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Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 190
A Song to Jehovah
(Psalm 92:1, 2)
1. This song with joy we sing today
To God, who leads us on our way.
Our thanks to him we do convey
And praise him with our song.
In loving-kindness great is he.
So close to him we’ve come to be.
His truth has really set us free.
To him we now belong.
2. We thank God for his splendid light
That guides us through this world’s dark night.
O how it shines so clear and bright
With rays that comfort bring!
We thank him for the Kingdom hope;
No more in darkness need we grope.
With each day’s cares we now can cope.
Our hearts rejoice and sing.
3. We sing with our melodious tone
And worship God upon his throne
And through Christ Jesus now make known
Our humble, heartfelt pray’r:
“Jehovah God, so loving, true,
Accept our thanks for all you do.
Hear our entreaties, praises too,
For all your loving care.” |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Family
Jehovah created the family
Eph 3:14, 15
Parents
See “Parents”
Fathers
See “Fathers”
Mothers
See “Mothers”
Husbands, Wives
See “Marriage”
Sons and Daughters
What are the responsibilities of children in the family?
Le 19:3; Pr 1:8; 6:20; Eph 6:1
See also Pr 4:1
Why should children obey their parents?
Eph 6:1-3; Col 3:20
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ps 78:1-8—The Israelites recount to their children the deeds of their forefathers so that the children will put their confidence in God and not become rebellious
Lu 2:51, 52—Although perfect, Jesus remains obedient to his imperfect human parents throughout his youth
Why may children find it difficult to respect their parents?
Ro 12:1, 2; 2Ti 3:1, 2, 5
How does God view rebellious children?
Relevant Bible account(s):
De 21:18-21—The Mosaic Law applies the death penalty to a son who grows up to be a stubborn and rebellious drunkard and refuses to be corrected
2Ki 2:23, 24—When a group of boys ridicule the prophet Elisha, grossly despising God’s representative, many are devoured by two bears
How should parents view the privilege of raising children?
Ps 127:3; 128:3
Relevant Bible account(s):
Le 26:9—To the Israelites, bearing children is a sign of Jehovah’s blessing
Job 42:12, 13—Jehovah blesses Job for his remarkable integrity by giving him and his wife ten more children
How can siblings treat each other in a way that honors Jehovah?
Ps 34:14; Pr 15:23; 19:11
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ge 27:41; 33:1-11—Jacob honors his brother, Esau, paving the way for peace, and Esau responds with affection
What responsibility do grown children have toward parents and grandparents?
Pr 23:22; 1Ti 5:4
Relevant Bible account(s):
Ge 11:31, 32—When moving away from Ur, Abraham brings along his father, Terah, and cares for him until his death
Mt 15:3-6—Jesus uses the Mosaic Law to show that grown children should give support to parents in need
In-Laws
See “In-Laws”
Grandparents
See “Grandparents” |
They Offered Themselves Willingly—In West Africa | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014042 | They Offered Themselves Willingly—In West Africa
WHILE growing up in a poor neighborhood in Côte d’Ivoire, Pascal longed for a better life. Being an amateur boxer, he wondered, ‘Where can I get a chance to become a sports star and become rich?’ When he was in his mid-20’s, he concluded that Europe was the place. But having no travel documents, he would have to enter Europe illegally.
In 1998, at age 27, Pascal began his journey. He crossed the border into Ghana, traveled through Togo and across Benin, and finally reached the town of Birni Nkonni in Niger. Now the really risky part of the journey was about to begin. To travel north, he needed to hop on a truck and cross the Sahara Desert. Then, upon reaching the Mediterranean, he would board a boat to sail to Europe. That was the plan, but two things happened in Niger that stopped him.
First, he ran out of money. Second, he met Noé, a pioneer, who started a Bible study with him. What he learned touched him deeply and changed his view of life. His material goals were replaced by spiritual interests. In December 1999, Pascal was baptized. To show his gratefulness to Jehovah, in 2001 he began to pioneer in Niger—in the very town where he had learned the truth. How does he feel about his service? He exclaims, “I am getting the best out of life!”
GETTING MORE OUT OF LIFE—IN AFRICA
Anne-Rakel
Like Pascal, many have found that getting more satisfaction out of life centers on pursuing spiritual goals. To reach such goals, some have left Europe and have moved to Africa to serve in areas where there is a greater need for Kingdom proclaimers. In fact, some 65 Witnesses from Europe—between the ages of 17 and 70—moved as “need greaters,” as they are often described, to the West African countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo.a What motivated them to make such a big move, and how did it turn out for them?
Anne-Rakel from Denmark relates: “My parents served as missionaries in Senegal. They always talked so enthusiastically about missionary life that I wanted that kind of life too.” About 15 years ago, when Anne-Rakel was in her early 20’s, she moved to Togo where she serves in a sign-language congregation. How did her move encourage others? She says: “Later my younger sister and my brother followed me to Togo.”
Albert-Fayette and Aurele
Aurele, a 70-year-old married brother from France, states: “Five years ago, when I became a pensioner, I had a choice: live a quiet life in France and wait for Paradise to come or take steps to expand my ministry.” Aurele did the latter. About three years ago, he and his wife, Albert-Fayette, moved to Benin. “Making ourselves available to serve Jehovah here is the best thing we ever did,” says Aurele. “As it turned out,” he adds with a smile, “parts of our territory along the coast remind me of Paradise.”
Clodomir and his wife, Lysiane, moved from France to Benin 16 years ago. Initially, they greatly missed family and friends in France, and the couple feared that they would not be able to adapt to their new life. However, their fears were unfounded. They experienced much joy. “In these 16 years,” says Clodomir, “we have had the privilege of helping, on average, one person per year to accept the truth.”
Lysiane and Clodomir with some whom they have helped to learn the truth
Johanna and Sébastien
Sébastien and Johanna, a married couple from France, moved to Benin in 2010. “There’s so much to do in the congregation,” says Sébastien. “Serving here is like attending an accelerated theocratic training course!” How is the response in the ministry? Johanna says: “People thirst for the truth. Even when we’re not out preaching, people stop us in the street to ask us Bible questions and to get our publications.” How has the move affected their marriage? Sébastien notes: “It has strengthened our marriage. It’s a pleasure to spend whole days in the ministry with my wife.”
Eric and his wife, Katy, serve as pioneers in sparsely populated northern Benin. Some ten years ago, while living in France, they began reading articles about serving where there is a greater need and talking to full-time servants. This gave them the desire to move abroad, which they did in 2005. The growth they witnessed has been impressive. Says Eric: “Two years ago, our group in the town of Tanguiéta had 9 publishers; now we have 30. On Sunday, between 50 and 80 attend the meeting. What an incomparable joy it is to observe such growth!”
Katy and Eric
IDENTIFY AND OVERCOME CHALLENGES
Benjamin
What challenges have some “need greaters” faced? Benjamin, aged 33, is Anne-Rakel’s brother. In 2000 in Denmark, he met a missionary who served in Togo. Benjamin recalls: “When I told the missionary that I wanted to pioneer, he said: ‘You know, you could pioneer in Togo.’” Benjamin thought about it. He says: “I wasn’t even 20 years old at the time, but my two sisters were already serving in Togo. That made it easier for me to go there.” So he moved. Still there was a challenge. Explains Benjamin: “I didn’t know one word of French. The first six months were tough because I couldn’t really communicate.” In time, though, he made progress. Benjamin now serves at Bethel in Benin, delivering literature and helping in the computer department.
Marie-Agnès and Michel
Eric and Katy, mentioned earlier, served in a foreign-language field in France before moving to Benin. How was West Africa different? Says Katy: “It wasn’t easy to find a suitable place to live. For months we lived in a house without electricity and running water.” Adds Eric: “Loud music blared in the neighborhood until late at night. You have to be patient with things like that and be willing to adapt.” Both agree: “The joys of serving in an almost virgin territory outweigh any difficulties.”
Michel and Marie-Agnès, a married couple from France in their late 50’s, moved to Benin about five years ago. They initially felt anxious. Says Michel: “Some compared our move to a tightrope walker pushing a wheelbarrow—and we were sitting in the wheelbarrow! It could be scary if you didn’t know that the tightrope walker was Jehovah. So we made the move for and with Jehovah.”
HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF
Those with experience as “need greaters” stress the importance of preparing oneself by taking these steps: Plan ahead. Learn to adapt. Stick to a budget. Rely on Jehovah.—Luke 14:28-30.
Sébastien, mentioned earlier, relates: “Before moving, Johanna and I saved for two years by cutting down on expenses for entertainment and not making unnecessary purchases.” To continue serving abroad, they work in Europe each year for a few months, which allows them to pioneer in Benin for the rest of the year.
Marie-Thérèse
Marie-Thérèse is one of the some 20 single sisters from abroad who serve as “need greaters” in West Africa. She worked as a bus driver in France; however, in 2006 she took a year’s leave to pioneer in Niger. Before long, she knew that this was the kind of life she really wanted to pursue. Says Marie-Thérèse: “After returning to France, I talked to my employer about my desire to adjust my work schedule, and he was willing to change it. Now, from May to August, I work as a bus driver in France, and from September to April, I serve as a pioneer in Niger.”
Saphira
Those “seeking first the Kingdom” can trust that Jehovah will provide them with ‘all other necessary things.’ (Matt. 6:33) To illustrate: Consider what happened to Saphira, a single sister from France who is in her late 20’s and serves as a pioneer in Benin. In 2011 she was back in France to earn enough money to be able to support herself for another year (her sixth) in Africa. Saphira relates: “It was a Friday, my last day on the job, but I still needed another ten days of work to earn enough for the coming year. I had only two more weeks left in France. I prayed to Jehovah, explaining my situation. Shortly thereafter, an employment agency phoned me and asked if I could replace someone for two weeks.” On Monday, Saphira went to the job location to be trained by the worker she was to replace. She relates: “What a surprise it was to find out that she was a Christian sister who needed ten days off to attend the Pioneer Service School! Her boss had refused to give her a leave unless a replacement could be found. She had begged Jehovah to intervene—just as I had.”
A SOURCE OF TRUE SATISFACTION
Some brothers and sisters have served in West Africa for many years and have made it their home. Others have been able to stay for a few years and have then returned to their country of origin. But even today, such former “need greaters” still benefit from the years they served abroad. They learned that true satisfaction in life comes from serving Jehovah.
a The Benin branch oversees the work in all four lands, where French is spoken.
How to Provide Training
Pascal, a pioneer and Christian elder from France, has served in Benin for over 12 years. He states, “Seeing the brothers and sisters progress spiritually is a blessing.” How has he contributed to the progress of some?
“I adapt my training to each individual. In the ministry, I learned from the local brothers how to approach and greet people. What did some learn from me? To take notes. Many streets have no names, and the houses have no numbers. Some publishers made no notes and thus failed to make all their return visits. I showed them how even a simple note reminds us of the interested person and where he lives; it also serves as an incentive for us to make the return visit.
“People here learn best by listening. They master a number of languages without ever having a textbook in their hand, but reading can be a challenge for them. I practiced reading aloud with a couple of young brothers. The more they progressed, the more they enjoyed reading. Then I showed them how to do research. They made rapid progress and were soon appointed as ministerial servants.” |
Young People Ask, Volume 1 (yp1)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp1 | CHAPTER 14
Why Not Just End It All?
“I AM better off dead than alive.” Who said those words? Someone who didn’t believe in God? Someone who had left God? Someone whom God had left? None of the above. The speaker was the devout but distraught man Jonah.—Jonah 4:3, Today’s English Version.
The Bible doesn’t say that Jonah was about to take his life. Nevertheless, his desperate plea reveals a sobering fact—at times even a servant of God can be overwhelmed by anguish.—Psalm 34:19.
Some youths feel such intense anguish that they see no reason to continue living. They may feel as did 16-year-old Laura, who states: “For years, I have had recurring bouts of depression. I often think about killing myself.” If you know someone who has expressed a desire to end it all—or if you have considered that idea yourself—what can you do? Let’s take a closer look at why such a thought might occur.
Behind the Despair
Why would anyone consider taking his or her own life? A number of factors could be involved. For one thing, we live in “critical times hard to deal with,” and many adolescents feel the pressures of life with great intensity. (2 Timothy 3:1) Then, too, human imperfection can cause some to harbor deeply negative thoughts about themselves and the world around them. (Romans 7:22-24) Sometimes this is because of mistreatment. In other cases, a medical issue may be involved. Significantly, in one country it is estimated that more than 90 percent of those who did take their life were suffering from some type of mental illness.a
Of course, no one is immune to adversity. Indeed, the Bible says that “all creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together.” (Romans 8:22) That includes young people. In fact, youths can be profoundly affected by negative events, such as the following:
● The death of a relative, friend, or pet
● Family conflict
● Academic failure
● The breakup of a romance
● Mistreatment (including physical or sexual abuse)
Admittedly, sooner or later virtually all youths encounter one or more of the situations listed above. Why are some better equipped to ride out the storm than others? Experts say that youths who want to give up the fight feel utterly helpless and hopeless. In other words, such youths see no light on the horizon. They don’t really want to die; they just want to end the pain.
No Way Out?
You might know someone who wants to end the pain—so much that he or she has expressed a desire to stop living. If that is the case, what can you do?
If a friend is distressed to the point of wanting to die, urge that person to get help. Then, regardless of how he or she feels about it, talk to a responsible adult. Don’t worry about ruining your friendship. By reporting the matter, you may well save your friend’s life!
But what if you yourself have had thoughts of ending it all? Don’t keep your feelings to yourself. Talk to someone—a parent, a friend, or anyone else who cares and who will listen to your concerns and take you seriously. You have nothing to lose—and everything to gain—by talking out your problems.b
Granted, your problems won’t disappear just because you’re talking them out. But the support of a trusted confidant may be just what you need to put your situation in perspective. It may even help you to work out some practical solutions.
Things Change
When undergoing distress, remember this: No matter how dire a situation may seem, in time things will change. At one point, the psalmist David, who was no stranger to adversity, was able to say to God in prayer: “You have changed my mourning into dancing for me.”—Psalm 30:11.
David certainly didn’t expect the dancing to last forever. He knew from experience that life’s problems ebb and flow. Have you noticed that to be true with your problems? Some of them may seem overwhelming—at least for now. But be patient. Things change, often for the better. In some cases, problems might be alleviated in ways that you couldn’t have predicted. In other cases, you may discover a way of coping that you hadn’t considered. The point is, distressing problems will not stay the same forever.—2 Corinthians 4:17.
The Value of Prayer
The most important form of communication you can have is prayer. You can pray as did David: “Search through me, O God, and know my heart. Examine me, and know my disquieting thoughts, and see whether there is in me any painful way, and lead me in the way of time indefinite.”—Psalm 139:23, 24.
Prayer is not a mere crutch. It is real communication with your heavenly Father, who wants you to “pour out your heart” to him. (Psalm 62:8) Consider the following basic truths about God:
● He is aware of the circumstances that contribute to your distress.—Psalm 103:14.
● He knows you better than you know yourself.—1 John 3:20.
● “He cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:7.
● In his new world, God will “wipe out every tear” from your eyes.—Revelation 21:4.
When the Problem Is Health Related
As mentioned earlier, suicidal feelings are often rooted in some type of illness. If that’s the case with you, do not be ashamed to seek help. Jesus acknowledged that those who are ailing need a physician. (Matthew 9:12) The good news is that many conditions can be treated. And treatment may help you to feel much better!c
The Bible offers a truly comforting promise—that in God’s new world, “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24) God says that at that time, “the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart.” (Isaiah 65:17) In the meantime, do your best to cope with life’s challenges, confident that in God’s due time, depression will be a thing of the past.—Revelation 21:1-4.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN VOLUME 2, CHAPTER 9
IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERYour parents want to know everything about your life—even some things you’d like to keep to yourself. Can you ever win the battle for some privacy?
[Footnotes]
a It is important to note, however, that most youths who have a mental illness do not commit suicide.
b Christians who are distressed have an added resource—congregation elders.—James 5:14, 15.
c For more information, see Chapter 13 of this book.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“Let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers.”—Philippians 4:6, 7.
TIP
When you feel down, take a brisk walk. Getting outside and engaging in exercise can produce a sense of calm and well-being.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
The victims of suicide are not only those who take their life but also the loved ones who are left behind.
ACTION PLAN!
If I feel worthless and unloved, I will reach out to (insert the name of a person you can confide in) ․․․․․
One blessing in my life that I can reflect on appreciatively is ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Even severe problems are only temporary. How can reasoning on that fact help you?
● In what way does suicide pass a person’s problems on to someone else?
[Blurb on page 104]
“At times, my depression was so intense that I just wanted to die, but now I have my life together again, thanks to persevering in prayer and receiving treatment.”—Heidi
[Box on page 100]
If You Feel Overwhelmed
Even some faithful men and women of the Bible occasionally felt overwhelmed by life’s anxieties. Consider some examples.
Rebekah: “If this is the way it is, just why am I alive?”—Genesis 25:22.
Moses: “Please kill me off altogether, . . . and let me not look upon my calamity.”—Numbers 11:15.
Elijah: “O Jehovah, take my soul away, for I am no better than my forefathers.”—1 Kings 19:4.
Job: “O that in Sheol you would conceal me, . . . that you would set a time limit for me and remember me!”—Job 14:13.
In each of the above cases, the situation eventually changed for the better—and in a way that the sufferer could not have foreseen. Be assured that the same can be true for you!
[Picture on page 102]
Feelings of despair are like storm clouds—in time, they will pass |
Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2)
2008 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2 | CHAPTER 18
How Can I Make Some Money?
“I want money to buy a car.”—Sergio.
“I like to shop.”—Laurie-Ann.
“There are some things that are really nice, and I would love to have them; but my parents can’t afford them.”—Mike.
YOU may have similar reasons for wanting to get your hands on some money. Or perhaps you need to make money to help support your family. Even if you don’t directly contribute to household expenses, paying for your own clothes or other personal items may relieve your parents of some economic pressure.
In any event, obtaining things for yourself or for your family requires money. Although Jesus promised that God would provide for those ‘seeking first God’s Kingdom,’ a Christian still needs to take the initiative to provide for himself. (Matthew 6:33; Acts 18:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 3:10) So, how can you make some money? And more important, how can you keep a balanced attitude toward it?
How to Find a Job
If you really need something that costs more than your parents can afford, you may be able to get a job to earn enough money to buy it yourself. Talk to your parents about the idea. They may be impressed by your initiative. Assuming that they agree and that it’s legal for you to work, here are four suggestions that will help you to find employment.
Spread the word. Tell your neighbors, teachers, and relatives that you’re looking for work. If you’re shy about asking them directly, you might simply ask them what work they did when they were your age. The more people who know that you’re looking for work, the more leads and referrals you’ll likely get.
Pursue all leads. Respond to newspaper or Internet want ads and information boards in stores, your school, and other public areas. “That’s how I got my job,” says a youth named Dave. “I looked in the paper, faxed them a résumé, and called them up.” If this doesn’t work, perhaps you can convince an employer that he or she needs a service that you can perform.
Write and distribute a résumé. On a piece of paper, write down how you can be contacted and list your skills and work experience. You don’t think you have anything to list? Think again. Have you ever taken care of a younger sibling when your parents were away, or have you babysat for others? This shows that you’re responsible. Have you helped your dad fix the car? Perhaps this shows that you have mechanical aptitude. Do you know how to type or use a computer? Or did you get good marks in school for some innovative project? Those are good selling points for prospective employers. Include them on your résumé. Give your résumé to potential employers, and ask friends and relatives to distribute it to anyone they know who’s looking for workers.
Work for yourself. Think about your neighborhood. Is there a need for goods or services that no one else is providing? For example, suppose you love animals. You could offer to bathe or trim your neighbors’ pets for a fee. Or maybe you play a musical instrument. Could you perhaps teach others to play? Or possibly it’s a matter of doing work that others often don’t want to do, such as washing windows or cleaning. A Christian isn’t embarrassed to work with his hands. (Ephesians 4:28) Of course, being self-employed requires that you be self-motivated, disciplined, and willing to take the initiative.
A word of caution: Don’t rush into an enterprise before studying all the costs and factors involved. (Luke 14:28-30) First, talk it over with your parents. Also talk to others who have performed similar work. Will you be required to pay taxes? Will you need to obtain a license or a permit? Check with local authorities for details.—Romans 13:1.
Keep Your Balance
Imagine trying to ride a bicycle while attempting to carry a number of items, such as a school bag, a ball, and maybe some bags of groceries. The more items you try to carry, the harder it is for you to keep your balance! The same would be true if you were to take on a job that is more than you can handle. Use up too much of your time, energy, and alertness on after-school work, and your health and school grades may suffer. More important, a strenuous work schedule may make it difficult for you to follow the Christian routine of meetings, Bible study, and participation in the Christian ministry. “I have missed meetings because I was tired after a day of school and work,” admits a youth named Michèle.
Don’t let your view of money become unbalanced in that way! Jesus said that real happiness comes to those who are “conscious of their spiritual need.” (Matthew 5:3) He also stated: “Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) A Christian youth named Maureen has taken that counsel to heart. “I do not want to get entangled in purely materialistic goals,” she says. “I just know that my spirituality will be the price I pay if I get caught up in simply making money.”
True, in some parts of the world, youths have no choice but to work long hours to help their families survive. If, however, you’re not in that situation, why become unbalanced in this regard? According to most experts, working more than 20 hours a week while attending school is excessive and counterproductive. Some suggest devoting no more than eight to ten hours a week to work. Wise King Solomon stated: “Better is a handful of rest than a double handful of hard work and striving after the wind.”—Ecclesiastes 4:6.
Remember, “the deceptive power of riches” can choke your interest in spiritual things. (Mark 4:19) So if you do take an after-school job to earn some money, organize your schedule to give spiritual activities priority. Pray to Jehovah God about the matter. He can strengthen you to stand up to the pressures of the situation and can help you to maintain your spiritual balance.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN VOLUME 1, CHAPTER 21
IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERDo you control your money or does it control you? Find out how you can stay in the driver’s seat.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“No matter how much a lazy person may want something, he will never get it. A hard worker will get everything he wants.”—Proverbs 13:4, Today’s English Version.
TIP
Send your résumé to companies without waiting for them to advertise a job opening.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
In some places, up to 85 percent of available jobs aren’t advertised.
ACTION PLAN!
I will increase my chances of finding a job by ․․․․․
I will limit the amount of time I work to ․․․․․ hours each week.
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Why do you need to make some money?
● What challenges will you face if you find a job?
● How can you maintain a balanced view of money?
[Blurb on page 153]
“If your happiness is always based on owning things, you’ll never be happy. There will always be something new that you want. You need to learn to be happy with what you have.”—Jonathan
[Box on page 155]
Respect Money—Don’t Love It
In the hands of a skilled chef, a sharp knife is a useful tool. But the same knife in the hands of someone inexperienced or inattentive can cause serious harm. Money is like a sharp knife. If you handle it skillfully, it’s a useful tool. But if you’re not careful, you can get hurt! For example, the apostle Paul warned against developing a love of money. In their pursuit of wealth, some sacrifice friendships, family relationships, and even their relationship with God. As a result, they ‘stab themselves all over with many pains.’ (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) The lesson? Learn to use money skillfully. Respect it, but don’t love it!
[Picture on page 153]
Taking on too many responsibilities can make it difficult for you to maintain your balance |
Youth (yy)
1976 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yy | Chapter 3
Growing into Manhood
1-6. What are some marvelous facts about our development up till the time of birth? Is there anyone who deserves credit for all of this? (Psalm 139:13-18)
WE CAN benefit by looking at how we each had our beginning as individuals. Just think about it: Not so many years ago you were a single fertilized egg cell smaller than the period at the end of this sentence. From that tiny beginning, you began growing within your mother’s womb. In time your body was complete with a brain that thinks, eyes that see, ears that hear, and many other marvelous organs. How did this remarkable growth take place?
2 Your parents didn’t draw up blueprints to produce you. Rather, this was all done within the fertilized egg that was formed by the uniting of a sperm cell from your father with the egg cell in your mother’s womb. In a matter of minutes, the plans were drawn up inside that tiny cell for the entire new human that turned out to be you!
3 All the information needed to create you is found in the DNAa of that tiny fertilized cell. DNA is the essential substance of the tens of thousands of genes in each cell, and these genes are instructioned into twenty-three sets of chromosomes. So much information is packed into each cell that, if it were to be written out in human language, a whole roomful of books would be required. But perhaps even more amazing is the fact that all this detailed information is passed along to each new cell of the body. So each cell has all the same information that the original fertilized egg contained!
4 But you may ask: How is the DNA able to use only the information it wants, and only when it wants to, for building a person’s many different body parts? For instance, how does it manage to select only the instructions needed to build an eye? And when it builds an eye, how does it suppress all the information for building your ears, kidneys, liver, and so forth?
5 It is a mystery. Humans haven’t figured it out. It is the design of a grand Creator! Because of what one of the writers of the Bible knew about the human body, he said to God: “I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, as my soul is very well aware.” (Psalm 139:14) Is that how you feel?
6 In only nine months the single fertilized cell with which you began became a fully developed baby, an amazingly complex organization of some billions of cells. Your growth will never again be so rapid! But about thirteen or fourteen years after your birth, you begin another rapid spurt of growth. At this particular time you start changing from a boy into a man.b The entire transitional period, which is known as adolescence, lasts for a number of years. It ends when you reach physical maturity, generally between the ages of twenty and twenty-three. This period is not the easiest in your life, but it is very, very important. It is a proving ground for your future development.
CHANGES DURING PUBERTY
7-12. (a) What changes occur in a male during puberty? Is there any reason to worry about these changes? (b) How can a young man tell when his sex organs have developed so that he can father children?
7 Puberty covers the earlier period of adolescence. Strictly, it is the age at which symptoms of sexual maturing appear. This age is commonly fixed at fourteen for boys and twelve for girls, but there is a wide variation in what is normal. You may have entered puberty at eleven or twelve, or you may be fifteen or sixteen and still not have begun maturing sexually. But an early or late maturing is not unusual, so there is no reason for concern. What are some of the problems you can expect during puberty?
8 For one thing, you may experience a certain awkwardness and lack of coordination. This is because your bones are lengthening and the muscles have to stretch along with them. In this expansion some parts of the body seem to grow rapidly, while others may lag. However, any resulting clumsiness will pass. It is no cause for great concern, though extra care is certainly worth while, as it could save you from possible harm through some accident.
9 Among the body parts that are stretching out are the vocal cords. The extra length makes the voice deepen. But during the lengthening process your voice may often “crack,” suddenly hitting a high note when you least expect it. Again, this is part of the “growing pains” of adolescence. So, when it happens and others are amused, just smile along with them and any embarrassment will quickly pass.
10 At the root of these body changes are your glands, including the thyroid, the adrenals and the gonads (sex glands). They produce yet other changes. One of them is the growth of hair around the organs of procreation, also under your armpits and on your chest. The amount varies from person to person and is no indicator whatsoever of how “manly” you are. Hair also begins to appear on the face. Though as yet this may be but a mere “fuzz,” your encounter with the experience of shaving is steadily drawing near.
11 Perhaps the change that most often is a source of disturbance for boys growing toward manhood involves the organs of procreation, the genitals. During puberty these not only attain their full size but also begin to function. The Bible, at Leviticus 15:16, 17, refers to ‘emissions of semen.’ If your parents have failed to discuss the matter with you beforehand, your first emission of semen may be somewhat of an upsetting experience. What causes such emission?
12 When you become developed enough to father children, then your sex organ begins to secrete the fluid called semen. It’s a heavier fluid than water and, although there is not much of it, it contains millions of tiny sperm cells. Any one of these cells can fertilize a woman’s egg cell and make it grow into a baby. More or less periodically your body will relieve itself of this semen. The emission usually takes place while you sleep and are dreaming.
PURPOSE OF SEX
13-15. (a) For what purpose did God provide sex? Why did he lay down rules to regulate it? (Hebrews 13:4) (b) Most likely, where is the best place to get reliable information about sex? (Proverbs 6:20)
13 Our Creator provided sex as a means for a man to express deep love for a woman and to father their children. But God laid down rules regarding sex, explaining that sex relations are to be had only by a man and a woman who are married to each other. This is because God purposed that every baby brought into the world should have both a father and a mother who would take all the responsibility of rearing that child. It is, therefore, wrong in God’s sight for persons who are not married to engage in sexual relations.
14 On the other hand, for married persons sexual relations are a wonderful way for them to express love for each other. The husband lies close to his wife so that his male organ fits naturally into her birth canal. This can give great pleasure to each of them. In the process, the husband’s sperm cells go out of his body through his male organ right into his wife’s birth canal. These sex cells move through the canal, and if a mature egg cell is there in the wife, one of her husband’s sperm cells may join with it, and the fertilized cell will begin to grow into a baby. So you see, God made the sex organs for a sacred purpose, that of passing on life. That is why it is proper that they be used according to God’s rules.
15 The best way to get answers to your questions about sexual development is to ask your parents, particularly your father. Your father has already experienced everything you have gone through and lots more. Also, whereas other youths might give you information that is only half right—a few facts and a lot of wild stories—your father should be able to give you good information that will help you and work for your happiness. If your father is not in a position to give you information or counsel based on God’s Word, it would be valuable for you to know what God’s Word says. You will find that elders in a congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses will be glad to be of help to you.
PROVING YOURSELF RESPONSIBLE
16-18. (a) In what ways have your parents encouraged you to exercise a measure of independence? How might what you do with those privileges affect your future opportunities? (b) Why do many young fellows join “gangs”? What might this lead to? (1 Corinthians 15:33)
16 As you approach manhood it is natural for you to feel a desire for self-identity—to feel that you are a distinct person. It is also natural that you have a desire for a measure of independence. Your parents will likely begin preparing you for the time when you can be independent. How?
17 No doubt by gradually giving you more responsibility and the privilege of sharing in making certain decisions as to things you will do. They may invite you to express your preference as to certain subjects you will take at school or they may let you take a part-time job. You may be allowed to do your own buying of some of your personal items. But whatever your parents see fit to do in this regard, it will then be up to you to show that you merit responsibility. If you act in a childish way or get “bigheaded,” then they may have to reduce your privileges until you show yourself more of a man.
18 This desire for greater self-identity and a measure of independence is accompanied by other natural desires. You will feel a need to be appreciated by others for what you are and what you can do. Some youths seek to satisfy their desire for self-identity and ‘a sense of belonging’ by joining or forming “gangs.” But such gangs generally make their own code of conduct, and the facts show that this almost always leads to wrongdoing, at times even to serious crimes. Probably more than any other single factor, bad companionship is to be found at the root of the problem when young men get into trouble.
19, 20. Why is a good relationship with your parents important? What could damage it? (Proverbs 23:24, 25)
19 During this period of life you begin to get some idea of what you are going to look like physically as a grown man. But you should also start thinking more and more about what you are going to be like inside, what the Bible calls “the secret person of the heart.” (1 Peter 3:4) This stage of your life is not the time to let a desire for increased independence somehow divide you off from your parents and the rest of the family. The changes you are experiencing during puberty, and the new urges you feel and have to learn to control, actually increase your need for their love and steadying influence.
20 So instead of drawing away from your parents and letting a gap develop, draw closer to them and learn all that you can from them as you now approach adulthood. You will never regret this. And you will bring them real happiness too, making them proud to have you as their son.
[Footnotes]
a DNA is the code name for deoxyribonucleic acid.
b The following chapter discusses the change from girlhood to womanhood.
[Picture on page 19]
In only nine months a single cell becomes a baby |
Youth (yy)
1976 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yy | Chapter 24
A Grand Future in Store for You
1-3. (a) Why do we live at a most favored time in human history? (b) What change is God going to bring about for our benefit?
IN MANY ways you live at a most favored time in human history. Not because of the way world conditions are today but because of what the Bible shows the near future is due to bring.
2 Jehovah God knows how much there is need for a change—a big change—in things here on this planet. He is clearly the only One who can bring about that change. The world of mankind is now thousands of years old. But it is still wrestling with the same old problems that have continually troubled human society: war, hunger, poor housing, injustice, economic problems.
3 The things that need straightening out in the present world system are really too many to number. Surely there must be something better than this. And the Bible shows that Jehovah God does have something far better in store for those who love and serve him. In fact, he has been using some six thousand years to unfold his purpose for bringing about a completely new order, a paradise of pleasure. In that new and delightful order of things he promises to eliminate once and for all time the corrupt and violent and selfish conditions that rob life of so much of its joy.
HOW AND WHEN CHANGE WILL COME
4-8. (a) How will Jehovah bring about the needed change? (b) What proves that the time for this to take place is very near? (2 Timothy 3:1-5; Matthew 24:7, 8, 32, 33)
4 How will he do this? First of all by doing away with the mixed-up and ineffective rule of this earth under the hundreds of political systems now operating. He declares his purpose to replace them with a single government of his own making, his kingdom by his Son Jesus Christ. God caused the prophet Daniel to foretell that, saying: “In the days of those kings [or rulerships] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom . . . will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.” (Daniel 2:44) When will this happen? There is a way of knowing when it is near.
5 If you live in a temperate zone of the earth and you see the leaves on the trees turn brown and fall off, and you see the skies daily becoming grayer and feel the air becoming crisp and cool, and you see flocks of birds flying toward a warmer zone of the earth—without looking at the calendar you know that winter is approaching, don’t you? It is not just any one of those things that tells you that, because skies can become gray even on a summer day, or trees might become diseased and lose their leaves. But all those things put together make up a sure sign of winter’s approach.
6 In a similar way, there is a “sign” made up of many features that the Bible gives. And this sign tells us that the time is at hand for God’s kingdom by Christ Jesus to take control of this earth. You can see that sign today just by looking at newspapers or through news programs on radio and television. What is it?
7 Jesus foretold that within a certain generation there would come a time especially marked by wars, hunger, disease and earthquakes, along with much anxiety and uncertainty as to what the future would bring upon the earth. Aren’t those the very things we are continuously faced with today through the news sources? No generation before in human history has seen all those things in such quantity as the generation living on the earth since 1914. This is why historians call 1914 a “turning point” in mankind’s history.
8 Speaking of the generation seeing that “sign,” Jesus said: “When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.” (Luke 21:31, 32) This means that God’s new order has drawn near. What changes will it bring?
CHANGES GOD HAS IN STORE FOR THE HUMAN FAMILY
9-13. (a) In God’s new order, what conditions are going to exist for all mankind? (b) What convinces you that these things really can and will take place? (Revelation 21:5)
9 By placing this planet and its inhabitants under the rule of just one perfect, heaven-directed government, God promises to stop for all time the political bickering and fighting that waste so much of the world’s wealth. That will mean the end of wars that take the cream of the nations’ youth and, afterward, send them back with large numbers crippled, having hands, arms or legs amputated, perhaps blind or, worse, in the form of lifeless corpses. Those who live in God’s new order will all be peace-loving persons who have carried out the Bible prophecy at Isaiah 2:4: “They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” With peace prevailing earth wide, wonderful things can then be accomplished for the good of all people everywhere.
10 Not only will political corruption and waste stop. The greed of giant commercial systems will also be brought to a halt. Many of these systems are dirtying up the earth, polluting the air, the water, the land, killing off earth’s wildlife. But the Bible tells us, at Revelation 11:18, that God is going to “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” Then, the beauty of earth’s forests, the sparkling clearness of its streams and lakes, the freshness and fragrance of its air, and the rich variety of its bird, fish and animal wildlife will all be restored. You can be among those enjoying these things in the grand future that God has in store for those putting faith in his Word.
11 Our Creator promises that, in his new order, the rich produce of the earth will be enjoyed by all persons, wherever they may live. No more on this earth will you see starving children with bloated bellies and shriveled arms, as is true in many parts of the earth today. At Isaiah 25:6, 8, God caused this prophecy to be written: “And Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples . . . a banquet of well-oiled dishes . . . He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.”
12 Yes, best of all, the Bible shows that God is going to restore perfect health to obedient mankind. All the sadness and suffering that disease and pain and death have brought will end forever as his Son’s kingdom brings the curing of human sickness and imperfection. Revelation 21:4 tells us: “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.”
13 That means the time will come when the process of aging that results from human imperfection will be eliminated. How loving of God to provide for a future that will be free from such things as wrinkles, graying hair or baldness, brittle bones, loss of muscle tone, shortness of breath and all the other things that now come with old age. Yes, and for persons already old, God is able to do what Job 33:25 describes, saying: “Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor.” Yes, Jehovah God can bring health and strength that are actually better than what youth today has, because even young people now get sick and some die unexpectedly at an early age.
HOW YOU CAN ENJOY THE FUTURE
14-16. What do you need to do in order to enjoy this grand future?
14 That grand future can be yours if you do as the Bible says: “Remember, now, your Grand Creator in the days of your young manhood [or young womanhood], before the calamitous days proceed to come, or the years have arrived when you will say [as people suffering from old age say]: ‘I have no delight in them.’”—Ecclesiastes 12:1.
15 It is not just a matter of thinking of your Creator now and then. It is a matter of remembering him every day and all day long by seeking to live in a way that pleases him and that will make him want to have you among those who will live in his new order. He will not force you to do this. You must do it of your own choice and free will. You know that when your parents have to force you to do something that you should do, then they get no real pleasure out of seeing you do it. But if you do it willingly and gladly because you know it pleases them, you bring them much happiness. So, too, Jehovah in his Word says: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice.”—Proverbs 27:11.
16 Yes, enjoy your youth, the springtime of your life, and get the best out of it. Build the qualities that will bring you the greatest happiness possible, both now and in the future. Use your youth to get a fine start on the road to life, not just to a few short decades of life in this present dying, decaying system of things, but to eternal life in the freshness of youthful vigor on God’s paradise earth. |
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Worshipping Images—What Does the Bible Say? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100042 | KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Worshipping Images—What Does the Bible Say?
According to the Catholic News Service, during a ceremony at St. Peter’s Basilica held on March 25, 2022, Pope Francis stood before a statue of Mary with his “eyes closed and head bowed in silent prayer.” He “pleaded with Mary” for peace. A Vatican News report added that “the Pope prayed the Act of Consecration of humanity, especially of Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
What do you think? Is it appropriate to pray before images or to use them in worship? Consider the following Bible verses:
“You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them, for I, Jehovah your God, am a God who requires exclusive devotion.”—Exodus 20:4, 5.a
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. A mouth they have, but they cannot speak; eyes, but they cannot see; ears they have, but they cannot hear; a nose, but they cannot smell; hands they have, but they cannot feel; feet, but they cannot walk; they make no sound with their throat. The people who make them will become just like them, as will all those who trust in them.”—Psalm 115:4-8.
“I am Jehovah. That is my name; I do not share my glory with anyone else, nor my praise to graven images.”—Isaiah 42:8, footnote.
“Flee from idolatry.”—1 Corinthians 10:14.
“Guard yourselves from idols.”—1 John 5:21.
For more information on what the Bible says about the use of images in worship, read the article “The Bible’s Viewpoint—Images” or watch the video Does God Approve the Use of Images in Worship?
You may also be interested in what the Bible says about these topics:
“The Virgin Mary—What Does the Bible Say About Her?”
“Should You Pray to the Virgin Mary?”
“Miracles and Apparitions—Signs From God?”
“Peace on Earth—How Will It Come?”
Photo credit: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images
a Jehovah is the personal name of God. (Psalm 83:18) See the article “Who Is Jehovah?” |
Revelation Climax (re)
1988 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/re | Chapter 21
Jehovah’s Plagues on Christendom
Vision 5—Revelation 8:1–9:21
Subject: The sounding of six of the seven trumpets
Time of fulfillment: From the enthronement of Christ Jesus in 1914 to the great tribulation
1. What happens when the Lamb opens the seventh seal?
“THE four winds” have been held back until the 144,000 of spiritual Israel are sealed and the great crowd is approved for survival. (Revelation 7:1-4, 9) However, before that tempestuous storm breaks over the earth, Jehovah’s adverse judgments against Satan’s world must also be made known! As the Lamb proceeds to open the seventh and final seal, John must be watching keenly to see what will unfold. Now he shares his experience with us: “And when he [the Lamb] opened the seventh seal, a silence occurred in heaven for about a half hour. And I saw the seven angels that stand before God, and seven trumpets were given them.”—Revelation 8:1, 2.
A Time for Fervent Prayer
2. What takes place during the symbolic half hour of silence in heaven?
2 A significant silence this! Half an hour can seem a long time when you are waiting for something to happen. Now, even the constant heavenly chorus of praise is no longer heard. (Revelation 4:8) Why? John sees the reason in vision: “And another angel arrived and stood at the altar, having a golden incense vessel; and a large quantity of incense was given him to offer it with the prayers of all the holy ones upon the golden altar that was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the hand of the angel with the prayers of the holy ones before God.”—Revelation 8:3, 4.
3. (a) Of what does incense burning remind us? (b) What is the purpose of the half hour of silence in heaven?
3 This reminds us that under the Jewish system of things, incense was burned daily at the tabernacle and, in later years, at the temple in Jerusalem. (Exodus 30:1-8) During such incense burning, the nonpriestly Israelites waited outside the sacred area, praying—no doubt silently in their hearts—to the One to whom the incense smoke was ascending. (Luke 1:10) John now sees something similar happening in heaven. The incense offered by the angel is associated with “the prayers of the holy ones.” In fact, in an earlier vision, incense is said to represent such prayers. (Revelation 5:8; Psalm 141:1, 2) Evidently, then, the symbolic silence in heaven is to allow the prayers of the holy ones on earth to be heard.
4, 5. What historical developments help us determine the time period corresponding to the symbolic half hour of silence?
4 Can we determine when this happened? Yes, we can, by examining the context, together with historical developments early in the Lord’s day. (Revelation 1:10) During 1918 and 1919, events on earth harmonized remarkably with the scenario described at Revelation 8:1-4. For 40 years before 1914, the Bible Students—as Jehovah’s Witnesses were then called—had been announcing boldly that the times of the Gentiles would end in that year. The distressful events of 1914 proved them correct. (Luke 21:24, King James Version; Matthew 24:3, 7, 8) But many of them also believed that in 1914 they would be taken from this earth to their heavenly inheritance. That did not happen. Instead, during the first world war, they endured a time of severe persecution. On October 31, 1916, the first president of the Watch Tower Society, Charles T. Russell, died. Then, on July 4, 1918, the new president, Joseph F. Rutherford, and seven other representatives of the Society were transported to the Atlanta, Georgia, penitentiary, wrongly sentenced to long years in prison.
5 The sincere Christians of the John class were perplexed. What did God want them to do next? When would they be taken up to heaven? An article eninputd “The Harvest Ended—What Shall Follow?” appeared in the May 1, 1919, issue of The Watch Tower. It reflected this state of uncertainty and encouraged the faithful to continued endurance, adding: “We believe it is now a true saying that the harvest of the kingdom class is an accomplished fact, that all such are duly sealed and that the door is closed.” During this difficult period, the fervent prayers of the John class were ascending, as though in the smoke of a large quantity of incense. And their prayers were being heard!
Hurling Fire to the Earth
6. What happens after the silence in heaven, and this in response to what?
6 John tells us: “But right away the angel took the incense vessel, and he filled it with some of the fire of the altar and hurled it to the earth. And thunders occurred and voices and lightnings and an earthquake.” (Revelation 8:5) After the silence, there is sudden dramatic activity! This is evidently in response to the prayers of the holy ones, since it is triggered by fire taken from the incense altar. Back in 1513 B.C.E., at Mount Sinai, thunders and lightnings, a loud noise, fire, and a quaking of the mountain signaled Jehovah’s turning his attention to his people. (Exodus 19:16-20) The similar manifestations reported by John likewise indicate Jehovah’s giving attention to his servants on earth. But what John observes is presented in signs. (Revelation 1:1) So how are the symbolic fire, thunders, voices, lightnings, and earthquake to be interpreted today?
7. (a) What symbolic fire did Jesus ignite on earth during his ministry? (b) How did Jesus’ spiritual brothers set light to a fire in Christendom?
7 On one occasion, Jesus told his disciples: “I came to start a fire on the earth.” (Luke 12:49) Truly, he did ignite a fire. By his zealous preaching, Jesus made God’s Kingdom the paramount issue before the Jewish people, and this sparked heated controversy throughout that nation. (Matthew 4:17, 25; 10:5-7, 17, 18) In 1919 Jesus’ spiritual brothers on earth, the small band of anointed Christians who had survived the trialsome days of World War I, set light to a similar fire in Christendom. In September of that year, Jehovah’s spirit was remarkably in evidence as his loyal Witnesses assembled from near and far at Cedar Point, Ohio, U.S.A. Joseph F. Rutherford, recently released from prison and soon to see all charges against him dropped, boldly addressed that convention, saying: “Obedient to the command of our Master, and recognizing our privilege and duty to make war against the strongholds of error which have so long held the people in bondage, our vocation was and is to announce the incoming glorious kingdom of Messiah.” That is the primary issue—God’s Kingdom!
8, 9. (a) How did J. F. Rutherford describe the attitude and desire of God’s people during the difficult war years? (b) How was it that fire was hurled to the earth? (c) How have thunders, voices, lightnings, and an earthquake occurred?
8 Referring to the recent hard experiences of God’s people, the speaker said: “So pitiless was the onslaught of the enemy that many of the Lord’s dear flock were stunned and stood still in amazement, praying and waiting for the Lord to indicate his will. . . . But notwithstanding the momentary discouragement, there was a burning desire to proclaim the message of the kingdom.”—See the September 15, 1919, issue of The Watch Tower, page 280.
9 In 1919 that desire was satisfied. This small but active group of Christians was set on fire, spiritually speaking, to begin a worldwide preaching campaign. (Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:19.) Fire was hurled to the earth in that God’s Kingdom was made the burning issue, and so it continues to be! Strong voices replaced silence, sounding out the Kingdom message with clarity. Thunderous storm warnings from the Bible pealed forth. Like flashes of lightning, brilliant beams of truth shone from Jehovah’s prophetic Word, and, as if by a mighty earthquake, the religious realm was shaken to its foundations. The John class saw that there was work to be done. And to this day, that work continues to expand gloriously throughout the entire inhabited earth!—Romans 10:18.
Preparing for the Blasts of the Trumpets
10. What do the seven angels prepare to do, and why?
10 John goes on to say: “And the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.” (Revelation 8:6) What does the blowing of those trumpets mean? In the days of Israel, trumpet blasts were used to signal important days or noteworthy events. (Leviticus 23:24; 2 Kings 11:14) Similarly, the blasts of the trumpets that John is to hear will call attention to matters of life-and-death importance.
11. In what preparatory work on earth was the John class busily engaged from 1919 to 1922?
11 As the angels got ready to blow those trumpets, no doubt they were also giving direction to a preparatory work on earth. From 1919 to 1922, the revitalized John class was busy in reorganizing the public ministry and building up publishing facilities. In 1919 the magazine The Golden Age, known today as Awake!, had been brought forth as “A Journal of Fact, Hope, and Conviction”—a trumpetlike instrument that would play a key role in exposing false religion’s political involvements.
12. What is heralded by each trumpet blast, reminding us of what in Moses’ day?
12 As we shall now see, each of the trumpet blasts heralds a dramatic scene in which terrible plagues affect portions of the earth. Some of these remind us of the plagues that Jehovah sent to punish the Egyptians in Moses’ day. (Exodus 7:19–12:32) These were expressions of Jehovah’s judgment on that nation, and they opened the way for God’s people to escape from slavery. The plagues seen by John accomplish something similar. However, they are not literal plagues. They are signs that symbolize Jehovah’s righteous judgments.—Revelation 1:1.
Identifying the “Third”
13. What happens when the first four trumpets are blown, and what question does this raise?
13 As we shall see, when the first four trumpets are blown, plagues are inflicted on “a third” of the earth, of the sea, of the rivers and fountains of waters, and of the earth’s sources of light. (Revelation 8:7-12) A third is a considerable part of something but not the whole. (Compare Isaiah 19:24; Ezekiel 5:2; Zechariah 13:8, 9.) So which “third” would be most deserving of these plagues? The vast majority of mankind has been blinded and corrupted by Satan and his seed. (Genesis 3:15; 2 Corinthians 4:4) The situation is as described by David: “They have all turned aside, they are all alike corrupt; there is no one doing good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3) Yes, the whole of mankind is in danger of receiving an adverse judgment. But one section thereof is particularly guilty. One part—“a third”—should have known better! What is that “third”?
14. What is the symbolic third that receives the plaguing messages from Jehovah?
14 It is Christendom! In the 1920’s, her realm embraced about one third of mankind. Her religion is the fruit of the great apostasy from true Christianity—the apostasy that Jesus and his disciples foretold. (Matthew 13:24-30; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:1-3) The clergy of Christendom claim to be in God’s temple and have represented themselves as teachers of Christianity. But their doctrines are far removed from Bible truth, and they continually bring God’s name into disrepute. Aptly represented by the symbolic third, Christendom receives potent, plaguing messages from Jehovah. That third of mankind merits no divine favor whatsoever!
15. (a) Is each of the trumpet blasts confined to a particular year? Explain. (b) Whose voice has been added to that of the John class in proclaiming Jehovah’s judgments?
15 In line with there being a sequence of trumpet blasts, special resolutions were featured at seven conventions from 1922 to 1928. But the trumpeting has not been confined to those years. The powerful exposing of Christendom’s wicked ways has been continuous, ongoing, as the Lord’s day progresses. Jehovah’s judgments must be proclaimed universally, to all nations, despite international hatred and persecutions. Only then does the end of Satan’s system come. (Mark 13:10, 13) Happily, the great crowd has now added its voice to that of the John class in making those thunderous pronouncements of worldwide importance.
A Third of the Earth Burned Up
16. What follows when the first angel blows his trumpet?
16 Reporting on the angels, John writes: “And the first one blew his trumpet. And there occurred a hail and fire mingled with blood, and it was hurled to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees was burned up, and all the green vegetation was burned up.” (Revelation 8:7) This is similar to the seventh plague on Egypt, but what does it mean for our time?—Exodus 9:24.
17. (a) What is represented by the word “earth” at Revelation 8:7? (b) How is Christendom’s third of the earth burned up?
17 In the Bible, the word “earth” often refers to mankind. (Genesis 11:1; Psalm 96:1) Since the second plague is on the sea, which also has to do with mankind, “the earth” must refer to the seemingly stable human society that Satan has built up and that is due to be destroyed. (2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 21:1) The plague scenario reveals that Christendom’s third of the earth is scorched by the searing heat of Jehovah’s disapproval. Her prominent ones—standing like trees in the midst of her—are burned up by the proclaiming of Jehovah’s adverse judgment. All her hundreds of millions of church members, if they continue to support Christendom’s religion, become like scorched blades of grass, spiritually wilted in God’s eyes.—Compare Psalm 37:1, 2.a
18. How was Jehovah’s judgment message proclaimed at the 1922 Cedar Point convention?
18 How is this judgment message delivered? Generally, not by the world’s news media, which are part of the world and often reproachful of God’s “slave.” (Matthew 24:45) It was proclaimed in a notable way at the second historic gathering of God’s people at Cedar Point, Ohio, September 10, 1922. These unanimously and enthusiastically adopted a resolution eninputd “A Challenge to World Leaders.” In outspoken terms, it put the modern-day symbolic earth on notice, as follows: “We therefore call upon the nations of earth, their rulers and leaders, and upon all the clergymen of all the denominational churches of earth, their followers and allies, big business and big politicians, to bring forth their proof in justification of the position taken by them that they can establish peace and prosperity on earth and bring happiness to the people; and their failing in this, we call upon them to give ear to the testimony that we offer as witnesses for the Lord, and then let them say whether or not our testimony is true.”
19. What testimony did God’s people deliver to Christendom regarding God’s Kingdom?
19 What testimony did these Christians offer? This: “We hold and declare that Messiah’s kingdom is the complete panacea for all the ills of humankind and will bring peace on earth and good will to men, the desire of all nations; that those who yield themselves willingly to his righteous reign now begun will be blessed with lasting peace, life, liberty and endless happiness.” In these corrupt times, when man-made governments, especially those in Christendom, are failing utterly to solve the world’s problems, that trumpeting challenge rings out with even greater force than in 1922. How true that God’s Kingdom in the hands of his conquering Christ is mankind’s one and only hope!
20. (a) By what means have judgment messages in 1922 and thereafter been trumpeted forth by the congregation of anointed Christians? (b) What resulted in Christendom from the first trumpet blast?
20 Through resolutions, tracts, booklets, books, magazines, and discourses, this and later proclamations were trumpeted forth by means of the congregation of anointed Christians. The first trumpet blast resulted in Christendom’s being beaten as with the hardened water of a pounding hail. Her bloodguilt, due to her share in the wars of the 20th century, has been laid bare, and she has been shown to be deserving of the fiery expression of Jehovah’s wrath. The John class, with later support from the great crowd, has continued to echo the first trumpet blast, drawing attention to Jehovah’s view of Christendom, as being fit for destruction.—Revelation 7:9, 15.
Like a Burning Mountain
21. What happens when the second angel blows his trumpet?
21 “And the second angel blew his trumpet. And something like a great mountain burning with fire was hurled into the sea. And a third of the sea became blood; and a third of the creatures that are in the sea which have souls died, and a third of the boats were wrecked.” (Revelation 8:8, 9) What does this frightful scene picture?
22, 23. (a) What resolution doubtless came as a result of the sounding of the second trumpet? (b) What is represented by “a third of the sea”?
22 We may best understand it against the background of the convention of Jehovah’s people held in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., on August 18-26, 1923. The featured Saturday afternoon talk by J. F. Rutherford was on the topic “Sheep and Goats.” The “sheep” were clearly identified as those righteously disposed persons who would inherit the earthly realm of God’s Kingdom. A resolution that followed drew attention to the hypocrisy of “apostate clergymen and ‘the principal of their flocks,’ who are worldly men of strong financial and political influence.” It called on the “multitude of the peace and order loving ones in the denominational churches . . . to withdraw themselves from the unrighteous ecclesiastical systems designated by the Lord as ‘Babylon’” and to ready themselves “to receive the blessings of God’s kingdom.”
23 Doubtless, this resolution came as a result of the sounding of the second trumpet. Those who would in due course respond to that message would separate from those described by Isaiah in these words: “But the wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire.” (Isaiah 57:20; 17:12, 13) Thus, “the sea” well pictures restless, unsettled, and rebellious humanity that churns up unrest and revolution. (Compare Revelation 13:1.) The time will come when that “sea” will be no more. (Revelation 21:1) Meantime, with the blast of the second trumpet, Jehovah pronounces judgment against a third of it—the unruly part that is in the realm of Christendom herself.
24. What is pictured by the burning mountainous mass that was hurled into the sea?
24 A great mountainlike mass burning with fire is hurled into this “sea.” In the Bible, mountains very often symbolize governments. For example, God’s Kingdom is portrayed as a mountain. (Daniel 2:35, 44) Ruinous Babylon became a “burnt-out mountain.” (Jeremiah 51:25) But the mountainous mass that John sees is still burning. Its being hurled into the sea well represents how, during and after the first world war, the question of government became a burning issue among mankind, especially in the lands of Christendom. In Italy, Mussolini introduced Fascism. Germany embraced Hitler’s Nazism, while other countries tried different forms of socialism. A radical change occurred in Russia, where the Bolshevik revolution produced the first Communist state, with the result that religious leaders of Christendom lost power and influence in what was formerly one of their strongholds.
25. How did government continue to be a burning issue after World War II?
25 The Fascist and Nazi experiments were snuffed out by the second world war, but government continued to be a fiery issue, and the human sea continued to churn and throw up new revolutionary governments. In the decades following 1945, these were installed in many places, such as China, Vietnam, Cuba, and Nicaragua. In Greece an experiment in military dictatorship failed. In Kampuchea (Cambodia) an excursion into fundamentalist Communism resulted in a reported two million and more deaths.
26. How has the “mountain burning with fire” continued to make waves in the sea of mankind?
26 That “mountain burning with fire” continued to make waves in the sea of mankind. Struggles over government have been reported in Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific islands. Many of these struggles have taken place in lands of Christendom or where Christendom’s missionaries have become activists. Roman Catholic priests even joined up with and fought as members of Communist guerrilla bands. At the same time, Protestant evangelical groups worked in Central America to counter what they called the Communists’ “vicious and relentless thirst for power.” But none of these convulsions in the sea of mankind have brought peace and security.—Compare Isaiah 25:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:3.
27. (a) How has “a third of the sea” become as blood? (b) How have ‘a third of the creatures in the sea’ died and how are “a third of the boats” to fare?
27 The second trumpet blast reveals that those of mankind who got involved in revolutionary conflicts over government rather than submit to God’s Kingdom are bloodguilty. Particularly Christendom’s “third of the sea” has become as blood. All living things therein are dead in God’s eyes. None of the radical organizations floating like boats in that third of the sea can avoid ultimate shipwreck. How happy we are that millions of sheeplike people have now heeded the trumpetlike call to separate from those who are still wallowing in the narrow nationalism and bloodguilt of that sea!
A Star Falls From Heaven
28. What happens when the third angel blows his trumpet?
28 “And the third angel blew his trumpet. And a great star burning as a lamp fell from heaven, and it fell upon a third of the rivers and upon the fountains of waters. And the name of the star is called Wormwood. And a third of the waters turned into wormwood, and many of the men died from the waters, because these had been made bitter.” (Revelation 8:10, 11) Once again, other parts of the Bible help us to see how this scripture applies in the Lord’s day.
29. What fulfills the symbolism of “a great star burning as a lamp,” and why?
29 We have already met the symbolism of a star in Jesus’ messages to the seven congregations, in which the seven stars symbolize the elders in the congregations.b (Revelation 1:20) Anointed “stars,” along with all others of the anointed, inhabit heavenly places in a spiritual sense from the time that they are sealed with the holy spirit as a token of their heavenly inheritance. (Ephesians 2:6, 7) However, the apostle Paul warned that from among such starlike ones would come apostates, sectarians, who would mislead the flock. (Acts 20:29, 30) Such unfaithfulness would result in a great apostasy, and these fallen elders would come to make up a composite man of lawlessness that would elevate himself to a godlike position among mankind. (2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4) Paul’s warnings were fulfilled when the clergy of Christendom appeared on the world scene. This group is well represented by the symbol of “a great star burning as a lamp.”
30. (a) When the king of Babylon was spoken to as one fallen from heaven, what was meant? (b) To what can a fall from heaven refer?
30 John sees this particular star falling from heaven. How? The experiences of an ancient king help us to understand. Speaking to the king of Babylon, Isaiah said: “O how you have fallen from heaven, you shining one, son of the dawn! How you have been cut down to the earth, you who were disabling the nations!” (Isaiah 14:12) This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon was overthrown by the armies of Cyrus, and its king made an abrupt descent from world rulership to shameful defeat. Thus, a fall from heaven can refer to losing a high position and falling into ignominy.
31. (a) When did the clergy of Christendom fall from a “heavenly” position? (b) How have the waters served up by the clergy turned into “wormwood,” and with what result to many?
31 When the clergy of Christendom apostatized from true Christianity, they fell from the lofty “heavenly” position described by Paul at Ephesians 2:6, 7. Instead of offering fresh waters of truth, they served up “wormwood,” bitter lies such as hellfire, purgatory, the Trinity, and predestination; also, they led the nations into war, failing to build them up as moral servants of God. The result? Spiritual poisoning of those who believed the lies. Their case was similar to that of the unfaithful Israelites of Jeremiah’s day, to whom Jehovah said: “Here I am making them eat wormwood, and I will give them poisoned water to drink. For from the prophets of Jerusalem apostasy has gone forth to all the land.”—Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15.
32. When did Christendom’s fall from the spiritual heavens become apparent, and how was it dramatized?
32 This fall from the spiritual heavens became apparent in the year 1919 when, rather than Christendom’s clergy, the small remnant of anointed Christians was appointed over the Kingdom interests. (Matthew 24:45-47) And from 1922 that fall was dramatized when this group of Christians renewed their campaign of frankly exposing the failings of the clergy of Christendom.
33. What exposé of the clergy of Christendom was made at the 1924 convention in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A.?
33 Outstanding in this connection was the proclamation made at what The Golden Age magazine described as “the greatest convention of Bible Students held during the ages.” This convention assembled in Columbus, Ohio, July 20-27, 1924. No doubt at the direction of the angel that sounded the third trumpet, a forceful resolution was there adopted and later 50 million copies were distributed as a tract. It was published under the input Ecclesiastics Indicted. A subheading presented the issue: “The Seed of Promise Versus the Seed of the Serpent.” The Indictment itself roundly exposed Christendom’s clergy on matters such as their taking of high-sounding religious inputs, their making commercial giants and professional politicians the principal ones of their flocks, their desiring to shine before men, and their refusing to preach to the people the message of Messiah’s Kingdom. It emphasized that every dedicated Christian is commissioned by God to proclaim “the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.”—Isaiah 61:2, KJ.
34, 35. (a) What has happened to the clergy’s power and influence since the third angel started to blow his trumpet? (b) What does the future hold for Christendom’s clergy?
34 Since the third angel started to blow his trumpet, the clergy’s position of dominance among mankind has been slipping until, in this day and age, very few of them retain the godlike powers they enjoyed in former centuries. Because of the preaching of Jehovah’s Witnesses, great numbers of people have come to realize that many doctrines taught by the clergy are spiritual poison—“wormwood.” Furthermore, the clergy’s power in northern Europe is almost spent, while in some other lands, the government strictly curtails their influence. In Catholic parts of Europe and in the Americas, the clergy’s scandalous behavior in financial, political, and moral affairs has sullied their reputation. From now on, their position can only get worse, since soon they will suffer the same fate as all other false religionists.—Revelation 18:21; 19:2.
35 Jehovah’s plaguing of Christendom is not yet finished. Consider what happens after the fourth trumpet blast.
Darkness!
36. What happens after the fourth angel blows his trumpet?
36 “And the fourth angel blew his trumpet. And a third of the sun was smitten and a third of the moon and a third of the stars, in order that a third of them might be darkened and the day might not have illumination for a third of it, and the night likewise.” (Revelation 8:12) The ninth plague on Egypt was a plague of literal darkness. (Exodus 10:21-29) But what is this symbolic darkness that comes to plague men?
37. How did the apostles Peter and Paul describe the spiritual estate of those outside the Christian congregation?
37 The apostle Peter told fellow believers that they had been in darkness, spiritually speaking, before they became Christians. (1 Peter 2:9) Paul too used the word “darkness” to describe the spiritual state of those outside the Christian congregation. (Ephesians 5:8; 6:12; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5) But what about those in Christendom who claim to believe in God and who say they accept Jesus as their Savior?
38. The fourth angel trumpets what fact about Christendom’s “light”?
38 Jesus said that true Christians would be recognized by their fruits and that many claiming to be his followers would be “workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:15-23) No one looking at the fruits of the third of the world occupied by Christendom can deny that she is groping in gross spiritual darkness. (2 Corinthians 4:4) She is most blameworthy, for she claims to be Christian. Hence, it is only proper that the fourth angel should trumpet the fact that Christendom’s “light” is, in fact, darkness, and her sources of “light” are Babylonish—non-Christian.—Mark 13:22, 23; 2 Timothy 4:3, 4.
39. (a) How did the resolution adopted at the convention in 1925 describe Christendom’s false light? (b) What further exposé was made in 1955?
39 In line with that heavenly proclamation, a capacity crowd of God’s people assembled in convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., on August 29, 1925, and adopted for publication a forthright resolution eninputd “Message of Hope.” Again, some 50 million copies were distributed in a number of languages. It described the false light held out by the combine of commercial profiteers, political leaders, and the religious clergy, as a result of which “the peoples have fallen into darkness.” And it pointed to God’s Kingdom as the real hope for receiving “the blessings of peace, prosperity, health, life, liberty and eternal happiness.” It took courage for the small band of anointed Christians to proclaim such messages against the giant organization of Christendom. But consistently, from the early 1920’s until now, they have done so. In more recent times, in 1955, a further exposé of the clergy class was made by the worldwide distribution in many languages of a booklet eninputd Christendom or Christianity—Which One Is “the Light of the World”? Today, Christendom’s hypocrisy has become so evident that many in the world can see it for themselves. But Jehovah’s people have not let up in exposing her for what she is: a kingdom of darkness.
A Flying Eagle
40. What did the four trumpet blasts show Christendom to be?
40 These first four trumpet blasts truly resulted in uncovering the desolate and death-dealing condition of Christendom. Her part of “the earth” was exposed as deserving of Jehovah’s judgment. Revolutionary governments springing up in her lands and elsewhere were shown to be inimical to spiritual life. The fallen condition of her clergy was laid bare, and the general darkness of her spiritual condition was exposed for all to see. Christendom is truly the most reprehensible part of Satan’s system of things.
41. During a pause in the series of trumpet blasts, what does John see and hear?
41 What more is there to reveal? Before we find the answer to this question, there is a brief pause in the series of trumpet blasts. John describes what he next sees: “And I saw, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven say with a loud voice: ‘Woe, woe, woe to those dwelling on the earth because of the rest of the trumpet blasts of the three angels who are about to blow their trumpets!’”—Revelation 8:13.
42. What may be signified by the flying eagle, and what is its message?
42 An eagle flies high in the sky, so that people in a wide area can see it. It has exceptionally keen sight and can see a long way ahead of itself. (Job 39:29) One of the four cherubic living creatures around God’s throne was pictured as a flying eagle. (Revelation 4:6, 7) Whether it is this cherub or another farsighted servant of God, it loudly proclaims a dynamic message: “Woe, woe, woe”! Let earth’s inhabitants take note, as the three remaining trumpet blasts are heard, each of them instructioned to one of these woes.
[Footnotes]
a In contrast, Revelation 7:16 shows that the great crowd do not experience the scorching heat of Jehovah’s disapproval.
b While the seven stars in Jesus’ right hand picture the anointed overseers in the Christian congregation, the elders in most of the approximately 100,000 congregations in the world today are of the great crowd. (Revelation 1:16; 7:9) What is their position? Since they receive their appointment by holy spirit through the anointed faithful and discreet slave class, these can be said to be under Jesus’ right hand of control, for they are also his undershepherds. (Isaiah 61:5, 6; Acts 20:28) They support the “seven stars” in that they serve where qualified anointed brothers are not available.
[Chart on page 139]
Christendom’s Waters Revealed to Be Wormwood
Beliefs and Attitudes What the Bibleof Christendom Really Says
God’s personal name is Jesus prayed that God’s nameunimportant: “The use of any be sanctified. Peter said:proper name for the one and “Everyone who calls on the nameonly God . . . is entirely of Jehovah will be saved.”inappropriate for the universal (Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32;faith of the Christian Church.” Matthew 6:9; Exodus 6:3;(Preface to the Revised Standard Revelation 4:11; 15:3; 19:6)Version)
God is a Trinity: “The Father The Bible says that Jehovah isis God, the Son is God, greater than Jesus and is theand the Holy Spirit is God, God and head of Christ.and yet there are not three Gods (John 14:28; 20:17;but one God.” (The Catholic 1 Corinthians 11:3)Encyclopedia, 1912 edition) The holy spirit is God’s active force. (Matthew 3:11; Luke 1:41; Acts 2:4)
The human soul is immortal: Man is a soul. At death“When man dies his soul and body the soul ceases to think orare disunited. His body . . . feel and returns to the dustdecays . . . The human soul, from which it was made.however, does not die.” (What (Genesis 2:7; 3:19;Happens After Death, a Roman Psalm 146:3, 4;Catholic publication) Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20; 9:5, 10; Ezekiel 18:4, 20)
The wicked are punished after The wages of sin is death, notdeath in hell: “According to life in torment. (Romans 6:23)traditional Christian belief, The dead rest unconscious in hell is a place of unending hell (Hades, Sheol), awaitinganguish and pain.” a resurrection. (Psalm 89:48;(The World Book Encyclopedia, John 5:28, 29; 11:24, 25;1987 edition) Revelation 20:13, 14)
“The input Mediatrix The only mediator between God[female mediator] is applied to and men is Jesus. (John 14:6;Our Lady.” (New Catholic 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15;Encyclopedia, 1967 edition) Heb 12:24)
Infants should be baptized: Baptism is for those who have“From the very beginning the been made disciples and taughtChurch has administered the to obey Jesus’ commandments.Sacrament of Baptism to infants. To qualify for baptism,Not only was this practice a person must understand God’sconsidered lawful, but it was Word and exercise faith.also taught to be absolutely (Matthew 28:19, 20;necessary for salvation.” (New Luke 3:21-23; Acts 8:35, 36)Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967edition)
Most churches are divided into All first-century Christiansa laity class and a clergy class, were ministers and shared inwhich ministers to the laity. preaching the good news.The clergy are usually given (Acts 2:17, 18;a salary in exchange for their Romans 10:10-13; 16:1)ministry and are exalted over the A Christian should “give free,”laity by inputs such as not for a salary.“Reverend,” “Father,” or “His (Matthew 10:7, 8)Eminence.” Jesus strictly forbade the use of religious inputs. (Matthew 6:2; 23:2-12; 1 Peter 5:1-3)
Images, icons, and crosses are Christians must flee fromused in worship: “The images every sort of idolatry,. . . of Christ, of the Virgin including so-called relativeMother of God, and of the other worship. (Exodus 20:4, 5;saints, are to be . . . 1 Corinthians 10:14;kept in churches and due 1 John 5:21) They worship Godreverence and honor be paid to not by sight but with spiritthem.” (Declaration of the and truth. (John 4:23, 24;Council of Trent [1545-63]) 2 Corinthians 5:7)
Church members are taught Jesus preached God’s Kingdom,that God’s purposes will not some political system,be accomplished through politics. as the hope for mankind.The late Cardinal Spellman (Matthew 4:23; 6:9, 10)stated: “There is only one road He refused to get involved into peace . . . , the highroad of politics. (John 6:14, 15)democracy.” News items report His Kingdom was no part ofreligion’s involvement in the this world; hence, hisworld’s politics (even in followers were to be no part ofinsurrections) and her support the world. (John 18:36; 17:16)of the UN as “the last hope James warned against friendshipof concord and peace.” with the world. (James 4:4)
[Picture on page 132]
The opening of the seven seals leads to the sounding of seven trumpets
[Picture on page 140]
“A Challenge to World Leaders” (1922)
This resolution helped to publicize Jehovah’s plague against “the earth”
[Picture on page 140]
“A Warning to All Christians” (1923)
Jehovah’s adverse judgment against “a third of the sea” was proclaimed abroad by this resolution
[Picture on page 141]
“Ecclesiastics Indicted” (1924)
The wide circulation of this tract helped to put people on notice that the “star” of Christendom’s clergy had fallen
[Picture on page 141]
“Message of Hope” (1925)
This forthright resolution was used to expose Christendom’s supposed light sources as being in truth sources of darkness |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 92
Preach With Boldness
(Acts 4:13)
1. Jehovah’s servants need to be strong,
Due to the pressures from Satan’s throng.
We get this courage from God’s own Word,
Also from sharing the things we have heard.
God’s Word gives power, the will to stick,
And keeps us loyal through thin and thick.
Like the apostles and men of old,
Let us be steadfast, rejoicing, and bold.
2. Since we’re believing with all our hearts
God’s Word is truthful in all its parts,
We’re not afraid of what men can do
But have strong faith, even though we are few.
Let’s fix attention on work at hand
And spread God’s message through all the land.
By preaching boldly right to the end,
We’ll have Jehovah forever as Friend.
3. Give kind assistance to all the weak
So that with boldness they too can speak.
Never neglect those of tender years;
Help them grow strong and get rid of their fears.
Bring consolation to those who sigh;
Bid all take courage, on God rely.
O’er all the earth, he will rule as King
And cause all mankind his praises to sing. |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Confession of Sins
See “Sin” |
Survival (su)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/su | input Page/Publishers’ Page
Survival Into a New Earth
Survival has become a major concern in our times. But what confronts mankind is far more awesome than a nuclear war. It is an accounting with the Creator himself. Astounding Bible prophecies show clearly that there will be survivors and that grand prospects await them right on this earth. This book has been published to help you to be among them.
—The Publishers |
School Guidebook (sg)
1992 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sg | Study 19
Using the School to Improve Field Ministry
1. When preparing our student talks, what objective of the school should we keep in mind?
1 One of the main objectives of the Theocratic Ministry School is to help us to become more effective in the field ministry. Keep that in mind when preparing your assignments. Be interested not merely in acquiring knowledge for its own sake, but also in how you can put that knowledge to use in your preaching and teaching in the field ministry.
2. How might the practicing of student talks be done so as to give a witness?
2 Some make good direct use of their assignments by practicing them in the presence of friends, neighbors, schoolteachers, unbelieving family members and others who will listen. This accomplishes several things. The student can see the reaction of others and can make adjustments to improve the talk. Also, this can stimulate the other person’s interest in the Bible when he notes the valuable information being presented. It can be an avenue for inviting him to attend the ministry school. Many persons have been introduced to the Kingdom Hall in this manner. One Witness in Japan rehearsed her part for a ministry school program before a church member on whom she made a special visit. Her theme was “God’s people are instructed to get out of ‘Babylon.’” The lady showed interest and consented to a Bible study.
3. What will stimulate our use in the field ministry of what we hear in the school?
3 Think in terms of field service. In the ministry school you hear a wealth of excellent information, and much of it can be directly used in the field ministry. On the program we discuss such matters as reasons for believing the Bible, answers to doctrinal questions, fulfillment of Bible prophecies, explanations of specific scriptures, and how Bible principles can be applied in daily life. Seek to make opportunities to use this information in the field service. You do not have to wait for someone to ask a question about it. If it is appropriate, bring the subject up yourself. This will impress the information on your own mind and it will make you more versatile in the ministry.
4. How can the school help us to improve in our use of the Bible?
4 Direct use of the Bible is a prominent part of our work. But some publishers have difficulty in turning to appropriate scriptures quickly. Do you? If so, the school can help you to make solid progress. How? Follow every speaker on the ministry school with your Bible. When the speaker reads a scripture, always look it up in your own Bible. As you look up texts again and again, you will come to know them well and will learn just where to find them. What is needed is practice, and you can get that practice, not only when out in the field ministry, but every week when attending the school. Also, you can benefit from the study done by all the speakers. They select the most pointed texts on the topics assigned to them. As you follow the speakers why not underline the key portion of those texts that you believe you may want to use in your own ministry? You may also want to note them, along with the subject, inside the cover of your Bible. In this way you will find it easy to use in the field ministry what you are learning in the school.
5, 6. How will use of realistic settings for our talks help us?
5 When preparing your talk, careful choice of settings will also help you to realize benefits from the school in your field ministry. When possible, use situations that are actually encountered in the ministry. At times you may find that your talk lends itself to a house-to-house presentation or to informal witnessing. At other times it may be more practical as a return visit discussion. Or perhaps it can be a discussion built around a point that would come up at a home Bible study. Always endeavor to make the situation realistic. You can add to the realism of your talk at times by planning to have the householder reject what you say. Then you can show how to cope with that situation. Talks that lend themselves to field ministry situations do not always have to lead to immediate success; it is also of value to show how to cope with a lack of interest.
6 When you are assigned the part of a householder, you can also benefit in relation to the field ministry. Use this opportunity to try to understand how householders think, and why they raise the objections that they do. Your realistic portrayal of such a householder, and observing how the student speaker copes with the situation, will help to train you to be effective in the ministry.
7. In order to make regular progress, on what point might we seek to improve in our ministry during the course of each week?
7 When a talk is based on Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook, analyze the instruction from the standpoint of improving your own ministry, whether from house to house or elsewhere. Why not make that the big point on which to make improvement in your ministry that week? For example, when the talk is on the need for a theme, ask yourself if your presentation in the field ministry really has a theme. Do you make it stand out so clearly that householders really have it fixed in mind after you talk to them? If not, work on it that week. Then, too, you will hear material that deals with reading and applying scriptures. As you listen to this talk, analyze your own use of scriptures. Do you read them to the householder without explaining them? How do you tie the verses in with your theme? How do you apply them to the householder? Such an analysis can help to improve your reading and application of scriptures. Is the talk on the use of illustrations? How can you improve your use of illustrations? Or perhaps the talk will be about teaching at a home Bible study. Search your own methods to see how you can apply that material to teaching at your own home Bible study, and do it that week. In this way, you will be using what you learn in the Theocratic Ministry School to enhance your field ministry.
8. While out in the field service, how might we beneficially counsel ourselves?
8 Analyze your own presentation. In the school you regularly hear counsel given and observe its benefits. The school overseer may not be at the door with you in the field ministry, but why not make it a habit to counsel yourself? When you finish talking to a householder and are walking to the next home, ask yourself: What could I have done to be more effective? Knowing what I do now, if I could make that call again, what would I do differently? Such an analysis may help you that very day, because you may meet a similar situation at another home. If you make it a practice to analyze your presentations as you work, progress will be constant. Of course, when working along with another publisher, you can also ask your partner for suggestions.
9, 10. What might be done in home practice sessions to help us to apply in the field what we learn here?
9 A very fine method of improving the effectiveness of your presentations is to practice them with others, and then analyze them together. You can do this with members of your own family or with others in the congregation. Have them take the part of householders, bringing up common objections. When the objections are raised, handle them if you know how. If not, stop and get suggestions from those present. Then proceed, using some of the ideas offered. When you finish, analyze together the effectiveness of what was done. Such practice sessions at home can help to improve your presentation, and they also give you the opportunity to correct mistakes before you get out into the field. They can help you to extend the principles learned in the school to your field ministry. Remember, the apostle Paul said that mature persons are those “who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Heb. 5:14) One way to sharpen perceptive powers is by using them in practice sessions.
10 The Theocratic Ministry School is one of Jehovah’s many generous provisions for our training. As we diligently learn and apply its lessons we shall be able to say with the prophet: “The Lord Jehovah himself has given me the tongue of the taught ones, that I may know how to answer the tired one with a word. He awakens morning by morning; he awakens my ear to hear like the taught ones.”—Isa. 50:4. |
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 | May
Tuesday, May 1
The Ammonites were subdued.—Judg. 11:33.
Jephthah realized that he would need God’s help to free Israel from the Ammonites. He promised Jehovah that if He gave him the victory, he would offer to Jehovah, as “a burnt offering,” the first one who came out of his house when he returned home from the battle. (Judg. 11:30, 31) What did that offering involve? The sacrificing of humans is something detestable to Jehovah. Thus, it is clear that Jephthah did not intend to sacrifice anyone literally. (Deut. 18:9, 10) Under the Mosaic Law, a burnt offering was given entirely to Jehovah, so Jephthah evidently meant that he would devote the person to the exclusive service of God. This promise implied permanent service at the tabernacle. Jehovah accepted Jephthah’s terms and blessed him with a resounding victory. (Judg. 11:32) When Jephthah returned from battle, who went out to meet him but his beloved daughter, his only child! Then came the test. Would he keep his word? w16.04 1:11-13
Wednesday, May 2
They helped the people to understand what was being read.—Neh. 8:8.
A few years ago, most congregations considered the book Draw Close to Jehovah at the Congregation Bible Study. Did not that study of God’s qualities, along with the heartfelt comments of your brothers and sisters, strengthen your love for your heavenly Father? We also increase our knowledge of God’s Word by paying careful attention to talks, demonstrations, and Bible readings. Meetings teach us to apply Bible principles in all aspects of our life. (1 Thess. 4:9, 10) The Watchtower Study, for example, is tailored to the needs of God’s people. Has a Watchtower Study motivated you to reevaluate your goals, to forgive a fellow Christian, or to improve the quality of your prayers? The midweek meeting educates us for the ministry. We learn how to preach the good news and how to teach Scriptural principles effectively.—Matt. 28:19, 20. w16.04 3:4, 5
Thursday, May 3
All the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction.—Rom. 15:4.
Have you ever thought about the personal conflicts recorded in the Bible? Consider just the first few chapters of Genesis. Cain kills Abel (Gen. 4:3-8); Lamech kills a young man for striking him (Gen. 4:23); the shepherds of Abraham (Abram) and Lot quarrel (Gen. 13:5-7); Hagar despises Sarah (Sarai), who becomes upset with Abraham (Gen. 16:3-6); Ishmael is against everyone and everyone’s hand is against him. (Gen. 16:12) Why does the Bible mention such conflicts? Well, one reason is that it helps imperfect humans learn why they need to keep peace. It also shows us the way we can do this. We benefit from reading Bible accounts about real people struggling with real problems. We learn about the results of their efforts and may thus be able to apply such points to some situations we encounter in life. Indeed, all of this helps us to consider how we should or should not deal with similar issues. w16.05 1:1, 2
Friday, May 4
In all the nations, the good news has to be preached first.—Mark 13:10.
What methods did Jesus and his disciples use to preach the good news? They went to the people wherever they could be found—in public areas and in private homes. The preaching work included searching for deserving ones from house to house. (Matt. 10:11; Luke 8:1; Acts 5:42; 20:20) This systematic method showed impartiality. What has been the record of Jehovah’s Witnesses? They are the only ones who preach that Jesus has been ruling as King since 1914. As Jesus instructed, they place a high priority on the preaching work. The book Pillars of Faith—American Congregations and Their Partners notes: “Jehovah’s Witnesses . . . never forget that their primary task is delivering a spiritual message about the coming end of the world and the necessity for salvation.” Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to deliver that message, using methods that Jesus and his disciples used. w16.05 2:10, 12
Saturday, May 5
You will find the knowledge of God.—Prov. 2:5.
When we base our decisions on Jehovah’s thinking, we draw closer to him. (Jas. 4:8) We enjoy his approval and blessing. This, in turn, strengthens our faith in our heavenly Father. Therefore, let us be guided by Bible laws and principles, for they reveal God’s mind on matters. Of course, we will always have something new to learn about Jehovah. (Job 26:14) With diligent effort, however, we can even now acquire the wisdom, knowledge, and discernment needed to make wise decisions. (Prov. 2:1-5) The ideas and plans of imperfect humans come and go, but the psalmist fittingly reminds us: “The decisions of Jehovah will stand forever; the thoughts of his heart are from generation to generation.” (Ps. 33:11) Clearly, we can make the best personal decisions when our thoughts and actions are in harmony with the thinking of our all-wise God, Jehovah. w16.05 3:17
Sunday, May 6
Jehovah sees into the heart.—1 Sam. 16:7.
Our faith in Jehovah’s ability to read hearts and to draw to himself those whom he chooses should prevent us from judging others, both in our territory and in our congregation. (John 6:44) Accepting Jehovah as our Potter can affect our attitude toward fellow believers. (Isa. 64:8) Do you see your brothers and sisters as God does—not as a finished product, but as a work in progress? He can see the inner person as well as the kind of person one can become in his capable hands. Hence, Jehovah takes a positive view of people and does not focus on temporary imperfections. (Ps. 130:3) We can imitate him by seeing his servants in a positive light. In fact, we can work along with our Potter by supporting our brothers and sisters as they strive to make spiritual advancement. (1 Thess. 5:14, 15) As “gifts in men,” the elders ought to take the lead in this regard.—Eph. 4:8, 11-13. w16.06 1:4-6
Monday, May 7
Let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.—1 Cor. 10:12.
Sharing the good news with others can help us to cultivate humility and various aspects of the fruitage of God’s spirit. (Gal. 5:22, 23) What is more, as we display the Christlike personality, we adorn our message, which may affect the attitude of some householders. For example, two Witnesses in Australia listened respectfully to a householder who spoke very unkindly to them. Later, however, she regretted her manner and wrote to the branch office. In part, she said: “To those two very patient and humble individuals, I would like to convey my apology for my most self-righteous and condescending behaviour. I am a fool to stand before two people spreading God’s Word and attempt to steer them away like that.” Would the householder have written that if the publishers had shown even a hint of anger? Probably not. Yes, how beneficial our ministry is—both for ourselves and for our neighbors! w16.06 2:12, 13
Tuesday, May 8
You must love your neighbor as yourself.—Matt. 22:39.
We are all born imperfect. (Rom. 5:12, 19) So at times some in the congregation may hurt us by what they say or do. This can test our love for Jehovah and for his people. What will we do on such occasions? For example, High Priest Eli had two sons who did not uphold Jehovah’s laws. We read: “The sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for Jehovah.” (1 Sam. 2:12) Though their father played a key role in promoting true worship, his two sons committed very serious sins. Eli knew about this and should have disciplined them, but he was lax in that regard. As a result, God adversely judged the household of Eli. (1 Sam. 3:10-14) In time, his descendants would not be allowed to serve as high priests. Had you lived in Eli’s day, how would you have reacted to Eli’s toleration of the sins committed by his sons? Would you have let it stumble you to the point that you would no longer serve God? w16.06 4:5, 6
Wednesday, May 9
All these other things will be added to you.—Matt. 6:33.
Why could Jesus say the above? He explained in the preceding verse: “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things,” meaning the necessities of life. Jehovah can easily anticipate our individual needs regarding food, clothing, and shelter, even before we become aware of them. (Phil. 4:19) He knows which piece of our clothing will wear out next. He knows what our dietary requirements are and what would be adequate shelter for us, given the size of our family. Jehovah will see to it that we have what we really need. Yes, we can be ever confident that if we do what we are supposed to do—give spiritual interests priority in our life—Jehovah will not hold back what is good from us. Our “godly devotion” should prompt us to be output with “food and clothing,” or “sustenance and shelter.”—1 Tim. 6:6-8; ftn. w16.07 1:17, 18
Thursday, May 10
When we were enemies we became reconciled to God through the death of his Son.—Rom. 5:10.
This reconciliation enables us to be at peace with Jehovah. Paul instructions this privilege to Jehovah’s undeserved kindness, stating: “Now that we [Christ’s anointed brothers] have been declared righteous as a result of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained access by faith into this undeserved kindness in which we now stand.” (Rom. 5:1, 2) What a blessing this is! All of us are unrighteous by nature. But the prophet Daniel foretold that during the time of the end, “those having insight,” the anointed remnant, would be “bringing the many to righteousness.” (Dan. 12:3) By their preaching and teaching work, they have brought millions of “other sheep” into a righteous standing before Jehovah. (John 10:16) However, this has been possible only through Jehovah’s undeserved kindness.—Rom. 3:23, 24. w16.07 3:10, 11
Friday, May 11
They began taking as wives all whom they chose.—Gen. 6:2.
This unnatural union of materialized angels and women produced violent hybrids known as Nephilim. Moreover, “man’s wickedness was great on the earth.” (Gen. 6:1-5) Jehovah brought about the Flood of Noah’s day in order to destroy the wicked. At that time, people were so occupied with the daily affairs of life, including marriage, that they did not take seriously what “Noah, a preacher of righteousness,” said about the impending destruction. (2 Pet. 2:5) Jesus compared conditions then with what we would see in our day. (Matt. 24:37-39) Today, most people refuse to listen to the good news of God’s Kingdom that is being preached throughout the earth for a witness to all the nations before this wicked system is brought to its end. Let us take to heart the lesson that even family-matters, such as marriage and the raising of children, should not be allowed to crowd out our sense of urgency as to Jehovah’s day. w16.08 1:8, 9
Saturday, May 12
The time left is reduced. From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none, . . . and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full.—1 Cor. 7:29-31.
Because we are living deep in “the last days,” we are experiencing “critical times hard to deal with.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5) Yet, keeping spiritually strong will do much to offset this world’s negative influences. In today’s text, Paul was not telling married couples to neglect their marital duties. In view of the reduced time, however, they needed to give priority to spiritual matters. (Matt. 6:33) Although we are living in very trying times and marital relationships are failing all around us, it is possible for us to make marriage happy and successful. Indeed, married Christians who stick with Jehovah’s people, apply Scriptural counsel, and accept the guidance of Jehovah’s holy spirit can preserve “what God has yoked together.”—Mark 10:9. w16.08 2:17, 18
Sunday, May 13
Shepherd the flock of God.—1 Pet. 5:2.
The need for shepherds in the Christian congregation is great, and those who will do such work in the future need ongoing training. Paul told Timothy: “The things you heard from me that were supported by many witnesses, these things entrust to faithful men, who, in turn, will be adequately qualified to teach others.” (2 Tim. 2:1, 2) Timothy learned by serving alongside the apostle, an older man. Then Timothy applied Paul’s methods in his own ministry and other aspects of sacred service. (2 Tim. 3:10-12) Paul did not leave Timothy’s training to chance. He had the young man accompany him. (Acts 16:1-5) Elders can imitate Paul’s example by taking qualified ministerial servants along on shepherding calls when appropriate. Elders thus give such brothers an opportunity to observe firsthand the teaching, faith, patience, and love required of Christian overseers. This procedure contributes to the training of future shepherds of “the flock of God.” w16.08 4:16, 17
Monday, May 14
Do not let your hands drop down.—Zeph. 3:16.
To let the figurative hands drop down has at times been used to describe someone who is discouraged, disheartened, or without hope. (2 Chron. 15:7, ftn.; Heb. 12:12) It is common for a person in that situation to give up. Sadly, life in Satan’s wicked world creates a tremendous amount of pressure, which can cause anxiety and thus make a person feel weighed down. That can be like an anchor attached to a boat, not allowing the boat to move forward. (Prov. 12:25) What could cause you to feel that way? Well, maybe you are trying to cope with the death of a loved one, deal with a serious illness, provide for your family in these hard economic times, or you may be facing opposition. The resulting emotional stress might in time drain your strength. It could even cause you to lose your joy. But you can be assured that God is ready to give you a helping hand.—Isa. 41:10, 13. w16.09 1:2, 4
Tuesday, May 15
I will eagerly pursue the way of your commandments.—Ps. 119:32.
One circumstance that many have faced is the struggle to overcome a fleshly weakness. Others have had to put forth determined effort to maintain a positive view of the ministry. Or in your case, it may be the need to keep enduring, even though you have poor health or are lonely. We should also not overlook the struggle some have to forgive someone who has offended them or has sinned against them. No matter how long we have been serving Jehovah, all of us must fight against things that might hinder our service to God, who rewards the faithful. If you realize that you have to some extent been affected in a negative way, by all means pray for holy spirit. Prayer and holy spirit can give you energy to pursue the course that you know to be right and that Jehovah can bless. Act on your prayers. Try to read a portion of the Bible each day, and make time for personal study as well as regular Family Worship sessions.—Ps. 119:32. w16.09 2:10, 11
Wednesday, May 16
Faith is . . . the evident demonstration of realities that are not seen.—Heb. 11:1.
Have people said to you that they believe in evolution because it is based on science whereas belief in God is based on faith? Many hold this view. But it is good for us to keep this in mind: No matter what someone believes about God or about evolution, some type of faith is involved. How so? None of us have seen God or observed something being created. (John 1:18) And no human—whether he is a scientist or not—has observed one kind of life evolve into another kind. No one has watched a reptile evolve into a mammal, for example. (Job 38:1, 4) Hence, all of us must examine the evidence and use our thinking ability to reach sound conclusions. Regarding creation, the apostle Paul wrote: “[God’s] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.”—Rom. 1:20. w16.09 4:4
Thursday, May 17
Do not forget kindness to strangers.—Heb. 13:2, ftn.
Jehovah lovingly made provisions for the foreigners living in Israel, such as the right to glean food. (Lev. 19:9, 10) Rather than order the Israelites to respect foreigners, Jehovah appealed to their empathy. (Ex. 23:9) They knew ‘how it felt to be a foreigner.’ Even before they were reduced to slavery, the Hebrews were likely shunned by the Egyptians because of racial pride or religious prejudice. (Gen. 43:32; 46:34; Ex. 1:11-14) The Israelites had experienced a bitter life as foreign residents, but Jehovah expected them to treat the foreigner “like a native” among them. (Lev. 19:33, 34) No doubt, Jehovah is equally concerned about people from a foreign background who attend meetings in our congregations. (Deut. 10:17-19; Mal. 3:5, 6) If we reflect on the challenges that they are facing, such as discrimination or the language barrier, we will look for ways to show them kindness and fellow feeling.—1 Pet. 3:8. w16.10 1:3-5
Friday, May 18
Just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.—Jas. 2:26.
The letter of James explains that true Christian faith is not just a matter of believing; action is involved. “Show me your faith without the works,” wrote James, “and I will show you my faith by my works.” (Jas. 2:18) James goes on to show the clear difference between mere belief and the exercising of one’s faith. The demons believe that God exists, but they have no true faith. Rather, they faithlessly work against the fulfillment of God’s purposes. (Jas. 2:19, 20) By contrast, referring to another ancient man of faith, James asks: “Was not Abraham our father declared righteous by works after he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that his faith was active along with his works and his faith was perfected by his works.” (Jas. 2:21-23) Then to drive home the point that faith must be shown by works, James adds the words of today’s text. w16.10 4:8
Saturday, May 19
He has . . . put eternity in their heart.—Eccl. 3:11.
Science has revealed much about the universe and our earthly home, and it has brought us advantages in various aspects of life. But there are many questions science has not been able to answer. For instance, astronomers cannot tell us exactly how the universe came into existence or why we are on planet Earth with its abundance of life. Also, people in general cannot explain why mankind has a strong desire to live forever. Why are there so many important but unanswered questions? Partly because numerous scientists and others tend to promote godless thinking and endorse the theory of evolution. But in his own Book, Jehovah answers questions weighing on the hearts of people everywhere. We are dependent on the consistent and reliable laws of nature established by Jehovah. Electricians, plumbers, engineers, pilots, surgeons—all of them depend on these laws in order to do their work. w16.11 2:4, 5
Sunday, May 20
By [God] we have life and move and exist.—Acts 17:28.
There are many reasons why we should be thankful to Jehovah! We owe him our very life, for without him we would not even move or exist. He has given us a very precious gift—his own book, the Bible. We gratefully accept it as God’s message, even as the Christians in Thessalonica received God’s word and accepted it. (1 Thess. 2:13) With the written Word of God in hand, we have drawn close to Jehovah and he has drawn close to us. (Jas. 4:8) Our heavenly Father has granted us the wonderful privilege of being part of his organization. How we appreciate such blessings! The psalmist put matters beautifully when he sang: “Give thanks to Jehovah, for he is good; his loyal love endures forever.” (Ps. 136:1) Twenty-six times in Psalm 136, we find the refrain “his loyal love endures forever.” By proving loyal to Jehovah and his organization, we will experience the truthfulness of those heartening words because we will live forever! w16.11 3:18, 19
Monday, May 21
Just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned.—Rom. 5:12.
That verse is repeatedly used in the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? As you study this book with your children or others, you will likely read Romans 5:12 when you discuss God’s purpose for the earth, the ransom, and the condition of the dead—chapters 3, 5, and 6. But how often do you think of Romans 5:12 with regard to your own standing before Jehovah, your actions, and your future prospects? All of us, of course, must face the reality that we are sinners. We make mistakes every day. Yet, we are assured that God remembers that we are made of dust, and he is willing to show us mercy. (Ps. 103:13, 14) Jesus included in the model prayer the request to God: “Forgive us our sins.” (Luke 11:2-4) Hence, we have no reason to dwell on mistakes that God has forgiven. Still, we can benefit from thinking about how he could—and did—forgive us. w16.12 1:1-3
Tuesday, May 22
Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.—Rom. 8:5.
It was fitting for Christians in Rome to analyze what their focus in life really was. Could it be that their lives were dominated by or centered on “things of the flesh”? And it is fitting for us to consider the same about our lives. What is of greatest interest to us, and to what does our speech gravitate? What do we really pursue day in and day out? Some may find that they are focusing on trying different types of wine, decorating the home, finding new clothing styles, making investments, planning vacation trips, and the like. Such matters are not bad in themselves; they can be normal aspects of life. For example, Jesus once made wine, and Paul told Timothy to take “a little wine.” (1 Tim. 5:23; John 2:3-11) But did Jesus and Paul make wine a prominent aspect of their lives? Was it their passion, what they constantly talked about? No. What about us? What is our key interest in life? w16.12 2:5, 10, 11
Wednesday, May 23
I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.—Heb. 13:5.
We can instruction that inspired statement with what Jesus said about seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness. (Matt. 6:33) The apostle Peter once asked Jesus: “We have left all things and followed you; what, then, will there be for us?” (Matt. 19:27) Instead of rebuking Peter for asking that question, Jesus told his disciples that they would be rewarded for their sacrifices. The faithful apostles and others will rule with him in heaven. But even now there are rewards. Jesus said: “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit everlasting life.” (Matt. 19:29) His disciples would gain blessings far in excess of any personal sacrifices they might make. Are not spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children much more valuable than anything we have renounced or given up for the sake of the Kingdom? w16.12 4:4, 5
Thursday, May 24
Faith is the assured expectation of what is hoped for.—Heb. 11:1.
What a wonderful hope true Christians share! All of us, whether of the anointed or of the “other sheep,” hope to see the fulfillment of God’s original purpose and the sanctification of Jehovah’s name. (John 10:16; Matt. 6:9, 10) Such expectations are the most noble any human can cherish. We also long for the promised reward of everlasting life, either as part of God’s “new heavens” or as part of his “new earth.” (2 Pet. 3:13) In the meantime, we hope for the continued increase of the spiritual prosperity of God’s people. Those who are part of Satan’s world also have some sort of hope, but they may doubt whether theirs will ever be realized. For example, millions of gamblers may hope to win a lottery, but they could hardly feel sure about that. Real faith, on the other hand, is “the assured expectation” of our Christian hope. w16.10 3:1, 2
Friday, May 25
To the extent that each one has received a gift, use it in ministering to one another.—1 Pet. 4:10.
In his undeserved kindness, Jehovah has given each of us certain gifts, assets, abilities, or talents. We can use them to glorify him and to benefit others. (Rom. 12:4-8) Jehovah has entrusted us with a stewardship that comes with honor, trust, and responsibility. Our place in God’s arrangement is not fixed, however. It can change over time. Consider Jesus’ example. Initially, he was alone with Jehovah. (Prov. 8:22) Then he helped make other spirit creatures, the material universe, and finally, humans. (Col. 1:16) Still later, Jesus took on a new role on earth, first as a helpless baby and then as an adult. (Phil. 2:7) After his sacrificial death, Jesus returned to heavenly spirit life to become the King of God’s Kingdom in 1914. (Heb. 2:9) And after his Thousand Year Reign, Jesus will hand over his Kingdom to Jehovah so that “God may be all things to everyone.”—1 Cor. 15:28. w17.01 3:11, 12
Saturday, May 26
Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve.—Josh. 24:15.
When faced with making a personal choice, one woman told a friend: “Do not make me think; just tell me what to do. That is easier.” The woman preferred being told what to do instead of using a precious gift from her Creator, the gift of free will. What about you? Do you like making your own decisions, or do you prefer that others decide for you? How do you view the matter of free will? People have debated this subject for centuries. Some claim that there is no such thing as free will—that all our actions are predetermined by God. Others argue that true free will is only possible if we have absolute freedom. However, to understand this matter properly, we must turn to God’s Word, the Bible. Why? It reveals that Jehovah created us with free will; that is, the capacity and freedom to make our own intelligent choices. w17.01 2:1, 2
Sunday, May 27
My son Solomon is young and inexperienced . . . Therefore, I will make preparation for him.—1 Chron. 22:5.
David might have concluded that Solomon was not qualified to oversee such an important project as building a house for God. After all, the temple was to be “exceedingly magnificent,” and Solomon was at the time “young and inexperienced.” Yet, David knew that Jehovah would equip Solomon to handle the work given to him. So David focused on what he could do to assist, preparing materials in great quantity. Likewise, older brothers today should not be disheartened when it becomes necessary to hand their assignments over to younger men. Rather, it is in the best interests of the work when younger ones are trained to handle responsibilities. Appointed men should have great satisfaction when the younger ones whom they have trained become qualified to take on the work. w17.01 5:8, 9
Monday, May 28
I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head.—Gen. 3:15.
As King of God’s Kingdom, Jesus will crush the serpent’s head and erase from the universe all traces of Satan’s rebellion. While on earth, Jesus helped his disciples to see the importance of God’s Kingdom. Immediately after his baptism, Jesus proclaimed “the good news of the Kingdom of God” far and wide. (Luke 4:43) In his last words to his disciples before he returned to heaven, Jesus instructed them to be witnesses of him “to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8) By means of the Kingdom-preaching work, people throughout the earth would have an opportunity to learn about the ransom and become subjects of God’s Kingdom. Today, we show our support for the Kingdom by assisting Christ’s brothers on earth in carrying out the commission to preach the good news of the Kingdom worldwide.—Matt. 24:14; 25:40. w17.02 2:7, 8
Tuesday, May 29
[Christ] gave some as apostles.—Eph. 4:11.
Although the governing body had authority in the early congregation, they acknowledged that their Leader was Jesus. “Let us by love grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ,” wrote the apostle Paul. (Eph. 4:15) Instead of naming themselves after a prominent apostle, “the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” (Acts 11:26) True, Paul acknowledged the importance of “holding fast the traditions,” or Scripturally based practices, given by the apostles and other men who took the lead. Nevertheless, he added: “But I want you to know that the head of every man [including every member of the governing body] is the Christ; . . . in turn, the head of the Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 11:2, 3) Yes, under his Head, Jehovah God, the invisible and glorified Christ Jesus was leading the congregation. w17.02 4:7
Wednesday, May 30
Let the elders who preside in a fine way be considered worthy of double honor.—1 Tim. 5:17.
Showing honor to those to whom it is due keeps us from becoming self-centered. It helps us to avoid having an inflated opinion of ourselves if some honor comes our way. It also keeps us in line with Jehovah’s organization, which refrains from giving humans—whether believers or unbelievers—excessive or undue honor. Moreover, it is the course of wisdom, helping us to avoid being stumbled if some human to whom we showed honor disappoints us. The most important benefit of giving proper honor to those to whom it is due is that we thereby please God. We act as he wants us to and thus maintain integrity to him. That contributes to making a reply to any who would try to taunt him. (Prov. 27:11) The world is full of people whose sense of how to bestow honor is distorted. We are truly grateful to know how to give honor Jehovah’s way. w17.03 1:13, 20, 21
Thursday, May 31
[Jehoshaphat] did what was right in Jehovah’s eyes.—2 Chron. 20:32.
Like his father, Asa, Jehoshaphat encouraged the people to search for Jehovah. He did so by organizing a teaching campaign that used “the book of Jehovah’s Law.” (2 Chron. 17:7-10) He even went to the territory of the northern kingdom of Israel, to the mountainous region of Ephraim, “to bring them back to Jehovah.” (2 Chron. 19:4) We can all have a share in the great teaching campaign that Jehovah is having done today. Is it your goal each month to teach the Word of God to others, trying to move their heart to serve God? By your extending yourself and with God’s blessing, you may be able to start a Bible study. Is that a goal that you pray about? Are you willing to accept this challenge, even giving up some of what is commonly viewed as free time? And just as Jehoshaphat went to the territory of Ephraim to help people return to true worship, we can reach out to those who have become inactive. w17.03 3:10, 11 |
Winter Ways of Wildlife | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101974005 | Winter Ways of Wildlife
WINTER poses a problem for teeming numbers of earth’s wild creatures in the northern climates. They solve the problem in many different ways. For example, snow is evidently more friend than enemy to many of these wild creatures, since it is an excellent insulator. ‘Let the snow come’ is their tune.
And so when a blizzard bothers the white fox, he just digs deep into a snowdrift. Curled up with his bushy tail covering his nose, the white fox then sleeps out the blizzard. When fierce winds disturb the cottontail rabbit, he may make a cavelike niche in the snow, letting the wind pack the drifting snow around him. The rabbit’s own body heat warms up the cavern, and the snow protects him from the wind.
Cozy, snug conditions—these are what a great number of small rodents find under the snow. Winter temperatures at ground surface seldom fall below 20° F. even in Alaska or Siberia, where the air temperature might drop to 50° below zero F. Making nests and runways under the snow, they merrily go about their business, finding that the snow protects them not only from the cold temperatures above but also from many of their usual predators.
Some birds, too, take advantage of snow. The ptarmigan, an Arctic bird, frequently dives into a snowbank to sleep for the night.
Winter Sleep
To many creatures, the best way to deal with winter is to sleep through it or at least much of it. So when winter comes and humans may busy themselves ice-skating on a pond, they do not see any frogs around. This is because the frogs, like a number of other cold-blooded creatures, have gone to sleep for the winter. The frogs find themselves a nice bed of unfrozen mud at the bottom of their favorite pond. But before they do this, they eat plenty of food, so that once they go to sleep they need not be concerned about meals.
Snakes in northern climates also find themselves a good place to snooze when winter comes. They search out hollow logs or a bed under a stump. A cave or rock den also makes a good sleeping place. Certain caves almost become a hotel for snakedom. In the mountains of Pennsylvania, a den was found that housed almost 200 sleeping rattlesnakes and copperheads.
Eating well before winter comes, snakes live off their fat during their winter snooze. As winter goes on, of course, they use up their fat. Thus, in late winter a naturalist once saw timber cutters wake up a big rattlesnake from his sleeping quarters under a large log. During his sleep, the rattler had used up so much of his fat that, as the naturalist said, the snake’s skin “hung on him almost as loosely as it appears to hang on the sides of an elephant.”
There are also a number of warm-blooded creatures that slumber through the winter. Take, for example, the groundhog by the name of woodchuck. Mr. Woodchuck digs himself a burrow and ensures privacy by sealing off his sleeping chamber with dirt scraped from the far end of the room. Then he rolls up into a ball and sleeps away, sometimes as long as six months! Naturalists have dug up dozing woodchucks and found that these hibernators breathe only about a dozen times an hour. The pulse rate may drop from a normal rate of around eighty or ninety beats per minute to five or less. And the animal’s temperature may drop to around 40° F. Once asleep, Mr. Woodchuck is insensible to sound or touch. You could roll him across the floor, for example, without waking him up. No insomnia for woodchucks!
Such deep sleep seems to make hibernators immune to many dangers. For example, a slumbering hedgehog was placed under water more than twenty times without drowning. And scientists put a sleeping marmot in an airtight jar filled with carbon dioxide. Remarkably, they found that this winter sleeper suffered no harm after four hours. So deep is the winter sleep of such creatures that waking up is a slow process requiring prolonged exposure to heat. Perhaps the all-time high in hibernation was registered by a young female ground squirrel, which slept for thirty-three weeks out of the year! Only nineteen weeks of activity, and back to sleep again!
Bear Naps
Compared to woodchucks, ground squirrels, snakes, frogs, and so forth, the winter sleep of many bears is only a series of naps. This is because the slumber of bears in the winter may be disturbed, since their body temperature remains high and their breathing stays at a normal rate. Not regarded as true hibernators, bears can be easily aroused from their nap. Some even wake up on their own accord in the winter and prowl around for a few hours or days.
Of course, napping bears prefer not to be disturbed by anyone, not even by out-of-season warm spells. Scientists who studied grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park found that they chose dens where they would not likely be disturbed; some dens were on canyon walls. All the dens were on slopes that faced north, so that brief warm spells would not warm up the den and wake up the occupant. The dens were cozily lined with the fine insulation of pine and fir boughs. But just when did grizzly bears enter their dens for their winter snooze?
Over a period of years, the scientists discovered that grizzlies did not enter their prepared dens for slumber until the onset of a blizzard, one that would quickly cover their tracks as they entered their dens. In a few hours, drifting, blowing snow covered their footprints, and now who would know that a dozing bruin was in bed?
Traveling South
Just as some humans head for southern climates with the approach of winter, so do many creatures of the wild, especially the birds. In fact, about two thirds of all species of birds in the northern United States and Canada (about twelve to fifteen billion birds) fly southward, to southern states and Mexico or to Central and South America, for the winter. Of course, for birds the trip southward is not just to get away from the cold; they need to travel to a warmer climate to make a decent living. During the summer up north they live on seeds, berries and insects. But in the winter not only are such tasty tidbits in short supply, but there is also a shortage of daylight hours in which to search for any available food.
The trip south, for many birds, is a long one. For instance, with winter’s approach, white storks from Europe travel as far as South Africa. And, oddly enough, young storks that have never yet been away from home travel first, without an older bird to show them the way. The yearly round trip of Mr. and Mrs. White Stork and family may cover some 14,000 miles! Truly as the Holy Bible says about the stork’s God-given instinct: “The stork in the sky knows the time to migrate.” (Jer. 8:7, The New English Bible) The wonderful winter ways of wildlife are indeed a credit to the Creator of all these creatures.
Consider this fact too: Many of the southward-bound feathered voyagers fly virtually entirely over water, making long trips nonstop. A Pacific subspecies of the golden plover lives in the Alaska tundra during the summer. In the fall this bird travels 3,000 miles over the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii! As if Hawaii is not enough of a trip, this bird will continue south for another 2,500 miles to the Marquesas. Not infrequently it will fly 500 miles more to the small South Pacific islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago.
Other Ways to Deal with Winter
Heading south, if you can do it, may be the ideal way to beat the cold, but for creatures that cannot fly, it is mostly out of the question. So a common way of coping with winter problems is to store up food supplies. The red squirrel enjoys mushroom meals and so stores up quantities of these during the summer. First, though, he dries the mushrooms by laying them out on the topmost tree branches. Then he stores them in a dry place, ready for winter use.
Putting on special winter coats is a common way many creatures survive the cold. They grow heavy coats specially equipped with a layer of fine, soft hair next to the skin.
Long before man started to manufacture coats with airy padding, the deer was taking advantage of dead-air space—heat traveling very slowly through still air. So with the approach of autumn, the deer sheds its cool summer coat and grows its winter coat, each hair of which is hollow. Covered with this air-insulated coat, the deer needs nothing more, even on the worst days, than finding protection in the deep woods among the pine and spruce.
But whereas a deer might get stalled in deep snow, the snowshoe rabbit cares not how deep the drifts get. Why is this? Well, with the approach of winter, new white fur grows abundantly on the rabbit’s feet. By the time snow is on the ground, the rabbit’s feet have been transformed into broad, soft light pads to carry him over the deepest drifts without sinking.
Right now in the northern hemisphere countless kinds of animals are coping with winter’s cold and winds. They may be asleep in a den or beneath the snow or bounding about the countryside. Amazing indeed are the winter ways of wildlife! |
The Painless Life You Can Enjoy | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101978002 | The Painless Life You Can Enjoy
PAIN is something of a paradox. It can constitute a dreaded affliction. Or it can serve as a real protection.
The sensation of pain causes us immediately to draw our hand away from an object that is so hot it would damage our flesh. This sensation of pain—this marvelous warning mechanism of the body—is not what the Bible is speaking about when it promises that “neither will . . . pain be anymore.”—Rev. 21:4.
What the Bible refers to here is the nagging, chronic pain that makes daily life miserable for literally hundreds of millions of people and causes them to spend billions of dollars in the quest for relief. What a blessing it will be when never again does a person suffer with arthritis, a headache, an earache, a toothache, or is plagued by any other kind of sickness or injury! Yet how can that situation ever be realized?
The Changes Coming
First, as we saw in the previous article, there must be a radical change in the present system. And God promised that there will be! He purposes to change our “earth,” completely removing all present kingdoms, or governments. He will accomplish this by means of his own government, as the Bible says: “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom . . . will crush and put an end to all [the existing] kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—Dan. 2:44.
But how can a change of government rid our bodies of the pains that so often afflict them? It can do so because of the wisdom and power of the one that God has chosen to head his government, Jesus Christ. Of him, a Bible prophecy says: “The government shall be upon his shoulder. . . . Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.” (Isa. 9:6, 7, Authorized Version) A person with such authority can use his knowledge of the needs of the human body to prevent painful diseases.
An experience of the British fleet in the eighteenth century illustrates how this may come about. The dreaded ‘scurvy infection’ ravaged the seamen, killing thousands yearly. Their gums would swell and bleed, their teeth would become loose, soreness and stiffness would develop in their joints and lower extremities. But then it was discovered that something vital was missing from their diet—foods containing vitamin C. So when lemon juice, and later lime juice, was made part of the regulation diet of British seamen, no longer did they suffer and die of scurvy.
The story is similar regarding the painful, deadly disease beriberi. It was discovered some years ago that among people who depend largely on a rice diet, those who ate polished rice developed beriberi, while those who ate unrefined rice did not. Thus the knowledge that rice hulls contain a vital substance, more recently identified as thiamine, made possible the control of painful, and often fatal, beriberi.
But the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ, now resurrected in heaven, is far greater than that of any earthly physician. He fully understands the workings of our physical bodies, as he has proven. While he was a man on earth over 1,900 years ago he cured the worst of diseases and afflictions, thus demonstrating what he will do on a larger scale as ruler of God’s kingdom. Of one instance, the Bible says:
“Then great crowds approached him, having along with them people that were lame, maimed, blind, dumb, and many otherwise, and they fairly threw them at his feet, and he cured them; so that the crowd felt amazement as they saw the dumb speaking and the lame walking and the blind seeing.”—Matt. 15:30, 31.
What a marvelous change! And God’s ruler Jesus Christ will eliminate, not just scurvy, beriberi and other afflictions that men, with their limited knowledge, have been able to control, but all human ills! This will be not in just one small area but earth wide! The Creator’s promise is: “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isa. 33:24) Yes, then, under the rule of God’s kingdom, will be fulfilled the promise, “neither will . . . pain be anymore.”—Rev. 21:4.
Some information about pain may help us to appreciate how, even when a person might ordinarily be expected to feel pain, the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, will see to it that it is not felt.
What Is Pain?
This seems to be a simple enough question, “What is pain?” But it is not. Dr. John J. Bonica, authority on anesthesia and pain, notes: “If you asked 100 different authorities that question, you would get 100 different answers.” But why?
Science News of October 26, 1974, explains: “Clinicians still aren’t sure what pain is and how to treat it.” More recently, Dr. Peter James Dyke, professor of Neurology at the Mayo Medical School, said: “We do not pretend to know how pain works.”
Research has revealed pain to be much more complex than previously thought. Very illuminating were the studies made about 20 years ago of a woman who, during life, had no sensation of pain. The doctors at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada tried to find out the reason for this. “They looked for the nerve endings,” explained The Star Weekly Magazine. “If Joyce didn’t have any, that would account for the girl’s insensitivity. But they were present and apparently perfect.
“Next, the doctors examined the nerve fibers supposed to connect the nerve endings with the brain. Here, surely, a defect would be found. But it wasn’t. The fibers were all perfect, as far as could be seen, aside from those degenerated due to injury.
“Finally, examinations were made of the girl’s brain and, once more, no defect of any kind could be established. According to all existing knowledge and theory, this girl should have felt pain normally, yet she couldn’t even feel tickling.” She was, however, sensitive to pressure when applied to the skin, and could distinguish between the touch of a pin head and a pin point, although the pricking of the pin did not hurt.
Prior to these Saskatchewan studies, it was generally assumed that pain is a form of sensation like sight, hearing and touch. Pain, it was believed, is felt by special nerve endings in the skin, and is transmitted through particular nerve fibers to the brain. In this view the body has a sort of pain telephone system, with pain impulses traveling along a specific nerve pathway like a telephone line. But as seen from persons who seem to be normal in all other respects except in their ability to feel pain, the matter is much more complex. Other examples also illustrate the complexity of pain.
Some persons have had an arm or a leg amputated, but feel great pain as though it were in the missing limb. Also, there is what is called “referred pain”—persons have a malfunction in a certain organ, say the heart, yet feel pain in another body part, say the arm. Now, too, acupuncture has added new dimensions to the puzzle of pain.
Acupuncture is a medical procedure in which hair-thin needles are inserted into the body at certain well-defined points. It has become the preferred method of anesthesia in China. Utilizing acupuncture as the only pain-killer, major operations are performed on conscious patients.
The Medical Tribune reported: “Dr. White and Dr. Dimond, both cardiologists, watched open heart surgery in Peking with acupuncture anesthesia. They said that the patient was awake, alert, relaxed during surgery, and that the surgery was performed as well as any they had ever seen.”
Explanations Offered
In an attempt to explain some of these mystifying aspects of pain, a “gate theory” has been offered. Opening and closing of a so-called “gate” in the spinal cord is said to either permit or block passage of pain signals to the brain. Thus, it is thought, acupuncture may prevent pain, even in a fully conscious person undergoing open heart surgery, by triggering impulses that close the spinal-cord gate to block pain signals from reaching the brain. Although this is the leading new theory, its authors themselves admit that it cannot explain all the varied facts of pain.
Now new discoveries are providing further explanations. In the past couple of years scientists have found that our bodies produce their own pain-killing drugs, called enkephalins and endorphins. “It appears,” explains Dr. Solomon Snyder of Johns Hopkins University, “that the human brain produces its own morphine.”
It was in December 1975 that the discovery of the first natural analgesics was announced. These were isolated from pigs’ brains, and called enkephalins. Then, early in 1976, the first of a number of related substances, named endorphins, were isolated. Beta-endorphin, the second endorphin discovered, was isolated from dried camel pituitary glands. It is, reportedly, “at least 20 to 40 times more effective than morphine in the relief of pain when injected directly into the brains of rats and mice.”
No one yet knows the exact functions of enkaphalins and endorphins in dulling or blocking out pain. “The endorphins are probably not constantly secreted,” says Dr. Avram Goldstein of Stanford University in California; “they are held in reserve for extreme situations” when the body needs relief from pain.
Bruce Pomeranz of Canada’s University of Toronto believes that endorphins explain why acupuncture kills pain. He suggests that the needles stimulate nerves that cause body cells to release endorphins. The endorphins then go to work somehow to dull the nerves that are involved in the perception of pain.
These drugs, it is believed, may also answer the mystery of those people who do not have the ability to feel pain. “If their brains or bloodstreams contain higher levels of one or another of these chemicals,” notes one researcher, “their insensitivity to pain would perhaps be explained.”
Importance of Mind and Emotions
It is a fact, too, that one’s emotions and frame of mind have a lot to do with perception of pain. Football players involved deeply in the game, or soldiers in the heat of battle, may be seriously injured and yet feel little or no pain at the time. Also, women who are trained to relax and remain calm during childbirth often bear their children with much less pain than anxious women who receive pain-killing drugs to relieve their agony.
Dr. John J. Bonica commented on people’s different responses to pain: “The response is influenced by early learning, ethnic background, personality, susceptibility to suggestion, concentration, mood and other factors. Fear and anxiety cause an exaggerated response. . . . We think that anxiety causes the brain to send messages down to the spinal cord to open the gates so that, in fact, he feels more pain.”
Thus, one may learn to sense pain. It evidently can be a conditioned reflex. Dr. Seymour Diamond, a headache expert at the Chicago Medical School, says, for example, that nine out of 10 headaches are due to emotions and other psychological factors and only 10 percent have an underlying organic cause. Noting the connection between pain and learning—or conditioning—Dr. Wilbert Fordyce, a professor of psychology who specializes in problems of pain, explains:
“The question is not whether the pain is real. Of course it is real. The question is what are the crucial factors which influence it. If I talk with you just before dinner about a ham sandwich, you salivate. It is very real. But it occurs because of conditioning. There’s no ham sandwich there. Human beings are exquisitely sensitive to conditioning. It influences social behavior, salivating, blood pressure, the speed of digesting food, pain, all sorts of things.”
Just as your emotions and frame of mind can intensify pain, so can they suppress or dull it, as already noted with ball players and soldiers hurt in the heat of a contest. Servants of Jehovah God, who calmly look to him with complete confidence and reliance in times of trial, also have had the experience of their pain being suppressed. A traveling overseer of Jehovah’s Witnesses in a country where persecution of Christians was severe, wrote: “Regardless of the amount of insulting and beatings that we received, a few seconds would pass and we would not feel anything more even though the beatings continued.”
Christ’s apostles may have had a similar experience, the Bible explaining: “They summoned the apostles, flogged them, and ordered them to stop speaking upon the basis of Jesus’ name, and let them go. These, therefore, went their way from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of his name.”—Acts 5:40, 41.
You Can Enjoy a Life Without Pain
Despite attempts to understand it, much about pain still remains a mystery. It is beyond the ability of humans to control. Things that men have learned about pain help us to appreciate that the Bible promise, “neither will . . . pain be anymore,” is something that only God’s Kingdom ruler, Jesus Christ, will fulfill. (Rev. 21:4) At the same time the body’s marvelous warning mechanism that produces pain will not be banished. It will continue to function for mankind’s good.
But how will Christ relieve his subjects of all unwanted pain? As noted earlier, it is God’s will for Christ to lift them out of their sinfulness and to restore the obedient ones to perfect health. So a major factor in bringing relief from pain will be the healing of his subjects’ minds, so that their emotions and mental attitudes are wholesome and proper. But the healing of their physical bodies will be important too. Under the Kingdom rule, the various body mechanisms involved in controlling pain—including the body’s production of its own pain-killing drugs—will function properly. Thus pain will never cause suffering again!
You can enjoy life under God’s Kingdom rule when the kind of pain that plagues millions of people no longer exists. Why, the promise is that even “death will be no more.” (Rev. 21:4) But you cannot realize these blessings without effort; you need to do something. Jesus Christ pointed to a fundamental requirement that you must meet when he said in prayer to God: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”—John 17:3.
Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to assist you to acquire this vital knowledge. Just ask one of them locally, or write to the publishers of this magazine, expressing your wish to have a Bible study in your home or at any other convenient location. Arrangements will then be made for you to learn more about God’s purposes for humans to enjoy a life without pain.
[Blurb on page 7]
“Clinicians still aren’t sure what pain is.”
[Blurb on page 8]
Our bodies produce their own pain-killing drugs. |
Love People (lmd)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lmd | Love People—Make Disciples |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Integrity
What is integrity?
Ps 18:23-25; 26:1, 2; 101:2-7; 119:1-3, 80
Relevant Bible account(s):
Le 22:17-22—Jehovah requires that animal sacrifices be “sound,” or whole, without significant defect; the word for “sound” is closely related to the Hebrew word translated “integrity,” suggesting that integrity involves our whole, or complete, devotion to Jehovah
Job 1:1, 4, 5, 8; 2:3—Job’s life course shows that in order to have integrity, a person must deeply respect Jehovah, worship Him wholeheartedly, and avoid what is bad in His eyes
Why do we need integrity?
Ps 7:8, 9; 25:21; 41:12; Pr 10:9; 11:3
See also Mr 12:30
What can motivate us to keep our integrity?
1Ch 29:17; Pr 2:7
See also Pr 27:11; 1Jo 5:3
How may we build and maintain our integrity?
Jos 24:14, 15; Ps 101:2-4
See also De 5:29; Isa 48:17, 18
Relevant Bible account(s):
Job 31:1-11, 16-33—Job builds up a record of integrity in his daily life by avoiding immorality and treating others with kindness and dignity. He keeps his worship of Jehovah pure and free of idolatry and his life free of materialism
Da 1:6-21—Although they are surrounded by unbelievers, Daniel and his three companions maintain integrity even when choosing what foods to eat
If a person makes a series of bad mistakes, can he ever regain his integrity?
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Ki 9:2-5; Ps 78:70-72—Because King David repented of his sins and received forgiveness, Jehovah views David as having lived a life of integrity
Isa 1:11-18—Though Jehovah denounces his people as hypocritical and full of sin, he promises that he can wash them completely clean if they repent and change their ways |
Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2)
2008 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2 | CHAPTER 10
Why Did My Friend Hurt Me?
“Kerry was my very good friend. I picked her up after work each day, since she didn’t have a car. Soon, though, I began to feel that she was taking advantage of me.
“She would get into the car busily talking or text-messaging on her cell phone. She never said thank you for the rides, and she stopped contributing for gas. And her conversation was negative. I became furious with myself for putting up with her for so long!
“One day I kindly explained to Kerry that I wouldn’t be able to pick her up after work anymore. Since then, she hasn’t sought out my company—which convinces me all the more that she only valued my friendship for what she could get out of me. And it really hurts!”—Nicole.
IT CAN happen to the best of friends. One day the two are inseparable; the next day they aren’t even talking to each other. How does a sweet friendship turn sour so fast?
● For Jeremy, everything seemed to change when a good friend moved about a thousand miles away. “After he moved, he never called,” Jeremy says, “and that really hurt me.”
● Kerrin started noticing a personality change in her best friend of five years. “Her attitude and speech really worried me,” Kerrin says. “She became negative and cynical about things that were important to me. When we tried to talk it out, she accused me of being self-righteous and disloyal and said that our friendship wasn’t healthy for her!”
● For Gloria, the end of a close friendship came without warning or explanation. “At first, we hit it off great,” Gloria says, “and she told me that I was like a sister to her. Then, out of nowhere, she stopped doing things with me, and she’d make up really lame excuses.”
● The trouble between Laura and Daria began when Daria stole Laura’s boyfriend. “She would talk with him on the phone for hours, even though he and I were dating,” Laura says. “I was betrayed by my best friend and lost a potential marriage mate—both at the same time!”
What Went Wrong?
Everyone makes mistakes. So it’s only to be expected that sooner or later a friend will do or say something that hurts you. To be honest, you may recall a few times when you have hurt others. (Ecclesiastes 7:22) “We’re all imperfect, and we’re going to rub one another the wrong way once in a while,” says a girl named Lisa. Usually a rift that’s caused by a minor misunderstanding can be cleared up with a brief conversation.
In other cases, though, a rift in a friendship isn’t the result of a single event but is caused by a gradual realization that the two of you aren’t as similar as you once thought. Remember, as you grow, your interests change—and so do those of your friend. What can you do when you sense that you and a friend are drifting apart?
How to Mend a Friendship
Have you ever torn one of your favorite articles of clothing? What did you do? Throw it away? or repair it? No doubt, much depended on the extent of the damage and how much you valued the garment. If you really loved that article of clothing, you probably looked for ways to repair it. In many cases, the same is possible with a damaged friendship. Much depends on what has happened and how much you value the relationship.a
For instance, if you’ve been the victim of some unkind word or deed, you may be able to cover over the problem by following the advice of Psalm 4:4: “Have your say in your heart, upon your bed, and keep silent.” So before throwing away the friendship, think carefully. Was the act intentional? If you can’t be sure, why not give your friend the benefit of the doubt? In many cases you can let ‘love cover a multitude of sins.’—1 Peter 4:8.
You might also examine whether you contributed to the problem. For example, if a friend betrays a confidence, could it be that it was unwise on your part to burden your friend with the information in the first place? Another question you could consider is whether you set yourself up as a target for ridicule—perhaps by excessive or foolish talking. (Proverbs 15:2) If so, ask yourself, ‘Do I need to make changes so that my friend will respect me more?’
“Can We Talk About What Happened?”
What, though, if you feel that you cannot simply dismiss the matter? In that case it might be best to approach your friend. But be careful not to do so when you’re angry. The Bible states: “An enraged man stirs up outpution, but one that is slow to anger quiets down quarreling.” (Proverbs 15:18) So wait until you’ve cooled down before you attempt to resolve the situation.
When you do approach your friend, remember that your objective isn’t to “return evil for evil.” (Romans 12:17) Rather, your goal is to settle matters and restore the friendship. (Psalm 34:14) So speak from the heart. You could say, “We’ve been friends for some time. Can we talk about what happened?” Once you know the cause of the problem, it may be easier to mend the friendship. Even if your friend is unresponsive, you can find comfort in the fact that you have tried to restore peace.
In the end, be assured that although “there exist companions disposed to break one another to pieces,” there’s also “a friend sticking closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) Granted, even the best of friendships may undergo occasional strain. When that happens, do whatever you can to mend the relationship. Really, being willing to patch up differences is evidence that you’re becoming a mature adult.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS TOPIC IN VOLUME 1, CHAPTER 8
IN OUR NEXT CHAPTERSome of your peers may spend hours chatting on the Internet. What’s the attraction?
[Footnote]
a Some companions may not be worth keeping as close associates. This would especially be true if their conduct is no longer appropriate for a Christian.—1 Corinthians 5:11; 15:33.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men.”—Romans 12:18.
TIP
Before jumping to conclusions, get your friend’s side of the story.—Proverbs 18:13.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
People in healthy relationships give each other a measure of space. (Proverbs 25:17) In contrast, becoming overly possessive of a friend’s time and attention can smother a relationship.
ACTION PLAN!
If I need to approach a friend about a hurt that he or she has caused, I could start by saying ․․․․․
Even when upset at what a friend has done, I will seek to maintain peace by ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Why do friends sometimes drift apart?
● What type of offenses might you be able to resolve in your heart, and what type of offenses would you need to talk over with the friend who hurt you?
● What beneficial lessons can you learn from going through the experience of being hurt by a friend?
● What precautions can you take in order to reduce the chances of being hurt by a friend?
[Blurb on page 95]
“If I had it all to do again, I would not have expected perfection from our friendship. I would have listened more and supported him and not magnified his flaws. I understand now that what makes a successful friendship is working through the tests and challenges.”—Keenon
[Picture on page 94]
A rift in a friendship is like a tear in a garment—but both can be mended |
Watching the World | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101979011 | Watching the World
Known for Neutrality
◆ Officials of Lake County, Illinois, have had a problem obtaining locations for their voting booths. The county clerk wants legislation forcing churches and other tax-exempt locations to allow such use of their premises, since many of these have been reluctant. “I can understand if the Jehovah’s Witnesses said we couldn’t use their church,” she said. “I know for a fact that they don’t mix politics with religion. . . . That’s not the point with these other churches.”—The News-Sun, September 29, 1978.
Automobile Reversal
◆ For many years U.S. auto manufacturers have worried over the inroads of low-priced imports on sales of their large “gas guzzlers.” Now the tables have been turned. American autos have become the low-priced imports in countries where the American dollar has fallen greatly in value. “I can offer American cars that are almost 15,000 marks ($8,000, U.S.) cheaper than their comparable European models,” said a Munich auto dealer. And that city’s Abendzeitung newspaper says: “Now it’s ‘in’ to drive an American sleigh.” In the Federal Republic of Germany, one U.S. auto maker’s 1978 sales increased 287 percent over 1977.
“Satan’s Atomic Bomb”?
◆ The new drug fad is PCP, called “Angel Dust” by users. But law enforcement and drug officials are calling it “Satan’s atomic bomb” and a “demonic new dimension” in drugs. People on the drug will “march into the muzzle of a policeman’s gun or a burning house or jump off a skyscraper believing they can fly,” says a Los Angeles narcotics squad officer. “It took eight officers to subdue a 14-year-old girl under the influence . . . normal-sized men in the throes of a PCP trip broke their steel handcuffs.” To the Point International tells a number of “horror stories”: A user, who was calm in a hospital for several hours, suddenly jumped up and bit off a girl’s nose; a mother dipped her baby in steaming water; a youth shot his parents as they watched TV; another tried to rape his own mother.
Swimming Pool During Pregnancy?
◆ Pregnant women should engage in light swimming exercise to ease delivery and eliminate the fatigue they often experience, according to Japanese obstetrician Hajime Murooka. He investigated the matter after noting that women divers had easy deliveries. Murooka had 50 pregnant women take 45-minute swimming lessons three times a week. After monitoring the mothers and fetuses, it was found that the exercise had not harmed them in any way, and most of the women went on to have almost painless deliveries when giving birth.
Reaction to Argentine Repression
◆ The U.S. White House has been feeling public response to Argentina’s actions against Jehovah’s Witnesses. In a recent week, “letters on inflation rated seventh,” says U.S. News & World Report, “outstripped by mail on such topics as private-school tax status, treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Argentina and aid to Nicaragua.”
Tokyo Safest?
◆ Many have been led to believe that Tokyo is the world’s safest big city. However, a Tokyo University researcher says that this is not necessarily true. He claims that a random survey of Tokyo residents indicates an average of 37 times more crimes than are recorded in police statistics. “There are times when policemen are too busy to keep reported cases on record,” he said. The survey indicated 54 times more assault and battery cases, 31 times more bicycle thefts and 23.7 times more shoplifting than shown by police records.
Kicking the Habit
◆ Is gradually reducing the number of cigarettes that a person smokes the right way to stop smoking? “Contrary to much popular belief,” answers Science News, “[University of California] researchers report that gradual withdrawal—cutting down on consumption by half or more—may actually ‘prolong their [the smokers’] agony by intermittently reinforcing their symptoms and smoking behavior. Typically, this chronic state of withdrawal will lead to relapse . . . craving leads to smoking and smoking leads to craving in a cycle of dependence.’”
Malaria Vaccine?
◆ Malaria kills about a million Africans each year, and infects 200 million people world wide. Now, a University of Hawaii medical researcher, Dr. Wassim A. Siddiqui, claims 100-percent success in immunizing monkeys with a malaria vaccine that he prepared. He is awaiting the go-ahead to begin trials with humans. However, there will be no quick results, as such trials normally take two to three years, if successful, before the product can be distributed.
Door-to-Door Distribution Upheld
◆ The Attorney General of Michigan, on September 25, 1978, ruled that state and municipal authorities must respect the constitutional right of citizens to engage in door-to-door solicitation and distribution of handbills and religious tracts, since this is a right guaranteed by the federal and state constitutions. The authorities may not exact a tax or require a permit to exercise this right.
Stealing as a Family
◆ “Whole families are now going out and stealing together,” according to Scotland Yard inspector Joyce Crooks. She told a London conference on shoplifting that the trend is growing. Parents have their children do the “dirty work,” while they oversee from a safe distance. Children under 10 are too young to be prosecuted. “This is how it can work,” she said. “Mother, father, grandmother and grandfather go with the children on a Saturday to a supermarket. Mother and father fill a trolley [shopping cart] which the children wheel ‘innocently’ past the checkout to a car where the grandparents are waiting.”
China Against Smoking
◆ For centuries the Chinese have been among the world’s heaviest smokers, leading the world in tobacco production and consumption. But now the Peking government has launched a massive campaign against smoking. It is aimed particularly at the younger generation, since officials recognize the difficulty of getting the older generation to abandon the habit. Two of China’s most distinguished physicians are spearheading the anti-smoking campaign.
Pill Dangers
◆ Every day, on the average, about 50 children in Italy poison themselves with pills and medicines left lying carelessly on shelves. Many of them die. United Press International reports that “most Italian houses are bulging with old pills” because few throw away unwanted drugs. More money is spent on pills in Italy than in any other country except the United States, Japan and West Germany.
Airport Living
◆ How does aircraft noise affect those living near large airports? University of California researchers reviewed death and disease statistics for a community two to three miles (3 to 5 kilometers) from Los Angeles International Airport. Compared with a similar neighborhood eight to nine miles (13 to 14 kilometers) away, the death rate from all causes was one fifth higher in the community nearer the airport. “Most striking,” says the report in Newsweek, “was the finding that cases of cirrhosis of the liver due to drinking were 140 per cent higher among those” near the airport.
TV Commercials and Children
◆ Since children between two and 11 years of age may view as many as 22,000 TV commercials a year, they have become a potent tool in the hands of advertisers to influence parents’ purchases. However, Stanford University researchers have found that a little instruction can promote healthy skepticism even in the very young. “We feel confident it is possible to teach children to become more critical of commercial appeals by showing them how commercials attempt to persuade,” said a spokesman for the researchers. Children who viewed films that exposed deceptive advertising techniques were found to be much more skeptical afterward than a similar group of children who did not see the films.
This Is Religion?
◆ In an effort to shore up rapidly declining membership, a Long Island, New York, synagogue has voted to drop its usual $300 (U.S.) annual dues for new members. “We’ve got to have younger blood or we’ll be all washed out,” said congregation president Bernard Green. Another official feared that, without new members, the synagogue would be forced to close or to merge with another. Newsday reports: “With more people, he said, services and adult education courses would be more enjoyable and more hands would be available to help in the money-making weekly bingo games.”
Reducing Traffic Deaths
◆ U.S. Transportation Secretary Brock Adams recently reported the results of studies on the use of seat belts and air bags for accident protection. He said the fatality rate for autos equipped with automatic safety belts (not requiring driver to buckle) was just one third, and those with air bags one half, of the rate for cars with standard safety belts, which are often not used. He estimated that 9,000 lives would be saved and many thousands of injuries would be avoided by using these so-called “passive restraints” that do not require operator assistance.
Alcoholism “Bomb”
◆ In Warsaw a Polish scientist stated that consumption of alcohol has gone up to such an extent everywhere that it may become more dangerous to mankind than the atomic bomb. Mikolai Tolkan told an international congress on alcoholism that this alcohol “bomb is already ticking away and few people notice it.” He said that alcohol consumption in Poland went up 35 percent in five years. Three million Poles, out of a population of 35,000,000, were said to drink too much every day. The largest five-year increase in alcohol consumption was reported to be in the Netherlands—60 percent. In Montreal, La Presse noted huge increases in alcohol use in Canada, adding: “We drink more and more.”
Largest Reserve
◆ The world’s largest nature reserve has been set aside in Namibia (South-West Africa). The area is about 2,280,000 hectares (about 5,630,000 acres), almost twice the size of America’s Yellowstone National Park. To keep the area as unspoiled as possible, no large-scale tourist camps will be allowed. The reserve includes a fish and bird sanctuary on its western ocean boundary, with mountains, ravines, lush vegetation, waterfalls and deserts inland. The animal population, including mountain zebras, ostriches, leopards, cheetahs, springboks and others, is expected to increase quickly now that they are protected.
For TV-viewing Safety
◆ In a booklet eninputd “Consumer Guide to Television Safety,” the Electronic Industries Association (in the United States) provides some TV safety hints. For instance, avoid placing a portable set on a rug, bed or sofa, for this would cover the bottom ventilation openings. Also, do not place sets over heat registers and radiators. Such precautions will help to prevent TV-related fires.
Shopping Malls Popular
◆ There are about 19,000 shopping malls and plazas in the United States. Since the late 1960’s a prominent feature has been enclosed malls where climate can be controlled. There are now more than 1,000 of these. Suburban malls have increased because of the movement of population away from cities. The idea of the shopping mall has spread to some 30 countries, with the Soviet Union planning a “supermall” near Moscow in time for the 1980 summer Olympics. |
Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2)
2008 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2 | SECTION 3
Friendship Issues
How important is it to you to have friends?
□ Not important
□ Somewhat important
□ Very important
Do you find it easy to make friends?
□ Yes
□ No
Do you have a best friend?
□ Yes
□ No
What one quality would you most expect of a friend? ․․․․․
The Bible says that “a true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress.” (Proverbs 17:17) That’s the kind of companion you need! But making friends can be difficult, and keeping them can be even harder. How can you create and maintain the best kind of friendships? Consider the advice presented in Chapters 9-12.
[Full-page picture on page 84, 85] |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 6
The Child of Promise
INSTEAD of returning to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary remain in Bethlehem. And when Jesus is eight days old, they have him circumcised, as God’s Law to Moses commands. It is apparently the custom also to give a baby boy his name on the eighth day. So they name their child Jesus, as the angel Gabriel had directed earlier.
More than a month passes, and Jesus is 40 days old. Where do his parents now take him? To the temple in Jerusalem, which is only a few miles from where they are staying. According to God’s Law to Moses, 40 days after giving birth to a son, a mother is required to present a purification offering at the temple.
That is what Mary does. As her offering, she brings two small birds. This reveals something about the economic situation of Joseph and Mary. The Law of Moses indicates that a young ram, which is much more valuable than birds, should be offered. But if the mother could not afford this, two turtledoves or two pigeons would suffice.
In the temple an old man takes Jesus into his arms. His name is Simeon. God has revealed to him that he will not die before he has seen Jehovah’s promised Christ, or Messiah. When Simeon comes to the temple on this day, he is directed by holy spirit to the child carried by Joseph and Mary.
As Simeon holds Jesus he thanks God, saying: “Now, Sovereign Lord, you are letting your slave go free in peace according to your declaration; because my eyes have seen your means of saving that you have made ready in the sight of all the peoples, a light for removing the veil from the nations and a glory of your people Israel.”
Joseph and Mary are amazed when they hear this. Then Simeon blesses them and says to Mary that her son “is laid for the fall and the rising again of many in Israel” and that sorrow, like a sharp sword, will pierce her soul.
Present on this occasion is the 84-year-old prophetess named Anna. In fact, she is never missing from the temple. In that very hour she comes near and begins giving thanks to God and speaking about Jesus to all those who will listen.
How Joseph and Mary rejoice over these events at the temple! Surely, all of this confirms to them that the child is the Promised One of God. Luke 2:21-38; Leviticus 12:1-8.
▪ When was it apparently the custom to give a baby Israelite boy his name?
▪ What was required of an Israelite mother when her son was 40 days old, and how does the fulfilling of this requirement reveal Mary’s economic situation?
▪ Who recognize the identity of Jesus on this occasion, and how do they show this? |
Worship God (wt)
2002 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/wt | Chapter Six
The Issue That We All Have to Face
1, 2. (a) What issue did Satan raise in Eden? (b) How is that issue implied by what he said?
YOU are involved in the most important issue ever to face mankind. Where you stand on it will determine your everlasting future. This issue was raised when rebellion broke out in Eden. Back then Satan asked Eve: “Is it really so that God said you must not eat from every tree of the garden?” She replied that concerning one tree God had said: “You must not eat from it . . . that you do not die.” Then Satan directly charged Jehovah with lying, saying that neither Eve’s life nor Adam’s life was dependent on obedience to God. Satan claimed that God was withholding from his creatures something good—the ability to set their own standards in life. Satan asserted: “God knows that in the very day of your eating from it your eyes are bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God, knowing good and bad.”—Genesis 3:1-5.
2 In effect, Satan was saying that humans would be better off making their own decisions rather than obeying God’s laws. He thus challenged God’s way of ruling. This raised the all-important issue of God’s universal sovereignty, that is, his right to rule. The question was raised: Which is better for humans, Jehovah’s way of ruling or rulership independent of him? Now, Jehovah could have immediately executed Adam and Eve, but that would hardly have settled the issue of sovereignty satisfactorily. By letting human society develop for a considerable time, God could demonstrate just what independence from him and his laws would produce.
3. What secondary issue did Satan raise?
3 Satan’s attack on Jehovah’s right to rule did not stop with what took place in Eden. He called into question loyalty to Jehovah on the part of others. This became a closely related secondary issue. His challenge reached out to include both the offspring of Adam and Eve and all the spirit sons of God, even Jehovah’s dearly loved firstborn Son. In the days of Job, for instance, Satan contended that those who serve Jehovah do so, not out of love for God and his way of ruling, but for selfish reasons. He argued that when subjected to hardship, they would all give in to selfish desires.—Job 2:1-6; Revelation 12:10.
What History Has Proved
4, 5. What has history proved about man directing his own steps?
4 A vital point in the issue of sovereignty is this: God did not create humans to live independently of his rulership and be successful. For their benefit he made them dependent on his righteous laws. The prophet Jeremiah acknowledged: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. Correct me, O Jehovah.” (Jeremiah 10:23, 24) So God’s Word urges: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) Just as God made humankind subject to his physical laws to stay alive, he also made moral laws, which if obeyed would make for a harmonious society.
5 Clearly, God knew that the human family could never be successful in regulating itself without his rulership. In a vain attempt to be independent of God’s rule, humans have set up different political, economic, and religious systems. These differences have brought people into constant conflict with one another, resulting in violence, war, and death. “Man has dominated man to his injury.” (Ecclesiastes 8:9) That is just what has happened throughout human history. As foretold in God’s Word, wicked men and impostors have continued to “advance from bad to worse.” (2 Timothy 3:13) And the 20th century, which saw mankind reach great heights in scientific and industrial achievement, saw the worst calamities ever. The words of Jeremiah 10:23 have been abundantly proved—humans were not created to direct their own steps.
6. How will God soon resolve human independence from him?
6 The tragic, long-term consequences of independence from God have once and for all demonstrated that rulership by humans can never succeed. God’s rulership is the only way to happiness, unity, health, and life. And God’s Word shows that Jehovah’s toleration of independent human rule is nearing its end. (Matthew 24:3-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-5) Shortly, he will intervene in human affairs to assert his rulership over the earth. Bible prophecy states: “In the days of those kings [human rulerships now existing] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom [in heaven] that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people [never again will humans rule the earth]. It will crush and put an end to all these [present-day] kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—Daniel 2:44.
Surviving Into God’s New World
7. When God’s rule ends man’s rule, who will survive?
7 When God’s rule ends man’s rule, who will survive? The Bible answers: “The upright [those who uphold God’s right to rule] are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked [those who do not uphold God’s right to rule], they will be cut off from the very earth.” (Proverbs 2:21, 22) Similarly, the psalmist stated: “Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . . . The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:10, 29.
8. How will God fully vindicate his sovereignty?
8 After Satan’s system is destroyed, God will usher in his new world, which will completely eliminate the devastating violence, wars, poverty, suffering, sickness, and death that have held mankind in their grip for thousands of years. The Bible beautifully describes the blessings awaiting obedient mankind: “He [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3, 4) By means of his heavenly Kingdom government under Christ, God will fully vindicate (justify, or prove) His right to be our Sovereign, that is, our Ruler.—Romans 16:20; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:1-6.
How They Responded to the Issue
9. (a) How have those who have remained loyal to Jehovah viewed his word? (b) How did Noah prove his loyalty, and how can we benefit from his example?
9 Down through history, there have been men and women of faith who have proved their loyalty to Jehovah as Sovereign. They knew that their lives depended on listening to and obeying him. Noah was such a man. So God said to Noah: “The end of all flesh has come before me . . . Make for yourself an ark.” And Noah submitted to Jehovah’s direction. Despite being given warning, other people of that day went about their lives as if nothing unusual was going to happen. But Noah built a gigantic ark and kept busy preaching to others about Jehovah’s righteous ways. The record goes on to say: “Noah proceeded to do according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so.”—Genesis 6:13-22; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5.
10. (a) How did Abraham and Sarah uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty? (b) In what way can we benefit from the examples of Abraham and Sarah?
10 Abraham and Sarah were also fine examples of upholding Jehovah’s sovereignty, doing whatever he commanded them. They lived in Ur of the Chaldeans, a prosperous city. But when Jehovah told Abraham to go to another land, one that he was not familiar with, Abraham “went just as Jehovah had spoken to him.” Sarah no doubt had had a comfortable way of life—with home, friends, and relatives. Yet, she was submissive to Jehovah and to her husband and went to the land of Canaan, although she did not know what conditions awaited her there.—Genesis 11:31–12:4; Acts 7:2-4.
11. (a) Under what circumstances did Moses uphold Jehovah’s sovereignty? (b) How might Moses’ example benefit us?
11 Moses was another person who upheld Jehovah’s sovereignty. And he did this under the most difficult circumstances—in face-to-face confrontations with Pharaoh of Egypt. Not that Moses was self-confident. On the contrary, he doubted his ability to speak well enough. But he obeyed Jehovah. With Jehovah’s backing and the aid of his brother, Aaron, Moses repeatedly delivered Jehovah’s word to obstinate Pharaoh. Even some of the sons of Israel were harshly critical of Moses. Yet, Moses loyally did everything that Jehovah commanded him, and by means of him, Israel was delivered from Egypt.—Exodus 7:6; 12:50, 51; Hebrews 11:24-27.
12. (a) What shows that loyalty to Jehovah involves more than doing what God has specified in writing? (b) How might appreciation of this kind of loyalty help us to apply 1 John 2:15?
12 Those who were loyal to Jehovah did not reason that all that was required was to obey what God had put in writing. When Potiphar’s wife tried to entice Joseph to have adulterous relations with her, there was no written commandment from God that prohibited adultery. However, Joseph knew about the marriage arrangement instituted by Jehovah in Eden. He was aware that having sexual relations with another man’s wife would be displeasing to God. Joseph was not interested in testing the limits to which God would let him be like the Egyptians. He upheld Jehovah’s ways by meditating on God’s dealings with mankind and then conscientiously applying what he discerned to be God’s will.—Genesis 39:7-12; Psalm 77:11, 12.
13. How was the Devil proved a liar regarding (a) Job? (b) the three Hebrews?
13 Even if severely put to the test, those who truly know Jehovah do not turn away from him. Satan charged that if Job lost his many possessions or his health, even he—of whom Jehovah spoke highly—would desert God. But Job proved the Devil a liar, even though Job himself did not know why calamities were engulfing him. (Job 2:9, 10) Centuries later, still trying to prove his point, Satan caused an infuriated king of Babylon to threaten three young Hebrews with death in a fiery furnace if they did not bow in worship before an image set up by the king. Forced to choose between obedience to the command of the king and obedience to Jehovah’s law against idolatry, they firmly made it known that they served Jehovah and that he was their Supreme Sovereign. Faithfulness to God was more precious to them than their present life!—Daniel 3:14-18.
14. How is it possible for us as imperfect humans to prove that we are truly loyal to Jehovah?
14 Are we to conclude from such examples that to be loyal to Jehovah, a person has to be perfect or that one who makes a mistake has completely failed? By no means! The Bible tells us that at times Moses fell short. Although Jehovah was displeased, he did not reject Moses. The apostles of Jesus Christ also had their weaknesses. Taking into account our inheritance of imperfection, Jehovah is pleased if we do not deliberately ignore his will in any respect. If because of weakness we do become involved in wrongdoing, it is important that we sincerely repent and not make a practice of the error. In this way we demonstrate that we truly do love what Jehovah says is good and hate what he shows to be bad. On the basis of our faith in the sin-atoning value of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can enjoy a clean standing before God.—Amos 5:15; Acts 3:19; Hebrews 9:14.
15. (a) Who among all humans maintained perfect integrity to God, and what did this prove? (b) How are we helped by what Jesus did?
15 Nevertheless, could it be that perfect obedience to Jehovah’s sovereignty is simply not possible for humans? The answer to this was like a “sacred secret” for some 4,000 years. (1 Timothy 3:16) Adam, though created perfect, did not set a perfect example of godly devotion. So who could? Certainly none of his sinful offspring. The only man to do so was Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 4:15) What Jesus accomplished proved that Adam, who had more favorable circumstances, could have maintained perfect integrity if he had wanted to. The fault was not in God’s creative work. Jesus Christ is therefore the example that we seek to imitate in demonstrating not only obedience to divine law but also personal devotion to Jehovah, the Universal Sovereign.—Deuteronomy 32:4, 5.
What Is Our Personal Answer?
16. Why must we be constantly on the alert as to our attitude toward Jehovah’s sovereignty?
16 Each of us today has to face the issue of universal sovereignty. If we have openly stated that we are on Jehovah’s side, Satan makes us a target. He brings pressure from every direction and will continue to do so down to the end of his wicked system of things. We must not let our guard down. (1 Peter 5:8) Our conduct shows where we stand on the supreme issue of Jehovah’s sovereignty and the secondary issue of integrity to God under test. We cannot afford to view disloyal conduct as unimportant simply because it is common in the world. Maintaining integrity requires that we endeavor to apply Jehovah’s righteous ways in every matter of life.
17. What is there about the origin of lying and stealing that should make us shun them?
17 For example, we cannot imitate Satan, who is “the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) We must be truthful in all our dealings. In Satan’s system, young people often are not truthful with their parents. But Christian youths avoid this, and thus they prove untrue Satan’s charge that God’s people would abandon their integrity under test. (Job 1:9-11; Proverbs 6:16-19) Then there are business practices that might identify a person with “the father of the lie” instead of with the God of truth. These, we shun. (Micah 6:11, 12) Too, stealing is never justified, even if a person is in need or if the one from whom items are taken is wealthy. (Proverbs 6:30, 31; 1 Peter 4:15) Even if it is a common practice where we live or if what is taken is small, stealing is still contrary to God’s laws.—Luke 16:10; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:28.
18. (a) At the end of Christ’s Thousand Year Reign, what test will come on all humankind? (b) What habit should we cultivate now?
18 During the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, Satan and his demons will be in the abyss, unable to influence mankind. What a relief that will be! But following the thousand years, they will be loosed for a little time. Satan and those who follow him will put pressure on those of restored mankind who are maintaining their integrity to God. (Revelation 20:7-10) If it is our privilege to be alive then, how will we react regarding the issue of universal sovereignty? Since all mankind will then be perfect, any act of disloyalty will be deliberate and will result in eternal destruction. How vital it is that we cultivate the habit now of responding positively to whatever direction Jehovah gives us, whether through his Word or through his organization! Doing so, we show our genuine devotion to him as the Universal Sovereign.
Review Discussion
• What is the great issue that we all have to face? How did we get involved?
• What is outstanding about the ways in which men and women of ancient times proved their integrity to Jehovah?
• Why is it vital that we honor Jehovah by our conduct each day? |
Blood brochure (hb)
1990 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/blood-brochure-hb | input Page/Publishers’ Page
How Can Blood Save Your Life?
[Picture Credit Line on page 2]
Cover Photo: Camerique/H. Armstrong Roberts |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Presumptuousness
Pr 11:2; 13:10
See also Pr 21:24
Relevant Bible account(s):
2Sa 6:6, 7—Uzzah is presumptuous and tries to steady Jehovah’s sacred Ark; he is struck down for his irreverent and disobedient act
2Ch 26:16-21—King Uzziah is punished for his presumptuous spirit and action |
HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Disaster Relief in 2021—Not Abandoning Our Brothers and Sisters | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502500217 | HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Disaster Relief in 2021—Not Abandoning Our Brothers and Sisters
JANUARY 1, 2022
During the 2021 service year,a the world remained in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. As explained in the article “Global Relief for a Global Pandemic,” we have spent millions of dollarsb on pandemic relief and formed more than 950 Disaster Relief Committees.
Indeed, while the pandemic was raging, other natural and man-made disasters affected our brothers and sisters around the world. In response to over 200 of such disasters, the Coordinators’ Committee of the Governing Body approved the spending of $8 million in addition to the relief provided for COVID-19. Consider how your donations were used to help victims of two recent disasters.
Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo
On May 22, 2021, Mount Nyiragongo, a volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, began to erupt. The lava flow destroyed houses, schools, and a water reservoir. But lava was not the only danger. For days after the eruption, toxic volcanic dust fell on the city of Goma and dozens of tremors were recorded. More than half the city was ordered to evacuate. Hundreds of thousands fled, some across the border to Rwanda.
On a Kingdom Hall property, the local relief committee provided hot oatmeal, or porridge
Among those displaced were about 5,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some lost their homes to the eruption; others’ homes were looted after they fled. The relief committees in both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo coordinated relief efforts. Regarding one relief committee, the Congo (Kinshasa) branch reports: “Despite the chaotic situation in the city and even before the evacuation order was given, the committee began distributing food, water, bedding, and clothing.” In one town where over 2,000 of our brothers had gathered, a relief committee set up tents, handed out masks, and explained how to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and cholera.
Bags of food being weighed before they are distributed to displaced fellow Witnesses
Within three months of the disaster, our brothers had distributed more than six tons of rice, six tons of maize flour, three tons of cooking oil, and three tons of water. To save funds, the branch arranged to buy food locally in large quantities instead of ordering more expensive food from abroad.
“We were very discouraged and in pain,” relates one sister whose new home was destroyed by the eruption. But then her family received physical and spiritual relief. She now says: “With Jehovah’s help, we still have what we need. We have seen that Jehovah carries our load and makes it easy for us to bear.”
Venezuela’s Economic Collapse
Venezuela has suffered a major economic crisis for years. Our brothers there are enduring harsh living conditions, food shortages, and an increase in crime. Yet, Jehovah’s organization has not abandoned them.
Loading sacks of rice for delivery to different parts of Venezuela
During the past service year, over $1.5 million was spent on purchasing and transporting food and soap to needy households. The Venezuela branch reports: “It is by no means easy to transport 130 tons of food to all four corners of the country each month and then get it into the hands of the brothers in need.” To ensure that the food does not spoil, the brothers often send items that have a longer shelf life. The branch adds: “We buy most food in bulk and in season as well as when prices are lower. Then we transport it using the most cost-effective method.”
Because of a severe shortage of fuel and a lack of available vehicles, young brothers travel a total of 18 kilometers (11 mi) round trip by bicycle to deliver food to their congregation
Leonel, a Disaster Relief Committee member in Venezuela, loves his assignment. “Relief work is special,” he says. “This privilege has really built me up since the death of my dear wife from COVID-19. I keep busy and feel useful to the brothers in need. I have seen firsthand how Jehovah keeps his promise not to abandon his people.”
One brother who received relief had served on a relief committee himself in the past. “Now it was my turn to need help,” he says. “We did not receive only material relief. The brothers also helped me and my wife to remain calm. They cared for us, consoled us, and encouraged us.”
Some disasters occur with little or no warning. Yet, Jehovah’s organization is often able to obtain and deliver relief supplies quickly, thanks to your donations to the worldwide work. Some of the methods to donate are described at donate.jw.org. We appreciate your generosity.
a The 2021 service year began on September 1, 2020, and ended on August 31, 2021.
b Dollar amounts in this article are in U.S. dollars. |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 187
All Things Made New
(Revelation 21:4)
1. The signs of the times prove God’s rule has begun.
In glory enthroned sits Jehovah’s Son.
The battle in heaven he’s fought and won,
And soon on the earth shall God’s will be done.
(Chorus)
2. Let all men the chaste New Jerusalem see,
The bride of God’s Lamb, shining radiantly.
Adorned now with most precious gems is she,
And only Jehovah her light will be.
(Chorus)
3. This city so fair will be all men’s delight.
Its gates will be open both day and night.
All nations will walk in her glory bright.
O servants of God, now reflect that light.
(CHORUS)
Rejoice, for God’s tent is with men
And he himself resides with them.
No more will there be pain or crying,
No sorrowing nor any dying;
For God has said: ‘I’m making all things new.
These words faithful are and true.’ |
Does the Bible Permit Divorce? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502012499 | Does the Bible Permit Divorce?
The Bible’s answer
The Bible does permit divorce. However, Jesus identified only one acceptable reason to end a marriage, stating: “Whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of fornication [sex outside of the marriage], and marries another commits adultery.”—Matthew 19:9.
God hates a deceitful, treacherous divorce. He will personally hold accountable those who frivolously leave their mate, especially when they do so with the motive of taking another partner.—Malachi 2:13-16; Mark 10:9. |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 84
The Responsibility of Discipleship
AFTER leaving the house of the prominent Pharisee, who apparently is a member of the Sanhedrin, Jesus continues on toward Jerusalem. Great crowds follow him. But what are their motives? What is really involved in being his true follower?
As they travel along, Jesus turns to the crowds and perhaps shocks them when he says: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own soul, he cannot be my disciple.”
What does Jesus mean? Jesus is not here saying that his followers should literally hate their relatives. Rather, they must hate them in the sense of loving them less than they love him. Jesus’ forefather Jacob is said to have “hated” Leah and loved Rachel, which meant that Leah was loved less than her sister Rachel.
Consider, too, that Jesus said a disciple should hate “even his own soul,” or life. Again what Jesus means is that a true disciple must love Him even more than he loves his own life. Jesus is thus emphasizing that becoming his disciple is a serious responsibility. It is not something to be undertaken without careful consideration.
Hardship and persecution are involved in being Jesus’ disciple, as he goes on to indicate: “Whoever is not carrying his torture stake and coming after me cannot be my disciple.” Thus, a true disciple must be willing to undergo the same burden of reproach that Jesus endured, even including, if necessary, dying at the hands of God’s enemies, which Jesus is soon to do.
Being a disciple of Christ, therefore, is a matter that the crowds following him need to analyze very carefully. Jesus emphasizes this fact by means of an illustration. “For example,” he says, “who of you that wants to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it, and all the onlookers might start to ridicule him, saying, ‘This man started to build but was not able to finish.’”
So Jesus is illustrating to the crowds who are following him that before becoming his disciples, they should be firmly decided that they can fulfill what is involved, even as a man who wants to build a tower makes sure before he begins that he has the resources to complete it. Providing another illustration, Jesus continues:
“Or what king, marching to meet another king in war, does not first sit down and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand troops to cope with the one that comes against him with twenty thousand? If, in fact, he cannot do so, then while that one is yet far away he sends out a body of ambassadors and sues for peace.”
Jesus then emphasizes the point of his illustrations, saying: “Thus, you may be sure, none of you that does not say good-bye to all his belongings can be my disciple.” That is what the crowds following him, and, yes, everyone else who learns of Christ, must be willing to do. They must be ready to sacrifice everything that they have—all their belongings, including life itself—if they would be his disciples. Are you willing to do this?
“Salt, to be sure, is fine,” Jesus continues. In his Sermon on the Mount, he said that his disciples are “the salt of the earth,” meaning that they have a preserving influence on people, even as literal salt is a preservative. “But if even the salt loses its strength, with what will it be seasoned? It is suitable neither for soil nor for manure,” Jesus concludes. “People throw it outside. Let him that has ears to listen, listen.”
So Jesus shows that even those who have been his disciples for some time must not weaken in their determination to continue. If they do, they will become useless, an object of ridicule to this world and unfit before God, in fact, a reproach upon God. Hence, like strengthless, contaminated salt, they will be thrown outside, yes, destroyed. Luke 14:25-35; Genesis 29:30-33; Matthew 5:13.
▪ What does it mean to “hate” one’s relatives and oneself?
▪ What two illustrations does Jesus give, and what do they mean?
▪ What is the point of Jesus’ concluding comments about salt? |
IMITATE THEIR FAITH | ABEL
“He, Although He Died, Yet Speaks” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013006 | IMITATE THEIR FAITH | ABEL
“He, Although He Died, Yet Speaks”
ABEL looked at his flock of sheep grazing peacefully on the hillside. Then, perhaps he looked far beyond his sheep to a spot in the distance where he could just make out a faint glow. He knew that right there a flaming blade was turning, ever turning, blocking the way into the garden of Eden. His parents once lived there, but neither they nor their children could enter now. Picture the late afternoon breeze ruffling Abel’s hair as he turned his gaze upward and thought about his Creator. Would the breach between man and God ever be healed? Abel wanted nothing more than that.
Abel speaks to you today. Can you hear him? You might say that such a thing is impossible. After all, this second son of Adam died a long time ago. His remains are long lost, mingled with the dust of nearly 60 centuries. Regarding the dead, the Bible teaches us: “They are conscious of nothing at all.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10) Further, Abel never uttered a single word that is recorded in the Bible. So how can he speak to us?
The apostle Paul was inspired to say this about Abel: “Through it he, although he died, yet speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4) Through what does Abel speak? Through faith. Abel was the first human ever to develop that sterling quality. So powerfully did he demonstrate faith that his example is alive, a vibrant standard that we can apply today. If we learn from his faith and seek to imitate it, then the record of Abel is speaking to us in a very real and effective way.
What, though, can we learn of Abel and his faith when so little is said of him in the Bible? Let us see.
GROWING UP WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG
Abel was born near the dawn of human history. Jesus later associated Abel with “the founding of the world.” (Luke 11:50, 51) Jesus evidently meant the world of people who have the hope of being redeemed from sin. While Abel was the fourth human to exist, it seems that he was the first one whom God saw as redeemable.a Clearly, Abel did not grow up among the best of influences.
Though the world was young, a pall of sadness hung over the human family. Abel’s parents, Adam and Eve, were likely beautiful, dynamic people. But they had fallen far in life, and they knew it. They were once perfect, with the prospect of eternal life before them. Then they rebelled against Jehovah God and were banished from their Paradise home in the garden of Eden. By putting their own desires ahead of all else—even the needs of their offspring—they lost perfection and eternal life.—Genesis 2:15–3:24.
Exiled to life outside the garden, Adam and Eve found their existence hard. Yet, when their first child was born, they named him Cain, or “Something Produced,” and Eve proclaimed: “I have produced a man with the aid of Jehovah.” Her words suggest that she may have had in mind the promise Jehovah made in the garden, foretelling that a certain woman would produce a “seed” that would one day destroy the wicked one who had led Adam and Eve astray. (Genesis 3:15; 4:1) Did Eve imagine that she was the woman in the prophecy and that Cain was the promised “seed”?
If so, she was sadly mistaken. What is more, if she and Adam fed Cain such ideas as he grew up, they surely did his imperfect human pride no good. In time, Eve bore a second son, but we find no such high-flown statements about him. They named him Abel, which may mean “Exhalation,” or “Vanity.” (Genesis 4:2) Did the choice of that name reflect lower expectations, as if they put less hope in Abel than in Cain? We can only guess.
In any case, parents today may learn much from those first parents. By your words and actions, will you feed your children’s pride, ambition, and selfish tendencies? Or will you teach them to love Jehovah God and seek friendship with him? Sadly, the first parents failed in their responsibility. Yet, there was hope for their offspring.
ABEL DEVELOPED FAITH—HOW?
As the two boys grew up, Adam likely trained them in work that had to be done to provide for the family. Cain took up farming; Abel took up shepherding.
However, Abel did something far more important. Over the years, he developed faith—that beautiful quality of which Paul later wrote. Think of it. Abel had no human example to whom he could look. How, then, did he develop faith in Jehovah God? Consider three solid bases upon which his faith likely rested.
Jehovah’s creation.
True, Jehovah had placed a curse upon the ground, causing it to produce thorns and thistles that impeded agriculture. Still, the earth generously produced the food that kept Abel’s family alive. And there was no curse on the animals, including birds and fish; nor on the mountains, lakes, rivers, and seas; nor on the skies, clouds, sun, moon, and stars. Everywhere Abel looked, he saw evidence of the profound love, wisdom, and goodness of Jehovah God, the one who created all things. (Romans 1:20) Meditating appreciatively on such things strengthened his faith.
Abel surely took time to ponder spiritual matters. Picture him tending his flock. A shepherd’s life required a great deal of walking. He led the gentle creatures over hills, through valleys, across rivers—ever seeking the greenest grass, the best watering holes, the most sheltered resting-places. Of all of God’s creatures, sheep seemed the most helpless, as if they were designed to need man to guide and protect them. Did Abel see that he too needed guidance, protection, and care from Someone far wiser and more powerful than any human? No doubt he expressed many such thoughts in prayer, and his faith continued to grow as a result.
In creation, Abel found a solid basis for faith in a loving Creator
Jehovah’s promises.
Adam and Eve must have related to their sons the events in the garden of Eden that led to their expulsion. Thus, Abel had rich food for meditation.
Jehovah said that the ground would be cursed. Abel could clearly see the thorns and thistles that fulfilled those words. Jehovah also foretold that Eve would suffer pain in pregnancy and childbirth. As Abel’s siblings were born, he no doubt learned that those words came true as well. Jehovah foresaw that Eve would feel an unbalanced need for her husband’s love and attention and that Adam would, in turn, dominate her. Abel saw that sad reality playing out before his eyes. In every case, Abel saw that Jehovah’s word is completely reliable. Thus, Abel had solid reasons for putting faith in God’s promise about a “seed” who would one day right the wrongs that had begun in Eden.—Genesis 3:15-19.
Jehovah’s servants.
Abel did not find any good examples in the human family, but humans were not the only intelligent creatures on the earth at that time. When Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden, Jehovah made sure that neither they nor their offspring would gain access to that earthly Paradise. To guard the entrance, Jehovah posted cherubs—very high-ranking angels—along with the flaming blade of a sword that turned continually.—Genesis 3:24.
Imagine Abel seeing those cherubs when he was a boy. In their materialized form, their appearance surely bespoke immense power. And that “sword,” ever flaming, ever turning, inspired awe as well. As Abel grew up, did he ever find that those cherubs got bored and left their post? No. Day and night, year after year, decade after decade, those intelligent, powerful creatures stayed right in that spot. Abel thus learned that Jehovah God had righteous, steadfast servants. In those cherubs, Abel saw a kind of loyalty and obedience to Jehovah that he could not find in his own family. Surely that angelic example strengthened his faith.
All his life, Abel could see that the cherubs were faithful and obedient servants of Jehovah
Meditating on all that Jehovah revealed about himself through creation, divine promises, and the examples of His servants, Abel found that his faith grew ever stronger. His example speaks to us, does it not? Young people in particular may find it reassuring to know that they can develop genuine faith in Jehovah God, no matter what their family members do. With the wonders of creation all around us and the entire Bible at our disposal, as well as many human examples of faith, we have ample basis for building faith today.
ABEL’S SACRIFICE—WHY IT EXCELLED
As Abel’s faith in Jehovah grew, he wanted to find a way to express that faith in action. Yet, what could a mere man give to the Creator of the universe? God surely did not need any gift or help from humans. In time, Abel came to grasp a profound truth: If—with the right motive—he simply offered Jehovah the best of what he had, his loving heavenly Father would be pleased.
So Abel prepared to offer up some sheep from his flock. He selected the best, the firstlings, and offered up what seemed to be the choicest pieces. Meanwhile, Cain too sought God’s blessing and favor, preparing an offering from his crops. But his motives were not like those of Abel. The difference became apparent when the brothers presented their offerings.
Abel offered his sacrifice in faith; Cain did not
Both sons of Adam may have used altars and fire for their offerings, perhaps within sight of the cherubs, who were the only living representatives of Jehovah on earth at that time. Jehovah responded! We read: “Jehovah was looking with favor upon Abel and his offering.” (Genesis 4:4) How God made his favor evident, the account does not say. But why did he favor Abel?
Was it the offering itself? Abel did offer a living, breathing creature, shedding its precious lifeblood. Did Abel realize how valuable such a sacrifice would be? Many centuries after Abel’s time, God used the sacrifice of an unblemished lamb to picture the sacrifice of His own perfect Son, “the Lamb of God,” whose innocent blood would be shed. (John 1:29; Exodus 12:5-7) However, much of that surely lay well beyond Abel’s knowledge or understanding.
What we know for certain is this: Abel offered up the very best of what he had. Jehovah looked with favor not only on the offering but on the man himself. Motivated by love for Jehovah and by genuine faith in him, Abel acted.
It was different with Cain. Jehovah “did not look with any favor upon Cain and upon his offering.” (Genesis 4:5) It was not that Cain’s offering was faulty in itself; God’s Law later allowed the offering of the produce of the ground. (Leviticus 6:14, 15) But the Bible says of Cain that “his own works were wicked.” (1 John 3:12) Like so many to this day, Cain evidently thought that the mere outward show of devotion to God was enough. His lack of real faith in or love for Jehovah quickly became apparent through his actions.
When Cain saw that he had not won Jehovah’s favor, did he seek to learn from Abel’s example? No. He seethed with hatred for his brother. Jehovah saw what was happening in Cain’s heart and patiently reasoned with him. He warned Cain that his course was leading toward serious sin, and He offered hope of “an exaltation” if Cain would only change his ways.—Genesis 4:6, 7.
Cain ignored God’s warning. Instead, he invited his trusting younger brother to walk with him in the field. There Cain assaulted Abel and murdered him. (Genesis 4:8) In a sense, Abel thus became the first victim of religious persecution, the first martyr. He was dead, but his story was far from finished.
Figuratively, Abel’s blood cried out to Jehovah God for vengeance, or justice. And God saw justice done, punishing wicked Cain for his crime. (Genesis 4:9-12) More important, the record of Abel’s faith speaks to us today. His life span—perhaps about a century long—was short for humans of that era, but Abel made his years on this earth count. He died knowing that he had the love and approval of his heavenly Father, Jehovah. (Hebrews 11:4) We can be confident, then, that he is safe in Jehovah’s limitless memory, awaiting a resurrection to life in an earthly paradise. (John 5:28, 29) Will you meet him there? You may if you are determined to listen as Abel speaks and to imitate his outstanding faith.
a The expression “the founding of the world” involves the idea of casting down seed, suggesting procreation, so it has to do with the earliest human offspring. Why, though, did Jesus connect Abel with “the founding of the world” and not Cain, who was the first human born? Cain’s decisions and actions amounted to a willful rebellion against Jehovah God. Like his parents, Cain does not appear to be in line for resurrection and redemption. |
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 | How to Use This Booklet
On the following pages, you will find a scripture for each day and comments on that text. Although the text and comments may be read at any time, many find it advantageous to consider them in the morning. Then they can reflect on such thoughts throughout the day. Discussing the text as a family is most beneficial. Bethel families around the world do so at breakfast time.
The comments are taken from the Watchtower (w) issues of April 2020 through March 2021. Figures following the date of the Watchtower issue refer first to the page(s) in that issue and then to the paragraph(s) where the material is found. (See illustration below.) Additional information on the subject matter can be found in the article itself. |
Where Frontiers Mean Nothing | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012006 | Where Frontiers Mean Nothing
Jehovah’s Witnesses strive to overcome barriers between peoples. They take to heart the principle underlying Jesus’ words to his disciples: “All you are brothers.” (Matthew 23:8) This is well illustrated in two of the Witnesses’ places of worship—one in Portugal and one in Spain.
THE walled city of Valença do Minho, in northern Portugal, was built in dangerous times. Its battlements overlook the Minho River, the frontier between Spain and Portugal. Across the river lies the Spanish city of Tui, with a cathedral that looks suspiciously like a fortress. The main fortifications of Tui and Valença date to the 17th century, when Spain and Portugal were at war.
In 1995, border posts and customs controls between these two countries of the European Union became things of the past. But uniting peoples means more than dismantling border controls. It also involves minds and hearts. In Valença stands a small, attractive building that shows how barriers between peoples can be bridged. It is a place of worship—a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses—shared by Spanish and Portuguese congregations of Witnesses.
This story began in 2001, when the Witnesses in Tui found themselves in need of a new Kingdom Hall. They had to vacate their rented premises, and they lacked sufficient funds to build a new hall. Even rented property was beyond their budget, since the congregation was not a large one. So these Spanish Witnesses asked their Portuguese brothers in Valença if they would mind sharing their hall, which lay just a couple of miles (km) from the center of Tui.
“We discussed the decision at a meeting in December 2001,” recalls Eduardo Vila, a member of the Tui Congregation in Spain. “I realized when I left that meeting that Jehovah had touched the hearts of our Portuguese brothers. They had made great sacrifices to build an attractive Kingdom Hall, and it was faith strengthening to see that they were willing to share what they had.”
“We welcomed the Spanish brothers to our Kingdom Hall,” says Américo Almeida, a Portuguese Witness who was present at the same meeting. “We trusted that Jehovah would bless this arrangement, and we made the decision unanimously.” The Witnesses from both sides of the border get along well together. “It may seem strange, but we don’t even notice that we are from two different countries. We are just spiritual brothers,” says Paolo from Valença.
One of the first things visitors notice inside the Kingdom Hall is the two identical clocks on the rear wall, telling different times. Spain is one hour ahead of Portugal, but the difference in time zones is the only discordant note in the Kingdom Hall. When the building needed renovation, a Regional Building Committee based in Spain supervised enthusiastic workers from both congregations. “Many professionals came from Spain to help us, some from over 100 miles (160 km) away,” recalls Paolo. “The project cemented bonds of affection between the congregations.”
Let us consider a second example of overcoming the challenges of frontiers.
Unity in a Divided Valley
Puigcerdá is a Spanish city on the border with France. It lies in the heart of a fertile valley surrounded by lofty peaks of the Pyrenees mountains. The whole valley, known as Cerdaña, was once part of Spain. But in 1659, in a peace accord known as the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Spain ceded half the valley to France.
Today, French people do their shopping in Puigcerdá, the principal city of the valley. And since 1997, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Puigcerdá have also opened the doors of their Kingdom Hall to their French counterparts. In that year the French Witnesses had to leave their rented property. The nearest Kingdom Hall in France was an hour’s drive away, and during winter months the high mountain pass that travelers must cross to reach it is often snowbound.
When the French Witnesses explained their urgent need of a meeting place, the Spanish Witnesses immediately offered their own Kingdom Hall. “All the Spanish brothers felt enthusiastic about sharing the hall,” remembers Prem, a local Witness. “Of course this spirit sprang from the Scriptural training we had received over the years. A couple of weeks later, we began sharing our Kingdom Hall, and we have been together for the past 13 years.”
“Puigcerdá was the ideal place for us to have a Kingdom Hall,” explains Eric, an overseer in the French congregation. “And I still remember the warm welcome that the Spanish congregation gave us. They adorned their hall with a large bunch of flowers and a sign reading, ‘You are welcome, dear brothers and sisters.’”
“People assumed that the closing of our Kingdom Hall in France meant that the congregation had disappeared,” Eric adds. “But our regular preaching in the area—which included the distribution of printed invitations to attend our meetings in Spain—soon revealed otherwise. Interested people are happy to come to the hall in Spain. Furthermore, the fact that we share a hall with our Spanish brothers has drawn us closer together. Before, we knew that there was a Spanish congregation on the other side of the border, but we had little contact. Now that we see one another regularly, we do not feel so isolated in this remote mountain valley.”
Did cultural barriers create any uneasiness? “When I learned that our meetings would be held across the frontier in Spain, I felt somewhat concerned,” confessed a French Witness in her 80’s. “But thanks to the welcome and friendliness of the brothers in Puigcerdá, the change presented no problem whatever. On the contrary, it has been an opportunity to affirm the international unity of Jehovah’s people.”
The Foundation of a Closer Union
The founders of European union stated that member countries were “determined to lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe.” The dismantling of border posts in the 1980’s and 1990’s was designed to accelerate this process. But barriers also need to be overcome in the mind.
Jehovah’s Witnesses work hard to eradicate prejudice and mistrust. They understand that diversity enriches their ranks and that “God is not partial.” (Acts 10:34) At their international conventions and in their Kingdom Halls, they have seen “how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) The unity that Witnesses from Valença and Puigcerdá have forged with their brothers from neighboring countries is living proof of that.
[Blurb on page 13]
“It may seem strange, but we don’t even notice that we are from two different countries. We are just spiritual brothers”
[Blurb on page 14]
“The project cemented bonds of affection between the congregations”
[Blurb on page 15]
“How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” PSALM 133:1
[Picture on pages 12, 13]
View of Tui and the Minho River from the walled city of Valença do Minho
[Picture on page 14]
Renovating the Kingdom Hall
[Picture on page 15]
The Pyrenees and the Cerdaña valley
[Picture on page 15]
Two elders from the two congregations—one Spanish and the other French—that meet in the Kingdom Hall in Puigcerdá |
Ministry School (be)
2002 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/be | Develop Ability as a Teacher
WHAT is your goal as a teacher? If you have recently become a Kingdom publisher, you no doubt have the desire to learn how to conduct a home Bible study, since Jesus gave his followers the assignment to make disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) If you already have experience in this activity, perhaps your goal is to be more effective in reaching the hearts of those whom you seek to help. If you are a parent, you surely want to be the sort of teacher who can motivate your children to dedicate their lives to God. (3 John 4) If you are an elder or are reaching out to become one, perhaps you want to be a public speaker who can build in his listeners a deeper appreciation for Jehovah and his ways. How can you reach these goals?
Take a lesson from the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ. (Luke 6:40) Whether Jesus was speaking to a crowd on a mountainside or to just a few people as they walked on the road, what he said and the way he said it made a lasting impression. Jesus stimulated the minds and hearts of his listeners, and he made practical application that they could understand. Can you accomplish similar things?
Rely on Jehovah
Jesus’ teaching ability was enhanced both by the intimate relationship that he had with his heavenly Father and by the blessing of God’s spirit. Do you earnestly pray to Jehovah to be able to conduct a home Bible study effectively? If you are a parent, do you regularly pray for divine guidance in teaching your children? Do you offer heartfelt prayer when preparing to give talks or to conduct meetings? Such prayerful reliance on Jehovah will help you become a more effective teacher.
Dependence on Jehovah is also manifested by reliance on his Word, the Bible. In prayer on the final evening of his life as a perfect human, Jesus said to his Father: “I have given your word to them.” (John 17:14) Though Jesus had vast experience, he never spoke of his own originality. He always spoke what his Father taught him, thereby leaving an example for us to follow. (John 12:49, 50) God’s word, as preserved in the Bible, has power to influence people—their actions, inmost thoughts, and feelings. (Heb. 4:12) As you grow in knowledge of God’s Word and learn to use it well in your ministry, you will be developing the sort of teaching ability that draws people to God.—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
Honor Jehovah
Being a teacher in imitation of Christ is not simply a matter of being able to give an interesting discourse. True, people marveled at Jesus’ “winsome words.” (Luke 4:22) But what was Jesus’ objective in speaking well? It was to honor Jehovah, not to draw attention to himself. (John 7:16-18) And he urged his followers: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.” (Matt. 5:16) That counsel should influence the way we teach. It ought to be our aim to avoid anything that would detract from that objective. So when planning what we will say or how we will say it, we do well to ask ourselves, ‘Will this deepen appreciation for Jehovah, or will it attract attention to me?’
For example, illustrations and real-life examples can be used effectively in teaching. However, when a lengthy illustration is developed or an experience is related in excessive detail, the point of the instruction may be lost. Similarly, telling stories that merely entertain detracts from the purpose of our ministry. In effect, the teacher is drawing attention to himself instead of accomplishing the real goal of theocratic education.
“Make a Distinction”
For a person truly to become a disciple, he must clearly understand what is being taught. He must hear the truth and see how it differs from other beliefs. Drawing contrasts helps to achieve this.
Repeatedly, Jehovah urged his people to “make a distinction” between what is clean and what is unclean. (Lev. 10:9-11) He said that those who would serve in his great spiritual temple would instruct people “in the difference between a holy thing and a profane thing.” (Ezek. 44:23) The book of Proverbs is full of contrasts between righteousness and wickedness, between wisdom and foolishness. Even things that are not opposites can be distinguished from one another. The apostle Paul drew a contrast between a righteous man and a good man, as recorded at Romans 5:7. In the book of Hebrews, he showed the superiority of Christ’s high-priestly service over that of Aaron. Indeed, as 17th-century educator John Amos Comenius wrote: “To teach means scarcely anything more than to show how things differ from one another in their different purposes, forms, and origins. . . . Therefore, he who differentiates well teaches well.”
Take, as an example, teaching someone about God’s Kingdom. If he does not understand what the Kingdom is, you might show how what the Bible says contrasts with the idea that the Kingdom is simply a condition in a person’s heart. Or you could show how the Kingdom differs from human governments. Yet, for people who know these basic truths, you might go into greater detail. You might show them how the Messianic Kingdom differs from Jehovah’s own universal kingship, described at Psalm 103:19, or from ‘the kingdom of the Son of God’s love,’ mentioned at Colossians 1:13, or from the “administration,” spoken of at Ephesians 1:10. The use of contrasts can help to bring this important Bible teaching clearly into focus for your audience.
Jesus repeatedly employed this teaching device. He contrasted the popular understanding of the Mosaic Law with the true intent of the Law. (Matt. 5:21-48) He differentiated true godly devotion from the hypocritical acts of the Pharisees. (Matt. 6:1-18) He contrasted the spirit of those who ‘lorded it over’ others with the self-sacrificing spirit that his followers would show. (Matt. 20:25-28) On another occasion, recorded at Matthew 21:28-32, Jesus invited his listeners to draw their own contrast between self-righteousness and true repentance. That leads us to another valuable facet of good teaching.
Encourage Listeners to Think
At Matthew 21:28, we read that Jesus introduced his comparison by asking: “What do you think?” A capable teacher does not simply relate facts or give answers. Instead, he encourages his listeners to cultivate thinking ability. (Prov. 3:21; Rom. 12:1) This is done, in part, by asking questions. As found at Matthew 17:25, Jesus asked: “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive duties or head tax? From their sons or from the strangers?” Jesus’ thought-provoking questions helped Peter draw his own correct conclusion about paying the temple tax. Similarly, when responding to the man who asked, “Who really is my neighbor?” Jesus contrasted the actions of a priest and a Levite with those of a Samaritan. Then he posed this question: “Who of these three seems to you to have made himself neighbor to the man that fell among the robbers?” (Luke 10:29-36) Here again, rather than thinking for his listener, Jesus invited him to answer his own question.—Luke 7:41-43.
Reach for the Heart
Teachers who grasp the sense of God’s Word realize that true worship is not merely a matter of memorizing certain facts and conforming to certain rules. It is built on a good relationship with Jehovah and appreciation for his ways. Such worship involves the heart. (Deut. 10:12, 13; Luke 10:25-27) In the Scriptures, the term “heart” often refers to the whole inner person, including such things as desires, affections, feelings, and motivations.
Jesus knew that while humans look at the outward appearance, God sees what the heart is. (1 Sam. 16:7) Our service to God should be motivated by our love for him, not by efforts to impress fellow humans. (Matt. 6:5-8) On the other hand, the Pharisees did many things for outward show. They put great emphasis on conformity to details of the Law and compliance with rules of their own making. But they failed to manifest in their lives the qualities that would identify them with the God whom they professed to worship. (Matt. 9:13; Luke 11:42) Jesus taught that while obedience to God’s requirements is important, the value of such obedience is determined by what is in the heart. (Matt. 15:7-9; Mark 7:20-23; John 3:36) Our teaching will accomplish the greatest good if we imitate Jesus’ example. It is important that we help people to learn what God requires of them. But it is also important for them to know and love Jehovah as a person so that their conduct becomes a reflection of the value they place on an approved relationship with the true God.
Of course, to benefit from such teaching, people need to face up to what is in their own hearts. Jesus encouraged people to analyze their motives and to examine their feelings. When correcting a wrong view, he would ask his listeners why they thought, said, or did certain things. Yet, so as not to leave it at that, Jesus coupled his query with a statement, an illustration, or an action that encouraged them to view matters correctly. (Mark 2:8; 4:40; 8:17; Luke 6:41, 46) We can likewise help our listeners by suggesting that they ask themselves such questions as: ‘Why does this course of action appeal to me? Why do I react to this situation as I do?’ Then supply motivation for them to view matters from Jehovah’s standpoint.
Provide Application
A good teacher knows that “wisdom is the prime thing.” (Prov. 4:7) Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge successfully to solve problems, to avoid dangers, to attain goals, to help others. It is the responsibility of a teacher to help students learn to do that but not to make decisions for them. When discussing various Bible principles, help the student to reason. You might cite a situation from everyday life and then ask the student how the Bible principle you have just studied would help him if he were confronted with that situation.—Heb. 5:14.
In his discourse at Pentecost 33 C.E., the apostle Peter provided an example of practical application that touched people’s lives. (Acts 2:14-36) After he discussed three Scripture passages that the crowd professed to believe, Peter made application of these in the light of events that they had all witnessed. As a result, the crowd felt the need to act on what they had heard. Does your teaching have a similar effect on people? Do you go beyond a recitation of facts and help people to understand why things are so? Do you encourage them to consider how the things they are learning should affect their lives? They may not cry out, “What shall we do?” as did the crowd at Pentecost, but if you have applied the scriptures well, they will be moved to consider taking appropriate action.—Acts 2:37.
When reading the Bible with your children, you parents have a fine opportunity to train them to think in terms of practical application of Bible principles. (Eph. 6:4) You might, for example, select a few verses out of the Bible reading scheduled for the week, discuss their meaning, and then ask such questions as these: ‘How does this provide guidance for us? How might we use these verses in the ministry? What do they reveal about Jehovah and his way of doing things, and how does that build up our appreciation for him?’ Encourage your family to comment on these points during the discussion of Bible highlights at the Theocratic Ministry School. The verses they comment on will likely be those they remember.
Set a Good Example
You teach not only by what you say but also by what you do. Your actions provide a practical example of how to apply the things you say. This is the way that children learn. When they imitate their parents, they give evidence that they want to be like their parents. They want to know what it is like to do what their parents are doing. Likewise, when those whom you teach ‘become imitators of you as you are of Christ,’ they begin to experience the blessings of walking in Jehovah’s ways. (1 Cor. 11:1) God’s dealings with them become part of their own experiences.
This is a sobering reminder of the importance of setting a proper example. The “sort of persons [we are] in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion” will go a long way in giving those whom we teach a living demonstration of how to apply Bible principles. (2 Pet. 3:11) If you encourage a Bible student to read God’s Word regularly, be diligent about reading it yourself. If you want your children to learn to abide by Bible principles, be sure they see that your actions are in line with God’s will. If you instruct the congregation to be zealous in the ministry, see that you have a full share in that work. When you practice what you teach, you are in a better position to motivate others.—Rom. 2:21-23.
With a view to improving your teaching, ask yourself: ‘When I give instruction, is it done in such a way that it makes a difference in the attitudes, the speech, or the actions of those who hear it? To make matters clear, do I differentiate one idea or course of action from another? What do I do to help my students, my children, or my audience at a meeting to remember what I say? Do I clearly show my listeners how to apply what they are learning? Can they see it in my example? Do they appreciate how their response to the matter being discussed can influence their relationship with Jehovah?’ (Prov. 9:10) Continue giving attention to these things as you seek to develop ability as a teacher. “Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”—1 Tim. 4:16.
TO BE EFFECTIVE IN YOUR TEACHING
Rely on Jehovah, not on your own ability
Appreciate the power of God’s Word, and use it well
Make it your aim to honor Jehovah, not to draw attention to yourself
Use contrasts to help others understand clearly
Encourage listeners to think
Urge others to examine their motives and feelings
Encourage listeners to consider how Bible knowledge should affect their lives
Be an example worthy of imitation |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Recreation
Is relaxing and enjoying some recreation appropriate for Christians?
Ec 2:24; 3:12, 13; 4:6
Relevant Bible account(s):
Mr 6:31, 32—Even though Jesus is busy, he recommends that he and his disciples find a place where they can take time to rest
What principles can help us to avoid letting recreation crowd out spiritual activities?
Mt 6:21, 33; Eph 5:15-17; Php 1:9, 10; 1Ti 4:8
See also Pr 21:17; Ec 7:4
Why should we keep away from entertainment or recreation that promotes immoral conduct?
1Co 6:18; Eph 5:3, 4; Col 3:5; Jas 1:14, 15
Why should we avoid recreation that encourages an aggressive or overly competitive spirit?
Ec 4:4; Ga 5:26; 6:4
Why should we avoid recreation that promotes violence?
Ps 11:5; Pr 3:31; 6:16, 17
How can Christians determine what type of humor is appropriate?
Pr 15:21; 26:18, 19; Eph 5:3, 4
Why should we take into consideration the conscience of others when making decisions about recreation and entertainment?
Ro 14:13, 21; 1Co 8:13; 10:24 |
My Bible Lessons (mb)
2013 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/my-bible-lessons-mb | Lesson 3
Printed Edition
1 Peter 3:8
David learns that his friend is sick.
So he says: “I know what I’ll do.
I’ll write him a letter to make him feel better, and then I’ll deliver it too!”
Show kindness, and you’ll both be happy!
ACTIVITIES
Read to your child:
1 Peter 3:8
Have your child point to:
House Desk David
Sun Bird Tree
Ask your child:
Do you know someone who is not feeling well?
How can we help that person feel better? |
Teenagers—How Can You Promote Family Peace? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101986002 | Teenagers—How Can You Promote Family Peace?
“I AM writing to ask for your help,” began a letter from a young girl. “It seems I’m always fighting with my parents. I feel all alone and am often depressed. If something doesn’t happen quick, I’m going to end my own life. . . . P.S. Don’t suggest that I talk to my parents. Nobody listens to me.”
While you may not be as desperate as this girl, many teenagers experience similar conflict in their homes. Daily chores, curfews, dress and grooming, performance in school, dating, and one’s attitude toward other family members—all of these are common causes for bickering.
Nevertheless, many youngsters have found that the Bible’s advice, when applied, really does promote peace. And obviously, there are real advantages to being at peace with your parents. (See box on opposite page.) What Bible counsel, though, helps you accomplish that?
‘Honor and Obey’
“Obey your parents. . . . Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother . . . that all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth,” commands the Bible at Ephesians 6:1-3. (The Amplified Bible) Should you not honor your parents, who gave you life, nourished you as a helpless infant, and sacrificed to give you shelter, clothing, food, and health care? Obedience means that you do what God-fearing parents ask—even if it is difficult. This is easier said than done! Yet, heeding the advice of your parents, who have much more experience in living, can make you wiser and shield you from some painful heartaches.
True, this may mean learning to do or accept some things that you feel are unpleasant. But this is essential training for coping with the pressures of the adult world. Dr. Paul Gabriel, a child psychiatrist, found that “coping children” are those that “can tolerate frustration.” They learn to handle disappointments without going to pieces and learn to accept the inevitable. The Bible also indicates that coping with adversity can build personality. Lamentations 3:27 states: “Good it is for an able-bodied man that he should carry the yoke during his youth.”
But what if you feel that your parents are overlooking your point of view? The Bible suggests: (1) Talk calmly rather than fight verbally. (Proverbs 29:11) (2) Use words that are “sweet.” Ask for consideration and help, rather than demand such. (Proverbs 16:21) (3) Be reasonable. Give solid reasons for your viewpoint rather than irrelevant remarks, such as, “Everyone else is doing it.”—See Philippians 4:5.
Talk ‘Straight From Your Heart’
When Gregory was a teenager, he felt that he got little emotional support from his mother. Her restrictions seemed unreasonable. Without any real basis she often accused him of wrongdoing. Gregory’s inner pain led to daily conflict. A minister whom he approached for help at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses urged him to talk to his mother ‘straight from his heart.’—Job 33:3, The Holy Bible in the Language of Today, by William Beck.
“I worked hard to let her know how I really felt. I needed her understanding and emotional support,” said Gregory. “I helped her see that I wasn’t doing anything wrong and how hurt I was that she didn’t trust me. Well, she began to understand my feelings, and our relationship improved. Also, I obeyed her and avoided giving her any reason to distrust me.” When a youngster’s emotional needs go unanswered, often resentment builds. But heart communication with parents can improve the home atmosphere.
The improved situation in Gregory’s home can better be evaluated when you consider he was part of a rapidly increasing type of household with unique problems, the one-parent family.
The One-Parent Family
Presently, one out of every five children in the United States lives with only one parent, and there are similar situations in other lands. A single mother in Peru told of the enormous load she had to carry, such as working long hours and then caring for the household chores. Yet she said: “What makes life harder is when the children do not respect my orders.”
If you are a child in such a family, show compassion by cultivating what the Bible calls “fellow feeling.” (1 Peter 3:8) Be obedient. Prove that you are a real son or daughter by not only helping with household chores but also supporting your parent emotionally. Be glad that you have someone who cares about you and is determined to rear you properly. Successfully coping with the added challenges in a one-parent family will make you a better person.a
True, no home is perfect. Nevertheless, focus on the positive points of your home with an appreciative eye and then promote peace.
[Footnotes]
a See “Just You and Me, Mom” in our February 22, 1981, issue.
[Box on page 7]
Value of Good Parent-Teen Relationships
“Consensus existed among the [approximately 200] studies reviewed that academic achievement, leadership, and creative thinking of children was positively related to warm, accepting, understanding . . . parent-child relationships.”—James Walters and Nick Stinnett in Journal of Marriage and the Family.
“When an adolescent becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, his particular role within the family may be critical to his addiction and to his treatment.”—“Drug Abuse: A Family Affair,” by M. Hager in The Journal.
“According to one study, the more satisfied adolescents were with the communication and help received from their parents, the higher their self-esteem.”—E. Atwater in Adolescence. |
Creation (ce)
1985 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ce | Chapter 7
“Ape-Men”—What Were They?
1, 2. What does evolutionary theory assert that our ancestors were?
FOR many years there have been reports that the fossil remains of apelike humans have been found. Scientific literature abounds with artists’ renderings of such creatures. Are these the evolutionary transitions between beast and man? Are “ape-men” our ancestors? Evolutionary scientists claim that they are. That is why we often read expressions such as this article input in a science magazine: “How Ape Became Man.”1
2 True, some evolutionists do not feel that these theoretical ancestors of man should rightly be called “apes.” Even so, some of their colleagues are not so exacting.2 Stephen Jay Gould says: “People . . . evolved from apelike ancestors.”3 And George Gaylord Simpson stated: “The common ancestor would certainly be called an ape or a monkey in popular speech by anybody who saw it. Since the terms ape and monkey are defined by popular usage, man’s ancestors were apes or monkeys.”4
3. Why is the fossil record considered important in determining man’s ancestry?
3 Why is the fossil record so important in the effort to document the existence of apelike ancestors for humankind? Because today’s living world has nothing in it to support the idea. As shown in Chapter 6, there is an enormous gulf between humans and any animals existing today, including the ape family. Hence, since the living world does not provide a instruction between man and ape, it was hoped that the fossil record would.
4. From evolution’s standpoint, why is the absence of living “ape-men” so strange?
4 From the standpoint of evolution, the obvious gulf between man and ape today is strange. Evolutionary theory holds that as animals progressed up the evolutionary scale, they became more capable of surviving. Why, then, is the “inferior” ape family still in existence, but not a single one of the presumed intermediate forms, which were supposed to be more advanced in evolution? Today we see chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, but no “ape-men.” Does it seem likely that every one of the more recent and supposedly more advanced “instructions” between apelike creatures and modern man should have become extinct, but not the lower apes?
How Much Fossil Evidence?
5. What impression do the accounts leave about the fossil evidence for human evolution?
5 From the accounts in scientific literature, in museum displays and on television, it would seem that surely there must be abundant evidence that humans evolved from apelike creatures. Is this really so? For instance, what fossil evidence was there of this in Darwin’s day? Was it such evidence that encouraged him to formulate his theory?
6. (a) Were earlier theories about human evolution based on fossil evidence? (b) Why could evolution gain acceptance without solid evidence?
6 The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists informs us: “The early theories of human evolution are really very odd, if one stops to look at them. David Pilbeam has described the early theories as ‘fossil-free.’ That is, here were theories about human evolution that one would think would require some fossil evidence, but in fact there were either so few fossils that they exerted no influence on the theory, or there were no fossils at all. So between man’s supposed closest relatives and the early human fossils, there was only the imagination of nineteenth century scientists.” This scientific publication shows why: “People wanted to believe in evolution, human evolution, and this affected the results of their work.”5
7-9. How much fossil evidence for human evolution is there now?
7 After more than a century of searching, how much fossil evidence is there of “ape-men”? Richard Leakey stated: “Those working in this field have so little evidence upon which to base their conclusions that it is necessary for them frequently to change their conclusions.”6 New Scientist commented: “Judged by the amount of evidence upon which it is based, the study of fossil man hardly deserves to be more than a sub-discipline of palaeontology or anthropology. . . . the collection is so tantalisingly incomplete, and the specimens themselves often so fragmentary and inconclusive.”7
8 Similarly, the book Origins admits: “As we move farther along the path of evolution towards humans the going becomes distinctly uncertain, again owing to the paucity of fossil evidence.”8 Science magazine adds: “The primary scientific evidence is a pitifully small array of bones from which to construct man’s evolutionary history. One anthropologist has compared the task to that of reconstructing the plot of War and Peace with 13 randomly selected pages.”9
9 Just how sparse is the fossil record regarding “ape-men”? Note the following. Newsweek: “‘You could put all the fossils on the top of a single desk,’ said Elwyn Simons of Duke University.”10 The New York Times: “The known fossil remains of man’s ancestors would fit on a billiard table. That makes a poor platform from which to peer into the mists of the last few million years.”11 Science Digest: “The remarkable fact is that all the physical evidence we have for human evolution can still be placed, with room to spare, inside a single coffin! . . . Modern apes, for instance, seem to have sprung out of nowhere. They have no yesterday, no fossil record. And the true origin of modern humans—of upright, naked, toolmaking, big-brained beings—is, if we are to be honest with ourselves, an equally mysterious matter.”12
10. What does the evidence show about the appearance of modern-type humans?
10 Modern-type humans, with the capacity to reason, plan, invent, build on previous knowledge and use complex languages, appear suddenly in the fossil record. Gould, in his book The Mismeasure of Man, notes: “We have no evidence for biological change in brain size or structure since Homo sapiens appeared in the fossil record some fifty thousand years ago.”13 Thus, the book The Universe Within asks: “What caused evolution . . . to produce, as if overnight, modern humankind with its highly special brain?”14 Evolution is unable to answer. But could the answer lie in the creation of a very complex, different creature?
Where Are the “instructions”?
11. What is admittedly “the rule” in the fossil record?
11 However, have not scientists found the necessary “instructions” between apelike animals and man? Not according to the evidence. Science Digest speaks of “the lack of a missing instruction to explain the relatively sudden appearance of modern man.”15 Newsweek observed: “The missing instruction between man and the apes . . . is merely the most glamorous of a whole hierarchy of phantom creatures. In the fossil record, missing instructions are the rule.”16
12. In what has the lack of instructions resulted?
12 Because there are no instructions, “phantom creatures” have to be fabricated from minimal evidence and passed off as though they had really existed. That explains why the following contradiction could occur, as reported by a science magazine: “Humans evolved in gradual steps from their apelike ancestors and not, as some scientists contend, in sudden jumps from one form to another. . . . But other anthropologists, working with much the same data, reportedly have reached exactly the opposite conclusion.”17
13. What has resulted from the inability to find “missing instructions”?
13 Thus we can better understand the observation of respected anatomist Solly Zuckerman who wrote in the Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh: “The search for the proverbial ‘missing instruction’ in man’s evolution, that holy grail of a never dying sect of anatomists and biologists, allows speculation and myth to flourish as happily to-day as they did 50 years ago and more.”18 He noted that, all too often, facts were ignored, and instead, what was currently popular was championed in spite of evidence to the contrary.
Man’s “Family Tree”
14, 15. What has the evidence done to the evolutionary human “family tree”?
14 As a result, the “family tree” often drawn of man’s claimed evolution from lower animals changes constantly. For example, Richard Leakey stated that a more recent fossil discovery “leaves in ruins the notion that all early fossils can be arranged in an orderly sequence of evolutionary change.”19 And a newspaper report regarding that discovery declared: “Every single book on anthropology, every article on the evolution of man, every drawing of man’s family tree will have to be junked. They are apparently wrong.”20
15 The theoretical family tree of human evolution is littered with the castoffs of previously accepted “instructions.” An editorial in The New York Times observed that evolutionary science “includes so much room for conjecture that theories of how man came to be tend to tell more about their author than their subject. . . . The finder of a new skull often seems to redraw the family tree of man, with his discovery on the center line that leads to man and everyone else’s skulls on side lines leading nowhere.”21
16. Why did two scientists omit a family tree for evolution in their book?
16 In a book review of The Myths of Human Evolution written by evolutionists Niles Eldredge and Ian Tattersall, Discover magazine observed that the authors eliminated any evolutionary family tree. Why? After noting that “the instructions that make up the ancestry of the human species can only be guessed at,” this publication stated: “Eldredge and Tattersall insist that man searches for his ancestry in vain. . . . If the evidence were there, they contend, ‘one could confidently expect that as more hominid fossils were found the story of human evolution would become clearer. Whereas, if anything, the opposite has occurred.’”
17, 18. (a) How can what some evolutionists consider “lost” be “found”? (b) How does the fossil record confirm this?
17 Discover concluded: “The human species, and all species, will remain orphans of a sort, the identities of their parents lost to the past.”22 Perhaps “lost” from the standpoint of evolutionary theory. But has not the Genesis alternative “found” our parents as they actually are in the fossil record—fully human, just as we are?
18 The fossil record reveals a distinct, separate origin for apes and for humans. That is why fossil evidence of man’s instruction to apelike beasts is nonexistent. The instructions really have never been there.
What Did They Look Like?
19, 20. On what are drawings of “ape-men” based?
19 However, if man’s ancestors were not apelike, why do so many pictures and replicas of “ape-men” flood scientific publications and museums around the world? On what are these based? The book The Biology of Race answers: “The flesh and hair on such reconstructions have to be filled in by resorting to the imagination.” It adds: “Skin color; the color, form, and distribution of the hair; the form of the features; and the aspect of the face—of these characters we know absolutely nothing for any prehistoric men.”23
20 Science Digest also commented: “The vast majority of artists’ conceptions are based more on imagination than on evidence. . . . Artists must create something between an ape and a human being; the older the specimen is said to be, the more apelike they make it.”24 Fossil hunter Donald Johanson acknowledged: “No one can be sure just what any extinct hominid looked like.”25
21. What, really, are the depictions of “ape-men”?
21 Indeed, New Scientist reported that there is not “enough evidence from fossil material to take our theorising out of the realms of fantasy.”26 So the depictions of “ape-men” are, as one evolutionist admitted, “pure fiction in most respects . . . sheer invention.”27 Thus in Man, God and Magic Ivar Lissner commented: “Just as we are slowly learning that primitive men are not necessarily savages, so we must learn to realize that the early men of the Ice Age were neither brute beasts nor semi-apes nor cretins. Hence the ineffable stupidity of all attempts to reconstruct Neanderthal or even Peking man.”28
22. How have many supporters of evolution been deceived?
22 In their desire to find evidence of “ape-men,” some scientists have been taken in by outright fraud, for example, the Piltdown man in 1912. For about 40 years it was accepted as genuine by most of the evolutionary community. Finally, in 1953, the hoax was uncovered when modern techniques revealed that human and ape bones had been put together and artificially aged. In another instance, an apelike “missing instruction” was drawn up and presented in the press. But it was later acknowledged that the “evidence” consisted of only one tooth that belonged to an extinct form of pig.29
What Were They?
23. What really were some fossils that had been presumed to be ancestors of man?
23 If “ape-man” reconstructions are not valid, then what were those ancient creatures whose fossil bones have been found? One of these earliest mammals claimed to be in the line of man is a small, rodentlike animal said to have lived about 70 million years ago. In their book Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind, Donald Johanson and Maitland Edey wrote: “They were insect-eating quadrupeds about the size and shape of squirrels.”30 Richard Leakey called the mammal a “rat-like primate.”31 But is there any solid evidence that these tiny animals were the ancestors of humans? No, instead only wishful speculation. No transitional stages have ever instructioned them with anything except what they were: small, rodentlike mammals.
24. What problems arise in trying to establish Aegyptopithecus as an ancestor of humans?
24 Next on the generally accepted list, with an admitted gap of about 40 million years, are fossils found in Egypt and named Aegyptopithecus—Egypt ape. This creature is said to have lived about 30 million years ago. Magazines, newspapers and books have displayed pictures of this small creature with headings such as: “Monkey-like creature was our ancestor.” (Time)32 “Monkeylike African Primate Called Common Ancestor of Man and Apes.” (The New York Times)33 “Aegyptopithecus is an ancestor which we share with living apes.” (Origins)34 But where are the instructions between it and the rodent before it? Where are the instructions to what is placed after it in the evolutionary lineup? None have been found.
The Rise and Fall of “Ape-Men”
25, 26. (a) What claim was made about Ramapithecus? (b) On what fossil evidence was it reconstructed so as to appear as an “ape-man”?
25 Following another admittedly gigantic gap in the fossil record, another fossil creature had been presented as the first humanlike ape. It was said to have lived about 14 million years ago and was called Ramapithecus—Rama’s ape (Rama was a mythical prince of India). Fossils of it were found in India about half a century ago. From these fossils was constructed an apelike creature, upright, on two limbs. Of it Origins stated: “As far as one can say at the moment, it is the first representative of the human family.”35
26 What was the fossil evidence for this conclusion? The same publication remarked: “The evidence concerning Ramapithecus is considerable—though in absolute terms it remains tantalizingly small: fragments of upper and lower jaws, plus a collection of teeth.”36 Do you think that this was “considerable” enough “evidence” to reconstruct an upright “ape-man” ancestor of humans? Yet, this mostly hypothetical creature was drawn by artists as an “ape-man,” and pictures of it flooded evolutionary literature—all on the basis of jawbone fragments and teeth! Still, as The New York Times reported, for decades Ramapithecus “sat as securely as anything can at the base of the human evolutionary tree.”37
27. Later evidence proved what regarding Ramapithecus?
27 However, that is no longer the case. Recent and more complete fossil finds revealed that Ramapithecus closely resembled the present-day ape family. So New Scientist now declares: “Ramapithecus cannot have been the first member of the human line.”38 Such new information provoked the following question in Natural History magazine: “How did Ramapithecus, . . . reconstructed only from teeth and jaws—without a known pelvis, limb bones, or skull—sneak into this manward-marching procession?”39 Obviously, a great deal of wishful thinking must have gone into such an effort to make the evidence say what it does not say.
28, 29. What claim was made for Australopithecus?
28 Another gap of vast proportions lies between that creature and the next one that had been listed as an “ape-man” ancestor. This is called Australopithecus—southern ape. Fossils of it were first found in southern Africa in the 1920’s. It had a small apelike braincase, heavy jawbone and was pictured as walking on two limbs, stooped over, hairy and apish looking. It was said to have lived beginning about three or four million years ago. In time it came to be accepted by nearly all evolutionists as man’s ancestor.
29 For instance, the book The Social Contract noted: “With one or two exceptions all competent investigators in this field now agree that the australopithecines . . . are actual human ancestors.”40 The New York Times declared: “It was Australopithecus . . . that eventually evolved into Homo sapiens, or modern man.”41 And in Man, Time, and Fossils Ruth Moore said: “By all the evidence men at last had met their long unknown, early ancestors.” Emphatically she declared: “The evidence was overwhelming . . . the missing instruction had at long last been found.”42
30, 31. What does later evidence show regarding Australopithecus?
30 But when the evidence for anything actually is flimsy or nonexistent, or based on outright deception, sooner or later the claim comes to nothing. This has proved to be the case with many past examples of presumed “ape-men.”
31 So, too, with Australopithecus. More research has disclosed that its skull “differed from that of humans in more ways than its smaller brain capacity.”43 Anatomist Zuckerman wrote: “When compared with human and simian [ape] skulls, the Australopithecine skull is in appearance overwhelmingly simian—not human. The contrary proposition could be equated to an assertion that black is white.”44 He also said: “Our findings leave little doubt that . . . Australopithecus resembles not Homo sapiens but the living monkeys and apes.”45 Donald Johanson also said: “Australopithecines . . . were not men.”46 Similarly Richard Leakey called it “unlikely that our direct ancestors are evolutionary descendants of the australopithecines.”47
32. If such creatures were still living today, how would they be regarded?
32 If any australopithecines were found alive today, they would be put in zoos with other apes. No one would call them “ape-men.” The same is true of other fossil “cousins” that resemble it, such as a smaller type of australopithecine called “Lucy.” Of it Robert Jastrow says: “This brain was not large in absolute size; it was a third the size of a human brain.”48 Obviously, it too was simply an “ape.” In fact, New Scientist said that “Lucy” had a skull “very like a chimpanzee’s.”49
33. What fossil type may or may not have been human?
33 Another fossil type is called Homo erectus—upright man. Its brain size and shape do fall into the lower range of modern man’s. Also, the Encyclopædia Britannica observed that “the limb bones thus far discovered have been indistinguishable from those of H[omo] sapiens.”50 However, it is unclear whether it was human or not. If so, then it was merely a branch of the human family and died off.
The Human Family
34. How have ideas changed about Neanderthal man?
34 Neanderthal man (named after the Neander district in Germany where the first fossil was found) was undoubtedly human. At first he was pictured as bent over, stupid looking, hairy and apelike. Now it is known that this mistaken reconstruction was based on a fossil skeleton badly deformed by disease. Since then, many Neanderthal fossils have been found, confirming that he was not much different from modern humans. In his book Ice, Fred Hoyle stated: “There is no evidence that Neanderthal man was in any way inferior to ourselves.”51 As a result, recent drawings of Neanderthals have taken on a more modern look.
35. What were Cro-Magnon types?
35 Another fossil type frequently encountered in scientific literature is Cro-Magnon man. It was named for the locality in southern France where his bones were first unearthed. These specimens “were so virtually indistinguishable from those of today that even the most skeptical had to concede that they were humans,” said the book Lucy.52
36. What are the facts regarding apelike fossils of the past, and humanlike fossils?
36 Thus, the evidence is clear that belief in “ape-men” is unfounded. Instead, humans have all the earmarks of being created—separate and distinct from any animal. Humans reproduce only after their own kind. They do so today and have always done so in the past. Any apelike creatures that lived in the past were just that—apes, or monkeys—not humans. And fossils of ancient humans that differ slightly from humans of today simply demonstrate variety within the human family, just as today we have many varieties living side by side. There are seven-foot humans and there are pygmies, with varying sizes and shapes of skeletons. But all belong to the same human “kind,” not animal “kind.”
What About the Dates?
37. Biblical chronology indicates that humans have been on earth for how long?
37 Biblical chronology indicates that a period of about 6,000 years has passed since the creation of humans. Why, then, does one often read about far longer periods of time since acknowledged human types of fossils appeared?
38. Do dates that are determined by radioactive decay and that are in conflict with Bible chronology prove that the Bible is in error?
38 Before concluding that Bible chronology is in error, consider that radioactive dating methods have come under sharp criticism by some scientists. A scientific journal reported on studies showing that “dates determined by radioactive decay may be off—not only by a few years, but by orders of magnitude.” It said: “Man, instead of having walked the earth for 3.6 million years, may have been around for only a few thousand.”53
39. Is the radiocarbon “clock” always reliable?
39 For example, the radiocarbon “clock.” This method of radiocarbon dating was developed over a period of two decades by scientists all over the world. It was widely acclaimed for accurate dating of artifacts from man’s ancient history. But then a conference of the world’s experts, including radiochemists, archaeologists and geologists, was held in Uppsala, Sweden, to compare notes. The report of their conference showed that the fundamental assumptions on which the measurements were based had been found untrustworthy to a greater or lesser degree. For example, it found that the rate of radioactive carbon formation in the atmosphere has not been consistent in the past and that this method is not reliable in dating objects from about 2,000 B.C.E. or before.54
40. How do historical records support Bible chronology as to the age of the human race?
40 Keep in mind that truly reliable evidence of man’s activity on earth is given, not in millions of years, but in thousands. For example, in The Fate of the Earth we read: “Only six or seven thousand years ago . . . civilization emerged, enabling us to build up a human world.”55 The Last Two Million Years states: “In the Old World, most of the critical steps in the farming revolution were taken between 10,000 and 5000 BC.” It also says: “Only for the last 5000 years has man left written records.”56 The fact that the fossil record shows modern man suddenly appearing on earth, and that reliable historical records are admittedly recent, harmonizes with the Bible’s chronology for human life on earth.
41. What did a pioneer in the field of radiocarbon dating say regarding “prehistorical” dates?
41 In this regard, note what Nobel prize winning nuclear physicist W. F. Libby, one of the pioneers in radiocarbon dating, stated in Science: “The research in the development of the dating technique consisted of two stages—dating of samples from the historical and the prehistorical epochs, respectively. Arnold [a co-worker] and I had our first shock when our advisers informed us that history extended back only for 5000 years. . . . You read statements to the effect that such and such a society or archeological site is 20,000 years old. We learned rather abruptly that these numbers, these ancient ages, are not known accurately.”57
42. What did an English author comment about the difference between evolutionary accounts and the Genesis account?
42 When reviewing a book on evolution, English author Malcolm Muggeridge commented on the lack of evidence for evolution. He noted that wild speculations flourished nevertheless. Then he said: “The Genesis account seems, by comparison, sober enough and at least has the merit of being validly related to what we know about human beings and their behavior.” He said that the unfounded claims of millions of years for man’s evolution “and wild leaps from skull to skull, cannot but strike anyone not caught up in the [evolutionary] myth as pure fantasy.” Muggeridge concluded: “Posterity will surely be amazed, and I hope vastly amused, that such slipshod and unconvincing theorizing should have so easily captivated twentieth-century minds and been so widely and recklessly applied.”58
[Blurb on page 84]
Why did “inferior” apes and monkeys survive, but not a single “superior” “ape-man”?
[Blurb on page 85]
Early theories of human evolution were “the imagination of nineteenth century scientists”
[Blurb on page 85]
“The primary scientific evidence is a pitifully small array of bones”
[Blurb on page 87]
“The search for the proverbial ‘missing instruction’ . . . allows speculation and myth to flourish”
[Blurb on page 88]
“Every drawing of man’s family tree will have to be junked”
[Blurb on page 90]
There is not “enough evidence from fossil material to take our theorising out of the realms of fantasy”
[Blurb on page 93]
“Ramapithecus cannot have been the first member of the human line”
[Blurb on page 95]
“There is no evidence that Neanderthal man was in any way inferior to ourselves”
[Blurb on page 98]
“Posterity will surely be amazed . . . that such slipshod and unconvincing theorizing should have so easily captivated twentieth-century minds”
[Box/Pictures on page 94]
At one time Australopithecus was accepted as a human ancestor, “the missing instruction.” Now some scientists agree that its skull was “overwhelmingly simian [ape]—not human”
[Pictures]
Australopithecus skull
Chimpanzee skull
Human skull
[Picture on page 84]
Since the living world does not provide any instruction between man and beast, evolutionists hoped that fossils would
[Picture on page 86]
An evolutionist acknowledges: “We have no evidence for biological change in brain size or structure since Homo sapiens appeared in the fossil record”
[Picture on page 89]
On what are drawings of “ape-men” based? Evolutionists answer: “the imagination,” “pure fiction in most respects,” “sheer invention”
[Pictures on page 91]
A shrewlike rodent is said to be an ancestor of man. But there is no fossil evidence of such a relationship
This monkeylike creature has been called one of our ancestors. No fossil evidence exists for this claim
[Pictures on page 92]
Based on just teeth and parts of jawbones, Ramapithecus was called “the first representative of the human family.” Further evidence showed that it was not
[Picture on page 96]
As is the case in the fossil record, today there is great variety in size and shape of bone structure in humans. But all belong to the human “kind”
[Picture on page 97]
Humans have all the earmarks of being created separate and distinct from the apes
[Diagram/Picture on page 90]
Piltdown man was accepted as a “missing instruction” for 40 years until exposed as a fraud. Parts of an orangutan jaw and teeth had been combined with parts of a human skull
[Diagram]
(For fully formatted text, see publication)
Dark areas are fragments of human skull
Entire light area fabricated from plaster
Dark areas are fragments of orangutan jaw and teeth |
Isaiah’s Prophecy I (ip-1)
2000 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-1 | Chapter Two
A Father and His Rebellious Sons
Isaiah 1:2-9
1, 2. Explain how Jehovah has come to have rebellious sons.
HE PROVIDED well for his children, as would any loving parent. For many years he made sure that they were fed, clothed, and sheltered. When it was necessary, he disciplined them. But their punishment was never excessive; it was always administered “to the proper degree.” (Jeremiah 30:11) We can only imagine, then, the pain that this loving father feels at having to make the statement: “Sons I have brought up and raised, but they themselves have revolted against me.”—Isaiah 1:2b.
2 The rebellious sons referred to here are the people of Judah, and the aggrieved father is Jehovah God. How tragic! Jehovah has nourished the Judeans and raised them to an elevated position among the nations. “I went on to clothe you with an embroidered garment and to shoe you with sealskin and to wrap you in fine linen and to cover you with costly material,” he later reminds them through the prophet Ezekiel. (Ezekiel 16:10) Yet, for the most part, the people of Judah do not appreciate what Jehovah has done for them. Instead, they rebel, or revolt.
3. Why does Jehovah call upon the heavens and the earth to bear witness to Judah’s revolt?
3 With good reason, Jehovah prefaces these words regarding his rebellious sons with the statement: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for Jehovah himself has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:2a) Centuries earlier the heavens and the earth heard, as it were, the Israelites receive explicit warnings regarding the consequences of disobedience. Moses said: “I do take as witnesses against you today the heavens and the earth, that you will positively perish in a hurry from off the land to which you are crossing the Jordan to take possession of it.” (Deuteronomy 4:26) Now in Isaiah’s day, Jehovah calls upon the invisible heavens and the visible earth to bear witness to Judah’s revolt.
4. How does Jehovah choose to present himself to Judah?
4 The severity of the situation calls for a straightforward approach. Even in these dire circumstances, however, it is noteworthy—and heartwarming—that Jehovah presents himself to Judah as a loving parent rather than merely the owner who has purchased them. In effect, Jehovah is entreating his people to consider the matter from the standpoint of a father who is in anguish over his wayward sons. Perhaps some parents in Judah can even personally relate to such a predicament and are moved by the analogy. In any event, Jehovah is about to state his case against Judah.
Brute Beasts Know Better
5. In contrast with Israel, in what way do the bull and the ass display a sense of faithfulness?
5 Through Isaiah, Jehovah says: “A bull well knows its buyer, and the ass the manger of its owner; Israel itself has not known, my own people have not behaved understandingly.” (Isaiah 1:3)a The bull and the ass are draft animals familiar to those living in the Middle East. Indeed, the Judeans would not deny that even these lowly beasts display a sense of faithfulness, a keen awareness that they belong to a master. In this regard, consider what one Bible researcher witnessed at the close of the day in a Middle Eastern city: “No sooner had the drove got within the walls than it began to disperse. Every ox knew perfectly well his owner, and the way to his house, nor did it get bewildered for a moment in the mazes of the narrow and crooked alleys. As for the ass, he walked straight to the door, and up to ‘his master’s crib.’”
6. How have the people of Judah failed to act understandingly?
6 Since such scenes are no doubt common in Isaiah’s day, the point of Jehovah’s message is clear: If even a brute beast recognizes its master and its own manger, what excuse can the people of Judah offer for having left Jehovah? Truly, they have “not behaved understandingly.” It is as if they have no consciousness of the fact that their prosperity and their very existence depend upon Jehovah. It is indeed an evidence of mercy that Jehovah still refers to the Judeans as “my own people”!
7. What are some ways in which we can show ourselves appreciative of Jehovah’s provisions?
7 Never would we want to behave without understanding by failing to show appreciation for all that Jehovah has done for us! Instead, we should imitate the psalmist David, who said: “I will laud you, O Jehovah, with all my heart; I will declare all your wonderful works.” (Psalm 9:1) Continually taking in knowledge of Jehovah will encourage us in this regard, for the Bible states that “the knowledge of the Most Holy One is what understanding is.” (Proverbs 9:10) Meditating daily on Jehovah’s blessings will help us to be thankful and not take our heavenly Father for granted. (Colossians 3:15) “The one offering thanksgiving as his sacrifice is the one that glorifies me,” says Jehovah, “and as for the one keeping a set way, I will cause him to see salvation by God.”—Psalm 50:23.
A Shocking Affront to “the Holy One of Israel”
8. Why can the people of Judah be called “the sinful nation”?
8 Isaiah continues his message with strong words for the nation of Judah: “Woe to the sinful nation, the people heavy with error, an evildoing seed, ruinous sons! They have left Jehovah, they have treated the Holy One of Israel with disrespect, they have turned backwards.” (Isaiah 1:4) Wicked deeds can accumulate to the extent that they become like a crushing weight. In Abraham’s day Jehovah described the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah as “very heavy.” (Genesis 18:20) Something similar is now evident in the people of Judah, for Isaiah says that they are “heavy with error.” In addition, he calls them “an evildoing seed, ruinous sons.” Yes, the Judeans are like delinquent children. They have “turned backwards,” or as the New Revised Standard Version puts it, they are “utterly estranged” from their Father.
9. What is the significance of the phrase “the Holy One of Israel”?
9 By their wayward course, the people of Judah are showing gross disrespect for “the Holy One of Israel.” What is the significance of this phrase, which is found 25 times in the book of Isaiah? To be holy means to be clean and pure. Jehovah is holy to the superlative degree. (Revelation 4:8) The Israelites are reminded of this fact every time they observe the words engraved on the shining gold plate on the high priest’s turban: “Holiness belongs to Jehovah.” (Exodus 39:30) Hence, by referring to Jehovah as “the Holy One of Israel,” Isaiah underscores the gravity of Judah’s sin. Why, these rebels are directly violating the command given to their forefathers: “You must sanctify yourselves and you must prove yourselves holy, because I am holy”!—Leviticus 11:44.
10. How can we avoid showing disrespect for “the Holy One of Israel”?
10 Christians today must at all costs avoid following Judah’s example of disrespecting “the Holy One of Israel.” They must imitate Jehovah’s holiness. (1 Peter 1:15, 16) And they need to “hate what is bad.” (Psalm 97:10) Such unclean practices as sexual immorality, idolatry, thievery, and drunkenness can corrupt the Christian congregation. That is why those who refuse to stop practicing these things are disfellowshipped from the congregation. Ultimately, those who unrepentantly follow a course of uncleanness will be excluded from enjoying the blessings of God’s Kingdom government. Really, all such wicked works constitute a shocking affront to “the Holy One of Israel.”—Romans 1:26, 27; 1 Corinthians 5:6-11; 6:9, 10.
Sick From Head to Foot
11, 12. (a) Describe Judah’s bad condition. (b) Why should we not feel sorry for Judah?
11 Isaiah next strives to reason with the people of Judah by pointing out to them their sickly state. He says: “Where else will you be struck still more, in that you add more revolt?” In effect, Isaiah is asking them: ‘Have you not suffered enough? Why bring further harm to yourselves by continuing to rebel?’ Isaiah continues: “The whole head is in a sick condition, and the whole heart is feeble. From the sole of the foot even to the head there is no sound spot in it.” (Isaiah 1:5, 6a) Judah is in a loathsome, diseased state—spiritually sick from head to foot. A grim diagnosis indeed!
12 Should we feel sorry for Judah? Hardly! Centuries earlier the entire nation of Israel was duly warned about the penalty for disobedience. In part, they were told: “Jehovah will strike you with a malignant boil upon both knees and both legs, from which you will not be able to be healed, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head.” (Deuteronomy 28:35) In a figurative sense, Judah is now suffering these very consequences of her stubborn course. And all of this could have been avoided if the people of Judah had simply obeyed Jehovah.
13, 14. (a) What injuries have been inflicted upon Judah? (b) Do Judah’s sufferings cause her to reconsider her rebellious course?
13 Isaiah continues to describe Judah’s pitiable state: “Wounds and bruises and fresh stripes—they have not been squeezed out or bound up, nor has there been a softening with oil.” (Isaiah 1:6b) Here the prophet refers to three types of injuries: wounds (cuts, such as those inflicted by a sword or a knife), bruises (welts resulting from beating), and fresh stripes (recent, open sores that seem beyond healing). The idea presented is that of a man who has been severely punished in every manner imaginable, with no part of his body escaping harm. Judah is truly in a broken-down state.
14 Does Judah’s miserable condition move her to return to Jehovah? No! Judah is like the rebel described at Proverbs 29:1: “A man repeatedly reproved but making his neck hard will suddenly be broken, and that without healing.” The nation seems beyond curing. As Isaiah puts it, her wounds “have not been squeezed out or bound up, nor has there been a softening with oil.”b In a sense, Judah resembles an open, unbandaged, all-pervasive sore.
15. In what ways can we protect ourselves from spiritual sickness?
15 Taking a lesson from Judah, we must be on guard against spiritual sickness. Like physical illness, it can affect any one of us. After all, who of us is not susceptible to fleshly desires? Greed and a desire for excessive pleasure can take root in our hearts. Hence, we need to train ourselves to “abhor what is wicked” and “cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9) We also need to cultivate the fruits of God’s spirit in our everyday lives. (Galatians 5:22, 23) By doing so, we will avoid the condition that plagued Judah—that of being spiritually sick from head to foot.
A Desolated Land
16. (a) How does Isaiah describe the condition of Judah’s terrain? (b) Why do some say that these words were likely uttered during the reign of Ahaz, but how might we understand them?
16 Isaiah now leaves his medical analogy and turns to the condition of Judah’s terrain. As if he is gazing down on a battle-scarred plain, he says: “Your land is a desolation, your cities are burned with fire; your ground—right in front of you strangers are eating it up, and the desolation is like an overthrow by strangers.” (Isaiah 1:7) Some scholars say that although these words are found early in Isaiah’s book, they were probably uttered later in the prophet’s career, perhaps during the reign of wicked King Ahaz. They assert that Uzziah’s reign was too prosperous to justify such a bleak description. Granted, it cannot be stated with certainty whether Isaiah’s book is compiled in chronological order. However, Isaiah’s words about desolation are probably prophetic. In uttering the above statement, most likely Isaiah is employing a technique found elsewhere in the Bible—that of describing a future event as if it has already taken place, thus emphasizing the certainty of a prophecy’s fulfillment.—Compare Revelation 11:15.
17. Why should the prophetic description of desolation not come as a surprise to the people of Judah?
17 In any event, the prophetic description of the desolation of Judah should not come as a surprise to this stubborn and disobedient people. Centuries earlier Jehovah warned them of what would happen if they rebelled. He said: “I, for my part, will lay the land desolate, and your enemies who are dwelling in it will simply stare in amazement over it. And you I shall scatter among the nations, and I will unsheathe a sword after you; and your land must become a desolation, and your cities will become a desolate ruin.”—Leviticus 26:32, 33; 1 Kings 9:6-8.
18-20. When are the words of Isaiah 1:7, 8 fulfilled, and in what way does Jehovah ‘leave a few remaining’ at this time?
18 The words at Isaiah 1:7, 8 are apparently fulfilled during the invasions by Assyria that result in the destruction of Israel and widespread destruction and suffering in Judah. (2 Kings 17:5, 18; 18:11, 13; 2 Chronicles 29:8, 9) However, Judah is not totally wiped out. Isaiah says: “The daughter of Zion has been left remaining like a booth in a vineyard, like a lookout hut in a field of cucumbers, like a blockaded city.”—Isaiah 1:8.
19 Amid all the devastation, “the daughter of Zion,” Jerusalem, will be left standing. But she will look very vulnerable—like a shanty in a vineyard or a watchman’s booth in a cucumber field. In a journey down the Nile, one 19th-century scholar was reminded of Isaiah’s words when he saw similar booths, which he describes as “little more than a fence against a north wind.” In Judah when the harvest was over, these booths were allowed to fall apart and collapse. Still, as flimsy as Jerusalem might appear before the all-conquering Assyrian army, she will survive.
20 Isaiah concludes this prophetic statement: “Unless Jehovah of armies himself had left remaining to us just a few survivors, we should have become just like Sodom, we should have resembled Gomorrah itself.” (Isaiah 1:9)c Against the might of Assyria, Jehovah will finally come to Judah’s aid. Unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, Judah will not be obliterated. It will live on.
21. After Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, why did Jehovah ‘leave a few remaining’?
21 More than 100 years later, Judah was again under threat. The people had not learned from the discipline inflicted through Assyria. “They were continually making jest at the messengers of the true God and despising his words and mocking at his prophets.” As a result, “the rage of Jehovah came up against his people, until there was no healing.” (2 Chronicles 36:16) The Babylonian monarch Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah, and this time, there was nothing remaining “like a booth in a vineyard.” Even Jerusalem was destroyed. (2 Chronicles 36:17-21) Still, Jehovah ‘left a few remaining.’ Even though Judah endured 70 years in exile, Jehovah ensured the continuance of the nation and especially of the Davidic line, which would produce the promised Messiah.
22, 23. In the first century, why did Jehovah ‘leave a few remaining’?
22 In the first century, Israel went through its final crisis as God’s covenant people. When Jesus presented himself as the promised Messiah, the nation rejected him, and as a result, Jehovah rejected them. (Matthew 21:43; 23:37-39; John 1:11) Was this the end of Jehovah’s having a special nation on earth? No. The apostle Paul showed that Isaiah 1:9 had yet another fulfillment. Quoting from the Septuagint version, he wrote: “Just as Isaiah had said aforetime: ‘Unless Jehovah of armies had left a seed to us, we should have become just like Sodom, and we should have been made just like Gomorrah.’”—Romans 9:29.
23 This time the survivors were the anointed Christians, who put faith in Jesus Christ. These were, first of all, believing Jews. Later they were joined by believing Gentiles. Together they made up a new Israel, “the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16; Romans 2:29) This “seed” survived the destruction of the Jewish system of things in 70 C.E. Indeed, “the Israel of God” is still with us today. It has now been joined by millions of believing individuals of the nations, who make up “a great crowd, which no man [is] able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.”—Revelation 7:9.
24. What should all take notice of if they wish to survive mankind’s greatest crisis?
24 Soon this world will face the battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14, 16) While this will be a crisis greater than either the Assyrian or the Babylonian invasion of Judah, greater even than the Roman devastation of Judea in 70 C.E., there will be survivors. (Revelation 7:14) How vital, then, that all consider carefully Isaiah’s words to Judah! They meant survival for faithful ones back then. And they can mean survival for believing ones today.
[Footnotes]
a In this context, “Israel” refers to the two-tribe kingdom of Judah.
b Isaiah’s words reflect the medical practice of his day. Bible researcher E. H. Plumptre notes: “To ‘close’ or ‘press’ the festering wound was the process tried at first to get rid of the purulent discharge; then, as in Hezekiah’s case (chap. xxxviii. Isa 38:21), it was ‘bound up,’ with a poultice, then some stimulating oil or unguent, probably, as in Luke x. 34, oil and wine were used, to cleanse the ulcer.”
c The Commentary on the Old Testament, by C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, says: “The prophet’s address has here reached a resting-place. The fact that it is divided at this point into two separate sections, is indicated in the text by the space left between Isa 1 vers. 9 and 10. This mode of marking larger or smaller sections, either by leaving spaces or by breaking off the line, is older than the vowel points and accents, and rests upon a tradition of the highest antiquity.”
[Picture on page 20]
Unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, Judah will not be forever uninhabited |
THE BIBLE CHANGES LIVES
Can Love Conquer Hatred? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501000001 | THE BIBLE CHANGES LIVES
Can Love Conquer Hatred?
Despite the long history of violent hatred between Jews and Palestinians, some of them have successfully uprooted prejudice from their hearts. Meet two of them.
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Proclaimers (jv)
1993 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/jv | Noteworthy Events in the Modern-day History of Jehovah’s Witnesses
1870 Charles Taze Russell and a group from Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., begin systematic study of the Bible
1870-75 Russell and his study associates learn that when Christ comes again he is to be invisible to human eyes and that the object of his return includes the blessing of all families of the earth
1872 Russell and his study group come to appreciate the ransom price that Christ provided for humankind
1876 C. T. Russell receives a copy of Herald of the Morning, in January; meets N. H. Barbour, the editor, that summer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Article by C. T. Russell, published in October issue of Bible Examiner, in Brooklyn, New York, points to 1914 as the end of the Gentile Times
1877 The book Three Worlds is published, as a result of joint efforts of N. H. Barbour and C. T. Russell
C. T. Russell publishes the booklet The Object and Manner of Our Lord’s Return, at the office of Herald of the Morning, in Rochester, New York
1879 Russell withdraws all support from Herald of the Morning, in May, because of Barbour’s attitude toward the ransom
First issue of Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, dated July 1879
1881 First tracts published by Bible Students; before 1914, yearly tract distribution totals tens of millions of copies in 30 languages
Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society is organized; call goes out “Wanted 1,000 Preachers,” some to be regular colporteurs, others to give whatever time they can to spreading Bible truth
Distribution of 300,000 copies of Food for Thinking Christians to churchgoers in principal cities in Britain
1883 Watch Tower reaches China; former Presbyterian missionary soon begins to witness to others there
1884 Food for Thinking Christians reaches Liberia, Africa; an appreciative reader writes to ask for copies to distribute
Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society is legally chartered in Pennsylvania; officially recorded on December 15
1885 Watch Tower publications are already being read by some truth-hungry people in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia
1886 The Divine Plan of the Ages is published, the first volume of the series called Millennial Dawn (later known as Studies in the Scriptures)
1889 The Bible House is constructed on Arch Street, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, as headquarters for the Society
1891 First gathering of Bible Students that they call a convention, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (April 19-25)
1894 Traveling overseers that in time came to be known as pilgrims (today, circuit and district overseers) are sent out in connection with the Society’s program for visiting congregations
1900 The Watch Tower Society’s first branch office is opened, in London, England
Witnessing by the Bible Students has been done in 28 countries, and the message they preach has reached 13 other lands
1903 Intense house-to-house distribution of free tracts on Sundays; earlier, much of the tract distribution was done on streets near churches
1904 Sermons by C. T. Russell begin to appear regularly in newspapers; within a decade they are being printed by about 2,000 papers
1909 Headquarters of the Society is moved to Brooklyn, New York, in April
1914 First showing of the “Photo-Drama of Creation,” in New York, in January; before the end of the year, it is seen by audiences totaling over 9,000,000 in North America, Europe, and Australia
On October 2, in the Bethel dining room at Brooklyn, C. T. Russell affirms, “The Gentile times have ended”
Bible Students are active preaching in 43 lands; 5,155 share in witnessing to others; reported Memorial attendance is 18,243
1916 Death of C. T. Russell at 64 years of age, on October 31, while on a train traveling through Texas
1917 J. F. Rutherford becomes president of Society on January 6, after an executive committee of three has administered the Society’s affairs for about two months
The book The Finished Mystery is released to the Bethel family in Brooklyn on July 17; four who had been serving on the Society’s board of directors become heated in their opposition; thereafter many congregations are split
1918 The discourse “The World Has Ended—Millions Now Living May Never Die” is first delivered, on February 24, in Los Angeles, California. On March 31, in Boston, Massachusetts, the talk is eninputd “The World Has Ended—Millions Now Living Will Never Die”
J. F. Rutherford and close associates are named in federal arrest warrants issued on May 7; trial begins on June 5; they are sentenced on June 21 (one on July 10) to long terms in federal penitentiary
Brooklyn headquarters is closed in August, and its operations are transferred back to Pittsburgh for over a year
1919 The Society’s officers and associates are released on bail, on March 26; on May 14 the court of appeals reverses the decision of the lower court, and a new trial is ordered; the next year, on May 5, the government withdraws from the case, declining to prosecute
As a test to see whether the work of the Bible Students can be revived, J. F. Rutherford arranges to give the public lecture “The Hope for Distressed Humanity,” at Clune’s Auditorium, in Los Angeles, California, on May 4; the crowd cannot all fit in, and the talk has to be given a second time
Bible Students hold convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, September 1-8; coming publication of the magazine The Golden Age (now known as Awake!) is announced
Bulletin (now known as Our Kingdom Ministry) is published as stimulus to field service
Report for the year shows 5,793 Bible Students actively preaching in 43 lands; reported Memorial attendance, 21,411
1920 Watch Tower Society undertakes its own printing operations, in Brooklyn
1922 Radio is first used by J. F. Rutherford, on February 26, in California, to broadcast a Bible discourse
Convention of Bible Students at Cedar Point, Ohio, September 5-13; the appeal is made “Advertise, advertise, advertise, the King and his kingdom”
Clergy in Germany agitate for police to arrest Bible Students when these engage in public distribution of Bible literature
1924 WBBR (first radio station owned by Watch Tower Society) begins to broadcast on February 24
1925 Watch Tower of March 1, in discussing the birth of God’s Kingdom in 1914, shows that there are two distinct and opposing organizations—Jehovah’s and Satan’s
1926 House-to-house preaching with books on Sunday is encouraged
1928 Bible Students are arrested in New Jersey (U.S.A.) for distributing literature as part of their house-to-house preaching; within a decade, there are over 500 such arrests per year in the United States
1931 The name Jehovah’s Witnesses is adopted by resolution at a convention in Columbus, Ohio, on July 26, and thereafter at conventions around the earth
1932 Vindication, Book 2, explains why Biblical restoration prophecies apply not to the natural Jews but to spiritual Israel
Arrangement for “elective elders” is terminated, in harmony with explanation in Watchtower issues of August 15 and September 1
1933 Jehovah’s Witnesses are banned in Germany. During the intense persecution down to the end of World War II, 6,262 are arrested, and their combined time of imprisonment totals 14,332 years; 2,074 are sent to concentration camps, where their confinement totals 8,332 years
Transcription machines (some mounted on automobiles) are used by Witnesses to broadcast Bible lectures in public places
1934 Portable phonographs are used by Witnesses to play short recorded Bible discourses for interested ones
1935 In convention discourse at Washington, D.C., on May 31, the “great multitude” is identified as an earthly class; 840 persons are baptized at this convention; greater emphasis is progressively given to hope of eternal life on a paradise earth for faithful servants of God now living
Meeting place is, for the first time, called Kingdom Hall, in Honolulu, Hawaii
1936 Advertising placards are first worn by Kingdom publishers to notify public of Bible lectures
Encouragement is given to start studies with interested people, using the Society’s book Riches along with the Bible; these are frequently group studies
1937 Portable phonographs are used by Witnesses to play recorded Bible talks right on the doorsteps of homes
1938 Theocratic arrangements for selecting overseers in congregations replace democratic procedures, in harmony with Watchtower issues of June 1 and 15
Zone assemblies (now known as circuit assemblies) are arranged for groups of congregations
1939-45 Throughout British Empire and British Commonwealth, 23 nations ban Jehovah’s Witnesses or place prohibitions on their Bible literature
1940 Street distribution of Watchtower and Consolation becomes a regular feature of the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Decision of U.S. Supreme Court, on June 3, upholding mandatory flag salute regardless of religious belief unleashes nationwide mob violence against Jehovah’s Witnesses
1941 Active Witnesses pass the 100,000 mark, reaching a peak of 109,371 in 107 lands, in spite of the fact that World War II has engulfed Europe and is spreading in Africa and Asia
1942 J. F. Rutherford dies on January 8, in San Diego, California
N. H. Knorr becomes third president of Society on January 13
Total printing of Watchtower for the year in all languages is 11,325,143
An Advanced Course in Theocratic Ministry is inaugurated for the Society’s headquarters staff, on February 16
Watch Tower Society prints the complete Bible, King James Version, on its own press (a web rotary)
1943 First class of Watchtower Bible School of Gilead begins its studies on February 1
Course in Theocratic Ministry (now called Theocratic Ministry School) for congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses introduced at assemblies in April
U.S. Supreme Court renders decisions favorable to Jehovah’s Witnesses in 20 out of 24 cases; High Court in Australia lifts ban on Witnesses there, on June 14
1945 As of October 1, the Society’s board of directors is no longer selected by voters who qualify because of monetary donations
Average number of free home Bible studies being conducted each month is now 104,814
1946 During the preceding seven years, over 4,000 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States and 1,593 in Britain have been arrested and sentenced to prison terms ranging from a month to five years because of their Christian neutrality
In this first year after World War II, 6,504 are sharing in full-time service as pioneers
Awake! magazine (successor to The Golden Age and Consolation) begins publication; total printing of 13,934,429 copies for the year
Over 470 Witnesses are taken before the courts in Greece because of sharing Bible teachings with others
1947 In Quebec, Canada, 1,700 cases involving the evangelizing work of Jehovah’s Witnesses are pending in the courts
Number of congregations now exceeds 10,000, reaching a total of 10,782 worldwide
1950 New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures is released in English, on August 2, at convention in New York
1953 An extensive program of training of Jehovah’s Witnesses in house-to-house preaching gets under way, September 1
1957 In 169 lands, 100,135,016 hours are devoted by Jehovah’s Witnesses to proclaiming God’s Kingdom and conducting Bible studies with newly interested persons
1958 Divine Will International Assembly, in New York, draws attendance of 253,922 from 123 lands; 7,136 baptized
1959 First sessions of Kingdom Ministry School, starting March 9, at South Lansing, New York, designed for congregation overseers and traveling overseers
1961 First group of the Society’s branch overseers attends special ten-month training course at Brooklyn, New York, with a view to further unification of the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, the complete Bible in one volume, is released in English
1963 New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures is released in six more languages (Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish), with more to come in later years
Over a million of Jehovah’s Witnesses are now active in 198 lands; peak of publishers for the year is 1,040,836; 62,798 more baptized
1965 First Assembly Hall, a renovated theater, is put to use by Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York
1967 Waves of prolonged and savage persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses sweep across Malawi and continue for years thereafter
1969 Home Bible studies exceed a million; report shows average of 1,097,237
1971 Governing Body is enlarged; on October 1, chairmanship begins to rotate among its members on an annual basis
1972 Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses come under local supervision of body of elders, instead of one person, as of October 1
1974 Peak publishers worldwide reach 2,021,432; pioneers increase from 94,604, in 1973, to 127,135
1975 Governing Body is reorganized; on December 4, responsibility for much of the work is assigned to six committees, which begin to function on January 1, 1976
1976 Branch offices of Watch Tower Society each come under supervision of a committee of three or more spiritually mature men, instead of one overseer, as of February 1
1977 Pioneer Service School begins to provide specialized training for tens of thousands of pioneers worldwide
1984 Home Bible studies being conducted by Jehovah’s Witnesses now average 2,047,113
1985 Arrangement for international volunteers is initiated, coordinating from headquarters the Society’s worldwide construction work
Report shows 3,024,131 sharing in the work of Kingdom preaching in 222 lands; pioneers now average 322,821; 189,800 baptized this year
1986 Regional Building Committees appointed to help coordinate building of Kingdom Halls
1987 Disciple-making work continues to expand, as Bible studies are now being conducted with 3,005,048 individuals and family groups, many on a weekly basis; baptisms for the year total 230,843
Ministerial Training School goes into operation on October 1, with first class at Coraopolis, Pennsylvania
1989 Changing conditions in Eastern Europe help to make possible three large international conventions in Poland, and then in other lands in following years
1990 Lifting of restrictions on Jehovah’s Witnesses in lands in Africa and Eastern Europe facilitate evangelizing among an additional 100,000,000 people
Kingdom publishers reach new peak of 4,017,213; pioneer ranks swell to 536,508; total of 895,229,424 hours are devoted to urgent work of Kingdom proclamation
1991 Bans lifted in Eastern Europe and Africa make it easier to reach 390,000,000 more people with the good news of God’s Kingdom
1992 Watchtower has average printing of 15,570,000 in 111 languages; Awake!, available in 67 languages, has an average production of 13,110,000
Greatest witness ever given, as 4,472,787 share in Kingdom proclamation in 229 lands; monthly average of 605,610 pioneers; 1,024,910,434 hours devoted to public witnessing; 4,278,127 Bible studies conducted; 301,002 new disciples baptized |
Reasoning (rs)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs | Images
Definition: Usually, visible representations of persons or things. An image that is an object of worship is an idol. Those who perform acts of worship before images often say that their worship actually is directed to the spirit being represented by the image. Such use of images is customary in many non-Christian religions. Regarding Roman Catholic practice, the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967, Vol. VII, p. 372) says: “Since the worship given to an image reaches and terminates in the person represented, the same type of worship due the person can be rendered to the image as representing the person.” Not a Bible teaching.
What does God’s Word say about the making of images used as objects of worship?
Ex. 20:4, 5, JB: “You shall not make yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything in heaven or on earth beneath or in the waters under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them [“bow down before them or worship them,” NAB]. For I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God.” (Italics added.) (Notice that the prohibition was against making images and bowing down before them.)
Lev. 26:1, JB: “You must make no idols; you must set up neither carved image nor standing-stone [“sacred pillar,” NW], set up no sculptured stone in your land, to prostrate yourselves in front of it; for it is I, Yahweh, who am your God.” (No image before which people might bow in worship was ever to be set up.)
2 Cor. 6:16, JB: “The temple of God has no common ground with idols, and that is what we are—the temple of the living God.”
1 John 5:21, NAB: “My little children, be on your guard against idols [“idols,” Dy, CC; “false gods,” JB].”
May images be used simply as aids in worship of the true God?
John 4:23, 24, JB: “True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth: that is the kind of worshipper the Father wants. God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth.” (Those who rely on images as aids to devotion are not worshiping God “in spirit” but they depend on what they can see with their physical eyes.)
2 Cor. 5:7, NAB: “We walk by faith, not by sight.”
Isa. 40:18, JB: “To whom could you liken God? What image could you contrive of him?”
Acts 17:29, JB: “Since we are the children of God, we have no excuse for thinking that the deity looks like anything in gold, silver or stone that has been carved and designed by a man.”
Isa. 42:8, JB: “My name is Yahweh, I will not yield my glory to another, nor my honour to idols [“graven things,” Dy].”
Should we venerate “saints” as intercessors with God, perhaps using images of them as aids in our worship?
Acts 10:25, 26, JB: “As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘I am only a man after all!’” (Since Peter did not approve of such adoration when he was personally present, would he encourage us to kneel before an image of him? See also Revelation 19:10.)
John 14:6, 14, JB: “Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you ask for anything in my name, I will do it.’” (Jesus here clearly states that our approach to the Father can be only through him and that our requests are to be made in Jesus’ name.)
1 Tim. 2:5, JB: “There is only one God, and there is only one mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus.” (There is no allowance here for others to serve in the role of mediator for the members of Christ’s congregation.)
See also pages 353, 354, under the heading “Saints.”
Do worshipers have in mind primarily the person represented by an image, or are some images viewed as being superior to others?
The attitude of worshipers is an important factor to consider. Why? Because a key difference between an “image” and an “idol” is the use to which an image is put.
In the mind of the worshiper, does one image of a person have greater value or importance than another image of the same person? If so, it is the image, not the person, that the worshiper has primarily in mind. Why do people make long pilgrimages to worship at certain shrines? Is it not the image itself that is viewed as having “miraculous” powers? For example, in the book Les Trois Notre-Dame de la Cathédrale de Chartres, by the canon Yves Delaporte, we are told regarding images of Mary in the cathedral in Chartres, France: “These images, sculptured, painted or appearing on the stained glass windows, are not equally famous. . . . Only three are the object of a real worship: Our Lady of the Crypt, Our Lady of the Pillar, and Our Lady of the ‘Belle Verriere.’” But if worshipers had primarily in mind the person, not the image, one image would be considered to be just as good as another, would it not?
How does God view images that are objects of worship?
Jer. 10:14, 15, JB: “Every goldsmith blushes for the idol he has made, since his images are nothing but delusion, with no breath in them. They are a Nothing, a laughable production.”
Isa. 44:13-19, JB: “The wood carver takes his measurements, outlines the image with chalk, carves it with chisels, following the outline with dividers. He shapes it to human proportions, and gives it a human face, for it to live in a temple. He cut down a cedar, or else took a cypress or an oak which he selected from the trees in the forest, or maybe he planted a cedar and the rain made it grow. For the common man it is so much fuel; he uses it to warm himself, he also burns it to bake his bread. But this fellow makes a god of it and worships it; he makes an idol of it and bows down before it. Half of it he burns in the fire, on the live embers he roasts meat, eats it and is replete. He warms himself too. ‘Ah!’ says he ‘I am warm; I have a fire here!’ With the rest he makes his god, his idol; he bows down before it and worships it and prays to it. ‘Save me,’ he says ‘because you are my god.’ They know nothing, understand nothing. Their eyes are shut to all seeing, their heart to all reason. They never think, they lack the knowledge and wit to say, ‘I burned half of it on the fire, I baked bread on the live embers, I roasted meat and ate it, and am I to make some abomination of what remains? Am I to bow down before a block of wood?’”
Ezek. 14:6, JB: “The Lord Yahweh says this: Come back, renounce your idols [“dungy idols,” NW] and give up all your filthy practices.”
Ezek. 7:20, JB: “They used to pride themselves on the beauty of their jewellery, out of which they made their loathsome images and idols. That is why I mean to make it an object of horror [“uncleanness,” Dy; “refuse,” NAB] to them.”
How should we feel about any images that we may formerly have venerated?
Deut. 7:25, 26, JB: “You must set fire to all the carved images of their gods, not coveting the gold and silver that covers them; take it and you will be caught in a snare: it is detestable to Yahweh your God. You must not bring any detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will come under the ban too. You must regard them as unclean and loathsome [“thoroughly loathe it and absolutely detest it,” NW].” (While Jehovah’s people today are not authorized to destroy images that belong to other people, this command to Israel provides a pattern as to how they should view any images in their possession that they may have venerated. Compare Acts 19:19.)
1 John 5:21, Dy: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols [“false gods,” JB].”
Ezek. 37:23, JB: “They will no longer defile themselves with their idols . . . They shall be my people and I will be their God.”
What effect could use of images in worship have on our own future?
Deut. 4:25, 26, JB: “If you act perversely, making a carved image in one shape or another [“some idol,” Kx; “any similitude,” Dy], doing what displeases Yahweh and angers him, on that day I will call heaven and earth to witness against you; . . . you shall be utterly destroyed.” (God’s viewpoint has not changed. See Malachi 3:5, 6.)
1 Cor. 10:14, 20, JB: “This is the reason, my dear brothers, why you must keep clear of idolatry. . . . The sacrifices that they offer they sacrifice to demons who are not God. I have no desire to see you in communion with demons.”
Rev. 21:8, JB: “The legacy for cowards, for those who break their word, or worship obscenities, for murderers and fornicators, and for fortune-tellers, idolaters or any other sort of liars, is the second death [ftn., “eternal death”] in the burning lake of sulphur.”
Ps. 115:4-8, JB (113:4-8, second set of numbers, Dy): “Their idols, in silver and gold, products of human skill, have mouths, but never speak, eyes, but never see, ears, but never hear, noses, but never smell, hands, but never touch, feet, but never walk, and not a sound from their throats. Their makers will end up like them, and so will anyone who relies on them.” |
What Is the Sign of “the Last Days,” or “End Times”? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502016185 | What Is the Sign of “the Last Days,” or “End Times”?
The Bible’s answer
The Bible describes events, conditions, and attitudes that would mark “the conclusion of the [current] system of things,” or “the end of the world.” (Matthew 24:3; King James Version) The Bible calls this time period “the last days” and the “time of the end,” or “end times.”—2 Timothy 3:1; Daniel 8:19; Easy-to-Read Version.
What are some Bible prophecies about “the last days”?
The Bible foretold many things that together would be “the sign” to identify the last days. (Luke 21:7) Consider some examples:
War on a large scale. Jesus foretold: “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.” (Matthew 24:7) Similarly, Revelation 6:4 foretold a symbolic horseman representing warfare that would “take peace away from the earth.”
Famine. Jesus foretold: “There will be food shortages.” (Matthew 24:7) The book of Revelation foretold an additional symbolic horseman, whose ride would result in famine on a large scale.—Revelation 6:5, 6.
Great earthquakes. Jesus said that there would be “earthquakes in one place after another.” (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11) These great earthquakes around the world would cause suffering and loss of life on an unprecedented scale.
Disease. According to Jesus, there would be pestilences, or epidemics of “terrible diseases.”—Luke 21:11, Contemporary English Version.
Crime. Although crime has existed for centuries, Jesus foretold that in the last days, there would be an “increasing of lawlessness.”—Matthew 24:12.
Ruining of the earth. Revelation 11:18 foretold that mankind would be “ruining the earth.” They would do so in many ways, not only through violent and corrupt actions but also by bringing harm to the environment.
Deteriorating attitudes. At 2 Timothy 3:1-4, the Bible foretold that people in general would be “unthankful, disloyal, . . . not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride.” These attitudes would reach such extremes that the era could rightly be described as “critical times hard to deal with.”
Breakdown of the family. At 2 Timothy 3:2, 3, the Bible foretold that many people would have “no natural affection” for their family and that children would be “disobedient to parents.”
Diminished love of God. Jesus foretold: “The love of the greater number will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) Jesus meant that love for God would grow cold in most people. Likewise, 2 Timothy 3:4 says that in the last days, such ones would be “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.”
Religious hypocrisy. At 2 Timothy 3:5, the Bible foretold that people would appear to worship God but would not truly live by his standards.
Increased understanding of Bible prophecies. The book of Daniel foretold that in “the time of the end,” many would gain increased knowledge of Bible truth, including accurate understanding of these prophecies.—Daniel 12:4, footnote.
A global preaching work. Jesus foretold: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.”—Matthew 24:14.
Widespread apathy and ridicule. Jesus foretold that people in general would ignore the overwhelming evidence of the approaching end. (Matthew 24:37-39) More than that, 2 Peter 3:3, 4 foretold that some would ridicule the evidence, dismissing it completely.
All prophecies fulfilled. Jesus said that the last days would be marked by the simultaneous fulfillment of all these prophecies, not just a few or even most of them.—Matthew 24:33.
Are we living in “the last days”?
Yes. World conditions as well as Bible chronology indicate that the last days began in 1914, the year World War I began. To see how world conditions indicate that we are living in the last days, watch the following video:
In 1914, God’s Kingdom began ruling in heaven, and one of its first actions was to expel Satan the Devil and the demons from heaven and restrict their activity to the earth. (Revelation 12:7-12) Satan’s influence on mankind can be seen in many of the bad attitudes and actions that make the last days “critical times hard to deal with.”—2 Timothy 3:1.
Many people are distressed by these critical times. They are concerned that society itself is deteriorating. Some even fear for the future of humanity.
Meanwhile, others who are likewise distressed by world conditions have a hopeful outlook. They are convinced that God’s Kingdom will soon take action to rid the world of its problems. (Daniel 2:44; Revelation 21:3, 4) They wait patiently for God to fulfill his promises, and they find comfort in the words of Jesus: “The one who has endured to the end will be saved.”—Matthew 24:13; Micah 7:7. |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 111
The Light Gets Brighter
(Proverbs 4:18)
1. Light from God’s Word keeps shining ever brighter,
Is getting ever lighter as the day draws near.
Truths, Kingdom truths, Jehovah is revealing;
To us he is appealing: ‘Come, incline your ear.’
Gone the time when false religion
Kept us in its dismal prison.
Truth was revived.
The Lord’s day arrived.
Light has flashed forth as rays of sun at daybreak,
Transmitting to the righteous ones the bright shining light,
God’s bright shining light.
2. Light on the path of righteous ones increases.
Jehovah it releases with such loving care.
True understanding he is now unfolding;
His people he is molding with his truths so fair.
Sometimes due to imperfection
There may seem to be deflection;
But truth refines
As light brighter shines.
Our gracious God sends forth more light to help us.
He flashes forth his glorious light, a light brighter still,
A light brighter still.
3. Bright is the light that shines now on our pathway,
Just like the sun at noonday in a cloudless sky.
Our God is light and can but us enlighten;
Our pathway he will brighten, so we need not sigh.
Never should we doubt or worry,
Seek to force the truth to hurry.
Keep to the way,
And there ever stay.
Light has flashed up and will keep on increasing.
The righteous are rejoicing, for so bright is the light.
So bright is the light. |
Examining the Scriptures—2021
2020 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/examining-the-scriptures/examining-the-scriptures-2021 | How to Use This Booklet
On the following pages, you will find a scripture for each day and comments on that text. Although the text and comments may be read at any time, many find it advantageous to consider them in the morning. Then they can reflect on such thoughts throughout the day. Discussing the text as a family is most beneficial. Bethel families around the world do so at breakfast time.
The comments are taken from the Watchtower (w) issues of April 2019 through March 2020. Figures following the date of the Watchtower issue refer first to the page(s) in that issue and then to the paragraph(s) where the material is found. (See illustration below.) Additional information on the subject matter can be found in the article itself. |
Youth (yy)
1976 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yy | Chapter 13
How Do You View Discipline?
1-4. (a) Why are we all prone to make mistakes? (b) Besides lack of knowledge, what else gives rise to mistakes?
YOU probably know someone—maybe a fellow student or even a teacher—who never admits to making a mistake or being wrong. How do you feel about someone like that? Would your opinion of him go up or down if one day he came right out and said, “I’m sorry; I see I was wrong”?
2 Really, we all make mistakes, don’t we? None of us are perfect or faultless. The Bible tells us that. It shows that, due to our first parent Adam’s disobedience, all men are born with an inheritance of imperfection, sin. The Bible explains that “through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”—Romans 5:12.
3 Some mistakes come from just ‘not knowing.’ But not all do. Many mistakes are because of not caring. For example, a passenger in an airplane might pay no attention when the stewardess explains the use of life jackets or of the plane’s oxygen supply. If, as a result, the passenger failed to make use of these provisions in an emergency and lost his life, it would not be simply because he didn’t know. Rather, he didn’t care to know.
4 So not all wrongs can be chalked up to simple error. Willful ignorance is often the cause. Worse, a person may do what he knows is wrong—excusing himself for one reason or another.
5, 6. (a) Why is correction beneficial to both young and old? (b) What is the objective of discipline? (Proverbs 1:1-4)
5 All of this shows the need for discipline, which involves correction. We all need correction, whether we are young or old. In fact, if there were no discipline or correction there could be no progress in any field of human living. People would keep on making the same mistakes, believing the same wrong ideas, never advancing in knowledge or ability.
6 But did you know that discipline means more than just correction? It can also be training that molds, strengthens, or makes better. Discipline is properly given with a view to correction and improvement for the future.
WHY HARD TO TAKE
7-9. (a) Why is discipline often hard to take? (b) How can this be overcome?
7 But if discipline is so beneficial, why do most persons find it so hard to take? It’s really for the same reason that causes us to need discipline in the first place, namely, our imperfection. Discipline can easily make us feel embarrassed or it may hurt our pride. Note, however, the other side of the picture as explained by the apostle Paul: “True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness.”—Hebrews 12:11.
8 Humility takes most of the sting out of discipline. However, many persons let pride and stubbornness cause them to resist discipline. But when the correction or reproof is well founded, the person who stubbornly rejects it simply makes himself look foolish in the eyes of others. God’s Word says: “Wisdom and discipline are what mere fools have despised.”—Proverbs 1:7.
9 In contrast, we read: “Give a reproof to a wise person and he will love you.” Why? Because he knows that through correction “he will become still wiser.”—Proverbs 9:8, 9.
HOW WILL YOU REACT?
10-12. (a) As shown at Proverbs 19:20, how can discipline affect our lives? (b) Why does God discipline us? (Hebrews 12:5, 6) (c) Who is authorized to give us discipline?
10 The real question is: What do you want to do with your life? Do you just want to drift along? Or are you willing to work toward a worthwhile future? How do you view this matter? Do you agree with God’s Word, which advises: “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, in order that you may become wise in your future”?—Proverbs 19:20.
11 Whatever your viewpoint, sometime in life you are bound to receive discipline. And you will find it more pleasant and easy to take if you keep in mind that it is God’s arrangement. He provides discipline because he loves us and wants to help us to improve. So the Bible says that anyone who hates discipline is, in effect, ‘throwing God’s words behind him.’—Psalm 50:17.
12 Discipline rightly comes from an authorized source. Who do you believe is in the best position to administer discipline to younger persons? God has assigned that job to parents, for they are responsible for their children’s lives. And, within the Christian congregation, God has provided spiritually “older men” who are “able both to exhort by the teaching that is healthful and to reprove those who contradict.”—Titus 1:5-9.
13-17. If we are inclined to resent discipline, what thoughts might we call to mind that can help us to readjust our thinking? (Proverbs 4:1, 2; 13:24; 15:32)
13 How do you react to discipline from your parents? Many youths resent it, at least for a time, even to the point of leaving home on that account. If you are upset over someone’s giving you counsel or reproof, stop and ask yourself: Why did they take the time and effort to do it? In most cases, though not all, you know that giving reproof is not exactly pleasant for them. They do it because they care enough about you to make the effort. That alone should make you think seriously about what they say.
14 True, it takes strength to face up to our mistakes. And it takes humility to accept discipline, especially if you feel that it was not called for. But if you take it quietly and do not kick against it, you will likely profit by it, and this will ease the situation.
15 Remember, too, that those offering discipline likely are not trying to “hobble” you so that you are cramped in walking life’s highway. Rather, they probably are trying to help you to make progress. Wise discipline protects against harmful accidents, keeps you free from things that will tie you up with problems, making your way difficult. If you accept correction, the Bible promises: “When you walk, your pace will not be cramped; and if you run, you will not stumble. Take hold on discipline; do not let go. Safeguard it, for it itself is your life.”—Proverbs 4:10-13.
16 Of course, you don’t need to wait for others to correct you. You can practice self-discipline. By being alert, you can recognize many of your own mistakes and take steps to correct them.
17 Many benefits come from being receptive to discipline. To admit mistakes in a straightforward way gives you a better feeling inside. It strengthens your heart and mind for what is right. It makes for good relations with others; they accept you as being honest, humble and balanced, refreshingly different from so many others today. Above all, it is essential for bringing you into a good relationship with Jehovah God and keeping you there. It also can assure you of a lasting and happy future. Yes, “the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”—Proverbs 6:23.
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When you are given correction, how do you react? |
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Ukraine War Enters Second Year—What Hope Does the Bible Offer? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100070 | Marek M. Berezowski/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Ukraine War Enters Second Year—What Hope Does the Bible Offer?
Friday, February 24, 2023, marks a grim anniversary—one year since the war in Ukraine began. According to some reports, about 300,000 Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded and about 30,000 civilians are believed to have died in the war. However, the total may be higher.
Sadly, an end to this war does not appear to be in sight.
“Nearly a year since Russian forces rolled into Ukraine, there are no real signs of a way out of the conflict. Neither side appears primed for an outright military victory, and progress at the negotiating table seems just as unlikely.”—NPR (National Public Radio), February 19, 2023.
Many people are rightly distressed by the pain and suffering that this and other conflicts are inflicting on innocent people around the world. What hope does the Bible offer? Will there ever be an end to war?
A war that will end all wars
The Bible speaks of a war that will save mankind, not destroy it. That war is known as Armageddon, and it is described as “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Revelation 16:14, 16) By means of that war, God will bring an end to human rulership, which has caused so many destructive wars. To learn how Armageddon will result in lasting peace, read the following articles:
“What Is the Battle of Armageddon?”
“Armageddon Is Good News!”
Jehovah’s Witnesses are neutral
Jehovah’s Witnesses patiently look forward to the day when war will be no more, as promised in the Bible. (Psalm 46:9) In the meantime, we remain politically neutral and avoid warfare. Read about our relief efforts in Ukraine to see how we are helping our fellow believers and others who have been affected by this conflict.—Galatians 6:10. |
When Christians Are Sifted as Wheat | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008048 | When Christians Are Sifted as Wheat
SHORTLY before his death, Jesus warned his disciples: “Look! Satan has demanded to have you men to sift you as wheat.” (Luke 22:31) What did he mean by that?
In Jesus’ day, harvesting wheat took much time and effort. First, harvesters gathered the wheat stalks from the field. Then, they beat the stalks against a hard surface or used farm animals to pull a threshing sledge over the stalks to break them into pieces. This process dislodged the grain from the stalks and the husks. Next, the farmers tossed the mixture into the air. The kernels, or whole seeds of grain, fell back onto the threshing floor, while the breeze blew the chaff away. Finally, the kernels were carefully sifted to remove from them any undesirable materials.
True to Jesus’ words, Satan relentlessly attacked Jesus’ disciples back then, and he attacks us today. (Eph. 6:11) It is true, not every difficulty we face in life is directly caused by Satan. (Eccl. 9:11) Still, Satan is eager to use any means at his disposal to break our integrity. For example, he may tempt us to follow a materialistic lifestyle, to choose unwholesome entertainment, or to engage in immoral sexual behavior. He may also use associates at school or at work and unbelieving relatives to pressure us into pursuing to the full all that this world has to offer in schooling and careers. Furthermore, Satan may use outright persecution in an effort to break our integrity to God. Of course, there are many other ways that Satan uses to sift us, as it were.
How can we stand against this powerful enemy? We cannot do so in our own strength. Satan is stronger than we are; however, we know that Jehovah is immeasurably stronger than Satan is. If we have full confidence in Jehovah, pray earnestly for the wisdom and courage to endure, and rely fully on his guidance, he will strengthen us to resist Satan’s attacks.—Ps. 25:4, 5.
When under test, we need to have the ability to “distinguish both right and wrong” and thus avoid being misled by Satan’s schemes. (Heb. 5:13, 14) Jehovah can help us to develop that ability. Then we need to stick to the right course, no matter what. If we follow Jehovah’s guidance, he will unfailingly support our courageous determination to do what is right.—Eph. 6:10.
Satan may try to sift us as wheat. But in Jehovah’s strength, we can take our stand against him, solid in the faith. (1 Pet. 5:9) Yes, Jehovah’s Word assures us: “Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you.”—Jas. 4:7. |
Abraham—A Man of Courage | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012003 | Abraham—A Man of Courage
Abraham looks at his family and servants as they prepare to head out into Canaan. (Genesis 12:1-5) Surveying this large group of people who depend on him for their livelihood, Abraham keenly senses his responsibility toward them. How will he provide for their material needs while in an unknown land? Might such a task have been easier back in Ur, a prosperous area with extensive pastures, fertile soil, and an ample water supply? What if he becomes ill or dies in the new land? Who will take care of his family? If Abraham has any such worries, he does not let his fears paralyze him. He is determined to act, to obey God’s commands, come what may—a sign of true courage.
WHAT IS COURAGE? It is the quality of being strong, bold, and valiant—the opposite of timidity or cowardice. Being courageous does not necessarily mean that we are never afraid. Rather, a person with God-given courage takes action in spite of his fears.
HOW DID ABRAHAM DISPLAY COURAGE? Abraham was willing to go against the crowd. Abraham grew up in an environment where people worshipped a multitude of gods and idols. Yet, he did not let fear of what others would think hold him back from doing what he knew was right. Rather, Abraham boldly took a different course in life, choosing to worship only one God—“the Most High God,” Jehovah.—Genesis 14:21, 22.
Abraham put his worship of the true God ahead of material interests. He was willing to give up his comfortable life in Ur and head out into the wilderness, fully trusting that Jehovah would care for his material needs. Of course, as the years went on, Abraham may have thought about some of the comforts he had enjoyed in Ur. But Abraham was certain that Jehovah would always provide for him and his family. Clinging to Jehovah as the most important Person in his life, Abraham found the courage to obey God’s commands.
WHAT ARE THE LESSONS FOR US? We can imitate Abraham by cultivating the courage to obey Jehovah, even if others around us do not do so. For example, the Bible teaches that those who take a stand for their belief in Jehovah God may be opposed, perhaps by well-meaning friends or relatives. (John 15:20) When we are convinced of what we have learned about Jehovah, however, we stand up for our beliefs, doing so in a respectful manner.—1 Peter 3:15.
We can also trust in God’s promise that he will provide for those who place their faith in him. Such trust gives us the courage to center our lives on spiritual things rather than on material concerns. (Matthew 6:33) Consider how one family has done just that.
Although having two young sons, Doug and Becky wanted to move to a country where there was a greater need for preachers of the Bible’s good news. After careful research and fervent prayer, they decided to go ahead with their plans. “It took courage to pack up the kids and move, not knowing exactly how things would work out for us,” says Doug. “But early in our decision-making process, we discussed the example of Abraham and Sarah. Thinking about how they trusted in Jehovah—and how he never let them down—really helped us.”
Regarding their life in a foreign land, Doug says: “We’ve been blessed in a tremendous way.” He explains: “Because our lifestyle is much simpler, we are able to spend most of our day together as a family—preaching, talking with one another, and playing together with the boys. It’s a feeling of freedom that is difficult to put into words.”
Of course, not everyone is in a position to make such a drastic adjustment. Yet, all of us can imitate Abraham’s example by giving priority to our worship of God, trusting that he will be there to support us. When we do so, we are heeding the Bible’s admonition to “be of good courage and say: ‘Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”—Hebrews 13:5, 6.
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A person with God-given courage takes action in spite of his fears
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A Godly Woman and a Precious Wife
Sarah was married to an outstanding man of faith. But this godly woman herself set an example worthy of note. In fact, the Bible three times mentions her by name as someone whose example godly women do well to imitate. (Isaiah 51:1, 2; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Peter 3:3-6) Although the Scriptures reveal relatively little about this remarkable woman, we are nonetheless able to glimpse a beautiful picture of her.
Think, for example, of Sarah’s initial reaction when Abraham informed her of God’s direction to leave Ur. Did she wonder where they were headed and why? Did she have concerns about their material needs? Did she feel sad at the thought of leaving her friends and family, not knowing when—if ever—she would see them again? Undoubtedly, such thoughts crossed her mind. Even so, she willingly left, trusting that Jehovah would bless her for her obedience.—Acts 7:2, 3.
In addition to being an obedient servant of God, Sarah was an excellent wife. Rather than competing with her husband for control of the affairs of the family, Sarah cultivated heartfelt respect for her husband, lovingly supporting him as he guided their family. In so doing, she adorned herself—made herself beautiful—by her positive inner qualities.—1 Peter 3:1-6.
Can such traits benefit wives today? “Sarah’s example has taught me that I should feel free to speak up and express my viewpoint to my husband,” says a woman named Jill, who has been happily married for over 30 years. “At the same time,” she continues, “as head of the family, my husband has the responsibility to make the final decision. Once he has done so, it’s my job to do whatever I can to make that decision work.”
Perhaps the most touching lesson we learn from Sarah is this: Although she was very beautiful, Sarah did not allow her physical beauty to cause her to become proud. (Genesis 12:10-13) Rather, she humbly supported Abraham through the ups and downs of their life together. Without a doubt, Abraham and Sarah were a faithful, humble, and loving couple—a couple who truly brought blessings to each other. |
2 Help to Resolve Problems | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2018021 | 2 Help to Resolve Problems
Some of life’s problems tend to persist, sometimes for years; they may take root before we are fully aware of them. Does the Bible give us the wisdom to resolve such persistent and frustrating problems? Consider some examples.
EXCESSIVE WORRY
Rosie says, “I got hung up on certain worries by making things worse in my mind or imagining the worst-case scenarios.” What Bible verses helped? One of them is Matthew 6:34: “Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.” Rosie now says that those words of Jesus helped her to stop worrying about what might happen tomorrow. She adds, “I had enough troubles as it was, without adding worries about situations that hadn’t happened and probably wouldn’t happen.”
Yasmine too sensed her anxiety taking control over her. “I would cry a couple of days during the week, and I couldn’t sleep some nights. I felt that negative thinking was eating me alive.” What scripture helped? She refers to 1 Peter 5:7: “Throw all your anxiety on [God], because he cares for you.” Yasmine says: “As time went on, I kept praying to Jehovah, and he answered my prayers. I felt as if a big weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. My negative thinking does come back from time to time, but now I know how to handle it.”
PROCRASTINATION
A young woman named Isabella says: “I think procrastination is genetic because my dad has it too. I put off important things in order to do nothing—just to relax or watch TV instead. It’s a harmful habit because it increases stress and causes a person to do a poor job.” A principle that helped her is reflected at 2 Timothy 2:15, which says: “Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of.” Says Isabella, “I didn’t want Jehovah to be ashamed of my work just because I procrastinated.” She has improved greatly.
Similarly, Kelsey comments: “I would have a project due and put it off till the last second. I would cry, lose sleep, and worry. It wasn’t good for me.” Kelsey found help at Proverbs 13:16: “The shrewd person acts with knowledge, but the fool exposes his own foolishness.” She explains what meditating on this scripture taught her: “It is wise to be practical and to plan ahead. Now I have a journal that I keep on my desk to schedule upcoming work, and this helps me to schedule myself, not leaving things till the last minute.”
LONELINESS
“My husband walked out on our marriage, leaving me with four young children,” relates Kirsten. What Scriptural principle came to her aid? Proverbs 17:17 reads: “A true friend shows love at all times, and is a brother who is born for times of distress.” Kirsten reached out to others who serve Jehovah as she does. What did she find? “My friends rallied around me in so many ways! Some left groceries and flowers on my doorstep. Three times a small army of people helped my children and me to move from one house to another. One person helped me find a job. My friends were always there for me.”
Delphine, mentioned earlier, likewise struggled with loneliness. She recalls after all her losses: “I felt as if I were outside the store of life looking in on everybody else. I felt very lonely.” One scripture that helped her was Psalm 68:6: “God gives those who are alone a home to dwell in.” She explains: “I knew that the verse could not just mean a home in a physical sense now. Rather, I came to understand that God offers us a spiritual home, a place of real safety that provides genuine connections and emotional attachment to others who love Jehovah. But I knew that I could not get closer to others until I first got closer to Jehovah. So Psalm 37:4 helped with that: ‘Find exquisite delight in Jehovah, and he will grant you the desires of your heart.’”
She concludes: “I realized that I needed to attach myself more firmly to Jehovah. He is the finest of the fine. Then I made a list of activities that I could enjoy with others, so that I could form connections with them that were based on spiritual values. I learned to see the good in others and to treat them as if that were all that I could see.”
Of course, friends who serve God are still imperfect. Jehovah’s Witnesses struggle with problems just as everyone else does. But Bible training motivates people to help others whenever possible. It is wise to make such friends. However, can Bible principles also help with problems that cannot be solved today, such as chronic health issues and grief?
Applying Bible counsel can help you find supportive friends |
United in Worship (uw)
1983 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/uw | Chapter 11
‘Keep On Seeking First the Kingdom’
1. (a) Why, 1,900 years ago, did Jesus say to seek the Kingdom first? (b) What question should we ask ourselves?
OVER 1,900 years ago, in a discourse given in Galilee, Jesus urged his hearers: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness.” But why? Was not the time for Christ’s enthronement many centuries off? Yes. But that Messianic Kingdom is the means by which Jehovah’s own holy name will be vindicated and his grand purpose toward the earth will be fulfilled. Anyone who truly appreciates the importance of this is going to give the Kingdom first place in his life. That was true in the first century and it certainly is so now that the Kingdom is ruling. Does your way of life show that you are seeking God’s Kingdom first?—Matt. 6:33.
2. What are the things that people in general eagerly pursue?
2 People in general are more interested in other things. They eagerly pursue riches and the clothing, food and other material possessions and pleasures that money can buy. (Matt. 6:31, 32) Their way of life reflects preoccupation with self and pleasure. In their lives, God is put in second place—if they believe in him at all.
3. (a) What kind of treasures did Jesus encourage his disciples to seek, and why? (b) Why was there no need to be overly concerned about material needs?
3 But to his disciples Jesus gave the counsel: “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures upon the earth,” because none of such possessions last forever. “Rather,” he said, “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” by serving Jehovah. He urged his followers to keep their eye “simple,” focusing their attention on just one thing, the doing of God’s will. “You cannot slave for God and for Riches,” he told them. But what about material needs—food, clothing and shelter? “Stop being anxious,” Jesus counseled. He directed their attention to the birds—God feeds them. He encouraged his followers to take a lesson from the flowers—God clothes them beautifully. Are not Jehovah’s intelligent human servants worth more than any of these? “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness,” Jesus said, “and all these other [necessary] things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:19-34) Do you believe that? Do your actions show it?
Do Not Let Kingdom Truth Be Choked Out
4. If a person puts too much emphasis on material things, what may be the outcome? Illustrate.
4 If a person is excessively concerned about material things, the results can be disastrous. Even though he professes interest in the Kingdom, if in his heart he puts other things first, Kingdom truth will be choked out. (Matt. 13:18, 19, 22) For example, on one occasion a rich young ruler asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit everlasting life?” His response to Jesus’ reply showed that he led a moral life and treated others well. But he was overly attached to his material possessions. He could not bring himself to part with them in favor of being a follower of Christ. So he passed up an opportunity that could have led to his being a ruler with Christ in the heavenly Kingdom. As Jesus said on that occasion: “How difficult a thing it will be for those with money to enter into the kingdom of God!”—Mark 10:17-23.
5. (a) With what things did Paul encourage Timothy to be output, and why? (b) How does Satan use “love of money” as a destructive snare?
5 Years later, the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, who was then in Ephesus, a wealthy commercial center. He reminded him: “We have brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out. So, having sustenance and covering, we shall be output with these things.” Working in order to provide suitable “sustenance and covering” for oneself and one’s family is right. But Paul warned: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin.” Satan is subtle. At first he may entice a person in small ways. This is often followed by greater pressure—perhaps opportunity for promotion to a job that pays more but that demands time formerly set aside for spiritual matters. Unless we are on guard, “love of money” can choke out the all-important Kingdom interests. As Paul put it, “By reaching out for this love [of money] some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.”—1 Tim. 6:7-10.
6. (a) To avoid being ensnared, what must we do? (b) Is that realistic in view of the world’s economic situation today?
6 With genuine love for his Christian brother, Paul urged Timothy: “Flee from these things,” and, “Fight the fine fight of the faith.” (1 Tim. 6:11, 12) Earnest effort is needed if we are to avoid being swept along with the materialistic way of life of the world around us. But if we do exert ourselves in harmony with our faith, Jehovah will never forsake us. Regardless of high prices and widespread unemployment, he will make sure that we have what we really need.—Heb. 13:5, 6.
Early Disciples Provide a Pattern
7. When Jesus sent the apostles to preach in Israel, what instructions did he give them, and why were these appropriate?
7 After Jesus had given his apostles suitable training he sent them out in Israel to preach good news. “The kingdom of the heavens has drawn near.” What a thrilling message it was! Jesus Christ, the Messianic King, was in their midst. Since the apostles were devoting themselves to the service of God, Jesus urged them to have confidence that God would care for them. So he said: “Carry nothing for the trip, neither staff nor food pouch, nor bread nor silver money; neither have two undergarments. But wherever you enter into a home, stay there and leave from there.” (Matt. 10:5-10; Luke 9:1-6; 10:4-7) Jehovah would see to it that their needs would be satisfied through the hands of fellow Israelites, among whom hospitality to strangers was customary.
8. (a) Why did Jesus give different instructions shortly before his death? (b) Nevertheless, what was still to be in first place in their lives?
8 Later, just before his death, Jesus alerted his apostles to the fact that they would be working under changed circumstances. As a result of official opposition, hospitality might not be so readily extended in Israel. Also, they would soon be carrying the Kingdom message to Gentile lands. Now they were to take along a “purse” and a “food pouch.” Nevertheless, they were to keep on seeking first Jehovah’s Kingdom and his righteousness, confident that God would bless their efforts to obtain needed sustenance and covering.—Luke 22:35-37.
9. (a) How did Paul keep the Kingdom in first place? (b) How were his physical needs cared for? (c) What counsel did he give to others on these matters?
9 The apostle Paul gave a fine example of how to apply Jesus’ counsel. Paul built his life around the ministry. (Acts 20:24, 25) When he went into an area to preach he took care of his own material needs by working at tentmaking. He did not expect others to look after him. (Acts 18:1-4; 1 Thess. 2:9; 1 Cor. 9:18) Yet he gratefully accepted hospitality and gifts when others wanted to express their love and appreciation in this way. (Acts 16:15, 34; Phil. 4:15-17) He did not encourage Christian men and women to neglect their family obligations in order to go preaching, but rather to handle their varied responsibilities in a balanced way. He counseled them to work with their hands, to love their families and to be liberal in sharing with others. (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thess. 3:7-12; Titus 2:3-5) He also urged them to put their confidence, not in material possessions, but in God and to use their lives in a way that showed that they really understood what the more important things in life are. In harmony with Jesus’ teachings, that meant seeking first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness.—Phil. 1:9-11.
Keep the Kingdom First in Your Life
10. (a) What does it mean to ‘seek first the Kingdom’? (b) But what should not be neglected?
10 To what extent do we personally share the Kingdom good news with others? That depends, in part, on our circumstances and, to a large extent, on the depth of our appreciation. Keep in mind that Jesus did not say, ‘Seek the Kingdom when you have nothing else to do.’ Neither did he say, ‘As long as you talk about the Kingdom once in a while, you are doing all that is necessary.’ Nor did he say, ‘Start out with zeal for Kingdom interests; but if the New Order seems long in coming, keep doing something in God’s service but live more like other people.’ Knowing well the importance of the Kingdom, he expressed his Father’s will in the matter, saying: “Seek continually his kingdom.” Or, as the apostle Matthew recorded it: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness.” (Luke 12:31; Matt. 6:33) Though most of us find it necessary to do some kind of work to care for the physical needs of ourselves and our families, if we truly have faith, our lives will revolve around the work that God has given us in connection with his Kingdom. At the same time we will not neglect our family responsibilities.—1 Tim. 5:8; Prov. 29:15.
11. (a) How did Jesus illustrate the fact that not all would be able to do the same amount in spreading the Kingdom message? (b) What factors have a bearing on this?
11 Some of us are able to devote more time than others can to the field ministry. But in his parable concerning various kinds of soil Jesus showed that all whose hearts are like fine soil will bear fruit. To what extent? The circumstances of individuals vary. Age, health and family responsibilities are all factors. But when there is genuine appreciation, much can be accomplished.—Matt. 13:19, 23.
12. What wholesome spiritual goal are young ones especially encouraged to consider?
12 It is good to have goals that will help us to expand our share in the Kingdom ministry. Young ones should think seriously about the excellent example of that zealous young Christian Timothy. (Phil. 2:19-22) What could be finer for them than to enter the full-time ministry when they complete their secular schooling? Older ones, too, will benefit by setting wholesome spiritual goals.
13. (a) Who decides what you personally are able to do in Kingdom service? (b) If we truly seek first the Kingdom, of what is this evidence?
13 Rather than criticizing those who we might feel could do more, we should be moved by faith to work for personal improvement so that we might serve God to the full extent that our own circumstances permit. (Rom. 14:10-12; Gal. 6:4) As shown in the case of Job, Satan contends that we are interested mainly in our material possessions, our own comfort and personal well-being, and that our motive in serving God is a selfish one. But if we truly seek first the Kingdom, we are having a share in proving the Devil to be the gross liar that he is. We are giving evidence that what comes first in our lives is neither material possessions nor personal comfort but the service of God. In word and deed we thus prove our deep love for Jehovah, our loyal support of his sovereignty and our love for fellowmen.—Prov. 27:11; Job 1:9-11; 2:4, 5.
14. (a) Why is a schedule for field service beneficial? (b) To what extent are many Witnesses sharing in the field ministry, and why?
14 A schedule can help us to accomplish more than we might otherwise get done. Jehovah himself has ‘appointed times’ for the carrying out of his purpose, and we do well to imitate that. (Ex. 9:5; Mark 1:15; Gal. 4:4) If possible, it is good to share in the field ministry at one or more appointed times each week. Tens of thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world have enrolled as auxiliary pioneers and enjoy spending two or more hours a day, on an average, in preaching the good news. Some do this regularly; others, a few times each year. Many thousands more serve as regular pioneers, using at least three hours a day, on an average, to proclaim the Kingdom message. Others, as special pioneers and missionaries, spend even more time in Kingdom service. And whether actually in the field ministry or not, we can seek opportunities to share the Kingdom hope on every suitable occasion with any who will listen. (Compare John 4:7-15.) We should all think seriously about the implications of Jesus’ prophecy that “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.” Our desire should be to have just as full a share in that work as our circumstances permit.—Matt. 24:14; Eph. 5:15-17.
15. In connection with our ministry, why do you feel that the counsel at 1 Corinthians 15:58 is timely?
15 Unitedly, in all parts of the earth, regardless of the nation in which they live, Jehovah’s Witnesses are actively sharing in this grand privilege of service. They apply to themselves the inspired Bible counsel: “Become steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.”—1 Cor. 15:58.
Review Discussion
● When Jesus said to seek first the Kingdom, what was he indicating should be put in a secondary place?
● What viewpoint should we have toward caring for the physical needs of ourselves and our families? What help will God give us?
● Does it make any difference how much we do in Kingdom service as long as we have some share? Why? |
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 | January
Saturday, January 1
From infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.—2 Tim. 3:15.
Timothy’s faith was built on facts that drew him closer to Jehovah. You too must logically reason on what you have learned about Jehovah from reading the Bible. To start with, you need to prove to yourself at least three basic truths. First, you need to be convinced that Jehovah God is the Creator of all things. (Ex. 3:14, 15; Heb. 3:4; Rev. 4:11) Second, you must prove to yourself that the Bible is God’s inspired message to mankind. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) And third, you need to confirm that Jehovah has an organized group of people who are worshipping him under Christ’s headship and that Jehovah’s Witnesses are that group. (Isa. 43:10-12; John 14:6; Acts 15:14) This does not require that you become a walking encyclopedia of Bible knowledge. Your goal should be to use your “power of reason” to strengthen your conviction that you have the truth.—Rom. 12:1. w20.07 10 ¶8-9
Sunday, January 2
It was granted the locusts, not to kill them, but to torment them five months.—Rev. 9:5.
This prophecy describes a swarm of locusts that have human faces and ‘what seem to be crowns of gold’ on their heads. (Rev. 9:7) They torment “those people [God’s enemies] who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads” for a period of five months, the average life span of a locust. (Rev. 9:4) This does indeed appear to be a description of Jehovah’s anointed servants. They boldly proclaim God’s judgments against this wicked system of things and, as a result, make its supporters very uncomfortable. Are we saying that the locusts described at Joel 2:7-9 are not the same as the locusts presented in the book of Revelation? Yes. In the Bible, it is not unusual for a symbol to convey different meanings in different settings. For example, at Revelation 5:5, Jesus is called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” whereas at 1 Peter 5:8, the Devil is described as “a roaring lion.” w20.04 3 ¶8; 5 ¶10
Monday, January 3
The eyes of Jehovah are everywhere, watching both the bad and the good.—Prov. 15:3.
Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai, acted foolishly after she was given as a wife to Abram. Hagar became pregnant and then began to look down on Sarai, who had no children of her own. The situation became so bad that Sarai chased Hagar away. (Gen. 16:4-6) From our imperfect viewpoint, Hagar might appear to be no more than a spiteful woman who got what she deserved. But Jehovah saw more in Hagar. He sent his angel to her. When the angel found her, he helped her to adjust her attitude and blessed her. Hagar sensed that Jehovah had been watching her and knew all about her situation. She was moved to call him “a God of sight, . . . the one who sees me.” (Gen. 16:7-13) What did Jehovah see in Hagar? He was fully aware of her background and everything she had been through. While Jehovah did not excuse Hagar’s disrespect for Sarai, we can be sure that he took Hagar’s background and her situation into account. w20.04 16 ¶8-9
Tuesday, January 4
I have run the race to the finish.—2 Tim. 4:7.
The apostle Paul said that all true Christians are in a race. (Heb. 12:1) And all of us, young or old, energetic or tired, must endure to the end if we want to receive the prize that Jehovah offers us. (Matt. 24:13) Paul had freeness of speech because he had successfully “run the race to the finish.” (2 Tim. 4:7, 8) But what, specifically, is the race that Paul spoke about? Paul sometimes used features from the games held in ancient Greece to teach important lessons. (1 Cor. 9:25-27; 2 Tim. 2:5) On a number of occasions, he used running as in a footrace to illustrate the Christian course of life. (1 Cor. 9:24; Gal. 2:2; Phil. 2:16) A person enters this “race” when he dedicates himself to Jehovah and gets baptized. (1 Pet. 3:21) He crosses the finish line when Jehovah grants him the prize of everlasting life.—Matt. 25:31-34, 46; 2 Tim. 4:8. w20.04 26 ¶1-3
Wednesday, January 5
Take up the complete suit of armor from God.—Eph. 6:13.
“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the wicked one.” (2 Thess. 3:3) How does Jehovah protect us? Jehovah has made available to us a suit of armor that can protect us from Satan’s attacks. (Eph. 6:13-17) This spiritual armor is strong and effective! But it will protect us only if we put on each piece of the armor—and keep it on. For instance, the belt of truth represents the truths found in God’s Word, the Bible. Why must we wear this belt? Because Satan is “the father of the lie.” (John 8:44) He has had thousands of years to practice his lying and has misled “the entire inhabited earth”! (Rev. 12:9) But the truths contained in the Bible protect us from being deceived. How do we wear this symbolic belt? We do so by learning the truth about Jehovah, by worshipping him “with spirit and truth,” and by conducting ourselves honestly in all things.—John 4:24; Eph. 4:25; Heb. 13:18. w21.03 26-27 ¶3-5
Thursday, January 6
He will also enter into the land of the Decoration.—Dan. 11:41.
What made that land especially precious was that it was the location where true worship was practiced. Since Pentecost 33 C.E., that “land” is not a single, literal geographic location; it cannot be, for Jehovah’s people are spread throughout the earth. Rather, “the land of the Decoration” today is the realm of activity of Jehovah’s people that includes such things as their worship of Jehovah through meetings and the field ministry. During the last days, the king of the north has repeatedly entered into “the land of the Decoration.” For example, when Nazi Germany filled the role of the king of the north, particularly during the second world war, that king entered into “the land of the Decoration” by persecuting and killing God’s people. After World War II when the Soviet Union took on the role of the king of the north, that king entered into “the land of the Decoration” by persecuting God’s people, exiling them. w20.05 13 ¶7-8
Friday, January 7
Close friendship with Jehovah belongs to those who fear him, and he makes his covenant known to them.—Ps. 25:14.
Consider some pre-Christian men who became friends of God. Abraham was a man who showed outstanding faith. Over 1,000 years after Abraham’s death, Jehovah called him “my friend.” (Isa. 41:8) So not even death can separate Jehovah from his close friends. Abraham is alive in Jehovah’s memory. (Luke 20:37, 38) Another example is Job. Before an assembly of the angels in heaven, Jehovah spoke confidently about Job. Jehovah called him “an upright man of integrity, fearing God and shunning what is bad.” (Job 1:6-8) And how did Jehovah feel about Daniel, who served God faithfully in a pagan land for about 80 years? Three times angels assured that aged man that he was “very precious” to God. (Dan. 9:23; 10:11, 19) We can be certain that Jehovah longs for the day when he will resurrect his beloved friends who have died.—Job 14:15. w20.05 26-27 ¶3-4
Saturday, January 8
Teach me your regulations.—Ps. 119:68.
A good student may learn about God’s laws, even admire them. But will the student obey Jehovah out of love for him as a Person? Remember, Eve knew God’s law, but she did not truly love the Lawgiver; nor did Adam. (Gen. 3:1-6) So we must do more than teach others about God’s righteous requirements and standards. Jehovah’s requirements and standards are appealing and beautiful. (Ps. 119:97, 111, 112) But our students may not see them that way unless they see Jehovah’s love behind those laws. So we might ask our students: “Why do you think God asks his servants to do this or to refrain from doing this? What does that tell us about him as a Person?” If we help our students to think about Jehovah and to develop real love for his glorious name, we are more likely to reach their heart. Our students will come to love not only the laws but also the Lawgiver. They will grow in faith and will be helped to endure fiery tests to come.—1 Cor. 3:12-15. w20.06 10 ¶10-11
Sunday, January 9
Be quick to listen, slow to speak.—Jas. 1:19.
We need to be patient because it takes time for a person to heal spiritually. Many formerly inactive ones admit that they responded only after repeated visits by the elders and others in the congregation. A sister named Nancy, from Southeast Asia, writes: “A close friend in the congregation helped me a great deal. She loved me like an older sister. She reminded me of the good times we shared in the past. She would listen patiently as I expressed my feelings, and she did not hesitate to give me advice. She proved to be a true friend, ready to help at any time.” Empathy is like a powerful ointment; it can help to heal hurt feelings. Some inactive ones have struggled for years with bitter feelings toward someone in the congregation. These feelings have stifled the desire to return to Jehovah. Some may think that they were treated unjustly. They may need someone who will listen to them and understand their feelings. w20.06 26 ¶10-11
Monday, January 10
You have conquered the wicked one.—1 John 2:14.
Each time you resist temptation, it will get easier for you to do what is right. Remember, too, that this world’s twisted view of sex originates with Satan. So when you refuse to compromise, you ‘conquer the wicked one.’ We acknowledge that Jehovah has the right to define what is sinful conduct. And we do our best not to commit a sin. But when we do sin, we confess our wrongdoing to Jehovah in prayer. (1 John 1:9) And if we commit a serious sin, we seek the help of the elders, whom Jehovah has appointed to care for us. (Jas. 5:14-16) However, we should not be consumed by feelings of guilt over past mistakes. Why not? Because our loving Father provided the ransom sacrifice of his Son so that our sins can be forgiven. When Jehovah says that he will forgive repentant sinners, he means what he says. So there is nothing to stop us from serving Jehovah with a clean conscience.—1 John 2:1, 2, 12; 3:19, 20. w20.07 22-23 ¶9-10
Tuesday, January 11
With you is the source of life.—Ps. 36:9.
There was a time when Jehovah was alone. But he was not lonely. He was complete in every way. Nevertheless, God wanted others to enjoy life. Motivated by love, Jehovah began creating. (1 John 4:19) First, Jehovah created a fellow worker. Then, by means of this first Son, “all other things were created,” including millions of intelligent spirit creatures. (Col. 1:16) Jesus rejoiced at the opportunity to work with his Father. (Prov. 8:30) And the angelic sons of God also had reason to rejoice. They had front-row seats, as it were, when Jehovah and his Master Worker, Jesus, made the heavens and the earth. How did the angels respond? They “began shouting in applause” when the earth was formed, and they no doubt continued to applaud each of Jehovah’s creative works, including his final masterpiece, humans. (Job 38:7; Prov. 8:31, ftn.) Each of these creations revealed Jehovah’s love and wisdom.—Ps. 104:24; Rom. 1:20. w20.08 14 ¶1-2
Wednesday, January 12
You will be hated by all the nations on account of my name.—Matt. 24:9.
Jehovah created us to love and to be loved. So when someone hates us, we feel hurt and perhaps even afraid. A brother writes: “When soldiers hit me, insulted me, and threatened me because I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I felt frightened and humiliated.” Such hatred hurts, but it does not surprise us. Jesus foretold that we would be hated. Why does the world hate Jesus’ followers? Because like Jesus, we are “no part of the world.” (John 15:17-19) As a result, while we respect human governments, we refuse to worship them or the emblems that represent them. We give Jehovah our exclusive devotion. We uphold God’s right to rule mankind—a right that Satan and his “offspring” vigorously challenge. (Gen. 3:1-5, 15) We preach that God’s Kingdom is mankind’s only hope and that the Kingdom will soon crush all those who oppose it. (Dan. 2:44; Rev. 19:19-21) That message is good news to the meek but bad news to the wicked. w21.03 20 ¶1-2
Thursday, January 13
We know that we originate with God.—1 John 5:19.
Jehovah gives Christian sisters a dignified place in the congregation. They are fine examples of wisdom, faith, zeal, courage, generosity, and good works. (Luke 8:2, 3; Acts 16:14, 15; Rom. 16:3, 6; Phil. 4:3; Heb. 11:11, 31, 35) We are also blessed to have many elderly ones. They may struggle with various health problems associated with advanced age. Yet, these older ones do what they can in the field ministry, and they use all the energy they have to encourage and train others! And we benefit from their experience. They are truly beautiful to Jehovah and to us. (Prov. 16:31) Think, too, about our young ones. They face many challenges as they grow up in this world dominated by Satan the Devil and his wicked philosophies. Yet, we all feel encouraged when we see our young ones comment at meetings, share in the ministry, and courageously defend their beliefs. Yes, you young ones have an important place in Jehovah’s congregation!—Ps. 8:2. w20.08 21-22 ¶9-11
Friday, January 14
I am sending you out as sheep among wolves.—Matt. 10:16.
When we start to preach and identify ourselves as Jehovah’s Witnesses, we may face “storms” of family opposition, ridicule from acquaintances, and resistance to our message. How can you build your courage? First, be convinced that Jesus continues to direct this work from heaven. (John 16:33; Rev. 14:14-16) Next, strengthen your faith in Jehovah’s promise to care for you. (Matt. 6:32-34) The stronger your faith becomes, the more courageous you will be. You showed great faith when you informed acquaintances and members of your family that you had begun to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and to attend their meetings! No doubt you have made significant changes in your conduct and lifestyle in order to live by Jehovah’s righteous standards. That too took faith and courage. As you continue to build courage, you can be confident that “Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.”—Josh. 1:7-9. w20.09 5 ¶11-12
Saturday, January 15
Jehovah gave him rest.—2 Chron. 14:6.
King Asa is an excellent example of a man who acted wisely by relying completely on Jehovah. He served Jehovah not only in bad times but also during times of peace. From early on, “Asa’s heart was completely devoted to Jehovah.” (1 Ki. 15:14, ftn.) One way Asa demonstrated his devotion was by clearing out false worship from Judah. The Bible says that “he removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the sacred poles.” (2 Chron. 14:3, 5) He even removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being a sort of first lady in the kingdom. Why? Because she promoted false worship of an idol. (1 Ki. 15:11-13) Asa did more than clear away false worship. He promoted pure worship, helping the kingdom of Judah return to Jehovah. Jehovah blessed Asa and the Israelites with a time of peace. For a period of ten years during Asa’s rulership, “the land had no disturbance.”—2 Chron. 14:1, 4, 6. w20.09 14 ¶2-3
Sunday, January 16
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you.—1 Tim. 6:20.
We often place our valuable things in the care of others. For instance, we may deposit our money in a bank. When we do, we expect that our funds will be kept secure and not be lost or stolen. The apostle Paul reminded Timothy that he had received something precious—accurate knowledge of God’s purpose for humankind. Timothy was also entrusted with the privilege to “preach the word” and to “do the work of an evangelizer.” (2 Tim. 4:2, 5) Paul urged Timothy to guard what had been entrusted to him. Like Timothy, we have been entrusted with valuable things. Jehovah has favored us with an accurate knowledge of the precious truths found in his Word, the Bible. These truths are precious because they teach us how to have a good relationship with Jehovah and they explain what brings real happiness in life. When we accept those truths and live by them, we are freed from enslavement to false teachings and immoral practices.—1 Cor. 6:9-11. w20.09 26 ¶1-3
Monday, January 17
You know what sort of men we became among you for your sakes.—1 Thess. 1:5.
A student needs to see your enthusiasm and to hear your conviction about the truths that are found in the Bible. Then he will be more likely to get excited about what he is learning. If appropriate, tell him how living by Bible principles has helped you personally. Then he will come to realize that the Bible contains practical guidance that can benefit him too. During the Bible study, tell your student about real-life examples of those who faced challenges similar to his and overcame them. You could bring along on the study someone from the congregation whose example might benefit the student. Help your student to see how wise it is to apply Bible principles in his life. If the student is married, is the spouse also studying? If not, invite the mate to join in the study. Encourage your student to share what he is learning with his family and friends.—John 1:40-45. w20.10 16 ¶7-9
Tuesday, January 18
You must inculcate them in your sons.—Deut. 6:7.
Jesus’ earthly parents helped Jesus to grow up to have God’s favor; they followed Jehovah’s directions to parents. (Deut. 6:6, 7) Joseph and Mary had a deep love for Jehovah, and their priority was to encourage their children to develop that same kind of love. Joseph and Mary chose to maintain a good spiritual routine as a family. No doubt, they attended weekly meetings at the synagogue in Nazareth, as well as the annual Passover in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:41; 4:16) They may have used those family trips to Jerusalem to teach Jesus and his siblings about the history of Jehovah’s people, possibly along the way visiting locations that are mentioned in the Scriptures. As their family grew in number, it must not have been easy for Joseph and Mary to keep a good spiritual routine. But look at the benefits they enjoyed! Because they put worship of Jehovah first, their family was well cared for spiritually. w20.10 28 ¶8-9
Wednesday, January 19
Ezra had prepared his heart to consult the Law of Jehovah . . . and to teach its regulations.—Ezra 7:10.
If you are invited to sit in on a Bible study, it would be good if you could prepare the material that will be discussed. Dorin, a special pioneer, says: “I appreciate it when my companion prepares for the study. Then he can participate in a meaningful way.” Additionally, the student will likely notice that both of you are well-prepared, and this will set a good example for him. Even if you are not able to prepare the material thoroughly, at least take some time to get the key points of the lesson in mind. Prayer is an important part of a Bible study session, so think in advance about what to say if you are asked to offer a prayer. Then your prayer will likely be more meaningful. (Ps. 141:2) Hanae, who lives in Japan, remembers the prayers offered by a sister who accompanied her Bible teacher. She says: “I felt her strong friendship with Jehovah, and I wanted to be like her. I also felt loved when she included my name in her prayers.” w21.03 9-10 ¶7-8
Thursday, January 20
Take courage! . . . You must also bear witness in Rome.—Acts 23:11.
Jesus assured the apostle Paul that he would reach Rome. However, some Jews in Jerusalem planned to ambush Paul and kill him. When the Roman military commander Claudius Lysias learned about the plan, he came to Paul’s rescue. Quickly, Claudius sent Paul—protected by many soldiers—to Caesarea. There, Governor Felix ordered that Paul “be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.” Paul was out of the reach of the would-be murderers. (Acts 23:12-35) But Felix was succeeded as governor by Festus, who wanted “to gain favor with the Jews.” He asked Paul: “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be judged before me there?” Paul knew that he would probably be killed in Jerusalem. He said: “I appeal to Caesar!” Festus told Paul: “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you will go.” In time, Paul would be in Rome—far out of the reach of the Jews who were seeking to kill him.—Acts 25:6-12. w20.11 13 ¶4; 14 ¶8-10
Friday, January 21
Our hearts may condemn us.—1 John 3:20.
Feelings of guilt are not unusual. For example, some feel guilty because of things they did before they learned the truth. Others feel guilty because of mistakes they made after baptism. (Rom. 3:23) Of course, we want to do what is right. But “we all stumble many times.” (Jas. 3:2; Rom. 7:21-23) Although we do not enjoy feeling guilty, it can do us some good. Why? Because feelings of guilt can move us to correct our course and to be determined not to repeat our mistakes. (Heb. 12:12, 13) On the other hand, it is possible to feel excessive guilt—that is, to continue to feel guilty even after we have repented and Jehovah has shown that he has forgiven us. That type of guilt can be harmful. (Ps. 31:10; 38:3, 4) It is vital that we guard against the trap of excessive guilt. After all, just think how happy it would make Satan if we were to give up on ourselves—even though Jehovah has not given up on us!—Compare 2 Corinthians 2:5-7, 11. w20.11 27 ¶12-13
Saturday, January 22
Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence.—Ps. 73:13.
The Levite psalmist began to envy the wicked and arrogant, not because of their badness, but because of their evident prosperity. (Ps. 73:2-9, 11-14) They seemed to have it all—wealth, a good life, and no anxieties. The Levite needed to see things from Jehovah’s standpoint. On doing so, he was at peace once again, and he was happy. He said: “Besides [Jehovah] I desire nothing on earth.” (Ps. 73:25) Likewise, let us never envy wicked people who seem to prosper. Their happiness is superficial and temporary. (Eccl. 8:12, 13) To envy them is to invite discouragement as well as spiritual ruin. So if you find yourself envying the seeming success of the wicked, do what the Levite did. Heed God’s loving advice, and associate with others who do Jehovah’s will. When Jehovah is your greatest delight, you will find true happiness. And you will stay on the path to “the real life.”—1 Tim. 6:19. w20.12 19 ¶14-16
Sunday, January 23
The problem is that we do not know what we should pray for as we need to, but the spirit itself pleads for us with unuttered groanings.—Rom. 8:26.
As you throw your anxiety on Jehovah in prayer, be sure to include words of thanks. It is good for us to count our blessings, even when our circumstances are especially difficult. If at times you are unable to find the right words to express your intense emotions, remember that Jehovah answers prayers as simple as ‘Please help!’ (2 Chron. 18:31) Rely on Jehovah’s wisdom, not your own. Back in the eighth century B.C.E., the people of Judah felt threatened by the Assyrians. In a desperate effort to avoid coming under the Assyrian yoke, they turned to pagan Egypt. (Isa. 30:1, 2) Jehovah warned them that their wayward course would end in disaster. (Isa. 30:7, 12, 13) Through Isaiah, Jehovah told the people how they could find real security. He said: “Your strength will be in keeping calm and showing trust” in Jehovah.—Isa. 30:15b. w21.01 3-4 ¶8-9
Monday, January 24
I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000.—Rev. 7:4.
As a reward for their faithfulness, Christ’s anointed brothers become kings and priests with him in heaven. (Rev. 20:6) All those who make up the heavenly part of God’s family will be eager to see the 144,000 anointed ones receive their heavenly reward. After telling about these 144,000 kings and priests, the apostle John sees something exciting, “a great crowd” who survive Armageddon. Unlike the first group, this second group is much larger and has no fixed number. (Rev. 7:9, 10) They are “dressed in white robes,” indicating that they have kept themselves “without spot” from Satan’s world and have remained loyal to God and Christ. (Jas. 1:27) They cry out that they have been saved because of what Jehovah and Jesus, the Lamb of God, have done. All the while, they are holding palm branches, which shows that they joyfully acknowledge Jesus as Jehovah’s appointed King.—Compare John 12:12, 13. w21.01 15-16 ¶6-7
Tuesday, January 25
Your humility makes me great.—2 Sam. 22:36.
A man can learn to be a good family head by imitating the way that Jehovah and Jesus exercise their headship. For instance, consider the quality of humility. Jehovah is the wisest Person in existence; yet, he listens to the opinions of his servants. (Gen. 18:23, 24, 32) Jehovah is perfect, but he does not, at present, expect perfection from us. Instead, he helps imperfect humans who serve him to succeed. (Ps. 113:6, 7) In fact, the Bible even describes Jehovah as a “helper.” (Ps. 27:9; Heb. 13:6) King David acknowledged that he could accomplish the great work he was given to do only because of Jehovah’s humility. Consider Jesus’ example. Although Lord and Master of his disciples, he washed their feet. Jesus himself said: “I set the pattern for you, that just as I did to you, you should also do.” (John 13:12-17) Although he had great authority, Jesus did not expect to be served. Instead, he served others.—Matt. 20:28. w21.02 3-4 ¶8-10
Wednesday, January 26
The glory of young men is their strength.—Prov. 20:29.
Young brothers, you have a lot to offer. Many of you are strong and full of energy. You are a real asset to your congregation. You may look forward to the time when you are appointed as a ministerial servant. However, you may feel that others view you as being too young or too inexperienced to be entrusted with important work. Even though you may be young, there are things you can do right now to earn the trust and respect of those in your congregation. Do you young men have a skill that could benefit others in the congregation? Many of you do. For example, you may notice that some older ones appreciate being shown how to make the best use of their tablets and other electronic devices for personal study and for meetings. Your knowledge of these devices can be of great benefit to such older ones. In everything you do, make your heavenly Father proud of you. w21.03 2 ¶1, 3; 7 ¶18
Thursday, January 27
Each one will carry his own load.—Gal. 6:5.
Even if a wife is better educated than her husband, it is his responsibility to take the lead in family worship and in other theocratic activities. (Eph. 6:4) A woman must be submissive to her husband, but she is still responsible for her own spiritual health. To that end, she must allocate some time for her own personal study and meditation. That will help her to maintain her love and respect for Jehovah and to find joy in being submissive to her husband. Wives who remain subject to their husband out of love for Jehovah will find more joy and outputment than those who reject Jehovah’s headship arrangement. They set a good example for both young men and young women. And they help to create a warm atmosphere not only in the family but also in the congregation. (Titus 2:3-5) Today, women make up a large part of those who are loyally serving Jehovah.—Ps. 68:11. w21.02 13 ¶21-23
Friday, January 28
Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.—Jas. 4:8.
The apostle Paul set an outstanding example of courage and endurance. At times, he felt weak. But he was able to endure because he relied on Jehovah to give him the strength he needed. (2 Cor. 12:8-10; Phil. 4:13) We can have that kind of strength and courage if we humbly recognize that we need Jehovah’s help. (Jas. 4:10) We can be certain that the trials we face are not punishment from Jehovah. The disciple James assures us: “When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.” (Jas. 1:13) When we are convinced of that fact, we are drawn closer to our loving heavenly Father. Jehovah “does not vary or change.” (Jas. 1:17) He supported the first-century Christians through their trials, and he will help each of us today too. Earnestly ask Jehovah to help you gain wisdom, faith, and courage. He will answer your prayers. w21.02 31 ¶19-21
Saturday, January 29
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens his friend.—Prov. 27:17.
You can encourage a Bible student who attends meetings by showing personal interest in him. (Phil. 2:4) Without being too personal, you could commend him for any positive changes he has made and ask him about his Bible study, his family, and his work. These conversations might draw you closer together. When you befriend the student, you help him to progress to baptism. As the student continues to progress and make changes, help him to feel that he belongs in the congregation. You can do this by being hospitable. (Heb. 13:2) Once the Bible student qualifies as a publisher, you can also invite him to accompany you in the ministry. Diego, a publisher from Brazil, says: “Many brothers invited me to go out in the ministry. This was the best way to get to know them well. As I did, I learned a lot, and I felt closer to Jehovah and Jesus.” w21.03 12 ¶15-16
Sunday, January 30
Return evil for evil to no one.—Rom. 12:17.
Jesus told his followers to love their enemies. (Matt. 5:44, 45) Is that easy to do? By no means! But it is possible with the help of God’s holy spirit. The fruitage of God’s spirit includes love as well as patience, kindness, mildness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22, 23) These qualities help us to endure hatred. Many opposers have had a change of heart because a believing husband, wife, child, or neighbor displayed those godly qualities. Many opposers have even become our dear brothers and sisters. So if you find it hard to love those who hate you just because you are serving Jehovah, pray for holy spirit. (Luke 11:13) And be fully convinced that God’s way is always best. (Prov. 3:5-7) Hatred can be powerful and hurtful, but love is much stronger. It wins hearts. And it brings joy to Jehovah’s heart. But even if opposers continue to hate us, we can still be happy. w21.03 23 ¶13; 24 ¶15, 17
Monday, January 31
A nation has come up into my land, mighty and without number.—Joel 1:6.
The prophet Joel was predicting a military attack. (Joel 2:1, 8, 11) Jehovah said that he would use his “great army” (Babylonian soldiers) to punish the disobedient Israelites. (Joel 2:25) The invading army is rightly called “the northerner” because the Babylonians would invade Israel from the north. (Joel 2:20) That army is likened to a well-organized swarm of locusts. Of them, Joel says: “Each [soldier] advances in his course. . . . Into the city they rush . . . Onto the houses they climb, through the windows they enter like a thief.” (Joel 2:8, 9) Can you picture the scene? There are soldiers everywhere. There is nowhere to hide. No one can escape the sword of the Babylonians! Like locusts, the Babylonians (or, Chaldeans) invaded the city of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. The Bible reports: “The king of the Chaldeans . . . felt no compassion for young man or virgin, old or infirm.”—2 Chron. 36:17. w20.04 5 ¶11-12 |
When Did God Begin to Create the Universe? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/500100105 | When Did God Begin to Create the Universe?
The Bible’s answer
The Bible does not say when God began to create the universe or how long this took. It simply states: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) The Bible does not specify when “the beginning” occurred. However, the sequence of events recorded in Genesis places it before the six periods, or “days,” of creation.
Were the six days of creation literal days of 24 hours?
What happened during the six days of creation?
Is the Genesis account scientifically accurate?
When were the sun, moon, and stars created?
How old is the earth according to the Bible?
Were the six days of creation literal days of 24 hours?
No. In the Bible, the word “day” can refer to various lengths of time, depending on the context. For example, one portion of the account describes the entire creative period as one day.—Genesis 2:4.
What happened during the six days of creation?
God transformed the “formless and desolate” earth into a habitable planet. (Genesis 1:2) Then he created life on earth. The Bible describes six groups of events that happened during the days, or epochs, of creation:
Day 1: God made light reach earth’s surface, resulting in night-and-day cycles.—Genesis 1:3-5.
Day 2: God formed an expanse, or a division between water on earth’s surface and water high above its surface.—Genesis 1:6-8.
Day 3: God made dry land appear. He also created the vegetation.—Genesis 1:9-13.
Day 4: God made the sun, moon, and stars visible as distinct luminaries from the earth’s surface.—Genesis 1:14-19.
Day 5: God created aquatic life and flying creatures.—Genesis 1:20-23.
Day 6: God created land animals and humans.—Genesis 1:24-31.
After the conclusion of the sixth day, God rested from this work, or stopped creating.—Genesis 2:1, 2.
Is the Genesis account scientifically accurate?
The Bible’s account of the creation of the world does not claim to be a detailed scientific analysis. Rather, it describes creation in such a way that readers even in Bible times could easily grasp the basic sequence of events. The creation account does not contradict proved science. Astrophysicist Robert Jastrow writes: “All the details differ, but the essential element in the astronomical and biblical accounts of Genesis is the same; the chain of events leading to man commenced suddenly and sharply, at a definite moment in time.”
When were the sun, moon, and stars created?
The sun, moon, and stars already existed as part of “the heavens” created in “the beginning.” (Genesis 1:1) However, their light evidently did not reach the earth’s surface because of a dense atmosphere. (Genesis 1:2) So although diffused light became visible on the first day, the light’s source was not yet recognizable. On the fourth day, the atmosphere apparently cleared up. The Bible says that the sun, moon, and stars now began to “shine upon the earth,” evidently describing how they would have been seen from the perspective of an observer on earth.—Genesis 1:17.
How old is the earth according to the Bible?
The Bible does not comment on the age of the earth. Genesis 1:1 simply states that the physical universe, including our earth, had a beginning. This statement conflicts neither with sound scientific principles nor with scientists’ estimates of the age of the earth. |
Michael Agricola—A “Man of the Dawn” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102006009 | Michael Agricola—A “Man of the Dawn”
BY AWAKE! WRITER IN FINLAND
“No other book has had a deeper and more comprehensive influence on Finnish culture, values, and thinking than the Bible.”—“Biblia 350—The Finnish Bible and Culture.”
DO YOU have access to the Bible in your native tongue? There is a good chance you do. After all, the Bible—either whole or in part—is available in over 2,000 languages. And this is no accident. Throughout history, scores of men and women have labored arduously at translating the Bible into the vernacular, even in the face of great obstacles. Michael Agricola was one of them.
Agricola was the scholar who took up the work of translating the Bible into Finnish. His body of literary works helped give rise to Finnish culture as it is known today. No wonder he is called a Man of the Dawn!
Agricola was born in about 1510 in the village of Torsby in southern Finland. His father owned a farm, which explains the surname Agricola, from the Latin word for “farmer.” Growing up in a bilingual region, Agricola likely spoke both Swedish and Finnish. He expanded his linguistic skills while attending a Latin school in the town of Vyborg. Later he moved to Turku, Finland’s administrative center at the time, where he served as secretary to Martti Skytte, Finland’s Catholic bishop.
The Religion and Politics of His Time
During this period of Agricola’s life, Scandinavia was in turmoil. Sweden was struggling to break free from the Kalmar Union, which consisted of the Scandinavian countries. In 1523, Gustav I was crowned king of Sweden. This would have a profound effect on Finland, which was at the time a province under Swedish rule.
The new king was intent on solidifying his power. To achieve his goals, he embraced the Reformation, which was sweeping through northern Europe. By changing the religion of his realm from Catholicism to Lutheranism, he severed ties with the Vatican, undermined the authority of the Catholic bishops, and got his hands on the coffers of the church. To this day the populations of both Sweden and Finland are mostly Lutheran.
A leading goal of Protestantism was to hold church services in common languages instead of Latin. Thus, in 1526 the Christian Greek Scriptures, or the “New Testament,” appeared in Swedish. However, in Finland the winds of Protestantism were considerably weaker. At the time, there was little interest in translating the Bible into Finnish. Why?
“Hard and Irksome” Work
A principal reason was that virtually no literature had been produced in Finnish. Prior to the mid-1500’s, only a few Catholic prayers had been drawn up in the language. Hence, the task of translating the Holy Scriptures into Finnish would require the creation of a written form for many words as well as the coinage of totally new words and phrases. And this would have to be done without the assistance of language textbooks. Yet, Agricola set out to translate the Bible!
In 1536, Skytte, Finland’s Catholic bishop, sent Agricola to Wittenberg, Germany, to further his studies in theology and language. It was in this town that the blows of Luther’s hammer had reportedly echoed 20 years earlier when, according to some accounts, Luther nailed his famous 95 theses to the door of the castle church.
While in Wittenberg, Agricola did more than his homework. He started the monumental task of translating the Bible into Finnish. In 1537, in a letter to the Swedish king, he wrote: “While God is guiding my studies, I will try, as I earlier have initiated, to continue to translate the New Testament into the language of the Finnish people.” Upon his return to Finland, he continued his translation work, serving at the same time as a school principal.
Translating the Bible was as laborious for Agricola as it was for the other early Bible translators. Even Luther had exclaimed: “How hard and irksome it is to force Hebrew writers to speak German”! Granted, Agricola could take advantage of the translations of others, but the major hurdle he had to confront was the Finnish language. In effect, it had hardly ever been set down in writing!
Thus, it was as if Agricola were constructing a house without an architectural plan, building with scanty and scattered materials. How did he do it? Agricola started by picking out words from various Finnish dialects and writing them as they were pronounced. Likely it was Agricola who first coined words in Finnish for “government,” “hypocrite,” “manuscript,” “military force,” “model,” and “scribe.” He made compound words, created derivatives, and borrowed from other languages, particularly Swedish. Among such words are enkeli (angel), historia (history), lamppu (lamp), marttyyri (martyr), and palmu (palm tree).
The Word of God for the Native People
Finally, in 1548, Agricola’s first installment was published, namely Se Wsi Testamenti (The New Testament). Some believe that this translation had been completed five years earlier but that lack of money delayed its publication. Presumably, Agricola financed a major part of the printing himself.
Three years later came Dauidin Psaltari (the Psalms), which Agricola likely translated with the help of colleagues. He also spearheaded some of the translation of the books of Moses and the prophets.
Humbly recognizing his limitations, Agricola candidly wrote: “May no Christian and godly person or any reader of this Holy Book take it unkindly if in this novice translation there happens to be something erring or odd and ugly or put in a new way.” Despite any deficiencies that might be found in Agricola’s translations, his tenacious zeal in making the Bible available to the common people is highly commendable.
Agricola’s Legacy
Early in 1557, Agricola—who was by then Lutheran and the bishop of Turku—was elected to a delegation that was sent to Moscow to arbitrate in boundary disputes between Sweden and Russia. The mission was successful. However, the rigors of his return trip evidently caused Agricola to fall ill unexpectedly. He died on his way home, at about 47 years of age.
During his relatively short life, Agricola produced only about ten publications in Finnish, with a total of some 2,400 pages. Still, many believe that this “Man of the Dawn” energized the growth of Finnish culture. Since then, the Finnish language and its people have made great strides in the fields of art and sciences.
More important, Michael Agricola helped to usher in another kind of dawn, as he helped make the light of God’s Word clearer to Finnish-speaking people. This is summed up in a memorial poem written for him in Latin after his death: “No ordinary testament did he leave behind him. In place of a testament might be his work—he translated holy books into Finnish—and that work is worthy of great praise.”
[Box/Picture on page 23]
The Finnish Bible
The first complete Finnish Bible, largely based on Michael Agricola’s work, was published in 1642. In time, it became the official Bible of the Finnish Lutheran Church. Over the years the text received several minor revisions but remained virtually unchanged until 1938. The latest revision was released in 1992.
The only other complete Bible in Finnish is the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was released in 1995. Twenty years earlier, in 1975, the Witnesses had already published their translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures is as faithful as possible to the original text. To date, some 130,000,000 have been printed.
[Picture on page 22]
Michael Agricola and the first Finnish Bible. A postcard from 1910
[Credit Line]
National Board of Antiquities/Ritva Bäckman
[Picture on page 23]
Agricola’s “New Testament”
[Picture Credit Line on page 21]
National Board of Antiquities |
Scriptures for Christian Living (scl)
2023 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/scl | Mistreatment
How might we feel if we have been treated badly by others?
Ps 69:20; Pr 18:14; Ec 4:1-3; Mal 2:13-16; Col 3:21
Relevant Bible account(s):
2Sa 10:1-5—Some soldiers in King David’s army, though not injured physically, are cruelly humiliated by enemies, and David extends special consideration to his men
2Sa 13:6-19—Tamar weeps and rips her garment after being raped and further humiliated by Amnon
What shows that Jehovah is fully aware of the situation when someone has been mistreated, and what will he do about it?
Job 34:21, 22; Ps 37:8, 9; Isa 29:15, 19-21; Ro 12:17-21
See also Ps 63:6, 7
Relevant Bible account(s):
1Sa 25:3, 14-17, 21, 32-38—Putting his own household at risk, Nabal—a harsh and abusive man—insults David and is struck by Jehovah
Jer 20:1-6, 9, 11-13—Jeremiah is at first discouraged when a priest named Pashhur strikes him and has him put in stocks; then Jehovah encourages and rescues his prophet |
Young People Ask, Volume 2 (yp2)
2008 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp2 | Worksheet Locator
PAGE input
39 Would He Make a Good Husband for Me?
40 Would She Make a Good Wife for Me?
49 What Really Happens Next?
132-133 Peer-Pressure Planner
163 My Monthly Budget
164 Should I Live Abroad?
189 Talk to Your Parents!
221 Control Your Anger
308-309 Are You Thinking of Getting Baptized?
314 My Goals
More information online! Log on to www.jw.org/en/teenagers |
Watching the World | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101987010 | Watching the World
Music and Satanism
Law enforcement authorities in recent years have observed that crimes ranging from arson to child abuse to murder are frequently surrounded by an increasing amount of satanic and occult trappings. In many cases, authorities state that adolescents involved in criminal activity are strongly influenced by punk and “heavy-metal” rock music, notes The Register, a California newspaper. One police probation officer explained: “Basically, the music teaches that you don’t have to listen to your parents, and that you should live life the way you want.” She added that some rebellious teens take lyrics literally and begin to live them—including embracing Satan as a symbol of power. Orange County deputy district attorney Dick Fredrickson says: “Once you fall into that heavy-metal syndrome and the embracing of Satan, then it’s easy to do things you otherwise would not do.” The article pointed out that satanic messages and traces of the occult have become so common at the scene of a crime that police officers are receiving special training to recognize them.
Baby Experiments
Each year, as many as 2,000 babies in Britain have medical experiments carried out on them without the knowledge of their parents, according to 19 senior doctors and academics at Britain’s Institute of Medical Ethics. The Medical Post reported that the group’s study revealed that such failure to obtain parental consent occurs “most often with research involving newborn infants.” Dr. Richard Nicholson, deputy director of the Institute, stated that doctors publicly admit that such unauthorized experiments occur because “difficulties in obtaining consent from parents are so great that they don’t even make the attempt.”
“Paperless Marriages”
When a man and a woman live together as husband and wife without benefit of a legal marriage, how long does that relationship last? Statistics from Norway and Sweden show that “half of the paperless marriages do not last over two years, and 60 percent to 80 percent of them break up in a maximum of five years,” reports the French daily Le Monde.
Illiteracy Up
“There have rarely been so many . . . illiterate people” in France. This statement by the French daily Le Figaro is based on a report establishing “that about 15 percent of the [French] population, namely 8 million people (immigrants excluded), are as good as illiterate. . . . They can scarcely read and can only write phonetically. Also, according to the UNESCO definition of illiteracy, they are incapable of ‘understanding a brief and simple text relating to facts of everyday life.’” Schoolchildren are no exception, as approximately a quarter of those entering high school cannot read properly.
Suicides and TV
Two new studies claim that television dramas about suicide, as well as television news coverage on the subject, seem to cause “a temporary increase in the number of teen-agers who take their own lives,” notes The New York Times. The reports suggest that media coverage of the subject results in an “imitative effect” on teenagers, thus influencing the suicide rate. A study by two sociologists revealed that the number of suicides increased by as much as 7 percent in the seven days after special reports or televised coverage of news incidents of suicide. The results were “nearly 3 extra suicides nationwide per program, or 110 more suicides than would otherwise be expected in the [six] years covered in the study.” Dr. David P. Phillips warns that “for about a week after news stories on suicide, teen-agers and their friends, parents and counselors should be especially alert for signs of suicidal tendencies.”
Youths’ Fears
Unemployment is the biggest fear among British teenagers, reports The Guardian of London. A survey of 15- and 16-year-olds reveals that fear of nuclear war ranks as their second greatest worry. Though girls expressed more pessimism than boys, “a substantial proportion of both sexes felt helpless or fatalistic” about nuclear war prospects. Such anxieties are not limited to Britain. Throughout much of western Europe, the worsening employment situation contributes to what the European Common Market’s Economic and Social Committee calls “vague feelings of uneasiness about the future” that have led to a ‘sharp fall in the birth rate.’
Murderous Traffic
Since the State of Israel was founded in 1948, there have been 13,717 traffic deaths on the country’s roads—three times more deaths than the 4,500 killed during the Middle East wars and in terrorist attacks. According to a news release by Israel’s Minister of Transport, the government in Jerusalem has decided to appoint a select committee to investigate the causes of the unusual number of traffic deaths on Israeli roads.
Whale Migration
Radio transmission is helping to unravel the mysteries of whale migration. “Whales off the coast of Japan have been tracked over a distance of 2,000 kilometers [1,250 mi],” says the French daily La Croix. “Gray whales from the Mexican coast migrate as far as Alaska.” By equipping certain whales with transmitters, scientists have collected reams of information concerning diving time, travel speed, and migratory cycles. Gathering these facts was a challenge because radio signals can be received only when the whale surfaces—for no longer than three seconds each time!
Shock Treatment
Recently, a new form of treatment to save victims of snakebite was discovered, and The New York Times reports that it defies scientific explanation. The remedy involves a series of high-voltage, low-current electric shocks that by means of a modified stun gun are administered to the area of a bite approximately five to ten seconds apart. Each of the 34 cases treated showed evidence of venomous bites penetrating the victim’s skin. The researchers explained that when treatment was given within a half hour of an attack, none of the victims showed the usual serious medical complications, and no deaths occurred among those treated. The researchers also noted that within 15 minutes of the therapy, the pain caused by the poisonous bites disappeared. Similar relief was also obtained in two cases where victims were not treated until two hours after suffering venomous bites. In addition to snakebites, researchers say, the bites of venomous ants and scorpions can successfully be treated with shock therapy.
Harmful Habit
Gastroenterologist Dr. Keith Taylor at the Stanford Medical Center says that late night snacks can be harmful, especially if a person repeatedly goes to sleep an hour or so after eating. Why? He explains that most body functions, including digestion, are slowed down during sleep. Thus, the excess acid produced as a result “frequently backs up into the esophagus when you’re lying down, causing irritation,” notes Parade Magazine. People already suffering with ulcers of the stomach or the duodenum will likely suffer even greater discomfort. Dr. Taylor suggests eating at least two or three hours before retiring at night. Milk is not recommended for ulcer patients, since researchers claim that, rather than being a neutralizer to line the stomach, milk stimulates acid production. |
A King’s Search for Wisdom | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102007004 | A King’s Search for Wisdom
BY AWAKE! WRITER IN SPAIN
THE 13th century was a time of bitter intolerance and extreme violence. Europe was embroiled in the infamous Inquisition and the death-dealing Crusades. Yet, in the midst of this bloody era, a Spanish king tried to bring some sanity to the world. His name was Alfonso X, also called Alfonso the Wise.
This king is credited with a cultural awakening that is sometimes called the 13th-century renaissance. He brought new knowledge to Spain from distant lands. He was particularly interested in the fields of art, history, law, and science. This had a profound influence on the cultural development of Spain as well as the rest of Europe. More significantly, however, his quest led him to promote the Word of God, the Holy Bible.
Alfonso was instrumental in the formation of an academy where learned Jews, Muslims, and “Christians” could collaborate. To facilitate their work, the king created and financed one of the world’s first State libraries.
Alfonso himself actively participated in the writing and compiling of a whole range of works dealing with jurisprudence, science, and history. He encouraged the development of literature and poetry, fields in which he himself excelled, as shown by his famous cantigas.a These were written in Gallego (Galician), the language used at that time for lyrical compositions.
A School of Translators
Alfonso sponsored the School of Translators in Toledo. “The king’s work consisted of selecting both the translators and the works to be translated,” explains the book La Escuela de Traductores de Toledo (The School of Translators in Toledo). “He revised the translations, encouraged intellectual debate, and sponsored the composition of new works.”
The Toledo scholars began by translating a large quantity of Arabic works. Muslim scholars had already translated the most important works of the Greek, Indian, Persian, and Syrian civilizations into Arabic. The resulting storehouse of knowledge had been useful in the Muslim scholars’ continuing development in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, history, and geography. In turn, the school of Toledo sought to mine this storehouse. How? By translating important Arabic works into Latin and Spanish.
News about the accomplishments of Toledo’s scholars spread to other countries. Learned men from universities in northern Europe soon flocked to Toledo. All this played a vital role in the scientific and literary progress of the West. In fact, the effects of this vast translation enterprise had an impact on the development of the Renaissance.
The labors of Toledo’s translators allowed doctors to read the medical works of Galen, Hippocrates, and Avicenna, whose Canon of Medicine became the basic medical textbook in Western universities until the 17th century. Astronomers were able to read Ptolemy’s works and benefit from Arabic trigonometry and the astronomical tables of al-Khwārizmī.b
Alfonso wanted those translations to be understood by people in general. This initiative established the Spanish language as a scientific and literary vehicle. The work that Alfonso started helped change the general view that Latin was the language of culture.
The Alfonsine Bible
The experience the Toledo scholars gained when translating such an abundance of material must have proved very useful when Alfonso ordered the translation of portions of the Bible into Spanish. According to Spanish historian Juan de Mariana, the king sponsored this Bible translation in the hope that through it the Spanish language would be polished and enriched. Doubtless, such early translation of the Bible did indeed contribute to the development of the Spanish language.
The king regarded the Bible as valuable for the instruction of mankind. He wrote in the prologue of Crónica de España: “If we consider the benefit that flows from the Sacred Scriptures, we see that it lies in the instruction they give us regarding the creation of the world, the coming of the patriarchs, . . . the promised coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his passion, resurrection and ascension.”
He also supervised the preparation of the ambitious literary project that he called the General Estoria. It included a Spanish translation of portions of the Hebrew Scriptures. (A translation of portions of the Greek Scriptures was added later.) This impressive work, known as the Alfonsine Bible (Biblia Alfonsina), was the largest of its kind produced in the Middle Ages. It was copied many times and partly translated into Portuguese and Catalan.
The Legacy of Alfonso
The medieval manuscripts of Alfonso’s time kept Scriptural knowledge alive during an age of spiritual darkness. Thanks to these translations, an interest in the vernacular Bible was aroused. During the following two centuries, other Bible translations were produced in Spanish.
The invention of the printing press and the tireless work of 16th-century Bible translators in Spain and other European countries carried forward the work that Alfonso and his contemporaries had begun. People throughout Europe could at last possess a copy of the Bible in their own language. Although the reign of Alfonso X had its share of wars and rebellions, his quest for knowledge helped make divine wisdom widely accessible.
[Footnotes]
a Cantigas are medieval poetic compositions that were sung by minstrels.
b Al-Khwārizmī was a renowned Persian mathematician of the ninth century who developed algebra and introduced Indian mathematical concepts, such as the use of Arabic numerals including the concept of a zero and the fundamentals of arithmetic. The word “algorithm” is derived from his name.
[Box/Picture on page 14]
EARLY SPANISH TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE
The works of Alfonso X were not the first to include Spanish translations of portions of the Scriptures. A few years earlier, Hermannus Alemannus, one of the translators who worked in the school of Toledo, had translated the Psalms directly from Hebrew into Spanish. Also, early in the 13th century, the Biblia medieval romanceada Prealfonsina (Pre-Alphonsine Medieval Romance Bible) was translated. (See photo at left.) This work is considered to be the oldest complete Spanish Bible. Doubtless it influenced the Bible translation sponsored by Alfonso X a few years later.
Regarding this Pre-Alphonsine Bible, scholar Thomas Montgomery says: “The translator of this Bible produced an admirable work with regard to accuracy as well as elegant language. The version scrupulously follows the sense of the Vulgate without excessive use of Latin expressions or terms. The language is simple and clear, as was needed for a Bible prepared for people unversed in Latin.”
[Credit Line]
Bible: Patrimonio Nacional. Real Biblioteca de El Escorial
[Picture on page 12, 13]
The statue of Alfonso X at the entrance to the Spanish National Library, Madrid
[Pictures on page 13]
The king with translators from Toledo (above); his calligraphers (below); the Gospel of Luke in the “Biblia Alfonsina” (bottom)
[Picture Credit Line on page 13]
All photos except statue of Alfonso X: Oronoz |
Life (lp)
1977 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lp | outputs
PAGE CHAPTER
5 1 Life Does Have a Purpose
17 2 God—The Generous Householder
25 3 A Paradise Home Ahead
38 4 Do We Need Rulership by God?
48 5 Why Has God Allowed Suffering on Earth?
65 6 God Comes to Mankind’s Rescue
77 7 The Source and Sustainer of Life
87 8 Outstanding Gifts That Reveal the God of Love
98 9 Universal Law Reveals Purpose in Life
108 10 Does God Count You Personally Important?
119 11 You Can Know God’s Purpose
130 12 How Far Has Preparation Progressed?
143 13 A Pattern of Things to Come
156 14 The Elimination of Crime and Injustice
167 15 The End of Sickness and Death
181 16 You Can Be Confident of a Reward
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, Bible quotations in this book are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, revised edition of 1971.
In connection with dates, the abbreviation B.C.E. means “Before the Common Era,” and C.E. means “Of the Common Era.” |
Reasoning (rs)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs | Scriptures Often Misapplied
Genesis
1:1 415
9:25 303
Exodus
21:22, 23 25
Deuteronomy
6:4 415
1 Samuel
28:3-20 385
Ecclesiastes
3:1, 2 138
12:7 378
Isaiah
24:1-6 366
43:10 413
43:11 413
Jeremiah
4:23-29 366
Micah
5:2 409
Matthew
1:23 214
10:28 173
16:18 37
17:12, 13 318
25:46 171
26:26-29 262
28:19 414
Mark
16:17, 18 158, 404
Luke
16:19-31 174
17:21 226
21:27 313
21:33 115
23:43 286
24:36-39 334
John
1:1 212, 416
1:12, 13 77, 164
1:23 414
2:19-22 423
5:18 214
5:28, 29 338, 339
6:53-57 263, 268
8:58 417
9:1, 2 319
10:30 424
12:32 357
20:21-23 81
20:28 213
Acts
1:9-11 342
16:30-32 216
20:28 418
Romans
5:18 357
8:14-17 164
8:28, 29 143
9:5 418
11:25, 26 222
1 Corinthians
13:8-10 403
15:22 357
15:29 56
2 Corinthians
13:14 414
Ephesians
1:4, 5 144
Philippians
2:5, 6 419
2:9-11 198
3:20, 21 336
Colossians
1:15-17 408
2:9 420
1 Thessalonians
4:13-18 312
1 Timothy
2:3, 4 357
Titus
2:11 357
2:13 421
Hebrews
1:6 214
1:8 422
1:10-12 414
1 Peter
3:18 334
3:19, 20 163
4:6 163
2 Peter
3:7 113, 436
3:9 356
1 John
5:7, 8 422
Revelation
1:7 342
1:8 412
1:11 412
3:14 409
5:10 168
7:4-8 166
7:9, 10 167
14:9-11 172
20:3 366
20:4-6 338
20:10 172
21:1 114
21:2, 3 115
21:6, 7 412
22:12, 13 413 |
In This Issue of Awake! | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102023010 | Xuanyu Han/Moment via Getty Images
In This Issue of Awake!
The health of planet Earth is in jeopardy.
Will it survive, or will it succumb to its injuries, dragging us down with it? Read the articles listed here, and learn what is happening to our planet and if there are reasons for hope.
What does the future hold for our planet’s
Fresh water?
Oceans?
Forests?
Air?
LEARN MORE
Millions of people have complete trust in the Bible’s promise of happy and endless life on earth. Watch the video How Can We Be Sure the Bible Is True? on jw.org. |
ILLUSTRATED BIBLE STORIES
Jacob and Esau | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502013187 | ILLUSTRATED BIBLE STORIES
Jacob and Esau
Read this illustrated Bible story online or from the printed PDF
Discover how these two brothers learned to get along with each other.
Download
123 |
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 | January
Tuesday, January 1
Evil men cannot understand justice.—Prov. 28:5.
As the last days near their end, the wicked continue to “sprout like weeds.” (Ps. 92:7) It comes as no surprise, therefore, that moral standards are being abandoned. In this environment, how can we “be young children as to badness” yet “full-grown in [our] understanding”? (1 Cor. 14:20) The answer is found in our text for today, which says in part: “Those who seek Jehovah can understand everything”—that is, everything necessary to please him. A similar thought is expressed at Proverbs 2:7, 9, which says that Jehovah “treasures up practical wisdom for the upright.” As a result, the upright are able to “understand what is righteous and just and fair, the entire course of what is good.” Noah, Daniel, and Job acquired that wisdom. (Ezek. 14:14) The same is true of God’s people today. What about you personally? Do you “understand everything” necessary to please Jehovah? The key is to have accurate knowledge of him. w18.02 8 ¶1-3
Wednesday, January 2
They got baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.—Acts 19:5.
No one should feel pressured by a parent, a Bible teacher, or anyone else in the congregation to get baptized. That is not Jehovah’s way. (1 John 4:8) Rather, as we teach such ones, we ought to emphasize the importance of building a personal relationship with God. It is the student’s heartfelt appreciation for the truth and his desire to shoulder the yoke of Christian discipleship that will move him to get baptized. (2 Cor. 5:14, 15) There is no set age at which one should get baptized. Each student grows and matures at a different rate. The day of one’s baptism is a time for genuine rejoicing. It is also a time for sober reflection. Living up to one’s dedication involves hard work. That is why Jesus compared Christian discipleship to a yoke. Jesus’ disciples must “live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised up.”—2 Cor. 5:15; Matt. 16:24. w18.03 6-7 ¶14-17
Thursday, January 3
Do not forget hospitality, for through it some unknowingly entertained angels.—Heb. 13:2.
Have you held back from offering hospitality? If so, you may have missed out on opportunities for delightful company and for forming lasting friendships. Hospitality is one of the finest antidotes to loneliness. But you may wonder, ‘Why would anyone hold back?’ There could be a number of reasons. One is that Jehovah’s servants are very busy and often have multiple commitments. Some may feel that they simply do not have the time or energy to show hospitality. If that is your situation, it may be that you need to examine your current schedule of activities. Could you make some adjustments so that you will have time and energy to accept or offer hospitality? The Scriptures urge Christians to extend hospitality. It is not wrong to make time for this; actually, it is the right thing to do. You may, of course, need to be willing to limit some optional activities. w18.03 16 ¶13-14
Friday, January 4
I must also declare the good news of the Kingdom of God to other cities, because for this I was sent.—Luke 4:43.
Of all the people who have lived, who is the most outstanding example of a spiritual person? It is Jesus, of course. Throughout his life and ministry, he showed that he wanted to imitate his Father, Jehovah. He thought, felt, and acted like Jehovah and lived in harmony with God’s will and standards. (John 8:29; 14:9; 15:10) Note, for example, how Jehovah’s feelings of compassion are described by the prophet Isaiah, and compare that description with what the Gospel writer Mark reports about Jesus’ feelings. (Isa. 63:9; Mark 6:34) Are we like Jesus, ever ready to show compassionate concern when we meet people who need help? In addition, Jesus devoted himself to the work of preaching and teaching the good news. All such feelings and actions are marks of a spiritual person. w18.02 21 ¶12
Saturday, January 5
[Bring up your children] in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah.—Eph. 6:4.
Raising children is a major undertaking, especially in today’s world. (2 Tim. 3:1-5) Of course, children are not born knowing right from wrong. They are born with the faculty of conscience, but it needs to be educated, or disciplined. (Rom. 2:14, 15) One Bible reference work suggests that the Greek word translated “discipline” might be rendered “child development.” Children who are lovingly disciplined usually feel secure. They learn that freedom has boundaries and that decisions and conduct have consequences—good or bad. How important, then, that Christian parents look to Jehovah for guidance. Do not forget that ideas and methods vary from culture to culture and from generation to generation. When parents listen to God, successful child-rearing does not become a matter of guesswork; nor does it depend on human experience or human thinking. w18.03 30 ¶8-9
Sunday, January 6
Keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.—Phil. 2:12.
As a young baptized Christian, you are now responsible for your own salvation, even if you still live under your parents’ roof. Why is it important to remember that? Because you will face new feelings and pressures as you enter and pass through adolescence. One teenage girl put it this way: “A child usually won’t resent being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses just because of not having a piece of birthday cake at school. But in a few years when the urge to have sex becomes stronger, he or she needs to be thoroughly convinced that obeying Jehovah’s laws is always the best choice.” Even those who got baptized as adults face many unanticipated tests of faith. Such tests may have to do with marriage, health issues, or employment. Really, everyone, regardless of his or her age, will encounter situations that require faithfulness to Jehovah.—Jas. 1:12-14. w17.12 24 ¶4-5
Monday, January 7
Be wrathful, but do not sin.—Eph. 4:26.
Few people have been treated as badly as David was. Still, that friend of God did not allow resentment to gnaw away at him. Rather, he wrote: “Let go of anger and abandon rage; do not become upset and turn to doing evil.” (Ps. 37:8) The most important reason to “let go” of anger is to imitate Jehovah, who “has not dealt with us according to our sins.” (Ps. 103:10) But there are also practical benefits to ‘letting go’ of anger. Anger can cause such physical problems as high blood pressure and respiratory trouble. It can affect the liver and the pancreas, and it can cause digestive problems. When we are angry, we do not always think clearly. And at times a fit of anger may be followed by a prolonged period of depression. On the other hand, “a calm heart gives life to the body,” says the Bible. (Prov. 14:30) How, then, can we deal with hurt feelings and gain our brother? We can do so successfully by applying the Bible’s wise advice. w18.01 10 ¶14-15
Tuesday, January 8
You will not leave me in the Grave. You will not allow your loyal one to see the pit.—Ps. 16:10.
David was not saying that he would never die or be in the common grave of mankind. God’s Word is plain that David did grow old. After he died, he “was laid to rest with his forefathers and was buried in the City of David.” (1 Ki. 2:1, 10) What, then, is Psalm 16:10 saying? Weeks after Jesus died and was raised, Peter spoke to thousands of Jews and proselytes about Psalm 16:10. (Acts 2:29-32) He mentioned that David had indeed died and been buried. Those listening to Peter knew that. And the record does not say that any of them disputed Peter’s statement that David “foresaw and spoke about the resurrection” of the coming Messiah. Peter reinforced his point by quoting David’s statement at Psalm 110:1. (Acts 2:33-36) Peter’s reasoning helped to convince the large crowd that Jesus was “both Lord and Christ.” The people acknowledged that Psalm 16:10 was fulfilled when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. w17.12 10 ¶10-12
Wednesday, January 9
Everything was numbered and weighed, and all the weight was recorded.—Ezra 8:34.
With prayerful consideration, the Governing Body strives to be faithful and discreet with regard to how the organization’s funds are used. (Matt. 24:45) The funds that are received are budgeted and spent accordingly. (Luke 14:28) The apostle Paul collected funds as a relief ministration for the brothers in Judea. He took steps to ensure that those delivering the funds cared for “everything honestly, not only in the sight of Jehovah but also in the sight of men.” (2 Cor. 8:18-21) Imitating the examples of Ezra and Paul, our organization today follows strict procedures when it comes to handling and spending donated funds. (Ezra 8:24-33) In recent years, there have been many exciting new initiatives. The organization looks for ways to reduce expenses and simplify the work so as to be able to accomplish the most that it can with your generous donations. w18.01 19-20 ¶12-13
Thursday, January 10
Let the peace of the Christ rule in your hearts.—Col. 3:15.
Love and kindness can help us to be forgiving toward one another. For example, if we feel hurt by the words or actions of a fellow Christian, we can try to recall occasions when we spoke or acted unkindly. Do we not appreciate the love and kindness of the brothers and sisters who overlooked our errors? (Eccl. 7:21, 22) Especially are we thankful for Christ’s kindness in gathering true worshippers into unity. We all love the same God, preach the same message, and face many of the same challenges. By kindly and lovingly forgiving one another, we contribute to Christian unity and keep our eyes on the prize of life. Warning examples in the Bible remind us that jealousy can deprive us of the prize. For instance, Cain became jealous of his brother Abel and killed him. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram became jealous of Moses and opposed him. Also, King Saul became jealous of David’s success and tried to kill him. w17.11 27 ¶9-10
Friday, January 11
You should look into the matter, making a thorough investigation and inquiry.—Deut. 13:14.
When elders serve on judicial committees, they must carefully determine whether a Christian guilty of serious sin is repentant. Repentance—or the lack of it—is not always obvious. It involves a person’s viewpoint, disposition, and heart condition. (Rev. 3:3) A sinner must be repentant if he is to receive mercy. Unlike Jehovah and Jesus, elders cannot read hearts. If you are an elder, then, how can you meet the challenge of discerning heartfelt repentance? First, pray for wisdom and discernment. (1 Ki. 3:9) Second, consult God’s Word and publications from the faithful slave to help you distinguish “sadness of the world” from “sadness in a godly way,” genuine repentance. (2 Cor. 7:10, 11) See how the Scriptures portray both repentant and unrepentant ones. How does the Bible describe their feelings, their attitude, and their conduct? w17.11 17 ¶16-17
Saturday, January 12
[Children] will be . . . disobedient to parents.—2 Tim. 3:2.
While such behavior is sometimes accepted and even encouraged in books, movies, and television programs today, disobedience undermines the stability of the most important social unit in society—the family. This principle has long been understood. Interestingly, in ancient Greece, if a man struck his parents, he would lose all his civil rights; in Roman law, to strike a father was as serious as murder. Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Greek Scriptures admonish children to honor their parents. (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-3) Children can protect themselves from being infected with the spirit of disobedience by reflecting on what their parents have done for them. An appreciative attitude is bolstered by the understanding that obedience is required by God, the Father of us all. By speaking positively about their parents, young ones can help other youths view their own parents in a positive light. w18.01 29 ¶8-9
Sunday, January 13
Each one will be like a hiding place from the wind, a place of concealment from the rainstorm, like streams of water in a waterless land, like the shadow of a massive crag in a parched land.—Isa. 32:2.
Today, a Christian guilty of serious sin needs to seek the help of congregation elders to recover. Why is this so important? First, the arrangement for elders to handle cases of serious sin comes from Jehovah, as outlined in his Word. (Jas. 5:14-16) Second, this arrangement fortifies repentant wrongdoers to remain in God’s care and to avoid a pattern of sin. (Gal. 6:1; Heb. 12:11) Third, elders are commissioned and trained to reassure repentant sinners, helping to ease their pain and guilt. Jehovah calls these older men “a refuge from the rainstorm.” (Isa. 32:2, ftn.) Would you not agree that this arrangement is an expression of God’s mercy? Many of God’s servants have discovered the relief that comes from seeking and receiving help from the elders. w17.11 10 ¶8-9
Monday, January 14
Discipline . . . is painful.—Heb. 12:11.
Despite our pain of heart, we must avoid normal contact with a disfellowshipped family member by telephone, text messages, letters, e-mails, or social media. Yet, maintain hope. Love “hopes all things,” including that those who have left Jehovah will come back to him. (1 Cor. 13:7) If you see evidence that a close family member is having a change of heart, you could pray that he or she gain strength from the Scriptures and respond to Jehovah’s appeal: “Return to me.” (Isa. 44:22) Jesus said that if we were to put any human before him, we would not be worthy of him. Yet, he was confident that his disciples would have the courage to maintain their loyalty to him despite family opposition. If following Jesus has brought “a sword” into your family, rely on Jehovah to help you deal with the challenges successfully. (Isa. 41:10, 13) Find joy in knowing that Jehovah and Jesus are pleased with you and that they will reward your faithful course. w17.10 16 ¶19-21
Tuesday, January 15
Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion.—Col. 3:12.
When we see others experiencing the effects of Adamic sin, we are rightly moved to show compassion. We long to see sickness and aging brought to an end. So we pray for God’s Kingdom to come. In the meantime, we do what we can to assist those in need. Consider what one author wrote about his elderly mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. One day, she soiled her clothes. As she was trying to clean up, the doorbell rang. The visitors turned out to be two Witnesses who regularly called on the woman. The sisters asked if there was anything they could do to help. “It is embarrassing but yes,” the woman replied. The visitors helped her to clean up. Then they made her a cup of tea and stayed for a chat. The son was most grateful. “Hats off to these Witnesses,” he wrote. “They practice what they preach.” Does your compassion for the sick and the elderly move you to do all you can to lessen their suffering?—Phil. 2:3, 4. w17.09 9 ¶5; 12 ¶14
Wednesday, January 16
We should love, not in word or with the tongue, but in deed and truth.—1 John 3:18.
We should be willing to perform acts of love for our brothers “in secret,” or out of the limelight, when this is possible. (Matt. 6:1-4) We should also take the lead in showing honor to others. (Rom. 12:10) Jesus set the pattern in honoring others by performing the lowliest of tasks. (John 13:3-5, 12-15) We may have to work hard to develop the humility needed to show honor to others in this way. Even the apostles could not fully understand Jesus’ actions until they received holy spirit. (John 13:7) We can show honor to others by not thinking too much of ourselves because of our education, material possessions, or privileges in Jehovah’s service. (Rom. 12:3) And rather than envying those who receive praise, we rejoice with them even if we feel that we deserve equal honor or a share of the credit for what was done. w17.10 9 ¶9-10
Thursday, January 17
I do all things for the sake of the good news, in order to share it with others.—1 Cor. 9:23.
Many have found that using God’s Word in the ministry can have a profound impact on those to whom they preach. Consider an example. A brother made a return visit on an elderly gentleman who had read our magazines for a number of years. Instead of simply presenting the latest issue of The Watchtower, the brother decided to read a scripture found in that issue. He read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, which says: “The Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all our trials.” The householder was so moved by those words that he asked our brother to read the scripture a second time. The man mentioned how much he and his wife needed comfort, and he now showed interest in the Bible’s message. Would you not agree that God’s Word exerts power in our ministry?—Acts 19:20. w17.09 26 ¶9-10
Friday, January 18
Strike his bone and flesh, and he will surely curse you to your very face.—Job 2:5.
The Devil’s challenge no doubt aroused indignation, anger, and contempt among heavenly creatures loyal to God. Jehovah, however, did not react hastily. His response was measured and entirely fitting. He has been slow to anger and has been just in dealing with Satan’s revolt. (Ex. 34:6; Job 2:2-6) Why? Jehovah has allowed time to pass because he does not want anyone to be destroyed but “desires all to attain to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9) Jehovah’s exercise of self-control teaches us that we too ought to weigh our words and consider our steps carefully; we should not rush into things. When you face an important issue, give yourself the time you need to act wisely. Pray for wisdom to say or do the right thing. (Ps. 141:3) In the heat of the moment, it is all too easy to react emotionally. Many of us have lived to regret hasty words or rash actions!—Prov. 14:29; 15:28; 19:2. w17.09 4 ¶6-7
Saturday, January 19
Put [the crown] on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.—Zech. 6:11.
Did the crowning of High Priest Joshua make him a king? No, Joshua was not from the royal line of David and thus did not qualify to be king. His crowning was prophetic, pointing to a future and eternal king and priest. The high priest who is made king is named Sprout. The Scriptures clearly indicate that Sprout is Jesus Christ. (Isa. 11:1; Matt. 2:23, ftn.) Acting as both King and High Priest, Jesus is the leader of Jehovah’s heavenly army. As such, he works diligently so that God’s people as a whole may dwell in security despite living in the midst of this hostile world. (Jer. 23:5, 6) In the near future, Christ will take the lead in conquering the nations in support of God’s sovereignty and in defending Jehovah’s people. (Rev. 17:12-14; 19:11, 14, 15) Before executing judgment, however, Sprout has a great work to accomplish. w17.10 29 ¶12-14
Sunday, January 20
Strip off the old personality with its practices.—Col. 3:9.
What would you do if your clothing became dirty, perhaps even having a foul odor? You would strip off the soiled garment as soon as possible. Similarly, we need to act with urgency in obeying the command to strip off habits that are contrary to God’s personality. We want to heed Paul’s clear instruction to Christians in his day: “You must put them all away from you.” One of the sinful practices listed by Paul is sexual immorality. (Col. 3:5-9) The meaning of the original Bible word translated “sexual immorality” includes sexual relations between individuals who are not legally married to each other and homosexuality. Paul told fellow Christians to “deaden” their “body members”—that is, to eliminate any desires—“as respects sexual immorality.” Paul’s descriptive language clearly shows that strong measures are needed to wipe out such wrong desires. Yet, the fight against sinful desires can be won. w17.08 18 ¶5-6
Monday, January 21
I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation.—Mic. 7:7.
The conditions we face today are similar to those in the days of the prophet Micah. He lived during the reign of wicked King Ahaz, a time when all sorts of corruption prevailed. In fact, the people had become “expert at doing what is bad.” (Mic. 7:1-3) Micah realized that he could not personally change these conditions. If we have faith like that of Micah, we will be willing to wait for Jehovah. Our situation is not like that of a prisoner who is waiting in his cell for his execution. He is forced to wait, and he is not looking forward to the outcome. How different things are for us! We are willing to wait for Jehovah because we know that he will fulfill his promise to give us everlasting life at exactly the right time, the best time! So we “endure fully with patience and joy.” (Col. 1:11, 12) To do otherwise—to wait while complaining and grumbling that Jehovah is not acting fast enough—would be displeasing to our God.—Col. 3:12. w17.08 4 ¶6-7
Tuesday, January 22
Jehovah raises up the meek.—Ps. 147:6.
How can we benefit from Jehovah’s readiness to act in our behalf? We have to have a good relationship with him. To have that, we need to cultivate meekness. (Zeph. 2:3) Meek ones wait on God to correct any wrongs and to undo the injuries inflicted on them. Jehovah looks on such ones with his smile of approval. On the other hand, God “hurls the wicked to the ground.” (Ps. 147:6b) These are strong words! To benefit from Jehovah’s loyal love and to avoid his wrath, we have to hate what he hates. (Ps. 97:10) For instance, we are to hate sexual immorality. This means that we have to stay away from anything that could lead us into such wrongdoing, including pornography. (Ps. 119:37; Matt. 5:28) This may be a hard fight, but having Jehovah’s blessing is worth any effort we must put forth. In fighting this battle, we need to rely on Jehovah, not on ourselves. We must approach Jehovah, begging for his help. w17.07 19-20 ¶11-13
Wednesday, January 23
The one showing favor to the lowly is lending to Jehovah.—Prov. 19:17.
Using material assets to advance Kingdom interests allows us to take advantage of our circumstances to help others. Those who have this world’s means but cannot share in the full-time ministry or move abroad have the satisfaction of knowing that their donated funds support the ministry of others. Voluntary contributions help to supply literature and support the preaching work in territories where poverty abounds but where there is great spiritual growth. For years, in such lands as Congo, Madagascar, and Rwanda, brothers often had to choose between having food for their families and having copies of the Bible, which sometimes cost the equivalent of a weekly or a monthly wage. Now, by means of the contributions of many and “an equalizing” of finances, Jehovah’s organization has sponsored the translation and distribution of Bibles to each member of the family as well as to spiritually hungry Bible students.—2 Cor. 8:13-15. w17.07 9 ¶11
Thursday, January 24
Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, so that I can make a reply to him who taunts me.—Prov. 27:11.
Why is it comforting to reflect on the value of our faithfulness? Because it means that our trials serve a purpose. Far from indicating Jehovah’s displeasure, they provide for us a means to show that we support God’s sovereignty. Our endurance produces “an approved condition” and strengthens our hope. (Rom. 5:3-5) The record of Job bears out that “Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.” (Jas. 5:11) So we can be sure that he will reward us and all who uphold his sovereignty. Knowing this helps us “endure fully with patience and joy.” (Col. 1:11) Granted, keeping our eyes on the vindication of Jehovah’s sovereignty can be challenging. Therefore, we do well to remind ourselves regularly of the importance of supporting God’s sovereignty when we face difficult circumstances. w17.06 26 ¶15-16
Friday, January 25
Guard against every sort of greed.—Luke 12:15.
Many today are obsessed with the latest fashions, electronic gadgets, and so forth. Therefore, each Christian regularly needs to examine his own desires by asking himself such questions as: ‘Have material things become so important to me that I spend more time researching and thinking about the latest cars or fashions than I do preparing for congregation meetings? Have I become so preoccupied with the everyday affairs of life that I spend less time praying or reading the Bible?’ If we realize that our love for material things is eclipsing our love for the Christ, we should reflect on Jesus’ words found in today’s text. Jesus stated that “no one can slave for two masters.” He added: “You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” That is because both “masters” require exclusive devotion. (Matt. 6:24) As imperfect people, all of us need to keep up our fight against “the desires of our flesh,” including materialism.—Eph. 2:3. w17.05 25-26 ¶15-16
Saturday, January 26
I do all things for the sake of the good news, in order to share it with others.—1 Cor. 9:23.
Although we are simply imperfect earthen vessels, the message we preach can bring everlasting life to us and to those who listen to us. The apostle Paul’s love for the ministry moved him to work hard at making disciples. (Rom. 1:14, 15; 2 Tim. 4:2) That helped him to endure severe opposition. (1 Thess. 2:2) How can we demonstrate such love for the ministry? One way that Paul demonstrated appreciation for the ministry was by being alert to opportunities to speak to others. Like the apostles and early Christians, we preach informally, publicly, and from house to house. (Acts 5:42; 20:20) As our circumstances allow, we look for ways to expand our ministry, perhaps by serving as an auxiliary or a regular pioneer. We might also learn another language, move to another area in our own country, or even move to another land.—Acts 16:9, 10. w17.06 10-11 ¶8-9
Sunday, January 27
Every mountain and every island was removed from its place.—Rev. 6:14.
Much of the evil that is done in this world is the work not of individuals but of organizations. Think of the religious organizations that deceive millions of people about the nature of God, the trustworthiness of the Bible, the future of the earth and mankind—and many other subjects. Or what about the governments that promote war and ethnic violence, that oppress the poor and defenseless, that thrive on bribery and favoritism? What about greedy corporations that pollute the environment, deplete natural resources, and exploit the gullibility of consumers in order to bring untold wealth to a few while millions struggle in poverty? God’s Word foretells that the governments of this old world and all their dependent organizations will be rocked from their foundations—destroyed—along with all those who side with them against God’s Kingdom.—Jer. 25:31-33. w17.04 11 ¶7-8
Monday, January 28
I will not bring the calamity during his lifetime.—1 Ki. 21:29.
Jehovah, “the examiner of hearts,” extended a measure of mercy to Ahab. (Prov. 17:3) How did this decision affect those who knew of Ahab’s terrible crime? This seeming reversal may have tested the faith of Naboth’s family and friends. If so, humility would have protected them, prompting them to continue faithful in their worship of Jehovah, confident that their God is incapable of injustice. (Deut. 32:3, 4) Naboth, his sons, and their families will experience perfect justice when Jehovah resurrects the righteous ones. (Job 14:14, 15; John 5:28, 29) Furthermore, a humble person remembers that “the true God will judge every deed, including every hidden thing, as to whether it is good or bad.” (Eccl. 12:14) Yes, when rendering judgment, Jehovah takes into consideration factors that are unknown to us. Thus, humility protects innocent ones from spiritual disaster. w17.04 24 ¶8-9
Tuesday, January 29
A true friend shows love at all times.—Prov. 17:17.
Because of world conditions, many of our brothers have become refugees. The transition can be overwhelming. Imagine trying to learn a new language and to adapt to new laws and expectations regarding manners, punctuality, taxes, bill paying, school attendance, and child discipline—all at once! Can you patiently and respectfully help brothers and sisters who face such challenges? (Phil. 2:3, 4) Further, authorities have at times made it difficult for these brothers to contact the congregation. Some agencies have threatened to cut off assistance or deny our brothers asylum if they refuse to accept employment that requires them to miss meetings. Frightened and vulnerable, a few brothers have given in to such pressures. Therefore, it is urgent to meet our refugee brothers as soon as possible after their arrival. They need to see that we care about them. Our compassion and practical help can strengthen their faith.—Prov. 12:25. w17.05 5 ¶9-10
Wednesday, January 30
The love of the greater number will grow cold.—Matt. 24:12.
One facet of the sign that Jesus gave regarding “the conclusion of the system of things” was that “the love of the greater number [would] grow cold.” (Matt. 24:3) In the first century, the Jews, who claimed to be God’s people, allowed their love for God to grow cold. On the other hand, most Christians at that time kept busy “declaring the good news about the Christ” and showing love for God, for fellow Christians, and for unbelievers. (Acts 2:44-47; 5:42) Nevertheless, some of Jesus’ followers in the first century did allow their love to grow cold. Speaking to first-century Christians living in Ephesus, the resurrected Jesus Christ said: “I hold this against you, that you have left the love you had at first.” (Rev. 2:4) What may have been one reason for this? These early disciples of Christ may have been influenced by the fleshly-minded world.—Eph. 2:2, 3. w17.05 17 ¶1-3
Thursday, January 31
You must pay your vows to Jehovah.—Matt. 5:33.
He was a valiant leader; she was a submissive wife. He was a brave warrior; she was a humble homemaker. Besides worshipping the same God, what could Judge Jephthah and Elkanah’s wife Hannah possibly have in common? Each was under a vow to God, and they both faithfully paid their vow to him. They are excellent examples for men and women today who choose to make vows to Jehovah. As used in the Bible, a vow is a solemn promise that is made to God. A person promises to perform some act, to offer some gift, to enter some type of service, or to abstain from certain things. Vows are made voluntarily, of one’s own free will. Nevertheless, they are sacred and binding in God’s eyes because they carry the force of an oath—a sworn statement—that promises that a person will or will not do a certain thing.—Gen. 14:22, 23; Heb. 6:16, 17. w17.04 3 ¶1-2 |
Your Life (yi)
2002 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/tracts/your-life-yi | Youths—What Will You Do With Your Life?
“I WANT the very best out of life.” So says one teenage girl. No doubt you too want the same. But just how do you get the “best” out of life? The media and your peers, perhaps even your teachers, may say that it comes by earning a lot of money and enjoying some prestigious career—being a success!
The Bible, however, warns young people that pursuing material success is nothing more than “a striving after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4) For one thing, few young ones go on to attain riches and fame. Those who do often find themselves bitterly disillusioned. “It’s like an empty box,” says a British youth who pursued a prestigious academic career. “Once you look inside, there’s nothing there.” True, a job can sometimes bring wealth and recognition. But it cannot satisfy your “spiritual need.” (Matthew 5:3) Besides, 1 John 2:17 warns that “the world is passing away.” Even if you were to attain success in this world, it would be short-lived.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 thus urges young ones: “Remember your Creator while you are still young.” (Today’s English Version) Yes, the best possible way to use your life is in the service of Jehovah God. But first, you must qualify to be in God’s service. How can you do so? And what does a life of service to God involve?
Qualifying to Be a Witness of Jehovah
To start with, you must cultivate a desire to serve God—and that desire does not come automatically, even if your parents are Christians. You must come to have your own relationship with Jehovah. “Praying helps you to have your own relationship with Jehovah,” says a teenage girl.—Psalm 62:8; James 4:8.
Romans 12:2 highlights another step you must take. It says: “Prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Have you ever found yourself doubting some of the things you have been taught? Then follow the Bible’s exhortation, and ‘prove to yourself’ that these things are true! Do your own research. Read the Bible and Bible-based publications. Learning about God is not simply an intellectual process, though. Take the time to meditate on what you read so that it sinks down into your figurative heart. This will cause your love for God to grow.—Psalm 1:2, 3.
Next, try informally sharing what you are learning, perhaps with your schoolmates. Preaching from door to door is the next step. You may occasionally meet a schoolmate as you preach, and this may unnerve you at first. But the Bible urges us not to be “ashamed of the good news.” (Romans 1:16) You are bringing a message of life and hope! Why be ashamed of it?
Now, if your parents are Christians, you may already accompany them in this work. But are you able to do more than stand at the door in silence or simply place magazines and tracts? Are you able to speak at the door yourself, using the Bible to instruct the householder? If not, then get some help from your parents or a mature member of the congregation. Make it your goal to qualify as an unbaptized publisher of the good news!
In time, you will be moved to make a dedication—vowing to God that you will serve him henceforth. (Romans 12:1) However, dedication is not simply a private affair. God requires all to make “public declaration for salvation.” (Romans 10:10) At the time of baptism, you first make verbal declaration of your faith. Baptism in water follows. (Matthew 28:19, 20) Admittedly, baptism is a serious step. But do not hold back because you feel that you might fail somehow. If you depend on God for strength, he will give you “the power beyond what is normal” to help you stand firm.—2 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 5:10.
At the time of baptism, you become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Isaiah 43:10) This should have a dramatic impact on how you will use your life. Dedication involves ‘disowning yourself.’ (Matthew 16:24) You may forsake some personal goals and ambitions and ‘seek first the kingdom of God.’ (Matthew 6:33) Dedication and baptism thus open up many opportunities to do so. Let’s consider some of them.
Opportunities to Serve God Full-Time
● Pioneering is one such opportunity. A pioneer publisher is an exemplary baptized Christian who has arranged to spend a minimum of 70 hours each month preaching the good news. Spending an increased amount of time in the field will help you to develop your preaching and teaching skills. Many pioneers have experienced the joy of helping their Bible students become baptized Witnesses. What secular job could possibly be as exciting and satisfying?
To cover their living expenses, most pioneers have part-time secular jobs. Many plan ahead for this responsibility by learning a trade in school or from their parents. If you and your parents feel that it would be advantageous for you to obtain some supplemental training after secondary school, make sure your motive is, not to make a lot of money, but to support your ministry and perhaps serve as a full-time minister.
However, the focus of a pioneer’s life is, not his secular job, but his ministry—helping others to gain life! Why not set pioneering as a personal goal? Pioneering often leads to other privileges. For example, some pioneers move to areas where there is a greater need for Kingdom publishers. Others learn a foreign language and serve either with a local foreign-language congregation or even in a foreign land. Yes, pioneering is a rewarding way of life!
● School for Kingdom Evangelizers is another door of opportunity. This two-month school is designed to train experienced pioneers who are willing to leave their home area to serve wherever they are needed. They say, in effect, “Here I am! Send me!” in imitation of the greatest Evangelizer who ever served on earth, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 6:8; John 7:29) Moving far from home may involve having to adapt to a simpler standard of living. The culture, climate, and foods may be totally different from what one is used to. It may even be necessary to learn a new language. This school helps single brothers and sisters and married couples, ages 23 to 65, to cultivate the spiritual qualities they will need in their assignment and the skills that will enable them to be used more fully by Jehovah and his organization.
● Bethel service involves serving as a volunteer at one of the branch facilities of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some Bethel family members serve directly in the production of Bible literature. Others are given support assignments, such as the maintenance of buildings and equipment or the physical care of the Bethel family. All assignments are sacred privileges of service to Jehovah. In addition, those at Bethel have the joy of knowing that whatever they do, it benefits large numbers of their brothers around the world.
Sometimes brothers with special skills are invited to serve at Bethel. Most, however, receive their training after they arrive. Those at Bethel do not serve for material gain but are satisfied with the provisions made for food, lodging, and a modest reimbursement for personal expenses. One young Bethel family member describes his service in this way: “It’s fantastic! The routine is challenging, but I’ve received a lot of blessings serving here.”
● Construction service allows one to share in building branch facilities and Kingdom Halls. Construction servants, as they are called, aid in such construction work. This is a form of sacred service, similar to the work of those who constructed Solomon’s temple. (1 Kings 8:13-18) The arrangements for the care of construction servants are similar to those for the Bethel family. What a privilege these brothers and sisters have serving in this sphere of activity to Jehovah’s praise!
Serve Jehovah Whole-Souled
Serving Jehovah is the very best way to use your life. Why not consider setting a personal goal of serving God full-time? Discuss full-time service with your parents, your local elders, and your circuit overseer. If you are interested in serving at Bethel or attending the School for Kingdom Evangelizers, attend the meetings for potential applicants that are held at regional conventions.
Granted, not all may qualify or be able to serve full-time. Sometimes health problems, financial situations, and family obligations limit how much one can do. Even so, all dedicated Christians must heed the Bible’s command: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.” (Matthew 22:37) Jehovah requires that you do the very best that your circumstances allow you to do. So whatever your situation, make serving Jehovah the focus of your life. Set realistic theocratic goals. Yes, “remember your Creator while you are still young”—and you will be blessed eternally for having done so!
Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible quotations are from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. |
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Why Can’t People Make Peace?—What Does the Bible Say? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/501100089 | ilbusca/E+ via Getty Images
KEEP ON THE WATCH!
Why Can’t People Make Peace?—What Does the Bible Say?
World leaders and international organizations have not been able to bring peace. Today, there are more violent conflicts than at any time since World War II. About two billion people—a quarter of the world’s population—live in areas affected by such conflicts.
Why can’t humans achieve peace? What does the Bible say?
Three reasons why humans cannot bring peace
1. People display attitudes that prevent them from even trying to make peace. The Bible foretold that during our time, “men [would] be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, . . . disloyal, . . . not open to any agreement, . . . without self-control, fierce, . . . headstrong, puffed up with pride.”—2 Timothy 3:2-4.
2. Humans, individually and collectively, do not have the ability to solve their problems without the help of their Creator, Jehovaha God. The Bible reveals that “it does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.”—Jeremiah 10:23.
3. The world is under the influence of a powerful and wicked ruler, Satan the Devil, who “is misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (Revelation 12:9) As long as “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one,” there will be war and conflict.—1 John 5:19.
Who can bring about peace?
The Bible assures us that peace will come, not through human effort, but from God.
“‘For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope.’”—Jeremiah 29:11.
How will God fulfill that promise? “The God who gives peace will crush Satan.” (Romans 16:20) God will use a heavenly government, which the Bible refers to as “the Kingdom of God,” to establish peace worldwide. (Luke 4:43) Under Jesus Christ, the King of that Kingdom, people will be taught how to live in peace.—Isaiah 9:6, 7.
To learn more, read the article “What Will God’s Kingdom Accomplish?”
a Jehovah is the personal name of God.—Psalm 83:18. |
STUDY ARTICLE 3
Lessons We Can Learn From Jesus’ Tears | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2022244 | STUDY ARTICLE 3
Lessons We Can Learn From Jesus’ Tears
“Jesus gave way to tears.”—JOHN 11:35.
SONG 17 “I Want To”
PREVIEWa
1-3. What challenges may cause Jehovah’s people to shed tears?
WHEN was the last time you wept? Occasionally, we shed tears of joy. But all too often, we cry because of the anguish in our heart. For example, we may cry when we lose a loved one in death. Lorilei, a sister in the United States, wrote: “There have been moments when the pain of losing my daughter was so intense that nothing seemed to bring me comfort. In those moments, I wondered how my broken and crushed heart could keep beating.”b
2 We may shed tears for other reasons. Hiromi, a pioneer in Japan, confided: “Now and then I get discouraged by the apathy of the people I meet in the ministry. Sometimes with tears in my eyes, I ask Jehovah to help me find someone who is searching for the truth.”
3 Can you relate to the feelings expressed above? Many of us can. (1 Pet. 5:9) We want to “serve Jehovah with rejoicing,” but we may be serving him with tears because of grief, discouragement, or a distressing situation that tests our loyalty to God. (Ps. 6:6; 100:2) How can we cope when we are overwhelmed by such feelings?
4. What will we consider in this article?
4 We can learn from the example of Jesus. At times, he too experienced strong emotions that moved him to ‘give way to tears.’ (John 11:35; Luke 19:41; 22:44; Heb. 5:7) Let us review those events. As we do, we will see what lessons we can learn. We will also review practical ways we can deal with challenges that bring us to tears.
TEARS FOR HIS FRIENDS
Support those who grieve, as Jesus did (See paragraphs 5-9)e
5. What do we learn about Jesus from the account recorded at John 11:32-36?
5 In the winter of 32 C.E., Jesus’ good friend Lazarus got sick and died. (John 11:3, 14) The man had two sisters, Mary and Martha, and Jesus loved this family very much. The women were devastated by the loss of their beloved brother. After Lazarus died, Jesus traveled to the village of Bethany, where Mary and Martha lived. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she rushed out to meet him. Imagine the surge of emotions as she said: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21) Shortly afterward when Jesus saw Mary and others weeping, he “gave way to tears.”—Read John 11:32-36.
6. Why did Jesus weep on that occasion?
6 Why did Jesus weep on that occasion? Insight on the Scriptures answers: “The death of his friend Lazarus and the resulting grief to Lazarus’ sisters caused Jesus to ‘groan and give way to tears.’”c Jesus may have been thinking about the pain his dear friend Lazarus experienced during his illness and imagining how the man felt as he realized that his life was slipping away. Jesus was surely also moved to tears on seeing how Mary and Martha were affected by the death of their brother. If you have lost a close friend or a family member in death, no doubt you have experienced similar emotions. Consider three lessons you can learn from this event.
7. What do we learn about Jehovah from the tears Jesus shed for his friends?
7 Jehovah understands how you feel. Jesus is “the exact representation” of his Father. (Heb. 1:3) When Jesus wept, he reflected his Father’s emotions. (John 14:9) If you are enduring the loss of a loved one, you can be sure that Jehovah not only notices your grief but also feels deeply for you. He wants to heal your broken heart.—Ps. 34:18; 147:3.
8. Why can we be confident that Jesus will resurrect our loved ones?
8 Jesus wants to resurrect your loved ones. Shortly before he wept, Jesus assured Martha: “Your brother will rise.” Martha believed Jesus. (John 11:23-27) As a faithful worshipper of Jehovah, Martha no doubt was aware of the resurrections that had been performed centuries earlier by the prophets Elijah and Elisha. (1 Ki. 17:17-24; 2 Ki. 4:32-37) And she had likely also heard of the resurrections that Jesus had performed. (Luke 7:11-15; 8:41, 42, 49-56) You too can be convinced that you will see your dead loved ones again. Jesus’ tears as he gave comfort to his grief-stricken friends are proof that the resurrection is close to his heart!
9. Like Jesus, how can you support those who grieve? Give an example.
9 You can support those who grieve. Jesus not only wept with Martha and Mary but also listened and spoke reassuringly to them. We can do the same for those who grieve. Dan, an elder who lives in Australia, says: “After losing my wife, I needed support. Several couples made themselves available day and night just to listen to me. They let me grieve, and they were not embarrassed by my tears. They also offered practical help, such as washing my car, shopping for groceries, and cooking meals when I felt unable to care for these tasks myself. And they prayed with me often. They proved to be true friends and brothers who are ‘born for times of distress.’”—Prov. 17:17.
TEARS FOR HIS NEIGHBORS
10. Describe the event recorded at Luke 19:36-40.
10 Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on Nisan 9, 33 C.E. As he approached the city, a crowd gathered and people spread their garments on the road before him to acknowledge him as their King. That was certainly a happy occasion. (Read Luke 19:36-40.) So his disciples might not have expected what happened next. “When [Jesus] got nearby, he viewed the city and wept over it.” With tears in his eyes, Jesus foretold the grim fate that awaited the inhabitants of Jerusalem.—Luke 19:41-44.
11. Why did Jesus weep for the inhabitants of Jerusalem?
11 Jesus felt pain of heart because he knew that despite the warm reception he was receiving, his countrymen in general had already shown that they would refuse to respond favorably to the Kingdom message. As a result, Jerusalem would be destroyed and any Jews who survived the destruction of the city would be led into captivity. (Luke 21:20-24) Sadly, just as Jesus anticipated, most of the people rejected him. How do people in general respond to the Kingdom message where you live? If few respond positively to your efforts to teach them the truth, what can you learn from Jesus’ tears? Consider three more lessons.
12. What can we learn about Jehovah from the tears Jesus shed for his fellow man?
12 Jehovah cares about people. Jesus’ tears remind us of how much Jehovah cares about people. “He does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9) Today we show that we love our neighbors by persevering in our self-sacrificing efforts to touch their heart with the good news.—Matt. 22:39.d
Adjust your witnessing schedule, as Jesus did (See paragraphs 13-14)f
13-14. How did Jesus show compassion for people, and how can we cultivate that quality?
13 Jesus worked hard in the ministry. He showed his love for people by continuing to teach them at every opportunity. (Luke 19:47, 48) What moved him to do so? Jesus felt compassion for them. At times, so many wanted to hear Jesus’ words that he and his disciples “were not able even to eat a meal.” (Mark 3:20) He also made himself available at night—a time that was more convenient for one of his listeners. (John 3:1, 2) The majority of those who initially listened to Jesus did not become his disciples. But all who heard him received a thorough witness. Today we want to give everyone the opportunity to hear the good news. (Acts 10:42) To accomplish this, we may need to adjust our approach to the ministry.
14 Be willing to make necessary adjustments. If we do not vary the times when we share in the ministry, we may not be reaching those who would respond favorably to the good news. A pioneer named Matilda says: “My husband and I try to call on people at different times. In the early morning, we do business territory. At midday when many are out and about, we use literature carts. Later in the day, we find it effective to reach people at their homes.” Rather than stick to a schedule that is convenient for us, we should be willing to adjust our schedule to preach when we are more likely to meet people. If we do, we can be sure that Jehovah will be pleased.
TEARS FOR HIS FATHER’S VINDICATION
Supplicate Jehovah when in distress, as Jesus did (See paragraphs 15-17)g
15. What occurred on the final night of Jesus’ life, as recorded at Luke 22:39-44?
15 Late in the evening on Nisan 14, 33 C.E., Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane. There he poured out his heart to Jehovah. (Read Luke 22:39-44.) It was during those difficult hours that Jesus “offered up supplications . . . with strong outcries and tears.” (Heb. 5:7) What did Jesus pray for during that final night before his death? He prayed for strength to remain loyal to Jehovah and to do His will. Jehovah heard the anguish in his Son’s prayer and sent an angel to strengthen him.
16. Why was Jesus distressed while he was praying in the garden of Gethsemane?
16 Jesus no doubt wept while praying in the garden of Gethsemane because he was distressed over the very thought of being viewed as a blasphemer. He was also aware of the tremendous responsibility he bore—that of vindicating his Father’s name. If you are facing a distressing situation that tests your loyalty to Jehovah, what can you learn from Jesus’ tears? Consider three additional lessons.
17. What can we learn about Jehovah from his answer to Jesus’ earnest prayers?
17 Jehovah listens to your supplications. Jehovah listened to Jesus’ earnest requests. Why? Because Jesus’ main concern was to stay loyal to his Father and to vindicate His name. If our main concern is to stay loyal to Jehovah and to vindicate his name, he will answer our prayers for help.—Ps. 145:18, 19.
18. In what ways is Jesus like a sympathetic friend?
18 Jesus sympathizes with your feelings. When we are distraught, how happy we are to be comforted by a sympathetic friend, especially one who has faced trials similar to ours. Jesus is that friend. He knows what it is like to feel weak and in need of help. He understands our makeup, and he will see to it that we receive the support we need “at the right time.” (Heb. 4:15, 16) Just as Jesus accepted help from an angel in the garden of Gethsemane, we should be willing to accept the help Jehovah provides, whether it is in the form of a publication, a video, a talk, or an encouraging visit from an elder or a mature friend.
19. How can you gain strength when you are facing a distressing test of loyalty to God? Give an example.
19 Jehovah will give you “the peace of God.” How will Jehovah strengthen us? When we pray, we will receive “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” (Phil. 4:6, 7) The peace that Jehovah gives calms our heart and stabilizes our thoughts. Consider how this proved true for a sister named Luz. She says: “I struggle with feelings of loneliness. At times, those feelings cause me to think that Jehovah does not love me. But when that happens, I immediately tell Jehovah how I feel. Prayer allows me to gain control of my feelings.” As her experience shows, we can find peace through prayer.
20. What lessons have we learned from the tears Jesus shed?
20 What comforting and practical lessons we can learn from Jesus’ tears! We are reminded to support our grieving friends and to trust that Jehovah and Jesus will support us when we lose a loved one in death. We are motivated to preach and teach with compassion because Jehovah God and Jesus Christ show this tender quality. And we find comfort in knowing that Jehovah and his dear Son understand how we feel, sympathize with our weaknesses, and want to help us endure. May we continue to apply what we have learned until the day when Jehovah fulfills his heartwarming promise to “wipe out every tear from [our] eyes”!—Rev. 21:4.
EXPLAIN WHAT LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM JESUS IN THE ACCOUNTS RECORDED AT . . .
John 11:35
Luke 19:41
Luke 22:44; Hebrews 5:7
SONG 120 Imitate Christ’s Mildness
a At times, Jesus experienced strong emotions that moved him to tears. In this article, we will discuss three occasions on which Jesus shed tears and the lessons we can learn.
b Some names have been changed.
c See Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, p. 69.
d The Greek word rendered “neighbor” at Matthew 22:39 can include more than just those who live nearby. It can refer to anyone with whom a person interacts.
e PICTURE DESCRIPTION: Jesus was moved to comfort Mary and Martha. We can do the same for those who lose loved ones in death.
f PICTURE DESCRIPTION: Jesus willingly taught Nicodemus at night. We should study the Bible with people when it is convenient for them.
g PICTURE DESCRIPTION: Jesus prayed for strength to remain loyal to Jehovah. We must do the same when under trial. |
“Look!” brochure (lmn)
1986 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/look-brochure-lmn | “Continue in the Things That You Learned”
That is what the apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy. (2 Timothy 3:14) After reading this publication, you know about the many good things God has in store for those who love him. But you need to continue to progress in a spiritual way. Jehovah’s Witnesses will be happy to help you, if you are not already receiving that help. Just write to Watch Tower at the appropriate address listed below, requesting further information or that one of Jehovah’s Witnesses come to your home and regularly study the Bible with you free of charge. |
Life (lp)
1977 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/lp | Chapter 6
God Comes to Mankind’s Rescue
1. What confidence can we have that God will come to the rescue of the human race?
JEHOVAH GOD, in harmony with the dignity of his universal rulership, works out seemingly impossible problems in a marvelous way. And after seeing the outcome, we say, ‘It just couldn’t have been done in any other way and have been so thorough, righteous and altogether good.’ (See Isaiah 55:9.) So, as the Bible shows, at the very time that the challenge to the rightness of his rule was made, God revealed that he would come to the rescue of the human race when he announced: “He [the seed] will bruise you [Satan] in the head.” (Genesis 3:15) As time went on, God would let men see the outworking of his purpose.
2, 3. (a) Who was designated by Jehovah God to be the promised “seed”? (b) For what reasons was he the logical one to be chosen?
2 Who particularly would be designated by God to be the “seed,” eventually to crush Satan’s head? Jehovah’s only-begotten Son! He was chosen as the one to serve for the primary settlement of the issue regarding the worthiness and righteousness of Jehovah’s rulership or sovereignty. Why this great one who was so close to Jehovah’s heart? Well, when Satan made his challenge it called into question the loyalty of all persons in the universe, right up to this Son of God. More than that, the question of loyalty would focus more on him than on any other one of God’s creatures, because he was the chief Son of Jehovah, next to Him in the universe. He had been coworker with God in making the universe. (Colossians 1:15-17) A challenger of God could say, ‘Of all the creatures who would be faithful in serving God, he should be.’ So Satan’s challenge brought this mighty Son of God into the limelight.
3 Furthermore, in the Proverbs, chapter eight, this Son, personified as wisdom, says, speaking of God’s creative work: “The things I was fond of were with the sons of men.” (Vs. 31) He deeply loved mankind. He gladly took this assignment to vindicate his Father, first out of loyalty to Him and, additionally, out of the love that he had for mankind.
4. Why could God not ignore sin or let it go unaccounted for?
4 Now, in Jehovah God’s love for humankind, could he condone the wickedness that Satan, along with Adam, had brought into the universe? Could God say to any sinning individual, ‘Well, I like you and want to show you mercy, so I’ll just overlook your sin’? In harmony with his justice and righteousness he could not ignore sin and let it go unaccounted for. If he should do this, he would be undermining the foundation of his government.—Psalm 89:14.
5. What happens to government when lawlessness is condoned or lawbreakers are allowed to get by with their lawbreaking?
5 We have an example of the results of being “soft” with, and, in effect, condoning lawlessness, in some nations of earth today. They have in many cases been slack and not zealous to act against wrongdoers. Criminals have been let run loose. The result has been that people lose faith in the governments and everything finally breaks down. The Universal Ruler will not let that take place with his laws.
6. How do the prophet Habakkuk and the apostle Paul point out that God does not overlook sin?
6 Accordingly, Jehovah the Universal Sovereign, in his responsibility to uphold law and order in the universe, does not overlook sin. “God is not one to be mocked.” (Galatians 6:7) At Habakkuk 1:13, the prophet says to Jehovah: “You are too pure in eyes to see what is bad; and to look on trouble you are not able. Why is it that you look on those dealing treacherously?” Only for a good purpose and for a relatively short time has he let wrongdoing take place. Really, the way that God has decided on is the only way that he can genuinely help mankind.
A LEGAL PROBLEM
7. (a) How did Adam “sell” humankind into slavery to sin and death? (b) How does Psalm 49:6-9 express man’s helplessness to deliver himself?
7 Adam had sold his future offspring, without their consent, into slavery to sin and death. The price he received for the “sale” was the selfish doing of what he wanted to do, stepping out in rebellion against God. (Romans 7:14) Man’s helplessness in getting free from enslavement to death is expressed in the forty-ninth Psalm, verses six to nine: “Those who are trusting in their means of maintenance, and who keep boasting about the abundance of their riches, not one of them can by any means redeem even a brother, nor give to God a ransom for him; (and the redemption price of their soul is so precious that it has ceased to time indefinite) that he should still live forever and not see the pit.” The price was too precious, too high, beyond the reach of all mankind. As far as imperfect man’s ability was concerned, relief was so far away that it was “to time indefinite,” actually beyond hope. So, if man was ever to be delivered, God had to act to make provision.—Compare Psalm 79:9.
8, 9. In order to maintain the dignity and righteousness of his government, what did Jehovah God have to do to help humankind?
8 In order to have dealings with those who were born in sin, though it was through no fault of their own, God had to have some legal basis on which to deal with them. (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12) Otherwise, all men would have to die forever, since God’s law required that sinners be removed from the universe. Only the sacrifice of another man, a perfect one, as a “precious” price, could buy back what Adam had lost.—1 Timothy 2:5, 6.
9 Accordingly, Jehovah needed someone—one whose sacrifice would be the legal basis—through whom he could deal. Just as a human government could not properly negotiate with criminals, so Jehovah God could not deal directly with sinful people and still maintain the dignity and righteousness of his government.
10, 11. In forgiving sins and declaring people righteous, how did God demonstrate (a) his own righteousness and justice? (b) the badness of sin, and his own mercy?
10 By establishing this legal basis, Jehovah would be able to demonstrate the rightness of his universal rulership, showing also the extreme badness of sin. At the same time he could show mercy to humans. The apostle Paul expresses it:
11 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus. God set him forth as an offering for propitiation through faith in his blood. This was in order to exhibit his own righteousness, because he was forgiving the sins that occurred in the past while God was exercising forbearance; so as to exhibit his own righteousness in this present season, that he might be righteous even when declaring righteous the man that has faith in Jesus.”—Romans 3:23-26.
12. What problems confront a man who desires mercifully to bring an “undesirable” into his family as a member? (Romans 5:8)
12 We could illustrate, from everyday life, the reasonableness and legality of God’s dealings. Say that a man, a householder, has an upright, clean, obedient family. He knows of a young man in jail, with a large fine against him, for some wrong that he has done. This young man has been in bad company and has learned bad ways. However, the man believes that he can help the prisoner and eventually rehabilitate him. In justice to himself and his clean, respectable family, he cannot bring him immediately into his home and make his family associate with the young man in this condition. What, then, can he do to help?
13. What steps could the man take to make the young man a fitting and legal member of his household?
13 The man could get a friend to pay the fine that would release the court’s judgment against the prisoner and get the court to give him custody. After proper training and discipline of the young man the friend could turn him over to the householder in a condition of rehabilitation, so that he could be accepted as a clean, respectable member of the household. Thus all legal requirements would be fully met. The householder would have been completely just and righteous in his dealings, and mercy would have been shown to the young man.
14. On what basis does God reconcile the human family to himself?
14 Actually, God deals with the human family through his Son, Jesus Christ, who acts as Jehovah’s representative in the matter. Those obedient to God’s arrangement come to have a legal standing with Him. They are redeemed and reconciled or brought into harmony with God. (Colossians 1:13, 14, 20) They gain a personal relationship and are able to call upon Him as “Father.”—Matthew 6:9.
GOD’S SON COMES TO EARTH
15. Why did God’s Son have to be sent to earth?
15 God’s Son, therefore, was sent to earth—to become a human, born of a woman. He could serve for the test of integrity here on earth, where the issue was raised. He could also be the ransom price for humankind. By miraculous birth through the virgin Mary he became a human son of God.—Galatians 4:4.
16. (a) How was Jesus born as a perfect child when he had an imperfect mother? (b) Why did Jesus, when a child, and also later, need special protection?
16 This son was born of an imperfect woman, but was himself perfect and unblemished. His perfect life was transferred from the heavenly, spirit realm to Mary’s womb. The angel Gabriel had announced to Mary: “Holy spirit will come upon you, and power of the Most High will overshadow you. For that reason also what is born will be called holy, God’s Son.” (Luke 1:35) The holy spirit of God put a wall of invisible power around Mary, so that Jesus Christ would be born a perfect baby. Satan the Devil would, of course, have desired to destroy or damage that Son before he was born, if possible. Consider his later attempts to kill Jesus, as revealed at Matthew 2:7-16 and Luke 4:28-30.
17. How do the Scriptures show that Jesus maintained his perfection right down to his death?
17 Jesus, throughout his entire human life, remained in that perfect state. He was “loyal, guileless, undefiled, separated from the sinners.” (Hebrews 7:26) Jesus’ life course on earth settled the question of integrity to God beyond doubt, perfectly, completely. He said, before his sacrificial death: “The ruler of the world is coming. And he has no hold on me,” and, “Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world [the Devil] will be cast out.” (John 14:30; 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4) Satan was never able to make Jesus Christ give in under pressure, therefore he had no hold on Jesus, no valid charge that he could bring against Jesus. Jesus had “conquered the world” by refusing to fall into sin with it.—John 16:33; 8:46.
18. (a) Why was Jesus’ righteousness when he was on earth not a gift? (b) If anyone else of humankind is declared righteous, why is it a free gift?
18 The apostle Paul declared of Jesus: “He learned obedience from the things he suffered; and after he had been made perfect he became responsible for everlasting salvation to all those obeying him.” (Hebrews 5:8, 9) So it was on Christ’s own merit that God declared him righteous at the end of his earthly course. He was resurrected to life in the spirit, “declared righteous in spirit.” (1 Timothy 3:16) He was qualified and installed in heaven as the perfect High Priest on mankind’s behalf. God did not have to grant righteousness to Christ as a gift, for as a sinless human, he both had and retained a righteous standing with God from start to finish. That was why Jesus’ sacrifice was perfect and could serve as a basis for other men to be declared righteous. If others are declared righteous it is not on grounds of their own righteousness, but it is on the basis of the atonement sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In their case it is indeed a gift to them.—Romans 5:17.
19. What position does Jesus hold with respect to those who want to serve God?
19 By this faithful course Jesus qualified to become the advocate of all who desire to serve God. The apostle John wrote: “If anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper [or, advocate] with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one. And he is a propitiatory [covering] sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 2:1, 2) He is also called a “mediator between God and men.” (1 Timothy 2:5) The Devil has tried to find fault with God’s servants from the time of Abel the son of Adam. Satan is called “the accuser of our brothers . . . who accuses them day and night before our God.”—Revelation 12:10.
20. As advocate and mediator, what has Jesus done in behalf of God’s servants?
20 So, in the legal contest, Jesus Christ has appeared before God as an advocate at law. When faithful servants of God have made a mistake, committed a sin, Jesus has presented evidence before God as the Judge that they are not worthy of death—that his propitiatory sacrifice covers their mistakes and sins. He has shown that their intent was to do right even in the face of their imperfection. (Romans 7:15-19) He has called attention to their acts of faith and their calling on God in true repentance when they have sinned. (Hebrews 6:10) They do this all on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice. (John 16:23) And God accepts Jesus’ intercession for them.
HOW JESUS GETS “CHILDREN”
21. (a) How did Jesus, the one man, give his soul “a ransom in exchange for many”? (b) Why is he known as the “last Adam”?
21 When Jesus was on earth as a man he had the power to have a family of his own by natural human means. He did not bring forth that family, but gave up that potential in his sacrifice. As he said: “The Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Jesus therefore became the “last Adam.” Adam brought forth a family, an imperfect one, with bad traits. Jesus Christ brings forth a family that attains to righteousness. Individuals can transfer from the family of Adam and be regenerated through the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and, by putting on the new personality, can come to be ‘in his image.’ They can be cleaned up as sons of the “last Adam.”—1 Corinthians 15:45, 49.
22. (a) How does Isaiah 53:10 show the means by which Christ comes to have children? (b) Does Christ forever keep these children for his very own, or what?
22 Isaiah the prophet, by inspiration, described some of Christ’s sufferings and said, speaking to Jehovah: “If you will set his soul as a guilt offering, he will see his offspring.” (Isaiah 53:10) Christ does not get offspring through the natural method. But as the “Eternal Father” he brings forth a family with his traits, in the manner that Isaiah describes, because Jehovah “set his soul as a guilt offering” for humankind. (Isaiah 9:6) We must keep in mind, however, that Jesus Christ, after bringing them to human perfection, turns purchased and rehabilitated humankind over to Jehovah God, “the Father, to whom every family in heaven and on earth owes its name.”—Ephesians 3:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 15:26, 28.
RANSOM COUNTERACTS SIN
23. How can it be said that the ransom provided through Jesus Christ counteracts sin?
23 Summing up the matter, we can say that the ransom provided through God’s Son counteracts the sin of Adam. Adam’s sin brought everybody down. The ransom, of course, does not save every last human soul, but counteracts the effects of the sin innate in us. How? Every last soul who wants to get free from sin and imperfection can get these wiped out and become wholly clean. Even those resurrected from the dead will have the opportunity to avail themselves of the ransom. (Acts 24:15) Those who do not get life will be persons who do not want Jehovah’s rule over them. They do not love righteousness and hate lawlessness. They are self-condemned, adding their own willful sin to their inherited sin.—John 3:17-21, 36.
24. (a) In the end, will there be anything to show as an “accomplishment” of the rebellious act of Adam? (b) Will Satan’s efforts leave any lasting mark on the universe?
24 Therefore Christ’s atonement sacrifice, administered by his Kingdom rule, completely wipes out what Adam did. The last enemy, death (the death brought to mankind by the sin of Adam), will be brought to nothing. When death is wiped out, then all that Adam did—all that he brought on the human race—will not be here at all. There will not be anything at all left to show for Adam’s sin. (1 Corinthians 15:26, 55-57) And there will be nothing left to show for the sin of the Devil, because, as the Bible says: “For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, namely, to break up the works of the Devil.” (1 John 3:8) Satan will have completely wasted his effort and lost his life. The shadow on the name of God will be totally erased. God’s name will be fully vindicated to all eternity and those who want his sovereignty will be there, alive, to his praise.—Psalm 150.
25. How should our hearts respond as we see what God has done to rescue humankind?
25 What loving-kindness of God! And what love on the part of the Lord Jesus Christ! We can say with the apostle: “O the depth of God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How unsearchable his judgments are and past tracing out his ways are!” (Romans 11:33) Regardless of what things the world may bring to cause doubts and assail our faith, through our having a true appreciation of these things we can exclaim, ‘Such a God is fully deserving of our complete devotion and service!’—See Philippians 3:8, 9.
[Picture on page 69]
Before welcoming a wayward young stranger as a member of his household, the man of the house would want him to get cleaned up
[Picture on page 74]
You were born with sinner Adam as your father . . .
[Picture on page 75]
. . . But you can choose Jesus as your “Eternal Father” |
Jessica’s Report | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101996012 | Jessica’s Report
JESSICA, a 13-year-old girl from the United States, was assigned along with her classmates to give a speech on the theme “God, Flag, and Country.” Knowing that her fellow students were curious about why she as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses did not salute the flag, Jessica courageously took advantage of this opportunity to explain her beliefs. The following are excerpts from her report.
“At the beginning of each school day, students are asked to say the pledge of allegiance, but because of my beliefs and my religion, I do not. Many people wonder why. Now, I’ll tell you.
“The first words of the flag salute are: ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag.’ Well, what is allegiance? It is the obligation of support, loyalty, and devotion. Since I have already pledged my allegiance to God, I cannot and will not pledge my allegiance to the flag. That I do not worship or pledge my allegiance to the flag, though, does not mean that I disrespect it.
“God is most important in my life. I try the best I can to follow his commandments as set out in the Bible. Every day I pray to him, and I also pray when I need extra help or encouragement. I always receive that help and encouragement at the right time. I have found that when I put God first and when I do the things he has commanded us to do, I am happier.
“So although I don’t salute the flag, I do respect it and would not dishonor it in any way. But my allegiance is to God, and rightly so, because he created me and I owe that allegiance to him.”
The students in Jessica’s class were asked to evaluate the reports they heard. How happy Jessica was that as a result of her effort, fellow classmates said they had gained a better understanding of her beliefs. More important, youths who boldly speak up on behalf of Bible principles make Jehovah God’s heart rejoice!—Proverbs 27:11. |
United in Worship (uw)
1983 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/uw | Chapter 5
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 their activity.
WHEN Jehovah created the first human pair, they enjoyed freedom far surpassing any that humans have today. Their home was Paradise. No illness marred their enjoyment of life. Death was not waiting for them. But respect for God’s laws was an important factor in their continuing to have such freedom.
2 Some of those laws may not have been stated in words, but Adam and Eve were made in such a way that it was only natural to obey them. Thus appetite signaled the need to eat; thirst, the need to drink. The setting of the sun encouraged them to get needed rest and sleep. Jehovah also spoke to them and gave them an assignment of work. Actually that assignment was a law, because it would govern their course of action. But what a kindly, beneficial law it was! It gave them work that would be thoroughly satisfying, enabling them to use their faculties to the full in wholesome ways. They were to bring forth children, exercise dominion over earth’s animal life and gradually extend the borders of Paradise until it covered the globe. (Gen. 1:28; 2:15) God did not burden them with unnecessary details. Ample leeway was allowed for them to make decisions. What more could anyone ask?
3. How could Adam have been helped to use wisely his freedom to make decisions?
3 Of course, when Adam was granted the privilege of making decisions, that did not mean that just any decision he might make, no matter what it was, would produce good results. His freedom to make decisions implied responsibility. He could learn by listening to his heavenly Father and observing His works, and God had given Adam intelligence that would enable him to apply what he learned. Since Adam was created “in God’s image,” his natural inclination would be to reflect godly qualities when making decisions. He surely would be careful to do that if he truly appreciated what God had done for him and wanted to please God.—Gen. 1:26, 27; compare John 8:29.
4. (a) Did the restrictive command given to Adam deprive him of freedom? (b) Why was it a fitting requirement?
4 As a reminder of man’s dependence on his Creator and Life-Giver, Jehovah laid this command on him: “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.” (Gen. 2:16, 17) Did that law deprive man of freedom? Certainly not. Adam was free to obey or to disobey. The prohibition imposed no burden. He had an abundance to eat without touching that one tree. However, it was only fitting that he recognize that the earth on which he lived belongs to God and that, as the Creator, God is the rightful Ruler of his creation.—Ps. 24:1, 10.
5. (a) How did Adam and Eve lose the glorious freedom they had? (b) What took its place, and how have we been affected?
5 But what happened? Motivated by selfish ambition, an angel deceived Eve by posing as a true guide, assuring her of something contrary to God’s will. Rather than obeying his Father, Adam joined Eve in transgression. By grasping for something that did not belong to them, Adam and Eve lost the glorious freedom that they had. Sin became their master and, as God had warned, death positively awaited them. As a result, what inheritance was passed on to their offspring? Sin, manifest in an inborn tendency toward wrongdoing, in weaknesses that make one susceptible to disease and in eventual deterioration through aging. Also death. The inherited inclination toward wrongdoing, aggravated by Satanic influence, has produced a society in which life has become precarious for everyone. What a contrast to the freedom that God gave mankind at the beginning!—Rom. 5:12; Job 14:1; Rev. 12:9.
Where Freedom Can Be Found
6. (a) Where can real freedom be found? (b) About what kind of freedom was Jesus speaking at John 8:31, 32?
6 In view of conditions today, it is no surprise that people long for greater freedom than what they have. But where can real freedom be found? Jesus Christ 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 limited kind that men hope for when they reject one political ruler or form of government in favor of another. Instead, it gets right to the core of human problems. What Jesus was discussing was freedom from sin, slavish bondage to sin. (See John 8:24, 34-36.) Thus if a person becomes a true disciple of Jesus Christ, this results in a notable change in his life, a liberation.
7. (a) In what sense, then, can we be free from sin now? (b) To have that freedom, what must we do?
7 That does not mean that at present true Christians no longer feel the effects of the inborn tendency toward sinful conduct. On the contrary, they have a struggle because of it. (Rom. 7:21-25) But if a person really lives in harmony with Jesus’ teachings, he will no longer be an abject slave to sin. Sin will no longer be to him like a king that gives orders that he obeys. He will no longer be trapped in a way of life that lacks purpose and that leaves him with a disturbed 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 will show that sin is not his master.—Rom. 6:12-17.
8. (a) What further freedom does true Christianity give us? (b) How should this affect our attitude toward secular rulers?
8 As Christians we enjoy great freedom. We have been liberated from the effects of false teachings, from bondage to superstition and servitude to sin. The grand truths about the condition of the dead and the resurrection have freed us from the unreasoning fear of violent death that causes men to suppress their conscience. Knowledge that imperfect human governments will be replaced by God’s righteous Kingdom frees us from hopelessness. But such freedom does not justify disregard for law or disrespect for governmental officials on the premise that soon the old system will be gone.—1 Pet. 2:16, 17; Titus 3:1, 2.
9. (a) How does Jehovah lovingly help us to enjoy the greatest measure of freedom now possible for humans? (b) In making decisions, how can we show that we clearly understand what resulted from Adam’s abuse of his freedom?
9 Jehovah does not leave us to figure out by trial and error which is the best way to live. He knows how we are made, what will bring us genuine outputment and a feeling of personal dignity, and what will be most lastingly beneficial for us. He also knows his own time schedule for carrying out his purpose and, therefore, the activities in which it is most worth while for us to engage. He likewise is aware of thoughts and conduct that can degrade a person or spoil his relations with others, even bar him from the blessings of God’s Kingdom. Lovingly he informs us of these things through the Bible and by means of his visible organization. (Gal. 5:19-23; Mark 13:10; compare 1 Timothy 1:12, 13.) Then it is up to us, using our God-given free will, to decide how we are going to respond. If we have taken to heart what the Bible tells us about how Adam lost the freedom given to mankind at the start, we will make those decisions wisely. We will show that a good relationship with Jehovah is our main concern in life.
Craving Another Kind of Freedom
10. What kind of freedom have some who professed to be Christians reached out for?
10 At times some young folks raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as others not so young, get to feeling that they want another kind of freedom. The world may appear glamorous, and the more they think about it the stronger becomes their desire to do things that worldly people do. They may not plan to get high on drugs, to drink too much or to commit fornication. But they begin to spend time after school or after work hours with worldly associates. Of course, they want to be accepted by their new associates, so they begin to imitate their speech and their conduct.—3 John 11.
11. From where does the enticement to do this sometimes come?
11 Sometimes the enticement to indulge in worldly conduct comes from another person who professes to be serving Jehovah. That was what happened in Eden when Satan seduced Eve, and then when Eve urged Adam to join her. It was also true among early Christians, and the same thing happens in our day. Such persons often love excitement and crave things that bring intense pleasure. They urge others to “have some fun.” They ‘promise freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption.’—2 Pet. 2:18, 19.
12. (a) What are the sad results of worldly conduct? (b) If those involved know the outcome, why do they insist on doing such things?
12 The fruitage is not pleasant. Illicit sex results in emotional turmoil. It may also lead to disease, unwanted pregnancy and possibly the breakup of a marriage. (Prov. 6:32-35; 1 Cor. 6:18; 1 Thess. 4:3-8) Drug abuse can produce irritability, slurred speech, blurred vision, dizziness, impaired ability to breathe, hallucinations and death. (Compare Proverbs 23:29-35.) It can result in addiction, which may lead to crime in order to support the habit. Those who get involved in such conduct usually know what the outcome can be. But their craving for excitement and for sensual pleasure causes them to shut their mind to the consequences. They tell themselves it is freedom, but then they find out, too late, that they are slaves of sin, and what a cruel master sin is! Reasoning on the matter now can help to safeguard us against such an experience.—Gal. 6:7, 8.
Where the Problems Begin
13. (a) How do the desires that lead to these problems often get stirred up? (b) To understand what “bad associations” are, whose viewpoint do we need? (c) As you answer the questions at the end of the paragraph, emphasize Jehovah’s viewpoint. Comment on just one question at a time.
13 Stop and think about where those 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.” (Jas. 1:14, 15) But how do those desires get stirred up? By what goes into the mind, and often this is as a result of association with people who do not apply Bible principles. Of course, we all know that we should avoid “bad associations.” But the question is, Which associations are bad? How does Jehovah view the matter? Reasoning on the following questions and scriptures should help us to arrive at proper conclusions.
Does the fact that certain people seem to be honorable mean that they will be good associates? (Compare Genesis 34:1, 2, 18, 19.)
Could their conversation, perhaps their jokes, indicate whether we belong in close company with them? (Eph. 5:3, 4)
Is there any reason for us to be concerned if they do not happen to believe the same things regarding God’s purpose that we do? (Compare 1 Corinthians 15:12, 32, 33.)
How would Jehovah feel if we chose the association of people who do not love him? (Compare 2 Chronicles 19:1, 2.)
Although we may work with unbelievers or go to school with them, how can we show that we do not choose them as associates? (1 Pet. 4:3, 4)
Viewing television and reading books, magazines and newspapers are also ways of associating with others. Against what type of material from these sources is there special need to be on guard these days? (Prov. 3:31; Isa. 8:19; Eph. 4:17-19)
What does our choice of associates tell Jehovah as to the kind of persons we are? (Ps. 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 Order. By means of His Kingdom mankind will be freed of the enslaving influence of Satan and his entire wicked system of things. Gradually all the effects of sin will be removed from mankind. Eternal life in Paradise will lie before them. Freedom that is in full harmony with “the spirit of Jehovah” will eventually be enjoyed by all creation. (2 Cor. 3:17) Would it make sense to risk losing all of that because of treating lightly the counsel of God’s Word now? By the way in which we exercise our Christian freedom today may we all show clearly that what we really want is “the glorious freedom of the children of God.”—Rom. 8:21.
Review Discussion
● What kind of freedom did the first human pair enjoy? How does that compare with what mankind is experiencing now?
● In contrast with the world, what freedom do true Christians have? How is this possible?
● What price is paid by those who seek the kind of freedom that the world has?
● Why is it so important to avoid “bad associations”? Unlike Adam, whose decisions as to what is bad do we accept? |
Isaiah’s Prophecy I (ip-1)
2000 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ip-1 | Chapter Twenty-six
“No Resident Will Say: ‘I Am Sick’”
Isaiah 33:1-24
1. Why are the words of Isaiah 33:24 comforting?
“ALL creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.” So said the apostle Paul. (Romans 8:22) Despite advances in medical science, sickness and death continue to plague the human race. How wonderful, then, the promise that climaxes this part of Isaiah’s prophecy is! Imagine the time when “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” (Isaiah 33:24) When and how will this promise be fulfilled?
2, 3. (a) In what way is the nation of Israel sick? (b) How does Assyria serve as God’s “rod” of discipline?
2 Isaiah is writing at a time when God’s covenant people are sick spiritually. (Isaiah 1:5, 6) They have plunged so deeply into apostasy and immorality that they need severe discipline from Jehovah God. Assyria serves as Jehovah’s “rod” to administer that discipline. (Isaiah 7:17; 10:5, 15) First, the northern ten-tribe kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians in the year 740 B.C.E. (2 Kings 17:1-18; 18:9-11) A few years later, King Sennacherib of Assyria launches an all-out attack on the southern kingdom of Judah. (2 Kings 18:13; Isaiah 36:1) As the Assyrian juggernaut sweeps through the land, Judah’s complete annihilation seems inevitable.
3 But Assyria, going beyond its mandate to discipline God’s people, is now pursuing its own greedy ambition for world conquest. (Isaiah 10:7-11) Will Jehovah allow its brutal mistreatment of his people to go unpunished? Will there be a healing of the nation’s spiritual illness? In Isaiah chapter 33, we read Jehovah’s answers to these questions.
Despoiling the Despoiler
4, 5. (a) What reversal will Assyria experience? (b) What prayer does Isaiah offer on behalf of Jehovah’s people?
4 The prophecy begins: “Woe to you who are despoiling, without you yourself being despoiled, and to you who are dealing treacherously, without others having dealt treacherously with you! As soon as you have finished as a despoiler, you will be despoiled. As soon as you have done with dealing treacherously, they will deal treacherously with you.” (Isaiah 33:1) Isaiah directly addresses the despoiler, Assyria. At the peak of its power, that aggressive nation seems unbeatable. It has ‘despoiled without being despoiled,’ ravaging the cities of Judah, even stripping the house of Jehovah of its wealth—and doing so with seeming impunity! (2 Kings 18:14-16; 2 Chronicles 28:21) Now, though, the tables will be turned. “You will be despoiled,” Isaiah boldly declares. How comforting this prophecy is to faithful ones!
5 During that frightening period of time, loyal worshipers of Jehovah will need to turn to him for help. Isaiah thus prays: “O Jehovah, show us favor. In you we have hoped. Become our arm [of strength and support] every morning, yes, our salvation in the time of distress. At the sound of turmoil peoples have fled. At your arising nations have been dispersed.” (Isaiah 33:2, 3) Appropriately, Isaiah prays that Jehovah deliver His people as He has done many times in the past. (Psalm 44:3; 68:1) And no sooner does Isaiah offer this prayer than he foretells Jehovah’s answer to it!
6. What will happen to Assyria, and why is this fitting?
6 “The spoil of you people [the Assyrians] will actually be gathered like the cockroaches when gathering in, like the onrush of locust swarms that is rushing against one.” (Isaiah 33:4) Judah is familiar with devastating insect invasions. This time, though, it is Judah’s enemies that will be devastated. Assyria will suffer a humiliating defeat, and its soldiers will be forced to flee, leaving behind a great spoil for the inhabitants of Judah to collect! It is only fitting that Assyria, known for its cruelty, will experience being despoiled.—Isaiah 37:36.
The Modern-Day Assyrian
7. (a) Who today can be compared to the spiritually sick nation of Israel? (b) Who will serve as Jehovah’s “rod” to destroy Christendom?
7 How does Isaiah’s prophecy apply in our day? The spiritually sick nation of Israel can be compared to unfaithful Christendom. Just as Jehovah used Assyria as a “rod” to punish Israel, so he will use a “rod” to punish Christendom—as well as the rest of the world empire of false religion, “Babylon the Great.” (Isaiah 10:5; Revelation 18:2-8) That “rod” will be member nations of the United Nations—an organization pictured in Revelation as a seven-headed, ten-horned, scarlet-colored wild beast.—Revelation 17:3, 15-17.
8. (a) Who today can be compared to Sennacherib? (b) Who will the modern-day Sennacherib be emboldened to attack, and with what outcome?
8 When the modern-day Assyrian rampages throughout the realm of false religion, it will appear to be unstoppable. With an attitude like that of Sennacherib, Satan the Devil will be emboldened to strike out—not only against apostate organizations deserving of punishment but also against true Christians. Alongside the remaining ones of Jehovah’s anointed spiritual sons, millions who have come out of Satan’s world, which includes Babylon the Great, take their stand for Jehovah’s Kingdom. Angered at the refusal of true Christians to pay him homage, “the god of this system of things,” Satan, will launch an all-out attack against them. (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ezekiel 38:10-16) As terrifying as this attack will no doubt be, Jehovah’s people will not need to cower in fear. (Isaiah 10:24, 25) They have assurance from God that he will be their “salvation in the time of distress.” He will intervene, bringing devastation upon Satan and his crowd. (Ezekiel 38:18-23) Just as in ancient times, those trying to despoil God’s people will themselves be despoiled! (Compare Proverbs 13:22b.) Jehovah’s name will be sanctified, and survivors will be rewarded for having sought “wisdom and knowledge [and] the fear of Jehovah.”—Read Isaiah 33:5, 6.
A Warning to Faithless Ones
9. (a) What will Judah’s “heroes” and “messengers of peace” do? (b) How will the Assyrian respond to peace initiatives from Judah?
9 What, though, will be the fate of faithless ones in Judah? Isaiah paints a grim picture of their impending doom at the hands of Assyria. (Read Isaiah 33:7.) Judah’s military “heroes” cry out in fear at the Assyrian advance. “Messengers of peace,” diplomats sent to negotiate peace with the warlike Assyrians, face mockery and humiliation. They will weep bitterly over their failure. (Compare Jeremiah 8:15.) The brutal Assyrian will not pity them. (Read Isaiah 33:8, 9.) He will ruthlessly ignore covenants he has made with the inhabitants of Judah. (2 Kings 18:14-16) The Assyrian will ‘contemn the cities’ of Judah, viewing them with contempt and scorn, having no regard for human life. The situation will be so devastating that the land itself will, as it were, mourn. Lebanon, Sharon, Bashan, and Carmel will likewise mourn over the desolation.
10. (a) How will Christendom’s “heroes” prove to be ineffective? (b) Who will protect genuine Christians during Christendom’s day of distress?
10 Similar circumstances will no doubt develop in the near future as the nations begin their assault on religion. As in Hezekiah’s day, physical resistance to these destructive forces will be futile. Christendom’s “heroes”—its politicians, financiers, and other people of influence—will be unable to come to her aid. Political and financial ‘covenants,’ or agreements, designed to protect Christendom’s interests will be violated. (Isaiah 28:15-18) Frantic attempts to stave off destruction by diplomacy will fail. Commercial activities will come to a halt, as Christendom’s properties and investments are confiscated or destroyed. Any who still have friendly feelings toward Christendom will do little more than stand at a safe distance and mourn her passing. (Revelation 18:9-19) Will true Christianity be swept away with the false? No, for Jehovah himself gives this assurance: “‘Now I will rise up,’ says Jehovah, ‘now I will exalt myself; now I will lift myself up.’” (Isaiah 33:10) Finally, Jehovah will intervene in behalf of faithful ones, like Hezekiah, and halt the Assyrian’s advance.—Psalm 12:5.
11, 12. (a) When and how do the words of Isaiah 33:11-14 find fulfillment? (b) Jehovah’s words give what warning for today?
11 The unfaithful cannot count on such protection. Jehovah says: “You people conceive dried grass; you will give birth to stubble. Your own spirit, as a fire, will eat you up. And peoples must become as the burnings of lime. As thorns cut away, they will be set ablaze even with fire. Hear, you men who are far away, what I must do! And know, you who are nearby, my mightiness. In Zion the sinners have come to be in dread; shivering has grabbed hold of the apostates: ‘Who of us can reside for any time with a devouring fire? Who of us can reside for any time with long-lasting conflagrations?’” (Isaiah 33:11-14) These words evidently apply to the time when Judah faces a new enemy, Babylon. After the death of Hezekiah, Judah reverts to her wicked ways. Over the next few decades, conditions in Judah deteriorate to the point where the entire nation has to suffer the fire of God’s anger.—Deuteronomy 32:22.
12 Wicked plans and schemes hatched by disobedient ones to avert God’s judgment prove to be of no more substance than stubble. In fact, the proud, rebellious spirit of the nation will actually trigger the events leading to its destruction. (Jeremiah 52:3-11) Wicked ones will “become as the burnings of lime”—utterly destroyed! As they contemplate this impending doom, the rebellious inhabitants of Judah experience a sickening dread. Jehovah’s words to unfaithful Judah illustrate the situation of Christendom’s members today. If they do not heed God’s warning, a grim future awaits them.
“Walking in Continual Righteousness”
13. What promise is made to one “walking in continual righteousness,” and how was it fulfilled in Jeremiah’s case?
13 By way of contrast, Jehovah next says: “There is one who is walking in continual righteousness and speaking what is upright, who is rejecting the unjust gain from frauds, who is shaking his hands clear from taking hold on a bribe, who is stopping up his ear from listening to bloodshed, and who is closing his eyes so as not to see what is bad. He is the one that will reside on the heights themselves; his secure height will be craggy places difficult to approach. His own bread will certainly be given him; his water supply will be unfailing.” (Isaiah 33:15, 16) As the apostle Peter later expresses it, “Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off.” (2 Peter 2:9) Jeremiah experienced such deliverance. During the Babylonian siege, people had to “eat bread by weight and in anxious care.” (Ezekiel 4:16) Some women even ate the flesh of their own children. (Lamentations 2:20) Yet, Jehovah saw to it that Jeremiah was kept safe.
14. How can Christians today keep “walking in continual righteousness”?
14 Christians today must likewise ‘walk in continual righteousness,’ daily observing Jehovah’s standards. (Psalm 15:1-5) They must ‘speak what is upright’ and reject lying and untruth. (Proverbs 3:32) Fraud and bribery may be common in many lands, but they are repugnant to one “walking in continual righteousness.” Christians must also keep “an honest conscience” in business dealings, studiously avoiding shady or fraudulent schemes. (Hebrews 13:18; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10) And one who has ‘stopped up his ear from listening to bloodshed and closed his eyes so as not to see what is bad’ will be selective in his choice of music and entertainment. (Psalm 119:37) During his day of judgment, Jehovah will protect and sustain his worshipers, who live by such standards.—Zephaniah 2:3.
Beholding Their King
15. What promise will sustain faithful Jewish exiles?
15 Isaiah next gives this glowing glimpse of the future: “A king in his handsomeness is what your eyes will behold; they will see a land far away. Your own heart will comment in low tones on a frightful thing: ‘Where is the secretary? Where is the one that does the paying out? Where is the one counting the towers?’ No insolent people will you see, a people too deep in language to listen to, of a stammering tongue without your understanding.” (Isaiah 33:17-19) The promise of the future Messianic King and his Kingdom will sustain faithful Jews during the long decades of exile in Babylon, even though they can see that Kingdom only from afar. (Hebrews 11:13) When Messiah’s rule finally becomes a reality, the Babylonian tyranny will be a distant memory. Survivors of the attack of the Assyrian will happily ask: “Where are the tyrant’s officers, who taxed us, charged us, took our tribute?”—Isaiah 33:18, Moffatt.
16. Since when have God’s people been able to “behold” the Messianic King, and with what result?
16 Although Isaiah’s words guarantee a restoration from Babylonian captivity, individual Jewish exiles will have to await the resurrection to enjoy the complete fulfillment of this part of the prophecy. What about God’s servants today? Since 1914, Jehovah’s people have been able to “behold,” or discern, the Messianic King, Jesus Christ, in all his spiritual beauty. (Psalm 45:2; 118:22-26) As a result, they have experienced deliverance from the oppression and control of Satan’s wicked system. Under Zion, the seat of God’s Kingdom, they enjoy true spiritual security.
17. (a) What promises are made regarding Zion? (b) How are Jehovah’s promises regarding Zion fulfilled on the Messianic Kingdom and on its supporters on earth?
17 Isaiah continues: “Behold Zion, the town of our festal occasions! Your own eyes will see Jerusalem an undisturbed abiding place, a tent that no one will pack up. Never will its tent pins be pulled out, and none of its ropes will be torn in two. But there the Majestic One, Jehovah, will be for us a place of rivers, of wide canals. On it no galley fleet will go, and no majestic ship will pass over it.” (Isaiah 33:20, 21) Isaiah assures us that God’s Messianic Kingdom cannot be uprooted or destroyed. Moreover, such protection clearly extends to faithful Kingdom supporters on earth today. Even if many individuals are put to severe tests, subjects of God’s Kingdom are assured that no effort to destroy them as a congregation can possibly succeed. (Isaiah 54:17) Jehovah will protect his people in the way that a moat or canal protects a city. Any enemy coming up against them—even one as powerful as a “galley fleet” or a “majestic ship”—will face destruction!
18. What responsibility does Jehovah accept?
18 Why, though, can lovers of God’s Kingdom feel so confident of divine protection? Explains Isaiah: “Jehovah is our Judge, Jehovah is our Statute-giver, Jehovah is our King; he himself will save us.” (Isaiah 33:22) Jehovah accepts the responsibility of protecting and directing his people, who recognize his position as Supreme Sovereign. These willingly submit to his rule through his Messianic King, recognizing that Jehovah has the authority not only to make laws but also to enforce them. However, because Jehovah is a lover of righteousness and justice, his rule, through his Son, is not a burden to his worshipers. Rather, they ‘benefit themselves’ by submitting to his authority. (Isaiah 48:17) He will never abandon his loyal ones.—Psalm 37:28.
19. How does Isaiah describe the ineffectiveness of enemies of Jehovah’s faithful people?
19 Isaiah tells enemies of Jehovah’s faithful people: “Your ropes must hang loose; their mast they will not hold firmly erect; they have not spread a sail. At that time even spoil in abundance will have to be divided up; the lame ones themselves will actually take a big plunder.” (Isaiah 33:23) Any approaching enemy will prove to be as ineffective and helpless against Jehovah as a warship with loose rigging, a wobbling mast, and no sail. The destruction of God’s enemies will result in so much spoil that even disabled ones will share in taking plunder. We can therefore be confident that through the King Jesus Christ, Jehovah will triumph over his enemies in the coming “great tribulation.”—Revelation 7:14.
A Healing
20. God’s people will experience what kind of healing, and when?
20 This section of Isaiah’s prophecy concludes with a heartwarming promise: “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’ The people that are dwelling in the land will be those pardoned for their error.” (Isaiah 33:24) The sickness that Isaiah speaks of is primarily spiritual, for it is connected with sin, or “error.” In the first application of these words, Jehovah promises that after their release from Babylonian captivity, the nation will be healed spiritually. (Isaiah 35:5, 6; Jeremiah 33:6; compare Psalm 103:1-5.) Having been forgiven for their former sins, the returning Jews will reestablish pure worship in Jerusalem.
21. In what ways do Jehovah’s worshipers today experience spiritual healing?
21 However, Isaiah’s prophecy has a modern fulfillment. Jehovah’s people today have also enjoyed a spiritual healing. They have been liberated from such false teachings as the immortality of the soul, the Trinity, and hellfire. They receive moral guidance, freeing them from immoral practices and helping them to make good decisions. And thanks to the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, they have a clean standing before God and enjoy a clean conscience. (Colossians 1:13, 14; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 4:10) This spiritual healing has physical benefits. For example, avoiding immoral sex and the use of tobacco products protects Christians against sexually transmitted diseases and certain forms of cancer.—1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
22, 23. (a) What grand fulfillment will Isaiah 33:24 have in the future? (b) What is the resolve of true worshipers today?
22 Moreover, there will be a grander fulfillment of the words of Isaiah 33:24 after Armageddon, in God’s new world. Under the rulership of the Messianic Kingdom, humans will experience a great physical healing along with their spiritual healing. (Revelation 21:3, 4) Shortly after the destruction of Satan’s system of things, miracles like those that Jesus performed while on earth will no doubt take place on a global scale. The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk! (Isaiah 35:5, 6) This will allow all survivors of the great tribulation to share in the grand work of bringing the earth to a paradisaic condition.
23 Later, when the resurrection begins, those coming back to life will no doubt be raised with good health. But as the value of the ransom sacrifice is applied to an increasing extent, more physical benefits will ensue, until mankind is lifted to perfection. Then, righteous ones will “come to life” in the fullest sense. (Revelation 20:5, 6) At that time, in both a spiritual and a physical way, “No resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” What an exciting promise! May all true worshipers today resolve to be among those who will experience its fulfillment!
[Picture on page 344]
Isaiah prays confidently to Jehovah
[Pictures on page 353]
Thanks to the ransom sacrifice, Jehovah’s people have a clean standing before him
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In the new world, there will be a great physical healing |
‘Know Jehovah’ (kj)
1971 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/kj | Chapter 14
Hypocritical Religionists Stunned at the News
1. How will hypocritical religionists feel or what will they hope when the “great tribulation” strikes Christendom?
WITH stunning impact will the news of Christendom’s destruction strike hypocritical religionists who are related to her. They will feel it when the foretold “great tribulation” begins upon her. Yet they may hope that because of her former ability to endure she will survive the tribulation, contrary to Bible prophecy. They may hope desperately that the worst will not come to a thing that has been so sacred to them.
2. Why do such religionists not expect Christendom to be destroyed, but how will they be affected by her destruction, as pantomimed by the prophet Ezekiel before his fellow exiles?
2 Because they have religiously attached God’s name to it, they may feel that God and his Son Jesus Christ will never permit Christendom to be destroyed. But how stunned they will be when he does permit it in verification of his prophecy! Just how dumbfounded and stunned they will be the prophet Ezekiel was instructed to pantomime in the seventh century before our Common Era. About two years later, what Ezekiel had pantomimed his fellow exiles imitated in real life, this proving that he had been a true sign or portent. That fulfillment back there became in itself a prophetic event to foreshadow how the hypocritical religionists of our time would be stunned at the report of Christendom’s destruction.
3, 4. Was it by modern-day radio means of communication, or how did Ezekiel learn on the same day what happened to Jerusalem far away?
3 Lightning-speed reporting of events by means of radio and television broadcasting with the aid of man-made satellites that are used as deflectors of radio waves is a marvel of our twentieth century. Yet, without the aid of such modern devices, the Creator of the universe and of its natural forces transmitted highly important news to his prophet Ezekiel instantaneously, with lightning speed. By the ordinary means of communication during those days of the camel train and the horse chariot, Ezekiel could never have learned on the very same day of its occurrence what was happening at Jerusalem more than five hundred miles southwest from his city of exile in Babylon, Tel-abib. And yet he did so! By what means? It was not by means of any fire-signal system or by drumbeating, but was as he informs us in these dated words:
4 “And the word of Jehovah continued to occur to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, saying: ‘Son of man, write down for yourself the name of the day, this selfsame day. The king of Babylon has thrown himself against Jerusalem on this selfsame day.’”—Ezekiel 24:1, 2.
5. How was Jehovah able to notify Ezekiel instantaneously, and in what lunar month of what year?
5 Ezekiel did not see on any television screen, by means of direct telecasting, this beginning of the eighteen-month-long siege of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. But, unaided by television, Jehovah saw it directly and immediately reported it to Ezekiel. This was in the ninth year of Ezekiel’s exile in Babylon and at the same time the ninth year of the last king of Jerusalem, namely, Zedekiah, whom Nebuchadnezzar himself had installed on the throne. This means the year 609 B.C.E. The tenth month, as counted from the spring month of Nisan according to the Jewish calendar, came to be called Tebeth.
6. So at what season of the northern year did Nebuchadnezzar attack Jerusalem, and how is the date confirmed elsewhere in the Bible?
6 The tenth day of the month Tebeth would correspond with what would ordinarily be toward the end of our month December. Jehovah had already prophetically described to Ezekiel what King Nebuchadnezzar on the march would do to reach his decision to attack Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 21:18-23) Despite its being the time of the northern winter, King Nebuchadnezzar began his assault upon rebellious Jerusalem, as it were, throwing himself against it. This is the same date given for this in 2 Kings 24:20; 25:1 and Jeremiah 52:3, 4. So that day Ezekiel was told to depict what would happen.
7. According to Ezekiel 24:3-5, what was Ezekiel told to do with a widemouthed cooking pot?
7 Jehovah instructs Ezekiel how to do so, saying: “And compose a proverbial saying concerning the rebellious house, and you must say concerning them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: “Put the widemouthed cooking pot on; put it on, and also pour water into it. Gather pieces in it, every good piece, thigh and shoulder; fill it even with the choicest bones. Let there be a taking of the choicest sheep, and also stack the logs in a circle under it. Boil its pieces, also cook its bones in the midst of it.”’”—Ezekiel 24:3-5.
8. What did the boiling of water in the pot picture, and what did the pieces of the sheep put therein picture?
8 Years before, according to Ezekiel 11:6-11, the residents of Jerusalem had likened her to a widemouthed cooking pot with themselves safely ensconced within it. Jehovah now uses this same picture. Filling the metallic widemouthed cooking pot with water for boiling would therefore picture what was happening that selfsame day of Tebeth 10, 609 B.C.E., that is to say, the siege of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon. The stacking of the logs underneath and the setting of them afire would comport with this thought. The siege now begun would gradually make it hot like boiling water for those inside Jerusalem. The pieces of flesh put into the pot would picture those inside the city, including the refugees that fled to it from before the advancing armies of Babylon. The good pieces put in would picture those of the better social class of the city, especially the king and his princes. Since the bones make up the framework that supports the fleshly body, the “choicest bones” would picture those that held up the structure of the national organism, namely, the military commanders and their staff of officers. All were to “cook” during the siege.
9. Jerusalem was like what condition of a cooking pot, and how had she treated the blood that was shed in her?
9 Was Jerusalem as a symbolic cooking pot worth preserving? Listen! “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘Woe to the city of deeds of bloodshed, the widemouthed cooking pot, the rust of which is in it, and the very rust of which has not gone forth from it! Piece by piece of it, bring it out; no lot must be cast over it. For its very blood has come to be right in the midst of it. Upon the shining, bare surface of a crag she placed it. She did not pour it out upon the earth, in order to cover it over with dust. In order to bring up rage for the executing of vengeance, I have put her blood upon the shining, bare surface of a crag, in order that it may not be covered over.’”—Ezekiel 24:6-8.
10. To what was the scum on the sides of Jerusalem as a cooking pot due, and how would Jehovah treat her blood similarly to the way that she treated the blood violently shed by her?
10 Sometime earlier Jehovah had given a scathing denunciation of Jerusalem, addressing her as a “city that is shedding blood in her midst till her time comes,” and detailing the reasons why she has shed so much blood. (Ezekiel 22:3-12) The moral scum and filth within her could not be washed out but clung to her sides, causing a rust to the sides of her as a symbolic cooking pot. She had a low regard for human blood, the blood of her victims, not even pouring it out on the ground and covering it over with dust, as God’s law commanded to be done in the case of the blood of a hunted animal. (Leviticus 17:13, 14) No, but, shamelessly, Jerusalem poured out the violently shed blood upon the shining, bare surface of a crag for it to be openly exposed as a testimony to her criminality. This contempt for human blood stirred up Jehovah’s rage, inducing him to execute vengeance upon the wanton shedder of blood. As she had done, he would do. He would not let her bloodstained record be covered over, but would expose it to public gaze like blood on a dustless, shining, bare surface of a crag!
11. What was to be done to the gory criminals inside Jerusalem, and what was to be done with her herself?
11 The gory criminals in Jerusalem must be brought out to justice. Bring them out indiscriminately, without selective lots being cast over them, but, as it were, bring “piece by piece of it” out of the symbolic cooking pot, Jerusalem. Now that the siege of Jerusalem had begun, “woe” was in store for her that would not end until she was destroyed together with all her scum.
DRASTIC ACTION NEEDED TOWARD CHRISTENDOM
12. The exposing of Jerusalem’s bloodstained record reminds us of the bloodguilt of whom else, and in what will the “siege” of this latter one culminate?
12 The charge of bloodguilt on the part of ancient Jerusalem calls up vividly before our minds the tremendous amount of bloodshed of which her modern-day counterpart, Christendom, is guilty. We can plainly see it as if it too were drenching the shining, bare surface of a crag, unable to be covered from men and angels. When the siege of her begins with the start of the “great tribulation,” it will spell woe for her that will culminate in her destruction.—Matthew 24:15-22.
13. What “proverbial saying” applies to Christendom, as set out in Ezekiel 24:9-12?
13 To Christendom applies the “proverbial saying” that was directed to Jerusalem her prototype: “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, ‘Woe to the city of deeds of bloodshed! I myself also shall make the pile great. Make the logs many. Kindle the fire. Boil the flesh thoroughly. And empty out the broth, and let the bones themselves become piping hot. Stand it empty upon its coals in order that it may get hot; and its copper must become heated up, and its uncleanness must be liquefied in the midst of it. Let its rust get consumed. Troubles! It has made one tired, but the great amount of its rust does not go forth from it. Into the fire with its rust!’”—Ezekiel 24:9-12.
14. Since the scum-covered rust of the symbolic cooking pot, Jerusalem, could not be washed away, what did Jehovah see to be necessary for the city, and for whom else does that go?
14 Jehovah saw what the gory, scummy city deserved. It must be enveloped in a big blaze as from a great pile of logs. Due to the long-continued cooking at the boiling point her military commanders and officers must get unbearably hot with the increasing intensity of the Babylonian siege, and the other inhabitants, like overcooked flesh, must be reduced to a state like broth with no texture or stability. Out with all of them! Empty out the city completely when it falls to the Babylonian besiegers! Put it like an emptied cooking pot of copper upon the fire of destruction, because of the scum-covered rust that still clings to its sides. Since the filthy rust cannot be washed off, burn it off! Yes, melt down the whole symbolic cooking pot (Jerusalem), to separate the dross from it. Let the fire of the destruction of the bloodguilty city also completely destroy her moral filth, scum and rust. And that goes for her modern-day counterpart, Christendom, too!
15. What does Jehovah say directly to Jerusalem regarding the matter of cleansing, and according to what on her part will judgments be executed upon her?
15 Jehovah herewith addresses himself directly to Jerusalem to explain why he must take such drastic measures toward her: “‘There was loose conduct in your uncleanness. For that reason I had to cleanse you, but you did not become clean from your uncleanness. You will become clean no more until I cause my rage to come to its rest in your case. I myself, Jehovah, have spoken. It must come, and I will act. I shall not neglect, neither shall I feel sorry nor feel regret. According to your ways and according to your dealings they will certainly judge you,’ is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 24:13, 14.
16. What did the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem prove as to her past conduct, and when first would his rage be brought to rest?
16 On that recorded date, Tebeth 10, 609 B.C.E., the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem for the third and last time had begun. This fact proved that the Kingdom of Judah under Jerusalem had refused to be cleansed from her spiritually loose conduct. Her uncleanness was like the scum and filth that created rust on the sides of a copper pot and that could not be scoured away but that had to be destroyed by melting down the cooking pot itself. The symbolic cooking pot was now in the fire, now that this siege by the Babylonians had begun. The persisting uncleanness of Jerusalem would never be cleansed away until Jehovah was obliged to bring his rage to rest by having the bloodguilty Jerusalem destroyed.
17. Since Jehovah had spoken his mind, was regret on his part to be expected, or what?
17 Rage, not sympathetic sorrow, was to be expressed to the full, and Jehovah would feel no regret for his extreme measures taken against Jerusalem. He had spoken his mind, and it must not fail in coming true. He would not be negligent in bringing it to pass. His Babylonian executors of divine judgment would mete out to Jerusalem the judgment that she deserved for ungodly ways and deeds. She had to be destroyed, just as her imitator, Christendom, has to be.
18. What material things and human lives were involved with Jerusalem’s destruction, and how would violent taking away of such things affect the older survivors?
18 “O, have a heart!” a person might be inclined to say to God at this point. Why? Because Jerusalem then contained the magnificent temple that had been built by King Solomon, and so the wrecking of Jerusalem meant the wrecking of the sacred temple that the Jews regarded as a charm against disaster. (Jeremiah 7:1-11) And another thing: The older Jews who had been carried off into exile in Babylon had left behind sons and daughters in Jerusalem and Judah, and, if Jerusalem were destroyed, it would mean death for those sons and daughters. Were not these things precious to these Jews who were involved? Would not the violent taking away of these things be a jarring shock to their sensibilities, stunning them? Would not a corresponding disaster today have the like effect upon those who are sympathetically involved with Christendom? That it would do so, the prophet Ezekiel was called upon to dramatize in a prophetic manner. How he did so he describes in these words:
19. Ezekiel was told to dramatize in what prophetic way the effect of the taking away of desirable things?
19 “And the word of Jehovah continued to occur to me, saying: ‘Son of man, here I am taking away from you the thing desirable to your eyes by a blow, and you should not beat your breast, neither should you weep nor should your tears come on. Sigh without words. For the dead ones no mourning should you make. Your headdress bind on yourself, and your sandals you should put upon your feet. And you should not cover over the mustache, and the bread of men you should not eat.’”—Ezekiel 24:15-17.
20. At Ezekiel’s having to act in that way, what question about him arises, and what would the strangeness of his acting thus indicate about some future blow?
20 Why act that way? What was about to happen? Was there to be a death that would affect Ezekiel? Evidently so, since it was something desirable to Ezekiel’s eyes that Jehovah would take away by a blow or stroke. Was it to be the wife of this thirty-four-year-old man? Events before midnight would reveal the victim of the blow or stroke. But after it occurred, Ezekiel was to offer no visible or audible sign of grief. He was to put on his headdress, all neatly tied up, and not letting any of it hang down over his face and cover his upper lip. He was not to go barefoot, as King David had long ago done in his grief. (2 Samuel 15:30) After the burial of the one taken away by the blow or stroke, Ezekiel was not to let his sympathizers prepare a consolation meal for him and thus give him something to eat. Why act in this strange, unusual way? It was in order to picture how stunned at a dire calamity a person could become, how expressionless. To produce such an effect the calamity would have to be specially severe, overwhelming.
21. Under the circumstances, why would Ezekiel have to exercise great self-control, and why did he offer no complaint?
21 In order to provide such a prophetic picture Ezekiel had to go through a hard, trying experience and exercise great self-control over his natural human emotions. But he was willing to have this take place if it meant for him to serve as Jehovah’s prophetic instrument, and he offered no complaint. How he obediently did what he was told to do and why, he tells us:
22. What happened to Ezekiel in the evening, how did he act, and what explanation from Jehovah did he give to the inquirers?
22 “And I proceeded to speak to the people in the morning, and my wife gradually died in the evening. So I did in the morning just as I had been commanded. And the people kept saying to me: ‘Will you not tell us what these things have to do with us, that you are doing?’ Then I said to them: ‘The very word of Jehovah has occurred to me, saying, “Say to the house of Israel: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said, “Here I am profaning my sanctuary, the pride of your strength, the thing desirable to your eyes and the object of your soul’s compassion, and your sons and your daughters whom you people have left behind—by the sword they will fall. And you will have to do just as I have done. Mustaches you will not cover over, and the bread of men you will not eat. And your headdress will be on your heads, and your sandals be upon your feet. You will not beat yourselves nor will you weep, and you will have to rot away in your errors, and you will actually groan over one another. And Ezekiel has become for you a portent. In accord with all that he has done, you will do. When it comes, you will also have to know that I am the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.”’”’”—Ezekiel 24:18-24.
23. How, in 33 C.E., was Jesus Christ emotionally affected when foretelling and contemplating the destruction to come upon the then Jerusalem?
23 Years later, in 33 C.E. Jesus Christ foretold and contemplated the destruction that was to come upon the then Jerusalem in the year 70 C.E. with all its horrors. He “wept over it.” In tears he said: “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. Because the days will come upon you when your enemies 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, because you did not discern the time of your being inspected.” (Luke 19:41-44; 21:20-24) But Jesus Christ as an unmarried man was not called upon to enact a prophetic scene as Ezekiel was commanded to do.
24. How was the prophet Jeremiah affected and moved after experiencing the destruction of Jerusalem, and how would Ezekiel be affected when the news thereof reached him?
24 Obediently, Ezekiel did not mourn over the death of his wife, “the thing desirable to your eyes.” (Ezekiel 24:16) In the year 607 B.C.E. the prophet Jeremiah did mourn and lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple. (Lamentations 1:1 to 5:22) When that calamity actually occurred, Ezekiel himself was not commanded to refrain from doing as Jeremiah did. When the news of the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple reached Ezekiel in Babylon it did not stun and benumb him.
25. Was destruction of Jerusalem and the things therein needed for Ezekiel to know Jehovah, and how about his fellow exiles?
25 It did not require the destruction of Jerusalem, her precious temple and her sons and daughters for Ezekiel to know, as God said, “that I am the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” But as for the people of Israel, who did not know the identity of their God, either in Judah or in Babylon, they did have to be made to know that fact by a stunning blow delivered in the form of the destruction of holy city, temple, children. Never did they bring themselves to believe that Jehovah would profane his own sanctuary by letting pagan, idolatrous Babylonians capture, loot and destroy Solomon’s temple that had stood for 420 years. Jehovah did not spare what he described to them as “the pride of your strength, the thing desirable to your eyes and the object of your soul’s compassion”—whether that were Jehovah’s sanctuary at Jerusalem or their sons and daughters there. In such a stunning way they would have to know that the One who said he would do such a thing and the One who actually did it were one and the same Person, Jehovah. He is!
26. In the coming “great tribulation” upon Christendom, what scriptures show whether it is the true “sanctuary” of His that Jehovah will “profane”?
26 In the approaching “great tribulation” upon Christendom Jehovah’s true sanctuary is not what he will profane. “The God that made the world and all the things in it, being, as this One is, Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples [or, sanctuaries].” (Acts 17:24, NW; AS, margin) Jehovah will not profane the antitypical spiritual “temple” in which his High Priest, Jesus Christ, presented to Him the merit of a perfect, human sacrifice in the year 33 C.E., this one appearing in the heavens before the very person of God to do so. (Hebrews 9:24-26) Nor will he profane the temple or sanctuary that He is now building and which is made up of “living stones”; this is his congregation of faithful anointed followers of his Son Jesus Christ, the chief “living stone.” (1 Peter 2:4-6) The apostle Paul when writing to those of this sanctuary class says: “For we are a temple of a living God; just as God said: ‘I shall reside among them and walk among them, and I shall be their God, and they will be my people.’” (2 Corinthians 6:16) “In union with him you, too, are being built up together into a place for God to inhabit by spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22) The anointed remnant of this sanctuary class make up the modern-day Ezekiel class used by Jehovah.
27. What “temple” must it be, then, that Jehovah will profane?
27 In view of this it must be the imitation temple class that God will profane, that is, the hypocritical religionists who falsely claim to make up God’s spiritual sanctuary.
28. At the destruction of Christendom, who are the ones that will be stunned, the anointed Ezekiel class or the hypocritical religionists, and why?
28 For decades now since the year 1919 C.E. this anointed remnant of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses have been forewarning of the destruction of Christendom according to the prophecies of Ezekiel and other writers of the inspired Bible. More and more they appreciate what this annihilation of Christendom will mean in the way of destruction of human lives and material properties considered sacred by religionists. But this Ezekiel class of Christians does not mourn and lament because of what all this “great tribulation” upon Christendom will mean. They know that it will never mean the destruction of Jehovah’s true sanctuary, the spiritual temple in which Jesus Christ presented the merit of his ransom sacrifice back in 33 C.E. Nor will it mean the destruction of the temple of “living stones” that Jehovah is now building. So the actual occurrence of this predicted disaster to Christendom will not stun them. They do not need this to occur for them to “know that I am the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.” The hypocritical religionists who ignore Jehovah and trust in things sacred to them are the ones destined to be stunned. They will have to know who Jehovah is.
THE REPORT IN VERIFICATION SURE TO COME!
29. How would the trueness of Ezekiel’s prophecy be confirmed, and how did Jehovah give to Ezekiel the reassurance of this?
29 ‘But what if it does not occur?’ someone not believing may exclaim. Never fear! The events of the future and the news reports that will come through will prove true the infallible prophecy uttered by Ezekiel. The reassurance was given that the trueness of the prophecy would be confirmed. It was given to Ezekiel, as Jehovah went on to say to him: “And as for you, O son of man, will it not be in the day of my taking away from them their fortress, the beautiful object of their exultation, the thing desirable to their eyes and the longing of their soul, their sons and their daughters, that in that day there will come to you the escaped one for making the ears hear? In that day your mouth will be opened to the escaped one, and you will speak and be mute no longer; and you will certainly become to them a portent, and they will have to know that I am Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 24:25-27.
30. Why was Ezekiel to be speechless from then on until the escaped one with the report arrived, and speechless to what extent?
30 Down to this point Ezekiel had said enough to his people. There was no need for him to add much more in order to make the divine prophecy sound more convincing, to make appear more imposing the certainty of his message. Jehovah had spoken it, and that in itself was enough. So now until the day of the coming of the authentic report of verification Ezekiel would be mute. Not speechless in the full sense, but only speechless as regards further prophesying about the disaster to befall Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Judah. The passing of the time until the coming of the escaped one with the report would be a time of testing.
31. So, was Jehovah going to notify Ezekiel directly at the time of Jerusalem’s downfall, and what were Ezekiel’s fellow exiles to be allowed to do?
31 Jehovah was not going to notify Ezekiel directly of the fall of Jerusalem on the day of this disaster as he had notified Ezekiel directly of the beginning of the Babylonian siege on the day that this occurred. Till the escaped one with the report finally arrived, let the Jewish exiles in Babylon think over what Ezekiel had prophesied to them. Let them keep on disbelieving, if they chose. Their unbelief would in due time be blasted to pieces by the arrival of an authentic eyewitness of Jerusalem’s downfall.
32. At the arrival of the news by the escapee, how would the hitherto doubters be affected, but what would happen to Ezekiel, and how would his position as prophet and witness be improved?
32 At that ear-tingling time the hitherto doubters and unbelievers would be stunned into silence, but Ezekiel’s muteness would end. He would then be in position to speak from a better background of events. He would have a new, fresh message. His authority as a true inspired prophet of Jehovah would have been established. As a “sign” man or as a “portent” of what was fast impending, he had not proved false. Like the words of Jehovah to him, “you will certainly become to them a portent,” Ezekiel will have no reason then to be ashamed of his God before his fellow exiles in Babylon. His role as a prophet and witness of Jehovah will be authenticated, and, as Ezekiel’s God said, “they will have to know that I am Jehovah.”—Ezekiel 24:27.
33. When will the Ezekiel class have said enough concerning the outcome of the “great tribulation,” and what about further opportunity for Christendom then?
33 Is this not something thrilling for us to contemplate, namely, the fulfillment of this prophetic drama within our generation? It will be definitely indicated when the “great tribulation,” like the siege against Jerusalem, begins upon her modern-time counterpart, Christendom. (Ezekiel 24:1-5) After that, the anointed Ezekiel class of today need say no more. What they will have already said concerning the outcome of that “great tribulation” will be enough. No hope can they hold out for the antitypical Jerusalem, Christendom. There is no further opportunity for her, nor for the hypocritical religionists related to her. The “great tribulation” must run its full course and take its full toll upon her.
34. What will then prove that the Ezekiel class was a timely portent to religionists, and what purpose of Jehovah will triumph?
34 Stunned will those incredulous religionists be when down goes “the beautiful object of their exultation, the thing desirable to their eyes and the longing of their soul, their sons and their daughters”! Reports that will come pouring in from all parts of the earth where Christendom now obtains will stamp as true that the anointed Ezekiel class was a timely “portent” from the Sovereign Lord of the universe. His stated purpose regarding the stunned religionists will then triumph, “They will have to know that I am Jehovah.” |
HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Videoconferencing for Congregation Meetings | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502500100 | HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE USED
Videoconferencing for Congregation Meetings
JUNE 26, 2020
Many governments around the world have required physical distancing and have canceled public gatherings. Jehovah’s Witnesses are determined to comply with these requirements while continuing to meet together safely. To do so, congregations have been using videoconferencing apps, such as Zoom, to hold meetings.
To provide a consistent and secure arrangement for our meetings, the Governing Body approved the use of donated funds to purchase Zoom accounts for congregations. This has proved to be of great assistance to some congregations that could not afford the typical price of a videoconference account of $15-$20 or higher. These congregations were often resorting to using free apps that place limits on the number of connections or do not provide adequate security. All congregations that use these organizational Zoom accounts benefit from their easy-to-use security settings and allowance of a large number of people to connect to each meeting. To date, over 65,000 congregations in more than 170 countries are using these accounts.
The Kairagi Congregation, in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, switched from a free videoconferencing app to the organizational Zoom account. Brother Hadi Santoso explains: “Even brothers and sisters who are not familiar with how to operate electronic devices can now enjoy the meetings, in large part because they no longer need to log in several times during one meeting.”
Lester Jijón, Jr., an elder in the Guayacanes Oeste Congregation in Guayaquil, Ecuador, relates: “Because of the economic situation of many of the brothers and sisters, it simply would have been impossible for some congregations to pay for a Zoom license that would allow the entire congregation to attend the meetings. Now, because of the amount of possible connections using the Zoom accounts that are provided, we are able to invite others to the meetings freely, without the fear of reaching the connection limit.”
Johnson Mwanza, an elder in the Ngwerere North Congregation in Lusaka, Zambia, writes: “Many brothers and sisters have repeatedly said, ‘the organizational Zoom arrangement not only makes us feel closer to our brothers and sisters but it makes us feel loved and cared for by Jehovah.’”
These organizational accounts are purchased using funds budgeted for disaster relief. Such funds are supported by voluntary donations to the worldwide work. Many of these donations are made via donate.jw.org. Thank you for your generous contributions, which also assist with other relief efforts around the world.—2 Corinthians 8:14. |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 173
Love—A Perfect Bond of Union
(Colossians 3:14)
1. The love of many has grown cold
In this time of the end.
But let us keep our first true love
And thus avoid that trend.
If we our God would imitate,
To all we will impart
The love our God himself displayed
That wells up from the heart.
2. A love without hypocrisy,
A love that is intense,
We really need to cultivate
And freely it dispense.
Let’s broaden out to reach the hearts
Of all our brothers true.
Thus love the ones that God does love,
And render them their due.
3. As this old system falls apart,
Our love must us unite.
The bond of union that we have
We must keep holding tight.
Affection, warm with tenderness,
Is vital for each one.
As brothers it will keep us close,
Until our work is done.
4. A fine relationship with God
Will help us to succeed
In loving others as ourselves
In this dire time of need.
So let our love be deep and strong
In all sincerity.
A perfect bond of union now
Love proves itself to be. |
Creation (ce)
1985 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ce | Chapter 16
Why Would God Permit Suffering?
1. What is a common reason many people give for doubting the existence of a Creator?
A COMMON reason many people give for doubting the existence of a Creator is the prevalence of suffering in the world. Throughout the centuries there has been so much cruelty, bloodshed and outright evil, bringing great suffering to millions of innocent people. Thus many ask: ‘If there is a God, why does he permit all of this?’ Since, as we have seen, the Bible’s account best fits the facts about creation, can the Bible also help us to understand why a powerful Creator would permit so much suffering for such a long time?
2. How does the Bible describe the setting in which the first human pair were placed?
2 The opening chapters of Genesis provide the background for answering this question. They describe the creation of a world without suffering. The first man and woman were put in a paradise setting, a beautiful gardenlike home called Eden, and they were given pleasant and challenging work. Regarding the earth, they were told “to cultivate it and to take care of it.” They also had supervision of “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; 2:15.
3. What prospect was placed before Adam and Eve?
3 In addition, since the first humans were created with perfect bodies and perfect minds, they were not defective in any way. Hence, there was no reason for them ever to suffer from sickness, old age or death. Instead, they had the prospect of an endless future in an earthly paradise.—Deuteronomy 32:4.
4. What was God’s purpose for humans and for the earth itself?
4 The first pair were also told to “be fruitful and become many and fill the earth.” As they would bear children, the human family would increase and extend the boundaries of the Paradise so that it would eventually encompass the entire earth. Thus, the human race would be a united family, all living in perfect health on a paradise earth.
The Need to Accept God’s Rule
5. Why were humans required to accept God’s rule?
5 However, for this harmony to continue, the first human pair had to accept their Creator’s right to govern human affairs. That is, they had to accept his sovereignty. Why? First of all, because it was proper. The maker of anything surely has a right to exercise a measure of control over what he has made. This principle has been reflected in ownership laws for centuries. In addition, humans needed to accept the direction of their Maker because of this crucial fact: They were not designed with the ability to govern themselves successfully apart from their Creator, any more than they could stay alive if they did not eat, drink and breathe. History has proved the Bible correct in saying: “To earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) As long as humans stayed within the guidelines set for them by their Creator, life would be continuous, successful and happy.
6, 7. (a) What kind of freedom did God grant to humans, and why? (b) What bad choice did the first humans make?
6 Also, humans were created to be free agents. They were not made to react like robots, or compelled to do certain things primarily out of instinct, as are animals or insects. But this freedom was to be relative, not absolute. It was to be exercised responsibly, within the boundaries of God’s laws, laws that worked for the common good. Note how the Bible sets out this principle: “Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God.” (1 Peter 2:16) Without law to govern human interrelations, there would be anarchy, and the lives of all persons would be affected adversely.
7 Thus, while relative freedom is desirable, too much freedom is not. If you give a child too much freedom, it may lead to his playing on a busy street, or putting his hand on a hot stove. Total freedom to make all of our own decisions without considering our Maker’s direction can cause all kinds of problems. That was the case with the first humans. They chose to misuse their gift of freedom. They decided, wrongly, to grasp for independence from their Creator and thereby “be like God.” They felt that they could determine for themselves what was right and what was wrong.—Genesis 3:5.
8. What happened when Adam and Eve pulled away from God’s rule?
8 When the first humans pulled away from their Creator’s direction, what happened to them is similar to what happens when you pull out the plug of an electric fan. As long as the fan is plugged into a power source, it runs. But when disconnected, it slows down and eventually comes to a dead stop. That is what happened when Adam and Eve pulled away from their Creator, “the source of life.” (Psalm 36:9) Since they willfully chose a course of independence from their Maker, he let them learn the full meaning of their choice by leaving them on their own. As a Bible principle states: “If you leave [God] he will leave you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2) Without their Creator’s sustaining power, a gradual breakdown of mind and body began. In time, they grew old and died.—Genesis 3:19; 5:5.
9. How has all mankind been affected by the bad choice of the first humans?
9 When Adam and Eve chose to be independent of their Maker, they fell from perfection. This was before they had any children. As a result, when they later had children, these reflected what the parents had become—imperfect. So the first humans became like a defective pattern. Everything produced from them was also defective. Hence, we are all born imperfect and inherit the disabilities of aging, sickness and death. This imperfection, along with separation from the Creator and his laws, opened the floodgates of human folly. Thus, mankind’s history has been filled with suffering, sorrow, sickness and death.—Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12.
10. (a) What rebellion took place in the spirit realm? (b) How could such a thing happen?
10 Is this to say that wickedness originated entirely with humans? No, there is more to it. The creation of intelligent creatures was not limited to humans. Already God had created countless spirit creatures in the heavens. (Job 38:4, 7) They too were free agents and also had a choice in accepting their Creator’s direction. One of those spirit creatures chose to dwell on a desire for independence. His ambition built up to such a degree that it moved him to challenge God’s authority. He told Adam’s wife, Eve, that they could break God’s law and yet, as he assured her, “You positively will not die.” (Genesis 3:4; James 1:13-15) His statements implied that they did not need their Creator in order for them to have continued life and happiness. In fact, he said that lawbreaking would actually improve matters for them, enabling them to be like God. Thus he called into question the validity of God’s laws and cast doubt on God’s way of governing them. Indeed, he cast doubt on their Creator’s very right to rule. For this misrepresentation he came to be called Satan, which means “resister,” and Devil, meaning “slanderer.” For the past 6,000 years this attitude of Satan has influenced mankind, advancing a policy of ‘rule or ruin.’—Luke 4:2-8; 1 John 5:19; Revelation 12:9.
11. Why did God not wipe out the rebels at the start?
11 But why did God not destroy these lawbreakers, both human and spirit, at the start? The answer lies in the fact that profound issues had been raised before all intelligent creation. One of the issues involved questions such as: Would independence from God’s sovereignty ever bring lasting benefits? Would God’s direction of people be better for them, or would man’s own direction be better? Could humans successfully govern this world independent of their Creator? In short, did humans really need God’s guidance? These questions required answers that only the passing of time could supply.
Why So Long?
12. Had God interfered at the beginning, what charge could have been brought against him?
12 However, why has God permitted so much time to go by before settling these matters—about 6,000 years now? Could they not have been settled satisfactorily long ago? Well, if God had intervened long ago, the charge could have been made that humans were not given enough time to develop a workable government and the necessary technology to bring peace and prosperity to all. So, in his wisdom, God knew that it would take time to settle the issues that had been raised. He allowed that time.
13, 14. What are the results of independence from God?
13 Throughout the centuries, all types of governments, all types of social systems and all types of economic systems have been tried. In addition, humans have had enough time to make many technological advances, including harnessing the atom and traveling to the moon. With what results? Has all of this brought about the kind of world that is a real blessing to the entire human family?
14 Far from it. Nothing that men have tried has brought true peace and happiness for all. Instead, after all this time, conditions are more unstable than ever. Crime, war, family breakdown, poverty and hunger ravage country after country. Mankind’s very existence has been jeopardized. Nuclear missiles of awesome destructive power could annihilate most of, if not all, the human race. So, in spite of thousands of years of effort, in spite of many centuries of human experience to build upon and in spite of reaching new peaks of technological progress, mankind still grapples unsuccessfully with its most basic problems.
15. What has happened to the earth as a consequence of man’s rebellion?
15 Even the earth itself has been adversely affected. Human greed and neglect have turned certain areas into deserts by stripping protective forests. Chemicals and other waste products have polluted land, sea and air. The Bible’s description, 2,000 years ago, of the condition of life on the earth is even more accurate today: “All creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now.”—Romans 8:22.
What Has Been Proved?
16, 17. What has been proved by the passing of so much time?
16 What have events during all this time proved beyond a doubt? That human rule independent of man’s Creator is unsatisfactory. Clearly it has been demonstrated that successful management of earth’s affairs is impossible apart from man’s Maker. History continues to confirm the Bible’s candid appraisal of human attempts to govern when it says: “Man has dominated man to his injury.”—Ecclesiastes 8:9.
17 How disastrously human endeavors have worked out, compared with the order and precision found in the universe as it is guided by the laws of its Creator! Clearly, humans also need this kind of guidance in governing their affairs, because ignoring God’s supervision has been disastrous. It truly has been demonstrated, for all time, that we have a need for God’s direction just as surely as we need air, water and food.—Matthew 4:4.
18. How has allowing time to settle the questions provided a permanent precedent for the future?
18 Also, by allowing enough time to settle the issues relative to human rule, God has established a permanent precedent for the future. It could be likened to a fundamental supreme court case. For all time the issue has been settled: Human rule apart from God cannot bring about desirable conditions on the earth. Thus, in the future, if any free agent should challenge God’s way of doing things, it would not be necessary to allow thousands of additional years to try to prove his outpution. Everything that needs to be proved has been proved in this period of about 6,000 years that God has allowed. So, throughout the eternity of time ahead, no rebel will ever again be allowed to mar the peace and happiness of life on the earth, or to interfere with God’s sovereignty anywhere else in the universe. As the Bible emphatically states: “Distress will not rise up a second time.”—Nahum 1:9.
God’s Solution
19. What is God’s solution to the problem of wickedness?
19 Thus the Bible provides a reasonable explanation for the existence of suffering in a world created by God. Also the Bible clearly shows that the time is near when God will use his almighty power to remove those who cause suffering. Proverbs 2:21, 22 states: “The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.” Yes, God will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Revelation 11:18) That will also include, finally, the elimination of Satan the Devil. (Romans 16:20) God will not allow the wicked to mar his beautiful creation, the earth, much longer. Any who do not conform to his laws will be uprooted. Only those who do God’s will are to continue living. (1 John 2:15-17) You would not plant a flower garden in a weed patch, nor place chickens and foxes in the same coop. So, too, when God restores Paradise for righteous humans, he will not let vandals run loose at the same time.
20. How will the suffering of the past be erased?
20 While the suffering of centuries has been very painful for those who have been victimized by it, it has served a good purpose. It could be compared to permitting your child to have a painful operation to correct a major health problem. The long-term benefits far outweigh any temporary pain. In addition, the future that God has purposed for this earth and humans on it will lift the weight of the past from memory: “The former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart.” (Isaiah 65:17) Hence, whatever suffering that humans have experienced will eventually be erased from the minds of those living when God’s rulership holds sway over all the earth. At that time the joys will crowd out all the previous bad memories, for God “‘will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.’ And the One seated on the throne said: ‘Look! I am making all things new.’”—Revelation 21:4, 5.
21. What opportunity will be given even to dead people?
21 Jesus Christ spoke of this coming New Order as “the re-creation.” (Matthew 19:28) The past victims of suffering and death then will learn that God does care about them, because that era will also see the literal re-creating of those who are dead in the grave. Jesus said: “All those in the memorial tombs . . . will come out” in a resurrection to life on earth. (John 5:28, 29) In this way, the dead also will be given the opportunity to submit to God’s righteous rule and gain the privilege of living forever “in Paradise,” as Jesus called it.—Luke 23:43.
22. What condition will be restored to the animal realm?
22 Even the animal realm will be at peace. The Bible says that “the wolf and the lamb themselves will feed as one, and the lion will eat straw just like the bull,” and even “a mere little boy will be leader over them.” The animals will “do no harm nor cause any ruin” in God’s New Order, to one another or to humans.—Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25.
23. Into what condition will all of God’s creation come?
23 Thus, in every way, as Romans 8:21 states, “the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” In time, the earth will become a paradise, inhabited by perfect people—free from sickness, sorrow and death. Suffering will be forever a thing of the past. All aspects of God’s earthly creation will come into complete harmony with his purpose, removing the ugly blot that has marred his universe for thousands of years.
24. What question may be asked about the Bible?
24 This is how the Bible explains God’s permission of suffering, and what he will do to solve the problem. Yet, some may ask: ‘How do I know that I can really trust what the Bible says?’
[Blurb on page 188]
Many ask: ‘If there is a God, why does he permit all of this?’
[Blurb on page 190]
Humans were not created to govern themselves successfully apart from their Creator
[Blurb on page 190]
Freedom was to be relative, not absolute
[Blurb on page 192]
Meditating on what is wrong can cause one to do the wrong thing
[Blurb on page 193]
It would take time to settle thoroughly the issues that had been raised
[Blurb on page 194]
“All creation keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now”
[Blurb on page 196]
The Creator will not allow the wicked to mar his beautiful earth much longer
[Blurb on page 198]
In every way “the creation itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption”
[Picture on page 189]
The first humans had the prospect of living forever on a paradise earth
[Pictures on page 191]
As a fan slows down and stops when disconnected, so Adam and Eve grew old and died after they pulled away from their source of life
[Pictures on page 194]
After all these centuries, world conditions are more threatening than ever
[Picture on page 195]
By allowing enough time to answer the questions, God has established a precedent for the future, like a fundamental supreme court decision
[Picture on page 197]
Whatever suffering that people have previously experienced will be erased by the joys in God’s New Order |
God Exists! But What Is He Like? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101979004 | God Exists! But What Is He Like?
WHAT about his personality? Is he the type of individual we would grow to love if we got to know him intimately? Do you not feel that these are important questions?
How can we get to know some of his qualities? At Romans 1:20, the Bible suggests: “For [God’s] invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made [“understood through His handiwork”—New Berkeley Version], even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.”
By taking an in-depth look at what God has made, “His handiwork,” we can learn what some of his qualities are. Well, what do we see?
Love and Goodness
These qualities are very evident in the way in which we were designed. Our bodies were made to do more than merely live; rather, they were meant really to enjoy life. Our eyes can see in color. Some animals see only in black and white, yet the world is filled with dazzling colors. We can smell, and we have taste buds. So eating is not merely a necessary function; it is delightful. Such senses are not absolutely vital for life, but are an evidence of a loving, generous, thoughtful Creator.
Loving concern is also evident in the animal kingdom. The great number of little “cleaner fish,” sometimes called “Doctor Fish,” is an example. At present, over 40 species have been designated as “cleaners.” These fish seemingly devote themselves to the removing of parasites and fish lice that could clog the gills of other fish and make them sick.
“More than this,” a cleaner fish “will nibble away at patches of fungi and bacteria which may be infecting the skin, and if the fish has been injured, it will eat away any dead flesh and thus clean up the wound,” reports the book Animal Partners and Parasites.
So you can see that these fish are very much like little “doctors,” sometimes even maintaining “offices” or “cleaning stations.” One “office” was observed serving over 300 fish during a period of six hours. Just imagine the picture: Fish waiting in line to be waited on, some “standing” on their heads or upside down as the cleaners work them over. All this “professional” treatment by the “doctors” and not one “doctor bill”!
How important is such cleaning activity? One of the top authorities in this field, Conrad Limbaugh, called it “a constant and vital activity.” He once removed all the known “cleaners” from a certain area and within a few days the number of fish had dropped drastically—eventually about all had left. And the few that remained “developed fuzzy white blotches, swelling, ulcerated sores and frayed fins.” All because the little “doctors” were gone!
Do the “cleaners” do it merely for the meal that they receive?
“None of them [the cleaners] appears to depend exclusively on the habit for its food.”
“Neither of these two fishes [two of the most zealous cleaners] is highly dependent on cleaning for food, and they can subsist on small crustaceans; both pick these from plants, the señorita [a type of cleaner fish] can also take them from the bottom and directly from the water.”
So they do not have to care for these other fish. Yet they do. Who could have designed such an efficient little cleaner—complete with bright colors to be easily identified, pointed nose and tweezerlike teeth? Who must have put such a living instinct into these little creatures? Only a loving, considerate Creator.
A factory owner with a wholesome appreciation for life will install in his factory many safety valves to protect those who work there. These valves, placed on boilers or other equipment to relieve pressure that might build up to an explosive force, are evidence of his genuine care for people.
In our world we see many such “safety valves” put there by creation’s Designer. The Creator “makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45) The way in which rain descends is one outstanding example of the use of “safety valves.”
Water by the billions of gallons is stored above our heads in the clouds as vapor. Water is heavy, a cubic foot (.03 cubic meter) weighing over 62 pounds (28 kilograms). A large cloud is estimated to weigh as much as 100,000 tons! Can you imagine the havoc that would be wrought if the water vapor formed one massive “drop” and cascaded to earth? What devastation! But, for some still unexplainable reason, the tiny water droplets join themselves together around a particle of dust—but only up to a certain size, no larger—and then they fall to the ground. The gentle rain showers seldom hurt the most delicate of flowers. We surely benefit from this “safety valve.”
Or consider the terror in winter if the water fell as colossal chunks of ice. Here again, at the moment of release, a “safety valve” produces little flakes that float down harmlessly and provide a cuddly blanket that conserves the warmth of the ground for the benefit of the vegetation.
Many persons in lands where the temperature can change rapidly may recall that when they were children, during the night when the temperature dropped suddenly, their mother or father got up and covered them with an extra blanket. Remember the next morning as you snuggled in your cozy bed, how “warm” you felt inside, knowing that Mom or Dad was so considerate of your welfare? Well, should it not warm our hearts toward our heavenly Father who provides this silvery blanket of snow for the preservation of the vegetation? Yes, his “handiwork” testifies that he is a tender and loving Creator who cares about us.
Justice
What about the quality of justice? It is vital that we establish whether the Creator has this quality. We know that a God of justice would not forever tolerate the glaring injustices, the lawlessness, the climate of evil that exists earth wide today.
There is evidence of such a quality from something within ourselves. What? It is described in a statement of truth in the Bible:
“For whenever people of the nations that do not have law do by nature the things of the law, these people, although not having law, are a law to themselves. They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts, while their CONSCIENCE [“sense of right and wrong,” Amplified Bible; the Greek word means “distinguishing between what is morally good and bad . . . commending the one, condemning the other,” Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon] is bearing witness with them and, between their own thoughts, they are being accused or even excused.” (Rom. 2:14, 15)
It is the existence of conscience, a law “written in [our] hearts,” that gives us a sense of right and wrong. This is strong evidence that our Maker himself must be a God with a moral sense, having the quality of justice.
Twenty-three centuries ago, Aristotle spoke of the reality of such an inward law, calling it a “natural justice and injustice that is binding on all men.” Others have called it “natural law,” “the supreme law” and the “law of nations” or of humanity. Yes, a natural sense of what is just or unjust seems to be “binding on all men.”
A prominent anthropologist, M. F. Ashley Montagu, stated the view that many scientists shared: “Murder is universally regarded as a crime, and if the murderer is caught and brought to justice the penalty is usually death. Incest regulations are universal . . . private property is universally respected.” Though what constitutes murder or self-defense or “private property” might vary considerably, the root practices are consistently condemned. Despite differing opinions as to the output of such “natural law,” “almost all admit the existence of such a law. . . . conceived as the ultimate norm of right and wrong.” (Italics added)—Encyclopedia Americana.
Many still would discredit the existence of conscience by arguing that by nature man is aggressive, even murderous, without a sense of justice. Evidence to the contrary has recently come to light.
One outstanding example was the recently discovered Tasaday, a primitive people living in the Philippine rain forest. These people are thought to have been isolated from the main stream of civilization and its pressures for hundreds of years. One of the scientists who lived with them for some time said: “These are incredible people. . . . no greed, no selfishness. . . . They don’t know about killing, murder, war! Never heard of them.” He also observed: “Everyone goes around talking about people being bad because that’s human nature. . . . When you see these people, you have got to say, ‘No, man is not basically evil.’” (The Gentle Tasaday—1975) Yes, though imperfect and with sinful tendencies, man still displays a basic sense of conscience. One encyclopedia put it thus: “Actually, no culture has yet been found in which conscience is not recognized as a fact.” Indeed, this inward sense of right and wrong exists and does affect our conduct for the good.
‘But what about the many murderers, rapists, sadists—persons who seem to have no conscience at all? Does not their behavior disprove such a conclusion?’—so some might ask in objection.
What if the pilot of an airplane refuses to listen to the instructions from the airport control tower and he crashes, causing extensive damage and loss of life? Does this prove that the control tower “does not exist”? Look, by contrast, at the hundreds of planes that generally comply with the instructions of the control tower, usually making the airport a safe place. So because some have ignored or “thrust aside” (1 Tim. 1:19) this “natural law of justice,” refusing to be guided by it, that certainly is not sound evidence denying the reality of such a law.
During World War II, the Nazis committed horrors against innocent persons. For these acts that stunned the world, many of the Nazi leaders were brought to trial after the war. For the most part, these leaders denied responsibility for such acts, saying that they were merely obeying Nazi law and their governmental superiors.
“Political loyalty, military obedience are excellent things, but . . . there comes a point where a man must refuse to answer to his leader if he is also to answer to his conscience.” So argued the chief prosecutor from Great Britain.
“Guilty” was the verdict against those men. Why? They should have obeyed “a higher natural law of justice,” reported one reference work.
Some have criticized such trials, saying that such a “natural law” did not exist and the defendants could not legally be tried by it. However, the statements of some of these hardened leaders give additional support that such conscience does exist; that such a force was operative within themselves but was merely ignored. Defendant Walter Funk said: “And when these measures of terror and violence against Jews were put up to me, I suffered a nervous breakdown . . . I felt ashamed and the feeling of guilt at that moment and I do feel the same way today, but too late.” Hans Frank (sentenced to death for his crimes) admitted: “I feel a terrible guilt within me.” (Italics ours)
Yes, if we are honest with ourselves we know quite well that we do have inside us an inherent sense of right and wrong, a “natural law of justice.” Who put such a real law within us? Certainly man himself is not the author of such a law. It could only have originated with our Creator and Designer. Are we not led to the following conclusion: the Creator himself must be a God with a moral sense, a God of justice?
How grateful we should be to know this! For it assures us that he will not forever tolerate the gross injustices and wickedness that exist today. His sense of right and wrong, or justice, will cause him to act in behalf of those who want to live by his standards of right.
God’s Qualities Should Draw Us to Him
From our short examination, what is your personal judgment or “verdict”? Many readers no doubt would agree that there is convincing evidence pointing to this conclusion, namely, that a loving and just God of awesome power must exist.
Indeed, to see examples of his concern and generosity toward us is touching. Many, perhaps, would like to get to know him even better. What we observe about him through his “handiwork,” though impressive, is still only “some clue to his [God’s] nature.” (Acts 14:17, The New English Bible) A number of questions still remain unanswered.
For instance, it is natural to wonder why wickedness developed in the first place. Why has God allowed it to continue for so long? When will he use his power to rid the earth of evil, thereby displaying his justice? In fact, what was his purpose in making the earth and all life on it? What is the purpose for our existing?
The answers to these questions are available. Why not get in touch with the people who publish this magazine, Jehovah’s Witnesses? They will be happy to help you free of charge to find convincing answers.
[Picture on page 12]
Sometimes big fish permit “Doctor Fish” (also called “cleaner fish”) to remove parasites from even inside their mouths
[Pictures on page 15]
Nazi War Leader Hans Frank: “I feel a terrible guilt within me.” |
Worldwide Security (ws)
1986 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/ws | Chapter 7
Settling Accounts Over the Use of Christ’s Funds
1. What government is without any economic problems, and who now have to settle accounts with this government?
WITH one exception, there is no government without economic problems. Most governments are in heavy debt. The one government that is an exception is the now widely proclaimed “kingdom of the heavens.” (Matthew 25:1) There are still on earth those prospective members of that heavenly Kingdom who are in the service of that government. During this most critical period of all human history, these servants of “the kingdom of the heavens” are being called to account. They have to settle with the government as to how they have used the valuable things entrusted to them.
2. Why should we be very interested in a certain parable as told by the “Prince of Peace”?
2 To illustrate this matter, the foremost representative of that “kingdom of the heavens” long ago related a parable, or an illustration. This should interest us today, for the “Prince of Peace” included it in his long-range prophecy concerning “the sign” that would mark his “presence” in the Kingdom with full authority to rule. (Matthew 24:3) We today are inextricably involved with the consequences that follow the fulfillment of the prophetic parable, since our continued existence, our very life, is involved. So here now is the way that the “Prince of Peace” told the parable to his apostles a few days before his sacrificial death on Calvary.
The Parable of the Talents
3. How did the slaves who received the talents from the master before his departure handle them during his absence?
3 “Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour. For it is just as when a man, about to travel abroad, summoned slaves of his and committed to them his belongings. And to one he gave five talents,a to another two, to still another one, to each one according to his own ability, and he went abroad. Immediately the one that received the five talents went his way and did business with them and gained five more. In the same way the one that received the two gained two more. But the one that received just one went off, and dug in the ground and hid the silver money of his master.
4. What did the master say to those slaves who increased the number of the talents?
4 “After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. So the one that had received five talents came forward and brought five additional talents, saying, ‘Master, you committed five talents to me; see, I gained five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Next the one that had received the two talents came forward and said, ‘Master, you committed to me two talents; see, I gained two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.’
5, 6. What excuse did the third slave give for hiding the talent, and what did the master do to him?
5 “Finally the one that had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be an exacting man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you did not winnow. So I grew afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ In reply his master said to him, ‘Wicked and sluggish slave, you knew, did you, that I reaped where I did not sow and gathered where I did not winnow? Well, then, you ought to have deposited my silver monies with the bankers, and on my arrival I would be receiving what is mine with interest.
6 “‘Therefore take away the talent from him and give it to him that has the ten talents. For to everyone that has, more will be given and he will have abundance; but as for him that does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw the good-for-nothing slave out into the darkness outside. There is where his weeping and the gnashing of his teeth will be.’”—Matthew 25:13-30.
7. What is represented by the talents?
7 In this parable, what is represented by the talents? Something of high value, not monetarily but in a spiritual sense. The talents represent the commission to make disciples of Christ. Along with this commission goes the highly privileged opportunity of acting as ambassadors for Christ, the King, to represent the Kingdom to all the nations of the world.—Ephesians 6:19, 20; 2 Corinthians 5:20.
8. (a) Into what darkness has the “sluggish” slave class been cast during this “conclusion of the system of things”? (b) Why is the world of mankind not enjoying the light of God’s favor and blessing?
8 Beyond all question, we today have reached the culmination of the fulfillment of this prophetic parable! There has descended upon this generation the darkest period of all human history! Indeed, there is a fitting darkness outside the visible part of Jehovah’s organization into which the “sluggish” and “good-for-nothing” slave class can be thrown at the order of the Master. Such a “darkness outside” depicts the bedarkened condition of the world of mankind, especially in a religious sense. The world of mankind is not enjoying the light of God’s favor and blessing. It is not in the light of the knowledge of the Kingdom of God. It is under “the god of this system of things,” who “has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through.”—2 Corinthians 4:4.
9. (a) In fulfillment of the parable, who is pictured by the “man,” and how far did he travel? (b) What evidence is there to indicate his return?
9 Today the evidence is overwhelming that the one pictured by the “man,” who had at least eight silver talents in his possession, has returned from his travels abroad. That “man” is Christ Jesus. His traveling abroad took him into the presence of the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars of our universe. To mark his return, two wars of world proportions, accompanied now by many other wars of lesser proportions, have bloodied our earth. As predicted, these have been accompanied by famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, and by the increasing of lawlessness and the preaching of “this good news of the kingdom” in all the inhabited earth. This has fulfilled the details of what Jesus said would be “the sign of [his] presence and of the conclusion of the system of things.”—Matthew 24:3-15.
10. (a) Why did the man travel abroad? (b) Why was it that the world of mankind did not actually see his return?
10 Although not specifically indicated in Jesus’ parable, the man traveling abroad, to be absent for a long time, really made his trip to gain “the kingdom of the heavens,” earlier referred to in Matthew 25:1. Despite the outbreak of World War I, Jehovah God, whose kingdom over Israel was overthrown in 607 B.C.E., enthroned the rightful Heir of the Kingdom in 1914 C.E., at the due time for the trampling to be halted. No, the Gentile nations did not see with their natural vision the enthronement of the One whom King David called “my Lord.” (Psalm 110:1) They could not do so because the man of the parable, Jesus Christ, had said to his disciples, before traveling abroad: “A little longer and the world will behold me no more.”—John 14:19.
11. (a) What would be part of the sign to mark his return and presence? (b) When would this take place?
11 Since the coming to heavenly Kingdom power by Christ was invisible to human eyes, he had to make apparent his presence in the heavenly Kingdom by the sign that the apostles requested of him three days before his martyrdom. Part of that convincing sign was to be that the man would come back from abroad and take up an accounting with his slaves to whom he had entrusted the highly valuable talents. This being the case, that taking of account of those favored with the use of the talents was due to take place after 1914.
12. (a) Upon whom has devolved the obligation to take the lead in giving the Kingdom witness? (b) Their ultimate salvation depends on what?
12 This would mean taking account with those who were heirs of “the kingdom of the heavens.” This would signify taking an account with the remnant of that Christian body, which had been begotten by God’s spirit from the day of Pentecost of the year 33 C.E. (Acts, chapter 2) There was to be a remnant of these ones on earth during this “conclusion of the system of things” from 1914 onward. These would be the ones upon whom the obligation would fall to take the lead in the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy for that time: “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; Mark 13:10) Upon them rests the responsibility of being faithful to the end, in order to be saved into the Kingdom of the heavens. (Matthew 24:13) With their final salvation in view, the Almighty God has strengthened them to endure until now, in spite of worldwide persecution. This fact evidences his approval of them!
False Claimants to the Talents
13. (a) Who claims to have received the talents? (b) At what judgment of her do we arrive?
13 Christendom claims to be honorably entrusted with the talents of the wealthy man in Jesus’ parable. But when we take an account of her course of action since 1914, at what judgment do we arrive? This: She has not lived up to her claims. Unfaithful to the man of the parable, she has allied herself with the kingdoms of this world; the politicians of those worldly governments are her paramours. She still backs up the United Nations, the successor of the now-defunct League of Nations.
14. Where do we find Christendom today?
14 She does not even correspond to the one-talent slave, who proved to be sluggish and who did not increase the belongings of his master. So in this period since the climax of World War I in 1918, Christendom has definitely been exposed as always having been in the darkness outside the Master’s well-lighted house. In the dead of night out there in the world is where, figuratively speaking, her weeping and the gnashing of her teeth have already begun to take place. More of it will yet take place when her political paramours turn upon her and strip her naked as the most reprehensible part of all Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion.
“Evil Slave” Class Thrown Out
15. Who have fulfilled the picture of the sluggish slave, and where do they now find themselves?
15 Those who have actually been part of the spirit-anointed remnant and entrusted with the Kingdom valuables, but who have quit making the effort to increase the interests of the returned Master, have been thrown out of the Master’s royal service. (Matthew 24:48-51) No longer do we find the sluggish “evil slave” class preaching “this good news of the kingdom.” Rather, they specialize upon their personal salvation instead of the interests of God’s Kingdom. They now find themselves in “the darkness outside,” where the world of mankind is. Their symbolic talent has been taken away from them and has been given to the class that has shown the willingness to use that talent during the remaining part of this “conclusion of the system of things.”
16. (a) For what use of the figurative talents is this the most auspicious time? (b) What obligation now falls on the “great crowd” of “other sheep”?
16 Never was there a time more auspicious for proclaiming the “good news of the kingdom” by employing the “talent,” that is, the unusual privilege, the opportunity, of acting as “ambassadors substituting for Christ,” the reigning King, and making disciples for him. (2 Corinthians 5:20) And as the end draws on apace, it behooves the “great crowd” of “other sheep” to assist those remaining spirit-begotten ambassadors as they zealously make full use of the valuable “talent” entrusted to them.
[Footnotes]
a A Greek talent of silver weighed 654 ounces troy (20.4 kg).
[Picture on page 59]
Those who show the traits of the wicked slave are thrown out of the Master’s service and into the darkness |
Paradise Restored (pm)
1972 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/pm | Chapter 6
Calling a Nation to Return to Jehovah
1. How long by now had Haggai prophesied alone, and what had Jehovah roused up the Jews to do?
AT LEAST ten days passed by from the time that the prophet Haggai gave his second prophecy at Jerusalem, on the twenty-first day of the seventh lunar month (Tishri), in the year 520 B.C.E. This was still in the second year of the reign of King Darius I of the Persian Empire. A faithful remnant of the worshipers of Jehovah God who had come back in 537 B.C.E. from the exile of the Jews in Babylonia were now back in their homeland for seventeen years. A ban that had been imposed by a preceding king of the Persian Empire against the rebuilding of the temple of Jehovah at Jerusalem was still in force. The rebuilding of the temple had got no farther than the laying of its foundation in the year 536 B.C.E. Then, without waiting for the official ban of a mere man against the rebuilding of his house of worship to be lifted, Jehovah God had raised up his prophet Haggai to rouse up repatriated Jews to resume their construction of the temple. This had occurred on the first day of the sixth lunar month (Elul). For two lunar months Haggai had continued alone as the only prophet urging the rebuilding work.
2. What did Jehovah now furnish to strengthen further the faith and courage of the temple builders?
2 Although the prophesying of Haggai alone should have been sufficient and did stir the Jews to some action, yet it would be strengthening to faith and courage for the Jews to have a second witness of Jehovah to testify that now, without delay, was Jehovah’s time for the rebuilding of his temple at Jerusalem to be resumed. Considerately, Jehovah did raise up a second prophet at the critical time, a man named Zechariah. Concerning the ban on temple building and how and why it was defied by the temple builders in due time, we read this record:
3. What does Ezra say about how the building ban was enforced and how in due time the Jews defied it?
3 “Now after the copy of the official document of Artaxerxes the king had been read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they went in a hurry to Jerusalem to the Jews and stopped them by force of arms. It was then that the work on the house of God, which was in Jerusalem, stopped; and it continued stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius the king of Persia. And Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the grandson of Iddo the prophet prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and in Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. It was then that Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jehozadak got up and started to rebuild the house of God, which was in Jerusalem; and with them there were God’s prophets giving them aid.”—Ezra 4:23 to 5:2.
4. When did Zechariah begin to prophesy?
4 When in that second year of King Darius I (520 B.C.E.) did Zechariah the grandson of Iddo begin to prophesy? Zechariah’s own book of prophecy informs us in its opening words, saying: “In the eighth month in the second year of Darius the word of Jehovah occurred to Zechariah the son of Berechiah the son of Iddo the prophet.”—Zechariah 1:1.
5. (a) What day may it have been when Zechariah began to prophesy? (b) What shows his book to be important for us to examine today?
5 The eighth lunar month, of twenty-nine days, was called Heshvan, and was an autumn month. The day of the month is not given in the prophecy. Evidently it was the first day of Heshvan, the day of the new moon, when many Jews would celebrate in Jerusalem. If so, this would be exactly two months after Haggai began to prophesy. The translation by S. Byington here reads: “On the eighth new moon in the year two of Darius, Jehovah’s word came to the prophet Zechariah the son of Berekiah the son of ‛Iddo.” (Zechariah 1:1, By) Little did Zechariah know then that his book of prophecy would be so important that, hundreds of years later, inspired Christian writers would quote it to prove that the expected Messiah, the Christ or Anointed One, had come and had carried out the first part of his mission in behalf of all mankind. (Matthew 21:5; 26:15, 28, 31; 27:9; Mark 14:24, 27; Luke 22:20; John 12:15; 19:37; Revelation 11:2, 4) This proves, not only that the book of Zechariah is an inspired book of true prophecy, but also that it is important for us today to examine for modern-day fulfillments.
6. Zechariah was instructed to declare the utterances of whom, and what shows that it is important for us to bear Zechariah’s book in mind now as we near Har–Magedon?
6 From the start the utterances of God that Zechariah is instructed to declare are said to be the expressions of “Jehovah of armies,” a very significant phrase. Very appropriate for the time and situation, also. Fifty-two (52) times through Zechariah’s prophecy of fourteen chapters that forceful expression is used. The final chapter, verse three, shows that this is no idle designation of God, for this is what it foretells: “Jehovah will certainly go forth and war against those nations as in the day of his warring, in the day of fight.” (Zechariah 14:3) It is highly important to bear this prophecy in mind, in these days when the last book of the Holy Bible is being fulfilled regarding the march of all the nations to Har–Magedon for the “war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Revelation 16:14, 16) This is the same God as the Jehovah of armies worshiped in the days of High Priest Eli and of the prophet Samuel and of the shepherd boy David, who went out “with the name of Jehovah of armies” to fight the heavily armored Philistine giant Goliath and killed him with a perfectly aimed stone from his sling.—1 Samuel 1:3–4:4; 17:45.
ZECHARIAH’S OPENING PROPHECY
7. According to Zechariah 1:2, against whom had Jehovah grown very indignant, and why so?
7 The opening message of Jehovah of armies through his new prophet Zechariah was addressed to the repatriated Jews, “saying: ‘Jehovah grew indignant at your fathers—very much so.’” (Zechariah 1:1, 2) Such “fathers” were their fathers and grandfathers who had been taken into exile in Babylon in the years 617 and 607 B.C.E. Jehovah of armies was very much indignant against these because they had profaned and polluted his holy temple at Jerusalem and had broken their national covenant with Him and had formed political alliances with worldly pagan nations. His indignation heated up to such a degree that he finally let Jerusalem and its temple be destroyed and the whole land of Judah become desolated without man or domestic animal for seventy years. At the root of the trouble was the Jews’ abandoning of the pure, undefiled worship of Jehovah of armies. This serious fact was something of which to remind the Jews who had been released from exile in Babylon to go home to Jerusalem to rebuild Jehovah’s temple there.
8. What was Zechariah then told to tell the Jews to do toward God?
8 To these Jews, already back in their homeland for seventeen years, the message to Zechariah went on to say: “And you must say to them, ‘This is what Jehovah of armies has said: “‘Return to me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah of armies, ‘and I shall return to you,’ Jehovah of armies has said.”’”—Zechariah 1:3.
“RETURN,” IN WHAT SENSE AND WITH WHAT RESULTS?
9. In what sense were those restored Jews to “return” to Jehovah of armies, and why?
9 In what way did Jehovah mean for those restored Jews to “return” to Him? Had not Haggai the prophet already spoken to them with some resulting action? Yes! And the account says, after Haggai’s first prophecy: “And Jehovah proceeded to rouse up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak the high priest, and the spirit of all the remaining ones of the people; and they began to enter in and to do the work in the house of Jehovah of armies their God. It was on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of Darius the king.” (Haggai 1:14, 15) But in the more than a month since then there may have been a lag in their efforts and possibly some indifference on the part of a number of persons. This would make it very appropriate for another rousing exhortation to be given by another prophet as a corroboration.
10. How were those Jews to “return” to their God, and what would be the evidence of their full return?
10 The whole nation needed to return to Jehovah of armies with one heart and with one soul, and to do it without fear of the enemy. The return was to be in the form of again taking up the fearless, wholehearted worship of the one living and true God. In their case back there this would mean their giving visible expression of their return to their God by rebuilding his temple to a completion. That had been the main objective of their coming back to their homeland. (Ezra 1:1 to 4:3) Building their own private houses and running their farms and other material interests were of secondary importance. Only by having their completed temple at the city where God had put his name could those restored Jews fully carry out their worship of him according to his law given to them through the prophet Moses. (Haggai 1:3-9) So there was much to which to return in order for those Jews to worship their God in complete obedience to his law and arrangements.
11. For returning to him, how would Jehovah “return” to them?
11 And if they did thus “return” in whole-souled worship, what? “‘I shall return to you,’ Jehovah of armies has said.” His return to them would signify the full restoration of his favor to them. He would bring to nothing the opposition of the enemy to their rebuilding of their central house of divine worship. He would take away from them the setbacks that they had been suffering in their material prosperity ever since they left off working at the restoration of the temple. He would bless them with material good things as well as unspeakable spiritual blessings.—Zechariah 8:9-15.
12. So what was the work that the whole nation should unite for, in order to gain the divine favor?
12 Total mobilization of the nation! The time had come for just such a thing as that—under Jehovah’s direction, and with the encouragement of his prophets. All the restored Jews should get behind their most important work and bring Jehovah’s house of worship to its completion in all parts. This would make a name for Jehovah, and only then could the nation’s high priest, underpriests and all the Levites carry out their prescribed duties and services to the spiritual benefit of all the nation and of all the faithful proselytes out of all the nations. But minus the completed temple, the Jews from near and far could not celebrate their three annual festivals properly, nor their annual Day of Atonement. And, too, the Nethinim, the “gatherers of wood and drawers of water,” could not make their full contribution to the services at the temple. (Joshua 9:23; Ezra 2:43-58) So here now was a work for which the whole nation should unite, to gain divine blessing.
13. The outcome of the course of their fathers should have served as what to those restored Jews, and so what was called to their attention?
13 The course of their fathers and the outcome thereof should have served as a warning example to the restored Jews at this critical time. That is why Jehovah, speaking through the prophet Zechariah, continued on to say to them: “‘Do not become like your fathers to whom the former prophets called, saying: “This is what Jehovah of armies has said, ‘Return, please, from your bad ways and from your bad dealings.’”’ ‘But they did not listen, and they paid no attention to me,’ is the utterance of Jehovah. ‘As for your fathers, where are they? And as for the prophets, was it to time indefinite that they continued to live? However, as regards my words and my regulations that I commanded my servants, the prophets, did they not catch up with your fathers? So they returned and said: “According to what Jehovah of armies had in mind to do to us, according to our ways and according to our dealings, that is how he has done with us.”’”—Zechariah 1:4-6.
14. (a) If the restored Jews followed the course of their fathers, what was to be expected? (b) Why did Jehovah ask them about their fathers’ condition, and was the like condition of the former prophets a reason for not listening to Haggai and Zechariah?
14 According to this warning, if the restored Jews did become like their fathers who were taken into exile in Babylon, they could be sure of suffering Jehovah’s displeasure. The reason why he asked them where their fathers were was that their fathers were no more alive, because of the divine displeasure. They had refused to leave their bad ways and dealings and return repentantly to their God. However, the restored Jews could raise the question, ‘What about the prophets, like Jeremiah who specifically prophesied about the destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of the land of Judah? “Did they continue to live?” Are they not dead the same as our disobedient fathers?’ Although the answer to this had to be Yes, still such a fact was no sound reason for the restored Jews to pay no attention to the prophets Haggai and Zechariah whom Jehovah was now raising up in that year 520 B.C.E.
15. (a) Rather than the mortality of those former prophets, what was the important, determining thing in connection with them? (b) So, in what was imitating their fathers’ course sure to result?
15 The mortal prophets, whom Jehovah used as his inspired mouthpieces to declare his words and his regulations, were not the things upon which to base a sound argument. What Jehovah inspired those prophets to say was the important thing, the determining thing. Did Jehovah’s words by them and his regulations or decrees that he decided upon come true? The fathers of the restored Jews were obliged to answer Yes! The fathers were forced to return or turn around in their thinking and to admit: “According to what Jehovah of armies had in mind to do to us, according to our ways and according to our dealings, that is how he has done with us.” Why, then, should the restored Jews put Jehovah to the test as to whether he meant exactly what he said, as their fathers had done? The outcome was sure to be just as with their fathers, Jehovah’s unfailing words and regulations or decrees would catch up with them; the fulfillment of such pronouncements of Jehovah would in course of time overtake them. Disaster would result. So, why not rather they return to Jehovah now, that he might return to them, as promised?
THE SIMILAR ISSUE IN MODERN TIMES
16. (a) What is the vital issue on which we must make our decision now? (b) So the question that the surviving remnant faced in the first postwar year of 1919 C.E. was in connection with what?
16 The vital question on which we must make our decision is, How do we stand with regard to the house of worship of the only living and true God, Jehovah? That is the question that early faced the generation of mankind that has survived from the year 1914 C.E. until now. World War I of 1914-1918 C.E. saw many religious buildings damaged or destroyed in the arena of international conflict. Quite a number of those churches were repaired or rebuilt in the postwar period. However, after that world conflict the thing that vitally concerned the true dedicated people of Jehovah God was not the building of any religious house or church, as in the case of the restored Jews back there in 537-520 B.C.E. Jehovah’s true spiritual temple had not been damaged or destroyed by any bombs from the air or other explosives used during World War I. It had not been touched. Hence the question in the first postwar year of 1919 C.E. was, How did the remnant of Jehovah’s dedicated people stand with regard to his true spiritual temple and the pure, undefiled worship that was due to be rendered therein?
17. Was there need for the dedicated, baptized International Bible Students who survived World War I to repent and return to Jehovah, and why?
17 During World War I the dedicated, baptized International Bible Students had had their work of witnessing to God’s kingdom seriously interfered with by war operations, governmental bans and violent persecutions. They had yielded in a measure to fear of men, which lays a snare for the fearful one. (Proverbs 29:25) They had tried to keep free from bloodguilt by undertaking, for the most part, noncombatant service, but had not kept a strict, total neutrality toward the conflicts of this world. In certain serious respects they needed to repent and return to Jehovah, that he might return with favor to them.—Zechariah 1:3.
18, 19. It was the due time to take up what work again, and why?
18 The nations of this world had definitely entered their “time of the end”—with the close of the Gentile Times in 1914. (Daniel 12:4) The stage of world affairs now certainly called for Jehovah’s appointed work to be taken up again, and that was that which his Son Jesus Christ had foretold:
19 “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; Mark 13:10.
20. (a) In what way did that tremendous worldwide work need to be done? (b) What two organizations are there to take into account?
20 Such a tremendous work of worldwide scope required to be done in a most organized way, with a fully united organization, under the supreme headship of the theocratic Ruler, Jehovah God, who was in his true spiritual temple. Jehovah must do the organizing. There are only two organizations that are operating universally, and the organization of the One should be well known to every intelligent creature. That is the Creator’s organization, Jehovah’s organization. The other is that of his chief adversary, the one to whom the prophet Zechariah himself refers, namely, Satan the Devil.—Zechariah 3:1, 2.
21. What are the main parts of the Devil’s organization, and what makes it imperative that Kingdom preaching be done in an organized way?
21 The present system of things among men certainly represents an organization, and the Christian apostle Paul speaks of Satan the Devil as “the god of this system of things.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) In a letter to the Ephesians (2:2; 6:11, 12) he describes how highly organized the invisible spirit part of Satan the Devil’s organization is. Both the invisible part and the visible earthly part of Satan’s organization are opposed to the preaching of the good news of God’s Messianic kingdom. This makes it all the more imperative that the preachers of the Kingdom work in an organized way.
22. (a) Are Jehovah’s “armies” organized? (b) Till Jesus’ death, what was Jehovah’s visible earthly organization, and since Pentecost of 33 C.E., what has been his visible earthly organization, with what features?
22 Jehovah of armies certainly has all these armies organized. (Luke 2:13-15; Revelation 14:6, 7) The assignment to preach the Kingdom news on earth Jehovah of armies would give only to his visible earthly organization. From the days of the prophet Moses down to the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, the earthly nation of natural, circumcised Israel was the visible organization of Jehovah God. (Psalm 147:19, 20) But from the pouring out of God’s spirit upon the faithful disciples of Jesus Christ on the festival day of Pentecost in 33 C.E., the spiritual Israel with circumcised hearts has been God’s “holy nation” and his visible earthly organization. (Acts 2:1-40; Galatians 6:16; Romans 2:28, 29; 1 Peter 2:9) The spiritual Israel is thus the true Christian congregation made up of the dedicated, baptized, spirit-anointed disciples of the Messiah Jesus. Like the human body, it is highly organized, the many members of it having each one his individual part to perform. (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-28; Ephesians 4:15, 16; Colossians 2:19) For special services the congregation has its appointed elders and ministerial servants.—Philippians 1:1.
23. Besides Kingdom preaching, what other work has there been for Jehovah’s visible organization to do?
23 In this “time of the end” for this present system of things the preaching of “this good news of the kingdom” for a witness to all the nations is not the only work of God’s visible earthly organization after the close of World War I. There has been a harvesting work in progress, in a spiritual sense. Jesus Christ foretold this. When explaining his parable of the wheat field that an enemy oversowed with darnel weeds, Jesus said:
24. What did Jesus say about the harvest and the reapers?
24 “The sower of the fine seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; as for the fine seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; but the weeds are the sons of the wicked one, and the enemy that sowed them is the Devil. The harvest is a conclusion of a system of things, and the reapers are angels.”—Matthew 13:37-39.
25. In 1919, into what was the surviving remnant of spirit-anointed servants of Jehovah gathered, but why was there yet a harvest to be carried out by His angels, and through whom?
25 In the postwar year of 1919 C.E. and under angelic guidance the faithful remnant of Jehovah’s spirit-anointed people were gathered into his visible earthly organization, for the foretold Kingdom-preaching work. This fact was very manifest by the holding of the eight-day general assembly of the International Bible Students Association at Cedar Point, Ohio, in September of 1919. But the members of this faithful anointed remnant who had survived the severe trials and persecutions during World War I were not enough to complete the foreordained number of those who are anointed to reign with Jesus Christ in his heavenly kingdom. The full number of the joint heirs of Christ in his kingdom was foreordained to be 144,000. (Revelation 7:4-8; 14:1, 3; 20:4, 6) Consequently more of the “wheat” class had to be found and harvested by the angels and gathered into Jehovah’s visible earthly organization. As the invisible heavenly angels were working through the anointed remnant on earth, what did the harvest work now require?
26. What did this harvest work require the surviving members of the anointed remnant to do, and what must occur with those whom they baptize for these to become joint heirs of Christ?
26 It required, from 1919 forward, that the surviving members of the joint heirs of Christ’s kingdom must do further work of making disciples, baptizing them and teaching them. Following their baptism as dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ, these new disciples must be anointed with God’s spirit to become “sons of the kingdom,” joint heirs of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:15-17) Those thus collected during this “conclusion of the system of things,” together with all the other wheatlike Christians who had already proved faithful to the death, will complete the foreordained number of 144,000 “sons of the kingdom.” As regards all such faithful harvested ones, it is written: “Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.”—Revelation 20:4, 6.
SPIRITUAL UNDERPRIESTS IN THE TEMPLE’S “HOLY”
27, 28. (a) What relationship do these anointed ones hold to the High Priest Jesus Christ, and so what location do they occupy as regards Jehovah’s spiritual temple? (b) What special privileges do they enjoy in that special area?
27 Note that these faithful anointed disciples are not merely to reign with Jesus Christ in the heavenly kingdom. They will also be “priests of God and of the Christ.” The 144,000 anointed ones are therefore underpriests of the High Priest Jesus Christ. While yet alive on earth, they hold this relationship with Jesus Christ their Head. That is why, nineteen hundred years ago, the apostle Peter wrote to his fellow anointed Christians and said: “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” As underpriests they are privileged “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:9, 5) Accordingly, while yet on earth they are in a special relationship to Jehovah’s spiritual temple, the Holy of Holies of which is His exclusive residence in the holy heavens where the resurrected Jesus Christ presented the value of his perfect, human sacrifice.
28 These underpriests, even while yet on earth in the flesh, are in the spiritual condition pictured by the first interior compartment of “Holy” of the temple at Jerusalem. And just as the Holy of the temple of Jerusalem held the golden tables of showbread or loaves of presentation, and the golden lampstands and the golden altar of incense, so the Christian underpriests in the spiritual Holy eat spiritual food, enjoy spiritual enlightenment and offer up the perfume of faithful prayers and zealous service to Jehovah while they are yet on earth. (Exodus 40:4, 5, 22-28; 1 Kings 7:48-50; 2 Chronicles 4:19-22) Although this may not be appreciated by persons who have no spiritual discernment and appreciation, there is a real sacred service that these spiritual anointed underpriests render in this Holy area of Jehovah’s great spiritual temple. From his exalted position in the Most Holy of this spiritual temple He can scrutinize the activities of these underpriests and can render judgment concerning them as to their service under His High Priest, Jesus Christ.—Malachi 3:1-5.
29. (a) So, since 1919, what kind of work were the surviving anointed remnant doing? (b) How did this affect Jehovah’s spiritual temple?
29 When we take these things into consideration, there is this fact that we can see: In the year 1919 C.E., the surviving anointed remnant of Christ’s disciples presented themselves for their part on earth in the harvest work under the superior direction of the “reapers,” the heavenly angels. In this way they were undertaking a work that affected the true spiritual temple of Jehovah. How so? Well, by doing their discipling work and thus collecting the “wheat” class under angelic reapers, they were working for the producing of more spiritual underpriests. They were colaboring with Jehovah God that he might put more underpriests, yes, the full complement of the spiritual underpriests, into the Holy of His great spiritual temple. They were thus working for an enlarged sacred service by more underpriests at Jehovah’s temple.
30. Was this the right time for the collecting of the wheatlike Christians, and how was this a building up of the working force in the temple “Holy”?
30 Instead of this being a “gleaning work” such as followed a regular harvest in the ancient land of Israel,a this collecting work on the part of the surviving anointed remnant was the real harvest under the angelic “reapers.” The time of their doing this was the “conclusion of the system of things,” since the year 1914 C.E., and Jesus said that “the harvest is a conclusion of a system of things.” (Matthew 13:39; 24:3, 31) As a result of the spiritual harvesting work during the years that followed, the anointed remnant of wheatlike disciples of Christ grew in numbers, notably down to the year 1931 when the anointed remnant embraced the Scripturally backed designation “Jehovah’s witnesses.” Manifestly the number of spiritual underpriests in the Holy of Jehovah’s spiritual temple had increased, likely to include the full complement that was needed to complete the foreordained quota of 144,000 spiritual underpriests under the High Priest Jesus Christ. It was indeed a buildup of the working force in the Holy of Jehovah’s true temple.
31. In behalf of the temple work, how had they been liberated and restored in 1919 C.E.?
31 Here, then, was a spiritual temple work that began to be undertaken in the year 1919 C.E. by the surviving anointed remnant. By Jehovah’s loving-kindness through his Greater Cyrus, Jesus Christ, they had been released from bondage to Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, and its political paramours. They had been liberated and restored to their rightful estate on earth for the very purpose of applying themselves to this temple work.
32. How did what occurred in 1919 C.E. correspond with what occurred in 520 B.C.E.?
32 It was just like back in the year 520 B.C.E., when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were raised up to encourage the restored Jewish remnant to take up again their work on the long-neglected temple at Jerusalem. In the year 1919 C.E. the columns of the Watch Tower magazine were used to rouse up and encourage the surviving anointed remnant to resume their open, public service of the Most High God in a fearless manner. His Messianic kingdom had been established in the heavens at the close of the Gentile Times in 1914 and it must now be announced world wide. This sacrifice of praise to God was now due to be offered up to him even in the presence of all His enemies.—Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 138:1-3.
33. If the anointed remnant were to imitate the course of the fathers of the ancient Jewish remnant, what was due to happen, and so what did the anointed remnant do?
33 In this way they were able to “return” to Jehovah, in view of which he would “return” to them with divine favor. If they were to become like the fathers of the ancient Jewish remnant against whom He had had very much indignation, they would suffer calamity just as did those fathers for not listening or paying attention to the warnings and counsel of Jehovah’s prophets. They also would have the prophetic words and decrees of Jehovah against the disobedient ones catch up with them in this “time of the end” Wisely, therefore, the anointed remnant began to “return” to Jehovah in 1919 C.E.
[Footnotes]
a See The Watch Tower, as of May 1, 1919, under the heading “The Harvest Ended—What Shall Follow?”; also, as of August 15, 1919, page 249, under the headings “Perilous Times Come” and “The Gleaning Work.” |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 32
“From House to House”
(Acts 20:20)
1. From house to house, from door to door,
Jehovah’s Word we spread.
From town to town, from farm to farm,
Jehovah’s sheep are fed.
This good news that God’s Kingdom rules,
As Jesus Christ foretold,
Is being preached throughout the earth
By Christians young and old.
2. From house to house, from door to door,
Salvation we proclaim.
It comes to those who choose to call
Upon Jehovah’s name.
But how can they call on the name
Of One they do not know?
So to their houses and their doors
The sacred name must go.
3. Of course, it’s not at ev’ry door
We find a hearing ear;
At times there is a scolding tongue
And those who will not hear.
’Twas just the same in Jesus’ day;
Not all would hear his word.
He said his sheep would hear his voice;
Hence, we are not deterred.
4. Then let us go from door to door
To spread the Kingdom news.
And to be sheep or to be goats,
We’ll let the people choose.
At least we’ll name Jehovah’s name,
His glorious truth declare.
And as we go from door to door,
We’ll find his sheep are there. |
School Guidebook (sg)
1992 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/sg | Study 5
Be a Good Listener
1-5. What does it mean to listen, and why is it important, especially at congregation meetings?
1 Your progress as a minister of Jehovah is dependent to a considerable extent on how you listen. Throughout your life listening plays an important role in learning. You are listening when you hear with thoughtful attention, but if your attention is not focused on what is being said, the words that are spoken fall on deaf ears. No doubt you have talked to persons who gave you only part of their attention. No matter how often they agreed with you, you knew that they were not really getting the point and so were not really being benefited by what you said. How careful, then, we should be to be good listeners at all times, but especially when attending a course in divine education! As Proverbs 1:5 states: “A wise person will listen and take in more instruction.”
2 The congregation meetings are part of the educational program provided for us through Jehovah’s organization. By listening intently we show respect for Jehovah and his provision for our education. But God knows our makeup and that we may tend at times to let our attention wander, so in his invitation to eat of the abundance of spiritual food that he provides he emphatically says: “Listen intently to me, and eat what is good, . . . Incline your ear and come to me. Listen, and your soul will keep alive.” (Isa. 55:2, 3) If we would have eternal life and aid others to gain that prize, then we need to listen closely and grasp God’s thoughts.—Heb. 1:1, 2; 2:1.
3 Listening attentively also demonstrates proper humility, and we all have good reason to be humble. We can all learn from someone else; none of us know it all. Even if the one speaking lacks in fluency or some other quality of the capable speaker, genuine humility should lead us to give help and encouragement by our attentiveness and response to what he says. And who knows but that he may touch on some angle or some shade of meaning that has never occurred to us before? Out of the mouths of babes, spiritually speaking, Jehovah can provide enlightenment.—Matt. 11:25.
4 Paying close attention is vital in connection with congregation meetings because the things we learn are to be applied in our lives. It is through gaining “accurate knowledge” that we are able to put on the new personality. (Col. 3:9, 10) But if we do not listen carefully, if we fail to pay attention to details, we may not fully appreciate what changes are needed in our lives and so our spiritual growth may be hindered. Too, it is important to be able to give the right answers in oral or written reviews. But how much more so, in the field ministry, should we be able to give everyone who asks us a reason for the grand hope that we cherish!
5 As you cultivate the habit of paying close attention to what is spoken, you will improve your ability to remember the things you hear.
6-8. How can you keep your mind from wandering when a talk is being given?
6 How to listen. It is easy to let other matters distract us at meetings. We may be preoccupied by things that happened during the day or concerned about something that has to be done tomorrow. But if one is not listening intently to what is being said, what is the point of being present? So there is need for each one to discipline himself, to keep a tight rein on his train of thought. One must be determined to give full attention to the discussion at hand, and refuse to allow the mind to wander. It should be as though one has pulled down a mental curtain on all thoughts that are foreign to the subject under discussion. That is concentration.
7 A good way to protect yourself against the wandering mind or the daydreaming habit is to make notes of points and scriptures used by the speaker. Keep the notes brief, as too many will distract your attention, while a few will help your concentration. These notes may be of value to you at some later time. But, even if you never use them again, they do help to keep your attention riveted on what is being said. You become deeply involved in the subject under discussion and can pinpoint the speaker’s main arguments.
8 In ordinary conversation it is a good indication that the other party is listening if he raises intelligent questions on the subject under discussion. So, too, when listening to a prepared talk it is good evidence that your mind is on the subject if you find yourself raising constructive questions and then watching to see if the speaker will answer them. Among other things, ask yourself how you could use the material being presented.
9. How can the comparatively fast rate of thinking be used to good advantage when listening to a talk?
9 The average person thinks much faster than the speaker can talk, permitting time for outside thoughts to enter the mind. It has been estimated that the average rate of thinking is about 400 words a minute, but the average rate of speaking is about 125 words a minute. However, this thinking speed can be used to our advantage if we reflect on the material presented, summarizing it, reviewing it, and so fixing it firmly in mind.
10, 11. How can right motive be an aid in listening?
10 Another aid to getting the important points a speaker has to offer is to listen with the right motive. It is not our objective to listen with a view to criticizing the speaker’s material and delivery. In the ministry school the appointed overseer has the responsibility of offering counsel. So that leaves the rest of us free to concentrate on whatever useful information the speaker has to offer.
11 Again, when the school overseer offers counsel to student speakers, it is seldom constructive for another student to be deciding whether he agrees with the counsel offered or not. But it will definitely be to his advantage to ask himself whether the same counsel applies to him, and what benefit he can personally gain from it. Thus by being a good listener he is aided to progress by each talk given instead of limiting his advancement to the occasions when he personally is assigned to speak.
12. In what way can children learn to be good listeners?
12 Youths and young children should also be taught to be attentive listeners. It helps if they are seated in a location where they are under the watchful eye of parents. If they can read, it is encouraging for them to have their own copy of the publication being used. Generally speaking, it is unwise to permit them to occupy the time with material that is foreign to the program. As a stimulus to listening they can be given to understand that when they get home they will be asked to repeat something they have learned. And they should be warmly commended if they do remember or make note of something said during the meeting.—Deut. 31:12.
13, 14. How can eating habits affect our listening?
13 Concentration comes more easily if we have been careful to avoid eating a heavy meal just prior to meeting time, for this is sleep-inducing. This is because the body’s resources are taxed to care for digestion, leaving but a minimum to operate one’s thinking processes. With mental perception thus dulled, there is danger of simply listening sluggishly to what is said, without response or deep appreciation, or of dozing off altogether.
14 Perhaps even more important is scheduling your affairs to be present regularly for the instruction presented. Students at many schools skip classes and then try to review the material themselves. But you will hardly benefit from instruction you do not hear. Do not let family or friends keep you from being present at the meetings. Make certain you are present to hear with life-sustaining regularity the truths presented from God’s Word.
15, 16. Explain how we can test and improve our listening ability at the meetings.
15 Testing your listening ability. We spend five hours each week at congregation meetings, and during most of that time we have the opportunity to learn by listening. Do you personally make the best possible use of that time? How much of the fine material covered each week by the public speaker do you retain? After attending the ministry school and the service meeting, can you state the main idea of each talk in your own words, or do you find that at times you cannot even remember who was on the program? Might you benefit more fully by putting forth a greater effort to concentrate, perhaps even taking notes? Try it. Then review the main ideas in discussion with others after the meetings.
16 During several of our weekly meetings, questions are propounded and the audience is invited to comment. Those comments often reflect hours of personal study and years of experience. When others offer comments, do you really listen to what they are saying? Do you listen carefully enough so that, when they are finished, you could repeat in your own words the gist of what they said? Try to do just that, and you will be delighted at how much more you really hear.
17. What will help to hold our attention while paragraphs are being read?
17 During these meetings much reading is also done. Paragraphs of the study material are read at the Watchtower study and the congregation book study. Do you really listen to what is being read, or do you let your mind wander during the reading? There is a wealth of detail in the paragraphs that time does not permit to be covered by oral comments. And then the repetition of the main points by the commenters helps to fix the material clearly in mind. How much we can learn if we really listen to everything that is read at the meetings! It will help you to do so if you focus your eyes on the printed material as well as listening.
18-20. How are eager listeners rewarded?
18 Eager listeners rewarded. Eager listeners recognize that there is much to be learned and they are anxious to get as much as possible. They heed the advice of Proverbs 2:3, 4: “Call out for understanding itself . . . give forth your voice for discernment itself, . . . keep seeking for it as for silver.” And as they search, Jehovah blesses them, because he has promised: “In that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah, and you will find the very knowledge of God. . . . you will understand righteousness and judgment and uprightness, the entire course of what is good.”—Prov. 2:5, 9.
19 It is true that to be good listeners we must discipline ourselves. But how rewarding it is! Our spiritual growth becomes readily manifest. Beneficial changes are made in our lives. And our ability to make known the good news both from the platform and in the field ministry improves.
20 Whereas our time for personal study may be quite limited, we all have opportunity to do much listening at congregation meetings. How important, then, the quality of our listening! And since the things we hear involve our service to Jehovah and our eternal life, how appropriate the counsel of Jesus: “Pay attention to how you listen”!—Luke 8:18. |
Caught in a Terrorist Bomb Blast! | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101980012 | Caught in a Terrorist Bomb Blast!
EVEN though a person may be a devout servant of God, he cannot assume that he is going to be miraculously saved from accidents and disasters that occur every day around the world. As an example, take what happened to my little daughter and me on Sunday, July 29, 1979.
While my wife was preparing a meal, I decided to take our four-year-old daughter, Gemma, out to a park in Madrid. But on the way, she asked me to take her to the railway station to see the trains instead. She loves to watch trains, and since the distance was about the same, I agreed.
When we arrived at the station, I bought her ice cream and then we watched the trains arriving and leaving. We strolled around the station and then decided to leave for home. We had walked about 12 yards out of the main hall when my daughter’s attention was drawn to an automatic photography booth. With her childish curiosity she poked her head and shoulders into the booth to see more.
At that very moment a violent explosion took place and a stream of glass fragments whistled past me! I felt a powerful force separate me from Gemma and throw me to the floor some yards away. Then I heard a voice shout out, “A bomb has exploded!” I saw a huge dark cloud issuing forth from the hall from which we had just walked. Many must have died, I thought, as I recalled the crowd we had seen there.
Then something very special made me leap up from the floor as if sprung from a trap. My daughter! My Gemma! I rushed to her. She was sitting on the floor next to the photography booth. “Oh, papa, what has happened?” she asked, frightened. The fact that she had been halfway inside the booth had saved her from the worst part of the blast and from the fragments of glass. Thinking to take her to the hospital, I swept her up from the floor and ran toward the car. When I got there, I found that I had lost the keys! I looked for them in vain, blood soaking our clothing.
I could not find the keys, and was getting desperate. Just at that moment, a taxi stopped at our side! I got in immediately and told the driver to get us to the nearest hospital at once. I placed Gemma on my knees, and when I began to examine her more carefully something terrible struck me. My precious Gemma had a cut on her eyeball! She was looking up at me with a fixed gaze. I tried to console myself, thinking that whatever might happen, Jehovah would undo any injury and make it possible for her to enjoy perfection in his new order here on earth.—Rev. 21:3, 4.
In actual fact, neither Gemma nor I suffered grave consequences from that terrorist attack. Her eye, after a brief operation, recovered, and doctors say that she will not lose its sight. Others, however, were less fortunate. That same day three bombs exploded in different parts of Madrid. Five people were killed and more than 100 were injured.
But why had we been involved? As the Bible clearly states: “Time and accident happened to them all.” (Eccl. 9:11, “Rotherham”) This experience has taught me to draw nearer to God and to the living hope of his kingdom, which is the only solution for the horrible things that afflict our beautiful earth and the people on it.—Contributed. |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 12
Jesus’ Baptism
ABOUT six months after John begins preaching, Jesus, who is now 30 years old, comes to him at the Jordan. For what reason? To pay a social visit? Is Jesus simply interested in how John’s work is progressing? No, Jesus asks John to baptize him.
Right away John objects: “I am the one needing to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?” John knows that his cousin Jesus is God’s special Son. Why, John had jumped with gladness in his mother’s belly when Mary, pregnant with Jesus, visited them! John’s mother, Elizabeth, no doubt later told him about this. And she would also have told him about the angel’s announcement of Jesus’ birth and about the appearance of angels to shepherds the night Jesus was born.
So Jesus is no stranger to John. And John knows that his baptism is not for Jesus. It is for those repenting of their sins, but Jesus is without sin. Yet, despite John’s objection, Jesus insists: “Let it be, this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.”
Why is it right for Jesus to be baptized? Because Jesus’ baptism is a symbol, not of repentance for sins, but of his presenting himself to do the will of his Father. Jesus has been a carpenter, but now the time has come for him to begin the ministry that Jehovah God sent him to earth to perform. Do you think John expects anything unusual to happen when he baptizes Jesus?
Well, John later reports: “The very One who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘Whoever it is upon whom you see the spirit coming down and remaining, this is the one that baptizes in holy spirit.’” So John is expecting God’s spirit to come upon someone he baptizes. Perhaps, therefore, he is not really surprised when, as Jesus comes up from the water, John sees “like a dove God’s spirit coming upon him.”
But more than that happens as Jesus is baptized. ‘The heavens are opened up’ to him. What does this mean? Evidently it means that while he is being baptized, the memory of his prehuman life in heaven returns to him. Thus, Jesus now fully recalls his life as a spirit son of Jehovah God, including all the things that God spoke to him in heaven during his prehuman existence.
In addition, at the time of his baptism, a voice from heaven proclaims: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” Whose voice is that? Jesus’ own voice? Of course not! It is God’s. Clearly, Jesus is God’s Son, not God himself, as some people claim.
However, Jesus is a human son of God, even as was the first man, Adam. The disciple Luke, after describing Jesus’ baptism, writes: “Jesus himself, when he commenced his work, was about thirty years old, being the son, as the opinion was, of Joseph, son of Heli, . . . son of David, . . . son of Abraham, . . . son of Noah, . . . son of Adam, son of God.”
As Adam was a human “son of God,” so is Jesus. Jesus is the greatest man who ever lived, which becomes evident when we examine Jesus’ life. However, at his baptism, Jesus enters into a new relationship with God, becoming also God’s spiritual Son. God now calls him back to heaven, as it were, by starting him off on a course that will lead to his laying down his human life forever in sacrifice in behalf of condemned humankind. Matthew 3:13-17; Luke 3:21-38; 1:34-36, 44; 2:10-14; John 1:32-34; Hebrews 10:5-9.
▪ Why is Jesus no stranger to John?
▪ Since he has committed no sins, why is Jesus baptized?
▪ In view of what John knows about Jesus, why might he not be surprised when God’s spirit comes upon Jesus? |
Revelation Climax (re)
1988 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/re | outputs
Page Vision Chapter
6 1 Revelation—Its Happy Climax!
9 2 The Grand Theme of the Bible
15 3 Things That Must Shortly Take Place
18 4 Jesus Comes With Encouragement
22 1 5 John Beholds the Glorified Jesus
27 1 6 Unlocking a Sacred Secret
33 1 7 Rekindle That First Love!
37 1 8 Striving to Be Conquerors
41 1 9 Holding Fast to Jesus’ Name
47 1 10 Abhorring the “Deep Things of Satan”
54 1 11 Is Your Name in the Book of Life?
58 1 12 “Keep On Holding Fast What You Have”
66 1 13 Buy Gold Refined by Fire
74 2 14 The Magnificence of Jehovah’s Celestial Throne
82 2 15 “Who Is Worthy to Open the Scroll?”
89 3 16 Four Horsemen at the Gallop!
100 3 17 ‘Slaughtered Souls’ Rewarded
104 3 18 Earthquakes in the Lord’s Day
113 4 19 Sealing the Israel of God
119 4 20 A Multitudinous Great Crowd
129 5 21 Jehovah’s Plagues on Christendom
142 5 22 The First Woe—Locusts
148 5 23 The Second Woe—Armies of Cavalry
155 6 24 A Sweet-and-Bitter Message
161 6 25 Reviving the Two Witnesses
171 6 26 God’s Sacred Secret—Its Glorious Climax!
177 7 27 God’s Kingdom Is Born!
186 8 28 Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts
198 9 29 Singing the Triumphal New Song
205 9 30 “Babylon the Great Has Fallen!”
215 10 31 Jehovah’s Works—Great and Wonderful
221 10 32 God’s Anger Brought to a Finish
235 11 33 Judging the Infamous Harlot
246 11 34 An Awesome Mystery Solved
251 11 35 Executing Babylon the Great
258 12 36 The Great City Devastated
267 12 37 Mourning and Rejoicing at Babylon’s End
272 12 38 Praise Jah for His Judgments!
279 13 39 The Warrior-King Triumphs at Armageddon
286 14 40 Crushing the Serpent’s Head
295 15 41 God’s Day of Judgment—Its Joyful Outcome!
301 15 42 A New Heaven and a New Earth
305 16 43 The Resplendent City
314 44 Revelation and You
The entire book of Revelation is explained in this publication. Verses being commented on appear in bold type. |
Evidence of Design | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101979003 | Evidence of Design
THE existence of design invariably calls for a designer with skill and ability. Who would think for a minute that a finely tooled watch would form by accident? Its precision of movement is evidence of a skilled designer.
So, too, let us take a good look at the human body to see indications of a great Designer. A glistening newborn baby, teeming with life, is in itself a breathtaking miracle. Moreover, within this little “bundle” are evidences of sophisticated design that impress even highly educated engineers and scientists. So, as the child develops, notice some examples of superb designing.
Our Bones: “Triumphs of Structure and Design”
Why did the book The Body, which strongly advocates evolution, describe the bones in the way that it does? Because bone “supports the body the way a steel framework supports a skyscraper, and it protects its vital organs the way a cast-concrete roof protects a building’s occupants. In filling these structural assignments, the human body solves problems of design and construction familiar to the architect and engineer.”
How would you feel if you were a building contractor and were asked to enlarge a home, making it three times higher and wider and yet not disturb the occupant’s daily labors or night’s rest even for one hour? Impossible, you say. Yet that very thing is required of our bones. Our frame must increase threefold from our infancy till we reach maturity.
How do our bones accomplish this task? Imagine someone scraping a little material off the interior of the walls and ceiling of a room and then depositing this material on the outside of the walls and ceiling. Each week the room “grows” several millimeters until, finally, after 20 years, our house is three times as large as before. Well, special cells in our bones do this same “masonry” work—osteoclasts (bone breakers) and osteoblasts (bone builders).
And what strength and flexibility is built into our bones! Their construction is similar to reinforced concrete (a material of astounding strength used extensively in modern construction with poured concrete formed around flexible rods of steel). Crisscrossed through the concrete-like calcium in bones, run fibers of collagen, providing the reinforcement. Yet bone is eight times stronger than reinforced concrete. Its tensile strength is greater than cast iron. Your shin bone can regularly support a weight of nearly two tons and can be subjected to pressures up to 20,000 pounds per square inch (1,400 kilograms per square centimeter). Yet bone is flexible and amazingly light. If steel were used instead, a 160-pound (73-kilogram) man would weigh nearly 800 pounds (360 kilograms)! Think about that the next time you are floating in water. So a perfect mixture is used in our bones, combining strength with flexibility and lightness.
As if this alone were not enough, the interior of the bones is like a “mint” where new blood cells, the life of the body, are “coined and issued.” As the book Man in Structure and Function comments:
“Just as banks build their vaults in the foundations of their buildings so as to deposit their gold reserves in the safety and security of their depths, similarly the body has used the most protected places in the human body, the interior of the bones, to deposit there the coin and gold of the cell state: the blood.”
No wonder the magazine Today’s Health says: “The human skeleton represents a masterpiece of engineering design, . . . ”
“The Ear: Masterpiece of Engineering”
So the book Sound and Hearing describes our organ of hearing. The book adds: “Yet behind [the outer ear] lie structures of such delicacy that they shame the most skillful craftsman, of such reliable automatic operation that they inspire awe in the most ingenious engineer.”
Just think: miniaturized into a space about one square inch (6 square centimeters) is an entire high-fidelity receiving and transmitting system. From the outer ear (which gathers the sound waves) through the middle ear (which converts the sound waves into mechanical movements) to the inner ear (which transforms the mechanical movements into electrical impulses), we see evidence of really sophisticated design.
In the cochlea (a part of the inner ear resembling a snail’s shell [note the picture above]), the real miracle occurs. It is here that mechanical movements are converted into electrical impulses and fed to the brain, which decodes these as sounds. To accomplish this function 24,000 tiny hairs within this organ act as the strings of a piano. The sound waves cause movements within the cochlea from which these “strings” then reproduce the various tones. Through nerves attached to these hairs electrical impulses are sent to the brain. One reference work says: “Since the cochlea in a pianist’s ear is approximately a million times smaller than the piano upon which he plays, one must imagine the keyboard and strings of a concert piano reduced about 100 million times in order to arrive at the dimensions of the auditory ‘piano’ in the ear.” Our “piano” reproduces perfectly every sound—from a faint whisper to the crescendo of a great orchestra—and all of this within a part the size of a pea! Design or accident? Have you ever heard even of a grand piano that came into existence by pure accident?
The Human Hand: “Instrument of Instruments”
So said an ancient physician about that which has made possible so many of man’s achievements. Biochemist Isaac Asimov echoed such feelings by calling the hand:
“ . . . a superlative manipulative organ, incomparably the best thing of the sort in all the realm of life—with four limber fingers and an opposing thumb so that the whole can be used as a delicate pincer or firm grasper, a twister, bender, puller, pusher, and manipulator of piano and typewriter keys.”
Indeed the hand is not only powerful, but strikingly agile. With it we can pound with a hammer yet also pick up a small pin.
Where are the powerful muscles located that control our fingers? Now if you were designing a hand, where would you put the muscles? Perhaps in the fingers themselves? How dreadful that would be! For even though they would have strength, they would look like thick sausages. Have you ever tried to pick up a pin with a thick sausage? But the bending muscles of the fingers for the most part are located in the forearm. Flex your fingers and feel your forearm. Feel the muscles moving? These are connected by “strings” or tendons to the tips of your fingers, resulting in great strength, but genuine flexibility. What a remarkable design! By mere accident?
The Brain: “Most Miraculous Creation in the World”
That is what a leading anthropologist, Loren C. Eiseley, an evolutionist, called our brain back in 1955. Man today, with all his increased technology is still dumbfounded at what our brain is capable of doing. It has “10 billion nerve cells, any one of which may connect with as many as 25,000 other nerve cells. The number of interconnections which this adds up to would stagger even an astronomer—and astronomers are used to dealing with astronomical numbers,” reports one reference work, and it adds: “A computer sophisticated enough to handle this number of interconnections would have to be big enough to cover the earth.”
Yet all of this is miniaturized into a mass weighing about three pounds (1,360 grams), small enough to fit in your two hands. Fittingly it is called “the most highly organized bit of matter in the universe.”
Our brain is capable of something for which no man-made computer has ever had a capacity: creative imagination. This was especially evident from the experience of composer Ludwig van Beethoven. When one of his greatest works, his Ninth Symphony, was introduced, the audience broke into “frantic applause,” they loved it so. Beethoven was not audibly aware of it; he was totally deaf! Just think, he “heard” the full richness of the composition first in his own imagination and then set it down in notes, and he never actually heard one tone. What power of creative imagination our brain possesses!
Is it not obvious that there are examples of superb designing in our body? Should we not be drawn to the same logical conclusion as that reached by an outstanding consultant engineer who struggled for two years designing an “electronic brain”? He said: “After facing and solving the many design problems which [the computer] presented, it is completely irrational to me to think that such a device could come into being in any other way than through . . . an intelligent designer. . . . If my computer required a designer, how much more so did that complex . . . machine which is my human body.”
Could all these examples of design merely have “just happened”? George Gallup, a renowned statistician, one who carefully compiles figures and facts on certain subjects, once said: “I could prove God statistically. Take the human body alone—the chance that all the functions of the individual would just happen is a statistical monstrosity.” In other words, the chance that all of this could “just happen” without some directive power is, in reality, impossible, “a statistical monstrosity.”
The great physicist Lord Kelvin who at the time of his death, “was without dispute the greatest scientific genius in the world,” reached the same conclusion: “We are absolutely forced by science to believe with perfect confidence in a Directive Power—in an influence other than physical or dynamical or electrical forces . . . You will be forced by science into a belief in God.” (Italics added)
We can see convincing evidence of God’s existence through (1) sound scientific logic and (2) existence of design in the world around us. Still a question comes to our mind: What is this God like? To find a satisfying answer, please read the following article.
[Picture on page 9]
Marvels of the human body can be observed by the structure of the ear, the brain and the bones
[Picture on page 9]
“The cochlea [a part of the ear] . . . is a musical instrument of complicated structure resembling that of a piano” |
Happiness (hp)
1980 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/hp | Chapter 15
Is “the End of the World” Near?
“ARE You Ready for the End of the World?” asked the Toronto Star. That question would make some persons think of reports such as this one:
“Sydney, Australia—Out in the Australian bush, a group of 100 city dwellers who have fled their homes and forsaken the luxuries of present-day life are preparing for what they believe to be the imminent ‘end of the world.’”
2 Yet many persons today worry that “the end” could well result from nuclear war, pollution or other real dangers. For example:
“Science writer Isaac Asimov has counted some 20 ways in which life could become extinct on earth, ranging from the sun dying to famine.”—Toronto Star.
3 We have, though, a more serious reason for concern based on the reliable Word of God. Many have read in the Bible about “the end of the world.” (Matthew 13:39, 40; 24:3, Authorized Version, New American Bible) Knowing that whatever God promises will occur, we should want to see what the Bible says about this and how it can affect our lives now and in the future.
AN END—OF WHAT, AND WHEN?
4 The Scriptures assure us that God will annihilate those who promote evil and suffering. (Psalm 37:28; 145:20) Both Jesus Christ and the apostle Peter compared this coming execution of judgment to the selective destruction of people that God brought to pass in Noah’s time. The earth itself was not destroyed. But the wicked were executed by a global flood. God preserved Noah and his family; they formed a righteous earthly society on a cleansed globe. After referring to that, Peter was inspired by God to foretell the coming of “the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.” That will be followed by a “new heavens and a new earth” in which “righteousness is to dwell.”—2 Peter 3:5-7, 13; Ecclesiastes 1:4; Isaiah 45:18.
5 Naturally, we want to know when that destructive end of the present system of things will come. Jesus said that only the Father knows “that day and hour.” (Matthew 24:36) But does that leave us completely in the dark? No, for God kindly put in his Word information so that his worshipers could know when the time was close.—Compare Amos 3:7.
6 The Bible gives us reason for confidence in God’s ability to forecast future developments. For example, in Daniel 9:24-27 he recorded a prophecy to indicate when the Messiah, or Christ, would arrive. First-century physician Luke relates that in 29 C.E. the Jews, knowing of Daniel’s prophecy, were awaiting the Messiah. (Luke 3:1, 2, 15) Jewish scholar Abba Hillel Silver agrees, writing: “The Messiah was expected around the second quarter of the first century C.E.” Jesus was baptized and became the Christ in 29 C.E., the very year indicated by Daniel’s prophecy.
7 The same prophecy in Daniel foretold that after the Messiah’s death, ‘the city and the holy place would be brought to ruin.’ Yes, God told in advance that Jerusalem and its holy temple were to be destroyed, ending the existing Jewish system of things.—Daniel 9:26.
8 Shortly before his death in 33 C.E., Jesus elaborated on this. He said that God was abandoning Jerusalem and her temple. Also, he said that he was going away, to return later. (Matthew 23:37–24:2) But his disciples asked:
“Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things [or, ‘end of the world’]?”—Matthew 24:3.
9 His answer would have life-or-death importance to first-century Christians. It is just as important for us, because, as we will see, Jesus’ reply had meaning beyond what the apostles asked about or could understand.—John 16:4, 12, 13.
10 Jesus referred to Daniel’s prophecy. (Matthew 24:15) That had not pinpointed the year for Jerusalem’s desolation, and neither would Jesus. But he described events to form a “sign” that the Jewish system was in its last days. You can read his words in Matthew 24:4-21 and Luke 21:10-24. He foretold false Messiahs (Christs), wars, food shortages, earthquakes, pestilences, persecution of Christians and an extensive preaching campaign. History bears out that those things occurred within the generation that survived until the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 C.E.
FALSE CHRISTS: Josephus, a first-century historian, mentions three professed Messiahs
WARS: There were Parthian wars in southwest Asia; revolts in Gaul and Spain; uprisings of Jews in parts of the Empire; Syrian and Samaritan uprisings against the Jews
FAMINE: Famines occurred in Rome, Greece and Judea, one of which is reported on in Acts 11:28
EARTHQUAKES: These happened on Crete, in Smyrna, Hierapolis, Colossae, Chios, Miletus, Samos, Rome and Judea
CHRISTIANS WERE PERSECUTED but they PREACHED WIDELY: See the record in Acts 8:1, 14; 9:1, 2; 24:5; 28:22
11 Because Christians trusted Jesus’ prophecy they could take lifesaving action. Christ had warned: ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, flee.’ (Luke 21:20-24) As foretold, the Romans under General Gallus encircled Jerusalem in October of 66 C.E. How could Christians flee? Unexpectedly the armies withdrew. Christians, acting on Jesus’ warning, fled the city. In 70 C.E., the Romans under General Titus returned. They desolated the city, killing over a million Jews. If you visit Rome, you can see a memorial of this carved on the Arch of Titus.
12 What occurred during the last days of the Jewish system proves the absolute reliability of the “sign” Jesus gave. This is important to us because Jesus’ prophecy about “the conclusion of the system of things” has even greater meaning today.
ANOTHER FULFILLMENT OF JESUS’ PROPHECY
13 What Jesus foretold about false Christs, wars, famines and earthquakes, and persecution of Christians, found fulfillment before 70 C.E. However, he predicted additional things that clearly were to come at a later time. He said that “all the tribes of the earth” would be forced to recognize his presence in heavenly glory. (Matthew 24:30) Also, he foretold that peoples would be separated as “sheep from the goats,” and the sheeplike persons would enter into everlasting life. (Matthew 25:32, 46) Those things did not occur before or in 70 C.E.
14 Over 25 years after Jerusalem’s fall, God moved the apostle John to write in Revelation about future events. In the sixth chapter, John foresaw “horsemen” who would bring disastrous things to the earth. You will see in reading Revelation 6:3-8 that John foretold (1) warfare, (2) “food shortage” and (3) “deadly plague.” These are some of the very things Jesus had predicted in the “sign.” Thus we have added proof that there was to be a second or larger fulfillment of what Jesus had foretold. Professor A. T. Robertson says on this:
“It is sufficient for our purpose to think of Jesus as using the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem which did happen in that generation in A.D. 70, as also a symbol of his own second coming and of the end of the world or consummation of the age.”—Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume 1, page 188.
15 ‘But,’ some say, ‘there have always been wars, famines and pestilences. So how does one recognize the second fulfillment of the “sign”?’
16 Obviously, it would have to be something outstanding, different from a local war, an isolated pestilence or a single earthquake. Note that Revelation 6:4 says that the warfare would “take peace away [not from one nation or region, but] from the earth.” In addition, Jesus showed that it would be a composite sign. So, along with widespread war, there would be noteworthy famines, earthquakes and plagues, to name a few. These would all come upon one generation. (Matthew 24:32-34) Appreciating this, and looking over human history, many persons discern clearly that the ‘sign of the conclusion of the system of things’ has now appeared.
THE “SIGN” IN OUR TIME
17 Revelation 6:4 indicated that there would be earth-wide war. Has there been? Yes, beginning with the war of 1914-1918. Columnist Sydney J. Harris writes that ‘World War I involved countries comprising more than 90 percent of the world’s population.’ According to the Encyclopedia Americana, over 8,000,000 soldiers were killed in World War I and more than 12,000,000 civilians died by massacre, starvation or exposure.
18 Some try to dismiss this by saying that previously men just did not have the transportation and technology for world war. But that emphasizes the uniqueness of World War I.
“As time has passed since the days of August, 1914, it has become increasingly clear that the outbreak of the First World War meant the end of an age.”—The Norton History of Modern Europe.
“World War I—simply The Great War to its survivors—remains the watershed of modern history in men’s minds. . . . There is a kind of truth in the unconscious belief most people hold that Modern times began with World War I. It was the time when we lost our innocence.”—Montreal Gazette.
“Nineteen-eighteen did not usher in the millennium, it ushered in a half century of conflict—turbulence, war, revolution, desolation, and ruin on a scale never before seen or even imagined.”—Professor H. S. Commager.
19 Yes, ‘war was ushered in on a scale never imagined,’ just as the Bible had indicated. Soon there was a second world war costing between “35,000,000 and 60,000,000” lives.
“World War II spread death and devastation throughout most of the world to an extent never before experienced. . . . an attempt to express the value of property and livelihoods destroyed in terms of money is futile: the resulting sums reach astronomical figures.”—Encyclopedia Americana.
And you know that aside from the many wars since 1945, we now have the threat of nuclear war.
20 Unprecedented disease is another evidence that the major fulfillment of the “sign” began with World War I. (Luke 21:11) After acknowledging that earlier plagues killed large numbers over a period of decades, the magazine Science Digest showed how vastly greater was the Spanish influenza of 1918:
“The war had killed over 21 million people in four years of dogged conflict; the influenza epidemic took approximately the same toll in about four months. In all history there had been no sterner, swifter visitation of death. . . . One doctor called it the medical catastrophe of all time.”
“The usual world figure is 21 million dead, but it is ‘probably a gross underestimation.’ That many may well have died on the Indian subcontinent alone; the mortality there in October of 1918 was ‘without parallel in the history of disease.’”—Scientific American.
Nor have scientists halted the harvest of death by disease. When one disease seems “conquered,” another gains. Men send rockets to the moon, but they have not overcome malaria, cancer and heart disease.
21 Jesus said that “earthquakes in one place after another” would also be part of the “sign.” (Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11) There have been earthquakes throughout history. But how does the period since World War I compare? In Il Piccolo, Geo Malagoli observes:
“Our generation lives in a dangerous period of high seismic activity, as statistics show. In fact, during a period of 1,059 years (from 856 to 1914) reliable sources list only 24 major earthquakes causing 1,973,000 deaths. However, [in] recent disasters, we find that 1,600,000 persons have died in only 63 years, as a result of 43 earthquakes which occurred from 1915 to 1978. This dramatic increase further goes to emphasize another accepted fact—our generation is an unfortunate one in many ways.”
22 Persons may say that the growing world population and the size of cities account for the higher earthquake death toll since World War I. Even if this is the reason, it does not change what has happened. This is also true of famine. Despite advances in food production, such as the Green Revolution, we read news reports like these:
“At least one out of every eight people on earth is still afflicted by some form of malnutrition.”
“The UN World Food Council convened in Ottawa this fall and confirmed that 50 million people starve to death each year.”
“World food agencies estimate that more than one billion people won’t get enough to eat this year.”
23 “Increasing of lawlessness” and a decline in love were also evidences to mark “the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 24:3, 12) You probably need no statistics on crime or terrorism to convince you that this is being fulfilled today. But, in this regard, read the prophetic description of the “last days” in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. See how accurately it fits what we face now.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
24 Jesus foretold that many persons would be distressed by the fulfillment of the “sign.” “Men [will] become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.” However, it would be different with his followers. Christ told them: “As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because your deliverance is getting near.” (Luke 21:26, 28) We must not ignore what is happening, nor senselessly brush it aside as coincidental. Those in Jerusalem who ignored the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in their day lost their lives. Jesus tells us: “Keep awake . . . that you may succeed in escaping.”—Luke 21:34-36.
25 Yes, it is possible to survive the end of the present wicked system of things. No human knows the exact “day and hour” of the coming end, but what has occurred on earth in our lifetime proves that it is very near. However, more is asked of us than merely ‘keeping on the watch.’ (Matthew 24:36-42) It should have an effect on our thinking and conduct. Peter writes: “Your lives should be holy and dedicated to God, as you wait for the Day of God. . . . Do your best to be pure and faultless.”—2 Peter 3:11-14, Good News Bible.
26 As part of the “sign,” Jesus said: “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) To have our proper share in that activity, we need to know what that “kingdom” is and why it is so vital now since the end is near. Let us now examine this.
[Study Questions]
Why should we be interested in “the end of the world”? (1-3)
According to the Bible, what is going to end? (4)
Why can we be sure the “end” will come? (5, 6)
What did Jesus predict about the Jewish system of things? And what occurred? (7-10)
How important was it to understand the “sign”? (11, 12)
Why should we look for another fulfillment of the “sign,” and how would it differ from the first fulfillment? (13-16)
How has the foretold warfare come to pass in our time? (17-19)
What fulfillment has occurred as to pestilence? (20)
What other evidence could you point to, showing that the “sign” is being fulfilled? (21-23)
What bearing does the current fulfillment of the “sign” have on your life? (24-26)
[Box on page 140]
“Predictions concerning the end of the world have been made since ancient times. . . . Today, however, there are ominous portents that will not go away; ‘people problems’ that seem insoluble even by the most astute politicians; a lunatic fringe in a nuclear world and mankind’s termite-like destruction of his irreplaceable environment.”—“The Spectator,” Ontario, Canada.
[Box on page 147]
“War has never been easy to explain and World War I is perhaps the hardest of all. Beneath the dry accounts of rivalries and alliances which historians use to explain the war, there lies a sense of something far greater, a sense of restlessness troubling the world. . . . The war was hardly over when the world began preparing for the next.”—Barry Renfrew of Associated Press.
“The events set in motion on August 4, 1914 . . . destroyed a moral-cum-political order, broke up an international balance of power, ended Europe’s role as the world’s maker of events and killed, in the proceedings, several dozen million people. . . . in 1914 the world lost a coherence which it has not managed to recapture since.”—London, “The Economist.”
[Box on page 149]
EARTHQUAKE DEATHS
(Estimation based on 1,122 years)
Up to 1914—1,800 a year
Since 1914—25,300 a year
[Picture on page 144]
Acting on Jesus’ warning, Christians fled Jerusalem before the Romans destroyed it |
BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
2 Corinthians 12:9—“My Grace Is Sufficient for You” | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502300151 | BIBLE VERSES EXPLAINED
2 Corinthians 12:9—“My Grace Is Sufficient for You”
“My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you, for my power is being made perfect in weakness.”—2 Corinthians 12:9, New World Translation.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”—2 Corinthians 12:9, New International Version.
Meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:9
God promises to give the apostle Paul the strength he needs to cope with his trials and limitations.
“My undeserved kindness is sufficient for you.” God’s answer to Paul’s repeated prayers can also be rendered “my kindness is all you need.” In other words, God’s undeserved kindness would be enough to help Paul cope with his trials. How so? The word translated “undeserved kindness,” or “grace,” describes a free and unmerited gift given generously by God. Paul’s writings show that he benefited greatly from God’s undeserved kindness. Although Paul was a former persecutor, God gave him the strength he needed to change his behavior and to help others become Christians. (1 Corinthians 15:9, 10; 1 Timothy 1:12-14) Paul could confidently rely on God’s help to overcome any problems or challenges he faced.
“For my power is being made perfect in weakness.” The Lord Jehovaha reminds Paul that His power is most evident when it works through weak and imperfect humans. (2 Corinthians 4:7; 12:8) When Christians recognize their limitations and look to Jehovah for help, they allow God’s power to be fully at work in them. (Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:13) In that sense, God’s power is manifest in human weakness.
Context of 2 Corinthians 12:9
Paul wrote an inspired letter to the Christians in Corinth about 55 C.E. In the latter part of that letter, he defended his authority as an apostle. He felt moved to do so because some self-proclaimed teachers had criticized him, perhaps judging him by his appearance or his speaking ability.—2 Corinthians 10:7-10; 11:5, 6, 13; 12:11.
In his defense, Paul explains that he could not in his own strength have accomplished his ministry and endured numerous trials. (2 Corinthians 6:4; 11:23-27; 12:12) In chapter 12, he speaks figuratively of “a thorn in the flesh,” apparently a persistent affliction that was causing him physical or emotional pain. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Although Paul did not describe his affliction, he was determined to endure it with God’s help.
Christians today may also face hardships and persecution. They find comfort in knowing that God’s power can make them equal to any challenge they may encounter. Like Paul, they can confidently say: “When I am weak, then I am powerful.”—2 Corinthians 12:10.
Read 2 Corinthians chapter 12 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 2 Corinthians.
a Jehovah is the personal name of God. (Psalm 83:18) See the article “Who Is Jehovah?” |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Does It Matter Which Music I Choose? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502015260 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Does It Matter Which Music I Choose?
“When I get ready for my day, I turn on my music. When I get in the car, I turn on my music. When I’m at home relaxing, cleaning, even reading—my music is on. I’m always listening to music.”—Carla.
Do you share Carla’s enthusiasm for music? If so, this article will help you enjoy its benefits, avoid its pitfalls, and choose your music wisely.
The benefits
The pitfalls
What your peers say
The benefits
Listening to music can be compared to eating food. In both cases, the right type in the right amount can be good for you. Consider:
Music can improve your mood.
“If I’m having a bad day, I can put on my favorite music and get almost immediate relief.”—Mark.
Music can take you back in time.
“Often, a particular song will remind me of a fond memory, so I’m happy every time I hear it.”—Sheila.
Music can create a powerful bond of unity.
“I was at an international convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and as all the visitors sang the final song, I was moved to tears. We spoke different languages, but the music united us.”—Tammy.
Music can help you cultivate valuable qualities.
“Learning to play a musical instrument helps you develop discipline and patience. It’s not something you can master quickly. The only way to get better at it is through practice.”—Anna.
Did you know? The largest book of the Bible—Psalms—is made up of 150 songs.
Be as selective with music as you are with food
The pitfalls
Some music, like tainted food, can be poisonous. Consider why.
Many songs contain sexually explicit lyrics.
“It seems as if all the popular songs are just about sex. They don’t even try to cover it up anymore.”—Hannah.
The Bible says: “Let sexual immorality and every sort of uncleanness or greediness not even be mentioned among you.” (Ephesians 5:3) Ask yourself, ‘Does my music hinder me from following that admonition?’
Some music can immerse you in sadness.
“Sometimes I lie awake at night listening to music that makes me think about things that depress and overwhelm me. Sad music can bring dark thoughts into my mind.”—Tammy.
The Bible says: “Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart.” (Proverbs 4:23) Ask yourself, ‘Does my music make me focus on negative thoughts?’
Some music can incite you to anger.
“Angry, self-loathing, hateful music is a subtle danger to me. I noticed a marked difference in my mood after I would listen to that kind of music. My family noticed it too.”—John.
The Bible says: “Put them all away from you: wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth.” (Colossians 3:8) Ask yourself, ‘Does my music make me aggressive, perhaps even calloused to others’ feelings?’
The bottom line? Be selective. That’s what a teenager named Julie tries to do. “I’m constantly going through my music and deleting anything that I realize is inappropriate,” she says. “It’s not always easy, but I know it’s the right thing to do.”
A young woman named Tara is learning something similar. She says: “At times a song with a great beat will come on the radio, but then I’ll hear the lyrics and realize that I should change the station. Doing that is like tearing myself away from an amazing cinnamon roll after just one bite! But if I have the strength to reject a song about sex, I’ll more likely have the strength to reject the act of sex before marriage. I don’t want to underestimate the effect that my music can have on me.”
WHAT YOUR PEERS SAY
“Music can change our mood tremendously, and if we’re not on guard, the music we choose can have negative effects that we may not see until we are already hooked.”—Abigail.
“Even a song that you hear only a couple of times can be in your head forever. So it’s good to reject a song immediately if it seems to be bad. Otherwise it will be etched in your mind.”—Robert. |
Young People Ask, Volume 1 (yp1)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/yp1 | Chapter 7
Am I Ready to Leave Home?
“I sometimes feel that people are looking down on me because I’m 19 and still living at home, like I won’t be an adult until I live on my own.”—Katie.
“I’m nearly 20, and I hate it that I have very little say about how my life is run. I’ve considered leaving home.”—Fiona.
LONG before you’re ready to leave home, you may begin to feel a desire for independence. That feeling is normal. After all, as discussed in Chapter 3, God’s original purpose was for youths to grow up and eventually leave their father and mother and establish their own family unit. (Genesis 2:23, 24; Mark 10:7, 8) But how can you know when you’re truly ready to leave home? Consider three important questions you need to answer. The first is . . .
What Are My Motives?
Look at the list below. Number in order of importance the reasons why you want to leave home.
․․․․․ Escape problems at home
․․․․․ Gain more freedom
․․․․․ Improve my status with my friends
․․․․․ Help out a friend who needs a roommate
․․․․․ Help with volunteer work in another location
․․․․․ Gain experience
․․․․․ Ease the financial burden on my parents
․․․․․ Other ․․․․․
The reasons listed above are not necessarily bad. The question is, What is your motive? For example, if you leave just to escape restrictions, you’re likely in for a shock!
Danielle, who left home for a while when she was 20, learned a lot from the experience. She says: “We all have to live with restrictions of some sort. When you’re on your own, your work schedule or lack of finances will restrict what you can do.” Carmen, who moved overseas for six months, says: “I enjoyed the experience, but I often felt that I had no free time! I had to keep up with the normal housework—cleaning the apartment, fixing things, pulling weeds, washing clothes, scrubbing floors, and so on.”
Don’t allow others to rush you into a decision. (Proverbs 29:20) Even if you have valid reasons for leaving home, you’ll need more than good intentions. You’ll need survival skills—which leads to the second question . . .
Am I Prepared?
Moving out on your own is like hiking in a wilderness. Would you trek into wild country without knowing how to set up a tent, light a fire, cook a meal, or read a map? Not likely! Yet, many young ones move away from home with few of the skills necessary to run a household.
Wise King Solomon said that “the shrewd one considers his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15) To help you determine whether you’re prepared to step out on your own, consider the following headings. Place a ✔ next to the skills you already have and an X next to those you need to work on.
□ Money management: “I’ve never had to make my own payments on anything,” says Serena, 19. “I’m afraid of leaving home and having to budget my money.” How can you learn to manage money?
A Bible proverb says: “A wise person will listen and take in more instruction.” (Proverbs 1:5) So why not ask your parents how much it’s likely to cost each week for one person to cover the rent or mortgage, buy food, and run a car or pay other transportation costs? Then have your parents help you learn how to budget your money and pay the bills.a
□ Domestic skills: Brian, 17, says that what he fears most about leaving home is having to do his own washing. How do you know if you’re ready to care for yourself? Aron, 20, offers this suggestion: “Try living for a week as if you were on your own. Eat only food that you prepare for yourself, that you buy for yourself at the store, and that you pay for with money you have earned. Wear clothes that you wash and iron. Do all your own housecleaning. And try to get where you need to go by yourself, with no one picking you up or dropping you off.” Following that suggestion will do two things for you: It will (1) give you valuable skills and (2) increase your appreciation for the work your parents do.
□ Social skills: Do you get along well with your parents and siblings? If not, you might assume that life will be easier when you move in with a friend. But consider what Eve, 18, says: “Two of my friends moved in together. They were best friends before they shared the apartment, but they just couldn’t live with each other. One was neat, the other messy. One was spiritually-minded, the other not so much. It just didn’t work!”
What’s the solution? Erin, 18, says: “You can learn a lot about how to get along with people while living at home. You learn how to solve problems and make compromises. I’ve noticed that those who leave home to avoid disagreements with their parents learn to run away from conflicts, not to resolve them.”
□ Personal spiritual routine: Some leave home with the specific intention of escaping their parents’ religious routine. Others fully intend to maintain a good personal program of Bible study and worship but soon drift into bad habits. How can you avoid ‘shipwreck of your faith’?b—1 Timothy 1:19.
Jehovah God wants all of us to prove to ourselves the things we believe. (Romans 12:1, 2) Establish a good personal routine of Bible study and worship, and then stick to it. Why not write your spiritual routine on a calendar and see if you can maintain it for a month without your parents’ having to prod you to do so?
Finally, the third question you need to consider is . . .
Where Am I Headed?
Do you want to leave home to get away from problems? Or to break free from parental authority? If so, your focus is on what you’re leaving, not on where you’re going. That approach is like trying to drive with your eyes fixed on the rearview mirror—you’re so preoccupied with what you’re moving away from that you’re blind to what is ahead. The lesson? Don’t just concentrate on moving away from home—have your eyes fixed on a worthwhile goal.
Some young adults among Jehovah’s Witnesses have moved so that they can preach in other locations within their country or even overseas. Others move to help with the construction of places of worship or to work at a branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Still others feel that they should live by themselves for a time before they get married.c
Whatever your goal may be, think it through. “The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage,” states a Bible proverb, “but everyone that is hasty surely heads for want.” (Proverbs 21:5) Listen to your parents’ advice. (Proverbs 23:22) Pray about the matter. And as you make up your mind, consider the Bible principles just discussed.
The real question is not Am I ready to leave home? but Am I ready to manage my own household? If the answer to that latter question is yes, then you may well be ready to strike out on your own.
[Footnotes]
a For more information, see Volume 2, Chapter 19.
b For more information, see Volume 2, Chapters 34 and 35.
c In some cultures it is customary for a child, particularly a daughter, to live at home until married. The Bible does not offer specific counsel on this matter.
KEY SCRIPTURE
“A man will leave his father and his mother.”—Matthew 19:5.
TIP
For a time, give your parents the total amount of money it costs to cover your food, lodging, and other expenses. If you’re unable or unwilling to pay for your upkeep while at home, you will be poorly prepared to move out on your own.
DID YOU KNOW . . . ?
Your motive for leaving home can affect how happy you will be after you do so.
ACTION PLAN!
The goal I would like to achieve by moving away from home is ․․․․․
What I would like to ask my parent(s) about this subject is ․․․․․
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
● Even if your family life is difficult, how can staying at home for a time benefit you?
● While at home, what can you do that will both benefit your family and help you prepare to manage your own household?
[Blurb on page 52]
“It’s normal to want independence. But if your motive in moving out is just to get away from rules, all that shows is that you’re not really ready to move out.”—Aron
[Picture on pages 50, 51]
Moving away from home is like hiking in the wilderness—you need to learn survival skills before you start the journey |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 93
Jehovah’s Lovely Place of Worship
(Psalm 84:1)
1. How lovely is your temple grand,
With courtyards where your servants stand!
My soul and heart for them do long,
That there I might lift up my song,
That there I might lift up my song.
2. Jehovah, when we come to you
For help our powers to renew,
We’re made to feast on love and truth,
So we can serve with strength of youth,
So we can serve with strength of youth.
3. A day within your courtyards fair
Excels a thousand spent elsewhere.
We’d rather at your house be found
Than with the wicked move around,
Than with the wicked move around.
4. Jehovah is a sun and shield
To all who righteous fruitage yield.
There’s no good thing he does withhold
From faultless ones within his fold,
From faultless ones within his fold. |
COVER SUBJECT | HOW DID LIFE BEGIN?
An Answer Worth Considering | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102015004 | COVER SUBJECT | HOW DID LIFE BEGIN?
An Answer Worth Considering
AFTER considering the evidence, many people conclude that life is the product of a superior intelligence. Consider the example of Antony Flew, a professor of philosophy who at one time was a leading advocate of atheism. When he learned about the staggering complexity of life and the physical laws of the universe, Flew changed his opinion. Citing an ancient approach to reasoning, he wrote: “We must follow the argument wherever it leads.” For Professor Flew, the evidence pointed to the existence of a Creator.
Gerard, mentioned earlier in this series of articles, came to a similar conclusion. Despite his advanced education and his career in entomology, he said: “I saw no proof that life arose spontaneously from nonliving matter. The order and complexity of living things convinced me that there has to be an Organizer and Designer.”
Just as a person can learn about an artist by examining his artwork, Gerard came to discern the Creator’s qualities by studying the natural world. Gerard also took time to consider a book attributed to the Creator—the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16) There he found satisfying answers to questions about mankind’s past and practical solutions to the problems facing people today. He thus became convinced that the Bible was also the product of a superior mind.
As Gerard found, the Bible’s answers are worth considering. We encourage you to examine them for yourself.
Did You Know?
THE BIBLE IS NOT ANTISCIENCE. On the contrary, it encourages people to examine the natural world. (Isaiah 40:26) While the Bible is not a science textbook, it is consistent with scientific fact. For example, the Bible does not support creationism. It does not state that the earth was created in six literal 24-hour days. The term “day” as used in Genesis applies to periods of considerable length.a
a For more information, see the brochure Was Life Created? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses and available online at www.jw.org.
The Bible Teaches That . . .
LIFE COMES ONLY FROM LIFE. “With you [God] is the source of life.”—Psalm 36:9.
GOD MADE PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE “ACCORDING TO THEIR KINDS.” (Genesis 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25) The Bible does not define the boundaries of these “kinds.” This allows for a degree of variation within each kind.
GOD CREATED HUMANS WITH THE CAPACITY TO DISPLAY THE SAME MORAL QUALITIES THAT HE POSSESSES. These qualities include love, goodness, and justice. “God said: ‘Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness.’”—Genesis 1:26. |
Reasoning (rs)
1989 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/books/reasoning-rs | Sabbath
Definition: Sabbath is taken from the Hebrew sha·vathʹ, meaning “rest, cease, desist.” The sabbatical system prescribed in the Mosaic Law included a weekly Sabbath day, a number of additional specified days throughout each year, the seventh year, and the fiftieth year. The weekly Sabbath of the Jews, the seventh day of their calendar week, is from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. Many professed Christians have traditionally kept Sunday as their day of rest and of worship; others have adhered to the day set aside on the Jewish calendar.
Are Christians under obligation to keep a weekly sabbath day?
Ex. 31:16, 17: “The sons of Israel must keep the sabbath, so as to carry out the sabbath during their generations. It is a covenant to time indefinite [“a perpetual covenant,” RS]. Between me and the sons of Israel it is a sign to time indefinite.” (Notice that sabbath observance was a sign between Jehovah and Israel; this would not be the case if everyone else were also obligated to keep the Sabbath. The Hebrew word rendered “perpetual” in RS is ‛oh·lamʹ, which basically means a period of time that, from the standpoint of the present, is indefinite or hidden from sight but of long duration. That can mean forever, but not necessarily so. At Numbers 25:13 the same Hebrew word is applied to the priesthood, which later ended, according to Hebrews 7:12.)
Rom. 10:4: “Christ is the end of the Law, so that everyone exercising faith may have righteousness.” (Sabbath keeping was a part of that Law. God used Christ to bring that Law to its end. Our having a righteous standing with God depends on faith in Christ, not on keeping a weekly sabbath.) (Also Galatians 4:9-11; Ephesians 2:13-16)
Col. 2:13-16: “[God] kindly forgave us all our trespasses and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us . . . Therefore let no man judge you in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath.” (If a person was under the Mosaic Law and was judged guilty of profaning the Sabbath, he was to be stoned to death by the whole congregation, according to Exodus 31:14 and Numbers 15:32-35. Many who argue for sabbath keeping have reason to be glad that we are not under that Law. As shown in the scripture here quoted, an approved standing with God no longer requires observance of the sabbath requirement given to Israel.)
How did Sunday come to be the principal day of worship for much of Christendom?
Although Christ was resurrected on the first day of the week (now called Sunday), the Bible contains no instruction to set aside that day of the week as sacred.
“The retention of the old Pagan name of ‘Dies Solis,’ or ‘Sunday,’ for the weekly Christian festival, is, in great measure, owing to the union of Pagan and [so-called] Christian sentiment with which the first day of the week was recommended by Constantine [in an edict in 321 C.E.] to his subjects, Pagan and Christian alike, as the ‘venerable day of the Sun.’ . . . It was his mode of harmonizing the discordant religions of the Empire under one common institution.”—Lectures on the History of the Eastern Church (New York, 1871), A. P. Stanley, p. 291.
Was the requirement of sabbath keeping given to Adam and thus made binding on all of his offspring?
Jehovah God proceeded to rest as to his works of material, earthly creation after preparing the earth for human habitation. This is stated at Genesis 2:1-3. But nothing in the Bible record says that God directed Adam to keep the seventh day of each week as a sabbath.
Deut. 5:15: “You must remember that you [Israel] became a slave in the land of Egypt and Jehovah your God proceeded to bring you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why Jehovah your God commanded you to carry on the sabbath day.” (Here Jehovah connects his giving of the sabbath law with Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, not with events in Eden.)
Ex. 16:1, 23-29: “The entire assembly of the sons of Israel finally came to the wilderness of Sin . . . on the fifteenth day of the second month after their coming out of the land of Egypt. . . . [Moses] said to them: ‘It is what Jehovah has spoken. Tomorrow there will be a sabbath observance of a holy sabbath to Jehovah. . . . Six days you will pick [the manna] up, but on the seventh day is a sabbath. On it none will form.’ . . . Jehovah said to Moses: . . . ‘Mark the fact that Jehovah has given you the sabbath.’” (Prior to this, there had been a marking off of weeks of seven days each, but this is the first reference to a sabbath observance.)
Is the Mosaic Law divided into “ceremonial” and “moral” parts, and is the “moral law” (the Ten Commandments) binding on Christians?
Did Jesus refer to the Law in a manner that indicated division of it into two parts?
Matt. 5:17, 21, 23, 27, 31, 38: “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill.” Now, notice what Jesus included in his further comments. “You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not murder [Ex. 20:13; the Sixth Commandment]’ . . . If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar [Deut. 16:16, 17; no part of the Ten Commandments] . . . You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery [Ex. 20:14; the Seventh Commandment].’ Moreover it was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce [Deut. 24:1; no part of the Ten Commandments].’ You heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth [Ex. 21:23-25; no part of the Ten Commandments].’” (So, Jesus mixed together references to the Ten Commandments and other parts of the Law, making no distinction between them. Should we treat them differently?)
When Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” did he isolate the Ten Commandments? Instead, he replied: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:35-40) If some cling to the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:6-21), saying that they are binding on Christians but that the rest are not, are they not actually rejecting what Jesus said (quoting Deut. 6:5; Lev. 19:18) as to which commandments are the greatest?
When referring to the passing away of the Mosaic Law, does the Bible directly say that the Ten Commandments were included in what came to an end?
Rom. 7:6, 7: “Now we have been discharged from the Law, because we have died to that by which we were being held fast . . . What, then, shall we say? Is the Law sin? Never may that become so! Really I would not have come to know sin if it had not been for the Law; and, for example, I would not have known covetousness if the Law had not said: ‘You must not covet.’” (Here, immediately after writing that Jewish Christians had been “discharged from the Law,” what example from the Law does Paul cite? The Tenth Commandment, thus showing that it was included in the Law from which they had been discharged.)
2 Cor. 3:7-11: “If the code which administers death and which was engraved in letters in stones came about in a glory, so that the sons of Israel could not gaze intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, a glory that was to be done away with, why should not the administering of the spirit be much more with glory? . . . For if that which was to be done away with was brought in with glory, much more would that which remains be with glory.” (Reference is made here to a code that was “engraved in letters in stones” and it is said that “the sons of Israel could not gaze intently at the face of Moses” on the occasion when it was delivered to them. What is this describing? Exodus 34:1, 28-30 shows that it is the giving of the Ten Commandments; these were the commandments engraved on stone. Obviously these are included in what the scripture here says “was to be done away with.”)
Does doing away with the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments, imply the taking away of all moral restraint?
Not at all; many of the moral standards set out in the Ten Commandments were restated in the inspired books of the Christian Greek Scriptures. (There was, however, no restating of the sabbath law.) But no matter how good a law is, as long as sinful inclinations dominate a person’s desires, there will be lawlessness. However, regarding the new covenant, which has replaced the Law covenant, Hebrews 8:10 states: “‘For this is the covenant that I shall covenant with the house of Israel after those days,’ says Jehovah. ‘I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I shall write them. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.’” How much more effective such laws are than those engraved on stone tablets!
Rom. 6:15-17: “Shall we commit a sin because we are not under law but under undeserved kindness? Never may that happen! Do you not know that if you keep presenting yourselves to anyone as slaves to obey him, you are slaves of him because you obey him, either of sin with death in view or of obedience with righteousness in view? But thanks to God that you were the slaves of sin but you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were handed over.” (See also Galatians 5:18-24.)
Of what significance to Christians is the weekly Sabbath?
There is “a sabbath resting” that Christians share in every day
Hebrews 4:4-11 says: “In one place [Genesis 2:2] he [God] has said of the seventh day as follows: ‘And God rested on the seventh day from all his works,’ and again in this place [Psalm 95:11]: ‘They shall not enter into my rest.’ Since, therefore, it remains for some to enter into it, and those to whom the good news was first declared did not enter in because of disobedience, he again marks off a certain day by saying after so long a time in David’s psalm [Psalm 95:7, 8] ‘Today’; just as it has been said above: ‘Today if you people listen to his own voice, do not harden your hearts.’ For if Joshua had led them into a place of rest, God would not afterward have spoken of another day. So there remains a sabbath resting for the people of God. For the man that has entered into God’s rest has also himself rested from his own works, just as God did from his own. Let us therefore do our utmost to enter into that rest, for fear anyone should fall in the same pattern of disobedience.”
From what are Christians here urged to rest? From their “own works.” What works? Works by means of which they formerly sought to prove themselves righteous. No longer do they believe that they can earn God’s approval and gain eternal life by complying with certain rules and observances. That was the error of faithless Jews who, by ‘seeking to establish their own righteousness, did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.’ (Rom. 10:3) True Christians recognize that all of us were born sinners and that it is only by faith in the sacrifice of Christ that anyone can have a righteous standing with God. They endeavor to take to heart and apply all the teachings of God’s Son. They humbly accept counsel and reproof from God’s Word. This does not mean that they think they can earn God’s approval in this way; instead, what they do is an expression of their love and faith. By such a course of life they avoid the “pattern of disobedience” of the Jewish nation.
The “seventh day,” referred to in Genesis 2:2, was not merely a 24-hour day. (See page 88, under the heading “Creation.”) Similarly, the “sabbath resting” that true Christians share is not limited to a 24-hour day. By exercising faith and obeying the Bible’s counsel, they can enjoy it every day, and especially will they do so in God’s new system.
There is a thousand-year “sabbath” rest that lies ahead for mankind
Mark 2:27, 28: “[Jesus] went on to say to them: ‘The sabbath came into existence for the sake of man, and not man for the sake of the sabbath; hence the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath.’”
Jesus knew that Jehovah had instituted the Sabbath as a sign between God and Israel, and that it was meant to bring them relief from their labors. Jesus also was aware that his own death would provide the basis for setting aside the Mosaic Law as having found its fulfillment in him. He appreciated that the Law, with its sabbath requirement, provided “a shadow of the good things to come.” (Heb. 10:1; Col. 2:16, 17) In connection with those “good things” there is a “sabbath” of which he is to be Lord.
As Lord of lords, Christ will rule all the earth for a thousand years. (Rev. 19:16; 20:6; Ps. 2:6-8) While on earth, Jesus mercifully performed some of his most amazing works of healing on the Sabbath, thus demonstrating the kind of relief that he will bring to people out of all nations during his Millennial Reign. (Luke 13:10-13; John 5:5-9; 9:1-14) Those who appreciate the real meaning of the Sabbath will have opportunity also to benefit from that “sabbath” rest.
If Someone Says—
‘Christians must keep the Sabbath’
You might reply: ‘May I ask why you feel that way?’ Then perhaps add: ‘What the Bible says about it definitely should govern our thinking on the matter, should it not? . . . There are some Bible texts that I have found helpful on this subject. Please let me share them with you. (Then use appropriate portions of the material on the preceding pages.)’
‘Why don’t you keep the Sabbath?’
You might reply: ‘My answer would depend on which sabbath you have in mind. Did you know that the Bible tells about more than one sabbath? . . . God gave sabbath laws to the Jews. But did you know that the Bible speaks of a different kind of sabbath that Christians are to keep?’ Then perhaps add: (1) ‘We do not keep one day a week as the Sabbath because the Bible says that requirement “was to be done away with.” (2 Cor. 3:7-11; see comments regarding this on pages 348, 349.)’ (2) ‘But there is a sabbath that we do keep regularly. (Heb. 4:4-11; see pages 349, 350.)’ |
Are Your Problems a Punishment From God? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/102009012 | The Bible’s Viewpoint
Are Your Problems a Punishment From God?
“I feel like I’m being punished,” says a woman in her mid-50’s after learning that she has cancer. Reflecting on a wrong she committed years earlier, she concludes, “This must be God’s way of telling me I sinned.”
WHEN faced with adversity, many people feel that God is punishing them for some past wrong. Overwhelmed by a sudden avalanche of problems, they may be heard to lament: “Why me? What have I done to deserve this?” Should we conclude that our problems are an indication of divine disapproval? Are personal adversities really a punishment from God?
Faithful Worshippers Experienced Adversity
Consider what the Bible reports about a man named Job. Without warning, he suddenly lost his wealth. Next, all ten of his children were killed in a windstorm. Soon thereafter, he was struck with a debilitating, loathsome disease. (Job 1:13-19; 2:7, 8) Such adversities led Job to cry out: “The hand of God has struck me down.” (Job 19:21, Today’s English Version) Evidently, like many today, Job felt that God was punishing him.
However, the Bible reveals that before Job’s trials began, God himself had described Job as “a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad.” (Job 1:8) In view of this expression of divine approval, it is clear that Job’s adversities were not a punishment from God.
The fact is, the Bible is filled with accounts of upright individuals who faced personal adversities. Although he was a loyal servant of God, Joseph endured years of unjust imprisonment. (Genesis 39:10-20; 40:15) The faithful Christian Timothy suffered from “frequent cases of sickness.” (1 Timothy 5:23) Even Jesus Christ, who never did wrong, was cruelly mistreated before suffering an agonizing death. (1 Peter 2:21-24) Hence, it is a mistake to conclude that adversity must be an expression of God’s displeasure. But if God is not responsible for adversity, who, if anyone, is?
The Causes of Our Problems
The Bible shows that Satan the Devil was the cause of Job’s tragedies. (Job 1:7-12; 2:3-8) Furthermore, it identifies Satan as the chief source of our problems today when it states: “Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.” (Revelation 12:12) As “the ruler of this world,” Satan has influenced many to engage in evil acts that have resulted in untold misery and heartache.—John 12:31; Psalm 37:12, 14.a
We should not, however, be quick to blame the Devil for every adversity we experience. As a result of inherited sin and imperfection, we are prone to make unwise decisions that can cause us problems. (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12) For example, imagine a man who by choice neither eats properly nor gets sufficient rest. If this eventually leads to serious health problems, should he blame the Devil? No, the man has merely reaped the bitter consequences of his own poor judgment. (Galatians 6:7) In such an instance, it is just as a Bible proverb puts it: “A man’s own folly wrecks his life.”—Proverbs 19:3, The New English Bible.
Finally, it must be realized that many unpleasant experiences are simply the result of “time and unforeseen occurrence.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) Consider the person who is unexpectedly caught in a rainstorm. Whether he will get a little wet or completely drenched may just depend on where he happens to be standing when the rain begins to fall. Similarly, in these “critical times hard to deal with,” negative conditions can quickly turn into a downpour of adversity. (2 Timothy 3:1-5) To what extent we are personally affected is often a matter of timing and circumstances, over which we may have little or no control. Does this mean, then, that we will always be plagued with adversity?
All Adversity Soon to End
Happily, Jehovah God will bring an end to all adversity very soon. (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 1:3; 21:3, 4) In the meantime, he shows that he really cares for us by providing “instruction” and “comfort from the Scriptures” so that we can cope with trials now as we look forward to that wonderful future just ahead. (Romans 15:4; 1 Peter 5:7) At that time, those who are upright in God’s eyes will enjoy unending life in a new world, free from every form of adversity.—Psalm 37:29, 37.
[Footnote]
a See the article “The Bible’s Viewpoint: Who Is Satan? Is He Real?” in the February 2007 issue of Awake!
HAVE YOU WONDERED?
◼ Is it only wrongdoers who experience adversity?—Job 1:8.
◼ Is the Devil to blame for all our problems?—Galatians 6:7.
◼ Will adversity always exist?—Revelation 21:3, 4.
[Blurb on page 29]
“Time and unforeseen occurrence befall them all.”—Ecclesiastes 9:11 |
Examining the Scriptures—2023
2022 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/examining-the-scriptures/examining-the-scriptures-2023 | September
Friday, September 1
They asked him to display to them a sign from heaven.—Matt. 16:1.
Some in Jesus’ day were not satisfied with his amazing teachings. They wanted more. But when he refused to give them the sign they were seeking, they were stumbled. (Matt. 16:4) What do the Scriptures say? Of the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “He will not cry out or raise his voice, and he will not make his voice heard in the street.” (Isa. 42:1, 2) Jesus went about his ministry in a quiet and modest way. He did not build impressive temples, and he did not wear distinctive religious garments or demand to be addressed by pretentious religious inputs. When he was on trial for his life, Jesus refused to try to impress King Herod by performing a sign for him. (Luke 23:8-11) Jesus did perform some miracles, but his main focus was on preaching the good news. “This is why I have come,” he told his disciples.—Mark 1:38. w21.05 4 ¶9-10
Saturday, September 2
This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.—John 17:3.
We are looking for those who are “rightly disposed for everlasting life.” (Acts 13:48) To assist those individuals in becoming disciples, we must help them to (1) understand, (2) accept, and (3) put into practice the things they learn from the Bible. (Col. 2:6, 7; 1 Thess. 2:13) All in the congregation can help Bible students by setting an example in showing these new ones love and in making them feel welcome when they attend meetings. (John 13:35) The one conducting the study may also have to spend much time and energy helping a student overturn “strongly entrenched” beliefs or practices. (2 Cor. 10:4, 5) It may take many months to guide an individual through these steps so that he eventually reaches the goal of baptism. But it is well worth the effort. w21.07 3 ¶6
Sunday, September 3
Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.—1 Thess. 5:21.
Are we strongly convinced in our own mind that what we are teaching is the truth and that the pattern of worship that Jehovah’s Witnesses are following today is the one that is acceptable to Jehovah? The apostle Paul was strongly convinced of the truth. (1 Thess. 1:5) That conviction was not based on emotion. Paul was a diligent student of God’s Word. He believed that “all Scripture is inspired of God.” (2 Tim. 3:16) What did his studies reveal? In the Scriptures, Paul found undeniable proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah—evidence that the Jewish religious leaders chose to ignore. Those religious hypocrites claimed to represent God but denied him by their works. (Titus 1:16) Unlike them, Paul did not pick and choose which parts of God’s Word he would believe. He was ready to teach and apply “all the counsel of God.”—Acts 20:27. w21.10 18 ¶1-2
Monday, September 4
No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him.—John 6:44.
As we plant and water, we must recognize the role that God plays. (1 Cor. 3:6, 7) Jehovah views all human life as precious. He gives us the privilege of working along with his Son in gathering people from all nations before the end of this system comes. (Hag. 2:7) Our preaching work could be likened to a rescue mission. And we are like members of a rescue team sent to free people trapped in a mine. Although only a few miners may be found alive, the work done by all the rescuers is valuable. The same is true of the work we do in our ministry. We do not know how many people will yet be rescued from Satan’s system. But Jehovah can use any one of us to help them. Andreas, who lives in Bolivia, says, “I see each person who learns Bible truths and gets baptized as the result of a group effort.” May we maintain a similar positive attitude toward our ministry. If we do, Jehovah will bless us, and our ministry will be a real source of joy. w21.05 19 ¶19-20
Tuesday, September 5
Escape from the snare of the Devil.—2 Tim. 2:26.
A hunter has but one goal—that of capturing or killing his prey. He may use a variety of snares or traps, even as noted by one of Job’s false comforters. (Job 18:8-10) How might a hunter lure an animal into his snare? He studies the animal. Where does it go? What is it interested in? What will catch it by surprise? Satan is like that hunter. He studies us. He notices where we go and what we are interested in. Then he sets a snare that he hopes will catch us unawares. Still, the Bible assures us that if we are caught, we may be able to escape. It also teaches us how to avoid those snares altogether. Two of Satan’s most effective snares are pride and greed. For thousands of years, Satan has successfully used these undesirable traits. He is like a birdcatcher who lures his prey into a trap or who ensnares it in a net. (Ps. 91:3) But we do not have to be caught by Satan. Why not? Because Jehovah has revealed to us the tactics that Satan uses.—2 Cor. 2:11. w21.06 14 ¶1-2
Wednesday, September 6
Gray hair is a crown of beauty when it is found in the way of righteousness.—Prov. 16:31.
Faithful older ones are precious treasures. God’s Word likens the gray hair of such ones to a crown. (Prov. 20:29) These treasures, though, can easily be overlooked. Younger ones who recognize the value of older ones can gain something more beneficial than literal riches. Faithful older ones are precious to Jehovah God. He sees them for who they really are on the inside, and he knows and values their wonderful qualities. He appreciates it when older ones pass on to younger ones the wisdom they have gained during a lifetime of faithful service. (Job 12:12; Prov. 1:1-4) Jehovah also treasures their endurance. (Mal. 3:16) Their lives have not been trouble free; yet, their faith in Jehovah has never wavered. Their hope for the future is brighter than it was when they first learned the truth. And Jehovah loves them because they continue to declare his name “even in old age.”—Ps. 92:12-15. w21.09 2 ¶2-3
Thursday, September 7
Let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone.—Gal. 6:4.
From time to time, it is a good idea to examine our motives. We might ask ourselves: ‘Do I measure my worth by comparing myself with others? Am I motivated by a desire to view myself as the best at whatever I do or at least to see myself as better than a particular brother or sister? Or do I simply want to give my very best to Jehovah?’ The Bible urges us to avoid comparing ourselves with others. Why? On the one hand, if we think we are doing better than our brother, we may become prideful. On the other hand, if we compare ourselves unfavorably with others, we will likely get discouraged. (Rom. 12:3) We must remember that Jehovah drew us to him, not because we are beautiful, articulate, or popular, but because we are willing to love him and to listen to his Son.—John 6:44; 1 Cor. 1:26-31. w21.07 14-15 ¶3-4
Friday, September 8
You should continue to be made new in your dominant mental attitude.—Eph. 4:23.
To make our mind over, of course, we need to pray, study God’s Word, and meditate. Apply yourself to these things, and look to Jehovah for strength. His holy spirit will help you to overcome any tendency to compare yourself with others. Jehovah will also help you to recognize and quickly root out envy or undue pride if these undesirable feelings spring up in your heart. (2 Chron. 6:29, 30) Jehovah knows our heart. He also knows our struggles—our fight against the spirit of the world and against our own imperfections. As Jehovah sees how hard we are fighting against such negative influences, his love for us grows. To illustrate how he feels about us, Jehovah uses the bond between a mother and her baby. (Isa. 49:15) How comforting it is to know that Jehovah feels that type of deep love for us when he sees us fighting to serve him whole-souled! w21.07 24-25 ¶17-19
Saturday, September 9
Rejoice with those who rejoice.—Rom. 12:15.
We can increase our joy by becoming absorbed in whatever we are given to do in Jehovah’s service. Be “intensely occupied” in the preaching work, and be fully involved in congregation activities. (Acts 18:5; Heb. 10:24, 25) Go to the meetings prepared to give upbuilding comments on the material that is being studied. Take seriously any student assignments you have on the midweek meeting. If you are asked to help out with a certain task in the congregation, be punctual and reliable. Do not treat any assignment you are given as if it were unworthy of your time. Strive to improve your skills. (Prov. 22:29) The more absorbed you are in your spiritual activities and assignments, the quicker you will progress and the greater your joy will be. (Gal. 6:4) You will also find it easier to rejoice with others when they receive a privilege that you would have liked to receive.—Gal. 5:26. w21.08 22 ¶11
Sunday, September 10
The wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, not hypocritical.—Jas. 3:17.
We must avoid pride and remain teachable. Just as disease can harden the arteries of a literal heart and restrict its ability to beat, pride can harden our figurative heart and prevent us from responding to Jehovah’s direction. The Pharisees allowed their heart to become so hard that they refused to recognize the clear evidence being presented to them by God’s spirit. (John 12:37-40) That was a dangerous course because it affected their everlasting future. (Matt. 23:13, 33) How important it is that we continue to allow God’s Word and spirit to mold our personality and influence our thinking and our decisions! Because James was humble, he allowed himself to be taught by Jehovah. And it was because of his humility that he became a skillful teacher. w22.01 10 ¶7
Monday, September 11
Keep on asking.—Matt. 7:7.
When we “persevere in prayer,” we can be confident that our heavenly Father hears us. (Col. 4:2) Although an answer may seem to be delayed, Jehovah promises to answer our prayer “at the right time.” (Heb. 4:16) That is why we must never blame Jehovah if something does not happen as quickly as we think it should. For example, many have been praying for years to see God’s Kingdom bring an end to this system of things. Jesus even said that we should pray for this. (Matt. 6:10) But how foolish it would be if someone allowed his faith in God to weaken because the end did not come when humans expected it! (Hab. 2:3; Matt. 24:44) We are wise to keep waiting on Jehovah and praying to him in faith. The end will come at exactly the right time, for Jehovah has already chosen the “day and hour” for it to arrive. And that day will prove to be the best time for all.—Matt. 24:36; 2 Pet. 3:15. w21.08 10 ¶10-11
Tuesday, September 12
With humility consider others superior to you.—Phil. 2:3.
Humble older ones recognize that as they age, they cannot do as much as they once did. Consider, for example, our circuit overseers. When they reach 70 years of age, they are invited to take up a different assignment. That may be a challenge. They cherished the privilege of serving their brothers. But they understand that younger hands are needed to care for the work. They thus show an attitude similar to that of the Levites in ancient Israel who, at the age of 50, were required to discontinue their service at the tabernacle. The joy of those older Levites was not tied to a particular privilege. They took full advantage of the privileges that were available to them, doing all they could to assist the younger ones. (Num. 8:25, 26) Today, former circuit overseers, although no longer serving a number of congregations, are proving to be a real blessing to their congregations. w21.09 8-9 ¶3-4
Wednesday, September 13
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy of being called your son.—Luke 15:21.
Jesus told a heartwarming story about a wayward son, recorded at Luke 15:11-32. A young man rebelled against his father, left home, and traveled “to a distant country.” There he led an immoral, debauched life. When hard times struck, though, he did some serious thinking. He realized how much better off he had been while in his father’s house. As Jesus put it, the young man “came to his senses.” He resolved to go back home and seek his father’s forgiveness. The moment when the son realized how far he had fallen was important. He had to take action! The lost son demonstrated sincere repentance for what he had done. This parable is not just a heartwarming story. The principles it teaches can help congregation elders to discern whether a fellow believer has repented of his serious wrongdoing. w21.10 5 ¶14-15
Thursday, September 14
I will shake the heavens and the earth.—Hag. 2:6.
What will not be shaken, or removed? The apostle Paul wrote: “Seeing that we are to receive a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us continue to . . . offer God sacred service with godly fear and awe.” (Heb. 12:28) Yes, when the dust settles after this final great shaking, only God’s Kingdom will remain unshaken. (Ps. 110:5, 6; Dan. 2:44) There is no time to waste! People must choose: Will they continue to support the way of life promoted by this world, leading to destruction, or will they work to bring their life into harmony with God’s will, leading to everlasting life? (Heb. 12:25) By our preaching work, we can help people decide what position they will take on this important issue. And may we keep in mind the words of our Lord Jesus: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”—Matt. 24:14. w21.09 19 ¶18-20
Friday, September 15
I will never leave you, and I will never abandon you.—Heb. 13:5.
Elders, you have a special responsibility to console fellow worshippers whose loved ones have left Jehovah. (1 Thess. 5:14) Take the initiative to encourage them before and after Christian meetings. Visit them and pray for them. Work with them in the ministry, or at times invite them to join you for family worship. Spiritual shepherds need to show Jehovah’s grieving sheep the compassion, love, and attention they need. (1 Thess. 2:7, 8) Jehovah “does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9) Although a person may commit a serious sin, his life is still precious to God. Think of the high price Jehovah has paid—the ransom sacrifice of his own beloved Son—for the lives of sinners. Jehovah compassionately reaches out to help such ones return to him. He hopes they will choose to do so, as we can see from Jesus’ illustration of the lost son.—Luke 15:11-32. w21.09 30-31 ¶17-19
Saturday, September 16
You have entered into the benefit of their labor.—John 4:38.
What if your share in preaching and teaching the good news is limited by your failing health? You can still find joy in your role in the harvest. Consider the experience of King David when he and his men rescued their families and belongings from marauding Amalekites. Two hundred of the men were too exhausted to fight, so they stayed behind to guard the baggage. After the battle was won, David ordered that the spoil be shared equally by all of them. (1 Sam. 30:21-25) It is similar with our worldwide disciple-making work. Everyone who does his best can share equally in the joy over each new one who is helped to start on the road to life. Jehovah notices our diligence and good motives, and he rewards us. He also teaches us how to find joy in the part we play in the great harvest. (John 14:12) We can be assured of God’s approval as long as we do not give up! w21.10 28 ¶15-17
Sunday, September 17
The glory of young men is their strength.—Prov. 20:29.
As we grow older, we may be afraid that we are not going to be as useful to Jehovah as we once were. While it may be true that we have less energy than before, we can use the wisdom and experience we have acquired to help younger ones reach their full potential and take on new responsibilities. Older ones must be humble if they want to help younger ones. A humble person views others as being superior to him. (Phil. 2:3, 4) Older ones who show this quality realize that in many cases there is more than one Scriptural and effective way to carry out an assignment. Thus, they have a realistic view of the way they did things in the past. (Eccl. 7:10) While they have much valuable experience to share with the younger generation, they realize that “the scene of this world is changing” and that it may be necessary for them to adapt to new circumstances.—1 Cor. 7:31. w21.09 8 ¶1, 3
Monday, September 18
Who among the gods is like you, O Jehovah? Who is like you, showing yourself mighty in holiness?—Ex. 15:11.
Jehovah would never require his worshippers to do anything that would degrade them. He is the essence of holiness. This was made clear by the inscription found on a gold plate on the turban of the high priest. Engraved on this plate was the statement: “Holiness belongs to Jehovah.” (Ex. 28:36-38) The message on that plate would assure anyone seeing it that Jehovah is truly holy. What, though, of an Israelite who was not able to see the plate because he could not approach the high priest? Would he miss this vital message? No! Every Israelite heard that message as the Law was read before men, women, and children. (Deut. 31:9-12) If you had been present, you would have heard these statements: “I am Jehovah your God, and you must . . . be holy, because I am holy.” “You must be holy to me, because I, Jehovah, am holy.”—Lev. 11:44, 45; 20:7, 26. w21.12 3 ¶6-7
Tuesday, September 19
Stop being in anxious suspense.—Luke 12:29.
Some may be anxious about their material needs. They may live in a country with poor economic conditions. It may be difficult for them to earn enough money to care for their family. Or the breadwinner in the family may have died, leaving the rest of the family without financial support. We will benefit from replacing anxiety with confidence. Remember that Jehovah guarantees that he will care for our material needs if we put spiritual things first. (Matt. 6:32, 33) He has a perfect record of fulfilling that promise. (Deut. 8:4, 15, 16; Ps. 37:25) If Jehovah provides for the birds and the flowers, surely we do not have to be anxious about what we will eat or wear! (Matt. 6:26-30; Phil. 4:6, 7) Just as love impels caring parents to provide materially for their children, love motivates our heavenly Father to care for the material needs of his people. w21.12 17 ¶4-5; 18 ¶8
Wednesday, September 20
Jehovah continued with Joseph and kept showing loyal love to him.—Gen. 39:21.
Have you ever been severely wronged by someone, even by a fellow worshipper? Note the example of Joseph who suffered injustice at the hands of his own brothers. He remained focused on his service to Jehovah, who richly rewarded him for his patient endurance. Over time, Joseph was able to look past the hurt he had experienced and see how Jehovah had blessed him. (Gen. 45:5) Like Joseph, we are comforted when we draw close to Jehovah and leave justice in his hands. (Ps. 7:17; 73:28) If you are enduring an injustice or some other cause for hurt, remember that Jehovah draws close to “the brokenhearted.” (Ps. 34:18) He loves you for your patience and for throwing your burden on him. (Ps. 55:22) He is the Judge of all the earth. Nothing escapes his notice. (1 Pet. 3:12) When you are undergoing difficulties that you cannot resolve, are you willing to wait on him? w21.08 11 ¶14; 12 ¶16
Thursday, September 21
Keep perceiving what the will of Jehovah is.—Eph. 5:17.
It would be wise on our part to use our life in a way that will endear us to Jehovah. We must set proper priorities. Sometimes, making the best use of our time involves choosing between two activities that are not wrong in themselves. The well-known account about Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha illustrates the point. No doubt thrilled to receive Jesus as her guest, hospitable Martha set about preparing an elaborate meal. Meanwhile, her sister, Mary, took advantage of the visit to sit close to her Lord and listen to his teaching. While Martha was certainly motivated by the best of intentions, Mary “chose the best portion.” (Luke 10:38-42, ftn.) In time, Mary may have forgotten what food was served on that occasion, but we can be sure that she never forgot what she learned from Jesus. Just as Mary cherished that limited time with Jesus, we cherish our time with Jehovah. w22.01 27 ¶5-6
Friday, September 22
Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself on my account?—1 Ki. 21:29.
Although Ahab humbled himself before Jehovah, his later conduct showed that he was not truly repentant. He did not try to remove Baal worship from his kingdom. And he did not promote the worship of Jehovah. After Ahab died, Jehovah revealed how he viewed that man. God’s prophet Jehu said he was “wicked.” (2 Chron. 19:1, 2) Now consider: If Ahab’s repentance had been genuine, surely the prophet would not have described him as a wicked man who hated Jehovah. Clearly, although Ahab had shown a degree of regret, he never fully repented. What can we learn from Ahab’s example? When he heard Elijah’s message of calamity against his family line, Ahab initially humbled himself. That was a good start. But his later actions showed that he was not repentant at heart. Repentance, then, must involve more than temporarily expressing sorrow. w21.10 3 ¶4-5, 7-8
Saturday, September 23
This good news of the Kingdom will be preached.—Matt. 24:14.
Isaiah was a prophet, and it may well be that his wife had her own prophetic assignments, since she is called “the prophetess.” (Isa. 8:1-4) As a couple, Isaiah and his wife were evidently focused on their worship of Jehovah. Married couples today can also build their life around serving Jehovah by doing all they can in his service. They can reinforce their trust in Jehovah by studying Bible prophecy together and seeing how it always comes true. (Titus 1:2) They can reflect on the share they can have in the fulfillment of certain Bible prophecies. For example, they can have a part in fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy that the good news will be preached in all the earth before the end comes. The more a couple are certain that Bible prophecy is coming true, the greater will be their determination to do as much as possible for Jehovah. w21.11 16 ¶9-10
Sunday, September 24
He said to the disciple: “See! Your mother!”—John 19:27.
Jesus was concerned about his mother, who was likely a widow. Moved by love and concern for Mary, Jesus entrusted her care to John, knowing that he would care for her spiritual welfare. From that day on, John became like a son to Mary and cared for her as if she were his mother. What love Jesus showed to the precious woman who had tenderly cared for him at his birth and was standing near him at his death! What can we learn from Jesus’ words? Our bond with our Christian brothers and sisters can be stronger than our ties to immediate family members. Our relatives may oppose us or even abandon us, but as Jesus promised, by sticking to Jehovah and His organization, we will “get 100 times more” than we have lost. Many will become to us like a loving son, daughter, mother, or father. (Mark 10:29, 30) How do you feel about being part of a spiritual family who are united by faith and love—love for Jehovah and for one another?—Col. 3:14; 1 Pet. 2:17. w21.04 9-11 ¶7-8
Monday, September 25
Do not forget to do good and to share what you have with others.—Heb. 13:16.
Loyal love goes beyond what is expected. Today, as in the past, many of our brothers and sisters have chosen to show loyal love for fellow believers, even to those whom they do not know personally. For example, when they learn that a natural disaster has occurred, they immediately want to know how they can help. When someone in the congregation falls on hard times, they do not hesitate to reach out to that person and help in practical ways. Like the first-century Macedonians, they do more than what is expected. They make personal sacrifices, giving “even beyond their means” in order to help their less fortunate brothers. (2 Cor. 8:3) Observant elders today gratefully acknowledge the help that loving brothers and sisters provide. Timely and warm commendation will give the brothers and sisters the strength they need to carry on.—Isa. 32:1, 2. w21.11 11 ¶14; 12 ¶21
Tuesday, September 26
Incline your ear and listen to the words of the wise.—Prov. 22:17.
All of us need counsel from time to time. In some cases, we may take the initiative to ask someone we respect for advice. In other cases, a concerned brother may approach us and point out that we are about to take “a false step”—one that we will regret. (Gal. 6:1) Finally, counsel may come to us in the form of correction after we have made a serious mistake. Whatever form it takes, we should listen to counsel. Doing so is good for us and could save our life! (Prov. 6:23) Our day’s text encourages us to “listen to the words of the wise.” No human knows everything; there is always someone who has greater knowledge or experience than we do. (Prov. 12:15) So listening to counsel is a sign of humility. It indicates that we are aware of our limitations; we realize that we need help to reach our goals. Wise King Solomon wrote: “There is accomplishment through many advisers [or “counselors,” ftn.].”—Prov. 15:22. w22.02 8 ¶1-2
Wednesday, September 27
The one covering over his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and abandons them will be shown mercy.—Prov. 28:13.
True repentance involves more than saying we are sorry that we have pursued a sinful course. It also involves a genuine change of mind and heart. This includes abandoning a wrong course and turning around to walk in Jehovah’s ways again. (Ezek. 33:14-16) A sinner’s primary concern should be to repair his damaged relationship with Jehovah. What should we do if we learn that a close friend of ours has committed a serious sin? We would only harm our friend by trying to cover up his sin. Such efforts never succeed anyway because Jehovah is watching. (Prov. 5:21, 22) You can help your friend by reminding him that the elders want to help. If your friend refuses to confess to the elders, you should inform the elders about the matter, thereby showing that you truly want to help him. w21.10 7 ¶19-21
Thursday, September 28
Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.—Phil. 2:4.
All of us can learn to imitate Jesus’ self-sacrificing spirit. The Bible says that he “took a slave’s form.” (Phil. 2:7) A valued slave, or servant, would look for opportunities to please his master. As a slave of Jehovah and a servant to your brothers, no doubt you desire to become even more useful to Jehovah and to your fellow believers. Ask yourself: ‘How willing am I to make personal sacrifices to help others? Am I quick to offer my help when there is a need for volunteers to clean a convention site or to maintain the Kingdom Hall?’ Suppose you discern that you need to improve in some aspect, but you lack the motivation to make the necessary changes. In that case, turn to Jehovah in earnest prayer. Tell Jehovah how you feel, and ask him to give you “both the desire and the power to act.”—Phil. 2:13. w22.02 22-23 ¶9-11
Friday, September 29
I will refresh you.—Matt. 11:28.
Jesus showed kindness by being gentle and yielding, even under difficult circumstances. (Matt. 11:29, 30) For instance, when a Phoenician woman begged him to heal her child, he declined her request at first, but when she showed great faith, he kindly healed her child. (Matt. 15:22-28) Although he was kind, Jesus was not overly sentimental. Sometimes he showed kindness by being firm with those he loved. For instance, when Peter tried to discourage Jesus from doing Jehovah’s will, Jesus rebuked him in front of the other disciples. (Mark 8:32, 33) He did this, not to humiliate Peter, but to train him and to warn the other disciples not to be presumptuous. No doubt Peter felt some embarrassment, but he benefited from the discipline. To be genuinely kind to those you love, at times you may have to speak frankly to them. When you do so, imitate Jesus by basing your counsel on principles found in God’s Word. w22.03 11 ¶12-13
Saturday, September 30
Let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that make public declaration to his name.—Heb. 13:15.
We worship Jehovah when we praise him. (Ps. 34:1) We praise Jehovah by speaking appreciatively of his marvelous qualities and his works. Praise springs from a grateful heart. By taking the time to meditate on Jehovah’s goodness—on all the things he has done for us—we will never run out of reasons to praise him. The preaching work gives us an especially fine opportunity to “offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips.” Just as we should give careful thought to what we are going to say before approaching Jehovah in prayer, we do well to think carefully about what we will say to those we come in contact with in our ministry. We want our “sacrifice of praise” to be our very best. We speak from our heart when we share the truth with others. w22.03 21 ¶8 |
Listen to God (ld)
2011 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/listen-to-god-ld | Printed Edition
Part 4
Adam and Eve did not obey God, so they died. Genesis 3:6, 23
The dead are as lifeless as the dust. Genesis 3:19 |
Did You Know? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2018248 | Did You Know?
Were the principles of the Mosaic Law actually applied in settling everyday legal disputes in ancient Israel?
AT TIMES, yes. Consider one example. Deuteronomy 24:14, 15 states: “You must not defraud a hired worker who is in need and poor, whether one of your brothers or a foreign resident in your land . . . Otherwise, he will cry out to Jehovah against you, and you will be guilty of sin.”
The pottery shard on which the farmworker’s plea was written
The record of a plea in such a case dated to the seventh century B.C.E. It was found near Ashdod. Possibly penned for a field worker who allegedly failed to deliver a set quota of grain, this document, written on a pottery shard, says: “After your servant [the petitioner] had finished storing the harvest a few days ago, Hoshayahu son of Shobay came and took your servant’s garment. . . . All my companions who were harvesting with me in the heat of the sun will testify . . . that what I have said is true. I am innocent of any offense. . . . If the governor does not consider it his obligation to have your servant’s garment sent back, do it out of pity! You must not remain silent when your servant is without his garment.”
This plea “speaks to us of more than just the desperation of a labourer to get back [his garment],” says historian Simon Schama. “It also presupposes that the petitioner knew something about the biblical law code, especially the injunctions in Leviticus and Deuteronomy against harsh treatment of the poor.” |
Life on Earth (le)
1982 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/brochures-and-booklets/life-on-earth-le | input Page/Publishers’ Page
Enjoy Life on Earth Forever!
2006 Printing
This publication is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations. |
Sing Praises (ssb)
1984 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/Ssb | Song 125
“Jehovah Is on My Side”
(Psalm 118:6)
1. My heart upon Jehovah God
Is steadfast, firm, reliant.
It’s my desire to walk his ways
And always be compliant.
Along life’s path there may appear
Distressing circumstances,
But God is ever on my side.
His love my heart entrances!
(Chorus)
2. I know that in this crucial hour
My faith will yet be tested.
Around me swarms the Devil’s crowd
Like bees that were molested.
But I can ever beat them off
Beneath divine protection.
On those who love to bear his name,
God sets his deep affection.
(Chorus)
3. Jehovah God has now enlarged
His holy nation’s borders.
For many flock to do his will
And keep his laws and orders.
He gives support to all such ones;
In them he takes great pleasure.
May I, with them, e’er zealous be
In overflowing measure.
(CHORUS)
Jehovah God is on my side;
I’ll praise and exalt him forever. |
YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Friendship or Romance?—Part 2: What Signals Am I Sending? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502016199 | YOUNG PEOPLE ASK
Friendship or Romance?—Part 2: What Signals Am I Sending?
You like to be available when a friend needs to talk. And lately you’ve been talking to one friend a lot. The problem is, it’s someone of the opposite sex. ‘We’re just friends,’ you tell yourself, assuming that the other person feels the same way. Should you be concerned?
What can happen
Why it matters
What you can do
Tips
What can happen
It’s not wrong to have friends of the opposite sex. But what if you develop a special friendship with one person over others? In that case, he or she may well conclude that you want more than friendship.
Not the message you want to send? Consider some ways that it might happen, even inadvertently.
You give someone too much attention.
“Although you can’t control someone else’s feelings, you shouldn’t add fuel to the fire by saying you’re just friends but then calling and talking to that person all the time.”—Sierra.
You respond to someone’s attention.
“I didn’t initiate the texting, but I always replied to one girl’s numerous messages. After that, it was difficult for me to explain to her that I viewed her as just a friend.”—Richard.
You encourage someone’s attention.
“Some people think flirting is a game. They play with others’ feelings without being serious about a relationship. I’ve seen it happen repeatedly, and someone always gets hurt.”—Tamara.
The bottom line: Regular communication and attention send signals of romantic interest.
Why it matters
It hurts the other person.
The Bible says: “Expectation postponed makes the heart sick.” (Proverbs 13:12) What expectation would you have if someone kept sending you signals of romantic interest?
“There’s an expression, ‘Keeping someone on the hook.’ It refers to when you’ve caught a fish but you neither release it nor reel it in. That can happen in a relationship. If you aren’t interested in dating but you keep someone ‘on the hook,’ you will cause that person a lot of pain.”—Jessica.
It hurts your reputation.
The Bible says: “Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4) What trait would you ascribe to someone who looks out only for himself or herself? How might that affect the person’s reputation?
“A boy who flirts with girls is unattractive to me. And flirting may be a foregleam of disloyalty in marriage. It’s using someone to give you an ego-boost, and that’s selfish.”—Julia.
The bottom line: People who send signals of romantic interest with no intention of pursuing a relationship hurt others and themselves.
What you can do
The Bible says to treat “younger men as brothers” and “younger women as sisters, with all chasteness.” (1 Timothy 5:1, 2) If you adhere to that standard, you will protect your friendships with those of the opposite sex.
“If I were married, I wouldn’t flirt with someone else’s spouse. It’s good practice for me now, while single, to be balanced when dealing with the opposite sex.”—Leah.
The Bible says: “When words are many, transgression cannot be avoided.” (Proverbs 10:19) That principle applies not only to conversations but also to texting—including the frequency and the output of your communication.
“There’s really no need to text a girl on a daily basis unless you plan on dating her.”—Brian.
The Bible says: “The wisdom from above is first of all pure.” (James 3:17) A hug can be given in a pure way—or it could be taken as a sign of romantic interest.
“I try to keep my conversations friendly but at arm’s length—literally and figuratively.”—Maria.
The bottom line: Carefully scrutinize your conduct with the opposite sex. “Good friendships are hard to come by,” says a teenager named Jennifer, “and you don’t want to ruin them by sending mixed signals.”
Tips
Pay attention to others’ comments. If someone asks, “Are you and so-and-so dating?” it might indicate that you’ve gotten too close.
Be consistent with your friends of the opposite sex. Do not single out one person and give him or her more attention than others.
Be careful with texting—including the frequency of the texts, their output, and the time of day that you send them. “You don’t need to be texting someone of the opposite sex at midnight,” says a girl named Alyssa. |
Why Eden Matters to You | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2011004 | Why Eden Matters to You
ONE of the most surprising objections that some scholars raise to the account about Eden is that it is not supported by the rest of the Bible. For example, Professor of Religious Studies Paul Morris writes: “There are no later direct biblical references to the Eden story.” His assessment may win nods of agreement from various “experts,” but it runs directly counter to the facts.
The Bible actually makes numerous references to the garden of Eden, Adam, Eve, and the serpent.a But the error of a few scholars pales in comparison to a much larger, more pervasive one. By discrediting the Genesis record of the garden of Eden, religious leaders and Bible critics are actually launching an all-out assault on the Bible. How so?
Understanding what happened in Eden is essential to understanding the rest of the Bible. For example, God’s Word is designed to help us find answers to the most profound and far-reaching questions that humans face. Again and again, the Bible’s answers to those questions relate to events that took place in the garden of Eden. Consider some examples.
● Why do we grow old and die? Adam and Eve were to live forever if they remained subject to Jehovah. Only if they rebelled would they die. In the day that they rebelled, they began to die. (Genesis 2:16, 17; 3:19) They lost perfection and could pass on only sin and imperfection to their offspring. The Bible thus explains: “Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.”—Romans 5:12.
● Why does God allow wickedness? In the garden of Eden, Satan called God a liar who withholds good from his creatures. (Genesis 3:3-5) He thus called into question the rightfulness of Jehovah’s way of ruling. Adam and Eve chose to follow Satan; so they likewise rejected Jehovah’s sovereignty and, in effect, asserted that man can decide for himself what is good and what is bad. In his perfect justice and wisdom, Jehovah knew that there was only one way to answer the challenge properly—allow time to pass, giving humans the opportunity to rule themselves as they choose. The resulting wickedness is due, in part, to Satan’s continued influence and has gradually revealed a great truth: Man is incapable of governing himself without God.—Jeremiah 10:23.
● What is God’s purpose for the earth? In the garden of Eden, Jehovah set a standard of beauty for the earth. He commissioned Adam and Eve to fill the earth with their offspring and “subdue it,” in order to bring the same measure of beauty and harmony to the whole planet. (Genesis 1:28) So God’s purpose for the earth is that it be a paradise inhabited by a perfect, united family of the offspring of Adam and Eve. Much of the Bible is about God’s means of fulfilling that original purpose.
● Why did Jesus Christ come to the earth? The rebellion in the garden of Eden brought a death sentence upon Adam and Eve and all their offspring, but God lovingly supplied hope. He sent his Son to the earth to provide what the Bible calls a ransom. (Matthew 20:28) What does that mean? Well, Jesus was “the last Adam”; he succeeded where Adam had failed. Jesus maintained his perfect human life by remaining obedient to Jehovah. Then he freely gave his life as a sacrifice, or ransom, providing the means for all faithful humans to receive forgiveness for their sins and eventually attain the kind of life that Adam and Eve enjoyed in Eden before they sinned. (1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; John 3:16) Thus Jesus guaranteed that Jehovah’s purpose to turn this earth into an Edenlike paradise will come true.b
God’s purpose is not vague, nor is it some abstract theological concept. It is real. Just as the garden of Eden was a real place on this earth with real animals and real people, so God’s promise for the future is a certainty, a reality soon to come. Will it be your future, your reality? Much of that is up to you. God wants that future for as many people as possible, even for those whose lives have gone wrong.—1 Timothy 2:3, 4.
As Jesus was dying, he spoke to a man whose life had taken a terrible turn. The man was a criminal; he knew that he deserved to be executed. But he turned to Jesus for comfort, for hope. Jesus’ response? “You will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) If Jesus wants to see that former criminal there—resurrected and blessed with an opportunity to live forever in an Edenlike paradise—does he not want the same blessing for you? He does! His Father does! If you want that future for yourself, do all that you can to learn about the God who made the garden of Eden.
[Footnotes]
a See, for example, Genesis 13:10; Deuteronomy 32:8; 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 1:1; Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 28:13; 31:8, 9; Luke 3:38; Romans 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:22, 45; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:13, 14; Jude 14; and Revelation 12:9.
b To learn more about Christ’s ransom sacrifice, see chapter 5 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
[Box/Pictures on page 10]
A PROPHECY THAT TIES THE BIBLE TOGETHER
“I shall put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman and between your seed and her seed. He will bruise you in the head and you will bruise him in the heel.”—Genesis 3:15.
That is the Bible’s first prophecy, uttered by God in Eden. Who are the four characters: the woman, her offspring, the serpent, and its offspring? How does the foretold “enmity” play out?
THE SERPENT
Satan the Devil.—Revelation 12:9.
THE WOMAN
Jehovah’s organization of heavenly creatures. (Galatians 4:26, 27) Isaiah spoke of “the woman,” foretelling that she would give birth to a future spiritual nation.—Isaiah 54:1; 66:8.
THE SEED OF THE SERPENT
Those who choose to do the will of Satan.—John 8:44.
THE SEED OF THE WOMAN
Primarily Jesus Christ, who came out of the heavenly part of Jehovah’s organization. Also included in the “seed” are Christ’s spiritual brothers, who rule in heaven with him. Those anointed Christians make up a spiritual nation, “the Israel of God.”—Galatians 3:16, 29; 6:16; Genesis 22:18.
THE HEEL WOUND
A painful blow to the Messiah but not permanent in its effects. Satan succeeded in having Jesus put to death on earth. Jesus was resurrected.
THE HEAD WOUND
A deadly blow to Satan. Jesus will put Satan out of existence forever. Even before that, Jesus will undo the evil Satan began in Eden.—1 John 3:8; Revelation 20:10.
For a concise overview of the Bible’s central theme, see the brochure The Bible—What Is Its Message? published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
[Picture on page 11]
Adam and Eve suffered the disastrous results of sin |
School Fatigue—What Can Be Done About It? | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/101978005 | School Fatigue—What Can Be Done About It?
By “Awake!” correspondent in Sweden
“AS SOON as I touch the handle of the locker, I get tired. After the first lesson, I just go home. Everything is boring. I want to work and make money or, at least, do something meaningful.” This is what a 14-year-old girl in Sweden said to a child psychiatrist when explaining why she had begun to cut classes so often.
Obviously the girl suffered from school fatigue, an “ailment” that is spreading among pupils in modern society. School authorities, teachers and parents often feel powerless when faced with it. In fact, in many places the problem of school fatigue is so great that it has become a subject of extensive research.
An Underlying Reason
Often students suffering from fatigue find the subjects in school boring and meaningless. There is also frustration that comes from having to study too many subjects. Because of disorder in the classroom, some students are insecure and nervous. Still others have problems with fellow pupils. Children from families with differing religious beliefs may frequently find themselves in conflict. Factors such as the foregoing contribute to school fatigue. However, many surveys point to one basic underlying cause—pupils experiencing school fatigue lack motivation for studying. They simply find it pointless. For many years they attend school without getting any practical benefit from much of the material taken up in class.
Why is school fatigue more common among teen-agers than among younger students? Researchers say that younger children want to learn because of natural curiosity. They are motivated by a desire to imitate what adults do. Usually they find almost everything exciting in school, and are more willing to fit in. After puberty, though, other motivations are needed. Alvar Ellegård, a professor and researcher of learning technique at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, says concerning this: “After puberty it is no longer possible to play in knowledge or a feeling of fitting in. We must then, instead, give schoolwork a goal and a purpose in order to get the pupils to accomplish something.” Research also has revealed that learning is more automatic before puberty because of an inborn need to learn for life. After puberty, however, knowledge is acquired in a more constructive and systematic way and, therefore, requires more concrete motivation.
What Can Be Done?
Many fatigued pupils can be helped by being given incentive. Who can aid them with this? A summary of research undertaken by the National Swedish Board of Education says of such students: “Those who have interrupted their studies and played truant in comprehensive school, those who have persistently desired to leave comprehensive school early, and those who have finally interrupted their studies at secondary school level come from homes of low socio-economic status and homes where parents have not provided the necessary support in connection with schoolwork.” (Italics ours.)
Two American researchers, W. R. Morrow and R. C. Wilson, who have studied the family relationships of 96 high school boys, both “bright high achieving and underachieving,” found that good family life made a difference. Better results were attained by those having a more harmonious and emotionally supportive homelife. These researchers, therefore, maintain that the atmosphere in the home affects schoolwork and associated activities. They also found that children who had received a negative attitude toward school from their parents were often negative in adapting to school.
What Parents Can Do
So, parents can do much to foster their children’s interest in schoolwork. How? They should be interested in it themselves. This is not just a matter of asking now and then: “What happened at school today?” Rather, parents should manifest interest in more specific things—details regarding schoolwork. Then, they should discuss matters in terms that reveal an understanding of what their children are studying.
It is also important that parents show that they expect something from their sons and daughters at school. It is good for children to have reasonable demands put upon them. At heart, they do appreciate this. Otherwise they may reason: “Why exert myself when nobody cares about the result?” In this connection, Professor Alvar Ellegård noted: “It is unnatural for people above childhood not to have demands on them. Lack of demands does not make life happier.”
Hence, parents ought to tell their children what is expected and then follow through accordingly. They can praise and reward success, and provide comfort and help in case of failure. This gives children a wholesome feeling of importance and assures them that somebody really cares.
Parents might also stress the usefulness of education. They could explain how they themselves have benefited from learning a certain subject at school. Also, they might point out to their children which problems and situations in adult life require certain skill or knowledge.
Putting School Information to Practical Use
Another way to motivate children to study is to arrange situations in which they can put their newly gained knowledge to practical use in everyday life. Many educators have discovered the importance of practical application of schoolwork. Efforts have been made to combine theory with actual work. Students are periodically sent out to places of employment to put acquired knowledge to use. Similarly, parents can give their sons and daughters different tasks and responsibilities.
When it comes to some foreign language, why not arrange for the children to use it as much as possible? Perhaps you could take them to places where the language is spoken, ask them to translate clippings or quotations in that language, or invite to your home friends who speak the language.
For practical application of mathematics, children could be encouraged to keep a personal account book, to total receipts in the household, to calculate the costs of certain repairs at home, and so forth.
For reading exercise, parents could have their children read aloud to them. Some youngsters have gained much happiness and practical experience by reading to blind persons and others unable to read for themselves. One father has his daughter regularly read study material for him on recording tape. Then, when going to and from work, he listens to it in the car on his cassette recorder.
Many parents have found it good to let their children do manual work and thus get used to handling tools. Such practical application of knowledge contributes toward the development of the mind.
Appreciating Education’s True Value
Even if certain subjects taught in school do not seem necessary for the future, children can be made aware of their value. Knowledge of various fields serves to broaden the mind, provides a more balanced education and gives training in learning. The brain is much like a muscle, in that its capacity can be increased by training. Studying also gives practice in self-discipline and improves powers of thinking and concentration.
If certain school instruction is contrary to the family’s religious convictions, as sometimes is the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is important that parents not use this to encourage contempt for school in the minds of their children. Instruction that includes information that may not be in harmony with the Bible, but that does not require a pupil to disown his faith or to take part in an act of false worship, can still be useful. It can give the youngster an understanding of how certain people think and how they might be helped to appreciate the value of God’s Word. A balanced, but still uncompromising, attitude can aid children to avoid many embarrassing confrontations and conflicts at school. Instead of being argumentative when such subjects are dealt with in class, children should be taught that much more can be gained by being tactful, polite and cheerful.
In many countries school education now is free. This may cause young people—and even parents—to minimize its value. But knowledge of how expensive it is may assist all more fully to appreciate its value. In Sweden, for example, during the 1976/77 school year every student in comprehensive school cost the taxpayer 12,300 Swedish crowns (about $3,000). One can easily imagine how an average family man with three schoolchildren would feel if he had to pay for their education. Hence, free education, if missed when we are young, may be very expensive to get in later life.
Good Contact with Teachers
Parents can show interest in their children’s instruction through good contact with teachers. Many teachers would like to have more of an interchange with parents. This creates better understanding among all parties involved—teacher, pupil and parents. Feeling that the parents care about their child, the teacher may be moved to take a greater personal interest in him as a pupil. The student may also be more inclined to behave well and show proper respect for the teacher.
Life at school nowadays may be very trying for many pupils. That is why they need love and a sense of security. A school nurse with 30 years of experience says: “The lack of security in some children is frightening. Something basic is missing. I know for certain what is needed: love and interest. You can pour love over a child. He soaks it up like a sponge.”
So, very often insecurity and a feeling of meaninglessness are responsible for school fatigue. Therefore, parents can do much in dealing with this problem by striving to provide their children with incentive for study. This they can do by taking an active interest in their children’s schoolwork and giving them a sense of security, making them feel loved and appreciated.
[Picture on page 15]
Parents should take a sincere interest in their children’s schoolwork |
Greatest Man (gt)
1991 | https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/gt | Chapter 122
From Pilate to Herod and Back Again
ALTHOUGH Jesus makes no attempt to conceal from Pilate that he is a king, he explains that his Kingdom is no threat to Rome. “My kingdom is no part of this world,” Jesus says. “If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.” Jesus thus acknowledges three times that he has a Kingdom, although it is not of an earthly source.
Yet, Pilate presses him further: “Well, then, are you a king?” That is, are you a king even though your Kingdom is no part of this world?
Jesus lets Pilate know that he has drawn the right conclusion, answering: “You yourself are saying that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.”
Yes, the very purpose of Jesus’ existence on earth is to bear witness to “the truth,” specifically the truth about his Kingdom. Jesus is prepared to be faithful to that truth even if it costs him his life. Although Pilate asks: “What is truth?” he does not wait for further explanation. He has heard enough to render judgment.
Pilate returns to the crowd waiting outside the palace. Evidently with Jesus at his side, he tells the chief priests and those with them: “I find no crime in this man.”
Angered by the decision, the crowds begin to insist: “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, even starting out from Galilee to here.”
The unreasoning fanaticism of the Jews must amaze Pilate. So, as the chief priests and older men continue shouting, Pilate turns to Jesus and asks: “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” Yet, Jesus makes no attempt to answer. His calm in the face of the wild accusations causes Pilate to marvel.
Learning that Jesus is a Galilean, Pilate sees a way out of responsibility for him. The ruler of Galilee, Herod Antipas (son of Herod the Great), is in Jerusalem for the Passover, so Pilate sends Jesus to him. Earlier, Herod Antipas had John the Baptizer beheaded, and then Herod became frightened when he heard about the miraculous works Jesus was performing, fearing that Jesus was actually John who had been raised from the dead.
Now, Herod is overjoyed at the prospect of seeing Jesus. This is not because he is concerned about Jesus’ welfare or that he wants to make any real attempt to learn whether the charges against him are true or not. Rather, he is simply curious and hopes to see Jesus perform some miracle.
Jesus, however, refuses to satisfy Herod’s curiosity. In fact, as Herod questions him, he does not say a word. Disappointed, Herod and his soldier guards make fun of Jesus. They clothe him with a bright garment and mock him. Then they send him back to Pilate. As a result, Herod and Pilate, who had formerly been enemies, become good friends.
When Jesus returns, Pilate calls the chief priests, the Jewish rulers, and the people together and says: “You brought this man to me as one inciting the people to revolt, and, look! I examined him in front of you but found in this man no ground for the charges you are bringing against him. In fact, neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us; and, look! nothing deserving of death has been committed by him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
Thus Pilate has twice declared Jesus innocent. He is eager to free him, for he realizes that it is only because of envy that the priests have handed him over. As Pilate continues to try to release Jesus, he receives even stronger motivation to do so. While he is on his judgment seat, his wife sends a message, urging him: “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I suffered a lot today in a dream [evidently of divine origin] because of him.”
Yet, how can Pilate release this innocent man, as he knows he should? John 18:36-38; Luke 23:4-16; Matthew 27:12-14, 18, 19; 14:1, 2; Mark 15:2-5.
▪ How does Jesus answer the question regarding his kingship?
▪ What is “the truth” about which Jesus spent his earthly life bearing witness?
▪ What is Pilate’s judgment, how do the people respond, and what does Pilate do with Jesus?
▪ Who is Herod Antipas, why is he overjoyed to see Jesus, and what does he do with him?
▪ Why is Pilate eager to free Jesus? |
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