truth; it was as if truth arrived in the person of Jesus. He fulfilled scores of prophecies, which became “‘yes’ by means of him.” (2 Corinthians 1:20; John 1:14) Such prophecies help us to see his central role in the outworking of God’s purpose.—Revelation 19:10.
And Jesus Christ is “the life.” By means of the ransom, his giving up his perfect life and blood, he made it possible for us to gain “the real life,” that is, “everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 6:12, 19; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7) He will also prove to be “the life” for millions who have died but who will be raised to life with the prospect of living in Paradise forever.—John 5:28, 29.
All of us need to appreciate Jesus’ role in God’s purpose. May you enjoy learning more about Jesus—“the way and the truth and the life.” |
Learn From the Bible (lfb)
2017 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lfb | Introduction to Section 4
This section introduces us to Joseph, Job, Moses, and the Israelites. All of them endured much at the hands of the Devil. Some of them experienced injustice, imprisonment, slavery, and even death. In various ways, though, Jehovah protected them. If you are a parent, help your child to understand how those servants of Jehovah suffered evil without losing faith.
Jehovah used the Ten Plagues to show that he is more powerful than all the gods of Egypt. Highlight how Jehovah protected his people in the past and how he does so today.
KEY LESSONS
Joseph resisted immorality because he loved Jehovah
Job did not allow intense suffering to drive him away from Jehovah
No matter where he was, Moses never forgot that he was a servant of God |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 103
Visiting the Temple Again
JESUS and his disciples have just spent their third night in Bethany since arriving from Jericho. Now the early morning light of Monday, Nisan 10, finds them already on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus is hungry. So when he catches sight of a fig tree with leaves, he goes over to it to see whether it might have some figs.
The tree’s leaves are unseasonally early, since the season for figs is not until June, and it is now only late March. However, Jesus evidently feels that since the leaves are early, the figs might also be early. But he is disappointed. The leaves have given the tree a deceptive appearance. Jesus then curses the tree, saying: “Let no one eat fruit from you anymore forever.” The consequences of Jesus’ action and its significance are learned the following morning.
Continuing on, Jesus and his disciples soon reach Jerusalem. He goes to the temple, which he had inspected the previous afternoon. Today, however, he takes action, just as he did three years earlier when he came to the Passover in 30 C.E. Jesus throws out those selling and buying in the temple and overturns the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. He does not even allow anyone to carry a utensil through the temple.
Condemning those who are changing money and selling animals in the temple, he says: “Is it not written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a cave of robbers.” They are robbers because they demand exorbitant prices from those who have little alternative but to buy from them the animals needed for sacrifice. So Jesus views these business dealings as a form of extortion or robbery.
When the chief priests, scribes, and principal ones of the people hear what Jesus has done, they again seek a way to have him killed. They thereby prove that they are irreformable. Yet, they do not know how to destroy Jesus, since all the people keep hanging on to him to hear him.
Besides natural Jews, Gentiles have also come to the Passover. These are proselytes, meaning that they have converted to the religion of the Jews. Certain Greeks, evidently proselytes, now approach Philip and ask to see Jesus. Philip goes to Andrew, perhaps to ask whether such a meeting would be appropriate. Jesus is apparently still at the temple, where the Greeks are able to see him.
Jesus knows he has only a few days of life left, so he nicely illustrates his situation: “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified. Most truly I say to you, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains just one grain; but if it dies, it then bears much fruit.”
One grain of wheat has little value. Yet, what if it is put into the soil and “dies,” ending its life as a seed? It then germinates and in time grows into a stalk that produces many, many grains of wheat. Similarly, Jesus is just one perfect man. But if he dies faithful to God, he becomes the means of imparting everlasting life to faithful ones who have the same spirit of self-sacrifice that he has. Thus, Jesus says: “He that is fond of his soul destroys it, but he that hates his soul in this world will safeguard it for everlasting life.”
Jesus obviously is not thinking only of himself, for he next explains: “If anyone would minister to me, let him follow me, and where I am there my minister will be also. If anyone would minister to me, the Father will honor him.” What a marvelous reward for following Jesus and ministering to him! It is the reward of being honored by the Father to associate with Christ in the Kingdom.
Thinking about the great suffering and agonizing death that awaits him, Jesus continues: “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me out of this hour.” If what awaits him could only be avoided! But, no, as he says: “This is why I have come to this hour.” Jesus is in agreement with the entire arrangement of God, including his own sacrificial death. Matthew 21:12, 13, 18, 19; Mark 11:12-18; Luke 19:45-48; John 12:20-27.
▪ Why does Jesus expect to find figs even though it is not the season for them?
▪ Why does Jesus call those selling in the temple “robbers”?
▪ In what way is Jesus like a grain of wheat that dies?
▪ How does Jesus feel about the suffering and death that await him? |
Page Thirty-Two | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2009012 | Page Thirty-Two
◼ Did Jesus have brothers and sisters? See page 6.
◼ Can the dead harm the living? See page 11.
◼ Will man save the earth? See page 18.
◼ Why did Jesus wash the feet of his apostles? See page 19.
◼ Should God be expected to answer all prayers? See page 30. |
What Is the Soul? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502014103 | What Is the Soul?
The Bible’s answer
The word “soul” in the Bible is a translation of the Hebrew word neʹphesh and the Greek word psy·kheʹ. The Hebrew word literally means “a creature that breathes,” and the Greek word means “a living being.”a The soul, then, is the entire creature, not something inside that survives the death of the body. Consider how the Bible shows that the human soul is the whole person:
Adam was not given a soul—he “became a living soul”
When Jehovah God created the first man, Adam, the Bible says that “man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7, King James Version) Adam was not given a soul—he became a living soul, or person.
The Bible says that the soul can work, crave food, eat, obey laws, and touch a dead body. (Leviticus 5:2; 7:20; 23:30; Deuteronomy 12:20; Romans 13:1) Those activities involve the entire person.
Is the soul immortal?
No, the soul can die. Dozens of Bible verses refer to the soul as being mortal. Here are some examples:
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”—Ezekiel 18:4, 20, King James Version.
In ancient Israel, the punishment for the most serious offenses was that the “soul shall be cut off.” (Exodus 12:15, 19; Leviticus 7:20, 21, 27; 19:8, King James Version) The person would “be put to death.”—Exodus 31:14, King James Version.
After a person dies, the literal term “dead soul” is used for the corpse in some Bible verses. (Leviticus 21:11, footnote; Numbers 6:6, footnote) Although many Bible translations use the terms “dead body” or “dead person” in those verses, the original Hebrew uses the word neʹphesh, or “soul.”
“Soul” can mean “life”
The Bible also uses “soul” as a synonym for “life.” For example, Job 33:22 uses the Hebrew word for “soul” (neʹphesh) as a parallel for “life.” Similarly, the Bible shows that a person’s soul, or life, can be risked or lost.—Exodus 4:19; Judges 9:17; Philippians 2:30.
This use of the word for “soul” helps us to understand verses in which the soul is said to be “going out” or “departing.” (Genesis 35:18; King James Version) This figure of speech indicates that the person’s life is ending. Some translations render this expression at Genesis 35:18 as “she breathed her last.”—Good News Translation; New Jerusalem Bible.
Where belief in an immortal soul comes from
Christian denominations that believe in an immortal soul get this teaching, not from the Bible, but from ancient Greek philosophy. The Encyclopædia Britannica says: “Biblical references to the soul are related to the concept of breath and establish no distinction between the ethereal soul and the corporeal body. Christian concepts of a body-soul dichotomy originated with the ancient Greeks.”
God does not condone merging his teachings with human philosophies, such as belief in an immortal soul. Instead, the Bible warns: “Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition.”—Colossians 2:8.
a See The New Brown, Driver, and Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament, page 659, and the Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros, page 627. Many Bible translations render the words neʹphesh and psy·kheʹ differently according to the context, using words such as “soul,” “life,” “person,” “creature,” or “body.” |
Survival (su)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/su | Chapter 10
“They Will Hunger No More”
1. How serious is the world’s concern over food?
ONE of the principal problems facing the world today concerns food. High prices cause difficulties for many. Actual starvation confronts others. It was recently reported that each year 40 million people—in some years as many as 50 million—die because they do not have the food they need. About ten times that number suffer severe malnutrition. Although some countries produce much more than they can eat, political rivalry and commercial greed often thwart efforts to make the surplus available to those who need it most.—Compare Revelation 6:5, 6.
2. Even in lands where there is an abundance, why do people have reason to be concerned?
2 Even lands that seem to have an abundance face a disturbing future. Why? The current methods of farming often depend on petroleum, and the global supply is not unlimited. Heavy reliance on commercial fertilizers is polluting their water supplies. The excessive use of pesticides, meant to safeguard crops, is also destroying organisms on which future productivity of the soil depends. In nearly every field of human endeavor, serious problems continue to multiply. Aurelio Peccei, president of an international forum of intellectuals, likened the world to “a ricocheting bullet as it careens from disaster to disaster.” Is it being realistic to pin one’s hopes for the future on a world with such a record?—Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12.
3. Who is able to guarantee plenty of food for all mankind, and what gives you that confidence?
3 Sensibly, millions of persons have faced up to their need for the help that only God can give. Having examined Bible prophecy, they know that Jehovah God has already enthroned his heavenly Son Jesus Christ and has given him all the earth as his possession. (Psalm 2:7, 8) He has the wisdom and the ability to guarantee that all mankind will be generously supplied from earth’s produce. (Psalm 72:7, 8, 16; Colossians 1:15-17) When the present selfish system is removed, Christ will direct the efforts of human survivors so that all the earth will become a fruitful Paradise.
4. To benefit from those physical provisions, what must we do now?
4 The ones who will lastingly benefit from his rule, however, are those who discern that man does not live on bread alone, persons who appreciate spiritual values and the vital need to draw strength from learning and doing God’s will. The Bible repeatedly highlights the importance of this. (John 4:34; 6:27; Jeremiah 15:16) Jesus emphasized it when he said: “It is written, ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah’s mouth.’” (Matthew 4:4) We need such spiritual food now, if we would survive the end of the present world. How we can obtain it is illustrated for us in the Bible account concerning Joseph and his brothers.
“GO TO JOSEPH”
5. How did Joseph come to be a slave in Egypt?
5 God gave to Joseph, a great-grandson of Abraham, dreams indicating that Joseph would have a prominent role in life. Because of this, as well as the fact that he was specially loved by his father, Joseph’s ten half brothers hated Joseph. They plotted to kill him but finally sold him as a slave, and he was taken to Egypt. How was God’s purpose regarding Joseph going to work out now?—Genesis 37:3-11, 28.
6. (a) How was Pharaoh’s attention directed to Joseph? (b) What were the dreams that disturbed Pharaoh?
6 When Joseph was 30 years of age, Jehovah caused Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, to have two dreams that troubled him. In the first he saw seven cows “beautiful in appearance and fat-fleshed,” also seven other cows “ugly in appearance and thin-fleshed.” The skinny cows proceeded to eat the fat ones. In another dream Pharaoh saw seven ears of grain on one stalk, “fat and good,” and seven other ears that were “thin and scorched by the east wind.” Again, the thin ones consumed the fat ones. What did it all mean? None of the wise men of Egypt were able to interpret the dreams. But Pharaoh’s cupbearer recalled that, when he had been in prison, a fellow prisoner, Joseph, had correctly interpreted dreams. Promptly Pharaoh summoned Joseph.—Genesis 41:1-15.
7. (a) How did Joseph become the food administrator for Egypt? (b) When the famine became severe, what did the Egyptians do in order to keep living?
7 Claiming no credit for himself, Joseph told Pharaoh: “The dream of Pharaoh is but one. What the true God is doing he has told to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:16, 25) Joseph explained that the second dream meant the same as the first and emphasized its certainty. Seven years of plenty in Egypt were to be followed by seven of famine. He advised Pharaoh to put a capable man in charge of storing grain during the years of plenty in preparation for the famine. Recognizing that God himself had evidently disclosed all of this to Joseph, Pharaoh appointed Joseph as food administrator, giving him authority in Egypt second only to that of Pharaoh himself. Just as predicted, the seven years of unusual abundance came, and Joseph had tremendous quantities of foodstuffs stored away. Then the foretold famine tightened its grip on the land. When the people pleaded with Pharaoh for bread, he answered: “Go to Joseph. Whatever he says to you, you are to do.” So Joseph sold them grain—first paid for with money, then with their livestock, and finally in exchange for themselves and their land. To continue living, they had to give themselves over completely to the service of Pharaoh.—Genesis 41:26-49, 53-56; 47:13-26.
8. (a) To obtain needed foodstuffs, what was required of Joseph’s half brothers? (b) Why has the record of this been preserved?
8 The famine also affected the lands around Egypt. Eventually Joseph’s own half brothers came down from Canaan. Over 20 years had passed since they had sold him into slavery, and they did not recognize him. They bowed before him, as Joseph’s dreams had long previously foretold, and sought to obtain foodstuffs. (Genesis 37:6, 7; 42:5-7) Skillfully Joseph put them to the test and saw convincing evidence that their attitude toward him and their father had indeed changed. Finally he identified himself and explained that it was actually “for the preservation of life” that God had sent him to Egypt ahead of them. At his direction, they moved their father and their families into Egypt. (Genesis 45:1-11) All of this was recorded for our benefit, and its prophetic significance involves events in our day.—Romans 15:4.
SATISFYING OUR HUNGER AND THIRST NOW
9. (a) What accounts for the spiritual famine in the world today? (b) Why is this one of the root causes of mankind’s problems?
9 One of the root causes of mankind’s problems is spiritual famine. Because they have abandoned Jehovah, he does not favor them with understanding of his Word, and, as a result, they experience “a famine, not for bread, and a thirst, not for water, but for hearing the words of Jehovah.” (Amos 8:11) Spiritually famished people grope for answers to such vital questions as: What is the meaning of life? Why do people die? Is there any real hope for the future? Crazed from spiritual hunger, such people often hurt themselves and others as they engage in immoral and criminal conduct to satisfy their cravings.
10. (a) In fulfillment of Isaiah 65:13, 14, what condition exists among Jehovah’s servants? (b) When are the periods of spiritual famine and of spiritual plenty?
10 In contrast, Jehovah has given spiritual abundance to his loyal servants, and genuine love exists among them. He has opened to their understanding the satisfying spiritual truths in his inspired Word and has given them work to do as his witnesses. They gladly share these truths with others who are spiritually hungry and seeking life in relationship with God. (Isaiah 65:13, 14; Luke 6:21) Back in ancient Egypt the seven years of famine followed the seven of plenty. But in our day the periods of spiritual famine and of spiritual abundance run concurrently.
11. (a) Who are pictured by Pharaoh and by Joseph, and why so? (b) How is the course taken by the “great crowd” like that of the famine-stricken Egyptians?
11 Today it is not Pharaoh who is ruler. Jehovah God, the Greater Pharaoh, is Universal Sovereign. He has granted to Jesus Christ authority second only to his own. As the Greater Joseph, Jesus is the One to whom Jehovah has entrusted responsibility to dispense life-sustaining spiritual food. The religious and secular philosophies of the world have left mankind with gnawing spiritual hunger. Only by turning to Jesus Christ and obtaining spiritual food in the way that he directs can they be sustained. Millions of persons, pictured by the famine-stricken Egyptians, are doing that. Through Jesus Christ they are fully dedicating themselves to Jehovah for all time, and thus they are included in the great crowd of prospective survivors of the coming day of divine wrath.
12. (a) How does Jesus in heaven make spiritual food available to us here on earth? (b) What convinces you as to the identity of “the faithful and discreet slave”?
12 But Jesus is in heaven. How does he provide spiritual food to benefit us here on earth? He foretold that he would do so through his “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) This is a composite “slave,” made up of his congregation of spirit-anointed ones while still on earth. (Compare Isaiah 43:10.) A remnant of these are still on the earthly scene. This true Christian congregation is easily identifiable by comparison of its teachings and practices with the Bible. It genuinely teaches what Jesus commanded. Therefore it is not involved in the political affairs of the world, but all its members are public proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. They are not split up among the sects of Christendom. They are united, as Jesus said they would be—all of them Jehovah’s Witnesses in imitation of their Lord. (See John 17:16, 20, 21; Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20; Revelation 1:5.) They enjoy spiritual abundance and are very willing to share it with others.
13. (a) In what ways have many persons shown themselves to be like Joseph’s ten half brothers? (b) How can all of us benefit from the spiritual food provided by Christ through the “slave” class?
13 Many people have ridiculed these anointed Christians, saying: ‘Do you think you are better than we are? Do you think you are the only ones who are right?’ But in time some humbly recognize that Jehovah truly does have witnesses on the earth and that they really proclaim His word. They come to appreciate that the Bible shows there would be only one true Christian congregation and that its members would be united. (Ephesians 4:5; Romans 12:5) An honest and humble examination of the facts has led them to that organization. Joseph’s ten half brothers foreshadowed such persons, who previously persecuted Jesus’ anointed followers or who gave moral support to such persecutors but who now demonstrate a genuine change of heart. (John 13:20) Gratefully they accept the spiritual food provided by Jesus Christ through his ‘faithful slave’ class. They gain spiritual strength as they feed on Bible truths discussed in Watch Tower publications, regularly attend the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses and share actively in doing God’s will. Are you one of these humble ones?—Hebrews 10:23-25; compare John 4:34.
14. What spiritual conditions are enjoyed by those who live in harmony with the principles learned from this Bible drama?
14 Happy refreshment is enjoyed by all who thus lovingly put their lives at the disposal of their Creator through Jesus Christ. Spiritually, “they will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, . . . because the Lamb [Jesus Christ], who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life.”—Revelation 7:16, 17; Isaiah 25:6-9. |
Magazines That Give Practical Comfort | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101995007 | Magazines That Give Practical Comfort
“I WOULD like to thank you so much for the wonderful, practical articles you have given us to work with, particularly in the last couple of years. Upon receiving some of them, I have literally cried and thanked Jehovah because so many of our friends in the truth have desperately needed such information. I refer to issues such as those dealing with child abuse, being raised in alcoholic families, rape, and domestic violence.”—Linda W. S., Indiana, U.S.A.
Those words were the introduction to one of many encouraging letters we have received in recent years regarding the outputs of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, published by the Watchtower Society and distributed by Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.
When we consider that the former has a circulation of over 16,000,000 copies of each issue and goes out in 120 languages and that the circulation of the latter is almost 13,000,000 in 75 languages, then we can appreciate the earth-wide impact of these journals. Jehovah’s Witnesses offer them to the public in the course of their house-to-house ministry and in their informal witnessing, which refers to witnessing on informal occasions, such as when out shopping, buying gas at the gas station, traveling on buses, trains, and planes, or at any other appropriate moment in the course of daily life. However, some Witnesses have found other original and successful outlets for the magazines that you might also want to try.
Visiting Professional Organizations
A traveling minister wrote in about the productive activities of another Witness as follows: “She has been making it a point to collect older copies of certain Awake! magazines that other Witnesses have accumulated at home. Then she visits agencies that she feels might show special interest in some of the topics.” What kind of agencies has she visited?
“She has concentrated on social service agencies, pro-life centers, Planned Parenthood, psychiatrists, psychologists, police departments, probation offices, drug and alcohol abuse centers, child abuse treatment and prevention centers, welfare departments (asking for caseworkers), county health departments, day-care centers, schools, hospital stress centers, and in one case a city mayor.” What success has she had?
“Since she began concentrating on this unique field six months ago, she has placed 1,784 older issues on specific subjects!”
How does this Witness go about these visits to professional people? She says: “I think one reason these calls were so successful, aside from the fact that the magazines addressed issues these people deal with on a daily basis, is that we dressed and presented ourselves in a professional manner.” Certainly professional people will respect us if we have a confident, businesslike approach and are suitably dressed and groomed.
She continues her account: “We were offering an Awake! on abortion (May 22, 1993), so I decided to call at a pro-life center. I started the conversation with a news item about a botched abortion and then led into the magazine, along with The Watchtower. We had such a nice discussion that I also offered the brochure Does God Really Care About Us?, which they eagerly accepted.” Her next visit was to a Planned Parenthood center where she had similar success.a
This kind of initiative can lead to an ever-widening circle of positive contacts. From letters received we know that professional people are often impressed by the research and the excellent writing style that go into our magazines. So true is this that in some countries, such as Suriname, in South America, the Awake! is used as a principal educational magazine by students and teachers. The Witnesses there have a high level of magazine placements, and the interested ones eagerly await each issue.
One report received from Nigeria told of a radio station that was quoting verbatim from the Awake! issue on “Women—Deserving of Respect.” (July 8, 1992) What does that suggest? That we can successfully offer the magazines to directors of radio and TV stations. It is just a matter of studying each issue and figuring out who are the local specialists in the subjects covered, whether they be lawyers, teachers, counselors, policemen, nurses, doctors, or members of any other profession.
A different approach has been used by a Witness who has opened up her presentation by asking, “Do you like to do quizzes? Most people do. Here is one in this issue of Awake! (January 8, 1994, or September 8, 1994) eninputd ‘Have You Ever Wondered?’ Why don’t you write down your answers to the questions, and I’ll come back another day so that we can compare them with the Bible’s answers.” She has had many interesting conversations based on this method and has started several studies of the Bible.
Another practical suggestion is to show recent issues with subjects that might appeal to the particular professional to whom you are speaking. Linda, quoted previously, had the following experience with an administrator/counselor in a school with an alternative-learning program. “As I went over the magazines with her, she saw ‘Children Under Stress’ and said, ‘God has sent you today!’ That very day she was having a session on how kids can avoid stress. When she saw the experience on the back page of the magazine announcing the book Your Youth—Getting the Best Out Of It, she asked for a copy. I happened to show her a quote from the book about suicide, whereupon she exclaimed, ‘Now I know that God sent you here!’ She had just been counseling a boy who didn’t want to live. Now she would have more to offer him.”
These experiences illustrate that with initiative and preparation along with a positive attitude, we can reach out to many more people with God’s Word of comfort. As the apostle Paul wrote: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God.”—2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
[Footnotes]
a In her presentations Linda carefully remained neutral on the political aspects of the abortion issue. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not get sidetracked from their main work of announcing God’s Kingdom.
[Picture on page 23]
The magazines have practical information for social service agencies
[Picture on page 24]
The Watchtower and Awake! can be offered in many situations |
Lasting Peace (pc)
2009 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/lasting-peace-pc | Introduction
Jehovah God is now opening to you the opportunity to live in a paradise! The time is coming when you will be able to enjoy life in lasting peace and happiness. Our loving and almighty heavenly Father, Jehovah, will make this come true without fail, for he promises: “So my word that goes forth from my mouth will prove to be. It will not return to me without results, but it will certainly do that in which I have delighted.”—Isaiah 55:10, 11. |
100 Years of Kingdom Rule—How Does It Affect You? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014044 | 100 Years of Kingdom Rule—How Does It Affect You?
“Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, . . . King of eternity.”—REV. 15:3.
CAN YOU ANSWER?
How did Jehovah become King in 1914, and what were some of the Kingdom’s early accomplishments?
How has Jesus used the Messianic Kingdom to refine, educate, and organize God’s loyal subjects on earth?
When will our prayer “let your Kingdom come” be answered fully, and what will that mean?
1, 2. What will God’s Kingdom accomplish, and why can we be confident that the Kingdom will come?
ON A mountain near Capernaum in the spring of 31 C.E., Jesus Christ taught his followers to pray: “Let your Kingdom come.” (Matt. 6:10) Today, many doubt if the Kingdom will ever come. However, we are confident that our sincere prayers for God’s Kingdom to come will be answered.
2 Jehovah will use the Kingdom to unify his family in heaven and on earth. That divine purpose will be realized. (Isa. 55:10, 11) In fact, Jehovah has already become King in our day! The thrilling events of the past 100 years are proof of this. God is performing great and wonderful works in behalf of millions of loyal subjects. (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 15:3) And yet, Jehovah’s becoming King is not the same as the coming of God’s Kingdom for which Jesus taught us to pray. How do these events differ, and how do they affect us?
JEHOVAH’S ENTHRONED KING GOES INTO ACTION
3. (a) When was Jesus enthroned as King, and where? (b) How would you prove that the Kingdom was established in 1914? (See footnote.)
3 Toward the end of the 19th century, light began to shine on a 2,500-year-old prophecy recorded by Daniel: “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed.” (Dan. 2:44) The Bible Students spent decades pointing out that the year 1914 would be significant. Many people at that time were optimistic. As one writer states: “The world of 1914 was full of hope and promise.” With the outbreak of World War I later that year, however, Bible prophecy came true. The subsequent famines, earthquakes, and pestilences as well as the fulfillment of other Bible prophecies proved conclusively that Jesus Christ had begun to rule in heaven as King of God’s Kingdom in 1914.a By enthroning his Son as the Messianic King, Jehovah had, indeed, become King in a new sense!
4. What immediate action did the newly enthroned King take, and to whom did he next turn his attention?
4 The first mission of God’s newly installed King was to wage war against his Father’s chief Adversary, Satan. Jesus and his angels cast the Devil and his demons out of heaven. This brought great rejoicing in heaven but a time of unprecedented calamity to the earth. (Read Revelation 12:7-9, 12.) Next, the King turned his attention to his earthly subjects to refine, educate, and organize them to do God’s will. Let us consider how their positive response to these three functions of Kingdom rule sets a good example for us today.
THE MESSIANIC KING REFINES HIS LOYAL SUBJECTS
5. What cleansing took place between 1914 and early 1919?
5 After the enthroned King purged the heavens of the corrupting influence of Satan and his demons, Jehovah directed Jesus to inspect and refine the spiritual condition of his followers on earth. The prophet Malachi described this as a spiritual cleansing. (Mal. 3:1-3) History shows that this took place between 1914 and the early part of 1919.b To be part of Jehovah’s universal family, we must be clean, or holy. (1 Pet. 1:15, 16) We must keep free from any contamination by false religion or the politics of this world.
6. How is spiritual food provided, and why is it vital?
6 Jesus then used his kingly authority to appoint a “faithful and discreet slave.” This slave would provide a regular supply of wholesome spiritual food to all who make up the “one flock” under Jesus’ care. (Matt. 24:45-47; John 10:16) Since 1919, a small group of anointed brothers have loyally carried out the weighty responsibility to feed the “domestics.” The abundant spiritual food provided through this channel nourishes us so that we can grow in the faith. It fortifies our resolve to remain spiritually, morally, mentally, and physically clean. This spiritual food also educates us and equips us to have a full share in the most important work being done on earth today. Are you taking full advantage of these provisions?
THE KING EDUCATES HIS SUBJECTS TO PREACH WORLDWIDE
7. What important work did Jesus start when he was on the earth, and until when would it continue?
7 When Jesus began his ministry on earth, he announced: “I must also declare the good news of the Kingdom of God to other cities, because for this I was sent.” (Luke 4:43) For three and a half years, Jesus made this work the focal point of his life. He instructed his disciples: “As you go, preach, saying: ‘The Kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.’” (Matt. 10:7) After his resurrection, Jesus foretold that his followers would spread this message “to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) He promised them that he would personally be involved in this vital work right down to our day.—Matt. 28:19, 20.
8. How did the King rouse his earthly subjects to action?
8 By 1919, the “good news of the Kingdom” had taken on added meaning. (Matt. 24:14) The King was ruling in heaven, and he had gathered a small group of cleansed earthly subjects. They eagerly responded to Jesus’ rousing instructions: Preach the good news of God’s established Kingdom in all the earth! (Acts 10:42) For example, close to 20,000 Kingdom supporters convened for an international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., in September 1922. Just imagine their excitement when Brother Rutherford delivered the talk eninputd “The Kingdom” and declared: “Behold, the King reigns! You are his publicity agents. Therefore advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom.” Two thousand delegates responded by sharing in a special “Service Day,” visiting homes up to 45 miles (72 km) away from the convention site. Stirred to action, one delegate exclaimed: “Never will I forget the call to advertise the Kingdom and the zeal of the assembled throng!” He was not alone.
9, 10. (a) What arrangements have been made to train Kingdom proclaimers? (b) How have you personally benefited from this training?
9 By 1922, more than 17,000 Kingdom proclaimers were active in 58 lands around the world. However, they needed training. In the first century, the King-Designate gave his disciples clear directions on what, where, and how to preach. (Matt. 10:5-7; Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-11) Following this pattern today, Jesus sees to it that all who share in the Kingdom-preaching work receive instructions and have the tools they need to preach effectively. (2 Tim. 3:17) Through the Christian congregation, Jesus is training his subjects for the ministry. One way he trains them is by means of the Theocratic Ministry School, which is conducted in each of the more than 111,000 congregations throughout the earth. By taking advantage of this instruction, more than seven million preachers are now equipped to preach and teach in a way that appeals to “people of all sorts.”—Read 1 Corinthians 9:20-23.
10 In addition to the Theocratic Ministry School, other Bible schools have been established to train congregation elders, pioneers, single brothers, Christian couples, Branch Committee members and their wives, traveling overseers and their wives, and missionaries.c The students of one class of the Bible School for Christian Couples expressed their appreciation for the school in this way: “The specialized training we received has deepened our love for Jehovah and has better equipped us to help others.”
11. How have Kingdom proclaimers been able to endure in spite of opposition?
11 This extensive Kingdom-preaching and teaching effort has not gone unnoticed by the enemy Satan. He uses direct as well as subtle attacks on the Kingdom message and its messengers to try to stop the work. But the enemy’s efforts are to no avail. Jehovah has seated his Son “far above every government and authority and power and lordship.” (Eph. 1:20-22) As King, Jesus uses his authority to protect and guide his disciples to make sure that his Father’s will is done.d The good news is being preached, and millions of honesthearted ones are being taught Jehovah’s ways. What a privilege it is for us to have a share in this grand work!
THE KING ORGANIZES HIS SUBJECTS FOR GREATER ACTIVITY
12. Describe some of the organizational refinements that have been made since the Kingdom was established.
12 Since the establishment of the Kingdom in 1914, the King has refined the way God’s servants are organized to do his Father’s will. (Read Isaiah 60:17.) In 1919, a service director was appointed in each congregation to take the lead in the preaching work. Regular house-to-house work on Sundays was organized in 1927. Supporters of the Kingdom were stimulated for greater activity in 1931 when they adopted the Scriptural name Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Isa. 43:10-12) In 1938, democratic elections of responsible men in the congregations were replaced by theocratic appointments. In 1972, congregation oversight was assigned to a body of elders instead of to one congregation overseer. All qualified men were encouraged to reach out to share in ‘shepherding the flock of God under their care.’ (1 Pet. 5:2) In 1976, the Governing Body was organized into six committees to supervise the Kingdom work around the world. Fittingly, Jehovah’s appointed King has progressively organized subjects of the Kingdom in a theocratic, or God-ruled, way.
13. How have the accomplishments of 100 years of Kingdom rule affected your life?
13 Consider what the Messianic King has accomplished during the first 100 years of his reign. He has cleansed a people for Jehovah’s name. He has directed the preaching of the Kingdom good news in 239 lands and has educated millions about Jehovah’s ways. He has united more than seven million loyal subjects, each one offering himself willingly to do his Father’s will. (Ps. 110:3) Truly, Jehovah’s works through the Messianic Kingdom are great and wonderful. Even more thrilling events lie ahead!
FUTURE BLESSINGS OF THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM
14. (a) What are we asking God to do when we pray: “Let your Kingdom come”? (b) What is our yeartext for 2014, and why is this fitting?
14 Even though Jehovah crowned his Son, Jesus Christ, as the Messianic King in 1914, this was not the full answer to our prayer “let your Kingdom come.” (Matt. 6:10) It had been foretold in the Bible that Jesus would “go subduing in the midst of [his] enemies.” (Ps. 110:2) Human governments under Satan’s control still stand in opposition to the Kingdom. When we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, we are asking God that the Messianic King and his associate rulers come to put an end to human rulership and remove the earthly opposers of the Kingdom. This action will fulfill the words of Daniel 2:44 that God’s Kingdom “will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms.” It will eliminate the political enemies of the Kingdom. (Rev. 6:1, 2; 13:1-18; 19:11-21) The time for this to happen is very near. How fitting that our yeartext for 2014, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of God’s Kingdom in heaven, is Matthew 6:10: “Let your Kingdom come”!
Our yeartext for 2014: “Let your Kingdom come.”—Matthew 6:10
15, 16. (a) What thrilling events will take place during the Thousand Year Reign? (b) What will be Jesus’ final act as Messianic King, and what will that mean regarding Jehovah’s purpose for all of his creation?
15 After the Messianic King destroys God’s enemies, he will throw Satan and his demons into an abyss for a thousand years. (Rev. 20:1-3) With that evil influence out of the way, the Kingdom will move ahead to apply the benefits of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice and to eradicate the effects of Adamic sin. The King will resurrect countless millions who are sleeping in the grave and will organize an extensive educational program to teach them about Jehovah. (Rev. 20:12, 13) The entire earth will reflect the paradise conditions of the garden of Eden. All faithful humans will be raised to perfection.
16 By the end of Christ’s Thousand Year Reign, the Messianic Kingdom will have achieved its purpose. Then Jesus will hand the Kingdom over to his Father. (Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.) There will no longer be a need for an intermediary between Jehovah and his earthly children. All of God’s sons in heaven and his children on earth will be united with their heavenly Father as part of his universal family.
17. What are you determined to do in regard to the Kingdom?
17 The thrilling events of 100 years of Kingdom rule assure us that Jehovah is in control and that his purpose for the earth will be fulfilled. May we continue to be his loyal subjects and advertise the King and his Kingdom. We do this with full confidence that Jehovah will soon answer our earnest prayer: “Let your Kingdom come”!
a See the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? pages 88-92.
b See the July 15, 2013, issue of The Watchtower, pages 22-23, paragraph 12.
c See the September 15, 2012, issue of The Watchtower, pages 13-17, “Theocratic Schools—Evidence of Jehovah’s Love.”
d See the December 1, 1998, issue of The Watchtower, pages 19-22, for examples of legal victories in various countries. |
Examining the Scriptures—2022
2021 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/examining-the-scriptures/examining-the-scriptures-2022 | March
Tuesday, March 1
Happy are you whenever men hate you.—Luke 6:22.
We do not choose to be hated. We are not trying to be martyrs. So why can we be happy when hated? Consider three reasons. First, when we endure, we gain God’s approval. (1 Pet. 4:13, 14) Second, our faith is refined and becomes stronger. (1 Pet. 1:7) And third, we will receive a priceless reward—everlasting life. (Rom. 2:6, 7) Soon after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles experienced the happiness he spoke about. After being flogged and ordered to stop preaching, they rejoiced. Why? “Because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of [Jesus’] name.” (Acts 5:40-42) They loved their Master more than they feared the hatred of their enemies. And they showed their love by proclaiming the good news “without letup.” Many of our brothers today continue to serve faithfully despite difficulties. They know that Jehovah will not forget their work and their love for his name. w21.03 25 ¶18-19
Wednesday, March 2
He has even put eternity in their heart.—Eccl. 3:11.
Anointed Christians are not born with the heavenly hope. It has to be implanted in their heart by God. They think about their hope, pray about it, and are eager to receive their reward in heaven. They cannot even imagine what their spiritual body will be like. (Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 John 3:2) Even so, they long to take their place in the heavenly Kingdom. The other sheep cherish a hope that comes naturally to humans, the prospect of living forever on earth. They look forward to the day when they can help turn the entire planet into a paradise. They yearn for the day when they can build their houses, plant their gardens, and raise their children in perfect health. (Isa. 65:21-23) They look forward to exploring the earth—its mountains, forests, and seas—and to studying Jehovah’s abundant creation. Above all, they are thrilled to know that their bond with Jehovah will grow ever stronger and closer. w21.01 18-19 ¶17-18
Thursday, March 3
He burned down the house of the true God . . . and destroyed everything of value.—2 Chron. 36:19.
When the Babylonians were finished with the land, onlookers could only say: “It is a wasteland without man and beast, and it has been handed over to the Chaldeans.” (Jer. 32:43) Some 200 years after Joel’s prophecy, Jehovah used Jeremiah to foretell something else about this attack. He said that a thorough search would be made for those Israelites who engaged in wicked practices—a search that would lead to their capture. “‘Here I am sending for many fishermen,’ declares Jehovah, ‘and they will fish for them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and every hill and out of the clefts of the crags. . . . I will repay the full amount due for their error and their sin.’” Neither the oceans nor the forests would be able to conceal the unrepentant Israelites from the Babylonian invaders.—Jer. 16:16, 18. w20.04 5 ¶12-13
Friday, March 4
[Lot] kept lingering.—Gen. 19:16.
At a critical time in his life, Lot was slow to obey Jehovah’s instructions. We may judge Lot as being apathetic, even disobedient. However, Jehovah did not give up on him. “Because of Jehovah’s compassion for him,” the angels took the family by the hand and led them outside the city. (Gen. 19:15, 16) Jehovah might have felt compassion for Lot for a number of reasons. Lot may have been reluctant to leave his home because he feared the people outside the city. There were other dangers too. Lot likely knew of the two kings who had fallen into pits of bitumen, or asphalt, in a nearby valley. (Gen. 14:8-12) As a husband and father, Lot must have worried about his family. In addition, Lot was wealthy, so he may have owned a fine house in Sodom. (Gen. 13:5, 6) Of course, none of those factors excused Lot for failing to obey Jehovah immediately. However, Jehovah looked beyond Lot’s mistake and viewed him as a “righteous man.”—2 Pet. 2:7, 8. w20.04 18 ¶13-14
Saturday, March 5
You have your company of young men just like dewdrops.—Ps. 110:3.
Young men, it may take time for those who have known you as a child to start viewing you as a young adult. You can be sure, however, that Jehovah sees beyond your outward appearance. He knows who you are and what you are capable of doing. (1 Sam. 16:7) Strengthen your relationship with God. David did that by looking closely at Jehovah’s creative works. David considered what such works reveal about the Creator. (Ps. 8:3, 4; 139:14; Rom. 1:20) Another thing you can do is to look to Jehovah for strength. For example, do some of your schoolmates make fun of you because you are one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? If so, pray for Jehovah to help you deal with this challenge. And apply the practical advice you find in his Word and in our Bible-based publications and videos. Each time you see Jehovah help you deal with a challenge, your confidence in him will grow. Furthermore, as others see that you rely on Jehovah, you will gain their trust. w21.03 4 ¶7
Sunday, March 6
The prayer of the upright is a pleasure to [Jehovah].—Prov. 15:8.
Close friends enjoy sharing thoughts and feelings with each other. Is that true of our friendship with Jehovah? Yes! Jehovah speaks to us through his Word, and in it he reveals to us his thoughts and feelings. We communicate with him in prayer, and we can share with him our deepest thoughts and innermost feelings. As a loving Friend, Jehovah not only listens to our prayers but also answers them. Sometimes the answer comes quickly. At other times we may have to keep praying about a matter. Still, we can be confident that the answer will come at the right time and in the best way. Of course, God’s answer may be different from what we expect. For example, rather than remove a trial, he might give us the wisdom and strength “to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) How can we show our appreciation for this priceless gift of prayer? One way is by heeding the divine counsel to “pray constantly.”—1 Thess. 5:17. w20.05 27-28 ¶7-8
Monday, March 7
The one who has endured to the end will be saved.—Matt. 24:13.
The contestants in a long-distance race keep an eye on the road immediately in front of them so that they do not stumble. If they do fall down, they get back up and keep on running. They focus primarily, not on what made them stumble, but on the finish line and the prize they hope to win. In our race, we may stumble many times, making mistakes in what we say or do. Or our fellow runners may make mistakes that hurt us. That is to be expected. We are all imperfect, and we are all running on the same cramped road to life. So we are bound to “bump” against one another at times and arouse a “cause for complaint.” (Col. 3:13) But rather than focus on what made us stumble, let us focus on the prize ahead and keep on running. If we become bitter and resentful and refuse to get back up, we will not cross the finish line and receive the prize. In addition, we are likely to become an obstacle for others who are trying to run on the cramped road to life. w20.04 26 ¶1; 28 ¶8-9
Tuesday, March 8
This kingdom . . . will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms.—Dan. 2:44.
The prophet Daniel describes a series of human governments that have had an impact on God’s people. They are described as the various parts of a giant metal image. The last human government in that series is depicted as the feet of the image that are made of iron mixed with clay. The feet represent the Anglo-American World Power. That prophecy indicates that it will still be functioning when God’s Kingdom strikes and destroys human governments. The apostle John also describes a series of world powers that have had an effect on Jehovah’s people. John depicts these governments as being like a seven-headed wild beast. The seventh head of that beast represents the Anglo-American World Power. This is significant because the beast is not shown as growing any other heads. The seventh head of this beast is still dominant when Christ and his heavenly forces destroy it along with the rest of the beast.—Rev. 13:1, 2; 17:13, 14. w20.05 14 ¶11-12
Wednesday, March 9
God is love.—1 John 4:8.
That simple statement reminds us of a fundamental truth: God, the Source of life, is also the Source of love. Jehovah loves us! His love makes us feel secure, happy, and satisfied. For Christians, showing love is not optional. It is a commandment. (Matt. 22:37-40) When we come to know Jehovah well, we may find it easy to obey the first commandment. After all, Jehovah is perfect; he is thoughtful and gentle in the way he treats us. But we may have difficulty obeying the second commandment. Why? Because our brothers and sisters—who are among our closest neighbors—are imperfect. At times, they may say and do things that we feel are uncaring and unkind. Jehovah knew that we would face this challenge, so he inspired some of the writers of the Bible to include specific counsel on why and how we should show love to one another. One of those writers was the apostle John.—1 John 3:11, 12. w21.01 8 ¶1-2
Thursday, March 10
[Do] not be overreached by Satan.—2 Cor. 2:11.
Whether we have recently begun to serve Jehovah or have done so for many years, we need to ask ourselves, ‘Am I resisting Satan’s attempts to divide my heart?’ For instance, if you see an image on TV or the Internet that could arouse sensual desires, how do you respond? It might be easy to rationalize that the picture or movie is not exactly pornographic. But might it represent an effort by Satan to divide your heart? That image can be like a little metal wedge that a man uses to split a big log. At first he drives the thin, sharp edge of the wedge into the log. Then as he drives the wedge deeper, the log splits apart. Could suggestive imagery in the media be like the thin part of that wedge? What may start off as small and seemingly harmless can quickly lead a person to commit sins that divide his heart and break his integrity. So refuse to give anything improper entry into your heart! Keep it unified to fear Jehovah’s name! w20.06 11-12 ¶14-15
Friday, March 11
Bear the weaknesses of those not strong.—Rom. 15:1.
Inactive ones need consistent support from us. Like the lost son in Jesus’ illustration, they may be emotionally scarred. (Luke 15:17-24) And they are likely weak spiritually because of what they experienced in Satan’s world. We need to help them rebuild their faith in Jehovah. In the illustration of the lost sheep, Jesus describes how the shepherd puts the sheep on his shoulders and carries it back to the flock. The shepherd has already spent time and energy finding the lost sheep. But he realizes that he will need to carry it back to the fold because it will not have the strength to return on its own. (Luke 15:4, 5) We may need to invest time and energy in helping some inactive ones to overcome their weaknesses. But with Jehovah’s spirit, his Word, and the publications provided through the congregation, we can help them to become spiritually strong again. So if you are asked to study with an inactive person, why not welcome the privilege? w20.06 28 ¶14-15
Saturday, March 12
By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.—John 13:35.
Each one of us should show love—the identifying mark of true Christians. But we also need “accurate knowledge and full discernment.” (Phil. 1:9) Otherwise, we could be influenced “by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men,” including apostates. (Eph. 4:14) When many disciples in the first century C.E. stopped following Jesus, the apostle Peter expressed his firm conviction that Jesus had “sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:67, 68) Even though Peter at that time did not understand all the details of those sayings, he remained loyal because he had discerned the truth about Christ. You too can strengthen your conviction in what the Bible teaches. If you do, your faith will stand the test of time, and you will help to build strong faith in others.—2 John 1, 2. w20.07 8 ¶2; 13 ¶18
Sunday, March 13
Little children, we should love, not in word or with the tongue, but in deed and truth.—1 John 3:18.
To help our brothers and sisters to remain in the truth, we must show compassion. (1 John 3:10, 11, 16, 17) We need to love one another not only when things are going well but also when problems arise. For example, do you know someone who has lost a loved one in death and needs to be comforted or helped in practical ways? Or have you heard that fellow believers suffered loss from a natural disaster and need help to rebuild their Kingdom Halls or homes? We show the depth of our love and compassion for our brothers and sisters not only by what we say but, more important, by what we do. We imitate our loving heavenly Father when we show love for one another. (1 John 4:7, 8) An important way that we show love is by forgiving one another. For example, someone might hurt us but then apologize. We show love by forgiving him and putting his error behind us.—Col. 3:13. w20.07 24 ¶14-15
Monday, March 14
There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.—Acts 24:15.
Will each resurrected person receive individual instruction, similar to the way we conduct Bible studies today? Will these new ones be assigned to congregations and be trained to teach those who are resurrected after them? We will have to wait and see. We do know, however, that by the end of Christ’s Thousand Year Reign, “the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah.” (Isa. 11:9) What a busy but enjoyable thousand years that will be! During the Thousand Year Rule of Christ, all of Jehovah’s earthly children will have to make changes to please him. So all of them will have true fellow feeling as they help the resurrected ones to combat sinful tendencies and to live by Jehovah’s standards. (1 Pet. 3:8) No doubt those who come back to life will be drawn to Jehovah’s humble people, who will also be “working out [their] own salvation.”—Phil. 2:12. w20.08 16 ¶6-7
Tuesday, March 15
Let each one examine his own actions, . . . and not in comparison with the other person.—Gal. 6:4.
If we follow the apostle Paul’s inspired counsel and examine our own actions, we may begin to see that we have unique gifts and abilities. For example, an elder may not be a gifted teacher when on the platform, but he may be very effective in the disciple-making work. Or he may not be as well-organized as some other elders in his congregation, but he might be well-known as a loving shepherd whom publishers feel free to approach for sound Scriptural advice. Or he might have a fine reputation for being hospitable. (Heb. 13:2, 16) When we clearly see our own strengths and gifts, we will have reason to feel good about what we can contribute to the congregation. And we will be less likely to envy our brothers who have gifts that are different from ours. No matter what place we have in the congregation, all of us should desire to improve in our service and develop our abilities. w20.08 24 ¶16-18
Wednesday, March 16
I saw . . . a great crowd, which no man was able to number.—Rev. 7:9.
A history-making talk eninputd “The Great Multitude” was given in 1935 by J. F. Rutherford at a convention in Washington, D.C., U.S.A. In his talk, Brother Rutherford identified those who would make up the “great multitude” (King James Version), or “great crowd,” mentioned at Revelation 7:9. Until then, this group was thought to be a secondary heavenly class that was less faithful. Brother Rutherford used the Scriptures to explain that the great crowd are not chosen to live in heaven, but they are Christ’s other sheep who will survive “the great tribulation” and live forever on earth. (Rev. 7:14) Jesus promised: “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16) These sheeplike ones are loyal Witnesses of Jehovah who have the prospect of living forever in Paradise on earth.—Matt. 25:31-33, 46. w21.01 14 ¶1-2
Thursday, March 17
You will be hated by all people on account of my name, but the one who has endured to the end will be saved.—Matt. 10:22.
We need self-discipline if we are to endure and complete our preaching work. (Matt. 28:19, 20) We do not inherit self-discipline. On the contrary, our natural inclination often is to follow the course of least resistance. It takes self-control to be self-disciplined. Therefore, we need help to train ourselves to do the things that may be difficult for us to do. Jehovah gives us that help through his holy spirit. (Gal. 5:22, 23) The apostle Paul was self-disciplined. But he admitted that he had to “pummel” his body in order to do what was right. (1 Cor. 9:25-27) He urged others to discipline themselves and to do all things “decently and by arrangement.” (1 Cor. 14:40) We must exercise self-discipline to maintain a good spiritual routine that includes a regular share in the preaching work.—Acts 2:46. w20.09 6-7 ¶15-17
Friday, March 18
In all the nations, the good news has to be preached.—Mark 13:10.
In many lands today, we can preach without disturbance. Do you live in a country that grants freedom of worship? If so, ask yourself, ‘How am I using this freedom?’ During these exciting last days, Jehovah’s organization has spearheaded the greatest preaching and teaching campaign the world has ever known. Many possibilities are open to Jehovah’s people. How can you take advantage of a time of peace? (2 Tim. 4:2) Why not examine your circumstances and see if you or a member of your family could have an increased share in the preaching work, perhaps even serving as a pioneer? Now is not the time to amass riches and material possessions—things that will not survive with us through the great tribulation. (Prov. 11:4; Matt. 6:31-33; 1 John 2:15-17) Many publishers have learned a new language so that they can use it in preaching and teaching. God’s organization supports them by producing Bible-based material in over 1,000 languages! w20.09 16 ¶9-11
Saturday, March 19
Go on waging the fine warfare.—1 Tim. 1:18.
A good soldier is loyal. He will fight hard to protect someone he loves or something he values. Paul encouraged Timothy to develop godly devotion—that is, a loyal attachment to God. (1 Tim. 4:7) The deeper our love and devotion for God, the greater our desire to hold on to the truth. (1 Tim. 4:8-10; 6:6) A good soldier must also discipline himself if he is to remain fit for duty. Timothy remained spiritually fit because he followed Paul’s inspired advice to flee from wrong desires, to pursue godly qualities, and to associate with fellow believers. (2 Tim. 2:22) That required self-discipline. We need self-discipline to win the war against our fleshly desires. (Rom. 7:21-25) In addition, we need self-discipline to keep working at stripping off the old personality and putting on the new. (Eph. 4:22, 24) And when we are tired at the end of a long day, we may need to push ourselves to attend a meeting.—Heb. 10:24, 25. w20.09 28 ¶9-11
Sunday, March 20
I have resolved to obey your regulations at all times, down to the last.—Ps. 119:112.
We need to be patient when helping a student progress to dedication and baptism. But at some point, we need to find out if he has the desire to serve Jehovah God. Do you see signs that the student is trying to obey Jesus’ commandments? Or does he only want to learn facts from the Bible? Regularly analyze the progress that the student is making. For example, does he express his feelings for Jehovah? Does he pray to Jehovah? (Ps. 116:1, 2) Does he enjoy reading the Bible? (Ps. 119:97) Is he attending the meetings regularly? (Ps. 22:22) Has he made any needed changes in his lifestyle? Has he started sharing what he is learning with his family and friends? (Ps. 9:1) Most important, does he want to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses? (Ps. 40:8) If the student is not making progress in any of these areas, tactfully try to find out why and then discuss the matter with him kindly but frankly. w20.10 18 ¶14-15
Monday, March 21
The One who sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.—John 8:29.
Jesus’ heavenly Father always makes good choices, and his earthly parents also made wise decisions. However, as Jesus grew up, he had to make his own choices. (Gal. 6:5) Like all of us, he had the gift of free will. He could have chosen to seek his own interests first. Instead, he chose to maintain a good relationship with Jehovah. As Jesus learned about his role in Jehovah’s purpose, he chose to accept his assignment. (John 6:38) He knew that he would be hated by many, and that thought must have been sobering for him to contemplate. Yet, he chose to submit himself to Jehovah. When Jesus got baptized in 29 C.E., his main focus in life was that of doing what Jehovah required of him. (Heb. 10:5-7) Even when he was dying on the torture stake, Jesus never wavered in doing his Father’s will.—John 19:30. w20.10 29 ¶12; 30 ¶15
Tuesday, March 22
I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.—Heb. 13:5.
Do you know of brothers or sisters in your congregation who are suffering distress because they are ill or are facing other challenging circumstances? Or maybe they have lost a loved one in death. If we become aware of an individual in need, we can ask Jehovah to help us to say or do something kind and loving. Our words and actions may be just the encouragement that our brother or sister needs. (1 Pet. 4:10) We know that we can take courage because Jehovah is with us. He gives us help by means of Jesus and the angels. Also, if it is in harmony with his purpose, Jehovah can help us by means of people in authority. And as many of us have personally experienced, Jehovah uses his holy spirit to stir the hearts of his servants to come to the aid of their Christian brothers and sisters. Therefore, like the apostle Paul, we have good reason to say with confidence: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”—Heb. 13:6. w20.11 17 ¶19-20
Wednesday, March 23
Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust.—Isa. 30:15.
The apostles had direct evidence that Jehovah was with them. He had given them the power to perform miracles. (Acts 5:12-16; 6:8) That is not the case with us today. Even so, through his Word, Jehovah lovingly assures us that when we suffer for the sake of righteousness, he is pleased with us and his spirit is with us. (1 Pet. 3:14; 4:14) So rather than dwell on how we might react to severe persecution in the future, we need to focus on what we can do now to build our confidence in Jehovah’s ability to sustain and deliver us. We must trust Jesus’ promise: “I will give you words and wisdom that all your opposers together will not be able to resist or dispute.” We have the guarantee: “By your endurance you will preserve your lives.” (Luke 21:12-19) And never forget that Jehovah keeps in his memory the smallest details about his servants who die faithful to him. With that knowledge, he will resurrect them. w21.01 4 ¶12
Thursday, March 24
I have hope toward God . . . that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.—Acts 24:15.
The apostle Paul was not the first to express the hope of a resurrection. The patriarch Job did too. He was confident that God would remember him and raise him to life again. (Job 14:7-10, 12-15) “The resurrection of the dead” is part of the “foundation,” or “primary doctrine,” of all Christian teachings. (Heb. 6:1, 2) Paul’s discussion of the resurrection is recorded in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. What he wrote must have built up first-century Christians. And that chapter can build us up and strengthen a hope that we may have long held. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is key to our hope for our dead loved ones. It was part of “the good news” that Paul declared to the Corinthians. (1 Cor. 15:1, 2) In fact, he said that if a Christian lacked belief in that resurrection, his faith would be useless.—1 Cor. 15:17. w20.12 2 ¶2-4
Friday, March 25
Peter called to mind what Jesus had said . . . And he went outside and wept bitterly.—Matt. 26:75.
What helped the apostle Peter to recover? For one thing, Jesus had prayed earlier that Peter’s faith might not give out. Jehovah answered that heartfelt prayer. Later, Jesus personally appeared to Peter, no doubt to encourage him. (Luke 22:32; 24:33, 34; 1 Cor. 15:5) After the apostles had a disappointing night of fishing, Jesus appeared to them. On this occasion, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to reaffirm his love for him. Jesus had forgiven his dear friend and entrusted him with more work. (John 21:15-17) The way that Jesus dealt with Peter highlights Jesus’ mercy, and Jesus perfectly reflects his Father. So when we make mistakes, we should not judge ourselves as being beyond hope. We should bear in mind that Satan wants us to give in to such feelings. Instead, let us try hard to see ourselves—and those who sin against us—through the compassionate and loving eyes of our heavenly Father.—Ps. 103:13, 14. w20.12 20-21 ¶17-19
Saturday, March 26
I will remain confident.—Ps. 27:3.
We can learn from the experiences of those who failed to keep calm and trust in Jehovah. Studying those bad examples will help us to avoid making the same mistakes they made. For instance, early in his reign, King Asa looked to Jehovah when faced with problems. But later he failed to turn to his God for help, preferring to handle matters on his own. (2 Chron. 16:1-3, 12) On the surface, Asa’s asking the Syrians for help against Israel may have appeared to be very practical. But his success was short-lived. Jehovah told him through a prophet: “Because you relied on the king of Syria and did not rely on Jehovah your God, the army of the king of Syria has escaped out of your hand.” (2 Chron. 16:7) We must be careful not to feel so confident about handling matters on our own that we fail to look to Jehovah for guidance through his Word. Even when we are faced with an urgent situation, we should calmly rely on Jehovah, and he will help us to succeed. w21.01 6 ¶13-15
Sunday, March 27
They will hunger no more.—Rev. 7:16.
Right now, some of Jehovah’s people are suffering physical hunger because of oppressive economic conditions or as a result of the ravages of civil unrest and war. Others are imprisoned for their faith. However, those of the great crowd are thrilled to know that on escaping the destruction of this wicked system of things, they will always have an abundance of physical and spiritual food. When destruction is unleashed on Satan’s system of things, the great crowd will be spared the “scorching heat” of Jehovah’s anger that he will pour out on the nations. After the great tribulation ends, Jesus will guide these earthly survivors to the “waters of [everlasting] life.” (Rev. 7:17) Just think: The great crowd have a unique prospect. Of all the billions who have ever lived, they may never die! (John 11:26) The other sheep have a marvelous hope for which they are thankful to Jehovah and Jesus! w21.01 16-17 ¶11-12
Monday, March 28
The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you.—2 Thess. 3:3.
On the last night of his life as a man, Jesus was thinking about the challenges that his disciples would face. Moved by his love for his friends, Jesus asked his Father to “watch over them because of the wicked one.” (John 17:14, 15) Jesus knew that after he returned to heaven, Satan the Devil would continue to wage war against any who wanted to serve Jehovah. Clearly, Jehovah’s people would need protection. Today we need Jehovah’s protection as never before. Satan has been cast out of heaven, “having great anger.” (Rev. 12:12) He has managed to convince some who persecute us that they are offering “a sacred service to God.” (John 16:2) Others, who do not believe in God, persecute us because we do not fit into this world’s mold. Whatever the case, we can be confident. Why? The answer is given in today’s text. w21.03 26 ¶1, 3
Tuesday, March 29
[Nothing] will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Rom. 8:39.
Everything Jehovah does is motivated by love. He lovingly cares for all our needs. Out of love, Jehovah provided the ransom arrangement for us. As for Jesus, he loves us so much that he gave his life for us. (John 3:16; 15:13) Nothing can break the bond of love that Jehovah and Jesus feel for those who are loyal to them. (John 13:1; Rom. 8:35) Likewise, everything a family head does should be motivated by love. Why is that so important? The apostle John answers: “The one who does not love his brother [or family], whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:11, 20) Specifically, a man who loves his family and who wants to imitate Jehovah and Jesus will provide for his family’s spiritual, emotional, and material needs. (1 Tim. 5:8) He will train and discipline his children. He will also continue to learn to make decisions that honor Jehovah and benefit his family. w21.02 5 ¶12-13
Wednesday, March 30
Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you.—Ps. 55:22.
Our loving heavenly Father knows how our past experiences and our negative thinking have affected us. But he also sees the good in our heart—qualities that we may not see in ourselves. (1 John 3:19, 20) Someone who is struggling to overcome a deep-seated bad habit might have a setback and feel disappointed in himself. Of course, it is normal to feel a measure of guilt when we sin. (2 Cor. 7:10) However, we should not go to extremes and condemn ourselves, thinking: ‘I’m a complete failure. How can Jehovah ever forgive me?’ Such negative thinking is not based on the truth and could cause us to stop serving Jehovah. Instead, “set matters straight” with Jehovah by going to him in prayer and seeking his mercy. (Isa. 1:18) Considering your sincere repentance, he will forgive you. In addition, approach the elders. They will patiently help you to become spiritually well again.—Jas. 5:14, 15. w20.12 23 ¶5-6
Thursday, March 31
[Treat] older women as mothers, . . . younger women as sisters.—1 Tim. 5:2.
Jesus gave women honor and respect. He did not follow the custom of the Pharisees, who looked down on women and who would not even speak to them in public, let alone discuss the Scriptures with them. Instead, he included women in the deep spiritual discussions that he had with his other disciples. (Luke 10:38, 39, 42) He also allowed women to accompany him on his preaching tours. (Luke 8:1-3) And Jesus gave them the privilege of announcing to the apostles that he had been raised from the dead. (John 20:16-18) The apostle Paul specifically reminded Timothy to honor women. Paul acknowledged that it was Timothy’s mother and grandmother who had first taught Timothy “the holy writings.” (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14, 15) Paul specifically greeted sisters by name in his letter to the Romans. He not only noticed the work sisters did but also expressed appreciation for them as Christian ministers.—Rom. 16:1-4, 6, 12; Phil. 4:3. w21.02 15 ¶5-6 |
Listen and Live (ll)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/listen-and-live-ll | Listen to God and Live Forever |
Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2)
2008 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2 | Inside Back Cover
Role Model Index
33 The Shulammite
50 Joseph
97 Lydia
134 The Three Hebrews
166 The Poor Widow
193 Hezekiah
227 Paul
257 David
287 Asaph
Do you have comments about how this book has benefited you? Write to the publishers at the appropriate address. |
Divine Name (na)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/divine-name-na | outputs
3 “Hallowed Be Your Name”—What Name?
6 God’s Name—Its Meaning and Pronunciation
12 The Divine Name Through the Ages
14 Christians and the Name
17 God’s Name and Bible Translators
23 God’s Name and the “New Testament”
28 Why We Must Know God’s Name |
Tolerance—How the Bible Can Help | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100056 | Tolerance—How the Bible Can Help
“Tolerance [is] the virtue that makes peace possible.”—UNESCO Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, 1995.
Intolerance, on the other hand, can produce disrespect and even hatred. Such inner feelings often escalate into hate speech, discrimination, and violence.
But people have different ideas about what tolerance involves. Some believe that tolerant people must express personal approval of all types of practices and behavior. Others take the view, supported by the Bible, that tolerant people respect each one’s right to choose his own values and beliefs, even if they themselves disapprove of those values and beliefs.
Can the Bible help people to be truly tolerant in the modern world?
The Bible’s basis for tolerance
The Bible promotes tolerance. It says: “Let your reasonableness become known to all men.” (Philippians 4:5) The Bible encourages us to treat others in a considerate, courteous, and fair way. Those who apply this advice may not agree with or adopt another person’s values, but they allow that one to behave according to his or her own choice.
The Bible, however, reveals that God has standards for human behavior. It states: “[God] has told you, O man, what is good.” (Micah 6:8) It reveals God’s direction, given to help people enjoy the best life possible.—Isaiah 48:17, 18.
God does not authorize us to judge others. According to the Bible, “There is only one who is Lawgiver and Judge . . . Who are you to be judging your neighbor?” (James 4:12) God allows each one of us the freedom to make choices for which we are personally responsible.—Deuteronomy 30:19.
What the Bible says about respect
The Bible says we should “have respect for everyone.” (1 Peter 2:17, New Jerusalem Bible) So those who choose to live by the Bible’s standards treat all people with respect, regardless of their beliefs or lifestyle choices. (Luke 6:31) This does not mean that those who follow the Bible will agree with every belief or opinion that others have or that they will support every decision that others make. But instead of acting in a rude or disrespectful manner, they will try their best to imitate the way that Jesus treated others.
For example, Jesus once met a woman who practiced a religion that he did not agree with. This woman was also living with a man who was not her husband—a lifestyle that Jesus did not condone. Still, he spoke to the woman with respect.—John 4:9, 17-24.
Like Jesus, Christians are prepared to explain the reasons for their beliefs to those willing to listen, but they do so with “deep respect.” (1 Peter 3:15) The Bible instructs Christians not to force their opinions on others. It says that a follower of Christ “does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all,” including those with different beliefs.—2 Timothy 2:24.
What the Bible says about hate
The Bible tells us to “pursue peace with all people.” (Hebrews 12:14) Someone who pursues peace rejects hate. Without compromising his own values, he makes a real effort to live alongside others peaceably. (Matthew 5:9) In fact, the Bible also encourages Christians to love their enemies by acting in a kind way toward those who treat them badly.—Matthew 5:44.
True, the Bible says that God “hates,” or “detests,” actions that degrade people or cause harm to others. (Proverbs 6:16-19) But the Bible here uses the word “hate” to describe an intense feeling of dislike for bad actions. The Bible shows that God is willing to forgive and help people who want to change their ways and live by his standards.—Isaiah 55:7.
Bible verses related to tolerance and respect
Titus 3:2: “Be reasonable, displaying all mildness toward all men.”
A reasonable person responds to different opinions in a mild way, promoting respect between individuals.
Matthew 7:12: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them.”
All of us appreciate it when others treat us with respect and take our views and feelings into account. To learn more about how to apply this famous rule of conduct taught by Jesus, see the article “What Is the Golden Rule?”
Joshua 24:15: “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.”
When we respect the right of others to make their own choices, we promote peace.
Acts 10:34: “God is not partial.”
God does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of culture, gender, nationality, race, or background. Those who want to imitate God show respect for all individuals.
Habakkuk 1:12, 13: “[God] cannot tolerate wickedness.”
God’s tolerance has limits. He will not permit wicked human behavior to continue unchecked forever. To learn more, watch the video Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Romans 12:19: “Yield place to [God’s] wrath; for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.”a
Jehovah God does not authorize anyone to take revenge. He will ensure that justice is done at his own appointed time. To learn more, read the article “Will the Cry for Justice Be Heard?”
a Jehovah is the personal name of God. (Psalm 83:18) See the article “Who Is Jehovah?”
Are Jehovah’s Witnesses tolerant of other people and religions?
Some view our preaching work as proof that we are intolerant of others’ beliefs. However, we respect other people’s right to their convictions. We also refrain from imposing our views on others. To find out why we contact people who already have a religion, read the article “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Pressure People to Change Religions?”
We do not force anyone to become or remain one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. If a person wants to resign from being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, we respect that person’s choice. However, some may wonder, ‘If Jehovah’s Witnesses are tolerant of others’ beliefs, why do they expel and shun some who used to worship with them?’ (1 Corinthians 5:11, 13) To learn more, read the article “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Shun Those Who Used to Belong to Their Religion?” |
Will the Cry for Justice Be Heard? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100010 | Will the Cry for Justice Be Heard?
Injustice seems to permeate society. Consider just two examples from the criminal justice system:
In January 2018, a judge in the United States ordered the release of a man who was imprisoned for nearly 38 years. He was exonerated by DNA evidence.
In September 1994, three young men in an African land were imprisoned because of their conscientious objection to serving in the military. As of September 2020, they had served 26 years in prison without ever having been formally charged with a crime or appearing in court.
If you have suffered injustice, you might feel as did the man Job in Bible times, who said: “I keep crying for help, but there is no justice.” (Job 19:7) Yet, even though true justice may seem to be just a dream, the Bible promises a time when the cry for justice will be heard. Further, its wisdom can help you to deal with injustice now.
What causes injustice?
Injustice comes from those who reject God’s guidance. The Bible shows that true justice comes from God. (Isaiah 51:4) In the Bible, the words translated “justice” and “righteousness” are closely instructioned. (Psalm 33:5) Actions that are righteous, or right and proper according to God’s standards, produce justice. By contrast, injustice comes from sin, which is the breaking of God’s righteous standards. Consider the following examples:
Selfishness. Selfish desire and sin are closely connected. (James 1:14, 15) In order to get what they want, many take advantage of others by treating them unfairly. In contrast, God wants us to put the advantage of others first.—1 Corinthians 10:24.
Ignorance. Some may treat others unfairly without even realizing it, yet such acts are still sins in God’s view. (Romans 10:3) In fact, ignorance led to one of the greatest injustices of all—the execution of Jesus Christ.—Acts 3:15, 17.
Failed human systems. In theory, the political, commercial, and religious systems of the world should promote fair treatment and social justice. In reality, though, these systems are often the source of mistakes, corruption, prejudice, greed, extreme financial inequality, and intolerance—all of which can lead to injustice. Some of these systems are promoted by individuals with good intentions. But ultimately, all human efforts that ignore God’s guidance are deeply flawed.—Ecclesiastes 8:9; Jeremiah 10:23.
Does God care about injustice?
Yes, he hates injustice and the attitudes and actions that create it. (Proverbs 6:16-18) He inspired the prophet Isaiah to write: “I, Jehovah,a love justice; I hate robbery and unrighteousness.”—Isaiah 61:8.
The Law that God gave to the ancient Israelites showed that he wanted the people to practice justice. He commanded their judges to reject bribes and other actions that could pervert justice. (Deuteronomy 16:18-20) He condemned the Israelites who disobeyed him by taking advantage of the poor and lowly, and he ultimately rejected them for failing to uphold his standards.—Isaiah 10:1-3.
Will God end injustice?
Yes. By means of Jesus Christ, God will remove sin, the root cause of injustice, and restore the human family to perfection. (John 1:29; Romans 6:23) He has also set up a Kingdom that will bring a righteous new world and provide justice for everyone. (Isaiah 32:1; 2 Peter 3:13) To learn more about this heavenly Kingdom, watch the video What Is God’s Kingdom?
What will life be like in the righteous new world?
When justice fills the earth, the result will be peace and security for everyone. (Isaiah 32:16-18) God values every human life equally, so all will be treated fairly. The sadness, outcry, and pain that come from injustice will be gone forever, and even the painful memory of injustice will gradually fade away. (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:3, 4) For more details, see the article “What Will God’s Kingdom Accomplish?”
Can you really believe God’s promise of a world free of injustice?
Yes. The Bible has a proven record of reliable prophecy, historical and scientific accuracy, and internal harmony, and these show that you can trust its promises. The following articles provide further details:
How Can We Be Sure the Bible Is True? (video)
“Prophecies That Have Come True”
“Prophecy—A Perfect Record”
“Reasons to Trust the Bible”
What about fighting injustice now?
Good people in Bible times resisted unjust treatment. For example, the apostle Paul was threatened with an unfair trial that could have led to his death. Rather than passively accepting such an injustice, he used the legal means available to him and appealed to Caesar.—Acts 25:8-12.
Nevertheless, human efforts to correct all the injustice in this world are doomed to failure. (Ecclesiastes 1:15) Still, many have found that building their faith in God’s promise of a righteous new world has helped them overcome inner turmoil and gain peace of mind in the face of injustice.
a Jehovah is the personal name of God.—Psalm 83:18.
The Bible helped them to cope with injustice
Rafika joined a group that promised to fight injustice, but she left it when she learned about its aggressive tactics. Later, she came to trust the Bible’s promise of peace and justice under God’s Kingdom. Watch her story.
Antoine, who grew up in Lebanon during a time of civil war, had been fighting his own war against injustice. But two Bible verses helped him to gain inner peace. Learn how the Bible changed his life.
Jukka fought for social justice but felt powerless, as he saw his efforts accomplished little. Now he is output as he puts his energy into the only real hope for the world. Read his account.
Bible verses about justice
Ecclesiastes 3:16: “I have also seen this under the sun: In the place of justice there was wickedness.”
Meaning: The Bible realistically acknowledges the lack of justice in the world.
Job 34:12: “For a certainty, God does not act wickedly; the Almighty does not pervert justice.”
Meaning: God is never the source of injustice.
Deuteronomy 32:4, 5: “The Rock, perfect is his activity, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; righteous and upright is he. They are the ones who have acted corruptly. They are not his children, the defect is their own.”
Meaning: Injustice comes, not from God, but from people who sin and reject God’s guidance.
Isaiah 32:1: “A king will reign for righteousness, and princes will rule for justice.”
Meaning: God’s Kingdom will rule with righteousness and justice. |
Centennial (br84)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/centennial-br84 | Watch Tower Society Enters Publishing Field
FROM 1884, the Watch Tower Society had concentrated on administering funds for expanding distribution of Bible literature. The publishing of such literature was cared for by the Tower Publishing Company, a firm owned by Charles Taze Russell, which also owned the “Bible House” on Arch Street, Pittsburgh.
In April of 1898 the publishing rights together with all publications and printing materials on hand were donated to the Watch Tower Society, along with the property. In accepting this, the Society obligated itself to publish only materials in harmony with its stated purpose and not to publish any other publications involved with different religious views.
The Watch Tower Society continued to have the printing of books, magazines and booklets done commercially. However, in 1919 the Society decided to do the printing and producing of its literature in its own facilities using dedicated, voluntary, nonsalaried workers. Thus, it could continue to produce literature at low cost and make possible a greater distribution. The New York Corporation would care for this activity.
So a small factory building on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn was rented, and a used web-rotary press was obtained (which was soon named the “Battleship”). By the spring of 1920 the Society began to print The Watch Tower, as well as a new magazine The Golden Age (now Awake!), that was designed to reach out to many more people with the Kingdom message. In 1922 a move was made to larger facilities at 18 Concord Street in Brooklyn. Additional equipment was installed and the Society now began to produce bound books.
Five years later, in 1927, factory operations were moved to even larger facilities, a newly constructed eight-story building, at 117 Adams Street in Brooklyn. This building had been designed specifically for our purposes. In order to provide housing for the additional workers needed, the old buildings at 122 and 124 Columbia Heights, as well as that on the newly acquired lot at 126 Columbia Heights, were razed and a new residence building constructed, rising seven stories above street level.
As the years passed, additional buildings were constructed or purchased adjacent to the Adams Street factory. Later the building complex at 25-30 Columbia Heights was obtained for shipping facilities as well as additional space for offices and storage. The most recent acquisitions are the factory building at 175 Pearl Street and the very large building at 360 Furman Street. For the additional housing, new buildings were constructed at 107 and 119 Columbia Heights, and later the Towers Hotel was purchased and converted into a suitable residence building.
Up at Wallkill, New York, the Society obtained sizable farms, and eventually built large residence buildings there as well as factory and office facilities.
Production of all forms of Bible literature continued to grow to meet increasing needs around the world. Eventually the Society had in use nearly 70 web-rotary presses: 40 in Brooklyn, 13 at Watchtower Farms and 18 others in nine countries around the world. In addition, many flatbed presses were producing publications in other countries.
By the late 1970’s the entire publishing industry had gone over to the more modern computer processing of text, phototypesetting and offset printing. In order to continue to produce Bible literature to meet the growing needs in the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom, the Watch Tower Society saw the necessity of converting to these latest processes, thus endeavoring to solve the problems connected with producing magazines and other literature in many different languages. It directed the necessary development and set up operations for computerized text entry and page composition, phototypesetting and offset printing.
The Society now has the capability of processing and producing literature in some 190 languages. At present, Society-designed computer entry and composing equipment is being used in 20 different countries. There are now a total of 14 high-speed web-rotary offset presses printing publications in Brooklyn and at Watchtower Farms, and 25 in 18 other branches. All these presses, plus a number of sheet-fed offset presses, are used in furthering the purpose of disseminating Bible truths by means of the printed page.
All of this, together with building up qualified translating departments in many lands, has provided the capability of publishing The Watchtower simultaneously around the world. With the January 1, 1985, issue, The Watchtower will publish the same articles simultaneously in English and in 21 other languages.
[Picture on page 8]
Concord Street factory, Brooklyn
[Picture on page 8]
First rotary press, “Battleship”
[Picture on page 8]
Factory complex, Adams Street
[Picture on page 9]
World headquarters offices
[Picture on page 9]
Farm and factory operations, Wallkill, N. Y.
[Picture on page 9]
MEPS computer and composing terminal
[Picture on page 9]
Web-rotary offset press |
BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Matthew 6:33—“Seek First the Kingdom of God” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502300117 | BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
Matthew 6:33—“Seek First the Kingdom of God”
“Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.”—Matthew 6:33, New World Translation.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”—Matthew 6:33, New King James Version.
Meaning of Matthew 6:33
God’s Kingdom is a government in heaven that will accomplish God’s will on earth. (Matthew 6:9, 10) A person seeks the Kingdom first by making it his or her most important concern in life.a That would include not only being eager to learn about God’s Kingdom but also telling others about the good things it will accomplish. (Matthew 24:14) A person who seeks the Kingdom would also pray for it to come.—Luke 11:2.
God’s righteousness includes his standards for right and wrong conduct. (Psalm 119:172) Thus, a person seeks God’s righteousness by living according to God’s moral laws, which are always beneficial.—Isaiah 48:17.
The phrase all these things will be added to you is a promise that God will provide for those who put his Kingdom and his standards first in their life.—Matthew 6:31, 32.
Context of Matthew 6:33
Jesus spoke these words as part of what has been called the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew chapters 5-7. No doubt many of Jesus’ listeners were poor. They may have felt that they had to focus primarily on making a living, leaving them with little time for seeking the Kingdom. But Jesus encouraged them to observe how God cares for his plant and animal creation. God promises to do the same for people who seek his Kingdom first.—Matthew 6:25-30.
Misconceptions About Matthew 6:33
Misconception: A person who seeks the Kingdom will get rich.
Fact: Jesus said that those who put God’s Kingdom first will have what they need, such as food and clothing. (Matthew 6:25, 31, 32) However, he did not promise luxuries, nor did he indicate that God’s blessing would be measured by material wealth. In fact, Jesus warned his listeners against the pursuit of riches, which can actually make it harder to seek first the Kingdom. (Matthew 6:19, 20, 24) The apostle Paul worked tirelessly in behalf of God’s Kingdom, yet he was sometimes low on material provisions. Like Jesus, he warned others about the danger of striving to get rich.—Philippians 4:11, 12; 1 Timothy 6:6-10.
Misconception: Christians do not need to work for a living.
Fact: The Bible says that Christians should work to support themselves and their families. (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; 1 Timothy 5:8) Jesus did not say that his followers should seek only the Kingdom; rather, he said that they should seek the Kingdom first.
Those who seek God’s Kingdom first and are willing to work for a living can count on God to help them obtain life’s necessities.—1 Timothy 6:17-19.
a “Keep on . . . seeking” is translated from a Greek verb form that indicates continuous action, and the phrase could be rendered “seek continually.” Thus, the Kingdom should be a priority and not merely a momentary or temporary interest.
Read Matthew chapter 6 along with explanatory footnotes, cross-references, and pictures. |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Why Be Honest? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502015231 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Why Be Honest?
Why some people are dishonest
Why honesty pays
What your peers say
Why some people are dishonest
In today’s world, honesty could seem to be a disadvantage. After all, some might reason:
‘If I don’t lie to my parents, I could get grounded.’
‘If I don’t cheat on this test, I might fail it.’
‘If I don’t steal this item, I’ll have to save up for it.’
‘Besides, what’s the big deal?’ some might ask. ‘Isn’t everyone dishonest?’
The answer to that question is no. Many people—including a large number of young people—believe that honesty pays, and for good reason. “Whatever a person is sowing, this he will also reap,” says the Bible. (Galatians 6:7) In other words, our actions always have consequences—whether for good or for bad.
Consider, for example, some bad consequences people have reaped from lying.
“I lied to my mom about talking to a certain boy. She had clear evidence that I wasn’t telling the truth. After the third time I lied about this, Mom had had enough. I was grounded for two weeks and could not use my cell phone or watch TV for a month. I never lied to my parents again!”—Anita.
To think about: Why might it take some time for Anita to regain her mom’s trust?
The Bible says: “Now that you have put away deceit, each one of you speak truth with his neighbor.”—Ephesians 4:25.
“I lied to my parents and thought I got away with it until later when they made me recount what I said had happened. It was so far from the truth that I couldn’t even remember the details of my story. When you tell the truth to begin with, you don’t have that problem!”—Anthony.
To think about: How could Anthony have avoided that embarrassing situation?
The Bible says: “Lying lips are detestable to Jehovah, but those acting faithfully bring pleasure to him.”—Proverbs 12:22.
“I have a friend who embellishes her stories. She exaggerates and takes things out of context. I love her and I try not to read too much into it. But it’s really hard to believe her or trust her.”—Yvonne.
To think about: How might exaggerations and “small” untruths affect the reputation of Yvonne’s friend?
The Bible says: “We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”—Hebrews 13:18.
A cracked foundation can weaken an entire structure; in the same way, dishonesty can undermine your good reputation
Why honesty pays
Now consider some of the good consequences you can reap by being honest.
“A woman walking ahead of me had dropped some money. I called out to her and returned her money. She was so thankful. She said: ‘That was very nice of you. Not many people are honest enough to do that.’ It felt good to be noticed for doing the right thing!”—Vivian.
To think about: Why might the woman have been surprised to see such honesty? How did being honest benefit Vivian?
The Bible says: “Happy are those who . . . always do what is right.”—Psalm 106:3.
“As a family, we work in the janitorial business, and sometimes while we’re cleaning an office, we’ll see a coin lying on the floor. When that happens, we put the coin on the nearest desk. One employee was almost annoyed that we were so honest—‘It’s just a dime!’ she said. But you know what? We always had her confidence.”—Julia.
To think about: How might Julia’s reputation for honesty pay off when she needs a character reference for another job?
The Bible says: “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of.”—2 Timothy 2:15.
“I received a paycheck for 80 hours of work instead of 64. Although it would have been nice to keep it, I just couldn’t do that. I pointed it out to the accounting manager, and she was very grateful. The company is successful, but I wasn’t about to keep what would have felt like stolen money.”—Bethany.
To think about: Is stealing from a corporation any less dishonest than stealing from a person?
The Bible says: “Jehovah detests a devious person, but His close friendship is with the upright.”—Proverbs 3:32.
What your peers say
TOBI
The amount of scheming that goes into cheating at school is incredible. If people put only half the effort into studying that they put into cheating, they would pass the test!
AUSTIN
I ask myself, ‘What’s the worst trouble I could get into for telling the truth?’ Then I weigh that against the trouble I could get into for lying. Thinking about the consequences can help me avoid being dishonest.
HEIDY
Many people lie if they think that telling the truth will cause them pain. But it’s better to tell the truth and get punished than to lie and be weighed down with guilt. |
Bible Stories (my)
2004 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/my | input Page/Publishers’ Page
My Book of Bible Stories
© 1978, 2004
WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Publishers
WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC. Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
Bible quotations in this book are paraphrased. They are put in simple language so that young children can get the sense of them. Citations at the end of each story provide the Bible source.
2012 Printing
This publication is not for sale. It is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations. |
What Has Happened to Respect for Others? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102024003 | What Has Happened to Respect for Others?
WHY RESPECT FOR OTHERS MATTERS
Respect for others defuses tension and keeps a bad situation from getting worse.
A Bible proverb says: “A mild answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) Disrespectful speech and actions only add fuel to the fire, often with disastrous results.
Jesus stated: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34) Disrespectful speech can reveal a deeper problem—how we truly feel about people whose race, tribe, nationality, or social background is different from our own.
In a recent survey of more than 32,000 respondents in 28 countries, 65 percent said that the lack of civility and mutual respect today is the worst they have ever seen.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Whether at school or at work, respect all people—even if you don’t share their views. Identify things that you can agree on. That will help you to avoid becoming critical or judgmental.
“Stop judging that you may not be judged.”—Matthew 7:1.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. If you are considerate and fair with others, they will be more likely to return the favor.
“Just as you want men to do to you, do the same way to them.”—Luke 6:31.
Be forgiving. Give others the benefit of the doubt by overlooking unkind words or actions.
“The insight of a man certainly slows down his anger, and it is beauty on his part to overlook an offense.”—Proverbs 19:11.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
In the communities in which they live and work, Jehovah’s Witnesses promote respect for others.
We offer free Bible instruction to all people, but we do not force our beliefs or opinions on others. Rather, we try to apply the Bible’s counsel by sharing our message “with a mild temper and deep respect.”—1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 2:24.
We reject discrimination and welcome to our congregation meetings people from all backgrounds who want to learn what the Bible teaches. We strive to be tolerant and to “show proper respect to everyone.”—1 Peter 2:17, New International Version.
We respect the authority of the government under which we live. (Romans 13:1) We obey the law and pay taxes. And although we remain politically neutral, we respect the rights of others to make their own decisions on political matters.
LEARN MORE
It is difficult to respect others when you have been taught to hate them. Learn how two men from opposing nations were able to learn to respect others. Search for the video Can Love Conquer Hatred? on jw.org. |
Divine Name (na)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/divine-name-na | Christians and the Name
NO ONE can say for sure exactly when orthodox Jews ceased to pronounce God’s name out loud and instead substituted the Hebrew words for God and Sovereign Lord. Some believe that God’s name passed out of everyday use well before Jesus’ time. But there is strong evidence that the high priest continued to pronounce it at religious services at the temple—particularly on the day of Atonement—right up until the temple was destroyed in 70 C.E. Hence, when Jesus was on earth, the pronunciation of the name was known, although perhaps it was not widely used.
Why did the Jews cease to pronounce God’s name? Probably, at least in part, because of misapplying the words of the third commandment: “You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way.” (Exodus 20:7) Of course, this commandment did not prohibit the use of God’s name. Otherwise, why did God’s ancient servants such as David use it so freely and still enjoy Jehovah’s blessing? And why did God pronounce it to Moses and tell Moses to explain to the Israelites who it was that had sent him?—Psalm 18:1-3, 6, 13; Exodus 6:2-8.
Nevertheless, by Jesus’ time there was a strong tendency to take the reasonable commands of God and interpret them in a highly unreasonable way. For example, the fourth of the Ten Commandments obligated the Jews to observe the seventh day of each week as a day of rest, a Sabbath. (Exodus 20:8-11) Orthodox Jews took that command to ridiculous lengths, making innumerable rules to govern even the smallest act that could or could not be done on the Sabbath. It was doubtless in the same spirit that they took a reasonable command, that God’s name must not be dishonored, to a most unreasonable extreme, saying that the name should not even be pronounced.a
Jesus and the Name
Would Jesus have followed such an unscriptural tradition? Hardly! He certainly did not hold back from doing works of healing on the Sabbath, even though this meant breaking the man-made rules of the Jews and even risking his life. (Matthew 12:9-14) In fact, Jesus condemned the Pharisees as hypocrites because their traditions went beyond God’s inspired Word. (Matthew 15:1-9) Hence, it is unlikely that he would have held back from pronouncing God’s name, especially in view of the fact that his own name, Jesus, meant “Jehovah is Salvation.”
On one occasion, Jesus stood up in a synagogue and read a portion of the scroll of Isaiah. The section he read was what we today call Isaiah 61:1, 2, where God’s name appears more than once. (Luke 4:16-21) Would he have refused to pronounce the divine name there, substituting “Lord” or “God”? Of course not. That would have meant following the unscriptural tradition of the Jewish religious leaders. Rather, we read: “He was teaching them as a person having authority, and not as their scribes.”—Matthew 7:29.
In fact, as we learned earlier, he taught his followers to pray to God: “Let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9) And in prayer on the night before his execution, he said to his Father: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world . . . Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name which you have given me.”—John 17:6, 11.
Regarding these references by Jesus to God’s name, the book Der Name Gottes (The Name of God) explains, on page 76: “We must appreciate the astonishing fact that the traditional Old Testament understanding of God’s revelation is that it is a revelation of his name and that this is carried on through to the final parts of the Old Testament, yes, continues even into the last parts of the New Testament, where, for example at John 17:6, we read: ‘I have made your name manifest.’”
Yes, it would be most unreasonable to think that Jesus held back from using God’s name, especially when he quoted from those portions of the Hebrew Scriptures that contained it.
The Early Christians
Did Jesus’ followers in the first century use God’s name? They had been commanded by Jesus to make disciples of people of all nations. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Many of the people to be preached to had no conception of the God who had revealed himself to the Jews by the name Jehovah. How would the Christians be able to identify the true God to them? Would it be enough to call him God or Lord? No. The nations had their own gods and lords. (1 Corinthians 8:5) How could the Christians have made a clear difference between the true God and the false ones? Only by using the true God’s name.
Thus, the disciple James remarked during a conference of the elders at Jerusalem: “Symeon has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name. And with this the words of the Prophets agree.” (Acts 15:14, 15) The apostle Peter, in his well-known speech at Pentecost, pointed out a vital part of the Christian message when he quoted the words of the prophet Joel: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.”—Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21.
The apostle Paul leaves no doubt about the importance to him of God’s name. In his letter to the Romans, he quotes the same words by the prophet Joel and goes on to encourage fellow Christians to show their faith in that statement by going out to preach about God’s name to others in order that these, too, might be saved. (Romans 10:13-15) Later he wrote in his letter to Timothy: “Let everyone naming the name of Jehovah renounce unrighteousness.” (2 Timothy 2:19) At the end of the first century, the apostle John used the divine name in his writings. The expression “Hallelujah,” meaning “Praise Jah,” appears repeatedly in the book of Revelation.—Revelation 19:1, 3, 4, 6.
However, Jesus and his followers had prophesied that an apostasy would occur in the Christian congregation. The apostle Peter had written: “There will also be false teachers among you.” (2 Peter 2:1; see also Matthew 13:36-43; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 2:18, 19.) These warnings were fulfilled. One result was that God’s name was pushed into the background. It even got removed from copies and translations of the Bible! Let us see how that happened.
[Footnotes]
a Some suggest another reason: The Jews may have been influenced by Greek philosophy. For example, Philo, a Jewish philosopher of Alexandria who was approximately contemporary with Jesus, was greatly influenced by the Greek philosopher Plato, who he thought was divinely inspired. The Lexikon des Judentums (Lexicon of Judaism), under “Philo,” states that Philo “united the language and ideas of Greek philosophy (Plato) with the revealed faith of the Jews” and that to begin with he “had a visible effect upon the Christian church fathers.” Philo taught that God was indefinable and, hence, unnameable.
[Picture on page 14]
This picture of a Jewish high priest, with the sign on his turban in Hebrew meaning “Holiness Belongs to Jehovah,” is found in the Vatican
[Picture on page 15]
As this 1805 German translation of the Bible indicates, when Jesus read in the synagogue from the scroll of Isaiah, he pronounced God’s name out loud.—Luke 4:18, 19
[Pictures on page 16]
Peter and Paul used God’s name when they quoted from Joel’s prophecy.—Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13 |
Isaiah’s Prophecy I (ip-1)
2000 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-1 | outputs
PAGE CHAPTER
5 1 An Ancient Prophet With a Modern Message
11 2 A Father and His Rebellious Sons
22 3 “Let Us Set Matters Straight”
37 4 Jehovah’s House Lifted Up
49 5 Jehovah Humiliates Self-Exalted Ones
61 6 Jehovah God Has Mercy on a Remnant
73 7 Woe to the Unfaithful Vineyard!
87 8 Jehovah God Is in His Holy Temple
101 9 Trust in Jehovah in the Face of Adversity
117 10 The Promise of a Prince of Peace
133 11 Woe to the Rebels!
144 12 Do Not Be Afraid of the Assyrian
157 13 Salvation and Rejoicing Under the Messiah’s Reign
172 14 Jehovah Humbles an Arrogant City
189 15 Jehovah’s Counsel Against the Nations
208 16 Trust in Jehovah for Guidance and Protection
215 17 “Babylon Has Fallen!”
230 18 Lessons About Unfaithfulness
244 19 Jehovah Profanes the Pride of Tyre
259 20 Jehovah Is King
271 21 Jehovah’s Hand Becomes High
287 22 Isaiah Foretells Jehovah’s ‘Strange Deed’
302 23 Keep in Expectation of Jehovah
316 24 No Help From This World
329 25 The King and His Princes
342 26 “No Resident Will Say: ‘I Am Sick’”
356 27 Jehovah Pours Out Indignation Upon the Nations
369 28 Paradise Restored!
382 29 A King’s Faith Is Rewarded
398 30 “Comfort My People” |
Divine Name (na)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/divine-name-na | God’s Name and the “New Testament”
THE position of God’s name is unshakable in the Hebrew Scriptures, the “Old Testament.” Although the Jews eventually stopped pronouncing it, their religious beliefs prevented them from removing the name when they made copies of older manuscripts of the Bible. Hence, the Hebrew Scriptures contain God’s name more often than any other name.
With the Christian Greek Scriptures, the “New Testament,” the situation is different. Manuscripts of the book of Revelation (the last book of the Bible) have God’s name in its abbreviated form, “Jah,” (in the word “Hallelujah”). But apart from that, no ancient Greek manuscript that we possess today of the books from Matthew to Revelation contains God’s name in full. Does that mean that the name should not be there? That would be surprising in view of the fact that Jesus’ followers recognized the importance of God’s name, and Jesus taught us to pray for God’s name to be sanctified. So what happened?
To understand this, remember that the manuscripts of the Christian Greek Scriptures that we possess today are not the originals. The actual books written by Matthew, Luke and the other Bible writers were well used and quickly wore out. Hence, copies were made, and when those wore out, further copies were made of those copies. This is what we would expect, since the copies were usually made to be used, not preserved.
There are thousands of copies of the Christian Greek Scriptures in existence today, but most of them were made during or after the fourth century of our Common Era. This suggests a possibility: Did something happen to the text of the Christian Greek Scriptures before the fourth century that resulted in the omission of God’s name? The facts prove that something did.
The Name Was There
We can be sure that the apostle Matthew included God’s name in his Gospel. Why? Because he wrote it originally in Hebrew. In the fourth century, Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgate, reported: “Matthew, who is also Levi, and who from a publican came to be an apostle, first of all composed a Gospel of Christ in Judaea in the Hebrew language . . . Who translated it after that in Greek is not sufficiently ascertained. Moreover, the Hebrew itself is preserved to this day in the library at Caesarea.”
Since Matthew wrote in Hebrew, it is inconceivable that he did not use God’s name, especially when quoting from parts of the “Old Testament” that contained the name. However, other writers of the second part of the Bible wrote for a worldwide audience in the international language of that time, Greek. Hence, they did not quote from the original Hebrew writings but from the Septuagint Greek version. And even Matthew’s Gospel was eventually translated into Greek. Would God’s name have appeared in these Greek writings?
Well, some very old fragments of the Septuagint Version that actually existed in Jesus’ day have survived down to our day, and it is noteworthy that the personal name of God appeared in them. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Volume 2, page 512) says: “Recent textual discoveries cast doubt on the idea that the compilers of the LXX [Septuagint] translated the tetragrammaton YHWH by kyrios. The oldest LXX MSS (fragments) now available to us have the tetragrammaton written in Heb[rew] characters in the G[ree]k text. This custom was retained by later Jewish translators of the O[ld] T[estament] in the first centuries A.D.” Therefore, whether Jesus and his disciples read the Scriptures in Hebrew or Greek, they would come across the divine name.
Thus, Professor George Howard, of the University of Georgia, U.S.A., made this comment: “When the Septuagint which the New Testament church used and quoted contained the Hebrew form of the divine name, the New Testament writers no doubt included the Tetragrammaton in their quotations.” (Biblical Archaeology Review, March 1978, page 14) What authority would they have had to do otherwise?
God’s name remained in Greek translations of the “Old Testament” for a while longer. In the first half of the second century C.E., the Jewish proselyte Aquila made a new translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, and in this he represented God’s name by the Tetragrammaton in ancient Hebrew characters. In the third century, Origen wrote: “And in the most accurate manuscripts THE NAME occurs in Hebrew characters, yet not in today’s Hebrew [characters], but in the most ancient ones.”
Even in the fourth century, Jerome writes in his prologue to the books of Samuel and Kings: “And we find the name of God, the Tetragrammaton [יהוה], in certain Greek volumes even to this day expressed in ancient letters.”
The Removal of the Name
By this time, however, the apostasy foretold by Jesus had taken shape, and the name, although appearing in manuscripts, was used less and less. (Matthew 13:24-30; Acts 20:29, 30) Eventually, many readers did not even recognize what it was and Jerome reports that in his time “certain ignorant ones, because of the similarity of the characters, when they would find [the Tetragrammaton] in Greek books, were accustomed to read ΠΙΠΙ.”
In later copies of the Septuagint, God’s name was removed and words like “God” (The·osʹ) and “Lord” (Kyʹri·os) were substituted. We know that this happened because we have early fragments of the Septuagint where God’s name was included and later copies of those same parts of the Septuagint where God’s name has been removed.
The same thing occurred in the “New Testament,” or Christian Greek Scriptures. Professor George Howard goes on to say: “When the Hebrew form for the divine name was eliminated in favor of Greek substitutes in the Septuagint, it was eliminated also from the New Testament quotations of the Septuagint. . . . Before long the divine name was lost to the Gentile church except insofar as it was reflected in the contracted surrogates or remembered by scholars.”
Hence, while Jews refused to pronounce God’s name, the apostate Christian church managed to remove it completely from Greek language manuscripts of both parts of the Bible, as well as from other language versions.
The Need for the Name
Eventually, as we saw earlier, the name was restored to many translations of the Hebrew Scriptures. But what about the Greek Scriptures? Well, Bible translators and students came to realize that without God’s name, some parts of the Christian Greek Scriptures are very difficult to understand properly. Restoring the name is a big help in increasing the clarity and comprehensibility of this portion of the inspired Bible.
For example, consider the words of Paul to the Romans, as they appear in the Authorized Version: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) Whose name do we have to call on to be saved? Since Jesus is often spoken of as “Lord,” and one scripture even says: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” should we conclude that Paul was here speaking about Jesus?—Acts 16:31, Authorized Version.
No, we should not. A marginal reference to Romans 10:13 in the Authorized Version points us to Joel 2:32 in the Hebrew Scriptures. If you check that reference, you will find that Paul was actually quoting the words of Joel in his letter to the Romans; and what Joel said in the original Hebrew was: “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” (New World Translation) Yes, Paul meant here that we should call on the name of Jehovah. Hence, while we have to believe in Jesus, our salvation is closely instructioned with a proper appreciation of God’s name.
This example demonstrates how the removal of the name of God from the Greek Scriptures contributed to confusing Jesus and Jehovah in the minds of many. Undoubtedly, it contributed greatly to the development of the doctrine of the Trinity!
Should the Name Be Restored?
Would a translator have any right to restore the name, in view of the fact that existing manuscripts do not have it? Yes, he would have that right. Most Greek lexicons recognize that often the word “Lord” in the Bible refers to Jehovah. For example, in its section under the Greek word Kyʹri·os (“Lord”), Robinson’s A Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testament (printed in 1859) says that it means “God as the Supreme Lord and sovereign of the universe, usually in Sept[uagint] for Heb[rew] יְהוָֹה Jehovah.” Hence, in places where the Christian Greek Scripture writers quote the earlier Hebrew Scriptures, the translator has the right to render the word Kyʹri·os as “Jehovah” wherever the divine name appeared in the Hebrew original.
Many translators have done this. Starting at least from the 14th century, numerous Hebrew translations were made of the Christian Greek Scriptures. What did the translators do when they came to quotations from the “Old Testament” where God’s name appeared? Often, they felt forced to restore God’s name to the text. Many translations of parts or all of the Christian Greek Scriptures into Hebrew contain God’s name.
Translations into modern languages, particularly those used by missionaries, have followed this example. Thus many African, Asian, American and Pacific-island language versions of the Greek Scriptures use the name Jehovah liberally, so that readers can clearly see the difference between the true God and the false ones. The name has appeared, too, in versions in European languages.
One translation that boldly restores God’s name with good authority is the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. This version, currently available in 11 modern languages, including English, has restored God’s name every time that a portion of the Hebrew Scriptures containing it is quoted in the Greek Scriptures. Altogether, the name appears with a sound basis 237 times in that translation of the Greek Scriptures.
Opposition to the Name
In spite of the efforts of many translators to restore God’s name in the Bible, there has always been religious pressure to eliminate it. The Jews, while leaving it in their Bibles, refused to pronounce it. Apostate Christians of the second and third centuries removed it when they made copies of Greek Bible manuscripts and left it out when they made translations of the Bible. Translators in modern times have removed it, even when they based their translations on the original Hebrew, where it appears almost 7,000 times. (It appears 6,973 times in the Hebrew text of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, 1984 edition.)
How does Jehovah view those who remove his name from the Bible? If you were an author, how would you feel about someone who went to great lengths to remove your name from the book you authored? Translators who object to the name, doing so on account of problems of pronunciation or because of Jewish tradition, might be compared to those who Jesus said “strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel!” (Matthew 23:24) They stumble over these smaller problems but end up creating a major problem—by removing the name of the greatest personage in the universe from the book that he inspired.
The psalmist wrote: “How long, O God, will the adversary keep reproaching? Will the enemy keep treating your name with disrespect forever?”—Psalm 74:10.
[Box on page 25]
“The LORD”—Equivalent of “Jehovah”?
To remove God’s distinctive personal name from the Bible and substitute a input such as “Lord” or “God” makes the text weak and inadequate in many ways. For example, it can lead to meaningless combinations of words. In its foreword, The Jerusalem Bible says: “To say, ‘The Lord is God’ is surely a tautology [a needless, or meaningless, repetition], as to say ‘Yahweh is God’ is not.”
Such substitutions can also lead to awkward phrases. Thus in the Authorized Version, Psalm 8:9 reads: “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” What an improvement when the name Jehovah is restored to such a text! Thus, Young’s Literal Translation of the Holy Bible reads here: “Jehovah, our Lord, how honourable Thy name in all the earth!”
Removing the name can also lead to confusion. Psalm 110:1 says: “THE LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.” (Authorized Version) Who is talking to whom? How much better the rendering: “The utterance of Jehovah to my Lord is: ‘Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a stool for your feet.’”—New World Translation.
Additionally, substituting “Lord” for “Jehovah” removes something of pivotal importance from the Bible: the personal name of God. The Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Volume 1, page 572) states: “Strictly speaking, Yahweh is the only ‘name’ of God.”
The Imperial Bible-Dictionary (Volume 1, page 856) describes the difference between “God” (Elohim) and “Jehovah,” stating: “[Jehovah] is everywhere a proper name, denoting the personal God and him only; whereas Elohim partakes more of the character of a common noun, denoting usually, indeed, but not necessarily nor uniformly, the Supreme.”
J. A. Motyer, principal of Trinity College, England, adds: “Much is lost in Bible reading if we forget to look beyond the substitute word [Lord or God] to the personal, intimate name of God himself. By telling his people his name, God intended to reveal to them his inmost character.”—Eerdmans’ Handbook to the Bible, page 157.
No, one cannot render a distinctive proper name by a mere input. A input can never convey the full, rich meaning of the original name of God.
[Box/Pictures on page 26]
This fragment of the Septuagint (right) dated to the first century C.E. and containing Zechariah 8:19-21 and Zec 8:23–9:4 is in Jerusalem’s Israel Museum. It contains God’s name four times, three of which are indicated here. In the Alexandrine Manuscript (left), a copy of the Septuagint made 400 years later, God’s name has been replaced in those same verses by KY and KC, abbreviated forms of the Greek word Kyʹri·os (“Lord”)
[Box on page 27]
John W. Davis, a missionary in China during the 19th century, explained why he believed that God’s name should be in the Bible: “If the Holy Ghost says Jehovah in any given place in the Hebrew, why does the translator not say Jehovah in English or Chinese? What right has he to say, I will use Jehovah in this place and a substitute for it in that? . . . If any one should say that there are cases in which the use of Jehovah would be wrong, let him show the reason why; the onus probandi [burden of proof] rests upon him. He will find the task a hard one, for he must answer this simple question,—If in any given case it is wrong to use Jehovah in the translation then why did the inspired writer use it in the original?”—The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal, Volume VII, Shanghai, 1876.
[Picture on page 23]
The New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures properly uses God’s name 237 times
[Pictures on page 24]
God’s name on a church in Minorca, Spain;
on a statue near Paris, France;
and on the Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Parma, Italy |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Why Do I Cut Myself? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013308 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Why Do I Cut Myself?
What is cutting?
Why do people do it?
If you have this problem, how can you stop?
Interview
Questions for reflection
My scripture journal
What is cutting?
Cutting is the practice of compulsively harming oneself with a sharp object. It’s just one form of self-injury. Others include burning, bruising, or hitting oneself. This article is about cutting, but the principles discussed apply to all forms of self-injury.
Test your knowledge: True or False.
Only girls cut themselves.
Cutting violates the Bible command at Leviticus 19:28, which says: “You must not make cuts in your flesh.”
Correct answers:
False. While the problem seems more prevalent among girls, some boys cut themselves and engage in other forms of self-injury too.
False. Leviticus 19:28 refers to an ancient pagan ritual, not to the compulsive practice of self-injury discussed in this article. Nevertheless, it stands to reason that our loving Creator doesn’t want us to harm ourselves.—1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 John 4:8.
Why do people do it?
Test your knowledge: Which statement do you think is most accurate?
People cut themselves . . .
because they are trying to cope with emotional anguish.
because they are trying to kill themselves.
Correct answer: A. Most people who cut themselves don’t want to die. They just want to end their emotional despair.
Note what some young people have said about their practice of cutting.
Celia: “It brought me a sense of relief.”
Tamara: “It seemed to provide an escape. The physical pain was better than the emotional pain.”
Carrie: “I hated feeling sad. Cutting took the focus off my sadness and put it onto my physical pain.”
Jerrine: “Every time I cut myself, I became almost unaware of my surroundings, and I wouldn’t have to deal with my problems. I welcomed the change.”
If you have this problem, how can you stop?
Prayer to Jehovah God can be a vital step to recovery. The Bible says: “Throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7.
Suggestion: Start with brief prayers, perhaps simply telling Jehovah, “I need help.” In time, you will be able to open up and pour out your feelings to “the God of all comfort.”—2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
Prayer is not some psychological crutch. It is real communication with your heavenly Father, who promises: “I will really help you. I will really keep fast hold of you with my right hand of righteousness.”—Isaiah 41:10.
Many who have struggled with cutting have also found comfort in talking to a parent or another trusted adult. Consider the following comments from three young people who did just that.
Interview
Diana, 21
Kathy, 15
Lorena, 17
How old were you when you started cutting yourself?
Lorena: I started when I was about 14.
Diana: I was 18, and the frequency varied. I would cut every day for a week or two and then go for a month without doing it at all.
Kathy: I started when I was 14. I still have occasional setbacks.
Why did you want to hurt yourself?
Kathy: I struggled with feelings of self-hatred. I felt as if no one could possibly want me as a friend.
Diana: Sometimes my sadness would turn into frustration, and my frustration into despair. The despair would grow until it became overwhelming. It was like a huge beast inside me, and it was as if I had to cut myself to let it out.
Lorena: I would get really depressed or angry or just feel down about myself. I would feel like dirt, and I wanted to get rid of all that horrible emotional junk. Sometimes I would feel like I deserved the physical pain.
Did hurting yourself make you feel better?
Diana: It did. I felt lighter afterward, as if a burden had been lifted from me.
Kathy: It’s almost like a form of crying. I felt better after I cut myself the same way that some people feel better after a good cry.
Lorena: Self-injury was like puncturing a small hole in the balloon of negative emotions inside me. It wouldn’t pop; it would just leak and let all the negativity out slowly.
Were you afraid to tell anyone what you were doing?
Lorena: Yes. I was afraid people would think I was weird. Plus I didn’t want others to know about my personal life.
Diana: People always told me that they thought I was strong, and I wanted them to keep believing that. I felt that asking for help would have been a defeat.
Kathy: I was afraid that people would think I was messed up, which in turn would make me feel even worse about myself. Besides, I felt that I deserved what I was doing to myself.
What was a turning point for you?
Lorena: I told my mom what I had been doing. I also got help from a doctor, who helped me control my negative emotions. I had a few setbacks, but improving my Bible study routine helped. I also stay active in the Christian ministry. Perhaps I will always struggle with occasional feelings of worthlessness, but when they arise, I try not to let them rule me.
Kathy: A Christian sister who is about ten years older than I am could tell something was wrong, and I eventually confided in her. To my surprise, she too had once struggled with cutting. I didn’t feel awkward talking to her because she had been through it herself. I also got help from a doctor, who helped me and my parents to understand what I was going through.
Diana: One night I was at the home of a couple whom I trusted, and the husband noticed that something wasn’t right. He kindly urged me to tell them what was wrong. His wife held me and rocked me in her arms just the way my mom used to when I was a little girl. I started to cry, and so did she. It was hard to tell them what I had been doing to myself, but I’m glad that I did.
How has the Bible helped you?
Diana: The Bible has helped me to realize that I can’t fight this on my own. I need Jehovah God’s help.—Proverbs 3:5, 6.
Kathy: Reading the Bible—and knowing that its message comes from God—gives me such deep comfort!—2 Timothy 3:16.
Lorena: When I come across scriptures that touch me, I write them in a notebook so I can reflect on them later.—1 Timothy 4:15.
Is there a scripture in particular that touched you?
Diana: Proverbs 18:1 says: “One isolating himself will seek his own selfish longing; against all practical wisdom he will break forth.” Sometimes I find it difficult to be around people, but this scripture helps me to realize that to isolate myself is dangerous.
Kathy: Two Bible verses that I love are Matthew 10:29 and 31, where Jesus said that not even a sparrow dies without Jehovah God noticing it. And then he added: “Have no fear: you are worth more than many sparrows.” Even now, reading those words reminds me that I’m valuable to Jehovah.
Lorena: I appreciate the passage at Isaiah 41:9, 10, where Jehovah says to his people: “I have not rejected you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. . . . I will fortify you.” When I think of something that is fortified, I think of something impenetrable, a structure with stone walls. This scripture makes me feel empowered, knowing that Jehovah loves me and that I will have him by my side always.
Questions for reflection
When you are ready to reach out for help, in whom could you confide?
What can you say in prayer to Jehovah God about the matter?
Can you name two methods (that do not involve self-injury) that you can use to release your stress and anxiety?
My scripture journal
Suggestion: When you come across a Bible passage that assures you of Jehovah’s love or that can help you to develop a balanced view of yourself and your failings, write that scripture in a journal. Include a sentence or two about why the passage is meaningful to you. To help you get started, here are some scriptures that Diana, Kathy, and Lorena found helpful.
Romans 8:38, 39
“These verses show me that Jehovah loves me, even when I feel that things couldn’t get any worse.”—Diana.
Psalm 73:23
“Scriptures like this one assure me that I’m not alone. It’s as if Jehovah is right here next to me.”—Kathy.
1 Peter 5:10
“Relief may not come immediately; we may have to suffer ‘a little while.’ In the end, though, Jehovah can make us strong enough to endure anything.”—Lorena.
More scriptures to consider
Psalm 34:18
Psalm 54:4
Psalm 55:22
Isaiah 57:15
Matthew 11:28, 29 |
HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Disaster Relief in 2023—“We See Firsthand Jehovah’s Love” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502500106 | Left: Relief workers in Chile helped restore a couple’s home after devastating wildfires. Right: Two sisters in Nigeria received relief supplies after their region was beset by life-threatening flooding
HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Disaster Relief in 2023—“We See Firsthand Jehovah’s Love”
JANUARY 26, 2024
The Bible foretold that “nation [would] rise against nation” and there would be disasters during “the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 24:3, 7) We have seen these prophetic words being fulfilled during the 2023 service year.a But amid armed conflicts and natural disasters in nearly 100 lands, Jehovah’s Witnesses have reflected Jehovah’s love. How?
During the 2023 service year, our brothers were affected by more than 200 natural or man-made disasters. In total, legal entities used by Jehovah’s Witnesses spent over ten million dollarsb from funds donated to the worldwide work to provide disaster relief. This is in addition to the personal funds that many brothers and sisters have used in their local volunteer efforts. Consider how your donated funds were used to help victims of just two of the many disasters that affected our brothers.
“True Love Really Exists”
Some regions of Nigeria typically experience seasonal flooding. However, the October 2022 floods were the worst the country had experienced in ten years. More than 676,000 hectares (1,670,432 acres) of farmland were destroyed, and over two million people were displaced. The Nigeria branch quickly appointed Disaster Relief Committees to organize relief efforts and provide spiritual assistance.
Brothers in Nigeria crossed washed-out roads and high rivers to deliver relief supplies
Effect on Our Brothers and Sisters
7,505 publishers were displaced
860 homes were damaged or destroyed
90 Kingdom Halls and one Assembly Hall were flooded
Use of Donated Funds
Over $250,000 was spent on disaster relief, which included:
Food items such as rice, beans, and noodles
Home supplies such as mattresses and mosquito nets
Repair or reconstruction of damaged homes
How did our brothers ensure that donated funds were used wisely? One way was by carefully evaluating each building to ascertain whether it could be repaired. If a building had to be completely replaced, it was built using a simple design that is customary in the local area.
Our brothers and sisters who received help are very grateful. One sister said: “The flood disorganized our lives because all of our farms were destroyed and we became homeless. We were relieved when the brothers and sisters came that very day to help us and to provide safe accommodation. Great relief came when we received food items sent from the branch office. We were speechless as we saw firsthand the fulfillment of John 13:34, 35 in our lives. . . . True love really exists. I and my entire family, from the bottom of our hearts, say a big thank you to [the] brothers for coming to our aid just in time.”
Others in the community noticed our relief work. A community chief in Sabagreia, Bayelsa State, commented: “There are many organizations or churches in the world, but it is only Jehovah’s Witnesses that have done something like this. . . . [Your] organization is one of the best in the world.”
“We See Firsthand Jehovah’s Love”
During February 2023, over 400 fires caused major destruction in Chile. More than 430,000 hectares (1,062,553 acres) of land, along with critical parts of Chile’s infrastructure, were destroyed. Approximately 8,000 people were evacuated. Soon after the disaster struck, the branch office started to organize relief efforts.
In Chile, relief workers replaced a family’s home that could not be repaired
Effect on Our Brothers and Sisters
222 publishers had to be evacuated
20 homes were destroyed
Use of Donated Funds
Over $200,000 was spent on disaster relief, which included:
Food and water
Fuel, cleaning supplies, and medicines
Reconstruction of damaged homes
One family was shocked to find that everything they had was destroyed, including their home and business. This left the family without employment. During the first few days, it was traumatic for the family to see the empty lot where their house had previously stood. But as the reconstruction progressed, they were slowly able to overcome their fear. Seeing the outpouring of love and affection from the volunteers helped them to cope. The family was so moved by this experience that they joined the volunteers and helped rebuild another brother’s home.
Many of our brothers and sisters were touched by the relief work. One brother said: “Jehovah’s arrangement of Disaster Relief Committees is truly marvelous. The day after the tragedy, they were already on-site providing basic items. It is moving to read about disaster relief in other parts of the world. But when it happens to you, it is very different. You appreciate the organization more; how the brothers imitate Jehovah’s qualities; and how concerned they are that we have what we need materially, spiritually, and emotionally. We see firsthand Jehovah’s love in action.”
As this system concludes, we will continue to see an increase in disasters. (Luke 21:10, 11) Nevertheless, by means of the Christian congregation, we also see that our loving King, Christ Jesus, is with us “all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 28:20) Your generous donations to the worldwide work, via donate.jw.org and other means, along with your contributions of time and energy, show your support of the Kingdom and its loving King. Thank you for your continued generosity.
a The 2023 service year began on September 1, 2022, and ended on August 31, 2023.
b All dollar amounts in this article refer to U.S. dollars. |
The Steenbok That Got Away | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101993009 | The Steenbok That Got Away
By Awake! correspondent in South Africa
BY INSTINCT the steenbok, a small African antelope, sets a wonderful example in hygiene. “A characteristic of steenbok,” explains Professor John Skinner in the book South African Animals in the Wild, “is that before they defecate or urinate, they first clear a spot with their front hooves and then, afterwards, carefully cover the outputs by scraping soil over the spot.” Yes, this little creature goes beyond the law given to Israelite soldiers. (Deuteronomy 5:1; 23:13, 14) It even covers its urine.
The steenbok’s fastidious toilet habits match its graceful looks. “For me the steenbuck has always been one of the loveliest and most lovable of African buck,” wrote Laurens van der Post. In his book The Heart of the Hunter, van der Post describes how he tried to shoot a steenbok for a party of famished Bushmen in Africa’s Kalahari Desert. “His delicate ears,” wrote the explorer, “were pointed in my direction, his great purple eyes wide open, utterly without fear and shining only with the wonder of seeing so strange a sight at this remote back door of life. . . . I shot quickly before he should get alarmed or the sight of his gentle being weaken me. I would not have thought it possible I could miss at so short a distance. Yet I did. My shot merely made the little buck shake his delicate head vigorously to rid his ears of the tingle of the shock of the explosion from my heavy gun.”
After several more shots, the little fellow decided that human company was dangerous and fled. Though deprived of a needed meal, the hungry Bushmen companions of van der Post were delighted. Why? Bushmen have high regard for the steenbok’s ways, and this one lived up to their expectations. “Throughout the long hot day,” adds van der Post, “my mind returned to the vision of that gentle little buck standing untroubled amid blast after blast from my gun.” |
Is the Bible’s Depiction of the Jewish Exile in Babylon Accurate? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502019229 | Is the Bible’s Depiction of the Jewish Exile in Babylon Accurate?
Some 2,600 years ago, the Jews were forcibly taken to Babylon, where they remained as exiles for about 70 years. According to the Bible, God predicted some of the living conditions that the Jewish exiles were to experience in Babylon: “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and have sons and daughters. . . . And seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you.” (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7) Did the Jews actually experience these living conditions?
Researchers have analyzed over 100 clay tablets that appear to be from ancient Babylon or nearby. The tablets show that many Jewish exiles maintained their cultural and religious identity while peacefully submitting to Babylonian rule. The tablets, dated from 572 to 477 B.C.E., include rental agreements, business ventures, promissory notes, and other financial records. “These documents,” says one reference work, “provide glimpses into the lives of ordinary people in a rural setting: they till the land and build houses, pay taxes, and render services to the king.”
Cuneiform tablet from Judahtown
This important collection of documents also reveals the existence of a sizable Jewish community at a place named Al Yahudu, or Judahtown. Four generations of Jewish names are inscribed on the tablets, some with ancient Hebrew letters. Before the tablets were found, scholars knew very little about the lives of Jewish exiles in Babylon. Dr. Filip Vukosavović, a member of the board of directors of the Israel Antiquities Authority, says: “Finally through these tablets we get to meet these people, we get to know their names, where they lived and when they lived, what they did.”
Exiled Jews enjoyed a measure of freedom in Babylon
The exiled Jews enjoyed a measure of freedom to move around. They lived “not only in Al-Yahudu, but also in a dozen other cities,” says Vukosavović. Some of them developed skills in various trades, which later proved useful in rebuilding Jerusalem. (Nehemiah 3:8, 31, 32) The Al-Yahudu tablets also confirm that many Jews chose to remain in Babylon even after their forced exile ended. This indicates that they did indeed experience relatively peaceful conditions in Babylon, just as God’s Word indicated. |
Creator (ct)
1998 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ct | Appendix A
Teamwork for Life
Life could not exist on earth without the teamwork of protein and nucleic acid molecules (DNA or RNA) within a living cell. Let us briefly review some of the details of that intriguing molecular teamwork, for they are the reason why many find it hard to believe that living cells appeared by accident.
Peering into the human body, down to and even inside our microscopic cells, we find that we consist primarily of protein molecules. Most of these are made up of ribbonlike strips of amino acids that are bent and twisted into various shapes. Some fold into a ball, whereas others are shaped like accordion pleats.
Certain proteins work with fatlike molecules to form cell membranes. Others help carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of our body. Some proteins act as enzymes (catalysts) to digest our food by splitting the proteins in the food into amino acids. Those are just a few of the thousands of tasks that proteins perform. You would be right in saying that proteins are the skilled workers of life; without them life would not exist. Proteins, in turn, would not exist were it not for their instruction with DNA. But what is DNA? What is it like? How is it instructioned with proteins? Brilliant scientists have won Nobel prizes for uncovering the answers. We, though, do not have to be advanced biologists to grasp the basics.
The Master Molecule
Cells are largely made of proteins, so new proteins are constantly needed to maintain cells, to make new cells, and to facilitate chemical reactions within cells. The instructions needed for producing proteins are contained in the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules. To understand better how protein is produced, take a closer look at DNA.
DNA molecules reside in the cell nucleus. In addition to carrying instructions necessary for the production of proteins, DNA stores and transmits genetic information from one generation of cells to the next. The shape of DNA molecules resembles a twisted rope ladder (termed a “double helix”). Each of the two strands in the DNA ladder consists of a vast number of smaller parts called nucleotides, which exist in one of four types: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine (T). With this DNA “alphabet,” a pair of letters—either A with T or G with C—form one rung in the double-helix ladder. The ladder contains thousands of genes, the basic units of heredity.
A gene holds the information needed to build a protein. The sequence of letters in the gene forms a coded message, or blueprint, that tells what kind of protein should be built. Hence, the DNA, with all its subunits, is the master molecule of life. Without its coded instructions, diverse proteins could not exist—thus no life.
The Go-Betweens
However, since the blueprint for building a protein is stored in the nucleus of the cell and the actual site for building proteins is outside the nucleus, help is needed to get the coded blueprint from the nucleus to the “building site.” RNA (ribonucleic acid) molecules provide this help. RNA molecules are chemically similar to those of DNA, and several forms of RNA are needed to do the job. Take a closer look at these extremely complex processes for making our vital proteins with the help of RNA.
Work starts in the cell’s nucleus, where a section of the DNA ladder unzips. This allows RNA letters to instruction to the exposed DNA letters of one of the DNA strands. An enzyme moves along the RNA letters to join them into a strand. Thus DNA letters are transcribed into RNA letters, forming what you might call a DNA dialect. The newly formed chain of RNA peels away, and the DNA ladder zips up again.
After further modification, this particular type of message-carrying RNA is ready. It moves out of the nucleus and heads for the protein-production site, where the RNA letters are decoded. Each set of three RNA letters forms a “word” that calls for one specific amino acid. Another form of RNA looks for that amino acid, grabs it with the help of an enzyme, and tows it to the “construction site.” As the RNA sentence is being read and translated, a growing chain of amino acids is produced. This chain curls and folds into a unique shape, leading to one kind of protein. And there may well be over 50,000 kinds in our body.
Even this process of protein folding is significant. In 1996, scientists around the world, “armed with their best computer programs, competed to solve one of the most complex problems in biology: how a single protein, made from a long string of amino acids, folds itself into the intricate shape that determines the role it plays in life. . . . The result, succinctly put, was this: the computers lost and the proteins won. . . . Scientists have estimated that for an average-sized protein, made from 100 amino acids, solving the folding problem by trying every possibility would take 1027 (a billion billion billion) years.”—The New York Times.
We have considered only a summary of how a protein is formed, but you can see what an incredibly complex process it is. Have you an idea of how long it takes for a chain of 20 amino acids to form? About one second! And this process goes on constantly in our body cells, from our head to our foot and everywhere in between.
What is the point? While other factors too numerous to mention are involved, the teamwork needed to produce and maintain life is awe-inspiring. And the term “teamwork” hardly describes the precise interaction required to produce a protein molecule, since a protein needs information from DNA molecules, and DNA needs several forms of specialized RNA molecules. Nor can we ignore the various enzymes, each performing a distinct and vital role. As our body makes new cells, which happens billions of times a day and without our conscious guidance, it requires copies of all three components—DNA, RNA, and protein. You can see why the magazine New Scientist comments: “Take away any one of the three and life grinds to a halt.” Or take this a step further. Without a complete and functioning team, life could not have come about.
Is it reasonable that each of those three molecular team players arose spontaneously at the same time, in the same place, and so precisely tuned that they could combine to work their wonders?
There is, though, an alternative explanation as to how life on earth came about. Many have come to believe that life was the careful product of a Designer with intelligence of the highest order. |
HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Maintaining Our Kingdom Halls | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502500225 | HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Maintaining Our Kingdom Halls
APRIL 1, 2024
“I love my Kingdom Hall!” says Nicole, a young sister in Colombia. “It is the place where I can be with my spiritual family.” Do you feel similarly?
Around the world, Jehovah’s Witnesses meet in some 63,000 Kingdom Halls. These buildings provide us with a comfortable place to worship God. But they do more. A regular pioneer named David in Colombia says: “Our Kingdom Hall adorns our teaching. Many visitors are surprised to see how we keep the building in such good condition.” This is no accident. We work hard to clean and maintain our Kingdom Halls. How is this work cared for?
How Is Maintenance Organized?
The congregations that use a Kingdom Hall are responsible for maintaining it. To that end, brothers and sisters regularly clean their Kingdom Hall. They also perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs.
To help congregations maintain their Kingdom Hall, the Local Design/Construction Department (LDC) assigns brothers to serve as maintenance trainers. Each maintenance trainer looks after six to ten Kingdom Halls. He visits them and trains the publishers in the congregations on how to care for their hall. Every three years, he evaluates each building and identifies safety or maintenance issues.
Maintenance trainers help us keep our Kingdom Halls in good condition
Our brothers and sisters appreciate the training provided by maintenance trainers. Indhumathi, a sister in India, says: “The training was wonderful. It was a pleasure to learn how to keep our hall in good condition.” Evans, a brother in Kenya, says: “We learned how to avoid huge costs by attending to minor problems before they escalate into bigger ones.”
Covering Expenses
The yearly cost of operating and maintaining a Kingdom Hall can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars,a depending on where the hall is located, its age, and the number of congregations that use it. How are these expenses covered?
Kingdom Hall maintenance is supported by donations. Alexander, a brother in Kazakhstan, explains: “Part of the funds are used for Internet access and utilities, such as water and electricity. Another part is for consumables, such as paper towels, gloves, cleaning supplies, and paint.” Any additional contributions are donated to the worldwide work to help with larger and more expensive maintenance projects around the world.
Larger Maintenance Projects
If a Kingdom Hall requires maintenance work that will exceed two or three months of operating expenses, the elders consult with the LDC maintenance trainer. If the LDC approves the project, it is typically funded by donations to the worldwide work. During the 2023 service year, 8,793 of these projects were carried out, costing $76.6 million. Consider two of these projects.
In Angola, a 15-year-old Kingdom Hall had a number of issues. The electrical system had reached the end of its useful life, the walls had cracks, and the neighbors had reported water overflowing into their residences. The LDC organized a project to fix these problems. The project cost $9,285. The neighbors were thankful, and they were impressed with how the work was carried out.
Renovated Kingdom Hall in Angola
In Poland, a Kingdom Hall’s roof was leaking, and the carpet was beyond repair. The LDC approved a project to repair and waterproof the roof and to replace the carpet. The project cost $9,757. As a result, a major renovation on this Kingdom Hall will not be necessary for several years.
Kingdom Hall renovation underway in Poland
Maintenance That Glorifies Jehovah
Maintenance not only saves valuable donations but also brings praise to Jehovah. Shaun, a brother in Tonga, says: “Because of our maintenance work, we can worship Jehovah in a clean, orderly, and well-functioning Kingdom Hall that reflects well on his name in the community. We feel proud to invite people to our Kingdom Hall.”
How Can You Help?
We can all help to clean and maintain our place of worship. Marino, a maintenance trainer in Australia, says: “All of us can have a share in the amazing privilege of caring for our Kingdom Halls. When we do, we are making a real difference in saving dedicated funds and allowing them to be used where they are really needed.”
Joel, a brother in India, enjoys maintaining his Kingdom Hall. He says: “Working with my brothers gives me a preview of what it will be like in the new world.” Nicole, quoted earlier, says: “Recently, I helped mop the floor while brothers fixed a leak in the bathroom. Even though I didn’t fix the problem, I helped prevent an accident.”
If you would like to volunteer to help maintain your Kingdom Hall, speak to your local elders. In addition, your donations support the maintenance of not only your Kingdom Hall but also other Kingdom Halls around the world. These donations can be made via the contribution boxes in your hall or via donate.jw.org. We deeply appreciate your generous spirit.
All of us can help care for our Kingdom Halls
a All dollar amounts in this article refer to U.S. dollars. |
The Bridge That Kept Coming Back | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102008007 | The Bridge That Kept Coming Back
BY AWAKE! WRITER IN BULGARIA
STRADDLING the Osŭm River in north-central Bulgaria is the covered bridge of Lovech. Much like the people it serves, this magnificent structure has a rich history.
One of the first to draw attention to the bridge was Austrian geologist Ami Boué, who visited Lovech during the first half of the 19th century. He wrote about “a stone bridge, covered and decorated with small shops.” Yes, this unique bridge was part of Lovech’s transportation system, connecting the two parts of the town, and it also served as a market! As such, it was a landmark of the community.
Originally, the covered bridge of Lovech was built, not of stone, but of wood. Over the years, however, the span was repeatedly damaged by floodwaters and had to be rebuilt. Finally, in 1872, the bridge was completely washed away, depriving the townspeople of this vital instruction.
Restoring the bridge would not be easy. Therefore, the famed Bulgarian builder Kolyo Ficheto was hired to design and build a new and stronger bridge.
An Innovative Design
Ficheto decided to stick with the original concept and design a covered bridge with small shops on it. To support the 275-foot-long by 33-foot-wide [84 m by 10 m] bridge, he added elliptical piers. These 15-foot-high [5 m] footings, whose narrow edges pointed upstream, had an innovative feature. Situated at midpoint and extending up near the top of the piers were openings to allow floodwaters to pass through the piers. On top of the piers, Ficheto laid solid oak beams and planks. The remainder of the structure, including the 64 shops arranged on both sides of the street, was made of beech. The roof was likewise made of beech and lined with sheet iron.
Another interesting feature of Ficheto’s design is that he preferred to connect the bridge’s support beams with wooden plugs and joints rather than with iron fittings and forged nails. The street was finished by paving the wood subfloor with stone and then overlaying it with gravel. During the day, small side windows and openings in the roof allowed natural daylight to filter in. During the evening, gas lanterns were lit. Altogether, the design and construction of the new bridge took about three years to complete [1].
Life on the Bridge
What was life like on the bridge? Notice the description by one eyewitness: “Sellers, passersby, and onlookers, who were rarely disturbed by a passing car, horse cart, or loaded donkey, mixed their voices with the noise from the tinsmiths . . . and the cries of the vendors, who offered their wares with loud voices. The bridge had its own inner life. The many colorful little shops, filled to the brim with woolen braiding, beads, and various goods, had their own rhythm and traditions.”
Besides doing their shopping on the covered bridge, people gathered there for entertainment, since many storekeepers doubled as musicians. The eyewitness quoted earlier added: “In the barber shop, there were five or six barbers who, besides being barbers, were also good musicians, primarily playing stringed instruments. They often found some free time to play, and the patrons were pleased to wait for them to finish.” Following the first world war, some of the barbers became the founders of the so-called Barber’s Orchestra.
Tragedy Strikes
For half a century, Ficheto’s covered bridge endured floods, wars, and other calamities. But on the night of August 2/3, 1925, huge flames lit up the sky around Lovech as the town’s picturesque bridge caught fire and was reduced to ashes. How did it happen? To this day no one is certain whether the fire was the result of negligence or arson. Whatever the case, Lovech was once again without a bridge to connect its shores.
In 1931 a new covered bridge was completed, along with small shops and workshops that bordered the street [2]. However, rather than fashion the bridge out of wood and stone, the new builder used steel and concrete. The overall design was very different from Ficheto’s. The roof was made of glass, and a section of the center span had no outside walls. In 1981/82, the bridge was rebuilt according to Kolyo Ficheto’s original design [3].
The covered bridge of Lovech is a symbol of the town and an expression of an artisan’s achievement. Today the bridge continues to attract the interest of residents and visitors alike as they walk on the bridge that is lined with shops.
[Map on page 22]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
BULGARIA
SOFIA
Lovech
[Picture Credit Line on page 23]
Photo 2: From the book Lovech and the Area of Lovech |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 149
“It Is Impossible for God to Lie”
(Hebrews 6:18)
1. Our God promised Abraham he would be blest,
For Abraham proved himself true under test.
This blessing he long foresaw by his faith’s eye;
He knew it’s impossible for God to lie.
2. Since God, to show his word’s unchangeableness,
Stepped in with an oath when he Abraham blest,
We have a strong hope and can God glorify,
For it is impossible for Him to lie.
3. To anchor our faith in a hope that’s secure,
Our God by an oath made his promise more sure.
So we all attacks on our faith can defy;
We know it’s impossible for God to lie.
4. Jehovah, the Most High, is faithful and true;
He never fails those who give him his just due.
On two things, his word and oath, we can rely
—Yes, it is impossible for God to lie. |
Live Forever (pe)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pe | Chapter 8
What Happens at Death?
1. What questions do people often ask about the dead?
PERHAPS you know the empty feeling that comes with losing a loved one in death. How very sad and helpless you can feel! It is only natural to ask: What happens to a person when he dies? Is he still alive somewhere? Will the living ever again be able to enjoy on earth the company of those now dead?
2. What happened to the first man, Adam, at his death?
2 To answer such questions, it will be a help for us to know what happened to Adam at his death. When he sinned, God told him: “You [will] return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19) Think of what that means. Before God created him from the dust, there was no Adam. He did not exist. So, after he died, Adam returned to that same state of nonexistence.
3. (a) What is death? (b) What does Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10 say about the condition of the dead?
3 Simply stated, death is the opposite of life. The Bible shows this at Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10. According to the Authorized or King James Version, these verses say: “For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
4. (a) What happens to a person’s thinking abilities at death? (b) Why do a person’s senses all stop working at death?
4 This means that the dead cannot do anything and cannot feel anything. They no longer have any thoughts, as the Bible states: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs. His spirit goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” (Psalm 146:3, 4) At death man’s spirit, his life-force, which is sustained by breathing, “goes out.” It no longer exists. So man’s senses of hearing, sight, touch, smell and taste, which depend upon his being able to think, all stop working. According to the Bible, the dead enter a state of complete unconsciousness.
5. (a) How does the Bible show that the condition of dead humans and dead animals is the same? (b) What is the “spirit” that makes both humans and animals live?
5 When they are dead, both humans and animals are in this same state of complete unconsciousness. Note how the Bible makes this point: “As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all have but one spirit, so that there is no superiority of the man over the beast, for everything is vanity. All are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust.” (Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20) The “spirit” that makes animals live is the same as that which makes humans live. When this “spirit,” or invisible life-force, goes out, both man and beast return to the dust from which they are made.
THE SOUL DIES
6. How does the Bible show that animals are souls?
6 Some persons have said that what makes man different from the animals is that man has a soul but the animals do not. However, Genesis 1:20 and 30 says that God created “living souls” to live in the waters, and that the animals have “life as a soul.” In these verses some Bibles use the words “creature” and “life” instead of “soul,” but their marginal readings agree that the word “soul” is what appears in the original language. Among the Bible references to animals as souls is Numbers 31:28. There it speaks of “one soul out of five hundred, of humankind and of the herd and of the asses and of the flock.”
7. What does the Bible say to prove that both animal souls and human souls die?
7 Since animals are souls, when they die their souls die. As the Bible says: “Every living soul died, yes, the things in the sea.” (Revelation 16:3) What about human souls? As we learned in the previous chapter, God did not create man with a soul. Man is a soul. So, as we would expect, when man dies, his soul dies. Over and over again the Bible says that this is true. Never does the Bible say the soul is deathless or that it cannot die. “All those going down to the dust will bend down, and no one will ever preserve his own soul alive,” Psalm 22:29 says. “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die,” explains Ezekiel 18:4 and 20. And if you turn to Joshua 10:28-39, you will find seven places where the soul is spoken of as being killed or destroyed.
8. How do we know that the human soul, Jesus Christ, died?
8 In a prophecy about Jesus Christ, the Bible says: “He poured out his soul to the very death . . . and he himself carried the very sin of many people.” (Isaiah 53:12) The teaching of the ransom proves it was a soul (Adam) that sinned, and that in order to ransom humans there had to be a corresponding soul (a man) sacrificed. Christ, by ‘pouring out his soul unto death,’ provided the ransom price. Jesus, the human soul, died.
9. What is meant by the words, ‘the spirit itself returns to God who gave it’?
9 As we have seen, the “spirit” is something different from our soul. The spirit is our life-force. This life-force is in each of the body cells of both humans and animals. It is sustained, or kept alive, by breathing. What does it mean, then, when the Bible says that at death “the dust returns to the earth . . . and the spirit itself returns to the true God who gave it”? (Ecclesiastes 12:7) At death the life-force in time leaves all the body cells and the body begins to decay. But this does not mean that our life-force literally leaves the earth and travels through space to God. Rather, the spirit returns to God in the sense that now our hope for future life rests entirely with God. Only by his power can the spirit, or life-force, be given back so that we live again.—Psalm 104:29, 30.
LAZARUS—A MAN DEAD FOR FOUR DAYS
10. Even though Lazarus had died, what did Jesus say about his condition?
10 What happened to Lazarus, who was dead for four days, helps us to understand the condition of the dead. Jesus had told his disciples: “Lazarus our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken him from sleep.” However, the disciples replied: “Lord, if he has gone to rest, he will get well.” At that, Jesus told them plainly: “Lazarus has died.” Why did Jesus say Lazarus was sleeping when really he had died? Let us see.
11. What did Jesus do for the dead Lazarus?
11 When Jesus got near the village where Lazarus had lived, he was met by Martha, the sister of Lazarus. Soon they, along with many others, went to the tomb where Lazarus had been put. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said: “Take the stone away.” Since Lazarus had been dead for four days, Martha protested: “Lord, by now he must smell.” But the stone was removed, and Jesus called out: “Lazarus, come on out!” And he did! He came out alive, still wrapped in graveclothes. “Loose him and let him go,” Jesus said.—John 11:11-44.
12, 13. (a) Why can we be sure that Lazarus was unconscious when he was dead? (b) Why did Jesus say that Lazarus was asleep when, really, he was dead?
12 Now think about this: What was Lazarus’ condition during those four days he was dead? Had he been in heaven? He was a good man. Yet Lazarus did not say anything about being in heaven, which surely he would have done if he had been there. No, Lazarus was really dead, even as Jesus said he was. Then why did Jesus at first tell his disciples that Lazarus was only sleeping?
13 Well, Jesus knew that the dead Lazarus was unconscious, as the Bible says: “The dead . . . are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) But a living person can be awakened from a deep sleep. So Jesus was going to show that, by means of God’s power given to him, his friend Lazarus could be awakened from death.
14. Knowledge of Christ’s power to raise the dead should move us to do what?
14 When a person is in a very deep sleep, he remembers nothing. It is similar with the dead. They have no feelings at all. They no longer exist. But, in God’s due time, the dead who are ransomed by God will be raised to life. (John 5:28) Surely this knowledge should move us to want to win God’s favor. If we do, even if we should die, we will be remembered by God and be brought back to life.—1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14.
[Picture on page 76]
ADAM—made from dust . . . returned to dust
[Picture on page 78]
What was Lazarus’ condition before Jesus raised him? |
What Does the Bible Say? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2017012 | The world is full of suffering, but is God behind it?
What Does the Bible Say?
Does God cause suffering?
What would you say?
Yes
No
Maybe
What the Bible says
“It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong!” (Job 34:10) God never brings about the evil and suffering we see in the world.
What else can we learn from the Bible?
Satan the Devil, “the ruler of the world,” is the main cause of suffering.—John 14:30.
Suffering and evil also often result from the bad choices people make.—James 1:14, 15.
Will suffering ever end?
Some people believe that humans can eliminate suffering through their combined efforts, while others see little hope of world conditions changing for the better so drastically. What do you think?
What the Bible says
God will eliminate suffering. “Death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”—Revelation 21:3, 4.
What else can we learn from the Bible?
God will use Jesus to undo the suffering caused by the Devil.—1 John 3:8.
Good people will live in peace on earth forever.—Psalm 37:9-11, 29.
To learn why God allows suffering, see chapter 11 of this book, What Does the Bible Really Teach?, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses
Also available at www.jw.org |
Have You Wondered? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102019010 | Have You Wondered?
If God cares about us, why has he allowed evil and suffering to go on for so long?
How can we be sure that we are living in the last days of the present world?
How do we know that the Bible’s promises about God’s Kingdom will come true?
Can the Bible help us make wise decisions in life now?
Because our Creator loves us, he has provided answers to those questions and many others. To help you find those answers, go to our website, www.jw.org, which is dedicated to Bible education.
On that website, you will find activities, articles, audio and video recordings, interviews, and a broad variety of publications, including the Bible. All are free of charge with no obligation. |
Holy Spirit (hs)
1976 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/hs | Chapter 8
“Spirit of Life from God Entered into Them”
1. According to Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20, what specialized operation of holy spirit will stop shortly?
A SPECIALIZED operation of God’s holy spirit has been going on now for nineteen centuries and is shortly to stop. When it stops, then the making of disciples of the Messiah Jesus will stop. The resurrected Son of God referred to this when, at a mountain in the Roman province of Galilee, he said to his apostles: “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”—Matthew 28:18-20.
2. Besides the glorified Jesus Christ, what else was to be with his disciples down to the “conclusion of the system of things”?
2 Those apostles were well acquainted with that holy spirit in the name of which they were commissioned to baptize all those becoming Christ’s disciples out of all the nations. During their years of intimate association with their Master Jesus, they had observed its operation mightily through him in Kingdom preaching, teaching and performing of miracles. (Acts 10:38) On their last Passover night with him on Nisan 14, 33 C.E., he said to them for their comfort: “I will request the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, the spirit of the truth, which the world cannot receive.” (John 14:16, 17) So, not only would the resurrected, glorified Jesus Christ be with his disciples down to the “conclusion of the system of things,” but their active helper, the holy spirit, would likewise be with them till then, for it would be with them “forever.”
3, 4. (a) Why is the question raised as to whether Jesus Christ has been with Christendom all the days till now? (b) What did Jesus say was the factor that determined whether holy spirit was with a professed Christian?
3 That interests us today! Here we are in that time period called “the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 24:3) Since the outbreak of World War I in 1914 the events in the world as well as among Christ’s disciples are fulfilling what Jesus foretold in his prophecy as set out in Matthew 24:3 through 25:46. (Also Mark 13:3-37; Luke 21:7-36) Jesus Christ, wielding “all authority” in heaven and on earth, has been with his disciples “all the days” till now. The promised “helper,” the holy spirit, has also been with them. But nowadays many claim to be Christ’s disciples or Christians. According to the latest published figures, Christendom has more than nine hundred million church members. Shall we look, therefore, to Christendom for the evidence of Christ’s presence with her? Has holy spirit operated in her?
4 Well, in this case, is the question to be answered merely according to the number of those who profess to be Christians? No, for Jesus said the determining factor is godly works:
“By their fruits you will recognize them. . . . Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire. Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men.
“Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.”—Matthew 7:16-21.
5. Does Christendom today abound with the “fruitage of the spirit” or with the “works of the flesh”?
5 From the time that Christendom was established in the fourth century C.E. by the unbaptized pagan Roman emperor, Constantine the Great, her fruit has not been fine. After sixteen centuries of opportunity to cultivate the “fruitage of the spirit,” her religious organization does not abound with “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” Rather, “works of the flesh” mark Christendom.—Galatians 5:19-23.
6, 7. In what respects is Christendom like the congregation in Laodicea, and has she repented and taken Jesus’ advice to that congregation?
6 Christendom, reportedly bulging with church members, is today comparable to the “congregation in Laodicea.” In Revelation 3:14-18, the glorified Jesus Christ says to that congregation:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or else hot. So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say: ‘I am rich and have acquired riches and do not need anything at all,’ but you do not know you are miserable and pitiable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire that you may become rich, and white outer garments that you may become dressed and that the shame of your nakedness may not become manifested, and eyesalve to rub in your eyes that you may see.”
7 Has Christendom repented and taken such advice from Christ? Her active share in two world wars, her persecution of religious minorities, her materialism, her looseness of morals, her meddling in politics in order to control and perpetuate the present old order of things, all these and many other things answer No!
8. Why is the glorified Jesus obliged, as it were, to vomit Christendom out of his mouth and not use her in today’s work?
8 During this “conclusion of the system of things,” Jesus Christ has had no other course to take but to “vomit” her out of his mouth. Spiritually, she is neither refreshingly cold nor stimulatingly hot to him. He cannot swallow her so as to make her of benefit to him. She is “lukewarm” in compromisingly claiming to be Christian and at the same time making herself a friend and tool of this world. This the reigning King Jesus Christ cannot stomach. He recognizes her as an enemy of God his Father. (James 4:4) He has no association with his Father’s enemies. She is in no spiritual paradise with him. So he cannot use her in the work that he foretold for his true disciples at this time.—Matthew 24:14.
9. Because of carrying on her operations in the name of religion, did Christendom make herself an object of international hatred, or against whom did she direct such hatred?
9 Christendom has performed her works and carried on her operations in the name of religion. Have these activities made her an object “of hatred by all the nations on account of my [Christ’s] name”? (Matthew 24:9) To the contrary, she has taken the lead in making others such an object of hatred. Whom? Modern history points to them. During World War I there was an international group of students of the Bible who were showing from the inspired Scriptures that the “times of the Gentiles” ended in the year in which World War I erupted—1914. (Luke 21:24, Authorized Version) Hence all the nations, those professing Christianity and those not doing so, were to be destroyed for their opposition to the established kingdom of Jesus Christ, the King now reigning in heaven at God’s right hand. All those desiring to escape destruction with Christendom needed to come out of nominal Christianity, out of the churches of Christendom. Such bold teachings by these conscientious students of the Bible aroused worldwide hatred for them.
10. During World War I Christendom aimed at exterminating what religious minority, and by what means?
10 This hated religious minority was composed of Christians known as International Bible Students. In their Bible study and publicity work they used the publications of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, the headquarters of which are in Brooklyn, New York. On these Bible students Christendom concentrated her fire during World War I. She aimed at exterminating them. Her clergymen falsely accused them and prevailed upon political and judicial elements of this world to take repressive measures against them.
11. Because of what did the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society become implicated?
11 Bans on publications of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society followed. In various lands proscriptions against the Bible Students were enacted. In places the patriotic citizenry was roused up to infuriated mob action against this misrepresented peaceable minority. In the spring of 1918 outstanding men who were associated with the Society’s Brooklyn headquarters were railroaded off to imprisonment in a federal penitentiary, under false charges!
12. What does Revelation 11:7-12 show as to whether Christendom had killed the witness work permanently?
12 Now that the president and the secretary-treasurer of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and six other prominent co-workers were out of the way in prison like felons, Christendom felt that she had killed the organization of the faithful witnesses to God’s established kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ. But had the deathblow been dealt? For a time the bodies of Kingdom witnesses appeared quite dead. But were they permanently out of action? The symbol language of Revelation 11:7-12 answers:
“And when they have finished their witnessing, the wild beast that ascends out of the abyss will make war with them and conquer them and kill them. And their corpses will be on the broad way of the great city which is in a spiritual sense called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also impaled. And those of the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their corpses for three and a half days, and they do not let their corpses be laid in a tomb. And those dwelling on the earth rejoice over them and enjoy themselves, and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those dwelling on the earth.
“And after the three and a half days spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon those beholding them. And they heard a loud voice out of heaven say to them: ‘Come on up here.’ And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.”
13. From Christendom’s viewpoint, what was the future for the witness organization, but what force did she not take into account?
13 For a short time, like three and a half days, the organization of these proclaimers of Bible prophecies and witnesses to God’s established kingdom were in public disgrace. The people who had been tormented by the preaching of Bible truths rejoiced over the suppression of the Kingdom witnesses. From Christendom’s viewpoint, the organization of the witnesses was ‘dead.’ But had the spirit of God been killed, put to death? It had not proved to be dead when the body of the impaled Jesus Christ lay dead in the tomb for parts of three days. So, nineteen centuries later, it did not prove to be ‘dead’ after the organization of the Kingdom witnesses had lain dead “for three and a half days,” relatively speaking.
14. For the fulfillment of Matthew 24:14, what was necessary, and what took place in the spring of 1919?
14 The time had now gone into the fifth year of the “conclusion of the system of things.” Jesus’ prediction, in Matthew 24:14, still had to be fulfilled: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Christendom, with the bloodstains of world war, was not disposed or clean enough to fulfill that prophecy. What, then, was there to do? The spirit of God Almighty needed to go into action. It did so, not in behalf of bloodguilty Christendom, but in behalf of the seemingly ‘dead’ Kingdom witnesses. True to the picture in Revelation 11:11, “spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet.” The spring of the postwar year 1919 was the time for this revitalizing of them.
15. Who went to work on being released, and what attention was given anew to Matthew 24:14?
15 Surprisingly, late in March of 1919, the officers of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and their fellow prisoners were released on bail and went to work. Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24:14 got renewed attention. Startling comment was made on it in the July 1, 1920, issue of The Watch Tower, pp. 199, 200. It made clear that the foretold preaching world wide was not a preaching carried on through the past nineteen centuries of the “Gospel Age,” of a coming kingdom. It was the preaching of an already established kingdom. Hence the preaching was a worldwide publicity work to be carried on from 1914 C.E. onward.
16. How did that revelation affect the witnesses, and by what event was the year 1919 climaxed?
16 This revelation by the “spirit of the truth” put new life into the Kingdom preaching of the witnesses. As a grand climax of 1919, the year of revitalization, the first postwar general convention of the Kingdom witnesses was held for eight days at Cedar Point, Ohio. Thousands from the United States and Canada attended. The president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, who was now exonerated from the false wartime charges, announced the new Kingdom work ahead. To an audience of 7,000 he gave a public talk.
17. What reason was there for the enemies to fear at the elevation of the witnesses from a dead condition?
17 At the surprising revivification of the witnesses of God’s established kingdom, great fear fell upon the enemies of the Kingdom, particularly upon Christendom. If the enemies had reason to fear then, even though the Kingdom witnesses were a small remnant, they had far greater reason to fear later on. Those witnesses were to be given a worldwide prominence such as has not been accorded to Christ’s disciples at any previous stated time. They were beckoned to such high prominence as if by a loud voice from heaven, saying to them: “Come on up here.”
18. How in 1922 did the witnesses show that they did not shrink back from the work that was to bring world prominence?
18 From entering into a Kingdom proclamation that was to lift them to heaven-high public prominence, they did not shrink back. Spurred on by God’s energizing spirit, they fearlessly launched out onto the work. Enthusiasm mounted at the second general convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1922, when the Watch Tower Society’s president attained the climax of his keynote speech and boomed out the call, “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom”! The thousands of conventioners thundered with applause in response to this dynamic call to Kingdom preaching to the finish!
THE DUE TIME FOR WORLDWIDE KINGDOM WITNESSING
19. Why was the account in Revelation 11:15-18 an appropriate one for John to give after his account of the reviving of the witnesses?
19 It was for such worldwide Kingdom preaching that “spirit of life from God” had entered into the suppressed witnesses in 1919 C.E. Quite appropriately, then, the apostle John immediately follows up his account of the exalted two witnesses with the following account:
“And the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying: ‘The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.’
“And the twenty-four elders who were seated before God upon their thrones fell upon their faces and worshiped God, saying: ‘We thank you, Jehovah God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and begun ruling as king. But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give their reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.’”—Revelation 11:15-18.
20. (a) Was that loud proclamation news for heaven only? (b) In view of Jesus’ prediction, there now arose a need for whom?
20 That loudly proclaimed announcement, “The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever,” deserves to be reechoed now on earth by Jehovah’s anointed witnesses. He took up his kingship of the world at the close of the Gentile Times in 1914. This was news for more than heaven only. It involved the world of mankind. They deserved to hear it. How would they hear it without preachers, proclaimers? Jesus prophesied that it would be preached earth wide before the end of this system of things came. The remnant of his anointed disciples were the ones assigned to undertake the preaching from the time of their spiritual reviving in 1919 onward.—Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10; Romans 10:14, 15; note Isaiah 32:15.
21. Why are the anointed disciples of Christ not presumptuous in doing the Kingdom preaching, as Christendom might claim, and why must Zechariah 4:6 be true regarding them?
21 The remnant of the anointed disciples of Jesus Christ are the ones delegated and sent to do the preaching. (Isaiah 61:1-3) If Christendom charges that they are presumptuous in doing this Kingdom preaching, then why does not Christendom herself do the preaching? But she is not doing so. She takes part in worldly politics and gives her blessing to the unchristian United Nations. Since the remnant is so small in comparison with the hundreds of millions of church members of Christendom, it has to be true of the anointed remnant as Jehovah said in Zechariah 4:6: “Not by a military force, nor by power, but by my spirit.”
22. To judge from the Kingdom preaching that is being done, who are the ones upon whom Joel 2:28, 29 has been fulfilled?
22 The holy spirit, which Jehovah prophesied that he would pour out in the last days, has not ceased to operate, for the remnant are still baptizing disciples of Christ in the name of that spirit. (Matthew 28:19, 20; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21) The announced purpose behind God’s pouring out of his spirit upon all sorts of flesh was that the recipients thereof might prophesy. The facts substantiate that the remnant of Christ’s anointed disciples have been doing that prophesying to all the nations for a witness in favor of God’s kingdom. Logically, then, they must be the ones upon whom God’s spirit has actually been poured out. That spirit is behind their worldwide preaching. Why argue about it?
23. During the following twelve years of such prophesying, witness to whom was given, and why was this needed?
23 After twelve years of such prophesying about God’s kingdom, the anointed remnant had become better informed upon Jehovah God, the heavenly Source of the outpoured spirit. They had increased their witnessing about him and had everywhere publicized his name as being the greatest Name in all existence. They had really set themselves to be His witnesses and to live up to their being “a people for his name.” (Isaiah 43:10-12; Acts 15:14) Let us not downgrade the importance and timeliness of this bearing witness to Jehovah as well as to his Messiah Jesus. In line with the prophecy of Joel 2:28-32 it had to precede “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” Unless the people were informed, they could not call upon the right person for salvation during that “day.” Joel 2:32 advises us that whoever “calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.” Witness to Jehovah had to be given!
24. In 1931 what new designation of themselves was embraced by those of the anointed remnant, and why was this no idle gesture?
24 So it was no mere coincidence that on Sunday, July 26, 1931, at the international convention of the International Bible Students Association at Columbus, Ohio, the many thousands of conventioners wholeheartedly adopted a resolution for themselves to be called by a meaningful, Scriptural name. The name that the conventioners embraced by adopting the Resolution was “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” After the action taken at the international convention in Columbus, the congregations of the International Bible Students Association around the globe adopted a similar resolution. Thereby they declared themselves to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. This was no idle gesture on the part of the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites. By carrying out the responsibilities that the name entails upon them, they have lived up to this new designation of themselves.
25. How have the revitalized Kingdom witnesses been elevated to an outstanding position in connection with the divine name, and with an acceptance of the obligation of Isaiah 43:10-12?
25 Incontrovertibly, the “spirit of life from God” had entered into the anointed remnant and he had called them to an outstanding position before all their enemies. Without fear of those enemies, they had responded to God’s invitation, “Come on up here.” (Revelation 11:11, 12) They have not been ashamed of bearing the divine name, the name most holy. Their preaching and prophesying from house to house and from city to city on the basis of that name has resulted in magnifying that name all around the earth. Here at last are modern champions of the greatest name in the universe! Sad to say, the ancient nation of natural Israel failed to be what the prophecy of Isaiah 43:10-12 said, first of all, to them: “‘You are my witnesses,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘even my servant whom I have chosen, . . . there was among you no strange god. So you are my witnesses,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and I am God.’” Hence the present-day remnant of spiritual Israelites gladly accept the obligation to be Jehovah’s Witnesses.
26. Into what spiritual condition as illustrated in the congregation of Sardis, Asia Minor, do the revitalized remnant not want to relapse?
26 Now that the remnant of spiritual Israelites have been revitalized by the “spirit of life from God,” they do not want to relapse into that condition that was illustrated by the congregation in ancient Sardis, Asia Minor. Jesus Christ said to it:
“These are the things that he says who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, ‘I know your deeds, that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead. Become watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that were ready to die, for I have not found your deeds fully performed before my God. Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping it, and repent. Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come upon you.’”—Revelation 3:1-3.
27. To guard against losing what privilege do the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites heed Jesus’ words in Revelation 2:5?
27 In this religiously bedarkened world the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites want to shine as illuminators, shedding light on God’s name and on his purposes for saving mankind. They are on guard against losing the privilege of being, collectively, a spiritual lampstand. They take heed to the words of the glorified Jesus Christ to the congregation in ancient Ephesus:
“Repent and do the former deeds. If you do not, I am coming to you, and I will remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”—Revelation 2:5.
A “GREAT CROWD” CALLS UPON THE NAME
28. During World War II, when the wild beast out of the abyss again made war upon the anointed remnant, why did the experience of theirs during World War I not repeat itself?
28 In 1939-1945 C.E. a second world war wreaked havoc on mankind. But did the experience during World War I repeat itself with regard to the reanimated remnant of spiritual Israelites, who, since 1931, have been known as Jehovah’s Witnesses? Despite the worst religious persecution during World War II, when the “wild beast that ascends out of the abyss” again made war with the remnant, the records answer No! Violent persecution did not succeed in putting to death the Kingdom witnessing carried on by the anointed remnant. They kept on “getting filled with spirit” from their heavenly Life-Giver. (Ephesians 5:18) They held on to life spiritually by activity in Kingdom witnessing, underground, if necessary. When forbidden by political and militarized governments to preach the good news of Jehovah’s established kingdom, they prayed to him for courage to carry on faithfully in fulfillment of the commission to preach.
29. How has the result of the foregoing been to the remnant like in the case reported on in Acts 4:31?
29 The result to them was like in the case of the Jerusalem congregation, after the apostles had been ordered by the religious authorities to stop preaching Christ. “And they were one and all filled with the holy spirit and were speaking the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:31) Similarly, to this day, the remnant give expression to their being filled with holy spirit and powerfully go on “speaking the word of God with boldness.” Consequently, the “lampstand” of the remnant has not been removed from its place.
30. (a) What do the anointed remnant do about God’s name? (b) Why, in view of Revelation 6:14-17, is there reason that people ask whether the remnant are the only ones able to “get away safe” on Jehovah’s day?
30 The anointed remnant themselves ‘call upon the name of Jehovah’ and proclaim it world wide. Yet, are they the only ones today who hope to “get away safe” during the approaching “great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah”? (Joel 2:31, 32) This is a question that many who are not of the remnant would like to have answered, for as respects that “fear-inspiring day” Revelation 6:14-17 says:
“And the heaven [the lofty political governments over men] departed as a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and every island were removed from their places. And the kings of the earth and the top-ranking ones and the military commanders and the rich and the strong ones and every slave and every free person hid themselves in the caves and in the rock-masses of the mountains. And they keep saying to the mountains and to the rock-masses: ‘Fall over us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”
31. (a) What is the answer to the question of the above-described persons about getting away safe on Jehovah’s day? (b) Who do not join the kings of the earth and their partisans in calling out for earthly protection?
31 The answer to the question of all those described above who have failed to call on Jehovah’s name for salvation is, Not one of them will stand approved and be spared alive on His “great day.” The symbolic windstorm that is to destroy them is referred to in the book’s next chapter, in Revelation 7:1-3. After that reference, we are informed of the 144,000 slaves of God who are sealed in the forehead with the “seal of the living God.” These are classified as Israelites, not fleshly natural Israelites such as those who approved of the slaughter of the Lamb of God, but spiritual Israelites who follow the Lamb Jesus as the Messiah. (Revelation 7:4-8; 14:1-5) Right after the sight of these, what is unsealed to our vision? An undetermined number of persons who do not join the kings of the earth and their partisans in calling upon the governmental mountains and rock-masses to hide them from the wrath of God and of his Lamb. They do not fear divine wrath.
32. To whom do this “great crowd” ascribe their salvation, and with what benefit to themselves?
32 As we read Revelation 7:9-17, let us note that this unnumbered “crowd” is said to “come out of the great tribulation”:
“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.’
“ . . . ‘These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?’ . . . ‘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. They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.’”
33. What are some things that differentiate this “great crowd” from the previously mentioned 144,000 spiritual Israelites, and why are they fit to serve God in his spiritual temple?
33 That numberless “great crowd” is not a part of the numbered 144,000 spiritual Israelites. They are not sealed in their foreheads with the “seal of the living God.” They are not envisioned as standing on the heavenly Mount Zion with the Lamb of God. They are not spoken of as being “bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” As to nationality, in comparison with the 144,000 spiritual Israelites, they are Gentiles, as people of all the nations. Yet they have come to know Jehovah God and to recognize him as seated on the throne of the universe, as Universal Sovereign. They know and confess who the slaughtered Lamb of God is, for they exercise faith in the purifying, cleansing power of his blood in order to get a clean appearance before God on his throne. Thus cleansed, they render sacred service to him day and night in the earthly courtyards of his spiritual temple.
34. The “great crowd” is classified as being made up of which “sheep,” and what hope do they have for future life?
34 What about the hope that they hold in common? It is not a heavenly hope. Revelation 7:17 likens them to sheep, of whom the Lamb is their Shepherd. The “fountains of waters of life” to which he guides them are “fountains” bubbling forth divine provisions for perfect human life in the promised earthly paradise. They are part of the figurative “sheep” for whom the Fine Shepherd has surrendered his human soul. After he spoke about the “fold” into which John the Baptizer as “the doorkeeper” opened the door in 29 C.E., Jesus went on to say: “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; these also I must bring, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:3, 16) Accordingly, the “great crowd” of Revelation 7:9-17 consists of “other sheep” who are alive today and who commit themselves to following Jesus Christ, the Fine Shepherd.
35. With whom does the “great crowd” become “one flock” under “one shepherd”?
35 With whom, then, did this “great crowd” become “one flock” under “one shepherd”? It is with the “sheep” of the other “fold,” namely, the remnant of the “little flock” of spiritual Israelites. (Luke 12:32; 1 Peter 2:25) Although the “great crowd” are not in the new covenant that Jesus Christ mediated for spiritual Israel, he unites them with the anointed remnant as of “one flock” in one pen. From when onward has the Fine Shepherd been doing so?
36, 37. (a) By what event was the beginning of the gathering of the “other sheep” marked? (b) What prospect was set before them, to their great joy?
36 From 1935 onward. At the end of May of that year a five-day convention of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses was in session at Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.A. There were specially invited to this convention persons who associated with the anointed remnant and yet who were interested in surviving the “great tribulation” and entering, without dying, into God’s new order with its earthly paradise. They had no heavenward aspirations. Everlasting life on a paradise earth would completely meet their heart’s desire.
37 Great, then, was their joy at that Washington convention when the president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society discussed the subject of the “great multitude,” spoken of in Revelation 7:9-17, Authorized Version. He made it clear that the “multitude” was no spiritual or spirit-begotten class; it would not attain the angelic nature in heaven so as to assist the 144,000 joint heirs with Christ. It was distinctly an earthly class with hope of endless perfect human life in the earthly paradise under Christ’s kingdom. Now, by means of the Fine Shepherd Jesus Christ, Jehovah God was beginning to gather this “multitude” into active service with the anointed remnant.
38. How did the “spirit” of those of the “great crowd” react to the hope set before them, and what hope has since been held forth prominently before all seekers of God?
38 The hearts of hundreds present at that Washington convention had never been warmed by a prospect of joint heirship with Christ. But now at the making clear of the earthly hope contained in Revelation 7:9-17, their “spirit,” the reactive force within them, surged forth in heartfelt responsiveness. They hailed such a hope with vigorous applause. Later on, when thousands of others read in the columns of the Watchtower magazine the reproduction of the discussion of the “great multitude,” their “spirit,” too, responded. Ever since, the hope of the “great multitude” has been prominently held out to all seekers of God earth wide. Hundreds of thousands have been baptized in the name of God’s Son and have been put in line for realizing such a beautiful hope.
39. In view of what differences between them and the anointed remnant is the question raised as to whether the dedicated, baptized “other sheep” have holy spirit upon them?
39 Of course, these dedicated, baptized “other sheep” of the “great crowd” have not been begotten to be God’s spiritual sons, with a heavenly inheritance. They are not spiritual Israelites. They have not been taken into the new covenant with the opportunity to become God’s “kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5, 6) They have never been sealed with God’s spirit as an advance token of their heavenly inheritance. They have not been anointed with God’s spirit as prospective joint heirs with Christ in his celestial kingdom. (Isaiah 61:1-3; 1 John 2:20, 27; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22) But do they nonetheless have holy spirit on them?
40. What Scriptural proof is there to show whether a person on earth who is devoted to God has to be begotten of God’s spirit in order to have holy spirit operate on him?
40 Overwhelmingly the facts answer Yes! Especially since 1935 C.E., the “great crowd” have worked with the spirit-begotten, anointed remnant. They have given convincing evidence that God’s holy spirit is operative upon them. A person on earth does not need to be begotten by God’s spirit in order to have His active force go into operation upon him. Look at the prophet Moses, at Judge Othniel, at Judge Gideon, at Judge Samson, at King David, at John the Baptizer. Yes, look at all the pre-Christian prophets upon whom Jehovah’s spirit came to inspire them to write the Bible books from Genesis to Malachi. Granted that no heavenly hope was set before such ancient persons, yet Jehovah God put his spirit upon them because they devoted themselves to him and lovingly offered themselves for his service. God enveloped them with his active force. He filled them with his holy spirit. It operated on them.
41. In view of the small number of those making up the anointed remnant today, how has God seen to it that the Kingdom preaching and disciple-making work is carried out on a worldwide scale?
41 Today, the remnant of spiritual Israelites anointed with holy spirit number how many? According to the number of those who partake of the emblematic bread and wine at the annual celebration of the Lord’s Supper, they number at present around 10,000. But those baptized Christians whose spirit responds appreciatively to the hope of everlasting life in a paradise here on earth number more than two million. Who, then, do the major part of the Kingdom preaching and disciple-making world wide? (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) The aging anointed remnant, being so few in number, could not possibly carry the bulk of the work. So, God’s spirit, operating mightily upon the “great crowd” of “other sheep,” has enabled them along with the anointed remnant to do a worldwide witness work without equal in Christian history.
42, 43. (a) For the accomplishing of the worldwide proclamation of the Messianic kingdom, to whom do the participants therein give the credit? (b) In view of what scriptures do they believe that they have had angelic guidance?
42 Proclamation of the Kingdom Gospel now resounds all around the globe in 210 lands and islands of the sea. More than 38,000 congregations of active Kingdom proclaimers flourish in a spiritual paradise earth wide.a
43 This far-reaching proclamation of God’s kingdom for his new order, even to the most distant parts of the earth, required a lot of hard work on the part of those engaged in the proclamation, and all this free of charge. (Matthew 10:8) But these Kingdom proclaimers, Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, do not take the credit to themselves for this magnificent accomplishment. They confess that they are merely instruments in God’s hands. The courage and strength to do this foreordained work they ascribe to God’s spirit. They discern that they have also had angelic backing and guidance while doing God’s approved work. They believe in what Hebrews 1:14 says in speaking about the heavenly angels as being “spirits for public service, sent forth to minister for those who are going to inherit salvation.” Also, regarding our particular time, “the conclusion of the system of things,” Jesus said: “He will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.”—Matthew 24:3, 30, 31.
44. (a) Why is such a usage of heavenly angels not strange? (b) For the separating of imitation Christians from the true, and for the gathering of the “great crowd” of other sheep whose unseen aid was foretold?
44 Is there anything strange about that? No! Why, in ancient, pre-Christian times heavenly angels came to the aid and guidance of faithful worshipers of Jehovah God. (Genesis 32:1, 2, 24-30; Exodus 14:19, 20; 2 Kings 6:15-17; Isaiah 37:36; Psalm 34:7) Today it is the time for the gathering together of the true heirs of God’s kingdom and for the separating of these from the imitation Christians of Christendom, and so for this critical time the anointed remnant were to have angelic aid, according to Matthew 13:39-43, 49, 50, and Revelation 14:6. Accordingly, the angels under Christ the King take an unseen directive part in the gathering of the remnant of his anointed disciples, “his chosen ones.” The angels under his command he also uses in gathering a multitude far greater than the anointed remnant, namely, the “great crowd” of his “other sheep.”—Matthew 25:31-46; John 10:16.
A FIGURATIVE RESURRECTION
45, 46. (a) Why is there no basis for despising the day of small things in view of God’s marvelous miracle as prefigured in Ezekiel 37:1-14? (b) In behalf of the resettlement of the exiled Israelites upon their own soil, what would Jehovah put within them?
45 So, then, does there remain any basis for anyone to ‘despise the day of small things’? (Zechariah 4:10) What an amazing chain of accomplishments began to be forged when, back in 1919 C.E., “spirit of life from God entered into them,” that is, into the apparently dead anointed remnant! (Revelation 11:11) It was a modern-day miracle of resurrection on the part of Almighty God. It finds its correspondency in what the prophet Ezekiel saw, when he had the vision of the low plain that was full of dry, disassembled bones of dead Israelites. The bodies of those Israelites were restored, but the bodies still lay dead. Then, in obedience to God’s command, Ezekiel prophesied over them. What happened? “The breath proceeded to come into them, and they began to live and stand upon their feet, a very, very great military force.”—Ezekiel 37:1-10.
46 Would Ezekiel’s vision be fulfilled upon God’s chosen people then languishing in Babylon? To reassure them that this restoration vision would be fulfilled, Jehovah inspired Ezekiel to say: “I will put my spirit in you, and you must come to life, and I will settle you upon your soil; and you will have to know that I myself, Jehovah, have spoken and I have done it.”—Ezekiel 37:11-14; compare Isaiah 32:15-18.
47. (a) Upon restoring his anointed remnant, for what purpose did he put his spirit upon them? (b) How have the reanimating effects of this been in harmony with Romans 8:11?
47 In our twentieth century, after the end of World War I in 1918, the anointed remnant were revitalized spiritually and marched out from captivity to Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, in order to resume their Kingdom service. To that end, Jehovah restored them to their rightful estate on earth, to an approved relationship with him. He put his spirit upon them, to act with freedom, with outspokenness, in Kingdom service. “Where the spirit of Jehovah is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17) Since then, what aliveness the liberated remnant have displayed in his royal service, and also, later, the “great crowd” of their sheeplike coworkers! Jehovah’s holy active force has been responsible for this, just as Romans 8:11 reminds us, saying: “If, now, the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through his spirit that resides in you.”
48. What force is with the united remnant and “great crowd”?
48 Forward, then, unitedly, O remnant and “great crowd”! The invincible force that is behind God’s coming new order is with you. (Zechariah 4:6) Your continued preaching of “this good news of the kingdom” will bring further suffering and reproach. But your undergoing this for the sake of Jehovah God and his Christ is the highest honor possible. Remember: “If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the spirit of glory, even the spirit of God, is resting upon you.” (1 Peter 4:14) Reproach from foes of God’s kingdom is no sign of his disapproval. Your endurance of it is proof that you have God’s spirit. Having his spirit resting upon you glorifies, not disgraces, you. It dignifies you and makes you Christlike. It marks you as worthy of glorious service in God’s coming new order. So count yourselves happy, highly favored!
[Footnotes]
a See 1976 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses, pages 24-31. |
JW Brochure (br78)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/jw-brochure-br78 | What Do They Believe?
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in Almighty God, Jehovah, Creator of the heavens and the earth. The very existence of the intricately designed wonders in the universe surrounding us reasonably argues that a supremely intelligent and powerful Creator produced it all. Just as the works of men and women reflect their qualities, so do those of Jehovah God. The Bible tells us that “his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made.” Also, without voice or words, “the heavens are declaring the glory of God.”—Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-4.
People do not mold clay pots or make television sets and computers without a purpose. The earth and its creations of plant and animal life are far more marvelous. The structure of the human body with its trillions of cells is beyond our understanding—even the brain with which we think is incomprehensibly wonderful! If men have a purpose in bringing forth their comparatively insignificant inventions, surely Jehovah God had a purpose in his awesome creations! Proverbs 16:4 says that he does: “Everything Jehovah has made for his purpose.”
Jehovah made the earth for a purpose, as he stated to the first human pair: “Be fruitful and become many and fill the earth . . . , 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) Because they became disobedient, this couple failed to fill the earth with righteous families who would lovingly care for the earth and its plants and animals. But their failure does not make Jehovah’s purpose fail. Thousands of years later it was written: “God, the Former of the earth . . . , did not create it simply for nothing.” He “formed it even to be inhabited.” It is not to be destroyed, but “the earth endures for ever.” (Isaiah 45:18; Ecclesiastes 1:4, The New English Bible) Jehovah’s purpose for the earth will be realized: “My own counsel will stand, and everything that is my delight I shall do.”—Isaiah 46:10.
Hence, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the earth will remain forever and that all persons, living and dead, who will fit in with Jehovah’s purpose for a beautified, inhabited earth may live on it forever. All mankind inherited imperfection from Adam and Eve and, hence, are sinners. (Romans 5:12) The Bible tells us: “The wages sin pays is death.” “The living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all.” “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.” (Romans 6:23; Ecclesiastes 9:5; Ezekiel 18:4, 20) Then how can they live again to share in the earthly blessings? Only through the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus, for he said: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life.” “All those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”—John 11:25; 5:28, 29; Matthew 20:28.
How will this come about? It is explained in “the good news of the kingdom” that Jesus started to proclaim while on earth. (Matthew 4:17-23) But today Jehovah’s Witnesses are preaching the good news in a very special way.
[Chart on page 13]
WHAT JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES BELIEVE
BELIEF SCRIPTURAL REASON
Bible is God’s Word and 2 Tim. 3:16, 17;is truth 2 Pet. 1:20, 21; John 17:17
Bible is more reliable Matt. 15:3; Col. 2:8than tradition
God’s name is Jehovah Ps. 83:18; Isa. 26:4; 42:8, AS; Ex. 6:3
Christ is God’s Son and Matt. 3:17; John 8:42; 14:28;is inferior to him Joh 20:17; 1 Cor. 11:3; 15:28
Christ was first of God’s Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14creations
Christ died on a stake, Gal. 3:13; Acts 5:30not a cross
Christ’s human life was Matt. 20:28; 1 Tim. 2:5, 6;paid as a ransom for Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 2:24obedient humans
Christ’s one sacrifice Rom. 6:10; Heb. 9:25-28is sufficient
Christ was raised from 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:9;the dead as an immortal Rev. 1:17, 18spirit person
Christ’s presence is in John 14:19; Matt. 24:3;spirit 2 Cor. 5:16; Ps. 110:1, 2
Kingdom under Christ will Isa. 9:6, 7; 11:1-5;rule earth in righteousness Dan. 7:13, 14; Matt. 6:10and peace
Kingdom brings ideal living Ps. 72:1-4;conditions to earth Rev. 7:9, 10, 13-17; 21:3, 4
Earth will never be destroyed Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18; Ps. 78:69or depopulated
God will destroy present Rev. 16:14, 16; Zeph. 3:8;system of things in the Dan. 2:44; Isa. 34:2battle at Har–Magedon
Wicked will be eternally Matt. 25:41-46; 2 Thess. 1:6-9destroyed
People God approves will John 3:16; 10:27, 28; 17:3;receive eternal life Mark 10:29, 30
There is only one road to Matt. 7:13, 14; Eph. 4:4, 5life
We are now in the ‘time of Matt. 24:3-14; 2 Tim. 3:1-5;the end’ Luke 17:26-30
Human death is due to Rom. 5:12; 6:23Adam’s sin
The human soul ceases to Ezek. 18:4; Eccl. 9:10;exist at death Ps. 6:5; 146:4; John 11:11-14
Hell is mankind’s common Job 14:13, Dy;grave Rev. 20:13, 14, AV (margin)
Hope for dead is 1 Cor. 15:20-22; John 5:28, 29;resurrection Joh 11:25, 26
Adamic death will cease 1 Cor. 15:26; Rev. 21:4; Isa. 25:8; 1 Cor. 15:54
Only a little flock of Luke 12:32; Rev. 14:1, 3;144,000 go to heaven and 1 Cor. 15:40-53; Rev. 5:9, 10rule with Christ
The 144,000 are born again 1 Pet. 1:23; John 3:3;as spiritual sons of God Rev. 7:3, 4
New covenant made with Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:10-13spiritual Israel
Christ’s congregation is Eph. 2:20; Isa. 28:16;built upon himself Matt. 21:42
Prayers must be directed only John 14:6, 13, 14; 1 Tim. 2:5to Jehovah through Christ
Images must not be used in Ex. 20:4, 5; Lev. 26:1;worship 1 Cor. 10:14; Ps. 115:4-8
Spiritism must be shunned Deut. 18:10-12; Gal. 5:19-21; Lev. 19:31
Satan is invisible ruler of 1 John 5:19; 2 Cor. 4:4;world John 12:31
A Christian must have no part 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 11:13-15;in interfaith movements Gal. 5:9; Deut. 7:1-5
A Christian must keep Jas. 4:4; 1 John 2:15;separate from world John 15:19; 17:16
All human laws that do not Matt. 22:20, 21;conflict with God’s laws 1 Pet. 2:12; 4:15should be obeyed
Taking blood into body Gen. 9:3, 4; Lev. 17:14;through mouth or veins Acts 15:28, 29violates God’s laws
Bible’s laws on morals must 1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Heb. 13:4;be obeyed 1 Tim. 3:2; Prov. 5:1-23
Sabbath observance was given Deut. 5:15; Ex. 31:13; Rom. 10:4;only to the Jews and ended Gal. 4:9, 10; Col. 2:16, 17with Mosaic Law
A clergy class and special Matt. 23:8-12; 20:25-27;inputs are improper Job 32:21, 22
Man did not evolve but was Isa. 45:12; Gen. 1:27created
Christ set example that must 1 Pet. 2:21; Heb. 10:7;be followed in serving God John 4:34; 6:38
Baptism by complete immersion Mark 1:9, 10; John 3:23;symbolizes dedication Acts 19:4, 5
Christians must give public Rom. 10:10; Heb. 13:15;testimony to Scriptural truth Isa. 43:10-12
[Picture on page 12]
EARTH . . . created by Jehovah . . . cared for by man . . . inhabited forever
[Credit Line]
NASA photo |
Reasoning (rs)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs | Dreams
Definition: The thoughts or mental images of a person during sleep. The Bible refers to natural dreams, dreams from God, and dreams that involve divination.—Job 20:8; Num. 12:6; Zech. 10:2.
Do dreams in our time have special meaning?
What have researchers learned about dreams?
“Everyone dreams,” says The World Book Encyclopedia (1984, Vol. 5, p. 279). “Most adults dream for about 100 minutes during eight hours of sleep.” So dreams are a normal human experience.
Said Dr. Allan Hobson, of Harvard Medical School: “They are ambiguous stimuli which can be interpreted in any way a therapist is predisposed to. But their meaning is in the eye of the beholder—not in the dream itself.” When reporting this, the “Science Times” section of The New York Times added: “Within the school that places great value on dreams, there are many approaches to finding the psychological message of a dream, each reflecting different theoretical outlooks. A Freudian will find one kind of meaning in a dream, while a Jungian will find another, and a Gestalt therapist will find still another meaning. . . . But the view that dreams have psychological meaning at all has come under strong attack from neuroscientists.”—July 10, 1984, p. C12.
Can dreams that seem to impart special knowledge come from a source other than God?
Jer. 29:8, 9: “This is what Jehovah of armies . . . has said: ‘Let not your prophets who are in among you and your practicers of divination deceive you, and do not you listen to their dreams that they are dreaming. For “it is in falsehood that they are prophesying to you in my name. I have not sent them,” is the utterance of Jehovah.’”
Harper’s Bible Dictionary informs us: “Babylonians had such trust in dreams that on the eve of important decisions they slept in temples, hoping for counsel. Greeks desiring health instruction slept in shrines of Aesculapius [whose emblem was a serpent], and Romans in temples of Serapis [at times associated with a coiled serpent]. Egyptians prepared elaborate books for dream interpretation.”—(New York, 1961), Madeleine Miller and J. Lane Miller, p. 141.
In the past, God used dreams to give warnings, instruction, and prophecy, but is he leading his people in that way now?
References to such dreams originating with God are found at Matthew 2:13, 19, 20; 1 Kings 3:5; Genesis 40:1-8.
Heb. 1:1, 2: “God, who long ago spoke on many occasions and in many ways [including dreams] to our forefathers by means of the prophets, has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son [Jesus Christ, whose teachings are recorded in the Bible].”
1 Cor. 13:8: “Whether there are gifts of prophesying [and at times God conveyed prophecies to his servants by means of dreams], they will be done away with.”
2 Tim. 3:16, 17: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching . . . that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.”
1 Tim. 4:1: “However, the inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances [sometimes conveyed in dreams] and teachings of demons.” |
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Shocking Gun Violence Worldwide—What Does the Bible Say? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100049 | KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Shocking Gun Violence Worldwide—What Does the Bible Say?
UPDATED: April 27, 2023
Terrible gun violence continues to take a tragic toll on many around the world. Consider just a few recent examples.
“The US is setting a record yearly pace for mass killings, with around one each week.”—April 21, 2023, The Guardian.
“Ten members of the same family, seven of them female and one a 13-year-old boy, were killed in a mass shooting at a house in South Africa.”—April 21, 2023, AP News.
“A gunman in Germany shot dead six people before killing himself at a Jehovah’s Witness worship hall in Hamburg.”—March 10, 2023, Reuters.
The Bible offers comfort to those who are suffering as a result of tragic events like these. To see a real-life example, watch the video DeJanerio Brown: Broken but Not Destroyed.
The Bible also helps us to understand why such terrible tragedies happen. To begin exploring this topic, watch the video Why Does God Allow Suffering?
During July 2022, shocking acts of gun violence occurred worldwide:
“The murder of Japan’s best-known politician [former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe] rattled the country and sent shock waves around the world, particularly given the nation’s low levels of violent crime and strict gun laws.”—July 10, 2022, The Japan Times.
“Denmark in shock as gunman kills three at Copenhagen shopping mall.”—July 4, 2022, Reuters.
“South Africa: 15 dead after gunmen open fire at bar in Soweto township.”—July 10, 2022, The Guardian.
“More than 220 shot and killed in U.S. gun violence over July 4 holiday weekend.”—July 5, 2022, CBS News.
Is there any hope that such violence will end? What does the Bible say?
An End to Violence
The Bible describes our time as “the last days,” a time when people would act in fierce, brutal, and savage ways. (2 Timothy 3:1, 3) Such violent acts cause people to live in fear. (Luke 21:11) However, the Bible promises a time when violence will end and “people will dwell in a peaceful abiding place, in secure dwellings and in tranquil resting-places.” (Isaiah 32:18) How will violence end?
God will remove the wicked and destroy all weapons.
“As for the wicked, they will be cut off from the earth.”—Proverbs 2:22.
“[God] is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the military wagons with fire.”—Psalm 46:9.
God will eliminate the root causes of violent acts by teaching people to live in peace.
“They will not cause any harm or any ruin in all my holy mountain, because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters cover the sea.”—Isaiah 11:9.
Even now, God is teaching people worldwide to shun violence and the use of weapons, to “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.”—Micah 4:3.
To learn more about the Bible’s promise of a world without fear, read the article “Freedom From Fear—Is It Possible?”
To learn more about the permanent solution to violence, read the article “Peace on Earth at Last!”
During July and August of 2022, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide are benefiting from the “Pursue Peace”! Regional Convention, which is being held virtually. The Bible principles discussed in the program can help you enjoy peace now and in the future. We invite you to watch the program. |
Worship God (wt)
2002 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/wt | Chapter Five
Freedom Enjoyed by Worshipers of Jehovah
1, 2. (a) What kind of freedom did God give the first human pair? (b) Mention some of the laws that governed the activity of Adam and Eve.
WHEN Jehovah created the first man and woman, they enjoyed freedom far surpassing any that humans have today. Their home was Paradise, the beautiful Garden of Eden. No illness marred their enjoyment of life, as they had perfect minds and bodies. Death was not waiting for them as it has for everyone since then. Also, they were not robots but had the marvelous gift of free will, the ability to make their own decisions. To continue to enjoy such wonderful freedom, however, they had to respect God’s laws.
2 Consider, for example, the physical laws God has put in place. Of course, these laws may not have been stated in so many words, but Adam and Eve were made in such a way that it was only natural to obey them. Their appetite signaled the need to eat; their thirst, the need to drink; the setting of the sun, the need to sleep. Jehovah also gave them an assignment of work. That assignment was, in effect, a law because it would govern their course of action. They were to bring forth children, exercise dominion over earth’s many forms of life, and extend the borders of Paradise until it covered the entire globe. (Genesis 1:28; 2:15) What a kindly, beneficial law that was! It gave them thoroughly satisfying work, enabling them to use their faculties to the full in wholesome ways. Also, they had ample leeway to make decisions as to how they would carry out their assignment. What more could anyone ask?
3. How could Adam and Eve learn to use wisely their freedom to make decisions?
3 Of course, when Adam and Eve were granted the privilege of making decisions, this did not mean that just any decision they might make would produce good results. Their freedom to make decisions was to be exercised within the boundaries of God’s laws and principles. How could they learn these? By listening to their Maker and by observing his works. God gave Adam and Eve the intelligence needed to apply what they learned. Since they were created perfect, their natural inclination would be to reflect God’s qualities when making decisions. Indeed, they would be careful to do that if they truly appreciated what God had done for them and wanted to please him.—Genesis 1:26, 27; John 8:29.
4. (a) Did the command given to Adam and Eve not to eat of the fruit of one tree deprive them of freedom? (b) Why was this a fitting requirement?
4 Rightly, then, God chose to test their devotion to him as their Life-Giver and their willingness to remain within the area decreed by him. Jehovah gave Adam this command: “From every tree of the garden you may eat to satisfaction. But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.” (Genesis 2:16, 17) After Eve’s creation, she too was informed of this law. (Genesis 3:2, 3) Did this restriction deprive them of freedom? Certainly not. They had an abundance of delightful food of all kinds to eat without eating the fruit of that one tree. (Genesis 2:8, 9) It was only fitting that they should recognize that the earth belongs to God, since he created it. So he has the right to make laws that suit his purpose and that benefit mankind.—Psalm 24:1, 10.
5. (a) How did Adam and Eve lose the glorious freedom they had? (b) What took the place of the freedom Adam and Eve had enjoyed, and how have we been affected?
5 But what happened? Motivated by selfish ambition, an angel misused his free will and became Satan, which means “Resister.” He deceived Eve by assuring her of something contrary to God’s will. (Genesis 3:4, 5) Adam joined Eve in breaking God’s law. By grasping for what did not belong to them, they lost their glorious freedom. Sin became their master, and as God had warned, death eventually followed. The inheritance they passed on to their offspring was sin—manifest in an inborn tendency toward wrongdoing. Sin also brought weaknesses resulting in disease, aging, and death. The inclination toward wrongdoing, aggravated by Satanic influence, produced a human society with a history of hatreds, crimes, oppression, and wars that have taken many millions of lives. What a contrast to the freedom that God gave mankind at the beginning!—Deuteronomy 32:4, 5; Job 14:1, 2; Romans 5:12; Revelation 12:9.
Where Freedom Can Be Found
6. (a) Where can real freedom be found? (b) What kind of freedom did Jesus speak about?
6 In view of the bad conditions that exist everywhere today, it is no surprise that people long for greater freedom. But where can real freedom be found? Jesus said: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32) This freedom is not the kind that men hope for when they reject one ruler or one form of government in favor of another. Instead, this freedom gets right to the core of human problems. What Jesus was discussing was freedom from bondage to sin. (John 8:24, 34-36) Thus, if a person becomes a true disciple of Jesus Christ, he experiences a notable change in his life, a liberation!
7. (a) In what sense can we be free from sin now? (b) To have that freedom, what must we do?
7 This does not mean that at present true Christians no longer feel the effects of the inborn tendency toward sinful conduct. Since they have inherited sin, they still have a struggle because of it. (Romans 7:21-25) If a person really lives in harmony with Jesus’ teachings, however, he will no longer be a slave to sin. No longer will sin be to him like a dictator who gives him orders that he must blindly obey. He will not be trapped in a way of life that lacks purpose and that leaves him with a bad conscience. He will enjoy a clean conscience before God because past sins have been forgiven on the basis of his faith in the sacrifice of Christ. Sinful inclinations may try to assert themselves, but when he refuses to act on them because he calls to mind the clean teachings of Christ, he shows that sin is no longer his master.—Romans 6:12-17.
8. (a) What freedoms does true Christianity give us? (b) What should our attitude be toward secular rulers?
8 Consider the freedoms we enjoy as Christians. We have been liberated from the effects of false teachings, from bondage to superstition, and from servitude to sin. The grand truths about the condition of the dead and the resurrection have freed us from unreasoning fear of death. Knowledge that imperfect human governments will soon be replaced by God’s righteous Kingdom frees us from hopelessness. (Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:10) However, such freedom does not justify disrespect for governmental authorities and their laws.—Titus 3:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:16, 17.
9. (a) How does Jehovah lovingly help us to enjoy the greatest measure of freedom now possible for humans? (b) How can we make wise decisions?
9 Jehovah does not make us figure out by trial and error what is the best way to live. He knows how we are made, what brings us genuine outputment, and what is to our eternal benefit. He is aware of thoughts and conduct that can spoil a person’s relationship with Him and with fellow humans, perhaps even barring that person from the new world. Lovingly, Jehovah informs us of all these things by means of the Bible and his visible organization. (Mark 13:10; Galatians 5:19-23; 1 Timothy 1:12, 13) Then it is up to us to use our God-given free will to decide how we are going to respond. Unlike Adam, if we have taken to heart what the Bible tells us, we will make wise decisions. We will show that a good relationship with Jehovah is our main concern in life.
Wanting Another Kind of Freedom
10. What kind of freedom have some who are Jehovah’s Witnesses reached out for?
10 At times some young people who are Jehovah’s Witnesses—as well as others not so young—may feel that they want another kind of freedom. The world may appear to be glamorous, and the more they think about it, the stronger becomes their desire to do the unchristian things that are popular in the world. Such ones may not plan to abuse drugs, drink too much, or commit fornication. But they begin to associate with some who are not true Christians, wanting to be accepted by these. They may even begin to imitate their speech and conduct.—3 John 11.
11. From where does the enticement to do wrong sometimes come?
11 Sometimes the enticement to indulge in unchristian conduct comes from someone who professes to serve Jehovah. That was true of some early Christians, and the same thing can happen in our day. Such people often want to do things that they feel will bring them pleasure, but these things are against God’s laws. They urge others to have some “fun.” They ‘promise freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption.’—2 Peter 2:19.
12. What are the sad results of conduct contrary to God’s laws and principles?
12 The fruitage of such so-called freedom is always bad, since it means disobeying God’s laws. For example, illicit sex can result in emotional turmoil, disease, death, unwanted pregnancy, and possibly the breakup of a marriage. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8) Drug abuse can produce irritability, slurred speech, blurred vision, dizziness, impaired ability to breathe, hallucinations, and death. It can result in addiction, which may lead to crime in order to support the habit. Much the same consequences come from alcohol abuse. (Proverbs 23:29-35) Those who get involved in such conduct may think that they are free, but then they find out too late that they have become slaves to sin. And what a cruel master sin is! Reasoning on the matter now can help to safeguard us against such an experience.—Galatians 6:7, 8.
Where Problems Begin
13. (a) How do the desires that lead to problems often get stirred up? (b) To understand what “bad associations” are, whose viewpoint do we need? (c) As you answer the questions listed in paragraph 13, emphasize Jehovah’s viewpoint.
13 Think about where problems often begin. The Bible explains: “Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death.” (James 1:14, 15) How does the desire get stirred up? By what goes into the mind. Often this is a result of associating with people who do not apply Bible principles. Of course, we all know that we should avoid “bad associations.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) But which associations are bad? How does Jehovah view the matter? Reasoning on the following questions and looking up the scriptures cited should help us to arrive at proper conclusions.
Does the fact that certain people seem to be honorable mean that they are good associates? (Genesis 34:1, 2, 18, 19)
Could their conversation, perhaps their jokes, indicate whether we belong in close company with them? (Ephesians 5:3, 4)
How does Jehovah feel if we choose intimate association with people who do not love him? (2 Chronicles 19:1, 2)
Although we may work with or go to school with people who do not share our beliefs, why is there a need for us to be cautious? (1 Peter 4:3, 4)
Viewing television and movies, using the Internet, and reading books, magazines, and newspapers are ways of associating with others. Against what type of material from such sources need we be on guard? (Proverbs 3:31; Isaiah 8:19; Ephesians 4:17-19)
What does our choice of associates tell Jehovah as to the kind of people we are? (Psalm 26:1, 4, 5; 97:10)
14. What grand freedom lies ahead for those who faithfully apply the counsel of God’s Word now?
14 Immediately ahead of us lies God’s new world. By means of God’s heavenly Kingdom government, mankind will be freed from the influence of Satan and his entire wicked system of things. Gradually, all the effects of sin will be removed from obedient mankind, resulting in perfection of mind and body, so that we will be able to enjoy everlasting life in Paradise. Freedom that is in full harmony with “the spirit of Jehovah” will eventually be enjoyed by all creation. (2 Corinthians 3:17) Would it make sense to risk losing all of that because of disregarding the counsel of God’s Word now? By exercising our Christian freedom wisely today, may we all show clearly that what we really want is “the glorious freedom of the children of God.”—Romans 8:21.
Review Discussion
• What kind of freedom did the first human pair enjoy? How does that compare with what mankind is experiencing now?
• What freedom do true Christians have? How does this contrast with what the world considers freedom?
• Why is it so important to avoid bad associations? Unlike Adam, whose decisions as to what is bad do we accept?
[Pictures on page 46]
God’s Word warns: “Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits” |
Table of outputs | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102012000 | Table of outputs
January 2012
Is It Practical to Be Honest?
3 Dishonesty Everywhere!
4 The Pressure to Be Dishonest
6 Honesty Is Practical
7 Honesty Brings True Success
10 Internet Fraud—Are You at Risk?
14 The Alpenhorn—Music From a Tree
16 When You Feel Like Giving Up on Life
19 Was It Designed?The Woodpecker’s Shock-Absorbing Head
20 Watching the World
21 Young People AskWhy Did I Say That?
24 It Is Not Too Late to Become God’s Friend
27 From Our Readers
28 The Bible’s ViewpointIs Homosexuality Ever Justifiable?
30 For Family Review
32 They Appreciate God’s Love |
Do You Treat Women as Jehovah Does? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2024242 | Do You Treat Women as Jehovah Does?
WE HAVE the privilege of serving alongside many faithful women. And we love and appreciate each one of these loyal, hardworking sisters!a So brothers, strive to treat them kindly, fairly, and respectfully. But because we are imperfect, we may at times struggle to do that. Certain brothers face an additional challenge.
Some grew up in cultures in which many men treat women as inferior. For example, Hans, a circuit overseer in Bolivia, says: “Some men were raised in a very macho culture, causing them to develop a deep-rooted feeling that men are superior to women.”b Shengxian, an elder in Taiwan, says: “Where I live, many men feel that women should not meddle in their business. If a man mentions a woman’s opinion about something, his peers may look down on him.” Other men show their prejudice against women in less obvious ways. For example, they may tell demeaning jokes about women.
Thankfully, no man is bound to the culture in which he grew up. He can overcome the feeling that men are superior to women. (Eph. 4:22-24) This can be done by imitating Jehovah’s example. In this article, we will discuss how Jehovah treats women, how brothers can learn to treat women as Jehovah does, and how elders can take the lead in showing respect for sisters.
HOW DOES JEHOVAH TREAT WOMEN?
Jehovah sets the perfect example in how to treat women. As a compassionate Father, he loves his human family. (John 3:16) And faithful sisters are like precious daughters to him. Consider the following ways in which Jehovah dignifies women.
He treats them impartially. Jehovah created men and women in his image. (Gen. 1:27) He did not make men more intelligent or more talented than women; nor does he prefer men to women. (2 Chron. 19:7) He created men and women with the same mental capacity to grasp Bible truths and to reflect his beautiful qualities. Jehovah also regards the faith of men and women equally—whether their hope is to live forever on a paradise earth or to serve as kings and priests in heaven. (2 Pet. 1:1, ftn.) Clearly, Jehovah is not prejudiced against women.
He listens to them. Jehovah is interested in the feelings and concerns of women. For instance, he listened to and acted on the prayers of Rachel and Hannah. (Gen. 30:22; 1 Sam. 1:10, 11, 19, 20) Jehovah also inspired Bible writers to include accounts of men who listened to women. For example, Abraham followed Jehovah’s instruction to listen to his wife, Sarah. (Gen. 21:12-14) King David listened to Abigail. In fact, he felt that Jehovah had sent her to speak to him. (1 Sam. 25:32-35) Jesus, who perfectly reflects his Father’s qualities, listened to his mother, Mary. (John 2:3-10) These examples highlight that one way in which Jehovah shows respect for women is by listening to them.
He trusts them. For example, Jehovah trusted Eve to help care for the entire earth. (Gen. 1:28) In doing so, he showed that he viewed her, not as inferior to her husband, Adam, but as a complement to him. Jehovah also trusted the prophetesses Deborah and Huldah to advise his people, including a judge and a king. (Judg. 4:4-9; 2 Ki. 22:14-20) Today, Jehovah entrusts Christian women to carry out his work. These faithful sisters serve as publishers, pioneers, and missionaries. They help design, construct, and maintain Kingdom Halls and branch facilities. Some of them serve at Bethel; others serve in remote translation offices. These sisters are like a large army that Jehovah mobilizes to accomplish his will. (Ps. 68:11) Clearly, Jehovah does not view women as weak or incapable.
HOW CAN BROTHERS LEARN TO TREAT WOMEN AS JEHOVAH DOES?
Brothers, to determine whether we are treating Christian sisters as Jehovah does, we need to make an honest examination of our thinking and actions. To do that, we need help. Just as an X-ray machine can detect medical issues in a person’s literal heart, a good friend and God’s Word can help us detect any negative feelings about women that we may be harboring deep inside. What can we do to receive that help?
Ask a good friend. (Prov. 18:17) We do well to turn to a trusted friend who is known to be kind and balanced and ask him such questions as: “How do you think I treat sisters? Can they tell that I respect them? Can I improve my interactions with them in any way?” If your friend highlights some ways you can improve, avoid becoming defensive. Instead, be eager to make the needed adjustments.
Study God’s Word. The best way for us to know if we are treating sisters well is to examine our attitude and actions in the light of God’s Word. (Heb. 4:12) As we study the Bible, we learn about men who treated women well and men who did not. We can then compare their actions with our own. Additionally, comparing Bible verses can prevent us from unknowingly taking scriptures out of context to support a mistaken view we have of women. For example, according to 1 Peter 3:7, a wife is to be assigned “honor as to a weaker vessel.”c Does this mean that she is inferior—less intelligent or capable—than a man? By no means! Compare Peter’s words with what Galatians 3:26-29 indicates, namely, that Jehovah has chosen women as well as men to be corulers with Jesus in heaven. When we study God’s Word and ask a good friend for his or her comments about how we treat women, we can learn to show the proper respect for our sisters.
HOW DO ELDERS SHOW RESPECT FOR SISTERS?
Brothers in the congregation can also learn to treat sisters respectfully by following the example of loving elders. How do elders take the lead in showing respect for sisters? Consider some specific ways.
They commend sisters. The apostle Paul set a good example for elders to imitate. He publicly commended several sisters in the letter he wrote to the congregation in Rome. (Rom. 16:12) Can you imagine the joy those sisters must have felt when Paul’s letter was read to the congregation? Similarly, elders generously commend sisters for their fine qualities and for the work they do for Jehovah. This makes sisters aware of how deeply they are respected and appreciated. The encouraging words of an elder may be exactly what these sisters need as they keep serving Jehovah faithfully.—Prov. 15:23.
Commend
When commending sisters, elders make their comments genuine and specific. Why? A sister named Jessica says: “It is nice when brothers say to a sister ‘good job.’ But we especially appreciate it when brothers commend us for something specific, such as teaching our children to sit quietly at the meetings or going out of our way to pick up a Bible student to bring her to the meeting.” When elders commend sisters on something specific, they make sisters feel needed and valued in the congregation.
They listen to sisters. Humble elders recognize that they do not have the monopoly on good ideas. Such elders invite sisters to share their suggestions, and they listen carefully when sisters speak. In doing so, elders encourage sisters and benefit themselves. How? An elder named Gerardo, who serves at Bethel, says: “I have found that asking sisters for their input helps me do my work more efficiently. Often, they have done the job longer than most brothers.” In the congregation, many sisters serve as pioneers, so they know a lot about the people who live in the local area. An elder named Bryan says: “Our sisters have much to offer the organization. So benefit from their experience!”
Listen
Wise elders are not quick to dismiss the suggestions of sisters. Why? “A sister’s opinion and experience can help a brother to see the entire scope of a matter, and it can help him to develop empathy,” says an elder named Edward. (Prov. 1:5) Even if an elder cannot implement a sister’s suggestion, he can still thank her for her observations and acknowledge her insight.
They train sisters. Discerning elders look for opportunities to train sisters. For example, they can teach sisters how to conduct meetings for field service in the event that a baptized brother is not available. They can train them to operate tools or machinery so that they can assist with theocratic maintenance and construction projects. At Bethel, overseers have trained sisters to care for a variety of assignments, including maintenance, purchasing, accounting, computer programming, and so forth. When elders train sisters, they show that they view sisters as capable and trustworthy.
Train
Many sisters use the training that they received from elders to benefit others. For example, some sisters use their construction training to help others rebuild their homes after a natural disaster. Other sisters use the skills they were taught in public witnessing to help train more sisters in this aspect of the ministry. How do sisters feel about the elders who trained them? A sister named Jennifer says: “When I worked on one Kingdom Hall construction project, an overseer took the time to train me. He noticed the work I did, and he commended me for it. I loved working with him because I felt valued and trusted.”
BENEFITS OF TREATING SISTERS LIKE FAMILY
We love our faithful sisters as Jehovah does! So we treat them like family. (1 Tim. 5:1, 2) We are honored and proud to serve alongside them. And we are so happy when they sense our love and support. A sister named Vanessa says: “I am so thankful to Jehovah for being part of his organization, which is filled with brothers who have refreshed my spirit.” A sister in Taiwan says: “I am very thankful that Jehovah and his organization place such high value on women and on our feelings. This strengthens my faith and makes me appreciate even more the privilege I have of being a part of Jehovah’s organization.”
How proud Jehovah must be when he sees faithful Christian men endeavoring to view and treat women as he does! (Prov. 27:11) “The world’s view of women can be very demeaning,” says an elder in Scotland named Benjamin. “So when women walk into a Kingdom Hall, we want them to feel the difference.” May we all do our best to imitate Jehovah by treating our dear sisters with the love and respect that they deserve.—Rom. 12:10.
a In this article, the term “sisters” consistently refers to Christian sisters, not a person’s siblings.
b The term “macho,” or “machismo,” describes men who display an exaggerated sense of masculine pride or power. These men often glorify male thinking and behavior, and they demean women.
c For a detailed explanation of the expression “weaker vessel,” see the articles eninputd “The Value of ‘a Weaker Vessel’” in the May 15, 2006, issue of The Watchtower and “Wise Guidance for Married Couples” in the March 1, 2005, issue of The Watchtower. |
BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
John 16:33—“I Have Overcome the World” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502300124 | BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
John 16:33—“I Have Overcome the World”
“I have said these things to you so that by means of me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage! I have conquered the world.”—John 16:33, New World Translation.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33, New King James Version.
Meaning of John 16:33
With these words, Jesus warmly reassures his followers that they too can succeed in pleasing God despite trials and opposition.
“I have said these things to you so that by means of mea you may have peace.” The rest of the verse shows that this peace does not refer to an absence of conflict. Rather, it is peace of heart and mind. This inner calm is possible “by means of” Jesus, who promised to send the holy spirit. This powerful “helper” would enable Jesus’ disciples to succeed in the face of any difficulty.—John 14:16, 26, 27.
“In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage!” Jesus frankly acknowledged that his disciples would face trials, such as injustice and persecution. (Matthew 24:9; 2 Timothy 3:12) Nevertheless, they had reason to “take courage,” or “take heart.”—John 16:33, New International Version.
“I have conquered the world.” Here, the word “world” refers to unrighteous human society separated from God.b Says 1 John 5:19: “The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” or Satan. People of this “world,” therefore, think and act contrary to God’s will.—1 John 2:15-17.
Satan and his world tried to stop Jesus from accomplishing God’s will, which included Jesus’ teaching others about God and giving his perfect life as a ransom. (Matthew 20:28; Luke 4:13; John 18:37) But Jesus did not allow the world to influence his thinking and turn him away from God. He remained faithful even to death. Thus, Jesus could say that he had conquered the world and that Satan, “the ruler of the world,” had “no hold” on him.—John 14:30.
Jesus used his own example to show his followers that they too could remain faithful to God even when their integrity was put to the test. In effect, Jesus was saying: “If I can conquer the world, you can too.”
Context of John 16:33
Jesus said these words on the night before his death. Knowing that he would soon die, he used the opportunity to share some parting counsel with his faithful apostles. He included some sobering truths: They would no longer see him, and they would be persecuted, even killed. (John 15:20; 16:2, 10) Because this could have frightened his apostles, Jesus concluded with the words of John 16:33 to encourage and reassure them.
Jesus’ words and example can likewise encourage his followers today. All Christians can remain faithful to God despite tribulation.
a The Greek expression rendered “by means of me” can also be translated “in union with me.” It conveys the thought that Jesus’ disciples could enjoy peace by remaining in unity with him.
b The term “world” is used in a similar sense at John 15:19 and 2 Peter 2:5.
Read John chapter 16 along with explanatory footnotes and cross-references. |
Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2)
2008 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2 | CHAPTER 35
How Can I Become God’s Friend?
Through personal tragedy Jeremy came to appreciate the value of having a friendship with God. “When I was 12, my father left our family,” he explains. “One night I was praying in bed, begging Jehovah to make my father come back.”
In his despair, Jeremy began reading his Bible. When he came upon Psalm 10:14, he was profoundly moved. That verse says of Jehovah: “To you the unfortunate one, the fatherless boy, commits himself. You yourself have become his helper.” Jeremy says: “I felt that Jehovah was talking to me and letting me know that he was my helper; he was my Father. What better father could I have than him?”
WHETHER you’re in a situation similar to that of Jeremy or not, the Bible indicates that Jehovah wants you to be his friend. In fact, the Bible says: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” (James 4:8) Think about what those words mean: Even though you can’t see him—and he’s certainly not your peer in any sense of the word—Jehovah God is inviting you to be his friend!
But friendship with God will require effort on your part. To illustrate: If you have a houseplant, you know that it doesn’t grow on its own. For it to thrive, you have to water it regularly and keep it in an environment that’s suitable for growth. The same is true of friendship with God. How can you help such a friendship to grow?
The Importance of Study
Friendship involves two-way communication—both listening and talking. That’s also true of friendship with God. Reading and studying the Bible is the way we listen to what God has to say to us.—Psalm 1:2, 3.
Granted, study may not be your favorite activity. Many youths would rather watch TV, play a game, or just hang out with friends. But if you want to cultivate friendship with God, there’s no shortcut. You’ll need to listen to him by studying his Word.
Don’t worry, though. Bible study doesn’t have to be a chore. You can learn to enjoy it—even if you don’t consider yourself the studying type. The first thing you need to do is set aside time for Bible study. “I have a schedule,” says a girl named Lais. “I read one chapter of the Bible first thing each morning.” Maria, 15, has a different routine. “I read a little of the Bible each night before I go to sleep,” she says.
To get started on your own study program, look at the box on page 292. Then, below, write down a time when you could spend just 30 minutes or so studying God’s Word.
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Scheduling time is just the start. Once you actually begin studying, you might be hit with the reality that the Bible isn’t always easy reading. You may agree with 11-year-old Jezreel, who candidly states, “Some parts of the Bible are heavy going and not very entertaining.” If you feel that way, don’t give up. Always approach study of the Bible with the view that you’re taking time to listen to Jehovah God, your friend. In the end, Bible study will be as exciting and rewarding as you choose to make it!
Prayer Is Vital
Prayer is the way we talk to God. Think of what an amazing gift prayer is! You can call on Jehovah God at any time of the day or night. He’s always available. More than that, he wants to hear what you have to say. That’s why the Bible urges you: “In everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known to God.”—Philippians 4:6.
As that scripture indicates, there are many things you can talk to Jehovah about. These might include your problems and anxieties. They could also include things that you’re grateful for. After all, don’t you find yourself thanking your friends for the good things they have done for you? You can do the same with Jehovah, who has done more for you than any other friend ever could.—Psalm 106:1.
Below, list some things for which you are thankful to Jehovah.
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No doubt there are fears and anxieties that weigh on your mind from time to time. Psalm 55:22 says: “Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to totter.”
On the following lines, list any personal concerns that you would like to make a matter of prayer.
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Personal Experience
There’s another aspect of your friendship with God that you shouldn’t ignore. The psalmist David wrote: “Taste and see that Jehovah is good.” (Psalm 34:8) When David composed the 34th Psalm, he had just been through a frightening experience. He was on the run from murderous King Saul—a harrowing ordeal in itself. But then he had to take refuge among his enemies the Philistines. Faced with what seemed to be certain death, David cleverly disguised his sanity and was able to get away.—1 Samuel 21:10-15.
David didn’t attribute his narrow escape to his own ingenuity. Instead, he gave credit to Jehovah. Earlier in the psalm mentioned above, he wrote: “I inquired of Jehovah, and he answered me, and out of all my frights he delivered me.” (Psalm 34:4) It was from personal experience, then, that David could urge others to “taste and see that Jehovah is good.”a
Can you think of an experience in your life that gives evidence of Jehovah’s care? If so, write about it below. Hint: The experience need not be highly dramatic. Try to reflect on simple everyday blessings, some of which may easily be taken for granted.
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Perhaps your parents have taught you about the Bible. If so, that’s a blessing. Still, you need to develop a personal friendship with God. If you haven’t done that, you can use the material in this chapter to help you get started. Jehovah will bless your efforts. The Bible says: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find.”—Matthew 7:7.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN VOLUME 1, CHAPTERS 38 AND 39
IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERFind it hard to talk to others about God? Learn how you can defend your beliefs.
[Footnote]
a Some Bibles render the phrase “taste and see” as “discover for yourself,” “find out for yourself,” and “by experience you will see.”—Contemporary English Version, Today’s English Version, and The Bible in Basic English.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need.”—Matthew 5:3.
TIP
Read just four pages of the Bible each day, and you’ll complete it in about a year.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
The fact that you’re reading this book and responding to its Bible-based counsel indicates that Jehovah is taking a personal interest in you.—John 6:44.
ACTION PLAN!
To get more out of personal Bible study, I will ․․․․․
To become more regular in my prayers, I will ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● How can you make personal study of the Bible more enjoyable?
● Why does Jehovah want to listen to the prayers of imperfect humans?
● How can you improve the quality of your prayers?
[Blurb on page 291]
“When I was younger, my prayers were repetitious. Now I try to pray about the good and the bad points of each particular day. Since no two days are exactly alike, this keeps me from saying the same things over and over.”—Eve
[Box/Picture on page 292]
Explore Your Bible
1. Select a Bible account that you would like to read. Pray for wisdom to understand the material.
2. Read the account carefully. Take your time. As you read, use your imagination. Engage as many of your senses as you can: Try to see the action, hear the voices of the characters, smell the air, taste the food, and so forth. Make the account come to life in your mind!
3. Think about what you just read. Ask yourself questions, such as the following:
● Why did Jehovah include this account in his Word?
● Which characters are worthy of imitation, and which ones serve as warning examples?
● What practical lessons can I take away from this reading?
● What does the account teach me about Jehovah and the way he does things?
4. Say a brief prayer to Jehovah. Tell him what you learned from your Bible study and how you plan to apply the material in your life. Always thank Jehovah for the gift he has given you—his Word, the Holy Bible!
[Picture]
“Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway.”—Psalm 119:105.
[Box/Picture on page 294]
First Things First
Too busy to pray? No time for Bible study? Often, it comes down to how you set your priorities.
Try this experiment: Take a bucket, and place several large rocks inside it. Now fill the bucket with sand—all the way to the top. You now have a bucket full of rocks and sand.
Now empty the bucket, but keep the same sand and rocks. Try the process in reverse: Fill the bucket with sand, and then try to place the rocks inside the bucket. No room? That’s because this time you put the sand in the bucket first.
The point? The Bible says: “Make sure of the more important things.” (Philippians 1:10) If you put small things like recreation in first place, you’ll never seem to have enough room in your life for the big things—spiritual pursuits. But if you follow the Bible’s admonition, you’ll find that you have room for both Kingdom interests and a measure of recreation. It’s all a matter of what you put in your bucket first!
[Picture on page 290]
Like a houseplant, friendship with God requires nurturing if it is to grow |
This Life (ts)
1974 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ts | Chapter 3
Man Was Made to Live
GOD made man to live. This is what the Bible indicates by its description of the provisions that God made for our first human parents, Adam and Eve. It informs us that Jehovah God placed them in a beautiful garden home, a paradise, occupying a section of the region called “Eden.” That paradise contained everything needed for them to continue living. Concerning this, Genesis, the first book of the Bible, says: “Jehovah God made to grow out of the ground every tree desirable to one’s sight and good for food and also the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.”—Genesis 2:9.
Note that there was, not a ‘tree of death,’ but a “tree of life” in this lovely paradise. That “tree of life” stood as an unchangeable guarantee of continued life to those eninputd to partake of it. There was no reason for Adam and Eve to have a morbid fear of the possibility of dying. As long as they continued to be obedient to their Creator in not eating of the forbidden “tree of the knowledge of good and bad” their life would not end.—Genesis 2:16, 17.
But is what the Bible says about man’s being made to enjoy an endless life-span in agreement with what we can see of life? Do not the facts show that humans have been dying for thousands of years? Yes, but did you know that right in your own makeup is evidence suggesting that you should have a far longer life-span than is customary in our day?
Consider, for example, the human brain. Is it designed for a lifetime of just seventy or eighty years? Interestingly, biochemist Isaac Asimov, in commenting on the brain’s capacity, noted that its filing system is “perfectly capable of handling any load of learning and memory which the human being is likely to put upon it—and a billion times more than that quantity, too.”
Is it logical for man’s brain to have a storage capacity for information a thousand million times as great as he is able to use during what is today an average life-span? Rather, does this not indicate that man was made to live a lifetime that would require a brain with an infinite capacity for memory?
This is by no means all.
MAN ALONE HAS A CONCEPT OF ETERNITY
A remarkable point to note here is that the Bible sets only before man—not before any of earth’s other creatures—the prospect of limitless life. In fact, it says that even the concept of past or future time indefinite or eternity is unique to man. Noted the inspired writer of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes: “I have seen the occupation that God has given to the sons of mankind in which to be occupied. Everything he has made pretty in its time. Even time indefinite he has put in their heart.”—Ecclesiastes 3:10, 11.
Now, if what the Bible says about man is true, we should be able to see evidence to this effect. Do we? Does man stand in sharp contrast with the animals? Does man alone think seriously about the future, concern himself with it and work toward it? Does he react to death in a way different from the animals, showing that he alone has appreciation for what life has meant to him in the past and could mean to him in the future?
There is no denying that all living things cling to life. Instinctively animals that are eaten by other animals seek to escape their predators by flight or concealment. Many creatures will struggle against what appear to be impossible odds to protect their young from death. Rabbits have been known to kick so violently as to send raccoons sprawling. In the western part of the United States a female antelope was observed successfully defending her kid from a timber wolf, her sharp hoofs injuring his hindquarters and knocking out his teeth. As he was seeking to get away, she jumped on top of him and trampled him to death.
Such instinctive reaction to the threat of death plays a vital role in the preservation of creature life. But does this mean that animals have an appreciation for the past and future as does man?
As we know, a man can reflect on the past and can plan for the future. In the privacy of his own home, he can think back to his boyhood days—his pranks, disappointments, failures, successes and joys. He can plan future moves—building a new house, purchasing furniture, determining the kind of education he would like for his children to get, and so forth. But can a dog, for example, meditate about its puppyhood, the children that played with it then, its becoming full grown and then mating? In his book Animals Are Quite Different, Hans Bauer shows what research has revealed:
“The dog will always need an actual sense-impression to enable it to conjure up former incidents. He may be taken, let us say, on a certain occasion to an unfamiliar town in which he undergoes some experience or other. After his return home the impressions then received will have been forgotten. But if he goes back to the same spot he will remember them. It is in fact one of the special peculiarities and advantages of the human as compared with the animal psychological structure that the output of human memory is not associated with the needs of every day but embedded in the stream of consciousness as a whole.”
Thus, unlike man, animals cannot at will reconstruct events of the past.
But can they plan ahead for the future? Do not hamsters, certain ants, squirrels and other animals store up or hide food supplies for later use? Is not this a planning ahead for the future so as not to suffer want in winter? “No,” says the above-mentioned author, and he gives these facts in support:
“They do not know what they are doing or why they do it. They simply proceed in accordance with instinct, the proof being that even animals removed from their parents at a very early age and kept in cages begin ‘collecting’ in the autumn. Such animals have never known winter conditions and will not be deprived of nourishment in the coming months. Nevertheless, they ‘hoard’ simply for the sake of ‘hoarding.’”
Summing up the contrast between man and animals, he remarks:
“The world of animals is therefore exclusively that of the present moment in the most literal sense of the word. For they can easily be diverted from even the most fascinating objects by others of more immediate appeal at the time and never afterwards return to the former.”
Truly, then, man alone has a concept of “time indefinite,” the ability to meditate on the past and to look toward the future, planning for it.
It is because animals live only in the present that for them death is clearly not the tragedy it is for humans. Animals seem to react to death as a natural course of events.
Take the case witnessed in Serengeti National Park involving a lioness and her three cubs. While the lioness was away, the cubs lay hidden in a thicket. Then two male lions from another territory appeared. Finding the hidden cubs, they killed all three. They ate one, carried the other off and left the third behind. What did the lioness do when she returned and saw her remaining dead cub? She displayed no grief, no emotion, but merely sniffed at the carcass of her remaining dead cub—and then devoured it.
It is also noteworthy that animals on which lions prey do not react with terror at seeing a lion some distance away. Once a lion has gotten its meal, herds of animals soon resume their usual routine. In fact, prey animals may come within one hundred and twenty feet of a visible lion.
MAN REACTS TO DEATH AS SOMETHING UNNATURAL
How differently humans react to death! For the majority, the death of a wife, husband or child is the most upsetting experience of a lifetime. Man’s entire emotional makeup is jarred for a long time after the death of a person whom he dearly loves.
Even those persons who claim that ‘death is natural to humans’ find it hard to accept the idea that their own death will mean the end of everything. Observes The Journal of Legal Medicine: “Psychiatrists are generally agreed that there is an unconscious denial of death, even when it seems to be imminent.” A young avowed atheist, for example, stated before his execution that, from a rational point of view, his death would mean ‘nothing more than the definitive termination of a life that had been brief but very intense.’ But then he noted that it was difficult, indeed impossible, for him to ‘admit that everything would be reduced to nothingness.’
So strong is man’s desire to share in future activity that a number of people have arranged to have their bodies frozen at death. The initial cost for this may run as high as $8,500, with an additional $1,000 being paid each year to keep the body frozen. Bodies have been frozen in the hope that scientists will eventually be able to bring them back to life. Of course, at the present time scientists are nowhere even near accomplishing such a thing. Yet the very thought that this might be possible has been enough to move some persons to have their bodies preserved at great cost.
Because humans find it hard to accept death as ending everything, men everywhere have a desire to perpetuate the memory of the dead and to dispose of them ceremoniously. Notes the book Funeral Customs the World Over:
“There is no group, however primitive at the one extreme or civilized at the other, which left freely to itself and within its means does not dispose of the bodies of its members with ceremony. So true is this universal fact of ceremonial funeralization that it seems reasonable to conclude that it flows out of human nature. It is ‘natural,’ normal, reasonable. It satisfies deep universal urges. To carry it out seems ‘right,’ and not to carry it out, particularly for those who are closely connected by family, feeling, shared living, common experience or other ties, seems ‘wrong,’ an unnatural omission, a matter to be apologized for or ashamed of.”
What does this work conclude from the universal custom of funerals? It continues:
“So true is this that to the various definitions of man there might be added another. He is a being that buries his dead with ceremony.”
Yet, despite all of this, eventually, as generations come and go, the deceased are totally forgotten. Even those who made a notable name in history centuries ago have, as actual persons, faded from the everyday memory of the living. Their influence on others is gone. For example, such powerful rulers of ancient times as Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar do not affect our daily lives now even though they affected the lives of millions of their contemporaries. The hard fact that the dead are in time forgotten was acknowledged by the discerning writer of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes: “There is no remembrance of people of former times, nor will there be of those also who will come to be later. There will prove to be no remembrance even of them among those who will come to be still later on.” (Ecclesiastes 1:11) The very fact that man tries everything within his power to be remembered despite his knowing that he will eventually be forgotten shows that his desire to live, if but in memory, is inherent.
MAN’S DEATH DOES NOT SEEM TO MAKE SENSE
In view of man’s general reaction to death, his amazing potential as to memory and learning ability, and his inward realization of eternity, is it not clear that he was made to live? Only when we accept the Bible’s explanation that man’s present dying state was never a part of God’s original purpose can we make sense out of things that would otherwise be very puzzling. Take as an example the life-spans of certain plants and animals that far surpass that of man.
A tree may live for hundreds of years; some, such as sequoias and bristlecone pines, for thousands of years. It is not unusual for a giant tortoise to get to be more than 150 years old. Why should this be? Why should mindless trees and unreasoning tortoises outlive intelligent man?
Then, too, is not man’s death a terrible waste? While a fraction of a man’s knowledge and experience may have been passed on to others, for the most part these things are lost to posterity. To illustrate, a man may be an outstanding scientist, a fine architect or an accomplished musician, painter or sculptor. He may have trained others. But at his death no one has the sum total of his talents and experience. He may even have been in the process of developing something new after having solved many problems. Those who could have benefited from the knowledge and experience he gained may now have to learn through trial and error—and then have their own work cut short by death. Since the field of knowledge is very great, why should man have to labor under the handicap of being deprived of experienced people as they fall victim to death?
Additionally, to say that man was to live just a few years on earth and then to die cannot be reconciled with belief in a loving Creator. Why not? Because this would mean that the Creator cares more about certain unintelligent plants and dumb animals than he does about humans, who can express love and appreciation. It would also mean that he has little compassion for humans, who, of all earthly forms of life, are hurt most deeply by death.
Truly, if this life were all there is, and if God had indeed purposed it this way, how could we really love him? Yes, how could we be drawn to One who made it impossible for us to come to the full realization of our potential? Would it not be an unkindness to be given tremendous potential for gaining knowledge and then to be stifled in one’s use of it?
However, if humans were made to continue to live, then they need an answer to the question, Why is it that man dies? And a satisfying answer is needed to help them to understand why God has allowed death to go on claiming human victims for thousands of years. This may well remove a serious obstacle standing in the way of one’s coming into a fine relationship with the Creator and finding real meaning and enjoyment in life now.
But how can we be sure about the reason for death?
[Picture on page 24]
DOES MAN’S SHORT LIFE-SPAN MAKE SENSE?
Despite their amazing potential for learning, humans live just 70 or 80 years
Even swans are known to live over 80 years
Though unintelligent, tortoises live more than 150 years
Some trees live thousands of years |
United in Worship (uw)
1983 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/uw | outputs
PAGE CHAPTER
5 1 Unity in Worship—What Should It Mean for You?
12 2 Magnify Jehovah as the True God
20 3 Keep a Firm Grip on the Word of God
29 4 The One to Whom All the Prophets Bore Witness
38 5 Freedom Enjoyed by Worshipers of Jehovah
46 6 The Issue That All Creation Has to Face
55 7 What We Learn From God’s Permission of Evil
62 8 ‘Wrestling Against Wicked Spirit Forces’
70 9 Power of the Resurrection Hope
78 10 A Kingdom “That Will Not Be Brought to Ruin”
87 11 ‘Keep On Seeking First the Kingdom’
95 12 The Meaning of Your Baptism
103 13 A Great Crowd Before Jehovah’s Throne
110 14 ‘I Make a Covenant With You for a Kingdom’
117 15 How Does Jehovah Direct His Organization?
125 16 Listen to Counsel, Accept Discipline
132 17 “Have Intense Love for One Another”
139 18 We Need to Practice Godly Devotion at Home
146 19 What the Mosaic Law Means to You
154 20 Life and Blood—Do You Treat Them as Sacred?
161 21 “They Are No Part of the World”
169 22 Continue to Speak God’s Word With Boldness
176 23 Keep Close in Mind Jehovah’s Day
184 24 Jehovah’s Purpose Attains Glorious Success |
Page Two | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101988000 | Page Two
“Drive Safely!”
How often this has been said to departing family members or guests! It is a good reminder. Driving may be hazardous. There are many factors involved in getting to your destination safely. Each year millions of people don’t.
Can anything be done to improve driving safety? Awake! correspondent in Britain takes a look at the situation in several countries and provides sound counsel to help operators of motor vehicles to drive so as to save their own lives and the lives of others. |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 98
The Disciples Argue as Jesus’ Death Nears
JESUS and his disciples are near the Jordan River, where they cross from the district of Perea into Judea. Many others are traveling with them to the Passover of 33 C.E., which is only a week or so away.
Jesus is walking on ahead of the disciples, and they are amazed at his bold determination. Recall that a few weeks earlier when Lazarus died and Jesus was about to go from Perea into Judea, Thomas encouraged the others: “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” Recall also that after Jesus resurrected Lazarus, the Sanhedrin laid plans to have Jesus killed. No wonder that fear grips the disciples as they now enter Judea again.
To prepare them for what lies ahead, Jesus takes the 12 aside privately and tells them: “Here we are, advancing up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and will deliver him to men of the nations, and they will make fun of him and will spit upon him and scourge him and kill him, but three days later he will rise.”
This is the third time in recent months that Jesus has told his disciples about his death and resurrection. And although they listen to him, they fail to comprehend. Perhaps it is because they believe in the restoration on earth of the kingdom of Israel, and they are looking forward to enjoying glory and honor in an earthly kingdom with Christ.
Among the Passover-bound travelers is Salome, the mother of the apostles James and John. Jesus has called these men “Sons of Thunder,” no doubt because of their fiery dispositions. For some time these two have harbored the ambition to be prominent in Christ’s Kingdom, and they have made their desires known to their mother. She now approaches Jesus in their behalf, bows before him, and requests a favor.
“What do you want?” Jesus asks.
She replies: “Give the word that these my two sons may sit down, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
Realizing the source of the request, Jesus says to James and John: “You men do not know what you are asking for. Can you drink the cup that I am about to drink?”
“We can,” they answer. Even though Jesus has just told them that he faces terrible persecution and finally execution, they apparently do not comprehend that this is what he means by “the cup” he is about to drink.
Nevertheless, Jesus tells them: “You will indeed drink my cup, but this sitting down at my right hand and at my left is not mine to give, but it belongs to those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
In time the other ten apostles learn what James and John have requested, and they are angry. Perhaps James and John were prominent in the earlier argument among the apostles about who is the greatest. Their present request reveals that they have not applied the counsel Jesus has given on this matter. Sadly, their desire for prominence is still strong.
So to deal with this latest controversy and the ill will it has created, Jesus calls the 12 together. Counseling them lovingly, he says: “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them and the great men wield authority over them. This is not the way among you; but whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.”
Jesus has set the example they should imitate, as he explains: “Just as the Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.” Jesus not only has ministered in behalf of others but will do so to the extent of dying for mankind! The disciples need that same Christlike disposition of desiring to serve rather than to be served and to be a lesser one rather than to be in a position of prominence. Matthew 20:17-28; Mark 3:17; 9:33-37; 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34; John 11:16.
▪ Why does fear now grip the disciples?
▪ How does Jesus prepare his disciples for what lies ahead?
▪ What request is made of Jesus, and how are the other apostles affected?
▪ How does Jesus deal with the problem among his apostles? |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 102
Christ’s Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
THE following morning, Sunday, Nisan 9, Jesus leaves Bethany with his disciples and heads over the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem. In a short time, they draw close to Bethphage, located on the Mount of Olives. Jesus instructs two of his disciples:
“Be on your way into the village that is within sight of you, and you will at once find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. And if someone says anything to you, you must say, ‘The Lord needs them.’ At that he will immediately send them forth.”
Although at first the disciples fail to discern that these instructions have anything to do with the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, later they realize that they do. The prophet Zechariah foretold that God’s promised King would ride into Jerusalem on an ass, yes, “even upon a full-grown animal the son of a she-ass.” King Solomon had similarly ridden to his anointing on the offspring of an ass.
When the disciples enter Bethphage and take the colt and its mother, some of those standing by say: “What are you doing?” But when told that the animals are for the Lord, the men let the disciples take them to Jesus. The disciples place their outer garments on the mother ass and on her offspring, but Jesus mounts the colt.
As Jesus rides toward Jerusalem, the crowd increases. Most of the people spread their outer garments on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them out. “Blessed is the One coming as the King in Jehovah’s name!” they cry. “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest places!”
Some Pharisees in the crowd are upset by these proclamations and complain to Jesus: “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” But Jesus replies: “I tell you, If these remained silent, the stones would cry out.”
As Jesus draws close to Jerusalem, he views the city and begins to weep over it, saying: “If you, even you, had discerned in this day the things having to do with peace—but now they have been hid from your eyes.” For her willful disobedience, Jerusalem must pay the price, as Jesus foretells:
“Your enemies [the Romans under General Titus] will build around you a fortification with pointed stakes and will encircle you and distress you from every side, and they will dash you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave a stone upon a stone in you.” This destruction of Jerusalem foretold by Jesus actually occurs 37 years later, in the year 70 C.E.
Just a few weeks earlier, many in the crowd had seen Jesus resurrect Lazarus. Now these keep telling others about that miracle. So when Jesus enters Jerusalem, the whole city is set in commotion. “Who is this?” people want to know. And the crowds keep telling: “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee!” Seeing what is happening, the Pharisees lament that they are getting absolutely nowhere, for, as they say: “The world has gone after him.”
As is his custom on visits to Jerusalem, Jesus goes to the temple to teach. There the blind and the lame come to him, and he cures them! When the chief priests and the scribes see the marvelous things Jesus is doing and when they hear the boys in the temple crying out, “Save, we pray, the Son of David!” they become angry. “Do you hear what these are saying?” they protest.
“Yes,” Jesus replies. “Did you never read this, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have furnished praise’?”
Jesus continues teaching, and he looks around upon all things in the temple. Soon it is late. So he leaves, along with the 12, and travels back the two miles [3 km] or so to Bethany. There he spends Sunday night, probably in the home of his friend Lazarus. Matthew 21:1-11, 14-17; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19; Zechariah 9:9.
▪ When and in what manner does Jesus enter Jerusalem as King?
▪ How vital is it that the crowds praise Jesus?
▪ How does Jesus feel when he views Jerusalem, and what prophecy does he utter?
▪ What happens when Jesus goes to the temple? |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 55
Daily Walking With Jehovah
(Micah 6:8)
1. Hand in hand with God Jehovah,
We would humbly walk each day.
O how undeserved this kindness
That he grants to men of clay!
Since it’s only by appointment
That we thus can take God’s hand,
We begin with dedication;
On God’s side we take our stand.
2. Walking with our heav’nly Father
Is the safe course, truly wise.
We’re beset by adversaries,
Who would rob us of the prize.
There are Satan and his demons
And the snares of fallen flesh
And this world’s materialism;
How they would our feet enmesh!
3. Help to us God has provided
Through his spirit and his Word,
Through his Christian congregation,
And through prayers that are heard.
As we walk with God Jehovah,
May we justly do what’s right.
May we love sincerely kindness
And be modest in his sight. |
“Good Land” (gl)
2003 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/good-land-gl | The Lands of the Bible
AS ISRAEL prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses expressed to God his deep desire: “Let me pass over, please, and see the good land that is across the Jordan, this good mountainous region.”—De 3:25.
For Moses, that was not to be, but he did ascend a mountain facing Jericho and see the land—‘Gilead as far as Dan and the land of Judah as far as the western sea and the Negeb and the Jordan valley.’ (De 3:27; 34:1-4) Have you heard those names? Do you know their locations?
Few of Jehovah’s people today can visit the many places they read about in the Bible. They are not able to do what God said he would have Abraham do, travel the length and breadth of the Promised Land. (Ge 13:14-17) Still, true Christians are keen to know about Bible locations and to see how they relate, one to the other.
“See the Good Land” is a tool that you can use to expand your understanding of the Scriptures. It contains photographs of actual locations, such as Gilead, shown on the cover. Even more informative are the maps, which can greatly deepen your knowledge of Bible sites.
The map on pages 2 and 3 focuses on major lands or regions. For instance, when you note where Assyria and Egypt were relative to the Promised Land, you can better understand prophecies that mention those lands. (Isa 7:18; 27:13; Ho 11:11; Mic 7:12) The small strip called the Promised Land was an ancient crossroads, and other nations sought to dominate its rich grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves.—De 8:8; Jg 15:5.
Sometimes you will want to compare maps. For instance, Jonah was assigned to the capital of Assyria, but he sailed off for Tarshish. (Jon 1:1-3) Do you find those areas on that first map? But Tarshish is not to be mistaken for Tarsus, where the apostle Paul was born. You will find Tarsus and other notable cities on the map here.
Think of the length and route of Abraham’s trip as you pick out Ur, Haran, and Jerusalem. After Jehovah called him from Ur, he resided in Haran and then moved to the Promised Land. (Ge 11:28–12:1; Ac 7:2-5) Abraham’s trip will come more alive as you study “The World of the Patriarchs,” on pages 6-7.
The first map and the one here are not time specific. After those two, the maps are basically in historical order. Cities or details on a map relate to events of a certain period. While the Index (pages 34-5) does not include every site named on the maps, it can usually help you to find which maps relate to the point you are currently researching.
The map in the center spread (pages 18-19) has the largest collection of towns and cities in the Promised Land. The Map Legend will help you to find the Levite cities and the six cities of refuge as well as to know whether a place was mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Greek Scriptures, or both.
The locations of some Biblical sites are presently unknown, so most of those names are not on that center map. Also, it was not possible to fit on it every city and town, such as all in the lists of tribal boundaries. (Jos, chaps. 15-19) Yet, that map usually includes nearby cities, thus enabling you to approximate the location. Some geographic features (mountains, rivers, and torrent valleys) are marked, and elevation and terrain are indicated by colors. Such details can help you to visualize aspects of Bible events.
More information about Bible locations is available in the encyclopedia Insight on the Scriptures, which is available in many languages.a As you use that and other Bible study aids, keep “See the Good Land” at hand. Consult it as you study all the Scriptures, which are so beneficial in your life.—2Ti 3:16, 17.
[Footnote]
a Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
BIBLE BOOKS WERE WRITTEN IN
Babylon
Caesarea
Corinth
Egypt
Ephesus
Jerusalem
Macedonia
Moab
Patmos
Promised Land
Rome
Shushan
[Map on page 4, 5]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
Bible Lands and Key Cities
A1 ITALY
A2 ROME
A3 SICILY
A3 MALTA
C2 MACEDONIA
C2 Philippi
C2 GREECE
C3 ATHENS
C3 Corinth
C3 CRETE
C4 LIBYA
D3 Antioch (of Pisidia)
D3 Ephesus
D3 PATMOS
D3 RHODES
D4 MEMPHIS
D5 EGYPT
E2 ASIA MINOR
E3 Tarsus
E3 Antioch (of Syria)
E3 CYPRUS
E4 Sidon
E4 Damascus
E4 Tyre
E4 Caesarea
E4 PROMISED LAND
E4 JERUSALEM
E4 MOAB
E4 Kadesh
E4 EDOM
F3 Garden of Eden?
F3 ASSYRIA
F3 Haran
F3 SYRIA
F5 ARABIA
G3 NINEVEH
G4 BABYLON
G4 CHALDEA
G4 Shushan
G4 Ur
H3 MEDIA
[Mountains]
E5 Mt. Sinai
G2 ARARAT MTS.
[Bodies of water]
C3 Mediterranean Sea (Great Sea)
E1 Black Sea
E5 Red Sea
H2 Caspian Sea
H5 Persian Gulf
[Rivers]
D5 Nile River
F3 Euphrates River
G3 Tigris River |
Reasoning (rs)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs | Soul
Definition: In the Bible, “soul” is translated from the Hebrew neʹphesh and the Greek psy·kheʹ. Bible usage shows the soul to be a person or an animal or the life that a person or an animal enjoys. To many persons, however, “soul” means the immaterial or spirit part of a human being that survives the death of the physical body. Others understand it to be the principle of life. But these latter views are not Bible teachings.
What does the Bible say that helps us to understand what the soul is?
Gen. 2:7: “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.” (Notice that this does not say that man was given a soul but that he became a soul, a living person.) (The part of the Hebrew word here rendered “soul” is neʹphesh. KJ, AS, and Dy agree with that rendering. RS, JB, NAB read “being.” NE says “creature.” Kx reads “person.”)
1 Cor. 15:45: “It is even so written: ‘The first man Adam became a living soul.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (So the Christian Greek Scriptures agree with the Hebrew Scriptures as to what the soul is.) (The Greek word here translated “soul” is the accusative case of psy·kheʹ. KJ, AS, Dy, JB, NAB, and Kx also read “soul.” RS, NE, and TEV say “being.”)
1 Pet. 3:20: “In Noah’s days . . . a few people, that is, eight souls, were carried safely through the water.” (The Greek word here translated “souls” is psy·khaiʹ, the plural form of psy·kheʹ. KJ, AS, Dy, and Kx also read “souls.” JB and TEV say “people”; RS, NE, and NAB use “persons.”)
Gen. 9:5: “Besides that, your blood of your souls [or, “lives”; Hebrew, from neʹphesh] shall I ask back.” (Here the soul is said to have blood.)
Josh. 11:11: “They went striking every soul [Hebrew, neʹphesh] that was in it with the edge of the sword.” (The soul is here shown to be something that can be touched by the sword, so these souls could not have been spirits.)
Where does the Bible say that animals are souls?
Gen. 1:20, 21, 24, 25: “God went on to say: ‘Let the waters swarm forth a swarm of living souls* . . . ’ And God proceeded to create the great sea monsters and every living soul that moves about, which the waters swarmed forth according to their kinds, and every winged flying creature according to its kind. . . . And God went on to say: ‘Let the earth put forth living souls according to their kinds . . . ’ And God proceeded to make the wild beast of the earth according to its kind and the domestic animal according to its kind and every moving animal of the ground according to its kind.” (*In Hebrew the word here is neʹphesh. Ro reads “soul.” Some translations use the rendering “creature[s].”)
Lev. 24:17, 18: “In case a man strikes any soul [Hebrew, neʹphesh] of mankind fatally, he should be put to death without fail. And the fatal striker of the soul [Hebrew, neʹphesh] of a domestic animal should make compensation for it, soul for soul.” (Notice that the same Hebrew word for soul is applied to both mankind and animals.)
Rev. 16:3: “It became blood as of a dead man, and every living soul* died, yes, the things in the sea.” (Thus the Christian Greek Scriptures also show animals to be souls.) (*In Greek the word here is psy·kheʹ. KJ, AS, and Dy render it “soul.” Some translators use the term “creature” or “thing.”)
Do other scholars who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses acknowledge that this is what the Bible says the soul is?
“There is no dichotomy [division] of body and soul in the O[ld] T[estament]. The Israelite saw things concretely, in their totality, and thus he considered men as persons and not as composites. The term nepeš [neʹphesh], though translated by our word soul, never means soul as distinct from the body or the individual person. . . . The term [psy·kheʹ] is the N[ew] T[estament] word corresponding with nepeš. It can mean the principle of life, life itself, or the living being.”—New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967), Vol. XIII, pp. 449, 450.
“The Hebrew term for ‘soul’ (nefesh, that which breathes) was used by Moses . . . , signifying an ‘animated being’ and applicable equally to nonhuman beings. . . . New Testament usage of psychē (‘soul’) was comparable to nefesh.”—The New Encyclopædia Britannica (1976), Macropædia, Vol. 15, p. 152.
“The belief that the soul continues its existence after the dissolution of the body is a matter of philosophical or theological speculation rather than of simple faith, and is accordingly nowhere expressly taught in Holy Scripture.”—The Jewish Encyclopedia (1910), Vol. VI, p. 564.
Can the human soul die?
Ezek. 18:4: “Look! All the souls—to me they belong. As the soul of the father so likewise the soul of the son—to me they belong. The soul* that is sinning—it itself will die.” (*Hebrew reads “the neʹphesh.” KJ, AS, RS, NE, and Dy render it “the soul.” Some translations say “the man” or “the person.”)
Matt. 10:28: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul [or, “life”]; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul* and body in Gehenna.” (*Greek has the accusative case of psy·kheʹ. KJ, AS, RS, NE, TEV, Dy, JB, and NAB all render it “soul.”)
Acts 3:23: “Indeed, any soul [Greek, psy·kheʹ] that does not listen to that Prophet will be completely destroyed from among the people.”
Is it possible for human souls (people) to live forever?
See pages 243-247, under the heading “Life.”
Is the soul the same as the spirit?
Eccl. 12:7: “Then the dust returns to the earth just as it happened to be and the spirit [or, life-force; Hebrew, ruʹach] itself returns to the true God who gave it.” (Notice that the Hebrew word for spirit is ruʹach; but the word translated soul is neʹphesh. The text does not mean that at death the spirit travels all the way to the personal presence of God; rather, any prospect for the person to live again rests with God. In similar usage, we may say that, if required payments are not made by the buyer of a piece of property, the property “returns” to its owner.) (KJ, AS, RS, NE, and Dy all here render ruʹach as “spirit.” NAB reads “life breath.”)
Eccl. 3:19: “There is an eventuality as respects the sons of mankind and an eventuality as respects the beast, and they have the same eventuality. As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all have but one spirit [Hebrew, ruʹach].” (Thus both mankind and beasts are shown to have the same ruʹach, or spirit. For comments on verses 20, 21, see page 383.)
Heb. 4:12: “The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul [Greek, psy·khesʹ; “life,” NE] and spirit [Greek, pneuʹma·tos], and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Observe that the Greek word for “spirit” is not the same as the word for “soul.”)
Does conscious life continue for a person after the spirit leaves the body?
Ps. 146:4: “His spirit [Hebrew, from ruʹach] goes out, he goes back to his ground; in that day his thoughts do perish.” (NAB, Ro, Yg, and Dy [145:4] here render ruʹach as “spirit.” Some translations say “breath.”) (Also Psalm 104:29)
What is the origin of Christendom’s belief in an immaterial, immortal soul?
“The Christian concept of a spiritual soul created by God and infused into the body at conception to make man a living whole is the fruit of a long development in Christian philosophy. Only with Origen [died c. 254 C.E.] in the East and St. Augustine [died 430 C.E.] in the West was the soul established as a spiritual substance and a philosophical concept formed of its nature. . . . His [Augustine’s] doctrine . . . owed much (including some shortcomings) to Neoplatonism.”—New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967), Vol. XIII, pp. 452, 454.
“The concept of immortality is a product of Greek thinking, whereas the hope of a resurrection belongs to Jewish thought. . . . Following Alexander’s conquests Judaism gradually absorbed Greek concepts.”—Dictionnaire Encyclopédique de la Bible (Valence, France; 1935), edited by Alexandre Westphal, Vol. 2, p. 557.
“Immortality of the soul is a Greek notion formed in ancient mystery cults and elaborated by the philosopher Plato.”—Presbyterian Life, May 1, 1970, p. 35.
“Do we believe that there is such a thing as death? . . . Is it not the separation of soul and body? And to be dead is the completion of this; when the soul exists in herself, and is released from the body and the body is released from the soul, what is this but death? . . . And does the soul admit of death? No. Then the soul is immortal? Yes.”—Plato’s “Phaedo,” Secs. 64, 105, as published in Great Books of the Western World (1952), edited by R. M. Hutchins, Vol. 7, pp. 223, 245, 246.
“The problem of immortality, we have seen, engaged the serious attention of the Babylonian theologians. . . . Neither the people nor the leaders of religious thought ever faced the possibility of the total annihilation of what once was called into existence. Death was a passage to another kind of life.”—The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria (Boston, 1898), M. Jastrow, Jr., p. 556.
See also pages 100-102, under the heading “Death.” |
Bible Teach (bh)
2014 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/bh | input Page/Publishers’ Page
What Does the Bible Really Teach?
Photo Credits:
◼ Pages 24-25: WHO photo by Edouard Boubat
◼ Pages 88-89: Explosion: Based on USAF photo; child: Based on WHO photo by W. Cutting
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 www.jw.org.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
October 2016 Printing
English (bh-E)
© 2005, 2014
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania |
‘Know Jehovah’ (kj)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/kj | Chapter 1
Nations Long Ago Had to Know Who He Is
1. What has been the attitude of the nations toward the greatest name in the universe, and what will they have to know about its Bearer?
JUST as nations of long ago did not like him, the nations of today do not like him. Neither do they like his name. By not mentioning his name they seek to ignore his existence, to let him become a person unknown, to let his name fade from memory. Strangely, though, the nations have proved unable to blot his name out of human history. They have not kept his name from being heralded far and wide throughout the earth, in our twentieth century. Obviously the Bearer of that name must be greater than all the nations. His is the greatest name in all the universe. It is the oldest name on record. It is immortal! It adorns the greatest One in all heaven and earth. It is just as imperishable as its Bearer is. Nations of the past got to know it. Present-day nations, as political organizations, will likewise get to know that incomparable Name. Shortly they will perish, but not the Name! Before they perish they shall know the superiority of the One bearing that Name.
2. What will vindication of that name mean, and to whom is this of highest concern now?
2 In this regard history will have to repeat itself, but on a far grander scale. Recorded history of the past justifies us in expecting that name to be put in its rightful place among all who dwell on earth. The vindication of it as the name of the One who really lives, who is almighty and supreme, will strike the nations with awe. Even though unwillingly, they will have to recognize the One whose name has been unjustly reproached and downgraded among men. They will know that he is and that he has spoken and that what he has spoken never fails to occur. The significance of this to all nations is of the highest concern to every member of this present generation of mankind right now.
3. To that Name Bearer, why is what happened in 1513 B.C.E. as if it happened just half a week ago?
3 To us of today any event that occurred in the year 1513 before our Common Era occurred a long time ago. Nearly three thousand five hundred years ago! But to the Eternal One whose name must be vindicated such a time period is not calculated according to the earth’s daily spinning on its axis and its yearly movement around the sun. Those three and a half millenniums are viewed as but three and a half of our days. And what is a mere half a week of time to Him? To Him it was just half a week ago that he confronted the first-class political power of the sixteenth century before our Common Era. So it was no mere poetic outburst when an inspired songwriter of that day said to Him: “A thousand years are in your eyes but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch during the night.”a
4. What counted with Him as regards that first world power?
4 To Him it did not matter that that first world power had the latest military equipment in great quantity and could dominate the then inhabited earth. Its highly prized wisdom and its high degree of civilization made no difference to Him. The great number of its religious gods and goddesses did not overawe Him but showed how ignorant and misguided that highly civilized world power was in a religious way. What counted with Him then was that this world power had got into difficulty with him. How?
5. In the matter of oppression, with what were innocent people of one branch of the human family threatened while residing as aliens in the land of another race?
5 Have we ever seen an inoffensive people being oppressed by a powerful, militarized, nationalistic political government in this twentieth century? Such a question turns our minds to a number of oppressed peoples and racial groups. So, then, we can appreciate the tyrannical oppression that had gone on for scores of years upon an innocent people in a land in which they were alien residents. According to the three great branches into which our human family is divided, these alien residents were of the Semitic branch and were dwelling in a Hamitic land. The oppression upon them finally became so extreme that it attempted what is called “genocide” nowadays, to bring about the disappearance of that particular family of Shemites that had now grown to the size of an outstanding people, a nation populous indeed but having no active part in the government of that Hamitic land.
6. Then, the troublesome issue was of what kind, and how so?
6 Seemingly it was a racial issue that troubled the Hamitic land, for that large body of alien residents of another race might even furnish a military threat to this first-rate world power. But if we study the situation more deeply, we can discern that there was an issue of importance even greater than that of the racial issue. It was a religious issue. The records of ancient history prove beyond denial by our irreligious scientifically educated modernists that religion played a dominant part in the life of the nations, even of the rulers. A remarkably different religion was identified with that alien people residing in that world-famous Hamitic land. That was why the hard core of that people refused to join in worshiping the many gods of the land. So the wiping out of this people of Shemitic stock would mean the wiping out of this religion. This was, according to the priests of the gods of the land, the more desirable thing.
7. What questions did the Hamitic oppressors raise about the God of the alien residents, and for what action did such questions call?
7 Just like with hundreds of millions of East Indians of this twentieth century, it seemed strange to those ancient worshipers of the many Hamitic gods that this alien people in their midst should worship but one God, who was believed to be the One Creator of all heaven and earth. But to those worshipers of many ancient gods and goddesses this One God of that alien resident people could not be a true, living, all-powerful God. Otherwise, why would he let them be oppressed as mere slaves for more than a hundred years? Why would he let their oppressors proceed with the nationalistic plan of wiping out his worshipers and his religion from the earth? Why had he not before now delivered his worshipers from their polytheistic oppressors and slave masters? Those were good questions. If he were the God that these oppressed people worshiped him as being, then he ought to answer those questions. He ought to make himself known to that Hamitic nation! By doing this, too, he could make himself known to all nations!
8. Was it fitting for this God to make himself known also to his own oppressed worshipers, and on what basis?
8 For that matter, what about making himself known to His own worshipers? Even to many of these He may have appeared as an unknown God.b Under the distressing circumstances of that sixteenth century before our Common Era, did they have to know that He is, that he has a name different from the names of all the gods and goddesses of their oppressors, and that he is their God who recognizes them as his people? Yes! He had been no unknown God to their forefathers of earlier centuries. These had even known his personal name, but had especially come to appreciate him as “God Almighty” because of what he did in their favor. Why, then, should they not worship this God of their forefathers?
9. Why was this God clocking the time of their affliction, and what was it timely for him to do respecting his name?
9 He had made wonderful promises to their forefathers, promises not only of interest and importance to them as descendants but of greatest interest and importance to all mankind. He had foretold the affliction such as came upon them in this Hamitic land. Could he be unaware of the affliction when it actually came upon them? Not consistently so! For a fact, he was clocking the time of this affliction, because he had predetermined and foretold when that affliction would end and should end.c They had the records of the time lengths of the lives of their forefathers in succession and of the generations involved. If they had consulted these and had made correct calculations, they would have known that now was the time for their deliverance. It was the time marked by their God to make himself known to them as their Deliverer and to crown his name with never-fading glory. It was the time for Him to prove with deeds that he makes no sworn declaration that is impossible for him to carry out. He is still God Almighty despite the passing of centuries. As his time had come, he could be expected to give to his name a place in human history above all other names.
HOW WILL HE DO IT?
10. So what questions did worshipers with faith in Him ask, and what would be the proper way for Him to act as God in answer?
10 The question before those who still had faith in the unbreakable promises of God was, How will he do it? How will he prove himself to be no mythical god? How will he vindicate his very existence? How will he make his name to be respected, indeed, to be feared by all the nations of the earth? Not by some ordinary means that could be explained by our modern-day scientists. No, but by something that even twentieth-century scientists cannot account for despite all their laboratory experiments, by things so humanly unbelievable that doubters would call them merely mythical and legendary. But how else than by such a demonstration of his superior power and scientific intelligence could it be proved to even this generation of mankind that he is the one God Almighty? One who is a God should be able to do things that ordinary men of any century of time could not do. Otherwise, how can he rank as God? Reasonably, he should be expected to do things that the magic-practicing priests of all the false gods could never do. He should distinguish himself by doing inexplainable things, miracles!
11. How would the Source of these miracles be identified, and what consideration would that Source show for humans on earth?
11 How, though, would these miraculous feats of power be identified with this one living and true God, so as to be unmistakably attributed to him as the true Source? Especially so, when he is invisible and has no visible, material idol or image to represent him to the eyes and touch of men? Simply by having these miraculous performances announced beforehand and having them performed in his name, and this by means of a living human representative, spokesman or prophet, whom he sent to speak and perform in His name. It was not necessary for this invisible, almighty God to present himself in person to fleshly human creatures who were too frail in eyesight and bodily makeup to endure a direct confrontation with the heavenly Maker of the sun and all the billions of galaxies of stars and sources of cosmic rays. In fulfillment of the predictions made by human spokesmen in his name, he could perform the specified miracles by remote control, and this would be safest for puny human creatures with their limited abilities to endure only so much without being destroyed. All this would show divine consideration for mere human creatures of our tiny earth!
12. Whom did this non-idolatrous God use to speak and act in His name, and how did this one get his personal name?
12 The idol gods of that ancient Hamitic land had their magic-practicing priests and other official representatives, among whom were the notable men Janʹnes and Jamʹbres.d Who, then, was the historic figure whom the non-idolatrous God sent to speak and act in his personal name? He was no stranger to the land. In fact, he had been born in that southern Hamitic land eighty years previously. Thus he was now an old man, likely too old to be recognized as a fugitive from the land for forty years, a man whom they might have felt justified in killing as a manslayer. They had wanted to have him killed even as a newborn baby by having him hurled into their sacred river, which they worshiped as a god. But as he was floating in a handmade bulrush ark on the waters near the shore, he was rescued by the compassionate daughter of the then ruler of the land. She was moved to adopt this beautiful baby boy, and fittingly she gave him the name meaning “Drawn Out,” or, “Saved out of Water,” that is to say, Mo·shehʹ, or, as we would pronounce the name today, Moses. This meant a defeat for the river god that had not been permitted to swallow him down.e
13. So how had Moses been reared, and what caused him to flee from the land?
13 Seemingly without knowing that she was being maneuvered, the ruler’s daughter gave over the suckling baby to his own mother, Jochʹe·bed, to nurse and rear until the child should be old enough to be brought into the ruler’s palace. With greatness of heart she was acting contrary to her father’s cruel policy of genocide against the enslaved alien residents of her land. In this way the endangered child was shielded against death at the hands of the oppressors of his people and he received instruction in the worship, not of the many false gods of the land, but of the God of his father Amram.f Strong family and religious attachment to his people remained deep-seated in this child, who was evidently marked out for an important role in history, until he was forty years old, even in spite of spending most of those years at the king’s court and being instructed in all its worldly wisdom. Then, because of being so indignant at the harsh treatment meted out to his enslaved people, he attempted to lead a liberation movement. There was bloodshed, and he had to flee for his life.g
14. On his return to be a leader of his oppressed people, what questions would they be inclined to ask him to assure themselves?
14 What or who could have induced him now as an aged man of eighty years to leave the land of his fugitive existence and to return to the land of the oppressors of his people, who had sought his life? Had he not already failed once as a liberator? Yes! But now it would be his God who would act as the Liberator of those who worshiped Him notwithstanding their longtime affliction. By now he was almost a stranger to his own people, but his older sister, Miriam, and brother, Aaron, were still alive down there in the land of enslavement. To a large extent he would have to identify himself to them. “What brings you back? Who sent you?” they would ask him. To present himself to them as their liberator in his own name would not work with them now any more than it had worked in the first place. Only if he came in the name of their God as Liberator would they be inclined to accept him as their visible leader. Yet, what was the name of this God who had sent him? How could he prove that this God had sent him to lead them to freedom? Had this God changed his name?
15. Where and in what manner did God give orders to Moses to return to the land of the oppressive slave drivers?
15 The divine Sender of Moses knew that his doubting people were wondering why the God of their forefathers had permitted for so long this wickedness practiced upon them, and he knew that they would ask Moses these questions. By means of a miraculous manifestation, not in some mythical land, but at the foot of Mount Horeb in the wilderness of Sinai of the Arabian Peninsula, God gave orders verbally to Moses to return to the land of the oppressive slave drivers. What was he to say when he presented himself first to his own people? By means of an invisible angel at a miraculously burning thornbush of the wilderness God told him what to say. According to The New English Bible published in a land far westward from the Sinaitic Peninsula, 3,482 years later (in 1970 C.E.), Moses was to say in explaining his mission:
16. What was Moses told to say to his people in explanation of his return?
16 “You must tell the Israelites this, that it is JEHOVAH the God of their forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, who has sent you to them. This is my name for ever; this is my input in every generation. Go and assemble the elders of Israel and tell them that JEHOVAH the God of their forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to you and has said, ‘I have indeed turned my eyes towards you; I have marked all that has been done to you in Egypt, and I am resolved to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt, into the country of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ They will listen to you, and then you and the elders of Israel must go to the king of Egypt.”—Exodus 3:15-18.
17. What was Pharaoh’s reaction to the demand for release of the Israelites, and so what only was left for God to do to him?
17 Courageously Moses obeyed this God of his forefathers, Jehovah. By miraculous signs that Jehovah instructed Moses to perform, Moses proved that Jehovah the God of liberation had indeed sent him to be their leader into liberty. Their liberation could have come in an easy way for the Egyptians, if these, on demand of Jehovah, would lift their oppression upon the Israelites and let them go free to their Promised Land of milk and honey. But what is there to be done when the king Pharaoh of Egypt scorns the demand made upon him in the name of the living and true God and gives the challenging answer: “Who is Jehovah, so that I should obey his voice to send Israel away?” To back up his defiance of Jehovah as if he were a mere Nobody, the idol-worshiping Pharaoh of Egypt added: “I do not know Jehovah at all and, what is more, I am not going to send Israel away.” And when Pharaoh, the commander of the finest military forces in that ancient world, sticks to his decision, what else is there to do but to make him know Jehovah, to force him to know that the God making the demand upon him for the releasing of His people is Jehovah? Pharaoh asked for it!
18. What declaration of divine purpose was called forth by the national situation that developed back there, and what, with reference to themselves, might nations of today well consider?
18 Do any of the political rulers of this twentieth century take the attitude of that Pharaoh of 1514/1513 B.C.E., as recorded in Exodus 5:1, 2? The national situation that developed away back there called forth for the first time the divine declaration that served notice upon the political nations of Bible times concerning God’s purpose to make them know who he is. But the nations of this modern world need to heed this ancient declaration of God’s purpose as also applying to them. They might well consider very seriously whether they are typified or prefigured by the ancient land of the Pharaohs, when Jehovah said to Moses: “The Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah when I stretch out my hand against Egypt, and I shall indeed bring the sons of Israel out from their midst.”—Exodus 7:1-5.
19. By what as the first of ten plagues was Pharaoh obliged to know that God is Jehovah?
19 Also, to the disobedient Pharaoh of Egypt Moses was ordered to say: “By this you will know that I am Jehovah. Here I am striking with the rod that is in my hand upon the water that is in the Nile River, and it will certainly turn into blood.” It did so. This proved to be the first of the ten plagues by means of which the tough, resisting Egyptians learned to know in a way disastrous to them that the true God is Jehovah.—Exodus 7:17-25.
20. How did Moses’ people fare during the first two plagues, and what doubt therefore may Pharaoh have had concerning Jehovah?
20 That first plague, that of turning the Nile River and its canals into blood, was not directly aimed at Moses’ people, who dwelt separate in the northeastern part of Egypt known as Goshen. But they felt the effects of this plague that afflicted the whole land of Egypt for seven days. However, they knew that Jehovah was not meaning to punish them by this plague, and by suffering with the Egyptians they were enabled to feel how real a blow it was to the oppressive Egyptians. The same thing was true of the second plague, that of frogs overrunning the land of Egypt, not even the land of Goshen being spared. (Exodus 7:19 to 8:15) Pharaoh may have drawn some comfort from the fact that Moses’ own people were obliged to suffer from those plagues the same as did the Egyptians. He may have doubted that Jehovah was able to protect his own people, the Israelites, from those plagues which Egypt’s magic-practicing priests seemed to imitate. So the situation was a challenging one for Jehovah. Was he able to meet it?
21. What did the third plague force Egypt’s priests to admit, and why?
21 The first two plagues did not soften Pharaoh’s heart sufficiently. In fact, Jehovah’s yielding to Pharaoh’s cries for relief really hardened the defiant ruler. A third plague upon Egypt was now in order. It produced swarms of gnats all over Egypt. The magic-practicing priests were unable to duplicate it. They could not credit the plague to any of their demon gods. So to Pharaoh they were obliged to say: “It is the finger of God!” Notably, they did not say: ‘It is the finger of Jehovah!’ Did they deliberately sidestep saying God’s true name? At any rate, their ignoring of the true God’s name did not hide the facts, nor did it save them.—Exodus 8:16-19.
PROTECTION THROUGH WORSHIPING THE TRUE GOD
22. What question on ability of the true God to protect his worshipers arises, and how did the handling of the fourth plague answer this?
22 Is there any protection possible through worshiping the true God, even this God with the unliked name? The way in which the fourth plague upon Egypt was maneuvered answered this question in a positive way. Listen to the historic record, in Exodus 8:20-24:
23. What was Moses told to say in announcing the fourth plague, and with what outworking?
23 “Then Jehovah said to Moses: ‘Get up early in the morning and take a position in front of Pharaoh. Look! He is coming out to the water! And you must say to him, “This is what Jehovah has said: ‘Send my people away that they may serve me. But if you are not sending my people away, here I am sending upon you and your servants and your people and into your houses the gadfly; and the houses of Egypt will simply be full of the gadfly, and also the ground upon which they are. And on that day I shall certainly make the land of Goshen upon which my people are standing distinct, that no gadfly may exist there; in order that you may know that I am Jehovah in the midst of the earth. And I shall indeed set a demarcation between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will take place.’”’ And Jehovah proceeded to do so; and heavy swarms of gadflies began to invade the house of Pharaoh and the houses of his servants and all the land of Egypt. The land came to ruin as a result of the gadflies.”
24. From then on, on what two counts was Pharaoh made to know that God is Jehovah, and after what experience did Pharaoh let Jehovah’s people go?
24 Thus hardhearted Pharaoh was further made to know that the true God is Jehovah on two counts, by the plague of gadflies itself, which also could be said to be “the finger of God,” and by the miraculous separating of Jehovah’s people, the Israelites, and protecting them from the plague of gadflies. If Pharaoh had sent to the land of Goshen, he would have found this to be so, just as he did in connection with the very next plague, which struck all sorts of livestock of the Egyptians with pestilence so that they died. Concerning Pharaoh’s checkup as to whether Jehovah had really made a distinction between the livestock of the Israelites and the livestock of the Egyptians, we read: “Then Pharaoh sent, and, look! not so much as one of Israel’s livestock had died.” (Exodus 9:7) But even this was not enough knowledge of Jehovah for unteachable Pharaoh. It was only after the tenth and last plague had killed off his firstborn son and the firstborn sons of all his Egyptian subjects that he relented enough to let Jehovah’s people go. It was his own fault that he learned to know Jehovah in only the hard way for Egypt.
25. Thereafter God declared to Moses that he would get further glory for himself by means of Pharaoh how, and so the Egyptians would certainly know what?
25 Despite all of this, the God of miracles was not through with forcing Pharaoh and his subjects to know that he is Jehovah. Some days after the departure of the Israelites with all their firstborn of man and livestock with them, they encamped by the Red Sea, on its western bank, near the head of the Gulf of Suez, and “in view of Baal-zephon (“Lord of the North, or, of the Watchtower”).” Near this geographical spot Jehovah purposed to make himself known still more to his enemies. It was just as Jehovah said to Moses: “Then Pharaoh will certainly say respecting the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering in confusion in the land. The wilderness has closed in upon them.’ So I shall indeed let Pharaoh’s heart become obstinate, and he will certainly chase after them and I shall get glory for myself by means of Pharaoh and all his military forces; and the Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah.”—Exodus 14:1-4.
26. How had Jehovah now determined to settle accounts with the Egyptians, and what did he tell Moses was the purpose of this?
26 Really, then, it was not the Israelites that were trapped at the Red Sea with the Egyptian military forces fast bearing down upon them, but it was the Egyptians themselves that fell into a trap for their destruction. By this there was one final lesson that was to be given to the Egyptians in knowing Jehovah. This would settle his accounts with them. When Jehovah now told Moses that he would open up a corridor through the bed of the Red Sea for the Israelites to go forward to the eastern bank and to deliverance, he disclosed to Moses the purpose of this, saying: “As for me, here I am letting the hearts of the Egyptians become obstinate, that they may go in after them and that I may get glory for myself by means of Pharaoh and all his military forces, his war chariots and his cavalrymen. And the Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah when I get glory for myself by means of Pharaoh, his war chariots and his cavalrymen.”—Exodus 14:15-18.
27. At what plight of theirs did the Egyptian forces finally make acknowledgment of God by name, but how timelily?
27 That night, under the light of the Passover moon, the hundreds of thousands of Israelites passed across the bed of the Red Sea with the miraculously parted waters of it on each side of them. Toward morning Jehovah permitted the Egyptian military forces to enter the dried seabed in pursuit of the Israelites. When the God of Israel began to hamper the progress of their pursuers, the Egyptian military forces sensed danger and began to feel that they were fighting against Jehovah. At last making an acknowledgment of Him by name, they said to one another: “Let us flee from any contact with Israel, because Jehovah certainly fights for them against the Egyptians.” But it was too late to flee, for Jehovah sprang the trap upon them. We read:
28. On that day how did Jehovah save Israel from the hand of the Egyptians?
28 “All the while the Egyptians were fleeing from encountering it [the sea], but Jehovah shook the Egyptians off into the midst of the sea. And the waters kept coming back. Finally they covered the war chariots and the cavalrymen belonging to all of Pharaoh’s military forces and who had gone into the sea after them. Not so much as one among them was let remain. As for the sons of Israel, they walked on dry land in the midst of the seabed, and the waters were for them a wall on their right hand and on their left. Thus on that day Jehovah saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel got to see the Egyptians dead on the seashore.”—Exodus 14:21-30.
[Footnotes]
a Quoted from the words of the prophet Moses, in Psalm 90:4. See also 2 Peter 3:8.
b See the prophecy of Ezekiel, chapter twenty, verses 6-10.
c See the first book of Moses, Genesis, chapter fifteen, verses 12-14.
d See the Second Letter to Timothy, 2Ti chapter three, verse eight.
e See the book of Exodus 1:22–2:10, chapter one, verse twenty-two, through chapter two, verse ten.
f See the book of Exodus, chapter six, verse twenty.
g Exodus, chapter two, verses 11-22. |
Book for All (ba)
1997 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/book-for-all-ba | What the Book Contains
A person entering a library for the first time may find the array of books bewildering. But with a little explanation of how the books are arranged, he soon learns how to locate things. Similarly, finding your way around in the Bible is easier when you understand how its outputs are arranged.
THE word “Bible” is derived from the Greek word bi·bliʹa, which meant “papyrus rolls” or “books.”1 The Bible is actually a collection—a library—of 66 individual books, the writing of which spanned some 1,600 years, from 1513 B.C.E. to about 98 C.E.
The first 39 books, about three quarters of the Bible’s outputs, are known as the Hebrew Scriptures, since they were written mostly in that language. These books may generally be divided into three groups: (1) Historical, Genesis to Esther, 17 books; (2) Poetic, Job to The Song of Solomon, 5 books; and (3) Prophetic, Isaiah to Malachi, 17 books. The Hebrew Scriptures cover the early history of the earth and of mankind as well as the history of the ancient nation of Israel from its inception down to the fifth century B.C.E.
The remaining 27 books are known as the Christian Greek Scriptures, for they were written in Greek, the international language of the day. They are basically arranged according to subject matter: (1) the 5 historical books—the Gospels and Acts, (2) the 21 letters, and (3) the Revelation. The Christian Greek Scriptures focus on the teachings and activities of Jesus Christ and his disciples in the first century C.E. |
United in Worship (uw)
1983 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/uw | Chapter 18
We Need to Practice Godly Devotion at Home
1. (a) After learning Jehovah’s standards for marriage, what changes have many persons made? (b) But what more is involved in Christian family life?
AMONG the heartwarming truths that we learned during our earlier Bible study were those that relate to marriage and family life. We came to recognize Jehovah as the Originator of marriage and saw that in the Bible he had provided the very best guidance for families. As a result of that guidance, many persons commendably have abandoned a life of sexual immorality and had their marriage properly registered. But there is much more to Christian family life than that. It also involves our attitude as to the permanence of the marriage union, fulfillment of our responsibilities in the family, and how we deal with other family members.—Eph. 5:33–6:4.
2. (a) Does everyone apply at home what he knows from the Bible? (b) How do Jesus and Paul emphasize the importance of doing so?
2 Millions of persons know what the Bible says about these matters. But when faced with problems in their own home, they do not apply it. What about ourselves? Certainly none of us want to be like those whom Jesus condemned because they sidestepped God’s commandment requiring children to honor their parents by reasoning that a pretense of religious devotion was enough. (Matt. 15:4-9) We do not want to be persons who have a form of godly devotion but who fail to practice it “in their own household.” Rather, we should want to display true godly devotion, which is “a means of great gain.”—1 Tim. 5:4; 6:6; 2 Tim. 3:5.
How Long Will the Marriage Last?
3. (a) What is happening to many marriages, but what should our determination be? (b) Use your Bible to answer the questions listed above regarding the permanence of marriage.
3 With increasing frequency, marriage bonds are proving to be very fragile. Some mates that have been together for 20, 30 or 40 years are now deciding to start a “new life” with someone else. Also it is no longer unusual to hear that young couples have separated after only a few months of marriage. Regardless of what others are doing, as worshipers of Jehovah we should have the desire to please God. What does his Word say about this?
When a man and a woman get married, how long should they expect to stay together? (Rom. 7:2, 3; Mark 10:6-9)
What is the only basis for divorce that is valid before God? (Matt. 19:3-9; 5:31, 32)
How strongly does Jehovah feel about divorces that are not authorized by his Word? (Mal. 2:13-16)
Does the Bible advocate separation as a means to solve marital problems? (1 Cor. 7:10-13)
4. In spite of the modern trend, why do some marriages endure?
4 Why do some marriages endure, while others—even among professed Christians—are breaking up? Waiting to marry until both parties are mature is often a key factor. Finding a mate who shares one’s interests and with whom one can discuss matters openly is also important. But of greater importance is one’s being a person who practices genuine godly devotion. If a person truly loves Jehovah and is convinced that His ways are right, then there will be a sound basis for handling problems that arise. (Ps. 119:97, 104; Prov. 22:19) The marriage of such a person will not be undermined by the attitude that, if it does not work out, he can always get a separation or a divorce. He will not seize on his mate’s shortcomings as an excuse for sidestepping his own responsibilities. Instead, he will learn to face up to problems of life and find workable solutions.
5. (a) How is loyalty to Jehovah involved? (b) Even when severe hardship is encountered, what benefits can come from holding firmly to Jehovah’s standards?
5 We are well aware that the Devil contends that when we experience personal suffering we will ignore Jehovah’s ways and will conclude that it is better to decide for ourselves what is good and what is bad. But persons who are loyal to Jehovah are not like that. (Job 2:4, 5; Prov. 27:11) The vast majority of Jehovah’s Witnesses who have experienced persecution from unbelieving mates have not renounced their marriage vows. (Matt. 5:37) Some, after a period of years, have even had the joy of being joined by their mates in serving Jehovah. (1 Cor. 7:16; 1 Pet. 3:1, 2) As for others, whose mates show no signs of change or whose mates abandoned them because they held firm to their faith—these too know that they have been richly blessed by holding to Jehovah’s standards. In what way? Their circumstances have taught them to draw closer to Jehovah. They have learned to reflect godly qualities even under adversity. They are persons whose lives give evidence of the power of godly devotion.—Ps. 55:22; Jas. 1:2-4; 2 Pet. 1:5, 6.
Each One Doing His Part
6. To have a successful marriage, what arrangement must be respected?
6 Of course, more than just staying together is required in order to have a truly successful marriage. A basic need is respect on the part of each family member for Jehovah’s arrangement of headship. This contributes to good order and a feeling of security in the home.—1 Cor. 11:3; Titus 2:4, 5; Prov. 1:8, 9; 31:10, 28.
7. How should headship in the family be exercised?
7 How is that headship to be exercised? In a manner that reflects the qualities of Jesus Christ. Jesus is firm in upholding Jehovah’s ways; he loves righteousness and hates lawlessness. (Heb. 1:8, 9) He also deeply loves his congregation, provides it needed direction and cares for it. He is not proud and inconsiderate but, rather, “mild-tempered and lowly in heart,” and those who come under his headship ‘find refreshment for their souls.’ (Matt. 11:28, 29; Eph. 5:25-33) When a husband and father deals with his household in that manner, it is clear that he is subjecting himself to Christ, who set the perfect example in godly devotion. Christian mothers should, of course, reflect those same qualities in dealing with their children.
8. (a) In some homes, why may it seem that Christian methods do not get the desired results? (b) What should we do if faced with such a situation?
8 However, because of human imperfection, problems may arise. A measure of resentment toward direction from others may already have become deeply ingrained in some before anyone in the family began to apply Bible principles. Kind requests and a loving manner may not seem to get results. We know that the Bible says to put away “anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech.” (Eph. 4:31) But if some people do not seem to understand anything else, what should be done? Well, how did Jesus react when under severe pressure? He did not imitate those who threatened and reviled. Instead, he committed himself to his Father, relying on him. (1 Pet. 2:22, 23) Likewise, if trying situations arise in the home, we give evidence of godly devotion if we turn to Jehovah, praying for his help, instead of adopting the ways of the world.—Prov. 3:5-7.
9. Instead of faultfinding, what methods have many Christian husbands learned to use?
9 Changes do not always come quickly, but Bible counsel really does work. Many husbands who used to complain bitterly about their wives’ faults found that improvement began when they themselves came to appreciate more fully Christ’s dealings with his congregation. That congregation is not made up of perfect humans. Yet Jesus loves the congregation, set the right example for it, even gave his life on its behalf, and uses the Scriptures as a means to help it to improve so that it might be altogether pleasing to him. (Eph. 5:25-27; 1 Pet. 2:21) His example has encouraged many Christian husbands to work at providing a fine example and offering loving personal help toward improvement. Such methods yield much better results than does bitter faultfinding or simply refusing to talk.
10. (a) In what ways might a husband and father—even one who professes to be a Christian—be making life hard for others in his home? (b) What might be done to improve the situation?
10 Of course, it may be the husband and father whose shortcomings give rise to problems in the home. What if he is not sensitive to the emotional needs of his family or does not really take the lead by arranging for family discussion of the Bible and other activities? Some households have seen good results after frank, respectful discussions of the problem. (Prov. 15:22; 16:23; 31:26) But even if the results are not all that was hoped for, each one can make a valuable contribution to an improved home atmosphere by personally cultivating the fruits of the spirit and showing loving concern and consideration for other family members. Progress will come, not by waiting for the other person to do something, but by doing our own part well, thus showing that we personally practice godly devotion at home.—Col. 3:18-20, 23, 24.
Where to Get Answers
11, 12. (a) What provisions has Jehovah made to help us with problems in family life? (b) To benefit fully, what is it recommended that we do?
11 There are many sources to which people turn for counsel on their family affairs. But we know that God’s Word contains the very best advice, and we are grateful that through his visible organization he helps us to apply it. Are you fully benefiting from that help?—Ps. 119:129, 130; Mic. 4:2.
12 In addition to attending congregation meetings, do you have regular times set aside for family Bible study? Families that do this regularly each week become united in their worship. Their family life is enriched as they discuss application of God’s Word to their own circumstances.—Compare Deuteronomy 11:18-21.
13. (a) If we have questions on specific marital or family matters, where can we often find the needed help? (b) What should be reflected in all decisions that we make?
13 Perhaps there are questions about specific marital or family matters that concern you. For example, what about birth control? Is sterilization proper for Christians? Is an abortion justified if it seems likely that a baby will be born malformed? Are there any limitations on the kind of sex relations that are proper between husband and wife? If a youth in his teens shows little interest in spiritual matters, to what extent should he be required to share with the family in worship? You no doubt have an opinion on each of these. But can you answer on the basis of Bible principles? Each of these questions has been discussed in The Watchtower. Learn to use available indexes to find such material. If you do not have older publications to which an index refers, check the library at the Kingdom Hall. Do not expect a Yes or a No to every question. Sometimes you must decide—individually or as a married couple. But learn to make decisions that reflect your love for Jehovah and for the members of your family. Make decisions that give evidence of your earnest desire to be well pleasing to God. If you do so, it will be evident both to Jehovah and to others who know you well that you truly do practice godly devotion not only in public but also in your own home.—Eph. 5:10; Rom. 14:19.
Review Discussion
● How is loyalty to Jehovah involved in faithfulness to one’s marriage vow?
● When under pressure from family problems, what will help us to do what is pleasing to God?
● Even if others in the family fall short, what can we do to improve the situation? |
‘Know Jehovah’ (kj)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/kj | Chapter 17
A “Garden of Eden” for the Sake of His Name
1, 2. In the twentieth century B.C.E. what portion of the land of Palestine was like the “garden of Jehovah,” and how did the land of the Kingdom of Judah become like a jungle?
IN THE twentieth century before our Common Era, at least a portion of the land of Palestine looked like the garden of Eden in which the Creator placed the first man, Adam.
2 Genesis 13:10 tells us: “So Lot raised his eyes and saw the whole District of the Jordan, that all of it was a well-watered region before Jehovah brought Sodom and Gomorrah to ruin, like the garden of Jehovah.” (Genesis 2:7-15) Four hundred years later the Promised Land of Palestine was still beautiful, like a “decoration” on our earth. Jehovah spoke of it as “a land that I had spied out for them [the Israelites], one flowing with milk and honey. It was the decoration of all the lands.” (Ezekiel 20:5, 6) That included what became the territory of the Kingdom of Judah, of which Jerusalem was the capital. The Babylonian conquest of the land of Judah in 607 B.C.E. resulted in the land’s being left desolate, without human inhabitant and domestic animal. It became like a jungle. (Micah 3:12; Jeremiah 26:17, 18) Would it ever again be transformed into a land like the garden of Eden?
3, 4. After Jerusalem’s destruction, what heartwarming message concerning the land did Jehovah give to Ezekiel, and when did the enemies speak about the spiritual estate of His anointed remnant, as in Ezekiel 36:1, 2?
3 Shortly after Jewish exiles in Babylon had learned from a fugitive firsthand that Jerusalem had been struck down by the Babylonians, Jehovah gave the heartwarming assurance that the now desolated land of Judah would not always lie thus without man or domestic animal. He would lift the reproach off his name and would magnify his name by what he would miraculously do for that land. To his faithful prophet Ezekiel he said: “And as for you, O son of man, prophesy concerning the mountains of Israel, and you must say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of Jehovah. This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “For the reason that the enemy has said against you, ‘Aha! Even the high places of old time—as a possession it has become ours!’”’”—Ezekiel 36:1, 2.
4 That is the way the worldly enemies talked against the spiritual estate of the anointed remnant of spiritual Israel after this estate had been desolated by religious persecution and suppression during World War I. Christendom was then ready to take over the whole religious field during the postwar period, to the exclusion of the downtrodden remnant of spiritual Israelites. But Jehovah had other thoughts and said prophetically through Ezekiel:
5. Into what condition had the various features of the land of Israel come, and what was the attitude of the remaining nations toward the land?
5 “Therefore prophesy, and you must say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “For the reason, even for the reason that there has been a lying desolate and a snapping at you from all sides, in order for you to become a possession to the remaining ones of the nations and you continue being talked about with the tongue and there is a bad report among people, therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah! This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said to the mountains and to the hills, to the stream beds and to the valleys and to the devastated places that were laid desolate and to the abandoned cities that have come to be for plunder and for ridicule to the remaining ones of the nations that are round about; therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said,
6. How did Jehovah say that he would address himself to such nations?
6 “‘“‘Certainly in the fire of my zeal I will speak against the remaining ones of the nations and against Edom, all of it, those who have given my land to themselves as a possession with the rejoicing of all the heart, with scorn in the soul, for the sake of its pasture ground and for the plunder.’”’”—Ezekiel 36:3-5.
7, 8. What was Jehovah’s will concerning the land, how would he have to speak in order to block the greedy efforts of the nations against his will, and so what would the land of Edom become?
7 By repeated reference to himself Jehovah leaves no room for question as to who is speaking. The enemy nations right around the desolated land of Judah had their own selfish purpose regarding the vacant territory, but He, Jehovah, had another and different purpose. Those nations showed their hatred of Jehovah by coveting the desolated land of His exiled people, but he had decreed that the land should keep a sabbath of being unoccupied and unworked for seventy years. (2 Chronicles 36:19-21; Daniel 9:2) Those self-seeking nations had to be blocked in carrying out their greedy efforts against Jehovah’s will. This obliged Jehovah to speak, not just with words but more fully with deeds, “against the remaining ones of the nations and against Edom, all of it,” in the fire of his zeal for his name and his cause. This would fulfill, for instance, what he had said in the previous chapter against Edom and its mountainous region of Seir:
8 “Indefinitely lasting desolate wastes are what I shall make you, and your own cities will not be inhabited; and you people will have to know that I am Jehovah. . . . A desolate waste is what you will become, O mountainous region of Seir, even all Edom, all of it; and they will have to know that I am Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 35:9, 15.
9. Must the land of Israel lie desolate as long as the land of Edom, and what has the land of Israel borne that obliges Jehovah to speak?
9 The land of Jehovah’s exiled people was to lie desolate with no Edomites and no other enemy nationalities plundering its abandoned cities and using its pasture ground. Yes, “desolate” the land must lie, but not forever as the land of Edom was decreed to lie. “Therefore,” said Jehovah to his prophet Ezekiel, “prophesy concerning the soil of Israel, and you must say to the mountains and to the hills, to the stream beds and to the valleys, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “Look! I myself in my zeal and in my rage must speak, for the reason that humiliation by nations is what you have borne.”’”—Ezekiel 36:6.
10. By the end of World War I, why was Jehovah displeased at the way enemy religionists (particularly those of Christendom) had acted, and why should the spiritual estate of his spiritual Israel have been respected?
10 Jehovah was enraged at the way the enemy nations were humiliating the “soil of Israel” because he had permitted it to be desolated in the punishment of the Israelites because of their bloodguiltiness and idolatry. To no less degree was Jehovah displeased at the close of World War I in 1918 C.E. because of the way that the enemy religionists, particularly those of Christendom, were talking about the religious estate of Jehovah’s dedicated people (spiritual Israel). They had desolated that estate by persecution and high-handed action during the hysterical days of mankind’s first world war. True, there was some faultiness on the record back there of his remnant of spiritual Israelites, but still their religious estate ought to be respected. Why? Because it was connected with His holy name and his name ought to be respected, not misrepresented. How, then, would he speak in his zeal and rage in postwar times? Would there be any beautification again of the spiritual estate of the spiritual Israelites who were devoted to His name? Listen:
11. In Ezekiel 36:7-12, what did Jehovah say to the mountains of Israel as to whether they would be beautified again?
11 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘I myself have raised my hand in an oath that the nations that you have round about—they themselves will bear their own humiliation. And you yourselves, O mountains of Israel, will give forth your very own boughs and bear your own fruitage for my people Israel, for they have drawn near to the point of coming in. For here I am in favor of you, and I shall certainly turn toward you, and you will actually be cultivated and sown with seed. And I will multiply upon you humankind, the whole house of Israel, all of it, and the cities must become inhabited, and the devastated places themselves will be rebuilt. Yes, I will multiply upon you humankind and animalkind, and they will certainly multiply and become fruitful, and I shall actually cause you to be inhabited as in your former condition and I will do more good than in your initial state; and you will have to know that I am Jehovah. And upon you I will cause humankind to walk, even my people Israel, and they must take possession of you, and you must become a hereditary possession to them, and you will not bereave them again of any more children.’”—Ezekiel 36:7-12.
GREATER BEAUTIFICATION OF THE SPIRITUAL ESTATE
12. What kind of guarantee is Jehovah’s swearing with an oath to his statement of purpose, and what fulfillment of prophecy was there in 537 B.C.E., but what humiliation came upon enemy nations?
12 When Jehovah raises his hand in an oath and swears to anything that he purposes to do, it is impossible for it to fail of coming true. (Hebrews 6:17, 18) The solid facts of history prove that Jehovah’s sworn words were fulfilled upon the land of Judah after its lying desolate without man and domestic animal ended in 537 B.C.E. (Ezra 1:1 to 3:7) But as for Edom, before the desolation of the land of Judah ended, the prophecy of Jeremiah 25:15-21 went into fulfillment upon this age-old enemy of Israel, when the king of Babylon subjugated the land of Edom in 602-601 B.C.E. Later, according to the movement of the tides of history, the Edomites became a displaced people and, after the second destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., the Edomites ceased to exist as a people. Other enemy nations that had rejoiced at the desolating of Judah bore their own respective humiliation at the hand of the king of Babylon. (Jeremiah 25:21-24) A divine retribution!
13. As regards her predictions and hopes concerning the remnant of spiritual Israelites, how did Christendom undergo a great humiliation in 1919 C.E.?
13 In the modern outworking of Ezekiel’s prophecy, Christendom with its hundreds of religious sects underwent a great humiliation in 1919 C.E. How so? Because the humiliating things that she had predicted and hoped for against the persecuted remnant of spiritual Israelites failed to be realized. The spiritual estate of these spiritual Israelites did not continue desolate, but in that year it began to become alive with them as they fearlessly renewed their worldwide work of witnessing to Jehovah’s kingdom.—Matthew 24:14.
14. In view of what threat was there a swell in Christendom’s membership, but what happened to her membership according to the 1969 report, and what did American Roman Catholics report in 1970?
14 Because of the increased threat of world domination by atheistic communism, Christendom was recommended by democratic politicians as a powerful religious buffer against the menacing tide of international communism. At length, according to the Britannica Book of the Year 1968 church membership of Christendom swelled up to a maximum number of 977,383,000 Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox church members and Protestants. But the very next year Christendom reportedly experienced a decline, noticeably so! According to the Britannica Book of the Year 1969 (page 647) Christendom’s membership dropped to 924,274,000. This is a drop back to less than the total of 933,055,000 as estimated for the year 1963.a The following two years (1970 and 1971) no recovery of the loss was reported, no new figures being given. Indicative of what is actually taking place, however, the New York Times, under date of May 21, 1970, under the bold headlines “Catholics Report Drop in U.S. Rolls, First This Century,” stated the following:
The Roman Catholic Church in the United States experienced its first decline in membership in this century, according to figures released in the latest edition of The Official Catholic Directory.
The new total of members of the Church is 47,872,089 a decrease of 1,149 below the figure of a year ago, according to the 1970 edition of the statistical compilation issued by P. J. Keney & Sons of New York.
. . .
As for the seminaries, the total enrollments there were down to 17,317, a drop of 2,256, and there were a total of 118 of the diocesan seminaries, 19 fewer than in the preceding year. . . .
In the meantime the world population has exploded to more than 3,552,000,000.
15. What question, though, is asked about the population on the symbolic “mountains” of the spiritual estate of the “Israel of God”?
15 How, though, about the symbolic “mountains” of the spiritual estate of the “Israel of God” since the end of World War I in 1918? By the population thereof do such “mountains” now have reason to know that Jehovah is in favor of them and that the One who swore to his good word of promise with an oath is really Jehovah? Let these symbolic “mountains of Israel” recall their own recent history.
16. How was desolation brought upon the public activities of the remnant of spiritual Israel in 1918, but what occurred in the following year?
16 At the time that the government of Canada banned the book The Finished Mystery in February of 1918 and then this Bible commentary was withdrawn from circulation in March of 1918 because of the United States government’s censorship, there were 7,000 members of the anointed remnant that were actively engaged in circulating this book and other Watch Tower Society publications by personally going from house to house. (See The Watch Tower as of September 15, 1919, page 281, paragraph 3; and March 1, 1918, page 78.) Shortly thereafter there was a desolating of the public activities of the remnant of spiritual Israel on the “mountains of Israel.” But in the following year (1919) the desolated condition was brought to a halt, and those “mountains” began to be repeopled with a courageous revived remnant of spiritual Israelites.
17. From then onward, what took place upon the “mountains” of the spiritual estate of spiritual Israel, and how have the spiritual Israelites shown that they know the Doer of this to be Jehovah?
17 From then onward there was a steady increase in the active spiritual Israelites upon those mountains of their spiritual estate, enjoying the rich fruitage with which Jehovah blessed their restored relationship with Him. In the year 1928 there were 44,080 of the remnant who were reporting an active part in the proclamation of the good news of Jehovah’s Messianic kingdom. By that time they knew that the Divine One who was doing such wonderful things for them in spite of worldwide opposition was Jehovah. After the question was raised in the Watch Tower issue of January 1, 1926, page 3, “Who will honor Jehovah?” they responded: “We will do so.” This decision they backed up with vigorous action. They appreciated that the time had come for Jehovah to “make an indefinitely lasting name for his own self.” (Isaiah 63:12; 2 Samuel 7:23) Realizing more keenly than ever that he was taking out of all nations a “people for his name,” the anointed remnant saw good to identify themselves before all the world by the name drawn from the Holy Scriptures, Jehovah’s witnesses.—Isaiah 43:10; 44:8.
18. In 1935 who began to become active with the anointed remnant of the symbolic “mountains of Israel,” and today how have those “mountains” more reason than ever before to “know that I am Jehovah”?
18 By the year 1935 the “great crowd” of the Fine Shepherd’s “other sheep” began to get associated with the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites and thus became active upon the symbolic “mountains of Israel.” Consequently the number active in the preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom rose to 59,047 in 1938, this including a number of those “other sheep.” (John 10:16; Revelation 7:9-17) Even the worldwide persecutions during World War II did not bereave the symbolic “mountains of Israel” of its population or even reduce it, for at the close of World War II in 1945 there were 127,478 world wide who were announcing Jehovah’s established Messianic kingdom. In the years since then the growth each year of the population on those symbolic “mountains of Israel” has been steady, until in February of this year 1971 there were 1,502,180 who reported a share in the worldwide witness to God’s name and kingdom. It has been truly from Jehovah that humankind has been multiplied upon those “mountains of Israel,” and today, more than ever, they have reason to know “that I am Jehovah.”
19. As regards the symbolic “mountains of Israel” becoming a “hereditary possession” of restored spiritual Israel, what question arose as to occupancy thereof as well as to their identifying name?
19 So since 1919 the remnant of spiritual Israel has taken possession of those “mountains of Israel,” and these have become a “hereditary possession to them.” (Ezekiel 36:12) They have shared the Kingdom fruitage and privileges of this spiritual estate with the increasing “great crowd” of sheeplike ones whom the reigning King, Jesus Christ, is now separating from the goatlike people of all the nations. (Matthew 25:31-46) When the name, Jehovah’s witnesses, was first embraced by the anointed remnant in the year 1931, the question arose in the mind of many worldly observers: “Will the name stick?” Likewise, another question called for an answer: “Will the spiritual estate pictured by the ‘mountains of Israel’ prove to be too difficult a responsibility and hardship for the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites to occupy and hold? Especially so in the postwar period with its atheistic communism, Fascism and Nazism, dictators, militant ‘Catholic Action,’ nationalism, Brain Age intellectualism, irreligiousness and lowered moral standards.”
20, 21. Because of the pressures of such worldly things, what question arose as to how the “mountains” would deal with their occupants, and what assurance did Jehovah give in addressing those “mountains”?
20 Would the pressures from such worldly things in this age of anarchy and violence cause the restored spiritual Israelites to disappear from their newly occupied spiritual estate, as if they were devoured, swallowed up by invading aggressors or by a famine in their land? No! This post-restoration spiritual estate was certain to retain and sustain a faithful remnant of spiritual Israelites. Of this their God gave the assurance in these prophetic words addressed to the land of Israel:
21 “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘For the reason that there are those saying to you: “A devourer of humankind is what you yourself are, and a land bereaving your nations of children is what you have become,”’ ‘therefore humankind you will no more devour, and your nations you will no more bereave of children,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah. ‘And I shall cause no further humiliating talk by the nations to be heard concerning you, and reproach by peoples you will bear no more, and your nations you will no more cause to stumble,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 36:13-15.
22, 23. How had the land of Canaan gained a bad reputation as a devourer of its inhabitants, and how did Jehovah remove that “reproach” both in the case of natural Israel and in the case of spiritual Israel?
22 The land of Canaan had a bad reputation respecting the destruction of its peoples as if being devoured by the land. (Numbers 13:32) When Jehovah brought the Israelites into the land of Canaan in 1473 B.C.E. and they proceeded to destroy seven nations, it was as if the land ate up, devoured those inhabitants.
23 In 607 B.C.E. the king of Babylon conquered the land of Judah and deported many hundreds of surviving Jews and the land became desolate without man and domestic beast. It again appeared as if the land had devoured its inhabitants and had bereaved the nation of the Kingdom of Judah of its children just as earlier, in 740 B.C.E., it had bereaved the nation of the Kingdom of Israel of its children. But by Jehovah’s special blessing and protection the once desolated land was not to have another experience like this in connection with the remnant of faithful Israelites that were restored from exile in Babylon in 537 B.C.E. and thereafter. So too it has been with the spiritual estate to which a remnant were restored in the postwar year of 1919 C.E. They are still there, alive, fruitful, multiplying.
HAVING COMPASSION ON HIS HOLY NAME
24, 25. Was it because of their own worthiness or merit that such divine goodness came upon Jehovah’s remnant, and how does He explain the matter in Ezekiel 36:16-21?
24 Was it because of their own worthiness or merit that all such divine goodness came upon the typical remnant in 537 B.C.E. and afterward and upon the antitypical remnant in 1919 C.E. and afterward? No! Why not? Because they had made their former God-given estate unclean by bloodshed and idolatry. Hence Jehovah explains:
25 “And the word of Jehovah continued to occur to me, saying: ‘Son of man, the house of Israel were dwelling upon their soil, and they kept making it unclean with their way and with their dealings. Like the uncleanness of menstruation their way has become before me. And I proceeded to pour out my rage upon them on account of the blood that they had poured out upon the land, which land they had made unclean with their dungy idols. And I proceeded to scatter them among the nations, so that they were dispersed among the lands. According to their way and according to their dealings I judged them. So they came in to the nations where they came in, and people proceeded to profane my holy name in saying with reference to them, “These are the people of Jehovah, and from his land they have gone out.” And I shall have compassion on my holy name, which the house of Israel have profaned among the nations where they have come in.’”—Ezekiel 36:16-21.
26. Israel’s going as exiles out of their own land gave what appearance to Jehovah, so affecting his name in what way, and why did he have to show self-respect also in the case of His modern-day remnant?
26 Because the Israelites had gone out from Jehovah’s land as exiles, it appeared that Jehovah, their professed God, was not able to protect them against their enemies. This brought reproach upon his holy name. It caused the Gentile nations to speak profanely of his name. Similarly when the anointed remnant of spiritual Israelites were brought into bondage to Babylon the Great and her political and military paramours during World War I, it made it seem as if they as members of the International Bible Students Association were not genuine Christians. It seemed as if the true God was not on their side and was not protecting them. This brought reproach upon the name of the God of the Bible to whom they were truly dedicated as baptized disciples of Christ. Hence Jehovah was obliged to show self-respect by having compassion on his own name. It was a holy name and did not deserve to be profaned by worldlings. Because he had a devoted remnant who were connected with his name, then whatever he did in compassion on his name would call for compassion on that remnant.
27, 28. For the sake of whom or what was Jehovah bringing the Israelites back onto their own soil, and what relationship would then exist between Him and them?
27 That his own holy name and its reputation was the main thing to be taken into account, God made plain to Ezekiel, saying:
28 “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “Not for your sakes am I doing it, O house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have come in.”’ ‘And I shall certainly sanctify my great name, which was being profaned among the nations, which you profaned in the midst of them; and the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘when I am sanctified among you before their eyes. And I will take you out of the nations and collect you together out of all the lands and bring you in upon your soil. And I will sprinkle upon you clean water, and you will become clean; from all your impurities and from all your dungy idols I shall cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I shall put inside you, and I will take away the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And my spirit I shall put inside you, and I will act so that in my regulations you will walk, and my judicial decisions you will keep and actually carry out. And you will certainly dwell in the land that I gave to your forefathers, and you must become my people and I myself shall become your God.’”—Ezekiel 36:22-28.
29. For the sake of what did Jehovah restore his anointed remnant in 1919, and how did it become apparent that He was their liberator and restorer?
29 Not for any worthiness on their part, but for the sake of his own holy name Jehovah restored the anointed remnant of spiritual Israel to their privileged estate in 1919 C.E., soon after World War I ended. This surprised the nations of Christendom and of heathendom. It became evident to them that the Lord God was acting in favor of them after all. And when they plainly made public that the name of their God is Jehovah (as on page 14 of The Harp of God, published in 1921),b then the nations had no excuse for not knowing who the liberator and restorer of the remnant of spiritual Israelites was. Then Jehovah’s declaration of purpose that applies to nations who profaned God’s name because of what happened to the spiritual Israelites went into effect:
30. What divine purpose of international importance then went into effect?
30 “‘And the nations will have to know that I am Jehovah,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘when I am sanctified among you before their eyes.’”—Ezekiel 36:23, NW; AS.
31. Despite what procedure on the part of modern Bible translators has the divine name become more widely known?
31 Evidently because the divine name has become so prominently connected with Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, translators in Christendom who are bringing out new, modern versions of the Holy Bible omit the name Jehovah, almost or altogether, and substitute for it the word “GOD” or “the LORD.” Nonetheless, the name of Jehovah becomes more widely known because He has sanctified it among his remnant of spiritual Israelites before the eyes of the Gentile nations inside and outside Christendom.
32. How have Jehovah’s dedicated people endeavored to sanctify his name among the nations, and what have nations that tamper with his faithful people found out?
32 The nations are being shown that Jehovah has produced a dedicated people who regard His name as so holy, so sacred, so worthy of reverence, that they seek to keep it from reproach due to any misconduct on their part; rather, they seek to do all things for the glory of His name. So they choose to obey Him as Ruler rather than men when there is any conflict between God’s law and laws framed by God-ignoring men. (Acts 5:29) When the nations harass and persecute the people whom Jehovah has taken out for his name, these nations find that they have an embarrassing problem on their hands. They find that when they use their political power to frame “trouble by decree,” frame “mischief by a law” against the people bearing Jehovah’s name, this legal subterfuge does not work out in the end and Jehovah makes it public that he has no alliance or fellowship with such troublemakers. (Psalm 94:20, NW; AV; Zechariah 12:2-4) No nation can unrighteously tamper with His faithful witnesses without having eventually to reckon with Jehovah.
33. How has Jehovah cleansed his restored remnant, even from “dungy idols,” and what kind of “heart” has he given them?
33 As the impurities of menstruation are washed away with clean water, so Jehovah has cleansed his restored remnant from religious uncleanness by his cleansing agencies, like sprinkling clean water upon them. Since he has cleansed them from the “dungy idols” of this worldly system of things, how consistent it is for them to refuse to idolize political, military or religious dignitaries or to make idolatrous gestures and attitudes toward images, statues or emblems! He has taken away from them any stoniness of heart and given them a “heart of flesh” that has love and affection to move them to keep his judicial decision and to walk in his regulations.
34. What does the “new spirit” that he has given to them produce, and to what extent has he become their God?
34 He has put a “new spirit,” that is, “my spirit,” inside them, so that they produce the fruitage of His spirit such as “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control,” against which things there is no divine law. (Galatians 5:22, 23) As baptized followers of his Son Jesus Christ they have indeed become Jehovah’s people, and he has become their God to whom their exclusive devotion is given.—Ezekiel 36:25-28.
35. Jehovah promised to bless his restored people in what way, and why would their feelings show that it was not for their sakes that He did this?
35 In order to correct any misimpression that the nations got about Him because of his disciplining his people, Jehovah has thus abundantly blessed his restored remnant since 1919. It has been just as he prophetically promised through his prophet Ezekiel: “‘And I will save you from all your impurities and call to the grain and make it abound, and I shall put upon you no famine. And I shall certainly make the fruitage of the tree abound, and the produce of the field, in order that you may no more receive among the nations the reproach of famine. And you will be bound to remember your bad ways and your dealings that were not good, and you will be bound to feel a loathing at your own person on account of your errors and on account of your detestable things. Not for your sakes am I doing this,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, ‘let it be known to you. Be ashamed and feel humiliation because of your ways, O house of Israel.’”—Ezekiel 36:29-32.
36. Because of such undeserved goodness to them, how do they feel respecting the things they did in the past, and for God’s letting what be known to them are they grateful?
36 Because of such divine goodness to them in their restored spiritual estate, the members of the anointed remnant feel a loathing of themselves when they look back at what they were in the past, taking note of their errors and bad dealings that were not glorifying to God’s name. It makes them ashamed, it makes them feel humiliated, just to think about it. This attitude takes away from them any inclination to engage in spiritual and immoral impurities once again, willingly. Thus, because of the effect that Jehovah’s undeserved kindness has upon them in their restored estate, he saves them from all their impurities. They keenly appreciate that it was not for any past goodness of theirs, not for their sakes, that, figuratively speaking, he called for the life-sustaining grain to sprout up from the ground and produce so abundantly, so that worldly nations cannot reproach them for having any famine of spiritual food and provisions. They are thankful for God’s letting it be known to them that for the sake of his holy name he has done all this for them. So in all humility they sanctify the name of Jehovah in their lives.
“LIKE THE GARDEN OF EDEN” WITH A POPULATION
37, 38. Consequently, what has the spiritual estate of the restored remnant now become, and how did Jehovah foretell this to Ezekiel?
37 Because of such divine compassion in behalf of Jehovah’s name, the spiritual estate of the restored remnant has become a spiritual Paradise. Informed observers who noted the transformation have acknowledged this. It is just as the name-respecting God has foretold, saying:
38 “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘In the day of my cleansing you from all your errors I will also cause the cities to be inhabited, and the devastated places must be rebuilt. And the desolated land itself will be cultivated, whereas it had become a desolate waste before the eyes of every passerby. And people will certainly say: “That land yonder which was laid desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the cities that were a waste and that were laid desolate and that were torn down are fortified; they have become inhabited.” And the nations that will be left remaining round about you will have to know that I myself, Jehovah, have built the things torn down, I have planted what has been laid desolate. I myself, Jehovah, have spoken and I have done it.’”—Ezekiel 36:33-36.
39. What does Ezra 3:1, 2 tell us about the start of the ancient fulfillment of that prophecy?
39 Regarding the start of the ancient fulfillment of that bright prophecy, it is written, in Ezra 3:1, 2: “When the seventh month [Tishri] arrived [at the close of the seventy years of desolation in 537 B.C.E.] the sons of Israel were in their cities. And the people began to gather themselves as one man to Jerusalem. And Jeshua the son of Jehozadak and his brothers the priests and [Governor] Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers proceeded to rise up and build the altar of the God of Israel, to offer up burnt sacrifices upon it, according to what is written in the law of Moses the man of the true God.” The Israelites that returned from Babylon then numbered 42,360, along with whom there came 7,337 slaves and some 200 to 245 professional singers. This amounted to almost 50,000 persons.—Ezra 2:64, 65; Nehemiah 7:66, 67.
40. What, corresponding with that first postexile gathering in Jerusalem, took place in 1919 C.E. concerning Jehovah’s restored people?
40 Likewise in the year 1919 of our Common Era, the release in March of eight prominent officials and agents of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society from the federal penitentiary at Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., occurred as a symbol of the release of the International Bible Students from Babylonish bondage and oppression. The very next month, on Sunday night, April 13, many thousands of these dedicated Bible Students gratefully gathered together in their congregations around the world to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, that being the anniversary of Jesus’ instituting of this memorial of his death. Early reports from congregations that had an attendance of thirty or more in just eight European cities and 164 other cities in North and South America showed a total attendance of 17,961. Later additional reports were not published. (See The Watch Tower under date of May 15, 1919, page 151.) Later that year, on September 1-8, the first postwar general convention of the International Bible Students Association was held in Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A., attended by some 6,000 Bible Students. The public attendance was 7,000 on Sunday, September 7, 1919.
41. How did the figurative “cities” that had been desolated become “fortified” and “inhabited”?
41 The congregations of the restored remnant of spiritual Israelites were like the cities of ancient Israel. They became “fortified” especially by the better organization of them for actively carrying out Jesus’ prophecy of Matthew 24:14, to preach the good news of God’s established kingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations. They became more fully fortified in the year 1938 when the centralized theocratic rule, rather than the local congregational rule, of organization was applied to all the congregations around the globe. The number of these fortified congregations and their inhabitants increased.
42. Why was it manifestly Jehovah that did this, and how was the presenting of the “fruits” of God’s kingdom amplified?
42 Jehovah himself was manifestly the One who did this, forasmuch as the nations of Christendom and of the world were in opposition to it or not cooperative with it. He was the One that blessed the spiritual estate of his restored remnant so that it became very fruitful and productive. To amplify the presenting of the “fruits” of God’s kingdom to all the inhabited earth, printing plants were established by the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society and enlarged in many parts of the earth for the production of Bible literature by the millions of copies in many languages, for the restored remnant to distribute free to the people or at a surprisingly small nominal contribution. The terrible havoc wrought by World War II of 1939-1945 did not decrease this.—Matthew 21:43.
43. Besides the “fruits” of God’s kingdom, in what other way did the congregation of Jehovah’s people become fruitful, and what were honest observers obliged to exclaim about their spiritual estate?
43 Not only did the offering of the “fruits” of the Kingdom increase by the expanding of the Kingdom preaching world wide, but the spirituality of the congregations grew also. Especially so after World War II, despite the now increased tempo in the demoralization of human society inside Christendom as well as outside. Among the congregations the “fruitage of the spirit” of God became more luxuriant with “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22, 23) This has become manifest not only in the local congregations of Jehovah’s witnesses but also in the more public gatherings, in circuit, district, national and international assemblies throughout the earth. In contrast with the dilapidated religious condition of Christendom, honest observers of the spiritual prosperity of the spiritual estate of Jehovah’s witnesses have been obliged to exclaim: “That land yonder which was laid desolate has become like the garden of Eden.” (Ezekiel 36:35) To whom is this due?
44. To whom was this transformation due, and who should take note of that fact?
44 The real credit for this goes, not to the anointed remnant and the “great crowd” of Christ’s “other sheep,” but to Jehovah. Long ago he had spoken of it prophetically. In our time He has done it. For the sake of his much-maligned Name he has transformed the once desolated spiritual estate of his anointed remnant into a spiritual Paradise, a “garden of Eden,” which, like the original garden of Eden in Adam’s day, is the planting of Jehovah. (Genesis 2:7-9) Let the nations of the world take note of that fact.
45. Through Ezekiel, what did Jehovah promise to do about the uninhabited cities of Judah, and what were the exiled Israelites then to do about this?
45 Back there in the days of the prophet Ezekiel in exile in Babylon this Paradisaic transformation of the desolated homeland was something yet to be sought and searched for, with decades of exile for them yet to undergo in Babylon. This state of affairs at that time is what God commented upon to his prophet Ezekiel, saying: “This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘This is what I shall yet let myself be searched for by the house of Israel to do for them: I shall multiply them like a flock with men. Like a flock of holy persons, like the flock of Jerusalem in her festal seasons, thus the cities that had been a waste will become full of a flock of men; and people will have to know that I am Jehovah.’”—Ezekiel 36:37, 38.
46. As regards the prophecy of the repeopling of the cities of the land of Judah, how does the situation of the anointed remnant today contrast with that of the exiled Jews?
46 Back there, over two thousand five hundred years ago, that repeopling of the devastated cities of the land of Judah needed to be searched for from Jehovah by those exiled Jews who repented and who desired the fulfillment of Jehovah’s merciful promises, especially for the sanctifying and vindicating of his holy name. A number of those exiled Jews did survive and return to their homeland to see the realization of Jehovah’s promise to repopulate their beloved homeland. (Ezra 3:12) Today, in this twentieth century, we are decades removed from the liberation year of 1919. For the anointed remnant it is no longer a matter of searching for Jehovah to repopulate with holy persons the spiritual estate of the “Israel of God.” This is now an accomplished fact, and the end of the fulfillment of the prophecy is not yet.—Galatians 6:16.
47. How extensively have the congregations of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses increased, and how, as regards a “flock of holy persons,” is it manifest that He has done better for their spiritual estate than at its beginning?
47 On the six great continents above the Antarctic region and on the islands of the seven seas the number of congregations of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses has increased, in order to enjoy as widely as possible the spiritual estate, the spiritual Paradise, of the Christian Israel of God. In doing better or more good for the spiritual estate of his Christian witnesses than at its beginnings or in its “initial state,” Jehovah has filled it with a vast “flock of men.” (Ezekiel 36:11) As the twelve tribes of Israel used to flock to Jerusalem and its temple during the three “festal seasons” of the year (at Passover, at Pentecost, and at the festival of booths), so Jehovah’s Christian witnesses have enjoyed flocking together, not only to their local Kingdom Halls, but, in an amazing manner, to their regular circuit, district, national and international assemblies.
48. How is the case of the “Men of Goodwill” District Assemblies from June to December, 1970, an example of such flocking?
48 For instance, during the district assemblies designated as for “Men of Goodwill,” in the year 1970, the attendances surpassed expectations. At these district assemblies on all six continents the talk for the general public was mainly on the subject “Saving the Human Race—in the Kingdom Way.”c The attendances at these from June into December totaled over a million.
49. In what way of salvation, as stated by Peter to Jews on the day of Pentecost, do Jehovah’s Christian witnesses still believe?
49 Back in the year 33 C.E., at the festal season of Pentecost, at the beginning of the Christian congregation, the apostle Peter said to a flock of Jews who were interested in everlasting salvation: “And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Acts 2:21; quoted from Joel 2:32) Jehovah’s Christian witnesses of today still believe in that unchangeable way of salvation.
50. How does God’s name become known through this flocking together of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, and what may be said about the people seeking life-giving association with them?
50 For that reason they not only flock together, but also make known the name of Jehovah as the divine Author of salvation through his Son Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:10-14) Otherwise, from just the flocking of His dedicated people it would not become known by the people that, as He said, “I am Jehovah.” But because the increasing flock of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses proclaim his name everywhere as the one name to call upon for salvation through Jesus Christ, more and more people are seeking the life-giving association with these witnesses. At the annual celebration of the Lord’s Supper on March 22, 1970, what was the attendance world wide? The total of reports received showed it to be 3,226,168. (Page 43 of 1971 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses) This was for over 26,000 congregations of Jehovah’s witnesses.
51. From a comparison of the published number of Kingdom proclaimers and the number of attenders at the Lord’s Supper, what is evident regarding Jehovah’s declared purpose, and why?
51 At the time of their celebrating that annual memorial of the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world,” there was just an average of 1,384,782 witnesses of Jehovah who were regularly proclaiming the good news of Jehovah’s Messianic kingdom in more than two hundred lands. From the difference between that number of active proclaimers and the worldwide attendance at the Lord’s Supper, it is evident that nearly two million persons were then experiencing what the accredited Doer of all these marvelous things foretold, namely, “people will have to know that I am Jehovah.” (Ezekiel 36:38) Beyond all contradiction this Jehovah has transformed the once desolated spiritual estate of his anointed witnesses, the present remnant of spiritual Israel, into a spiritual “garden of Eden,” and this He has done for the sake of his own worthy name.—Ezekiel 36:22.
[Footnotes]
a See Britannica Book of the Year 1964, page 728, column 1.
b The Harp of God reached a printing of 5,819,037 copies, in 22 languages. It is now out of print and out of stock.
c In Freetown, Sierra Leone, Lagos, Nigeria, and in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, the public talk was eninputd “Restoration of All Things of Which God Spoke.”
[Graph on page 321]
Increase in number of proclaimers of GOD’S NAME
(Each person represents 100,000 proclaimers)
YEAR
1939 61,589
1942 106,000
1945 127,478
1948 230,532
1951 384,694
1954 525,924
1957 653,273
1960 851,378
1963 956,648
1966 1,058,675
1969 1,256,784
1971 1,502,180 (Feb.) |
Favored Over Any Toys | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102008013 | Favored Over Any Toys
Can small children prefer a book to toys? Indeed they can if parents introduce books to them from infancy. Mebrahtu and Angela, a couple in California, U.S.A., began reading the book Learn From the Great Teacher to their daughter from the time she was brought home from the hospital.
“As a result,” wrote the parents, “she has come to love the Teacher book. At only 12 months of age, she began verbally requesting that we read her what she called the Jesus book. Julianna is now three years old and anxiously awaits the cozy sessions she has with Mom or Dad each day. It is not an exaggeration to say that our daughter favors this book over any toys. The pictures and illustrations are helpful teaching tools in themselves. We, as her parents, learn a lot too.”
You may request a copy of this beautifully illustrated 256-page book, which has the same page size as this magazine. Simply fill in the accompanying coupon and mail it to the address provided or to an appropriate address listed on page 5 of this magazine.
□ Without obligation, I request a copy of the book shown here.
□ Please contact me concerning a free home Bible study. |
What Is God’s Kingdom? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008002 | What Is God’s Kingdom?
WHAT was the theme of Jesus’ preaching? According to Jesus himself, it was God’s Kingdom. (Luke 4:43) When people listened to him speak, they surely heard many references to that Kingdom. Were they puzzled or mystified? Did they ask him what this Kingdom was? No. The Gospels record no such questions. So was God’s Kingdom a familiar concept to those people?
The fact is, the ancient Scriptures that the Jews revered as holy described that Kingdom, revealing in vivid and concrete terms what it is and what it will accomplish. Today, we can learn even more about the Kingdom in much the same way—by going to the Bible. Let us consider seven truths that the Bible teaches us about the Kingdom. The first three were readily available to the Jews of Jesus’ day and earlier. The next three were revealed by Christ or by his apostles during the first century. The last one has become apparent in our own time.
1. God’s Kingdom is a real government, one that will last forever. The Bible’s first prophecy revealed that God would send a rescuer to faithful mankind. Called the “seed,” this One would undo the terrible ills that were set in motion by the rebellion of Adam, Eve, and Satan. (Genesis 3:15) Much later, faithful King David was told something thrilling about this “seed,” or Messiah. He would rule over a Kingdom. This government would differ from all others. It would endure forever.—2 Samuel 7:12-14.
2. God’s Kingdom will put an end to all human governments. The prophet Daniel was given a vision in which he saw a succession of world powers, stretching down through history into our own time. Notice the thrilling climax to that vision: “In the days of those [final human] kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.” So all the kingdoms, or governments, of this world—with their wars, oppression, and corruption—will be destroyed forever. As Daniel’s prophecy shows, God’s Kingdom will soon rule over the whole earth. (Daniel 2:44, 45) A concrete reality, it will remain the only government in existence.a
3. God’s Kingdom will end wars, sickness, famine, even death itself. Thrilling Bible prophecies reveal what God’s Kingdom will do here on the earth. That government will accomplish what no human agencies have ever done or could ever do. Imagine—all weapons of war destroyed forever! “He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.” (Psalm 46:9) No more doctors, hospitals, or disease of any kind. “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24) No more famines, food shortages, malnutrition, or starvation. “There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth.” (Psalm 72:16) No more funerals, wakes, cemeteries, morgues, or the misery that accompanies them. Death, our relentless enemy, will be vanquished at last. God “will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.”—Isaiah 25:8.
4. God’s Kingdom has a Ruler chosen by God. The Messiah is not self-appointed, nor is he selected by imperfect humans. He is personally chosen by Jehovah God. The very inputs Messiah and Christ suggest as much. Both words mean “Anointed One.” So this King is anointed, or designated for his special office, by Jehovah. God says of him: “Look! My servant, on whom I keep fast hold! My chosen one, whom my soul has approved! I have put my spirit in him. Justice to the nations is what he will bring forth.” (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:17, 18) Who knows better than our Creator what kind of Ruler we need?
5. The Ruler of God’s Kingdom has demonstrated his worthiness before all mankind. Jesus of Nazareth proved to be the foretold Messiah. He was born in the family line God had specified. (Genesis 22:18; 1 Chronicles 17:11; Matthew 1:1) When on earth, he fulfilled scores of prophecies about the Messiah that were recorded centuries earlier. He was also identified from heaven as the Messiah. How so? Well, God spoke from heaven, identifying him as His own Son; angels pointed Jesus out as the foretold Messiah; and Jesus performed miracles—often in front of hundreds or even thousands of eyewitnesses—that clearly drew on the power of God.b Jesus showed over and over again what kind of Ruler he would be. He had not only the power to help people but the desire as well. (Matthew 8:1-3) He was unselfish, compassionate, courageous, and humble. The record of his life on earth is there in the Bible for all to read.
6. God’s Kingdom has 144,000 corulers with the Christ. Jesus said that others, including his apostles, would rule in heaven with him. He called this group the “little flock.” (Luke 12:32) Later, the apostle John was told that this little flock would total 144,000 in number. They would have a thrilling work assignment in heaven, ruling as kings and serving as priests along with Christ.—Revelation 5:9, 10; 14:1, 3.
7. God’s Kingdom, now ruling in heaven, is poised to establish its rule over the whole earth. This last truth is one of the most thrilling we can learn. The Bible gives ample evidence that Jesus has been granted his authority as King in heaven. He is ruling there now, in our own time, and very soon he will extend his rule to all the earth and fulfill the magnificent prophecies we have already mentioned. But how can we be sure that God’s Kingdom is ruling now? And when will it begin to rule over the earth?
[Footnotes]
a Such prophecies as this one show that God’s Kingdom is not something within our heart, as many have been taught. See the article “Our Readers Ask,” on page 13.
b See, for example, Matthew 3:17; Luke 2:10-14; John 6:5-14. |
What Is the Battle of Armageddon? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502014295 | What Is the Battle of Armageddon?
The Bible’s answer
The battle of Armageddon refers to the final war between human governments and God. These governments and their supporters oppose God even now by refusing to submit to his rulership. (Psalm 2:2) The battle of Armageddon will bring human rulership to an end.—Daniel 2:44.
The word “Armageddon” occurs only once in the Bible, at Revelation 16:16. Prophetically, Revelation shows that at “the place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon,” “the kings of the entire inhabited earth” will be gathered “together to the war of the great day of God the Almighty.”—Revelation 16:14.
Who will fight at Armageddon? Jesus Christ will lead a heavenly army to victory over God’s enemies. (Revelation 19:11-16, 19-21) These enemies include those who oppose God’s authority and who treat God with contempt.—Ezekiel 39:7.
Will Armageddon literally be fought in the Middle East? No. Rather than being restricted to one area, the battle of Armageddon will encompass the whole earth.—Jeremiah 25:32-34; Ezekiel 39:17-20.
Armageddon, sometimes rendered “Har–Magedon” (Hebrew Har Meghiddohnʹ), means “Mountain of Megiddo.” Megiddo was once a city in the territory of ancient Israel. History tells of decisive battles that were fought in its vicinity, including some that are recorded in the Bible. (Judges 5:19, 20; 2 Kings 9:27; 23:29) However, Armageddon cannot refer to the literal area near ancient Megiddo. There is no large mountain there, and even the entire adjoining Low Plain of Jezreel could not contain all those who will fight against God. Instead, Armageddon is the worldwide situation in which the nations assemble in their last stand against rule by God.
What will conditions be like during the battle of Armageddon? While we do not know how God will use his power, he will have at his disposal weapons such as those he has used in the past—hail, earthquake, flooding downpour, fire and sulfur, lightning, and disease. (Job 38:22, 23; Ezekiel 38:19, 22; Habakkuk 3:10, 11; Zechariah 14:12) In confusion, at least some of God’s enemies will kill each other, yet they will ultimately realize that it is God who is fighting against them.—Ezekiel 38:21, 23; Zechariah 14:13.
Will Armageddon be the end of the world? It will not be the end of our planet, since the earth is mankind’s eternal home. (Psalm 37:29; 96:10; Ecclesiastes 1:4) Rather than destroying humanity, Armageddon actually saves it, because “a great crowd” of God’s servants will survive.—Revelation 7:9, 14; Psalm 37:34.
Besides referring to the earth, though, the word “world” in the Bible sometimes refers to wicked human society opposed to God. (1 John 2:15-17) In this sense, Armageddon will bring “the end of the world.”—Matthew 24:3, King James Version.
When will Armageddon take place? When discussing the “great tribulation” that culminates in the battle of Armageddon, Jesus said: “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:21, 36) Nevertheless, the Bible does show that Armageddon takes place during Jesus’ invisible presence, which began in 1914.—Matthew 24:37-39. |
Table of outputs | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2020243 | Table of outputs
IN THIS ISSUE
Study Article 1: March 2-8, 2020
2 “Go, Therefore, and Make Disciples”
Study Article 2: March 9-15, 2020
8 You Can Be “a Source of Great Comfort”
Study Article 3: March 16-22, 2020
14 Jehovah Your God Values You!
Study Article 4: March 23-29, 2020
20 “The Spirit Itself Bears Witness”
Study Article 5: March 30, 2020–April 5, 2020
26 We Will Go With You |
Listen and Live (ll)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/listen-and-live-ll | Introduction
God is like a loving father. 1 Peter 5:6, 7
God is our Creator, and he cares for us. Just as a wise and loving father instructs his children, so God teaches people everywhere the best way to live.
God reveals precious truths that fill us with joy and hope.
If you listen to God, he will guide and protect you and help you deal with problems.
But there is more—you will live forever!
“Come to me,” God tells us. “Listen, and . . . keep alive.” Isaiah 55:3 |
Mankind’s Search for God (sh)
1990 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sh | Chapter 4
Searching for the Unknown Through Magic and Spiritism
1. What did Paul tell the Athenians on the Areopagus? Why?
“MEN of Athens, I behold that in all things you seem to be more given to the fear of the deities than others are.” (Acts 17:22) That was what the Christian apostle Paul told a crowd assembled on the Areopagus, or Mars’ Hill, in the ancient city of Athens, Greece. Paul made that remark because earlier he had seen that “the city was full of idols.” (Acts 17:16) What had he seen?
2. What demonstrated the Athenians’ fear of the deities?
2 Without a doubt, Paul had seen a variety of Greek and Roman gods in that cosmopolitan city, and it was obvious that the life of the people was wrapped up in their worship of the deities. For fear that by chance they might neglect to venerate any important or powerful deity who could thus become incensed, the Athenians even included “an Unknown God” in their worship. (Acts 17:23) That clearly demonstrated their fear of the deities.
3. Is the fear of deities limited to the Athenians?
3 Of course, fear of the deities, especially of unknown ones, is not limited to the Athenians of the first century. For thousands of years, it has dominated nearly all mankind. In many parts of the world, almost every aspect of the people’s life is directly or indirectly involved with some deity or with spirits. As we have seen in the previous chapter, the mythologies of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and others were deeply rooted in ideas about gods and spirits, which played an important role in personal and national affairs. During the Middle Ages, stories about alchemists, sorcerers, and witches were rampant throughout the realm of Christendom. And the situation is much the same today.
Rites and Superstitions Today
4. What are some popular customs that are apparently instructioned to deities or spirits?
4 Whether people are aware of it or not, many things that they do are instructioned with superstitious practices or beliefs, some having to do with deities or spirits. For example, did you know that birthday observance has its origin in astrology, which attaches great importance to one’s exact birth date? What about the birthday cake? It appears to be related to the Greek goddess Artemis, whose birthday was celebrated with moon-shaped honey cakes topped with candles. Or did you know that wearing black at funerals was originally a ruse to escape the attention of evil spirits said to be lurking on such occasions? Some black Africans paint themselves white, and mourners in other lands wear unusual colors so that the spirits will not recognize them.
5. What are some common superstitions that you know of?
5 Besides these popular customs, people everywhere have their superstitions and fears. In the West, breaking a mirror, seeing a black cat, walking under a ladder, and, depending on where you are, Tuesday or Friday the 13th are all viewed as omens foreboding something evil. In the East, the Japanese wear their kimono with the left side folded over the right, for the other way is reserved for corpses. Their houses are built with no windows or doors facing the northeast so that the demons, which are said to come from that direction, will not find the entrance. In the Philippines, people remove the shoes of the dead and place them beside the legs before the burial so that “Saint” Peter will welcome them. Old folks tell youngsters to behave by pointing out that the figure on the moon is “Saint” Michael, watching and writing down their deeds.
6. To what extent are people involved with spiritism today?
6 Belief in spirits and deities, however, is not limited to seemingly harmless customs and superstitions. In both primitive and modern societies, people have resorted to various means in order to control or appease the fearsome spirits and to gain the favor of the benevolent ones. Naturally, we may first think of people in remote jungles and mountains who consult spirit mediums, medicine men, and shamans (priests of magic) when sick or otherwise in dire straits. But people in cities large and small also go to astrologers, psychic readers, fortune-tellers, and soothsayers to inquire about the future or to obtain help in making important decisions. Some, even though nominally belonging to one religion or another, pursue such practices with enthusiasm. Many others have made spiritism, black magic, and the occult their religion.
7. What questions do we need to consider?
7 What is the source or origin of all these practices and superstitions? Are they just different ways of approach to God? And most important, what do they do for those who follow them? To find the answers to these questions, we must look back into the history of man and get a glimpse of his early ways of worship.
Reaching for the Unknown
8. What unique quality sets humans apart from lower creatures?
8 Contrary to what evolutionists may claim, a human possesses a spiritual dimension that makes him different from and superior to the lower creatures. He is born with the urge to search out the unknown. He is ever struggling with questions such as: What is the meaning of life? What happens after one dies? What is man’s relationship to the material world and, in fact, to the universe? He is also driven by the desire to reach out to something higher or more powerful than himself in order to gain some control over his environment and his life.—Psalm 8:3, 4; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Acts 17:26-28.
9. How does one scholar describe “spirituality”?
9 Ivar Lissner in his book Man, God and Magic put it this way: “One can only marvel at the perseverance with which man has striven, throughout his history, to reach outside himself. His energies were never directed solely toward the necessities of life. He was forever questing, groping his way further, aspiring to the unattainable. This strange and inherent urge in the human being is his spirituality.”
10. What shows that man has a natural urge to reach out to God?
10 Of course, those who do not believe in God do not view matters quite that way. They generally attribute this human tendency to man’s needs, psychological or otherwise, as we have seen in Chapter 2. However, is it not our common experience that when faced with danger or a desperate situation, most people’s first response is to appeal to God or some higher power for help? This is just as true today as it was in times past. Thus, Lissner went on to say: “No one who has carried out research among the oldest primitive peoples can fail to understand that they all conceive of God, that they possess a lively awareness of a supreme being.”
11. What is the result of man’s effort to reach out to the unknown? (Compare Romans 1:19-23.)
11 How they endeavored to satisfy that inborn desire to reach out to the unknown was quite another matter. Nomadic hunters and herdsmen trembled at the power of wild beasts. Farmers were particularly attuned to the changes in weather and seasons. Dwellers of the jungles reacted quite differently from people living in the deserts or mountains. In the face of these varied fears and needs, people developed a bewildering variety of religious practices through which they hoped to appeal to the benevolent gods and appease the fearsome ones.
12. What common features can be seen in the religious practices of people everywhere?
12 In spite of the great diversity, however, there are certain common features recognizable in these religious practices. Among them are reverence and fear of sacred spirits and supernatural powers, the use of magic, divining the future by signs and omens, astrology, and diverse methods of fortune-telling. As we examine these features, we will see that they have played a major role in shaping the religious thinking of people around the world and throughout the ages, even including people today.
Sacred Spirits and Supernatural Powers
13. What might have been puzzling to people in times past?
13 The life of people in early times seemed to be filled with mystery. They were surrounded by inexplicable and perplexing events. For example, they could not understand why a perfectly robust person should suddenly fall ill, or why the sky should fail to give rain at the usual season, or why a bare, seemingly lifeless, tree should turn green and appear full of life at a certain time of the year. Even one’s own shadow, heartbeat, and breath were mysteries.
14, 15. Because of lack of understanding and guidance, to what did man most likely attribute the unexplainable? (Compare 1 Samuel 28:3-7.)
14 With man’s inborn spiritual inclination, it was only natural that he attribute these mysterious things and happenings to some supernatural power. However, lacking proper guidance and understanding, his world soon came to be filled with souls, spirits, ghosts, and demons. For example, the Algonquian Indians of North America call a person’s soul otahchuk, meaning “his shadow,” and the Malays of Southeast Asia believe that when a man dies, his soul escapes through his nostrils. Today, belief in spirits and departed souls—and attempts to communicate with them in some fashion—is nearly universal.
15 In the same manner, other things in the natural environment—sun, moon, stars, oceans, rivers, mountains—seemed to be alive and to exert a direct influence on human activities. Since these things appeared to occupy a world of their own, they were personified as spirits and deities, some benevolent and helpful, others wicked and harmful. Worship of created things came to occupy a prominent place in almost all religions.
16. How was worship of spirits, deities, and sacred objects manifested?
16 We can find beliefs of this kind in the religions of practically every ancient civilization. The Babylonians and Egyptians worshiped their gods of the sun, moon, and constellations. Animals and wild beasts were also among their objects of veneration. The Hindus are noted for their pantheon of gods, numbering into the millions. The Chinese have always had their sacred mountains and their river gods, and they express their filial piety in ancestor worship. The ancient Druids of the British Isles held oak trees as sacred, and they gave special reverence to mistletoe growing on oak. Later, the Greeks and Romans contributed their share; and belief in spirits, deities, souls, demons, and sacred objects of all sorts became solidly entrenched.
17. How is worship of created things still in evidence today?
17 Though some people today may view all such beliefs as superstitions, these ideas are still to be found in the religious practices of many people around the world. Some still believe that certain mountains, rivers, strangely shaped rocks, old trees, and numerous other things are sacred, and they worship them as objects of devotion. They build altars, shrines, and temples at these places. For example, the Ganges River is sacred to the Hindus, whose fondest wish is to bathe in it while alive and have their ashes scattered on it after death. Buddhists consider it an extraordinary experience to worship at the shrine in Buddh Gaya, India, where the Buddha is said to have gained enlightenment under a bodhi tree. Catholics go on their knees to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico or bathe in the “sacred” waters at the shrine in Lourdes, France, in search of miraculous cures. Veneration of created things rather than of the Creator is still very much in evidence today.—Romans 1:25.
The Rise of Magic
18. To what did the belief in spirits and deities lead?
18 Once the belief had been established that the inanimate world was full of spirits, good and bad, it led easily to the next step—attempts to communicate with the good ones for guidance and blessings and to appease the evil ones. The result was the practice of magic, which has flourished in practically every nation past and present.—Genesis 41:8; Exodus 7:11, 12; Deuteronomy 18:9-11, 14; Isaiah 47:12-15; Acts 8:5, 9-13; 13:6-11; 19:18, 19.
19. (a) What is magic? (b) Why does magic seem believable to many people?
19 In its most basic sense, magic is an effort to control or coerce the natural or supernatural forces to do man’s bidding. Not knowing the real cause of many everyday happenings, people in earlier societies believed that the repetition of certain magical words or incantations, or the performance of some ritual, could bring about certain desired effects. What lent credibility to this sort of magic was that some of the rituals actually worked. For example, the medicine men—essentially magicians or sorcerers—of the Mentawai Islands west of Sumatra were reported to be surprisingly effective in curing people suffering from diarrhea. Their magical formula was to have the sufferers lie face down near the edge of a cliff and lick the ground from time to time. What made it work? The soil on the cliffs contained kaolin, the white clay commonly used in some of today’s diarrhea medicines.
20. How did magic come to dominate people’s lives?
20 A few successes of this kind quickly negated all the failures and established the reputation of the practitioners. They soon became members held in awe and high esteem—priests, chiefs, shamans, medicine men, witch doctors, mediums. People went to them with their problems, such as the healing and the prevention of sickness, finding lost items, identifying thieves, warding off evil influences, and meting out vengeance. Eventually there came to be a large body of superstitious practices and rituals that dealt with these matters as well as other events in life, like birth, coming of age, betrothal, marriage, death, and burial. The power and mystery of magic soon dominated every aspect of the people’s lives.
Rain Dances and Spells
21, 22. What is meant by “imitative magic”? Illustrate.
21 In spite of the enormous variety in the magical practices of different peoples, the basic ideas behind them are remarkably similar. First, there is the idea that like produces like, that a desired effect can be produced by mimicking it. This is sometimes called imitative magic. For example, when shortage of rain threatened their crops, the Omaha Indians of North America danced around a vessel of water. Then one of them drank some of the water and spit it into the air in imitation of a sprinkle or shower. Or a man might roll on the ground like a wounded bear to ensure that he would be successful in his bear hunt.
22 Other people had more elaborate rituals, including chants and offerings. The Chinese would make a large paper or wooden dragon, their rain-god, and parade it around, or they would take the idol of their deity out of the temple and place it in the sun so that it could feel the heat and perhaps send rain. The ritual of the Ngoni people of East Africa includes pouring beer into a pot buried in the ground in a rain temple and then praying, “Master Chauta, you have hardened your heart towards us, what would you have us do? We must perish indeed. Give your children the rains, there is the beer we have given you.” Then they drink the remaining beer. This is followed by song and dance and the shaking of branches dipped in water.
23. How did witchcraft and the casting of spells develop? (Compare Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13.)
23 Another idea behind magical practices is that objects that have belonged to a person continue to influence him even after they are separated from him. This led to the practice of casting a spell on someone by working on something that once belonged to that person. Even in 16th- and 17th-century Europe and England, people still believed in witches and wizards who could cause people harm with this kind of power. The techniques included such things as making a wax image of a person and sticking pins into it, writing his name on a piece of paper and then burning it, burying a piece of his clothing, or doing other things to his hair, fingernail cuttings, sweat, or even excrement. The extent of these and other practices can be seen by the fact that Acts of Parliament were enacted in England in 1542, 1563, and 1604 declaring witchcraft a capital offense. In one manner or another, this form of magic has been practiced by people in almost every nation throughout the ages.
The Future in Signs and Omens
24. (a) What is divination? (b) How did the Babylonians practice divination?
24 Often magic is employed to uncover hidden information or to peer into the future by signs and omens. This is known as divination, and the Babylonians were noted for it. According to the book Magic, Supernaturalism, and Religion, “they were masters in the arts of prescience, predicting the future from the livers and intestines of slaughtered animals, from fire and smoke, and from the brilliancy of precious stones; they foretold events from the murmuring of springs and from the shape of plants. . . . Atmospheric signs, rain, clouds, wind, and lightning were interpreted as forebodings; the cracking of furniture and wooden panels foretold future events. . . . Flies and other insects, as well as dogs, were the carriers of occult messages.”
25. How did Ezekiel and Daniel refer to the practice of divination in ancient Babylon?
25 The Bible book of Ezekiel reports that on one military campaign, “the king of Babylon stood still at the crossways, at the head of the two ways, in order to resort to divination. He has shaken the arrows. He has asked by means of the teraphim; he has looked into the liver.” (Ezekiel 21:21) Conjurers, sorcerers, and magic-practicing priests were also a regular part of the Babylonian court.—Daniel 2:1-3, 27, 28.
26. What was one form of divination popular among the Greeks?
26 People of other nations, both Oriental and Occidental, also dabbled in many forms of divination. The Greeks consulted their oracles regarding great political events as well as mundane private affairs such as marriage, travel, and children. The most famous of these was the oracle of Delphi. Answers, thought to be from the god Apollo, were provided through the priestess, or Pythia, in unintelligible sounds and were interpreted by the priests to create ambiguous verses. A classic example was the answer given to Croesus, king of Lydia, which said: “If Croesus crosses the Halys, he will destroy a mighty empire.” It turned out that the mighty empire destroyed was his own. Croesus met defeat at the hands of Cyrus the Persian when he crossed the Halys to invade Cappadocia.
27. To what extent did the Romans engage in divination?
27 In the West the craft of divination reached a peak with the Romans, who were preoccupied with omens and portents in nearly everything they did. People of every social class believed in astrology, witchcraft, talismans, fortune-telling, and many other forms of divination. And according to an authority on Roman history, Edward Gibbon, “the various modes of worship, which prevailed in the Roman world, were all considered by the people, as equally true.” The famous statesman and orator Cicero was an expert in looking for omens in the flight of birds. The Roman historian Petronius observed that judging by the multitude of religions and cults in some Roman towns, there must have been more gods than people in them.
28. How did the Chinese practice divination in ancient times?
28 In China, more than 100,000 pieces of oracle bones and shells dating from the second millennium B.C.E. (the Shang dynasty) have been unearthed. They were used by the Shang priests in seeking divine guidance for everything from weather to the movement of troops. The priests wrote questions in an ancient script on these bones. Then they heated the bones and examined the cracks that appeared and wrote down the answers right on the same bones. Some scholars believe that from this ancient script, Chinese writing developed.
29. What principle of divination is set forth in I Ching?
29 The most well-known ancient Chinese treatise on divination is the I Ching (Canon of Changes; pronounced Yee-Jing), said to be written by the first two Chou emperors, Wen Wang and Chou Kung, in the 12th century B.C.E. It contains detailed explanations of the interplay of the two opposing forces yin and yang (dark-bright, negative-positive, female-male, moon-sun, earth-heaven, and so on), which many Chinese still believe to be the controlling principles behind all life’s affairs. It presents the picture that everything is ever changing and nothing is permanent. To succeed in any undertaking, one must be aware of and act in harmony with all the changes of the moment. Thus, people ask questions and cast lots and then turn to the I Ching for answers. Through the centuries, the I Ching has been the basis for all manner of fortune-telling, geomancy, and other forms of divination in China.
From Astronomy to Astrology
30. Describe the development of early astronomy.
30 The orderliness of the sun, moon, stars, and planets has long been a source of fascination for people on earth. Star catalogs dating back to 1800 B.C.E. have been discovered in Mesopotamia. Based on such information, the Babylonians were able to predict many astronomical events, such as lunar eclipses, the rising and setting of constellations, and certain movements of the planets. The Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Indians, Greeks, Romans, and other ancient people likewise observed the sky and kept detailed records of astronomical events. From these records they built their calendars and ordered their yearly activities.
31. How did astronomy give birth to astrology?
31 From the astronomical observations, it became noticeable that certain events on earth seemed to synchronize with certain celestial events. For example, the change of the seasons followed closely the movement of the sun, the tides ebbed and flowed in phase with the moon, the annual flooding of the Nile always followed the appearance of Sirius, the brightest star. The natural conclusion was that the heavenly bodies played a significant role in causing these and other events on earth. In fact, the Egyptians called Sirius the Bringer of the Nile. The notion that the stars influenced events on earth quickly led to the idea that the heavenly bodies could be counted on to foretell the future. Thus astronomy gave birth to astrology. Soon, kings and emperors kept official astrologers in their courts to consult the stars concerning important national affairs. But the common people likewise looked to the stars regarding their personal fortunes.
32. In what ways did the Babylonians practice astrology?
32 The Babylonians, once again, come into the picture. They viewed the stars as the heavenly abodes of the gods, just as the temples were their earthly abodes. This gave rise to the concept of grouping the stars into constellations as well as the belief that disturbances in the heavens, such as eclipses or appearances of certain bright stars or comets, foreboded sorrow and war on earth. Hundreds of reports by astrologers to the kings were found among the artifacts unearthed in Mesopotamia. Some of these stated, for instance, that an impending lunar eclipse was a sign that a certain enemy would suffer defeat or that the appearance of a certain planet in a certain constellation would spell “great wrath” on earth.
33. What did Isaiah say about the Babylonian “lookers at the stars”?
33 The extent to which the Babylonians relied on this form of divination can further be seen in the taunting words of the prophet Isaiah against them when foretelling Babylon’s destruction: “Stand still, now, with your spells and with the abundance of your sorceries, in which you have toiled from your youth . . . Let them stand up, now, and save you, the worshipers of the heavens, the lookers at the stars, those giving out knowledge at the new moons concerning the things that will come upon you.”—Isaiah 47:12, 13.
34. Who were the “Magi” that came to the infant Jesus?
34 From Babylon, astrology was exported to Egypt, Assyria, Persia, Greece, Rome, and Arabia. In the East, the Hindus and Chinese also had their elaborate systems of astrology. The “Magi” that the evangelizer Matthew reported came to the infant Jesus were “astrologers from eastern parts.” (Matthew 2:1, 2) Some scholars believe that these astrologers might have been of the Chaldean and Medo-Persian school of astrology from Parthia, which had been a province of Persia and later became the independent Parthian Empire.
35. What developed in astrology from the time of the Greeks?
35 It was the Greeks, however, who developed astrology into the form that is practiced today. In the second century C.E., Claudius Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer in Alexandria, Egypt, gathered all the existing astrological information into four books, called the Tetrabiblos, that have served as the basic text for astrology until now. From this, developed what is commonly called natal astrology, that is, a system for predicting a person’s future by studying his birth chart, or horoscope—a chart showing the positions of the sun, the moon, and various planets among the constellations as seen from a person’s birthplace at the moment of his birth.
36. What is the evidence that astrology became respectable?
36 By the 14th and 15th centuries, astrology had gained wide acceptance in the West. Universities taught it as a discipline, which required working knowledge of languages and mathematics. Astrologers were viewed as scholars. The writings of Shakespeare are full of allusions to astrological influences on human affairs. Every royal court and many noblemen retained private astrologers for ready consultation. Hardly any project—be it war, building, business, or travel—was undertaken without the stars’ being consulted first. Astrology had become respectable.
37. How has advancement of science affected astrology?
37 Even though the work of astronomers like Copernicus and Galileo, along with the advance of scientific inquiry, has greatly discredited astrology as a legitimate science, it has survived until this day. (See box, page 85.) To heads of State as well as to the man on the street, whether from technologically advanced nations or remote villages in developing countries, this mysterious craft, initiated by the Babylonians, developed by the Greeks, and further expanded by the Arabs, still wields wide influence today.
Destiny Written in the Face and the Palm
38. What led to further forms of divination related to the human hand and face?
38 If looking to the heavens for signs and omens about the future seems intangible, there are other more immediate and easily accessible ways available to those who dabble in the art of divination. The Zohar, or Sefer ha-zohar (Hebrew, Book of Splendor), a 13th-century text of Jewish mysticism, declared: “On the firmament which envelops the universe, we see many figures formed by the stars and planets. They reveal hidden things and profound mysteries. Similarly, upon our skin which encircles the human being there exist forms and traits that are the stars of our bodies.” This philosophy led to further ways of divination, or foretelling the future, by examining the face and the palm of the hand for prophetic signs. Both in the East and in the West, such practices are still widespread. But it is clear that their origins are rooted in astrology and magic.
39. What is physiognomy, and how has it been applied?
39 Physiognomy is fortune-telling by examining the features of the face, such as the shape of the eyes, nose, teeth, and ears. In Strasbourg in 1531, one John of Indagine published a book on the subject in which he provided vivid engravings of faces with a variety of shapes of eyes, nose, ears, and so on, along with his interpretations. Interestingly, he quoted the words of Jesus Christ at Matthew 6:22, “If, then, your eye is simple, your whole body will be bright,” as the basis for saying that large, bright, and round eyes signified integrity and good health, whereas sunken and small eyes were signs of envy, malice, and suspicion. However, in a similar book, Compendium of Physiognomy, published in 1533, the author Bartolommeo Cocle claimed that large and round eyes signified a fickle and lazy person.
40. (a) What is chiromancy? (b) How was the Bible appealed to for support of chiromancy?
40 According to diviners, next to the head, the hand reflects the forces from above more than any other part of the body. Thus, reading the lines of the hand to determine one’s character and destiny is another popular form of divination—chiromancy, commonly referred to simply as palmistry. Chiromancers of the Middle Ages searched the Bible for support of their craft. They came up with verses such as “He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work” and “Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.” (Job 37:7; Proverbs 3:16, KJ) The bumps, or mounts, of the hand were also considered because it was thought they represented the planets and thus revealed something about the individual and his future.
41. How do people in the Orient practice divination?
41 Fortune-telling by studying the features of the face and of the hand is immensely popular in the Orient. Besides the professional readers and advisers offering their services, amateurs and do-it-yourselfers abound because books and publications of every level are widely available. People often dabble in palm reading as a source of amusement, but many take such matters seriously. In general, however, people are seldom output with employing just one means of divination. When they are faced with serious problems or important decisions, they will go to their temple, be it Buddhist, Taoist, Shinto, or other, to inquire of the gods, then to the astrologer to consult the stars, to the fortune-teller to read their palm and look at their face, and, after all of that, come home and inquire of their departed ancestors. Somewhere they hope to find an answer that seems appropriate to them.
Just Innocent Fun?
42. To what has people’s natural desire to know the future led them?
42 It is natural that everyone should want to know what the future holds. The desire to secure good fortune and to avert what may be harmful is also universal. That is why people throughout the ages have looked to spirits and deities for guidance. In so doing, they became involved in spiritism, magic, astrology, and other superstitious practices. People in the past wore amulets and talismans to protect themselves, and they turned to medicine men and shamans for cures. People today still carry “Saint” Christopher medals or wear “good luck” charms, and they have their séances, Ouija boards, crystal balls, horoscopes, and tarot cards. Where spiritism and superstition are concerned, mankind seems to have changed little.
43. (a) How do many feel about spiritism, magic, and divination? (b) What questions about superstitious practices need answering?
43 Many people, of course, realize that these are nothing but superstitions and that there is no real basis to them. And they might add that they do it just for fun. Others even argue that magic and divination are actually beneficial because they provide psychological assurance to people who might otherwise be too intimidated by the obstacles they face in life. But is all of this just innocent fun or a psychological boost? What really is the source of the spiritistic and magical practices that we have considered in this chapter as well as the many others that we have not mentioned?
44. Fundamentally, what can be said about the basis for all such practices?
44 In the course of examining the various aspects of spiritism, magic, and divination, we have noted that they are closely tied to beliefs in departed souls and the existence of spirits, good and evil. Thus, fundamentally, belief in spirits, magic, and divination is based on a form of polytheism rooted in the doctrine of the immortality of the human soul. Is this a sound basis on which to build one’s religion? Would you consider worship based on such a foundation acceptable?
45. What question about food offered to idols confronted the first-century Christians?
45 The Christians in the first century were confronted with the same questions. They were surrounded by the Greeks and Romans, with their many gods and deities as well as their superstitious rituals. One ritual was the practice of offering food to idols and then sharing in eating the food. Should anyone who loved the true God and was interested in pleasing him participate in such rituals? Note how the apostle Paul answered that question.
46. What did Paul and the early Christians believe about God?
46 “Now concerning the eating of foods offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even though there are those who are called ‘gods,’ whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords,’ there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him.” (1 Corinthians 8:4-6) To Paul and the first-century Christians, true religion was not the worship of many gods, not polytheism, but was devotion to only “one God the Father,” whose name the Bible reveals when it says: “That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”—Psalm 83:18.
47. How did Paul reveal the true identity of the ‘gods and lords in heaven or on earth’?
47 We should note, however, that although the apostle Paul said “an idol is nothing,” he did not say that the “gods” and “lords” to whom people turned with their magic, divination, and sacrifices were nonexistent. What, then, is the point? Paul made it clear later in the same letter when he wrote: “But I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God.” (1 Corinthians 10:20) Yes, through their gods and lords, the nations were actually worshiping the demons—angelic, or spirit, creatures who rebelled against the true God and joined forces with their leader, Satan the Devil.—2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9.
48. What danger from the occult still exists today, and how can it be avoided?
48 Often people take pity on the so-called primitive people who were enslaved by their superstitions and fears. They say they are repulsed by the bloody sacrifices and savage rites. And rightly so. Yet, to this day we still hear about voodoo, satanic cults, even human sacrifices. Though these may be extreme cases, they nonetheless demonstrate that interest in the occult is still very much alive. It might begin with ‘innocent fun’ and curiosity, but the result is often tragedy and death. How wise it is to heed the Bible’s warning: “Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.”—1 Peter 5:8; Isaiah 8:19, 20.
49. What will be the object of the investigation in the subsequent chapters of this book?
49 Having considered how religion began, the diversity in ancient mythologies, and the various forms of spiritism, magic, and superstition, we will now turn our attention to the more formal major religions of the world—Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto, Judaism, the churches of Christendom, and Islām. How did they get started? What do they teach? What influence do they have on their believers? These and other questions will be considered in the following chapters.
[Blurb on page 76]
Some magic seemed to work
[Box on page 85]
Is Astrology Scientific?
Astrology claims that the sun, moon, stars, and planets can influence affairs on earth and that the configuration of these heavenly bodies at the moment of one’s birth plays a role in one’s life. However, scientific discoveries present formidable challenges:
▪ The work of astronomers like Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler has clearly demonstrated that the earth is not the center of the universe. It is also known now that often the stars that appear to be in a constellation are not really bound in a group. Some of them may be deep in space, while others may be relatively near. Thus, the zodiacal properties of the various constellations are purely imaginary.
▪ The planets Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were unknown to early astrologers because they were not discovered until the invention of the telescope. How, then, were their “influences” accounted for by the astrological charts drawn up centuries earlier? Furthermore, why should the “influence” of one planet be “good” and another “evil,” when science knows now that basically they are all masses of lifeless rock or gases, hurtling in space?
▪ The science of genetics tells us that the basis of our personality traits is formed, not at birth, but at conception, when one of the millions of sperm cells from the father unites with a single egg cell from the mother. Yet, astrology fixes one’s horoscope by the moment of birth. This difference of about nine months should give one a completely different personality profile in astrological terms.
▪ The timing of the sun’s journey among the constellations as seen by an earthbound observer is today about one month behind what it was 2,000 years ago when the astrology charts and tables were drawn up. Thus, astrology would cast a person born in late June or early July as a Cancer (highly sensitive, moody, reserved). Actually, however, the sun is in the constellation Gemini at that time, which should make the person communicative, witty, chatty.
Clearly, astrology has no rational or scientific ground on which to stand.
[Pictures on page 71]
Broken mirrors, black cats, and some numbers are a basis for superstitions. The Chinese character for “four” sounds like “death” in Chinese and Japanese
[Pictures on page 74]
Left, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico, where Catholics pray for miraculous cures.
Right, Stonehenge, England, where ancient Druids are said to have worshiped the sun
[Picture on page 80]
Some people consult shamans and witch doctors
[Pictures on page 81]
Others have their séances, Ouija boards, crystal balls, tarot cards, and fortune-tellers
[Pictures on page 82]
Divination in the Orient, using inscriptions on tortoiseshells and the yin-yang symbol, has a long history
[Pictures on page 87]
Many people consult horoscopes, believing that the position of the sun, moon, planets, and stars at the moment of birth affects their lives
[Pictures on page 90]
By shaking a fortune stick out of the container, the devotee gets a message and an interpretation |
Survival (su)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/su | Chapter 5
Reliable Foregleams of Mankind’s Future
1. Why does Bible prophecy always prove to be accurate?
WE HAVE sound reasons for confidence in what the Bible tells us regarding the future. Its prophecies are not based on the guesswork of men who have studied trends and then made predictions. “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.” (2 Peter 1:20, 21) Because of that, Bible prophecy has proved to be accurate in every detail.
2. Give examples of prophecies about world affairs.
2 It foretold the rise and fall of world empires by name—Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. It announced nearly two centuries in advance how Babylon would fall and the name of its conqueror. This was fulfilled in detail. It predicted that the city of Babylon would eventually become a desolate waste, never again to be inhabited. That condition continues to our day. (Daniel 8:3-8, 20-22; Isaiah 44:27–45:2; 13:1, 17-20) Other nations not named in the Bible were described in advance in such detail that well-informed persons can readily identify them.
3. Are there prophecies that are not stated in the form of predictions?
3 It should be realized, however, that there is more than one kind of prophetic information in the Bible. We have already observed this in connection with the miracles of Jesus, which served as portents of what mankind will experience under God’s Kingdom. Other portions of the Scriptures that may not use language that sounds like prediction also contain prophetic elements.
FASCINATING PROPHETIC PATTERNS
4. How are we alerted to the prophetic significance of the Mosaic Law?
4 The Bible book of Hebrews, for example, opens our eyes to the prophetic significance of matters that a casual reader might view as being simply history. It reveals that “the [Mosaic] Law has a shadow of the good things to come.”—Hebrews 10:1.
5. What illustrates that objects may typify something greater?
5 At times objects were used to make prophetic patterns. For example, with regard to the sacred tent, or tabernacle, built by Moses at Jehovah’s direction, along with the services performed at it, the divinely inspired writer of Hebrews explains that it was “a typical representation and a shadow of the heavenly things.” It pictured Jehovah’s great spiritual temple, the Most Holy of which is in the heavens. Thus, “when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come to pass, through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, he entered, no, not with the blood of goats and of young bulls, but with his own blood, once for all time into the holy place and obtained an everlasting deliverance for us. . . . Christ entered, not into a holy place made with hands, which is a copy of the reality, but into heaven itself, now to appear before the person of God for us.” (Hebrews 8:1-5; 9:1-14, 24-28) Great benefits come to Christians from the spiritual realities here described, and appreciation for these should be reflected in our course of life.—Hebrews 9:14; 10:19-29; 13:11-16.
6. What prophetic significance is ascribed to persons at (a) Galatians 4:21-31? (b) Matthew 17:10-13?
6 Persons referred to in the Scriptures also served as prophetic types. At Galatians 4:21-31 a detailed example of this is explained in the case of Abraham’s wife Sarah (said to correspond to “Jerusalem above”) and the servant girl Hagar (identified with the earthly “Jerusalem today”) and their children. In another case Jesus helped his disciples to perceive that Elijah the prophet had his counterpart in John the Baptist, who, like Elijah, was fearless in exposing hypocritical religious practices.—Matthew 17:10-13.
7. In what respects was Jesus Christ prefigured by (a) Solomon? (b) Melchizedek?
7 Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and the prosperity and peace of his reign, aptly prefigured Jesus Christ. (1 Kings 3:28; 4:25; Luke 11:31; Colossians 2:3) Although the account in Genesis concerning Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek is very brief, Psalm 110:1-4 indicates that it, too, is filled with meaning, because the Messiah would become “a priest to time indefinite according to the manner of Melchizedek,” that is, he would receive his priesthood by direct appointment of God, not because of the family in which he would be born. Later, the letter to the Hebrews enlarges on this and associates appreciation for such truths with Christian maturity, an important quality for those who are seeking to please God.—Hebrews 5:10-14; 7:1-17.
8. (a) What example shows that experiences in life may be prophetic? (b) Does every aspect of such an experience necessarily have a parallel in the fulfillment?
8 It is evident that the prophetic parallels involve more than the office or position of persons. They also include their experiences in life. On one occasion when the Jewish religious leaders displayed their unbelief, Jesus said to them: “A wicked and adulterous generation keeps on seeking for a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.” (Matthew 12:38-40; Jonah 1:17; 2:10) However, Jesus did not say that everything in Jonah’s life foreshadowed what he himself would experience. When given an assignment by Jehovah, Jesus did not run away, as Jonah had tried to flee to Tarshish. But as Jesus indicated, Jonah’s experience in the belly of the big fish was included in the Bible record because it served to provide prophetic details about Jesus’ own death and resurrection.—Matthew 16:4, 21.
9. (a) What prophetic aspects did Jesus point out in two periods of history? (b) Under inspiration, what further significant details did Peter mention?
9 Certain periods of history also provide prophetic foregleams that are of particular interest to us. When speaking of the time leading up to his own revelation in Kingdom power, Jesus drew parallels with two other occasions when divine judgment was executed on wicked people. He spoke of “the days of Noah” and “the days of Lot” as being significant, especially highlighting the preoccupation of people then with everyday affairs of life. He urged us to take prompt action and not to turn back with a longing for things left behind, as the wife of Lot had done. (Luke 17:26-32) In the apostle Peter’s second inspired letter further significant details are mentioned—the disobedience of angels before the Flood, Noah’s preaching activity, the distress that Lot felt because of the law-defying indulgence of the people of Sodom, the fact that by cutting off the wicked in his due time God was setting a pattern of things to come, and the evidence that God can and without fail will deliver his faithful servants.—2 Peter 2:4-9.
10. By comparing Jeremiah with Revelation, show that fulfilled prophecies may have further prophetic value.
10 When prophecies have been fulfilled, this does not mean that they are now of mere historical interest. Both the advance notification of what was to take place and the way it was fulfilled are often prophetic of even more far-reaching events in the future. This is true of what is recorded about ancient Babylon, an empire that was outstandingly religious and whose influence is still felt around the world in our day. Although Babylon fell to the Medes and the Persians in 539 B.C.E., the book of Revelation, written at the end of the first century C.E., draws on the language of the prophet Jeremiah and points to a yet future application of the prophecies, in connection with Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. As examples of this, compare Revelation 18:4 with Jeremiah 51:6, 45; Revelation 17:1, 15 and Re 16:12 with Jeremiah 51:13 and Jer 50:38; Revelation 18:21 with Jeremiah 51:63, 64.
11. What prophetic significance is there in the record of Jehovah’s dealings with apostate Israel and with Judah when unfaithful? Why?
11 In like manner, Jehovah’s dealings with the apostate ten-tribe kingdom of Israel and with the faithless kings and priests of the two-tribe kingdom of Judah are prophetic. Both the prophecies that applied to those ancient kingdoms and their fulfillment, recorded in the Scriptures, paint a vivid picture of how God will deal with modern-day Christendom, which also claims to serve the God of the Bible but flagrantly violates his righteous commandments.
12. How are we personally benefited by such accounts?
12 All these accounts, therefore, are of significance today. They help us to understand how God views situations in our day and what we personally must do in order to survive the coming great tribulation. We are thus helped to appreciate more fully the fact that “all Scripture is . . . beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.”—2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
WAS IT ALL PREARRANGED?
13. How do we know that God did not induce people to commit sins so that prophetic patterns could be made?
13 Are we to understand from all of this that the conduct of people and nations recorded in the Bible was all prearranged by God so that it would have prophetic import? It is evident that God himself dealt with his servants in the past in a certain manner so as to provide a pattern of greater things that he had in mind for the future. But what about the actions of humans? Some of them committed serious sins. Did God induce them to commit these in order to make up the Bible record? The Christian Bible writer James answers: “With evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.” (James 1:13) God did not cause them to do wrong so that prophetic patterns could be made.
14. (a) How does Jehovah know what humans, or even Satan, will do at a future time? (b) In what ways does Jehovah’s knowledge of himself and of his purpose enter into Bible prophecy?
14 Do not forget that Jehovah is mankind’s Creator. He knows how we are made and what causes people to act the way they do. (Genesis 6:5; Deuteronomy 31:21) He can accurately foretell the outcome for people who live in harmony with his righteous principles and what the results will be for those who try to ignore their need for God or who pervert his ways. (Galatians 6:7, 8) He knows that the Devil will continue to use tactics similar to those he used in the past. Jehovah also knows what he himself will do under given circumstances, that he will act in harmony with the lofty qualities of justice, impartiality, love and mercy, which he has always manifested. (Malachi 3:6) Since Jehovah’s purposes are certain to be accomplished, he can foretell the results and the steps that he will take to accomplish them. (Isaiah 14:24, 27) So he could select events from the lives of individuals and nations and have these incorporated in the Bible to provide foregleams of what the future will bring.
15. How did the apostle Paul emphasize that Bible accounts are much more than mere history?
15 Appropriately, therefore, after relating events from Israel’s history, the apostle Paul said to fellow Christians: “Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.” (1 Corinthians 10:11) And to the Christian congregation in Rome he wrote: “All the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) When we thus appreciate that Bible accounts are more than mere history, we can begin to draw from them marvelous foregleams of mankind’s future.
[Box/Pictures on page 41]
PROPHETIC PATTERNS—Pointing to What?
The Days of Noah
The Tabernacle
King Solomon
Jonah in a Fish’s Belly for Three Days
Fall of Babylon |
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